2019 A-Levels H1 General Paper

GP Essay Skills: Suggested Answer to Q2: 

Why attempt to conquer space when so much remains to be done on earth?

With the arrival of the new millennium, a lot of attention has been invested in space exploration, rather than solving domestic problems on earth. Millions of dollars and precious time have been poured into launching satellites and rockets and training astronauts to go into space. In the meantime, problems like poverty, famine, loss of species, global warming and the depletion of fuels and fresh water are plaguing mankind. It is only natural to believe that time and money should be spent on solving the many domestic problems of earth before embarking on space. However, despite the domestic problems, space exploration could be justified.

The conditions on earth are improving already. Following the advances in technology, new equipment is being invented in the interests of earth. Cars have catalytic converters that change harmful gases to non-harmful ones, and cars are more streamlined to reduce fuel consumption. Problems like pollution and depletion of fossil fuels are already undergoing retardation. Furthermore, other problems like overpopulation, which usually results in famine and poverty, are gradually being controlled. Since the one-child policy, China’s population has gradually come under control and development in other fields like its economy is progressing. However, despite the fact that many developed and developing countries have done a lot to improve conditions on earth, many third world countries like Zimbabwe still cannot do much on their own, and require external aid. Nonetheless, due to greater awareness through the mass media, such third world countries are already receiving aid from foreign countries.

Every year, students from Singapore are sent to help rebuild schools in Cambodia, which aids its development. Furthermore, with better education, people are aware of the damage to the earth and have spent much effort on protecting the earth. The banning of leaded petrol and CFC’s in most countries has contributed greatly to the well-being of the earth. Besides, Earth Summits, held every ten years, are conducted to keep check on the conditions on earth, so effort and money could be invested in space exploration.

Space exploration is carried out and despite problems on earth we need to protect ourselves and ensure our survival. Movies like “Deep Impact” and “Armageddon”, which features huge asteroids colliding with earth, have raised hairs. Such situations are possible in real life and efforts to explore, work in space should be encouraged to ensure our survival should a similar situation arise. However, despite protecting ourselves from possible extraterrestrial damage, the chances of asteroids hitting us are very small. Nonetheless, even if the chances are very slim, it could still occur and threaten all life on the planet. Furthermore, if the conditions on earth were to deteriorate eventually, space exploration could save life on earth by discovering another planet suitable for living.. Thus, space exploration should be carried out, even though much needs to be done on earth.

Human nature has driven us to conquer space. Humans are curious creatures by nature, and the thirst for knowledge about space, alien life forms and stars have driven us to build bigger rockets and satellites to explore space. However, many problems on earth, like global warming, require much greater attention than than simply the quest for knowledge. Nonetheless, with advancement in technology, space exploration is not as treacherous as it used to be, and it does not demand too much time, money and effort. Furthermore, there are many people on earth who still continue to solve problems on earth at the same time as others are exploring space. Hence, space exploration does not necessarily occupy all the effort, time and money required to solve problems on earth.

In the light of what has been discussed, attempts to conquer space can be justified even when earth ha so many problems, as the conditions on earth are already improving, to protect ourselves and ensure our own survival, as well as satisfying our thirst for knowledge. Furthermore, there are still many people solving the problems of earth, and space exploration does not necessarily take up all the money and manpower on earth. Besides, if a new source of energy were discovered, space exploration might not be so difficult and costly , and might be as simple as driving a car.

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