Topic 1:
Online currencies are used more these days. Why is this? Is this a positive or negative development?
View 1: positive development
- Safe, especially when large amounts are stored and transacted.
- Money can be transferred immediately.
- People can use/transfer online currencies at any time of the day.
- Every transaction is recorded and can be monitored for safety purposes.
View 2: negative development
- Conversion value of the online currency has high volatility.
- Digital currencies are potential targets for frauds and scams.
- Transfer of digital currency across different media/platforms might be difficult, as the currency is not accepted everywhere.
- Use of digital currencies requires the user to have basic understandings of the necessary technologies – might be difficult for elderly people to learn or understand.
Topic 2:
Some people think that in order to prevent illness and disease, governments should make efforts in reducing environmental pollution and housing problems. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
View 1: Govt should focus on reducing pollution and housing related problems
- Many illnesses and conditions are directly or indirectly related to one’s environment. Ex.: A person living in an overcrowded metropolis has to deal with immediate dangers of air and noise pollution, potential drinking water contamination, etc.
- The cost incurred by the government to treat patients will be more than the cost incurred to solve the problem. So its better if the government focuses on solving pollution and health problems
- Providing the homeless with shelters would reduce the chance of these people being exposed to harsh/polluted environmental conditions.
View 2: Govt should focus on other things to prevent illness and disease than environmental pollution and housing problems.
- Many common diseases like obesity, heart problems arecaused due to poor eating habits. – govt could promote a healthy diet and regular exercise – cheaper and efficient.
- National health authorities can widely and effectively address health problems by legislating the levels of unhealthy ingredients in food products.
- Govt should allocate money to conduct research and development in medical field – breakthroughs in health sector like a cure for cancer could save thousands of people or prevent the rise of any potential epidemic.