Group 6's Comments.

1. What kind of student was Scott Monat? Was he the kind of student you would typically suspect of abusing drugs and boozing?

Scott Monat is an exchange programme student from America to Singapore. No, I don't think that Scott Monat is the kind of student who would abuse drugs and consume alcohol.

2. Why do you think a student like Scott Monat would want to use drugs and alcohol?

I think that Scott Monat was being influenced, because he had been hanging out with a friend before his death. Before his death, his friend saw Monat snorting pills and had even overtake at one go. Moreover, Scott Monat is alone in Singapore, his family is not with him. Nobody is there to control him, hence he could go astray. Pressure could also led him to use drugs and alcohol.

3. Scott Monat was an exchange student to Singapore. Do you think Singaporean students who go overseas might indulge in drugs and alcohol, away from their parents?

I think some Singaporean students may indulge in drugs and alcohol. They are not being controlled once they are away from their parents, they would like to do things that make them feel more grown up. Teenagers like to try new things and take risks, trying drugs and alcohol could seems exciting for them.

4. Why do you think, after stories like this, some teenagers still abuse drugs and alcohol? Is it the right decision?

Some teenagers do feel very troubled or stressed in their lives. They abuse drugs and alcohol to relieve . Nowadays, parents are neglecting their children due to their work, do not have much time with them. Teenagers may want attention from their parents, so they abuse drugs and alcohol. Some may want to fit in with their friends or groups. It is definitely not the right decision. It's bad for health, they cause lots of health problems, poor schoolwork, loss of friends and even death.


- Group 6. (Annabelle, Crystal, Shirley Ho, Zancis)

Comments on Reading Assignment #6 (Group 7)

1. What were some of the issues about Singapore that were brought up in the dialogue with DPM Teo?

He pointed out that even though Singapore has vulnerabilities, the country has strong anchors that will keep it stable.He said as a small nation the margin for error is much less compared to bigger countries. And being trade-dependent, Singapore is also vulnerable to external factor

2. Do you think young Singaporeans should be concerned about Singapore politics and should have a role? Why?

Yes. i think that young singaporeans should be concerned about Singpore politics as it affects the well-being of every singaporean. For example, if all singaporeans do not care about the polictics, then during the elections, we wouldnt have a clue on who to vote, affecting the whole of Singapore's society.

3. What do you think, are some of Singapore's "vulnerabilities"?

Singapore's has a vulnerability to a volatile region despite political and economic stability at home. Singapore is also very dependent on other countries. For example, Singapore is dependent on Malaysia for half of its daily wa

4. Do you have confidence in Singapore's future and why?

Yes, i have confidence in Singapore's future beacause despite all the vulnerabilities, the government are actually taking precautions and measures overcome these vulnerabiities. For example, because Singapore is very dependant on Malysia for the supply of water, Singapore is keen to reduce that dependency by planning to build a multi-billion dollar undersea pipeline to harness water from Indonesia's Riau province in five years. Also, because of our small size, lack of natural resources and inherent vulnerabilities, the people are trying their best to build the three key pillars of strong political leadership, sound national institutions and nuture quality people more than other countries do.

kang zheng, Brennan, Ivan ,Fareez, Keric (group 7)

Reading Assignment #6 (Group 7)

Read the following article at ChannelNewsAsia.

Young Singaporeans should have confidence in their future


1. What were some of the issues about Singapore that were brought up in the dialogue with DPM Teo?

2. Do you think young Singaporeans should be concerned about Singapore politics and should have a role? Why?

3. What do you think, are some of Singapore's "vulnerabilities"?

4. Do you have confidence in Singapore's future and why?

Your response may be in text, podcast or video format.

Reading Assignment #5 (Group 6)

Read the following article from the Straits Times:

NUS Student Dies

Using this article as a base, explore other articles on the subject and find out what you can about this issue. You can also find information on other sites such as ChannelNewsAsia. (Video)

Then, answer the following questions:

1. What kind of student was Scott Monat? Was he the kind of student you would typically suspect of abusing drugs and boozing?

2. Why do you think a student like Scott Monat would want to use drugs and alcohol?

3. Scott Monat was an exchange student to Singapore. Do you think Singaporean students who go overseas might indulge in drugs and alcohol, away from their parents?

4. Why do you think, after stories like this, some teenagers still abuse drugs and alcohol? Is it the right decision?