Straits Times Reflection 17

Question 1(a). List two reasons why teens are reluctant to call helplines despite the promise of anonymity and professional help.

Some teenagers feel that it will be weird to talk to stranger. Some feel that close friends are easier to communicate and talk to. They have more faith and trust in their friends and they think their friends are the people whom they can rely on.

Question 1(b). According to Ms Lily Chu, how does Touch Leadership and Mentoring prefer to help troubled teens?

Touch Leadership and Mentoring can be prefered to help troubled teenagers through more direct and effective means, such as educational workshops organised in schools, one to one counselling and home visits.

Question 2. Have you confided in your friends or family members about the problems you face in school/ life? Why or why not?

Yes. I wouldn't want to keep all the problems to myself as that will make me feel more anxious and pent up. I would rather share my problems with my friends and family members and release all my doubts. That will make me less worried and I can have more people to rely on to help solve my problems. This will allow others to know more about my character.

Have you been betrayed by your friends before? If yes, how? (You may change the names of the people involved for privacy)

I cannot remember any incidents of betrayal. Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!! I need to think...

Straits Times Reflection 16

Question 1(a). What are the 4 rules for religious harmony?

Answer: All groups of religion are to exercise tolerance and restraint, religion should not be related to politics but separated. The government must be secular, meaning that the government must be fair to all groups of religion. Lastly, maintain common space that all Singaporeans share to allow everyone to feel at home in Singapore and at ease.

Question 1(b). In your opinion, how can we maintain a common space in schools?

Catholic or chinese schools should allow students from different religion and races to mix along with the catholics and chinese. Students of different religion and races should do something common amongst themselves.

Question 2. Do you respect other religions? Why or why not? What do you think of children who stay away from their parents' funerals because they believe the traditional rites are against their new religion?

I do respect other religions mainly for a reason that I'm a freethinker. Nevertheless, even if I am under a religious group, I will try to respect other religions. I wouldn't want racial riots to happen. I think that children who stay away from their parents' funerals because of their religion and traditional rites is quite disrespectful towards their parents. Although their religion is important, the most important is still their parents and family. They are the people who will always support and stand behind them.

Straits Times Reflection 12

Question 1(a). Why is cheerleading an expensive sport?

Answer: There are quite a number of things cheerleaders will need to buy, such as imported pom-poms from Taiwan which costs $50 - $70. Hair products are also needed and costs approximately $50 per team. There are many more items or products that are needed to buy and they are all very expensive because most of them are imported from other countries. Hence, cheer leading is an expensive sport.

Question 1(b). What makes cheerleading such a tough sport?



Question 2. What is your opinion of cheerleaders? If given a chance, would you join cheerleading? Why/ why not?

Straits Times Reflection 13

Question 1(a). What are the 2 worrying trends about drug trafficking mentioned in the article?



Question 1(b). Why are Singaporeans increasingly being used as "drug mules"?



Question 2. What will you do if you find out that one of your friends is selling drugs? How will you react if someone tries to sell you drugs?

Answer: I will warn him that selling drugs is a very serious offence and it is illegal to do so. Telling him the consequences may make him realize and influence him not to do so. If someone were to sell me drugs, I will either say "NO" and walk away without explaining or give him or her excuses that I am allergic to drugs.

Straits Times Reflection 14

Question 1. What is the modus operandi (method of operating) of the con artists?

The con artists' modus operandi is to pose as volunteers from "welfare organisations" to tidy up the homes of senior citizens.

Question 1(b). What are the Lion Befrienders planning to do to ensure the old folks do not get conned again?

They reminded the old folks to ask for an identification pass bearing the visitor's name and Befrienders' logo. So did they introduce new volunteers to the senior citizens, to ensure that the old folks recognise the people who will visit them subsequently.

Question 2. Do you like doing social work? Why or why not?

I quite like doing social work. I would like to help people, espcially old folks, tidy up and clean their homes. Most old folks cannot have the strength and energy to spare hours to clean up their homes. Therefore, instead of lazing around or playing during my leisure time, it would be nice to spend some time helping old folks or talking to them. Both parties would feel happy with it.