Target Band Score: 7.5+
1. What kinds of things make you laugh?
I generally find observational humor to be the most amusing—the kind that highlights the absurdities of everyday life. I’m also quite fond of witty banter and dry sarcasm rather than slapstick comedy. Occasionally, just a spontaneous, unexpected mishap among friends can trigger a fit of uncontrollable giggles.
2. Do you like making other people laugh? (Why/Why not?)
Absolutely. I view humor as a fantastic social lubricant. Being able to crack a joke often breaks the ice and alleviates tension in awkward situations. Furthermore, seeing someone’s face light up with laughter gives me a genuine sense of satisfaction; it fosters a feeling of camaraderie and connection.
3. Do you think it’s important for people to laugh? (Why/Why not?)
Undoubtedly. Laughter is arguably therapeutic. From a physiological standpoint, it releases endorphins which help to combat stress. In a broader sense, maintaining a lighthearted perspective allows people to navigate life's inevitable hardships with greater resilience. Without laughter, life would be incredibly monotonous and draining.
4. Is laughing the same as feeling happy, do you think? (Why/Why not?)
Not necessarily. I think we shouldn't conflate the two. While laughter is often a manifestation of happiness, it can also be a visceral reaction to shock or nervousness. Conversely, one can experience a profound sense of contentment and inner peace—true happiness—without outwardly laughing. Laughter is an action; happiness is a state of being.
Describe an idea you had for improving something at work or college.
I’d like to talk about a time I proposed a digital transformation strategy during my previous role at a logistics firm.
When and where: This occurred about two years ago. I was sitting in our weekly team briefing in the conference room, listening to my colleagues complain about the sheer volume of paperwork required for archiving client records. It struck me that our reliance on physical documentation was archaic and inefficient.
The Idea: My concept was to transition our archiving system to a cloud-based server with automated tagging. Essentially, instead of manually filing invoices, we would scan them using OCR (Optical Character Recognition) software that would automatically categorize them into specific client folders.
Who I told: I initially pitched this to my immediate supervisor during our one-on-one appraisal. Once he saw the potential, he encouraged me to present a formal proposal to the Operations Manager.
Why it was an improvement: I was convinced this would revolutionize our workflow. Firstly, it would eliminate the bottleneck caused by manual data entry, freeing up staff to focus on more cognitive tasks. Secondly, it would drastically reduce our carbon footprint by going paperless. Ultimately, the idea was about enhancing operational efficiency and modernizing our outdated practices to keep pace with industry standards.
Some people think that education should be about memorising the important ideas of the past. Do you agree or disagree? Why?
I largely disagree with the notion that education should be confined to rote memorization. While understanding historical context and foundational theories is crucial, merely regurgitating facts is insufficient in the modern world. Education should primarily be about developing critical thinking faculties—teaching students how to think, rather than just what to think. If we focus solely on the past, we risk stifling innovation.
Should education encourage students to have their own new ideas? Why?
Unquestionably. Progress is driven by ingenuity and fresh perspectives. By encouraging students to formulate their own hypotheses and solutions, educators foster creativity and adaptability. These are the skills required to solve contemporary global challenges. A rigid system that discourages independent thought produces obedient workers, whereas a flexible system produces visionaries and leaders.
How do you think teachers could help students to develop and share their own ideas?
Teachers can cultivate this by moving away from lecture-heavy formats and adopting a more Socratic method, where they ask probing questions to stimulate debate. Creating a psychologically safe environment is also paramount; students must feel that their ideas will be respected, even if they are unconventional. Group projects and presentations also provide a platform for students to articulate and refine their concepts through peer feedback.
Should employers encourage their workers to have new ideas about improving the company?
Yes, it is vital for organizational survival. Employees on the front lines often possess granular insights into inefficiencies that upper management might overlook. Encouraging a bottom-up approach to innovation not only streamlines operations but also boosts morale, as employees feel valued and invested in the company’s trajectory. Stagnation is often the result of ignoring the collective intelligence of the workforce.
Do you think people sometimes dislike ideas just because they are new? Why?
Certainly. Humans have an innate resistance to change; it’s a psychological phenomenon often referred to as the "status quo bias." New ideas introduce uncertainty and potential risk, which forces people out of their comfort zones. Even if a new idea is objectively better, the cognitive effort required to adapt to a new system often generates initial hostility or skepticism.
What is more difficult: having new ideas or putting them into practice? Which is more important for a successful company?
I believe implementation is significantly more challenging than ideation. Having a "lightbulb moment" is exciting, but executing that idea requires logistics, resources, and overcoming bureaucratic hurdles. In terms of importance, execution is paramount. A mediocre idea that is flawlessly executed will always outperform a brilliant idea that never leaves the drawing board. Tangible results are what drive a company's success.