Discussion

Part 3 of your exam question asks you to discuss the degree to which people can be expected to help strangers, taking your starting point in the short film “We’ve All Been There” directed by Nicholas Clifford.

In your discussion, you are also asked to use at least two phrases from the following list: firstly, secondly, especially, in order to, despite, however, nevertheless, to sum up.

All the phrases listed in this assignment are linking phrases. They help introduce new points and ideas (firstly, secondly), introduce contrasting or opposing points and ideas (despite, however, nevertheless), causal relations (in order to), or to restate the main ideas presented and conclude (to sum up).

When discussing to what degree people can be expected to help strangers, you should reflect on both what the film suggests and your own perspective on the topic.

Firstly, the film suggests that people should help others out of empathy and altruism without expecting anything in return. This is what Matt does when he fixes Joan’s tire and this is what Joan does when she leaves Jess a big sum of money to help her with her pregnancy, despite the fact that both Matt and Joan are strangers to the people they help.

Secondly, the film suggests that...