You just hit the biggest problem to progress the world is facing right on the head... and it's not global warming...

...it's the fact that people are AFRAID to speak out...

They guy who sweeps the floor is afraid he'll lose his job if he asks that the waste bin is pushed closer to the coffee machine...

The Miner who doesn't speak out about safety issues because he might not be employed there next week - he won't be employed there because next week he'll probably be dead.

The guy who thought the rubber gasket on a Shuttle wasn't going to work at low temperatures didn't speak out because it'll look bad for him, the company, the project and the bottom line...

You're afraid that if you chose a controversial subject, your exam mark might be adversely affected... So if it is - challenge it! It'll show everyone that you've got Balls and will ultimately speak volumes on a CV to a future employer - far more than any grade. So instead you chose to play it safe - and oh-so boring!

Have confidence in what you do - and if you have confidence in your argument, then you can challenge your examiners. After all, you might just change the life of the guy reading your paper...