DIRECTED WRITING: 35 MARKS

DIRECTED: ARTICLE: Factual

You are concerned over the implications and long-term health effects of the haze. Write an article to
the local newspaper expressing your concern based on all the notes below.

the reasons behind the haze

role of government and society
steps that can be taken
give relevant examples of:
health complications
measures
roles of government and individuals

When writing the article you should remember:

to lay out the letter carefully
to use paragraphs
that you letter is to the press
Haze: A Danger to Health
The haze is a constant phenomenon faced by Malaysia and her neighbouring countries. The
haze is basically pollution of atmosphere, which is clogged with pollutants and other substances
from forest fires.
The haze is a direct effect of forest fire in Kalimantan and other parts of Indonesia due to
slash and burn method of farming. The Indonesian authorities appear to have no power to control
farmers from practising such methods. The haze is further worsened by open burning practised by
most Malaysians. Open-field burning of rice straw by the rice planters and open burning of dried
leaves and garbage done by the public are a few examples that done by Malaysian. Many are
ignorant of the health effects of open burning.
During the haze, hospitals and clinic often report a dramatic increase in respiratory
problems, lung infections and asthma attack. The Air Pollution Index (API) usually indicates the
hazardous and dangerous levels of pollution during this period. The haze has long-term side effects.
Prolonged inhalation of polluted air will result in serious lung infection which particularly affects
the elderly.
The government must play its role to reduce the haze treat. It has to cooperate with the
Indonesian authorities to stamp out forest fires. The culprits must be brought to justice, either
through healthy fine or prison sentence. Constant vigilance would ensure the perpetrators do not
repeat their offence.
The government should also raise the public awareness of the dangers of forest fire. Continuous
campaign of the cause, solutions and steps-need-to-be-taken to reduce the haze need to be promoted
through all types of social media like television, radio, newspaper and even via internet. The
authorities should also provide assistance to farmers and introduce more sophisticated forest
clearing methods.
In Malaysia, strict laws must be imposed to penalise those who practise open burning. Ongoing campaigns on the dangers of open burning should be intensified. Individuals too have a role
to play. They must participate in every campaign and stop burning. Students can advise their parents
not to practice open burning.
Every individual has to remember that we do not own the world, but instead we lent it from
our future generations. We must protect our world so that our grandchildren woulh have a healthy
earth to live.

Ahmad Harun bin Hashim

Seremban, Negeri Sembilan
375 words
From: Penilaian Topik Vista SPM/Sasbadi/2009
ARTICLE: Article for School Magazine / Newsletter
In spite of governments clear call to students to study English well, many students still show very
little interest in studying the language. As Chairperson of the English Language Society, you are
going to try to persuade the students to study the language by writing an article in the school
newsletter. In the article you have to tell the students the importance of studying the language. Your
article is given in the point form below:
will help you to further your studies
will help you to get a job
will help you in your job
will help you in your travels
will help you to enjoy many interesting programmes in television
will help you to appreciate many of the worlds most beautiful literary works
The Importance of Studying English
It is a big concerned for teenagers nowadays as they are unaware of the importance of
English language as they tend to ignore to learn the language. Students attitude towards the
language is also crucial to make sure that these teenagers can face the future world better by
learning English language as it is an international language.
Although the government has repeatedly told us of the importance of English, many students
are still not bothered about studying it seriously. There is also a campaign that still on to make all
the Malaysian becomes a better English learner, which is Enhance Proficiency in Bahasa Malaysia,
Strengthen the English. English is the most important and the most useful language in the world
today. There are many reasons why you should study the language properly.
First and foremost, English will definitely help you a lot when you want to further studies.
Almost all books at university are written in English in all subjects. Plus, it is a compulsory for any
candidate to pass English with credit before entering any universities. So, if you are poor in English,
you will blow you chance for better education or worse, you are going to have a big problem
studying at university.
The second reason why you have to study English well is that it will help you to get a job.
When you go for a job interview, the interviewer will surely talk to you in English. The first
impression you should give in order to success and have the job is, to respond in English fluently.
Your chances of getting the job are very slim if you stutter while interviewing.
A good command in of English will also help you greatly in your job. If the company you
work is actively involved in international trade, you have to speak to prospective customers in
English. Miscommunication might occur if your English is bad. And this will put your company at
risk and you will likely be dismissed if this happen.
Good English will also help you a lot when you travel. Every country in the world studies
English. Even the roadside stall-holders in China speak fairly good English! At least some of the
people you meet on your travels in other countries can understand English. The language is
certainly practical when you are lost in your trip. Communication problem will not happen if you
can converse well in English. Inevitably, English is one of the languages used in any airport in the
world in making announcement. Knowing English well, therefore, make travelling overseas easier.

Besides all these, entertainment is one of the major advantages you will experience if you
good in English. You will enjoy televisions best programmes. We must admit that many of the best
programmes are produced by the Americans and British companies. High self confidence
influenced by the programmes will indirect inculcate in yourself when you are fluent in the
language. Quality time is worthily spent if you understand and enjoy the programmes.
Based from all the above elaboration, I hope that students will see the importance and realise
how importance the language is for their own future. Although it is a second language in our
country, it is now a main language all over the world.
544 words
DIRECTED: ARTICLE / REPORT: Newspaper Article / Report
There has been an attempted robbery in your area. As a newspaper reporter, you have been
assigned to write a report of the incident for publication in a local newspaper. Using the notes
below, write out your report.
couple taking a walk
two men approached them
ordered couple to give jewellery
a struggle husband injured
one neighbour taking a dog for a walk
heard shouts went to investigate
robbers saw dog fled
couple made police report
Couple Foils Robbery Attempt
PULAU PINANG, Thu An elderly businessman and his wife foiled a robbery attempt by two men
armed with a screwdriver and a knife. The victims were reported safe from any bad injury.
Tan Ah Wok, 60 and his wife were taking a morning walk near their home in Helen Heights
yesterday when two men on a motorcycle stopped them under the pretext of asking for directions.
As Mr. Tan was giving directions, one of the robbers pointed a knife at him and ordered them to
keep quiet. He then relieved Mrs. Tan of her jewellery and instructed Mr. Tan to hand over his ring
and watch. When he refused, a struggle ensued. Meanwhile, his accomplice grabbed a helmet and
hit Mr. Tan on the head with it. On seeing this, his wife started screaming.
One of their neighbours, R. Subramaniam, who was taking his dog for a walk, heard the
screams and when to investigate. On seeing Subramaniam and his dog, the robbers fled. I was
taking my dog for a walk when I heard someone shouting for help. Knowing that something was
wrong, I ran there as fast as I could. Before I reached the scene, the robbers fled on a motorbike.
They were probably afraid of my Rottweiler.
Mr. Tan, who suffered a small cut on his head, was given outpatient treatment at a private
clinic. He said that it was a horrified experience as he never expected the two men would attack his
wife and him. He thought that they were lost and needed help. He also mentioned that the guard
who in charge nowadays easily allowed the strangers to enter their residents. State CID Chief Supt
Harun Din advised him and the people to be more careful in giving help to strangers. The guard also
must be stricter in letting people from entering any residents without proper permission.
He added that the suspects, aged between 25 and 30, were believed to be illegal immigrants.
He said there had been similar incident last week when two men approached a factory worker who
was on her way home after work. The duo then relieved her gold chain and cash. He advised the
residents to be alert and reports to police any suspicious-looking characters lurking in their area.
380 words
From: Spot on Model Compositions and Summary/Oxford Fajar/2007

DIRECTED: REPORT Police Report

You witnessed an accident. The police officer has asked you to make a report. Use the points given
below:
-

when the event happened

where the event took place
how it happened
description of the vehicles
step taken

To:
Sergeant Razali Kamrin
From: Julia Selamat
Date: 7th September 2011
Report of the accident on Jalan 2/14
On 7th September 2011 at 10.30 a.m., I was walking alone Jalan 2/14 which is next to the
childrens playground. As I was about to cross the road to enter the park, I saw a car driving swiftly
down Jalan 4/14. It was a Honda Civic with the number plate BEH 9110. Another car, a Toyota Vios
1.5 with plate number WHM 4657 came out of Jalan 4/14 as well. The Honda Civic was driving too
fast that make it did not have time to avoid collision.
The accident caused a loud crash. The Honda Civic hit the Toyota Vios on the drivers door.
The door could not be opened and the driver had to get out from the passengers door. The driver of
the Toyota Vios was lucky as he survived with no physical injuries. Both air bags popped up when
they collided to each other. They both were fortunate as their car was not badly damaged and
dented.
The Toyota Vioss windscreen was shattered to pieces. The Honda Civics headlight and signal light
were smashed. There was plenty of glass on the road. The two drivers startled to argue. The driver
of the Honda City was a woman. They blamed each other and the argument stopped when her
mobile phone rang. Most of the passerby slowed down their vehicle to watch the accident. Some
pedestrian came by and offered help.
As it happened, I ran into my house which is close by. I called the nearest police station and in ten
minutes, a police car drove up. I told the police officer I had witnessed the accident and offered to
come out to the station to give a statement. The cars were towed to the side of the road first, and
then were brought to the police station before to workshop. Pictures were taken for insurance claim.
In my opinion, the driver of the Honda City is to blame for the accident. She was driving too fast
and did not pay any attention to vehicles coming out from the side road. The driver of the Toyota
Vios should have stopped at the junction.
Julia Selamat
Julia Selamat
355 words
Write Better Compositions and Summaries for SPM 1119 English/Oxford Fajar/2006
DIRECTED: REPORT Book Report
As a class project, you have been asked to write a book report. You decide to write a report of a
book you have just read.

Use the following notes in your report:

author
title
setting
synopsis
main characters
themes
response
The Story of My Life is an autobiography written by Helen Keller. It tells us how Helen Keller,
who was deaf, blind and mute, defied the odds to become one of the most celebrated personalities in
the world. The story was set in Alabama in 1997.
In the first half of the book, Helen Keller writes about how she was afflicted with scarlet
fever while she was still a baby and how illness left her deaf, blind and mute. The story outlines the
frustration Helen Keller experienced as a child alone in a dark and silent world unable to
communicate with anybody. The author then goes on to say how her life changed with the arrival of
her new-employed teacher and nanny, Anne Mansfield Sullivan.
The second part of the book relates how Helen Keller studied the deaf and dumb language
and learnt how to write using Braille and then went to college and graduated. The story goes on to
say how she spent the rest of her life helping the deaf and dumb all over the world.
I enjoyed reading every page of the book. I found some sections of the book, especially
those that deal with the early part of her life, poignant and touching. It made me realize how
difficult life must be for the handicapped. It also made me realize how fortunate I was. It has made
me more sympathetic towards the plight of those who are less fortunate than I am, especially the
handicapped who has given up hope in the face of misfortune, and the severely handicapped who
have lost the will to live.
The story is very touching and informative. It arouses the feelings of the readers. I admire
Helen Keller for her determination and diligence. I appreciate the painstaking efforts taken by the
teacher. The book has a good moral lesson for all. It shows the triumph of the human spirit in the
face of indomitable obstacles. It makes us wonder whether Helen Keller was just another victim of
fate or whether her birth has a special significance. Was Helen Keller fortunate or unfortunate?
Helen Keller was unfortunate to have suffered the cruel twist of fate but the world is fortunate to
have had a person like her. Her life shining example to prove the adage, where there is a will, there
is a way.
393 words
________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________
DIRECTED: REPORT Report to Principal
You are very disappointed by the conditions and services provided by your school canteen. You
decide to write a report to inform your school principal about the poor conditions and services of
the canteen. These would include:
insufficient table and benches
food and drinks not covered
too little food counters
dirty and clogged drains smelly
food expensive and lacks variety

 inadequate food late comers have nothing to buy, to eat

cold food not fresh
rude canteen workers
To

Mr. Hasnan bin Jalal,

The Principal,
Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Permata

From :

Malik bin Abdul

Date

24 March 2011

Report about the School Canteen

I am writing this report is to draw your attention regarding the school canteen. Many of the
students of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Permata are unhappy about the conditions at the school
canteen. There were lots of complaints regarding this issue.
In the first place, there are insufficient tables and benches. Our school has a student
population of over 1 000. There is only one period of recess time for all forms. More than 80 per
cent of the students go to the canteen during recess to buy food and drinks. Unfortunately, there are
only about twenty-five tables and fifty benches which can accommodate less than half the number
of students. As a result, many students have to stand while eating.
The food sold at the canteen not only expensive but lacks of variety. The menu is the same
every day. For the past five years, ever since the present canteen management took over, students go
back to the same food.
The hygiene and preparation of food leave a lot to be desired. The food and drinks are not
covered. They way canteen attendants dress speak volume about hygiene. With their lackadaisical
attitude, the food they sell would one way or the other become contaminated.
My fourth complaint about the canteen pertains to the etiquette of the canteen workers. They
are rude and arrogant. They often shout at students. The students are always on the receiving end of
their bad moods.
We hope that conditions at the canteen will improve. The canteen should provide better
amenities. There should also be a different menu everyday so that students will not have to taste the
same food day in and day out. Cleanliness should be given top priority.
We hope that you will look into our complaints and take steps to remedy the situation. The
students are prepared to boycott the canteen if their complaints go unheeded.
Reported by:
Malik
Malik bin. Mohd Jalil
314 words
DIRECTED: FORMAL LETTER: Letter of Complaint
Raju a/l Lingam,
123 A, Lorong Bahagia,
Taman Sentosa,
07231 Bandar Baru Sentol,
Kelantan
_________________________________________________________________________

The President,
Bandar Baru Sentol Council,
Kompleks Utama,
07200 Bandar Baru Sentol

16 JUNE 2011

Dear Sir,
Uncollected Rubbish and Clogged Drains
I am writing this letter is to attract your attention to the above title. As the representative of the
community, I am calling to tell you that the 300 odd residents living in Taman Sentosa are
extremely unhappy about the lackadaisical attitude of the local town council towards the
uncollected rubbish and clogged drains in our area.
2.
The rubbish in our area has not been collected for more than a week. The rubbish is
supposed to be collected on alternate days but this has not been the case. The town council workers
collect the rubbish according to their own whims and fancies. The uncollected garbage has attracted
not only flies and mosquitoes but also wild dogs which had attacked the residents on several
occasions. These stray animals also scatter the rubbish and make the roads dirty and smelly. As a
result, residents have to bear the discomfort of stench from the garbage and risk their health.
3.
We are also disappointed with the town council workers for not clearing the clogged drains
which are filled with rubbish. The drains would usually overflow when there is heavy rain and the
rubbish would then flow into the compounds of our houses. Besides, putting up with the unbearable
stench emitted from them, the residents have to spend hours cleaning their compounds of rotten
vegetables, food leftovers and other rubbish.
4.
Due to dengue outbreak recently, we are really concerned about the residents health
especially the children. Fogging service also was not done accordingly to the schedule. The fogging
authority only did their job whenever a case of dengue aroused. They even fogging the
neighbourhood late at night that caused us to leave the residents. They need to consider the
residents who have babies and also to those who need to wake up early in the morning for work.
The fogging also caused the people to have breathing problem when we were not told the exact time
of fogging.
5.
We have made numerous appeals to the Municipal Council to look into our complaints but
to no avail. We have been putting up with this predicament for more than a week. We hope the
health authorities would do something to check these health hazards.
Thank you.
Yours faithfully,
Raju
(RAJU a/l MANIAM)
380 words
DIRECTED: FORMAL LETTER: Letter of Application
You came across the following advertisement for the post Accounts Assistant Clerk.

Write a letter of application together with curriculum vitae to the manager.

In your letter, include the following:
your curriculum vitae
the reasons for your interest in the job
your ability to work independently
pursuing a degree in Accountancy
Do remember to:
use the formal letter
use all the points given
elaborate each points given

Chong Mei Lin,

40, Jalan Templer,
Taman Hati Bersih,
76 000 Seremban,
Negeri Sembilan
_________________________________________________________________________
The Manager,
Lim and Sons Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd.,
Lot 123, Interstate Industrial Area,
76 001 Nilai,
Negeri Sembilan
Dear Sir / Madam,

18 JULY 2010

Application for the Post of Accounts Assistant

I wish to apply for the post of Accounts Assistant as advertised in The New Strait Times dated 15 th
July 2011.
2.
I have the necessary qualifications as stated in my curriculum vitae which is attached to this
letter. I have experience working in both food manufacturing and also auto manufacturing fields. I
am currently working in Lazat Ice Cream Sdn. Bhd. in capacity of an Accounts Assistant and have
been here since January 2008. Before this, I was working in TFR Auto Enterprise as an Accounts
clerk. Since my present position offers little prospect for career advancement, I would like to be
attached to a fairly large organisation such as yours.
3.
I would like to work in Nilai as I intend to further my studies and get professional
qualification. I have registered with a college in Nilai to do ACCA on part-time basis. With this high
additional education level and knowledge, I can perform better in applying the accounts knowledge
in the future job.
4.
I can assure you that I am capable person who can work independently. I am able to handle
full sets of accounts, up to three sets at a time. I am interested in working with a company like yours
as I feel I can grow well with the company. I am a team player, adapt easily to any working
environments and can work with people from all works of life.
5.
I was active in extra-curricular activities and was considered as responsible and dedicated
worker. I led and organised many activities for the school clubs so I am confident that I can be an
asset to your company in this capacity. Furthermore, i have a good command of English.
6.
In view of my qualification and experience, I would expect a salary more than RM 2 000.
And since I have my own car, I would have no problems travelling outstation should the job require.
7.
I look forward to hearing from you and I am fully prepared to attend an interview at any
time convenient to you.
Thank you.
Yours faithfully,
Raju
(RAJU a/l MANIAM)
358 words

DIRECTED: INFORMAL LETTER

Your friend in Singapore has written to you to inform you that his cousin in Penang was down with
dengue fever. He would like to know the situation in Malaysia as he plans to bring his family over
for the holidays in June. Write a letter to brief him about the current situation.
In your letter, include the following:
express concern over the health of your friends cousin
news about the situation

 steps taken authorities

present situation
Do remember to:
use the informal letter format
use all the points given
expand each of the points given
write in paragraph
No. 34, Street of Fame,
Taman Bukit Bintang,
Bukit Bintang,
67500 Ipoh,
Perak
14 January 2011
Dear John,
How are you? Im sorry to hear that your cousin had dengue fever. This problem seems to
have become very serious all of sudden. We always feel that the problem is not our concern until
someone close to us is affected.
My neighbours daughter who was in Standard 6 last year could not sit for UPSR
examination because she was down with dengue fever on the eve of the exam. Fortunately, the
authorities gave her an exemption so she is now in Form One. There were also a few students taking
the examination in the hospital.
According to the news, students made up nearly 30 per cent of the 1 500 suspected cases
over the first three weeks of the year. About 53 per cent of 621 confirmed cases last year comprised
children and youth under the age of 24. These statistics are quite worrying. This has prompted the
health ministry to increase checks on aedes breeding grounds in school and public areas. The
construction sites are largely to blamed. The problem is made worse by the rainy season. The
stagnating water attract the mosquitoes to lay egg and breeding on the areas.
The authorities have taken various steps to control the situation. Fogging has been carried
out in many public areas and most of the housing estates. Contractors at the construction sites have
been instructed to take appropriate actions and warned to clean up. They could be fined up to RM 3
000 for breeding aedes mosquitoes. Lot of campaigns through the television, radio and newspapers
were taken to make people aware of the issue and take precaution rather than cure them.
Before the long holidays for the Chinese New Year, schools all over Malaysia carried out a
clean-up campaign of the school compound. The residents association in my housing are also
organised a family day clean-up of the housing estate. There were huge piles of rubbish especially
old tyres and containers littered by the hawkers near the might market site.
The situation in Malaysia has improved since the end of January. There have been no reports
of new cases of dengue. So, dont worry. You can bring your family for a holiday here in June. Im
looking forward to seeing them again.
Send my regard to your mom and dad. Do take care.
Yours sincerely,
Harun Din
387 words

DIRECTED: SPEECH
Your school is having a month-long A Healthy Body Campaign. As President of the Health Club
of your school, you decide to give a speech on the Tak nak Campaign recently launched by the
government.
Tak Nak Campaign
A very good morning to our dear Principal, Mr. Hasnan bin Jaafar, teachers and students.
Recently, our former Prime Minister, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi launched an antismoking campaign called Tak Nak. You can now see this short and rhyming catch phrase Tak
Nak everywhere on billboards, posters, TV ads, and sometimes I even hear it on the radio.
Though some people have criticised our government for setting aside a staggering sum of RM100
million over 6 years for the campaign, it is nothing compared to the huge amounts that tobacco
companies spend to promote smoking.
But in this war against smoking, money definitely talks; it is necessary for the Tak Nak
Campaign to constanly remind us of the hazard of smoking because about 50 Malaysian teenagers
light up for the first time every day. In fact, some of these youth progress steadily from this to
regular use, with addiction raking hold within a few years. And this is despite the warning on every
pack of cigarettes that states unequivocally Smoking is dangerous to your health.
What can the Tak Nak Campaign do to combat this? Their aggressive advertising creates
media awareness among the public, especially among the fashionable young crowd, that smokers
have yellowed teeth and suffer from shortness of breath and tells them that it is not cool to smoke. It
is also not responsible of them to affect non-smokers with second-hand smoke.
Also, there is a succession of infomercials on TV and in the papers showing the debilitating
effects of tobacco addiction on the body and gruesome statistics of smoke-related deaths. We are
now familiar with the graphic pictures of damaged lungs on billboards which should scare people
into not smoking. This works, as I know some of my friends are quitting now, or trying to reduce
the number of cigarettes they smoke per week.
However, I feel any anti-smoking campaign is more effective if other people and
organisations are actively involved too. Yes, the first step has been taken by the top, but sad to say,
many of our politicians smoke themselves. Nearer to home, so do some of our parents and teachers.
These adults have to be good role models by not smoking themselves. If they do smoke,
they should tell their children and students that they regret that they ever started, and then take steps
to quit smoking as soon as possible. They must practise what they preach.
On a more positive note, I commend the Malaysia Amateur Athletic Union for its zero-tolerance of
smoking because they know that smoking and health just do not mix. How can our sportsmen excel
if they cannot stop smoking.
Dear teachers and students, thank you for your attention. Let me end my speech by reiterating that
smoking is a bad habit, so make Tak Nak your mantra. If you have started smoking, say Tak Nak
and quit! And if you havent started smoking, say know that smoking not only damages your health
but you are also literally burning your money.
502 words