1. Describe an important family celebration and how you felt about it.

Early in the morning when it was still dark, I woke up suddenly. I felt very
cold and I decided to turn off my air-cond. I could hear the sound of rain
pounded down relentlessly. The clock shows at 6.15 a.m. It was still early to get
up I thought since the school holiday season had just begun two days ago. As
soon as I enveloped myself with a blanket, suddenly I remembered that today
my family and I were supposed to go to Redang Island for our yearly family day
with my cousins. I canceled my intention to go back to sleep and went
downstairs to help my mother make breakfast. There at Redang Island, we will
have an important celebration. It was my mother’s birthday and we want to
celebrate a special occasion by throwing a surprise party for her.
The rain had stopped not long after we left the house. Our journey to
Redang Island was simplified accompanied by a colourful rainbow. Indeed, it
was the most beautiful thing I saw on that day. As soon as we arrived, my
family and cousins were check-in into the chalet that we have already booked
for 3 days 2 night. My mother’s birthday during the last night when we at here.
We had our lunches and rest for two hours. In the evening, we went to the
Long Beach and played volleyball. We also had other outdoor activities such as
penny in the flour, blow up balloons until they pop, and pass the balloon into
the bucket. I was on top of the world to see how my family and relatives being
so happy, laughed, and smiled together on that day. At night, we were playing
indoor games like monopoly, scrabbles, uno, charades and also musical chairs.
The pride that we had continuing until the bed-time.
On the next day, all of us went to snorkeling at Marine Park. I was very
electrified since this was my very first time snorkeling and we never had this
kind of family day yet. The sea welcomes me with magnificent views. We took
the chance to give the fishes eat and take a closer look at the coral. Later, we
snorkeling with the turtle. Although this is my first experience, I have no fear at
all have a close encounter with the turtle. After two hours of snorkeling, we
returned to the land and took a rest while my mother and aunties relax
themselves and are pampered at the spa. In the evening, some of us enjoy the
sunrise and the sunset at the beach. At the same time, the teenagers including
me, who do not know the endless of tired continuing our activities with
kayaking by the beach. We really enjoyed the time as possible as we can. I
relieved that all of us could felt the joy together.
 We had our BBQ during the night. All of us tried to distract my mother
not to go to bed early and make her stay until midnight. She had no idea at all
since she was busy these days lately and I am pretty sure she must had
forgotten her own birthday. After past midnight, all of us still chit-chatting with
each other. I could see my mother’s tired face. My father went missing and out
of the blue, he brought a cake and all of us shouted, “Surprise!” My mother
was quite flabbergasted not understanding what happened literally. As soon as
we sang the “Happy Birthday” song, she started to cry. For a while, she was
dumbfounded. When she had recovered from her ‘shock’, she laughed heartily
and exclaimed, “OMG! It’s my birthday today. I should’ve seen this coming! No
wonder all of you make me stay here until midnight.” All of us laughed and
conveyed our birthday greetings to her. We gave my mother birthday gifts. I
tried so hard to hide this well-wrapped gift two days ago. My mother made a
short speech to thank all of us. It was a memorable night for my mother as well
as for me also. This is the best surprise that I have ever had so far. I was happy
to see my mother has been on cloud nine and having such an enjoyable time
during that night. Although I was glad to celebrate my mother’s birthday, I felt
a little sadness since we are going to back home tomorrow.
My mother is everything to me. Without her presence, I would not be
born. She always by my side that makes me love her more than myself. This is
the best family day ever since we could throw her a party although it is not a
big party. I was in seventh heaven that we got to spend a quality time together
as a family. Redang Island left me the sweetest memories of my life.
3. Why are animals important to human beings?
Animals play an important role in many people’s lives. Animals are our
companions, our workers, our eyes and ears and surely our food. They are
eukaryotic hence are easily distinguish from other creatures. Animals can
divide into two main groups which are domestic and wild. Some animals are
domesticated while others are called wild animals. Domestic animals are those
that live together with or are kept by human beings. Wild animals are those
that are not kept by human beings. The significance of animals to human
beings cannot be overlooked. Animals affect one’s life in different ways despite
our reactions towards them. They are important to all of us whether we love,
hate, eat, or protect them. The presence of the animals within the ecosystem
is so significant that we cannot do without them.
In this 21st century that we are living in right now, which is rich in
modern technology, the number of ways of animal usage has increased mainly
as the source of food for humans. Other than being a natural source, they can
provide milk for essential food for children and adults. This milk can only be
obtained from animals such as cows, goats, buffalo and camels. They are
protein-rich foods and easily digested by people of any age. Natural milk is
good to feed babies or people with an illness. Instead, physicians also
recommending milk for those who sickness. Milk is not the only source of
protein. Some people cannot even drink milk. Therefore, we consume many
animal types of meat as a part of the diet of protein. Though the vegetarian
diet is good for health, we still consume animal meat for individual reasons.
Animals are just as important as people. They provide many other
benefits to humans. Mainly, instead of using them as workers, animals are also
known to be used by scientists to test their experiments. When scientists
discover a new thing that is to be used by human beings, they will use the
animals. If it adversely affects the animals, then it will also effect human beings
in the same way. Hence, animals contribute to the research and development
of human beings. On the other hand, animals can be used to increase the
country’s finances. They are serve to attract tourists into the country like in
the zoos. Not all animals can be seen in all countries such as pandas.
Therefore, many people will come from their countries to other countries to
see certain animals. When such a tourist visits the country, they can gain a high
profit income.
 Some reasons make animals matter to human beings especially those
domestic animals. These domestic animals such as cats and dogs exist because
they can improve the lives of people besides provide companionship. They live
with us, and therefore we see them face to face as part of our companions.
People used to serve them as pets because they portray quietness so the
owner can feel less alone and play with them and be best friends with them.
On top of that, the interesting part when we have pets especially dog, they will
welcome or greets us, the owner, at the front door. Besides, studies proved
that small pets helping to reduce anxiety in psychiatric patients and help
diagnose the level of tension in patients. Having animals as pets will really
change people’s lives as they are not just a living animal, but they companion
us as a part of family. Thus, it is evident that animals matter to human beings.
As a result, human beings need animals for survival. The duty of humans
was to protect animals since man cannot do without them. We have to help
ensure the animals are taken care of by not just increase the institutions like
zoos and animal orphanages but courage people out there to also be aware of
animals from danger as some of them have habitat extinction. Meanwhile,
those domestic animals that have no owner should not be bullied. Together we
raise our humanity by saving the rights of animals.
4. Write a story about a fisherman beginning with "The wind blew strongly.
Out at sea ...."
The wind blew strongly. Out at sea, Pak Hamid had spread out the fishing net,
and was resting on the boat, waiting for fish to get into the net. He was
unaware with the surroundings since he was daydream by looking at the blue
sea that has been his view two days ago. He planned to go back home today
after three days spending time to catch the fishes. Until the wind makes the
waves dance wildly. At that time, Pak Hamid was struggling to keep his boat
stable or else the boat will flip and the fishes which he spend days to catch go
back into the sea.
The day is getting darker. The wind become stronger. Out of the blue, the
waves come and hit Pak Hamids’s boat harshly. He lost control over his boat
and that caused his boat to flip. Ignored all of his captured fish for the day goes
back into the sea, his lives is more matter now. Luckily, he was able to grab his
lifejacket before his boat sunk down. He wore it as fast as he can and tried to
swim but he seems clueless. He does not know which direction he should go.
Moreover, the day is already dark and the rain pounded heavily making it
difficult for him to swim further. All he can do was just to stay float on the sea
and pray for the rescue.
Not long after that, Pak Hamid saw a big ship will pass there. He shouted for
help continuously without failing even though he know it is imposibble for
them on the ship could see him. His body already felt ache and his legs are
cramped due to the long period stayed in the sea that makes him could not
move. Fortunately, one of the people on the ship be able to see Pak Hamid as
that time he was reaching out to the sea area using a flashlight. All Pak Hamid
could see that time was a group of people on the ship walk rushingly before he
fainted. He already lost hope at that time and just waiting his life to be taken
by God.
As soon as Pak Hamid opened his eyes, he shuddered in the crowd. Pak Hamid
thought he was dead but he was saved. A man introduced himself Captain
Phillips asked about Pak Hamid's condition. After making sure he was fine, Pak
Hamid told about his boat which was destroyed during a strong wind a few
hours ago. They said they could not sent Pak Hamid to be back to his home
since his home was opposite to their direction and they have to sail through
the Guardafui Channel to Mombasa, Kenya considering they are an unarmed
container ship. They promised to help Pak Hamid after they were done with
their work. Pak Hamid agrees with them. After all, Pak Hamid is very grateful
that they have helped Pak Hamid so why should not he understand them.
On the next day, Pak Hamid went through the day as usual. He just sat and
watched the workers on the ship do the work. At first, he wanted to help. But
his intention was thwarted as he was just a village fisherman and he did not
know about the work on a ship of this size. All he could see was Captain Phillips
lead his workers very responsibly. He being told to be prepared as on their
way, there might be a pirate activity off the coast of the Horn of Africa. Even
though his life was being saved, he worried about what will happen later.
Captain Phillips order strict security precautions on the vessel and carry out
practice drills. During a drill as they were expected, the vessel is chased by
Somali pirates in two skiffs. They want to steal the ship and even making
Captain Phillips as a hostage. All the workers including Pak Hamid were told to
sit quietly in the engine room.
However, when Pak Hamid knew the captain was a hostage, he immediately
when out of the room and fight with all those Somalia pirates. He thought that
he had succeeded in defeating all the pirates by killing them. However, his joy
did not last long when one of the pirates who had already lost their lives shot
Pak Hamid with a gun. Before his last breathed, Pak Hamid had time to thank
Captain Phillips who had saved himself yesterday. Now it was the time for him
to repay the services of Captain Phillips. He was willing to sacrifice his own life
as he was hopeless.
Fortunately, Pak Hamid was rescued by the paramedics as soon as Captain
Phillips' ship anchored on land. Pak Hamid was very grateful and did not think
he would be saved for the second time. They all thanked Pak Hamid and sent
Pak Hamid home after Pak Hamid was healthy. Pak Hamid was also awarded a
medal of bravery and presented with a boat by the navy.