Summary Writing Skills For SPM

Summary Writing Skills for SPM
Section C
SUMMARY
Summary Writing Skills
The summary question is asked as Question 31 in Section C Paper 2.
It carries a total of 15 marks.
The question requires you to extract important points from the passage.
Using the points you have extracted, you have to write a summary of not more than 130 words.
Marks are allocated for content and grammar.
Exam Hints
Content
You have to extract at least 10 points from the passage.
For every point in your summary, you are awarded one mark.
Style and Presentation
It is important to use the correct style and presentation in your summary. This means you must show
the ability to paraphrase the points by using your own words. You should not copy sentences from the
passage. Express the 10 points or more you have extracted using own words that include correct
grammar, punctuation, sentence variety and suitable linking words. Such words are 'firstly, ‘then,
‘however, ‘moreover and 'similarly.
Guidelines in writing a summary
First, read and understand the passage.
Then, read the summary question to know what you have to summarise.
Take note of the lines of the passage to be used for the summary.
Pick out the main ideas in the paragraphs you have to summarise about.
Then search for secondary ideas.
Use a ruler to underline these sentences.
This is how you separate the relevant from irrelevant details.
Next, make an outline of the points you are using.
Based on the outline, write the summary draft.

You have to substitute long expressions with fewer or single words.
Do not copy whole sentences from the passage.
Write your summary as one paragraph only.
Count the number of words used in the summary.
It must be 130 words or less.
Be honest when you write down the number of words used.
Read more…
How to Count the Words
A word is a word. It can be one letter such as ‘a’and ‘I’.
It can also be a long word such as ‘extraordinary.
As for proper nouns, you count them as one word.
Examples:
The United Kingdom - count as one word
Sarah Leong Ah Mooi - count as one word
Sample Question 1
Read the passage below and answer the question that follows.
Writing a good resume is the first step in applying for a job. A resume is a self- promotional document
that presents you in the best possible light for the purpose of getting invited to a job interview.
A resume is not an official personnel document. It is also not a confessional. It is just about how you
perform and what you have accomplished in past jobs especially those accomplishments that are
relevant to the job you are applying for. You can create a resume that makes you stand out as a superior
candidate for the job you are seeking. With a well-written resume, you stand a better chance of being
invited to an interview.
A good resume predicts how you might perform in that desired future job. By choosing your words with
care in writing your resume, you show prospective employers that you are good at the job. And if you
lack work background, you can still apply this packaging ploy to describe your school life and how it
relates to the position you are applying for.
What is important to remember is that your resume should not be a mere listing of your college jobs,
the courses you took, your grades and the seminars you attended. Rather, it should point to your
achievements, your leadership qualities and how you can perform beyond expectations. It should give
details about, for instance, you won first prize in a school debate, then highlight that as an example of
your leadership skills. As for being a member of the Drama Club in school, say that you took an active
role organising school plays. This is to prove your organising and coordinating skills. Your resume must
show that you have potential.
What is the first step in writing a resume? Decide on a job target that can be stated in about five or six
words. Decide whether to use the chronological format
or a functional format. The chronological format is widely preferred by employers, and works well if you
are staying in the same field. Only use a functional format if you are changing fields, and this format
would show off your transferable skills to better advantage.
There are some dos and don’ts to bear in mind when writing a resume. Do avoid making spelling errors.
Errors of any kind reflect poorly on the job applicant, especially simple typo blunders. So proofread your
resume over and over until you are sure it is error-free. If possible, use power verbs. Enliven your
resume with action words that tell your prospective interviewers what you did and how well you did it.
For example, instead of writing, “I learnt to use Excel,” say, “I assisted in drafting worksheets using
Excel.” Replace everything that starts with ‘responsibilities 35 included’ and replace it with on-the-job
accomplishments. These words make a better impression. Provide an overview of your general
educational background. For personal background, reveal only personal information that has bearing on
the job and not more than that.
In essence, writing a resume boils down to believing in yourself. The more confident you are about
yourself, the better the resume you will write.
Based on the passage given, write a summary on how to write a resume. Include:
-the importance of a good resume
-features of a good resume
-what errors to avoid
Credit will be given for use of own words but care must be taken not to change the original meaning.
Your summary must:
-be in continuous writing form {not in note form
-use materials from lines 2 to 37
-not be longer than 130 words, including the 10 words given below
Begin your summary as follows:
A resume presents you in a strong light so as ...
COMMENTS/SUGGESTIONS
The passage is about writing a resume.
Stick to the lines asked for in the question.
Your summary must include the importance and features of a good resume and what errors to avoid.
You extract points from paragraphs 1 and 2 about the importance of writing a good resume.
From paragraphs 3, 4 and 5, you extract the relevant points on the features of a good resume.
From paragraphs 6 and 7, you extract points on what errors to avoid and suggestions on expressions to
use.
After putting together the points in an outline, write your summary.
SUGGESTED ANSWER
A resume presents you in a strong light so as to get invited to a job interview. It should be about how
you perform and what you have accomplished. If well written, you stand a better chance of being called
for an interview. Therefore, choose your words carefully when writing your resume. It should not be a
mere listing of your college life. It should be about your achievements, your leadership qualities and
how you can perform. Give details about your achievements such as winning the first prize in a debate
rather than listing the clubs you joined. Show that you have potential. Choose a format that best
presents your resume. Avoid making spelling errors. Enliven it with action words to give a better
impression. [126 words]
Sample Question 2
Gunung Mulu National Park, in Sarawak, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The national park is named
after Gunung Mulu, the second highest mountain in Sarawak. The mountain encompasses incredible
caves and limestone formations in a mountainous equatorial rainforest setting. The 52,864-ha park
contains seventeen vegetation zones, exhibiting some 3,500 species of vascular plants.
Hidden underneath the forested slopes of these mountains is one of the largest limestone cave systems
in the world. This system, a breath-taking natural wonder, contains a number of record-breaking caves.
They include the world’s largest cave passage (Deer Cave), the world’s largest natural chamber (Sarawak
Chamber) and the longest cave in Southeast Asia (Clearwater Cave). It is not surprising that Mulu is now
world-famous.
The caves provide a spectacular sight and are home to millions of cave swiftlets and bats. The Sarawak
Chamber, 600 m by 415 m and 80 m high, is the largest known cave chamber in the world. It is big
enough to fit St Peter’s Basilica or several jumbo jets inside.
Up till today, Gunung Mulu continues to retain the sense of adventure associated with its original
exploration through the provision of adventure caving and other adventure activities. The primary focus
however has shifted to the promotion of an awareness of the significance of the park and its
environment through the provision of ecotourism activities. These activities foster understanding and
appreciation of the allure and uniqueness of the park.
Gunung Mulu is a very inaccessible area. The practical way of getting to and from it is by air, mainly from
Miri airport. It is possible to travel to the area by riverboat, but it requires a chartered long boat for the
last part. The whole trip by river would take around twelve hours to complete from Miri, while the flight
takes only thirty minutes.
The caves of Gunung Mulu are important for their classic features of underground geomorphology,
demonstrating an evolutionary history of more than 1.5 million years. With its deeply-incised canyons,
wild rivers, rainforest-covered mountains, spectacular limestone pinnacles, cave passages and
decorations, Gunung Mulu has outstanding scenic values.
Millions of years of heavy rain and the action of rivers and running water carved out the vast
subterranean system that exists today. The weathering process still continues as dripping water creates
new rock features. Limestone is slowly worn away and underground rivers re-sculpt caves, transporting
limestone debris to the cave mouth or redistributing it within the system.
The ‘Mulu experience’is not limited to underground attractions for above ground, there is also plenty to
see and do. As the park is covered in rich primary rainforest, it offers a whole range of nature-based
activities. There are some excellent jungle treks and mountain hikes, including the challenging trek to
view the pinnacles that are 45 metres high and razor sharp limestone spikes that sit majestically on the
slopes of the mountain.
Based on the passage given, write a summary on:
-Gunung Mulu National Park’s large cave system
-its scenic Values and
-nature-based activities offered there
Your summary must:
-be in continuous writing form (not in note form)

Gunung Mulu National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has one of the largest...
COMMENTS/SUGGESTIONS
The passage is about Gunung Mulu National Park.
Stick to the lines asked for in the question.
Your summary must include Gunung Mulu, its cave system and the scenic values.
You extract points from paragraphs 1,2 and 3 about the park and its record-breaking caves.
From paragraphs 4, 5 and 6, you extract the relevant points on its scenic beauty.
From paragraph 7, you extract points on the nature-based activities offered at the park.
After putting together the points in an outline, write your summary.
For proper nouns like Gunung Mulu National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site as well as names of
the caves, count them as one word.
SUGGESTED ANSWER
Gunung Mulu National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has one of the largest limestone cave
systems and seventeen vegetation zones, exhibiting some 3500 plant species. The caves are Deer Cave,
Clearwater Cave and Sarawak Chamber which is the largest cave chamber in the world. Through
ecotourism activities, the significance of the park and its environment is promoted. The caves are known
for their underground geomorphology, demonstrating an evolutionary history of more than 1.5 million
years. Its scenic values include deeply-incised canyons, wild rivers, rainforest- covered mountains and
spectacular limestone pinnacles. Millions of years of heavy rain carved out vast subterranean systems
that still exists today. As the park is covered in rich primary rainforest, it offers many types of nature-
based activities including jungle treks, mountain hikes and trekking. [121 words]
Question
Read the passage below and answer the question that follows
Social work is a profession that involves the application of social theory and research methods to study
and improve the lives of people, groups and societies. Social workers are therefore concerned with
social problems, their causes, solutions and human impacts. This can mean providing direct services or
therapy directly to deal with the problems at hand.
The social work profession has its own body of knowledge, code of ethics, practice standards,
credentials and a nationwide system of accredited education programmes. These equip the social
workers to combine the desire to help others with the knowledge, skill and ethics needed to provide
that help.
Few occupations can match social work for it offers the broadest range of opportunities and settings.
Social workers can be found in public agencies, private businesses, hospitals, clinics, schools, nursing
homes, private practices, police departments, courts and countless other interesting workplaces.
Most social workers specialise. Although some conduct research or are involved in planning or policy
development, most social workers prefer an area of practice 15 in which they interact with clients.
One such group, the child, family and school social workers provide social services and assistance to
improve the social and psychological functioning of children. This is done with the intention to maximise
the family well-being and academic functioning of children.
Others assist single parents, arrange adoptions and help find foster homes for neglected, abandoned or
abused children. In schools, they address such problems as teenage pregnancy, misbehaviour and
truancy. They also advise teachers on how to cope with problem students.
Some social workers specialise in services for senior citizens. They run support groups for family
caregivers or for the families of aging parents. They often advise elderly people or family members
about choices in areas such as housing, transportation, and long-term care.
Medical and public health social workers provide persons or families with the psycho-social support
needed to cope with chronic, acute or terminal illnesses such as Alzheimer’s disease, cancer or AIDS.
They also advise family caregivers, counsel patients and help plan for patients’ needs after discharge by
arranging for at-home services.
As for mental health and substance abuse social workers, they assess and treat individuals with mental
illness and substance abuse problems, including abuse of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs. Such services
include individual and group therapy, social rehabilitation and training in skills of everyday living. They
may also help plan for supportive services to ease patients’ return to the community.
There are a number of professional associations for social workers. The purpose of these associations is
to provide advocacy, ethical guidance and other forms of support for their members and social workers
in general. There are a number of international regulatory bodies for professional social workers. Two of
these are the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) and the International Association of
Schools of Social Work.
Employment of social workers in private social service agencies is increasing tremendously. It is

expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2012. The rapidly growing elderly
population and the aging baby boom generation will create a greater demand for health and social
services, resulting in particularly rapid job growth.
(Adapted from: http://www.sssc.com)

Based on the passage given, write a summary on the:
-types of social workers and
-services they offer
Credit will be given for use of own words hut care must be taken not to change the original meaning.
Your summary must:
-not be longer than 130 words, including the 10 words given below Begin your summary as follows:
Social work uses social theory and research methods to improve ...
SUGGESTED ANSWER
Social work uses social theory and research methods to improve the lives of people and groups. Many
opportunities are open to social workers. They work in public agencies, private businesses, hospitals,
clinics, schools, nursing homes and police departments. Most specialise in an area of practice. The child
and school social workers provide social services to improve the social well-being of children. Another
group helps single parents and find foster homes for abandoned or abused children. In schools, they
help problem students and advise teachers on how to cope with these students. Some specialise in
services for senior citizens. Public health social workers provide people with the support needed to cope
with chronic or terminal illnesses. The mental health social workers treat individuals with mental illness
and substance abuse problems. [129 words]
Question
Self-discipline refers to the training that one gives one’s self to accomplish a certain task or to adopt a
particular pattern of behaviour although one would really rather be doing something else. For example,
denying oneself of one’s favourite cheesecake that is high in calories for an oat biscuit.
On the other hand, willpower is the ability to overcome laziness and procrastination. It is the ability to
control or reject harmful impulses. It is also the abilirv to arrive to a decision and follow through with it
with perseverance until its successful accomplishment.
Willpower gets stronger by holding back and not allowing the expression of unimportant, unnecessary
and unhealthy thoughts, feelings, actions and reactions. If this saved energy is not allowed expression, it
is stored inside you like a battery and becomes available at the time of need. In fact, it is one of the
corner stones of success, both spiritual and material.
Self-discipline is the companion of will power. It is the assertion of willpower over more base desires. To
some extent, it acts as a substitute for motivation, when one uses reason to determine a best course of
action that opposes one’s desires. It endows us with the stamina to persevere in whatever one does. It
bestows the ability to withstand hardships and difficulties, whether physical, emotional or mental.
Willpower and self-discipline help us to choose our behaviour and reactions instead
of being ruled by them. With their possession, you will feel in charge of yourself and your surroundings.
As such, you are bound to feel happy and satisfied.
There is a misconception in the public mind regarding willpower. It is thought to be something strenuous
and difficult and that one has to exert and tense the body and mind when expressing it. This is a
completely wrong concept.
It is actually not difficult to develop the two powers of willpower and self-discipline. If you are earnest
and are willing to become stronger, you will certainly succeed. There are exercises and techniques for
developing these abilities. These simple, but effective exercises, can be performed everywhere and at
any time. And by practising them, you develop your powers the same way as a person who trains his
muscles in order to strengthen them. Another effective method is to perform certain actions or
activities, which you would rather avoid doing due to laziness, procrastination, weakness or shyness.
You need both willpower and self-discipline to rule your thoughts and be the boss of your mind. The
stronger they are, the more control you have over your thoughts and consequently, your powers of
concentration get stronger. When you are the master of your mind, you enjoy inner peace and
happiness. Outer events
do not sway you and circumstances have no power over your peace of mind. This might sound too
unreal for you, but experience will prove to you that this situation can be achieved.
-the importance of having self-discipline and will power
-exercises and techniques for developing them
Your summary must:

Self-discipline is the power needed to accomplish a certain task ...
SUGGESTED ANSWER
Self-discipline is the power needed to accomplish a certain task or adopt a certain behaviour. Willpower
is the ability to overcome bad habits. By having these two powers, we can achieve success, both spiritual
and material better. Self-discipline is the assertion of willpower. It endows us with the stamina to
persevere in whatever we do. With both, we are able to choose the behaviour and reactions we want
instead of being ruled by them. It is not true that they are difficult to master. To develop them, we take
effort in practising techniques and performing certain actions or activities that involve determination.
The stronger our powers, the more control we have over our thoughts and powers of concentration get
stronger. When this happens, we enjoy inner peace and happiness. [129 words]
Question
A handshake is a short ritual in which two people grasp each other’s right or left hand often
accompanied by a brief up and down movement of the grasped hands. Research shows that
handshaking was practised as far back as the 2nd century BC.
It is believed that it originated during the Roman Empire, when people would grasp each other at the
elbow rather than the hand as a gesture of trust, showing that they are not carrying any weapons
beneath their sleeves.
The handshake is commonly done upon meeting, greeting, parting, offering congratulations, expressing
gratitude or completing an agreement. In sports or other competitive activities, it is also done as a sign
of good sportsmanship. Its purpose is to demonstrate goodwill, trust and equality. Men are more likely
to shake hands than women. However, in business situations, it is considered the standard greeting for
both sexes.
Unless health issues or local customs dictate otherwise, a handshake should always be made using bare
hands. In some regions, especially in Eastern Europe, attempting to perform a handshake while wearing
gloves may be seen as an inappropriate or even derogatory behaviour. In traditional American etiquette,
the requirement to remove a glove depends on the situation.
Shaking hands can foster relations between two groups. There are various customs surrounding
handshakes, both generically and specific to certain cultures. Generally
it is considered inappropriate, if not outright insulting to the initiator side, to reject a handshake without
good reason such as an injured right hand. In most social circles, it is expected that the one with higher
social status will initiate it.
In some cultures, people shake both hands but in most cultures people shake the right hand. In Islam,
shaking hands, along with the greeting Assalamualaikum (peace be upon you), is a regular greeting. Boy
Scouts specifically use a left handshake. Since the right hand is more commonly dominant, the left hand
would typically be used in holding a shield; by shaking with the left hand, one is defenceless while
trusting the other person who may still be holding a weapon in the right hand.
In the olden days, it was always the most important person, or the strongest in the group, who had to
extend the hand. That has changed. Today, anybody at any place and at anytime has the right to offer
you his hand.
It is believed that when you extend your hand, there are three ways of doing it, palm down, palm
vertical and palm up. The palm down way forces the other person to offer palm up, and he can feel in an
‘underdog’ position. Doing it palm vertical is a generous way to offer a handshake. It sends the signal of
cooperation. ‘I want to work with you.’ Salespeople often offer a handshake palm up. This is a subtle
way of indicating the at-your-service aspect of doing business. It says that the other person is in charge.
(Adapted from: http://en-wikipedia.org/wiki/Handshake)
-the purpose and ethics of a handshake
-different ways of extending one’s hand
Your summary must:
A handshake is a short ritual in which two people ...
SUGGESTED ANSWER
A handshake is a short ritual in which two people grasp each other’s hand. It is commonly done to greet
or express gratitude. It is also a sign of good sportsmanship. Its purpose is to demonstrate goodwill,
trust and equality. It is normally made with bare hands. Shaking hands can foster relations between two
groups. Generally it is rude to reject a handshake without good reason. Some people shake both hands
while some shake the right hand. In Islam, shaking hands is a regular greeting. Boy Scouts specifically use
a left handshake. In the olden days, the most important person extended the hand. Today, anyone at
any place can offer a handshake. The three ways of doing it are palm down, palm vertical and palm up.
[125 words]
Question
Valentine’s Day is a holiday celebrated on February 14. In America, Europe and now many countries, it is
the traditional day on which lovers express their love for each other by sending Valentine’s Day cards,
presenting flowers or offering confectionery.
This special day is most closely associated with the mutual exchange of love notes in the form of
‘valentines’. These are Valentine symbols that include the heart-shaped outline, doves and the figure of
the winged Cupid. The popularity of Valentine’s Day cards in 19th-century America was a harbinger of
the future commercialisation of holidays in the United States.
Esther Howland, the woman who produced the first commercial American valentines in the 1840s, sold
a then mind-boggling $5,000 in cards during her first year of business. The valentine industry in the
United States has been booming ever since. The United States Greeting Card Association estimates that
approximately one billion Valentine’s Day cards are sent each year worldwide, making this day the
second largest card-sending holiday following behind Christmas and New Year 15 cards. Card giving goes
back to when the English settlers first arrived in the United States. As it was against the law to display
affection in public at that time, giving cards to loved ones was a way of showing one’s affection without
doing something illegal and inviting public ridicule.
The United States Greeting Card Association estimated that women purchase approximately 85 percent
of ill valentines. In addition to cards, there are millions of boxes of chocolates and bouquets of roses
purchased, mostly by men. Today, Valentine’s Day beaus give their girls flowers, candy, cards, jewellery
or some other gift.
A candlelight dinner usually follows, either homemade or at a romantic restaurant. Children and families
celebrate too. Children make hearts and valentine crafts in school to bring to their mothers and fathers,
and the family' might have a special dinner and celebrate the love that keeps them together.
Many people feel that Valentine’s Day is too commercialised. They ask if we need just that one day to
show our loved ones we love them. They feel that we should not need an excuse to show our love. In
fact, love should be shown every day. Moreover, it does not serve a good purpose for millions of people
to spend more than what they can afford on just one day.
On that day, shops begin to see the dollar sign as they cash in on the occasion. Everywhere are
thousands of different cards with all those endearing words. Big massive teddies sit in shop windows
clutching a big red heart with loving words. Florists are working through the night tying ribbons around
dozens of red roses and running out to deliver. Restaurants are fully booked with the men treating their
lady to a ramantic dinner. This is typically what a Valentine’s Day is today.
-the significance of Valentine’s Day and
-how it became so commercialized
Your summary must:
Valentine's Day is closely associated with the mutual exchange of love ...
SUGGESTED ANSWER
Valentines Day is closely associated with the mutual exchange of love notes in the form of valentines.
These gifts include the heart-shaped outline, doves and the figure of the winged Cupid. In the 1840s,
when valentime’s cards were first sold, they came up to $5,000. Worldwide, about one billion
Valentine’s Day cards are sent each year. Card giving started when the English settlers first arrived in the
United States. It was their way to show affection instead of doing it publicly. The United States Greeting
Card Association estimated that women purchase approximately 85 percent of all valentines. Today,
men give their sweethearts flowers, candy, cards or jewellery, followed by a candlelight dinner. Children
make hearts and valentine crafts to give to their parents. Valentine’s Day is too commercialised now.
Shops and florists enjoy a booming business this time of year. [130 words]
Question
During recent years, graduates have been finding it difficult to seek jobs that match their tertiary
qualifications. This has been especially so since 1998. As the recent survey by the Manpower
Department indicated, a distressing number of 44 000 local graduates are reported to be unemployed.
This state of high unemployment is mainly due to the changing nature and demands of global trade,
resource flows and competition. The demands of global trade would mean that graduates who want to
take up jobs in the current job market have to be equipped with specialised skills and knowledge.
However, most of them are found to be lacking in essential skills such as communication and problem-
solving skills as well as leadership qualities.
There is no doubt that having a degree broadens the employment opportunities available and enhances
an individual’s chances of securing employment. However, graduates looking for a job must note that a
degree is not a guarantee to a good job. In selecting employees, employers will look at what else
graduates have to offer, including their confidence, skills, certifications, work experience and overall
potential. Quite simply, a degree is not enough on its own and graduates must realise this.
Since 1998, many graduates take an average of a year to get a job after graduation. Reports by the
Human Resource Ministry have shown that more than 6000 registered graduates were competing for
about 1000 jobs available at any time.
It is generally felt that local colleges and universities should improve the quality of knowledge imparted
to their students, especially in emerging sciences. In 2005, the Ministry of Education announced that
three of the country’s oldest universities, UM, UKM and USM, have been made research-intensive
universities with emphasis on postgraduate studies. These universities would be awarded bigger
research grants to encourage postgraduate studies and research.
Local institutions of higher learning have increased with the advent of industralisation and economic
development. Today, there are more universities and university colleges nationwide. Currently, there
are more than 500 such private colleges. It is estimated that about 150 000 students are attending
public universities and 200 000 are studying in private colleges.
Another measure taken in 2005 was to retrain unemployed graduates. The retraining was carried out by
Pembangunan Sumber Manusia Berhad. Since July, more than 30 000 unemployed graduates had
attended PSMB retraining courses in areas such as English, information and communications technology,
tourism, event management and financial planning. The Government has allocated RM35 million to
retrain some 6000 unemployed graduates at its 200 training centres nationwide.
With the availability of greater opportunities of higher education and retraining schemes by the
Government. graduates should be better prepared to take up more demanding positions in the job
market.
-why graduates are finding difficulty in seeking jobs
-availability of more higher education
-retraining schemes by the Government

Your summary must:
Graduates are finding difficulty getting jobs to match their tertiary ...
SUGGESTED ANSWER
Graduates are finding difficulty getting jobs to match their tertiary qualifications. Surveys show that a
large number local graduates are unemployed. This is because of the demands of global trade, resource
flows and competition. Graduates joining the job market must have specialised skills and knowledge. A
degree is not a guarantee to a good job. Local colleges and universities should improve the quality of
education. They were awarded bigger research grants to encourage postgraduate studies and research.
About 150 000 students are attending public universities and 200 000 are studying in private colleges.
Retraining of jobless graduates was carried out by Pembangunan Sumber Manusia Berhad. Since July
2005, more than 30 000 unemployed graduates attended retraining courses. That year, the Government
allocated RM35 million to retrain some 6000 unemployed graduates at 200 training centres nationwide.
[129 words]
Question
Eating disorders are characterised by severe disturbances in eating behaviour. They are actually not a
sign that a person has a problem with food. Rather, they are the symptoms of underlying problems in
the person’s life. The practice of an eating disorder can be viewed as a survival mechanism. Just as an
alcoholic uses alcohol to cope, a person with an eating disorder can use eating, purging or restricting to
deal with their problems. There are basically two categories of eating disorders.
Anorexia is characterised by a significant weight loss resulting from excessive dieting. Most women and
an increasing number of men are motivated by the strong desire to be thin and a fear of becoming
obese. Anorexics consider themselves to be fat no matter what their actual weight is. Often anorexics do
not recognise they are underweight and may still feel fat even at 80 lbs. Anorexics close to death will still
feel that they need to lose weight. In their attempts to become even thinner, the anorexic will avoid
food and taking in calories at all costs, which can result in death.
Anorexics feel powerful and in control when they can make themselves lose weight. Sometimes
focussing on calories and losing weight is their way of blocking out feelings and emotions. For them, it is
easier to diet than to deal with their problems directly. The first thing they do each morning is to see the
number on the scale, which will determine whether or not they have succeeded or failed in their goal
for thinness.
Anorexics usually have low self-esteem and so they feel they do not deserve to eat. Hunger is strongly
denied. They usually resist any attempts to help them because the idea of therapy is seen only as a way
to force them to eat. However, once they admit they have a problem and are willing to seek help, they
can be treated effectively through a combination of psychological, nutritional and medical care.
Bulimia is characterised by a cycle of binge eating followed by purging to try and rid the body of
unwanted calories. A binge is different for all individuals. For one person, a binge may range from 1000
to 10 000 calories, for another, one bun may be considered a binge. Purging methods usually involve
vomiting and laxative abuse.
Binge eating disorder is characterised by consuming large quantities of food in a very short period of
time until the individual is uncomfortably full. People who suffer from binge eating disorder use food as
a way to cope with or block out feelings and emotions they do not want to feel. They can also use food
as a way to numb themselves, cope with daily life stressors, provide comfort to themselves or fill a void
they feel within. Like all eating disorders, binge eating is a serious problem but can be overcome through
proper treatment.
Some of the underlying issues that are associated with an eating disorder include low self-esteem,
depression, feelings of loss of control, feelings of worthlessness and an inability to cope with emotions.
Therefore, the practice of an eating disorder may be an expression of something that the eating
disordered individual has found no other way of expressing.
-two types of eating disorders and their
-behaviour, symptoms and effects
Credit will be given for use of own words but cart mast be taken not to change the original meaning.
Your summary must:

Eating disorders are indicated by severe disturbances in eating behaviour...
SUGGESTED ANSWER
Eating disorders are indicated by severe disturbances in eating behaviour. Anorexia is characterised by a
significant weight loss due to excessive dieting. Anorexics consider themselves fat though they can be
grossly underweight. Feeling in control when they lose weight, they usually have low self-esteem. They
can be treated through a combination of psychological, nutritional and medical care. The symptom of
bulimia is a cycle of binge eating followed by purging. Purging methods are usually vomiting and laxative
abuse. People who suffer from bulimia use food to cope with or block out emotions they do not want to
feel. They can also use food as a way to cope with daily life stress or fill a void they feel within. Bulimia
can be overcome through proper treatment. [126 words]
Question
The food industry is one of the largest manufacturing industries in the world. As the demand for
economical, safe and convenient food and beverage increases, it continues to expand. The food industry
involves the four stages of agriculture, manufacturing, marketing and distribution.
[1]Agriculture refers to the production of agricultural goods through the growing of plants and the
raising of domesticated animals. It encompasses a wide variety of specialties. In modern agriculture,
plant breeding, pesticides, fertilisers and technological improvements have sharply increased yields from
cultivation. Selective breeding and modern practices in animal husbandry such as intensive poultry
farming have similarly increased the output of meat.
[1]The major agricultural products can be broadly grouped into food, fibres, fuel and raw materials.
Specific foods include cereals, vegetables, fruits and meat. Fibres include cotton, wool, hemp, silk and
flax. Raw materials include lumber and bamboo.
[1]The second stage, manufacturing, is the use of tools and labour to make things for use or sale.
Modern manufacturing includes all intermediate food processes required for the production and
integration of a product’s components. Food processing is the set of methods and techniques used to
transform raw ingredients into food or to transform food into other forms for consumption by humans
or animals either in the home or by the food processing industry. Food processing typically takes clean,
harvested crops or slaughtered and butchered animal products and uses these to produce attractive,
marketable and often long-life food products.
The third stage, marketing, is an ongoing process of planning and executing the marketing mix for
products, services or ideas to create exchange between individuals and organisations. It tends to be
seen as a creative industry, which include; advertising, distribution and selling. It is also concerned with
anticipating the customers' future 25 needs and wants, which are often discovered through market
research. Essentially, marketing is the process of creating or directing an organisation to be successful in
selling a product or service that people are willing to buy. Good marketing must be able to create a
“proposition” or set of benefits for the end customer that delivers value through products or services.
Lastly, food distribution, a method of distributing or transporting food from one place to another, is a
very important factor in public nutrition. There are three main components of food distribution. Thev
involve transport infrastructure such as roads, vehicles, rail transport, airports and ports, food handling
technology and regulation, storage, warehousing and adequate source and supply logistics, based on
demand and need. Through distribution, food gets to the big and small outlets such as supermarkets
and shops for retail.
-the agriculture and manufacturing stages of the food industry
-marketing and distribution stages
Your summary must:
The food industry, one of the largest manufacturing industries, involves ...
SUGGESTED ANSWER
The food industry, one of the largest manufacturing industries, involves four stages. First, agriculture is
the production of agricultural goods through cultivation and poultry farming. Modern technological
improvements and practices have sharply increased yields. Major agricultural products can be grouped
into food, fibres, fuel and raw materials. Second, manufacturing involves using techniques to transform
raw ingredients into food. It uses harvested crops or slaughtered animal products to produce attractive
and marketable food products. Marketing surveys customers’ future needs through market research. It
is the process of creating ways to be successful in selling a product or service. Lastly, food distribution is
transporting food from one place to another involving transport infrastructure, food handling
technology, storage, warehousing and logistics. Through distribution, food gets to the outlets for retail.
[127 words]
Question
Dental problems are among the most common health problems experienced by us. In fact, people over
65 with natural teeth have more tooth decay than any other age group. This is because the)’ produce
less saliva, needed to clean the teeth. Moreover, gums shrink with age. exposing the tooth to decay or
infection.
Dental problems can range from toothache to tooth decay to gum disease. When people age, their gums
begin to recede. The roots of the tooth are exposed and it is very easy for cavities to develop in this
area. Cavities can lead to infection and teeth breaking off. Plaque grows on the surface of the teeth. The
bacteria found in plaque give off acids that cause gum disease.
Toothache is a common dental problem, and can occur even if you are diligent about oral care. Two
main groups ofbacieria that cause tooth decay are streptococcus mutans and lactobacillus. If these are
present in a mouth, the chances for getting decay and cavities in the teeth are greater.
Pain from an infected tooth can travel from tooth to tooth on the same side of the jaw and sometimes
to the ear. In fact, pain from an infected tooth on the upper jaw can even travel to the lower jaw on the
same side of the mouth. Referred pain does not however cross the middle of the mouth. So pain will not
travel from the right side to the left side of the mouth. Treatment of the infected tooth is the only way
to stop the pattern of referred pain.
By using new technologies like quantitative light fluorescence, laser fluorescence and digitally imaged
transillumination, your dentist can detect the decay process at a point where it can actually be reversed
by various techniques, therefore, avoiding fillings altogether. With this new technology, many teeth
have been saved, avoiding fillings, much discomfort and pain. Presently, twenty percent of the
population have this problem of severe dental cavities. The groups at highest risk are children and many
older adults who suffer from severe root decay.
Lasers are helpful in dental treatment. They have been increasingly used to remove decay within a tooth
and prepare the surrounding enamel for receipt of the filling. They are also used to reshape gums and
remove bacteria during root canal procedures.
Severe inflammation of the gums is characterised by swollen gums, formation of ulcers, sloughing of
dead tissue, intense pain, fever and foul breath. The causes are usually poor oral hygiene, deficient
nutrition and emotional stress. The immediate treatment goal is to provide relief from pain. This can be
done by the removal of the soft film of food debris and plaque. Ways of doing so are oral irrigation,
antibacterial mouth rinses and dental hygiene instruction. In severe cases, antibiotics may be prescribed.
Usually, the dentist removes gently the hard deposits of tartar from the teeth and soft tissues, which is
then followed by more rigourous scaling.
The type of treatment we opt for depends on the dental problem. On top of this, the condition of our
teeth and the desired result we want can also dictate the best procedure to take.
-the causes of dental problems and
-their types
Your summary must:
Dental problems, among the most common health problems, range from ...
SUGGESTED ANSWER
Dental problems, among the most common health problems, range from toothaches to tooth decay to
gum disease. They are more common among older people. Cavities form and lead to infection and
broken teeth. Toothache is caused by bacteria. Pain from an infected tooth can travel from tooth to
tooth on the same side of the jaw. New technologies enable detecting the decayed parts for removal
and filling. Lasers are used to remove decay, reshape gums and remove bacteria. Severe inflammation of
the gums can happen. Causes are poor oral hygiene, deficient nutrition and emotional stress. Treatment
involves removal of food debris and plaque, rinsing and dental hygiene instruction. In severe cases,
antibiotics may be prescribed. The type of treatment we have depends on the dental problem. [126
words]
Question
Eye defects can be corrected by surgery these days. One of the ways is LASIK which stands for laser-
assisted in situ keratomileusis.
LASIK is a surgical alternative to wearing corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses. It was developed in
1990 and quickly became popular because of its greater precision and lower frequency of complications.
With nearsighted people, the goal of LASIK is to flatten the too-steep cornea. With farsighted people, a
steeper cornea
is desired.
Younger people with mild nearsightedness and astigmatism are the best candidates for a good outcome.
If you are considering LASIK eye surgery, your first step is to choose a good LASIK surgeon who can
evaluate whether LASIK is right for you. Your eye surgeon will examine your eyes to determine their
health, what kind of vision correction you need and how much corneal tissue removal is required. The
doctor will also ask about any health conditions that may disqualify you altogether for LASIK surgery.
LASIK is an outpatient procedure. The LASIK surgeon uses a computer to adjust the laser for your
particular prescription. You will be asked to look at a target light for a short time while the laser sends
pulses of light to painlessly reshape your cornea. The actual LASIK surgery usually takes less than five
minutes.
Before surgery, the patient’s corneas are examined to determine their thickness.
A topographer is used to measure their surface contour as well. Then, using the 20 information, the
surgeon calculates the amount and locations of corneal tissue to be removed during the operation. The
operation itself is made by creating a thin flap on the eye, folding it to enable remodelling of the tissue
underneath with laser. The flap is then repositioned and the eye is left to heal in the postoperative
period.
LASIK is performed in three steps. The first step is to create a flap of corneal tissue. The second step is
remodelling the cornea underneath the flap with the laser. Finally, the flap is repositioned. A comeal
suction ring is applied to the eye, holding the eye in place. This step in the procedure can sometimes
cause small blood vessels to burst, resulting in bleeding.
Although many people who have had LASIK believe they see better than they did with eyeglasses or
contact lenses before surgery, not everyone has the same experience. The feedback given is as follow's.
After LASIK, one can expect the vision to be slightly better or about the same as it was with glasses. A
small percentage of people may notice that their vision is not quite as good as it was before with
glasses. However, the recipient should be able to drive safely and perform other routine daily tasks
without needing glasses or contact lenses.
A few patients experience poor outcomes from LASIK surgical procedures. Those that did, report a
significantly reduced qualitv of life because of vision problems. Generally, surveys determining patient
satisfaction with LASIK have found most patients satisfied, with satisfaction range being 92-98 percent.
As can be seen, LASIK is a therefore breakthrough in eve surgery to correct nearsightedness,
farsightedness and astigmatism.
-the purpose of LASIK
-steps to be taken in the surgery

-feedback about LASIK
Your summary must:
-use materials from the texts
LASIK is a breakthrough for people who have eyesight problems ...
SUGGESTED ANSWER
LASIK is a breakthrough for people who have eyesight problems. It is an outpatient procedure. The
surgeon uses laser to painlessly reshape the cornea. Before surgery, the patient’s corneas are examined.
Then, the amount and locations of corneal tissue to be removed are measured. The operation is done in
three steps. First, create a flap of corneal tissue. Second, remodelling the cornea underneath the flap
with laser. Finally, the flap is repositioned. A corneal suction ring is applied to the eye, holding the eye in
place. While this is going on, small blood vessels can burst, resulting in bleeding. Not everyone after
LASIK has the same experience. Most have better vision than before. For some, their vision is not quite
as good as it was before with glasses. [128 words]
Model Question
Reid the passage below and answer the question that follows.
Jogging is no longer the big craze it once was. Nevertheless, the benefits of this great form of exercise
are still there. The list of benefits is endless.
At the top of the list is that jogging is for losing weight. For an obese person, there is no better way to
lose those extra pounds than with a good jog in the park. Another benefit is that it tones the muscles
and bones. This is critical in preventing muscle and bone loss. This explains why very few joggers end up
suffering from osteoporosis later on in life.
Then there are the cardiovascular benefits from jogging. A good jog really gets the heart pumping and
the blood flowing. Again, this explains why few people who jog die from heart disease or stroke. The
circulatory systems are usually in tip-top shape.
Jogging is one activity you can do independently. Besides increasing your energy level, it brings a sense
of discipline. In fact, it is more result-oriented than any other type of workout.
The one benefit of jogging that most people are totally unaware of is the mental benefit. Studies show
that people who jog simply have a better outlook on life. Somehow, they are generally a lot happier.
This has to do with the great feeling they get from jogging a couple of miles. It could be the sense of
accomplishment that makes them feel good about having a good workout.
Having mentioned that jogging works wonders for the body and mind, one must be aware of the limits.
So if you are thinking of starting a jogging routine, check with your doctor to make sure that he agrees
with it.
Do not try to jog for miles on your first day. Long distance running, especially pushing to the limits in
marathons with endless hours of training on unforgiving surfaces like concrete sidewalks, can result in
high rates of overuse injuries. You are likely to get muscle strain and stress fractures if you do so. The
more miles jogged, the greater is the stress. Stress fractures are like a hardboiled egg, when the shell is
cracked, a full-fledged fracture can happen.
Also, avoid heavy lifting, pushing heavy objects and chores such as raking, mowing and scrubbing. When
lifting any object, exhale while lifting. It is advisable to avoid push-ups, sit-ups and isometric exercises for
beginners. If you have any hints of knee pain, you should consult a sports-medicine specialist such as an
orthopaedic doctor or physical therapist for evaluation. You must also learn to identify knee pain
triggers, and eliminate them from your routine.
One word of caution: never exercise if you are not feeling well or have a fever. It is better to wait for a
few days after all symptoms have disappeared before starting your exercise programme. If you are short
of breath during any activity or have increased fatigue, slow down your activity level or have a good rest.
Your body is telling you that you are not ready to go back to a jogging programme.
10 Running sensibly, on the other hand, is not a problem for most people. As they have been jogging for
quite a while, they should know the dos and don’ts of jogging.
(Adapted from: http://ezinearticles.com/Jogging/)
-jogging’s benefits
-the limits to jogging
-precautions to take
Credit will he given for use of own words but care must be taken not to change the original meaning.
Your summary must:

The benefits of jogging are endless. For one, it enables ...
SUGGESTED ANSWER
The benefits of jogging are endless. For one, it enables losing weight and tones the muscles and bones. It
also gets the heart pumping and the blood flowing, reducing the chances of heart disease. One can do
jogging independently. Besides increasing your energy level, it brings a sense of discipline. People who
jog are happier with life. However, one must know the limits. Do not try to jog for miles on your first
day. Long distance running, can result in high rates of overuse injuries such as muscle strain and stress
fractures. Also, avoid heavy lifting, pushing heavy objects and chores such as raking, mowing and
scrubbing. If you experience knee pain, see a sports-medicine specialist. Never exercise if you are not
feeling well or have a fever. [128 words]
Question
Appearing as solitary forms in the fossil record more than 400 million years ago, corals are extremely
ancient animals that evolved into modern reef-building forms over the last 25 million years. Although
many people mistake corals as plants, they are actually animals, belonging to the group of anthozoans.
Comprising over 6000 known species, they also include sea fans, sea pansies and anemones. Stony
corals make up the largest order of anthozoans, and are the group primarily responsible for laying the
foundations of and building reef structures.
A coral reef is actually composed of hundreds or thousands of these tiny animals growing together as a
colony. These tiny coral polyps are the builders of the reef. Their tiny calcium shells have accumulated
over thousands of years to form the largest living structures in the world. Coral reefs are unique and
complex systems. Coral reefs begin to form when free-swimming coral larvae attach themselves to the
submerged edges of islands or continents. As the corals grow and expand, reefs take on one of three
major characteristic structures-fringing, barrier or atoll.
All corals share two basic structural features with other members of their family IS group. The first is a
gastrovascular cavity that opens at only one end. At the opening to this cavity, commonly called the
mouth, food is consumed and some waste products are expelled. A second feature is a circle of
tentacles, extensions of the bodv wall that surround the mouth. Tentacles help the coral to capture and
ingest plankton for food, clear away debris from the mouth and act as the animal’s primary means of
defence.
Most corals contain algae within their cells. The coral provides the algae with a protected environment
and the compounds necessary for photosynthesis. These include carbon dioxide, produced by coral
respiration and inorganic nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates, which are metabolic waste
products of the coral. In return, the algae produce oxygen and help the coral to remove wastes. Most
importantly, they supply the coral with organic products of photosynthesis.
Corals do provide some uses. The reefs act as fish attracting devices. They are also habitats for fish,
squid and octopus. Algae may be cultured on the reef as a food source and for extraction of useful
chemicals and health supplements. Coral aggregate is used to reinforce concrete while coral sand is
used in cement manufacture.
As a provider of economic benefits from exploitation of corals, we have trade in coral, whole skeleton
and jewellery made of coral. Islands have been created by accumulation of coral rubble.
Calcium has been extracted from coral. Coral calcium, whether taken in capsule, pill, powder or liquid
form, can supply the body with absorbable calcium. The main uses for coral calcium are to supplement
one’s diet with an absorbable form of calcium, strengthen the body to fight more effectively against
illnesses and boost one’s energy levels.
-the formation of corals
-their characteristics and uses
Your summary must:
Corals evolved into reefs over the last 25 million years ...
SUGGESTED ANSWER
Corals evolved into reefs over the last 25 million years. A coral reef is composed of countless coral
polyps growing together as a colony. All corals have a gastrovascular cavity that opens at only one end.
At the opening to this cavity, food is consumed and waste products expelled. Another feature is a circle
of tentacles which help the coral to capture plankton and act as the animal’s primary means of defence.
Most corals contain algae within their cells. The algae supply the coral with organic products of
photosynthesis. As for uses, corals are habitats for fish, squid and octopus. The algae can be a source of
food and health supplements. Coral sand is used in cement manufacture. There is trade in coral, whole
skeleton and jewellery made of coral. [130 words]
Question
Lizards are reptiles of the order Squamata, normally possessing four legs, external ear openings and
movable eyelids. As reptiles, they are cold-blooded, lay eggs, and are covered by scales. Different types
of lizards have different habitats. Some live in trees, underground, on the banks of rivers or in the
desert.
Some lizard varieties ear insects, others fruit, and still others prey on small mammals. They come in ill
colours and sizes, equipped with innovative methods of defence, reproduction and rredation. Each
family shares general characteristics, like where they can survive, how they look and what they eat. In
each family are many different species. Some lizards look like dinosaurs, while others are small enough
to perch on the tip of tout finger.
It is believed that lizards are divided into anywhere from six to sixteen families. Just to describe a few.
the species can be very different from each other. Everyone recognises chameleons’human-like hands as
they grasp branches. They are equipped with an opposable thumb and fingers to let them crawl through
trees. Their prehensile tails curl and wrap around stems to help with climbing, similar to a monkey’s tail.
Like frogs, their stickv tongues dart out to catch flying insects. Each eye, enclosed in a convex socket, can
move independently, which helps it watch for flies. Chameleons can change the colour of their scales
based on emotions related
to fear.
Skinks are a lesser-known type of lizard. They are often mistaken for a kind of snake because they have
tiny, smooth scales on a long, cylindrical body. They have this useful trait, that is their tail’s ability to
break off when grabbed by a predator, allowing them to quickly slink away.
Iguanas are a popular type of lizard because they make friendly pets. Some species of iguana can grow
quite large. Surprisingly, they are entirely vegetarian, snacking on leaves and sweet fruits. Their main
defence is their sharply spiked tail that they can whip around when feeling threatened.
House lizards or geckos are diminutive, tropical lizards with bright green bodies and often orange or
yellow feet. Their fascinating toes, like suction cups, allow them to shimmy up vertical surfaces in their
search for insects. Their oversized eyes let in light for nocturnal hunting. There are more than a
thousand different species of geckos. Most geckos have no eyelids. Instead, they have a transparent
membrane which they lick to clean. Many species have specialised toe pads that enable them to climb
smooth and vertical surfaces and even cross indoor ceilings with ease. Many make their home inside
human habitations. These species become part of the house and are seldom got rid of because they
feed on insects which are considered as pests.
-the characteristics of lizards
-different species of lizards
Your summary must:
Lizards are reptiles that possess four legs, external ear openings ...
SUGGESTED ANSWER
Lizards are reptiles that possess four legs, external ear openings and movable eyelids. They are divided
into anywhere from six to sixteen families. Their habitats differ. Some varieties eat insects, others fruit
and still others prey on small mammals. They come in all colours and sizes. The chameleons have
human-like hands as they grasp branches. Their limbs enable them to crawl through trees. They can
change the colour of their scales when they wish. Skinks have tiny, smooth scales on a long, cylindrical
body. Their tail can break off when grabbed by a predator. Iguanas are entirely vegetarian, snacking on
leaves and sweet fruits. Geckos are diminutive, tropical lizards found in our houses. They have
specialised toe pads to enable them to climb smooth and vertical surfaces. [127 words]
Question
Recycling involves processing used materials to make new products. This is done to prevent the waste of
potentiallv useful materials, reduce consumption of fresh raw materials and reduce energy usage. It is a
key component of modern waste management and is the third component of the ‘Reduce, Reuse,
Recycle’ waste hierarchy.
Recycling is also one of the best ways for us to have a positive impact on the world in which we live. It is
important to both the natural environment and us.
We must act fast as the amount of waste we create is increasing all the time. This is due to the amount
of rubbish from people who are buying more products and ultimately creating more waste, new
packaging and technological products that are not biodegradable and new lifestyle changes such as
eating fast food, which creates additional waste.
The increasing use of products has many repercussions. For one, huge amounts of energy are used when
making products from raw materials. On the other hand, recycling reduces the need for raw materials as
it uses less energy. It therefore preserves natural resources for the future. Without a doubt, recycling
reduces financial expenditure in the economy. Making products from raw materials costs much more
than if they were made from recycled products.
Recyclable materials include glass, paper, metal, textiles, electronics and plastics. These materials are
either brought to a collection centre or picked up from the curbside, then sorted, cleaned and
reprocessed at recycling centres.
In order for a recycling programme to work, it is crucial to have a large, stable supply of recyclable
materials. Laws have been passed to create the supply, including mandatory recycling collection,
container deposit legislation and refuse bans. Mandatory collection laws set recycling targets for cities
to aim for, usually by fixing a certain percentage of a material to be diverted from the city’s waste
stream by a target date. The city is then responsible for working to meet this target.
Fortunately, most types of paper can be recycled. Newspapers have been recycled profitably for
decades. At the same time, recycling of other paper is growing. Virgin paper pulp prices have soared in
recent years prompting construction of more plants capable of using waste paper. They key to recycling
is collecting large quantities of clean, well-sorted, uncontaminated and dry paper.
Every ton of paper made from recycled materials saves about seventeen trees. Recycling paper uses 60%
less energy than manufacturing paper from virgin timber. With a little bit of care, plastic can also be
recycled. In fact, collection of plastic for recycling is increasing rapidly.
Glass, steel and aluminium are easv to recognise and recycle. For clarity, a recycling symbol should be
present, but most people have little trouble sorting these materials. Glass bottles must not be mixed
with other types of glass such as windows, light bulbs, mirrors or auto glass. Ceramics contaminate glass
and can be difficult to sort out. So it is necessary to be careful when recycling them.
Adapted from: http://www.recycling-revolution.com
-the need for recycling
-different recyclable materials
Credit will he given for use of own words but care must be taken not to change the original meaning.
Your summary must:
Recycling is processing used materials to make new products. It...
SUGGESTED ANSWER
Recycling is processing used materials to make new products. It is important to both the natural
environment and us. This is done by reducing the waste caused by the expanding population and need
for raw materials. The increasing use of products requires large amounts of energy when making
products from raw materials. Recycling uses less energy. It therefore preserves natural resources for the
future and reduces financial expenditure in the economy. Recyclable materials include glass, paper,
metal, textiles, electronics and plastics. To recycle, there must be a large stable supply of recyclable
materials. Laws have been passed to create the supply through mandatory collection. Before recycling, a
recycling symbol should be present. Some materials must not be mixed. It is necessary to sort them out
before recycling them. [128 words]
Question
With over 55 years’ experience and 90 villages in 26 countries, 13 of which are located in the Western
Hemisphere, Club Med is the world’s largest vacation village organisation that sells package vacations to
its members to escape the stress of city life.
This unique holiday resort is the benchrnark for all-inclusive upmarket holidays with wonderful activities.
Together with nature, it has created a spectacular place for visitors to relax, rejuvenate and experience
dream holidays.
In addition, Club Med takes a special interest in children and is one of the few resorts which actually
encourages couples to include children in vacation plans.
At the five Western Hemisphere clubs. Club Med has established mini-clubs for children four to seven
and Kid’s Clubs, for the eight to 12 age group. Children get the same vacation experiences as their
parents, under careful supervision, while parents are free to indulge in their own pursuits.
Club Med in Malaysia is ideally placed in a secluded bay in Cherating, approximately 50 kilometres from
Kuantan, Pahang. Set in 80 hectares of lush wooded grounds with an exceptional array of native flora
and fauna, Club Med Cherating is truly a great place for a vacation. In fact, it is the perfect antidote to
the hectic city life. There, wide gently sloping sandy beaches, lined with casuarinas trees, extend as far
as the eye can see.
This beautiful resort boasts of world-class facilities and unparalleled services to attract a steady stream
of visitors , both regular revellers and first-time villagers. Exciting and fun-filled programmes are ottered
to entertain visitors from dawn to dusk and help reunite them with the essential joys of living. Their
philosophy is laugh, relax and have fun on an all-inclusive holiday.
The resort consists of a few villages. Each village has something special for the individual, couples or
families. With its own private stretch of beach, it is kept pristine clean by the resort, very nice compared
to the filth we normally find on typical Malaysian beaches. Upon our arrival at any of the exclusive
locations, the friendly GOs (Gentle Organisers) are on hand to ensure visitors’ comfort. They are mostly
young people from around the w orld and they carry out most of the outlets like the retail shop,
reception, bar and the various recreational activities.
Every night, a show is put on by the GOs. Visitors join in the night’s entertainment. Showtime also has a
slot for children’s stage performance that is part of a nightly rotation with traditional performances,
themed dance performances and even a circus act before the late-night boogie-down sessions followed
by live music or karaoke.
As for meals, it is buffet all day long at Mutiara, the poolside main restaurant. It offers a new buffet
concept with a wide selection of international and ethnic food and recently opened its fine-dining
restaurant which allows guests to enjoy their meals in a romantic and exclusive environment.
-Club Med’s special holiday package
-why people go there
Your summary must:
Club Med, the worlds largest vacation village organisation, offers all-inclusive upmarket...
SUGGESTED ANSWER
Club Med, the world's largest vacation village organisation, offers all-inclusive upmarket holidays with
wonderful activities. It encourages couples to include children in their holiday plans as it has mini-clubs
for children. Club Med Cherating is in a secluded bay so kilometres from Kuantan, Pahang. Set in 80
hectares of wooded grounds with beautiful flora and fauna, it is truly a great place for a vacation away
from the hectic city life. The concept is for visitors to relax and have fun. The resort consists of a few
villages. Each village has something special for the individual, couples or families. Friendly Gentle
Organisers are on hand to ensure visitors’ comfort. A show is put on every night. Visitors join in the
night’s entertainment. All meals are buffet with a wide selection of dishes. [128 words]
Question
Caving may be a once-in-a-lifetime thrill. Whether you find it so or not, do ensure you make
preparations for a caving exploration. If you do not, it can turn out to be a very horrifying experience.
Here are some tips on cave exploration and finding your way out should you get lost. You should not go
exploring caves without knowing your exact way in and out. Getting lost in a cave is a very dangerous
situation that can resemble your worst nightmare. If you do plan to enter a cave, make sure that people
outside know you are entering the cave, what time you will be back and when they should start calling
for help if anything should happen.
Make sure you have flashlights and spare batteries before entering a cave. At every turn or corner place
a marker on the floor indicating the direction you took. Always bring along a reliable guide. Many of
Malaysia’s caves are unmapped and no one should explore a cave on his or her own. Groups of four or
six would be ideal.
Limit your time in a cave to a maximum of eight hours. More than that and you will get very tired and be
less alert. Since you have an idea of how much time to be inside, you can plan on how much lighting you
will need. One kilogram of carbide will give enough illumination for approximately six to eight hours. You
should always carry back-up torches and extra batteries. If you are one of those with a weak heart
condition or suffering from claustrophobia, you should limit yourself to just show caves.
Caving helmets are designed in such a wav that primary lights can be secured to them. It might be a
good idea to bring along a drysuit which is made for cave dives or in cold water. The suit itself is made of
a laminated waterproof material, with watertight latex seals at the neck and wrists. Pockets on either
side can carry safety equipment. Most cavers put a back-up light on their helmet. This way, if a primary
light fails, one can still keep hand? tree. Another back-up light is also put into a pack. The cave diving
rule of ‘Three Lights' makes a lot of sense for it is dangerous to be in a cave without a light source.
Rope is needed for hand lines and vertical drops. For these, always consider the condition and storage
methods of any rope before using it as a safety device. Rope protectors should be used as a cushion
between rope and any surface which might abrade it. Use a rope bag that is designed to protect the
rope in transit and in storage.
Although some operators offer cave diving, it is a highly specialised sport and should only be undertaken
by experience;; divers and cavers. So if you intend to do cave diving, you might prefer a comract mask.
Most divers carry at least one depth gauge and timer. These allow the diver to calculate what
decompression stops to make when ascending at the end of the dive. Alternatively, all of these functions
may be combined in a dive computer which you can bring along easily. It indicates depth, time and the
required decompression stops.
-tips on exploring caves
-what equipment to bring along
Your summary must:
To ensure a safe and pleasant caving outing, you have ...
SUGGESTED ANSWER
To ensure a safe and pleasant caving outing, you have to make preparations. Do not go explore caves
without knowing the way in and out. Always bring along a reliable guide. Inform someone what time you
will be back. Make sure you have flashlights and spare batteries before entering a cave. Limiting your
time inside to a maximum of eight hours is advisable. In this way, you can plan on how much lighting you
will need. Put on a caving helmet with primary lights attached to them. Have back-up lights as well. You
need ropes for hand lines and vertical drops. If you want to do cave diving, make sure you have the
experience to do so. Bring a compact mask, a depth gauge and timer. [128 words]
Question
Cloning is the process of making an identical copy of something. It refers to processes used to create
copies of DNA fragments, be it molecular cloning or cell cloning or organisms. The term also covers
when organisms such as bacteria, insects or plants reproduce a sexually.
The possibility of human cloning was raised when scientists at Roslin Institute created the much-
celebrated sheep called Dolly. It aroused worldwide interest and concern because of its scientific and
ethical implications. The immediate reaction was that humans would now be able to make brand-new
copies of themselves.
This breakthrough in 1997 also generated uncertainty over the meaning of ‘cloning’. There are three
types of doning. They are DNA cloning, reproductive cloning and therapeutic cloning.
Recombinant DNA technology or DNA cloning involves the transfer of a DNA fragment from one
organism to a self-replicating genetic element. Scientists studying a particular gene often use bacterial
plasmids to generate multiple copies of the same gene. Plasmids are self-replicating extra-chromosomal
circular DNA molecules. When the fragment of the chromosomal DNA is joined with its cloning vector in
the lab, it is called a recombinant DNA molecule.
Reproductive cloning is a technology used to generate an animal that has the same nuclear DNA as
another currently or previously existing animal. Dolly was created by this type of cloning technology. In
the process, scientists transfer genetic material from the nucleus of a donor adult cell to an egg whose
genetic material has been removed. The reconstructed egg containing the DNA from a donor cell must
be treated with chemicals or electric current to stimulate cell division. Once the cloned embryo reaches
a suitable stage, it is transferred to the uterus of a female host where it continues to develop until birth.
Therapeutic cloning is also called ‘embryo cloning’. It is the production of human embryos for use in
research. The goal of this process is not to create cloned human beings but rather to harvest stem cells
that can be used to treat disease. Stem cells are important to biomedical researchers because they can
be used to generate virtually any type of specialised cell in the human body.
Stem cells are extracted from the egg after it has divided for five days. The extraction process destroys
the embryo, which raises a variety of ethical concerns. It is hoped that one day, stem cells can be used
to serve as replacement cells to treat heart disease, Alzheimer’s, cancer and other diseases.
Recombinant DNA technology is useful for learning about other related technologies such as gene
therapy and genetic engineering of organisms. Gene therapy can be used to treat certain genetic
conditions by introducing virus vectors that transfer corrected copies of faulty genes into the cells of a
host organism. Similarly, genes from different organisms can be used to improve taste and nutritional
value or provide resistance to particular types of disease or genetically engineer food crops.
-the process of cloning
-three types of cloning and their uses

Your summary must:
Cloning is the process of making identical DNA fragments or ...
SUGGESTED ANSWER
Cloning is the process of making identical DNA fragments or organisms. DNA cloning involves the
transfer of a DNA fragment from one organism to the same gene. Reproductive cloning can generate an
anirr.il that has the same DNA. The immediate reaction of the cloning of Dolly was that we could make
brand-new copies of ourselves. The reconstructed egg is treated to stimulate cell division. Therapeutic
cloning is the production of human embryos for use in research. The goal is to harvest stem cells to treat
heart disease, Alzheimer’s, cancer and other diseases. They are important in biomedical research.
Recombinant DNA technology is useful to learn about gene therapy and genetic engineering of
organisms. Gene therapy is used to provide resistance to particular types of disease and genetically
engineer food crops. [126 words]
Question
Five particular stones are referred to as gemstones primarily because of historical and ceremonial use.
These gemstones are accepted to be diamond, ruby, sapphire, emerald and amethyst.
Diamond is the ultimate gemstone, having few weaknesses but many strengths.
It is the hardest substance found in nature, four times harder than the next hardest natural mineral,
corundum. Though hard as it is, it does not mean it cannot split. A diamond has four directions of
cleavage. This means that if it receives a sharp blow in one of these directions, it will cleave or split. A
skilled diamond setter will prevent any of these directions from being struck while mounting it an a
jewellery piece.
Natural diamonds are made deep down in the earth, about 180 km below the surface, where high
temperatures and pressures exist naturally. Under the earth’s crust is the mantel, which is made up of
molten rock, metals and other materials. The temperature is very high at this depth, between 1100°C
and 1400°C.The high pressures are produced by the weight of 180 km of rocks pressing down on it.
In terms of its physical properties, diamond is the ultimate mineral in several ways. For one, it has a
broad colour range, high refraction, high dispersion, very low reactivity to chemicals, rarity and of
course, extreme durability. Anything extremely rare is precious. Diamonds, formed billions of years ago,
are rare in that only a few survived the hazardous journey from the depths of the earth to reach the
earth's surface.
In clarity, diamond is transparent over a larger range of wavelengths than any other solid or liquid
substance. It also conducts heat better than anything, five times better than the second best element,
silver. Its colour is an important factor in determining its value. The most rare diamonds are nearly
colourless. As for its rarity, diamonds are really in limited supply. Of all the diamonds mined each year,
less than half are gem quality. These are the diamonds used for jewellery. The remaining diamonds fall
into near-gem quality or industrial quality.
Diamonds have been used since ancient times, most notably in the area around Golconda in India. They
had mam- uses other than for jewellery. Most diamonds were used for drilling crowns, milling machines
and for other industrial purposes. They accentuate any piece of jewellery that they adorn, especially
wedding rings, necklaces, earrings and brooches. When adorned on gold or silver or any other precious
metal, they tantalise the senses and create an aura of beauty and well-being.
The modern diamond industry began with discoveries in South Africa in the late 19th century. As
diamonds require specific geological conditions in order to form, they are only found in certain
locations. South Africa produces the majority
of the world’s diamonds, but there is also diamond production in Russia, Canada, Australia, India, China
and South America. Based on 2006 Kimberley Process production statistics, Botswana is the world’s
biggest producer of diamonds by value, followed by Russia, Canada, South Africa and Angola.
(Adapted from ‘What are Diamonds’ http://www.seed.slb.com/en/scictr/watch/diamonds)
-the qualities of diamond where it is mainly found today
-what it is made of
Your summary must:

Diamond is the ultimate gemstone. It is the hardest substance ...
SUGGESTED ANSWER
Diamond is the ultimate gemstone. It is the hardest substance existing. Natural diamonds are made of
mantel, made up of molten rock, metals and other materials, deep down in the earth, at high
temperature and high pressures. Its qualities include broad colour range, high refraction, high
dispersion, rarity and high durability. It is transparent over a large range of wavelengths and conducts
heat very well. Diamonds have been used since ancient times. As jewellery, they are believed to be the
best. They create an aura of beauty and well-being. The modern diamond industry began with
discoveries in South Africa in the late 19th century. South Africa produces the majority of the world’s
diamonds, followed by Russia, Canada, Australia, India, China and South America. Botswana is the
world’s biggest diamond producer. [126 words]
Question
Many varieties of the orchid can be grown fairly easily in a common windowsill. Others require a good
deal of humidity to grow properly. It is not true that one needs a greenhouse to grow orchids. Many
orchids even grow well without a greenhouse given proper light and water.
In nature, orchids can be divided into four types according to growing conditions. Most are classified as
epiphytes found in tropical moist broadleaf forests or mountains and subtropics. These are anchored on
other plants, mostly trees and shrubs. The rock growers, or lithophytes, cling to the surfaces of rocks.
Saprophytes are those that grow in mulch, often on the forest floor. Finally, there are the dirt growers,
or terrestrials, which anchor themselves in soil or sand. A few are lithophytes, similar to epiphytes but
growing naturally on rocks or on very rocky soil. They derive their nutrients from the atmosphere,
rainwater, litter, humus and even their own dead tissue.
The structure of the leaves corresponds to the specific habitat of the orchid. Species that typically bask
in sunlight have thick, leathery leaves. The laminas are covered by a waxy' cuticle. These retain their
necessary water supply. For shade species, the leaves are tall and thin. They cannot tolerate a drop in
atmospheric humidity or exposure to direct sunlight. Between these two extremes, there is a whole
range of intermediate forms. The leaves of some species can be most beautiful. For example, the leaves
of the Macodes sanderiana, a semiterrestrial or lithophyte, show a sparkling silver and gold veining on a
light green background.
The sepals form the exterior of the bud. They are green at this stage, but sometimes, if the orchid
blossom is purple, the buds can show a purple tint. When the flower opens, the sepals become intensely
coloured. In many orchids, the sepals are mutually different and generally resemble the petals. It is not
always easy to distinguish sepals and petals. The reproductive organs in the centre have adapted to
become a cylindrical structure called the column. On top of the column lies the stigma and the pollinia, a
mass of waxy pollen on filaments.
If pollination is successful, the sepals and petals fade and wilt but they remain attached to the ovary. The
ovary typically develops into a capsule. The ripening of a capsule can take 2-18 months. The microscopic
seeds are very numerous, over a million per capsule in most species. They blow off after ripening like
dust particles or spores, barely visible to the human eye.
Orchids are indeed some of the most beautiful flowers in the world. Breeding them can be a highly
challenging endeavour. It needs a lot of patience because the orchid seeds are characteristically small
and mortality rate of both the seeds and the sprouts is high. The National Orchid Garden in the
Singapore Botanic Gardens is considered by some to be among the finest collections of orchids in
cultivation open to the public. The Taiwan Orchid Plantation was set up to develop commercial orchid
exports in the future.
Orchids have become a major market throughout the world. Buyers now bid hundreds of dollars on new
hybrids or improved ones. Due to their apparent ease in hybridisation, they are now becoming one of
the most popular cut-flowers on the market. Though orchid hybridisation has been happening for many
years, only recently has new technology made it into what it is today.
-where orchids are grown
-their characteristics
Your summary must:
-be in continuous writing form not in note form)
-use materials from texts
Orchids are divided into four types. They are epiphytes found...
SUGGESTED ANSWER
Orchids are divided into four types. They are epiphytes found in tropical moist places, lithophytes which
grow on surfaces of rocks, saprophytes and terrestrials, which anchor themselves in soil. The structure
of the leaves corresponds to the habitat. Species that bask in sunlight have thick, leathery leaves. The
shade species have tall and thin leaves. When the flower opens, the sepals resemble the petals. So it is
not always easy to distinguish them. The reproductive organs are in the centre and have adapted to the
column. On its top are the mass of waxy pollen. They are numerous and blow off after ripening. Orchids
are indeed beautiful flowers. Breeding them can be highly challenging as it requires patience. They have
become a major market throughout the world. [127 words]
Question
Online shopping is the process consumers go through to purchase products or services over the
Internet. It is the trend these days. This is due to its speed and ease of use. Popular websites that allow
online purchasing include Amazon, eBay and Buy.com.
The advantages are many. When you shop online, you have competition among the advertisers, just like
in the real world. So as an online shopper, you can compare goods and prices. Sites like Dealtime.com
offer very competitive shopping and special services. When you shop online, you are only using one
parking space, your chair, no matter where you go. You can travel from one store to another, just with
a slight shift of body and a mouse. Your car is still in the garage. If the weather is bad, you do not have to
deal with the rain.
All you have to do is to let your fingers do the walking and walk right up to the register. Just key in your
card numbers and it is paid. If you are disabled, when shopping online, you do not have to put up with
rude or gawking people. There are no narrow lanes or checkouts to deal with. You can buy goods that
you cannot get locally. Some things are definitely cheaper if you buy them online such as budget airline
fares. You can order food online from supermarkets which will deliver it.
These days, many retailers offer online shopping. One advantage is that some let you return
merchandise to their store, instead of shipping it back. Do look for coupons and other discounts. If you
are a veteran online shopper, you will compare prices for products across a number of websites. Many
online merchants offer rebates that can save you a bundle of money. To receive the discount, you just
have to enter the coupon code in the order form. It is then deducted from the total purchase price.
However, there are precautions to take, especially for beginners. Be wary of deals that appear too good
to be true. If you have any suspicion, it is better to call the merchant and ask the necessary questions.
Always choose a reputable company. Look through their website and check that they give a postal
address or telephone number for complaints. An email address or mobile phone number is not enough.
When considering the price of goods, remember that postage and packing will be extra. So it is not
always cheaper because it is on the Internet.
If you want to make a purchase from a store you have not heard of before, do some research. Start with
Better Business Bureau Online. In addition, check to see if it displays seals from consumer protection
organisations. All reputable sites should post a privacy policy that explains what they do with customer
information. Take a few minutes to review it. If you do not agree with the policy, move to another site.
Even if you have no objections, never provide unnecessary information by filling out the optional fields
in the order form.
You should never type in your credit card number unless it is secure. The web address must begin
‘https://’ and there should be a closed padlock in the grey bar below the webpage. This means that the
credit card number will be encrypted while passing through the Internet so other people cannot read it.
Keep a record of what websites you have used, what orders you have placed and any order reference
numbers. Finally, print out the order webpage.
(Adapted from: http://www.articlealley.com/article)
-the benefits of online shopping
-precautions to take
Your summary must:
-use materials from texts
Online shopping is the trend these days due to its ...
SUGGESTED ANSWER
Online shopping is the trend these days due to its many benefits. As an online shopper, you can
compare goods and prices. You are only using one parking space, your chair. If the weather is bad, you
do not have to deal with the rain. Some things are definitely cheaper if you buy them online such as
budget airline fares. Many retailers offer online shopping. Do look for coupons and other discounts.
Compare prices for products on different websites. Many online merchants offer rebates. However, do
take precautions. Be wary of deals that are too good. Always choose a reputable company. Do some
research on the company. It should post a privacy policy. Review it carefully. You should also never type
in your credit card number unless it is secure. [130 words
Question
The giraffe is the tallest animal in the world, attaining a height of 5.5 metres.
Its incredibly long neck accounts for much of its height. Adult males generally reach a height of about 5
metres and females about 4.5 metres. Big males can weigh a massive 200 kilograms while females
usually weigh some 800 to 900 kilograms.
There may be at least six species of giraffe that are reproductively isolated and not interbreeding
though no natural obstacles, like mountain ranges or impassable rivers, block their mutual access. In
fact, the study found that the two giraffe populations that live closest to each other are the reticulated
giraffe and the Masai giraffe.
Both sexes of the animals have horns although the horns of a female are smaller. The prominent horns
are formed from ossified cartilage and are called ossicones. The appearance of horns is a reliable
method of identifying the sex of giraffes, with the females displaying tufts of hair on the top of the horns
while males’ horns tend to be bald on top.
Giraffes have long necks. Contrary to popular belief, giraffes can both lie down and lower their heads,
thanks to special adaptations in their circulatory systems which prevent their heads from filling with
blood when lowered below their hearts. They possess seven vertebrae in the neck, the usual number
mammals that are elongated. The vertebrae are separated by highly flexible joints. The base of the neck
has a spine which projects upward and forms a hump over the shoulders. They have anchor muscles that
hold the neck upright. With the advantage of their very long necks, giraffes are able to feed on the
foliage of trees that is not accessible to other herbivores. The long prehensile tongue is used to pull pods
and leaves into the mouth which are then stripped from the stems with the spatulate incisor teeth.
Giraffes also have slightly elongated forelegs, about 10% longer than their hind legs. The pace of the
giraffe is an amblgait, though when pursued, it can run extremely fast. It cannot sustain a lengthy chase.
When hunting adult giraffes, lions try to knock the lanky animal off its feet and pull it down. Giraffes are
difficult and dangerous prey though, and when attacked the giraffe defends itself by kicking with great
force. A single well-placed kick from an adult giraffe can shatter a lion’s skull or break its spine.
The male's fight for dominance, and for the right to mate with females, it is something fascinating to
watch. They use their long muscular necks to strike at an opponent’s body and wrestle by twining their
necks around each other. The loser is ruined off balance and the encounters very rarely lead to serious
injury.
However, giraffes are generally quiet animals that go about their business with an air of serenity. It is
only when disturbed, they will snort and, when attacked by predators, they bellow.
Many female giraffes live in small social groups while males have been known to fight over territory and
partners. The lifespan of a giraffe is around 20 years, with captive giraffes generally living longer.
-the characteristics of giraffes
-in what ways they are different from other animals
Your summary must:
-use materials from the texts.
The giraffe is the tallest animal at a height of...
SUGGESTED ANSWER
The giraffe is the tallest animal at a height of 5.5 metres. They have anchor muscles that hold their long
neck upright. Using their long necks, they feed on the foliage of trees that is not accessible to others.
They use their long prehensile tongues to pull pods and leaves into their mouths. The pace of the giraffe
can be extremely fast. When attacked, it defends itself by kicking with great force. A single well-placed
kick can shatter a lion’s skull. Giraffes use their long muscular necks to strike and wrestle by twining their
necks around each other. Generally, they are quiet animals. Many females live in small social groups
while males have been known to fight over territory and partners. The lifespan of a giraffe is around 20
years. [130 words]
MORE EXAMPLES
Speech Writing
Letter Writing (informal) and
Essays
SPM ENGLISH 1119

SECTION A
Speech
Attending School in United State
Good morning to the Principal, senior assistants, teachers and my fellow students. I am very happy to be
here to share my experiences about attending school in the United States of America. It has been a
wonderful experience and I have seen and learnt many new things.
First of all, the one prominent difference that I found between the Americans and Malaysians is the
wearing of school uniform. In Malaysia, we are very familiar with the sky-blue pinafores and the olive-
green trousers of our students, but students in America do not wear uniforms at all. It is certainly makes
it difficult to differentiate between some of the older students and the teachers at times!
Besides, students in America move from one classroom to another for their various subjects unlike us in
Malaysia where it is the teacher who moves from one classroom to another. Obviously too, the students
study all their subjects in English except for foreign languages like Spanish and French. These languages
have to be learnt by the American students so that they are able to converse with many immigrants that
are working in the United States of America and to offer students a wider view of what the world is like.
Similarly, we, in Malaysia, study English so that we can access the unlimited resources that are available
to us regarding the world we live in and to better improve our chances of getting better jobs.
The school day in America usually starts at about 8.00 a.m. and ends at about 3.30 p.m. We, in Malaysia,
start school at about 7.20 a.m. and end at about 1.40 p.m. There are some similarities regarding the
time spent in school. Both American and Malaysian students study almost the same number of hours
and usually have extra co-curricular activities after school. Many of the activities are related to sports,
bands and societies.
Another interesting start to an American school is that the students are provided with free breakfasts
but the menu every day is always the same and it can get quite monotonous indeed. In Malaysia, we can
have a wide variety of delicious food sometimes prepared at home and some bought on the way to
school or even in our school canteen.
Finally, I found that American students are provided with free transportation to their schools and back
unlike us in Malaysia. This is probably because most of the students stay in the same area of the school
and there is very little logistic problems in terms of arranging for transportation. However, in Malaysia,
many students do not necessarily live in the vicinity of their respective schools and that can be a
problem to arrange transportation. Furthermore, the number of students in Malaysian secondary
schools is just too many compared to our American counterparts.
I do that hope you have enjoyed listening to all that I have shared with you. I will be very happy to spend
time answering any questions you may have after this. I want to thank the school administrators and
teachers for giving me this opportunity to share my American high school experience.
Thank you. Thank you so much and have a good day.
SECTION A
Speech
How and Why Corporal Punishment Is An Old-fashioned Way To Discipline Students
Good morning to the headmaster, senior assistants, teachers and students. I have been asked to
represent the Students’ Affairs Board to give you a speech on how and why corporal punishment is an
old-fashioned way to discipline students. Corporal punishment which mostly involves caning students
who break school rules is definitely a primitive method of disciplining students. As we progress towards
a caring society, we should look into other more humane alternatives of disciplining students such as
using a merit system or reverse psychology.
Furthermore, many students who could have changed for the better may be traumatised by this form of
punishment which has demotivated them from making a positive change in their lives. They may react
negatively and in retaliation, they further break school rules as a form of rebelliousness towards
authority.
Moreover, corporal punishment in most cases do not deter hard-core offenders as they continue to
remain blase about their actions. These offenders need a total change of attitude where the violence
and pain of caning will not have any effect on them.
It is the wish of every disciplinary teacher, teacher and parent to see their children behave well.
However, caning only creates fear in the hearts of children and that is not a good motivator. Students
need to discover a motivator that is intrinsic in nature. This will ensure that students behave well
because they want to and not because they are afraid of the cane.
Therefore, I believe that genuine concern and love for the students will without a doubt show the
students that teachers only want the best for them and that the best may mean learning to discipline
themselves for the better.
SECTION A
Speech
The Responsibilities of a Good Student
Good morning to the Principal, senior assistants, head of departments, teachers and fellow students. As
the President of the Anti-Vandalism Squad, I am honoured to be given the opportunity to deliver a
speech for today’s Co-curriculum Awards Day and my topic entitled “The Responsibilities of a Good
Student” is apt one indeed.
It is the hope of everyone to work and study in an environment that is both pleasing and conducive.
Therefore, our collective responsibility is to keep our school surroundings clean by ensuring that rubbish
ends up in the trash cans or dustbins and our classroom is always spick and span. Dusty windowpanes
and dirty floors do hot encourage students to learn well. It goes without saying that besides keeping the
environment clean, we should not vandalize school property either. The furniture, equipment and
various decorative items have been put in place to provide students with the convenience of learning
and to ensure we are surrounded by a pleasing environment.
Furthermore, as students, it is also our responsibility to adhere to the school rules and respect our
teachers and those in authority. School rules are enforced in order that we can become more disciplined
and as a method of preventing any untoward incidents from occurring in the school. The rules help to
protect us and it is only right that we obey them. We should also make sure that we complete all
assignments, project work and homework set by our teachers to their right deadlines. These forms of
work help us improve in our studies and keep us focused.
Dear students, keeping punctual is also the responsibility of every student. It is disrespectful to those
kept waiting if you arrive for classes and meetings late. Playing truant is not the “in” thing to do as
students will definitely lose out on the input teachers hope to impart in class. The lessons in class are
just as important as your preparations at home for your exams. Therefore, if you miss out on your
lessons, you will be unprepared for your exams and may resort to cheating which is dishonest.
Finally, my fellow schoolmates, remember that the school is like a second home to many students and
we live together as a family. Family members help and support each other irrespective of race, religion,
performance or size. So, as responsible family members, refrain from bullying each other as it can cause
severe physical and mental trauma to the victim. Therefore, as you receive your various awards today,
remember to keep in mind your responsibilities.
Thank you.
SECTION A
Letter Writing
(Informal)
199, Jalan 18/44,
Taman Seri Serdang,
43300 Seri Kembangan,
Selangor Darul Ehsan. 16 May 2010
Dear Rita,
I am a 17-year-old girl who is going to sit for the SPM examination at the end of this year. I am the eldest
of three children and my parents have very high expectations of me. My parents want me to be a good
role model to my younger sister and brother. They get very angry when I don’t get straight A’s in my
school examinations. They control who I meet and never allow me to socialize, expecting me to come
back home immediately after school. I feel very sad and stressed. They do not allow me to go out and I
never have the chance to go shopping with my friends, not even my best friend at all. If it’s shopping, it’s
with them. I am not even allowed to go out with any of my friends whom they know. They said they love
me too much. Even when I watch television, my mother keeps nagging me to study. I believe I need a
break once in a while too.
Furthermore, I am unable to study due to the lack of time as I am very busy with co-curricular activities. I
am the President of the English Language Society and the Treasurer of the Prefectorial Board.
I have many things to do in each of these positions. I informed my mother that I would be retiring from
these positions in a few months’ time but she refuses to let up, like a dog with a bone.
Also, my friends are distancing themselves from me as I have been unable to spend as much time with
them as before. They think that I am becoming proud and forgetting them as friends, but this is not true.
I have tried explaining to them many times but they don’t seem convinced. I really feel isolated as I have
no friends to talk to now.
I really hope that you will be able to give me some sound advice as I really need help in these difficult
times. Thank you.
Yours sincerely,
Depavassi
SECTION A
Letter Writing
(Informal)
Lily’s 5th Birthday Party
Dear Rachel,
How are you? I am sure you’re all excited to organize Lily’s 5th birthday party. After all, being at
playschool has made her a very popular little girl among her friends and she will definitely look forward
to a party where she can socialize with them outside of school.
Derek must be eager to have the party at home as he does like to show off his barbecuing skills.
However, he has been rather busy with his latest project and I can’t see him going to so much trouble in
getting everything set up for 25 little ones. Based on my experience, not many five-year-olds like
barbecue anyway. That's why I suggest having Lily’s party in a local fast food restaurant. Here,
everything will be handled by the event manager of the fast food restaurant. 1 know Good-Z is a great
place to have parties for children.
Jessica had hers there the last time and she keeps reminding me to organize another party there for her
8th birthday. It will definitely be more convenient for you as you will not have to worry about any
planning as everything from food, entertainment, birthday decorations and even music will be arranged
by the capable group at Good-Z.
It will definitely save you a lot of time as you will not need to rush around in getting and buying things
for the birthday. All you will need to do is make sure Lily and you are dressed up to the nines and arrive
there on time to have everything ready for you and Lily’s guests. By the way, the in-house entertainment
is superb too. They have a magician and lovely door gifts. Besides, Lily will get a year’s free membership
to the Good-Z club which entitles her to many discounts and excursions around the capital city of Kuala
Lumpur. I think you will be more than satisfied with having Good-Z as your party venue. Think about it
and tell me what you decide.
Love and hugs to my favourite niece. Bye.
With love,
Suzan
SECTION A
Conversation Between Feddal and Charlie
Feddal: Good afternoon, this it Feddal fronythe Switz Western Fine Dining Restaurant. May I be of any
assistance?
Charlie: Good afternoon, I am Charlie. I am calling to make a reservation for my mother’s birthday on
the 23 July 2010 at 6.30 p.m.
Feddal: Right, that will be for the 23 July 2010 at 6.30 p.m. Yes, there will be no problems. May I know
the number of people who will be present?
Charlie: There will be 6 adults and a 4-year-old child. I saw that your restaurant has a child menu. What
is the menu like?
Feddal: We definitely do. We have a great variety of poultry and seafood dishes and an excellent choice
of table activities too.
Charlie: That’s wonderful! I am a little worried about parking though since the restaurant is located right
in the city centre.
Feddal: As mentioned in our leaflet, we have more than enough parking spaces for the dinner crowd and
we even provide car jockey services and umbrellas in the event of rain. Charlie: That’s great. I am now
looking at the special promotion of a free dessert for a bill more than RM 150.00 in a single receipt and
the 5th customer gets a free meal.
Feddal: Yes, that still applies. Our sous-chef has exquisite pastries that will delight every diner.
Charlie: That’s good to hear as my mother has a sweet tooth. Feddal: We would like to offer two free
desserts since it will be your mother’s birthday.
Charlie: That is very nice of you. I am sure we will have a memorable time at your restaurant.
Feddal: I certainly hope so. Now sir, can I have your name to confirm the reservation?
Charlie: Oh yes. Please reserve us under Mr Gilbert Lee. That is my father and his mobile phone number
is 012-481 1866. Thank you.
Feddal: You’re most welcome, sir. We look forward to seeing you then on the 23 July 2010 at 6.30 p.m.
Charlie: Thank you.
Feddal: Thank you, sir. Have a good day.
SECTION B
Essay
My Dream House
Not many students go through their teenage years without dreaming, thinking or simply imagining what
their dream house would be like. I started dreaming of my dream house at the tender age of seven
when I accompanied my father to the outskirts of London to visit a distant aunt. Her house was the
picture of tranquillity. That quaint little cottage set the standard for my dream house.
I imagined a house with a large garden in front where my gardener would plant the most beautiful
flowers of every shade imaginable. I would, of course, be able to pick the flowers I liked to arrange them
in my house. My house would have six en suite bedrooms, an ample dining hall that would seat twenty
people comfortably, a warm and well-equipped kitchen as I enjoy cooking and all modem comforts I
have been used to.
Each room would then be decorated according to specific colour schemes. It would sound so English to
have each room named after the colour. For example, The Blue Room, The Red Room and so forth. I
believe that my favourite room will be the kitchen. I would paint it in hues of blue and yellow that will
instantly cheer up any visitors or members of the home. Warm and comforting smells will always float
up from this room, reminding the occupants of the house, of pleasurable memories and delicious food.
It would be a place anyone would feel comfortable to hang out in or simply sit down with a hot drink
and the funnies. Besides, my kitchen would be huge, with counters that never looked dirty and stainless
steel appliances that never showed any fingerprints. The dishwasher would be so quiet and you would
never realize that it was even running. My pantry would be big enough to hold everything, expanding in
size to fit in new groceries. The cabinets would have special holders for all of the sippy cup lids and the
Tupperware lids would never get lost.
My bedroom would somehow always stay clean and would have enough storage for all of my toys. My
bed would automatically make itself and my closets would be organized to fit all of my clothes perfectly.
My bedroom would always have plenty of space for everyone to sit.
The bathtubs would never show dirty rings and the toilets would never smell. The mirrors would make
you look ten pounds - no, twenty pounds lighter and hide every wrinkle and grey hair. Toothpaste would
automatically rinse itself out of the sink and the floors would be the kind that you never have to mop. I
don’t think that is too much to ask.
As I think about what I want in my dream house, I realize that most of them will never come true. But
the best part of any home isn’t what is inside it, but who is inside it. And lucky for me, I have plenty of
love to fill my new house.
But those magical bathroom mirrors sure Would be nice.
Narrative Essay
I Still Love Her
He came crashing up the stairs. The bolts started to click loose and the door thrust open. I stood there,
frozen, unable to move. Like a tree rooted to the ground. I didn’t blink, didn’t breathe and didn’t dare.
He swaggered in, still clutching a can of beef, a smell of stale cigarettes and booze invaded my nostrils.
His voice was loud and his speech was slurred. “So who do you think you are? Think you are better than
me, don’t you?” I didn’t know what to say, his voice running through my mind. I wet myself, I couldn’t
help it…
I often did. The fear took hold of me and it just sort of, happened. As always, he did. He punched me...
not once or twice, but seven times.
The worst thing though, wasn’t the physical pain, I could deal with that. What hurt the most was that, he
was my father, my own flesh and blood. I shielded my face from the blows, yet he continued to carry on,
my sobs rose louder than his shouts. His spit frothed from his mouth and hit my burning skin. I screamed
in agony, but he didn’t care;
My ‘mum’ came running upstairs... “Stop! Stop! Derek, she’s just a kid! She hasn’t done anything wrong!
Leave her alone !” He stopped, patted on me and walked out. I could hear him traipsing down the stairs.
Does he really have no remorse? No regard? She just stared at me, towered over me in the door frame.
Blood poured out of my wounds. After a couple of minutes, she just walked away. My body was weak
but my mind was telling me not to sleep. Just in case he came back.
I fell asleep. When I woke up that morning, it was 7.30. ‘Mum’ was sat at the table clutching a cup of
coffee in one hand and a cigarette, in the other. Her eyes were red and puffy, he’d probably hit her too. I
walked over to her and put my hand on her shoulder. Even if she couldn’t help me, I still loved her. She
didn’t flinch, didn’t move, I guessed my dad was out...
I went upstairs again and lay on my bedroom floor and curled up. I drifted off by then. That’s the best
part of my life, my dreams and my imagination. A place to escape the beatings and abuse. A place where
I can be me. I ran away the next morning. Nothing felt bad anymore. I was crying, not sadness though. I
was happy, I was free, free to be whoever I wanted to be.
Essay
Childhood life
When you think back to your childhood, what kinds of memories do you conjure up? The day your father
chased after the ice cream truck so that you could get that special treat you wanted so badly? Or maybe
on the Christmas morning when you opened up the present you didn’t think you’d get, but turns out
“Santa” had come through for you.
Numerous studies have shown that the strongest childhood memories are those associated with family.
It only makes sense, after all, your mother, father, sisters and brothers are the people you spent the
most time with while you were growing up.
Children are involved in clubs and devote most of their times towards their friends and other things to
do with school. In all this hustle and bustle of daily life and your daily routines, families are having a
harder time to have family dinners. Having family dinners with the whole and complete family used to
be a no-brainer and something that most people believed in. But with the conflicting schedules, the
longer-lists of things to do and jobs of high school teenagers, where is the family time that is needed?
Indeed, experts in the psychology field agree that having family dinners or some kind of family bonding
at least once a week will contribute to a close-knit family, among other benefits. But do families always
find the time to do this? It seems that there is always something else to do rather than to spend quality
time with your family.
However, family time does not always have to mean sitting down together for dinner. Even though this
has been the traditional case and example of a good family, there is definitely more to do than have
dinner. One decision may be to devote a specific night of the week or weekend to a family movie or a
movie that the family will all enjoy. The experience offers much-needed family bonding.
Sometimes, it may become a sacrifice for parents to try and keep commitments of a family vacation. It
can be financially challenging at times too. It has also proven to be a challenge of scheduling as children
grow older and have more things that have demanded their time.
However, the sacrifices of personal time have benefits. The value of just “playing” together has proven
to be one of our biggest “staying” factors when it comes to building our cohesive family unit.
Parents too will become a bigger influence on their children than the other massive forces of the
external world pulling at them. By playing together, direction is given and that helps the family unit
remain the focus of our world today. It offers direction to the family that can give us more peace and
happiness in our lives. I believe that it is the secret to a happy family.
Essay
Money and Capitalistic Society
Money can shorten your lifespan. Is this true or false? Because of its many problems and danger, it can
be the truth. In this capitalistic society, most people believe that money is able to guarantee us a
successful and happy life. However, everybody can never gain happiness and success through the
medium of money or wealth. Some rich people can harm their health, lose their family as well as friends
because of money. Furthermore, money can deprive of their confidence and friendship. To spend
money well is more important than to make money. If we spend money recklessly without certain
criteria, we can spoil our life. If we want a happier life, we must use and make money carefully.
Consequently, money can never ensure happiness and success in human life because it can cause
various problems and deteriorate our health, family and social relationships.
First, wealth can cause many health problems. Some rich people can have physical and mental health
problems. Actually, to possess a lot of money can make people idle and cause psychological stress in
their life. Some rich people exercise at luxurious health clubs, have expensive health insurances and eat
very healthy foods to keep their health up while some rich people can spoil their health because they
depend on assistants such as a secretary, driver, housekeeper and bodyguard. Such bad lifestyle will
increasingly make them lazy and fat.
Next, wealth can bring out family problems. The wealth can cause problems between husband and wife.
Sometimes, some rich people cheat on their spouses. After they have a lot of money, they begin to seek
younger and more attractive partner than their spouse to satisfy themselves. Eventually, they lose their
family as well as their spouses. Also, wealth can bring out family conflicts, especially conflicts between
siblings about an inheritance succession. Most rich families’ siblings have experienced conflict about an
inheritance succession. They may frequently rupture their family relationship because of their parents’
inheritance. Wealth is never a good thing for family members.
Opponents claim that rich people can help other people. However, some rich people might exploit other
people to save their wealth. In the capitalistic system, some capitalists and rich people exploit workers
and harm other people to save their wealth directly or indirectly. Many company owners employ
workers with low wages to create their profits and capital. We can frequently see labour movements in
the capitalistic society. Labourers claim that they have a lot of difficulties about low wage and bad
workplace condition. Also, many rich people harm other people to increase their wealth.
To put it in a nutshell, most people believe that money is good and to make a lot of money is a virtue in
the capitalistic society. However, wealth never guarantees our happiness. Sometimes, wealth causes
many physical and mental health problems because of rich people’s laziness and anxiety. Wealth can
also bring out family conflicts because of rich people’s vanity and desire. Money looks good generally.
However, money has a lot of dangers and risks at the back of it. When we use money, we should deeply
consider these aspects.
Essay
Bank Account
Imagine there is a bank which credits your account each morning with RM86 400. It carries over no
balance from day to day, allow you to keep no cash balance; and every evening, cancels whatever part
of the amount you have failed to use during the day.
What would you do? Draw out every cent, of course! Well, everyone has such a bank. Its name is TIME.
Every morning, it credits you with 86 400 seconds. Every night, it writes off, as lost, whatever of this you
have failed to invest to good purpose.
It carries over no balance. It allows no overdraft. Each day it opens a new account for you. Each night it
bums the remains of the day. If you fail to use the day’s deposits, the loss is yours.
There are among those who believe in the popular saying as “Time is Gold” and of the three types of
input that every activity needs - material goods, skills and time - time is the most important. It is
definitely like a commodity (“Time is money”). We need time. We need time to work, to eat, to sleep
and to accomplish all the daily chores of living. We also need time to know and understand our spouses,
our children and our friends. Most of our relationships, in fact, require more time than we have; and it is
difficult to avoid the feeling that we could never have enough. Nor is our list of demands on our time
complete.
Technology also uses more of our time as we try to work harder to obtain more technology and to
maintain things and possessions. All these tilings - the inevitable trappings of affluence, make more
demands on our ever-diminishing store of time. They are responsible for many of the sour notes
sounded as affluence becomes more general and more disappointing.
Each of us has only 24 hours a day and no one else can live our lives for us. This obvious yet profound
fact means that time is potentially major limiting factor in our personal life. The clock is running. Make
the most of today.
SECTION B
Essay (Story)
Planes Slammed Into World Trade Center
I heard the news on the radio. Two planes had slammed into the World Trade Center. A third hit the
Pentagon. My hands started shaking. I flipped from one radio station to another, the reports were all the
same as everyone tried to grasp the enormity of what had just happened. There were voice of
confusion, terror, uncertainty and definitely, questions abounded. I hope, like many others that this was
a false report but deep in my heart I knew that the crash happened.
I pulled my car over to the shoulder of the road and dug my cell phone out of my purse. I called my sister
and asked if she’d heard. “This is the end,” she cried out. I could hear the sound of her ragged breathing
on the other end of the line. I thought about our childhood, the way she used to drop her hand off the
top bunk and let me hold onto it until I felt safe enough to fall asleep. I felt the corners of my mouth
tugging downwards. I told her I had to go.
As a fireman, I was definitely needed. I went into automatic mode. Many of us, the firefighters were
looked on as heroes as we rushed into the building, digging for survivors. Many of us were covered in
thick layers of ash-like substance. We could barely recognize each other. One after another, bodies were
recovered from the wreckage. I stared around me and saw the chaos that had ensued but 1 also saw a
united show of humanity as people from all colours, creeds and races work together tirelessly to serve,
feed, clean, medicate and sit with survivors and relatives of victims. Holding hands as breaths quickened
when a body was taken out of the rubble.
Blood donors snaked around blocks, women carrying blankets and clothes, children hugging soft toys,
one stopped to give me a tattered bunny. “Will you give this to my mummy when you see her?” she
pleaded and tears came to my eyes. How could I reassure her when all around me death pervaded the
very air we were breathing.
I surveyed the place and caught an old middle-aged man dressed in an army uniform that gaped at the
coat buttons and rode high above his wrists. His salt-and-pepper hair was pulled back in a ponytail,
making a long “S” shape down his back. He was standing just at the yellow-taped line of the area and
was holding up a massive Americai flag. Cars slowed down as they passed the old soldier. Some rolled
down their windows to wave. I don’t think he noticed. He seemed to be standing at attention, like a
guard protecting something sacred. I understood it then, why the flag needed to be high and lifted up
that night, and why he was the right person to do it. Like him, courage to move on, to hope and to fight
on, was evident in the hearts of all the Hispanics, Americans, Caucasians, Orientals, Indians and even
Middle-eastemers as they worked together to prove that they were far above the tragedy before them.
Essay
Marriage, Love, Trust and Commitment
Marriage is built on the foundation of love, trust and commitment. A union in which two people are
joined to enjoy a lifelong love that endures many tests. Many people will walk into a marriage blindly
with false expectations thinking that the honeymoon will never end. The true test of a marriage is having
the ability and the willingness to overcome difficulties and to grow from past mistakes. However, it
becomes challenging when issues continually arise and compromise is almost impossible. The truth is,
many allow love and romance to be the determining factor for a marriage. True, you must have both for
the marriage to work. But soon the newness ends and reality presents itself, and an important question
arises.
Compatibility is vital yet it is something that many relationships lack. In a marriage, you must know your
own needs plus the needs of your mate. If one is not satisfied, a strain will be felt in the marriage. It is
impossible to like everything your mate does, however, too many different interests and tastes will
weaken the bond. Those contemplating marriage need to have a two-way communication. Important
matters such as whom will handle the money, where the couple will live and what type of discipline will
be used for children, should be discussed prior to the marriage. Couples have a tendency to wait until
after their marriage to talk about these matters and find themselves disagreeing.
The person you marry should be your best friend. This is the individual who you plan to spend the rest of
your life with. Marriage partners should know each other inside and out: their wants, needs, interest,
goals, fears and desires. Couples that rush into marriage and do not value the friendship aspect may find
themselves consulting with others about their confidential marriage issues. This lack of friendship may
also lead to infidelity. Not being able or feeling uncomfortable with finding comfort to your partner will
end in seeking comfort elsewhere.
Friendships that evolve into relationships are lasting. The individuals have already established a bond
and have come to know each other well. This is good because we tend to show our friends our true
character quicker than we would someone pursuing us. Our friends see our weaknesses and faults as
well as our strengths and virtues. Friends know our background and the reason we may behave in a
certain way.
Compatibility will never be perfect. We are all imperfect and have faults. Some of these faults we see
early and others not until later. The couple that is in love is great but a couple who is truly compatible
and have developed a friendship will deal with problems accordingly. The love must be strong enough to
endure and the good must far outweigh the bad. This results in a strong, solid marriage foundation
based on love, compatibility and friendship.
Essay
Nuclear Power
Nuclear power is very efficient and it can be very clean, safe, cheap and supply a lot of demand with
minimum resources. The problem with nuclear power is human’s poor management of it. Mistakes are
made systemic, otherwise which can have very profound impact on the environment, even in a global
sense. Despite a generally high security standard, accidents can still happen. It is technically impossible
to build a plant with 100% security. A small probability of failure will always last. The consequences of an
accident would be absolutely devastating for both human being and the nature.
Another problem with nuclear power is safely storing the waste material which remains harmful to life
for a very, very long time. The ideal solution is taking it off the earth to another part of the solar system.
This is far too risky and expensive with our current rocket technology. If a payload of nuclear waste was
to explode on a rocket travelling to space, the harm would affect every living thing on the planet.
However, scientists are also working on a new type of nuclear power called fusion, as opposed to fission,
which is the current method of generation. Fusion uses the same nuclear process that is happening in
the sun, and literally takes mass and turns it into energy (since mass is just energy). This is very difficult
to do but if accomplished, it would solve the world’s energy problems instantly.
Furthermore, nuclear energy is a very clean form of energy unlike petroleum as nuclear power
generation, does emit relatively low amounts of carbon dioxide. The emission of greenhouse gases and
the contribution of nuclear power plants to global warming are therefore relatively little.
Like other alternative energy sources, nuclear power is worth considering due to its efficiency but if we
are not careful and something goes wrong, a lot of people will pay the price.
Essay
The Day After The Accident
The day after the accident, I went back to the scene with my father as the police wanted witnesses of
the accident to help them piece together what had happened. A car and a pickup truck had collided
head-on near the Selewang junction before bursting into flames.
Burnt-out body shells - that was all that remained of the two vehicles involved in yesterday afternoon’s
head-on collision. I had been a mere five feet away when the vehicles had burst into flames on impact.
From the closed windows of my father’s Honda, 1 could feel the heat and the vibration from the blast. A
man and a
two-year-old boy who were travelling in a Hyundai with silver plates, were killed; and a man and a
woman who were travelling in the pickup truck, also died. Two other passengers from the Hyundai, a
woman and her four-year-old girl, were taken to a hospital in Kuala Lumpur.
Firefighters who were first on the scene said that it was a horrific sight and it truly was. Some passers-by
could not even get near the vehicles as the heat was too intense. Gavendasamy, our driver, heard that
the Fire and Rescue officer said that the two vehicles on fire were definitely one of the worst acccidents
he had ever seen. It was actually the worst he had seen in his years of service.
When we arrived on the scene, a number of other witnesses were already there with the police officers.
I agreed when some mentioned about the speed in which both the vehicles were travelling in, had some
part cause the horrific accident. The heat and the billowing clouds of smoke prevented many from
attempting to rescue the victims. Even today, 14 hours after the wreck, the smell of gasoline could still
be smelt and the charred remains of the burnt-out vehicles and the blackened road testified to the
horror of yesterday’s accident.
Essay
Children And Their Goals
Personally, I believe that children should be encouraged to have goals in life that serve to realise their
creative, physical and mental potential. Parents should, on the other hand, be able to recognise such
potential in their children and help them realise it, help them create and achieve their goals. I feel,
judging by the use of the word “ambition”, is often linked to politics and when we say “ambitious”, we
picture a ruler who drives the whole nation to wars before dying rather disgracefully during the ides of
March. And because we don’t want to end like this, we often use “ambitious” in a negative sense.
However, having a goal in life is crucial and setting a goal for yourself early in life is twice as important. It
is possible to change goals, it is possible to abandon them, but the process of attaining experience and
knowledge to achieve the goals takes years; and time is something we haven’t yet learnt to turn back.
Studies have also shown that children from the middle-class families had higher aspirations and did
better than those from the working-class families. So, it is evident that ambitions and goal setting is very
much dependent on the support provided by families.
Ambition... ambition... Nothing can ever protect anyone from failure, but usually we don’t know we are
to fail until we actually do. To be afraid to realise our potential is the biggest disservice we can do to
ourselves. And why to think of the worst outcome? There’s a saying, “If you tell someone they’re a pig,
they’ll start oinking”. So, why not work hard and believe in success instead?
And let’s face it. We keep talking about one’s private goals, whereas the whole mankind should be our
example. How on earth did the Egyptians erect those pyramids? How did Columbus discover America?
How did Magellan circumnavigate the Earth? How did we end up flying not only from country to
country, but into space? We are people, we cannot fly; and the law of gravity is against the whole
concept of flight. Yet in the 20th century, we’ve finally got wings, figuratively speaking. There is a
burning desire, a dream behind each of these achievements ^o which we should be looking up, without
doubt.
Therefore, ambition could mean many things - a desire to attain success in life, a desire to achieve
personal or professional advancement, a desire to achieve fame, power, money, rank, position or a
desire to achieve any particular ends or complete an activity or attain the fruits of an activity. Whatever
it is, it drives people forward to achieve greater things. Successful individuals are the ones who can
manipulate these forces of ambition in a way that is most positive so that they are able to change
negative factors to positive and are also able to use positive factors effectively preventing these from
becoming negative at any point of life. This is a good thing indeed and therefore everyone should
possess an ambition of some sort.
SECTION B
Essay (Story)
Annual Sports Day
Last Friday, our school was like a busy hive. There was a sense of purpose and determination on many
students’ faces. They were dressed to conquer and their faces were decked out in their respective sports
house’s colours. The students of last year’s overall winners were seen pacing up and down the running
tracks. Some stood around in little huddles, probably discussing strategy. The rest were seen in lines
while various groups were crowded around the stadium.
Colourful banners and bunting were seen fluttering in the breeze. The teachers looked very relaxed in
their sports attire and even Mrs Loke, our principal, who usually looked very classy in her two-piece suit,
still managed to look very trendy in her large Paris Hilton sunglasses. Everyone looked ready. It was time
for our annual school sports day to begin!
The day started with the march pass of the five sports houses, Mercury, Jupiter, Mars, Apollo and
Saturn. They looked very smart and nice indeed. This was followed by the singing of the national anthem
‘Negaraku’ and the school song. Everyone sang with vigour and gusto. Then, the raising of the school
flag and the sports day flag was carried out by the representatives of the Scouts and Girl Guides. Finally,
Mrs Loke gave her speech and the students cheered. It was official, the school sports day had been
officially launched and a great cheer went up from the school’s crowd.
The first event for the day was the 400 m race. This was followed by various events like the long jump,
the shot-putt and other races. By 10.00 a.m., most of the students had tired lines on their faces. The
heat of the day was beginning to take its toll on some of the participants. The team of St John
Ambulance and the Red Crescent members were kept busy running back and forth with injured
participants and so forth.
Finally, the most anticipated time of the day arrived - the moment of announcing the winners. It was a
tense moment as our guest of honour, Datuk Jonathan Yee, gave his speech and praised the students for
their perseverance, positive attitude and sportsmanship. Some of the students just wanted him to get
over with his speech so that the winner could be announced.
“The winner is... the house of Mars!” Mrs Loke’s voice rung out loud and clear. A burst of hoorays and
cheers resounded through the blue camp. After four years of taking the second place, it was official, the
sports house, Mars, had wrested the coveted champion’s
trophy from the other houses. It was certainly a day to remember. After all, I was the captain of the
Mars sports house!
Essay (Story)
Tick Games
It was definitely a lesson to remember and at a very painful cost, when Rumie and I decided to play a
trick on the new boy, George. To us, he just looked like the perfect target of our trick. He looked nerdy
enough with his thick glasses and braces on his teeth, bookish enough to always have a permanent
startled look on his face and obviously, badly dressed enough with his tattered shoes and awful haircut.
It was clear to see that Rumie and I were bullies and cruel as teenagers. So, it was arranged that we
would put an assortment of reptiles and amphibians into his school bag just before the school assembly
on Tuesday morning as George always went to the assembly early. The day before the school assembly,
we managed to get hold of a frog and a tiny grass snake. The snake was harmless, having belonged to
Rumie for ages. The frog was caught from the pond behind my house. At the appointed time, when
George had gone to the assembly, we slipped the animals into his bag. The anticipation of seeing his
petrified face in class later was too much. We could hardly contain ourselves.
After the school assembly, the moment of delight finally came when Mrs Selvarany asked the class to
take out their homework and Geography textbooks. George put his hand into his bag and let out a
scream of terror as his hands grasped a slimy and cold frog and a tiny grass snake slid out of his bag.
Pandemonium broke out as the whole class went berserk! Mrs Selvarany tried her best to gain control of
the class while the children ran in all directions. The look of horror on George’s face was priceless. But
that was the start of our terrifying experience as an unexpected turn of events occurred.
George started panting and gasping, turning from a shade of white to green then blue. He clasped his
chest and started heaving. We rushed towards him and shook him. He pointed to his bag and we saw a
plastic device which had fallen out. George was an asthmatic sufferer and he was having a panic attack
that had triggered his asthma. We quickly reached for the inhaler and passed it to him. After two puffs,
with Mrs Selvarany calling the ambulance, George looked better. When the ambulance arrived, he was
rushed to the hospital for further observation.
We definitely paid for the trick we played. We were suspended from school for tw'o weeks, our parents
grounded us for a whole month, pocket money was stopped and Mrs Selvarany made us visit George at
the hospital and his house the whole time he was absent to help him catch up with his missed lessons.
We had almost killed George and now we had been given a second chance to do the right thing. At the
end of our Fifth Form, George, Rumie and I had become best friends. To this day, George always teases
us about the trick that had gone wrong.
Essay
Kamil and I
When I turned around the comer, I was shocked. Kamal was still standing beside the road, exactly where
I had left him half an hour ago. He looked spaced out and unaware of the rushing traffic around him and
the busy pedestrians swirling around him. He looked very lost and forlorn. I quickly approached him and
tapped him on his shoulder. He gave a startled jump and immediately went into his judo stance. /
“Hey, it’s only me, Lilie,” I quickly assured him. He relaxed his stand but the guarded look was still firmly
pasted on his face. “Are you all right?” I asked worriedly. You don’t look too well and you’ve been
standing here for the last halfpn hour. It seems there’s something weighing on your mind. Let’s get a cup
of coffee and you can tell me all about it. Maybe I can help you out, even if it’s just to listen.”
He gave me a resigned look as he knew I was not going to give
up pestering him until he gave in. “I suppose so,” he grudgingly
agreed. Over the cup of coffee, the whole story came out. He had
been having an affair with his office typist and his wife, Shamsiah,
had found out about it. He had been asked to move out while she consulted her lawyer about her next
step. She was definitely looking to separate from him. “I still love her,” Kamal let out an anguished cry.
“Who? Shamsiah or your office typist?” I asked. “Shamsiah of course! She was my school sweetheart
and we have been married for 12 years!” he cried out. The other patrons in the coffee shop looked up
from their coffee and morning newspapers. I smiled apologetically.
After much talking, it was finally agreed that I would arrange a meeting between the two. Kamal needed
to be frank with Shamsiah about why he veered off course in their marriage and needed to make the
necessary amendments on Shamsiah’s terms, of course. That was only fair as she had been the injured
party.
To cut the long story short, Kamal and Shamsiah are back together. Shamsiah was not too satisfied with
KamaFs reason for the affair but she was willing to work things out with him with the help of their
marriage counsellor. After all, their first baby was due in 6 months and he had been truly repentant
about the whole affair. His sincerity was very much evident and the last I saw of them, they looked
happy enough shopping for the new nursery. I have been asked to be the little baby’s godmother and I
can’t wait.
Essay
Road Rage
Road rage is becoming a serious problem indeed in the streets and roads of Malaysia today. It is a
specific type of aggression in which the road bully has a wilful and conscious desire to hurt the driver of
another car in respond to certain factors. Road rage encompasses physical aggression, verbal threats
and so forth. There have been many quarters discussing this problem right from the cabinet meetings in
parliament to the coffee shop aficionados. I have my opinion on the causes of road rage too and some of
the alternative solutions to address this problem.
Firstly, I believe that road rage stems from the attitude of the drivers themselves. They probably had
negative role models to model in their growing years as they sat in the car of a relative or friend. Cursing
and swearing at the other drivers on the road was the norm to them. They were told that breaking
traffic rules was common and a much needed practice if they wanted to get ahead in life. After all, these
role models of theirs had never been caught by the law and even if they did, the fines were negligible
and not worth worrying about. Swerving in and out of traffic to simply get ahead by one car was a skill to
be learnt. Besides, showing the middle finger to an offender or a driver was nothing surprising. It was all
part of driving on our roads.
Therefore, the road bullies of today do realize that what they do is wrong but they are not bothered in
the least. After all, their excuse is that the stress of work. To a certain extent that is true. Thus, having
poor role models and the stressed drivers are experiencing in life, are situations which are ripe for a
total blowout when certain conditions are met such as the sudden breaking of the car ahead or the
overtaking of a car from a side road or even a near miss of sliding pass and knocking one’s side mirror.
Anger boils over, temper rises and finally, incidents of road rage occur. In the heat of the moment,
drivers start off with harsh words which eventually escalate into physical blows.
Drivers who are prone to road rage should remember that not everyone is intentionally out there to
instigate and cause them to be angry. They are drivers on the road too. Certain strategies such as
planning one’s route to avoid unnecessary traffic jams and avoiding bad road condition can make all the
difference. Furthermore, a soothing or favourite radio station can calm frazzled nerves. Going for yoga
classes or meditation classes too, can help a hot-tempered driver to learn how to control his or her
emotions. Finally, think about the effects of road rage. Being an aggressive driver, it doesn’t do anyone
any good. Their children then only repeat their actions and become equally aggressive and un-
conscientious drivers. As the saying goes ‘Like father, like son’.
Road rage is a social menace and it is usually more prevalent among male drivers than female drivers.
Therefore, a wider prevention programmes is needed to instil positive behaviour in the drivers.
Essay
Teenagers And Smoking
More and more teenagers are smoking today. It is no longer a surprise to see children as young as nine
or even ten, smoking along with older friends. These young and healthy people are introducing
poisonous substances into their bodies at such a tender age merely because they think it is a solution to
oppressive situations and even because it looks fashionable.
Peer pressure is also another reason why teenagers are smoking. Everyone likes to feel that they belong
to some groups or another. Therefore, if the group that they consider their clique begins to smoke, they
may tend to smoke as well in order to identify themselves to that particular group. Smoking then
becomes a sign of acceptance.
Stress is one of the major factors that causes teenagers to smoke as teenagers face pressures from
home, school and society as a whole. There are always so many expectations to live up to. After all, as
teenagers, there are also many physical changes taking place in their lives. Hormonal changes causes
erratic emotions and when a teenager has no one to turn to, they turn to cigarettes to soothe
themselves or simply to feel better as the drugs contained in a cigarette, specifically nicotine that
stimulates the release of dopamine in the brain causing a mild sense of euphoria, thus reducing stress.
Besides, smoking tends to make teenagers feel as if they are already adults and that is really a “cool”
feeling to have for them. To actually feel as if they are adults, gives them a sense of confidence, albeit
false. They do not realize that there is nothing mature about smoking as it endangers their health, ages
their appearances and wastes their financial resources. The first touch of curiosity about what smoking
is like is also a cause for getting teenagers introduced to the act of smoking. After getting used to the
uncomfortable sensations caused by the initial puff, teenagers then become addicted to smoking as the
short-lived euphoria of smoking takes effect shortly after.
It is indeed a serious cause for concern when the society considers it a common practice for teenagers
to smoke and turn a blind eye when seeing teenagers smoking by the road. Smoking is dangerous and
they should avoid this deadly habit for their own sake of well-being. Therefore, in order for them to
realize that, proper measures should be taken to curb this serious problem, best starting from home.
SECTION B
Essay
The Story About My Classroom
As soon as Miss Lee walked out of the classroom, there was but a brief second of calm, like being in the
eye of the storm and then chaos broke out. Lisa shrieked as Hassan pulled her pigtails for the thirtieth
time. She whirled around and punched him playfully on his stomach. The actor that he was, he doubled
up in slow motion, Matrix-style and collapsed on the floor before bursting into laughter.
Simultaneously, at the back of the classroom, Julie and her gang were caught up in a huddle, busily
digesting the latest information about the trainee teacher, Mr Samuel Kam, who was both charming and
young. “Well... if you compare him to some of the dinosaurs in this school, I think the red tie he wore
last week made him look cuter,” Rusnah volunteered. “Yes, but did you see the way he effortlessly
helped our principal, Puan Latifah, with those heavy boxes?” Jean offered. Their chatter complemented
the rowdy and boisterous shuffling of Ah Pong and Samad who were attempting to mimic Michael
Jackson’s famous moonwalk.
Poor Shafiq, he was trying so hard to control the class. The two prefects, Marie and Piak Har, were doing
their best to help him. However, for those who were familiar with 5G, teachers didn’t refer to us as the
‘Holy Terrors’ for nothing. “Keep quiet!” Marie shouted at the top of her voice. There was a brief silence
but soon, the casual whispers rose in a crescendo and turned into a medium hum before hitting an all-
time loudness. She shook her head in exasperation.
A paper plane flew past me and landed on Christina’s table. “Hey! Will you cut that out? I’m trying to
finish up with this graph before Mr Lam’s period. You know how fussy he is about homework!” she
piped. “Ah, just copy Lydia’s work. She’s finished all her homework!” someone shouted. Valusamy and
Zahan were drumming a really catchy beat on the wooden tables of our classroom. Soon, Colin and
Zuraidah were rapping to the beat. If it wasn’t for the “school” atmosphere hanging over our heads, we
might have impressed a recording producer or two. “Shhh, Miss Lee is coming back!” a warning call rang
out.
We rushed back to our seats, picked up strewn papers, threw away paper planes and settled down with
books. Reference books popped open and pens were heard scratching away on the paper as we
diligently bowed our heads to the work she had set for us. When she entered, it was a picture of
tranquillity and diligence.
Essay
Taking Care Of The Environment And Surroundings
We have only one planet that we can leave for our future generations. Everything we do, from watching
television to driving a car contributes to a warmer earth. This is due to the release of gases into the
surroundings. Are we doing enough to take care of the environment and earth? There are so many
things we can do as part of our daily life.
Firstly, we have to learn to lead a simple life. One way to do this is by not filling our lives with too many
unnecessary possessions and things. We can actually be happy and satisfied with fewer things because
we will leam to appreciate what we have. The less we buy, the better for the earth. It is not necessary to
have 250 pairs of shoes or 100 T-shirts to have a meaningful life.
Secondly, make it a habit of switching off the lights and fans when we go out of a room. Thus, we can
reduce the consumption of electricity by switching off electrical appliances and lights that are not in use.
Besides, boiling water on the stove is cheaper. This may be a little inconvenient but we can save some
money and cut down on the energy use. So, we are setting a good example to our family members to do
the same things whether at home or in the office.
Thirdly, use public transportation or a car pool instead of our own cars. This is an alarming fact. We once
had blue skies and fresh air to breathe in, this is no longer the case. The air today is choked with toxic
fumes from vehicles. With more and more cars on the road, the carbon monoxide emitted from the car
exhausts has polluted the earth’s atmosphere. So, using fewer vehicles will reduce the amount of
emission caused by our vehicles. Do not use the car unless it is absolutely necessary. If the distance is
greater, try using public transportation; if you must use your car, try forming a car pool and share your
car with someone else; if the distance is short, walk or try to use a bicycle. These will not only protect
the environment but also improve your health.
Avoid disposable products. It is better to use biodegradable products that can be used again and again.
Remember, when you use a lot of disposable things, you are harming Mother Earth! Imagine mounds
and mounds of rubbish heaping everywhere! It is a real eyesore! Is this the planet you want to leave for
your future generations?
Reuse shopping bags and containers and carry your own bags when you go shopping. Choose to buy
products made of recycled materials or those that can be recycled. Once you have recycled and reused
everything you can, very little waste will remain. This is where you are doing Mother Earth a favour. You
are actually, helping to reduce waste. If each and every one of us is willing to do our share by reducing
waste, we can make a difference!
We are encouraged to buy products that can be reused. Buy second-hand products whenever practical.
Repair the things to extend their useful life. Besides, give or donate usable items to someone else if you
no longer need them. Please stop throwing them away. /
We should plant trees wherever we can. With trees around, we can feel that the air is cooler and
fresher. Trees remove carbon dioxide from the air when they make food and give out oxygen into the air
for us to breathe. We should remember that air is a precious commodity and without it, we all would
die. So, before you cut down a tree, think of how long it takes for a tree to germinate, grow, mature and
bear flowers and fruit. If you still decide to swing your axe, think of all the birds and insects at your
mercy. If greed and ignorance blind our eyes, then we stand to lose these gifts of nature forever.
Rethink your lifestyle and habits and realize that you can make a difference by the choices that you
make. It is in your hands to help to make our Mother Earth a better place. If Everybody does his or her
bit, we will be able to have a beautiful home for our future generations. Remember, it is our planet, the
only one we have. Let us love and care for this planet.
Essay
Finally, I Turned Eighteen
I have finally turned eighteen. That means I can start taking the various tests that would take me to the
threshold of adulthood of getting my driving licence. You may groan in disbelief, but it’s true. Getting my
driving licence is a rite of passage and a symbol of adulthood as it requires skill, patience, discipline and
money! There are not many teenagers out there who do not at some point in their lives look forward to
driving their own car. Rather, each individual vies hard to be the first to obtain the coveted licence. Woe
is him who was bom later in the year as they enviously watch from the sidelines as their friends are
given the legal document that allows them access to the world of adulthood.
Getting a driver’s licence is not only a badge of adulthood but to me, it also means - freedom and
independence. Though most of my friends are only able to use “the car” on weekends and sometimes
under adult supervision, the idea of getting behind the wheel and taking off to your destination of choice
is so empowering. Gone would be the days of sweating it out with others, waiting for some form of
public transport; gone would be the days of rushing from one end of town to another and timing our
movements to the last second. Just step into the cool comfort of a car and off we go!
When 1 get my driver’s licence, it is a form of indirect approval from my parents that I am old enough to
make my choice to some extent and must be responsible for my actions. I get behind the wheel and a
whole set of identity comes over me. I am more aware of my responsibility as a road user and know lives
can be lost with just a moment of carelessness. I become more disciplined, patient and law-abiding.
After all, I realize the huge difference a car can make in an accident against another, compared to my old
rusty bicycle.
I believe that the driver’s licence will give me a better edge on my other friends too. The driver’s licence
is a mark of respect that entitles a person to obtain more votes of confidence, not to mention popularity
votes too. The ‘coolness’ factor that comes with the driving licence helps put me higher up in the
hierarchy of friends. Some may consider my point of view as childish and silly but peer recognition is a
very important aspect of growing up. Anything that builds our self-esteem is a good thing. After all,
learning to drive is also a skill that no one can deny, will come in handy in any emergencies too. I may be
called one day, to ferry my pregnant sister to the hospital or rush my injured father to the emergency
ward. My driving skills may be needed one day to bring glory to the nation. One never knows. There is
no harm in dreaming... for now.
Essay
Complaining
People often hear the young complaining about their packed schedules and complaints of not having
more time to do the things they wanted. Teachers in school complain that students do not do their
homework or the necessary revisions and what is the response they usually get? “Sorry teacher, no time
lah...” There never seems to be enough time. Looking at the situation, if you have 26 hours to the day,
you will find that you still lack time.
In actual fact, the amount of time allocated to everyone is the same. It’s how you manage yourself that
determines how much time you have to do the things you want to. I believe that every individual has
enough lime but how one goes about their time is another matter. So, I disagree with the statement that
the young do not have enough time.
Firstly, it is important to prioritise the list of things you have to carry out. Decide which items on the list
is the most important. Be strict about it. Is homework more important than the last episode of your
favourite drama? Is helping your mother cook more important than washing the toilet? Be prepared to
seriously consider the options. List the most important items at the top of your list followed by the less
important ones. Tick them off as you complete each task. Do not wait too long between each task. Don’t
procrastinate because procrastination is the thief of time.
Procrastination occurs when you keep putting off something you have intended to do and in the end,
nothing is done. Remember, what can be done now, do it now. Don’t leave it for later. You will soon see
yourself doing much more than you used to. It is a discipline of the will. There is a saying, ‘The spirit is
willing but the flesh is weak’, which means that you often intend to do something but your body tells
you to delay it and ultimately, you achieve nothing.
Finally, have a timetable in which you adhere to strictly. If you are the sort of person to leave things as
they are, then the timetable will help you focus and keep you on track. Allocate time for every activity
you wish to carry out, even your time to rest or to watch television or to spend time with your friends.
Be realistic. Do not go to extremes by spending too much time on one activity. Try out these suggestions
and you may see some improvement in the amount of time you have after all.
Essay
The Latest Movie
Have you watched the latest movie? How was it? Any good? Boring? What about the computer game
you’re currently so engrossed in? Have you beaten the computer’s highest score? That magazine looks
good. Is that a photo of Brad Pitt’s and Angelina Jolie’s latest baby? How about a session of karaoke at
the centre just down the road? Not into that? Why don’t you try a game of Twisters? That should be fun.
Where am I leading to? Entertainment of course!
It goes without saying that people have to perform some kinds of work or another to earn their salaries.
Students have to study or they would fail their exams and fail to find the appropriate work of their
choice. Housewives even have to keep law and order in the house or chaos would rule. As everyone puts
their respective minds to doing some tasks or another, another part of their brains constantly awaits the
time when work is no longer the focus and relaxation and entertainment comes into play.
Entertainment is a great form of relaxation. There are many ways in which one can be entertained.
Movies, video games, board games, songs, music, printed materials, artwork, the list is endless.
Entertainment provides our minds with creative juices. This helps us balance our lives. With balance,
there is a higher sense of achievement and satisfaction in life. It is able to help people to de-stress
themselves, thereby lessening various health- related problems. In a way, entertainment is good for our
health but remember, something is only good if wre don’t go overboard.
Besides, entertainment allows us to establish new friendships, strengthen old ties and simply become an
outlet for people to share ideas, opinions and thought on a subject or area of common interest. There is
a sense of brotherhood or sisterhood in sharing the same likes or dislikes. Watching a movie would not
be much fun without a group of close friends and popcorn. Playing a video game wouldn’t be much if
one always competed against the computer and what’s the point of a board game where you’re the sole
player? Therefore, in the process of being entertained, there is a greater work going on as the wheels of
friendship keep turning and turning.
As mentioned before, entertainment is able to generate our creativity and even spur us to create and do
other things. A good movie on pirates may encourage us to have a costume party or have a treasure
hunt for children. A computer used fop'games may be used to create a similar game but for a different
group of people. There is no saying where creativity will take you. Not only you will be entertained by
the interesting looks of a celebrity in a magazine but you may even hone your sewing skills to sqrt out
with an equally exciting dress for your sister’s wedding.
Therefore, do not simply look at entertainment in the negative aspect where all vice originates from,
instead let entertainment take you on a journey of discovery and growth. Entertainment is fun and
enjoyable and when done with the right people and at the right times, it can be beneficial too.
SECTION B
Essay
My Best Friend
Matthew is my best friend, even at present. We met at the age of five, across our home’s garden fence
and have been best friends ever since. He has been a great encouragement to me in many ways.
He is a hard-working individual who believes that hard work always pays off, it is just a matter of time. In
school, he was diligent in his studies and even when he did not always excel in his schoolwork, he never
let up in keeping up with his studies. He took his homework and assignments seriously and had never
procrastinated in his work. He is really a well-organized individual as he always allocates time for play
and study accordingly because he strongly believes that “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”.
With all these qualities he possessed, he had inspired me to acquire these traits as well.
We both played in the school hockey team and here too, he had his little ways and gestures of keeping
me encouraged. At times, when I missed a goal or two, he was always ready with an understanding
smile or a gentle tap on my shoulder to remind me that all is not lost.
I remember the time when his father lost his job due to an accident. He did not give up nor feel helpless,
but instead, he was always upbeat and hopeful for the future. He even took on a few part-time jobs to
help make ends meet. I remember being so impressed by his sense of responsibility and duty. Later,
when my mother passed away, he continued to show his support and encouraged me to do well in my
studies to make my mother proud of me.
In university, we had to go separate ways as we were interested in different courses, but we were
coincidentally in the same university. We did not meet each other much though as university life was
not as free as we thought it would be. Even so, whenever we met, we would make good use of it by
exchanging our stories and experiences.
Later, we had to go out into the world, facing the hardships our parents had to go through but he was
still there encouraging me to move forward in life. I remember he once quoted that the only thing that
stands between a man and what he wants from life is often merely the will to try it and the faith to
believe that it is possible. Today, I am a very successful accountant and Matthew continues to be a
source of encouragement to me and even to my two sons.
Essay
My SPM Results
The day had started off like any other day in the year but how was I to know that my life was about to
change in another few hours! I prepared for my day as usual, but this time with a little sense of
trepidation since the SPM examination results were to be announced. After a deep breath, I went down
to have my breakfast.
I was so nervous to face my family and to endure my brother’s and sister’s teasing of what my
examination results would be, like they did during my PMR examination results as I was the youngest in
my family. Well, everything went as expected as my brother and sister went on teasing me but at least
mum’s cooking was extra nice that day.
My parents dropped me off at the school and left for work, reminding me to be calm in accepting my
results and to remember to thank all my teachers for their hard work and dedication. I trotted off
towards the hall where there was already a large group of students standing around, anxiously waiting
for their fate too. I joined my friends under the History Verandah and we chatted about the things we
did during our 3-month break while waiting for the results. It seems I was the only one who had actually
worked in my group of friends.
While waiting, I switched on the radio of my mobile phone and tuned in to Heights FM, listening to the
latest hits and the DJs’ cracking jokes. Then, on a whim, I called up the radio station when it announced
its cue to call for the station’s monthly King of the Waves competition. I was pleasantly surprised to get
through to Radin, the DJ on air. By this time, my friends were already crowding around me excitedly. I
answered all his questions correctly and won RM500.00! We whooped in joy and exhilaration. I had
never won a prize before and this was just fantastic!
Mei Mei predicted that it was certainly a good way to start the day and that more good news would
follow. She was right! I scored 9A’s and IB in my SPM examination. 1 was more than thrilled. I quickly
called up my parents to relay the double dose of good news. They were certainly pleased and promised
me a treat when they got back from work. It was certainly a day to remember.
Essay
The habitats of Wildlife
Man is forever ready to change the landscape in the name of progress. However, in the process of
achieving development, man has managed to destroy a major part of forests and sea. The habitats of
wildlife have been destroyed too.
In man’s purpose to live a life of luxury and comfort, he has destroyed many species of wildlife; directly
by sheer physical destruction and the alteration to their habitats. Many species are unable to sustain the
life they live and some cannot endure the disruptions to their habitats. For example, the act of farming
where a farmer clears land and tills the ground to plant his crops which causes the land to change and
threatens wildlife, results in them fleeing to other areas which may not be as suitable as their previous
homes. The same goes when new towns are biylt as vast areas of land is cleared and the entire
population of species that lived there disappears.
Furthermore, industrialisation, which man proclaims as a main part of modernisation, has further
caused destruction to wildlife habitats. Man has always been greedy for land, money and power as seen
in the early centuries, waging war against one another for these wants. These same aspects of man are
still evident till today. As a country prospers, the greed of man increases, wanting more and more space
for development. Consequently, man wages war against the wildlife and destroys their habitat just for
the cause of industrialisation by flattening hills and deforestation for housing and development.
Essay
Wildlife Habitats
Many of men’s actions have caused irreversible damage to wildlife habitats. The use of pesticides and
insecticides by man is a fundamental practice in agriculture nowadays to protect crops and other forms
of plantation from pests and insects such as locusts, rats and so on. But pesticides and insecticides
contain very hazardous chemicals which affect wildlife as a whole. They taint land and water which
wildlife is dependent on for their shelter and food, or basically, their habitat. By using these distasteful
means, man is indirectly destroying wildlife habitats in a very cruel way.
Therefore, it proves that man and his human activities have caused unavoidable upset and have
changed the wildlife complex of the area. Man’s destruction of wildlife habitats through the haphazard
use of land has caused the extermination of many forms of wildlife. Itis man who sets aside protection
for animals as he frequently hunts them for sports and wages war against these innocent animals that
are mere inconveniences to him. Man must remember that there is a delicate equilibrium to nature’s
balance and should take the initiative to protect nature’s precious resources and wildlife habitats.
Essay
Woke Up Late Again
I had woke up late again and the only phrase that kept going on and on in my mind was “My boss is
going to kill me! My boss is going to kill me!” I managed to catch the bus, even though it was packed like
sardines. Of all days, the bus literally crawled along the highway. 1 think my granddaddy would have
hobbled along faster than the bus.
The chatter of the passengers in the bus made me grind my teeth in further impatience. I quickly got off
the bus at my stop and tore my way through the morning rush of pedestrians at Kylin Square and barely
made it to clock in on time. My boss gave me a stare as I barged in the shop and that was not a good
sign indeed.
Mandy quickly filled me in on that a group of Korean tourists was about to arrive in an hour’s time. I
quickly got my dessert station ready for the expected influx of patrons. Right on the dot of 10, the
Koreans entered. I greeted all of them warmly as they ignored me and headed for the barbecue station.
1 groaned. Just then, a young girl of about 10 approached me and asked for a bowl of our famous
Cendol Heaven. I got out a bowl and started my preparation. The bowl slipped out of my hand and
crashed to the floor and shattered into pieces. Time froze except for my rapid-beating heart as I scanned
the shop. Sure enough, my boss’s belligerent face stared across the room at me. I quickly cleared up the
mess and got the cendol prepared for the girl. That careless mistake would cost a cut from my salary. Oh
dear!
After that, it was non-stop action at the dessert station as more and more people finished their main
course. 1 felt giddy as the impatient Koreans jabbered at me in Korean. When I finally finished work at
eight, I was more than ready to hit the sack. Unfortunately, Lady Luck was not on my side. I had to wait a
whole hour to get a bus home and when I arrived, a note from my family welcomed me, “Have gone to
your grandma’s house. Prepare your own dinner. Love, Mum”. Famished as I was, I slapped some
peanut butter on a few pieces of bread and headed for the living room to eat and relax. I switched on
the television but a blank screen greeted me. Just great, the television had decided to abandon me too.
It was certainly a bad enough day for me. I climbed the stairs, plopped myself on my bed and went out
like a light! I really hope a day like this would never cross my path ever again.
Essay
No Man Is Meant To Be An Island

There is a saying that goes “No man is meant to be an island”. I believe that applies to all of us. People
need other people for various reasons. Without the support of friends, life would be a lonely ride
indeed. Friends are needed mostly as companions from which we can share each other’s company,
thoughts and opinions. The exchanging of ideas and such promote a better understanding of the people
around us. There is better harmony and diversity.
Friends can also be encouragers. Humans are emotional by nature. Our moods and feelings are often
dictated by the people around us and the circumstances surrounding us. In our most depressed state,
friends can do wonders to lift us up and put matters into a better perspective as they provide us with a
shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen and a hand to guide us. A smile from a good friend will do more than
a thousand words from a well-meaning acquaintance. Our happiness, success and joy is doubled when
we share with a friend. There is no limit to what a friend can do.
There is no denying that friends are important to us, however, it is equally important to realize that
investing in friendships requires a vast amount of time, concern and tender loving care. It takes a lot of
wisdom to say the right things at the right time or to say nothing at all. The various intricacies of
friendship extends further than birthdays and school, it travels along the road of life, meeting the needs
of childhood, parenthood and death as well.
Friendships must endure the test of time when changes are made in order to adapt to the changing
patterns of life. An unyielding heart is a great disaster to the harmony established in a friendship and
must be avoided at all costs. Great friends are able to accept a friend to be himself or herself, even at
the cost of the friendship itself. Friendships found to adapt and grow will always be like a garden that is
filled with wonderful flowers to enjoy.
The fact of the matter is, friends are essential to a person’s growth and development. However, friends
also have the power to hurt us most. Being betrayed by a friend whom we thought we trusted, is the
ultimate blow. When so-called ‘friends’ spread gossip, smear our good names and back stab us, those
are the times we are hurt the most. The mind cannot comprehend the betrayal and humility such
‘friends’ have put us through despite our sacrifices and loyalty we showered on them. Despite this, such
incidents are important learning chapters in our lives and no one can do the job as well as these
‘friends’.
More often than not, friends make our lives richer with the experiences we go through together, be they
in our inner circle of friends or the outer circle, they each play an important role in diversifying our
experience and knowledge. Friends, what would we do without them?
SECTION B
Essay
National Football Competition
As I stepped out onto the field with a football tucked under my arm, the glare of the stadium blinded me
for a few moments. I looked around me and saw thousands of students cheering me. Imagine that?
After surmounting heavy odds, the team and I had arrived on this day for the National Football
Competition Finals where 64 teams from all over the country had fought hard to reach this stage. SMK
Dato’ Lokman now faced us, SMK Haji Ukmar. The winning team would get to compete in the
international championships held in England.
As one of the products of Malaysia’s tribal community, I was here to tell the country that I was more
than able to carry my weight and had the mettle to achieve my dreams and ambitions. My tribal
community had been extremely supportive of my efforts and they were definitely standing behind me,
cheering me on as my team members and I played our hearts out in the next 90 minutes.
I came from a poverty-stricken family and my father always reminded me to take the issue of education
seriously as it was the only way to break out from the vicious cycle of poverty. He reminded me that
education would help me get a slice of mainstream life. Nurtured in a residential school from the age of
seven, I was now prepared to announce my arrival. England beckoned, so did recognition and fame.
As the underdogs this time, the crowds cheered us on as we tied at the 82nd minute. With only 8
minutes to go and I knew that we had to be more aggressive with our game. I could see at a glance what
my team members were thinking. This was the make or break moment. This moment was a moment of
not simply participating for the sake of sportsmanship but this moment required us to win and we did! It
was such an amazing moment to be the one to kick in the ball into the goalpost as the roar of the crowd
drowned out the screams of exhilaration from my teammates as they all fell on me, hugging me and
shaking me.
This proud moment of standing at the podium to receive the championship shield will never be
forgotten. I looked around the stadium and I could see the beams of happiness radiating from the stands
and realized, England, here we come!
Men And The Main Wage
Men, we assume, feel compelled to bring in the main wage. It is what defines them as a hunter-
gatherer; it has always been so. That is why when news reports emerged that men in Britain now earn
less than their partners has come as something of a shock.
One would think that these men would feel emasculated but this is a false assumption that they are
quite happy to let their spouses take up the financial reins and they take on a more relaxed pace of life.
What of the women? Women can be happy with the new situation as they may enjoy being in the
financial hot seat because it gave them more say on how the money was spent. They begin to have
more autonomy which they hadn’t in the past. It can be quite common enough to see women earn more
than their partners. And it’s getting more common as time goes on.
The skills that women bring into the workforce are more appreciated than they once were. There is
much more value put on the ability to juggle many balls, the ability to establish rapport and build up
relationships as so many jobs these days are dependent on that and women have the edge in that
regard. Of course, they may pose a threat to their male bosses and they face greater pressure to
perform within the corporate arena. However, companies are looking solely at the return on their
investment and they are getting a better return from women than they are from men. The skills and the
talents that are needed to succeed, are more and more the ones that women possess.
How would men take this shift in power? Some men are probably fine with this; others not as they were
raised to believe that they were the hunter-provider. Even today in kids literature, the princess is always
waiting for a prince to rescue her; there is never talk of her being the managing director of marketing.
It’s tough for these men to realise that, for whatever reason, they can’t provide right now and it affects
their confidence as they may feel inadequate somehow.
Logically, if a woman in the home brings in more money shouldn’t the men stay at home and care for
the children and the home and many men do well in fact. It cannot be denied that not every man is
made to stay at home. It would depend on the person’s personality as well. When all is said and done,
the option for women to be the breadwinner and men to stay at home should be looked at from a
positive viewpoint. If the two parties can come to an agreement, then there is no bone of contention
about women being the breadwinners of the home.
Essay
Alzheimer Disease
When I turned 47, I received a letter saying that my father was degenerating in his Alzheimer’s disease. I
was half a world away and my siblings wanted me to return before it was too late and he didn’t
recognize me any more.
Immediately, I thought of how inconvenient it was for me to quit my job and I would never find another
position that paid me so well. However, I did quit my job. Work would have to wait. Saving money would
have to wait. After all, it’s family that’s most important. Friends come and go, lovers come and go. Wives
leave husbands, husbands leave wives. We make money, we lose money. We find a job, we lose a job.
When we cut through all the clutter that in our lives, family is all we have left. This haven in a heartless
world, this bridge over troubled water; whatever metaphor we choose to use, family is all we really
have. Everything else is - well, just everything else.
Moreover, I recently came to a very painful realization as I continue to think about my father’s illness
and my upcoming trip home that I had not been a very good son .nor brother. While working in Istanbul
for the last 4 years, I shamefully admit that I have not called my parents often enough; not emailed my
father and sisters often enough; and I certainly have not told each of them that I love them dearly
enough. There is no excuse for that. More often than not whenever I call my father, he doesn’t know
who I am any more. Sometimes he hangs up on me, saying that I have the wrong number. Since my.
sisters told me about my father’s worsening condition, I’ve been calling him every week. It has been nice
talking to all of them.
I am grateful for this second chance, a chance to make amends. As I prepare to go borne, as I prepare to
see my family for the first time in four years, I will do something I have never done before. I will
apologize to my parents for not being the son I could have been.
I will apologize to my sisters for not being the brother I could have been.
Now as my father lays in his nursing home bed, his mind numbed by drugs too numerous to count. I will
take his hand in mine and beg his forgiveness for not calling often enough. Then I will promise to be a
better son and brother. I will be grateful for the loving and caring family that I have. I will become the
son and brother the world expects of me. I will honour my mother and my father. That is my most
important lesson.
Essay
Joanne and Crystal
Joanne and Crystal were the best of friends since a very young age. As little girls, they used to go to
school together, play together and sometimes even stay at each other’s places. They were next- door
neighbours and thus their parents were also friends. They both finished school and went to the same
college. Everyone knew they were the best of friends. There was nothing that was hidden between them
and both knew each other inside out.
However, Joanne found Crystal acting very strangely one day. Crystal would remain withdrawn, sleep
too much and turn violent if provoked. At first Joanne thought it was just her studies getting on to her.
But with time, Crystal became even more moody and frustrated. Finally, Joanne couldn’t take it any
longer and confronted her with the problems. Crystal denied that anything was wrong with her, but
Joanne knew deep down that there was more to the situation and the guy she was with had definitely
something to do with what Crystal was going through. To her horror, much later she found out that the
guy Crystal was seeing was taking drugs and Crystal was doing the same thing too.
Joanne thought of a way to help her. Joanne contacted the college counsellor who was a psychologist
and told her the problem. She knew Crystal would probably never forgive her and she might lose her
friendship with Crystal forever. When Crystal found out, she felt betrayed and was extremely angry at
Joanne. She cutting off all ties with her but in time and with the help of the counsellor and her family,
she realised that she was only hurting herself.
In a letter to her, Joanne reminded her of her dreams of becoming a successful professional, inspired her
to set an example for others and reminded of what her parents would feel if they found out she had
killed herself in an overdose. Crystal came to know that Joanne had never actually betrayed their
friendship as she had never left her side and always stood by her. Crystal finally realized the importance
of friendship and how it had saved her life.
Essay
Loyalty and Faithful
Being loyal or faithful or dedicated to someone or something is not always easy. People often have
conflicting loyalties and there are no guidelines that help them decide to what or who they should be
loyal. Moreover, people are often remain loyal to something bad. Still, loyalty is one of the essential
attributes in which a person must have and must demand of others.
It allows them to gain trust and respect that they need whether in executing their jobs or granting
promises to other people. Being loyal and faithful is also an important moral value that people should
practise. In the society, people is judged by their morality more than appearance. Therefore, they should
always be loyal because it is part of their personal moral values.
Loyalty grants trust and respect In politics, it is essential politicians to be loyal and faithful to their jobs
and the people. As the former New York State governor, Eliot Spitzer had shown that he had been
unfaithful to his family members and the people when he was accused of paying a large sum of
transaction for a prostitution job that he was involved in. As TIMES magazine had reported, Spitzer had
been paying a large sum of bank’s money to be involved in a prostitution ring. His act was not justified
by what
is called a loyal politician to the people. Spitzer had been unfaithful to the people when he used public’s
money to pay for his personal prostitution business. His mistake had resulted in his resignation from the
office and losing trust from his people. Spitzer was once viewed as a future presidential candidate, but
now he had ruined his future career and disappointed his supporters. They no longer trust and respect
him.
Loyalty is also important in the workforce. For example, an employee is supposed to be wary of his
personal attitude no matter he is on or off the job. Imagine an employee of Mercedes Benz Company
trying to sell his customers’ personal information to another company in order to earn some profit. As a
loyal employee, he should not sell customers’ personal information to other companies because he
must protect the customers’ privacy. Nowadays, customers’ personal information is very confidential.
The employee’s action is considered as a breach of loyalty to both the customers and the company.
Under this situation, the employee can be fired and therefore loses trust and respect as a faithful
person.
Being loyal and faithful is essential. No matter in politics, workforce or any parts in people’s lives, loyalty
contributes to how people can be judged and respected by their peers, friends and other people. As an
important saying goes, ‘Honesty is the best policy’. Being loyal to people also means being honest to
them. Without being faithful and loyal, people will fail to appreciate and apply their moral values in their
lives.
SECTION D
Novel
Jungle of Hope. The Pearl and Return
(Suggested answers)
Jungle of Hope
Pak Kia is a character who has achieved a measure of success after facing and overcoming challenges
and odds in the novel ‘Jungle of Hope’. He is faced with the dilemma of pressing on in his traditional way
of life and depending on his paddy harvest to survive or to give in to the pressure he faces from the
people around him, even his own brother, Zaidi, who wants to diversify into new crop and venture into
rubber plantations.
Pak Kia seems to face insurmountable odds but in the end, he has to let go of continuing with his
traditional way of life, especially when his harvest is destroyed by floods. He is among the pioneer who
explores the virgin jungle and is confronted with untold miseries and hardships. However, he does not
give in to his brother’s suggestions but rather forge a new way out of his troubles by becoming a pioneer
in the jungles of Janda Baik and starting a new life there. He is successful there and his family adapts to
the new surroundings too.
The Pearl
Juana in the novel ‘The Pearl’ is a character who really has overcome odds to emerge with a measure of
success. She is of course happy when her husband, Kino, finds a pearl that promises to help them get
out of poverty and lead a piore meaningful and wealthy life.
However, she begins to see the change in her husband from a warm and loving man into a man who is
utterly suspicious of the people around him and short-tempered. He even hits her when she tries to
throw the pearl back into the sea. ’She still perseveres and continues to support her husband in his
trials. As a wife and mother, she has to undergo so many challenges in keeping her husband happy,
caring for their son and even escaping into the wilderness with Kino.
In the end, at a very high cost of losing her son to the trackers, she is able to return home with her
husband and possibly start a new life without the pearl which Kino has finally thrown back into the sea.
Return
Periathai is a woman who has overcome all odds and has achieved some measure of success in the novel
‘The Return’. She came from India with nothing on her back but a sack, of saris and her three young
sons. She was a young woman whose husband had passed on early. Thus, she had to fend for herself
and her family which was difficult, especially during the hard times of the Japanese Occupation. During
that period, she got involved in fanning maize, tapioca and so forth.
She strove hard to protect her family from intruders and thieves. She faced difficulties in finding a place
to live in, eke out a living and provide for her sons. She built a home for them with her own two hands
and did every job imaginable and did not depend on others for her survival.
She began to build her fortune. She was successful in her endeavours and raised her children well and
was even able to enjoy her grandchildren. She became a very well-respected member of her community
and the struggles she went through helped her become the strong woman that she was.
Novel
(Suggested answers)
Jungle of Hope
I find that the title of the novel ‘Jungle of Hope’ has been
correctly placed after reading the novel. I find that the novel describes and illustrates the hopes of
people like Pak Kia, Karim and even Zaidi.
Each character has his or her own individual dreams and hopes. For Zaidi, the younger of the two
siblings, his hope is to see his village’s traditionally based economy branch out into newer styles and also
other types of crops. For example, Zaidi embarks on rubber plantation. He places great hope that the
village will be able to prosper from rubber plantation.
Pak Kia, on the other hand, believes that the tradition in the form of paddy planting has brought his
family thus far and should remain so. However, floods and droughts in his village of Ketari destroy his
crops. There seems a need for change, but he hopes that the changes he must make will not take away
his need for tradition. So, he moves to Janda Baik with his family.
Everyone is looking for a better and brighter future in this new place and thus, this new place becomes a
Jungle of Hope.
The Pearl
At a glance, a reader could be forgiven to believe that the title ‘The Pearl’ reflects the beauty and the
wonders of a pearl. However, it is actually a warning that a thing of beauty can bring about greed,
violence and even death. Therefore, the title of the novel reflects the story of creating an awareness
among the readers, to be careful of things and people around them.
To me, ‘The Pearl’ started off bringing hope and happiness to Kino and his family as it promises riches
and a better life. Instead, it turns out to be the exact opposite as the ‘clear and beautiful ... triumphant’
pearl brings misery and heartache. It turns ‘ugly ... like a malignant growth’. In the end, the pearl causes
Kino to become violent and almost animal-like and Coyotito dies because Kino refuses to give up the
pearl.
The pearl in the novel is far from the beautiful object, it looks like, rather it portrays evil and self-
centredness in people.
The Return
The title ‘The Return’, when looked upon, gives readers a tantalizing look into what the novel is all
about. There are various interpretations to it. To me, the title reflects the author, K. S. Maniam’s return
to his own past as the storyline in the life of Ravi is very similar to the author's own childhood
experiences. In this, the reader is able to understand the author himself and what inspires him to write
the novel.
The title also reflects the many ‘returns’ Ravi, the main character in the novel does. For him, to return to
his hometown, his roots and his family, he has to go away first. He does breakaway from his Indian
tradition in the hopes of obtaining a better life in the West. He also goes away from his country to
pursue his education. He leaves his hometown and family because of his feelings of disenchantment
with his roots and beliefs.
However, through time, Ravi returns to Malaysia after his stints in the UK. He even reconsiders his roots
and culture that he left. His ‘return’ is reflected in the poem that he dedicates to his father, aptly named
‘Full Circle’. This again reflects the title of ‘The Return’, where everything returns to its beginning.
Novel
(Suggested Answers)
Jungle of Hope
In the novel ‘Jungle of Hope’, Pak Kia is used by the writer to show that the circumstances around us
should not change our principles and beliefs in life. Pak Kia does not waver in his beliefs when the
circumstances around him threaten his traditional way of life. He is not taken in by the ‘quick-get-rich’
schemes of the people around him in selling off their land to Tuan Pekok. He is willing to take on the
hardships of moving to a new place in order that he and his family will be able to continue their
traditional lifestyle as he believes fervently in holding on to that way of life as a way of
preserving what is pure for the future generation. There are many sacrifices from his decision. He is
almost killed by a wild boar and his daughter dies from a fever in the jungle. However, his struggles and
sacrifices seem worth it as he is successful in his endeavour.
Besides, in the face of the economic conditions, the conflict between modem and traditional practices is
evident. However, Pak Kia is a man of principle and refuses to bow to the new ways blindly. He believes
that the ways of his ancestors can get the entire family out of poverty if only he works hard. In the end,
he reunites with his family in a new settlement and achieves financial stability. Through Pak Kia’s
character, the writer shows us that hard work and perseverance finally pays off.
The Pearl
In the novel ‘The Pearl’, the writer is trying to convey the message that people must make the right
decisions to resist something that is very attractive, especially if we know it’s wrong. Kino was faced with
the dilemma of finding the greatest Pearl in the World and it seemed wonderful to contemplate it. It
promised him a very bright future but as events began to take place, it seemed that the pearl was
bringing him more trouble than good. Juana could sense the evils of the pearl and how it was
threatening her family, so she asked Kino to throw the ‘evil’ pearl back into the sea where it belongs.
However, greed had taken hold of Kino and he did not know how to tear himself away. Kino himself
became so obsessed that he was willing to kill for it. He was so blinded that he would not even listen to
his wife.
It takes great moral strength and character to resist temptation. It often takes a tragedy to jolt us into
realizing the truth. Kino lost his son, Coyotito, in the hands of the attackers and finally, he realized that
the sacrifice was too great and threw away the pearl.
Through Kino’s character, the writer shows us that Kino is relatively happy in his small brush house with
his wife and son before the discovery of the pearl. But later on, in trying to hold on to the pearl against
the others who are greedy for it, Kino loses the peace and harmony he enjoyed before. Only then does
he realize the extent of how wealth and riches will never be able to replace the happiness and
contentment he previously enjoyed with his family. So, if not for the human desire to want more, much
of this tragedy could have been avoided. Thus, we have to make the right decisions at the right time.
The Return
In the novel ‘The Return’, the writer conveys the message of respecting a person no matter what his
station in life is. Everyone deserves the right to live in dignity.
In the character of Ravi, we can see how much humiliation Ravi has to endure from people who are
socially, financially and educationally better than he is such as Ayah or CD and CD’s family. They treat
Ravi so badly that he becomes so angry and disillusioned, causing him “to turn away from the Gods of
my (Ravi’s) people”. Ravi tries hard to break away from this oppressive system. He knows that education
can help him free himself and finally, he succeeds.
Through Ravi’s character, the writer shows us that the ability of Ravi to change his circumstances and to
be able to live in dignity is through his inner strength and will.
Novel
(Suggested answers)
Jungle of Hope
The theme of change is clearly seen throughout the novel ‘Jungle of Hope’ in the lives of the various
characters such as Zaidi and Pak Kia.
Zaidi is an entrepreneur who believes in change. He understands that getting a good education can help
one’s understanding and to cope with the changes in life. He ventures into rubber plantation and
wholesale supplying of jungle produce because he knows that paddy cultivation can no longer to
support the lives of the villagers. In spite of his different views with his brother, Pak Kia, he still retains
his respect for him. His modem outlook on life helps him adapt to circumstances and accepts change as
a factor to succeed.
Pak Kia, on the other hand, is initially strict and unmoving in his traditional beliefs. His attachment to the
land and inherited ways are strong. However, through time, he begins to accept change. His
independent and strong character serve him well in Janda Baik. He feels that education is not practical
and believes in the old ways of healing. When Tuk Pawang is unable to help him when he is attacked by
a wild boar, Mat Amin, however, heals him with his modem treatment. This causes Pak Kia to reassess
his life and beliefs, hence slowly, modernity becomes part of his life.
After all, at the end of the novel, “he no longer had ‘sepak rage’ feet”. This reflects the change in him as
he embraces the changes in his life.
The Pearl
‘The Pearl’ is a reflection of the great divide between poverty and riches. The effects of both are clearly
seen. Desperate to get out of poverty, Kino works hard to find a pearl that surpasses all others as it
would promise a life of luxury and even respect, although it is superficial. The pearl portrays hope and a
brighter future but it also shows people’s true characters when the promise of wealth is present. The
novel ‘The Pearl’ shows the rich taking advantage of the poor and how the downtrodden people really
are.
The pearl influences people with greed and colours their judgement because the promise of crossing the
divide from poverty to riches is too tempting. Kino and the others treat the pearl as a means of escape
into a better life for themselves and their families. It is the difference between the poor and the rich that
makes people even willing to kill to elevate themselves from the threshold of poverty.
It is understandable that the poor want to break out of the mould of poverty but surprisingly, the rich as
represented by the doctor and the pearl traders are not satisfied and they want to increase their wealth
too. However, the cost is too great. In the process of trying to break the great divide between the poor
and the rich, Kino loses his human qualities, strains his relationship with his wife and loses his son.
The Return
The novel ‘The Return’ illustrates the theme of perseverance and diligence in finding success. This is
clearly seen in the life of Periathai and Ravi.
Periathai arrives in a new land with her three young sons in the town. She has nothing but a bag of saris
to sell; and her wit and perseverance to make a life for herself and her sons. She overcomes all odds by
attempting various occupations ranging from a tinker, a shaman, a healer to a vadai seller. Nothing stops
her from achieving what she dreams about. In her quest to obtain her own land and house, she even
goes against the Town Council authorities to stay on the land which does not even belong to her. She
passes down to Ravi this fierce sense of diligence and pride and reminds Ravi ‘never let anything break
your spirit’.
Ravi picks up his grandmother’s strength of character, persevering to succeed and break away from the
conformity of class and background. He wants more for himself and dreams of being better. That’s why
he is upset that his family seems to care for nothing except filling their stomach and sleep.
Ravi proves to be a formidable opponent to Ayah. He refuses to bow to pressure from Ayah, his peers,
neighbours and family in order not to conform to a life of simplicity and poverty. The humility he
experiences gives him ‘wings’ to rise above it and fly high. His perseverance and diligence in his studies
pays off when he gets a scholarship and is able to further his studies abroad. Truly, the theme of
perseverance and diligence go hand in hand in Periathai’s and Ravi’s lives.
Novel
(Suggested Answer)
Jungle of Hope
Yes, I definitely think that family is an important element in the novel ‘Jungle of Hope’. This can be seen
from the family of Pak Kia.
His wife, Mak Sinah, loves and respects her husband very much and always abides by his decisions. Pak
Kia, in turn, only wants what is best for his family. He doesn’t want his family to be influenced by the
modern lifestyle pursued by the people in Ketari.
Pak Kia is very protective of his children, especially Rahimah who is growing up into a lovely young lady.
Even Karim who initially resents his father for moving the family, learns to respect his father’s decision
and becomes more mature for the change. Rahimah and Karim sacrifice their time to relieve their
family’s burdens.
When a change of lifestyle is needed, everyone moves together and faces the new challenges of starting
a new life in Janda Baik. They remain united through thick and thin. That is truly what a family is all
about and this is clearly shown in the novel.
The Pearl
In the novel ‘The Pearl’, we can see the bond of love among family members as evils surround them.
Kino is very much a family man who is contented with his life. He is happy with his wife, Juana and his
son, Coyotito. The Song of the Family is constantly mentioned in the novel and how it represents the
importance of the family.
However, this begins to change when Kino finds the pearl and the elements of evil such as greed and
hate begin to shut out the Song of the Family. Through it all, the readers are still able to see that Kino
still loves his family as he believes the pearl will provide them with a comfortable life. Juana too,
remains loyal to Kino through the trials. She believes that as a man, he will be able to take care of them.
Even when the ultimate disaster occurs and Coyotito is killed, the novel ends with both Kino and Juana
remaining united with each other.
The Return
The family is portrayed very well in the novel ‘The Return’. However, the writer shows both sides to this
area. There is much elaboration on how Ravi refuses to settle for second best in his community and
dreams of more. He cannot understand and does not want to even understand his mother’s ideas,
especially with her continual support of her husband even when he mistreats her.
Ravi clearly shows no sympathy for his father at times and even looks down on his father. When he
returns from England, he tries his hardest to avoid going home and cuts himself away. His mother’s
pleas for him to return home falls on deaf ears and he does not support his father’s dreams of the land.
However, at times, Ravi feels that it is his duty to continue to care for his parents although he feels
ashamed of his father’s behaviour. We can see how proud Kannan is of his son’s achievement as seen
when Ravi speaks English to the shopkeeper when buying toothpaste. Kannan also shows his love for his
mother by the elaborate funeral arrangements he puts up for her and his dreams of expanding the
laundry business. Therefore, the family is seen from both angles in the novel.
CONSTRUCTING SENTENCES
Way of constructing sentences
Yes. She became successful, more confident and looked better.
Did not encourage Kate to do negative things.
Not to be an object of pity, but to live well.
ICate had a makeover.
It involved a physical revamp of her looks

With the fresh looks, she felt more confident and got a promotion.
Her flat was also repainted with a fresh coat of bright colours.
Kate got slimmer and prettier.
She wore smart clothes for the first time in ages as she didn’t have to support Eddie’s lifestyle.
She didn’t have to pay Eddie’s phone bills.
Her friends began to visit her and she was happy again.
They respect the memory of their ancestors as the silver paper is an offering to their dead ancestors.
She has no gown to wear to the ball.
She is a very shallow person.
Self-centred, selfish, inconsiderate and materialistic.
Her desire to possess worldly goods causes her much discontent and finally, she ends up in a worse
situation.
Wet coffee granules are freezed in a chamber, air is sucked out to prevent condensation, warmed and
finally packaged for sale.
Has its uses in cooking such as flavouring desserts and drinks that require a coffee taste, but not
necessarily from brewed coffee.
The poet’s beloved or someone the poet admires.
The summer is too short and too hot.
The summer’s day is not perfect as there are too many changes and it is only for a short time.
He was fascinated by this man.
He decided to kill himself when his money ran out.
They are willing to lead simple lives or they are not willing to risk everything in one big gamble.
No. Only God will determine when one should die. Life is precious and it is not for us to end it as we
wish.
It captures pictures by capturing light on light-sensitive materials.
They could not fix the photograph.
They could not prevent the colour from fading.
One is able to easily manipulate the pictures to show something that is far from its reality.
Continued to dominate the market even when colour pictures emerged because it was cheaper and had
a more “classic” look
The hues differed according to varying processes
Colour photography was delved into in the mid-1800s
Problems arose with the fixing of photographs and the prevention of fading
First permanent colour photo was taken in 1861 by the physicist, James Clerk Maxwell.
Colour photography could form images for slide projectors, create positive colour enlargements on
specially coated paper.
Film colour photography owing to automated photoprinting equipment.
Digital imaging using an electronic image sensor to record the image as a set of electronic data rather
than as chemical changes on film was invented.
To offer condolences or to pay their last respect to the person who has just died.
No. The mattress can be donated to a charitable course and should not be thrown out as a cultural
practice.
Mrs Saunders thought her neighbour was a strange or an eccentric man in the initial stage. She later
thought he was crazy but probably harmless.
She thought Klausner was going to harm her and therefore, her husband might have been a better
person to handle the situation.
It is a source of livelihood to them.
Its flavour is not as intense.
The aroma has been eliminated.
Freezing the granules on large trays.
It is because this bean’s intense flavour is difficult to replicate as it only comes as part of the civet cat’s
droppings.
Enjoyed by millions around the world.
Its flavour will never be as intense as that of real coffee.
They are produced from a low-grade type of coffee bean.
Intense processing eliminates the real coffee aroma
Ground coffee that has been freeze-dried.
When re-hydrated with hot water, it makes a drink that is similar to brewed coffee.
Convenient for someone on the go and where brewed coffee is not available.

Summary Writing Skills For SPM

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Summary Writing Skills For SPM

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Summary Writing Skills for SPM

Summary Writing Skills

The summary question is asked as Question 31 in Section C Paper 2.

It carries a total of 15 marks.

Marks are allocated for content and grammar.

You have to extract at least 10 points from the passage.

Style and Presentation

Guidelines in writing a summary

First, read and understand the passage.

Then search for secondary ideas.

Use a ruler to underline these sentences.

This is how you separate the relevant from irrelevant details.

Next, make an outline of the points you are using.

Based on the outline, write the summary draft.

Do not copy whole sentences from the passage.

Write your summary as one paragraph only.

Count the number of words used in the summary.

It must be 130 words or less.

Be honest when you write down the number of words used.

How to Count the Words

A word is a word. It can be one letter such as ‘a’and ‘I’.

It can also be a long word such as ‘extraordinary.

As for proper nouns, you count them as one word.

The United Kingdom - count as one word

Sarah Leong Ah Mooi - count as one word

-the importance of a good resume

-features of a good resume

-what errors to avoid

Your summary must:

-be in continuous writing form {not in note form

-use materials from lines 2 to 37

A resume presents you in a strong light so as ...

The passage is about writing a resume.

Stick to the lines asked for in the question.

After putting together the points in an outline, write your summary.

Based on the passage given, write a summary on:

-Gunung Mulu National Park’s large cave system

-its scenic Values and

-nature-based activities offered there

Your summary must:

-be in continuous writing form (not in note form)

Begin your summary as follows:

The passage is about Gunung Mulu National Park.

Stick to the lines asked for in the question.

After putting together the points in an outline, write your summary.

Employment of social workers in private social service agencies is increasing tremendously. It is

(Adapted from: http://www.sssc.com)

-types of social workers and

-services they offer

Your summary must:

-be in continuous writing form (not in note form)

-use materials from lines 2 to 38

Based on the passage given, write a summary on:

-the importance of having self-discipline and will power

-exercises and techniques for developing them

Your summary must:

-be in continuous writing form (not in note form)

Begin your summary as follows:

Self-discipline is the power needed to accomplish a certain task ...

(Adapted from: http://en-wikipedia.org/wiki/Handshake)

Based on the passage given, write a summary on:

-the purpose and ethics of a handshake

-different ways of extending one’s hand