SPM

Paper 2
Writing Tasks

新年快乐
2
你好

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Short Communicative
Message
(e-Mail reply) – 80 words – 20 marks

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“Be bold. Be fast. Get to the point right
away. The best email communication is
simple and clear.”
Constance Hale

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 Sample Question
Part 1
You must answer this question.
Question 1
You have received an email from your English-speaking friend.

Hi,
Our teacher has asked us to prepare a talk on what young people in different countries do
when they are not at school. Can you help by writing and explaining what it’s like in your
country? What do young people do at home? Where do they go out and what do they do
there?

Thanks!
Billy

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 Sample Question
Part 1
You must answer this question.
Question 1
You have received an email from
Greetings your English-speaking
Background information friend.

Hi,
Our teacher has asked us to prepare a talk on what young people in different countries do
when they are not at school. Can you help by writing and explaining what it’s like in your
country? What do young people do at home? Where do they go out and what do they do
there?
Question to answer
Thanks! Closing
Billy
Name
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 What to ask yourself
A. Situation
1. Who has sent you the email?
2. What does he/she have to do?

B. Reason
3. Why are you replying?
a. to tell him news b. to give him information c. to give her advice

C. Topic
4. What is the main thing you have to write about?
5. What points do you have to include?

D. Language
6. What relationship do you have with the person you are writing to?
7. Which is more appropriate? A formal or informal writing style?

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 Greeting

Opening Paragraph

Answer to the question: What do young

people do at home?

Answer to the question: Where do they

go out and what do they do there?

Closing
I hope I’ve helped.
Name

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 The writer uses a separate paragraph in her
email for each new topic to make it easier
for the reader to follow. In the email, find
and underline the words that tell us the topic
of paragraphs 2 and 3.

Which set phrases has the writer used to

introduce them?

When you expand the topic of a paragraph,

use linking words in the sentences that
follow to add the new information. Which
linking words have been used in paragraphs
2 and 3? Circle them.

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 Can you give more examples?

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Your homework!!!

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 Remember!!!
• Read the writing task carefully
• Underline important points so you can check back
quickly.
• Make your writing easy to read by introducing the
topic in the first sentence of each paragraph.
• Use linking words for each piece of information
you add.

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 What to ask yourself
A. Situation
1. Who has sent you the email?
2. What does he/she have to do?

B. Reason
3. Why are you replying?
a. to tell him news b. to give him information c. to give her advice

C. Topic
4. What is the main thing you have to write about?
5. What points do you have to include?

D. Language
6. What relationship do you have with the person you are writing to?
7. Which is more appropriate? A formal or informal writing style?

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 Plan
1. Greeting
2. Para 1 : Opening paragraph
3. Para 2: What would like to do after SPM?
4. Para 3: Where would you go? Where is it? What
would you do there? What should you bring?
5. Closing
6. Name

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To : amy@gmail.com/Amy Danker
Subject : Picnic During the Holidays

Hi Amy, - greeting

I am pleased that school is over and the long awaited holidays have arrived. A picnic
sounds splendid and I am sure our friends would love to join us. -response
We can go on a Sunday to the Lata Hijau Waterfalls. It is a famous picnic spot in town and
it is quite near to our school. There are a lot of fun activities to be done there. For instance, we
can swim and play in its cool refreshing water while enjoying the beautiful green environment. It
is definitely a sight for sore eyes. Besides, since you have just known us for two months, you can
get to know us better. For the picnic, we only need only to bring some finger food, drinks and a
mat. Most importantly, we must not forget our swimsuits, towels and a change of clothes. –(123
content)
Do let me know what you think and write back soon. - closing
Bye,
Timmy
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To: Theresa Smith
Subject: Keaamatan Festival in Malaysia

Hi Theresa, Greetings
I’m excited to hear this great news and I look forward to your visit. There are many things Response
to
see and do here in Malaysia. You and your family will have a fabulous time.
Yes, as you already know, Malaysia is made up of various ethnicities that have their own
unique culture. You must not miss out the Keaamatan Festival or also known as the Harvest
festival celebrated by the Ibans in Sabah, Malaysia. There is a history behind this festival and it
goes something like this. Many centuries ago, the villagers, were plagues by famine. Their staple Content
food-rice would simply not grow. An elderly man named Kinoingan prayed to the Rain Gods and 123
sacrificed his cattle. The next day itself rain started to fall and that helped the rice and other crops
to grow. Now the villagers play various traditional sports and give thanks annually. They also hold
beauty pageants to mark the end of the festival.
What do you think about our Keaamatan Festival. Interesting right? Do write to me soon!
Closing
Bye,
Jit Soon

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 HOMEWORK
Part 1
You must answer this question.
Question 1
You have received an email from Billy, your pen-friend from England

Hi,
Our teacher has asked us to prepare a talk on migration. Can you help by writing and
explaining your personal preference? If you were to migrate from your country, where would
you migrate to? Why do you choose that country? And what would you miss about your
own country once you migrate?

Thanks!
Billy

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YOUR RESPONSE:

GR 123 C

GREETING

RESPONSE – Opening Paragraph & Respond to the background info

CONTENT – Answer the three questions, 1. Where to migrate? 2. Why this country? 3. What
would you miss about Malaysia? (First of all,…..)

CLOSING – CLOSE

Eg:
To:
Subject:

Dear Billy,
….

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