DIRECTED: ARTICLE: Factual

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

the reasons behind the haze

role of government and society

steps that can be taken

give relevant examples of:

health complications
measures
roles of government and individuals

When writing the article you should remember:

to lay out the letter carefully
to use paragraphs
that you letter is to the press
Haze: A Danger to Health
by Ali bin Mohd Abu
The haze is a constant phenomenon faced by Malaysia and her neighbouring
countries. The haze is basically pollution of atmosphere, which is clogged with
pollutants and other substances from forest fires.
The haze is a direct effect of forest fire in Kalimantan and other parts of
Indonesia due to slash and burn method of farming. The Indonesian authorities
appear to have no power to control farmers from practising such methods. The haze
is further worsened by open burning practised by most Malaysians. Open-field
burning of rice straw by the rice planters and open burning of dried leaves and
garbage done by the public are a few examples that done by Malaysian. Many are
ignorant of the health effects of open burning.
During the haze, hospitals and clinic often report a dramatic increase in
respiratory problems, lung infections and asthma attack. The Air Pollution Index
(API) usually indicates the hazardous and dangerous levels of pollution during this
period. The haze has long-term side effects. Prolonged inhalation of polluted air will
result in serious lung infection which particularly affects the elderly.
The government must play its role to reduce the haze treat. It has to
cooperate with the Indonesian authorities to stamp out forest fires. The culprits must
be brought to justice, either through healthy fine or prison sentence. Constant
vigilance would ensure the perpetrators do not repeat their offence.
The government should also raise the public awareness of the dangers of
forest fire. Continuous campaign of the cause, solutions and steps-need-to-be-taken
to reduce the haze need to be promoted through all types of social media like
television, radio, newspaper and even via internet. The authorities should also

provide assistance to farmers and introduce more sophisticated forest clearing

methods.
In Malaysia, strict laws must be imposed to penalise those who practise open
burning. On-going campaigns on the dangers of open burning should be intensified.
Individuals too have a role to play. They must participate in every campaign and stop
burning. Students can advise their parents not to practice open burning.
Every individual has to remember that we do not own the world, but instead
we lent it from our future generations. We must protect our world so that our
grandchildren woulh have a healthy earth to live.
375 words
From: Penilaian Topik Vista SPM/Sasbadi/2009

ARTICLE: Article for School Magazine / Newsletter

In spite of governments clear call to students to study English well, many students
still show very little interest in studying the language. As Chairperson of the English
Language Society, you are going to try to persuade the students to study the
language by writing an article in the school newsletter. In the article you have to tell
the students the importance of studying the language. Your article is given in the
point form below:

will help you to further your studies

will help you to get a job

will help you in your job

will help you in your travels

will help you to enjoy many interesting programmes in television

will help you to appreciate many of the worlds most beautiful literary works
The Importance of Studying English
by Ali bin Mohd Abu

It is a big concerned for teenagers nowadays as they are unaware of the

importance of English language as they tend to ignore to learn the language.
Students attitude towards the language is also crucial to make sure that these
teenagers can face the future world better by learning English language as it is an
international language.
Although the government has repeatedly told us of the importance of English,
many students are still not bothered about studying it seriously. There is also a
campaign that still on to make all the Malaysian becomes a better English learner,
which is Enhance Proficiency in Bahasa Malaysia, Strengthen the English. English
is the most important and the most useful language in the world today. There are
many reasons why you should study the language properly.
First and foremost, English will definitely help you a lot when you want to
further studies. Almost all books at university are written in English in all subjects.
Plus, it is a compulsory for any candidate to pass English with credit before entering
any universities. So, if you are poor in English, you will blow you chance for better
education or worse, you are going to have a big problem studying at university.
The second reason why you have to study English well is that it will help you
to get a job. When you go for a job interview, the interviewer will surely talk to you in
English. The first impression you should give in order to success and have the job is,
to respond in English fluently. Your chances of getting the job are very slim if you
stutter while interviewing.
A good command in of English will also help you greatly in your job. If the
company you work is actively involved in international trade, you have to speak to
prospective customers in English. Miscommunication might occur if your English is

bad. And this will put your company at risk and you will likely be dismissed if this
happen.
Good English will also help you a lot when you travel. Every country in the
world studies English. Even the roadside stall-holders in China speak fairly good
English! At least some of the people you meet on your travels in other countries can
understand English. The language is certainly practical when you are lost in your trip.
Communication problem will not happen if you can converse well in English.
Inevitably, English is one of the languages used in any airport in the world in making
announcement. Knowing English well, therefore, make travelling overseas easier.
Besides all these, entertainment is one of the major advantages you will
experience if you good in English. You will enjoy televisions best programmes. We
must admit that many of the best programmes are produced by the Americans and
British companies. High self confidence influenced by the programmes will indirect
inculcate in yourself when you are fluent in the language. Quality time is worthily
spent if you understand and enjoy the programmes.
Based from all the above elaboration, I hope that students will see the
importance and realise how importance the language is for their own future. Although
it is a second language in our country, it is now a main language all over the world.
544 words

DIRECTED: Newspaper Article / Report

There has been an attempted robbery in your area. As a newspaper reporter, you
have been assigned to write a report of the incident for publication in a local
newspaper. Using the notes below, write out your report.

couple taking a walk

two men approached them

ordered couple to give jewellery

a struggle husband injured

one neighbour taking a dog for a walk

heard shouts went to investigate

robbers saw dog fled

couple made police report

Couple Foils Robbery Attempt

PULAU PINANG, Thu An elderly businessman and his wife foiled a robbery
attempt by two men armed with a screwdriver and a knife. The victims were reported
safe from any bad injury.
Tan Ah Wok, 60 and his wife were taking a morning walk near their home in
Helen Heights yesterday when two men on a motorcycle stopped them under the
pretext of asking for directions. As Mr. Tan was giving directions, one of the robbers
pointed a knife at him and ordered them to keep quiet. He then relieved Mrs. Tan of
her jewellery and instructed Mr. Tan to hand over his ring and watch. When he
refused, a struggle ensued. Meanwhile, his accomplice grabbed a helmet and hit Mr.
Tan on the head with it. On seeing this, his wife started screaming.
One of their neighbours, R. Subramaniam, who was taking his dog for a walk,
heard the screams and when to investigate. On seeing Subramaniam and his dog,
the robbers fled. I was taking my dog for a walk when I heard someone shouting for
help. Knowing that something was wrong, I ran there as fast as I could. Before I
reached the scene, the robbers fled on a motorbike. They were probably afraid of my
Rottweiler.
Mr. Tan, who suffered a small cut on his head, was given outpatient treatment
at a private clinic. He said that it was a horrified experience as he never expected the
two men would attack his wife and him. He thought that they were lost and needed
help. He also mentioned that the guard who in charge nowadays easily allowed the
strangers to enter their residents. State CID Chief Supt Harun Din advised him and
the people to be more careful in giving help to strangers. The guard also must be
stricter in letting people from entering any residents without proper permission.

He added that the suspects, aged between 25 and 30, were believed to be
illegal immigrants. He said there had been similar incident last week when two men
approached a factory worker who was on her way home after work. The duo then
relieved her gold chain and cash. He advised the residents to be alert and reports to
police any suspicious-looking characters lurking in their area.
380 words
DIRECTED: REPORT Book Report
As a class project, you have been asked to write a book report. You decide to write a
report of a book you have just read.
-

Use the following notes in your report:

author
title
setting
synopsis
main characters
themes
response
The Story of My Life is an autobiography written by Helen Keller. It tells us
how Helen Keller, who was deaf, blind and mute, defied the odds to become one of
the most celebrated personalities in the world. The story was set in Alabama in 1997.
In the first half of the book, Helen Keller writes about how she was afflicted
with scarlet fever while she was still a baby and how illness left her deaf, blind and
mute. The story outlines the frustration Helen Keller experienced as a child alone
in a dark and silent world unable to communicate with anybody. The author then
goes on to say how her life changed with the arrival of her new-employed teacher
and nanny, Anne Mansfield Sullivan.
The second part of the book relates how Helen Keller studied the deaf and
dumb language and learnt how to write using Braille and then went to college and
graduated. The story goes on to say how she spent the rest of her life helping the
deaf and dumb all over the world.
I enjoyed reading every page of the book. I found some sections of the book,
especially those that deal with the early part of her life, poignant and touching. It
made me realize how difficult life must be for the handicapped. It also made me
realize how fortunate I was. It has made me more sympathetic towards the plight of
those who are less fortunate than I am, especially the handicapped who has given
up hope in the face of misfortune, and the severely handicapped who have lost the
will to live.
The story is very touching and informative. It arouses the feelings of the
readers. I admire Helen Keller for her determination and diligence. I appreciate the
painstaking efforts taken by the teacher. The book has a good moral lesson for all. It
shows the triumph of the human spirit in the face of indomitable obstacles. It makes
us wonder whether Helen Keller was just another victim of fate or whether her birth
has a special significance. Was Helen Keller fortunate or unfortunate? Helen Keller
was unfortunate to have suffered the cruel twist of fate but the world is fortunate to
have had a person like her. Her life shining example to prove the adage, where
there is a will, there is a way.

393 words
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________

DIRECTED: REPORT Report to Principal

You are very disappointed by the conditions and services provided by your school
canteen. You decide to write a report to inform your school principal about the poor
conditions and services of the canteen. These would include:

To:

insufficient table and benches

food and drinks not covered
too little food counters
dirty and clogged drains smelly
food expensive and lacks variety

inadequate food late comers have nothing to buy, to eat

cold food not fresh

rude canteen workers

Mr. Hasnan bin Jalal,

The Principal,
Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Permata

Report about the School Canteen

I am writing this report is to draw your attention regarding the school
canteen. Many of the students of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Permata are
unhappy about the conditions at the school canteen. There were lots of complaints
regarding this issue.
In the first place, there are insufficient tables and benches. Our school has a
student population of over 1 000. There is only one period of recess time for all
forms. More than 80 per cent of the students go to the canteen during recess to buy
food and drinks. Unfortunately, there are only about twenty-five tables and fifty
benches which can accommodate less than half the number of students. As a result,
many students have to stand while eating.
The food sold at the canteen not only expensive but lacks of variety. The
menu is the same every day. For the past five years, ever since the present canteen
management took over, students go back to the same food.

The hygiene and preparation of food leave a lot to be desired. The food and
drinks are not covered. They way canteen attendants dress speak volume about
hygiene. With their lackadaisical attitude, the food they sell would one way or the
other become contaminated.
My fourth complaint about the canteen pertains to the etiquette of the
canteen workers. They are rude and arrogant. They often shout at students. The
students are always on the receiving end of their bad moods.
We hope that conditions at the canteen will improve. The canteen should
provide better amenities. There should also be a different menu everyday so that
students will not have to taste the same food day in and day out. Cleanliness should
be given top priority.
We hope that you will look into our complaints and take steps to remedy the
situation. The students are prepared to boycott the canteen if their complaints go
unheeded.
Reported by,

(Ahmad bin Mohd. Ali)

Student from form 5A,
SM Sains Bertam,
Pulau Pinang.

314 words

DIRECTED: FORMAL LETTER: Letter of Complaint

Raju a/l Lingam,
123 A, Lorong Bahagia,
Taman Sentosa,
07231 Bandar Baru Sentol,
Kelantan
___________________________________________________________________
The President,
Bandar Baru Sentol Council,
Kompleks Utama,
07200 Bandar Baru Sentol.

16 JUNE 2015

Dear Sir,
Uncollected Rubbish and Clogged Drains
I am writing this letter to attract your attention to the above title. As the representative
of the community, I wish to express our dissatisfaction about the lackadaisical
attitude of the local town council towards the uncollected rubbish and clogged drains
in our area.
2.
The rubbish in our area has not been collected for more than a week. The
rubbish is supposed to be collected on alternate days but this has not been the case.
The town council workers collect the rubbish according to their own whims and
fancies. The uncollected garbage has attracted not only flies and mosquitoes but
also wild dogs which had attacked the residents on several occasions. These stray
animals also scatter the rubbish and make the roads dirty and smelly. As a result,
residents have to bear the discomfort of stench from the garbage and risk their
health.
3.
We are also disappointed with the town council workers for not clearing the
clogged drains which are filled with rubbish. The drains would usually overflow when
there is heavy rain and the rubbish would then flow into the compounds of our
houses. Besides, putting up with the unbearable stench emitted from them, the
residents have to spend hours cleaning their compounds of rotten vegetables, food
leftovers and other rubbish.
4.
Due to dengue outbreak recently, we are really concerned about the
residents health especially the children. Fogging service also was not done
accordingly to the schedule. The fogging authority only did their job whenever a case
of dengue aroused. They even fogging the neighbourhood late at night that caused
us to leave the residents. They need to consider the residents who have babies and
also to those who need to wake up early in the morning for work. The fogging also
caused the people to have breathing problem when we were not told the exact time
of fogging.

5.
We have made numerous appeals to the Municipal Council to look into our
complaints but to no avail. We have been putting up with this predicament for more
than a week. We hope the health authorities would do something to check these
health hazards.
Thank you.
Yours faithfully,
Raju
(RAJU a/l MANIAM)
380 words

DIRECTED: FORMAL LETTER: Letter of Application

You came across the following advertisement for the post Accounts Assistant Clerk.
Write a letter of application together with curriculum vitae to the manager.
-

In your letter, include the following:

your curriculum vitae
the reasons for your interest in the job
your ability to work independently
pursuing a degree in Accountancy

Do remember to:
use the formal letter
use all the points given
elaborate each points given

Chong Mei Lin,

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

18 JULY 2015

Dear Sir / Madam,

Application for the Post of Accounts Assistant
I wish to apply for the post of Accounts Assistant as advertised in The New Strait
Times dated 15th July 2011.
2.
I have the necessary qualifications as stated in my curriculum vitae which is
attached to this letter. I have experience working in both food manufacturing and also
auto manufacturing fields. I am currently working in Lazat Ice Cream Sdn. Bhd. in
capacity of an Accounts Assistant and have been here since January 2008. Before
this, I was working in TFR Auto Enterprise as an Accounts clerk. Since my present

position offers little prospect for career advancement, I would like to be attached to a
fairly large organisation such as yours.
3.
I would like to work in Nilai as I intend to further my studies and get
professional qualification. I have registered with a college in Nilai to do ACCA on
part-time basis. With this high additional education level and knowledge, I can
perform better in applying the accounts knowledge in the future job.
4.
I can assure you that I am capable person who can work independently. I am
able to handle full sets of accounts, up to three sets at a time. I am interested in
working with a company like yours as I feel I can grow well with the company. I am a
team player, adapt easily to any working environments and can work with people
from all works of life.
5.
I was active in extra-curricular activities and was considered as responsible
and dedicated worker. I led and organised many activities for the school clubs so I
am confident that I can be an asset to your company in this capacity. Furthermore, i
have a good command of English.
6.
In view of my qualification and experience, I would expect a salary more than
RM 2 000. And since I have my own car, I would have no problems travelling
outstation should the job require.
7.
I look forward to hearing from you and I am fully prepared to attend an
interview at any time convenient to you.
Thank you.
Yours faithfully,
Raju
(RAJU a/l MANIAM)
358 words

DIRECTED: INFORMAL LETTER

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

express concern over the health of your friends cousin

news about the situation

steps taken authorities

present situation

Do remember to:

use the informal letter format

use all the points given

expand each of the points given

write in paragraph
No. 34, Street of Fame,
Taman Bukit Bintang,
Bukit Bintang,
67500 Ipoh,
Perak.
14 January 2015

Dear John,
How are you? Im sorry to hear that your cousin had dengue fever. This
problem seems to have become very serious all of sudden. We always feel that the
problem is not our concern until someone close to us is affected.
My neighbours daughter who was in Standard 6 last year could not sit for
UPSR examination because she was down with dengue fever on the eve of the
exam. Fortunately, the authorities gave her an exemption so she is now in Form
One. There were also a few students taking the examination in the hospital.
According to the news, students made up nearly 30 per cent of the 1 500
suspected cases over the first three weeks of the year. About 53 per cent of 621
confirmed cases last year comprised children and youth under the age of 24. These
statistics are quite worrying. This has prompted the health ministry to increase
checks on aedes breeding grounds in school and public areas. The construction

sites are largely to blamed. The problem is made worse by the rainy season. The
stagnating water attract the mosquitoes to lay egg and breeding on the areas.
The authorities have taken various steps to control the situation. Fogging has
been carried out in many public areas and most of the housing estates. Contractors
at the construction sites have been instructed to take appropriate actions and
warned to clean up. They could be fined up to RM 3 000 for breeding aedes
mosquitoes. Lot of campaigns through the television, radio and newspapers were
taken to make people aware of the issue and take precaution rather than cure them.
Before the long holidays for the Chinese New Year, schools all over Malaysia
carried out a clean-up campaign of the school compound. The residents association
in my housing are also organised a family day clean-up of the housing estate. There
were huge piles of rubbish especially old tyres and containers littered by the hawkers
near the might market site.
The situation in Malaysia has improved since the end of January. There have
been no reports of new cases of dengue. So, dont worry. You can bring your family
for a holiday here in June. Im looking forward to seeing them again.
Send my regard to your mom and dad. Do take care.
Yours sincerely,
Harun Din
387 words

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

you have started smoking, say Tak Nak and quit! And if you havent started smoking,
say know that smoking not only damages your health but you are also literally
burning your money. Thank you for lending me your ears.
502 words