A Horror / Tragic Story (Narrative Essay)

by Jun Li
I opened the door, to my horror, a few skeletons lay there, chained on the wall.
Okay, time to recap. I and my friends, Jack and Peter, were playing around an old, abandoned mansion. We were told that no
one was allowed to enter. However, curiosity overcame us and we picked the lock, granting us entrance into the sacred lair
of the unknown.
At the sight of the skeletons, the three of us were completely stunned. Our jaw hung wide open for a few minutes before we
came back to our senses. My sixth sense told me that something was about to go wrong, so I urged the other two to back out
of the mansion.
Dont be such a chicken, said Jack, with a shaky voice.
Arent you scared too? I challenged him.
Yes, but we might never get the chance to explore here again if we leave now.
All right, but we leave as soon as the first sign of danger shows.
We ventured deeper into the mansion. The design looked like some sort of torture room, or a prison. Even though I was
afraid, I was eager to discover more. Throughout the lair, we did not lose sight of skeletons or spider webs. These were at
every corner, at every turn. The occasional howls from a distance made the hair on our backs stand up straight. We finally
arrived at a long hallway. Jack picked up a piece of wood and lighted it up with his lighter. The flame seared at first, but
after it simmered down, I was able to see the walls clearly. There were ancient writings, the kind we usually see in an
Egyptian grave robber movie. As the expert in history, Jack tried his best to decipher the carvings. Meanwhile, Peter leaned
towards the wall to catch his breath. At that very moment, a cold chill went down my spine.
Watch out! I shouted.
Before he could react, that portion of the wall he was leaning against flipped, trapping him on the other side. All he could let
out was a loud shriek and he vanished behind the walls. I pounded against the wall, shouting his name. Only then did I know
what real terror felt like. However, the chance of rescuing him was bleak. I sank to the ground, desolated and hopeless.
Lets get out of here, we have to inform the adults! suggested Jack.
I got to my feet swiftly and both of us sped through the building. My heart was racing. I knew that danger may be waiting at
the next corner. I could hear blood pounding in my ears. Wait, was that a creak I heard? Uh-oh, I thought to myself. The
ceiling began to crumble. My sub-consciousness took over. I sprang forward and tackled Jack. Both of us fell to the ground.
Just as I thought that trouble was out of the way, the burning piece of wood slipped out of his hand and landed in a pile of
grease. Fire started spreading like mad. I struggled to get up.
Come on, theres not much time left! I screamed as I turned towards the exit.
Aahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
In a split second, my head turned 180 degrees. A gigantic marble pillar fell on Jack. I mustered all the strength from every
single cell in my body, trying to lift it up, to no avail. My eyes were watery. I was completely out of ideas.
Save yourself, leave me, please, muttered Jack, with a weak tone.
This was certainly a tough decision for me. All the moments we had spent together flashed through my mind. How could I
leave him now? As the fire was close to sealing my only exit, I knew that I had to be rational. I dived for my escape route.
Tears rolled down my cheeks as the mansion erupted into flames behind me.

DIRECTED: ARTICLE: Factual

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

the reasons behind the haze

role of government and society

steps that can be taken

give relevant examples of:

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

Cell phones have lost their meaning over the years. These small devices were once
developed to get in contact with someone else in case of emergencies, and now talking on the
phone while driving has turned out to be a way of life for millions of American drivers. More
than 85 percent of the 100 million cell-phone subscribers frequently talk on the phone during
driving.(www.smartmotorist.com) Talking on the cell phone while driving should be illegal,
because of the dangers they cause. Driving while using the cell phone is one of the major
problems here in the US. Cell phones should not be used while driving. This matter is too
dangerous to let it go unnoticed.
According to the essay, Yes, Prohibit Their Use, which appeared on the congressional quarterlys
web site on March 16, 2001, the Harvard Center for risk analysis printed a study in 1999. They
appointed a crash risk factor to using cell phones. In the summer of 2000 it came out to 450 to
1,000 fatalities each year. The NHTSH says that for every fatality, there are 666 property-damage
and injury-producing crashes. There are about 300,000 and 650,000 different crashes due to cell
phones! This same essay states that Japan is one of the 14 countries banning the use of handheld
cell phones while driving. The accidents caused by the use of cell phones dropped by 75 percent
the next month, proving cell phones are not necessary parts of the driving nature.
There are major dangers connected with driving and cell phone use. Drivers have to take their
eyes off the road while dialing. Also, drivers can get so deep into their conversations that their
ability to concentrate may be dangerously limited. This jeopardizes the safety of the people inside
the vehicle, and the pedestrians outside. In order to drive safely, the driver should be able to put
100% of his or her focus on the road. Cell phones are simply a huge distraction while driving.
It is understandable that there are some cases where the use of a cell phone is needed. In these
cases, I agree with the author of Yes, Prohibit Their Use, the driver should pull-over somewhere
safe to use the phone. If someone receives an incoming call, he should wait until the car has come
to a complete stop. Then he should proceed to use the phone. If he feels that the emergency is
urgent enough to take action right away, then the person should use the hands free headset. Only
in emergencies should cell phones be used.
Some people argue that there are other distractions other than cell phones. While using a cell
phone when driving may not be the most unsafe distraction, studies prove that it is the most
common cause of car crash accident, and common cause of death here in the US.
The use of cell phones while driving should be banned in Philadelphia, because many people die
due to distraction of cell phones. Cell phone distraction causes 2,600 deaths and 330,000 injuries
in the United States every year. (www.livescience.com/technology). Another reason to not use the
cell phone while driving is devastating the many lives of the victims and their families in the case
of an accident.
When driving, cell phones should not be allowed. Help the statistics decrease not increase.

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 programs in television

will help you to appreciate many of the worlds most beautiful literary works
The Importance of Studying English
It is a big concerned for teenagers nowadays as they are unaware of the importance of English language as they tend
to ignore to learn the language. Students attitude towards the language is also crucial to make sure that these teenagers can
face the future world better by learning English language as it is an international language.
Although the government has repeatedly told us of the importance of English, many students are still not bothered
about studying it seriously. There is also a campaign that still on to make all the Malaysian becomes a better English learner,
which is Enhance Proficiency in Bahasa Malaysia, Strengthen the English. English is the most important and the most
useful language in the world today. There are many reasons why you should study the language properly.
First and foremost, English will definitely help you a lot when you want to further studies. Almost all books at
university are written in English in all subjects. Plus, it is a compulsory for any candidate to pass English with credit before
entering any universities. So, if you are poor in English, you will blow you chance for better education or worse, you are
going to have a big problem studying at university.
The second reason why you have to study English well is that it will help you to get a job. When you go for a job
interview, the interviewer will surely talk to you in English. The first impression you should give in order to success and
have the job is, to respond in English fluently. Your chances of getting the job are very slim if you stutter while
interviewing.
A good command in of English will also help you greatly in your job. If the company you work is actively involved
in international trade, you have to speak to prospective customers in English. Miscommunication might occur if your
English is bad. And this will put your company at risk and you will likely be dismissed if this happen.
Good English will also help you a lot when you travel. Every country in the world studies English. Even the roadside
stall-holders in China speak fairly good English! At least some of the people you meet on your travels in other countries can
understand English. The language is certainly practical when you are lost in your trip. Communication problem will not
happen if you can converse well in English. Inevitably, English is one of the languages used in any airport in the world in
making announcement. Knowing English well, therefore, make travelling overseas easier.
Besides all these, entertainment is one of the major advantages you will experience if you good in English. You will
enjoy televisions best programs. We must admit that many of the best programs are produced by the Americans and British
companies. High self-confidence influenced by the programs will indirect inculcate in yourself when you are fluent in the
language. Quality time is worthily spent if you understand and enjoy the programs.
Based from all the above elaboration, I hope that students will see the importance and realize 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.