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Question no. 1

You are unhappy with the poor condition and services of your school library. Write a
report to your principal. You must use the notes given below.
Rude librarian
Insufficient space
Old furniture
Old and torn books
Faulty media equipment
Short borrowing period
When writing the report, you should remember:
to provide a title
to use all the notes given
the elaborate the notes
Answer: Example 1
To: The Principal of Sekolah Menengah Sains Bertam
The Poor Conditions And Services By The Library
My name is Ahmad Bin Mohd. Ali. I am very unhappy with the conditions and
services provided by our school library. This is a serious matter and should be solved as
soon as possible.
First of all, the librarians are very rude. They often scold us when we return the
books late although we pay the fine. It is hard to see them smile. So I hope you will do
something about this.
There is insufficient place to sit and read. Our school has about 1000
students. The library is too small. We have to stand and sit outside the library along the
corridor to read books or newspaper.
Besides, the library has old furniture. The chairs are all rusty and some even
broken. The tables are shaking and might fall one day. The racks are very old. We are
afraid if would fall anytime. I request the school to buy new furniture.
Apart from that, our library is filled with old and torn books, which are not
suitable for the students. Some of us have asked the teacher in charge to buy new
books but he said the library has financial problems.
Other than that, the media equipment is faulty. The students cannot access
computers anytime they want. The television cannot be switched on. We hope that the
school will buy a new television or repair the old one.
Finally, the students are not satisfied with the borrowing period, which is too
short. We can only borrow the reference books for two days. We can borrow the story
books for one week. We hope the library would expand the borrowing period. This is all I
would like to complain about. I hope you will look into this matter as soon as possible.

Reported by,

(Ahmad bin Mohd. Ali)

Student from form 5ALPA,
SM Sains Bertam,
Pulau Pinang.
Question no. 2

Imagine that you were very dissatisfied with the food and service at an expensive
restaurant where you entertained your family. Write a letter of complaint to the
restaurants management. Include the following points:
- Rude waiters
- Poorly cooked food
- Unhygienic conditions
- Wrongly totalled bill
- Noisy surroundings
- Old and uncomfortable furniture
In your letter you should:
- state your complaint
- elaborate on your complaints
- ask the management to rectify the complaints
- express your thoughts about dining at the restaurant again
Answer: Example 2
Lot A13 Taman Berjaya,
Nibung Tebal,
13500 N.Tebal,
Pulau Pinang.
The Manager,
Seasons Restaurant,
Jalan Simpang Ampat,
13500 Simpang Ampat.

09 SEPTEMBER 2013

Dear Sir,
Complaint About Unsatisfactory Food And Restaurant Service
I wish to express my dissatisfaction about the food and service at your established and
well-known restaurant. On behalf of my family, I would like to raise a few points
regarding this matter. My family and I had dinner at your restaurant on 08 September
2013 to celebrate my mothers 50th birthday. We expected to have a great time at your
seafood restaurant but unfortunately we did not.

2. Your waiters treated us rudely and inconsiderately. We had to wait for about half an
hour before we could order any food. The waiter spoke to us rudelywhilst taking the
orders. In fact, he scolded my mother who wanted to have a cup of tea without sugar.
He claimed that the restaurant does not serve such a drink. For your information, my
mother has diabetes and is trying to avoid taking sugary food and drinks.
3. The poorly cooked food was also unsatisfactory. We were surprised to find out that
the roast chicken and fish that we had ordered were still raw and inedible. The
mushroom soup tasted a bit sour and the fried prawn was overcooked. We made a
complaint about the food to your waiters and cooks but no further action was taken.
4.
Besides, the poorly served food we also felt uncomfortable with the dirty
andunhygienic conditions at your restaurant. The food was greasy. There were some
cats wandering searching for food. These bad conditions are harmful as they might get
food poisoning and other health problems.
5.
I nearly lost RM57 as a result of the wrongly totalled bill I was given. It was my
sister who noticed the unreasonable price of the food. Then, we recounted the bill and
found that out it was wrongly calculated. The total was supposed to be RM120 but the
calculation made by the cashier showed RM177.
6. Another problem that spoiled our evening was the noisy surroundings, especially
the yelling of waiters and waitresses calling names and taking orders from the
customers. Besides this, the loud music and noise coming from the kitchen also
contributed to this unsatisfactory situation. What more disappointing were the defective
fans and air-conditioners? The weather was very humid and there were a lot of people
in the restaurant. There are also old anduncomfortable furniture in your restaurant.
7.
Hereby, I would like to make suggestions to help you solve these problems. First
of all, I suggest that you look at your restaurant and make sure no more cats and other
stray animals are on your premise. You should also train your waiters and cooks to
provide good service and food to customers. It would be better to use a calculator to
avoid mistakes in totalling the bill. You need to repair the defective fans and airconditioners immediately. Last but not least, cleanliness should be maintained in all
parts of your restaurant. I hope that you will look into these complaints and take
immediate actions. It is very important to remember that The Better The Service, The
Better The Business.
Thanking you in advance for your co-operation.
Yours faithfully,
Rodziana
(RODZIANA RAZALI)

Question no.3

You are the President of the Environmental Club of your school. You have been
requested by your principal to give a speech during school assembly. Yourspeech is in
conjunction with the Love your Environment campaign. Using the notes below, write
your speech.
Collect waste material and separate
Send to recycling centers/Collect old newspapers
Poster competition
Do not litter

Answer: Example 3
A very good morning I bid to the principal, Pn. Aqilah binti Ahmad, senior assistants,
teachers and friends.
I am Izzairy bin Azmie, proudly standing here as the President of the
Environmental Club, and am really honoured to be given this opportunity to talk to all of
you today. In conjunction with the Love your Environment campaign, I would like to
talk about the activities to be carried out to show that we love our environment.
As students, it is our responsibility to keep our environment clean. We play a
vital role in protecting our environment. A lot of waste can be reused such as bottles,
cans, and newspapers. Therefore, every morning we will go around the school
compound and collect all waste materials. Then we must separate these waste
products in different garbage bags. These garbage bags will then be sent to Recycling
Centre.
The next activity is collecting old newspapers from our home. You are requested
to collect old newspapers and bring them to school every morning. The collection
centre will be the school canteen. There will be someone from the club who will be in
charge of the collection. Please make sure that you tie the newspapers into bundles
before handing them in.
Another activity that will be held is the poster competition. Anyone interested
must register with Lim May May from Form 5 Mulia. The closing date of submission is
the 10th March 2011. The theme of the posters must follow the theme of our campaign.
The first prize winner will get a book voucher of RM200, the second prize winner will get
a book voucher of RM100, and the third prize winner will receive a book voucher of
RM50.
Finally, I wish to give a word of reminder to you all. Please do not litter. We
must avoid the habit of throwing rubbish indiscriminately. We must always remember

that a cleaner environment would ensure a happier and healthier life. I would like to
make an appeal for full cooperation from all parties to make this campaign a success.
With that, thank you.
Question no.4
You find that many of your friends are under a lot of pressure. They spend most of their
day studying and appear to suffer from stress. Write an article for your school
newsletter on how to cope with stress.

Include the following points:

Regular exercise
Hobbies
Work in groups
Balanced meals
Enough sleep
Study skills
Make a check-list
Seek advice
Talk to your family
Listen to music
Counsellors
Game

Answer: Example 4
Coping with Stress
by Wira Mohamad

The phenomenon of students under pressure is evident from the behaviour of those students affected. I
am a student and I know when my friends are under pressure. Some of those active ones will suddenly
turn passive. Some will become too quiet while some tend to get angry fast.
There are many ways one can get rid of stress. Firstly, student, especially teenagers, must go for regular
exercise. A brisk walk in the park would release a lot of tension. Students should play football, hockey,
basketball and badminton to reduce stress.

Exercise is also said to relax the body muscles and keep you calm. Students must have hobbies such as
reading, collecting stamps, fishing or listening to music of your choice. These leisure activities help keep
students free from school-related stress.
Therefore, students should plan a time-table. They can also work in groups to solve some of their
academic problems. Besides making friends and discussing certain issues, group discussions can help
improve study skills. One of these is the ability to make a check-list of all the activities planned and
carried out. This in turn will make studying more effective and avoid unnecessary pressure.
Students should also have balanced meals and enough sleep. These are said to be basic to healthy lives.
Students, especially those in examination classes, must sleep and eat well because a healthy body
creates a healthy mind. However, the process of going to sleep can sometimes be difficult. Hence, it is
necessary to seek advice from those whom we trust and love. Counsellors in school are helpful but you
can always talk to your family first. However, if nothing works, there is a need to seek treatment from the
relevant authorities. You may be surprised but a friend of mine said that screaming at the mountains and
laughing your heart out can take away stress.

1. Parents should allow teenagers to make their own decisions. Discuss.

2. Success comes to those who work hard. Do you agree?

Write a composition of about 350 words on one of the following topics.

2014
1 Describe an important family celebration and how you felt about
it.

2 There is a lack of freedom given to teenagers today. Do you

agree?

3 Why are animals important to human beings?

4 Write a story about a fisherman beginning with: "The wind blew

strongly. Out at sea, ..."

5 'A friend in need is a friend indeed.' Describe how a friend helped

you in difficult time.

2013
1 'Truly Malaysian.' Describe what this means to you.

2 Is tuition necessary? Discuss.

3 Write a story about being alone.

4 Write a story that ends with: "... and so I became a better

person."

5 Reality shows

2012
1 Describe an outing with your friends.

2 Should parents give children more freedom? Discuss.

3 Saving money for the future.

4 Write a story beginning with: "The teacher walked into the

classroom. It was the first period ..." (For another model answer,
click here: Model Answer 2)

5 Cleanliness

2011
1 A famous person you admire.

2 Should school students have part-time jobs?

3 The best things in life are free.

4 Write a story that ends with: "... They looked at each other and
smiled meaningfully." (For another model answer, click here: Model
Answer 2)

5 Peace

2010
1 Describe the most popular student in your school.

2 "The Internet is mostly a good thing." Do you agree? Support

your opinion.

3 What can we do to save the environment?

4 Write a story beginning with "It had been raining all day..."
Model Answer 2
Model Answer 3

5 Home

2009
1 Describe an unforgettable incident that you saw on your way
home from school.

2 School children should not have long holidays. Do you agree?

3 My favourite day of the week.

4 Write a story that ends with: "... We said our goodbyes and went
our separate ways."

5 Beauty

2008
1 Write about a person who has succeeded in life.

2 Examinations - good or bad?

3 My perfect future husband or wife

4 Write a story ending with: "... Now I realise the value of a true
friend."
Model Answer 2
Model Answer 3

5 Stars

2007
1 Describe an embarrassing experience in your life.

2 'Teenagers today are only interested in entertainment.' Do you

agree?

3 My early years

4 Write a story beginning with: "Kim was nervous when the door

opened...".(For another model answer, click here: Model Answer 2)

5 Tomorrow

2006
1 Describe an enjoyable weekend you have experienced.

2 Write a story ending with: "If only I had been more careful, that
wouldn't have happened." (For another model answer, click
here: Model Answer 2)

3 What changes would you like to see in your life in the next ten
years?

4 How can television help students in their studies?

5 Food

2005
1 Describe the biggest challenge in your life.

2 Write a story with the title: "An Unexpected Visitor".

3 How to keep oneself healthy.

4 If you were given a chance to be anybody, who would you want to

be and why?

5 Music

2004
1 Describe a festival celebrated in your area.

2 Write a story ending with: "... We had never laughed so much in

our lives."

3 My ideal school

4 How can we help promote tourism in Malaysia?

5 Clothes

2003
1 A day I wished had never happened. (For another model answer,
click here: Model Answer 2)

2 You have been given a chance to visit a country of your choice.

Which country would you choose and why?

3 An invention you cannot live without

4 Write a story that ends with: "... If only I had listened to his/her
advice."

5 Friends

2002
1 Describe a favourite teacher who had a great influence on you.

2 Write a story beginning with: "Is it really you? Where have you
been all these years?"

3 Good results in school do not guarantee success in the future.

What is your opinion?

4 How I can help to make the world a better place to live in.

5 Colours

2001
1 How do you think the media has influenced you and your family?

2 Some people think the legal age for driving should be increased
from 17 to 19. What do you think?

3 Describe how you spend a free day when the weather was very
bad.

4 Large families make happy families.

5 Write a story of an old man returning to his home he left many

years ago.

2000
1 My Hero

2 If you were able to choose a time in history that you could visit,
which time would it be and why?

3 Life in Malaysia in the new millennium.

4 Things that I like about my life.

5 "More land should be used for agriculture than for industry." Do

you agree or disagree? Give reasons to support your opinion.

1999
1 My Dream Car

2 Education - what it means to me.

3 The computer - is it really an advantage?

4 The day I lost my temper.

5 Memories (For another model answer, click here: Model Answer 2)

(Although this essay with the same title is a bit long, you can get
some ideas too.)

1998
1 Describe a day at school when you were very unhappy.

2 Parents do not spend enough time with children nowadays. What

is your opinion?

3 Write a letter to a penfriend describing some interesting places in

your village, town or home state.

4 Write a story beginning with: "I could tell by his face that he was
angry...

5 Being young.

1997
1 Imagine your were moving to a new house. Describe the last day
in your old house.

2 Describe the scene at a crowded bus or railway station.

3 Write a story with the following title: A Narrow Escape. (For

another model answer, click here: Model Answer 2)

4 Do you think games are an important part of school life?

5 Water

SPM English 1119 Past Year Paper

Essay Topics - Categorised

DESCRIPTIVE
2014 - (1) Describe an important family celebration and how you
felt about it. (2) 'A friend in need is a friend indeed.' Describe how a
friend helped you in difficult time.

2013 - 'Truly Malaysian.' Describe what this means to you.

2012 - Describe an outing with your friends.

2011 - A famous person you admire.

2010 - Describe the most popular student in your school.

2009 - Describe an unforgettable incident that you saw on your

way home from school.

2008 - Write about a person who has succeeded in life.

2007 - Describe an embarrassing experience in your life.

2006 - Describe an enjoyable weekend you have experienced.

2005 - Describe the biggest challenge in your life.

2004 - Describe a festival celebrated in your area.

2002 - Describe a favourite teacher who had a great influence on

you.

2001 - Describe how you spend a free day when the weather was
very bad.

2000 - My Hero

1998 - Describe a day at school when you were very unhappy.

1997 - (1) Imagine your were moving to a new house. Describe the
last day in your old house. (2) Describe the scene at a crowded bus
or railway station.

ARGUMENTATIVE
2014 - There is a lack of freedom given to teenagers today. Do you
agree?

2013 - Is tuition necessary? Discuss.

2012 - Should parents give children more freedom? Discuss.

2011 - Should school students have part-time jobs?

2010 - "The Internet is mostly a good thing." Do you agree?

Support your opinion.

2009 - School children should not have long holidays. Do you

agree?

2008 - Examinations - good or bad?

2007 - 'Teenagers today are only interested in entertainment.' Do

you agree?

2002 - Good results in school do not guarantee success in the

future. What is your opinion?

2001 - Some people think the legal age for driving should be
increased from 17 to 19. What do you think?

2000 - "More land should be used for agriculture than for industry."

Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons to support your opinion.

1999 - The computer - is it really an advantage?

1998 - Parents do not spend enough time with children nowadays.

What is your opinion?

1997 - Do you think games are an important part of school life?

FACTUAL / EXPOSITORY
2014 - Why are animals important to human beings?

2013 - Reality shows

2012 - Saving money for the future.

2011 - The best things in life are free.

2010 - What can we do to save the environment?

2009 - My favourite day of the week.

2007 - My early years

2006 - How can television help students in their studies?

2005 - How to keep oneself healthy.

2004 - How can we help promote tourism in Malaysia?

2003 - An invention you cannot live without.

2002 - How I can help to make the world a better place to live in.

2001 - (1) How do you think the media has influenced you and
your family? (2) Large families make happy families.

2000 - (1) Life in Malaysia in the new millennium. (2) Things that I
like about my life.

1999 - Education - what it means to me.

1997 - Being young.

NARRATIVE
2014 - Write a story about a fisherman beginning with: "The wind
blew strongly. Out at sea, ..."

2013 - (1) Write a story about being alone. (2) Write a story that
ends with: "... and so I became a better person."

2012 - Write a story beginning with: "The teacher walked into the
classroom. It was the first period ..." (For another model answer,
click here:Model Answer 2)

2011 - Write a story that ends with: "... They looked at each other
and smiled meaningfully." (For another model answer, click
here: Model Answer 2)

2010 - Write a story beginning with "It had been raining all day...".
Model Answer 2
Model Answer 3

2009 - Write a story that ends with: "... We said our goodbyes and
went our separate ways."

2008 - Write a story ending with: "... Now I realise the value of a
true friend."
Model Answer 2
Model Answer 3

2007 - Write a story beginning with: "Kim was nervous when the
door opened...". (For another model answer, click here: Model
Answer 2)

2006 - Write a story ending with: "If only I had been more careful,
that wouldn't have happened." (For another model answer, click
here: Model Answer 2)

2005 - Write a story with the title: "An Unexpected Visitor".

2004 - Write a story ending with: "... We had never laughed so

much in our lives."

2003 - (1) Write a story that ends with: "... If only I had listened to
his/her advice." (2) A day I wished had never happened. (For
another model answer, click here: Model Answer 2)

2002 - Write a story beginning with: "Is it really you? Where have
you been all these years?"

2001 - Write a story of an old man returning to his home he left

many years ago.

1999 - The day I lost my temper.

1998 - Write a story beginning with: "I could tell by his face that he
was angry...

1997 - Write a story with the following title: A Narrow Escape. (For
another model answer, click here: Model Answer 2)

ONE WORD / OPEN ESSAY

2012 - Cleanliness

2011 - Peace

2010 - Home

2009 - Beauty

2008 - Stars

2007 - Tomorrow

2006 - Food

2005 - Music

2004 - Clothes

2003 - Friends

2002 - Colours

1999 - Memories (For another model answer, click here: Model

Answer 2)
(Although this essay with the same title is a bit long, you can get
some ideas too.)

1997 - Water

IMAGINATIVE
2008 - My perfect future husband or wife

2006 - What changes would you like to see in your life in the next
ten years?

2005 - If you were given a chance to be anybody, who would you

want to be and why?

2004 - My ideal school

2003 - You have been given a chance to visit a country of your

choice. Which country would you choose and why?

2000 - If you were able to choose a time in history that you could
visit, which time would it be and why?

1999 - My Dream Car

Last December, my family and I went to Pulau Tioman for our
holidays. We stayed there for three days.
On the first day, we left our house at six in the morning in my
father's car and headed for the jetty. As we arrived quite early at
the jetty, we decided to have our breakfast at one of the famous
mamak stalls while waiting for the ferry to arrive. I wolfed down
two roti canais as I was very hungry and the food was really
delicious. The ferry arrived at around nine. It was really crowded as
it was the school-holiday period.
The ferry ride from Mersing to Pulau Tioman took about two hours.
It was a thrilling ride. We did not miss the opportunity to take some
photos of the islands seen along the way and the blue sea looked
amazing with the golden rays shining on it. The scenery was simply
breathtaking. A few dolphins accompanied us till Tioman Island.
They were a joy to watch and that was the first time I saw real live
ones.

When we arrived at Tioman Island, we checked into a luxurious

hotel which my father booked two rooms earlier. The rooms were
really comfortable as they were air-conditioned. My parents shared
a room while I shared a room with my sister, Cheng. After a short
nap, a tour guide brought us to the beach. The blue sea looked
inviting and my father started swimming after changing into his
swimming trunks. While my sister was collecting a variety of
colourful seashells and placing them in a bottle, I was building a
sandcastle on the soft golden-yellow sand. We had a great time at
the beach. During sunset, many holidaymakers came to the beach
to watch the enchanting scenery. When we went back to the hotel,
we had our baths before heading for the hotel restaurant for a
sumptuous traditional buffet dinner. We had a lot of fun on the first
day although it was quite tiring.
The next day, I remember waking up to the sun's rays shining on
my still-shut eyelids through the blinds. It was already late by the
time we woke up so we had to rush or else the tour guide would
have to wait for us. He took us to an island, where we went
snorkelling, on a small boat. I was amazed by the multi-coloured
fishes which were swimming about happily in the water. It was a
really great experience snorkelling around the unspoilt coral reefs.
We enjoyed ourselves so much that we did not realise two hours
had passed. We were advised to return to our boat and we headed
back to our hotel. After showering in our rooms, we watched a
cultural show in the evening. It was performed by school students.
A few non-governmental organisations were also involved. Among
the performances were wayang kulit, tarian zapin as well as some
local songs. The performances were really entertaining.
After breakfast on the last day, we went shopping. We bought quite
a few souvenirs and traditional handicrafts which were sold at
reasonable prices. I particularly liked the fine handcrafted wooden
horse that I found in a shop. It was a real bargain. When we had

had our lunch, we returned to the hotel where we packed our

belongings, checked out and left the island for home.
The trip is filled with sweet memories and we certainly look forward
to having another holiday on the island some time in the future.

Write a story of an old man returning to his home he

left many years ago.
- by Abigail Shannon Chua
Wesley Methodist School Melaka
Melaka

Charles stood at the gate leading to a large mansion. Trees were

scattered around the compound and the lawn looked like it had not
been swept in a long time. He took a deep breath and pushed the
gate, opening them with a rusty screech. He crunched across the
dried leaves to the mansion. At the door, he lifted the golden
knocker and knocked. After a while, the door was flung open and a
woman stood in the doorway, her dress crumpled and a pin cushion
in her hand.
"Margaret," he said before she flung herself into his arms.
"I missed you so much," she cried, tears streaming down her face.
Years ago, Charles was a wealthy businessman who travelled
around the world selling furniture. He had a wonderful family and
led a very comfortable life. One day, he started gambling. Soon, he
squandered his money and it spiralled down to nearly zero. Finally,
in desperation, he borrowed money from a friend who made him
promise to pay him back in a year. When Charles failed to do so, he
sent his hooligans to collect the debt from Charles. Terrified, Charles
left his family in panic, only leaving a note telling them that he was
sorry for what he had done. He boarded a ship which sailed off to
Scotland, where he started earning money again. He hoped to earn

enough money so that he could return to England and pay off his
debts. However, he failed even after many years. He only returned
when he heard that his friend had died.
His wife ushered him into the house and they sat down in the living
room. Everything looked the same, except for the fact that their
children's laughter was missing.
"Where are Emma and John?" Charles asked his wife.
"They've got married and are living with their own families now.
Emma gave birth to a beautiful baby girl last summer. She cried,
wishing that you were here holding your grandchild in your arms,"
his wife said.
Charles felt a surge of guilt within him and sobbed softly. She put a
finger on his lips, hushing him soothingly. Just then, the hallway
was filled with the knocks of the door knocker and the door swung
open. "Mother, what's going on?" John asked as he was hanging his
coat on the coat hanger.
Charles stood in the doorway of the living room, staring at his son
who was 10 years old when he left and was now 25.
"My son," he whispered as he held his son. John was too shocked to
react and his coat fell to the ground. "Father," he said and they hug
each other, sobbing in each other's arms. They returned to the living
room and sat down, John staring at his father.
"Why did you leave us?" he demanded.
Charles hung his head low.
"I was in debt. I needed to pay the man or else he would have killed
me," he swallowed.

"After all these years, you finally came back," John whispered,
shaking with cold sweat.
"I hope that you'll forgive me for what I've done," Charles said as
he stood up to leave but John grabbed his elbow.
"No. Stay here and be the father I've longed for," he said and
Charles sat down, smiling at his son who had done him proud. John
got up and called his sister.
"Emma, father is home! Come quickly!" he said, putting down the
receiver with joy.

Write a story beginning with: "I could tell by his face

that he was angry..."
- by Abigail Shannon Chua
Wesley Methodist School Melaka
Melaka

I could tell by his face that he was angry. Vice principal Mr Chaplain
slammed his fist onto the desk and looked at us.
"Why did you beat up Charles in the cafeteria?" he shouted at me.
"I've told you already. He started the fight. He insulted Tessa and I
tried to defend her," I said through gritted teeth.
"Mr Green didn't report anything about Tessa being involved in the
argument," he stared at me.
My palms became sweaty and I wiped them with the side of my
trousers.
"Listen here carefully, Thomas. If I catch you fighting again, I'll give
you detention for a week. Now get out!" he pointed towards the
door and we went out.

Charles grinned at me when we stood in the hallway. It was clear of

students as it was after break. I glared at Charles and slammed him
against the wall. "If you ever dare to insult Tessa again, I'll splatter
your guts on the floor," I hissed at him.
"Go on defending your weird and so-called 'girlfriend', Thomas. She
doesn't belong here," he spat back. I glared at him and walked
towards my classroom. I sidled over to my desk with glances from
everyone and took out my book. The teacher gave a glare and
continued to teach. "How was it?" Tessa asked from behind.
"Nothing," I said and started copying down notes. "You don't have
to defend me. I don't want you getting into more trouble," Tessa
said. I ignored her and the class continued without any problems.
During lunch, I sat with Tessa and Jack at our usual lunch table. As
Tessa set her food down on the table, Charles bumped into her and
her drink spilt onto the table.
"Oops! Sorry," he grinned as he turned to walk away. I grabbed him
by the shoulder and spun him around. "You did that on purpose," I
hissed. He swept my hand off his shoulder. "Apologise to her," I
breathed. He snorted and spat on the ground. I grabbed him by the
collar and slammed him down onto the table. "I said, apologise to
her!" I yelled as he struggled beneath me. Other students had
started to stare at us. Charles quickly broke loose and stood up,
glaring at me with his hands balled into fists.
"Leave him alone," Tessa said as she held my arm.
Charles spat, "You don't belong here. People without parents
shouldn't come to school. I heard you live with your uncle and aunt
who treat you badly. What did they do? Make you work like
Cinderella?" Then he called her a word I could not utter. That was
the straw that broke the camel's back. I grabbed him by the collar
and slammed him onto the table again, splattering food all over the

place. People were gathering around and chanting, "Fight! Fight!" I

punched him in the nose and he yelled in pain as blood oozed out.
"Apologise to her!" I yelled at him. He struggled to get free and I
felt a rough hand pulling me back.
"It's not worth it," Jack said as he pulled me away.
"Leave him," Tessa said gently. I shook free just as Mr Chaplain
came.
"What's going on here?" he roared and everyone backed away.
"He punched me in the nose!" Charles held his broken nose.
"Nurse, now!" he said and Charles left, shooting a grin as he went.
"It's my fault, sir. He insulted me," said Tessa, standing in front of
me. "He insulted her family too, sir!" I said but was silenced.
"Tell Charles to see me in my office. And you too, young man," he
said as he left.
In Mr Chaplain's office, Charles and I were reprimanded and given a
week's detention. I should not have taken the law into my own
hands. I should have reported the incidents to the school
authorities, since problems could not be solved through violence. As
for Charles, he too had learnt his lesson - never to mock and make
fun of the others, no matter how their family backgrounds were. He
had learnt to be more respectful towards his fellow schoolmates.
Before leaving the headmaster's office, we shook hands with each
other as a sign of the beginning of a new friendship.

Write a story about being alone.

- by Wesly Kong
SMK Taman Tunku

Last Saturday night, my parents went to their friend's wedding

dinner. I wished I could follow them as I hate to be home alone.
Unfortunately, only my parents were invited so I could not go.
Before leaving the house, my parents comforted me and told me
that they would come back as early as possible.
After my parents had left the house, I decided to watch a film. I
switched on the computer and inserted a DVD. Just when I was
about to start watching, I heard the horrible sound of the howling
wind. Out of curiosity, I took a glance through the window and saw
the trees outside bending over from the strong wind. Thankfully, it
was only the wind. I put on my earphones and began to watch the
film.
After several minutes, it started to rain cats and dogs. The raindrops
beat hard on the roof and the noise was deafening. I looked through
the window again. Suddenly, there was a flash of lightning followed
by a loud clap of thunder. The sudden clap gave me a fright. I
quickly shut and locked the window. I also checked all the other
windows and doors to make sure that they were locked. A loud
thunder roared again and the electricity supply was cut off! There
was a blackout. I was nervous as this happened abruptly and there
was pitch dark all over the house. The beating sound of the rain on
the roof became clearer.
Quickly, I calmed myself down and decided to search for my torch. I
walked slowly in the dark, trying to find the way to my bedroom.
When I was approaching my bedroom, I thought I heard a horrible
cough coming from somewhere. I panicked and knocked my head
against the wall.

"Ouch! My head!" I cried in pain.

After groping around in the dark for a while, I managed to find my
torch in my bedroom. I switched on the torch quickly and went to
the kitchen to get a few candles and a lighter. I lit three candles and
placed them in the living room. Then I sat on the sofa, waiting for
the electricity supply to resume. I usually liked it when it rained,
especially during the night because the weather would be cool and I
could sleep soundly. But not tonight - there was a blackout and I
was home alone. I blamed my parents for leaving me at home all by
myself.
I fell asleep on the sofa. A sudden knock on the door woke me up. I
looked through the window to see who it was. The electrical power
had not resumed yet and I could hardly see clearly. All of a sudden,
I saw a face staring back at me at the window. Assuming that it was
a stranger with some evil intentions, I screamed and took to my
heels. As I was running away, I heard my mother calling my name
and asking me to open the door.
Upon hearing my mother's voice, I was relieved. After unlocking the
door, I was delighted to see my parents in the doorway.
"Mum, Dad! I'm so glad to see you!" I exclaimed, hugging them
tightly.
It was actually my father who was peering through the window to
see why I lit candles. After learning what had happened, my parents
consoled me and sent me to my bedroom. It was already 12
midnight then.
The power came back on at the crack of dawn.
After the incident, I was reluctant to be home alone again,
especially at night. It was indeed a frightening and unforgettable
experience. I certainly hope that such incidents will not recur.

School children should not have long holidays. Do you

agree?
When asked if school children should have long holidays, the
answers of different individuals will certainly differ. Some people
have the opinion that school children should be entitled to long
holidays while the others disagree. From my point of view, school
children should be given long holidays. I have my own reasons for
thinking so.
The freedom of school children is normally restricted by their
parents during the school days as they want their children to focus
on their studies in order to pass their examinations with flying
colours. Apart from schooling, they have to spend a lot of time
doing their homework and attending tuition classes as well. As a
result, they hardly have any time left for leisure pursuits. During
school holidays, more freedom is usually given and children are able
to spend their time on activities that they are fond of. For example,
if children have green fingers, they can spend more time on
gardening. They can also spend more time on their favourite sports
in order to keep fit both physically and mentally.
The arrival of long school holidays is also a good time for children to
strengthen their family ties, since families need to spend time
together in order to bond. Examples of activities that assist to
develop close family ties are having a picnic at the seaside and
playing sports and games. When children involve in family activities
such as cleaning the house and preparing a meal, they learn about
the spirit of cooperation and burden-sharing, thus promoting strong
family ties. Besides, they learn to be more independent and
responsible when they do household chores such as washing the
clothes and dishes, sweeping the floor, laying the table before a
meal, making their own beds, and so forth.
Another reason why long holidays are necessary is that children
need to meet other relatives and to socialise with friends in the

community so as to improve their interpersonal skills, since 'no man

is an island'. This can be extremely beneficial to them and helps
them be better equipped especially when they grow up and starts
working in the society.
It is true that many parents face problems during long school
holidays as their children waste their time by spending it on
undesirable activities such as playing too much computer games
and getting into bad company. However, I believe that such
problems can be solved through proper planning, guidance and time
management.
Though there are disadvantages for school children to have long
school holidays, the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages. As the
saying goes, 'all work and no play make Jack a dull boy'. Therefore,
I disagree that school children should not have long holidays.

Is tuition necessary? Discuss.

- by Wesly Kong
SMK Taman Tunku

Tuition is the act of teaching, especially to people in smaller groups

or individuals. It is extremely common among Malaysians, especially
primary and secondary students. When asked if tuition is really
necessary, different people have different opinions. From my point
of view, tuition is necessary and I provide my reasons below.
In this competitive world, students undoubtedly need some extra
assistance to help them perform better academically. Tuition is
necessary to complement their school work, especially when it
comes to the more difficult topics and challenging areas. Additional
practice is required to help improve the students' understanding.
Through having private tuition, students are able to obtain extra
helpful tips from their teachers and thus they are more likely to
excel in their studies.

When having tuition, students get to learn in smaller groups or on a

one-to-one basis. This is certainly advantageous to timid students
as they get the opportunities to speak up and ask questions. In a
typical Malaysian public school, a class usually comprises about 45
students. Among so many classmates, the shy and introverted ones
normally find it difficult to ask any questions they have while
attending classes. Such problem can be solved through having
tuition.
Furthermore, students are able to get personal attention and
develop good study skills with their teachers' help. Since the group
is small, it would be easier for teachers to spot students'
weaknesses and help strengthen them. In other words, through
close collaboration with their tuition teachers, students are able to
learn and improve more effectively.
Through receiving tuition, students get to occupy their time wisely.
This is especially true for latchkey kids. Undeniably, it is better for
students to spend their time studying and revising for examinations
rather than wasting time socialising with the wrong crowd. Things
can go really wrong when students get into wrong company.
Even though tuition fees can be expensive and tuition may take up
too much of students' time, the benefit far outweighs the negatives.
Through having tuition, students are able to acquire unrivalled
mastery of a particular subject. Therefore I firmly believe that
tuition is absolutely a necessary tool for students to strengthen their
weaker subjects and boost their self-confidence and morale.

Write about a person who has succeeded in life.

It is lunch hour. A large restaurant located in the heart of Kuala
Lumpur city is packed with regular customers. Waiters and
waitresses are busy serving the customers. Outside the restaurant,
the owner of the restaurant is seen arriving in a luxury car. After
parking his car, he enters the restaurant and starts mingling with

the customers. The humble man is none other than my beloved

grandfather.
My grandfather is a man of little education. He comes from a poor
family. After attending primary school, he had to stop schooling due
to poverty. As the eldest son of the family, he helped his father at
his stall selling barbecued meats. Life was indeed difficult for him
then. He had to get up early in the morning before dawn and go to
the market together with his father to buy fresh chickens and ducks.
Then, they returned home to slaughter them, prepare the meats
and barbecue them.
My grandfather was extremely interested in culinary skills. As a
teenager, he was a fast learner and was able to prepare the meats
as well as his father before long.
One morning, my grandfather woke up early in the morning as
usual. He assumed that everything would go on smoothly but little
did he know that he had lost his father. When he went to wake his
father up, there was no response from him. My grandfather
panicked and called for an ambulance. When his father was sent to
hospital, he was pronounced dead on arrival by a doctor. My
grandfather was totally devastated by the sudden demise of his
father. In the midst of his sadness, he knew he had to find strength
to carry on.
To earn a living, he had no alternative but to take over the stall that
his father left behind. Using the small savings that he inherited from
his father, he continued with the business. He learnt about finance
from his own experience and whatever he could recall when he was
with his father. He led a frugal lifestyle and only spent money when
it was necessary. He was so thrifty that when he got married a few
years later, his guests were only treated to rice and barbecued
meats. He was industrious and saved as much money as he could.
He kept his savings in a bank.

After a couple of years, his diligence and modesty finally paid off he had saved enough money to open a restaurant. Thanks to his
excellent management skills that he acquired earlier, his restaurant
prospered and his business expanded. Apart from selling barbecued
meats, he also sold other food such as chicken rice, economical
meals, dim sum and a variety of noodles.
Today, my grandfather is an extremely successful and wellestablished restaurateur. He often advises me to study hard and be
a knowledgeable person in order to contribute to society in future.
He also emphasises the virtues of diligence, frugality and honesty. I
will not forget his advices for as long as I live because he is my role
model.

Describe the biggest challenge in your life.

I had a pampered and protected childhood. As the youngest
daughter, I was the princess and prima donna of our family. I
usually got what I wanted, much to the envy of my two brothers
and a sister.
When I was ten years of age, I had an illness with strange
symptoms such as giddiness, tiredness and nausea. Apart from
that, I also had unusual bruising and a cut on my finger that would
not stop bleeding. Extremely apprehensive of my condition, my
parents brought me to hospital, where I underwent tests. A few
days later, I was diagnosed with leukaemia.
When the doctor broke the bad news to me and my parents, we
were flabbergasted. My parents had never expected me to have
blood cancer. I could not even accept the news.
"How could this be?" I exclaimed in disbelief. "What have I done to
deserve this?"

When the doctor said that I had only fifty chance of survival, I
started to breakdown and cry.
That day when we went home, I felt like the end of the world was
coming. I began throwing tantrums. Locking myself in my bedroom,
I wept and refused to see anyone. I did not want to eat anything
too. My parents, siblings, relatives and friends talked to me outside
my bedroom door. After some time, they managed to cajole me into
opening the door. In my room, they comforted me and emphasised
that they cared for me and loved me very much. They also assured
me that I was not alone in the battle against the disease and they
would always support me and be with me all through the fight for
survival. Their assurance and encouragement touched me deeply
and I finally accepted the facts. With teary eyes, I thanked them for
standing by my side and for giving me the strength to carry on.
The next day, I was admitted to hospital, where I was being treated
almost immediately. Tubes were being inserted all over my body. I
had to undergo eight operations and five bouts of chemotherapy. I
experienced quite a number of side effects, including the lack of
appetite, fatigue, diarrhea, constipation and hair loss. My skin was
itchy, dry and red while my nails became yellow and cracked. My
aunt almost fainted when she came to visit me and saw me pulling
out my hair!
During my treatment period at hospital, a religious friend of mine
came to see me. She introduced me to her religion. I was glad to be
able to turn to God for spiritual comfort.
I was hospitalised for six months. Now I am aged seventeen. I am
thankful that I have been cured of the sickness and it has never
relapsed since the completion of my treatment. I have to go for
regular checkups, though. I owe those around me a great debt of
gratitude. Without their love, encouragement and moral support, I
doubt if I would be able to make it. Through the biggest challenge

of my life, I have learnt to become stronger in many ways. I have

also learnt the importance of living life to the full.