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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.

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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

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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
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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.

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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.

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