The Time When I Was Sick

I was walking around the house on that particular evening until everything went dark. Once I woke up, I could smell the chemicals and a myriad of unpleasant smells. I was in a hospital!

I had always dreaded the thought of being admitted to a hospital. The peculiar smell of the hospital, the sight of deformed and critically ill persons, and dead bodies in the hospital were things that I had always wished to avoid. However, neing down with a high fever necessitated my admission to the General Hospital in Malacca.

Though I was seriously ill and required special attention, yet the knowledge that I was in the hospital made me feel miserable during the first few days of my stay. The clothes that I had to wear in the hospital were dirty and uncomfortable plus the food was just tasteless.

At night, when all the patients were asleep, I often woke up and thought of what might happen if the dead bodies in the mortuary near by came back to life. I also thought of the patients who might die at any time. The sight of them struggling to stay alive was a heart-breaking scene. Soemtimes I thought that I myself might not wake up from my sleep, that I might have to leave my dear parents, brother and sisters and never return. Just the though of it made me scared and terrified.

On the second day and thereafter, however, my spirits were high. The doctor and nurses assured me that I would recover completely and that I could check out of the hospital the following day.

I then began to think of the good work that was being done in the hospital to heal, and reduce pain and suffering. The humanity shown by the staff impressed me deeply. However, I would not want to get sick again!

Choos Siew Ling
Form 5K1/2011, MGSS Melaka

SPM 1119/2 Section D - Literature Component (Novel)

Step By Wicked Step by Anne Fine

Which character in the novel do you find interesting? With close reference to the text, give evidence to support your answer.

In the novel "Step By Wicked Step" by Anne Fine, the character that I find most interesting is Claudia. This is because Claudia is an emotional person. She cries when she hears the story of Richard Clayton Harwick and sympathises with him. Besides that, she is also fair. She does not blame Stella for her parents' break-up. She is sensible too when she realises that blaming Stella does not mend the broken relationship between her mother and father.

Furthermore, Claudia is loyal to her mother. For example, she tries not to be happy when speaking to her father through the phone as she does not want to hurt her mother's feelings. She is also smart because she knows that her parents' break-up is a serious matter although her mother pretends that nothing is wrong. Claudia also has a curious personality because she eavesdrops on the conversation between the adults at the dinner party.

Moreover, Claudia is also kind-hearted as she feels sorry foor Stella when the latter is ignored during the dinner party. She is also brave when she decides to help Stella by going downstairs wearing her green pyjamas and thanking her for the present in front of her close friends.

In a nutshell, the character in the novel that I find the most interesting is Claudia based on the reasons above.

Rachel Yap
Form 5K1/2011, MGSS Melaka

SPM 1119/1 Continuous Writing - Narrative

Write a story with the following ending: "... I felt I was the luckiest person alive."

Sunlight filtered through the window blinds and as I took a peek at the world outside, the skies were charmingly blue. It was as if Mother Nature was welcoming me home after a long stay in the hospital. A sudden gush of emotions swept through me as I packed my bags together with my family members to leave the hospital. My excitement was hard to contain as I took my first step into the outside world.

It took one accident to change my perspective of life. The day it happened was my birthday, 21 st June. After having a grand celebration together with my family and friends, I drove back home alone. As I was driving smoothly on the paved road, a truck suddenly swerved into my path and the vehicles collided with much force. Later, someone said that I was thrown forward while the truck driver was unhurt. It was the truck driver who sent me to the hospital to receive treatment.

The next day, I woke up with my mother sitting at my bedside. The hospital had contacted her the previous day. She caressed my hair and told me I had crushed ribs and a broken femur. I had to be hospitalised for a few months. After delivering the news, mum comforted me and gave me words of strength. Knowing that I would like to have some time alone, she patted me on my shoulder before leaving the ward.

As soon as mum had left, tears started flowing uncontrollably when the harsh fact sank in. I was going to spend a few months of my life here in the hospital, unable to work or travel. My life was too short to do anything really bad and I am a good person, why must God treat me like this? These thoughts kept swirling in my head and depression soon followed suit. Family members and friends noticed the drastic change in my personality and tried to life my spirits, but their attempts were futile. I was in a world of my own, with misery as my only companion.

One day, as I peered down the streets and admired the lives of people outside the ward, a family of four begging caught my eye. They wore ragged clothings and looked thin and scrawny. This sight brought me to my senses. Why should I waste my life and let depression chain my soul? If there are many less fortunate people in the world and yet they can go on with their lives, why should not I feel grateful for all that I have?

Since then, I started to appreciate all the small yet wonderful things happening around me. The soft rays of the sunlight, the blooming flowers outside the window and the swaying of trees outside in sync with the wind soothes my senses. The beauty of Mother Nature mesmerised me and kept me in high spirits. Then, I had caring nurses, supportive family members and friends to help me go through this rough patch of my life. I became grateful for all that had happened to me and believed that the accident was a life lesson that ought to be learnt.

Besides, my time in hospital was spent beneficially reading self-help books. These books not only increased my knowledge but also helped me to gain wisdom. As such, I felt an enthusisastic spirit in me ready to return to the challenging world of the 21st century. I was more prepared mentally to resume my life as a university student.

My dream finally came true. I was finally discharged from the hospital. Although I did not fancy the healing process, valuable life lessons were learnt. As I walked into the outside world together with the ones I loved, I could only conclude that everything happens for a reason. I felt I was the luckiest person alive.

Woon Lee Lee

Form 4K1/2011, MGSS Melaka

SPM 1119/1 Directed Writing - A talk

Task: To write a talk about 'Social Problems among Teenagers'

Format (F) - 3 marks
Content (C) - 12 marks
Language (L) - 20 marks
Total - 35 marks

Good morning to the school principal, teachers and friends, (F1)

Firstly, I would like to thank my teacher advisor, Madam Lim Ai Ling, for giving me a chance to give a speech on this lovely morning. I, Rachel Yap, as the president of the English Language Society will be talking to you about social problems among teenagers (F2) in conjunction with the Social Awareness Campaign launched by the school.

The purpose of my giving this speech today is to raise the awareness of the students that social problems among teenagers cannot be avoided but they can be overcome. Teenagers will experience changes during this period of time and they may make decisions that will change their lives forever. However, the decisions that they make will change their lives for the better or worse. Therefore, I am here today to guide you on what to do when you are in sticky situations.

Teenagers are involved in social problems such as extortion, crimes, bullying and theft (C1). Why are they doing all these? Well, it can be because of the easy availability of unsuitable movies (C2). Teenagers watch movies that are unsuitable for them without adult supervision. The movies that they watch have sex scenes, killings, bullying and violent acts. Teenagers are easily influenced and thus unconsciously apply these actions into their daily lives. To prevent this from happening, they should spend more quality time with their family. For example, they can do sports together or just simply eat together for dinner. Parents should also spend time with their growing children (C7) and pay attention to them (C8), always keeping an eye on their children's quirks and behaviour. If there is a change in their children's behaviour, they will know.

Social problems are also caused by peer influence (C3). Peer pressure is something very common among teenagers. They feel the need to belong to a group (C4) in order to feel appreciated. They would go to extremes like smoking or taking drugs to be in the "in" group. Therefore, the schools should organise beneficial activities (C9) or motivational camps (C10) to prevent this from happening. The schools could involve these students to help them with running the activities. Then the students will not feel left out as they have been chosen to help out the school and this will boost their self-esteem.

Teenagers also have a stressful life at home and school (C5). The good students are pressured by family and teachers to pass their examinations with flying colours while the weak students are pressured to do reasonably well or manage a pass in their exams. Some students are also living in poverty (C6). These students feel pity for themselves and thus get involved in social problems like gangsterism and vandalism to feel 'bigger' and more powerful. Such teenagers can be helped by bringing them to the school counsellors. They should also develop good self-discipline (C11) within themselves. Mixing with good company (C12) also helps influence their mindsets and the decisions that they make.

Therefore, teenagers should always think twice before making any decisions as you will never know whether it will change your lives forever. Always seek a shoulder to lean on whenever you need help. Remember: no man is an island, no man stands alone. With that, I thank you (F3).

Rachel Yap
(5K1/2011 MGSS Malacca)

SPM 1119/1 Continuous Writing - Write a story beginning with "Tia was nervous as she opened the envelope..."

Tia was nervous as she opened the envelope the contents of which might change her life forever. Her hands were shaking and trembling so much so that she dropped it on the floor. Her parents looked at her anxiously. Madam Rita, her mother, had tears in her eyes; she felt helpless as she watched Tia opening the medical report.

Tia took out the letter and stood stock still after reading it. Tears welled in her eyes. She was devastated and slumped to the floor as soon as she comprehended that she had a tumour in her brain. The tunour was malignant and was at stage three. Her parents' were broken hearted Tia their only daughter had contracted this dreaded disease. They went to the best doctors and consulted them but they told them there was nothing they could do to help.

Tia felt as if her world was falling apart. Her 17 years of life would soon end in just about three months' time. As she went home, she cried to sleep in the car on her mother's lap. She could not believe that this might be the only chance to spend time with her mother and father. Before falling asleep, she whispered to her mother, "I love you, mummy." She said this to her mother in case she might not awake forever. Both her parents felt sad and depressed; her mother sobbed uncontrollably as if her heart was shattering into a million pieces. She did not have the will to see her only daughter die at this young age. Her heart ached and she could not do anything but pray that a miracle would happen.

The next day, Tia went to school. She sat in the middle of her group of best friends. They were all anxious to know about her well-being. Tia dropped the bombshell on them. All of them fell silent. Her friends Mei Ting, Lavitha and Zarita broke down into a flood of tears whereas the male friends looked hapless, at a loss for words and their mouths were gaping. They were looking at her incredulously. Tia felt very touched and told her friends not to cry because she had expected her fate and she wanted to spend her limited time on earth to the fullest.

Tia could not bring herself to tell her boyfriend, Ryan about her illness. She loved him so much that she broke off their relationship in fear that Ryan would be broken hearted by her death. Ryan was shocked and he continued calling and sending her text messages to ask for the reason she broke off with him. She ignored all his calls and messages as she thought that it was for his own good. After a while. Ryan gave up on her; he stopped contacting her as she never responded to him.

As the days flew past, Tia grew weaker and weaker. Her face was always pale and she often had spasms of pain in her head. The doctors gave her some morphine to stop the pain but she was suffering from the excruciating pain. She no longer went to school but all her friends visited her to keep her company. Despite being very sick, Tia always smiled at her friends because she wanted her happy face to be imprinted in their memories. Her friends always cracked jokes when they visited her just to cheer her up.

One day, Tia had an unexpected visitor - Ryan. He had foud out about her illness and was angry at her for not telling him the truth. He firmly told her that he would stick through thick and thin with her. From that day onwards, Ryan became her regular visitor. He often brought his guitar with him and sang all her favourite sonfs. Occasionally, she would sing with him. Their eyes would reflect sorrow but both of them did not show it. Whenever, she had a bad bout of pain, Ryan would hold her hand and murmur soothing words to her. Tia felt very lucky to have such a truly loyal boyfriend. She was really glad to have a family to support her, friends to cherish her and a boyfriend to comfort her.

Two months later, Tia's condition was becoming critical. She could no longer talk as she had difficulties in breathing. She was admitted to the hospital. Her parents, Ryan and her friends surrounded her bed in the ward. They knew that it was just a matter of time before Tia breathed her last. Tia's face was chalky while her lips were bluish and she had dark circles unfdr her eyes. She used her little energy that was left to tell her parents to always remember her and not to be sad with her passing. She then whispered to her friends to treasure their lives and not waste time, not even for a minute. Finally, she looked at Ryan. Words failed her. She was gasping for air; death was welcoming her to the afterworld.

Ryan could not control himself. He broke down into fits of sobs. Her final words to him the day before was, "I wish I could be with you forever."

Tia died on that day. All of them present at her passing learnt a lesson to always enjoy life and fill it with good things for death could come knocking unexpectedly, irrespective of one's age.

Hi May Yin (Form 5K1/2011, MGSS Melaka)

SPM 1119/1 Continuous Writing - A Person Who Has Influenced Me

"Good morning, Mum!" I greeted.
"Good morning, and why are you so happy today?" Mum asked.
"It's Mother's Day, Mum. Happy Mother's Day!"

My mother is the best mother in the whole wide world. I would not exchange her for anything. She has helped me through thick and thin. I may only be seventeen but I have gone through some hard times. My mum works in Johor and I stay in Malacca. She comes back once a fortnight and I miss her every day. At school, I always display a strong and happy front but on the inside, I am actually very sensitive and fragile.

My mum is a caring person. When I first entered primary school, I was discriminated because I was fat. I had no friends except one, Michelle Lim. Mum always asked how my day was and I lied, saying that I had had a great day and had made many friends. One day, I could not take it anymore and told my mum everything that had happened in school. She went to school the next day and complained to the teacher. The latter told my friends off and after that I easily made friends. Surprisingly, one of my best friends now is actually the one who bullied me the most when I was in standard one! That person is Tan Yi Lin.

Besides that, my mum is also very protective. My dad is very hot tempered and always scolds me even when I do nothing wrong. Whenever my dad scolds me, Mum will always tell him off saying, "Why are you shouting? She has done nothing wrong." Mum will then comfort me and previously, she would buy me an icecream after that. Now, Mum has stopped buying me icecreams because it is not easy finding clothes that fit my size.

My mum is also a very loving person. I have a brother and a sister who are twele and ten years older than I am respectively. Mum loves all of us although my brother and I are troublemakers while my sister is more obedient. My mum bakes cakes for us to eay every weekend when she is back or whenever she is free. The cakes that she bakes are delicious. Whenever I smell the aroma of the banana cake she bakes wafting through the air, my mouth starts to salivate.

She is also a strict disciplinarian. I once got slapped on the cheek for talking back to her. Mum taught all three of us well. Now my brother and sister are independent working in Singapore and Korea respectively while I am obediently studying hard to get straight A+'s in my coming examination. Mum recently confiscated my computer because my studies were deproving.Other than that, my mum is also very good at observing things. I had a best friend whom I had befriended for almost five years. Mum told me that she was not a good friend and told me not to be too close to her. I did not listen to her and regretted it. My friend changed and started to leave me for other friends. Luckily Mum and my two other friends stood by me and helped me to overcome this setback in my life.

Last of all, what I like best about Mum is that she is a great listener and gives me good advice on almost everything. She will listen to anything I say and help me solve all my problems. There was once I talked for almost 15 minutes non-stop and she did not even utter a single word. The only thing she said was, "Yes, I am listening."

My mum is the person who has helped me the most in my life. She may not be perfect but she is perfect to me. I love her very much. On every Mother's Day, I give her a handmade card that I make with all my heart. My mum loves travelling and shopping, so when I grow up I want to earn a lot of money so that my mum can go shopping every week, and travelling, every year.

Rachel Yap (Form 5K1/2011, MGSS Malacca)