CONTINUOUS WRITING - How to Lead a Stress-free Life

     In recent years, life has become more stressful than it has ever been. Many people are suffering from stress-related problems. Stress results from a variety of aspects of the modern life such as the development of the modern world at a very high speed and population growth. However, there are several ways to lead a healthier and more stress-free life.

     While quick fixes can make a difference, sometimes we have to make bigger changes in life to deal with stress. Keeping our bodies healthy can help us to bounce back from stress more quickly and it also has a great impact on our mental stress level and health.

     Here are some ways to lead a stress-free life. Firstly, do exercises regularly. Do something to get our blood pumping. Jog, run, swim, hike, climb rocks, swim, do aerobics or yoga - the options are endless. Just be beware of the competitive sports if we tend to become angry when playing to win. Pick a sport to help us relax, not increase our stress.

     Secondly, we can adopt a hobby. We need to have an activity that is strictly for our own pleasure. This could be dancing, singing, playing musical instruments, shopping... Again, the options are endless.

     Thirdly, we must eat healthily. Remember "what you eat is who you are" and sticking to a healthy diet helps to keep our bodies strong. We must eat plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and drink more water so that we will have enough energy to overcome stress. However, try not to make our eating habits another stressful part of our lives.

     Besides, it is important for us to sleep regularly and get enough sleep. Each person has different sleeping needs. Once we know how many hours we need to sleep at night, try to stick to a regular sleep schedule. Then, we can also learn and practise some relaxation techniques, such as making funny faces,  to help us relax.

     Apart from that, it is also very important for us to keep the negative thoughts away as such thoughts will always tear down our self-confidence. Lastly, we can try keeping a fixed schedule each day such as getting up and going to bed at a certain time daily. Do not eat our lunch or dinner to late or too early as having meals at irregular hours is not good for health.

     In brief, stress is caused by many things and it will continue to increase. It is the responsibility of the society, government, corporations and individuals to take steps so as to minimize its impact.

 YEOW W.P., NIKKI

  5K5/2012

Directed Writing - A Letter of Complaint

Directed Writing
As the secretary of the Residents' Association, write a letter of complaint to the Manager of the Local Town Council to complain about the presence of stray dogs in your area.

Marissa Tan,
Secretary,
Residents' Association of Taman Perdana,
75200 Melaka.
___________________________________________________________

Datuk Lee Tiang Beng,
Manager,
Malacca Town Council,
75150 Melaka.                                                             5 SEPTEMBER 2013

Dear Sir,

Complaint Regarding Stray Dogs In The Area

I, as the secretary of the Residents' Association of Taman Perdana, would like to make a complaint on behalf of the residents of Taman Perdana about the presence of stray dogs in our area and seek a quick solution to our problem.

2.   Recently, there has been a sudden increase in the population of stray dogs in our neighbourhood. Vicious-looking dogs roam the neighbourhood in packs and this phenomenon is causing terror to spread amongst the residents.

3.   It is not only the sight of the dogs that are frightening the people, but also the reported cases of residents being bitten and chased. Five people, so far, have been attacked by the stray dogs and three are currently in the hospital for treatment. Some of the dogs look infected and diseased and I fear they may spread terrible diseases like rabies to the residents.

4.   Aside from bodily harm, the stray dogs also ruin the cleanliness and neatness of Taman Perdana. The hungry wild dogs frequently mess up the rubbish in the rubbish bins by knocking them over and tearing the plastic bags used to hold the trash. Not only is it making the roads and alleys dirty and smelly, but such occurrences also attract flies, rats and other pests. Lastly, the children are afraid to use the playground facilities for fear of being attacked. The stray dogs constantly hang around the playground like they are seeking victims.

5.   I sincerely hope that you will consider our problem seriously and that the Town Council will soon provide us with relief. I am grateful for your attention in reading this letter.

Thank you.

Yours faithfully,
MTan
(MARISSA TAN)
Secretary,
Residents' Association of Taman Perdana,
Melaka.

MARISSA TAN

Form 5K1/2013

NOVEL - STEP BY WICKED STEP
Write about
(a)   a difficult situation faced by one of the characters
(b)   how the character managed to resolve the problems in that situation

     Based on the Form 5 novel 'Step by Wicked Step' by Anne Fine, a character that faced a difficult situation is Claudia from the story 'Green Pyjamas'.

     Claudia's difficult situation stemmed from the dissolution of her parents' marriage. Her father then moved out to live with his mother and later, he got a new girlfriend named Stella. Although Claudia knew very well that Stella did not play a part in her parents' divorce, she could not help feeling a sense of loyalty and faithfulness towards her mother. Hence, she rejected all of Stella's warm advances and ignored Stella. She also pretended to hate all the time she spent at her father's place although she knew that her actions would hurt Stella's feelings.

     At a dinner party hosted by her father and Stella, Claudia rudely rejected Stella's invitation for her to join them. However, fueled by her curiosity, she sneaked down and eavesdropped on the guests. To her surprise, she noticed that her father's friends were all ignoring Stella - probably out of loyalty to Claudia's mother whom they had been friends with too. From an outsider's point of view, Claudia realized how unfair they had all been to Stella. All the guests left Stella out of their conversations, leaving her in an awkward state of silence. They did not even seem to appreciate the food that Stella laboured over.

     At that very moment, Claudia decided to resolve the problem that had been plaguing her. She decided to make things right. She changed into the pair of green pyjamas Stella got her, and ran down surprising both Stella and her father's friends. Claudia then exclaimed how much she loved the pyjamas - a simple act but with profound impact - and instantly, her fathers' friends began to warm towards Stella. From that day onwards, Stella and Claudia maintained a warm relationship.

     In a nutshell, Claudia faced a difficult situation in feeling torn between both her parents. In a divorce, it is often hard for a child to accept that his or her parents are not a single entity any longer. However, in the end, Claudia resolved the problem by doing what was right. She understood that it was very mean and unfair to treat someone badly for something that was not their fault. It is something that all of us should take note of in our lives. Our actions might seem minute but the consequences could mean the world to someone else.

by: Low Chia Yen (5K1/2013)

Melaka English Language Teacher's comments: Low Chia Yen showed an understanding of the story and in her conclusion, she tied her answer to the question, that is, how the character (Claudia, in this case) resolved her problems (by doing what was right - standing up for Claudia at the dinner party). Low Chia Yen's language was also generally accurate and secure.

IN THE MIDST OF HARDSHIP
by Latiff Mohidin

1.   What does the poet mean by the line "brave the horrendous flood"?
       The people had to struggle in the horrifying floods.

2.   Which word describes the feelings of the people in the poem?
      Desperately

3.   What kind of lives did these people have?
      They have had hard lives.

4.   How did the people in the poem deal with problems?
      (alternative question: Describe the attitude of the couple towards hardship)
      They accepted problems (hardship) as part and parcel of life, so they did not complain when they
      encountered problems (hardship). 

5.   How has the couple spent the last twenty-four hours?
      Looking for their son's albino buffalo

6.  "At dawn they returned home"
      To whom does the word they refer?
      A couple in a village. / A husband and wife in a village

7.   Describe the mood at the beginning of the first stanza
      Bleak / despair

8.   Do you think the people looking for the buffalo are foolishly wasting their time? Give a reason for your
      answer.
      Yes, because it is impossible to find the albino in the horrendous flood.
      No, they want to try their best to look for the buffalo because they love their son.

HE HAD SUCH QUIET EYES

1.   What do women find attractive in this man?
      His quiet eyes

2.   What advice should the girl in the poem have followed?
      Never compromise with men who are only looking for pleasure.

3.   What advice does the poet give to young girls?
      Be sure that the man you fall in love with is really nice, that is, he is really sincere. 

4.   (a) What kind of partner would you like to meet?
            Someone who is responsible.
      (b) Why is that quality important?
            So that my partner will take care of my family and me.

5.   What does the poet wish the girl had done?
      He wishes that the girl had listened to advice not to compromise with men who were only
      looking for pleasure.

6.    In your opinion, what should young girls do to look after themselves?
      They should make friends with only boys/men who are sincere. They should get to know a person
      better before they jump into a relationship.

7.   How has the man in the poem charmed the lady into believing him?
      His eyes seemed so sincere.

8.   What do you think the word paradise in the first stanza refer to?
      A state of bliss/happiness

9.   Which expression tells you that the lady is probably filled with regrets over the relationship?
      If only

10.  Which expression tells you that falling in love is a gamble?
       Losing at dice

11.  Do you think that the lady sincerely loves the man? Give a reason for your answer.
       No, because she is merely feeling sorry for him.
       Yes, because she gave herself physically to the man. 
   

ARE YOU STILL PLAYING YOUR FLUTE? 
by Zurinah Hassan

1. Write down two things that trouble the poet.
    Her younger brothers are unemployed (they have no work).
    His friend was killed mercilessly.  

2.  What is the state of mind of the poet?
     She feels disturbed / troubled.

3.  How does the poet feel about the world? Do you agree with her? Give a reason to support your answer.
     The poet feels that the world has many problems and is in a bad state. I think she is right   
     because we have many problems in the world today, for example, wars and rising crime rates.

4.   Why has the village become quiet and deserted?
      It is quite likely that many of the young people in the village have left to go to the towns and   
      cities, in search of jobs.

5.   Name two things that the persona considers a luxury.
      (a)   Spending time watching the falling rain
      (b)   Enjoying the sweet smell of flowers

6.   Without using examples from the poem, suggest two things you would consider as luxuries in your life.
     (a)   Going for a movie 
     (b)   Spending time window shopping

7.  What two reasons does the persona give for not wanting the flute to be played?
     (a)   She has no time to think about love.
     (b)   She feels guilty for wanting to hear her beloved play his flute.

8.   What does the persona feel about the music produced by her beloved? How do you know?
      She thinks that the music is pleasing to the ears because she calls him "an artist", that is, he    
      excels in what he does.

NATURE by H.D. Carberry
1.     Which word in the poem shows that the poet enjoys the sun?
   Magnifecently
 
2.     Write down the line which describes what happens to the canefields after they are harvested.
    And the reaped canefields lie bare and fallow in the sun.  

3.    What does the poet compare the buttercups with?
       Yellow stars

4.     In your own words 
        (a) what do you consider beautiful in nature?
              I find the setting sun to be very beautiful. 
        (b) why is it important to look after nature?
              If we do not look after nature, we will lose our beautiful environment, for example, the
              green trees and the flowing rivers.  

5.     What kind of weather does the poet's country have?
        Hot and wet

6.     Write down the phrases that reflect the noises heard in this country.
        the rain beats like bullets 
        the swish of water in the gullies
        the sound of bees

7.     Where is the place that is described in this poem?
        Jamaica

8.     Write down two lines which describe the weather in this place?
        When the gold sun shines on the lush green canefields
        The days when the rain beats like bullets on the roofs

9.     What do you think are the feelings of the poet for this place? Using your own words, give a reason
         to support your answer.
        He is proud of his country. I can feel his sense of pride in the beautiful descriptions that he  
        gives of his homeland. 

10.   "We have neither Summer nor Winter"
        To whom does We in the poem refer?
        The people of Jamaica / Jamaicans