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         

A Hasty Act

     It had been fifteen years since he left home. Fifteen long years. He had sworn to himself years ago that he would never come back to Leningrad, but fate it seemed, had decreed otherwise.

     Alexei Vladimirovich Kranchek looked up at the massive stone mansion that loomed before him now. The grand white-washed building was every bit as beautiful as he had remembered it. It was an impressive piece of architectural work that was designed in an elegant Victorian style. Built at the turn of the century, the mansion boasted of at least five hundred bedrooms, two kitchens, and a dozen halls.

     Alexei cautiously ascended the marble steps that led up to the ancient wooden double doors that made up the front door. He cleared his throat, raised his knuckles, hesitated, before knocking on the door.

     Five minutes later, the door opened with a creak.

     "Who's there?" came a soft, feminine voice in a hushed tone.  

     "It's me, Alexei" the visitor answered in a serious, formal tone. Too formal indeed.

     Immediately, the door swung wide open.

     "Lexy! Oh, it's you. Thank God you're finally here!"

     A young lady dressed in a dark muslin frock stood at the doorway. She could had been described as beautiful, for she had large, doe-like hazel eyes and raven tresses, if not for the fact that she looked so miserable. Red, puffy lines under her eyes and pale face were evidence that she had been crying. The lady was Tatiana, his sister.

     Alexei was ushered into a large reception hall. He indicated his wish to see his estranged mother and Tatiana eagerly showed him the way to the drawing room. Alexei noticed that all the servants were dressed in black, the traditional mourning colour. Even the whole mansion was enveloped by a silent, gloomy atmosphere, as if something horrible had happened. Alexei knew that fact all too well.

     The previous morning, he had received a shocking piece of news from Leningrad - that his father had died. The grumpy old man had finally succumbed to his lung cancer, a lifelong malady that he had wrestled with. Alexei was rather surprised to get the news, and he bought himself a first-class ticket from Moscow and rushed back home. He had attended his father's elaborate funeral like a dutiful son although the reality was that he was not.

     The truth was, Alexei never liked his father. A stern, authoritative paternal figure, Vladimir Kranchek did not shower love on his son. Even at a very young age, Vladimir was constantly pushing his son, his only son, to excel in whatever field that he was in - academics, sports, career. He wanted Alexei to be great in life, and would not tolerate mistakes. When Alexei failed, the boy would be reprimanded or punished harshly.

     As time went by, Alexei's relationship with his father was strained. When he reached his late teens, father and son had drifted so far apart that was a communication breakdown between them.

     The last straw came one fine summer afternoon on 20 June 1987, the most significant date in Alexei's life history. It was that day that he graduated from the University of Moscow with a first class honours degree in law. It was s strict tradition in the posh, wealthy neighbourhood that he lived in for a father to give a car to his child who graduated from university to celebrate the success.

     Alexei had fallen in love with a dashing, black Ferrari and had repeatedly told his father so. That was the car for him. The young man was looking forward to owning the sleep automobile himself.

     The day for the arrival of the present came. Imagine Alexei's shock and bitter disappointment when he received a gift-wrapped Holy Bible from his father. The horrified youngster felt as if someone had just slapped him across the face. To Alexei, this was the greatest insult he had received in his life, and to rub salt to the injury, it was from his own father.

     In a blinding moment of rage and fury, he slammed the book down onto the floor and stormed out of the house, never looking back again. He severed his ties with his father that day. Later, he went to Moscow and became a successful lawyer.

     That was fifteen years ago.

     Alexei was jerked back to reality. Beside him, Tatania motioned towards a door in front of him. Without wasting any more time, he grasped the handle and opened the door.

     Mrs. Kranchek was a sight to behold. The recently widowed woman was garbed in a black gown and was slumped against a high rosewood chair. Her face was tear-stained and there was an expression of extreme grief in her eyes. She looked dreamy, as if unaware of their entry.

     "Mother."

     The wretched woman was stunned.

     "Lexy? Is that you, Lexy?" Ekaterina Kranchek muttered in a low voice.

     "Yes, mother. I've come home."

     Ekaterina shook her head from side to side as if in disbelief.

     "Aaah... Lexy, my son, Lexy! You should not have come!" She burst into tears. "You should not have come!" she repeated mournfully. She was weeping uncontrollably now.

     "What's wrong, mother?" An alarmed Alexei rushed to her side.

     "T-there... There!" Ekaterina pointed towards a nearby desk. "There! You will find all your answers there!" Her finger was shaking.

     Puzzled, Alexis walked towards the desk. There was an assortment of items on the desk like keys, photo albums and articles, and he suddenly realized that he was looking at his late father's belongings. A familiar-looking book caught his eyes.

     It was the Holy Bible. The very same book that was responsible for his breakup with his old man.

     Instinctively, his hands touched the leather-bound volume. Blowing dust away from the cover, he opened the book. As he was flipping through the crisp white pages, a bunch of keys fell from the book. He bent down to pick it up.

     He froze.

     It could not be.

     Those keys were actually the keys to a sports car - his black Ferrari. There was even a receipt attached to the keys as proof of purchase of the vehicle.

     "No!!!" Alexei screamed as his world came crashing down on him. He was so sad, no words could possibly describe what he was feeling then. He crumbled to the floor and broke down.

     "Please forgive me, father, for I've wronged you. I'm so very, very sorry for what I've done." He cried and cried. But, no matter how much he cried, his father would never come back again. His father was truly lost from him.

     Since that incident, Alexei Kranchek became a better man. He learnt a valuable lesson that day - that there is nothing more precious than family relationship. There is no price tag to love. A lifetime of misery was the price he had to pay for an act of haste.

GLADYS KOH

(MGSS,  5K1/2002)     

An Overheard Conversation

     It was a very hot afternoon. I was drenched in sweat and my blouse was sticking onto my back. Beads of perspiration trickled down my forehead. I walked slowly and began to mumble stinging expletives to myself. How could anyone live in a place like this, I cursed. I could not take it anymore. That afternoon was exceptionally hot and I was asked by Mrs. Lim to help with an errand. I was allowed to change and fill my stomach before I started the job.

     I headed towards the toilet with a pair of shorts and a white tee shirt in my hands. As I entered, the walls seemed to create an eerie feeling as I could only hear my heavy breathing. I went into the one nearest to the exit and closed the door. I began to undress and slipped on the new set of clothing. It was a relief as I felt quite comfortable in a dry tee shirt and suddenly, it felt like there was a slight breeze running through my body. I closed my eyes and decided to let my mind drift. I saw clear blue skies, pristine beaches and even cascading waterfalls which were all so seemingly refreshing. My mind was brought back to its senses when the thumping of feet began to near the exit.

     I opened my eyes and started to fold my uniform quickly, feeling a little embarrassed that I could up with silly imaginative ideas in a toilet! Anyway, as the footsteps got nearer, I heard giggles and laughing. The footsteps stopped and I was now ready to unlock the door when I heard familiar voices.

     "Hey, you did great today, the technique you taught me was first class!" someone exclaimed.

     "You did well too. I guess we should have thought of it sooner," was the reply.

     I did not mean to be rude, nor did I eavesdrop on purpose, but somehow my legs just refused to move. I stood still like a statuette, and listened to their conversation. At first, it seemed like they were talking about the English Language examination results which we had just received that morning. Then as I began to sink deeper into what might seem like girl-talk, my eyebrows raised in disbelief and my heart stopped.

     The two girls talked about how their devious plan of cheating in the English paper had paid off and how they got away with it. The plan seemed simple enough but I thought it made the rest of the class seem stupid. The first girl would raise her pen with the cap intact to indicate an answer while the other pretended that she was coughing to agree or disagree. From the way they talked, I knew who they were. They were Su Fen and Amy who were seated at the back of the class. And to think that I actually gave Amy a throat-drop, I thought angrily.

     After what seemed like eternity to me, the two girls walked out feeling proud and happy at the same time. Little did they know that their scheme was going to be exposed... by me. I began to unlock the bolt of the door and stepped onto the wet cement floor. By now, my tee shirt was wet again but this time, I was not bothered. I headed towards the sink and began to turn on the tap. I placed my cupped hands directly under it, collected some water and splashed it on my face. I felt refreshed but my heart was racing. I repeatedly did that and looked at myself in the mirror. My reflection was a worn-out, tired girl with strands of black hair out of its place but there was a look of determination in the reflection too, which surprised even me.

     Carrying the bundle of wet uniform, I headed out. My steps were now faster and before I realized it, I was in the staff room. Mrs. Lim greeted me cheerfully and I managed to flash a faint smile. How was I to break the news to her that I had found out some students had cheated in her paper? My breath was heavy and slow as my mind tried hard to come up with a good explanation.

     Finally I said, "Mrs. Lim, Su Fen and Amy cheated in the English paper you gave a fortnight ago."

     Mrs. Lim turned around and there was a shocked expression on her face. She seemed to be searching for more details and I explained everything to her. After ten minutes, Mrs. Lim said that she would seriously look into the matter as she could not tolerate cheating in her class. The rest of the afternoon went smoothly as I helped the short and chubby lady to rearrange her shelf. There were moments of awkward silence, but I did not mind them at all. I had done the right thing, I reasoned as I continued placing books on neat piles.

     The next day, Su Fen and Amy were called up and everyone was curious as to the reason why. I remained seated and obediently started writing an essay which had just been assigned to us. Deep in my heart, I knew that those who commit bad acts would be punished. Well, maybe I was destined to feel hot the previous afternoon. Maybe I was the 'chosen one' to reveal such cases of cheating. Either way, I felt that I had done 'justice' to the class.

QUEK SUE LYN

(MGSS 5K1/2002)      

Guided Writing - A Camping Trip

Last weekend, my school organized a camping trip for the Form 1 Amanah students. I was very excited as I would be joining my friends on the trip.

We went to our destination by bus and arrived at the campsite in the morning. My friend, Raju and I choise a spot and put up our tents by the river.

After that, I started a fire while my teacher, Mr. Jason built a makeshift cupboard for us to store food. Earlier on before we went on the camping trip, we had learnt some basic survival skills from Mr. Jason and the knowledge proved very useful during the camp.

Later, we went jungle trekking and saw many flora and fauna. Some of the flowers were very unique; I had never seen them before. Then we climbed a hill and had a picnic by a waterfall. We swam in the pool and had so much fun splashing each other with water.

In the evening, we went fishing and caught some fish for dinner. My friend Ah Chong cooked the fish outdoors and we had a delicious dinner that night.

The next morning, we woke up early and washed up. After that, we took down the tents and cleared the rubbish around the campsite. Then, we went home at ten o'clock by bus and had our breakfast along the journey. I had so much fun and will never forget this exciting trip.

Humairah bte Rosdin

Form 1 Amanah/2011, MGSS Melaka

When I Was Sick

When I was eight years old, I had chicken pox. I suffered from it for about three weeks. I could not help it; I kept on scratching my itchy body. It all began when I discovered a few red dots on my arms and legs just after I woke up. I dismissed them as mosquito bites but after a few hours, I felt light-headed and then bigger and redder spots appeared on my skin. My body temperature rose to 39.9 degrees so I quickly ran to my mother and told her about my condition.

My mother was very upset; she quickly rushed me to the nearby clinic. She handed over my registration card to the nurse and we waited patiently until my name was called. The serious-looking doctor told me that I was having chicken pox. He warned me that my condition would worsen if I did not take good care of myself. He advised me to take my medicine according to instructions and allayed my mother's fears by telling her not to worry.
my
Unfortunately, chicken pox is very contagious, so I was not allowed to be near my siblings at all. I was quarantined in my room. Occasionally my mother or father entered my room to monitor my body temperature.

Things got worse when my grandmother visited me. She brought a really disgusting home-blended herb for me. She lathered it on my whole body and I kept on crying because it smelled horrible and my brothers teased me by saying that I looked like the Incredible Hulk. I felt really downcast and lonely. I missed all the fun at school.

From that day onwards, I took great care of myself. I obediently ate all my medicine on time and bore with the green smelly herbs for I wanted to get well quickly. I spent my time with my friends via the internet and I was very glad when I recovered after around three weeks. However, I felt sorry for my three other siblings who had chicken pox right after I got well.

Hi May Yin

(Form 5K1/2011 MGSS Melaka)

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)

SPM 1119/1 Directed Writing - A Report about a Fire in the School Science Laboratory

Reminder:
Format (F) - 3 marks
Content (C) - 12 marks
Language (L) - 15 marks


To: The Principal,
SMK(P) Methodist,
Jalan Tengkera,
75200 Melaka. (F1)

Explosion in the Chemistry Laboratory (F2)

Last Friday, which was the 13th of May 2011 (C12), my friend, Lucinda and I, saw a suspicious man run out of the chemistry laboratory while we were waiting for our parents to pick us up after school. The strange man was dark-skinned, possibly Indian, had black curly hair and was wearing untidy clothes which had patches on them. His hair was unkempt and messy and he had fashioned a beard (C1).

Right after he had run out of the laboratory, there was an explosion in the lab. There were no teachers around at that moment and it seemed as if my friend and I were the only witnesses to the incident. So we headed towards the lab to investigate the explosion.

When we reached the laboratory, we discovered that a terrible fire was raging inside it. We were horrified. Realising that the chemicals in the lab were probably flammable, we decided to attempt to put out the fire (C3). Lucinda grabbed the nearest fire extinguisher and we hurried into the lab (C2) before the fire caused more damage. Suddenly, more explosions occured behind us (C4). We truned around, only to be greeted by a devastating sight. The explosions had caused the flames to spread near the door. We were trapped (C5) and there was no way out.

Lucinda and I frantically looked around for another escape route. We noticed the windows but they were narrow and had metal bars across the window-frames (C6) which barred them and ultimately, we could not get out that way. We were about to search for an alternative exit, but the fumes and smoke were overwhelming and we started to choke (C7). We had no other choice, so we ran to windows and broke the glass panels (C8). Then, we screamed (C9) at the top of our lungs for help. People heard our cries and gathered outside the laboratory (C10). Somebody called the fire brigade and thankfully, the fire fighters arrived in just a few short minutes. My friend and I were mercifully rescued (C11) and were extremely grateful to everyone who helped us.

Not long after, the fire fighters put out the dreadful fire and everyone was filled with relief. However, I can bet that nobody was as relieved as Lucinda and I.

Written by:
Michelle Soon (F3)
Form 4K5
SMK(P) Methodist,
Melaka

SPM 1119/1 Continuous Writing - Grandparents

My grandparents are the seniors in my family. Even in their old age, they command respect from the rest of my family. After all, they deserve it.

My grandmother may be old and wrinkled, but she is still a feisty lioness who rules the household. She prepares our daily meals, so that we do not through the day in hunger. She grows her own vegetables so that we can have our own organic home-grown greens on the dinner table. She looked after us, the grandchildren, when our parents were busy with work and came home late. She was the one who took me to the playground, bought me candy every now and then, taught me nursery rhymes and supplied me with a lifetime's supply of story books. Though sometimes I cannot deny that her tongue is sharp and ready to lash out with her criticism, I realise that it is for our own good for she wants us to learn how to do things the right way, especially when it comes to household chores.

My grandfather, even though he is a quiet and pleasant old man, certainly is not lacking behind that feisty grandmother of mine. Once a brave soldier, now a loving grandfather, he used to serve in the army where he faced all kinds of hardships. And yet, a man who is so tough and fierce as he, can be loving and kind to the rest of his family. I suppose he must have mellowed over the years. I still remember those happy times I shared with my grandfather. He would always buy my siblings and me toys, he would settle our arguments and he never failed to share his chocolate with us whenever he bought some to satisfy that sweet tooth of his. It fills me with happiness and joy to recall those sweet, sweet moments. Even as he gets older, he is still strong and remembers to spend time with us. My sister, my youngest sibling, is easily the most attached person to him. I can still recall, the moments my sister would cry for our grandfather instead of our mother!

Grandparents make a family whole. That special bond that they share with their grandchildren is very precious. They are the ones who assist parents in their time of need. They provide us with love and affection during the times our parents cannot do so. Some day, our parents will become grandparents and we most probably will too. Just remember all the good times we had with our grandparents and relive them with our grandchildren in the future. I think I can safely say that they, our grandchildren, would certainly want a happy childhood too. Cherish your grandparents. Even if they sometimes make mistakes, remember all that they have done for us. The road to old age is not eaxctly a bed of roses either. It is up to us, the younger generation, to love, care and be understanding towards them., our grandparents After all, they were the ones who showered us with love and attention and made our childhood memories so much brighter and memorable.

Michelle Soon (4K5 2011, MGSS Melaka)