PET225 EBOOK READING

Traditional games 1
2
We played a lot of games during my childhood. These included Sudut Apit, Dam, Carrom 3
and, my mother’s favourite, Congkak. We could always count on the old favourite, Batu 4
Seremban or Five Stones, to bridge the generation gap, though you would have to get a
refresher course these days because the steps have somewhat evolved. In later years, I 5
encouraged my kids to learn to play Chinese Chess for variety. Many years ago when 6
my father was ill, I used to get upset when my young daughters didn’t know how to while
the time away whenever they were with him. So I got them to play Dam, and card
games like Colek and Pancing, and memory games together.

These have become priceless memories of our times together now that my father has
passed More importantly, my girls gained a lasting impression of a grandfather who
could still be fun at times — even though he seldom let them beat him too easily at any
game.

It’s wonderful how games can bring people together and teach us invaluable life lessons.
From games and recreational pastimes, we learn the simple rules of fair play, ethics,
sportsmanship, the joy of winning and, more importantly, how to handle losing.

With the advent of modern games, played most often just by moving the fingers, our
traditional games are in danger of being forgotten and relegated to the recesses of
memories. What a huge pity it would be to let our traditional games fade into the sunset.

Let’s strive to reconnect our children with the games we used to play and the simpler
pleasures of life. Starting this school holidays. Activities during the holidays tend to make a
lasting impression throughout our lives. I’d love to propose a National Day for traditional
pastimes. And a national fest where we can experience all these cultural activities.

Play congkak. Fly a wau or become a Pak Dalang of the Wayang Kulit for a day. Let our
traditional games bond us all and be the bridge to our colourful culture and heritage.

Adapted from : https://www.nst.com.my/news/2015/09/remembering-heritage-games

Questions

1. List down traditional games that have been mentioned in the passage.
a) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
b) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
c) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
d) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
e) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

2. What are the games that the authors ask her daughters to play?
________________________________________________________________

3. Based on the paragraph 3, what are the functions of traditional games?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
4. What is the meaning of ‘fade into the sunset’ in paragraph 4?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
5. In your opinion, why we should preserve our traditional games?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

Answers

1. a) Sudut Apit,
b) Dam
c) Carrom
d) Congkak
e) Batu Seremban

2. ( Must have Chinese Chess, Dam, and card games like Colek and Pancing)

3. Traditional games can bring people together and teach us invaluable life lessons

4. (being forgotten/ become outdated)

5. (any logical answers are accepted)
(eg : To preserve our sense of identity and our culture)







proud to be
malaysian









































Technology
and us

TIPS!

(1) Reading and understanding the given passage will enable you to answer the questions
correctly. In this section, students are exposed to various forms of texts.
(2) Each text is followed by objective questions with answers marked or A, B, C and D for
each question. Choose the correct or best answer from the given options.
(3) Read the passage first and understand it. Identify what each paragraph is about.
(4) Read it through the second time to pick out the important points. Do not read too quickly.
(5) Read the question and the given options very carefully. Do not answer the question just
yet.
(6) Read the text given again and locate the answer to the question.
(7) Pay special attention to the words and phrases you do not know. Underline these words.
Read the text again to get an idea of what it means. Always remember that questions are
asked in sequence. For example, the answer to question number 1 is likely to be found in the
first paragraph. Therefore, answer the question accordingly.
(8) When you have completed all the questions, check your answers to ensure that they are
correct.

From: https://mylearningenglishdaily.blogspot.com/2016/06/pt3-reading-comprehension.html

Article 1

Everyone wants to eat fresh fruits and vegetables. But sometimes freshness is not preserved – as
they are perishable in nature and secondly due to the long supply chain.
A Malaysian company has come out with the novel idea of putting a sticker ‘StixFresh’ that are
coated with some salt and BeeWax, which keeps the fruits fresh. In the process of transporting
produce all the way to supermarkets, it is estimated that 52 percent of fresh fruits and vegetables go
to waste before they even make it to the consumer (US figures).
With the problem of food wastage on top of his mind, Zhafri Zainudin set out to change the
agriculture industry by introducing StixFresh, a labeling sticker that prolongs the freshness and shelf
life of certain types of fruits. StixFresh stickers are coated with a mixture of sodium chloride and
beeswax, which slows down the fruit ripening process by removing ethylene.
Beyond the time-consuming shipping process, it’s a constant struggle to ensure the produce arrives in
the best possible condition. For retailers, these losses equate to lower margins which in turn affects
their cash flow negatively. Freshly picked produce takes a long time to reach retailers. Beyond the
time-consuming shipping process, it’s a constant struggle to ensure the produce arrives in the best
possible condition. For retailers, these losses equate to lower margins which in turn affects their cash
flow negatively.

Freshness of produce suffers when it’s shipped long distances by sea. Of course, air delivery is
quicker, but the higher transportation costs would result in higher fruit prices and consequently
declining demand. “We did a joint development with our local university UPM, research institutions
and agencies such as Mardi and SIRIM, and recently with Bogor University and University of South
Australia,” he added.

StixFresh started out with two founders—Zhafri Zainudin as the CEO and Buquari Othman as the
head for operations and marketing. As the company grew, three more co-founders joined the team
as they believed in its long-term vision to put an end to food waste. With the goal to make fruit last
longer in a natural way, Zhafri spent almost 3 years to perfect the sticker in terms of efficacy and
manufacturing process. StixFresh was then officially established in 2017. “We did a joint development
with our local university UPM, research institutions and agencies such as Mardi and SIRIM, and
recently with Bogor University and University of South Australia,” Zhafri added.

In the beginning, StixFresh was only targeted to extend the shelf life of mangoes. Later on, they only
found out that it also works on other types of fruits which have almost the same size, and other
similarities such as skin texture, diseases and fungal attack. StixFresh now works best on mango,
avocados, papaya, dragon fruits, star fruits, apple and pears.

According to the team, the stickers are so safe that it’s even possible to eat them without harm (but
we wouldn’t recommend that you try). They also clarified that the stickers are one use only—once
peeled off, they loses their efficacy. StixFresh caters to customers who are mainly small growers such
as the Harumanis mango growers in Perlis, Jabatan Pertanian Negeri Sembilan, AEON BIG, and
companies which are fruit exporters and importers. Since 2017, they have sold over 1.3 million
stickers.

Currently StixFresh is operating in Senawang, Negeri Sembilan and has been launched in the
United States of America this November. They spent almost RM1.8 million on researching and
development, Intellectual Property through the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) and machinery equipment for production and exhibitions in promoting StixFresh.

(Adapted from : https://vulcanpost.com/652246/stixfresh-stickers-prolong-fruits/ )

QUESTIONS

1. Stixfresh is made from…?
a. Salt and Honey
b. Sugar and Beewax
c. Salt and Beewax
d. Sugar and Honey

2.. What is the function of ‘Stixfresh’?
a. To keep the freshness of fruits
b. To stop fruits from turning ugly
c. To slow down the process of transporting fruits
d. To increase the price of fruits

3. Who is the CEO of Stixfresh?
a. Buquari Othman
b. Buquari Othman and Zhafri Zainudin
c.. Zhafri Zainudin

4. What is the vision of Stixfresh’s company?
a. to overcome overpriced fruits problem
b. to put an end to food waste
c. to maintain the quality of the fruits
d. to become the a global company in exporting fruits

5. What are the fruits that Stixfresh works best?
a. Grapes, mangoes, pears
b. avocado, durian, apples
c. Pears, apples, mangoes
d. Papaya, star fruits and berries

6. How many Stixfresh's stickers have they sold?
a. Over 1.8 millions
b. Over 1.3 millions
c. 1.3 millions
d. 1.8 millions

7. From the passage, we can conclude that,
a. StixFresh can ensure the freshness of food

b. Stixfresh can slow down the ripening process
c. Stixfresh can help to export fruits easily
d. Stixfresh is used on Harumanis mangoes only

8. The best title for the above passage is..
a. Stixfresh : Stickers that can keep fruits fresh
b. Stixfresh : Stickers from Malaysia
c. Stixfresh : Stickers for ‘Harumanis’ mangoes
d. Stixfresh : A solution to food problems

Activity A

Give the synonyms of the words.

1. Perishable : _________________
2. Coated : ________________
3. Consumer : _________________
4. Ripening : _________________
5. Joint : _________________
6. Development : _________________
7. Extend : _________________
8. Harm : _________________
9. Caters : _________________
10. Operating : _________________

Activity B

Find the words from activity A.

CQH A RMR B E F AN J L C
O B A H E LOH A Y L I OA
A J OC I L S P A T DGN K T
V B I OH E X T ENDH E L E
G HNAA T E L T R BCF K R
L R F T E H SOSMA LMA S
M I G E T I F CON S T M E R
O P L D S T B H I WG H I L I
P E R I S H A B L E T AGN P
A NOC A P T A R I C A H U G
S I LAVK JO INTRE TN
P NK I E NGE P S AGB T I
T G MH OL L B E N E T H R N
D E V E LOPMENTCA RG
G ONG S A J CON S UM E R

1. C ANSWERS
2. A
3. C ARTICLE 1
4. B
5. C Activity A
6. B
7. B 1. Unpreserved
8. A 2. Covered
3. Customer
4. Maturing
5. Cooperative
6. Improvement
7. Prolong
8. Damage
9. Provides
10. Functioning

Activity B

CQH A RMR B E F AN J L C
O B A H E L OH A Y L I GOA
A J OC I L S P A T DGN K T
V B I OH E X T ENDH E L E
G HNAA T E L T R BCF K R
L R F T E H SOSMA LMA S
M I G E T I F CON S T M E R
O P L D S T B H I WG H I L I
P E R I S H A B L E T AGN P
A NOC A P T A R I C A H U G
S I LAVK JO INTRE TN
P NK I E NGE P S AGB T I
T G MH OL L B E N E T H R N
D E V E LOPMENTCA RG
G ONG S A J CON S UM E R

Article 2:

Great Inventions We Need to Thank
Malaysia For

When you think of Malaysia, you may picture mouth-watering delicacies such as nasi lemak, tropical
beaches, and natural rainforests. Or the iconic sights of the KL Tower, Petronas Twin Towers, and
Batu Caves. But what about the inventions that represent Malaysia’s culture and support the
everyday lives of locals? Here are the great things that you may not know were created by
Malaysians.

1. Automatic Egg Boiler

The automatic egg boiler is a detachable four-piece plasticware, helps to make half-boiled (soft-
boiled) eggs. This device can be found in almost every kopitiam (coffee shop) and mamak (24-7
restaurant) in Malaysia. In early 1973, Datuk Hew Ah Kow worked as a bulldozer operator at a
lumber camp. Half-boiled eggs were the way he liked to start his working day, however, he often
found that his eggs were overcooked. So, he decided to experiment with how to make the perfect
half-boiled eggs.

A year later, he invented the automatic egg boiler. All you need to do is place your eggs in the
plastic container, pour in the right ratio of boiling water and wait until the water is fully drained to
enjoy your half-boiled eggs.

2. Pen Drive
Did you know that pen drives were invented by a Malaysian? Pua Khein-Seng left Malaysia to
pursue his degree in electrical and control engineering at Chiao Tung University in Taiwan. In his third
year, he researched flash memory technology. Along with his partners, they founded Phison
Electronic and he invented the first pen drive in 2001. Today, the pen drive is an essential on-the-go
item for storing work files, movies, music, and all types of data.

3. Nehemiah Walls
The concrete hexagon-shaped walls, each panel connected with steel bars, are used to build the
flyovers which can be seen along the highways. Dr. Nehemiah Lee started implementing his ideas
after working at the Reinforced Earth Company in the 1980s. He researched the design and
concepts while studying for his Masters’ degree. Later, he came up with the system of creating soil-
retaining walls, that means the result is strong and versatile. The design is widely used in Malaysia
and other countries including Singapore, Australia, and Hong Kong.

(Extracted from: https://theculturetrip.com/asia/malaysia/articles/11-great-inventions-we-need-to-thank-malaysia-for)

Questions

1. The automatic egg-boiler is made from..
a. Aluminum
b. Plastic
c. Metal
d. Glass

2. Datuk Hew Ah Kow once worked as
a. A cook in a ‘kopitiam’
b. A Lumberjack
c. A bulldozer operator
d. An inventor

3. How many year Datuk Hew Ah Kow took to invent the automatic egg boiler?
a. 1 year
b. 2 years
c. 3 years
d. 4 years

4 Who invented the pen drives?
a. Chiao Tung
b. Pua Khein-Seng
c. Hew Ah Kow
d. Nehemiah Lee

5. The word ‘essential’ in the passage can be best replaced with…
a. inconsequential
b. trivial
c. crucial
d. negligible

6. Based on the passage, what is the function of a pen drive?
a. To restore data and work files
b. To save music and movies
c. To store data and work files
d. To save important assignments

7. Nehemiah walls are used widely in countries like
a. Malaysia, Canada and Australia
b. Australia, Malaysia and Hong Kong
c. Singapore, Japan and Australia
d. Malaysia, Japan and Canada

8. What is the best conclusion for this passage?
a. Malaysia is best known for its food, cultures and traditions.
b. Malaysia has produced a lot of great inventions and they should be acknowledged.
c. Malaysians should be thankful to have geniuses among them.
d. Malaysians are friendly and they are technological savvy.

Activity a

Match with the right answers.

a) To store files
b) can be used in retaining
walls
c) To steam eggs
d) To make half-boiled eggs
e) To uninstall all important data
f) To store movies and music
g) Used to reinforce concrete
or soil
h) Use for eggs only

Activity b

Fill in the blanks.

Example: • Four piece- plasticware
Automatic egg boiler

_______________ • a powerful track-laying tractor with caterpillar
tracks and a broad curved upright blade at
the front for clearing ground.

______________ • an object for holding or transporting
_______________ something.
_______________
• cause the water or other liquid in
(something) to run out, leaving it empty
or dry.

• the systematic investigation into and study of
materials and sources in order to establish
facts and reach new conclusions

________________ • main roads, especially one connecting
major towns or cities

________________ • able to adapt or be adapted to many
different functions or activities.

Answers Activity B

Article 2 1. A bulldozer
2. Container
1. B 3. Drained
2. C 4. Research
3. A 5. Highways
4. B 6. Versatile
5. C
6. C
7. B
8. B

ACTIVITY A
Automatic Egg Boilers : C and H
Pen drive: A and F
Nehemiah Wall : B and G

Article 3:

a true utopia

Written by: Avery Barker

The ground is quiet. The cities that used to hustle have crumbled with gardens
overgrown and suburbs rotted. They are mere ruins that are easy to glance over.
Covered in wear and tear from thousands of years. The plants grow thick over the
old broken buildings and dirt has buried the civilizations. They are the only signs of
human presence left on Earth. Finally, the animals can roam freely not disturbed by
mankind's unjust rule. They thrive on the Earth living out mother nature's plans. The
way things were supposed to be before humans took over. The forests are flourishing,
and the plant life has taken over. The coral reefs are able to live in peace once again
without all of the pollution that the humans caused. The air is clean and breathable.
Global warming is a thing of the past.

In the sky though, we see large cloud-shaped objects. At closer glance we realize
that it is a city built in the sky. The city floats among the clouds in the sky. The
metropolis thrives with happy faces filling every corner. Mankind is at its evolutionary
peak. Adapted to the skies, humans have strong respiratory systems. Vitamin D is easy
to come by, causing everyone to be happy. Everything is solar powered including the
cities themselves. People greet each other when they walk by. They've become open
and honest and don't stare at their feet when they walk. Neighbors smile and wave
at each other, not burdened by thoughts of war and crime. The children run through
the streets not worrying about cars or shootings. Cars don't exist anymore. There is
only one mode of transportation in this sky metropolis. That's their flying pigs.

Questions

1 Why the ground is described as quiet?
A Because the forests are flourishing
b. Because the buildings are ruined
c. Because the humans are not there
d. Because of the pollutions

2. The word ‘roam’ in the passage can be replaced with
a. walk
b. wander
c. run
d. march

3. How does the author describe the ‘air’ in the passage?
a. Clean and pure
b. Breathable and fresh
c. Clean and breathable
d. Fresh and clean

4. Based on your reading, how would you describe the earth in the passage?
a. Peaceful and calm
b. Green and bustling
c. Hot and humid
d. Cold and isolated

5. Where does the mankind live?
a. In the city on the ground
B In the sky
c. In the forest
d. In the space

6. Vitamin D is said to be the cause of…
a. Human’s rage
b. Human’s sadness
c. Human’s calmness
d. Human’s’ happiness

7. What does ‘flying pigs’ means?
a. A potential
b. An impossibility
c. A flying car
d. A flying animal

8. What can you conclude from this story?
a. The story tells us about human’s extinction.
b. Mankind is cruel and need to be stopped.
c. It is possible to live in space.
d. The story symbolizes hope for human to live in an utopian city.

Activity a

Facts or opinions.
Circle ‘F’ for fact or ‘O’ for opinion.

1. Based on my observation, utopian city will never exist. ( F / O )

2. Global warming has affected the world’s weather. ( F / O )

3. Mankind will survive from global warming. (F /O)

4. We will have flying cars in the future (F / O)

5. Coral reefs are dying due to pollution. (F /O)
6. The three major types of pollution are air pollution, (F /O)
water pollution, and land pollution

tips

. FACT OPINION

Fact refers to something that Opinion refers to a judgement
can be verified or proved to be or belief about something.
true.