3 P A R T 82 SPM Practice 5 Write your answer in 200 – 250 words in an appropriate style on this question paper. Your teacher has asked you to write a story for the English Bulletin. The story must have the title: Cheating Does Not Pay Your story should include: • a description of why and how the person cheated • what the person learned from the incident Write your story. Mastr SPM Wrtg Eng P3 3rd.indd 82 14-Apr-23 2:40:53 PM PENERBIT ILMU BAKTI SDN. BHD.
83 Part 1 You must answer this question. Question 1 You received an email from your cousin, Kavitha who is living in another town. Hi, I will be staying over at Grandma’s house next weekend. Shall we go hiking with our cousins? Is there any hiking place around your house or Grandma’s house? What can we do there? What should we bring? Looking forward to your reply. Bye. Now write an email to your cousin in about 80 words. Write your answer below. EMAIL To: Subject: SPM Model Test • 1 Mastr SPM Wrtg Eng MT1&2 3rd.indd 83 14-Apr-23 2:36:06 PM PENERBIT ILMU BAKTI SDN. BHD.
1SPM Model Test 84 Part 2 You must answer this question. Write your answer in 125 – 150 words in an appropriate style. Question 2 Your class has been discussing how to organise a mural painting project in the school and your teacher has asked you to write an essay about the project. In your essay, you should write about: • the the details of the project • when students can do it • what students can learn from the project Write your essay using all the notes and giving reasons for your point of view. Mastr SPM Wrtg Eng MT1&2 3rd.indd 84 14-Apr-23 2:36:06 PM PENERBIT ILMU BAKTI SDN. BHD.
1SPM Model Test 85 Part 3 Write an answer to one of the questions 3 – 5 in this part. Write your answer in 200 – 250 words in an appropriate style on this question paper. Put the question number in the box at the top of the answer space. Question 3 You see this notice on the board outside the school hall. Articles needed! My School Hall • What activities can be conducted at the school hall? • What special facilities should your school hall have? • How can you improve your school hall? Write us an article answering these questions. The best article will be published in the school magazine. Write your article. Question 4 As Secretary of the Moral Society, you are required to write a report on activities that have been carried out for the first half of the year. Your report should include: • a description of the activities • how the activities have benefited the members Write your report. Question 5 Your class teacher asked you to write a story for the class bulletin. The story must have the title: A Selfish Act Your story should include: • a description of the incident • lessons learned from it Write your story. Mastr SPM Wrtg Eng MT1&2 3rd.indd 85 14-Apr-23 2:36:06 PM PENERBIT ILMU BAKTI SDN. BHD.
1SPM Model Test 86 Question Number: Mastr SPM Wrtg Eng MT1&2 3rd.indd 86 14-Apr-23 2:36:06 PM PENERBIT ILMU BAKTI SDN. BHD.
87 Part 1 You must answer this question. Question 1 You received an email from your old neighbour, Mindy who is now studying in your hometown. Hi, I’m organising a class trip for the upcoming year-end school holidays. I’m thinking of going to the beach. What do you think? Where would you suggest? What can we do there? What should we bring? Hope to hear from you soon. Bye. Now write an email to your friend in about 80 words. Write your answer below. EMAIL To: Subject: SPM Model Test • 2 Mastr SPM Wrtg Eng MT1&2 3rd.indd 87 14-Apr-23 2:36:07 PM PENERBIT ILMU BAKTI SDN. BHD.
2SPM Model Test 88 Part 2 You must answer this question. Write your answer in 125 – 150 words in an appropriate style. Question 2 Your class has been planning for an environmental campaign and your teacher has asked you to write an essay about the planning of the campaign. In your essay, you should write about: • the duration for the campaign • suitable activities during the campaign • the preparation needed Write your essay using all the notes and giving reasons for your point of view. Mastr SPM Wrtg Eng MT1&2 3rd.indd 88 14-Apr-23 2:36:07 PM PENERBIT ILMU BAKTI SDN. BHD.
2SPM Model Test 89 Part 3 Write an answer to one of the questions 3 – 5 in this part. Write your answer in 200 – 250 words in an appropriate style on this question paper. Put the question number in the box at the top of the answer space. Question 3 You see this notice on the board outside the school library. Send us Your Articles! Pros and Cons of Studying Abroad • Have you considered pursuing your studies abroad? • What are the advantages of studying abroad? • What are the possible disadvantages? Write us an article answering these questions. The best article will be published in the school magazine. Write your article. Question 4 You recently saw this notice in a tourist centre. Reviews wanted! Have you visited any good restaurants recently? Tell us more about the restaurant. Would you recommend the restaurant to others? Why? The best review will be published in our travel magazine. Write your review. Question 5 Your English teacher asked you to write a story for the English Society newsletter. The story must begin with the following words: Last Sunday, I experienced the most frightening encounter… Your story should include: • a description of the encounter • how the person got out of the situation Write your story. Mastr SPM Wrtg Eng MT1&2 3rd.indd 89 14-Apr-23 2:36:07 PM PENERBIT ILMU BAKTI SDN. BHD.
2SPM Model Test 90 Question Number: Mastr SPM Wrtg Eng MT1&2 3rd.indd 90 14-Apr-23 2:36:07 PM PENERBIT ILMU BAKTI SDN. BHD.
91 Suggested Answers SPM Practice 1 EMAIL To: [email protected] Subject: Farewell party for your Science teacher Hi Ina, How are you doing? Organising a farewell party for your Science teacher is a great idea. I’d suggest the school canteen for the venue because you can save a great deal of money to buy him a special gift. What about getting a pair of binoculars for him to explore nature? As for the guests, I think you can invite all your classmates and teachers. Remember to take lots of pictures and share with your Science teacher later. I hope the ideas are helpful. Your friend, Amanda SPM Practice 2 EMAIL To: [email protected] Subject: Ann’s birthday surprise Dear May, How are you? I think since Ann likes Hello Kitty very much, why not give her a Hello Kitty themed party? Invite just her best friends because she doesn’t like a noisy party. On her birthday, decorate your house with Hello Kitty balloons, soft toys and other merchandise while she’s away for tuition. Don’t forget a big Hello Kitty cake too! She will definitely be surprised to see all this when she comes back. I’m sure it’s going to be an unforgettable birthday for her! Your beloved cousin, Alice SPM Practice 3 EMAIL To: [email protected] Subject: Beach suggestion Dear John, Warm welcome to your friend! There are many places in Malaysia where your friend can enjoy sunshine and beaches. I especially like the beaches on Penang Island. He can swim or sunbathe in Batu Ferringhi or enjoy the water activities there. When night falls, he can shop at the night market. The best time to visit Malaysia is from January until May as it will be less crowded. There will be more sunny days too. Hope the information helps. Best regards, Meng SPM Practice 4 EMAIL To: [email protected] Subject: History project Hi Normi, Glad to hear from you. I would suggest you study the history of the Baba-Nyonya as you can visit Melaka or Penang, the origin of the culture, to gather information. Your research will be interesting because you can visit the museums, galleries, or even interview the local Baba-Nyonya to collect the data that you need. You can also take plenty of photos to depict their lifestyle and culture. You may consider doing video recording too. Sounds fun right? Hope you like my ideas. Warm regards, Azizi SPM Practice 5 EMAIL To: [email protected] Subject: Vacation place for your parents Dear Openg, I’m glad that your parents are coming here for their vacation. Since they like cool weather, I strongly recommend Cameron Highlands. A 5D4N trip would be best so that they don’t have to rush. There are many nature-related places to visit but an absolute must is the tea plantation where they can enjoy their favourite tea at the hill side café. As for souvenirs, I suggest they buy some small cactus plants which are both pretty and inexpensive. Till I hear from you again, take care. Your friend, Chandra Mastr SPM Wrtg Eng Answer 3rd.indd 91 14-Apr-23 2:33:31 PM PENERBIT ILMU BAKTI SDN. BHD.
92 SPM Practice 6 EMAIL To: [email protected] Subject: Food tour in Malaysia Hello Hana, I’m happy to know that your classmate is coming to Malaysia. As she is an adventurous foodie, she must give Malaysians’ all-time favourites such as nasi lemak, satay, roti canai, cendol, and many more a try. Where to eat really depends on your friend’s budget and what kind of experience she wants. However, I would recommend hawker centres which are widely available, clean and affordable. They also offer great varieties of food under one roof. I hope she’ll have a great trip! Best regards, Liza SPM Practice 7 EMAIL To: [email protected] Subject: Ukulele lessons Dear Ella, I’m so glad that you still like music! I strongly recommend you learn the ukulele as it’s slightly easier to learn compared to other musical instruments. You can either learn through YouTube videos or better yet, sign up for lessons at a music centre. All you need to buy is a ukulele. As a beginner, you can get one below RM100 but if you have a higher budget then you may opt for a better quality one. Do let know me what you decide. Your friend, Alan SPM Practice 8 EMAIL To: [email protected] Subject: Camping during year-end holidays Hi Azriq, I would love to go camping with you. I’ve heard about a popular camping site at Sungai Gabai, which is about 20 km away from my house. There’s a small waterfall and a stream there. We shall camp for two days and one night as there is nothing much to do there except for swimming. Please bring a small tent, torchlight and mosquito repellent. There are food stalls nearby so we do not need to bring any food. Let me know what you think. Your friend, Devindran SPM Practice 9 EMAIL To: [email protected] Subject: Public speaking tips Hello Serena, Glad to hear that you’re interested in public speaking. I joined public speaking classes at Edutree English Centre last year. I’m now attending their advanced class. In order to speak well, you need to speak clearly and calmly in a voice which is neither too loud nor too soft. Remember to look at the audience. Eye contact is important. Yes, I will be joining another competition end of this year and I’m now training for it. Do tell me how you’re doing with public speaking. Your cousin, Lydia SPM Practice 10 EMAIL To: [email protected] Subject: A visit to the orphanage Hi Mala, I’m good and hope you’re doing great too. I looked it up and I think it would be good to visit Heavenly Children’s Home in Cheras. Not many people visit this orphanage. During your visit, you can have a storytelling or drama session. The children there are mostly very young and they love superhero stories and fairy tales. It would be good if you could bring them some books and toys. They love presents and they already have sufficient food. Enjoy your trip! Best wishes, Paul SPM Practice 11 EMAIL To: [email protected] Subject: Ways to improve English My beloved niece, I’m sad to hear that you didn’t do well in your exams but I’m glad that you want to improve yourself. I think it’s better that you join English classes at language centres because they specialise in teaching English and they have more interesting activities. If you like reading, try the Narnia series as you love stories about magical lands. You can also improve your English by watching English movies and listening to English songs. Enjoy yourself as you learn! Your loving aunt, Pauline Mastr SPM Wrtg Eng Answer 3rd.indd 92 14-Apr-23 2:33:31 PM PENERBIT ILMU BAKTI SDN. BHD.
93 SPM Practice 12 EMAIL To: Pei Pei @happymail.com Subject: Teacher’s Day Celebration Hi Pei Pei, I’m so proud to hear that you’re in charge of the Teacher’s Day celebration in your school. In your opening speech, you can mention the challenges that the teachers face and thank them for their sacrifices, dedication and commitment. As for activities, you can have a fashion show for the teachers followed by a teacher-student telematch. That would be fun! A pendrive with their names engraved on it will be a useful gift for the teachers. Tell me all about the event in your next email. Your cousin, Daphne SPM Practice 13 EMAIL To: [email protected] Subject: Overseas trip Hello Maria, Glad to hear that you can finally go overseas for your holidays! I would suggest that you go to a seaside resort since you live in Cameron Highlands. Phuket Island in Thailand will be perfect! You’ll definitely enjoy snorkelling and island hopping there as it’s a different experience than a hill resort. The food there is delicious and I’m sure you will enjoy the spicy tom yum kung and your favourite pineapple fried rice. Enjoy your trip! Your friend, Razak SPM Practice 14 EMAIL To: [email protected] Subject: Choice of college Hi Nicole, I’m sure you will excel in your SPM. Glad to hear that you plan to attend college soon after that. According to my sister, Bright Star College is one of the best colleges in town for A-levels. They have produced many successful graduates. The lecturers there are very experienced and dedicated. They may be strict at times but don’t worry, they can be friendly as well. The assignments are not very difficult as the lecturers provide a lot of guidance. All the best! Your friend, Daniel SPM Practice 1 There are many possibilities for me to explore after the SPM examination. However, here are the three things that I wish to do. Firstly, I plan to work for a year. I will choose the area that I am interested in so that I get a glimpse of what it is like if I were to make it my future career. This would also help me decide on the course that I want to study later. The second thing is to render my services to the homeless community from time to time. As I like cooking, I would like to volunteer in soup kitchens. This is my way to give back to the community. The third thing in my plan is to give my family a big seafood feast after receiving my first salary. This is a way to show my appreciation to them. I hope I manage to realise these plans. SPM Practice 2 A garage sale was organised by our school last Sunday, 3 January 2023, from 9 am to 5 pm to raise funds for students whose families have been affected financially by the flood. Items sold were solely used goods, and not purchased for resale. This is to encourage the practice of sustainable lifestyle. A wide variety of items were sold on the day including clothes, books, toys, kitchen items and many more. All these were donations from parents and teachers. During the sale, there were art exhibition, picnic-style lunch, games for children as well as guest appearances by popular local celebrities such as Natasha Amir and Jaclyn Gomez, who auctioned off clothes they had worn for photo shoots and events. The event received very good response and support from the community and a total sum of RM55,000 was collected. All proceeds will be distributed to the needy by the end of the month. SPM Practice 3 Being a wise consumer is important in today’s economy. A wise consumer is a person who always spends wisely. He or she makes sure to plan their spending, ensure an item is necessary and worth buying, and rarely shops impulsively. In order to spend wisely, it is advisable to compare prices from at least three shops, with the aim to obtain the best deal. Besides that, it is always wise to shop during sales to help us save money. However, we must be careful not to fall into the trap of casual buying so prepare a shopping list and be sure to stick to it. Being a wise consumer will enable us to avoid wastage, be knowledgeable about finance, maximise our earnings and avoid financial problems later. With the steps above, it is hoped that we can all be wise consumers who always spend within our means. SPM Practice 4 I live in a mixed community where there are Malays, Chinese, Indians and other races. I think many activities can be done to strengthen the community spirit in my neighbourhood. Firstly, I would suggest regular neighbourhood watch especially at night as I’m sure we would all like to feel safe and secure in our own homes. It allows the community to work on shifts to look out for one another. All residents can volunteer their services. Besides that, open house is another good activity that promotes community interaction. This can be done not just Mastr SPM Wrtg Eng Answer 3rd.indd 93 14-Apr-23 2:33:32 PM PENERBIT ILMU BAKTI SDN. BHD.
94 during Hari Raya but during other festive seasons too such as Chinese New Year, Deepavali, and Christmas. In conclusion, many activities can be done to improve the community spirit in our neighbourhood. We can always start with a small act. When understanding towards others increases, tolerance and acceptance levels will increase too. SPM Practice 5 In conjunction with World Health Day, our class would like to organise a health campaign in our school. The purpose of the campaign is to raise awareness of students on the importance of physical as well as mental health. For this two-day campaign, we plan to organise talks on stress management and living a healthy lifestyle. A panel of experts will be invited for the talks. Besides that, we plan to include free health screening such as BMI test, blood screening and eye test. The highlight of the campaign is a Zumba session with a popular instructor for the whole school. In terms of preparation, we will first ask for permission to organise the campaign as well as to use the venue from the school. Then we will formally invite the panellists and guests. After that, we will promote the event in the school. We hope the campaign will be a success. SPM Practice 6 It is important for all students to have a suitable hobby to enrich their lives. Some of the activities they may take up include playing a sport, reading, volunteering, or creative endeavours such as painting, writing or music. Having a hobby will help students lead a well-balanced life. Instead of just focusing on school and their studies, practising a hobby will allow students to occupy their leisure time wisely. Some students even find their passion in life through hobbies. There are many benefits of taking up a hobby. Firstly, it is a stress-reliever where students can get away from the pressures of studying and just have fun. Students can also make friends through hobbies. They might get to know people from all walks of life and develop social skills. Finally, students can learn and develop new skills through their hobbies, which in turn builds self-esteem. Thus, looking at all the benefits of hobbies it is clear that you can’t afford not to have one. SPM Practice 7 Students are often encouraged to join co-curricular activities in order to enhance the school experience. Nowadays there are many types of activities offered including sports and games such as basketball and taekwondo, uniformed units such as Scouts and School Cadets, and clubs and societies such as the Photography Club and the Korean Society. The main benefit of participating in co-curricular activities is students get to learn new skills, for instance photography or language skills, which are difficult to acquire through classroom learning. Students also get to interact with people with similar interests which will widen their social circle. However, a major disadvantage is students may find it tiring to keep up with both their studies and co-curricular activities. Some students may also become too focused on these activities, making them less motivated to study. In conclusion, co-curricular activities are indeed beneficial, but students have to learn to manage their time well. SPM Practice 8 Our school celebrated Teacher’s Day on Friday, 28 May 2023. All teachers and students assembled at the school hall at 8.30 am. The principal gave an opening speech, followed by an appreciation speech by the Head Prefect. After that, the special concert began. The teacher choir opened the concert with two songs. The teachers sang very well and all students clapped enthusiastically. Then we were entertained by a sketch performed by the Prefectorial Board. Everyone laughed as the prefects acted as our teachers teaching in class. The final performance was an impromptu dance where students and teachers danced together. We had a great time and each class monitor took turns to present flowers and a token of appreciation to the teachers on stage. Teachers’ Day is an important annual event in school for students to show their appreciation and love to our teachers. It is a wonderful tradition that should be continued. SPM Practice 9 Recently, our class, Form 5 Prihatin visited Sunshine Home for Disabled Children in Petaling Jaya. The main purpose of our visit was to learn and understand children with special needs better. We also hoped that this visit would enable us to empathise with them and lend a helping hand whenever we can. Upon reaching our destination, we were given a briefing by the person in charge of the home. He explained the challenges as well as the rewards of taking care of the children. We then played games, had a painting session and read to the children. We also helped prepare lunch and ate with them. After lunch, we chatted with the children before bidding farewell. It was a time well-spent. We learned so many things including how resilient the children are, and were amazed by the kindness and patience of the care-givers. We plan to visit them again soon. SPM Practice 10 The holidays are coming and I would like to go for a trip with my family. My dream destination would be Sabah. One of the main reasons I would like to visit Sabah is because it is home to Mount Kinabalu. I really would like to see it at least once in my lifetime. It will take two days to hike up the mountain and along the way my family and I will be able to enjoy seeing the flora and fauna. We could also spend a few days at any of the islands at Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. We could go snorkelling, diving and ziplining. The Kota Kinabalu town has its own attractions. We could visit the Gaya Street morning market. I heard that we could get all sorts of things there such as batik sarongs, footwear, fruits and flowers, local snack, cakes and others. My family and I could stay in Sabah for a week. I’m sure we would have a wonderful time there. SPM Practice 11 The Interact Club organised a food carnival at the school field on Sunday, 17 October 2023. The purpose of the food carnival is to raise funds to help the underprivileged. The carnival managed to raise RM3,000 and all proceeds will be used to buy educational needs for refugee children. During the carnival, there were a variety of food sold. Some of the food were prepared from home such as cakes, desserts and sandwiches. Some were cooked on the spot such as satay, char kuey teow and fried rice. There were a variety of beverages on sale too, from fruit juices to bubble teas. The carnival ended much earlier than planned as the food were all sold out by 4 pm. We were tired but happy that we have contributed in this fund-raising event. SPM Practice 12 A team sport involves a group of more than two people. You cannot play the sport alone. Both teams have to have an equal number of players and play together with the same objective. Examples of team sports include football, basketball and hockey. Mastr SPM Wrtg Eng Answer 3rd.indd 94 14-Apr-23 2:33:32 PM PENERBIT ILMU BAKTI SDN. BHD.
95 One important advantage of team sports is teamwork. Players must learn to work together to achieve a common goal. You will also tend to work harder for the benefit of the whole team. Another advantage is you can widen your circle of friends and meet more people. However, playing in a team sport means there is a higher chance of disagreement and conflict amongst team players. It is quite difficult for everyone to get along. Furthermore, it is difficult to get a suitable time when everyone is free to play together. In conclusion, there are both advantages and disadvantages of playing sports as a team. SPM Practice 13 Obesity is on the rise among many young people. Obesity can lead to many dangerous diseases such as heart diseases, high blood pressure and even diabetes. Hence, it is important to maintain an ideal weight. Firstly, ask your doctor how much weight you should lose. Determine the amount and then set realistic goals. Small weight losses have shown to be beneficial and can help you to stay motivated to lose weight. Furthermore, eat a variety of food every day to get the proper nutrition and be sure to exercise. You must avoid going on a crash diet as it tends to lead to greater weight gain in the future. Instead, make gradual changes in eating habits as it promotes long term loss of body fat. Once you have achieved your desired weight, do not go back to unhealthy lifestyle. Stick to these healthy habits to maintain your weight. SPM Practice 14 Online games are definitely entertaining. There are many types of online games that cater to different interests such as role-playing games, multiple player games, strategy games and so much more. One advantage of playing online games is that it increases our focus and attention. This is especially true when we play action games because we need to achieve certain objectives to progress to the next level. Besides that, it also enhances our multitasking skills and our cognitive and creative skills because we need to overcome many obstacles. However, one of the biggest concerns when playing online games is the time wasted. When we are engrossed in a game, the desire to win will make us play until the wee hours of the morning. Furthermore, playing online games excessively tend to make us physically inactive and it also reduces our social skills in real life. Therefore, we must be careful not to play computer games excessively. SPM Practice 15 Many people believe that pets in shelters are unhealthy or have behavioural problems. However, this is not true. There are many benefits of rescuing a pet from animal shelters. One rewarding benefit is that your kind act will be returned several times over by the loving and devoted nature of the animal you adopt. They will provide companionship, loyalty and love. Furthermore, the cost of adopting a pet at an animal shelter is usually inexpensive compared to buying one. There are of course factors to consider when adopting a pet. Firstly, you should look at the specific qualities and characteristics of the pet that are compatible with you. You should also find out about the animal’s history as much as possible so that there would be no surprises later. I believe everyone should consider adopting because it would help the pet overpopulation problem considerably. It would also help save the lives of the pets. Article SPM Practice 1 How to Excel in Examinations by Eugene Goh Examinations are an important part of every student’s life. Some students do it well, while others find it challenging. How can we excel in examinations? Some of the ways include having a daily study plan, engaging in active learning during class, and preparing well the day before the examination. First and foremost, having a daily study plan is the first step towards success in examinations. A daily study plan can guide us to work consistently towards our goals. This plan resembles a timetable in which we put in the time allocated to doing homework, revision, self-study as well as break time. Then, we need to be disciplined and stick to our own plan. Besides that, what we do in the class is vital too. Concentrate when the teacher is teaching, take notes if necessary, and do the class activities. If there are questions, ask our teacher during the class. All these enhance our memory and thus improve our learning. Last but not least, the final preparation before our examinations is essential. We should have studied all the relevant topics well ahead, so what is left to do is to revise the important topics quickly to refresh our memory and increase our confidence. Avoid studying late at night. Eat well and rest well so that we have the energy and focus we need to handle our examination the next day. In conclusion, I hope the guidelines can benefit us and help us excel in all our small tests as well as important examinations. SPM Practice 2 Stop Smoking! by Zackery Brian Smoking is prevalent among teenagers nowadays. Apart from the conventional cigarettes, young people today are also attracted to e-cigarettes, or more commonly known as vaping. Both of these bring harmful effects to our health. Therefore, we should quit smoking and vaping altogether. Firstly, both smoking and vaping cause lung damage. Smoking reduces lung function and lung growth. It causes shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing and increased phlegm. Studies have found that even e-cigarettes claiming to be nicotine-free contain trace amounts of nicotine besides other toxic chemicals and metals such as nickel and lead. All these increase the risks of lung cancer greatly. Secondly, it is proven that smoking causes early heart disease. The nicotine in smoke reduces the amount of oxygen our heart gets, and thus raises our blood pressure and heart rate. This results in a higher chance of blood clot to occur. These problems can lead to strokes or heart attacks and eventually increase the risk of early death. Lastly, smoking causes our general health to deteriorate. Smokers tend to develop stained teeth, weak gum and bad breath over a period of time. In the long run, they are even prone to develop mouth cancer. Furthermore, smokers will also have dry and wrinkled skin or worse, skin problems like psoriasis. To conclude, smokers should quit smoking and vaping because it brings damaging impacts on our lungs, heart and general health. It is not worth risking our life for it! Mastr SPM Wrtg Eng Answer 3rd.indd 95 14-Apr-23 2:33:32 PM PENERBIT ILMU BAKTI SDN. BHD.
96 SPM Practice 3 Ways to Improve My School’s Sports Day by Nadia Ibrahim Sports day is a day where students get a chance to showcase their sporting prowess, learn important lessons about competition and enjoy themselves in the open air with their friends and teachers. Just like the previous years, my school’s sports day is well-organised. However, there are some ways in which it could be improved. During sports day, athletics is the main event and this means that only students with the desirable physical fitness get the chance to win medals and trophies. Students who are not inclined towards athletics usually end up as the spectators despite having skills in other types of sports. Therefore to be fair, other types of sports should also be included on sports day such as badminton, ping-pong, basketball, silat or gymnastics. These sports can be held concurrently in the school hall or classrooms. Some of the sports equipment are old and need to be replaced with new ones for the safety of the students. The mattresses for high jump, for example, have thinned out and it might cause injury. Most of the stopwatches and whistles are not functioning and need replacements as well. Finally, sports day can be more fun with friendly competitions such as the best tent decoration, loudest cheer section, best cheer song and so on. This would enable the nonathletic students to participate and be a more inclusive event. Our sports day is rather conventional and needs changes to keep up with the changing times. This will make sports day a day for all students to look forward to. SPM Practice 4 Handling Cyberbullies by Mogana Devgan These days, anyone who is active online would be exposed to cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is a type of bullying that occurs in digital devices such as in social media, forums, texts and gaming platforms. It includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful or false information about someone else, causing embarrassment and humiliation. Some cyberbullies are even involved in more serious criminal acts. Students can protect themselves from cyberbullies by not responding to them. To respond would often make the situation worse and encourage the cyberbullies to attack you even more. Keep the evidence by taking a screenshot and then block the bullies or delete them from your friend list. For fake profiles on social media, students can make a report to the respective social media platforms. In more serious cases, do not hesitate to report to the police. Parents can support their children by first monitoring their children’s use of social media, and interfering when they recognise warning signs of cyberbullying. They can also provide emotional support by listening to their children’s fears, and reassuring and advising them to ignore the bullies. Parents need to offer comfort and convince their children that they are not alone in facing the cyberbullies. They must also make it clear to their children that they are always ready to listen. Students need to be educated on how to handle cyberbullies effectively. This would deter cyberbullies from seeking more victims and make the internet a safer place for everyone. SPM Practice 5 A Healthy Lifestyle by Ranveer Singh A healthy lifestyle involves having a nutritious diet, daily exercise, adequate sleep, being happy and thinking positively. This is necessary to combat diseases and mental stress. A healthy lifestyle can be achieved by not skipping meals. Instead, we should eat breakfast like a king, eat lunch like a lord and eat dinner like a pauper. We should adhere to the food pyramid to ensure we have enough protein, carbohydrates, healthy fats as well as essential vitamins and minerals for good health. In addition, drink enough water as water regulates our body temperature, removes toxins from our body and increases the body’s metabolic rate. Also, exercise daily for a minimum of thirty minutes as this is essential to keep our body strong and increase our immune system. Besides that, a hormone called serotonin is released in the body when we exercise and this regulates our good mood and keeps us positive. Finally, we must have adequate sleep for our body to rejuvenate and mind to rest. Sleep is essential for the body and mind. The best way to encourage my friends to practise a healthy lifestyle is by setting myself as an example. When they see the positive effects of a healthy lifestyle in my life, they will be motivated too. Next, the change should be gradual like focusing on healthy eating and slowly moving on to exercising. In conclusion, practising a healthy lifestyle should be a person’s choice, and not forced upon. However, I believe everyone is capable on making the healthy choice. Review SPM Practice 1 A Book Review: The Blind Spot I have recently read a very motivating and inspiring book entitled ‘The Blind Spot’. It is a book by Jessica Teh based on her year-long interviews with Judy Morten, the Paralympic athlete for judo in five consecutive Games. The first half of the book is about Judy’s childhood and how she was afflicted with the rare illness that affected the functions of her eyes and ears when she was just four years old. The story outlines the frustration Judy experienced as a child, unable to communicate with anybody. However, her life changed with the arrival of her new teacher cum nanny, Ms Alissa. Ms Alissa introduced lots of sports to Judy despite her physical inabilities. I especially enjoyed reading the second part of the book where Judy is first introduced to judo. She met her school sports instructor Mr Tanaka when she was seven years old and has been training under him ever since. I found those sections that illustrate Judy’s struggles and hard work poignant and touching. The language use is simple yet the descriptions of every moment of Judy’s life is vivid and captivating. I could not help but to keep turning the pages to find out more on how Judy overcame all her challenges. I admire Judy for her determination and diligence. Overall, ‘The Blind Spot’ is a good book that is suitable for all ages. The story is very touching and motivating. It shows the triumph of the human spirit in the face of indomitable obstacles. It should be on your must-read list! Mastr SPM Wrtg Eng Answer 3rd.indd 96 14-Apr-23 2:33:32 PM PENERBIT ILMU BAKTI SDN. BHD.
97 SPM Practice 2 A Café Review: The Buddy Time An interesting café that I have visited recently is The Buddy Time which is located in Kuching. The owner, Brian Pailing first opened the café in July 2019, simply because he loved coffee. He had worked part-time for the past three years in cafés before finally leaving his job of eight years to launch his own café. The café is not big but it has a cosy and friendly atmosphere. I fell in love with the interior of the café with its comforting pastel hues. It is the best place to chit chat and catch up with friends. The staff are also attentive and efficient in their work even during peak hours. They are friendly and knowledgeable about their house coffees too. In terms of the coffee, the choices range from the usual café latte to the stronger espresso. I particularly love their ice-blended mocha. The menu for food is wide too, including Western and fusion dishes. The patrons’ all-time favourite that you must not miss are grilled chicken wings and Super-Duper cheese burger. Lastly, their signature coconut cake is a must-try. The soft and fluffy cake is layered with rich coconut cream in the middle. This is a truly unique piece that I have never tasted in other cafes before. Overall, The Buddy Time is a perfect place not just for coffee and food but for get-togethers with family and friends. The prices are very affordable and the service is great. I would definitely recommend it to my family and friends. SPM Practice 3 A Shopping Mall Review: Goldmine Shopping Centre Besides retail outlets, shopping malls nowadays are equipped with various facilities such as post office, gym, bowling alley, cineplex, restaurants, indoor playgrounds and some even have an ice-skating rink. Recently, I went to Goldmine Shopping Centre at Seri Kembangan which offers all these and more. I like Goldmine because it has a Venetian-like canal running through the shopping mall. Tickets are sold at the counter inside the mall and passengers can board the cruise boat from there. The boat takes passengers out to a lake outside the mall where they can enjoy scenic view of the nearby park and lake, as well as parts of the city centre. The boat then stops at various places for passengers to feed fish, birds and ducks. Another aspect I enjoyed was that the mall has the biggest and most luxurious Cineplex in town. You can watch a movie in a variety of theatres of your own choosing such as the Bean Bag theatre, iMax theatre, Kids theatre and more. I would definitely recommend this shopping mall to my friends because they would enjoy their time here. Aside from shopping, they can eat, watch movies, go to the arcade, have a game of bowling or try ice-skating all under one roof. The mall is not congested and there is ample indoor as well as outdoor parking space. Overall, it is a good mall to spend your time especially on a hot day. SPM Practice 4 A Smartphone Review: BiPhone 12 Pro Max There are so many amazing new smartphones available in the market. My father recently bought a new smartphone – the BiPhone 12 Pro Max – and I am totally in love with it. The new graphite colour is so beautiful, and it has so many amazing new features that would impress even the most discerning smartphone user. Firstly, its speed is generations ahead of any other smartphones. It can download large files, upload photos and stream high-quality video faster than ever. The screen is bigger than all the other previous models and it has a camera system that takes low-light photography to the next level. I particularly like its new technology in recording videos. It is the first smartphone ever with a camera that is capable of Dolby vision recording. This is just awesome because it means that it is using the format used to film professional videos. Imagine how lifelike the videos would be! It was totally mindblowing when I first recorded a video with my father’s phone and watch it on our home’s smart TV. It has such sophisticated editing features that I felt like I have become a film maker! I also like its long-lasting battery life and the fact that it is water resistant. I would definitely recommend the BiPhone 12 Pro Max to my friends, especially those who are YouTubers. The Biphone 12 Pro Max is truly a phone of the new generation. It is a dream phone not only for teenagers but also for adults. SPM Practice 5 A Movie Review: The Prisoner of Zenda The movie I recently watched and enjoyed immensely was ‘The Prisoner of Zenda’. It is a timeless story written by Anthony Hope Hawkins and adapted for the big screen. Directed by Felicity Jones, it is an action-packed movie that will keep you glued to your seat. The movie is set in the 19th century in a fictional place. The protagonist in this movie is Rudolf Rassendyll, a commoner who looks very much like King Rudolf V, ruler of the country. King Rudolf is in danger because his evil step-brother, Duke Michael, wants to kill him and proclaim himself the king. Rudolf then has to pretend to be the king in order to save his life, as well as to preserve the peace in the country. I loved the cast of characters in the movie. However, Gordon Michael’s acting as Rudolf Rassendyll really stood out. He looked so handsome and he carried his role as the courageous Rudolf with great ease. The action scenes were also very exciting, especially the sword fight between Rudolf and Duke Michael. Both were equally good swordsmen and the scene was highly tensed. I really liked how realistic the ending was too. I would recommend this movie as it has an interesting plot and it will satiate your hunger for adventure. The twohour movie will keep you highly entertained and there is no dull moment in this movie where adventure and love strikes a balance. Report SPM Practice 1 A Visit to Rumah Kasih Old Folks’ Home The Interact Club of Sekolah Menengah Tinggi Kajang had organised a visit to Rumah Kasih Old Folks’ Home on 29 April 2023. 18 members of the Interact Club joined the trip accompanied by their two teacher-advisors, Puan Lee and Encik Roslan. The members started their journey at 9 am and reached the old folks’ home an hour later. Upon arrival, the members were welcomed by the supervisor, Ms Thana. There were 15 elderlies, men and women aged from 61 to 86 years old. The members were introduced to the elderlies and the elderlies were thrilled by the presence of the members. After the ice-breaker session, the members presented some basic necessities to the home such as milk, canned food, toiletries and cleaning supplies. 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98 This was followed by a singing performance by a few of the members accompanied by the guitar. The elderlies were delighted and clapped while singing along. Then, the members kept the elderlies’ company and chatted with them and even played games for about an hour. Everyone had a great time. Before leaving, the members had lunch with the elderlies. The lunch was provided by Rasa Catering who had agreed to sponsor the meal. Everyone enjoyed the meal. The members of the Interact Club left the old folks’ home at 2.30 pm. They had brought cheer to the elderlies at the old folks’ home. The members also had a great time and hoped they would be able to return soon. Reported by, Jasmine Jasmine Tan Secretary Interact Club SPM Practice 2 A Quarrel in the School Library On 16 October 2023, a quarrel between two students happened at the library. On that day, it was quiet as usual. The librarians were arranging books on the shelves while a group of students were reading at the tables.There was a queue of four students at the counter waiting for their turns to borrow books. A librarian was attending to them patiently. Suddenly, two boys from Form 4 Bestari started shouting at each other. They were Shankar Kumar and Kenny Chua. They were in the queue too. One of the boys accused the other of cutting the queue. They began to shout angrily at each other. However, the accused insisted that he did not cut the queue. The heated argument between the two soon escalated and they started shoving at each other. I was walking along the corridor when I heard the commotion. I ran into the library and tried to stop them. Meanwhile, the librarian, Zakiah binti Bakri, ran to call the disciplinary teacher, Mr Thirusamy who came in and intervened. He noted the boys’ names and the class they came from. Mr Thirusamy instructed me to accompany the boys back to his room as he wanted to interrogate them. Before leaving, Mr Thirusamy asked the other students if they had seen what caused the quarrel. The students told him what had happened and he instructed the librarians to monitor the queue carefully next time. Reported by, Hon Yong Lok Hon Yong Prefect SMK Sri Serdang SPM Practice 3 Launch of Recycling Campaign From 3 – 5 March 2023, SMK Yu Hua organised a recycling campaign for the students. The main objective of the campaign was to create awareness among the students on the importance of recycling. We also aimed to inform the students about the school project and collection centre in the school. The launching ceremony was held at the school hall on 3 March. Upon registration at the entrance of the school hall, attendees and visitors started coming in at 9 am. When everyone was seated, the launch began at 9.30 am. The opening speech was given by our school Principal, Puan Cheng Ken Ling. It was followed with a speech by the Chairman of Green Global Waste Disposal, Mr Damian Foo. According to Mr Foo, the amount of waste in our country has increased to over 23,000 tonnes per day due to the increasing population and development. After the speech, he launched the Recycling Campaign. This was followed by a talk by the Enforcement Officer from the Environmental Department, Encik Jais Ismail. We were told the reasons why we should recycle and he also listed the items that can be recycled. Later, our school teacher, Puan Zaharah and Head Prefect, Tan Cheng Loo, gave a short briefing about the school recycling activities. The ceremony ended with light refreshments at 11 am. Reported by, Yin Yin Loh Yin Yin Secretary Organising Committee SPM Practice 4 Trip to Pulau Redang In conjunction with Science Week this year, 50 students and six teachers went for a two-day and one-night trip to Pulau Redang. The objective of the trip was to de-stress, bond with other students and enjoy nature. Many activities were carried out during the trip including fishing, snorkelling as well as enjoying the scenic surroundings. We arrived at the resort around noon. We checked-in and were given our designated rooms. Soon, we gathered for a lesson on how to make rods for line fishing. We learned the secret to catching something is the quality of the bait. The shrimps we were given proved to be particularly effective. Fishing is a tough job. In the end, only a few of us managed to catch some fish. In the evening, we were allowed to stroll along the beach while enjoying the scenery. We managed to collect some interesting seashells too. This was when we get to truly appreciate nature. On the second day, we went snorkelling. We changed into our bathing suits and rented the equipment for a fee. We were taught the proper breathing techniques from the experienced guides. We were lucky as we were able to see some beautiful corals and a variety of marine life. We wish to thank our teachers for organising such a fun trip. It was indeed fun, memorable, and allowed us for some self-discovery. Reported by, Balakrishnan Balakrishnan Doraisamy Secretary Science Society SPM Practice 5 The Two Most Severe Discipline Cases in School The aim of this report is to state the two most severe discipline problems in our school, SMK Sri Petra, which are truancy and vandalism. These cases were the most reported this year. Truancy has a snowball effect on other discipline cases. When students play truant, they end up vandalising school properties. The pivotal reasons why students play truant are peer pressure or issues related to the teaching and learning in the classrooms. It is undeniable that peers play a vital role in a teenager’s life. Thus, they would do whatever their peers do Mastr SPM Wrtg Eng Answer 3rd.indd 98 14-Apr-23 2:33:33 PM PENERBIT ILMU BAKTI SDN. BHD.
99 to be accepted in the circle of friends. So, if the group decides to play truant, everyone follows suit. Besides that, students tend to be bored in the classroom if the lesson is mere talk and chalk. So, truancy is a form of escapism for them. When these students play truant, they tend to resort to vandalism. A lone student may not vandalise but a group of students would. To overcome the first problem which is also related to the second problem, we have to get to the root cause. If the students are skipping lessons because of boredom, then the teacher has to adopt a student-centred class where students interact with the lesson via 21st century learning skills including using Computer Assisted Learning. When the students are actively engaged in the classroom, they will not skip the lesson. This will reduce the number of students playing truant drastically which will also reduce vandalism. Reported by, Amir Johari Amir Johari Head Prefect SMK Sri Petra Story SPM Practice 1 My First Experience I was thrilled on the day I received my driving license as I would be driving on my own for the first time. My father had agreed to allow me to drive his brand-new Mercedes. Two of my best friends wanted to tag along too. As my father handed the car keys to me, he said firmly, “I do not want to see a scratch on my car.” I nodded and immediately took the key. I felt excited once I had my hands on the wheel while my friends were looking forward for the ride. We drove along the main roads around town. We were engrossed in talking and I did not notice that the pickup truck in front had slowed down. I only realised when I heard a bang. I was shocked and got off the car. Upon looking at the condition of my father’s car, I felt so devastated. I whispered to my friends, “My father is going to be really mad.” I was lucky that the driver decided not to lodge a police report as it was only a minor accident. However, I was more worried about my father’s reaction after seeing the dent on his beloved car. When I reached home, I immediately told my father what had happened. Luckily, he was not as furious as I had expected. He was more concerned of my safety. Nevertheless, I was reprimanded and was barred from driving his car until I learned to be more responsible. SPM Practice 2 I Should Have Listened Last Sunday evening, the playground was quite crowded as it was the beginning of school holidays. Many children headed for the playground accompanied by their mothers or maids. Each child was having a blast playing and laughing. There was a boy who was about eight years old climbing up the jungle gym. He looked down and waved at his mother who was watching attentively while feeling anxious for his safety. “Be careful!” shouted the mother. The mother kept reminding him not to climb up too high as he might fall down. The boy ignored his mother and continued climbing the frame higher and higher. Suddenly, a loud thud could be heard. The boy had slipped and fell to the ground. Everyone was shocked. His mother rushed to his side screaming his name. Soon, a crowd of children and adults gathered around. The boy was crying in agony as he was in pain. There was blood oozing from his wounded hands and legs. One of the parents immediately called the ambulance. Within minutes, the ambulance arrived and the paramedics gave the boy some first aid before he was taken to the hospital. As the boy suffered from a broken leg, he was hospitalised. Although his right leg was in a plaster cast, he still could feel the pain. He regretted and felt remorse, “I should have listened to my mother for my own safety.” SPM Practice 3 Quick Action Saved the Day Sheila was excited as she was going to a Book Fair at Mines Exhibition Hall. It was a really good sale and many books were on discount. On that particular day, there was a huge crowd and people were pushing and shoving to get the books. Sheila wanted to get herself some bestseller novels. Suddenly, she heard a commotion. She looked around and saw a number of people looking at somebody on the floor. She rushed forward and saw that a little boy had fainted. His parents were nowhere to be seen. Sheila was a member of the Red Crescent Society in her school and had learned how to respond to such cases. So, she immediately took action and told the people to move aside and give the boy some fresh air. Next, she asked two people nearby to fan the boy to cool his body down. At the same time, she kept asking the people who were still looking curiously to make room for them. She also asked for some drinking water. A lady handed over a new bottle of mineral water. A few minutes later, the boy regained consciousness. Sheila helped him to sit up and gave him a drink. The mother of the boy had arrived by this time and the boy said he felt all right. Before they leave, the mother thanked Sheila for her quick action in saving his son. SPM Practice 4 Hard Work Pays Off Saiful was very hard-working even though he was not a very bright student. He lived with his widowed mother, two sisters and a brother. His father had passed away five years ago due to lung cancer. Since then, his mother became the breadwinner of the family. Being the eldest in the family, Saiful knew that it was his responsibility to help out his mother in taking care of his younger siblings. Therefore, he only could find time to catch up with his studies at night. However, no matter how hard he studied every night, he seldom scored very high marks. Saiful was ambitious and determined to go to university. He took his STPM examination and he had done his best. When the results were announced a few months later, Saiful was surprised that his results were good enough for him to get a place in university. He applied to a local university and was accepted. While he was studying in the university, he did odd jobs to help pay for his tuition and other expenses. He was determined to succeed and help out his family. In the end, Saiful managed to graduate and obtain his degree. He applied for a job in the Immigration Department and soon, he was accepted to a post. All his hard work and effort had finally paid off. With a stable career, Saiful could now help support his family. Mastr SPM Wrtg Eng Answer 3rd.indd 99 14-Apr-23 2:33:33 PM PENERBIT ILMU BAKTI SDN. BHD.
100 SPM Practice 5 Cheating Does Not Pay May was an avid ballerina. She loved ballet and had performed in many ballet performances. In fact, she spent all her time perfecting her moves and thus, neglecting her studies. When her father saw her exam results, he was very angry. He gave her an ultimatum – either she do well in her studies or she had to quit ballet! Her heart sank as ballet was her passion. She promised her father that she would buckle up in her studies. However, May’s priority was still ballet. Her father reminded her that her exams were approaching and he wanted her to get good grades. May realised that she was not prepared for her exams at all. So, she decided to cheat in the test. She made short notes and placed them in her pencil case. The next day, during the test, she was elated because she had all the answers to the test in her pencil case. She unzipped her pencil case on the pretext of taking a pencil and peeped at the answers, not realising the teacher was watching her like a hawk. The teacher crept behind her and yanked the pencil case from her hands and saw the notes! Later, May was summoned to the Principal’s office. She was shocked to see her father there too. Tears streamed down her face and she apologised repeatedly, promising not to cheat again. May has now turned over a new leaf. She knows that cheating does not pay and has learned to balance her studies and ballet. Part 1 Question 1 EMAIL To: [email protected] Subject: Hiking with cousins Dear Kavitha, I’m so happy to hear that you’ll be coming to Grandma’s house next weekend. We all miss you so much. Hiking is fun! Bukit Besi Alam Damai is a popular hiking spot near my house. We can pose for photographs with the KL city view as our background. We can learn about the plants, insects or exotic rocks along the trail too. We may want to bring mosquito repellent, sunscreen, a sun hat and a hiking stick. Don’t forget to bring plenty of water. See you soon! Your cousin, Hema Part 2 Question 2 The school walls look boring in all whites and painting murals on these walls would beautify the school. Besides that, murals can send powerful messages in the form of art. Students from each class can be given a wall to paint based on a given theme. Appropriate themes would be ‘unity’, ‘scenes in Malaysia’, ‘flora and fauna in Malaysia’ and ‘the future of Malaysia’. We could start from the classroom walls on the ground floor that face the main road. This would enable students to admire the mural before they enter the school compound. Students can take turns to stay back after school to complete the mural on their assigned wall. As students also have co-curricular activities after school, I think this project would take about three months to complete. This project encourages teamwork, patience and perseverance. It is a very good project for the students in the school. Part 3 Question 3 My School Hall by Marlina Marzuki Our school hall is a building on its own, next to the main school building. We are fortunate to have a big school hall with a big stage. Therefore, we should use our school hall to the fullest and better equip it with numerous facilities. Besides holding school events such as assemblies, Teachers’ Day celebration, competitions, prize presentation and concerts, we can use our school hall for many other activities. During the weekends and school holidays, we can rent out the badminton courts or rent the hall for seminars, workshops, birthday celebrations or even wedding receptions. The rental collected can be used to upgrade or enhance the facilities in the hall. The school can equip the school hall with a large LED display board that would be able to display announcements or competition results. Besides that, the school can install a big smartboard on the stage. This would be very useful for seminars and conferences. It would also save a lot of time doing up the backdrop during school functions. We can improve our school hall by creating an ambience closer to nature. We can place water fountains and pots of plants inside the hall. Other than that, we can repaint the hall with the calming colours of blue and green instead of the current stark white walls. We would be proud to have a school hall that no other schools have. A well-equipped and well-utilised school hall will reflect on the quality of education in the school. Question 4 The Moral Society’s Activities from January to June 2023 A few activities were carried out during the first half of the year by the Moral Society of SMK Desa Delima in 2023. We have visited an old folk’s home, a hospice and a hospital. Thirty members accompanied by two teachers visited Pandan Old Folk’s Home during Chinese New Year. The home houses about 50 elderly people above the age of 60. We donated some food items and some medicine. We also distributed angpow, cookies and mandarin oranges. We chatted with them for about an hour and had lunch with them. In April, we volunteered our services during the weekends at Hospice Malaysia’s daycare centre. Most of the patients there are suffering from cancer, nerve diseases and organ failures. We helped to feed and bathe them. We also talked to them and listened to their stories, encouraging them to stay strong. It was a very heartfelt visit. On 2 June, we visited the children’s ward in University Hospital, Petaling Jaya. A few of us dressed up as clowns and we brought balloons. We sang and played some games. Before we left, we praised the children for their bravery. We were glad to bring cheer to the children. Mastr SPM Wrtg Eng Answer 3rd.indd 100 14-Apr-23 2:33:33 PM PENERBIT ILMU BAKTI SDN. BHD.
101 These activities have taught members of the Moral Society to be caring and loving towards those who are suffering. The members also realise the importance of taking care of their own health as well as taking care of others in need. Reported by, Faezah Noorfaezah Abidin Secretary The Moral Society Question 5 A Selfish Act Last night, Daniel and his brother were in their study room. In the room, they usually studied and played computer games. After finishing their homework, Daniel asked his brother to play a game with him before going to bed. They had just downloaded an interesting game which was recommended by their friends. They started playing the game and increased the volume to the maximum. They were also yelling in excitement while trying to win the game. They were having a great time and were oblivious to the noise they were making. Meanwhile, Daniel’s mother was downstairs trying to watch a drama series after a hectic day. She could not hear anything as the sounds from the boys’ room were too loud. She got annoyed so she went upstairs. She had to knock very loudly before the boys heard her. Daniel opened the door and was startled when he saw her angry face. “Turn down the volume now!” his mother shouted angrily. They boys quickly obeyed and turned down the volume as their mother left the room. The next morning, Daniel’s mother had a heart-to-heart talk with the boys. She advised them to be more considerate when doing something. Due to the loud sound from the game, she was not able to watch her favourite show. Furthermore, they might disturb their neighbours as it was already night time. After the conversation, the boys apologised for their selfish act and promised that they will not play their computer games very loudly in the future. Part 1 Question 1 EMAIL To: [email protected] Subject: Class Trip Dear Mindy, Beaches are the perfect getaway for relaxation especially after all the stressful examinations. I strongly recommend Pantai Cenang which is just about an hour’s drive from your school. It has all the necessary facilities needed like shower rooms, barbecue pits and shaded huts. You can organise a barbecue there, play some beach games and swim in the sea. Bring extra clothes there for changing, towels and mats. Remember to take lots of photos too as the scenery there is beautiful. Have a great trip! Your friend, Dahlia Part 2 Question 2 In order to show our love towards the environment, we would like to organise an environmental campaign called ‘Love Our Environment’ in conjunction with the World Earth Day. The campaign can take place for a month. Activities will only be conducted on weekends as many are busy during the weekdays. The first activity we suggest is waste collection around the school area. We can collect all recyclable materials such as aluminium cans, glass bottles, and various plastic objects for recycling purposes. We can also help to clean up the area by collecting rubbish. Besides that, we would like to organise some talks and workshops to teach students to re-use household items. In terms of preparation, we need to publicise the campaign to all students and parents, send out invitations to the guests, arrange for venues, and many more. With proper planning, we hope it would be a successful campaign. Part 3 Question 3 Pros and Cons of Studying Abroad by Harjeet Kaur When it comes to studying abroad, we need to weigh up its advantages and disadvantages before deciding whether or not to pursue our studies overseas. Firstly, studying overseas widens our learning opportunities. There are many well-known colleges and universities with excellent lecturers and researchers as well as exquisite teaching methods outside Malaysia. Studying at any one of these institutions would definitely be an eye-opener for many of us. Secondly, studying abroad will help us become more independent. Living abroad forces us not to rely on family members for support as we need to work everything out for ourselves. This encourages personal development and helps become a more confident individual consequently. On the other hand, it is undeniable that studying abroad is a huge financial burden for many families. The cost of living and tuition fees are expensive. When our finance becomes too tight, we will need to live on a limited budget which could affect our lifestyle and studies. The worst scenario is we might have to quit without completing our studies. Furthermore, language may be an issue especially if we want to study in a country where we do not speak the language well. This would definitely impact our learning and grades. In conclusion, although I would like to study abroad, I still need to weigh the benefits I gain against the challenges I need to overcome. There are definitely more aspects than what I have discussed above to consider. I need to choose what suits me the best. Question 4 A Restaurant Review: The Lake Seafood Restaurant I recently discovered a very unique restaurant in my hometown, Miri. I went there with my family members and since then, I have been going back regularly. The Lake Seafood Restaurant is indeed a well-known place for foodies in Miri and outside Miri. This restaurant was established back in 1999 by two sisters who love to eat seafood and can cook seafood marvellously. Like the name implies, this restaurant is situated by a lake which is used as a fish farm. The fish grown by the owners are organic, so they taste fresh and sweet too. The indoor dining section is decorated with pirate ship replicas and fishermen Mastr SPM Wrtg Eng Answer 3rd.indd 101 14-Apr-23 2:33:33 PM PENERBIT ILMU BAKTI SDN. BHD.
102 lanterns from the ceiling while the sea deck outside is an openair dining space with a stunning view of the lake. There are more than 100 types of seafood and non-seafood dishes in their ever expanding menu. Patrons can choose to cook their favourite seafood in Malay, Thai or Western styles. I strongly recommend their delicious mixed seafood tom yum as you can taste all the seafood at one go. Apart from that, their staff are very knowledgeable and can easily recommend their signature or special dishes to you. They are attentive and efficient too. All-in-all, I would rate The Lake Seafood Restaurant 4.5 out of 5 stars. Its dining atmosphere, food and service quality are excellent. The prices for live seafood are slightly above average but other than that, the prices are very reasonable. I would definitely recommend it to everyone! Question 5 A Frightening Encounter Last Sunday, I experienced the most frightening encounter of my life. I was in a shopping mall with my friends to look for Christmas presents. Suddenly, we heard loud sounds of gunshots. We looked around in panic but saw nothing. Then a few more shots were heard followed by the sound of shattered glass. Immediately, people were screaming and running for cover. “Gunshots! Quick! Lie down!” Pulling my friends together, we quickly lay flat on the floor. My heart was racing as I could still hear people screaming, shouting and crying. Not knowing what was happening, we were scared stiff and stayed put. Not long after that, I heard a siren. I glanced around secretly and saw many people lying face down on the floor. Then, slowly, one by one got up. We still did not know what was going on. We heard a commotion but were too frightened to investigate. One of my friends suggested that we leave. Later, we heard the news. The shooting happened at a jewellery shop on the first floor. There were three masked men who were robbing the jewellery shop. One robber was shot dead on the scene while the security guard was shot on the arm. The other two robbers managed to escape with the stolen jewellery. On the following day, there was a write-up of the robbery in the newspaper. The two runaway robbers were arrested after a chase by the police. It was indeed a frightening moment and I will never forget that day. Mastr SPM Wrtg Eng Answer 3rd.indd 102 14-Apr-23 2:33:33 PM PENERBIT ILMU BAKTI SDN. BHD.