Everything You Should Know About... Sing to the Dawn

EVERYTHING YOU SHOULD KNOW
ABOUT…

SING TO THE DAWN
Notes and Exercises Compilation

for SPM 2020

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NOVEL

SING TO THE DAWN by MINFONG HO
PLOT SUMMARY

Chapter One: On The Bridge Across The River
 Dawan and her brother, Kwai, live in a village in Thailand. Dawan is fourteen but
she is in the same class as Kwai, who is thirteen.
 Dawan wakes up just before dawn. As soon as dawn breaks, Dawan and her
brother, Kwai race each other to the river. They sit together on the bridge and
enjoy watching the sunrise.
 Dawan sings a song she made up herself about the dawn.
 It is the day they will know the results of the scholarship test. Both expect Kwai to
win the scholarship and go to the city school.
 Dawan asks Kwai what he will do if he gets the scholarship.
 Kwai talks about what he will do in the city and how he will help his father and the
villagers just when he is educated.
 Then they also discuss the unjust taxes their father has to pay to the landlord who
takes piles of rice from the villagers as rent for their rice fields. Sometimes, they
do not have enough rice for themselves.
 Kwai wonders if Dawan would win the scholarship. Dawan does not believe it
would happen because she is a girl.
 Their parents think that it is foolish and wasteful to send girls to school

Chapter Two: In The Classroom
 In class, the students are waiting expectantly for the teacher to announce the
winner of the scholarship.
 Teacher, however asks students what they see beneath their houses in the
morning. Teacher talks about the sacks of rice stored under the village houses
which are to be given to the landlords as rental.
 The teacher gets the students to think about the injustice of the landlords getting
rich without working for it while the farmers suffer in poverty.
 The discussion about a fair economic system is halted when the headmaster is
spotted approaching the class.
 The teacher and students immediately switch to a Geography lesson when the
headmaster watches them.

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 After the headmaster goes away, the teacher talks about the government
scholarship examination. He says that the winner must learn how to identify the
flaws within society and to bring changes and improvement.

 Finally, at the end of the lesson, the teacher reveals that Dawan has won the
government scholarship.

Chapter Three: Outside Dawan’s House
 After school, Dawan is surrounded by her admiring classmates as soon as they
hear that she has won the scholarship.
 Kwai is greatly disappointed, unhappy and sad that he does not win the
scholarship and so he leaves.
 Dawan is worried about Kwai. She also wonders how her family will react to the
good news.
 On reaching home, Dawan is upset to learn that Kwai has neglected his chores
and gone off on his own.
 Dawan tells her family that she has gotten the scholarship. As expected, her
father is angry that Dawan has won the scholarship instead of Kwai. He accuses
her of snatching Kwai, her own brother's chance away from him.
 Dawan's grandmother, however, is the only one who praises and supports her.
She comforts and encourages her.
 Dawan’s mother seems annoyed and does not want her to get her hopes up.

 Dawan’s grandmother wants to take Dawan to see her cousin, Noi and her
husband. They used to work in the city and would be able to tell them whether it
is suitable for Dawan to go to the city school.

 Dawan asks her mother whether she approves of her going. Her mother refuses
to answer her.

 Dawan’s grandmother is annoyed that her mother will not do what is right by her.
She starts hobbling the 3-kilometre walk to Noi’s house.

 In the end, Dawan’s mother decides to take Dawan to Noi’s house herself.

Chapter Four: Upstairs In Noi’s House
 Dawan is at Noi’s house. Her mother is talking to Noi and her husband, Gan.
 Dawan notices that Noi has changed from her happy and carefree self since
becoming a married woman.
 Noi tells Dawan and her mother that she has lied about the city to impress her.
Noi tells them that it is not good for a young girl to be in the city alone.

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 A man arrives and Ghan goes out to talk to him. The man, Mr Phaspras, is an
army officer who recruits young men for the army.

 To prevent Ghan from being drafted, they have to give Mr Phaspras money. The
man is willing to wait until the following year for his money but they have to pay
40% more.

 Even though life in the village is hard, Noi says that the city is worse. She
reveals that life in the city is not fair.

 Dawan’s mother is not discouraged by Noi’s stories about the ugly city. She
thinks that Dawan will not suffer in the city as she is only there to study.

 Dawan voices her thoughts about how getting a good education can help her to
improve her own society.

 Noi refuses to persuade Dawan’s father to let her go to the city.
 Dawan persists in her decision to go to the city herself.

Chapter Five: On The Sandy Path To Dawan’s House
 Kwai meets Dawan on the way home from Noi’s place.
 He is stunned to learn that Noi and Ghan do not support her decision to go to
the city.
 He reveals that he is in second place. So, if Dawan does not go, he will.
 Dawan informs her brother that she is going. She pleads to him to let her have
the chance because their father is not going to pay her school fees after this.
 Kwai does not think Dawan will be able to carry out the responsibility of making
the world better for the villagers because she is a girl.
 Dawan refuses to give up her plan to go.
 The tension between them disappears when Kwai says that he wishes both of
them could go.
 As Dawan and Kwai get closer to home, Dawan begins to worry that Kwai would
tell their father about him coming second in the examination.
 Kwai then decides that he will not tell their father he is in second place.

Chapter Six: In Dawan’s House, At Dinner Time
 Dinner time is uncomfortable for the family. Dawan’s father is clearly unhappy
and angry.
 Dawan asks her father why he is unwilling to let her continue her studies so her
father replies that it is useless for a girl to study so much.
 He will be happy for Kwai to go because he believes that if his son is educated, he

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will be able to help him.
 After dinner, Dawan wanders to the river. She wonders if she should stand in

Kwai’s way. She begins to doubt that she, being a girl, will be able to do as
much good as Kwai.
 Not willing to give up, Dawan wonders whom she can ask help from.
 Dawan sees a monk bathing in the river. This gives her an idea. She decides
to ask the head monk of the village temple to speak to her father.

Chapter Seven: At Bao’s Flower Stall At The Market
 At dawn, Dawan goes to the marketplace alone for the first time and meets a girl
that sells lotus bud and caged sparrows.
 Dawan wants to buy a lotus bud but does not have enough money.
 Bao, a friendly young flower girl offers her a lotus bud for free. She says it is
because she picked it herself.
 The two girls get along well. Dawan tells Bao that she wants the flower to give
to the head monk.
 When Bao hears that Dawan goes to school, Bao is amazed because she is not
allowed to go to school.
 Dawan realises that the girl, Bao, is the sister of her classmate, Vichai. Bao
realises who is Dawan – the girl who has won the scholarship.
 Bao tells Dawan about how Vichai, her brother does not care about her. Dawan
tells Bao about her worry that Kwai would tell his father that he is in second place
and then their father would force her to let him go to the city instead.
 Bao thinks that Dawan should fight for her dream.

Chapter Eight: In The Temple Open Courtyard
 Dawan goes to the temple to see the head monk.
 She waits for him in the temple courtyard, whistling to pass the time.
 The garden where students normally sit and read is empty reminding Dawan
that a phase of her life is over.
 When Dawan meets the head monk, she talks about wishing she could free the
birds caged up in the market.

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 The head monk understands that Dawan is really talking about herself flying
away free.

 The monk realises who Dawan is. He knows everything about the scholarship
because he befriends with the school teacher.

 Dawan asks the head monk to speak to her father to let her go to the city school
but the monk does not support her wish.

 The monk tells her not to waste time dreaming of useless ambitions because
she cannot achieve anything as a mere schoolgirl.

 Dawan is angry and disappointed so she runs away crying.

Chapter Nine: At Bao’s Flower Stall
 Dawan’s anger leaves her and she begins to wonder again if she should
give up and let Kwai have his way.
 Bao spots Dawan. She takes her to her stall and comforts her. She
encourages Dawan not to give in to Kwai but to pursue her ideals.
 To show Dawan what she means, Bao makes Dawan open the cage door of the
bird cage and Bao allows Dawan to set one of the birds free for free. She tells
Dawan to be like the tiny sparrow and fly away free.
 Bao's brother, Vichai, comes to the market stall and Bao panics because Dawan
does not have the money for the freed bird. She tells her friend, Dawan to run
away.
 From a distance, Dawan sees Vichai questions Bao about the bird she freed
without collecting money for it.
 Bao gets angry and threatens to free all the birds one day. Vichai slaps his
sister.
 Bao then opens the cage doors and releases some of the birds causing Vichai
to hit her again.
 Dawan runs forward to help her friend, but then Kwai appears and stops Vichai.
 In the scuffle, one of the birds is crushed. Bao is heartbroken.
 When Bao realises who Kwai is, she scolds him for being a bully and a bad
brother to his own sister.
 Kwai gets upset and almost strikes Bao. Dawan stops him but he pushes her
aside causing her to fall on top of the broken cages. A piece of wood cuts her
ankle. Kwai tries to wipe away the blood.
 Dawan screams at her brother, accusing him of being a bully and trying to take
away her chance to continue her studies.

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 Noi appears and calmly takes charge. She cleans Dawan’s wound and hears
what has happened from Bao.

 Noi advises Dawan not to get in the way of boys and men or she may get hurt
like what has happened.

 It starts to rain and everyone leaves the market.

Chapter Ten: On The Bridge Across The River
 Not wishing to be questioned about her cut ankle or to meet Kwai so soon,
Dawan goes to the river.
 Kwai is sitting on the old bridge. Dawan wants to avoid him at first but thinks
better of it. She does not want their relationship to worsen.
 Kwai asks if her ankle hurts and Dawan realises that he is ashamed of his
actions in the market.
 The two siblings make up and talk seriously.
 The rain gets heavier.
 Kwai wants to think carefully in the storm of what decision to make – whether to
take the scholarship for himself.
 Dawan leaves Kwai to work out his feelings. She gives him her umbrella
caringly as it is raining and heads home in the storm.
 Kwai is moved by her kind and selfless actions. Watching his sister limping
along and getting all wet, Kwai comes to a decision.
 The umbrella helps him decide what he has to do and he runs after his sister.

Chapter Eleven: Upstairs In Dawan’s House
 Kwai catches up with Dawan and shelters both of them with the umbrella.
 Kwai tells Dawan that he has made the important decision – not to tell their father
about him getting second place.
 The two walk home together contentedly.
 They see their father looking angry, leading the buffalo home.
 To their dismay, they learn that their father is angry because Kwai does not tell
him he is placed second in the scholarship test. It was the teacher who tells him
everything.
 The buffalo wanders off and father has to go after it.

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 Dawan is worried that Kwai will change his mind to help her but he assures her
he will not.

 When the children arrive home, their grandmother warn them that their father is in
a bad temper. The children hear their father’s harsh voice and are afraid.

 Dawan’s grandmother encourages her to be brave.
 Kwai sits opposite his father and answers his questions calmly. He insists that it

is not right to take the scholarship from his sister.
 Their father is puzzled why Dawan has any right to choose what she wants when

she is a girl.
 Kwai refuses to change his mind even though his father wants to order him to go

to the city school.
 Dawan speaks up for herself bravely even though she is afraid of her father. She

begs her father to treat her fairly.
 Father is very reluctant and unconvinced that Dawan should go to the city school.

When her father says that she can do nothing with an education because she is
merely a girl, Dawan asks him to give her a chance and let her try.
 After much persuasion from Dawan and Kwai, father finally gives in and allows
Dawan to go to the city school.
 However, Dawan’s joy turns sour when she sees Kwai’s unhappiness.

Chapter Twelve: On The Bridge Across The River
 Dawan wakes up as usual at dawn. It is the day she leaves for the city, and
she feels both hope and sadness.
 Seeing that Kwai has already gone out, Dawan is disappointed as she wants to
spend her last dawn with her brother. He has been avoiding her lately.
 Dawan goes to the river as usual. She is glad to find Kwai sitting on the
wooden bridge.
 Kwai is still unhappy about sacrificing his own dream in order to fulfil Dawan’s.
 Dawan thanks Kwai for keeping his promise to her.
 Kwai demands to know why Dawan wants to study more when she will probably
end up taking care of the family like their mother.
 Dawan pleads to Kwai to think of her feelings and to be happy for her. She
promises that she will make things better when she finishes her education.
 Kwai reveals that he will be lonely when Dawan goes away. Overcome by
emotion, he runs away leaving behind a lotus flower.

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 Dawan sings her song for the last time. Hope and sadness fill her heart. She
goes home taking the lotus with her.

Chapter Thirteen: Dawan’s House
 The villagers, young and old, come to see Dawan off. She is uncomfortable
with the attention and goes to see her grandmother.
 Dawan’s grandmother understands how she feels and reassures her.
 Dawan is filled with sorrow and uncertainty as she is leaving her grandmother.
She is unsure of her readiness to leave home. She is afraid of change.
 Her grandmother advises her to face the world and accept changes bravely.
 Her grandmother picks up the lotus bud and puts it in a jar of water. She gives
it to Dawan to take with her. She explains life’s changes are like the lotus
petals unfolding.
 Dawan finally feels ready. She looks for Kwai but her father tells her he is
sitting on the old bridge and will not be seeing her off.
 Filled with disappointment, Dawan boards the bus that will take her to the city.
 When she is boarding the bus to go to the city, Kwai is nowhere to be seen.
 Although many people in the village send her off, she is not happy as Kwai is
not there.
 As the bus travels past the fields and the river, Dawan hears Kwai singing her
song. She sees Kwai on the old bridge stretching out his arms to her in a
gesture of farewell. Laughing with joy, Dawan sings along.
 As she continues on her journey to her new life, Dawan notices that the lotus bud
has started to unfold.

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PRACTICE 1
Look at the pictures below and write briefly the main issue/s for each picture.

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CHARACTERS AND CHARACTERISTICS
CCHHAARRAACCTTEERRSS

MMaaiinn CChhaarraacctteerrss SSuuppppoorrttiinngg CChhaarraacctteerrss
DDaawwaann
KKwwaaii DDaawwaann’’ss ggrraannddmmootthheerr DDaawwaann’’ss aanndd KKwwaaii’’ss
tteeaacchheerr
((DDaawwaann’’ss bbrrootthheerr))
DDaawwaann’’ss ffaatthheerr BBaaoo ((aa fflloowweerr ggiirrll aatt tthhee
mmaarrkkeett))

DDaawwaann’’ss mmootthheerr Vichai (Bao’s brother)

Noi Mr Phaspras
(Dawan’s cousin) (an army officer)

Ghan (Noi’s husband) The Old Monk

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CHARACTERS AND CHARACTERISTICS
DAWAN
Idealistic – She believes that girls should have equal opportunity in education.
She wants to be educated in order to create a more just society. She hopes to
return to her village in order to end injustices such as the exploitation of poor
farmers by greed landlords.

Determined – She faces many obstacles but does not give up. When Noi
discourages her, Dawan says she wants to judge the city herself. When the
head monk tells her to forget about fighting for justice, she is determined to
preserve in her own way.

Caring – She loves her brother and feels sad for him. Sometimes, she asks
herself whether she should let her brother have the scholarship.

KWAI
Caring – He loves and cares for his sister. He hides the fact that he was placed
second in the examination. He tells his father to let Dawan go to the city school.

Sincere – He feels hurt when Dawan describes him as a “bully” and a “liar”. He
has a sincere change of heart. He supports Dawan’s cause in the end.

Persistent – He is determined that his sister should go instead of him. He
stands by her and fights for her right to study in the city. He is persistent and
explains why Dawan should go until his father gives in.

BAO
Outspoken – She criticises Kwai for trying to take the scholarship from Dawan.
She declares that girls are always forced to make way for their brothers. She
predicts that the head monk will not help Dawan.

Friendly – Dawan strikes a rapport with Bao because she is friendly, easy to
talk to and supportive. She shares her secret about going to the temple to see
the head monk.

Generous – When Bao sees the fat man refusing to sell Dawan his lotus at ten
cents, she calls her to her stall and gives her one lotus bud free as a present.
She refuses to take Dawan’s money although she insists on paying her because
Dawan is poor.

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FATHER
Strict – When he wants to see Kwai and Dawan upstairs about the scholarship,
they are scared because he is in fierce mood. His wife and children fear him and
respect him. He reprimands the children if they wander outside before dawn.

Authoritative – He is the man of the house and makes the major decisions in
his family without discussing with his wife. He reprimands Kwai for not telling
him that he came in second for his exam, and when Kwai refuses to go in
Dawan’s place, he raves.

Loving – He loves both Dawan and Kwai but is gender-biased and believes that
only boys deserve to be educated. He listens and finally gives in to the wishes of
both his children and lets Dawan study in the city.

PRACTICE 2

For each of the following qualities listed for each character, give an example from the
novel that illustrates it.

Character Quality Evidence

1 Dawan Determination

2 Kwai Caring

3 Bao Brave

4 Dawan’s father Hardworking

5 The head monk Philosophical

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THEMES AND MORAL VALUES

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THEMES

Family love / relationship

 Dawan’s close bond with her brother, Kwai is put to the test when Dawan
wins the scholarship that means so much to Kwai. Dawan is saddened
by Kwai’s anger and jealousy but she refuses to give up on her dream to
study in the city school. This creates a serious conflict between the two.

 Dawan’s father is angry with her and accuses her of robbing Kwai of his
chance. He refuses to let her continue her studies.

 Dawan is disappointed with her mother for not taking her side and helping
her to fight for her dream.

 Only Dawan’s grandmother understands her wish and supports her.
 Dawan’s struggle to achieve her dream almost tears the family apart.

Thankfully, Dawan’s love for Kwai sets things right and leads to their
reconciliation. Kwai’s willingness to surrender his personal ambition
turns things around. Together, they stand up to their father and Dawan
gets to appeal to him to let her try to do all the things he expects of Kwai.

Gender Inequalities/discrimination

 When Dawan, a Thai village girl, wins the government scholarship to
study in the city school, she faces negative reactions from her whole
family except her grandmother. In her society, it is thought to be “foolish
and wasteful” to send girls to school. Girls and women are expected to
stay at home, cook and raise babies. The same attitude towards girls is
seen in the head monk, who does not believe that girls need an
education.

 In their society, sons have a higher status than daughters. Dawan’s
father puts all his hopes in Kwai and wants the boy to be educated so
that Kwai can help him in the future. The only reason Dawan gets to go
to school is because Kwai insisted that she joins him. Dawan’s father
cannot see her as an intelligent girl with hopes and dreams. He is
‘bewildered’ when Kwai tells him that Dawan has the right to the
scholarship. To him, she is ‘only a girl’ without any rights.

 Dawan’s mother is afraid to say anything as she is a loyal wife to the
husband. As a wife, she is expected to abide to her husband and the
culture. She has no position or power. This is summed up in her
statement, “it is not my place to say anything”.

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Change

 What is wrong and unfair needs to be changed – the payment of rent to the
landlord, gender inequality / discrimination.

 Change can only happen if the individual, family and society are willing to
let it happen. This is illustrated in the case of Dawan’s brother and father.
In the end, they are willing to accept the fact that Dawan earns the right to
the scholarship. Only then is Dawan able to pursue her dream to be
educated and to become an agent of change.

 Change comes at a cost. Life for the siblings will never be the same
again. Kwai accuses Dawan of changing everything by insisting on going
to the city to study. Kwai feels ‘lonely and deserted’ without Dawan.
Dawan will miss life in the village, which is being close to nature and her
brother.

 Change requires sacrifice and courage. Initially, Dawan’s fear of the
change in her life makes her unwilling to leave her home. She tells her
grandmother that she does not want to change.

 Dawan’s wise grandmother describes change as a natural part of life, like
the “unfolding” of the petals of a lotus flower, nothing to be sad or fearful
about.

MORAL VALUES

1 We must not be jealous of our sibling’s success.

2 We should encourage and support family members who want to improve
themselves.

3 We must love our family members to live together happily.

4 We must be determined and work hard to overcome poverty.

5 We must not discriminate against girls and women for any reason.

6 We must struggle for our rights to be successful.

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PRACTICE 3

Complete the following exercise by filling in the blanks with suitable words from the
box.

chance bridge roles school
goodbye
village

deprived embrace education

scholarship

society foolish examination home

challenge saddened

1. Education
An opportunity for Dawan and Kwai to go away to ……………….. (1) in the city

holds the promise of a better life. A ……………….. (2) will be awarded to the
student who scores the highest in the ……………….. (3). Dawan and Kwai hope
that they would be the winner of the scholarship. It will be a privilege for them to
continue their ……………….. (4) in a city school should they win the scholarship.

2. Gender inequalities/discrimination
Dawan, a girl who lives in the ……………….. (5) in Thailand is one of the few girls

who is given the opportunity to go to school. Even her parents consider that it
is ……………….. (6) and wasteful for girls to attend school. She is given
the ……………….. (7) to attend school because her brother, Kwai, insisted that she
be allowed to attend school with him. In her community, girls are supposed to stay
at ……………….. (8) and take care of the family instead of getting an education.

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3. Family love / relationship
Dawan looks for her brother, Kwai, but is ……………….. (9) when her father tells

her what Kwai has said. She is not happy that Kwai is not there to
say ……………….. (10) to her. During the journey, she sees Kwai standing on
the ……………….. (11) that they usually go to. He throws both his arms back in a
gesture meant to ……………….. (12) her and to send her off.
4. Challenge injustices in the society

Dawan, her grandmother, mother, Noi and even Bao, in their own ways, try
to ……………….. (13) the injustices they face in their society. In a ………………..
(14) where women are given secondary roles to play, they take on the ………………..
(15) of taking care of the home and family, they are ……………….. (16) of the rights
to speak and often prevented from gaining an education and pursuing their own
dreams, unlike their male counterparts.

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PRACTICE 4

“Determination is important to achieve what one desires.”

How is this shown through the main character in the novel you have
read? Support your answer with close reference to the text.

(Kelompok M6 & M10 Trial SPM 2017)

Paragraph Example
Introduction
The novel I have studied is Sing To The Dawn by
Choose a character Minfong Ho. The story is about a young girl who
About a character has to brave many obstacles to further her studies
in the city school. The character that has shown
determination is important to achieve what
one desires
is …………..…………………………………………
………………………………………………………...

Dawan

 Dawan is a young teenager
 has to stand up for her right and face the

prejudice of her villagers about girls getting
higher education
 she faces a lot of obstacles to pursue her
education in the city school
 she does not want to give up in order to fulfil
her dream
 her determination is the main key to her
success.

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 Evidence and  Dawan is determined to get the government
Reason 1 scholarship by getting the first place in the
government examination
 Evidence and
Reason 2  She struggles hard to excel in the examination.
Dawan is not shy to study in the same class
although she is one year older than her
brother, Kwai and the rest of her classmates.

 Her determination and perseverance pay off
when she is announced as the winner of the
government scholarship

 Dawan is determined to change her
father’s decision to let her study in the
city school by seeking help from the Head
monk.

 The head monk has such a strong influence
that everyone in the village

 Her effort proves futile when the head monk
refuses to help her.

 The head monk asks Dawan to learn all the
things in the temple in order to reach
Nirvana.

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 Evidence and  Dawan is determined to change her
Reason 3 brother’s feeling towards her.

 She uses her love towards Kwai
 Dawan gives her umbrella to Kwai at the bridge

on that rainy day because she fears that Kwai
may catch a cold.
 Kwai feels guilty for taking her sister’s chance to
further her studies in the city school.
 Kwai stands up for Dawan in front of their father
to persuade him to let Dawan go

 Conclusion Based on all the reasons above, the character that
has shown a great determination is Dawan.
Indeed, determination is important to achieve
what one desires and this has been proven by
Dawan when in the end she gets her father’s
permission and goes to further her studies in the
city school.

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Write your answer in the space below.
The novel ….……………………………………….……………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………

Dawan is a young teenager …………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………

First and foremost, Dawan is determined to get the government scholarship
by………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………

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Next, Dawan is determined to change her father’s decision to let her
study in the city school by ………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………

Last but not least, Dawan is determined to change her brother’s feeling
towards her. She uses .......................................................................................
……………………………………………………………………................................
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Based on all the reasons above, ……………………………………………
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MODEL ESSAY QUESTIONS

Question 1 / SPM 2016
Based on the novel that you have studied, describe a scene that makes you
either happy or sad.

Give reasons why the scene makes you feel happy or sad, with close
reference to the text.
Recommended Outline:

State the novel you have studied and the author.
Choose a scene that makes you feel happy or a scene that makes you feel

sad.
Give three reasons why the scene makes you happy or sad.
Give textual evidence to support each of the three reasons.
POV
Reminder: scene = event = incident
Recommended scene – A scene that makes me happy – At the end of the

story, Dawan receives everyone’s blessing to further her studies in the
city school.

Question 2 / SPM 2017
Based on the novel that you have studied, write about a value that is
important to one of the characters in the novel.
Recommended Outline:

State the novel you have studied and the author.
State a value (eg : one should be brave in life) you have learnt from one

character (eg : Dawan) in the novel.
Give three reasons to support your answer
Give textual evidence to support each of the three reasons.
POV

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Question 3 / SPM 2018
With close reference to the text, describe one problem faced by the main
character. Give your opinion about the way the problem was solved.

State the novel you have studied and the author.
Describe a problem (eg : to further studies in the city) faced by the main

character (eg : Dawan)
Give three ways (eg: goes to Noi’s house) how the character solved the

problem
Give textual evidence to support each of the three ways
POV –opinion how the problem was solved

TRIAL 2019 QUESTION
STATE

Johor Based on the novel above, describe on the important decision made

(Batu Pahat) by the main character and how it affects the main character in the

story.

Give your opinion on how making the right decision helps you to

achieve your goal in life.

Johor ‘It takes courage to grow and become a better person.’
(Mersing) Based on the novel that you read, how far is this true?
Support your answer with close reference to the text.

Johor “It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are”
(Segamat) Based on the novel that you have read, how far is this true? Give your
opinions about the statement and support your answer with close
reference to the text.

Kelantan The most important in life is family and love. How far is this portrayed
in the novel you have read. Support your answer with close reference
to the text.

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Melaka “Bravery is to stand up for what you believe in”
Based on the novel that you have studied, write about an event
related to the above statement. With close reference to the text, how
this statement can relate to one of the characters in the novel.

MRSM With close reference to the text, write about the important traits shown
by one of the characters. Explain how these traits help the character
to achieve his or her goals.

Negeri With close reference to the text, write about one character who has
Sembilan helped make someone’s life better. Support your answers with
accurate details from the novel of your choice.

Pahang With close reference to the text, describe an incident that leads to
(Kuantan) positive consequences. Give reasons why you choose the incident.

Perak (Kinta ‘The most courageous act is to stand up for what you believe in.’ With
Utara) close reference to the novel, discuss how this attitude is portrayed by
the main character. Would you have done the same? Explain why.

Perlis ‘Do what is right, not what is easy.’ With close reference to the text,
describe how this statement is portrayed by a character in the novel
you have studied.

Sabah “Friendship is selfless love, care and respect”
(Kudat) Based on the above, write about a character who shows selfless love
to his/her friends. Support your answer with close reference to the
text.

Terengganu ‘Family support is important in achieving one’s dream.’ How far is this
true in the novel you have studied? Support your answer with close
reference to the text.

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Penang “Blood is thicker than water’. Write about an incident in the novel that
proves the statement above and why the incident touches your heart
and is memorable to you.

Selangor A “Bravery shines when one’s courage is put to test.”
Using the details from the novel you have studied, choose a character
and an event that shows bravery. Give your opinion on how it helped
to solve his/her problem. Support your answer with close reference to
the text.

Selangor B “Do what you believe is right and be firm with your decision.”
Using the details from the novel you have studied, choose a character
who shows determination in an incident and how it helped to solve
his/her problem. Support your answer with close reference to the text.

Selangor C Using the details from the novel you have studied, choose a character
as strong-willed in an incident and how it helped to solve his/her
problem. Support your answer with close reference to the text.

SPM 2019
In the novel that you have read, choose one character that you dislike. With
close reference to the text. Give reasons why you dislike him or her.

State the novel you have studied and the author.
Choose one character (eg : Kwai)
Give three reasons why you dislike him. Give textual evidence to support

each of the three reason
POV

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