1 What do we learn about the Bridestowe Lavender Estate in paragraph 2? A There is a gift shop that sells honey-based products. B This place offers many safe trails for exploration. C Visitors can wander among the rows of flowers. D Visitors can taste all types of ice cream here. 2 What did the writer do in Chudleigh Melita Honey Farm? A He went on a hunting trip. B He visited the wildlife sanctuary. C He tasted different varieties of honey. D He bought a wide range of honey-based products. 3 Why did the tour guide make an unscheduled stop at Bicheno Blowhole? A He wanted the tourists to see penguins in the wild. B He wanted the tourists to unwind after a long road trip. C He wanted the tourists to enjoy a leisurely stroll in the moonlight. D He wanted the tourists to enjoy the scenic view of the sea at night. 4 The phrase we filled our punnets to the brim shows that the writer A had eaten lots of cherries. B had bought lots of cherries. C had packed lots of cherries. D had collected lots of cherries. 5 The phrase bucket list in paragraph 6 means A things that a person enjoys doing. B things that a person desires to have. C things that must be done immediately. D things that a person wants to do during his lifetime. 6 Why does the writer say ‘Cruise’ is a misnomer in paragraph 7? A Bruny Island Cruise offers excellent services. B Bruny Island Cruise takes travellers to interesting destinations. C Bruny Island Cruise offers a 3-hour ride to explore the coastal wildlife. D Bruny Island Cruise is not like any other cruise as it provides more excitement. 7 The phrase tickled pink in paragraph 8 means A amused. C overexcited. B annoyed. D embarrassed. 8 From the last paragraph, we know that the writer A had an enjoyable time in Tasmania. B did not have time to visit The Lily Pond. C was not interested in botanical gardens. D was too tired to wander around the botanical gardens. Adapted from: The Star Nothing would make me miss the Royal Botanical Gardens with its greenery and myriad of colourful blooms. There was not enough time to go around the whole 14-ha gardens, but we made it a point not to miss The Lily Pond. That done, it was time to make our way to Hobart Airport. The Land of the Devils definitely has what it takes to be a great holiday destination. English Form 4 Topic 3 19 CONTOH
Worksheet 5 Unit 5: Globetrotting Theme: People & Culture Read the extract carefully and choose the best answer A, B, C or D. For each question, circle the correct answer. Adapted from: The Star It was a dream come true for my sister and me to be able to visit Norway to experience and marvel at the fjords there. Our holiday began in Oslo, where everything was neat and tidy. What impressed me the most was Oslo’s efforts in preserving the environment. The capital city was the 2019 winner of European Green Capital. Living up to its title, all the vehicles there are electric cars and come to think of it, we didn’t stumble upon any gas stations during our stay there. There are, however, stations everywhere to charge these vehicles. In Oslo, we enjoyed exploring Karl Johans Gate. We figured out much later that ‘gate’ actually means street or alley. There’s just so much to see, do, eat and not forgetting, shop, along Karl Johans Gate. Karl Johans Gate is a very long street that leads to the Parliament Building, Royal Palace and the grand magnificent City Centre where the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded every year. An architecture that simply blew our breath away was the Oslo Opera House, with its sloping marble and granite roof. Visitors could walk all the way up to the roof, sit and enjoy the panoramic view of Oslo. Do mind your steps here. There are some small steps or ledges, and if you are not careful, you might fall. The walk-up to the roof is free. I visited thrice just to marvel at its magnificent structure and admire the panoramic view of Oslo. We also did a nature walk along the river Akarselva. Along the river there were many cafés, historical buildings, buildings in unique shapes, waterfalls, bridges and galleries. From Oslo, we took the Flam Railway train to explore the fjords. It was snowing when we arrived at Myrdal Station to switch trains. Throughout the journey, we were greeted by magnificent views of mountains, rivers and fjords. It was snowing in some parts of our train journey. Once we reached Flam, we had to switch to a ferry that would take us to Balestrand. The trains and ferry that we took were clean and very comfortable. Balestrand is located on the northern shore of Sognefjorden, which overlooks the fjords. It’s so peaceful and quiet here. Everywhere you turn, you would see mountains, some still covered with snow, and of course, the fjords. There was a slight drizzle, but it wasn’t a problem for us. We enjoyed the visit to St Olaf Church, which was built in 1897. It’s a church with a tower, spires, slate roofs, oval windows with beautiful stained glass. The next day, we made our way to Bergen by ferry. We were greeted by houses clinging to the hillsides, waterfront, narrow cobblestone alleys, a fish market, museums, parks and the UNESCO World Heritage site, Bryggen. We went up to Mount Floyen using the funicular train and then followed a hiking trail in the forest, which brought us past pines, streams, creeks and lake. From the top of Mount Floyen, you could have a bird’s-eye view of Bergen. Exploring the winding, narrow cobblestone alleys was a very unique experience. It was so quiet and peaceful that we were wondering if anybody lived in those houses. While we were exploring, we stumbled upon the oldest café in Bergen, Det lille Kaffekompaniet. It was located just above the entrance to the Mount Floyen station. The meals during our trip consisted mostly of fresh fish like halibut, salmon and cod. You could taste how fresh the fish was with just a single bite. On our last night in Norway, we tried their traditional moose stew. The meat was tender and juicy. There was whale meat on the menu, too, but we didn’t have the courage to try it. The price of food here is steep if we were to convert it to our currency. All the places we visited in Norway were very walkable. We didn’t go on any public bus or train when we were in the cities. All you need is a pair of comfortable walking shoes, armed with an umbrella or raincoat (as the weather could be unpredictable) and that will bring you to many interesting places. It helps that the Norwegians speak good English. We also went in late May, so the weather was just perfect – not too cold or hot. You probably need a jacket, though as certain places can still get pretty cold. An advantage of visiting Norway during the summer is the days are longer, which means we had a lot more time to explore our surroundings. English Form 4 Topic 3 20 CONTOH
1 In paragraph 1, what impressed the writer most about Oslo? A Its cleanliness B Scenic view of fjords C The lifestyle of the people D Its effort to protect the environment 2 What does the writer say about Karl Johans Gate? A The place is dull and boring. B Tourists can do shopping here. C There are not many tourist attractions. D It leads to the Royal Palace where the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded annually. 3 In paragraph 3, we know that the writer A went on a river cruise. B had been to Oslo Opera House only once. C was captivated by the unique architecture of Oslo Opera House. D paid some entrance fee to get to the rooftop of Oslo Opera House. 4 The phrase blew our breath away in paragraph 3 means A terrified. B panic-stricken. C deeply shocked. D greatly impressed. 5 How did the writer travel to Balestrand from Flam? A By train. B By ferry. C By electric car. D By funicular train. 6 The phrase unique experience in paragraph 6 refers to A scenic hiking trails in the forest. B the funicular train ride to Mount Floyen. C the walk on the narrow cobblestone alleys. D an aerial view of Bergen from the top of Mount Floyen. 7 Why did the writer not take whale meat at the café? A She preferred moose stew to whale meat. B The whale meat did not taste good. C The whale meat was expensive. D She was afraid to try the dish. 8 Why does the writer suggest travellers to visit Norway in the summer? A They can travel on foot. B They can enjoy the warm weather. C They can visit many places as the days are longer. D They can travel without carrying an umbrella with them. English Form 4 Topic 3 21 CONTOH
22 1 In Part 4 of Paper 1, there are gapped text questions. 2 Gapped text questions evaluate students’ ability to connect ideas in a comprehension. 3 There are six sentences removed from the paragraphs. Test takers are required to choose from the eight sentences given in the box. 4 Choose the correct sentences to match the gaps in the text/ article/ passage. 5 Write the correct letter (A — H) in the answer sheet. Gapped Text Strategies The gapped text questions require careful attention. The first thing to do is to read the entire passage/ article from start to finish carefully. Think about what information might be missing and make a short note in each gap. Read all the sentences (A — H) that have been pulled out from the passage/ article. Underline any reference word(s). In the missing sentences, identify contrasting statements. Go back to the passage/ article and find sentences that indicate a transition is coming. After you have placed all of the sentences into the gaps, go back and read the passage/ article to see if it sounds right. If not, locate which paragraphs sound out of place. You don’t have to start with the first gap. Start with the easiest gap first and work your way up to the hardest one. Read the whole passage/ article to check that if it makes sense. If you are not sure, make a sensible guess. Don’t leave any gaps empty. Then, go back to the passage/ article and read the sentences that come before and after the missing sentences. These sentences will help you figure out what ideas come before and after. Pay special attention to pronouns and subject-verb agreement when choosing a sentence for the missing gap. For example, if the sentence before a gap has the word ‘he’ in it, then you know that the next sentence shouldn’t refer to an ‘it’ or a ‘they’. Check that any reference words and other language connections fit in the context. Gapped Text 4 Topic CONTOH
23 English Form 4 Topic 4 Worksheet 1 You are going to read an article about some tourist destinations that could disappear in our lifetime. Six sentences have been removed from the article. Choose from the sentences A to H the one which fits each gap (1 to 6). There are two extra sentences which you do not need to use. Mark the correct answer (A – H). Places to Visit and Protect When places are well known and world-famous – historical and modern alike – we might take it for granted that they will be around forever. Unfortunately, many of the world’s best known and culturally significant landmarks are in jeopardy. Human activities have had a devastating effect on many valued places, including massive milestones of human achievement. And many of these are so much more than just tourist attractions – they are unique, valuable remnants of ancient times and civilisations. One of Australia’s most remarkable natural gifts, the Great Barrier Reef is blessed with the breathtaking beauty of the world’s largest coral reef. The reef contains an abundance of marine life and comprises of over 3 000 individual reef systems and coral cays. Because of its natural beauty, the Great Barrier Reef has become one of the world’s most sought after tourist destinations. 1 D Coral bleaching caused by climate change has stripped the coral of its nutrients. This, in turn, harms the rich marine life that calls the reef home. And, of course, this also depletes it of the dazzling colours that once were a hallmark of the Great Barrier Reef’s underwater wonder. The reef remains the largest coral reef ecosystem in the world, but projections have warned that the damage to it could become irreversible in the next ten years. The Taj Mahal has long been recognised for its outstanding beauty and architectural merit. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982. It is one of the national symbols of India and receives millions of visitors every year. It is hard to imagine this monolithic structure, located in Agra, India, is being in danger. The structure itself is in some jeopardy from the elements, but the primary reason for concern is that the Indian Supreme Court could potentially close the attraction. The court has butted heads with the government, claiming that unless the government does a better job of preserving it, they will have to shut it down. Pollution is visibly altering the Taj’s pristine surface. 2 A Flies of the genus Geoldichironomus, which breed in the heavily polluted Yamuna River, neighbouring the Taj Mahal, have encroached upon the structure in recent years. Located in southern Peru, Machu Picchu is the remains of a huge stone citadel that was built during the 15th century. These incredible Incan ruins are widely considered one of the must-see spots in South America. Unfortunately, this has backfired in a way. 3 G In addition, the area surrounding Machu Picchu has seen rampant urbanisation, as well as mudslides and fires, in recent years, leading UNESCO to work for its preservation. Hatra is a ruined city located in the Al-Jazīrah region of present-day northern Iraq. A religious and trading centre of the Parthian empire, it flourished during the 1st and 2nd Unit 5: Globetrotting Theme: People & Culture Values: Respecting nature & Respecting other cultures CONTOH
24 English Form 4 Topic 4 centuries BCE. The city survived several invasions before being razed in 241 CE. As the capital of the first Arab Kingdom, Araba, Hatra is a site of massive historical significance. The ruins went undiscovered until the 1830s; German archaeologists only began excavating it in the early 1900s. In addition to becoming a UNESCO world heritage site, Hatra was also immortalised as the temple featured in The Exorcist. Sadly, it became a target of ISIS in 2015. 4 B It was after this that UNESCO gave it an endangered status. Mount Kilimanjaro’s peak, one of the Seven Summits, proves that even giants can fall to climate change. While the mountain itself, located in Tanzania, is not in imminent danger, but its iconic snow cap might vanish very soon. Research found that the snow cap had lost 85 percent of the total area of its ice fields between 1912 and 2007. 5 C There are plenty of resources you can use to help preserve endangered landmarks and tourist spots like these. For starters, you could donate to UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre. UNESCO also gives citizens an option to report threats to protected sites. 6 H Be respectful, don’t touch anything you are not explicitly allowed to touch, and do your part to keep the area clean. A It has also experienced insect infestations. B Militants assailed the structures with bullets and destroyed statues, seeking to dismantle remnants of polytheism. C The remaining ice could be history as early as 2030. D This massive, once-thriving coral reef has however suffered enormously over recent years. E It has been a favourite travel destination for globetrotters for decades. F It is an important archaeological site with well-preserved ruins. G The site has been a victim of overtourism, seeing the detrimental effects of the surge of tourists it gets as they wear down the structures. H And if you choose to visit these tourist destinations, treat them with the utmost care. Worksheet 2 You are going to read an article about how tuberculosis shaped Victorian image and fashion. Six sentences have been removed from the article. Choose from the sentences A to H the one which fits each gap (1 to 6). There are two extra sentences which you do not need to use. Mark the correct answer (A – H). Tuberculosis Influenced Image, Fashion and Beauty Trends for Decades Tuberculosis had reached epidemic levels in Europe and the United States by the mid-1800s. The disease, now known to be infectious, attacks the lungs and damages other organs. Before the advent of antibiotics, its victims slowly wasted away, becoming pale and thin before finally dying of what was then known as ‘consumption’. Unit 8: Image Theme: Science & Technology Values: Appreciating art & CONTOH Appreciating knowledge
25 English Form 4 Topic 4 When a person came down with tuberculosis, their skin became pale, and they lost weight as they literally wasted away. While that does not sound like something anyone would find aspirational between 1780 and 1850, there was an increasing aestheticisation of tuberculosis that became entwined with feminine beauty. 1 C Tuberculosis enhanced those things that were already established as beautiful in women, such as thinness and pale skin. As a result, the rise of the ‘consumptive chic’ look became a fad in the mid-1800s. 2 A They tried to put blush on their cheeks and red colour on their lips just to look chic. Tuberculosis somehow influenced women’s makeup trends. Once doctors started to prescribe sunbathing as a treatment for consumption, makeup trends went the other way, favouring more tanned skin. 3 G At first, this was a boon for the already-popular corset, as well as dresses that emphasised protruding collarbones. But soon, corsets became the target of doctors, who believed that the tight-fitting, restrictive garments could harm those with tuberculosis. In 1793, Samuel Thomas Von Sömmerring, a physician and well-known anatomist, took this one step further, writing that the compression of ribs and internal organs due to wearing a corset could lead to tuberculosis, cancer and scoliosis. But corsets did not disappear overnight. 4 E Though we may not wear corsets anymore, foundation garments are still an essential part of our wardrobe. Tuberculosis did not only affect women’s beauty and fashion. 5 B Around the turn of the century, luxuriant beards, sculpted moustaches and extravagant sideburns were all the rage. The trend can be partly credited to British soldiers, who grew facial hair to keep warm during the Crimean War in the 1850s. But facial hair was also popular in the United States where razors were difficult to use and often unsafe, especially when they were not cleaned properly. But once doctors and the public better understood how germ theory worked and how infectious diseases spread, beards and moustaches became a major public health target. In 1901, William H. Park, a doctor at the New York Board of Health, banned milk-delivery men from having beards, specifying that ‘there is real menace to the milk if the dairyman is bearded’ because ‘he may have tuberculosis and the dried sputum may accumulate on his beard and drop from it into the milk’. But it was not only milkmen who had to worry about beards transmitting the disease. According to Park, ‘The beard, particularly when damp, may become an ideal germ carrier, and on an unclean man would have great facility for the transmission of disease.’ 6 F To make it easier to maintain that look without having to visit a barbershop, Gillette invented disposable razors in 1900, allowing men to remove their facial hair themselves. The Victorian ideal of looking consumptive has not survived to the current century, but tuberculosis has had lingering effects on fashion and beauty trends. Once women’s hemlines rose a few inches at the beginning of the 1900s, for example, shoe styles became an increasingly important part of a woman’s overall look. And around the same time, doctors began prescribing sunbathing as a treatment for tuberculosis, giving rise to the modern phenomenon of tanning. Adapted from: Smithsonian magazine CONTOH
26 English Form 4 Topic 4 A It involved women trying to look as though they had tuberculosis by using makeup to make their skin appear paler. B It also impacted men’s grooming, namely, their beards and moustaches. C This was partially because upper-class women’s predisposition to developing tuberculosis was thought to be based on their appearance. D Corsets had become ubiquitous and might become a permanent lifestyle accessory. E Instead, women began wearing so-called ‘health corsets,’ which featured a looser fit, before they fell out of fashion altogether around the turn of the century. F As a result, a clean-shaven look was preferable. G Having a tiny waist was another part of the ‘consumptive chic’ look. H If you picture a woman dressed in Victorian apparel, a long skirt gently grazing the ground probably comes to mind. Worksheet 3 Unit 1: Let’s Chat Theme: Science & Technology You are going to read an article about the positive effects social media have on society. Value: Friendship Six sentences have been removed from the article. Choose from the sentences A to H the one which fits each gap (1 to 6). There are two extra sentences which you do not need to use. Mark the correct answer (A – H). How Social Media Influences the Life of People Positively Social media is such a massive part of all our lives that it can no longer be ignored. If we are using it right, social media can surely alter lives for good. One of the biggest positives of social media is that it has never been easier to make friends. Just a few decades ago, it was pretty tough to connect with people, unless you were the overly outgoing type and able to make conversation with anyone and everyone at a party. 1 F And there is no going back. It is entirely possible to have hundreds of friends on Facebook. They may not be friends you spend time with in the real world, but they are friends nonetheless. There are several people I consider friends whom I have never met in real life, but that does not lessen the connection we have, thanks to social media sites. Each of us spends a little too long talking about ourselves on social media sites. We are sharing our lives – the ups and downs, the twists and turns – with people we think will care. They generally do care and will tell you so. 2 A If this is not the case, then you may want to find new friends. The point is that by all of us sharing our experiences, both good and bad, on social media sites, we are able to empathise with each other. A friend may have gone through a similar ordeal that you are currently going through, and they will be able to help you get through it. You will also be able to see for yourself that they made it out of the other side, that this issue did not derail them, and that they are perhaps better for the experience. CONTOH
27 English Form 4 Topic 4 Our time is being stretched thinner by homework, assignments and family commitments, among many. 3 H Writing a tweet takes all of 20 seconds, and with cross-posting to other social networks switched on, that update reaches everyone you want it to reach in an instant. One of the reasons many people dislike making phone calls is the unnecessary banter they necessitate. 4 B That is because doing so is seen as rude. Instead, you have to swap pleasantries before saying what you want to say, and then swap more pleasantries before the conversation comes to a natural conclusion. One of the good things about social media is its power to open up the world to you, making it a smaller place than it has ever been before. When it comes to social networks, everyone is equal, regardless of location. Family members living abroad can be kept abreast of the latest happenings in your world as quickly as those living next door. Friends you have not seen since school and who have since moved away, are able to keep in touch. 5 D Apart from that, social media sites help you find people you share interests with. Facebook, for instance, asks you to list who and what you are interested in, right from the start. 6 E On Twitter, you should be following those who have something to say that you are interested in, making connections with like-minded individuals much easier than you would offline. However, this does require the sharing of information and giving up a certain amount of privacy. Keeping key personal information private is necessary, but sharing your likes and dislikes, and interests and obsessions can actually contribute to an open interactive society. Social media sites have a lot to offer. Not only are they tools for connecting people, but they can also be used to make a positive impact on society. A They will listen to what you have to say and help you deal with the problems you may be facing. B You can’t just say what you want to say and then hang up. C Its users are active and it promotes two-way communication. D This indicates that the existence of social media sites makes a person’s physical location a lot less important. E This makes it much easier to find common ground with other users. F The advent of smartphones helped change this, connecting people in a new way, but then social networks sprang up and the whole idea of friendship changed again. G Unfortunately, it has become fashionable to blame social media for everything that ails society. H But social media sites offer a chance to communicate in a speedy and efficient manner. CONTOH
28 English Form 4 Topic 4 Worksheet 4 You are going to read a story about a girl who just started her new school. Six sentences have been removed from the story. Choose from the sentences A to H the one which fits each gap (1 to 6). There are two extra sentences which you do not need to use. Mark the correct answer (A – H). Taylor’s New School A new girl named Taylor started school. The other children were not sure they liked her. ‘She doesn’t like to play football,’ said Susan. ‘She’s always drawing in her sketchpad,’ said Katie. No one really talked to her. They thought she was weird and unapproachable, keeping her at arm’s length. Taylor was all alone in her new school. Taylor was very sad. 1 B So, Taylor asked her mum for advice, ‘How should I get the others to like me?’ ‘Just be yourself,’ said her mother. ‘You’ll make friends soon enough.’ School was very hard for Taylor. No one talked to her or asked her to join in any games. One day, Mrs Kent told the class about a contest. 2 D The winner would also get a set of brand new paints and brushes. Everyone was talking about the contest. They all had different ideas. That night Taylor went home and began working on a cover for the school’s yearbook. 3 H On that day of the contest, Taylor carefully packed her design in her book bag. She was wondering what the others would think of her drawing. She could hardly wait to hand it in. In school, Mrs Kent asked everyone to display their designs on the board. Slowly and carefully, Taylor walked to the front of the classroom. 4 A As she walked away, she heard the others gasp. ‘Taylor, this is incredible! Did you do this on your own?’ asked Mrs Kent. All the children gathered around Taylor’s picture. 5 F Each one she had carefully drawn. The children began to point and call out, ‘Hey, that’s me!’ ‘How did you do that?’ ‘What a great artist!’ They were surprised at how good the drawing was. That day, Taylor had lots of friends to eat lunch with. The girls asked her to play in the playground. One of the children called out, ‘Let’s play pirates. I want to be the Peter Pan.’ They were happy, laughing at each other’s brilliant suggestions. Taylor was one of them this time. Taylor had finally won herself lots of friends. Previously nobody would talk to or befriend her but now she is surrounded by friends everywhere. This was because she had shown the value and importance of friendship by creating a collage of all the students’ faces. She had tried her very best to remember to put in all of them. She was sure that she would be accepted by all her friends as she had accepted and loved them. 6 E Her classmates got the message loud and clear. Taylor’s mother was right, she did make friends. Unit 1: Let’s Chat Theme: Science & Technology Value: Friendship CONTOH
29 English Form 4 Topic 4 A She was the last one to hang her picture on the board. B She really wanted to make new friends, but did not know how. C Friendship attachments provide a sense of security and belonging to Taylor. D Everyone would have a chance to design the next cover of the school’s yearbook. E The collage was a living proof of that friendship. F Taylor had created a collage of all students’ faces. G Mrs Kent wanted very much to help counter Taylor’s isolation and loneliness. H She worked day and night for the whole week, making sure that it was a perfect piece. Worksheet 5 You are going to read an article about mindful shopping tips. Six sentences have been removed from the article. Choose from the sentences A to H the one which fits each gap (1 to 6). There are two extra sentences which you do not need to use. Mark the correct answer (A – H). Mindful Shopping Is A Thing You have no doubt heard of mindful eating, and perhaps even mindful moving. Recently, mindful shopping is gaining ground in response to our seemingly innate tendency towards impulsive shopping. It has undeniably always been easier to spend money than to earn it, but it turns out there is an even bigger problem now that we don’t tend to see or touch real cash. 1 E In other words, it is easier to spend recklessly in an economy dominated by credit card transactions. Here are some ways to put mindful shopping into practice. The moment you step into a shop, your body’s five senses contribute to an overall feeling — positive or negative about the merchandise you are interacting with. How does it feel when you touch it? How does it look like? What does it smell like? When those sensations are pleasurable, it can trigger a feeling of euphoria and a strong compulsion to buy the product, whether or not it’s necessary or even in your budget. 2 A When you come across that perfect pair of jeans, for instance, those physical sensations might include a slight increase in your heartbeat, a sharp intake of breath, or even a tingle at the back of your neck. The moment you consciously take note of these sensations without wishing for them to get stronger or last longer, you are truly ‘present’. Awareness of the passing nature of these feelings is at the core of mindful shopping. 3 G A ‘need’ fulfills an essential, practical purpose, which may or may not be pleasurable, like buying groceries so that you can feed yourself and your family. A ‘want’, on the other hand, is largely driven by the pleasurable sensation of owning or experiencing a product, whether it is acquiring another branded bag or an autographed baseball. The fear of missing out is rampant in our culture, thanks to the rise of social media. Our smartphones relay a constant feed of what others are buying and experiencing, inadvertently fuelling our own insecurities about not having or doing enough and missing out on bigger and better things. 4 D Researchers Unit 3: Buy It! Theme: Consumerism & Financial Awareness Value: Being a responsible consumer CONTOH
30 English Form 4 Topic 4 from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore ran five studies on consumer habits, and found that ‘feelings of jealousy do seem to increase the desire for someone to purchase’. By resisting the urge to compare yourself to others, you reduce the risk of emotional shopping. You might even consider reducing your social media exposure with a ‘digital detox’. In the past, a king was elevated to the title of emperor when he accumulated vast amounts of land and dominions over several countries. His possessions altered his identity. Although we like to think better of ourselves, the same holds true even today. 5 B We apply the same measure of worth to ourselves, defining who we are and how good we are by what we have. The problem is, there is never a point at which we have enough to feel satisfied. Separating ‘I am’ from ‘I have’ is key to mindful shopping. We all need a pick-me-up now and again. For many of us, the quickest fix for a miserable day is to treat yourself to something nice. Unfortunately, the pleasure of an impulse purchase is fleeting, while the effect on your bank account lingers. 6 H You can go for a walk with a close friend or visit a library to check out the latest books from your favourite author. Always remember that window shopping can wither your willpower as it does not take long for window shopping to turn into real shopping. Considering that impulsive shopping has negative effects, it is crucial to practise mindful shopping and regain control of your spending habits. A The key to not getting swept up in that euphoria is to take a moment to consciously observe those body sensations. B The more things people possess, the greater their status, and the more likely we are to hold them in high esteem. C If you don’t intend on making a purchase, it is better to avoid the temptation. D This fear may manifest in lowered self-esteem, as well as heightened feelings of jealousy. E A recent research has shown that the brain experiences more discomfort spending cash money as opposed to digital money. F Mindful shopping strategies are not enough to curb a serious shopping addiction. G A mindful shopping list is one that serves to separate your daily expenses into ‘needs’ and ‘wants’ on an emotional level. H So find other ways to administer emotional first aid when needed. CONTOH
31 1 In Part 5 of Paper 1, a total of eight questions will be asked. 2 The type of questions asked varies according to the information given. The eight questions may comprise: (i) matching tasks (ii) completion of notes/ short text (iii) completion of diagrams (iv) short answer questions 3 Test takers are required to match statements to paragraphs in the reading text. The statements could be descriptions, reasons, facts, explanations, definitions or summaries. Test takers need to find the specific information in the text or paragraph and match it to one of the statements, or fill in the blanks with one (or few words) from the text. In some cases, test takers will be instructed to write the letter of the correct paragraph or section on their answer sheet. 4 This question type tests your ability to understand various details and specific information from the text. 5 Keep in mind that sometimes answers can be used more than once. Also bear in mind that the answers do not come in order. Matching and Information Transfer Strategies Read the information — Think of this step as the golden rule of any reading questions. Test takers should never ‘read blindly’, or read the text without knowing exactly what to look for. Scan the text — Scan for the information and underline the key words or circle sentences that you think could help you answer the given questions. You may need to come back to these clues later. Check your answers to make sure that they are logical and appropriate. Be careful with your spelling. Read the heading/ title given first as it will give you an overview of the text you are going to read. Go through the eight questions given as it will help you scan for the information in the text later. Look for key words and underline them as you read along. Comprehending the information in the questions helps you to maximise your understanding later. Reading the text — While you are reading the text, make sure you have truly understood the information as the information you will be looking for will most likely appear differently in the text. It is rare that the information or sentence appears exactly as it is written in the question. By closely reading the information, you will be prepared to understand it if it is written differently. A great way to dissect the information is to underline key words. By doing this, you will know what to look out for in the text. Matching and Information 5 Transfer Topic CONTOH
32 English Form 4 Topic 5 Worksheet 1 Unit 1: Let’s Chat Theme: Science & Technology The following are opinions about different social media sites. Read the texts carefully and answer the questions that follow. SOCIAL MEDIA SITES A – Kylie, 17 years old Whenever I am bored, I would be on Facebook, scrolling through the newsfeed to obtain the latest news and post updates of my friends. I love using this platform as I can easily know about current events through others’ posts without having to google much. However, there is no denying that a lot of fake news is circulated on Facebook. So, I always have to be sure of any information before sharing. C — Caden, 21 years old I prefer using WeChat as I can engage in conversations with different people simultaneously on my smartphone. Just like Facebook, I can also upload images and videos, which my friends can comment on. I find it fun as I can share what I’m doing at any moment with my friends and include them in it, although not physically. Besides, I enjoy using WeChat as I can make payments at certain merchants, which offer the service. E – Gwyneth, 20 years old I’m an avid user of Instagram as I love taking photographs and sharing them. Not only that, I love fashion, so I use my account to advertise latest trends and sell clothes. Business has never been easier as users can easily check out the items they’re interested in and send me a message for more details or purchase. B – Eileen, 16 years old Twitter is my go-to application as I can easily follow the updates of famous celebrities and brands. Oftentimes, users would post regarding their feelings or opinions on various issues, from current activities to product reviews. That’s why I find it the best way to keep up with news of my favourite artists. Twitter posts are also short and direct due to limited characters, which I find helpful, as I don’t have to read any post for too long. D – Hunter, 18 years old I am into music, so I spend a lot of time on TikTok. Through TikTok, I can create, share and discover short music videos. I find it entertaining to watch people singing and dancing to different tunes as some would be impressively creative, while others would just be hilarious lip-synching or going out of tune. If I love a video, I can even comment or download to share it with others. CONTOH
33 English Form 4 Topic 5 Questions 1 to 4 Using the information given, which text (A to E) describes the following opinions on social media sites? For each question, mark your answer on the answer sheet. No Statement Paragraph 1 I keep up with the latest happenings by reading what others share here. A 2 Pictures of what I do are shared to involve my friends in them virtually. C 3 I learn to be enterprising through promotion and sales of products on this platform. E 4 This platform enables me to stay up-to-date with any new product releases of certain companies. B Questions 5 to 8 Using words from the texts, complete the dialogue below. Choose no more than two words for each blank. Write your answer on the answer sheet. Lydia I will. Wish me luck! That’s true! You can even create videos and share them online. Since you’re into music, I assume that you use Twitter, too? Hi, Rosie! Have you heard of the latest social media craze, TikTok? Yes, you have to be certain of what you read in case you want to share any news. Anyway, do follow me on Instagram. I’m trying my hand at (8) business . There are many pictures of handmade products that I have uploaded for purchase. I’d think so, as you can always be in the know of the latest news and music through tweets of your (6) favourite artists . Anita Actually, I don’t. Is it recommended? Good luck in your endeavour! Bye! That’s great! I usually just keep up with current events by reading news shared by my friends on Facebook, but I’m careful too, as there is a lot of (7) fake news shared. Sure! I’ll let my friends know about your profile too. Remember to share some profit with me when you’re rich! Oh, yes! I just signed up for an account as I think watching short music videos will be (5) entertaining . CONTOH
34 English Form 4 Topic 5 Worksheet 2 Unit 7: Mother Nature Theme: Health & Environment The following is a brochure on various endangered animals. Read the texts carefully and answer the questions that follow. Sumatran rhinos are the only Asian rhinos with double horns. They grow up to between 1 to 1.5 metres in height, roughly 2 to 4 metres long and weigh about 600 to 950 kilogrammes. Many would consider the dark red-brown animal huge but fascinatingly, it’s the smallest of its living counterparts. Threatened by habitat loss, poaching and fragmentation, the current population stands at fewer than 80 on the Indonesian islands of Borneo and Sumatra. Sunda tigers have distinctive heavy black stripes on their orange coats. Once found across several parts of the Sunda Islands, all remaining estimated to be fewer than 400 are only found in Sumatra today. This species is threatened by accelerating deforestation and rampant poaching. With illegal timber harvesting and clearing of forests, it is no surprise that their habitats have been drastically reduced. The vaquita has a large dark ring around its eyes and dark patches on its lips, which form a thin line from the mouth to the pectoral fins. With only about 10 remaining, it is the world’s rarest marine animal. It wasn’t discovered until 1958 and after a little more than 50 years, they are on the edge of extinction due to being caught and drowned in gillnets used by illegal fishing operations in marine protected areas within Mexico’s Gulf of California. Hawksbills are d i s t i n g u i s h e d by the pattern of overlapping scales in their shells, which form a serratedlook on the edges. The pattern and colour make the shells valuable, so they are sold and manufactured into tortoiseshell items, such as jewellery and ornaments. Hawksbills are commonly found throughout the world’s tropical oceans. Like other sea turtles, hawksbills are endangered due to the loss of nesting and feeding habitats besides pollution. Compared to the Sumatran orangutan, it has shorter beard on its broader face and is of slightly darker colour. It is the second largest ape after the gorilla. Its population has seen a sharp decline of more than half over the past six decades, with about 104 700 presently in Borneo and Sumatra. This species is mainly pushed to extinction by deforestation and destruction of the tropical rainforests. Sunda Tiger Vaquita Hawksbill Turtle Bornean Orangutan CRITICALLY ENDANGERED ANIMALS Adapted from: https://www.worldwildlife.org A Sumatran Rhinoceros B C D E CONTOH
35 English Form 4 Topic 5 Questions 1 to 4 Using the information given, which text (A to E) describes the following descriptions of critically endangered animals? For each question, mark your answer on the answer sheet. No Statement Paragraph 1 This species has been drastically reduced over the past 60 years partly due to the clearing of forest. D 2 This species is vanishing although it has only been found slightly more than five decades ago. E 3 This species is prized for its protective outer case, which can be made into items to accentuate beauty. B 4 This herbivorous species is threatened by illegal hunting. A Questions 5 to 8 Using words from the texts, complete the email below. Choose no more than three words for each blank. Write your answer on the answer sheet. New Message Send To : [email protected] From : [email protected] Subject : Endangered Animals We May Soon Lose Forever Hi Su Ann, I came across a brochure on (5) critically endangered animals yesterday. One of them is the (6) Bornean Orangutan , which has seen a great decrease of more than 50% over the past 60 years. It is such a pity that mankind is destroying the rainforests and threatening this species to extinction. Another endangered animal is the hawksbill turtle. Hawksbills have a distinctive pattern of overlapping scales in their shells, making the shells sought after to be made into (7) tortoiseshell items/ jewellery and ornaments used for beauty enhancement. Just like other turtles, this species is also threatened by the loss of nesting and feeding habitats. The vaquita is even lesser in number, with only about 10 left, hence earning it the title of the (8) rarest marine animal in the world. It was only discovered in 1958, but we’re already on the brink of losing them forever as they’re often being caught and drowned in gillnets utilised by illegal fishing operations. I hope that efforts to save these animals will be stepped up so that we won’t be only reading about them and seeing their pictures in books in the future. Bye. Regards, Shirley CONTOH
36 English Form 4 Topic 5 Worksheet 3 Unit 8: Image Theme: Science & Technology The following is an article on a famous personality. Read the article carefully and answer the questions that follow. MARK ZUCKERBERG A – Background If you have heard of Facebook, it is almost certain that you have heard of Mark Zuckerberg, the cofounder of Facebook, the CEO, and the major shareholder. Born in 1984 to parents Edward Zuckerberg and Karen in New York, he was already using computers and writing software around 12. His father taught him Atari BASIC programming, which he then used to create a messaging programme named ‘Zucknet’. The programme was used in his father’s dental office at home so that the receptionist could let him know of any new patient coming instead of having to shout. The family also used it to communicate within the house. B – How Facebook came to be To keep up with Zuckerberg’s growing interest in computers, a software developer was hired to tutor him privately. Zuckerberg later took graduate courses at the nearby Mercy College and studied in Philips Exeter Academy before enrolling in Harvard in 2002. It was in his dormitory room in Harvard, where he launched Facebook with three other roommates. The site allowed users to create their own profiles and upload photographs besides communicating with other users. C – Facebook grows In 2004, he dropped out of the university to concentrate on his site, which had 1 million users by the end of that year. The company was then moved to Palo Alto, California, where he currently resides, and it was there that Zuckerberg talked Peter Thiel into the first investment. His enterprise later landed another huge investment of about $13 million from Accel Partners. The social networking site, which was initially only a ‘Harvard thing’, was subsequently made available to Ivy Leagues and then other institutions. By the end of 2005, Facebook boasted a membership of more than 5.5 million users and it is currently available to everyone worldwide. D – Philanthropy Zuckerberg is also involved in philanthropy. A charity, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative was established in 2015 together with his wife, Priscilla Chan, and 99% of their wealth from Facebook shares has been invested. One of the missions of the organisation is to ‘build a more inclusive, just and healthy future for everyone’. Estimated by Forbes to have a net worth of about $79.2 billion as of 27 March 2022, Zuckerberg is at present the fourteenth richest man in the world. CONTOH
37 English Form 4 Topic 5 Questions 1 to 4 Using the information given, which paragraph (A to D) explains the following statements? For each question, mark your answer on the answer sheet. No Statement Paragraph 1 Facebook originated in the place Zuckerberg stayed in university. B 2 Zuckerberg co-founded an organisation with his spouse. D 3 Zuckerberg owes his knowledge in programming to his dad. A 4 Zuckerberg discontinued his studies in Harvard. C Questions 5 to 8 Using words from the article, complete the sentences below. Choose no more than two words for each blank. Write your answer on the answer sheet. 5 ‘Zucknet’ was used as a means to communicate in Zuckerberg’s father’s dental office and within the house. 6 Zuckerberg dropped out of Harvard to invest more time in developing Facebook. 7 The first investment was from Peter Thiel, whom Zuckerberg spoke to, in Palo Alto. 8 An example of Zuckerberg’s philanthropy is the establishment of a charity organisation to build a more inclusive, just and healthy future for everyone. CONTOH
38 English Form 4 Topic 5 Worksheet 4 Unit 5: Globetrotting Theme: People & Culture The following is an article on a trip to the South Island, New Zealand. Read the texts carefully and answer the questions that follow. A Trip to South Island It was a dream come true when I finally had the opportunity to tour parts of the South Island during semester break. My friend and I took a flight from Wellington on 14 July to Queenstown where adventures awaited! Upon arrival at noon, we checked in at one of the backpacker hostels, which had been booked earlier. After a short rest, we decided to explore the town on foot. While walking, we spotted a long queue outside a restaurant. To our excitement, it was the famous Fergburger! We were starving and hence, joined the queue without hesitation. The burgers served were deliciously juicy and as good as reviewed! We continued exploring after that before heading back to rest early for our trip the following day. As planned, we headed to Wanaka, which was slightly more than an hour away. Our first stop was the National Transport and Toy Museum and next was Puzzling World. As the name suggests, Puzzling World is a complex of optical illusions and puzzling rooms. We felt like little children again, having fun exploring the 3D-maze and taking pictures around the place. Our tour the next day was to Arrowtown, a former gold mining establishment. It was also known for jade and opal jewellery, so we each got a jade bracelet for our mums. After the relaxing tour, we headed to Kawarau Bungy Centre for our first bungee jumping experience. Jumping off the bridge from a height of 43 metres surely got our hearts racing! We were up by 7 a.m. the next day for breakfast and then moved off to The Remarkables. The view of the snow-capped mountains was stunning and we couldn’t wait to try skiing. As beginners, we signed up for a 2-hour lesson to learn how to move with the equipment before skiing leisurely after. We initially thought it was easy but changed our minds after we fell on our bottoms countless times. After half a day at the ski field, we decided to call it a day as our bodies were starting to ache. Back at our accommodation, we packed up and prepared to leave the next morning. Though short, the adventure-filled trip was definitely memorable! A B C D CONTOH
39 English Form 4 Topic 5 Questions 1 to 4 Using the information given, which text (A to D) describes the place referred to in the following statements? For each question, mark your answer on the answer sheet. No Statement Paragraph 1 This place is best for adrenaline junkies. C 2 White powdery snow is in abundance here. D 3 Visit this outlet for gastronomic pleasure. A 4 Expect to feel baffled here having to figure out various puzzles and illusions that are mind-boggling! B Questions 5 to 8 Using words from the article, complete the itinerary for the South Island trip below. Choose no more than one word for each blank. Write your answer on the answer sheet. Went on a trip to Wanaka Visited the National Transport and Toy Museum Had (6) fun in Puzzling World 15 July Headed to Arrowtown Purchased (7) jewellery Tried out bungee jumping 16 July Arrived in Queenstown by (5) flight Walked around to explore the town 14 July Had a go at (8) skiing Joined a 2-hour lesson Packed our belongings to leave the next day 17 July A Trip to South Island CONTOH
40 Part 1 of Paper 2 consists of an email containing rubrics and some notes that contextualise the required task. Test takers will be given clear instructions as to the content and the form of the expected answer. The examiner will want to see how far you are able to carry out the instructions, which have been given in the stimulus. You must respond to the email in about 80 words. A Step-by-Step Guide to Tackling Part 1 of Paper 2 Effectively 1 Analyse the task Read and understand the rubrics and the stimulus. Identify the sender of the email as your answer/ response must be addressed to this person. Identify the key words. Underline the key words. Analyse the key words so that you understand/ know your task. Plan your response/ answer 2 Respond to the question(s) asked in the email. Hints/ Clues/ Notes given in the stimulus help to guide your overall response. Draft out the email in response to the one you have read. Decide a suitable subject line/ title for your email. Keep it short but focused. Get right to the point in about six to eight words. Present your response/ answer 3 Once you are satisfied with your draft, you should write your answer neatly. Add expressions to your writing style by using a variety of sentence structures. Link ideas of equal importance by using coordinators such as or, and, so, for, but, etc. Link ideas of unequal importance by using subordinators such as because, so that, although, if, unless, as, since, etc. Use effective vocabulary. Short Communicative 6 Message Topic CONTOH
41 English Form 4 Topic 6 Model Short Communicative Message Unit 1: Let’s Chat Theme: Science & Technology You received an email from your teacher. To : [email protected] From : [email protected] Subject : Extension on Submission Deadline for Assignment Hello everyone, Many of you have asked for an extension of the assignment due next Friday. If you need an extension, please email me, informing me officially that you cannot meet the assignment deadline, and explain why you are not able to complete it in time. Let me know what you will do in response. Thank you. Sincerely, Mrs Joseph New Message Send Write an email to your teacher in about 80 words in the space provided. Write your answer below. New message To : From : Subject : Send [email protected] [email protected] Request: Extension on Submission Deadline for Assignment Hi Mrs Joseph, I have unfortunately fallen ill after being exposed to the coronavirus. I have been having a high fever, and my throat is scratchy. I am aching all over as well. Therefore, I am unable to meet the deadline for the English book analysis assignment. I have been in isolation and resting at home. As soon as I can, I will complete the work and email it to you. I am requesting an extension to the deadline. Thank you for your kind understanding. Sincerely, Alib bin Aqwan Stepping Stone 1 CONTOH
42 English Form 4 Topic 6 Worksheet 1 Unit 6: Time Out Theme: People & Culture You received the email below. To : [email protected] From : [email protected] Subject : Welcome to Taman Melor Neighbourhood Group Welcome Peter! We are so happy that you have decided to join our neighbourhood group. We want to match your pastimes and invite you to a resident get-together next month. We are excited to get to know you better. Tell us a little about who you are, where you were initially from and what you do for a living. If you have any food allergies, please let us know too. Thank you. Regards, Jack Fung Taman Melor Residents’ Association Chairman New Message Send Write an email to the Residents’ Association Chairman in about 80 words in the space provided. Write your answer below. New message To : From : Subject : Send [email protected] [email protected] Count Us in – Resident Get-Together (Suggested answer) Hi Mr Fung, Thank you for reaching out. I am so pleased to share a few things about myself. I was initially from Teluk Intan and I have moved to Ipoh for work. I am an education consultant with Evergy Education Services and I have been in this field for the last eight years. I came to Ipoh with my wife, Joanne. We have no food allergies and are looking forward to the gathering. Regards, Peter Krishnan CONTOH
43 English Form 4 Topic 6 Worksheet 2 Unit 1: Let’s Chat Theme: Science & Technology You received an email from your brother, Greg, who heard from your mother that there is a new family member in the house. To : [email protected] From : [email protected] Subject : New Family Addition Hi Hannah, Mother told me that there is a new family member at home. She didn’t want to spoil the surprise, so you’d better reply to this email right now! So, who is this new addition and does it have a name? What were the reasons you chose it? I can’t wait! Please email me as soon as you can with the news. Your brother, Greg New Message Send Write an email to your brother in about 80 words in the space provided. Write your answer below. New message To : From : Subject : Send [email protected] [email protected] Re: New Family Addition (Suggested answer) Hi bro, You will not believe it! Yes, we finally have a pet in our home. It took seven years to convince Dad that we should have one. Spencer is a Balinese cat that I discovered through our neighbourhood Facebook page. He needed a new home quickly as he belonged to Mrs Hamid, who needed to leave the country immediately due to work commitments abroad. All the planets had aligned as Mrs Hamid informed us that Spencer is a breed that causes fewer allergic reactions in allergy sufferers. That was perfect for my condition. Another plus was that Spencer is up to date in all his medical check-ups and came with all the necessary equipment, bedding and cat food for the next six months! I can’t wait for you to meet Spencer. He is the sweetest and most loving cat. Your sister, Hannah CONTOH
44 English Form 4 Topic 6 Worksheet 3 Unit 4: Being a Teen Theme: People & Culture You received an email from your classmate, Mei, who will be your partner in a project. To : [email protected] From : [email protected] Subject : Details of Meeting Hi Georgina, It looks like we will be partners in the project Mrs Rahimah assigned in class. I am emailing you to ask whether you have any initial ideas. Do suggest a time and place to meet and what your goal is for our first meeting. I would appreciate any initial suggestions prior to this meeting. Thanks. Regards, Mei New Message Send Write an email to your classmate in about 80 words in the space provided. Write your answer below. New message To : From : Subject : Send [email protected] [email protected] Re: Details of Meeting (Suggested answer) Dear Mei, I am so excited to find out that we would be working together on the English reading project. I suggest we meet after school in the canteen on Monday as we both have to wait until 3 p.m. for our netball practice. That will give us some time to discuss the book we will use for our project. I hope that by the end of our first session, we will reach a consensus on our book choice to present. I believe it is a good idea for both of us to think about a few suggestions for books before our meeting. I already have a few books in my mind that I am excited to share with you. Email me if there is anything you want to discuss before our meeting. See you on Monday. Regards, Georgina CONTOH
45 1 Part 2 of Paper 2 consists of a text stimulus. 2 Test takers will be assessed on their ability to carry out the detailed instructions given. 3 You must respond in the form of an essay in 125 to 150 words and your answer should use all the notes/ points provided and reply to the questions in the stimulus. 4 Test takers will also be expected to analyse the points/ notes given in the stimulus and develop the ideas to come up with relevant points of their own, which may be in the form of opinions, details, reasons, examples, comparisons, etc. 5 Marks will be awarded for mentioning the notes/ points supplied in the stimulus. A Step-by-Step Guide to Tackling Part 2 of Paper 2 Effectively Carry out the instructions correctly 1 Test takers will be given clear instructions as to the content and form of the expected answer. Put on your thinking cap and come up with all the ideas that answer to the points/ notes given in the stimulus. The examiner will want to see how far you are able to carry out the instructions, which have been given in the notes/ points. Expand on the notes/ points given 2 Test takers are expected to provide an answer that uses and expands on the notes given based on the stimulus. The stimulus contains questions, which the test takers must respond to. The notes/ points provided should be used to guide your essay/ response. Marks will be allotted for each relevant point that is mentioned in the answer. Noting your progress as you cover each point/ note, you can actually judge whether your essay is going to work out to the required length. Present your answer 3 Pace yourself according to the time and notes/ points. Due to time constraints, you will probably have to limit your essay to about 125 to 150 words. Always remember that you will need to spend some time thinking about your answer before you attempt to write it out. Write your answer based on your plan. Present varied sentence types effectively. This will include the use of compound and complex sentences. Use appropriate linkers where required to improve the smooth flow of your writing. Correct any overemphasis on one part of the topic/ paragraph. Guided Writing 7 Topic CONTOH
46 English Form 4 Topic 7 Model Guided Writing Unit 6: Time Out Theme: People & Culture Your Chess Club has been deciding how to recruit more new members this year. Your teacher adviser has asked you to write an essay about how you would go about recruiting new members. In your essay, you should write about: • why it is important to recruit new members • who you would recruit • how you would recruit new members Use all the notes above and give reasons for your point of view. Write your essay in 125 – 150 words in an appropriate style. I agree that it is essential to recruit new members to our Chess Club. Recruiting new members helps our club grow and allows current members’ opportunities to compete against new talent. That will improve our chess skills, which is crucial, if we want to retain our Chess Championship title for the third consecutive year. I propose that we recruit all students in Forms Two and Three as they are required to get involved in competitive clubs and societies. Furthermore, they have a little more time on their hands as they do not prepare or sit for any critical examinations. I suggest setting up a booth in the canteen to promote our club. Having our championship trophies displayed would be an added draw. There could also be tables set up around the booth with chessboards for interested members to watch others play and play themselves. I believe my recommendations are worth considering as the implementation is easy, and there is only minimal cost involved. Stepping Stone 2 CONTOH
47 English Form 4 Topic 7 Worksheet 1 Unit 6: Time Out Theme: People & Culture Your class has been discussing different outdoor activities and your teacher has asked you to write an essay on an outdoor activity you enjoy. In your essay, you should write about: • an outdoor activity you enjoy • the reasons for your choice • how to encourage your friends to take up the activity Use all the notes above and give reasons for your point of view. Write your essay in 125 – 150 words in an appropriate style. (Suggested answer) Generally, outdoor activities are leisure activities which take place outside buildings or in natural settings. Some examples are such as camping, hiking, cycling, caving, mountaineering and others. For me, an outdoor activity I enjoy is hiking. The main reason I enjoy hiking is because I get to take in the breathtaking scenery, which is the reward upon reaching the summit of a mountain or hill. As such, I usually hike early in the morning or in the evening as I love getting to the top to watch the sunrise or sunset. Doing so relieves my stress as I get to take time out and escape from my hectic life. Besides that, hiking is a great form of exercise. Therefore, it goes without saying that I definitely feel better and fitter after each hike. On top of removing toxins from my body by sweating out during hikes, my bones are strengthened and muscles toned. Since I am keen on hiking, I would love that my friends join me too. I can definitely start by inviting them to go on hikes with me so that they can experience for themselves the beauty of nature and the fun of ascending hills or mountains. Apart from that, watching videos on hikes could be helpful too, as my friends get to see and understand what it is like and how it is done. In a nutshell, outdoor activities are beneficial to us. So, everyone should try taking up one in order to be physically and mentally healthy. CONTOH
48 English Form 4 Topic 7 Worksheet 2 Unit 4: Being a Teen Theme: People & Culture Your class has been talking about different leadership positions students can hold in school and your teacher has asked you to write an essay on a position you aspire to hold. In your essay, you should write about: • what leadership position it is • the qualities necessary for the position • why those qualities are important Use all the notes above and give reasons for your point of view. Write your essay in 125 – 150 words in an appropriate style. (Suggested answer) In school, there are many leadership positions available to students, such as the Head Prefect, librarian and others. All these positions exist to enable students to equip themselves with essential skills and knowledge for the real world. As a student, I aspire to be the head of the Editorial Board in my school. In my opinion, leadership skills are key since it is a leadership position. With leadership skills, I will be able to ensure that schedules and deadlines are followed closely as well as responsibilities are delegated properly. That way, each team member will not be burdened with excessive workload, but will instead be able to play his or her own role well to achieve a common goal of producing quality work. Furthermore, open-mindedness is important. This means that every member should be given the opportunity to voice their opinions or concerns. In order for that to happen, I will need to discuss with my team before starting any projects or assignments in order to churn out publications of the highest quality. Apart from that, having good command of different languages is crucial. For instance, I have excellent command of both English and Malay. I believe that my language competence will enable me to perform my duties efficiently and also guide other editors who work with me. In brief, I think that the aforementioned qualities are helpful if one is to be the head of the Editorial Board. I will continue to improve myself and strive to be better before I try applying for the position in my school. CONTOH
49 English Form 4 Topic 7 Worksheet 3 Unit 4: Being a Teen Theme: People & Culture Your class has been talking about different hangouts and your teacher has asked you to write an essay on a good hangout for teenagers. In your essay, you should write about: • a good hangout for teenagers • what teenagers can do there • the reasons that make it a good teenage hangout Use all the notes above and give reasons for your point of view. Write your essay in 125 – 150 words in an appropriate style. (Suggested answer) There are countless hangouts such as shopping malls, cafés or even libraries, and each spot appeals differently to teenagers. In my opinion, a café is a fantastic hangout because a variety of activities can be done there. To start off, cafés are ubiquitous in most towns and cities, making it easy for teenagers to go to one. At cafés, one can either grab a light snack or even have a heavy meal since many cafés offer both. Thus, going to a café is convenient for individuals looking to satisfy their hunger or to just simply try out unique and beautifully presented food. Undeniably, cafés are also popular as teenagers can catch up with friends over food in a comfortable environment. Besides the food, I believe that the ambience in cafés makes teenagers feel more relaxed, especially after a long day in school. In our country, cafés are mostly air-conditioned. The cooling atmosphere makes them seem like paradise, especially on scorching hot days. Furthermore, soothing music is usually played in the background. As such, it is no wonder that teenagers love to flock there in order to relax and take their mind off studies temporarily. Other than that, many cafés have jumped on the bandwagon of providing free internet access or wifi to their customers. With such amenity available, it is common for teenagers to frequent cafés to have discussions with team members in order to study or complete their assignments. Not only that, the free wi-fi also makes it easier for those without home internet access to work on their projects or tasks since they are able to search and obtain information online. In a nutshell, cafés are a popular hangout due to various reasons. Teenagers can enjoy their meals, listen to music as CONTOH well as use the available wi-fi to their advantage.
50 1 Part 3 of Paper 2 consists of text stimuli, and three text stimuli are provided. 2 Test takers are required to write a 200- to 250-word response based on any one of the text stimuli. 3 It can be in the form of an article, a review, a story or a report. 4 Test takers will be assessed on their ability to carry out the detailed instructions given. 5 Test takers will also be expected to analyse the questions given in the stimulus and develop the ideas to come up with relevant points of their own, which may be in the form of opinions, details, reasons, examples, comparisons, etc. 6 Marks will be awarded for mentioning the questions supplied in the stimulus. A Step-by-Step Guide to Tackling Part 3 of Paper 2 Effectively Select the best points While planning your response to the stimulus, pull out as many ideas as possible from your memory. Then, sift through all those ideas and choose the most effective and relevant ones that answer the questions given in the stimulus. Brainstorming always helps. Select the best structure or approach A good essay should be well-organised. Decide the order in which you want to present each idea. Try to engage more interesting and creative approaches to your selected question. Free yourself to write expressively and fluently Once you have selected the stimuli that you are going to write about, you are free to focus on your writing style. Make sure you have included all the questions required or you will lose marks. Pace yourself Pace yourself according to the time and points given. Lower the stress factor Imagine yourself in the examination hall. You are trying your very best to complete your essay when the invigilator says, ‘Ten more minutes…’ Well, if you didn’t have a plan, you might panic so much that you couldn’t think of anything anymore. With a plan, you can just calmly focus on your last task or point. Check for errors Always check your answer and make corrections if necessary. This would include the use of tenses, subject-verb agreement, prepositions, gerunds, to-infinitives, articles, etc. Punctuation marks and spelling should also be corrected. Marks can be lost if the examiner cannot read your handwriting. Extended Writing 8 Topic CONTOH
51 English Form 4 Topic 8 Model Extended Writing Unit 6: Time Out Theme: People & Culture You saw this notice outside the school library. d give examples of hobbies d mention why hobbies are important d suggest ways to take up a hobby We will publish the best article in the school magazine. Articles wanted! ‘Teenagers and Hobbies’ Write your article in 200 – 250 words in an appropriate style. Teenagers and Hobbies It often seems that teenagers are always rushing to complete a task, meet a deadline, or get involved in activities carried out for a purpose, not for the activity itself. Competition to be better than others and providing oneself with the edge over another is often the motivating factor. Consequently, hobbies no longer serve to be a fun activity, but a means to an end. As such, I call for the return of the good-ole-hobby as it was meant to be. Whether it is reading, fishing, sewing, collecting coins or learning languages, hobbies have their place in our lives. To start off, spending time doing an enjoyable activity that is not attached to work or other commitments can increase happiness and life satisfaction. Furthermore, having a hobby provides excitement and the spark that gives you the extra boost over the monotony of studying and chasing after paper qualifications. Thus, teenagers should try taking up activities that interest them, possibly by joining interest groups or school clubs so that they feel a sense of purpose and can de-stress temporarily from their usual hectic student life. Apart from that, the sheer pleasure of having a hobby takes a weight off teenagers’ mind and helps them forget the demands of their daily life or negative emotions. This means that it is a healthy and productive distraction from studies or personal troubles since doing an activity which one is passionate about, can improve his or her mood and outlook on life. I personally feel that teenagers should also participate in activities which involve others, such as hiking or playing team sports, because having company generally lifts one’s spirits as ups and downs can be shared with one another. Considering that having a hobby is beneficial, it is recommended that teenagers start picking up an activity they enjoy so that life would be much better. Naturally, that would transfer into improved academic performance and health, which are the priorities of teenagers. CONTOH
52 English Form 4 Topic 8 Worksheet 1 Unit 4: Being a Teen Theme: People & Culture You saw this notice on a website. 2 explain the importance of sleep 2 state the factors that affect sleep quality 2 suggest ways to sleep better We will publish the best article on our website. Articles wanted! ‘Teenagers and Sleep’ Write your article in 200 – 250 words in an appropriate style. (Suggested answer) Teenagers and Sleep Sleeping is a basic human need like eating, drinking and breathing. However, sleep is unfortunately the first thing that teenagers squeeze out of their schedules for various reasons, such as studying more, completing homework or using social media. Let’s first try to understand why sleep is important so that we realise the need to prevent sleep deprivation. Undeniably, sleep is important as the body works to support healthy brain function and maintain physical health. For adolescent students, sleep helps support growth and development besides enabling the brain to work well as it prepares for the next day. It is during sleep that the brain forms new pathways to assist in learning and remembering information. That is why students who have sufficient sleep commonly perform better academically. Furthermore, deep sleep triggers the body to release the hormone that promotes average growth in adolescents, boosts muscle mass as well as repairs cells and tissues. In order to sleep better, going to bed and waking up at the same time each day is imperative as the practice provides a teenager’s biological clock with a routine. Other than that, teenagers should stay away from electronics at least an hour before bedtime as the blue light emitted stimulates parts of the brain that keeps us alert, making it more difficult to fall asleep. Another way to sleep better is that teenagers can incorporate exercise into their lifestyle. Sleep quality is improved because mood is enhanced and the time taken to fall asleep is reduced since the body is likely to be exhausted and in need of rest after working out. In brief, sleep is crucial to maintain bodily functions and ensure that there is alertness and strength for activities throughout the day. Bearing that in mind, everyone, and not only teenagers, should always try to get sufficient sleep and not sacrifice it for other purposes. CONTOH
53 English Form 4 Topic 8 Worksheet 2 Unit 8: Image Theme: Science & Technology You recently saw this notice in a community magazine. Would you recommend the library to others? Why? Send us your review. The best review will be published in our special issue. Reviews needed! We are interested in finding out about the public libraries in our state. Tell us the name and location of the library. Let us know what makes the place special. Write your review in 200 – 250 words in an appropriate style. (Suggested answer) Yish Central Library and Learning Centre Review Yish City’s new library, also known as Yish Central Library and Learning Centre, opened its doors for regular operations a fortnight ago. It is located in the heart of the city, making it easily accessible using the local bus or train service. Parking spaces are available but limited since it is a busy area. To begin, the library has different facilities which make it easier and more comfortable for visitors to read leisurely, research or even complete assignments. For instance, the two-storey library is home to more than 2 000 titles from all genres, and 25 computers, donated by various corporations in the city. Apart from that, there are five 3-D printers, a fully-equipped digital media lab, meeting rooms, a performance hall for community events, and a small coffee shop serving drinks and pastries. On top of the impressive range of facilities available, there is also a learning centre in the library with volunteers who help students with homework as well as other school-related activities. This is definitely a plus point as students can conveniently obtain help with their studies. As such, I highly recommend visiting the library if you are looking to learn more effectively and efficiently. Environmentally, this library is 100 percent energy self-sufficient and powered by 100 percent carbonfree electricity sources, making it unique and different from other libraries in Pahang. The library also captures rainwater under the building to conserve water, and the water is used for nonpotable uses, such as toilets and landscaping. As students, the library is free to join. However, if you are no longer a student, there is only a RM20 membership fee, which is reasonable since a lot of benefits are awaiting members. So, what are you waiting for? Head on over to the library today and check it out for yourself! CONTOH
54 English Form 4 Topic 8 Worksheet 3 Unit 8: Image Theme: Science & Technology You have to write a report on the various measures the school has taken to provide a safe environment for the students during COVID-19 pandemic. Your report should include: • three measures taken by the school • what the staff and students feel about the steps • any future recommendation Write a report answering these questions. Write your report in 200 – 250 words in an appropriate style. (Suggested answer) Report on the Precautionary Measures in School During COVID-19 Pandemic Introduction This report provides information on the school’s measures to ensure that students can study in a safe environment despite the threats of COVID-19. The measures are backed by science to control the spread of the coronavirus. Sosial distancing The first measure was to ensure that the reopening of school was guided by local health conditions and school-specific information. Our school was big enough to allow students to come into school on staggered days and still allow for social distancing. Forms 1 and 2 students came in on Mondays, Form 3 students on Tuesdays, Forms 4 and 5 students on Wednesdays and Thursdays, respectively. This allowed for social distancing to be maintained. Wearing of masks The next measure was to mandate the wearing of face masks by all individuals in the school. The school went the extra mile by providing each individual in the school with three washable cloth masks. In this way, students and staff were able to wash their masks every day and reuse clean masks each day. Sanitisation Finally, the school had all surfaces sanitised professionally at the end of the week while also providing ample supply of hand sanitisers and wash stations around the school. The students and staff have been mostly satisfied with the current measures taken by the school. Many noted their admiration for the school in allocating a bigger budget to sanitise the school more regularly. Recommendation In the future, the teachers hoped to receive face shields. They mentioned that it was challenging to teach with a mask. Students agreed as it was easier to see the teachers’ faces and understand their facial expressions as they were talking and teaching. CONTOH
55 English Form 4 Topic 8 Worksheet 4 Unit 6: Time Out Theme: People & Culture You will be participating in an essay-writing competition organised by an educational organisation. The story must have the title: My Most Memorable Experience of Camping In your story, you must: • describe your camping experience • talk about why the experience is memorable Write your story in 200 – 250 words in an appropriate style. (Suggested answer) My Most Memorable Experience of Camping My most memorable camping experience happened eight years ago when I went camping with my friends to Pulau Malupan. We were ready for the hardships we were going to endure. We told ourselves that suffering was part of the joys of camping. Besides the mosquitoes that devoured us, the painful sunburn, and living off a diet of smoky sausages and Maggi noodles, we were mostly happy with our trip. After all, there were bonfires, chocolate chip cookies and the stars to accompany us. Well, it was all good until the third day. Shortly after bedtime, we were awakened by a terrible storm. We were in total darkness. The wind rocked our tents and rainwater poured in. I was afraid that we would be blown out to sea! At daylight, we learned that we were cut off from the mainland. The rickety old bridge that had connected the island to the mainland had been washed away! We were stranded. With a little ingenuity and what was left of our meagre food and water supply, we made the best of the circumstances. Rescue teams could only get to us the next day as they puttered to shore in little motorboats. It was such a relief to see our rescuers. We were wet, hungry and exhausted. Till this day, we recall that camping trip with much fondness, and agreeably, it was our most memorable experience of camping. CONTOH
56 Paper 1 1 hour and 30 minutes Instructions: This question paper consists of five parts: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 and Part 5. Answer all parts in this question paper. Part 1 Questions 1 to 8 are based on the given stimuli. Study the information carefully and choose the best answer A, B or C. For each question, mark your answer on the answer sheet. 1 Which of the following is true about the Tower? A It has inclined about 10%. B It was built on 9 August 1173. C It has seven bells on the first floor. Facts about the Leaning Tower of Pisa: V The Tower is an eight-storey building. V The construction work of the Tower began on 9th August, 1173. V There are seven bells located in the bell Tower, all turned to musical scales. V The present inclination of the Tower is measured to be about 10%. The value corresponding to the eccentricity on the loads on the foundation is 2.3 metres. The reason behind the inclination of the Tower still remains a mystery. 2 Which of the following is the most suitable headline for the extract? A How to play your first chord B Guitar tutorial for complete beginners C Things to expect when you start learning the guitar Unless you are some kind of prodigious talent, the chances are that progress will be – at the start, at least – painfully slow – painful being the operative word. Put simply, there is no easy way to learn the guitar. There are no shortcuts. Not only that, if you find something which does appear to be a shortcut, there is every chance you will sow the seeds of poor technique, which will hamper you later down the line. The best advice is to go easy on yourself. Allow yourself to be a bit rubbish at the start. Film yourself playing now, and then in a year’s time, record yourself again. You will be surprised how quickly things do start to fall in place once you have got over the first few hurdles. The National Public Speaking Competition (District Level) Registration is now open! Calling all Form Four students! The Public Speaking Competition is a fantastic chance to show your oratorical skills. It improves your thinking, speaking and listening skills. The top two who make it to the final stage will compete at the State level. The National level winner will go on a short study tour in Melbourne. Pre-SPM Model Test CONTOH
57 English Form 4 Pre-SPM Model Test 3 All the following statements about the notice are true except A winners of the District level competition will go to Melbourne. B public speaking helps develop your speaking skills. C the competition is open to Form Four students. 4 Which of the following statements is true? A The Malaysian Zoological Society inaugurated the ‘Adopt An Animal’ programme. B The adoption programme will help the Zoo take care of the animals. C The public can adopt an animal by calling the Zoo and Ticket2u. 5 The RUN TO FIGHT CANCER 2.0 is a virtual run where A runners can choose their own starting point and route. B runners will be notified of their starting point and parking lot. C anyone interested should speak to a member of staff to register. NATIONAL ZOO ADOPTION PROGRAMME Zoo Negara is managed by the Malaysian Zoological Society, a non-governmental organisation that survives mainly through its gate collection and sponsorship from individuals, schools and corporate companies. It has partnered with Ticket2u to create a new way for people to donate, allowing donors to support ‘Adopt An Animal’ to get the financial support needed to take care of our animal family. All our animals are up for adoption, and by adopting one, you will help us maintain its annual food, enrichment and veterinary care. In return, you will receive a certificate of adoption stating your selected animal. Once you have decided to adopt, please click on the link below to proceed accordingly: https:// www.ticket2u.com.my/event/18171/zoo-negara-adoption-package RUN TO FIGHT CANCER 2.0 (Running period: 8 November 2022 to 8 December 2022) Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this is a GLOBAL VIRTUAL RUN. • No crowds, no travel/parking issues, no starting clapper or nervousness, no pre-race banter with other runners. • There won’t even be an official starting line! • No worries about the weather or sudden schedule conflicts. • Virtual race, a new trend in the running community, offers the runners who sign up the convenience & flexibility to pick their own starting line, their own route, which could include a treadmill or a lane, a track or a flight of stairs. • You run the distance, upload the details & voilà! You get a certificate! Click on this link to register and pay: https://bit.ly/rtfc2022 REGISTER NOW! CONTOH We can help needy cancer patients!
58 English Form 4 Pre-SPM Model Test 6 Which of the following statements is true? A Ranjit will take down the minutes of the meeting until Shiraz arrives. B Mei Lin has been delayed by a massive jam caused by an accident. C When the meeting starts, Shiraz will probably be 5 minutes late. 7 Which of the following statements is true? A There are job vacancies for four positions. B All vacancies are at the same company. C The company is a private school. NOW HIRING! Vacancies are available in various companies for the following posts: ➤ Quality Control Representative ➤ Forklift Operator ➤ Marketing Specialist ➤ Special Education Teacher For more information, please contact: 1-777-777-7788 www.recruitmenthr.com.my Shiraz Ranjit, I’ll be late for the meeting. Can you please inform Miss Chan? I know. Dad only got here 15 minutes ago because of a massive jam caused by an accident. Can you ask Mei Lin to take the minutes as she’s Assistant Secretary? I’ll take over as soon as I reach there. Well, we’re on the way now. Waze estimates in 15 minutes. Oh dear! What happened, Shiraz? We’ll begin in 10 minutes’ time and you’re the secretary. Okay, I’ll inform Miss Chan and tell Mei Lin to stand in for you until you reach here. How long do you think you will take to arrive here? Oh, that’s not too bad. Miss Chan might decide to wait 5 to 10 minutes for you. 5G 9:31 ⎹ Type a message The earliest credible evidence of coffee-drinking as the modern beverage appears in modernday Yemen in southern Arabia in the middle of the 15th century in Sufi shrines where coffee seeds were first roasted and brewed in a manner similar to how it is now prepared for drinking. The Yemenis procured the coffee beans from the Ethiopian Highlands via coastal Somali intermediaries, and began cultivation. By the 16th century, the drink had reached the rest of the Middle East and North Africa, later spreading to Europe. CONTOH
59 English Form 4 Pre-SPM Model Test 8 The purpose of the extract is A to show how coffee is brewed for drinking. B to give information on the spread of coffee as a drink. C to tell consumers how coffee is grown in the Middle East and North Africa. Part 2 Questions 9 to 18 are based on the following passage. Read the passage carefully and choose the best answer A, B, C or D to fill in each blank. For each question, mark your answer on the answer sheet. Are Gel Manicures Good for Your Nails? Opting for regular nail polish sometimes seems like a waste since the colour easily chips off. One alternative, gel manicures, (0) lasts much longer and generally costs more, too. It could be worth the investment if you avoid common mistakes and remember these things before your first gel manicure. The perks of a gel manicure include its (9) longevity (often ten days or more). Unlike regular polish, which can chip after two to three days, they are almost indestructible, which makes them ideal for weddings, special occasions and holidays. Plus, gel manicures cure in seconds, so you can leave the salon without worrying about smudging your manicure. Besides, while the gel is on your nails, it is like wearing a layer of protective armour that keeps your nails from (10) breaking . The application of gel is not totally different from the application of a traditional polish, with the (11) exception of the curing process under the UV-emitting lamps, according to dermatologist, Dr Chris G. Adigun. And therein lies the potential problem. ‘These lamps are very powerful and emit UVA rays far more powerful than those emitted (12) by the sun.’ She recommends purchasing a UVA- blocking sleeve and bringing it to the nail salon to wear while your gel polish is curing. LED lights are actually no safer than traditional fluorescent UV lamps. In fact, they emit exponentially more powerful UVA rays, which is why the curing times are shorter. It is not just the UV light that is (13) potentially damaging. While an experienced nail tech will always make sure the correct lamp is used (14) with the gel polish for the recommended amount of time, it is easy to mess up the steps. ‘Any (15) alteration in these variables can lead to polish that is over-cured to the nail plate that becomes very difficult to remove,’ explains Dr Adigun. It will not come off, and needs to be manually chipped off, which is very traumatising to the nail plate. There is evidence to (16) suggest that the gel manicure process can lead to dehydration and thinning of the nail plate. Dr Adigun says that acetone is known to thin the nail plate, but the gel polish may contribute to the thinning as well. Dr Adigun claims it is absolutely fine for people to get gel manicures every once in a while. But they should take gel manicure detoxes intermittently to allow their nails to rehydrate and repair. (17) Clients need to do major moisturising after they remove a gel manicure. Soaking their nails in a warm lotion that contains vitamin E (18) and using cuticle oil as often as possible helps. Indulging in a salon paraffin treatment to aid in recovery will also help repair any damage and strengthen nails. 0 A lasts B demands C sustains D struggles 9 A timelessness B immortality C longevity D length 10 A break B broke C broken D breaking 11 A exemption B allowance C acceptance D exception 12 A by B in C for D through 13 A auspiciously B potentially C intuitively D relatively 14 A for B with C down D from CONTOH
60 English Form 4 Pre-SPM Model Test 15 A mutation B altercation C allocation D alteration 16 A predict B rectify C suggest D smoothen 17 A Clients B Patrons C Shoppers D Purchasers 18 A so B but C and D because Part 3 Questions 19 to 26 are based on the following passage. Read the passage carefully and choose the best answer A, B, C or D. For each question, mark your answer on the answer sheet. In rare cases, victims of severe head injuries can develop remarkable creative talents they never previously had. Is there a genius lurking in each of us? Derek Amato stood above the shallow end of the swimming pool and called for his mate in the Jacuzzi to toss him the football. Then, he launched himself through the air headfirst, arms outstretched. The tips of Amato’s fingers brushed the pigskin — and he splashed through the water just before his head slammed into the pool’s concrete floor. He pushed to the surface, clapping his hands to his head, convinced that the water streaming down his cheeks was blood gushing from his ears. At the edge of the pool, Amato collapsed into the arms of his mates, Bill Peterson and Rick Sturm. The 39-year-old sales trainer was visiting his hometown of Sioux Falls in South Dakota. Amato’s mother rushed him to the emergency room, where doctors diagnosed him with a severe concussion. It would be weeks before the full impact of Amato’s head trauma became apparent: 35 percent hearing loss in one ear, headaches, memory loss. But the most dramatic consequence appeared just five days after his accident. Amato awoke, feeling hazy after near-continuous sleep, and headed over to Sturm’s house. As the two mates chatted, Amato spotted an electric keyboard. Without thinking, he rose from his chair and sat in front of it. He had never played the piano — he’d never had the slightest inclination to. Now his fingers seemed to find the keys by instinct and to his astonishment, ripple across them. His right hand started low, climbing in lyrical chains of triads, skipping across melodic intervals and arpeggios, landing on the high notes, and then starting low again and building back up. His left hand followed close behind, laying down bass, picking out harmony. Amato sped up, slowed down, let pensive tones hang in the air and resolved them into rich chords as if he had been playing for years. When Amato finally looked up, Sturm’s eyes were filled with tears. Amato played for six hours, leaving Sturm’s house early the next morning with an unshakable feeling of wonder. He had fooled around with instruments in high school, even learned a decent rhythm guitar. But nothing like this. Though he knew he had not suddenly transformed into an American jazz pianist, Thelonious Monk, he wasn’t that good. Amato had accessed a well untapped creativity and ability he had never touched before; suddenly there was music rising up spontaneously from within him, coming out of his fingertips. How was this possible? Within days of his injury, Amato began searching the Internet for an explanation, typing in terms such as gifted and head trauma. He found the name Dr Darold Treffert, an expert on savant syndrome, a condition in which individuals who are typically mentally impaired demonstrate remarkable skills. Amato fired off an email; soon he had answers. Dr Treffert diagnosed Amato with acquired savant syndrome. In the 90 or so known cases, ordinary people who had suffered brain trauma suddenly developed what seemed like almost superhuman new abilities: artistic brilliance, mathematical mastery, photographic memory. Dr Treffert believes that our brains come with a wide array of ‘factory installed’ software — latent abilities that exist, but that we sometimes don’t have access to. The exact nature of an acquired savant’s emergent abilities depends on the exact location of the injury. That explains the wide variation in both the range of abilities found in different individuals and their manifestations. Musical renown has yet to follow for Amato, though he did release an album, performed with the famed jazz-fusion guitarist, Stanley Jordan, and was asked to write the score for a Japanese documentary. Still, the former anonymous sales trainer is an inspirational symbol of human possibility for music lovers dreaming of grander things. Dr Treffert, neuroscientist, Snyder and others spoke enthusiastically about unravelling the phenomenon of acquired savantism in order to one day enable all of us to explore our hidden talents. The Derek Amatos of the world provide a glimpse of that goal — untapped human potential lies in everyone. CONTOH
61 English Form 4 Pre-SPM Model Test Still, it seemed that Amato had somehow found a place inside himself that he did not have access to before. In his playing, there was expression, melody and undeniable skill. And if this could emerge spontaneously in Amato, who’s to say what potential might lie dormant in the rest of us? Adapted from: How Traumatic Brain Injuries Can Unleash Extraordinary Hidden Talents, Reader’s Digest 19 In paragraph 3, why did the writer use the phrase collapsed into the arms? A Amato plunged to his death. B Amato was badly injured in the crash. C Amato fell into the pool and drowned. D Amato fainted after he had a head injury. 20 In paragraph 4, what did the writer say about Amato’s condition? A He had a severe head trauma. B He suffered from the long-term effects of trauma. C He never really recovered from the shock of his accident. D He suffered a severe emotional trauma that led to the suicide. 21 In paragraph 5, how did the writer describe Amato’s prowess when he played the piano? A The tune that he played moved Sturm to tears. B He played the piano exceptionally well. C He found it hard to hit a key properly. D He only knew the basic keys. 22 In paragraph 6, what effect did it have on Amato? A He could play the piano for six hours non-stop. B He had tapped on an ability that he had never touched before. C He took lessons from the world-famous pianist-cum-composer. D He became a multi-talented performer who could play an array of musical instruments. 23 Why do you think Amato began searching the Internet for an explanation? A He wanted to know what was happening to his sudden change of behaviour. B He wanted to share his struggles and create awareness of concussion. C He wanted to develop his skill at piano. D He wanted to keep himself occupied. 24 What explanation did Dr Darold Treffert give about savant syndrome? A Those suffer a severe concussion would demonstrate remarkable powers of observation. B Mentally impaired individuals would develop untapped creativity and great potential. C A wide variation of abilities found in different creative individuals. D Latent abilities that exist, but we sometimes don’t have access to. 25 What is the purpose of the writer writing this article? A To share information about untouched potential that lies in everyone and is accessible with the right tools. B To encourage individuals to set challenging but achievable goals and unleash their potential. C To show the good relationship between Amato and his mates. D To inform about Amato’s accident and his talent for music. 26 What can you learn from this article? A We can inspire others by our work and art. B We have to be someone extraordinary to do something extraordinary. C We have the power to influence people and inspire them to be their best version. D We can unleash extraordinary hidden talents to do something special in our lives. CONTOH
62 English Form 4 Pre-SPM Model Test Part 4 Questions 27 to 32 are based on an article about nature. Six sentences have been removed from the article. Choose from the sentences A to H the one which fits each gap (27 to 32). There are two extra sentences which you do not need to use. Mark your answer on the answer sheet. What Does Nature Give Us? There is no question that Earth has been a giving planet. Everything humans have needed to survive and thrive, was provided by the natural world around us. 27 G Scientists term such gifts as ‘ecosystem services’. However, the recognition of such services goes back thousands of years, and perhaps even farther if one accepts the cave paintings at Lascaux as evidence. Yet we have so disconnected ourselves from the natural world that it is easy to forget that nature remains as giving as ever, even as it vanishes bit by bit. 28 C Most of what we use and consume daily remains the product of multitudes of interactions within nature, and many of those interactions are imperilled. Beyond such physical goods, the natural world provides less tangible, but just as important, gifts in terms of beauty, art and spirituality. Earth Day seems as good a day as any to remind ourselves of what nature gives us free of charge. One such example is water. 29 F Without water, we can only survive a few hellish days. While pollution and overuse has threatened many of the world’s drinking water sources, nature has an old-fashioned solution, at least, to pollution. Healthy freshwater ecosystems like watersheds, wetlands and forests naturally clean pollution and toxins from water. 30 A According to research, the more biodiverse the ecosystem, the faster and more efficiently water is purified. Nature is also our greatest medicine cabinet. To date, it has provided humankind with a multitude of life-saving medicines from quinine to aspirin, and from morphine to numerous cancer and HIV-fighting drugs. 31 H In fact, researchers estimate that less than 1% of the world’s known species have been fully examined for their medicinal value. However, the ecosystems that have yielded some of the world’s most important and promising drugs, such as rainforests, peat swamps and coral reefs, are also among the most endangered. Preserving ecosystems and species today may benefit or even save millions of lives tomorrow. 32 D Today, amid concern of a global fishery collapse, more than a billion people depend on fish as their primary source of protein, many of them among the global poor. Fisheries also provide livelihoods, both directly and indirectly, for around half a billion. Coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass ecosystems provide nurseries for the world’s fisheries, while the open ocean is used for migrating routes and hunting. Yet, many populations have dropped tremendously because of ecologically destructive fishing. While the world’s fisheries are primarily threatened by overfishing, including bycatch, marine pollution is also a major problem. CONTOH
63 English Form 4 Pre-SPM Model Test A Soils, microorganisms and plant roots filter and recycle pollutants more cheaply than building a water filtration plant. B Natural vegetation and quality soil also lessen excessive erosion. C With the rise of technology and industry, we may have forgotten nature, but we still rely on it greatly. D Humankind has depended on rivers and seas for food for at least 40 000 years, probably even longer. E Around 80% of the world’s plants require a different species to act as pollinator. F There is no physical substance that humans require more than fresh water. G Food, water, medicine, materials for shelter and even natural cycles, like climate and nutrients, come from nature. H In fact, other important medications and even miracle cures lie untapped in the world’s ecosystems. Part 5 Questions 33 to 40 are based on the following texts. Read the texts carefully and answer the questions that follow. Climbing Sports A – Derek Lee, 25 years old Abseiling, also known as rappelling, is a controlled descent of a vertical drop, such as a rock face, by descending a fixed rope. This technique is used by climbers, mountaineers, cavers, canyoners, search and rescue (SAR) and rope access technicians to descend cliffs or slopes when they are too steep and/ or dangerous to descend without protection. B - MUNUSAMY, 33 years old Aid climbing is a style of climbing in which standing on or pulling oneself up via devices attached to fixed or placed protection that is used to make upward progress. The term contrasts with free climbing in which progress is made without using artificial aids. A free climber ascends by only holding onto and stepping on natural features of the rock, using rope and equipment merely to catch them in case of fall and provide belay. In general, aid techniques are reserved for pitches where free climbing is difficult to impossible, and extremely steep and long routes demanding great endurance and both physical and mental stamina. C - Hamzah Zainuddin, 37 years old Mountaineering or alpinism is the set of activities that involves ascending mountains. Mountaineering-related activities include traditional outdoor climbing, skiing and traversing climbing paths. Unlike most sports, mountaineering lacks widely applied formal rules, regulations and governance. Mountaineers adhere to a large variety of techniques and philosophies when climbing mountains. CONTOH
64 English Form 4 Pre-SPM Model Test D - Clark Parker, 41 years old Rock climbing is a sport in which participants climb up, down or across natural rock formations or artificial rock walls. The goal is to reach the summit of a formation or the endpoint of a usually predefined route without falling. Rock climbing is a physically and mentally demanding sport, one that often tests a climber’s strength, endurance, agility and balance along with mental control. Knowledge of proper climbing techniques and the use of specialised climbing equipment are crucial for the safe completion of routes. E - Rene Wong, 30 years old Canyoning (canyoneering in the United States, kloofing in South Africa) is travelling in canyons using a variety of techniques that may include other outdoor activities, such as walking, scrambling, climbing, jumping, abseiling (rappelling) and swimming. The terms canyoning and canyoneering are more often associated with technical descents – those that require abseils (rappels) and ropework, technical climbing or down-climbing, technical jumps and/ or technical swims. Canyoning is frequently done in remote and rugged settings, and often requires navigational, route-finding and other wilderness travel skills. Questions 33 to 36 Using the information given, which text (A to E) describes the following information on climbing sports? For each question, mark your answer on the answer sheet. No Statement Paragraph 33 One’s ability to move quickly with ease is tested through this sport. D 34 This sport involves going down a rope that is secured in a certain position. A 35 It is common to explore rocky and uneven terrains when involved in this sport. E 36 An eclectic climbing experience, which encompasses various skills and ideologies through this sport. C Questions 37 to 40 Using words from the texts, complete the notes below. Choose no more than one word for each blank. Write your answer on the answer sheet. What We Know About Climbing Sports • In aid climbing, aid techniques are kept for (37) pitches where free climbing is difficult to impossible, and extremely steep and long routes demanding great endurance and both physical and mental stamina. • Rope access technicians use the (38) abseiling/ rappelling technique to descend cliffs or slopes, which are too steep and dangerous to go down without protection. • The aim of rock climbing is to reach the (39) summit of a formation or the endpoint of a specified route without falling. • The environment in which canyoning takes place necessitates that one possesses the skill of travelling in the (40) wilderness . CONTOH
65 English Form 4 Pre-SPM Model Test New Message Send To : [email protected] From : [email protected] Subject : Masha’s Birthday Hi, The Raya holidays are here, and it’s Masha’s birthday on the 19th. I believe she has invited you for her tea party too. Shall we buy a present for her? Where shall we go and what do you think is the best thing she will like? And where shall we go to get it? I’ll be waiting for your reply. Bye! Renee Paper 2 1 hour and 30 minutes Part 1 [20 marks] You must answer this question. Question 1 You received an email from your friend, Renee, who has just moved to your town. New Message Send Write an email to your friend in about 80 words in the space provided. Write your answer below. To : [email protected] From : [email protected] Subject : Re: Masha’s Birthday Hi, Yes, Masha invited me to her tea party too. Some of us decided to pool in and buy something branded for her. Meeta, Adeline, Brenda and I have planned to get a T-shirt or blouse for her from Mid Valley Megamall. We are going there on Saturday to look for something trendy and gorgeous. Why don’t you come with us too? We can check out a few shops, such as Zara, Mango, Dorothy Perkins and Forever 21. We can also check out Sephora for make-up and accessories if we have extra money. Let me know if you want to join us. I’ll contact you about where and when to meet up and how much we are collecting for the present. Bye! Juanita CONTOH
66 English Form 4 Pre-SPM Model Test Part 2 [20 marks] You must answer this question. Question 2 Your class has been discussing the topic: Is eating fast food good for you? Your teacher has asked you to write an essay on the topic. In your essay, you should write about: • what fast food means to you • whether it is good or bad for health • reasons for your choice Use all the notes above and give reasons for your point of view. Write your essay in 125 – 150 words in an appropriate style. (Suggested answer) Fast food refers to food that can be prepared and served quickly. The food is inexpensive, convenient, and tastes good. Fast-food items have low nutritional value and are unhealthy, but still fast food is popular as people find it hassle-free to prepare and consume. Fast food includes crisps, chips, pies, pastries, burgers and fries, kebabs, pizza and carbonated drinks. However, in my opinion, eating these foods regularly is harmful as it comes with a whole lot of negative side effects and disadvantages. The greatest disadvantage of eating fast food is the adverse effect that it has on one’s health. Fast food is unhealthier than home-cooked meals as they contain higher amounts of unwanted nutrients like salt, fat and various types of additives. It may contain harmful bacteria too. Moreover, frying destroys most of the essential nutrients from the food. On top of all, vegetables and fruits are hardly present in fast food. We require a small amount of salt to maintain the health of the cells and tissues. But fast food, being rich in salt, adversely affects the heart and the overall health of an individual. Consuming too much fast food can lead to obesity and obesity-related diseases, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, strokes and heart problems. In fact, obesity in children is linked to fast food. Fast food is also full of saturated and unsaturated fats. Unsaturated fats can be burned over time through exercise. However, French fries, deep-fried chicken and other deep-fried foods that contain saturated fats are actually bad fats, which cannot be burned, but stay in our body. Therefore, it is advisable to keep away from fast food as they are definitely harmful to our health. It can be eaten sometimes, but should not be the main source of meals. Instead, we should have balanced healthy meals consisting of all classes of food. CONTOH
67 English Form 4 Pre-SPM Model Test Part 3 [20 marks] There are three questions in this part. Answer one question. Write your answer in 200 – 250 words in an appropriate style in the space provided. Write the question number in the box at the top of the answer space. Question 3 You saw this notice outside the school library. Articles wanted! ‘Students and the Environment’ We will publish the best article in our monthly magazine. Q state the need to protect the environment Q explain the changes you would like to make to save the environment Q suggest activities that can be done for environmental preservation Write your article. OR Question 4 You recently saw this notice in an online travel magazine. needed! We are interested in finding out about the beautiful or interesting place that you visited recently. Share your experience with us. Tell us what you liked best about the place. Would you recommend this place to your mates and relatives? Why? Send us your review. The best review will be published in our online travel magazine. Write your review. OR Question 5 Your school magazine has organised a short story competition and your teacher has asked you to enter the competition. The story must have the title: My Lucky Charm In your story, you must: • include a description of the object • explain how the object brought luck to you Write your story. CONTOH
68 English Form 4 Pre-SPM Model Test Question Number: Exploring Beautiful Taiping Had I known what a beautiful place Taiping is, I wouldn’t have grumbled and mumbled about a sleepy town with nothing but hills when my dad told us that we were going to explore the town. Five of us checked into a quaint wooden bungalow that belonged to one of the early tin miners. We walked up a creaky stairway wondering when we would ever fall through the planks! The old caretaker, Encik Zulkifli, clothed only in a pair of shorts and a singlet, showed us our rooms and left hurriedly. We surveyed the rooms and furnishings with a nagging suspicion. One of us then went to the window and opened it. ‘Oh my gosh! What a beauty!’ I exclaimed. It was the Taiping Lake Gardens and our bungalow was located just at the near edge. Taiping Lake Gardens was Malaysia’s first botanical wonder. The calm water of the lake refreshed our tired eyes and minds, and the clean air was definitely good for relaxation. ‘This is an area of outstanding natural beauty!’ I exclaimed. There were facilities for canoeing and boating. We spent some glorious hours paddling the boats from one island to another. I admired the magnificent sight of the century-old rain trees drooping their branches right down to the water’s edge. In the evening, joggers, picnickers, families and tourists strolled, walked or ran, taking in the beauty and freshness of the place. At night, the colourful lights from the trees reflected like rubies on the water and added a touch of fairyland to the whole area. That night, we dined like kings. All the cares just melted away like magic. What better place to spend a day than the Taiping Lake Gardens! I would definitely recommend Taiping Lake Gardens to my mates and relatives. It is a good place to bond with nature because this place has not been exploited by modernisation. 4 CONTOH