030. Speech

Directed Writing (35 marks)

You are advised to spend at least 45 minutes on this question.

You are the head prefect of your school. Your school principal is going to retire. Write a farewell speech for your beloved school principal. Your speech should include the following points:

• the purpose of the speech
• the principal's number of years of service
• school taught
• principal's biodata
• contributions by the principal
• the principal's popularity
• how everyone will miss the principal

When writing the speech, you should remember to:

• use the correct format
• include all the points given and elaborate on them
• add elaborations or details of your own

029. Formal Letter

Directed Writing (35 marks)

You are advised to spend at least 45 minutes on this question.

You are the Chairman of Taman Megah Neighbourhood Patrol. Write a formal letter to the loca Town Council to express dissatisfaction over a few problems in your residential area. Your letter should include the following points:

• uncollected garbage for almost two weeks
• burst water pipes - low water pressure
• poor condition of the children's playground
• street lights not functioning
• potholes on the roads

When writing the letter, you should remember to:

• use the correct format
• include all the points given and elaborate on them
• add elaborations and details of your own

028. Comprehension 1

Read the passage below carefully and answer the questions that follow.

"This is the third time this week your class teacher has made a complaint about you. When are you going to change?" asked Puan Liza in exasperation.

Puan Liza sighed as Aminah left her office. It was difficult cases like this girl Aminah, which sometimes made her regret becoming a counsellor. But of course, there were also the rewards and joy of seeing and knowing that she has helped many students who were willing to reform and study hard after her counselling sessions with them. Some had done so well in their studies that they were holding important posts today, they were certainly doing better than she was!

Aminah was a Form Five student. She was not stupid, she was simply uninterested in schoolwork and books. Despite her counselling sessions with Puan Liza her attitude had not improved. Oh, she would listen politely to Puan Liza's words of advice and suggestions with a blank look on her face. The next day, she would continue to play truant. Puan Liza sighed even more when she realised that she was not getting through to Aminat at all.

Aminah left home every morning in her school uniform but very often, she went somewhere else instead of school. She would go to shopping centres nearby, change out of her school uniform and loiter around with other young people who were neither schooling nor working. They seem happy wasting their time, many came from broken homes or families whose parents were too busy to attend to their children.

When her parents threatened one day to take away her pocket money after numerous phone calls from her school regarding her absenteeism, Aminah was forced to go to school. She did not want to be deprived of her spending money which was quite substantial. She was the only child. Her parents were busy with their business, so they tried to make up for their lack of attention to their daughter by getting her whatever she wanted and giving her a generous allowance.

But Aminah's heart was not in her books. Although she was in school, she did not attend classes. She hid in the school toilets or mingled with the afternoon session students at the canteen. She often feigned a stomachache or some pain so that she could be excused from class. Many teachers complained to Puan Liza. They doubted she could pass her SPM examination.

"What a waste, she's actually quite a nice girl with rich parents, good brains and looks. Perhaps that's the problem, she does not realise how fortunate she is," thought Puan Liza. "I must try to help her so that she does not continue to jeopardise her future."

That afternoon she made a phone call to the Centre for the Blind. The next day, she told Aminah, "I need your help after school day today. I'm taking some old clothes to the Centre for the Blind, I need you to help me carry them."

Aminah nodded although she was unwilling to go but at least Puan Liza was more friendly than the other teachers. They seemed to give her hostile looks when they passed her. She was also hoping that Puan Liza would not inform her parents about her cutting classes.

After school Puan Liza was waiting for her at the car park near her car. She got into the car quietly, making no attempt to start a conversation. She was only keen to get away and join her friends who were waiting for her at the Sun Shopping Complex.

As they approached a white building, Aminah read a signboard - 'Centre for the Blind'. At the car park, Puan Liza parked her car and asked Aminah to carry a box of clothes into the building.

They went into a large lounge. Inside Aminah saw some boys and girls sitting around a few tables on which were an assortment of indoor games and books. She was struck by their blank stares and unseeing eyes. She had never seen so many blind people in her life and felt a tremendous sense of compassion. She was so saddened that she even had tears in her eyes.

Puan Liza sensed the emotions that had engulfed Aminah. She said quietly, "These children are unfortunate. Many are born blind, some became blind after some illness. We don't realise how lucky we are until we see them. We have sight but we don't make use of what we have to do our best. But they who can't see are even holding jobs, working in offices. You see, Aminah, you are very lucky with good eyesight and a healthy body. You have a chance of an education and a good life, don't waste it. They would love to be in your shoes."

On hearing these words, Aminah really felt like crying as she realised that she had been wasting her time and good fortune. That afternoon after Puan Liza had dropped her at the school gate, instead of going to join her friends a the shopping complex, she found herself walking with a thoughtful look on her face to the school library. Her teachers would not have believed their eyes, Aminag was going to the library!

Inside the library, she gazed at the rows of books and magazines on the shelves and realised what she had missed. She could see and read but did not bother to enjoy looking at the pictures in the magazines or gain knowledge from books. She took down a book on travel, found a seat and sat down to read.

A year later, it was the class reunion party. The former students of Form Five had gathered to celebrate their SPM results. They had done well, some had scored a number of distinctions. Aminah was one of them. Puan Liza looked proudly at her and was thankful for that fateful visit to the Centre of the Blind.

Answer all the questions. You are advised to answer them in the order set.

1. From paragraph 1 - 5, according to the writer,
(a) Why was Puan Liza trying to counsel Aminah? [1 mark]
(b) Describe Aminah's family background. [2 marks]

2. Which phrase in paragraph 6 suggest Aminah's indifferent attitude to her studies? [1 mark]

3. Puan Liza thought of a way to make Aminah realise how fortunate she was.
(a) What did she do first? [1 mark]
(b) What did she tell Aminah after that? [1 mark]

4. From paragraph 12 and 14, describe how Aminah felt for the blind people when she was at the centre and why. [2 marks]

5. What was Puan Liza thinking when she looked at Aminah at the class reunion party? [2 marks]

027. Rational Cloze 3

Read the following passage and then fill in the numbered blanks with the answer.

What makes a housing area attractive? A quiet, (1) and clean environment would be many residents' answer. The (2) of a housing area also depends to a large extent on the (3) found in it. Trees lining the roadsides (4) welcome shade from the hot sun. However, (5) the large-scale felling of the trees at the roadside is unavoidable. This is done when there is a need to (6) roads. Knowing the value of trees in preserving the environment, Municipal Boards have made it necessary for residents to obtain permission before trees with a diameter of more than 0.3 metres can be cut down.

Another factor which spoils the beauty of housing estate is development. With setting up of more businesses, the tranquillityof the housing estate is badly affected (7) traffic increases. With this, comes noise and air pollution.

1. A. good-planned B. well-planned C. nice-planned D. best-planned
2. A. attractiveness B. attraction C. attractive D. attracted
3. A. green B. grass C. greens D. greenery
4. A. provide B. provides C. providing D. will provide
5. A. many times B. much time C. sometimes D. anytime
6. A. broaded B. enlarge C. expand D. widen
7. A. while B. when C. with D. as

026. Rational Cloze 2

Read the following passage and then fill in the numbered blanks with the correct answer.

Career planning serves several purposes. First, planning prevents sidetracking: it (1) against external influences which may cause a lost of focus and (2). Parents' expectations and wrong advice from people unfamiliar (3) the subject matter can cause confusion. So planning helps to get focus off the external pressure and back on the right track.

Planning allows students to recognise and (4) present opportunities. Many teenagers (5) think that they are at the beginning of their career paths only when they come to the end of their schooling days. Actually, they have been preparing for their career paths because (6) school studies and recreational activities, they are heading towards their intersts.

Therefore, the subjects they select, the sports they play and the activities they participate in all contribute towars (7) for the chosen career. Lack of planning results in a failure to develop decision-making skills acquired through these experiences.

1. A. safeguards B. prevents C. protects D. secures
2. A. direct B. direction C. directing D. to direct
3. A. in B. to C. at D. with
4. A. maximise B. socialise C. organise D. utilise
5. A. mistake B. mistook C. mistaken D. mistakenly
6. A. through B. by C. in D. at
7. A. choice B. situation C. guidance D. preparation

025. Rational Cloze 1

Read the following passage and then fill in the numbered blanks with the best answer.

Many social problems today involve young people. These problems (1) addiction to drugs, illegal car or motor-bike racing, extortion and bullying. It would be useful to analyse why youths are running to criminal activities.

Several factors explain this situation. Apparently, the way they were (2) has a lot to do with it. This means that parents are responsible (3) most of the social problems their children now involved in.

In the past, the cane was used as a (4) measure. Today, canes have become a rare sight. Parents believe in (5) their children to form opinions and make decisions on their own. What they fail to realise is that, (6) their characters are formed, children need rules and guidelines. It is true one can learn through one's own (7) and mistakes. However, this principle cannot be applied to children and all ages. A child below seven is most certainly not in any position to form his or her own views and make wise decisions.

1. A. concern B. concerned C. are concerning D. have concerned
2. A. bring B. brings up C. brought up D. bringing up
3. A. experience B. for C. to D. in
4. A. disciplining B. disciplinary C. disciplined D. discipline
5. A. allow B. allows C. allowed D. allowing
6. A. unless B. before C. since D. until
7. A. experience B. experiences C. experienced D. experiencing

024. Describe an occasion when you did something foolish and regretted later

Continuous Writing (50 marks)

Suggested Approach
1. Introduction

• words of regret about the foolish action

2. How it started

• background

3. What you did

4. What went wrong

• direct speech: a new paragraph for each piece of direct speech

5. What happened later

6. Conclusion

• refer to action, promise not to repeat action

023. The advantages of computer literacy

Continuous Writing (50 marks)

Suggested Approach
1. Define literacy

• computer literacy
• knowing how to use the computer

2. Advantages to students

3. Advantages in business sector

• banks
• marketings and sales
• manufacturing

4. Computer for information

5. Computer for entertainment

6. Computer for correspondence

7. Conclusion

• more advantages than disadvantages

022. A place you would like to visit most

Continuous Writing (50 marks)

Suggested Approach
1. Type of Place

• Seaside
• Mountain
• City
• Village

2. A Brief History of Place

• How it started
• The first settlement
• What it was well-known for

3. Main Attractions

• Food
• People
• Place of interest
• Activities

4. Weather Conditions

• Nice, breezy
• Cool, fresh
• Hot, dusty

5. Why you like it

• Special things about the place

6. Description of a Recent Visit

• What happen
• An enjoyable time
• Happy memories

7. Conclusion

021. Report

Directed Writing (35 marks)

You are advised to spend about 45 minutes on this section.

Your friend was driving the car you were travelling in along a busy main road in the centre of town near the market. Suddenly, a van appeared from a junction and rammed into your friend's car. When you and your friend went to the police station to report the accident, the police asked one of you to write a report stating as clearly as possible what had happenend. As your friend cannot write reports well, he asked you to write the police report. You should include the following details and elaborate on them.

• the exact time and place
• description of the vehicles, including your friend's car
• how the accident happened
• whose fault you think it was

When wiritng the report, you should address it to the Traffic Police.

020. Article

Directed Writing (35 marks)

You are advised to spend about 45 minutes on this question.

You have just attended a talk on 'How the Internet Has and Will Influence Our Lives'. During the talk, you made the following notes.

• make us more aware of the world
• a source of knowledge
• a means of communication
• convenient banking and other transactions
• convenient way to study through E-learning

Write an article for your school magazine, based on the information given. Your article should inform students about the benefits of the Internet.

You must provide a title for your article. Add details of your own to make the article more interesting.

019. Informal Letter

Directed Writing (35 marks)

You are advised to spend about 45 minutes on this question.

Your cousin, who lives in another town, has written to you to ask your opinion regarding studying overseas. You are against studying overseas as you feel studying in local colleges and universities is better than in foreign universities. Based on the following points, write a reply to your cousin to convince him to study locally.

• studying abroad is more expensive
• local colleges and universities are also equipped with good facilites
• the quality of education in local universities equals their foreign counterparts
• will not feel homesick

In your letter, you can add any other information.

018. Looking for a Rain God

Exercise 1
Choose the best answer.

1. The family members go to their land after the November rains because
A. they want to cut firewood so they can work
B. their animals need to drink water at the well
C. they want to plough their land
D. their house has been flooded

2. The little girls play games
A. because they are disobedient and do not want to work
B. that imitate they way their mother talks to them
C. that will make the rain god bring rain
D. because they are stupid

3. The two women start wailing and stamping their feet because
A. they are practising a rain dance
B. the ground is too hot to stand on
C. they are celebrating the November rain
D. they are breaking under the strain of the drought

4. What happens after the girls sacrificed to the rain god?
A. It rains.
B. It drizzles.
C. It does not rain.
D. It rains till the land is flooded.

5. What do the people do at the kgotla?
A. They gather there to hear the announcement for the beginning of the ploughing season.
B. They store their blankets and cooking pots there.
C. They sharpen their ploughs there.
D. They keep their livestock there.

6. How do the villagers feel after they learn about the murder of the children?
A. They feel happy because now it will rain.
B. They feel sorry for Mokgobja and Ramadi.
C. They feel angry with Mokgobja and Ramadi.
D. They feel nothing because it does not concern them.

Exercise 2
Write short answers to the following questions.

1. Briefly describe the games played by the two little girls.

2. How do the people who practise black magic cheat the villagers?

3. Briefly describe Ramadi’s character.

4. Briefly describe the feelings of the family after they kill the two little girls.

017. The Sound Machine

Exercise 1
Choose the best answer.

1. Klausner’s machine is useful fr
A. storing spare, coloured wires
B. measuring the growth of plants
C. making a dog whistle with a higher sound
D. listening to sounds inaudible to the human ear

2. Klausner asks Mrs. Saunders to cut another rose because
A. he wants to make sue that his machine can really detect the cry made by the rose being cut
B. he enjoys hearing the flowers scream
C. he likes to frighten her
D. he likes yellow roses

3. Why does Klausner ask Dr. Scott to join him in the park?
A. He has hurt his ears and needs a doctor.
B. He is too tired to carry the machine back by himself.
C. The tree told him it wanted some iodine.
D. He wants Dr. Scott to hear the sound made by the tree.

4. Dr. Scott decides to treat the injured tree with iodine because
A. Klausner insists that he does so
B. he is doing a special experiment on plants
C. he thinks the tree will look nice with a purple iodine patch
D. he is also a botanish with an interest in plant conservation

5. Why does Dr. Scott first visit Klausner?
A. He wants to see Klausner’s new radio.
B. He wants to check up on Klausner’s sore throat.
C. He wants to ask Klausner to join him for a walk.
D. He wants to help Klausner make the machine.

6. What happens to Klausner’s sound machine at the end of the story?
A. It is given to Dr. Scott for safekeeping.
B. It is smashed by the falling branch.
C. Klausner smashes it with his axe.
D. Klausner takes it home.

Exercise 2
Write short answers to the following questions.

1. What does the sound machine look like?

2. What does Mrs. Saunders think of Klausner when he tells her about her roses screaming in pain?

3. What does Klausner do to confirm his discovery about the sounds from the sound machine?

4. Briefly describe, in your own words, what Klausner hears when he swings his axe against the tree trunk the first time.

5. Why does the doctor paint the tree with iodine?
6. In your opinion, why does the branch fall?

016. The Drover's Wife

Exercise 1
Choose the best answer.

1. When Tommy first sees the snake, what does he want to do?
A. He wants to hit the snake with a stick.
B. He wants to throw the stick at the dog.
C. He wants to throw his stick at the snake.
D. He wants to throw the snake into the wood-heap.

2. The drover's wife makes the children sleep on the table because
A. that is the cleanest place in the house.
B. that is the way they always sleep.
C. that is the only place with a candle.
D. that is the safest place in the house.

3. What does the brother-in-law do when he visits the drover's wife once a month?
A. He brings groceries for the family.
B. He takes the sheep to the market.
C. He catches the snakes in the house.
D. He takes the cow to the market.

4. Which statement best describes Alligator?
A. He loves to welcome the relatives when they visit.
B. He will probably be sold in the market one day.
C. He will probably be killed by a snake one day.
D. He is a black and white dog.

5. Which statement best describes Tommy?
A. He wants to be a drover like his father.
B. He is brave and wants to kill the snake.
C. He likes dogs that kill snakes.
D. He is very afraid of the snake.

Exercise 2
Write short answers to the following questions.

1. Why does the drover's wife set out two dishes of milk?

2. What does the drover's wife do when the thunderstorm comes?

3. What does the drover's wife do every Sunday?

4. Why did the husband stop being a farmer?

5. Briefly describe the drover's house.

6. Briefly describe Tommy's character.

7. Why does the drover's wife cry at the end of the story?

015. The Necklace

Exercise 1
Choose the correct answer.

1. Which statement best describes the Loisels’ marriage?
A. They are poor but loving and contented.
B. They are not well matched as they desire totally different things.
C. They are happy as they are able to save up for many luxuries.
D. They are well matched as Mathilde is a good cook who loves to make her husband’s favourite dishes.

2. Mathilde refuses to wait for a cab inside the building because
A. she wants to walk in the fresh air.
B. she can get a cab faster than Loisel.
C. she is afraid to be alone without Loisel.
D. she is ashamed to be seen in her modest wraps.

3. Loisel suggests that Mathilde ask Madame Forestier to lend her some jewellery because
A. Madame Forestier lends jewellery to everyone
B. Madame Forestier owes her a favour
C. Madame Forestier is her relative
D. Madame Forestier is her friend

4. Why does Mathilde write to Madame Forestier?
A. She wants to borrow the necklace.
B. She wants to invite her friend to tea.
C. She wants to thank her friend for the necklace.
D. She wants to have more time to look for the necklace.

5. What does ‘dressed like a woman of the people’ (p. 36) mean?
A. Dressed very stylishly
B. Dressed very fashionably
C. Dressed like a society lady
D. Dressed very plainly and cheaply

6. Madame Forestier appears so much younger than Mathilde at the end of the story because
A. she has a child to take care of
B. she has not had to work hard like Mathilde
C. she has had plastic surgery
D. she is wearing her best dress and the necklace

Exercise 2
Write short answers to the following questions.

1. What does Mathilde dream about at the beginning of the story?

2. Why does Mathilde want a new gown?

3. Why is Mathilde so happy at the ball?

4. Why is Loisel sleeping at the ball?

5. At the end of the story, what does Madame Forestier tell Mathilde about the necklace?

014. The Lotus Eater

Exercise 1
Choose the correct answer.

1. The narrator sees Wilson for the first time
A. in the Bay of Naples
B. on Mount Vesuvius
C. in a beautiful garden
D. on a hillside

2. Which of the following statements is true about Wilson's life on the island of Capri?
A. He often entertains friends in his cottage.
B. He supports himself by giving piano lessons.
C. He lives a quiet life all by himself.
D. He lives in the cottage with Assunta and her husband.

3. Wilson said he bought an annuity for twenty-five years. How did he get the money to do this?
A. He won a cash prize.
B. He inherited money from his family.
C. He made a very profitable business deal.
D. He had savings and he sold his house.

4. When Wilson's money first ran out
A. Assunta asked Wilson to leave
B. Assunta found Wilson a job as a boatman.
C. Assunta continued to clean and cook for Wilson.
D. Assunta sometimes asked the narrator's friend for some money for Wilson.

5. Why does the narrator's friend say that Wilson's mind was damaged by the smoke?
A. Because Wilson would not leave the hospital
B. Because Wilson did not recognize the narrator's friend
C. Because Wilson borrowed small sums of money
D. Because Wilson would not pay the rent

6. What was Wilson doing when the narrator saw him for the last time?
A. He was hiding behind a tree.
B. He was walking by the beach.
C. He was sleeping on the hillside.
D. He was looking after Assunta's goats.

Exercise 2
Answer the questions based on your knowledge of the whole story.

1. Who thinks Wilson lives a dull life?

2. Where did Wilson live before moving to the island of Capri?

3. What does Wilson like about the island of Capri?

4. How does Wilson try to kill himself?

5. Who discovers Wilson in the cottage after he tries to kill himself?

6. Where does Wilson live when he leaves the cottage?

7. Why does the friend think that Wilson's mind was damaged by the smoke?

8. Describe the night Wilson finally died.

013. If

Exercise 1
Choose the best answer.

1. This advice is given to
A. a man called Will
B. the father
C. the king
D. the son

2. In line 2 of stanza 1, what does the 'it' mean?
A. You
B. Your head
C. Your enemy
D. The bad situation

3. In line 1 of stanza 2, the advice means
A. you should not be controlled by your dreams
B. you should dream about your master
C. you should try your best not to dream
D. you should dream about becoming a master

4. Stanza 2 mentions a person who 'can think'. Such a person will be able to
A. repeat facts to someone else
B. remember the facts
C. analyse the facts
D. learn many facts

5. In stanza 3, what does 'Hold on!' mean?
A. Wait a while.
B. Don't give up.
C. Don't take action.
D. Don't lose your money.

6. In stanza 4, what does 'If all men count with you' mean?
A. If everyone studies mathematics with you
B. If only the men are important to you
C. If everyone is numbered with you
D. If everyone is respected by you

7. Which of the following moral values can be found in the poem?
A. Don't forget your moral principles in trying to please people.
B. Keep calm and cool.
C. Be patient.
D. All of the above.

Exercise 2
Write short answers to the following questions.

1. What does the poem advise you to do when someone tells a lie about you? (Stanza 1)

2. In your opinion, is it good advice not to tell anyone about your loss? Explain your answer. (Stanza 2)

3. Give an example of how 'loving friends can hurt you'. (Stanza 4)

4. How can you make 'all men count with you'?

012. Monsoon History

Exercise 1
Choose the best answer.

1. What is the persona doing?
A. Fishing
B. Catching insects
C. Watching the storm
D. Walking on the beach

2. To the persona, the air on the skin is like
A. curls of smoke
B. fat white slugs
C. silverfish
D. centipedes

3. Who is the persona?
A. Baba
B. Nyonya
C. One of the fishermen
D. One of the children now grown up

4. How many generations are referred to this poem?
A. One
B. Two
C. Three
D. Foud

5. What is the weather like at the beginning of the poem?
A. Wet and stormy
B. Fine and sunny
C. Dry and hot
D. Hazy

6. What is the 'silver paper' used for?
A. Making money for the dead
B. Writing messages to the dead
C. Making New Year decorations
D. Wrapping presents for the children

7. What is the 'silver mesh around her waist'?
A. A silver belt
B. A garland of silver paper
C. A sarong made of kain songket
D. A scarf made of silver material

8. What is the weather like at the end of the poem?
A. Windy
B. Still and fine
C. Wet and stormy
D. Hazy and cloudy

Exercise 2
Write short answers to the following questions.

1. What is the weather outside like?

2. Identify one good aspect of the family life described in the poem.

3. Why are the pictures of the grandparents 'hung always in the parlour'?

4. In your opinion, how old is the persona now?

5. What memories does the persona have of the parents, nyonya and baba?

011. Road Not Taken

Exercise 1
Choose the best answer.

1. We know it is autumn because
A. the roads are grassy
B. the trees are green in colour
C. the leaves are yellow in colour
D. the persona cannot see the roads due to mist

2. The persona is travelling
A. by himself
B. with a guide
C. with a friend
D. with his family

3. In stanza 3, what 'lay in leaves'?
A. The persona
B. One of the roads
C. Both the roads
D. The undergrowth

4. The persona will be telling with a sigh that he
A. travelled on both roads
B. took the less travelled road
C. did not take either road
D. regretted that he came to the wood

5. Which statement best describes the action of the persona?
A. He looked at the two roads and went back to where he came from.
B. He walked on the other road when he was older.
C. He chose both roads and regretted it.
D. He chose one road and regretted it.

6. Which of the following statements is true of the roads as described in this poem?
A. Both roads have black leaves.
B. Neither road has black leaves.
C. Both roads bend in the undergrowth.
D. Neither road bends in the undergrowth.

7. In the last stanza, where does the persona think he will be ages hence?
A. On the road not taken
B. In an unknown place
C. In the undergrowth
D. In the wood

Exercise 2
Write short answers to the following questions.

1. What time of day is it when the persona looks at the two roads?

2. Write down any two things about the wood.

3. What is the main theme of the poem?

4. Briefly say why you like any one feature of this poem.

5. Describe one choice you made in school this year which affected your studies.

010. There's Been a Death in the Opposite House

Exercise 1
Choose the correct answer.

1. Who is the persona of the poem?
A. A little boy
B. The dead person
C. Emily Dickinson
D. A little boy now grown up

2. The doctor drives away because
A. the patient has died
B. the patient was recovered
C. he has quarrelled with the neighbours
D. he wants to get more medicines for the patient

3. Who is the man of the appalling trade?
A. The undertaker
B. The persona
C. The miliner
D. The doctor

4. What is the meaning of the 'house' in stanza 5?
A. The coffin
B. The house opposite
C. The persona's house
D. The minister's house

5. 'That dark parade of tassels and of coaches' means
A. the neighbours going in and coming out of the house
B. the funeral procession passing through town
C. the children hurrying past the house
D. the doctor driving away

6. Why does the minister go into the house?
A. He owns the house.
B. He lives in that house.
C. He wants to measure the house.
D. He wants to comfort the family.

7. Which of the following adjectives best describes the town?
A. Cold and unfriendly
B. Small and quiet
C. Rich and uncaring
D. Big and active

Exercise 2
Write short answers to the following questions.

1. Why are the neighbours going in and coming out of the house?

2. Why does the minister feel that he owns the house and all the mourners?

3. Why do the children think of the dead person as 'It'?

4. What is the 'easy sign' referred to in the last stanza?

5. Why does te poet refer to the town as 'just a country town'?

009. si tenggang's homecoming

Exercise 1
Choose the best answer.

1. The peot says that his journey was
A. a difficult one
B. a loyal teacher
C. a waste of money
D. an enjoyable holiday

2. The contents of the boats are the persona's
A. clothes and books
B. presents for his family
C. new knowledge and attitudes
D. souvenirs bought from the ports he has visited

3. What is the persona's feeling for his village?
A. He loves his village.
B. He hates his village.
C. He is angry with his village.
D. He is ashamed of his village.

4. The line 'i am not a new man' (stanza 6) means
A. I am afraid people will laugh at me.
B. I have nto been changed by my travels.
C. I have given up all that I have learnt abroad.
D. I have been changed by my travels but remain essentially a Malay.

5. Why did the persona begin to love his wife?
A. He was lonely.
B. His wife was lonely.
C. His wife was reasonable.
D. He was persuaded by his grandmother.

6. How does the persona feel on coming home from his travels?
A. He is happy becase he has become rich.
B. He is dissatisfied because his travels were too short.
C. He is proud he has acquired a lot of knowledge.
D. He is happy because he is still a Malay even though he has changed in some ways.

7. Why does the persona call himself 'si tenggang'?
A. He inherited the title.
B. His father gave him that name.
C. He is returned traveller like the legendary Si Tenggang.
D. He wants to keep on travelling to keep on travelling lke the legendary Si Tenggang.

Exercise 2
Write short answers to the following questions.

1. Where is the persona when he speaks?

2. What is the main theme of the poem?

3. What does the poet mean when he says that his physical journey is also a journey of the soul?

4. What moral values can we learn from the poem?

5. What does the poem teach us about what we should do when we know who we are?

008. Sonnet 18

Exercise 1
Choose the best answer.

1. The poet compares his beloved to
A. a summer's day
B. a beautiful jewel
C. a summer flower
D. a summer shower

2. The phrase 'the darling buds of May' means
A. the beautiful flowers of May
B. the beautiful girls born in May
C. the eyes of the beloved
D. the lines of the sonnet

3. What shines like gold?
A. The flowers of May
B. The beloved's hair
C. The beloved's face
D. The sun

4. The phrase 'fair thou ow'st' means
A. the beauty that death takes away
B. the beauty you owe the poet
C. the beauty you see in nature
D. the beauty you possess

5. What does 'this' mean in 'this gives life to thee'?
A. The eternal summer
B. The summer's day
C. The sonnet
D. The sun

6. The line 'summer's lease hath all too short a date' means
A. summer lasts a short time
B. summer starts on a certain date
C. summer is shorter than other seasons
D. all of the above

7. How long will the sonnet 'give life' to the beloved?
A. As long as the beloved is alive
B. As long as mankind survives
C. As long as the sonnet is read
D. As long as the poet is alive

Exercise 2
Write short answers to the following questions.

1. How is the beloved more temperate than a summer's day?

2. How is the 'gold complexion' (line 6) dimmed?

3. How do 'fair' (line 7) things decline?

4. How would you feel if this poem were addressed to you?

5. Would you praise someone you love in this way? Explain your answer.

007. Simple Past Tense

Exercise 1
Change the verbs in the brackets to the simple past tense.

Twenty-four-year-old Bettie Van Metre was living alone in the Shenandoah Valley with her little niece and two former slaves. Her husband (1) __________(be) in a Union prison camp. She, her niece and workers (2)__________(have) little to eat on their farm. When she (3) __________(hear) about a mortally wounded Union soldier left to die in a house nearby, she (4) __________(decide) to check on him and give him some food.

When Bettie (5) __________(enter) the room, the awful stench from Bedell’s wounds (6)__________(make) her recoil. She (7) __________(watch) him cover his face with his blanket. She (8) __________(open) the window for air and then (9) __________(realise) that he was sobbing. She (10) __________(put) her palm on his fevered brow and (11) __________(tell) him not to cry.

“You remind me of my wife,” he (12) __________(murmur). “Would you write a letter to my wife?” She (13) __________(ponder) this request. Clearly, he (14) __________(think) he was going to die and most probably he (15) __________(be) correct.

006. Simple Present Tense

Exercise 1
Use the simple present form of the verbs given in the brackets to complete the following sentences.

1. The Concorde, a supersonic jet, __________ (contribute) to sound pollution.
2. Japan __________ (be) the Land of the Rising Sun.
3. Computers __________ be) here to stay.
4. The River Themes __________ (flow) through London.
5. Oil and water __________ (do) not mix.
6. Air __________ (consist) of nitrogen, oxygen and other gases.
7. Volcanic soil formed after volcanic eruptions __________ (be) fertile.
8. The aborigines __________ (practice) shifting cultivation in most countries.
9. Red Indians __________ (be) the indigenous people of North America.
10. The earth __________ (rotate) on its axis and __________ (revolve) round the sun.

Exercise 2
Fill in the blanks with the verbs in the simple present tense.

This is how you (1) __________(go) from Reduan’s house to school. You should go along Jalan Duku until you (2) __________(pass) Duku Estate and (3) __________(come) to a junction. Here, you (4) __________(take) the road on your right, that is, Jalan Durian. After you (5) __________(pass) some shops on the right, there (6) __________(be) a roundabout. At this point, you (7) __________(turn) into the first road on your left, Jalan Limau. The post office (8) __________(be) on your left and a bank on your right. Soon after going past them, you will (9) __________(see) a bridge. The Tapir River (10) __________(flow) under it. You will come to the school a kilometre after that.

Exercise 3
Fill in the blanks with the simple present form of the verbs given in brackets.

1. The Olympics __________ (begin) in three weeks’ time.
2. He will not rest until he __________ (obtain) an apology.
3.As soon as Tom and Jerry __________ (land) in Malaysia, they will be taken to Hotel Malaysia.
4. He and his wife __________ (jog) every evening in the park.
5. Here __________ (come) the moment we’ve all been waiting for.
6. He __________ (wish) to become an astronaut.
7. We __________ (prefer) to go dancing but Jenny __________ (object).
8. Water __________ (boil) at 100oC and __________ (freeze) at 0oC.
9. __________ you __________ (know) the meaning of ‘history’?
10. This park __________ (open) at 8.00 a.m. and __________ (close) at 6.00 p.m.

005. Adjectives

Exercise 1
Choose the correct adjective to place before each noun in the text given below. Each word can only be used once.

tiny unique spectacular big cool

soft colourful two-roomed calm white

We spent a (1) _______ weekend at the beach recently. We arrived at lunch-time on Friday and checked into our (2) _______ chalet, surrounded by (3) _______ beds of daisies and petunias. We walked bare-footed on the (4) _______ and (5) _______ sand, and collected a few (6) _______ seashells. We stopped to inspect some (7) _______ crabs hiding in the sand. Soon, the (8) _______ sea began to swell as (9) _______ waves began rushing towards the shore. We went into the (10) _______ water and swam to our hearts' content.

Exercise 2

Fill in the blanks with a suitable adjective from the list below.

ajar awake aghast alike ablaze

alive afraid alone aflame unable

1. Daniel looked _______ when he came face to face with his parents at the cinema.

2. He was _______ to speak up in case he was punished.

3. At night, the town was _______ with bright glittering lights.

4. Her grandmother was so sick that she was _______ to even to eat.

5. The whole town comes _______ during the festival season.

6. Cindy sat _______ at home, minding the kitchen.

7. When the baby is _______, she bawls at the top of her voice.

8. The two cousins look _______ in their identical dressing.

9. When we reached home, we found the door _______.

10. A student who was smoking set the place _______.

004. Subject Verb and Agreement

Exercise 1
Complete each sentence with the correct form of the verb given in brackets. (Use the present tense).

1. The cost of these books _______ risen. (have)
2. The ebb and flow of the tides _______ confusing. (be)
3. Twenty ringgit _______ too much for this article. (be)
4. Neither Tom nor Gerald _______ present for the ceremony. (be)
5. Cows and horses _______ beasts of burden. (be)
6. The strain of all the work, worry and difficulties _______ too much for one person. (be)
7. An honest and upright person _______ passed away. (have)
8. The traffic in the town _______ heavy. (be)
9. None of the people present _______ able to see reason. (be)
10. The introduction of tea, coffee and other beverages _______ not been well-received. (have)
11. Fire and water _______ not compatible. (be)
12. Shan, Ling and Tim _______ absent. (be)
13. Every one of the fruits _______ fresh and sweet. (be)
14. _______ your father and mother at home? (be)
15. 'The Three Musketeers', written by Alexander Dumas _______ (be) now available as a box office hit on DVD.

Exercise 2
Fill in the blanks with the correct plural form of the nouns given in brackets.

1. _______ (hero) of war will always be remembered.
2. They bought three _______ (dozen) apples.
3. The child's hair was full of _______ (louse).
4. The dentist checks Mary's _______ (tooth) twice a year.
5. There is a range of _______ (volcano) running from north to south in that region.
6. We come across many _______ (elf) in 'Lord of the Rings'.
7. The girls used colourful _______ (scarf) to tie up their _______ (hair).
8. The farmers' _______ (wife) cut off the _______ (tail) of the _______ (mouse) with their sharp _______ (knife).
9. I went to market to buy some _______ (fish) to make some _______ (curry) for my _______ (child).
10. One of the TV _______ (serial) showed Little Bo Peep searching the _______ (hill) for her _______ (sheep).
11. While they were trekking in the National Park, several _______ (deer) were seen running across their path.
12. The tourists were ferried across the river in _______ (canoe) by _______ (Red Indian).
13. One of the Mathematics topics focussed on the finding of the _______ (radius) of circles.
14. The _______ (analysis) of the PMR and SPM results showed a significant improvement over the previous years.
15. With the outbreak of bird flu, _______ (person) dare not buy _______ (poultry).
16. Cinderella was welcomed into palace by both her _______ (parent-in-law).
17. Most books have _______ (index) to help you look up specific topics.
18. _______ (goose) are sometimes kept to guard houses because they are fierce and very territorial.

003. Plural Nouns

Exercise 1
Underline all the plural nouns that you find in the text given below.

Last year, a grand exhibition was held in our town. My friends and I went to see it one evening.

Our first impression on entering the grounds was that the whole place looked like a funfair. There were countless lights and decorations in bright, gay colours. People were dressed in their best holiday clothes, moving around and stopping to admire the things set up in the stalls. Some goods were on sale, like musical instruments, clothes and toys.

The Children's Corner was crowded with boys and girls. They were carrying balloons, eating cotton candy or playing on the wooden horses, the merry-go-round or Ferris wheel. Even the grown-ups were having a wonderful time.


Exercise 2
Give the plural of the words below. Use your dictionary if you need to.

1. rice : _______
2. crow : _______
3. jeans : _______
4. cargo : _______
5. spoon : _______
6. finger : _______
7. compass : _______
8. formula : _______
9. poultry : _______
10. patience : _______
11. intelligence : _______
12. daughter-in-law : _______


Exercise 3
Fill in the blanks with the plural forms of the words given in brackets where necessary.

One evening, I heard loud (1) _______ (siren) go past my house. I ran out and joined a large crowd a few (2) _______ (street) away.

There was a house on fire. Huge (3) _______ (flame) were coming out from every window and thick, black (4) _______ (smoke) was spreading all around. Three (5) _______ (fire engine) and several (6) _______ (fireman) were busy dousing the building with (7) _______ (water) but there was no effect on the (8) _______ (fire).

Tall, red (9) _______ (ladder) were placed against the house and firemen climbed up to the roof with (10) _______ (hose) in their (11) _______ (hand). They sprayed huge (12) _______ (amount) of water onto the roof. Finally, the fire was brought under control, but the house was destroyed.

002. Countable & Uncountable Nouns

Exercise 1

Complete the sentences with a, an, the, some or - (for no article).

1. I need some experience in this field before I can proceed with the project.
2. _______ hour of _______ revision every day will help you achieve good results.
3. _______ large number of people complain of _______ backache.
4. There is no cure for _______ AIDS, which is _______ deadly disease.
5. Can you buy _______ sugar on your way back from work?
6. The lion is _______ king of _______ beasts.
7. _______ Lucy goes to church every Sunday.
8. I need to buy _______ paper for printing.
9. Have you never seen _______ elephant?
10. _______ sun rises in _______ east.

Exercise 2
Form suitable nouns from the words given in brackets to complete the passage. The nouns may be countable or uncountable.

Recently, a Chinese trawler was found with 160 dead sea turtles. The fact is that only one in every thousand (1) hatchlings (hatch) survive to (2) _______ (adult). The rest will be killed in fishing (3) _______ (net), through (4) _______ (pollute), from (5) _______ (disease) or eaten by (6) _______ (predator). Those caught by the (7) _______ (China) were those that survived the odds.

In 2002, an illegal (8) _______ (ship) of 7500 turtles was seized in Hong Kong. They were crammed in crates without (9) _______ (food) or water. They were suffering from either (10) _______ (dehydrate), (11) _______ (malnourish) or bacterial (12) _______ (infect).

001. NOUNS

Exercise 1
Identify and underline the nouns in the following sentences. Decide whether they are common (C), proper (P), collective (Cl) or abstract (A) nouns by writing them in the blanks.

1. A huge crowd turned up at the stadium. (Cl: crowd) (C: stadium)
2. The students are learning about moral qualities such as kindness and generosity. (A:_______, _______, _______) (C:_______)
3. The jury found the prisoner guilty of burglary. (C:_______, _______) (A:_______)
4. The army was defeated at Waterloo. (Cl:_______) (P:_______)
5. Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi is the present Prime Minister of Malaysia. (P:_______, _______, _______)
6. The streets of some cities are noted for vice. (C:_______, _______) (A:_______)
7. He gave the monkeys a bunch of bananas. (C:_______, _______) (Cl:_______)
8. Cleanliness is important for health. (A:_______, _______)
9. Many animals are being killed for their skin. (C:_______, _______)
10. The ownership of that property is still unknown. (A:_______) (C:_______)

Exercise 2
Change the following words into abstract nouns.
sane - sanity
novel
decent
advise
punish
excel
mother
beggar
converse
bankrupt