The Pearl
The person that I would like to emulate in “The Pearl” written by John Steinbeck is Juana. I find that Juana is a good and dutiful wife, a loving and a devoted woman and a very strong courageous woman.
First, as a wife, she gets up before Kino and prepares corn cakes for him. She only eats when Kino has eaten. She speaks only when she is spoken to. She does so because she respects him. She values what Kino has done for her. She is happy with her decent life. She is grateful to have a responsible husband and a healthy son.
Next, as a mother, Juana loves her baby, Coyotito. When Coyotito is stung by the scorpion, she quickly sucks the poison out and asks for a doctor to treat his son. She sucks out the poison without thinking of the risk. When the doctor refuses to treat Coyotito, she does not give up hope. She tries an alternative treatment that she knows. She applies a poultice of seaweed on Coyotito’s wound. She also chants and pray to God to save her son.
Juana also shows her devotion to both her husband and son. When Coyotito is stung by the scorpion, she asks for a doctor. Even though she knows that they cannot afford to pay him, she insists on getting treatment for her son. Similarly, when Kino decides to leave La Paz, she follows him without much arguement. She devotes herself to her husband even after Kino hits her for trying to throw away the pearl back into the sea.
Moreover, I admire Juana for her strength and courage. She is not a greedy person. When she senses that the pearl is evil, she asks Kino to throw it back into the sea. When Kino refuses, she takes matter in her own hands. She tries to throw it into the sea but is prevented by Kino. Then, when her husband accidentally killed an attacker, she gives her full support. She follows hiM to another city . When Kino asks her to leave first with Coyotito so that he can fight the trackers who are following them, Juana refuses him. She insists on staying by his side.
Again Juana shows her strength and courage when her son is killed by the trackers. Instead of giving up and living in regrets, she carries Coyotito’s dead body on her back and asks Kino to throw the pearl back into the sea. Returning the pearl to where it belongs implies that Kino is throwing away the evil that has ripped off their happiness. She hopes without the evil pearl, she will be able to begin a new life.
So, it is clear that Juana is a person I should emulate. Even though she is only a woman from low class background, she has so many wonderful values and great qualities that many women do not possess.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Novel: The Pearl
Question:
Does the title of the novel you read suit the story?
In the novel, “The Pearl”,written by John Steinbeck, I find the the title of the novel “The Pearl” written by John Steinbeck, suits the story.
First of all, we can see that the novel begins with a picture of a happy Mexican family being threatened by a scorpion. To rescue their only son, Kino and Juana requested for a treatment from the evil doctor but was denied. Instead of giving up, Kino dived into the sea and looked for the pearl. As if luck was on their side, Kino found the great pearl. Finding the pearl was a big turn to Kino's life.
The pearl was not only seen by Kino as a symbol of hope but it was a sign of wealth. The pearl provided hope for Kino to treat his son. Now with the pearl, he would be able to pay the doctor to treat his son. With the pearl, he would also able to improve his standard of living as he could afford to send his son to school to get education. He would not be ignorant and easily fooled by the coloniser. He would also able to marry his wife, Juana at the church ,buy new clothes and a rifle for himself.
The focus on the pearl continues as it spread its evil influence on the life of the people around Kino.
The finding of the pearl had led the doctor to become greedy. Instead of treating Coyotito, he gave him poison and then gave him medication for the poison. He took advantage over Kino's ignorant. He was so cruel for a good doctor would never think about making money from other people's miseries.
The priest was also depicted to have ill-intention. He had never visited the poor Kino at his small hut before Kino found the pearl. When he visited Kino, he insisted that Kino and Juana should go through a proper Christian Wedding at the church. He only wanted Kino's money for the church.
The pearl buyers had also cheated Kino. They had planned and worked together to offer a low price for the great pearl. They wanted to make as much money as they could from the poor native Mexican like Kino. They were heartless! They neither thought about the hard life Kino was going through nor the critical condition of Kino's son, Coyotito.
The pearl follows the character towards the end of the story. When Kino and his family were fleeing to another city, three trackers followed them. They wanted to snatch away the pearl from Kino. Seeing the only way for him to save his family was to kill the trackers before they kill him and his family, Kino tried to attack the trackers but it was too late. His son was shot by one of the trackers. The death of Coyotito ended hopes, wealth and evil that come with the pearl.
From the evidences above , it is clear that “The Pearl “is always the focus of the story and the title given suits the novel very well.
Does the title of the novel you read suit the story?
In the novel, “The Pearl”,written by John Steinbeck, I find the the title of the novel “The Pearl” written by John Steinbeck, suits the story.
First of all, we can see that the novel begins with a picture of a happy Mexican family being threatened by a scorpion. To rescue their only son, Kino and Juana requested for a treatment from the evil doctor but was denied. Instead of giving up, Kino dived into the sea and looked for the pearl. As if luck was on their side, Kino found the great pearl. Finding the pearl was a big turn to Kino's life.
The pearl was not only seen by Kino as a symbol of hope but it was a sign of wealth. The pearl provided hope for Kino to treat his son. Now with the pearl, he would be able to pay the doctor to treat his son. With the pearl, he would also able to improve his standard of living as he could afford to send his son to school to get education. He would not be ignorant and easily fooled by the coloniser. He would also able to marry his wife, Juana at the church ,buy new clothes and a rifle for himself.
The focus on the pearl continues as it spread its evil influence on the life of the people around Kino.
The finding of the pearl had led the doctor to become greedy. Instead of treating Coyotito, he gave him poison and then gave him medication for the poison. He took advantage over Kino's ignorant. He was so cruel for a good doctor would never think about making money from other people's miseries.
The priest was also depicted to have ill-intention. He had never visited the poor Kino at his small hut before Kino found the pearl. When he visited Kino, he insisted that Kino and Juana should go through a proper Christian Wedding at the church. He only wanted Kino's money for the church.
The pearl buyers had also cheated Kino. They had planned and worked together to offer a low price for the great pearl. They wanted to make as much money as they could from the poor native Mexican like Kino. They were heartless! They neither thought about the hard life Kino was going through nor the critical condition of Kino's son, Coyotito.
The pearl follows the character towards the end of the story. When Kino and his family were fleeing to another city, three trackers followed them. They wanted to snatch away the pearl from Kino. Seeing the only way for him to save his family was to kill the trackers before they kill him and his family, Kino tried to attack the trackers but it was too late. His son was shot by one of the trackers. The death of Coyotito ended hopes, wealth and evil that come with the pearl.
From the evidences above , it is clear that “The Pearl “is always the focus of the story and the title given suits the novel very well.
EXAM TIPS
Dear SPM candidates,
Here are some tips on how to answer question 1 (Directed Writing) in Paper 1.
1)Read the instruction carefully. This is very important to prevent you from losing the marks you should get. I had observed from my past experience that some students did not answer the question as required because they did not read the instruction.
2)As you read the instruction, do underline the key points so that you won't miss them.
3)Use all the notes given. Try to elaborate the notes by adding details.
4)Make sure you use the correct format for the question. Find out the format for a formal letter, a report, a speech , an article, a letter to editor etc.
5)Decide on the tenses. Always use present tense to describe facts which are always right. Use past tense to describe past events. Use future reference when you describe something that is going to happen in the future. When you want to give advice or suggestions, use modal verbs.
6)Read your composition.Check your tenses and other types of errors.(spellings,punctuations, prepositions and pronouns)
7)Write within the time given.Once the time is over, stop writing. Move on to the next composition.
Here are some tips on how to answer question 1 (Directed Writing) in Paper 1.
1)Read the instruction carefully. This is very important to prevent you from losing the marks you should get. I had observed from my past experience that some students did not answer the question as required because they did not read the instruction.
2)As you read the instruction, do underline the key points so that you won't miss them.
3)Use all the notes given. Try to elaborate the notes by adding details.
4)Make sure you use the correct format for the question. Find out the format for a formal letter, a report, a speech , an article, a letter to editor etc.
5)Decide on the tenses. Always use present tense to describe facts which are always right. Use past tense to describe past events. Use future reference when you describe something that is going to happen in the future. When you want to give advice or suggestions, use modal verbs.
6)Read your composition.Check your tenses and other types of errors.(spellings,punctuations, prepositions and pronouns)
7)Write within the time given.Once the time is over, stop writing. Move on to the next composition.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Students' masterpiece
Congratulation to 4PT for working hard to come out with the scrapbooks!Remember you can if you think you can.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Report of Activities Carried Out by Societies / Clubs
Good morning teachers and friends,
I, as the president of school Drama Club would like to take the opportunity to inform you about this club and its activities.
Let me begin by explaining the objectives of our club which was formed early this year by our teacher advisor, Madam Kate Moss. Our objectives are to enable the members to build up confidence, to get them to improve their English and finally, to allow them to learn to mix with others.
For your information, early this year we had only twenty members but at present, the number has increased to fifty. This shows that our club has attracted many students. However, I would like to encourage more students to become members so that a bigger number will get the benefits it brings.
There are many reasons why you should not think twice about joining. The activities planned targeted to help you achieve the objectives I have already mentioned. Among others, we are going to hold inter-class competition for all forms. For the PMR classes, the competition will be held two weeks after the examination ended.
We shall also organize a trip to watch a theatre at Balai Budaya Kuala Lumpur. Members will be given a chance to watch a famous local play titled “ Puteri Gunung Ledang”. If we receive good responses from members, we shall have another trip before end of the year.
Another interesting activity will be drama workshop conducted by well-known actors and actresses like Fauziah Nawi, Marlia Musa, Rosyam Nor and Jit Murad. BCB Berhad has been generous to sponsor this workshop which shall be held at Prime City Hotel. Munchies Sdn Bhd has also willing to co-sponsor and they have agreed to provide free T-Shirts and stationeries to all participants.
I really hope that many of you present today will register as members. I believe our activities can bring a lot of benefits to you.
Last but not least, before I end my speech, I would like to thank you for listening to me.
Was written by Fuzie in 2006
I, as the president of school Drama Club would like to take the opportunity to inform you about this club and its activities.
Let me begin by explaining the objectives of our club which was formed early this year by our teacher advisor, Madam Kate Moss. Our objectives are to enable the members to build up confidence, to get them to improve their English and finally, to allow them to learn to mix with others.
For your information, early this year we had only twenty members but at present, the number has increased to fifty. This shows that our club has attracted many students. However, I would like to encourage more students to become members so that a bigger number will get the benefits it brings.
There are many reasons why you should not think twice about joining. The activities planned targeted to help you achieve the objectives I have already mentioned. Among others, we are going to hold inter-class competition for all forms. For the PMR classes, the competition will be held two weeks after the examination ended.
We shall also organize a trip to watch a theatre at Balai Budaya Kuala Lumpur. Members will be given a chance to watch a famous local play titled “ Puteri Gunung Ledang”. If we receive good responses from members, we shall have another trip before end of the year.
Another interesting activity will be drama workshop conducted by well-known actors and actresses like Fauziah Nawi, Marlia Musa, Rosyam Nor and Jit Murad. BCB Berhad has been generous to sponsor this workshop which shall be held at Prime City Hotel. Munchies Sdn Bhd has also willing to co-sponsor and they have agreed to provide free T-Shirts and stationeries to all participants.
I really hope that many of you present today will register as members. I believe our activities can bring a lot of benefits to you.
Last but not least, before I end my speech, I would like to thank you for listening to me.
Was written by Fuzie in 2006
We Should Keep Our River Clean
River is the source of life. We get protein from the fish we caught in it. We also use its water for drinking, washing and bathing. Furthermore, the electric we get to power our electrical items at home, offices and factories, is also derived from it. Even the farmer uses its water for farming.
We are so dependent on the river that we feel uneasy when the rain does not fall for a long stretch of time. We will begin to see the Imam leading a prayer asking for rain from Allah.
There are times when we feel fear of the river. What if the rain continues to fall for days in row? We are reluctant to see the water level increasing fast and over flooding the road, then the village and finally the whole city. We dare not think of the damage it may bring to us. We do not want to think about the lost it may incur.
Yet, have we ever thought of the harm we have laid upon our rivers? What have we done to save the marine lives which have been there longer than most of us? Have we stopped the developers and loggers from cutting the trees by its side? Have we punished the industrialists for dumping waste in it as they like?
We, who named ourselves human beings, the caliph of the earth, who differ from the animals because we have brain, have for so many years been destroying the river consciously for the sake of development.
It is high time now for us to begin cleaning our river. It is not too late as a proverb goes “It’s better late than never”.
Let us plant some trees along the river banks so that its bank will stay intact for thousand of years to come. Let us collect all the debris floating in the river so as to enable the fish and its like to move swiftly along their dwellings. Let us put a halt on any attempts to throw waste into our rivers in order to allow the plankton and other aquatic plants grow proudly. Let us keep our river clean for the generations to come so they can savour the beauty of our Malaysia and taste its sweet lovely water.
Most important of all let us lift fear from our heart and instill only love for our rivers.
By fuzie
9 Jan 2006
We are so dependent on the river that we feel uneasy when the rain does not fall for a long stretch of time. We will begin to see the Imam leading a prayer asking for rain from Allah.
There are times when we feel fear of the river. What if the rain continues to fall for days in row? We are reluctant to see the water level increasing fast and over flooding the road, then the village and finally the whole city. We dare not think of the damage it may bring to us. We do not want to think about the lost it may incur.
Yet, have we ever thought of the harm we have laid upon our rivers? What have we done to save the marine lives which have been there longer than most of us? Have we stopped the developers and loggers from cutting the trees by its side? Have we punished the industrialists for dumping waste in it as they like?
We, who named ourselves human beings, the caliph of the earth, who differ from the animals because we have brain, have for so many years been destroying the river consciously for the sake of development.
It is high time now for us to begin cleaning our river. It is not too late as a proverb goes “It’s better late than never”.
Let us plant some trees along the river banks so that its bank will stay intact for thousand of years to come. Let us collect all the debris floating in the river so as to enable the fish and its like to move swiftly along their dwellings. Let us put a halt on any attempts to throw waste into our rivers in order to allow the plankton and other aquatic plants grow proudly. Let us keep our river clean for the generations to come so they can savour the beauty of our Malaysia and taste its sweet lovely water.
Most important of all let us lift fear from our heart and instill only love for our rivers.
By fuzie
9 Jan 2006
A Visit To Rantau Abang
Last August , I went to Rantau Abang to watch turtle lay eggs . I arrived at the beach at 10 p.m. I waited with a group of tourists.It was quite cold but there was a bright moon.
At 1 a.m. , a turtle came out of the sea. I kept very quiet. The tourists kept very quiet too.We did not want to frighten the turtle away.The turtle crawled up the beach and selected a spot. It began to dig a hole with its front flippers.When the hole was deep enough,it laid its egg in the hole. It laid many eggs.I could now go near the turtle. When it had finished laying its eggs,it covered the hole with sand and slowly crawled back to the sea.
The guide explained that very few turtles came to lay eggs anymore. Many turtles which were caught in fishing nets were killed by fishermen. Most of the turtle eggs were collected and sold by the local people.
At 1 a.m. , a turtle came out of the sea. I kept very quiet. The tourists kept very quiet too.We did not want to frighten the turtle away.The turtle crawled up the beach and selected a spot. It began to dig a hole with its front flippers.When the hole was deep enough,it laid its egg in the hole. It laid many eggs.I could now go near the turtle. When it had finished laying its eggs,it covered the hole with sand and slowly crawled back to the sea.
The guide explained that very few turtles came to lay eggs anymore. Many turtles which were caught in fishing nets were killed by fishermen. Most of the turtle eggs were collected and sold by the local people.
Malaysian Culture: A letter to pen-pal
99 Jalan Setia,
Taman Setia,
86200 Simpang Rengam,
Johor,
Malaysia.
6 October 2009
Dear Jeannette,
I am glad that your brother came home for Christmas. Your mum must have been delighted to see him after for so many years. Travel must have transformed him both physically and spiritually. I, myself have seen changes on my eldest brother when he retuned from his studies in Germany seven years ago. He has matured and more responsible. Sometimes I miss the bubbly side of him which seems to have disappeared since he has to take charge almost five thousands workers working under him. He is getting married soon. I really hope that he will resume his cheerfulness once he has children.
So, your brother’s presence must have been the best Christmas gift ever for you and your mum. Here in my country, I celebrate” Hari Raya” or better known among the European Muslims as Eidul Fitr. Unlike your Christmas, Hari Raya is not celebrated on the same date every year because the calculation of the date is based on the Islamic lunar calendar. It falls on the first of Syawal.
However, we are obliged to fast for a month in Ramadhan. Ramadhan is the ninth month in the calendar. Daily fasts begin at dawn and ends with sunset. Special nightly prayers called, Taraweeh prayers are held. The entire Quran is recited in these prayers in Mosques all around the world. This month provides an opportunity for Muslims to get closer to God. This is a month when a Muslim should try to speak no evil, hear no evil, do no evil and look to Allah with fear and hope.
What I like about fasting month is the abundance of food. My mum usually cooks about three special dishes but since our neighbours enjoy extending their generosity, our table is very quickly filled up. Fortunately, there are eight of us in the house. Otherwise, all the lovely delicacies may go to waste. My mum then shows gratitude by giving them some of her cooking. So almost everyone in the village is savouring a variety kinds of food cooked at different houses.
When the last week of Ramadhan approaches, every member of my family is busy preparing for the day of festival. My father who never favours shopping hands the task to his financial adviser, my mum. She is very smart. She gives each of us some amount of money, with a list of some dos and don’ts, and drives us to the mall to buy two pairs of new outfits and other things we need. She then leaves us to do her own shopping spree and comes back two hours later.
Unlike most of the kampong folks, my mum never bakes her own cake or biscuits for Hari Raya. As she is a teacher who devotes 18 hours a day on schoolwork, she refuses to stay coop in the kitchen after work. She prefers to join the Taraweeh prayer and recite the Quran, making sure that all of us tag behind her.
My task is the most interesting one. I am assigned to light up oil lamps along the street in front of my house. It is a beautiful sight to behold at night. My sisters Rina and Lia are expected to fill up the beautiful glass jars with tarts, brownies, ginger biscuits, chocolates and sweets. Meanwhile my brothers must mow the lawn, hang new curtains, wipe the window panes, wash my parents’ cars and rearrange the furniture in the house. All these however are done under my mum’s strict supervision. My dad is not exempted. He sits on an armchair at the verandah of our house weaving the coconut leave into “ketupat” cases which is filled with rice on the eve of Hari Raya. My mum usually boils them for four hours in a pot full of plain water. The “ketupat” is ready to be eaten in the following morning.
On Hari Raya, my mum is the first to wake up. My mum begins preparing special meat and vegetable dishes to be eaten with “ketupat”. The next person to wake up is my father, who then summons us to leave the bed, to bathe and to get ready. My dad, then, can be seen helping my mum in the kitchen. They are a great team.
Once ready, the six of us ask for forgiveness from our parents and then we head to grand mosque on foot since it is only twenty metres away from our house to perform a special morning prayer. Men, women and children attend the prayer. We give out a special charity, known as Zakatul-fitr prior to the prayer. After that, we go home and enjoy the wonderful meals my mum prepares. We spend the rest of the day visiting relatives and friends. I love this visiting part as I receive some pocket money and I can eat almost everything served by the hosts.
Well, Jeannette, I am sure you will enjoy our festival as much as you enjoy Christmas. Hari Raya is a day of joy, a day to forgive and forget and a day to bring a family, relatives and neighbours closer. See you in the next letter. Please write as soon as you can. Take care. Bye.
Your pen-pal,
Azeem
P/s ADDRESS,DATE AND YOUR SIGNATURE SHOULD BE ON THE RIGHT SIDE.
Taman Setia,
86200 Simpang Rengam,
Johor,
Malaysia.
6 October 2009
Dear Jeannette,
I am glad that your brother came home for Christmas. Your mum must have been delighted to see him after for so many years. Travel must have transformed him both physically and spiritually. I, myself have seen changes on my eldest brother when he retuned from his studies in Germany seven years ago. He has matured and more responsible. Sometimes I miss the bubbly side of him which seems to have disappeared since he has to take charge almost five thousands workers working under him. He is getting married soon. I really hope that he will resume his cheerfulness once he has children.
So, your brother’s presence must have been the best Christmas gift ever for you and your mum. Here in my country, I celebrate” Hari Raya” or better known among the European Muslims as Eidul Fitr. Unlike your Christmas, Hari Raya is not celebrated on the same date every year because the calculation of the date is based on the Islamic lunar calendar. It falls on the first of Syawal.
However, we are obliged to fast for a month in Ramadhan. Ramadhan is the ninth month in the calendar. Daily fasts begin at dawn and ends with sunset. Special nightly prayers called, Taraweeh prayers are held. The entire Quran is recited in these prayers in Mosques all around the world. This month provides an opportunity for Muslims to get closer to God. This is a month when a Muslim should try to speak no evil, hear no evil, do no evil and look to Allah with fear and hope.
What I like about fasting month is the abundance of food. My mum usually cooks about three special dishes but since our neighbours enjoy extending their generosity, our table is very quickly filled up. Fortunately, there are eight of us in the house. Otherwise, all the lovely delicacies may go to waste. My mum then shows gratitude by giving them some of her cooking. So almost everyone in the village is savouring a variety kinds of food cooked at different houses.
When the last week of Ramadhan approaches, every member of my family is busy preparing for the day of festival. My father who never favours shopping hands the task to his financial adviser, my mum. She is very smart. She gives each of us some amount of money, with a list of some dos and don’ts, and drives us to the mall to buy two pairs of new outfits and other things we need. She then leaves us to do her own shopping spree and comes back two hours later.
Unlike most of the kampong folks, my mum never bakes her own cake or biscuits for Hari Raya. As she is a teacher who devotes 18 hours a day on schoolwork, she refuses to stay coop in the kitchen after work. She prefers to join the Taraweeh prayer and recite the Quran, making sure that all of us tag behind her.
My task is the most interesting one. I am assigned to light up oil lamps along the street in front of my house. It is a beautiful sight to behold at night. My sisters Rina and Lia are expected to fill up the beautiful glass jars with tarts, brownies, ginger biscuits, chocolates and sweets. Meanwhile my brothers must mow the lawn, hang new curtains, wipe the window panes, wash my parents’ cars and rearrange the furniture in the house. All these however are done under my mum’s strict supervision. My dad is not exempted. He sits on an armchair at the verandah of our house weaving the coconut leave into “ketupat” cases which is filled with rice on the eve of Hari Raya. My mum usually boils them for four hours in a pot full of plain water. The “ketupat” is ready to be eaten in the following morning.
On Hari Raya, my mum is the first to wake up. My mum begins preparing special meat and vegetable dishes to be eaten with “ketupat”. The next person to wake up is my father, who then summons us to leave the bed, to bathe and to get ready. My dad, then, can be seen helping my mum in the kitchen. They are a great team.
Once ready, the six of us ask for forgiveness from our parents and then we head to grand mosque on foot since it is only twenty metres away from our house to perform a special morning prayer. Men, women and children attend the prayer. We give out a special charity, known as Zakatul-fitr prior to the prayer. After that, we go home and enjoy the wonderful meals my mum prepares. We spend the rest of the day visiting relatives and friends. I love this visiting part as I receive some pocket money and I can eat almost everything served by the hosts.
Well, Jeannette, I am sure you will enjoy our festival as much as you enjoy Christmas. Hari Raya is a day of joy, a day to forgive and forget and a day to bring a family, relatives and neighbours closer. See you in the next letter. Please write as soon as you can. Take care. Bye.
Your pen-pal,
Azeem
P/s ADDRESS,DATE AND YOUR SIGNATURE SHOULD BE ON THE RIGHT SIDE.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
The Worst Day in My Life
Last night I had a big row with my mother.She insisted that I wore pink veil to match a new pink baju kurung to go out for a dinner at my Uncle Tam’s house. Then she made me to put on her white high heel and carry a white leather handbag. When I looked at my reflection at the mirror, I saw a clone of Puan Jamilah. In contempt, I changed to my lovely cream blouse and a matching light brown pants. I took a silky cream scarf and place it on my head.Then, I pinned it neatly to make sure not a strand of my hair came out. I got a lovely brooch in the shape of a fish and place it on the edge of my veil so that the wind would not blow it.Just as I put on a light coloured lipstick, I heard my younger brother calling me to hurry.
I quickly dashed for my brown purse and flat sandals and exited through the front door. I dared not look at my mother’s face. I chose to sit behind her seat so that I did not have to look at her face as she gave me a long lecture about not conforming to the dress code. However, the opposite happened when I seated myself. I got a knock on my head for being stubborn instead of a lecture.Tears drop down my face smudging the little mascara I put on. To my surprise, my brother did not laugh at me. Instead he passed me some tissues to wipe out my tears.
After 30 minutes drive down the highway to Indrapura, we finally reached Uncle Tam’s house. My uncle patted my head while his wife Auntie Nora gave me a big hug and commented how beautiful I was that night. Sheila, my cousin,who was a year older than me leaped with joy on seeing me and led me upstair into her bedroom where we had a conversation on any taboo topics. Topics that only girls can share about and hide from their bigger clones.My brother had long gone with Sheila’s brothers to their media room playing the game on play station.
During dinner twenty minutes later, what was supposed to be a happy unforgettable family gathering turned to be the worst day in my life. I was sipping Auntie’s Nora lovely mutton soup when my mother suddenly decided that I should be the main topic being discussed over dinner.She praised Sheila for being so gentle and demure while I was the tomboy whom no man would ask a hand in marriage.Then,she embarassed me further by enlightening others that I failed my Geography in last semester examination. She said I deserved it because I was a lazy bone and as stubborn as a mule.I had had enough of the harassment that I decided to leave the dining table. As I pulled back my seat,my right hand accidentally hit a glass. It fell on the floor and smithereens into pieces.
“I told you to .............” my mum shouted in the loudest voice possible.
I did not hear the rest of her verbal abuse. I ran to the pool just outside the house and cried out loud. The pool looked so calm at night under the street light and glimmering stars. Without a second thought, I jumped into the pool fully clothed. I swam to and fro along the pool until I was too tired. Suddenly, I could not see anything. I felt numb. My body began to sink. I closed my eyes and dozed off.
When I woke up the next day, I was surrounded by two women in white uniform .The room I was in was painted in blue. There was a picture of purple tulips hung on the wall opposite my bed. There was a bouquet of white roses on the bedside table. The room was the second peaceful place on earth after my own room.
“Doctor! She is conscious now”, cried a young nurse.
“What? I am in the hospital? Why?” I asked myself.
Monday, August 17, 2009
An Informal Letter ;A letter to pen-pal
Instruction:
Fill in the blanks with suitable words listed below.
decided special enjoyed banned abstain healed
played wonderful lovely who fun because
thick chat best dawn indoor joyous
Dear Sharopova,
How are you? I was very happy when I received your letter this morning. I had so much 1) ______ reading about how you celebrate Christmas in Moscow. In Malaysia, I celebrate “Hari Raya” which falls on the first of Syawal, the tenth month of the Muslim Calendar.
Hari Raya is celebrated after fasting for a month in Ramadhan, which is the ninth month of the Muslim Calendar. During Ramadhan, as a Muslim, I have to 2) myself from eating, drinking and from committing any ill-doings from 3) __________ until sunset. It is hoped after Ramadhan, the Muslims will continue to do good and avoid any wrong-doings. So, the Hari Raya marks the Muslims’ success in fasting for a whole month.
Of course, Hari Raya is a 4) ___________ occasion for Muslims from all walks of life. On this 5) ______________ day, everyone puts on their 6)___________ clothes and go to the mosque to perform obligatory Hari Raya prayer. Usually each family brings a plate of traditional cakes and cookies to be shared together after the prayer. Before we leave the mosque, we ask for forgiveness from each other. Then, we go home to have a 7) ___________ meal with our family. We often have “ketupat”, which is actually rice cooked in a case made of woven coconut leave. This ketupat is eaten with “rendang”, meat cooked in 8)____________ spicy gravy and peanut sauce. We can only savour these dishes on Hari Raya.
Every year we never miss to visit our grandparents 9) _____________ are staying in a village located about 40 kilometres away from our house. My cousins often arrive at my grandparents’ house a day earlier 10) _________they live far away in Kuala Lumpur. Can you guess what usually happen when cousins get together? Well, we will have a long 11) _____________ about everything under the sky. When we were younger, we used to play fireworks. However since playing fireworks have been 12) _____________ in our country, we choose to stay13) _____________ watching special Hari Raya programmes on television.
Last year, since all my cousins were able to be present at our grandparents’ place, we 14)_____________to have a football match competing against the local team. As expected, we lost the game as most of us had not 15) ___________ football for quite some times. Yet, we had 16) ___________ ourselves tremendously. Hari Raya is a day where everybody has a chance to meet. It is a day to tie the bond. Most importantly, it is a day where old wounds are 17) _______________ and love to grow between family members, between friends and neighbours.
Ramadhan is coming soon. I am looking forward to it because it is a month full of God’s blessings. I hope you have enjoyed reading about Hari Raya. It would be 18) _______________ to have you here to celebrate the day. Bye.
Fill in the blanks with suitable words listed below.
decided special enjoyed banned abstain healed
played wonderful lovely who fun because
thick chat best dawn indoor joyous
How are you? I was very happy when I received your letter this morning. I had so much 1) ______ reading about how you celebrate Christmas in Moscow. In Malaysia, I celebrate “Hari Raya” which falls on the first of Syawal, the tenth month of the Muslim Calendar.
Hari Raya is celebrated after fasting for a month in Ramadhan, which is the ninth month of the Muslim Calendar. During Ramadhan, as a Muslim, I have to 2) myself from eating, drinking and from committing any ill-doings from 3) __________ until sunset. It is hoped after Ramadhan, the Muslims will continue to do good and avoid any wrong-doings. So, the Hari Raya marks the Muslims’ success in fasting for a whole month.
Of course, Hari Raya is a 4) ___________ occasion for Muslims from all walks of life. On this 5) ______________ day, everyone puts on their 6)___________ clothes and go to the mosque to perform obligatory Hari Raya prayer. Usually each family brings a plate of traditional cakes and cookies to be shared together after the prayer. Before we leave the mosque, we ask for forgiveness from each other. Then, we go home to have a 7) ___________ meal with our family. We often have “ketupat”, which is actually rice cooked in a case made of woven coconut leave. This ketupat is eaten with “rendang”, meat cooked in 8)____________ spicy gravy and peanut sauce. We can only savour these dishes on Hari Raya.
Every year we never miss to visit our grandparents 9) _____________ are staying in a village located about 40 kilometres away from our house. My cousins often arrive at my grandparents’ house a day earlier 10) _________they live far away in Kuala Lumpur. Can you guess what usually happen when cousins get together? Well, we will have a long 11) _____________ about everything under the sky. When we were younger, we used to play fireworks. However since playing fireworks have been 12) _____________ in our country, we choose to stay13) _____________ watching special Hari Raya programmes on television.
Last year, since all my cousins were able to be present at our grandparents’ place, we 14)_____________to have a football match competing against the local team. As expected, we lost the game as most of us had not 15) ___________ football for quite some times. Yet, we had 16) ___________ ourselves tremendously. Hari Raya is a day where everybody has a chance to meet. It is a day to tie the bond. Most importantly, it is a day where old wounds are 17) _______________ and love to grow between family members, between friends and neighbours.
Ramadhan is coming soon. I am looking forward to it because it is a month full of God’s blessings. I hope you have enjoyed reading about Hari Raya. It would be 18) _______________ to have you here to celebrate the day. Bye.
Your pen-pal,
Ilhan
Monday, July 27, 2009
A Guide to Answer Directed Writing During Examination
In SPM examination,you are only given 40 minutes to answer directed writng. So you must follow the following steps;
First of all, you must read the question and understand what the question requires you to do.
Then, take 5 minutes to generate and organise your ideas.
In the next 25 minutes , you have to write the composition. Make sure the tense used is suitable. Choose your words carefully and write short simple sentences. You must avoid making a lot of mistakes.Try to write a few compound and complex sentences but they do not need to be too long.
The next 5 minutes should be spent on proofreading. Check your spelling, grammar, ,punctuation and capitalisation.
To get a high mark, try to include idioms or proverbs.
First of all, you must read the question and understand what the question requires you to do.
Then, take 5 minutes to generate and organise your ideas.
In the next 25 minutes , you have to write the composition. Make sure the tense used is suitable. Choose your words carefully and write short simple sentences. You must avoid making a lot of mistakes.Try to write a few compound and complex sentences but they do not need to be too long.
The next 5 minutes should be spent on proofreading. Check your spelling, grammar, ,punctuation and capitalisation.
To get a high mark, try to include idioms or proverbs.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Welcome to all form 4 students
Salam to form 4 students,
Now, you are at the starting line. Each of you have the same opportunities to start anew. So, don't wait! Today,you must begin your stride towards achieving excellent. Don't procrastinate.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)