SPM EXAM TIPS -2014

       First of all, I would like to wish all the best to students who will be sitting for their SPM Examination this year. In this post, I have listed some tips which might be helpful to you. 

     Be reminded that these are only tips and I do not guarantee that any of these tips would come out or be asked in the actual examination.

(1)Past Year Directed Writing Questions

1. 2005 - Informal Letter
2. 2006 - Informal Letter
3. 2007 - Talk
4. 2008 - Article
5. 2009 - Report
6. 2010 - Informal Letter
7. 2011 - Talk
8. 2012 - Informal Letter
9. 2013 - Formal Letter

(2) What might come out for Directed Writing- 2014

1. Report - to the school headmaster (highly possible)
2. Article
3. Talk / Speech
4. Formal Letter
5. Pie/Bar chart 

(3) Literature Component [ Poems ] 

1. Are You Still Playing Your Flute (highly possible)
2. He Had Such Quiet Eyes
3. Nature

(4) Literature Component [ Novel ]

1. Character [ Main Character / Supporting Character ]

     - One problem faced by the character and how he faced it..

     - Describe a character that you sympathise with....
     - Obstacles faced by the character....
     - How did strangers play a role in helping the character to escape....

If you want [400] more exercises to do - check out my e-book at this link -

http://www.scribd.com/doc/117896752/Decorus-Carmen-Poems

SPM DIRECTED WRITING - TALK / SPEECH

Question : Your school has received a group of exchange students from United Kingdom (UK). As the President of the English Language Society, you have been asked by your teacher advisor to give a talk to welcome the British students to your school and give information about your school and country.

Notes / Points :- 

• School
• background
• facilities 

• Country
• multiracial community
• diverse festivals 

• Attraction in town
• famous tourist places
• shopping malls 

• Souvenirs
• keychains
• handicrafts

When giving the talk, you must remember to:

• greet your audience
• mention the purpose of the talk
• include all the points given
• end your talk appropriately 

 __________________________________________________________________________________________

Pointers :-

1. Format   : Talk
2. Who [you]  - President of the English Language Club
3. Who [they] - exchange students from UK
4. Who [will attend the talk] - teacher advisor, exchange students, members of the English Language Club
5. What [Objective 1]: to welcome the British students to your school
6. What [Objective 2]: give information about your school -[One paragraph]
7. What [Objective 3]: give information about your country -[Two paragraph]
8. What [Hope] : conclusion.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

 [Introduction]

When writing your introduction, follow the format of a talk / speech. For this essay you must write an opening talk / speech which is greeting your audience. Not all talk / speeches are the same,so, you need to be careful when writing your intro. For this essay, the audience are:

• the school principal / vice principal
• the teacher advisor
• the exchange students
• the members of the English Language Club

Sample Intro : [ Simple Style ]

              I would like to wish a very good morning to our respected principal, Mr. Shukor Salleh bin Haji Abbas, vice principal Mr. Tan Han Seng,club's teacher advisor, Puan Ramlah and to all the exchange students from the UK and fellow club members.I am honoured to be given this opportunity to welcome our friends from the UK and to share a little about our school and our country with them.Before I begin, let us all put our hands together and give them a warm Malaysian welcome. [ 75 words ]

Sample Body 1 : [ Simple Style ]

           Let me begin by introducing our school. SMK Bukit Jambul was opened  on the 1st of January 2001. From only 14 teachers and 220 students in the beginning, now we have 68 dedicated teachers and 1050 students.We have 30 classes for form 1 to form 5 students. We also have a fully equipped computer lab and a science lab.

         We only had 6 form 1 classes. From 220 students, SMK Bukit Jambul has grown to 1050 students. We have 68 dedicated teachers to teach 30 classes ranging  from form 1 till form 5.Our mission is to bring out the hidden potential of each and every student of SMK Bukit Jambul through creative and innovative ways,thus producing students who are able to compete locally and globally.

Sample Body 2 : [ Simple Style ]

PT3 ESSAY - INFORMAL LETTER

Sample Question : Your brother spends too much time on the Internet and has done badly in his PT3 Trial Examination.Your mother has asked you to write a letter advising him how to divide his time wisely.

DON'Ts

• Stay Up Late - Chat -Internet
• Too Much - Time - Online games

DOs

• Have A Timetable - Study - Surf Internet
• Use Internet - Gain Knowledge

When writing your letter,

• You may use the words and phrases given above.
• Elaborate on your writing to make it more interesting.
• You may add other relevant information.
• Make sure it is not less than 120 words.

___________________________________________

How to answer this question

• Use the 6W 1H method
• Read the question carefully
• Use the information given in the question to write your opening.
• Use all the points given.
• Don't forget to add your own point(s).
• Write at least 200-250 words as time permits.

_______________________________________________________

[Simple Style Essay Sample]

322C,Taman Danau Maluri

53300 Kuala Lumpur.

20 August 2013. 

Dear Vince,

   How are you? I hope you are fine. Please send my regards to father and mother. I miss you all dearly. I heard that you did not do well in your recent PT3 Trial Examination. Mother phoned me a few days ago and told me about it. Father and mother are really worried about you spending too much time on the Internet. So, I am writing this letter to give you some tips on how to divide your time wisely.

   First of all, young man, don't stay up late.Don't burn your midnight oil chatting on the Internet. Go to bed early. Our body needs at least 8 to 10 hours of sleep everyday.Enough sleep will enable your mind to stay sharp and productive the next day.Therefore, instead of sleeping around 1 to 2 a.m. in the morning, call it a night around 10 p.m.

   Next, don't spend too much time playing online games. There is nothing wrong in playing online games but when it affects your studies then you should put a brake to it.My advice is leave all your online gaming activities until you have finished your PT3 Examination. Focus on your studies first, you can continue playing once you have finished your examination.

   Draft out a study timetable to help you manage your time wisely. On the timetable allocate one to two hours to surf the Internet. Now, remember, the Internet contains a lot of  useful information for everyone. It can be used to gain knowledge and to sift through  for information useful for your PT3 Examination. 

   Finally, join some outdoor physical activities rather than just being holed up in the house in front of your computer the whole day. Go cycling or walking around the park. Play football or badminton with your friends in the evenings. Physical activities help keep your body and mind healthy. You need a healthy body and mind to do well in your PT3 Examination.

   I wish I could write more but I have to stop here for now. I  have to prepare for my next week's final term semester examination. I hope you will take my advice and mend your ways. I wish you all the best in your PT3 Examination. Hugs and kisses.

Your loving sister,

 Bernice Gabriel.

______________________________________________________

(The sample essay above is roughly more than 350 words and I have used 5 idioms in the essay)

1. Burn Your Midnight Oil - doing something(working) for very long hours.
2. Call it a night - to end (stop) what one is doing at night.
3. Put a brake to it - to stop an activity.
4. Sift through - to remove something from something.
5. Holed up - hide and wait / just staying put in a place.

*Check out my Descriptive Essay - 

• Sample Essay - An Accident (Article)
• Sample Essay - Snatch Theft (Article)
• Sample Essay - Descriptive

SPM ESSAY - DESCRIBING A PLACE/SITUATION

Sample 1

Last weekend, I went to Penarik Beach which is located in Terengganu for a holiday. I booked for a promo  three days and two nights deluxe package.The reason for my sudden decision was simple,my hectic city life was taking its toll on me, my body and my mind was in the verge of a nervous breakdown. They were begging me for mercy. As much as I tried to ignore it but in the end I just had to concede . I pored through some of my brochures which had been collecting dust for almost three years. After a meticulous search, Terengganu seemed to be a good bargain. 

 

Terengganu with its impressive 244km long stretches of white sandy coastlines and traditional Malay coastal villages was a welcoming sight.

 

Penarik Beach in particular had a 'postcard-perfect setting',complete with fishing villages and typical Malay traditional houses dotted by the beachfront underneath swaying coconut and pine trees. 

 

The days were clear and the sun was merciful, which gave me a picturesque sea view of the scenic islands of Bidong, Redang, Lang Tengah and Pulau Perhentian.My early morning walks were invigorating, the cool breeze of the sea was really an heavenly experience.....[ you are free to continue ]