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 ]

SPM ESSAY - DESCRIPTION / DESCRIBING PEOPLE

 

This is Mr.Seow. He is quite old and craggy looking, a senior citizen. He is short and fat.He has large funny looking eyes and a big prominent nose.He is toothless, he has to wear dentures when he wants to eat or speak.He uses a cane when walking.Although he is nearly eighty, he has good eyesight. He is a bit grumpy when he is not happy and likes to dig his ears when they are itchy.In a box, he is quite an interesting and amusing man who is loved and adored by all those that know him. 

 

This is my teacher Julia. She is 26 years old. She has a beautiful oval shaped face with soft, creamy complexion.  She has shoulder length beautiful blond hair. Her set of compassionate beautiful almond shaped eyes sparkle when she speaks. Her thin red lips will make anyone's heart falter. Her perfect hour glass body is the envy of others.She is the most kind-hearted soul I have ever met in my entire life.

 

This is Amy.She is kind and pretty. She is short and looks cute with her pulpy nose. Her set of beautiful dreamy eyes compliment her slim  sculpted figure. She is our school's top student. She likes the anime type hairstyle and dyes her hair quite frequently. I call her  "Rainbow Head" because she has dyed her hair in all the seven colors of the rainbow. She does this because she is into cosplay. During school holidays, she takes part in many of the competitions held locally and internationally. She likes the emo and the gothic style the best. Most students in my school think she is wierd but to me she is my best friend.

 

 

• Describing Places/Situation

English Vocabulary For Writing....

One of the main reasons students find it hard to write a good essay is because of their poor vocabulary. Many do not have a wide range of vocabulary with them and this has been a stumbling block for them to get good grades for their essays. Having a wide range of words or a vocabulary list is a  boon for all those who aspire to write good essays in their public school exams, be it local or foreign students. One of the best ways is to read. Reading good novels, magazine articles, articles or news in the local dailies or story books can help  improve your word power. In this post, I will give you some words/phrases/sentences which you can use in your school essays.

ACCIDENTS 

1. Motorcyclist
2. Crashed
3. Head on collision
4. freak accident
5. swerved
6. passers-by
7. alerted
8. collided
9. died on the spot
10. vehicle
11. lost control
12. lorry driver
13. attendant
14. skidded
15. hit the guard rail

SNATCH THEFT 

1. snatch / snatching / snatched
2. assailants
3. preyed
4. easy target
5. pillion rider
6. flung to the ground
7. scuffle
8. victim
9. unconcious
10. seriously injured
11. dragged several metres
12. incident
13. sustained head injuries
14. recuperating
15. rampant

UNITY

1. racial bond
2. polarization
3. forged
4. freedom
5. understanding
6. national unity
7. love and trust each other
8. instigators
9. sow seed of racial unity
10. street demonstrations
11. sacrifices
12. respect
13. religious tolerance
14. be real and pragmatic
15. accept each other regardless of race and religion

FIRE

1. razed
2. put out the fire
3. shelter
4. fanned the flames
5. evacuated
6. engulfed by fire
7. destroyed
8. dejected
9. restrained by neighbours
10. dashed into the house to ....
11. victims
12. occured at...
13. ...help douse the fire...
14. financial aid
15. injured
16. started in the...

CRIME

1. social ills
2. curb
3. juvenile crime
4. felony
5. cyber crime
6. sex crime
7. juvenile crimes
8. finger pointing
9. public outrage
10. drug abuse
11. halfway houses
12. young minds are corrupted
13. lack of awareness
14. prison term
15. enforce rules

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

1. traffickers
2. abducted
3. kidnapped
4. drugged with sleeping pills
5. agents
6. raid
7. victims are deceived...
8. recruited
9. women experience sexual violence / physical violence
10. victims are usually poor,uneducated,...
11. syndicates
12. cross border human trafficking
13. crackdown
14. uncovered
15. police operation

FACEBOOK

1. addicted
2. uploading photos
3. adding friends
4. Facebook Addiction Disorder (ADD)
5. performing poorly in school
6. security issues
7. girls go missing
8. not getting enough sleep
9. obsessed
10. parental supervision
11. popular social networking
12. setting up profiles
13. not taking baths / meals properly
14. parents must regulate and monitor...
15. virtual activities

CHILD ABUSE

1. divorce
2. society's lack of awareness of the law
3. perception
4. compounded
5. children suspected of being severely abused...
6. Child Protection Act 2001
7. family lifestyle
8. ...around home
9.  integrated effort to...
10. non-governmental organizations
11. abuse cases
12. welfare
13. intervention
14. culprits
15. suspect

GAMBLING

1. punters
2. bets
3. placing bets
4. luring
5. bookies
6. gambling websites
7. syndicates
8. online gambling
9. busted
10. patronize the outlets
11. borrowing money from loan sharks
12. hook punters
13. recoup losses
14. trap
15. raid

*These are only some of the many words/phrases/sentences which can be used in essays, depending on the title and question of the essays. You can make your own vocabulary list and try to use the words in your essays. I hope this post has been a help to you all.

SPM ESSAY - NARRATIVE ESSAY (Ending)

2011 : Write a story that ends with: "...They looked at each other and smiled meaningfully."

( This is an actual SPM question for the year 2011 - If you are asked to end with certain phrase / sentence then do end your Ending with the given phrase / sentence.)

* In the question above, the key word which you need to understand is 'MEANINGFULLY' which means 'full of meaning / purpose / value etc'. Therefore, before you write your essay, make sure your draft has a theme which is centred around a meaningful event / incident / action etc. Plot a story which has a strong and interesting beginning and end with a solid impression.

[ The 3 examples below are only simple and straight forward writing style. In order to make it more interesting; use phrasal verbs, idioms / wise sayings , dialogs / flashback etc to leave a strong lasting impression.
 

Sample 1

Ai Ching and Mary knew that Miss Sarimah was now in safe hands. They watched the ambulance slowly disappear into the horizon. Bystanders, and all those who had witnessed the miraculous incident slowly started to disperse.Slowly the place transformed back into its old rustic look.There was a dead silence.The words "I have found that if you love life, life will love you back" echoed in their ears- Miss Sarimah's favourite words.Slowly it began to dawn on Ai Ching and Mary that they had actually witnessed it happen in Miss Sarimah's life today.They looked at each other and smiled meaningfully. 

Sample 2

Miss Sarimah managed to give a smile before she was whisked away into the ambulance. Ai Ching and Mary could only look helplessly, but they knew that Miss Sarimah was now in safe hands.As the dust began to settle, souls that had witnessed the incident slowly started to disperse.The busy and noisy road slowly transformed back into its old rustic nature - quiet and deserted. As silence engulfed the surrounding, the phrase " I have found that if you love life, life will love you back" resonated in their ears-Miss Sarimah's favourite phrase. A phrase which not only they, but the whole class was familiar with.Miss Sarimah, their English teacher loved to use it to encourage her students to love and appreciate life.She would frequently tell them that life is short, therefore they must live a meaningful life. It slowly began to dawn on Ai Ching and Mary how true it was. They had witnessed how life trully had smiled back at Miss Sarimah today. As they took hold of their hands, they looked at each other and smiled meaningfully.  


Sample 3

Her face grimaced in pain but Miss Sarimah still managed to engrave a faint yet serene smile across her contorted face as the paramedics rushed her to the ambulance. Ai Ching and Mary could only watch helplessly, but deep in their heart they knew that Miss Sarimah was now in safe hands.As the dust began to settle, bystanders and eye witnesess slowly started to disperse. The busy and noisy road slowly transformed back into its old rustic state - quiet and deserted. As silence coyly slithered back into the surrounding, Ai Ching and Mary could hear the phrase "I have found that if you love life, life will love you back" echo in their ears as if Miss Sarimah was whispering it to them. "Life is short therefore we must live a meaningful life" she would say. Slowly it began to dawn on them how they had played a pivotel role in making it a reality today. Their bold and courages act had kept Miss Sarimah from meeting a certain but sure death. Life has trully smiled back at their beloved teacher.As they picked up their bicycles, they looked at each other and smiled meaningfully.

SPM ESSAY - NARRATIVE ESSAY (Beginning)

2007 : Write a story beginning with: Kim was nervous when the door opened

( This is an actual SPM question for the year 2007 - If you are asked to begin with certain phrase / sentence then do begin your Introduction with the given phrase / sentence.)

Sample 1

Kim was nervous when the door opened. She was hoping that it would be the police. Kim prayed hard in her heart that it would be so.As she slowly lifted up her head to see, she could only see a dark figure standing at the entrance of her room door.It was the intruder who had broken into her parents house.She could see him still holding the knife in his hand. He was searching for her. The intruder stepped into the room.He moved slowly. He banged into few things in the room.The room was pitch dark. The electricity got cut off due to the heavy storm.


Sample 2

Kim was nervous when the door opened. Sweat drops trickled from her forehaed onto the carpeted floor. She bit her lips in agitation. In her heart, she prayed hard that it would be the police. Slowly but reluctantly she lifted up her head to see, she could only see a dark visage standing at the entrance of her room door.She could not see clearly who it was as the room was pitch dark.Then, to her horror, she saw his face, the face of one she prayed that she would not see again. A glimmer of light from the lightning outside gave his face away.It was the  intruder who had broken into her parents house.He was still clutching the Rambo knife in his hand.He moved slowly, breaking and shoving everything that blocked his path.He had only one thing in his mind, that is to find the girl who knows his true identity, and to finish her off.


Sample 3

Kim was nervous when the door opened. The door burst open with a deafening sound, breaking the silence that Kim was enjoying for almost fifteen minutes now. The sound startled her, she almost jumped out from her hiding place screaming her head off but fear not senses kept her glued to her spot. She held her breath,her heart beat faster than ever.Sweat drops trickled onto the carpeted floor like a running tap water. She edged cautiously further into a corner fearing for the worst. She clasped her hands hard and prayed like she had never prayed before, hoping in her heart that it was the police who had come to her rescue.A dark tall visage stood at the entrance of the room door. At the same time, a glimmer of light from the lightning outside burst through the room window giving away the identity of the figure.To her horror, it was the visage of the one who had made her life a living hell for the past one hour."I will get you, pretty one!",his cold and merciless words echoed in her ears sending shivers into her spine.



The introduction must be good and interesting enough to get your reader glued to your essay - use adjectives and adverbs to add some spice to your writing. 

IDIOMS IN ESSAY

 

What Is An Idom...?

 

An idiom is an expression consisting of a combination of words that have a figurative meaning. The figurative meaning is comprehended in regard to a common use of the expression that is separate from the literal meaning or definition of the words of which it is made.Idioms are numerous and they occur frequently in all languages. There are estimated to be at least 25,000 idiomatic expressions in the English language. (source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idiom) 

 

Can I Use Idioms In My Essay...? 

• Students are encouraged to  use idioms in PT3 and SPM examinations.Using relevant and suitable idioms in an essay will help students to get a better mark for their essay. 
• Don't simply use idioms just for the sake of getting better grades for your essay paper, this will backfire if the idioms you use are irrelevant or out of place. 
• You can use idioms in the beginning paragraph or in the body paragraph or in the closing paragraph. It all depends on the topic and suitability of the idioms used. 
• Be careful not to over do it.You might be impressed but it does not necessarily mean the examiner would be.
• Do not use idioms when writing formal letters or business letters.
• So, for a better grade use at least three idioms.If you can't write three at least write one idiom in the closing paragraph.
  
  

Sample Sentences With Idioms...
 

1. The suffering Adam went through in life was actually a blessing in disguise,for it has taught him to be prudent and thrifty with his finances. 
2. Many obese Malaysians are actually couch potatoes.They just like to sit and eat on a couch all day long watching movies without moving an inch.
3. Students who like to drag their feet will not be able to finish their school project on time.
4. Students need to widen their horizons in order to face the challenges of globalisation.
5. People who like to be mules for drug traffickers must learn to face the music if caught by the authorities.
6. Sam has a gut feeling that something bad is going to happen today.
7. Parents need to have a heart to heart talk with their teenage children often.This will help them to  understand the emotional turmoil their teenage children are going through better.
8. Reading helps a person to be knowledgeable about his surroundings and not be in the dark.
9. Parents need to keep an eye on their children's after school activities.
10. We packed our things and headed to the remote village in Manjala. The journey was quite challenging and dangerous but we managed to steer clear of danger and reached the village safe and sound. 

1. My father and mother are always at loggerheads, they never once agreed on anything, always pointing fingers at one another over silly matters.
2. Sandy was on cloud nine as she got through her SPM examination with flying colours.
3. After waiting for six long years, Pat and Mandy finally tied the knot. Their parents gave them an out of this world wedding reception as a wedding gift.
4. Henry is quite wrapped up with his construction work. He just can't afford to take a break or put up his feet even for a second.
5. Miranda has put on weight after giving birth to her baby girl. She plans to work out more to shed the extra pounds.
6. Starting from 2013, every student must pass their History paper. Students are worried that they might not be able to sail through it because History is all Greek to them. 
7. The old house opposite my house has a ghostly presence, it gives me goose bumps just looking at it.
8. The bank was robbed in broad daylight.The police are not leaving any stones unturned, they are working out a game plan to catch the mastermind.
9. People around the world must have an attitude of give and take in order to enjoy continuous peace.Insensitive words or religious undertones will only create ripples which can turn into a vicious cycle of unnecessary violence.
10. The two opposing political parties are hoping for a landslide victory this coming election. Working committes from both parties have rolled up their sleeves for some serious campaining.