Directed Writing: Report - Test Yourself

Question 10

The Nature Club of your school is in charge of the 'School In A Garden' project. As the secretary, write a report to the principal on the activities carried out by your club throughout the year.

Include the following points :
Activities
- tree planting campaign
- trimming and shaping trees
- planting grass
- rock garden and waterfalls
- education trip
- herb garden
- painting murals
- labelling plants and trees
- hydroponic garden
- flower beds
- cleanliness campaign
- maintaning fish ponds
- talk
- 'Donate A Plant' campaign
You should use all the points given above. When writing the report, remember :
- To address it to the principal
- that this is a formal report and should be written as such
- to give it a suitable heading or title
- to include all the points given

Question 11

You are the President of the Environment Club for your school. Recently, your club had organized a programme called “Lets Recycle”. Write a report to your teacher advisor regarding the programme.

Include the following points:

·   Time and date of the programme

·   Purpose of the programme

·   Location of the programme

·   Number of students and teachers involved

·   Two preparations done by the committee members

·   Three types of activities

·   Three benefits of the programme

When writing your report, you should remember to:

·   use the correct format

·   include all the points given and elaborate on them

·   add elaborations and details of your own

Directed Writing: Test Yourself - Article

Question 8

Nowadays, parents do not spend enough time with their children. You want to make suggestions on how parents can spend quality time with their children. Write an article for a local newsletter and give your suggestions.

Include the following points:

Problems:

•   Parents are too busy working or making money

•   No time for children

•   Work long hours

•   Not enough communication

•   Too tired to interact with children

•   Children feel neglected

•   Lead to many social problems or delinquency

•  Children mix with bad company

Suggestions:

•   Parents should spend quality time with children

•   Show love, care and concern

•   Plan meaningful activities to do together

•   Give guidance, advice and religious teaching

•  Need to play, have fun, be happy travel and have meals together

Hope for:

•   Happier or more loving families

•   Better family relationships

•   Less social problems among children

•   More love and respect between parents and children

•  Advantages for everyone and country

You should use all the points given above.

When writing the article, you should remember to:

§ write a suitable title

§ include all the points given

§ write in the format of an article

§ write your name

Question 9

Many students feel that they have too many things to do in one day. Many of them really do not manage their time wisely and end up not completing their homework or school projects on time. You want to make a few suggestions on how they can manage their time in a better and more effective way.

Write an article for your school magazine and give your suggestions. Include the following points:

Problems:

•  Students too busy — school work, homework, projects, assignments and tuition classes

•  Not enough time to complete work on time

•  Too tired

•  Feel stressed, otten lead to frustration

•  Too much time playing computer games or loafing

•  Lag behind in their studies

Suggestions:

•  Pay attention in class

•  Try to complete as much homework as possible during school hours

•  Make a ‘To do’ list

•  Need to plan time or prepare a timetable for after-school activities such as completing homework, tuition classes, revising lessons, extra-curricular activities or spending time with friends

•  Make time for rest and relaxation

•  Join study groups

•  Seek help from parents, teachers or peers

•  Speak to a school counsellor or peer counsellor if necessary

Possible results:

•  Get work completed on time

•  Reduce stress and frustration

•  Promote positive attitude towards school life and social life

•  Time spent wisely

•  Feel happier and healthier — physically and mentally

You should use all the points given above.

When writing the article, you should remember to:

§ include the title

§ include all the points given

§ write in the format of an article

§ write your name

Directed Writing: Test Yourself - Speech/Talk

Question 4

You are taking part in a public speaking contest. The topic of your speech is “Keeping the Environment Clean’. Write out your speech based on the notes below.

Include the following points:

·         do not litter ·         use rubbish bins that are provided ·         no open burning ·         use public transport ·         walk or cycle

·         reuse paper and plastic ·         keep rivers clean – no dumping ·         plant more trees ·         organize campaigns to raise awareness ·         be a good friend to the Earth

You should use all the points given above. When writing out the speech, you should remember to:

·         address your audience

·         include an appropriate introduction and conclusion

·         use an appropriate tone

·         thank the audience

Question 5

You are the President of the Counselling Club in your school. You attended a seminar on how to prepare for examinations. Your advisor has asked you to share the information. You have to give a talk during the next club meeting

Include the following points in your talk:

·         Do not play truant

·         Attend class regularly

·         Pay attention in class

·         Make your own notes

·         Prepare a study time-table

·         Group study is a good option

·         Have enough sleep before the examination

You should remember to:

·         give your talk  a title

·         use all the points

·         write in paragraphs

Question 7

You are the President of the Nature Club in your school. Your club has organized several activities in conjunction with World Environment Day. As the Club’s President, you have been asked to give a speech about air pollution and what students can do to help lower levels of pollution. You can use the tips given below to help you.

Cause of air pollution	Measures to reduce pollution
·      smog ·      exhaust fumes from vehicles ·      open burning ·      fossil fumes	·         car pooling ·         using public transportation ·         do not do open burning ·         recycle ·         do not use aerosol sprays

You should use all the points given above. When writing out the speech, you should remember to:

·         address your audience

·         include an appropriate introduction and conclusion

·         use an appropriate tone
thank the audience

Question 12

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

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

Directed Writing: Test yourself - Letter

Question 1

You are the Secretary of the Cleanliness Club in your school. The Club had a meeting and members have decided to write a report for the principal regarding the cleanliness of the school canteen. As the Secretary to the club, you have been asked to write the report.

Include the following points in your report:

·         Dirty plates and plastic glasses used

·         In sufficient number of rubbish bins around the canteen area

·         Not enough benches and chairs for the students to sit on

·         Not enough food to cater for the students during recess

·         Dirty kitchen area

·         Clogged drains surrounding the canteen

Remember to:

·         Give your report a title

·         Use all the points given

·         Write in paragraphs

Question 2

You are the President of the Taman Megah Residents Associaton. Your current concern is the increase in dengue cases among the residents in your area. Write a letter of complaint to the President of the Town Council

Include the following points in your letter:

·         Clogged drains surrounding your area

·         Irregular rubbish collection-empty cans scattered or exposed, collect water-breeding ground for Aedes

·         No house visits by Health Enforcement Officers to check residents’ homes

·         No fogging activity conducted by health inspectors

·         Grass uncut in the field

·         Vacant land next to the area has become dumping ground filled with old tyres

Remember to:

·         Use the correct format to write the letter

·         Use all the points given

Question 3

You read a letter to the editor in a local newspaper where the writer is against studying for STPM and finds it a waste of time. You disagree with the writer. Write a letter to the editor to state your views.

Include the following notes:

·         opportunity to apply to local public universities

·         local private colleges and universities

·         degree programmes

·         professional courses

·         study abroad

·         an academic qualification that prepares one to pursue tertiary education

·         do not have to take foundation courses

You should use all the points given below. When writing a letter you should remember:

·         to give a suitable title

·         that your reader are mainly students

·         to include all the points given

·         to write in paragraphs

Question 6

You are concerned about the increasing rate of accidents in Malaysia. Write a letter to the editor of a newspaper to suggest ways to reduce the number of accidents.

In your letter, include the following:

·         motorcyclists must wear helmets

·         the strap of the helmets must be fastened properly

·         check if all lights are functioning

·         motorists must service their vehicles

·         make sure vehicle tyres are road worthy

·         do not speed

·         use the pedestrian crossing

·         use the overhead bridge

You should remember to:

·         write in the correct format

·         write in paragraphs

·         add your own details to make your letter interesting

Test Yourself: Directed Writing - Speech

The health club of your school is organizing a fund-raising campaign to help a pupil who needs a kidney operation. Being the organizing chairperson, you are asked to give a speech to appeal form donations from teachers and pupils of the school. Based on the notes below, write out your speech. 

• Pupil with severe kidney problem
• Bright pupil, school life disrupted
• Condition deteriorating
• Need urgent operation in USA
• Parents cannot afford
• Appeal for donation

Write a speech to appeal for donation. You should use all the notes given above and elaborate on each of the points given.

 
When writing the speech you should remember to:

•  Address the audience appropriately
•  Have an appropriate opening and closing remarks.

Test yourself: Continuous Writing - Trial Mara 2010

Section B : Continuous Writing
[50 marks]

Write a composition of about 350 words on one of the following topics.

1. Describe an event that has changed your life.

2. Success comes only with hard work. Discuss.

3. A gift for my teacher.

4. Write a story beginning with:
            “My mind went blank. The only thing I could remember...”

5. Rain

Test Yourself: Directed Writing - Trial Mara 2010

Section A : Directed Writing
[35 marks]

There was an earthquake in Indonesia recently. As the President of the Charity Club, you are going to organise a fund raising campaign for the victims. Write a letter to your cousin about the campaign.

Use the following notes to write your letter.

FUND RAISING CAMPAIGN FOR EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS IN INDONESIA
10th November – 25th November 2010

OBJECTIVES

• Help victims
• Show concern
• Create awareness

WAYS TO HELP

• Donate money
• Donate clothes
• Donate other necessities
• Become volunteers
• Collect funds

 SEND CONTRIBUTIONS TO

• Charity Club room - school library - 9 a.m. till 4.30 p.m.
• Collection boxes - nearby shops - shopping centres.

 When writing your letter, you must:

• write your address and date
• write the salutation/greeting
• address your letter to a cousin
• end your letter appropriately
• use all the notes given

Test yourself: Sonnet 18 - Trial Mara 2010

Read the poem ‘Sonnet 18’ and answer the questions that follow.

                                            Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?
                                            Thou art more lovely and more temperate.
                                            Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
                                            And summer’s lease hath all too short a date:
                                            Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,
                                            And often is his gold complexion dimm’d;
                                            And every fair from fair sometimes declines,
                                            By chance, or nature’s changing course, untrimm’d;
                                            But thy eternal summer shall not fade
                                            Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow’st;
                                            Nor shall Death brag thou wand’rest in his shade,
                                            When in eternal lines to time thou grow’st.
                                                        So long as men can breathe, or eyes can see,
                                                        So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.
                                                                                                                                    William Shakespeare

(a) Give a characteristic of the beloved as mentioned by the poet.

…………………...………………………………………………….……..[1 mark]

(b) The word lease in line 4 refers to

…………...…………………………………………...……………….….. [1 mark]

(c) Which line shows a person’s beauty can be lost in many ways?

…………...……………………………………………………………….. [1 mark]

(d) If you were the beloved, what would you wish yourself to be compared to? Why?

………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………[2 marks]

Test Yourself: Directed Writing - Speech

Section A : Directed Writing

You are the president of the Road Safety Club in your school. You have to give a speech to the members of your club. You have obtained the following information about accidents involving motorcyclists.

Causes

• reckless motorcyclists
• speeding
• weaving in and out of traffic
• do not follow traffic rules

How To Prevent

• ride carefully
• follow speed limits
• avoid racing on the road
• follow traffic rules and regulations

Using the notes above, write out your speech.
 
You must include the following information

• purpose of your speech
• causes of these accidents
• ways to prevent these accidents
• add relevant information of your own to make the speech more interesting.

Test Yourself: Directed Writing - Letter

Section A: Directed Writing

(35 marks)

You are advised to spend 45 minutes on this section.

Question 1

Increasing fatal bully cases in the city have alarmed your friend.  He is worried about being bullied.  Write a letter to him stating some possible measures that he can take to avoid such an incident.

In your letter, include the following:

• not to panic
• inform someone you trust
• when confronted - be nice to bullies
• take up martial arts classes
• avoid potential bullies
• keep police telephone number handy

Do remember to :

  

• write the letter using the correct format
• include all the notes given
• provide relevant details / examples for each of the points given
• use the appropriate tone

Test Yourself: Directed Writing - Speech

You are the president of the English Language Society in your school. You noticed that most of your friends are stressed about the SPM examinations. Write a speech on how to cope with the problem to be delivered during an assembly.

WAYS TO DEAL WITH EXAM STRESS

Early preparations

• Eat nutritious food
• Do regular physical activities
• Attend motivational talks or seminars

Last minute preparations

• Think positive
• Take a short break
• Have an early night

When writing your speech you should remember to:

• address the audience
• use all the content points given
• give examples / further details for each content point
• add any relevant information of your own
• write in paragraphs
• end the speech appropriately

Suggestion: IMPORTANT

Before you write, 

1. read the question carefully first.
2. understand the RUBRIC.
3. highlight the important information.

You are the president of the English Language Society in your school. You noticed that most of your friends are stressed about the SPM examinations. Write a speech on how to cope with the problem to be delivered during an assembly. 

1. The role: President of the English Language Society.

2. The situation: most friends are stressed about the SPM examinations.

3. Task: Write a Speech on how to cope with the problem

4. Stimulus: Notes

5. Tenses/time: Present tense + future time + modals.
6. To gain more marks in language or be in the upper/higher band... use lots of phrasal verbs   and idioms if possible..

MARK SCHEME    -  CONTENT ( 15 MARKS)

   Format  =   3 Marks

   a.    F1   -   Salutation

   b.    F2   -   Introduce topic

   c.     F3   -  Closure

   Content  =  12 Marks

   Early preparations

   C 1 - Eat nutritious food

   C 2 - Examples/ details on C1 

   C 3 - Do regular physical activities

   C 4 - Examples/ details on C3 

   C 5 - Attend motivational talks or seminars

   C 6 - Examples/ details on C5

   Last minute preparations 

   C 7 - Think positive

   C 8 - Examples/ details on C7

   C 9 - Take a short break

   C10 - Examples/ details on  C9

   C 11 - Have an early night

   C 12 - Examples/ details on C11

LANGUAGE = 20 MARKS