SPM English Paper 1 Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Section A: Directed Writing [ 35 marks] You are advised to spend about 45 minutes on this section.

Question 1 You find that the generation gap between teenagers and their parents is widening. You are very concerned and write a letter to the editor of a local newspaper giving your suggestions about how the problem can be reduced. Below are the suggested ideas that you would include in your letter. Some of my suggestions * parents talk to teenagers * parents listen to teenagers * parents monitor teenagers activities * parents lay down house rules * parents are flexible * parents know friends parents * family outings * eating together * celebrate teenagers achievements * parents tell teenagers they love them You should use all the points given above. When writing the letter, you should remember to: * use the correct format for an informal letter * elaborate on the points * start and end your letter correctly.

(35 marks)

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Section B: Continuous Writing [ 50 marks] You are advised to spend about one hour on this section.

Question 2 Write a composition of about 350 words on one of the following topics: (a) Write an essay on the topic, ``An unexpected turn of events.

(b) Describe someone whom you look upon as a role model.

(c) Health is better than wealth. What is your opinion? (d) A person who scores straight As is a very intelligent person. What do you think? (e) Write a story that begins with, ``I turned over the question paper..

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Answer Question 1 Janet Rozario 75, Jalan Young, Taman Jaya 55200 Kuala Lumpur Selangor. 20th April 1006 Dear Editor, I am one of the parents who is very concerned about the widening gap between parents and their children. My children are young adults now but I did go through the same problem and would like to share some of my ideas with other parents. First of all I would like to say that parents must talk to their children. They must talk about school, co-curriculum as well as about their friends and social activities. When I say talk, I mean that parents should let their children talk and they should listen without getting angry or upset. They should let their children know very clearly that they are `open minded parents and that they will always be supportive parents. In this way, children learn to trust their parents and will definitely tell their parents what is happening in their lives. Parents must take the time and trouble to know their childrens friends and also to monitor their activities. Parents should put down certain house rules. Some house rules cannot be compromised. This could be a age limit on having `dating. Parents can say that their children cannot go out on single dates but they can be flexible and allow their teenaged children to go out in groups and to places that they permit. Parents can help close the generation gap by getting to know the parents of their childrens friends. This is one way of getting quick information on where and with whom our children are. The teenagers also will be careful as they will know that their parents are in touch and are aware of their movements. Another great way to be closer to your teenagers would be to have family outings or family games. If your teenage son likes bowling, take the family bowling before having lunch together. You could have a competition where the girls take on the guys. Teenagers love it when they see their mother and father in action. It also gives a chance to parents to show off their skills. And, when the teenagers see that their parents can `bowl, `sprint, `throw the frisbee etc, they begin to respect their parents. Their parents will suddenly become `cool and everyone becomes closer as a family. Have a party or celebration when your teenager achieves something. Teenagers need assurance that they are `worthy and capable of doing difficult feats. When you publicly show that you are proud of your teenager, it becomes
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very difficult for that teenager to go out of the parameters that you have drawn up for him/her. Finally, dont just show your love and affection by giving him things. Tell your teenager how important he/she is to you and to the rest of the family, school, community etc. Take every opportunity to tell your teenagers that you love them. They will respond in a loving manner too. This may not give all the answers but I tried and it worked and I hope my little contribution will help some helpless parent out there. Thank you. Yours sincerely, Belinda Harring

Question 2 (a) It started off just like any other afternoon after school. I had my lunch and was watching TV before starting on my homework. I normally started on my homework at 3pm and took my tea break at 4.30 in the evening. That day, as I was watching TV, I heard the sound of breaking glass. It sounded as if it came from a neighbours house across the road. I listened attentively. Then, I heard the sound of utensils falling down. Then, my immediate neighbours dog started barking. I sensed that something was wrong. I opened the front door and looked out at Mr Wees house. I thought I saw a movement in the bedroom through the window. I knew that no one would be home and so I called out to the maid. ``kakak, kakak. But there was no sound. By then, the other two neighbours had joined me. When we heard the maid screaming, my neighbour, Siva jumped over the gate and banged on the front door. Before I knew it, two men with masks rushed out of the house with a bag and were trying to jump over the wall. I made a tackle and brought the man down. He dropped the bag on me and ran away. My head ached awfully and we opened the bag. Inside was a laptop and a digital camera. The maid phoned Mr Wee and he arrived shortly. I went with Siva and Mr Wee to the policestation to make a report. By the time the drama ended, it was already 6.30 and it was time for my Add Maths and Physics tuition till 9.30 pm. When I got back from tuition, I had to relate the whole drama to my brother and sister. It was only when I was getting ready for school the next day that I realised that I had not done my Maths homework. Puan Jessie was a real tyrant. When she walked into the class I dared not look at her. She stared at me and said, ``Muzafar, come here! Expecting the worst, I dragged my feet to the front of the class. Then she said, ``Listen, class. Muzafar here is a hero. He took the initiative to stop a thief from
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ransacking his neighbours house. The Residents Association is going to give him a certificate of bravery and neighbourliness. ``But Puan Jessie, how ``Muzafar, Mr Wee is my brother. He told me you had saved his laptop which contains a lot of confidential stuff. He said you were a very brave boy. Thank you. The whole class started clapping. I was a hero. That was an unexpected turn of events. Question 2 (b) I was at a Hi-tea that my parents had to attend. They didnt want to leave me home so I had to tag along. I hated every moment of it until, a young man not much older than me walked into the room. There was an aura of authority about him. Even the elderly VIPs stood up and waited to greet him. Young, handome, obviously rich and very friendly. Suddenly, the Hi-tea did not seem too bad. I was 15 and very interested in making money and becoming rich but I did not know how. I normally wait unitil my father introduces me to the guests but this time something about him beckoned me. I went up to him and introduced myself, ``Hi, Im Billy, ``Hello, he replied with a smile, ``Im Hisham. The name did not ring a bell and I think he knew I did not know who he was. ``Im Hisham, Hisham Santiago. I felt the blood go to my feet. This was the Santiago the young millionaire that my parents would often talk about. He was only 20 but was a self-made internet millionaire. ``Oh, my goodness! Im sorry. I did not recognise you. You look so terribly young. ``Im sorry to disappoint you, he replied and then we both burst out laughing. The funny thing is for some reason, he told his personal assistant to block off half an hour for me!! In that half an hour, from 3.30 to 4.00 pm, I became a changed person. Hisham didnt tell me the easy way to become a millionaire. He told me that I had to have passion in what I wanted to do. He told me that passion alone was not enough, he warned me that I had to be committed. He showed me that consistency and patience were two other important factors for success. He pointed out that I had no goals, no proper vision, no plan Hisham was the kind of person I wanted to become. And he is helping me. At the moment, he reminded me that my focus was getting through my exams with flying colours. With his help, I am learning to concentrate and do what I have to do and learning to like studying too!!! He insisted that I must get a good and strong foundation in my studies. He has been guiding me and counselling me. I know now that wealth is not everything but it is important. Hisham Santiago is someone I admire and respect. He is humble and not arrogant like other wealthy people. He is kind and always treats people with great
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respect. He shares his wealth with the unfortunate. He listens attentively to what his fans have to say. Someday, I hope I become a person with such admirable qualities. Perhaps, someday, someone will also write about me as his role model.

Question 2 (c) Sample Answer (This kind of question requires a personal response. But, for each point you make, you must back it up with reasonable explanations.) All the wealth in the world is useless if you dont have the health to enjoy it. To me health IS wealth. Its as simple as that. If one is in good health, he can find wealth but show me anyone who can buy good health. Good health is a gift money cannot buy not even with all out latest technology. I am one of those who believe in being happy. I know I will be happy just to be able to jump out of bed every day and go for a run in the park or even trek up the mountain path. I would be terribly unhappy if I had to have help even to get to the bathroom. So what if I have the latest motorised wheel chair to get me to the bathroom? Nothing can beat the joy of getting around on our own two feet! Isnt independence wealth? What price can you put on that? Another of my passions is food. I love to eat good food. I want to be able to eat what I want and when I want. I dont want to have to swallow pills before I can tuck into a plate of fried rice! I cannot explain the sheer satisfaction of a good meal. Of course, I need money to buy the food, so wealth is important but again, there is no use if you can afford to buy wine and caviar but can only stare at it longingly. A person with good health can earn enough to afford that kind of food and relish it as well! I like to do social service. I feel good when I can actually serve a physically disabled person to achieve a task. I have done it before and I know how happy they are when together we finish a project. If I have given them money, they would not know the satisfaction of knowing their own capabilities. If I had just bought them an album, it would have been easier but because I am healthy, I could run around, get the stuff needed, rush back and forth without being tired and being there for them until the job was done. These are just a few reasons why I would choose to be healthy rather than be wealthy. If I didnt have to make a choice, I will want both. Who doesnt want to be healthy and wealthy!

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Question 2 (d) I disagree wholeheartedly with the statement. I do not get straight As but I like to think of myself as a very intelligent person. I would also like to state that more than half my class will agree with me on this. Firstly, I think we should try to understand the meaning of the word `intelligent. According to the Cambridge dictionary, the meaning of the word `intelligent is the ability to understand and learn well, and to form judgments and opinions based on reason. How does scoring As reflect these outcomes? It does not in any way show anything that I feel is close to intelligence. We all know that there are many types of intelligence. According to psychologist Howard Gardner, there are nine types of intelligence. We all fall into different categories. I may have two types of intelligence or even more. Some may have only but but we are all intelligent in our our ways. Thats the point I am trying to make. Policy makers should take these intelligences into consideration before making it seem that only those who are academically smart are intelligent people. I am upset because I am a Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligent person. This is because I have the capacity to manipulate objects and use a variety of physical skills. This intelligence also involves a sense of timing and the perfection of skills through mindbody union. Athletes, dancers, surgeons, and craftspeople exhibit welldeveloped bodily kinesthetic intelligence. My question is this, ``Did the athlete, dancer or craftspeople get As in school? No! They were sidelined as `slow. Why was their intellgence ignored? How often have people who were fascinated with mazes or jigsaw puzzles, or spent their free time drawing or daydreaming been branded `stupid and `only clever to build castles in the air? Now, thanks to Howard Gardner, we know that these people are Spatial Intelligence (Picture Smart). They have the remarkable ability to think in three dimensions. Core capacities include mental imagery, spatial reasoning, image manipulation, graphic and artistic skills, and an active imagination. Sailors, pilots, sculptors, painters, and architects all exhibit spatial intelligence. I doubt these people scored As in school. There are seven other intelligences which I would like to talk about but these examples should be sufficient to strengthen my case that only a person who scores straight As is intelligent.
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Question 2 (e) I turned over the question paper and quickly through the titles. I almost fainted with fear. It just wasnt happening. All the titles seemed alien to me. My mind went totally blank. I had written so many essays when I was revising but now, I could not even start on any of the topics! Suddenly, I started shivering. I couldnt control myself. I put my head down on the desk and tried to control my breathing. I was going to cry. I had written two essays the night before. I had gone through all the questions that our teacher had given us. Why couldnt I remember anything? ``Are you all right? It was the invigilator. He was very concerned. ``Yes, yes. I am fine. The invigilator didnt seem convinced. He stood near my table. That made me even more nervous. I started shivering again. He stared at me as if I had done something wrong. I looked around me. Everyone had their heads down and were busily writing away. Suddenly, I felt a strange sense of calmness falling over me. I picked up my pen and started writing. What I wrote I dont know but I managed to fill two foolscap papers. I was numb with shock and fear. What was happening to me. Pretty soon, the bell rang and we passed up our papers. As soon as we got out of the examination hall, we began to discuss our answers. I shut myself off. What did it matter? I would fail anyway. It was over. When I returned home, my mother asked me how the paper was. ``Fine I mumbled and went to my room. There, on the table were the essays I had written. I had taken the trouble to find suitable vocabulary and thrown in suitable proverbs and famous quotations. I took another deep breath. Never mind. I could not turn the clock back. I told myself firmly not to worry. Whats done is done as the saying goes.

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