The Day When Everything Went Wrong

I had just started working as a despatch boy at an international company in Kuala

Lumpur. The job was not great but I accepted it after failing to get a job in my hometown,
Kuala Nerang. Actually, my neighbours son who was staying in Kuala Lumpur
recommended me for the job. Living in a big city was totally different from living in Kuala
Nerang. But, whatever it was, Kuala Nerang was still in my heart.
After six months working, I began to fall in love with Lisa, a clerk at a primary
school. One day, I approached her at a coffee shop. She was having lunch alone. I joined
her. She was very happy and really welcomed me to accompany her. Nothing much
happened on that day but we just talked. We got to know each other better. After lunch, I
asked her if she would be interested to watch a movie with me on the coming weekend. I
was surprised when she gave me a definte Yes!. From that day, we became closer and
love bagan to bloom between us.
Lisa confessed to me that she was worried about what some other people might
say to me because she was ten years older than me. But I convinced her that age was not
important to me. What was more important was her sincerity and happy-going attitude.
Lisa believed in me. She knew I truly loved her. So, one day she asked me to meet her
parents.
On one Sunday, I went to Lisas house. I was supposed to be there at 9.00 am.
However, I only reached her house at 11.00 am. My motorcycle broke down once I left my
house. I did not know why I was so stupid not to take a taxi but waited for two hours to get
my motorcycle repaired. It was supposed to be an important day in my life but everything
went wrong. I also left my mobile phone at home. I borrowed the mechanics mobile phone
to inform Lisa about what happened to me but I just could not recall her contact number.
My mind went blank.
When I reached her house at 11.00 am, I could see her parents unhappy faces.
Their conversation with me was very limited. I was confident they were not listening to me
when I was explaining about what happened to me. To make it worse, I left a box of
chocolate, which I promised to give to Lisas mother, at the workshop.
I knew Lisa was frustrated with me but she still treated me well. Lisa served tea and
some curry puffs. I was very hungry as I missed my breakfast so I kept eating them one
after another. Lisas parents were speechless to see my act. When I saw their shocking
faces, only then I slowly put back the curry puff in my hand into the plate. It was the last
piece.
After that, I asked for permission to go to the washroom as I really had to answer
natures call. I was too clumsy. I fell in the washroom as the floor was slippery. My pants
were soaking wet. I did not know what to do so I stayed in the washroom for about fifteen
minutes. Finally, I came out with my wet pants. I quickly said goodbye to Lisa and her
parents and left the house. It was truly a day when everything went wrong.
[573 words]

Examination
This morning I sent my son to school. It was the first day of his SPM examination.
My son, Dean, was a diligent boy. Unlike me when I was his age, he did not need any
motivation to study for examination. He was able to manage his own time very well. He
made his own timetable. Dean knew when to study, play, watch television and go out to
have fun with his friends.
I really saluted him for his independence and maturity. I respected him because I
was very much different from him when I was 17 years old. When I was in Form 5, I was a
lazy student. Perhaps, the laziest in my family and in class. My parents especially my
mother was always angry with me when she came back from work and saw me sleeping in
my room.
Even my teachers in school did not know what to say to advise me to study for my
SPM examination. Mr. Nick, my History teacher, always punished me for my laziness. I
had never completed his History notes and exercises. My Chemistry teacher, Madam Beh,
could not even look at my face. She gave up on me.
I really did not have any idea how could I prepare for my examination. I realised I
could not blame anybody but myself. I was the one who refused to listen to all the advice
given by my parents, teachers as well as friends. Even when the school organised
motivational talks and study skills seminar, I would find ways and create excuses not to
attend the programme.
I only picked up my revision books and began to study two months before the
examination. My mother was surprised to see me with SPM books around me. She just
could not believe her eyes. She did not say a word but gave me a hug while shedding
tears. I promised her that though it could be too late for me to prepare for my SPM, I
promised my mother that I would still try my best. For two months, I did all I could for my
SPM examination.
The result was announced several months later. Of course, I did not get straight As
but I did not fail in any subject. My parents were not happy with my result. Me too. I learnt
my lesson well.
[393 words]

SECTION B: CONTINUOUS WRITING: 50 MARKS

CONTINOUS: ARTICLE: Description on a Person
A Prominent Malaysian Leader
As the fourth and most dynamic Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tun Dr. Mahathir bin
Mohamad will indelible impression on the sands of Malaysia for many years to come. He
held the post for 22 years from 1981 to 2003, making him Malaysia's longest-serving
Prime Minister, and one of the longest-serving leaders in Asia.
Born on 20th December, 1925 in Alor Setar, Dr. Mahathir is the son of a teacher. He
is the youngest of nine children of a school teacher and a housewife. His father, Mohamad
Iskandar, was of Indian descent, being the son of a Muslim and a Malay mother, while
Mahathir's own mother, Datin Wan Tempawan Wan Hanafi, was Malay . He is married to
Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah binti Haji Mohamad Ali, they have seven children, four sons and three
daughters. From an early age, Tun Mahathir had the importance of education drummed
into him by his father, who was also a strict disciplinarian.
After his early education at the Maktab Sultan Abdul Hamid in Alor Setar, he
enrolled at the King Edward VII College of Medicine in the University of Singapore. Armed
with a MBBS degree in medicine, he set up his own clinic, the Maha Clinic in Alor Setar. As
a doctor, Tun Mahathir came into close contact with people from variety of social strata
and enjoyed a close rapport with them. He understood their problems. Thus, when he was
thrust into the politic limelight, he strove to fulfil the needs of the people.
He was first catapulted into the world of politics when he became the Member of
Parliement for Alor Setar in 1964. After holding a number of portfolios, including Minister of
Education, Minister of Trade and Industry and Deputy Prime Minister, he finally became
the Prime Minister on 16th July, 1981. The country flourished with Dr. Mahathir at the
helm of the government. His contributions to the nation are so immense and par
excellence. He has left his mark in every aspect in politics, economy or education.
Realizing that government-owned enterprises are neither efficient nor profitable, he
initiated the privation policy in 1983. This had immediate effect of cutting down
bureaucratic ineptitude and operational cost while at the same time generating more
revenue.
With collapse of the prices of agricultural commodities in the eighties, Tun Mahathir
decided that it was time to shift the nations focus to more profitable areas. Thus, he
started the industrialization programme. Reputed as the countrys top salesman, he
showcased Malaysia to investors abroad in a bid to woo them. As a result of the heavy
industrialization drive, major projects like national car project or PROTON and the steel
company, PERWAJA, together with other mega project were launched one after another.
Next, realizing that industrialization would require a good infrastructure, he set about
improving it. The Mahathir era saw a successful completion of the North-South Highway,
the East-West Highway, the Multimedia Super Corridor, the Kuala Lumpur International
Airport in Sepang and many more.

An astute politician, he charted the growth of the countrys progress from the day he
took office. He envisages that Malaysia can only attain the status of a fully developed
country if it becomes an industrialization one and this ambition has been his main agenda
during his tenure. With this in mind, he announced Vision 2020, his most ambitious vision.
Frank and outspoken by nature, Tun Mahathir speak without fear nor favour. This
has been the hallmark of thus much respected statesman. The inefficiency of local and
international organizations has always come under his scrutiny and critism.
It has been almost two decades since Tun Mahathir took over reins of the
government. It has undoubtedly been the golden era for Malaysia with many notable
achievements.
630 words
CONTINUOUS: NARRATIVE WRITING With a starting phrase
Write a story starting with: The widow had to work hard to bring up her little son alone...
The widow had to work hard to bring up her little son alone. This was after her
husbands early death. She and her son lived in a wooden house. It was a small house
with only one bedroom and a kitchen.
Mariam wanted Sam to study hard to get good result. So she would not let Sam
help her do any household chores or wash his own clothes. The years flew by. Sam sat for
his SPM examination and pass with flying colours.
His mother was very happy. She went round telling her friends, My Sam will be
leaving for the city to study in a college. He will become a Manager one day. Ill move to
live with him in the city. Then, my struggle is worth it.
So Mariam continued to work hard to send money to Sam who was studying a
business degree. For Mariam, it was a tough life. Meanwhile, Sam kept on phoning home
to ask for more money. Mariam even had to borrow from her neighbours and friends to
send her son the money.
Three years Sam stopped calling home. He did not even let his mother where he
was. When she phoned the faculty, they told her that he had graduated and left for job.
However, they could not her more. Mariam was baffled. Where was Sam? She was so
sure he would come back and fetch her for city. So, she started to pack some of her bags
and boxes.
Three months later, there was still no news or call from Sam. One day, Mariams
niece, Kate, came to talk to her about Sam. She told her aunt, Auntie, a friend of mine
met Sam in a bank. Hes the branch manager. This is his address.
Early in the morning, Mariam took the first bus to the city. At the bus station, she
took a taxi and showed the taxi driver the bank address. On the way there, she told the
driver about Sam and what a filial son he was.
The driver stopped his taxi in front of a tall building. She got out of the taxi and

smiled at him happily. This was the moment she was going to meet Sam. She imagined
him showing surprise and delight at meeting his mother. Inside the building, a security
guard asked her who she was looking for. She told the guard Sams name.
The bank staff saw an old lady holding a worn-out handbag. They were wondering,
Who is this woman? Why is she asking for our manager?
Meanwhile, Sam pretended he did not know his mother. Feeling disgusted and
ashamed, he asked the security guard to ask her to leave. Mariam was shocked to hear
that! She looked Sam in a disappointed feeling ever, and ran out of the bank.
Back in her house, Mariam cried the whole night. She cried and cried till she had no
more tears. The next morning, she was sitting by the window with Sams photo on her lap.
She saw him walking towards their house. Soon she was shouting and crying, My Sam is
back! My Sam is back!
Sam ran towards her and hugged Mariam as he never let go. He was so sorry and
regretted the way he behaved. His colleagues were the ones who made him realized his
big mistakes neglected his mother.
The neighbours heard her. They too shouted and cheered, feeling happy for her.
574 words.