METODOLOGÍA Y BASE DE DATOS

Sample Essay 1

Write a story beginning with, “I was happy to be in Group 10...”.

I was happy to be in Group 10. There were six members in my group. There were three other boys and six girls. All of them, just like me, were happy to take part in the district level language camp. The camp was held at a two-star hotel in Ipoh. We did not have to pay anything. Everything was sponsored.

The members in my group came from different secondary schools in the district. But all of us were form 5 students. We were chosen to join the language camp because we had the potential to score an A in the SPM 1119 examination.

Seri, from SMK Seri Permai, was our group leader. Seri was a very pretty girl. I had a crush on her. I knew the other boys also admired Seri. We named our group Seri Bombastic. In the first activity, we created our group’s logo, motto and song. When we presented our song, everybody liked it. Then, there was a talk on how to answer examination questions.

On the second day, we had several language games. We had spelling competition, vocabulary game, sketch and many others. Our group won the sketch competition. We presented a very good performance. We presented a story about a princess who fell in love with a fisherman. Seri played the role of a princess and of course I was the poor but handsome fisherman. The activities went on until 10.00 p.m. We were very tired but enjoyed ourselves a lot.

On the third day we had a jungle trekking in a forest nearby the hotel. All instructions were given in English. We also had to solve some problems and answer tricky questions throughout the trekking activity. It was very challenging.

The camp ended with a simple closing ceremony. Each participant was given a certificate. After going through all the activities I felt more confident that I would be able to get an ‘A’ for English in my SPM. I would also miss my group members, especially Seri. I would never forget them. We promised that we would continue to contact each other. Seri also promised to help me improve my English.

Sample 2

A Visit To A Hospital

Yesterday, I followed my father to visit my uncle who was hospitalised at a private hospital. We left home at about 5.00 p.m. and reached the hospital at 6.15 p.m. The private hospital was a new hospital. It was opened two months ago.

My uncle suffered from chronic diabetes. Two days ago he came to the hospital for his regular check-up but the doctor had to admit him because his sugar level was very high. The doctor had to monitor him all the time. He would be allowed to go home once his sugar level stabilised.

My uncle’s ward was at the fifth floor. The lift was very spacious and fast. A nurse, who was my mother’s old friend, greeted my father. She told us that my uncle was doing fine. After talking to the nurse for a while we went to Room 515. My uncle was very happy to see my father and me. A young Egyptian doctor was examining my uncle at that time. The doctor said that my uncle was getting better and he would be discharged soon.

My father chitchatted with my uncle for almost one hour. I felt bored so I went out of the room to explore the new hospital. I went to the hospital lobby. It was like a hotel lobby. There was a long list of specialists and their academic qualifications on the wall. Altogether, the hospital had 35 specialists and some of them were foreigners.

Then, I went to the cafe. I was surprised as the cafe was like a five-star restaurant. They served a variety of healthy dishes. But I would not eat there on my own as a plate of fried rice alone was RM7.50! Even a glass of plain water cost RM1.00! Initially, I planned to have something there but I just walked out as I only had RM2.15 in my pocket.

When I was waiting for the lift to go back to the fifth floor, a woman cried hysterically with her daughter. From her words, I understood that she had just lost her husband. I did not say a word but I sympathised them, especially her cute and charming daughter. I wish I could console her daughter. But before I could offer some help, the door of the lift opened and my father appeared. He indicated it was time to go home so I just followed him. I walked to the main entrance while my eyes still looking at the girl.

Sample 3

My Favourite Restaurant

Last week, the SPM result was announced. The night before, I could not sleep. I was very nervous. I was scared I did not get a good result because my parents were really hoping that I could go to university. I went to school to collect my result with my parents. My hands were shaking when I held the result slip. My class teacher congratulated me. I looked at my result and hugged my father and mother. I got 5A+, 1A and 4A-. Even though I was not the best student in my school, I was very happy with my result. My parents were very proud of me.

That night, my father took me and the rest of the family members to my favourite restaurant, Bamboo Restaurant. It was only five kilometres from my house. The restaurant was opened three years ago. I liked the restaurant very much because it offered a wide range of local, Thai and western foods. I would always try different dishes each time I went there. All

the customers said the restaurant was very spacious. Some said Bamboo Restaurant was the biggest restaurant in town.

When we arrived at the restaurant, I saw a big crowd. My father took some time to park his car. My mother said, “We have a surprise for you!” I insisted my mother to tell me about the surprise but she just asked me to be patient. My family and I walked to a room which my father booked for us. The room was quite big and it could accommodate more than 50 people. When I opened the door, I saw many people standing while clapping their hands happily. They were my grandparents, uncles, aunties, cousins and immediate neighbours. I was really surprised to see my girlfriend with her parents too! Everybody congratulated me for my SPM result.

I was deeply touched. I hugged my parents for organising such a dinner to celebrate my success. I sat beside Mimi, my girlfriend. She gave a gift but I had to promise her to open it at home. My father ordered my most favourite dish for all of us – chicken chop with black pepper sauce. We also had garlic bread, salad and crab meat soup. I always told my friends to come to Bamboo Restaurant if they wanted to taste the best chicken chop in town.

It was a long night at my favourite restaurant. My cousins sang a Justin Bieber’s song for me. My grandparents sponsored prizes for lucky draw. In short, we had so much fun at the restaurant. It was really a memorable night.

Sample 4

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 neighbour’s 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 definite ‘Yes!’. From that day, we became closer and love began 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 Lisa’s 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 mechanic’s 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 Lisa’s 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. Lisa’s 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 nature’s 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.

Sample 5

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.

The day that I will never forget

One evening when the sun was about to set, my mother asked me to buy some onions and salt from a nearby sundry shop. The shop is run by Ah Kow, a jovial middle-age Chinese man with a huge pot-belly. His wife and three young children, two boys and a girl help him everyday.

It was almost completely dark when I reached the shop. Ah Kow had switched on the lights in his small but adequately stocked shop. He was alone at that time and I was the only customer. Ah Kow greeted me with a warm smile. I always want to ask him how he kept his teeth so sparkling white but I was afraid to ask. I told him what I wanted and he went to get the things.

Next door to Ah Kow is a coffee shop, owns by an Indian man. It was still open at that time. From the coffee shop came two men. They came into Ah Kow’s shop. I could smell bad breathe from these two men and I knew they both drunk. Both of them were young but from the way they half-walked half-staggered into the shop, it was obvious they had too much drink. I kept a safe distance from these men. It is never a good idea to be near drunks. One never knows what they will do next.

True enough, my caution was justified. For the next moment, without any warning, one of the men swept a pile of tinned goods from a table onto the floor. In a second the neat rows were reduced to utter chaos. The man who did it roared but in laughter. I could see Ah Kow’s anger rising. He raised his voice. As if in reply to his retort, the two men started shouting at him. Then, suddenly a knife appeared in one of the men’s hand. The man that held the knife was small and wiry, judging from the muscles in his hand and I had no doubt he was very strong

The knife-man lunged and in a flash he had the point of his knife at Ah Kow’s throat. Ah Kow froze and his face paled. I was overwhelmed by the suddenness of events that the next thing I knew I could not move my hands, nor the other parts of my body. I was held in a vice-like grip by the other man. I did not even see him coming. I struggled but all I could do was to make the grip tighten more. It got difficult to breathe.

I hears a lot of shouting and I could see the knife=men slapping Ah Kow. Reluctantly, Ah Kow opened the drawer where he kept his cash and the knife-man leaned over and made a grab of cash. That was a big mistake he made. For a fleeting moment, his knife was forgotten and in that short time Ah Kow seized his chance. Ah Kow’s huge right hand came down hard over the back of the leaning man’s head right down hard on the table. There was a sickening thud when face met table. The knife-man’s head rebounded like a rubber ball from the table and I could see blood all over his face. He was badly hurt. The knife dropped from lifeless hands on the floor.

Moving with surprising speed, Ah Kow grabbed a bottle of tomato ketchup from a shelf and knocked the man’s head. The red tomato ketchup splattered all over the place. I could not distinguish how much of the red stuff on the man’s face was his own blood, or tomato ketchup. Slowly he sank to the floor and lay still.

I struggled to get loose. It felt so easy. Then I realized that hands no longer held me. I turned around and saw the dark figure of a man running out of the shop and disappearing to the semi-darkness. I was about to go in pursuit but

Ah Kow stopped me. He said it was useless pursuing somebody in the dark. Moreover the man could be armed and that would be dangerous.

Ten minutes later, the shop was filled with curious people wanting to know what had happened. The knife-man was herded in the police car. Ah Kow and I had to give our statements to the police.

When I arrived home half an hour later, my mother was waiting impatiently for me. I told her everything and she smiled. She said she was glad I was not injured. I will never forget for the rest of my life.

Sample Essay 7

My Favourite Holiday Destination

My favourite holiday destination is Langkawi, which is made up of 99 islands on Malaysia’s west coast. It is the country’s best-known holiday destination. Surrounded by stunning turquoise sea, it is the most popular and is frequented by both local and foreign tourists.

The sightseeing attractions in Langkawi certainly will not disappoint visitors. One of the interesting places I love to go is the Underwater World – Malaysia’s largest aquarium – which features 200 different species of marine and freshwater creatures. It is located at Langkawi’s most popular beach, Pantai Cenang, where visitors can enjoy the varieties of water sports or simply strolling along the white sandy beach.

Mahsuri’s Tomb is another tourist attraction which preserves the historical past of Langkawi. This memorial is built in honour of Mahsuri, a fair maiden who was accused of adultery and unjustly put to death. According to legend, she bled white blood as a sign of her innocence and she cursed Langkawi for seven generations. Besides, you can visit the Gamat Factory nearby where you can purchase a wide variety of this traditional Malay medicine. Just 5 kilometers away from Mahsuri’s Tomb, the Field of Burnt Rice is another must-visit place. It is believed that when the Siamese army invaded Langkawi, the local chief ordered that all the rice in the land be cut and burnt to prevent it from falling into enemy hands. To this day you can purportedly still see the burnt rice on the ground during heavy rain-fall.

Your visit to Langkawi is not complete without experiencing the gondola ride at Oriental