CONTINUOUS WRITING

CONTINUOUS WRITING
1 HOUR 50 MARKS
YEAR

DESCRIPTIVE

2011

2010

2009

2008

Describe the most

popular student in your
school
Describe an
unforgettable incident
that you saw on your
way home from school
Write about a person
who has worked hard to
succeed in life

NARRATIVE
Write a story ending with
They looked at each
other and smiled
meaningfully.
Write a story beginning
with:
It had been raining all
day.
Write a story ending with:

We said our
goodbyes and went our
separate ways.
Write a story ending with
Now I realize the
value of a true friend.

ARGUMENTATIVE

REFLECTIVE

Should school students

have part time jobs?
Discuss.

ONE
WORD
Peace

The internet is mostly a

good thing. Do you
agree? Support your
opinion.

What can we do support

the environment?

Home

School children should

not have long holidays.
Do you agree?

My favourite day of the

week

Beauty

Examinations good or
bad?

My perfect future
husband or wife

Stars

2007

Describe an
embarrassing experience
in your life

Write a story beginning

with Kim was nervous
when the door
opened

Teenagers today are

only interested in
entertainment. Do you
agree? Support your
opinion

My early years

2006

Describe an enjoyable
weekend you have
experienced

Write a story ending

with: If only I had been
more careful, that
wouldnt have happened

How can television help

students in their studies

What changes would you

like to see in your life in
the next ten years?

Food

2005

Describe the biggest

challenge in your life

Write a story with the

title: An unexpected
visitor

How to keep oneself

healthy

If you were given a

chance to be anybody,
who would you want to
be and why?

Music

2004

Describe a festival
celebrated in your area

Write a story ending

with: We had never
laughed so much in our
lives

How can we promote

tourism in Malaysia

My ideal school

Clothes

2003

A day you wished had

never happened

Write a story that ends

with: If only I had
listened to his/her
advice

An invention that you

cannot live without

Friends

2002

Describe a favourite
teacher who had a great
influence on you

Write a story beginning

with: Is it really you?
Where have you been all
these years?

How I can help to make

the world a better place
to live in

Colours

Describe how you spent

a free day when the
weather was very bad

Write a story of an old

man returning to the
home he left many years
ago

2001

* My Hero
2000

*If you were able to

choose a time in history
that you can visit, which
time would it be and
why?

You have been given a

chance to visit a country
of your choice. Which
country would you
choose and why?
Good results in school do
not guarantee success in
the future. What is your
opinion?
Some people think that
the legal age for driving
should be increased from
17 ot 19. What is your
opinion?

*How do you think the

media has influenced
you and your family?

More land should be

used for agriculture than
for industry.Do you
agree or disagree? Give
reasons to support your
opinion.

*Life in
Malaysia in the
new millennium

*Large families make

happy families

*Things that I
like about my life

Tomorrow

CONTINUOUS WRITING

CONTINUOUS WRITING
1 HOUR 50 MARKS

Write as many words as you can

POSITIVE WORDS

NEGATIVE WORDS

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CONTINUOUS WRITING

MUSIC
I like music. Music makes me _______________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
In addition, sometimes I miss music. ________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
However, sometimes I do not trust music. ___________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Furthermore, sometimes I hate music. ______________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
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Apart from this, sometimes I dream of music. ________________________________________
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Nevertheless, I care about music. __________________________________________________
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Last but not least, music is everything to me. _______________________________________
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CONTINUOUS WRITING

_____________________
I like ____________ . ____________ makes me ________________________________________
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In addition, sometimes I miss ____________ . ________________________________________
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However, sometimes I do not trust ____________ . ____________________________________
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Furthermore, sometimes I hate ____________. _______________________________________
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Apart from this, sometimes I dream of ____________ . ________________________________
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Nevertheless, I care about ____________ . ___________________________________________
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Last but not least, ____________ is everything to me. _________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
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CONTINUOUS WRITING

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
(for A scorer)
TASK
LANGUAGE

SENTENCE
STRUCTURE

VOCABULARY
PUNCTUATION
SPELLING
PARAGRAPH

INTEREST

Format of essay correct

Topic addressed
Merit ticks

Accurate all grammar items

tenses
- Word choice
Varied and effective simple sentence
- compound sentence
- complex sentence
- direct speech
- short sentence
- long sentence
Wide, varied and precise to convey intended shades of meaning
Accurate and helpful to the reader
Accurate
Well planned, shows unity
Appropriate use of linkers connectors sequence connectors
- logical connectors
Interest is aroused and sustained

CONTINUOUS WRITING

ARGUMENTATIVE WRITING
Sample Essay
Examinations good or bad? (SPM 2008)
The word examinations may frighten some of us, including me. It is a
mean to evaluate the performance and assess the academic achievement of
students. They aim at testing the students grasp and understanding of the
subjects taught to them. However, one needs a lot of revision and
preparation in order to face examinations so as to obtain an excellent
result. So, is examination good? It is good as no doubt it has come to play
an important part in ones educational career.

}
}Introduction
}paragraph
}
}
Thesis statement of
agreement

Examinations give the opportunity for students to study as much as

they want. No examinations lead students to nowhere. Studies will no
more be an orchard of knowledge. It is a valuable quality if one is able to
pass an examination. It shows that the student is able to express his
thoughts and ideas in a manner others can understand. It also shows that
the student has acquired a certain amount of knowledge in some branches
of study. Besides, the mind of a student including a dull person, receives
good exercise when he prepares for an examination. A students success
in an examination helps the teacher to assess his mental or general ability.

Topic sentence 1
(Reason 1)
}
}Supporting ideas
}to support topic
}sentence 1
}
}
}

If there are no examinations, one will doubt about the existence of

educational institutional such as colleges. They will be closed and
knowledge will be of no value. Other things like college unions would be
much more important than the classes. Teachers and the administration of
the institutions will have to struggle to find ways and programmes which
would attract students to attend classes or even enroll in colleges. As
such, students will only go for selective studies done through selective
books, guides and notes. Not only that, the strenuous two months before
the examinations will be left for relaxation.

Topic sentence 2
(Reason 2)
}
}Supporting ideas
}to support topic
}sentence 2
}
}
}

Institutions of education will face difficulties in assessing students

competencies and capabilities without examinations. Selections of
candidates for careers will become a problem as paper qualifications play
a vital role to determine the career of an individual. Examinations help to
distinguish the quality of a student besides helping to decide qualification
for certain scholarship. They enable students to gain entry into institutions
of higher learning too.

Topic sentence 3
(Reason 3)
}
}Supporting ideas
}to support topic
}sentence 3
}

Examinations pave the route to students to portray their excellence

in studies. Competitions are made available to prove each others mental
powers. Students will be able to boast their intelligence and reasoning
power especially if they are sitting for higher level of examinations. On
top of that, students can in indicate their grasp of the subjects taught in
their studies through their performance in the examinations.

Topic sentence 4
(Reason 4)
}
}Supporting ideas
}to support topic
}sentence 4

In short, the goal of examinations is to evaluate the quantum of }Conclusion :

knowledge acquired by students so as to produce a good quality of }Restatement of
students who can perform excellence in the fields that they venture. } opinion

CONTINUOUS WRITING

Therefore, examinations are good and important otherwise the world of }Summary of main
academicians will be filled with poor or unknown souls without }points
examinations.

A. Tips on the format in writing argumentative essay

1. Introduction
Look at issues or topic concern
Explain the issue or topic given
Express stand (if required) in the thesis statement
2. Body (1 4)
Arguments for
Give supporting statement
Justify with examples or explanation
Arguments against
Give evidence
Justify argument
3. Conclusion or recommendation
Restate your stand
Summarize main points
B. Some useful expressions in argumentative essay

I agree../I disagree../I strongly believe../I am definitely sure

There is no doubt. / It cannot be denied/ Certainly.
I am of the opinion that
It is truly clear that ..

CONTINUOUS WRITING

C. PAST YEAR QUESTIONS

To improve writing, attempt on the following past years questions
1.
2.
3.
4.

How can we help promote tourism in Malaysia? (2004)

How to keep oneself healthy? (2005)
How can television help students in their studies? (2006)
Teenagers today are only interested in entertainment. Do you agree? Support your
opinion. (2007)
5. School children should not have long holidays. Do you agree? (2009)
6. The Internet is mostly a good thing. Do you agree? Support your opinion.(2010)
7. Should school students have part time jobs? Discuss. (2011)
D. PRACTICES
More questions to attempt. Write your essay ensuring that the marking criteria for A
candidate is fulfilled.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Students should be given less homework. Do you agree?

Mobile phones are a nuisance. Do you agree?
Students should be independent learners. Do you agree? Support your opinion.
Group discussion helps to improve examination results. Do you agree?
Moderation is key to healthy living. Do you agree?
Teenagers are technology addicts. Do you agree?

CONTINUOUS WRITING

1.

Vocabulary Practice

Word association
Which of the words below do you associate with items a d?
a destruction b water c light d fire
1 trickle
2 drenched
3 Crumble
4 Shimmer
5 Drizzle
6 Smolder
7 Wrecked
8 soaked

9 ripple
10 glow
11 glisten
12 cascade
13 Splash
14 float
15 collapse

2. ERROR IDENTIFICATION
Read all the short paragraphs below. Find and correct the mistakes.
A
I am in Ms Clarkss physical education class since two months. I enjoy it a lot and
have only miss two classes since the beginning of the term. I especially like
tennis but since September we dont play because the weather have been too cold.
I also like volleyball and my team has win two matches since we have started to
compete with Lincoln school. Im looking forward to the next month.

B
Dear Hermis Im in a hurry. I havent went shopping already but Ill do it on the
way home. Rita have just had dinner and shes already had her bath. Have you
call Mr Jacob yet? Hes called already three times today. His daughter has had her
flu shot yet. Is it too late? See you later.

CONTINUOUS WRITING

C
Ive never laugh so much in my life! Did you see the blind date episode on
Family? Have you never seen anything so funny? I LOVE the show! Its the best
show I have ever saw in my life. I really enjoyed it lately. By the way, have you
notice that Gary and Alison are beginning to get on? I think Gary have started to
fancy her. Last night, Alison has moved next door to Gary but he doesnt know
yet! I cant wait to see what happens in the next episode. Does anyone know
when Garys book is coming out?

D
Its 8.00 pm. It was a hard week and its not over yet! I still have to finish that
report. Ive started it last Monday but so far Ive wrote only five pages. And its
due next week! Work was so difficult lately. Ive worked late every night this
week. I am tired and I havent got much sleep last night. I miss Joe. Ive seen him
last weekend but it seems like a long time ago.
3. Idiomatic Expressions
Read the following text and fill in the blanks with the correct idiomatic expressions.
We got the shock of our lives last Christmas. We were sitting round the fire, forcing third
helping of Christmas cakes into our mouths, when the doorbell rang. It made everybody jump.
Aunt Jane _______________________________________. I was pretty startled myself, I must
admit. Anyway, there at the door believe it or not was Uncle Marc, with an armful of
presents. (It was the first time in living memory that he had ever given anything to anybody.)
Everyone _________________________ when they saw him. No one could really
_______________________________________. Poor Aunt Flossie actually fainted, and Uncle
Bill kept blinking, as if ______________________________________. And Granny, who had
been talking non-stop since breakfast, was absolutely speechless. I thought her eyes
______________________________.
I
reckon
you
could
have
knocked
_____________________________________________.

CONTINUOUS WRITING
Answers
1. Vocabulary Practice
1. b
2.b
3. a
9. b
10. d 11. c

4. c
12. b

5. b
13. b

6. d
14. b

7. a
15. A

8. b

2. Error Identification

A
I have been in Ms Clarkss physical education class for two months. I enjoy it a
lot and have only missed two classes since the beginning of the term. I especially
like tennis but since September we havent played because the weather has been
too cold. I also like volleyball and my team has won two matches since we have
started to compete with Lincoln school. Im looking forward to the next month.

B
Dear Hermis Im in a hurry. I havent been shopping yet but Ill do it on the
way home. Rita has just had dinner and shes already had her bath. Have you
called Mr Jacob yet? Hes already called three times today. His daughter hasnt
had her flu shot yet. Is it too late? See you later.

C
Ive never laughed so much in my life! Did you see the blind date episode on
Family? Have you ever seen anything so funny? I LOVE the show! Its the best
show I have ever seen in my life. Ive really enjoyed it lately. By the way, have
you noticed that Gary and Alison are beginning to get on? I think Gary has
started to fancy her. Last night, Alison has moved next door to Gary but he
doesnt know yet! I cant wait to see what happens in the next episode. Does
anyone know when Garys book is coming out?

CONTINUOUS WRITING

D
Its 8.00 pm. Its been a hard week and its not over yet! I still have to finish that
report. I started it last Monday but so far Ive written only five pages. And its
due next week! Work has been so difficult lately. Ive worked late every night
this week. I am tired and I didnt get much sleep last night. I miss Joe. I saw him
last weekend but it seems like a long time ago.
3. Idiomatic Expression

We got the shock of our lives last Christmas. We were sitting round the fire, forcing third
helping of Christmas cakes into our mouths, when the doorbell rang. It made everybody jump.
Aunt Jane nearly jumped out of her skin. I was pretty startled myself, I must admit. Anyway,
there at the door believe it or not was Uncle Marc, with an armful of presents. (It was the first
time in living memory that he had ever given anything to anybody.) Everyone caught their
breath when they saw him. No one could really believe their eyes. Poor Aunt Flossie actually
fainted, and Uncle Bill kept blinking, as if he had seen a ghost. And Granny, who had been
talking non-stop since breakfast, was absolutely speechless. I thought her eyes were going to
pop out of her head. I reckon you could have knocked all of us over with a feather.
References
Wellman, Guy. Wordbuillder : Vocabulary development and practice for higher level students,
Heinemann, Oxford, 1992.
Fuchs, Marjorie & Bonner, Margaret. Grammar Express fffor self study or in the classroom, Longman
pearson Education Limited, 2000.
Module by Vijayaletchumi Nagalingam , SMK Kiaramas (Guru cemerlang)