PRACTICE 1: INFORMAL LETTER

Your father wants to buy a computer but he is not sure whether it is better to buy a
laptop or a desktop computer. He asks for your opinion. After doing some research, you
come up with some information on both computers.

Using the notes given below, write an informal letter to your father stating your choice
and supporting it with reasons.

LAPTOP COMPUTER DESKTOP COMPUTER

Portable Easier to upgrade
Slim and light Harder to steal
Can function on battery Bulkier- difficult to carry around
More expensive Require more space
More fragile Rely on direct supply of electricity
Easier to steal

When writing out your letter, you should remember to include the following:
To state your choice
To make comparisons
To state the purpose of the letter
To give appropriate greeting and closing
Use all the points given
SAMPLE ANSWER

122,Taman Pearlview Avenue,

High Tech Park,
09000 Kulim,
Kedah Darul Aman
30/1/17

Dear father,

How are you over there? I hope you are fine. I am doing okay here. I am writing this
letter to let you know about my opinion on whether to buy a laptop or a desktop
computer. I think you should buy a desktop computer.

Firstly, desktop computers are cheaper. They are also easier to be upgraded. It is
harder to steal desktop computers because they are heavy.
However they have some weaknesses too. They are bulkier and difficult to be
carried around. They also require more space and rely on direct supply of
electricity.

On the other hand, laptops are portable, slim and light and can function on
battery. However I do not recommend it to you because laptops are more expensive
and fragile. Besides, they are easier for people to steal.

I hope that I have been helpful. I know that you will make a right choice. If you still
have doubts, feel free to contact me again. Till then. Goodbye .

Your loving son / daughter,

........................

PRACTICE 2: FORMAL LETTER OF COMPLAINT

There are a few matters in your school which could be improved. You and your
classmates have had a meeting and decided to write a formal letter of complaint to
the principal. As the class monitor, you have been asked to write the letter.
In your letter, include the following:

Classroom:
Unsafe wooden

Chairs
Fans not working

Toilets:
Broken doors
Unhygienic

Canteen
Limited choices of
foods
High price of foods

When writing the letter, you should remember to:

Set out the letter correctly
Use all the notes given
Elaborate each note appropriately

SAMPLE ANSWER

Abdul Halim bin Hamzah,

Class 5 Amanah,
Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Seri Bayu,
08000 Sungai Petani,
Kedah Darul Aman.

Principal,
Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Seri Bayu,
08000 Sungai Petani,
Kedah Darul Aman. 26 JULY 2010

Dear Sir,

COMPLAINTS ABOUT SCHOOL MATTERS

I, the monitor of 5 Indah, on behalf of my classmates, would like to complain about a few
matters that my friends and I are not happy with. We would like to highlight several issues
about classrooms, toilets and canteen.

2. First of all, it is about the unsafe wooden chairs in our classroom. We have no
problems sitting on wooden chairs but the chairs must be safe. The chairs are easily broken.
[What happened? When?] Six of my classmates accidentally fell down from the unstable
chairs last month. Besides, all the fans are not working. [How is the situation?] The fans
were repaired a few times but they only functioned well for a few days. [What is the effect?]
We really feel uncomfortable especially during hot days.

3. Our next complaint is about the school toilets. [Which toilets?] The boys and
girls toilets at Block A are in a very bad condition. The doors are broken. [How were the
doors broken?] Last week, my friends and I saw some bad-tempered students kick and
damage the toilet doors. Moreover, all the students toilets are unhygienic [When?] most of
the time. [Why unhygienic?] We rarely see workers cleaning the toilets. [What is the effect?]
We cannot stand the smell anymore.

4. Finally, we are unhappy about the school canteen. There are limited choices
of foods. [What are the examples of foods served?] For your information, the canteen only
sells fried rice and fried noodle. [Since when?] We have been eating the same foods since
last year. In addition, you must also know about the high prices of foods. [How much do
the foods cost?] One small plate of fried rice is RM2.50 and a plate of plain noodle is
RM2.00.

5. We really hope you will look into our complaints and take actions immediately.
Thank you for your attention and support.

Yours faithfully,

AbdulHalim
(ABDUL HALIM BIN HAMZAH)
5 Amanah

PRACTICE 3: SPEECH

As the President of the Environment Club, you have been asked by your teacher to give
a speech to all students in your school on how they can help to reduce environmental
problems. In your speech, include the following notes:
 HOW TO REDUCE
ENVIRONMENTAL
PROBLEMS

Reduce air pollution Reduce energy usage Reduce waste

Avoid open burning Do not waste Use environmental
Use unleaded petrol electricity friendly products
Practise car pooling Use products that Use recycled
have timers materials
Use energy saving Use washable items
appliances

When writing your speech text, you should remember to:

use the appropriate greeting and closing
state the purpose of the speech
use all the notes given
write in paragraphs

SAMPLE ANSWER:

Good morning to the Principal, teachers and friends. My name is Labu bin Labi from
class 5 Science. As the President of the Environment Club, I have been asked by my
teacher to give a speech to all students in my school on how they can help to reduce
environmental problems.

Firstly, we have to reduce energy usage. Do not waste electricity. For example
we must switch off the lights and fans before we leave the classroom. We should use
products that have timers so they will switch off automatically when the time is up. We
should also use energy saving appliances like light bulbs and many others.

Secondly, we have to reduce air pollution. For example, we should avoid open
burning. It is better to bury than to burn rubbish in the open. We should also use
unleaded petrol for our cars. It is also good to practise car pooling to work. Fewer
cars on the road means less traffic and less pollution.

Thirdly, we have to reduce waste. We must use environmental friendly products

that do not harm the environment. We should also use recycled materials like paper
bags instead of plastic bags. We should also use washable items to reduce waste.
That is all for now. Thank you everyone for listening.

PRACTICE 4: ARTICLE

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 giving your suggestions on how
to manage time. Include the following points.
Change attitude
Pay attention in class
Try to complete as much homework as possible during school hours
Make a To do list
Set priorities right
Set a realistic target for examination
Plan a personal timetable
Make time for rest and relaxation
Join study groups
Seek help from parents, teachers or friends
Speak to school counselor
Stay happy and healthy

When writing the article, you should remember to:

- Include the title
- Include the writers name
- Include all the points given
- Write in the format of an article

SAMPLE ANSWER

How to Manage Time

By Ain Batrisya Binti Kamal Ariffin

Today 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. So, here I would like
to give some suggestions to students on how to manage time.

Firstly, students must change their attitude. Next, students should pay
attention in class. Thirdly, students must try to complete as much
homework as possible during school hours. Furthermore students can
make a To do list.

Students ought to set their priorities right. Students should set a realistic
target for their coming examination. Furthermore, students can plan a
personal time table. Students must also make time for rest and
relaxation.

Students can join study groups. All students should seek help from
parents, teachers or friends if needed. Students should speak to the
school counsellor if necessary. Finally students should be happy and
healthy when they spend their time wisely.

PRACTICE 5: REPORT

You are the Secretary of the Environment Club in your school. Your club has
successfully organized Environment Week in your school. Write a report to the principal
about the event.

Include the following information in your report:

When writing the report, you should remember to:

give the report a title
address the report accordingly
provide an appropriate ending
use all the information given
 write in paragraphs

ENVIRONMENT WEEK
Duration
3rd 7th March 2010
Objectives
raise awareness
beautify school compound
Activities
paint murals
plant trees
recycle old newspapers
poster drawing competition
speech by invited guest
Advantages
create conducive environment
instil love for nature
foster closer relationship
develop co-operation

SAMPLE ANSWER
To: Principal
SMK Gemilang
From: Secretary
The Environment Club

Environment Week In My School

The Environment Club in my school has successfully organized an Environment

Week. The duration of the Environment Week was from 3rd - 7th March 2010.
The first objective of the programme was to raise awareness about the
environment among the students. The second objective was to beautify the school
compound with as many plants as possible.

There were many activities organized by the Environment Club during the week.
Students painted colourful murals on the wall about environment. They also planted
trees around the school with the help of the school gardeners.
They brought old newspapers from home to be sent for recycling. They took part in
poster drawing competition on environment and they also listened to a speech by
an invited guest during the closing ceremony.

The advantages of the Environment Week are as follows. Firstly. it creates

conducive environment to the students. Secondly, it instils love for nature in
everyone. Thirdly, it fosters closer relationship between students and teachers in the
school. Fourthly, it develops co-operation among students.

The Environment Week was successful and hopefully the programme will be held
every year as an annual event.

Reported by,
...............................
Al-Imran Bin Zakaria

TOTAL MARKS FOR DIRECTED

Aspects Marks
Format 3
Content 12
Language 20
TOTAL 35

CONTINUOUS WRITING
Aspects Marks
Format
Content 50
Language
TOTAL 50

TOTAL MARKS FOR DIRECTED

Aspects Marks
Format 3
Content 12
Language 20
TOTAL 35

CONTINUOUS WRITING
Aspects Marks
Format
Content 50
Language
TOTAL 50