Times Trial Paper Summary

As an outstanding policewoman, one thing Ligaya Cabal did was to guarantee the safety of two witnesses of a murder. Initially, she was rejected by the police force because she was female and considered too short. Despite numerous rejections, she pleaded her case and was accepted. Her rank exempted her from traffic duty but she assigned herself to it. Mini-bus drivers who attempted to bribe her were issued tickets instead. When she discovered that a fellow officer suggested that she be bribed, she beat up the officer and warned him. Despite not having to do so, she went on night patrols, answered routine calls, confronted suspects in the street and dealt with lawyers. She also performed impressively at the Philippines Overseas Employment Administration.  123 words

Set B Directed Writing

Note: There are certain formatting issues with blogger and thus I have removed the information of both the sender and the receiver. Please refer to your notes if you're uncertain.

Dear Sir

Suggestions on how to improve the school library

I would like to call your attention to the need to improve our school library. I sincerely believe that several changes are necessary in order to attract more students to visit it. In this letter, I will state my suggestions on the changes which need to done to the library.

2.            First of all, the number of novels should be increased. This is because the fiction section lacks books. While it is not necessary to stock the latest titles, it would be worthwhile to bring in the works of famous authors.

3.            Secondly, dictionaries of the latest edition should be available. This is due to the fact that the present dictionaries in the library are not up-to-date. Moreover, some of them were published more than a decade ago. New dictionaries are necessary as new words enter the English language every year.

4.            Thirdly, the shelves and furniture should be rearranged as the present positions are not conducive to learning. Moreover, the rearrangement of the shelves and furniture has the added benefit of conserving space. More students will be able to use the library in a more comfortable manner.   

5.            Fourthly, the walls should be repainted. Although the dull wall colour may be a minor blemish to some, I am of the opinion that a new coat of paint in a vibrant colour will improve the ambience of the library. With an improved ambience, more students will definitely find their way into the library.

5.            Fifthly, more fans should be added. This is owing to the fact that the library has been plagued by poor ventilation for the longest time. As an alternative, air-conditioners can also be installed in order to render the time spent in the library more pleasant.

6.            Lastly, more librarians should be placed at the counter. Doing so will prevent long queues, especially during recess. In addition, having more librarians will keep the theft and defacement of books in check.

7.            It is hoped that the above suggestions will be relayed to the relevant authorities. Attracting more students to the library is in line with the government’s call to inculcate the reading habit among youths. Thus, a well-maintained library is vital.

Thank you.

Yours truly

-----------------------------------

(CHAN CHIN CHONG)

Set B Summary (Sikkim)

During the monsoon, getting to school was difficult for students when the roads become submerged. Consequently, several village elders set up a private school in a rented village house. However, the school became so successful that the private school soon ran out of space. The village elders wanted to extend the school but they lacked the manpower and money to do so. The village elders told Basu, a local tourism activist, about the problem and the latter mentioned the situation to Jane Low, a manager for international airline Jet Airways. Incidentally, Jane was in touch with some Rover Scouts who wanted to help a third-world community. Finally, Jane arranged for the scouts to fly out to Sikkim and the extension was completed in nine days. 125 words

Update

All the best to those who are taking their SPM later this month.
Remember to get sufficient rest prior to the examination!

Caning is an effective way to discipline students (Disagreeing)

1. Caning can traumatise a student
2. Caning can strain student-teacher relationship
3. Caning may not be effective on delinquent students
4. Caning may tarnish the reputation of a school

Elaboration
1. Caning can traumatise a student
- physically
- psychologically
- may cause injury and scars
- some discipline masters may go overboard
- may cause students to develop phobia or aversion to school

2. Caning can strain student-teacher relationship
- backfire, opposite/reverse effect
- negative reinforcement
- counterproductive
- harbour hatred and ill feelings
- result in enmity, hold a grudge
- personal vendetta
- more disciplinary problems

3. Caning may not be effective on certain delinquent students
- every student reacts differently
- extremely delinquent students may not be deterred
- require other means to handle problems

4. Caning may tarnish the reputation and image of a school
- most parents and the public do not have a favourable attitude towards caning
- lawsuits may result from caning a student
- caning may be seen as an act of desperation
- caning is seen as barbaric and uncivilised

There are better and more effective ways to discipline students:
- counselling
- have dialogue session with parents
- punishment in the form of doing social work for the school
- getting the police involved
- suspension or expulsion from school

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporal_punishment

Describe your experience in a hospital (Pre-Writing)

- feeling nauseous in school
- vomiting, fever
- serious enough to make teacher inform parents
- taken to family doctor
- diagnosed with appendicitis, needed to be admitted to a hospital on the following morning
- that night, feverish dreams, broke out in cold sweat
- given an injection on the buttocks in the morning before being wheeled into the operating theatre
- felt nervous that anaesthetic would not work, terrified at the thought of being conscious throughout the surgery
- given another injection while on the operating table
- staring at lights, heard voices of doctors and staff, clinking of surgical instruments
- became unconscious, anaesthetic took effect
- woke up feeling awful, like a broken doll
- lethargic, weak, drowsy and thirsty, throat was parched
- wheeled back to room
- hurt to move
- mother said no food and water until morning, bit into damp cloth as mother wiped face
- started walking with a limp the next day
- wound still hurt
- befriended nurses and fellow patients
- then mother was admitted for gall stones
- spent quality time with father
- went home after a week
- pet dog and I mutually happy to see each other

note: you might want to check out these pages for more further information

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appendicitis

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rumbling_appendicitis

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appendectomy

http://www.medicinenet.com/appendicitis/article.htm

update

I've posted some new material. I need to leave the house to run some last minute errands before leaving for kl later this afternoon. I'll try to post a bit more when I'm back. Hope your revision is going well!

You might also like to check out my other blog, which is mostly full of nonsense. However, you might learn several new words there. The blog's here: http://earthquakeduck.blogspot.com/