Example FORM 4/1
Write a composition of about 350 words on the following topic:
What can people do to cope with the rise of fuel prices? Give some suggestions.
The rise in fuel prices is a major challenge to governments and ordinary citizens. No one is happy
about this. In some countries, people are rioting and protesting against the hike in oil prices.
Clearly, we have to reduce our dependence on oil for transport. We have first to cut down on our use of cars. We should use public transport and practise car pooling. We Should also introduce bio-fuels such as ethanol and we should use solar energy to drive our cars.
In our homes, we should use solar panels to store solar energy. We live in a tropical country with a lot of sunshine every day. This solar heat can be stored and used to supply power to our water-heaters and lights and fans. This will certainly help us to reduce our dependence on petroleum.
There are many cities in coastal areas. We should utilize wave power which is limitless and renewable. Wave power can be used to light up cities and towns in coastal areas. The power plants which use wave power are much cheaper to set up than oil rigs and coal-fired plants.
Biofuels are being used as an alternative source of energy. They are cheaper and less polluting. Biofuels can be produced from sugar cane, oil palm and soya bean. Brazil is using ethanol made from sugar cane as its main fuel to drive cars and lorries. We, in Malaysia may succeed in replacing petroleum with ethanol.
Malaysia also uses hydroelectric power. The Bakun Dam in Sarawak will be able to produce
enough hydroelectric power to supply the whole of Peninsular Malaysia. The power cables from
Sarawak will be laid under the sea-bed of the Straits of Melaka. Hydroelectric dams are not polluting but they destroy ancestral lands and wildlife habitats.
Nuclear energy is the final option. It is frightful but in the long run, it is cheaper and less polluting - barring a nuclear accident. Nuclear plants can generate an inexhaustible supply of cheap electricity. However, people are worried about the danger of sabotage and terrorism.
In conclusion, it is time for change. The world cannot afford oil which is too expensive and is being
rapidly depleted. Oil also gives too much power to few. People need to say "Enough is Enough" to the oil cartel.
Example FORM 5/1
The English Language society in your school is organising a 'Health Awareness week'.
One of the activities is an essay writing competition.
You have decided to participate and have chosen the topic, 'Exercise for Health'.
Use the notes and mind map below to help you organise and write your essay.
• reduces weight
• ensures general well-being
• reduces risks of getting heart diseases and stroke
• stimulates thinking
Writing tips:
Attitudes toward exercise
Why we need to exercise?
Advantages
- Physical
- Mental
- Emotional
- Social
Examples
- Benefits of the various forms of exercises
Answer
Many people know that exercise is a sure way to a healthy
body, but because of work commitments or lack of willpower
they forgo it for other pleasures in life. Some would rather
adopt non-physical strategies like popping slimming pills or
going on diets to achieve their goal of a trim body. Yet,
countless testimonies have proven that engaging in physical
activities is the answer to a healthy body.
Brisk walking is an inexpensive form of exercise with
numerous benefits. It helps to control weight as a brisk walk
can burn up to 300 calories per hour. Brisk walking gets the
heart to beat faster, thereby improving blood circulation. It
also helps to reduce blood cholesterol level and increase the
density of HDL or the good cholesterol in our blood. A
30-minute brisk walk a day, three to four times a week is
sufficient to maintain one's health and reduce the risk of
heart attacks and strokes. Furthermore, walking generates
an overall feeling of well-being and relieves one of depression,
anxiety and stress. Walking even stimulates one's thinking.
Another type of exercise that is worth considering is
swimming. Like walking, swimming is a form of exercise that
benefits an individual physically and mentally. Swimming
on a regular basis builds up one's endurance, muscular
strength and cardiovascular fitness. Swimming also helps to
burn off calories. In fact, many swimmers find that they are
more relaxed and refreshed after a good swim.
Like the two forms of exercises mentioned above, biking
is another form of exercise that does wonders for one's
health. It reduces the risk of coronary diseases and stroke.
Regular biking also helps to keep obesity at bay.
Furthermore, this physical activity need not be strenuous in
order for one to reap its benefits Biking is a logical choice of
exercise as the cost of upkeeping and maintaining a bicycle
is relatively low.
Considering that walking, swimming and biking are
exercises that are easy on our pockets but bring tremendous
benefits to one's health, they should be promoted. If the
public responds to the call for regular exercise, there will be
less obesity and unhealthy people around and the family's
medical bill will be greatly reduced.
