Food Crisis.
Today, the world faces the worst food crisis in 45 years. The World Bank estimates that
100 million people are falling deeper into poverty as prices of basic staples such as wheat,
rice and maize have risen by a staggering 85 per cent. Right now, hundreds of thousands
are facing potential famine and starvation unless something is done to provide food aid.
When there's a food emergency in the world, the World Food Programme (WFP) is the
agency called in to handle it, helping everyone from flood victims after the 2004 South
Asian tsunami to school children in the Nairobi slums. However, as world food prices soar,
leaving millions of the world's poor unable to afford staples they lived on just one year ago,
the world's stopgap measure against extreme food shortage finds itself short of food.
The WFP, the United Nations' food aid agency which has its headquarters in Rome, io
had budgeted US$2.9 billion in 2008 to buy food and distribute it to more than 70 million
people worldwide. By late March 2008, however, higher food and fuel prices meant that
those same planned operations were expected to cost an extra US$500 million. Just one
month later, the funding gap had widened to US$755 million and that was before factoring
in new programmes that the WFP planned to launch, boosting aid in new places where
food shortages suddenly loomed.
The WFP has been forced to make cuts in its existing programmes. For example, it
has scaled down its school food aid programme for some 20 million schoolchildren from
a number of poor countries; Rations for refugees of war in Darfur have also been reduced.
However, the last service that the WFP would trim is the food aid programme for
pregnant and nursing mothers as well as for toddlers. According to WFP, if children under
the age of two go even for a couple of months without vital nutrition, it would be with
them for a lifetime.
WFP has issued an emergency appeal to governments around the world — urging them
to cover its substantial budget shortfall. Britain, Germany and Spain have already pledged
extra funds, and hopefully Japan, Canada and the United States will approve new
donations as well.
In the long term, I am optimistic because the world knows how to grow enough food.
As always, if you take all the world's food production and divide it by the world's
population, there's more than enough for everyone:' says Steve Wiggins, an agricultural
economist with the United Kingdom think-tank Overseas Development Institute, and author
of a recent report 'Rising Food Prices: A Global Crisis'. "It's just a question of how to get
it to the people who need it the most.'
Emergency food aid, however, is only a short-term measure. The food crisis requires
long-term solutions. The WFP's stopgap actions must be accompanied by efforts to
improve agricultural research and better food production in poor countries. Aquaculture,
the cultivation of sea and water plants, is one example, Project NERICA, the acronym for
New Rice for Africa, has produced new high-yield rice varieties which grow well in tropical
Africa. Efforts are being made to plant community gardens in schools and villages to grow
more food plants. Agricultural education and training in livestock rearing are also
very important.
These are the pathways to a better and brighter future.
(Adapted from Time, 23 April 2008)
Answer all questions.
You are advised to answer them in the order set.
1. "Today, the world faces the worst food crisis in 45 years".
Cite two facts from the first paragraph which show the extent of this
food crisis.
Answer
Firstly, millions are sinking into greater poverty because the prices of staple foods have
risen by 85 %. Secondly, hundreds of thousands are facing hunger and famine. (2 marks)
2. What was the purpose of the World Food Programme?
Answer
It was set up to provide emergency food aid to people in times of disaster. (1 mark)
3. The World Food Programme faced "a budgetary shortfall".
(a). Explain what the above term means.
Answer
It means that the WFP was short of funds because costs had gone up unexpectedly. (1 mark)
(b). Explain how this shortfall occurred.
Answer
This shortfall was caused by the sudden rise in food and fuel prices. (1 mark)
(c) What effect did this shortfall have on the World Food Programme?
Answer
Many cuts had to be made in the WFP's existing programmes. (1 mark)
4. There would be no cut in the spending on food aid for toddlers. Why?
Answer
If children under the age of two go without food even for two months, it will cause a
lifelong damage to their health. (1 mark)
5. Steve Wiggins has an optimistic view of the food crisis. Why?
Answer.
Wiggins thinks the world is producing enough food. It is only a matter of ensuring
fair distribution. (1 mark)
6. The World Food Programme offers only "stopgap" measures. In your own
words, explain what needs to be done to overcome the global food crisis.
Answer
Steps have to be taken to improve food production through research and new food technology. (2 marks)
Troubled Waters
Of all natural resources in Malaysia, water is the most severely threatened by pollution. It-
seems that almost every day there is a story about river pollution The government launched
the 'Love Our Rivers campaign 13 years ago to improve river cleanliness but the campaign
seems like a lost cause. Many of us continue to regard rivers as our rubbish dump, dumping
all sorts of waste into the rivers. Sungai Juru has been listed as the most polluted river in the
country and according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the dirtiest in Southeast Asia. We have less than 30 rivers that can be declared as being clean.
Investigations reveal that there are several causes of river pollution in Malaysia The first
culprit would be the fertilisers used by farm and plantation owners They put fertilisers and
pesticides on their crops so that their crops grow better. However, these fertilisers and
pesticides can be washed through the soil by rain, only to end up in rivers. If large amounts of
fertilisers drain into ,a river, the concentration of nitrate and phosphate in the water increases
considerably. Algae use these substances to grow and multiply rapidly, turning the surface of
the water green This massive growth of algae leads to pollution. When the algae die, they are
broken down by the action of bacteria which quickly multiply, using up all the oxygen in the
water This in turn, kills aquatic life in the river.
Another cause of river pollution is industrial wastes. Chemical waste from industrial
processes are sometimes accidentally or deliberately discharged into rivers. Examples of
such pollutants include cyanide, zinc, lead, copper and mercury. These substances may enter
the water in such high concentrations that fish and other animals are killed immediately.
Sometimes, the pollutants enter a food chain and accumulate until they reach toxic levels,
eventually killing birds, fish and mammals. In 1991, 40.5 per =it of the 2292 industries in
Malaysia that had been identified as major sources of water pollutants, were food and
beverage industries. As much as 14.1 per cent were rubber producing and 11.8 per cent were
chemical-producing industries. The heavily industrialised Peninsular states that are most
affected are Selangor, Johor, Penang and Perak.
Besides that, if oil enters a slow-moving river, it forms alum over the entire surface,
preventing oxygen from entering the water. On larger stretches of 'Water, the oil contaminates the
feathers of water birds and when they clean themselves, the oil enters their gut and kills them.
Factories also use water from rivers to power or to cool down machinery. Dirty water
containing chemicals is released into the river. Water used for cooling is warmer than the river
itself, and this is also a form of pollution. When large quantities of warm water is released, the
temperature lowers the level of dissolved oxygen and upsets the balance of life in the water.
Another major pollutant that has arisen as a result of rapid development and construction
of buildings and highways is soil erosion. It has become a major problem and has caused a
tremendous increase in the amount of suspended solids in the river system.
Water pollution affects the health of the organisms living in and around waterways, and,
eventually, the health of humans. The effects of water pollution can range from aquatic
deformities to contaminated fish. Some rivers will be 'dead, waters', as in the case of Sungai
Juru, where even after boiling, the water is still toxic. Heavy metals such as mercury and lead,
and human-made organic chemicals such as pesticides, may result in tumours and death for
predatory animals such as lake trout, herring gulls and even humans.
Toxic pollutants can also alter the genetic makeup of an organism, resulting in either death
or extreme deformities. Chemical substances that persist and accumulate through the food
chain can also cause sickness and disease in humans. While scientists are still studying the
effects of high chemical levels in humans, studies have suggested that toxic chemicals can
lead to reproductive problems, cancer and neurological disorders.
Our rivers are our source of precious water and if we continue to regard them as one big
rubbish dump, there will come a day when all our rivers are declared 'dead' waters. As William
Ashworth says, "We have met the enemy, and he is us:' If we do not act now and plan
strategies and programmes to conserve and preserve our rivers, future options to bring nature
back to our rivers might be too costly and too late.
Word bank
threatened — diancam
pesticides — racun serangga
development — pembangunan
Answer all the questions.
You are advised to answer them in the order set.
1. From paragraph 1:
(a). Why did the government launch the 'Love Our Rivers' campaign?
Answer
To keep the rivers clean (1 mark)
(b). Which phrase suggests that the campaign was not a success?
Answer
"... seems like a lost cause" (1 mark)
2. How does the growth of algae contribute to river pollution?
Answer
When algae die, they are broken down by the action of bacteria which quickly
multiply, using up all the oxygen in the water. This, in turn, kills aquatic life in
the river. (2 marks)
3. (a). Which industries have been identified as the major sources of water pollutants?
Answer
Food and beverage industries (1 mark)
(b). How could the release of warm water affect aquatic life?
Answer
The temperature lowers the level of dissolved oxygen and upsets the balance of
life in the water. (1 mark)
4. Describe how river pollution can affect our health.
Answer
Chemical substances can accumulate through the food chain and cause sickness
and disease in humans. Studies have shown that toxic chemicals can also lead to
reproductive problems, cancer and neurological disorders in humans. (2 marks)
5. In your own words, explain the meaning of the statement. "We have met the enermy and he is us." in the context of river pollution.
Answer
We are the ones who killing our rivers, which are our source of water by dumping all sorts of rubbish into them.
Advertisement and Marketing Strategy
Studies show that on average, we see 3,000 advertisements per day. At bus stations, in
shopping complexes, during sporting events and in between television programmes —
advertisements are impossible to avoid. An important target of marketers is children, as
children influence their parents' buying decisions and are the consumers of the future.
Malaysian parents today are willing to spend more on their children than parents just a
generation ago did because families are smaller and dual incomes mean there is more money
to spend. In addition, parents tend to substitute material goods for time spent with their
children due to guilt — for leaving their children to their maids.Today's children also have more
freedom and decision-making power than children in previous generations.They have the ability
to nag their parents into purchasing items they may not otherwise buy.
There are several marketing strategies marketers employ to target children and teens.
Firstly, marketers plant images of their corporate logos and mascots in the minds of very young
children to establish brand recognition, hoping to create brand loyalty. Fast food, toy and
clothing companies have been cultivating brand recognition in children for years.The children
in the advertisements are often a little more perfect than the target audience. They become
role models for these children; who end up falling for the trap as they would like to look like
their role models.
Apart from this, many companies are using 'buzz marketing'. The idea is to find the
coolest or most successful teen in a community and have that youth use or wear your product
in order to create a buzz around it. Buzz, or 'street marketing' as it is also called, can help a
company to successfully connectwith the savvy and elusive teen market by using trendsetters
to give their products a 'cool' status. Sports heroes, movie stars and teenage heartthrobs tell
children and teens what to eat and what to wear, and the children listen, not realising that the
star is paid handsomely for the endorsement.
The school environment is also not spared this onslaught. Corporations realise the power of
the school environment in promoting their name and products. The school setting implies that
teachers and the educational system are supportive of the products being promoted there. For
example, schools are supplied with food in exchange for publicity. A certain brand of toothpaste regularly organises health clinics,for children. Contests and incentive reading programmes are
also organised where children receive certificates for free pizza if they achieve .a monihly reading
goal or complete a certain task. Another popular advertising strategy is to sponsor school events
in exchange for showcasing various products of the company.
The Internet is an extremely desirable medium for marketers to reach children. Children
are often online without parental supervision.The pop-up advertisements are interactive and
attractive. More and more adult entertainment is also being advertised to children and teens.
Video games that are meant for adults are regularly marketed to children. Toys based on
characters from mature entertainment are often marketed to children as young as four years old.
Recently, the mobile phone has been added as another star medium to reach young
teens and children. Advertisements are sent directly to teens and children who have mobile
phones, and naive children are easily trapped into paying a monthly subscription for a few
screensavers or ringtones.
Another strategy is to create an emotional ambience that draws children into the
advertisement and makes them feel good. A fast food commercial featuring a father and
daughter eating out together, or a mobile phone commercial which promotes keeping in
touch with parents, are good examples. Children are easily attracted to products that make
them feel good. Some toy advertisements promote the idea that playing with these toys is
something the whole family can do together. Many commercials show parents enjoying their
children's fun as if the toy will bring greater family togetherness.
With all these marketing ploys around, adults need to take some action. Parents should
limit television time while at• home. They should also accompany small children when these
young ones explore the Internet. It is advisable to talk about brands and marketing to young
children, advising them on quality and quantity as well. Parents must be aware that their
children are being exposed to very powerful tools of advertising.
Word bank
nag — meleter
ploys — helah
Answer all questions.
You are advised to answer them in the order set.
1 From paragraph 1, according to the writer:,
a Why are advertisements impossible to avoid?
Answer
They are found everywhere one goes. (1 mark)
b Give one reason Why children are the main-target of advertisers.
Answer
They are able to influence their parents' buying decisions (1 mark)
2 Give two factors to explain why parents of today's generation are willing to
spend more money on their children than parents in previous generations.
Answer
a Families today are smaller. (1 mark)
b Dual income (1 mark)
3 a From paragraph 3, name one marketing strategy employedby marketers.
Answer
They plant images of their corporate logos and mascots in tbe:nlinds of very young
children to establish brand recognition, hoping to create brand loyalty. (1 mark)
b Explain the phrase 'buzz marketing'.
Answer
Buzz marketing is getting famous teens to endorse a produdt in order to create
excitement about the product among teens and children. (1 mark)
4. According to paragraph 7, how does the mobile phone help marketers?
Advertisements are sent directly to teens and children who have mobile phones, and
naive children are easily trapped into paying a monthly subscription for something
they may not need. (2 marks)
5. In your own words, explain what parents could do to curb all these marketing
ploys by marketers. (1 mark)
Firstly, parents need to limit television time. They should also keep an eye on their
children when they surf the Internet. They should talk to their children about brand
consciousness, so that they will know how to compare between quality and quantity. (2 marks)
Liver Cancer
There are many types of liver cancer, the most common being hepatocellular carcinoma (hepato
= liver; cellular= originating from the cell; carcinoma = malignant cancer). However, in Malaysia,
liver cancer is rare. It is only the ninth most common male cancer, and the fifteenth most
common female cancer. It is more common among Chinese men, ranking as their seventh most
common cancer This is largely due to the high incidence of Hepatitis B among Chinese men.
Here, we are referring to primary liver cancer, or cancer which originates from the liver itself. It
must be remembered that the liver is an important site for tumour metastasis too.This means that
the cancer originated from somewhere else but has been spread by the bloodstream to the liver.
While the skin is our body's largest organ, the liver is undoubtedly the body's largest internal
organ. It lies under the last few ribs on the right side of our body, below the right lung and
diaphragm. Normally, we cannot feel it, though some people have it protruding about 1 cm
below the ribs. However, if you can feel your liver with your fingers most of the tirne, it is likely to
be abnormally enlarged. The main function of the liver is to be a factory — it processes and stores many of the food
nutrients absorbed from the small intestine. It also makes many products and detoxifies others.
Important liver functions are:
• Homeostasis or regulation of sugar, protein, fat, cholesterol and vitamins, especiallyA,D, E and K.
• Production of proteins, including clotting factors, bile acids and cholesterol (cholesterol is vital
for our cell structure).
• Storage of glycogen, vitamins and cholesterol.
• Excretion of cholesterol, bile acids and other body waste products and toxins.
• Immune defence— manufactures antibodies and other defences.
In fact, it is said that without the liver, there is no life!
Hepatitis A (caused by eating contaminated shellfish) never causes liver cancer as it is never
chronic. People with chronic Hepatitis 13 and C might not get liver cancer, but they are at high risk.
Men too, are more prone than women to get the disease because of their lifestyles, like
smoking and drinking. Those who have cirrhosis or scarred liver tissue also have a high
potential of getting liver cancer. The major causes of liver cirrhosis are alcohol abuse and
Hepatitis B and C. Other risk factors are smoking, obesity and consuming foods contaminated
by cancer-causing substances called aflatoxins. Aflatoxins are made by a fungus and can
contaminate peanuts, wheat, soya beans, ground nuts and rice.
Unfortunately, liver cancer symptoms do not usually appear until the cancer is in its later
stages.These tumours are notoriously hard to pick up by routine examination and investigation. If
you know that you have one of the risk factors, the best thing to do is to have a full medical check-
up every two years. The check-up includes ultrasound scans and a blood test called AFP (alpha- 3
fetoprotein), which is not a diagnosis of liver cancer, but will suggest it if you have raised levels.
Most people who are diagnosed with liver cancer are those who have had scarring or
cirrhosis of the liver for a long time. Liver cancer is suspected when their condition worsen
for no reason. Some symptoms to look out for (but need not indicate liver cancer) are
unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, liver swelling, feeling of fullness after a small meal,
abdominal pain that does not abate and jaundice in your eyes.
A person who gets liver cancer is not doomed. It can be treated through surgery,
chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Often, the doctor will use combinations of these. Liver
transplant is an option for people with small liver cancers that havi.,not spread. Other
methods are also available, such as tumour ablation, which destroys the cancer by using 4
high-energy radiowaves or freezing it with a cold probe or injecting the tumour with alcohol
directly.The blood supply to the cancer can also be reduced by tying up the artery that feeds
it or injecting materials to plug up that artery.This is called embolisation.
Whatever it is, life does not stop if you are diagnosed with the disease, as treatment is available.
Adapted from 'Health at Large', The Star,
12 February 2006. Written by Dr Y. L. M
Word bank:
detoxifies — menghapuskan
contaminated — tercemar
chronic — kronik/teruk
Answer all questions.
You are advised to answer them in the order set.
1. From paragraphs 1 and 2:
a Why is liver cancer more common among Chinese men?
Answer
It is largely due to the high incidence of Hepatitis B among Chinese men. (1 mark)
What do you understand by the term "tumour metastasis"?
Answer
s?
It means that the cancer originated from somewhere else but has been spread
by the bloodstream to the liver. (1 mark)
2. Why does the writer say that the main function of the liver is to be a factory?
Answer
The liver processes and stores many food nutrients absorbed from the small
intestine. It also makes many products and detoxifies others. (2 mark)
3. In paragraph 5, the writer says that "without the liver, there is no life". Explain
in your own words why this is so.
The liver performs many major functions of the body. It produces, regulates and
stores many food nutrients and products, excretes many waste products and toxins,
and manufactures defences needed by our immune system. If it malfunctions,
all these functions will be affected, leading to illness and death. (2 marks)
4. From paragraphs .6 and 7, the writer states
a several people are at high risk of getting liver cancer, one of which is liver
cirrhosis. What is the major cause of liver cirrhosis?
Answer
Alcohol abuse and Hepatitis B and C.
(1 mark)
b the tumours are "notoriously hard to pick up" by routine examination
and investigation. What does the writer mean by the expression
"notoriously hard to pick up"?
Answer
Very difficult to detect (1 mark)
5. Liver cancer can be treated now with modern technology. Give two methods of
treatment that would provide a new lease of life to liver cancer patients.
Answer
Surgery/Chemotherapy/Radiotherapy/Tumour ablation/Embolisation
Job Interview
How do you think you would feel before a job interview? It is natural to be nervous. After all,
everybody is uneasy about being scrutinised and judged by strangers. However, your anxiety
and nervousness will be reduced if you are prepared for the interview.
One of the first things you ought to do before an interview is to do e. ome research on the
company. The more you know about the organisation, the easier it is for you to tailor your
responses to meet their needs. Moreover, companies are more impressed by candidates who have
done their homework.Today, most company profiles are available on the Internet so it is easy to
find information about these companies. Another way to gather information is to call the
receptionist and find out all you can about the company, its directors, their goals, ambitions,
strategies and managerial approach. From the information gathered, find out how good a match
you are with your prospective employer. If it is positive, be sure to let the employer know that
your qualifications meet their needs. You also need to find out about the company's
accomplishments and setbacks. This information should be of help to determine where you
might make the best contribution to the organisation. It is useful to know the company's financial
standing. Is it on firm ground, or are there rumours of an imminent takeover? You might also
want to analyse the company's advertising and learn how it promotes its products or services.
Lastly, if possible, talk to the emplayees.They are probably the best source of inside information.
Once you have found out all that you need to know about the organisation, study the job
description. Knowing the duties and responsibilities related to the position applied for will help
you to prepare your resume as well as your responses for the interview. Remember to
itemise your greatest assets, such as your key accomplishments, and your strongest
personality traits. Do not forget to relate them to the job you are applying for. Before the day of
your interview, get a friend to carry out a mock interview where you can practise giving
responses to questions frequently asked during interviews.
Another thing you need to remember is the power of non-verbal messages sent out during an
interview. Remember you are not just judged by what is on your resume or what you say.Your
movement, behaviour and dressing are also being scrutinised by the interviewer. Make sure you
arrive early. It will be a bad start if the interviewer has to wait for you. Be courteous to everyone. Greet everyone and wait to be invited to sit. Remember to dress professionally. The way you
dress tells a lot about your personality and how serious you are about the job. During the
interview, keep your hands to yourself, sit up straight and do not cross your legs. Sound
enthusiastic and interested and smile enough to convey a positive attitude. It is also important
to make eye contact with your interviewer.
The way you answer questions is another way interviewers evaluate prospective employees.
Stay focused during the interview and aim your answers at presenting your strengths such as
your expertise and competence, your decision-making skills, your enthusiasm for the job and
your pleasing personality. Remember to enunciate clearly and avoid slurred words like 'gonna'
and 'ain't' or slang like 'yeah'. Also avoid answering questions with 'ah' or 'uhm'.
Apart from the dos of an interview, there are don'ts as well. For one, do not ask for the job
at the interview. It is most unprofessional and undignified. Do not emphasise salary or
benefits. If you are asked during the interview about your expected salary, handle the
question politely by deferring it until it is clear that a job is being offered. Do not interrupt the
interviewer(s) even if you have the urge to. Let the interviewer complete what he or she wants
to say before you respond. Lastly, keep your cool and do not let your emotions rule.
Word bank
scrutinised — diperhati dengan teliti
imminent — akan atau pasti berlaku
You are advised to answer them in the order set.
Answer all questions.
You are advised to answer them in the order set.
1 Paragraph 2 mentions the need to carry out some research on the company
before an interview. What are the two reasons for doing so?
Answer
It enables us to tailor our responses to meet the needs of the company. It helps to
project-a-good image of ourselves to the company, showing that we are interested
to work there. (2 marks)
2 Why is it advisable to carry out a mock interview?
Answer
It helps to build our confidence and prepare us for the actual interview. (2 marks)
3 Paragraph 6 mentions the don'ts of an interview. Name two things you should
not do at an interview.
Answer
Do not ask for the job at an interview.
Do not discuss or ask about the salary or
benefits until we are certain of securing the job.
Do not interrupt the interviewers.
(2 marks)
4 In paragraph 6, the writer reminds us to "keep our cool" duringan interview.
What does "keep our cool" mean?
Answer
It means that we should remain calm and not let our nervousness show during
the interview. (2 marks)
5 In your own words, describe how one should dress for an interview.
We should dress according to the job we are applying for. A male applicant
should wear a long-sleeved shirt, a tie, proper shoes and matching socks. As for
a female applicant, any national costume is fine but she should not wear one that
is figure-hugging or too revealing. (2 marks)
Rick T. Wong had just finished using his computer last August in Queensway, Hong Kong
when a new e-mail arrived in his inbox with the alarming subject: "Suspicious Credit Card Use
Concerned, the 29-year-old executive immediately opened the e-mail. "There seems to be
a suspicious activity in your credit card in the last 24 hours' the e-mail warned. "If you wish to
be protected from unauthorised use of your credit card or want to block your current card and request for a new one, we suggest that you call our customer service hotline!' Wong
immediately dialled the number provided.
"You have reached account verification. Pleae enter your 16-digit credit card number!' the
computer-generated voice instructed. Wong punched in the number. To request a new card, he
was then asked to enter his four-digit security PIN and his card's expiry date.
Wong waited for days to obtain his new card. Instead, ten days later, he received a bill for
a porn-site subscription, web hosting fees and $300 worth of online money orders. It was a
very clever scam, and he did not even know it had happened.
It is not new that identity theft — defined as the use or attempted use of an account or
information without the owner's permission — is rampant across Asia. Online Fraud Asia,
which records and tries to eliminate online crime in Asia, says that at least one in 50 Asians
who go online become victims of identity crime, having their personal information stolen
through online forums and message boards. No wonder. We live in an age where everything
from tax records to credit card data reside in databases that can be hacked, phished or
pharmed by anyone with sinister motives and enough know-hovv.Thus, the number of such
crimes will continue to rise. For every scam we manage to foil, the crooks work harder to think
up novel ways to use technology to rip us off.
Just as the majority of us have become aware of phishing — where fraudsters send out
bogus e-mails in the hope of scaring or enticing the naive into giving up personal information
at fake websites that resemble those of legitimate businesses — along comes a new scam
utilising new technology. Creative thieves are now "vishing" by using Voice over Internet
Protocol (VolP) phones instead of a misdirected web link. The scam is so new that police
forces have yet to keep statistics on the number of victims.
As Rick T. Wong found out, the crooks get their victims to dial a VolP phone that
recognises telephone keystrokes. Lulled by the familiarity of a typical bank's answering service,
even web-savvy people obey the computer-generated voice instruction to enter their credit card
number using the phone keypad.
Vishing operations are cheap and easy to set up, making them an ideal scam. Anyone can
anonymously pay for a telephone number for a specific regional exchange anywhere else in
the world. The first line of defence is common sense. Your credit card company will normally
address you by your first or last name in any communication, so being addressed by your full
name should raise the alarm that the message might be a vishing attempt.
You should never call a telephone number provided in a phone call or an e-mail. Instead, call
the telephone number on the back of your credit card or on your bank statement. If the call is
legitimate, then your credit card company or bank will have a record of the problem and will be
able to assistyou.
Spyware or a software planted on a computer records everything a user types and
passes it back to an identity thief. Some programmes can track your online habits by
recording keystrokes, passwords and even your PIN. Data thieves can sell your details to
online advertisers or, worse, access your online bank account.
Another ripe target for identity thieves is the wireless network that is being set up more and
more at home. A failure to block access to your network can allow prying eyes into your hard
drive. They can steal your bandwidth — this means you have to pay for everything they
download —orta-ke over your computer and turn it into a zombie to attack other computers.
Users can install security software and stay current with the latest patches. Monitor the
volume and origin of pop-up advertisements and shop only on secure websites. Always be
suspicious of unsolicited e-mail. Finally, report any suspected scam to your local police or
consumer association. Rest assured, the fight has begun against these identity thieves.
Adapted from "IDThieves' NewTricks;
Reader's Digest, March 2007.
World bank:
rampant — bedeluasa
eliminate — membasmikan
anonymously — tidak diketahui
Answer all questions.
You are advised to answer them in the order set.
1. a What was Rick T. Wong asked to do to obtaii4 protection from unauthorised
use of his credit card?
Answer
He was asked to call the customer service hotline in order to block his current card
and to request for a new one. ( 1 mark)
b What was the result of his attempt to block his current card and request for
a new one?
Answer
He received a bill for a porn-site subscription, web hosting fees and $300 worth
of online money orders. ( 1 mark)
2. In paragraph 5, the writer says "no wonder" so many people, especially Asians,
have become victims of identity thieves. Explain in your own words why he says
so.
Answer
We are now living in the digital era where important information ranging from tax
returns to credit card information are stored in computer databases that face the
risk of being hacked, phished or pharmed by identity thieves.
(2 marks)
3. From paragraph 6, we know that a new scam called "vishing' is being used to
steal identities. What is the main difference between `vishing' and `phishing'?
Answer
Tishing' uses Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phones instead of a misdirected web
link or e-mail, which is used by phishing' thieves. (2 marks)
4. From paragraphs 8 and 9:
a How would you suspect a "vishing" attempt?
Answer
If we are addressed by our full name instead of the first or last name in any
communication, then we can suspect a "vishing" attempt. (1 mark)
What should you do if you received a phone call or e-mail like the one
received by Rick T. Wong?
Answer
I should call the telephone number provided on the back of my credit card or
bank statement to verify the problem. ( 1 mark)
5. Name two protective measures you can take in the war againstthese identity
thieves.
Answer
Install security software and stay current with the latest patches.
Monitor the
volume and origin of pop-up advertisements.
Shop only on 4icat6 websites /Report
any suspected scam to the localpplice or consumer association. (2 marks)
Balance is Key
Healthy eating habits, regular exercise and proper stress management are key to a healthy
lifestyle. It is all about striking a balance.
Eating well is not just a joy but also a skill. We get more out of our food if we understandwhat food is, what good and bad things different foods contain, how much nourishment we
need and how to be sure we are getting it. Healthy eating habits include having a balanced diet
that comprises a combination of several different food types. The idea of a balanced diet
includes eating food in the right proportions to get all the nutrients our body needs. It is not
having roughly equal measures of everything. It is about striking a balance, so that there
should be a lot of some foods and just a little of others. For example, fats and oils are important
in our diet for various reasons, from absorption of fat-soluble vitamins to providing us with
energy. However, we only need a small amount of these compared to fruit and vegetables of
which we need a lot, or food with protein which we only need in moderate amounts.
Healthy eating includes ensuring our daily diet contains fibre-rich foods.There are different
types of fibre which fall into two categories — insoluble fibre and soluble fibre. Insoluble fibre
acts as a bulking agent which helps to regulate our bowel function, prevent constipation and
keep our large intestine healthy. Soluble fibre, on the other hand, helps to reduce blood
cholesterol levels and regulate blood sugar levels, thus lowering the risk of heart disease and
diabetes.Therefore, having both fibre types in our diet is important.
Physical activity is an essential part of a balanced and healthy lifestyle. We usually find time
for things we enjoy and which are fun. Unfortunately, for most of us, exercise is not seen as
such, so we tend to omit it. Why is exercise important? When we exercise, our heart exercises
too as it pumps blood at an increased rate. We are also using up calories to power our muscles,
which helps us to lose weight and keep our body trim. Exercise has also been shown to have a
positive effect on a range of medical conditions like hypertension, diabetes and lower back pain.
Being physically active ensures we have good mental health which helps us in stress
management. Physical or emotional stress comes naturally when we are anxious or depressed.
It should be managed well so that it does not affect our health. Long-term stress increases
the body's requirement for beta-carotene, vitamin B, the 'energy vitamin', vitamin C, the vital
nutrient for immunity, and zinc, essential for growth, healthy skin, overall development and
immunity. Getting adequate amounts of these nutrients in our diet is necessary in times of
stress for our body to regain its healthy state. Calcium and magnesium are beneficial in calming
the body and mind to keep us mentally alert. Eating the right balance of foods that are low in fat
and high in carbohydrates can help to strengthen our resistance against stress. Steer clear of
junk food that is high in simple sugars.This is because they stimulate the release of adrenalin,
the stress hormone, and intenMfy stress reaction. It acts as a sedative which causes us to be
sluggish when we really need to be mentally alert. Learn to unwind by having a relaxing hobby,
exercising regularly and having lots of rest to help us overcome stress for better health. Above
all, learn to laugh for laughter can reduce stress by lowering the production of the stress
hormone. At the same time, laughter raises levels of endorphins and other relaxation-inducing
hormones.
Other keys to a healthy lifestyle include maintaining an ideal body weight that corresponds
to our height. Having a body mass index (BMI) of 18.5 to 24 is considered ideal, a BMI of 25 to
29.9 is considered overweight and individuals who fall into the BMI range of 25 to 34.9 are
considered to be at especially high risk for health problems. Therefore, a healthy lifestyle also
means maintaining one's BMI index within the ideal range. Leading a healthy lifestyle also means
leading a life free from the vices such as alcohol consumption, smoking, excessive intake of coffee and keeping late nights. Drinking and smoking have long been documented as harmful to
our health. Too much coffee is also not recommended as the caffeine in the beverage can
have a negative effect on our health. Getting enough sleep is just as important for maintaining 50
a healthy life. Our body needs sleep to help the tired muscles rest and repair. Insufficient sleep
can affect one's work, studies and relationships with people.
In order to have a healthy lifestyle, we may need to make some changes to our present
lifestyle to enjoy a healthier, happier and perhaps longer life.
Word bank
insoluble — tidak larut
omit — tidak dimasukkan
sluggish - lembap
Answer all the questions.
You are advised to answer them in the order set.
1. From paragraph 2:
a. What is a "balanced diet"?
Answer
A diet that comprises a combination of different food types. (1 mark)
b. How is a diet considered 'balanced'?
Answer
When the food eaten is in the right proportions to meet the needs of the body.
(1 mark)
2. Why should we eat a lot of fruit and vegetables?
Answer
They are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals and fibre.
(2 marks)
3. From the evidence in paragraph 3:
a. Why do we need to eat food which contain insoluble fibre?
Answer
They help to regulate our bowel functions, prevent constipation and keep our
large intestine healthy.
b. How does soluble fibre contribute to good health?
It helps to: reduce blood cholesterol levels. and -regulate blood sugar- levels: -
(1 mark)
4. In paragraph 5, the writer mentions the need to get 'adequate amounts of these
nutrients'. What does "these nutrients" refer to?
Answer
They refer to beta carotene, vitamins B and C and zinc. (2 marks)
5. In your own words, explain why we should avoid junk food when we are stressed.
Answer
Junk food will stimulate the release of adrenaline which acts as a sedative. It will
make us sluggish when we really need to be mentally alert.
(2 mark)
China has put a man in orbit and the U.S. has sent back images of Mars. Japan, meanwhile,
has the technology to match its galaxy-sized ambitions, but after a string of setbacks, its
space programme hardly inspires national pride.What has gone wrong?
The vacant launching pads and empty mission-control centre on the quiet island of
Tanegashima, 1000 kilometres southwest of Tokyo, are testimony to setbacks that have
grounded what could have been one of the world's most ambitious space programmes.
Japan's dream of becoming a space-faring power literally blew up in November 2003 when
the pride of its programme, an 'advanced H-IIA rocket, had to be destroyed in mid-flight
following a malfunction. That ended Japan's bid to become the third nation in history to
remotely explore Mars.The failed attempt cost Japan a whopping y19.3 billion.
Determined to find out the cause of the failure, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
(JAXA) suspended all new launches to conduct an internal investigation.
The result revealed that the fault was not technological since Japan is already widely
recognised as a world-class leader in technological advancement. Rather, critics and officials
within JAXA blamed it on attitude. Adept at catching-up with the world, Japan is struggling to
learn how to pioneer, and Japan's space programme is a good example of the country
struggling to make the transition from a developed country to a matured developed country that
can pioneer new industries or avenues of research. Since opening to the West in the mid-19th
century, Japan has hungrily absorbed every technology it could, from steam engines to
semiconductors. Even today, while Japan has become highly innovative in electronics and 2
cars, it is still learning from the West in areas of economy, particularly those linked to the
government.
Critics complained of the outmoded attitudes of scientists and bureaucrats who ran Japan's
space effort. They said the programme was a product of the days when Japan was obsessed
with overtaking the West, and thus placed too high a priority on equalling or besting the U.S.
and other European nations in space development and exploration. Japan had failed to build up
mission experience or set more modest goals but instead rushed into technologically'
demanding showpiece projects- in short, it tried to run before it could walk.
Another problem that had beset JAXA, said critics and officials alike, was the Japanese
public - they are reluctant to accept failure. Exploring new frontiers means taking risks,
suffering setbacks and learning from the process. This is something Japan did not have to
worry about as all it had to do was just to adopt and perfect technologies and ideas developed
in other countries.
In its eagerness to put H-IIA into space, the JAXA had failed to conduct sufficient test
firings, and a fatal flaw in the nozzle of the booster rocket was missed.The main engine was
only test-fired for a total of 15 000 seconds before it was launched- equivalent to only one-
tenth of the typical testing carried by U.S. and European rocket markers. The lack of
experience in handling rockets is one other reason for the ultimate termination of the space
programme.
Japan's space agency was pummelled with public abuse. Politicians and editorial writers
moaned about Japan's inability to succeed in space. However, others felt that the criticisms
were themselves indicators that Japan still lacked a risk-taking entrepreneurial mindset.They
conceded that accidents are common in something as risky and unknown as space travel
and should be accepted.
They felt that Japan's setback and failure were big, but not exceptional when compared to
those of other countries. For instance, the H-IIA's failure rate of one in six launches was more
favourable compared to Europe's most advanced rocket, the Ariane 5, which failed in two out
of its ten launches. ,br>
These critics also reckoned that since space development is something risky, and tough,
Japanese should learn to live with failures. They also felt that Japan should consider
focusing its resources on areas that emphasised its technological strengths, such as robotics,
ion engines and earth-measurement devices.
Adapted from Far Eastern Review, 6 May 20
setbacks — perlengahan
adept — mahir
Answer all the questions.
You are advised to answer them in the order set.
1. From paragraph 2:
a. What is a "balanced diet"?
Answer
A diet that comprises a combination of different food types. (1 mark)
b. How is a diet considered 'balanced'?
Answer
When the food eaten is in the right proportions to meet the needs of the body.
(1 mark)
2. Why should we eat a lot of fruit and vegetables?
Answer
They are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals and fibre.
(2 marks)
3. From the evidence in paragraph 3:
a. Why do we need to eat food which contain insoluble fibre?
Answer
They help to regulate our bowel functions, prevent constipation and keep our
large intestine healthy.
b. How does soluble fibre contribute to good health?
It helps to: reduce blood cholesterol levels. and -regulate blood sugar- levels: -
(1 mark)
4. In paragraph 5, the writer mentions the need to get 'adequate amounts of these
nutrients'. What does "these nutrients" refer to?
Answer
They refer to beta carotene, vitamins B and C and zinc. (2 marks)
5. In your own words, explain why we should avoid junk food when we are stressed.
Answer
Junk food will stimulate the release of adrenaline which acts as a sedative. It will
make us sluggish when we really need to be mentally alert.
(2 mark)
China has put a man in orbit and the U.S. has sent back images of Mars. Japan, meanwhile,
has the technology to match its galaxy-sized ambitions, but after a string of setbacks, its
space programme hardly inspires national pride.What has gone wrong?
The vacant launching pads and empty mission-control centre on the quiet island of
Tanegashima, 1000 kilometres southwest of Tokyo, are testimony to setbacks that have
grounded what could have been one of the world's most ambitious space programmes.
Japan's dream of becoming a space-faring power literally blew up in November 2003 when
the pride of its programme, an 'advanced H-IIA rocket, had to be destroyed in mid-flight
following a malfunction. That ended Japan's bid to become the third nation in history to
remotely explore Mars.The failed attempt cost Japan a whopping y19.3 billion.
Determined to find out the cause of the failure, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
(JAXA) suspended all new launches to conduct an internal investigation.
The result revealed that the fault was not technological since Japan is already widely
recognised as a world-class leader in technological advancement. Rather, critics and officials
within JAXA blamed it on attitude. Adept at catching-up with the world, Japan is struggling to
learn how to pioneer, and Japan's space programme is a good example of the country
struggling to make the transition from a developed country to a matured developed country that
can pioneer new industries or avenues of research. Since opening to the West in the mid-19th
century, Japan has hungrily absorbed every technology it could, from steam engines to
semiconductors. Even today, while Japan has become highly innovative in electronics and 2
cars, it is still learning from the West in areas of economy, particularly those linked to the
government.
Critics complained of the outmoded attitudes of scientists and bureaucrats who ran Japan's
space effort. They said the programme was a product of the days when Japan was obsessed
with overtaking the West, and thus placed too high a priority on equalling or besting the U.S.
and other European nations in space development and exploration. Japan had failed to build up
mission experience or set more modest goals but instead rushed into technologically'
demanding showpiece projects- in short, it tried to run before it could walk.
Another problem that had beset JAXA, said critics and officials alike, was the Japanese
public - they are reluctant to accept failure. Exploring new frontiers means taking risks,
suffering setbacks and learning from the process. This is something Japan did not have to
worry about as all it had to do was just to adopt and perfect technologies and ideas developed
in other countries.
In its eagerness to put H-IIA into space, the JAXA had failed to conduct sufficient test
firings, and a fatal flaw in the nozzle of the booster rocket was missed.The main engine was
only test-fired for a total of 15 000 seconds before it was launched- equivalent to only one-
tenth of the typical testing carried by U.S. and European rocket markers. The lack of
experience in handling rockets is one other reason for the ultimate termination of the space
programme.
Japan's space agency was pummelled with public abuse. Politicians and editorial writers
moaned about Japan's inability to succeed in space. However, others felt that the criticisms
were themselves indicators that Japan still lacked a risk-taking entrepreneurial mindset.They
conceded that accidents are common in something as risky and unknown as space travel
and should be accepted.
They felt that Japan's setback and failure were big, but not exceptional when compared to
those of other countries. For instance, the H-IIA's failure rate of one in six launches was more
favourable compared to Europe's most advanced rocket, the Ariane 5, which failed in two out
of its ten launches. ,br>
These critics also reckoned that since space development is something risky, and tough,
Japanese should learn to live with failures. They also felt that Japan should consider
focusing its resources on areas that emphasised its technological strengths, such as robotics,
ion engines and earth-measurement devices.
Adapted from Far Eastern Review, 6 May 20
setbacks — perlengahan
adept — mahir
Answer all the questions:
You are advised to answer them in the order set.
1. a. From paragraph 2, what evidence shows that Japan's space exploration
programme was unsuccessful?
Answer
The vacant launching pads and empty mission-control centre. (1 mark)
b. From paragraph 3, why was the H-IIA rocket destroyed?
Answer
It malfunctioned in mid-flight to Mars. ( 1 mark)
2. From paragraph 4, which organisation conducted an investigation to determine
Japan's failure in space exploration?
Answer
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) conducted the investigation.
(1 mark)
3. From paragraph 5, which word has the same meaning as "to be the first to
start something"?
Answer
Pioneer
(1 mark)
4. a. From paragraph 7, what were the Japanese not prepared to accept?
Answer
They were not prepared to accept failures.
(1 mark)
b. From paragraph 8, state two reasons for Japan's failed attempt at
launching the H-IIA into space.
Answer
Failure to conduct sufficient test firings before the launch
(1 mark)
5. a. From paragraph 10, why was Japan's failed attempt in space exploration
considered "big but not exceptional"?
Answer
This is because Japan's failure rate is still lower compared to Europe's.
(1 mark)
b. From paragraph 11, critics of Japan's space exploration programme felt
that Japan should concentrate on areas she is good at: developing
robotics, ion engines and earth-measurement devices. Do you agree
with this opinion? Give a reason using your own words.
Answer
(Any suitable answer)
(2 marks)
Answer
They were not prepared to accept failures. (1 mark) b. From paragraph 8, state two reasons for Japan's failed attempt at launching the H-IIA into space.
Answer
Failure to conduct sufficient test firings before the launch (1 mark)
5. a. From paragraph 10, why was Japan's failed attempt in space exploration considered "big but not exceptional"?
Answer
This is because Japan's failure rate is still lower compared to Europe's. (1 mark)
b. From paragraph 11, critics of Japan's space exploration programme felt that Japan should concentrate on areas she is good at: developing robotics, ion engines and earth-measurement devices. Do you agree with this opinion? Give a reason using your own words.
Answer
(Any suitable answer) (2 marks)
The Odyssey
In March 2000, a whale conservation and research body set out in a ship, the Odyssey, to
circumnavigate the globe in search of the sperm whale in the hope of unlocking the dark
secrets surrounding the state of the world's oceans.
The US-based research team chose to study the toxicity or pollution levels in the oceans
using tissue samples from sperm whales because the sperm whale is the only species of whale
still found in abundance in all seas and oceans in the world.
After four years of sailing round the globe and collecting close to 900 tissue samples from
sperm whales in various parts of the world, the researchers are baffled by their finding. Their
preliminary analysis indicates that there is an alarmingly high level of pesticides like DDT found
in the tissues of this mammal.The presence of pesticides in the blubber could spell danger for
the species of which there are only 350 000 left.
DDT is banned in many countries because of its harmful effects on humans and animals.
Unfortunately, it is still widely used in developing countries or sold in black markets because
of its low cost and effectiveness as a pesticide.
Apart from DDT, other potent toxins like organohalogens and polychlorinated biphenyls
have also been found in the tissue samples. These pesticides are used by farmers and have
made their way into the rivers and oceans through rainfall and run-offs.
The presence of toxins in sperm whales will have a negative impact on the species.
Toxins could prevent foetUses from developing properly. It may also lead to sexual
abnormality, cancers, birth defects and sterility.
Just as they are harmful to whales, these toxins also have repercussions on humans as
we feed on the oceanic food chain. People in some parts of the world have been warned not
to consume fish caught in a certain sea because of the high level of contamination found
there. Also, studies have shown that poisons are showing up in the breast milk of nursing
mothers. Hence, there is a profound danger that toxins can pass from a mother to her baby.
Apart from just documenting the state of the world's ocean, the researchers onboard the
Odyssey are making use of this epic journey to promote awareness of the damage man is
doing to the oceans.
From the Galapagos to the Chagos islands, Papua New Guinea to Kiribati, and from
Mauritius to Sri Lanka, the eight scientists conduct educational talks to schoolchildren to raise
awareness about whales and ocean pollution.To date, thousands of schoolchildren have visited
the ship to learn about the world's oceans, whales and other marine organisms as well as the
human activities that threaten them. Along the way, the crew also gets students interested in
working to create a healthy future for the environment.
For those who are unable to make it onboard, these researchers have set up a website
www.pbs.orgiodyssey via global satellite which will enable students all over the world to learn
about their mission and the work they do.Through this interactive website and 'live' classroom, the crew is able to provide advanced multimedia material offering a thematic, hands-on
approach to understanding life in the seas. Thus, students can listen to or read the latest
Odyssey log from the crew, view the current location of the(Odyssey on a map, and view short
video reports and broadcasts directly from the Odyssey. Students can also experience a 'Day in
the Life' of an Odyssey crewperson and meet the entire crew as well. Many more interesting
activities can be sourced through the website.
By linking 'live' to the Odyssey, students in classrooms all over the world are given a
chance to participate in a voyage of discovery that is circling the globe— a unique educational
opportunity for both teachers and students alike.
The immense work carried out by the researchers demonstrates their dedication and
commitment in raising awareness on the need to protect our fragile environment. Through
rigorous scientific research, these scientists wish to provide global education to improve
people's appreciation for, and understanding of, the ocean environment and the creatures
within it, and to contribute to the conservation of whales.
Adapted from 'Trailing the Sea Giants', The Star, 6 January and
'The Voyage of the Odyssey' www.pbs.org/odyssey
Word bank
circumnavigate — belayar mengelffingi dunia
baffled — keliru, bingung
repercussions — kesan buruk
Answer all the questions.
You are advised to answer them in the order set.
1 From paragraph 2:
a What is the research team studying?
Answer
The research team is studying the pollution level of the world's oceans and seas. (1 mark)
b Why did the researchers choose to use the sperm whale?
Answer
The sperm whale is the only species of whale that is found in abundance in all
oceans and seas around the world. (1 mark)
2 From paragraph 3, what have the researchers found after four years of
collecting samples?
Answer
They have discovered that the level of pesticides in the ocean is high and this
may lead to the extinction of the sperm whale in the near future. (2 marks)
3. From the evidence in paragraph 7, why have people been warned against
consuming fish from some parts of the world?
Answer
The sea where the fish is caught is contaminated with chemicals. Evidence has
shown that the toxin can be passed from a mother to her baby via breast milk. (2 marks)
4. In paragraph 12, the writer says that there is a "need to protect our fragile
environment".
What does the word "fragile" mean? (2 marks)
Delicate, something that can be easily destroyed.
5. In your own words, why do you think schoolchildren and the general public
should learn about preserving the health of our oceans?
Answer
Human activities are the cause of the present polluted state of the oceans and seas.
If we fail to take note of its present condition and continue to dump wastes into the
waters, eventually we will suffer the consequences of our own actions as the marine
life we consume is being contaminated. (2 mark)
Those with trusting hearts will live longer, healthier lives. People who are impatient, driven
and easily moved to hostility and anger are at much higher risk of suffering life-threatening
illnesses. If yours is a hostile heart, it is important that you learn to reduce your anger.
The driving force behind hostility is a cynical mistrust of others. If we expect others to
mistreat us, we are seldom disappointed.This generates anger and leads us to respond with
aggression.The most characteristic attitude of a cynic is suspicion of the motives of people
he does not know. Cynical mistrust of others triggers an outpouring of adrenalin and other
stress hormones, with noticeable physical consequences. Your voice changes to a higher
pitch.The rate and depth of your breathing increases.Your heart is beating faster and harder,
and the muscles of your arms and legs tighten.You feel "charged up',' ready for action.
If you frequently experience these feelings, your anger quotient is too high, and you may
be at increased risk of developing serious health problems. It follows, then, that reducing
anger should help prevent a first heart attack.
To develop a more trusting heart, you will need to reduce your cynical mistrust of others,
decrease the frequency and intensity of your anger and learn to treat others with kindness
and consideration.
First, you need to acknowledge the problem. Let your spouse or a close friend know that
you recognise and intend to control your anger. Ask for support. Another way to develop trust
is to reason with yourself. When cynical thoughts strike, remind yourself that being rational
may help you to regain perspective.
If you want to develop a more trusting heart, you also need to think like the other person.
By putting yourself in another person's shoes, you begin to understand his viewpoint and his
or her behaviour. In most cases, you will find your anger slipping away. Empathy and hostility
are incompatible. One other way to be more trusting is to laugh at yourself. Humour is a fine
strategy for shaking off your mistrust and defusing anger.
Trust can also be developed by practising trust.The knowledge that you do not have to try
to control everything can be a revelation. Asserting yourself positively can also develop trust.
Any normal person will become angry when badly treated. But whatever happens, do not
lash out aggressively. If the offending individual is not someone with whom you need to have
further contact, just stay away from him or her. If the offender is someone you cannot avoid,
let him or her know calmly what it is about his or her behaviourthat is bothering you, and why.
This approach provides the other person with an opportunity to change withoutoffending him
unnecessarily.
You can also develop a more trusting heart by practising forgiveness. By letting go of
resentment and retribution, you may find that the weight of anger lifts from your shoulders,
helping you to forget the wrong way. Lastly, do not wait for a heart attack before you start
doing something about your anger. Start now.
Despite the firmest resolve to be less hostile, you may still find your anger and aggression
erupting. But persist! Overtime, these suggestions will work for you.
(Adapted from Reader's Digest, October 1990)
1. From paragraph 2, state two changes within our bodies when we develop a cynical
mistrust of others.
a When we are angry, our voice changes to a higher pitch. (l mark]
b Cynical mistrust of others often triggers excessive adrenalin [1 mark]
2. a. From paragraph 3, why should we reduce anger?
Answer
There is an increased risk of developing serious health problems when we are
angry.
[1 mark]
b. From paragraph 6, state one word that means putting yourself in another
person's shoes.
Answer
The word is empathy.
[1 mark]
3. From paragraph 6, explain what you understand by "Empathy and hostility are
incompatible" (lines 23 — 24).
Answer
Our anger towards someone usually goes away when we put ourselves in another
person's shoes and try to understand why he or she is behaving in a way that
makes us angry.
[2 marks]
4. From paragraph 7, what does "The knowledge that you do not have to try to
control everything can be a revelation" (lines 26 — 27) mean?
Answer
When we begin to understand that certain things are beyond our control, we will
be able to control our anger better.
[2 marks]
5. From paragraph 8, explain what you understand by "helping you to forget the
wrong way" (line 35).
Answer
This means that when we begin to forgive, our anger subsides and eventually we
forget that we have been wronged.
[2 marks]
Plastic shopping bags have been considered as a major environmental hazard in a number of
countries around the world.They have been blamed for the severe floods that have inundated
Bangladesh for the past few decades, causing the loss of thousands of lives and millions of
dollars in property when millions of them clog drains and waterways. In Africa, they have
assumed a new identity as the 'national flower' because many are caught in trees and fences!
The environmental impact plastic shopping bags cause is alarming and devastating.
Being non-biodegradable (it takes hundreds of years to decay), they threaten wildlife
(hundreds of marine turtles choke to death on plastic bags every year), mar landscapes, clog
drains and waterways as well as emit poisonous gases when burnt.
Due to the negative impact on the environment, various countries have classified its use as a
national problem and thus, have begun to take measures to address the problem.These include
charging the public a levy to use plastic bags, banning its use and introducing bio-plastics.
Ireland, in maintaining her image as a 'Clean and Green' nation, imposed a levy of between
1.5 and 4.5 euro cent (RM1.53 and RM5.10) on each plastic bag distributed.The tax, which came
into force on 4 March 2002, was initially met with resentment but a survey carried out a few
months into the implementation revealed a change in attitude and behaviour among the public.
The positive indication that the public was supportive of the move became evident when stores
reported a staggering 97.5% reduction in the distribution of plastic bags to shoppers. Instead of
the usual light carry bag, customers switched to using the heavy-duty reusable plastic bags.
In Bangladesh, low cost production and high profit margin caused the mushrooming of
the plastic manufacturing industry Within a span of six years, the growth was staggering —
from six factories in 1984 to 3000 in 1990! The growth escalated so dramatically that within
that same period, plastic bags became an everyday feature. However, the devastating effect
on the environment was only felt during the 1988 and 1998 floods that got environmentalists
and policymakers worried.The non-degradable bags were pinpointed as the main source of
drains and waterways clogging, which caused the huge floods that submerged two-thirds of
the country. In solving this environmental woe, the Bangladeshi government has imposed a
total ban on the use and production of plastic bags as of March 2002.
In a similar move to protect its environment, theTaiwan government has, with effect from
1 January 2003, imposed a ban on the use of plastic bags, and plastic and polystyrene
tableware. Taiwan authorities,took-this bold and drastic act because the island state was
drowning in a sea of plastic With more than 16 million bags distributed daily This accounted
for about 20 per cent of the domestic rubbish produced by the island's 23 million people.The
authorities hope that the move will reduce the nation's consumption of polystyrene and
plastic tableware by 3.57 per cent a year.
Various developed countries are looking into producing biodegradable plastic or other
biodegradable packaging that will completely degrade over time. New Zealand is at the
forefront in producing the 'Bib-Bag' made from ari oil-based plastic resin that will completely
degrade over time when it is subjected to elements associated with biodegradation like heat
and water. Another feather in its cap is the production of a biodegradable and 'compostable'
packaging made from potato starch that will fully degrade days after use.The same company
is also looking into producing -the 'hot wet cup' which is capable of holding liquid yet not
disintegrate. A company in Melbourne has developed what it claims as the most advanced
biodegradable packaging in the world. It is made from cornstarch that will eventually
disintegrate when exposed to water.
Although the use of plastic bags may be around for many years to come, the concerted effort
shown by countries around the world to reduce and restrict its use and to find alternative options
to meet packaging needs are positive steps taken towards achieving a greener environment.
1. From paragraph 2, state two changes within our bodies when we develop a cynical
mistrust of others.
a When we are angry, our voice changes to a higher pitch. (l mark]
b Cynical mistrust of others often triggers excessive adrenalin [1 mark]
2. a. From paragraph 3, why should we reduce anger?
Answer
There is an increased risk of developing serious health problems when we are
angry.
[1 mark]
b. From paragraph 6, state one word that means putting yourself in another
person's shoes.
Answer
The word is empathy.
[1 mark]
3. From paragraph 6, explain what you understand by "Empathy and hostility are
incompatible" (lines 23 — 24).
Answer
Our anger towards someone usually goes away when we put ourselves in another
person's shoes and try to understand why he or she is behaving in a way that
makes us angry.
[2 marks]
4. From paragraph 7, what does "The knowledge that you do not have to try to
control everything can be a revelation" (lines 26 — 27) mean?
Answer
When we begin to understand that certain things are beyond our control, we will
be able to control our anger better.
[2 marks]
5. From paragraph 8, explain what you understand by "helping you to forget the
wrong way" (line 35).
Answer
This means that when we begin to forgive, our anger subsides and eventually we
forget that we have been wronged.
[2 marks]
Read the passage below about the author's experience before and during her four-hour mini-kayak expedition. Then,
answer the questions that follow:
Kayak expedition
Kayaking requires training to polish the skill. One cannot expect to try it for the first time and
excel in it. It took me weeks of training before I felt ready for my kayaking finale.
Early one Monday morning, I set off for
Putrajaya where the Lake Recreation Centre
is situated. My knapsack was packed and
ready for the four-hour duration of the mini-
kayak expedition on Putrajaya Lake. When I
arrived, my other friends, a group of kayaking
enthusiasts, were waiting for me. I slathered on
sunblock, strapped on my life jacket, adjusted
my cap and ensured my water supply was
sufficient. My thoughts went back momentarily
to the bout of dehydration I had suffered a
fortnight ago. My expedition leader, Sam, was even more prepared than I was. He was clad in
a long-sleeved top to prevent sunburn. Before hitting the water, Sam briefed us on the route to
be taken. He then appointed those who would kayak on the left and right flanks and those who
would be the runner and sweeper.
The runner's task is to ensure the kayakers are fine. If a kayaker feels unwell, the runner
informs the expedition leader He will decide whether to transfer the unwell kayaker to the
tailing mother boat or to retain him or her for a while. Supplies for our lunch were neatly packed
into the front compartments of some kayaks by us. Sam taught us a few space-saving measures
and also the right kinds of food to pack for the expedition. This included energy biscuits,
chocolate, instant soup and isotonic drinks. We were also educated on the paddle signals, and
various formations. These formations included the diamond and single-line formations. We
were also taught about rafting.
Once on the lake, we struggled for a good few minutes to manoeuvre the single and twin-
seater kayaks for the diamond formation. It looked a lot easier on the whiteboard than doing
it 'live'. Staying afloat in the formation was tricky but it was a very enjoyable and challenging
experience. There was extra excitement when someone drifted off and struggled to get back
in. The single-line formation was easy. We kayaked for a while and tried other manoeuvres,
adhering to the expedition leaders' paddle signals. The sweeper constantly guided the new
members of the group by shouting out instructions.
During short breaks while we had our snacks and water, Sam hollered more instructions.
Keeping abreast with the seasoned kayakers took extra effort on my part and I began to feel
the strain on my limbs. Nevertheless, I paddled like never before, as I wanted to succeed. The
sun beat mercilessly against our backs but we battled this by trying to get to shore as soon as
possible. We eventually docked and the group split into two—one to pitch the tents and the
other to prepare a simple lunch of rice, sardines, sausages and soup. We shared a few jokes and
when lunch was over, everyone helped to clean up.
Before long, we were back in our kayaks again, racing back to shore. This time, the feeling was
of pride that I had the discipline, strength and endurance to complete this physical feat. I was
truly satisfied and fatigued, both at the same time.
Paragraph 1
1. Why does one need to polish the skill of kayaking?
Answer
One requires training to polish the skill of kayaking because one cannot be expected to try it for the first time and succeed.
Paragraph 2
2. What can we tell about the author from all the preparation she made before the trip?
Answer
She is very organized.
She likes to be well-prepared.
She is a sea sport enthusiast.
Paragraph 3
3. (a) What is the runner's task?
Answer
To ensure the kayakers are fine.
(b) In what ways did Sam teach them? Mention two.
(i) He taught them a few space- saving measures.
(ii) He educated them on the paddles and various formation.
(c) What kind of food was suitable for a trip such as this? Mention two types.
Answer
Any two of the following:
Energy biscuits
Chocolate
Instant soup
Isotonic drinks
Paragraph 4
4 (a) Which word in this paragraph shows that manoeuvring the single and twin-seater kayaks in a
diamond formation was difficult?
Answer
'struggled'
(b) What was the sweeper'srole?
To constantly guide the new members of the group by shouting out instructions.
Paragraph 5
5. (a) The author faced some difficulties. Mention at least one.
Answer
She felt the strain on her limbs. Or The sun beat mercilessly against her back. (Choose ONE.)
(b) Why did the group split into two?
One to pitch the tents, the other to prepare a simple lunch of rice, sardines, sausages and soup.
Paragraph 6
6. While racing back in the kayaks, the author felt a sense of pride. Why was this so?
Answer
She felt she had the discipline, strength and endurance to complete this physical feat.
(ii) He educated them on the paddles and various formation.
(c) What kind of food was suitable for a trip such as this? Mention two types.
Answer
Any two of the following:
Energy biscuits
Chocolate
Instant soup
Isotonic drinks
Paragraph 4
4 (a) Which word in this paragraph shows that manoeuvring the single and twin-seater kayaks in a diamond formation was difficult?
Answer
'struggled'
(b) What was the sweeper'srole?
To constantly guide the new members of the group by shouting out instructions.
Paragraph 5
5. (a) The author faced some difficulties. Mention at least one.
Answer
She felt the strain on her limbs. Or The sun beat mercilessly against her back. (Choose ONE.) (b) Why did the group split into two?
One to pitch the tents, the other to prepare a simple lunch of rice, sardines, sausages and soup.
Paragraph 6
6. While racing back in the kayaks, the author felt a sense of pride. Why was this so?
Answer
She felt she had the discipline, strength and endurance to complete this physical feat.