Reading Comprehension for FORM 4

What exectly reading comprehension?

Simply put, reading comprehension is the act of understanding what you are reading. While the definition can be simply stated the act is not simple to teach, learn or practice. Reading comprehension is an intentional, active, interactive process that occurs before, during and after a person reads a particular piece of writing.
Reading comprehension is one of the pillars of the act of reading. When a person reads a text he engages in a complex array of cognitive processes. He is simultaneously using his awareness and understanding of phonemes (individual sound “pieces” in language), phonics (connection between letters and sounds and the relationship between sounds, letters and words) and ability to comprehend or construct meaning from the text. This last component of the act of reading is reading comprehension. It cannot occur independent of the other two elements of the process. At the same time, it is the most difficult and most important of the three.
There are two elements that make up the process of reading comprehension: vocabulary knowledge and text comprehension. In order to understand a text the reader must be able to comprehend the vocabulary used in the piece of writing. If the individual words don’t make the sense then the overall story will not either. Children can draw on their prior knowledge of vocabulary, but they also need to continually be taught new words. The best vocabulary instruction occurs at the point of need. Parents and teachers should pre-teach new words that a child will encounter in a text or aid her in understanding unfamiliar words as she comes upon them in the writing. In addition to being able to understand each distinct word in a text, the child also has to be able to put them together to develop an overall conception of what it is trying to say. This is text comprehension. Text comprehension is much more complex and varied that vocabulary knowledge. Readers use many different text comprehension strategies to develop reading comprehension. These include monitoring for understanding, answering and generating questions, summarizing and being aware of and using a text’s structure to aid comprehension...Read more

FORM 4
Reading Comprehension 1
READ & UNDERSTAND
Read the passage below and answer the questions.

Tips
1 Read through the questions quickly then proceed to read the passage.
2. For each question, look for the answer in the passage. Answer the questions in the order set.
3. Normally questions are set according to the sequence of the passage. Sometimes in the question itself, the paragraph from which you can get the answer is stated.
4. Check your answers.

Mention the term "nuclear power" and you set off alarm bells in most people. People remember the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II. They also remember the terrible nuclear accident in Chernobyl, Russia. There were also lesser scares in Three Mile Island in the U.S. and Sellafield in Britain. Despite all these blemishes on its record, nuclear energy is making a comeback in many countries. Is it really one of the possible ways of overcoming the energy crisis? Study its report card.

Hiroshima and Nagasaki,
On August 6, 1945, an atomic bomb was dropped over Hiroshima and Nagasaki 3 days later. The bomb over Hiroshima and then on Nagasaki, 3 days later. The bombing of these two Japanese cities brought World War II to an end. The single bomb on Hiroshima is thought have killed 140 000 people. The heat blast from the bomb flattened more than 10 square kilometres of the city. People, 2 1/2 miles away suffered severe burning. Many died in later years from the effects of radiation. Since then, the world has reeled in fear of the terrible force of nuclear energy. Many nuclear reactors exists today for peaceful purposes — mainly the generation of electricity. But the fear still remains. What if there is an accident in a nuclear reactor? Will the people who live near it suffer the dangerous effects of radiation?'

Chernobyl
On 26 April 1986, the whole world learned the name of a small town, 80 miles north of Kiev in Ukraine (formerly a part of the Soviet Union). The town was Chernobyl. 12 miles just outside Chernobyl is a nuclear power plant used to produce electricity. A terrible nuclear accident took place when an explosion in the plant blew off its entire roof. Vast amounts of radiation were released. Far too late, 100 000 people were evacuated from towns miles round. By that time, suffer radiation was being carried by high air currents across Europe. Detectors in Sweden were the first to alert the rest of Europe to what was happening. Those detectors showed that the radiation in Sweden — 1300 km away from Chernobyl — was high. 41 workers died of radiation sickness and people within a hundred miles of Chernobyl suffered the worst ill-effects of radiation. Over the following months, many children developed leukaemia and other forms of cancer. The lessons of Chernobyl are many. Nuclear reactors require very high safety standards. Many developing nations may not be able to afford or provide such safety standards. There is also the danger of a nuclear reactor being bombed in the style of September 11, 2002. What if an entire nuclear reactor is hijacked and the entire host country held to ransom?

Why Some countries Are Going Ahead With Nuclear Power
• Oil reserves are being depleted. In about 20 years' time there may be no oil reserves left in-the world.
• The alternative fuels that have been tried have proved to be inadequate. Wind and solar power, biomass and other alternative sources will only produce a small fraction of the total energy needs.
• The cost of constructing a nuclear reactor has reduced greatly in recent years.
• Safety standards have improved. greatly. More people have died from coal-mining accidents and gas explosions than from nuclear accidents.
• Air and water pollution from burning fossil fuels kill more people today. According to the World Health Organization, nearly 3 million deaths a year are related to the burning of fossil fuels.

Answer all questions.
You are advised to answer them in the order set.
1 "Mention the term 'nuclear power' and you set off alarm bells in most people."
(a) What does the writer mean by the italicised words above?
Answer
These words mean that most people react with fear when "nuclear power" is mentioned. (1 mark)
(b) Why do people react to nuclear power in this way?
Answer
The memories of the bombing of Hiroshima, Nagasaki and the Chernobyl accident are still strong in their minds. (1 mark)
2 Nuclear power was used for very different purposes in Hiroshima and Chernobyl. Explain the different purposes. Answer
In Hiroshima, nuclear power was used for military purposes to destroy a city. In Chernobyl, nuclear power was used in a plant to generate electricity. (2 rnarks)
3 Compare the devastating effects of Hiroshima and Chernobyl.
(a) In what way was Hiroshima a more deadly disaster than Chernobyl?
Answer
The Hiroshima bomb blast killed 140 000 people whereas only 40 people were killed by the effects of radiation in Chernobyl. (I mark)
(b) In what way was Chernobyl a more extensive disaster?
Answer
The bomb blast in Hiroshima was localised as it only covered a range of 10 kilometres, whereas the radiation effects of Chernobyl were felt as far as 1300 kilometres away. (1 mark)
4. Using your own words, explain why many countries are ready to turn to nuclear power in recent years. Give two reasons.
Answer
Firstly, oil reserves are rapidly being depleted. (1 mark)
Secondly, air and water, pollution are killing more people by the high incidence of illness caused. (1 mark)
5. Which word from the passage has a similar meaning as
(a) levelled - flattened
(b) production - generation
(c) warn - alert
(d) combustion - burning

FORM 4
Reading Comprehension 2
READ & UNDERSTAND
Read the passage below and answer the questions.

Loan Shark
According to Investopedia.com, a loan shark is defined as a person who—or an entity that—loans money at extremely high interest rates and often uses threats of violence to collect debts. The interest rates are generally well above an established legal rate, and often loan sharks are members of organized crime groups.
Loan sharks are illegal money lenders who charge exorbitant interest rates and use threats and violence to get their money back. They are usually the last resort for people who fail to secure loans from respectable sources such as banks. Loan sharks are usually aggressive in promoting their services. Their advertisements can be seen pasted all over town on walls, road signs, traffic lights and lamp posts. They also drop off their business cards and leaflets in the letter boxes of homes and offices. There are those who hang round public areas like parks and shopping malls as well, preying on vulnerable people like the unemployed or single 'parents.
Trouble sets in when borrowers find it difficult to keep up with the repayments due to the high interest rates. One may then be forced to obtain a second loan to pay off the first, and so on and so forth, which would cause one's debts to spiral out of control. This is when these loan sharks turn nasty to get their money back. They will harass you and your family members, beat you up or damage your property. They may even spray, splash or write in red paint on the walls of a borrower's property as a threat of violence and to shame him into repaying the loan. Borrowers who are unable to cope with the harassments may be driven into committing suicide.
One borrower who has experienced the loan shark scourge is Kunte Simon. He initially borrowed a sum of RM10 000 from a bank to start his poultry business. All seemed well at first, but after the outbreak of the bird flu, his business began to fall by the wayside. On top of that, he had been losing a lot of money through his habitual gambling. Kunte then began having financial difficulties. Not only was he unable to repay his loan, he was having trouble supporting his family as well. In desperation, he turned to a loan shark for help.
This, however, was the start of worse things to come. His action caused him to incur even more debts. Consequently, his family lived every day in fear due to the constant harassments from the loan sharks. It came to a point where his wife just could not handle the harassments anymore and decided to leave him. She took along their children as well, leaving him all alone to fend for himself. His financial 30 situation had now become the bane of his life. All hope was lo.st for Kunte and he was on the brink of suicide.
Thankfully, a credit counsellor by the name of Andrew Winston came to his aid. Andrew came to know about Kunte's predicament through his neighbours. He helped Kunte to fend off the harassments from the loan sharks by reporting the 35 matter to the authorities. He also made Kunte aware that he had no legal obligation to repay his debt. Besides that, he taught Kunte how to manage his finances better and helped him to revive his poultry business. Not long after, Kunte was back on his feet again.
The next thing Kunte did was to look for his wife and children. He wanted 40 to reunite with them, now that his problems had been solved. After months of searching, Kunte managed to find them. At first, his wife was rather apprehensive about going back to him. But after much convincing, his wife finally realised that he had indeed turned his life round. Kunte feels great, now that his life is taking a turn for the better, thanks to a good Samaritan who was probably heaven-sent.

Word bank:
loan shark — ceti harem
harrassment — gangguan
apprehensive — khuatir

Answer all questions.
You are advised to answer them in the order set.
1. From paragraph 1, describe a loan shark in your own words.
Answer
A loan shark is a person who lends money illegally, charges high interest rates and uses violence to claim back money, from the borrowers. (2 marks)
2. Based on paragraph 1, state two ways that loan sharks use to promote their services.
Answer
(a) Sticking bills about their business on walls (1 mark) (b) Dropping their business cards into post boxes (1 mark)
3. From paragraph 2, what do borrowers tend to do wherrthey are unable to pay off their loans obtained from loan sharks?
Answer
They may obtain another loan from a different loan shark to pay off the previous loan. This may then end up becoming a cycle. (2 Marks)
4. Paragraphs 3 and 4 explain how Kunte's business began to take a turn for the worse and the problems that it caused.
Answer
(a) What was the epidemic that caused him to lose most of his poultry?
The bird flu outbreak (1 mark)
(b) What does the sentence 'His financial situation had now become the bane of his life' mean?
Answer
His financial situation had caused him a lot of problems. (1 mark)
5. Paragraph 5 explains the reasons for the writer to regard Andrew Winston as 'a good Samaritan'. State two reasons.
Answer
(a) Andrew helped Kunte to settle his problems with the loan shark. (1 mark)
(b) Andrew helped Kunte to revive his business. ( 1 mark)

Additional Questions
Using the information given in the passage, state whether the statements below are True or False.
1 A loan shark is a person who does business in a legal way. (False)
2 Loan sharks go all out to promote their business. ( True)
3 Loan sharks are sincere in helping those with financial difficulties. ( False)
4 Loan sharks use force to get borrowers to pay up. (True)
5 Borrowers who are unable to settle their debts may be inclined to take their lives. ( True)
6 Kunte borrowed from loan sharks to start his business. ( False)
7 Kunte was addicted to gambling. (True)
8 Kunte's wife and children stayed with him through thick and thin. ( False)
9 Andrew Winston helped Kunte to clear off his debts. ( False)
10 Kunte made Andrew his business partner. ( False)

FORM 4
Reading Comprehension 3
READ & UNDERSTAND
Read the passage below and answer the questions.

What is the Internet? The Internet is a vast network that connects computers all over the world. Through the Internet, people can share information and communicate from anywhere with an Internet connection.
The Internet is bringing the global shopping experience to more and more people. Internet auction is the in-thing now. Traditionally; you need to travel for miles, sweat in the hot weather and go to many auctions before you can get an item. However, with the computer, you can log on to many Internet auction sites offering a wide range of tempting online merchandise. All you have to do is click your mouse and decide on your price. What an easy and fast way to buy what you want! But before you bid, do you know your rights? Here are a few tips to help you be a smart bidder in an Internet auction.
Firstly, you must remember that many people who advertise goods for sale on the Internet auction sites are private sellers. As a buyer, you may not really know who you are dealing with or where they are based. So be wary.
Secondly, you have fewer rights when you buy privately at an Internet auction. In a private sale, the goods must be sold as described. When buying on the Internet, however, buyers cannot appeal if they are not satisfied with the quality or the way the product functions. It is easier to return or repair a product if the buyer buys it from a shop.
Thirdly, before bidding for an item, check the seller's reputation. Most auction sites post feedback ratings of sellers based on comments by other buyers. Ask questions before you bid, as a good seller will always welcome enquiries.
Next, identify the product that you want to bid for. Do your homework and check the description, model type and retail price of the goods. If it is a collectible item, take steps to confirm its authenticity. Be suspicious of the product if the price is very low. Know how much you are willing to pay, stick to the price and decide whether you are getting value for money. Once a price is accepted, you will be expected to pay.
Another tip is, 'before you bid for the item, find out what form of payment the seller accepts. If it is only cheques or money orders, decide whether you are willing to take the risk of sending your payment before you receive the product. If you are buying goods from abroad, you will face more problems — you may not be protected by consumer rights. Consider the amount of money that will be needed to pay customs duties and sales tax. Remember these steps when you want to bid in an Internet auction. Enjoy the flexibility e-shopping gives you but be sensible and know the risks as well.
Adapted from: http://www.consumer.gov.uk/consumer_web/e-shopping.htm

Word bank
Global - seluruh dunia
auction - lelong
merchandise - barangan
money orders - kiriman wang
protected - dilindungi

Answer all questions.
You are advised to answer them in the order set.
1. From the information in paragraph 1,
(a) give two disadvantages of bidding for an item the conventional way.
Answer
(i) You must travel long distances. (1 mark)
(ii) You have to go to many auctions before getting an item. (1 mark)
(b) how is an Internet auction different from a conventional auction?
Answer
Goods can be bought faster and more easily from home. (I mark)
2. From paragraph 2; why must auction bidders be careful of private sellers?
Answer
They may not know who they are dealing with or where they are based.
3. From the information in paragraph 3,
(a) what rights will an auction bidder lose if he buys an item from the Internet?
Answer
The buyer cannot appeal if he is not satisfied with the quality of the product or the way the product functions. (I mark)
(b) why is it more beneficial to buy an item from a shop?
Answer
It is easier to be returned or repaired, (1 mark)
4. From the evidence in paragraph 5, what are the two things you must do if you are buying a collectible item?
Answer
(i) Check whether the product is authentic. (1 mark)
(ii) Decide on the price you want to pay and stick to it. (1 mark)
5. In paragraph 6, the writer talks about the risk one has to take when it comes to payment. What is the writer referring to?
Answer
The risk of not receiving the product after having paid for it (2 marks)

FORM 4
Reading Comprehension 4
READ & UNDERSTAND
Read the passage below and answer the questions.

There are many ways people around the globe express their love for each other. John Lennon sang "All You Need is Love". Mexican poet, Jaime Sabines, wrote, "Love is the most exquisite, awesome and' unbearable silence". But it was Mahatma Gandhi who expressed it best of all - "Where there is love," he said "there is life." And as unique as each person's experience is of love, each culture has its own tradi ional way of expressing these feelings.

China
The world's moscpopulous nation has one of the richest traditions regarding love. Before the discovery of Valentine's Day, the Chinese already had two days set aside for expressing love. The first is Qi Qiao Jie, or the Chinese Day of Love, which is celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh month, according to theChinese calendar. It is the story of two lovers — he, a cowherd and she, a weaver—who could meet only once a year on a bridge _formed by magpies. This day then became known as Qi Qiao Jie: Today, young lovers gather on bridges in parks all over the country to celebrate this day.
Others in China consider Shang Yuan Jie (known here as Chap Goh Mei) also called Deng Jie, to be the true Chinese day of love. An ancient festival celebrated on the 15th day of the first month, it is one of those rare occasions when maidens leave their homes. For those who are 'of the age of consent', it is an opportunity not to be missed. Today, however, Shang Yuan Jie is only celebrated in remote villages or by very traditional families.

Thailand
Traditionally, in Thailand, young girls who are being courted are accompanied by family members who gather on the brightly-lit, front porches of their homes. This is the signal for the suitors to introduce themselvesahe suitor approaches, accompanied by one or more male friends. If the girl's family is suitably impressed, they may allow the suitor to sing a song in her honour.
The suitor must never touch the young woman he woos. If he commits such a faux pas, the young man must beg forgiveness from his prospective in-laws by sending gifts of flowers or candles before seven days have passed. Failure to do so is considered a grave offence against members of the girl's family, their ancestors and their spirits. As a result, it is believed, the young man's family members will experience bad luck.
In the ritual of apology, the father of the girl decides whether to accept or reject a marriage proposal.

Portugal
Ancient courting traditions in the north of Portugal portray the female lover as a spinner. According to legend, while embroidering linen handkerchiefs, the woman transfers her feelings for her beloved to the cloth before sending it to him. The day of love differs for each girl, occurring when she finishes embroidering her handkerchief.
If the young man wore the handkerchief around his neck on his Sunday walk, it was considered a public acknowledgement of his commitment to the sender. If he did not want to pledge himself to her, he would return the handkerchief.

Mexico
Romance in Mexico has a sweeter and more harmonious side. The custom of serenading a loved one is rooted deeply in Mexican culture. At night, the suitor visits his beloved's home wittta group of musicians. They sing love songs until she comes out to receive her suitor. If she fails to appear, she has rejected his suit.
Serenading is carried out by mariachi bands in Mexico. While the custom of serenading has declined in many countries, it still remains popular in Mexico.

Adapted from: The Star

Word bank
populous — padat
faux pas — kesilapan sosial yang memalukan
ancestors — nenek moyang
embroidering — menyulam
serenading — menyanyi, terutamanya untuk menunjuk rasa kasih sayang

Answer all questions.
You are advised to answer them in the order set.
1. From paragraphs 3 and 4, what are the two days in China dedicated to love and when are they celebrated?
Answer
(i) The first is Qi Qiao Jie which is celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh month. (1 mark)
(ii) The second is Shang Yuan Jie, which is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first month. (1 mark)
2 From paragraph 5, in Thailand, why do young girls gather at the front porch of their homes?
Answer
They gather as a signal to suitors to approach the house and introduce themselves. (2 mark)
3. In paragraph 6, what does the phrase 'such a faux pas' refer to?
Answer
It refers to the suitor touching the young woman he is wooing. (2 marks)
4. From paragraphs 8 and 9, (a) what does a handkerchief around a man's neck on a Sunday signify?
Answer
It signifies that he is interested in the woman who made him the handkerchief. (1 mark)
(b) what must the man do if he is not interested? Answer
Answer
He must return the handkerchief. (1 mark)
5. From paragraph 10, how would a suitor in Mexico woo a lady?
Answer
He would serenade her at her home with a group of musicians. (2 marks)

FORM 4
Reading Comprehension 5
READ & UNDERSTAND
Read the passage below and answer the questions.

Bulimia nervosa is the name of an eating disorder. People with this illness usually go through binge-eating (usually when they are alone). During the time that they are binge eating the sufferers are unable to control how much they eat, and eat much more than other people would. The sufferers try to avoid gaining weight from all this food either by dieting or by fasting.
They also behave in certain ways: they vomit immediately after their huge meal, exercise too much and take laxatives and diuretics— drugs that make them go to the toilet — to get rid of the food and liquid they have taken. It is difficult to know whether someone is suffering from bulimia nervosa, even when the sufferer is a close friend or a family member. People with this illness usually have normal weight but they are seriously ill. The excessive eating and vomiting are very bad for the body. In the long term, they, become tired, and may have liver and kidney damage. Emotionally, they al-e very unhappy because on the one hand, they cannot control their food cravings but on the other hand, they feel extremely guilty and hate themselves after they have, overeaten. All this can lead to depression, as well as alcohol and drug abuse.
People suffer from bulimia nervosa because of the need to have the 'perfect' body so that others will accept them. They also feel that they do not have enough control over their own lives, and controlling the food they eat is one way in which they do have control. They feel that if they cannot control their world, they can at least control their body. They start dieting in order to get that 'perfect' body. The dieting makes them feel hungry, which leads to an episode of excess eating. They then feel guilty because they have eaten too much and they vomit, over exercise, and so on.
Another factor in this illness is the sufferers' environment. Young people, especially, worry about their friends' opinions, and want to be accepted by them. This peer pressure makes young people feel that they have to look a certain way and do certain things. They are not mature enough to say, "I am my own person, and I know what is good for me." Many famous people, mostly female, suffer from bulimia nervosa because they feel that the media or other people control them, and they have lost control over their own lives.
The first step in curing bulimia nervosa is to treat the person's physical health. Then, patients can be treated by a psychologist who will try to help them feel that they are of value, and that they can indeed control more than just their food. Family and friends are important during the time of treatment, and must show that they accept and support the sufferers.
They should not blame them for their condition. Perhaps the most important means of preventing bulimia nervosa is education. Young people, especially, should have information about healthy eating and healthy habits. Parents, teachers and friends are the most important people in their social environment, and they must be supportive so that young people have confidence in themselves.

World bank
vomit — muntah
guilty — rasa bersalah
cravings — keinginan
peer — rakan sebaya

Surf the Internet to learn more about other eating disorders.

Answer all the questions.
You are advised to answer them in the order set.
1. From paragraph 1,
(a) what does the writer mean by binge-eating?
Answer
Binge-eating is eating excessively without being able to control how much you eat. (1 mark) (b) how do sufferers prevent weight gain?
Answer
Sufferers prevent weight gain by dieting or fasting. (1 mark)
2. From the evidence in paragraph 2, give two physical conditions sufferers of bulimia nervosa experience.
Answer
(i) They become tired. (1 mark) (ii) They may suffer from kidney and liver damage. (1 mark)
3. From the information in paragraphs 3 and 4, give two reasons why people suffer from bulimia nervosa.
Answer
(i) Some people feel that they need a perfect body shape before others can accept them. (1 mark) (ii) Some of them lack control over their own lives. They face peer pressure. (Any two) (I mark)
4. From paragraph 5, why should people suffering from bulimia nervosa see a psychologist?
Answer
A psychologist will be able to convince them of their value and help them to feel that they can control more than just their food. (2 marks)
5. In your own words, explain how parents and teachers can help to prevent bulimia nervosa in youths.
Answer
Parents and teachers must educate the young on healthy eating habits and must support them in building self-confidence. (2 marks)

FORM 4
Reading Comprehension 6
READ & UNDERSTAND
Read the passage below and answer the questions.

The heart of the average person beats about 72 times a minute. It pumps nearly 14 000 litres of blood a day. These are amazing statistics which show how hard the human heart has to work. It is, therefore, important for everyone to have a healthy heart.
Some people who have an unhealthy heart suffer from arteriosclerosis. This disease happens when the walls of the arteries become thick with fat. The fat blocks the arteries so blood is not able to flow through them. A blood clot is formed and this is very dangerous. Another effect of narrow arteries is angina, -or heart pain. The heart also does not receive enough oxygen or nutrients because there is not enough blood supplied to it.
When we exercise, run or when we are suddenly frightened by something, we get palpitations, which refer to a fast or irregular heartbeat. This is quite common and not dangerous. However, when palpitations happen too often or for a long period of time, it may be a sign of heart disease. This is especially true if the sufferer also has chest pains.
In Malaysia, heart disease is one of the biggest killers. The government, hospitals, patients and their families spend millions of ringgit on the treatment of heart disease. It, therefore, makes sense to prevent the disease before it becomes seriods. In order to do this, it is important to strengthen the heart. We can make the heart stronger in many ways, such as by eating in a 20 healthy way and lowering stress levels. We can also ask a qualified doctor for advice and take medication for heart problems.
Besides this, we can keep our heart healthy with natural health boosters. One of the best boosters is cayenne. Cayenne helps to make the heart stronger, the blood flow better and also clears the arteries. If we want to test whether or not this herb really works, we can take some and we will see our face turn red, indicating that blood circulation is good.
The ancient Greeks and Romans used the hawthorn flower as a wedding bouquet because, for them, it was a symbol of joy and hope. Today, it is used as medicine for the heart. The berries of the hawthorn lower blood pressure, while the flowers make the heart stronger. This herb also helps to ease chest pains. It can be taken as hawthorn tea made from its flowers and berries.
Even easier to take is garlic. Garlic is wonderful for keeping the heart healthy. It has been used for a long time to prevent heart diseases. It was used by the ancient Greeks and Romans as a remedy for illness, and may explain why only a small number of people suffer from heart diseases in the Mediterranean area, where garlic is used in many of their dishes. This kitchen ingredient reduces high blood pressure and cholesterol and helps blood circulation. It is surely one of the easiest boosters to take as it is a common ingredient found in most kitchens.
A common spice found in every kitchen is black pepper, which helps to improve blood circulation. Saffron is a rare and expensive spice that lowers blood pressure. It is a spice commonly used in Spain, and this may explain why fewer people in Spain suffer from heart disease than elsewhere in Europe. People have used natural health boosters for hundreds of years, and recent studies show that they contain active ingredients that can be used to treat heart disease. It is high time that we learn more about how these natural ingredients can help improve our health.

dot - gumpalan (beku)
irregular - tidak serata
circulation - pengedaran

Surf for The Heart: All You Need To Know

Answer all the questions.
You are advised to answer them in the order set.

1. From paragraph 1, 'how hard does the human heart work every day?
Answer
The human heart beats about 72 times a minute and pumps nearly 14 000 litres of blood every day. (1 mark)
2 From paragraph 2,
(a) how does arteriosclerosis happen?
Answer
Arteriosclerosis happens when the walls of the arteries become thick with fat. (I mark)
(b) the writer mentions that "... blood is not able to flow through them." What does them refer to?
Answer
It refers to the arteries. (1 mark)
3. Based on paragraph 2, give two effects of narrowed arteries.
Blood cannot flow through them and a blood clot may form./Angina or heart pain may result./The heart does not receive enough oxygen or nutrients. (Any two) (1 mark)
4. From the evidence in Paragraph 3,
(a) what are palpitations?
Answer
Palpitations are the fast or irregular beatings of the heart. (1 mark)
(b) are palpitations that happen too often, or go on for a long time, dangerous? Explain.
Answer
Yes, because it may be a sign of heart disease, especially if the sufferer also has chest pains. (2 marks)
5. In the passage, The writer states that plants have been used by people to cure heart illnesses.
(a) From paragraph 6, how does hawthorn help the heart?
Answer
Hawthorn berries lower blood pressure, and the flowers make the heart stronger. This herb also helps to ease chest pains. (1 mark)
(b) From paragraph 7, how does garlic help the heart?
Answer
Garlic reduces high blood pressure and cholesterol and helps blood circulate through our body. (1 mark)

FORM 4
Reading Comprehension 7
READ & UNDERSTAND
Read the passage below and answer the questions.

A Tsunami Survivor

At about 10.30 a.m. on the 26th of December, I went to the beach. I had planned to go sailing, but there was no wind so I opted for water skiing with my friend, Lars. The moment I got into the water, the lagoon started to drain out. Within seconds, it was too shallow to ski, so I climbed back into the boat. We sat there just watching the water drain away without any comprehension of what was to happen next. At first, we saw a couple on a kayak struggling in the current — they were being sucked out to sea. But then, almost immediately, they were on top of a small wave kayaking towards the beach at some speed. Of course, we did not know of the huge volume of water underneath them that would simply rise up into a huge wave once it reached shallow waters. That was basically what happened next.
We were in the ski boat facing the shore, when the water passing underneath us began to pull the boat towards the shore. Almost out of nowhere there was a huge wall of water behind us. We were at the bottom of a 10-metre wave that stretched the entire length of the beach. I screamed at the driver to get us out of the wave but even at full power, the boat was sucked to the bottom of the wave. The wave then collapsed on topof the boat. I remember covering my head and rolling into a ball. I knew not to fightthe current and to wait as long as I could before reacting. The truth is, I was just lucky. I came to the surface, sucked in some air, and then saw a huge wave coming at me. I grabbed some wood to hang onto, but then saw a life jacket floating 10 metres away. I swam desperately for it. I put it on and instantly felt safe. I was afloat in the sea and things didn't look that bad for me. I knew I was safe from drowning. I just hadtro_wait for help.
We were all then pushed inland, over what I now know was the Cabana Hotel pool where so many people had been when the wave struck. I saw the water flooding into open spaces and it was here that I got very frightened. Water was rushing in, filling every empty void and I could see that I was likely to go wherever the water went. I smashed into the first floor balcony of the hotel and tried to hang onto it but the current was too strong. I took a quick breath and then was pulled under. I am sure I survived because of the life jacket. I surfaced round the corner of the hotel and drifted a-little way to the back of it before swimming to a tree and climbing up. About three or four minutes later, the water subsided. I climbed down and almost immediately saw Lars and the driver. They were both fine. Then, we heard people screaming for their loved ones. There was devastation everywhere. &hall wooden bungalows had been ripped open. At the Cabana Hotel, we started clearing an area to place the injured.
I had lost everything out there that day. The ontirthing I came back with were the shorts I was wearing. I know now that lam very lockyto be alive.

Adapted from an e-mail from Luke Simmonds, a Tsunami survivor

Word bank:
opted — memilih
shallow — cetek
comprehension — kefahaman
collapse — jatuh
surface — permukaan
void — kekosongan

National Georgraphic: Tsunami

Answer all the questions.
You are advised to answer them in the order set.

1. (a) From paragraph 1, why did the writer decide not to go sailing that day?
Answer
There was no wind.
(b) What did he opt to do instead?
Answer
He decided to go water skiing. (1 mark)
2. What did the .writer mean when he said, 'That was basically what happened next' (line 9)?
Answer
The volume of water under them rose up into a huge wave. (2 marks)
3. From the evidence in paragraph 2, explain why the driver of the boat could not steer the boat away from the wave.
Answer
The boat was not powerful enough and the current was too strong.
From paragraphs 2 and 3,
4. (a) did the writer feel safer out in the open sea or when he was being pushed the pool area of the hotel?
Answer
He felt safer in the open sea. (1 mark)
(b) justify your answer with information from the text.
Answer
The writer said he felt safe with the life jacket on but when he was pushed into the hotel, he suddenly felt frightened. (2 marks)
5. What kept the writer alive?
Answer
His life jacket.

FORM 4
Reading Comprehension 8
READ & UNDERSTAND
Read the passage below and answer the questions.

Sometimes, I do feel like James Bond. While I don't go on cove mssions or risk life and limb for God and country — heck, I don't even bungee jump — I do possess an inordinate number of gadgets for a person most would call a tech idiot. But, like most pimple, I have come to a kind of happy truce with the devices I own. Apart from my TV and my DVD player, these include my mobile phone, my PDA, my iF'OD and my two computers.
Still, I.daresay I have not explored every function that 'these devices provide. Nor am compelled to. My PDA, for example, is purely for diary purpose&And I admit sheepishly that also bought it because it looked good and has a colour screen— allowing me to play my favourite game, Bejewelled.
However, when a stray gadget function does reveal its miracle in the course of my interaction with more tech-savvy friends, I move one step up the evolutionary ladder. I only figured out how to adjust the contrast of my iPod screen two months after buying it. Previously, I had been squinting at the faint words, blaming my failing eyesight rather than my technologically backward brain.
Technology, I had always feared, would niake us slothful, dumb and complacent, but I have since changed my mind. In what I consider to be the mother(board) of all ironies, technology actually keeps us smart, active and more alert — not by helping us, but by constantly coming up with problems.
Apart from the much bemoaned bugs in Windows, there are many other ways in which technology reminds us that we are not in control.
Another way in winch technology keeps us on our toes is M the realm of e-mail. I used to have only one e-mail account. Like most other people, I soon stopped that and got a free Internet account instead, which allowed me to log on from wherever I was in the world. That worked fine for a while until spam invaded my mailbox. So I got another. Today, I have five e-mail accounts. I have to remind myself to check each account every now and then — that is if I can remember the e-mail addresses in the first place.
Then, there is the matter of passwords. At work, passwords are required to get past firewalls, to access personal employee information and to log on to our word processing system. I have not included those required to access various online transactions. I change my passwords regularly, which allows me a chalice to exercise both the right side of my brain (to get creative with word combinations) and the left side (to force myself to remember them).
In fact, if you think about it, the Tech Deities really don't have much to do to make us falter. We can do just fine on our own. I cannot remember the number -of times I lost my mobile phone. Or the times I forgot my PIN number at the ATM. Or the number of times I spilled coffee on my keyboard. Or forgot to back up my files. Or sent an SMS to the wrong person. Technology may advance by leaps and bounds and dangle its lifestyle-enhancing carrots in front of us. But the more devices we clutter our lives with, the more we are reminded of how human and vulnerable we are when we fail. Who would have thought it would take machines to remind us that we are hopelessly and humanly mortal?

Adapted from The Star

Word bank:
covert — rahsia
inordinate — lebih daripada yang dijangka
slothful — malas
realm — dunia
falter — gagal

Surf for How Is Technology Changing The World...

Answer all the questions.
You are advised to answer them in the order set.

1. From paragraph 1, why does the writer feel like James Bond?
Answer
He feels like James Bond because of the number of gadgets he has. (2 marks)
2. From paragraph 2, why did the writer buy a PDA? Give two reasons.
Answer
(i) To use as a diary ( I mark)
(ii) It looked good and had a colour screen (I mark)
3. From paragraph 3,
(a) what problem did the writer have with his iPod?
Answer
He did not know how to adjust the contrast of the screen. (1 mark)
(b) how do'yoii think he finally figured it out?
Answer
He probably learnt it fromhis friends. (1 mark)
4. From paragraph 6, what problems does the writer have with his e-mail account?
Answer
He has too many 'accounts and cannot keep track of the addresses. (2 marks)
5. From paragraph 8, explain what the line 'we can do just fine on our own' means.
Answer
It means that we are responsible for all the problems we face with our gadgets. It is not the fault of the gadgets. (2 marks)

FORM 4
Reading Comprehension 9
READ & UNDERSTAND
Read the passage below and answer the questions.

Our country first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman is a man whose name is mentioned in the same breath as the independence of Malaya. Endearingly called Bapa Malaysia, he played a dynamic role in the birth of this country.
Tunku Abdul Rahrnan was born on 8 February 1903 in Alor Setar, Kedah, the twentieth son of Sultan Abdul Harnid Halim Shah. He had a very happy childhood, playing with the boys in the kampungs near his house. He went to school in Bangkok and Penang and had his tertiary education in Cambridge University, England.
In 1925, he returned to Malaya with a Bachelor of Arts Degree with honours. He then served in the Kedah Civil Service until 1938 after which he returned to London to read law. However, his studies were interrupted when the Second World War broke out. During the war, he served as the District Officer of Kulim, Kedah.
He was never proud. He showed concern for the people whom he served. He made it a point to travel to all arts of his district, foot and sometimes even on an elephant. This was a new experience for the villagers, to find a prince willing to eat and drink with them in their homes or in a coffee shop. He was always kind, humble and generous. He never refused to help anyone. Many years later, even as Prime Minister, he did not change.
After the war, he continued his law studies in the Inner Temple, in London, and graduated as a lawyer in 1949. While in England, he became the President of the Malay Society of Great Britain. He often gathered the students together to discuss important current issues. Tunku had a talent for getting along with people from all walks of life. One of his many friends was Abdul Razak, who was to follow in his footsteps later. In 1951, Tunku Abdul Rahman took over the reins of UMNO, the United Malays National Organisation, from Dato Onn bin Jaafar and initiated a serious campaign to obtain independence for Malaya. Tunku realised that he had to unite the three major communities of Malaya first before he could fight for independence. Two well-known leaders who helped him towards this end were Tun Tan Cheng Lock and Tun V. T. Sambanthan. Thus, the Alliance Party was formed, with UMNO, MCA (the Malayan Chinese Association) and MIC (the Malayan Indian Congress). In the first Federal Elections in 1955, the Alliance Party won and Tunku Abdul Rahman became Chief Minister. In the following year, he led a mission to London to negotiate for independence. This ended successfully and Malaya was granted independence on 31 August 1957. Tunku was hailed as The Father of Independence' and became the first Prime Minister of independent Malaya. The formation of Malaysia on 16 September 1963 is another feather in his cap. Tunku remained Prime Minister of Malaysia until 1970. The goodwill among the various races, and the peace and development of this country reflect well on Tunku's achievements. For his services, he was given many awards and honours. He most certainly deserves the title, Bapa Malaysia.

Word bank:
endearingly — dengan perasaan kasih sayang
interrupted — terganggunergendala
initiated — memulakan
negotiate — merunding
hailed — dialu-alu

Answer all questions.
You are advised to answer them in the order set.

1. From paragraph 1, 'according to the writer,
(a) why are Tunku Abdul Rahman's name and the independence of Malaya often mentioned together?
Answer
Tunku Abdul Rahman played a dynamic role in Malaysia's fight for independence. (1 mark)
(b) what does the word 'endearingly' say about the feelings of the people towards Tunku?
Answer
It shows the people's love for Tunku. (1 mark)
2. From paragraph 2, describe Tunku's early years in Kedah.
Answer
He had a happy childhood playing with the village boys near his house. He studied in Bangkok and Penang and had his tertiary education in Cambridge University, England. (2 marks)
3 Based on paragraph 3, why did Tunku Abdul Rahman stop reading law?
Answer
World War 2 broke out, so he had to return home. (2 marks)
4 From paragraphs 4 and 5, give two examples to show that Tunku was able to get along with people from all walks of fife.
Answer
(a) He was willing to eat and drink with the villagers in their homes or in coffee shops. (1 mark)
(b) He often gathered students together to discuss important current issues when he was the President of the Malay Society of Great Britain. (1 mark)
5 From the evidence in paragraph 7, give two examples to show why Tunku Abdul Rahman deserved the title Bapa Malaysia.
Answer
(a) He negotiated with the British and gained independence for Malaya. (1 mark)

FORM 4
Reading Comprehension 10
READ & UNDERSTAND
Read the passage below and answer the questions.

Time and again, we hear of exotic animals being killed senselessly, smuggled out of countries, sold at restaurants and kept as pets. The demand for exotic animals, particularly reptiles, has made Peninsular Malaysia one of the top markets for smuggled exotic animals and freshwater fish species.
Exotic animals are sought after for their rarity, unusual shape or colour, or when they are a craze at a particular time. One of the major reasons for the increased smuggling of exotic animals is the increasing public demand. This encourages smugglers to poach rare species. Several groups of people are involved, from hunters to collectcirs in rural areas, up to middlemen and high-level traders in urban centres. Many retailers operating pet shops are ignorant of the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and sell many species of exotic animals openly.
There are many problems that are associated with the exotic pet trade. One of the problems is diseases that afflict these animals. Many exotic pets carry unknown diseases from other parts of the world. Diseases may be transmitted from these animals to humans and vice versa. These exotic animals may also transmit diseases to local animal species. Secondly, the pet trade threatens the survival of these exotic animals. Many of these animals are endangered species and their growing demand and sale through the pet trade contibutes greatly to the threat of extinction. More importantly, exotic animals need special care and owners of these animals may not have the knowledge, resources or commitment to look after them properly. Consequently, many exotic animals have died unnecessarily.
These exotic animals suffer terribly if they end up in the wrong place, in the wrong environment or in the wrong hands. Once the novelty of owning them wears off, they are abandoned - as in the case of the Flowerhorn fish. Many people do not know that these exotic pets remain genetically 'wild' and are supposed to live in very different conditions to those they face in a tank, thousands of miles away from their natural habitats. These animals are so out of place that their lives can easily become a misery.
It is important that the trade of these exotic animals is stopped. The authorities should prohibit the sale of exotic animals in pet shops. They should not allow any commercial breeding of exotic animals to be sold as pets. Furthermore, they should also ban the import of exotic animals for the pet trade. Theuthorities must create awareness among the public on the problems faced by exotic pets. Fines and jail sentences should be increased for poachers and people who sell exotic pets. in this way, thousands of species of exotic animals can be saved.

(Adapted from Utusan Konsumer, September- October 2004)

Surf for National Geographic: Animals

Answer all questions.
You are advised to answer them in the order set.

1. From paragraph 1, give two reasons why exotic animals are hunted.
Answer
(a) For their meat [1 mark]
(b) To be kept as pets [1 mark]
2. From paragraph 2,
(a) who should be blamed for the smuggling of exotic animals?
Answer
The public should be blamed [I mark]
(b) in what way are the retailers of pet shops going against the law?
Answer
They sell exotic animals as pets openly [1 mark]
3. From paragraph 3,
(a) how can exotic animals pose a health threat to human beings?
Answer
Many exotic animals carry unknown diseases which can be transmitted to human beings. (1 mark)
(b) how can exotic animals pose a health threat to the local animal population?
Answer
Exotic animals may spread diseases to the local animal population. (1 mark)
4. Explain, in your own words, how exotic animals are threatened with extinction.
Answer
If more animals are killed, their numbers will reduce greatly and soon, they will become extinct. (2 mark)
5. From paragraph 4,
(a) why does the writer say that the animals live in misery?
Answer
They are forced to live in very different conditions to those of their natural habitat.
They find it difficult to adapt to the new environment and as a result, they will become miserable. (1 mark)
(b) why were the Flowerhorn fish abandoned?
Answer
The Flowerhorn fish were abandoned because people lost interest in keeping them as pets. - (1 mark)