Ex 7
4
1
3
4
4
4
4
2
Ex 8
4
3
4
3
3
2
3
4
2
2
Ex 9
3
2
1
2
4
1
3
4
2
2
Ex 10
3
2
3
2
1
3
2
1
4
1
Ex 11
1
4
2
4
1
Monday, September 27, 2010
Direct & Indirect Speeches (Yellow Book)
Direct/Indirect Speech WS 1
Answers:
1) Jumil told his aunt that he would be in Primary Six the following year.
2) Alison told her best friend, Susan, that the cake her sister had baked the day before had been delicious.
3) When Donald saw his classmates at school, he told them that he had a new baby sister.
4) Mrs Lee said that she had not seen Mary since the previous Saturday.
5) The tour guide said that the little blue penguins come out only at night.
6) Siew Hui said that she had not been to Ipoh for a long time.
7) Ann told her husband that Jack had asked them for dinner that night.
8) He said that he had found the wallet among the flower pots.
9) Max said that he had to save up for the Penang trip.
10) Pat exclaimed that nobody knew how to pitch the tent.
Direct/Indirect Speech WS 2
Answers
1) Barbara claimed that she knew that a spider has four pairs of legs.
2) Ahmad told me James wanted to know how many tickets were still available.
3) Jane told everyone that she would coming to the party at six.
4) James said that he had gone for a long walk the day before.
5) I said that I did not like coffee.
6) We said that we had tried to help.
7) I said that I would never speak to her again.
8) The neighbour told me that she had quarreled with her husband the night before.
9) He told me that it had rolled into that hole.
10) Jessie told David that that tie looked good on him.
Direct/Indirect Question WS 1
Answers:
1) Miss Lim asked her pupils last Friday if they had completed their project on animals.
2) The policeman asked the boy if he had stolen that wallet.
3) When the secretary went into his office, the manager asked her if she could take down that message.
4) The librarian asked me if I wanted to collect my book then.
5) The woman asked my mother if those were the children.
6) Henry’s aunt asked him if she had been home the evening before.
7) The boy asked Joshua if he could lend him a dollar.
8) I asked if Jeremy swam regularly.
9) Michelle wondered if the famous painting had been sold.
10) The reporter asked the spokesman if the passengers had been hurt in the accident.
Direct/Indirect Question Wsh 2
Answers:
1) Our English teacher asked us who had won first prize in the Art competition the previous Sunday.
2) The policeman asked the eye witness how the accident had happened.
3) Mother asked me how long I took to complete my Mathematics test that day.
4) I asked the salesman how much that computer cost.
5) The Scoutmaster asked Tuck Hwee why he was late for the meeting.
6) Miss Tan wanted to know how long I took to finish my homework.
7) He asked me what my name was.
8) Siti asked Mani what he was doing then.
9) Mohan asked Jasper whom he had met at the library.
10) Gloria asked her friend what she had bought at Takashimaya.
Direct/Indirect Commands Wsh 1
Answers:
1) The teacher warned the naughty boys not to play when she was explaining a sum.
2) Mrs Wee warned the children not to play near the pond.
3) Tony told Rio to take the pictures home.
4) The policeman shouted at the fleeing gangster to stop or he would shoot.
5) He ordered the students not to leave.
6) The chairman ordered the class to be quiet.
7) He ordered the children to go to school.
8) My friend told me to take it easy.
9) My sister told me to leave her alone.
10) Jill told me to call before I came.
Direct/Indirect Commands Wsh 2
Answers:
1) The guide told me to go down the hill and turn right.
2) The P5 camp instructor asked us to ask more questions.
3) The boss told us to be sure to get the project done on time.
4) The instructor told me that I should take up an inline skating course.
5) He told me to try it again.
6) He said that I should try it again.
7) My father told me to be home by midnight.
8) My father said that I should be home by midnight.
9) The President said that we should not give up hope.
10) Mitch said that we should not believe him.
Answers:
1) Jumil told his aunt that he would be in Primary Six the following year.
2) Alison told her best friend, Susan, that the cake her sister had baked the day before had been delicious.
3) When Donald saw his classmates at school, he told them that he had a new baby sister.
4) Mrs Lee said that she had not seen Mary since the previous Saturday.
5) The tour guide said that the little blue penguins come out only at night.
6) Siew Hui said that she had not been to Ipoh for a long time.
7) Ann told her husband that Jack had asked them for dinner that night.
8) He said that he had found the wallet among the flower pots.
9) Max said that he had to save up for the Penang trip.
10) Pat exclaimed that nobody knew how to pitch the tent.
Direct/Indirect Speech WS 2
Answers
1) Barbara claimed that she knew that a spider has four pairs of legs.
2) Ahmad told me James wanted to know how many tickets were still available.
3) Jane told everyone that she would coming to the party at six.
4) James said that he had gone for a long walk the day before.
5) I said that I did not like coffee.
6) We said that we had tried to help.
7) I said that I would never speak to her again.
8) The neighbour told me that she had quarreled with her husband the night before.
9) He told me that it had rolled into that hole.
10) Jessie told David that that tie looked good on him.
Direct/Indirect Question WS 1
Answers:
1) Miss Lim asked her pupils last Friday if they had completed their project on animals.
2) The policeman asked the boy if he had stolen that wallet.
3) When the secretary went into his office, the manager asked her if she could take down that message.
4) The librarian asked me if I wanted to collect my book then.
5) The woman asked my mother if those were the children.
6) Henry’s aunt asked him if she had been home the evening before.
7) The boy asked Joshua if he could lend him a dollar.
8) I asked if Jeremy swam regularly.
9) Michelle wondered if the famous painting had been sold.
10) The reporter asked the spokesman if the passengers had been hurt in the accident.
Direct/Indirect Question Wsh 2
Answers:
1) Our English teacher asked us who had won first prize in the Art competition the previous Sunday.
2) The policeman asked the eye witness how the accident had happened.
3) Mother asked me how long I took to complete my Mathematics test that day.
4) I asked the salesman how much that computer cost.
5) The Scoutmaster asked Tuck Hwee why he was late for the meeting.
6) Miss Tan wanted to know how long I took to finish my homework.
7) He asked me what my name was.
8) Siti asked Mani what he was doing then.
9) Mohan asked Jasper whom he had met at the library.
10) Gloria asked her friend what she had bought at Takashimaya.
Direct/Indirect Commands Wsh 1
Answers:
1) The teacher warned the naughty boys not to play when she was explaining a sum.
2) Mrs Wee warned the children not to play near the pond.
3) Tony told Rio to take the pictures home.
4) The policeman shouted at the fleeing gangster to stop or he would shoot.
5) He ordered the students not to leave.
6) The chairman ordered the class to be quiet.
7) He ordered the children to go to school.
8) My friend told me to take it easy.
9) My sister told me to leave her alone.
10) Jill told me to call before I came.
Direct/Indirect Commands Wsh 2
Answers:
1) The guide told me to go down the hill and turn right.
2) The P5 camp instructor asked us to ask more questions.
3) The boss told us to be sure to get the project done on time.
4) The instructor told me that I should take up an inline skating course.
5) He told me to try it again.
6) He said that I should try it again.
7) My father told me to be home by midnight.
8) My father said that I should be home by midnight.
9) The President said that we should not give up hope.
10) Mitch said that we should not believe him.
Vocabulary Discrete (Yellow Book) Ex 1 - 5
Ex 1
1. (2)
2. (3)
3. (2)
4. (1)
5. (3)
Ex 2
1. (3)
2. (4)
3. (1)
4. (4)
5. (2)
Ex 3
1. (1)
2. (2)
3. (3)
4. (2)
5. (3)
Ex 4
1. (4)
2. (2)
3. (4)
4. (3)
5. (2)
Ex 5
1. (3)
2. (1)
3. (2)
4. (2)
5. (1)
1. (2)
2. (3)
3. (2)
4. (1)
5. (3)
Ex 2
1. (3)
2. (4)
3. (1)
4. (4)
5. (2)
Ex 3
1. (1)
2. (2)
3. (3)
4. (2)
5. (3)
Ex 4
1. (4)
2. (2)
3. (4)
4. (3)
5. (2)
Ex 5
1. (3)
2. (1)
3. (2)
4. (2)
5. (1)
Comprehension Cloze (Yellow Book) Ex 14 - 16
Comprehension Cloze Ex 14
1. changed
2. women
3. up
4. this
5. been
6. people
7. room/space
8. Jogging
9. as
10. very
11. need
12. shorts
13. shoes
14. can
15. groups
Ex 15
1. herd
2. it
3. bad
4. railway
5. a
6. it 6. After
7. very
8. trumpeted
9. day
10. waiting
11. soon
12. killed
13. group
14. carcass / elephant
15. buried
Ex 16
1. would
2. its
3. with
4. around
5. like
6. easily
7. snow
8. still
9. looks
10. goes
11. for
12. coming
13. will
14. colour
15. trunk
1. changed
2. women
3. up
4. this
5. been
6. people
7. room/space
8. Jogging
9. as
10. very
11. need
12. shorts
13. shoes
14. can
15. groups
Ex 15
1. herd
2. it
3. bad
4. railway
5. a
6. it 6. After
7. very
8. trumpeted
9. day
10. waiting
11. soon
12. killed
13. group
14. carcass / elephant
15. buried
Ex 16
1. would
2. its
3. with
4. around
5. like
6. easily
7. snow
8. still
9. looks
10. goes
11. for
12. coming
13. will
14. colour
15. trunk
TMV Set of Section J - Synthesis & Transformation Practice 11 - 20
TMV Synthesis Practice Paper (11)
66. The ruby is more expensive than the sapphire.
67. You can have one piece of this brownie cake which my mother baked.
68. Mei Ling wanted to know where I had put her assignment.
69. Unless you stop daydreaming, you will never finish your work.
70. On hearing that her son was involved in an accident, Mrs Teo passed out.
Practice Paper (12)
66. No matter how hard Tom trained for the wrestling match, he was unable to beat his opponent.
67. Richard asked Cindy if her parents had questioned her about the travel fair she had visited the previous weekend.
68. On seeing the police officers, the burglars quickly made their escape.
69. Neither Sally nor Jimmy participated in the drama performance last night.
70. Mrs Chan is such a strict woman/ teacher that her pupils are afraid of her.
Practice Paper (13)
66. I would rather swim than jog.
67. Amierah said that she had gone to Sentosa with her family the previous day/ the day before.
68. Sheena was too skinny to fit into her mother’s jeans.
69. Unless you take your medicine regularly, you will not recover from your flu.
70. The fire had burnt down the whole row of shop houses before the fire engine arrived.
Practice Paper (14)
66. My grandfather who used to work as a Japanese interpreter is celebrating his ninetieth birthday.
67. Mr Lee reminded his maid to wash his car the following /next morning before she went to the market.
68. My brother improved considerably in his English and Science last year.
69. By the time the police arrived, the robbers had disappeared into the crowd.
70. All the students in this class are contributing to the School Pocket Money Fund.
Practice Paper (15)
66. Mrs Chia prefers cooking her own meals to eating out.
67. The man whom he is talking to is my uncle.
68. My mother will be worried unless I give her a call.
69. My parents will take me on a holiday as long as I do well in my examinations.
70. John said that he would come back that night.
Practice Paper (16)
66. As it was a public holiday last Friday, we decided to hold a barbecue at Hazel’s home. OR
As last Friday was a public holiday, we decided to hold a barbecue at Hazel’s home.
67. Mr Nathan told his pupils not to play near the slope.
68. She prefers running to swimming.
69. Unless you wake up early tomorrow, you will be late.
70. Neither Julia nor Patricia enjoyed the concert.
Practice Paper (17)
66. The rescue team set out at night regardless of the danger.
67. Ben would rather stay at home than go out on a hot day.
68. Rayner took a compass with him in case he got lost during the hike.
69. Tammy’s mother dresses her in grown-up clothes although she is only three.
70. Janie said that she was taking her piano examination that day.
Practice Paper (18)
66. I prefer swimming to cycling.
67. Ali was scolded by his father for returning home at midnight yesterday.
68. Meimei wondered if Doris needed her help in the class project.
69. Both Kumar and his sister are diligent.
70. Unlike deciduous forests, tropical forests do not have four seasons.
Tropical forests, deciduous forests have four seasons.
Practice Paper (19)
66. Chong Jin invited me to visit Kuala umpur where he was born.
67. Both Rahman and his brothers are going to Eat Cost Park.
68. He succeeded in his application for a scholarship to study in England.
69. Mrs Tn informed the pupils that there would not be basketball practice that week.
70. Despite the very bad weather, the fishermen still went out to sea.
Or Despite the weather being very bad, the fishermen still went out to sea.
Practice Paper (20)
66. Our teacher whose daughter is a President’s Scholar, makes Algebra incredibly simple.
67. Unless you apologise at once, he will not forgive you.
68. Although I got up half an hour earlier, I still arrived at school late.
69. My grandfather is such a good storyteller that we enjoy listening to his stories.
70. Mr Tseng said that he expected all homework to be in the next day without fail.
66. The ruby is more expensive than the sapphire.
67. You can have one piece of this brownie cake which my mother baked.
68. Mei Ling wanted to know where I had put her assignment.
69. Unless you stop daydreaming, you will never finish your work.
70. On hearing that her son was involved in an accident, Mrs Teo passed out.
Practice Paper (12)
66. No matter how hard Tom trained for the wrestling match, he was unable to beat his opponent.
67. Richard asked Cindy if her parents had questioned her about the travel fair she had visited the previous weekend.
68. On seeing the police officers, the burglars quickly made their escape.
69. Neither Sally nor Jimmy participated in the drama performance last night.
70. Mrs Chan is such a strict woman/ teacher that her pupils are afraid of her.
Practice Paper (13)
66. I would rather swim than jog.
67. Amierah said that she had gone to Sentosa with her family the previous day/ the day before.
68. Sheena was too skinny to fit into her mother’s jeans.
69. Unless you take your medicine regularly, you will not recover from your flu.
70. The fire had burnt down the whole row of shop houses before the fire engine arrived.
Practice Paper (14)
66. My grandfather who used to work as a Japanese interpreter is celebrating his ninetieth birthday.
67. Mr Lee reminded his maid to wash his car the following /next morning before she went to the market.
68. My brother improved considerably in his English and Science last year.
69. By the time the police arrived, the robbers had disappeared into the crowd.
70. All the students in this class are contributing to the School Pocket Money Fund.
Practice Paper (15)
66. Mrs Chia prefers cooking her own meals to eating out.
67. The man whom he is talking to is my uncle.
68. My mother will be worried unless I give her a call.
69. My parents will take me on a holiday as long as I do well in my examinations.
70. John said that he would come back that night.
Practice Paper (16)
66. As it was a public holiday last Friday, we decided to hold a barbecue at Hazel’s home. OR
As last Friday was a public holiday, we decided to hold a barbecue at Hazel’s home.
67. Mr Nathan told his pupils not to play near the slope.
68. She prefers running to swimming.
69. Unless you wake up early tomorrow, you will be late.
70. Neither Julia nor Patricia enjoyed the concert.
Practice Paper (17)
66. The rescue team set out at night regardless of the danger.
67. Ben would rather stay at home than go out on a hot day.
68. Rayner took a compass with him in case he got lost during the hike.
69. Tammy’s mother dresses her in grown-up clothes although she is only three.
70. Janie said that she was taking her piano examination that day.
Practice Paper (18)
66. I prefer swimming to cycling.
67. Ali was scolded by his father for returning home at midnight yesterday.
68. Meimei wondered if Doris needed her help in the class project.
69. Both Kumar and his sister are diligent.
70. Unlike deciduous forests, tropical forests do not have four seasons.
Tropical forests, deciduous forests have four seasons.
Practice Paper (19)
66. Chong Jin invited me to visit Kuala umpur where he was born.
67. Both Rahman and his brothers are going to Eat Cost Park.
68. He succeeded in his application for a scholarship to study in England.
69. Mrs Tn informed the pupils that there would not be basketball practice that week.
70. Despite the very bad weather, the fishermen still went out to sea.
Or Despite the weather being very bad, the fishermen still went out to sea.
Practice Paper (20)
66. Our teacher whose daughter is a President’s Scholar, makes Algebra incredibly simple.
67. Unless you apologise at once, he will not forgive you.
68. Although I got up half an hour earlier, I still arrived at school late.
69. My grandfather is such a good storyteller that we enjoy listening to his stories.
70. Mr Tseng said that he expected all homework to be in the next day without fail.
Vocabulary Cloze (Yellow Book) Answers Ex 16 -23
Vocbulary Cloze Ex 16
1
3
4
4
2
Vocabulary Cloze Ex 17
2
2
3
4
2
Vocabulary Cloze Ex 18
1
3
1
2
1
Vocabulary Cloze Ex 19
2
2
1
3
2
Vocabulary Cloze Ex 20
4
2
4
1
3
Vocabulary Cloze Ex 21
1
2
4
4
1
Vocabulary Cloze Ex 22
4
1
3
2
1
Vocabulary Cloze Ex 23
3
2
4
2
4
1
3
4
4
2
Vocabulary Cloze Ex 17
2
2
3
4
2
Vocabulary Cloze Ex 18
1
3
1
2
1
Vocabulary Cloze Ex 19
2
2
1
3
2
Vocabulary Cloze Ex 20
4
2
4
1
3
Vocabulary Cloze Ex 21
1
2
4
4
1
Vocabulary Cloze Ex 22
4
1
3
2
1
Vocabulary Cloze Ex 23
3
2
4
2
4
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Race Against Time
A Race Against Time
Xing was putting every ounce of energy he had into running that race. He knew that his father, lying in hospital, diagnosed with cancer, would be watching him.
His father had been a champion runner and had won several awards before having found out about his deadly illness. Xing wanted to make his father proud and happy and to do that he needed to win the race.
Now, as he ran, flanked by seven other lithe bodies, he put every spare bit of energy into his running. He surged forward and passed Third quite easily. Now there was only Second and First in front of him. He managed to pass Second, and started to gain on First, who reacted to Xing’s challenge and spirited with desperate determination, kept his lead, even pulled ahead slightly.
Xing, muscles crying out for oxygen, stopped breathing altogether and used every last bit of his strength to pass First in one sustained burst. Heart bursting in agony, he saw in his mind’s eye, his pale father, bald as an egg from chemotherapy, urging him on. His strength renewed, Xing went on running to the finishing line. At the end, he found himself being presented with a trophy –-- he had won!
Drenched in perspiration, Xing rushed to the hospital to find his father dead and his sister sitting by his bed looking stunned and devastated. She was not crying, though. Her grief seemed to be beyond tears. For the longest time, they stared at each other.
“He was watching you,” said Xing’s sister at length. “He insisted on it. He was urging you on, cheering like a maniac. He struggled to stay awake. When you passed Second, the strain overcame him and he dropped off.
Then he came back to life! He watched you gain on First, and when your glorious moment came, his eyes shone with a strange fire. And then … he closed his eyes and never opened them again.”
Xing’s one consolation was that his father had seen him win, and had probably died peacefully and happily.
(by Natasha Ann Sahetapy)
Xing was putting every ounce of energy he had into running that race. He knew that his father, lying in hospital, diagnosed with cancer, would be watching him.
His father had been a champion runner and had won several awards before having found out about his deadly illness. Xing wanted to make his father proud and happy and to do that he needed to win the race.
Now, as he ran, flanked by seven other lithe bodies, he put every spare bit of energy into his running. He surged forward and passed Third quite easily. Now there was only Second and First in front of him. He managed to pass Second, and started to gain on First, who reacted to Xing’s challenge and spirited with desperate determination, kept his lead, even pulled ahead slightly.
Xing, muscles crying out for oxygen, stopped breathing altogether and used every last bit of his strength to pass First in one sustained burst. Heart bursting in agony, he saw in his mind’s eye, his pale father, bald as an egg from chemotherapy, urging him on. His strength renewed, Xing went on running to the finishing line. At the end, he found himself being presented with a trophy –-- he had won!
Drenched in perspiration, Xing rushed to the hospital to find his father dead and his sister sitting by his bed looking stunned and devastated. She was not crying, though. Her grief seemed to be beyond tears. For the longest time, they stared at each other.
“He was watching you,” said Xing’s sister at length. “He insisted on it. He was urging you on, cheering like a maniac. He struggled to stay awake. When you passed Second, the strain overcame him and he dropped off.
Then he came back to life! He watched you gain on First, and when your glorious moment came, his eyes shone with a strange fire. And then … he closed his eyes and never opened them again.”
Xing’s one consolation was that his father had seen him win, and had probably died peacefully and happily.
(by Natasha Ann Sahetapy)
Terrorism
Leave no stones unturned
startling piece of news
evoked memories of terrorizing incident
expanse of azure blue
reigned supreme
yearned for nothing more than having fun
scrumptious lunch
savour it
chattered animatedly
earth shattering blast punctured the vivacious spirit of the Sunday crowd
flames and smoke were whirling in all directions
stunned at the shocking spectacle
became tumultuous
scurried for the exit (scurried = ran)
shrills and sobs resounded through the air (resounded = rang)
intense heat from the raging fire
wide-eyed horror at his motionless father and brother
scorched to the bone and charred black
throbbed
total state of distraught bemusement
smoke charged into his nostrils depriving him of oxygen
breathing in the noxious toxic fumes made his head spin (noxious = poisonous)
lost consciousness
swathed in bandages (swathed = wrapped)
pain was overwhelming
lost of his kin
instil fear in people (instil = build)
indomitable courage to face the cruelties (indomitable = unwavering)
Justice will prevail!
startling piece of news
evoked memories of terrorizing incident
expanse of azure blue
reigned supreme
yearned for nothing more than having fun
scrumptious lunch
savour it
chattered animatedly
earth shattering blast punctured the vivacious spirit of the Sunday crowd
flames and smoke were whirling in all directions
stunned at the shocking spectacle
became tumultuous
scurried for the exit (scurried = ran)
shrills and sobs resounded through the air (resounded = rang)
intense heat from the raging fire
wide-eyed horror at his motionless father and brother
scorched to the bone and charred black
throbbed
total state of distraught bemusement
smoke charged into his nostrils depriving him of oxygen
breathing in the noxious toxic fumes made his head spin (noxious = poisonous)
lost consciousness
swathed in bandages (swathed = wrapped)
pain was overwhelming
lost of his kin
instil fear in people (instil = build)
indomitable courage to face the cruelties (indomitable = unwavering)
Justice will prevail!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
A Runner Approaching The Finishing Line
Runner Approaching the Finishing Line
He entered the stadium. The scorching sun beat mercilessly on his back. A sea of grim faces stared at him. His shoes continued to pound the track. The sweat from his face trickled into his mouth that opened and closed like the mouth of a goldfish.
Suddenly the crowd stood up and started to cheer. He looked up. Many people waved at him. He realized that he was fast catching up on the only runner in front of him. He accelerated his pace. The crowd went wild. He felt as though he was walking on air. Soon, he was side by side with the runner. He extended his stride and overtook the runner. He was now in the lead. He gave one last push and his sweat drenched body cut through the white tape. He won.
He entered the stadium. The scorching sun beat mercilessly on his back. A sea of grim faces stared at him. His shoes continued to pound the track. The sweat from his face trickled into his mouth that opened and closed like the mouth of a goldfish.
Suddenly the crowd stood up and started to cheer. He looked up. Many people waved at him. He realized that he was fast catching up on the only runner in front of him. He accelerated his pace. The crowd went wild. He felt as though he was walking on air. Soon, he was side by side with the runner. He extended his stride and overtook the runner. He was now in the lead. He gave one last push and his sweat drenched body cut through the white tape. He won.
Study how a simple sentence can be changed into a more creative and vivid sentence
Study how a simple sentence can be changed into a more creative and vivid sentence
The table was filled with mouth-watering dishes.
Sandwiches, curry puffs, cookies and ice-cream in every flavour filled the table.
He pushed his way into the crowd.
He jostled and nudged his way into the crowd.
He was fat and heavy.
He sat on the sofa which sagged under his weight.
She was frightened when she opened her result slip.
With trembling fingers, she opened her result slip.
An old man with no teeth and an evil smile walked towards me.
A toothless old man with a wicked grin walked towards me.
The continuous ticking of the grandfather’s clock disturbed the silence.
‘Tick…Tock…Tick…Tock …’ the grandfather’s clock disturbed the silence.
The music was nice to hear.
The melodious music was soothing to my ears.
It is a windy day.
The wind blew gently as the leaves rustled in the trees.
I was approached by a very old lady.
An old lady whose face was wrinkled like a prune approached me.
It is very noisy outside my house.
Cars screech, children scream, dogs bark outside my house.
It was going to rain.
The great heavy clouds swept over the hills, the lightning flashed and the thunder roared.
The rain flooded the river.
The river was swollen with continuous rain.
He spoke loudly.
His booming voice filled the auditorium.
The police questioned the robber thoroughly.
The police grilled the robber.
The pain was unbearable.
He screamed more than he had ever screamed in his whole life, as the pain was too unbearable.
The teenagers pushed to get closer to their superstar.
The teenagers jostled and nudged each other to get closer to the superstar.
He smiled.
He grinned showing all his brilliant white teeth.
My mother greeted me warmly.
My mother hugged me and planted sweet kisses on my face.
The sun set slowly.
The large bright sun dipped slowly over the horizon and disappeared.
My teacher praised me.
My teacher heaped praises on me.
She walked out very dejected.
She walked with her head hung low.
He looked around suspiciously when he entered the room.
His eyes darted hither and thither when he entered the room.
Vinod waited nervously for the school principal.
Vinod drummed his fingers on the table as he waited for the school principal.
My grandmother is so old that she can hardly see.
My grandmother has to squint her eyes to see through her glasses.
She cried and cried uncontrollably.
She could not stifle her sobs nor hold back her tears.
She is so beautiful and has sharp features.
She has a delicate chiseled face and black eyebrows angled like a soaring seagull’s wings.
The table was filled with mouth-watering dishes.
Sandwiches, curry puffs, cookies and ice-cream in every flavour filled the table.
He pushed his way into the crowd.
He jostled and nudged his way into the crowd.
He was fat and heavy.
He sat on the sofa which sagged under his weight.
She was frightened when she opened her result slip.
With trembling fingers, she opened her result slip.
An old man with no teeth and an evil smile walked towards me.
A toothless old man with a wicked grin walked towards me.
The continuous ticking of the grandfather’s clock disturbed the silence.
‘Tick…Tock…Tick…Tock …’ the grandfather’s clock disturbed the silence.
The music was nice to hear.
The melodious music was soothing to my ears.
It is a windy day.
The wind blew gently as the leaves rustled in the trees.
I was approached by a very old lady.
An old lady whose face was wrinkled like a prune approached me.
It is very noisy outside my house.
Cars screech, children scream, dogs bark outside my house.
It was going to rain.
The great heavy clouds swept over the hills, the lightning flashed and the thunder roared.
The rain flooded the river.
The river was swollen with continuous rain.
He spoke loudly.
His booming voice filled the auditorium.
The police questioned the robber thoroughly.
The police grilled the robber.
The pain was unbearable.
He screamed more than he had ever screamed in his whole life, as the pain was too unbearable.
The teenagers pushed to get closer to their superstar.
The teenagers jostled and nudged each other to get closer to the superstar.
He smiled.
He grinned showing all his brilliant white teeth.
My mother greeted me warmly.
My mother hugged me and planted sweet kisses on my face.
The sun set slowly.
The large bright sun dipped slowly over the horizon and disappeared.
My teacher praised me.
My teacher heaped praises on me.
She walked out very dejected.
She walked with her head hung low.
He looked around suspiciously when he entered the room.
His eyes darted hither and thither when he entered the room.
Vinod waited nervously for the school principal.
Vinod drummed his fingers on the table as he waited for the school principal.
My grandmother is so old that she can hardly see.
My grandmother has to squint her eyes to see through her glasses.
She cried and cried uncontrollably.
She could not stifle her sobs nor hold back her tears.
She is so beautiful and has sharp features.
She has a delicate chiseled face and black eyebrows angled like a soaring seagull’s wings.
School Bullies
School Bullies
1. The canteen was as boisterous as a cavalcade
2. Students chatted animatedly and cutlery clanged as stall owners set about work to cater to all their young customers’ orders.
3. jam-packed and buzzing with all the sporting activities.
4. submitted to the temptation and threw all caution to the wind.
5. munching on sour grapes
6. perking his head out for a quick scan
7. Temperatures immediately dropped to sub-zero as Ken came face-to-face with the terrors in school
8. The chill in his spine made his knuckles turn white from clutching the broom in his hands.
9. Being confined in the classroom with these four bullies brought the gloom of the night along with the grim of death upon Ken. Inevitably, Ken knew he was doomed.
10. leader of the pack growled with hostility
11. Ken was the school midget, grossly outsized and outnumbered
12. he handed over the meagre amount of money and that incited their wrath
13. unleashed more verbal threats
14. froze in fear
15. seizing the golden opportunity, Ken whacked his perpetrator in his groin with the broom in his hands
16. The pain sent the bullies tumbling to the ground upon one another like dominoes.
17. blurted out the whole episode
18. growling in pain
19. Ken felt triumphant at having justice prevail for him
1. The canteen was as boisterous as a cavalcade
2. Students chatted animatedly and cutlery clanged as stall owners set about work to cater to all their young customers’ orders.
3. jam-packed and buzzing with all the sporting activities.
4. submitted to the temptation and threw all caution to the wind.
5. munching on sour grapes
6. perking his head out for a quick scan
7. Temperatures immediately dropped to sub-zero as Ken came face-to-face with the terrors in school
8. The chill in his spine made his knuckles turn white from clutching the broom in his hands.
9. Being confined in the classroom with these four bullies brought the gloom of the night along with the grim of death upon Ken. Inevitably, Ken knew he was doomed.
10. leader of the pack growled with hostility
11. Ken was the school midget, grossly outsized and outnumbered
12. he handed over the meagre amount of money and that incited their wrath
13. unleashed more verbal threats
14. froze in fear
15. seizing the golden opportunity, Ken whacked his perpetrator in his groin with the broom in his hands
16. The pain sent the bullies tumbling to the ground upon one another like dominoes.
17. blurted out the whole episode
18. growling in pain
19. Ken felt triumphant at having justice prevail for him
Tsunami
Tsunami
1. Dappled sun rays filtered through the canopy of leaves creating mysterious shadows.
2. A gentle breeze caressed my raven black hair as I skipped my way to the beach for some sun-tanning.
3. Suddenly the tranquility of my peaceful surroundings was shattered by piercing screams.
4. Throngs of people were running helter-skelter away from the beach.
5. Screams of the word ‘tsunami’ reverberated through the air.
6. My eyes grew as wide as saucers.
7. A pillar of water was bearing straight towards me!
8. Without hesitation, I whipped a hundred and eighty degrees turn and took to my heels.
9. escape the wrath of the raging waves
10. The roaring of the tumultuous waves grew louder and louder.
11. Couging and spluttering, I was dragged onto the rooftop.
12. Finally after what seemed like eternity, the flash floods ceased.
13. All around us was the macabre sight of destruction and death.
14. salvage their belongings
15. combed through the rubble in the hope of finding survivors.
16. heart filled with sorrow
17. survived the ordeal
1. Dappled sun rays filtered through the canopy of leaves creating mysterious shadows.
2. A gentle breeze caressed my raven black hair as I skipped my way to the beach for some sun-tanning.
3. Suddenly the tranquility of my peaceful surroundings was shattered by piercing screams.
4. Throngs of people were running helter-skelter away from the beach.
5. Screams of the word ‘tsunami’ reverberated through the air.
6. My eyes grew as wide as saucers.
7. A pillar of water was bearing straight towards me!
8. Without hesitation, I whipped a hundred and eighty degrees turn and took to my heels.
9. escape the wrath of the raging waves
10. The roaring of the tumultuous waves grew louder and louder.
11. Couging and spluttering, I was dragged onto the rooftop.
12. Finally after what seemed like eternity, the flash floods ceased.
13. All around us was the macabre sight of destruction and death.
14. salvage their belongings
15. combed through the rubble in the hope of finding survivors.
16. heart filled with sorrow
17. survived the ordeal
A Car Collision
A Car Collision
When he drove past a petrol station, a huge rectangle poster caught his eyes. ’10 percent discount’, the bright red words on an equally bright orange background were crying for his attention. He turned to read the words in smaller print. He did not notice a car ahead of him. When he did, he jammed his brakes. The tyres screeched but the car did not stop.
He pressed the brakes harder. Too late. Bam! Clash! Crash! Clash! His car shook and vibrated. His body slumped forward. He gripped the steering wheel. His heart pounded. Beads of perspiration had formed on his forehead. A thousand pieces of broken glasses from the smashed windscreen lay scattered on the road, broken, sparkling and glittering like diamonds.
1. His spirits were immediately buoyed by the prospect of a weekend of relaxation.
2. walking along a hectic road to head home from school
3. His eyes went saucer-wide when he realized that an accident had occurred at the traffic junction.
4. A commotion of crowd had gathered in no time.
5. Acrid white fumes were ascending into the sky, shattered glass tinged with blood was scattered along the road.
6. Metal crumpled into a heap from the sheer force of the collision.
7. Traffic came to a standstill.
8. Two people staggered out of their respective cars.
9. One of them was drenched in blood that was oozing out from his forehead.
10. The latter had nasty cuts on his face. It was a ghastly sight.
11. A moment of paralysis struck Edwin. He was stunned speechless.
12. He could not believe he was witnessing the aftermath of a car collision. It was a really painful scene to look at.
13. Within minutes, the police and ambulance arrived at the scene. Medical assistance was rendered swiftly to the injured.
14. Edwin was commended for his prompt actions.
When he drove past a petrol station, a huge rectangle poster caught his eyes. ’10 percent discount’, the bright red words on an equally bright orange background were crying for his attention. He turned to read the words in smaller print. He did not notice a car ahead of him. When he did, he jammed his brakes. The tyres screeched but the car did not stop.
He pressed the brakes harder. Too late. Bam! Clash! Crash! Clash! His car shook and vibrated. His body slumped forward. He gripped the steering wheel. His heart pounded. Beads of perspiration had formed on his forehead. A thousand pieces of broken glasses from the smashed windscreen lay scattered on the road, broken, sparkling and glittering like diamonds.
1. His spirits were immediately buoyed by the prospect of a weekend of relaxation.
2. walking along a hectic road to head home from school
3. His eyes went saucer-wide when he realized that an accident had occurred at the traffic junction.
4. A commotion of crowd had gathered in no time.
5. Acrid white fumes were ascending into the sky, shattered glass tinged with blood was scattered along the road.
6. Metal crumpled into a heap from the sheer force of the collision.
7. Traffic came to a standstill.
8. Two people staggered out of their respective cars.
9. One of them was drenched in blood that was oozing out from his forehead.
10. The latter had nasty cuts on his face. It was a ghastly sight.
11. A moment of paralysis struck Edwin. He was stunned speechless.
12. He could not believe he was witnessing the aftermath of a car collision. It was a really painful scene to look at.
13. Within minutes, the police and ambulance arrived at the scene. Medical assistance was rendered swiftly to the injured.
14. Edwin was commended for his prompt actions.
Grammar Items Learnt
Lessons (Refer to Preston English Contents)
1 Nouns (P1)
2 Countable and Uncountable Nouns (P1)
3 Proper Nouns (P1)
3.1 Nouns, Noun Phrases & Clauses (P5)
4 Collective Nouns ( P2)
4.1 Demonstrative Pronouns (P1)
5 Singular and Plural Nouns (P1)
6 Agreement (1) (P1)
7 Gender (P3)
8 Possession -Nouns, Adjectives, Pronouns (P1)
9 Forming Nouns (P4)
10 Forming Verbs (P4)
11 Forms of the Verbs (P2)
11.1Stative Verbs (P4)
11.2The Verbs 'To be', 'To have', 'To do' (P1)
12 Present Continuous Tense (P1)
13 Simple Present Tense (P1)
14 Present Perfect Tense (P4)
15 Simple Past tense (P2)
16 Past Continuous Tense (P3)
17 Past Perfect Tense (P5)
17.1Present perfect Continuous Tense (P6)
17.2Past Perfect Continuous Tense (P6)
18 Simple Future Tense & 'Going To" Form (P5)
18.1Expressing Future Time (P5)
19 Future Continuous & Future Perfect Tense (P6)
19.1Modals (1) -'Can', 'Shall', 'Will' and 'May' (P2)
19.2Modals (2) -'Must', 'Used To', 'Need' and 'dare' (P3)
19.3The Infinitive (P3)
20 Have To', 'Must', 'Ought To', 'Shoukl' etc (P3)
21 Conditional Tenses (Present, Past & Past Perfect) (P5)
22 Tense Sequence (P5)
23 Adjectives (P2)
24 Comparison of Adjectives (P2)
25 Forming Adjectives (P3)
25.1Adjectival Phrases (P3)
26 Definite and Indefinite Articles (P1)
27 A, An, The, Some and Any (P2)
27.1Quantifiers (P2)
28 Adverbs (P1, P3)
29 Comparison of Adverbs (P3)
30 Forming Adverbs (P4)
31 Pronouns - Personal and Reflexive (P3)
32 Adverbials (1) (P5)
32.1Adverbials (2) (P5)
33 Relative Pronouns (P3)
33.1Reciprocal Pronouns (P4)
33.2Gerunds and Gerund Phrases (P4)
37 Prepositions (P1)
38 More About Prepositions (P3)
39 Words Followed by Prepositions (P4)
40 Agreement (2) (P4)
41 Positive and Negative Sentences (P2)
42 Question Tags (P3)
43 Question Words (P1)
44 Yes and No Answers + Expected Answers (P1)
45 Transitive and Intransitive Verbs (P4)
45.1Types of Sentences (P3)
45.2Sentence Structures (P3)
46 Punctuation (P1)
47 Indirect Statements (P4)
48 Indirect Questions (P4)
49 Changing Statements into Questions (P3)
50 Active and Passive Voice (P5)
51 Noun Clauses (P5)
52 Use of Present and Past Participles as Adjectives
1 Nouns (P1)
2 Countable and Uncountable Nouns (P1)
3 Proper Nouns (P1)
3.1 Nouns, Noun Phrases & Clauses (P5)
4 Collective Nouns ( P2)
4.1 Demonstrative Pronouns (P1)
5 Singular and Plural Nouns (P1)
6 Agreement (1) (P1)
7 Gender (P3)
8 Possession -Nouns, Adjectives, Pronouns (P1)
9 Forming Nouns (P4)
10 Forming Verbs (P4)
11 Forms of the Verbs (P2)
11.1Stative Verbs (P4)
11.2The Verbs 'To be', 'To have', 'To do' (P1)
12 Present Continuous Tense (P1)
13 Simple Present Tense (P1)
14 Present Perfect Tense (P4)
15 Simple Past tense (P2)
16 Past Continuous Tense (P3)
17 Past Perfect Tense (P5)
17.1Present perfect Continuous Tense (P6)
17.2Past Perfect Continuous Tense (P6)
18 Simple Future Tense & 'Going To" Form (P5)
18.1Expressing Future Time (P5)
19 Future Continuous & Future Perfect Tense (P6)
19.1Modals (1) -'Can', 'Shall', 'Will' and 'May' (P2)
19.2Modals (2) -'Must', 'Used To', 'Need' and 'dare' (P3)
19.3The Infinitive (P3)
20 Have To', 'Must', 'Ought To', 'Shoukl' etc (P3)
21 Conditional Tenses (Present, Past & Past Perfect) (P5)
22 Tense Sequence (P5)
23 Adjectives (P2)
24 Comparison of Adjectives (P2)
25 Forming Adjectives (P3)
25.1Adjectival Phrases (P3)
26 Definite and Indefinite Articles (P1)
27 A, An, The, Some and Any (P2)
27.1Quantifiers (P2)
28 Adverbs (P1, P3)
29 Comparison of Adverbs (P3)
30 Forming Adverbs (P4)
31 Pronouns - Personal and Reflexive (P3)
32 Adverbials (1) (P5)
32.1Adverbials (2) (P5)
33 Relative Pronouns (P3)
33.1Reciprocal Pronouns (P4)
33.2Gerunds and Gerund Phrases (P4)
37 Prepositions (P1)
38 More About Prepositions (P3)
39 Words Followed by Prepositions (P4)
40 Agreement (2) (P4)
41 Positive and Negative Sentences (P2)
42 Question Tags (P3)
43 Question Words (P1)
44 Yes and No Answers + Expected Answers (P1)
45 Transitive and Intransitive Verbs (P4)
45.1Types of Sentences (P3)
45.2Sentence Structures (P3)
46 Punctuation (P1)
47 Indirect Statements (P4)
48 Indirect Questions (P4)
49 Changing Statements into Questions (P3)
50 Active and Passive Voice (P5)
51 Noun Clauses (P5)
52 Use of Present and Past Participles as Adjectives
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Sentence Structures Learnt
Sentence Structure
• Construct a variety of sentences:@
° Simple sentences:
- Subject + Verb (e.g., Cheryl sings.)
- Subject + Verb + Object (e.g., Cheryl sings lullabies.)
- Subject + Verb + Adverbial (e.g., Cheryl sings sweetly.)
° Simple sentences with:#
- a direct object (e.g., Mrs Tay asked him.)
- an indirect object (e.g., Mrs Tay asked him a question.)
° Compound sentences:
- use connectors ‘and’ and ‘but’ to join two simple sentences (e.g., John ran. Lina walked. → John ran but Lina walked.)
° Complex sentences (made up of a main clause with one or more dependent or subordinate clauses):
- with a comparison clause (e.g., I eat more than you do.)
- with a relative clause (e.g., He is looking for the bag which he has lost.)
- with an adverbial clause (e.g., The children do as they are told.)
° Different sentence types:
- Declarative (e.g., Wei Ling is my friend.)
- Interrogative (e.g., Who is Frankie?)
- Imperative (e.g., Sit down.)
- Existential (e.g., There once lived a prince.)
- Negative sentences (e.g., It was not a rainy day.)
- Exclamatory (e.g., What a beautiful day!)
- Conditional (e.g., If you leave, I will not stay either.)
- Subjunctive, to express a wish that cannot be fulfilled (e.g., I wish I had a sister.)
° Direct speech (e.g., I said, “He is leaving.”)
• Vary the way sentences are written:
° Using parallel structures: employing the same pattern of words through the use of connectors ‘and’/ ‘or’ to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance (e.g., John and Lina like to run. John and Lina like to walk. John and Lina like to hike. → John and Lina like to run, to walk and to hike.)
° Substituting connectors (e.g., Mei and Lina did not go for the run. → Neither Mei nor Lina went for the run.)
° Using Reported Speech:
- with reporting verbs (e.g., said, told, asked)
- for statements with tense changes (e.g., John said, “I want to go to the library.”→ John said that he wanted to go to the library.)
- for statements without tense changes (e.g., “The sun rises in the east,” the teacher said. → The teacher said that the sun rises in the east.)
- for statements with change in pronouns (e.g., John said, “I love swimming.” →John said that he loved swimming.)
- for questions with tense changes (e.g., She said, “Are there any oranges in the bowl?” → She asked whether there were any oranges in the bowl.)
- for orders (e.g., “Sit down, John,” the teacher said. → The teacher ordered John to sit down.)
° Altering the Voice:
- from active to passive (e.g., I broke the window. → The window was broken [by me].)
- from passive to active (e.g., This work will be completed [by the team]. → The team will complete this work.)
° Exchanging the positions of the Direct Object and the Indirect Object (e.g., I read a story to Max. → I read Max a story.)*
• Construct a variety of sentences:@
° Simple sentences:
- Subject + Verb (e.g., Cheryl sings.)
- Subject + Verb + Object (e.g., Cheryl sings lullabies.)
- Subject + Verb + Adverbial (e.g., Cheryl sings sweetly.)
° Simple sentences with:#
- a direct object (e.g., Mrs Tay asked him.)
- an indirect object (e.g., Mrs Tay asked him a question.)
° Compound sentences:
- use connectors ‘and’ and ‘but’ to join two simple sentences (e.g., John ran. Lina walked. → John ran but Lina walked.)
° Complex sentences (made up of a main clause with one or more dependent or subordinate clauses):
- with a comparison clause (e.g., I eat more than you do.)
- with a relative clause (e.g., He is looking for the bag which he has lost.)
- with an adverbial clause (e.g., The children do as they are told.)
° Different sentence types:
- Declarative (e.g., Wei Ling is my friend.)
- Interrogative (e.g., Who is Frankie?)
- Imperative (e.g., Sit down.)
- Existential (e.g., There once lived a prince.)
- Negative sentences (e.g., It was not a rainy day.)
- Exclamatory (e.g., What a beautiful day!)
- Conditional (e.g., If you leave, I will not stay either.)
- Subjunctive, to express a wish that cannot be fulfilled (e.g., I wish I had a sister.)
° Direct speech (e.g., I said, “He is leaving.”)
• Vary the way sentences are written:
° Using parallel structures: employing the same pattern of words through the use of connectors ‘and’/ ‘or’ to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance (e.g., John and Lina like to run. John and Lina like to walk. John and Lina like to hike. → John and Lina like to run, to walk and to hike.)
° Substituting connectors (e.g., Mei and Lina did not go for the run. → Neither Mei nor Lina went for the run.)
° Using Reported Speech:
- with reporting verbs (e.g., said, told, asked)
- for statements with tense changes (e.g., John said, “I want to go to the library.”→ John said that he wanted to go to the library.)
- for statements without tense changes (e.g., “The sun rises in the east,” the teacher said. → The teacher said that the sun rises in the east.)
- for statements with change in pronouns (e.g., John said, “I love swimming.” →John said that he loved swimming.)
- for questions with tense changes (e.g., She said, “Are there any oranges in the bowl?” → She asked whether there were any oranges in the bowl.)
- for orders (e.g., “Sit down, John,” the teacher said. → The teacher ordered John to sit down.)
° Altering the Voice:
- from active to passive (e.g., I broke the window. → The window was broken [by me].)
- from passive to active (e.g., This work will be completed [by the team]. → The team will complete this work.)
° Exchanging the positions of the Direct Object and the Indirect Object (e.g., I read a story to Max. → I read Max a story.)*
Vocabulary Syllabus
Vocabulary
• use the following terms:
° word, compound, idiom, simile, synonym, antonym, type of, part of, prefix, suffix, phrasal verb, word cline
• Develop a rich vocabulary through:
° extensive reading
° reading a variety of rich texts appropriate to age and ability
° recognising words from reading materials
° substituting selected nouns, verbs or adjectives in a book that is read aloud with synonyms/ near-synonyms
° keeping a record of words (e.g., word wall, word bank)
° using a dictionary and/ or online resources to:
- look up/ clarify meaning of words
- look up information about words (e.g., word class, how the word is used in a sentence, pronunciation)@
° using a thesaurus to look up synonyms
• Deduce meaning of words from how they are used in context:
° use of contextual clues
° word class the words belong to
• Deduce meaning of words from how they relate to one another:
° words belonging to the same lexical field (e.g., ‘pupil’ and ‘recess’ belong to the lexical field of ‘school’)
° words which are synonyms (e.g., quick/ fast)
° words which are near synonyms (e.g., in the word cline, cool – cold – freezing)
° words which are antonyms (e.g., far/ near)
° words which are hyponyms: type of (e.g., apple → type of fruit)
° words which are meronyms: part of (e.g., finger → part of a hand)
° words which are homonyms: spelt and/or pronounced alike but have different meanings (e.g., flower/ flour)
• Learn the vocabulary of fixed expressions and what they mean:
° phrasal verbs (e.g., blow up → get angry)
° collocations (e.g., happy birthday 3, cheerful birthday 7)
° idioms (e.g., lend a hand → help)
° proverbs (e.g., Never judge a book by its cover. → Do not judge others by their appearance.)
• recognise how words are formed:
° compounding (e.g., workbook, playground, doorway)
° affixation: joining prefixes and suffixes to base words (e.g., en + large → enlarge)
° acronyms (ASEAN: Association of Southeast Asian Nations)
° clipping (e.g., telephone → phone)
° blending (e.g., breakfast + lunch → brunch)
• recognise the playful use of words in spoken and written language:
° jokes
° riddles
° puns
Using Appropriate Vocabulary
• use words suitable for purpose, audience, context and culture in relation to:
° type of texts (e.g., explanations: technical language, expositions: persuasive language)
° medium (spoken or written)
° register (formal or informal)
• use collocations appropriately
• use idioms, proverbs and phrasal verbs appropriately
• recognise and use literary language, e.g.,
° simile (e.g., She is as graceful as a swan.)
° imagery (e.g., The use of ‘velvet tiger’ paints an image of a tiger with a thick and soft coat.)
° metaphor (e.g., The moon is the eye of the night.)
• use the following terms:
° word, compound, idiom, simile, synonym, antonym, type of, part of, prefix, suffix, phrasal verb, word cline
• Develop a rich vocabulary through:
° extensive reading
° reading a variety of rich texts appropriate to age and ability
° recognising words from reading materials
° substituting selected nouns, verbs or adjectives in a book that is read aloud with synonyms/ near-synonyms
° keeping a record of words (e.g., word wall, word bank)
° using a dictionary and/ or online resources to:
- look up/ clarify meaning of words
- look up information about words (e.g., word class, how the word is used in a sentence, pronunciation)@
° using a thesaurus to look up synonyms
• Deduce meaning of words from how they are used in context:
° use of contextual clues
° word class the words belong to
• Deduce meaning of words from how they relate to one another:
° words belonging to the same lexical field (e.g., ‘pupil’ and ‘recess’ belong to the lexical field of ‘school’)
° words which are synonyms (e.g., quick/ fast)
° words which are near synonyms (e.g., in the word cline, cool – cold – freezing)
° words which are antonyms (e.g., far/ near)
° words which are hyponyms: type of (e.g., apple → type of fruit)
° words which are meronyms: part of (e.g., finger → part of a hand)
° words which are homonyms: spelt and/or pronounced alike but have different meanings (e.g., flower/ flour)
• Learn the vocabulary of fixed expressions and what they mean:
° phrasal verbs (e.g., blow up → get angry)
° collocations (e.g., happy birthday 3, cheerful birthday 7)
° idioms (e.g., lend a hand → help)
° proverbs (e.g., Never judge a book by its cover. → Do not judge others by their appearance.)
• recognise how words are formed:
° compounding (e.g., workbook, playground, doorway)
° affixation: joining prefixes and suffixes to base words (e.g., en + large → enlarge)
° acronyms (ASEAN: Association of Southeast Asian Nations)
° clipping (e.g., telephone → phone)
° blending (e.g., breakfast + lunch → brunch)
• recognise the playful use of words in spoken and written language:
° jokes
° riddles
° puns
Using Appropriate Vocabulary
• use words suitable for purpose, audience, context and culture in relation to:
° type of texts (e.g., explanations: technical language, expositions: persuasive language)
° medium (spoken or written)
° register (formal or informal)
• use collocations appropriately
• use idioms, proverbs and phrasal verbs appropriately
• recognise and use literary language, e.g.,
° simile (e.g., She is as graceful as a swan.)
° imagery (e.g., The use of ‘velvet tiger’ paints an image of a tiger with a thick and soft coat.)
° metaphor (e.g., The moon is the eye of the night.)
Description of a place
My favourite place is near Queenstown. It is very peaceful with many beautiful old trees and parks all around.
My apartment is in a black and white block which used to belong to the British Army. It is large, with high ceilings and a long, wide balcony. There are many blocks like mine in the estate.
As there are no busy roads, children can play safely. It is a good place to play football or climb trees. When the grass has been cut, the air is full of its sweet smell. At night, the perfume from the frangipani trees makes you feel dizzy.
There are many animals in the estate. In the daytime, we often kingfishers sitting on the telephone wires or hear them screeching when they have caught some food. Sometimes golden orioles flash like lightning through the trees.
At night, cats prowl along the storm drains where frogs croak and rats scamper. You must be careful where you walk because it is quite dangerous to leave the paths because there are many poisonous snakes.
My apartment is in a black and white block which used to belong to the British Army. It is large, with high ceilings and a long, wide balcony. There are many blocks like mine in the estate.
As there are no busy roads, children can play safely. It is a good place to play football or climb trees. When the grass has been cut, the air is full of its sweet smell. At night, the perfume from the frangipani trees makes you feel dizzy.
There are many animals in the estate. In the daytime, we often kingfishers sitting on the telephone wires or hear them screeching when they have caught some food. Sometimes golden orioles flash like lightning through the trees.
At night, cats prowl along the storm drains where frogs croak and rats scamper. You must be careful where you walk because it is quite dangerous to leave the paths because there are many poisonous snakes.
Descriptions of People
Describing a person
George
George is someone you do not forget easily. Although he is not particularly tall, he is very well built with a broad chest and strong arms. He is as big as a bear and probably as powerful.
The thing you notice most about him is his enthusiasm. He gets really excited about things. He can be very loud and quite opinionated, yet is always careful about hurting other people’s feelings. I would say that he is one of the kindest people I have ever met.
George is very intereated in music. He plays the guitar very well and often comes over to my house for a sing-a-long. He is also a talented artist and sends his drawings around the world to his friends.
When you are with George, you feel much more excited about life. His laughter and enthusiasm are infectious. He is a large man with a very big heart.
Johnson
Johnson was a menace to society. In and out of prison since his late teens, he did not seem to have thought of turning over a new leaf. Dressed casually in a faded T-shirt and long, black jeans, paired with a pair of flimsy rubber shoes, Johnson came across as being rough. His mop of ruffled hair on his head added to his untidy appearance. Above all, his face, with slanted eyes, narrow lips and stubble on his chin, was capable of instilling fear into the victims he robbed at knifepoint.
Madam Lim
Madam Lim was the grandmother every child longed to have. The crow’s feet around her eyes and other facial wrinkles helped to draw attention to her loving eyes and sweet, gentle smile. Her long, flowing hair, once her crowning glory, was now grey and tied up neatly into a tight bun. She was always impeccably dressed in a traditional Chinese samfoo and a pair of nondescript slip-ons. Like many ladies of her generation, Madam Lim wore a jade pendant held round her neck by a pearl necklace. A jade bangle adorned her left wrist. Madam Lim was a regular at the nearby wet market. All the stallholders knew her by name and reserved the freshest produce at the best bargains just for her.
David
David was a pesky seven-year-old boy with boundless energy. There was always a broad grin plastered across his impish face. His wide, sparkling eyes looked upon the world with curiosity and wonder. Those who saw him when he was under the watchful eyes of his mother often complimented him on being a cute, bright kid. However, when he was left to his own resources, David morphed into a little devil. He could never sit still and was constantly conjuring up new pranks in his little head. Not a peaceful afternoon could go by when David was at home with his younger sister in the care of their maid.
George
George is someone you do not forget easily. Although he is not particularly tall, he is very well built with a broad chest and strong arms. He is as big as a bear and probably as powerful.
The thing you notice most about him is his enthusiasm. He gets really excited about things. He can be very loud and quite opinionated, yet is always careful about hurting other people’s feelings. I would say that he is one of the kindest people I have ever met.
George is very intereated in music. He plays the guitar very well and often comes over to my house for a sing-a-long. He is also a talented artist and sends his drawings around the world to his friends.
When you are with George, you feel much more excited about life. His laughter and enthusiasm are infectious. He is a large man with a very big heart.
Johnson
Johnson was a menace to society. In and out of prison since his late teens, he did not seem to have thought of turning over a new leaf. Dressed casually in a faded T-shirt and long, black jeans, paired with a pair of flimsy rubber shoes, Johnson came across as being rough. His mop of ruffled hair on his head added to his untidy appearance. Above all, his face, with slanted eyes, narrow lips and stubble on his chin, was capable of instilling fear into the victims he robbed at knifepoint.
Madam Lim
Madam Lim was the grandmother every child longed to have. The crow’s feet around her eyes and other facial wrinkles helped to draw attention to her loving eyes and sweet, gentle smile. Her long, flowing hair, once her crowning glory, was now grey and tied up neatly into a tight bun. She was always impeccably dressed in a traditional Chinese samfoo and a pair of nondescript slip-ons. Like many ladies of her generation, Madam Lim wore a jade pendant held round her neck by a pearl necklace. A jade bangle adorned her left wrist. Madam Lim was a regular at the nearby wet market. All the stallholders knew her by name and reserved the freshest produce at the best bargains just for her.
David
David was a pesky seven-year-old boy with boundless energy. There was always a broad grin plastered across his impish face. His wide, sparkling eyes looked upon the world with curiosity and wonder. Those who saw him when he was under the watchful eyes of his mother often complimented him on being a cute, bright kid. However, when he was left to his own resources, David morphed into a little devil. He could never sit still and was constantly conjuring up new pranks in his little head. Not a peaceful afternoon could go by when David was at home with his younger sister in the care of their maid.
Samples of Good Introductions
Sample 1
I cycled along the road and struggled up the hill. It was hot but I knew the effort would be worth it. Finally, standing on the pedals and pushing with all my strength, I reached the top. There below me, ws the long stretch of beach and the sea.
Sample 2
With the morning sun beating down upon me, I cycled up the long, straight road. The slowly rising hill stretched before me, but the thought of getting off my bicycle and pushing it never entered my head. I stood on the pedals and pushed with all my might. Cows raised their heads, chewing thoughtfully and gazing at me. “Why is he rushing?” they must have thought. “There’s time enough.” Still, I could smell the sea salt in the air and was in no mood for strolling.
At last, with one final push, I reached the top of the hill. There, far below me was the long, deserted stretch of beach and the endless blue of the sparkling sea.
Sample 3
I sat nervously in my seat. The senior judge stood with the envelope in his hnd which his colleagues had given him. He told the excited audience that they had been very impressed by all the competitors’ speeches. Finally he opened the envelope and took out a piece of paper. The crowd held its breath. He looked up for a moment and said, “I’ll read out the winners in reverse order…”
Sample 4
Everywhere the eye could see there were sunbathers lying on large beach towels all along the golden sand. Not that there ws much sand left, though. The packed mass of shouting, sweating sun-worshippers with blaring radios, flying Frisbies and screaming, sand-kicking children covered the whole beach.
Sample 5
I had hoped for an escape in the warm waters but I was disappointed. Fat paddlers gleefully kicked water at anyone nearby and, further out, swimmers came splashing at me from all angles. I had to leap for cover as surfers tried their best to knock my head off with their boards!
I decided to give up and go home. A suntan was not worth the danger.
Sample 6
The blue ocean sparkled in the sunlight beneath the cloudless sky. Gentle waves rolled lazily onto the deserted beach. The leaves of the palm trees rustled softly in the breeze and we stretched out gratefully beneath them on large towels, trying to get some shade from the cruelly hot midday sun.
Sample 7
The wild wind whipped the waves into heaving mountains which crashed down upon the stony shore. Greedy fingers of foam grabbed at rocks, trying to pull them back and slapped my face with spray in their frustration.
I cycled along the road and struggled up the hill. It was hot but I knew the effort would be worth it. Finally, standing on the pedals and pushing with all my strength, I reached the top. There below me, ws the long stretch of beach and the sea.
Sample 2
With the morning sun beating down upon me, I cycled up the long, straight road. The slowly rising hill stretched before me, but the thought of getting off my bicycle and pushing it never entered my head. I stood on the pedals and pushed with all my might. Cows raised their heads, chewing thoughtfully and gazing at me. “Why is he rushing?” they must have thought. “There’s time enough.” Still, I could smell the sea salt in the air and was in no mood for strolling.
At last, with one final push, I reached the top of the hill. There, far below me was the long, deserted stretch of beach and the endless blue of the sparkling sea.
Sample 3
I sat nervously in my seat. The senior judge stood with the envelope in his hnd which his colleagues had given him. He told the excited audience that they had been very impressed by all the competitors’ speeches. Finally he opened the envelope and took out a piece of paper. The crowd held its breath. He looked up for a moment and said, “I’ll read out the winners in reverse order…”
Sample 4
Everywhere the eye could see there were sunbathers lying on large beach towels all along the golden sand. Not that there ws much sand left, though. The packed mass of shouting, sweating sun-worshippers with blaring radios, flying Frisbies and screaming, sand-kicking children covered the whole beach.
Sample 5
I had hoped for an escape in the warm waters but I was disappointed. Fat paddlers gleefully kicked water at anyone nearby and, further out, swimmers came splashing at me from all angles. I had to leap for cover as surfers tried their best to knock my head off with their boards!
I decided to give up and go home. A suntan was not worth the danger.
Sample 6
The blue ocean sparkled in the sunlight beneath the cloudless sky. Gentle waves rolled lazily onto the deserted beach. The leaves of the palm trees rustled softly in the breeze and we stretched out gratefully beneath them on large towels, trying to get some shade from the cruelly hot midday sun.
Sample 7
The wild wind whipped the waves into heaving mountains which crashed down upon the stony shore. Greedy fingers of foam grabbed at rocks, trying to pull them back and slapped my face with spray in their frustration.
Monday, September 20, 2010
A Train Crash
Train Crash
1. The sky was overcast. Dark clouds loomed ablve giving the sky an ominous feel as though rain would come crashing through any time soon.
2. The next six hours was sheer mental torture.
3. However, thoughts of seeing Grandpa and all my favourite cousins warmed my heart, making this all well worth it.
4. A sudden explosion followed by an earth-shattering jerk shook through the entire train.
5. Everyone was thrown off their seats as the train tilted perilously to its side.
6. Chaos reigned in the train as passengers flew into a panic.
7. The train had come to a full halt. My train had run off its track.
8. A glance outside to the once picturesque sights of calm hills filled with greenery was now a major nightmare.
9. To keep my balance was like attempting mission impossible.
10. People were going berserk just to save their own lives.
11. There was no time to spare. Anxiety charged through my veins.
12. With all my might, I heaved that luggage at the window smashing it.
13. The sight that greeted me challenged my sanity.
14. Women were screaming, children were crying and men were bellowing above the din for their wives and children.
15. Dead bodies were strewn everywhere.
16. I groped my way through the turmoil and destruction.
17. The rescue team reached the crash site at record time.
18. I was whisked away to one of the hospitals to be treated.
1. The sky was overcast. Dark clouds loomed ablve giving the sky an ominous feel as though rain would come crashing through any time soon.
2. The next six hours was sheer mental torture.
3. However, thoughts of seeing Grandpa and all my favourite cousins warmed my heart, making this all well worth it.
4. A sudden explosion followed by an earth-shattering jerk shook through the entire train.
5. Everyone was thrown off their seats as the train tilted perilously to its side.
6. Chaos reigned in the train as passengers flew into a panic.
7. The train had come to a full halt. My train had run off its track.
8. A glance outside to the once picturesque sights of calm hills filled with greenery was now a major nightmare.
9. To keep my balance was like attempting mission impossible.
10. People were going berserk just to save their own lives.
11. There was no time to spare. Anxiety charged through my veins.
12. With all my might, I heaved that luggage at the window smashing it.
13. The sight that greeted me challenged my sanity.
14. Women were screaming, children were crying and men were bellowing above the din for their wives and children.
15. Dead bodies were strewn everywhere.
16. I groped my way through the turmoil and destruction.
17. The rescue team reached the crash site at record time.
18. I was whisked away to one of the hospitals to be treated.
A Story About Hatred and Revenge
1. His body shook violently from side to side. Blood and froth gurgled freely from his mouth. His hands were cold and clammy and his face contorted in a picture of pure pain. I could only watch as the paramedics took him away…
2. Everything was ;like a competition between us. His hate for me grew each time I”won” and likewise mine for him, each time he did. Our rivalry knew no bounds.
3. But now, he seemed to have changed. His face was thinner, his step had lost its aggressiveness and his voice was no longer strong. As I looked at him, I even felt a certain sympathy for him.
4. The tattooed snake on his forearm seemed to come alive. He was almost shouting. I looked into his dark, inscrutable eyes and all the warmth I had in me vanished. He was still the same cruel, savage beast he had always been.
5. “You will be my maid. You will clean my mansion, serve me food and lick my boots! And in exchange, you wcan have my heart to save your son. You see, I will die a contented man knowing I had the last laugh.” The audacity of it all! It took all I had to keep me in my seat and stop me from punching his face. Then I saw the expression on my son’s face, purple from the lack of oxygen, trying to call out my name. I heard my wife’s voice, her last dying wish, “Please …please…look after our son.”
6. I cleaned and cooked and served with subservience, catering to Huat Cai’s every single whim and fancy. During that week, I learnt the meaning of shame.
7. Not once did he show any remorse. Not once did he feel sympathy. Not once did I even see the slightest show of emotion that could prove he was human. But I never complained. Even as he whipped me and kicked me and spat at me, I knew his offer was too good to pass.
8. I thought of my son all the time. I thought of the things we could do together, I thought of the fun we would have and I thought of his lovely smile. I knew that no matter what, I had to fulfil my part of the bargain.
9. Huat Cai pulled out a large silver pistol, cocked it, stood up, and aimed it at himself and screamed with all his might. “This will be my final victory over you! I am the winner!”
10. When the coroner performed the autopsy on Huat Cai, he found the cause of death was three bullets straight through the heart. “What a waste of a good heart.”
2. Everything was ;like a competition between us. His hate for me grew each time I”won” and likewise mine for him, each time he did. Our rivalry knew no bounds.
3. But now, he seemed to have changed. His face was thinner, his step had lost its aggressiveness and his voice was no longer strong. As I looked at him, I even felt a certain sympathy for him.
4. The tattooed snake on his forearm seemed to come alive. He was almost shouting. I looked into his dark, inscrutable eyes and all the warmth I had in me vanished. He was still the same cruel, savage beast he had always been.
5. “You will be my maid. You will clean my mansion, serve me food and lick my boots! And in exchange, you wcan have my heart to save your son. You see, I will die a contented man knowing I had the last laugh.” The audacity of it all! It took all I had to keep me in my seat and stop me from punching his face. Then I saw the expression on my son’s face, purple from the lack of oxygen, trying to call out my name. I heard my wife’s voice, her last dying wish, “Please …please…look after our son.”
6. I cleaned and cooked and served with subservience, catering to Huat Cai’s every single whim and fancy. During that week, I learnt the meaning of shame.
7. Not once did he show any remorse. Not once did he feel sympathy. Not once did I even see the slightest show of emotion that could prove he was human. But I never complained. Even as he whipped me and kicked me and spat at me, I knew his offer was too good to pass.
8. I thought of my son all the time. I thought of the things we could do together, I thought of the fun we would have and I thought of his lovely smile. I knew that no matter what, I had to fulfil my part of the bargain.
9. Huat Cai pulled out a large silver pistol, cocked it, stood up, and aimed it at himself and screamed with all his might. “This will be my final victory over you! I am the winner!”
10. When the coroner performed the autopsy on Huat Cai, he found the cause of death was three bullets straight through the heart. “What a waste of a good heart.”
Please Learn Your Spelling Words Every Tuesday; Dictation is from Descriptions of Weather, Places, Time, Actions .../Wow-Wow Words
Spelling on Tues 21 Sept
1. behaviour changed radically
2. send tremors down my spine
3. ruefully
4. shrug their shoulders
5. eyes were glazed and red
6. staggered back a step
7. throb with pain
8. stood in a daze
9. undermined her authority
10. combination of fear and embarrassment
11. stomped my feet in protest
12. infuriated
13. surged with relief
14. blood drained from my face
15. grizzly obsessions
Spelling on Tues 28 Sept
1. grim smile on her face
2. ice-cold chill rushed through my body
3. breath smelled of booze
4. outcast
5. stomach coiled with a combination of fear and anticipation
6. ingenious
7. dire consequences
8. as solid as a rock
9. tempo build to an ear-shattering climax
10. overactive imagination
11. snake-like charm
12. feeling of total emptiness
13. heightened confidence
14. conquest
15. dignified manner
Spelling on Tues 5 Oct
1. warm sensation oozed from my nostrils
2. a walking disgrace
3. exhausted all possibilities
4. devised a plan
5. crumpled to her knees
6. interrupted by hunger pangs
7. thrashed relentlessly
8. nauseating
9. gobbled the food as fast as I could
10. abrupt halt
11. squirmed in every direction
12. reminiscence
13. began to whimper
14. sophisticated
15. regurgitated
Spelling on Tues 12 Oct
1. heated battle of words
2. privileged
3. trance-like state
4. a calmness filled my soul
5. tears of panic streamed down my cheeks
6. morale dwindled
7. no remorse in her eyes
8. laboured breathing
9. saturated with blood
10. monotonous
11. feeling of friendship and warmth
12. flinching from the pain
13. screaming was muffled
14. overcame great odds
15. a river of tears
Spelling on Thurs 14 Oct
1. sarcastically
2. slumped my shoulders
3. retreating into the solitude of my dreams
4. instinctively
5. morbid life
6. cringed with hate
7. immaculately dressed in a suit
8.renewed vigour
9. rapturous
10. squirmed away from grip
11. despondent
12. turbulent
13. endless sea of faces
14. alienate from him
15. confrontation
1. behaviour changed radically
2. send tremors down my spine
3. ruefully
4. shrug their shoulders
5. eyes were glazed and red
6. staggered back a step
7. throb with pain
8. stood in a daze
9. undermined her authority
10. combination of fear and embarrassment
11. stomped my feet in protest
12. infuriated
13. surged with relief
14. blood drained from my face
15. grizzly obsessions
Spelling on Tues 28 Sept
1. grim smile on her face
2. ice-cold chill rushed through my body
3. breath smelled of booze
4. outcast
5. stomach coiled with a combination of fear and anticipation
6. ingenious
7. dire consequences
8. as solid as a rock
9. tempo build to an ear-shattering climax
10. overactive imagination
11. snake-like charm
12. feeling of total emptiness
13. heightened confidence
14. conquest
15. dignified manner
Spelling on Tues 5 Oct
1. warm sensation oozed from my nostrils
2. a walking disgrace
3. exhausted all possibilities
4. devised a plan
5. crumpled to her knees
6. interrupted by hunger pangs
7. thrashed relentlessly
8. nauseating
9. gobbled the food as fast as I could
10. abrupt halt
11. squirmed in every direction
12. reminiscence
13. began to whimper
14. sophisticated
15. regurgitated
Spelling on Tues 12 Oct
1. heated battle of words
2. privileged
3. trance-like state
4. a calmness filled my soul
5. tears of panic streamed down my cheeks
6. morale dwindled
7. no remorse in her eyes
8. laboured breathing
9. saturated with blood
10. monotonous
11. feeling of friendship and warmth
12. flinching from the pain
13. screaming was muffled
14. overcame great odds
15. a river of tears
Spelling on Thurs 14 Oct
1. sarcastically
2. slumped my shoulders
3. retreating into the solitude of my dreams
4. instinctively
5. morbid life
6. cringed with hate
7. immaculately dressed in a suit
8.renewed vigour
9. rapturous
10. squirmed away from grip
11. despondent
12. turbulent
13. endless sea of faces
14. alienate from him
15. confrontation
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
TMV Set of Section J - Synthesis & Transformation
TMV Synthesis
Practice Paper (1)
66. The plainclothes policemen, Siva and Kumar, handcuffed the burglar.
67. I enjoy writing to young people around the world and making friends with them.
OR I enjoy writing to and making friends with young people around the world.
68. Undaunted that the books he wanted were not available in the library, Jim continued to search for more information.
69. Mr Lim informed Peter that he had to attend the interview that night.
70. James would not risk driving that car with faulty brakes.
Practice Paper (2)
66. Though he confessed to the crime, he refused to reveal the mastermind.
67. Mrs Li took her daughter who was sick to the doctor.
68. It has been a long time since you called her.
OR You have not called me since a long time ago.
69. Unless I call you, you must not go to the interchange.
70. Mother told Alice to take her medicine after she had seen/after seeing the doctor.
Practice Paper (3)
66. Tommy would rather play basketball with his friends than go to the beach with his family.
OR Tommy would rather be playing basketball with his fiends than going to the beach with his family.
67. The teacher whom Mrs Tan wanted to see is on medical leave.
68. Clara exclaimed that that was the pair of shoes they had been looking for.
69. Neither Sin Ming nor his brothers want to feed the dog.
70. In spite of being fearful, Evelyn climbed up the stairs to check out the noise coming from the attic.
OR In spite of her fear/being fearful, Evelyn climbed up the stairs to check out the noise coming from the attic.
Practice Paper (4)
66. Owing to the bad weather, the soccer match was cancelled this morning.
67. Our principal will speak to all primary 6 pupils to remind them to study hard for the coming PSLE.
68. If I were the princess, I would have kissed the frog to turn it into a handsome prince.
69. Jia Hua said that he/she had come to Singapore to live with his/her aunt since he/she was twelve years old.
70. Apart from knowing how to make dough for a pizza, the pizza chef makes sure the ingredients used are fresh from Italy.
Practice Paper (5)
66. Mother told me not to forget to take my raincoat.
67. If Mr Chen does not take his medication, he will suffer from a heart attack.
68. Mrs Lim sent the dirty clothes to the laundry to be washed.
69. John can choose either/either choose to stay at home or go swimming.
70. Many people came to watch the soccer match in spite of the heavy rain.
Practice Paper (6)
66. He turned up early in order to be the first in the queue.
67. During Miss Tan’s absence, the prefect chaired the meeting.
68. Despite her wealth/ Despite being wealthy, she lived a simple life.
69. You cannot watch the movie unless you purchase the tickets. (first- wrong)
70. They said that they had seen the accident from the balcony.
Practice Paper (7)
66. Mrs Lee, who is a florist, has a beautiful garden.
Or Mrs Lee, who has a beautiful garden, is a florist.
67. The fire had destroyed the whole building before the firemen arrived/the arrival of the firemen.
68. The watch on the counter belongs to Tianwen.
OR The watch which/that is on the counter belongs to Tianwen.
69. Although May’s ankle was swollen, she insisted on taking part in the race.
70. A heavy traffic jam was caused by an accident involving a chain of cars/ because there was an accident involving a chain of cars.
Practice Paper (8)
66. This is the spider which bit my mother on her leg.
67. Mrs Tan asked Jane if/ whether she should drop by her house the next day.
68.Johnny prefers swimming to cycling.
69. She was very angry so she screamed at the top of her voice.
70. Mr Lim used to teach Mathematics at St James Secondary School.
Practice Paper (9)
66. Despite having an artificial leg, he climbed to the top of the mountain.
67. Mr Tan warned Diana not to go there as it was dangerous.
68. Take the umbrella in case it rains.
69. Unless you write it down, you will forget.
70. If you are going to the supermarket, please buy me a bottle of orange juice.
Practice Paper (10)
66. Malar did not receive the parcel which you sent (her) last week.
67. Amy is unpopular because she often throws her weight around.
68. Due to the heavy downpour, the soccer match was cancelled.
69. Both my father and brother are coming home soon.
70. The girls told their mother that they had to go to the tuition centre the following day.
Practice Paper (1)
66. The plainclothes policemen, Siva and Kumar, handcuffed the burglar.
67. I enjoy writing to young people around the world and making friends with them.
OR I enjoy writing to and making friends with young people around the world.
68. Undaunted that the books he wanted were not available in the library, Jim continued to search for more information.
69. Mr Lim informed Peter that he had to attend the interview that night.
70. James would not risk driving that car with faulty brakes.
Practice Paper (2)
66. Though he confessed to the crime, he refused to reveal the mastermind.
67. Mrs Li took her daughter who was sick to the doctor.
68. It has been a long time since you called her.
OR You have not called me since a long time ago.
69. Unless I call you, you must not go to the interchange.
70. Mother told Alice to take her medicine after she had seen/after seeing the doctor.
Practice Paper (3)
66. Tommy would rather play basketball with his friends than go to the beach with his family.
OR Tommy would rather be playing basketball with his fiends than going to the beach with his family.
67. The teacher whom Mrs Tan wanted to see is on medical leave.
68. Clara exclaimed that that was the pair of shoes they had been looking for.
69. Neither Sin Ming nor his brothers want to feed the dog.
70. In spite of being fearful, Evelyn climbed up the stairs to check out the noise coming from the attic.
OR In spite of her fear/being fearful, Evelyn climbed up the stairs to check out the noise coming from the attic.
Practice Paper (4)
66. Owing to the bad weather, the soccer match was cancelled this morning.
67. Our principal will speak to all primary 6 pupils to remind them to study hard for the coming PSLE.
68. If I were the princess, I would have kissed the frog to turn it into a handsome prince.
69. Jia Hua said that he/she had come to Singapore to live with his/her aunt since he/she was twelve years old.
70. Apart from knowing how to make dough for a pizza, the pizza chef makes sure the ingredients used are fresh from Italy.
Practice Paper (5)
66. Mother told me not to forget to take my raincoat.
67. If Mr Chen does not take his medication, he will suffer from a heart attack.
68. Mrs Lim sent the dirty clothes to the laundry to be washed.
69. John can choose either/either choose to stay at home or go swimming.
70. Many people came to watch the soccer match in spite of the heavy rain.
Practice Paper (6)
66. He turned up early in order to be the first in the queue.
67. During Miss Tan’s absence, the prefect chaired the meeting.
68. Despite her wealth/ Despite being wealthy, she lived a simple life.
69. You cannot watch the movie unless you purchase the tickets. (first- wrong)
70. They said that they had seen the accident from the balcony.
Practice Paper (7)
66. Mrs Lee, who is a florist, has a beautiful garden.
Or Mrs Lee, who has a beautiful garden, is a florist.
67. The fire had destroyed the whole building before the firemen arrived/the arrival of the firemen.
68. The watch on the counter belongs to Tianwen.
OR The watch which/that is on the counter belongs to Tianwen.
69. Although May’s ankle was swollen, she insisted on taking part in the race.
70. A heavy traffic jam was caused by an accident involving a chain of cars/ because there was an accident involving a chain of cars.
Practice Paper (8)
66. This is the spider which bit my mother on her leg.
67. Mrs Tan asked Jane if/ whether she should drop by her house the next day.
68.Johnny prefers swimming to cycling.
69. She was very angry so she screamed at the top of her voice.
70. Mr Lim used to teach Mathematics at St James Secondary School.
Practice Paper (9)
66. Despite having an artificial leg, he climbed to the top of the mountain.
67. Mr Tan warned Diana not to go there as it was dangerous.
68. Take the umbrella in case it rains.
69. Unless you write it down, you will forget.
70. If you are going to the supermarket, please buy me a bottle of orange juice.
Practice Paper (10)
66. Malar did not receive the parcel which you sent (her) last week.
67. Amy is unpopular because she often throws her weight around.
68. Due to the heavy downpour, the soccer match was cancelled.
69. Both my father and brother are coming home soon.
70. The girls told their mother that they had to go to the tuition centre the following day.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Composition Topics and pointers
Composition Topics
For each of the following topics, write a composition of about 150 words. You may use some or all of the following points in your compositions.
1. A visit to a sick friend in hospital
- When your friend was warded in the hospital
- In which hospital he was warded
- With whom you visited your sick friend
- Describe the hospital: the wards, the visitors, the patients
- What you felt about the visit
2. A bus-ride
- At which bus-stop you waited
- Where you were going to
- Describe the bus, the driver, the conductor, the passengers
- Describe any interesting incident which happened to make the ride a pleasant/unpleasant one
- What you felt about the ride
3. My neighbourhood
- What sort of a neighbourhood you live in
- Describe the houses in your neighbourhood, the people living in the neighbourhood
- What are the things you like/do not like in your neighbourhood
- What your neighbourhood is like at different times of the day
- How you feel about living in your neighbourhood
- What are the changes you would like to see done, or if you are satisfied living in the neighbourhood, give reasons why.
4. A road accident
- Where you were when the accident happened
- What were the vehicles involved in the accident
- Whether anyone was hurt in the accident
- Who witnessed the accident – what the witnesses did
- Who helped the injured whilst waiting for the arrival of the police and the ambulance
- What the police /ambulance attendants did
- What evidence the witnesses gave
- Where the injured people were taken to
- How the crowd was dispersed
- What you felt about the accident
- The lesson you learnt from the accident
5. The time when I fell sick
- How you fell ill
- Whether anyone accompanied you to the clinic
- Which clinic you went to
- Describe the scene at the waiting room and some of the patients
- What the doctor said/did when you were in the consultation room
- What advice the doctor gave you
- What you did when you went home
- How you felt during the days you were ill
- The lesson you learnt after you recovered from your illness
6. how my family and I celebrated a festival
- what festival it was
- the preparations you/your family made before the day of the festival
- describe the day of the festival
- describe how you and members of your family felt during the festival
- state whether you went to any special places such as the Jurong Bird Park
- say how you felt after the festival had come to an end
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