directed writing exercises

Section A : Directed Writing

[35 marks]

You are advised to spend about 45 minutes on this section.

Question 1

You are a reporter for your school magazine assigned to write an article about a person who is very interested in sports. Write your article based on all the notes below.

· Grandpa Merican - age 73 - loves racing - not quitting yet· 57 years of racing since 1949 - enjoys every minute - top of world · Principle of racing - athlete faces ups and downs · Routine - running regularly - slopes - work out· All-rounder - field and track events - records· Self-funding, well wishers and sponsors

When writing the article, you should remember:· to lay out the article correctly· to use paragraphs· that the article is for the school magazine

· Section B : Continuous Writing[50 marks]

You are advised to spend about one hour on this section.

Question 2

Write a composition of not less than 350 words on one of the following topics:

[a] Describe the most beautiful scene you have ever set your eyes on.

[b] Write a story with the title : A Ticket.

[c] My Happiest Day.

[d] “The twenty-first century is an age of materialism.”How far do you support this view?

[e] Neighbours.


[35 marks]


Question 1

You are a student counselor. Bullying is a problem in your school and the School Counselor has asked you to speak to all the students during assembly. Based on the notes below, write your speech.

· Tell an adult you trust.· Get your friends together and say no to the bully.· Stay with groups of people, even if they are not your friends.· There is safety in numbers.· If possible, avoid being alone in places where bullying happens.· Try being assertive.· Walk quickly and confidently.· If you are in danger, walk away. Do not get involved in a fight.

When writing the speech, you should remember

· to greet and to thank the audience.· to elaborate on the information given.· to use paragraphs.· that it is a speech to your peers.

Section B : Continuous Writing

[50 marks]


Question 2

Write a composition of not less than 350 words on one of the following topics.

[a] Describe a day in the life of a ……… [nurse or doctor or firefighter or cat].

[b] Write a story based on : An Unexpected Success.

[c] My Hopes for the Future.

[d] “All good things must come to an end.” Do you agree?

[e] Rain

Section B : Continuous Writing

[50 marks]


Question 2

Write a composition of not less than 350 words on one of the following topics:

[a] Describe some of your early childhood memories.

[b] Write a story with the title : A Narrow Escape.

[c] A day in the life of your great-grandmother or great-grandfather 100 years ago.

[d] “Travel broadens the mind.” Do you agree or disagree with this view?

[e] Friends.

[35 marks]


Question 1

Your cousin brother who is eight years old would like to have a pet dog. But your aunt is not very keen about it as she is not sure how to help him out and also fear that his interest might just be a flash in the pan. You feel that your aunt should let your cousin keep a pet.

Based on the notes given below, write a letter to your aunt explaining the benefits of keeping pets and what she can do to sustain his interest.

· Benefits of keeping pets- Sense of responsibility and empathy- Consideration for others- Overcome his shyness

· Ways to help sustain interest- Educate the child on pet's habits

- Involve the child in pet's needs- Give the child responsibility in looking after the pet


[35 marks]


Question 1

Your English teacher has asked the class to read an English novel – fiction or non-fiction. You are to write a book review of the novel. Based on the notes below, write a review of the novel.

· title, author, publisher, number of pages· the synopsis · the main theme[s]· the main character[s]· the language and quality of the writing· personal opinion of novel and comments

When writing the book review, you should remember

· to lay out the review correctly· to add relevant additional information· to write in paragraphs


[35 marks]


Question 1

Your neighbour who owns a pedigree cat informed you that his cat went missing and he had a difficult time getting his cat back. As a stringer for a local newspaper, you jotted down some notes as he related to you about the catnapping incident.Based on the notes below, write a report for the newspaper.

· lost valuable cat – a cat lover found it and sent it to SPCA · another cat lover saw advertisement – contacted owner· owner phoned SPCA – officials denied all knowledge of cat· owner received phone call at night – offering to return dog for reward· owner contacted finder of cat – finder insisted sent to SPCA· owner suspicious – contacted police – police planned to trap phone caller· a trap set – police in hiding – stranger arrived – asked for money· another arrived with dog – both nabbed – went to address supplied by

men· found SPCA official – cleared many animal-napping cases

When writing the report, you should remember

· to lay out the newspaper report format correctly – headline, by-line, place, day

· to elaborate on information given· to use paragraphs· that your report is for a newspaper


[35 marks]


Question 1

One night, you were walking back home very late when two policemen on beat duty stopped you and asked you several questions. They then took you to the police station where you were further questioned. Your parents were called and it was a most embarrassing experience. Write a letter to your pen-pal recounting your ordeal.

· circumstances of your returning very late – reasons· policemen stopped you – no MyKad - questions· to the station – grilled thoroughly by Inspector· parents arrived – big fuss· released at last

When writing the letter, you should remember

· to lay out the letter correctly· to use paragraphs· to elaborate on the notes given· that your letter is to a friend


[35 marks]


Question 1

You spent a holiday at Paradise Place after reading its promotional brochure. You discovered that from the beginning to the end the brochure was a pack of lies.Based on the notes you have made and with reference to the promotional brochure, you send a letter of complaint to the relevant authorities pointing out the exaggerations and blatant falsehoods in the brochure.

BrochureThe Paradise Place – Truly Out Of This World

LocationThe Paradise Place could not be closer to the heart and soul of the shopping and entertainment

centres. Step out of the main entrance and there you are! Deluxe malls lie to your right, superb restaurants, opulent karaoke outlets, elegant discos and plush cinemas to your left. Take your pick – a shopping extravaganza, a glamorous evening out or both. They are on our door step.

Accommodation250 deluxe suites/double and single/all facilities

Dining4 superb restaurants catering to all tastes

Entertainment2 karaoke outlets, a chic disco, 2 state-of-the-art cinemas/live music and shows

Relaxation2 pools, a sauna, a mini-gym, a mini golf course, a playground

Service Topflight – multilingual

Complaints

· Location – not within 10 minutes walk to city centredreadful surroundings

· Accommodation – poorly maintained, nothing worked, filthy· Facilities – state of disrepair, abandoned outlets· Service – more suitable for prison inmates or zoo beasts

When writing the formal letter, you should remember

· to lay out the formal letter correctly· to use paragraphs· to elaborate on information given· that your letter is a letter of complaint


[35 marks]


Question 1

You are the editor of your class news bulletin. One day your mother told you to look after your very small sibling [brother/sister] for the day. During the morning, the tiny tot disappeared. You looked all over the house, in the garden, next door – to no avail. You became frantic.Based on the notes below, write an article for your news bulletin about how you went about searching for your sibling.

· you looked all over the house· you went through the garden· you saw the dog lying half out of the kennel· to next door· down the whole street· into the park with a pond· to the police station· back home with the policeman· saw tot just coming out of dog kennel, pushing dog aside

When writing the article, you should remember

· to give a title to the article· to use paragraphs· that the article is to appear in a class news bulletin


[35 marks]


Question 1

You are a student counselor. Bullying is a problem in your school and the School Counselor has asked you to speak to all the students during assembly. Based on the notes below, write your speech.

· Tell an adult you trust.· Get your friends together and say no to the bully.· Stay with groups of people, even if they are not your friends.· There is safety in numbers.· If possible, avoid being alone in places where bullying happens.· Try being assertive.· Walk quickly and confidently.· If you are in danger, walk away. Do not get involved in a fight.

When writing the speech, you should remember

· to greet and to thank the audience.· to elaborate on the information given.· to use paragraphs.· that it is a speech to your peers.


[35 marks]


Question 1

You returned home after a long weekend away from home with your parents to find that your house had been broken into. You reported the matter to the police who asked you to make a written report.Based on all the notes below and adding any other relevant information, write your report for the police.

· Date and time you discovered the break-in· What you saw· Loss of property· Damage to house· Any witnesses?· Any suspicions?

When you write the report, you must remember

· to write clearly and precisely· to be brief· it is a police report


[35 marks]


Question 1

You come across the following advertisement for the post of kindergarten teacher.Write a letter of application together with a curriculum vitae to the Principal of the Sri Indah Kindergarten based on the advertisement and notes below.

Sri Indah Kindergarten

Has immediate vacancy for teaching post cum music teacher

· Minimum SPM/STPM qualification· Has music qualification - Grade 8· Able to work independently· Pleasant personality· Can relate to children· Conversant in local dialects and Mandarin will be an advantage

Notes:· your curriculum vitae· the reasons for interest in the job· your ability to cope with the children

When writing the letter, you should remember:

· to lay out the formal letter correctly· to write in paragraphs· that your letter is a formal letter


[35 marks]


Question 1

As secretary of the Hobby Club, you have invited a speaker from the National Philatelist Society to give a talk to the club members on stamp collecting as a hobby.

Based on the notes below, write out the speech a committee member of the National Philatelist Society gave to the members.

· Stamp collecting as a hobby· Problems of keeping album of stamps· Equipment needed· Dos and don'ts to maintain the collection

- storage- regular inspection of album- cleaning stamps- mounting stamps

When writing the speech, you should remember to· greet and address the audience· thank the audience at the end for their attention· use paragraphs

· use all the points given· elaborate on the notes provided


[35 marks]


Question 1

You have just been voted by the members of the English Language Society as the secretary for the year. You are not sure how you should take down minutes at a meeting. You approach your teacher and she explains to you the procedure.

Based on the notes given below, write out the procedure as explained by your teacher. · Prepare the agenda for meeting· Circulate a paper for attendance· Listen attentively to proceedings· Record motions proposed, names of proposer, seconder and those who oppose· Do not participate in proceedings unless you are referred to for clarification· Transcribe the minutes soon after meeting · Use the format for minutes of meetings

When writing out the procedure, you should remember to· use the correct format and sequence connectors· use all the points given· elaborate on the notes provided· use paragraphs


[35 marks]


Question 1

You are the secretary of the Consumer Club. The club members would like to visit Brand's Pharmaceutical Company. Write a letter to the Manager of the Public Relations Department asking for permission to make a visit. Write your letter based on all the notes below.

· day, date and time of visit· objectives of visit· number of Form 4 and 5 students and teachers making the visit· alternative dates if proposed date is not suitable

When writing the letter, you should remember:· to lay out the formal letter correctly· to write in paragraphs· that your letter is a formal letter


[35 marks]


Question 1

You are a reporter for your school magazine assigned to write an article about a person who is very interested in sports. Write your article based on all the notes below.

· Grandpa Merican - age 73 - loves racing - not quitting yet· 57 years of racing since 1949 - enjoys every minute - top of world · Principle of racing - athlete faces ups and downs · Routine - running regularly - slopes - work out· All-rounder - field and track events - records· Self-funding, well wishers and sponsors

When writing the article, you should remember:· to lay out the article correctly· to use paragraphs· that the article is for the school magazine


[35 marks]


Question 1

Your cousin brother who is eight years old would like to have a pet dog. But your aunt is not very keen about it as she is not sure how to help him out and also fear that his interest might just be a flash in the pan. You feel that your aunt should let your cousin keep a pet.

Based on the notes given below, write a letter to your aunt explaining the benefits of keeping pets and what she can do to sustain his interest.

· Benefits of keeping pets- Sense of responsibility and empathy- Consideration for others- Overcome his shyness

· Ways to help sustain interest- Educate the child on pet's habits- Involve the child in pet's needs- Give the child responsibility in looking after the pet


[35 marks]


Question 1

You have attended a seminar on public speaking organized by the Toastmasters Club. The chief editor of your school magazine requests that you write an article entitled, 'Overcoming stage fright when speaking in public' for the school magazine. Many students would benefit from the article.

Based on the notes given below, write out the article.

· Define stage fright and the symptoms· Ways to overcome stage fright· Before the event - be on time or go early to soak in the atmosphere

- go with a friend - visualize yourself on stage - get your notes in proper order

· During the event - relax and pretend you are talking to friends - address the audience

- look for friendly faces in the audience- use jokes but handle them properly

When writing the article, you should remember· to give a title to the article· to use paragraphs· that the article is to appear in the school magazine


[35 marks]


Question 1

You are the Head Prefect of SMK Sri Sentosa. The Principal of the school is retiring. You, as the Head Prefect of the school, have to give a farewell speech at the assembly for the principal.

Based on the notes given below, write out your speech.· Name of principal· Number of years in service as a teacher and principal· Contributions:

a) set up the welfare club for studentb) set up a class for special kidsc) set up a counseling unit that incorporates handicraft skillsd) set up the Toilet Club e) improved the toilets in the schoolf) put up the school hall and computer labg) provided special rooms for prefects and student counselors

When writing the speech, you should remember to:· use the correct format· use the correct tone· include all the notes given· elaborate on the notes provided· include any other relevant points· write in paragraphs

directed writing exercises

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