july eng test f4

8/13/2019 July Eng Test f4

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Sekolah Sukan Seri Titiwangsa Kuala Lumpur

July English Test

Name: _____________________________ Form 4: ______________

________________________________________________________________________________

SECTION A

(25 marks)

Questions 1 - 6 are based on the following passage.

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The first Malay film was made in 1932, even though the first truly Malay film is

thought to have actually been made 23 years later. Laila Majnunwhich was produced in

1932 was the film to be made in the Malay language but it was so heavily influenced by

popular Indian cinema as to be distinguishable from the original product. The story lines and

behind-the-camera talents were literally imported wholesale. Little heed was paid to

indigenous culture and nuances.

The Indian-influenced movies were big hits with the local audience and due to the

good response, the production of movies began to blossom. However, it took a tumble in

the 1940s due to World War II. Movie production in Singapore which was then the capital of

the Malayan film world was shut down during the war. The Japanese took over one of the

studios to make propaganda movies.

After the war, movie production began again in earnest with several other film genres

added to the repertoire, such as Pontianak (vampire) and purba (medieval) movies. The

movie that is acknowledged as the first bona fide Malay product is Penarik Becha (The

Trishaw Puller, 1955). This sad story about a poor boy and a rich girl easily became the box-office smash of the year. Penarik Becha starred, and was directed by, the late Tan Sri P.

Ramlee. His success with the movie paved the way for other Malay film makers.

The next two decades saw Malaysian movies in a limbo. Competition from television

and foreign movies caused Malaysian movies to fall by the wayside. To make things worse,

disputes broke out between the management and the trade unions in the film industry.

These factors subsequently compelled two major movie corporations to shut their

production arms by the early 1970s.

Movies were still a profitable business but Malay movies were not. Where they could

previously draw audiences from all races and backgrounds, they now lost their appeal. Theytook the easy way out by catering mainly to urban Malay youths. Even the plot lines felt

routine and most products were designed for a quick profit.

In an effort to kick-start the Malaysian film industry, the National Film Development

Corporation of Malaysia (FINAS) was set up in 1981. Itintroduced a compulsory screening

rule whereby major cinemas were compelled to screen new local releases for a minimum of

seven consecutive days. This was necessary as many local movies had quickly been taken off

the screen due to uncertainties of the market forces.

In 1995 an artistic high point was achieved when U-Wei bin Haji Shaaris Kaki Bakar

(The Arsonist) was screened to a rapturous reception at the Cannes Film Festival. It was thefirst Malaysian film to make it there and also to other prestigious film festivals in Berlin,

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New York and at least a dozen others. It was all accomplished thanks to the brave attempts

made to introduce Malay films at the international level through participation in film

festivals.

The governments recent move to expand aggressively into the multimedia age also

augurs well for the future of information technology of all kinds, including movies. With therecent introduction of satellite TV, a 24-hour channel exclusively for Malay language works

was included. It means that the audiences and avenues for creative endeavours are getting

bigger.

Malaysian film industry has had its fair share of highs and lows since its birth but on

the whole, people in the industry are hopeful. Things are getting better and the quality of

the movies has improved. Even so, the people involved should not take things lightly.

Although the industry may be forging ahead in many ways, the battle has yet to be won.

(Adapted from Malaysian Movie Magic, Going Places, 1998)

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1. From paragraph 1,a) what was the first film produced in the Malay language?

________________________________________________________________________

(1 mark)

b) what aspect of Malay films was influenced by Indian cinema?________________________________________________________________________

(1 mark)

2. From paragraph 2, give two reasons why the Malaysian film industry took a tumble duringWorld War II.

i) ______________________________________________________________________(1 mark)

ii) ______________________________________________________________________(1 mark)

3. From paragraph 3,a) which phraseshows that Penarek Bechawas a successful film?

________________________________________________________________________

(1 mark)

b) which wordhas the same meaning as the word collection?________________________________________________________________________

(1 mark)


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4. From paragraph 6, what does Itrefer to?___________________________________________________________________________

(1 mark)

5. a) From paragraph 8, what is the advantage of having a 24-hour channel exclusively forMalay Language works?

___________________________________________________________________________

(1 mark)

c) From paragraph 6, in your own words, why should people in the film industry not takethings lightly?

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

(2 marks)

6. Based on the passage given, write a summaryof: the challenges faced by the Malaysian film industry after World War II, and the efforts made to improve it.Credit will be given for use of own words but care must be taken not to change the original

meaning.

Your summary must:

be in continuous writing form (not in note form) use materials from line 18 to line 42 not be longer than 130 words, including the 10 words given below.

Begin your summary as follows:

The next two decades saw Malaysian movies in a limbo ...

(15 marks)

SECTION B

(20 marks)

7. Read the following stanza of He Had Such Quiet Eyesand answer the questions that follow.

He had such quiet eyes

She did not realise

They were two pools of lies

Layered with thinnest iceTo her, those quiet eyes


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Were breathing desolate sighs

Imploring her to be nice

And to render him paradise

If only shed been wise

And had listened to the adviceNever to compromise

With pleasureseeking guys

Shed be free from the hows and whys

Now heres a bit of advice

Be sure that nice really means nice

Then youll never be losing at dice

Though you may lose your heart once or twice

Bibsy Soenharjo

a) What does the expression quiet eyessuggests the nature of the man?___________________________________________________________________________

(1 mark)

b) Give a word from the poem which means giving up something to reach an agreement.___________________________________________________________________________

(1 mark)

c) What advice should all girls listen to?___________________________________________________________________________

(1 mark)

d) Why do you think the poet uses the words be sure that nice really means nicein her advice?In your own words, give a reason to support your answer.

___________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________(2 marks)

july eng test f4

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