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Tanjong Rhu(Form 4 Short Story)

Prepared by Ms Tang

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SAMPLE QUESTION

The following is the short story you have studied in the literature component in English language.

Write about the main theme that you find from the short story with close reference to the text.

Tanjong Rhu – by Minfong Ho

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Marking Scheme

Content - 10 marksLanguage - 5 marksTotal - 15 marks

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How marks are awarded?

Answering the question = 1 mark

(3 points x 3 = 9 marks)

Language Overall grading (5 marks)VocabularySentence patternsOrganisation of ideas

Point + Elaboration + Example + Opinion = 3

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Answering Techniques

Introduction

Point 1

Point 2

Point 3

Conclusion

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How to write your INTRO?

• The short story I have studied is Tanjong Rhu by Minfong Ho.

+• Questions is _________. This is shown through

CHARACTER 1, CHARACTER 2, and CHARACTER 3.• In the following paragraphs, I will discuss on the

________ with close reference from the text.

Introduction

THESIS STATEMENT

ANSWER

TOPIC

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SAMPLE of the…

The short story I have studied is Tanjong Rhu by Minfong Ho. The main theme of this short story is the conflict between traditional and modern values and beliefs. This is shown through the characters of Mr Li, Ah Ma, and Ying. In the following paragraphs, I will discuss the theme with close reference to the text.

Introduction

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How to write your POINT(1)?

POINT . ELABORATE . EXAMPLE(S) . OPINION(O).

Point 1

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SAMPLE of POINT(1)…POINT . ELABORATE . EXAMPLE(S) . OPINION(O).

Mr Li, the main character, is a successful Chinese businessman. Although he is a man with modern mindset, Mr Li is filial to his mother who is known as Ah Ma in the short story. For example, Mr Li respects his mother’s traditional practice of ancestral worship and belief. He patiently waited for Ah Ma to finish

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POINT 1 continues…POINT . ELABORATE . EXAMPLE(S) . OPINION(O).

to finish her prayer before going to his office.Not only that, he tries to teach his daughter, Ying, to show respect to the elders. This is an important value in Chinese culture.

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Now YOU try writing POINT (2)

POINT . ELABORATE . EXAMPLE(S) . OPINION(O).

Point 2

Use connectors:Secondly/ Besides/ In addition/ Moreover/ Furthermore/

POINTthe theme is portrayed through the characters of Ah Ma and Ying in the short story.

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ELABORATEAh Ma and Ying have different attitudes towards ancestor worship.

EXAMPLE(S)Ah Ma insisted on doing the whole process properly while Ying felt that it did not matter how many times a person has to bow as long as the act is carried out and it does not waste too much time.

Point 2

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OPINION(O)We can see that Ah Ma is very meticulous about the traditional practices whereas Ying lives a modern lifestyle.

Nevertheless, Ying loves her grandmother and calls her ‘Popo’.

Point 2

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Let’s continue with POINT 3!Point 3

Use connectors:Besides/ In addition/ Moreover/ Furthermore/

POINTAh Ma maintains a simple lifestyle while Helen, her daughter-in-law, lives a luxurious life.

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Let’s continue with POINT 3!Point 3

EXAMPLE(S)For instance, Ah Ma rears chickens and takes care of the family altar. Helen, on the other hand, enjoys going out with friends and eat cakes which are made of foreign fruits.

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Point 3

EXAMPLE(S)Another incident is that Ah Ma refuses to go for cataract operation. She could not bear the idea of cutting her eye open even with the latest technology.

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OPINION(O)This shows that Ah Ma is skeptical of the modern technology and she rather uses binoculars to see better.

Point 3

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How to write the CONCLUSION?

• Repeat your THESIS STATEMENT.

Conclusion

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SAMPLE of the…

In conclusion, the theme of conflicts between traditional beliefs and modern practices is vividly shown through the characters of Mr Li, Ah Ma, and Ying.

Conclusion

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HANDS ON PRACTICE!!!

Question

• Based on the short story, Tanjong Rhu by Minfong Ho, write on the theme of generation gap.