MELICA PART 3: MODEL ESSAYS FOR LOWER INTERMEDIATE CANDIDATES OF SPM 1119/2 (WRITING)
Some teachers are concerned whether their lower intermediate SPM 1119/2 candidates can write the 250-word essay. Even some candidates doubt themselves if they can fulfil all the tasks or requirements successfully and ensure the reader is fully informed. Well, one thing for sure, the weaker candidates do not have to write 250 words. In fact, their tasks can already be fulfilled fairly well in about 200 words.
The three model essays offered in MELICA Part 3 are three pieces of evidence which can convince lower intermediate candidates that it is possible for them to compose 200-250 words for Part 3 essay. MELICA Part 3 focuses on review writing as I personally believe, review writing could be the easiest question for the weak candidates to focus on in Part 3 of SPM 119/2.
Each model essay uses 80-90% of basic vocabulary possessed by lower intermediate SPM candidates. This indicates that even they have limited vocabulary, they still have a high potential to write in about 200-250 words in Part 3. Besides merely copying those three model essays, the following activities could be carried out with the weak SPM candidates:
i) Examine the three introductory paragraphs. Highlight to the students three different techniques of writing their introduction; using flashback (Model Essay 1), listing (Model Essay 2) and having a series of verbs (Model Essay 3). Give them one question and let them try to write an introduction by applying one of the techniques.
ii) The model essay is given to the candidates. They are required to focus on how to apply creativity by having a fictitious character, thing (durian burger), incident or event can be included in the essay. There is no problem having a fictitious character, incident or event in the essay as long as it is relevant to the content. Some of the examples are underlined below:
Taken from Model Essay 1:
I do not like two things about the homestay. First, it was noisy at night. There is a karaoke centre at the food court. I could not sleep when the singers sang loudly. Some of them were terrible singers.
Taken from Model Essay 2:
I give four stars to the food court. My girlfriend disagrees with me. She gives five stars. First, the food court has different types of foods. It has 34 stalls. To me, it has the best satay in the world. The chicken and rabbit satay are very delicious. My girlfriend loves its cheesy chicken chop. She loves it more when I pay for her food.
Next, the food court is big. It has a big parking space. There are many tables and chairs. Their service is tiptop. We do not have to wait for a long time to get our foods. Furthermore, Purnama Food Court is where I first met my girlfriend. It is a place we always go for dating and fall in love.
Surely, I recommend Purnama Food Court to my friends. I suggest they should have dinner with their girlfriends too. Every Saturday night, they have a live band show. A group of teenagers will perform live. They always sing romantic love songs. My girlfriend loves it so much. In addition, its durian burger is so viral. Everybody must try it. The foods and service at the food court are the best!
Taken from Model Essay 3:
Sam is my roommate. He is also my collegemate. Sometimes, I force Sam to watch Bersama Mu. Every Wednesday night, I will be in front of television at 9.00 p.m. to watch the programme. Sometimes, Sam joins me. Bersama Mu teaches us many good lessons about life. Their stories always make us cry but Sam cries louder and longer. The programme shows people who have to face heavy and big challenges in life. Besides, it also tells how those people try to be strong to face their big and difficult tests of life. We can learn to be thankful. I thank Allah because I do not have to face heavy challenges like those people.
iii) underline linking words, connectors or cohesive devices. They are also encouraged to suggest other additional connectors or cohesive devices in the model essay.
iv) The candidates transfer the main idea and details or elaborations from the essay to a suitable mind-map. This activity can allow them to see how each main idea is developed.
v) In pairs, the candidates can examine the ideas in the model essay. They discuss and suggest other possible ideas and details that can be included to fulfil each task.
Notes:
1. MELICA stands for Model Essays for Lower Intermediate Candidates of SPM 1119/2.
2. The model essays offered here may not suit all learning and teaching contexts. Perhaps, the model essays also do not meet the expectations of certain teachers. Therefore, teacher's discretion is crucial. Do make changes on your own wherever necessary.
3. The suggested activities may require teachers to adopt and adapt to suit their realities; needs, context, learning and teaching styles, availability of time and pupils’ readiness.
4. Other model essays for lower intermediate candidates will be shared in this blog from time to time in future. Do subscribe this blog so that you won’t miss any of the latest sharing of materials.
Part 3
Write an answer to one of the questions 3 – 5 in this part. Write your answer in 200 – 250 words in an appropriate style on this question paper. Put the question number in the box at the top of the answer space.
Question 4
You recently saw this notice in a magazine.
Homestay Review
Have you been to any homestay lately?
Send us your review of the homestay.
Explain what you liked and disliked about the homestay.
Would you recommend it to your relatives? Why?
Write your review.
Last year, my family and I went to Melaka for a holiday. We stayed at a five-star hotel. It was a great holiday. Last week, we went to Melaka. Melaka is my family’s favourite holiday destination. My father booked a homestay. We stayed at a homestay. The owner is Mr Razak. He started his homestay business three years ago.
I like the homestay because it is small bungalow. It has a good parking space. Besides, it is near a food court. It is easy for us to buy foods. My mother said she felt lazy to cook at the homestay so we just bought foods at the food court. Next, the homestay has four rooms. I love all the rooms. The rooms are clean.
I do not like two things about the homestay. First, it was noisy at night. There is a karaoke centre at the food court. I could not sleep when the singers sang loudly. Some of them were terrible singers. Moreover, it is far from town. My father had to drive for 45 minutes to go to town.
I do not wish to recommend the homestay to my relatives. It is noisy. All the singing activities only stop at 2.00 a.m. Moreover, it is far from town. I am sure they can find a better homestay or hotel in town.
To conclude, Melaka has a special place in my heart. I want to visit Melaka again. I do not want to stay at a homestay but I want to stay at a hotel. [256 words]
Question 4
You recently saw this notice in a magazine.
Food Court Review
Have you been to any food court lately?
Send us your review of the food court.
How many stars would you give to the food court? Why?
Would you recommend it to your friends? Why?
Write your review.
Malay foods, Thai foods, Chinese foods, Indian foods and western foods are served at Purnama Food Court. It is a popular food court. It is located at 56, Jalan Gasing. My girl friend and I always go to Purnama Food Court.
I give four stars to the food court. My girlfriend disagrees with me. She gives five stars. First, the food court has different types of foods. It has 34 stalls. To me, it has the best satay in the world. The chicken and rabbit satay are very delicious. My girlfriend loves its cheesy chicken chop. She loves it more when I pay for her food.
Next, the food court is big. It has a big parking space. There are many tables and chairs. Their service is tiptop. We do not have to wait for a long time to get our foods. Furthermore, Purnama Food Court is where I first met my girlfriend. It is a place we always go for dating and fall in love.
Surely, I recommend Purnama Food Court to my friends. I suggest they should have dinner with their girlfriends too. Every Saturday night, they have a live band show. A group of teenagers will perform live. They always sing romantic love songs. My girlfriend loves it so much. In addition, its durian burger is so viral. Everybody must try it. The foods and service at the food court are the best! [236 words]
Question 4
You recently saw this notice in a magazine.
Television Programme Review
Have you watched television lately?
Send us your review of a television programme.
Do you think the programme is good? Why?
Who should watch the television programme? Why?
Write your review.
I switched on the television and the fan in the room. I sat down on the sofa and looked at Sam. Then, I told Sam to keep quiet. My favourite television programme, Bersama Mu, was about to start. It is a show by TV3. It is a famous television programme.
Sam is my roommate. He is also my collegemate. Sometimes, I force Sam to watch Bersama Mu. Every Wednesday night, I will be in front of television at 9.00 p.m. to watch the programme. Sometimes, Sam joins me. Bersama Mu teaches us many good lessons about life. Their stories always make us cry but Sam cries louder and longer. The programme shows people who have to face heavy and big challenges in life. Besides, it also tells how those people try to be strong to face their big and difficult tests of life. We can learn to be thankful. I thank Allah because I do not have to face heavy challenges like those people.
Everybody should watch this programme. The television programme is for all. Parents should watch it. Children and teenagers should watch Bersama Mu too. Bersama Mu can make them to be better individuals. They can learn to be patient. Next, they can learn to be responsible. They can surely learn that there are people who are very poor who always need help. We must always do what we can to help them.
To conclude, Bersama Mu is a very good television programme. Let us do our best to support Bersama Mu. [254 words]
