Vol 538
Wednesday 10 July 2019
Elementary Positive relationships Intermediate The ‘Kindness Revolution’ Earn Your Band 6 Speaking confidently: A matter of preparation Tel: 03 7967 1388 Fax: 03 7955 4039 thestar.com.my/education facebook.com/niebrats
twitter.com/niebrats
Make kindness a habit supported by the Ministry of education
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-NiE , 10 July 2019
Note to the teacher
century
learning skills Our children are riding the great wave of technology today. They now have facts and procedures at their fingertips. Teachers have to equip their students with new skills that allow them to thrive in today’s global economy. The activities in The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education pullout combine literacy skills with current content to build this set of skills. The key below indicates the skills integrated into the activities in this pullout.
Critical thinking
� Identify � Reason � Measure � Organise
ELEMENTARY Kindness
Positive relationships SOMETIMES, a smile can turn your day around; so can a hug or a “thank you”. Think of something that happened to you in the last week that made you feel all warm, fuzzy and cared for. Write it down here. Share a few experiences as a class.
Activity
Everyone in your class should be friends with each other. Work in groups of five for the following activity. Complete the chart with as many things as you can think of within 10 minutes.
What a friend can do
What a friend will do
What friends like to do together
Creative thinking
� Imagine � Brainstorm � Connect � Invent
Problem solving
� � Research � Recreate � Present
These actions or “deeds” that we do for each other in a kindly way encourage and grow friendships. It’s not easy being kind. But repetitive behaviour (which means doing something that keeps repeating) is one way to pick up this value. No one likes to be around people who are cruel, intolerant or prejudiced.
NiE Activity
Question
Communicating
� Oral � Non-verbal � Written � Aural
Now, let’s play a game called “The Compliment Game”. Do you know what a compliment means? A compliment is a polite expression of praise or appreciation that one person offers another. Giving and receiving compliments involves graciousness. It is a good way of showing respect. Learning how to give and receive compliments helps others feel appreciated. It helps you to feel valued, too. Compliments have the power to lift, heal and inspire great
things in people. But remember, they must be done sincerely. When you are given a compliment, an appropriate response to that would be to say “thank you”. In this activity, each person scans The Star for a noun that starts with the same letter as his name. For example, if your name is Razali, look for a noun in The Star that spells “robot” or “rainbow”. Cut out the word and place it into a little bag or box that your
teacher is passing around. (If your name is Mohd Razali, look for two nouns: one that starts with the letter “m” and another with the letter “r”.) Once everyone has contributed a noun to the box, your teacher will begin passing the box around the class once again. Each student will pick one word. Take a few minutes to look for a person whose name begins with that letter. Write a sincere compliment
Collaborating
� listen � Contribute
respectfully
� Compromise � Attain goal NiE editorial manager: ShARON OvINIS NiE assistant manager: ROWENA ChuA Writer: S. SIvAM Layout designer: AShARAh KAMARul Illustrator: hASSAN BAhRI To order The Star for NiE lessons, call: Sundarrajan 03-7967 1388 ext 1437 or 016-288 3682 We welcome feedback; e-mail us at: starnie@thestar.com.my Teachers, you are welcome to join our Star-NiE Facebook group.
Thank you, Prem!
I think you are a fantastic pianist. you always ace your piano exams!
about this person. Once everyone has completed this activity, take turns standing up and offering the compliment to the person concerned. When your name is called out, do stand and offer a sincere “thank you” to the person who has offered you a compliment. Now, how did the compliment make you feel? Volunteer to share a few answers. (Note to teacher: make sure that everyone in class has been given a compliment.)
-NiE , 10 July 2019
ELEMENTARY Kindness
Kindness rules the world! YOU have the power to be kind. You may not be the best basketball player in your school or the richest tycoon in the world but you can be kind. The decision to be kind is in your hands. You can choose to treat people well, and to speak kindly to them. How so? Kindness isn’t about how you feel but about what you do.
Activity
What are some kind things that you have noticed lately – in your home, school or community? Let’s divide them into two categories: big acts and small acts. Share your answers as a class.
Big kind deeds
Small kind deeds
NiE Activity
While it is easier to recognise kind acts, we may not realise that some things that we say or do can cause other people to feel hurt. Garfield is a lovable tabby. He lives with his owner, Jon. Jon owns a pet dog called Odie, who isn’t the sharpest knife in the drawer (meaning not very bright). Study the comic strips below. Then, answer the questions. Discuss your answers as a class once you are done. a. What is the kind act that Garfield is trying to do in this strip?
1.
b. How would you have felt if you were Odie in Frame Three?
c. Had you been in Garfield’s place, how would you have handled the situation?
(March 27, 2019) a. Were you impressed with Garfield’s declaration to give back to the world in Frame One?
2.
b. How did you think Garfield was going to do this after reading Frame One?
c. Garfield has a sense of entitlement. Do you know of someone who shares the same characteristics as Garfield? Explain your example to a partner. (April 9, 2019) a. What was your first impression of Garfield as you read the first two frames?
3.
b. Do you think Garfield knew he was walking on Jon?
c. Why do you think Garfield walked all over Jon on purpose?
(May 27, 2019)
Based on the three comic strips shown, is Garfield a pet you would like to adopt? Explain your reasons.
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INTERMEDIATE Kindness
The ‘Kindness Revolution’
SOMETIMES, being kind isn’t just about what you do; it is also about what you don’t do. Being kind to someone can also mean: not gossiping about someone behind his back; and not bullying someone in a physical space (like your classroom or school) or in a virtual space (like on social media).
NiE Activity 1
NiE Activity 2
Sometimes, kindness can mean not doing anything at all! Study the comic strip below.
Jin Lim, better known as Jinnyboy, is now one of Malaysia’s most successful YouTubers. But back in the day, he was a schoolboy having a tough time with bullies. The experience made him determined to do his part to end bullying. How is Lim playing a part in this? Lim had this to say in an article published in The Star on April 17. “I work in an industry where we always watch our words and what we say, because saying one thing wrong can really impact someone in my position. When that happens, you will be powerless against the repercussions. So for me, I always watch what I say and ensure any content I put out is friendly.”
(April 26, 2019) The accordion is a musical instrument. You stretch and squeeze the instrument as you play buttons that look very much like piano keys. Now, answer these questions: 1. Do you think Jon is a good accordionist (a person who plays the accordion)?
2. How did you arrive at that conclusion?
3. Why do you think Liz, Garfield and Odie are joyous over Jon’s statement?
4. Something in Frame Two, however, does not add up. What do you think it is?
5. Why do you think they are expressing their joy in silence?
6. Do you think Liz, Garfield and Odie feel guilty over their reaction? Explain your reason.
Jinnyboy, seen here at a #StandTogether school visit to SK Jalan Empat, believes content creators and influencers play an important role in keeping the Internet safe. All of us have special skills and talents that we can use to show kindness and pass a little kindness around. You don’t have to be a big star like Jinnyboy to do this. Perhaps you are a member of your youth ministry in a temple or church, or you could be a member of your neighbourhood watch. What would and could you do – in your own community – to make people around you feel cared for? Write a similar “synopsis” as the one shared by Jinnyboy above.
7. What, in your opinion, would have been a kind way to explain their sentiments to Jon?
A musician playing his accordion at a music festival. — File pic
Check out The Star’s “Kindness Revolution” through the #StandTogether campaign organised by R.AGE and SP Setia, with support from programme partners Digi, Unicef Malaysia, IMU, and the Education Ministry. Find out more at www.standtogether.my.
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MUET 10 July 2019
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By MAWARNI MUSTAFA
ACCORDING to the Health Ministry, there was a spike in the number of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases between January and August last year. A total of 55,391 cases were reported nationwide. It was an increase of 127% or 30,993 compared to 2017, which saw 24,398 cases being reported. HFMD is a viral disease which could easily spread through contact with saliva, blisters and
Making the most of infographics
6&7
Speaking confidently
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Student essay and teacher analysis
Fending off outbreaks faeces. It has a tendency to cause large outbreaks and deaths among children and infants. In a report published on July 27, 2018, the ministry’s Disease Control Division public health specialist Dr Norita Shamsudin said the disease could infect anyone regardless of age, although almost 90% of HFMD
cases involved children below five years old. She added that a person who has had HFMD could still be infected again, depending on his body’s resistance. “What is important is the preventive measures that must be taken by the parents and nursery operators to prevent the disease from spreading. ding.
Cleanliness must be stressed, and it is important that the child gets immediate treatment if there are signs of infection,” she said. Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah cautioned the public against being duped into buying a purportedly effective anti-HFMD
and influenza spray. He added it was better to practise good hygiene, wash hands, perform screenings, ensure clean surroundings, and disinfect contaminated surfaces. The infographic below gives you some important facts about HFMD. Read it carefully and then, complete the activities.
Prevention
ACTIVITY 1 Adjectives are words that describe nouns, giving extra information about them. Adjectives can transform your writing and speaking, making it more interesting by adding specific information. Words like “pretty”, “cold” and “energetic” are descriptive, and are examples of adjectives. Since adjectives are used to identify or quantify individual people and unique things, they are usually placed before the nouns or pronouns that they modify. Sometimes, multiple adjectives are used in a single sentence to make the description more meaningful. Complete the table below with at least seven adjectives from the infographic and the nouns they modify. AdjeCTIVe
NoUN
common
illness
● Starts S with a mild fever, poor appetite, malaise (““feeling sick”), and a sore throat. ● Patients P may only have the rash or the mouth u ulcers. Sores develop in the mouth – tongue, gums, a inside of the cheeks – and often become and u ulcers. ● Skin rash develops on the palms and soles. It may also appear on the buttocks. Source: www.cdc.gov, www.oakgov.com (The Star, July 27, 2018)
AC CTIVITY 2 Do you know k that h some words can have more than one meaning? Now, fill up the blanks in the following sentences with words from the infographic. 1. you have to .............................. the tomatoes before you chop them up. 2. Don’t do something .............................. that you will regret later. 3. The government should try to provide the .............................. with the basic necessities needed to survive. 4. The .............................. that I am sitting on is made of wood. 5. They were trying to find a good .............................. for their problem. 6. We asked for help from a policeman to .............................. us to the nearest bus station. 7. The grey .............................. at the zoo has been trained to perform balancing tricks. 8. My brother .............................. play both football and basketball. 9. The bird .............................. its wings and flew away. 10. I lost my wallet and am now in .............................. need of money to pay for my food. 11. you must be .............................. if you want to eat at that restaurant. The queue is very long. 12. We threw a piece of bread into the water and watched a .............................. of fish swim towards it. 13. The postcard showed a beautiful beach of white sand lined with coconut .............................. . 14. The girl bought a packet of chewing .............................. from a convenience store.
ACTIVITY 3 Can you match these words to their descriptions?
ACTIVITY 4 Fear of HFMD had spurred some people to purchase a spray touted to be effective against the disease. Do you know of any other instances where people have been influenced to buy a product out of fear of a disease or of some impending danger? If you do, share the examples with your classmates.
Noun bleach water diapers bag garbage can sores activities
c) A local swelling of the skin that contains watery fluid Adjective household hot soapy disposable plastic tightly closed new regular
3. Blister
Noun disease contact persons / children fever appetite throat surfaces items / clothes
b) An eruption of spots on the skin
ACTIVITY 2
2. Sore
13. palms 14. gums
a) An open skin lesion, wound or ulcer
9. spread 10. sore 11. patient 12. school
1. Rash
5. solution 6. direct 7. seal 8. can
MeANINg
ACTIVITY 3 1. b 2. a 3. c
WoRd
ANSWERS: ACTIVITY 1
● A common illness of infants and children under 10 years old. ● Moderately contagious and characterised by fever, sores in the mouth, and a rash with blisters. ● Spread by direct contact through nose and throat discharge, or the stool of infected persons. ● Contagious in the first week. ● Different from the foot-and-mouth disease of cattle, sheep and swine.
and symptoms
Adjective contagious direct infected mild poor sore dirty soiled
What is HFMD?
Signs
1. skin 2. rash 3. poor 4. stool
HAND, FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE
● Wash hands frequently with soap and water, especially after changing diapers and using the bathroom. ● Clean dirty surfaces and soiled items like toys and countertops with soap and water; then, disinfect with a solution of two teaspoons of household bleach to t four cups of water. ● Wash soiled clothes promptly in hot soapy water and dry in clothes dryer.. ● Seal disposable diapers in a plastic baag and put in a tightly closed garbage can. ● Exclude infected children from daycare or school until fever has disappeared, no new sores are appearing, and children are feeling well enough to take part in regular activities.
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MUET 10 july 2019
By MAWARNI MUSTAFA
IN the MuET Speaking paper, you will be required to perform two tasks: Task A: A two-minute individual presentation on a given topic; and Task B: A 10-minute group discussion (seven minutes if there are only three candidates) on the same given topic. Many students approach the tasks with trepidation, due to their lack of confidence in speaking the English language. Fear of speaking before an audience is also a contributing factor, even though the audience may comprise only a few people. In life, all of us have to face an audience from time to time. Thus, preparing for your Speaking paper has an added bonus – you will improve your speaking skills and gain more confidence when the situation calls for you to speak. Some people can plunge straight into discussions with a limited vocabulary, lots of confidence and animated hand gesturing. However, for a MuET candidate, all of that would not be enough.
Speaking confidently: A matter of preparation Having confidence is good, but not having a wide range of vocabulary can limit your ability to convey your thoughts. In addition, using too many hand gestures can annoy and distract your listeners. Speaking skills, like many other skills, is something that you can learn. One important thing that you need to have is knowledge of a myriad of topics. It is essential that you understand your subject matter. In both the Speaking tasks, you will be required to make an argument, to take a stand or to prove a claim. The best way to do this is to know your topic so thoroughly that you can support your position with specific examples.
Based on your stance, you can generate ideas and construct a thesis statement that will govern your entire speech or presentation. Then, you can use evidence to support your claim. The content of any speech is what creates an argument, makes a statement, and communicates the speaker’s thoughts. But you must remember that the content of your speech is not primarily for you as the speaker; it is chiefly for your listeners. Good content will explain and clarify your points to your listeners and send them a message they will not forget. For example, if you are speaking on a topic about change, then it should motivate your listeners to want to change or to
help bring about this change. let us look at an example of a similar situation. Recently, there has been a change in vehicle window tinting policy. Starting May 8, 2019, private car owners can tint their rear windshields and passenger windows as dark as they want to, after the Transport Ministry relaxed the tinting rules on vehicles. The latest window tinting rules have received mixed reactions from Malaysians. While some have lauded the move, others are against it. Now, take a look at the following situation. If you were one of the candidates, what points would you include in your two-minute individual presentation?
SiTUATion:
The new regulations that allow motorists to have their rear windshields and passenger windows tinted as dark as they want to have received mixed reactions from Malaysians. Discuss the concerns arising from the new regulations. Candidate A: Darker-tinted rear windows in vehicles affect the visual performance of drivers. Candidate B: Darker-tinted rear windows in vehicles increase the possibility of higher crime rates. Candidate C: Darker-tinted rear windows in vehicles compromise the safety of policemen. Candidate D: Darker-tinted rear windows in vehicles offer better protection from the heat.
When a candidate chooses an option to talk about, he is, in effect, making a claim. As long as he is able to support his claim with good, strong points and explanations, he should be able to convince the other candidates, and more importantly, the examiners.
As stated earlier, you should possess a good understanding of a variety of topics. One of the fastest and easiest way to do that is to read newspapers regularly. Newspapers provide you with news of the world. It is this knowledge of current
events in your country and the world that will enable you to improve the content of your Speaking tasks. Think about it: it is unlikely that you would be aware of some changes in public policies unless you come across these matters in the mass media.
To tackle the question above, let us refer to the articles published in The Star regarding the latest window tinting ruling on private vehicles. There are some points in the articles that can be used in Task A of the Speaking paper. Here is an example:
Bad light cast on dark tints Miros study: lower VlT affects drivers’ visual performance PETALING JAYA: Concerns remain over allowing darkertinted rear windows in vehicles, as studies show that lower Visible light Transmission (VlT) windows affect the visual performance of drivers. A 2015 report by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) compiled different studies which indicated that lower VlT windows would reduce the visual performance of motorists. VlT refers to the amount of light that passes through a lens or glass. The lower the VlT rate, the more light is blocked. The report found that a reduction of VlT from 100% to
50% could result in a reduction of visual performance from 20% to 10%. A reduction of even 9% in VlT level, one study found, could lead to a drop in sight distance by three to four metres. “Scientific evidence suggests that further drops in VlT level may affect visual performance since both variables are linearly related. “Considering the worst-case scenario concerning elderly drivers during twilight or at night, VlT of 35% or less on a car’s front and side windows may compromise road safety,” the report said. The report also found that the temperature differences were minimal between cars with high VlT windows and low VlT windows.
The study suggested that the window tint on cars had “merely minimal cooling effects”. Bukit Aman Department of Investigation and Traffic Enforcement director Deputy Comm Datuk Azisman Alias said the police were not consulted on the new ruling before it was announced by Transport Minister Anthony loke. “I feel slighted as the matter should have been discussed thoroughly with our views being considered,” he was reported as saying yesterday. Azisman said the new ruling compromised the safety of policemen as it would make it harder for them to see passengers seated at the back. He also said the tinted screens would make it harder for police to detect drivers who use
handphones while driving or car occupants who fail to wear seatbelts. Malaysians Against Rape, Assault and Snatch Theft founder Dave Avran said it was a “no-brainer” that heavily tinted windows would contribute to a higher crime rate. “Heavily tinted windows will definitely aid criminals in eluding police or carrying out kidnappings. “These windows obstruct the work of police and rescue workers, making it difficult to identify suspects in criminal cases or victims in accidents,” he said. He urged the government to stick to the 30% VlT ruling as a lower rate would prove to be a danger. Meanwhile, consultant dermatologist Dr Tarita Taib said
only those with severe photodermatitis may need to have their car windows fully tinted. “These are patients who have an extreme reaction towards uV rays such as marked redness, scaliness and severe eczema. “Only then would dermatologists consider approving the patients’ application to have their windows fully tinted,” she said, adding that permission was strictly granted. “It is rare to find someone with severe photodermatitis in Malaysia. Those who have mild photodermatitis are able to withstand sunlight from windows with 70% VlT levels. “They should be able to withstand sunlight if they wear sunblock, sunglasses or sun protection equipment,” she said. (The Star, May 9, 2019)
you can see just how many points from the article that can be used for the content of each of the candidates’ tasks. The other points in the table on page 7 are taken from these articles from The Star: ● Darker rear windows now an option (May 8, 2019) ● Never mind the heat, safety is more important (May 10, 2019) ● Darker vehicle windows a safety risk (May 14, 2019) ● Decision that needs an immediate U-turn (May 10, 2019) ● Many fear crime rate will go up with darker windows (May 8, 2019) ● ‘30% VLT is dark enough’ (May 8, 2019)
10 july 2019 MUET
DArkEr-TinTED rEAr winDowS in vEhiclES: Candidate A … affect the visual performance of drivers
Candidate B … increase the possibility of higher crime rates
Candidate C … compromise the safety of policemen
Candidate D … offer better protection from the heat
A 2015 report by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (Miros) compiled different studies which indicated that lower Visible light Transmission (VlT) windows would reduce the visual performance of motorists. The report found that a reduction of VlT from 100% to 50% could result in a reduction of visual performance from 20% to 10%.
It is ironic that at a time when crime is on the rise, and when some of the crimes are carried out by hiding one’s real identity, the government has chosen to assist criminals by providing them legal cover in the form of the dark tinting behind which they can take refuge.
If a crime has been committed and the perpetrators are on the run, it is normal for the police to set up road blocks to look out for the criminals. With the new rule on vehicle tinting, the police would have to open the rear car doors, rain or shine, to see who or what is in or on the rear seat. Gun-wielding criminals can calmly take aim and pull the triggers as soon as the doors are opened.
No doubt, tinted screens provide some extent of comfort by filtering out bright sunlight and harmful ultraviolet rays. Transport Minister Anthony loke said these changes were made in response to demands from motorists who want darker windows as protection from the heat.
A reduction of even 9% in VlT level, one study found, could lead to a drop in sight distance by three to four metres. “Scientific evidence suggests that further drops in VlT level may affect visual performance since both variables are linearly related. Considering the worst-case scenario concerning elderly drivers during twilight or at night, VlT of 35% or less on a car’s front and side windows may compromise road safety,” the report said.
“Kidnappings, especially of children, will be rampant. The rear (windshield) should not be fully tinted,” said Sandy Gov. Raymond Wong also expressed concerns about children left alone in cars. “There are many cases of children being left in cars already. If it is 100% dark, the situation could be worse. There will be less opportunity for rescue if something happens,” he argued.
There was a case just last week when an MPV almost rammed a policeman trying to stop the vehicle. The MPV’s windows were tinted black and police personnel could not see how many people were in the vehicle.
Meanwhile, consultant dermatologist Dr Tarita Taib said only those with severe photodermatitis may need to have their car windows fully tinted. “These are patients who have an extreme reaction towards uV rays such as marked redness, scaliness and severe eczema. Only then would dermatologists consider approving the patients’ application to have their windows fully tinted,” she said, adding that permission was strictly granted. “It is rare to find someone with severe photodermatitis in Malaysia. Those who have mild photodermatitis are able to withstand sunlight from windows with 70% VlT levels.”
Vehicles with dark tints are more likely to experience collision from the back, as tinted windows block the front view of the driver in the rear vehicle. The experience of motorists who regret switching to the darker tint speaks for itself. Those who have done so say it is difficult to gauge the road condition through the rearview mirror. This may be even worse at night and during stormy weather.
It seems to me that the new ruling increases the possibility of higher crime rates, especially with crimes such as kidnapping, as well as the smuggling of dangerous goods such as drugs and weapons.
Bukit Aman Department of Investigation and Traffic Enforcement director Deputy Comm Datuk Azisman Alias said the police were not consulted on the new ruling before it was announced by Transport Minister Anthony loke. Azisman said the new ruling compromised the safety of policemen as it would make it harder for them to see passengers seated at the back.
Albert lee, 45, who operates a car accessories and audio parts outlet in Taman Merdeka, Melaka, for the past 17 years, said he expected business to pick up following the new ruling, as many of his customers prefer darker tints. “Most Malaysians do not want their backseat passengers, especially the elderly and children, to feel the heat while travelling. Drivers with SuVs, MPVs and vans will likely welcome the new ruling the most as darker tints allow for more heat reflection and also theft prevention,” he added.
Malaysian Automotive Accessories Traders’ Association president lim Bee Choo said the previously allowed 30% VlT for rear windshield was already “dark enough”, and a below 30% VlT reading would affect visibility on the road. “If the rear windscreen is fully darkened, what the driver sees through the rearview mirror will also be darkened. It may be okay during the day, but it will be a safety concern at night when the driver has poor visibility due to the dark windscreen. This has been proven by research conducted by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research throughout the years.”
Nobody will be able to see if a struggle is going on in the rear seat of a car between a kidnapper and his victim, or if someone is being molested or raped, etc.
Malaysians Against Rape, Assault and Snatch Theft founder Dave Avran said it was a “no-brainer” that heavily tinted windows would contribute to a higher crime rate. “Heavily tinted windows will definitely aid criminals in eluding police or carrying out kidnappings. These windows obstruct the work of police and rescue workers, making it difficult to identify suspects in criminal cases or victims in accidents,” he said. He also said the tinted screens would make it harder for police to detect drivers who use handphones while driving or car occupants who fail to wear seatbelts.
However, some Malaysians got fully behind the new ruling, mainly because of the climate here. One tweet read, “Good, because it’s really hot here in Malaysia,” while another Malaysian said it was a “good move (as) it does not compromise any public safety since only the rear parts are tinted”.
Others were concerned about road safety. “With the increased number of SuVs, it’s very hard to see what’s further up in front or if we are approaching a standstill jam,” said Datsun Kuan on The Star’s Facebook page.
Furthermore, there is a possibility that there will be an increase in car thefts.
Darker rear windshields would also compromise the safety of police officers. Passengers in the back might be holding firearms that could be used against law enforcers at roadblocks.
National Road Safety Council member Tan Sri lee lam Thye said the new ruling was “appropriate in line with the climate condition” in the country.
Now, using these points, try to write out a two-minute oral presentation for Task A for all four candidates. Start with a short and simple greeting, as you will not want a lengthy greeting taking too much of your presentation
time. Then, follow it up with the main points and supporting details. lastly, wrap up your presentation with a conclusion. To organise your speech and time better, one way is to outline your speech first before writing it out. Most students
do not bother with an outline. What most of them do not realise is that completing an outline is a critical step in preparing a successful speech. Contrary to what many students think, constructing an outline will actually save
them time, instead of wasting it! Outlining can also boost your confidence by eliminating any worries arising from insufficient preparation. So, what are you waiting for? Start creating your outline!
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MUET 10 july 2019
Essay by WONG ZHI YONG, 19 Taylor’s College Lakeside Campus, Subang Jaya, Selangor
STUDENT ESSAY AND TEACHER ANALYSIS
WINNING ENTRY RM75
Essay question: Darker tints on rear windshields and passenger windows pose a safety threat. Do you agree with this statement? Justify your stand by giving relevant examples where appropriate. Your essay should not be less than 350 words.
“V.M. NARENDRAN contributed this analysis in her personal capacity. The views and comments expressed therein do not represent the views and comments of Star Media Group Berhad (“STAR”). STAR makes no representations as to the accuracy, correctness, completeness, suitability and/or validity of any information contained in this analysis and readers are strongly encouraged to seek appropriate advice before relying on any information provided herein.”
INTRODUCTION A decade ago, fully darkened tints on vehicles were exclusively reserved for royalties royalty, politicians, artistes and other high-profile individuals. However, the recent announcement by Transport Minister Anthony loke has provided an opportunity for civilians to darken their rear windshields and passenger windows as much as they desire. The community supporting this move has longed long argued about the benefits of it its benefits, ranging from additional privacy to improving health by blocking harmful ultraviolet rays and reducing car cabin temperature. Ironically, some even supported support it solely because of the aesthetic appeal it brings about and merely to look “cool”. However, it is an undeniable fact that darker tints on rear windshields and passenger windows pose a safety threat to road users. BODY Darker tints impede the vision of drivers under low-light conditions. While these tints can protect our eyes from the glaring sun, they also hinder a driver’s vision on a cloudy or rainy day, especially when looking through the rear-view mirror. During the At night, the combination of dark surroundings and fully darkened tinted films can create an intense lack of visibility as merely relying on the side mirrors while driving do does not provide a safe driving condition for drivers. According to statistics from the Ministry of Transport, the number of road accidents in the country has increased by 43.1% from 373,071 cases in 2008 to 533,875 cases in 2017. During this period, the minimum visible light transmission (VlT) percentage is 30% for the rear windshield and windows. Although road accidents can be caused by various factors, a rear windshield with 0% VlT will increase the number of accidents as tinted windshields block the front view of the driver in the rear vehicle; especially drivers who are in the habit of tailgating vehicles in front of them. Additionally, drivers tailgating other vehicles will not be able to look for obstructions further away, and thus leading to slower reaction which causes a collision.
Review by V.M. NARENDRAN
A clear reference to the past scenario. This shows the writer’s understanding of the topic. The second sentence begins with a simple conjunction “however” that contrasts what had been said earlier. Also, the words “decade” and “recent” support the difference in the scenarios. In support of the tint Against the tint – the writer provides his choice and clearly summarises his points under an umbrella phrase “safety threat”. Topic sentence 1 The writer shows a mature approach by looking at the positive and negative sides of the issue. A more detailed explanation. Supporting statement – statistics.
A simple round-up or concluding line would have been better. For example: “A lack of visibility is a significant factor of accidents on the roads, so it is important for drivers to be able to see their immediate surroundings clearly at all times and in most weather conditions.”
Moreover, darker tints on rear windshields and windows will may obstruct authorities medical or law officers from carrying out their duties. In the event of an accident, darker tints are harder to break as they consist of thicker layers. As a result, the time required to save any injured passengers trapped in the vehicle will be delayed. At the same time, rescuers and medical officers are unable to assess the condition or severity of injured passengers trapped at in the rear seats, resulting in them not being able to determine the best way to move the victims out of their vehicles based on their injuries. Besides, full darkened tints will pose a safety threat to police officers. The law enforcers may get be caught off-guard by suspects who are hiding at in the rear seats and are prepared, ready to assault them. The rear seat akin to a lion’s den will result in a drastic increase in kidnapping cases as victims seated at the rear seat cannot be seen by not only the police officers but also other road users. Law breakers may hide kidnapped victims, for instance, in the rear end of their vehicles and with heavy tints, no one, even the enforcers, may be able to see. The darkness at in the rear seat of the vehicle is a heaven for criminals as those who seek to hide from the law and public scrutiny on the road will be happy with this new ruling.
Transition to the next point is simple and clear; Topic sentence 2
Despite darker tints being able shielding to shield a driver from sunlight or annoying headlamps of vehicles behind as they do not need to squint their eyes, the environment within the vehicle can be overly comfortable to the extent of affecting their concentration while manoeuvring the vehicle. Drivers in the cocoon of their vehicle’s vehicles’ comfort zones tend to fall asleep easily, which threatens the safety of road users. According to the National Sleep Foundation in the united States, a key factor in regulating sleep is the exposure to light, where too much light at night may prevent a person from getting a good night’s sleep. Similarly, a darker vehicle interior with fully tinted rear windscreens and windows promotes a conducive environment for sleeping, especially if the driver suffers from a deprivation of rest. This is analogous with the quote by Ray Bradbury, too much of anything isn’t good for anyone.
Topic sentence 3 This is a very subjective point and there are several other relevant reasons as to why drivers could become sleepy – exhaustion, medication, etc.
CONCLUSION In conclusion, I strongly agree that darker tints on rear windshields and passenger windows pose a safety threat to not only road users, but also the authorities. Despite the few health benefits it may bring about, the compromise in safety using in current vehicles outweighs the benefits it carries. Nevertheless, with the official announcement made, safety measures can be introduced and made compulsory to overcome the possible dangers brought up. These may include using rearview mirror cameras, enhanced road surveillance for crime prevention and the introduction of emergency escape tools in vehicles if an accident were to occur. By doing so, we can reap the fruits from this newly-announced policy and promote a safer environment for all road users.
Explanation 1
Explanation 2
The quote does not seem to fit in.
The writer repeats his stand. This sentence can be phrased better. For example: Darker tints for vehicles may have a few benefits but there are possible dangers, too, and this cannot be compromised. The introduction of these ideas at this juncture of the essay is not advisable. Reflect on your arguments that darker tints are dangerous. A closing paragraph brings together a unifying theme of the body paragraph.
Additional comments by V.M. Narendran: Ideas and content: ● Engages the reader with a stand and a thesis statement. ● Information provided is relevant to the topic. ● Relevant evidence and supporting details in the first two body paragraphs but weaken slightly in the third paragraph.
Organisation: ● Organisation of the essay is clear with transitions and compare-contrast statements. ● There are some occasional weak details but they do not hamper understanding.
Mechanics of writing: ● Variety in sentences seems awkward at times. ● A variety of word choices allows for a clear message. ● Spelling and paragraphing are generally error-free.
-NiE , 10 July 2019
INTERMEDIATE Kindness
The ripple effect THERE are so many ways we can show kindness. Here’s a fun activity you can do in pairs before getting together in groups of five to discuss your “Aha!” moments. These are all taken from articles and activities that have appeared in The Star over time!
NiE Activity
EXAMPLE 1
Praise a local business online A local business could do with a good review when deserved. Often, these reviews ca n be seen on social media where consu mers rate their experiences at resta u ra nts a nd with certain services.
You can be kind to a family member, a friend, your community, a business, or the environment. Figure out what it is from the pictures and taglines. Summarise how these kindly acts add up to caring for a particular category. That’s showing a little kindness that may just go a long way!
2
Pay bills online
3
use your tiffin carrier when packing food
4
Plant a tree
5
Strike up a friendship with a new classmate
6
Buy local fruits or produce
7
Make a handmade card
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-NiE , 10 July 2019
ADVANCED Kindness
The kindness advantage AS a millennial, chances are you are super-efficient when it comes to digital communication in the form of e-mails and text messages. But what may not come so easy are the face-to-face interactions. Strong personal relationships are built on a perceived level of trust. And a lot of it is conveyed through body language. Who would you trust more – a person who has slumped shoulders, downcast eyes and folded arms, or someone who displays all the opposite traits?
Activity
Let’s do this role-play activity. Let’s get three pairs involved in this listening activity. One person in the pair will tell a story about something that has happened recently to him; the other person will just listen. The others in class are to observe the body language as the conversations between the parties take place. Take down anything noticeable about the interaction in both parties.
Body language of the speaker and the listener Positive
After the role-play, discuss the following as a class: 1. How do you feel when people care about what you are saying?
Negative 2. How do you know when someone cares about what you have to say?
Team 1 3. How did some of the listeners show that they cared?
Team 2
4. How did some of the listeners show that they did not care about the discussion?
5. List other negative behaviours that show disrespectful listening. (Examples: checking the phone while someone else is speaking, and fidgeting)
Team 3
In groups of four, discuss the following: The attitude of a respectful listener; The body language and facial expressions of a respectful listener; and The words and tone of a respectful listener. Try these tips on family members and friends. Notice if there are differences in the way they respond to you. Come back and share your findings with your group members a week later.
NiE Activity
Recently, a reader of The Star wrote an article titled Game of making space in packed trains in the Views section. The reader, Koo Wee Hon, shared his observation and experiences riding the train. “Nearly all passengers during the peak hours carry a backpack. Most of the bags are small but there are some that are so big. When carried on the back, these bags, whether big or small, take up space. If two or more passengers could put their backpacks on the floor, some space could be created for another to squeeze in. Imagine how much extra space could be created and how many more people could get inside if all the passengers in the train placed their backpacks between their feet. It is also rather irritating and sometimes painful to be whacked or prodded by a backpack when the owner turns around in a packed train. Then, there is the situation where passengers do not sit down, perhaps because they are getting down at the next station or for whatever reason. They stand around the door, hampering the smooth entry of other passengers into the train.”
In your commute to school or social functions, you, too, may have had the same observations. Fostering respect, empathy and kindness is an integral part of a functional society. This awareness can start when we use public transportation. With regard to this, gather in groups of five and discuss: why kindness is important; who deserves kindness; what some barriers to kindness are; and how you can overcome those barriers. Then, prepare a public service announcement that could be played on the train or bus to create awareness among commuters. Suggest how respect, empathy and kindness can make such trips more pleasant for commuters.
Rush hour passengers are jampacked like sardines in a Putra lRT train in the KlCC area. (May 24, 2019)
-NiE , 10 July 2019
ADVANCED
Kindness
We do care MENTAL health issues among the Malaysian youths came under the spotlight when a teenager in Sarawak committed suicide, following an Instagram poll which allegedly encouraged her to do so. The 16-year-old had uploaded a post on Instagram with the heading “Really Important, Help Me Choose D/L”. D and L were largely taken to mean “die” and “live”. The girl jumped to her death after 69% of pollsters allegedly supported the decision for her to kill herself.
NiE Activity 1
In a follow-up issue to the tragedy, The Star reported that four out of 10 teens in Malaysia have suicidal thoughts when they face problems. They tend to turn to social media to find solace, revealed a study on youths’ cyber wellness. Conduct a discussion based on the following questions: What would you do if you recognised warning signs in a friend? Who would you turn to for advice, if a friend told you he was thinking about suicide and asked you to promise not to tell anyone? What would you say to the trusted adult? Would you tell your friend who confided in you that you had informed a trusted adult, even if the friend had asked you to keep it a secret?
Study: Teens turn to social media to find solace According to Suriana Welfare Society chairman James Nayagam, the study showed that many of these teens, aged between 14 and 18, felt they have no one to turn to except social media to chat and find solace. “Despite their attempts to reach out and get help, none of the distress messages posted by them online were taken seriously until it was too late,” he said. Nayagam added this was because many people are untrained and unaware of the repercussions of such messages posted on social media. (May 18, 2019)
NiE Activity 2
Read these excerpts that appeared in The Star. Malaysian Bar Child Rights Committee co-chairman Srividhya Ganapathy believes the 16-year-old Sarawakian girl had struggled with depression even before her Instagram post, adding: “We need to address the fact that teenagers live in a difficult world and need help with mental health issues.”
Befrienders Johor Baru president Sim Ah Moi said, “Although there are counsellors in schools teenagers could talk to, many choose not to meet them as they fear being seen as being ‘problematic’ in the eyes of their peers.”
Then, discuss these questions in groups of five: What is acceptable behaviour in a healthy relationship? How do our families affect our behaviour and our relationships? How do the choices we make affect our lives and our relationships? While it is important to gain and retain a friend’s trust, it is also kind to do the right thing. Explore why doing the right thing is not always easy to do. Write down the names of two people you can contact when you have good news to share.
Write down the names of two people you can contact if you have bad news to share.
Write down the names of three trusted adults (at home or in school) you can contact if a friend tells you that he is thinking about suicide.
Why did you choose those *trusted adults? *Trusted adults can be family members, caregivers, family friends, teachers, counsellors, coaches, clergy members, youth leaders, or law enforcement officers.
Adapted from: www.directingchangeca.org
Extension activity We all desire to live in a world where we feel valued, safe and respected. You can encourage positive action. Start by encouraging schoolmates to be “upstanders”, and not “bystanders”! What types of sustainable activities can you and your friends establish in school that focus on kindness and bullying prevention? Gather in groups of five and think of an activity that could make a change in people’s lives. Discuss what the activity would be, how you would carry it out and how you see it impacting and making a change in teenagers’ lives.
Did you know?
Wall of wonderful words Weekly kindness challenge
You can get in touch with Befrienders, a suicide and depression support group, to get help and emotional support. Its 24-hour hotline number is 03-7956 8144/5 and its e-mail is sam@befrienders.org.my. Cyberbullying cases can also be reported to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) by calling the complaint hotline at 1800-188-030, sending an SMS to SKMM ADUAN (complaint details) at 15888, sending a WhatsApp message to 016- 2206262, or sending an e-mail to aduanskmm@cmc.gov.my.
Poster project Concert
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-NiE , 10 July 2019
Complete the phrasal verbs below. Picture:
from (keep, vanish, spring) Disappear from view
Across:
from (keep, vanish, spring) Be caused by
Down:
Fill in the correct one from the list below.
from (keep, vanish, spring) Refrain from doing something
1. Megan’s love for animals growing up in a farm. 2. Aunt Polly can’t crying whenever she watches sad movies. 3. “Here’s a bottle of special ink,” Timothy sight smiled. “I can when Chadwick chases me.” a) keep from b) vanish from c) sprang from
TIE UP (1) “What would you do if you were to come upon a dragon in the woods?” Teddy’s teacher asked. “I’d take it home and tie it up,” Teddy answered. “You seem very confident about that,” the teacher smiled. “That’s because I’ve already got one. It’s tied up at home.” The teacher laughed. “You know tie up means to fasten, secure, or in some way bind something together, don’t you?” “Yes, but there’s no need to worry. I tied it up securely with a big rope,” Teddy replied.
Answers: Picture: vanish from Across: spring from Down: keep from Fill in: 1) c 2) a 3) b
EPISODE 18 They had reached a small pond where the turtless lived, and both stood silently beside it.
But when I’m happy, I don’t want it to end. I want to hold on to it as long as I can.
Why try to clutch onto a passing shadow, child? You know it will have to end sooner or later.
People learn to struggle, to fight against the pain in life.
Struggle
Make a great effort
Worthwhile
Valuable, meaningful, useful
But what for?
Do on’t you realise that even if you help a little now, or manage to o change things to a small exxtent, none of this will last? So many have tried to improve things, child, but…
It doesn’t have to last. As long as theere’s some improvemen nt, even if it’s only for a while, it’s a worthw while effort.
QUEsTIon
But I still wantt to try! You will just be wasting your time and spirit.
As long as there’s some improvement, even if it’s only for a while, it’s a worthwhile effort. Do you agree with Dawan’s statement? Why or why not?