Reading Skills

INTRODUCTION

Students need to be exposed to effective study skills to meet the demands of their academic needs and ensure success in their academic studies. This is to enable students to approach their studies effectively and efficiently so that they can study smart and gain the most benefit from their skills.

This module is attempted for learners who are undertaking Academic English course. Most of the activities compiled here are from different books and Internet resources. Learners are encouraged to try the exercises given in order to improve and enhance their language skills.

Most of the topics covered are designed according to the course outline and specific topics.

Learners are encouraged to read a wide variety of topics from other sources.

Happy reading and exploring the module!

1

UNIT I READING SKILLS

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this unit, you should be able to: 1. skim a text to get the general idea 2. scan a text for specific information 3. derive the meaning of words from contextual clues 4. identify main idea, topic sentence and supporting details in a paragraph 5. understand sense relationship in reading texts 6. summarise information and predict outcome from reading texts

2

WHAT IS COMPREHENSION? Comprehension and expression skills are language based skills. If the person’s language skills are good, then his comprehension and expression abilities are strong. The reverse situation occurs when the person’s language skills are weak.

When comprehension skills are intact, what you understand will be accurate, efficient and quick. However, when comprehension skills are weak, you will take a longer time to process information and sometimes there may be mistakes in understanding.

Comprehension is the reason for reading. If you can read the words but do not understand what you are reading, you do not really comprehend the text.

Vocabulary

One of the problems in understanding a passage is vocabulary. So, how do you begin to increase your vocabulary?

Vocabulary is an ongoing process. It continues throughout your life. What you have to do is to slow your effective method of learning vocabulary down to a snail's pace.

When you were younger you learned something day in and day out. You kept squeezing every moment of the day into a new and different learning situation. You continually asked questions and drove yourself to learn more. Look at the following examples: at the age of 4 you probably knew 5,600 words at the age of 5 you probably knew 9,600 words 3

at the age of 6 you probably knew 14,700 words at the age of 7 you probably knew 21,200 words at the age of 8 you probably knew 26,300 words at the age of 9 you probably knew 29,300 words at the age of 10 you probably knew 34,300 words when you are a college sophomore you probably knew 120,000 words

What these tell you is the more you learn, the more vocabulary you will know. No matter what your age is, you must continue to learn. Words are "symbols" for ideas.

These ideas formulate knowledge and knowledge is gained largely through words.

And, that’s why there’s saying “words are mightier than swords”!

Some suggestions which may help you: 

The more you read, the more words you will come in contact with.



Use newly found vocabulary in your everyday communication (writing, speaking).



Be familiar with the glossary of your textbooks.



Be familiar with the dictionary. Understand the pronunciation keys as well as why there are multiple meanings for words.



Try to learn five new words a day. If you know these words - use them in your communication process. Without using these new words, it is a waste of your time.



Read. Read books from fields other than your major. Read books which interest you and concentrate while you read.

How do we read?

How can we read effectively?

4

Exercise 1 Read the following passage as quickly as you can.

My older sister and I look alike, but we have completely different personalities. My sister is the outgoing type. She makes friends easily and she is always joking. I am quiet and reserved. It is difficult for me to talk to people I do not know. My sister is also very impatient. When she has something to do, she does it as quickly as possible and does not worry much about how she does it. I, on the other hand, spend too much time trying to do everything perfectly. Now, she is a successful sales executive, something I could never be. I am planning to be a research chemist when I graduate.

Q1 - Did you read every word in the passage? (Yes / No) Q2 - Did you say the words softly to yourself as you read them? (Yes / No)

Your answer to Q1 should be no.

It is not necessary to read every word of the text in order to understand the meaning.

Your answer to Q2 should also be no.

If you say the words to yourself, you will slow down the speed of your reading.

When we were young, we learnt to read by reading every word aloud, one at a time.

For many people, this is the way they read for the rest of their lives. However, as a university student, you have to read a lot and for different purposes. Sometimes, you need to carefully to remember important details; at other times, you just want to find out in general what the text is about. When you only want to find the general idea, it is not necessary to read every word.

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Extensive reading 

reading for pleasure with emphasis on general understanding

Intensive reading 

reading carefully for an exact understanding of text



necessary for contracts, legal documentation, application forms, etc.

* Skimming 

quickly looking through text to get an idea of what the text concerns



used when reading magazines, newspaper articles etc.

* Scanning 

locating specific information in a text



usually used in timetables, charts, etc.

6

Skimming

Skimming is a reading technique that helps you read quickly in order to get the general idea of a passage without reading every word. This technique saves your valuable time.

Exercise 2 Look at the following passage. Some of the words have been omitted. Read the words that remain.

Millions _________________ suffer ________________ anxiety disorders ______________phobias. ___________means

fear

______

name

________

_________

flight.

Greek

______________

word phobia

________unreasonable fear ___________ faced with _____________ situation ____________. _____________ agoraphobia, _____________, _________ afraid _________ open spaces. Many _________ refuse _________ leave _______ homes.

People

___________

claustrophobia,

__________

other

hand,

_________ fear ___________ - small, enclosed spaces, __________ avoid _______ lifts _______ small rooms.

Could you work out what the passage is about?

Test yourself with these True / False questions.

1. A phobia is an anxiety disorder. (True / False) 2. Few people suffer from phobias. (True / False) 3. The term phobia comes from Latin word. (True / False) 4. A phobia is an unreasonable fear. (True / False) 5. Three types of phobia are mentioned in the passage. (True / False) 6. Agoraphobia is a fear of open spaces. (True / False) 7. People with claustrophobia do not like lifts. (True / False) 7

How To Skim A Short Passage: 

Move your eyes quickly across each line of text. Do not let your eyes stop on every word. Do not say the words to yourself.



Look at just a few key words or phrases in each line.



When you finish, ask yourself what the general idea of the passage is.

Exercise 3 Follow the steps given to skim the passage below.

Many everyday products were discovered by accident, and Coca-Cola is a good example. This famous soft drink began as a tonic for curing headaches. An American pharmacist brewed it from leaves and kola nuts. The story goes that one morning a customer came into the pharmacy and asked for a Coca-Cola tonic. The assistant was too lazy to go to the back of the store to get some plain water to dilute the concentrated tonic, so he mixed it with soda water instead. The customer liked the fizzy drink and it quickly became popular. Its originator surely never dreamt that his accidental mixture would become the world’s best-selling soft drink.

What is the main idea of this passage?

Working with a partner and without looking at the passage again, ask each other questions about the facts from the passage that you can remember.

Work separately – Take a pen and highlight or underline the words that your eyes rested on as you read the passage.

8

a) Compare your highlighted passage with your partner’s. b) Who highlighted more words? c) Did both of you highlight the same words or different words? d) Are the words you highlighted key words?

Check your work with the following passage where the key words are underlined:

Many everyday products were discovered by accident, and Coca-Cola is a good example. This famous soft drink began as a tonic for curing headaches. An American pharmacist brewed it from leaves and kola nuts. The story goes that one morning a customer came into the pharmacy and asked for a Coca-Cola tonic. The assistant was too lazy to go to the back of the store to get some plain water to dilute the concentrated tonic, so he mixed it with soda water instead. The customer liked the fizzy drink and it quickly became popular. Its originator surely never dreamt that his accidental mixture would become the world’s best-selling soft drink.

Highlighting helps you to identify and focus on key words and key phrases.

9

How To Skim A Text :

1.

What Is The Title Look at the title, subheadings, pictures, and what ever else sticks out on the page. Give yourself a reason to read by making predictions on what you think is going to happen. Having a purpose will make you focus better.

2.

Where Is This Headed Try to read as fast as you can. Keep in mind that you will be reading this again. Pay attention to what you pick up during the reading process.

Focus on certain parts of speech like nouns and verbs. These are considered as the key words and will help you in getting the general idea of the article or the gist of the text.

3.

What Was That Called Again Pay attention to the first and last paragraph. You will find the important things

of

your

subject

material

in

these

areas.

After reading a paragraph or two try to restate what you read in your own words. You can either write it down or read it. This reiteration will implant the subject material that you are skimming in your head.

4.

Skimming For The Future Skimming does not mean that you do not read the material; it is just a technique to get a feel for what you are reading. Skimming allows you to get in touch with the writer’s style and way of thinking. It will make the material flow smoother once you return to read it again.

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Exercise 4 Here is a letter written by a 16-year-old girl to her mother. Read the questions and then skim the letter for the answers.

Starting time: ………………………..

1. Does the writer mainly give examples of her childhood? ____________________

2. Does the writer feel she is still giving her mother problems? _________________

3. How was the girl feeling when she was writing the letter?

Circle the correct answer(s).

A

happy

C

worried

B

sad

D

angry

4. Circle the appropriate answer(s) and give evidence from the letter to support your answer(s). The writer is asking her mother for A

sympathy

D

permission

B

forgiveness

E

advice

C

understanding

5. Based on the letter, describe the relationship between the writer and her mother. _________________________________________________________________

Finishing time: ………………………..

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Dearest Mama,

I know I have been giving you trouble since I started kicking you when I was in your womb, when I was demanding bottle milk in the middle of the night at two, when I was being fussy at seven, when I was demanding for things at ten, when I was asking you stupid questions the time I was twelve, giving you heartaches and migraines now that I’m a teen ….

But ….

There must be something good in me.

Even if you don’t think so …..

I may be nasty sometimes but it doesn’t mean I take everything for granted.

I just want you to know and understand that I am thankful to have you as my Mama even though I am not sure if you are thankful to have me as a daughter.

I feel sorry about that.

Ilmi

(Adapted from Vision Focus on Reading and Writing, 2003) 12

Scanning

When you scan a text you are actually looking for specific information without reading the whole text. Scanning for information is a searching technique. It would be more practical to scan for information than to read the whole text.

When scanning, you try to locate answers or facts quickly by reading selectively.

Specific information can be obtained from: 

Titles of articles, headings, subheadings



Key words and phrases



Words in italics and in bold



Visual aids (charts, tables, diagrams, etc)



Dates



Names of people



Definitions



Statistics

Alphabetical arrangements: Resource material such as a dictionary, the index of a book, guides and reference listings

Non-alphabetical arrangements: television listings

day and time

historical data and tables

month and year - chronologically

sports pages

by categories: baseball, football, tennis, etc.

best seller lists

numerically according to number of copies sold

13

Exercise 5 The following is a list of words and their meanings. Can you find the meanings of catty and cauldron?

Catsup is a thick sauce, usually made from tomatoes.

Cattle are cows and bulls that are kept for farming or for carrying loads.

Cattle-grid is a grid of metal bars, which is set into the surface of a road so that cattle and sheep cannot cross but people and vehicles can.

Catty describes someone who is unpleasant and spiteful.

Catwalk is a narrow bridge high in the air between two parts of a tall building.

Caucus is a small group of people within a political party or organization who meet to discuss important matters.

Caught is the past tense and past participle of “catch”.

Cauldron is a large metal pot which is used for boiling liquids or cooking food over a fire.

Cauliflower is a vegetable with green leaves around a large, white ball of flower buds.

Were you able to find the words and their meanings easily?

You did not need to read all the words and their meanings in order to find the meanings of catty and cauldron.

How to Scan: 

Determine what specific information you are looking for.



Let your eyes move quickly across the page.



Make use of titles or subheadings provided.



Make use of ‘header’ words which are in bold type at the top each page in a dictionary or phone book.



Make use of the alphabet as a guide. Most texts are organized alphabetically from A-Z.

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Exercise 6 First read the following questions and then use the TV Schedule to find the answers.

1. Jack has a video - can he watch both documentaries without having to make a video?

2. Is there a show about making good investments?

3. You are thinking about traveling to the USA for a vacation. Which show should you watch?

4. Your friend doesn't have a TV, but would like to watch a film starring Tom Cruise.

Which film should you record on your video?

5. Peter is interested in wild animals which show should he watch?

6. Which sport can you watch that takes place outside?

7. Which sport can you watch that takes place inside?

8. You like modern art. Which documentary should you watch?

9. How often can you watch the news?

10. Is there a horror film on this evening?

CBC 6.00 p.m.: National News -

FNB

ABN

6.00 p.m.: In-Depth News - In- 6.00 p.m.: Travel Abroad -

join Jack Parsons for your

depth coverage of the most

This week we travel to sunny

daily news roundup.

important national and

California!

6.30: The Tiddles- Peter joins

international news stories.

6.30: The Flintstones- Fred

Mary for a wild adventure in

7.00: Nature Revealed-

and Barney are at it again.

the park.

Interesting documentary taking

7.00: Pretty Boy- Tom

7.00: Golf Review- Watch

a look at the microscopic

Cruise, the prettiest boy of

highlights from today's final

universe in your average speck them all, in an action packed

round of the Grand Master's.

of dust.

thriller about Internet

8.30: Shock from the Past-

7.30: Ping - Pong Masters-

espionage.

This entertaining film by Arthur

Live coverage from Peking.

9.00: Tracking the Beast-

Schmidt takes a poke at the

9.30: It's Your Money- That's

The little understood

wild side of gambling.

right and this favorite game

wildebeest filmed in its

15

10.30: Nightly News- A

show could make or break you

natural surroundings with

review of the day's most

depending on how you place

commentary by Dick Signit.

important events.

your bets. 10.30: Green Park-

10.00: Pump Those

11.00: MOMA: Art for

Stephen King's latest monster

Weights- A guide to

Everyone- A fascinating

madness.

successfully using weights to

documentary that helps you 0.30: Late Night News- Get the develop your physique while enjoy the difference between

news you need to get a hard

getting fit.

pointilism and video

start on the upcoming day.

11.30: The Three Idiots- A

installations.

fun farce based on those

12:00: Hard Day's Night-

three tenors who don't know

Reflections after a long, hard

when to call it quits.

day.

1.00: National AnthemClose the day with this salute to our country.

Exercise 7 Match the tasks in Column A with the reading materials in Column B.

Column A

Column B

1. Look for Cartoon show

a) The weather report in the newspaper

2. Find out about tenses

b) An English Grammar book

3. Read your friend’s blog

c) A bus timetable

4. Check when the last bus arrives

d) A recipe

5. Check how many eggs are

e) A television programme guide

required to bake a Boston cheese cake 6. Find out whether it will rain in the evening

f) Your friend’s homepage on the Internet

1. ___________

4. ___________

2. ___________

5. ___________

3. ___________

6. ___________

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How to be a Good Reader: 

Be Purposeful -

What are you reading for? Are you reading for pleasure? Good readers have a purpose for reading.



Be Active as You Read -

What do you know about the text? What is the underlying theme of the text? Good readers think actively as they read.



Be Conscious of Your Own Level of Understanding -

Identify where the difficulty occurs and restate the difficult sentence or passage in your own words.

-

Consistently look back through the text in order to make sense of it.

-

Look forward in the text for information that might help you resolve the difficulty.



Ask Questions -

This helps you think actively as you read and to relate what you have read and what you already know.



Try to Recognise the Story Structure -

Story structure is the way the content and events of a story are organised into a plot.

-

When you recognise the story structure, you will have a greater appreciation, understand and remember the text better.



Summarising -

Summarising helps you to identify what is important in your reading.

-

You will learn how to identify the main ideas, connect central ideas, eliminate unnecessary information and recall what you have read.

17

Contextual clues

When you read a passage, you will find words that you do not understand. A dictionary will definitely give you the meaning of those difficult words. However, do you know you can actually guess the meaning of those difficult words? You can try by: 

Looking at the other words in the same sentence



Looking at the sentences that come before and after



Looking for the word stated in another way in the passage

Example:

1.

General Meaning He gingerly walked across the room as there was broken glass all over the place.

It is easy to understand from the rest of the sentence that ‘the man did not want to hurt himself, so he walked carefully’. Therefore you can guess that ‘gingerly’ means move carefully.

2.

Contrast/Opposite Although Oprah Winfrey has achieved phenomenal success as a talk-show host, she has made little progress as an actress.

The writer is making a comparison here, and you can guess that ‘phenomenal’ is the opposite ‘little’ and means great.

3.

Illustration Liyana is such an amicable person. For example, she is friendly with everyone in school and she never argues with anyone.

From the examples, we can guess that ‘amicable’ means friendly and someone who does not quarrel with others.

18

Exercise 8 Guess the meaning of the underlined words. Replace each of these words with one word of similar meaning. Use contextual clues to help you.

1.

Flavanoids, substances found in colourful fruit and vegetables, are an important element in good nutrition.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Clues

: ______________________________________________

Meaning

: ______________________________________________

I felt so lethargic in the hot stuffy room that I could not do any work.

Clues

: ______________________________________________

Meaning

: ______________________________________________

Alvin and his spouse have been married happily for 25 years.

Clues

: ______________________________________________

Meaning

: ______________________________________________

Since the economy is so bad we should be frugal in our spending.

Clues

: ______________________________________________

Meaning

: ______________________________________________

A crying and fretful baby can usually be pacified by giving him a bottle of milk.

6.

Clues

: ______________________________________________

Meaning

: ______________________________________________

He is very meticulous person. He takes great care to make sure that he does not make mistakes in his work.

Clues

: ______________________________________________

Meaning

: ______________________________________________ 19

7.

Her impudent behaviour towards her sister made me want to teach her some manners.

8.

Clues

: ______________________________________________

Meaning

: ______________________________________________

Diabetics are advised to use sugar sparingly in their diet as they have to control their blood sugar level.

9.

Clues

: ______________________________________________

Meaning

: ______________________________________________

When attending an interview you should show your best decorum, like dressing appropriately, greeting the interviewer when you enter the room and thanking the interviewer before you leave.

10.

Clues

: ______________________________________________

Meaning

: ______________________________________________

Smuggled goods are popular among illegal traders as such products yield high returns. The business is lucrative because the products are not subjected to normal duties, such as excise and custom taxes.

11.

Clues

: ______________________________________________

Meaning

: ______________________________________________

Two weeks ago, Rita decided to bake a cake for her sister. She still has not baked it because she keeps putting it off. She has postponed it five times.

She must do it today. She cannot procrastinate anymore.

Clues

: ______________________________________________

Meaning

: ______________________________________________

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12.

Although the death-defying sport of BASE jumping (BASE is the acronym for buildings, antennae, spans and earth) is banned in the United States, there are many enthusiastic participants who will not settle for anything less thrilling and dangerous.

Clues

: ______________________________________________

Meaning

: ___________________________________________________

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Main Idea of a Text

The main idea is the general idea or main point of a passage, news report, talk or a conversation. A simple way to find out the main idea is to ask yourself what the passage is about or what does the writer want you to know about the topic? The main idea normally is summarized in one sentence. In a newspaper report, the main idea may be expressed in the headline.

The main idea can be conveyed in two ways: 

Stated

The stated main idea is usually the most general sentence in the paragraph.

This sentence is usually found in the introduction paragraph. 

Implied

The writer may not include a sentence that gives you direct information about the topic of the paragraph. The writer may only give details that point to the main idea rather than clearly state it.

Example:

Students need to use the Internet to source for materials to prepare for their assignments. The Internet provides the latest information on various topics, and this allows students to be well-informed of new developments. Realizing the importance of the Internet to students, most universities have made this facility available for them.

Main Idea: The Internet is important for university students in helping them to prepare for their assignments.

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Topic Sentence & Supporting Details

A topic sentence is a sentence within a paragraph that has the general main idea of the whole paragraph. The topic sentence

in

a

paragraph

normally

appears

at

the

beginning, the middle or at the end of the paragraph.

The other sentences within the paragraph are usually the supporting details.

Supporting details are the reasons, examples or explanations that support the topic sentence of the paragraph.

Example:

Malaysia is a beautiful country in many ways. It has white sandy beaches and cool refreshing hill resorts. Modern cities with beautiful architecture in an exotic combination of eastern and western influence also add to its charm. This physical beauty is further enhanced by the colourful and harmonious blend of its various cultures. The warmth and friendliness of the Malaysian people is another of its attractions.

Topic Sentence: Malaysia is a beautiful country in many ways.

Supporting details: It has white sandy beaches and cool refreshing hill resorts. Modern cities with beautiful architecture in an exotic combination of eastern and western influence also add to its charm. This physical beauty is further enhanced by the colourful and harmonious blend of its various cultures. The warmth and friendliness of the Malaysian people is another of its attractions.

23

Exercise 9 Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow.

The Search for the Girl with Green Eyes

The suffering of a million displaced, homeless refugees was mirrored in a single pair of startling green eyes. The cries of countless voiceless children robbed of their childhood screamed out of her silent gaze. Yet, the face young and unlined belied the sorrow in her soul. The Afghan refugee shyly pulled her shawl over her hair and stared in the camera lens. And the rest of the world that looked into her eyes got a glimpse of the tragic world of a refugee.

In 1985, her face was on the June cover of the National Geographic magazine. This picture was reproduced in magazines and posters all over the world.

She became the emblem of suffering refugees all over the world. She inspired many to volunteer for relief work. Who was that girl?

The story began when one day in 1984 when a journalist Steve McCurry was wandering through the Nasir Bagh refugee camp on the Pakistan – Afghan border.

As he was going through the tent flap of a makeshift classroom, he saw a girl of about 12 years old. He was mesmerized by her eyes. Something struck a chord in Steve. In her eyes he saw the indomitable human spirit that, despite all the obstacles 24

that crossed one’s path, remained defiant and unbroken. From her teacher, the journalist learnt that the girl had lost both her parents in a Soviet attack on her village when she was six. She had trekked through torturous mountain terrain with her grandmother, two sisters and a brother into Pakistan.

The September 11 attacks in United States of America in 2001 made Steve McCurry and his team go back to Afghanistan in search of the girl with the green eyes. His motive was simple. He had always been proud to be associated with her picture. He thought it would be wonderful if he could find her and do something for her. After much searching, the breakthrough came at the original refugee camp where he had first set eyes on her. A man who claimed to have been the girl’s neighbour said she now lived near Tora Bora. He took Steve to meet her.

The team was introduced to a 29-year-old woman named Sharbat Gula. She was wearing a burqa. She was cradling a beautiful baby girl, the youngest of her three daughters. Her face was etched with hardship, but she was still a beautiful woman. She even remembered the day Steve photographed her in a refugee camp 17 years ago. And…she still had those amazing sea-green eyes.

1.

What is the main idea of the passage? ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________

2.

What is the topic sentence of paragraph 3? ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________

3.

What is the topic sentence of paragraph 5? ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________

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4.

Choose T for True and F for False for the following statements.

a. Steve McCurry had always kept in touch with the girl he had photographed. (T / F) b. The identity of the girl was unknown. (T / F) c. Steve McCurry easily found the girl he had photographed in 1984.

(T / F) d. The girl had had a very hard life. (T / F) e. The girl was originally from Pakistan. (T / F)

5.

What do the following words in the passage mean? Circle the best answer.

(a) mesmerized i-

fascinated

ii-

swallowed

iii-

lost

iv-

puzzled

(b) motive

i-

incentive

ii-

reason

iii-

power

iv-

force

26

Understanding Sense Relationships: Text Cohesion

It is important for a writer to make sure that the text he writes makes sense to the reader. This means that he should ensure that the sentences he writes are well connected and related to the main topic that he has in mind.

Linking word or discourse markers are cohesive devices. With the use of linking words, sentences can be put together for easy comprehension.

Types of Cohesive Devices

Function Sequence

Purpose

Example

To show progression of ideas

First, Second, Next, Finally, After, Before, Firstly, Secondly.

Addition

To show addition of ideas

As well as, In addition, Furthermore, And, Besides that, Another, Apart from that, Moreover.

Contrast

To show different ideas

In spite of, Despite, Although, Though, Even though, Nevertheless, But, In contrast, On the other hand, However

Result

To show what happens after an Yet, Since, As, Hence, For that action

reason, As a result, Consequently, Therefore, Thus.

Conclusion To show overall ending

Finally, Therefore, To conclude, In conclusion, As a result, In the final analysis.

Illustration

To show that an example will For example, For instance, follow

Specifically, Such as, To illustrate.

27

Exercise 10 Match the following sentences with the ones in the box.

although I am only their adopted daughter. whenever you have the time. unless there is an emergency. because the questions were difficult. so that he could pay for his school fees after I have finished my work in the office. where she left her purse. as her best friend just died. and she won first prize in the competition. until it was dark.

1. Please don’t call me ________________________________________________ 2. Liyana worked part-time during the holidays _____________________________

3. The students did not complete the test __________________________________

4. Lisa practiced her piano everyday __________________________________________

5. You can call me __________________________________________________________

6. They took very good care of me _______________________________________

7. I will see you ______________________________________________________

28

8. We were looking for your house _______________________________________

9. My mother cannot remember _________________________________________

10. She is sad _______________________________________________________

Exercise 11 Fill in the blanks.

although in conclusion

as a result

so that

in addition

indeed

for instance because

I love to cook. ___________ (1), it is my one and only hobby. I cook every day, not only because I enjoy it but also because it is healthier than eating out. ___________ (2) I work from nine to five, I still make time to cook nutritious meals for my family. I am able to do this ___________ (3) I plan all my meals and prepare the ingredients during the weekends. ___________ (4), I cut the meat, fish and vegetables and store them neatly in plastic containers in the fridge. ___________ (5) I also blend all the ingredients for sauces and sambals in large quantities ___________ (6) I can save time when I prepare my meals. ___________ (7) of my hard work during the weekends, I am able to relax during the weekdays. ___________ (8) my family loves my cooking and I love watching them enjoy their meals.

29

Exercise 12 Complete the following sentences logically.

1. (a) I love you but ___________________________________________________ (b) I love you and __________________________________________________ (c) I love you. However, _____________________________________________ (d) I love you. Therefore, ____________________________________________

2. (a) The farmer caught the 20-foot python but _____________________________ (b) The farmer caught the 20-foot python and ____________________________ (c) The farmer caught the 20-foot python. However, _______________________ (d) The farmer caught the 20-foot python. Therefore, ______________________

3. He could not finish his project because _________________________________

4. Sufi wanted to go to oversea after _________________________________

5. As Alya was not feeling well, __________________________________________

30

Summarising Information

When you summarise a paragraph or passage, you will be looking for main ideas or points in that paragraph or passage. You normally leave out details, examples and illustrations. Often the opening sentence of a text or paragraph conveys the main idea. Sometimes you may be asked to choose the best title for the passage. The best title is actually the main idea or general idea of the paragraph or passage.

Exercise 13 Summarise the following passages in one sentence each.

Rigid with disbelief, I stared at the gathering dusk outside my hospital room. They had given me all their tests – the X-rays, the ultrasound, the CAT san and finally the biopsy – and still they didn’t realize how wrong they were. They said I had a malignant, inoperable tumour, about the size of a softball, tucked up between my left lung and breastbone, with tentacles already enclosing a couple of lymph nodes and reaching for my windpipe. Obviously, this couldn’t be. I had developed no recognizable disability to warn me. Yet, they said, the ‘thing’ had been stealthily growing inside my chest for a year or more

Summary: _______________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

31

The canoe can be used for travel and exploration. One can journey quietly along rugged coastlines and tiny inlets which provide unknown thrills. For nature lovers, the canoe can be used to cruise along remote streams in the inaccessible interior of a country. For the more adventurous, it can also be used to travel down mountain torrents. The light canoe can also be used to ride the ocean surf as it rolls in towards the beach.

Summary: _______________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

32

Predicting Outcomes

When you read a text or a book, one of the tools to generate greater understanding is to ask questions. If it is a crime story, these questions could centre on possible outcomes, for example, how will the detective be able to catch the criminal? How many years will the criminal be put behind the bars?

Predicting outcomes is a strategy that allows us to run through what we have read in order to guess what will happen in the future. Normally, questions will be related to the protagonists of the story or to the chain of events narrated.

Predicting means to figure out what you are going to read. The first part of a book or a passage you should look at is the title.

Exercise 14 Choose the correct answer.

1.

The title of the book is: The Psychology of Snakes: They’re Not Just Slithering Around.

From the title you can predict that: A

It is about snakes and where they live.

B

It is about snakes and what they do.

C

It is about different types of snakes and their characteristics.

D

It is about how snakes think.

33

2.

The theme of a conference is: Make Time Management Work for You. From the theme you can predict that the conference is about A

time management for all

B

tips on time management

C

the popularity of time management

D

the benefits of time management

Do not assume that you can always predict correctly. Sometimes, the title of book / movie or passage may not reflect the contents. Newspaper headlines also may not reflect the actual news carried. This is one of the techniques used by writers to create suspense, excitement or intrigue.

34

Strategies to Answer Reading Comprehension Questions

i.

Graph/Table/Chart/Diagram Questions 

Carefully examine the stimulus given when extracting information from a non-linear text.



Take note of the following: 1.

Title

2.

Subtitles

3.

Headings

4.

Subheadings

5.

Legend (key features)

6.

Source of stimulus



Read through the questions and underline the key words or phrases.



Refer to the non-linear information constantly to ensure that the most suitable answer is mapped out.



ii.

Use the elimination method to select the best option.

True/False/Not Stated Questions 

Skim and scan the text and stimulus until you discover the information where the writer discusses the issue on the topic presented in the question.



If the information is not found or there is no information given on the issue discussed, the answer is ‘Not stated’.



If you managed to find some information, decide whether the writer’s view or opinion is similar or contradicts with the statement provided in the question.



If the statement agrees with the writer’s opinion, the answer is ‘True’.



If the information contradicts with the writer’s opinion, the answer is ‘False’.

35

iii.

Multiple Choice Questions 

Underline the key words in the question and use them to help you locate the information in the text.



Skim through the text until you come to the specific part or section needed to answer the question.



Check each given options carefully.



Remember, some of the most likely answers may be paraphrased.



Read the questions and options given carefully. You may find that some of the words given in the options are found in the text. Only one of the options is the most suitable response to the question.

Example: 1

It was Thomas Appolonia’s personality which carried the gun over those mountains. His men would soon have abandoned the task as hopeless, despite the assistance which their leader got for them by conscripting the aid of all the peasants, men and women, whom he could catch. There were times when an hour’s labour meant only ten yards of

5

progress. That was up to the steeper inclines or where the path charged over some steep minor ridge of rock at gradients which would compel a man to go on hands and knees. In these places they had to disperse and gather small rocks to form some sort of road surface, or long ramps up and down the ridges. On these steep slopes, men and animals would rest to get 10 their breath, while the gun was held up by the scotches, until a warning shout from Appolonia caused the men at the drag ropes to take the strain again, and the drivers to grasp their goads ready in their hands. Then Appolonia would shout ‘Pull!’ and the men would tug, and the whips would crack, and the animals would tug and flounder about on the uncertain 15 foothold, and the gun would move ever so little – a yard or two at most – up the slope before the effort died away and the scotches were dropped hastily behind the wheels again and the grasping beasts of burden – on two legs or on four – could rest again.

36

2

The animals would fall and break their legs between rocks, but as the 20 party moved on; a peasant threatened with instant death would generally reveal where an ass or an ox could be found. There was rarely any need to apply torture. Even cows had to be used but they persisted in dying under the strain. The men did not die. They cursed Appolonia, they cursed the gun, and the cattle, but they lived. During this period Appolonia slept more 25 securely than before: he knew that mutiny breeds in idleness, not in hardship or hard work. The men might curse, complain, grumble, but they were secretly proud of their effort.

1.

The progress over the steeper slopes was so slow because A

both men and animals had to stop to take their breath

B

the men had to go on their hands and knees

C

the animals floundered about along the path Answer: A Skimming to locate reason / answer The ascent up the steeper slopes was undertaken by both men and animals (Lines 8-11)

2.

Who or what were the scotches (line 10) A

The men at the drag ropes

B

Men pushing the gun from behind

C

Devices to stop the gun-carriage from slipping back

Answer: C Deriving meaning from context Infer the meaning of the word by using contextual clues. Line 14 rejects options A and B.

37

3.

‘…the gasping beasts of burden - on two legs or on four…’ (line 17) suggests that A

men were riding on the animals to move ahead

B

men and animals were both doing the same task

C

men had to go on their hands and knees like animals Answer: B Reading critically ‘…on two legs or on four’ refers to both men and animals. ‘…beasts of burden’ suggests both men and animals were set at the same task.

4.

The sentence ‘There was rarely any need to apply torture’ (lines 20-21) is evidence that A

the local peasants gladly volunteered to help Appolonia

B

Appolonia never used torture to get what he wanted

C

the peasants were too petrified to object Answer: C Reading critically Line 19 states the peasants were threatened with instant death should they object. So Appolonia did not need to use any form of torture.

5.

Appolonia was able to sleep soundly during this period as the men would not revolt against him because A

his followers were proud of their work

B

it was the peasants who did not like him

C

his men were too exhausted from their work Answer: C Drawing conclusions Lines 24-25 ‘…he knew that mutiny…hard work’ suggests the men were too tired to plan a mutiny against Appolonia.

38

6.

Which of the following statements best summarises Appolonia’s best character?

A

He does not display any sympathy for his men and animals and is not sensitive towards his men

B

He has a strong personality and is absolutely ruthless about getting his own way

C

He is savage, strong-minded and uses violence and torture to get things done Answer: B Summarizing information The other options are not borne out in the passage. Option C contradicts the statement in lines 20-21 and Option A is incorrect because he allowed his men to take a breather before continuing their work.

7.

Which of the following statements is true?

A

Appolonia whipped his men and animals to get work done

B

The men and animals struggled to move on along the way

C

Appolonia would use the gun to shoot anyone who did not want to work Answer: B Scanning to extract specific information There is no mention of Appolonia actually whipping his men and animals to get them working or shooting anyone.

(Adapted from Ace Ahead : Text MUET,3rd Ed., 2011)

39

Exercise 15 (Category: Text with Graphics) Questions 1 to 7 are based on the following passage.

Cyber-Buying in China, Hong Kong and Singapore Cyber-buyers are defined as people who have purchased items through the Internet.

Cyber-buyers buy online because of the convenience in purchase and in delivery.

People who do not buy online are concerned about the lack of security, the lack of opportunity to examine the merchandise before purchase and the trustworthiness of retailers in terms of delivery, refund and merchandise quality.

Books, movie tickets, computer software and music CDs are good online purchases because the internet medium is able to demonstrate their features well, i.e. what you see is what you get.

In contrast, products that require sizing do not sell well unless it is endorsed by a well-established brand and people are aware of the brand-sizing.

According to a survey, about 12.3 per cent of the respondents from China made purchases online. Of the respondents from Hong Kong and Singapore, about 43.2 per cent and 24.9 per cent respectively made online purchases. It was discovered that China’s cyber-buyers responded to television advertisements, Hong Kong’s cyber-buyers responded to magazines, advertisements and Singapore’s cyber-buyers preferred newspaper advertisements.

However, China’s and Hong Kong’s cyber-buyers ranked e-advertisements as the third medium that influenced their buying while Singaporean cyber-buyers ranked them fourth.

40

Table 1: Demographic of Cyber-Buyers in China, Hong Kong and Singapore

Demographics

China

Hong Kong

Singapore

(%)

(%)

(%)

Age (16-35 years old)

89

67

72

Gender (Male)

88

84

73

Marital Status (Single)

65

57

56

Education (Degree Holders)

86

61

61

Employed – technical

34

18

15

Employed – management

29

41

42

Full-time students

15

9

15

Occupation:

Source: http://www.singstat.gov.sg/statsres/conferences/ecommerce/r308.pdf

1.

2.

Security and trust elements are major deterrents to cyber-buying.

A

True

B

False

C

Not stated

Clothes purchased online do not require any customer awareness of brand sizing.

3.

A

True

B

False

C

Not stated

Online advertisements will become as important as traditional advertisements in future.

A

True

B

False

C

Not stated

41

4.

5.

Cyber-shopping is already well-established in China.

A

True

B

False

C

Not stated

According to Table 1, China’s single cyber-buyers indicate an openness to buy more frequently compared to Hong Kong’s and Singapore’s cyberbuyers.

6.

A

True

B

False

C

Not stated

A Singaporean is more likely to be a cyber-buyer if he or she has a tertiary education.

7.

A

True

B

False

C

Not stated

We can conclude that Hong Kong will have brighter prospects for ecommerce in the future if a new medium for promoting online purchases becomes available.

A

True

B

False

C

Not stated (Adapted from Ace Ahead: Text MUET,3rd Ed., 2011)

42

Exercise 16 (Category: Text with Graphics) Questions 1 to 7 are based on the following passage.



1 – 2 small print ads in each of 3 Nan-a Apple publications



Anywhere from 100, 000 – 300, 000 impressions in each of 7 online publications (including the online version of the 3 print publications)



Facebook ads (social advertising)



Google AdWords (search advertising)



Public Relations (including the cost of their retainer and issuing a press release



Print materials (business cards and post cards) Source: http://www.devonvsmith.com/2011/10/advertising-roi-a-case-forfacebook-ads/

43

1.

2.

3.

4.

There are six avenues of advertising under the Advertising Budget.

A

True

B

False

C

Not stated

Digital Advertising takes up a lion’s share of the Advertising Budget.

A

True

B

False

C

Not stated

Social Advertising receives the least allocation of the Advertising Budget.

A

True

B

False

C

Not stated

Both Digital Advertising and Public Relations consume more than half of the Advertising Budget.

5.

A

True

B

False

C

Not stated

Print Materials Advertising includes advertisements in newspapers and magazines.

6.

A

True

B

False

C

Not stated

Social Advertising in Facebook is the most successful form of advertisement.

A

True

B

False

C

Not stated 44

7.

Print Materials Advertising is given the least allocation under the advertisement budget as it has the least desired effect.

A

True

B

False

C

Not stated

(Adapted from MUET Model Tests , 2012)

Exercise 17 (Category: Text with Graphics) Questions 1 to 7 are based on the following passage.

Loafing Among Youths Reasons for Loafing

Measures to Curb Loafing



Boredom



Family outings and gathering



Experienced failure,



Outdoor and recreational

stress and pressure

activities



Family problems



Lack of activities



Meet friends



Skills training in schools



Make new friends



Camps and adventure trips

Sociologist believe that social values



Counseling

have changed and youths today are



Stress management talks

more individualistic and materialistic.



Youth organizations

They alienate themselves from their



Charity and volunteering



Sport activities and competition

families and they are more likely to

works 

indulge in drugs, alcohol, smoking, pre-marital sex and pornography with

Leadership training programmes

their peers.

45

Figure 1: Favourite Hang-Outs for Youths between the Ages of 12-18 in Ampang, Selangor

Figure 2: Development Expenditure and Allocation for Youth Development Programmes, 2001 – 2010 (RM Million) 8th Malaysia Plan

9th Malaysia Plan

Expenditure

Allocation

63.5

115.5

3,930.6

4,103.6

Commercial Training

158.6

179.5

Management Training

361.7

509.5

Entrepreneurial

40.1

20.0

Rakan Muda

304.5

334.0

Preventive and

96.7

199.4

4,955.7

5,461.5

Programme

Leadership Training Skills Training

Development

Rehabilitation Total

Source: Economic Planning Unit 46

1.

2.

Youths today place more emphasis on friends rather than families.

A

True

B

False

C

Not stated

Youths are more likely to succumb to drugs and smoking due to peer pressure from the new friends that they meet while loafing.

3.

A

True

B

False

C

Not stated

Sending youths for religious classes could help alleviate the problem of loafing.

4.

A

True

B

False

C

Not stated

Sudut Pertemuan Remaja (SUPER) or Youth Corners are established at recreation parks to enable youths to engage in more meaningful pursuits such as reading and IT-related activities.

5.

A

True

B

False

C

Not stated

Youths in Ampang spend most of their time loafing at video arcades.

A

True

B

False

C

Not stated

47

6.

The government does not place any importance on youth development programmes in the 9th Malaysia Plan.

7.

A

True

B

False

C

Not stated

It can be concluded that the programmes are aimed at reducing the number of youths loafing at their favourite hang-outs.

A

True

B

False

C

Not stated (Adapted from Ace Ahead : Text MUET,3rd Ed., 2011)

48

Exercise 18 (Category: 300 – 400 words) Read the following passage and answer the questions.

Chocolate Can Cure Imagine a delicious chocolate ganache melting in your mouth … to some chocoholics, that’s their idea of heaven!

Chocolate can lift the spirit, inspire poems and even cure ailments. Chocolate is considered by many as an antidepressant, or even an aphrodisiac.

Passion for chocolates is sometimes associated with sinful indulgence. Chocolate has often been blamed for acne and tooth decay. Some shun chocolates due to its reputation for low nutritional value and its fattening effects. However, recently researches have proven that accusations about chocolate are either overstated or entirely false.

Studies by the Pennsylvania School of Medicine and US Navy Academy proved that chocolates are not the cause of acne. Neither is there any evidence that shows chocolate is the cause for cavities or tooth decay. Adversely, chocolate coats the enamel and helps prevent plaque. Cavities are caused by the sugar in chocolate, rather than the chocolate itself. Researchers at the University of California found out that phenolics, found abundantly in cocoa, may help lower the risk of heart disease. Phenolics prevents fat-like substances in the blood stream from oxidizing and clogging the arteries.

Clogged arteries are a major cause of heart attacks.

Beside phenolics, chocolates contain more than 300 known compounds including magnesium. A small amount of caffeine and a slightly higher amount of theobromine, a weak stimulant, provides the ‘lift’ that energizes our day. Phenylethylamine, which is chemically related to amphetamines, is a strong stimulant, which increases the activity of neurotransmitters in our brains 49

to boost alertness. All these stimulants provide chocolate-eaters with a temporary sense of well-being.

The pleasurable effect that chocoholics claim to experience is attributed to a pharmacologically active substance that produces the same effect on the brain as marijuana. Researchers at the Neurosciences Institute in San Diego, California, believe that these chemicals are the source of chocolate cravings. Chocolates do not contain tetrahydrocannabinol that gives the floating ‘high’ feeling that marijuana provides. Instead, chocolates contain anandamide, which is naturally produced in the brain. Elevated levels of anandamide enhance a feeling of well-being.

Chocolate contains four times the dose of the polyphenol found in green tea.

These polyphenols prevent cancer cells from forming. A cup of green tea with a chocolate biscuit or a piece of dark chocolate sounds like a fantastic way to rev up the engine of the day!

Source: www.geocities.com/chocolatecorner/health.html

1.

2.

3.

Eating chocolate encourages feelings of depression.

A

True

B

False

C

Not stated

Eating chocolates aggravates pimples.

A

True

B

False

C

Not stated

Chocolate has tremendous health benefits as it is a leading source of antioxidants and magnesium.

A

True

B

False

C

Not stated 50

4.

Chocolate is recommended for people who are prone to heart attacks because it

5.

A

keeps the mind alert

B

prevents clogged arteries

C

makes a person feel better

Stimulants in chocolates enable chocolate eaters to feel good and be alert because

6.

A

they contain more than 300 chemicals

B

they activate the function of the neurons in the brain

C

they are more strong stimulants than weak stimulants in chocolate

The pharmacologically active substance that creates a mild pleasurable effect yet is not addictive is called

7.

A

tetrahydrocannabinol

B

anandamide

C

polyphenol

Which of the following statements is true?

A

Chocolates can prevent cancer better than green tea

B

Sugar in chocolates causes cavities and hyperactivity

C

Indulging in chocolate is sinful because it creates cravings (Adapted from Ace Ahead : Text MUET,3rd Ed., 2011)

51

Exercise 19 (Category: 400 – 500 words) Read the following passage and answer the questions.

Garlic Garlic, an herb, has sulphur content which has remarkable medicinal virtues. Garlic is a proven natural food that reduces ‘bad’ cholesterol levels. It has antioxidant, antimicrobial and immune-boosting effects. It also improves arterial elasticity.

Chest Diseases The potent quality of ethers in garlic juice helps dissolve the accumulation of mucus in the sinus cavities, bronchial tubes and the lungs. They help expel the poisons form the body through the skin pores. Garlic is an excellent remedy for tuberculosis, pneumonia, diphtheria and whooping cough. Furthermore, it helps reduce the severity of asthmatic attacks.

Digestive Disorders Garlic is one of the most beneficial herbs for the digestive system. It is good for the lymph, and aids eliminating noxious waste matter. It stimulates movement of the intestines and the secretion of the digestive juices. Garlic has an antiseptic effect for infectious diseases, digestive disorders and stomach and intestine inflammations.

The herb is an excellent worm expeller. Diarrhoea, colitis, dysentery and many other intestinal disorders can be successfully treated with fresh garlic or garlic capsules.

Garlic has the ability to destroy harmful bacteria in the intestines without affecting the beneficial organisms which aid digestion.

High Blood Pressure Garlic is one of the most effective remedies for lowering blood pressure. Pressure and tension are reduced because it has the power to ease the spasm of the small 52

arteries. It also slows the pulse and modifies the heart rhythm, besides relieving symptoms of dizziness, shortness of breath and formation of gas within the digestive tract. The average dosage should be 2 to 3 capsules a day to reduce blood pressure.

Rheumatism and Arthritis In Russia, garlic is used extensively to treat rheumatism. In Britain, garlic is recommended for rheumatic afflictions. Recent Japanese experiments showed that garlic extract benefited patients with lumbago and arthritis without any undesirable side-effects. Its anti-inflammatory property accounts for its effectiveness in treating arthritis and rheumatism.

Heart Attack A recent German study indicates that garlic helps to break cholesterol in the blood vessels, thereby preventing any hardening of arteries which leads to high blood pressure and heart attack.

Cancer Russian studies have found garlic to retard tumour growth. A study by the Research Institute in Panama City, Florida, showed that white blood cells from six patients given garlic killed 139 per cent tumour cells in a lab dish that did cells from people who did not eat garlic.

Blood Disorders The herb is regarded as a rejuvenator which helps to remove toxins, revitalize the blood, stimulate circulation and promote intestinal bacteria that prevent infection by harmful bacteria.

Skin Disorders Garlic has been used successfully for skin disorders. Pimples, boils and persistent acne heal without scars when rubbed externally with raw garlic several times a day.

53

Taking garlic internally helps to further purify the blood. A regular course of three garlic capsules per day should help clear minor skin infections quickly.

Wounds and Ulcers This herb has been effective as an antiseptic in wounds and ulcerations. Garlic juice mixed with distilled water is effective as a lotion for cleansing infected wounds.

Applications of garlic juice once a day over an ulcer removes pus in a few days and relieves pain within a short time.

Culinary Uses Garlic is widely used as food and seasoning in the preparation of soups, sauces and pickles.

1.

2.

Garlic has the most beneficial effect on the entire human body system.

A

True

B

False

C

Not stated

Daily consumption of one capsule of garlic is sufficient to reduce one’s blood pressure.

3.

A

True

B

False

C

Not stated

More clinical experiments on garlic were conducted by Westerners than by Asians.

A

True

B

False

C

Not stated

54

4.

5.

Which of the following statements are true?

A

Garlic is used only for treating diseases.

B

Garlic has proved an effective remedy in certain diseases of the chest.

C

Garlic has been found effective in preventing asthmatic attacks.

From the passage, which of the following is not a finding of an experiment done on garlic?

6.

A

Garlic benefited people with arthritis.

B

Garlic prevented tumour growth.

C

Garlic healed wounds.

All of the statements are true except A

Garlic can be consumed raw, cooked, in juice or in syrup form in the treatment of ailments.

B

The benefits of garlic involve prevention more than the healing of ailments.

C

7.

Different ailments require different amounts of garlic for effectiveness.

The information on garlic in the passage explains A

the curative properties of garlic for specific diseases of the heart, blood and skin.

B

the medicinal, antiseptic and remedy qualities of garlic for good health and disease

C

the effectiveness of garlic as the sole detoxifier of toxins, poisons and bacteria from the body

(Adapted from Pre-U: The Complete Text and Guide MUET, 2008)

55

Exercise 20 (Category: 400 – 500 words) Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow.

If you’re looking for a cheap way to gain some new perspective, get yourself out of bed before the crack of dawn and then drive through the still quiet streets of Kuala Lumpur just as the sun is rising.

Being awake at such ungodly hour can be downright appalling, especially for those of us who are genetically pre-disposed to despise mornings.

But there’s something to be said about watching a city wake up, and in all fairness, we can’t go through life without ever knowing what the street cleaners see when they come on the morning shift.

Most of us only see our fair city during two periods; there’s the daytime, when she’s struggling to harbour thousands of busy souls hustling a living on the streets and in high-rise offices.

Her roads are bunged up with grimly determined traffic, and her pavements are stoically bearing the weight of people with too little time to walk at a leisurely pace.

We – her residents, her tenants, her populace – rarely take time to look around us and see how KL is bearing up under the burden of our collective hopes and ambitions.

Then there’s the night time. This is when the city puts her make-up on, and gets gussied up with twinkling lights draped in her trees and across her streets. Neon signs flicker on and off and in some places, the crowds thicken.

She’s had a long day but there’s no rest for her yet, because we’re not done with her. Work is over so it’s time to get out, meet friends over dinner and drinks, maybe even visit a place where we can loosen our ties and let our hair down.

56

The city harbours all of this in good-natured co-operation, even though some of her residents litter her streets, toss garbage into her rivers, vandalise her public telephone booths and generally exploit her goodwill.

We’ve gotten used to seeing KL this way. We’ve also become largely inured to her caretaker’s pleas to treat her better and with more respect. Why should we, when we know that she’ll be there tomorrow and the next day, ready and silently willing to put up with whatever we feel like doing?

That outlook changes when we see her during that one time most of us never see her: at dawn, when we’re usually still in bed and oblivious to the world.

KL at sunrise is a queer place to be in. You can forget about witnessing a spectacular sunrise because chances are, you won’t see one.

What will you see is a city quietly trying to pull herself together in time for another marathon day and night, another long stretch of heat, clamour, noise and pollution.

When her streets are emptied out like they are at this hour of the day, you get a sense of her profound exhaustion, and the curious way it’s coupled with a bottomless reservoir of … something else.

Maybe it’s patience, with our wayward habits. Or maybe it’s hope, that we will someday change our ways and learn to treat her like the great lady she is.

1.

The expression genetically pre-disposed to despise mornings (paragraph 2) refers to people who

2.

A

from birth are destined never to wake up in the morning

B

by nature hate to wake up in the morning

C

by nature inherited the ability to hate mornings

D

from birth have been trained never too wake up

What does the writer imply about the situation in the city during the day?

I

The roads are always congested with traffic.

II

People in the city have a tendency to walk briskly.

III

The pavements are crowded with grim residents.

57

3.

4.

IV

People are too busy to stop and appreciate their surroundings.

A

I, II and III

B

II, III and IV

C

I, III and IV

D

I, II and IV

All the following describe how Kuala Lumpur is transformed at night except A

the trees and streets are lighted up with coloured lights

B

people gather at various places to enjoy themselves

C

People walk around all made up for the evening

D

signboards in the city are lighted up

Why does the writer refer to Kuala Lumpur as a woman?

A

The way in which the city transforms itself reminds him of women.

B

The city has similar nurturing qualities that women are equated with.

C

Like women who have to keep their homes clean, the city too must constantly strive to keep clean.

D

The constant hustle and bustle in the city reminds the writer of the efficiency with which women work.

5.

Which of the following cannot be taken as evidence in support of the writer’s reference to wayward habits (paragraph 15) of city dwellers?

A

Clogged rivers

B

Quiet empty streets

C

Litter on streets

D

Damaged public amenities

58

6.

What would the city be like if people followed the writer’s advice in the last paragraph?

7.

A

The city would be named after a famous woman.

B

The city would be eternally grateful to its residents.

C

The city would be a clean and comfortable place to live in.

D

The city would be rid of its nasty residents once and for all.

The purpose of the writer is to A

share with his readers his tender appreciation of the city of Kuala Lumpur

B

persuade his readers to see the beautiful sunrise in Kuala Lumpur

C

enlighten his readers on how to lead a busy life in the city

D

make his readers aware of the people who live in the city

(Adapted from: Text MUET: A Strategic Approach, 2004)

59

Revision

Past Year Questions I Reading Comprehension Test (40%) Duration : 90 minutes



There are forty-five questions in this test. For each question, choose the most appropriate answer. Indicate your answer on the separate answer sheet given.



Attempt all questions.

Questions 1 to 7 are based on the information given below. %

Year

INFO Number of students at Wawasan College who received loans : 100 Amount of loan given to each student : RM 2 000 per year

60

Types of personal

Types of books

Types of books (fiction)

items purchased

(non-fiction)

purchased according to

according to

purchased

preference

importance 

Clothes



Reference books



Romance novels



Make up



Workbooks



Short stories



Toiletries



Dictionaries



Horror stories



Video Compact



Revision texts

Discs 

1

Stationery

The chart shows how 100 students made use of RM 8 000 each over four years.

A True B False C Not stated

2

The chart shows the amount spent on books was the least in 2006.

A True B False C Not stated

3

The total loan amount given out to all the students at Wawasan College was RM 20 000 every year.

A True B False C Not stated

61

4

The title for the chart is Students’ Loan Expenditure Patterns from 2004 – 2007.

A True B False C Not stated

5

One of the top priorities among the students at Wawasan College is purchasing stationery.

A True B False C Not stated

6

It can be concluded that students at Wawasan College prefer reading romance stories to horror stories.

A True B False C Not stated

7

It can be inferred that students at Wawasan College spend their free time reading books and watching video compact discs.

A True B False C Not stated

Questions 8 to 14 based on the following passage.

Ginseng – The Miracle Cure 5000 years of Chinese history have affirmed the medical values of ginseng. Ginseng helps a person to maintain an overall balance among the various systems of the body. Besides that, it also tones up and strengthens the body by activating the 60

62

trillion cells in the body. Ginseng boosts the stamina and strengthens the immune systems.

Ginseng is any of several plants which have small greenish flowers and a forked root. There are two main species of true ginseng: the Chinese-Korean Panax ginseng (commonly known as Asian or Korean ginseng) and the Canadian Panax quinquefolius (commonly referred to as North American ginseng).

The Asian or Korean type of ginseng is considered to impart a strong hot “yang” stimulating energy, while the North American variety is considered to have a cooler “yin” or calming energizing effect. Quality wise, they are comparable. The Siberian ginseng is a larger bush and not a true ginseng of the panax variety.

Ginseng has long been recognized by Asian culture as a general tonic that invigorates the body’s system. It is taken to restore and maintain vitality, enabling the body to operate at an optimal capacity. Those who believe that ginseng works for them abide by daily consumption to combat fatigue.

Ginseng root is also known as Man Root which looks like a human being in a running, sitting or leaping position. This wondrous plant is most widely used in traditional medicine. Ginseng is primary known as a strengthening substance for older people, because the body needs special support during the breakdown processes. Yet younger people also experience periods of exceptional pressure.

Ginseng helps children and teenagers concentrate better at school and in their studies. Adults receive the necessary balance that is needed to master the periods of stress in their private and professional lives. Ginseng is also beneficial in the treatment of serious illnesses and accelerates the healing process.

Up to now, there have been many studies and researches on the efficacy of Ginseng products, which all helped discover the real value of them as health food.

The Western world has rediscovered this plant recently as a remedy for certain ailments. Ginseng has already been recognized as a general immunologic stimulant.

It helps us cope better with harmful environmental influences. It is used in the treatment of diabetes and cardiovascular disorders. People who have undergone difficult surgery also consume Ginseng for fast recovery. Others have testified that the consumption of ginseng helps to ward off cancer.

63

8

Ginseng’s medicinal properties have been documented in Chinese medicinal books.

A True B False C Not stated

9

According to the writer, ginseng invigorates the body cells and thus makes the body stronger.

A True B False C Not stated

10

The Chinese-Korean Panax ginseng is superior to the North American ginseng.

A True B False C Not stated

11

The following are the benefits of ginseng EXCEPT A it restores vitality.

B it activates the body’s system.

C it protects the body from harm.

12

Most advocates of ginseng take it every __________ in some form to help cope with tiredness.

A day B week C month

64

13

Ginseng root is also known as Man Root because of its __________.

A size B shape C colour

14

Which of the following statements is true?

A Ginseng can cure all serious illnesses.

B Ginseng is meant for older people only.

C Ginseng promotes fast recovery after surgery.

Questions 15 – 21 are based on the following passage.

It is only 7 a.m. and during the semester break and yet Jagjit Singh has put on his school uniform and is waiting for his uncle to bring him to school on his motorcycle.

Jagjit Singh, a primary six student is excited that he can attend tuition just like his friends do. The best part is, his parents do not have to pay anything for it. Jagjit’s parents have been given a voucher book consisting of nine vouchers for each subject. Each voucher is worth RM 10 and it covers four tuition sessions. Each class lasts at least one hour. Jagjit Singh gets to attend a tuition class on a core subject (Malay, English, Mathematics and Science).

The Tuition Voucher Scheme (TVS) is fully sponsored by the government to benefit 500 000 poor pupils nationwide. The government has allocated RM 200 million, intended to help these pupils in primary schools whose parents earn RM 530 and below per month (peninsula Malaysia), RM 585 and below per month (Sarawak) and RM 685 and below (Sabah/Labuan) to perform better in the primary six assessment test (Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah). Some of the objectives of the scheme are for remedial, reinforcement and motivation purposes.

Teachers are expected to use a variety of methods apart from talk and chalk, group work and drills to make the classes interesting. The committee that runs the scheme at school level comprises the headmaster/headmistress, the teacher-incharge of academic affairs, the coordinator, school counselor, subject teachers, a 65

parent-teacher association member and an administrative staff to look into accounts.

The tuition teacher has to painstakingly fill in a record form based on a set format for each class that he/she conducts. On the form, headings like objectives of the lesson, title, activity, realization of objectives and pupils’ attendance need to be clearly stated.

However, one stark problem is parental commitment to the scheme. Pupils sometimes do not turn up for tuition because they have to take care of their sisters or brothers. Although they stay around the school area, parents find it difficult to provide transport for them.

(Adapted from Yes, the tuition helps! The New Sunday Times, 5 September 2004)

15

‘It is only 7 a.m. and during the semester break and yet Jagjit Singh has put on his school uniform and is waiting for his uncle to bring him to school on his motorcycle.’

In this opening line, the writer makes use of a __________ of holidays and wearing school uniform to bring out Jagjit’s enthusiasm for tuition class.

A mismatch B comparison C differentiation

16

The main idea of paragraph 3 is that the Tuition Voucher Scheme is fully sponsored by the government __________.

A for children in Malaysia B to benefit 500 000 poor pupils nationwide C for poverty-stricken children who are taking the UPSR

66

17

The following are in the committee that runs the scheme at school level except __________.

A headmaster/headmistress B school inspector C the teacher-in-charge of academic affairs

18

Teachers are expected to use a variety of methods apart from talk and chalk, group work and drills to __________.

A catch the students’ attention B find interest in the students C be world-class

19

The word painstakingly can best be replaced by __________.

A cautiously B effortlessly C meticulously

20

Which of the following is NOT listed as a heading on the TVS form?

A realization of the objectives B objectives of the lesson C pupil’s comments

21

Parental commitment to the scheme is __________.

A encouraging B less than encouraging C more than encouraging

67

Questions 22 – 29 are based on the following passage.

The Great Wall of China stands as a symbol of man’s resilience, innovation and expertise in protecting his country against barbaric invaders. No Trojan horse could smuggle in undesirable elements and if any revolution were to happen, it has to be within its own country, initiated by the people for the people. Such is the recent interest in the learning of English, once a foreign tongue viewed with suspicion, now a foreign language welcomed with open arms.

With one hundred million Chinese children learning English, changes are fast taking place, namely, autonomous learning, computer-assisted language learning and national syllabus reform. The move away from teacher-centred learning stems from the often quoted maxim that to teach a man to fish is better than to give him a fish. The Chinese traditional style of learning pays great emphasis on rote-learning.

According to Wu Qiufeng, a professor at Nanjing University, there is great interest now in autonomous learning of English namely task-based language teaching. Task-based language teaching has been recommended as an effective teaching method in ‘English Course Guidelines for secondary school students’ which is the document issued by the Chinese Ministry of Education in 2001.

Pronunciation and oral communication are serious problems facing Chinese students. Therefore, with autonomous learning, students can occupy themselves in discussions and problem-solving activities which promote peer criticism especially in the area of pronunciation and communication.

A big headache for teachers is that English is used solely for official purposes but seldom for daily conversation. The locals prefer to use either standard Mandarin or dialects. Students memorise vocabulary lists and once the exams are over, they forget what they have learnt.

There is an absence of an English speaking environment. Armed with doctoral degrees in other disciplines, some have settled to become English teachers because of the steady income.

(Adapted from Chinese Zeal in Learning English, The New Sunday Times, 13 July 2004) 68

22

The word resilience means __________ in the face of adversity.

A pain B patience C strength

23

‘No Trojan horse could smuggle in undesirable elements and if any revolution were to happen, it has to be within its own country, initiated by the people for the people.’ This implies that change has to be brought about by __________.

A internal and external factors B internal factors C external factors

24

Autonomous learning is in direct contrast with __________.

A computer-assisted learning B teacher-centred learning C rote-learning

25

which refers to __________.

A ‘English Course Guidelines for secondary school students’ B the document issued by the Chinese C task-based language teaching

26

With autonomous learning, students constantly __________ each other especially in the area of pronunciation and communication.

A correct B criticize C encourage

69

27

In China, English is used solely for official purposes but __________ for social interactions.

A rarely B never C mainly

28

We can infer from paragraph 5 that students tend to forget what they have learnt because __________.

A they memorise all the words B they do not like the language C they study just to pass the exam

29

The last line of the passage reveals that teaching English A is used as a passport to a secure life.

B is only carried out by Chinese nationals.

C is the link to the English speaking word.

Questions 30 to 37 are based on the following passage.

Professor Lee Pat Moi’s project on ‘Isolation and Stabilisation of Colourants from Orchid’ won her a gold award at the 33rd international exhibition of inventions, new techniques and products, held in Geneva 2005.

Working together with other researchers, Noor Hafizah Abdullah, Mohd.

Zulkhairi Abd. Rahim and Lee Kong Hung; Professor Lee from Universiti Teknologi MARA says, ‘Colour is one of the most important additives in food because of its intrinsic, aesthetic value. Orchid flowers have been shown to contain flavonoids.

Many flavonoids are found to have antioxidant activities.’

The antioxidative action is one of the important physiological functions to protect living organisms from oxidative damages. This therefore prevents various diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.

70

Using the common orchid cuts costs. Besides that, the encapsulated colourants have additional medical benefits such as prevention of osteoporosis and enhancement of formation of bone and teeth structure especially for children. This new product has wide applications, for example in food, healthcare, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, paint, electronic and textile industries.

Another lecturer from the same university, Associate Prof Chek Zaini Hassan, from the Faculty of Hotel Management came up with the creation of guava chips.

Chek Zaini who worked on this project with Norizad Abdul Rashid says, ‘This invention resulted from a classroom project. We have tested on curry leaves to make fragrant cooking oil, ciku flavoured chewing gum and nutmeg bread spread. The market demand now is for organic and health food with high nutrient content. So to capitalize on this demand, we made use of a fruit that is abundant in supply here.”

The lack of money and facilities is a real nightmare. Some however, remain optimistic. Chek Zaini says with zest, “Although we did not have a food technology department in our faculty, we were undeterred and went elsewhere. So we approached the Institute of Research, Development and Commercialisation (IRDC) to help us patent the product. We had to work 10 hours daily over four months just to get the right texture of guava chips. With this success, we are now looking into other by-products of fruits and flours.”

30

A suitable title for this passage is __________.

A The Modern Inventors B Interesting Malaysian Inventions C The Manufacture of Local Products D The 33rd International Convention of Inventions

31

The following are descriptions of the common orchid EXCEPT A it contains flavonoids.

B it is available locally.

C it is relatively cheap.

D it creates oxidative damage.

71

32

Which of the following statements is TRUE? Both the inventors __________.

A made use of local fruits B worked with office staff C were from the same university D did their experiments every day

33

According to Associate Prof Chek Zaini Hassan, working on guava was her __________ time working on a local fruit.

A first B second C third D fourth

34

Using a local fruit that is easily available is __________ market demand for organic and health food with high nutrient content.

A a result of B a reflection of C an example of D a discussion of

35

The researchers created guava chips without the facilities of a food technology department in their faculty. This showed that they were __________.

A innovative B geniuses C resilient D tolerant

72

36

The details in paragraph 5 appeal to our sense of __________.

A hearing B touch C sight D taste

37

Paragraph 6 highlights research as __________.

A time-consuming and challenging B lack of funding and facilities C lack of facilities and ideas D limiting and difficult

Questions 38 to 45 are based on the following passage.

Mysterious Crop Circles When areas of cereal or similar crops are systematically flattened to create geometric patterns, crop circles emerge. In the late 1970s, crop circles appeared in England. However, in 1991, two men Doug Bower and Dave Chorley

admitted

to

making the crop circles since 1978. They used planks, rope, hats and wire as tools to flatten the fields. After these two people admitted to the hoax, crop circle activity skyrocketed.

Different theories have evolved as to how such circles are formed. Some of these theories are scientific while others are pseudo-scientific. People have also believed that crop circles are made by Unidentified Foreign Objects, for example, flying saucers landing in fields and flattening crops. Brandon Meland, a scientist, explained in the journal Nature in 1850 that crop circles could have been caused by ‘some cyclonic wind action’.

The theory is that a wind vortex forms in a field and causes the plants to flatten in a circular pattern. This theory is popular even today. However, in 1980, two exact sized crop circles appeared next to each other. Crop circles later became too complex for the wind vortex theory to be a reality.

73

Today, crop circle designs because of their intricate nature, have become an art form. Since 1972, there have been hundreds of confirmed crop circles, each one more complex than the one before. Countries where crop circles have been sighted include Japan, Australia, Canada, United States, Russia, England and other European countries.

What is interesting about crop circles is that although patterns are formed there is no damage or break up of crops. Recently, crop circle investigators have found that in man-made crop circles the plants are damaged. Because of this, manmade crop circles are called fakes.

Many people have been upset by the appearance of these crop circles. How crop circles begin and why they are formed will continue to lead people to ponder and explore.

38

Which of the following statements is CORRECT about crop circles?

A Crops are systematically flattened to create geometric patterns.

B Crop circle patterns have become less intricate recently.

C People are no longer amazed by crop circles.

D All crop circles discovered are natural.

39

The word skyrocketed can best be replaced by A decreased greatly.

B increased greatly.

C remained constant.

D declined tremendously.

40

Which of the sentences below best paraphrases the following statement : ‘Crop circles later became too complex for the wind vortex theory to be a reality.’ (paragraph 3)?

A Crop circles created by the wind vortex theory are complex.

B The wind vortex theory explains why crop circles are complex.

74

C Crop circles created by the wind vortex theory are both real and complex.

D The wind vortex theory can no longer adequately explain complex crop circles.

41

From the sentence, ‘Since 1972, there have been hundreds of confirmed crop circles, each one more complex than the one before’, we can infer that __________.

A earlier crop circles are simple B 100 crop circles appeared after 1972 C crop circles after 1972 were man-made D after 1972, crop circles were regarded as art

42

Which of the following best describes the writer?

A detached B involved C biased D aloof

43

In your opinion, why have many people been upset by the appearance of crop circles?

A It is an unexplainable phenomenon.

B Farmers’ crops have been destroyed.

C The presence of tourists near crop circles.

D The difficulty to distinguish the real from the fake.

44

Crop circles are __________.

A created by men B imprints of spaceships C caused by wind vortex D caused by unproven factor 75

45

The passage can best be described as A argumentative B informative C scientific D fictitious

END OF QUESTION PAPER

76

Revision

Past Year Questions II Reading Comprehension Test (40%) Duration : 90 minutes



There are forty-five questions in this test. For each question, choose the most appropriate answer. Indicate your answer on the separate answer sheet given.



Attempt all questions.

Questions 1 to 3 are based on the following pie chart.

The following pie chart is based on a survey carried out on shoppers. The shoppers were asked to rate their favourite and most frequented shopping malls based on five features – parking facilities, shopping amenities, convenience, retail offering and shopping environment.



Merchandise (45 %) - good value for money -

one-stop shopping

-

wide variety

-

latest products and fashion 77





Shopping Environment (21%) -

pleasant

-

well laid out

Convenience (20%) - near home / workplace



Shopping Amenities (6%) -



1

restrooms, telephone booths, ATM, etc.

Easy Parking (8%)

Which of the following is the most suitable title for the pie chart?

A Shopping Malls – Key to Success B Shopping Malls – What Draws Shoppers C Shopping Malls – Capturing the Market Share D Shopping Malls – Need to Conduct Market Research

2

To attract the most numbers of shoppers, a shopping mall should ensure it has the following features.

A Within reach of residential areas.

B Multiple retail outlets within a small area.

C Unlimited multi-storey covered parking space.

D Varied, up-to-date and reasonably priced goods.

3

Based on the results of the survey, shoppers appear to be least bothered about A location B parking space C retail offerings D shopping facilities 78

Questions 4 to 10 are based on the following table.

School

Age of

Facilities

Students A

5-6 years old

B

5-6 years old

C

4-6 years old

No. of children enrolled in 2006

☻☻☻

School bus, Swimming pool, Computer laboratory.

School bus, Swimming pool, Computer laboratory.

School bus, Swimming pool, Computer laboratory, Music studio,

☻☻☻☻ ☻☻☻☻☻

Dance Hall D

6 years old

School bus, Computer laboratory.

☻☻

☻100 children Early Childhood Development (ECD) 

A child’s quality of life and the contributions that a child makes to society as an adult can be traced to his or her first years of life.



From birth until about 5 years old, a child undergoes tremendous development.



If this period of life includes support for growth in language, motor skills, adaptive abilities and social-emotional functioning, the child is more likely to succeed in school and to later contribute to society.



Conversely, without support during these early years, a child is more likely to drop out of school, depend on welfare benefits and commit crime – thereby imposing significant costs on society.



ECD programmes recognize this potential – and this risk – and seek to nurture healthy development from the earliest years.

79

4

The chart shows the number of children enrolled at four pre-schools in the year 2006.

5

6

A

True

B

False

C

Not stated

The chart shows the names of the schools.

A

True

B

False

C

Not stated

School C has the highest number of students probably because it offers more activities.

7

8

A

True

B

False

C

Not stated

All the schools in the chart are situated in the Klang Valley.

A

True

B

False

C

Not stated

A child’s early years will determine how he will contribute to society as an adult.

A

True

B

False

C

Not stated

80

9

10

A child undergoes great development once he enters a formal school.

A

True

B

False

C

Not stated

An example of nurturing a child in his early years is to expose him to a variety of physical, mental and social activities.

A

True

B

False

C

Not stated

Questions 11 to 17 are based on the following passage.

Food for the Brain Is there one food that can guarantee good grades? Studies show that youngsters, who eat a variety of food pay attention in school, are less fidgety and learn better. If they eat well on test days, they make fewer mistakes. According to a 2003 BBC news report, demand for fish, vegetables and other ‘brain foods’ rose sharply during the exam period.

A major supermarket in the United Kingdom found that sales of fish like cod, plaice and mackerel were up during the exam period in towns with institutions of higher learning. Fish contains dimethlymino-ethanol, which is thought to improve the memory. Other types of foods selling strongly included avocados, bananas and melons. Not surprising, the increase in the sale of fish is largest in the university towns like Cambridge, Oxford, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Durham.

The question is do we need special formulas or exclusive food to improve brain power? A balanced diet and sufficient sleep is crucial for memory power.

Students should be discouraged from last minute mugging. Some may resort to numerous cups of coffee, but again this does not work for everyone. Others take supplements which act as an umbrella for perceived nutrient deficiency. This should not be so, unless you know for sure that you are deficient in certain nutrients.

81

We live in a fast paced and increasingly complex world that requires mental sharpness and the ability to stay focused. Stress, anxiety, fatigue, high blood sugar, high blood pressure, the ageing process and less than ideal nutrition all play a part with the deterioration of mental functioning.

Consuming fresh and nutritious food is a better and safer option. Foods that are high in fat and sugar content should be avoided. Such foods give only empty calories. A well-balanced diet provides the building blocks for brain health and growth. Foods that are especially good for the brain are fruits and vegetables which provide antioxidants to help maintain balance, coordination and memory function.

Proteins maintain nerve cell structure and calcium is not just important for bone structure, but it is also needed for nerve impulse conduction and muscle contraction.

Besides that, soy products provide choline, a nutrient that builds neurotransmitters that pass electrical impulses between brain cells. Examples of good sources of choline are egg yolks, peanut and liver. As water makes up 85% of the brain weight, a lack of water leads to dehydration, making it hard to concentrate among other bad effects.

Basically, the ratio of macronutrients and micronutrients needs to be adequate. If there are insufficient nutrients, this may impair a person’s cognitive performance. It is most important not to skip meals. The idea of skipping a meal and making up for it later does not work.

(Adapted from The New Sunday Times, 25 September 2005)

11

12

Memory power relies on a balanced diet and sufficient sleep.

A

True

B

False

C

Not stated

Coffee contains caffeine that makes everyone who drinks it alert.

A

True

B

False 82

C

13

14

Not stated

In this fast-paced world the writer advocates the consumption of supplements.

A

True

B

False

C

Not stated

According to a 2003 BBC news report, demand for fish and vegetables rose sharply during the exam period. It can be inferred that fish and vegetables are supposed to ___________ mental skills.

15

A

stagnate

B

improve

C

control

According to the writer, young people who have fussy eating habits __________ than their counterparts who eat a variety of food.

16

A

pay attention in school, are less fidgety and learn better

B

are less attentive in school, more fidgety and perform poorer

C

pay attention in school, are more fidgety and learn better

‘Not surprising, the increase in the sale of fish is largest in the university towns like Cambridge, Oxford, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Durham’. This reinforces the idea that……

17

A

students eat fish regularly

B

fish is regarded as a brain food

C

fish consumption depends on student population

In paragraph 5, the writer concludes that A

consuming fresh fish enhances overall achievement.

B

foods that are high in fat and sugar content should be avoided.

C

a well-balanced diet promotes brain health and growth.

83

Questions 18 to 24 are based on the following passage.

The Reign of Bullies A residential college gives rise to the idea of excellence, discipline and security. Of late, there have been frequent incidents of bullying which occurred on college grounds. When these perpetrators were caught, they were usually given a warning by the principal.

Many parents felt that the punishment was too light. Besides that it came as a shock that these bullies came from educated and well-established homes, contrary to the popular belief that bullies originated from dysfunctional families. Another sore point was that it was an ‘in-house’ matter and so the police were not called. All these seemed to propagate the idea that if bullying had taken place, minor punishment would be meted out and for the sake of the good name of the college, everything was kept under wraps.

Why do bullies take the law into their own hands? Some feel that the act of aggression often begins because students tend to clique according to the state that they come from. They do not mix freely with students from other states.

Next, the catalyst is usually an attitude problem. In one incident, a student boasted of his family’s wealth. Someone got offended and it was a one-to-one confrontation. When the situation got worse, more ‘allies’ were called in. By then, interrogation would take place whereby the victim would be subjected to intense questioning and verbal abuse.

It is inevitable that the next course of action would be physical abuse. The time chosen would be the unearthly hour of 2 or 3 a.m. when all the wardens and guardians are asleep. The victim would receive a knock on his door. If he chooses to open it, he would be asked to go to someplace to meet someone. The plea of leniency would fall on deaf ears and horror will begin.

84

18

The statement ‘Of late, there have been frequent incidents of bullying which occurred on college grounds’ _________________ the opening sentence.

19

A

supports

B

opposes

C

contradicts

The main idea of paragraph 2 is that bullies in residential colleges ____________

20

21

22

23

A

are dealt with severely

B

get away easily

C

are expelled

One chief factor that leads to bullying is ______________ A

meting out punishment according to one’s own rules

B

recognizing that cliques are unhealthy

C

letting authorities punish offenders

An attitude problem can ___________________ a bullying problem.

A

end

B

develop

C

spark off

The word interrogation can best be replaced by intense A

arguing

B

coaxing

C

questioning

Which of the following statements is incorrect?

A

Bullies have always originated from dysfunctional homes.

B

A catalyst is needed to cause one person to bully another.

85

C

Students often group themselves according to the states they come from.

24

The last paragraph reveals that the bully usually __________ his actions.

A

reveals

B

creates

C

plans

Questions 25 to 32 are based on the following passage.

Lightning is a natural hazard that is more prevalent in the tropical region. In Malaysia, the average number of thunderstorm days per year is between 79 (Kudat) and 202 (Bayan Lepas) according to the Malaysian Meteorological Service. This is an extremely high figure when compared to temperate countries like Britain where there are only about 10-20 thunderstorm days yearly.

As a result of this, direct lightning strikes wrought much damage in its wake.

Protection against direct lightning strikes should be a major concern, not only for industries but for the man on the street as well. Lightning brings with it deleterious effects and can damage a wide range of objects and systems like miniature electronic integrated circuits, boats, aircraft, launch vehicles in flight, trees, overhead and underground electric power and communication systems.

Properly designed conventional systems for ground-based structures aim at providing lightning attachment points and paths for the lightning current to follow from these attachment points into the ground away from the protected structures.

This will therefore save the structures from harm and wreckage.

Recently, a Malaysian, Hartono Zainal Abidin saw his findings on the areas of vulnerability in relation to lightning strikes incorporated into the new Australian / New Zealand Lightning Protection Standard (LPS) in January 2004. Field data of damage caused by lightning flashes terminating on structures identify the parts that are vulnerable to strikes. The most vulnerable, associated with over 90 % of observed lightning damage, are nearly always located on the upper parts of the structure.

86

These include pointed apex roofs, spires and protrusions, gable roof ridge ends and other roof corners.

Hartono says, “This vulnerability is caused mainly by the electric field intensification associated with exposed points and corners on the upper surfaces of structures. It is therefore prudent that air terminals be installed to provide interception for the most vulnerable parts. As well as providing conductive paths for the lightning current from the air terminals to the earth terminals, the down conductors would assist in preventing side-flashes to nearby metal elements. This is best done by locating down conductors immediately below the air terminals used to protect the most vulnerable parts.”

25

The topic sentence in paragraph 1 states that ___________________ A

lightning measured by the Malaysian Meteorological Service and thunderstorms range from 79-202.

B

thunderstorms are highest in Bayan Lepas and lowest in Kudat.

C

lightning occurs naturally and tropical regions are more susceptible to it.

26

Which of the following statements is TRUE? A

Both industries and citizens should be concerned about protection against direct lightning.

27

B

Destruction caused by lightning can be predicted.

C

Direct lightning may not be fatal at times.

‘It’ in line 8 refers to ___________ A

damage

B

lightning

C

deleterious effects

87

28

29

30

The opposite of conventional (line 12) is ______________.

A

traditional

B

invented

C

modern

Hartono Zainal Abidin is most probably _______________ .

A

an engineer

B

a draughtsman

C

a rescue worker

‘Apex roofs, spires and protrusions, gable roof ridge ends and other roof corners.’ are examples of parts ______________.

31

32

A

that are prone to lightning strikes

B

struck by lightning occasionally

C

essential for lightning strikes

The following were part of Hartono’s research except _________________.

A

reasons for vulnerability to lightning strikes

B

the importance of installing air minerals

C

the production of electric fields

Apex roofs, spires and protrusions are ___________ of the upper parts of structure.

A

comparisons

B

contrasts

C

examples

88

Questions 33 to 40 are based on the following passage.

Have university standards declined because of massive growth? We have now scores of universities and colleges, both public and private. To put it simply, if one throws a stone, chances are he will hit an institute of higher learning. Now we have whole universities dedicated to multimedia, information technology or even infrastructure. In the past, doctoral graduates were few and far between but now many graduates of differing diplomas and degrees are being churned out.

Another issue of concern is the power of the thinking individual. Are universities, centres of not only learning but thinking as well? Successful people often attribute success to material gains. Students take on a pragmatic role when they sign up for courses that will ensure them lucrative jobs. The general malaise is that we are faced with students who no longer think for themselves. It is not that they cannot think but because they refuse to do so.

This could be due to our Asian culture where students are happily digesting information and regurgitating it for examination purposes. Certainly, with the advent of the power point, the dishing out of lecture notes becomes more prevalent and students become expert scribes. The lecturer who interacts with students and encourages them to think for themselves is seen as the ineffective lecturer. Students are so used to hearing what is common and acceptable that it is not surprising that they shy away from thought provoking seminars.

An overemphasis on the importance of logic spells the gradual death of creativity. A borderless world should reflect a place where the mind is not imprisoned. What then does the layman think of the intellectual? Is he the chemist in his ivory tower who occasionally spews out strange academic concoctions? Or Is he just hibernating in his intellectual cocoon and waiting for metamorphosis to take place?

Many intellectuals can write but they are not writing. How can these intellectuals write in such a way that what is written is easily understood by the public? There is a need to translate our storehouse of knowledge into common terms devoid of the jargon of specialization. ‘The difference between a musician 89

who plays in a pub and Elvis Presley is that the latter had left a mark in our lives.’ Higher institutions of learning need to be both inventive and scholastic in dealing with the challenges of today.

33

The writer opens the first paragraph with a question. This shows that he is concerned about ______________.

34

A

the number of public and private universities.

B

the massive growth of universities lately

C

the number of unemployed graduates

D

increasing university standards.

The number of doctoral candidates in the past is __________________ with the present number of diploma and degree holder.

35

A

exemplified

B

explained

C

contrasted

D

justified

The writer compares the state of students who no longer think for themselves to a ____________________.

36

A

situation

B

sickness

C

disaster

D

tragedy

The writer _________________ notes that the advance of the power point has improved the students’ writing skills.

A

clearly

B

solemnly

C

systematically

D

sarcastically 90

37

‘A borderless world should reflect a place where the mind is not imprisoned’ when rephrased means _____________.

38

A

an imprisoned mind is in direct conflict with a borderless world.

B

the mind is not imprisoned when the world is borderless.

C

an imprisoned mind reflects a borderless world

D

a borderless world fits an imprisoned mind

‘The difference between a musician who plays in a pub and Elvis Presley is that the latter had left a mark in our lives.’ The writer uses this statement to _____________.

39

A

compare the impact of contributions of different intellectuals.

B

highlight the importance of the music industry.

C

give credit to the works of different musicians.

D

explain the mark left behind by Elvis Presley

We can infer from the passage that the writer ____________ the quality of present day university standards.

40

A

is pleased with

B

is supportive of

C

has reservations about

D

questions the relevance of

The word ‘regurgitating’ (paragraph 3) means __________.

A

to repeat what the students have learnt without thinking about it.

B

to propose authentic idea based on what the students have learnt.

C

to argue some contrasting ideas based on what the students have learnt.

D

to accept the ideas discussed from the students.

END OF QUESTION PAPER 91

References

1. Menon, M., Noor Aini, D. & Gostelow, N. A. (2012). Pre-U Text MUET Made Easy.

Selangor: Pearson Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.

2. Choo, W. Y., Yeoh, W. T., Stanley, N. & Yee, S. F. (2011). Ace Ahead: Text MUET, 3rd Ed. Selangor: Oxford Fajar Sdn. Bhd.

3. Tze, A. Y., Francis, A., Chooi, C. P., Khuan, L. S., Ling, L.Y. & Siew, N. K. (2010).

MUET: Skills, Preparation & Practise. Kuala Lumpur: Marshall Cavendish (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.

4. Paul, C., Dinna, F. & Chuah-Lok, H. (2008). Pre-U: The Complete Text and Guide MUET. Selangor: Arah Pendidikan Sdn. Bhd.

5. Richard, R., Kaur, B., Ratnam, P. & Rajaretnam, R. (2004). Text MUET: A Strategic Approach. Selangor: Pearson Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.

6. Language Centre, UiTM (2003). Vision Focus on Reading and Writing. Malaysia: McGraw-Hill (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.

7. Language Centre, UiTM (2001). Mainstream English I: A Basic Course for MUET. Selangor: Pearson Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.

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