SPM PAPER 1 Format (Continuous Writing)

SPM English
Paper 1
Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Section B: Continuous Writing
[ 50 marks]
You are advised to spend about one hour on this section.
Question 2:
Write a composition of about 350 words on one of the following topics:
(a) Write an essay on the topic, ``An unexpected turn of events.
(b) Describe someone whom you look upon as a role model.
(c) Health is better than wealth. What is your opinion?
(d) A person who scores straight As is a very intelligent person. What do you think?
(e) Write a story that begins with, ``I turned over the question paper..
Sample Answers:
Question 2 (a)
Write an essay on the topic, ``An unexpected turn of events.
Sample Answer:
It started off just like any other afternoon after school. I had my lunch and was watching TV
before starting on my homework. I normally started on my homework at 3pm and took my tea break
at 4.30 in the evening. That day, as I was watching TV, I heard the sound of breaking glass. It
sounded as if it came from a neighbours house across the road. I listened attentively. Then, I heard
the sound of utensils falling down. Then, my immediate neighbours dog started barking. I sensed
that something was wrong. I opened the front door and looked out at Mr Wees house.
I thought I saw a movement in the bedroom through the window. I knew that no one would
be home and so I called out to the maid. ``kakak, kakak. But there was no sound. By then, the
other two neighbours had joined me. When we heard the maid screaming, my neighbour, Siva
jumped over the gate and banged on the front door. Before I knew it, two men with masks rushed
out of the house with a bag and were trying to jump over the wall. I made a tackle and brought the
man down. He dropped the bag on me and ran away.
My head ached awfully and we opened the bag. Inside was a laptop and a digital camera. The
maid phoned Mr Wee and he arrived shortly. I went with Siva and Mr Wee to the policestation to
make a report.
By the time the drama ended, it was already 6.30 and it was time for my Add Maths and Physics
tuition till 9.30 pm. When I got back from tuition, I had to relate the whole drama to my brother
and sister. It was only when I was getting ready for school the next day that I realised that I had not
done my Maths homework. Puan Jessie was a real tyrant. When she walked into the class I dared
not look at her. She stared at me and said,
``Muzafar, come here! Expecting the worst, I dragged my feet to the front of the class. Then she
said,
``Listen, class. Muzafar here is a hero. He took the initiative to stop a thief from ransacking his

neighbours house. The Residents Association is going to give him a certificate of bravery and
neighbourliness.
``But Puan Jessie, how
``Muzafar, Mr Wee is my brother. He told me you had saved his laptop which contains a lot of
confidential stuff. He said you were a very brave boy. Thank you. The whole class started
clapping. I was a hero. That was an unexpected turn of events.
Question 2 (b)
Describe someone whom you look upon as a role model.
Sample Answer:
I was at a Hi-tea that my parents had to attend. They didnt want to leave me home so I had
to tag along. I hated every moment of it until, a young man not much older than me walked into
the room. There was an aura of authority about him. Even the elderly VIPs stood up and waited to
greet him. Young, handome, obviously rich and very friendly. Suddenly, the Hi-tea did not seem too
bad. I was 15 and very interested in making money and becoming rich but I did not know how. I
normally wait unitil my father introduces me to the guests but this time something about him
beckoned me. I went up to him and introduced myself,
``Hi, Im Billy,
``Hello, he replied with a smile, ``Im Hisham. The name did not ring a bell and I think he knew
I did not know who he was.
``Im Hisham, Hisham Santiago. I felt the blood go to my feet. This was the Santiago the young
millionaire that my parents would often talk about. He was only 20 but was a self-made internet
millionaire.
``Oh, my goodness! Im sorry. I did not recognise you. You look so terribly
young.
``Im sorry to disappoint you, he replied and then we both burst out laughing. The funny thing is
for some reason, he told his personal assistant to block off half an hour for me!! In that half an
hour, from 3.30 to 4.00 pm, I became a changed person. Hisham didnt tell me the easy way to
become a millionaire. He told me that I had to have passion in what I wanted to do. He told me
that passion alone was not enough, he warned me that I had to be committed. He showed me that
consistency and patience were two other important factors for success.
He pointed out that I had no goals, no proper vision, no plan Hisham was the kind of person
I wanted to become. And he is helping me. At the moment, he reminded me that my focus was
getting through my exams with flying colours. With his help, I am learning to concentrate and do
what I have to do and learning to like studying too!!! He insisted that I must get a good and strong
foundation in my studies. He has been guiding me and counselling me. I know now that wealth is
not everything but it is important.
Hisham Santiago is someone I admire and respect. He is humble and not arrogant like other wealthy
people. He is kind and always treats people with great respect. He shares his wealth with the
unfortunate. He listens attentively to what his fans have to say.
Someday, I hope I become a person with such admirable qualities. Perhaps, someday, someone will
also write about me as his role model.
Question 2 (c)
Health is better than wealth. What is your opinion?
Sample Answer:
(This kind of question requires a personal response. But, for each point you make, you must
back it up with reasonable explanations.)
All the wealth in the world is useless if you dont have the health to enjoy it. For me health

IS wealth. Its as simple as that.

If one is in good health, he can find wealth but show me anyone who can buy good health.
Good health is a gift money cannot buy not even with all out latest technology.
I am one of those who believe in being happy. I know I will be happy just to be able to jump
out of bed every day and go for a run in the park or even trek up the mountain path. I would be
terribly unhappy if I had to have help even to get to the bathroom.
So what if I have the latest motorised wheel chair to get me to the bathroom? Nothing can
beat the joy of getting around on our own two feet! Isnt independence wealth? What price can you
put on that?
Another of my passions is food. I love to eat good food. I want to be able to eat what I want
and when I want. I dont want to have to swallow pills before I can tuck into a plate of fried rice! I
cannot explain the sheer satisfaction of a good meal. Of course, I need money to buy the food, so
wealth is important but again, there is no use if you can afford to buy wine and caviar but can only
stare at it
longingly.
A person with good health can earn enough to afford that kind of food and relish it as well! I
like to do social service. I feel good when I can actually serve a physically disabled person to
achieve a task. I have done it before and I know how happy they are when together we finish a
project. If I have given them money, they would not know the satisfaction of knowing their own
capabilities.
If I had just bought them an album, it would have been easier but because I am healthy, I
could run around, get the stuff needed, rush back and forth without being tired and being there for
them until the job was done. These are just a few reasons why I would choose to be healthy rather
than be wealthy. If I didnt have to make a choice, I will want both. Who doesnt want to be
healthy and wealthy!
Question 2 (d)
A person who scores straight As is a very intelligent person. What do you think?
Sample Answer:
I disagree wholeheartedly with the statement. I do not get straight As but I like to think of
myself as a very intelligent person. I would also like to state that more than half my class will agree
with me on this.
Firstly, I think we should try to understand the meaning of the word `intelligent. According
to the Cambridge dictionary, the meaning of the word `intelligent is the ability to understand and
learn well, and to form judgments and opinions based on reason.
How does scoring As reflect these outcomes? It does not in any way show anything that I feel
is close to intelligence. We all know that there are many types of intelligence. According to
psychologist Howard Gardner, there are nine types of intelligence. We all fall into different
categories. I may have two types of intelligence or even more. Some may have only but but we are
all intelligent in our our ways. Thats the point
I am trying to make. Policy makers should take these intelligences into consideration before making
it seem that only those who are academically smart are intelligent people.
I am upset because I am a Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligent person. This is because I have the
capacity to manipulate objects and use a variety of physical skills. This intelligence also involves a
sense of timing and the perfection of skills through mindbody union. Athletes, dancers, surgeons,
and craftspeople exhibit welldeveloped bodily kinesthetic intelligence.

My question is this, ``Did the athlete, dancer or craftspeople get As in school? No! They were
sidelined as `slow. Why was their intellgence ignored? How often have people who were
fascinated with mazes or jigsaw puzzles, or spent their free time drawing or daydreaming been
branded `stupid and `only
clever to build castles in the air? Now, thanks to Howard Gardner, we know that these people are
Spatial Intelligence (Picture Smart).
They have the remarkable ability to think in three dimensions. Core capacities include
mental imagery, spatial reasoning, image manipulation, graphic and artistic skills, and an active
imagination. Sailors, pilots, sculptors, painters, and architects all exhibit spatial intelligence.
I doubt these people scored As in school. There are seven other intelligences which I would
like to talk about but these examples should be sufficient to strengthen my case that only a person
who scores straight As is intelligent.
Question 2 (e)
Write a story that begins with, ``I turned over the question paper..
Sample Answer:
I turned over the question paper and quickly through the titles. I almost fainted with fear. It
just wasnt happening. All the titles seemed alien to me. My mind went totally blank. I had written
so many essays when I was revising but now, I could not even start on any of the topics!
Suddenly, I started shivering. I couldnt control myself. I put my head down on the desk and
tried to control my breathing. I was going to cry. I had written two essays the night before. I had
gone through all the questions that our teacher had given us. Why couldnt I remember anything?
``Are you all right? It was the invigilator. He was very concerned. ``Yes, yes. I am fine. The
invigilator didnt seem convinced. He stood near my table. That made me even more nervous. I
started shivering again.
He stared at me as if I had done something wrong. I looked around me. Everyone had their
heads down and were busily writing away. Suddenly, I felt a strange sense of calmness falling over
me. I picked up my pen and started writing. What I wrote I dont know but I managed to fill two
foolscap papers. I was numb with shock and fear. What was happening to me.
Pretty soon, the bell rang and we passed up our papers. As soon as we got out of the
examination hall, we began to discuss our answers. I shut myself off. What did it matter? I would
fail anyway. It was over.
When I returned home, my mother asked me how the paper was. ``Fine I mumbled and
went to my room. There, on the table were the essays I had written. I had taken the trouble to find
suitable vocabulary and thrown in suitable proverbs and famous quotations.
I took another deep breath. Never mind. I could not turn the clock back. I told myself firmly
not to worry. Whats done is done as the saying goes.

Credit to: Portal Pendidikan Utusan Malaysia