"WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THERE WERE NO TELEVISION. WHY WOULD THIS BE GOOD OR BAD"

In my opinion, the television is one of the most important and influential inventions ever invented. It does a lot of good. It brings into our homes news, documentaries and informational reports from all over the world. It brings us entertainment from comedies, musicals and dramas to concerts, music performances and cinema films. It brings us sports programmes and even live matches that may be taking place in another part of the world. In short, television creates a window upon the world for us to watch in the comfort of home.

Television brings us many benefits. Through documentaries, it teaches us about nature, other cultures and other countries. Through news reports, it keep us in touch with the world. Through agricultural programmes, farmers are exposed to the latest developments in farming.

Besides these, I believe that television teaches us many wonderfully good and new things. Through comedies, it helps us to laugh and unwind. Through the various films and dramas, it teaches us values and helps us understand ourselves better. The range of programmes in television is staggering. It teaches us history, geography, literature, sports, health education and many others. Television is an important source of information. It is truly wonderful.

There are critics who say television programmes contain to much violence and that they encourage violence in our children. They say even cartoons are very violent and therefore, television is bad influence on us. I feel this is not true at all. Almost every child in the world grows up watching cartoons. This includes all of us who are now no longer children. Is each and everyone of us violent?? Not at all. Is every child violent? Not at all. WE cannot and should not blame television for violence in our society. We should look for the cause within ourselves.

Having said that, it must be said that children's educational programmes on television are very beneficial. Many children pick up the English language by watching children's programmes such as 'Sesame Street' and 'Barney'. They repeat the words they hear and sing along with the characters.

Of course, watching television all day long is not a good idea. All things must be done in moderation. Parents should control the number of hours children spend on watching television. This should be done so that there is enough time to play, read, study and do chores.

All in all, television has certainly done more good. Can we ever imagine life without television.

"THE PERFECT HOLIDAYS"

During my holidays, my aunt persuaded me to work as a volunteer at an Old Folks' Home. This was a private home with quite a number of facilities such as single rooms, a private garden, a library an audio-visual room. It was staffed with nurses. Still, my aunt, the supervisor, wanted someone who would just chat or play board games with the residents. The home was quite a distance from my house so my aunt arranged for me to stay in. I had a tiny room and bathroom to myself.

My jobs were to help at meal times and keep the folks company. On the first day, I felt Quite apprehensive. There was about a dozen old men and woman living there. One or two were confined to wheelchairs. To my seventeen-year-old eyes, they all looked ancient.

After breakfast, I played chess with an old man with twinkling eyes. His name was Uncle Raman. I planned to make him win so that he would feel good. To my surprise, he won easily. Later, I found out that he used to be a champion in his younger days. In the days that followed I played regularly with him. He taught me many new moves.

In the same way, I discovered that Madam Bibi had worked a dancer sixty years old after the Second World War. She was still very graceful. Another resident, Auntie Sal had lost her entire family many years ago. Some kind distant relatives had sold her house and given the home the money so that she would always have a roof over her head and people to take care of her. Aunt Sal would often tell me stories of her life. They were always interesting. If Madam Bibi passed by during one of the sessions, she would sniff and say, "Huh" I could tell you stories that would make your hair stand on end!"

There were many stories that these people shared with me. Often, these men and women came from comfortable backgrounds. Unfortunately, their families could not take care of them and so they ended up here. Very few suffered from serious illnesses. They were all relatively healthy. The only thing they lacked was loved and company. I tried to provide them will as much of these as I could.

One night, my aunt organised a dance. She put on music from about fifty years ago. Madam Bibi's eyes lit up. She floated to the dance to the dance floor and moved ever so gently. For the first time in my life, I realised what a beautiful woman she must have been in her youth.

When my holidays ended, I felt incredibly sad. My new friends had given me so much. They had taught me chess and dancing. They had shared stories about themselves. About all, they had shown me how incredibly lonely old age can be. Yet, none of them ever complained or felt self-pity.

They were good people. They helped me to grow up.

WHY DO STUDENT SKIP CLASS?

In many school today, skip class has become a major problem. Skip class problems range from minor problems to major problems. Minor problems include coming late to class or school, not wearing the school badge or tie and not doing homework and so on. Major problems include smoking, stealing or fighting in school.

In my opinion, these problems are caused by the school authorities, students themselves and by parents. Let me explain,

School are simply too big. Some schools have an environment of more than one thousand students. This means that most students are just 'names' on the register or 'faceless' people to school authorities. The head is usually occupied with administration and will hardly known any of the students personally. He is either away for meetings or stuck in his office. The teacher s have to grapple with large classes or floating classes and naturally will not have time to deal with students on a personal basis. Such a situation make it ideal for student skip class.

Therefore, I feel that school should be small. Classes should be small so as to foster personal interaction between teachers and student.

Let me relate a story here about discipline in the old days. When my father was a student, the headmaster was the first person to arrive in school and the last to leave. He would stand at the school gates, every single morning. Naturally, no one was ever late, including teachers! No one ever forgot their tie or badge or dressed sloppily. The headmaster led by example. All staff meetings were short so that teachers did not miss their classes. The headmaster taught Physics and English so that he got to know the student. The students respected him immensely. He was a role model for both teachers and students.

When both teachers and headmaster become role models, the morale of the school improves. In the school, the entire staff would be there to cheer for the school team during sports events or matches. You can just imagine how the students performed with the whole school cheering them.

In such situations, students learn to be proud of their school. They care about the school. They would never want create discipline problems in skip the class.

Where students are concerned, many cause skip the class because they want to show off or act 'macho'. Some feel bored. Others genuinely have a problem. However, if the teachers and school authorities are strong and consistent, most students think twice about creating problems. If teachers caring but strict, student, even the weakest ones or the naughtiest ones,respond. They learn to respect authority. So, if there are skip class, we should take a long and hard to look at the school authorities and the school set-up.

Another cause for student indiscipline is the home. Parents are the culprits. There are too busy to teach their children values and courtesy. They pamper their children and feel furious when the school discipline them.

Therefore, in conclusion, if we want to reduce the rate of student skip class, we should look at how to improve the school system. We should inculcate values in heads, teachers and students to create a sense of responsibility for the school. Finally, we should work with parents so that they know their responsibilities where their children concerned.

IF I WERE A MILLIONARE

If i were a millionare, there are a lots of things I would do. Firstly, i would give the charity. It does not mean that I am a generous or saintly person. It simply means that when we get good luck, we must thank God by giving some money to charity. I would share the money among orphanages, home for disadvantaged children, old folks homes and hospitals.

Next, I would buy a house for my parents and give them some money. They are not rich people. A house of their own would give them security. It would make them happy. It also show how much I love and respect them. I honour my parents because they work very hard to look after us.

After that, I would deposit in the bank for my future. I plan to run my own business one day. I am not very good in my studies. However, I love to work with my hands and I love be accountant. I plan to open firm company.

Once I settle my future, I would go overseas. This is always been my ambition. I love travelling. I have always wanted to visit other countries and experience different cultures. I would travel to England, Spain, France and Greece. I would travel to United State of America. I would hike in Thailand and then over to Cambodia to see Angkor Wat. When I have visited as many country I want.

All these plan would take a few years. By then, my money almost finished. I would be millionare experience, understanding and maturity. I would come back and open my own firm. I would work hard. Slowly but surely, my business would grow. I would able to open more firm, give jobs to more people and give more money to my family as well as to charity. Ah, if only I were a millionare now!

"FIVE THINGS THAT WOULD REALLY MAKE YOU HAPPY AND WHY

Every one of us wants a happy life, but no two of us want exactly the same things. When I begin to think my idea of the things make me happy, I think first of all or money-plenty of money for everything all the time. Money to buy a beautiful house for my parents with every convenience and luxury, money to buy a fine motor car, all the clothes we could ever want and as many possessions like transistors, bicycles and modern appliances, as the heart could desire. Money too, for foreign travel and for a first class education. Then, I think, I could be happy. But, is this really the answer? It is true that the possession of money contributes to comfort and easy living, but money in itself cannot create happiness.

Therefore, of a happy life do not lie in money. Indeed, very many of them are things that money can never purchase. Good health is one of them and the one that we value least, until we are in danger of losing it. It is true that brave people who suffer from ill-health do surmount it and often find great happiness, but this needs great courage and all of them would admit that they would be happier with a healthy body and leading a normal life.

Like most of my fellowmen, I am a gregarious animals and therefore, love and human companionship are important factors in my idea of a happy life. Since a child, I have needed the love of my parents. In a wider circle, the interests of my uncles and aunts and companionship of my all school friends have all contributed to my happiness. Now, I realize that I must find a loving boy to marry, who will share all my joys and sorrows, and who will provide me with a congenial home life as a refuge from the the storms and stresses of the world outside. My childhood friends are being substituted for adult companions in college and in clubs, but I am still surrounded by a wealth of friendship and love, which to me are essential for happiness.

I like sport of all kinds, particularly basket-ball and swimming, and make me happy would include time and opportunity for these pursuits. It would also include time to reading and for all my leisure activities and hobbies. Public services has always interested me and also I would want to take some part in public life. What I actually do will, of course, depend on where I am living.

My faith too, is important to me and therefore, it is essential for happiness that I should be able to live in a country, where the people walk in freedom to practice their own faiths. Singapore today, is a living example to the world, of this. People here, of many diverse cultures live side by side in peace, each contributing to the culture of the rest. All are tolerated. This is not so in every country of the world, and when freedom of speech and of action is taken away, as it regrettably can be, then all hope of happiness goes with it.

It is said, and rightly so, that happiness is the most elusive and evasive thing of all. Indeed cynics have remarked that a man can only be truly happy when he is dead. The world would indeed be a miserable place if this were so, but fortunately, the majority of us find more happiness than unhappiness in our lives. The secret of happiness perhaps lies in wanting the right things first, in working hard, in giving more than in receiving, so that eventually we are able to achieve it.

"HOMEWORKS"

Practice 1

Underline the correct linking words.

1. Remember to look to your left and right (before, until) you cross the street.

2. (Next, First), rub a little ointment on the wound as the third step.

3. The thief was at large for a while. (After, Finally), the police managed to track him down.

4. My house is located just off the main road. (Similarly, However) Hassan’s house is near the main road too.

5. Henry bought a car (in spite of, on the contrary) the fact that cars are very expensive nowadays.

Practice 2

Fill in the blanks with the words in the box. You may use each word more than once.

There later before next then first finally after

Upon arrival at downtown Los Angeles, first, we checked in at our hotel. Then, we were given some time to rest after our long flight. We were told to meet at the lobby before in the evening.

We began out tour of city that evening but before we started off, the tour leader made a head count. In the city, we went to all the popular tourist spots. Next was also a Chinatown in Los Angeles.

The first morning, we were taken to Disneyland. We spent the whole day there. I found it fascinating. There was so much to see. I decided to go for the rides.

First, I went on the roller-coaster. Next, I went on a boat ride. Then, I took a ride in a horse-drawn carriage. Finally, when the day ended, I went back to the hotel, richer in terms of experience but poorer in terms of money!

Practice 3

Punctuate the sentences with commas, full stops, question marks and capital letters.

1. my mother went to the shop to get flour sugar eggs and butter to bake a cake

2. why are you making so much noise asked puan aishah

3. excuse me could you give me directions to the nearest shopping mall asked the stranger

4. the stadium is packed with spectators hawkers players students and the police

5. the storm last night uprooted trees brought down electric poles and flooded many areas

ANSWER

1. My mother went to the shop to get flour, sugar, eggs, and butter to bake a cake.

2. Why are you making so much noise? Asked Puan Aishah.

3. Excuse me, could you give me directions to the nearest Shopping Mall? Asked the stranger.

4. The stadium is packed with spectators, hawkers, players, students, and the police.

5. The storm last night, uprooted trees brought down electric poles and flooded many areas.

Practice 4

Rewrite the sentences, inserting the correct punctuation marks.

1. mother told us not to forget our books pencils bags and raincoats

2. its going to rain heavily don’t forget to take your umbrella said grandmother

3. looking at the list I realised my mother wanted some flour sugar salt two tins of tuna and some cheese

4. the teacher had ordered the students to sweep the floor clean the windows throw the garbage and shut the door before they went home

5. don’t cheat me the old lady shouted to the hawker i will report you to the police

ANSWER

1. Mother told us not to forget our books, pencils, bags, and raincoats.

2. It’s going to rain heavily don’t forget to take your umbrella? Said grandmother.

3. Looking at the list, I realized my mother wanted some flour, sugar, salt, two tins of tuna, and some cheese.

4. The teacher had ordered the students to swap the flour, clean the windows, throw the garbage, and shut the door before they went home.

5. Don’t cheat me! The old lady shouted the hawker. I will report you to the police.

Practice 5

Punctuate the following passage.

zulkifli was very excited it was his wedding day the guests had arrived they were all dressed in their best clothes his mother father and siblings were busy greeting them he could smell the aroma of food being cooked the house had an air of gaiety he smiled as he adjusted his songkok before he left the house.

ANSWERS

Zulkifli was very excited it was his wedding day. The guests had arrived; they were all dressed in their best clothes. His mother father and siblings were busy greeting them. He could smell the aroma of food being cooked. The house had an air of gaiety. He smiled as he adjusted his songkok before he left the house.

"My Dream Home"

Have a nice time to all reader blog. Today I wish to share with u all about my dream home. Everyone having dream home including I. There is various those characteristics in wish every their home. My dream home is a place of beauty, serenity and inspiration. It is a bungalow with a huge lawn, planted with fruit trees and flowering plants. There is plenty of space for a table and chairs so that when the weather is fine, my family can sit outside to have a meal or read newspapers. There is also a lovely waterfall in the garden to soothe our minds with the sound of water falling. Birds perch on the trees to sing or nest and give us free concerts.

My dream home is large and spacious. There are plenty of windows to make the place bright and airy. I do hate houses that are small, cramped and all shut up. It is for this reason that I dislike living in flats or condominiums. Every room in my dream house and every piece of furniture in it is designed to create beauty, warmth and peace. My kitchen is small and neat. I am not a fussy cook so I do not need a large kitchen. In Malaysia, one does not really need to cook all the time since there are plenty of restaurants. However, if I ever cook or bake, I would like to do it on the latest Italian hob and oven. My dream kitchen has a huge refrigerator and fitted with cabinets made of oak. It also has a radio-DVD player so that I can listen to music as I do my cooking.

All the bedrooms in my dream house are spacious. They have attached bathrooms and are fully air-conditioned. Each has a mini refrigerator stocked with drinks and tidbits so that there is always something to munch on even in the bedroom. One of the most important rooms in my dream house is the library. Wonderful books on every subject in the world fill up the shelves that line the walls. I also have the latest table-top computer here on which I work or surf the internet.

Another important room is the music rooms where I have the latest hi-fi system to play songs and music from all over the world. I love music. My grand piano is also placed there where I often play pieces that i have composed myself.

My dream home is a place of joy, peace and beauty. Right now it exists only in my dreams. Someday, I hope it will become reality.