Descriptive Essay: My Favourite Tv Programme

The television (TV) is part and parcel of many households. Therefore, watching television is a culture of todays modern society. It is a favourite past-time of many people, cutting across the culture, creed, gender and age. I must admit that I too enjoy sitting glued to the TV as mum often laments. Since I watch TV whole day long, I dont blame mum. However, whenever I watch my favourite TV programme, the National Geographic. In fact, she often sits together to watch it. The National Geographic is a well-known documentary programme, focusing mainly on the ever-changing world, on Mother Earth and on nature and peoples and creatures that colour it with. Just the press of a switch and a button and Hey Presto!, the whole world is brought before me, for me to savour its beauty and wonders. Personally, I am often awed and amazed with them. I like this programme because it is very educational. It is a window to the world. By watching it, I can travel, explore and discover the four corners of the world. I have trekked up the highest peak and conquered Mt. Everest. I have dived down the deepest trenches. I have walked through the wilderness and be amongst the wild beasts, big and small. Thus, this programme has helped to expand my horizon and improve my knowledge and experience. I can proudly say I am no more a frog in the well. I also enjoy watching the National Geographic because it is entertaining, interesting and stimulating. I never imagined that such an educational programme can be very enjoyable. I get a chance to enjoy the kaleidoscope of sights, sounds and colours of the world and its different peoples, all in the comfort of my own home. In addition to that, this programme is of very high quality and it is produced by a team of experts, all are authorities in their own field of interest. The photographic footage is extremely breath-taking and inspiring. Besides, the narration is very accurate, informative, vivid and descriptive. Thus, I have never felt restless, distracted or bored watching this programme.

The National Geographic is my favourite programme as it has helped me to grow and mature. I have watched it since I was a seven-year-old innocent child. Now, I am more sensitive and aware of the world and Mother Earth. I learn to be more appreciative of Mother Earth and its beauty and wonders. I am more concern about the preservation and conservation of the world not only now but also for posterity. In short, the National Geographic has converted me into a more responsible citizen of the world and a caretaker of Mother Earth. It is a touching and heart-warming TV programme and I will not hesitate to recommend it to others so that they too have a chance to savour amazing moments and appreciate and care for the one and only world we live in.

P1

I watch my favourite TV programme

P2

A well-known documentary programme Focusing mainly on the ever-changing world, on Mother Earth and on nature and peoples and creatures The whole world is brought before me

P3

I like this programme because it is very educational Can travel, explore and discover the four corners of the world Helped to expand my horizon and improve my knowledge and experience

P4

Enjoy watching the National Geographic Because it is entertaining, interesting and stimulating All in the comfort of my own home

P5

This programme is of very high quality Produced by a team of experts, all are authorities in their own field of interest Extremely breath-taking and inspiring

P6

Helped me to grow and mature. I am more sensitive and aware of the world and Mother Earth National Geographic has converted me into a more responsible citizen of the world and a caretaker of Mother Earth

Chart 1 : My Favourite Tv Programme

Expository Essay : The Causes And Effects Of Acid Rain

What is acid rain? Normal rainwater has a pH level of 5.6 or less. Acid rain is rainwater that has a pH level that is lower than 5.6.

Acid rain is caused by two sources of air pollution: man-made and natural. Man-made pollution comes from industries, transportation and utilities burning fuel, from opening burning, and from smoking. Natural sources of pollution include forest fires, volcanic eruptions and even methane emissions from cattle. All these produce sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen. They react with moisture in the atmosphere to form nitric acid and sulphuric acid. Thus, when it rains, the rain will be acidic.

A major effect of acid rain is that it can damage buildings and physical structures like bridges and monuments. Many beautiful old statues and churches in Europe have been corroded by acid rain. Even railway tracks and water pipes have been damaged.

When acid rain falls on fields and forests, the plants and animals become unhealthy. When it falls in lakes, rivers and other bodies of water, it changes the pH level of the water and soil. This affects the flora and fauna of the water bodies. Some water plants and animals die, while others become unhealthy. For example, the eggs and young of many fish cannot tolerate acidity levels too far off from pH7, which is the neutral point.

What is the final effect of acid rain? Acid rain makes plants and animals unhealthy. When they are consumed by humans a domino effect has occurred. In areas with much acid rain, there have been increased occurrences of brain damage, kidney problems and other health risks associated with eating contaminated food.

It is very difficult to catch the culprits who cause the air pollution which results in acid rain. However, we all have a responsibility to do whatever we can to reduce it. Each of us can, for example, stop smoking or stop burning waste. We can walk, car pool or use public transport more often. We can conserve water and electricity, and we can support groups that care about the environment. Let us act before the rain that falls burns a hole in our clothes!

P1 ; What is acid rain

P2 Caused by two sources of air pollution

Man-made and natural. They react with moisture in the atmosphere to form nitric acid and sulphuric acid

P3 Major effect of acid rain

Damage buildings and physical structures like bridges and monuments Even railway tracks and water pipes have been damaged.

P4 When acid rain falls on fields and forests

,It changes the pH level of the water and soil. Some water plants and animals die, while others become unhealthy

P5 Makes plants and animals unhealthy

When they are consumed by humans a domino effect has occurred Cause health risks associated with eating contaminated food.

Chart 2 : The Causes And Effects Of Acid Rain

Expository Essay: How To Make A Simple Birthday Cake

Have you ever wanted to make a birthday cake for a loved one? Well, here is how to make a simple birthday cake. All you'll need is a little time, love, and a few items from the grocery store. You will need a boxed cake mix (the favourite of the birthday person), shortening, eggs, oil, flour, and birthday candles (the number will depend on the age of the birthday person.)When you get home, you will need to gather a few items: a large mixing bowl, a large cake pan, an electric mixer or a large mixing spoon, a spatula, and measuring cups and spoons. First, you will need to wash your hands and work area. Read through the directions on the cake box to be sure you have everything you need. Then, gather all of your equipment and food items in your work area, organize it according to the order you will use them in making your cake. Be sure to preheat your oven to the appropriate temperature before you begin. Next, put the dry cake mix into your large mixing bowl. Then, put the prescribed amount of water, oil, and eggs into the mix. Then, with the electric mixer or mixing spoon mix the batter until it is smooth and free of clumps. Next, grease the large cake pan with the shortening. If you wish, you can wrap your fingers with wax paper to keep them from getting greasy. Then, flour the pan lightly. If you do this over the garbage can it will be easier to clean your work area later. Next, pour the cake batter into the cake pan, using the rubber spatula to scrape all of the batter off of the sides of the bowl. Be sure the batter is level in the pan so it will rise evenly. Next, place the cake on the top rack of the oven and bake for the amount of time specified on the box, the time is usually around thirty minutes. While the cake is baking clean up you work area. After the cake is done remove it from the oven. If you push a toothpick to the bottom and it comes out clean it is done. Turn off the oven and let the cake cool, then you are ready to spread the icing on the cake. If you use a spatula, rather than a knife, the icing will spread easier and will be less likely to ruin the cake. When the

icing is on the cake, place the appropriate number of birthday candles on it, you are ready to present your simple birthday cake. There you have it, a birthday cake that someone will be glad to devour. This cake is easy to make, but still shows someone you care. Be sure to prepare it with love, and your loved one will appreciate it.

P1 ; HOW TO MAKE A SIMPLE BIRTHDAY CAKE

P2 ; PREPARE THE MATERIALS

boxed cake mix (the favourite of the birthday person), shortening, eggs, oil, flour, and birthday candles

When you get home, you will need to gather a few items

P3 ; WASH HAND AND WORK AREA

gather all of your equipment and food items in your work area organize it according to the order you will use them in making your cake

P4 ; MIXED ALL MATERIALS TOGETHER

Be sure the batter is level in the pan so it will rise evenly.

While the cake is baking clean up you work area.

P5 ; AFTER THE CAKE IS DONE

place the appropriate number of birthday candles on it

you are ready to spread the icing on the cake

Chart 3 : How To Make A Simple Birthday Cake

Argumentative essay: Public exams should be abolished. Do you agree?

Public examinations play an important role in a students life in Malaysia. In his eleven years of schooling, a student has to sit for three major public examinations, the UPSR, PMR and SPM. These examinations are taken seriously by all parties involved, especially students because the results are used for a wide range of purposes ranging from placement of students to awarding of scholarships. Despite these advantages, I strongly believe that public examinations should be abolished as they have several drawbacks. To begin with, public examinations to some extent merely test a students ability to memorise and regurgitate facts. Blooms taxonomy of learning ranks these skills as lower order thinking skills. Higher order thinking skills such as application and inference are often neglected. Students with excellent memory do well in such examinations while those with poor memorising skills do poorly. Thus, it is not surprising that many students with poor recall skills loathe subjects like History and Biology. Another case in point is the Moral Education paper, which requires students to memorise moral values. This is not a valid test as it tests only a students knowledge of values, not the practice of these values. An A in this paper does not guarantee that the student is a morally sound and virtuous individual. And what about the student who gets an E? Are we suggesting that he is not a morally upright individual? Another reason why I am not in favour of public examinations is that they are not the best way to identify a students strengths or weaknesses. This is because these examinations test only certain skills. Allow me to illustrate my point. The language papers, for example, test a students reading and writing skills only and even so, the range of sub-skills tested is limited. An A in these subjects does not reflect a students competency in all areas of the language. For all you know, he may be an incompetent speaker. Or for that matter, does a C mean a student is about average in all the language skills? Do these grades tell us where a students strengths and weaknesses lie?

Another major drawback is that teaching in schools today is largely influenced by public examinations. Teachers teach to prepare students for exams and not for life. As such, many of our students are ill-prepared to face the challenges of the real world. This also goes against the grain of our National Philosophy of Education where the emphasis is on character building and the development of human capital. All parties involved are to be blamed for this as they are more concerned with student achievement and not student development. At the end of the day, parents want straight As for their children, principals want excellent performances from their students and teachers, and the list goes on. Finally, in their quest for excellent academic results, school becomes a bore and a chore. Students are overwhelmed with homework, extra classes and tuition, and teachers are overworked, leaving both parties with little or no time for relaxation. Thus, it is not surprising that students choose to ignore co-curricular activities. They see these as a waste of precious time. Parents too, are affected by the emphasis on academic achievement. Some go to great lengths to secure private tuition for their children, hiring only the best. Thus, we can conclude that public exams take the fun out of learning. We cannot deny the fact that public examinations enable us to assess thousands of students using a similar instrument but the question one needs to ask is who eventually benefits from such a system? What happens to students who are not able to master test-taking skills? Is academic excellence the only indicator of success as suggested by the public examination system? In a world which is changing rapidly, we need to prepare our students for the many challenges they will have to face as they will form the backbone of our nation in the years to come. Taking into consideration the flaws of the public exam system, it is clear that we should seriously consider other means of assessing students and do away with public exams.

P1 I strongly believe that public examinations should be abolished as they have several drawbacks. P2 merely test a students ability to memorise and regurgitate facts.
Students with excellent memory do well in such examinations while those with poor memorising skills do poorly. Are we suggesting that he is not a morally upright individual?

P3 not the best way to identify a students strengths or weaknesses

these examinations test only certain skills Do these grades tell us where a students strengths and weaknesses lie?

P4 teaching in schools today is largely influenced by public examinations.

teach to prepare students for exams and not for life. goes against the grain of our National Philosophy of Education

P5 school becomes a bore and a chore

Students are overwhelmed with homework, extra classes and tuition, and teachers are overworked, leaving both parties with little or no time for relaxation. Parents too, are affected by the emphasis on academic achievement.

Chart 4 : Public exams should be abolished. Do you agree?

Narrative Essay : Learn How To Swim

Exposition

Learning something new can be a scary experience. One of the hardest things I've ever had to do was learn how to swim. I was always afraid of the water, but I decided that swimming was an important skill that I should learn. I also thought it would be good exercise and help me to become physically stronger. What I didn't realize was that learning to swim would also make me a more confident person.

Rising Action

New situations always make me a bit nervous, and my first swimming lesson was no exception. After I changed into my bathing suit in the locker room, I stood timidly by the side of the pool waiting for the teacher and other students to show up. After a couple of minutes the teacher came over. She smiled and introduced herself, and two more students joined us. Although they were both older than me, they didn't seem to be embarrassed about not knowing how to swim. I began to feel more at ease.

Climax

We got into the pool, and the teacher had us put on brightly colored water wings to help us stay afloat. One of the other students, May, had already taken the beginning class once before, so she took a kickboard and went splashing off by herself. The other student, Jerry, and I were told to hold on to the side of the pool and shown how to kick for the breaststroke. One by one, the teacher had us hold on to a kickboard while she pulled it through the water and we kicked. Pretty soon Jerry was off doing this by himself, traveling at a fast clip across the short end of the pool.

Falling Action

Things were not quite that easy for me, but the teacher was very patient. After a few more weeks, when I seemed to have caught on with my legs, she taught me the arm strokes. Now I had two things to concentrate on, my arms and my legs. I felt hopelessly uncoordinated. Sooner than I imagined, however, things began to feel "right" and I was able to swim! It was a wonderful free feeling - like flying, maybe - to be able to shoot across the water.

Resolution

Learning to swim was not easy for me, but in the end my persistence paid off. Not only did I learn how to swim and to conquer my fear of the water, but I also learned something about learning. Now when I am faced with a new situation I am not so nervous. I may feel uncomfortable to begin with, but I know that as I practice being in that situation and as my skills get better, I will feel more and more comfortable. It is a wonderful, free feeling when you achieve a goal you have set for yourself.