EFFECTIVE WRITING STRATEGIES 2019

EFFECTIVE WRITING STRATEGIES

MODULE
( SPM ) 2019

ENGLISH 1119

PREPARED AND EDITED BY;

WISUKHIHOTU DIN DAENG

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VOCABULARY
Don’t say “ SAID” but say ….
Don’t say said……….. Don’t say said……………
Try…… Try…….

whispered or stuttered, whooped or screeched,

Or stammered or yelled, Or snorted or wailed,
Uttered or laughed, Chanted or hummed,
Giggled, exclaimed, whooped or Bellowed, drawled, ranted or
howled! gossiped,

But don’t use SAID! But don’t use SAID!

Never say said…………. Never say said…………..
Use……… Use……….

screamed, shrieked questioned or answered,

Cheered or sobbed. Or chattered or cried,
Try whimpered, whined, Nattered or raved
Moaned or groaned! Grunted, growled, snivelled or
snarled,

Don’t say “ went” but say

Who might move in this way? Who might move in this way?
          march           stamp           crawl            hop              leap              stumble
          slither          dawdle         skip           stagger        waddle         stride
 

Who might move in this way? Who might move in this way?
          clamber        shuffle         hop           prance          dodge           wander
          dance           strut            scurry            amble           scamper       toddle

Replace “went” with a better word

The old man went down the road. The horse went round the field.
The soldiers went up the hill. The angry teacher went into the hall.
The baby went towards her mum. The tired children went home.
The frog went into the pond. The excited girl went to a party.

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The huge giant went around the village.  The proud lady went into the shop.
 The slug went down the path.  The fairy went around the fairy ring

A Glossary of Good Beginnings

1 Interesting description.
Ashes filled the air when I was around the campfire. Crackle, crackle it went.

2 Sound.
Boom! The trunk slammed. Bang! The car doors slammed as we got out of the van.

3 The past in the present.

It is April 10, 1912. The Titanic is going to travel all the way from England to America.

4 Exclamation.
Yeah! We’re going to Disneyland tomorrow! Yeah!” I yelled about as loud as I could.

5 A thought.
I’m in big trouble now, I thought to myself.

6 A complaint.
It seems like we never go swimming at Fife pool!

7 A surprise.
Wow! I was doing my back hand-spring and I landed it!

8 A question.
Have you ever been an Editor-in-Chief? Well I’ll tell you, it’s a big job!

9 Sound, repetition, and simile.

Screech, screech, screech! The first time we tried to play the recorders it sounded like a
lion running his claws down a chalkboard.

10 Exclamation, repetition, strong feelings.

Chores! Chores! Chores! Chores are boring! Scrubbing toilets, cleaning sinks, and
washing bathtubs take up a lot of my time and are not fun at all.

11 Extremely strong feelings.

The very first time I saw asparagus I hated it. I had never even tried it before and I still
detested it!

12 A series of questions.
Touch of the flu? Egg in her hair? Poor Ramona!

13 Scary, exciting, or intense moment.

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…I tried to run, but I couldn’t. The monster seemed like it was growing by the minute! And
then, the most horrible thing was about to happen – I screamed and sat bolt upright in bed.
I gasped swallowing huge amounts of air.

14 Main idea.
I will always love my grandparents’ beach house. The way the waves role over the gooey
sand and the way the sand weaves in between your toes. The way we pick up barnacle-
covered rocks and watch the sand crabs scurry away.

15 Something interesting to come.

It all started on an average day. I didn’t think anything unusual was going to happen, but
boy was I wrong!

16 Conversation.
“We’re moving.” That’s what she told me. I couldn’t believe it! I had just made the
basketball team and was making more friends. “What!” I exclaimed.

17 Reveal something unusual.

“Company halt!” yelled the drill master. My mom stopped and went into position. Her dog
tags clinked as she moved.

18 An unsettling description.
A flash of lightning illuminates the harsh emptiness of the night. In an orphanage children
cry mournfully. They are starving.

19 Unusual image of a character.

Simon Wong was snacking down on a plum with great gusto.

20 Anecdote.
On a dark December night in 1996, as he led a barefoot brigade of ragged travelers
across the Mekong River, Benny said, “……..

21 Describe the setting.

The deafening crowd was packed into the Kingdome Club. Hundreds of people were
outfitted in brand new buzz-cuts and were enjoying the Mariner game.

22 Address the audience.

You walk into the dentist’s office. You sit down. You try to read a magazine. But it’s no
use. You’re scared and there’s nothing you can do about it.

23 “Show” feelings.
I sat in my desk, sweat dripping down my face. I shut my eyes tight, then opened them. I
looked at my watch, 11:27. Three minutes! Three minutes until I heard a sound, a sound
that would set me free for three months of total nothingness.

24 Comic story.

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“Oh my God!”, I exclaimed, “What’s John doing out there? Why is he on his hands and
knees, Mom?” I looked out the big kitchen window wondering if my eight-year old brother
was all right. He was looking distressed. Then he threw up.

25 Focus on something important.

In my old, battered, black wallet I carry many things. A letter from a friend. My lunch ticket.
My identity card. Many other tidbits and items as well. There is one thing however, which I
prize above all my possessions. It is a photograph.

26 A list.
The sweat on your brow. A layer of dust on your face. Out in the woods. Somewhere. And
on a horse. Of all the places in the world, I feel best on a horse.

27 A scenario.
Right now I want you to pretend you are in a store. As you walk around, you see that
some products are much more inexpensive. Now, look at the labels on these cheaper
items. You will probably notice that many of these labels say, “Made in China,” or “Made in
Bangladesh.” Have you ever stopped to wonder why products made in these countries are
so much more affordable than the things manufactured right here on Malaysian soil?

28 Simple action to complex realization.

I walk up the hill with my friends, then turn into our cul-de-sac, go to the front door, put the
key in the lock, turn, and step in. The house breathes a kind of spooky hello as I set my
books down and go to the kitchen where the inevitable note is waiting: “Have a snack. Be
home soon. I love you.”

29 29. Fast action.

I raced inside, slamming the front door behind me. I plopped my backpack on the floor
and dashed for the kitchen. Our cat, asleep in the hallway, quickly awoke and scurried out
of harm’s way. I knew I only had a few precious seconds before my brother, coming in
through the back door, beat me to the kitchen and nabbed the last of mom’s brownies.

A GLOSSARY OF GOOD ENDINGS

1 Advice.
If you cannot swallow and your throat is puffy, then you have strep. You should get lots
of rest. And get a shot because the shot will make you better faster than the medicine.

2 Big feeling.
Finally the parade was done. We put the blanket in the trunk. Boom! It slammed again
and we drove away as I thought how much fun I had.

3 Lesson.
(A) I learned that I shouldn’t lie because it gets me into worse trouble. In the future I’m

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not going to lie. If I have a problem, I’m going to tell someone about it, and ask for help.

4 Recommendation.
Even after all the bad things that happened, it was still a fun trip.
If you go there, I can’t guarantee you won’t have all the problems we did.
But I can recommend this vacation to any family who wants a real challenge.

5 .Main idea.
(A) Chores aren’t the worst but they’re definitely not the best!
(B) An actor acts. A hero helps. The actor becomes famous and the hero does not.
And that’s just it: Heroes don’t care about the credit, they just care.

6 Effect.
(A) While all this happened, another close neighbour had witnessed the incident and
called 911. It was decided afterward that the dog had contracted rabies and he was
soon put to sleep. I was given a series of shots and a few stitches only, and after a
couple of years, my leg healed, but the scars remain on both the inside and out.

7 Sequel.
And so ends another after school adventure, or misadventure, I should say. Stay tuned
for the further misadventures of a kid with not enough homework to keep him out of
trouble and way too many wild ideas.

8 Reflective evaluation.
My whole world seems to be more on track now that she’s gone. My self-confidence,
my general attitude has improved immensely. I do miss her sometimes. How could I
not after three years of friendship?
All I can think is that I was a good friend to her. Our relationship didn’t survive, but we’ll
always have the laughs… and the tears.

9 Wish, hope, dream.

I hope someday that I can be a good parent just like my mom. But until then, I’ll just
work on being a good kid.

10 Wrap-around. Boom! The trunk slammed. Bang! The car door slammed as we got out
of the van. … We put the blanket in the trunk. Boom! It slammed again and we drove
away as I thought how much fun I had.

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WRITING TECHNIQUES
(A ) IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS :
NO IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS MEANINGS

1. A bookworm One who likes to read

2. A close shave A narrow escape

3. A white elephant Useless possession

4. Around the corner Coming soon

5. At the eleventh hour At the last minute

6. A white lie A harmless lie that is more polite than true

7. Bad blood Feeling of strong dislike

8. Bark up the wrong tree Get wrong ideas

9 Bear in mind Remember

10 Beat around the bush Talk indirectly about something

11 Black sheep Person who is an embarrassment

12 Blow one’s trumpet To boast

13 Burn the midnight oil Study until late at night

14 By hook or by crook By all means

15 Caught red handed Caught in the act

16 Count me in Include me

17 Don’t lose heart Don’t be discouraged

18 Down to earth Humble/Honest

19 Drive me up the wall Make me very angry

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20 Drop a line write

21 Easier said than done Easier to talk about an idea than carry it out

22 Eye catching Attractive

23 Flying colours Good grades

24 Getting on my nerves Making me annoyed/irritated

25 Have green fingers Good at gardening

26 I am all ears I am listening

27 In a twinkling of an eye Very quickly

28 In high spirits Happy

29 In hot water In trouble

30 Keep an eye Look after

31 Keep your word Keep your promise

32 Lend a hand Help

33 Let the cat out of the bag Let a secret out

34 Not kidding Not joking

35 Not my cup of tea Not to my liking

36 Once in a blue moon Seldom

37 Out of the blue Unexpectedly

38 Practice makes perfect You will be good if you do it often

39 Put your mind to it Concentrate

40 Raining cats and dogs Raining heavily

41 The early bird catches the worm Those who are early will benefit

42 Throw in the towel Give up

43 To be in the same boat To be in the same circumstances

44 To believe your ears To believe what you hear

45 To face the music To take the punishment or scolding

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46 To keep one’s fingers crossed To hope for the best

47 To live from hand to mouth To live in hardship

48 To paint the town red To enjoy oneself

49 To sit on the fence To take no sides in a debate/ a quarrel

50 Took to heart Be upset by

51 Turn over a new leaf To change for the better

52 Under the weather Slightly ill

53 Where there’s a will, there’s a way When you are determined, you will succeed

54 Work wonders Achieve very good results

( B ) PHRASAL VERBS :
NO PHRASAL VERBS MEANINGS

1 Ages ago Long ago

2 Break/Broke down Stop/Stopped because of a fault

3 Break/Broke into Enter/Entered by force

4 Bring in Earn a profit

5 Call on Visit

6 Carry on Continue

7 Come across Find by chance

8 Crash into Hit

9 Cut down Reduce

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10 Deal with Handle

11 Drop in Make a visit

12 Get along with Be friendly with

13 Get over Recover

14 Get ready Hurry

15 Get through Pass

16 Give up Stop trying

17 Hold/Held up Delay/Delayed

18 Look after Take care of

19 Look forward Expect with pleasure

20 Look into Investigate

21 Look out Be careful

22 Look out Look for/ Search

23 Look up to Respect

24 Make up Compensate

25 Map out Plan

26 On and off Sometimes

27 Passed away Died

28 Put in To spend time or energy/contribute

29 Put off Postponed

30 Rely on Depend on

31 Round up Gather

32 Run into Meet

33 Running out Lacking

34 Set Off Start the journey

35 Tag along Accompany

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36 Takes after Looks like/Behaves like

37 Throw up Vomit

38 Turn up Attend/Arrive

39 Watch out Be careful

40 Work out exercise

EXAMPLES :
EXAMPLES

FIGURATIVE
PHRASAL VERB MEANING EXPRESSION MEANING

Back out withdraw time and again many times

Drop by visit the in thing in fashion

Go for attack newly picked fresh

Hold on wait make sense have a meaning

Move up promote take French leave absent without permission

bring up raise steal the show attract all attention

given in surrender   a wet blanket discouraging person

let down disappoint   a close shave a narrow escape

pick out choose completely at sea puzzled

speak for represent   with a high hand arrogance

take after   resemble / look alike keep a ball rolling keep things going

comes along   is available   a bird's eye view a very good view

take a long time to

sleep on it   think bosom friend good friend

shut down   close to turn tail run away

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back away   move backwards apple pie order perfect order

freak out panic blow own trumpet boast

turn to ask for help put an end Stop

broke out started keep an eye look after

brush out discuss in a daze confuse state

pass on die once in a blue moon rarely

check in register rain cats and dogs very heavy rain

take away remove the blink of an eye Quickly

expert/have done it many

go ahead go first an old hand times

chew on forget it given the sack dismiss from job

put away keep caught red handed caught in the act of

talk back scold hold your horses be patient

step up improve forth night 2 weeks / 2 fortnight

never judge a book by its don't judge by the way it

cough up give cover looks.

call off cancel give you a yell shout at you

work out exercise forty winks a nap

let down disappointed had my hands full busy

cough up block sick to death fed up

put on showed round the corner nearby

put off postpone burn a hole in the pocket cost a lot

tied up busy two cents worth opinion

CONTINUOUS WRITING

1. Describe an unforgettable incident in your life.

Our lives are filled with memories, sweet and bitter ones. Most people tend to avoid
remembering bitter memories but hold on to sweet ones. However, there is one bitter
memory that will remain with me forever. It is an unforgettable incident that will stay

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fresh in my mind forever.

Rover was my pet dog. I still remember vividly when we bought this terrier. It was a
Saturday and it was my fifteenth birthday. I had pestered my father to buy me a dog. So,
on my birthday, he took me to the pet shop in a mall to buy the dog. I looked around the
pet shop. There were a variety of different breeds and sizes. My eyes looked around the
cages of different sizes housing the different dogs. Suddenly, I noticed a cage towards
the end of the room where a puppy was busy chasing its tail. It looked puzzled as it was
unable to bite its tail. I thought that was funny and I walked quickly towards the terrier. It
looked up at me and wagged its tail excitedly. I looked into its adorable and large eyes.
They were full of life and zest. I fell in love with that bundle of joy instantly. It yelped at
me and I swiftly extended my right palm to it. The terrier licked it with great enthusiasm.
“Hi, Rover, would you like to be my pet?” I asked. The look on its face was enough to
tug at my heart’s strings. Gingerly, I held it in my arms. The thrilled animal began to lick
my face tenderly. I felt ticklish as the warm tongue kept licking my face eagerly. I carried
Rover to where my father was standing. He had witnessed the whole episode and gave
Rover the thumbs-up. Together, we went to the cashier to pay for Rover. We also
bought some pedigree food and some dog biscuits. I have decided to get a tailor-made
kennel for my charming and precious pet.

As soon as we reached home, my younger brother came running towards the

garage. He was delighted to see Rover. His eyes shone with excitement as he cuddled
and hugged Rover. I quickly sprang out of the car and wanted to take Rover in my own
arms. However, watching my brother’s excitement, I decided to let him revel in the
endearing creature.

My every waking moment was delightful with Rover. I taught him how to sit, roll over
and fetch a stick. Not wanting to be left out, my father taught it to fetch the morning
paper from the gate. However, this was disastrous as Rover will tear the paper into
pieces. Luckily, Dad was not annoyed but he gave up on his efforts to tutor Rover. He
was glad that his children were attached to Rover.

All went well for the first six months. Rover grew to be healthy and a handsome dog.
My friends loved him and would come home every evening to play with it. Of course,
realising that he was the centre of attraction, Rover would prance and strut majestically
to woo my friends. I simply loved him.

Amidst all the excitement, I failed to notice a storm that was slowly brewing and
began to grow in momentum as days passed. My neighbour detested dogs and he was
not pleased with the idea of having a dog next door. Being the wonderful dog he was,
Rover would keep a watchful eye for strangers. He would bark incessantly to draw the
strangers away from the house. Rover’s incessant barking added fuel to the smoldering

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flames of hatred that grew steadily in my neighbor’s heart. The hatred for Rover grew
stronger day by day and one night it erupted.

My neighbour went over to the local druggist to buy some arsenic on the pretext of
killing some rats. He added the arsenic to some chunky meat pieces and threw it in our
house compound when we were all asleep. Obviously, he slept well that night as Rover
did not bark. The poor beast was struggling to live. However, the high level of arsenic in
the meat chunks was slowly but surely killing him.

The next morning, as usual, my younger brother went out of the house to greet
Rover. He screamed loudly. I sprang out of bed and ran towards the porch. I stood still
as I saw my beautiful dog lying motionless on the coarse tiles. Its mouth was frothy. I
blinked back my tears that flowed steadily from my eyes. My brother was howling as he
held the motionless animal that we all loved. I quickly went over to him. I sat beside him
and hugged him. We both began to cry loudly and this commotion brought my parents
to the porch. My mum swiftly pulled us away from Rover while dad quickly placed the
dead dog in the car boot. He also took the pieces of meat near it and placed them in a
plastic bag. Then, he drove to the veterinary clinic in town. The veterinarian confirmed
that Rover died of arsenic poisoning. Dad paid the veterinarian to arrange for a simple
funeral for Rover that evening.

At 5.00 pm, we were at the clinic. We saw Rover’s dead body wrapped in plastic on a
stretcher. My brother and I placed some roses on its body and watched the male
assistant push the stretcher into a small room with an incinerator in it. We saw him lifting
the motionless creature that we so loved into the incinerator. Suddenly, the room lit
brightly from the flames of the incinerator. Tears rolled down my cheeks as I realised
that was the end of Rover. Images of the excited dog running around my legs filled my
memories. I will never forget this incident for the rest of my life.

2 Teenagers should be allowed to stay out late at night. Do you agree?

I totally disagree that teenagers should be allowed to stay out late at night. This is
because nocturnal activities are linked to vices and teenagers are easily influenced and
swayed into all sorts of vice and immoral activities. If you read the newspapers daily,
you will realise that most drug deals, rape cases, gang fights, and murders take place at
night. Thus, I strongly disagree that teenagers should be allowed to stay out late at
night.

When teenagers go out at night especially late nights, they tend to go out in groups
and not with their families. As we all know, when they are in groups they have a
tendency to misbehave. The otherwise quiet and docile boy will become a roaring lion in

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his group and that is when he is most likely to indulge in vices. They vandalise public
property and they derive great pleasure in doing activities that they are barred from
doing. Teenagers derive immense pleasure in flaunting rules. There is a Mr Hyde in all
of us. As it is dark and there are fewer people on the road at nights especially late
nights, the teenagers commit crime easily and get away with it.

Also, at night, teenagers haunt entertainment hubs such as karaoke, pubs and
discotheques. Most vices lurk in these places. Drug abuse, alcohol consumption and
free sex are rampant here. Although the teenagers are under-aged, the shrewd
entrepreneurs allow them in for brisk business. The temptation to go astray and to
indulge in vices is great as there is neither parental control nor self-control.
Consequently, the sweet taste of these sleazy nocturnal activities lure them deeper and
deeper into the world of corrupt, deceit and fraud. These teenagers then become easy
targets. They fall prey to drug peddlers and pimps. In fact, police raids have shown
repeatedly that these sleazy joints are the centres of operations for drug peddlers and
pimps. With the lure of money, drugs and sex, these teenagers abandon their morality
and religious values for fast bucks and pleasure of the flesh. Hence, I think teenagers
should be barred from leaving the house at night. Parents should monitor their
teenagers’ movements and impose curfew hours to prevent their teenagers from getting
involved in immoral activities.

Finally, staying out late at nights will eventually affect the health and education of the
teenagers. If the teenagers stay out late at nights on a regular basis, they will have
insufficient sleep. They will feel drowsy and grumpy the following day. This will
inevitably affect their performance in school as they will not be able to concentrate on
their lessons in class and will ultimately lose interest in their lessons. This is because
once they get home, they spend the whole afternoon and evening catching up on sleep
to enable them to stay up late at night. If no action is taken, the vicious cycle will
continue resulting in disastrous academic results. Also, staying up late will take its toll
on their health.

We know that sufficient sleep is necessary for a human being to keep healthy and to
carry out daily functions effectively. However, if one lacks sleep, one’s immune system
drops and the stress level increases. In due course, this will have an effect on the body.
What is worse is teenagers will resort to drugs to keep them going. If unchecked, we will
have a generation of teenagers who are sick, morally and physically. Therefore, I
reiterate that teenagers should not be allowed to stay out late at nights.

3 My favourite food

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I love to eat! Food is my passion and so I spend my waking moments eating and
mostly bingeing on my favourite food which comprises foods that are high in calories,
sodium, fat and sugar. As you may have already guessed, I am talking about fast food
such as burgers, french fries, pizzas, fried chicken, and cheesecakes. No doubt, the list
of my favourite food is a dietician’s nightmare as this is the perfect recipe for obesity,
diabetes, cardiac diseases and hypertension. Still, I will not budge from my favourite
food even when the number of fatalities due to these diseases that I have mentioned
earlier is placed beside my precious food.

I cannot imagine why people would give up on indulging in food. I simply love food.
My principle in life is “live to eat” and not “eat to live”. In fact, the image of pencil-thin
models draped in sexy lingerie and clothes has never motivated me to lose weight
although I weighed almost two hundred pounds. I have always been happily dressed in
an oversized T-shirt and jeans. I refuse to listen to any negative remarks or advice on
losing weight. In short, I have been happy being obese as I can continue eating the
food I love. In addition, I have a cousin who is akin to me. We both love food and we
are both obese. Although, he is ten years older, I get on clicked very well with him as he
would never advise me to control my food. In fact, we often go together to fast food
restaurants and binge on the rich food.

However, things did not remain the same. An incident rang the panic alarm in me and
I was rudely wrenched from my world of rich and sinful gourmet. The incident happened
two years ago to my best buddy, my cousin. He had a cardiac arrest at work and
although he received immediate medical help, he died in a couple of minutes. The post-
mortem revealed that he had eight blockages in his arteries and this resulted in the
cardiac arrest. My world came crumbling down as not only did I lose a great friend but
also the stark reality of the nature of the cardiac arrest loomed large in my mind. I knew
that this could happen to me. My cousin had contributed yet another number to the list
of fatalities due to his passion for food. It was then that I made up my mind that my
favourite food had to go. I was not willing to be another number in that list of fatality. I
psyched myself up to change my dietary habits. I realised that I had to pull up my socks
to ensure a healthy life.

I stuck to a diet of healthy food comprising vegetables and fruits. I totally eliminated
fast food from my current list of favourite food. The current food tasted bland compared
to the rich and delicious fast food. Yet, I stuck to my decision. Each time, my mind
roamed to the delicious fast food, I reminded myself of my cousin’s fate. That acted as
a catalyst to my intention of losing weight. It was a difficult and rocky path and one that I
had to travel alone. No doubt, I had the moral support of loved ones, but the sole

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motivator was my late cousin. Slowly, the pounds started dropping and I began to feel
lighter and better. I even signed up at a gymnasium to aid the weight loss a ray of hope
shone brightly through as the weight dropped consistently.

It has been two years now since my cousin’s death. I look at myself in the mirror. I am
not dressed in an oversized T-shirt or jeans. In fact, the image that I see is one of a
pretty girl dressed in a fitting T-shirt and jeans. She looks healthy and energetic. She
has made the right choice in changing her favourite food from food high in calories to
vegetables and fruits. Slowly, my eyes roamed around the room and settled on a
photograph of my late cousin. “We had the wrong kind of favourite food,” I said to him.
However, I was lucky as fate gave me a second chance to change my favourite food.

4 Money

Money is a necessity as without money it would be impossible to live in this material

world. If we do not have money, we would not be able to survive well especially with the
current situation where the cost of living is soaring. In recent years, we have
experienced the food crisis as well as the oil crisis. As a result, the price of food and
petrol has skyrocketed. This makes it difficult for the average man to make ends meet.
Consequently, families resort to eating simple home-cooked food and relying on the
public transport to cushion the impact of the food and oil crisis. Sadly, unscrupulous
businessmen seize this opportunity to increase the prices of daily commodities. Hence,
we see the price of rice, sugar and other basic necessities go sky-high. The crises had
taught all of us a good lesson, namely the importance of money and the virtues of
saving money.

Although money is a necessity, yet it is also the root of all evils. Prostitution is a trade
of the flesh that is as old as the hills. In yesteryears, when there was no money to put
food on the table and clothes on the back, women were forced into prostitution. The
money was used to sustain the existence of the money. Today, we still find prostitution
at large. However, the reason for prostitution has changed from one of sustenance to
material gains. In the present day, the trade of the flesh has become a lucrative source
of income. Thailand, for example, lures tourists from all over the world via sexual
packages. The hotels, massage parlors and night clubs offer the service that has been
promised. The tourists pay a hefty sum for the service. So, the business is brisk and
lucrative but the aim is not for sustenance but for profitable gains. The sinful trade is
due simply to make money and more money. Thus, money is indeed the root of all evil.

Hacking, slander and blackmail are crimes that are gaining momentum today. These
white collar crimes are on the rise in the present day due to the advancement of

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technology. What is the motive of these white collar crimes? The answer, undoubtedly,
is money. Money is indeed the root of all evils as the perpetrators who are ruthless and
heartless rob the poor victims in style and without even confronting their victims. A
hacker, who has to be highly intelligent, breaks into the computer system to attain
personal details of a person’s bank account and then transfers the money into his or her
own bank account. The poor victim who does not suspect anything will have the
greatest and rudest shock to find the hard-earned money missing from the account!
Similarly, the high-technology tools invented for the leisure and pleasure of mankind is
today used to drop bombshells as well. Mobile phones and hidden video cameras can
easily be used to record an act of infidelity.

Then, the video clip depicting the scandalous affair of a married man or woman can
easily be uploaded to the Internet for public viewing that will eventually mar the marital
relationship. In fact, the video clip is often used to blackmail those concerned in the clip
and extort money. This shows that blackmail is an easy way to make large sums of
money as the victim is vulnerable and will comply so as to ensure the video clip does
not reach the public. This just goes to show how low man will stoop to make a fast buck!

We have often heard and read about embezzlement, fraud and misuse of funds
amongst high ranking officers. They have been entrusted to handle the funds efficiently
yet they are the ones who abuse their positions and misuse the money. We have heard
about politicians abusing the money meant to help the less fortunate by instead using
them for personal gains. The money has corrupted them to the stage where they lose
their conscience and morality. Hence, the poor remain poor and helpless whereas the
rich become richer. It is indeed very sad to learn that money can shake one’s principles
to the core and that the perpetrators have no remorse in embezzling the money.
Therefore, it is indeed true that money is the root of all evil.

5 End a story with the following line: “Indeed, neighbours are a blessing.”

It’s been ages since I’ve been home. I really feel selfish as I have not met my parents
for over a year now. I’ve been drowned in work that I have had no time to attend to filial
ties. This has occasionally pricked my conscience. So, to console myself I would give
them the occasional call which was very brief. The last I visited my parents was during
Hari Raya Aidilfitri last year and that was only on the eve. The following day I left for the
city as I was working the following day. I rationalised I had been working extremely hard
to save enough money for my parents to perform the ‘Haj’ or pilgrimage to Mecca. With
that thought firmly in my mind, I erased any conscience pricks that appeared from time
to time

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Then, tragedy struck! I remember vividly that night when I was busy preparing for a
presentation the following day. My latest Nokia model phone blared through the night
piercing into the silence that I was so accustomed to. My initial thought was to ignore it
as my creative juices were flowing swiftly. However, the person on the other hand was
persistent. Swearing under my breath, I stared at the name of the caller on the phone.
“Mak,” I whispered. My heart raced as disconcerting thoughts passed through my mind.
With trembling fingers, I pressed the button. Time stood still. “Oh, Mak,” I gasped. It was
my mother’s neighbour’s frantic call. My mother had had a cardiac arrest and she was
calling out for me. The phone fell from my hand onto the floor. I felt guilty, angry,
terrified and worried. I collapsed to the floor and began sobbing loudly. This couldn’t be
helping me, I thought. I saw my mother’s face. Slowly, the sobbing receded. My clouded
mind began to clear and I began to think rationally. I had to get to my mother.

I quickly threw a few pieces of my clothes into an overnight bag followed by some
necessary toiletries. Then, I picked up my pet cat, Sayang, in my arms and went to the
fridge. I took out a carton of milk and placed it in a bottle. Then, I went to the cupboard
and took out her bag of pedigree food followed by her food and drink bowl. I placed all
these items in the bag and went over to my neighbour’s house. Luckily, Mary was still
awake. In between tears I narrated the whole incident to my neighbour. I also requested
her to take care of Sayang in my absence. Mary hugged me and reassured me that my
mother would be okay. She took Sayang and promised to take good care of her.
Sayang mewed slowly as if she understood my predicament. I thank God for a kind
neighbour like Mary.

Then, I threw my overnight bag in the back seat and sped through the lonely streets.
My mind was a mess throughout the three-hour journey. Happy memories of my time
with my mother flitted repeatedly in my mind. I could feel warm tears flowing steadily
down my cheeks. I wiped them away with the back of my hand. I tried to concentrate on
my driving as I seriously did not want to get involved in an accident.

After three-hours of driving, I reached my village. It was in total darkness. My heart

leapt to my mouth. A thousand worrying thoughts clouded my mind. I was on the verge
of breaking down. However, I psyched myself up with positive thoughts and made my
way up to the wooden house. I ran up the stairs and knocked loudly. There was no
response. My heart began to race. I started calling for my mother loudly. My voice rang
out loudly yet there was no response. Fearing the worst, I broke down and cried bitterly.

Then, I felt a warm hand on my cold shoulder. Quickly, I turned around and saw my
neighbour, Mak Timah. She bent down and consoled me. Although, I tried to hold back
my tears, they came pouring down. Mak Timah hugged me in her flabby arms and
whispered comforting words in my ears. Slowly, the tears began to subside.

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When I felt a bit better, I asked her about my mother’s condition. She said that my
mother’s condition was slightly better and that she had been admitted to the private
hospital in the neighbouring town. She also told me that it was already late and that I
should stay at her house as there was no one in my house. Slowly, I stood up and I felt
weak as my knees were wobbly. Mak Timah held on to my arm and slowly led me to her
house. I slowly ascended the short flight of wooden stairs. Mak Timah led me into her
kitchen and made me a cup of strong, black coffee. The aroma was comforting as I
recalled happy moments when my mother and I would sit together sipping hot, black
coffee when I was feeling down. Again, I could not control my tears from flowing. Mak
Timah comforted me again and assured me that all is well.

After drinking the coffee, I felt better. I followed Mak Timah as she led me to a bedroom.
The bedroom was simple with a wooden single bed in one corner and a wooden
cupboard opposite. Although it was not impressive, it was most welcome. Mak Timah
left me alone in the bedroom. I sank into the comfortable bed. Now, I realised I was
extremely exhausted. I looked at my Gucci watch. It was almost 3 am. I quickly went
into the bathroom to brush my teeth and wash my face. I stared at the mirror. My eyes
were red and puffy due to the excessive crying. I shrugged my shoulders and continued
my task of cleaning myself. Then, I flopped on the comfortable bed. I tried to sleep but
my eyes refused to close and my mind was racing. In between sobs, I managed to
sleep but it was only for an hour or so.

The crowing of a few cockerels woke me up the next morning. I quickly went to the
window. The sun was up and it was a beautiful day. There was neither honking nor
polluted air. I quickly went to the bathroom and had a much needed bath to freshen
myself. After wearing a loose T-shirt and a pair of faded jeans, I went to the kitchen.
Mak Timah had made some creamy ‘nasi lemak’ for me. Although the rice was aromatic
and tempting, I refused as I had no appetite. I settled for a cup of coffee and some
banana fritters.

Half an hour later, Mak Timah and I were on the way to the hospital. As soon as I
parked my brand new Audi in the parking bay, I leapt out of the car. I rushed to the ward
where my mother was. I saw her sitting comfortably on the bed and sipping some hot
coffee and eating a slice of toast. The mere sight of her melted my heart and reduced
me to tears. I rushed over to her and hugged her tightly. I was so relieved that she was
okay and recuperating well. My mother told me if it had not been for Mak Timah, she
would probably not be alive. That statement made me realise how selfish I had been.
Tears gushed out yet again. I ran over to Mak Timah and hugged her. I owed my
mother’s life to her. Indeed, neighbours are a blessing.

“FAIL TO PLAN IS PLAN TO FAIL”

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