A storm

bad weather damage to property flooded low-dying areas heavy downpour heavy rain howling wind lightning flashed across the sky power breakdown raining cats and dogs roads impassable to traffic roofs ripped off rumbling thunder thunderstorm traffic congestion uprooted trees.

A Flood
boats drown evacuation centres gushing waters rainy season reaching dangerous levels relief centres relief workers rising rapidly stalled cars strong currents swift-flowing wading weather report

Vocabulary for an outings

Trip/Journey enjoyable hazardous highway luggage nerve-wrecking picturesque pleasant relaxing reservations road scenery steep gradient tiring unpleasant winding Camping activities adventures camp-fire cooking utensil exciting food firewood guitar knapsacks nearby stream pitch songs tents unforgettable water

An Accident A fire
burnt chaotic choking crackling sounds fire brigade fire-engine fire-fighters flames pandemonium panic panic-stricken siren smoke suffocating terrifying ambulance badly injured bang collide dent first aid fractures legs/arms hospital injuries knocked down screeching brakes seriously wounded shattered glass unhurt

How you spent your last holiday

During my last school holidays, I spent a few days at my cousins house at Morib, a wellknown sea resort. I shall never forget that visit. On the day I arrived at Morib, my cousin told me that he would do to make my stay there a very interesting one. He said that he would make a raft to use it in the sea. Then he would buy fishing net to catch some fish in the shallow water near the coast. When I heard all this, I was very delighted because it was one of the reasons that I had decided to visit my cousin. We then walked up to the beach which is near his house. While we were there, sometime in the evening, the sea looked extremely beautiful. I saw the islands and hills in the distance, the birds in the air, and a few boys and girls playing on the beach. I also saw some fishermen coming out of the water with their catch. All this was indeed very interesting to look at. On the next day, my cousin and I collected some tree trunks from the forest nearby. As my cousins house is close to the sea, we decided to make the raft on the beach itself. It took us almost the whole morning to make the raft. We then had our lunch and went to Banting, the nearest town, to buy fishing net. After that we returned to my cousins house. In the evening we put the raft on the sea. The water was still high, but the raft floated

quite well. My cousin and I sat on it and began to row it by using the oars that we had made ourselves. We felt very happy indeed and continued to row it. We remained on it for a long time, but as it was already getting dark we did not go far. We returned to the shore and tied the raft to a tree. On the next day, we went out to catch some crabs and fish. We used the net that we had bought and caught a lot of fish. Then, we had our lunch and went out again on the raft. We continued to row it as far as we could. It was really a pleasure to be away from the shore. The sea was calm and we could row with ease. My cousin told me many interesting things about Morib. We then returned to the shore. In this way, I spent my holidays happily at Morib, a place I shall never forget.

If one has good manners, that person is respected by those who associate with him or her. Having good manners, however, does not mean that being polite, understanding, and sympathetic when not only outside but also inside his or her home. There are many people who are very kind and polite to people outside their homes, but within their own homes they are worse than the devil himself. Such people do not really have good manners. Having good manners means being good to others. Our speech and habits as well as our behavior should not hurt the feelings of others or cause them any inconvenience. We should not also talk ill about others or boast about our achievements or personal possessions. We must not laugh at the weaknesses and failures of others. Further, if we are angry we must try to use words in such a way that others are not offended. If we have all these qualities, we will have more friends and well-wishers. We will also have less trouble from others, and those who associate with us will also learn how to behave well. In this way, our good manners will help to spread better understanding and goodwill among others. Thus, we can live a happier life. It is for all these reasons that we should have good manners.

Why should we have good manners?

Good manners are important to live happily among people. Without good manners we are only slightly better than animals. The modern society consists of more people than it did in the past. These people are of various cultural, racial, religious and professional backgrounds. It therefore requires great powers of endurance and abilities of mixing with people. Good manners enable one to tolerate the disagreeable attitudes of others to a great extent. They also help to promote friendship among the people around.

"Money is the root of all evil".

Money is the instrument of exchange, helping in buying and selling and also in fixing a value on things and commodities. It may be in metal or in paper. With the market getting more and more complicated, there are other negotiable instruments which are as good as the minted coins or the printed notes. Money gives purchasing power but this power is not absolute as it is on various factors. In such a case it is termed currency and according to their purchasing power they are termed hard, soft and weak. Though coins and notes are issued by the Government of the country, there is a limit to their minting. Let us see why money is needed. It is simply because it helps the processor to buy things. The days of battering are gone though it is indirectly resorted to at international level. Money is helpful as a standard of price. Money helps the owner to have power not only in buying things but also in influencing many human activities. Money is used for good things such as using it to build a temple, a church or a museum. Great educational institutions can be built. Students can be helped by providing them with scholarships in furthering their studies. The Nobel Prize would not have been there but for the huge sum of money earned by Alfred Nobel. Money can buy men as it does things. Thus money plays an important role in fighting and winning elections. Money mars mens and womens morals. It is the evil influence in corrupting people. Sell out is the new term used for bribery. There are people who could do anything for the sake of money. Moneyed people can buy many things which the poor cannot do. With the power of money, individuals as well as states can dictate terms. The Middle East countries have found new wealth because of their oil deposits and they have become a very powerful group. This kind of power should not go to ones head. One should remember that the money coming into him was by chance. He must not use it for evil purposes. But wherever there is evil there is usually money involved. Other motivating forces for evil action are jealousy, vengeance, hatred and so on. Money is normally the fruit of labour. The question is how one spends that money. Great thinkers have suggested that one who has money enough and enough to spare must look upon himself as the trustee of the money and see to it that it is spent in a wise and useful way. There is nothing good or evil about money. It depends on how one puts it to. The same money which could help bring relief to the suffering million can be used to build up armaments. The hope of getting money spurs one into action. The power decides how to spend the money. Money can be used morally or immorally. A morally strong man may not use money in evil ways and vice versa.

An interesting story I have heard

An interesting story that I have heard is about a deserted house in a remote village somewhere in India. The house had not been occupied for several years after the death of its owner. For some reason no one liked or cared for the owner. Therefore, when he died, he was not buried. His death remained in his bed until it was reduced to its skeleton. One evening a traveller was passing by this house when it suddenly began to rain heavily. Looking for shelter, he ran into this house, where, to his surprise and terror, he saw a human skeleton. But the rain had not stopped and it was rapidly growing dark. He has therefore no choice but to sit there, in the hope that somebody like him might come in to keep him company. But no one came. It was now too dark to see anything outside. He therefore decided to spend the night in that dark and lonely house. The rain continued to fall unabated. The wind was strong and there was much lighting. The traveller lay on the floor but he could not sleep with the skeleton inside the house. After several hours, there was a sudden very cold crawling over his body. He was now too frightened to move. After a while, he heard another strange cry. Just at that moment, a lightning flashed across the sky when he saw a large animal jump out of the house through a window which had been open. He now began to pray for his safety.

While he was in this position, some robbers happened to take shelter in the verandah of the house. They began to talk and laugh loudly. Hearing the voices, the traveller began to ask some questions from inside to make sure that there were some people outside. But the robbers were now frightened. They thought that it was the voice of ghost. They ran away as fast as they could. When morning came, the traveller rushed out of the house and never returned to that part of the country. Proud to be a Malaysian I love my country, I am proud to be a Malaysian. Malaysia is a country which consists of three main races that is Malay, Chinese and Indians, and also various ethnic tribes like the Iban and the Kadazan community, and many more. What makes it so special is that we can all live harmoniously in this country, that is because the spirit of One Malaysia. In a way, I am proud to be a Malaysian, no matter how many times I say that I want to live in another country or studying at over sea when I grow up. Home is where the heart is. There are many reasons behind this. First of all, Malaysians, being of different races, can be seen on the streets in their various costumes and adding colour to the scene. The sunny, warm and wet climate throughout the year makes Malaysia a tropical paradise. Visitors like the green forested hills, the golden beaches with graceful coconut palms fringing

them, the blue sea and of course of the local cuisine. Foreign tourists find these places ideal for a holiday, as they get away from their cold countries. Malaysia's cool hill-resorts like Genting Highlands, Frasers Hill and Cameron Highlands make the day refreshing and pleasant and also away from the hot lowlands. I have been to many places, get the experienced of different culture and met new faces, but I realize that nowhere in the world can compare with Malaysia and its friendly people, our colorful culture, rich heritage and especially of our fantastic array of food. Malaysia offers a huge variety of food, from our local cuisine to Western cuisine. To be Malaysian means having freedom, knowing that we have the freedom to pursue our dreams and grow. We live in a country that supports growth and we can do so much with the support of the government and the people around us. Besides that, people in other countries are beginning to recognize that Malaysia is a growing country and they have positive things to say about it. Im proud to be part of this nation and that is another reason why I...[continues]

Proud to Be a Malaysian I am proud to be a Malaysian because of so many reasons. Firstly, Malaysia is surprisingly beautiful. We have beautiful islands and also the biggest caves in Southeast Asia. Not only that, Malaysia has the tallest twin tower in the world (KLCC). We also have the highest and the longest canopy walk in the world in more than 100 million years old of the tropical rain forest (Taman Negara). Forests are well preserved and the wildlife here is abundant with many protected endangered species. Besides that, Malaysia has modern and efficient public transportation with different types of train, taxis and the best airport in the world, KLIA. Our Malaysia Airlines won the "Best Cabin Crew" Awards a few times. Malaysians are really friendly and understanding. In my opinion, the most beautiful thing in Malaysia is our variety of culture, belief, and the scrumptious food. We are unique, as we can still get along well even though were a multiracial and multi-cultural country. There are the indigenous tribes, Malays, Chinese and Indians but we get along like close siblings. We also have the freedom of religion and equality in education, which is good. There are also many languages spoken by all Malaysians, the famous one being Manglish (Malay + English), and the most famous word being lah. Malaysia is really truly Asia because of its unity in diversity that can be seen in the various festival celebrations by all the races in

Malaysia. Therefore, we have many public holidays, which Im sure we all love. Also, these festive holidays are participated in by all Malaysian, we usually have open houses whereby everyone is invited to attend, regardless of their background. When it comes to food, there is no other place in the world that can be compared to Malaysian food. It is obvious as we have different races and 14 states where every state has its own specialities. The Malaysian food is so diverse and yummy that the main reason why I wouldnt migrate to another... [continues]

former state player. Our relationship became very close day by day. He was like a big brother to me. At times when I did not have enough money to pay my tuition fees, David was there to help me. I often invited him to my house and he became a family friend. One day, I was involved in a fight with two of my friends at the tuition centre. They beat me up. I was bleeding in my class. Luckily David was there to take me to the hospital. He brought me to the hospital in his car. There in the hospital, there was not enough of blood in my body. At once, David volunteered to donate his blood to me. I was so touched by his kindness. A few days later I was all right and I thanked David so many times for his kindness. David also taught me a lot of things. He taught me to be disciplined and also to be humble. He taught me how to deal with people and also the various methods of studying. Throughout the year, David was doing his best for all his English students. At the end of the English course, my friends and I were so grateful to him for his help. I simply cannot forget Davids dedication and help not only to me but also to my friends. I always recall the incidents at the tuition centre and above all, I always think about Davids help and dedication to the students at the tuition centre. People like David are very rare these days. David is still a tuition teacher and he is just as hardworking as he was

last year. And of course, till today, I cannot forget him. Smoking A speech of The Disadvantages of smoking and Tips to stop Smoking. A very good morning to all teachers and my fellow friends. In conjunction with the nationwide antismoking campaign, I, as the Head Prefect, would like to give a speech on the topic The Disadvantages of smoking and Tips to stop Smoking. It seems today that most of the youngsters including some of us here think that smoking is something common and that it is something that we do not have to worry about. In fact, there are among us here today who smoke without thinking that their actions actually violate the school regulations and they are actually causing harm to their health. Allow me to highlight the fact that smoking actually brings so many disadvantages. Firstly, smoking can cause health hazard and can lead to diseases like lung cancer and heart problems. You surely do not want to end your life like that. Besides, it is a waste of money. Students tend to use their pocket money to buy cigarettes. Furthermore, when they start smoking, they tend to lack concentration in their studies.

Description of a Person An Unforgettable Person On the 1st. of January 2000, I registered for an English course at the Berjaya Tuition Centre in Ipoh. The Communication English course was to improve my weak command of the language. It was indeed a wonderful tuition centre. The tuition teachers were hardworking. One of my tuition teachers was my English tuition teacher called David. David was a dedicated and hardworking teacher. He gave us a lot of notes and made sure that everyone was given a chance to speak in class. All of us enjoyed his classes very much. I was very close to him. David was not only a teacher to me. He was also my friend and brother. Every evening I used to play football with him near a field. He taught me how to play football very well. He was a

Here, I would like to share with all of you some tips on how to stop smoking. The first strategy on how students can effectively stop smoking is by channeling their energy to studies. You should also be in the company of non-smokers as to avoid yourself from being influenced by those who smoke. Health is Wealth, so, train yourself to do regular exercises such as jogging and swimming. Besides improving your health, it can also help you to forget smoking. Next, get involved in voluntary work. This voluntary service will occupy your time and you will find yourself being further away from smoking. The last tip that I can share with you is to talk and discuss with ex-smokers on how to kick the bad habit. These people will definitely be the best example to tell you that demerits of smoking. That is all for the time being and I sincerely hope you have gained something from my speech. Thank you. Your school is having a month-long A Healthy Body Campaign. As President of the Health Club of your school, you decide to give a speech on the Tak nak Campaign recently launched by the government. Tak Nak Campaign

A very good morning to our dear Principal, Mr. Hasnan bin Jaafar, teachers and students. Recently, our former Prime Minister, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi launched an antismoking campaign called Tak Nak. You can now see this short and rhyming catch phrase Tak Nak everywhere on billboards, posters, TV ads, and sometimes I even hear it on the radio. Though some people have criticised our government for setting aside a staggering sum of RM100 million over 6 years for the campaign, it is nothing compared to the huge amounts that tobacco companies spend to promote smoking. But in this war against smoking, money definitely talks; it is necessary for the Tak Nak Campaign to constanly remind us of the hazard of smoking because about 50 Malaysian teenagers light up for the first time every day. In fact, some of these youth progress steadily from this to regular use, with addiction raking hold within a few years. And this is despite the warning on every pack of cigarettes that states unequivocally Smoking is dangerous to your health. What can the Tak Nak Campaign do to combat this? Their aggressive advertising creates media awareness among the public, especially among the fashionable young crowd, that smokers have yellowed teeth and suffer from shortness of breath and tells them that it is not cool to smoke. It is also not responsible of them to affect non-smokers with second-hand smoke. Also, there is a succession of infomercials on TV and in the papers showing

the debilitating effects of tobacco addiction on the body and gruesome statistics of smokerelated deaths. We are now familiar with the graphic pictures of damaged lungs on billboards which should scare people into not smoking. This works, as I know some of my friends are quitting now, or trying to reduce the number of cigarettes they smoke per week. However, I feel any anti-smoking campaign is more effective if other people and organisations are actively involved too. Yes, the first step has been taken by the top, but sad to say, many of our politicians smoke themselves. Nearer to home, so do some of our parents and teachers. These adults have to be good role models by not smoking themselves. If they do smoke, they should tell their children and students that they regret that they ever started, and then take steps to quit smoking as soon as possible. They must practise what they preach. On a more positive note, I commend the Malaysia Amateur Athletic Union for its zerotolerance of smoking because they know that smoking and health just do not mix. How can our sportsmen excel if they cannot stop smoking. Dear teachers and students, thank you for your attention. Let me end my speech by reiterating that smoking is a bad habit, so make Tak Nak your mantra. If you have started smoking, say Tak Nak and quit! And if you havent started smoking, say know that smoking not only damages your health but you are also literally burning your money.