Informal Letter (Directed Writing)

Your friend in Singapore has written to you to inform you that his cousin in Penang was down with dengue fever. He would like to know the situation in Malaysia as he plans to bring his family over for the holidays in June. Write a letter to brief him about the current situation.

In your letter, include the following:

    express concern over the health of your friend’s cousin

    news about the situation

    steps taken authorities

    present situation

Do remember to:

    use the informal letter format

    use all the points given

    expand each of the points given

    write in paragraph

No. 34, Street of Fame,
Taman Bukit Bintang,
Bukit Bintang,
67500 Ipoh,
Perak

14 January 2011

Dear John,
       
            How are you? I’m sorry to hear that your cousin had dengue fever. This problem seems to have become very serious all of sudden. We always feel that the problem is not our concern until someone close to us is affected.

            My neighbour’s daughter who was in Standard 6 last year could not sit for UPSR examination because she was down with dengue fever on the eve of the exam. Fortunately, the authorities gave her an exemption so she is now in Form One. There were also a few students taking the examination in the hospital.

            According to the news, students made up nearly 30 per cent of the 1 500 suspected cases over the first three weeks of the year. About 53 per cent of 621 confirmed cases last year comprised children and youth under the age of 24. These statistics are quite worrying. This has prompted the health ministry to increase checks on aedes breeding grounds in school and public areas. The construction sites are largely to blamed. The problem is made worse by the rainy season. The stagnating water attract the mosquitoes to lay egg and breeding on the areas.

            The authorities have taken various steps to control the situation. Fogging has been carried out in many public areas and most of the housing estates. Contractors at the construction sites have been instructed to take appropriate actions and warned to clean up. They could be fined up to RM 3 000 for breeding aedes mosquitoes. Lot of campaigns through the television, radio and newspapers were taken to make people aware of the issue and take precaution rather than cure them.

            Before the long holidays for the Chinese New Year, schools all over Malaysia carried out a clean-up campaign of the school compound. The residents’ association in my housing are also organised a family day clean-up of the housing estate. There were huge piles of rubbish especially old tyres and containers littered by the hawkers near the might market site.

            The situation in Malaysia has improved since the end of January. There have been no reports of new cases of dengue. So, don’t worry. You can bring your family for a holiday here in June. I’m looking forward to seeing them again.

            Send my regard to your mom and dad. Do take care.

Yours sincerely,
Harun Din

The Night Market

One of the most interesting places in Malaysia is the night market. You may visit and experience the night market yourselves. Both locals and foreigners agree that the night market is the most common feature in the local society.

The night market begins when the vendors arrive in the late afternoon. More and more goods laden vans arrive to begin a brisk day of business. Most of the vendors busily set out to set up their stalls respectively in order to get ready for a brisk day of business.

The sun gradually sets and the night market picks up momentum. More cars and vans are arriving. By now, the stalls are neatly and strategically arranged to entice their customers. There is an assortment of goods sold ranging from food, toys and clothes, to name a few. A variety of goods is sold at low prices.

Large rainbow-coloured parasols are used to shade the people from rain and shine. A concoction of blaring music can be heard in the night market background amidst the constant shouting. It is an amazing kaleidoscope of sights, sounds, smells and colours.

The night market is known as a haven by local ‘gourmets’ who can enjoy various kinds of mouth-watering local cuisine. Still more people arrive, they come from all walks of life, mingling freely and harmoniously. Crowds are walking up and down in an endless stream. Some of them are stopping by the stalls and haggling before making purchases. Little children tag along, amused and excited. Sprinklings of tourists join in to experience the lifestyle of typical Malaysian folks.

When night falls, lighted lamps brighten up the place, they add gaiety to this atmosphere, and it is like a funfair. The night wears on and the traffic of people recedes. Vendors get a chance to rest their weary legs besides bantering with each other.

By 10.00 pm, all the stalls call it a day. The vendors pack up and close the van doors. One by one, they leave, leaving behind pieces of papers, plastic bags and discarded boxes. It us an eyesore! Finally, the night market disappears. The place becomes quite and still once more.

It Was The Last Day of School

I could hardly wait for the school bell to ring as it was the last day of the term. And although I had just finished my last exam, I couldn't help but daydream about the fun I would have for the next few months - getting up late, watching movies with my friends, spending time with my relatives in Pakistan and generally doing things I enjoy doing but don't find the time to.

When the bell finally rang, we rushed out of our classrooms as if released from prison. Chattering and yelling to be heard, we all gathered in a corner of the schoolyard to discuss our plans for the coming weeks. Everyone had something to say.

To begin with, we decided to have a water fight right there and then and did. We got soaked through and through and got caught by one the school nuns. We were lucky to escape with a scolding.

My friends decided they were coming to my place and I had to hurriedly phone and warn my unsuspecting mother. Luckily mom made dozens of hot dogs and French fries and we had a fun lunch in my room.

After lunch we decided to go to the City Centre to watch the third Harry Potter film. We got there an hour too soon but had fun all the same checking out the cosmetics shops, video games outlets and other shops that interested us.

Finally, we bought large bags of popcorn, gigantic paper glasses of cokes and trouped into the cinema hall. The movie was terrific as expected and when it got over I had to overcome the urge to see it again.

The day was not over for us, however, as we still had a friend's birthday party to attend. The only problem was that we had almost run out of money so we pooled together what we had and bought a gift that all thought was just perfect. Luckily, the birthday girl thought so too, so that was a relief.

The party turned out to be full of fun and games and we really enjoyed it no end. When we finally headed our different ways, it was with no regrets. It had been an eventful day and a full one... the perfect start to the summer holidays.