Which Do You Prefer, Living in The Countryside or Living In The City? (City)

In my opinion, one has not experienced life until one has lived in the city. There is so much to see and experience in the bright lights of the city that you cannot get in the countryside. Here in the city, you can learn about how to get along with people of different types, encounter varied situations and solve problems. All these help a person to grow in maturity. After all, experience is the best teacher.

In the countryside, however, you only move around people you are used to. So, you seldom encounter strangers or new and demanding situations. Life is more mundane and routine-like. Staying in a secure, safe place does not allow for one to gain new experiences and grow in maturity.

Furthermore, young people need a life that is exciting and pleasurable. It is the city that offers you entertainment- cinemas, parks and eating places. Here you can hang out with friends and family members. Life as fast-paced and this keeps you active and alert all times. And when it comes to educational opportunities, the city abounds in this. There are good school and libraries that are necessary for your mental development. Furthermore, there are places like museums and educational centres where you can go, to increase your knowledge.

Such places that offer you entertainment or learning opportunities are of course not available in the countryside. For entertainment, there is only the occasional festive celebration or marriage feast or fishing outing. Some may find this appealing but not me. Moreover, opportunities to widen your knowledge are limited in the countryside.

Another point in support of living in the city is the available of jobs. In the city, you can find a job that suits your qualification or interest. If you find a job unsuitable, you can always move to another. This, naturally, increases your earning power and you have better chances of a more comfortable life. Of course, one may argue that one can live in the countryside and work in the city but this will only incur extra expenses and unnecessary inconveniences.

Thus, for all the reasons mentioned above, I think that life in the city is better than living in the countryside. After all, you are young only once.

Some Characters Solve Their Problems but Some Do Not

Novel, Catch Us If You Can – Some Characters Solve Their Problems but Some Do Not

The characters in novels often face problems. Some solve their problems but some do not. Using information from the novel you have studied, show how
• one character solves his/ her problems
• one who does not solve his/ her problems
Support your answer with close reference to the text.


SAMPLE ANSWER

It is true that characters in novels often face problems. Some manage to solve their problems but some do not.

In Catherine MacPhail‟s „Catch Us If You Can‟, a character who manages to solve his problem is Rory. His apartment is burnt down due to Granda‟s carelessness. He is then forced to part with his Granda. He is sent to stay at the children‟s home in Castle Street, and Granda is sent to the old folks‟ home in Rachnadar. Being very close to Granda, Rory can see that Granda is miserable at the home. Rory can sense that Granda has lost interest in everything and it breaks Rory‟s heart to see Granda like that.

So, Rory comes up with a plan to run away with Granda. He knows, by doing so, he can always be together with Granda. As long as they are on the run, they will be together. It can only be for a few days or a couple of weeks, but to Rory and Granda, their time together is precious.

On the other hand, Tess, a girl whom Rory meets at the children‟s home, fails to solve her problems. She has a sad life. Her mother is in prison and all her relatives reject her. Being homeless and unwanted, she is sent to Castle Street. Instead of making the best of her life there, she worsens it by becoming a bitter, angry and violent person.


Her violent outbursts become so bad that she loses control of herself and her actions. She injures others, making them keep away from her. She fails to make friends and so, remains lonely and friendless. She cannot overcome her loneliness and sense of rejection. If she had chosen to be more positive, she would probably have made some friends who can help her instead of feeling rejected and unloved.

Usaha-usaha Mengekalkan Keamanan Negara Kita

Usaha-usaha Mengekalkan Keamanan Negara Kita

Malaysia merupakan sebuah syurga dunia kerana kejadian buruk jarang berlaku di sini terutama ancaman bencana alam dan peperangan. Rakyatnya hidup dalam suasana aman sentosa bersama-sama arus pembangunan kemodenan yang pesat. Keamanan inilah yang memberikan imej yang positif kepada negara sehingga menjadikan banyak negara cemburu akan kejayaan tersebut. Jadi, memang banyak tindakan yang telah dilakukan oleh semua pihak di negara ini untuk memastikan negara terus berada dalam situasi harmoni itu.

Tindakan yang paling ketara ialah negara telah meningkatkan lagi kemampuan ketenteraannya. Angkatan tentera negara ini telah cuba menarik lebih banyak remaja yang berkaliber untuk menyertai perkhidmatan mereka bersama-sama dengan pembelian peralatan ketenteraan yang serba canggih. Semua ini bertujuan memastikan tahap keselamatan negara berada pada tahap yang tertinggi lalu menjamin keamanan negara yang stabil. Jelaslah, negara menjadi aman kerana memiliki satu ketumbukan tentera yang berkaliber dan berteknologi tinggi.

Selain itu, negara turut membuat kerjasama yang erat dengan Negara-negara jiran terutama negara-negara ASEAN. Kita semua sedia maklum bahawa ASEAN ditubuhkan untuk menjamin keselamatan serantau lalu memastikan perkembangan ekonomi boleh berlaku pada masa yang sama. Kerjasama yang erat ini juga memastikan setiap negara ASEAN tidak mahu menganggu urusan dalaman satu sama lain untuk memastikan tidak berlaku perselisihan faham yang boleh membawa permusuhan yang mengoyahkan keamanan pula. Jadi, kerjasama erat antara negara-negara jiran membantu Malaysia untuk menikmati satu tahap keamanan yang tinggi.

Malah, keamanan negara juga dikekalkan menerusi amalan demokrasi yang dilaksanakan di negara ini apabila tempoh pemerintahan kerajaan sebelumnya hamper tamat. Pilihanraya dan proses pertukaran pemimpin di negara ini masih berjalan secara rasional dan mengikut lunas-lunas perlembagaan negara yang mengutamakan hak asasi rakyat. Keadaan ini menjadikan keyakinan rakyat terhadap system pemerintahan kerajaan bertambah baik setiap kali proses demokrasi itu dilaksanakan. Jelaslah, proses demokrasi yang diamalkan menjadikan aspek keamanan itu sesuatu yang penting untuk dikekalkan di negara ini.

Malahan, pihak kerajaan juga telah meneruskan usaha pembasmian kemiskinan yang sudah mula menampakkan hasilnya. Jurang kekayaan antara golongan miskin dan kaya telah berupaya dikurangkan sehingga tidak lagi boleh dijadikan alasan untuk menimbulkan sebarang masalah besar kelak. Perasaan kekitaan dan tidak berasa ditinggalkan menjadi asas penting untuk mengekalkan keamanan di negara ini untuk satu tempoh yang panjang kerana tidak timbul perasaan pilih kasih atau sebagainya dalam jiwa masyarakat berbilang kaum di sini. Maka, usaha mengikis perbezaan pengagihan kekayaan ini harus dilakukan secera berterusan untuk memastikan keamanan itu berkekalan.

Tambahan pula, pihak polis telah berjaya memerangi pelbagai gejala sosial yang melanda negara ini. Kejadian jenayah terutama jenayah berat telah dikawal dengan baik oleh pihak polis yang bertugas tanpa mengenal penat untuk memastikan keselamatan rakyat negara ini bertambah baik. Kejayaan mengawal jenayah di negara ini turut sama memberikan satu suasana yang tenang dan meyakinkan kepada rakyat negara ini bahawa Malaysia sebuah negara yang baik untuk terus didiami. Justeru, kejayaan pihak polis menjalankan kewajipan mereka telah menjadikan aspek keamanan di negara ini terus wujud.

Kesimpulannya, keadaan keamanan yang sebegini perlu dikekalkan untuk selama-lamanya. Pada masa yang sama aspek pembangunan negara harus diberikan penekanan juga kerana inilah kemodenan yang harus dinikmati oleh semua. Kita harus sedar dan menghargai aspek keamanan ini dengan sebaik mungkin. Peribahasa “jika tidak dipecahkan ruyung manakan dapat sagunya” kerana keamanan ini memerlukan satu usaha yang gigih daripada semua pihak.

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Tips On How To Improve Your Reading Habit

Tips On How To Improve Your Reading Habit

Reading is an activity that is both fun and enlightening. Reading also gain knowledge and get it into one’s head. Having said that, it is an activity that many people do not engage in often.  For you to advance and not to get left behind, it is important that you must improve a good reading habit.

If you have not cultivated a reading habit yet, these are some useful tips to improve your reading habit. First and foremost, we must have a book around. Therefore, try to carry a book or any reading material wherever you go. As the saying goes, “armed to the teeth”. Subsequently, set aside a regular time to read. If you are busy in the daytime, during the night time or before going to bed, you can take a book and read.

In addition to this, visit the library or bookstore. Take time to browse and let your eyes find things of interest. Last but not least, set a reading goal. Start with something attainable and stick to it. As your reading habit gradually improves, you may start to set a higher goal.

In a nutshell, reading habit will develop your mental aptitude and it is a proven fact. Similarly, it improves your ability to think and analyze things. Taking actions by following the tips given to improve your reading habit.


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The Importance of Studying English

The Importance of Studying English
           
            It is a big concerned for teenagers nowadays as they are unaware of the importance of English language as they tend to ignore to learn the language. Students’ attitude towards the language is also crucial to make sure that these teenagers can face the future world better by learning English language as it is an international language.

            Although the government has repeatedly told us of the importance of English, many students are still not bothered about studying it seriously. There is also a campaign that still on to make all the Malaysian becomes a better English learner, which is ‘Enhance Proficiency in Bahasa Malaysia, Strengthen the English’. English is the most important and the most useful language in the world today. There are many reasons why you should study the language properly.

            First and foremost, English will definitely help you a lot when you want to further studies. Almost all books at university are written in English in all subjects. Plus, it is a compulsory for any candidate to pass English with credit before entering any universities. So, if you are poor in English, you will blow you chance for better education or worse, you are going to have a big problem studying at university.

            The second reason why you have to study English well is that it will help you to get a job. When you go for a job interview, the interviewer will surely talk to you in English. The first impression you should give in order to success and have the job is, to respond in English fluently. Your chances of getting the job are very slim if you stutter while interviewing.

            A good command in of English will also help you greatly in your job. If the company you work is actively involved in international trade, you have to speak to prospective customers in English. Miscommunication might occur if your English is bad. And this will put your company at risk and you will likely be dismissed if this happen.

            Good English will also help you a lot when you travel. Every country in the world studies English. Even the roadside stall-holders in China speak fairly good English! At least some of the people you meet on your travels in other countries can understand English. The language is certainly practical when you are lost in your trip. Communication problem will not happen if you can converse well in English. Inevitably, English is one of the languages used in any airport in the world in making announcement. Knowing English well, therefore, make travelling overseas easier.

            Besides all these, entertainment is one of the major advantages you will experience if you good in English. You will enjoy television’s best programmes. We must admit that many of the best programmes are produced by the Americans and British companies. High self confidence influenced by the programmes will indirect inculcate in yourself when you are fluent in the language. Quality time is worthily spent if you understand and enjoy the programmes.

            Based from all the above elaboration, I hope that students will see the importance and realise how importance the language is for their own future. Although it is a second language in our country, it is now a main language all over the world.


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