IN THE MIDST OF HARDSHIP BY LATIFF MOHIDIN
Practice 1
Read the stanza below and answer the questions that follow,
In the Midst of Hardship by Latiff Mohidin
Stanza 1
At dawn they returned home
their soaky clothes torn
and approached the stove
their limbs marked by scratches
their legs full of wounds
but on their brows
there was not a sign of despair
(a) Which phrase in stanza 1 shows that the people are injured? (1 mark)
(b) Give the meaning of the following words:
(i) ‘soaky’ (1 mark)
(ii) ‘limbs’ (1 mark)
(c) Do you admire the actions of the people? Give a reason for your answer. (2 marks)
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
IN THE MIDST OF HARDSHIP
In the Midst of Hardship by Latiff Mohidin
At dawn they returned home
their soaky clothes torn
and approached the stove
their limbs marked by scratches
their legs full of wounds
but on their brows
there was not a sign of despair
The whole day and night just passed
they had to brave the horrendous flood
in the water all the time
between bloated carcasses
and tiny chips of tree barks
desperately looking for their son’s
albino buffalo that was never found
They were born amidst hardship
and grew up without a sigh or a complaint
now they are in the kitchen, making
jokes while rolling their cigarette leaves
Paraphrase:
The villagers returned home early in the morning. Their clothes were torn and wet as they walked into their kitchen. Their arms and legs had cuts all over but they were not depressed.
They had spent one whole day and night searching for their son's albino buffalo, wading through the floodwaters, surrounded by broken twigs, pieces of tree barks and animal carcasses. However, they did not find the buffalo.
The villagers had been born into a life of hardships but they never grumbled. Even after all they had been through, they could still crack jokes and relax in the kitchen.
At dawn they returned home
their soaky clothes torn
and approached the stove
their limbs marked by scratches
their legs full of wounds
but on their brows
there was not a sign of despair
The whole day and night just passed
they had to brave the horrendous flood
in the water all the time
between bloated carcasses
and tiny chips of tree barks
desperately looking for their son’s
albino buffalo that was never found
They were born amidst hardship
and grew up without a sigh or a complaint
now they are in the kitchen, making
jokes while rolling their cigarette leaves
Paraphrase:
The villagers returned home early in the morning. Their clothes were torn and wet as they walked into their kitchen. Their arms and legs had cuts all over but they were not depressed.
They had spent one whole day and night searching for their son's albino buffalo, wading through the floodwaters, surrounded by broken twigs, pieces of tree barks and animal carcasses. However, they did not find the buffalo.
The villagers had been born into a life of hardships but they never grumbled. Even after all they had been through, they could still crack jokes and relax in the kitchen.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Exam format 2011
The new format for the literature component are as follows:
Poem 5 marks
Novel 15 marks
___________
Total 20 marks
As you can see, the short stories and the drama will not be tested in SPM. The poems will include all the four poems.
A circular has been sent to school to confirm this a week ago.
Poem 5 marks
Novel 15 marks
___________
Total 20 marks
As you can see, the short stories and the drama will not be tested in SPM. The poems will include all the four poems.
A circular has been sent to school to confirm this a week ago.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
What is an 'A' script for Continuous Writing?
An 'A'script has the following features:
1 accurate language - few slips only, no serious errors like errors in tenses
2 accurate spelling across the board
3 precise vocabulary - do not be too obsessed with idioms and flowery phrases. many students use bombastic words but it is not suitable.
4 interesting and original...write from the heart
5 correct tone - if it is formal, then use a formal tone, if it is a friendly letter, then it should sound informal...
Jun, go ahead and write your imaginative essays but be careful about your errors. Do not write too long. Leave about 10 minutes for editing.
1 accurate language - few slips only, no serious errors like errors in tenses
2 accurate spelling across the board
3 precise vocabulary - do not be too obsessed with idioms and flowery phrases. many students use bombastic words but it is not suitable.
4 interesting and original...write from the heart
5 correct tone - if it is formal, then use a formal tone, if it is a friendly letter, then it should sound informal...
Jun, go ahead and write your imaginative essays but be careful about your errors. Do not write too long. Leave about 10 minutes for editing.
Answering your questions
If you are good in English, try to write an original piece instead of memorising. If someone else happens to write the same essay or if the examiner has read it before, then, you might get lower marks.
Some students memorise essays and produce a perfect piece. However, when examiners read their directed writing, their language is not as good as the continuous writing. Therefore, your marks for continuous writing will be lowered.
Some students memorise essays and produce a perfect piece. However, when examiners read their directed writing, their language is not as good as the continuous writing. Therefore, your marks for continuous writing will be lowered.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Continuous Writing
Tips:
1 Do not memorise whole essays and try to fit it into the given titles. You may try to memorise certain phrases or interesting introductions but if your language does not match the directed writing, your marks will be pulled down.
2 Write about what you know. For example, if your interest is football, then write a story about football. If you like Korean drama, write something Korean, making use of your knowledge and vocabulary. Originality will get you more marks.
3 If you are quite weak in narrative writing, go for the reflective or factual essays.
Topics: How can I help save the environment?
What are the changes I would like to see in my school?
1 Do not memorise whole essays and try to fit it into the given titles. You may try to memorise certain phrases or interesting introductions but if your language does not match the directed writing, your marks will be pulled down.
2 Write about what you know. For example, if your interest is football, then write a story about football. If you like Korean drama, write something Korean, making use of your knowledge and vocabulary. Originality will get you more marks.
3 If you are quite weak in narrative writing, go for the reflective or factual essays.
Topics: How can I help save the environment?
What are the changes I would like to see in my school?
Friday, November 19, 2010
Revision - Part 2
The novel - The Pearl
5 elements to prepare:
1 Character - I like/dislike/admire
Prepare 3 reasons why you choose the character and give evidence from the story for each reason.
2 Theme - Greed destroys; Money is not everything; Love is important; The discrimination of the poor
Show evidence from the novel which depicts the particular theme..give three events/instances.
3 Setting - the place and time of the story (this has never been tested)
4 Plot - unforgettable event, important event, sad event, happy event
5 Moral values/ Lesson learnt - state the lesson clearly. Read the question carefully. Did they ask for one lesson or many lessons?
The question may also combine two elements.
For example: Describe an important event and a lesson learnt.
5 elements to prepare:
1 Character - I like/dislike/admire
Prepare 3 reasons why you choose the character and give evidence from the story for each reason.
2 Theme - Greed destroys; Money is not everything; Love is important; The discrimination of the poor
Show evidence from the novel which depicts the particular theme..give three events/instances.
3 Setting - the place and time of the story (this has never been tested)
4 Plot - unforgettable event, important event, sad event, happy event
5 Moral values/ Lesson learnt - state the lesson clearly. Read the question carefully. Did they ask for one lesson or many lessons?
The question may also combine two elements.
For example: Describe an important event and a lesson learnt.
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