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SPM OPEN ESSAYS

Drug abuse
Drug abuse used to be a phrase commonly used for adults, but
now it is becoming common among teenagers. Why does it occur
among teenagers and what can be done about it?
There are psychological and social reasons. Some individuals have
a geneticpredisposition to becoming depressed due to stress and
it is undeniable that teenagehood can be one of the most stressful
stages of life. Such a psychiatric disposition could lead to drug
addiction because drugs give the abusers relief from stress. Having
tried it once, the sense of feeling high spurs the user to get a
second fix and so on. Poor stress management and a low selfesteem could also trigger the use of drugs as the person simply
wants to escape reality. The social reason comes in the form of
peer pressure. In order to be accepted by a group, some teenagers
succumb to peer pressure and get hooked on drugs.
Following that, how can one help reduce the risk of teenage
involvement in drug abuse? Getting to know a teenager's friends
and their parents on a first name basis will also help a parent know
what their teen is up to. Networking between parents of teenagers
is essential. Keeping connected to their teens is also important. If
a parent cannot be home with their teen, call and leave notes.
Have another adult supervise him or sign him up for an after school
program. If these things are not possible, establish a routine for
the teenager to keep him busy.
Parents often avoid talking of drugs. They should. However, it must
be reminded that these are conversations, not lectures that would
bore teenagers. Instead, unite the family against drugs using
strong family beliefs such as religious teachings. Establish that the
family does not use drugs and there are other healthier ways to
enjoy life and fix problems than escaping into a drug haze.
In doing so, the risks teenagers face against drugs, peer pressure
to take drugs and the curiosity of taking drugs can be minimized,
thereby creating a harmonious and healthy living environment for
teenagers to
thrive and excel in.

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predisposition to bring about susceptibility
self-esteem belief and confidence in your own ability and
value:
get hooked enjoying something so much that you are
unable to stop having it, watching it, doing it

Co-curricular activities are a waste of time and money. Do you

agree ?
Co-curricular activities are activities that are planned for students
after school through clubs and uniformed societies. Students are
required to join at least one uniformed unit and a club. In my
opinion, these activities play an important role in a student's life
and are therefore not a waste of time and money.
First and foremost, co-curricular activities provide a broadening
experience for students to learn about themselves, other people,
and the community at large through the various activities organized
such as camping, school trips, games, project work and
campaigns. For example, when students go on a study tour, they
are given a chance to encounter situations and opportunities in the
real world, beyond the school gate.
Apart from that, co-curricular activities provide students with a
chance to develop other aspects such as music, sports and other
living skills. Some students are unable to shine in the classroom
but they are superb athletes and musicians. Confined to the
demands of their studies, they are unable to develop their talents
and may be branded as failures. Co-curricular activities help these

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students to become fulfilled individuals.
Besides that, these activities provide leadership training for
students. They get a chance to learn how to lead a team. They
learn organizational skills such as planning, budgeting and problemsolving, all of which the classroom situation may be unable to
provide. They learn discipline and co-operation, tolerance and
understanding.
In addition, co-curricular activities provide an outlet for students to
rest and relax after a hard day's work. Students get to play, laugh
and release their tension through the various club activities held,
such as quizzes, treasure hunts and various games. As there are
many types of clubs and societies, there is almost something for
everyone. For those who do not like outdoor games, they can
always join a chess club or a cookery club. For the active and
restless, they can join the football club or the netball club. Various
competitions and selections are held and some students are
picked to represent their schools.
Co-curricular activities certainly play an important role in a
student's life. They complement the activities of the classroom. In
a nutshell, a well-planned co-curricular program helps students
become wholesome individuals. Thus, co-curricular activities are
definitely not a waste of time and money.

What qualities do you look for in a friend ? Explain why you think
these qualities are important
The day we learn to talk and socialize is the day we start making

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friends. As we grow up, we discover that there are many types of
friends. Some are more of anacquaintance and a select few are
confidantes. To me, the word `friend' is sacred. It means more
than just a companion who goes for movies and have laughs over
nothing with. A friend is someone I can turn to when I am down and
will always stand by my side through thick and thin. What qualities
do I look for in a friend?
Firstly, my friend should always be caring. This means taking an
interest in my problems no matter how big or petty they are. A
friend gives me encouragement even when everyone else is against
me. Many people say they are friends, but most of them run away
the minute I am not cheerful or funny. A real friend sticks by me no
matter what mood or predicament I am in. After all, isn't friendship
about accepting and liking people for who and what they are?
Apart from that, a friend should be honest. This quality is crucial to
me, because honesty builds trust. An honest friend will not lie and I
must be able to trust the person with my secrets. Apart from that,
sometimes I need an honest opinion about myself or an issue. If a
friend is honest, I can trust that his or her opinion is not biased.
This is very important to me, because although the truth may hurt it
will help me to improve. Only an honest friend will be able to do
that.
Besides that, a friend must also be able to share the same humor
with me. Humor plays an important role in making your day more
lively and enjoyable. Friends who can joke and laugh over similar
things make life so much more fun. As they say, laughter is the
best medicine and brings much joy on dull days.
I welcome everyone as my friend. However, I look for certain
qualities which would make him or her a meaningful friend and
someone I can count on. Among them would be honesty, a warm
heart and the
ability to share and participate in the same humor.

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through thick and
always giving support
thin
acquaintance a person you have met but do not know well
predicament an unpleasant situation

How to solve the problem of loitering among schoolchildren

Education plays a crucial role in molding the future of our youths.
Schools are painstakingly at work in producing bright young
students. However, the current generation of students would rather
gain popularity than to work hard. Loiteringis
becoming rampant among them. Some even skip school to loiter.
How do we address this?
First and foremost, we cannot undermine the power of education.
Parents should teach their children the importance of education. In
school, teachers ought toinstill the importance of studying hard for
the sake of a bright future. Often, students do not understand the
relevance of their actions in the present. Perhaps by listening to
both parents and teachers, students will be able to realize that
persevering in their studies will undoubtedly improve their lives in
the future.
Besides that, schools must increase the number of discipline
teachers. Discipline teachers should also be given the green light
to punish students who disobey any school rules or regulations. By
doing so, students will be afraid to loiter and choose to stay in the
classroom instead.
Moreover, teachers should strive to include new methods of

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teaching in their daily lessons. Their teaching technique should
always be upgraded to suit the changing needs of students. By
doing so, the lesson in class becomes more enjoyable and
students will be more interested to study. Interactive methods of
teaching such as using computers and LCD will attract the
attention of today's tech-savvy students.
Last but not least, schools and the community could organize more
interesting activities after school hours. If something interesting is
happening, many youths would be attracted to participate. For
example, if there is a talent contest or a dance competition, I am
sure many of our youths would have no time for loitering. Cocurricular activities in school should also be more relevant and
interesting in order to captivate their attention.
The problem of loitering has plagued many schools for a long time.
Loitering can be solved if steps are taken immediately to curb it.
The youths are our nation's future leaders and should be taken
care of to ensure a prosperous nation.
Loitering to move around without an obvious reason
rampant getting worse quickly
instill to put an idea into someone's mind

Your school celebrated Teacher's Day recently. You are writing a

letter to a friend to describe this special occasion.
Dear Pam,
How are you and your family ? Please convey my warmest regards
to them. As for my family and me, we are doing very well.
My school celebrated Teacher's day last week. All of us had a
fabulous time. The activities on that day started at 8.00 a.m.
First, we had an assembly in the school hall. The Head Prefect
went up and gave a speech. He informed us about the activities for

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that day. This was followed by another speech by the principal who
reminded students to study hard and develop good qualities. He
also commended our teachers for their diligence and commitment.
At the end of the speech, we clapped loudly to show our
appreciation to our teachers.
For the next item, the class monitors read out the Teacher's Day
message. This was then followed by our class parties. While
eating, we sang, danced and played games. Some of us presented
our class teachers with presents and roses. I gave my favorite
teacher, Cik Aminah, a stalk of rose.
After 11 a.m., the telematches started. Of course, this was the
highlight of the day. The teachers and students played various
interesting games. The games went on till 1 p.m. Not surprisingly,
the students won most of the games.
We all enjoyed ourselves so much that day. How about your
school ? Do tell me how your school celebrated Teacher's Day in
your next letter. I have to stop here. You take care.
Your friend,
convey

to communicate information on a message

commended
diligence

praised
hardworking

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SPM OPEN ESSAYS

Road Safety

Why think of road safety at all? It is because of the accidents that

occur everyday on the road, in which all sorts of vehicles and
human beings and even animal are involved. These accidents mean
loss of life and loss of property and more often than not
obstruction to traffic. In this age of speed and fast moving vehicles
and with the congestion on roads, these accidents have became
almost an everyday affair. So unless everybody is educated on the
importance of road safety, the loss and the sorry spectacles cannot
be avoided.
Prevention is better than cure. This holds good even in the matter
of road accidents. Accidents are due to many causes and may
occur under different circumstances. The simplest but at the same
time dangerous perhaps is people slipping down on the road
caused by an orange or a banana peel. Without meaning any harm,
quite innocently a person may throw away the orange peel or the
banana skin on the road or the sidewalk. When a person, walking
briskly, steps on, it he or she will slip down ending in fracture of
bones and sometimes even more dangerous than that. So people
must take care they do not throw the pealings on the road but
should deposit them in a dust-bin. In some countries the offenders
are severely punished. The second cause of accident is due to
careless crossing in busy roads. While crossing one must look to
the right and left for moving vehicles and then cross.

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Where there are Zebra crossings on the road for the pedestrians to
cross, one should cross along them. One should keep to the
margin of the road while walking and the vehicles must keep to
their lanes in busy streets.
In the case of accidents involving vehicles there are many causes.
One is trying to overtake and very often taking risk. Another is
wrong judgment in crossing. Sometimes it may be not caring for the
signals. In crowded streets accidents may take place in a snap
second because one does not care for the signal. "Stop, look and
go" is the best precept; it will save vehicles from accidents. But
where one takes a foolish step, the result is the inevitable
accident. Jay riding may be another cause. Riding two or three
abreast is always dangerous. Especially one must be aware of this.
Scooter riders become victims of road accidents. But if they just
wear the helmet as required by law they could easily avoid fracture
and hence death.
Very often the cause of accidents is the failure of the brake system
which means the owner of the vehicle does not bother to keep the
machine in good condition. By attending to the vehicle regularly a
lot of miseries could be avoided.
Road safety is a matter of education in which the school can play a
significant role. Through scouting, Red Cross and social education
classes, children can be taught the importance of observing the
rules of the road. Children must be taught their limbs and lives are
very valuable and they must not take risk, especially when leaving
the school. As soon as the bell goes children rush out and
accidents do happen. Under the circumstances the teachers must
feel it their duty to regulate the traffic near the school. The police
can cooperate with the school in this respect.
To make the people road conscious, the mass media can play a
useful role. The newspaper, the wall poster and the cinema and
now the TV come in handy. Shots in the cinema or TV emphasizing
the importance of road safety can be highlighted. There may be
speeches over the radio by the police officials. During peak hours
in crowded areas, the police may direct the traffic and ask people
to keep to their lanes.

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SPM OPEN ESSAYS

Should parents allow their children to earn pocket money ?

Discuss
Pocket money is money that we have and that we can spend on
what we like without having to account to someone. Usually, as far
as children and teenagers are concerned, pocket money is given by
their parents to help them pay for necessities. The amount of
pocket money one requires depends on what one needs to pay for.
It also depends on how much the parents can fork out. It may be
given on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis. Some parents
attach conditions on what the money can be spent on.
Children can always ask their parents for money but there are
limits. Parents will say that they have very few needs, other than
food they have to buy in the school canteen. However, teenagers
have more things to pay for like snacks, entertainment such as
cinema tickets, DVD rentals, books and magazines when they go
on an outing with friends. Other items they need to pay for may
include mobile phones and phone credit, school supplies, public
transport and other travel expenses, birthday and holiday presents
and savings.
So, some teenagers may help their parents with household chores

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to supplement their pocket money. But, this is not advisable as it
is wrong to attach a monetary value to tasks in the household.
They may however be able to look for some ways to earn extra
pocket money. It is more fun to earn your own money whatever the
amount is. Parents should and can allow their children to earn
pocket money.
There are several ways to supplement pocket money. Consider
taking on a steady part-time job at a fast food outlet or a shop near
your house. Helping your parents, neighbors or old people in the
neighborhood with their work, such as typing or running errands like
doing weekly shopping for them is another way of earning some
pocket money. At, times, one can also do some mowing of the
grass for the neighbor or looking after their home when they are
away. These are good neighborly act and perfectly sensible ways of
earning some extra money.
Tutoring other students is a good way of supplementing your pocket
money. Doing this helps the students and in return you are
indirectly doing revision. Babysitting for some neighbors is another
activity that is both useful where earning pocket money is
concerned and developing a sense of responsibility. In many
countries teenagers earn quite a bit of money by offering to babysit
on weekends or for a couple of hours in the afternoon.
Ask your parents about joining a car boot sale, rummage sale or
posting items on eBay or another online auction site is another
good way to earn some extra money. While you are earning money,
you are helping the family to clear theclutter in the house. Make
sure whatever you take to the sale is really not wanted by family
members or you might end up poorer and burn a hole in your
pocket.
Allowing the teenagers to earn pocket money benefits both parents
and the teenagers. The latter learn to value money as they have to
work hard to earn it. They learn to be independent and may
appreciate their parents as the breadwinners. They also learn the
importance of being responsible for their work, either at school or
part-time work. The former or parents will realize that teenagers
need their space to mature with confidence.

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Whether parents should allow teenagers to earn pocket money
depends on the family circumstances. Pocket money can be the
bane of any teenager's existence. No matter how much you get, it
never seems enough. Of course this is the point of pocket money,
to teach you to budget and save and become responsible for your
purchases. Prove to your parents that you are equal to the task and
you just might be pleasantly surprised by the results!
rummage sale

clutter
the bane of

a sale of a mixed collection of things that

people no longer want, especially in order
to make money for an organization
( a lot of objects in ) a state of being untidy
a cause of continuous trouble or
unhappiness

The benefits of co-curricular activities

Co-curricular activities are carried out in school after the regular
lessons of the day. It is compulsory for every student to join these
activities. This ensures students receive a balanced education with
an emphasis, not only on academic success, but also on mental,
physical, social and emotional development through active
participation in co-curricular activities.
The benefits of co-curricular activities are many. First and foremost,
they provide the environment in which we can not only discover our
hidden talents and skills, but also exercise and strengthen them
effectively. For example, as president of a club, a student is
responsible for the proper functioning of the club. He organizes
activities and mobilizes the members to carry out these activities.
In the process, he develops good leadership skills. As he sees the

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positive outcome of his leadership, his confidence will receive a
boost. This will encourage him to move on to other successes even
after he leaves school.
Another benefit of co-curricular activities is that it enhances social
interaction. We learn to get along with students of different ages
from other classes in the school. We learn to communicate
effectively with them and to work together with them. As club
members we learn how to give and take, and how to cooperate in
order to achieve a common goal. We also learn that we cannot
always have things our way but have to compromise for the sake of
harmony. Thus, as we develop our communication skills we learn to
work as a team for the good of the team and not just ourselves.
A third benefit of co-curricular activities is that we learn to use our
time constructively. Many of us achieve very little in our free time
and then complain of boredom. We have heard the saying `An idle
mind is the devil's workshop'. If left on our own we might engage in
negative activities with serious consequences. It is therefore
important that we channel our energy towards constructive
activities. Co-curricular activities provide a positive and safe
environment where we are neither idle nor destructive.
Consequently, we are prevented from wasting precious time.
Participating in a sport, for example, entails regular practice. This
would keep us out of mischief as we will not have the time to get
involved in undesirable activities such as loitering and vandalism.
Last but not least, co-curricular activities teach us discipline and
self-control. When meetings are held we have to be punctual. Even
after the regular lessons of the day are over, we do not give in to
tiredness but attend meetings and discussions. If tasks have to be
completed for a specific purpose, we learn to complete them on
time. Thus co-curricular activities provide a framework for us to
appreciate the importance of discipline and self control.
In a nutshell, co-curricular activities are an essential part of the
education curriculum. They ensure that our mental, physical and
social needs are met. They provide us with opportunities
to cultivate confidence and discipline. At the same time, we
develop new skills and discover hidden talents. We learn the
importance of time and how to use it constructively. Indeed, co-

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curricular activities are an indispensable part of school life because
they build our confidence, train us to get along with others, and
prepare us for later life.
mobilizes organizes
loitering loaf around aimlessly

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