Candidate Name: Class:

Index No:

Chong Boon Secondary School

Preliminary Examination 2008
Secondary 4 Express & 5 Normal (A)
English Language
Paper 1 1127/1

26th August 2008 (Tuesday) 1 hr 45 min

Instruction to Candidates

Additional Materials: 4 pieces of Writing paper

Instructions to Candidates

Write your name, class and index number in the spaces provided on the Answer Paper.
Write in dark blue or black pen on both sides of the Answer paper.
Do not use staples, paper clips, highlighters, glue or correction fluid.

This paper consists of two sections: Section One (Free Writing) and Section Two (Situational-writing)
Answer both Section One and Section Two.
Write your answers on the writing papers provided.

At the end of the examination, fasten all your Section One and Section Two separately.
All questions in this paper carry equal marks.

This paper consists of 2 printed pages (excluding this cover page).

 Section One (30 marks)

You are advised to write between 350 and 500 words on one of the following topics.

At the head of your composition, write the number of the topic you have chosen.

1. What are some of the social issues we are facing today and what can we do to overcome
them?

2. Describe some of the unique experiences tourists can get when they are in Singapore.

3. Write about an occasion when someone motivated you to do something courageous.

4. Winnings.

5. “Leadership abilities are inborn rather than groomed.” How far do you agree with this
statement?

EL Paper 1 (Sec 4E/5NA) Preliminary Examination 2008 1

 Section Two (30 marks)

Begin your answer on a fresh page.

You are advised to write between 250 and 350 words for this section.
You should read the information carefully and plan your answer before beginning to write.

A parent has enquired about your school’s National Education programme and is curious about how
your school celebrates certain events to incorporate the principles of National Education. Your
principal would like you, President of the Student Council, to write a letter on behalf of your school
to highlight to that parent the following events from your perspective.

You gathered some comments from various members of the school and these were what they said:

Racial Harmony Day Celebrations National Day Celebrations

Mark Ong from Secondary One: Garick Kea from Secondary Four:

Taking part in the Dancefuzion Competition was I am proud to be in the marching contingent. We
very tiring and time consuming but it was really looked impressive in our uniforms and we
meaningful. were marching to perfect timing.

Siti Rashidah from Secondary Three: Lim Han Jie from Secondary Two:

Thanks to our Indian friends, we were able to I was filled with national pride when we sang
form beautiful and colourful Kolams (intricate the National Day songs.
floor decoration using rice).

Mrs Raju (Tamil Teacher): The Principal:

It was great seeing many colleagues of mine and The 3Rs campaign was launched that morning
students each dressed in an ethnic costume of a to remind us all that we have a part to play in
different race. keeping our country clean and green.

Mdm Rodriquez (Parents Support Group): Mr Samuel Kim (Teacher):

I enjoyed setting up the food stall and selling my I was excited to see many students raising their
race’s unique dishes to the students. hands eagerly to take part in the National Day
quiz held in the hall.

In your letter, you should highlight which is your preferred event, focusing on what made the
event entertaining and inspiring to you. Explain clearly why this event is successful in instilling
a sense of pride and belonging to the nation. Your letter should be informative yet convincing
that National Education is embedded in your school programmes.

Write your letter in clear, accurate English and use a lively tone to engage the reader.

End of Paper
EL Paper 1 (Sec 4E/5NA) Preliminary Examination 2008 2
 Sample for Situational Writing
Chong Boon Secondary School
2 Ang Mo Kio Street 44
Singapore 569250

21st October 2008

Mrs Kimberly Sim

28 Sunshine Drive
Singapore 357776

Dear Mrs Sim

National Education in Chong Boon Secondary

I am Helen Chin, President of the Student Council of Chong Boon Secondary School. I am writing on behalf of my
school to respond to your enquires on how our school celebrates certain events to incorporate the principles of National
Education.

In Chong Boon Secondary School, National Education is embedded in our school programmes such as the celebrations
of major commemorative events. One of them is the National Day celebrations. On the eve of National Day, our
uniformed groups marched in the parade square before morning assembly. After which, we gathered in the school hall
to sing National Day Songs with a sense of national pride. There was also a quiz on Singapore’s history which everyone
participated eagerly. Lastly, the 3Rs campaign was launched that morning to remind us all that we have a part to play in
keeping our country clean and green. Indeed, our National Day celebrations instilled in us a sense of pride and
belonging but there is another event, the Racial Harmony Day celebrations, which I am particularly impressed with.

During Racial Harmony Day, all the students and teachers of different races took part in many different entertaining
and meaningful activities that brought us together and helped us to understand each others’ culture. One of the activities
was the Dancefuzion competition where participants had to incorporate a fusion of dance steps from the different ethnic
groups. We had the opportunity to watch how creative the participants were.

There were also the beautiful and colourful Kolams that were made by the Secondary Three students. They were on
display in the hall and school foyer for all to admire. Some of the designs were inspiring, considering that they were
made by non-Indians. The non-Indians were able to create these Kolams with the help of their Indian friends. This goes
to show that if we work together regardless of our race, we can create something as beautiful as those artworks.

Apart from the vibrant Kolams, another interesting sight on that day was the variety of ethnic costumes worn by the
teachers and students. Most wore an ethnic costume that was different from their own ethnicity. This was a clear
indication that we are comfortable with each others’ culture and that despite our differences, we are one as we belong
to one nation.

Parents too, were not left out from the event. Some parents set up food stalls and sold unique dishes from their own
culture. We, students had the opportunity to sample some of the exotic dishes such as the Eurasian’s Devil’s Curry, the
Chinese dumplings and so on so forth. There was a sense of pride in the parents of different races as they shared their
unique food culture.

On the whole, the myriad of meaningful activities made the event a successful one as it managed to instil a sense of
pride and belonging to the nation. At the same time, we were entertained and inspired to live harmoniously. As you can
see, our school values National Education and these are just two of the many events that are being carried out in school.
Certainly, we have embedded the principles of National Education into our school programmes.

TF 1: highlight both events from your perspective (not a proposal)

Yours sincerely TF 2: state explicitly which is your preferred event without
Helen Chin condemning the other
Helen Chin TF 3: state how preferred event is entertaining AND inspiring
President of the Student Council TF 4: state how preferred event create a sense of pride AND
belonging to the nation
TF 5: reinforce ideas to CONVINCE
529 words
(2 marks (maximum) deducted for wrong format)

EL Paper 1 (Sec 4E/5NA) Preliminary Examination 2008 3