1. Sample Narrative Essay
Learning something new can be a scary experience. One of the hardest things I've
ever had to do was learn how to swim. I was always afraid of the water, but I decided that
swimming was an important skill that I should learn. I also thought it would be good exercise
and help me to become physically stronger. What I didn't realize was that learning to swim
would also make me a more confident person.
New situations always make me a bit nervous, and my first swimming lesson was no
exception. After I changed into my bathing suit in the locker room, I stood timidly by the
side of the pool waiting for the teacher and other students to show up. After a couple of
minutes the teacher came over. She smiled and introduced herself, and two more students
joined us. Although they were both older than me, they didn't seem to be embarrassed
about not knowing how to swim. I began to feel more at ease.
We got into the pool, and the teacher had us put on brightly coloured water wings to
help us stay afloat. One of the other students, May, had already taken the beginning class
once before, so she took a kickboard and went splashing off by herself. The other student,
Jerry, and I were told to hold on to the side of the pool and shown how to kick for the
breaststroke. One by one, the teacher had us hold on to a kickboard while she pulled it
through the water and we kicked. Pretty soon Jerry was off doing this by himself, travelling
at a fast clip across the short end of the pool.
Things were not quite that easy for me, but the teacher was very patient. After a few
more weeks, when I seemed to have caught on with my legs, she taught me the arm
strokes. Now I had two things to concentrate on, my arms and my legs. I felt hopelessly
uncoordinated. Sooner than I ima gined, however, things began to feel "right" and I was able
to swim! It was a wonderful free feeling - like flying, maybe - to be able to shoot across the
water.
Learning to swim was not easy for me, but in the end my persistence paid off. Not
only did I learn how to swim and to conquer my fear of the water, but I also learned
something about learning. Now when I am faced with a new situation I am not so nervous. I
may feel uncomfortable to begin with, but I know that as I practice being in that situation
and as my skills get better; I will feel more and more comfortable. It is a wonderful, free
feeling when you achieve a goal you have set for yourself.
2. Descriptive Essay: My Favourite Tv Programme
The television (TV) is part and parcel of many households. Therefore, watching
television is a culture of today͛s modern society. It is a favourite past -time of many people,
cutting across the culture, creed, gender and age. I must admit that I too enjoy ͞sitting
glued͟ to the TV as mum often laments. Since I watch TV whole day long, I don͛t blame
mum. However, whenever I watch my favourite TV programme she doesn͛t complain. In
fact, she often sits together to watch it, the ͚National Geographic͛.
The National Geographic is a well-known documentary programme, focusing mainly
on the ever-changing world, on Mother Earth and on nature and peoples and creatures that
colour it with. Just the press of a switch and a button and ͚Hey Presto!͛, the whole world is
brought before me, for me to savour its beauty and wonders. Personally, I am often awed
and amazed with them.
I like this programme because it is very educational. It is a ͚window to the world͛. By
watching it, I can ͚travel͛, ͚explore͛ and ͚discover͛ the four corners of the world. I have
trekked up the highest peak and conquered Mt. Everest. I have dived down the deepest
trenches. I have walked through the wilderness and be amongst the wild beasts, big and
small. Thus, this programme has helped to expand my horizon and improve my knowledge
and experience. I can proudly say I am no more a ͚frog in the well͛.
I also enjoy watching the National Geographic because it is entertaining, interesting
and stimulating. I never imagined that such an educational programme can be very
enjoyable. I get a chance to enjoy the kaleidoscope of sights, sounds and colours of the
world and its different peoples, all in the comfort of my own home.
In addition to that, this programme is of very high quality and it is produced by a
team of experts, all are authorities in their own field of interest. The photographic footage is
extremely breath-taking and inspiring. Besides, the narration is very accurate, informative,
vivid and descriptive. Thus, I have never felt restless, distracted or bored watching this
programme.
The National Geographic is my favourite programme as it has helped me to ͚grow͛
and ͚mature͛. I have watched it since I was a seven-year-old innocent child. Now, I am more
sensitive and aware of the world and Mother Earth. I learn to be more appreciative of
Mother Earth and its beauty and wonders. I am more concern about the preservation and
conservation of the world not only now but also for posterity. In short, the National
Geographic has converted me into a more responsible citizen of the world and a caretaker
of Mother Earth.
It is a touching and heart-warming TV programme and I will not hesitate to
recommend it to others so that they too have a chance to savour amazing moments and
appreciate and care for the one and only world we live in.
3. Argumentative essay: ͞Public exams should be abolished. Do you agree?͟
Public examinations play an important role in a student͛s life in Malaysia. In his eleven years
of schooling, a student has to sit for three major public examinations, the UPSR, PMR and SPM.
These examinations are taken seriously by all parties involved, especially students because the
results are used for a wide range of purposes ranging from placement of students to awarding o f
scholarships. Despite these advantages, I strongly believe that public examinations should be
abolished as they have several drawbacks.
To begin with, public examinations to some extent merely test a student͛s ability to
memorise and regurgitate facts. Bloom͛s taxonomy of learning ranks these skills as lower order
thinking skills. Higher order thinking skills such as application and inference are often neglected.
Students with excellent memory do well in such examinations while those with poor memorising
skills do poorly. Thus, it is not surprising that many students with poor recall skills loathe subjects
like History and Biology. Another case in point is the Moral Education paper, which requires students
to memorise moral values. This is not a valid test as it tests only a student͛s knowledge of values, not
the practice of these values. An A in this paper does not guarantee that the student is a morally
sound and virtuous individual. And what about the student who gets an E? Are we suggesting that
he is not a morally upright individual?
Another reason why I am not in favour of public examinations is that they are not the best
way to identify a student͛s strengths or weaknesses. This is because these examinations test only
certain skills. Allow me to illustrate my point. The language papers, for example, test a student͛s
reading and writing skills only and even so, the range of sub-skills tested is limited. An A in these
subjects does not reflect a student͛s competency in all areas of the language. For all you know, he
may be an incompetent speaker. Or for that matter, does a C mean a student is about average in all
the language skills? Do these grades tell us where a student͛s strengths and weaknesses lie?
Another major drawback is that teaching in schools today is largely influenced by public
examinations. Teachers teach to prepare students for exams and not for life. As such, many of our
students are ill-prepared to face the challenges of the real world. This also goes against the grain of
our National Philosophy of Education where the emphasis is on character building and the
development of human capital. All parties involved are to be blamed for this as they are more
concerned with student achievement and not student development. At the end of the day, parents
want straight A͛s for their children, principals want excellent performances from their students and
teachers, and the list goes on.
Finally, in their quest for excellent academic results, school becomes a bore and a chore.
Students are overwhelmed with homework, extra classes and tuition, and teachers are overworked,
leaving both parties with little or no time for relaxation. Thus, it is not surprising that students
choose to ignore co-curricular activities. They see these as a waste of precious time. Parents too, are
affected by the emphasis on academic achievement. Some go to great lengths to secure private
tuition for their children, hiring only the best.
Thus, we can conclude that public exams take the fun out of learning. We cannot deny the
fact that public examinations enable us to assess thousands of students using a similar instrument
but the question one needs to ask is who eventually benefits from such a system? What happens to
students who are not able to master test-taking skills? Is academic excellence the only indicator of
success as suggested by the public examination system? In a world which is changing rapidly, we
need to prepare our students for the many challenges they will have to face as they will form the
backbone of our nation in the years to come. Taking into consideration the flaws of the public exam
system, it is clear that we should seriously consider other means of assessing students and do away
with public exams.
4. Expository Essay: How To Make A Simple Birthday Cake
Have you ever wanted to make a birthday cake for a loved one?Well, here is how to
make a simple birthday cake. All you'll need is a little time, love, and a few items from the
grocery store.
You will need a boxed cake mix (the favourite of the birthday person), shortening,
eggs, oil, flour, and birthday candles (the number will depend on the age of the birthday
person.)When you get home, you will need to gather a few items: a large mixing bowl, a
large cake pan, an electric mixer or a large mixing spoon, a spatula, and measuring cups and
spoons.
First, you will need to wash your hands and work area. Read through the directions
on the cake box to be sure you have everything you need. Then, gather all of your
equipment and food items in your work area, o rganize it according to the order you will use
them in making your cake. Be sure to preheat your oven to the appropriate temperature
before you begin.
Next, put the dry cake mix into your large mixing bowl. Then, put the prescribed
amount of water, oil, and eggs into the mix. Then, with the electric mixer or mixing spoon
mix the batter until it is smooth and free of clumps. Next, grease the large cake pa n with the
shortening. If you wish, you can wrap your fingers with wax paper to keep them from
getting greasy. Then, flour the pan lightly. If you do this over the garbage can it will be easier
to clean your work area later. Next, pour the cake batter into the cake pan, using the rubber
spatula to scrape all of the batter off of the sides of the bowl. Be sure the batter is level in
the pan so it will rise evenly. Next, place the cake on the top rack of the oven and bake for
the amount of time specified on t he box, the time is usually around thirty minutes. While
the cake is baking clean up you work area.
After the cake is done remove it from the oven. If you push a toothpick to the
bottom and it comes out clean it is done. Turn off the oven and let the cake cool.
After the cake has had ample time to cool, you are ready
to spread the icing on the cake. If you use a spatula, rather than a knife, the icing will spread
easier and will be less likely to ruin the cake. When the icing is on the cake, place the
appropriate number of birthday candles on it, you are ready to present your simple birthday
cake.
There you have it, a birthday cake that someone will be glad to devour. This cake
is easy to make, but still shows someone you care. Be sure to prepare it with love, and your
loved one will appreciate it.
