Holidays!

The hols are finally here. Do use your time wisely.

Homework:

1) Prelim Practice Paper 1

2) Vocab p. 53-102 (Do about 3-4 a day for 15 days in order to complete)

Please look up the meanings of all words that you don't know. Take note of the spelling.

3) Read the model essays which will be posted here - I will post them on Wed next week.

The June holidays is the time when you take stock of all that you have learnt.

Look forward to the Spelling Bee Competition!

God bless.

Things to Do

1) Clear your lockers by 24/5.

2) Hand in your result analysis tomorrow (21/5).

3) Write the poem on phobia by tomorrow. I will bring you to the lab to type it out. Pls include some original illustrations.

4) Email me the soft copy of the fractured fairy tales and return me the storybooks that you have made. Include some illustrations. Deadline: 27 May 2010.

5) Budding Writers Project by Marshall Cavendish
If you are interested, pls write a story and submit when school reopens.
More information can be found in http://www.marshallcavendish.com.sg/contentview.aspx?article_id=3

What to Revise

Before the exam, please revise:

1) Practice Papers 1-10 (Don't just look - take notes and redo questions) / CA1

2) English notebook

3) Forms of verbs (the list that I gave today)

4) Advanced vocabulary

During the exam,

1) For synthesis, please note: only change tenses / time reference words in REPORTED SPEECH. Underline the words to be changed if there is any reported speech question.

2) Highlight clues in grammar section (Q6-12) and cloze. You may write down your thought processes whilst checking.

3) For comprehension, check your tenses. Also ensure you write in complete sentences.

4) Use your time wisely.

Practice Paper 8

Please type out questions here if you need me to give you the answers. You may call or email me also.

I am praying for you. Please take this exam seriously.

Your Attitude Determines Your Altitude

I was disappointed today when only a handful of you said you had studied for the vocabulary test. All the items in the test were from Practice Papers 1 to 9 or the CA1 paper. Yet, I had to detain pupils who did not perform well in the test during recess. You all should be scoring 10/10, given your intelligence.

Please revise all that we have been doing in class. There are so many aspects of English to cover, but you should at least be familiarised with what you have already learnt.

Let's set a target for you. Try to improve by at least 5 marks in Paper 2 from CA1. Those who can meet this target will get a sticker on the chart.

Homework:
1) Complete the revision sheet that I prepared for you.

Revise Vocabulary

Please revise vocabulary sections (Q16-25) of Practice Paper 1 - 9 and CA1 paper today. Look up the meanings of words you do not know and study how the words are used in context.

I will give you a mini-test on vocabulary tomorrow. I will also test you verbally.
Penalty for pupils who do not show effort: Stay back during recess and use that time to do revision.

Please bring your practice paper file tomorrow. I will be referring to the practice papers when we do revision tomorrow.

Last-minute Tips

You will be in my prayers as you prepare for the SA1. Do put in effort and don't be contented with a mediocre mark. Strive for A*, which means every mark counts!

Situational Writing
1) Identify text type -Email (formal/ informal) / Letter (formal/ informal/ complaint)
2) Appropriate greeting and signing off (If names are given, use them) - If formal, need to introduce yourself sufficiently
3) Highlight points that need to be included
4) Re-read what you have written and ensure recipient will be well-informed
5) Number your points and check your tenses and spelling

Composition
1) SPCOC - Setting / Problem / Complication / Outcome / Conclusion (Do not miss out any of these)
2) Add descriptive words and phrases. Memorise one or two sentences from each category in the vocabulary list as I have mentioned a long time ago
3) Check tenses, punctuations and spelling

What do I mean by descriptive words / phrases?
E.g.
He walked to the shop. ----> The lanky boy sprinted to the provision shop with long strides, as though he was racing against time.
The latter sentence is more vivid and you can visualise the scene much better.
Do make the effort to write vividly.

Descriptions by a former pupil (Can be found in Many Dreams, One World)

The boy not only had a shaven Mohawk, he also had gothic tattoos on his arm. Chains of cheap jewellery also hung around his neck which was tightly wrapped in a spiked collar.

Reward for pupils scoring 32 and above for compo: 1 sticker
Reward for pupils scoring 15/15 for situational: 1 sticker
Strive to get the rewards!

May He keep you and bless you and make His face shine on you.

Commonly Made Mistakes

These are some commonly made mistakes:

Correct Spelling

1) exhilarated

2) success

3) separate

4) disappointed

Starting of sentences

In your compositions, do not start a sentence with "But" or "And".

"But" can be replaced with "However" or "Nevertheless".

"And" can be replaced with "Furthermore" or "In addition".

In comprehension, do not start a sentence with "So", "So that" or "To".

Past tense

1) Present - seek

Past - sought

2) Present - Forgive

Past - Forgave

3) Present - Worship

Past - Worshipped (double p)

Punctuations

E.g. "Who are you?" she asked.

Note that the word "she" starts with a small letter. The sentence only ends at the word "asked", so "she" should not start with a capital letter.

"I will go," Sam replied.

Note that the word "go" is followed by a comma, not a fullstop.

Situational Writing 6 (Letter of Complaint)

Dear Manager,

I am writing to seek your help in making an exchange for a CD. On 1 October at 11a.m., I bought a CD from your shop. When I arrived home, I realised that the CD was broken. That evening at 5p.m., I returned to the shop to exchange for a new CD. My request was turned down flatly.

I am upset that the cashier did not allow me to change the CD. The receipt clearly stated that exchanges could be made within three days of purchase. Please look into the matter and I look forward to your reply.

Regards,

Samuel Lim