marathon spm 2011

8/6/2019 Marathon Spm 2011

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GUIDELINES

1. Read through the passage once.

2. Try fitting each option into a numbered blank.

3. Note the answers in pencil.

4. Work out the answers.

5. Check through.

6. Choose the best answer.

EXERCISE 1:

Each question in the text below refers to a numbered blank. For each question,

choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D to fit the numbered blank.

We play a big role in causing land pollution. So, we _______(1) do something

about all the waste that we have created. Because of the __________(2) of rubbish

we are dumping, the earth is becoming _________(3) covered in rubbish. People in

the cities __________(4) tons of rubbish everyday.

Food is packed __________(5) layers and layers of plastic and cardboard,

which are thrown away. Once people have read _________(6) newspapers and

magazines, they throw them away. Empty bottles that pack drinks also become

rubbish ________(7) discarded.

Either we find an answer to this problem now _________(8) we will face more

serious problem in future. Our answer to reducing pollution is recycling. Recycling

glass, paper and metals can reduce waste.

1. a) have c) may 5. a) at c) by

b) must d) might b) in d) to

2. a) amount c) number 6. a) his c)

theirs


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b) quality d) figure b) her d)

their

3. a) complete c) completely 7. a) if c)

while

b) completed d) completing b) when

d) since

4. a) produce c) give 8. a) or c)

and

b) have d) create b) so d) yet

EXERCISE 2:



A science expedition team discovered several unknown species of creatures

in limestone cave recently. The scientists stumbled upon _______(1) rare species of

crab. The crab is white colour, blind and lives ________(2) entire life in complete

darkness. They also discovered a frog that does not live in water ________(3) clings

to the roots of a plant.

A spokesman from the team remarked that although they had explored caves

and mountains in many countries, this was the first time they had _______(4) such

unusual species. Besides the two species mentioned above, they also ________(5)

some rare spiders and insects inside the cave.

This discoveries have been documented and filmed _______(6) further

studies can be conducted later. The spokesman suggested that the entire cave be

gazetted as a protected area and turned _____(7) a national park. This national


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park is aimed at ______(8) tourism. It is hoped that the relevant authorities will take

heed of the spokesman suggestion.

1. a) a c) the 5. a) discover

c) discovered

b) an d) - b) discovering d) have

discovered

2. a) its c) it 6. a) so that c)

next

b) its d) is b) in brief d) after

3. a) and c) or 7. a) in c) into

b) but d) hence b) on d) out

4. a) counter c) encounters 8. a) promote

c) promotes

b) encounter d) encountered b) promoted d) promoting

EXERCISE 3:


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This incident is as clear to me as the day it first happened. It was a stray

canine that I had befriended and chosen to take care of.

Every night, as if I ______(1) its master, it would turn up at my doorstep and

give me the most pathetic look. I would always prepare a meal out of my leftovers

and lay it _______(2) for him.

One day, I heard a bang of followed by a loud of yelping. To my surprise, I

realized it was my pet that _______(3) a hit-and-run victim. Without hesitation, I

attempted to pick it up with all the noble intention of taking _________(4) to the vet.

To my horror, the beastly canine snarled, turned on me and sank its fangs on my

right arm. I ________(5) my arm violently and hollered with all my might for help.

With the help of passer-by I was able to dislodge my arm ______(6) rushed to the

nearby clinic. The doctor cleaned the wound and ______(7) it up. As I walked back

home, I wondered _______(8) I had to suffer such misfortune in return for my act of

kindness. God knows!

1. a) am c) was 5. a) shake

c) shaking

b) is d) were b) shook d)

was shaken

2. a) out c) up 6. a) and c) or

b) in d) over b) but d) nor

3. a) become c) becoming 7. a)

stitch c) stitched


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b) becomes d) had become b) stitches

d) stitching

4. a) me c) it 8. a) who c)whom

b) them d) you b) why d)

that

EXERCISE 4:

Each question in the text below refers to a numbered blank. For each question,choose the best answer from the options A, B, C and D to fit the numbered blank.

The treasure hunt needs observation and skill in tracking. Practically

________(1) number can take part in it. After the treasure is ________(2) the hunters

are given the clues that will _______(3) them to find the treasure. In a simple

treasure hunt, the hunters only _______(4) to find the treasure as quick as possible.

The hunter who _______(5) the treasure first is the winner.

In a more complex treasure hunt, the clues ________(6) points. The more

difficult clues will carry more points than the easier clues. The clues should also be

so worded as to require ______(7) skills to understand. The hunter who locates the

treasure first need not necessarily be the winner for the winner must also achieve

the ______(8) points from the clues. Clues that carry points may be questions that


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require the hunters to answer correctly or they may be items that need to be

collected and handed in with the treasure.

1. a) any c) some 5. a) locate

c) located

b) many d) a lot of b) locates d)

locating

2. a) hid c) hides 6. a) carry c) carried

b) hide d) hidden b) carries d)

carrying

3. a) help c) helped 7. a) some c)much

b)helps d) helping b) many d) a

few

4. a) need c) needed 8. a) high c)

highest

b) needs d) - b) higher d)

highly

EXERCISE 5:




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Mosquitoes are a huge nuisance when you want to have some outdoor fun,

especially __________(1) the evening hours when they are plentiful. No matter how

much pesticide is sprayed, the little blighters still come out to play but you can

_______(2) them at bay with a few easy tips.

Mosquitoes breed in stagnant or still water. Take a walk around your yard

________(3) look for puddles, pools, buckets of water or tin cans. Anything that has

still water in it is a breeding ground for mosquitoes. They can even lay eggs in your

home if you have _________(4) standing water, even as little as a small tub of

bathtub toys with a bit of water at the bathroom.

If you live next to a lake or pond, you ______(5) you have no choice but tohave those mosquitoes around, but there are things you can do to keep them from

biting you. Mosquitoes are very attracted to dark-coloured clothing, so wear light-

coloured attire to ________(6) the little blood-suckers. There are some other ways

to keep mosquitoes off without using poison. Bug repellants work by confusing the

bugs, and while ________(7) dont make you invisible, they do make you

unrecognizable. Otherwise, use a good old screen in tent. But if you want to be

outside, do whatever you can to keep the mosquitoes off.

(Adapted from The New Straits Times, January 2006)

1. a) at c) during 5. a) might

c) may

b) in d) on b) could d)

must

2. a) keeping c) keep 6. a) prevent

c) avoid

b) keeps d) kept b) keep away d) reduce


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3. a) and c) but 7. a) they

c) you

b) so d) or b) it d) them

4. a) any c) more

b) much d) many

PREPOSITION

1. To show place/position

EXAMPLE USE IN SENTENCE

Against

Around

Across

Opposite

Underneath

Below

Under

The old man leans against the tree.

The members sat around the table.

Despite the rain, the boys swam across the channel.

The railway station is opposite our school.

Some people keep their valuables underneath their

mattress.

Although the flood level is below danger level,

evacuation has begun.

They spent their evenings under the shady trees.

2. To show direction



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Away from

Into

Towards

OntoUp

Out of

along

The boys ran away from the dogs.

The ball fell into the river.

The dog ran towards the master.

We lifted the big box onto the table.The boys climbed up the tree quickly.

Aini came out ofthe examination room, smiling.

Do not stand along the corridor during recess.

3. To show time


After

Within

Before

During

Until

For

since

We went home after our classes.

They need to finish the essay within anhour.

Before the exams, many students wereseen studying in the library.

Many of us were sleeping during theheavy thunderstorm last night.

Please wait here until the teachercomes.

The men have been working non-stopfor four hours.

I have been teaching in that schoolsince 2001.

4. To show purpose/reason

EXAMPLE USE IN SENTENCESo that

In order to

For

We need to meet so that we can discussthe matter.

She trained hard in order to win thetournament.

Lily bought a new dress for hergraduation.


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5. To show association


BetweenAmong

The money was divided between histwo sons.

The tallest person among my friends isAli.

6. To show similarity

EXAMPLE USE IN SENTENCEAsLike

Tina is as good as her sister in dancing.She looks like her mother.

7. To show use of transport

EXAMPLE USE IN SENTENCEByOn

The students go to school by bus.We hiked up the mountain on foot.

8. To show source

EXAMPLE USE IN SENTENCEByfrom

The article was written by a famouswriterWe brought those books from the bookstore.

PRACTICE 1:

Underlines the correct prepositions in brackets.

1. My brothers are playing (at, in) the school field.


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2. Every day, I reach school (at, on) seven oclock sharp.

3. The dog is hiding (below, under) the table.

4. Fatimah said that she left her umbrella (at, in) home.

5. The two good friends have many secrets (between, in) them.

6. The helicopter is flying on top (of, over) the water in search of any survivors.

7. Lisa prefers staying (at, in) home to going out with her friends on Saturdays.

8. I left your history book (in, on) your table before I left (for, to) the library.

9. Mr. San took the mail (at, from) the mailbox and put it (in, into) his

briefcase.

10.In Hawaii many people have homes (near, next to) the active Mount Kilauea.

11.Azizah got to the bus stand ahead of Patricia so she is standing (after, in

front of) her.

12.My family and I stayed (between, in) Japan (for, of) one month.

13.My parents received a phone call (from, with) my English teacher just now.

14.Larry lives at 45A, Jalan Sultanah, Taman Iskandar, (at, in) Johor Bahru.

15.Patricia is standing right (behind, in front of) Azizah at she bus stand she

came later.


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PRACTICE 2:

Fill in the blanks with the following prepositions.

1. Your reports are due _________ Monday. Please let me know if this will be a

problem.

2. I have to complete this ___________ 8.00 pm.

3. I saw her coming out ___________ the store just now.

4. Mark was very thin _______ he got married. Today he has put ________ a few

kilogrammes.

5. He died _______ old age. But before he died, he gave me a piece __________

good advice.

6. The little kitten climbed the tree and now it doesnt know how to get

______________.

At by in of on to down for from into when


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7. Tan is running late. He will not be here ___________ an hour.

8. They walk ________ school every day. They only live one block away.

9. She has cleaned the cupboard ________ top to bottom.

10.Every student fell silent the moment he walked _______ the room.

11.She will be back from her business trip _______ ten days time.

12.Can you meet me _______ school? I would like you to help me clean the

classroom.

PRACTICE 3:

Change the incorrect prepositions in bold into the correct ones.

1. Most construction workers are paid for the hour.

2. They came at Sunday and will stay here by tree days.

3. It rained all day Monday causing massive traffic jam at the city. Ahmad was

caught on the traffic jam.

4. She will leave before the children are on bed or they will insist on going with

her.

5. Teng used to be an unhappy man. But all that changed for he got married.

6. He was here at two hours. When he got tired to waiting, he left without a

word.

7. Every morning the old lady walks at the local market to buy fresh vegetables.

8. Im sorry I wasnt home during those times. I was in work from 8.30 am for

5.00 pm.


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9. We have lived in this kampong for 1978. We have been here since the past

26 years.

10.You need to take out your shoes when you enter the mosque.

PRACTICE 4:

Change the incorrect prepositions into the correct ones.

1. You are early at your appointment. Please come on as there are no other

patients here now.

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

__

2. When you are on Hollywood, dont forget to drive at the stars home.

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

__

3. She has lived at the sea all her life.

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

__

4. The bookstore you are talking about used to be next at the bakery.

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

__


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5. Hui Mee and her sister walk to school because they lived in the school.

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

__

6. Leave your coat on the rack above the door.

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

__

7. Mr. Chan will be spending Chinese New Year on Singapore this year. He is

looking forward on it.

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

__

8. Lana goes for chapel on every Sunday.

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

__

9. My mother wakes before at seven oclock every morning to prepare

breakfast.

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

__

10.If we dont finish our homework at time, Mrs. Mathiavaranam will punish us.


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_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

__


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IDENTIFYING ERRORS:

EXAMPLE:

Some of the words in each sentence are wrongly spelt. Find them and rewrite the

words with correct spelling.

1. Before enybody can study in another country, they must have enoghqualifications.

Anybody enough

2. Dangerous animals cab be found in thejongle.

Can jungle

3. I thing smoking should be baned because it causes a lot of annoyance toother people.

think banned

4. The polis arrested me without even lisening to my explaination.

police listening explanation

5. The government intends to encourage sports because they mak people

heathier.

make healthy.


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Exercise 1:

In each of the sentence, underline the error and correct them.

1. I lie the bundle down.

2. Aunt Mariam said she would lay down for a while.

3. Grandfather set in his rocking chair all day.

4. When it was dinner time, we sat the table.

5. Dad is going to learn me how to play tennis.

EXERCISE 2:


1. I would like to teach how to play the saxophone.

2. Are you the person who borrow me this book?

3. He lent the History book from his cousin.

4. The sun raises in the East.

5. The curtain was rised when the concert started.

EXERCISE 3:


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1. The old man said he had to earn his life since he was fourteen years old.

2. Azizah borrowed her dictionary, so I did not have to buy one.

3. He has lost the train; he will have to wait for the next one.

4. His family was very rich and he made not have to worry about his finances.

5. Her father does not let her to stay out late.

EXERCISE 4:


1. It has been raining hardly since we got up this morning.

2. Fortunately, I found the book I had lent from library.

3. He cannot afford a new dress; he has to wear the same one for five years.

4. When his father dead, he had to leave school and find a work.

5. I have done many mistakes in this exercise so I have to make it again.

ERROR IDENTIFICATION

Identify the errors in the passages and correct them.

CAMERON HIGHLAND

The Cameron Highlands 130 kilometres north of Kuala Lumpur. To reach

Cameron Highlands, you leave the old Kuala Lumpur Ipoh road at Tapah. It one


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and half hours drive from there to the first of the tree small towns which in the

Highlands. This town called Ringlet, the other two are Tanah Rata and Brinchang.

Apart from tourism, market gardening and tea growing the two activities here. It is

the climate of the Cameron Highland that makes all three of this activities possible.

During the daytime, the temperature usually around 21 C, the night about 10 C

cooler. In colonial times, the area a favourite spot of the British, who liked to drive

there at weekends and relax in bungalows and rest houses which built in British

styles. Nowadays, the Cameron Highlands a popular holiday spot for tourists from

all over Malaysia.

MY WEEKEND

Last weekend I done quite a lot of useful things around the house. As soon as

I had got up and washed, I tidied m bed and go to the kitchen to helped my mother

to cook breakfast for the family. Then I was clean the table and washed the bowls

and glasses.

While my mother washing the clothes, I had help my sister to sweep the floor

and prepare lunch. Then I relax for half an hour.

After lunch, I can go out and play games. Most of my friends like to play

netball or badminton so they usually comes to my house and play in my fathers big

compound under the trees. After, when we have finish playing, we ask my uncle if

he can take us to town to do some shopping or watch a film. There was a good film

last weekend and we all wanted to see it. But unfortunately my uncle has sent his

car to the mechanic that morning, so he wasnt able to take us.


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FRIENDS

Everybody in this world need a friends because friends can help when any

kind of problem. Myself, I am a people who cant running away from a problems, so

friends are too important for me.

I have many friend who was always helpful if I have problem. Off course, I am

also help them if they are in any kind of trouble. I must being helpful if I wanted

helpful friends.

In m school, I need a friends for help me in my studies. I am studying for SPM

but I having problems in English grammar. I could not understand what my

teachers tell me so I ask my friends to explained it to me. We all going to sit for the

English paper and I afraid that I might failing. I dont know what was been happened

if I failed. My parents would certainly be so disappointed.

In my village, I am so need my friends. My neighbours is my family close

friends : if we go away for holiday they always look after our house and watered my

mother orchids. And if they are any serious problems, we know they will help us

willingly. Once my father urgently needed RM600 and our neigbour lend him the

money without asked any questions. That is true friendship.

ANSWER KEY:

RATIONAL CLOZE

QUESTIONNUMBER

EXERCISE1

EXERCISE2

EXERCISE3

EXERCISE4

EXERCISE5


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1 B A D A C

2 A B A D C

3 C B D A A

4 A D C A A

5 B C B B C

6 D A A A C

7 B C C A A8 A D B C

PREPOSITION

EXERCISE 1:

1. in 9. from, into

2. at 10. near

3. under 11. in front of

4. at 12. in, for

5. between 13. from

6. over 14. in

7. at 15. behind

8. on, for

EXERCISE 2:

1. on 7. in

2. by 8. to

3. of 9. from

4. when, on 10. into

5. of, of 11. in


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6. down 12. At

EXERCISE 3:

1. by 6. for, of

2. on, for 7. to

3. in, in 8. at, to

4. after, in 9. since, for

5. after 10. Off

EXERCISE 4:

1. You are early for your appointment. Please come in as there are no other

patients here now.

2. When you are in Hollywood, dont forget to drive by the stars home.

3. She has lived by the sea all her life.

4. The bookstore you are talking about used to be next to the bakery.

5. Hui Mee and her sister walk to school because they lived near the school.

6. Leave your coat on the rack behind the door.

7. Mr. Chan will be spending Chinese New Year in Singapore this year. He is

looking forward to it.

8. Lana goes to chapel on every Sunday.

9. My mother wakes up at seven oclock every morning to prepare breakfast.

10.If we dont finish our homework on time, Mrs. Mathiavaranam will punish us.


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IDENTIFYING ERRORS

Exercise 1:

1. I lay the bundle down.

2. Aunt Mariam said she would lie down for a while.

3. Grandfather sat in his rocking chair all day.

4. When it was dinner time, we set the table.

5. Dad is going to teach me how to play tennis.

EXERCISE 2:

1. I would like to learn how to play the saxophone.

2. Are you the person who lent me this book?

3. He borrowed the History book from his cousin.

4. The sun rises in the East.

5. The curtain was raised when the concert started.

EXERCISE 3:

1. The old man said he had to earn his living since he was fourteen years old.

2. Azizah lent her dictionary, so I did not have to buy one.

3. He has missed the train; he will have to wait for the next one.

4. His family was very rich and he did not have to worry about his finances.

5. Her father does not allow her to stay out late.

EXERCISE 4:


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1. It has been raining hard since we got up this morning.

2. Fortunately, I found the book I had borrowed from library.

3. He cannot afford a new suit; he has to wear the same one for five years.

4. When his father died, he had to leave school and find ajob.

5. I have made many mistakes in this exercise so I have to do it again.

ERROR IDENTIFICATION

CAMERON HIGHLAND

The Cameron Highlands are 130 kilometres north of Kuala Lumpur. To reach

Cameron Highlands, you leave the old Kuala Lumpur Ipoh road at Tapah. It is one

and half hours drive from there to the first of the tree small towns which are in the

Highlands. This town is called Ringlet, the other two are Tanah Rata and Brinchang.

Apart from tourism, market gardening and tea growing are the two main activities

here. It is the climate of the Cameron Highlands that makes all three ofthese

activities possible. During the daytime, the temperature is usually around 21 C, the

night is about 10 C cooler. In colonial times, the area was a favourite spot of the

British, who liked to drive there at weekends and relax in bungalows and rest

houses which were built in British styles. Nowadays, the Cameron Highlands are a

popular holiday spot for tourists from all over Malaysia.


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MY WEEKEND

Last weekend I had done quite a lot of useful things around the house. As

soon as I had got up and washed, I tidied m bed and went to the kitchen to help

my mother to cook breakfast for the family. Then I was cleaned the table and

washed the bowls and glasses.

While my mother was washing the clothes, I had helped my sister to sweep

the floor and prepare lunch. Then I relaxed for half an hour.

After lunch, I went out and played games. Most of my friends liked to play

netball or badminton so they usually came to my house and played in my fathers

big compound under the trees. Later, when we had finished playing, we asked

my uncle if he can take us to town to do some shopping or watch a film. There was

a good film last weekend and we all wanted to see it. But unfortunately my uncle

had sent his car to the mechanic that morning, so he wasnt able to take us.

FRIENDS

Everybody in this world needs a friend because friends can help when

there is any kind of problem. Myself, I am a person who cant run away from a

problem, so friends are very important for me.

I have many friends who are always helpful if I have problem. Of course, I

have also help them if they are in any kind of trouble. I must being helpful if I

wanted helpful friends.

In my school, I need a friends to help me in my studies. I am studying for SPM

but I having problems in English grammar. I cannot understand what my teachers

tell me so I ask my friends to explain it to me. We are all going to sit for the


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English paper and I am afraid that I might fail. I dont know what wouldhappen if

I failed. My parents would certainly be very disappointed.

In my village, I also need my friends. My neighbours are my familys close

friends: if we go away for holiday they always look after our house and watermy

mothers orchids. And ifthere are any serious problems, we know they will help us

willingly. Once my father urgently needed RM600 and our neighbour lent him the

money without asking any questions. That is true friendship.

marathon spm 2011

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