Haslinda Midy

Hello EveryoneI would like to share with you some tips on how you can do better in your studies. The first thing you need to do is to plan your time. Work out a timetable and fit in your studies as well as your other activities. Devote more time to subjects that you're weak in. Focus your time and energy where they are needed most. Choose a place that is suitable for you to study. The place you choose should be free from distractions so that you can concentrate on the work at hand. There really is no magic formula to do well. You need to revise regularly. Spend some time each day going through what was taught in school. This way, you will not have tons of revision to do as the exams draw near. I wish you all the best in the coming examination. Thank you.

You will be asked to write a summary of not more than 60 words in Section B of the PMR English Language Paper 2•Read the question carefully and identify the nouns in the question (Underline them as this will help you to detect the points)   •Then look at the 10 words given.         •Try to find the 10 words in the text, sometimes not the whole 10 words could be found in the text. If, the 10 words is no where in the text, look back at the question; words from the question could be in the text. (Usually the points are directly after the words and in the second paragraph) •Read the text carefully to identify important facts/ points.•Underline the important facts/points, leave out details like example or lengthy descriptions.•Before you write your summary.. List down the points, write them down in your answer sheet and then, count the words. Name of people and places are considered as one word. Examples: Kota Kinabalu, Tun Mahathir Mohamad•After that, do some cutting, pasting and joining; cut redundant words and try to join the points and re-organise them. •Make sure that whatever you do would not change the meaning.•Then, as far as possible write out your summary using your own words,  but use the same tense as in the passage.•You must use /begin your summary with the 10 words given.•Use connectors or whatever suitable words to link the fact. •Write your summary in not more than 60 words and in one paragraph.•Don't forget to write the number of words in brackets as the end of your summary.

Sample Question (Section B, Paper 2 – PMR 2006 )Write a summary on why Zoo Negara has problems with the animals left at the gates.

Your summary must:••not be more than 60 words, including the 10 words given below••be in continuous writing (not note form)••be written in one paragraph

•Use your own words as far as possible without changing its originalmeaning. Begin your summary as follows.

Zoo Negara accepts the abandoned animals but the dumping has ....The ‘words’ – but the dumping has could be found in Paragraph 2, line 2.Contents to why Zoo Negara has problems with the animals left at the gates:• grown tremendously.• animals arrive at the zoo ill and malnourished.• Feeding and handling them incur costs.• They might even bring diseases and infect other animals (The animals are quarantined for three months before they can go into enclosures).• they take up the limited quarantined space the zoo has.• Primates (are released into forests as they) attack each other in shared enclosures.• The zoo does not accept species listed under CITES for illegal origins but these animals are also being left at the zoo.

CommentsBased on the points given, we could see that : 

1.The first point directly connected to the 10 given word.2.The second point, is connected to the nouns - zoo, animals and problems.3.The third point, is connected to zoo and animals; as feeding and handling is done definitely in the zoo and the pronoun them, refers to animals. While cost is the reference to problems.4.The fourth point, they refers to animals, bring diseases refer to problems and other animals refer to zoo.5.The fifth point, they refers to animals, limited quarantined spaces to problems, and there is the noun zoo.6.Point six, primates refers to animals, attack each other refers to problems and close enclosure is definitely zoo.7.Point seven, The noun zoo is there, so does animals and of illegal origins refers to problems.

In conclusion, if you have problems getting the points, try to find them based on the nouns in the question. 

TRY TO FIND THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SAMPLE 1 & SAMPLE 2

Sample Answer 1:

Zoo Negara accepts the abandoned animals but the dumping has ....// grown tremendously. (C1) Animals arrive at the zoo ill and malnourished. (C2) Feeding and handling them incur costs. (C3)They might even bring diseases and infect others. (C4) So, they are quarantined for three months before they can go into enclosures and thus take up the limited quarantined space the zoo has.(C5) Primates are // released into forest as they attack each other in shared enclosures. The zoo does not accept species listed under CITES for illegal origins but these animals are also being left at the zoo.

Contents = 5Style and Presentation = 3

Total = 8/10

TRY TO FIND THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SAMPLE 1 & SAMPLE 2

Sample Answer 2:

Zoo Negara accepts the abandoned animals but the dumping has ....// grown enormously. (C1) Animals of illegal origins,(C7) malnourished and ailing with infectious diseases (C2) and thus have to be quarantined are being dumped at its doorstep. (C4) Apart from having problem of inadequate quarantined space, (C5) primates also attack each other in shared enclosures. (C6) In addition, Feeding and managing them too incur costs. (C3) (56 words)

Contents = 5Style and Presentation = 5

Total = 10/10

Difference

1. LOOK AT HOW POINTS IN SAMPLE 2 ARE REORGANISED; POINT 7 GOING UP WHILE POINT 3 AT THE END.

2. CERTAIN WORDS, SUCH AS ILL IS CHANGED TO AILING.3. LOOK AT HOW POINT 7,  2 AND 4 ARE JOINED.

** Remember:If it is a story..  

1. Remember to change the pronoun; I to he/she, me to him/her, mine to his/hers, he/she to what it refers to, we to they, us to them, our to their and etc..

2. The points in the summary must be written in sequence.

Sample Question (Section B, Paper 2 – PMR 2007)Write a summary on why Andrew’s visit to Malaysia was a memorable one.Your summary must:•not be more than 60 words, including  the 10 words given below.•be in continuous writing (not note form)•be written in one paragraph

Dear Editor, I am writing this letter to express my appreciation to all Malaysians who had made my visit to Malaysia a meaningful one. Upon reaching Kuala Lumpur International Airport, I took a taxi to Kuala Lumpur city. The taxi driver greeted me with a warm smile and showed me to his taxi. He was also kind enough to recommend places of interest that I should visit in your country. Over the next few weeks, I travelled around the country. I visited Melaka, Pulau Langkawi, Pulau Redang and Genting Highlands, just to name a few. In Langkawi, I had the opportunity to be with the locals and also enjoy home-cooked dishes. I was truly touched by their friendliness and hospitality. It was a wonderful experience! What I found unique about Malaysia is the way people of different races and religions live peacefully as one. I noticed this from the way Malaysians celebrated their National Day. Clearly, the way everyone came together is an excellent example of tolerance and understanding. This is what Malaysia should highlight to the rest of the world. Let me say ‘terima kasih’ to all those who have made my stay a memorable one. I will definitely come again and I would also promote Malaysia to all my friends back in England.

Andrew Jacob

Use your own words as far as possible without changing its original meaning. Begin your summary as follows: Andrew visited Malaysia and he was impressed with Malaysia because…..

Let us try this using what I have thought you....The nouns are Andrew, Malaysia and a memorable one  The difference here is just that the 10 given words could not be found anywhere in the text. But, the question is..." Andrew's visit to Malaysia was a memorable one" is the same as "my visit to Malaysia a meaningful one.So, after that... that is in paragraph two onwards.. you could find the points.I refers to Andrew, Kuala Lumpur city refers to Malaysia and The taxi driver greeted with a warm smile refers to a memorable one...So...try to find more points...usually there are more than 5..List them down before you summarise the text..

Remember... it is a letter/ recount.. you will have to change the pronoun.

Good luck

“Hope for the best but prepare for the worst”