E - Le@rning

Social Studies: 'O' Levels Notes

2011-11-23T21:56:00.003+08:00

Here are notes for SOCIAL STUDIES,

Since I am unable to upload the document on blogger, you will be able to download it here:

When you're at the website, click on 'download file' and voila! ;)

The document is 32 pages, which is a compiled version of the entire secondary 3 to 4 social studies textbook, done by me! I can assure you that all you need for 'O' levels is this document, and lots of practice! Do make sure you have memorised at least 2-3 different THEMES, not chapters, but THEMES.

Do take note that I did not compile the 'Globalisation' chapter since this topic has already appeared in 3 consecutive years!

All the best to those taking their 'O' levels!

Regards, Weishi.

Geography: Development

2011-06-10T21:32:00.002+08:00

Here are notes on development, for Elective Geography.

Reasons for uneven development.

1. Historical Reason - Colonialism

- Colonialism is domination of more powerful country over another country

* Colony = dominated country ; colonial power = more powerful country

- Colonialism affected way in which many countries develop

Case study #1 - Colonised in the past à Former colonies remained lowly developed

- One reason for colonialism was colonial powers wanted to obtain valuable raw materials which could not be found or grown in own countries

- Portuguese colonized Angola in 15^th Century and set up plantations to exploit favourable physical conditions and availability of labour à climate and soil conditions suitable for growing cash crops

- Cash crops would fetch high price in Europe and exported them for sale à strong trading relationship between colonial powers and colonies

- Advancements in technology allowed Portuguese to add value to raw materials by converting them into useful products and sold for higher profit à Colonial powers able to achieve DC status quickly

- Development slow in colonies as other aspects of development like education and environmental sustainability not developed à colonies remained poor

- Disparity in development continued to widen

o DCs continued to develop technology and industrialise further, former colonies continued to export low-value raw materials and gained little profit

- Former colonies earn less $$ à low GDP per capita à low standard of living and quality of life à indicating low level of development

Case study #2 - Colonised in the past à Former colonies prosper & highly developed

- Colonial powers brought technology and skills to the colony, allowing them to advance and enable economy to prosper

- Singapore was colonized by British in the past due to its strategic location

- British built infrastructures and improved port to enable trade and allow Singapore to be self-reliant in future

- Singapore now able to continue to prosper and not only focus on trade but also other aspects of development like education [2^nd highest spender in Singapore’s GDP]

- With higher education level à more emphasis on tertiary and manufacturing industries à higher GDP per capita à High standard of living and quality of life à indicating high level of development

Popularity

2010-07-13T00:46:00.004+08:00

This picture shows the number of view this week. All of which are above 35, each day. ;)

This shows the various countries who visited this website within the week, with united states, united kingdom, philippines, singapore, india, australia, romania, germany and other countries.

Weishi.

English: Oral Exams

2010-07-13T00:01:00.005+08:00

Okay, apologies for not writing for almost 2 years.

English (syllabus 1127) is a very important subject we take throughout our school days, and we need it to be able to communicate fluently with others, so here are some notes with regards to the oral examinations. This section consists of three different components - reading aloud, picture discussion, and conversation. The total marks is 40, and takes up 20% of the whole subject.

Here are the objectives of the oral examination, based on the updated syllabus set by the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB) for those taking their 'O' levels in 2011,

#01. Reading aloud (12 marks) :

(i) Pronunciation and Articulation: read a passage with good pronunciation and clear articulation

(ii) Rhythm and Fluency: read with appropriate rhythm and stress to achieve a well-paced, fluent rendering of passage

(iii) Expressiveness: read with appropriate variation of pitch and tone in order to convey the information, ideas and feelings in a passage

#02. Picture Discussion (12 marks):

(i) Interpretation and explanation: interpret and explain the situations in the picture with supporting details.

(ii) Language: use a range of appropriate vocabulary and structures to complete the task

(iii) Coherence: develop ideas in a clear and coherent manner

4 easy steps to score in picture discussion -

1. Look at the location or surrounding environment: always choose the one which you can explain with evidences from the picture, example the attire or facilities.

2. Deduce what the people are doing and explain your answer.

3. Look at the faces of the people in the picture: Choose two of the most outstanding people in the picture and not only describe the physical appearance of these two people, but also describe their emotions and thinking based on the action. (Infer!)

4. Social Implications: What impacts would it have in the future? This can be said within 3 or 4 sentences. Example: active citizenship - take care of the less fortunate in the society and start young so that it becomes a habit as they grow up.. Develop in them a sense of compassion for fellow people.

#03. Conversation (16 marks):

(i) Personal Response: give a personal response to the theme of picture and the passage

(ii) Clarity of Expression: express himself/herself clearly and succinctly in a conversation using appropriate vocabulary and structures

(iii) Engagement in Conversation: discuss issues that arise with the Examiner stemming from the picture and the passage

Always take note for conversation, you are talking to a person, not making a speech. So use proper English, but at the same time, don't sound too formal, or it will not be a conversation and more like a speech.

From, weishi.

English: Composition

2009-10-07T19:25:00.003+08:00

Writing a good composition!
- Makes the reader feel like wanting to continue reading on
- Storyline does not have to be complicated, as long as it is simple but exciting and interesting to read
- Focus on emotions, good verbs, adjectives, adverbs and dialogues
- Provide vivid details!

Descriptive Phrases on Emotions.

ANGER
1. Tom turned red with fury.
2. Pete was boiling with rage.
3. He stamped his foot in anger.
4. Sally gritted her teeth in anger.
5. They were too angry for words.
6. Her voice crackled with anger.
7. Jake stormed off towards the exit.
8. His anger turned into violence.
9. He drew in his breath with a long kiss.
10. He was like a bull in a China shop.
11. A wave of futile rage swept over him.
12. An angry frown creased her forehead.
13. I could see her eyes glowing in fury.
14. He was so angry that his blood boiled.
15. She stormed out of the room in anger.
16. His fist came down on the table with a loud bang.
17. In a fit of rage, he stabbed her to death.
18. His eyes flashed with anger and resentment.
19. His face was contorted with rage and fury.
20. He clenched his fist and shook with fury.
21. He was fuming but he contained his anger.
22. Seething with anger, he approached me menacingly.
23. In a blind fury, he smashed the chair against the television.
24. With hands trembling with anger, the man slapped the boy hard.
25. She was hopping mad when she head the slanderous accusations.
26. His hands were shaking uncontrollably and his face turned an ominous red.
27. His face had turned to the colour of molten lava and his eyes flashed angrily.
28. She stared with eyes filled with anger and hatred that were beyond description.
29. He has a pair of bloodshot, baggy eyes that give him the doleful look of a basset hound.
30. Fury boiled through her veins.
31. His red face seemed to be swollen with anger.

HAPPINESS
1. She was as happy as a lark.
2. He laughed heartily.
3. He laughed till his sides hurt.
4. He burst into fits of laughter.
5. The winner jumped for joy.
6. They were filled with happiness.
7. He rubbed his eyes in disbelief.
8. Her eyes glittered with tears of joy.
9. They were saturated with happiness.
10. He was smiling like a contented old man.
11. He poured out his gratitude profusely.
12. He was all smiles when he saw the results.
13. They roared with laughter on hearing the joke.
14. She kept a straight face but inside she was giggling like mad.
15. Our hearts were full of joy when we heard the good news.
16. My father, coughing hard to suppress a laugh, turned his face away.
17. We were in high spirits and the mood was set for an enjoyable day.
18. Her eyes widened with pleasure when she saw the new gleaming bicycle.
19. He was so happy that he could not help thinking that he was the luckiest man in the world.
20. The sight of him uplifted her spirits and a smile shone out of her face which was buried in darkness till now.
21. The boy’s face lit up with joy.
22. The feeling of joy was in everybody’s heart.
23. He was smiling enigmatically to himself.

EXCITEMENT
1. Back in the room, Tim was simply quivering all over with excitement.
2. The crowd let out a stupendous cheer as the team scored a home goal.
3. Their pulses raced as they neared their final goal.
4. They stared at him in blank amazement.
5. She rummaged frantically in her handbag for the revolver.

TIREDNESS
1. I felt run down after a hard day's work.
2. She felt drowsy and weary after the night shift.
3. He fell asleep the moment his head touched the pillow.
4. She was dog-tired and kept yawning.
5. His eyes were red from the lack of sleep.
6. He was snoring loudly after a few minutes.
7. He was curled up in bed, fast asleep.
8. He was overcome with fatigue and soon fell asleep.
9. The minutes ticked by and soon his eyes started to droop sleepily.
10. He complained sleepily at the endless homework he had to do.
11. His whole body ached in protest as he forced himself to continue.

SADNESS
1. Sue broke into tears.
2. Tears welled up in her eyes.
3. She was on the verge of tears.
4. Tears rolled down her rosy cheeks.
5. No words could express his agony.
6. The poor child sobbed sorrowfully.
7. With a heavy heart, he left the hospital.
8. My heart sank when I heard the sad news.
9. Her eyes were puffy and red after all the crying.
10. She cried her heart out on hearing the tragic news.
11. The frightened child was on the brink of tears.
12. Seeing this felt like a thousand knives falling from the sky stabbing through her fragile heart.
13. The heartache of her heart shattering into a million pieces was unbearable.

FEAR
1. His knees went soft.
2. Terror seized us all.
3. Panic started to engulf him.
4. She was at a loss of words.
5. He froze for a few seconds.
6. I rose shakily to my feet.
7. A rude shock awaited them.
8. She felt a shiver ran down her spine.
9. She stood rooted to the ground.
10. The shock robbed him of speech.
11. I was too afraid to utter a word.
12. A haze of fear surrounded him.
13. The timid girl shrank back in fear.
14. Gary stood motionless with horror.
15. I was powerless and frantic with terror.
16. She screamed at the top of her voice.
17. The sight of the ghost sent shudders down her spine.
18. She screamed her head off when she saw the corpse.
19. She jumped in fright when her mother suddenly shouted at her.
20. His face turned pale and his skin felt cold and clammy.
21. Overcome with fright, she lost her balance and fell down in a swoon.
22. She experienced a feeling of weakness and then she blacked out.
23. She was panic-stricken when she realized she was trapped.
24. Frightening thoughts raced through his mind.
25. They fled in panic when they saw the charging dog.
26. It took him several days to overcome his nervousness.
27. Our hairs stood on ends as a cry rang high into the night.
28. Fighting back tears of fears, he stared motionless at the approaching danger.
29. I woke up sobbing, drenched in sweat and paralysed with fear.
30. I was awakened by a sound which brought my heart into my mouth.
31. With his sense of direction gone, he ran as fast as his legs could carry him.
32. The frightening child was screaming incoherently.
33. Paralysed with fear, he was speechless.
34. They huddled together and stared apprehensively into the darkness.
35. Terror gripped his whole being and perspiration started dripping from his forehead.
36. A chill ran swiftly up his back, causing the nape of his neck to tingle.
37. I was sick to my stomach at the horrendous sight.
38. My legs felt like jelly.
39. My bloodshot eyes bulged out and my mouth opened wildly.
40. Drops of perspiration dripped across my face to my glasses, blurring my vision as my glasses’ lens become thoroughly wet.
41. Screams and loud cries pierced the air.

PAIN
1. His forehead was beaded with perspiration; his eyebrows were deeply knitted and his mouth slightly ajar in his agony.
2. The young man supported his left leg with his hands, his face convulsed in agony.

SHOCK/SURPRISE
1. They stared at him in blank amazement.
2. The shock robbed him of speech.

Descriptive Phrases on Scenery

Sunrise/Sunset
- The sun rays glint brightly in the clear waters.
- The sunset was glorious, all rosy and salmon-pink.
- The sun-lit sky and sea blend perfectly into each other.
- The awe-inspiring sun danced in from the horizon.
- Dews on the blades of grass sparkled in the sunlight.
- The high sunlit clouds drifted across a clear blue sky.
- A torch of fire started to light up the darkness around us.
- Basking in the golden rays, I hope to have a flattering tan.
- The unending bright sky was glorious luminous blue and pink.
- The sky was overwhelmed by crimson and amber-tinted clouds.
- The sun filtered through the clouds, signaling the end of the rain.
- It was a blindingly hot day and the humidity in the air was stifling.
- The whole landscape was bathed in the warm glow of the rising sun.
- Palm trees swayed to the gentle breeze in the warm tropical sunshine.
- The sun and the moon were visible in the clear blue early morning sky.
- The sun shone brilliantly and the water in the pond glittered invitingly.
- Windows threw wide in the hope of tempting in a non-existent breeze.
- A golden glow spread across the sky as the sun chased the dark clouds away.
- As the sun set, the few thin strips of clouds on the horizon turned shimmering gold.
- It was a lovely walk, with the sun setting behind the mountain in a sea of liquid gold.
- From freezing night, it turned to scorching day as the sun climbed towards its zenith.
- The sun shone more kindly now and the trees which framed the scene were golden and lovely.
- The sun rose in a pool of crimson and gold, spilling light all over the land and the white clouds.
- The pond was bathed in a golden hue by the gentle sunlight and the water was as clear as crystal.
- The morning sunshine wafted gently in, diffusing across the room. A mild heat radiated round, - wrapping us in an invisible shawl of warmth.
- The sky began to glow as the flaming orb rose from the horizon and ignited the sky causing it to burst into a bright, passionate mix of scarlet and yellow.
- The sky was a delightful expanse of azure blue. The clouds have no place in the morning sky as the majestic sun reigned supreme.
- The warm rays of the morning sun were caressing my chubby cheeks.

Night
- A smothering blanket of darkness covered us.
- A single shaft of moonlight penetrated the overhanging clouds.
- The moon was abnormally large and it bathed the earth with its luminous glow.
- Fireworks blossomed in the night sky, turning to giant flowers of pink, orange and green.
- We could hear the chorus of frogs from the creek and the myriad softer sounds that stir in the night.
- The evening was very still and the darkness carried the faint perfume of flowers and the scent of the dew-rinsed earth.
- There was a haze in the sky, so the moon was surrounded by bluish rings. It looked like a beautiful silver ball sitting on a velvet cushion. My brother merely remarked, "It's going to rain tomorrow."

Lightning & Thunder
- Lightning and thunder raged with fury.
- Flashes of lightning lit up clusters of seething clouds.
- Thunder came marching from far away with increasing tread.
- A thunderous boom reverberated among the distant mountains.
- A bolt of lightning tore across the sky and a peal of thunder followed.
- The sky seemed as if on fire - ablaze with streaks of luminous purple.
- A flash of forked lightning and a great clap of thunder came close upon each other.
- A deep, booming burst of thunder rumbled fiercely, followed quickly by bright, blue bolts flashing across the sky. For a brief moment the sky was illuminated and the clouds looked strange - both bronze and black at the same time, both magnificent and fearsome.

Rain
- Rain pelted down from the skies.
- A curtain of rain beat down the heavens.
- The howling of the wind frightened us all.
- It was a cold grey afternoon with a dull sky threatening rain.
- The wind was howling and soon there was a heavy downpour.
- The sky above was full of tumultuous, dark and ragged clouds.
- Rumbling clouds closed in over us, forming a thick, grey canopy.
- The rain beat across the field in solid sheets, driven by a strong wind.
- The wind was sighing and thrashing in the tree tops and the boughs moaned.
- Thick black clouds and thunder rolled in from the west and rain began to fall.
- The morning was cold and wet with a brisk wind sweeping the rain across the land.
- A cloud, ominous and black, drifted over the mountain and released a sudden shower.
- Little white clouds drifted lazily across the sky, hardly casting the slightest shadow on the sun.
- Masses of heavy black clouds opened their gates together and drenched us with a wall of cooling rain.
- The sun was blotted out by huge black clouds which were racing across the sky blown along by a strong wind.
- The sky seemed to be one huge grey cloud, with occasional chinks showing a brief glimpse of the bright blue above it.
- Only a light patch in the middle showed where the sun had fought - and lost - to break through the impenetrable cover.
- The gloomy sky was shrouded with dark and heavy clouds. I walked alone in the streets surrounded with a deafening silence that could make your imagination run wild. I sometimes felt as if my every move was being watched and a ferocious beast was lurking in the intimidating darkness of the forest ready to pounce on me and shred me into pieces.
- I was consumed in darkness. The slightest sound could even bring the bravest man down o his feet. My eyes darted around anticipating any sudden movements among the trees and bushes. The cold breeze that felt as soft as cotton made my hair stand on ends. The rustling of the leaves did not comfort me at all but instead I wished I were deaf than to hear such heart-stopping sounds that could make any person run helter-skelter.

Beautiful Scenery
- The air seemed scented with the sweet aroma of flowers.
- I paused to look at the gay flowers that rioted in the garden.
- Low hills ringed the valley, rolling away into a blue haze of high mountain peaks.
- In the distance towered a snow-capped, beautifully symmetrical volcanic mountain.
- Thick, heavy branches and lush dense foliage provided a cool shelter for my languid afternoons.
- Washed and dusted, the trees glittered and the hordes of parrots came back to flash their rainbow bodies amid the timber more loquacious than before.

Seaview
- Beautiful beaches encircled the island.
- The ocean seemed to be gleaming a luminous blue.
- The Atlantic spread out before them like a piece of pale blue china.
- A gentle breeze came up to sin white drifts of sea water over the beach.
- The soothing, repetitive sounds of the lapping waves came together in a gentle, hypnotic melody, casting a spell of serene tranquility over the mesmerizing scene.

Dull Scenery
- The grey brown land was devoid of life except for an occasional snake.
- The recent rains had dampened the wild flowers in the fields and they now look battered and bedraggled.
- The countryside was awash with sheeting rain, howling with boisterous winds and robbed of all color by the ashen skies.
- In the distance, giant overarching trees reached towards the sky their dense foliage casting a mosaic of shadows on the ground.

Harsh Scenery
- They were halted by a seemingly insurmountable rocky mountain range.
- Gigantic waves crashed on the rocks around us in a pandemonium of sound.
- The rock was hard as flint and a fall would have meant serious lacerations and broken bones.

Street
- The streetlamps from the surrounding rounds were casting a misty glow strong enough to silhouette a group of people making their way across the road.
- The alley was dark, bitter and cold. Sights of beggars filled the street. The place was like a pig’s sty – trash cans, pieces of torn newspaper floated around as the breeze went by. Scraps of food littered the place. Despite the blistering cold, she waited for him.
- All the lights in the houses were on. A row of lamp posts stood upright on the road-divider. The two lights on top of every post looked like the feelers of a cockroach, pointing horizontally at both sides of the road and staring at the incessant movement of vehicles and pedestrians.

Samples of Good Descriptive Writing: Credits to Mr Denis Chin!
A Traumatic Experience

The clouds lingered in front of the moon, blocking it out. My best friend, Tim and I were waiting impatiently for our noodles at our usual haunt. The food centre was still bustling with people although it was late in the night. The noise from the noisy crowd and over-worked fans force my friend and me to converse louder than usual. The aroma of the grilled satay drifted into my nostrils making my mouth salivate.

Being hot-tempered and impatient, I walked to the stall holder and bellowed at him, "Old tortoise, faster! So old and slow already, you should be lying on the bed in the old folks' home like all the other old retards?"

"You fat and ugly pig, can't you even wait a little longer for your food?" the stall holder retaliated in fiery, throwing his old and filthy rag at my face.

Casting the rag aside, I stomped angrily towards the stall holder. Before I knew it, a bucket of mucky an smelly water was thrown at me. With the dirty water dripping from my clothes, the crowd pinched their nose and avoided me as they walked pass.

I stomped forward, clenching my fist. Raising my fist to his head level, I punched him with all my might. He was blinded momentously. In my anger, I snatched the money from the cash register and threw it all over the floor. The coins an notes scattered out.

The stall holder, hearing the coins landing on the floor, went berserk. He took out his chopper and wield it dangerously around. Finally, he landed the knife on the table, and it cuts through my right hand, severing it.

I was petrified by the sight. The blood gushed out from my hand. I fainted at the sight of the blood.

I regained consciousness, hoping it to be anything but a nightmare. However, I found myself lying in a pool of blood. My friend was trembling in front of me. The gruesome scene sent shivers down his spine as he watched me regained consciousness. I looked around the now empty hawker centre. My severed hand was on the table. Beside the table, was the stall-holder.

He was stunned. His hands were shaking violently, still holding the chopper. He apologised profusely to me, eyes trying to avoid my burning glare.

Sitting at my balcony, I looked at my severed hand and sighed. My rash action has brought about a traumatic experience I will regret for the rest of my life.

A short excerpt from a good compo.

Drool rolled down my chubby chin as I stared greedily at the rich, chunky chocolate cakes displayed prominently on the wooden shelf. The aroma of the freshly-baked chocolate cakes lingered into my nostrils. My sweaty palms pasted itself onto the spotless glass panel of the shelf. I eyed the mouth-watering chocolate cakes, yearning for a piece.

"Take your filthy hands off my shelf, you repulsive little tramp!" a loud shriek bellowed in the background. A lady impeccably dressed in her spotless uniform emerged from the kitchen. Her neatly-manicured fingers scratched my emaciated palms and removed it violently off the now smudged glass.

"Hey you irksome old swine, who do you think you are?" I asswerted in retaliation, trying my best to appear irrate. I rattled through my well-worn trousers, lots of mucky coins rained down my hole-filled pockets. "Give me a piece of cake." I snapped as I hastily grabbed the coins dispersed haphazardly on the cafe floor already muddied by my tattered, old shoe.

The lady gaped at me and retrieved a miniscule piece of cake from the shelf, disgruntled, "10 dollars," she declared flashing me a vicious smile.

"One cents, two cents... Nine dollars and eighty-five cents. I am still short of fifteen cents." I tallied my grimy coins for the third time and looked sheepishly at the floor. The lady intoherently looked at me and laughed maliciously...

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So, just remember to leave around 10 minutes to go over your composition again and check for spelling/grammer mistakes. These mistakes can be avoided.
Goodluck and all the best! :)

{Cd.weishi --

English: Formal Writing 2

2009-10-07T18:33:00.005+08:00

FORMAL WRITING!
- Can be used to apologise, seek permission or complain
- Structure / Format is important
- Use a firm but polite and positive tone
- Will be tested in End of Year Examination (To choose between two given choices)
- Write letter to suit the nature of your AUDIENCE
- Use only formal language, strictly NO SINGLISH!

[ Features of Formal Correspondence: ]

Sender's Address

Date (DD Month YYYY)

Recipient's Name
Recipient's Designation
Recipient's Address

Salutation / Greeting (Dear Sir/Madam) ,

Title of the letter (Main topic)

Subject Introduction (Use this paragraph to briefly explain your purpose for writing, and answer these questions: "Who? What? When? Where? Why?" In a simple sentence.)

Body (Supporting details, comparison between both given choices and personal views on the various aspects)

Concluding statement (State your decision and a simple statement with your reason of choosing it)

Complimentary Close (Yours sincerely / faithfully)
Sender's Signature
Sender's Full Name

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Sample: (Credits to Mr Denis Chin!)

28 Owen Road Your Address
Singapore 284081

25 April 2008 Date

Mr Lee Chee Boon Recipients’ Name
Head of Department of Pupil Welfare Recipients’ Designation
49 Yuan Ching Road Recipients’ Address
Singapore 491020

Dear Mr Lee,

Holiday Enrichment Programme

(What, Who, When, Where)
I would like to thank you for giving me a chance to express my opinion on the holiday enrichment programme.

The Plus One Student Centre’s program is cheaper than the 3G Youth Training School’s program. The whole package cost $150 less and it is like receiving a 50% discount off the price. Cost is an issue because some of the students may not be able to afford the more expensive program. By choosing the cheaper program, we can make the program more economically viable for all students.

The Plus One Student Centre program takes only 5 days as compared to 7 days for the 3G Youth Training School’s program. It is difficult to plan programs during the holidays because of all the camps taking place. If the program takes a longer time to implement, we may find it difficult to fit into certain dates during the holidays. Furthermore, parents will be worried if their children is away for a long time.

The Plus One Student Centre focuses on digital art and computer animation skills training. With fast advancement of technology, it is getting more and more important for students to equip themselves with IT skills. However, the 3G Youth Training School program also provides them with an opportunity to build their communication skills. The program should also be fun because the students can take part in drama classes. In addition, it is good to improve students’ communication skills so that the students will be able to do better public presentations.

Both programs offer interesting outdoor activities. The Plus One Student Centre’s program builds up the adventurous spirit in students through water survival skills and trekking in Pulau Ubin. However, the 3G Youth Training School’s program can develop the character of the students through community service at St Joesph Home for the Aged.

I think learning life skills are more relevant to students than study skills. Students are always stressed during exams. Students may not know how to manage conflicts with their friends. So it is good that the Plus One Student Centre offers talks to students on how to deal with that. For the other program on study skills, I feel we have done enough during our assembly program.

In conclusion, I hope that you will choose the Plus One Student Centre’s program because it is cheaper and offers a more interesting and relevant program to students.

Your Sincerely,
Yvonne Chua

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Do note that Formal letter writing will be tested tomorrow in the exam. :)
All the best, and goodluck! :)

If you have any queries, do email me at: c.weishi-@hotmail.com

{ Cd.weishi --

Chinese : Composition

2009-10-01T19:23:00.004+08:00

作文（50 分）
记得带词典！
3 选 1，字数至少 250 字

-- 情景作文 （Narrative）
- 先做审题的工作，把关键词画出来。（注意人物/ 而几件事情要写）
- 应包括记叙文的六要素：人物/时间/地点/事件的起因，经过，结果
- 基本的要求（Describe specifically）
== 要注意人物的反应，适当地描写人物的外貌，神态，动作，语言和心理。
== 细心观察，描写事故发生场面
== 进行细节描写，使内容更丰富
== 有条理叙述事情的经过

-- 完成文章 （Narrative）
- 一定要利用题目来做开头
- 时间：必须根据题目给予的时间来写当时的情形，不可写过去（回忆）或将来（超越）
- 地点：必须根据题目所给予的地点，不可突然离开现场，要描写怎样从这个地方到另个地方的阶段
- 暗示：题目中可能有加入事件的原因，经过和结果/人物说话的语气，而应该在文章内是主角/地点的气氛（Ambience）
- 注意！
== 开头部分的写法
== 结束部分的写法
== 要先构思，要注意人物的语气，态度，不可因为交卷时间到了让文中的人物匆匆改变立场，内容要合理
== 文章要以第一人称（通常用“我”）
== 如果题目没提，不要写做梦，要日常生活中所发生的事
== 记得抄下题目！

-- 议论文（Discussion）
- 引言（开头）：引人论题。 - Topic Sentence
- 正文：各种论据，论证方法，解决办法。- Points + Solutions
- 结论：重申自己的论点

1. 引题 + 针对题目中的事件，现象，观点，措施等等表明立场
2. 说明同意/不同意或赞成/反对的理由（应举例说明）(Reason of decision made)
3. 分析题目中所说的事件，现象，措施产生的背景/原因（请举例说明，3 个要点）(Causes of the 事件)
4. 提出时间，现象带来的影响/后果（1 个段落）
5. 提出解决/改善方法或发表合理的建议（3 个要点）
6. 总结全文，强调观点，发出呼唤，提出个人愿望

1. 开头：
-- 以问题开头：你认为自己是否优雅呢？
-- 以名言开头：Proverbs
-- 以情景开头：Scenario
-- 开门见山：照抄题目

3. 分析原因：
-- 凡事都有原因。首先 …。其次 …。再来 …。（可以分成不同的段落）
-- 所谓“无风不起浪，事出必有因。”让我先来剖析这个现象会发生的原因。首先，…。其次， …。另外， …。

5. 建议：
-- 如何解决呢？第一，…。第二，…。第三，…。
-- 古人说：“解铃还须系铃人”，要解决这一辣手的问题，就必须从以下几点这手：第一，政府方面可以通过…。学校也可以通过…。家长也可以…。

6. 总结：
-- 综上所述，只要我们…，就一定能…。
-- 一言从蔽之，我相信在社会各方面的共同配合和努力下，必能…。让我们齐心协力，迈方一个优雅的社会！

大家加油哦！记得利用整整 2 小时。祝你好运！

{ Cd.weishi--

Chinese : Situational Writing

2009-10-01T16:43:00.008+08:00

快捷华文：作文 Paper 1
记得带字典！

私函/公函 （20分，内容 8 分，格式语言表达 12 分）
二选一

私函：劝告与鼓励写作步骤

第一// 问好，简单叙述朋友目前的情况。 { 例如：你最近还好吗？}
第二// 表明他对朋友行为的看法。
第三// 详细地说明你的理由（加入些后果）
第四// 提出希望（建议）
// 结束语：纸短情长，就此停笔。语言后叙。 /还是/ 有时间，请多多来信。再见。
// 祝词：“身体健康”，“学业进步”，“万事如意”等。

总共应有至少 5 个段落。

公函：投诉与请求写作步骤

第一// 表明身份，简单地叙述投诉的目的。{ 例如：我是____的居民，此次致函是为了投诉 …}
第二// 叙述问题的事件，而加入两个原因。
第三// 谈谈这种事情带来的后果，至少要两个 { 影响}
第四// 提出建议，至少要两个。
第五// 恭维的话。请求采取行动。
//恭维的话：贵公司一向来本着服务大众的精神，热情周到地为顾客提供高素质的服务。 /还是/ 贵市镇理事会一向从善如流，办事效率高，尽心尽力为居民服务。 /还是/ 贵警办事效率高，一向来尽心尽力本区居民的服务，维护居民的安全。
// 请求的话：恳请贵局能考虑我的建议。谢谢。 /还是/ 恳请贵置尽快采取行动多调派警力加强巡逻，以防止罪案再席发生。谢谢。

总共应有至少 4 个段落。

若有什么问题，能发电邮给：c.weishi-@hotmail.com

{ Cd.weishi --

Art topic: Youth Olympic Games 2010

2009-10-01T11:13:00.004+08:00

For the benefits of those who had not taken down what we are suppose to do, here is a brief introduction to what we are supposed to do and some information that would help you.

In the upcoming Youth Olympic Games, we are required to design badges to promote the games and convey a certain message.We are required to design a series of 3 badges based on singapore youth olympic games. The theme of the upcoming event is 'Sporting Singapore'. It should also feature either the olympic values or what we like to promote among the fellow teenagers. Please note that the diameter of the badges should be 10cm and the research takes up 60% of the whole results.

Our tasks:
-- Research on the vision and values
-- Message we would like to convey to the public
-- Make use of symbolisation to draw the badges (Something like an icon)

Theme: Sporting Singapore
- Singapore 2010 leads to more Singaporeans playing sports, pursuing Excellence in sport competition and extending the spirit of sportsmanship to express the values of Friendship and Respect in all spheres of life.

Vision:
-- To inspire youth around the world to embrace, embody and express the Olympic values.
-- Create a lasting sports, culture and education legacy for Singapore and youths from aronud the world
-- Enhance and elevate the sporting culture both locally and regionally

Values:
-- Excellence : To give one's best, on the field of play or in life. It is not only about winning, but also about participating, making a commitment to progress against personal goals, striving to be and to do our best in our daily lives.
-- Respect: To respect oneself and one's body, to respect others, as well as rules and regulations, and to respect the environment. In relation to sport, respect stands for keeping true to one's integrity, engaging in fair play and fighting against doping or any other unethical behaviour.
-- Friendship : To build a peaceful and better world through sport: building on solidarity, team spirit, joy and optimism. To promote sport as an opportunity for teamwork, camaraderie and mutual understanding among individuals from all over the world, despite the differences.

These information may help you, however, try researching for more information to increase your marks. =DD And on that day, please remember to bring your compas to draw the circle, your research paper and your art materials. All the best! If you have any queries, email me at c.weishi-@hotmail.com

{ Cd.weishi --
" Fear of the name increases the fear of the object itself. " ~ Albus dumbledore, Harry Potter

Geography: Population

2009-09-18T16:01:00.004+08:00

Population { Population growth & distribution }

Population growth: the increase in the number of people in a particular area
Trend of World Population Growth: the changes in the growth in world population over a specified period
Population Explosion: Rapid increase in population, a sudden increase

The number of people living in a certain area would always change in amount. However, there are different types of changes, mainly, there are 2 types of changes:
-- Positive change
-- Negative change

If there were no change, we call it 'Zero Population Growth'.

How is the world population distributed?
-- Population distribution : how the population is distributed or spread out over an area
----- Distribution of the world population is uneven, some are densely populated (Overcrowded), some are sparsely populated ( Few People )

-- Population density: the number of people in one unit area of land ( E.g. km2)
----- Calculated like this:

Basically, just take the number of people divided by the area (in km2)

-- Places can be classified into three groups according to their population density:
----- Densely populated (High population density - over 200 persons per km2)
----- Moderately populated (Modreate population density - 10 to 200 persons per km2)
----- Sparsely populated (Low population density - under 10 persons per km2)

Opps, gtg, will continue later.
Thankyou.

{ C.weishi --

Mathematics : Solving Equations

2009-09-14T23:34:00.001+08:00

We have covered on simplifiying and factorisation in th previous post, so for this post, we are doing solving equations.
It is difficult to type out the explanations, hence, I have added this video:

Solving equations would require both factorisation and simplification, so before you 'confuse' yourself with this solving chapter, you should review the previous post and refresh your memory.
Also, when you expand, do be careful and do not make any mistake.
Once there is a mistake, the whole thing from then on will be wrong.
So, do be careful and also, use the few algebraic rules.

Thankyou!

{C.Weishi --
P.S If you have any queries, feel free to email me @ c.weishi-@hotmail.com

Home Economics: Chapter 2

2009-05-13T17:36:00.005+08:00

Chapter TWO: Eating for Health
- Explain obesity and its related health risks
- Describe the effects of excessive intake of sugar, cholesterol and salt
- Describe the effects of insufficient intake of dietary fibre, water, iron and calcium
- Assess how an unhealthy diet can lead to certain cancers
- Discuss two eating disorders - anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa

Obesity: Excessive accumulation of fats in body
- Occurs when...
-- Excessive intake of high-calorie food that have a high amount of fats and sugar
-- Lifestyle with little or no physical exercise
-- Excessive calories that the body does not need are stored in the body as fats, thus leading to obesity

Obese people have a greater risk of developing diseases such as diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular diseases (Disease that affects the heart and blood vessels) such as coronary heart disease, hypertension and stroke (A condition in which the brain loses some or all of its functions when the flow of blood to it is blocked).

:: Effects of excessive intake of sugar, cholesterol and salt ::
Coronary Heart Disease ~
Cholesterol: A waxy substance found in food from animal sources (E.g. Egg Yolk)
- Too much cholesterol in our diet can lead to coronary heart disease, which then lead to heart attack
Here is a video to let you understand better:

As you can see, the excess cholesterol in blood causes a build-up of fatty deposits in the coronary arteries. These fatty deposits block the blood flow to the heart muscles and damage them.
- Damaged muscles CANNOT be repaired
- Eventually, the damaged heart muscles may stop pumping and cause a heart attack

Hypertension ~
- Caused by excessive intake of salt / sodium
- Also can cause high blood pressure
Here are some examples of food high in sodium:

Salt or sodium is usually 'hidden', or masked by other flavours. Most processed or preserved food contain a lot of 'hidden' salt or sodium. Be aware of food with 'hidden' salt. You should avoid or eat less of them.

Diabetes ~
- Usually said to have 'sugar in the urine' or 'sweet urine'.
- Insulin is usually absent or not used properly by the body in a diabetic person
- Hence, glucose cannot be converted into energy properly and remains in the blood
- Too much glucose in the lood causes frequent urination, blurred vision, weight loss and tiredness
- Some excess glucose is passed out of the body through urination

- Lower the risk of getting diabetes by maintaining a healthy weight through a balanced diet
- And adequate exercise
- Consume lesser food that is high in sugar

Tooth Decay and Gum Disease ~
- Caused by excessive intake of sugary food
- Sweet and sticky food combine with bacteria in the mouth to form an invisible layer called plaque on our teeth ...
- Tooth Decay ::
-- Cavities formed on a tooth can cause pain and infection
-- Left untreated, the tooth may need to be extracted
- Gum Disease ::
-- Bacteria present in plaque infect gums, making them sore and swollen
-- Infected gums are painful and bleed easily
-- Left untreated, the teeth may even become lose and fall out

:: Effects of insufficient intake of dietary fibre, water, iron and calcium ::

Constipation ~
- Insufficient intake of dietary fibre and water results in dry and hard faeces
- Move very slowly through large intestine and require a lot of effort to be expelled from the body, causing constipation
- Here are the steps that lead to constipation:
#001 Waste products enter the large intestines from the small intestines
#002 Water is extracted from the waste products for use by the body
#003 More water is extracted as the waste products move through the larget intestines
#004 Normal faeces are soft and semi-moist. These are easily expelled from the body.
#005 Constipation occurs when there is insufficient fluids and dietary fibre in the diet and the faeces are hard and dry. Difficult to pass out from the body.
- Prevent constipation by drinking more water and eating more fruits and vegetables (High in dietary fibre)

Anaemia ~
- Lack of iron, resulting in fewer red blood cells being produced and less oxygen being carried around the body
- Anaemic person would often feel weak and tired
- Prevent anaemia by eating food rich in iron such as liver, red meat, egg yolk and dark green vegetables

Osteoporosis ~
- Calcium builds strong bones and teeth
- Insufficient intake of calcium over a long period of time
- People who suffers from osteoporosis have bones who lose density and become brittle
- More common in elderly than young people
- Reduce risk of osteoporosis by consuming iron-rich food, like tofu, ikan bilis, milk and other diary products

This is a picture of a comparison of a normal bone and an osteoporotic bone.

:: Cancer ::
- A general term for diseases in which abnormal cells in the body multiply out of control
- Affects the proper functioning of organs in the body
- Many chemicals used to make processed food are thought to be carcinogenic/cancer-causing
(E.g. Smoked meat, ham, luncheon meat, salted fish and pickled vegetables)
- Some cancers are linked to certain diets..
-- Stomach canter: Diet high in preserved and smoked food
-- Colorectal cancer: Diet high in saturated fat, meat and alcohol, and low in dietary fibre

:: Eating Disorders ::
- An unnatural obsession with food, weight and body image
- Often thought to occur only amongst females, but males can have them too

Anorexia Nervosa ~
- Often called the 'slimming disease'
- Have an unbalanced self-image of themselves and low self-esteem
- May think they are overweight despite being dangerously thin
- May starve themselves and exercise excessively
- Warning signs include::
-- Extreme Weight Loss
-- Menstruation stops
-- Depressed and irrtable
-- Problems coping with stress
- If left untreated, can cause lasting damage to organs such as kidneys and reproductive organs
- That anorexic person may eventualy starve to death

An anorexic Model.

Bulimia nervosa ~
- Have low self-exteem, linked to their body image
- Bulimics binge or eat large amounts of food in a short period of time, then they get rid of the food they eat by purging
- Bulimics purge by making themselves vomit or by using laxatives (Medicines to get rid of the waste from our body more easily)
- May repeatedly binge, purge and over-exercise
- Warning signs of bulimia nervosa..
-- Frequent trips to the bathroom, especially after meals
-- Teary eyes and swollen cheeks
-- Scraped knuckles from stikcing fingers down the throat to induce vomiting
-- Stained teeth
- May lead to tooth decay due to stomach acids being brought up during frequent vomiting
- Somach weakened by repeated binging and excessive vomiting
- May lead to heart failure, dehydration or even death

If you have any queries or comments or questions, email me at merlion0512@hotmail.com
Thankyou!

Weishi.
P.S. I am unable to finish all the chapters of Home Economics, so hopefully you can study on your own, I sincerely apologise!

Home Economics: Chapter 1

2009-05-13T00:33:00.011+08:00

These are notes for home economics mid year. I do not know the notes for D&T, so unfortunately, I am unable to post it here online. Sorry! And for the girls, if you still do not know, the whole book will be tested in the paper on Thursday (14/5).
So again, prepare writing materials and a piece of foolscap paper to jot down some important points or highlight them in your home economics textbook.
Basically, there are two main categories under Home Economics. First is the 'Food Studies', which I will cover each chapter in different posts, and the 'Consumer Studies' in another post, so as to avoid confusion.

Chapter ONE: Planning Meals
- Identify the factors to consider when planning meals
- Explain the specific factors to consider when planning meals for children, teenagers and the elderly

Factors to consider when planning meals ~
= Nutritional needs
- May also depend on certain special conditions that a person may have (E.g. Allergies)
- Vary according to age, gender, body size and level of physical activity
Examples:
--> Gender: Females tend to consume more iron-rich food as they need them to replenish the blood which they lose during menstruation
--> Level of physical activity: A desk-bound person would need less nutrition as lesser energy is needed, as compared to that of a construction worker

= State of Health
- We all need different amounts of certain nutrients depending on our health
Examples:
--> An anaemic person would need to eat more iron-rich food
--> A person who suffers from osteoporosis would need to consume more food rich in calcium

= Availability of Ingredients
- Some seasonal or imported food are difficult to obtain
- These ingredients can be substitued with those that are more readily available

= Budget for the food
- Nutritious meal need not be expensive
- Choose affordable ingredients

= Time Needed
- Plan a meal that would not take long to cook if you only have a short time to spare
- Remember to think about the preparation and cooking time before starting to cook the meal
- Plan according to the number of people you are cooking for

= Religious and moral beliefs
- Some have special dietary restrictions due to religious or moral beliefs
Examples:
--> Hindus do not eat beef for religious reasons
--> Vegetarians do not eat meat for moral reasons

= Personal Preferences
- Different people react differently to the same food
- Some may like this, but others dislike the same food
- Often choose food that we are more familiar with

= Culinary skills
- Choose a simpler dish if you do not have the skills to prepare a difficult one

= Variety in the meal
- Different colours, textures and flavours would make the meal more attractive and appetising
- Different methods can be used for different types of dishes

Planning meals across the ages ~
- Nutritional needs change as we develop and grow
- Plan meals based on the age groups of the consumers

= 13 - 18 years old (Teenagers)
- Are at a stage of rapid growth
- Often very active
- Require nutrients for growth and development and to provide them with sufficient energy
- Also have a higher energy requirement than children as they have bigger body frames
-- Meals planned for teenagers should include plenty of water, fresh fruits and vegetables in order to prevent constipation and reduce spots and acne:
- Drink plenty of water
- Develop strong bones and teeth: food that is rich in calcium, phosphorous and vitamin D
- Dietary fibre: Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Provide sufficient energy: Consume carboyhydrates
- Proper growth and development: Protein-rich food
- Provide iron - rich food such as lean meat and dark green vegetables (Especially girls who are experiencing menstruation)

= 60 years and above (Elderly)
- Have stopped growing physically and tend to be less active
- Hence, their intake of energy-giving food should be reduced
- Sill need a variety of nutrients in sufficient amounts for good health
- Bodily functions slow down as they age (Slower bowel movement, difficulty in chewing)
- Sense of smell and taste may not be as good as before
-- Meals should be easy to chew and digest, stimulate poor appetite and provide them with strength and immunity:
- Eat food with plenty of dietary fibre, drink lots of water and consume more soft fruits and cooked vegetables: Avoid constipation
- Provide calcium and vitamin D-rich food such as milk and dairy products: Elderly are more prone to loss of bone density
- Plan meals with less fats, oils, sugar and salt: Help reduce risk of diet-related diseases
- Serve interesting variety of food and meals in small portions: to stimulate their appetite
- Serve food that is soft and easy to digest: Cook dishes by boiling, steaming or stewing

Tools for healthy meal planning ~
- Help plan and choose recipes that are healthier for various age groups
- Includes: Healthy Diet Pyramid, Dietary Guidelines for Children and Teenagers, Recommended Dietary allowance & Food composition table

Healthy Diet Pyramid.

Recommended Dietary Allowance: Shows the amount of various nutrients that we should consume each day.
Food composition table: Shows the amount of various nutrients available in each type of food.

I hope that you will be able to read and study this in time.
If you have any queries or comments, feel free to tag at the tagboard or email me at merlion0512@hotmail.com
Thankyou!

Weishi!

Literature: 'Kopitiam'

2009-05-12T15:07:00.010+08:00

This is the post for literature. Literature examination is tomorrow, so hopefully, you have enough time to study. So anyway, literature is all about PEEE. With it, you can surely pass.
Not going to the washroom to PEE, but the PEEE.

P: Point - Your main topic sentence
E: Evidence - Your proof from the poem / play
E: Explain - Explain what the proof has proven
E: Elaborate - Elaborate with more specific details

So that is the PEEE!

Other than the PEEE, you also need to know the various poetic devices. These poetic devices are common in poems and you must remember them. Here are the poetic devices:

- Simile
Comparing 2 objects /subjects together using 'as' or 'like'
Examples: As hot as the sun, she ran like a gazelle

- Metaphor
Direct comparison in which one object is described as being something else
Examples: She is a pig, the pavement was a ribbon of moonlight

- Personification
Giving a non-living thing human characteristics
Examples: The storm attacked me, the plant creeped along the gates

- Alliteration
Repeating the cosonant sounds af the beginning of words
Example: Ages and ages.

- Hyperbole
A gross exageration.
Example: The boy was as fast as a jet.

- Repetition
Repeating the same words in a same poem, can be in different stanzas
Example: 'Two roads diverged in a wood" appeared in both stanza 1 and 4.

- Symbolism
A word or object that stands for another word or object. A symbol of another object, usually with similar characteristics.
Example: The road symbolises the path in life.

So these are the few poetic devices that will most probably be tested, especially simile, metaphor, alliteration and personification. Now, here is the information that we learnt in kopitiam, the seen play that will be tested.

CONFLICT
The struggle between the opposing forces on which the action in a work of literature depends.
4 types of main conflict: Man VS Man, Man VS Environment, Man VS Society & Man VS Himself

Conflict in the play:
#01 Man VS Man: Grandpa versus Jiacai (Have different values)
#02 Man VS Society: Grandpa's old values versus the modern values

Why does the conflict between Grandpa and Jiacai occur?
Generation gap - Growing up in different eras
Grandpa refuses to change his thinking, while Jiacai is changing with modernisation.

What is each character's motivation for his beliefs?
Jiacai: Must change to survive
Grandpa: Has gone through hardship and survived, so does not agree with Jiacai's thought.

Flashback - Questions to ponder
#01 Which is the main plot: Present or the flashback? Why do you think that?
- The present.
- The flashack is just a series of stories from unnamed characters
- The present is where the main characters are and where the main conflict is

#02 Why does the author, Kuo Pao, insert a flashback in the midst of Grandpa and Jiacai's conversation? What purpose does the flashback serve?
- To elicit pity for Grandpa
- To make grandpa's story more credible / realistic
- To relate grandpa's hardship -> reinforces the contrast between Jiacai and grandpa
- To show that Grandpa's not the only one who feels this way

#03 Why does the author choose to have the customers remain nameless? What purpose does the lack of name serve?
- So the stories can be applied to anyone, far-reading impacts, can be universal
- To focus on a specific character

Contrast between Grandpa and Jiacai!
How different are Grandpa and Jiacai in terms of their perceptions or attitudes towards..

Games ~
Grandpa : Kids back then played with balls, marbles and kites. Were contented with simple games.
Evidence: "When I was young, you bought me rubber balls to play, or goli, or layang." (Jiacai, line 16)

Jiacai: Kids nowadays play video games. More demanding in their choice of entertainment.
Evidence: "But kids how start playing video games before they even get to primary school." (Jiacai, line 18)

Storytelling ~
Grandpa: Prefers to get his stories from the word of mouth. Appreciates the engagement of human interaction.
Evidence: " He loved telling stories, all the time teaching me the Confucian virtues." (Grandpa, line 6)

Jiacai: Gets the stories from Tv, film and radio. More technologically advanced, IT savvy.
Evidence: " And of course when you've got TV, film and radio you don't have any need for storytelling..." (Jiacai, line 21)

Food ~
Grandpa: Wants to retain the essence of his food to make sure it is unique, special and authentic. Process is more important to him. He is patient.
Evidence: " We bake our own kopi beans, we grind our own powder, we make every cup special and they all taste special" (Grandpa, line 31)

Jiacai: People now don't care about the essence of food. Modern people look for expediency, efficiency and speed. He does not care about the process and is impatient.
Evidence: " People today all want to go to a cafe or fastfood centre. They don't want to go to a kopitiam anymore" (Jiacai, line 25)

Business Philosophy ~ how they run their business
Grandpa: Kopitiam allowed him to save cent-by-cent and send Jiacai abroad. Allowed him to be frugal, does not take big risks to save up. Refuses to change.
Evidence: " From 1936 ... Almost 50 years now ... we saved from every cup, every cent, we have saved everything we have now! " (Grandpa, line 43)

Jiacai: Grandpa's kopitiam needs to change into a coffee house because that is what people want nowadays. Expansion - letting the money grow by creating more business opportunities. Wants to change according to modern times.
Evidence: " Baba's good friend, Uncle Di Ge - now, that man's got a good head. He saw what was coming and decided to change as soon as he realised the need to change." (Jiacai, line 56)

Home ~
Grandpa: We must all remain loyal to our motherland.
Evidence: "

Jiacai: If you suffer hardships at home, is it not right to move?
Evidence: " Yes, and she would rather fall sick, and eventually died there! Right? But is it worth it?" (Jiacai, line 88)

So these are the important points that you need to know for the examination, and remember the poetic devices and PEEE!

If you have any queries or questions, feel free to tag at the tagboard or email me at merlion0512@hotmail.com
Thankyou!
And credits to Caroline who helped me with these notes!

Weishi!

History: Compare & Contrast Questions

2009-05-11T14:14:00.003+08:00

Here are some guidelines on answering a good compare & contrast question, remember to always answer in complete sentences. And remember to grab a pen and a piece of paper to jot down the notes.

Compare and contrast simply means to look for the similarities and/or differences between two sources.
To do this, you need to refer to some common criteria:

- Source Type

- Provenance

- Content

Example sources ~

Source A:

"Joe is always helping me when I am in trouble. When I am absent he takes notes in class for me." - Joe's friend and classmate.

Source B:

"Even when Joe lends us his things, he will do it very reluctantly. Moreover, whenever he helps someone, he always asks for something in return." - Joe's enemy and classmate.

Question type #01: In what ways are the two sources similar? / How are the two sources similar?

What you need to do #01: Similarities ONLY

(Give 2 similarities in content, supported with evidence from both sources)

Question type #02: In what ways are the two sources different? / How are the two sources different? / How do the two sources differ?

What you need to do #02: Differences ONLY

(Give 2 differences in content, supported with evidence from both sources)

Question type #03: How similar are the two sources? / How are the two sources similar? / To what extent are the two sources similar?

What you need to do #03: Similarities AND Differences

(Give 1 similarity and 1 difference in content, supported with evidence from both sources)

Question type #04: How different are the two sources? / How far are the two sources different? / To what extent are the two sources different?

What you need to do #04: Similarities AND Differences

(Give 1 similarity and 1 difference in content, supported with evidence from both sources)

If you have any queries or comments or remarks or questions, feel free to leave your tag at the tagboard, or email me at: c.weishi-@hotmail.com

Thankyou.
Weishi!

History: Chapters 1

2009-05-11T13:15:00.006+08:00

These are the summarised notes of History, so if you need to take down some notes or some stuffs, I would suggest you taking out a pen and a foolscap pad.

Please note that the blog is protected and you are unable to just copy and paste down the notes.

Teehee!

So anyway, this post will be on the first chapter that will be tested, which is:

- Chapter ONE: Was there Singapore before 1819

So, let us begin. I will only post the points that are important and those that Mr Edgerton (History teacher) said that would be tested.

Chapter ONE = Was there Singapore Before 1819?

With the help of Artifacts and Written evidence, Singapore was known to exist as a fishing village before the 1819.

It was then known as Temasek.

Let us look further into the two types of evidence.

Artifacts

Artifacts are human-made objects, such as a tool, weapon or ornament, especially those of archaelogical or historical interest. There are 2 important and main artifacts which proved that Singapore existed before the 1819.

1. Singapore Stone

- One of the earliest artifacts left behind in Singapore

- A large rock measuring 3 meters wide and high

- Found 150 years ago, located at the mouth of Singapore river

- Some inscriptions were seen on the stone, but historians could not decipher it, they believed that writing dates back to the 12th or 13th century.

- Shows that there were people who lived in the ancient times could read and write, but in an unfamiliar language, unknown to use today

- Tells us that Singapore, better known as Temasek then, existed a long time ago

2. Jewellery, Porcelain, stoneware and earthern ware

- Found at Fort Canning Park

- Dated the 14th Century

- Believed to have been brought by visitors/traders from Majapahit as they were similarly designed to those produced by the Majapahit Empire

- Blue & White porcelain pieces reflected that there were ancient Chinese traders who traded in Singapore

Written Evidence

These are historical records such as maps, minutes of meetings, official court documents etc. It helps us to better understand things that happened in the past.

1. The Melayu Sejerah

- Proved that Singapore was called 'Temasek' in the 13th and 14th centuries

- Was believed to be founded by a Malay ruler from Sumatra called Sang Nila Utama, who renamed 'Temasek' into 'Singapura', meaning Lion City

- Singapore was said to be often attacked by its stronger neighbours like the Siamese and Javanese who both wanted to make it part of their empire

- A fort was then built to ward off these attacks, at Fort Canning Hill

- Was dangerous to trade in Singapore due to the many pirate attacks

2. Chinese Records

- Earliest written records on Singapore was by a Chinese traveler called Wang Dayuan, who visited Singapore in the 14th century

- Recored that Singapore was a great and famous place with many foreigners visiting

- Singapore then was a trading centre where Chinese traders brought valuable goods to sell

- Proved to have some Chinese living on the island who dressed like the local people

Archaeologists

- Tries to find artefacts that existed long time ago by digging anywhere that was appropriate

Decline of Singapore

- A Malay chief named Parameswara murdered the local ruler and made himself the new ruler of Singapore

- Parameswara was soon driven away, Singapore lost its important place

- He fled from Singapore and found a new city at Malacca, which became the biggest trading city in Southeast Asia

If you have any queries or comments or remarks or complaints, feel free to tag at the tagboard, or email me at: merlion0512@hotmail.com

Thankyou!

Weishi!

Literature: MYE Topics

2009-05-10T22:38:00.004+08:00

These are the topics tested for literature,
There will be 2 parts, Unseen poetry and Seen poetry.
The details will be further elaborated in another post.

Unseen poetry ~
= Peotic devices: Metaphor, Hyperbole, Alliteration, Simile, Personification, Repetition
= Understanding the theme of the poem: Main point
= Characterisation: Interpreting the characteristics of the characters

Seen poetry ~ 'Kopitiam'
= Conflicts: 4 types
= Flashback: Purpose / Unnamed customers
= Why did they each believe in their own beliefs?
= Differences between Grandpa & Jiacai

Any errors or queries, please leave a message in the tagboard or email me at: merlion0512@hotmail.com
Thankyou!

Weishi!

Geography: MYE Topics

2009-05-05T21:07:00.010+08:00

These are the topics of the 7 other subjects and for others, 8 (Higher Mother Tongue).
So if you would like to study using your textbooks are wish to purchase any guidebooks, I will include the chapters and pages in the textbooks and my recommendations for the guidebooks, which you can purchase at any Popular bookstore.
And thankyou for coming to this blog! =)

I appreciate your effort,, and I apologise for not posting the information earlier due to my busy schedule, but I will try my best.
And I will also include study tips which will help you greatly in exams, as well as tests.
So, here are the topics for geography first, the others will be posted in seperate posts:

Geography ~
-- Format of exam paper: (Total marks: 70)
- Section A:
Multiple Choice Questions

(Chapters 1-5; 5 marks)
- Section B:
Part I, basic techniques

(Chart, graph or Table on Chapter 2: Population; 10 marks)
Part II, Mapwork

(Topographical map, 4 & 6 figure grid, directions: North South East West, reading of contour lines: height of land, Interpret keys/legends; 10 marks)
- Section C:
Structured Questions, 4 Questions, choose 3 to answer

(Chapters 1-5; 45 marks [3 x 15 = 45])

-- Transportation & Communications
- Developments in land / air / water (Effects)
- Types of communications: Telecommunications & Print media (Developments & Effects)
- Shrinking world / globalisation (Positive & Negative effects)

-- Settlements
- Rural / Urban settlements

(Differences & Similarites of 4 aspects: Amenities, population density, way of life & Main function)
- Settlement patterns (Draw and interpret)

-- Population
- Factors affecting world population growth rate
- Factors affecting population distribution
- Population density - Formulae
- Causes of high population rate

(Factors: Low death rate / High birth rate, consequences of high population growth & Actions taken)
- Causes of low rate of population growth (Consequences & Action taken)

-- Agriculture
- Purpose, Input & Outputs:

Shifting Cultivation, plantation agriculture, High - Tech farming & Wetrice cultivation
- Differences and similarity

Hope you can study in time!
If you have any queries, either tag at the tagboard or email me at: merlion0512@hotmail.com

Weishi!

Mathematics : MYE Topics

2009-04-12T22:14:00.007+08:00

These are the topics that will be tested in the Mid Year Examinations, if you want to study them beforehand... Of course I will try my best to post all the details on this blog before mid year, but I may not finish everything, so STUDY BEFOREHAND!

= Similarity & Congruency
= Percentage, ratio & rate
= Direct & Indirect proportion

= Construction of triangles & Quadrileterals
- Perpendiculor Bisectors
- Parallel Lines
- Angles Bisectors

= Algebra
- Simplification / Expansion (Refer to April 6,2009)
- Factorisation
- Fractions ('+', '-', '/', 'x')
- Changing of Subject of Formula

= Algebraic Equations
- Quadratic Equations
- Simultaneous Equations

= Graphs
- Co ords / Pairs (x, y)
- Plotting straight line graphs (Linear graphs)

= Polygons
- Interior angles [180 x (n-2)]
- Exterior angles

= Prime factorisation
- Highest common factors
- Lowest common multiple

So, these are the topics that will be tested for mid year, so do study!
And dont say you didnt know the topic, they are all here! =P
All the best! Jiayous!

Weishi!
P.S This is the updated version.

Chemistry: Acid & Alkali

2009-04-08T00:57:00.008+08:00

This post will cover what will be tested during the Mid Year examination, for chemistry.
Basically, it will be mainly tested on acid and alkali.
So, everything will be here, and be prepared to take down notes, if you dont want to refer to your own notes.. =X

Defination of acid: A substance that produces hydrogen ions (H+) as the only positive ions when it is dissolved in water
Physical Characteristics of acid:
--- pH <7>Defination of alkali: A substance that produces hydroxide ions (OH-) as the only negative ions when it is dissolved in water
Physical Characteristics of alkali:
--- pH >7
--- Bitter taste
--- Caustic (Burning sensation, only for very concentrated ones)
--- Soapy feeling
--- Turns red litmus paper blue
--- Conducts electricity due to presence of mobile ions

Testing for various gases:
---- Ammonia (NH3): Test with damp/moist red litmus paper
-- Observation: Colourless, pungent gas turns damp red litmus paper blue
---- Carbon Dioxide (CO2): Test by bubbling gas into limewater (Calcium hydroxide)
-- Observation: Colourless, odourless gas forms a white precipitate with limewater (Calcium hydroxide)
---- Chlorine (Cl2): Test with damp/moist blue litmus paper
-- Observation: Yellowish, pungent gas turns damp blue litmus paper red and then bleaches
---- Hydrogen (H2): Test by inserting a lighted/burning splint into the test tube
-- Observation: Splint extinguishes with a "Pop" sound
---- Oxygen (O2): Test by inserting a glowing splint into the test tube
-- Observation: Colourless, odourless gas relights a glowing splint
---- Sulfer Dioxide (SO2): Test by bubbling gas into - Aqueous potassium dichromate (VI) or Acidified potassium manganate (VII)
-- Observation: Colourless, pungent gas turns - 1. Aqueous potassium dichromate (VI) from orange to green /or/ 2. Acidified potassium manganate (VII) from purple to colourless

Reaction of acids with metal carbonates:
#001: Effervescence occurs.
#002: Carbon Dioxide gas is produced.
Word Equation: Acid + Carbonate = Salt + Water + Carbon Dioxide
Example: Hydrochloric acid + Zinc carbonate = Zinc chloride + Water + Carbon Dioxide

Reaction of acids with metals:
#001: Effervescence occurs.
#002: Hydrogen gas is produced.
Word Equation: Acid + Metal = Salt + Hydrogen
Example: Nitric Acid + Iron = Iron Nitrate + Hydrogen

Reaction of acids with alkali:
#001: No effervescence occurs.
#002: Nothing is produced.
Word Equation: Acid + Alkali = Salt + Water
Example: Sulfuric Acid + Calcium Hydroxide = Calcium Sulfate + Water

Good Natural Indicators: Red Cabbage & Beetroot

Indicators:
- Methyl Orange
--- pH range: Below 3.1 = Red, Above 4.4 = Yellow
--- Turns Acid to Red, and Alkali to Yellow
--- Chemical name: p-dimethylamino-azobenzensulfonic acid, C14H35N3O3S
--- Suitable to be used for acidic solution
- pH paper
--- pH range: 1 to 14
--- Usually used to test pH value of soils and urine

- Universal Indicator
--- Original colour: Dark Green (Very concentrated)
--- Turns Acid to red, orange or yellow/turns Alkali to blue or purple (Based on the level of concentration)
- Phenolphthalein
--- Original colour: Colourless
--- Cannot be used to distinguish acid from water
--- Turns Alkali to Pink, no colour change in Acid
--- In solutions containing pH below zero, phenolpthalein turns right orange in colour
--- In solutions that are very alkaline or basic, phenolphthalein turns purple in colour

If you have any queries or doubts, feel free to sms or email me at merlion0512@hotmail.com
And thankyou for visiting!
All the best for your examinations, and please visit my personal blog even if you do not need this blog anymore: http://her--weishi-shewii.blogspot.com/

Weishi!

Mathematics : Algebraic Expansion

2009-04-06T21:53:00.004+08:00

Before we begin, let us first recap on the basic information of algebra...
i) Integer = number (Example: 4a)Variable = the alphabet (Example: 4a)
ii) Index = the small number on the top right hand corner (Example: 4a2 )
iii) Like terms: 3ab + 2ab (Example)Unlike terms: 2a + 3b (Example)

Now, since we have recalled on the different terms in algebra, we shall move on to Algebraic Expansion...
There are a variety of ways to expand the algebraic expressions. I shall only include those that are usually used in examinations.

i) Product of single terms
Example: (ab)(b2c)
- Group the product of b together. Then, express the product in index form.

(ab)(b2c)
= (a x b) x (b x b x c)
= a x (b x b x b) x c
= ab3c

ii) Product of Two Expressions
Example: a(x+y)

a(x + y) = ax + ay

This is called multiplying in the number in front ONE BY ONE into the brackets.The 'a' in the expression is multiplied step by step into the bracketed numbers, first, a x x and a x y, which gives us ax and ay respectively.

To give you a better idea, watch the short clip on Algebraic expansion:

iii) Using the THREE golden rules of Algebraic Expansion
- Saves time
- Easier method

(a + b)2 = (a)2 + 2(a)(b) + (b)2
(a - b)2 = (a)2 - 2(a)(b) + (b)2
(a + b)(a - b) = (a)2 - (b)2

So, just replace the 'a' and the 'b' with the actual numbers or expressions, and then voila! We have the answer!
To have a better understanding, just watch the video, it is actually very useful!

If you have any questions or queries after reading this, feel free to approach me in school or email me at merlion0512@hotmail.com
Thankyou!
And credits to Aravind who spotted some of my typos, kudos! =)

Weishi!

English : Formal Writing

2009-04-04T20:09:00.002+08:00

FORMAL WRITING!
- Can be used to apologise, seek permission or complain
- Structure / Format is important
- Use a firm but polite and positive tone
- Will be tested in Mid Year Examination
- Write letter to suit the nature of your AUDIENCE
- Use only formal language, strictly NO SINGLISH!

[ Features of Formal Correspondence: ]
1. Formal letter

Sender's name
Sender's Address

Date (DD/Month/YYYY)

Recipient's Name
Recipient's Designation
Recipient's Address

Salutation / Greeting (Dear Sir/Madam)

Title of the letter (Main topic) / Subject

Introduction (Use this paragraph to explain your purpose for writing)
Body (Supporting details and include additional information / suggestions to solve the problem)
Conclusion

Complimentary Close (Yours sincerely / faithfully)
Sender's Signature
Sender's Full Name
_______________________________________________________________________________
2. Useful expressions for introducing yourself and highlighting problem areas (Introduction)

Introducing self:

- I am a resident of Block 214 at Jurong West street 22.
- I live at Block 214 at Jurong West Street 22.
- I am a regular user of...

Introducing the problems:

- I would like to draw your attention to the poor conditions of...
- I would like to bring your attention to a few shortcomings prevailing in the library...
- I would like to highlight the problem...
- I wish to express my dissatisfaction about...
- I wish to express my disappointment at the poor condition in the sports gym...
- I wish to draw your attention to the horrendous prices you charge...
- I wish to bring your attention to the danger lurking in...
- I am very perturbed by the appalling conditions prevailing in...
_______________________________________________________________________________

3. Useful expressions for asking the other party to do something about the problems (Conclusion)

- I hope that you would look into the matter and take appropriate actions to...
- I hope that you would look into the above and consider improvements to...
- I hope that you would investigate...
_______________________________________________________________________________
4. An example of a complain formal letter

Chua Wei Shi
Block 335
Kang Ching Road
#12-286
Singapore 610335

6 April 2009

Chairman
Jurong West Residents' Committee
Block 13 Zone A Office
Ground Floor
Jurong West street 24
Singapore 600013

Dear Sir / Madam [*Note that there is no comma!]

Deteriorating living conditions at Block 214 at Jurong West street 22

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------CONTENT----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yours faithfully (NO COMMA!)
SIGNATURE HERE
Chua Wei Shi
_______________________________________________________________________________

5. Frequently Asked Questions

SINCERELY or FAITHFULLY?
If you use ‘Dear Sir or Madam,’ you end with ‘Yours faithfully’
If you use ‘Dear Mr / Mrs / Miss / Mdm / Dr (name of a person),’ you end with ‘Yours sincerely’
_______________________________________________________________________________

If you have any questions, just feel free to email me at: merlion0512@hotmail.com

WEISHI!

Introduction

2009-04-02T23:03:00.001+08:00

First of all, I would like to warmly welcome all of you to this blog, which is actually a learning platform for all.
I am from secondary school in Singapore, so the notes that I provide are mostly for secondary one and twos.
So being an ambituous girl, I have always wanted to contribute to the society by doing something useful, so I came up with this.
I would like to help the other weaker students through this blog, so feel free to approach me if you have any queries, I am from Jurong Secondary School.
I will post study tips, and notes on various subjects such as Geography and History.
I will post according to the textbooks in point form and some other relavant informations that are outside of the .
Just remember to check back weekly, or even when your examinations are nearing.
And I sincerely hope that all of you will learn something when you close this window. =)

And I know, the blog is a little bit empty, but rest assured, more people will come and read my notes right before their examinations! =P

Weishi!