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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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1. SPM 1119 ENGLISH TIPS 1

2. VOCABULARY 3
3. SYNONYMS & ANTONYMS 19
4. RELATED WORDS 25
5. WHATS THE DIFFERENCE? 26
6. A TREASURE OF WORDS 29
7. IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS 38
8. COMMON PHRASAL VERBS 42
9. FREQUENTLY CONFUSED WORDS 48
10. COLLOCATIONS 50
11. GRAMMAR 58
12. TENSES 62
13. MODAL VERBS 66
14. READING COMPREHENSION SKILLS 73
15. WRITING SKILLS 75

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SPM 1119 ENGLISH TIPS - Avoid writing exactly the whole essays that you memorised, because if
you do so and as a result you score much better in Continuous Writing
compared to Directed Writing, your grade for Continuous Writing may

1. Directed Writing be dropped.

- Materials will be given. Read the question and materials given

3. Both Directed Writing & Continuous Writing
carefully. The question will ask you to write an essay on a particular
- When writing your essay, elaborate clearly on each point you write.
topic. You must use all the points in the material given when writing
Write some relevant examples as well. You only need to elaborate in 1
your essay.
or 2 sentences for Directed Writing, but you need to elaborate longer
- There is no minimum word limit for Directed Writing. However, you
for Continuous Writing.
are advised to write your essay longer than 120 words. If the question
asks you to add in your own ideas or provide a suitable - Include a few idioms and phrasal verbs in your essay. Use a wide
introduction/closing, you must do so variety of words in your essay, including some more difficult words.
The sentence structure should be varied. Your essay should also be
- Of the 35 marks for Directed Writing, 15 marks is for Content &
interesting, especially for descriptive/narrative essay. Avoid making
Format and 20 marks is for Language.
grammatical errors in your essay. Refer to the question often when

2. Continuous Writing writing your essay to avoid writing out of topic.

- There will be 5 questions. Usually the questions are

4. Paper 2 Section A
factual/argumentative essay, narrative/ descriptive essay. Read all the
- For Stimuli & Graphic Material, read the materials given and
questions carefully and choose the question that you are most confident
questions carefully. Cancel off the options that you consider as
in.
definitely wrong. Choose the most suitable answer among the 4 options,
- For the one-word topic/proverb essay, you are free to write it as either based on the materials given.
factual/argumentative essay or narrative/descriptive essay . But, you
- For Rational Cloze, it tests you on grammar. Read the passage given
must make sure that the entire essay/story you write is closely related to
carefully. Cancel off the options that you consider as definitely
the meaning of the word given.
wrong. Choose the most suitable word to fill in the blanks in the
- If you are writing factual/argumentative essay, there should be 1
passage among the 4 options, based on your understanding in
Introduction, at least 4 Body and 1 closing paragraph. Include only one
grammar.
main point in each Body. Make sure your essay is more than 350 words.

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- For both parts, you should think carefully because sometimes the
answers are close to each other.
5. Information Transfer
- Read the materials and questions carefully. When answering, copy
directly from the materials given and avoid using your own words.
However, sometimes you may have to make some changes to suit your
answer. Make sure the spelling is exactly the same as the spelling in the
materials given. Your answers must be short and precise. Do not add in
any unnecessary details in your answer or write extra answers. Also,
you should not answer in full sentences.
6. Reading Comprehension
- Read the questions and passage given carefully. Answer all questions
based on the passage given. When answering, look for answers from
the particular paragraph of the passage as stated in the question.
Sometimes you may have to make some changes to suit your answer.
- If the question states that you must use your own words, then you
must answer in your own words. If the question asks for your own
opinion, you should give your own ideas. Your ideas should be logical
and relevant.
- For all questions on Comprehension, you do not need to answer in
complete sentences. Make sure tat the spelling in your answer is
correct. Your answers must be short and precise. Do not add in any
unnecessary details in your answer or write extra answers.
7. Summary
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- The question will usually ask you to summarise on 2 topics. Read the
question and passage given carefully. Underline the relevant points in
the passage that are related to any of the 2 topics.
- When answering, use relevant points from the passage given. Do not
take the elaborations or examples.
-You must begin your answer using the 10 words given in the question.
You do not need to write any Introduction or Closing. You are advised
to answer in your own words by replacing words taken from the
passage with other words of same meaning or by rephrasing the
sentences taken from the passage. You should write a total of at least 10
points. You are advised to write more points if possible. Marks will only
be given for correct points and marks will not be deducted for wrong
points (But, you must not exceed 130 words).
- Count the total number of words and make sure that your answer is
not longer than 130 words, otherwise the remaining part of your
answer will not be marked, and marks may be deducted. State the exact
number of words below your essay. Proper nouns, idioms and words
with hyphen are counted as one word only. If your answer is longer
than 130 words, try cancelling off the unnecessary words in your
answer and replacing longer phrases with shorter phrases of the same
meaning. If it still exceeds 130 words, cancel off some of the extra
points you wrote.
- You must answer in continuous writing form and not point form. You
should also write the answer in complete sentences. Make sure that the
grammar is correct. Of the 15 marks for Summary, 10 marks is for
Content and 5 marks is for Language & Paraphrase.
8. Poem
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- Read the poem and questions carefully. Answer all questions based on
the poem. If the question states that you must use your own words, then
you must answer in your own words. If the question asks for your own
opinion, you should give your own ideas and your answer should be
logical and relevant.
- You do not need to answer in complete sentences. Make sure that the
spelling in your answer is correct. Your answers must be short and
precise. Do not add in any unnecessary details in your answer or write
extra answers.
9. Novel
- The question will be based on the novel you studied in Form 5. You
can also answer based on the novel for other states, but you should do
so only if you understand that novel very well. Read the question
carefully.
- The question carries 15 marks, where 10 marks is for Content and 5
marks is for Language. Both the Content and Language marks are given
by impression, so the Content marks does not actually depend on the
number of points in your answer. However, you should write at least 3
elaborations and 1 personal response in your answer. You can give
more facts, elaborations and personal responses if you want to, but you
must be careful not to write any wrong points. For wrong points in your
answer, marks will not be directly deducted, but it can affect the
Content marks in overall.
VOCABULARY
In order to write a good and interesting composition, it is vital for
students to have a good command of the English vocabulary. Please
use the samples below to help you with your writing.

- If the question is about facts (Theme / Settings / Plot / Characters /

Moral values / Lessons), give suitable answers that you have learnt. If
the question is about your own opinion, you have to give your own
ideas based on your understanding of the novel. Your ideas must be
logical and relevant. You should also relate your ideas to the novel.

- For all Novel questions, you have to elaborate clearly on every point
you write. Give suitable examples from the novel. You also need to write
your personal response (your own opinion about what you have
discussed in your answer). You must answer in complete sentences and
not point form, otherwise marks can be deducted. Make sure that the
grammar is correct.

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A TREASURE OF WORDS

1. At deaths door
= about to die
Eg: Although she was at deaths door for the past two days,
she recovered well enough to talk to people.

2. As different as night and day

= completely different
Eg : Tina and Lisa are identical twins but their personalities
and characters are as different as night and day.

3. At loggerheads
= disagree/ argue with someone
Eg: He is always at loggerheads with his parents over what
course to take after his SPM. He is interested in accountancy
while his parents are insisting he reads law.

4. At the crack of dawn

= very early in the morning
Eg: Mother always wakes up at the crack of dawn to prepare
breakfast so that we would have a nutritious meal before
going to school.

5. Below par / not up to par

= not up to the normal standard of quality
Eg: The student was reprimanded by his teacher for handing
in below par essays

6. Black sheep of the family

= A member of the family that brought disgrace to the family
Eg: All the children in Als family are highly educated except the
youngest who is the black sheep of the family. He dropped out of
school and got himself involved in drugs.
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7. Breathe ones last 13. Day and night

= to die = all day long / for a long time
Eg: The old man breathed his last, surrounded by all his family Eg: Siti studied day and night for her final exams as she wanted
members and close friends to be in the Deans List.

8. Build castles in the air 14. Dos and donts

= to dream / plan something that is difficult to achieve = rules and regulations
Eg: We should not build castles in the air but strive hard to achieve Eg: To be a member of the elite group, you need to follow certain
the best with whatever resources we have. dos and dont outlined by the management.

9. Bury the hatchet 15. Eat humble pie

= to stop quarrelling and become friends again = to be apologetic
Eg: The two men decided to bury their hatchet after quarrelling Eg: She was made to eat humble pie after she was proven wrong
for almost ten years. They realized that the reason for their by her peers.
misunderstanding was trivial and unimportant.
16. Err is human, to forgive, divine
10. Call it a day = everyone makes mistakes, so one should be forgiving towards
= to stop working others
Eg: After working for almost ten hours continuously, the workers Eg: Dont condemn or hold grudges on others too long. Always
called it a day, packed up and went home. remember that to err is human, to forgive, divine.

11. Cost a fortune 17. Eke out a living

= very expensive / cost a lot of money = to make a living with difficulty
Eg: Nowadays, bungalow lots cost a fortune and is almost Eg: The farmers work from dawn to dusk, under hot, blazing sun,
unaffordable for many middle-class Malaysians trying to eke out a living.

12. Crystal clear 18. Every nook and cranny

= clearly understood / stated = to look for something everywhere
Eg: The principal made it crystal clear that there should be no Eg: The search party looked at every nook and cranny for the
cheating during exams. Anyone caught doing so would be missing child.
terminated immediately.
19. Fair and square
= honest, straight forward, direct
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Eg: The agreement made was fair and square with both parties = to get into trouble
gaining something. Eg: Devi got (herself) into a fix when she failed to hand in her
assignments although she was reminded to do so numerous times.
20. Fame and fortune
= to be famous, to gain wealth 27. Green with envy
Eg: He left his village and headed for the bright lights of the city in = jealous /envious
the hope of gaining fame and fortune. Eg: I was green with envy when I saw my neighbour driving off in
his new Mercedes
21. Feather in ones cap
= to get credit / recognition / achievements 28. Haste makes waste
Eg: Lim added a feather in his cap when he was awarded as the top = doing something hurriedly could lead to a lot of problems
achiever in his faculty. Eg: Always plan your actions well so that the end result is as
desired. Never rush into
22. Fish out of water anything as haste makes waste.
= feeling uncomfortable in an unfamiliar place / surrounding
Eg: Devi felt like a fish out of water, being in the midst of scholars 29. Have/ Has a gift of gab
and academicians. = to be able to speak well
Eg: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is well- known as a good orator as
23. From A to Z he has the gift of gab
= to know every detail about a certain subject
Eg: You need to know from A to Z in the field of physics, if you want 30. Have/Has an axe to grind
to excel in it. = to complain about something
Eg: Every customer has an axe to grind with the canteen operator
24. From all walks of life as the food served were of poor quality and taste.
= from different social backgrounds / occupations
Eg: People from all walks of life attended the National Chinese New 31. Heart and soul
Year Open House which was held in Sitiawan recently = to be totally committed / involved in something
Eg: She puts her heart and soul in her work which involves
25. From time to time orphans and the underprivileged.
= occasionally
Eg: Students are encouraged to go to the public library from time 32. Herculean efforts
to time in order to improve their general knowledge. = tremendous effort
Eg: It requires Herculean efforts to rebuild the city which was
26. Get into a fix devastated by the recent earthquake.
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33. High and low 40. In the same boat

= to search everywhere = in the predicament
Eg: Sally searched high and low for her missing dog but to no avail. Eg: Sheila and Maggie are in the same boat, both of them were
retrenched due to the recent economic crisis.
34. High and mighty 41. Kith and kin
= very proud = relatives
Eg: Not many like to befriend her as she behaves high and mighty Eg: All of the brides kith and kin attended the wedding although
when she is with them. the reception hall was very far from their hometown.

35. Hot potato 42. Lazy bones

= important issue, topic that has been talked about = does not do much work
Eg: Teaching mathematics and science in English is a hot potato Eg: Tim was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, thus he grew
for the public as well as the politicians. up pampered and became a lazy bone

36. Hue and cry 43. Lend an ear

= a lot of protest, disagreements about an issue = to listen to someone
Eg: There was a hue and cry when the new regulations regarding Eg: Part of a doctors duties is to lend an ear to their patients.
the use of handphones in the hostel were imposed by the
principal. 44. Less than no time
= very soon / quickly
37. Ifs and buts Eg: In less than no time, mother was able to prepared a
= excuses/reasons for the delays scrumptious dinner for us.
Eg: I do not want to hear any ifs and buts from you, finish your
work now . 45. Like talking to a brick wall
= to stubborn to listen
38. In the dead of the night Eg: There is no use wasting your breath advising him to mend his
= middle of the night ways; its like talking to a brick wall
Eg: There are hardly any cars or pedestrian using this road in the
dead of the night. 46. Make an exit
= to leave a place quickly
39. In the nick of time Eg: The thieves made an exit as soon as they heard the police siren
= just in time coming around the corner.
Eg: He managed to catch the bus in the nick of time.
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47. Man of his word

= a person who could be trusted, keeps promise
Eg: Jason will make a good leader as he is trustworthy and a man
of his word.

48. Mind ones ps and qs

= to be polite
Eg: Remember to mind your ps and qs when you are in the
presence of the elders of the family

49. Next of kin

= a persons closest relatives
Eg: The accident victims next of kin was informed so that the
funeral arrangements could be made quickly

50. Out of the blue

= comes without warning
Eg: Out of the blue, the sunny sky turned dark with heavy clouds
that threatened to pour cats and dogs any time.

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50 IDIOMATIC EXPRESSSIONS YOU MUST KNOW

The correct use of idiomatic expressions will earn you merit

points when you write your essays.

1 ace : Get an "A" on a test, homework assignment, project, etc.

eg: I heard that Susie aced the test yesterday

2 As easy as a pie :very easy

eg: The test was as easy as a pie.

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3 at the eleventh hour :at the last minute; almost too late.
Eg: He finished the project at the eleventh hour and he nearly lost
his job.
4 all ears : eager to hear what someone has to say.
Eg: Tell me about your latest trip overseas. Im all ears.
5 be broke :be without money.
Eg: I need to borrow some money. I am broke.
6 be on the go : be very busy (going from one thing or project to
another).
Eg: I am very tired. I've been on the go since 5 in the morning.
7 beat : exhausted; very tired
Eg: I need a break after this. I'm beat!"
8 beat around the bush :evade an issue; avoid giving a direct
answer.
Eg: Stop beating around the bush! Just tell me what happened to
my car.
9 bite off more than one can chew : take responsibility for more Eg: This car costs him an arm and a leg. He has to get another job
than one can manage.
Eg: Mrs Lee finds it difficult to finish all her work. She has bitten
off more than she could chew!"
10 blow one's top :become extremely angry.
Eg: My father blew his top when he found out I had taken his car
without his permission.
11 burn the midnight oil :study/work all night or until very late (they've hatched) : Don't assume that something will happen
at night.
Eg: Johan is not ready for the test. He will have to burn the
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midnight oil."
12 call it a day :stop work for the day.
Eg: The labourers call it a day after working for five hours on
the field.
13 can't make heads or tails of something :can't understand
something at all; find something confusing and illogical.
Eg: I cannot make heads or tails of your notes. Were you sleepy
during the class?
14 catch one's eye : attract one's attention/interest.
Eg: This colourful advertisement caught my eye when I was in the
bus.
15 change one's mind :decide to do something different from
what had been decided earlier.
Eg: David did not go to Australia. He changed his mind when he
heard that his mother is ill.
16 cost (someone) an arm and a leg cost a lot : be very
expensive.
to help pay for it.
17 couch potato :someone who spends too much time watching
TV.
Eg: You are becoming a couch potato. You need to get out and do
some exercise.
18 Don't count your chickens until (before) they hatch
until it has happened.
Eg: I think you should not count your chickens until theyve

hatched. Wait till the boys win the competition this Sunday.
19 drop someone a line : write to someone
Eg: Do drop me a line when you have time.
20 drag one's feet delay :take longer than necessary to do
something.
Eg: Why are you dragging your feet? You should have finished
your homework by now.
21 an eager beaver :a person who is always willing to volunteer
or do extra work.
Eg: Rahim is an eager beaver. He is the first to volunteer for any
job to be done.
22 feel blue :feel sad and depressed.
Eg: Rita is feeling blue because she has not heard from her
boyfriend for a long time.
23 fire someone :dismiss someone from a job because of poor
performance.
Eg: Lokman might be fired if he continues to be late for work.
24 get it : understand something (often negative).
Eg: I dont get it. Could you please explain it to me again?
25 get on one's nerves : irritate someone; make someone upset.
Eg: His constant chatter is getting on my nerves. Please tell him to
keep quiet.
26 get out of hand: become out of control; become badly
managed.
Eg: The situation is getting out of hand. The relief centre can only
hold forty people but we have one hundred people to care for.
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27 give someone a hand
i. help someone.
ii. applaud someone
Eg: Please give a hand to the poor old lady. She is trying to cross
the road.
Eg: The gardener has done a wonderful landscaping job. Lets give
him a hand.
28 Hard-headed :have one's hands full stubborn; inflexible;
unwilling to change.
Eg: Its pretty difficult to get Simon to change his mind. He is hard-
headed.
29 have one's hands full : extremely busy
Eg: Peggy usually has her hands full in the beginning of a new
school term.
30 in the black: profitable; not showing a financial loss.
Eg: The company is back in the black after suffering from great
losses the last two months.
31 in the red: unprofitable; showing a financial loss.
Eg: The company is in the red. We have to stop some of the
workers if the situation continues.
32 keep an eye on :check something regularly.
Eg: Please keep an eye on the children while I go to the bank.
33 keep one's fingers crossed :hope for the best.
Eg: He is keeping his fingers crossed while waiting for the results
of his interview.

34 lend someone a hand : help someone.
Eg: Can you please lend a hand at the relief centre for the flood
victims?
35 live from hand to mouth : survive on very little money; have
only enough money to pay for basic needs.
Eg: Ros and the children live from hand to mouth after the fire
destroyed their house.
36 make a mountain out of a molehill : make something seem
much more important than it really is.
Eg: Susila is making a mountain out of a molehill. I am sure the
boys are perfectly capable of looking after themselves.
37 make up one's mind : decide what to do
Eg: Moses has to make up his mind whether to continue his studies
or take up a job.
38 on the dot : exactly at a given time.
Eg: If you do not come on the dot, we will leave without you.
39 (on the) cutting edge : using the most recent technology
Eg: This car boasts of having a cutting edge technology. It has a 47 under the weather : ill; unwell.
computer and tracking system.
40 pull someone's leg : tease someone by trying to make her/him
believe something that's untrue.
Eg: She pulled my leg when he said that he had quit his job to get Eg: You can advise him until you're blue in the face, but he wont
married.
41 Rain or shine :no matter what the weather
Eg: "We're leaving for Cameron Highlands, rain or shine."
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42 rain cats and dogs : Rain heavily
Eg: Its raining cats and dogs now. You better leave later.
43 read someone's mind: know what someone is thinking.
Eg: I can read your mind. I know you are very hungry and I have
ordered pizza.
44 rub someone the wrong way :irritate someone
Eg: I cannot stand Robert. He seems to rub me the wrong way
every time we discuss something.
45 sleep on it: take some time to think about something before
making a decision.
Eg: You should sleep on it first and we will discuss again
tomorrow.
46 To make his own bed; now let him lie in it.
: Someone has caused his/her own problems; he/she will have to
solve them himself/herself.
Eg: He insisted that he should take up the project alone. So, he has
made his own bed, let him lie in it.
Eg: Susan was feeling under the weather yesterday, so she decided
not to go to work."
48 until you're blue in the face :forever
change his ways.
49 wet behind the ears: inexperienced and naive.
Eg: I do not think Suresh is suitable for this project. He is still wet
behind the ears, having only joined us last month.
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50 wishy-washy: without an opinion of one's own. COMMON PHRASAL VERBS

Eg: You better check with the other members. John can be wishy-
washy at times. Separable Phrasal Verbs :When the object of the following
phrasal verbs is a pronoun, the two parts of the phrasal verb must
be separated.
Verb Meaning Example
The terrorists tried to blow up the
blow up explode
railroad station.
bring mention a My mother brought up that little
up topic matter of my prison record again.
bring raise It isn't easy to bring up children
up children nowadays.
They called off this afternoon's
call off cancel
meeting
repeat a
do over Do this homework over.
job
complete a Fill out this application form and
fill out
form mail it in.
fill to She filled up the grocery cart
fill up
capacity with free food.
My sister found out that her
find out discover husband had been planning a
surprise party for her.

give give The filling station was giving

away something away free gas.
to someone

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else for She knew she was in trouble, so

make invent a
free she made up a story about going
up story or lie
to the movies with her friends.
My brother borrowed my car. I
give return an
have a feeling he's not about He was so far away, we really
back object make hear,
to give it back. couldn't make out what he was
out understand
saying.
submit
something The students handed in their There were three men in the line-
hand in
(assignmen papers and left the room. pick out choose up. She picked out the guy she
t) thought had stolen her purse.
put lift
something She hung up the phone before something
hang up The crane picked up the entire
on hook or she hung up her clothes. pick up off
house. (Watch them pick itup.)
receiver something
else
I hate to hold up the meeting, but
hold up delay
I have to go to the bathroom. As we drove through Paris,
point call
Francoise pointed out the major
Three masked gunmen held out attention to
hold up historical sites.
rob up the Security Bank this
(2)
afternoon. We put away money for our
put save or
retirement. She put away the
You left out the part about the away store
leave cereal boxes.
omit police chase down Asylum
out
Avenue. We asked the boss to put off the
meeting until tomorrow.
The lawyers looked over the put off postpone
(Please put it off for another
papers carefully before day.)
look examine,
questioning the witness.
over check
(They looked them over carefully put
I put on a sweater and a jacket.
.) put on clothing on
(I put them on quickly.)
the body
search in a You've misspelled this word
look up
list again. You'd better look it up.

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The firefighters put out the house raise the Grandpa couldn't hear, so
turn up
put out extinguish fire before it could spread. volume he turned up his hearing aid.
(They put it out quickly.)
switch off We turned off the lights before
turn off
read I read over the homework, but electricity anyone could see us.
peruse
over couldn't make any sense of it.
turn off It was a disgusting movie. It
repulse
My wife set up the living room (2) really turned me off.
to arrange,
set up exactly the way she wanted it.
begin switch on
She set it up. Turn on the CD player so we can
turn on the
dance.
make a These are your electricity
take
written instructions. Write them down be
down exhaust, The gang members used up all
note fore you forget.
use up use the money and went out to rob
remove It was so hot that I had to take completely some more banks.
take off
clothing off my shirt.
talk We have serious problems here.
over
discuss
Let's talk them over like adults. Inseparable Phrasal Verbs (Transitive) :With the following
phrasal verbs, the lexical part of the verb (the part of the phrasal
throw That's a lot of money! Don't verb that carries the "verb-meaning") cannot be separated from
discard
away just throw it away. the prepositions (or other parts) that accompany it: "Who
put will look after my estate when I'm gone?"
clothing on She tried on fifteen dresses
try on Verb Meaning Example
to see if it before she found one she liked.
fits The teacher called
ask to recite in
call on on students in the back
I tried out four cars before I class
try out test row.
could find one that pleased me.
The old minister
turn lower Your radio is driving me crazy!
call on (2) visit continued to call on his
down volume Please turn it down.
sick parishioners.
turn He applied for a promotion twice
down reject this year, but he was turned
(2) down both times.

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I got over the flu, but I It seemed strange to see

recover from
don't know if I'll wait on serve my old boss wait
get over sickness or
ever get overmy broken on tables.
disappointment
heart.
The students went
over the material before Three-Word Phrasal Verbs (Transitive) : With the following
go over review phrasal verbs, you will find three parts: "My brother dropped out
the exam. They should
have gone over it twice. of school before he could graduate."
They country went Verb Meaning Example
through most of its coal
use up; I was talking to Mom on
go through reserves in one year. Did
consume break in interrupt (a the phone when the
he go through all his
money already? on conversation) operator broke in on our
call.
My mother promised
look after take care of to look after my dog After our month-long trip,
while I was gone. catch up it was time to catch up
keep abreast
with with the neighbors and the
The police will look news around town.
look into investigate into the possibilities of
embezzlement. The boys promised
check up examine, to check up on the
I ran across my old on investigate condition of the summer
run across find by chance roommate at the college house from time to time.
reunion.
After years of giving
to contribute
Carlos ran into his come up nothing, the old parishioner
(suggestion,
run into meet English professor in the with was able tocome up with a
money)
hallway. thousand-dollar donation.
My second son seems We tried to cut down
take after resemble cut down curtail
to take after his mother. on the money we were
on (expenses)
spending on entertainment.

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I hope none of my Good instructors will look

drop out look out be careful,
leave school students drop out of school out for early signs of
of for anticipate
this semester. failure in their students
I found it very hard to get look up First-graders really look up
get along have a good respect
along with my brother to to their teachers.
with relationship with
when we were young.
Make sure of the student's
make
Janik cheated on the exam verify identity before you let him
get away sure of
escape blame and then tried to get away into the classroom.
with
with it.
The teacher had to put up
The citizens tried to get rid put up with a great deal of
tolerate
get rid of eliminate of their corrupt mayor in with nonsense from the new
the recent election. students.
get The runners ran out
When will you ever get
through finish run out of exhaust supply of energy before the end of
through with that program?
with the race.
It's hard to keep up My oldest sister took care
keep up maintain pace take care be responsible
with the Joneses when you of us younger children
with with of for
lose your job! after Mom died.
look I always look forward The star player talked back
anticipate with talk back answer
forward to the beginning of a new to the coach and was
pleasure to impolitely
to semester. thrown off the team.
It's typical of a jingoistic
look country that the
down on
despise
citizens look down on their Intransitive Phrasal Verbs : The following phrasal verbs are not
geographical neighbors. followed by an object: "Once you leave home, you can never
really go back again."
We were going to look
look in
visit (somebody) in on my brother-in-law, Verb Meaning Example
on
but he wasn't home.

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That old Jeep had a always seemed to get

break tendency to break by without borrowing
stop functioning
down down just when I needed it money from relatives.
the most.
Grandmother tried to get
Popular songs seem up, but the couch was too
get up arise
to catch on in California low, and she couldn't make
catch on become popular
first and then spread it on her own.
eastward.
It's hard to imagine that we
Father promised that we go back return to a place will ever go back to
come back return to a place would never come back to Lithuania.
this horrible place.
He would finish one
They tried to come go on continue Dickens novel and then
come in enter in through the back door, just go on to the next.
but it was locked.
The cops heard all the
He was hit on the head go on (2) happen noise and stopped to see
regain very hard, but after several what wasgoing on.
come to
consciousness minutes, he started to come
to again. Charles grew up to be a lot
grow up get older
like his father.
The children promised
come over to visit to come over, but they The judge warned the
remain at a
never do. keep away stalker to keep away from
distance
his victim's home.
We used to just drop by,
visit without keep on He tried to keep
drop by but they were never home, continue with
appointment (with on singing long after his
so we stopped doing that. the same
gerund) voice was ruined.
When we visited Paris, we
dine in a lose He had drunk too much;
eat out loved eating out in the
restaurant pass out consciousness, he passed out on the
sidewalk cafes.
faint sidewalk outside the bar.
get by survive Uncle Heine didn't have
much money, but he

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Whenever he sat down at Already means "previously". Example: We already moved our things
demonstrate yesterday.
show off the piano, we knew he was
haughtily
going toshow off.
5. buy, by
Day after day,
show up arrive Efrain showed up for class Buy means "to purchase". Example: Please buy me a ticket.
twenty minutes late. By means "beside". Example: The book is by the table.
arouse from I woke up when the rooster 6. choose, chose
wake up
sleep crowed.
Choose means "to select". Example: Today, I will choose a new house.
Chose is the past tense of choose. Example: Yesterday, I chose a new
Frequently Confused Words house.
1. accept, except 7. complement, compliment
Accept means "to receive". Example: Please accept my gift. Complement means "to make complete". Example: This hat
Except means "not including". Example: I brought all the will complement my new dress.
gifts except yours. A compliment is something said in praise. Example: Thank you for
the compliment about my dress.
2. advice, advise
8. emigrate, immigrate
Advice is an "opinion about what should be done". Example: She
gives good advice. Emigrate means "to leave one country to settle in another". Example:
Advise means "to recommend". Example: Please advise me on what I intend to emigrate from Hong Kong.
to do. Immigrate means "to come to live in a new country". Example: I
intend to immigrate to Canada.
3. affect, effect
9. it's, its
Affect means "to influence". Example: Do not let the loss affect you.
An effect is "a result". Example: The loss did not have an effect on me. It's is the short form of "it is". Example: It's in the dog house.
Its is a pronoun that shows ownership or possession. Example: The
4. All ready, already dog has its own house.

All ready means "everything is ready". Example: We are all ready to

move.

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10. loose, lose 15. than, then

Loose means "not tight". Example: My pants are loose. Than means "in comparison with". Example: He is bigger than me.
Lose means "to be defeated or no longer have". Example: I do not Then means "next". Example: After going home, he then started his
want to lose the game. assignment.

11. miner, minor 16. their, there, they're

A miner is a person who works in a mine. Example: My uncle is
a miner.
Minor is an adjective that means "unimportant". Example: This is a
minor problem.
A minor also refers to a person who is not yet an adult. Example: It is
illegal for a minor to drink alcohol.
Their is a form of "they" that shows ownership.
Example: Their flowers are on the table.
There describes where something is. Example: The flowers
are there on the table.
They're is a short form of "they are". Example: They're going to buy
flowers.

12. past, passed 17. threw, through

Past means "gone by" or "history". Example: The car drove past my Threw is the past tense of throw. Example: He threw the ball over
house. the fence.
My past is very interesting. Through means from "end to end". Example: We drove through the
Passed is the past tense of pass. Example: We passed the truck tunnel.
earlier.
18. to, too, two
13. principal, principle
To means "in the direction of". Example: He went to the store.
A principal is the head of a school. Example: The principal spoke to Too means "also". Example: He went to the store, too.
us today. Two is a number. Example: Two of my friends went to the store.
A principle is an important fact or law. Example: The principle of
democracy is important to Canadians. 19. weather, whether

14. stationary, stationery Weather means "conditions outdoors". Example: The weather is
terrible.
Stationary means to be "standing still". Example: Please Whether is an expression of choice between two options. Example: I
remain stationary. do not know whether I will stay home or go to school.
Stationery means "writing materials". Example: They went to the
store to buy some stationery.

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20. your, you're

Your is a form of "you" that shows ownership. Example: Your car is

new.
You're is a short form of "your are". Example: You're going to the
store.

COLLOCATIONS
Collocations are combinations of words that usually appear
together. Its important for students to know the correct
combinations to be used in the English language.

Why learn collocations?

Your language will be more natural and more easily

understood.
You will have alternative and richer ways of expressing
yourself.
It is easier for our brains to remember and use language in
chunks or blocks rather than as single words.

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GRAMMAR

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PREPOSITIONS

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TENSES

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MODAL VERBS

Modal verbs are also known as "helping verbs". Normally

modal verbs cannot work alone and must work with a
main verb. The so-called "semi-modals" work partly like
modals and partly like main verbs.

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READING COMPREHENSION SKILLS

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WRITING SKILLS

How to start your essay?

I am sure many of you have a problem in starting your essay. Many of the
students take a long time to start their introduction or worse, they use the
overused intro.:
Everyone in this world has a friend......
Everyone in this world love to watch television..

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Your introduction must be something that grabs peoples attention. Use the
following ideas:
1 Use some startling information or fact
Start with a pertinent fact that explicitly illustrates the point you wish to
make. Then, elaborate with a sentence or two.
Example:
Topic: Teenagers and their problems
A recent survey on teenagers provided some food for thought for parents. It
was found that about 70 per cent of them smoked, 40 per cent watched
pornographic videos and 14 per cent took drugs.Several factors have been
identified as contributing to these problems.
2 Use an anecdote
An anecdote is a short story that illustrates a point.
Example:
Topic: The loafing syndrome among teenagers
Raj and his friends do not go home after school. They hang out daily at a
shopping complex to while their time away. There, they join many other
students from other schools. Sometimes, they play some video games or
just enjoy each others company. Raj and his friends are just the tip of the
iceberg of the loafing syndrome among teenagers.
3 Dialogue
Use an appropriate dialogue to start your story or convey a point. Use only
two or three exchanges between speakers to make your point.
Topic: An unforgettable incident
Help! Someone just snatched my purse! The screams shattered the still of
the night. Suddenly, lights were switched on and heads popped out of doors
and windows. Hey, whats the matter?
4 Use a question
You can also use a rhetorical question which jolts people into attention.
Topic: Reduce, reuse and recycle
Did you know that Malaysians throw away 1.2 million tonnes worth of
newspapers daily? For every ten newspapers bought, only four are
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recovered for recycling. Thus, the government spearheaded a recycling
campaign to encourage Malaysians to separate their waste.
Topic: Coping with peer pressure
What choice do you have if your friends are pressuring you to do something
which you think is wrong? Would you walk away? Are you able to say no?
5 Use a definition
Define your topic.
Example:
Topic: Gawai Dayak Festival
In Sarawak, the word Gawai is the equivalent to a Festival. Numerous
Gawais are celebrated throughout the year by the States indigenous people
but Gawai Dayak marks the end of the harvest season and heralds a new
year.
6 Use a quotation
Topic: How to save water
It is better to be safe than to be sorry. That is the message of the
environmentalists to those who take water for granted. For one day, we
may be faced with the situation whereby there is not enough water for
everyone. Thus, we should take steps to save water.
7 Use a general statement
Use a general statement about your topic, then narrow it to a specific point
of view.
Topic: Ways to reduce pollution
Of late, there has been increasing concern with the impact of pollution on
the environment and our society. The public outcry over the various
environmental disasters in our own country should be lauded. How do we
resolve these problems?
Conclusion
The conclusion (in three or four sentences) sums up your points or provides
a final perspective on your essay.
IDEAS FOR CONCLUSION
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Express your hopes about the topic
Finally, it is hoped that as people become more aware of the need to
recycle, more will come forward and get involved in environmental issues.
Call for action
Shall we just sit back and wait till all our landfills overflow? Lets get
involved and do something to save our environment.
1) accurate language - few slips only, no serious errors like errors in tenses
2) accurate spelling across the board
3) precise vocabulary - do not be too obsessed with idioms and flowery
iphrases. many students use bombastic words but it is not suitable.

Other ideas: 4) interesting and original...write from the heart

include a brief summary of the essay's main points.
ask a provocative question. 5) correct tone - if it is formal, then use a formal tone, if it is a friendly letter,
compare with other situations then it should sound informal...

Continuous Writing
Just, go ahead and write your imaginative essays but be careful about your
Tips: errors. Do not write too long. Leave about 10 minutes for editing.

1 Do not memorise whole essays and try to fit it into the given titles. You
From Basic To Complex Sentences
may try to memorise certain phrases or interesting introductions but if
your language does not match the directed writing, your marks will be
In order to write a good essay, students should learn how to write complex
pulled down.
sentences.
2 Write about what you know. For example, if your interest is football,
1. Take a basic sentence:
then write a story about football. If you like Korean drama, write
Julie lost her bag.
something Korean, making use of your knowledge and vocabulary.
Originality will get you more marks.
2. Expand on it: (add an adjective)
Julie lost her pink handbag.
3 If you are quite weak in narrative writing, go for the reflective or factual
essays.
3. Expand again with additional information:
Topics: How can I help save the environment?
Julie lost her pink handbag in a bus station.
What are the changes I would like to see in my school?
4. Combine two sentences:
What is an 'A' script for Continuous Writing?
Julie lost her pink handbag. She was waiting for her bus.
Julie lost her pink handbag while waiting for her bus.
An 'A'script has the following features:
Julie lost her pink handbag while waiting for her bus at the bus station.

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5. Make substitutions:
Julie lost her handbag ...
Juan lost her mobile phone...etc.
6. Add information and construct a short narrative around the sentences
students have created:
Julie was waiting for her bus at the bus station when she lost her handbag.
She also lost her mobile phone and everything else in the handbag.
Remember to Show, Not Tell
One of the ways to write better narrative essays is to use the technique -
Show,Not Tell
Below are some examples which I have adapted from the internet.
Telling: The girls were excited.
Showing: Giggles and screams filled the arrival hall. Their hair were now
damp with perspiration. They held tight to each other, trying to contain
themselves. The moment was here.
Telling: The room was vacant.
Showing: The door opened with a resounding echo that seemed to fill the
house. Cob webs once attached flowed freely in the air. The light revealed
the peeling paint on the walls and to the silhouettes once covered by
pictures. Faded and torn white sheets covered the furniture now drowning
in dust.
Telling: The pizza was delicious.
Showing: Steam rising up off the melted cheese made my mouth water. At
the first bite, my teeth sinked into the cheese through the tomato sauce and
into the moist crust. I chew and swallow rapidly. Even the cheese and
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tomato sauce, sticking to my fingertips, begged to be licked.
Telling: She is angry.
Showing: Her hands held tightly to the sides of her table. Her jaw tightened.
Her eyes flashed heat waves at me. She hissed at me, "I want to see you
outside, right now."
Now, try to do the following:
Telling: The morning was beautiful.
Showing:______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Telling: The meal was delicious.
Showing:
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________