ENGLISH PBSMR/PMR

PUSAT TUISYEN OMEGA TERUNGGUL

Grammar: PREPOSITIONS { in , on or at }


She's at her desk. It's on the desk. They're in the drawer

At is one-dimensional.
How to use?

as a point in space At + event. At + building + time
The car was waiting at the
lights.
There's someone at the door.

We met at Daphne's party,
didn't we?

The Browns are at the theatre.
I bought these dishes at the
supermarket.
Nicola is fifteen. She's still at
school.

I will meet you later at 3 pm

On is two-dimensional.
How to use?

We use it for a surface.

We also use on for a line.

We also use on in this special
sense/day

Don't leave your glass on the floor.
There were lots of pictures on the walls.

The house is right on the main road, so
it's a bit noisy.

I haven't got any money on/ with me at
the moment.
On Sunday morning

In is three-dimensional.

How to use?

We use it when we see something as all around -In general we use in for a country or town and at for a smaller place.
- in + month

I had five pounds in my pocket.
Who's that man in the green sweater?
There was a man sitting in the waiting room.


I live at Butterworth which is located in northern Malaysia
There will be an exhibition in February

Examples
At On In
at 52 Grove Road
at your house
at the station
at home/work/school
at the seaside
at the back/end of

on 42nd Street (USA)
on the third floor
on the platform
on the page
on the screen
on the island
on the beach/coast
on the right/left
on the back of an
on the floor
in Spain/Bristol
in Grove Road
in the lesson
in a book/newspaper
in the photo/picture
in the country
in the middle
in the back/front ofa car
in a queue/line/row
In May

Exercise

Fill in the blank with in , on or at.

1.Well be going out_________________a moment.
2.It is very dark_______________night.
3.____________________3 September, I am going to London.
4.It sometimes rains________________the evenings.
5.The final examination is_________________October.
6.The bus leaves_________________9.00 a.m.every day.
7.What do you do_______________Saturdays?
8.The drama competition will be held_________________June.
9.My grandfather takes me fishing_______________Fridays.
10.It is very cold__________________winter.
11.There is no electricity_______________this village.
12.They will stay__________________a hotel in Kuala Terengganu.
13.There is a kettle_______________the stove.
14.The bucket is_________________the bathroom.
15._________________Deepavali,Muthu wakes up very early.
16.I saw a few horses_______________the field.
17.Santubong is a village_______________Sarawak.
18.The children wore colourful clothes_______________the concert.
19.We found many drawings_________________the walls of the caves.
20.What did you see_________________the exhibition?
21.The bell will be ringing______________a few minutes.
22.They are afraid to go out___________night.
23.The exhibition is_____________4th April.
24.What do you usually do_____________the evenings?
25.Turtles come to the Rantau Abang beach_____________May.
26.The plane will be arriving___________half past two.
27.Many people come to Lake Titiwangsa_____________Sundays.
28.The Barcelona Olympics was held_____________June.
29._____________Fridays, the Hindus go to the temple to pray.
30.There is no water______________the bucket.







Graphics Stimuli

1. Study the road sign below and answer the question that
follows
What is the purpose of having humps on roads?


A To warn drivers to pick up speed.
B To warn drivers to drive slowly along that road.
C To warn drivers of potholes.
D To warn drivers of the uneven surface of the road

2. Read the sign below and answer the question that follows.


Visitors to the zoo must observe the sign because the animals
A have been fed already
B are fussy about their diet
C have fixed feeding times
D might become overweight

3. Study the sign below and answer the question that follows.


This sign means that the traffic lights are
A not working properly
B for the use of certain cars
C being serviced
D in perfect condition

4. Read the notice below and answer the question that follows.


According to the notice, each customer

A can buy only one unit of the item
B can buy until everything is sold out
C can buy at one per cent discount
D can buy from the stocks in the shop



5. Read the sign below and answer the question that follows.

Which statement best describes the sign above?

A Bank customers are not allowed to carry mobile phones.
B It is illegal to use mobile phones at all times.
C Bank customers should not use their mobile phones.
D Mobile phones should be left outside the bank.

6. Read the notice below and answer the question that follows.

Anyone who wants to fill up his tank must
A pay the pump attendant
B pay with his credit card
C pay at the counter
D pay the cashier extra amount

7. Study the road sign below and answer the question that
follows.

The traffic warden is telling the children
A not to cross the road
B to be careful as they cross the road
C to look out for cars when they cross the road
D it is safe to cross the road.

8. Read the notice below and answer the question that follows.

This notice is usually seen at
A construction sites
B petrol stations
C taxi stands
D coconut plantations


Closest Meaning

Year Expressions meanings in Context
2000 1. Coming over visiting
2. Keep an eye on take care of
3. Count on trust
4. Were in the same boat in a similar situation
5. It is his red-letter day special day
6. Ill bear that in mind I have to remember it
2001 1. Unless something crops up if nothing unexpected happens
2. Its a stones throw away not too far
3. Cut down on reduce
4. I have all the facts at my fingertips I am very well prepared
5. You use to study at the eleventh hour last minute
6. turn over a new leaf promised to better myself
2002 1. Face the music be punished
2. Turn over a new leaf stop all bad habits and start anew
3. Flying colours excellent results
4. Come on foot had to walk
5. Thats the usual lame excuse poor reason
6. Ill let you off Ill excuse you

Practice 1

Read the conversation below and choose the best meaning for the phrases that are underlined

Situation B : Janet and her sister, Gina are talking about Janets exams.
Janet : Im worried about my exams. I dont think I do well and Dads going to get mad with me.
Gina : Dont worry, itll be a piece of cake. (22) Youre a smart girl.
Janet : Its easy for you to say that. Youre the apple of his eye. 23) Im just his youngest daughter.
Gina : Well, all you have to do is set your mind to it and try your best.
Janet : Thats true. Where theres a will, theres a way. (24) Right?
Gina : Thats the spirit.

1. a piece of cake 2. the apple of his eye
A delicious A. his pain in the eye
B an easy task B. his apple in the eye
C nice to eat cake C. his favourite person
D like a cake D. his annoying daughter



2 . Where theres a will, theres a way
A You need a will before you can see the way.
B You can find the path if you have lost your way.
C You can achieve anything if you are determined.
D You can put your mind to anything if there is a correct way.













Comprehension

I was extremely excited when I was told that I had to attend a meeting in Batu Pahat. Being a Penangite, it was indeed fun to go
somewhere far as it would be a change from my normal routine, However, there was only one problem how to get there?

I could not take a flight so the only other alternative was to travel by bus. I went to enquire at the bus station and was told that there
was a night bus which would arrive in Batu Pahat at approximately 5.30 in the morning.

This was fine but then, I would have to wait at the hotel lobby until check-in time at two oclock in the afternoon. I finally took the
morning Johor Bharu bus that would drop me off at a small town called Yong Peng which is near Batu Pahat.

The bus arrived in Yang Peng at about three oclock in the afternoon, and I alighted where most buses stopped for passengers to
get refreshments and stretch their legs. I enquired from someone and was told to wait at a bus stop across the road.
Hence, I waited eagerly. Ten minutes became twenty and twenty became an hour!

An hour passed but I was still there in the shabby, old bus stop and people in passing cars started giving me strange looks. Finally,
an old bus arrived and it took another hour before I finally reached the hotel. This will definitely be one experience that I will never
forget

1. The writer was looking forward to the meeting because he would

A gain a new experience
B be travelling on a bus
C gel some refreshment
D be taking a flight

2 The writer went to the bus station to

A enquire about routes to Johor Bharu
B look for passengers going to Penang
C board the 2.00 p.m. bus to Yong Peng
D find out about the bus schedule to Batu Pahat

3 The writer decided not to take the night bus because

A the bus was in a bad condition
B the bus would drop him off at Yong Peng
C he would arrive at Batu Pahat very early in the morning
D he would have to wait long before checking in at the hotel

4. The word alighted means

A got down
B dozed off
C set about
D put up

5. The bus stopped at long Peng to allow the passengers to

A lake a nap
B relax themselves
C check into a hotel
D change to a new bus

6. The writer was ____________________ when he finally reached the hotel.

A relieved
B worried
C excited
D embarrassed

THE DEAD CROW BY A. SAMAD SAID
Poem Meaning
He saw a dead crow
in a drain
near the post office.
The poet said that a man saw a crow dead in a drain near the post office.
In many cultures, the crow symbolizes a lot of bad things such as
misfortune, sickness, death, disaster and bad luck. So, by mentioning the
crow at the very beginning of the poem, the poet may be preparing us for
the many bad things that are to come.
He saw an old man
gasping for air
and a baby barely able to breathe
in a crowded morning clinic.
In a clinic, he saw both old and young patients with breathing difficulties
and the word crowded shows us that many other people were also sick.
This land is so rich
Why should we suffer like this?
The poet says that we should not suffer like this since our country is very
rich in natural resources.
I want clean air
For my grandchildren,
The poet demands unpolluted air for his future generations.
I want the damned fools
to leave the forest alone.
The poet angrily calls for those responsible for destroying the forests by
logging and development activities. So stop doing so immediately.
I want the trees to grow,
and rivers to run free,
and the earth covered with grass.
He wants to see trees growing, the rivers unclogged by pollution and
green grass sprouting everywhere.
Let the politician plan
how we may live in dignity,
now and always.

The policy makers should plan the proper use of the land so that the
people can lead better lives now and forever.

1. When the poet says This land is so rich, he means that there are many [PMR 2002]
A grassy lands B large families C wealthy people D natural resources

2. What is the poem mainly about?
A The plans made by politicians C The destruction of the environment
B The importance of industrialization D The food problems faced by people

3. The second stanza tells us that the poet is most probably
A relaxed B annoyed C relieved D satisfied

4. In stanza 1, where was the baby seen? [PMR 2005]
A A drain B A clinic C A forest D A post office

5. The line Why should we suffer like this? shows
A laziness B proudness C anger D boredom

6. I in stanza 2 would like _________ for the second generation.
A clean air B rich land C damned fools

7. The poet wants the damned fools to
A replant the forest C stop cutting down the trees
B cut down every tree D continue cutting down the trees

8. If the land is used properly, the people will
A be able to lead a better quality life C not benefit in any way
B suffer forever D have to bear the consequences of pollution

9. The word grandchildren in line 2 of stanza 2 can stand for
A the children of ones children C ones descendants
B those born before us D ones ancestors

10. Instead of a damaged environment, the poet wants all these things except
A trees growing everywhere C unclogged rivers flowing freely
B rivers chocked with rubbish D green grass growing all over the place

ENGLISH PBSMR/PMR
PUSAT TUISYEN OMEGA TERUNGGUL
Comparison

Regular forms
Adjectives Adjective Comparative Superlative
1. Of one syllable, add-(e)r/-(e)st to
form their comparative & superlative
forms.
small
hot
safe
smaller (than)
hotter (than)
safer (than)
the smallest (of/in)
the hottest (of/in)
the safest (of/in)
2. Of two syllables ending in
-ly, -y, -w, also add -er/-est.
friendly
busy
shallow
friendlier (than)
busier (than)
shallower (than)
the friendliest (of/in)
the busiest (of/in)
the shallowest (of/in)
3. Of two or more syllables,
take more/most.
serious
amazing
more serious (than)
more amazing (than)
the most serious (of/in)
the most amazing (of/in)

Usage
1. We use the comparative to compare one person/ thing with another.
e.g. Mary is prettier than Ann. This car is more expensive than the others.

2. We use the superlative to compare one person/ thing with more than one of the same group.
e.g. He is the fastest runner of all. She is the most intelligent child in the family.

3. We often use than after a comparative. We normally use the before a superlative. We often use of or in after a superlative. We
use in with places.
e.g. She is shorter than you.
This problem is more complicated than that one.
I am the smartest of all.
This room is the most comfortable one in the hotel.

4. Certain adjectives form their comparative and superlative in both ways, either by adding -er/-est to the adjectives or by taking
more/most. Some of these are: clever, common, cruel, friendly, gentle, narrow, pleasant, polite, shallow, simple, stupid, quiet.
e.g. simple - simpler - the simplest ALSO
simple - more simple - the most simple

Regular forms
Adverbs Adverb Comparative Superlative
1. Adverbs having the same forms as their
adjectives add -er/-est.
long
fast
early
longer (than)
faster (than)
earlier (than)
(the) longest
(the) fastest
(the) earliest
2. Two syllables or compound adverbs
(adjectives+-ly, e.g. careful-carefully) take
more/most.

often
slowly
quickly
more often (than)
more slowly (than)
more quickly (than)
(the) most often
(the) most slowly
(the) most quickly

Irregular forms
Adjectives/Adverbs Comparative Superlative
good/ well
bad/badly
much/ many/ a lot of
little
few
far
better
worse
more
less
fewer
farther/further
best
worst
most
least
fewest
farther/furthest

Usage
1. Well is the adverb of good.
e.g. He is a good cook. He cooks well.

2. further (adj) = more
e.g. For further information contact Mr White.further/farther (adv) = longer (in distance)
e.g. He walked further/farther than I did.
3. very + adjective
e.g. It is very hot weather.

4. most + adj/adv = very
e.g. He was most obliging. = He was very obliging.

5. even/much/far/a bit + comparative
e.g. My sister behaved even worse than before.
Susan is much more patient with children than Lily is.

6. any + comparative (used in negatives & questions)
e.g. This article was not any better than the previous one.

Types of Comparison Examples
1. as (adj/adv) as
not so/as as (adj/adv) as
such a(n)/so as
She speaks as calmly as usual.
It is not so/as hot as it was yesterday.
This is not such an exciting film as the last one.
2. twice/three times /half/ etc as
(adj/adv) as
Their house is three times as big as ours.
His watch cost half as much as mine.
3. the same as Your violin is the same as the one Ive bought.
4. less (adj/adv) than
the least (adj/adv) of/in
The red sofa is less expensive than the blue one,
but the black one is the least expensive of all.
5. the + comparative , the + comparative The earlier you start, the sooner youll finish.
6. comparative + and + comparative Their life is getting better and better.


Exercise A
Complete the comparative and superlative forms of the following adjectives/ adverbs.
Adjective/ Adverb Comparative Superlative
e.g. high higher highest
1. loud
2. large
3. thin
4. heavy
5. quiet
6. quietly
7. intelligently
8. dependent
9. good/well
10. difficult

Exercise B
Choose the correct option for each of the following sentences.
e.g. He worked more efficiently than I did. (efficiently, more efficiently, most efficiently)

1. Her promotion was the __________ moment of her life. (proud, prouder, proudest)
2. Hawaii is _________ from Hong Kong than Japan. (far, farther, farthest)
3. This ring is too _________ for me. (small, smaller, smallest)
4. It is _________ to ask for help than solve the problem by yourself. (easy, easier, easiest)
5. Graces work is __________, but Joans is __________. (good, better, best)
6. August is __________ than any other month. (hot, hotter, hottest)
7. Do you support his __________ proposal? (late, later, latest)
8. Prevention is __________ than cure. (good, better, best)
9. He may be the __________ man in Hong Kong. (rich, richer, richest)
10. This pair of glasses is as __________ as that pair. (fashionable, more fashionable, most fashionable)
Exercise C

Fill in each blank with the correct form adjective/ adverb, comparative or superlative.
e.g. The manager is the most powerful man here. (powerful)

1. Iron is _______________ than other metals. (useful)
2. My English teacher is as _______________ as Andy Lau. (handsome)
3. His Chinese is getting _____________ and _______________. (bad)
4. The _______________ he gets, the _______________ he becomes. (old, wise)
5. Ann does not swim so _______________ as her coach claims. (quickly)
6. Which is _______________, grammar or vocabulary? (important)
7. Staying at home is _______________ than going on holiday abroad. (comfortable)
8. The _______________ money you spend, the _______________ you can save. (little, much)
9. The new job is the _______________ one that I have had. (challenging)
10. This mini-bus driver is much _______________ than any other driver. (kind)



Exercise D
Rewrite the following sentences using the words given, without changing the meaning.

e.g. No one else in the team plays better than he does. (best)
He plays the best in the team.

1. No other dancer is as graceful as she is in the play. (most graceful)
_________________________________________________________________________
2. Susan dresses more smartly than Emily. (less smartly)
_________________________________________________________________________
3. Tom is noisier than his brothers. (as noisy as)
_________________________________________________________________________
4. If you try harder, you will do better. (the harder)
_________________________________________________________________________
5. Wealth is not as good as health. (better)
_________________________________________________________________________
6. Mr. Chan is younger than he looks. (old)
_________________________________________________________________________
7. It got darker and the situation became worse. (the darker)
_________________________________________________________________________
8. Sandy does not study so diligently as she did in the past. (less diligently)
_________________________________________________________________________
9. His father is the most capable man in the office. (as capable as)
_________________________________________________________________________
10. Losing weight is not so easy as putting on weight. (difficult)
_________________________________________________________________________


Comprehension

Jerry was the kind of person who was always in a good mood and had something positive to say. When someone would ask him
how he was doing, he would reply, If I were any better, I would be twins!

He was a unique manager because he had several waiters who had followed him around from one restaurant to another. They
followed Jerry because of his attitude. He was a natural motivator. If an employee was having a bad day, Jerry was there telling
the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation.


Seeing this style really made me curious. So one day, I went up to Jerry and asked him, I dont get it! You cant be a positive
person all the time. How do you do it? Jerry replied, Each morning I wake up and say to myself, Jerry, you have two choices
today. You can choose to be in a good mood or a bad mood. I choose to be in a good mood. Each time something bad happens,
I can choose to be a victim or to learn from it. I choose to learn from it. Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can
choose to accept their complaints or to point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life.
Its not that easy! I protested. Yes, it is. Jerry said. Life is all about choices. Every situation is a choice.

You choose how you react to situations and you choose how people will affect your mood. The bottom line is, its your choice
how you live your life. I reflected on what Jerry said.

Soon, I left the restaurant industry to start my own business. We lost touch but I often thought about him when I made a choice
about life. Several years later, I heard that Jerry did something you are never supposed to do in a restaurant business. He left the
back door open one morning and was held up at gunpoint by three armed robbers. While trying to open the safe, his hand
shaking from nervousness, slipped off the combinations. The robbers panicked and shot him.


Luckily Jerry was found quickly and rushed to the local trauma centre. After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care,
Jerry was released from the hospital with bullet fragments still in his body. I saw Jerry about six months after the robbery. He
wanted to show his scars but I declined. However I did ask him what had gone through his mind as the robbery took place. Jerry
replied.While lying wounded on the floor, I remembered I had two choices, to live or to die. I chose to live.

1. What made Jerry a unique manager?
A He always had something positive to say
B He had several loyal employees
C He was always in a good mood
D He wanted to have a twin

2. Each morning Jerry _________________ to live his life.
A hummed a tune to himself
B avoided bad incidents
C listened to complaints
D contemplated the two choices

3. Why did the writer lose contact with Jerry?
A The writer left to start a business
B The writer had forgotten about Jerry
C The writer protested at Jerrys view of life
D The writer wanted to be free from Jerrys influences

4. Jerry was robbed because
A his safe had no combinations.
B his front door was unlocked.
C his back door was left ajar.
D his restaurant had flourished.

5. The word slipped off can best be replaced with
A took off
B put off
C missed
D rejected
6. After Jerry was shot, he
A spent weeks in intensive care.
B underwent a minor surgery.
C refused to see his wounds.
D had a trauma for life


7. The writer was _____________________ when knowing Jerry was robbed.
A excited
B surprised
C delighted
D puzzled


8. Which of the following statements is true?
A Jerry was pessimistic towards life.
B Jerry was agitated during the robbery.
C The robbers shot Jerry after stealing his money.
D The robbers broke down the door to enter the restaurant

Questions 11-20 are based on the following text.

Judo demands mental precision and intense speed and agility from its players. It is the ultimate duel ___11___ two athletes
bodies and minds. In Japanese, the word judo means gentle but watch the athletes train or go into combat and ___12___ word
gentle doesnt ___13___ to mind!
Judo was founded by Professor Jigaro Kano in 1882 as a tamer alternative to the more dangerous martial art of jujitsu ___14___
was used by the samurai warriors of ancient Japan. When judo was introduced at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 1964, everyone
thought the Japanese would win all the medals. They almost ___15___! A Dutchman named Anton Geesink won gold in the open
event. Womens judo ___16___ introduced in the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games. For the first time, Judo athletes in the 2000
Olympic games wore ___17___ judo suits called judogis (one in blue and the other in white) instead of the traditional white
judogis.
An Olympic match begins with a ceremonial bow. When the referee gives the command hajme (which means begin fighting), men
have five minutes and women have four minutes to score a single point or an ippon and win the contest. An ippon is scored when
a player is ___18___ onto their back and pinned down for 30 seconds or when a player is strangled or arm-locked ___19___
submission. ___20___ neither athlete has scored, the referee and judge decide who is the winner.

11 A Between
B Among
C Beside
D Against

12 A A
B An
C The

13 A Come
B Comes
C Came
D Coming

14 A Which
B When
C What
D Whose

15 A Do
B Did
C Does


16 A Is
B Are
C Was
D Were

17 A Colour
B Colours
C Coloured
D Colouring

18 A Throw
B Throws
C Threw
D Thrown

19 A On
B Onto
C In
D Into

20 A If
B Even
C Because
D Eventhough

Adam : I heard that Farouk is vying for (21) the post of Head Boy in the coming election.
Bakhtiar : I believe Danial is a better candidate! Someone should talk him into (22) nominating himself.
Adam : I agree with you. Danial is such a fine and respectable person. We should be friends with him so that his good nature will
rub off (23) on us as well.
Bakhtiar : Thats him over there. Lets go over and say hello.

21 vying for
A preparing for
B planning for
C waiting for
D contesting for


22. talk him into
A deter him
B pursue him
C persuade him
D discourage him


23. rub off
A follow
B react
C Show
D Help


































Summary Writing