The new teacher

It would be hard to take over Mr Singh's place. He was our English Literature teacher and he
often entertained us with his jokes. He had been transferred to another school, and we would be
getting a new teacher.

When she walked into the classroom, I heard a few girls giggling. Miss Rahman the new teacher
looked very ordinary. In fact, she was rather thin and short. Some of the girls commented that she
did not wear make-up at all. But as the saying goes "don't judge a book by its cover." On her first
day. Miss Rahman introduced herself briefly and explained how she would approach teaching
English Literature. She told us that she wanted it to be a "living" subject because human life is
complex and wonderful. We could all learn about life from stories written by great writers.

She also asked us to write on a piece of paper a short description of what we each like and
dislike, and what we want our lives to be. When we handed it back to her. I thought that this
exercise would end up like the others before. It would be forgotten by us as well as by the
teacher. But Miss Rahman proved me wrong. Each time she talked to us outside the class, Miss
Rahman seemed to remember the details we wrote and showed concern about our interests and
expectations of life.

She told us that to enjoy reading, we have to imagine that our mind is like a multi-dimensional
television set. When we read, we create pictures and images in our mind. If the book is a good
one, we can also feel the emotions that the characters in the book are going through. Reading a
book, thus, is an imaginative experience that cannot be duplicated by any technology.

Miss Rahman would often ask us to give our interpretations or views about certain passages in
the book. She always considered our opinions carefully and never used the word 'wrong'. In this
way, many of us lost our fear of literature. In fact, we enjoyed offering out views, and we looked
forward to her interpretations which she explained in a clear manner.

Whenever we had covered the lessons and had some free moments before the class ended. Miss
Rahman would tell us about tier travels. She studied in Canada and had also worked as a teacher
in Pakistan. Her travels had taught her that there are some universal emotions and needs that
unite people all over the world. That is why we can learn to enjoy literature written by a writer of
any race or from any period of history.

On the last day of class, Miss Rahman gave us a list of hooks which we might want to read
during the holidays. She promised us that we would enjoy reading them. Our class gave her a
book "Great Woman Writers." We wanted to thank her for making us enjoy a subject which many
of us had considered dull or difficult.

It is not often that we get a teacher who not only prepares us well for the examinations, but who
also cares for us as individuals.
Travel
I was born with a mole on my big toe. My mother said that this was a sign that I would travel a
lot. She is right. Traveling gives me the greatest joy in my life and I intend to travel as often as
possible when I am older.

I love to travel for a number of reasons. First of all, I enjoy a change, any kind of change, every
now and then. My family lives in the busy city. For a change of scenery and pace of life, we
would travel up to the cool, green highlands or stay at the seaside at least once a year. When my
mother and I went to England to attend my aunt's wedding, I thoroughly enjoyed the change in
climate. It was snowing and I experienced what it was like to be numb with cold. It was fun!

Another reason I like to travel is because I am curious about how people in other parts of the
world live. I would like to experience for myself the cultures of different peoples.

The third reason I like to travel is because I enjoy meeting people and making friends. I would
like to have friends from as many different countries as possible. It would be interesting to
exchange views on all kinds of issues with people from other lands. I know I could do this
through the mail or the internet, but I think it is better to meet and talk to people face to face.
Having foreign friends would also help me to learn other languages.

Of course, there are disadvantages in traveling. I dislike packing and unpacking which is part and
parcel of traveling. Unpleasant things could happen when you are traveling, like getting lost in a
strange place where no one speaks your language, losing your passport and money, and missing
your flight. Traveling abroad is also costly.

In spite of the risks, I intend to travel as often as I can. My dream is to visit every continent on
the earth. If ever man can travel easily to another planet, I will definitely be one of the early
space travelers. It would be such a fantastic change of scenery, I know.
The advantages of traveling
Robert Louis Stevenson's observation that books though good enough in their own way are a
"mighty bloodless substitute for life", has always appeared to me as correct and rich with
meaning. Those who live in a narrow. confined society find it difficult to develop an out-going
personality: they, at times, are not to tolerant and it is always easy for them to fall into a dull
routine. Amongst the aristocratic families of Europe of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries no
young man's (or young woman's for that matter) education was considered to be complete
without travel. Those who were not lucky enough to have adequate funds found other means of
traveling. They either traveled as companions and employees of the rich people. or. if
adventurous and daring. joined professions which took them abroad. People have traveled as
tramps and stowaways. The whole world of commerce and the colonial system grew out of this
urge for travel and adventure. Traveling does not necessarily mean traveling abroad: it means
traveling as much as one can - travel to the next town. to the seaside resort, to the small hill
station, the next state, or the nearest island. It basically implies getting out of the rut, seeing other
people. learning about their way of living and thinking, and thus developing a broader and more
tolerant outlook towards life.

Traveling is the best kind of education. Of course, it is no substitute for the basic learning of the
three R's. But it can be a substitute for most other kinds of learning. For when we travel we get
the opportunity of seeing and knowing people at first hand. One sees them as people. but meets
them as individuals. Traveling even in one country is beneficial. Some parts of the country
abound in rain and in backwaters, in lush, green landscapes: others have the right kind of soil and
terrain for plantations - rubber, tea, coffee or timber. Still others may be having factories for
canning marine products. In another part of the country there may be oil fields or coal mines or
oil extracting units. So by traveling over these areas one is able to see the different kinds of
industries, soils and people.

Customs, languages and religious practices differ from place to place. One learns about them and
learns to live with and accept the differences. The truth of it can be seen in multiracial societies
like Singapore and Malaysia where Chinese, Malays and Indians live side by side. Traveling
from one corner of India to another is like traversing a whole continent. The cultural preferences
vary from place to place. These experiences increase aesthetic sensitivity.

Besides learning about the customs of other people and gaining a great deal of knowledge, travel
also teaches adaptability. Those who travel a great deal and are willing to rough it out are not so
fastidious about the ordinary comforts of life. They make cheerful and pleasant companions.
Travel also breaks through religious fanaticism and encourages exchange of ideas. People who
have succeeded in developing an interest in birds and animals, in rocks and minerals and in
plants and trees find travel a rewarding experience.

In the present day society, individuals can perhaps survive only if they can get out of their limited circle.
It is important that they know what is happening around them not only economically and intellectually
but also politically.
Describe a significant public building in a neighboring country and write about what goes
on in there

Singapore, my neighboring country, may be small but it is a stable and prosperous multi-racial
city state. Moreover, it has a reputation for non-corruption. Consequently, it attracts tourists and
prospective residents. Being a small country, many Singapore residents like to travel abroad to
escape from their fast-paced city life. Hence, for both foreigners and-locals alike, the
Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) building is a place they will need to visit at least
once.

The grey, multi-storeyed building stands adjacent to the Lavender MRT (mass rapid transit)
station. From dawn to dusk, it receives a steady stream of visitors from the station or from the
nearby bus stop. Most of them make a beeline for the building as the surrounding buildings are
just a mix of drab warehouses and scattered residential buildings.

The building itself has several levels catering to the various needs of the visitors. Here, people
come to apply, renew, extend or collect the passports and forms or passes relating to residence,
immigration or citizenship.

A visitor will usually head for the information counters first. There, his request will be assigned a
queue number at a given counter. He will then head for the required storey and counter. Once
there, the person will wait patiently or impatiently for theperpetually busy clerks to call out his
number. Then he will produce his collection of forms, photographs and other documents so as to
process that all important document which either allows him to visit the overseas country he is
hankering for (for a local) or to stay in this country for a while longer (for a foreigner).

The Immigration Officers work behind closed doors in their office booths. Occasionally, he or
she will come out to clarify something or hand over some papers to the clerks. When people are
ushered into the offices, they are to be interviewed for the issue of the documents they are
requesting for. The merits of their case will be considered according to rules and regulations and
its progress according to due process for this is a country which prides itself on its 'clean' and
efficient reputation.

People of different races and cultures will be seen. People trickle in at early dawn, patiently
waiting for the doors to open and to avoid the crush of public applicants who come later. The
crowds swell to its maximum just before lunch time.

At this time, many people will head for the canteen on the ground floor. A casual observer will
hear topics of conversation ranging from holidays abroad to problems of applying for citizenship.
However, the main employment of the mouths here is to receive food for the hungry stomachs.

By 4 p.m., the crowds thin out. More people will be seen leaving rather than entering the
building. The doors of the building will close promptly at 5 p.m.

When dusk settles in and the evening shadows become longer, the place becomes silent and empty. The
building and its staff will rest and recharge for the next day will be another busy day when the doors
open again.

adjacent next

drab plain

perpetually continuously
Travel as a part of education
Education means the all round development in ourselves. They can be physical, mental and
moral. In a broad sense it can be defined as the drawing out of the individual's personality and
intellectual ability. Travel has always been considered an important part of this process.

Early travelers were the Dutch, the Scandinavians, the Portugese and the British. What were the
motives behind them ? They were exploration, conquest, trade and commerce and diplomacy.
They considered themselves teachers. Travelers with a scientific outlook become explorers,
others 'empire builders' and adventurers.

Among the great names of travelers, Clive of India, Sir Stamford Raffles of Singapore, Huen
Tsang of China and Marco Polo are worth mentioning.

Now we look at another purpose of travel; it is for the love of 'culture'. Italy and Greece are
living reflections of ancient classical love. The 'educated' young man, rich and sophisticated, is
not considered completely 'finished' until his classical education has culminated in a 'Grand Tour'
of Europe.

Traveling teaches many things. It makes history real. It also gives us a true idea of the industrial,
agricultural and mineral resources of a country. By extensive travel one is able to learn the
geography of many countries. It creates in us the desire for investigation, exploration and
discovery of many countries of the world.

The theory of travel in the modern age is completely different. Every intelligent person today,
regards travel as an intellectual venture and goes abroad prepared to learn rather than observe.
Safeguarding the environment
You are an officer working with the Department of Environment. you have been asked to give a
talk at a school on "Our Role in Safeguarding the Environment".

A very good afternoon to the Principal, teachers and students. I am sure you are all aware that
today is World Environment Day, so I will speak about the role that we can play in safeguarding
the environment.

Humans, in their overzealous attempts to develop the world around them, have set in motion the
process of its deterioration. Today, we hear of environmental problems such as pollution, acid
rain, ozone depletion and the greenhouse effect. Though we cannot undo the damage that we
have already done, we can prevent it from becoming worse. It is our duty to protect and preserve
the environment, and thus, Earth.

Of course, the first place to start is at home. As the world's population grows, so does the amount
of household waste. Many things that we throw away-old newspapers, glass bottles, plastic and
metal containers-are not waste, and can be recycled. We should therefore, separate our rubbish
and make sure that we dispose off only those materials which really cannot be reused or
recycled. This way, we will not only reduce the amount of waste material that has to be
destroyed, we will help reduce the consumption of raw materials needed in industries
manufacturing paper, glass, plastic or metal items.

As consumers, we should make an effort to buy only environment-friendly goods. We should

avoid products that are disposable and those that contain elements which may harm the
environment. Instead, we should buy only those that can be reused or recycled and
are biodegradable.

In the future, experts predict, the world may suffer a shortage of clean water. Therefore, we need
to reduce the consumption of water because waste-water treatment is expensive, and untreated
waste-water may become a source of pollution. Industries use a lot of clean water for cooling
their machines, and often pollute rivers and seas with untreated wastewater. Much clean water is
wasted when we leave the tap on while we brush our teeth or take time off to lather on shampoo
and clean water becomes waste-water when we flush our toilets. Some cities have already begun
recycling waste-water. We should install water-saving flush systems in our homes and use water
wisely. Perhaps recycled water can be used in toilets or in industries. We should demand that all
industries treat their waste-water to curb pollution.

The same goes for electricity. Conventional generators contribute to pollution and hydroelectric
dams are a danger to the ecosystem in rivers. Turning off fans and lights when we do not need
them is a good habit. Another is to replace all bulbs with energy-saving bulbs or fluorescent
lights. We should also play our part in encouraging the use of alternative ways of generating
electricity, such as solar energy, as this is an environment-friendly method that can also help save
us money.

Motor vehicles are a major cause of environmental pollution. Leaving the engine running while
we dash into the store to pick up one or two items, or while we lock the gates to our homes, are
all bad habits that contribute to air pollution. We should also reduce the number of motor
vehicles on the road by car-pooling or using public transport. As responsible consumers, we
should put pressure on car manufacturers to produce more environment-friendly cars. All these
efforts can help reduce pollution by motor vehicles.

Every little action on our part can go a long way to protect the environment. Whatever we do
serves as an example for others. If we all get together and make an effort to save the
environment, we can make a big difference.

Thank you.

overzealous extremely eager

biodegradable can be reduced to natural or harmless elements

A composting system used on farms in Taiwan is described in this passage. Summarize in about
100 words how the system works.

People are getting more aware of the importance of recycling. In many countries, government
and non-government bodies are campaigning for the recycling of the mountains of waste that
modern living generates.

It is heartening to note that many households are turning their kitchen waste into compost. This
practice involves a simple process that recycles uneaten food into fertiliser.

Recently, a lightweight machine was developed by the Japanese for the instant composting of
household waste products. It is the size of an average waste bin. It comes fitted with electrical
components that enable it to turn kitchen and garden waste into crumbly, dry fertiliser. This is
done with the help of a special composting substance available in stores selling the electrical
compost bin. When the bin is full, it is switched on and within minutes, it has recycled its
contents.

While domestic scale composting has become common in many households, the agricultural
community is coming up with more efficient ways to recycle their waste products. In Taiwan, a
new system of composting has been developed by farmers. This system recycles almost every
item of waste produced.

Firstly, farm waste products in their mixed solid and liquid form are collected in a large vessel.
This vessel is connected to a chute along which the waste products are channeled into a large
container called the separator.
The separator has two large pipes attached to it. The function of the separator is the important
one of sorting the solid waste from the liquid. This highly-automated machine squeezes the waste
matter until it is almost 80% dry. After this has been accomplished, it pushes the solid material
down the vertical pipe on its right while directing the liquid waste through the horizontal pipe on
its left.

After going down the vertical pipe, the solid waste material goes through its final stage of
processing. It is collected in large cylindrical containers. These containers are made of a porous
material that acts with the contents to produce a final product that is peaty, dry and crumbly in
texture. It is now in a completely biodegradable form and is re-used as fertiliser.

The liquid waste is collected in barrels. At this stage of the process, the liquid waste contains less
than 20% of solid particles. This is a measure of the efficiency of the machine in separating the
solid from the liquid waste matter. The end-product of the liquid waste is further refined for
farming purposes. In its refined form it can be used in animal feed and for irrigation purposes.

This machine has attracted the attention of many parties in the agricultural sector of the country.
Farmers find it easy to manage and economical. they can safely re-introduce farm waste products
into the soil.

• Mixed farm waste collected

• Channeled into a separator
• Sorted into solid and liquid
• Solid processed into fertiliser
• Liquid refined for animal feed and irrigation

Answer

Farm waste in mixed solid and liquid form is first collected in a large vessel. From there it goes
through a chute into an automated separating machine with two pipes attached to it Here the
solid waste is separated from the liquid and squeezed dry. Then it is transported through the
vertical pipe and collected in special cylinders. Finally it is transformed in these cylinders into
good quality fertiliser. Meanwhile the liquid waste goes through the the pipe and is collected in
barrels after which it is further refined. It is then used to feed animals and water the farm.. (100
words)
It is Environment Awareness Week in your school. During the morning assembly, you have to
give a speech to encourage the students to care for the environment.

Good morning, teachers and friends. I'm so glad to have this opportunity to speak to you at the
launch of Environment Awareness Week. The title of my speech is 'Caring for the Environment'.
I'll begin by explaining to you briefly why we observe this week. After that I'll describe how we
show care for the environment by simply changing some of our habits.

Let me ask you a question. What do we mean by the word `environment'? Yes, if you're thinking
it means our surroundings, you're right. When we talk about our environment we refer to our air,
water and the land. We know that the pollution of our environment is a great problem all over the
world. We're polluting our air, water and land. I'm going to tell you how we can look after our
environment. That's the purpose of Environment Awareness Week - to make us aware that care
for the environment is our responsibility.

There are simple ways in which we can care for the environment, not just during this week, but
all the time. These involve simply changing the way we normally do things. In other words,
changing our habits. Our habits have an impact on the environment. Unfortunately, the impact is
usually negative. We can show care for the environment by reducing the negative impact of our
actions on the environment. For example, it is our habit to throw away whatever we don't need.
Stop doing that!

Have you heard of the 3R's - Reduce, Reuse and Recycle? We need to practise the 3R's! What
does `reduce' mean? It just means we should throw less rubbish out. If we do that we'll reduce
land pollution. There'll be less need for landfills and incinerators. How can we reduce household
garbage? One good way is to buy goods with less packaging. Another is to try to recycle items,
such as paper, plastic and aluminium cans, that we would normally throw out. We must separate
our garbage. We can take all recyclable items to recycling centres in the area. In our efforts to
reduce garbage, we will also help to preserve the Earth's limited natural resources. Furthermore,
we could try to reuse items such as paper and plastic. For example, we can use both sides of
writing paper, use old exercise books as note books and use old newspapers to line shelves. I'm
sure we can all think of other creative ways to reuse these items. We just need to think before we
throw anything away. Let's not be in a hurry to dump things. Instead, use them in different ways.

Another habit change that would show care for the environment involves the way we travel. We
know that cars cause many problems. We can't live without them, but they pollute the air. It is
better for us to walk and use the car only when we have to. If you live close to your school, why
not walk or cycle to school? Imagine if all of us did that! Not only would we reduce air pollution,
we would also be fitter because of the daily exercise! I suggest using the car only when there is
no other choice. Use public transport - it's cheaper and less stressful.

Well, before I conclude let me encourage you to put these simple suggestions into practice. I'm
sure you'll all agree that we can practise the Ms. Also, we can certainly try to change the way we
travel. Please do not wait to make these changes. Let's begin today and show that we care for the
environment. Remember, it should become a habit so that all of us will naturally do things that
show care for the environment. Caring for the environment is really everyone's responsibility.
Each of us can make a difference. So, let us together protect and care for our environment. Thank
you.