SECTION 1DIRECTED WRITING

Exercise A3

1. Main Point

Ensure that all doors, windows and gates are locked

Supporting details
a before you go to sleep or before you leave the house
b do not leave your door ajar
c do not leave your door keys on the lock

2. Main Point
Have additional security devices
Supporting details
a an alarm, a peep hole and good padlocks - best investment
b prevent unwelcomed guests

3. Main Point
Avoid keeping too much money
and valuables in your house
Supporting details
a Keep them in a bank
b Do not tell friends and neighbours

4. Main Point
Stop the newspaper delivery
Supporting details
a people will not notice that you are not at home
b piles of newspapers-you are away from home
c easier for robbers to rob

Exercise A4
Effects of Pollution

Pollution today is getting from bad to worse. There are air, water, land and noise pollution. The air
is becoming a dirty and an unhealthy place to be in. Many people are suffering from pollution.

Air pollution has bad effects on our health. It makes us sick and unhealthy. People who are
exposed to dirty air often suffer from heart diseases. The polluted air is bad for the lungs and chest.

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Pollution causes haze which is bad for the eyes. The toxic gases from vehicles on the road and factories
blacken buildings and do damage to the concrete and walls. The ozone layer that protects us from
dangerous ultra-violet radiation is threatened too.

When water is polluted, it is unsafe for swimming. When one swims in the dirty water, one can
suffer from skin diseases and ear irritation. Sea creatures die in polluted water, reducing the seafood supply.
We can fall sick when we eat polluted seafood, which can cause health problems such as damaging brains
and kidneys.

In addition, noise pollution does damage to the ears and cause hearing problems. The damage
can be permanent if we are exposed to deafening sounds for a long time. Moreover, we cannot live
peacefully in a place where there are loud sounds.

The fight against pollution needs support of the government, public and all individuals. It is
everybody’s responsibility to make sure that the earth is protected always. We need to work hand in hand
to solve this problem before many people die because of pollution.

Exercise A5

Suggested Answers

Questions Opening Closing

Your younger sister is studying
overseas. You have decided to
write a letter to advise her on
how to spend her money wisely.
(SPM 2012)
You have just returned from a
visit to Indah Recreational Park.
You found the park in poor
condition. Write a letter of
complaint to the Town Council
based on the notes you have
made. (SPM 2013)
How are you? I hope you are I have to stop here. I hope the
doing well. Mom, dad and the advice is useful to you. Take
rest of the family are all in good good care and bye for now.
health. I received your letter a
week ago and you mentioned
that you are having problems
managing your money. Well sis,
I am here to give you some
advice on the matter.
Referring to the matter above, I It is hoped that the Town
would like to lodge a complaint Council will take immediate
about the poor condition of actions to improve the condition
Indah Recreational Park. of the Indah Recreational Park.

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Crime prevention is everyone’s
responsibility.
Your teacher has asked you to
write an article for your school
magazine on how to ensure
safety in the neighbourhood.
(SPM 2014)
Your school is organising a
ceremony for your favourite
English teacher who is retiring.
You have been asked to give a
farewell speech.
(SPM 2015)
Your teacher is organising a
study trip. She has suggested
either a visit to a television
factory or a trip to a tea
plantation. Using information in
the table below, write a talk to
persuade your classmates to
choose one of the two trips.
(SPM 2016)
Getting to school on time is very
important but many students in
your school often arrive late.
The principal has asked you to
carry out a survey to find out
why they arrive late. Based on
your findings, write a report to
the Principal and suggest ways
to solve the problem. (SPM
2017)
Recently the number of break in
cases in our neighbourhood
has alarmingly increased. As
residents, it is our duty to
ensure the safety of this area.
There are many ways in which
we can do so.
Good morning to the principal,
teachers, students and most
importantly our favourite
English teacher Pn Anisah bt
Hashim. I am very honoured to
talk about our beloved Pn
Anisah who is retiring today.
Good morning to our teacher
Puan Aina Naim and my
dearest friends. As we all know,
our teacher has proposed two
venues for our study trip and we
are to choose one. Today, I
would like to suggest that we go
on a visit to a television factory.
Recently, the number of
students coming late to school
has noticeably increased. A
survey was conducted to find
out why they arrived late. The
first reason is…….
If everyone is responsible in
preventing crime, our
neighbourhood will surely be a
safer place to stay.
Finally, on behalf of the
students, we wish Pn Anisah
good health and all the best in
her retirement years. We will
definitely miss you teacher.
That is all for now. I hope
everyone will choose to go on a
trip to the television factory. As
mentioned earlier, a trip to this
place will be more fun and
educational for us. Thank you.
Based on the findings and
suggestion given, it is hoped
that the cases of students
arriving late can be overcome.
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 SECTION 3 INFORMATION TRANSFER

EXERCISE 1

16. soluble fibre pectin 20. fruits

17. citrus fruits 21. helping food move through the digestive
18. healing cells that help us recover faster from system
infection 22. mushrooms
19. whole grain products 23. destroy invading microbes

EXERCISE 2

16. 6 % 22. Advantages

17. more than160 (countries)  Lower cost of doing business
*more than – mandatory *(countries) -  Business friendly based on a self-policing
optional method
18. consumer  Fairness and greater transparency
19. business owner  Increase global competitiveness
20. nation 23. Advantages
21. Advantages  Stable and sustainable source of income
 improved standard of living for the government
 fair pricing for consumers  Reduce leakages in tax collection
 most basic goods and services are not  Modernise the country’s tax system
subjected to GST  Reduce bureaucracy
 The transparency of the GST tax  Malaysia’s exports will become more
collection system at each level competitive
 Eliminates double taxation 24. 1 300-888-500 or 03-8882 2111
25. you to plan your expenditure wisely

EXERCISE 3

16. Review Circle 23. Booker Prize/ Nobel Prize/ Best Seller/
17. Book Review Guidelines Classic
18. a payment worth RM100 24. Booker Prize/ Nobel Prize/ Best Seller/
19. cheque Classic
20. via e-mail 25. Booker Prize/ Nobel Prize/ Best Seller/
21. Duplicate content/ not original Classic
22. 400-500 words

SPM 2015

16. Do you text/ message at the dinner table?/ 20. excuse yourself and then return as soon as
Texting at dinner table you can/ immediately/ promptly/ the soonest
17. 16/ sixteen √ 21. Canada √ canada X
16 countriesX 22. Brazil √ brazil X
18. if you want to have a snack 23. Thailand
19. you are by yourself in the kitchen/ you are all 24. it is acceptable to text at dinner table √
alone in the kitchen It is acceptable to text/ texting is alright X
25. Stephanie Kumfort/ a Canadian

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SPM 2016

16. Top Secret 21. Junior Reading Page

17. The Misfit 22. Beyond Earth
18. Cheater, Cheater 23. Fiction
19. For The Love of Art 24. Top Secret
20. Beyond Art 25. The Misfit

SPM 2017

16. Super 21. insole

17. Waterproof 22. midsole
18. guarantee/ offer 23. outsole
19. decorative/ popular/ lightweight 24. toe box
20. injuries 25. upper
*** part 1 (Q16-Q20) Use only ONE WORD *** Part 2 (Q21-Q25) use NOT MORE THAN
TWO WORDS
*** accept upper case/ lower case
*** words must be from the text.

SECTION 4 READING COMPREHENSION

SPM 2015

26. a) It is difficult to take care of exotic animals because few people understand their unique medical
needs.
b)Ray used a tranquiliser to put Crystal to sleep and cub-napped the twins
27. a) The polar bear cubs/ Crystal’s twin cubs
b) Crystal had cleared all the straw away from one corner and she had pushed her cubs onto the bare
concrete and left them unattended
28. a) Undaunted
b)The had come alive/ They are going to survive/ It is a sign of staying alive
29. a) By spinning the cubs around they hoped the force would clear any mucus blocking their windpipes
b) The cubs both took strong, deep breaths
30. (The evidence must be exactly from the text, and it is word for word)
Emotion : Anticipation/ Anxious to know what happens next
Reason : They were hoping for the cubs to drink the milk from the bottle.
(The idea of waiting for the cubs to survive after going through all that had happened)

SPM 2016

31. The prospect of being home

32. a) I think they were compared to ants as there were many people milling about.
b) Arvind was looking forward to the food/ friends he would meet/ hours he would spend time
watching television.
33. a. i) He had taken off his glasses and his eyesight was very poor.
ii) what he saw took his breath away.
b) The people on the train look at Arvind because he is sleeping with his glasses on
(The idea of wearing his glasses while he was sleeping)
34. a) When the girl agreed to have tea with him.

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 b) Arvind felt embarrassed because Sneha had been his childhood friend and he had not recognized
her.
35. Action : I think they probably decided to meet again at another time
(The actions accepted should be what happened between Sneha and Arvind after the departed.
For example : Sneha met Arvind’s mom and did some catching ups – X)
Reason : Even though Arvind was embarrassed after finding out who Sneha was, since he liked her
he would have wanted to meet her again. Sneha too would have wanted to resume their friendship.

SPM 2017

26. a. reading / creating (an organic vegetable) garden/ gardening

b. (worrying cholesterol) results from a (routine) check up/ worrying cholesterol results/ visit to the
local clinic/ cholesterol results
27. a. some (stunning) flowers (that) had been previously hidden)/ flowers/ the idea that the garden was
tidied up
b. springboard
28. She/Maria struggled to get used to Jeffrey’s loud (rock) music/ Jeffrey played loud music
(the idea of Maria struggling to get used to what Jefferey did)
29. a. (there were) fewer arguments (about undone chores) / allow lifting line 36 & 37 (whole sentence)
b. physical activity in and around the house/ walking the dog around the (nearby) park/ managed to
get more sleep
(the idea of Maria doing homework/ the idea of Maria going for walks.)
30. They were surprised. Maria and Jeffrey were TV addicts.
They were happy. It was a healthy thing to do.
(Any other plausible reactions and reasons)
(Note : Award 1 mark for friends’ reaction and 1 mark for reason that supports the reaction)

SECTION 5 SUMMARY WRITING

SPM 2015
Selecting the content points
1 Clearly, we did not have much time.
2 “Quick! “ I said.
C1 3 “Get a bucket of hot water.” /
C2 4 Aware that the situation was critical, I lowered both cubs in halfway /
5 Nothing happened.
C3 6 Undaunted, I decided to immerse them completely this time, except for their little /
snouts.

C4 7 I tried to massage their chests while they were underwater but realised I could not do /
both at the same time.

8 “Ray, you do one while I do the other,” I said as I passed a dripping wet cub over to him.

C4 9 Remember to pump rhythmically but don’t dig your fingers in too hard. /
10 They were such tiny, fragile creatures that we had to take great care with them.
11 Minutes went by.

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 12 Suddenly, Ray yelled, “Mine’s moving!”
C5 13 We looked inside its mouth. /
14 It was definitely pinker.
C6 15 Sensing that there might be hope after all, I instructed Matt to add more hot water /
C7 while we continued pumping.

16 There was a faint muscular tension growing in this furry creature in my hands and then I
felt my cub moving slightly.

17 “Stethoscope,” I shouted.
C8 18 Placing the instrument against the chest of one cub, I heard the faint, soft heart /
sound, Dab-dab, dab-dab.

19 Turning to the other, I heard the same sound.

20 “They’re alive!” I said quickly.
C9 21 “Carry on with what we were doing.” /
22 There was no doubt anymore.
23 Both cubs were wriggling their bodies underwater.
C10 24 Determined to save them at all costs, we pulled both cubs out of the water and held /
C11 them by their back legs, at arm’s length.

C12 25 We spun them round and round, hoping that the force would clear any mucus /
blocking their windpipes.
26 The cubs were showing more signs of life now, but there were still not a sound coming
out of their throats.

C13 27 “We’ll have to try mouth-to-mouth resuscitation,” I said. /

C13 28 Again, Ray took one cub while I took the other, and we blew gently into their mouths. /

SPM 2016
Selecting the content points

C1 1 There, in the opposite seat, was a girl (at about his age) (with all the features that a /
C2 teenage boy would look for in his dream girl.)

C3 2 Of course she did not notice Arvind, but other passengers glanced at him curiously- what /
was the teenager doing sleeping with his glasses on?

C4 3 He may have looked as if he was asleep but Arvind slept very little that night. /
C5
C6 4 The next day, he was very energetic, or as teenagers often say, ‘hyperactive’ – one of
the chief symptoms of trying to impress a girl.

C7 5 It was the first time in his life that he’d ever gone to the bathroom on a train to freshen /
C8 up and make himself look more presentable.

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 6 Funnily enough, the person opposite did the same.
7 Minutes later, she was back in her seat.
8 There was no eye contact yet.
C9 9 His mind was racing fast, planning his next move while the train thundered along. /

10 A line from his favourite song popped into his head.

C10 11 ‘It’s Now or Never…’ Plucking up courage, Arvind asked her, “Tea?” Short and sweet /
to begin with.

12 First, silence, then a nod.

13 That was the start Arvind had been hoping for.
C11 14 He behaved like a perfect gentleman. /
C12 15 Then he began to tell her about himself. /
16 She, on the other hand, was somewhat shy and said very little.
C13 17 Lunch and dinner were at his invitation and, eventually it was time to sleep. /
18 Just because she had said goodnight did not mean Arvind was to have a good night’s
sleep.

C14 19 He spent the whole night planning how he would impress her further. /

SPM 2017
Place tick (/) the content points. (Some points have been ticked).

1 They were tidying their overgrown garden /

2 They had other projects /

3 …He loves .to go on long bicycle rides. /

4 Jeffrey opted for other news source.

5 Jeffrey played loud rock music /

6 He gathered friends for the parties

7 They started investing their income in the stock market

8 Jeffrey/He started paying more attention to the sounds of nature

9 Jeffrey started walking more.

10 Jeffrey/He drove less

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 11 There were fewer arguments about undone chores.

12 There were more time to do the chores

13 They take walks around the nearby park? They walk more with/without their pet dog.

14 He managed to get more sleep

SECTION 6 SELECTED POEMS

WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO LULU

Part 1 :

1. Because she was not in her bedroom.

2. An old rag-doll in her bed and a shoe by her bedside.
3. The wind / breeze from the open window.
4. On the dusty shelf.
5. She does not want the persona to see her tears / her worried look.
6. “that note”
7. Voices / people talking
8. Voices and an engine roar.
9. Somebody cried in anger or in pain.
10. It was a gust of rain.
11. She was wandering about / she looks restless or worried
12. .She feels nervous / worried / upset

Part 2 : HOTS Answers

1. He is concerned about his sister and he calls her “Lu”.

2. Her answers are all lies and some are not logical / do not make sense.
3. She does not want him to be scared. She does not want him to worry.
4. Report to the police. Ask for the neighbour’s help.
5. He was working on a night shift / he was divorced from the mother / away on business.
6. Some family problems. Bad influence from friends.
7. I would feel very upset / depressed / confused / worried.
8. Social media can inform the public about what has happened so that people can help.
9. I will advice him/her not to do so. I will look for people who would be able to help.

POISONED TREE

Part 1 :

1. He told his friend about it.

2. He did not tell his foe / He just kept quiet.
3. His anger increased / became worst.
4. Enemy / Opponent / Nemesis
5. He talked about it.
6. i. Watered it in fears ii. Watered it in tears
iii. Sunned it with smiles iv. Sunned it with soft deceitful wiles

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7. He smiled ( and became persuasive )
8. ”with soft deceitful wiles”
9. Anger / Tree / Tree of anger
10. ”Till it bore an apple bright”
11. ”And my foe beheld it shine”
12. He sneaked / went quietly into the persona’s garden.
13. The night was very dark / in total darkness.
14. He died after eating the poison apple.

Part 2 : HOTS Answers

1. A misunderstanding / disagreement
2. Maybe he was afraid of his enemy / he does not want to forgive him.
3. He wanted to avenge his anger / He wanted to punish his enemy.
4. No, I don’t think so because the persona always smiled and acted nicely.
5. He wanted to attract his enemy to eat the poison fruit.
6. By growing such a big tree with bright and shiny apples.
7. He feels satisfied / happy with his effort because his enemy is dead.
8. It is actually the persona’s anger which he let it grow so deep that it killed his enemy.
9. i . The foe did something bad to the persona and his family.
ii. The foe broke promises or spread bad rumours about the persona.

LIVING PHOTOGRAPH

Part 1 :
1. Her grandmother.
2. A white broderie anglaise shirt, a pleated skirt and flat shoes.
3. Kind/ Protective/ Caring / Courageous/ Brave
4. They are from mix parentage.
5. She is brave/ courageous.
6. She is much older/ She has become older/ She is hunched/ small/ forgetful /
She has passed away.
7. Grandmother has hunched / Her granddaughter has grown bigger.
8. Grandmother has become forgetful.
9. She went to an awful place grandmothers go.
10. Because the place is unknown and unthinkable.
11. Because she is much old.
12. The word awful.
13. The word unthinkable.
14. 3 years old.

Part 2 : HOTS Answers

1. The persona and her grandmother.

2. The word hunched
3. Grandmother is now small back round and hunched.
4. Suggestion : Write a poem or a song about grandma. / Follow her footsteps / cook her favourite
dishes at family reunions / play her favourite songs ..
(any other acceptable suggestions )
Reason : They all bring back pleasant memories and make her presence alive
5. Response: Yes
Evidence : Because her grandmother was caring, protective and kind to her.
6. Response : Yes
Reason ; Because it brings back and makes alive all good memories about her grandmother

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 7. i. Call or visit them on a regular basis.
ii.Get them involved in activities such as going to the market with them
CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE

Part 1 :
1. Soldiers
2. The commander / captain / leader of the brigade
3. To move forward / To attack the enemies / To go into battle
4. They would die / They would not survive the battle
5. “league”
6. Loyal / obedient , brave / courageous and determined / confident
7. The soldiers
8. Made a mistake
9. The soldiers were surrounded by the enemies / The soldiers were attacked with
cannons and guns
10.The cannon ball
11. The phrase “volleyed and thundered”
12. Most of the soldiers died in the battle.
13.”Boldly they rode and well”

Part 2 : HOTS Answers

1. They felt very brave and determined to win the war.

2. Yes, it was their duty to follow orders.
3. It was a crazy thing to do.
4. .i. We should have a special ‘Hero Day’ to honour them.
ii. We should give them a special award to honour their deeds
5. Opinion : War does not benefit anyone
Reason : Too many soldiers and others die in a war.

SECTION 7 NOVEL ‘DEAR MR KILMER’

(a)
Significant event Mrs Hansen reads Mr Kilmer’s poem in class
for the first time
Chapter 2
Setting In Richard’s classroom, at the beginning of the
school term
Characters involved Mrs Hansen, Richard and the rest of his
classmate
-Mrs Hansen reads the poem, “Trees” during
English class. The boys call the poet ‘sissy’, but
Summary of what happens Mrs Hansen informs them that the poet has just
volunteered to join the army to serve the country.
Richard loves the poem and is inspired by the
poet.

Important quote Richard had found a new hero.

-Richard gets Mr Kilmer’s address and starts

What happens next writing to him.

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(b)
Significant event
Chapter
Setting
Characters involved
Summary of what happens
Important quote
What happens next
(c)
Significant event
Chapter
Setting
Characters involved
Summary of what happens
Important quote
What happens next
(d)
Significant event
Chapter
Setting
Characters involved
Summary of what happens
Signing the card for Hannah
3
In the classroom, the day after the tavern is
vandalised.
Mrs Hansen, Richard and the rest of his
classmates
-Mrs Hansen buys a card to be signed by the
class as a symbol of support for Hannah.
However, only Richard signs it. The others refuse
to sign for fear of being bullied.
“I’m glad that I’ve got at least one student with
some integrity.” (Mrs Hansen)
-Richard takes the card and goes to Hannah ‘s
house to deliver it personally.
Choosing Doughboy and Lady Liberty
6
In Richard’s classroom, at the beginning of the
school term
Mrs Hansen, Richard , Hannah and the rest of his
classmate
-Mrs Hansen announces the winners of the
essay-writing contest which are Richard and
Hannah. As a result, they earn the role Doughboy
and Lady Liberty. Their classmates are not happy
with the decision.
“We must make peace right here at home. We
must battle our own prejudices and hatred. We
must learn to care about one another, despite our
differences in race, religion, or nationality.”
Hannah declines the role and Richard follows
suit.
Richard receives news of Joyce Kilmer’s
death
9
Hannah’s house, one afternoon early in August
Richard and Hannah
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 -Hannah has just got the news that Mr Kilmer has
been killed. She sees Richard passing by her
house and relays the news to him.
“I’m so sorry to have to tell you. Oh, Richie, your
Important quote friend Mr Kilmer has been killed!”

What happens next -Richard needs to be alone and goes to his

favourite oak tree where he cries. Later, he writes
a poem in Mr Kilmer’s memory.

( e)
Significant event Mr Knight sees Richard’s poem in the
newspapers
Chapter 10
Setting Richard’s house on a Tuesday in August.
Characters involved Richard and his father
-Mr Knight reads Richard’s poem which is a
tribute to the poet, Joyce Kilmer. He is surprised
Summary of what happens to discover that Richard has used the same
words he thought of when he lost his brother. He
begins to share his past with his son.
“As I watched them lower his coffin in his grave, I
Important quote kept whispering to myself,’ A world is gone! A
world is dead and gone!”

What happens next -Richard continues to write poetry and his poems
become a regular feature in the local newspaper.

SETTINGS
Name an event that happens in each of the following places.
PLACE EVENT
1. The Knights’ Home Richard tells his family about Mr Kilmer’s
letter and his passion for poetry.
2. A meadow Richard’s school has an end-of-year picnic
here.
3. The hunting cabin Richard, Gus and their father, Mr Knight go
hunting in this area.
4. The Schermers’ home Richard is invited to have dinner here.
5. Wood of the Burned Bridge Joyce Kilmer is buried here upon his death.

CHARACTERS AND CHARACTER TRAIT

Name three characters that share these character traits.
CHARACTER TRAIT CHARACTERS

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 1. Responsible a. Angie Knight
b. Richard Knight
c. Mrs Hansen
2. Hardworking a. Mr Knight
b. Mrs Hansen
c. Richard Knight
3. Popular a. Gus Knight
b. Abner Lewis
c. Blanche Freebold
4. Prejudiced a. Abner Lewis
b. Harry Carver
c. Blanche Freebold
5. Courageous a. Roland Knight
b. Joyce Kilmer
c. Richard Knight

MORAL VALUES AND MESSAGE

Moral value Character Incident

1. We must be
determined to achieve Richard continues to write his poetry in secret
our dreams regardless Richard and even sends them to Mr Kilmer despite not
of challenges that getting the support from his family.
come our way.
Angie quits school because she needs to
2. We must sacrifices for
Angie focus on the responsibilities at the farm after
the sake of others.
her mother’s death.
Mrs Hansen often helps Richard in school.
3. We must try to help
She lends him the book of poetry, gives him
others in any way we Mrs Hansen
advice and even helps Richard select the
can.
poem to be sent to Mr Kilmer.
4. We must always try to
do the right thing even
Richard signs the card to be given to Hannah
if other people Richard
even after getting a warning from Abner.
persuade us to do
otherwise.
Richard sometimes thinks of going away and
living in a different place where he could write
5. Family is important Richard
poetry but he knows that he could not do it to
his family.
6. We must be patriotic Gus volunteers to join the army after his
Gus
towards our country. graduation.
7. We must respect and Hannah writes a moving essay where she
be kind to everyone says that we must learn to care for one
Hannah
regardless of race or another despite our differences of race,
religion. religion, or nationality.
8. We must be supportive Mr and Mrs Mr and Mrs Schermer often encourage
of others. Schermer Richard to read his poems in their house.

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