YEAR END EXAM Revision / SECTION D (15 marks)

33. The following are the short stories and drama studied in the literature component in
English Language.
- Tanjong Rhu (Leaving No Footprint) by Minfong Ho
- Leaving (Changing their Skies) by M.G. Vassanji
- The Ring Thing to Do (Five Short Plays) by Martyn Ford
Choose any ONE of the short stories and drama above and answer the question below.

Samples of question:

Sample 1

Based on the text you have studied, what is the main theme present in the story? Gove
examples with close reference to the text.

Sample 2

Based on the stories you have studied, which character do you feel have good qualities that
you admire? With close reference to the text, include your personal response.

Sample 3

Write about an important decision / action made by ONE of the characters. Explain how this
affected the other character(s).

Sample 4

“Not everybody is the same”

With close reference to the text, write about the contrast between two characters.

Sample 5

Based on the text you have studied, what is the main theme present in the story? Give
examples with close reference to the text.

Sample 6

“Our interests are not always in line with the interest of others.”
With close reference to the text, how far is this true to the novel you have read?

Sample 7

Based on the text you have studied, write about the respect shown between two characters.
Give examples with close reference to the text.

Sample 8

Based on the text you have studied, write about an event that you do not like. Give
examples with close reference to the text.

Sample 9

Based on the text you have studied, write about an important lesson you have learnt from
the story. Give examples with close reference to the text.
Sample 4

“Not everybody is the same”

With close reference to the text, write about the contrast between two
characters.
In the short story “Leaving” by M.G. Vassanji, the two characters which are
obviously contradict are Aloo and his mother. I will discuss the distinguished
characteristics of these two characters in terms of schooling preference, dreams as
well as mentality.
Firstly, Aloo and his mother have contradicted way of schooling preference.
This can be seen from the short story where Aloo wanted to further his study abroad
in America while the mother thought that attending local institutions is better for his
future. Aloo is an ambitious and foresees his future with a better aspect of life if he
could further his tertiary study in America.
Secondly, both characters have different perceptions on how they want to
achieve their dreams in life. As for an example, Aloo does not want his life to be
stuck with a normal and stereotype experiences and adventures, he instead wanted
to explore more when he decided to continue his study abroad. While, his mother’s
dream was to settle down with her children locally, with the same norm of life. Thus,
Aloo and the mother are very different in achieving their dreams.
Finally,
Revision (page 115-125)

Paper 1

1. Directed writing (page 115)

Article writing

2. Essay (at least 5 paragraphs)

Sample 1

Based on the text you have studied, what is the main theme present in the story?
Give examples with close reference to the text.

Based on the short story “Leaving” by M.G. Vassanji, the main theme is
modern mentality VS conservative mentality. This can be seen from the two main
characters which are Aloo who has modern mentality and his mother who portrays
conservative mentality.
Firstly, the theme can be clearly seen when Aloo wants to further his study in
America while his mother wants Aloo to study in local university. According to the
mother, studying locally is better as the children will stay closer to the family while
Aloo thinks studying abroad will benefit a person more as one can experience
different culture and language.
Secondly, Aloo is open minded while the mother is skeptical about people
who study abroad. The mother has a mindset where people who study abroad will
never come back to the hometown. While, Aloo thinks oppositely when he said in the
story “The rich kids go study abroad but they are never lost”. This shows that Aloo is
very positive while the mother is quite negative when it comes to mindset.
Finally, we can observe the contradict mentality when the mother reminded
Aloo not to marry a white woman, smoke and drink alcohol. It shows that the mother
has a narrow-minded mentality. While Aloo is very adventurous because he wants to
experience and learn about other cultures and religions.