TIMES : SPM2009 Spot Questions - English for Science & Technology (Kertas 1)

Part 2
Read the following text.

Malaria is an infection of the blood that is carried from person to person by mosquitoes. The disease has been recognized for thousands of years and once was found almost everywhere except in the most northern areas of the world. Malaria has been wiped out in North America, Western Europe, and Russia. However, it remains a serious problem in much of the tropical and subtropical world.

Malaria is caused by protozoan of the genus Plasmodium. Infection begins with a bite from an infected mosquito. The parasite then travels from the mosquito to the liver, where the parasite begins to reproduce. The parasite leaves the liver and travels to the bloodstream, where it infects the red blood cells. The parasite reproduces in the red blood cells, which destroys the cells and releases more parasites into the bloodstream. If another mosquito bites an infected person, that mosquito can then carry the infection to someone else.

There are 4 species of Plasmodium that infect humans. P vivax is the most common in India and Central and South America but found worldwide. P ovale is rarely found outsides Africa. P malariae is found worldwide but less common than the other forms. P falciparum is most common worldwidw, this is the most life-threatening from of malaria.

With malaria, a person will develop a high fever, which comes and goes every other day or few days. How often a fever returns varies with each species of malaria. Headache, nausea and sweating are also common symptoms of malaria.

Part 2.
1. An infection of the blood that is carried from person to person by mosquitoes
2. Protozoan of the genus Plasmodium
3. P vivax
4. P ovale
5. P malariae
6. P falciparum
7. High fever
8. Headache
9. Nausea
10. Sweating

Your report should include the following:
• Description of the situation
• Details about the haze
• The effects to health
• Your suggestions on how the situation can be improved
• And other relevant information
Your report should not be less than 200 words

TIMES : SPM2009 Last Minute Tips - English for Science & Technology

English for Science & Technology

SPM English for Science & Technology consists of Paper 1 (subjective questions) and Paper 2 (30 objective questions). Follow this guide to answer the papers.

Content
1. Strategy to Answering Paper 1
Section A
Section B
2. Strategy to Answering Paper 2
1. Strategy to Answering Paper 1
Section A
Read and understand the given text carefully.
Underline words or main ideas of the topic.
Understand the given graphic organiser or table.
Identify keywords of the questions.
Answer with only words or phrases taken from the text and not the full sentences.
Total lifting or exact production of sentence is not allowed.
Partial lifting is accepted but meaning must come through.
You can construct your own sentence but it should be correct in meaning as given in the text.

Example: Tsunamis have been known to reach incredible heights, ranging from tens to hundreds of metres, and they can travel as fast as a commercial jet.

Tsunamis
(Characteristics)
Capable of reaching unbelievable heights.
Range from tens to hundreds of metres.
Speed can reach that of a commercial plane.

Do not write more than one answer for one space.
Do not add up any answers options below the given bulleted question. If you list more than the required answers, the extra answers will be ignored.
Your answers must be grammatically correct. Use proper subject-verb agreements.
Example: ‘Technology is good’ not ‘Technology are good’
Be cautious with your spelling. Correct spelling of keywords is mandatory. Do not spell an English word using the Malay word.
Example: ‘Technology’ wrongly spelt as ‘teknologi’
Utilise and elaborate all content points effectively.
Organise your ideas excellently. Do not mix up your point as it will affect your marks.
Use appropriate and precise science and technology expressions.

Section B
Read and understand the instructions carefully (e.g. write a report/review/description).
Underline words or main ideas of the topic.
Identify the keywords of the questions.
Be cautious on spelling. Do not misspell. Correct spelling of keywords is mandatory.
Write P for every content point (e.g. P1, P2, etc). This will enable you to identify every single content points and comparison points in the text. If you left out one point, your essay band will be marked down to Band C.
Give strong ideas and detailed elaborations based on scientific data.
If the question is a Descriptive Essay, you can give extra information related to the subject.
It can be examples, extended ideas, or causes & effects of a process.
Avoid giving incorrect data related to time and size as this can lead to you getting a lower band.
Do not hesitate to write more than 300 words. There is no limitation of words but to score an A, you need to write at least 400 words with a very good language expression and strong explanations.
2. Strategy to Answering Paper 2
This section consists of 30 objective questions.
Most of the answers can be found in the text given so read carefully before answering the questions.

EST ? Killer subject or the easy one !

English for Science and Technology (EST) was a new SPM subject introduced in year 2003 by Malaysian Education Ministry. It is an English test based on science and technology. So, why EST was introduced? I did a quick search using Google and found out the answer.
EST aims to
- provide learners with the language basis to access and understand materials on science and technology in English.
- express ideas and concepts in English.
Source: Good English Essays

For most of the SPM candidates, EST is really an 'Easy & Simple Test'. Many students do well in EST and it is not uncommon for an English 4B student to score 1A in school's EST examination. Why? Look at the EST format.
Paper 1 consists of Information Transfer and Scientific Writing. Paper 2 consists of 30 objective questions.
Source: Good English Essays

Information Transfer and Scientific Writing are both quite difficult for average students. However, I do think that they are easier than English 1119 Summary and Directed Writing respectively. So, do you think EST is an 'Easy and Simple Test'? If your answer is 'yes', think again!

Why EST is a curse rather than a blessing for some top students? After thinking carefully, I come out a list of possible reasons.
Most SPM candidates especially the intelligent students thought EST was just another easy test paper. Thus, they didn't spend enough time to master EST completely.

The scientific writing question (in Paper 1) was expected to come out like in 2004 SPM, which asked the candidate to write a report choosing the best method among all three methods given. However, the essay question format in 2005 SPM was totally different from the previous year. Candidate had to write an essay on the formation and the consequences of acid rain based on the points given. Unlike the previous year, no other choice was given!

There are very few reference books or resources on this new subject (first introduced in form 4 in year 2003). For those who might not know, SPM students don't have EST textbooks! I have asked my EST teacher about this and she told me that EST will be completely removed from the SPM subject list in the next few years. So, our government doesn't want to spend money publishing textbooks for this subject. Unbelievable? Try to believe it!

I have 'survived' from EST (luckily I didn't get a 3B or the lower grade in this subject!). Here are my tips to score 1A in EST. (Yes, I scored 1A in EST)
I still remember that in the past, I studied EST in class by trying the previous year SPM EST papers and other states' EST papers.

I didn't buy any reference books for EST since some of them are out-dated. Of course, you can buy exercise books for EST but please make sure the model papers follow the latest format.

Pay attention to all your EST lessons in class. Keep in mind that your EST teacher is the most reliable source for this subject.

Attend tuition class. Yes, I know it is very rare and weird to attend EST tuition class. Last year, I attended a one-month-four-class EST tuition class a month before the SPM trial examinations. For me, paying RM40.00 to master EST from the actual EST paper marker is worthy.

Online EST Resources: Good English Essays, ReCom Forum, Forum Portal Pendidikan Utusan...

Please leave your comment on this post if you have some nice tips to share or know any good resources for SPM English for Science and Technology (EST).

Update: I learned that our goverment has finally made EST a permanent SPM subject. So, I think students will have EST textbooks in the near future.


This material is grabbed from : http://malaysian-students.blogspot.com