LOWER SECONDARY
ENGLISH ESSAYS
(PART 1)

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Road Safety

Why think of road safety at all? It is because of the accidents that occur everyday on the road, in which all sorts of vehicles and human beings
and even animal are involved. These accidents mean loss of life and loss of property and more often than not obstruction to traffic. In this age
of speed and fast moving vehicles and with the congestion on roads, these accidents have became almost an everyday affair. So unless
everybody is educated on the importance of road safety, the loss and the sorry spectacles cannot be avoided.
Prevention is better than cure. This holds good even in the matter of road accidents. Accidents are due to many causes and may occur under
different circumstances. The simplest but at the same time dangerous perhaps is people slipping down on the road caused by an orange or a
banana peel. Without meaning any harm, quite innocently a person may throw away the orange peel or the banana skin on the road or the
sidewalk. When a person, walking briskly, steps on, it he or she will slip down ending in fracture of bones and sometimes even more
dangerous than that. So people must take care they do not throw the pealings on the road but should deposit them in a dust-bin. In some
countries the offenders are severely punished. The second cause of accident is due to careless crossing in busy roads. While crossing one must
look to the right and left for moving vehicles and then cross.
Where there are Zebra crossings on the road for the pedestrians to cross, one should cross along them. One should keep to the margin of the
road while walking and the vehicles must keep to their lanes in busy streets.
In the case of accidents involving vehicles there are many causes. One is trying to overtake and very often taking risk. Another is wrong
judgment in crossing. Sometimes it may be not caring for the signals. In crowded streets accidents may take place in a snap second because
one does not care for the signal. "Stop, look and go" is the best precept; it will save vehicles from accidents. But where one takes a foolish
step, the result is the inevitable accident. Jay riding may be another cause. Riding two or three abreast is always dangerous. Especially one
must be aware of this. Scooter riders become victims of road accidents. But if they just wear the helmet as required by law they could easily
avoid fracture and hence death.
Very often the cause of accidents is the failure of the brake system which means the owner of the vehicle does not bother to keep the machine
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in good condition. By attending to the vehicle regularly a lot of miseries could be avoided.
Road safety is a matter of education in which the school can play a significant role. Through scouting, Red Cross and social education classes,
children can be taught the importance of observing the rules of the road. Children must be taught their limbs and lives are very valuable and
they must not take risk, especially when leaving the school. As soon as the bell goes children rush out and accidents do happen. Under the
circumstances the teachers must feel it their duty to regulate the traffic near the school. The police can cooperate with the school in this
respect.
To make the people road conscious, the mass media can play a useful role. The newspaper, the wall poster and the cinema and now the TV
come in handy. Shots in the cinema or TV emphasizing the importance of road safety can be highlighted. There may be speeches over the
radio by the police officials. During peak hours in crowded areas, the police may direct the traffic and ask people to keep to their lanes.

Our neighbor

Living next to next is the principle of a neighbor. Good neighborliness is the ideal to be aimed at and pursued. People live in the same
neighborhood for many reasons. Sometimes it may be aesthetic and very often convenience. It may be the nearness to one's office of work,
school, traffic centers and so on. As the saying goes, no man is an island; he has to live with his neighbors. To make life tolerable and bearable
one must cooperate with one's neighbor.
One's neighbor may be temporary as in the case of traveling by bus or train. Here the neighbor is with one for a few minutes or few hours. Even
here if there is understanding between the neighbors the travel will be pleasant. Good neigborliness generates good company and especially
during travel it helps to take away the boredom. There are cases when such travel has culminated in longstanding friendship.
Whether one likes it or not, one cannot do without neighbors. Even where houses are isolated as in the case of bungalows there is inevitably the
neighbor. Normally one may think one can do without neighbors because one can command all comforts and services, so the services or the need
for a friend may not arise. However serviceable the radio or the TV may be in providing the recreation, they cannot supply the human elements.
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The sympathy, the admiration and the appreciation which a neighbor may offer will have a great humanizing influence. To share one's view and
sometimes even one's sorrows one needs some neighbors. Because man is gregarious he cannot live in isolation.
But all neighbors are not always keeping the cordial relationship. Stresses and strains develop because of misunderstandings. The cause may be
very trivial or flimsy, still tension develops ending in animosity and feud. Jealousy may be another cause for such a tension. The neighbor may be

doing fine, has earned a lot of money, his children are doing well, he gets quick promotions, these and such others may create jealousy. Once this
is generated, this leads to non cooperation and petty quarrels. Very often children may be the cause for strained feelings.
Children may quarrel drawing the elders into the fray. The neighbor's son may pick a flower or a fruit from your garden and an argument may
erupt. Again he may throw his ball at your window pane damaging it. These are not unnatural so far as the younger one is concerned but it is for
the elders to view at them with equanimity and make up for it. This may read easy on paper but not so in practical life. But with some broad
outlook one must be able to tolerate.
Another reason for tension may be the animals. Your neighbor's dog may be a real nuisance or his poultry which would come into your garden
and eat away the young saplings.
In all these cases to keep up good neighborliness some understanding between the neighbors is important. Small differences can be easily patched
up or ironed out. Care can at times play the good samaritan and helps the neighbors in a small or big way. Nobody is perfect and it is better not to
speak disparagingly of your neighbor.
A cheerful word or a nod or a casual enquiry will strengthen the feeling of good neighborliness. Negatively, one must not pry into what the
neighbor is or what he does.
Tolstoy speaks in one of his stories how neighbors should behave. A child was wearing a new shirt and the neighbor's child threw mud on it and
thus spoiled it. Women folk started the quarrel and men folk entered into the fray ending in a few heads broken and so on. By then the children
forgot all their quarrel and were playing. Tolstoy draws a moral from the story namely neighbors must be quick to forget small wrongs done.
Neighborliness is not only for individuals but it is important also in a great measure between neighboring countries. History has got a lot to teach
in this respect. Unless countries learn to live as good neighbors, there cannot be peace on earth. So children must be taught at home and in the
school to cooperate with the neighbors and be friendly with them. The basic principle is to give and take and to develop a sense that the other
man has as much right as you have and some degree of tolerance is very necessary.
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Computer and their uses

Perhaps the single greatest invention of the century is the computer. The computer is essentially a machine that enables humans to complete tasks
that may be time consuming or very repetitive in nature. This it achieves by imitating human thought processes. In much the same way that
humans think using pathways in their brains that conduct minute electrical currents, computers too use tiny electrical circuits which tell it what to
do. The difference being that computers do this at incredible speeds.
In this modern age man has grown to be heavily dependent on computers to carry out all kinds of jobs that were done manually before. In

banking for example computers allow for millions of transactions to be carried out involving large sums of money which would otherwise require
thousands of bank tellers. Computers do the job in a much shorter time and practically free of any errors. Computers are responsible for air traffic
control and the running of trains to ensure that travel is made as smooth as possible. In factories nowadays computers operate mechanical devices
that produce goods we require for everyday living, in such quantities that would be otherwise impossible to achieve if these factories were run by
humans alone.
Perhaps the greatest advancements have been made in the field of communications. All of us are by now familiar with the 'Internet'. The internet
is a collection of computer systems and individual terminals linked up worldwide through telephone lines and other channels. It offers a cheaper
alternative to communicating with people within a country and internationally through computers. It has also been described as an immense pool
of knowledge just waiting for applications it has given rise to a new means for countries to carry on trade with each other through 'E-Commerce'.
It must however be kept in mind that as useful as computers are. They are not capable of independent thought and still require human input. In
recent times scientists have developed' Artificial Intelligence' in computers that may enable them to function independently of man in the future.

The pleasures of reading
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Animals may have moments of pleasure but only man has got a lot to do with it. It is through our sense organs that we enjoy pleasure. The sense
of smell, sight, hearing, touch and taste each brings pleasure. Even the baby as soon as it is born feels the pleasure of sucking and the comfort of
being cuddled in the wads of cloth in the mother's lap. But for the pleasing smell we will not be able to enjoy our food. We are thrilled by the
sight of ice capped mountains or the roaring water falls of the Niagara. So they are the senses that help us to get pleasure.
There is no end to the sources of pleasure. But reading for pleasure belongs to a higher order and stands as a category by itself. While external
things bring pleasure to the sense organs, reading brings pleasure to the mind. Greater the mind is cultured, greater will be the derived from
reading for reading makes a full man.
Reading is the end product of writing. Unless there is something written one cannot read. So good writing is a concomitant of reading. Man alone
can write, in other words put his ideas in black and white. In fact even before printing came into being man was writing and it is as old as modern
civilization. Man can preserve his thoughts and ideas through writing. Thus the whole world of literature is there far one to read.
Now reading material is available for all tastes. A scholar may go through serious writing for the sake of enriching his knowledge. Another may
read a magazine or a picture book for whiling away the
time. One chooses the reading material according to his moods, his literary background, the time at his disposal and the purpose if any. A
teenager may like stories of romance and an old man may prefer books on philosophy and religion. Some gifted with imagination and the faculty

to reflect may read poetry.
One who takes pleasure in reading always tries to build his library. Very often a good library may serve the purpose.
The greatest advantage in reading is when one comes across great minds. Whether you agree with what is there to read or do not agree there will
not be any quarrel. You may pronounce your judgement on the writer. There will be no harm if your judgment is silent and not published.
Given the proper atmosphere like a good silent place, soft light and comfortable seat, one can read and read and enjoy it.
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There are great masters of writing in all great languages of the world. English Language abounds in such great authors. Again it may be poetry,
novel, fiction, drama, travelogue, and letters. Biographies and autobiographies, form a sizable part. In these days of rush good magazines supply
the material for reading. For example, one may cite the Reader's Digest.
In order to enjoy reading, one must cultivate that habit. Reading is not the 'be all' and `end all' of life. Yet, it can be ennobling. There is dignity in
reading habit.

Obedience to parents and elders

To be obedient is to obey the orders of one's elders and superiors. There cannot be order unless there is obedience. One has to obey the laws of
the country, otherwise the society cannot exist. The laws may be irksome, but, for the overall good of the law one must obey them. For instance,
the laws to be obeyed on the road ensures road safety. The laws pertaining to property help society continue without hitches and hindrances. Even
in our body our limbs obey the commands of the brains unless they are diseased. Obedience is essential for the enforcement of order.
Obedience includes obedience to one's parents and elders. Parents are the best well wishers of their children. From their experience, they know
what is good for their children. They would never mean ill for them. For the sake of the well being of the children, parents insist on obedience.
Obedient children grow into fine children. They are not only loved by their parents but also by others connected with the household and by the
neighbours. When children obey parents they are happy.
Circumstances as they may be, parents may set certain norms. Children may not understand their implications, but if they obey, very often they
will steer of dangers. For instance, the parent may warn his son of bad company. If the son obeys, he will grow unscathed. The parents may insist
on personal cleanliness, keeping things neat and tidy, being regular in studies and so on and so forth. If the boy or girl obeys the parents in such
and other things, he or she will surely grow into a finer one.
Of course the parents' example may be forceful enough. If the parent shows how he is obedient, the son will naturally be obedient.
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There cannot be a better story than Casabianca on the deck. The father had asked the boy not to leave the deck until the parent returned. The ship
was on fire, the father was dead and other sailors asked Casabianca to leave the deck and escape for life. But the boy would not leave, for father
had asked him not to. The fate of the boy could be conceived but Casabianca has become immortal because he obeyed his father.
Being obedient to parents and elders will have to be followed in life. An obedient servant is always liked and respected. But for the unquestioning
obedience of servants big establishments cannot be run. Unless one knows the value of obedience and has been practising it, suddenly he cannot
become obedient. Servants who are obedient are preferred to clever ones.
One may argue that blind obedience won't do good. Where one can prove the other is wrong, strict obedience can be waived. This happened
sometimes; a junior may have a brilliant idea and without infraction of obedience he may put up his idea in the appropriate manner.
Obedience, just like charity must begin at home. Parents have a duty in bringing up children to be obedient and loving.

My favorite outdoor game

Soccer is my favorite game. Ever since I joined the school, I have been playing soccer. The luscious grass field is very much suited to run, to roll
over and kick.
The game is played between two teams of eleven players each though sometimes lesser number like six or seven may be there in a team. Among
the players of a team, some may be forwards, others mid-fielders and defenders, and one goal keeper. Unlike the other players the goal keeper
can handle the ball as the situation calls for.
As it is a team game, all must cooperate. The forwards must be fast, able to take the ball through the legs of the opponent. The midfielders help
not only in defense but also help the forwards in clearing and supplying the ball. Defenders must offer strong defense. The goal keeper must be
agile, quick to see, correct in anticipation and should kick the ball high and far.
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There are well established rules and foul play will be penalized. The referee's job is tough and there have been instances when the poor referee
has been man handled by the onlookers. It is the bane of the game that the audience turn partisan.
Among the great soccer nations Argentina, Brazil, England, Russia and Germany are a few. The name of Pelee, the great footballer of all times
has become a household word among the soccer fans.
Football is a manly game so I like it. Whenever I find time in the evening, I never fail to play for an hour or so. I take the forward position

because I feel there is more fun in pursuing and heading the ball.
Those who do not know much about the game say it is a rough game. Of course there are cases of broken heads, muscle twisting and sometimes
even fractures. But these are caused when one does not play according to the rules. Of course they are inevitable in a game like soccer. Nowadays
people protect themselves with guards. But for the risks the game is all right. If it is all soft then there won't be any game at all.

Life in a high-rise flat

Man is the only home making animal. He alone can enjoy the warmth of his hearth and family circle. Man has evolved from tree dwelling to the
modern flat. Primitive man was the master of his hut and it was his castle. Till recently the house had been a complex affair. There were the
gardens, barn, poultry, cattle shed and so on. The house itself was having different portions spacious enough for all the family members to move
about. These villas till recently were popular. Even today we may come across these villas in the countryside.
There was good neighborliness. In sorrow and joy the neighbor shared. They were helping each other in many of life's needs and operations.
They had enough leisure. They had time to sit over a pipe or glass of drink and gossip. In short everybody was known to everybody and the
society was in one sense self contained.
But those days are gone though there may be vestiges in remote places. The onslaught of Industrial Revolution and the growth of industries as a
result have caused the birth and growth of towns and cities. Though even in ancient days there were cities, they were the capitals of kings and
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emperors, otherwise there were not many cities. Any student of history could appreciate this point. So the growth of cities is a modern
phenomenon, concomitant to the growth and concentration of industries.
In an industrial area space becomes scarce and as more and more families pour in they cannot find space for houses. Not only the space but also
the cost becomes prohibitive. So an average office goer or a worker cannot have the luxury of owning a house. Still they want some shelter to lay
their heads down when they have returned from their office or factory. The answer has been the high rise flats of several floors. They are either
built by building societies or by the Housing Boards of government.
These flats are provided with all facilities like water, electricity, good drainage, airy rooms and so on. In every high rise flat there may be even
lifts to take people up and down. In the flats the tenants may be independent.
But there are more disadvantages in living in a high flat. The movement will be restricted and conditioned according to the circumstances. One
may have to live with all sorts of people, the homogeneity which was the rule rather than the exception will be wanting. One does not know who
his neighbor is, so though living in the midst of many one may feel lonely. Since all facilities are artificially controlled any breakdown in them

would paralyze life. For instance, if there is any defect in the water system, life will be upset. For want of space, one must plan carefully what
one must own. Whereas in olden days people had enough space to entertain guests and relatives. It is the children who would suffer most for
there won't be enough space for them to run and play about. Unless one has the facility to take them out, they will develop complexes of closed
space. Since the cannot easily mingle with other children, there may be blind spots in their character. Living such artificial surroundings may
even tell on their health and growth. In short they will feel like caged birds. This may be true of even grown ups.
Further if there were to be accidents like fire or the breakout of epidemics, the high rise flats will suffer most. From aesthetic point of view also
the flats do not add to the beauty of the city.
In short one may conclude that life in a high rise flat is necessary evil in a big city.

How to make your life successful

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What we call life is a very complex affair. It is not simply eating, reproducing and finally dying. Every creature does these. But in the case of
man he has to lead a highly complicated life. It is like going through a maze and coming out. He is an economic being and a social animal. He
has to earn, make a home, look after his people, attend to his obligations to the society and the Government. So in order to be successful, in all
these, he has to develop certain qualities.
What do we mean by saying a man is successful? If in his occupation he can do satisfactorily both for himself and others then he is successful.
He must be able to look after his people and bring up good children. If he becomes a professional man like an engineer, doctor or lawyer, making
money should not be the only criterion; he must also be able to satisfy his clients and be honest at it.
In order to be successful one should develop certain qualities. At first he must realize his purpose; in other words what he would like to be. This
is the crux of the problem, for the choice does not come to him. Parents decide it very often for them. Let us suppose he decides to be somebody
in his life. Once having decided he must work for attaining certain standard in that line. Only hard work would make him fit for the job. It is
rightly said that it is 5% inspiration and 95% perspiration. One must deserve before desiring. One must remember one's education does not stop
with the school or college. it is a life long process. Professional people must keep themselves up to date.
Then one must get on with others. In the chess board of life one may find himself in any position; it may be the all powerful queen or simply a
pawn. It must be remembered that given the chance, even a pawn can destroy a queen. This means in a complex society, everyone finds oneself
in a particular position; there may be some above and some below. One need not be favoring and flattering those above and be arrogant with
those below. "What can I do for you' is the correct attitude and having done it go about your duty. In getting on with others sweet temperament is

really an asset; then only others will like to transact with one. One must not be easily irritable nor give irritants to others. Then one must be
reliable. One may be clever but if he is not reliable, he cannot achieve success in a great measure because others will have very little to do with
him.
Another important quality that would make up for success is doing things then and there. Procrastination is the thief of time. Postponement of
doing things means swelling of work for the next day. A small chink may be easily closed today but tomorrow it may be late. If we analyze the
life of successful people we could easily see they have been through and never postponed doing things.
Still another quality is not to argue. The other may be really wrong. By pointing out that he has been wrong you are not going to improve matters,
on the other hand you can help him correct. Arguing not only takes away precious time but also causes irritations. Especially one's superior may
not like situation something like this. 'You may be right, sir', or 'This is all right', but 'what about our alternative' and so on.
One must be capable of learning from experience. One must be able to learn from the mistakes of others. Only when nations and individuals fail
to learn from the past mistakes, they are ruined. History is replete with examples.
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Precious water

Water is one of the things we need most besides air, and thank god water is plenty generally speaking, because three fourths or so of earth's
surface is covered with water. This is only a general fact and not all places on earth are having enough water and healthy potable water is a rare
commodity. Rivers may bring water and lakes may be having it. From the health point, they may not be fit for drinking. Most of these waters are
contaminated and may contain mineral as well as organic impurities, and sometimes epidemic spreading bacteria like those causing cholera and
typhoid. Nowadays the chances of contamination of water sources are quite common with industries coming up and sending out their effluents
indiscriminately. So to make these waters potable they must be treated before being supplied to a population.
Treating water and supplying it to a town or city means cost. The water has to be filtered for suspended impurities and then chlorinated and then
pumped to a storage tank from where the water is distributed through pipes. So one must remember that when one draws water from the tap, one
is actually buying or paying for water. This has become inevitable with the growth of cities and towns.
Once we bear in mind we will be careful in using water. There are many ways in which water is wasted. The tap may be leaky whereby water
may be spilled. That means some periodic attention must be paid to the plumbing and leaky taps. The tap may be open and the water running out
and nobody would care to stop it. Unless there is need, the tap must be kept closed. This must be particularly remembered when one leaves home
on holiday, otherwise throughout their absence water may be flowing out. Just as we see if the electric mains are off when we are away for some
time so too is the water tap.

Major part of the water is used for bathing, washing, and cleaning. In all these needs water must be prudently used, Take bathing for instance;
when one is scrubbing or applying soap to one's body the shower need not be running. Water economy must be remembered in the use of bath
tubs. One need not be a Rhino to be in one's bath for hours on end. This prudence in the use of water may be practised in washing and cleaning.
Since these consume a lot of water, the municipal corporation, if it is affluent and water is in plenty, can have a separate system supplying water
for washing and cleaning alone.
The industrial houses must not be allowed to draw from public water system for their industrial use except perhaps for drinking water.
One must bear in mind when one wastes water one is depriving another of his share of water.
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Good water may get scarcer in days to come. With the advent of rapid industrialization contamination of water sources poses a threat. So the
industrial people must feel it their duty not to add to water pollution. In areas of acute water scarcity steps may be taken for recycling water.
Remember one of the casualties of the so called modernization is that we have to pay for nature's goods of which water is one.

Accidents at home

Let us cite some examples of accidents at home. Cutting, burning, scalding, hurting to cause fractured, bones and getting electric shock are some
of them. These may happen anywhere, in the kitchen, in the bathroom, or on the staircase.
These accidents may lead to temporary disablement or permanent ones. Sometimes they may prove fatal. So as in many cases in life it is always
better to prevent them; hence the proverb 'prevention is better than cure', but one must be aware of the cure also.
Let us consider the preventive aspect first. One must be careful in using cutting instruments in the kitchen. One must learn from those who have
experience how to use the knives, manglers and so on. Care must be taken in handling hot things. Use good tongs to remove hot vessels from the
oven. Hot things must not be placed anywhere, otherwise one would get scalded. Steam causes a greater injury than hot water so one must be
careful where steam is involved. Since pressure cookers work on steam one should be careful when removing the lid of the cooker. So too with
hot oils. Here care must be taken not to add water to hot oil when it is on open fire because it will catch fire.
Falling down by false step is another accident. Bathrooms, poorly lit landing places, ill fixed mattresses on the staircase are worst offenders. Oil
drops or soap bits must not be dropped down in the bathroom as these may help slipping down. The staircase must be well lit so that no false step
is possible. The mattresses must be well fixed. Fall from ladder and stools are common. Unless there is somebody to hold or unless the ladder is
well fixed, one must be very careful in using ladders. Trying to reach a higher point from a ladder always results in slipping down. So too with
stools; broad based three legged stools are to be preferred to four legged ones because of the stability of the former. Electrical wiring must be

periodically checked. Frayed wires must be removed. When handling electrical equipment it is always advisable to have the mains off. Too many
leads may not be taken from a single pin point as it results in heating and hence some accidents. Electrical appliances must have insulated or
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protective handles. When using the electric iron it is better to stand on a rubber sheet or dry wood plank. No wet cloth must be hung on any
electrical wire for, in case of any leakage, it would prove fatal.
Medicines must be kept away from the views of children and kept under lock and key. Otherwise they may be tempted to swallow or drink the
wrong medicine and may prove dangerous. Youngsters must be taught how to use knives and other sharp instruments. Nowadays gas is being
used for cooking. It must be seen that there is no leakage of gas lest there would be some explosive accident. Children must not be allowed to
play with the valves for even breathing of the gas is dangerous. Beware of leakage of gas.
In all these cases by being a bit careful, many an accident can be avoided.

The day everything went wrong

There are days in one's life when everything can go wrong. He can get into trouble at every move. I had one such day last week.
It was Friday when I woke up at 7 a.m. The sun was already bright. I had to be at the bus-stop at the latest 7.15 to reach school by 7.30 a.m. I
rushed to the bathroom for a quick wash and turned on the tap. There was no water, it was dry! However, I managed with a pail of water, which
my mother had left there the previous night. I quickly dressed myself up and slipped out of my house without mother's knowledge. I knew my
mother would be angry for what I had done that day.
I reached the bus-stop within five minutes. Alas! the bus had gone a few seconds before. I concluded as there were no students at the bus-stop. I
had no choice but to call a passing taxi. I was lucky to get one and jumped into it. I cheered up thinking that I would reach school on time. When
I put my hand in my pocket to pay for the taxi fare, I was horrified to find the pocket empty. I had no money! "What shall I do?" As the taxi
stopped at the gate of my school, I met my form teacher. I explained to him my situation and he was kind enough to help me pay the fare. I was
much relieved and ran to the class. I regained my spirit when I found that I had reached school before the bell.

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Then I noticed something peculiar. I was the only student around. "Am I late after all?" I quickened my steps, suddenly I heard a shout "What are

you doing here?" I turned back and saw my principal standing in front of me. "Why are you late for school?" When I looked at my watch it
showed 7.30 a.m. "I am not, Sir," It is just 7.30 now. I realized then my watch was running ten minutes late. "Your watch doesn't show the correct
time, boy; you better hurry to your class now," I blushed at the thought of my blunders and cursed my luck. My teacher reprimanded me for
being late for lesson.

The career I would like to choose

I believe that in this day and age when competition is rife among young people to get ahead in life, it is important to get an early start. One
should know what one wishes to do with one's life. To this end it is wise to seek advice from one's elders as well as to research the areas of work
you might have an interest in, inclination or aptitude for. The idea is to be exposed to as many views as possible. Professional counselling or
'Career Days' may be helpful in this regard.
I am fortunate I suppose in that I am reasonably certain what I want to do with my life. I wish to. be a lawyer for I believe it to be a noble and
dignified profession. It affords one the opportunity to be of help to others. To a large extent my uncle, who is a lawyer, is responsible for my
choice of careers. My uncle has been practising law for the last twenty years and I find him to be knowledgeable in a great many things. My
uncle is always fond of saying that a lawyer's trade always involves him having to know about what other people do as well. To put it another
way my uncle may be described as a 'Jack of all trades'. Acting on his advice and that of my parents I have decided to work very hard in school
so ultimately I will obtain results that are good enough for me to enter the National University. I will have to work hard as places for this course
are limited and also much sought after.
At the moment however in Singapore there are a rather large number of lawyers and not everyone has a chance to work in the area he or she has
trained for. This does not discourage me although it is a source for some concern for my parents. I am planning to take subjects in school that will
be suited for my intended course of study in university. Although some may say that it is still much too early for me to narrow my choices or
options in this way, I am committed to my goal.
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Gadgets at home

One of the symbols of civilization is the many gadgets which one finds in a modern home. Many of these are acquired for the sake of fashion;
some really for the convenience as they are efficient and time saving. Nowadays even an average home of middle class family has many of these
gadgets.

Take the kitchen for instance, there is the gas stove which works on Liquid Petroleum Gas. The stove is efficient, smokeless and at the same time
comparatively cheap. Only one must be careful to see that there is no leakage of gas which would prove fatal. There are wet grinders and dry
grinders which take away the chores of the housewife. In highly sophisticated homes they may have even dish washing machines. Then there is
the fridge. This comes very handy for keeping things cool, for avoiding things getting putrid or stale, for preserving things and so on. Thus milk,
fruits, vegetables, meat and fish are preserved. There is the electric toaster for toasting bread.
Then there are other gadgets of utility like the electric iron, and sewing machine. The electric iron is helpful in pressing things; otherwise one will
have to wait on the laundry which is very costly nowadays. The sewing machine is very useful since the family's clothes could be made provided
of course the housewife at home takes interest in sewing and stitching. With the machine, the work becomes easy and in fact with some
modifications in the machine many types of stitching could be done.
Then there are the gadgets of recreation, like radio, television and disc and cassette players. To know the daily news and for hearing music the
radio comes in handy. The disc and cassette players have taken the place of the gramophone disc; one definite advantage being the disc or
cassette could be made and unmade. Music or speech could be easily recorded on the magnetic disc or tape. While the radio could be played only
during stipulated hours, the cassette player has no such limitation. Now the disc and cassette players and the radio are found in one.
The rage of the day is television. Since it has the advantage of sound and vision it takes the place of the cinema. One can enjoy a program from
one's easy chair or couch and one need not take the trouble to go to the theater. The color television makes things more realistic. Video cassette
recorder is another device to watch programs of one's choice, particularly movies.

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But one big question that often comes to the mind is, if a man is really happy with all these gadgets. There is always the law of compensation
which works inexorably. Without the coming of gadgets man may not find much use for his hands and creativity may suffer. Unless one knows
to shoot the periodical trouble with these gadgets, simply owning them may mean costly.

putrid
come in handy
inexorably

decayed and having an unpleasant smell
convenient

continuing without any possibility of being stopped

The dream I never forget

One of the human faculties which distinguishes him from others is that he is able to dream. However, one is not sure whether other animals
dream; if at all they dream they have no medium to express it is just as the human. Every human being should have had dreams, some of them
very pleasant, some of them bizarre and horrible; in the latter case a few have a hell of a life and they call it the nightmare. In a nightmare one
may feel as if he is being choked or being drowned.
In a dream one feels all one does in wakeful hours, only the body does not move. Sometimes limbs may be moved and people have been seen to
beat down their hands. Some cry and laugh, some shiver and weep. So dream is in a sense a semi-conscious state between sound sleep and
wakefulness.
It should be interesting to know how dreams are caused but there are no valid theories. One thing is sure that something has been built up in the
inner recesser of brains which get active accumulating concomitant interests. Very strange things appear in dreams for which there is no valid
explanation. One thing is clear; some nerve center is stimulated, how God only knows, as a result many other nerve centers get into operation
bringing in a chain of experiences. Things move fast and clear as on a cine screen and the subject taking part in it. The ancient belief was that
some dreams foreshadowed the coming events. How far it is scientific we cannot say. Shakespeare uses dreams in his plays; for example in the
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play Macbeth.
I too dream and had one recently, which may be of interest. I become a ruler of my country. Suddenly I find myself at the head of a procession, to
be correct it is a motorcade and I am in a Cadillac. Huge crowds, men and women and children all in their fine dress line the route through which
I am taken. There are victory arches and flags and festoons. Photo flashes burst and hundreds of photographers take pictures of mine.
At last I enter a massive mansion; the guards present me the honor. I am taken by well dressed courtiers to the throne. The reception hall is big
and spacious; there are glittering windows and doors, and colorful chandeliers are hung from high roof. Colored light beams into the hall as
sunlight filters itself into the hall thorough stained glass panes.
As soon as I sit on the throne, the courtiers cry 'long live the King'. Then a man approaches me; he may be the chief minister. He tells me
respectfully that I must announce my concessions to the people who eagerly wait to hear me speak. I am a bit nervous at first but get over it soon.
I tell them that the old system of paying one sixth of one's income as tax will come into use. I add that the tax may be paid in kind. I announce
that there won't be any admission fee to go into theaters and the Government itself will run all the theaters and only healthy films will be

exhibited. At one stroke I abolish child labor and education of children will be completely manned by the Government. I make it known that
every town and village will have a play field where the young can play and the old can relax. The production of milk in the country would be
stepped up so that everybody gets enough milk. I exhort the youth to develop robust health and sharpen their intelligence.
This dream did not continue long as my alarm clock began chiming, and it was time for me to get up and study. The sweet dream vanished like
the snow before the morning sun but that was the best dream I ever had.

concomitant

happening and connected with another thing

foreshadow

to act as a warning or sign of a future event

paid in kind

paid with something of the same kind

I am proud to be a citizen of my country
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In his poem of patriotism Scott says if a man is not proud of his country, he will be buried without honor. When a man returns after a travel to his
country he must be bubbling with enthusiasm and his heart must be pulsating with joy to land on his native soil. We have heard of great martyrs
who sacrificed themselves for the sake of their country. So it is only proper and fair that one should love one's country.
There are many things why one must be proud of one's country. It may be due to the climate, natural regions, its people and the government, its
tradition and culture and manufactures. The relation which the country has with other countries is also a point to be considered.
Considering the above norms let me say why I am proud of my country. My country has an equable climate. We are having bright sunshine
throughout the year and plenty of rain. There are virgin evergreen forests. There are some good rivers, and hills and valleys make the country
beautiful. The sea coast is not straight but has bays so there are some good harbors.

Our people are quiet, hard-working and peace loving. They know their land gives them plenty in the form of grains and fruits and so one need not
be hungry. The forests have natural wealth and the plantations are rich producing money spinning rubber. Our mines produce valuable tin making
the country rich. We are a developing nation and a lot of good things will have to be done.
We have a good government which is democratic in set up. We have had a succession of enlightened rulers who have taken measures for
improvement. The upheavals we see in some countries are practically absent in our country and the people are law abiding.
Our country has had a long history of several centuries. Several cultures have flowed in here and so there we see a mixed culture. This is
reflected in the way people dress and eat; the buildings show the effect of these overriding cultures. Our country has very friendly relation with
the neighboring countries and we are held in high esteem. Considering all these I am proud of my country.

equable
overriding
high esteem

having no change or variation
central, most important
pride in oneself, self-respect
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Fashion trends among teenagers

Fashion trends often dictate what we wear and how we act. When one thinks of fashion the idea of trendy clothes come to mind. However this is
not the only concept of what constitutes a fashion trend. As an example in the nineteen sixties it was considered fashionable in America for men
to wear their hair long, also people spoke in an altogether different manner using a lot of slang expressions such as 'groovy' or 'cool' to signify
that something was agreeable to them.
In present day Singapore we can see that fashion trends have a dominating influence among our teenagers. Most of these trends originate from
the West. Bell-bottomed trousers for both sexes once all the rage in the sixties are making a comeback on our shores. Platform shoes although
very hard on the feet are very popular too, to complete the look. Perhaps most striking is the way the young people and some older ones have
taken to dying their hair blonde, red and even green. Fashion trends in themselves may not be harmful unless taken to extremes, for example,
piercing one's eyebrows or eyelids even. They are often merely a way for teenagers to express their individuality.

What is sometimes insidious about these trends are that they help to promote a strong sense of wanting to belong which can have negative
aspects. Peer pressure may be responsible for compelling young people to do things they would otherwise not indulge in if not for the fear of
being a 'fashion outcast'. It is considered fashionable for young people to be seen at trendy night spots just as it is fashionable among some
circles to consume the drug 'Ecstasy' because of it's ability to induce a feeling of non-fatigue.
The important thing to remember is that teenagers are at a very susceptible time in their lives when the wrong influences can easily take root and
express themselves as hostile attitudes or rebelliousness. To a large extent we have to depend on teenagers to make the right choices based on the
guidance we give them.

groovy
all the rage

very pleasing, wonderful
the current or latest fashion
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outcast

One that has been excluded from a society or system.

A distinguished visitor to my school

I study in a national type secondary school in Malaysia. It is in Selangor and is one of the progressive schools in the country. It is a coeducational school and prepares students for the 'O' level and 'A' level examinations. The school is lucky in having hard-working and intelligent
members on the staff with an all rounder as Headmaster. In academic as well as sports our school has always been in the top of the list.
For National Day Celebrations, the Minister of Education was invited. He readily accepted the invitation. There was a tremendous preparation
going on for a week for the celebration. A face lift was given to the school. Flags and festoons were hung up and in view of the Minister's visit
invitations were sent to prominent persons of the town.
The festive day came. Our school hall where the guests were to be seated was tastefully decorated. The guests were received at the entrance by
the Headmaster and the committee members of the school. The school band was in attendance. The Secretary of the school led the chief guest to
the seat.

After a formal prayer, the Headmaster read the welcome address in which he expatiated on the services of the honorable minister for education.
One of the senior students garlanded the guest. Then the guest addressed the gathering.
At the outset he had a few words of praise for the school. He spoke highly of the members of the staff who had been working hard to make the
students good citizens. Then he spoke of the greatness of the country which was shaping well in all fields. He advised the students to work hard
and become great citizens because he said the future of the country depended on the quality of its citizens. So the students as future citizens must
become big mentally, physically and spiritually. He exhorted the students to develop a national outlook and at the same time they must develop
their faculty to appreciate the international situation. He asked them to be prepared to contribute their part for the well being of the country. He
advised the teachers to look for the aptitude of students and develop their skills accordingly. He asked the students to spend more time in the
laboratory, in the library and on the play fields. He said that an industrious nation would always flourish.
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One of the senior members of the staff thanked the Minister for having come and for giving some valuable advice. He assured the minister that
the teachers would play their part well and would not lag behind in doing their duty to the country. After the singing of the national anthem the
meeting came to a close.

all rounder
prominent
at the outset

a person who has many different types of skills and abilities
very well-known and important
at the beginning

A fashion show

Fashion show is one of the ways of advertisement. This is to attract the attention of the public and to educate them on the coming fashion. Unlike
the advertisements in the news papers, a fashion show has the glamour of music, color, light and all theatrical effects. Since live models are used,
it becomes very realistic and the audience has got a chance to see, discuss and criticize, and have some fun at the expense of the models. So there
is no denying the fact that the fashion shows have become the fashion of the day and they have become pace setters of a fashion.

Thus recently I had an occasion to attend a fashion show organized by the Textile Mills Association and the Garment Makers' Guild. This was
held in the City Hall on a Sunday so that more people could attend. The hall was very tastefully decorated. The stage was set in such a way that
the models could be viewed to advantage. The lighting was first class with concealed lights and provision for color lighting. Admission was by
special invitation; otherwise the organizers could not control the crowd. Since my father received an invitation, we went to the show. Soft music
was played to enliven the show.
The models were selected ones who had been taken for their attractive personality. There were men's, women's and children's models. One by one
they paraded on the stage and when they came there and walked across the stage showing their dress to the audience, some salesman at the
microphone would describe the fabric, the name of the mill that had produced it and the name of the fashion. At the same time, printed forms of
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the fashion was distributed to the audience.
Men wearing office dress, casuals, hunting dress, sports wear and dinner dress appeared on the stage. The Olympics suit especially created for the
Olympic games was shown. A team of athletes wearing the suit paraded on the stage. Women in all types of dresses both oriental and occidental
were there. The materials of which their dresses were made varied from cotton to polyester. There were women wearing Indian sarees, Japanese
Kimonos, Bikinis and swim suit and Maxi's. There was also a model who was wearing a casual dress made of paper. The announcer said that the
paper dress was cheaper and disposable and it could be used in the operation theatres and so on.
It was not all a show of the grown ups. There were children between three and eight, both boys and girls who presented the latest version of
children's wear. Some of the children who appeared on the stage were very smart and they enjoyed the fun.
What attracted me most was the beach dress which when worn could give a camouflage effect. Besides it was said that the material was
waterproof, non smelling and light.
It was a delightful show and the audience had an enjoyable evening. The fashions book which was for sale was in great demand. So there is no
gain saying that I too enjoyed the show very much.

parade
camouflage

to show something in an obvious way in order to be admired
something that is meant to hide something, or behavior that is intended to hide the
truth


Silver wedding day of my parents
It was at dinner time that we learnt quite casually that it would be twenty-five years by March next since our parents got married. Our parents are
a very loving couple who adore the company of each other. But we brothers and sisters felt that something must be done to celebrate the occasion
of silver jubilee of our parents' wedding.
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When we broached the topic our parents smilingly brushed aside the idea; nor were they keen on the celebration. They seemed to feel to be a
man and woman, a blessing of God and this fact need not to be trumpeted. But we insisted on having a celebration; only we needed their
blessing. After some serious thought they gave us their consent to go ahead.
Once we got the permission, we had to prepare for our program. But we agreed that whatever we would do, it must be secret till the day so that
there might be a surprise on the day.
So we sat and planned. My eldest sister said that we could present some memento in silver which would be apt for the occasion because we were
going to celebrate 25th year of the wedding. She went even to the extent of suggesting what could be the article. It might be a carved silver plate
or a silver tea set. She felt rightly too that the gift must be one which could be of some use instead of being confined to the showcase, as memory.
But I thought of throwing a party for selected friends and relatives. This would be an occasion for a get together and free mingling when we
could hear our elders talk about the good old days.
My younger brother had some nice ideas to put forward. He spoke of arranging a picnic when we could freely enjoy nature's beauty while at the
same time pay homage to our parents. As an alternative he said we could re-enact the marriage of our parents. That would bring great fun and
perhaps my parents themselves could enjoy the joke. But we were doubtful how far our parents could comply.
I had almost a novel idea and said that the money we hoped to spend might be made into an endowment, so that the income could used for some
good purpose. However laudable the proposal was, all of us could not agree to it because the amount we hoped to spend might not be that big and
then there was no meaning in getting the money from parents to be reinvested.
The discussion was long and nothing final could be decided because each one of us had our own views. Then we struck a golden means of taking
something from each one's suggestion. We finally decided to give father a nice unbreakable brief case, to mother a silver framed mirror and a
silver jug. We decided also that we could hold a small party of selected friends and relatives. The idea of picnic which the younger fellow so
vociferously advocated was, not dropped either. It was clearly understood that we could go to a pleasure spot not far away from our town.
Having planned thus we unfolded it to our parents who felt very happy and promised us help in the execution of the plan.


broach

to begin a discussion of something difficult
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momento

an object that you keep to remember a person, place or event

mingling

to move around and talk to other people at a social event

English : Why it is important to study the language

One may ask why is it important that we learn how to speak English in our schools? After all we live in a region of non-English speaking
countries. Would it not be better perhaps to learn the languages more commonly spoken in our part of the world? In fact the most populous
country in the world is China which accounts for more than fifty per cent of the world's population. the Chinese people don't speak English but
rather Mandarin or their individual dialects.
The answer would be that traditionally the cultures of the world have come to be. broadly classified into two groups the Western and the Eastern
cultures. English has come to represent the means of communication in the West. With more and more gateways being opened to Asia it is
imperative that one language be adopted to suit our needs. As the people of Asia speak a diverse variety of languages it would appear that
English would be the logical choice.
In Singapore, English is the National Language in a country with a mixture of races. Singapore is also a focal point for trade with the West in this
part of the world. English is taught as a language in our schools to reflect it's importance in our society. If this were not so, there is a good
likelihood that in time the strong influence of individual cultures here would result in people only being well versed in their mother tongues.
However Singapore being a former British Colony and the present education policy have seen to it that most Singaporeans are bi-lingual, that is
able to speak English as well as their mother tongues.
Another factor which has promoted the use of English as a medium of communication here in Singapore is the rather significant expatriate

community here. The process of globalization is not restricted to trade alone but also covers all aspects of our life. The important thing to
remember however is that we should not sacrifice or compromise on our unique cultural identity in order to keep up with the pace of
globalization.
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