1. Children learn best by observing the behavior of adults and copying it.

Do you agree or
disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

There is a famous saying in Malaysia known as Kepimpinan Melalui

Teladan which brings the meaning Leadership by Example. Leadership is the ability to
influence others in such a way that they will be inspired and motivated to accept and achieve the
Leader's decisions and goals as their own. For children, they considered their adults as their
leaders. They dont have second thoughts in following whatever their adults did and for them it
will be their way of life too. That is the main reason on why majority says that successful leaders
succeed by following a very narrow band of successful behaviors, while unsuccessful leaders fail
by engaging in a variegated group of unproductive, ill-founded, imprudent behaviors.
As adults, we should agree to the facts that the family as the first unit
with which children have a constant contact and the first context in which socialization patterns
develop. If they (children) were nurtured in a very positive way in terms of their attitude, their
interpersonal relationships within the family and even in the society will be very good and
encouraging. For instance, usually 75% of the studies says that, children who are raised by good
parents or adults who are responsible and dedicated, usually perform well in school. For
instance, children are influenced by their parents choice of dress, standards, manners, speech,
and educational inspiration.
We should always remember that the way children are cared for
in childhood influences their later relationships towards people outside their family. Its clearly
proven that adults plays one of the most crucial yet critical part in shaping up and influencing
children behavior in present and future. If the children are happy at home, for sure their
appearance, presence and behavior outside will be in good vibration. This is mainly because
usually the children doesnt knew to act or hide their feelings or emotion in front of others like
adults. So, they might replicate back their adults attitude in the public at the school or society. To
prove this, there is also studies shows that aggressive adults have experienced abuse growing up
which clearly shows that their childhood will definitely influence the way of their life in the
future. Parental abusive and offensive conduct results from poor problem solving techniques,
negative interpretations of a child behavior, poor impulse control, poor social skills, and poor
stress coping. Remember, if we as adults failed to be a good specimen for our children, they
might do the same mistake to their children in the future.

As a conclusion, we must admit and agree that when adults play a visible
and nurturing role in their childrens lives, the children will absolutely experience better
emotional and social outcomes and even more likely to have a stronger coping and adaptation
skills, be better to equipped to solve problems, have longer-lasting relationships, and have higher
work productivity.

(502 words)
2. What do schools need to do to prepare students for the 21st Century? Discuss your
opinions.

One of the biggest challenges for the teachers nowadays in the school is
facing and preparing students for the 21st century. For the sake or materializing this,
schools generally and teachers specifically need an innovative yet creative support
systems to help students master the multi-dimensional abilities required in the 21st
century and beyond.

Today students are very well exposed to visualize learning, rather than
old chalk and talk style of learning which will certainly expire very soon. For that, it is
very important for the schools to change and being more open-minded in drafting out
effective plan, assessments, curriculum, instruction, professional development and
learning environments so that the progress or students outcome will be on par with
students interest and previous knowledge.

Besides that, the importance should be given more to produce students

with very competent critical and creative thinking skills because it will help them to align
with essential skills for success in todays world, such as critical thinking, problem
solving, communication and collaboration.

Furthermore, mastering core subjects as Bahasa Malaysia, English,

reading or language arts, World languages, Arts, Mathematics, Economics, Science,
Geography, History, Government and Civics and 21st century themes is essential for all
students in the 21st century. Kurikulum Standard Sekolah Rendah (KSSR) was designed
in Malaysia specifically to arouse students attention and develop them towards achieving
the requirement of 21st century students.

Do mastering core subjects alone will be the key to prepare the futuristic
students? The answer is definitely NO because equally important for the schools and
teachers to promote and encourage understanding of academic content at much higher
levels by weaving 21st century interdisciplinary themes such as Global Awareness,
Financial, Economic, Business and Entrepreneurial Literacy, Civic Literacy, Health
Literacy as well as Environmental Literacy into core subjects. For instance, Global
Awareness theme could help the students to learn from and working collaboratively with
individuals representing diverse cultures, religions and lifestyles in a spirit of mutual
respect and open dialogue in personal, work and community contexts besides understand
and address global issues. At the same time, this theme also will help them to understand
better about other nations and cultures, including the use of non-mother tongue (Bahasa
Malaysia, Bahasa Cina and Bahasa Tamil) languages.

Next, Financial, Economic, Business and Entrepreneurial Literacy will

ensure them to experience how to make appropriate personal economic choices and
understanding the role of the economy in society. This will develop more broad thinking
students whereas they might have the chances to make use their learned entrepreneurial
skills to enhance workplace productivity and career options.

As our country are facing a lot of serious social problems recently, there
is a need for the students to understand their responsibility towards the nation at early
stage of their adulthood. For the sake of that, Civic Literacy theme will guide them to
participate effectively in civic life through knowing how to stay informed and
understanding governmental processes. They also will be able to exercise the rights and
responsibilities of citizenship at local, state, national and global levels. By learning
through this theme, they will easily understand the global implications of their civic
decisions.

Through Health Literacy, students will be able to obtain, interpreting

and understanding basic health information and services and using such information and
services in ways that enhance health. Moreover, they also have the chance to comprehend
preventive physical and mental health measures, including proper diet, nutrition, exercise,
risk avoidance and stress reduction whereas it will assist them to make appropriate
health-related decisions.

Finally, Environmental Literacy will promote students to demonstrate

knowledge and understanding of the environment and the circumstances and conditions
affecting it, particularly as relates to air, climate, land, food, energy, water and
ecosystems. Students need to know the societys impact on the natural world and survey
and analyze environmental issues, and make accurate conclusions about effective
solutions.

As a conclusion, we need to understand that to prepare 21st century

students, the schools should come up with a plan that emphasis more on students
participation and their own research on what they have to be learn rather than teacher
centered or dominancy. Teachers roles should be more like a tutor or guide rather giving
them all the informations without a chance for them to experience it themselves.

(707 words)
3. The destruction of the worlds forests is inevitable as our need for land and food grows.
Do you agree?

Undeniably, destruction or well known as deforestation for the sake of

land need and food grows is unavoidable for a number of reasons. As human populations
increase in tropical regions, people move away from the overcrowded cities into the
forest areas where they practice small-scale farming. Commercial agricultural projects
may require transformation of large plots of rainforest land and may cause more
permanent damage.

First of all we need to understand that deforestation is inevitable because

of the human population is growing at an unabated pace. The need for living space forced
this destruction happened. This situation also lead to situation to clear land for agriculture
is growing at the same pace. New mines and dams need to be built to satisfy the every
growing demand for resources. Same can be said for farmers who burn down forests and
jungles to clear land for farming. They cant afford fertilizer to farm the same space of
ground year in year out. After about 5 years their piece of land is infertile and they need
to clear more ground to farm again. These facts related with the need of food as well.
With the growing of populations around the world, there is a need for food resources as
well. Without destruction or deforestation it will be hard to accommodate the pupils need
for food and even living income for the farmers as they depend continuously to the
nature. It is essential either to increase the output of lands currently under cultivation, or
to increase the cultivated area. Quite often, however, the option of an increase in harvests
is difficult to achieve because of adverse natural conditions, or because it would require
costly inputs such as fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation; or because not enough labour
can be mobilized due to the competition of other occupations. In those cases, more land
must be cleared.

Deforestation also needed to ensure economy growth of a country which

help to promote more job opportunities as well as to avoid shortage of food supplies. For
instance, in our country, Malaysia, Our which supply over 80 per cent of the worlds palm
oil, deforest to create space for palm oil plantations. This help Malaysia to be No.1 palm
oil producer in the world and through that a lot of job opportunities given for farmers to
clear the land and earn living besides help to provide food supplies as most of the
household in this country using palm oil for daily cooking.

Moreover, as I mentioned earlier, accelerated growth in population has

resulted in the conversion of forest areas to non-forest lands for settlement,
urbanization and residential area expansion. Combined with this, road
construction for infrastructure development, contributes heavily to deforestation
especially in countries like Malaysia where new highways have been built by
clearing lands for the sake of reducing travelling time between various towns &
cities.

We should understand that deforestation also provides the materials for

various industries, such as logs for the logging industry and trees for the paper
industry. The forest products industry is a large part of the economy in both
developed and developing countries. Furthermore, cutting down trees provides
charcoal, a source of energy.

Finally, I need to stress out again that deforestation is definitely

unavoidable due to demands of our necessity of land and food.

(551 words)
 5. In your life experience, what is the best advice you have ever
received?

Life experience can be considered as our best teacher in the world. We

learn from our mistakes at the same time it will ensure that we dont repeat it
again which helped us to be a better person every day.

In my own experience, I had a lot of difficulties with short-tempered

attitude or also can be considered as my major weakness. When you are short
tempered you act without thinking and let your emotions get in the way which
ultimately will be your downfall. By being like this, I had experience a lot of
problems which lead me not having many friends and even cause my loved ones
walked away from my life or denied having a relationship with me.

I had tried a lot to overcome this problem by involved myself in activities

like meditation, sports, listening to music, and even spiritual, But nothing works
out as I easily gave up and hope for instant results. During this period, I met with
a person who introduced himself as Mr Saravanan at a meditation centre. He
worked as an engineer and at the same time being one of the meditation teacher at
the centre. Once he observed me closely by looking at my facial expressions, he
was able to identify my problems and ask me to stay back for a while after
meditation class. He asked me to tell my problem which lead to look very tired,
clumsy and very complicated. Then, I had told him my problems of having short-
tempered and its consequences. During that time he had given me some valuable
advices that really changes my life and transformed into a better person now.

First of all, he realized me the consequences of having a short tempered.

He told me that one of the greatest risks of a bad temper is an increased risk of a
heart attack. Those with constant anger and stress have been shown to trigger a
heart attack and, in the long term, it can lead to heart disease. This is due mainly
to the fact that anger and anxiety lead to high blood pressure in most people. And,
consistent high blood pressure is very dangerous to your heart health. Then he
also advised me those with bad tempers seem to be under increased stress
throughout much of their day. Developing ulcers can have adverse effects on your
overall health and day to day living. Bleeding ulcers can become very harmful
and can lead to other health problems. Co-incidentally, I was diagnosed with
peptic ulcer that time and I clearly understood that it might be the implications
from my short-tempered attitude.

Besides all this major health problems, he also and insist and stress out
that I might face other illness such as stomach problems, headache and even
depression. What lead to my transformation was when he pointed out this
consequences and even some ways to overcome this problems. His advice to think
twice when I am angry. He reminds me if I think in peace, everything will be
fine . He also insist that if someone cheats me, it was their problem, not mine. I
got the realization when he said if I try to be perfect , I dont need to be worry
about anything and if somebody loses me its their bad luck.

So, since then I determined that I should be and stay positive and just
laugh when I get angry on someone and it will certainly overcome my short
tempered problems. Guess what, it works for me and I am proud of myself now.

(595 words)
6. Why is community service important in todays world?

The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be

honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you
have lived and lived well. Ralph Waldo Emerson

This quotes really suits well for those asking the importance of
doing community service in today's world. Humanity in terms of doing
community service is essential to make sure to lightens the burdens of
under privileged community around us. Besides the opportunity of helping
others, there are other less known reasons too to emphasize this great
deeds among us.

First of all, community services helps us to reduce stress. Experts

report that when you focus on someone other than yourself, it interrupts
usual tension-producing patterns. Consequently, it will make us healthier
because moods and emotions, like optimism, joy, and control over one's
fate, strengthen the immune system.

Then, it saves resources because volunteering provides valuable

community services so more money can be spent on local improvements.
Moreover, volunteers gain professional experience which could lead us
can test out a career.

Next, It brings people together whereas as a volunteer you assist will

uniting people from diverse backgrounds to work toward a common goal
and build friendship and teamwork. Indirectly, community services also
will help to promotes personal growth and self-esteem as we able to
understand community needs which helps foster empathy and self-
efficacy.

Furthermore, by doing this services we could able to discover

hidden talents that may change your view on your self-worth. Through
working with local non-profit agencies, volunteers learn about the
functions and operation of our government and gain knowledge of local
resources available to solve community needs. Grow a professional
network of people you might connect with again later for jobs or
internships.

Then, community services also helps us in like to support

community resources that they use themselves or that benefit people they
care about. If you have trouble finding low-cost activities for your family
or you have children and want to teach them the importance of giving
back, doing community service is a fabulous way to spend quality time
with your loved ones. Your children will be actively engaged in a
worthwhile cause and you can discuss the impact that their contribution
will make afterward.

As a conclusion, in addition to the previously mentioned benefits

to doing community service, it gives you a nice break from the everyday
grind and gets you back in touch with your community, creativity and
passions. Getting involved and giving back to your community can only
enrich your life and the lives of others.

(511 words)
REFERENCES

Book References

Bernie Trilling & Charles Fadel (2012). 21st Century Skills: Learning for
Life in Our Time. United Kingdom: Jossey-Bass.

James Bellanca & Ron Brandt (2010). 21st Century Skills: Rethinking
How Students Learn. Solution Tree Publications.

Margy Whalley (2007). Involving Parents in their Children's Learning.

Washington, DC: SAGE Publications Ltd.

Sharon L. Spray (Ed.) & Matthew D. Moran (Ed.) (2006) Tropical

Deforestation (Exploring Environmental Challenges). Rowman &
Littlefield Publishers.

Newspaper Article Reference

Urban Growth, Farm Exports Drive Tropical Deforestation. (2010.

February 8) The Star

Online Articles & References

Chana Stiefel. What Your Child Learns By Imitating You. Retrieved from
The Parents website: http://www.parents.com/toddlers-
preschoolers/development/behavioral/learning-by-imitating-you/
Joan (2011). The Importance of Community Service. Retrieved from
Winning Futures website: http://www.winningfuturesbooks.org/blog/the-
importance-of-community-service/

Sarbelle & Warren, MI (2013). Why is Community Service important to

me? Retrieved from Teen Ink website:
http://www.teenink.com/hot_topics/community_service/article/260358/W
hy-is-Community-Service-important-to-me/

Wheeler and Connor (2009). The importance of parents in children's

learning. Retrieved from Family and Childcare Trust website:
http://www.daycaretrust.org.uk/pages/the-importance-of-parents-in-
childrens-learning.html