ALLAH KNOWS BEST
ALLAH knows what’s best for us
So why should we complain
We always want the sunshine
But He knows there must be rain
We always want the laughter
And the merriment of cheer
But our hearts will lose their tenderness
If we never shed a tear
ALLAH tests us often
With suffering and with sorrow
He tests us not to punish us
But to help us meet tomorrow
For growing trees are strengthened
If they withstand the storm
And the sharp cut of the chisel
Gave the marble grace and form
ALLAH tests us often
And for every pain He gives to us
Provided we’re patient
Is followed by rich gain
So Whenever we are down
And whenever we feel
That everything is going wrong
It is just ALLAH’s way
To make our spirit strong …
Thursday, September 16, 2010
THE PEARL : QUIZ - TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE
Quiz
1. Where is The Pearl set?
(A) Spain
(B) Mexico
(C) Cuba
(D) The United States
2. What stings Coyotito?
(A) A porcupine
(B) A hornet
(C) A scorpion
(D) A mosquito
3. With what does Kino offer to pay the doctor?
(A) Eight small pearls
(B) Five pieces of gold bullion
(C) Ten weeks of hard labor
(D) His canoe
4. How does Kino react when the doctor snubs him?
(A) He sulks
(B) He strikes the front gate with his fists, bloodying his knuckles
(C) He phones his lawyer
(D) He threatens the doctor with death
5. What does Juana use as a poultice for Coyotito's wound?
(A) Dry ice
(B) Peppermint
(C) Oatmeal
(D) Seaweed
6. How did Kino acquire his canoe?
(A) He built it
(B) He exchanged pearls for it
(C) He inherited it
(D) He stole it
7. For what does Juana pray when she in the canoe?
(A) A big pearl
(B) Rain
(C) Coyotito's health
(D) Sinners
8. Which of the following is not on the list of things Kino plans to buy with his newfound wealth?
(A) An education for Coyotito
(B) A sailboat
(C) A rifle
(D) A proper marriage in a church
9. How does the doctor treat Coyotito's scorpion wound?
(A) With a capsule filled with powder
(B) With a strange purple liquid
(C) By administering a shot
(D) By wrapping it in seaweed
10. Where does Kino hide the pearl during the night?
(A) In the doctor's safe
(B) In his sock
(C) Under the potted plant by the toolbox
(D) Beneath his sleeping mat
11. What is the name of the town where Kino first attempts to sell his pearl?
(A) Santa Lucia
(B) La Paz
(C) Cadaques
(D) Tegucigalpa
12. What is the best offer Kino gets for his pearl?
(A) 5,000 pesetas
(B) 1,000 pesos
(C) 1,500 pesos
(D) Twenty pounds sterling
13. What reason does the dealer give for not liking Kino's pearl?
(A) It is too large
(B) It smells funny
(C) It is actually made out of beeswax
(D) It is stolen
14. How does Kino decide to make money when he realizes that the local pearl dealers are lowballing him?
(A) By panhandling and singing for money
(B) By stockpiling all the pearls of La Paz
(C) By traveling to the capital to sell his pearl
(D) By filing a lawsuit against the dealers according to the Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890
15. What does Juana propose to do with the pearl?
(A) Have it set in a silver necklace that she can wear on formal occasions
(B) Throw it back into the sea
(C) Give it to Coyotito
(D) Sell it to the highest bidder as soon as possible
16. How does Kino react when Juana attempts to steal the pearl from him?
(A) He agrees with her that the pearl will only bring them evil
(B) He punches her in the head and then kicks her
(C) He leaves her for another woman
(D) He chases her down and persuades her to return the pearl to him
17. Why must Kino and his family flee from their neighborhood?
(A) Because Kino sets fire to a group of houses
(B) Because Kino steals a knife from his brother
(C) Because Kino makes advances on his brother's wife
(D) Because Kino kills a man
18. Where do Kino and Juana first take refuge after their house burns down?
(A) In a cave by the beach
(B) In their canoe
(C) At Juan Tomás's house
(D) In the forest
19. Where do Kino and Juana flee to escape the trackers?
(A) Down the river
(B) Up the mountain
(C) Through the vale
(D) To their underwater lair
20. What does Kino do to conceal himself from the trackers?
(A) He dons camouflage
(B) He strips naked
(C) He cuts his hair
(D) He grows a moustache
21. For what do the trackers mistake Coyotito's cry?
(A) A coyote's cry
(B) An owl's screech
(C) A cat's meow
(D) A bat's shriek
22. How does Kino rid himself of the trackers?
(A) He wrestles them into submission
(B) He outruns them
(C) He hides until they have lost his trail
(D) He kills them
23. How does Coyotito die?
(A) He falls off a cliff
(B) He is shot
(C) A scorpion poisons him
(D) He starves
24. What does Kino do with the pearl at the novella's end?
(A) He donates it to charity
(B) He sells it to the highest bidder
(C) He buries it in his brother's house
(D) He throws it back into the sea
25. What is the first pearl dealer's nervous habit?
(A) He manipulates a coin in his hands
(B) He twiddles his thumbs
(C) He taps his foot
(D) He chain-smokes
SOURCE : UNKNOWN
1. Where is The Pearl set?
(A) Spain
(B) Mexico
(C) Cuba
(D) The United States
2. What stings Coyotito?
(A) A porcupine
(B) A hornet
(C) A scorpion
(D) A mosquito
3. With what does Kino offer to pay the doctor?
(A) Eight small pearls
(B) Five pieces of gold bullion
(C) Ten weeks of hard labor
(D) His canoe
4. How does Kino react when the doctor snubs him?
(A) He sulks
(B) He strikes the front gate with his fists, bloodying his knuckles
(C) He phones his lawyer
(D) He threatens the doctor with death
5. What does Juana use as a poultice for Coyotito's wound?
(A) Dry ice
(B) Peppermint
(C) Oatmeal
(D) Seaweed
6. How did Kino acquire his canoe?
(A) He built it
(B) He exchanged pearls for it
(C) He inherited it
(D) He stole it
7. For what does Juana pray when she in the canoe?
(A) A big pearl
(B) Rain
(C) Coyotito's health
(D) Sinners
8. Which of the following is not on the list of things Kino plans to buy with his newfound wealth?
(A) An education for Coyotito
(B) A sailboat
(C) A rifle
(D) A proper marriage in a church
9. How does the doctor treat Coyotito's scorpion wound?
(A) With a capsule filled with powder
(B) With a strange purple liquid
(C) By administering a shot
(D) By wrapping it in seaweed
10. Where does Kino hide the pearl during the night?
(A) In the doctor's safe
(B) In his sock
(C) Under the potted plant by the toolbox
(D) Beneath his sleeping mat
11. What is the name of the town where Kino first attempts to sell his pearl?
(A) Santa Lucia
(B) La Paz
(C) Cadaques
(D) Tegucigalpa
12. What is the best offer Kino gets for his pearl?
(A) 5,000 pesetas
(B) 1,000 pesos
(C) 1,500 pesos
(D) Twenty pounds sterling
13. What reason does the dealer give for not liking Kino's pearl?
(A) It is too large
(B) It smells funny
(C) It is actually made out of beeswax
(D) It is stolen
14. How does Kino decide to make money when he realizes that the local pearl dealers are lowballing him?
(A) By panhandling and singing for money
(B) By stockpiling all the pearls of La Paz
(C) By traveling to the capital to sell his pearl
(D) By filing a lawsuit against the dealers according to the Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890
15. What does Juana propose to do with the pearl?
(A) Have it set in a silver necklace that she can wear on formal occasions
(B) Throw it back into the sea
(C) Give it to Coyotito
(D) Sell it to the highest bidder as soon as possible
16. How does Kino react when Juana attempts to steal the pearl from him?
(A) He agrees with her that the pearl will only bring them evil
(B) He punches her in the head and then kicks her
(C) He leaves her for another woman
(D) He chases her down and persuades her to return the pearl to him
17. Why must Kino and his family flee from their neighborhood?
(A) Because Kino sets fire to a group of houses
(B) Because Kino steals a knife from his brother
(C) Because Kino makes advances on his brother's wife
(D) Because Kino kills a man
18. Where do Kino and Juana first take refuge after their house burns down?
(A) In a cave by the beach
(B) In their canoe
(C) At Juan Tomás's house
(D) In the forest
19. Where do Kino and Juana flee to escape the trackers?
(A) Down the river
(B) Up the mountain
(C) Through the vale
(D) To their underwater lair
20. What does Kino do to conceal himself from the trackers?
(A) He dons camouflage
(B) He strips naked
(C) He cuts his hair
(D) He grows a moustache
21. For what do the trackers mistake Coyotito's cry?
(A) A coyote's cry
(B) An owl's screech
(C) A cat's meow
(D) A bat's shriek
22. How does Kino rid himself of the trackers?
(A) He wrestles them into submission
(B) He outruns them
(C) He hides until they have lost his trail
(D) He kills them
23. How does Coyotito die?
(A) He falls off a cliff
(B) He is shot
(C) A scorpion poisons him
(D) He starves
24. What does Kino do with the pearl at the novella's end?
(A) He donates it to charity
(B) He sells it to the highest bidder
(C) He buries it in his brother's house
(D) He throws it back into the sea
25. What is the first pearl dealer's nervous habit?
(A) He manipulates a coin in his hands
(B) He twiddles his thumbs
(C) He taps his foot
(D) He chain-smokes
SOURCE : UNKNOWN
The Pearl - Plot overview
Plot Overview
Kino, Juana, and their infant son, Coyotito, live in a modest brush house by the sea. One morning, calamity strikes when a scorpion bites Coyotito.
Hoping to protect their son, Kino and Juana rush him into town to the doctor.
When they arrive at the doctor's gate, they are turned away because they are poor natives who cannot pay him enough.
Later that same morning, Kino and Juana take their family canoe, an heirloom, out to the estuary to go diving for pearls.
Juana makes a poultice for Coyotito's wound, while Kino searches the sea bottom.
Juana's prayers for a large pearl are answered when Kino surfaces with the largest pearl either of them has ever seen. Kino lets out a triumphant yell at his good fortune, prompting the surrounding boats to circle in and examine the treasure.
In the afternoon, the whole neighborhood gathers at Kino's brush house to celebrate his find. Kino names a list of things that he will secure for his family with his newfound wealth. These include a church wedding, an education for his son__________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________
The neighbors marvel at Kino's boldness and wonder if he is foolish or wise to hold such ambitions.
Toward evening, the local priest visits Kino to bless him in his good fortune and to remind him of his place within the church.
Shortly thereafter, the doctor arrives, explaining that he was out in the morning but has come now to cure Coyotito. He administers a powdered capsule and promises to return in an hour.
In the intervening period, Coyotito grows violently ill, and Kino decides to bury the pearl under the floor in a corner of the brush house.
After the doctor returns, he feeds Coyotito a potion to quiet his spasms. When the doctor inquires about payment, Kino explains that soon he will sell his large pearl and inadvertently glances toward the corner where he has hidden the pearl. This mention of the pearl greatly intrigues the doctor, and Kino is left with an uneasy feeling.
Before going to bed, Kino reburies the pearl under a stone in his fire hole.
[1 st attempt]
That night, he is roused by an intruder digging around in the corner. A violent struggle ensues, and Kino's efforts to chase away the criminal leave him bloodied.
Terribly upset by this turn of events, Juana proposes that they abandon the pearl, which she considers an agent of evil.
The next morning, Kino and Juana make their way to town to sell the pearl. Juan Tomás, Kino's brother, advises Kino to be wary of cheats.
Indeed, all of the dealers conspire to bid low on the pearl. Kino indignantly refuses to accept their offers, resolving instead to take his pearl to the capital.
That evening, as Kino and Juana prepare to leave, Juan Tomás cautions Kino against being overly proud.
Juana repeats her wish to be rid of the pearl. Kino silences her, explaining that he is a man and will take care of things.
In the middle of the night, Juana steals away with the pearl. Kino wakes as she leaves and pursues her, apprehending her just as she is poised to throw the pearl into the sea.
He tackles her, takes the pearl back, and beats her violently, leaving her in a crumpled heap on the beach.
As he returns to the brush house, a group of hostile men confronts him and tries to take the pearl from him. He fights the men off, killing one and causing the rest to flee, but drops the pearl in the process.
As Juana ascends from the shore to the brush house, she finds the pearl lying in the path. Just beyond, she sees Kino on the ground, next to the dead man.
He bemoans the loss of the pearl, which she presents to him. Though Kino explains that he had no intention to kill, Juana insists that he will be labeled a murderer.
They resolve to flee at once. Kino rushes back to the shore to prepare the canoe, while Juana returns home to gather Coyotito and their belongings.
Kino arrives at the shore and finds his canoe destroyed by vandals.
When he climbs the hill, he sees a fire blazing, and realizes that his house has burned down.
Desperate to find refuge, Kino, Juana and Coyotito duck into Juan Tomás's house, where they hide out for the day.
Relieved that the three did not perish in the blaze, as the rest of the neighborhood believes, Juan Tomás and his wife, Apolonia, reluctantly agree to keep Kino and Juana's secret and provide shelter for them while pretending to be ignorant of their whereabouts.
At nightfall, Kino, Juana, and Coyotito set out for the capital. Skirting the town, they travel north until sunrise and then take covert shelter by the roadside.
They sleep for most of the day and are preparing to set out again when Kino discovers that three trackers are following them.
After hesitating briefly, Kino decides that they must hurry up the mountain, in hopes of eluding the trackers. A breathless ascent brings them to a water source, where they rest and take shelter in a nearby cave.
Kino attempts to mislead the trackers by creating a false trail up the mountain. Kino, Juana, and Coyotito then hide in the cave and wait for an opportunity to escape back down the mountain.
The trackers are slow in their pursuit and finally arrive at the watering hole at dusk. They make camp nearby, and two of the trackers sleep while the third stands watch.
Kino decides that he must attempt to attack them before the late moon rises. He strips naked to avoid being seen and sneaks up to striking distance.
Just as Kino prepares to attack, Coyotito lets out a cry, waking the sleepers. When one of them fires his rifle in the direction of the cry, Kino makes his move, killing the trackers in a violent fury.
In the aftermath, Kino slowly realizes that the rifle shot struck and killed his son in the cave.
The next day, Kino and Juana make their way back through town and the outlying brush houses.
Juana carries her dead son slung over her shoulder. They walk all the way to the sea, as onlookers watch in silent fascination.
At the shore, Kino pulls the pearl out of his clothing and takes one last, hard look at it. Then, with all his might, under a setting sun, he flings the pearl back into the sea.
Kino, Juana, and their infant son, Coyotito, live in a modest brush house by the sea. One morning, calamity strikes when a scorpion bites Coyotito.
Hoping to protect their son, Kino and Juana rush him into town to the doctor.
When they arrive at the doctor's gate, they are turned away because they are poor natives who cannot pay him enough.
Later that same morning, Kino and Juana take their family canoe, an heirloom, out to the estuary to go diving for pearls.
Juana makes a poultice for Coyotito's wound, while Kino searches the sea bottom.
Juana's prayers for a large pearl are answered when Kino surfaces with the largest pearl either of them has ever seen. Kino lets out a triumphant yell at his good fortune, prompting the surrounding boats to circle in and examine the treasure.
In the afternoon, the whole neighborhood gathers at Kino's brush house to celebrate his find. Kino names a list of things that he will secure for his family with his newfound wealth. These include a church wedding, an education for his son__________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________
The neighbors marvel at Kino's boldness and wonder if he is foolish or wise to hold such ambitions.
Toward evening, the local priest visits Kino to bless him in his good fortune and to remind him of his place within the church.
Shortly thereafter, the doctor arrives, explaining that he was out in the morning but has come now to cure Coyotito. He administers a powdered capsule and promises to return in an hour.
In the intervening period, Coyotito grows violently ill, and Kino decides to bury the pearl under the floor in a corner of the brush house.
After the doctor returns, he feeds Coyotito a potion to quiet his spasms. When the doctor inquires about payment, Kino explains that soon he will sell his large pearl and inadvertently glances toward the corner where he has hidden the pearl. This mention of the pearl greatly intrigues the doctor, and Kino is left with an uneasy feeling.
Before going to bed, Kino reburies the pearl under a stone in his fire hole.
[1 st attempt]
That night, he is roused by an intruder digging around in the corner. A violent struggle ensues, and Kino's efforts to chase away the criminal leave him bloodied.
Terribly upset by this turn of events, Juana proposes that they abandon the pearl, which she considers an agent of evil.
The next morning, Kino and Juana make their way to town to sell the pearl. Juan Tomás, Kino's brother, advises Kino to be wary of cheats.
Indeed, all of the dealers conspire to bid low on the pearl. Kino indignantly refuses to accept their offers, resolving instead to take his pearl to the capital.
That evening, as Kino and Juana prepare to leave, Juan Tomás cautions Kino against being overly proud.
Juana repeats her wish to be rid of the pearl. Kino silences her, explaining that he is a man and will take care of things.
In the middle of the night, Juana steals away with the pearl. Kino wakes as she leaves and pursues her, apprehending her just as she is poised to throw the pearl into the sea.
He tackles her, takes the pearl back, and beats her violently, leaving her in a crumpled heap on the beach.
As he returns to the brush house, a group of hostile men confronts him and tries to take the pearl from him. He fights the men off, killing one and causing the rest to flee, but drops the pearl in the process.
As Juana ascends from the shore to the brush house, she finds the pearl lying in the path. Just beyond, she sees Kino on the ground, next to the dead man.
He bemoans the loss of the pearl, which she presents to him. Though Kino explains that he had no intention to kill, Juana insists that he will be labeled a murderer.
They resolve to flee at once. Kino rushes back to the shore to prepare the canoe, while Juana returns home to gather Coyotito and their belongings.
Kino arrives at the shore and finds his canoe destroyed by vandals.
When he climbs the hill, he sees a fire blazing, and realizes that his house has burned down.
Desperate to find refuge, Kino, Juana and Coyotito duck into Juan Tomás's house, where they hide out for the day.
Relieved that the three did not perish in the blaze, as the rest of the neighborhood believes, Juan Tomás and his wife, Apolonia, reluctantly agree to keep Kino and Juana's secret and provide shelter for them while pretending to be ignorant of their whereabouts.
At nightfall, Kino, Juana, and Coyotito set out for the capital. Skirting the town, they travel north until sunrise and then take covert shelter by the roadside.
They sleep for most of the day and are preparing to set out again when Kino discovers that three trackers are following them.
After hesitating briefly, Kino decides that they must hurry up the mountain, in hopes of eluding the trackers. A breathless ascent brings them to a water source, where they rest and take shelter in a nearby cave.
Kino attempts to mislead the trackers by creating a false trail up the mountain. Kino, Juana, and Coyotito then hide in the cave and wait for an opportunity to escape back down the mountain.
The trackers are slow in their pursuit and finally arrive at the watering hole at dusk. They make camp nearby, and two of the trackers sleep while the third stands watch.
Kino decides that he must attempt to attack them before the late moon rises. He strips naked to avoid being seen and sneaks up to striking distance.
Just as Kino prepares to attack, Coyotito lets out a cry, waking the sleepers. When one of them fires his rifle in the direction of the cry, Kino makes his move, killing the trackers in a violent fury.
In the aftermath, Kino slowly realizes that the rifle shot struck and killed his son in the cave.
The next day, Kino and Juana make their way back through town and the outlying brush houses.
Juana carries her dead son slung over her shoulder. They walk all the way to the sea, as onlookers watch in silent fascination.
At the shore, Kino pulls the pearl out of his clothing and takes one last, hard look at it. Then, with all his might, under a setting sun, he flings the pearl back into the sea.
LETTER OF COMPLAINT BY toraipsi
Letter of Complaint: More Sample Essay and tips on elaboration of points
Your class is unhappy with your school canteen. As the monitor of your class, you have been asked to write to your principal, to complain about the following:
- food left uncovered
- attract many flies
- food served is stale
- food too expensive
- oily plates and cups
- rude workers
- workers not properly attired
- dustbins not cleared daily
- same menu daily
In your letter, you would also like to offer three suggestions from your classmates:
- stringent checks
- cheaper food
- serve a variety of food
When writing the letter, you should remember:
- to set out the letter correctly
- to include all the points given
- to write in paragraphs.
(35 marks)
Look at the model answer below to revise the format of a formal letter and see how the points are elaborated.
The Class Monitor,
Form 5 Amanah,
SMK Kayu Ara Pasong,
82010 Pontian,
Johore.
Encik Juhair bin Jumaat,
The Principal,
SMK Kayu Ara Pasong,
82010 Pontian,
Johore.
11 OCTOBER 2009
Dear Sir,
Unsatisfactory School Canteen
On behalf of the students of 5 Amanah, I would like to lodge a complaint about the school canteen.
2. First and foremost, the food served is not covered and many flies can be seen hovering over the food. This may lead to food poisoning. Moreover, the canteen also serves stale food. The ‘nasi lemak’ turns bad by the time the upper forms have their recess. Last week, a few of us had diarrhoea after consuming food from the canteen.
3. Apart from that, the food is also too expensive. A small plate of fried mee costs RM1.50 and many poor students cannot afford it. Besides that, the canteen serves the same menu daily. The students are bored with fried rice and fried mee every day.
4. Another complaint is that the cups and plates are oily and not washed properly. The workers are also not appropriately attired although they have been told to wear aprons and caps. Moreover, these workers are rude to students. They shout at us and use foul language whenever they get angry. They also do not clear the dustbins and rubbish daily. This is very unhygienic. As a result, there is a foul stench whenever we eat in the canteen.
5. Thus, we would like to suggest that the school authorities make stringent checks on the canteen daily or weekly. They should also ensure that the canteen serves a variety of food at a reasonable price.
We would like to appeal to your sense of fairness and hope prompt action will be taken regarding these matters.
Yours faithfully,
(NORLISSA BT DUSUKI)
5 Amanah
Note how the points given are arranged into paragraphs and elaborated where needed.
The last paragraph states the action you want taken.
To elaborate on a point, you may:
- give a reason
- state one effect/outcome
- give details
- explain further with facts or statistics
- give an opinion
Let’s look at some examples from the sample essay.
1. food left uncovered - attract many flies
First and foremost, the food served is left uncovered and many flies can be seen hovering over the food. This may lead to food poisoning.
Since the two points are connected, group them in one sentence. It is all right if you do not wish to use the exact words given but you must stick to the original meaning when writing. The underlined sentence are elaborated by stating one possible effect of the flies.
Remember that you only need to give a sentence or a phrase. Do not elaborate more than three or four lines. You will be wasting your time and effort.
2. same menu daily
Besides that, the canteen serves the same menu daily. The students are bored with fried rice and fried mee every day.
The phrase “same menu” is elaborated by giving a few examples.
Can you identify more examples of elaboration and the methods used?
Pay attention to the structures in the sample essay above.
Notice how the use of First and foremost, Moreover, Apart from that, Besides that, Another complaint is and so on. These are transitional words and phrases which help to make the essay flow smoothly and to lead the reader from one point to another.
You can use many other transitional words and phrases to make your essay more cohesive.
1. To add to what you have just said: also, similarly, furthermore, in addition, then, moreover, in other words, in the same way
2. To use a specific example to support what you have said: For example, especially, for instance, to illustrate, as an illustration, such as
3. To show sequence: First and foremost, first, The second advantage is, Next, Another reason is, Lastly, Finally
4. To indicate that you are about to contrast what has just been said: but, on the other hand, yet, nevertheless, on the contrary, however
5. To indicate a conclusion: In conclusion, consequently, thus, therefore, in summary, therefore, as a result
Posted by Toraipsi86um96 at 7:31 AM
Your class is unhappy with your school canteen. As the monitor of your class, you have been asked to write to your principal, to complain about the following:
- food left uncovered
- attract many flies
- food served is stale
- food too expensive
- oily plates and cups
- rude workers
- workers not properly attired
- dustbins not cleared daily
- same menu daily
In your letter, you would also like to offer three suggestions from your classmates:
- stringent checks
- cheaper food
- serve a variety of food
When writing the letter, you should remember:
- to set out the letter correctly
- to include all the points given
- to write in paragraphs.
(35 marks)
Look at the model answer below to revise the format of a formal letter and see how the points are elaborated.
The Class Monitor,
Form 5 Amanah,
SMK Kayu Ara Pasong,
82010 Pontian,
Johore.
Encik Juhair bin Jumaat,
The Principal,
SMK Kayu Ara Pasong,
82010 Pontian,
Johore.
11 OCTOBER 2009
Dear Sir,
Unsatisfactory School Canteen
On behalf of the students of 5 Amanah, I would like to lodge a complaint about the school canteen.
2. First and foremost, the food served is not covered and many flies can be seen hovering over the food. This may lead to food poisoning. Moreover, the canteen also serves stale food. The ‘nasi lemak’ turns bad by the time the upper forms have their recess. Last week, a few of us had diarrhoea after consuming food from the canteen.
3. Apart from that, the food is also too expensive. A small plate of fried mee costs RM1.50 and many poor students cannot afford it. Besides that, the canteen serves the same menu daily. The students are bored with fried rice and fried mee every day.
4. Another complaint is that the cups and plates are oily and not washed properly. The workers are also not appropriately attired although they have been told to wear aprons and caps. Moreover, these workers are rude to students. They shout at us and use foul language whenever they get angry. They also do not clear the dustbins and rubbish daily. This is very unhygienic. As a result, there is a foul stench whenever we eat in the canteen.
5. Thus, we would like to suggest that the school authorities make stringent checks on the canteen daily or weekly. They should also ensure that the canteen serves a variety of food at a reasonable price.
We would like to appeal to your sense of fairness and hope prompt action will be taken regarding these matters.
Yours faithfully,
(NORLISSA BT DUSUKI)
5 Amanah
Note how the points given are arranged into paragraphs and elaborated where needed.
The last paragraph states the action you want taken.
To elaborate on a point, you may:
- give a reason
- state one effect/outcome
- give details
- explain further with facts or statistics
- give an opinion
Let’s look at some examples from the sample essay.
1. food left uncovered - attract many flies
First and foremost, the food served is left uncovered and many flies can be seen hovering over the food. This may lead to food poisoning.
Since the two points are connected, group them in one sentence. It is all right if you do not wish to use the exact words given but you must stick to the original meaning when writing. The underlined sentence are elaborated by stating one possible effect of the flies.
Remember that you only need to give a sentence or a phrase. Do not elaborate more than three or four lines. You will be wasting your time and effort.
2. same menu daily
Besides that, the canteen serves the same menu daily. The students are bored with fried rice and fried mee every day.
The phrase “same menu” is elaborated by giving a few examples.
Can you identify more examples of elaboration and the methods used?
Pay attention to the structures in the sample essay above.
Notice how the use of First and foremost, Moreover, Apart from that, Besides that, Another complaint is and so on. These are transitional words and phrases which help to make the essay flow smoothly and to lead the reader from one point to another.
You can use many other transitional words and phrases to make your essay more cohesive.
1. To add to what you have just said: also, similarly, furthermore, in addition, then, moreover, in other words, in the same way
2. To use a specific example to support what you have said: For example, especially, for instance, to illustrate, as an illustration, such as
3. To show sequence: First and foremost, first, The second advantage is, Next, Another reason is, Lastly, Finally
4. To indicate that you are about to contrast what has just been said: but, on the other hand, yet, nevertheless, on the contrary, however
5. To indicate a conclusion: In conclusion, consequently, thus, therefore, in summary, therefore, as a result
Posted by Toraipsi86um96 at 7:31 AM
The Pearl : In life , a person sometimes faces problems, how is this shown in the text you have read?
‘In life a person sometimes faces problems.’
How is this shown in the novel you have read? Support your answer with close reference to the text.
To answer the above question you need to ask yourself the following questions:
* Who is the character who faces problems?
* What are these problems?
* How many points must I provide?
The answer to the last question is relative. Due to time constraints, I suggest you provide at least three to five points.
Kino, the main character in the novel The Pearl by John Steinbeck, is initially a contented man despite living in extreme poverty. He is satisfied with life although he is only a poor pearl diver whose only material possessions are a canoe and a brush house. He is not concerned about his lack of material comforts. Life is difficult but he is happy. However, all this changes very soon and he is plagued with problems.
The first problem Kino faces is lack of money. This problem surfaces when his only son Coyotito is stung by a scorpion. Desperate to save the life of his child, he goes to the doctor’s house to seek treatment. Unfortunately, he is denied treatment simply because he has no money to pay the doctor. Until this moment, his poverty, or rather lack of money has not been a problem. Now, he realises that he needs money to save his child. This is when he goes pearl diving because he does not want to take chances with his son’s life. Luckily, he finds a big pearl and he believes he will be able to solve his problem by selling the pearl. Unfortunately, things do not get better for him. Instead other problems crop up.
The second problem Kino faces is insincerity on the part of people around him. People who were disinterested in his life suddenly turn up at his doorstep. The priest, who has never been concerned about Kino or his family, now hopes that Kino will donate money to the church. Likewise, the doctor who had turned him away now comes to the settlement on the pretext of treating the baby. He deliberately poisons the baby and then gives him an antidote just to gain Kino’s confidence. Kino, who had no worries before, is now suspicious of the people around him. He is unsure of who he can trust. He even becomes suspicious of Juana who steals the pearl one night because she wants to get rid of the evil it has brought.
Another problem is Kino’s and his family’s safety. He is attacked not once but thrice by unknown people who are out to steal the pearl from him. During the first two attacks he suffers slight injuries but in the third attack he accidentally kills a man.
This leads to even bigger problems because he has no choice but to flee the village as no one will believe him that he killed the man in self defence.
More problems surface when his brush house is burnt by people searching for the pearl. He knows that whoever is after him will not leave his family alone. Worse still, his precious canoe is damaged to prevent him from escaping by sea. He is left with no choice but to flee the village.
Unfortunately, Kino faces more problems when he flees the village. Even as he is fleeing, he is pursued by three trackers, two on foot and one on horseback. Kino has to go to extreme lengths to cover his tracks to ensure his family’s safety. He knows that the trackers will not spare his family even if they find the pearl. Kino knows that he has no choice but to kill his trackers to safeguard his family. He takes a great risk by singlehandedly taking on his pursuers using only a knife as a weapon. Unfortunately, during the struggle with the three attackers, a bullet is accidentally fired from the rifle killing his beloved son. With the death of his son, Kino has nothing to look forward to. Finally, he returns to his village unafraid of the consequences.
It is clear from the evidence above that Kino faces many problems, with each problem getting worse than the one before it. Eventually, these problems have a terrible effect on him.
Posted by Toraipsi86um96 at 3:35 PM
Labels: The Pearl
How is this shown in the novel you have read? Support your answer with close reference to the text.
To answer the above question you need to ask yourself the following questions:
* Who is the character who faces problems?
* What are these problems?
* How many points must I provide?
The answer to the last question is relative. Due to time constraints, I suggest you provide at least three to five points.
Kino, the main character in the novel The Pearl by John Steinbeck, is initially a contented man despite living in extreme poverty. He is satisfied with life although he is only a poor pearl diver whose only material possessions are a canoe and a brush house. He is not concerned about his lack of material comforts. Life is difficult but he is happy. However, all this changes very soon and he is plagued with problems.
The first problem Kino faces is lack of money. This problem surfaces when his only son Coyotito is stung by a scorpion. Desperate to save the life of his child, he goes to the doctor’s house to seek treatment. Unfortunately, he is denied treatment simply because he has no money to pay the doctor. Until this moment, his poverty, or rather lack of money has not been a problem. Now, he realises that he needs money to save his child. This is when he goes pearl diving because he does not want to take chances with his son’s life. Luckily, he finds a big pearl and he believes he will be able to solve his problem by selling the pearl. Unfortunately, things do not get better for him. Instead other problems crop up.
The second problem Kino faces is insincerity on the part of people around him. People who were disinterested in his life suddenly turn up at his doorstep. The priest, who has never been concerned about Kino or his family, now hopes that Kino will donate money to the church. Likewise, the doctor who had turned him away now comes to the settlement on the pretext of treating the baby. He deliberately poisons the baby and then gives him an antidote just to gain Kino’s confidence. Kino, who had no worries before, is now suspicious of the people around him. He is unsure of who he can trust. He even becomes suspicious of Juana who steals the pearl one night because she wants to get rid of the evil it has brought.
Another problem is Kino’s and his family’s safety. He is attacked not once but thrice by unknown people who are out to steal the pearl from him. During the first two attacks he suffers slight injuries but in the third attack he accidentally kills a man.
This leads to even bigger problems because he has no choice but to flee the village as no one will believe him that he killed the man in self defence.
More problems surface when his brush house is burnt by people searching for the pearl. He knows that whoever is after him will not leave his family alone. Worse still, his precious canoe is damaged to prevent him from escaping by sea. He is left with no choice but to flee the village.
Unfortunately, Kino faces more problems when he flees the village. Even as he is fleeing, he is pursued by three trackers, two on foot and one on horseback. Kino has to go to extreme lengths to cover his tracks to ensure his family’s safety. He knows that the trackers will not spare his family even if they find the pearl. Kino knows that he has no choice but to kill his trackers to safeguard his family. He takes a great risk by singlehandedly taking on his pursuers using only a knife as a weapon. Unfortunately, during the struggle with the three attackers, a bullet is accidentally fired from the rifle killing his beloved son. With the death of his son, Kino has nothing to look forward to. Finally, he returns to his village unafraid of the consequences.
It is clear from the evidence above that Kino faces many problems, with each problem getting worse than the one before it. Eventually, these problems have a terrible effect on him.
Posted by Toraipsi86um96 at 3:35 PM
Labels: The Pearl
The Pearl - SAMPLE ANSWER Q.34 PAPER 2 ENG 1119
NOVEL – THE PEARL
WHICH NOVEL WOULD YOU RECOMMEND YOUR FRIEND TO READ AND WHY.
WHICH NOVEL DO YOU FIND INTERESTING. GIVE REASONS WHY YOU THINK IT IS INTERESTING.
“The Pearl” is a novel that everyone should read because it is very interesting and teaches some valuable lessons about life.
“The Pearl” tells the story of Kino, his wife, Juana and their son, Coyotito . Kino is a poor Mexican-Indian fisherman who lives near the town of La Paz .The story tells of what happens to Kino and his family before and after they find a large pearl. The poor family hopes to have a better life after they find the pearl. But their hope is lost by the greed and unkind behaviour of other human beings. As a result the pearl only brings loss of property, death and sadness.
The novel is both easy and interesting to read. The language is also not very difficult. The story also offers a lot of important messages that we can learn. We learn about human nature as demonstrated through the actions of Kino and his family as well as the doctor, the pearl buyers and the priest. We also learn to appreciate the happiness that we have in our lives.
WRITE ABOUT A LESSON ABOUT LIFE YOU HAVE LEARNED FROM THE NOVEL
The thing I like most about the novel is the message or theme it conveys. These have helped me learn some valuable lessons about life.
The novel helps me understand many important things about human behaviour. Kino and Juana are poor people but they never think of cheating anyone to get a better life. The place all the hope on finding a large pearl that would make them rich. In the search for a better life they do not consider the matter of happiness. They assume that when they are rich they will still be happy.
The novel also shows me how sometimes people who are already rich keep wanting more wealth. This is demonstrated by the behaviour of the doctor and the pearl buyers who try to cheat Kino. They are very greedy.
The story teaches me that happiness does not always come from wealth. Kino and his family are poor but happy before they find the pearl. The pearl that they thought would bring happiness only brings sorrow. The story also shows how human beings can be greedy and cruel to the extent that they are willing to kill. I think I have learned a lot from the messages and themes in this story.
CHARACTERS
WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE CHARACTER IN THIS NOVEL.
My favourite character in the novel “the Pearl” is Kino. Kino is also one of the major characters in the novel.
Kino is a poor Mexican –Indian fisherman. He is young and strong. He is also a very sensitive and emotional person. This is shown by the fact that everything he sees does or feels is represented by a song in his mind. He lives in a small brush house with his wife, Juana and son, Coyotito. His main hope is to find a pearl that would make them rich one day. The novel shows the hardship the family encounters day to day.
I like this character because he is presented as a complete character. He is strong but sensitive, and he displays the emotions of a real human being. Kino is a good husband, father and brother. On many occasions, he fights off attackers who wish to harm him and his family in order to steal their pearl. His anger is also shown when the greedy doctor refuses to treat his child for the scorpion bite. He also shows that he is a responsible husband and father by working very hard to take care for the family.
I like this character very much and feel sad that he and his family do not get a better life in the end.
JUANA
Juana is a good wife to Kino . She looks after the needs of the family and takes good care of their child, Coyotito. The novel shows that she can bear physical hardship even better than Kino.
She is described as being “like a strong man” and she hardly cries when she is beaten by Kino for throwing away the pearl. She is always there to help her husband. Sometimes, she also makes important decisions at moments of hardship.
When Coyotito is stung by the scorpion, she decides that they should go to the doctor’s house.
On occasions, when Kino is overcome by indecision or emotions, she takes control and decides what they should do. This is noticeable when Kino kills an attacker in the dark and when they spot the people tracking them.
Juana faces many instances of hardship in the novel. However, she always tackles hardship with inner strength, courage, calmness and dignity.
CHOOSE A CHARACTER WHOM YOU THINK IS BRAVE IN THE NOVEL YOU HAVE STUDIED . GIVE REASONS FOR YOUR CHOICE.
The Pearl presents many examples of the courage and bravery of poor people. The character who demonstrates a lot of bravery in this novel is Juana.
Juana’s courage and bravery is not demonstrated in her physical ability alone. She is brave in many ways and for many reasons. Juana is strong both physically and mentally. She is brave in her ability to make important decisions when her husband cannot.; When Coyotito is ill form the scorpion bite, she makes the important decision to take him to the doctor’s house. When the family encounters the trackers following them, she tells Kino that they should not split up. She is also prepared to take matters into her own hands when necessary.
When she feels that the pearl is evil and only brings hardship to the family, she attempts to throw it back to the sea. Even when Kino beats her up for this act, she does not cry. She is also brave in following her husband into the night in their attempt to get away from the trackers. Even in the end, when her son is killed, she stands by her husband’s side.
Juana’s characteristics described here show that she is indeed a brave and courageous woman. She is brave in facing up to both physical and emotional hardship.
DESCRIBE A CHARACTER THAT YOU DISLIKE. / a character who is unkind.
The novel “The Pearl” contains many characters. Some of these aracters like Kino, Juana and Juan Thomas are positive while others like the doctor, the buyers and the priest are negative. The character I dislike most in this novel is the doctor.
The doctor lives in the town of La Paz. He is rich and is only interested in providing service to people who can pay for his service. He lives in a big and luxurious house. From the very first introduction, the doctor comes across a proud, self-centred and cold-hearted man.
When Kino brings the scorpion-bitten Coyotito to him for treatment, the doctor turns him and the child away because Kino does not have money to pay him. The incident is even more disgusting because he does not have the courage to tell that to Kino himself. He asks his servant to do the job for him.
He also shows himself to be a hypocrite and a pretender. When he finds out about Kino’s pearl, he goes to Kino’s house pretending that he is very concerned about Coyotito’s health. He also makes Coyotito sick by giving him some medication . He then returns and cures Coyotito when the child’s condition worsens.
I dislike this character because a doctor is supposed to always help people but this doctor is only interested in money and himself.
THEMES
WEALTH DOES NOT ALWAYS ASSURE HAPPINESS./ HAPPINESS DOES NOT ALWAYS COME FROM WEALTH.
Kino discovers a large pearl which he thought would make him rich. But this is not true. The pearl only brings him hardship and sorrow. He becomes the prey of many people; the doctor, the priest, the pearl buyers, cheats and thieves. In the end Kino loses his only son who is killed by a tracker. He and Juana are in despair because it was for the son that they sought a better life. Finally, Kino and Juana throw the pearl back into the sea.
Kino and his family are poor but happy before they find the pearl. The pearl that they thought would bring happiness only brings sorrow.
GREED
Kino’s son , Coyotito is bitten by a scorpion but he is refused treatment by a greedy doctor. This shows the reader how uncivilized and greedy some rich people can become. But when he finds out about Kino’s pearl, he quickly goes to Kino’s house pretending that he is very concerned about Coyotito’s health.
In this novel , the people who are already rich keep wanting more wealth. This is demonstrated by the behaviour of the doctor and the pearl buyers who try to cheat Kino.
The attackers and trackers attempt to steal the pearl from Kino. The pearl buyers plan to cheat Kino into selling the pearl at a very low price.
HOPE
The Pearl tells us the story of the hopes and aspirations of a poor fisherman and his family. To Kino’s family, the pearl represents hope for a better future. But Kino and his family make the mistake of placing all their hopes on a single object. This object if stolen or lost would mean that their hopes would be lost as well.
The poor family hopes to have a better life after they find the pearl. Kino hopes to get married in a church, buy new clothes for the family, get a rifle and a harpoon and send Coyotito to school. But his hope is lost by the greed and unkind behaviour of other human beings. As a result the pearl only brings loss of property, death and sadness.
When Kino finds the pearl, everyone hopes for something from it. To the priest, it means help for his church. His attitude towards Kino and the Indians shows that he really looks down on them yet he is willing to go to them when he wants money.
The doctor’s attitude towards the pearl shows greed and hypocrisy. The news about Kino finding the pearl immediately changes the doctor’s attitude to him. He sees himself in Paris, sitting in a restaurant waiting for a waiter to serve him wine.
The pearl buyers hope to buy the pearl cheaply. The shopkeepers think of the goods that have not sold well. The villagers hope that Kino’s wealth will indirectly change their lives for the better.
OPPRESSIONS OF THE POOR
The doctor and the priest are people who are supposed to always help the poor and helpless but this novel shows us even these people are oppressing the poor people. The rich people in the town always treat the poor people badly. The doctor refuses to treat Coyotito fo a scorpion bite because Kino had no money to pay for the treatment.
When Kino tries to sell the pearl, the buyers conspire and offer to buy the pearl at a very low price.
VIOLENCE
Violence comes as a result of the various attempts to steal the pearl from Kino. It begins with a simple attempt in the brush hut and Kino hurting the attacker. It ends with Kino killing the three trackers. As men’s greed grows, so does the violence. Kino also attacks Juana, his loving wife ,when she tries to get rid of the pearl.
LOVE FOR THE FAMILY
Juana loves her family very much. This is shown by the way she reacts when Coyotito is bitten by the scorpion. She makes the decision to take him to the doctor’s house for treatment.
She does not really care about the pearl. Her interest is more for the safety of her husband and son. When she finds that the pearl causes the family hardship, she decides to throw it into the sea.
When the family is running away from the trackers, Kino suggests that they split up so that he can lead the trackers away from his wife and son but Juana refuses. Her actions can be seen as her wish to keep the family together.
At the end of the novel, though Juana feels regret for what has happened to Coyotito who is killed by a tracker, she still stands by her husband.
Juana’s actions throughout the novel demonstrate love for her family. These prove that the family is the love of her life.
Juan Tomas and Kino have a strong bond. Juan Tomas is Kino’s only supporter and friend. The family bond is extended to include Apolonia and Juan Tomas’s four children. When Kino is in trouble, Juan Tomas and his whole family are there to offer their help and support.
SACRIFICE
Juana is willing to throw the pearl into the sea in order to bring peace back to her home and keep her family safe.
Kino offers to lead the trackers away to that Juana and Coyotito will be safe.
Finally Kino throws away the pearl (and his dreams ) in the end in order to become once again the kind and simple man he was in the beginning.
APPEARANCE VERSUS REALITY
The pearl usually represents everything that is good and pure but in this story, it represents the worst of human greed. Kino believes selling the pearl will make his dreams come true. However , he finds that it becomes an evil thing as people try to steal it from him. He is forced to commit the worst evil of all, that is, killing other men. His son, Coyotito, is also killed as a result. In the end, the pearl which seems to represent wealth is a source of evil. And Kino realizes that it is not as important as the real jewels – his happy family and his simple life.
SYNOPSIS
The novel tells the story of Kino and his family. Kino is a poor Mexican-Indian fisherman who lives near the town of La Paz. The family’s poverty causes them a lot of hardship. This is demonstrated when his son, Coyotito is refused treatment by a greedy doctor because Kino does not have money to pay for it.
When Kino finds a large pearl, he thought that all his troubles would be over. Unfortunately, this is not true. He and his family face many more hardship because of the pearl.
The pearl only brings him hardship and sorrow. He becomes the prey of many people; the doctor, the priest, the pearl buyers, cheats and thieves. Many people try to steal the pearl from him. They even burn down the family’s house. Kino accidentally kills a thief in one of the fights. The family fear persecution and decide to run away from the village. In the mean time they hide in Juan Thomas’ house. He leads the villagers to believe that Kino and his family are dead.
In the end Kino loses his only son who is killed by a tracker. He and Juana are in despair because it was for the son that they sought a better life. Finally, Kino and Juana throw the pearl back into the sea.
WHICH NOVEL WOULD YOU RECOMMEND YOUR FRIEND TO READ AND WHY.
WHICH NOVEL DO YOU FIND INTERESTING. GIVE REASONS WHY YOU THINK IT IS INTERESTING.
“The Pearl” is a novel that everyone should read because it is very interesting and teaches some valuable lessons about life.
“The Pearl” tells the story of Kino, his wife, Juana and their son, Coyotito . Kino is a poor Mexican-Indian fisherman who lives near the town of La Paz .The story tells of what happens to Kino and his family before and after they find a large pearl. The poor family hopes to have a better life after they find the pearl. But their hope is lost by the greed and unkind behaviour of other human beings. As a result the pearl only brings loss of property, death and sadness.
The novel is both easy and interesting to read. The language is also not very difficult. The story also offers a lot of important messages that we can learn. We learn about human nature as demonstrated through the actions of Kino and his family as well as the doctor, the pearl buyers and the priest. We also learn to appreciate the happiness that we have in our lives.
WRITE ABOUT A LESSON ABOUT LIFE YOU HAVE LEARNED FROM THE NOVEL
The thing I like most about the novel is the message or theme it conveys. These have helped me learn some valuable lessons about life.
The novel helps me understand many important things about human behaviour. Kino and Juana are poor people but they never think of cheating anyone to get a better life. The place all the hope on finding a large pearl that would make them rich. In the search for a better life they do not consider the matter of happiness. They assume that when they are rich they will still be happy.
The novel also shows me how sometimes people who are already rich keep wanting more wealth. This is demonstrated by the behaviour of the doctor and the pearl buyers who try to cheat Kino. They are very greedy.
The story teaches me that happiness does not always come from wealth. Kino and his family are poor but happy before they find the pearl. The pearl that they thought would bring happiness only brings sorrow. The story also shows how human beings can be greedy and cruel to the extent that they are willing to kill. I think I have learned a lot from the messages and themes in this story.
CHARACTERS
WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE CHARACTER IN THIS NOVEL.
My favourite character in the novel “the Pearl” is Kino. Kino is also one of the major characters in the novel.
Kino is a poor Mexican –Indian fisherman. He is young and strong. He is also a very sensitive and emotional person. This is shown by the fact that everything he sees does or feels is represented by a song in his mind. He lives in a small brush house with his wife, Juana and son, Coyotito. His main hope is to find a pearl that would make them rich one day. The novel shows the hardship the family encounters day to day.
I like this character because he is presented as a complete character. He is strong but sensitive, and he displays the emotions of a real human being. Kino is a good husband, father and brother. On many occasions, he fights off attackers who wish to harm him and his family in order to steal their pearl. His anger is also shown when the greedy doctor refuses to treat his child for the scorpion bite. He also shows that he is a responsible husband and father by working very hard to take care for the family.
I like this character very much and feel sad that he and his family do not get a better life in the end.
JUANA
Juana is a good wife to Kino . She looks after the needs of the family and takes good care of their child, Coyotito. The novel shows that she can bear physical hardship even better than Kino.
She is described as being “like a strong man” and she hardly cries when she is beaten by Kino for throwing away the pearl. She is always there to help her husband. Sometimes, she also makes important decisions at moments of hardship.
When Coyotito is stung by the scorpion, she decides that they should go to the doctor’s house.
On occasions, when Kino is overcome by indecision or emotions, she takes control and decides what they should do. This is noticeable when Kino kills an attacker in the dark and when they spot the people tracking them.
Juana faces many instances of hardship in the novel. However, she always tackles hardship with inner strength, courage, calmness and dignity.
CHOOSE A CHARACTER WHOM YOU THINK IS BRAVE IN THE NOVEL YOU HAVE STUDIED . GIVE REASONS FOR YOUR CHOICE.
The Pearl presents many examples of the courage and bravery of poor people. The character who demonstrates a lot of bravery in this novel is Juana.
Juana’s courage and bravery is not demonstrated in her physical ability alone. She is brave in many ways and for many reasons. Juana is strong both physically and mentally. She is brave in her ability to make important decisions when her husband cannot.; When Coyotito is ill form the scorpion bite, she makes the important decision to take him to the doctor’s house. When the family encounters the trackers following them, she tells Kino that they should not split up. She is also prepared to take matters into her own hands when necessary.
When she feels that the pearl is evil and only brings hardship to the family, she attempts to throw it back to the sea. Even when Kino beats her up for this act, she does not cry. She is also brave in following her husband into the night in their attempt to get away from the trackers. Even in the end, when her son is killed, she stands by her husband’s side.
Juana’s characteristics described here show that she is indeed a brave and courageous woman. She is brave in facing up to both physical and emotional hardship.
DESCRIBE A CHARACTER THAT YOU DISLIKE. / a character who is unkind.
The novel “The Pearl” contains many characters. Some of these aracters like Kino, Juana and Juan Thomas are positive while others like the doctor, the buyers and the priest are negative. The character I dislike most in this novel is the doctor.
The doctor lives in the town of La Paz. He is rich and is only interested in providing service to people who can pay for his service. He lives in a big and luxurious house. From the very first introduction, the doctor comes across a proud, self-centred and cold-hearted man.
When Kino brings the scorpion-bitten Coyotito to him for treatment, the doctor turns him and the child away because Kino does not have money to pay him. The incident is even more disgusting because he does not have the courage to tell that to Kino himself. He asks his servant to do the job for him.
He also shows himself to be a hypocrite and a pretender. When he finds out about Kino’s pearl, he goes to Kino’s house pretending that he is very concerned about Coyotito’s health. He also makes Coyotito sick by giving him some medication . He then returns and cures Coyotito when the child’s condition worsens.
I dislike this character because a doctor is supposed to always help people but this doctor is only interested in money and himself.
THEMES
WEALTH DOES NOT ALWAYS ASSURE HAPPINESS./ HAPPINESS DOES NOT ALWAYS COME FROM WEALTH.
Kino discovers a large pearl which he thought would make him rich. But this is not true. The pearl only brings him hardship and sorrow. He becomes the prey of many people; the doctor, the priest, the pearl buyers, cheats and thieves. In the end Kino loses his only son who is killed by a tracker. He and Juana are in despair because it was for the son that they sought a better life. Finally, Kino and Juana throw the pearl back into the sea.
Kino and his family are poor but happy before they find the pearl. The pearl that they thought would bring happiness only brings sorrow.
GREED
Kino’s son , Coyotito is bitten by a scorpion but he is refused treatment by a greedy doctor. This shows the reader how uncivilized and greedy some rich people can become. But when he finds out about Kino’s pearl, he quickly goes to Kino’s house pretending that he is very concerned about Coyotito’s health.
In this novel , the people who are already rich keep wanting more wealth. This is demonstrated by the behaviour of the doctor and the pearl buyers who try to cheat Kino.
The attackers and trackers attempt to steal the pearl from Kino. The pearl buyers plan to cheat Kino into selling the pearl at a very low price.
HOPE
The Pearl tells us the story of the hopes and aspirations of a poor fisherman and his family. To Kino’s family, the pearl represents hope for a better future. But Kino and his family make the mistake of placing all their hopes on a single object. This object if stolen or lost would mean that their hopes would be lost as well.
The poor family hopes to have a better life after they find the pearl. Kino hopes to get married in a church, buy new clothes for the family, get a rifle and a harpoon and send Coyotito to school. But his hope is lost by the greed and unkind behaviour of other human beings. As a result the pearl only brings loss of property, death and sadness.
When Kino finds the pearl, everyone hopes for something from it. To the priest, it means help for his church. His attitude towards Kino and the Indians shows that he really looks down on them yet he is willing to go to them when he wants money.
The doctor’s attitude towards the pearl shows greed and hypocrisy. The news about Kino finding the pearl immediately changes the doctor’s attitude to him. He sees himself in Paris, sitting in a restaurant waiting for a waiter to serve him wine.
The pearl buyers hope to buy the pearl cheaply. The shopkeepers think of the goods that have not sold well. The villagers hope that Kino’s wealth will indirectly change their lives for the better.
OPPRESSIONS OF THE POOR
The doctor and the priest are people who are supposed to always help the poor and helpless but this novel shows us even these people are oppressing the poor people. The rich people in the town always treat the poor people badly. The doctor refuses to treat Coyotito fo a scorpion bite because Kino had no money to pay for the treatment.
When Kino tries to sell the pearl, the buyers conspire and offer to buy the pearl at a very low price.
VIOLENCE
Violence comes as a result of the various attempts to steal the pearl from Kino. It begins with a simple attempt in the brush hut and Kino hurting the attacker. It ends with Kino killing the three trackers. As men’s greed grows, so does the violence. Kino also attacks Juana, his loving wife ,when she tries to get rid of the pearl.
LOVE FOR THE FAMILY
Juana loves her family very much. This is shown by the way she reacts when Coyotito is bitten by the scorpion. She makes the decision to take him to the doctor’s house for treatment.
She does not really care about the pearl. Her interest is more for the safety of her husband and son. When she finds that the pearl causes the family hardship, she decides to throw it into the sea.
When the family is running away from the trackers, Kino suggests that they split up so that he can lead the trackers away from his wife and son but Juana refuses. Her actions can be seen as her wish to keep the family together.
At the end of the novel, though Juana feels regret for what has happened to Coyotito who is killed by a tracker, she still stands by her husband.
Juana’s actions throughout the novel demonstrate love for her family. These prove that the family is the love of her life.
Juan Tomas and Kino have a strong bond. Juan Tomas is Kino’s only supporter and friend. The family bond is extended to include Apolonia and Juan Tomas’s four children. When Kino is in trouble, Juan Tomas and his whole family are there to offer their help and support.
SACRIFICE
Juana is willing to throw the pearl into the sea in order to bring peace back to her home and keep her family safe.
Kino offers to lead the trackers away to that Juana and Coyotito will be safe.
Finally Kino throws away the pearl (and his dreams ) in the end in order to become once again the kind and simple man he was in the beginning.
APPEARANCE VERSUS REALITY
The pearl usually represents everything that is good and pure but in this story, it represents the worst of human greed. Kino believes selling the pearl will make his dreams come true. However , he finds that it becomes an evil thing as people try to steal it from him. He is forced to commit the worst evil of all, that is, killing other men. His son, Coyotito, is also killed as a result. In the end, the pearl which seems to represent wealth is a source of evil. And Kino realizes that it is not as important as the real jewels – his happy family and his simple life.
SYNOPSIS
The novel tells the story of Kino and his family. Kino is a poor Mexican-Indian fisherman who lives near the town of La Paz. The family’s poverty causes them a lot of hardship. This is demonstrated when his son, Coyotito is refused treatment by a greedy doctor because Kino does not have money to pay for it.
When Kino finds a large pearl, he thought that all his troubles would be over. Unfortunately, this is not true. He and his family face many more hardship because of the pearl.
The pearl only brings him hardship and sorrow. He becomes the prey of many people; the doctor, the priest, the pearl buyers, cheats and thieves. Many people try to steal the pearl from him. They even burn down the family’s house. Kino accidentally kills a thief in one of the fights. The family fear persecution and decide to run away from the village. In the mean time they hide in Juan Thomas’ house. He leads the villagers to believe that Kino and his family are dead.
In the end Kino loses his only son who is killed by a tracker. He and Juana are in despair because it was for the son that they sought a better life. Finally, Kino and Juana throw the pearl back into the sea.
THe Pearl : Lessons learnt from a character
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
THE PEARL. What are the valuable lessons you have learnt fro the novel? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.
In the novel ,The Pearl, I have learnt two valuable lessons from the character Juana.
I learnt that being a loving. Protective and responsible parent is important. In the novel She really takes care of baby Coyotito lovingly. When Coyotito is bitten by a scorpion, She quickly sucks the poison from the puncture. She insists that Coyotito must be brought to the doctor to be treated even though every one doubts the doctor will treat the baby because they are too poor to pay him.
Juana also teaches me to be sensible and rational. Unlike her husband and others, She is not over helmed by the pearl. All She wants from the pearl is to get money to seek treatment for Coyotito who is stung by a scorpion. When the pearl changes her husband from a mild. Loving father to a violent and desperate man, Juana decides to throw the pearl back into the sea, even though She knows Kino will be angry.
Group 2 (5C 2009)
Posted by Julia Abdul Muttalip at 8:35 AM
Labels: John Steinbeck, Latiff Mohidin, literature, SPM, The Pearl
THE PEARL. What are the valuable lessons you have learnt fro the novel? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.
In the novel ,The Pearl, I have learnt two valuable lessons from the character Juana.
I learnt that being a loving. Protective and responsible parent is important. In the novel She really takes care of baby Coyotito lovingly. When Coyotito is bitten by a scorpion, She quickly sucks the poison from the puncture. She insists that Coyotito must be brought to the doctor to be treated even though every one doubts the doctor will treat the baby because they are too poor to pay him.
Juana also teaches me to be sensible and rational. Unlike her husband and others, She is not over helmed by the pearl. All She wants from the pearl is to get money to seek treatment for Coyotito who is stung by a scorpion. When the pearl changes her husband from a mild. Loving father to a violent and desperate man, Juana decides to throw the pearl back into the sea, even though She knows Kino will be angry.
Group 2 (5C 2009)
Posted by Julia Abdul Muttalip at 8:35 AM
Labels: John Steinbeck, Latiff Mohidin, literature, SPM, The Pearl
THe Plot by J.A.M
Kino, Juana, and their infant son, Coyotito, live in a modest brush house by the sea. One morning, calamity strikes when a scorpion stings Coyotito. Hoping to protect their son, Kino and Juana rush him to the doctor in town. When they arrive at the doctor’s gate, they are turned away because they are poor natives who cannot pay enough.
Later that same morning, Kino and Juana take their family canoe, an heirloom, out to the estuary to go diving for pearls. Juana makes a poultice for Coyotito’s wound, while Kino searches the sea bottom. Juana’s prayers for a large pearl are answered when Kino surfaces with the largest pearl either of them has ever seen. Kino lets out a triumphant yell at his good fortune, prompting the surrounding boats to circle in and examine the treasure.
In the afternoon, the whole neighborhood gathers at Kino’s brush house to celebrate his find. Kino names a list of things that he will secure for his family with his newfound wealth, including a church wedding and an education for his son. The neighbors marvel at Kino’s boldness and wonder if he is foolish or wise to harbor such ambitions.
Toward evening, the local priest visits Kino to bless him in his good fortune and to remind him of his place within the church. Shortly thereafter, the doctor arrives, explaining that he was out in the morning but has come now to cure Coyotito. He administers a powdered capsule and promises to return in an hour.
In the intervening period, Coyotito grows violently ill, and Kino decides to bury the pearl under the floor in a corner of the brush house. The doctor returns and feeds Coyotito a potion to quiet his spasms. When the doctor inquires about payment, Kino explains that soon he will sell his large pearl and inadvertently glances toward the corner where he has hidden the pearl. This mention of the pearl greatly intrigues the doctor, and Kino is left with an uneasy feeling.
Before going to bed, Kino reburies the pearl under his sleeping mat. That night, he is roused by an intruder digging around in the corner. A violent struggle ensues, and Kino’s efforts to chase away the criminal leave him bloodied. Terribly upset by this turn of events, Juana proposes that they abandon the pearl, which she considers an agent of evil.
The next morning, Kino and Juana make their way to town to sell the pearl. Juan Tomás, Kino’s brother, advises Kino to be wary of cheats. Indeed, all of the dealers conspire to bid low on the pearl. Kino indignantly refuses to accept their offers, resolving instead to take his pearl to the capital. That evening, as Kino and Juana prepare to leave, Juan Tomás cautions Kino against being overly proud, and Juana repeats her wish to be rid of the pearl. Kino silences her, explaining that he is a man and will take care of things.
In the middle of the night, Juana steals away with the pearl. Kino wakes as she leaves and pursues her, apprehending her just as she is poised to throw the pearl into the sea. He tackles her, takes the pearl back, and beats her violently, leaving her in a crumpled heap on the beach. As he returns to the brush house, a group of hostile men confronts him and tries to take the pearl from him. He fights the men off, killing one and causing the rest to flee, but drops the pearl in the process.
As Juana ascends from the shore to the brush house, she finds the pearl lying in the path. Just beyond, she sees Kino on the ground, next to the dead man. He bemoans the loss of the pearl, which she presents to him. Though Kino explains that he had no intention to kill, Juana insists that he will be labeled a murderer. They resolve to flee at once. Kino rushes back to the shore to prepare the canoe, while Juana returns home to gather Coyotito and their belongings.
Kino arrives at the shore and finds his canoe destroyed by vandals. When he climbs the hill, he sees a fire blazing, and realizes that his house has burned down. Desperate to find refuge, Kino, Juana and Coyotito duck into Juan Tomás’s house, where they hide out for the day. Relieved that the three did not perish in the blaze, as the rest of the neighborhood believes, Juan Tomás and his wife, Apolonia, reluctantly agree to keep Kino and Juana’s secret and provide shelter for them while pretending to be ignorant of their whereabouts.
At nightfall, Kino, Juana, and Coyotito set out for the capital. Skirting the town, they travel north until sunrise and then take covert shelter by the roadside. They sleep for most of the day and are preparing to set out again when Kino discovers that three trackers are following them. After hesitating briefly, Kino decides that they must hurry up the mountain, in hopes of eluding the trackers. A breathless ascent brings them to a water source, where they rest and take shelter in a nearby cave. Kino attempts to mislead the trackers by creating a false trail up the mountain. Kino, Juana, and Coyotito then hide in the cave and wait for an opportunity to escape back down the mountain.
The trackers are slow in their pursuit and finally arrive at the watering hole at dusk. They make camp nearby, and two of the trackers sleep while the third stands watch. Kino decides that he must attempt to attack them before the late moon rises. He strips naked to avoid being seen and sneaks up to striking distance. Just as Kino prepares to attack, Coyotito lets out a cry, waking the sleepers. When one of them fires his rifle in the direction of the cry, Kino makes his move, killing the trackers in a violent fury. In the aftermath, Kino slowly realizes that the rifle shot struck and killed his son in the cave.
The next day, Kino and Juana make their way back through town and the outlying brush houses. Juana carries her dead son slung over her shoulder. They walk all the way to the sea, as onlookers watch in silent fascination. At the shore, Kino pulls the pearl out of his clothing and takes one last, hard look at it. Then, with all his might, under a setting sun, he flings the pearl back into the sea.
Posted by Julia Abdul Muttalip at 8:00 PM
Labels: Latiff Mohidin, literature, SPM, The Pearl
Later that same morning, Kino and Juana take their family canoe, an heirloom, out to the estuary to go diving for pearls. Juana makes a poultice for Coyotito’s wound, while Kino searches the sea bottom. Juana’s prayers for a large pearl are answered when Kino surfaces with the largest pearl either of them has ever seen. Kino lets out a triumphant yell at his good fortune, prompting the surrounding boats to circle in and examine the treasure.
In the afternoon, the whole neighborhood gathers at Kino’s brush house to celebrate his find. Kino names a list of things that he will secure for his family with his newfound wealth, including a church wedding and an education for his son. The neighbors marvel at Kino’s boldness and wonder if he is foolish or wise to harbor such ambitions.
Toward evening, the local priest visits Kino to bless him in his good fortune and to remind him of his place within the church. Shortly thereafter, the doctor arrives, explaining that he was out in the morning but has come now to cure Coyotito. He administers a powdered capsule and promises to return in an hour.
In the intervening period, Coyotito grows violently ill, and Kino decides to bury the pearl under the floor in a corner of the brush house. The doctor returns and feeds Coyotito a potion to quiet his spasms. When the doctor inquires about payment, Kino explains that soon he will sell his large pearl and inadvertently glances toward the corner where he has hidden the pearl. This mention of the pearl greatly intrigues the doctor, and Kino is left with an uneasy feeling.
Before going to bed, Kino reburies the pearl under his sleeping mat. That night, he is roused by an intruder digging around in the corner. A violent struggle ensues, and Kino’s efforts to chase away the criminal leave him bloodied. Terribly upset by this turn of events, Juana proposes that they abandon the pearl, which she considers an agent of evil.
The next morning, Kino and Juana make their way to town to sell the pearl. Juan Tomás, Kino’s brother, advises Kino to be wary of cheats. Indeed, all of the dealers conspire to bid low on the pearl. Kino indignantly refuses to accept their offers, resolving instead to take his pearl to the capital. That evening, as Kino and Juana prepare to leave, Juan Tomás cautions Kino against being overly proud, and Juana repeats her wish to be rid of the pearl. Kino silences her, explaining that he is a man and will take care of things.
In the middle of the night, Juana steals away with the pearl. Kino wakes as she leaves and pursues her, apprehending her just as she is poised to throw the pearl into the sea. He tackles her, takes the pearl back, and beats her violently, leaving her in a crumpled heap on the beach. As he returns to the brush house, a group of hostile men confronts him and tries to take the pearl from him. He fights the men off, killing one and causing the rest to flee, but drops the pearl in the process.
As Juana ascends from the shore to the brush house, she finds the pearl lying in the path. Just beyond, she sees Kino on the ground, next to the dead man. He bemoans the loss of the pearl, which she presents to him. Though Kino explains that he had no intention to kill, Juana insists that he will be labeled a murderer. They resolve to flee at once. Kino rushes back to the shore to prepare the canoe, while Juana returns home to gather Coyotito and their belongings.
Kino arrives at the shore and finds his canoe destroyed by vandals. When he climbs the hill, he sees a fire blazing, and realizes that his house has burned down. Desperate to find refuge, Kino, Juana and Coyotito duck into Juan Tomás’s house, where they hide out for the day. Relieved that the three did not perish in the blaze, as the rest of the neighborhood believes, Juan Tomás and his wife, Apolonia, reluctantly agree to keep Kino and Juana’s secret and provide shelter for them while pretending to be ignorant of their whereabouts.
At nightfall, Kino, Juana, and Coyotito set out for the capital. Skirting the town, they travel north until sunrise and then take covert shelter by the roadside. They sleep for most of the day and are preparing to set out again when Kino discovers that three trackers are following them. After hesitating briefly, Kino decides that they must hurry up the mountain, in hopes of eluding the trackers. A breathless ascent brings them to a water source, where they rest and take shelter in a nearby cave. Kino attempts to mislead the trackers by creating a false trail up the mountain. Kino, Juana, and Coyotito then hide in the cave and wait for an opportunity to escape back down the mountain.
The trackers are slow in their pursuit and finally arrive at the watering hole at dusk. They make camp nearby, and two of the trackers sleep while the third stands watch. Kino decides that he must attempt to attack them before the late moon rises. He strips naked to avoid being seen and sneaks up to striking distance. Just as Kino prepares to attack, Coyotito lets out a cry, waking the sleepers. When one of them fires his rifle in the direction of the cry, Kino makes his move, killing the trackers in a violent fury. In the aftermath, Kino slowly realizes that the rifle shot struck and killed his son in the cave.
The next day, Kino and Juana make their way back through town and the outlying brush houses. Juana carries her dead son slung over her shoulder. They walk all the way to the sea, as onlookers watch in silent fascination. At the shore, Kino pulls the pearl out of his clothing and takes one last, hard look at it. Then, with all his might, under a setting sun, he flings the pearl back into the sea.
Posted by Julia Abdul Muttalip at 8:00 PM
Labels: Latiff Mohidin, literature, SPM, The Pearl
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