SPM English 1119 Past Year Papers

Paper 1

Section B : Continuous Writing

[50 marks]

[Time suggested : One hour]

Write a composition of about 350 words on one of the following topics:

2018
1 Describe a problem you once had while you were travelling. Explain what you did
to solve the problem and what you have learnt from the experience.

2 Some people complain that they have no free time. Discuss the reasons why they
might say this and suggest how they could use time better.

3 Write a story about a teenager who had an unusual hobby. Explain what was
unusual about the hobby and how the teenager’s friends became interested in it.
Begin your story with: “Even though it was a strange hobby, everyone came to love
it ...”

4 Young people should be trusted to make their own decisions. How far do you
agree with this opinion? Explain why.

5 Imagine you went to a big sports event. Describe what you saw, what happened
and how you felt on that day.

2017
1 If you had the opportunity to move to another part of Malaysia, where would you
choose to live? Explain your choice.

2 Write a story in which you had to keep a friend’s secret. In your story, give
details of the secret and explain why it was important to keep that secret.

3 The Malaysian tradition of having open houses is important and should be

practised more. Do you agree? Give reasons to support your view.

4 Write a story of a small town girl who worked hard to become a successful chef.
Begin your story with: “She has used the last of her savings to get to the cooking
competition in the big city and ...”

5 Describe the first time you went on a camping trip. You should write about the
activities at the camp and explain how you felt about the experience.
2016
1 Write a story about a time in someone’s life when music played an important
role.

2 Some people believe that all students in Malaysia should learn at least three
languages. What do you think?

3 There are many things to do after your SPM examination. Write about your plans
for the next three months and the challenges you might face.

4 Write about your experience helping Puan Ramlah, an elderly lady who lives
alone. End your story with “... I learnt a lot about myself by helping Puan Ramlah.”

5 What is the best way for teenagers to stay fit and healthy?

2015
1 Describe what makes you happy and explain why.

2 Social networking has caused a lot of problems. How far do you agree?

3 Why is having good neighbours important?

4 Write a story about someone you know who took a big risk and had a good
result. Begin your story with: "Everybody said that the plan would never work. It
was far too risky ..."

5 ‘Honesty is the best policy.’ Describe an experience when this was true for you.

2014
1 Describe an important family celebration and how you felt about it.

2 There is a lack of freedom given to teenagers today. Do you agree?

3 Why are animals important to human beings?

4 Write a story about a fisherman beginning with: "The wind blew strongly. Out at
sea, ..."

5 ‘A friend in need is a friend indeed.’ Describe how a friend helped you in difficult
time.
2013
1 ‘Truly Malaysian.’ Describe what this means to you.

2 Is tuition necessary? Discuss.

3 Write a story about being alone.

4 Write a story that ends with: "... and so I became a better person."

5 Reality shows

2012
1 Describe an outing with your friends.

2 Should parents give children more freedom? Discuss.

3 Saving money for the future.

4 Write a story beginning with: "The teacher walked into the classroom. It was the
first period ..." (For another model answer, click here: Model Answer 2)

5 Cleanliness

2011
1 A famous person you admire.

2 Should school students have part-time jobs?

3 The best things in life are free.

4 Write a story that ends with: "... They looked at each other and smiled
meaningfully." (For another model answer, click here: Model Answer 2)

5 Peace
2010
1 Describe the most popular student in your school.

2 “The Internet is mostly a good thing.” Do you agree? Support your opinion. (For
another model answer, click here: Model Answer 2)

3 What can we do to save the environment?

4 Write a story beginning with "It had been raining all day..."
Model Answer 2
Model Answer 3

5 Home

2009
1 Describe an unforgettable incident that you saw on your way home from school.
Model Answer 2
Model Answer 3

2 School children should not have long holidays. Do you agree?

3 My favourite day of the week.

4 Write a story that ends with: "... We said our goodbyes and went our separate
ways."

5 Beauty

2008
1 Write about a person who has succeeded in life.

2 Examinations - good or bad? (For another model answer, click here: Model
Answer 2)

3 My perfect future husband or wife

4 Write a story ending with: "... Now I realise the value of a true friend."
Model Answer 2
Model Answer 3

5 Stars

2007
1 Describe an embarrassing experience in your life.
2 'Teenagers today are only interested in entertainment.' Do you agree?

3 My early years

4 Write a story beginning with: "Kim was nervous when the door opened...".(For
another model answer, click here: Model Answer 2)

5 Tomorrow

2006
1 Describe an enjoyable weekend you have experienced. (For another model
answer, click here: Model Answer 2)

2 Write a story ending with: "If only I had been more careful, that wouldn't have
happened." (For another model answer, click here: Model Answer 2)

3 What changes would you like to see in your life in the next ten years?

4 How can television help students in their studies?

5 Food

2005
1 Describe the biggest challenge in your life.

2 Write a story with the title: "An Unexpected Visitor".

3 How to keep oneself healthy.

4 If you were given a chance to be anybody, who would you want to be and why?

5 Music

2004
1 Describe a festival celebrated in your area.

2 Write a story ending with: '...We had never laughed so much in our lives.'

3 My ideal school

4 How can we help promote tourism in Malaysia?

5 Clothes

2003
1 A day I wished had never happened. (For another model answer, click
here: Model Answer 2)

2 You have been given a chance to visit a country of your choice. Which country
would you choose and why?

3 An invention you cannot live without

4 Write a story that ends with: "... If only I had listened to his/her advice."

5 Friends (For another model answer, click here: Model Answer 2)

2002
1 Describe a favourite teacher who had a great influence on you.

2 Write a story beginning with: "Is it really you? Where have you been all these
years?"

3 Good results in school do not guarantee success in the future. What is your
opinion?

4 How I can help to make the world a better place to live in.

5 Colours

2001
1 How do you think the media has influenced you and your family?

2 Some people think the legal age for driving should be increased from 17 to 19.
What do you think?

3 Describe how you spend a free day when the weather was very bad.

4 Large families make happy families.

5 Write a story of an old man returning to his home he left many years ago.

2000
1 My Hero

2 If you were able to choose a time in history that you could visit, which time would
it be and why?

3 Life in Malaysia in the new millennium.

4 Things that I like about my life.

5 "More land should be used for agriculture than for industry." Do you agree or
disagree? Give reasons to support your opinion.
 1999
1 My Dream Car

2 Education - what it means to me.

3 The computer - is it really an advantage?

4 The day I lost my temper

5 Memories (For another model answer, click here: Model Answer 2)

(Although this essay with the same title is a bit long, you can get some ideas too.)

1998
1 Describe a day at school when you were very unhappy.

2 Parents do not spend enough time with children nowadays. What is your opinion?

3 Write a letter to a penfriend describing some interesting places in your village,

town or home state.

4 Write a story beginning with: "I could tell by his face that he was angry...

5 Being young.

1997
1 Imagine your were moving to a new house. Describe the last day in your old
house.

2 Describe the scene at a crowded bus or railway station.

3 Write a story with the following title: A Narrow Escape. (For another model
answer, click here: Model Answer 2)

4 Do you think games are an important part of school life?

5 Water

SPM English 1119 Past Year Paper Essay Topics

- Categorised

DESCRIPTIVE
2018 - Describe a problem you once had while you were travelling. Explain what
you did to solve the problem and what you have learnt from the experience.

2017 - Describe the first time you went on a camping trip. You should write about
the activities at the camp and explain how you felt about the experience.

2015 - (1) Describe what makes you happy and explain why. (2) ‘Honesty is the
best policy.’ Describe an experience when this was true for you.

2014 - (1) Describe an important family celebration and how you felt about
it. (2) ‘A friend in need is a friend indeed.’ Describe how a friend helped you in
difficult time.

2013 - ‘Truly Malaysian.’ Describe what this means to you.

2012 - Describe an outing with your friends.

2011 - A famous person you admire.

2010 - Describe the most popular student in your school.

2009 - Describe an unforgettable incident that you saw on your way home from
school.
Model Answer 2
Model Answer 3

2008 - Write about a person who has succeeded in life.

2007 - Describe an embarrassing experience in your life.

2006 - Describe an enjoyable weekend you have experienced.

Model Answer 2

2005 - Describe the biggest challenge in your life.

2004 - Describe a festival celebrated in your area.

2002 - Describe a favourite teacher who had a great influence on you.

2001 - Describe how you spend a free day when the weather was very bad.

2000 - My Hero

1998 - Describe a day at school when you were very unhappy.

1997 - (1) Imagine your were moving to a new house. Describe the last day in
your old house. (2) Describe the scene at a crowded bus or railway station.

ARGUMENTATIVE
2018 - Young people should be trusted to make their own decisions. How far do
you agree with this opinion? Explain why.

2017 - The Malaysian tradition of having open houses is important and should be
practised more. Do you agree? Give reasons to support your view.

2016 - Some people believe that all students in Malaysia should learn at least three
languages. What do you think?

2015 - Social networking has caused a lot of problems. How far do you agree?

2014 - There is a lack of freedom given to teenagers today. Do you agree?

2013 - Is tuition necessary? Discuss.

2012 - Should parents give children more freedom? Discuss.

2011 - Should school students have part-time jobs?

2010 - “The Internet is mostly a good thing.” Do you agree? Support your
opinion. (For another model answer, click here: Model Answer 2)

2009 - Is tuition necessary? Discuss.

2008 - Examinations - good or bad? (For another model answer, click here: Model
Answer 2)

2007 - 'Teenagers today are only interested in entertainment.' Do you agree?

2002 - Good results in school do not guarantee success in the future. What is your
opinion?

2001 - Some people think the legal age for driving should be increased from 17 to
19. What do you think?

2000 - "More land should be used for agriculture than for industry." Do you agree
or disagree? Give reasons to support your opinion.

1999 - The computer - is it really an advantage?

1998 - Parents do not spend enough time with children nowadays. What is your
opinion?

1997 - Do you think games are an important part of school life?

FACTUAL / EXPOSITORY
2018 - Some people complain that they have no free time. Discuss the reasons
why they might say this and suggest how they could use time better.

2016 - What is the best way for teenagers to stay fit and healthy?

2015 - Why is having good neighbours important?

2014 - Why are animals important to human beings?

2013 - Reality shows

2012 - Saving money for the future.

2010 - What can we do to save the environment?

2009 - My favourite day of the week.

2007 - My early years

2006 - How can television help students in their studies?

2005 - How to keep oneself healthy.

2004 - How can we help promote tourism in Malaysia?

2003 - An invention you cannot live without.

2002 - How I can help to make the world a better place to live in.

2001 - (1) How do you think the media has influenced you and your family? (2)
Large families make happy families.

2000 - (1) Life in Malaysia in the new millennium. (2) Things that I like about my
life.

1999 - Education - what it means to me.

1997 - Being young.

NARRATIVE
2018 - Write a story about a teenager who had an unusual hobby. Explain what
was unusual about the hobby and how the teenager’s friends became interested in
it. Begin your story with: “Even though it was a strange hobby, everyone came to
love it ...”

2017 - (1) Write a story in which you had to keep a friend’s secret. In your story,
give details of the secret and explain why it was important to keep that secret.
(2) Write a story of a small town girl who worked hard to become a successful chef.
Begin your story with: “She has used the last of her savings to get to the cooking
competition in the big city and ...”

2016 - (1) Write a story about a time in someone’s life when music played an
important role. (2) Write about your experience helping Puan Ramlah, an elderly
lady who lives alone. End your story with “... I learnt a lot about myself by helping
Puan Ramlah.”

2015 - Write a story about someone you know who took a big risk and had a good
result. Begin your story with: "Everybody said that the plan would never work. It
was far too risky ..."

2014 - Write a story about a fisherman beginning with: "The wind blew strongly.
Out at sea, ..."

2013 - (1) Write a story about being alone. (2) Write a story that ends with: "...
and so I became a better person."

2012 - Write a story beginning with: "The teacher walked into the classroom. It
was the first period ..." (For another model answer, click here: Model Answer 2)

2011 - Write a story that ends with: "... They looked at each other and smiled
meaningfully." (For another model answer, click here: Model Answer 2)

2010 - Write a story beginning with "It had been raining all day...".
Model Answer 2
Model Answer 3

2009 - Write a story that ends with: "... We said our goodbyes and went our
separate ways."

2008 - Write a story ending with: "... Now I realise the value of a true friend."
Model Answer 2
Model Answer 3

2007 - Write a story beginning with: "Kim was nervous when the door
opened...". (For another model answer, click here: Model Answer 2)

2006 - Write a story ending with: "If only I had been more careful, that wouldn't
have happened." (For another model answer, click here: Model Answer 2)

2005 - Write a story with the title: "An Unexpected Visitor".

2004 - Write a story ending with: '...We had never laughed so much in our lives.'

2003 - (1) Write a story that ends with: "... If only I had listened to his/her
advice." (2) A day I wished had never happened. (For another model answer, click
here: Model Answer 2)

2002 - Write a story beginning with: "Is it really you? Where have you been all
these years?"

2001 - Write a story of an old man returning to his home he left many years ago.

1999 - The day I lost my temper

1998 - Write a story beginning with: "I could tell by his face that he was angry...

1997 - Write a story with the following title: A Narrow Escape. (For another model
answer, click here: Model Answer 2)
ONE WORD / OPEN ESSAYS
2012 - Cleanliness

2011 - (1) Peace (2) The best things in life are free. (A reflective essay)

2010 - Home

2009 - Beauty

2008 - Stars

2007 - Tomorrow

2006 - Food

2005 - Music

2004 - Clothes

2003 - Friends (For another model answer, click here: Model Answer 2)

2002 - Colours

1999 - Memories (For another model answer, click here: Model Answer 2)
(Although this essay with the same title is a bit long, you can get some ideas too.)

1997 - Water

IMAGINATIVE
2018 - Imagine you went to a big sports event. Describe what you saw, what
happened and how you felt on that day.

2017 - If you had the opportunity to move to another part of Malaysia, where
would you choose to live? Explain your choice.

2016 - There are many things to do after your SPM examination. Write about your
plans for the next three months and the challenges you might face.

2008 - My perfect future husband or wife

2006 - What changes would you like to see in your life in the next ten years?

2005 - If you were given a chance to be anybody, who would you want to be and
why?

2004 - My ideal school

2003 - You have been given a chance to visit a country of your choice. Which
country would you choose and why?
2000 - If you were able to choose a time in history that you could visit, which time
would it be and why?

1999 - My Dream Car

LETTER WRITING
1998 - Write a letter to a penfriend describing some interesting places in your
village, town or home state.

*Note: For the new SPM examination format, letter writing is not included in
Section B (the Continuous Writing Section). It belongs to Section A (the Directed
Writing Section) instead.