Sample Question And Answer For Novel Essay Section In SPM English Paper

Dear SPM candidate, 

Below is a sample question and answer for the Novel Essay Section in SPM English Paper. Hope you find this useful. This sample was brought to you by a guest writer on our blog, Yogeswari Wigneshwaran.

Yogeswari Wigneshwaran is a stay-at-home mom and a freelance tutor with 15 years of experience.  A graduate from Universiti Utara Malaysia, she works with children of different levels and abilities and conducts consistent research in helping students to excel in education. Besides tutoring, she also conducts workshops for KSSR and KSSM students on answering techniques for school exams and central exams. Yogeswari believes that learning is a long life journey.  "Let’s take one step at a time."

Through my teaching experience, I noted that quite a number of students struggle with literature.  The most common issue is the lack of interest in reading the texts.  Literature is a boring subject for most.  In my opinion, the literature segment in PT3 and SPM examinations are a bonus.  Regular reading and practice in answering the questions could provide the needed marks to achieve the A grade.  Everything said, literature also requires an in-depth perspective and critical evaluation. 

A student equipped with the right attitude towards literature could productively utilize this segment.  Furthermore, a proper answering technique is also vital in order to achieve the highest marks for the literature segment.  Students are encouraged to evaluate and deduce the meaning, plot, content, literary devices, values, themes and the characters.  Using your own words is most welcomed.  

I would like to share a sample question and answer with a brief description of the writing method for the novel question in the SPM examination.  Parents too can benefit from the sample given.  Though its quite last minute, I hope this sample answer helps the children for their English examination tomorrow. The sample below is based on the Form 5 novel titled Dear Mr. Kilmer (Selangor/KL/Negeri Sembilan zone). My best wishes to all the SPM candidates.

SAMPLE QUESTION AND ANSWER FOR NOVEL ESSAY SECTION IN SPM ENGLISH

SOME OF THE CHARACTERS IN A STORY PORTRAYED MORAL VALUES.

BASED ON THE NOVEL YOU HAVE STUDIED,  WRITE ABOUT  THE CHARACTERS WHO WERE BRAVE IN THEIR ACTIONS.  SUPPORT YOUR ANSWER WITH CLOSE REFERENCE TO THE TEXT.

Suggested answer

INTRODUCTION	Name the title of the novel and author. There are few characters in the novel that have portrayed the act of bravery in their actions.  The characters that I choose are Richard, Hannah and Mr. Kilmer.
START WITH THE MAIN IDEA/CHARACTER + SUPPORTING EVIDENCE FROM THE TEXT + OWN EVALUATION (in BOLD)	Richard is the bravest of all the characters in this story.  Richard grew up as a lonely and quiet boy.  He pens down his thoughts as poem which he keeps to himself.  His brave action could be seen when he was the only one who signed the sympathy card for the Schermers, even though the entire class protested against Mrs. Hansen’s kind gesture. Later he handed the card to Hannah himself.  Richard was not worried about his reputation or popularity. Furthermore, Richard came forward with his secret about his passion for writing poetry and he was writing letters to a poet named Mr. Kilmer.  Although, his family hesitated and did not believe him but he kept on writing.  Based on Richard’s brave actions, I believe that we should be bold and courageous in whatever we do.  It instills confidence and motivates us to be a better person and work hard towards achieving success. Hannah, a German girl portrayed as fearless in the novel.  She was an “unwanted” or an outcast in school for being a German.  Soon after, America declared war upon Germany during the on-going war.  Situation got worse for Hannah and her family.  Someone vandalised their family’s  tavern and wrote “Dirty Huns” on the wall. The people in Turtle Lake were being unfair to the Schermers and calling them unpatriotic for following German traditions.  Her brave act was shown while dealing with some of her school-mates.  She did not give up or run away from school even though most of the kids in school disliked and refused to be her friends.  I salute Hannah’s bravery for dealing with her problems and standing up for what she believed in. Next, it was interesting to know that Mr. Kilmer is a famous poet  and  also a soldier enlisted for war in the story. His brave values is seen as a soldier who wants to make the world a better place to live in.  He made a courageous decision to fight for his country.  Moreover, Mr. Kilmer also advised Richard to be open with his secrets and build confidence in him through his letters.  Soon after, Mr. Kilmer was transferred to France and he was killed while in action.  In my opinion, the act of bravery makes us strong and to face our fears just like Mr. Kilmer.  We should not be afraid to pursue our dreams and passion.
CONCLUSION – write your own opinion on overall discussion.	In conclusion, the characters in the story showed that bravery should be emulated in our actions and decisions. We should be bold enough to take risk in life and face uncertainties.  In turn, we could learn to deal with our fears and dislikes.