Catch Us If You Can - Memorable Event

In SPM, the novel question gives a total of 15 marks (10 for content and 5 for language). The best way to structure your answer is in 5 paragraphs.

Paragraph 1 - Answer the question
Paragraph 2 - Point 1 + Evidence
Paragraph 3 - Point 2 + Evidence
Paragraph 4 - Point 3 + Evidence
Paragraph 5 - Conclusion (Summarise all the points and state the lesson you learn from the novel)

Choose an event in the novel you have studies which you find to be the most memorable. Give reasons for your choice and with close reference to the text, discuss the event.

Sample answer

I have read the novel Catch Us If You Can written by Catherine MacPhail. The story is about Rory and Granda running away together from the authority. I want to write about the most memorable event which is The Great Escape.

Firstly, this event is memorable because it shows Rory's love and care towards Granda. Rory loves and always take care of Granda. For example, he packs Granda's stuffs and medicines before they go on their adventure. He also always worry for Granda's health.

Then, this event is memorable because it shows Rory's bravery. Despite being young, Rory is also a very brave boy. He is not afraid being chased by the police and is ready to protect Granda when necessary.

On the other hand, this event is memorable because it shows  Rory's cleverness. Although Rory is still young, he plans the Great Escape alone and manages to break Granda out from Rachnadar without being detected. He is also quick to plan their escape route to evade the authority.

In conclusion, the Great Escape is the most memorable event because it shows how the main character, Rory reacts upon the challenges he faced. The event shows Rory's love and care towards Granda, bravery and cleverness. Therefore, we should always face our challenges bravely and find creative solutions to our problems.

*Provide 5 paragraphs like this and you will find it easy to score your content marks. To get high language marks, use linkers, write variety of sentences and avoid making grammatical mistakes.

Catch Us If You Can - Theme Love

In SPM, the novel question gives a total of 15 marks (10 for content and 5 for language). The best way to structure your answer is in 5 paragraphs.

Paragraph 1 - Answer the question
Paragraph 2 - Point 1 + Evidence
Paragraph 3 - Point 2 + Evidence
Paragraph 4 - Point 3 + Evidence
Paragraph 5 - Conclusion (Summarise all the points and state the lesson you learn from the novel)

How is the theme love shown in the novel you have read? Support your answer with close reference to the text.

Sample answer

I have read the novel Catch Us If You Can written by Catherine MacPhail. It is an interesting novel. One of the main themes of the novel is love.

Firstly, love between a grandparent and a grandchild. Granda loves Rory. For example, Granda has been taking care of Rory ever since his mother passed away and his father walked out of their life. Granda also sees the needs of Rory at school and goes to see his teacher whenever being called.

Next, the theme of love is shown in love between Rory and his friends. Darren and Tyrone are Rory's friends. In example, Darren gives the key of his mother's caravan to Rory in the Great Escape. Meanwhile, Tyrone agrees with her mother to help Rory and Granda in their journey because he could emphatise with Rory and his Granda.

Moreover, the theme of love is shown by the love from the public for Rory and Granda such as Rab and his friends. Rab gives shelter to Rory and Granda knowing that they are in trouble. In addition, Norma and her daughter, Nicola allow Rory and Granda to stay overnight at their house.

In conclusion, the theme of love is shown between the main character, Rory and the people around his such as his Granda, Darren, Tyrone and his family and Rab and his friends. Therefore, we should learn to love each other and appreciate all the love we have.

*Provide 5 paragraphs like this and you will find it easy to score your content marks. To get high language marks, use linkers, write variety of sentences and avoid making grammatical mistakes.

Catch Us If You Can - Character you admire

In SPM, the novel question gives a total of 15 marks (10 for content and 5 for language). The best way to structure your answer is in 5 paragraphs.

Paragraph 1 - Answer the question
Paragraph 2 - Point 1 + Evidence
Paragraph 3 - Point 2 + Evidence
Paragraph 4 - Point 3 + Evidence
Paragraph 5 - Conclusion (Summarise all the points and state the lesson you learn from the novel)

Based on the novel of your choice, write about a character you admire. Give reasons for your choice.

Sample answer.

I have read the novel Catch Us If You Can written by Catherine MacPhail. The story is about Rory and Granda running away together from the authority. I want to write about the character I admire which is Rory.

Firstly, I admire Rory because he loves and cares for his Granda. Rory loves and always take care of Granda. For example, he packs Granda's stuffs and medicines before they go on their adventure. He also always worry for Granda's health.

Then, I admire Rory because of Rory's bravery. Despite being young, Rory is also a very brave boy. He is not afraid being chased by the police and is ready to protect Granda when necessary.

On the other hand, I admire Rory because Rory is a clever and intelligent boy. Although Rory is still young, he plans the Great Escape alone and manages to break Granda out from Rachnadar without being detected. He is also quick to plan their escape route to evade the authority.

In conclusion, the character I admire is Rory because he is quick to react upon the challenges he faced. He is also loving and caring towards Granda, brave and a clever and intelligent boy. Therefore, we should always face our challenges bravely and find creative solutions to our problems.

*Provide 5 paragraphs like this and you will find it easy to score your content marks. To get high language marks, use linkers, write variety of sentences and avoid making grammatical mistakes. 

Vocabulary for describing people

Descriptive essay is one of the most commons type of essay writing. You can write descriptive essays to describe scenes, events, places or people.

In this entry, I will share with you a list of vocabulary you can use to describe people. When you know these descriptive words, you will definitely improve your writing or speaking skills!

Physical Description

1. Face
1. Shape of face: oval, square, round, broad, heart-shaped, pointed, egg-shaped
2. Complexion: fair, dark, freckled, pimpled, rosy complexion, rosy cheeks
2. Eyes
• Sparkling, bright, alert, dreamy, almond-shaped, sorrowful, sunken, lustrous, bloodshot eyes, hazel eyes, squinted
3. Hair
• Type/ Length: bald, balding, crew-cut, lustrous, frizzy, permed, shoulder length, with a fringe, straight, thick, wiry, wavy, afro, curly, disheveled
• Colour: blonde, brunette, redhead, auburn, chestnut, jet-black, greying at the temples, a streak of grey, strands of white hair
4. Eyebrows/ Eyelashes
• Thick, arched, fluttering, long/ bushy
5. Nose
• Big, flat, crooked, broad, aquiline, bulbous, straight, pointed, flared nostrils
6. Mouth
• Thin, thick full, ruby red, protruding, pouting mouth
7. Moustache/ Beard
•  Thick/ thin, a moustache curled at its end, a goatee, clean-shaven
8. Cheeks
• Rosy, pale, sunken, dimpled, drooping
9. Build
• Man: stocky, stout, muscular well-built a bulk of a man, broad-chested, paunchy
• Woman: slim-waisted, petite, slender, plump
• Man or woman: slim, skinny, fat, obese, overweight, of average size
10. Height
• Tall, short, lanky, of average height, of medium height, towering over 180 cm

MUET band qualification

In the recent Budget 2015 announcement, the Prime Minister has announced the increase of MUET band for local university entrance.

This is another good step to encourage the use of English among our local students.

Catch Us If You Can - Important Events

In the novel Catch Us If You Can (you can read the synopsis HERE), there are a number of important events that students need to master in order to use as evidence when answering SPM question. I conclude, from the whole story, these are among the most important events.

1. Flat on fire!

Rory goes to buy lunch for Granda and himself after school. When Rory arrives home, he finds out their flat is on fire. Granda tries to cook lunch for them but he forgets about the pan that he left unattended. This has led to the fire. Rory then tries to find Granda who is taken to the hospital. Their neighbour scolds Granda and this made Rory mad. Rory throws himself at her to defend Granda.

This event is important as it marks the beginning of the separation between Granda and Rory. In this event, we can clearly see Rory's unconditional love towards Granda. He cries and worries about Granda. Rory also gets angry when someone scolds his grandfather because he understands his Granda's condition.

2. The Separation

After their flat was burnt, Rory has no where else to go. Without any cousins or siblings, Rory only has his Granda. Yet, Granda is sick and being treated in the hospital. The fire at the flat has led to Rory being sent to Castle Street and Granda to Rachnadar.

This separation made both of them unhappy. Granda becomes increasingly sick and senile while Rory does not like the life at Castle Street. This event is important as it leads to the next essential event which is The Great Escape. Due to the their separation, Rory plans a major breakout for Granda from Rachnadar.

3. The Great Escape

This is the biggest event in the story where Rory and Granda runs away from authority together. It starts when Rory breaks Granda out of Rachnadar. Then, Darren helps Rory to hide in his mother's caravan for some time before the police come. After that, Rory and Granda runs up north and meet various characters who help them along the way.

This event is interesting because it helps Rory and Granda understand each other as they go through the difficulties together. This is where they meet many strangers who are kind enough to help them. As the story unfolds, they find themselves heading towards Liverpool, where Rory's father currently resides. 

4. Granda's breakdown

When Rory and Granda know the police are coming, they go out to run away at night. It is cold and dark, Granda is not feeling well too. Then they stop to rest. This is where Rory finds Granda unconscious. Afraid he might lose Granda, Rory runs around looking for help. Help arrives to rescue Granda but surprisingly, so does Rory's father who is looking for them all this while.

This is the final event that leads Rory and Granda to meet with Rory's father. After they meet, Rory and Granda find a new family. Rory can then participate in his school activities and play football because he does not need to look after Granda alone anymore. Granda too has resolved his issues with his son. Thanks to Granda's breakdown, they are able to find a new happy life together as a family.

*For SPM students, it is vital to know these important events as they will help you provide evidence to answer the question in examination. Moreover, they also enhance our understanding of the story because we can see the relation between each event that leads to the next.

Catch Us If You Can - Synopsis

Catch Us If You Can is a novel written by Catherine MacPhail. It is a warm and interesting novel which revolves around the theme of love and care among people. This novel is one of the necessary components in SPM 1119 English. It is to be answered in Section D: SPM Paper 2 and allocates a generous amount of 15 marks.

Here's a synopsis of the novel Catch Us If You Can by Catherine MacPhail.

The story is about Rory and his grandfather, Granda. They live and take care of each other since Rory's father ran away from the family. They live in a small flat. Rory is a filial grandson. He sacrifices a lot to take care of his Granda. He gives up football to spend time with Granda and always buy lunch for him after school too. This is all because Granda is getting old and forgetful! One time, Granda accidentally sets fire to himself after forgetting to put off his pipe. In another instance, Granda sets fire to his and Mrs Foley's coats during Parents Night at school. This may seem funny, but not to Rory as it shows that Granda's memory is becoming worse.

One day, the unwanted thing happens. Granda set fire to their flat while trying to cook. This changes their lives as Rory is sent to Castle Street and Granda to Rachnadar. When this happen, Rory and Granda become very sad. He can see Granda's life falling apart. So, he plans the Great Escape with Granda.

First, Rory breaks Granda out of Rachnadar and together they run away to hide in Darren's mother's caravan. Darren is Rory's best friend. The police starts searching for them and they appear on national news! From then onward, Rory and Granda starts running away and meet many good and kind-hearted people who help them. During the escape, Rory learns many new things about Granda and they go through adventurous journey together.

Rory learns that his father is currently in Liverpool but he knows Granda will not want to meet him. Granda is still angry at his father for leaving them. Thus, with the help of Rab, a friend Rory meets on the Great Escape, he quietly plans their journey to Liverpool. One night, Rory and Granda has to run away because the police is coming after them. They run in the cold night and sleep at a bus shelter. When Rory wakes up, he tries to wake Granda up but fail. He is afraid Granda might be dead. So, Rory runs around looking for help.

Luckily, help arrives for Granda and amazingly, Rory's father comes too! The truth is, he has been searching for Rory and Granda since the first time he heard about them on national news. After that incident, Granda is sent to the hospital and recovers with good health. Rory and Granda then live with Rory's father in Liverpool. At last, their Great Escape has led them to a new and better life as a family.