Essay topic: Capsized boat - when we went fishing

It was a lovely evening when John arrived at his uncle Willy’s fish farm. Uncle Willy had promised to take John fishing in a boat. John was very excited at the prospect for he had never been in a boat before.John found Uncle Willy sitting on the bank of a large fish pond. His uncle was preparing some fishing rods. John greeted him, “Hi, Uncle.”“Ah, John, you are here already,” his uncle replied. “Let’s get going. You take that fishing rod there and get into the boat”.“Okay, uncle,” replied John. He picked up the fishing rod and walked towards the boat.The boat was floating gently on the water and John did not have the slightest clue how to get in. He put one foot in the boat and the boat started sliding away from him. Startled he withdrew his foot and nearly fell into the water.“How do I get in?” he asked.In reply Uncle Willy grabbed the boat with one hand and motioned John to get in. Carefully John stepped into the boat and sat down. He felt strange sitting in a boat that kept bouncing up and down and sideways too.Uncle Willy untied the mooring rope and stepped into the boat. He took an oar and expertly steered the boat out into the middle of the lake.John felt both excitement and fear. It was indeed exciting to be in a boat for the first time. It was also fearful because he was afraid he might fall into the water. Anyhow he watched the boat glide smoothly over the water. The view of the pond from the boat was beautiful. It was great.After a minute or so Uncle Willy stopped the boat and dropped a brick tied to a rope over the side of the boat. This was his make-shift anchor and it did its job pretty well. “Let’s fish,” Uncle Willy said to John.So the two of them got about the joyful task of casting their lines into the calm water of the pond.Presently John saw his float jiggle a bit before it disappeared straight into the water. Wow! There must be a big fish on his line! In his excitement John stood up in the boat to pull his line in. that was his undoing. He did not know it was not a good idea to stand in a boat for the boat would become very unstable. Since he had never been in a boat before he did not know that. So as soon as he stood up, the boat gave a mighty heave and capsized dumping both of them into the pond with a big splash.One moment John was grabbing frantically at his line, the next he was grabbing frantically in the water for something to hold on to. It seemed like eternity before his hands found something solid. He held on tightly. It was part of the boat. However he was still underwater and his lungs ached for air. Instinctively he moved upwards still clutching the boat. Just as his lungs seemed like they would burst, John emerged above the water. What a relief it was. He sucked in the cool sweet air. Never before had he realized that the air was so sweet and soothing. My God, was he glad that he could breathe.When John could breathe normally again, he realized that the boat had capsized. He looked around to see where his uncle was. He heard laughter behind him. It was Uncle Willy laughing his head off.“You really look funny, you know?” Uncle Willy guffawed.“What do you mean, uncle?” asked John.“Do you know you gave such a horrible yell when you fell into the water and was spluttering and puffing when you emerged from it. You looked like a clown in a circus!”John realized that he must have presented quite a sight to his uncle when he fell into the water. He laughed in return.“Well, that will teach you not to stand up suddenly in a boat, won’t it? Come, let’s push the boat to the bank and get it upright again,” his uncle ordered.Together they pushed the upside down boat towards the nearest bank.

Essay topic: An evening in a luxurious boat

A journey by boat is a pleasant experience, but think of a journey in the most luxurious boat. I had a chance to enjoy such an experience.My father and his friends decided to go on a cruise with the family. They collected some money between them. The company also paid a share and they booked an evening in the luxury boat named Sealiner. A cruise covering a round trip of Singapore with a dinner and dance was arranged.The invitation allowed for five members of each family. The boat was to leave around 5 p.m. sharp so we were asked to be at the pier before 4 p.m. Entrance was by invitation only. People started gathering at the quay around 4 p.m. One by one, we were allowed inside the boat. Before boarding we were asked to take a lucky number.The boat left the quay exactly at 5 p.m. Light music was played and the guests were asked to help themselves with the drinks. The boat sailed along the coast and we could see Pulau Piani, Sentosa and even Johore from the boat. Dance started at around 6 p.m. and the youngsters danced to their heart’s content. At about 7:30 p.m., the boat anchored in mid sea, and everyone was asked to come to the top deck for a buffet dinner. There were more than ten types of delicious food.When the dinner was over, the boat started to sail again. In the meantime, the lucky numbers were drawn. I won a prize of a hi-fi stereo cassette recorder for my lucky number 12. It was the third prize. The boat arrived at the starting point around 9 p.m. and we went home very happy.

Essay topic: A picnic

My father came from his office one day and told us that we were going to the nearby island for a picnic. He asked us to guess the island. My brother and I shouted together “Sentosa!” He gave us a smile. He then asked my mother to prepare food for the picnic. My elder sister, younger brother and I started to plan for the trip. We were so excited that we could hardly sleep that night.My father took us in his car. He chose Saturday as the island will not be overcrowed. We arrived at the World Trade Center and took the cable car to Sentosa. We reached Sentosa cable car station and took a monorail to the beach.Soon after arrival my mother spotted a thick shady tree and spread out a large cloth beneath the tree. She then arranged food and drinks on it. Unable to control our anxiety we started pestering our father to take us for a swim. He gladly accepted, leaving my younger brother in my mother’s custody. We dashed into the blue waters.The water was cool and refreshing, we splashed and frolicked in the water. Several people bathing nearby gave cold stares. Sensing their irritation at our mischief my father apologized to them and ordered us not to be too naughty. My mother was cooling herself lying under the tree feeding my younger brother.It was nearly an hour; we came out of the water fearing that we may get sunburned. We applied oil lotion over our body and we played in the water for another half an hour. Meantime my mother had arranged our food and called us up to eat. We realized that we had to stop playing and came out of the water half heartedly.It was too hot by then and after lunch we felt too tired to continue lying. So we helped our mother to pick up our things and prepared to go home.

Essay topic: Talk about my first air travel

My first experience in air travel was at the age of nine. My father and mother were planning the trip. When I asked them where we were going they told me that we were all going to Hongkong by flight. I was so excited and waited nervous for the day of departure.It was a Wednesday. My father had booked three tickets on the Singapore Airlines flight to Hongkong. The flight was leaving at noon. We arrived at Chani airport around 10 a.m. to check in our luggage and confirm our seats. We completed the routine check up and passed the brightly lit duty free shops to board our plane. The air hostess smiled and said “hello” and directed us to our seats. It was a Bigtop aircraft and I occupied the window seat. All seats were soon occupied and the air hostess demonstrated the emergency procedures. In the meantime, the aircraft started to move along the runway. We checked whether we had fastened our seat belts. Then the aircraft started to take off at high speed. As I looked through the window I saw the beautiful landscape, houses, cars and ships became very tiny within minutes that we were airborne.In about fifteen minutes, we were invited to undo our seat belts. The air hostess served us drinks. I looked outside and I could see nothing but clouds. In a short while, they served a delicious lunch. The air hostesses were nice and polite. I was just simply enjoying every moment of my first air travel. More than three hours passed before the plane began to descend. We were asked to fasten our seat belts once again. Suddenly the plane began to shudder mildly. My father told me it is due to air turbulence and there was nothing to worry. In a few minutes I was able to see the magnificent view of Hongkong’s coastline and the sea. All of a sudden the building looked very near and in no time the flight landed smoothly at Kai Tak airport. The plane finally parked at the end of the runway and we disembarked.My first experience on a plane was a memorable one which I shall never forget.

Essay topic: Talk about an evening on the beach

Night was falling. The setting sun’s red rays lit up the sky above the western horizon. I could see an oil tanker making its way across the sea just on the horizon.Soon the sun disappeared below the horizon and the sky turned dark but my two friends and I sat on the beach gazing at the place where the sun went down. Sunsets are mesmerizing as we discovered. Only when the mosquitoes started coming in great number were we brought back to reality.We picked ourselves up and walked towards a small pile of wood that we had made earlier. In the dark we could just make out shadows. My friend Francis had a torchlight. He switched it on to show the way.The night creatures were already busy with their activities. On our left where the land was, I could hear the shrill cries of the cicadas and other insects. On our right the waves broke gently on the shore sending up sprays of phosphorescent surf.The sounds and sights of nature were wonderful. The noise of occasional traffic along a road nearby was the only blemish to the otherwise perfect natural surroundings. The three of us were perhaps the only other blemishes. We had the torchlight on and soon we were going to light a bonfire.Nevertheless I proceeded to pour some kerosene onto the pile of wood and put a match to it. Slowly but steadily the fire grew. Soon we were basking in the orange glow of the bonfire. Salleh, my other friend, brought out the snacks and drinks from a bag. We had come to the beach to relax and enjoy ourselves.A bonfire can be mesmerizing too and so we spent a good two hours eating, drinking, talking and singing around it. A number of people appeared and we invited them to share in our little revelry. We did not know any of them, but it did not matter. All I knew was that we enjoyed ourselves in the warm glow of the bonfire which was a far cry from the cold stares of people on an ordinary street.However all good things must come to an end. The fire slowly died down and darkness regained its mastery. We said goodbye to our visitors and cleaned up the fireplace.Then we walked along the shoreline towards where Salleh had parked his car. Crabs both large and small scurried away at our approach. A gentle breeze rustled among the coconut palms. The black sky was full of glistening stars. It felt good to be alive.Finally we reached the car. We dumped our things in the boot and got into the car ourselves. Salleh started the car and soon we were headed home after spending a wonderful evening on the beach.

Essay topic: Talk about Chinese new year.

Chinese New Year is celebrated on the first day of the Lunar New Year. A month before the New Year, the Chinese clean the house and paint the walls. New clothes are bought for the occasion. A week before the festival, housewives bake special cookies and other delicious goodies.On the eve of the New Year, the whole family gets together for a reunion dinner. Every member of the family should be present during the dinner. Many different kinds of dishes are served during the dinner.On Chinese New Year morning, the young members of the family pay their respects to the elders. In return they receive “Hongbaos”. Hongbao is a red packet containing money. Then they go and visit friends and relatives. Some of our friends and neighbors visit us.Besides visiting friends and relatives, there is the Chingay procession to see. It is very amusing to see the lion rising on its hind legs trying to get the “Hongbao” which is suspended in mid-air. The drums and cymbals played for the lion dance performance are deafening but rhythmic.On the fifteenth day, another grand dinner is held to mark the end of the festival. I always enjoy myself greatly during the Chinese New Year.

Essay topic: An interesting place you enjoyed visiting.

There is a very lovely place that I enjoy visiting. I am never tired of visiting it. My place of interest is full of greenery, serenity and is a huge, beautiful garden of various flowers. It has flowers, trees and shrubs of various kinds. This place is the Singapore Botanical Gardens. It is located on the outskirts of the city.The Botanical Garden is a lovely place to take strolls. In the morning, people frequent the place to jog, walk or do other exercises. The air is fresh and it is very refreshing to sit by the huge pond. Ducks and swans often swim by and it is quite common to see people throwing in crusts of bread. There are also fish in the pond.At the Botanical Gardens there is a wide variety of plants and trees to see and many interesting and exotic orchids are also grown there. You can see a clock made of small plants. I love taking quiet walks there. The natural surroundings help me to relax. I like going to the Botanical Gardens as it is a very interesting place.

Essay topic: Talk about a slow train journey.

There is only train plying from X to Y, I had no other choice. The line is a narrow gauge. It passed through farming country and it mainly carried farm produce, although passengers were often using it too. At every station on the way to be loaded and unloaded involving much shunting which took a lot of time. It took nearly four hours for a distance of 60 km.I traveled once by that train. At first I could not believe that a train (in this age) could go so slowly. I had to put up with it. The train moved at a snail’s pace and one could almost get down and get back on it. I did not try it because it was not safe for such foolhardy experiments.The train stopped to pick up baskets of eggs, hens, vegetables and other farm produce. Naturally, those who traveled by this wonderful train were farm workers moving either form one estate to another or going to town for a change. The train was not clean. The familiar sights of newspaper and magazines were not found at the stations. The stations on the way were manned by a skeleton staff, the station master and the pointsman doing all the duties. There are only two trains for the whole day and life to them is boring.The journey was interesting for me and I got down whenever the train stopped to load or unload. There was no milling crowd of color I could see. There was not even a soft beverage to drink I could see. How they shunted the wagons. It was interesting to see the people who came to take their goods. There were all sorts of baskets, hampers and baggages. One of the loading was done, the train would start again and go on.Since the train ran through farming country. I could see farms all the way, with their gardens, poultry, cattlesheds and granary. I couldn’t see any tall building. I could see a calf looking with fear at the streaming train: a half of naked boy goggling at the passing train and people engaged in the farming activities.After a while, it all got boring. Anyway, it was good to relax from a hectic city life.

Topic essay: "Water is important to all living things". Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your opinion.

“Water is important to all living things”. Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your opinionWithout water no living thing on the earth could survive. We need water to quench our thirst, water our lands to grow crops or to keep the animals and fowls in our homes alive. Even the plants and insects in all parts of the world need water to live.We also need water to produce electricity and to carry out goods or trade. Electricity is very important for our comforts today. Almost everything that we use in our homes today depends on the use of electricity. In the same way, water also helps to transport many or the goods that we need for our homes. Ships, rafts and boats carry many things from distant lands and help to exchange goods between one country and another. Transport by water is easier and cheaper than by air or land.But water has also caused sorrow and hardship in all parts of the world. Floods and heavy rains have destroyed crops, lives and property through the centuries and caused much sorrow everywhere.Yet, water is so important that all living things, including the tiniest creatures, will continue to struggle to get it whenever or wherever they can.

Essay topic: "News travels fast". Discuss

Until a few decades ago news traveled very slowly. It took several days to know what was happening in places only a few miles away. But today news travels at a speed much greater than ever before.In the past men had to travel on root to get information, even about the most unimportant thing. There were no motorcycles and travel was slow and difficult. As a result, news too traveled very slowly. If one’s relative died in some distant place, one received the news of the death days later. Sometimes there was no news at all. The difficulty in getting news and information about people in other places made life dull and miserable. There was little communication among those whom we would regard as neighbors today. News was therefore difficult to send and in times of need, it was hard to obtain help.But all this has changed today. The invention of the means of communication such as the telephone, the wireless and several others has made it possible to send and receive news within a matter of hours and minutes. Even the newspaper and the post office help to spread news and information quickly. As a result, we know what is happening today in all parts of the world. If a great man dies or a war breaks out in some corner of the earth, we receive news about it almost immediately. The ease and speed with which news travels today have helped greatly in promoting better understanding and co-operation among the peoples of the world. When the people of one place or country suffer a sudden calamity, news is at once sent to all parts of the world and help comes from many countries within a very short time. This is not possible in the past when news traveled slowly.That news travels fast can also be known from our own personal affairs. If we are ill or if something unfortunate happens to us, our friends and relatives come to know about it very quickly. It is therefore true to say that today, “news travels fast”.

Essay topic: Describe what you saw and enjoyed during a visit to a zoo

As one who loves animals, I once paid a visit to the zoo in Kuala Lumpur, one of the largest I have ever seen. I liked everything there so much that I shall never forget that visit.I visited the zoo on a Sunday together with a few of my friends. After leaving our homes early in the morning we reached the zoo before noon. We then bought our tickets and entered the zoo.The first thing that impressed me, as we entered the zoo, was its size and beauty. I could hardly believe that a zoo could be so large. In beauty too, it was one of the best places that I had ever seen. I saw many kinds of plants and flowers all around. I also saw some lakes in which ducks of various kinds were swimming. I then noted that the cages of the animals in this zoo are separated from one another, which makes one’s visit more interesting. After visiting one cage the visitor has to walk a short distance to reach the next cage. In this way one has to spend more time resting here and there to visit all the cages. Walking round the zoo therefore becomes more interesting.My friends and I, however, visited the monkeys first. They were of various types from different parts of the world. They were all very active, though they had been confined to their cages for a long time. Then, we went to the places where the tigers and the lions were kept. These animals did not seem to be active like the monkeys. They were all lying down and looking at the visitors without any interest. I was a little surprised at their coolness.After that we saw the other animals, reptiles and birds. Their variety was amazing. We were all deeply interested in their behavior and movements within their cages.Then, alter spending several hours in the zoo, we went out and had a refreshing drink of coconut water. After drinking, we returned home, feeling very happy.

English Essay: Talk about a journey by train

The house in which I lived before was near the railway station. Trains used to pass by at regular interval and I had become so familiar with their sound and sight that I took little interest in them. It never occurred to me that I might make a journey by train some day. However, when my father decided to take up a new appointment in the place where we now live, it was decided that we should travel by train. It was only then that I discovered how pleasant a journey by train might be.My father, mother and I boarded a train one afternoon. As the train moved out of the station, I began to think of the days I had spent in our old house which I could still see from the train. But soon the house went out of sight, and I began to think of my journey itself.The train was now moving quite fast. The first thing that impressed me was the beauty of the landscape. There were green valleys. Tropical plants could be seen everywhere. In certain places there was tall grass. All this reminded me of the geography lessons I had in the class room. Several palm-oil and rubber plantations could be seen now and then. Sometimes I saw a few houses here and there. I also saw many vegetable gardens at several places.The train stopped at many stations, and soon it became dark. But sometime later the moon appeared and the landscape looked romantic. As I looked outside, I felt a thrill of admiration for the great artistry of nature.Inside the train, too, everything was interesting. Some restless passengers moved about aimlessly and their restlessness was amusing. Some were sleeping with their mouths wide open, into which some mosquitoes blundered. Others were reading magazines and newspapers. Occasionally, the ticket-checker passed by. At one corner I saw two policemen keeping a close watch on a man who was hand-cuffed.At every station a few passengers alighted from the train while a few boarded it. Whenever the train stopped at a big station, I saw a large number of people on the platforms, smartly dressed, and often smiling. As the train moved out, many waved their hands and the passengers too waved in response.After we had passed several stations, I felt sleepy and closed my eyes. When I opened them, I saw the dim light of the dawn. I looked outside and saw the mist-covered plants. The air was fresh, and some birds were flying about. The scene looked extremely beautiful and I was lost in admiration of it. But we soon arrived at our destination and my enjoyment came to an end.

Essay topic: The country I would like to visit

I have heard and read a lot about the beautiful countries in the world. However, the country I would like to visit is the United States of America.From my geography books I know that the United States is a very big country. Here, there are people from all countries of the world. Europeans, Africans, Asians and others live together in peace and happiness, like the people of Singapore and Malaysia. It would indeed be a pleasure to meet so many races of people in one country.The buildings in the United States are among the largest in the world. The roads too are the best in the world. Traveling in this country is therefore very easy. There are fast-running cars, trains and other means of transport.Again, the scenery is different in different parts of the country. In some places there are high mountains. In some places there are lowlands for miles together. And in other parts, there are deserts.Thus, traveling in this big country would be really very interesting. I should therefore welcome any opportunity to visit this country.

Essay topic: talk about the country you would like to visit.

I have heard much about the beauty of the East as well as the West, about the wonderful islands in the Pacific and also in the Atlantic. In short, the whole world seems to be full of beautiful places. The country that I would like to visit, however, is the United States of America.My knowledge of the United States of America is derived from the geography and history books that I have read, the films that I have seen and the stories that I have heard from people who have visited this country.The United States of America is a vast country with a mixed population. People from many different lands have come and settled here. This mixture of different races of people with different customs, religions, cultures and abilities have created a nation unique in history. Although this country has a very short history compared with that of the other large countries in the world, it is an example to the world of how people of different races could live together in peace and harmony. The exchange of ideas among the people of so many racial origins here has contributed greatly to the progress and prosperity of the nation. There are world famous scientists, doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers and politicians whose original homes were in many different lands. The work of such men has made this country a wonderful land indeed. The roads, buildings and cinemas here may be said to be the best in the world. There are many places and things of interest such as Hollywood, the United Nations building, Niagara Falls and the sky-scrapers. Even the natural vegetation and features are rich in variety. If one travels across the land, one will find different kinds of scenery in different places. Further, as the people here still follow their original customs and traditions, one will also have the feeling that one is passing through many different countries.The people of the United States are proud of their country, for it was their country that gave the modern world ideas of freedom. The name of Abraham Lincoln will always be remembered by those who believe in the freedom of men. It was the United States, again, who saved the world from destruction in two world wars. Such a country must be a wonderful land, and it is for this reason that I would like to visit this country some day.

Topic: Talk about an adventure in a forest

A few months ago some of my classmates and I made a trip to Borneo with our Geography teacher to seek adventure in the forests of Borneo.Soon after our arrival in Borneo, we made all the preparations and began our journey to the forest early one morning. After miles of travel through the forest, we arrived at an open space. As it was already late in the evening, we decided to erect our tent and spend the night there. Night soon fell on this place and we lighted our oil lamp.Feeling tired, we had our meal early and went to bed. There was silence all around; but soon, creatures that love the night world became active. The forest was now full of frightful noise. Breaking through this noise, came another noise, more frightening; the noise of native drums. And as the minutes slipped by, it seemed to come nearer and nearer. We all froze into deadly silence. The tension mounted rapidly, but still nothing happened. Then, as suddenly as it began, the noise stopped. We were alarmed. We were now sure that some natives have seen us and we would be attacked. In such a situation, we could not sleep. Death might come at any time.Minutes lengthened to hours; but in our anxiety to preserve our lives, we hardly noticed the coming of day. Then, all of a sudden, we found ourselves surrounded by half-naked natives with spears in their hands. Surprised and terrified, we remained speechless for some time. Then, one of them, presumably their leader, uttered a word. He seemed eager to talk, but there was no language in which we could understand each other.Our teacher, who is always full of ideas, then offered a cigarette to the man who uttered the word. The man, however, seemed to suspect our teacher’s intentions. He refused to accept the cigarette. Our teacher then put it between his own lips and after lighting it, began to puff at it. The man now made a sign which showed that he would not mind having a cigarette after all. At once our teacher gave him one and helped him to light it. As he was puffing at it, we observed signs of satisfaction. Realizing that in this way we could become friends, our teacher gave him a few more cigarettes. The man was so delighted at this demonstration of friendship that he uttered some words, and soon all those who came with him, began to dance and sing.After they had stopped singing, they made several gestures which showed that they had enjoyed our company. They left us after about an hour with smiles on their faces. Our journey into the interior of Borneo was indeed an adventure.

Topic: Is traveling an educative experience? Discuss.

When it involves a short trip or a vacation away from home, it is generally for the purpose of building up health resistance, or for relaxation, or to escape, temporarily, from the monotonous rounds of a daily existence in which there is very little time for change from regular schedules. The human being realizes that variety adds zest to living. Travel supplies variety.Travel can have its other values. When you travel you see new faces and talk to strangers. Such experience is a challenge to your ability to mingle with various kinds of people, especially if they are not of the same type as those to which you are accustomed in your own local environment. You will meet people about whom you have only vaguely read or heard. It is prophesied that such experiences will erase many of the misunderstandings and criticisms.Real acquaintance often dispels petty jealousies, unreasonable, dislikes, intolerant attitudes, and silly prejudices.

HCMC hastily looking for traffic congestion solutions

“Possibility of the burst of traffic congestion was warned 10 years ago, though the state agencies have not had any positive measures. Therefore, ‘grass grows under feet’, it reflects local authorities’ shortsightedness”, admitted Le Hieu Dang, vice chairman of the HCMC Fatherland Front Committee.
In the conference for urgent solutions to traffic congestion and road accidents held by the Fatherland Front Committee yesterday, Mr Dang commented the leaders had given some solutions that were not effective. “It is basically because the city didn’t determinedly conduct measures available as well as enforced documents. A typical example is street encroachment problem which was reported regulatedly before Oct 15 by local districts’ authorities. Up to now, there have been no changes,” said Mr Dang.
Vice Chairman of Vietnam Journalist Associations, Mr Dinh Phong suggested that there should not be an overloaded population in the inner city and it would be more reasonable if there is a move of colleges, train station, bus stations to suburban areas.
HCMC with a 10-million population has been heavily suffering from the constantly increasing number of vehicles. Everyday, the city has averagely 1200 motorbikes and 100 automobiles newly registered. The number of vehicles, together with the additional number of vehicles from out-of-town causes an unavoidably overloaded state to the city.
Deputy Chief of Bureau of Traffic Management, Dau An Phuc indicated a large number of measures will be applied to curb gridlocks up to the end of this year. Particularly, the order of street pavements will be strictly re-organized, plans of moving markets encroaching streets will be submitted in November. For instance, the night market Ki Hoa on Cao Thang Street will be discontinued to return space for circulation.
Some routes in the areas of Nguyen Thai Son – Nguyen Kiem, Cong Quynh – Bui Thi Xuan will be lane-divided. The Transportation Department make projects on altering circulative directions of streets or resizing the width of lanes depending on rush-hours; re-check all the bus routes, move bus stops which are near intersections, which are close to eachother and which are placed at the positions with high road-accident density.
Projects on stacking school and office schedules, charging vehicle-owner fees, imposing stronger penalties on traffic violators… were re-proposed for a referendum before enforcing by the Transportation Department.
However, the Front’s representatives said that the solutions proposed were infeasible and that the city’s authorities fell into embarrassment and confusion in preventing congestion.
Mr Dinh Phong indicated some problems in imposing stronger penalties on traffic violators. For an example, vehicle capturing is unreasonable. He suggested in stead of prisoning vehicles which is a matter for there is not much room enough for keeping them, fines should be heavy and traffic law violations are not missed.
Another idea is that the city should disentangle the problems, find out ways to live with traffic jams, not prevent them by prohibitions. “The project on allowing automobiles to travel on days odd or even depending on their number plates is unfeasible since everyone has rights to use their own vehicles when necessary,” contributed lawyer Nguyen Van Hau. Mr Phong even made the hall bursting out laughing when he showed a case where his wife was in labor on an even day while the number plate was odd. Then she had to wait till an odd day or to take a public transportation to hospital.
The Front’s representatives suggested the Transportation Department should proclaim to the public about starting and ending day of road constructions so that inspection and supervision will be better. Many major constructions of traffic, technical infrastructure in the central city have been slowly conducted, which considerably narrows streets and recently causes traffic congestions in rush-hours.

Essay topic: Describe the farm you visit

Behind the “Rookery” stands a large well-kept farm. I am very fond of going there, and I know all its inhabitants. I am on friendly terms with them; even the watch-dog in its kennel at the gate does not bark at me.Without looking at the cow-house or the pigeon house, the rabbit butch or the pig sty, I walk straight to the stable, where a few horses, an old mare and a young colt are kept. There is also a young pony, with a long mane, and you may imagine how pleased I was when the farmer allowed me to mount the pony. At first I did not do it very well, and one day I even rode into the poultry-yard, frightening the hens and chickens, turkeys and pea-cocks so much that for a few minutes there was a tremendous uproar; fluttering or wings, piercing skirls and busy cackle, which brought out all the farm people.I am also very fond of loitering about the farm, in the large barn, where heaps of hay is stored for the horses and straw for the litters; and one day, with the farm-children I had an exciting game of hide and seek in the coach-house round the wagons, carts van and small wheel-barrows. It made me so hungry that at four o’clock I shared the children’s simple meal for home-made bread, baked at the farm, too. The women wake the dough, with flour, water and yeast; the men knead it, and bake the loaves in the hot oven.I enjoy myself very much and sometimes think it would be nice to live at the farm. Everything looks so pleasant except the big dunghill that the farmer keeps right in the middle of the yard, near the dirty little pond where the ducks and duckling swim all day long.What a lot of work! In autumn the farmer has to plough the ground. After the grain is sown, the farmer does not sleep enough, he is still very busy with mending his tools, feeding his cattle, and above all manuring the field.In spring, with the first rays of the sun, little blades of grass begin to peep above the ground; with April showers they grow taller and taller. The fields are quite green now; soon, if the weather is fine, the ears of corn will be formed. The crops look fine, and the harvest ought to be good. He will not feel content till the reapers have cut it all down and brought it safely to the barns.

Essay topic: A picnic I enjoyed

One day, a few of my friends and I went on a picnic to Minyak Beku, a small interesting place on the coast of Malaya.Minyak Beku is about five miles from Batu Pahat, a well known town in the state of Johore in Malaya. There is a small ancient fort at the entrance to Minyak Beku. The beach at Minyak Beku is beautiful, and there is an iron mine near by.We arrived at that place in the morning. After getting out of the bus, we separated into different groups and looked for shady places to spend the day.Soon, most of us went swimming. While in the water, we were playing a few interesting games. Those who were on the beach were playing other games. Some of them even sang songs and danced. There were still others who were interested in nothing, except picking shells.In short, everyone enjoyed the trip. In the evening, we returned home in our bus, thinking of the fun we had had at that place. I enjoyed the trip so much.

Essay topic: Caught in a storm

Notes: going to an island – sudden storm – Sea rough – Boat danced on waves – Frightened – Prayed for safety – Storm gone – Sea calm again – Returned to shore – Did not visit island.One day I was going to an island in a boat to enjoy the sights of the island. Many other people were also going to the same island in the same boat.Suddenly a storm broke out. The sea became very rough and the boat began to dance on the waves. Everyone in the boat, including me, was frightened. All of us now began to pray for our safety.The wind was so strong that the boatman had great difficulty in controlling the boat. I now wished that I have not made trip.Fortunately, the storm did not last very long, and in a short while, the sea was calm again.The boat then returned to the shore instead of going to the island, for no one in the boat now had any more courage to travel by boat.