Paraphrasing and Summary

A3.1

Regardless of their numbers, it was the immense authority of the Romans that made Latin the international language in their territory.

A3.2.

The recently developed nuclear reactors are safer, more efficient, and require little training to handle. They are adapted to work under higher temperature conditions. Should they fail, they are able to lower their temperature to a safe level automatically. Specialists conclude that future reactors will need to be cost efficient. To gain public acceptance, future reactors should reduce its radioactive waste and make their facilities sabotage proof.

B2. ii.

Appropriate Title:

SMRT cuts cost to stay profitable

B3.1.

In determining the wealth inequality within a country, analysts look at a vast array of direct and indirect factors which are correlated when doing research.

B3.2.

The circumstance in which a language is adopted by people has to do with the influence by its native speakers. It is not limited to political influence, and can extend to religious influence.

C1.

Demonstrate certainty

allege imply remark reject argue insist say examine assert discuss state propose believe mention suggest find claim note survey postulate comment observe write hypothesize

Reporting verb choices:

Argue, assert, believe, claim, insist, mention, observe, remark, say, suggest, write, examine, propose, find, postulate, hypothesize

C31.

Lester (1076) asserts that students often record original content word for word, hence habitually quote too much.

People who undergo extended exposure to gamma radiation are more likely to suffer from cancer (Curie 1898)

Zhenda and Pryanga

My English Language Learning Journey

My English language learning journey began when I was born. As I emerged from my mother’s womb, I screamed a loud “ahhhh”. For about one year, that was the only expression I could utter. My mother told me that my first word was “mummy”.

Growing up in an English speaking family despite having a Chinese mother and an Indian father was a real blessing. Since then, my primary language of communication has been English. From primary till secondary school, attending English lessons and taking tests were a breeze. This was a subject which I did not have to study for, yet could do decently without any revision or practice. The pinnacle of my English language achievements would be my O level English grade, where I scored a respectable B3. 

 However, this trend did not continue. By the time I entered junior college, the lack of reading English materials had taken a toll on my English language capability. I initially struggled hard to get a passing grade in school, but this did not bother me as almost everybody in class was struggling as well.

Given the numerous content heavy subjects in school, I made the active decision to focus on my main subjects. This was so that I could reap better results for my core subjects, rather than focusing on my English grades which may not improve.

Eventually, having not studied English a single day in junior college, I got an E grade for my A levels. Because of this, I had to take the QET as my grade did not meet the minimum requirement.

As I flipped open the QET paper, I was pleasantly surprised as the essay topic was about robots, which I was interested in and had extensive knowledge about. I hastily planned my essay and started writing about all the arguments I could think of without any reference to the passages provided, despite it being an exam requirement. On hindsight, I should have read the exam requirements before proceeding with the essay. I believe I would have scored well should I have taken that approach instead.