1. UNIVERSITI PENDIDIKAN SULTAN IDRIS
TANJUNG MALIM, PERAK DARUL RIDZUAN
BIL 3013 ENGLISH GRAMMAR
ASSIGNMENT 1
LECTURER
DR NAPISAH BINTI KEPOL
NAME
NURHAFIZAH BINTI AJLAN
D 20102040807
801204-14-5448
GROUP
UPSI 01 ( A121PJJ )

2. MYSELF
The day which changed my whole life is still vivid in my mind. It was an important event in my
life which affected my life in many ways. It happened years ago in a month of March. On that
particular day, I wake up as early as 4.00 a.m. My eyes were wide opened staring at the ceiling
of the room. At about 6 am I get out of my bed and went to the bathroom and take my bath. Soon
after that, I had my morning prayers asking for the Almighty’s blessing. Around 9.30 a.m, I left
home . I was on the way to my school to take my Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination
result. As usual, Iam riding my motorbike. Along the way, I couldn’t stop myself from
imagining myself from getting a perfect result. Since, I was one of the top student in my school, I
was quite confident that I would get an excellent result.
As I reached the school compound, I saw many of my friends heading towards the school
hall. I saw some of my friends coming out from the hall with tears. I could just not predict the
reason. Is it tears of joy or sadness? I told myself, “I better get going in and get my result.”. I
took a deep breath and went to the hall. I queued up at the counter set by the school for the
Science stream students. It was my turn. I was speechless looking at my result. I felt that my eyes
were getting heavier. I was trying not to allow my tears to flow. It was so tough. I could not stay
there any longer. I rode back home. My result was not that bad. I was disappointed with some of
the grades of the Science subjects. I know I could not obtained scholarship with this result. It is a
disgrace for me. I have disappointed my parents. I should have worked harder. Actually, I did not
complete my revision. I was too confident that I would be able to sail through since I have
always managed to do well. I failed myself.
This event changed my life especially my living condition, my behaviour and attitude.
First of all, this event is the cause of my current living condition. Although, my living condition
is not that bad, it is actually not a life I have ever dreamed off. Since, I could not secure a place
for a Medical Course due to my poor result; I had to shift my focus to a different field which
does not guarantee a promising living condition. Now, my salary is just an average amount any
common person will earn. This amount is just enough for me to settle my bills, getting monthly
groceries, children’s expenses, petrol etc. At the end of the month, I barely have any amount for
my saving. Sometimes, it is just not enough to run the family till the end of the month. Hence, I

3. have to change my living condition. I have to sacrifice a lot. In fact, I even have to abolish the
use of television at home.
My behaviour changed drastically too. I was no longer over confident about anything. I
started changing my goals in life. I enrol myself in a teaching course. I worked hard each
semester. Some of the courses which I took were too easy. However, I did not want to repeat the
same mistake again. I worked very hard each semester. I studied very hard day and night.
My hard work was worthy. I graduated with an excellent result. I passed with distinction. I am
proud myself.
I guess that important event which happened years ago really had given me a good lesson. It
really changed my behaviour and attitude. I am a better person now. Perhaps that event was the
reason for who am I now.

4. A) EXPLANATION OF THE TWO ERRORS
i- INTRODUCTION ( TENSE )
Tense is typically marked on the verb, that refers to the time of event denoted by the verb to
some other reference points. There are ten types of tenses such as Present Simple, Present
Continuous, Past Simple, Past Continuous, Present Perfect Simple, Present Perfect Continuous,
Perfect Tenses, Past Simple, Future Continuous, Future Perfect.
From the tenses which are used by the writer, it shows us the time of the event takes place. By
looking at the changes of the verbs, so that we can know the sequence of the story very well.
SYNTHESIS OF THE TENSE IN THE ESSAY
There are two main grammatical errors found from the essay. The first one is the wrong use of
tenses which are not suitable. For example, on the third line of the first paragraph shows the use
of the word ( wake up ) which is supposed to be written as ( woke up ). It is identified as
incorrect because the writer wrote about her experience of an event which changed her life and it
is something past. And, she wrote to talk about her experience during a particular period of time.
Even though the ideas or points of the story is understood, however, the use of correct tense is
very important to get the consistency of writing and to be well organized. Same goes to the use
of word ( take ) on the fourth line, which is supposed not to be done because of the intention of
the writer was to tell the past action which is not ongoing happen.
ii) INTRODUCTION ( LINKING WORDS )
The use of linking words is important to help us to connect ideas and sentences to get a smooth
flow of story or points. There are many examples of linking words such as ‘for examples’,
‘namely’, ‘in addition, ‘as well as,’ ‘moreover’, ‘apart of’, ‘in conclusion’ and etc. It is good to
use linking words to sequence the ideas or points so that the readers can understand the writing
easily to get a meaningful reading as well.

5. Referring to the essay, the writer uses very few of linking words which makes her essay does
not having a smooth flow and consequently, it makes the reading like a series of unrelated
statements. Generally, the linking words should link the paragraphs well and accordingly.
SYNTHESIS OF LINKING WORDS IN THE ESSAY
We can see that there are very few of linking words used in the sample of the essay. She used
some common linking words such as ‘however’, ‘first of all’ and ‘although’. The word
‘however’ is often used to present an argument against something. This can be found in the last
third paragraph, that she does not want to repeat the same mistake ( being too confident of
herself ) but she changed to be more hardworking in her study.
Next, the use of ‘although’ in the essay is good to contrast each other. For example, the writer
wrote (Although, my living condition is not that bad, it is actually not a life I have ever dreamed
off. ), which can be found from the third passage, tells us that she is contrasting between her
current life and her dream life.
Overall conclusion, I found that the writer uses very few linking words which is not good in
order to perceive a beautiful style of writing.
REFLECTION OF HOW I LEARNED GRAMMAR
There are many ways of learning grammar. It all depends on the person himself. Like myself, I
use DVD as the easiest way to learn grammar. To me, it is good way as a beginner learner
especially for the kids. The interactive words and pictures from the DVD attracted me to learn
grammar everyday. I really enjoyed to watch DVD of grammar when I was in primary school.
But, as an adult learner, I prefer to learn from the reference books that can easily can be bought
from the bookstore. To me, reading and learning about grammar should be done frequently as a
way to enhance our grammar skill. Besides that, I also do some grammar exercises as a drilling
or practice to improve my grammar and knowing the functions of each of the grammar item.
Next, I usually write a narrative essay in a week to boost up my writing skill and then let my
colleagues to check the errors can be found from the writing. This is one of the way that helps

6. me a lot in order to improve and aware off the importance of grammar in writing and speaking as
well.
But, strongly to say that,to me, the best way to learn grammar is by practicing to have a
communicative drilling with friends, colleagues or any people such as by involving any
impromptu and interact in English. The fact is, practices make us perfect due to frequent drilling.
REFERENCES
Michael, S. and Catherine, W . ( 2011 ). Oxford English Grammar Course, Oxford
University
Press, United Kingdom.
Ken, P. ( 2012 ). Oxford Living Grammar, Oxford University Press, United Kingdom.
Azar, Betty,S.( 1941 ). Fundamentals of English Grammar, Tina B. Carver, New York.