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Book Review (2)

Book review #2


During the holidays, I have read a book named as 'The Kidnapped', this is a book which written by Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson, an adventure story writer. He has also written some famous novels such as “Treasure island”, and “The wrong box”.

This story is mainly distributed into 3 sections, the first section is about the relationship between David and his uncle, and why David was kidnapped, the second section is about how David meets Alan, and the last section is about the Journey that David and Alan took to return to David’s country.

This book is an adventurous book which talks about the journey of 12 years old boy, David Balfour. The story start with when David’s father has died, he has to stay in his uncle’s house. However, his uncle dislikes him and sent David to Hoseason, to kidnapped David and sent him away. One day, David has helped a man called Alan from being murdered, and David and Alan has robbed the ship that used to sent him away and drove ashore. Then they continue their journey of returning to David’s homeland.

During the journey, David's health rapidly deteriorates, and David even angry of Alan as Alan loses all of their money playing cards with Cluny, and their journey became worse. But they recover sometimes later. In the end of the story, Alan has helped David to get two-thirds of the estate's income of his father left for as long as his wicked uncle survived. The novel ends with David and Alan parting ways, Alan going to France, and David going to a bank to settle his money.

I really enjoy reading this book as this novel is filled with excitement, and I enjoy reading adventure stories.

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Book Review (1)

Book review #1

During the holidays, I have read a book named as '20000 thousand leagues under the sea’; this book is written by Jules Verne, an adventure story writer, who has also written novels such as 'Journey to the Center of the Earth' and 'Around the earth in 80 days'.

This story is mainly distributed into 3 sections, the first section is about how professor Aronnex, his manservant, Conseil and Ned Land land on the Nautilus, and how they met captain Nemo, the second section is about the exciting adventurous that they have done during the journey. The last section is about how the three people escaped from the Nautilus.

This book is a science fiction book which talks about the thought of the ‘submarine’ that hasn’t been investigated on that time. The story opens in the year 1866. Everyone in Europe and America is talking about a mysterious creature that has been sinking ships. Finally, the United States government decides to send out a ship named as “Abraham Lincoln” to capture and identify the creature. On board the ship are Professor Aronnax, his manservant, Conseil, and Ned Land, the king of harpooners. The Abraham Lincoln is attacked by the creature sometimes later. Aronnax, Conseil and Land go overboard.

The three men then find themselves on top of the mysterious creature, which is actually a submarine vessel, the Nautilus. They are taken on board and placed in a cell. Then they meet Captain Nemo, the commander of the vessel. He tells them they can stay on board the ship and enjoy freedom as long as they return to the cell if asked. They are never to leave the vessel again. Ned Land says he will not promise that he will not try to escape. Captain Nemo treats the men very well, especially Aronnex. The three people have their freedom to wander around the vessel at their leisure. During the board, Aronnex has write down what he has observed during the journey.
During their time on the Nautilus, the men experience exciting adventures. They hunt in underwater forests, visit an island with angry natives, visit the lost city of Atlantis, and fish for giant pearls. One night, while off the coast of Norway, Aronnax, Conseil and Land plan an escape as they realize they are heading toward a giant whirlpool—one that no ship has ever survived. Amazingly, in only a small dinghy they emerge safely. They awake in the hut of a fisherman. In the end of the story, Aronnax is awaiting his return to France and write down his memories of the journey that with Captain Nemo.


I really enjoy reading this book as this novel is filled with excitement, and I enjoy reading adventure stories.

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Reflection on 'The Soldier'

Q - Young man in Singapore, including you, will have to National Service. Why do you think National Service is compulsory in Singapore and why is it important? In the poem, the speaker expresses his love for his country, England. Do you find this same spirit of patriotism for Singapore? Why?


National Service was introduced in 1967 at an aim of building up the defense of the country. In the early years after Singapore independence in 1965, when the British army completely pulled out from Singapore, It needed urgently to build up its own defense capability. However, Singapore could not afford a large army of professional soldiers and thus manpower of the locals were required. Till now, National Service serves the purpose of enabling Singaporeans to have the skills to fight to defend Singapore. It also helps in providing social cohesion among different races of people in Singapore.

In the poem, the speaker expresses his love for his country. However, such spirit could hardly be found in Singapore. around 90% of Singaporeans hated National Service and hoped that such exercise does not exist. They feel the practice as burden. Nowadays most teenagers in Singapore have no sense of defending the country. They take the comfort and peace we are having now for granted.

Am I having this same spirit of patriotism for Singapore? To say the truth, obviously not! Although our primary school teacher always teach us that we must protect our country, who cares! We are force to participate in National Service without having a choice! It would not only delay our study and I am so sure that the poet was well influenced by his country and he volunteered for the military like some (very little amount) of Singaporeans who feel the need to protect and love the country.

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Home Learning 2

Rainbow Death

America did not foreseeGreen, pink, purple and other colors death potpourri!Expecting others to pay a high price.Now thinking twice?Toll on the innocent and unborn.
Omnipotent and disregarding who will mourn.Reflective about all the illness, birth defects and prematurely dead.All the deceit continues to spread.Nefariously America led astray -Generations untold WILL pay -Execrable effects of agent orange spray!Hubert Wilson


This poem was written by Hubert Wilson, who was a veteran of the Vietnam war. He serve in the USAF security service during the war and probably having painful experience during the time he expose to the chemicals. After years and when he started to have mobility issues, he started writing.

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The situation in the poem is dire which filled with different color of chemicals "Green, pink, purple and other colors death potpourri" According to Wikipedia, Agent Orange is the code name for one of the herbicides and defoliants used by the U.S. military in the Vietnam war. Due to the effect of Agent Orange, Vietnam estimates 400,000 people being killed or maimed, and 500,000 children born with birth defects. Agent Orange was said as 'A Killer Then And A Killer Now' because of its continually effect that would affect the next generation. The poem also somewhat show how selfish the Americans are, and how cool-heart are them by neglecting hundreds thousands of death which shows in 'Omnipotent and disregarding who will mourn'.

The language of the poem shows sarcasm to the America from phrases such as 'Now thinking twice?' which indicates that America doesn't think of the consequences before starting the war. The poem follows a-a-b-b-c-c rhyming pattern and the first alphabet of each sentence form 'AGENT ORANGE'

Personal Respond:

I feel that chemicals can cause terrible effects to human and environment if use for sin purposes such as wars, which even after the war ends, the effect will continue which would harm the next generation. I could feel the anger of the poet toward wars and the 'Agent Orange', while also to the Americans. I have the same feeling with him after reading the poem which shows how many people dying and harmed by the chemicals.

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