SING TO THE DAWN – MINFONG HO

“PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT”

PLAN YOUR ANSWER :
NOTE: You are required to use your higher order thinking skills (HOTS) when answering the
question on the novel. So, you need to be systematic and organised in your approach.

PARAGRAPH ANSWER
1 INTRODUCTION + THESIS STATEMENT
2 POINT 1 + EVIDENCE + JUSTIFICATION
3 POINT 2 + EVIDENCE + JUSTIFICATION
4 POINT 3 + EVIDENCE + JUSTIFICATION
5 CONCLUSION + REFLECTION

???

Point 1 Point 2 Point 3

Evidence Evidence Evidence

Justification Justification Justification

NOTE: As you read the question, highlight/underline the key words.

EXAMPLE:
Choose ONE character that has undergone some major changes in his/her life. Describe the
changes and support each change with evidence from the novel.

Character

Change 1 Change 2 Change 3

Evidence Evidence Evidence

Justification Justification Justification

Example:

DAWAN

[After she won the scholarship]

more more more

POINTS : determined courageous mature

EVIDENCE : to further her approaches thinks about

studies in the the old monk her future & how
city & her father to help her family

JUSTIFICATION : To emphasize She needs to To improve the

on the equality convince others life of her family
of education about her & to get out of
(not only for boys) ability poverty
Based on the given points, try to write your answer. The introductory paragraph is already done
for you.

PARAGRAPH 1 Based on the novel “Sing to the Dawn” by Minfong Ho, the character that
has undergone some major changes in her life is Dawan. She is a poor Thai
village girl, aged 14 years old, who won a scholarship to study in the city.
After winning the scholarship, Dawan has become more determined,
courageous and mature in trying to pursue her dreams.
PARAGRAPH 2

PARAGRAPH 3

PARAGRAPH 4

PARAGRAPH 5 So, based on the evidence from the novel that I have given, it really proves
that Dawan has changed for the better. I wish I could be determined,
courageous and mature like Dawan, to be successful in my studies and in my
life.
 NOVEL MARATHON

1. Describe two characters who show similar characteristics in the novel that you have studied.

PARAGRAPH 1 Based on the novel “Sing to the Dawn” by Minfong Ho. It’s about a young
Thai girl name Dawan. She comes from a poor family and she won a
scholarship to study in the city. She is very determine to change her
future. In this novel, the two characters who show similar
characteristics are…………………………………………………………………… I will explain my
answers based on the points below.

PARAGRAPH 2

PARAGRAPH 3

PARAGRAPH 4

PARAGRAPH 5 So, based on the evidence from the novel that I have given, it really proves
that _____________________________________. I wish I could have
the similar characteristics because ___________________
______________________________________________________
 2. Describe the most important theme in the novel. Discuss how the theme can be applied in
your life as a school student.

POINT 1

POINT 2

POINT 3

3. Describe a close relationship between two characters in the novel that you have studied.
Explain valuable lessons which you have learnt from their close relationship. .

POINT 1

POINT 2

POINT 3

4. Write about a principle of life held by one of the characters in the novel. Discuss how the
principle is relevant to you as a teenager.

POINT 1

POINT 2

POINT 3
 5. Describe a character who portrays sheer determination in the novel that you have studied.
What are the effects of his or her determination?

POINT 1

POINT 2

POINT 3

6. Describe a scene which portrays a value in detail. Explain the importance of the value.
Support your answer with close reference to the text.

POINT 1

POINT 2

POINT 3

7. Choose three incidents that you wish did not happen in the novel. Give reasons with close
reference to the text.

POINT 1

POINT 2

POINT 3
 8. ‘Patience is a virtue’. Describe a character who shows great patience and discuss the effects
of being patient.

POINT 1

POINT 2

POINT 3

9. The element of kindness is portrayed throughout the novel. With close reference to the text,
discuss how this element is shown in the novel.

POINT 1

POINT 2

POINT 3

10. Describe happenings which highlight courage in the novel. With close reference to the text,
discuss the consequences of being courageous.

POINT 1

POINT 2

POINT 3
 11. ‘Responsibility is a very important aspect in life.’ Based on the novel you have studied,
identify one main character whom you consider to be a very responsible person. With close
reference to the text, explain the positive outcomes of being responsible.

POINT 1

POINT 2

POINT 3

12. From the novel that you have read, describe scenes which make you angry. With close
reference to the text, explain why you feel that way.

POINT 1

POINT 2

POINT 3

13. Discuss an issue in the novel you have studied which makes you feel sad. Why do you feel
that way? Support your answer with close reference to the text.

POINT 1

POINT 2

POINT 3
 14. ‘Life is full of challenges’. Discuss an important value that is held firmly by one of the
characters in facing challenges. Support your answer with close reference to the text.

POINT 1

POINT 2

POINT 3

15. Which part of the story do you like most? Give reasons for your choice with close
reference to the text.

POINT 1

POINT 2

POINT 3

16. Based on the novel you have studied, which character has made a great influence on you.
Explain in what way the character has influenced you.

POINT 1

POINT 2

POINT 3

17. .
 18. Based on the novel you have studied, state one of the decisions made by the main character
and explain the reasons why the decision is made.

POINT 1

POINT 2

POINT 3

19. Who would you like to be in the novel? Give reasons for your choice with close reference to
the text.

POINT 1

POINT 2

POINT 3

20. If you could change the ending of the story, how would you change it? Give reasons for your
choice, with close reference to the text.

POINT 1

POINT 2

POINT 3
SPM 1119 Novel Questions (2001 – 2018):

SPM Area Question

2001 Character (a) Which character do you like best in the novel you have studied?
(b) Give three reasons why you like this character using information
from the
Novel you have chosen to support your answer.
2002 Moral value / Write a detailed account of an event in the novel you have chosen
Plot which teaches you an important moral lesson. In your account you
must make clear what that moral lesson is.
2003 Character (a) Which character do you sympathise with in the novel you have
studied?
(b) Explain why you sympathise with this character. Support your
answer with evidence from the novel.
2004 Plot Choose an event in the novel you have studied which you find to be
most memorable. Give reasons for your choice and with close
reference to the text, discuss the event.
2005 Theme ‘Love is important in a family’. How is this shown in the novel you
have read? Support your answer with close reference to the text.
2006 Character The writer describes the main character as a very determined
person. Using details from the novel that you have studied, write
about:
 some instances that show the character’s determination
 how the determination affects his/her family
2007 Character ‘It is important to have a person you look up to in your life.’ From the
novel that you have read, write about one character that you look up
to. Give reasons why you choose him/her.
2008 Plot Using details from the novel that you have studied,
 describe what happens at the end of the novel
 explain why you find the ending either happy or sad
Support your answer with close reference to the text.
2009 Plot / Using the details from the novel that you have studied, write about a
Character difficult decision made by one of the characters. With close
reference to the text, do you think this was the right decision?
2010 Plot Based on the novel that you have read, write about an important
incident that you remember. Give reasons why you remember the
incident.

2011 Plot Which part of the story do you like most? Give reasons for your
choice with close reference to the text.
2012 Plot Based on the novel you have studied, write about an event that
makes you angry. With close reference to the text, give reasons why
the event makes you feel this way.
2013 Plot/Character Write about an important decision made by one of the characters.
s With close reference to the text, explain how it affects the other
characters.
2014 Theme “One has to struggle to improve one’s life.” With close reference to
the text, how far is this true of the novel you have read?
2015 Character Suggest one character in the novel you have read who you think is a
 good role model for teenagers.
Briefly explain the character and give reasons for your choice with
close reference to the text.
2016 Plot Describe a scene that makes you either happy or sad. Give reasons
why the scene makes you feel happy or sad with close reference to
the text.
2017 Value / moral Based on the novel that you have studied, write about a value that is
lesson important to one of the characters in the story. Give reasons why it
is so, with close reference to the text.
2018 Plot / With close reference to the text, describe one problem faced by the
Character main character. Give your opinion about the way the problem was
solved.