When a question gives a notice, chart, picture or passage, the stimulus is material to use, not an answer to copy. Plan by separating what it shows, what the task needs and what you add.
This lesson is part of essay task interpretation. Before you begin, be able to identify the kehendak soalan.
How do I read a stimulus?
Read it twice. The first time, note what it says. The second time, ask what in it connects to the task’s action and audience.
A three-column plan keeps the two jobs apart:
| Stimulus shows | Task needs | I add |
|---|---|---|
| Facts, figures, phrases | The action and audience | My own reasons and examples |
Worked example: a notice and a task
Here is an original stimulus, a school notice:
Kempen Kitar Semula Sekolah. Kertas terkumpul pada Januari: 120 kg. Kertas terkumpul pada Februari: 210 kg. Sumbangan kelas 4 Cemerlang paling tinggi.
And the task: Tulis ucapan untuk perhimpunan sekolah tentang kejayaan kempen ini dan cadangkan cara untuk meneruskannya.
The plan follows the three columns.
| Stimulus shows | Task needs | I add |
|---|---|---|
| Kertas naik daripada 120 kg kepada 210 kg | Kejayaan kempen | Pertambahan 90 kg menunjukkan murid mula peduli |
| Kelas 4 Cemerlang paling tinggi | Audience: murid perhimpunan | Kelas lain boleh menyertai pertandingan |
| Kempen berlaku dua bulan | Cara meneruskannya | Tong kitar semula di setiap kelas, kutipan bulanan |
The first row uses the figures to describe success. The third row moves past the notice to propose how to continue, which is what the second half of the task asks.
The mistake: copying the stimulus
A weaker answer reads: Kertas terkumpul pada Januari ialah 120 kg. Kertas terkumpul pada Februari ialah 210 kg. It repeats the notice and ends there.
The fix is to ask a question after each detail from the stimulus: so what does this show, and what should we do? The answer becomes your sentence. “Jumlah kertas bertambah 90 kg, maka ternyata murid mula menghargai kempen ini.”
Keeping the speech form
Because the task asks for an ucapan, open with a greeting to the audience and address them directly. Even with figures, the tone stays formal and the sentences stay complete. The BM essay plan builder gives you room for the three columns.
Check yourself
The stimulus is: Bilangan buku yang dipinjam di perpustakaan: Mac 80, April 130. The task is: Tulis rencana tentang usaha menggalakkan amalan membaca dan cadangkan satu cara lain. Complete the three columns in one line each.
Answer
- Stimulus shows: peminjaman naik daripada 80 kepada 130 buku.
- Task needs: usaha menggalakkan membaca, dan satu cara lain.
- I add: kenaikan 50 buku menunjukkan minat meningkat; cara lain ialah sudut bacaan di dalam kelas.
The plan uses the figures as evidence and offers a new suggestion, as the task requires.
What to study next
Move on to checking whether every paragraph answers the question. Test the skills on the practice set and log repeated slips in the mistake log tool.
If you want a teacher to go through stimulus questions with you, see online one-to-one SPM Bahasa Melayu tuition.