TASK 6

Blog : Do you think we have been living in unity as 1 Malaysia? Express your opinions with specific examples.

What is unity? What is unity stands for? Very often, we hear from our own people who say, “Malaysia is a unite country.” As for me, I believe that there is unity in Malaysia but because unity can’t be defined within strict parameters, we often “see” unity. Why? One learned person said to me – there is no unity in Malaysia, there is only tolerance. Is it true? Come to think of it, there might be some truth (based on my amateur and inexperience observation). Look at certain people talking to the press; they constantly remind us of one’s race and religion. As a unite citizens, why is it very hard for us to practice what we’ve said? Some people even openly object to the term, “Bangsa Malaysia.” How often do we hear the word “muhibbah” nowadays?

Standing together with one voice over certain issues can be defined as unity. But I think helping out each other in terms of trouble is also a form of unity. It is the essence that matters, not the outward appearance. It is a very important element in ensuring harmonious relationship among each other.

Unity can only be achieved through more time. With time, we will start to share a common history and only then can we begin to see that being divided only serve to our disadvantage. Apart from that, unity is when all work to achieve and maintain equality. If we work towards equality and maintain, where is the source of motivation and satisfaction. This is a basic human instinct. All in all, how good and pleasant it is when we, Malaysian, live together in unity!

GRAMMAR : Search for notes on conditional clauses.

Conditional sentences are often used in written and spoken academic communication. You will find that they are particularly important in assignments that require you to analyse problems and their solutions. Conditional clauses usually begin with if or unless. The main clause often contains a modal.

• If you revise thoroughly, you will pass the examination.
• You use unless to express a negative condition. 
• You won’t pass the examination unless you revise thoroughly. 

1. Real conditions
You use a ‘real’ conditional clause when you want to discuss a possible future occurrence. In this sentence, the writer points to the possible consequences of the Shenzhen River filling up with sea water.

• If the Shenzhen River fills up with sea water, it will affect the flow of water and could change the habitat of the Mai Po marshes.

2. Unreal or hypothetical conditions
You use an ‘unreal’ or ‘hypothetical’ conditional clause when you want to discuss an unlikely situation, e.g. when you want to speculate or wonder ‘what if’ about a situation or a problem.If the government increased the basic rate of income tax to 50%, the public would be outraged.
You can use the pattern if … were to-infinitive to discuss an imaginary future situation.If the government were to replace English with Putonghua as the usual medium of tertiary education, it would probably be very unpopular with students and teachers.


You will sometimes find it interesting to discuss ‘what might have been’, i.e. to discuss something that might have happened in the past, but did not actually happen (see Reference Material on Critiquing).

• If we had checked the equipment carefully, I’m sure the experiment would have been successful.

3. Necessary conditions
Sometimes you will need to indicate what is necessary for a situation to occur. When you want to indicate a necessary condition, you can use the following conjunctions:

provided (that) providing (that) on condition (that) as long as only if

• You can borrow my laptop provided that you return it by five o’clock.
• The universities will probably accept the proposal as long as the government provides sufficient funding.