📝 Unit 5: Best Practices
Modals · giving advice · do's and don'ts · adverbs · safety notices
Task 1 — Match instructions to places (5 marks)
(5 marks)
Match each instruction with the place it belongs to. Write the
correct letter in the blank. The first one is done for you.
Places:
A — Library B — School laboratory C — Hospital ward D — Swimming pool E — Bus F — Petrol station
Instructions:
(1) Switch off your engine while refuelling. → F (example)
(2) No running on the wet floor. → ...
(3) Maintain complete silence. → ...
(4) Do not eat, drink or smell chemicals without permission. → ...
(5) Visiting hours are between 4 and 6 p.m. → ...
(6) Hold the railing while the vehicle is moving. → ...
correct letter in the blank. The first one is done for you.
Places:
A — Library B — School laboratory C — Hospital ward D — Swimming pool E — Bus F — Petrol station
Instructions:
(1) Switch off your engine while refuelling. → F (example)
(2) No running on the wet floor. → ...
(3) Maintain complete silence. → ...
(4) Do not eat, drink or smell chemicals without permission. → ...
(5) Visiting hours are between 4 and 6 p.m. → ...
(6) Hold the railing while the vehicle is moving. → ...
(2) D — Swimming pool
(3) A — Library
(4) B — Laboratory
(5) C — Hospital ward
(6) E — Bus
5 marks.
(3) A — Library
(4) B — Laboratory
(5) C — Hospital ward
(6) E — Bus
5 marks.
Task 2 — Fill the blanks with modals (5 marks)
(5 marks)
Fill in each blank with the most suitable modal from the box.
There is one extra modal.
Word box: should · must · must not · ought to · had better · have to
(1) Students ........... wear their uniforms neatly at all times.
(2) You ........... drink three litres of water a day — it is good for your skin.
(3) Visitors ........... not enter the laboratory without permission.
(4) You ........... start studying now if you want to pass in December.
(5) We ........... respect our elders; it is the right thing to do.
There is one extra modal.
Word box: should · must · must not · ought to · had better · have to
(1) Students ........... wear their uniforms neatly at all times.
(2) You ........... drink three litres of water a day — it is good for your skin.
(3) Visitors ........... not enter the laboratory without permission.
(4) You ........... start studying now if you want to pass in December.
(5) We ........... respect our elders; it is the right thing to do.
(1) must / have to (school rule)
(2) should
(3) must (= must not enter)
(4) had better
(5) ought to
5 marks.
(2) should
(3) must (= must not enter)
(4) had better
(5) ought to
5 marks.
Task 3 — Adverbs: change adjective to adverb (5 marks)
(5 marks)
Fill in the blanks with the adverb form of the adjective in
brackets. The first one is done for you.
(1) She spoke (slow) ...slowly... so we could all hear her. (example)
(2) The children waited (patient) ........... for the bell.
(3) Drive (careful) ........... — the road is slippery.
(4) He answered the question (correct) ........... .
(5) The flag fluttered (proud) ........... in the wind.
(6) She sings (beautiful) ........... .
brackets. The first one is done for you.
(1) She spoke (slow) ...slowly... so we could all hear her. (example)
(2) The children waited (patient) ........... for the bell.
(3) Drive (careful) ........... — the road is slippery.
(4) He answered the question (correct) ........... .
(5) The flag fluttered (proud) ........... in the wind.
(6) She sings (beautiful) ........... .
(2) patiently
(3) carefully
(4) correctly
(5) proudly
(6) beautifully
5 marks.
(3) carefully
(4) correctly
(5) proudly
(6) beautifully
5 marks.
Task 4 — Form Do's and Don'ts (5 marks)
(5 marks)
For each topic below, write ONE Do and ONE Don't. The first one
is done for you.
(1) Travelling on a bus
Do: Hold the railing while the bus is moving.
Don't: Do not lean out of the window. (example)
(2) Using the school library
Do: ...
Don't: ...
(3) Visiting a temple
Do: ...
Don't: ...
(4) Eating in the school canteen
Do: ...
Don't: ...
(5) Walking home alone after school
Do: ...
Don't: ...
is done for you.
(1) Travelling on a bus
Do: Hold the railing while the bus is moving.
Don't: Do not lean out of the window. (example)
(2) Using the school library
Do: ...
Don't: ...
(3) Visiting a temple
Do: ...
Don't: ...
(4) Eating in the school canteen
Do: ...
Don't: ...
(5) Walking home alone after school
Do: ...
Don't: ...
(2) Library — Do: Return your books on time. Don't: Don't speak loudly.
(3) Temple — Do: Remove your footwear at the entrance. Don't: Don't take selfies in the shrine room.
(4) Canteen — Do: Wash your hands before eating. Don't: Don't waste food on the plate.
(5) Walking home — Do: Walk on the right side of the road, facing traffic. Don't: Don't talk to strangers.
5 marks.
(3) Temple — Do: Remove your footwear at the entrance. Don't: Don't take selfies in the shrine room.
(4) Canteen — Do: Wash your hands before eating. Don't: Don't waste food on the plate.
(5) Walking home — Do: Walk on the right side of the road, facing traffic. Don't: Don't talk to strangers.
5 marks.
Task 5 — Comprehension: A factory safety incident (5 marks)
(5 marks)
Read the following text and answer the questions.
Fathima worked on the third floor of a garment factory in Katunayake. On a
Monday morning last March, the fire alarm went off just as her shift was
ending. Some of her workmates began to laugh — alarms had been triggered by
faulty wiring twice that month. Others kept on sewing. Fathima, however,
stood up and walked straight to the emergency exit, exactly as her safety
supervisor had drilled them.
Outside, in the carpark, Mr. Peries the safety supervisor counted heads. 87.
He should have had 95. Eight workers were missing. He grabbed his radio and
ordered everyone back to their assembly point.
Inside, the alarm was real this time. A boiler had cracked and the third-
floor sewing hall was filling with smoke. The fire brigade arrived within
seven minutes and put the small fire out before anyone was hurt. But Mr.
Peries was angry. "You must not assume an alarm is false," he told the
workers at the meeting that evening. "You ought to leave immediately and let
me decide."
(1) Where did Fathima work?
(2) Why did some of the workers ignore the alarm?
(3) Write the sentence which shows that Fathima had been properly trained.
(4) What did Mr. Peries do when he found that eight workers were missing?
(5) Underline the correct title for this passage:
(a) The trouble with old factories.
(b) Never ignore a fire alarm.
(c) How Fathima got promoted.
Fathima worked on the third floor of a garment factory in Katunayake. On a
Monday morning last March, the fire alarm went off just as her shift was
ending. Some of her workmates began to laugh — alarms had been triggered by
faulty wiring twice that month. Others kept on sewing. Fathima, however,
stood up and walked straight to the emergency exit, exactly as her safety
supervisor had drilled them.
Outside, in the carpark, Mr. Peries the safety supervisor counted heads. 87.
He should have had 95. Eight workers were missing. He grabbed his radio and
ordered everyone back to their assembly point.
Inside, the alarm was real this time. A boiler had cracked and the third-
floor sewing hall was filling with smoke. The fire brigade arrived within
seven minutes and put the small fire out before anyone was hurt. But Mr.
Peries was angry. "You must not assume an alarm is false," he told the
workers at the meeting that evening. "You ought to leave immediately and let
me decide."
(1) Where did Fathima work?
(2) Why did some of the workers ignore the alarm?
(3) Write the sentence which shows that Fathima had been properly trained.
(4) What did Mr. Peries do when he found that eight workers were missing?
(5) Underline the correct title for this passage:
(a) The trouble with old factories.
(b) Never ignore a fire alarm.
(c) How Fathima got promoted.
(1) On the third floor of a garment factory in Katunayake.
(2) They thought it was a false alarm because alarms had been triggered by faulty wiring twice that month.
(3) "Fathima, however, stood up and walked straight to the emergency exit, exactly as her safety supervisor had drilled them."
(4) He grabbed his radio and ordered everyone back to their assembly point.
(5) (b) Never ignore a fire alarm.
5 marks.
(2) They thought it was a false alarm because alarms had been triggered by faulty wiring twice that month.
(3) "Fathima, however, stood up and walked straight to the emergency exit, exactly as her safety supervisor had drilled them."
(4) He grabbed his radio and ordered everyone back to their assembly point.
(5) (b) Never ignore a fire alarm.
5 marks.
Task 6 — Safety notice (40–50 words)
(5 marks)
You are the head prefect. Write a notice to be put up at the
school staircase reminding students of staircase safety. Use about 40–50 words.
Include:
• two safety rules
• when this is important
• who to report to in an emergency.
school staircase reminding students of staircase safety. Use about 40–50 words.
Include:
• two safety rules
• when this is important
• who to report to in an emergency.
STAIRCASE SAFETY — A REMINDER
All students must walk in single file on the left side of the staircase.
Do not run, push or skip steps, especially during the interval and at
dismissal. In an emergency, please remain calm and report to the prefect on
duty or to Mr. Perera at the main office. Your safety matters most.
— Head Prefect.
50 words. 5 marks.
All students must walk in single file on the left side of the staircase.
Do not run, push or skip steps, especially during the interval and at
dismissal. In an emergency, please remain calm and report to the prefect on
duty or to Mr. Perera at the main office. Your safety matters most.
— Head Prefect.
50 words. 5 marks.
Task 7 — Short paragraph (50–60 words)
(5 marks)
Write a paragraph on ONE of the following. Use about 50–60 words.
(a) Good habits I follow every day
(b) Why we should keep our classroom clean
(c) A safety lesson I learnt the hard way
(a) Good habits I follow every day
(b) Why we should keep our classroom clean
(c) A safety lesson I learnt the hard way
MODEL — Why we should keep our classroom clean (60 words)
A clean classroom is a kind teacher. When the floor is swept and the boards
are wiped, our eyes settle and our minds focus. Dust on desks brings allergies;
food crumbs bring ants. Each one of us should pick up our own litter, share
the sweeping in turn, and refuse to write on the walls. Clean classrooms
make clear minds.
5 marks.
A clean classroom is a kind teacher. When the floor is swept and the boards
are wiped, our eyes settle and our minds focus. Dust on desks brings allergies;
food crumbs bring ants. Each one of us should pick up our own litter, share
the sweeping in turn, and refuse to write on the walls. Clean classrooms
make clear minds.
5 marks.
Task 8 — Letter / data description (~100 words, 10 marks)
(10 marks)
Answer (a) OR (b). Use about 100 words.
(a) Write a letter to the principal of your school suggesting three best
practices that could improve student safety. Include: the problem you have
noticed, three suggestions, why they will work.
(b) The table below shows the results of a survey on Best Practices followed
by 200 students at home. Write a description.
Table (No. of students): Drinks 8 glasses of water 110 · Eats breakfast 95 ·
Sleeps 8 hours 80 · Exercises daily 45 · Avoids fast food 35 · Reads for fun 30.
(a) Write a letter to the principal of your school suggesting three best
practices that could improve student safety. Include: the problem you have
noticed, three suggestions, why they will work.
(b) The table below shows the results of a survey on Best Practices followed
by 200 students at home. Write a description.
Table (No. of students): Drinks 8 glasses of water 110 · Eats breakfast 95 ·
Sleeps 8 hours 80 · Exercises daily 45 · Avoids fast food 35 · Reads for fun 30.
(b) MODEL — Table description (107 words)
The table shows the best practices followed by 200 students at home. Drinking
eight glasses of water a day is the most common habit, followed by 110
students. Eating a proper breakfast is the second most popular practice at 95.
Sleeping eight hours is followed by 80 students, more than the 45 who
exercise daily. Avoiding fast food and reading for fun are the two least
popular habits, at 35 and 30 students respectively.
In summary, basic eating-and-drinking habits are taken seriously by more than
half the students, while reading and exercise still need a real push.
10 marks — accurate data, every comparison phrase used.
The table shows the best practices followed by 200 students at home. Drinking
eight glasses of water a day is the most common habit, followed by 110
students. Eating a proper breakfast is the second most popular practice at 95.
Sleeping eight hours is followed by 80 students, more than the 45 who
exercise daily. Avoiding fast food and reading for fun are the two least
popular habits, at 35 and 30 students respectively.
In summary, basic eating-and-drinking habits are taken seriously by more than
half the students, while reading and exercise still need a real push.
10 marks — accurate data, every comparison phrase used.
Task 9 — Speech / essay (~200 words, 15 marks)
(15 marks)
Write on ONE of the following. Use about 200 words.
(a) A speech you would make at the assembly on 'Best practices to stay safe
on the road'. Include: pedestrian safety, road-crossing rules, helmet for
motorbikes, seat belts.
(b) An essay on 'Why discipline matters in a school'.
(c) An article for the school magazine titled 'Three habits that changed
my year'.
(a) A speech you would make at the assembly on 'Best practices to stay safe
on the road'. Include: pedestrian safety, road-crossing rules, helmet for
motorbikes, seat belts.
(b) An essay on 'Why discipline matters in a school'.
(c) An article for the school magazine titled 'Three habits that changed
my year'.
(a) MODEL — Speech on road safety (212 words)
Good morning, teachers and friends.
Last week a Grade 9 student from our neighbouring school did not come home.
A speeding bus hit him as he ran across the Galle Road. He was wearing
school uniform. He was carrying his bag. He was twelve years old. We must
not let this happen to one of us.
First, when walking on a road, you should always walk on the right side,
facing oncoming traffic. You ought to wear something bright at dusk and dawn.
Second, when you cross, use the zebra crossing or the pedestrian bridge —
never the middle of the road. Stop, look both ways, listen, and only then
cross. Even if the bus is leaving, do not run.
Third, if any of you travels by motorbike with an elder brother or father,
you must wear a helmet. Helmets are not optional; they are the difference
between a headache and a hospital. In a car, the seatbelt is the same kind of
friend.
We sometimes joke that 'I cross fast, accident won't catch me.' But accidents
do not warn. Let us each promise today that we will walk safely, cross safely,
and come home safely.
Thank you.
15 marks — strong opening hook, clear three-step structure, modals used
correctly, warm call to action.
Good morning, teachers and friends.
Last week a Grade 9 student from our neighbouring school did not come home.
A speeding bus hit him as he ran across the Galle Road. He was wearing
school uniform. He was carrying his bag. He was twelve years old. We must
not let this happen to one of us.
First, when walking on a road, you should always walk on the right side,
facing oncoming traffic. You ought to wear something bright at dusk and dawn.
Second, when you cross, use the zebra crossing or the pedestrian bridge —
never the middle of the road. Stop, look both ways, listen, and only then
cross. Even if the bus is leaving, do not run.
Third, if any of you travels by motorbike with an elder brother or father,
you must wear a helmet. Helmets are not optional; they are the difference
between a headache and a hospital. In a car, the seatbelt is the same kind of
friend.
We sometimes joke that 'I cross fast, accident won't catch me.' But accidents
do not warn. Let us each promise today that we will walk safely, cross safely,
and come home safely.
Thank you.
15 marks — strong opening hook, clear three-step structure, modals used
correctly, warm call to action.