English test- Letter to uncle on conservation of whales (2)

Dear Uncle Sam,

How are you? I am doing very well. I am writing to you to tell you the reasons for supporting the conservation of whales and why you should stop eating whale meat.

Firstly, whales are killed at a rate of 20,000 every year and the whale population has decreased by 50 percent over the centuries. Whales are now facing a real and serious danger of being extinct very soon, if we continue to consume them in large numbers.

Next, I would like to let you know that it is actually not difficult or painful to support the conservation of whales. This is because there are now alternatives to whale meat. They are chicken, fish and beef. Although they might taste different from whale meat, if a little sacrifice on our part could become a blessing to others, I think it would really be worth our efforts to protect the whales. Indeed, many people around the world are gradually becoming aware of the threat of whale extinction and has started to cut down on their consumption of whale meat. Even governments have started to either place a ban or set quotas on whale products. Likewise, we should follow suit and not make the situation worse by doing otherwise.

Finally, another reason that strongly supports the conservation of whales is that of the inhumane methods that are involved in the killing of whales. Whalers use harpoons that contain poison arrows, acid, electric charges and grenades to kill whales and when the harpoon digs deep into the flesh of the whales, it takes approximately 20 minutes to an hour for the whale to die. As such, whales are not killed instantaneously but are tortured to death. I hope this description would stir your heart for the adorable looking whales who does not even harm human beings, so that you would reconsider eating whale meat in the future.

Uncle Sam, I hope you would join me in supporting the conservation of whales and reconsider consuming whale meat. You could also encourage your friends to do likewise too. I am looking forward to your next visit to Singapore. Please take good care of yourself! I love you.

Yours sincerely,
xxxxxxx

English test- Letter to uncle on conservation of whales (1)

Dear Uncle Toro,

How is life in Japan so far? It has been a long since we last met. I still remember during your last visit, you told us that you love eating whale meat but sadly, you couldn’t find them in Singapore. I just read an article regarding the conservation of whales and that made me wonder if you are still consuming a lot of whale meat. I think you should reconsider whale meat as your daily diet. Here are the reasons why.

Firstly, over the centuries, whale hunting has reduced whale populations close to the point of extinction. It is measured that the world’s whale population had decreased by up to 50 percent. This means that half of the whale species have already been killed because of man’s demands on whale meat and other whale products.

Next, alternatives can also be found for whale meat that is part of the traditional diet of some nations. Numerous other forms of protein, including plant protein are able to replace whale meat. I have read that some of the communities in your country have already turned to other sources of alternative protein like chicken, fish and beef. You can try replacing your diet with chicken, fish or beef too!

Lastly, do you know whalers around the world are using inhumane methods to kill whales? They use harpoons containing poison arrows, acid, electric charges and grenades to kill whales. When the harpoon digs deep into the flesh of the whales, it takes approximately 20 minutes to an hour for the whale to die. It is a long suffering death for the whales.

In view of the above, don’t you feel sympathy for the whales? If people like you keep consuming whale meat as part of their daily diets, the whale species will soon be extinct and if this happens, your grandchildren won’t be able to have a chance to see a real whale at all. How sad would that be if the beautiful sight of the whale gliding over the surface of the expansive ocean can no longer be passed down to future generations! Extinction of the whale also means that scientists would not be able to study the whale for its intelligence and social interaction- an aspect of the whales that has always fascinated researchers.

I hope you would think about what I have said and reconsider whale meat as your diet alright? I am looking forward to seeing you soon. Please take care uncle!

Yours sincerely,
xxxxxxx

English test- Letter to uncle on smoking (5)

Firstly, if you continue smoking, you might get lung cancer, heart disease or stroke. If you get any of these illnesses, there is a very low chance of recovery. Even if you do, you might be heavily dependent on others. As such, I will feel very depressed if this happens to you.

Moreover, you might not even have enough money left to support yourself as medical expenses to treat such illness are exorbitant. I am sure you do not want to become a burden to us in your old age or make a wrong decision now only to regret later.

Exxxxx

English test- Letter to uncle on smoking (4)

There are also benefits from not smoking. For instance, your clothes will smell nicer, you won't drive people away with your bad breath and you will look and feel more confident of yourself.

Moreover, you can save a lot of money when you do not spend on cigarettes. In turn, the money saved, could be used for a good cause, like giving them to grandma or for putting them into the bank.

Ixxxxx

English test- Letter to uncle on smoking (3)

Uncle, I think you should quit smoking because...

Your daughter just gave birth to a baby girl last month. I am sure you don't want your grand daughter to inhale the poisonous second-hand smoke. In a way, you are being selfish to your family. Do you know that each time I come to your house, cousin Jenny always coughs vehemently whenever you light up a cigarette?

If you don't stop smoking, you will have a high chance of contracting diseases like cancer, stroke and heart disease. Many people regret smoking after they discovered that they have lung cancer. I know of a friend who smokes since he was a youth and he has now discovered that he has contracted lung cancer. I certainly hope that Uncle you will not be living with such regrets in the future!

I always feel worried each time you light up a cigarette. Are you aware that you look very weak and your teeth and fingernails are all turning yellow? I really hope you will quit your bad habit soon.

Yours sincerely,
Cxxxxxxx

English test- Letter to uncle on smoking (2)

Uncle, I think you should quit smoking because smoking causes diseases like cancer, heart disease and stroke. A cigarette contains 400 poisonous chemicals and more than 50 cancer-causing substances.

Furthermore, you are not only harming your own health, your family is also suffering from second-hand smoke in silence as second-hand smokers take in more poisonous chemicals than first-hand smokers.

Even tobacco companies had to label and put the gory pictures of the damages done to a person's health on the cigarette packs.

Next, you are just risking your life because the chances of contracting cancer is higher for smokers than for non-smokers. In fact, seven Singaporeans die prematurely from smoking-related diseases everyday and approximately 90% of lung cancer deaths are caused by tobacco use.

So uncle, please think again before you smoke. Although it is your personal choice, I have your interests at heart and I hope that you will quit smoking soon. If you need help, please consult a doctor.

Anyway, how have you been doing? I am doing just fine but have been busy studying these days. I might be coming over this weekend to show you more information about how smoking harms the body.

Just hope you will put a stop to smoking soon. Take care and see you soon!

Yours sincerely,
Kxxxxxx