Writing for MUET Paper 4 Part 1

Writing Session Part 1 (13 June 2024) 

Sample Question Task 1

Step 1: Familiarize yourself with the task.

How? Examine the email (stimulus) and pinpoint the following:

a. Recognize the keyword(s) in the question or instruction.
b. Who is the sender of the email?
c. Who is the intended recipient of the email?
d. What is the primary subject matter of the email?

 

Formal or casual language?

Once you’ve identified points a, b, c, and d, you’ll determine the appropriate tone and structure for your response. Formal language is typically employed in professional settings, such as by managers, bankers, CEOs, etc., whereas informal language is more common among friends, family members, or even individuals posing as friends (watch out for those scammers!)

In essence, the keywords and language style in the stimulus will indicate the register students should adopt when composing their email replies.

 

STOP RIGHT THERE! Need to know how to reply a letter for MUET question? Click https://ezuddin.com/2024/05/mastering-the-art-of-reply-why-reply-letters-matter-in-the-muet-exam/

 

Ok. Moving ON!!!!!!…

This is the example of the email question.

Your colleague, Rita, was absent from work because she had to attend her sister’s wedding. Read the email from her asking about the Innovative Writing Convention that she missed.

Using all the notes given, write a reply of at least 100 words in an appropriate style.

Step 2: Incorporate all the notes, keywords, and details from the email into your response.

Now, carefully review the instructions and the email to identify the specific notes and keywords to utilize when drafting your email reply. Highlight or underline them as you read through each paragraph.

Your colleague, Rita, was absent from work because she had to attend her sister’s wedding. Read the email from her asking about the Innovative Writing Convention that she missed.   

 

  What is our next course of action?

Perhaps this will aid in clarifying the writing process.

• After identifying the notes or key ideas ,observe the possible response (refer no 1, 2, 3 & 4).

“Using all the notes given, write a reply of at least 100 words in an appropriate style.”

 Based on the information above, here’s what you should consider: –

• Begin your email with a proper salutation, such as “Hi John” or “Hello buddy.”
• Start by identifying the key points or “notes” within the instructions and each paragraph. You might underline these for clarity.
• Once you’ve highlighted the notes, craft a response for each paragraph, ensuring that you address the specific points mentioned. It’s crucial to include relevant keywords from the instructions and elaborate on them in your response.
• When composing your replies, make sure to “AGREE” with any questions posed. For instance, (point no 2) if asked, “Did you join…?” your response should affirmatively state “Yes” before providing further details. Similarly, for point no 3 “Was it interesting?” respond positively and expand upon your answer.
• Given the email format, you have the flexibility to use an informal or casual language style in your responses.

STEP 3: Write the response

As always, when we are set to write the response, we should write in paragraphs. We could refer to the each of the notes above to write each of the paragraphs.

 

Sample responses

Note 1 (for paragraph 1)

The convention was indeed a great one! A lot of audience were there and they loved it.

 

Note 2 (for paragraph 2)

Yes it was interesting even though  I was expecting rather new ideas from the presenter. Nonetheless, a few participants were chosen to give a highlight on the topic for a particular session and it was amazing to see the outcome. Our officemate, Mr Zooki, was in the limelight at that time. He even mentioned some quotes in British accent which to me is rather funny since he is the serious type in the office.

 

Note 3 (for paragraph 3)

Well, it was interesting and, actually one of the main ideas in the writing activities as well. I would say, we had different perspective about property investment though it was not part of the main purpose of this convention. But, surprisingly, his ideas on how to use other people’s money and increase your asset is worth to try for people like us.

 

Note 4 (for paragraph 4)

Yes, I would love to. Let me check my schedules first because I have tonnes of paperwork nearing to that occasion. I need to re-organize the workload and I will let you know as soon as possible.

 

So, the email would look like this.

 

Alright, that’s all for now. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• When responding to inquiries about a previous event, ensure your reply includes precise details such as the venue, date, organizer, and other relevant information mentioned in the email.
• If you need to describe the event, employ appropriate adjectives and sensory details. Consider what you heard, saw, or felt during the event to enhance your description.
• Use suitable expressions to convey various purposes, such as expressing preferences, reactions, disagreements, or declining requests.
• Aim to provide detailed information by elaborating on your main points. This “advance mode” of communication can offer a more comprehensive understanding of your response.

MUET SPEAKING PAPER 2

MUET Paper 2

What is MUET Speaking Test?

(6 June 2024)

Watch the videos below to get the idea of what MUET Speaking is all about

Sample Questions for MUET Speaking

https://www.mpm.edu.my/images/dokumen/calon-peperiksaan/muet/regulation/SAMPLE_QUESTIONS.pdf

In this session, students are taught how to: 

a) manage the 2-minute time given to brainstorm ideas on a piece of paper or on the question paper itself.

-just generate two or three ideas to elaborate

e.g.

You have to give a presentation to your class. Talk about the importance of what and when people eat.

i) healthy food

ii) the mealtime like breakfast and lunch

b) initiate speaking as Candidate A, or B and so on.

 - the simple trick is by repeating the stem of the question and  the task specifically given to each candidate.

 e.g.

Situation

 It is important to be healthy. Suggest some ways to keep healthy.

 CANDIDATE A 

You have to give a presentation to your class. Talk about the importance of what and when people eat.

" Good morning honourable examiners and wise fellow candidates" (greeting/salutation)

" It is important to stay healthy. So, I am going to talk about the importance of what we eat and when to eat."

c) Elaborate on the points/ideas (P) generated and quote some examples (E) to support the ideas.

e.g.

i) healthy food

ii) the mealtime like breakfast and lunch

" It is very important for us to eat healthy food or another word, balanced diet" (P1) like protein and vitamins (E1)

" To stay healthy, we should not take too much fat (P2) like butter and cheese (E2) because these foods are high in cholesterol.

READING/COMPREHENSION

Reading and Understanding Paragraphs, Notices,Advertisements

First, look at the instruction, a word or a few words will tell you what is it all about. In this instruction, it is quite clear that the words advertisements, healthy foods are the key words.

And now, look at the questions:

Q.1 shows no supplies are available for orders RM10 and below

    - the underlined words are the keywords, so these words will lead

      you to choose the advertisement which involves price which is more than RM10. 

So, B seems to qualify the fact; which is, minimum order of only RM25. 

Q.2 offers food which are free of additives or other artificial substances.

- the underlined keywords will guide you to choose C which contains the words, certified organic and Non-GMO

Q.3 helps the overweight to lose their weight.

- the underline keywords seem to agree with A which contains the words sports nutrition and weight loss.

Q.4 cherishes a day for the customers every month.

- the underlined keywords will lead you to choose A, which says last Friday of each month is Customer's Appreciation Day, with 15% off

The words in the instruction show that the passage is an email from the director of the Global Student Exchange Programme. 

Q.5 Be an exchange student in the question stem according to paragraph 1, lines 2 and 3 means develop your  knowledge and understanding of different cultures seem to agree with answer C, which says to learn about new cultures

Q.6 The keyword in the stem of the question is goal. Paragraph 2, line 6, ...to enjoy foreign culture and tradition, this will lead you to choose C, which contains...knowledge of foreign cultures

Q.7 The keywords in the stem of the question are the benefits of the programme and not true. The response in answer A is true, so it will be eliminated. The response in B is false/not true, that is the quality of communication skills will deteriorate because Paragraph 3, lines 7 and 8 states that...helps to develop your communication skills. So, we will choose B as the answer.

Q.8 The keywords in the stem of the question are ...qualifications/documents, required, participate, this programme. Lines 3 and 4 in Paragraph 4 states...obtain strong grades and engage actively in co-curricular activities. So, response C qualifies/contains all stated above.

Q.9 The keywords in the question are university/university staff help poor students, participate, this programme. Lines 3 and 4 in Paragraph 5 contain the keywords financial difficulties, sholarships, apply for. Both responses B and C contain the listed words but the word approve in B is false in the statement. So, C is the best answer as it contains the word suggest.

Q. 10 The keywords in the stem of the question are dyslexia, difficult to diagnose. In Paragraph 1, lines 1 and 2 contain the words Dyslexia, diagnosis is difficult. So, response B contains the required words, that is...difficult to recognise a dyslexic person.

Q. 11 The keywords in the question are physiological factor,  explains dyslexic's learning disability. Line 2 in Paragraph 2 contains the words...different organization of cells within the brain. Line 3 contains the words learning disability.  So, response B contains the words brain cells organised differently which qualifies it to be the accurate answer.

Q. 12 The keyword is This (line 13) refers to...

Using this cue, we have to find the sentence before the word This in line 13. Going backward, we found the words...unable to connect sounds and symbols. Only response C gives us the equivalence.

 

REMEDIAL EXERCISE FOR EXPOSITORY WRITING

Topic: 

Electricity is an important source of energy. Suggest ways to save electricity in your homes. Give three reasons why you say so.

Content Points:

1. Switch off electrical appliances when they are not in use.

2. Install energy-efficient electrical appliances.

3. Install solar panels to reduce dependence on Tenaga Nasional electrical supply.

Introduction

    Electricity is an important source of enegy. Almost all things at home use electricity. We rely so much on electrical supply to run our life so, we should consume electricity wisely. They are several ways in which we can save electrical energy in our homes. The simple practice is to switch off the electrical appliances when we are not using them. We can also buy energy-efficient electrical appliances or install solar panels to generate energy to reduce the use of existing power supply.

Paragraph 2

    We should practise energy-saving habits simply by switcing off electrical appliances such as ceiling fans or lights in our homes when we are not using them. It sounds simple but it needs to be inculcatated in every member of the family or it is likely not going to happen. This simple practice may save a lot of energy in the long run. We can also set the temperature of our air-conditioner unit to a higher temperature first before lowering it. This operational procedure could save a lot more energy than you can ever imagine.

Paragraph 3

    One should have knowledge on energy-saving appliances by consulting the specification note or manual before deciding to buy them. This could save our monthly and annual budget. Paying electrical bills through the nose is not a pleasant experience. Having a few energy-efficient appliances in our homes can save our wallets. Household appliances like washing machines, microwave ovens and irons do consume a lot of energy so, we should try to buy low power consumption appliances like the 'inverter' technology air-conditioners.

Paragraph 4

    Apart from that, we can install solar panels to supply additional power to our homes. Meaning, we do not have to rely totally on the existing home power supply. Although this will mean we have to bear the high installation cost but at the end of the month, we could enjoy extra money for other expenses. In the long run, we can swell up our money chest for vacations or buying our dream car or even a new house! This long-term planning may work but be careful, we may end up installing low quality solar panels which are not durable.

Conclusion/Closure

    In conclusion, power-saving practices do provide a lot benefits to our livelihood. Based on the arguments above, we can practise the three ways of saving electricity to optimize our household budgets and live comfortably within our means.

    

    

CONCLUSION FROM DIAGNOSTIC TEST

Rumusan dari Ujian Diagnostik Penulisan MUET

Tarikh Ujian:       25 April 2024

Masa:                   11.00 pagi

Jenis Ujian:         Penulisan jenis fakta (Expository Paragraphs)

Format MUET:   Mencakupi 2 Kertas iaitu Lisan dan Penulisan (50% dari jumlah markah keseluruhan atau 150 markah)

Dapatan:

i)                 Lack of content (kurang isi)

ii)                Lack of coherence (kurang koheren)

iii)              Fragmented sentences (struktur ayat yang lemah)

iv)              Limited vocabulary (kosa kata yang terhad)

Jumping In

Teaching Proposal

Basic MUET Teaching Plan and Strategy Proposal for Students of Madrasah Al-Khairiyah 2024

Exposure Phase

Date/Time	Topic	Skills	Activities
Week 1 Thursday 25 April 2024 2 hours	Introduction to MUET	Understanding the test format conforming to CEFR	Listening to briefing and perform short informal exercises
Week 2 Thursday 2 May 2024 2 hours	Listening Comprehension	Understanding the specific listening comprehension format	Listening to audio cuts and answer short listening comprehension questions
Week 3 Thursday 9 May 2024 2 hours	Speaking Test	Understanding the specific speaking test format	Responding to questions and understanding the tasks. Understanding and performing short speaking test questions conforming to proper format
Week 4 Thursday 16 May 2024 2 hours	Comprehension test	Understanding the specific test format	Answering question based on short passages
Week 5 Thursday 23 May 2024 2 hours	Writing Test	Understanding the specific test format	Writing short paragraphs conforming to proper organization

Getting to know MUET

MUET Latest Format

Session 1 Part 1

(24 April 2024)

2024 (April, August and December)

The link:

https://www.mpm.edu.my/en/muet/regulations-and-test-specifications-bi

Session 1 Part 2 (25 April 20240)

Grammatical- Translation Method vs Subject-Verb-Object Approach for Teachers and Students

We have heard of GTM (Grammar-Translation Method) before and most of us have been exposed and taught this way. This approach entails the use of grammatical components as the main approach in the teaching of English. In examinations, this approach seems to be quite effective as teachers drill the students with grammar which most of it deals with nouns, verbs and prepositions. They are then trained to write maintaining the common grammatical components. Of course, the students managed to get through with flying colours upon choosing to write narratives! In other words, they escaped writing factual passages which require them to organise their thoughts and write cohesively and coherently. This has been going on for years until they (the students) are put to a halt when they have to sit for MUET. What happens is, they have no choice but to write ONE factual essay which they have never done before. They do not even know how to start.