MUET WRITING

(TASK 1)
CEFR-aligned MUET and New
Exam Format

Easy step by step

MUET Writing Tutorial
 TASK 1 GUIDED WRITING

Task 1 consist of a textual stimulus

in the form of a letter or an email
containing three or four notes.
Example of stimulus and task
Your friend, Simon, was absent
from college because he had
to attend an interview. Read
the email from him asking
about the Public Speaking
Workshop which he missed.
 From: Simon
Subject: Toastmasters Public Speaking Workshop
Hi, NOTES:

1
How was the Public Speaking Workshop? I feel very sad
Great!
that I missed it as I had to attend a scholarship interview.

I heard that the talk by Mr Tanaka went really well! Did

2
you do any other interesting activities at the workshop? Describe

I also heard that Patrick, our Public Speaking Club

3 Yes,
President gave a talk. Was it interesting?
because

I heard too that our college is planning another

4 workshop soon and I definitely want to join it. Would you
like to join me? Tell Simon

Write soon!

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

 [TIPS ON HOW TO RESPOND THE TASK]

 The context: Toast Masters Public
Speaking Workshop
 The main ideas/paragraphs: In your reply,
1) Describe how the workshop was.
2) Describe another interesting activity at
the workshop.
3) Describe whether or not you found
Patrick’s talk interesting and state why.
4) Tell Simon whether or not you plan to join
him for the next workshop.
Helpful Hints
 Read, analyse and understand the stimulus.
 Identify the target reader/audience.
 Plan your response before you start writing.
 Answer all the questions given in the
letter/email.
 Use all the notes to develop your response.
 Use the correct language register in your
response.
 Respond in an appropriate style (letter or
email)
 Review your writing.
Expanding the Notes Given
PARAGRAPH 1

How was the Public Speaking Workshop? I feel

STIMULUS
very sad that…

Great!

• Implies a positive response:

NOTE GIVEN  Talk about how well the workshop was
received
 Explain why (elaborate on your opinion)

NOTE
The workshop was a great event! Many people
EXPANSION
enjoyed it.
(Sample)
Expanding the Notes Given
PARAGRAPH 2

I heard that the talk by Mr Tanaka went really

STIMULUS well! Did you do any other interesting activities
at the workshop?

Describe
• Describe an interesting activity or two that
NOTE GIVEN
could have taken place during the workshop
• Give some details.

A really interesting activity that we did was

called Table Topics, where we had to perform
NOTE
impromptu speeches. A few participants were
EXPANSION
chosen to deliver their speeches and it was
(Sample)
amazing to see them perform. Mr Tanaka even
gave them feedback afterwards!
Expanding the Notes Given
PARAGRAPH 3

I also heard that Patrick, our Public Speaking

STIMULUS
Club President, gave a talk. Was it interesting?

Yes, because…
• The note says that the talk was interesting.
NOTE GIVEN
Give a reason for this, e.g. funny stories,
good speaker, interesting topic, etc.

NOTE
Yes, Patrick’s speech was very interesting
EXPANSION
because he told many funny anecdotes.
(Sample)
Expanding the Notes Given
PARAGRAPH 4

I heard too that our college is planning another

STIMULUS workshop soon and I definitely want to join it.
Would you like to join me?

Tell Simon
• What is your response to Simon? Do you want
NOTE GIVEN
to join him?
• You can provide a reason for your decision.

I definitely want to join you for the next

NOTE
workshop. I heard that it will take place next
EXPANSION
month. It is really fun learning new things at
(Sample)
these workshops!
FINAL DRAFT FOR THE TASK
From: Laura

Subject: Toastmasters Public Speaking Workshop

Hi Simon,

It’s so great to hear from you! The workshop was a great event! Many people
enjoyed it.

A really interesting activity that we did was called Table Topics, where we had
to perform impromptu speeches. A few participants were chosen to deliver
their speeches and it was amazing to see them perform. Mr Tanaka even gave
them feedback afterwards!

Yes, Patrick’s speech was very interesting because he told many funny
anecdotes.

I definitely want to join you for the next workshop. I heard that it will take place
next month. It is really fun learning new things at these workshops!

I’ll see you soon.

Laura
Here are some examples of
useful expressions or linkers
that can help to ensure a
smooth delivery of ideas for
various language functions.
 Useful Expressions / Linkers
To greet the recipient
• Dear… • To whom it may concern...
• Hi… • Dear Sir or Madam…
• Hello…

To begin a letter/an email

• How are you?
• It’s great to hear from you!
• Long time no see!
• Sorry I haven’t written for ages, but…
• I’m really sorry it’s taken me so long to get back to you.

To express thanks
• Thank you so much for… • I really appreciate it.
• I am so grateful that/for… • I owe you one.
 Useful Expressions / Linkers
To express an apology
• I am so sorry…
• I’m sorry for/that…
• I would like to apologies for…
• Please accept my apologies
for...
• I beg your forgiveness.

To express a reaction to good news

• I’m glad to hear that…
• I’m so happy that…
• I’m very happy to hear about…
• It’s so great that…
• That’s great!

To express a reaction to bad news

• I’m so sorry to hear about…
• I can’t tell you how sad I am that…
• That’s disappointing to hear.
• You can’t be serious!
 Useful Expressions / Linkers
To express a preference
• I definitely prefer… • I would rather...
• I’d prefer to… • I’d rather… than…
• I prefer… to…

To express agreement
• You have a point.
• Yes, I agree.
• I’d go along with you on that.
• I was just going to say that.
• You could definitely be right about…

To express disagreement
• I’m afraid I disagree. • No way!
• I have to disagree with that. • I can’t agree with…
 Useful Expressions / Linkers
To express like
• I enjoy/like… • I am fond of...
• I am thrilled about… • I think that… is great!
• I adore/fancy…

To express dislike
• I dislike… • I don’t really like...
• I’m not very keen on… • I’m not into...

To accept an invitation or offer

• Thank you! I’d love to…
• I’d be delighted to…
• Yes, Thank you. That would be wonderful/great.
• Oh, certainly! Thank you.
• Thank you so much for (inviting me/your offer)
 Useful Expressions / Linkers
To decline/reject an invitation or offer
• I’d love to, but I’m afraid I’m busy tonight.
• I’m terribly sorry. I have other plans.
• I’m very sorry. I don’t think I can…
• Unfortunately, I can’t…
• Thank you for asking me, but…
• Sorry, maybe next time.

To make a request
• Could you…?
• Would you mind…?
• I was wondering if you could…
• Can you…?
• Do you think you could…?
• …if it’s not too much trouble.
• If…, that would be a great help.
• Would it be possibel for you to…?
 Useful Expressions / Linkers
To give precise information
• The purpose of this letter is to…
• In this email, I will describe…
• My reason for writing is to…
• This email will discuss the…

To describe an experience
• I have an extensive… • I have had considerable…
• His/her practical… • It was a great event!
• My rich…

To describe feelings
• I feel/felt…
• This makes me feel…
• I am (happy/sad/angry/dissapointed)(about/with)...
• What a …!
 Useful Expressions / Linkers
To describe an event
• The… was awesome because…
• The.. Was very informative.
• The holiday took place in…
• It is called…
• Every year, the students of… organize…

To provide advice
• I think you should… • How about…?
• If I were you, I would… • I think it is a good idea to…
• Why don’t you…? • In my opinion, you could…

To provide a reason
• This is because… • Due to…
• The reason why… is… • This is why…
• Since… • This is a result of…
• As… • … because …
 Useful Expressions / Linkers
To provide an opinion
• In my opinion…
• From my point of view…
• I think…
• I feel that…
• I reckon…
• I believe that…

To provide justification
• After all, …
• The main reason I feel this way is…
• There is a lot of evidence to support…
• There are many facts in favour of…
• The reason is…
• The facts suggest…
• The evidence shows…
• … because …
 Useful Expressions / Linkers
To conclude a letter/an email
• Well, I’ve got to go now. • Look after yourself.
• See you soon. • Take care of yourself.
• Hope to hear from you soon. • Write soon!
• Anyway, I should get going.

To sign off
• Bye! • Your friend,
• Love, • Best wishes,
• All the best, • Your sincerely,
• Take care, • Yours faithfully
• Regards, • Yours trully,
• Kind regards,
Now, complete this task.
PRACTICE 1
Your friend, Ash, could not
participate in a volunteer
programme organized by the
Leo Club because he was
injured. Read the email from
him asking about the
programme which he missed.
From: Ash
Subject: I missed the volunteer programme! 
Hi,
NOTES:
How was the volunteer programme at the Rumah Tunas
Children’s Home? I feel sad that I was unable to join the
programme because I injured my foot while playing football. Fun…

I heard that the club organized a variety of activities for the Describe two
children. Which two activities did the children enjoy the most? activities

I also heard that you helped to prepare lunch for the children.
Yes,
Did you like it?
Because…
I heard too that the Leo Club is planning another volunteer
programme soon. Do you have any information about it? Tell Ash

Write soon!

Ash
Using all the notes given, write
a reply of at least 100 words in
an appropriate style.
What Did You Learn Today?
End of Tutorial
Slides prepared by:
Mr. Honey Mark Kennedy bin David Embee
MUET Lecturer
SMK Penangah