MUET Speaking Test Guide & Tips 2020

ample question:
 

A person's character is often influenced by other people around

him/her. Who has the greatest influence on a person's
character? Discuss which of the following has the greatest
influence on a person's character:

Candidate A: Parents
Candidate B: Teachers
Candidate C: Friends
Candidate D: Famous Personalities
 

Task A – Individual presentation

Given the situation, you now have:
· 2 minutes to prepare your responses
· 2 minutes to present
 

Tips:
· Study the scenario or topic given carefully
· Double check which candidate you are (A, B, C, D) to make sure you don’t prepare another
candidate’s speech
· Make sure you don’t run out of topics
· Prepare 2 to 3 points to present on
· You MUST agree with the point that is given to you (you can disagree or favour another point in
Task B)
· Make full use of the 2 minutes that you have. Don’t go less than 1 minute 45 seconds / more
than 2 minutes.
· If you don’t have as many points to speak about, talk slower.
· Don’t relax after your turn! Keep an attentive ear to what the other candidates are talking about.
· Write down the other students’ answers as they present their 2-minute speech (to prepare
yourself for Task B)
 
Sample answer: Candidate A
Hi, a very good morning to the examiners and my fellow friends. As we are talking about how a
person’s character can be influenced by another person, the persons whom I think have the most
influence in a person’s life are – parents. There are three reasons why I think so.
 
Firstly, parents are the people whom know us since birth. We become like the person whom we
spend the most time with. Parents are the people whom we see every day from the moment we
are born, till the day we are adults. Hence, very naturally, they become the people whom we look
up to and start imitating the way they talk, act, and even think.
 
My second reason is because parents are the first educators to their child before anybody else.
Table manners and basic etiquettes are taught at home, by the parents. This gives an influence
so vast that we ourselves fail to recognize it sometimes.
 
Thirdly, parents are the ones who impart values into our lives. Values are assets which we hold
on to for the rest of our lives – and this is the greatest influence of all. Values are what we make
our decisions upon, and it is what shapes our character.
 
In conclusion, I think that though there may be many others who can influence a person’s
character – ultimately, parents are the greatest influencers of all. With that, I conclude my
speech. Thank you very much.
 
 
 

Task B – Group discussion

You are given:
· 2 minutes to prepare your points to either support or oppose the other candidates’ views
· Decide on which of the 4 points you think is the best (Note: it is perfectly fine to agree with
another candidate’s points just as long as you explain “why” and “how it is the best point”)
Example: “I think that parents play a big part in influencing their child’s character, but after
listening to Candidate D I would have to agree that famous personalities have more influence in
a person’s character. The reason is because (add on one point to Candidate D’s answers).”
· The entire group is given 10 minutes for this discussion
 
Tips:
· NEVER keep silent
· It is a plus point when you initiate the discussion. (Example: “To kick start the discussion, after
listening to all of the other candidates’ answers I still stand by my own point that parents can
influence a person’s character the most.”)
· Ask other candidates questions to keep the discussion alive (Example: “How about you,
Candidate B? What do you think?” “What do you mean by that, Candidate C? Could you
elaborate more on that point?”)
· If you want to interrupt when someone is speaking, do it politely. (Example: “I’m sorry, may I
interrupt?”)

Overall tips:
· Speak loudly and clearly so that the examiners can hear you.
· Don’t be so nervous that you can’t speak properly. Take a deep breath, and speak slowly and
clearly.
· Make eye contact with the examiners and the other candidates – especially during Task B as it
is a group discussion.
· Use good language. Good choice of words and sentence structure are plus points.
· Don’t be rude. Always say “excuse me” when you wish to interrupt, and “thank you” after giving
your speech in Task A.

Setting

There will be two examiners at the table and four candidates whom you can refer to as candidates A,
B, C and D. When you’re first seated, the examiners will check your exam slips and identification.
Handphones, notes and stationery are not allowed. A piece of paper and a pencil will be placed on
the table for each student.
Task A

Note that in the first minute, you should read the question and make a mental note of the words
you’d like to ask the examiner if you don’t understand. Most examiners are very helpful and will give
you some ideas if you ask nicely. Ask – “Excuse me…” rather than “What does this mean…”. For the
next two minutes, write your notes on the paper. Think of your points, reasons and examples. After
this, you’ll be asked to start.

Expect to speak for a full two minutes, regardless of how many points you deliver. It is advised that
you stick to 1 or 2 points and elaborate well. You need to speak according to the topic confidently,
fluently and accurately with good body language.

Speak according to this format:

i) Greet the examiner and fellow candidates

ii) Repeat the situation you’re discussing

iii) List out the main points you’d like to discuss

iv) First… This is because… For example, … Therefore

v) Secondly… Furthermore… For instance, … Thus

vi) Conclusion

Task B

You have two minutes to prepare notes for this task. Write down your points from the most
important to the least to help you with sequence during the discussion. You will then have 10
minutes to discuss. Pre-decide who will do the introduction, the conclusion and so on.

You’ll have to speak for 10 minutes, regardless of whether you manage to conclude or not. However,
it’s good to have a strong conclusion to round up the discussion. Don’t dominate the discussion, but,
don’t also be a passenger and not contribute. Ask your friends for their opinions or help them end
sentences when they’re stuck. This shows good management of discussion skills. Most importantly,
don’t speak over someone.

Smile

Don’t look overly tensed. Smile, nod your head, talk naturally and before you know it, you’d have
relaxed enough so that your ideas flow naturally. Get creative with ideas and avoid giving
predictable boring answers. Try to have a good time because when you do, the examiners will feel
the same way too.

Use these guidelines and you’ll be sure to ace your MUET Speaking exam to set you up for a degree
course.

More tips:

How to score in your MUET

Scoring Band 6

MUET report writing and sample

The MUET writing test is to assess candidates on their ability to:

1. Transfer information

2. Write with good grammar

3. Analyze graphic information. It may come in one of these five forms:

Line graph

Bar graph

Pie chart

Table

Diagram illustrating process

4. Voice their opinions through words/written form

5. Think critically

Below is an exercise for you to start practicing.

Task 1 – Report Writing (40 marks)

· You are given 40 minutes to complete this task

· Study and analyze the graphic information

· Describe the information or the process in a report format

· Write between 150 – 200 words

Sample question:

The chart shows how students on all courses at a Malaysian university viewed different subjects on a
scale of easy to difficult. You should write 150 to 200 words.

Sample question
Sample answer:

How Students on All Courses at a Malaysian University View Different Subjects According to Different
Levels of Difficulty

The bar chart shows how students who are studying in a Malaysian university rate different subjects
according to its difficulty – easy, moderately difficult or difficult.

The subject which was most commonly rated as difficult was math, by 70% of the total students.
While only 20% of students saw it as easy. Physics was also largely judged to be a difficult or
moderately difficult subject. Only 25% of students viewed it as easy. By contrast, chemistry was
regarded as easy by a massive 70% of students.

As far as language subjects are concerned, languages in general were seen as easy by 40% of
students. This percentage dropped to 20% for oriental languages. African languages, however, were
viewed as easy by 60% of students. Next, Art was rated to be an easy subject by only 30% of
students and like Physics, 50% rated it as difficult.

In conclusion, there seems to be no clear correspondence between the type of subject and whether
it was generally rated as easy or difficult. (168 words)

Tips for Task 1:

· A title MUST be written

· Title MUST be underlined

· Write a minimum of 3 paragraphs (Introduction, body and conclusion). Students can also write 2
paragraphs for body.)

Task 2 – Extended Writing (60 marks)

· Write an essay NOT LESS THAN 350 words based on the given topic

· You are given 50 minutes to complete this task

· Your essay may be written in these styles:

- Analytical

- Descriptive

- Persuasive

- Argumentative
Past Year Exam Questions:

The following questions are examples of what you may encounter in a real exam.

Year End 2008

"People are becoming more materialistic. They are concerned with making more money and what
money can buy." What is your opinion on being materialistic? You should write at least 350 words.

Mid 2009

Information and communications technology (ICT) is the cause of today's many social ills. What is
your opinion? Support your answers with examples. You should write at least 350 words.

Year End 2009

People commit crime for selfish reasons. Discuss. You should write at least 350 words.

Mid 2010

The world today is turning more to electronic communications such as the e-mail, Facebook and
instant messaging. What is your opinion of this growing trend? Discuss. You should write at least 350
words.

Year End 2010

In an arranged marriage, the choice of a husband or wife is made by parents or elders. What do you
think of this practice in today's society? Discuss. You should write at least 350 words.

Mid 2011

The most valuable thing in life is friendship. Do you agree? Discuss. You should write at least 350
words.

Tips:

· Don’t write statements that are too general. Back up your statements with facts. If you’re aiming at
scoring Band 5 or Band 6, you are expected to have a high level of critical thinking.
· Have at least 5 paragraphs

1. Introduction

- State the current situation

- State if you agree or disagree with the statement/topic and why.

2. First point

- Key point

- Elaboration

- Examples

3. Second point

- Key point

- Elaboration

- Examples

4. Third point

- Key point

- Elaboration

- Examples

5. Conclusion

- State why you agree/disagree once more

- What can the government/individual/society do?

· Use these tools to help with your critical thinking:

1. The short term, midterm, and long term effect

- Example: Smoking

- Short term = Bad breath/yellow teeth

- Midterm = Affordability/waste of money

- Long term = Health problems such as lung cancer

2. Individual, society, and government

- Example: Recycling

- Individual = Practice the 3R’s (reduce, reuse, recycle)

- Society = Community collection/fund raising

- Government = Hold recycling campaigns