CONFIDENTIAL LG/DEC 2023/ELC231/230/SET 1

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

COURSE : INTEGRATED LANGUAGE SKILLS III /

INTEGRATED LANGUAGE SKILLS: WRITING

COURSE CODE : ELC231/230

ASSESSMENT : MID-SEMESTER TEST

TIME : 1 HOUR 30 MINUTES

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES

1. This question paper consists of ten (10) questions.

2. Answer ALL questions in the Question Paper.

3. Fill in the details below :

UiTM STUDENT CARD NO. : __________________________________________

PROGRAMME / CODE : __________________________________________

PART : __________________________________________

ENGLISH LANGUAGE GROUP : __________________________________________

NAME OF LECTURER : __________________________________________

4. You are allowed to refer to a print English-English dictionary.

5. Please check to make sure that this test pack consists of:

i) the Question Paper

DO NOT TURN THIS PAGE UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO.

This test paper consists of 8 printed pages.

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CONFIDENTIAL 2 LG/DEC 2023/ELC231/230/SET 1

PART A: READING COMPREHENSION (25 MARKS)

Read the passage below and answer all the questions that follow.

The Drawbacks of Mukbang

I The concept of Mukbang originated in South Korea but has since spread to
other countries and cultures. It has become a popular form of online
entertainment around the world. The term Mukbang is a combination of the
Korean words “muk-ja” meaning “eating” and “bang-song” meaning
“broadcast”. Mukbang videos are online shows where people film 5
themselves eating large quantities of food while interacting with their
audience through a live stream or a pre-recorded video. Mukbang can be
hosted individually or by a group of people. In a live stream, they may talk,
sing, or make commentaries on the food they are eating, while the audience
can interact with the host by asking questions or making comments. This 10
fusion of interactive entertainment and culinary inquiry has crossed national
boundaries to become a worldwide trend. However, despite the popularity
of Mukbang, it is essential to understand its drawbacks. In addition, viewers,
society and government also play a role in lessening the negative impacts
of Mukbang. 15

II One drawback of this popular online entertainment is that although

Mukbang hosts showcase a variety of food, they usually focus on instant
noodles, seafood, pizza, and fried chicken consumed alongside alcoholic
beverages. These food types are popular because they are visually
appealing and can be easily consumed in large quantities. This type of food 20
consumption in Mukbang has been largely criticised for promoting
unhealthy eating habits as hosts often consume large quantities of high-
calorie foods. In fact, a study has reported that 18.4 percent of Mukbang
videos showed the consumption of instant food such as ramen, and 2.7
percent included drinking alcohol along with eating food. 25

III Another concern is that viewers may be tempted to imitate the host’s eating
habits, which may lead to bad weight management and various health

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CONFIDENTIAL 3 LG/DEC 2023/ELC231/230/SET 1

complications. Critics argue that this trend could encourage a harmful and
unhealthy relationship with food, as viewers may feel compelled to overeat
or choose high-calorie, sugary, and fatty foods. This can lead to imbalanced 30
diets as viewers disregard their nutritional needs. Inspired by Mukbang
videos, individuals might overindulge in eating, potentially leading to weight
gain and health issues. As a result, the trend has faced criticism for its
potential links to severe health problems like obesity and diabetes.

IV Additionally, Mukbang has also been criticised for promoting food waste. 35
Hosts often prepare more food than they can eat, thus encouraging viewers
to purchase more food than they require in order to participate in the
experience. Excessive food consumption and waste can be damaging to
the environment and economy. Moreover, Mukbang’s portrayal of
overindulgence might inadvertently perpetuate negative eating stereotypes, 40
especially in certain cultures. Therefore, this signals a growing recognition
of the need to address Mukbang culture for its environment and ethical
implications.

V Mukbang also impacts on the hosts’ health. Some Mukbang accounts do

not show the after-effects of the large feasts consumed in videos, giving the 45
impression that the practices do not have any consequences on the hosts’
health. While in reality, it can affect their well-being. According to a dietician,
the short-term health risks include physical discomfort, gastrointestinal
distress, lethargy, and fatigue. In the long-term, Mukbang consumers may
experience weight gain, heart disease and diabetes. While it is vital to note 50
that not all Mukbang creators or viewers engage in these excessive eating
behaviours, it is important to be aware of these issues and be mindful of the
impacts one’s actions can have on others.

VI The growing popularity of Mukbang videos has also impacted the societal
aspect in today’s digital age. Many people enjoy Mukbang videos not only 55
for their entertainment value but also for the sense of community they
provide. However, as with any online trends, there are also concerns that
society should be aware of. Research has proven that Mukbang can be a

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source of negative body image for viewers, particularly among young girls
and women. The pressure to eat large amounts of food and the focus on 60
appearance can contribute to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.
It is important for the community to be aware of these concerns by
promoting healthy eating habits and acknowledging that the lifestyles
depicted in Mukbang videos may be unrealistic and unhealthy.

VII Another significant issue of Mukbang is that it can make viewers less 65
sensitive to the realities of hunger and poverty. Mukbang's often lavish and
extravagant displays of food can contribute to a lack of empathy and
understanding about global food insecurity issues. Additionally, the
immense popularity of Mukbang can sometimes overshadow more
meaningful content on social media platforms, diverting attention away from 70
important social, political, and educational topics. As society continues to
engage with and shape the world of online content, it is essential to be
aware of these broader implications and to encourage a more responsible
and balanced use of platforms like Mukbang.

VIII While Mukbang can be a fun and entertaining hobby, it is important to be 75

aware of its potential risks. Individuals should be educated about the
importance of maintaining a balanced and healthy relationship with food to
help mitigate these negative influences. Moreover, raising awareness about
the environmental and ethical implications of Mukbang's excessive food
consumption can encourage responsible content creation and 80
consumption. By taking these proactive measures, individuals can make
informed decisions about their Internet usage. This popular trend also can
continue to evolve in a way that benefits both content creators and their
audiences while minimising harm.

Retrieved and adapted from

https://limitlauncher.com/exploring-mukbang-impact-criticisms-and-
solutions/#h-criticism-and-controversy

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CONFIDENTIAL 5 LG/DEC 2023/ELC231/230/SET 1

QUESTION 1

State whether the following statements are TRUE (T) or FALSE (F).

a) The audience can communicate with the Mukbang hosts during

live sessions
b) Some Mukbang viewers who mimic the host’s dietary behaviours
may potentially experience weight gain and various health issues.
c) Mukbang’s culture on overconsumption of food does not negatively
affect the economy and the environment.
d) Mukbang's trend may shift focus away from important social,
political, and educational topics on social media.

(4 marks)

QUESTION 2

What do the following words mean as used in the passage?

a) appealing (line 20) : ___________________________________

b) disregard (line 31) : ___________________________________

c) engage (line 72) : ___________________________________

d) informed (line 82) : ___________________________________

(4 marks)

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QUESTION 3

All the following statements are TRUE about the effects of Mukbang, except:
(Circle two (2) answers)

i. Critics argued that Mukbang videos promote unhealthy habits and food waste.

ii. Mukbang videos show hosts feasting extensively, suggesting it does not affect
their health.

iii. Despite emphasizing food consumption and appearance, Mukbang videos do

not lower viewers' self-worth or self-confidence.

iv. Although Mukbang can offer an enjoyable pastime, it is crucial to remain mindful
of the potential hazards Mukbang videos may entail.
(2 marks)

QUESTION 4

State two (2) ways people typically host Mukbang activities.

i) ___________________________________________________________________

ii) ___________________________________________________________________
(2 marks)

QUESTION 5

How does Mukbang risk a person’s health in the short term?

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________
(2 marks)

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CONFIDENTIAL 7 LG/DEC 2023/ELC231/230/SET 1

QUESTION 6

Explain what the author means by the following statement.

“While it is vital to note that not all Mukbang creators or viewers engage in these
excessive eating behaviours, it is important to be aware of these issues and be mindful
of the impacts one’s actions can have on others.” (Lines 50-53)

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________
(2 marks)

QUESTION 7

What are the concerns associated with Mukbang as a source of negative body image for
young girls and women?

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________
(2 marks)

QUESTION 8

How can society be more aware of the potential harm contributed by Mukbang?

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________
(2 marks)

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QUESTION 9

What can you infer from the following statement?

“This popular trend also can continue to evolve in a way that benefits both content
creators and their audiences while minimising harm.” (Lines 82-84).

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________
(2 marks)

QUESTION 10

Based on your understanding of the passage, do you think that Mukbang should be
banned? Provide two (2) reasons to justify your answer.

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________
(3 marks)

END OF QUESTION PAPER

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