THE PERFECT BAND

GUIDED HANDBOOK

MALAYSIAN UNIVERSITY
ENGLISH TEST
(MUET)
CEFR-ALIGNED

COMPILED & EDITED BY:

MOHAMAD QAMARUL SADIQ BIN OSMAN
QUEFA2021 EFFAH DALILAH BINTI ZULKIFLI 1
 TABLE OF CONTENT

Topic Sub Topic Page

Introduction of the new MUET Test Components 3
Test Scores 3
Aggregated Scores 3
Test Format 3
Chapter 1 Test Overview 4
Introduction of Listening Test Tips 4
(800/1) Things to do during the test 5
Chapter 2 Test Overview 5
Introduction of Speaking Useful Language expression for Task 1 6
(800/2) Useful Language expression for Task 2 7
Chapter 3 Test Overview 10
Introduction of Reading Test Tips 10
(800/3)
Chapter 4 Test Overview 10
Introduction of Writing Test Tips Task 1 (email & letter) 11
(800/4) Overview on email and letter 11
Useful Expressions for Task 1 12
Test Tips Task 2 13
Effective Essay Outline 14
Essay Framework 16
Grammar Notes 17-19
Extra Notes on Email & Letter 20-25
Bonus Common Idioms 26-32
Famous Quotes 33-34
MUET Speaking Sample Questions 35-45

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Introduction of the new MUET

Test Components
Paper code Paper Duration (minutes) Weighting (%)
800/1 Listening 50 25
800/2 Speaking 30 25
800/3 Reading 75 25
800/4 Writing 75 25

Test Scores
Test Components Maximum Score
Listening 90
Speaking 90
Reading 90
Writing 90
Total Score 360

Aggregated Scores
Aggregated Band User Old MUET Band
Score
331-360 5+ Proficient 6
294-330 5.0 5
258-293 4.5
211-257 4.0 Independent 4
164-210 3.5 3
123-163 3.0
82-122 2.5 2
36-81 2.0 Basic 1
1-35 1.0

Test Format
Paper No of Questions Type of Questions
Listening 7 Parts  50 minutes
30 Questions  MCQs – 3 options
 Multiple matching - 5 options
Speaking 2 Parts  30 minutes
 Individual Presentation
 Group Discussion
Reading 7 Parts  75 minutes
40 Questions  Multiple matching
 MCQs - 3 options
 A gapped text with 6 missing
sentences - 7 options
 MCQs - 4 options

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 Writing 2 Tasks  75 minutes
 Letter/Email of at least 100words
 Essay (discursive/argumentative/
a problem-solution) of at least
250 words.

Chapter 1- Introduction of Listening (800/1)

1.0 Test Overview

Part 1  Dialogue
 600-650 words
 MCQs – 3 options
 7 questions
Part 2  Monologue
 600-650 words
 MCQs – 3 options
 7 questions
Part 3  Monologue (3 speakers)
 350-650 words
 Multiple matching – 5 options
 3 questions
Part 4  Dialogue
 600-650 words
 MCQs – 3 options
 7 questions
Part 5  Short dialogue
 200- 300 words per dialogue
 MCQs – 3 options
 6 questions

1.1 Test Tips

 Before the test

 Improve your general listening skills
 Polish your topic vocabulary

 During the Test

 Listen for the main ideas.
 Listen for specific information @ details.
 Understand the language functions.
 Listen for a specific purpose.

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  Recognize the speaker’s attitude, tone, views or intention.
 Recognize the facts and opinions.
 Make predictions.
 Make inferences and draws conclusions.

1.2 Things to do during the test.

if you have
Skim through all listen for carefully check choose the most if unable to
underline the time, check your
the questions specific each possible suitable answer, listen
keywords selected
and answers informations answers answers for the 2nd time
answers.

Chapter 2- Introduction of Speaking (800/2)

2.1 Test Overview

Part 1  Individual Presentation based on a written prompt

 2 minutes to prepare
 2 minutes to present
Part 2  Group discussion based on a written question and 5 prompts
 3 minutes to prepare
 8 to 12 minutes to discuss

2.2 Test Tips

 Sit according to the label A, B, C, D.

 Make a good first impression.
 Read both tasks and asks the examiner if you have problems in understanding your
task.
 Use the paper provided to plan your presentation.
 Give yourself time to think.
 Relax as it will help you to deliver your presentation properly.
 Speak clearly and use sequence connector in your speech.
 Be fluent and liberated.
 Be emotional!
 Made a mistake? Don't panic!
 Be coherent.

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2.3 Useful Language Expressions for Individual Presentation (Part 1)

DELIVERING YOUR SPEECH

(Part 1: Individual Presentation)
TO GREET
Good morning.
Good morning examiners and fellow candidates.
A very good morning to examiners and fellow candidates.
TO STATE THE SITUATION/TASK GIVEN
The situation states that....
Based on the situation given..
According to the situation given...
The situation I have been given is..
TO INTRODUCE A POINT OF VIEW
In my opinion..
I believe that..
It is my view that...
Based on my experience, my opinion is that..
TO INTRODUCE YOUR FIRST POINT
First of all, I propose..
For a start, I would like to suggest..
I would like to begin by..
TO SIGNAL MAIN POINT
My main point is...
It is important to..
One important reason is..
The most important factor is..
TO ILLUSTRATE YOUR POINTS
Therefore..
This means that...
This is because...
On top of that..
According to..
TO PROVIDE AN EXAMPLE
For example..
For instance..
....such as....
TO START A NEW POINT
Secondly..Thirdly...
My next point is..
Another point/reason/suggestion/way..
Moving on to my next point, which is..
TO REFER TO WHAT YOU HAVE SAID EARLIER
As I have said earlier..
I mentioned earlier that..
As I said at the beginning...

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 TO SIGNAL CAUSE AND EFFECT
As a result...
As a consequence..
Because of that...
TO SIGNAL THAT YOU ARE ABOUT TO MOVE ON TO A POSSIBLE SOLUTION.
So, what can be done to solve this problem?
Let’s look at some possible ways..such as..
TO SIGNAL THAT YOU ARE DRAWING A CONCLUSION FROM WHAT HAS BEEN SAID
EARLIER.
Thus/hence/Therefore/As a result/So, we can see that..
TO CONCLUDE
In conclusion../ In a nutshell../In short../As a conclusion, I suggest that../ Let me conclude
by saying that.../I would like to conclude by saying that....

2.4 Useful Language Expressions for Group Discussion (Part 2)

INITIATING A DISCUSSION
(Part 2: Group Discussion)
TO START A DISCUSSION
Good morning examiners and fellow candidates, we are here to discuss about ......In my
opinion / I think / From my point of view…..
Allow me to begin...
May I begin by saying...
TO ASK FOR AN OPINION
What is your opinion Candidate…...?
Do you agree with me Candidate…....?
Would you like to share your opinion Candidate……?
TO GIVE AN OPINION/STATE POINT OF VIEW
I think....
I believe....
I must say that....
In my opinion...
I would say that...
Personally, I feel that...
I am sure that...
It is clear to me that...
I am convinced that.....
From my point of view……
TO EXPRESS STRONG AGREEMENT
I strongly agree that...
I firmly believe that…..
Yes, I am sure you are right...
Absolutely!...
You have made your point very clear.

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 TO EXPRESS AGREEMENT
I agree with you.
You are right.
I see your point.
That is true.
TO EXPRESS PARTIAL AGREEMENT
You could be right but..
I see your point but...
Your idea is good but..
I do not entirely agree with you..
TO EXPRESS STRONG DISAGREEMENT
I disagree completely that..
That is absolutely not true..
Sorry, I strongly disagree with your suggestion..
TO EXPRESS DISAGREEMENT
I disagree with you..
I beg to differ please...
I understand what you mean but..
TO SIGNAL CONTRASTING IDEA
However...
But....
In contrast...
On the other hand…

2.5 Useful Language expression for group discussion (Part 2)

MAINTAINING A DISCUSSION
(Task B: Group Discussion)
TO MAKE A STRONG SUGGESTION
We must...
There is no other way except..
There is no alternative but to...
The only solution is..
TO MAKE A SUGGESTION
I would suggest that...
My suggestion is...
I think we should...
I would like to propose that..
TO ASK FOR A SUGGESTION
What is your suggestion/opinion?
What do you think?
What is your comment regarding this?
Is there you would like to say about this?
TO PRESENT SOLUTIONS
One solution is to...
One way is to..

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 Another solution is..
There are ways to solve this problem such as..
TO CONTRAST AND JUSTIFY CHOICES
Y has the advantage of but Z is better because…
Y sounds good but Z is better because..
Y is a better choice because..
TO ACCEPT IDEAS/OPINIONS/SUGGESTIONS
That’s a good idea!
That sounds great!
That’s fine with me.
I couldn’t agree more.
I have no objection to that.
TO REJECT IDEAS/OPINIONS/SUGGESTIONS
I am sorry, I can’t agree with you.
You have a good point there but..
I appreciate your suggestion but..
That is interesting but..
TO ASK FOR CLARIFICATION
What do you mean by...?
May I know why....?
Do you mind telling me more about it?
Repeat please…
Could you please elaborate further?
TO GIVE CLARIFICATION
What I meant was...
Let me explain how...
My point is...
I was trying to point out that..
TO PERSUADE
Don’t you think that...is better than....?
Wouldn’t it be a good idea to.....?
Maybe you should consider....
TO INTERRUPT
Excuse me...could you please repeat what you have said?
Allow me to interrupt...
Excuse me, could you please clarify that...ddd
Excuse me, can we get back to our topic on….

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Chapter 3- Introduction of Reading 800/3
3.1 Test Overview

Part 1  3 short texts

 100- 150 words
 Multiple matching
 4 questions
Part 2 and Part  MCQs – 3 options
3  10 questions
Part 4  2 MCQs – Text 1
 2 MCQs – Text 2
 2 MCQs- 3 options
Part 5  A gapped 6 missing sentences – 7 options
 6 questions
Part 6 and Part  2 texts
7  MCQs- 4 options
 14 questions
Duration  75 minutes

3.2 Test Tips

 Read the the questions and the text carefully.

 Underline the keywords in the questions and use it to find the information in the
text.
 Skim through the text until you find right part to answer the question.
 Pay attention to the details.
 Check the possible answer as some answers may have been paraphrased.
 Cross out the wrong answers.
 Re-checked your answer.

Chapter 4- Introduction of Writing (800/4)

4.1 Test Overview

Task 1  Letter or email

 100- 135 words
 25 minutes
Task 2  Essay (Discursive, argumentative, a problem – solution)
 At least 250 words
 50 minutes
Duration  75 minutes

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4.2 Test Tips – Task 1
• Read and understand the instruction.
• Underline the keywords.
A • Study the notes given in the question.
Analyse

• Respond to the email or letter.

• The input & notes are provided to help you.
P • The notes appear outside the borders of the letter/ email.
Plan • Choose your style - formal @ informal. Check the question @ stimulus.

• Use the right linkers and appropriate expressions.

• Expand the notes provided.
P • Remember to check the stimulus @question when writing
Present

4.3 Overview on email/ letter

4.3.1 Email
From: Miss Effah
Subject: English Language Project
Salutation
nn Hi! Notes:

How are you? I hope you are enjoying the start of the
Introduction semester break. Great!
I have asked you and your group members to do a project
for this subject. You could interview someone or you
could write an article about it. Which one do you prefer? Explain
Body I believe that speaking to someone in English language will
help you to improve your communication skills. Do you
agree? Yes, because…

What else have you planned for this holiday? I do hope

you will have a good time and always stay safe. Tell Miss Effah
Closing Hope to hear from you soon!

Best Regards,
Signing-off Miss Effah

Name

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 4.3.2 Letter

Address
Taman Bahagia, Notes:
16800 Pasir Puteh,
Date Kelantan.
2 April 2021.
Salutation Dear Que,
nn
How are you? I hope you are enjoying the start of the
Introduction semester break. Great!

Have you started doing the English Language Project?

From my understanding, we could interview someone or
we could write an article about it. Which one do you
prefer? Explain

Body I believe that speaking to someone in English language will

help us to improve our communication skills. Do you
agree? Yes, because…
What else have you planned for this holiday? I do hope
you will have a good time and always stay safe. Tell Qaisy
Closing Hope to hear from you soon!
Best Regards,
Signing-off Qaisy

Signature

4.4 Useful Expressions for email/letter

To greet  Dear…
 Hi…
 Hello…
To begin email @ letter  How are you?
 How are things?
 Great to hear from you!
To express thanks  Thank you so much…
 Thanks for…
 I really appreciate it.
To express apology  I am so sorry…
 I beg for forgiveness…
 I am so sorry for…
To express agreement  I am totally agreeing with you.
 Yes, I do agree with you

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 To express disagreement  Sorry I can’t agree with you.
 I have to disagree with that.
To describe an experience  It was great!
 It is so fun!
To describe an event  The…was very informative
 The holiday took place in …
To give information  The reason I write this is to …
 This email will discuss about …
To provide advice  I think you need to…
 How about…?

To provide suggestion  I would like to suggest…

 I recommend that…
To provide opinion  I think…
 In my opinion…
To provide justification  After all, …
 The reason is…
To end a letter @ email  See you soon.
 Write soon!
To sign off  Bye!
 All the best!
 Yours sincerely, …
 Yours truly, …

4.5 Test Tips Task 2 – Essay (Discursive, Argumentative, Opinion)

• Read and understand the instruction.

• Udentify the type of essay that you need to write.
A • Underline the keywords.
Analyse • Understand what the question wants.

• Plan your ideas.

• Use mind maps to arrange your ideas.
P • Use P,E,E,E,L
Plan

• Organise your paragraph.

• Use variety of sentence structures with the most suitable words.
P • Check your tenses, spelling and punctuation.
Present • Remember to write at least 250 words.

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 4.6 Effective Essay Outline

________________ Title
HOOK + STAND
+ THESIS __________________________________________
STATEMENT ________________________________________________
_______________________________________________.
Introduction

__________________________________________
________________________________________________
_______________________________________________.

__________________________________________
P.E.E.L ________________________________________________ Body
_______________________________________________.

__________________________________________
________________________________________________
_______________________________________________.

__________________________________________
________________________________________________ Closing
SUMMARIZE _______________________________________________.
+REAFFIRM/RESTATE
+ SUGGESTION

4.6.1 – Introduction
 Use HOOK to grab the reader’s attention.

HOOK
Data/ A rhetorical Definition An anecdote/ General Idioms/
Interesting question short story statement Proverb/
fact Quotes

 Describe topic in 1 sentence.

 Give more information about the topic.
 Give details to justify the opening sentence.

 Stand/Opinion

Discursive essay state a clear opinion or point of view

Argumentative essay state your stand (agree, disagree @ neutral)
A problem- solution Describe the problem in general
essay

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 Thesis statement

 A specific sentence that expresses the main purpose of the essay.

 Write 1 sentence which ties all the 3 main points that you need to write in every
paragraph.
 Use specific words to state the main idea and avoid using general words which
are vague.
 Thesis statement is something that can be discuss or argue.

Discursive essay state 3 opinions in one sentence

Argumentative essay state 3 arguments that justify your stand in one sentence
A problem- solution Provide 3 solutions to the problem in one sentence
essay

4.6.2 – Effective Body @ Paragraph

Point Elaboration Example Linking

(P) (E) (E) (L)

 Topic Sentence/Point
 Write a complete sentence based on one point from the thesis statement
 Use clear and specific words as you want your readers to understand what are trying
to deliver in the paragraph.
 A good topic sentence should not contain any elaboration of the main point.

 Elaboration
 Identify the main word from the topic sentence and write specific sentences with
details which support and develop the main point.
 Use suitable facts, reasons, explanations or descriptions when writing the sentences
with specific details.

 Example
 Give 1 relevant example that substantiates the elaboration given.
 Make sure the example also supports the main point.
 Use appropriate cohesive devices to signpost your example.

 Linking Sentence @ Mini Conclusion

 Use sequence connectors to start the linking sentence.
 Rephrase the topic sentence in order to reinforce the main point.
 Sum up the idea in one sentence.

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4.6.3 Closure
 Summarize the essay.
 Restate the thesis statement to convince your reader.
 Reaffirmed stand/opinion.
 Make a strong recommendation or asks rhetorical question to raise awareness.

4.7 Framework

Essay Structure / Types of essay Discursive Argumentative Problem-

Essay Essay Solving Essay
1st Introduction: - In my opinion - I agree… - I believe
paragraph - I disagree… that….
Stand:
Thesis statement:
2 / 3/ 4/ P: Point 1/2/3 - First and foremost,…
paragraphs - Besides,…
- In addition,…
- Last but not least,….

E: Elaboration - This can be seen when ……, In this situation .…

E: Example - For example, For instance,…

L: Linking sentence (link - Thus, Therefore, In short, Hence, Clearly…

to P1/ P2/ P3
5th Closure - In conclusion,…
paragraph Reaffirm stand - All in all,…
Restate thesis statement - In a nutshell,…
Summary of the main
points
Strong recommendation

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 BONUS PAGES
1. Sentence Types
Simple Sentences

A simple sentence contains a subject and a verb, and it may also have an object and
modifiers. However, it contains only one independent clause.
Key: Yellow, bold = subject; green underline = verb, blue, italics = object, pink, regular
font =prepositional phrase
Here are a few examples:

 She wrote.
 She completed her literature review.
 He organized his sources by theme.
 They studied APA rules for many hours.

Compound Sentences
A compound sentence contains at least two independent clauses. These two independent
clauses can be combined with a comma and a coordinating conjunction or with a semicolon.
Key: independent clause = yellow, bold; comma or semicolon = pink, regular font;
coordinating conjunction = green, underlined
Here are a few examples:

 She completed her literature review, and she created her reference list.
 He organized his sources by theme; then, he updated his reference list.
 They studied APA rules for many hours, but they realized there was still much to
learn.

Using some compound sentences in writing allows for more sentence variety.
Complex Sentences
A complex sentence contains at least one independent clause and at least one dependent
clause. Dependent clauses can refer to the subject (who, which) the sequence/time (since,
while), or the causal elements (because, if) of the independent clause.
If a sentence begins with a dependent clause, note the comma after this clause. If, on the
other hand, the sentence begins with an independent clause, there is not a comma
separating the two clauses.
Key: independent clause = yellow, bold; comma = pink, regular font; dependent clause
= blue, italics
Here are a few examples:

 Although she completed her literature review, she still needed to work on her
methods section.

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 o Note the comma in this sentence because it begins with a dependent clause.

 Because he organized his sources by theme, it was easier for his readers to follow.
o Note the comma in this sentence because it begins with a dependent clause.

 They studied APA rules for many hours as they were so interesting.
o Note that there is no comma in this sentence because it begins with an
independent clause.

 Using some complex sentences in writing allows for more sentence variety.

https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/grammar/sentencestructure

2. Conjunctions

 Coordinating Conjunctions.

- As there are only seven of these words, there are just a few rules for using coordinating
conjunctions correctly. It’s a good idea to use the mnemonic “FANBOYS” to memorize
coordinating conjunctions so you’ll never forget them. They are:
F A N B O Y S
FOR AND NOR BUT OR YET SO

- Coordinating conjunctions always connect phrases, words, and clauses. For example: This
batch of mushroom stew is savoury and delicious.

 Subordinating Conjunctions.

- A subordinating conjunction is sometimes called "a heart word" because it turns two
sentences into one. Even though both sentences contain a subject and verb, one becomes
dependent on the other and cannot stand alone. One sentence becomes the explaining idea
for the main idea.
Common Subordinating Conjunctions:

After Before So that Whenever

Although Even though Though Where
As If Unless Whereas
As if In order that Until Whether
Because Since When while

https://spcollege.libguides.com/c.php?g=254288&p=1695264

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3.Transition words

4. Tenses

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5. Extra Notes on Email @ Letter Writing

Useful phrases Opening greeting to  Dear Mr/ Ms/ Dr/ Professor + family
for opening one person name (= Dear Mr./ Ms./ Dr./ Prof +
emails family name)
 Dear Alex
 Hi (John)
 Dear Sir or Madam

Opening greeting to  Dear all

more than one person  Hi (everyone/ guys)
 To: All faculty members/ To: New
recruits/ To: All members/ To:…

Useful email Opening line  Thank you for your email (yesterday/
opening lines mentioning the last of 12 May) about…
contact between you  Thanks for your email this morning/
earlier/ yesterday/ on Monday/ last
week/…
 Thanks for your quick reply./ Thanks
for getting back to me so quickly.
 Thanks for your phone call this
morning/ the information about/ your
interest in/ your help with/ your
hospitality in…/…
 Thanks for sending me/ for contacting
me about/ for attending/ asking us
about/ informing us/ giving us
feedback on/ inviting me to/ talking to
me about…
 It was great/ so nice to see you again
on Monday.
 (I) just read your email about/ (I) just
got your message about/ (I) just got
your request for…
 It was a pleasure/ my great pleasure to
meet you last week.
 Sorry for my late reply/ Sorry it took
me so long to get back to you/ Sorry
not to reply sooner (but/ but I had
to…).
 Thank you for finding the time to meet
me/ talk to me/ attend…
 Sorry it’s been so long since I was last
in touch/ since my last email.

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 Opening line with the  I’m writing to you about your latest
subject of the email model/ about the meeting next week/
about your presentation yesterday/
about…
 I am writing to you in connection with/
with regards to/ regarding/
concerning…
 I’m writing (in order) to ask/ to
enquire/ to confirm/ to check/ to
inform you/ to follow up on/ to let you
know/ to tell you/ to thank you/ to
invite you to/ to update you on/ to
announce that/ to ask for a favour/
to…
 (This is) just a quick note to say…
 As promised/ As we discussed, I’m
writing to send you/ to…
 I’m writing (to you) because I have just
found out that/ because I thought
you’d like to know that/ because I
need/ because…
 Sorry to write out of the blue, but…
 Sorry to write again so quickly, but/
Sorry to bother again so soon, but…
 Sorry, in my last email I forgot to…

Social opening line/  (I) hope you had a good weekend/ a

Friendly opening line good evening/ a good trip (to...)/ a
good time/ a good holiday/ a good
break/ a good…
 How’s it going?/ How are things?/
How’s life?/ How are you doing?
 I hope you (and your family) are (all)
well.

Closing line when you  I look forward to hearing from you

need a reply (soon)./ (I’m) looking forward to
hearing from you (soon).
 Please let me know if that’s okay/ if
that is acceptable with you/ if that
sounds okay/ if you can/ if you can
help/ if you need an extension/ if you
need to reschedule/ if…

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 Closing line offering  (In the meantime) if you need any
more communication if more information,…/ If you require any
needed further information (about/ in order
to/ before you/ to help you…/…)/ If
you need any more info/ Need more
info,…
 If you have any (more) questions
(about…),…/ Any more Qs,…
 … please do not hesitate to contact
me./… please contact me./ … please
feel free to contact me./ please get in
touch./ … just let me know./ … just
drop me a line (at any time).

Closing line mentioning  I look forward to seeing/ meeting you

the next (face to face) then.
meeting  See you on Monday/ on…/ next week/
next…/ then.
 (I) hope we have the chance/
opportunity to meet again soon.

Other closing lines  Speak to you soon/ then/ on Monday/

mentioning the next on…
contact between you

Closing lines for (big)  Thanks/ Thank you (in advance).

requests  Cheers.
 Any help (at all/ you can offer me)/
Any feedback you can give me (on
this)/ Any assistance (you could give
me in this matter) would be greatly
appreciated/ would be highly
appreciated/ would be much
appreciated/ would be gratefully
accepted.

Closing lines with  I hope that is acceptable with you./ (I)

apologies/ Closing hope that is okay (with you).
lines when responding  Once again, please accept our
to complaints apologies for any inconvenience
caused/ for the inconvenience caused/
for the delay/ for…
 Thanks for your patience./ Thank you
for your patience.

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  Thanks for your understanding./ Thank
you for your understanding.

Social closing lines/  Have a good evening/ day/ weekend/

Friendly closing lines holiday/ vacation/ break/ trip/...
 Send my love to John./ Say “Hi” to
John from me./ Please send my (best)
regards to John.

Other closing lines  Thanks again (for all your help/ for the
info/ for bringing this matter to my
attention/ for…)
 (I) hope that helps.
 Sorry I couldn’t be more help.
 (I) hope that answers all your
questions/ that’s clearer now/ that’s
some help/ that meets with your
approval/ that…

Useful closing greetings  Best regards

for emails  Sincerely (yours)
 Best wishes
 All the best
 Best wishes

Different ways of  Alex

writing your name at  Alex Case
the end of emails  Alex Case (Mr)
 A.M.Case (Mr)

Useful phrases Mentioning  (For your reference,) please find the

for the main attachments etc/ information/ the document/ some
body of the Mentioning data/… attached.
email information elsewhere  Please see (the information/ the
website/ the diagram/ the…) below
(for more details/ for…).
 If you look at the first line/ bullet
point/ paragraph/ section/ page of…
(below), you will see that…
 The parts in bold/ in red/ in green/…
are my comments/ are my boss’s
feedback/ are the changes in the
second draft/ are…
 I’ve pasted in…. below./ I’ve copied
in…. below./ I’ve put a copy of… below.
 I’ve attached…/ ... is attached.

QUEFA2021 23
  Here’s the… (that I promised/ that you
asked for/ that I mentioned/ that…)
 More information on this is available
at http://.../ on the intranet/ in pg.. of
our catalogue/…

Highlighting important  Please note that…/ NB…

information

Requests  Could you (possibly)…?

 Would you mind sending me/ …ing…?
 I was wondering if you could/ if you
would be able to…
 I’d be very grateful if you could take
action in the next few days/ if you
could…
 I’d really appreciate (some help with)…

Enquiries/ Asking for  Could you (possibly) tell me…?

information  (First of all) I’d like to know…
 My (first/ second/ third/ next/ last/
final) question is about…
 I (also) have a question about…
 (If possible) I (also) need to know.
 My three (main) questions are below./
Please find my three (main) questions
below.

 You (also) asked us about…

 The answers to your question are
Answering questions/ below. / Please find my answers
Giving information below.
 In answer to your first/ second/ third/
last question…
 To answer your question about…

Making arrangements/  I’d like to meet on… if you are

Changing available/ free then.
arrangements/ (Re)  I’m available on… , if that is
scheduling convenient/ okay with you.
 I’m afraid I can’t make… (because…)
How about…?

QUEFA2021 24
  (Due to…) I’m afraid we need to put
forward/ delay/ postpone/ put back/
cancel/ call off/ reschedule/ move/
rearrange…

Making complaints  I’m afraid I was not (very) happy with…

 Unfortunately, … was not (really) what
I expected.
 I’m afraid I was not (completely/ fully)
satisfied with…

Apologising/ Replying  I was sorry to hear about…

to complaints  (First of all) I would like to apologise
for…
 Please accept our (sincerest) apologies
for the inconvenience caused/ for any
inconvenience caused/ for…

Instructions/  Just a (quick/ brief/ friendly) reminder

Commands/ that…
Demanding action  (In future/ From now on/ From next
week) please make sure that you…/
Please ensure that you…

Giving bad news  We regret to inform you that…

 We are sorry to announce that…

Making  I/ We would like to inform you that…

announcements

QUEFA2021 25
6. The most common English idioms

These English idioms are extremely common in everyday conversation in the United States.
You will hear them in movies and TV shows and can use them to make your English sound
more like that of a native speaker.

Idiom Meaning Usage

A blessing in disguise a good thing that seemed bad at first as part of

a
sentence

A dime a dozen Something common as part of

a
sentence

Beat around the bush Avoid saying what you mean, usually because it is as part of
uncomfortable a
sentence

Better late than Better to arrive late than not to come at all by itself
never

Bite the bullet To get something over with because it is inevitable as part of
a
sentence

Break a leg Good luck by itself

Call it a day Stop working on something as part of

a
sentence

Cut somebody some Don't be so critical as part of

slack a
sentence

Cutting corners Doing something poorly in order to save time or as part of

money a
sentence

QUEFA2021 26
 Idiom Meaning Usage

Get out of hand Get out of control as part of

a
sentence

Get something out of Do the thing you've been wanting to do so you can as part of
your system move on a
sentence

Get your act together Work better or leave by itself

Give someone the Trust what someone says as part of

benefit of the doubt a
sentence

Go back to the Start over as part of

drawing board a
sentence

Hang in there Don't give up by itself

It's not rocket science It's not complicated by itself

Let someone off the To not hold someone responsible for something as part of
hook a
sentence

Make a long story Tell something briefly as part of

short a
sentence

Miss the boat It's too late as part of

a
sentence

No pain, no gain You have to work for what you want by itself

On the ball Doing a good job as part of

a
sentence

QUEFA2021 27
 Idiom Meaning Usage

Pull someone's leg To joke with someone as part of

a
sentence

Pull yourself together Calm down by itself

So far so good Things are going well so far by itself

Speak of the devil The person we were just talking about showed up! by itself

That's the last straw My patience has run out by itself

The best of both An ideal situation as part of

worlds a
sentence

Time flies when You don't notice how long something lasts when it's by itself
you're having fun fun

To get bent out of To get upset as part of

shape a
sentence

To make matters Make a problem worse as part of

worse a
sentence

Under the weather Sick as part of

a
sentence

We'll cross that Let's not talk about that problem right now by itself
bridge when we
come to it

Wrap your head Understand something complicated as part of

around something a
sentence

QUEFA2021 28
 Idiom Meaning Usage

You can say that That's true, I agree by itself

again

Your guess is as good I have no idea by itself

as mine

A bird in the hand is What you have is worth more than what you might by itself
worth two in the have later
bush

A penny for your Tell me what you're thinking by itself

thoughts

A penny saved is a Money you save today you can spend later by itself
penny earned

A perfect storm the worst possible situation as part of

a
sentence

A picture is worth Better to show than tell by itself

1000 words

Actions speak louder Believe what people do and not what they say by itself
than words

Add insult to injury To make a bad situation worse as part of

a
sentence

Barking up the wrong To be mistaken, to be looking for solutions in the as part of

tree wrong place a
sentence

Bite off more than Take on a project that you cannot finish as part of
you can chew a
sentence

QUEFA2021 29
 Idiom Meaning Usage

Break the ice Make people feel more comfortable as part of

a
sentence

By the skin of your Just barely as part of

teeth a
sentence

Comparing apples to Comparing two things that cannot be compared as part of

oranges a
sentence

Costs an arm and a Very expensive as part of

leg a
sentence

Do something at the Do something without having planned beforehand as part of

drop of a hat a
sentence

Don't count your Don't count on something good happening until it's by itself
chickens before they happened.
hatch

Don't cry over spilt There's no reason to complain about something by itself
milk that can't be fixed

Don't give up your You're not very good at this by itself

day job

Don't put all your What you're doing is too risky by itself
eggs in one basket

Every cloud has a Good things come after bad things by itself
silver lining

Get a taste of your Get treated the way you've been treating others as part of
own medicine (negative) a
sentence

QUEFA2021 30
 Idiom Meaning Usage

Go on a wild goose To do something pointless as part of

chase a
sentence

Good things come to Be patient by itself

those who wait

He has bigger fish to He has bigger things to take care of than what we by itself
fry are talking about now

He's a chip off the old The son is like the father by itself
block

Hit the nail on the Get something exactly right by itself

head

Ignorance is bliss You're better off not knowing by itself

It ain't over till the fat This isn't over yet by itself
lady sings

It takes one to know You're just as bad as I am by itself

one

Kill two birds with Get two things done with a single action by itself
one stone

Let the cat out of the Give away a secret as part of

bag a
sentence

Live and learn I made a mistake by itself

Look before you leap Take only calculated risks by itself

On thin ice On probation. If you make another mistake, there as part of

will be trouble. a
sentence

QUEFA2021 31
 Idiom Meaning Usage

Once in a blue moon Rarely as part of

a
sentence

Play devil's advocate To argue the opposite, just for the sake of argument as part of
a
sentence

Source: https://www.ef.com/wwen/english-resources/english-idioms/

7. Famous Quotes by Theme

Theme Quotes
The true character of a society is revealed in how it treats its
children.
~ Nelson Mandela
Society is like a large piece of frozen water; and skating well is the
Society
great art of social life.
~Letitia Elizabeth Landon
A person who cannot live in society, or does not need to because he
is self-sufficient, is either a beast or a god.
~Aristotle
If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or
objects.
~Albert Einstein
Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep
Life
moving.
~Albert Einstein
The better part of one's life consists of his friendships.
~Abraham Lincoln
"Never spend your money before you have earned it."
~Jefferson Quotes
Economy "There can be economy only where there is efficiency."
~Disraeli Quotes
"Commerce is a game of skill which everyone cannot play and few
can play well."
~Emerson Quotes
The hope of any nation lies in the personal qualities of its individual
members.
~Margery Wilson

QUEFA2021 32
 We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we
Personal give.
Qualities ~Winston Churchill
The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do
him absolutely no good.
~Samuel Johnson
Technology is a useful servant but a dangerous master
~Lous Lange

Technology … is a queer thing. It brings you great gifts with one

Technology
hand, and it stabs you in the back with the other.
~C. P. Snow

Technology is just a tool. In terms of getting the kids working

together and motivating them, the teacher is the most important.
~Bill Gates
“If something stands between you and your success, move it. Never
be denied.”
~Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
“Don’t be afraid of failure. This is the way to succeed.”
Sports
~LeBron James
“Champions keep playing until they get it right.”
~Billie Jean King
“Time spent among trees is never time wasted.”
~Anonymous
“The environment is where we all meet; where we all have a
mutual interest; it is the one thing all of us share.”
Environment
~Lady Bird Johnson
“Nature is painting for us, day after day, pictures of infinite beauty.”
—John Ruskin
“Privacy is dead, and social media hold the smoking gun.”
~Pete Cashmore, Mashable CEO
Social Media “Social networks aren’t about Web sites. They’re about
experiences.”
~Mike DiLorenzo, NHL social media marketing director
“Our head of social media is the customer.”
~McDonald’s
You are what you eat.
~Lindlahr, You Are What You Eat: how to win and keep health with
diet (1942)
The way you cut your meat reflects the way you live.
Food
~Confucius
Thou shouldst eat to live; not live to eat.
~Socrates
Health cannot be a question of income; it is a fundamental human
right.

QUEFA2021 33
 ~Nelson Mandela
Health Families that get healthy together, stay healthy together.
~Dr. Oz
Life is a gift. Health is a practice.
~Frances Michaelson
"Traveling makes a man wiser, but less happy."
~Jefferson Quotes
Tourism "In traveling, a man must carry knowledge with him, if he would
bring home knowledge."
~Johnson Quotes
"Without stirring abroad, one can know the whole world; Without
looking out of the window one can see the way of heaven. The
further one goes the less one knows."
~Tzu Quotes

If you want to grow, find a good opportunity. Today, if you want to

be a great company, think about what social problem you could
solve.
~Jack Ma
Social Problems
Violence never brings permanent peace. It solves no social
problem: it merely creates new and more complicated ones.
~Martin Luther King, Jr.
Unity Unity to be real must stand the severest strain without breaking.
~Mahatma Gandhi
When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt
you.
~Winston S. Churchill
We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided.
~J.K. Rowling

QUEFA2021 34
MUET SPEAKING SAMPLE QUESTIONS

Sample 1

Part 1

Technology helps us in many ways. What are some of this ways?

Candidate A You have to give a presentation to your class. Talk about how technology
helps us shop online
Candidate B You have to give a presentation to your class. Talk about how technology
helps us make friends
Candidate C You have to give a presentation to your class. Talk about how technology
helps us do housework
Candidate D You have to give a presentation to your class. Talk about how technology
helps us find entertainment.

Part 2

Situation: Technology is an important tool in education today. In your group, discuss the
benefits of using technology in education.

Quick

Independent
New skills
learning What are
the benefits
of using
technology
in
education?

Interesting Economical

At the end of the discussion, try to decide the most important benefits of using technology
in education.

QUEFA2021 35
Sample 2

Part 1

Colleges need the right facilities to provide good education. What are some of these facilities?

Candidate A You have to give a presentation to your class. Talk about free Wi-Fi.
Candidate B You have to give a presentation to your class. Talk about multimedia lab.
Candidate C You have to give a presentation to your class. Talk about library.
Candidate D You have to give a presentation to your class. Talk about sport centre.

Part 2

Situation: Education plays an important part of a country. In your group discuss why it is
important.

Job
opportunities

Business
Knowledge
growth
Why is
education
important in
the
development
of a country?

Develop
Moral values
technology

At the end of the discussion, try to decide the most important reason why education is
important in the development of a country.

QUEFA2021 36
Sample 3

Part 1

The haze happens almost every year. What can you do to keep healthy during haze?

Candidate A You have to give a presentation to your class. Talk about wearing face
masks.
Candidate B You have to give a presentation to your class. Talk about drinking lots of
water.
Candidate C You have to give a presentation to your class. Talk about staying indoors.
Candidate D You have to give a presentation to your class. Talk about seeing a doctor.

Part 2

Situation: Forest fire causes serious air pollution in the region. In your group, discuss how
countries can deal with forest fire.

International
cooperation

Stricter law Education

How can
countries
deal with
forest fire?

Trained Fire fighting

rescue team equipment

At the end of the discussion, try to decide the most important way to deal with forest fire.

QUEFA2021 37
Sample 4

Part 1

Students should take part in sports. What are some benefits of sport?

Candidate A You have to give a presentation to your class. Talk about learning
teamwork in sports.
Candidate B You have to give a presentation to your class. Talk about keeping fit.
Candidate C You have to give a presentation to your class. Talk about reducing stress.
Candidate D You have to give a presentation to your class. Talk about meeting people.

Part 2

Situation: Winning medals in sports event is a dream for many countries. To do this, the
standards of sport have to be improved. In your group, discuss how can this be done.

Upgrade
sport facilities

Identifying
Rewards
talents
How can the
standards of
sports be
improved in
coutries?

More Improve
sporting coaching
events standards

At the end of the discussion, try to decide the most important factor to improve the
standards of the sport in countries.

QUEFA2021 38
Sample 5

Part 1

Situation: Your class would like to celebrate Teacher’s Day. What can you do to for your class?

Candidate A You have to give a presentation to your class. Talk about buying gifts.
Candidate B You have to give a presentation to your class. Talk about making a video.
Candidate C You have to give a presentation to your class. Talk about doing a
performance.
Candidate D You have to give a presentation to your class. Talk about making special
cards.

Task B

Situation: Techers play an important role in developing a county. In your group, discuss the
contributions of teachers in a developing a country.

Knowledge

Groom
Develop
future
talents
What are the leaders
contributions
of teachers in
developing a
country?

Instil
Role Model
disiplines

At the end the of the discussion, try to decide the most important contribution of teachers in
developing a country.

QUEFA2021 39
Sample 6

Part 1

Situation: There are many fun activities when get together with friends. What are some of
these activities?

Candidate A You have to give a presentation to your group. Talk about going to the
movies.
Candidate B You have to give a presentation to your group. Talk about going to
shopping.
Candidate C You have to give a presentation to your group. Talk about playing games.
Candidate D You have to give a presentation to your group. Talk about going for meals.

Task B

Situation: Many countries promote happiness among their citizens. In your group, discuss
what would make a citizen happy.

Good
Health

Good Better
governance security
What makes
a citizen of a
country
happy?

Accessible Quality
faciities education

At the end the of the discussion, try to decide the most important factor that would make a citizen
happy.

QUEFA2021 40
Sample 7

Part 1

Situation: Many students leave their homes to continue their studies. What are some useful
skills that they should have?

Candidate A You have to give a presentation to your class. Talk about cooking skills.
Candidate B You have to give a presentation to your class. Talk about first-aid skills.
Candidate C You have to give a presentation to your class. Talk about driving skills.
Candidate D You have to give a presentation to your class. Talk about self-defence skills.

Task B

Situation: Some life skills are not taught in schools. In your group, discuss what life skills that
should be taught in schools.

Time
managemen
t

Financial
Leaderships
planning
What life
skills that
should be
taught in
schools.

Intercultural
Personal
communicat
grooming
ions

At the end the of the discussion, try to decide the most important contribution of teachers in
developing a country.

QUEFA2021 41
Sample 8

Part 1

Situation: Buying a Smartphone is a big decision. What do consider when a Smartphone?

Candidate A You have to give a presentation to your class. Talk about the camera.
Candidate B You have to give a presentation to your class. Talk about the price.
Candidate C You have to give a presentation to your class. Talk about the brand.
Candidate D You have to give a presentation to your class. Talk about the size of the
memory.

Task B

Situation: Many people are addicted to technology nowadays and this has caused a number
of problems. In your group, discuss the problems caused by technology addiction.

Physical
health

Financial What are Social skills

the
problems
caused by
technology
addiction?

Family
Psycological
relationship

At the end the of the discussion, try to decide the most serious problem caused by technology
addiction.

QUEFA2021 42
Sample 9

Part 1

Situation: You have been given RM200. What are some important things that you can buy?

Candidate A You have to give a presentation to your class. Talk about buying clothes.
Candidate B You have to give a presentation to your class. Talk about buying books.
Candidate C You have to give a presentation to your class. Talk about buying internet
plans.
Candidate D You have to give a presentation to your class. Talk about buying video
games.

Task B

Situation: With the rising cost of living, consumers have to be smart. In your group, discuss
how to be a smart consumer.

Compare
prices

Know
Buy during
consumer
sales
rights
How to be a
smart
consumer?

Make
shopping Read labels
lists

At the end the of the discussion, try to decide the best way to be a smart consumer.

QUEFA2021 43
Sample 10

Part 1

Situation: Many things have become expensive nowadays? How can we spend less money?

Candidate A You have to give a presentation to your class. Talk about growing your own
vegetables.
Candidate B You have to give a presentation to your class. Talk about buying only what
is needed.
Candidate C You have to give a presentation to your class. Talk about eating home-
cooked meal.
Candidate D You have to give a presentation to your class. Talk about using public
transport.

Task B

Situation: Wasting food, electricity, water and other things is bad for a country. People can
reduce waste by taking a few positive steps. In your group, discuss the ways to reduce waste
in a country.

Plan your
meal

Recycle Donate
How to
reduce
reduce
waste in a
country?

Educate Media
people campaign

At the end the of the discussion, try to decide the best way to reduce waste in a country.

QUEFA2021 44
Sample 11

Part 1

Situation: Students have to think about to do after completing secondary school. What are
some of the things they can do?

Candidate A You have to give a presentation to your class. Talk about going to the
university.
Candidate B You have to give a presentation to your class. Talk about getting a job.
Candidate C You have to give a presentation to your class. Talk about getting a skill.
Candidate D You have to give a presentation to your class. Talk about getting married.

Task B

Situation: Unemployment among university graduates is a problem nowadays. In your group,

discuss why university graduates have difficulty finding employment.

Too high
expectation

Poor Why do Economic

communicat university situation
ion skills graduates
have
difficulty
finding
emplyment
?

Too many
Personality
graduates

At the end the of the discussion, try to decide the main reason university graduates have difficulty
finding employment.

QUEFA2021 45