CONFIDENTIAL*

htLm-iUElMUEThlUErMLIhTMlErMm-^RJBThlUErMilETMUEI^iUErMlJErAmrMLJErMLJErMUETMUEr
hw^iumiummErAiuhTh-Mn'AmrML}ErMiEAkj[in'kiuErNiLiErhmwMUErMLETMm''hv.iFrMLW
AiLimiuBMUErA-mrMum4LErMiBn-hiuEii^i^^^^Si\mErMiin:'MUETMmTMUhTMUFrA-!UEThnjEr
MUm£lEmUErMUErMUhTMUFrMUETA4UEr^^PNi^\iUBrA-IUETMUErMUErMLIETMUETMLlkTMLFr
MimiLIElMUErAmBrMUETMUETAmErMUEl^^J^^lUmWEEAmErjVMErMLIFrMUErA-lUETMUEr
MLimEUErrA4Um\€MA4UElAiUErAKim4UFrMUE^^m^A'RJErMUETMLm\1LWA4LlETMUn'A€lETMinn''

I MlJtTAiiIETMUE:rAmTMUETA4UErMUEAlUErA4Um4Um\4ILErA4UEl''A4UErA4UErA-KIETMUETA4UnAIlM-
A4UEIA41jX%t\t\l'%'^UErA4UETA{iAErA4L]ErAEUETAEIErA:IUEifL9k\ ICTT OHO-i '-lETMLET
AiLlEn^4U}S\3\3\'^V.lErA4UErA4llErA'4LIErAEUErMiETA4UF>Yi\\J^ \ I 'JEEAfUET
MUETMUtuviuci MLJtJ i\iUETAiUETAELIErA4LlETA4UErA4UEJA1UEi ivu^uzi muci jviucj muci muci mUErAEIET
jmEIA4UEJA4UErAmrMUErA'KlEEA4UEJAlUErA4UEIA4UETMJFrMLETA1UETA4UErMUETMUErA4UErA4UEr

ISS?MALAYSIAN UNIVERSITY ENGLISH TEST|SS

MUElAiUErMLIETMEFMUETAELErMUErMUErNRlErAIUETA'IUErMLIETMUErAmr'AiUErAEUErAEUETMUH'
AIUEIA'IUnMUErA-IUErMUBTA'lUE. DADCD Q DCAniKin tUErA4UErMUETAElErA4UETA4UEI-
MUEmUETAKJErMUErAJUETAIUE. rMrCrV O rVCMUimO rUETMUErAEUETAlUErAElErMLET
A1L!ElA1lMAEUErAlUErMilErA4UErA4UErAiUErkEUErMLIErA4LErA4UETA4UErA14JErMUETNEUErMUETA4UEr
AKJElA4UETMUETJ4KlErA4UETMUErA4UETMi ccccir^Kl' H TAiUETMUETAlUErAEUErAELlErAElbTAfUEr
MmmUEEA4UErA£lETMUErA4UErA4UETA4i OtOOlUN 1 TAEUEIAiUErAEUEFMLIETMlM'MUblAILEr
A4UEIA}UEIMilErA4UErA4UErAIUErA-mTMUETA4UErA4UnAlUErMUETMUErA4UErA4UErAlL!ErAlLlErMLlET

M4JLIS PEPERIKSAAN MALAYSIA

(MALAYSIAN EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL)

75 Minutes
Instructions to candidates:

DO NOT OPEN Tins QUESTION PAPER UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO.

There are forty questions in this test.

Indicate the correct answer on the Multiple-choice Answer Sheetprovided.
Answer aSIthe questions.

This question paper consists of20 printed pages and 4 blank pages.
© Majlis Peperiksaan Malaysia 2021

MUET SESSION 1 2021 - 800/3 [Turn over

*This question paper is CONFIDENTIAL until the test is over. CONFIDENTIAL*
CONFIDENTIAL* 2

Part 1

Read three notices about university programmes.

Answer questions 1 to 4 based on the notices about university programmes(A to C).

Which notice

1 says that you can get free food?

2 is about an activity outside a university?

3 is about an activity organised by students?

4 tells us about an activity that ends before noon?

A- B C

Go Clean Food Sale Study Smart

The Education Department is The Student Society is selling Our university is organising
going to have a project to clean food to collect money for poor a programme on study skills
a school near our university. If students. for students. A well-known
you are interested to join the motivator, Dr Maria Roslan
project, come for a meeting. will be speaking to you!

Date : 23 October 2021 Date 24 November 2021 Date : 8 November 2021

(Saturday) (Wednesday) (Monday)
Time : 9 a.m.- 11 a.m. Time 8 a.m.- 1 p.m. Time : 12 p.m.- 1 p.m.
Place : Library Place Cempaka Hall Place : Dahlia Hall

Help us to think clean and go Pizza, nasi lemak, curry puff, Join us. The programme is
green! bubble tea, burger, and lots more free. Lunch is given.
are waiting for the foodies!

MUET SESSION 1 2021 - 800/3

*This question paper is CONFIDENTIAL until the test is over. CONFIDENTIAL*
CONFIDENTIAL* 4

Part!

Read an emailfrom Abdul Razak to Dr Rashidah.

Answer questions 5 to 9 based on the email.

To: rashidah@.universitv.edu.mv
From: abdulrazak@,yoyo.com.my
Subject: Apology for not attending lectures

Dear Dr Rashidah,

Thank you for your email regarding my absence from class. My fnend told me that
you had written to me a few days ago. Unfortunately, there is something wrong with
my student email and I have not been able to use it since January 2021. I am now
writing to you using my personal email.

1 would like to explain my absence from your lectures for the past two weeks and
for having not informed you earlier. I was unwell on 17 February 2021. However,
I did not consult a doctor because 1 was too weak and took a painkiller instead. As a
result, 1 did not have a medical certificate to hand in. On 24 February 2021, I could
not come to class because I had to attend my sister's wedding in my village. In fact,
I had asked my fnend who was in the same class to inform you, but she forgot and
went to the library to meet friends.

For your information, I had planned to come back to the university immediately
after my sister's wedding. But,there was heavy rain and my journey took longer than
usual and I could not reach the airport on time. I missed my flight and could only come
back the next day.

1 am aware that I missed a listening test held in class on 24 February 2021. Can
I be given the opportunity to take the test because I might fail the course if 1 do not
get any marks for the test? Could 1 possibly take the test on Friday morning because
1 have an important oral presentation for another course in the afternoon? Alternatively,
could I do a project to replace this test? I hope you can consider my request to take the
test that I missed.

I apologise again for my behaviour and I will leam to be more responsible.

I promise to attend all your classes in future. In the event I cannot attend a class,
I will email to inform you. 1 look forward to hearing from you. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Abdul Razak

MUET SESSION 1 2021 - 800/3

*This question paper is CONFIDENTIAL until the test is over. CONFIDENTIAL*
CONFIDENTIAL* 5

5 Abdul Razak wrote to Dr Rashidah because

A he received an email from her

B he had to give his new email address to her

C he wanted to say sorry for missing her classes

6 Abdul Razak missed the second class because

A he went home

B he was too sick

C he had a meeting

7 Abdul Razak missed his flight because

A of his sister's wedding
B ofthe bad weather

C of a flight delay

8 Abdul Razak's most important request in his email is

A to take the listening test
B to present his work
C to do a project

9 Abdul Razak ended his email by promising

A to come early for all Dr Rashidah's classes
B to tell Dr Rashidah if he missed classes

C to reply Dr Rashidah's email

MUET SESSION 1 2021 - 800/3 [Turn over

*This question paper is CONFIDENTIAL until the test is over. CONFIDENTIAL*
CONFIDENTIAL* 6

Parts

Read a short story about Bee Leng.

Answer questions 10 to 14 based on the short story.

1 "Put some powder on your face at least, Bee Leng," I said.

2 "No need,I'm already married. Who would want to look at me?"
3 "It's got nothing to do with being married. Your face is shiny with sweat," I said again.
4 "Who cares? Anyway,I am the way my husband likes me."
5 "Well then, let's go," I said feeling overdressed and all dolled up in lace and chiffon, a
gold chain around my neck, compared to Bee Leng, who wore a faded grey blouse and skirt.
I had spent two hours at the hairdresser's, wanting to look my best for my old school friend,
Lynette Lum's wedding dinner. We went to the majestic E & O Hotel located in the very heart
of Penang's heritage district, I wearing expensive perfume and Bee Leng, an ugly frown on
her face.

6 "1 hope this is the last and final wedding dinner for this year,"Bee Leng complained loudly.
7 "What! It's good to be able to celebrate, I love weddings...wish I could find a man,"
I sighed.
8 "1 am becoming poor giving out angpows. 1 do not like this culture of giving money as a
token of good wishes at weddings. This is the third wedding this year," she complained.
9 "Oh come on, don't complain so much. Let's enjoy ourselves," I said, thinking to myself
how stingy she was. This was a woman who asked for discounts for everything.
10 She was my best friend during secondary school days. We went our separate and different
ways after school - she worked as a secretary in a company while I went to university and
graduated with a Master in Business Administration from the US. After a decade of living
in a foreign land, I went back to Penang to work in an international organisation. By then,
I had lost touch with many school friends, and I was delighted when I unexpectedly met Bee
Leng one day. It was like old times all over again because we would go out for coffee or a
meal whenever we could find the time. It was always easier for her as she had quit her job
immediately after marriage, while I had a full-time job and demanding career which was very
challenging.
11 But something has changed. She has become extremely stingy. During school days, it
didn't really show as we both didn't have money. But now,I can't understand why the cheap
clothes, and those from her sister which hardly fit, the visits to the second-hand shops, and the
frequent need to save.
(Adapted from Su Kim Lee's Sarong Secret: Oflove, lost and longing, 2013)

MUET SESSION 1 2021 - 800/3

*This question paper is CONFIDENTIAL until the test is over. CONFIDENTIAL*
CONFIDENTIAL* 7

10 Bee Leng is happy with the way she looks because

A she is already married
B she thinks she is beautiful

C she likes the way her husband accepts her

11 What did both the writer and Bee Leng do for the diimer?
A They wore jewellery.
B They gave angpows.
C They did their hair.

12 Bee Leng was unhappy to attend the dinner because

A her friend asked her to go
B she had to spend money
C her clothes were cheap

13 Bee Leng is the writer's friend from

A imiversity
B school

C work

14 The writer felt that Bee Leng had changed because

A she was now very careful with her money
B she gave her clothes to other people
C she became more like her sister

MUET SESSION 1 2021 - 800/3 [Turn over

*This question paper is CONFIDENTIAL until the test is over. CONFIDENTIAL*
CONFIDENTIAL* 8

Part 4

Read two texts about cultural differences.

Answer questions 15 and 16 based on Text 1.

Text 1

1 All human beings are in many ways very similar. We share the same physiology and have the
same basic needs, such as food, shelter, and safety.
2 How would you describe yourself? Would you list your personal characteristics, such as
being intelligent or funny,or would you use preferences,such as"I love pizza"? Instead would
you mention social relationships, such as "I am a student"? Social psychologists believe that
people are more likely to describe themselves and others in terms of personal characteristics.
So what effect does culture really have on the basic aspects of our psyche, such as beliefs,
cognition, and personality?
3 One thought experiment suggests the extent to which our mental processes are influenced
by the society in which we grow up. In the experiment, individuals were asked which two
of the following objects go together - a panda, a monkey, and a banana. Those from the
United States ofAmerica usually select the monkey and the panda, because both are animals.
This indicates an analytic thinking style, in which the objects are independent oftheir context.
In contrast, individuals from Asian countries often select the monkey and the banana,because
they belong in the same environment and share a relationship(monkeys eat bananas). This is
a holistic thinking style, in which object and context are connected.
4 Many studies have shown that cultural differences in thinking styles are varied. They
affect memory, attention, and even how we talk and think. An important 1991 research,
conducted by social psychologists Hazel R. Markus and Shinobu Kitayama, showed that
culture influences views that individuals have ofthemselves. Kitayama says, "Individuals in
some cultures understand the self as independent, whereas those in other cultures perceive it
as interdependent."
5 People who see themselves as independent are mostly from North America. They view
themselves as free and unique individuals, and have a set of fixed beliefs which guide their
actions. In contrast, people with an interdependent self-perception are usually from Asia and
Latin America. They view themselves as more connected with others close to them, such as
their family or community, and think ofthemselves as a part of different social relationships.
They are guided by groups in their actions.
6 Clearly culture has a great effect on how we view ourselves and how we are seen by
others - we are only just scratching the surface. With more research, we may well find
cultural differences in even more areas. Only by knowing about these effects will we ever be
able to understand other cultures a little better.
(Adapted from American Scientist, 2018)

MUET SESSION 1 2021 - 800/3

*This question paper is CONFIDENTIAL until the test is over. CONFIDENTIAL*
CONFIDENTIAL* 9

15 The writer believes that

A different societies make us think differently

B human beings are more similar than we think
C how we describe ourselves depends on our character

16 People from Asian countries

A act based on their own way ofthinking
B see objects as separate from their environment
C are closely linked to their family and community

MUET SESSION 1 2021 - 800/3 [Turn over

*This question paper is CONFIDENTIAL rmtil the test is over. CONFIDENTIAL*
CONFIDENTIAL* 10

Answer questions 17 and 18 based on Text 2.

Text 2

1 "I'm British. Soon after moving to Switzerland, where I lived for six years, I had a
house-warming party and was surprised when all 30 guests arrived exactly on time. Years
later, when I moved to France, I turned up at the agreed time for a dinner, only to find that no
other guest had arrived."
2 Every culture has many unwritten rules. For example, punctuality is seen differently in
different countries. Also, some countries find singing in a lift acceptable while others find it
unacceptable. Perhaps the best way to understand societies is to look at their acceptable social
behaviour.

3 Cultural psychologist Michele Gelfand at the University of Maryland in the United States
of America believes that cultural tightness is determined by the level of external threat
experienced by a society. Gelfand says,"The idea is that if you are often faced with threats
such as earthquakes, or war, you develop strong rules in order to coordinate the society for
survival." She and her colleagues describe societies with strict rules as "tight" and those with
more relaxed rules as "loose".
4 To test the idea, they compared 33 countries -from South America to Asia, and published
their findings in Science in 2011. Tight societies like Colombia and Malaysia tend to be
more autocratic, with greater media censorship and fewer demonstrations. They are also
more conformist and religious, and have more police, lower crime and divorce rates, and
cleaner public spaces. Tight societies have more order and social control than loose societies.
However,tight societies are less creative and less accepting of differences.
5 Countries can change their social behaviours. They can emphasise unwritten social rules
by vising legal means. In New York, for instance, the fine for a first-time littering offence
is USD250 (about RMIOOO), whereas in Singapore it is about RM6000. In Malaysia, the
littering fine is RM500. No prizes for guessing which has the cleanest streets.
6 In their study on tightness, Gelfand and her colleagues found that societies may view
other cultures as unjust, and immoral. These beliefs could cause conflicts, particularly with
countries close to one another. With more research, we can better understand why societies
differ and this could be the first step towards greater global harmony. If we accept that the
way countries function is connected to levels ofthreat, we might also be more sympathetic to
different social behaviours.
(Adapted from New Scientist, 2018)

MUET SESSION 1 2021 - 800/3

*This question paper is CONFIDENTIAL until the test is over. CONFIDENTIAL*
CONFIDENnAL* 11

17 Gelfand and her colleagues believe that societies with relaxed rules
A have more order and control

B allow creative ideas to develop

C are more likely to have low crime rates

18 The writer uses paragraph 5 to make a point that

A social rules are more obvious in some countries

B making sure the law is followed can change behaviour

C different countries havei different ideas about being clean

Answer questions 19 and 20 based on Text 1 and Text 2.

19 How are Text 1 and Text 2 similar?

A They both show that the idea oftime is different for every culture.
B They both discuss how people from different cultures think.
C They both compare the American and Asian cultures.

20 The two texts suggest that further research on culture can lead to
A more peaceful societies
B closer social relationships
C better knowledge about different societies

MUET SESSION 1 2021 - 800/3 [Turn over

*This question paper is CONFIDENTIAL until the test is over. CONFIDENTIAL*
CONFffiENTIAL* 12

Part 5

Read a text about Clare Grey's research on the development ofa new type ofbattery. Six sentences
have been removedfrom the text. Choosefrom the sentences A to G the one whichfits each gap
(21 to 26). There is one extra sentence which you do not need to use.

1 Like many of us, when I wake up, I reach for the phone. I listen to music as I get ready for
work. By the time I reach the office, my phone already needs a boost. It's not even 9 a.m.
2 It's a modem miracle that we have computers in our pockets. In fact, some are even
more powerful than those which supported the moon landings. But, despite the fact that the
transistors inside our phones and laptops have been getting smaller and faster, the batteries
that power them have not. The key to making electronics portable, and powering a change
in how we communicate and consume information was the commercialisation oflithium-ion
batteries by Sony in 1991. 21 .
3 Lithium-ion batteries have advantages, such as high energy storage and long lifetimes in
comparison with other batteries. 22 . Additionally, their energy stored
is nowhere near that of petrol. This makes them unsuitable for widespread use in electric cars
and grid-scale storage for solar power.
4 Professor Clare Grey,a battery researcher in Cambridge University, is developing a range
of different next-generation batteries including lithium-air batteries. A working lithium-
air battery would have a theoretical energy stored ten times that of a lithium-ion battery.
23 Significant research challenges remain to be addressed.
5 While Grey works with industrial partners to improve the batteries going into electric cars
today,she says the role of universities is to think about entirely new types ofbatteries, such as
the ones she is developing in her lab."Universities need to be coming up with answers for 10
to 15 years from now — we're the ones who are best placed to innovate, think creatively and
generate radical, new solutions," she says. 24 .
6 A major strand of Grey's research is the detection of faults. 25 .
"If we can find them,then we could potentially prevent batteries from exploding. In addition,
we want to explore whether a car battery that's reached the end of its life could have a second
life on the grid, for example. If we could work out, in real time, what causes the battery to
degrade, we could change the way we use the battery, ensuring it lasts longer," she says.
Grey is leading some major projects. 26 . "When you think about
other electronic devices, you're generally only thinking about one material, which is silicon,"
says Dr Button. "But batteries are much more complex because you've got multiple materials
to work with, plus all the packaging, and you've got to think about how all these components
interact with each other and with whatever device you're putting the battery into."
(Adapted from University ofCambridge, 2019)

MUET SESSION 1 2021 - 800/3

*This question paper is CONFIDENTIAL until the test is over. CONFIDENTIAL*
CONFIDENTIAL* 13

A Grey is trying to find ways to locate faults in batteries before they happen.
B They want to make sure that their work has an impact well beyond today's batteries.
C However,they can also overheat or even explode and are relatively expensive to produce.
D A better battery is one that can store a lot more energy or one that can charge much faster.
E These are to examine how environmental and internal battery stresses damage electric car
batteries over time.

F These batteries are rechargeable, so when the device is connected to a charger it restores the
battery for another use.
G Although this high energy stored similar to that ofpetrol,the practical energy stored achievable
is significantly lower.

MUET SESSION 1 2021 - 800/3 [Turn over

*This question paper is CONFIDENTIAL until the test is over. CONFIDENTIAL*
CONFIDENTIAL* 14

Part 6

Read a text on critical reading.

Answer questions 27 to 33 based on the text.

1 Educated adults exist in a delusional state, thinking we can read. In the most basic
sense, we can. After all, we've made it up to this point in the sentence and imderstand
it all, right? And what about all those hundreds of books we read before now? These
statements are only partly true; I am here to tell you the opposite. Odds are, some of us
can't read, at least not as well as we would like. Too many college students are capable 5
of only "some" types of reading, and that painful lack reveals itself when they read a
difficult text and must talk critically about it.
2 For example, the act of reading to extract information and reading critically are
vastly difierent. The current education system in American primary schools(and many
colleges) heavily emphasises the first type of reading and de-emphasises the latter. 10
In many ways, this tendency makes sense. Reading to extract information allows a
student to absorb the raw materials offactual information as quickly as possible. It is a
type ofreading we all must engage in fi-equently. However, each type ofreading calls
for different mental habits. If we do not leam to adjust firom one type of reading to
another when necessary, we cripple our intellectual abilities to read critically. 15
3 But what are the differences between (/) reading to extract information and
(h)reading critically? Why are the dijfferences between the two skills so important?
4 Firstly, they have different goals. When students read to extract information,
usually they seek facts and presume the source is accurate. No argument is required.
On the other hand, when students read critically, they try to determine the quality of 20
the argument. The reader must be open-minded and curious all at once. He constantly
adjusts the degree of personal beliefin relation to the quality ofthe essay's arguments.
5 They also require difierent types of discipline. If students read for the
purpose of learning raw data, the most efficient way to leam is repetition.
For instance, in primary school, when yormgsters memorise the multiplication and 25
division tables, they read and recite them over and over again. On the other hand, if
students read critically, the most effective technique may be to break the essay up into
logical subdivisions and analyse each section's argument, to restate the argument in
other words, and then to expand upon or question the findings.
6 Next, they require difierent types of mental activity. If a student reads to gain 30
information, a certain degree of absorption, memorisation, and passivity is necessary.
(We can't memorise the multiplication charts effectively if we waste time questioning
whether eight times three really does equal twenty-four). He also needs to consider
writers' styles. If a student is engaged in reading critically, however, that student must
be totally active. He or she must be prepared to pre-read the essay, then read it closely 35
for content, and reread it if it isn't clear how the author reached the conclusion to
the argument. The critical reader must take the time to consider the argument fi"om
numerous angles including logical, rhetorical, historical, ethical, social, and personal
perspectives.

MUET SESSION 1 2021 - 800/3

*This question paper is CONFIDENTIAL until the test is over. CONFIDENTIAL*
CONFIDENTIAL* 15

7 Reading for information and critical reading create different results. 40

Passive reading to absorb information can create a student who (if not precisely well-
read) has read a great many books. It results in someone who has, in the closet of the
mind, a staggering number offacts to call to memory at any moment. However, critical
reading involves original, innovative thinking. It creates a person who intentionally and
habitually reads with the mental habit ofreflection, intellectual honesty, perceptivity to 45
the text, subtlety in thought, and originality in insight. Each method of reading has its
place, but critical reading is too often supplanted by reading for information.
8 Ultimately, they differ in the degree of understanding they require. Reading for
information is the more basic, and thus more fundamental, ofthe two reading skills. If
one cannot make out the meaning ofindividual words, it is pointless to try and evaluate 50
their importance. However, reading critically is the more advanced ofthe two, because
only critical reading equates with full "understanding".
9 However, while scepticism is important in critical reading,it is not simply the act of
doubting everything we read. Certainly, a healthy amount ofscepticism is an important
part ofintellectual rigor,and it is better than naive aeceptance ofevery printed statement. 55
Still, critical reading is more than paranoid doubt, or trying to slam every essay the
reader finds. A critical reader tries not only to think of arguments to refute what he
reads, but also tries to think of extra arguments to support it. Only then does he weigh
the argument carefully and come to a decision. He also tries to determine in what ways
the argument may be relevant and relate those ideas to his own life. Rather than merely 60
seeking to trash an argument entirely, the wise reader acknowledges that some parts of
an argument are more compelling than others, and tries to figure out why.
(Adapted fromDr Wheeler's Website, 2018)

27 The writer begins the text by

A criticising the way adult readers read
B aiming at an audience who reads poorly
C feeling sorry for people with reading difficulties
D making a strong claim about adult reading ability

28 In paragraph 2, what is the writer's opinion about critical reading?

A College students need critical reading more than primary school students.
B Students often have difficulties with critical reading.
C There is lack of attention paid to critieal reading.
D Critical reading takes a long time to master.

29 The reader must be open-minded and curious all at once (line 21)shows that the reader must be
A eager to leam
B able to think fast

C in control ofhis reading speed

D prepared to defend his thoughts

MUET SESSION 1 2021 - 800/3 [Turn over

*This question paper is CONFIDENTIAL until the test is over. CONFIDENTIAL*
 CONFTOENTIAL*
16

30 to panigraph 6,which ofthe following bestsum up a critical teader?

A He needs to be an expert in many subjects.
B He must be familiar with the process ofreading.
C He should have a very wide range ofthinking skills.
D He has to consider writers'styles in building his arguments.
31 Paragraph 7 is developed through
A listing
B example
C narration
D argument

32 According to paragraph 9, a wise reader would

A refute what he reads
B weigh the arguments
C think ofextra arguments
D connect the ideas to his life

33 Which ofthe foUowing can be an apptopriate title for the text?

A The Skills ofReading Critically
B How to Become a Critical Reader
C The Importance ofReading Critically
D HifficultiesofBeing a Critical Reader

MUET session 1 2021 - 800/3

"This question paper is CONFIDENTIAL until the test is over.
CONFroENTIAL''
CONFIDENTIAL* 18

Part 7

Read a text about happiness:

Answer questions 34 to 40 based on the text.

1 Who is the world's happiest person? It may be Alejando Zuniga, a healthy, middle-aged
father who socialises at least six hours a day and has a few good friends he can count on.
He sleeps at least seven hours most nights, walks to work,and eats six servings offmits
and vegetables most days. He works no more than 40 hours a week at a job he loves
with co-workers he enjoys. He spends a few hours a week volunteering with his wife; 5
on the weekends he worships God and indulges in his passion for soccer. In short he
makes daily choices that favour happiness, choices made easier because he lives among
like-minded people in the temperate Central Valley of Costa Rica.
2 Douglas Foo is another possible candidate. A successful entrepreneur, he drives a
USD750 000 BMW and lives in a USDl0 million house. He is married, with four well- 10
behaved children who excel at school. He put himself through school, working four
jobs, and started a company that eventually grew into a USD60 million multinational
enterprise. He works about60 hours a week between his business and his philanthropic
pursuits. He has worked hard to achieve his success, but as Foo readily admits, he
probably could not have created this life anywhere other than Singapore. 15
3 Zuniga represents a brand of happiness which scientists call happiness or positive
affect. Surveys measure it by asking people how often they smiled, laughed, or feltjoy
during the past 24 hours. His country is not only Latin America's happiest; it is also
where people report feeling more day-to-day positive emotions than just about any
other place in the world. 20
4 And true to Singapore's reputation for having a semi-fanatical drive for success,Foo
— with all his ambition and accomplishments — represents the "life satisfaction" strand
of happiness. Social scientists often measure this type of happiness by asking people
to rate their lives on a scale ofzero to 10. Experts also call this evaluative happiness.
Internationally it is considered the gold standard metric of well-being. Singapore has 25
most dependably ranked number one in Asia for life satisfaction.
5 The researchers who publish the annual World Happiness Report found that about
three-quarters of human happiness is driven by six factors: Strong economic growth,
healthy life expectancy, quality social relationships, generosity, trust, and freedom to
live the life that is right for you. These factors do not materialise by chance; they are 30
intimately related to a country's government and its cultural values. To illustrate the
power of place, John Helliwell, one of the report's editors, analysed 500 000 surveys
completed by immigrants who had moved to Canada from 100 countries over the
previous 40 years, many from coimtries considerably less happy. Remarkably Helliwell
and his colleagues discovered that, within a few years ofarriving, immigrants who came 35
from unhappy places began to report the increased happiness level of their adoptive
home. Seemingly, their environment alone accormted for their increased happiness.
6 Singapore's stoiy, like that of Costa Rica, illustrates how a relatively small(about
six million people), prosperous nation can achieve a high level of well-being. And yet
what works for such societies might not easily translate into solutions for a sprawling, 40
diverse, argumentative, freedom-loving nation like the United States (US). Could the
US really emulate the day-to-day joy of Costa Rica? Or the values-driven security of
Singapore?

MUET SESSION 1 2021 - 800/3

*This question paper is CONFIDENTIAL until the test is over. CONEIDENTLAL*
CONFIDENTIAL* 19

7 There is reason to think so-ifa community like Boulder,Colorado,is any indication.

As stunning as the setting is. Boulder's appeal is more than skin-deep. Besides being 45
a college town, an adventure destination, and a haven for elite athletes, it produces the
highest level of well-being for its resident. "People in Boulder live better lives than
residents of any other city for which we have results," said Dan Witters, a research
director at Gallup. Witters created the Gallup-National Geographic Index, designed to
assess 18 ofthe most important indicators ofwell-being. His analysis included obesity 50
rates, absence ofpain,feelings ofsafety and security, whether people use their strengths
and accomplish their goals, and whether they learn something interesting daily. He even
included dentist visits, which counterintuitively perhaps, are strongly associated with
happiness. Gallup since 2008 has surveyed more than 2.5 million people in American
communities. Among 190 US metropolitan areas. Boulder came out on top. 55
8 For decades, the community has diligently protected its quality of life. Boulder
taxpayers have voted for 300 miles of bike routes that web the city, and yellow lights
blink at crosswalks, reminding motorists that pedestrians have the right-of-way. As a
result. Boulder residents bike to work at one ofthe highest rates in the nation- 17 times
more than the national average. This makes for cleaner air, fewer accidents, and fewer 60
overweight people.
9 Still, change continues to threaten Boulder's way oflife. The civie-minded hippie
generation that spawned companies such as Celestial Seasonings herbal-tea company
and WhiteWave health food company are now giving way to Google and tech venture
capital firms. A highly paid, more driven culture is replacing the laid-back, outdoorsy 65
one. For all of its list-topping well-being scores. Boulder has curiously high levels of
stress. "It's not Zen Boulder anymore," Witters said. On any given day,49% ofpeople
surveyed in Boulder report feeling stress, higher than the national average.
(Adapted from iVariona/ Geographic, 2017)

34 The writer begins the text with

A a narration

B a reflection

C an argurrient
D an explanation

35 In paragraphs 1 and 2, which ofthe following is provided about both Zuniga and Foo?
A Age
B Income

C Marital status

D Sleeping hours

36 The purpose of paragraphs 3 and 4 is to

A associate happiness with well-being
B rank countries on a happiness scale
C compare different measurements of happiness
D show that drive for success is linked to happiness

MUET SESSION 1 2021 - 800/3 [Turn over

*This question paper is CONFIDENTIAL until the test is over. CONFIDENTIAL*
CONFTOENTIAL* 20 If

37 The words (line 39)can best be replaced by

A Nevertheless

B Additionally
C Currently '■
D Already

38 In paragraph 7, which sentence tells us tp believe Dan Witters' findings on the well-being of
Boulder residents? '.
A There is reason to think so - if a community like Boulder, Colorado, is any indication.
(Iine44) • • - • <
B People in Boulder live better lives than residents ofany othercityfor which we'have.
results,(lines 47 and 48) ' ^
C He even included dentist visits, which counterintuitively perhaps, are strongly associated
with happiness,(lines 52 to 54) , ;. . :,
D Gallup since 2008 has surveyed more than 2.5 million people in American communities.
(lines 54 and 55)

39 It's not Zen Boulder anymore (line 67)suggests that

A high tech companies will replace agricultural activities
B the hippie generation will have to move away from Boulder
C a lifestyle of walking and biking will be replaced with driving
D Boulder will no longer be the top area in level of well-being in future

40 The central message conveyed by the writer in this text is

A researchers disagree over the ideas of happiness, satisfaction and well-being
B people living in cities and small towns experience happiness differently
C the ability to view pain and stress positively leads to happiness
D happiness is defined in a variety of ways

mMiit

MUET SESSION 1 2021 - 800/3

*This question paper is CONFIDENTIAL until the test is over. CO