muet from pelangi publcations

MUET
My Way
MUET NEW
CEFR-ALIGNED
EXAM FORMAT

B QR codes for all
O
N listening tracks
U
S

INFO VIDEO

Mdm. Audrey Koh
Dr. Jane Cheok Mei Lick

CONTENTS

Preface iii Part

About MUET iv 3 READING 109
111
◗ Fix Your Broken English 1 • Introduction 111
• Level 1: Grammar Module 34 • CEFR-aligned Notes 112
• Descriptors for Reading Skills 114
(Self-Assessment) • Reading Test Overview 118
• Level 2: Grammar Module • Reading Strategies
• Model Tasks in Reading
(Coded Marking)

◗ Vocab Building 50 Part
• Wow Factor (Vocab Wordlist) 58
• Wow Factor (Proverbs) 61 4 WRITING
• Wow Factor (Phrases) 67
• Wow Factor (Expressions) • Introduction 129

• Task 1: Emails and Letters 129

• Email Sample Answers 135

Part • Letter Sample Answers 137

1 Listening • Task 1 (Practices 1 – 6) 139

• Introduction 73 • Focussed Writing Practice 147
• Listening Text Overview 74
• CEFR-aligned 76 • How to Write Effective Introductions 148
• Listening Strategies 77
• Helpful Tips 78 • How to Write Effective Body 154
• Example of a Complete Paragraphs
Listening Paper 79
• How to add Critical Thinking 158
Elements

• How to write Effective Conclusions 159

• Task 2 (Practices 1 – 8) 173

Part • MUET Academic Essay Template 192

2 SPEAKING 85 • S ample Outlines for MUET 201
Academic Essays
• Introduction 87
• MUET Speaking Paper 91 • P eer Review Checklist 214
Sample Question 95
• Part 1 100 ◗ Model Test 219
• Part 2
• Practice 1 – Practice 5 ◗ Tapescript 237

◗ Answers 247

◗ Teacher’s Handbook 253

vi

MUET My Way Fix Your Broken English  GRAMMAR

Fix Your Broken English

Level 1 : Grammar Module

A self-diagnostic assessment of your grammar level and a grammar quick fix to solve your broken
English problems.

Written by 

Audrey Koh Sui Ean (B.K.)
Master of Education in Teaching & Learning with Distinction

University of HELP, KL (2019)
Bachelor of Education in Teaching English as a Second Language

University of Exeter, UK (2001)

Introduction

Welcome to the first step in fixing your broken English! Congratulations for choosing to complete
this grammar self-help module because these notes are guaranteed to help you identify your own
problems in grammar AND provide the solutions or the cure for your errors.

My name is Madam Audrey Koh and I have done endless research and trials to perfect my grammar notes.
Rest assured that I have done all the hard work, and all you have to do is internalise the grammar formula
which have been broken down to very simple codes. Trust me, this module will help you improve your
proficiency in English by leaps and bounds!

Recent studies have shown that a lot of fresh graduates and working adults cannot get good jobs or
promotions simply because of their lack of proficiency in English. With this diagnostic test and the grammar
notes in this section of this book, you will be able to unlock your potential and improve your overall
proficiency in the English language.

This grammar section has been arranged and laid out in a manner which is very simple yet effective in
identifying your grammar problem areas. It also provides clear explanations and useful grammar formula
in addition to exercises to fix your broken structures. All it takes is a little bit of effort and you can complete
Level 1 in record time! Once you have the mechanics of the language ironed out, you can then focus on
writing English effectively as well as speaking English convincingly and confidently using proper grammar.
You may then sit for your MUET examination will better confidence and I would certainly wish you the
best of luck.

1

  MUET My Way Fix Your Broken English

GRAMMAR 4 One of the solution is... s Logically, you can only choose
One of the reason is... r 1 from many, not 1 from 1.

5 ...the person who are in- 1 +s Subject Verb Agreement:
charge... p  who i  –s 1 +s / >1 –s

...the people who is in- 1 * except sentences that start
incharge p  who a  with ‘You' or ‘I’.

6 For examples... For e   ... Do not add ‘s’.
,1 and Must add ‘s’ to show quantity.
...gadgets such as handphone, h 

laptop and tablet. t

7 The lecturer must explain the by g  by + ing
for + ing
answer by give examples for for e 
explain the solution.

8 (modals: should, could, would,
will, can, must etc)

The Ministry of Education should p  to modal + ori
should providing free s  to + ori

broadband for students to
surfing the internet.

9 Heavier fines must be give to must be g  modal + be + P4
to + be + P4
the ones who break the law so to be t 
that they remember that laws P1 give(s) P1 take(s)
are to be take seriously. P2 giving P2 taking
P3 gave P3 took
P4 given P4 taken

10 He have make a difference 1 +s P4 Present tense:
today has + P4 / have + P4
He h  m 
They has make a difference Past tense:
today. 1 –s P4 had + P4
P1 make(s)
We has made a difference They h  m  P2 making
yesterday. P3 made
Past tense P4 P4 made

has/have
h  m 

34

  MUET My Way Fix Your Broken English

(8 errors)

GRAMMAR 1 +s (P.1) adjective
Self-discipline are is very importance important because each people person must learn to
pronoun
look after themself themselves + ori try pronoun best totoc+arorryi ing carry pronoun
and trying they their out they their

reponsibility.

(9 errors)

To be aa/agnood 1 –s entreprenuer , innovation modal + be + P.4 prioritised because
entreprenuers should be prioritise
+s (P.1) 1 –s modal + ori >1 + s
noun 1 creativity are is aa/vaenry useful skills skill that can increased increase sale sales and customer
creative

noun adjective –s
satisfied  satisfaction as well as products  product branding.

(10 errors) >1 modal + be + P.4 >1 + s

More young person people should be involving involved in volunteer activity activities that
–s (P.1)
is  are good –s building and it is a ag/oaond w1ay–ss  way to teon+gaogrei d  engage
for characters  character

youth in community senrovuicned   service and encouorrai ges  encourage pronoun to be future leaders.
they  them

50

  MUET My Way Vocabulary

VOCABULARY fruitfully logically offensively reasonably supposedly
fully loyally openly regardless sustainably
fundamentally lyrically optimistically remarkably technologically
furiously marginally organically reportedly temporarily
generously mathematically overly respectively terminally
genetically maturely overwhelmingly rigorously terribly
genuinely medically partially roughly thankfully
globally memorably passively satisfactorily thereafter
greatly merely peculiarly seemingly thereby
hardly metaphorically persistently severely thoroughly
hence miraculously philosophically similarly timely
henceforth miserably precisely simultaneously totally
holistically miserly predominantly solely tragically
honestly modestly presently somehow undoubtedly
hopefully monthly prestigiously sometime unjustly
hungrily monumentally presumably specifically usually
hurriedly moreover prevalently statistically utterly
independently mostly primarily steadfastly volatilely
instantly namely productively steadily voluntarily
intellectually necessarily profoundly stereotypically whatsoever
ironically neutrally progressively stoically whereby
lamentably newly protectively strictly wholly
lately nonetheless psychologically strongly

laterally notably purely substantially

literally notoriously readily succinctly

58

H Love & Friendship MUET My Way Vocabulary  VOCABULARY
1 Love is colour blind.
2 The way to a man’s heart is through his 8 Keep your friends close but your enemies
closer.
stomach.
3 Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. 9 To be without a friend is to be poor indeed.
4 Love understands all languages. 10 Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
5 Don't judge a book by its cover. 11 In love, a beggar and a king are equal.
6 A friend in need is a friend indeed. 12 The best things in life are free.
7 False friends are worse than open enemies. 13 A smile never costs anything.
14 Laughter is the best medicine.

I Health
1 An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
2 Eat to live, not live to eat.
3 A healthy man is a successful man.
4 Health is wealth.
5 Good health is better than wealth.
6 Better to wear out than to rust out.
7 Better be poor and healthy than rich and sick.
8 Prevention is better than cure.
9 The beginning of health is sleep.
10 Good health is the sister of beauty.
11 Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.
12 Good health and good sense are two great blessings.
13 A healthy body is a healthy mind.
14 We are what we eat.

J Environment
1 Go Green. There is no Planet B.
2 The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The next best time is today.
3 Do your duty to keep nature a beauty.
4 Look after the land and the land will look after you, destroy the land and it will destroy you.
5 He that plants trees, loves others besides himself.
6 A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.
7 The Earth does not belong to us: we belong to the Earth.
8 The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.
9 We do not inherit this earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.
10 Ignorance is a form of environmental pollution.

61

MUET My Way Vocabulary 

Other ways to express excitement/disappointment…

Low Band / High I couldn’t believe it! It was uninteresting.
It was so disappointing.
Frequency I had a whale of a time!

I had a blast (of a time)! It was a total let down. VOCABULARY

To see is to believe! It was uninspiring.

It was out-of-this-world! I was expecting so much more.

It was beyond my wildest imagination! It was a disheartening experience.

It was way above my greatest expectation! It left a lot to be desired.

I can’t wrap my head around it! It was cold and unengaging.

It deserved a standing ovation! It was a complete waste of time!

High Band / Low It was literally unfathomable! It was such a time-waster!
It was a so pointless!
Frequency It was mind-blowingly amazing.

Other ways to end your writing…

Low Band / High Write soon!

Frequency Bye for now.

That’s all for now, bye.

Hope to hear from you soon!

Take care, stay safe and write soon.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

I’m looking forward to reading your reply.

Talk to you later, have a splendid day ahead!

Keep safe and update me as soon as possible.

High Band / Low I will catch up with you another time. Bye for now.

Frequency It was a joy to receive news from you, write again soon.

67

MUET My Way Part 1 - Listening 

26 The expression, “I see what you mean”, means ...
A Hisham saw Nasaruddin.
B Hisham disagrees with Nasaruddin.
C Hisham understands Nasaruddin’s explanation.

Dialogue 2   Track 6

Listen to a conversation between Izan and Wong. As you listen, choose the LISTENING
correct answers for questions 27 to 28. Indicate your answers on the answer
sheet.

27 Wong cheated in the exam because ...
A she was good at it.
B she was not prepared.
C she was used to doing it.

28 Izan had to repeat taking the exam because ...
A she had cheated in the exam.
B she didn’t finish answering her paper.
C her nose was bleeding during the exam.

Dialogue 3   Track 7

Listen to a talk by Hamini. As you listen, choose the correct answers for
questions 29 to 30. Indicate your answers on the answer sheet.

29 Extensive reading helps build implicit knowledge of the language by
...
A learning more words.
B letting them know more authors.
C helping them answer reading comprehension questions.

30 Which of the statements below is not the reason why students need
to read books at their level?
A To enable them to enjoy what they read.
B To enable them to understand what they read.
C To enable them to be able to read the text in the books aloud.

85

PART

  MUET My Way Part 2 - Speaking

2

SPEAKING MUET Speaking Paper

1 Paper 2 of the Malaysian University English Test (MUET) is
Speaking. This paper is divided into two sections. The first part is
an individual 2 minute presentation and the second part involves an
8 – 12 minute discussion revolving around a mind map.

2 Both questions will be related to a theme but the questions for both
parts will be slightly different. This encourages students to discuss a
wider scope of issues before coming to a conclusion.

3 The objective of the discussion is to decide which of the points
given, or additional points raised by the group members, is the most
important factor, best strategy or similar.

MUET 800/2 Duration: Overview
PAPER 2 30 minutes

Structure of The paper is Part 1:
the paper made up of 2 min Individual

2 parts Presentation
Part 2:

8 – 12 min Group
Discussion

25% weighting 90 marks Marks

Hot Tips
1 Read the question carefully and take note of the issue you should

focus on. Remember that you MUST agree with the point so DO
NOT write notes against the issue.

2 Use the 2 mins to BRAINSTORM your points. Train your brain

to come up with 3 sub-points and for each one, outline multiple
reasons and concrete examples.

86

MUET My Way Part 2 - Speaking 

3 Pay attention to language proficiency and body language when Tips

presenting. All you need to do is speak confidently and actively • 3 points are advisable but
for 2 mins straight and make sure you contribute proactively do not fret if you do not
to the discussion as well. Challenge yourself to ask questions, manage to speak on all 3.
give opinions and if possible, offer to do the introduction and
conclusion for your group. • You only need to
speak eloquently and
4 There are usually 2 examiners and 4 candidates per test. Before that convincingly for 2 mins for
Part 1.
you will be quarantined with up to 20 other candidates including
yourself. Use the quarantine time to decide who will lead the
discussion and do the conclusion, it may be the same person.
Do not be too stressed if you run out of time to do a conclusion
because it is not compulsory to have one.

5 Remember to memorise the starter phrases and add pizzaz to SPEAKING

your speech with a variety of proverbs and quotes, idioms and
expressions to show off your linguistic proficiency. (You can refer
to Wow Factor Vocab page 62)

6 Always use synonyms where possible. Here are some examples:

set up pupils

orchestrate organise youngsters peers

PLAN STUDENTS

coordinate carry out youth teens

implement teenagers

7 Always offer to help your fellow candidates who have trouble

finding the right vocabulary or if they get stuck while making a
sentence. You will be assessed for your communicative ability and
how you manage the discussion.

8 Pay attention to the time by wearing a watch. If you still have a

lot of time, discuss why the other points are NOT suitable. Use
phrases like: “Why don’t we consider...?”

87

  MUET My Way Part 2 - Speaking

9 Actively listen to your friends while nodding slightly and taking

notes, and always comment on their points before introducing
your own idea. Be careful to not speak about all your points at
once and making it a second presentation. Focus on a sub-point,
present it and ask for opinions.

10 Good luck and just try your best!

SPEAKING Let’s take a look at a sample question for the
MUET Speaking paper.
Quotes
PART 1: Individual Presentation
“If you have an important • You have 2 minutes to prepare.
point to make, don't try to • You have 2 minutes to talk.
be subtle or clever. Use a
pile driver and hit it again. Situation
Then hit it a third time – a As a future leader, there are many qualities one must have in order
tremendous whack.” to be a good leader. Suggest some of the qualities to be taken into
consideration.
~ Winston Churchill ~
CANDIDATE A
You have to give a presentation to your class. Talk about being responsible.

Tips Situation
As a future leader, there are many qualities one must have in order
You can jot down important to be a good leader. Suggest some of the qualities to be taken into
points or notes. consideration.
CANDIDATE B
You have to give a presentation to your class. Talk about being
hardworking.

Situation
As a future leader, there are many qualities one must have in order
to be a good leader. Suggest some of the qualities to be taken into
consideration.
CANDIDATE C
You have to give a presentation to your class. Talk about being honest.

88

MUET My Way Part 2 - Speaking  SPEAKING

Situation
As a future leader, there are many qualities one must have in order
to be a good leader. Suggest some of the qualities to be taken into
consideration.

CANDIDATE D
You have to give a presentation to your class. Talk about being fair.

PART 2: Group discussion
• You have 3 minutes to prepare.
• In your discussion, you may support or oppose the other test takers’

views.
• Some ideas have been provided in the mind map below. You may use

these ideas or come up with your own ideas.
• At the end of the discussion, try to decide on the best suggestion.
• You have 8 to 12 minutes for the discussion.

Situation
Some businesses are more successful than others. In your group, discuss
some factors that give certain businesses more advantage over others.

The boss

The customer What factors The workers
service affect the success

of a business?

The product The location

At the end of the discussion, try to decide the most important factor
that affects the success of a business.

89

  MUET My Way Part 2 - Speaking

Before we begin, let us look at the language and organisation needed to prepare a good answer.

No. Sample phrases/sentences Choose your Remember to:
favourite!

Greetings:

1 Good morning I bid to one and all.

2 Good morning to the examiners and my fellow MEMORISE YOUR
1 candidates. PREFERRED

3 Good morning one and all. PHRASES BEFORE THE TEST

4 Top of the morning to everyone.

5 A wonderful morning I bid to everyone here today.

Opinions:

SPEAKING 1 From my point of view, I think that.. MAINTAIN
2 Based on my point of view, I believe that.. GOOD EYE CONTACT WITH
2 EXAMINERS & CANDIDATES
3 In my humble opinion, I completely agree that..
4 From my perspective, I find that ...

5 Personally speaking, I consider ...

1st Point:

1 Firstly,

2 First and foremost, SMILE FROM YOUR EYES!!
3 MAKE SURE THEY TWINKLE!

3 At the forefront of this issue is...

4 For starters,...

5 To start/begin with,...

Reasons:

4 This is because... Moreover... USE SOME HAND
This can be attributed to... Additionally,... GESTURES FOR EMPHASIS
Examples:

5
For instance.. and so on.

2nd Point:

1 Secondly,... SIT UP STRAIGHT
6

2 Moving on to my next point...

3 Another point to ponder is that...

90

MUET My Way Part 2 - Speaking 

Situation
Frontliners have to face a higher risk during the pandemic. In your group, discuss some ways the
government can give them better recognition for their contributions.

Increase salary

Hire more frontliners What can the government Increase opportunities
do to recognise the for training
contributions of
frontliners? SPEAKING

Free uniforms & Personal Reward high
Protection Equipment (PPE) performing frontliners

At the end of the discussion, try to decide the best way the government can promote unity in today’s
society.

109

PART

  MUET My Way Part 3 - Reading

3

Introduction

1 Paper 3 of the Malaysian University English Test (MUET) is Reading.
2 This test will take you 75 minutes.
3 The aim of the paper is to test candidates’ abilities to understand

reading texts at tertiary education level. These reading texts will
cover both the formal and less formal text types.

MUET Duration: Overview
800/3 75 minutes
PAPER 3

READING Structure of The paper 40 questions
the paper is made up
of 7 parts

25% 90 marks Marks
weighting

4 Topics in the texts are what most students are likely to encounter in
their academic and educational surrounding. There is no reason to
be worried as even a non-specialist will be able to understand topics
in these academic areas.

Education People and Financial
Culture Awareness and
Consumerism
Topics
covered

Environment Science and
and Health Technology

110

MUET My Way Part 3 - Reading  READING

5 In the Reading Test, candidates should have good linguistic knowledge
in terms of grammar, sentence structure and choice of vocabulary.

6 In addition, candidates need to have pragmatic knowledge, related to
discourse, coherence, cohesion and the various text types.

7 Sociocultural rules however, would demand candidates to know how
to use and respond to language appropriately. For example, when we
are addressing an employer or a friend, there will be differences in
how we handle them.

8 Some of the mental processes required when reading include
elements like:
Visual input
Word recognition
Lexical access
Syntactic parsing
Establishing Propositional Meaning (Clause and sentence levels)

Inferencing

Building a mental model

Creating a text level representation

Creating an intertextual representation
9 Reading skills tested include the following:

Identifying specific information
Identifying main ideas and supporting details
Inferencing: This involves thinking skills. You need to observe and
interpret what you have read. Answers will not be available to be
copied directly.
Identifying details and examples from sources to support an
argument
Distinguishing facts from opinions

Interpreting texts for the author’s intention

Attitudes and style

Identifying the purpose of a paragraph or text

Recognising the text structure of the whole text

Categorising similarities and differences across texts

Identifying cause and effect relationships

Predicting outcomes

Summarising

Comparing and evaluating information in different texts

111

MUET My Way Part 3 - Reading 

34 From paragraph 1, we know that the intention of fake news is NOT
to
A upset people.
B keep people informed.
C get people to read other stories
D lead people to their advertisement

35 To know if a story is not fake, one must do the following except ...
A look out for peculiar signs.
B always determine the source.
C validate the story in other sites.
D determine the story’s happiness index.

36 Google Reverse Image is used to
A track a false image.
B reverse an image.
C duplicate an image.
D show you if an image has been used.

37 These are ways you can spot a fake photo except ... Tips READING
A to study the photo closely.
B by staring at it for 5 minutes. As you read, cancel out
C check if it was photoshopped. the options that are clearly
D to use Google Reverse Image search wrong.

38 If the stories are in other websites, chances are they are ... Tips
A real.
B fake. You can refer to subheading 3
C not valid. to get the answer
D need further checking.

39 How do you know that a story may not be true?
A It is well-written.
B It uses all capital letters.
C It follows all the mechanics of writing.
D It does not have too many advertisements.

40 Why do we need to detect fake news?
A To report to the police.
B To share and warn others.
C To correct what was wrong.
D To decide if you want to read.

129

PART

  MUET My Way Part 4 - Writing

4

Introduction

1 Paper 4 of the Malaysian University English Test (MUET) is
Writing. The aim of the paper is to test the ability of students to
write various types of texts in English fluently and in a mature,
logical and organised fashion.

2 Two writing tasks are set to assess the ability of the MUET candidate:
Task 1: Writing letter or email of at least 100 words; and Task 2:
Writing essay (discursive, argumentative, or a problem-solution) of
at least 250 words.

MUET Duration: Overview
800/4 75 minutes
PAPER 4

WRITING Structure of The paper Task 1
the paper is made up Task 2
of 2 parts

25% 90 marks Marks
weighting

Task 1  Emails & Informal Letters

Let’s focus on the first task in the writing paper which involves either
writing emails or informal letters. It should be a simple process but here are
some hot tips to help you score better in this section. Before proceeding,
let’s look at the two sample questions below.

130

Model Test MUET My Way Model Test 

Paper 1: Listening (800/1)

(50 Minutes)

Instructions to candidates:
The test consists of five parts: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, and Part 5. Each part comprises a recording.
You will listen to each recording twice.
Answer the questions as you listen, and indicate your answers on the answer sheet.
You will be given time to read the questions when the test begins.

PART 1  Track 8

Listen to a conversation between a TV Interviewer and a renowned psychologist Dr. Raymond. As you
listen, choose the correct answers for questions 1 to 7. Indicate your answers on the answer sheet.

1 What topic was being discussed? 5 What happens when we are grateful? MODEL TEST
A Health A We will not suffer so much.
B Education B We will attract more of what we feel.
C Psychology C We will prevent bad incidents from
happening.
2 According to Dr. Raymond, gratitude
functions through ... 6 Which of the following describes gratitude
A the mind. and its effects?
B Universal law. A What you seek is seeking you.
C one’s understanding. B What goes around comes around
C Where there’s a will, there’s a way
3 What was the first strategy that was shared
about how to be more grateful? 7 Which diagram summarises the talk?
A To keep saying “thank you” A Universal law
B To be thankful of what one has
C To honour everything around us Gratitude

4 The second strategy shared about being Abundance
more grateful is through ...
A words.
B actions.
C thoughts.

219

Model Test MUET My Way Model Test 

Paper 1: Listening (800/1)

(50 Minutes)

Instructions to candidates:
The test consists of five parts: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, and Part 5. Each part comprises a recording.
You will listen to each recording twice.
Answer the questions as you listen, and indicate your answers on the answer sheet.
You will be given time to read the questions when the test begins.

PART 1  Track 8

Listen to a conversation between a TV Interviewer and a renowned psychologist Dr. Raymond. As you
listen, choose the correct answers for questions 1 to 7. Indicate your answers on the answer sheet.

1 What topic was being discussed? 5 What happens when we are grateful? MODEL TEST
A Health A We will not suffer so much.
B Education B We will attract more of what we feel.
C Psychology C We will prevent bad incidents from
happening.
2 According to Dr. Raymond, gratitude
functions through ... 6 Which of the following describes gratitude
A the mind. and its effects?
B Universal law. A What you seek is seeking you.
C one’s understanding. B What goes around comes around
C Where there’s a will, there’s a way
3 What was the first strategy that was shared
about how to be more grateful? 7 Which diagram summarises the talk?
A To keep saying “thank you” A Universal law
B To be thankful of what one has
C To honour everything around us Gratitude

4 The second strategy shared about being Abundance
more grateful is through ...
A words.
B actions.
C thoughts.

219

  MUET My Way Model Test C Abundance
Gratitude
B Gratitude
Universal law Universal law

Abundance

PART 2  Track 9

Listen to a talk by Mr. Navarro who has recently published his latest book, Kintsugi. As you listen, choose
the correct answers for questions 8 to 14. Indicate your answers on the answer sheet..

MODEL TEST 8 The book, Kintsugi shows ... 12 Why was the book written?
A pain A To help people be independent.
B a scar B To help people overcome challenges in
C broken pieces life
C To help people understand what
9 The book starts with adversity is.
A what adversity is.
B how to repair one’s life. 13 According to Navarro, what is the first step
C stories of others overcoming to overcome adversity?
adversities. A Consult a psychologist
B Think that we are not responsible
10 Why did Navarro compile real cases in his C Realise that what we are experiencing is
book? not unusual
A To explain his methods better
B To further convince the readers 14 Navarro believed that the first step to
C For readers to help themselves and overcome adversity is to ...
others. A share it.
B embrace it.
11 Kintsugi is ... C understand it.
A a how-to book.
B a motivational book
C an autobiography book.

220

MUET My Way Model Test 

PART 3  Track 10

Listen to three people; Shalini, Hamini and Lakshman talking about the three basic writing tips. For
questions 15 to 17, choose the writing tips each author thinks is most effective from the list A to E. Use
the letters ONLY once. There are two extra options which you do not need to use. Indicate your answers
on the answer sheet.

Basic Writing Tips Most Effective Writing Tips:
A Set a deadline for oneself 15 Author 1
B Must write every day 16 Author 2
C Overcome writer’s block 17 Author 3
D Think that we cannot write well
E Make time to write

PART 4  Track 11

Listen to a conversation between Kevin and his good friend, Daniel discussing about Kevin's addiction
to gaming. As you listen, choose the correct answers for questions 18 to 24. Indicate your answers on the
answer sheet.

18 Why does Kevin love playing Football 22 Who was the first person Kevin lost? MODEL TEST
Manager? A Dad
A Offers him a place to escape B Sister
B Offers him a sense of belonging. C Mum
C Offers him the feeling of excitement
23 How did Kevin’s part-time job help him?
19 Which of the following is true about Kevin? A He started playing games.
A He is fat. B He started earning money.
B He is married. C He started meeting people.
C He has a degree.
24 Which of the following is not true about
20 What does gaming do the gamers? gamers?
A Helps gamers to pass time. A Gives gamers a feeling of success.
B Helps gamers to face their worries. B Gamers play only for the thrill it offers.
C Helps gamers to understand their grief. C Gaming offers them a place to be away
from their worries.
21 Which is not one of the challenges Kevin
faced?
A Drinking
B Abusive mum
C Depressed dad

221

  MUET My Way Model Test

PART 5

Dialogue 1   Track 12

Listen to a conversation between Sally and Gemma about spending time on social media. As you listen,
choose the correct answers for questions 25 and 26. Indicate your answers on the answer sheet.

25 Readly is a ... 26 Gemma’s new hobby has helped her ...
A book. A to sleep well.
B magazine. B to have more time for herself.
C reading app. C to make some changes in her house.

Dialogue 2   Track 13

Listen to a conversation between Nurse Alice with an elderly man named Alan about nursing homes. As
you listen, choose the correct answers for questions 27 and 28. Indicate your answers on the answer sheet.

27 Which are the aspects that Mr. Alan feels 28 Which statement is false?
nursing home needs improvement? A People’s view of the old people must be
A Investment, training and salaries improved.
B Training, refurbishment and salaries B Young people are not suitable to work
C Investment, new workers and in nursing homes.
management C Younger people need to be connected
to the seniors in the society.

MODEL TEST Dialogue 3   Track 14

Listen to an interview between a reporter and Miyagi, an earthquake victim. As you listen, choose the
correct answers for questions 29 and 30. Indicate your answers on the answer sheet.

29 Which statement is false about Miyagi’s 30 Why did Miyagi feel that his parents’
parents? situation was far worse than the other
A They accept the situation. disaster-affected residents?
B Even if they had wanted to leave, they A They cannot see who they are dealing
cannot do so. with.
C They are more worried about B They are dealing with radiation and
earthquake than the radiation. earthquake.
C They have to take in those evacuating
from the next town.

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Paper 2: Speaking (800/2)

(30 Minutes)

Instructions to Candidates:
This test consists of two parts, Part 1 and Part 2
Part 1 is carried out first followed by Part 2.

PART 1: Individual Presentation
• You have 2 minutes to prepare.
• You have 2 minutes to talk.

Situation
Education has become more expensive nowadays. How can we prevent our parents from
overspending on our education?

Candidate A
You have to give a presentation to your classmates. Talk about doing online courses.

Situation MODEL TEST
Education has become more expensive nowadays. How can we prevent our parents from
overspending on our education?

Candidate B
You have to give a presentation to your classmates. Talk about securing a scholarship.

Situation
Education has become more expensive nowadays. How can we prevent our parents from
overspending on our education?

Candidate C
You have to give a presentation to your classmates. Talk about going to work and study part-time.

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  MUET My Way Model Test

Situation
Education has become more expensive nowadays. How can we prevent our parents from
overspending on our education?
Candidate D
You have to give a presentation to your classmates. Talk about going to a local university.

PART 2: Group discussion
• You have 3 minutes to prepare.
• In your discussion, you may support or oppose the other test takers’ views.
• Some ideas have been provided in the mind map below. You may use these ideas or come up with

your own ideas.
• At the end of the discussion, try to decide on the best suggestion.
• You have 8 to 12 minutes for the discussion.

Situation
Nowadays one of the main concerns for parents is which university will be the best for their children.
In your group, discuss the most important factor to consider when choosing a university.

Facilities available

MODEL TEST Courses offered Which is the most Availability of
important factor financial aid
to consider when
choosing a university?

Fees Teaching team
At the end of the discussion, try to decide the best way to consider when choosing a university.

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Paper 3: Reading (800/3)

(75 Minutes)

Instructions to Candidates:
There are 40 questions in this test.
Answer all the questions.

PART 1
Read three notices about the holiday packages promoted in three different hotels.
Answer questions 1 to 4 based on the notices about the hotels’ promotion. (A to C).
Which hotel
1 allows me to stay safely if I am worried about the pandemic?
2 needs me to make an early booking?
3 will not allow my friends to visit me?
4 allows me to cancel without paying anything?

A B C

Grand Hyatt The Datai Gateaway Double Tree, Hilton

• Advanced reservation is • Valid Malaysian ID or proof of • Only registered guests are MODEL TEST
required. residence required for booking allowed in the guestrooms

• Dining inclusive with stay • Cancellation with no charge • Contactless check-out is
packages up to 24 hours before arrival available

• Rates include service charge • The package is not valid with • Individually-wrapped food
but exclude mandatory other promotions options are available
government charges
• Rates are subject to 10% • Packages are non-refundable,
• Children stay free of charge service charge non-cancellable and not for
when sharing guardian’s room commercial use

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PART 2
Read an article about a great mindset. Answer questions 5 to 9 based on the article.

In 2011, when Jack Dorsey was running Twitter and Square full-time, he said that, to get everything
done, he gave each day a theme. This allowed him to recall and refocus on the day’s task once
distractions were out of the way. He took Saturday off to hike and spend Sunday focussing on
reflections, feedback, strategy, getting ready for the rest of the week. But mostly thinking.
Instead of watching reality television, we can seek out the reality of the world around us. The
unexplored or even the already explored. Even looking again at things that we know well can bring
new understanding. This isn’t as airy fairy as it may sound either. Really looking and really being
aware can heighten our senses and make us slow down a little to consider life and what’s important
and what is less so. It helps us to manage problems.
Reed Hastings, Netflix’s CEO, says that he takes six weeks vacation a year because it’s important
for work-life balance. He also said, “It is helpful. You often do your best thinking when you’re off
hiking in some mountain or something. You get a different perspective on things.” And Richard
Branson wrote, “Maintaining focus on having fun isn’t just about rest and recuperation; When you go
on vacation, your routine is interrupted; the places you go and the new people you meet can inspire
you in unexpected ways. As an entrepreneur or business leader, if you didn’t come back from your
vacation with some ideas about how to shake things up, it’s time to consider making some changes.
CEO Tim Armstrong for instance, makes his executives spend 10 percent of their day or four
hours a week, just thinking. Jeff Weiner, CEO of LinkedIn, schedules two hours of uninterrupted
thinking time every day. Jack Dorsey walks a lot and thinks. Bill Gates takes a week off twice a
year just to reflect deeply without interruption. The way we perceive ourselves in relation to the
rest of the world influences our behaviours and our beliefs. The dynamics of psychology, cognition,
perception, learning, emotion, attitudes and relationships; play a role in how we see ourselves and
our environments.

MODEL TEST (Source: Maier, S. (2018) 100 Great Mindset Changing Ideas. Singapore: Marshall Cavendish)

5 Jack Dorsey devote his weekends to ... 8 How we look at ourselves will determine our
A thinking A intellect
B praying B behaviour
C working C appearance

6 How can we manage our problems better? 9 This article in general talks about the
A Having enough rest importance of
B By strategising our next move A balance between work and rest
C Being more aware of our senses B working hard to achieve our goals.
C helping others to achieve their dreams.
7 The third paragraph's main aim is to
encourage
A play
B exercise
C reflection

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PART 3
Read an article below. Answer questions 10 to 14 based on the article.

Stem cells are unprogrammed cells in the human body that can be described as “shape shifters”. These MODEL TEST
cells have the ability to change into other types of cells. Stem cells are at the centre of a new field
of science called regenerative medicine. Because stem cells can become bone, muscle, cartilage and
other specialised types of cells, they have the potential to treat many diseases, including Parkinson’s,
Alzheimer’s, diabetes and cancer. Eventually they may also be used to regenerate organs, reducing
the need for organ transplants and related surgeries.
“Stem cells are like little kids who, when they grow up, can enter a variety of professions,” Dr.
Marc Hedrick of the UCLA School of Medicine says. “A child might become a fireman, a doctor or
a plumber, depending on the influences in their life or environment. In the same way, these stem
cells can become many tissues by making certain changes in their environment.
Stem cells can typically be broken into four types, namely embryonic stem cells which are
taken from human embryos, fetal stem cells taken from aborted fetal tissue, umbilical stem cells
which are taken from umbilical cords and adult stem cells taken from adult tissue.Embryonic and
fetal stem cells have the potential to morph into a greater variety of cells than adult stem cells do.
In April 2001, researchers at UCLA and the University of Pittsburgh found stem cells in fat
sucked out of liposuction patients. Previously, stem cells were found only in bone marrow, brain
tissue and fetal tissue, sources that have caused both logistical and ethical problems. Stem cells
from fat have the ability to mature into other types of specific cells, including muscle, bone and
cartilage, but how many other types is still unknown.
Prior to being transplanted into a person’s tissue to begin regeneration of that tissue, stem
cells have to go through differentiation. Differentiation is the process by which scientists specify
the stem cells, almost like programming the stem cells beforehand to become specific cells. These
cells are then injected into the area of the body being targeted for tissue regeneration. When stem
cells come into contact with growth chemicals in the body, the chemicals programme the stem
cells to grow into the tissue surrounding it.
Stem cells are already being used to treat leukemia and some joint repairs. For example, a
bone marrow transplant is accomplished by injecting stem cells from a donor into the bloodstream
of the patient. Stem cells from bone marrow also have the ability to repair the liver. Researchers
are studying stem cells to find out if they could correct brain damage resulting from Parkinson’s
disease. The next step will be to learn what influences stem cells to change into particular types of
cells. Once that’s known, it will be possible to grow cells that perfectly match those of the patients.

(Source: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/cellular-microscopic/stem-cell.htm)

10 Which feature of stem cells made it able to 11 Why is stem cells akin to little kids?
treat diseases? A It can treat cancer.
A Stagnation B It can save people’s lives.
B Reproduction C It can turn into other cells.
C Differentiation

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  MUET My Way Model Test 14 Which of the statement below describes
stem cells?
12 Which stem cells are taken from mothers A They can treat brain damage.
after their delivery? B They can be used directly once obtained.
A Adult stem cells C They are injected into one's bloodstream
B Umbilical stem cells during treatment.
C Embryonic stem cells

13 Which stem cells origins have more benefits?
A From human fats
B From umbilical cords
C From human embryos

MODEL TEST PART 4
Answer questions 15 and 16 based on The Old Man and the Sea.

The Old Man and the Sea which was the last major work of fiction to be written by Ernest
Hemingway and published in his lifetime. It is considered to be one of his most famous works
and was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1953 and was cited by the Nobel Committee
as contributing to the awarding of the Nobel Prize in Literature to Hemingway in 1954. The Old
Man and the Sea is the story of a battle between an old, experienced Cuban fisherman and a large
marlin. It is a narrative of an epic struggle between an old, seasoned fisherman and the greatest
catch of his life.
The novel opens with the explanation that the fisherman, named Santiago, has gone 84 days
without catching a fish. In fact, he is so unlucky that his young apprentice, Manolin, has been
forbidden by his parents to sail with the old man and been ordered to fish with more successful
fishermen. Still dedicated to the old man, however, the boy visits Santiago's shack each night. On
the eighty-fifth day, Santiago sets out alone, taking his skiff far onto the Gulf Stream. He sets his
lines and, by noon of the first day, a big fish that he is sure is a marlin takes his bait. After a long
struggle with the fish Santiago manages to strap the marlin to the side of his skiff and heads home,
thinking about the high price the fish will bring him at the market and how many people he will
feed. While Santiago sails back back to the shore, sharks are attracted to the trail of blood left by
the marlin in the water.
Despite his efforts to ward off the sharks, they have almost devoured the marlin's entire carcass,
leaving a skeleton consisting mostly of its backbone, its tail and its head. Once home, he slumps
onto his bed and falls into a deep sleep. The novel has received so much praise and is considered to
be one of the best novels in American literature. Santiago fights the creatures of the sea and some
readers think that the story is about man’s battle against the natural world. However, the novel can
be viewed as the story of man’s place in relation to nature. In the story, Santiago and the marlin
show similar qualities of pride, honor, and bravery, and both are subject to the same eternal natural
law – they must kill or be killed.

(Source: https://www.myenglishpages.com/english/reading-the-old-man-and-the-sea.php)

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15 Which trait clearly describes Santiago? MUET My Way Model Test 
A Calm
B Persistent B Information about the author
C Oblivious Summary of the book
Evaluation of the book
16 How was the book review organised? Overview of the plot
A Overview of the plot
C Information about the author
Summary of the book Overview of the plot
Summary of the book
Evaluation of the book

Information about the author

Evaluation of the book MODEL TEST
Answer questions 17 and 18 based on The Alchemist.

The Alchemist by the Brazilian author Paulo Coelho is one of the best-selling books in history. It
was first published in 1988 in Portuguese and is now translated internationally into many languages.
The novel is an allegory that follows a young Andalusian shepherd in his journey to the pyramids
of Egypt, after having a recurring dream of finding a treasure there. Coelho wrote The Alchemist
in only two weeks in 1987. He explained that he was able to write at this pace because the story
was "already written in [his] soul."
The story starts with a description of a shepherd named Santiago arriving with his flock at an
abandoned Church. Santiago keeps dreaming about a treasure that he discovers near the pyramids
in Egypt. A fortune teller interprets the dream as a prophecy. Before he starts the journey, Santiago
meets an old king named Melchizedek, or the king of Salem, who tells him to sell his sheep, so as
to travel to Egypt, and introduces the idea of a Personal Legend. Your Personal Legend "is what
you have always wanted to accomplish. Everyone, when they are young, knows what their Personal
Legend is." Subsequently, the book's plot largely focuses on Santiago following his dream and trying
to live out his Personal Legend. He embarks on a journey to Tangiers and then to Egypt where he
had to face so many obstacles before he discovers his treasure.
The book's main theme is about finding one's destiny, although according to The New York
Times, The Alchemist is "more self-help than literature." The advice that was given to Santiago ("when
you really want something to happen, the whole universe will conspire so that your wish comes true")
is the core of the novel's philosophy and a motif that plays throughout it. Another interesting theme
in the novel and that one can relate to is those related to the detrimental consequences of fear. If
people let fear control their lives, they will live miserably. Had Santiago let the fear from following
his dream dominate his life, he wouldn't have discovered the treasure and most importantly the
meaning of his life, his Personal Legend.

(Source: https://www.myenglishpages.com/english/reading-the-alchemist-by-paulo-coelho.php))

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17 ... more self-help than literature means
A The novel is an interesting fiction.
B The novel is about making things on your own.
C The novel guides how one can improve oneself.

18 Santiago's journey was
A enchanting
B relatively easy
C filled with challenges

Answer questions 19 and 20 based on The Old Man and The Sea and The Alchemist.
19 Which of the following is true of both sharing?

A Both took a long time for the authors to complete writing.
B Both succeeded in achieving what they wanted in the end.
C Both stories were about a man’s struggle to achieve what he had set out to do.
20 From the two novels, we can gather that ...
A we should not give up.
B not every effort ends up in victory.
C both protagonists are happy in the end.

PART 5

Read an article about an innate talent. Six sentences have been removed from the article. Choose from the
sentences A to G the one which fits each gap (21 to 26). There is one extra sentence which you do not need
to use.

MODEL TEST For almost a generation, psychologists around the world have been engaged in a spirited debate over a
question that most of us would consider to have been settled years ago. (21) . The obvious
answer is yes. Not every hockey player born in January ends up playing at the professional level. Only
some do – the innately talented ones. Achievement is talent plus preparation. The problem with this
view is that the closer psychologists look at the careers of the gifted, the smaller the role innate talent
seems to play and the bigger the role preparation seems to play.

Exhibit A in the talent argument is a study done in the early 1990s by the psychologist K.Anders
Ericsson and two colleaques at Berlin’s elite Academyof Music. With the help of the Academy’s professors,
they divided the school’s violinists into three groups. In the first group were the stars, the students with
the potential to become world-class soloists. In the second were those were those judged to be merely
“good”. (22) . All the violionists were then asked the same question: over the course of
your entire career, ever since you picked up the violin, how many hours have you practised?

(23) . In those first few years, everyone practised roughly the same amount, about
two or three hours a week. But when the students were around the age of eight, real differences started
to emerge. The students who would end up the best in their class began to practise more than everyone
else: six hours a week by age nine, eight hours a week by age twelve, sixteen hours a week by age fourteen,

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and up and up. (24) . In fact, by the age of twenty, the elite performers had each totalled
ten thousand hours of practice. By contrast, the merely good students had totalled eight thousand hours,
and the future music teachers had totalled just over four thousand hours.

(25) . The same pattern emerged. The amateurs never practised more than about
three hours a week over the course of their childhood, and by the age of twenty they had totalled two
thousand hours of practice. The professionals, on the other hand, steadily increased their practice time
every year, until by the age of twenty they like the violinists had reached ten thousand hours.

The striking thing about Ericsson’s study is that he and his colleagues couldn’t find any “naturals”
musicians who floated effortlessly to the top while practising a fraction of the time their peers did. Nor
could they find any “grinds”, people who worked harder than everyone else, yet just didn’t have what
it takes to break the top ranks. (26) . That’s it. And what’s more, the people at the very
top don’t just work harder or even much harder than everyone else. They work much, much harder.

(Source: Gladwell, M. (2008) Outliers. Penguin Books: United States of America)

A Ericsson and his colleagues then compared amateur pianists with professional pianists.
B Everyone from all three groups started playing at roughly the same age, around five years old
C By the age of twenty they were practising, purposefully and single-mindedly playing their

instruments with the intent to get better, well over thirty hours a week.
D The question is this: is there such a thing as innate talent.
E Their research suggests that one musician has enough ability to get into a top music school,

the thing that distinguishes one performer from another is their amount of struggle.
F In the third were students who were unlikely to play professionally and who intended to be

music teachers in the public school system.
G A person's success depends on how hard she or he works.

PART 6 MODEL TEST
Read an article on great mindset. Answer questions 27 to 33 based on the article.
1 Storytelling plays a big part in mindset development. If we listen to someone giving a PowerPoint

presentation with boring bullet points, only certain parts of the brain get activated. Scientists
call these Broca’s and Wernicke’s areas. Overall, we decode words into meaning. And that’s it,
nothing else happens. There’s no trigger, no excitement. When we are being told a story, though,
things change dramatically. If the story’s told well (films, plays, operas, books) then the language 5
(or music, acting, characters) activates our brain with all guns firing.
2 Warren Buffet reads a lot. “I read 500 pages every day. That’s how knowledge works. It
builds up, like compound interest. All of you can do it, but I guarantee not many of you will do
it.” He still devotes about 80 percent of each day to reading. And he’s not alone. Bill Gates reads
about 50 books per year. Mark Cuban reads more than three hours every day. Elon Musk is an 10
avid reader and when asked how he learned to build rockets, he said, “I read books.” Successful
people are highly selective about what they read, opting to be educated over being entertained.
They believe that books are a gateway to learning and knowledge. According to Tom Corley,

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author of Rich Habits: The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals, rich people read for
self-improvement, education and success. Whereas others read primarily to be entertained. 15
Business leaders in particular like biographies and autobiographies of other successful people
for guidance and inspiration.
3 Elon Musk likes the biographies of great inventors and entrepreneurs, like Howard Hughes,
Benjamin Franklin, Albert Einstein and of course Nikola Tesla.: “Franklin’s autobiography is
the most influential book in my own life. I love stories of all kinds but nothing motivates me 20
more than real-life tales of ambitious people.” Bill Gates likes Tap Dancing to Work: Warren
Buffet on Practically Everything, 1966-2012 by Carol Loomis. He also likes The Sixth Extinction:
An Unnatural History by Elizabeth Kolbert. Barack Obama likes Song of Solomon by Toni
Morrison, Moby Dick, Parting the Waters: America in the King Years by Taylor Branch, Gilead
by Marilynne Robinson and Self-Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson. He also enjoys reading the 25
Bible, Shakespeare’s tragedies and Lincoln’s collected writings.
4 Stories are helpful. Our story can put our whole brain to work. A story can be in various
forms and can apply to fiction, instruction, research and non-fiction. A story, if broken down
into the simplest form, is a connection of cause and effect. And that’s exactly how we think. We
think in narratives all day long, no matter if what we’re thinking about is solving a problem, 15
dinner tomorrow evening, our partner, our children, a movie or our careers. Or whatever.
5 This isn’t surprising as stories make up 65 per cent of our conversations. That’s why metaphors
work so well. Whilst we imagine, we activate a part of our brains called the insula which helps
us relate to that same experience as that which is being told or that which we’re reading about.
That applies to pain, emotion, joy, anger, warmth, hate, love, and excitement. Interestingly, 30
overused and banal language elicits zero response or low memorability, so how we tell stories
has to be done well. While reading we’re guided by a writer who sucks us into other worlds and
new ideas. Reading helps us to develop our own ideas, language and personalities. Reading can
increase our emotional intelligence. It stimulates positivity and enormously satisfying.
6 In short, reading helps prevent stress, avoid depression and dementia and enhances 35
confidence, empathy and decision-making. Read great books, great blogs, great articles. That’s
a very subjective comment. But you will know what you like, what’s positive, interesting and
informative. Be selective. Choose the best. Develop a sense of what stretches you as well as what
helps your beliefs. Remember the more you read, the more you learn. When you read a book,
you have to remember an assortment of characters, backgrounds, ambitions, history and nuances, 40
as well as facts and sub-plots that weave their way through every story. Every new memory you
create forges new synapses and strengthens existing ones, which assists in short-term memory
recall.

(Source: Maier, S. (2018) 100 Great Mindset Changing Ideas. Singapore: Marshall Cavendish)
27 What is the main idea in paragraph 1?

A PowerPoint presentation is most effective.
B Storytelling when narrated well, is the best.
C Lectures with proper bullet points explanation are the best.
D Broca and Wernicke are two most important areas in the brain.

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28 What is the common trait between Warren MUET My Way Model Test 
Buffet and Bill Gates from the article?
A They read widely. 31 The word synapses could be replaced with
B They are philanthropist. A feelings
C They are highly qualified. B knowledge
D They spend a lot of time thinking. C experience
D brain pathways
29 From the article we know that rich and
successful people do not read 32 The author thinks that reading
A to be successful. A can be boring
B to be entertained. B improve appearances
C to improve themselves. C strengthens our language
D to be more knowledgeable. D help one to change and grow

30 Reading stories is a more effective way to 33 The author encourages us to be
learn because when choosing to read.
A they help us relax. A alert
B they do not excite us. B humble
C they use banal language. C selective
D they help us understand better. D adventurous

PART 7

Read an article on learning in context. Answer questions 34 to 40 based on the article.

1 During the last two decades, second language researchers have uncovered some critical 5 MODEL TEST
ingredients of language learning. They have discovered, for example, that when children or adults
are not forced to begin speaking the new language immediately, they typically go through a silent
period, which lasts from a few weeks to several months. This comprehension period appears to
accelerate learning to speak. Most second language courses, on the other hand, require students
to produce and practise sentences in the new language from the first day of class. Apparently,
it is better to wait awhile.

2 It also appears that the most beneficial language environment is one where language is
used naturally for communication. While some aspects of language may need conscious study,
the acquisition of the basics of a language is best accomplished in contexts where the learner is 10
focussed on understanding or expressing an idea, message or other thought in the new language.
Concrete “here-and-now” topics are essential for language acquisition. Parroting activities,
including most memorised dialogues and mechanical drills, appear to do little to encourage the
development of fluent conversational skills.

3 Sometimes, however, even when teachers provide natural language environments and time 15
for silent period, some students still may not learn what is presented in a lesson. Other times,
students may even correctly use structures the teacher did not teach. Researchers now hypothesise
that several internal factors are responsible for these unexpected reactions.

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4 When a student is exposed to a new language, the first internal hurdles are posed by the
individual’s emotional state and motivations. We have learned that language learners, consciously 20
or unconsciously, select only certain types of people as models worth emulating. For example,
a person who thinks American English is gauche will probably not learn as much English from
Americans as a person who thinks American English is the best type of English to know in the
modern world. Other filtering sources are the individual’s anxiety levels, peer identification,
and general motivation to learn the language. Together, they make up what we have called the 25
“Affective Filter”, or simply “Filter”. The Filter acts to control entry to further mental processing.

5 Once incoming language has passed through the filter, it reaches two other processors: the
“Organiser”, and the “Monitor”. As the mind begins to take in some of the second language, it
organises it in a fashion which results in the common order in which grammatical structures are
learned, in the systematic errors that are made, and in the interim constructions learners use. 30
This organisation does not necessarily reflect the organisation of the teaching curriculum and
it tends to be similar for most second language learners no matter what their first language is.

6 Monitoring, the third internal process, is a kind of self-editing in which persons who are
very concerned about linguistic appearances use conscious rules to produce sentences. People
who have a high desire to communicate and who are not embarrassed by making mistakes use 35
the monitor less than those who are more self-conscious.

7 These three processors are affected by learner’s personality traits and age, which inhibit or
enhance their activity. For example, a learner with an outgoing personality may filter out less
language than one who is less confident, or an adult may organise more of the language at once
than a young child.
40

MODEL TEST 8 Perhaps the most surprising finding in second language acquisition research concerns the
errors second language learners make. For several decades, linguists and teachers assumed that
most second language learners’ errors resulted from differences between the first and second
languages. This was the basis of the long-popular contrastive analysis theory. Now researchers
have learned that the first language has a far smaller effect on second language syntax than 45
previously thought. Studies show, for example, that only 5% of the grammatical errors’ children
make and at most 20% of the ones adult make can be traced to crossover from the first language.
Learners’ first languages are no longer believed to interfere with their attempts to acquire second
language grammar.

9 Another surprising finding was that correcting students’ grammatical errors seems to 50
produce little improvement. Correction may of course serve other important purposes such as
helping students and their parents feel that the teacher is earning her pay or providing a basis
for a grade. Research suggests, however that teachers need not bring every error to the attention
of the learner for fear the error will become a habit.

(Source: Dulay, H., Burt, M., Krashen, S. (1982) Oxford: Oxford University Press)

34 Which of the statement below explains the main idea in paragraph 1?
A Students need motivation to speak and practice.
B Silent period will only hinder students learning progress.
C Students ought to be given time before asking them to speak.
D We should encourage students to practise speaking as early as possible.

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35 Learning in context is best as ...
A language is used naturally.
B it provides the here-and-now.
C it provides topics for drilling.
D students will be able to understand better.

36 How many internal processors are there?
A One
B Two
C Three
D No limit

37 According to the article, the following are internal factors that will decide how well students learn
a new language except ...
A their personality
B their intelligence
C their anxiety levels
D the worry of how others will perceive them

38 Correcting students' grammatical errors
A will make them satisfied
B will help them learn faster.
C will not make much changes.
D will help them understand better.

39 Monitoring the third internal filters help ... MODEL TEST
A learners to be less shy
B learners to be more confident
C learners to learn the language faster
D learners to check on their own language

40 Which of the following best summarises the text?
A It is difficult to learn a new language.
B Learning a second language needs good classroom teaching.
C Cognitive ability is the most important aspect in language learning.
D There is an internal system that guides learners in their language acquisition.

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  MUET My Way Model Test

Paper 4: Writing (800/4)

(75 Minutes)

Instructions to candidates:
Answer both Tasks 1 and 2.
You will be assessed on task fulfillment organisation, structure and lexis.

Task 1
You are advised to spend about 25 minutes on this task.
Your friend, Sally was not able to attend the Prefect Leadership Camp in school recently. Read the email
from her asking about the camp that she missed.

MODEL TEST To Nurhayati Notes
Subject: Prefect Leadership Camp Glad! ...
Agree because
Dear Nurhayati,
Hi! How are you? I was not able to join the recent Leadership Camp as Share two lessons
my mum had arranged for me to have my braces fixed on the same date.
I heard many interesting activities were carried out during the camp. Yes,
Can you share with me some of them? I was so dissappointed that I
wasn’t there.
Many of our friends have commented on their Instagram that they
have realised and learned many lessons on leadership. What about you?
What have you learned?
I am hoping they will organise another camp soon for the benefits of
those who were not able to attend. Any idea?
Hoping to hear from you soon, Nurhayati. Do take care.
Yours Sincerely,
Sally Yap

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

Task 2
You are advised to spend about 50 minutes on this task.
During the Teacher's Day celebration at your school, an invited speaker made the following statement
in his speech:

“Online learning promotes better learning environment”.
Write an essay expressing your opinion on the statement. Write at least 250 words.

236

  MUET My Way Model Test

PART 5

Dialogue 1   Track 12

Listen to a conversation between Sally and Gemma about spending time on social media. As you listen,
choose the correct answers for questions 25 and 26. Indicate your answers on the answer sheet.

25 Readly is a ... 26 Gemma’s new hobby has helped her ...
A book. A to sleep well.
B magazine. B to have more time for herself.
C reading app. C to make some changes in her house.

Dialogue 2   Track 13

Listen to a conversation between Nurse Alice with an elderly man named Alan about nursing homes. As
you listen, choose the correct answers for questions 27 and 28. Indicate your answers on the answer sheet.

27 Which are the aspects that Mr. Alan feels 28 Which statement is false?
nursing home needs improvement? A People’s view of the old people must be
A Investment, training and salaries improved.
B Training, refurbishment and salaries B Young people are not suitable to work
C Investment, new workers and in nursing homes.
management C Younger people need to be connected
to the seniors in the society.

MODEL TEST Dialogue 3   Track 14

Listen to an interview between a reporter and Miyagi, an earthquake victim. As you listen, choose the
correct answers for questions 29 and 30. Indicate your answers on the answer sheet.

29 Which statement is false about Miyagi’s 30 Why did Miyagi feel that his parents’
parents? situation was far worse than the other
A They accept the situation. disaster-affected residents?
B Even if they had wanted to leave, they A They cannot see who they are dealing
cannot do so. with.
C They are more worried about B They are dealing with radiation and
earthquake than the radiation. earthquake.
C They have to take in those evacuating
from the next town.

222

Tapescript MUET My Way Tapescript 

Malaysian University English Test, Listening. Tony : Nice. Anything else you would have changed?
There are 5 parts to the test. You will listen to each part Sam : I might have made a different decision about someone
twice. As you listen, indicate your answers on the answer
sheet. Please ask any questions now, because you must not I like very much then. Due to some poor attitude on
speak during the test. Now open your question paper and my part, she left me. She was really a nice girl and I feel
look at Part 1. that if I had acted more maturely, we could have saved
our relationship. We used to visit this little stall for
Voice 1: PART 1 Track 1 our meals, the foodcourt which was situated next to a
bank, opposite a school, and overlooking a beautiful
Listen to a conversation between Tony and Sam. As you mountain. I still remember how we looked forward
listen, choose the correct answer for questions 1 to 7. You to spending our time together at the stall. I was filled
now have 30 seconds to look at the questions. with so much pride and ego then. I often wonder
[Pause 15 seconds] where she is now. Yes, that’s something I think about
sometimes. We were too young and naive.
Now listen carefully and indicate your answers on the Tony : Okay. Thanks, Sam. I appreciate your sharing of your
answer sheet. experience with me. Still, despite all that, I feel you
have had an enjoyable time then. Good luck Sam.
Tony : Sam, today we’re talking about turning back the clock. [Pause 5 seconds]
So, what is it that you wish you could do differently?
For example, maybe something in your university life Now you will listen to the recording again.
that you would have done differently now? [Audio is repeated]

Sam : Yes, Tony. There are a few things actually that I That is the end of Part 1. Now turn to Part 2.
would like to change. I might change my course in [pause 5 seconds]
the university. I studied education, and I enjoy being
a teacher now. Actually, I really like acting and be Voice 1: PART 2 Track 2
involved in theatre production. So I believe if I’m
given a chance to go back to university, I’d probably Listen to a talk by a university lecturer on the importance
take up creative arts or an acting course. But I am of extensive reading. As you listen, choose the correct
also aware that I am acting every day in my classes. answer for questions 8 to 14. You now have 30 seconds to
Students enjoy seeing me playing different roles. look at the questions.
[Pause 30 seconds]
Tony : Interesting. Anything else you wish you could have
done? Now listen carefully and indicate your answers on the TAPESCRIPT
answer sheet.
Sam : I also wish I had been more involved in the university’s
co-curricular activities. For example, the debating Dr. Christine : Good afternoon to all of you. Lately there has
team. I was actively involved in debating in my been quite a discussion on the role of implicit
secondary school days but I didn’t seem to have the and explicit knowledge in helping one to
heart to do the same in the university. Maybe besides acquire language and usage. Many language
being busy with my academic work, I was running experts like Chomsky and Krashen agree that
home every weekend. That didn’t give me much time the knowledge that enables us to convey our
to devote time and attention to the team’s activities. thoughts, feelings and needs through language
I think it would have been fun to be a part of that is mostly implicit. In fact, when we speak
culture and environment. and interact with others in everyday settings
without having to think too much about what
Tony : That was such a waste. What about things that you words to use and what sentence structure
had done and wished you hadn’t? to employ, we are in those situations relying
almost solely on our implicit knowledge. In
Sam : I had a tattoo of my girlfriend’s name on my arm. At fact, it is not only them who have stressed
that time, I thought it was a cool thing to do, only to
realise now how ridiculous I was. And yes, looking
back now, that would be something that I wouldn’t do
again.

237

Answers MUET My Way Answers 

Fix Your Broken English 5 Italian 6 songs 7 This 8 the
9 on 10 and
Guided Quiz
1 teachers 2 taking 3 spend 4 bring Guided Quiz 2 2 or 3 disadvantages
5 giving 6 controlled 7 found 8 learning 1 have 5 that 6 interests
9 needed 10 monitored 4 a 8 used 9 chatting
7 However
Practice 1 2 a 3 the 4 the 10 important
1 eyes 6 choices
5 things 10 barcodes 7 products 8 cutlery Guided Quiz 3 6 the
9 An/The 1 managed 7 going
2 was 8 Although/Even though
Practice 2 2 prefers 3 join 4 running 3 play 9 excitedly
1 playing 6 do 7 have 8 were 4 weeks 10 granted
5 gets 10 are 5 say
9 was
Quiz 4
Practice 3 2 took 3 singing 4 were 1 in 2 shower 3 is 4 children
1 were 7 spent 8 hiking 5 riding 6 walk 7 When 8 scheduled
5 arrived 6 would 9 their 10 the
9 discovered 10 was
Quiz 5
Practice 4 6 Furthermore (Nevertheless) 1 gone 2 looking 3 while
1 into 7 although 4 These 5 physically 6 or
2 addition 8 Meanwhile 7 watch 8 information 9 excellent
3 on 9 into/inside 10 expand
4 in 10 conclusion
5 through Quiz 6 3 the 4 is 5 said
1 forget 2 he 8 force 9 who 10 are
Practice 5 6 has 7 really
1 Spending 2 happy 3 excited 4 almost
5 well 6 helpful 7 Chinese 8 interested B Top 12 (Common Errors in English)
9 hardly 10 Luckily 1 Nowadays; Even though; Moreover; Furthermore
2 Students, problems / day, days
Practice 6 2 camp 3 make 4 brought 5 remind 3 reason, is; reasons, are
1 take 7 cook 8 take 9 make 10 taken 4 solutions, reasons
6 listen 5 person, is; people, are
6 example; handphones, laptops, tablets
Self-Assessment Quiz 7 giving, explaining
1 get 2 a 3 attracted 8 provide, surf
4 used 5 are 6 in 9 given; taken
7 However (But) 8 researching 9 was 10 has made, have made, had made
10 refer

Practice 7 2 They 3 his 4 which Part
1 who 6 who/that 7 these 8 that
5 they 1 Listening
9 I
10 yourselves Part 1 2 A 3 C 4 C
1 C 6 C 7 A 11 B
Practice 8 2 reminded 3 were 4 completed 5 B
1 given 6 finished 7 said 8 handed 21 C
5 told 10 chosen Part 2 9 A 10 B 28 B
9 are 8 B 13 C 14 C
12 C
Practice 9 ANSWERS
1 written 2 helped 3 read 4 chosen Part 3
5 have 6 had 7 been 8 practising 15 D (Glittering Generalities)
9 designed 10 given 16 A (Propaganda)
17 C (Transfer)
Practice 10
1 grouping 2 preparing 3 making Part 4 19 B 20 A
4 trying 5 doing 6 coming 18 C 23 C 24 A
7 winning 8 showcasing 9 impressing 22 B
10 selecting
Part 5
Guided Quiz 1 2 listening 3 help 25 A 26 C 27 B
1 you 4 example 29 A 30 C

247

ANSWERS   MUET My Way Answers will be asked to do presentations, pitching or some form of
sales or persuasive speech.
Part • communication skills will not only give them confidence to
speak their mind but will train them on how to present their
2 SPEAKING arguments systematically and with the right body language to
suit their purposes.
Practice 1 (Suggested Answers) • good communication skills will ensure that they will be able
Part 1 to get their points across clearly and this will reduce the
Candidate A probability of miscommunication or conflict arising from
• Managing time well is a useful skill for students to live verbal misunderstandings.

independently in university because they constantly have to Practice 2 (Suggested Answers)
attend classes and submit assignments so they must have a Part 1
proper strategy to arrange their time to meet their goals. Candidate A
• Managing time well will also help students to balance between • While waiting for national exam results, students can gain
studying and spending their leisure time. Otherwise, they may
fall prey to social media or gaming addiction which will result invaluable learning and working experience when they get a
in their inability to perform to their full potential in university. job either full time or part time as it will expose them to the
• Managing time well will be an asset to them because they can real-world responsibilities and make them appreciate the
create short-term and long-term goals and make time to do worth of money more.
things like get a part-time job or start an online business so • Getting a job is also good to hone our communications skills
they can have financial independence in university. because most jobs require people to interact with others to
Candidate B get their messages and intentions across smoothly. It will also
• Managing money well is a useful skill for students to live teach them much needed people skills when dealing with the
independently in university because they will need to budget many different characters they may face at work.
according to what they can afford and make sure they spend • They could also save money for future use especially when they
on things like food, transportation, books and stationery within continue their studies to tertiary level as at university, there will
their spending capacity or they will face many financial woes. be a lot of expenses so it makes sense to save up while they
• Managing money well will also help them to start saving for wait for their official results and placings at university.
a rainy day because if they know how to spend wisely and set Candidate B
aside some for their savings, then they will be better able to • The best time to learn to drive is right after the national
make decisions at university with a healthy bank account to examination when you can focus on learning all the theory
back them up. and testing out the practical driving skills taught by the driving
• Managing money well is also a useful skill because they could instructor. These days, driving skills are a necessity because
invest some of their savings on endeavours that could give most jobs could require you to travel.
them a side income such as investing in an online business or • Learning to drive is also a productive skill because you can then
retail sales amongst their fellow university mates like selling relieve your parents of their driving duties whereby you can
food, computer products and even mobile phone top-ups. drop off your siblings at school or tuition and you could even
Candidate C send your parents to work and reduce their stress of having to
• Cooking well is a good skill to have to live an independent drive themselves around.
lifestyle because as a uni student, you can save more money • Learning to drive is a lifelong skill that will make good use of
if you are able to make your own meals and feed yourself for your time compared to just sitting at home and playing online
cheaper compared to buying every meal at a café or restaurant. games or watching dramas. It could also become a job prospect
• Cooking well will also help you live a more independent life as as these days people can make a lot of money if they become
you are free to choose healthier and better ingredients in your a driving instructor or hold special licenses such as GDL for big
cooking so that you make wise decisions when it comes to your lorry drivers who earn a lot of money a month delivering things.
diet and what you consume. Better health means you will be Candidate C
better able to concentrate on your studies. • After the national examination is over, students can spend their
• Cooking well is also a skill that could potentially increase your time learning a specific skill that interests them such as taking
side income especially if you are keen on pursuing this as a part a short course on computer software, learning a new language
time business. Food is a necessity so many people are willing to or culinary skills and even taking mobile phone or computer
pay others to prepare food for them daily or you could also go repair courses.
into the desserts business and sell cakes and cookies. • Skills based training while waiting for results can also help you
Candidate D to earn some side income either now or in the future because
• Dressing well is a useful skill for university students because you will have the skill to generate money while you continue
as an independent person, everyone needs to find a style that your studies to tertiary level. You could use your baking or
suits their personality and showcases their characters so that it cooking skills to sell things to your college mates or help them
will give people a good impression of themselves as a positive- repair their phones or computers.
thinking and goal-oriented student. • Learning a skill could also be the basis for your future career
• Dressing well will also help students have higher self- because people usually want to learn more about the skill if
confidence in themselves and this will affect their attitude they have high interest in it or are born with a natural talent to
towards life and make them more enthusiastic about being a do it. They can further pursue this to a higher level and create a
committed university student. whole career based on the skills they have picked up.
• Dressing well is a skill that will be useful for their future because Candidate D
good grooming and hygiene will reflect on their personal • Being able to afford to travel after the national examinations is
characters which is the first impression people will make a real blessing because travel is the best teacher. It will give you
especially when they leave school and apply for jobs in the life lessons and irreplaceable experiences while your visit new
future. and exciting places that will be a feast for your senses as well as
Part 2 your stomach.
The group decides that communication skills is the most
important soft skill that should be taught in schools because
• effective communication skills are extremely necessary in
school life as well as in their careers as most of the time they

248

• Travelling is also very productive because it helps you to MUET My Way Answers  ANSWERS
become more responsible for yourself as you manage
your time, money and goals better once you have a travel • Exercising is also a good way to strengthen relationships
destination in mind and prepare for it. because some healthy expeditions like hiking or mountain
climbing involves long planning and good communication in
• Another good effect of travelling after your secondary school order to make the activity successful. This offers everyone a
days are over is that you will be meeting and interacting with chance to improve their people skills and help them with their
many different people from all walks of life so you will be able negotiation skills besides making them happier and fitter.
to improve your people skills and communication ability to be
well understood. Candidate D
• A lot can be gained in terms of strengthening a relationship
Part 2
The group decides that experience is main factor employers when people travel and visit tourist attractions together
consider when hiring new staff because because the time spent on the road is a priceless opportunity to
• experienced people have an idea of how things work and speak up and be heard, to share opinions, stories and laugher
that will help everyone understand one another better.
are better able to adapt to many different work scenarios • Travelling to a tourist destination will be a memorable experience
that theories and academic performance may not be able to that they can share for years to come and the sights and the
prepare you for. smells, everything about the experience cannot be repeated
• having experience also increases your skills and confidence again so those who travel together have a shared memory that
whereby they may be more effective communicators and able they can always talk about and reminisce in the future.
to do the job better than a freshie. • When people travel together they will learn a lot of patience
• experience when coupled with a good academic background and increase in responsibility because it is not easy to travel as
and added with a positive characteristic will surely make the a group as each person has different likes and dislikes, and their
person become highly employable and more versatile in the personal characteristics will be on full display so everyone needs
working world because they may be better at problem solving to find a middle way and learn to travel together in harmony.
and critical thinking as well as better team players. Part 2
The group decides that preparing more activity centres will help
Practice 3 (Suggested Answers) promote unity because
Part 1 • when the government invests in activity centres, it creates a
Candidate A hub for people to gather and do meaningful activities together
• We can strengthen relationships just by having a meal together and this will foster a better relationship amongst everyone who
makes the effort to go there and be involved in local activities.
because this fosters better understanding and communication • it will also be a melting pot of different races and ages and they
between all the members. When parents and children have will all be able to share their information and experiences while
meals together regularly and have actual conversations while doing activities together that will surely promote harmony.
eating, they will have a closer relationship. • at the centres, they can work hand in hand to plan many unity
• Friendships can also be strengthened amongst friends and strengthening events and activities such as volunteering for
colleagues when time is spent eating together such as at a good cause or being involved in local bazaars and parade
school and the office during recess or lunch breaks and the organising committees.
daily routine will give us an opportunity to get to know one
another better. Practice 4 (Suggested Answers)
• Sharing a meal together in different places also means that Part 1
you may travel to different destinations together or meet up Candidate A
in new and exciting places and the shared memories will be a • The cost is the most important aspect of buying a gadget
cornerstone of your friendships for years to come.
Candidate B because this is a serious decision that will usually involve a lot
• When we go shopping together, we will feel a closer bond with of money. The amount of money will depend entirely on the
our friends and family members and we can learn more about socio-economic background of the buyer and may have to do
their likes and dislikes because it will affect how they shop and with their ability to save money and spend money wisely.
what they buy. • The cost will affect a multitude of other aspects of the final
• While we are shopping, we will also spend the time travelling decision to buy a gadget because the amount of money spent
and getting to the shops besides taking a break from shopping will be directly related to how advanced the gadget is and how
to eat a meal together so this will give them time to get to many functions the phone has as these days functions like
know one another better as they share stories and laughter. storage size and pixilation of cameras cost a bomb.
• Going shopping together can also strengthen the bond • In terms of cost, people will also have to consider if it is a
amongst people because they can learn to look after their cash buy and therefore may garner them more rebates or if
finances and spend within their capacities. This is especially it is a package deal with the service providers themselves or
true for parents who wish to teach their children how to with the credit card companies that offer zero or low interest
be independent in life so they take them grocery shopping repayments for short or long term contracts.
together so that they can learn how to be better and more Candidate B
financially prudent adults. • When buying a gadget, one must think long and hard about
Candidate C the purpose of buying it be it purely for communications
• Exercising together can be a real joy and an exciting time or to do other school or work-related tasks because this will
for friends and family because the physical exertion, while influence the choice of gadget chosen.
tiring and sometimes uncomfortable, can provide a great • Different gadgets have different functions so it is important
opportunity for people to get to know one another better. to consider if you need better quality cameras, more storage,
• Exercising together can also bring about better cooperation faster connectivity and downloading features amongst others
and teamwork because some exercises like badminton, in order to do specific tasks so you need to think carefully
basketball or team games require people to work hand in before you make this serious decision.
hand in order to help their team win so this will strengthen • Modern devices are getting more advanced and boast more
relationships especially with good communication skills. features and functions but if all you need it for is to make calls
you may not want to go all out and buy one that has functions
that you will most likely never use but cost too much.

249

ANSWERS   MUET My Way Answers Candidate B
• Wearing masks is crucial for everyone because it is the first line
Candidate C
• The size of the gadget is an important consideration when you of defence when face to face with other people as the level of
contagion reduces to a very small percentage if both parties
buy one because the purpose of buying the gadget whether it were them compared to if only one side wears a mask or worst
is for work or pleasure will affect how big or small the gadget still, both refuse to put them on in a pandemic.
is. A working adult would prefer to have a desktop at his office • Wearing face masks properly is important because otherwise
while a student who goes from class to class daily would you may receive a fine for not putting it on correctly which
benefit from a smaller laptop which is easier to carry around. defeats the purpose of it as a physical barrier between the virus
• Some people would be happy to purchase a small phone with and the most vulnerable entry points to your body, namely
a small screen if they only needed the gadget to make calls and through your nose and mouth.
keep in touch with people. However, others who need their • In facing a global pandemic, we cannot just focus on wearing a
phones or tablets to do work and to research information, write mask ourselves but we need to be more stringent in reminding
emails and so on would more likely prefer a bigger screen so the people around us to not only put them on but to put them
the size of the screen if very important too. on correctly so that we will all continue to live in a healthy and
• The size of a gadget is also important consideration because safe environment.
it will affect the cost of the gadget. Some gadgets that have Candidate C
bigger and better quality screens will definitely be more • Exercising regularly helps the body stay in shape and regulates
expensive and this will cause the buyer to think twice about our blood circulation and overall health which in turn keeps us
buying it according to what they can afford to pay. from easily getting sick and contracting a virus. Therefore, it is
Candidate D important that even in a lockdown, we still do some form of
• Buying a gadget based on brand will have an effect on the exercise to keep fit.
quality because some brands are just more superior than • Exercising is also good to build social connections and a
others. Well-known international brands like Samsung, support group because even in a total lockdown, people are
iPhone, Huawei are more reliable although pricier than China doing exercise groups through online zooming and other apps
unbranded gadgets but at least you will most likely get value which gives people a sense of togetherness and moral support
for money. in fighting the pandemic together.
• Some people are not very interested in the cost or the • In facing a global pandemic, it is crucial that we continue to
functions and even the size of the gadgets as long as the brand exercise regularly and encourage the people in our households
is visible and of high quality. This could be more from a vanity as well as friends and acquaintances via phone or social media
standpoint as people seem to place a lot of emphasis on owing to stay fit by trying to do at least 30 mins of workout a day to
branded stuff as a symbol status. keep healthy.
• When you prefer to consider the brand as the most important Candidate D
aspect before making a serious decision like buying a gadget, it • Avoiding crowded areas is an extremely important step that
also tells you a lot about your own personality whether you are everyone should do in facing a pandemic because the virus is
materialistic or practical. The former would pay for expensive spread from person to person and it is airborne which means
brands at all costs while the latter would think of how practical that people are more likely to contract the illness when they
it is to buy a medium range gadget compared to an expensive come into close contact with an infected person.
brand. • When we avoid crowded areas and maintain a 1 metre distance
Part 2 between people, even if we did not wear a face mask or wash
The group decides that expensive gadgets is the main challenge our hands as often as we should, we would still be safer than if
of successful online learning because we were sandwiched in a shopping mall amidst thousands of
• no matter how cheap a gadget is, if you come from a poverty- people with no social distancing.
stricken family, you will never be able to afford on for online • We ourselves need to social distance and avoid crowds and we
learning so the success of it depends entirely on this factor. need to educate people around us from visiting crowded areas
• when there are not enough gadgets to be shared with other as we have seen the statistics where 1 person could potentially
brothers and sisters who are also doing online learning at the infect 2000 people because the virus can spread from person
same time, online learning will be a failure because students to person at astonishing speeds.
cannot concentrate and they will lose their motivation to study.
• until a time when the government and parents can ensure that Part 2
each child has access to a good gadget, online learning will The group decides that hiring more frontliners is the best way to
always be an unlevelled playing field where the richer kids will recognise their contributions because
have better access to education compared to the poorer ones. • when you invest in more staff, the workload and the mental

Practice 5 (Suggested Answers) burden also reduces amongst the frontliners because most of
Part 1 the critical situations involve too many cases and not enough
Candidate A staff to handle the situation.
• In facing a global pandemic, washing hands well is a crucial • hiring more frontliners will help to give financial assistance to
those who are able to work but have lost their regular jobs due
part of self-hygiene as we are constantly touching things when to the pandemic so they will have a regular income to sustain
we go from one place to another and touch is one of the fastest their families in these trying times.
ways the virus is spread. • the more frontliners there are, the less chances of the staff
• Washing hands well involves washing each digit and finger as making mistakes due to understaffing and overworked
well as the palms and backs of hands properly for a minimum problems as there are enough people on duty to cover all the
of 20 seconds with good soap and a lot of water so everyone cases that come in during a pandemic.
must learn how to was hands correctly if they want to keep the
virus at bay. Part
• Washing hands well individually is not effective unless
everyone does the same so in facing a pandemic, we have to 3 Reading
check one another and constantly remind the young ones that
it is their responsibility to wash hands properly all the time to 1 C 2 A 3 B 4 C 5 A
avoid untoward circumstances. 6 B 7 A 8 C 9 C 10 C
11 B 12 B 13 A 14 A 15 C

250

16 B 17 C 18 B 19 A 20 D MUET My Way Answers 
21 D 22 C 23 E 24 B 25 A
26 F 27 D 28 D 29 D 30 B we are also developing our independence. Chances are we will
31 C 32 B 33 D 34 B 35 D work harder as we know the value of the money being used.
36 D 37 B 38 A 39 B 40 D • Working while studying will also enable us to gain experience
and qualification at the same time. Studying fulltime would
Model Test put unnecessary demand on our parents to spend a huge sum
of money on our studies. As such I feel if the courses are not
Paper 1 Listening too demanding, we should opt for universities that allow us to
study part-time. I have seen my friend whose parents were not
Part 1 2 B 3 B 4 A 5 B able to pay for his studies doing this. After four years, he got his
1 C 7 A 12 B degree successfully.
6 A 9 A 10 C 11 A Candidate D
Part 2 14 B 22 B • Local universities are subsidised by the government. I think
8 C 16 D 17 C 21 B 29 C the percentage is quite high where the government pays
13 C 19 C 20 A about 90 percent while students only 10 percent. One way for
Part 3 24 B students to have a better chance of getting a place in the local
15 B 26 C 27 A 28 B universities is either by going into Form Six or Matriculation
Part 4 Colleges. Those who aspire to be a doctor, private universities
18 A may cost about half a million while if one is in a local university,
23 C you will only be paying a small fraction of that amount. So,
Part 5 going into local universities is definitely one way where we can
25 B help our parents from not overspending on our education.
30 A • Now to my second reason as to why going into local
universities will help prevent our parents from overspending
Paper 2 Speaking on our education. Local universities are nearer home. Studying ANSWERS
Part 1 in a place nearer home will help save on travelling expenses.
Candidate A Imagine studying abroad. The cost of flying home each term
• Pursuing online courses are cheaper compared to conventional break will impose such a hefty sum of money on our parents.
If we realise nowadays there is at least one local university
face to face courses. This is because even if the fees are the same, subsidised by the government in every state in Malaysia. The
parents will still be saving their children’s rent for rooms and only challenge is to secure a place in it. Like I have mentioned
their travelling expenses. We must also consider daily expenses earlier, there are mainly two options of getting in there. My
on food. With the recent MCO where tertiary students have to cousin did his Form Six in a school in Melaka for one and
continue their courses from home, I had first hand experience a half years. He worked very hard and now he is studying in
of seeing my sister doing her studies from home. My parents UTHM in Johor. This has helped his parents save a substantial
had definitely managed to save quite a sum of money and this amount of money which can then now be used for his younger
made me think perhaps this is a better option of pursuing one’s sister. Clearly local universities will help save our parents from
studies. overspending on our education.
• Save some money on accommodation and transportation. One Part 2
most obvious aspect that can help parents from overspending is Facilities available
that they need not give them extra allowances for their train or • With better facilities, a better learning environment which
bus fares money to their university or college. Besides, having to are conducive for teaching and learning will take place. For
study from home, students can have their daily hot meals from instance, air-conditioned classrooms. When students are not
their mother’s kitchen. Accommodation will also not pose any hot and sweaty when studying or when listening to their
worry as students will be sleeping in their own rooms. lecturers, chances are they will be able to concentrate and
Candidate B participate better.
• We need not pay anything with a scholarship. From our tuition • I also feel that good facilities also entail a well-stocked library.
fees right up to our meals and accommodation are provided What can be more needed than a library that provides for all
for through scholarships. I have a cousin who recently secured students’ research and coursework needs? Can you imagine
a scholarship from British Council to pursue her degree in the a library with hardly any latest books of your subject-matter?
UK. Everything was paid for and her parents were so thankful Poor database access that will not enable you to search for
that they need not pay for any expenses. I do hope that when the latest articles and research findings of your field will be
my time comes to pursue my studies, I will also be able to get a detrimental to our progress.
scholarship and reduce my parents burden. Availability of Financial Aid
• Scholarships are available from all over the world, and • This is an important consideration as it will come in most handy
various organisations. We need to know that one can secure to those in need. Those who are in dire need of money, may not
scholarships not only from the government but also from be able to think of furthering their studies. It will be a shame
other organisations and other countries. We need not restrict to lose students who excel in their studies to the job market
ourselves to only a small areas of courses as they will limit our before they are able to pursue at least a degree. I have had a
chances. As we are fully aware, we can save a lot of our parents’ cousin who enrolled in a private university only to have her
money with a scholarship. The added benefit is that with fees all paid for through her excellent results.
scholarship, our future jobs are most likely provided too. • It will motivate students to work harder, and give their best
Candidate C knowing that their fees can be converted to scholarships if they
• You will be able to pay for your own studies with a job in hand. score well in their exams. Even if it is not a scholarship, some
There are universities, like Open University Malaysia that caters kind of financial aid will help poor students to manage the cost
to working adults. When we work and have to pay for our fees, of studying. This in a way also shows the commitment of the
not only are we saving our parent’s money and lifetime savings, university in providing some kind of help and assistance to the
general public and community.

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  MUET My Way Answers

Teaching team education? How will students’ learning outcomes be assured
• Knowing that the experts in your field are teaching in that and improved in online learning environment? How will effective
communication and interaction be established with students
particular university will be most useful. You will be learning in the absence of face-to-face instruction? How will teachers
from the best brains in your field. Imagine having four years motivate students to learn in the online learning environment?
under their guidance and teaching, we ourselves will be highly This essay will examine new strength, and challenges for teachers
sought after too. and students, and discuss if online learning provides a better
• A strong team of educators will definitely bring out the best in learning environment compared to face to face.
students. A team of committed and dedicated educators, will
naturally strive towards bringing out the best from their students. First Perspective
Fees The most convincing argument for online learning is that students
• All said and done, fees are the most important consideration learn better. Some experts have been making claims that students
to struggling parents. No matter how good the university is, learn five times more in an online course compared to traditional
without a reasonable amount of fees charged, no parents or face to face sessions. This can be easily explained as in an online
students will consider it. A university which charges too high setting students have full control over their learning, they can set
will only be suitable for affluent families. In general, one will their own pace, decide if they can go faster over some content
not need first-class facilities, but one that is just enough to help while spending more time over other areas.
one pursue their degree and paper qualifications.
• To succeed in university life, it depends on one’s determination Second persuasion
and persistence. So, a university with an affordable fee is better However, for some, online learning needs more persuasion.
than one that is too expensive. Because the online environment is different from the traditional
Courses offered classroom, it is important for teachers to be able to motivate their
• Not all universities have courses that are relevant to us. So this students to adjust their roles when becoming an online learner.
is an important aspect to study before making up one’s mind. In online education, the interaction between students and their
Consider the pros and cons before enrolling in a university. teachers have been changed from synchronous in face to face
This includes studying the range of courses offered. There is no (F2F) instruction to an asynchronous virtual community. Thus, a
point taking up a course not out of interest but simply due to significant role adjustment for students may be required if they
convenience or wanting to be in that particular university. are to experience success. Students must move from being a
• Imagine going to a university that has affordable fees but more traditional passive classroom learner into a more active
seriously lacking and limited in the number of courses being online inquirer. So whether online learning is better will depend
offered. The courses have to be those that prepare us well to be on students’ themselves.
in our chosen profession. Third perspective
Let us also consider students’ role adjustment. In an online
Paper 3 Reading environment, students do see a difference in the learning process
1 C 2 A 3 C 4 B 5 A and a need for their role adjustment. The online learning should
6 C 7 C 8 B 9 A 10 B be viewed as more cognitive or internally oriented. Online
11 C 12 B 13 C 14 C 15 B students must take more responsibility, adjust to a new climate,
16 C 17 C 18 C 19 C 20 B adjust to new context, synthesize ideas, know how to participate,
21 D 22 F 23 B 24 C 25 A synthesize ideas, apply ideas or concepts, and stimulate their own
26 E 27 B 28 A 29 B 30 D curiosity. Teachers should inform students in advance that the
31 D 32 D 33 C 34 C 35 D roles students must take in an online learning environment.
36 C 37 B 38 C 39 D 40 D Fourth perspective
Next is students’ interaction. How to interact with online learners
Paper 4 Writing is always a challenge for teachers. Teachers have expressed their
Task 1 perplexity on how to initiate interactions with students to build
relationship while doing their online teaching job. Because most
ANSWERS Notes Response teachers are trained to run "hands on" teaching, they have to
Point 1: I am glad and happy that you have finally put on face the challenge of lack of direct interpersonal contact with
Greetings your braces. students, and they have little contact or feedback to gauge the
Point 2: I totally agree with you that the Leadership Camp clarity of their communications.
Accept is important and of paramount importance to us Fifth perspective
as future leaders. Let’s not forget students’ performance. Since face to face
Point 3: Firstly, as a leader we need to remember that instruction is usually eliminated in online classes, teachers may
Thanks leadership is a service given to others. It’s about lack sufficient information on how well students actually perform.
and taking care of those under our charge. Secondly, Thus, ensuring academic honesty and integrity in online courses
Suggest we also need to be opened to criticism. We ought is another challenge for teachers. They have reported their worry
to take them as advice that will only help us to get if the completed assignments received through the Internet have
Point 4: better. been completed by students themselves. Another concern is
Closing about the difficulty of ascertaining the students' identity when
Yes, I heard they will be organising one soon. communicating over the Internet. Cheating, plagiarism, and
integrity in taking test are also other issues in ensuring quality
Task 2 online instruction.
Introduction Conclusion
Online learning has been on the rise since the start of the So in my opinion, there are several perspectives to consider
pandemic. With a growing number of lessons having to be offered before making a decision or opinion as to whether online
online through the Internet, there is a considerable interest in learning is a better alternative, or if it provides a better learning
online education, particularly as it relates to the quality of online environment. Many factors are involved, strength and challenges
instruction. The major concerns are centering on the following to be encountered by both teachers and students. In short we
questions: What will be the new role for teachers in online know that successful online learning does not happen by magic.
It requires collaboration of teachers, administrators, students and
the community at large.

252

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