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Wednesday, October 26, 2011

MUET 2011.. Budget 2012 & how to incorporate it in your essays.

A requirement for the MUET writing paper is to show critical thinking skills in task fulfillment. This means that a candidate has to have a good grasp of local and international knowledge and know how to link it to the question in a critical and mature manner.

Here's Budget 2012 at a glance:
http://www.opf.com.my/blog/malaysia-budget-2012-summary-of-goodies-for-the-rakyat/
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/10/7/nation/20111007162147&sec=nation

So what aspects of Budget 2012 can be incorporated in your essays? Follow my lead below and add your comments here. I will copy and paste to my blog post so that the lists will hopefully get longer and longer.

1. Sports
1 District 1 Futsal Court. This allocation is aimed at improving the general health of Malaysians by encouraging physical activities that are good for fitness, competitiveness and improving social skills among all Malaysians.

2. Education

Free primary & secondary school education, RM100 for schoolgoing children and RM200 book vouchers for tertiary education students, RM5000 for Masters & RM500 for PhDs demonstrate the Government's seriousness in raising the level of education and emphasising the importance of a solid education background in its aspiration to achieve developed nation status by Vision 2020.

3. Women
Women will be empowered with more skills and business opportunities in order to strenghten their position in the economy and to increase their productivity for the benefit of the nation. More training programs tailored especially for women will be carried out through Budget 2012.

Using the links above, try to write your own versions of the above and I will copy and paste to this blogpost. :P

MUET 2011 YEAR END EXAM...

is on 19th Nov 2011. :P Are you up for it? I'm in the midst of compiling new notes and materials for my three upcoming talks... tq SMK Pengiran Omar, Sipitang for inviting, for a course in my own school... and I'm honoured to be offered a fully sponsored trip to University Tun Hussein Onn, Batu Pahat, Johor... to do a 6 hr intensive course on the 12th of Nov. Tq to Mdm. Mafudzah for coordinating this. I'm sure I'll enjoy the experience.

As for the exam proper, please read up on my previous blogs for sample answers and see the slides here.. I am very angry with WandererSuria on ISSUU for uploading my slides WITHOUT MY PERMISSION!!!! TAKE IT DOWN OR ELSE!!!!

Anyway, will be uploading more sample answers for report writing and essays soon. cheers. If you have any questions post here and I will try to answer them within minutes (I love my Blackberry!)

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

MUET speaking 800/2 questions. (STILL UPDATING)

After reading all ur comments I am both happy and annoyed. Happy because I have helped u guys prepare in some (minimal) way for this test. However it irks me to read that u expect 'spot' questions when this is not what I offer here. So stop asking for predictions, instead try ur best to speak fluently, confidently and in a mature manner in order to pass w flying colours. Oh n btw, there was no muet speaking test on monday 17th so stop asking for something that doesn't exist ok.

Hi all.. how did your speaking go... comments please!!! hehehe.... tough? nah! must have been fun! Anyway, this is an update of the questions for this end of the year MUET speaking exam. (Rough summary only, not exact words)

Day 1, Session 1
People gives the most meaningful contribution to society
a)garbage collectors
b)toilet cleaners
c)road sweepers
d)gardeners

Day 1, Session 2
Challenges of studying abroad
A) homesick
B) language barrier
C) financial problems
D) culture shock

Day 2, Session 1
Welfare club wants to help children in a hospital
a) read to the children regularly
b) organise games and activities
c) assist the children with their studies
d) collect things like toys and books for the children

Day 2, Session 2
Sex education should be taught to the young. Who should impart this knowledge?
A) teachers
B) parents
C) friends
D) the mass media

Day 3,session 1

Which is the most important in life?
(a)health
(b)friends
(c)education
(d)family

Day 4, Session 1
What are the qualities that can strengthen a relationship.
a)respect
b)honesty
c)generosity
d)tolerance



For the other sessions, read the comments below, tq to those who wrote abt their speaking questions. Keep up d good work!


So glad my students did not have to answer the sex education question. I have assigned them homework to write an essay regarding this and will blog about it soon. Will also be updating the latest questions for the following exam days so stay tuned!!!!!!

Sunday, October 9, 2011

MUET SPEAKING 800/2 actual exam questions for mid year 2010

Here are the questions from the mid year session last year. Try it out!

1. A person's character is often influenced by other people around him/her. Who has the greatest influence on a person's character?
A) Parents
B) Teachers
C) Friends
D) Famous personalities
Task B) Discuss which of the following has the greatest influence on a person's character.

2) If you were given the opportunity to serve as the Prime Minister of Malaysia for one term, what would be a great achievement to leave behind?
A) Economic prosperity
B) Excellence in sports
C) World class education
D) Excellent health facilities
Task B) Discuss which of the following would be the greatest achievement that you can leave behind as a Prime Minister of Malaysia.

3) What do teenagers expect from their parents?
A) Increase their allowance
B) Give them more freedom
C) Be more understanding
D) Spend more time with them
Task B) Which of the following do teenagers expect most from their parents?

4) You and your friends are deciding on the choice of universities and programmes of study available. You would like to seek the opinion of others before you make your final decision.
A) You think that it is important to seek the opinion of your parents. Why?
B) opinion of your friends
C) opinion of your teachers
D) opinion of your career guidance counsellor
Task B) Whose opinion is most important in deciding where and what to study for your university degree? Discuss.

5) You are preparing for your first job interview. There are many things that you should do. What are some of these?
A) Get information about the job
B) Obtain information about the organisation
C) Dress appropriately for the interview
D) Improve on your communication skills
Task B) Discuss which of the following is the most important preparation for a job interview.

6) Everyone has a role to play in making Malaysia a safer place to live in. Suggest what can be done at different levels to achieve this.
A) Every individual can play a role in maintaining safety. How can this be done?
B) The community
C) The school or college
D) The government
Task B) Which of the following plays the most significant role in making Malaysia a safer place to live in? Discuss.

7) Electronic media such as the mobile phone, computer and electronic games has an impact on young people of today. What aspects of their lives are affected?
A) Electronic media can affect the study habits of youths. Elaborate.
B) Daily habits
C) social relationships
D) World view
Task B) Discuss what aspect of a young person's life is most affected by the electronic media.

8) In today's society, more people arre trying to lose weight. What could be the reason?
A) For health reasons
B) To be fashionable
C) Because of their job
D) Because of social pressure
Task B) discuss which of the following is the main reason why people want to lose weight.

9) What are the costs-cutting measures that can be taken by a family to reduce expenditure? Give some suggestions.
A) Use public transport
A) Spend only on what is needed
C) Carry out their own repair and maintenance work
D) Recycle and reuse household items
Task B) Discuss which of the following is the best way for a family to reduce expenditure.

10) Who do you regard as a successful person? Give your view.
A) Someone who is very rich
B) Someone who is very intelligent
C) Someone who is very powerful
D) Someone who is very famous
Task B) Which of the following do you regard as the most successful person?

11) What factors can influence a student's academic performance?
A) Study habits
B) Sleeping habits
C) Leisure activities
D) Network of friends
Task B) Discuss which of the following has the greatest impact on a student's academic performance.

12) It is important to be a good neighbour. What are some of the qualities needed?
A) Polite and rescpectful
B) Friendly and caring
C) Helpful and responsible
D) Tolerant and understanding
Task B) Discuss which of the following are the most important qualities needed to be a good neighbour.


SO WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THESE QUESTIONS? EASY? HARD? FEEL FREE TO COMMENT... I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHAT YOU THINK. GOOD LUCK ONCE AGAIN EVERYONE! :D

MUET 2011 grammar tips

What is it that all examiners look for be it for MUET speaking or the other papers? GOOD GRAMMAR! in fact, flawless grammar is a joy to listen to.

So you're running out of time and u need a GRAMMAR QUICKFIX.. well if you read my basic rules below & later take the grammar test... i can give u that QUICKFIX that you're in desperate need of. LOL.. so i've reblogged the rules i posted last year below. Good luck for the speaking exam ok!

>>>>>>>

GRAMMAR FIRST.
I've developed some basic rules. If you can follow it, i'm sure your writing will improve by leaps and bounds.

Firstly, you must learn (memorise) all the words in the table of tenses. There are 4 columns, all starting with 'P'.

P1 - Present tense (+s or -s) [for now, facts or habits]
P2 - Process (+ing) [takes time to complete]
P3 - Past (+ed or spelling change) [for stories that are over]
P4 - Participle (=ed, spelling change or +n) [for perfect tense and passive sentences]

Here are the common words in English according to the table of tenses.
P1 - P2 - P3 - P4
has/have - having - had - had
goes/go - going - went - gone
gives/give - giving - gave - given
chooses/choose - choosing - chose - chosen
buys/buy - buying - bought - bought
flies/fly - flying - flew - flown
sings/sing - singing - sang - sung
cuts/cut - cutting - cut - cut
puts/put - putting - put - put
becomes/become - becoming - became - become
*smiles/smile - smiling - smiled - smiled
*explains/explain - explaining - explained - explained

* if you notice P3 and P4 looks the same in smiled and explained but they are completely different meanings.
the 4 columns in Malay actually means:
p1 - sekarang
p2 - sedang (imbuhan me-)
p3 - telah
p4 - imbuhan di-
so for 'kick'
kicks/kick - kicking - kicked - kicked
is actually in Malay
tendang - menendang - telah tendang - ditendang.
Get it?

Now for the rules:

1. P1: present
1 +s, >1 -s (except for sentences that start with 'You' or 'I')

1 +s
He likes to eat. (Correct)
He like to eat. (Wrong)
>1 -s
They like to eat. (Correct)
They likes to eat. (Wrong)

1 +s
She is a prefect now. (Correct)
She was a prefect last year too. (Correct)
She are a prefect now. (Wrong)
She were a prefect last year too. (Wrong)

>1 -s
They are prefects now. (Correct)
They were prefects last year too. (Correct)
They is prefects now. (Wrong)
They was prefects last year. (Wrong)

Sometimes the verb is quite far away but the rules still apply.

1 +s
The student reading the biology book is the top student.

>1 -s
The students reading the biology book are the top students.


2. P2: Process (+ing) (imbuhan me-)
If you want to use 'ing' it cannot stand alone
It needs one of the Be5 (am/is/are/was/were)
The 5 versions of Be5 are very important words that are always lost when translating directly from Malay or Chinese as it doesn't exist in these languages.

The baby is sleeping soundly. (Correct)
The baby sleeping soundly. (Wrong)
The babies are sleeping soundly. (Correct)
The babies sleeping soundly. (Wrong)

*notice you need a combination of 2 words to make the process sentences correct!

3. P3: Past (+ed/spelling change)
There is no rule. You have to just memorise all the words in this column.

4. P4: Participle (+ed/spelling change/+n)
This is the trickiest part of English grammar.

There are 2 uses: perfect tenses and passives.

a) Perfect tenses: 3H + P4
if you see the words Has/Have/Had, it MUST be followed by P4.

3H + P4
He has eaten the cake. (Correct)
They have eaten the cake. (Correct)
The boys had eaten the cake yesterday. (Correct)
He has eat the cake. (Wrong)
They have eating the cake. (Wrong)
The boys had ate the cake yesterday. (Wrong)

b) Passive sentences: Be5 + P4 (Imbuhan di-) [kek dimakan, bukannya dia dimakan]
The cake was eaten by him. (Correct)
The cakes were eaten by them. (Correct)
The cake eaten by him. (Wrong)
The cakes eating by them. (Wrong)


Be5 + P4 (don't confuse kicked with P3)
The ball is kicked by him. (Correct)
The balls were kicked by him. (Correct)
The ball kicked by him. (Wrong)
The balls kicking by him. (Wrong)

* Passive sentences are a combination of 2 WORDS: Be5 +P4, not P3. But sometimes if the spelling it +ed, it looks like P3, but the function is actually P4.


5. Other rules:

a) to + ori
to give (correct)
to gives, to giving, to gave, to given (wrong)

b) to + be + P4
to be taken (correct)
to be take, to be takes, to be taking, to be took (wrong)

c) modals: can/cannot/may/must/mustn't/should/shouldn't/will/would etc
modals + ori
can swim (correct)
can swims, can swimming, can swam, can swum (wrong)

d) modals + be + P4
must be discussed (correct)
must be discuss, must be discusses, must be discussing (wrong)

e) by + ing
by taking the bus (correct)
by takes, by take, by took, by taken (wrong)

f) for + ing
for demonstrating (correct)
for demonstrate, for demonstrates, for demonstrated (wrong)

g)
3H + been + P2
has been taking (correct)
has been take, has been takes, has been took (wrong)
or
3H + been + P4
has been taken (correct)

* P2 is used if the process takes a long time,
P4 is used if it is a passive sentence.


NOW THAT YOU KNOW THE RULES, CHALLENGE YOURSELF AND TAKE MY GRAMMAR TEST. YOU WILL FIND THAT KNOWING THE RULES MAKES ANSWERING SO MUCH EASIER.

http://muetmyway.blogspot.com/2010/07/grammar-test.html

WELL... WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Friday, October 7, 2011

MUET Speaking 800/2 sample question.

Submitted by Hui Chuen via FB. (Thanks!)
"I found difficult to generate idea for this speaking question, hope you could help me. Malaysia has achieved a great deal in 50 years of independence. Discuss what has been greatest success.
A-political stability
B-economic success
C-educational excellence
D-racial harmony
especially for economic success, I totally don't know what can I say.."

Anyone wants to attempt? Please comment here. I will provide the suggested answers in my next blog post. :P

Below is a sample answer from 'Immature'. Great job. I've filled it out a bit (CAPITAL LETTERS ARE MY ADDITIONS)

immature said...
A-political stability
*investors will invest in msia economy
- BECAUSE INVESTORS PREFER STABLE COUNTRIES
- E.G. CURRENT RULING GOVT HAS SUCCEEDED IN LURING IN FOREIGN INVESTORS ESP IN ISLAMIC BANKING
*people able to live in peace
- BECAUSE THERE IS MINIMAL RACIAL TENSION
- E.G. ALL RACES LIVE UNDER ONE ROOF IN HARMONY UNLIKE WARRING COUNTRIES LIKE AFGHANISTAN, PALESTINE ETC.
*msia visited by tourists from around the world
- BECAUSE PEOPLE FEEL SAFE VISITING POLITICALLY STABLE COUNTRIES
- E.G. SUCCESS OF VISIT MALAYSIA YEAR CAMPAIGNS MOSTLY DUE TO POLITICAL STABILITY

B-economic success
*there's a lot of msian products being exported to other countries
- BECAUSE WE R ABLE TO INNOVATE NEW PRODUCTS, HIGH DEMAND PRODUCTS
- E.G. PALM OIL (ONE OF THE WORLD'S TOP EXPORTERS), PETROLEUM PRODUCTS & BY-PRODUCTS ETC.
*there's alot income/REVENUE from investors
- BECAUSE INVESTORS PREFER MALAYSIA'S ECONOMY WHICH IS STABLE AND PROMISING
- E.G. MANY INVESTORS IN INDUSTRIALISATION, AGRO-BASED, ISLAMIC BANKING ETC.
*TOURISM REVENUE CONTRIBUTES TO ECONOMIC SUCCESS
- BECAUSE MANY TOURISTS TRAVEL TO MALAYSIA AND INCREASES FOREIGN EXCHANGE INTO OUR COUNTRY
- E.G. GENTING, MEGA SALES, TRAVEL TOURS ETC.


C-educational excellence
* CONSTANT REVISION & UGPRADE OF PRIMARY & SECONDARY SYLLABUS
- BECAUSE WE NEED TO KEEP ABREAST WITH THE LATEST IN TEACHING & LEARNING
- E.G. KBSM REPLACED BY KSSR (STANDARD CURRICULUM FOR PRIMARY EDUCATION)
*many studs achieve great success in SPM & able to further their studies in universities
- BECAUSE STUDENTS HAVE RECEIVED EXCELLENT EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES IN GOVT SCHOOLS AS THEIR FOUNDATION & SUPPORTED BY MANY SCHOLARSHIP & LOAN (PTPTN) PROGRAMS
- E.G. NUMBER OF TERTIARY EDUCATION INTAKE INCREASES EVERY YEAR, MORE STUDENTS CHOOSING TO CONTINUE STUDIES
*many international stud came to study in msia uni
- BECAUSE MALAYSIA AIMS TO BECOME THE REGIONAL EDUCATION HUB
- E.G. BOTH GOVT UNIS (UM, UPM, UKM ETC) AND PRIVATE COLLEGES (TAYLOR'S, INTI, TAR ETC) HAVE MANY INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS


D-racial harmony
*the many races in msia respect and tolerate each otherS' customS & religionS
- BECAUSE MALAYSIAN REALISE THE NEED FOR TOLERANCE & HIGH RESPECT FOR ALL CULTURES
- E.G. MAY 13, 1969 RACIAL RIOTS ARE A GOOD REMINDER WHY WE SHOULD LIVE TOGETHER PEACEFULLY AT ALL TIMES.
*open house during festive seasons(Hari Raya,CNY,Deepavali) are celebrated together
- BECAUSE RACIAL HARMONY PROMOTES MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AND RESPECT FOR ALL RACES
- E.G. THE ATMOSPHERE DURING FESTIVE SEASONS IS GREAT BECAUSE EVERYONE CELEBRATES ALL OCCASIONS
*food-Malay,Chinese,Deepavali enjoy eating each races' traditional food
- BECAUSE THERE IS A HUGE VARIETY OF DELICIOUS FOOD SHARED BY ALL RACES
- E.G. EVEN CHINESE USE HAND TO EAT 'ROTI CANAI', MALAYS & INDIANS ABLE TO USE CHOPSTICKS WELL SHOWS RACIAL HARMONY & ACCEPTANCE OF OTHERS' CULTURES IN TERMS OF FOOD.


"idk what's going on my head?!! the question is difficult.from the 2nd point onwards, i was just typing w/out thinking whthr the elaborations are correct or not"

October 9, 2011 3:56 AM

COMMENT:
1. ALWAYS THINK OF 3 MAIN POINTS AND FOR EVERY POINT, GIVE REASONS AND EXAMPLES.
2. IF YOU CANT ELABORATE ALL WITHIN 2 MINS & U DONT HV CONCLUSION, THERE IS NO PENALTY.. EVEN IF U TALK ABT 1 POINT FOR 2 MINS BUT SUBSTANTIATE IT WELL WITH GOOD JUSTIFICATION AND EXAMPLES, THEN YOU CAN STILL SCORE HIGH MARKS.
3. IMMATURE: WELL DONE... GOOD JOB WITH MOST OF THE POINTS! I'VE JUST ADDED MORE 'MEAT' BASED ON 'FACTS' TO UP THE LEVEL OF YOUR ANSWERS TO BAND 5 & 6 (PERFECT GRAMMAR & AMAZING VOCAB EXPECTED OF BAND 6)

TO THE REST OUT THERE... GOOD LUCK!

Monday, October 3, 2011

MUET SPEAKING 800/2 TIPS

http://muetmyway.blogspot.com/2011/04/speaking-tips-sample-scripts.html

the above is a link to my archive on sample scripts...

anyway, to get your speaking juices going, here are my top tips.

1. Dress well. Smart and neat.
2. Don't forget your IC and slip.
3. Memorise the list of words/phrases that are useful for tasks A & B.
4. When you enter the quarantine room, decide who in your group will start the group discussion and who will end. The one who concludes my start making a conclusion on the 9th minute so pay close attention to your own watch.
5. You will be given one minute to read the question. After that you can ask anything you want. You MUST ask something even if you think you understand because the examiner will try to give you more ideas and you can HEAR the words being spoken so you can adjust your pronunciation.
6. Always smile and look confident even though you feel like a lump of nerves.
7. Divide the blank paper given into 4 quadrants for A, B, C & D. Write your 3 points in your section. Always give 3 main points with reasons and real examples. If you cant describe all 3 points and u have no conclusion, don't panic. NO MARKS WILL BE DEDUCTED. All you have to do is to speak continously for 2 minutes and give as much elaboration as possible. Think of mature ideas. Think of what the individual can do, then what society can do and finally how the government can address the issue if this is relevant to your question.
8. Take notes in the remaining 3 quadrants when your fellow candidates are speaking. You can 'borrow' their ideas for task B.
9. Use the 2 mins prep time for task B to rank your opinions. Which is more important? Example, D, A , C then B is the last choice. Give reasons why A, C & B are NOT THE BEST.
10. Fight (politely) for a chance to speak during the discussion by interrupting in a gentlemanly way. (may i interrupt, can i add something pls.., sorry to intterupt but, pardon me but...etc). However, do not be a control freak and talk too much. On the other hand, do not be a mouse without a voice. Equal opportunity for all to speak and you will get bonus marks for teamwork. If you friend runs out of ideas or forgets a word, offer your opinion. This is what a good discussion is about, sharing ideas and thoughts.
11. When you are blank just 1) repeat what your friends have just said. OR 2) tell your friends you didn't understand their point and could they please repeat it. NEVER be silent for a long time. 3) Just ask the next person what they think instead.
12. If there is plenty of time left, and you have already come to a decision, ask the others their opinion on why the other points ARE NOT SUITABLE. (Why dont we consider candidate A's point? Why do you think it isnt suitable? etc)
13. If your group manages to do a conclusion within 10 minutes, it will be a better discussion. 4/4: we all agree that.. 3/4 most of us agree tha... 2/4 some of use agree that... while others think that... 0/4 NONE of us agree that...
14. If your group DID NOT MANAGE to make a conclusion, dont panic. NO MARKS WILL BE DEDUCTED. In real life, not all conversations have a conclusion.
15. Smile politely and thank the examiners before you leave.


Ok... my next post will be some sample questions from past years. Here is one below for you to practice.


Task A: What makes a good leader?

Candidate A: Knowledgeable
Candidate B: Disciplined
Candidate C: Trustworthy
Candidate D: Visionary

Task B: Which is the most important quality of a good leader?