MUET ESSAY WRITING TEST GUIDE & TIPS

Exam paper code: 800/4

Exam duration: 90 minutes
Total weightage: 25%

The MUET writing test is to access candidates on their ability to:

1.

Transfer information

2.

Write with good grammar

3.

Analyze graphic information. It may come in one of these five forms:

Line graph

Bar graph

Pie chart

Table

Diagram illustrating process

4.

Voice their opinions through words/written form

5.

Think critically

Below is an exercise for you to start practicing. The following question has been taken from
the MUET Tuition blog, where you can find more sample tests and more relevant
information.

Task 1 Report Writing (40 marks)

You are given 40 minutes to complete this task
Study and analyze the graphic information
Describe the information or the process in a report format
Write between 150 200 words

Sample question:
The chart shows how students on all courses at a Malaysian university viewed different
subjects on a scale of easy to difficult. You should write 150 to 200 words.

Sample answer:
How Students on All Courses at a Malaysian University View Different Subjects According
to Different Levels of Difficulty
The bar chart shows how students who are studying in a Malaysian university rate different
subjects according to its difficulty easy, moderately difficult or difficult.
The subject which was most commonly rated as difficult was math, by 70% of the
total students. While only 20% of students saw it as easy. Physics was also largely judged to
be a difficult or moderately difficult subject. Only 25% of students viewed it as easy. By
contrast, chemistry was regarded as easy by a massive 70% of students.
As far as language subjects are concerned, languages in general were seen as easy by
40% of students. This percentage dropped to 20% for oriental languages. African languages,
however, were viewed as easy by 60% of students. Next, Art was rated to be an easy subject
by only 30% of students and like Physics, 50% rated it as difficult.
In conclusion, there seems to be no clear correspondence between the type of subject
and whether it was generally rated as easy or difficult.
(168 words)

Tips for Task 1:

A title MUST be written

Title MUST be underlined

 Write a minimum of 3 paragraphs (Introduction, body and conclusion). Students can also
write 2 paragraphs for body.)

Task 2 Extended Writing (60 marks)

Write an essay NOT LESS THAN 350 words based on the given topic
You are given 50 minutes to complete this task
Your essay may be written in these styles:
-

Analytical

Descriptive

Persuasive

Argumentative

Past Year Exam Questions:

Year End 2008
"People are becoming more materialistic. They are concerned with making more money and
what money can buy." What is your opinion on being materialistic? You should write at least
350 words.
Mid 2009
Information and communications technology (ICT) is the cause of today's many social ills.
What is your opinion? Support your answers with examples. You should write at least 350
words.
Year End 2009
People commit crime for selfish reasons. Discuss. You should write at least 350 words.
Mid 2010
The world today is turning more to electronic communications such as the e-mail, Facebook
and short Message System (SMS). What is your opinion of this growing trend? Discuss. You
should write at least 350 words.
Year End 2010
In an arranged marriage, the choice of a husband or wife is made by parents or elders. What
do you think of this practice in today's society? Discuss. You should write at least 350 words.

Mid 2011
The most valuable thing in life is friendship. Do you agree? Discuss. You should write at least
350 words.

Tips:

Dont write statements that are too general. Back up your statements with facts. If youre
aiming at scoring Band 5 or Band 6, you are expected to have a high level of critical thinking.
Have at least 5 paragraphs

1.

Introduction

- State the current situation

- State if you agree or disagree with the statement/topic, and why.

2.

First point

Key point

Elaboration

Examples

3.

Second point

Key point

Elaboration

Examples

4.

Third point

Key point

Elaboration

Examples

5.

Conclusion

State why you agree/disagree once more

What can the government/individual/society do?

Use these tools to help with your critical thinking:

1.

The short term, midterm, and long term effect

Example: Smoking

Short term = Bad breath/yellow teeth

Midterm = Affordability/waste of money

Long term = Health problems such as lung cancer

2.

Individual, society, and government

Example: Recycling

Individual = Practice the 3Rs (Reduce, reuse, recycle)

Society = Community collection/fund raising

Government = Hold recycling campaigns