MUET ESSAY WRITING TEST GUIDE & TIPS

The MUET writing test requires students to transfer information from a non-linear source to a linear
text, as well as to write an essay of at least 350 words on a given topic.

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

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

Common Idioms List

Common Idioms

Definitions

It cost me an arm and a leg to take my trip to Very expensive

Australia.

I was over the moon when he asked me to

marry him.

Extremely pleased or happy

You are taking your IELTS test next week??

Doing or starting something too early
Arent you jumping the gun. Youve only just
started studying.

He comes round to see me once in a blue

moon.

Happening very rarely

Hes got a chip on his shoulder.

Feeling inferior or having a grievance

about something

I reckon getting a band 7 in IELTS will be

a piece of cake! Im very good at English.

Very easy

The money sent by comic relief to help poverty A very small part of something much
in Africa is just a drop in the ocean. They
bigger
need far more than this.

Getting a low score the first time I took IELTS Something positive that isnt
was a blessing in disguise. It forced me to
recognized until later
study extremely hard so I got a much better
score the next time.

We have to actually do something about global Its better to actually do something

warming. Actions speak louder than words. rather than just talking about it

I bumped into Jenny in town the other day. It's Meeting someone you would not
a small world.
have expected to

Common Idioms

Definitions

Oh well, I got 5.5 in IELTS again.Back to the

drawing board!

When an attempt to do something

fails and it's time to start all over
again using different methods

I hate my job so much I cant bare going to

Having two very bad choices.
work, but if I quit I dont think I can get another
job. Im really stuck / caught between a rock (note: stuck/caught can be omitted)
and a hard place.

I have to bite my tongue so I dont say what I Wanting to say something but
really think of him!
stopping yourself.

Come on, cut to the chase. We havent got all Leave out all the unnecessary details
day!
and just get to the point

Are you putting all of your savings into that

company? Dont put all your eggs in one
basket.

Putting all of ones resources into one

possibility

Try not to worry about it. Every cloud has a

silver lining.

Believing that every bad situation

has a positive side / eventually leads
to something good

It was difficult when I moved to another

country but I eventuallyfound my feet.

To become comfortable in what you

are doing

My parents are very fixed in their ways. They Not wanting to change from the
wont start using the internet.
normal ways of doing things

I think he got up on the wrong side of the

bed this morning. He is in a terrible mood.

To refer to someone who is having a

bad day

My mother will always go the extra mile to

help people.

Doing much more than is required

when doing something

Common Idioms

Definitions

I think youve hit the nail on the head. Thats Say exactly the right thing
the reason he didnt get the job.

Todays going so badly. If its not one thing,

its the other.

When everything seems to be going

wrong

I just said it in the heat of the moment. I was Saying or doing something suddenly
angry. I know I shouldnt have.
without thinking about it

Keep an eye on him. I think he may cheat in

the exam.

Watch someone or something

carefully

Have you heard? John down the road

has kicked the bucket.

Died

I dont want to argue with him again. Its better Avoid a conflict
to let sleeping dogs lie.

I told him what gift you have bought him for his Tell someone something that you
birthday. Sorry, I didnt mean to let the cat out were not supposed to
of the bag.

Dont tell her what you really think of her if

Hurt or upset someone who is
shes helping you with your English! Dont bite helping you
the hand that feeds you.

Im not sure which party he is going to vote for. Not making a firm decision between
Hes sitting on the fence.
different choices

Everything she does is very over the top. She Excessive

cant just have a few drinks se has to get
really drunk.

Common Idioms

Definitions

Lets keep studying for IELTS.Practice makes Continuously doing something to

perfect.
improve

Dont get upset about what he said. Hes

just pulling your leg.

Joking around

Sorry but I think Ill take a rain checkon that.

To decline an offer that you will take

up later

As a rule of thumb, I dont study at weekends. Principal that is strictly adhered /

I spend the time with my family.
kept to

I can smell a rat. He said he has a PhD but he To sense that something is not right
cant even remember which university he
studied at.

Shes the spitting image of her mother.

To look exactly like someone else

The ball's in your court now. What are you

going to do?

Telling someone it's now their turn to

make a decision

Unfortunately I think hell be studying for

IELTS until the cows come home. His
English is very poor.

For a very long time

It was all tongue-in-cheek. He didnt really

mean what he said.

Something said in humour rather

than seriously

Shes feeling under the weathertoday so she Unwell

wont be going to work.

Common Idioms

Definitions

We've had some big disagreements over the years, Things from the past that are not
but its all water under the bridge now. We get on important anymore
fine.

You are what you eat so its better to have a

healthy diet.

If you eat bad food, youll be

unhealthy, if you eat good food,
youll be healthy

You cant judge a book by its cover. I need to get The belief that outside
to know him before I decide what he is like.
appearances do not reveal what
someone or something is really like

We're really working against the clock now. We

must hurry.

Not having enough time to do

something

Why are we bothering? We'reflogging a dead

Attempting to continue with
horse. Our online business is making no money, so something that is finished / over
we should move on and do something else.

I bent over backwards to help him. I hope he

appreciates it.

Doing all you can to help someone

So you have the IELTS test today??Break a leg.

Good luck

Ok, I'm playing devil's advocatehere, but if

marijuana is legalized, isn't it more likely young
people will smoke it?

To put forward a side in an

argument that may not be your
own in order to show the counterargument / ensure all sides are
discussed

Hold your horses! We haven't won anything yet.

Telling someone who is getting

ahead of themselves to wait / be
patient
Annoying or irritating somebody

She is driving me up the wall. She won't stop

talking.

Practice: http://www.ieltsbuddy.com/idioms-practice.html

My dream car is the Ferrari. Ferrari has always been a symbol of speed and prestige
and elegance. It has even been described as a passion on wheels. Owning a Ferrari
means that you have arrived in style. But of course it is not easy. Only the very rich can
even dream of owning a Ferrari. The Ferrari is the brainchild of Enzo Ferrari, an Italian
who started his career as a small carmaker and soon took up car racing.
The 125 Sport was the first ever Ferrari motorcar. Enzo Ferrari did not intend to build
road cars, when he formed the Scuderia Ferrari in 1929. He did this as a sponsorship
for amateur drivers. After World War I, Ferrari became a driver on the Alfa-Romeo team.
Following a victory at Ravenna, the family of Francesco Baracca, a World War I fighter
pilot for the Italian air force, presented him with a small charred plaque. Baracca had
died in combat and the plaque was one of the surviving remnants of his plane. It
contained their family crest, a black horse on a yellow shield. This prancing horse
became the symbol of Ferrari and it appeared on all the cars he drove.

Even today it can be seen on the distinctive red racing Ferraris and the touring cars he
makes for the public. The Ferrari has been featured in many films and television shows.
The Ferrari 250 GT California was seen in Ferris Buellers Day Off, the Ferrari 512
was in the 1971 film Le Mans with Steve McQueen, the Ferrari Mondial was in Weird
Science, the Ferrari Daytona appeared in Miami Vice and a replica of the Ferrari F430
was used in the Pixar movie Cars.
In a truly extraordinary and record-setting partnership between man and machine,
Michael Schumacher and Ferrari dominated the Formula One races, winning the World
Drivers Championship from 2000 through 2004 and the Constructors Championship
from 1999 through 2004. Among four wheelers, it is simply the ultimate in style and
power and that is why it is my dream car.

When most people think about their dream car, they imagine cars such as a Ferrari,
Lamborghini, Porsche, Mercedes, Lexus, etc. However, some people like to keep it simple. I am
one of those people. I do not dream about fancy cars, I dream about a car that fits both my
current and future needs. My dream car is a Ford Fusion Hybrid Titanium. This is my dream car
because of three reasons. Those reasons include style, fuel economy, and technology.
The Ford Fusion Hybrid Titanium is drop-dead gorgeous. It has both a sporty and stylish
look. Its sporty look makes it popular and trendy. It is something that a person in their mid-20s,
such as me, would want to not only drive, but own. Its stylish look makes it luxurious. Even
though it looks luxurious, it does not come with a hefty price tag.
Aside from its eye-catching style, the Ford Fusion Hybrid Titanium has outstanding fuel
economy. It gets an estimated 47 miles per gallon, for both city and highway. When you are a
graduate student, it is important to have a vehicle that has good fuel economy, because you have
to travel to campus, to your practicum site, and sometimes to other locations for your practicum
site. All of that travel adds up and takes a toll on the amount of gas you have in your tank and
the amount of money you have in your wallet. For people on a budget, outstanding fuel
economy eases some of the stress those people experience.
Even though style and fuel economy is important, in this technological day and age, it is
also important to have impressive technological features. The Ford Fusion Hybrid Titanium
includes many technological features, but I will focus on three. First, it has a rearview camera
and rearview sensing system. When you have to park in crowded parking lots, it helps when you
have features in your car that ease the stress of backing up. Second, it has active park
assist. When the only parking spot available in volves parallel parking, it helps when you have
assistance with it, especially when you hate parallel parking. Finally, it has hands-free
calling/radio and navigation capabilities. When you need to make a call or change the radio
station, it helps to have a hands-free feature so you can be safe and reduce distraction. Also,
when you are not sure where you are going, it helps to have a navigation feature to help guide
you to your destination.
In conclusion, when you are a graduate student and/or on a budget, it is important to have
realistic dreams. I believe having my dream car being the Ford Fusion Hybrid Titanium is
realistic, because it is attainable and does not have to stay just a dream. Even though an exotic
car would be nice, my dream car is fairly simple and easily attainable.