FINAL EXAMINATION

AUGUST 2016 SEMESTER

COURSE : ACADEMIC WRITING SKILLS

COURSE CODE : CES 2223
DURATION : 3 HOURS
FACULTY : EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
PROGRAMME : B.ED. (HONS.) TESL
LECTURER : MD. ZAWAWI SHAMROZ

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES

This paper consists of two (2) sections:

Section A – 8 questions (structured questions)

Section B – 1 question (essay question)

Answer all questions in Section A and Section B.

All answers of:

Section A and B must be answered in answer booklet provided.

The answer for each question must start on a new page.

Candidates are NOT ALLOWED to bring any unauthorized items into the exam hall
except with the permission of your invigilator.

Do Not Open the Question Paper Until Instructed

This Question Paper Consists of Six (6) Printed Pages

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SECTION A : STRUCTURED QUESTIONS (60 MARKS)

ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS

1. State whether the following statements are True ( / ) or False ( X ).

a. A topic sentence serves as the guide of what to write in a paragraph.
b. A paragraph is supported by many details.
c. The thesis statement is required in the introduction of an essay.
d. The hook or attention getter is in the body paragraphs of an essay.
e. A topic sentence only contains a topic.

(5 marks)

2. Formulate a research question for each of the general topics below.

a. Business
b. Social
c. Transportation
(6 marks)

3. Read the set of sentences below and identify their topic sentence. Write the topic
sentence that you have identified in the answer booklet.

a. This style of writing is now considered old-fashioned and rather stuffy but many
people still think it is the correct way to write. Old fashioned phrases not only
sound artificial, they are also often unclear. In the past, people were taught to
write for business purposes using a certain style of language.
(3 marks)

b. Consumers must be assured that their jobs are safe and incomes will, if not rise, at
least remain stable. Investors need to know that business plans and investment
projects will not go awry. Yet, so many of the arguments about the 2017 budget
are on the minutiae of the here and now. Budgets are also forward-oriented
documents.
(3 marks)

c. As Muslims, they are obligated to fast but at the same time, doing so may result in
health issue. The fasting month can be a challenge to those who suffer chronic
illnesses. Sahur, the meal eaten just before dawn, should be taken as late as
possible just before Imsak to avoid unnecessary prolonged fasting.

(3 marks)

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4. Write a good thesis statement for the following paragraphs.

a. Gold, a precious metal is prized for two important characteristics. First of all, gold
has a lustrous beauty that is resistant to corrosion. Therefore, it is suitable for
jewelry, coins and ornamental purposes. Gold never needs to be polished and will
remain beautiful forever. For example, a Macedonian coin remains as untarnished
today as the day it was made 25 centuries ago. Another important characteristic of
gold is its usefulness to industry and science. For many years, it has been used in
hundreds of industrial applications such as photography and dentistry. The most
recent use of gold is in astronauts suits. They wear gold-plated heat shields for
protection when they go outside spaceships in space.
(4 marks)

b. The Eskimos, living in a treeless region of snow and ice sometimes build
temporary homes out of thick blocks of ice. People who live in deserts, on the
other hand, use the most available materials, mud or clay, which provide good
insulation from the heat. In northern Europe, Russia and other areas of the world
where forests are plentiful, people usually construct their homes out of wood. In
the islands of the South Pacific where there is an abundant supply of bamboo and
palm, people use these tough fibrous plants to build their homes.
(4 marks)

5. Write a good concluding sentence for the following paragraphs.

a. Modern communication technology is driving workers in the corporate world

crazy. They feel buried under the large number of messages they receive daily. In
addition to phone calls, office workers receive dozens of e-mail and voice mail
messages a day. As they do not have enough time to respond to these messages
during office hours, it is common for them to do so in the evenings or on
weekends at home.

(4 marks)

b. You can be a good conversationalist by being a good listener. When you are
conversing with someone, pay close attention to the speaker’s words while
looking at his or her face. Show your interest by smiling and nodding.
Furthermore, do not interrupt while someone is speaking as it is impolite to do
so.If you have a good story, wait until the speaker is finished. Also, watch your
body language; it can affect your communication whether you are the speaker or
the listener.
(4 marks)

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6. Provide the thesis statement and THREE (3) main points for each of the following
topic.

a. Explain the decline in public speaking ability among university undergraduates.

Points :

i) __________________________________________________________

ii) __________________________________________________________

iii) __________________________________________________________

Thesis statement : _________________________________________________

(5 marks)

b. Discuss the effects of weakening economy on a country like Malaysia.

Points :

i) __________________________________________________________

ii) __________________________________________________________

iii) __________________________________________________________

Thesis statement : _________________________________________________

(5 marks)

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7. Paraphrase the following sentences as in text citations.

a. Business etiquette refers to the unwritten rules that enable people to get along
harmoniously with each other at work and in work-related situations. Having
good business etiquette will help you make the people you come into contact with
more comfortable and leave them with a good impression of you as a person and
of the company you work for.
(From:“Communication Skills for the Workplace”, By Nor Azni Abdullah 2008; 10)
(4 marks)

b. More is worse! That about sums up the state of graduate employability. At 90

per cent subsidy, education in public institutions of higher learning is so easily
accessible that we have 1.2 million students in them. With some 40,000 Students
graduating annually, just as many go unemployed upon graduation. This is a
sheer waste of human capital.
(From: “Strategies to improve graduate employability”, by Prof. Datuk Anthony Xavier,
New Straits Times, Mon June 29, 2015)
(4 marks)

8. For the items below, write the appropriate citation based on the American
Psychological Association (APA) format.

a. Title : English for Business

Personal Author: R.G.Mellor
ISBN: Nil
Publication: Logophon Lehrmittel Year: 1994
Physical Description: xi, 265 p; 24cm
Subject Term: Language Arts – Business Comm.
(3 marks)

b. OIC Today: Pioneering Islamic Intra-Trade, 2010 Vol. 26, 8-54,

www.muslimsbig.com.my NM-TRLA Publishing Bhd.
Dr. Raja Mohamad Kuala Lumpur
(3 marks)

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SECTION B : ESSAY QUESTION (40 MARKS)

ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS

You are required to write an argumentative essay titled “Should university students
engage themselves in doing on-line business while they are still pursuing their
degree”.

a. Design a sentential outline as shown below to make your essay well-organised.

Thesis statement : _________________________________________________

1. Topic sentence 1 : ______________________________________________

I. Supporting detail 1 : ___________________________________

II. Supporting detail 2 : ____________________________________

III. Supporting detail 3 : ___________________________________

2. Topic sentence 2 : ______________________________________________

I. Supporting detail 1 : ___________________________________

II. Supporting detail 2 : ___________________________________

III. Supporting detail 3 : ___________________________________

3. Topic sentence 3 : ______________________________________________

I. Supporting detail 1 : ___________________________________

II. Supporting detail 2 : ___________________________________

III. Supporting detail 3 : ___________________________________

Conclusion : ___________________________________________________

(15 marks)

b. Using the above outline, write an academic essay of NOT less than 550 words.
(25 marks)

END OF QUESTION PAPER

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