MUET MOMENTS: Lesson 20: Sample reading test

By DR KOH SOO LING

Sample MUET reading test

QUESTIONS 1-5 are based on the following passage.

Secret of restful slumber

It is  probably one of the most frequently asked questions. Does pain cause poor sleeping patterns or is it the other way around?

According to Robert Oexman, it works both ways. “People who suffer from pain won’t have a good night’s sleep because they keep tossing and turning. However, healthy people who are deprived of a good sleep will suffer from pain such as joint pain.”

Oexman, the director of United States-based Sleep To Live Institute, says millions of people who suffer from poor sleeping patterns will resort to medication. Unfortunately, many end up dependent on the drugs, which can, at times, lead to death.

Science has proven that deep, restorative sleep can help awaken one’s full potential. Sufficient quality sleep is essential. Concentration improves, memory gets better, and at a cellular level, your body repairs damage caused by stress throughout the day.

In other words, your body recharges and rejuvenates. Unfortunately, many people suffer from poor sleeping patterns due to various reasons such as pain and sleeping on hard and lumpy mattresses. Contrary to popular thinking, napping during the day for a long period of time is also unhealthy as you need to consolidate your sleep at night.

Although medication will help you sleep, it is only for the short-term. In the long term, you need cognitive behavioural therapy that looks at the various reasons why you cannot sleep. It can be the mattress, temperature, noise or light in your bedroom or even a snoring partner. If someone has lower back pain, then maybe they need to get a soft mattress. For ruptured discs, they may need surgery.

Source: www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/Health_Secretofrestfulslumber/Article#ixzz0ou607vB6

1. One negative _______________ of using medication to overcome poor sleeping patterns is that patients will resort to medication is a dependence on such drugs.
A. perspective
B.  consequence
C. pre-requisite
D. symptom

2. Science has proven that deep, _______________ sleep can help awaken one’s full potential.
A. recuperative
B. long
C. disturbed
D. regular

3. The writer points out that it is _________ to have sufficient sleep to ensure improved concentration, better memory and body damage repair.
A. unnecessary
B. imperative
C. recommended
D. possible

4. Napping during the day for a long period of time is also unhealthy as you need to consolidate your sleep at night. This is contrary to popular thinking that we should ___________________
during the day.
A. take short naps
B. take long naps
C. not nap
D. nap as often as possible In paragraph four, factors that can cause poor

5. sleep are
A. external
B. internal
C. both external and internal
D. behavioural

Source: Learning Curve - New Straits Times

MUET MOMENTS: Lesson 19: Sample reading test paper part 2

By DR KOH SOO LING

Sample reading test paper part 2
Questions 1-5 are based on the following passage.

Health: Help for heavies

With 43.11 per cent of the Malaysian population being overweight or obese, it is no surprise that there is an obesity clinic at Putrajaya Hospital.

Fazli was a chubby and cute toddler. Now, he has grown fat.

“I was always hungry so I kept eating. I was the fattest in my class,” he bemoaned. He was always ridiculed by his friends for being obese, and for not being able to keep up with them when walking or taking part in physical activities. He was 220kg at age 22. “My movements were restricted as I could not sit in a bus comfortably and I had difficulty getting in and out of taxis,” he said. He also suffered obesity-related health problems, so he sought help.

Doctors at a government hospital in one of the northern states referred him to Putrajaya Hospital’s Obesity Clinic two years ago. He arrived in an ambulance and consultant endocrinologist Dr Masni Mohamad was entrusted with the task of helping him.

“I had to assess him thoroughly on his first visit, which included evaluation of potential obesity-related diseases within history, physical examinations and laboratory tests. I had to get his weight history, and his eating and activity behaviour besides searching for trigger factors, including medications,” said Dr Masni, one of the pioneers at the clinic which opened in 2005 for just once a month and later twice a month.

Besides surgery, Fazli was put on a diet and physical exercise regime and finally started to lose weight. He is now 120kg and is still working hard to lose more weight.

The incidence of being overweight and obesity is rising globally, affecting virtually all ages and socio-economic groups. In 2006, the National Health & Morbidity Survey revealed that 29 per cent of adult Malaysians were overweight (Body Mass Index more than 25kg/m2) and 14 per cent were obese (Body Mass Index more than 30kg/m2)

Source: www.nst.com.my/nst/ar ticles/Health_Helpforheavies/Article/#ixzz0ou69lCDd

1. The opening sentence of the passage “With 43.11 per cent of the Malaysian population being overweight or obese, it is no surprise that there is an obesity clinic at Putrajaya Hospital” follows a __________________ pattern.
A. Chronological
B. Problem-Solution
C. Topical

2. Another word for “bemoaned” is
A. grumbled
B. lamented
C. argued

3. Which of the following is INCORRECT? Fazli …….
A. could not travel with ease
B. suffered health problems
C. was immobile

4. The hospital opened the Obesity clinic twice a month probably because
A. obesity is a fatal disease
B. there were many referrals from all over the country
C. there was an increase in medical staff

5. Which of the following was NOT a recommended procedure for treating Fazli’s
obesity?
A. surgery
B. exercise
C. alternative medicine

NEXT WEEK: Sample reading test paper part 3

ANSWERS:
1. B 2. B 3. C 4. B 5. C

Source: Learning Curve - New Straits Time

MUET MOMENTS: Lesson 18: Sample reading test paper part 1

Sample reading test paper part 1

Questions 1 to 6 are based on the information below:

1. This chart shows the relative size of populations of European Union countries in 1998 and 2007.
A. True
B. False
C. Not stated


2. We can examine any population percentage change from 1998 to 2007.
A. True
B. False
C. Not stated

3. All population percentage changes are significant as they amount to more than one per cent.
A. True
B. False
C. Not stated

4. Both Germany’s and Poland’s populations share of the European Union’s Population fell from 1998 to 2007 because of migration.
A. True
B. False
C. Not stated

5. The largest growth in population share was that of Spain which increased its share from 8.3 to 9 per cent.
A. True
B. False
C. Not stated

6. Ger many’s population fell and France’s population grew within the years shown.
A. True
B. False
C. Not stated

NEXT WEEK: Sample reading test paper part 2

ANSWERS:
1. A
2. A
3. B
4. C
5. A
6. B

Source: Learning Curve - New Straits Times

MUET MOMENTS: Lesson 17: Writing Skills II

 By DR KOH SOO LING

Writing Skills II
For the second writing task of the test paper, you are expected to write an essay of not less than 350 words.

Basic rules
> You need to read the question carefully to see what is required. You may need to define, describe, classify, compare, contrast, explain or show cause and effect.

> Plan your time. Make sure you have set aside some time to:

— study the question and write out the points
— write the essay
— check the essay

> Brainstorm for ideas. Organise the points in a logical manner.

The following are some organisational patterns that you can follow:
— Linear order
— Chronological order
— Problem-solution order
— Cause-effect order
— Topical order

> Put your ideas into an outline. There should be an introduction, a body and a conclusion. Make sure there is a strong introduction and a neat conclusion.

Make use of linkers or discourse markers to connect the ideas in your essay. (Examples of linkers are: firstly, secondly, next and consequently)

> Once you have finished writing your draft, go through the essay again to check for spelling and grammatical errors.

Example

You are advised to spend about 50 minutes on this task.

Shyness is one negative characteristic that affects young people. What steps would a shy person need to take to overcome this problem? Your essay must be at
least 350 words in length.

NEXT WEEK: Sample reading test paper, part 1

ANSWER:

Introduction
Ask yourself this: do you become nervous when you are in the spotlight?
Strangers make some people shudder and the simple thought of talking in front of
people makes them freeze. Interestingly enough, this is a common phenomenon and many people in the world suffer from mild to extreme shyness and are struggling
to overcome it.

Body
> List the occasions that a person may be overwhelmed by shyness, for example learning a new skill, venturing into a new situation, trying to get to know new people. Once you have a list of 10 stressful situations, start dealing with them, one by one, starting with the “easier” situations.

> Try to pinpoint the thoughts before shyness hits and vocalise some “I” statements that you can repeat to yourself: “I can do this”, “I look good” and “I have something to offer”, for example.

> Build your self-confidence. Concentrate on what you know, what you can do and what you have accomplished.

> Look and act approachable. Have an open and friendly attitude. Smile and make eye contact.

> Set goals for yourself.

Conclusion
It is important to follow rules, but do not be overly ruled by them. Try not to overobsess about what everyone thinks about you. People usually prefer fun and
exciting people.

Source: Learning Curve - New Straits Times

MUET MOMENTS: Lesson 16: Writing Skills I

By DR KOH SOO LING



Writing skills I
For the first question, you will have to write a short article of about 150-200 words.

You will be given information from a variety of sources. Look at the example below:

Question 1
Study: Parenting style reduces child’s risk of depression and anxiety

Subjects of Study: 214 children and their mothers
Period of Study: 3 years

“This study moves away from the one-size-fits-all approach to parenting, and gives specific advice to parents on how to mitigate their child’s anxiety and depression,” says Cara Kiff, a psychology resident at the University of Washington School of Medicine in the United States.

“We hear a lot about over-involved parents, like “tiger mums” and “helicopter

parents”. It is parents’ instinct to help and support their children in some way, but it’s not always clear how to intervene in the best way, ” says Liliana Lengua, a psychology professor.

You are advised to spend about 40 minutes on this task.

NEXT WEEK: Writing skills II

ANSWER:
Question 1
Matching your parenting style to your child’s personality can greatly reduce the
youngster’s risk of depression and anxiety, researchers say.

The three-year study of 214 children and their mothers revealed that a good match between parenting styles and the child’s personality reduced the child’s risk of depression and anxiety symptoms.

Basically, the three types of parenting style are authoritarian, permissive and
authoritative. Children who have authoritarian mothers are more likely to be anxious or depressed, do well academically and are not engaged in antisocial activities.

Children who have permissive mothers lack emotional control skills, are defiant when desires are challenged and do not handle problems well. In difficult situations, authoritative mothers help but do not take over. They aid their children in learning to navigate problems on their own.

This study moves away from other traditional studies on parenting, and provides
advice to parents on how to monitor their child’s anxiety and depression.

Source: Learning Curve - New Straits Times

MUET MOMENTS: Lesson 15: Main idea, topic sentence and supporting details

By DR KOH SOO LING

Main idea, topic sentence and supporting details
What is the main idea?
The main idea is the most important piece of information the author wants the reader to know.

The main idea is the “key concept” of the text. Supporting details are essential because they tell you how, what, when, where, why, how much, or how many things are related to the main idea.

When you find the topic, main idea and supporting details, you will then be able to understand the point(s) the writer is attempting to express. When a student can identify the relationship between topics, main ideas and details, he is able to comprehend better.

In narrative text, the main idea is the overall theme of the story. Characters’ actions, motives, problems and personalities all contribute to the overall theme(s) of the story. If the reader has a similar experience as that expressed in the text, he will be able to have a richer reading experience.

What is the topic sentence?
The topic sentence with explicit information on the main idea can be found:
- at the beginning of the paragraph
- in the middle or
- at the end

What are supporting details?
- These are details or sentences that work together to communicate the main idea.
- Supporting details can be descriptions, definitions, examples, elaboration or
exploration of the main idea.

Practice
There are two key reasons why Germany cannot allow the euro to collapse. Germany
is the second-largest exporting nation on Earth and a major downturn in this market would spell disaster for many leading German firms. However, the larger concern is what would happen if the eurozone itself broke up and Germany returns to its national currency — the Deutschmark — which would rise in value against other currencies, leaving German exporters at a critical disadvantage. Germany has no choice but to bear the brunt of the rescue packages to its neighbours.

1. Topic Sentence: ___________________________________________________

2. Main Idea: _______________________________________________________

3. Supporting Sentences:
a. _________________________________________________________________
b. _________________________________________________________________

NEXT WEEK: Writing skills I

ANSWERS:
1. Topic Sentence: There are two key reasons why Germany cannot allow the euro to collapse.

2. Main Idea: Germany has no choice but to bear the brunt of the rescue packages to its neighbours.

3. Supporting details: Germany is the second-largest exporting nation on Earth and a major downturn in this market would spell disaster for many leading German firms.

However, the larger concern is what would happen if the eurozone itself broke up and Germany returns to its national currency — the Deutschmark — which would rise in value against other currencies leaving German exporters at a critical disadvantage.

Source: Learning Curve - New Straits Times

MUET MOMENTS: Lesson 14: Deriving meaning from contextual clues

By DR KOH SOO LING

Deriving meaning from contextual clues
The use of contextual clues helps to improve students’ reading skills. Checking the dictionary in order to understand each word slows down the process of reading. Realising that a text can be understood in a general sense by using contextual clues can go a long way towards helping students cope with increasingly difficult texts. The use of contextual clues can also provide a means by which students can rapidly increase their existing vocabulary base.

For example: Most eskers are argued to have formed within ice-walled tunnels by streams which flowed within and under glaciers. They tended to form around the time of the glacial maximum when the glacier was slow and sluggish.

After the retaining ice walls melted away, stream deposits remained as long winding ridges.

In order to find out what the unknown word “eskers” is, we can make use of the following reading clues.

1. Deduction — What is the paragraph about? Which words does the unknown word seem to relate to? The paragraph is about a certain kind of physical formation. The word “eskers” seems to be related to streams, glaciers, stream deposits and winding ridges.

2. Part of Speech — Which part of speech is the unknown word? Is it a verb, noun, preposition, adjective, time expression or something else? The word “eskers” is a noun.

3. Chunking — What do the words around the unknown word(s) mean? How does/do the unknown word(s) relate to those words? This is basically deduction on a more local level.

The words around “eskers” describe glacial landscape.

4. Vocabulary Activation — When quickly skimming through the text, what does the text seem to concern? Does the layout (design) of the text give any clues? Does the publication or type of book give any clues to what the text might be about? Which words can you think of that belong to this vocabulary category? The text seems to be concerned about a certain type of glacial formation. Therefore, “eskers” would probably mean long winding ridges of stratified sand and gravel, examples of which occur in glaciated and formerly glaciated regions.

Practice
What do the underlined words mean? A bog is a wetland that accumulates acidic peat, a deposit of dead plant material — often mosses, or, in Arctic climates, lichens.

Bogs occur where the water at the ground surface is acidic, either from acidic groundwater, or where water is derived entirely from precipitation, when they are termed “ombrotrophic”. Water flowing out of bogs has a character istic brown colour, from dissolved peat tannins. Bogs are very sensitive habitats, of high importance for biodiversity. There are extensive bogs in Canada and Alaska (called muskeg). There are also bogs in Patagonia and the Falkland Islands in the southern hemisphere.

a. accumulates ________________________
b. ombrotrophic _________________________
c. characteristic __________________________
d. extensive __________________________

ANSWERS: a. collects b. rain-fed c. distinct d. large

Source: Learning Curve - New Straits Times

MUET MOMENTS: Lesson 13: Distinguishing facts from opinions

By DR KOH SOO LING

Distinguishing facts from opinions
Opinions can be influenced by the stories that you hear, the ethics that you hold or the perceptions that you have. When you feel strongly about an issue, you form an opinion about it. You can identify an opinion when you see words  such as presumably, maybe, could have been, believe and feel.

Facts, however, are true, proven and can be verified by authoritative sources or statistics.

Below are some of the ways we can express opinions or facts.

Opinions:                                                                      
1. I feel that…………….                                                       
2. I think that…………….
3. It could be true that…………… 
4. You may argue that……………….
5. In my opinion………..
6. From your point of view………..

Example of a report based on facts:

Singer and actress Whitney Houston, winner of six Grammy Awards including record of the year for I Will Always Love You and album of the year for The Bodyguard, has died at age 48. Houston was found dead in the bathtub of her hotel room, ABC news reported, citing paramedics who had rushed to the singer’s aid but found her “lifeless”.

She died hours before she was expected to perform at record producer Clive Davis’ annual pre-Grammy party, which is held at the Beverly Hilton. Houston became one of the most celebrated female singers of all time,  winning multiple Emmy and Billboard Music awards.

Her popularity soared in the 1980s and 1990s with hits including the smash single I Will Always Love You from the soundtrack of the The Bodyguard, in which she starred.

Houston was inspired to sing as a child by soul singers in her New Jersey family, including mother Cissy and cousins Dionne Warwick and the late Dee Dee Warwick. By the early 1990s, Houston reigned as the queen of pop, but her critical and commercial success on stage was accompanied by an increasingly troubled personal life. — Source: www.rte.ie/news/2012/0212/houstonw.html

Example of a response to the report based on a person’s opinion:

“It’s really, really horrible,” Simon Cowell said in an interview with Heart FM. “She was a delight to work with.” Speaking of her infamous appearance on the British X Factor in 2009, he said: “She probably wasn’t altogether there but it was still Whitney Houston and you knew you were in the presence of a legend. I’ll never forget that day.”

Next week: Deriving meanings of words from contextual clues

Practice
Below are some statements about Justin Timberlake. Identify which are facts (F) and which are opinions (O).

1. Justin Randall Timberlake is a singer who came to fame as a vocalist in the pop band N’Sync.
2. Timberlake is the most successful singer in America.
3. In 2002, Timberlake released his first solo album, Justified, to widespread critical acclaim and impressive sales.
4. Timberlake later gained attention for his relationship with Britney Spears.
5. Some people feel that Timberlake is notorious for his onstage antics.
6. He also appeared in the films Alpha Dog, Black Snake Moan, Richard Kelly's Southland Tales, and voiced Prince Artie Pendragon in the animated film Shrek the Third, released on May 18, 2007. 

Source: Learning Curve - New Straits Times

MUET MOMENTS: Lesson 12: Speaking Skills II

By Dr Koh Soo Ling

SPEAKING SKILLS II                                             
When carrying out this task, one of the students in the group can assume the role as of the leader. He is the one who spearheads the discussion, guides its flow of the discussion and concludes the discussionit. As students listen to other candidates presenting their individual speaking tasks, they can take down notes for task B. Always remember that it is necessary to come to a consensus at the end of the discussion. Decide which suggestion that has been put forward is the best.

In the course of putting forth suggestions, make use of the following skills:
1. Ask for clarification.
2. Give your reasons for suggesting an idea.
3. Reject other suggestions politely.
4. Repeat your strongest point.
5. Get everyone in the group to come to a decision.

Situation:
Many young people yearn to feel more confident in various situations in life. Suggest ways to  overcome shyness and build self-confidence.

Task A
CANDIDATE A
Explain the importance of taking action and getting things done. Give reasons to support your view.

CANDIDATE B
Explain the importance of facing your fear. Give reasons to support your view.

CANDIDATE C
Explain the importance of making mistakes. Give reasons to support your view.

CANDIDATE D
Explain the importance of preparing yourself. Give reasons to support your view.

Task B
Discuss which of the following would be the best solution for overcoming shyness and gaining confidence:
i. taking action and getting it done
ii. facing your fear
iii. making mistakes is part of learning
iv. preparing yourself

Next week: Distinguishing facts from opinions

ANSWER:
Candidate A:
Taking action and getting it done.

Be present. This will help you snap out of over-thinking and just go and do whatever you want to get done. This puts you in a state where you feel little emotional resistance to the work you will do.

Lighten up. Do not take what you do too seriously. If you relax a bit and lighten up, you often realise that those problems and negative feelings are just something you are creating in your own mind. With a lighter state of mind, your tasks seem more manageable and become easier to get started with.

Candidate B:
Facing your fear.

Be curious. When you are afraid, you create barriers between you and others. You tend to. When you shift to being curious, your world just opens up. Curiosity is filled with anticipation and enthusiasm. When you are open and enthusiastic then you have more fun things to think about than focusing on your fear.

Realise that fear is often based on unhelpful interpretation. As humans, we like to look for patterns based on one or two negative experiences. Try to think of good experiences instead and take on new challenges.

Candidate C:
Making mistakes is part of learning

You learn. Instead of seeing failure as something horrible, you can start to view it more as a learning experience. Ask yourself what you could learn from that situation. Ideally, you probably want to learn from other people’s mistakes and failures. However, sometimes you just have to fail on your own to learn a lesson and to gain an experience no one can relate to you in mere words.

You become stronger. Every time you fail, you become more accustomed to it. You realise more and more that it is not the end of the world. Even though you failed, you will know that at least you took a chance.

Candidate D:
Preparing yourself.

Preparing yourself and  Educating yourself is an advantage. By for example rehearsing and rewriting what you need to say, for example, over and over you can pretty much learn it by heart. By doing research, you can find breathing techniques that can you calm down.  Simple visualisation techniques can make you feel more confident and positive.

Preparing yourself will help you feel more comfortable and confident. Do not just remain in the  preparation phase and use it as a way to avoid taking action.

Source: Learning Curve - New Straits Times

MUET MOMENTS: Lesson 11: Speaking skills I

By Dr Koh Soo Ling

Speaking skills I 
The speaking component (800/2) consists of two tasks:
Task A: Individual presentation
Task B: Group discussion

You will have approximately 30 minutes to complete both the tasks. Take a look at the table below to see how time is allocated for to each candidate.

Individual presentation

For this task you are expected to give a one-way presentation.

Stages of preparation
1. Highlight the key - words or phrases — ask yourself what you are supposed to do.
2. Make use of your prior knowledge to generate ideas — jot down all your ideas.
3. Organise your ideas — follow an appropriate order, for example, linear, cause and effect or chronological.
4. List down the appropriate expressions that you wish to use for each stage of  your presentation.

Let’s say you are taking the speaking test now. You may get something like this:

Situation: Mental health is important to students. Share your opinion about organising a talk on how to prevent the deterioration of mental health.

Source: Learning Curve - New Straits Times

MUET MOMENTS: Lesson 10: Information transfer from graphic representation to text

By DR KOH SOO LING

Information transfer from graphic representation to text

Common problems related to describing and interpreting graphic representations are:
•  Not Understanding the Data (I) — Not Reading the Labels: Students do not correctly understand the data in the charts: often they do not  read the labels carefully (e.g. student writes “12 people were injured in the recent tsunami”, when they should write “120  people were injured in the recent tsunami”).
•  Not Understanding the Data (II) — Not Applying Common Sense to Your Interpretations: Students do not apply  common sense to the interpretation of data in the charts (e.g. in the example above, it is unlikely that only 12 people were injured in the recent tsunami; we should then analyse the chart carefully to find a more satisfactory interpretation).
•  Just “Listing” the Data: Students simply “list” data from charts or graphs without trying to indicate what is more or less important.  You should take note of large differences or changes and present them first.
•  Not “Translating” Note Form to Grammatical English: Labels or titles are usually in note form, so you need to change them into grammatically correct English in your writing. For example, in a chart entitled the danger of obesity in Malaysia, one label may be the number of people affected by the disease. It would therefore be ungrammatical to say “the number of obesity people”; we need to change that to the number of obese people instead.

Practice A
Choose the best option to make the sentences grammatically correct:
1. The main reason that young people (shoplift/shoplifts) is because they want to prove that they can get away with a crime.
2. Shoplifting is a crime that is present in (any/some) country.
3. Retailers (report/reports) that 0.6 per cent of all missing inventory  are due to shoplifters.
4. In 2001, shoplifting (cost/ costs) US retailers US$25 million (RM75 million) a day.
5. Retailers focusing on loss (preventing/prevention) often devote most of their resources to closed-circuit television.
6.  It is one of the most common property crimes (dealt/deal) with by police and courts.
7. Most shoplifters are amateurs; however, there are people and groups who make their (lives/living) from shoplifting,
8. Many big retail or grocery stores have a loss (prevent/prevention) officer to keep an eye out for shoplifters.
9. Trained staff know the basics, observe the person, observe the item,  note the concealment and wait until the shoplifter (leave/ leaves) the store to make the arrest.
10. If apprehended during the shoplifting, the merchandise is generally (recover/recovered) by the retailers.

Next week: Speaking strategies I
                                                                 
ANSWERS:
1. shoplifts            
2. any               
3. report         
4. cost
5. prevention
6. dealt                  
7. living            
8. prevention       
9. leaves   
10. recovered

Source: Learning Curve - New Straits Times

MUET MOMENTS: Lesson 9: Information transfer from graphic representation to text

By DR KOH SOO LING

Information transfer from graphic representation to text



Study and understand the graphic representation to know the general idea. You can ask questions like, "What is the main subject? " "What is documented along the X/Y axis?" You can also look for extreme points of data, for example, the highest, the lowest, the greatest or the smallest.

Remember to look for details along the vertical axis or the  horizontal axis. You can also obtain information from the title, source, legend and scale.

Vocabulary for Describing Trends
1. Downward movement
decline, crash, decrease, collapse, drop, plummet, fall, plunge, slide, fall, plunge, slide, take a fall, lose ground, weaken

2. Upward movement
climb, soar, rise, gain, increase, go though the roof, surge, jump, rocket, rally, strengthen, high

3. Stability
flatten out, bounce back, hold steady, rally, level off, recover, stabilise, stable

4. To specify the degree of change
slow, disastrous, steady, massive, slight, perilous, sharp, rapid, gradual, heavy, low

Population of Country X from 2003 to 2007
The table shows the population of Country X from 2003 to 2007. You can see that in 2003 the population was 5.25 million and that by the year 2007 it had grown to 5.45 million. There was an increase of 0.2 million or 200,000 people.  We can see that the population of Country X  increased gradually  from 2003 to 2007.

Example 2
These two  charts show the relative size of exports by percentage of countries of the European Union in 2009 and 2010.

The first thing to notice is that there is very little change: the minimum change is 2% and the maximum change is 4%. The second change to notice is which countries' exports grew (as a proportion of the whole) and which countries' exports shrank.

You can see that the exports of Countries X, Y and Z fell from 2009 to 2010 (from 37% to 35%, from 22% to 30% and from 12% to 10% respectively).

The largest growth in export share was that of Country V which increased its share from 11% to 15%. Country W's share of the EU export percentage grew by 2%.

In spite of the change in Country X's export percentage, it remained the largest export percentage share of the European Union.

Next Week: Information Transfer II

Source: Learning Curve - New Straits Times

MUET MOMENTS: Lesson 8: Understanding sense relationships — Text cohesion

By DR KOH SOO LING

Understanding sense relationships — Text cohesion
It is important for a writer to make sure that the text that he writes makes sense to the reader. This means that he should ensure that the sentences he writes are well connected and related to the main topic that he has in mind.

Linking words or discourse markers are cohesive devices. With the use of linking words, sentences can be put together for easy comprehension. See the table below:

Practice
Fill in each of the blanks with an appropriate discourse marker.

Media studies is an academic discipline and field of study that deal with the content, history (1)________________ effects of various media; in particular, the “mass media”. Researchers may develop and employ theories and methods from disciplines (2)_______________ cultural studies, rhetoric, philosophy, literary theory, psychology and political science.

Separate strands exist within media studies, (3)____________ television studies. Contemporary media studies includes the analysis of new media with emphasis on the Internet, video games, mobile devices, interactive television and other forms of mass media which developed from the 1990s. (4)_______________ these new technologies allow instant communication across the world (chat rooms and instant messaging, online video games, video conferencing), interpersonal communication is an important element in new media studies.

In secondary schools, an early “film studies” course was (5)____________ taught as part of the Victorian junior secondary curriculum during the mid 1960s.

By the early 1970s, an expanded “media studies” course was being taught. Due to its success, the course (6)_______________ became part of the senior secondary curriculum.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Media_studies

Next week: Information Transfer from graphic Representation to text

ANSWERS:
1. and
2. such as
3. for example
4. because
5. first
6. subsequently

Source: Learning Curve - New Straits Times

MUET MOMENTS: Lesson 7: Understanding Sense Relationships - Reference Words

By DR KOH SOO LING


Understanding Sense Relationships -- Reference Words
WRITERS create cohesion throughout a text by using reference words. Reference words reintroduce, manipulate or anticipate information continually and in interesting ways. They consist mainly of pronouns and noun phrases which represent other elements in a text.

Reference words cannot stand alone; rather, they need to connect with other words to complete their meanings.

They are used when new information is added about the things that they refer to, therefore, the term "reference words".

Practice
Read the passage below. What do the words in bold refer to?

Food safety is a scientific discipline describing the process of handling, preparation, and storage of food to prevent food borne illness. This includes a number of routines that should be followed to avoid potentially severe health hazards. Food can transmit disease from person to person as well as serve as a growth medium for bacteria that can cause food poisoning. Genetic pollution of environment, which can destroy natural biological diversity, is of great significance. In developed countries, there are intricate standards for food preparation, whereas in lesser developed countries, the main issue is simply the availability of adequate safe water.

One of the simplest measures that a person can take to prevent the spread of food borne illness is to properly wash his hands before preparing or eating any meal. Many people who believe they are adequately washing their hands are sorely mistaken. According to a study conducted by the American Society of Microbiology, 97 per cent of females said they washed their hands, but those numbers turned out to be 75 per cent of females upon observation.  Some foods should simply never be ingested in the first place because these have such a high risk of containing harmful bacteria that can make people ill. Cross contamination occurs when a person handling raw meats, eggs, fish or other foods containing harmful pathogens touches cooking utensils, cutting boards or cooking surfaces and spreads the pathogens to ready-to-eat foods in the process. This mode of transmission can be interrupted by washing hands after handling raw foods, washing utensils and cutting boards that have come in contact with raw foods, and disinfecting counter surfaces frequently.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_safety

1. this
2. which
3. the main issue
4. his
5. they
6. their
7. these
8. this mode of transmission

NEXT WEEK: Understanding Sense Relationships -- Text Cohesion

Source: Learning Curve - New Straits Times

MUET MOMENTS: Lesson 6: Skimming and scanning

By DR KOH SOO LING

Skimming and scanning     
Skimming is reading a text quickly. When we skim a text, we  ask these questions:
1. What is the writer trying to tell us?
2. What does the writer think?
3. How is the text organised?

Scanning is going through a text quickly to get  specific information that we are looking for.  You can bear in mind two questions when you scan:
1. What are you looking for?
2. Which part of the text is the information available?

practice
Scan the text below and answer the following questions:

Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, and operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc.

As of July 2011, Facebook has more than 800 million active users who must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as friends, and exchange messages, including automatic notifications when they update their profile.

Additionally, users may join common interest user groups organised by workplace, school or college, or other characteristics, and categorise their friends into lists such as “People From Work” or “Close Friends”.

The name of the service stems from the colloquial name for the book given to students at the start of the academic year by some university administrations in the United States to help students get to know each other.

Facebook allows anyone who declare themselves to be at least 13 years old to become registered users of the site.

Facebook was founded by Mark Zuckerberg with his college roommates and fellow students Eduardo Saverin, Dustin Moskovitz and Chris Hughes.

Its membership was initially limited by the founders to Harvard students, but was expanded to other colleges in the Boston area, the Ivy League and Stanford University.

It gradually added support for students at various other universities before opening to high school students, and eventually to anyone aged 13 and over.

However, based on Consumers Reports.org in May 2011, there are 7.5 million children under 13 with accounts, violating the site’s terms of service.

A January 2009 Compete.com study ranked Facebook as the most used social networking service by worldwide monthly active users. Quantcast estimates Facebook has 138.9 million monthly unique American visitors in May 2011.

According to Social Media Today, in April 2010, an estimated 41.6 per cent of the US population had a Facebook account. Nevertheless, Facebook’s market growth started to stall in some regions, with the site losing 7 million active users in the US and Canada in May 2011. 

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facebook

1. As of July 2011, Facebook has more than ________________ active users.
2. Friends can be categorised into lists such as “People From Work” or “_______________”.
3. You must be at least _______________ years old to be a registered user on Facebook.
4. Facebook was founded by ____________ with three other fellow college students.
5. The website’s membership was initially limited by the founders to Harvard students, but was expanded to other colleges in the Boston area, _______________ , and _____________.
6. According to Consumers Reports.org in May 2011, how many children under 13 have accounts with Facebook?
7. How many active users in the United States and Canada did the Facebook site lose in May 2011?

NEXT WEEK: Understanding Sense Relationships — Reference Words

ANSWERS:
1. 800 million
2. Close Friends
3. 13
4. Mark Zuckerberg
5. the Ivy League, Stanford University.
6. 7.5 million
7. 7 million

Source: Learning Curve - New Straits Times

MUET MOMENTS: Lesson 5: Comprehension Skills

By DR KOH SOO LING

COMPREHENSION SKILLS
For the reading component, candidates are assessed on their ability to comprehend  types of text of varying length and complexity. Comprehension is the practice of understanding. It is:
- Making connections between what you already know about a topic and what you are reading.
- Making use of the structure of the text to make predictions.
- Making use of problem-solving strategies to think and expand on the text.

Areas to focus on are listed in the table below:
SKILLS                                                                                                     
Comprehension
One strategy for reading comprehension is the technique called SQ3R. This stands for Survey, Question, Read, Recite and Review.

DETAILS
-  Skimming and scanning
- Extracting specific information
- Identifying main ideas
- Identifying supporting details
- Deriving the meaning of words, phrases, sentences from the context
- Understanding linear and non-linear texts
- Understanding relationships
-- Recognising a paraphrase

Application
Making a connection is when you can relate a passage to an experience, another book or other facts about the world. Making connections will help you understand  the author’s purpose  and what the story is about.

DETAILS
-Predicting outcomes
- Applying a concept to new situation

Analysis
Read the text and find answers for the following: who, what, where, when, why, and how.

DETAILS
-  Understanding language functions
-  Interpreting linear and non-linear texts
-  Distinguishing the relevant from the irrelevant
-  Distinguishing fact from opinion
-  Making inferences

Synthesis
Synthesising is when you take what you already know about a subject along  with your reflections from the book to create your own interpretation and ideas about a certain text.

DETAILS
- Relating ideas and concepts
- Following the development of a point or an argument
- Summarising information

Evaluation
It is about making judgments on what you read and then explaining why you made them.
Evaluating non-fiction texts can be done by using a criteria checklist (i.e. table of contents, index, titles, headings, for example) to help you rate a text.

DETAILS
- Appraising information
- Making judgments
- Drawing conclusions
- Recognising and interpreting writer’s views, attitudes or intentions

NEXT WEEK: Skimming and scanning

Source: Learning Curve - New Straits Times

MUET MOMENTS: Lesson 4: LISTENING SKILLS III

By Dr Koh Soo Ling

LISTENING SKILLS III

In order for you to answer questions 15 to 20, you are required to listen to three short texts, for example a complaint, a remark, a documentary or an advertisement. You are encouraged to listen carefully before filling in the blanks with appropriate words. Sometimes you will need to summarise what you have heard. You may also need to rephrase certain parts of the text so that your answers  are accurate.

Voice 1: Part III

Listen to the following advertisement.

Voice 2: Have you always wanted to play the guitar, but never got around to  getting started? Here is reason to begin… a free private 30-minute guitar lesson and you’ll learn parts of the guitar, and your first chord.  Beginners, intermediate and advanced students of all ages are welcome. No talent required! Patient, encouraging approach. Fast results. I have been teaching all ages (from 5 to 65!) since 1999. I can conduct  guitar lessons in your home or in mine. For more information, call Dave  (03-7908-1089) or visit www.guitarlessons.com

Voice 1: You are now given one minute to answer Questions 15 and 16.

(Pause one minute)

For questions 15 to 16, write your answer in NOT MORE THAN FIVE WORDS.

15. According to the guitar teacher, during the free private lesson, the student will  ___________________ and the first chord.

16. The teacher ____________________ in his own house or in the student’s house.

The following text is taken from the National Geographic magazine. Fill in the blanks with appropriate words.

Voice 1: Two new species of frog have been discovered in Papua New Guinea, a new study says.

“I’m always amazed by the size of these small frogs you find — it’s really pushing the limit of what’s possible,” said Robin Moore, an amphibian expert with Conservation International, who was not involved in the study.

Vertebrate zoologist Fred Kraus found the two new species during a 2011 expedition to an isolated mountain in southeastern Papua New Guinea. These mini frogs can eat diminutive prey such as mites, which wouldn’t sustain larger frogs, he said.

Voice 1: You are now given one minute to answer Questions 17 to 18.

For questions 17 to 18, write your answer in NOT MORE THAN FIVE WORDS.

17.  A recent study records that scientists have discovered _____________________________ in Papua New Guinea.

18. Vertebrate zoologist Fred Kraus found the two new species during a 2011 ___________________in southeastern Papua New Guinea.

For questions 19 to 20,  write your answer in NOT MORE THAN FIVE WORDS.

Voice 1: Listen to the conversation on the danger of eating street food.

Voice 1:  Now that many pollutants are everywhere, eating street food is dangerous. Even in many progressive countries, street vendors are selling newly-cooked food that lure the palate or taste buds of bystanders. Authorities should issue health warnings and certificates to ensure people of the safeness of the food they are selling.

Voice 2: I totally agree. Food poisoning can have fatal effects  on people who are at risk when eating street food. Street vendors serve their food hot but are we sure it’s safe?

19. Eating street food is dangerous because ________________________ .

20. Food poisoning can have ___________________ on people who are at risk when eating street food.

NEXT WEEK: Comprehension skills

ANSWERS:
15. learn parts of the guitar
16. can conduct all guitar lessons
17. two new species of frog
18. expedition to an isolated mountain
19. there are many pollutants everywhere.
20. fatal effects

Source: Learning Curve - New Straits Times

MUET MOMENTS: Lesson 3: Listening Skills II

By DR KOH SOO LING

LISTENING SKILLS II
Part II of the Listening Test can take the form of a short talk or a narrative account of some events. Look at the example below:

Voice 1: Part II

Voice 2: PANDA Paints (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd has launched its 2012 Young Designer Award for two categories of students -- interior design and architecture. The theme of the contest is Making a Difference.

The competition is open to degree students enrolled in schools of interior design (second year of study) and architecture (third year) in Malaysia. Entries for the award are required to demonstrate sustainability in terms of materials, maintenance, energy use as well as water and waste management.

In addition to colour innovation and coordination, novelty of design and aesthetics, participants will be judged on energy performance of their work.

Top winners from each category will receive RM5,000 and a laptop each.

Runners-up will get RM2,000 each and two honorary mentions will receive RM1,000 each.

The top six winners will get to work with an interior design or architect firm in Malaysia or abroad. They will also  join a fully paid overseas study tour.

All entries must be received by the end of this month. Incomplete and late entries will be disqualified.

Voice 1: You are now given one minute to answer Questions 9-14. (Pause one minute)

For Questions 9 and 10, complete the sentences using the letters A-F from the box below.

A. degree
B.  Making a Difference
C. interior design and
architecture
D. second year of study
E. third year of study
F. Malaysian

The 2012 Young Designer Award is open to 9. _____________________students and is open to 10. ____________________ students only.

For Questions 11-14, circle the correct answer.

11. Award entries must show the following except………
A. environmental sustainability
B. colour control
C. budget sense

12. All designs submitted should be
A. fabricated
B. original
C. relevant

13. Second prize winners from each category will receive
A. cash award
B. trophies
C. cash award and trophies

14. Entries which are received _____________ the closing date will be disqualified.
A. after
B. before
C. on

Source: Learning Curve - New Straits Times

MUET MOMENTS: Lesson 2: Listening Skills I

By Dr Koh Soo Ling

LISTENING SKILLS I
For the Listening Component, candidates are assessed on their ability to understand various types of oral text. Students will be tested on the following aspects:
1. knowledge/comprehension
2. application
3. analysis
4. synthesis
5. evaluation

SAMPLE QUESTIONS  for Listening Test (Part 1)

Voice 1: Listen to the interview.
Commentator: We know that a high salt intake contributes to high blood pressure but according to a new study, sugar is just as guilty. Dr James, can you comment?

Dr James: According to this new study, if you have high blood pressure (hypertension), a low-carbohydrate diet is a better way to control it than medication.

In a study of 146 people who were hypertensive and overweight, nearly half were able to stop or decrease their blood pressure medication after going on a low-carbohydrate diet.

Commentator: Is it true that we consume more sugar today than we ever did before?

Dr James: Sugar is a great stimulator of the tongue and it is cheap and abundant. Instead of a luxury, it has now become a necessity.   It is now added liberally to everything.

Prior to 1887, cardiovascular disease was almost unheard of and, as a point of interest, an average person consumed only 2.2kg of sugar every year.  In the United States, the average American has increased his/her consumption of sugar from 12kg to more than 65kg a year in the last three decades.

Commentator: Are there any related problems?

Dr James: As you probably know, people suffering from diabetes  usually  have high blood pressure also. That’s an eye-opener to just how serious the problem really is.

Excess sugar will eventually result in the cells becoming insulin-resistant because too much insulin is toxic.

For Question 1, write you answer in NOT MORE THAN THREE WORDS.
1. According to a new study, a __________________________ helps control high blood pressure better than medication.

For Questions 2, 3 and 4, write your answer in NOT MORE THAN FIVE WORDS. CHARACTERISTICS OF SUGAR
Sugar stimulates the tongue and
2. _______________
Sugar  which is now considered a necessity 3.________________
From 12kg to more than 65kg a year in the last three decades.

THE PROBLEM
INCREASE 4._____________________
IN THE UNITED STATES

For Questions 5 and 6, write your answer in NOT MORE THAN THREE WORDS.
People suffering from diabetes  usually suffer from 5. ________________. This goes to show how 6. _________________________ really is.

For Questions 7 and 8, circle the correct answer.
7. Which of the following statements is correct?
A. Too much insulin is poisonous
B. Excess sugar reduces insulin
C. Insulin increases the sugar level

8.  _____________ 1887, cardiovascular disease was almost unheard of and, as a point of interest, an average person consumed only 2.2kg of sugar every year. 
A. during
B. before
C. after

NEXT WEEK: Listening Skills  II

ANSWERS:
1. low-carbohydrate diet
2. it is cheap and abundant
3. is added liberally to everything
4. in the consumption of sugar
5. high blood pressure
6. serious the problem
7. A
8. B

Source: Learning Curve - New Straits Times

MUET MOMENTS: Lesson 1: Complete Lessons

Learning Curve - New Straits Times posts tips on MUET regularly since a few years ago. These tips are written by Dr Koh Soo Ling under the column named MUET MOMENTS.

Good English Essay Writing will repost those MUET Tips here on every Mondays. This post will be updated to include links to all MUET MOMENTS lessons. There are 20 lessons in total.

Share our posts on Facebook with your friends preparing for upcoming MUET tests.

MUET Lessons:

1. Complete Lessons
2. Listening Skills I
3. Listening Skills II
4. Listening Skills III
5. Comprehension Skills
6. Skimming and Scanning
7. Understanding Sense Relationships - Reference Words
8. Understanding Sense Relationships - Text Cohesion
9. Information Transfer from Graphic Representation to Text
10. Information Transfer from Graphic Representation to Text
11. Speaking Skills I
12. Speaking Skills II
13. Distinguishing Facts from Opinions
14. Deriving Meaning from Contextual Clues
15. Main Idea, Topic Sentence and Supporting Details
16. Writing Skills I
17. Writing Skills II
18. Sample Reading Test Paper Part 1
19. Sample Reading Test Paper Part 2
20. Sample Reading Test