ENHANCING MUET

PERFORMANCE
Writing 800/4

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 Question 1

Interpreting Graphic
Information

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What’s the Formula for Q1?

TITLE (usually found in the question)

1.INTRODUCTION Paragraph 1:
Overview (OV) + Overall trend (OT)

2. BODY Paragraph 2-3:

Analysis (KF+T+D) + Synthesis

3. CONCLUSION Last Paragraph

Restate OT

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WR Q1 FORMULA:

TITLE
OV + OT
A+S
C
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 Useful Vocabulary to describe the
FOUR (4) MAIN TRENDS
1) 2) 3) 4)

• rise • fall/drop • stable/ • erratic

• gain • loss stabilise • fluctuating
• increase • decrease • constant • unstable
• improve • depreciate • consistent • inconsiste
• escalate • deteriorate nt
• incline • decline USEFUL ADJECTIVES
• high/highe • low/lower/ • slight/steady/gradual
r/ lowest • sharp/steep/drastic
• doubled/tripled/quadruple
highest • less than d
• more than • least • record high/record low
• most prepared by fazilawati harun
 Let’s Analyse a Sample Question
Question 1 [40 marks]
You are advised to spend about 40 mins on this task.

You are a junior reporter writing for a travel

magazine. You have been asked to write a
short article on tourism in Malaysia. Your
article should integrate all the information
given below. You should write between 150
to 200 words.

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 Tourism in Malaysia
(0V) The stimuli show a bar graph
comparing tourist arrivals in Malaysia,
Thailand and Indonesia, a table of the top
five tourist markets of income earned from
tourism in Malaysia and a newspaper
headline on the drop of tourist arrivals. (OT)
The general trend is a decrease of tourist
arrivals and tourism income in Malaysia.(53wd)

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(A) According to the bar graph, Malaysia
recorded the highest tourist arrivals in 1999
with more than 7 million persons but it then
dropped to 6 million in 2001. (A) It stabilised
in 2003 and 2005 with an increase to 7 million
tourists. (A) However, there was a drastic
drop in 2007 to just over 5 million visitors. (S)
This caused a sharp loss of income earned
especially from the top three tourist markets in
Malaysia. (A) Statistics show a steep
decrease of tourist spending of more than
20% mostly from Taiwan (-24.2%), Singapore (-
22.1%) and Japan (-22.0%).
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(S) Based on the newspaper headline, the
fall in tourist arrivals is due to unknown
viral diseases and the fear of natural
disasters in Malaysia. (117wd)

(C) In conclusion, the tourism trend in

Malaysia is on the decline and it is
affecting our tourism income. (18wd)

TF = A 4
S2 ]18
OT
OV

LO = 18

TOTAL = 36 Mid band 6

(188 words)
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 Complete Sample Answer
Tourism in Malaysia
The stimuli show a bar graph comparing tourist arrivals in Malaysia, Thailand and
Indonesia, a table of the top five tourist markets of income earned from tourism in
Malaysia and a newspaper headline on the drop of tourist arrivals. The general trend
is a decrease of tourist arrivals and tourism income in Malaysia.
According to the bar graph, Malaysia recorded the highest tourist arrivals in 1999
with more than 7 million persons but it then dropped to 6 million in 2001. It
stabilised in 2003 and 2005 with an increase to 7 million tourists. However, there
was a drastic drop in 2007 to just over 5 million visitors. This caused a sharp loss
of income earned especially from the top three tourist markets in Malaysia. Statistics
show a steep decrease of tourist spending of more than 20% mostly from Taiwan (-
24.2%), Singapore (-22.1%) and Japan (-22.0%).
Based on the headline, the fall in tourist arrivals is due to unknown viral diseases
and fear of natural disasters in Malaysia.
In conclusion, the tourism trend in Malaysia is on the decline and it is affecting
our tourism income.

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 Summary Writing Marking Scheme:
Band 6 Band 5 Band 4 Band 3 Band 2 Band 1

Task 20 – 18 17 – 15 14 – 11 10 – 7 6–4 3–0

Fulfilment

Language & 20 – 18 17 – 15 14 – 11 10 – 7 6–4 3–0

Organisation

TOTAL 40 – 34 33 – 27 26 – 21 20 – 14 13 – 7 6–0

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 Question 2: Extended Writing
Students may be presented with:
1.a point of view,
2.an argument or
3.a problem
as the core of the question.
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 Sales of Three Fast Food Outlets T
Figure 1 illustrates the sales of three fast food outlets in the first
INTRO
quarter of 2012 and figure 2 illustrates the promotional activities of
three fast food outlets in the first quarter of 2012.
Generally , promotional activities affect the sales of three fast food
Outlets in the first quarter of 2012.
Among the three fast food outlets, Ken burger showed increasing OV
sales to a peak of approximately RM4200 whereas Ray’s Fish & Chips
showed almost constant sales (less than RM500 in the first quarter of A
2012. It shows a big of difference insales about RM3700 .In first quarter
of 2012), Ken Burger had 2 promotional activities which are free drink
S and gift voucher on Januanary and April respectively. This gives a
significant rise of sales from RM2500 to about RM4200. sales of Mario A
"Pizza rise from January and peak between February and March
(RM1600) as they had 50% discount on next item and buy 1 free 1
promotional activities. Sales of Ray’s Fish & Chips is the least (less than
RM500) and remained steadily in the first quarter of 2012 as they only S
had 1 promotional activities. There is a big difference of sales about
RM3720 between Ken Burger and Ray’s Fish & Chips.
In conclusion, sales of three fast food outlets are different due to C
their promotional activities.
C= 16 (201 words)
L= 14
30 harunH 4
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 NO …TITLE
Figure 1 is a line graph depicting the sales of three fast food outlets in C1
the first quarter of 2012.Table 1 shows the promotional activities of Ken
Burger, Mario Pizza and Ray’s Fish and Chips in the first quarter of 2012.
No OT[The sales of the fast food outlets are most probably directly influenced by
Partial OV
their promotional activities.] (wd strongly used) (no Year/
Month)
The sales of Ken Burger dropped steadily from RM2500 in January to about
(inaccurate)
RM2000 in March before boosting to over RM4000 in April. The sales of
Ray’s Fish & Chips remained at a constant RM750 from January to February 1A
and rose slightly to RM800 in March and steadied until April. Ray’s Fish & 1A
Chips only had one promotional activity in March which was free drinks and
none in January, February and April. A
The sales of Ken Burger probably rose dramatically in April because
SLS
of their gift voucher promotion. The sales of Mario Pizza rose on February
and was lowest in April probably because they had promotions on February
and March which were a 50% discount on the next item and buy 1 free 1 but ALS
they had no promotion on April.//
Conclusively, the sales of Ken Burger , Mario Pizza and Ray’s Fish &
Chips in the first quarter are directly influenced by the promotional activities
they carried out in January, February , March and April.
C = 12
L= 14
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T = 26
 Figure 1
Jan - Mac
1 word
1 word

WORD COUNTS

“ “ Figure one
1 word 2 word

March(RM 2500)
1 word

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Question 2: Academic Essay
What do we look for in an essay ??
Quality of Arguments
– logical, mature ideas

Ideas and Evidence

– support your points
(elaboration & examples)

Communicative Quality

Vocabulary and Sentence Structure

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Academic Essay
st
1 Tip
- make a list of ideas/main
points.

- Style?…depends on your
creativity to develop
argument/content:
List… Mind map.. Table,
etc.
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 Tip

ORGANISE
You MUST write
5 paragraphs in your essay
1. Introduction
2. Body (min x3)
3. Conclusion
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 RECOMMENDED
ESSAY STRUCTURE
FOR MID TO HIGH PROFICIENCY
STUDENTS:

MODEL 1

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 RECOMMENDED for BANDS 3 - 6
1. INTRODUCTION ( x 1 paragraph)
- Introductory Statements
- Thesis Statement
2. BODY: 3 – 5 points ( x 3-5 paragraphs)
- Topic Sentence
1. Support Basic guideline:
2. Support 70 words per paragraph,
3. Support i.e. at least 350 words.
(Concluding sentence)
3. CONCLUSION ( x 1 paragraph )
- Closing statement
- Restate thesis
- Final comment

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 RECOMMENDED
ESSAY STRUCTURE
FOR LOW TO MID PROFICIENCY
STUDENTS:

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YOUR ESSAY IS JUST LIKE A BIG MAC BURGER

INTRODUCTION
Add in Fillers
with your
-1st,2nd & 3RD
BODY points + elo +
examp+ con
for each
paragraph
CONCLUSION

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 RECOMMENDED for BANDS 1 - 3
1. Current situation
(Nowadays,… In today’s era of …)
Introduction
2. Stand
(In my opinion, I think/agree/disagree that…)

3. Outline
(In this essay, I will discuss 3 reasons/ strategies/ suggestio
which are ____________, ___________
& __________.)

( x 1 paragraph, 70 words)

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1ST POINT ( x 1 paragraph, 70 words)

1. Main Idea
(Firstly,… First and foremost,…)

2. Reasons
(This is because…Moreover,…)

3. Examples
(For example,… and so on.)

4. Mini conclusion
(Therefore,…)

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2ND POINT ( x 1 paragraph, 70 words)

1. Main Idea
(Secondly,…The second reason is…)

2. Reasons
(This is due to…In addition,…)

3. Examples
(For instance,… and many more.)

4. Mini conclusion
(Thus,…)

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3RD POINT ( x 1 paragraph, 70 words)

1. Main Idea
(Finally,…Last but not least…)

2. Reasons
(This means that… Furthermore,…)

3. Examples
(Take for example,… and others.)

4. Mini conclusion
(Hence,…)

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CONCLUSION ( x 1 paragraph, 70 words)

1. Repeat Points
(In conclusion/
the 3 reasons/strategies/suggestions
I have mentioned above are…)

2. Repeat Stand
(In my opinion, I still strongly believe that…)

3. Recommendation
(Our government should…/We should…)
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Let’s look at a sample question:
Question 2:
Since achieving independence in 1957,
Malaysia has been known for its
peaceful and multi-racial society. What
can be done to further enhance
national unity and solidarity among
the various races? Elaborate and give
relevant examples in more than 350
words.

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 1st Paragraph - Introduction:
Nowadays, Malaysia is a leading tourist destination
because we are famous for our multi-racial society
who live in peace and harmony. In my opinion, I
strongly agree that national unity can be enhanced
to strengthen solidarity among all the various races
in this country. In this essay, I will discuss three
solid strategies for enhancing national unity which
are every individual needs to be more patriotic, be
respectful of each different culture and mould a
future generation that is tolerant and grateful to be
Malaysian.

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 2nd Paragraph - Point 1:
First and foremost, every individual can play a part in
enhancing national unit by being more patriotic. This is
because when we are patriotic we will appreciate being
a Malaysian citizen who has the right to live a peaceful
and war-free life. Moreover, having high patriotism will
ensure that we really love our country and we will not
do anything to harm the peace and harmony. For
example, every one of us can respect the ‘Negaraku’
song and our ‘Rukunegara’, fly our national flag during
Independence day and so on. Therefore, if everyone
plays their part and becomes more patriotic, this will
easily enhance the spirit of national unity.

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 3rd Paragraph - Point 2:
Secondly, as loyal Malaysians, we should always be
respectful of each and every culture found in this
country. This is due to the fact that respecting the main
races like Malays, Chinese and Indians as well as the
indigenous races will ensure that we will continue to
live side by side in harmony. In addition, every race
that makes up the Malaysian society is unique and
should be cherished for its special traditions and
cultures. For instance, we should visit one another
during ‘Open House’ or wedding celebrations, religious
festivals and many more. Thus, by respecting the
uniqueness of every culture, this helps us promote
racial solidarity and enhance national unity .

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 4th Paragraph - Point 3:
Last but not least, truancy can be curbed by encouraging
cooperation with local police authorities and the general
public. This means that we can get assistance from the
police as they are the higher authority and they can even
set up a ‘Police Hut’ within the school grounds.
Furthermore, the public can report students wearing
uniform who escape by calling or sending sms messages
to the school authorities or even the police. Take for
example, to solve this problem we can organise regular
spot checks by police, give the school emergency number
to the shop owners, neighbourhood residents and others.
Hence, everyone can cooperate to reduce cases of
truancy.

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 5th Paragraph - Conclusion:
In a nutshell, the three strategies I have suggested are
to be more patriotic and respectful of each unique
culture as well as teach our children to be more
grateful Malaysian citizens. In my opinion, I still
strongly believe that national unity can be enhanced if
we all play an active role. I hope that our government
can highlight this issue in the media by organising
more patriotism campaigns so that we can produce a
united society that can contribute productively to the
achievement of Vision 2020.

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A final note on Question 2…
• Remember to address the following:
1. QUESTION @ ISSUE,
2. ORGANISATION @ FORMAT,
3. REGISTER @ VOCABULARY
4. & GRAMMAR

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 Writing Marking Scheme
(Question 2)

Band 6 Band 5 Band 4 Band 3 Band 2 Band 1

Task 30 – 26 25 – 21 20 – 16 15 – 11 10 – 6 5-0
Fulfilment

Language & 30 – 26 25 – 21 20 – 16 15 – 11 10 – 6 5-0

Organisation

TOTAL 60 – 51 50 – 41 40 – 31 30 – 21 20 – 11 10 – 0

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 If you can follow this
writing style.. you will
definitely move up in your
current band..
Good luck!!!
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