Speaking

Extracted From Past Years' Speaking Papers.


Here are some of the past years' MUET Speaking 800/2 examination "question" for your reference. It may be interesting for the readers to see how the questions look like. In case you would like to have a look and see how the situations are worded and what kinds of situations are given. I am using the word "situation" as the Speaking tasks instructions are made based on certain "situations" given.


There are two tasks: Task A and Task B.

Task A is individual presentation and Task B is group discussion.
You will be given two minutes to prepare for task A and two minutes for your presentation.
You will be given two minutes to prepare for task B and two minutes for the group discussion.

Example: (taken from the "End 2009" Speaking paper)

Candidate A

Situation

What do you think affects the reputation of a family? Give your view.

Task A:

You believe the behaviour of family members can affect the reputation of a family. Elaborate.

Cand. B:  Income levels of family members

Cand. C:  Education levels of family members

Cand. D:  Occupation of family members

Task B:  Which of the following is the most important factor that can affect the reputation of a family?

Cand. B:  Behaviour of family members
Cand. B:  Income levels of family members
Cand. C:  Education levels of family members
Cand. D:  Occupation of family members

This is a continuation of what has been written in the post that I made on Dec. 5, 2011 at this post (yes, click here). In this installment you can see one more question from the 2009 800/2 Speaking paper.

Before we go on to the questions proper I would like to say a few things about the group discussion - what should be done. Preparation will take two minutes. Some people have the habit of writing an "essay" type of preparation. They tend to write "whole speeches" whereas they will have no time to do that. Having done that in Task A (which you should never do, yes - never!) - writing every word of their presentation, they cannot do that in Task B.  In both tasks they have to prepare in point form. This skill needs to be practiced so that it becomes 'part of you' or 'second nature' to you.

As you still remember in preparation for Task A (yes, click here) they should make notes. Please refer to my earlier post at that given link - above.

The questions are as follows:

TASK A_____________________________________________

Situation

We should always be patriotic to our country.  How can we show our patriotism?

Candidate A:

Task A:    What are the ways to show patriotism as an individual?  Elaborate.

Please note that what you have to talk about (as Candidate A) are the ways to show patriotism.  As Candidate A you have to speak on how to show patriotism where you are - as an individual.  That is you are doing in your person situation as an ordinary individual.  As candidate B you have to speak on how to show patriotism as required in the question, not as an individual.  Please note that.  If you miss that key point you might be talking about something else.  You might be speaking about being patriotic is not to be individualistic.  Then, the score of your marks will be affected. 

Please note that you have to elaborate.  That means you have to expand or give more supporting details for your points that you put forward in your discussion. In the discussion you should not just only speak out your points.  You will have to say more about them such as quoting examples or illustrations, give justifications or reasons and saying it in different words (or paraphrase) so that the listeners will understand it better. If necessary you should give further information on the points and also give definitions or meanings of the words and phrases given.

The other candidates will have the following questions:

Candidate B:  What are the ways to show patriotism as a community?  Elaborate.

Candidate C:  What are the ways to show patriotism at a national level?  Elaborate.

Candidate D:  What are the ways thato show patriotism at an international level?

                         Elaborate.

TASK B_______________________________________________________________

Situation

We should always be patriotic to our country.  How can we show our patriotism?

Task B:    Discuss at which level patriotism can be most effectively displayed?

                  (i)       As an individual

                  (ii)      As a community

                  (iii)     At a national level

                  (vi)     At an international level

I hope that everybody is happy with this installment for the speaking test.  The question is sourced from the MPM's Mid-2009 MUET Speaking Paper.  Try it with your colleagues - in groups of fours.

Have a good try.  All the best to you!