MUET-SPEAKING TEST TIPS

MUET

Useful Phrases For Speaking Test 1

What happens during a MUET Speaking Test (Paper 2)

 Enter the examination hall
 Check your identification with the examiner by presenting your identity card and your
examination slip
 Sit down as instructed by the examiner (Candidate A,B,C or D)
 Read the question ONLY when you are allowed to do so. DO NOT write anything on the
question paper
 You can ask the examiner if you do not understand your task ONLY after the one minute
reading time
 You are given 2 minutes to prepare for your individual presentation (Task A). DO NOT discuss
with other candidates
 Individual presentation (Task A) starts (2 minutes each) with Candidate A, followed by
Candidate B, C and D.
 You are given 2 minutes to prepare for your group discussion (Task B). DO NOT discuss with
other candidates
 Group discussion (Task B) starts. Anyone can start the discussion. You are given 10 minutes to
discuss.
 Leave the examination room quietly. DO NOT take anything out of the examination room
except your IC and exam slip.

Tips and Techniques

Preparation – 2 minutes
 read the given situation carefully to ensure you understand the situation and task at hand
 write down the key words and aspects you have to deal with in the situation
 write down all your ideas using short notes or mind maps
 DO NOT attempt to write down all you want to say
 number or sequence your ideas in logical manner so that it shows good cohesion and maturity of
thought

Individual Presentation
 begin by greeting your audience
 speak clearly and loud enough for those in the exam room to hear you
 aim for grammatical accuracy and speak in complete sentences
 if you get stuck, rephrase what you want to say in simple language. If still cannot continue, leave
that idea and move on to the next point that you want to talk about
 make eye contact with the examiner and other candidates
 DO NOT read from the script
 You are only allowed slight hand movements but do not go overboard
 Group Discussions
 Listen attentively
 Remember to talk about the task at hand and DO NOT go out of point
 Be a team player and DO NOT monopolise the discussion
 Help, prompt and encourage others to contribute to the discussion
 Show that you value what others had said by using appropriate expressions
 If you disagree with someone, express your disagreement politely and give your reasons
 Display your ability to manage a discussion by indicating, maintaining and concluding a
discussion

When listening to others

 listen attentively
 take down short notes
 DO NOT write everything that is being said
 DO NOT do your own work
 DO NOT interrupt the speaker or pass comments
 Show interest in what your friends have to say by using appropriate body language like nodding
your head

Useful Expressions

Various Expressions used in asking for and expressing opinions

Function Expressions
Asking for an opinion What’s your opinion on… Do you have anything to add?

What do you think of… Don’t you think that…

What are your views on …

Giving opinions I believe that.. From my point of view ..

I am certain that.. In my opinion..

I must say.. I think that…

It is quite clear that.. I would say that …

I maintain that .. It seems to me that …

I am sure that … I think it would be fair to say that

…
As far as I am concerned ..
I guess..
I suppose . ..
 Agreement Disagreement
I totally agree with you I’m sorry, I beg to differ

I see your point of view I absolutely disagree with you

That’s true/right/brilliant I’m sorry but I have to disagree

Complete Agreement

Direct Disagreement
That’s good/splendid idea I disagree

True. I am glad you say that I am afraid that I don’t agree

Yes, I feel the same way. I agree I don’t think so

Yes, I’m sure you are right I don’t see your point

Absolutely/ Definitely I don’t get it

I couldn’t agree with you more

Yes, I think that is a wonderful idea

I agree with you to a point Are you sure?

I agree with you to a certain extent I could be wrong but

Tentative Partial Agreement

Indirect Disagreement

I think you are right but I see your point but I think it would be better if ..

You’ve got a point there but Really?

Well, perhaps you are right Oh, I don’t know about that

I agree that….but… I’m not sure about that

That may be so but I do not think that is always true because

I will take that into considerations

Some expressions used in making suggestions, recommendations and some possible

responses.

Suggestion Yes, that’s a good idea

Positive response

Wouldn’t it be a good idea to That would be nice

Shall we Okay

I think we should
 I think that is out of the question
I feel that we should
I can foresee problems
Perhaps we could
I’m not convinced that this will work
Why don’t we
The suggestions will give rise to other problems
What about

Negative response
I’d rather not
How about
No. I don’t really like the idea
Let’s
No, I really don’t think so
It might be a good idea to

Have you ever thought of

Maybe we should

If I were you, I would

Don’t you think we should

Recommendation I fully support

I strongly recommend that I am in favour of

Positive response

I strongly advise that I totally agree with

I propose that I approve of

I would like to put forward a proposal that I see no objection to that

I would certainly endorse

I am totally opposed to the proposal
Negative response

I think that is out of the question

I can foresee problems

I’m not convinced that this will work

This will give rise to other problems

Various expressions that may be used in persuading someone

 Have you considered I encourage you to

Do you realize that I am very sure there is no harm

Don’t you think I feel you should

Wouldn’t it be a good idea to I persuade you to

Persuassive

expressions

I wonder if you have thought of

Maybe you should consider

It would be in your own interest to

I can assure you that

You have no need to fear

USEFUL PHRASES FOR MY SPEAKING TEST II

TASK A

You need to organize your speech so that there is a smooth glow of ideas.
INTRODUCTION BODY CONCLUSION
- Introduce topic -Include major points and elaborate -Reinstate your opinion
on them
-Highlight main points of task -Summarize main points of the
-Talk about the most important topic
-Give definition (if any) point first
-Give advice or recommendations
-Use transition signals to connect
ideas

Some expressions you may use when presenting information.

INTRODUCTION
Let me enlighten you on I would like to begin by

Today, I would like to talk on The reason I am here is to talk about

I have been asked to talk on

BODY
I would like to mention briefly To begin with

I would like to comment on The next issue is

There are several points I would like to make Furthermore/Moreover/ In addition

My first point is Let me give you an example

 Firstly / First of all Let us consider
CONCLUSION
In general Let me conclude by saying

All in all I would like to conclude by

In a nutshell Finally

TASK B

When managing a discussion, you will

- Thank people for coming and then start a discussion
- introduce the subject or problem
- have to invite people to speak
- need to encourage group participation
- close/ conclude the discussion

Some expressions that you can use in managing a discussion.

OPENING A DISCUSSION
Good morning, thank you for coming Shall we start?

Thank you all for coming Right, let’s begin

Thanks for being here May I have your attention please

INTRODUCING A SUBJECT
First, let’s tackle the issue of Let’s talk about the problem of

Today we are meeting to discuss We’re here to talk about

 A
 Good morning to the examiners and all my friends.
 Firstly, I would like to suggest …………….
 My main point is ……………….. (explain/give example)
 My next point is ……………….. (explain/give example)
 The next point I would like to make is ……………( “ )
 However / But / Nevertheless …………………. Etc
 I have mentioned earlier that ………………….
 Therefore / Thus / Hence …………………….. etc
 In short …………………………
 Thank you.

..................................................................

B
 Good morning …………………
 First of all, I propose ………………….
 The most important factor is ………………… (explain/give example)
 Next, let’s look at ……………………………. ( “ )
 Another suggestion is………………………( “ )
 However / But / Nevertheless …………………..etc
 Therefore / Thus / Hence / As a result …………………….etc
 Those are the suggestions …………..
 Thank you.
 C
 Good morning…………..
 As a start, I would like to suggest …………………..
 It is important to …………………………(explain/give example)
 The next issue is ……………………….( “ )
 Another point I would like to emphasize is ……………( “ )
 However / But / Nevertheless …………..
 Therefore / Thus / Hence / As a result ……………….
 In summary, I would suggest ………….
 Thank you.

..................................................................
D
 Good morning ……….
 I would like to begin by suggesting ………………
 One important reason is ……………….(explain/give example)
 Next, I would like to highlight …………( “ )
 Moving on to my next point, which is ……….. ( “ )
 However / But / Nevertheless …………..
 Therefore / Thus / Hence / As a result ……………….
 As a conclusion, I would say…………..
 Thank you.