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
Whats your opinion on
Do you have anything to
What do you think of
add?
What are your views on Dont you think that
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
As far as I am
say that
concerned ..
I guess..
I suppose . ..
Agreement
Complete
Agreement

Tentativ
e
Partial
Agreem
ent

I totally agree with you

I see your point of view
Thats true/right/brilliant
Thats good/splendid idea
True. I am glad you say
that
Yes, I feel the same way. I
agree
Yes, Im sure you are right
Absolutely/ Definitely
I couldnt agree with you
more
Yes, I think that is a
wonderful idea
I agree with you to a
point
I agree with you to a
certain extent
I think you are right but
Youve got a point there
but

Disagreement
Direct
Im sorry, I beg to differ
Disagreemen I absolutely disagree
t
with you
Im sorry but I have to
disagree
I disagree
I am afraid that I dont
agree
I dont think so
I dont see your point
I dont get it

Indirect
Disagree
ment

Are you sure?

I could be wrong but
I see your point but I
think it would be better
if ..
Really?
Oh, I dont know about

Well, perhaps you are

right

that
Im not sure about that

I agree that.but

I do not think that is

always true because

That may be so but

I will take that into
considerations

Some expressions used in making suggestions, recommendations

and some possible responses.
Suggestion
Wouldnt it be a good idea to

Positi
ve
respo
nse

Shall we

Yes, thats a good idea

That would be nice
Okay

I think we should
I feel that we should
Perhaps we could

Negati
ve
respo
nse

I think that is out of the question

I can foresee problems
Im not convinced that this will work

Why dont we
What about

The suggestions will give rise to

other problems

How about

Id rather not

Lets

No. I dont really like the idea

It might be a good idea to

No, I really dont think so

Have you ever thought of

Maybe we should
If I were you, I would
Dont you think we should

Recommendation
I strongly recommend that

Positi
ve
respo
nse

I fully support
I am in favour of

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

Negati
ve
respo
nse

I am totally opposed to the proposal

I think that is out of the question
I can foresee problems
Im not convinced that this will work
This will give rise to other problems

Various expressions that may be used in persuading

someone
Persuas
sive
expressi
ons

Have you considered

I encourage you to

Do you realize that

I am very sure there is no harm

Dont you think

I feel you should

Wouldnt it be a good idea to

I persuade you to

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

- Introduce topic
-Highlight main points of
task

BODY

-Include major points and

elaborate on them
-Talk about the most

CONCLUSION

-Reinstate your opinion

-Summarize main points of
the topic

-Give definition (if any)

important 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

Let us consider

Firstly / First of all

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?
Right, lets begin

Thank you all for coming

Thanks for being here

May I have your attention

please

INTRODUCING A SUBJECT
First, lets tackle the issue of
Today we are meeting to
discuss

Lets talk about the problem

of
Were here to talk about

MUET SPEAKING PRACTICE

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.

Good morning

First of all, I propose .

 The most important factor is

(explain/give example)

Next, lets look at .

()

Another suggestion is
()

However / But / Nevertheless

..etc

Therefore / Thus / Hence / As a result

.etc

Those are the suggestions ..

Thank you.

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.

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.