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
Asking for an opinion
Giving opinions
Expressions
Whats your opinion on Do you have anything to add?
What do you think of
What are your views on
I believe that..
I am certain that..
I must say..
It is quite clear that..
I maintain that ..
I am sure that
As far as I am concerned ..
I suppose . ..
Dont you think that
From my point of view ..
In my opinion..
I think that
I would say that
It seems to me that
I think it would be fair to say
that
I guess..
Agreement Disagreement
Some expressions used in
Complet I totally agree with you Direct Im sorry, I beg to differ
making suggestions,
e I see your point of view Disagree I absolutely disagree with you
recommendations and some
Agreeme Thats true/right/brilliant ment Im sorry but I have to disagree
possible responses.
nt Thats good/splendid idea I disagree
True. I am glad you say that
Suggestion Positive IYes,
am afraid
thats that I dont
a good ideaagree
Yes, Iitfeel
Wouldnt be athe same
good way.
idea to I agree response IThat
dontwould
think so
be nice
ShallYes,we Im sure you are right IOkay
dont see your point
I think we shouldDefinitely
Absolutely/ I dont get it
Negative I think that is out of the question
I feelI couldnt agree with you more
that we should
Yes, Iwe think that is a wonderful response I can foresee problems
Perhaps could
Im not convinced that this will work
Whyidea dont we
The suggestions will give rise to
What about
Tentative I agree with you to a point Indirect Are
otheryou sure?
problems
How about
Partial I agree with you to a certain Disagree IId
could be wrong but
rather not
Lets
Agreeme extent ment INo.
seeI your
dontpoint
reallybutlikeI think it
the idea
It might be a good idea to
nt I think you are right but would be better
No, I really dontif think
.. so
Have you ever thought of
Youve got a point there but Really?
Maybe we should
Well, perhaps you are right Oh, I dont know about that
If I were you, I would
I agree that.but Im not sure about that
Dont you think we should
That may be so but I do not think that is always true
I will take that into
Recommendation Positive because
I fully support
considerations
I strongly recommend that response 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 I see no objection to that
that I would certainly endorse
Negative I am totally opposed to the proposal
response 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 Have you considered I encourage you to
sive Do you realize that I am very sure there is no harm
express Dont you think I feel you should
ions 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 BODY CONCLUSION
- Introduce topic -Include major points and -Reinstate your opinion
-Highlight main points of task elaborate on them -Summarize main points of
-Give definition (if any) -Talk about the most the topic
important point first -Give advice or
-Use transition signals to recommendations
connect ideas

Some expressions you may use when presenting information.

INTRODUCTION
Let me enlighten you on
Today, I would like to talk on
I have been asked to talk on
BODY
I would like to mention briefly
I would like to comment on
There are several points I would like to make
My first point is
I would like to begin by
The reason I am here is to talk about
To begin with
The next issue is
Furthermore/Moreover/ In addition
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, lets begin
Thanks for being here May I have your attention please
INTRODUCING A SUBJECT
First, lets tackle the issue of Lets talk about the problem of
Today we are meeting to discuss Were here to talk about

MUET SPEAKING PRACTICE

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, lets 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.