By:Pn. Patricia Peter S. GunsanadSMK Keningau II

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MALAYSIAN UNIVERSITY ENGLISH TEST (MUET)Paper 800/4 WritingQUESTION 1: REPORT WRITING

By Suzie Wong, UiTM Sabah

Question 1: Report WritingTask:To write a report based on a stimulus or a few stimuli in about 150 200 words.

*Stimulus may include:Charts (pie chart, bar chart)Line graphsTablesPictogramsNews headlines*

*QUESTION 1Requirements of Task:*The ability to...identify and highlight key features in graphs/charts.discriminate key features from details in graphs/charts.analyse and interpret information in graphs / charts.identify relationships in graphs/charts.synthesise key features in graphs/charts.

*FORMAT OF REPORT*TitleBy line (optional)Introductory ParagraphIntroduction (I)Overview (OV)Body of ContentInterpretation, Analysis and Synthesis of key features in chart / graph / table.ConclusionA brief summary of information presented.

CHECKLISTY / NIntroductionOverviewAnalysisSynthesisConclusionLinkers

** Percentage of People in country X who listen to Pop, Rock & Classical musicStudy the charts given below. Using all information conveyed in the charts, write a short report for a university lecturer. You should write in about 150 200 words.

*Introductory Paragraph*Introduction A general description of content of chart / graph / table /etc.

Overview The general pattern/trend observed in data given.

The chart provided shows a comparison of the three types of music people from four age groupslistened to in Country X. Generally (In general),Classical music is far less popular than rock or pop music.

*Content Paragraph*Analysis & interpretation of Key Features (KFs)A break-down of informationGiving meanings to numbersInterest in pop music is strong (71%) from the 14-24 and 25-35 age groups, with 30% still continuing to listen to pop music after the age of 35.

**Synthesis of Key FeaturesForming a relationship between data given.

one of synthesis markersDO NOT include assumptions / opinion in Content.While a fairly balanced percentage of men and women listened to pop music, men dominate rock music with 30% listeners compared to 20% of women.

*Conclusion*A brief summary of information presented in all charts / graphs / tables / etc.

Do indicate the exact number of words.The young listeners have a stronger preference for pop and rock music while the older generation has a greater preference for classical music.

**SAMPLE ANSWERMusic Preferences of Listeners in Country X

The chart shows a comparison of the three types of music people from four age groups listened to in Country X. At a glance, we can see that classical music is far less popular than rock or pop music. Pop music commands the highest number of listeners (68%) and followed closely by rock music (50%). While a fairly balanced percentage of men and women listened to pop music, men dominate rock music with 30% listeners compared to 20% of women. Interest in pop music is strong (71%) from the 14-24 and 25-35 age groups, with 30% still continuing to listen to pop music after the age of 35. Interest in rock music reaches its peak of 40% among the 25-35 age group, and an equal percentage of 25% interest among the 14-24 and 36-45 age groups. The pattern is the opposite with classical music in which more interest is recorded among listeners from the 35-45 and the more than 46 age groups. Overall, the young listeners have a stronger preference for pop and rock music while the older generation has a greater preference for classical music.(193 words)

Sample Question 2(Southern Bookstore)*

Suggested Answer:Sales of Reading Materials of Southern Book StoreIntroduction:Figure 1 shows the pattern of annual sales of Southern Book Store between 2005 and 2007, while Figure 2 illustrates the sales of four types of reading materials in 2007.

Overview:Generally, the increase in sales of reading materials corresponds with the overall increase of annual sales in 2007.

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Key Features:In 2005, sales remained constant at low of 2000 copies per month but in 2006, sales fluctuated between 3500 and 5500 copies.In 2007, sales dropped slightly from 3000 to 2000 copies from January to March before it increased significantly to 8000 copies in August and remained constant until December.The first quarter of 2007 recorded the lowest sales of reading materials as shown in Figure 2.The steady increase in sales from April to August 2007 in Figure 1 corresponds with the significant rise in sales of best sellers between the second the third quarter as shown in Figure 2.*

The plateau / high stable period in sales between August and December 2007 corresponds with the high sales of best sellers in the second half of 2007 as shown in Figure 2.Best sellers recorded the highest sale of 14000 copies in the second half of 2007/ Total sales of best sellers doubled in second half of 2007.Magazines were least popular among readers in 2007.Sales of textbooks rose steadily in the second half of 2007.Sales of workbooks showed a drop in the second quarter / workbook was less preferred compared to textbook.*

Conclusion:Best sellers contributed significantly / remarkably to the annual sales of Southern Book Store in 2007.*

Suggested Answer:Sales of Reading Materials of Southern Book StoreFigure 1 shows the pattern of annual sales of Southern Book Store between 2005 and 2007, while Figure 2 illustrates the sales of four types of reading materials in 2007. Generally, the increase in sales of reading materials corresponds with the overall increase of annual sales in 2007.As observed in Figure 1, the annual sales of reading materials showed a significant rise in 2007 compared to 2005 and 2006. Sales remained constant at a low of 2000 copies per month in 2005, but fluctuated between 3500 and 5500 copies in 2006. Meanwhile, sales dropped slightly from 3000 to 2000 copies between January and March 2007 before it increased significantly to 8000 copies in August and remained constant until December. The increase in sales between April and December 2007 corresponds with the substantial rise in sales of best sellers in the second and third quarter, and remained at the highest sale of 14000 copies throughout the second half of that year as shown in Figure 2. In contrast, magazines were the least popular throughout 2007. Likewise, workbook was less preferred compared to textbooks, which rose steadily in the second half of 2007. Overall, best sellers contributed remarkably to the annual sales of Southern Book Store for 2007.(197 words)*

Grading is based on....Task FulfilmentRelevanceAccuracyAdequacyAppropriacyConcisenessClarityLanguage & OrganisationAccurate sentence structureVaried sentence structureAppropriate vocabularyAppropriate linkersClear, comprehensible meaningsAppropriate paragraphing*

Refer to Assessment Guide (Band Descriptors)*

Marking of Sample Answers(Southern Book Store)*

*Checklist:Has the candidate....fulfilled the required task relevantly?analysed & interpreted the data correctly?given an overall statement of the charts/graphs/table?presented enough key features?shown any relationship between the data?organised relevant data logically?used language correctly and appropriately?used linkers to connect ideas?

The End of Question 1*

*By Suzie Wong, UiTM SabahBy Suzie Wong, UiTM Sabah*By Suzie Wong, UiTM SabahBy Suzie Wong, UiTM Sabah*By Suzie Wong, UiTM SabahBy Suzie Wong, UiTM Sabah