MUET Reading

As the MUET Reading paper is the one which carries the highest weightage of 40%, we
have approached a MUET expert, Madam Audrey Wiles, to share with you her invaluable
tips for your MUET Reading paper 800/3.
1.
Read (There is a reason why its called a MUET Reading paper)

Read everything but with a notepad in hand
Copy down words which you dont understand AND more important, phrases that
you would like to use in your MUET written essay.
2.
Read quality materials

Read articles that are published by reliable sources such as: Readers Digest,
TIME Magazineetc.
Articles used in the exams are usually from these types of source
Keep yourself updated on current issues by reading newspapers (Example: The

STAR, New
Straits
Times, The
Edge)
3.
Use your time wisely!
You only have 1.5 hours to answer 45 exam questions
If you do the math, that would mean that you only have 2 minutes per question
ALWAYS read the question first, and underline the keywords

Make sure you dont just skim through the text but scan for specific information
4.
Know your vocabulary
There will be 6 texts altogether in the exam paper, and the first one always has a
non-linear stimuli (Example: graph, chart or diagram)
You will need the relevant vocabulary knowledge to describe the trend(s) shown
in the given diagram(s)
This is also a useful practice for report writing as it deals with the same language
functions
5.
DONT ACT SMART!
For some questions, you will be asked to infer or make intelligent assumptions
based on the given evidences in the texts
For True/False/Not Stated questions, NEVER use your own opinions to answer
because what is logical to you may not be academically correct
My tip to you is that you should underline the evidence(s) in the texts
For True, you must be able to identify proof that shows that the statement is
correct
You should also underline evidences that prove a statement to be wrong in order
to choose False as your answer
For Not Stated, you will find that it is almost impossible to underline any
evidence at all. Hence, these are the fundamental differences between the answer
selections
True/False/Not
Stated
6.
Train your brain

Guessing the meaning of a vocabulary can be quite tricky especially when you
dont have the access to a dictionary or the internet (Google.com) during your exam.
Hence, you need to train your brain to assess the root word
Focus on the prefix/suffix in order to identify the meaning
If you think the word is a positive, negative or neutral one reconfirm again by
looking at the context of the texts for clues to support your assumption
Review the answers and options given by eliminating the answer that is most
unlikely to be correct before making a calculated guess
For example, in the phrase: the degradation of water quality, the

worddegradation comes from the root word grade which means level or standard.
The de suffix has a negative connotation where it means the removal of something,
while tion is a noun that explains the process of something
Thus, the phrase means the drop of standard/quality of water
7.
Assess the writers intentions
The MUET level comprehension questions do not focus on content alone

Instead, the questions given require candidates to assess the writers:
(A) Purpose
Example: to inform, discuss, argue, compare, persuadeetc.
(B) Style of writing

Example: describing, comparing and contrasting, giving examples, explaining causes
and effects, sequencing eventsetc.
(C) Tone
Example: supportive, opposing, indifferent, neutral, biasedetc.
8.
Assess the articles as a whole
Sometimes you may be asked to give a suitable title to an article
Or to summarize a specific paragraph
Or to come up with a suitable conclusion based on the options given. This clearly
requires critical thinking skills or HOTS (Higher Order Thinking Skills) from you.
9.
Keep practicing!
Essentially, nothing beats practice and more practice
Buy good quality reference books such as Longman or Oxford model tests/actual
exam workbooks and try doing each reading paper 3 times
First attempt: do it as if youre sitting for the real exam. Do not refer to any
workbooks or dictionaries
Second attempt: allow yourself to refer to books, and discuss with your friends if
you need to (and if you are doing it as a group) before marking both attempts
Note: Your 2nd attempt should score better than your first.
Third attempt: Try doing the same set of exam paper again after 2-3 months to
see if you are able to retain the knowledge of vocabulary and concepts which you have
learned before.
10. Grade yourself

Heres a useful guide for you to follow when you attempt the exam questions so
that you can know where you stand
You will need to score:
(A) 21/45 Band 3
(B) 27/45 Band 4
(C) 33/45 Band 5
(D) 39/45 Band 6
Reading is the MOST important MUET paper as it carries 40% or 120/300 marks

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As the MUET Reading paper is the one which carries the highest weightage of 40%, we

Read (There is a reason why its called a MUET Reading paper)

Read quality materials

Keep yourself updated on current issues by reading newspapers (Example: The

Use your time wisely!

You only have 1.5 hours to answer 45 exam questions

ALWAYS read the question first, and underline the keywords

Know your vocabulary

DONT ACT SMART!

Train your brain

Focus on the prefix/suffix in order to identify the meaning

For example, in the phrase: the degradation of water quality, the

Assess the writers intentions

The MUET level comprehension questions do not focus on content alone

(B) Style of writing

Assess the articles as a whole

Sometimes you may be asked to give a suitable title to an article

Or to summarize a specific paragraph

10. Grade yourself

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