Write it right

ATTENTION, all Form Six and pre-university students! Here’s your chance to get your essays published, and gauge your readiness to tackle the writing tasks in the Malaysian University English Test (MUET).

The Earn Your Band 5+ column in The Star’s Newspaperin-Education (NiE) pullout is accepting essay submissions from students keen on putting their MUET writing skills to the test.

Here are the writing tasks for the third instalment of the column this year:

Task 1

You are advised to spend about 25 minutes on this task.

Your classmate, Jeffrey, was absent from school because he had a dental appointment. Read the email from him asking about the lesson which he missed.

Using all the notes given, write a reply of at least 100 words in an appropriate style.

Task 2

You are advised to spend about 50 minutes on this task.

You attended a talk by the publicity director of a psychosocial support helpline, which was recently organised during your school’s Healthy Lifestyle Awareness Day. The following comment was made by the guest speaker:

“One way of dealing with the many negative emotions that may surface during our continued fight against the Covid-19 pandemic is by talking to someone about it, as having a solid support system can go a long way towards improving our mental health.”

Write an essay expressing your opinion on the statement. Write at least 250 words.

All essays should fulfil the MUET writing criteria, in line with the latest revision of the MUET syllabus and changes to the test specifications.

Title your email

“MUET Issue 3: Task (number)”, and send it to schoolstuff@thestar.com.my by Apr

25. Provide your full name, age, school name, MyKad number, home address and cellphone number.

Students whose essays are published will be given certificates of recognition endorsed by Star Media Group Bhd. Not just that, we will grade your submission using a three-star system. Get one star and take home RM30; hit two stars and walk away with RM40; clinch three stars and RM50 is yours!

Earn Your Band 5+ is aimed at improving the English proficiency of those taking the MUET. It features students’ essays, with analyses given by specialist writers, as well as exercises based on infographics from The Star newspaper.

Published on Wednesdays, NiE is available through school subscriptions of The Star. Subscribe through your school or call The Star’s Customer Care Unit at 1-300-88-7827.