One of the questions that came out for this end of the year MUET speaking exam is :

(Submitted by a candidate) How to attain happiness? A. have a goal B. good relationship with others C. good health D. positive outlook Here are my sample scripts... take note that these r just samples that I'm going to 'hantam' write now... haha.. just for fun n to show you how to answer the speaking question as best as you can. Task A Candidate A A very good morning to one and all. The issue at hand today is how to attain happiness. I believe that this issue has been on the forefront for as long as man existed. In fact, I believe even animals and other beings strive to achieve this wonderful state of happiness and contentment. It is therefore my honest opinion that in order to achieve happiness we must have a concrete and measurable goal. Let us analyse a few reasons to justify this point. First and foremost, to aspire towards happiness is not enough. Just wanting is only half the battle won. To attain it there must be some kind of action involved and this most certainly begins with setting goals. The most important reason for setting aims or goals is to provide a way to measure if you have achieved it or not. For example, my aim is to be happy. In order to be happy I must have enough money and job security as well as a stable and happy family. Therefore the next logical step is to provide a timeframe to achieve this goal. If we set a goal based on a timeframe, happiness will be more easily achievable. A young person could aim to get his degree before he turns 25, get a stable high paying job by 30 and get married before he/she is 35. Thus, having a goal or goals will help discern the level of our happiness. Secondly, we can attain happiness when we have a goal because it gives us something to work towards or aim for. However, please note that the beauty of having goals is that it can be modified to suit ourselves and our situations. And once we have achieved it, we can create new goals. Conversely, if we cannot attain it, we can modify them to be more realistic. For instance, Mahatma Ghandi's goal in life was to achieve peace through peaceful means. Furthermore, he was happiest when there are no wars and people can live in peace. Even when he was sent to jail, he still held on to his goal which was to solve things through peaceful means, not war. And even in jail, he could attain happiness Ghandi is a truly inspirational man. As time is running out, let me reinstate that a key method to attain happiness is to set reachable goals for ourselves. It also brings to mind a quote, 'Aim for the sun so that if you fail, you will still be amongst the stars'. Thank you for listening.

Candidate B A very good morning I bid to the examiners and my fellow candidates. As the saying goes, 'No man is an island'. Therefore we thrive on good relationships with others in order to attain happiness. It would be quite strange to achieve ultimate happiness yet have no one of consequence with whom to share it with. Hence, good relationships with others are some of the fundamentals of achieving true happiness. Allow me to describe this issue further by presenting a few points. On the one hand, happiness is maximised when happiness is shared. In general, everyday we interact with the people closes to us be they family members, spouse, children, best friends or colleagues. In fact, sometimes, happiness comes from external sources and we may not even know them personally. But it is these very relationships with others that will build the foundation of happiness brick by brick. When we need help, and a friend offers it, or when we just need to spend some quality time with our family and every member of the family shows up, well, these instances feed happiness to our souls. Imagine if you received really good news like a scholarship to study abroad but had no one to tell. Indeed, our happiness would fade a little, or we might even end up depressed! On the other hand, happiness diminishes when we have few or no good relationships with others. In times of need, it is human nature to reach out for help especially from our closest and dearest. As a child, when we fell and hurt our knees, we would call out for our mom or dad. When a friend backstabs you with nasty gossip, we call our best friend to unload our unhappiness. In the workplace, when our colleagues treat us unfairly, we go home to our spouses and use them as sounding walls to express our anger or disappointment. Thus, the human race is fragile, and we depend on good human relationships to keep our happy odometer high. In short, it would be pointless to attain happiness yet be so lonely with no one to share the good times with. Hence, each of us should work on improving and bettering our relationships in order to attain unlimited happiness in life. Thank you and have a nice day.

Candidate C A marvelous morning I bid to one and all. As the popular saying goes, 'Health is Wealth'. There is indeed a whole lot of truth to this age old adage as I am sure everyone will admit that without health, we would live a poor quality and even substandard life hence marring our ability to attain true happiness! Allow me to further elaborate by providing a few different perspectives on this issue. First and foremost, the level of our health will determine how happy we are. Surely there is not a single soul out there who rejoices in being unhealthy and unwell. Basically, being healthy is crucial to our happiness because if we cannot do even the simplest of things such as brushing our own teeth and going to the toilet unassisted then it would be a very sad day indeed. There can be nothing joyful about waking up every morning to face blood transfusions or chemotherapy or surgery after surgery. In fact it would be downright depressing and it isn't any wonder that these people would suffer depression and even contemplate committing suicide. Conversely, when we have optimum health, happiness is easily attained. When you wake up in the morning and stretch and take big lungfuls of fresh air, it makes us ready to face the challenges in the day ahead. We are able to play our role in society well be it as a student with a sharp mind to study better, or a worker in this industrious world, doing our job well. Or when our health is maximised,

athletes all around the world break records and cry in jubilation as when Usain Bolt does when he literally flies down the track or when Micheal Phelps or even Lin Dan lifts the Olympic gold medals high in victory. Needless to say, in conclusion, happiness is easily attainable when we are healthy because it is one of the pillars of the basic necessities in life in order to truly achieve a state of bliss. Thank you. Candidate D To the examiners and my fellow candidates, a wonderful morning I bid you. The topic given today is rather interesting as it brings to mind a commonly asked question, "Is the glass half empty or it is half full?" A person with a positive outlook would surely answer 'half full' and this colours his or her life with positive energy therefore making happiness truly easily attainable. Allow me to elaborate what I mean about a positive outlook. Firstly, a positive outlook gives us a means of inventing options. What does this mean exactly? Well, people who are positive do not give up easily, in fact, they make it a point to inspect every avenue and come up with innovative ways to overcome any obstacle. For instance, after studying so hard a student fails due to a death in the family during exam time and she could not concentrate. Rather than surrender to her fate, she takes it as a challenge to get back up on the horse and find a job. After a few years of working, she collects enough money to do her degree on a part time basis and after 3 or 4 years, she finally graduates. This is because she has a positive outlook and looked hard for other options to change her fate. At the end, she has managed to attain happiness when her goals are achieved. In addition, a person with a positive outlook seem to draw positive energy into her radius and somehow good things start to happen to her. Even when bad things happen, like an accident that messes up her car, she would still find the silver lining in the sense that she is thankful to be alive and more grateful still for not having harmed anyone else. Therefore, a positive outlook is crucial in attaining happiness because it is a wonderful ability to find the good in any bad situation. In short, people with a positive outlook with find happiness under every stone, at every corner because they are better able to be happy and content with their lot in life. Thank you for lending me your ears.

Practice MUET Speaking practice: Situation A friend of yours has decided to go into the retail business. However, he does not know what line of retail he should focus on. He decides to get some advice from his friends and relatives. Candidate A: You are his father. You advise him to concentrate on childrens clothes. Give reasons for your answer. Candidate B: You are his aunt. You advise him to concentrate on clothes or teenagers. Give reasons for your answer. Candidate C: Your are his sister. You advice him to concentrate on clothes for women. Give reasons for your answer. Candidate D: You are his good friend. You advise him to concentrate on clothes for men. Give reasons for your answer. So, disini saya kongsikan jawpan yang boleh anda berikan sebagai panduan: CANDIDATE A S ANSWER : Chidrens clothes are expensive many parents cant afford parents looking for clothes that are comfortable, reasonably priced and easy to maintain tell friend check out pasar malam outlets get an idea of the range, type and pricing of these clothes many parents do not make clothes prefer to buy children grow fast must constantly buy clothes. CANDIDATE B S ANSWER : Selling teenagers clothes sure bet number of teenagers on the rise have ready cash but cant afford more pricey clothes sold in boutiques they want cheap but trendy easy to cater to teenage fashion what teenagers want to not seem to go out of fashion wide range T-shirts, jeans, blouses, little bagsand other accessories are always in dem CANDIDATE C S ANSWER : Lost of women are now working they want to look smart affordable prices want something smart, fashionable, and decent working, so have their own pocket money unlike women in the past housewives, depend on husbands fashion constantly changes women try to keep up buy new, up-to-date clothes CANDIDATE DS ANSWER : There are very few shops that are exclusively for men-clothes in supermarkets are mostly for women and teenagers range of product for men include smart shirts and pants for the office, for casual

wear and leisure purpose men nowadays are more conscious of fashion more willing to spend money on clothes and fashion.

MUET SPEAKING Sample Question Situation Many teenagers today are stressed out because of various factors. What do you think is a major cause of stress to teenagers? Candidate A Task A : In your opinion, family problems are a major cause of stress to teenagers. Elaborate on this. Candidate B Task A : In your opinion, school-related problems are a major cause of stress to teenagers. Elaborate on this. Candidate C Task A : In your opinion, boy-girl relationships are a major cause of stress to teenagers. Elaborate on this. Candidate D Task A: In your opinion, financial problems are a major cause of stress to teenagers. Elaborate on this. Answering Techniques Greetings List of commonly used expressions: 1. Good morning/afternoon to everyone.. 2. Good morning/afternoon to the examiners and fellow candidates. 3. Hello everyone. 4. Thank you examiners let me begin Introduction List of commonly used expressions: 1. Alright, I will begin my presentation on 2. I will talk about .. 3. Today, I will present my opinion/views/suggestion on Points+Explanation List of commonly used expressions: 1. In my opinion, ..

I said that because : (1)______________________________ For example : ________________________________ So: ________________________________ 2. I believe that, This is because : (1)______________________________ Take for example: ________________________________ Thus: _______________________________ Conclusion +Closing Statement(1).So, overall ____________________ (2). All in all/in conclusion/in a nutshell___________ (3). I will end by saying ____________________ (4). Thats all from me today. Thank you. 3. From my experience, ..________ I believe that ______________________ For instance _______________________ Hence,___________________ 4. As far as I am concerned .. 5. ..is the Sample Question Situation Many teenagers today are stressed out because of various factors. What do you think is a major cause of stress to teenagers? Candidate A Task A : In your opinion, family problems are a major cause of stress to teenagers. Elaborate on this. Sample Answer Preparation(brainstorming) Family Problems =major cause of stress to teenagers Why & How? -family-the closest to teenagers/the most important relationship they have -happy/healthy family /help teenagers/feel confident +supported -teenagers/need a lot of supports and help to make sense of the world -only a harmonious family can provide the supports needed -if family problematic/teenagers will be affected badly -cause stress Greetings Good morning to the examiners and all fellow candidates. Introduction Today, I will talk about what I think I a major cause of stress to teenagers. Points+Explanation In my opinion, family problems are a major cause of stress to teenagers. I said this because first of all, family is the most important thing in a teenagers life. Family provides the environment and support system needed by teenagers who are still finding their ways in life.

A happy and healthy family will make a teenager feel supported in his life and this will make him feel confident to face the world. As you know, being a teenager is difficult. There are many challenges they have to face like the physical changes, school matters and friendships. If a family is problematic, the teenagers will not be able to get enough supports from his family. His life will be very affected. And this will cause a lot of stress to him. Take for example a family who is having a serious financial problem or parents who are going through a bitter divorce. These problems will cause the most stress to the students if compared to problems with friends or other issues. Conclusion +Closing Statement As such, I strongly feel that family problems are a major cause of stress to teenagers. So, that is all from me today. Thank you. Specific Techniques Formulating the Introductory statements 2 Minutes Points Preparation Sample Question Situation Many teenagers today are stressed out because of various factors. What do you think is a major cause of stress to teenagers? Candidate B Task A: In your opinion, school-related problems are a major cause of stress to teenagers. Elaborate on this. [School-related problems = major cause of stress to teenagers[] -school problems like time management, waking up early, transportation to school, meals, homework, activities and examinations. -cause stress -so many things to manage and accomplish in so short a time -teenagers have to train themselves /have to be on themselves in order to cope with schools. -they are in school most of the times/life revolve around school -they are stressed out all the time. -the school is not known as a place for fun -a school is for learning and activities -endless activities and works to cover cause stress to students. Greeting Good morning/afternoon to everyone Introduction Today, I will talk about ,.. From the question: What do you think is a major cause of stress to teenagers? In your answer: What I think is a major cause of stress to teenagers. Statement of Points In my opinion,.. From the question: In your opinion, school-related problems are a major cause of stress to teenagers.

Elaborate on this. In your answer: In my opinion, school-related problems are a major cause of stress to teenagers. Explanation I said that because: In the question: school-related problems are a major cause of stress to teenagers. In your answer: school-related problems .* Explain what the issues are and how plus why they are a major cause of stress to teenagers].. Example: School-related problems include the difficulties the teenagers face when dealing with issues such as -waking up early, catching their transportation, preparing for classes, completing homework, attending lesions, preparing for exams and etc. -some teenagers like to have more flexibility or freedom in life. Maybe they were brought up that way . So they find it difficult to cope with so many things related to the school. -most teenagers complain about having to wake up so early to go to school and also about the long hours spent in school. - in between coming to school and going back, they also have to take part in many activities so these cause stress to them. -for example, the form 6 students who have to be in school until around 3 oclock. -for teenagers, having to cope with so many school-related problems are a major cause of stress. -take for example, students who are weak in certain subjects. They will struggle to master the skills and to understand the lessons. They will fear that they will fail in the subjects. -these things might appear tedious or petty to adults but to teenagers-these are their world. Conclusion Thus, it would be suffice for me to say that school-related problems are a major cause of stress to teenagers. Thank you. Skill Focus: Stating and Justifying Point of View ( Explanation&Elaboration) Sample Question 1. Candidate C Task A : In your opinion, boy-girl relationships are a major cause of stress to teenagers. Elaborate on this. Key words: boy-girl relationships are a major cause of stress to teenagers Techniques You May Use (i).explain what is a b-g r (ii).explain how it may cause stress to teenagers and (iii). describe how it pose a major stress to teenagers. What is b-g-r? (i) A boy-girl relationship refers to the romantic relationship that a teenager have with someone of the opposite gender. How may it cause stress to teenagers? (i). It may cause stress to teenagers because they are still too young . Too young for what? -for the relationship: They are still too young for relationship. Why is that a problem: This is a problem because they are still too young to understand and manage their own feelings. They are too young to understand the feelings of the person they are in love with and most importantly they are just beginning to learn how to manage a romantic relationship which can be very challenging.

How does it pose a major stress to teenagers? (i). It cause a major stress to teenagers because : -they cant avoid it. -its part and parcel of growing up process. -they try to avoid it but it will certainly happen to them. -family may object the relationship and the school might sanction the practice in school. -the teenagers will feel very confused and in a dilemma. Conclusion In conclusion, boy-girl relationship is a major cause of stress to teenagers. Thank you.