PROFILE AND MAIN GOALS OF PROFESSIONALS

A survey was earned out on two different age groups of professionals to determine what they consider to be the main goals for the year ahead. Using only the information provided, write about the results of the survey. In your writing, you are to link the profile of the professionals with their goals. You should write 150 to 200 words. 

Profile of Professionals & Main Goals for the Year Ahead by Age Group

The stimuli present a table on profile of professionals and another on their main goals for the year ahead. In general, the youngsters focus on accumulating wealth while the more affluent older group can afford to concentrate on health.

Based on the information provided, the profile of professionalS from the 18 to 27 years age group are mainly junior executives who have worked an average of 5 years and 40% are married. They only earn RM3000 and their main goal is to make more money. Also top on their list is to improve their technology and communication skills rather than saving money or spending time with family.

The profile of an older professional is completely opposite as these 46 to 55 year olds hold the position of senior manager with 20 years experience and earn more than triple a junior executive’s salary. 95% are married therefore their priorities have changed to focus on being more healthy, saving money and spending family time rather than on new friendships.

In conclusion, the two groups have very different goals for the year ahead as the juniors prioritise money and skills while the mostly married seniors concentrate on health, savings and family.

ANSWERS FOR SAP TEST 1

Here are the answers to the Reading Comprehension Test 1.

1.  A     2.  A     3.  A     4.  B     5.  A
6.  A     7.  A     8.  A     9.  B     10.  C
11.  B    12.  C     13.  C     14.  A     15.  B
16.  B     17.  D     18.  C     19.  C     20.  D
21.  D     22.  B     23.  C     24.  B     25.  C
26.  B     27.  A     28.  B     29.  B     30.  A
31.  D     32.  D     33.  C     34.  B     35.  C
36.  D     37.  D     38.  B     39.  B     40.  A
41.  A     42.  D     43.  C     44.  C     45.  D

Best of luck in your MUET

WORKING CONDITIONS OF LORRY AND BUS DRIVERS

You are a newspaper reporter and have been asked to write an article on the working conditions of drivers of buses and lorries plying the North-South Expressway. Your article should integrate all the information given below. You should write at least 200 words.

Working conditions of drivers of buses and lorries plying the North-South Expressway

        The stimuli present Question 1 on the distance travelled daily and Question 2 on the hours spent driving on the road.

       Generally, the bus and lorry drivers drove varying distances and spent different number of hours on the road.

        The study revealed that 38.75 per cent of these drivers drove more than 500 kilometres a day and 8.75 per cent covered distances in excess of 1,000 kilometres. This shows that more than 45 per cent of bus and lorry drivers plying the North- South Expressway are covering too much distance daily to do an efficient and safe job.

       It also revealed that approximately 39.38 per cent of the drivers covered between 200 to 500 kilometres daily, 10 per cent between 100 and 200 kilometres and 4.37 per cent below 100 kilometres. So it looks as if only about 53.75 per cent of the drivers are covering reasonable distances daily.

        More than 50 per cent of the drivers were on the road for more than 8 hours a day. This is far too many hours to be spent driving on one day. Another 11.69 per cent drove for 6 to 7 hours. Only about 16.89 per cent of the drivers do not exceed 4 hours a day.

         Thus it is not surprising that there have been many accidents involving buses. Many drivers are simply falling asleep behind the wheel or are just too tired to be alert drivers.

WORLD POPULATION PROJECTION 1950 TO 2050

You are an officer attached to the United Nations. You have been asked to write a report on world population projections. Your article should integrate all the information given below. You should write 150 to 200 words.

World Population Projection from 1950 to 2050

        The chart and table illustrate the projections of the world’s population, spanning a century from 1950, as well as comparisons between more developed and less developed regions in the world.

           It is evident that world populations have indicated a sure and steady increase in numbers with less developed regions showing a higher projection than developed areas in the world.

          The world population grew from under 3 billion in 1950 to 3 billion in the next decade. Then it rose to 4 billion in 1970, 5 billion in the late 1980's and reached 6 billion before 2000. After this, the projections were 2011 and 8 billion in 2023. The 9 billion mark would be seen in 2040. Then it would increased further until 2050.

             The table shows real figures and between 1950 and 1975, the population grew by 1541 million. Then in 2007 it increased by 2595 million. The medium variant showed an increase to 9191 million by 2050.

              Interestingly, the more developed regions showed a declining percentage of population over the years. The reverse was seen in the less developed regions, with an increase.

             The world population has risen and will continue to rise and the latest projections predict a more steady and slow increase to 9 billion by 2040.

FAVOURITE SPORT AMONG MALAYSIANS 2007

You are a junior reporter writing for a sports magazine. You have been asked to write a short article on ‘Favourite Sports among Malaysians’ . Your article should integrate all the information given below. You should write at least 200 words.

Favourite sport among Malaysians in 2007

The bar chart shows the favourite sport among Malaysians in 2007 while the table shows and compares the reasons for choosing a particular sport among males and females.

In 2007 the most popular sport was badminton and this was closely followed by jogging. The least popular were swimming and golf.

In badminton, 55% of males selected it as their favourite sport compared to 40% of female Malaysians. The males cited teamwork as the main reasons for playing badminton while the females preferred it as a form of indoor games where there was no direct sunlight.

Jogging being the second choice of Malaysians recorded 45% of females and 35% of males. The females chose it because it was easy to practice while the males said that it was a simple outdoor activity.

The other two least popular sport were swimming and golf. Swimming recorded slightly more responses with 10% of females and 5% of males. The females chose swimming because it was still suitable for pregnant ladies while the males cited fewer physical injuries as their main reason when they swam. Golf recorded only 5% from both male and female Malaysians. Their reason for choosing it was because golf enabled them in business networking.

MONEY SPENT ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN 2008

You have just obtained some information on how much Malaysians spend a week on public transport. Study the findings and write an article to be published in a local daily. Your article should use all the information given below. You should write 150 to 200 words.

Public transport expenditures for Malaysian commuters in 2008

The bar chart shows how much (RM) five age groups in Malaysia spent on three forms of public transport in 2008.

In general, the older the people, the less they spent on public transport. The chart shows a general decline in the expenditure of public transport in all age groups

According to the chart, the youngest spent about RM 6.50 on taxis. However, the 30 to 50 group spent almost as much as the 50 to the 65 group but marginally less, around RM 6.00. Finally the 65 to 75 year olds put out the eldest group only about RM 1.00 weekly. The trend was similar to rail transport, where the youngest group allotted the most for this form of transport, weekly.

As for expenditure on bus, the two groups covering the ages from 30 to 65 averaged approximately the same. Those over 65 spent, again half that  of those over 75. Bus and train took the smallest proportion of the transportation budget but people in the last two groups spent slightly more on bus than train.

In conclusion taxis took the the lion’s share of the budget on transport by Malaysians in all age groups; as taxis are easily available and fares are reasonable.

Decline in the English Language performance

A survey was carried out by the Literary Society of your learning institution on the decline in the English Language performance. As a secretary of the society, you are asked to write a report on the survey. Your report should integrate all the information given below. You should write at least 200 words.

The decline in the English Language performance from 2002 to 2004

The graph shows the performance of learners in the English Language paper for three consecutive years; 2002 to 2004, while the table shows the causes of decline.

In 2002 the number of learners was 150 and 20 obtained A’s, 30 obtained B’s, 60 obtained C’s while the remaining 40 failed.

In 2003 the number of candidates was 140. The number of learners who obtained grade A and B declined from 20 to 10 and 30 to 20 respectively, but there was an increase in the number who obtained C by 10 students. However the number of failures remained.

In 2004, there were 130 candidates. There was a decline in the number of A’s, B’s but an increase in C’s

One of the reasons for the decline was students were not interested in the subject as it is not a compulsory paper to pass and most students or 43% agreed. The next reason was a lack of English reading materials at the resource centre. This was followed by a shortage of trained English teachers at 20%. Finally 15% cited family background as their reason.

Overall there was a decline in the performance in the English Language paper for the three  consecutive years.