MUET ESSAY : Online Communication

'With the development of online communication, people will never be alone and will always be able to make new friends.'
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Since 1990’s, there has been a gradual shift from viewing online learning as a tool for language learning toward seeing mastery of online communication as a valuable end in itself. This shows the increasing prominence of online communication in today’s society, with e-mails and online discussion surpassing phone calls or face-to-face interaction (American Management Association International, 1998).

Online communication is defined as a computer-meditated form of communication like reading, writing and exchanging information.  Along with the modernizing nation, the Internet had grown rapidly over the last two decades, and there are now a myriad of internet services available for the public. This essay will elaborate on the three advantages of online communication.

Firstly, online communication grants users flexible access. This is because online forums or any form of conversation online are available 24/7, and this is not the case for public gathering or face to face interactions. Users are able to communicate whenever and wherever convenient for them. This can also promote online learning, encouraging people to take up online courses. Working students would be able to focus on their job during their day and study at the comfort of their own home, adults who travels a lot because of their job would also find online course more convenient.

Secondly, any individual participating in online communication can enjoy the equity in the ability to share their thoughts and ideas. On the web, it is not based on who talk the loudest, or who has the highest rank in their workplace. Everyone on the internet is leveled and everyone has the opportunity to speak. According to Warschauer (1999), he found that people are more likely to participate in computer-mediated discussion compared to face-to-face interaction, thus suggesting that online communication is a useful tool or stage for the quiet or shy to voice out their opinion and ideas.

Besides that, online communications had made connecting with people easier than ever. Adolescents use the internet for making connections and maintaining relationships (Lenhart, Madden, Macsill, & Smith, 2007). Teenagers today basically grew up in the era of Facebook, Whatsapp and Wechat. These online social networks are what enable them to connect with friends and family whenever and wherever they are. Online communication also allows one user to connect with users from around the globe, users can improve and broaden their perspective and learn or discover about other cultures, language, lifestyles and so on. Other than that online communication enables individuals to connect with people with the mutual interests. For instance, a guy who likes to travel the world would be able to connect and make friends with people with the same interest and exchange their thoughts and experience on travelling.

This essay had discussed the three advantages of online communication. Advancing technologies had definitely made life a more comfortable and easier place to live in, allowing the people the benefit of staying connected, whenever and wherever.  

MUET ESSAY : Online Shopping

Today people often buy what they need and want via online. From your experience, what are the advantages and disadvantages for both individuals and companies to shop online? Discuss.

Shopping is an essential recreational activity in today’s modern daily life. People shop for food, for clothes, for entertainment, even for self pampering. With today’s advancing technology, shopping had been made easier with online shopping. In this essay, I will discuss the two advantages and disadvantages of online shopping for both individuals and companies.

Online shopping is defined as the act of purchasing items or services via the internet, where everything is just a click away. Online shopping has a lot of advantages for both the consumers and companies; however there are also detriments of online shopping.

First of all, online shopping allows a company to expand its market. The internet enables connecting with customers and prospective buyers easier. Furthermore with the spurt of social media such as Facebook or Instagram, business owners are made able to connect and promote their merchandise to a wider field. The internet benefits the customers as well as they can access relevant information of their merchandise through the company’s website. Any inquiries can also be made immediately instead of having to visit the store in person.

Secondly, online shopping reduces a company’s long term costs. This is because business owners do not need to pay for expensive store premises, the running costs, and staffs to handle the store. The advantage is a win-win for both company and consumers as shopping are now made comfortable and convenient for consumers, shopping can be made anytime and anywhere, no lines or any visiting stores in person. Shopping online allows customers the benefit of comparing prices and quality of goods from different stores.

Despite the promising advantages, online shopping also has its disadvantage. One of the most common drawbacks of online shopping is the complications of placing orders. Customers who are not Internet savvy might find online shopping a challenge as they would face difficulties in finding the appropriate website, especially with the many fake websites nowadays made to cheat personal information from users. Other complication is the most common frauds or scams done by irresponsible parties. Users or consumers may think that they are protected and that their bank accounts are secured during purchase, however most online websites are frauds that aims at stealing people’s bank information. Online shopping can still be risky even if performed on an actual shopping site, since hackers are capable of stealing private information. On the other hand, companies with online websites alone to market their goods might have a downfall too; they would face multiple spam from customers or dealing with a whole lot more of consumers that are not really buying.

Secondly, shopping online does not grant the customer the satisfaction of choosing or examining the product. Consumers or customer cannot visually inspect the items they wanted; such as trying on clothing items, the inability to touch and feel an item, plus the complications of choosing the right color or size, hence purchasing online goods is all dependable on pictures on the websites, and we purchase the item that catches the eye. Pictures that takes time to load or pictures that does not display the items clearly can be a detriment of online shopping. Furthermore, the items purchased may be defective upon arrival, or the item purchased could be a low quality, opened or refurbished.

In a nutshell, this essay had discussed the two advantages and disadvantages of online shopping for both individuals and companies. Online shopping grants a few advantages for the people, but precautions should also be taken into consideration before purchasing items online for it has its drawbacks.

Food Additives in Consumer's Product

____ Ascorbic acid a.k.a. Vitamin C _____


A water-soluble nutrient that can be easily secreted from the human body when not needed. Human cannot synthesize their own vitamin C hence are required to obtain this vitamin through fruits and vegetables. Human vary greatly in their vitamin C requirement. It is natural for one person to need 10 times as much vitamin C as another person, plus a person's age and health status can dramatically change his or her need for vitamin C.

Functions/Beneficial properties of Vitamin C

• cofactor in several enzymatic reaction in the human body
• strengthen the human immune system
• repairs damaged tissues - external and internal
• maintenance of bone, teeth and cartilage
• production of collagen
• maintains normal blood fat and cholesterol level

In consumer products, ascorbic acid/vitamin C is used for

1. Preservatives

• prevents food spoilage from bacteria, molds, fungi or yeast.
• slow or prevent changes in color, flavor or texture
• delay rancidity and maintains freshness
• e.g - fruit sauce, jellies, beverages, snack food, cereals

     2.  Nutrients

• replace vitamins and minerals lost in processing - enrichment
• increase nutrients that may be lacking in the diet - fortification
• e.g - breads, fruit beverages, instant breakfast drinks, energy bars

     3.  pH control agents and acidulants

• control acidity and alkalinity 
• prevent spoilage
• e.g - beverages, frozen desserts, chocolate, low acid canned foods

Deficiency in Vitamin C can/may cause

• scurvy
• gum inflammation, loss of teeth
• high blood pressure
• decreased resistance towards disease-causing agents (low immunity)
• cardiovascular and joint diseases
• cataracts
• cancer

Overdose in Vitamin C can/may cause

• diarrhea
• iron overload disorder
• kidney stone formation

makanyaaa , rajin-rajin la makan sayur sama buah-buahan . ^^

Fruits rich in Vitamin C !

July MUET Writing Test (800/4)

"Everyone should aim to become a millionaire by the age of 35." Discuss. You should write at least 350 words.

          Like the air we breathe in, it is always something we take for granted - time ! Time is ticking away, regardless of what we are doing, even sleeping. However many are unaware of the true value of time. Most people has this mindset of having many more unlimited time to spend, all their youths are spent doing unhealthy activities. These people are of opinion that money is something they can earn easily anywhere anytime. This is somewhat true since our country is filled with many career choice of different fields. However, the question here is, will the money earned be enough for the future ahead ? Capable may human be, but predicting the future is something we human are incapable of. Therefore it is wise for everyone to aim becoming a millionaire by the age 35.

          First of all, it is due to health factor. It is an undeniable fact that people in their late 30's tend to catch many commonly known but dangerous diseases easily, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, kidney stone, arthritis to name a few. And as age increases, so does health risk. So it is crucial for one to secure their money savings for the other half of their life at an early age. Present generation today should think twice about continuing their brief romance with the modern gadgets and their love-life couple. Instead, youths ought to be out struggling, earning a better title than their previous jobs and such, one should earn as much as they can, when they still can.

          Besides that, upon reaching your 40's, it is the perfect time to spend valuable time with your family. As mention earlier, we can never see what may hit us in the near future, believing that you'll die old is clearly a no-no. Put your career aside, spend more of your time, love and attention to the husband or wife and children you once neglected. This is the time where one should get closer to their family, restrengthen the family bond. Go outdoors, barbecue picnic, go to theme parks, or go on a family vacation to name a few activities on the family-to-do list. Moreover, being rich brings everything much to an ease. 

          As most of the millionaires in the world we know, neither one of them have to face any financial problems in their old age. Most of them live the other half of their life comfortably in their huge mansions, bathe in money. In short, being a millionaire means securing their finance. This is not only beneficial to oneself, but to their family as well. Take for instance, out of the blue one of your family member is diagnosed with a dangerous diseases, with the money, early medications and treatment can be made. Furthermore is it not much preferable to die rich rather than die poor ? At least there is loads of fortune for the ease of our future children, and there is something for our future children to look up to.

          In a nutshell, becoming a millionaire by the age of 35 has many benefits. However one cannot expect money and good fortune to come knocking on their door without even lifting a finger. Success does not come rolling, as the saying goes "no pain no gain". Success begets success, being successful in simple task simple jobs is the first step in becoming a young millionaire.


*I don't really remember the essay I wrote, it should have much more elaboration but I just can't remember . :P
*Any comments is accepted , ^ ^