Word | Meaning | Sentence |
stewardship | the management or care of something, particularly the kind that works. | Her stewardship of the garden was excellent. |
revolutionize | cause to change; make different; cause a transformation. | Smartphones revolutionize communication. |
Autonomous | things that function separately or independently. | The autonomous car drove itself. |
automate
| make automatic or control, or operate automatically. | They automate the billing process. |
algorithms | a precise rule (or set of rules) specifying how to solve some problem | The app uses algorithms to suggest music. |
tenuous | lacking substance or significance | His grasp on the rope was tenuous. |
abject | showing utter resignation or hopelessness | They lived in abject poverty. |
errant | traveling from place to place, especially in search of adventure | The errant bird flew off course. |
avail | be of use to, be useful to | His advice did not avail. |
cursory | hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough. | He gave a cursory look at the newspaper. |
Summary:
The Star's recent article reports on a thunderstorm warning issued by the Malaysian Meteorological Department for nine states in Peninsular Malaysia (Perlis, Kedah, Penang, Perak, Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Selangor, and Johor) as well as the federal territory of Labuan. The warning alerts residents to the possibility of thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, and strong winds. These weather conditions pose a risk of flash floods, fallen trees, and disruptions to outdoor activities and transportation. The department urges the public in the affected areas to take necessary precautions to ensure their safety and to stay updated on the latest weather forecasts and advisories. This proactive measure aims to minimize potential damage and ensure the well-being of communities in the face of adverse weather.
Opinion:
I think the prompt and timely issuance of thunderstorm warnings by the Malaysian Meteorological Department is crucial for ensuring public safety. Given the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, these alerts allow residents to take proactive steps to protect themselves and their property. It highlights the importance of a well-functioning meteorological agency and effective communication channels to disseminate such critical information. Furthermore, it underscores the need for public awareness and preparedness regarding potential weather hazards. Residents should heed these warnings seriously and take necessary precautions to mitigate risks associated with thunderstorms, heavy rain, and strong winds.
Check out on the article by yourself for further reading!
1. Practice with friends: Casual English conversations with friends at any time preferably helps with confidence and fluency
2. Know your materials: Review more speaking topics and search its main points. By understanding and exploring more topics, you can talk naturally of the points within your view instead of depending on rote memorisation
3. Pace yourself: The feeling of nervousness leads to a rapid-fire speaking which makes it difficult for us to structure out sentences. Consciously pace down and control the speed of speaking, this will make you sound more composed and structured
Speaking can be challenging for certain people, even for me, but nothing is impossible to be tackle over with the right way.
Summary of the Topic on How Education Can Be Improved:
Our discussion was about how education can be improved. There were so many ways prompted on how education can be improved. I chose the point on the usage of artificial intelligence (AI) in conducting classes.
In my point of view, one significant way to improve education is through the strategic integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools within the learning environment. This involves leveraging platforms like Google Meet, Zoom, Canva, and ChatGPT to create a more accessible and efficient learning experience for students. By incorporating AI, educators can provide students with readily available answers to their queries and easily accessible study materials, all within a unified tool or software. This approach aims to streamline the learning process, making resources more readily available and potentially fostering greater student autonomy and engagement.
Reflection on my speaking:
Even though I didn't have much understanding on the topic, I managed to come up with relevant ideas and provides elaboration for the main point I chose. However, I realised and acknowledged that I struggled with my stuttering, coherence, and fluency. I need to focus on delivering the message in a moderate speed and pace myself better. Other than that, I will work on mentally outlining my ideas before speaking to make sure my ideas are connected and flow logically. I will use more transition words and phrases to keep the points on the right lane. To work on my fluency, more practices of reading aloud and paraphrasing should be beneficial for me.
Feeling Overwhelmed? Let's Take Control of Your Time!
Life can feel like a whirlwind sometimes, can't it? Between work, family, hobbies, and everything else that demands our attention, it's easy to feel like we're constantly chasing our tails. This feeling of being overwhelmed often boils down to one core issue: time management. It's not about having more hours in the day; it's about making the most of the time we already have. When we struggle to manage our time effectively, stress levels rise, productivity dips, and we can miss out on things that truly matter. But don't worry, taking control of your time is a skill you can learn and develop!
So, how can we move from feeling frantic to feeling in control? Here are a couple of powerful strategies to get you started.
Firstly, embrace the power of planning and prioritization. Think of your time like a precious resource – you wouldn't want to waste it, would you? Start by identifying your most important tasks. What absolutely needs to get done? What will have the biggest impact? Tools like to-do lists, digital calendars, or even simple notebooks can be incredibly helpful here. The key is to not just list everything, but to prioritize. Consider using methods like the Eisenhower Matrix, which categorizes tasks based on urgency and importance. This helps you focus on what truly matters and avoid getting bogged down in less critical activities. By dedicating specific time slots for these important tasks, you create structure and ensure they don't get lost in the daily shuffle.
Secondly, learn to say "no" and protect your time. This might sound simple, but it can be surprisingly difficult. We often feel obligated to say "yes" to every request, even when it stretches us too thin. However, constantly overcommitting yourself is a recipe for burnout and ineffective time management. Learning to politely decline tasks that don't align with your priorities or that you simply don't have the capacity for is crucial. It's about recognizing your limits and valuing your time. When you say "no" to unimportant things, you free up valuable time and energy for what truly matters.
Beyond planning and setting boundaries, another powerful tool in your time management arsenal is the art of minimizing distractions and maximizing focus. In today's hyper-connected world, it's easy to get pulled in a million different directions. Notifications ping, emails flood our inboxes, and social media beckons. These constant interruptions can shatter our concentration and significantly eat into our productive time. To combat this, consciously create dedicated focus periods. This might involve turning off notifications, closing unnecessary tabs on your computer, or even finding a quiet workspace where you won't be disturbed. Techniques like the Pomodoro Technique, where you work in focused bursts followed by short breaks, can also be incredibly effective in maintaining concentration and preventing burnout. By actively minimizing distractions, you'll be amazed at how much more you can accomplish in the same amount of time.
In conclusion, feeling like you're constantly battling the clock is a common experience, but it doesn't have to be your reality. By actively implementing strategies like planning and prioritizing your tasks and learning to protect your time by saying "no" when necessary, you can significantly improve your time management skills. It takes practice and conscious effort, but the rewards – reduced stress, increased productivity, and a greater sense of control over your life – are well worth it. So, take a deep breath, start small, and begin your journey towards mastering your time today!
Sitting at a comfortable and convincing Band in MUET feels good and safe, but the ambition for a higher Band 5, inching towards that coveted Band 6 (CEFR C2), burns bright! My preparation journey has been a mix of smooth sailing and navigating some choppy waters. It's both exciting and pressuring at the same time in a positive way.
Interestingly, I’ve found a rhythm with the listening paper, feeling confident in picking up key information. Decoding the text structures in the reading paper also comes quite naturally, and the distinction between crafting an argumentative versus a discussive essay, along with the trusty PEEL method, feels like solid ground. After months of learning MUET under the guidance of such an experienced teacher, the lessons helps me to feel more and more confident and ambitious.
However, the speaking test throws me a curveball. I'm aiming for high Band 4 and above but the struggle to speak fluently has been challenging. Conjuring relevant ideas and elaborations on the spot can be a real challenge for either the individual presentation or the group discussion. When it comes to argumentative essays, backing up my points with solid data and statistics often feels like grasping at air. I was told to come up with any logical names and datas, but I'm wary that it'd sound cringy and questionable. And let's not forget the reading paper's gapped texts and those intricately woven passages that sometimes leave me scratching my head. Going through a reading paper during the peak dry and humid hour had me easily feeling sleepy and confused under the influence of drowsiness.
To bridge these gaps, I've doubled down on my efforts. I'm actively devouring more articles and diverse texts to broaden my general knowledge and spark those on-the-spot ideas. I'm slowly turning the habit of essay reviewing as a part of my study routine, dissecting what works and identifying areas for stronger argumentation and evidence. Finally, I'm tackling more reading exercises, specifically focusing on those tricky gapped texts and complex analyses. I'm not going to lose myself against a few long passages of text and unable to grasp more marks for those parts.
The climb to a higher band won't be easy, but with consistent effort, I'm determined to reach that next level!
