Twenty tips for IELTS success

1. In Listening, use the example at the beginning of the first section to familiarize yourself with the sound, the situation, and the speakers.
2. Keep listening until the recording stops, looking only at the questions that relate to the part being played.
3. There are often pauses in the recording between different sections. Use these to prepare for the next set of questions.
4. Answer Listening questions in the order they appear on the Question Paper. Remember that they normally follow the order of the information in the recording.
5. At the end of the recording you have some time to transfer your answers to the Answer Sheet. Check your grammar and spelling as you do so.
6. In Academic Reading, begin by going quickly through each passage to identify features such as the topic, the style, the likely source, the writer’s purpose and the intended reader.
7. As you read, don’t try to understand the precise meaning of every word or phrase. You don’t have time, and those parts of the text might not be tested anyway.
8. Reading tasks sometimes have an example answer. If this is the case, study it and decide why it is correct.
9. Some tasks require you to use words from the text in the answer; in others you should use your own words. Check the instructions carefully.
10. The instructions may also include a word limit, e.g. Use no more than three words. Keep to this by avoiding unnecessary words in your answer.

 

IELTS Exam Preparation

Not only has English become an international language; it is used by more and more people around the world as a medium of post-school study.

To help universities and colleges select students with sufficient English skills to succeed in their courses, The IELTS test was introduced in 1989 to assess “whether candidates are ready to train in the medium of English”. It is now used for this purpose around the globe.

Depending in the course of study that students plan to take, students must elect to sit either the Academic IELTS test or the General Training IELTS test. This choice must be made when applying to sit the test. The Academic IELTS test is necessary for students who plan to study at university (undergraduate or postgraduate courses), and will test the student’s ability both to understand and to use complex academic language. The General Training IELTS test is required by other institutions, such as colleges and high schools, for courses that require less complex language skills, and is also as a general test of English proficiency e.g. for immigration purposes in Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

The Test Format
There are four sub-tests, or modules, to the IELTS test: Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. Students must sit all four sub-tests. While all students take the same Listening and Speaking tests, they sit different Reading and Writing tests, depending on whether they have selected the Academic IELTS test or the General Training IELTS test.

On the day of the test, the four subsections will be taken in the following order:

Total Test Time
2 hours 45 minutes

The Speaking test may even take place a day or two later at some centers.

IELTS listening test lasts for about 30 minutes. It consists of four sections, played on cassette tape, in order of increasing difficulty. Each section might be a dialogue or a monologue. The test is played once only, and the questions for each section must be answered while listening, although time is given for students to check their answers.

IELTS Reading test lasts for 60 minutes. Students are given an Academic Reading test, or a General Training Reading test. Both tests consist of three sections, and in both tests the sections are in order of increasing difficulty.

IELTS Writing test also lasts for 60 minutes. Again, students take either an Academic test, or a General Training test. Students must perform two writing tasks, which require different styles of writing. There is no choice of question topics.

IELTS Speaking test consists of a one-to-one interview with a specially trained examiner. The examiner will lead the candidate through the three parts of the test:
An introduction and interview, an individual long turn where the candidate speaks for one or two minutes on a particular topic, and a two-way discussion thematically linked to the individual long turn. This interview will last for approximately 11-14 minutes.

Source: http://www.ielts-exam.net/

Greatest Memory....

What are the qualities of a good friend?

True friendships can start instantly but they take time to build. Here are a few qualities to look for when making friends as a teen -- and beyond.

1. A good friend is honest.

A good friend may not share every detail of every second of their life, but they do try to be clear about their intentions. This means that they try to present an accurate picture of who they are and of different situations. When something doesn't seem right, they let you know.

2. A good friend is fun, unique and interesting.

OK, this is a given, and probably the reason you became friends in the first place. But there's a lot to be said for chemistry and shared interests.
As for fun, it depends how you define it: Some friends are fun because they're the life of the party, others are fun because they notice every strange little detail about a situation. Some people are fun simply because they see life like no one else does.

3. A good friend is attentive and adaptable.

A good friend is at least a fairly good listener and notices how little, day-to-day things affect you. They can't read your mind, but chances are they can usually tell when you're happy, sad, excited, shocked or upset. If they're aware that they're doing something that annoys you, they try to change their ways or at least talk to you about it.

4. A good friend is supportive of you and your goals.

Sure, your friend may think you're cool, but are they on the same page as you? Do they know what you want most out of life? A really good friend will know what makes you tick and help you become the person you want to be. They won't try to change who you are or drag you into situations that make you uncomfortable or put you at risk of losing something that matters to you.

5. A good friend is a friend you can trust.

A true friend won't try to steal your girlfriend or boyfriend, your job or your personality. They won't gossip about you constantly or try to damage your reputation. They will let you know when they're concerned and do their best to stick up for you when you're in trouble.

6. A good friend makes it clear that they care about you.

Different people may have different ways of letting you know that they care about you. One person may give you a big hug whereas another person might gently tease you. A big clue that someone cares is that they talk to you fairly often and, in general, know what's going on in your life and act interested about it.

7. A good friend sticks with you in good times and bad.

Loyalty is a quality almost everyone lists when asked what they look for in a friend. A loyal friend will stick with you when your new play is a flop, when you bomb the SATs or when your parents get divorced. If you move or switch schools, they'll do their best to stay in touch with you.

8. A good friend accepts you for who you are, even when you're being a butthead.

In friendship, being accepting goes hand in hand with being loyal. A true friend rolls with the punches as you grow and change and know how to deal with your quirks and faults.
They are also patient with you when you make mistakes -- even big ones -- and learn how to forgive you when you hurt them. In other words, they treat you as you'd like to be treated, even when you aren't at your best.

FRIENDSHIP

What is friendship? 

It is an in-depth relationship combining trust, support, communication, loyalty, understanding, empathy, and intimacy. Aspects of life that all of us crave.

Being able to trust and relax with your friend is a big part of friendship.
Remember when you were young and went with a friend to her grandma's for the week-end. It was fun but when you got home, home was wonderful. Your feeling was "I'm home. I can relax now."

That's what a friendship should be.
You go out into the world and do your best. You have your ups and downs, your problems and triumphs, your fun and vicissitudes. You charm and you perform.
Then you come "home" to a friend. You can relax, put up your feet; you are relieved. If you still have to be charming and/or performing, it's not a relief.
Friendship is a comfy situation like home. You get home, kick off your shoes, relax and sigh, "Ahh, home." 

But no one can form a friendship until he/she realizes that the basis of being friends is meeting the needs of the other person. One must be a friend to have one.
 

TOPIC FOR IELTS WRITING TASK 2

Here are few practice topics intended for Writing Task II (Academic) of IELTS : 

1. Some people believe that only pupils of similar interests should be given admissions in schools.Others are of the opinions that schools should be open to all children with varied interests. How far you agree or disagree with the above views. Give your opinion in not less than 250 words.
2. Some authors believe that urbanization is a ‘Modern Disease’. In not less than 250 words explain if you agree with this view and give your own opinion.
3. Capital punishment is a brutal decision and should be abolished. Give your views in not less than 250 words if you agree or disagree with it.
4. Most criminals are set free once they finish their jail terms. Is the re introduction of criminals in societies is justified? Place your views in no less than 250 words.
5. Working and living abroad helps us to know other cultures well. How far you think working abroad has good or bad impacts on our cultural lives?
6. If you were given to change, what all changes you would implement in this 21st century to make our world a better living place? Discuss few changes in not less than 250 words.
7. Computers can easily do all the basic and advanced calculations. Do you think your children should spend more time learning basic mathematics or advanced computer technology. Give your views in not less than 250 words.
8. Should poor countries continue to receive International Aids? Give your views in not less than 250 words.
9. Some parents grow their children in strict discipline while others leave them free to learn lessons of lives on their own. Which is one of these is a better approach and why? Give your own opinion in not less than 250 words.
10. The modern technology is all making things easily available. Internet has provided us the easy dowloadable versions of most books we need. Can internet world replace the world of books and words ? Give your own views in not less than 250 words.
11. As most postgraduate research is funded by industry then students grants should also come from the same source. How far you agree with this. Give your views in not less than 250 words.
12. Modern technology is transforming the way we work and is of benefit to our society. How far you think our social lives influenced by modern technology.
13. In order keep the students more focused, the sports classes should be stopped in High schools. You think this will be a right approach for a better generation?
14. Children are the impressions of their parent’s behaviour. If a child behaves badly his parents should be considered responsible and should be punished. How far you agree with this.
15. What do you think the government in your country should do to make your country more successful.
16. Smoking is a bad habit and should be abandoned completely world wide. Give your views in not less than 250 words.
17. Time is an important factor in every field. Do you think following strict time limits is more important than giving quality results. Give your views in not less than 250 words.
18. Life was simpler without so much of technology. Give your views in not less than 250 words.
19. Are famous people treated unfairly by the media ? Should they be given more privacy, or is the price of their fame an invasion into their private lives?
20. Should developing countries pay more attention towards education or improving business standards? 

Writing Task 1 (Consumption trend of fast food in Britain)

The chart below shows the amount of money per week spent on fast foods in Britain. The graph shows the trends in consumption of fast foods. Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information below.

Two graphs are given. The column graph depicts the expenditure on fast foods by different income groups in Britain and the line graph shows the trends in consumption of fast foods from 1970 to 1990.

The chart shows that high income earners consumed considerably more fast foods than the other income groups. They spent more than twice as much on hamburgers (43 pence per person per week) as on fish and chips or pizza (both under 20 pence). Average income earners spent 33 pence per person per week on hamburgers, which was the maximum they spent on any given fast food. This was followed by fish and chips at 24 pence, then pizza at 11 pence per person per week. Low income earners spent less than other income groups on fast foods, though fish and chips remains their most popular fast food, followed by hamburgers and then pizza.

Another Model of Academic Writing Task 1 of IELTS (01)

Chorleywood is a village near London whose population has increased steadily since the middle of the nineteenth century. The map below shows the development of the village.

The map shows the development of Chorleywood village in between 1868 and 1994.  Chorleywood park and golf coast lies in the centre of layout. To the south of this is the Chorleywood station. To the south of the Chorleywood Park, the darkly shaded area is developed in between 1922 and 1970. The horizontally shaded area around the station is developed in between 1883 and 1922. It can be seen from the graph that the area north of Chorleywood station and the west of Chorleywood park and the golf course developed in between 1868 and 1883.

Homework (Michael)

Homework for 9 February 2011

1. Writing Task 1A

The chart below shows the number of men and women in further education in Britain in three periods and whether they were studying full-time or part-time.

Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

2. Writing Task 1B

The graph below shows radio and television audiences throughout the day in 1992.

Reading skills for the IELTS test - skimming and scanning

Homework (Rani)

Homework for January 27, 2011

Do the exercises in :

• Unit 20 (Relative clauses), on page 173-183

• Unit 23 (Linking ideas), on page 198-209

Homework (Michael)

Homework for January 26, 2011

Make an outline for Writing Task 2 from the following statements:

The threat of nuclear weapons maintains world peace. Nuclear power provides cheap and clean energy.

The benefits of nuclear technology far outweigh the disadvantages.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Homework (Michael)

Homework for January 19, 2011

Make an introduction paragraph of essay from these 3 statements:

• Government should spend most of their budget on the military. Do you agree with this view?
• Population control policies like China's one child policy are a good way to fight poverty. Discuss it!
• TV Channels should be allowed to show violence and nudity as it is the viewers responsibility as to what they choose to watch. Discuss it!

Writing Task 1 (Different levels of post-school qualifications)

The chart below shows the different levels of post-school qualifications in Australia and the proportion of men and women who held them in 1999. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

The given bar graph gives information about the percentage of men and women who held
different levels of post-school qualifications in Australia in 1999. It is clear that gender differences were more pronounced in some fields than others.

According to the graph, we can see immediately that there were substantial differences in the proportion of men and women at different levels. The biggest difference was at the lowest post-school level, where 90% men who held a skilled vocational diploma compared with only 10% women. By contrast, more women attended undergraduate diplomas which reached 70%,  and 50% women held bachelor's degree.

At the higher levels of education, the number of men with postgraduate diplomas was clearly more than that of the women which is 70% compared with 30%, respectively, and 60% men were attended Master's degree.

In conclusion, it can be seen that more men than women held post-school qualifications at the lower and higher levels of education, while more women reached undergraduate diploma level than men. However, the smallest margin of gender difference was at the level of Bachelor's degree in the year of 1999.

This ends my report.

10 Tips for IELTS Preparation

10 Tips for IELTS Preparation (David Larbalestier):

1. Become familiar with -> international English, a variety of English accents
2. It takes more than 400 hours of study and learning to progress 1 IELTS Band or 200 hours for 0.5 of a Band. You cannot short cut language learning. Study does not equal learning.
3. Don’t waste time to memorize particular versions of Listening, Reading, Writing, Structure. Spend your time doing practice tests and learning language in preparation for all versions. Learn language, not answer
4. Read the questions, read carefully and think. Each question stands alone and can be answered on its own. If you miss a question-move on! Remember -> 13/30, 14/40, 15/50, etc
5. Practice all question types. Do as many practice tests as possible. Listen to songs, movies, radio.
6. Read the questions, read carefully and think! Practice all question types. Develop your reading efficiency-skimming, scanning and ……… (I miss a word, anyone can help me??).
7. Practice writing essays on a range of topics according to length requirements in the time frame. Count the line on the page. Count the words you write per line. Work out how many lines you need to write to meet the length requirement.
8. Expand your vocabulary for a range of IELTS topic. Learn useful words and their word forms. Always remember to get the spelling right! Test: What’s the verb form of destruction? Spell this word.
9. Understand IELTS criteria and what the examiner is looking for. Learn to check your own word.

          A : Did I answer the question completely?
          L : Is my answer logical and coherent?
          R : Do I have a range of sentences and structures?
          S : Do I have spelling mistakes? 

   10. Understand IELTS criteria and what the examiner is looking for.

• Improve fluency by speaking with anyone
• Improve accuracy with a teacher or native speaker

Sharing Wealth Among Countries

By : Dao Thuy Hang 6a06 

 
Topic: 

Should wealthy nations be required to share their wealth among poorer nations by providing such things as food and education? Or is it the responsibility of the governments of poorer nations to look after their citizens themselves?

There are so many different countries in the world. Different countries have different conditions, some are rich, and some are poor. However, it is the responsibility of the governments of poorer nations to look after their citizens by themselves. 

The first reason to support for my opinion is that it will motivate the government to develop their country by themselves. If the wealthy nations are required to share their wealth among poorer nations, the poorer nations will not want to try their best to solve their problems. The poorer countries will become depend on the rich countries. The governments of poorer nations do not have to worry about providing food or education for their citizens anymore, so they do not want to try hard. As a result, their country can not develop dramatically.

Secondly, some rich countries are not voluntary to share their wealth with poorer nations. They can think that it is unfair for them because they have tried hard by themselves to get the wealth for their countries. Why other countries can not try to get the same wealth like them. Every country is not rich at the first time. They have to work hard to gain their achievement. Of course, they can help other countries, but they have to be voluntary to do so. They should not be required to do that.

However, many people think that wealthy countries should required to share their wealth with poorer countries, because it will be easier of poorer countries to develop. Practically, it will make poorer countries reduce their motivation and desire to develop their country.
  

In short, looking after the citizens is the responsibility of the government of poor countries by themselves. They will have more motivation to make their country richer and they do not need to depend on other countries.

Homework (Michael)

Vocabulary for IELTS

1. Page 23 point 3.1
2. Page 24 point 3.2

Dateline : Wednesday, 15 December 2010

Homework (Ms. Herlin)

IELTS Preparation (Blue Module)

1. Page 120 Speaking 2
2. Page 159 Unit 11 Prefixes

 Dateline : Friday, 10 December 2010

Source: Mrs. Dina - Mrs. Susan

Speaking Tutorial 1

 

Source : Youtube

How to write an essay

In a sequence essay, you are writing to describe a series of events or a process in some sort of order. Usually, this order is based on time. You organize the essay by writing about each step of the process in the order it occurred.

Example question:

Write an essay outlining the stages of the salmon life cycle.

Introduction: 

Describe what a salmon is like.

Supporting paragraphs:

1. Describe young salmon.

2. Describe adult salmon.

3. Describe what salmon do before they die.

Summary paragraph:

Summarize the main steps of the salmon life cycle.

The introduction paragraph is the first paragraph of your essay. It introduces the main idea of your essay. A good opening paragraph captures the interest of your reader and tells why your topic is important:

1. Write the thesis statement. The main idea of the essay is stated in a single sentence called the thesis statement. You must limit your entire essay to the topic you have introduced in your thesis statement.
2. Provide some background information about your topic. You can use interesting facts, quotations, or definitions of important terms you will use later in the essay. Example (if you were writing about hockey) Hockey has been a part of life in Canada for over 120 years. It has evolved into an extremely popular sport watched and played by millions of Canadians. The game has gone through several changes since hockey was first played in Canada