Showing posts with label Tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tips. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 15, 2020
Thursday, January 30, 2020
Sunday, April 21, 2019
Friday, July 27, 2018
Reading strategies as described in our classes
Basic reading strategies
1. Skimming – quickly read the text to get the main ideas (the gist)- how?- look at the introduction, the title, the topic sentence of each paragraph (first sentence)
2. Scanning – quickly read to find a detail- how?- search for key words/phrases
What to do with unknown words 1. Read the sentences before and after. 2. Think of words in the same family. 3. Figure out what part of speech it is, based on its suffix or place in the sentence. 4. Guess its meaning according to what the sentence is intended to say. 5. Worst-case scenario: ignore it, guess what information may fill this gap and move on. Advanced exams reading tasks and how to deal with them (You need to have skimmed the text before you do any of the following activities.)
1) Multiple-choice questions a. Skim the text. b. Underline keywords in the question (at first, read the questions only, not the answers). c. Spot the key words (or their synonyms) in the text – this is where the answer is. d. Choose the correct answer that is true based on the text and not your general knowledge.
2) Missing Sentences Skim the text. Scan the given sentences and underline key words in them. Look at the text and find the sentences before and after the gap. Do they match the pronouns and nouns of the sentences the activity gives you? After you finish, quickly re-read all the text. Does it flow? Do the sentences you added tie in with those before and after them?
3) If you are asked "Which paragraph contains this information?" (e.g. IELTS book 8, p.20) Skim the text Find key words in the given sentences Locate the key words (or their synonyms) in a specific paragraph in the text Quickly check your answers after you finish the activity
4) If you are asked to "match events with nationalities/ dates/ etc." (e.g. IELTS book 8, p.20) Spot the key words of the given sentence in the text. Find the nationality/ date/ etc in the text Choose the correct answer
5) If you are asked to "label a diagram" (e.g. IELTS book 8, p.21) Spot the paragraph(s) in the text that contain the information needed (the title of the diagram can help you decide on its main idea) Find the word(s) missing in every gap- make sure they are important words that explain the diagram simply and fully.
6) "Choose from a list of headings the appropriate heading for every paragraph of the text” (e.g. IELTS book 8, p.22) Skim the text. Get the main idea of every paragraph. Scan the list of headings to see which fits perfectly the MAIN idea of the paragraph you are reading.
7) "Is the sentence true/ false/ not given?" (e.g. IELTS book 8, p.25) Underline the key words of every sentence. Spot the key words in the text. If you choose 'true', make sure all the words contained in the given sentence are absolutely correct according to the text and not your general knowledge.
8) "Match the sentence halves so that they convey the same meaning as in the text." (e.g. IELTS book 8, p.28) Spot the first half of the question in the text. Understand the general meaning conveyed by this sentence in the text. Choose the second half so that meaning of the newly created sentence is the same as in the text.
9. "Complete the table" (e.g. IELTS book 8, p.29) The tables are usually divided into main sections (e.g. Studies A and Studies B) and subsections (e.g. description, result, etc) Spot where each section is mentioned in the text. Then, locate the subsections. For example, if you find where Studies A are, you will also see a description of them, their results and so on. Find the missing words. The words should be important for the meaning of the sentence. Remember to use 3 words the most.
10) "Complete the summary using the list of words." (IELTS book 8, p. 48) Skim the summary to get its main idea. Also look carefully at the given words. Spot where the main idea of the summary is mentioned in the text. Spot where the given words are mentioned in the text and their context. Go back to the summary and fill in the gaps according to the information in this specific part of the text.
11) "Complete the sentences with no more than two words" (e.g. IELTS book 8, p. 67) Underline the key words in the given sentences. Spot them (or their synonyms) in the text. Find what information completes the sentence in the text. Use important and simple words to fill in the gaps. (Use two words the most.)
12) "Which 5 of these beliefs are reported by the writer of the text?" (e.g. IELTS book 8, p. 72) Scan the given sentences and underline key words. Eliminate the ones you are sure not to be true after skimming the text. Spot the key words (or their synonyms) of the remaining sentences in the text. Make sure the sentences you choose to be true are 100% correct according to the information in the text. All words in a true sentence need to contain accurate information.
What to do with unknown words 1. Read the sentences before and after. 2. Think of words in the same family. 3. Figure out what part of speech it is, based on its suffix or place in the sentence. 4. Guess its meaning according to what the sentence is intended to say. 5. Worst-case scenario: ignore it, guess what information may fill this gap and move on. Advanced exams reading tasks and how to deal with them (You need to have skimmed the text before you do any of the following activities.)
1) Multiple-choice questions a. Skim the text. b. Underline keywords in the question (at first, read the questions only, not the answers). c. Spot the key words (or their synonyms) in the text – this is where the answer is. d. Choose the correct answer that is true based on the text and not your general knowledge.
2) Missing Sentences Skim the text. Scan the given sentences and underline key words in them. Look at the text and find the sentences before and after the gap. Do they match the pronouns and nouns of the sentences the activity gives you? After you finish, quickly re-read all the text. Does it flow? Do the sentences you added tie in with those before and after them?
3) If you are asked "Which paragraph contains this information?" (e.g. IELTS book 8, p.20) Skim the text Find key words in the given sentences Locate the key words (or their synonyms) in a specific paragraph in the text Quickly check your answers after you finish the activity
4) If you are asked to "match events with nationalities/ dates/ etc." (e.g. IELTS book 8, p.20) Spot the key words of the given sentence in the text. Find the nationality/ date/ etc in the text Choose the correct answer
5) If you are asked to "label a diagram" (e.g. IELTS book 8, p.21) Spot the paragraph(s) in the text that contain the information needed (the title of the diagram can help you decide on its main idea) Find the word(s) missing in every gap- make sure they are important words that explain the diagram simply and fully.
6) "Choose from a list of headings the appropriate heading for every paragraph of the text” (e.g. IELTS book 8, p.22) Skim the text. Get the main idea of every paragraph. Scan the list of headings to see which fits perfectly the MAIN idea of the paragraph you are reading.
7) "Is the sentence true/ false/ not given?" (e.g. IELTS book 8, p.25) Underline the key words of every sentence. Spot the key words in the text. If you choose 'true', make sure all the words contained in the given sentence are absolutely correct according to the text and not your general knowledge.
8) "Match the sentence halves so that they convey the same meaning as in the text." (e.g. IELTS book 8, p.28) Spot the first half of the question in the text. Understand the general meaning conveyed by this sentence in the text. Choose the second half so that meaning of the newly created sentence is the same as in the text.
9. "Complete the table" (e.g. IELTS book 8, p.29) The tables are usually divided into main sections (e.g. Studies A and Studies B) and subsections (e.g. description, result, etc) Spot where each section is mentioned in the text. Then, locate the subsections. For example, if you find where Studies A are, you will also see a description of them, their results and so on. Find the missing words. The words should be important for the meaning of the sentence. Remember to use 3 words the most.
10) "Complete the summary using the list of words." (IELTS book 8, p. 48) Skim the summary to get its main idea. Also look carefully at the given words. Spot where the main idea of the summary is mentioned in the text. Spot where the given words are mentioned in the text and their context. Go back to the summary and fill in the gaps according to the information in this specific part of the text.
11) "Complete the sentences with no more than two words" (e.g. IELTS book 8, p. 67) Underline the key words in the given sentences. Spot them (or their synonyms) in the text. Find what information completes the sentence in the text. Use important and simple words to fill in the gaps. (Use two words the most.)
12) "Which 5 of these beliefs are reported by the writer of the text?" (e.g. IELTS book 8, p. 72) Scan the given sentences and underline key words. Eliminate the ones you are sure not to be true after skimming the text. Spot the key words (or their synonyms) of the remaining sentences in the text. Make sure the sentences you choose to be true are 100% correct according to the information in the text. All words in a true sentence need to contain accurate information.
Friday, May 18, 2018
Friday, May 11, 2018
Free apps to practise vocabulary!
Also pay a visit to:
IELTS Topic Vocabulary on https://www.ieltsspeaking.co.uk/ielts-vocabulary/
*This is where you will find IELTS vocabulary categorised in common exam topics.
*When you’ve completed each lesson, try using the vocabulary in an IELTS-style practice test.
Sunday, May 6, 2018
Saturday, May 5, 2018
Thursday, April 26, 2018
Body Language and the Speaking Test
Although it is never mentioned in the assessment criteria for speaking exams, your body language will count for a great deal. Being aware of how you project your body image and interact with the examiners will help boost your score. In short, this popular TED Talk argues that your body language may even shape who you are. Looking confident will help you feel confident. Try some of the techniques suggested here: you may be surprised at how effective they are.
IELTS Speaking Criteria
Familiarising yourself with the assessment criteria is one way of boosting your score on almost any exam, as it enables you to give the examiners what they are looking for. Here is a useful guide to the Speaking Criteria from IELTS Advantage, a user-friendly site that anyone preparing for IELTS should know about.
Monday, April 2, 2018
Friday, March 30, 2018
Assessment criteria
Versions of the assessment criteria for Writing and Speaking have been developed to help stakeholders better understand the level of performance required to secure a particular band score:
Taken from:
https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/find-out-about-results/ielts-assessment-criteria
Also visit this page to calculate your score more accurately:
Downloads
Taken from:
https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/find-out-about-results/ielts-assessment-criteria
Also visit this page to calculate your score more accurately:
Friday, March 25, 2016
Thursday, January 22, 2015
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
How to improve your speaking score by using better vocabulary
Watch the video by the British Council: http://youtu.be/LQQE2hWrl98
Friday, September 2, 2011
Friday, July 15, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
Saturday, July 9, 2011
An Example of the IELTS Academic Task 2 Writing
Take from: http://www.ieltshelpnow.com/academic_writing_test_2.html
It's very difficult to visualize and understand all the things that I have said above. Here I will try and provide you with an example question and then go through the stages of thought to show you how to approach an IELTS Task 2 essay.
Here is a possible question that would be typical for a Task 2 essay question.
"Do you believe that societies ought to enforce capital punishment or Are there alternative forms of punishment that would be better used?"
First of all you need to consider the question. What does it ask? Straight away, you can see that it asks 2 things.
It wants to know if you believe that society should use capital punishment and it also wants to know if you can offer any alternatives to capital punishment. Your answer should give a balanced view of both parts of this question. What is important to realize is that there is no correct answer here. You can present any point of view as long as you can support it.
So, in your planning stage you should have a roadmap for the introduction, each paragraph and the conclusion. Here is my brief plan for the essay.
Intro
What cp is. Where it's used. (not my country). Differing opinions.
I don't believe in cp.
There are alternative punishments.
Body
Inhumane - we shouldn't sink to the level of criminals.
We can get convictions wrong; prisoners can be released if there's an error. Mentally ill. Examples.
Alternative punishments: life means life; hospitals for criminally insane. Costs more but society has a duty to care.
Many countries favour it and they say it works. Prisons too full. Killers deserve nothing less. Some crimes deserve it. Not my morals though.
Conclusion
I don't agree. We can do other things. Avoid mistakes and make modern society a humane one.
The above is a basic plan of how I want to write my essay. It's not rigid. I can change my ideas and format as I write if I feel I can do better.
I can also add things that I've forgotten as the essay goes on. It's normal of course for you to have new, good ideas as you write and the skill is to get them into your essay without upsetting the balance of the essay. How do you do this? It's practice again. You won't get good at writing essays and adapting your writing well without practice.
So, below is an example essay using the plan above as a basis.
Example Essay for the IELTS Academic Task 2 Writing
Capital punishment is the killing of a criminal for a crime that he has committed. Previously most countries employed this method of punishment but nowadays it is much less widely used. I personally do not believe that societies today should use capital punishment and I also believe that there are alternative punishments that can be used.
My main argument against capital punishment is that I believe we do not have the right to kill another human being regardless of the crime. I don't believe in the old religious maxim of "an eye for an eye." Modern societies shouldn't turn to such barbaric punishments.
Another argument against capital punishment is that people can be wrongly convicted and executed. If a man is in prison, he can be released if later proved not guilty. If he is dead, there is nothing that can be done. In the UK, a group of supposed terrorists were convicted of murder in Birmingham in the 1970s. They were proved innocent about 15 years later and released. If they had been executed, innocent people would have died.
There are alternative punishments available. For bad crimes prison life sentences can be given with criminals imprisoned for the rest of their lives. Also a lot of horrific crimes are committed by people who are mentally sick. These people are not responsible for their actions and can be kept safely and permanently in secure hospitals. Yes, this costs a lot more but I believe it is the duty of society to do this.
There are arguments for capital punishment. Many people feel its threat stops serious crime and that criminals deserve nothing less. It's cheaper and keeps the prisons manageable. I can understand this point of view but I cannot agree with it.
So, in conclusion, I don't believe in capital punishment, as there are less barbaric alternatives available. We can avoid horrific mistakes and make modern society a humane one.
It's very difficult to visualize and understand all the things that I have said above. Here I will try and provide you with an example question and then go through the stages of thought to show you how to approach an IELTS Task 2 essay.
Here is a possible question that would be typical for a Task 2 essay question.
"Do you believe that societies ought to enforce capital punishment or Are there alternative forms of punishment that would be better used?"
First of all you need to consider the question. What does it ask? Straight away, you can see that it asks 2 things.
It wants to know if you believe that society should use capital punishment and it also wants to know if you can offer any alternatives to capital punishment. Your answer should give a balanced view of both parts of this question. What is important to realize is that there is no correct answer here. You can present any point of view as long as you can support it.
So, in your planning stage you should have a roadmap for the introduction, each paragraph and the conclusion. Here is my brief plan for the essay.
Intro
What cp is. Where it's used. (not my country). Differing opinions.
I don't believe in cp.
There are alternative punishments.
Body
Inhumane - we shouldn't sink to the level of criminals.
We can get convictions wrong; prisoners can be released if there's an error. Mentally ill. Examples.
Alternative punishments: life means life; hospitals for criminally insane. Costs more but society has a duty to care.
Many countries favour it and they say it works. Prisons too full. Killers deserve nothing less. Some crimes deserve it. Not my morals though.
Conclusion
I don't agree. We can do other things. Avoid mistakes and make modern society a humane one.
The above is a basic plan of how I want to write my essay. It's not rigid. I can change my ideas and format as I write if I feel I can do better.
I can also add things that I've forgotten as the essay goes on. It's normal of course for you to have new, good ideas as you write and the skill is to get them into your essay without upsetting the balance of the essay. How do you do this? It's practice again. You won't get good at writing essays and adapting your writing well without practice.
So, below is an example essay using the plan above as a basis.
Example Essay for the IELTS Academic Task 2 Writing
Capital punishment is the killing of a criminal for a crime that he has committed. Previously most countries employed this method of punishment but nowadays it is much less widely used. I personally do not believe that societies today should use capital punishment and I also believe that there are alternative punishments that can be used.
My main argument against capital punishment is that I believe we do not have the right to kill another human being regardless of the crime. I don't believe in the old religious maxim of "an eye for an eye." Modern societies shouldn't turn to such barbaric punishments.
Another argument against capital punishment is that people can be wrongly convicted and executed. If a man is in prison, he can be released if later proved not guilty. If he is dead, there is nothing that can be done. In the UK, a group of supposed terrorists were convicted of murder in Birmingham in the 1970s. They were proved innocent about 15 years later and released. If they had been executed, innocent people would have died.
There are alternative punishments available. For bad crimes prison life sentences can be given with criminals imprisoned for the rest of their lives. Also a lot of horrific crimes are committed by people who are mentally sick. These people are not responsible for their actions and can be kept safely and permanently in secure hospitals. Yes, this costs a lot more but I believe it is the duty of society to do this.
There are arguments for capital punishment. Many people feel its threat stops serious crime and that criminals deserve nothing less. It's cheaper and keeps the prisons manageable. I can understand this point of view but I cannot agree with it.
So, in conclusion, I don't believe in capital punishment, as there are less barbaric alternatives available. We can avoid horrific mistakes and make modern society a humane one.
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