BBC Learning English-Managers

IELTS Writing Test in Iran (Task 2)-December 2013

In some countries it is illegal to reject candidates for a job based on their ages. Discuss advantages and disadvantages of this and give your own opinion.

IELTS Speaking Test in Iran – December 2013

Interview
- What is your full name?
- Can I see your ID?
- Where are you from?
- Do you work or study?
- Where do you live?
- Is it an apartment or a house?
- What is your favorite room there?
- Who was choosing your clothes when you were a child?
- What kind of clothes do you wear now?
- What aspect is important for you when choosing clothes?
- Do you help others to choose clothes?
- When did you start using a mobile phone?
- When do you usually turn your mobile phone off? Why?

Cue Card
Describe an outdoor activity that you haven’t done yet and would like to do in the future. Please say
- What activity is it?
- When and where would you like to do it?
- What special skills or equipment would you need?

Discussion
- Do you think it would be expensive?
- What are the beneficial effects of physical activity, in general?
- Do you think today we are less physically active than in the past? Why?
- Do you think we should only blame technology for that?
- Why do some people like doing dangerous activities like parachuting?
- In your opinion, why is there an increased interest in these activities compared to the past?

JOIN US AND FEEL THE DIFFERENCE!

IELTS Speaking Test in the UK – December 2013

Interview
- What is your full name?
- Can I see your ID?
- Where are you from?
- Do you work or study?
- What is the meaning of your name?
- Is there any traditions to name babies in a particular way in your culture?
- Did you stress out recently?
- What was the reason?
- What makes you feel stressed usually?
- Where do you live?
- Describe your apartment.
- Which room is your favourite?
- Do you plan to move from this apartment?

Cue Card 1
Describe a place (such as a hospital, school, office) that you know well. Please say
- What place is it?
- Where is it?
- What did you do there?

Cue Card 2
Talk about a successful family business you know. Please say
- What is it?
- Where is it located?
- Why do you think it is successful?

Discussion
- What are the main facilities you need to work in a hospital?
- Does a big building make you happy at work?
- Does workplace affect your personal life?
- Do you think people work longer hours nowadays? Why?
- Do you think big buildings cause environmental damage?
- How can you compensate for environmental damage?

EMS Language Center, Kuala Lumour, Malaysia.

Join us and feel the difference.

EMS Language Center, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

GO IELTS: IELTS Speaking Test in Vietnam – November 2013

GO IELTS: IELTS Speaking Test in Vietnam – November 2013: Interview - What is your full name? - Can I see your ID? - Where are you from? - Do you work or study? - Are you interested in your jo...

IELTS Speaking Test in Vietnam – November 2013

Interview
- What is your full name?
- Can I see your ID?
- Where are you from?
- Do you work or study?
- Are you interested in your job?
- Will you change your job in the future?
- How do you get the news?
- Do children want to know the news?

Cue Card
Talk about a family business that you would like to start. Please say
- What business would it be?
- Where would it be located?
- Who would be your clients? Why?

Discussion
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of a family business?
- Are men and women equally good at running a business?

IELTS Speaking Test in India – November 2013

Interview
- What is your full name?
- Can I see your ID?
- Where are you from?
- Do you work or study?

Cue Card
Talk about a celebration when a number of guests came to your place. Please say
- How did you entertain them?
- What was special about it?
- How did you feel about it later?

Discussion
- How are the guests usually entertained in your country?
- On what occasions do you invite guests?
- Where would you like to stay in another city, with your friend or in a hotel?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of staying in a hotel or at a friend’s place?

IELTS Writing Task 1: How to write an introduction

The introduction to an IELTS writing task 1 essay should explain what the chart/graph shows. To do this, just paraphrase the question (rewrite it in your own words).

Here is an example description from an IELTS Task 1 question:
The graph below shows the proportion of the population aged 65 and over between 1940 and 2040 in three different countries.

By rewriting this description with a few changes, you can quickly create a good introduction:

The line graph compares the percentage of people aged 65 or more in three countries over a period of 100 years.

If you practise this technique, you will be able to write task 1 introductions very quickly. You will be able to start the writing test quickly and confidently.

IELTS Speaking Test in Chennai, India – November 2013

Interview
- What is your full name?
- Can I see your ID?
- Where are you from?
- Do you work or study?
- What job do you do?
- What do you do at your work?
- Do you like your job? Why?
- Do you like photography? Why?
- Are you ready to take photography as a profession in the future?
- Do you think walking in the countryside is better than in the city? Why?
- Do you walk?
- Why do you consider walking important (or why not)?
- What could be done to improve walking in the city?
- Do you think you will keep walking as a part of your routine in the future?

Cue Card
Talk about a season or time of the year that you enjoy the most. Please say
- What do you do during this season?
- Describe what the weather is like.
- Why do you like it more than other seasons?

Discussion
- What is more important in your view: summer or winter?
- Do people enjoy more summer or winter? Why?
- What are the disadvantages of working in extremely cold or hot weather?

IELTS Speaking Test in Canada – November 2013

Interview
- What is your full name?
- Can I see your ID?
- Where are you from?
- Do you work or study?
- Do you go to parks?
- What do you prefer, a walk in the countryside or a city?

Cue Card
Talk about a place you would like to visit. Please say
- Where is it?
- How did you know about the place?
- Why do you want to go there?

Discussion
- Why do people like to explore?
- Will it help the government?
- How can it be funded?

IELTS Writing Task 2 ( Sample-Band 9)

Foreign visitors should pay more than local visitors for cultural and historical attractions. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

It is sometimes argued that tourists from overseas should be charged more than local residents to visit important sites and monuments. I completely disagree with this idea.

The argument in favour of higher prices for foreign tourists would be that cultural or historical attractions often depend on state subsidies to keep them going, which means that the resident population already pays money to these sites through the tax system. However, I believe this to be a very shortsighted view. Foreign tourists contribute to the economy of the host country with the money they spend on a wide range of goods and services, including food, souvenirs, accommodation and travel. The governments and inhabitants of every country should be happy to subsidise important tourist sites and encourage people from the rest of the world to visit them.

If travellers realised that they would have to pay more to visit historical and cultural attractions in a particular nation, they would perhaps decide not to go to that country on holiday. To take the UK as an example, the tourism industry and many related jobs rely on visitors coming to the country to see places like Windsor Castle or Saint Paul’s Cathedral. These two sites charge the same price regardless of nationality, and this helps to promote the nation’s cultural heritage. If overseas tourists stopped coming due to higher prices, there would be a risk of insufficient funding for the maintenance of these important buildings.

In conclusion, I believe that every effort should be made to attract tourists from overseas, and it would be counterproductive to make them pay more than local residents.

(269 words, band 9)

IELTS Speaking Part 2: describe a conversation (BAND 9)

Describe an interesting conversation you had with someone you didnt know. You should say
- who the person was
- where the conversation took place
- what you talked about
- and explain why you found the conversation interesting.

Heres my sample (band 9) answer:

• I’m going to talk about an interesting conversation that I had a couple of weeks ago in a music shop. I was walking along one of the main shopping streets in the city centre, when a large window displaying all sorts of musical instruments caught my eye. Out of curiosity, I decided to go in and have a look around.
• The person I ended up speaking to was a shop assistant on the second floor, in the area of the shop dedicated to acoustic guitars. I hadn’t intended to speak to anyone, but the assistant approached me in a friendly way and asked whether I had any questions.
• I explained to the assistant that I hadn’t played the guitar for years, but that I wondered what the differences were between the various acoustic guitars on show. He talked to me about the different makes and models, whether they were factory or hand made, the woods and varnishes used, the variation in sound quality, and of course the price range.
• I found the conversation fascinating because the shop assistant was so knowledgeable. It was obvious that he had a passion for the guitar, and he didn’t mind talking to me even though I had made it clear that I didn’t intend to buy anything. He even picked up and played three or four of the instruments to demonstrate the differences in their sound. 

 From: IELTS-Simon.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IELTS Reading: paragraph headings

Read the following passage about cognitive behavioral therapy:

A) Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a psychotherapeutic approach: a talking therapy. CBT aims to solve problems concerning dysfunctional emotions, behaviors and cognitions through a goal-oriented, systematic procedure in the present.

B) The particular therapeutic techniques vary, but commonly may include keeping a diary of significant events and associated feelings, thoughts and behaviors; questioning and testing cognitions, assumptions, evaluations and beliefs that might be unhelpful and unrealistic; gradually facing activities which may have been avoided; and trying out new ways of behaving and reacting. Relaxation, mindfulness and distraction techniques are also commonly included.

C) Going through cognitive behavioral therapy is not an overnight process for clients; a typical course consists of 12-16 hour-long sessions. Even after clients have learned to recognize when and where their mental processes go awry, it can in some cases take considerable time or effort to replace a dysfunctional process or habit with a more reasonable and adaptive one. CBT is problem-focused and structured towards the client. It requires honesty and openness between the client and therapist, as a therapist develops strategies for managing problems and guiding the client to a better life.

Choose the best headings for paragraphs A, B and C from this list:
    A slow process
    A new type of therapeutic approach
    The benefits and drawbacks of CBT
    A goal-oriented therapeutic approach
    CBT therapists are always honest with their clients
    The range of CBT interventions

IELTS Reading: multiple choice

 Read the following passage about a tunnel in London.

The Thames Tunnel is an underwater tunnel that was built beneath the River Thames in London between 1825 and 1843. It is 396 metres long, and runs at a depth of 23 meters below the river surface. It was the first tunnel known to have been constructed successfully underneath a navigable river.
Although it was a triumph of civil engineering, the Thames Tunnel was not a financial success, with building costs far exceeding initial estimates. Proposals to extend the entrance to accommodate wheeled vehicles failed, and it was used only by pedestrians. However, the tunnel did become a major tourist destination, attracting about two million people a year, each of whom paid a penny to pass under the river.
The construction of the Thames Tunnel showed that it was indeed possible to build underwater tunnels, despite the previous scepticism of many engineers. Its historic importance was recognized on 24th March 1995, when the structure was listed Grade II* in recognition of its architectural importance.

Which THREE of the following statements are correct?

A) The Thames Tunnel was the world’s first ever tunnel.
B) Construction of the tunnel was more expensive than predicted.
C) There were plans to allow vehicles to use the tunnel.
D) Tourism eventually made the tunnel profitable.
E) Many engineers had already tried to build underwater tunnels.
F) The Thames Tunnel is now considered to be a significant work of architecture.

IELTS Listening: Are you doing these things?

Are you doing the following things in order to prepare and practice for the IELTS listening test?

1. working through as many of the tests in the official Cambridge IELTS books as possible - there are 36 full tests if you have all 9 books
2. analyzing any mistakes that you make when doing the above tests
3. listening to difficult parts of each test several times, until you hear and understand all of the correct answers
4. checking the written transcripts (at the back of the Cambridge books) carefully for any questions that you found difficult
5. noting new words and any spellings that you got wrong
6. listening to as much English as possible to improve your ear (not just IELTS tests, but news reports, documentaries, talks, presentations, interviews, films, TV programmes etc. that you find on the Internet)

If you're doing all of these things, keep going! You might not notice it, but your listening will be improving gradually.

IELTS Speaking Test in Denmark – November 2013

Interview

- What is your full name?
- Can I see your ID?
- Where are you from?
- Do you work or study?
- Did you have friends at your study place?
- What qualities do you look for when making friends?
- What are the different ways to make new friends?
- How have friendships changed today, compared to the past?
- What kind of letters do you receive often?
- Do you prefer to write an email or call a person?
- How important is writing in your life?

Cue Card

Describe an interesting person you met recently. Please say

- Who is this person?
- Where and how did you meet him/her?
- What is interesting about this person?

Discussion

- Why is this person interesting to you?
- Would you like to stay in touch with this person?
- Do you believe that first impression of a person is always correct?
- Do you think companies should take into account the personality of a candidate along with his skills?
- Do you think technology turned people into introverts?

 

 

 

 

IELTS Speaking Test in Spain – November 2013

Interview

- What is your full name?
- Can I see your ID?
- Where are you from?
- Do you work or study?
- Do you live in an apartment or a house?
- What is your favorite room there?
- Tell me about advertising in your country.
- What types of advertisement are common in your country?
- What type do you prefer?
- Did you buy anything because of an ad?
- Was it a good experience?

Cue Card

Talk about a story that you were told as a child. Please say

- Who told you this story?
- What happened in the story?
- Did you like it or not? Why?

Discussion

- Do you like reading books?
- Do you like novels?
- What do you think about writing novels in the past?
- Will it continue in the future?

Donts in IELTS Academic Writing Task 1

Here's some advice to help you avoid common mistakes in IELTS writing task 1:

1. Don't copy the question for your introduction. You should paraphrase the question (i.e. rewrite it using some different words)
2. Don't forget to separate your paragraphs clearly.
3. Don't forget to write a good summary/overview of the information. A quick one-sentence conclusion is not good enough. I prefer to put the overview straight after the introduction, and I try to write 2 sentences describing the information in general. You won't get a high score if you don't write a good overview.
4. Don't describe items separately (e.g. 2 lines on a graph). You should always try to compare things if it is possible to do so. Instead of describing 2 lines separately, compare the 2 lines at key points.
5. Don't try to describe every number on a chart or graph (unless there are only a few numbers). A key skill in task 1 is being able to choose the key information and describe or compare it well.
6. Don't spend longer than 20 minutes on task 1. Practise spending 5 minutes on each of your 4 paragraphs. Stop yourself after 20 minutes; remember that task 2 is worth more marks.

Writing Task 2

 Foreign visitors should pay more than local visitors for cultural and historical attractions. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

International tourism has become the backbone of many economies of the world and these countries rely heavily on the tourist dollar. That is why some people opine that foreign visitors should be charged more than the domestic tourists. Although these people have their arguments for their opinions, personally, I disagree with this practice.

It is common in many Indian tourist places to see rate tables such as the following:- Taj Mahal, Agra: Indian Citizens Rs 20, Foreigners Rs 970; Fatehpur Sikri, Agra: Indian Citizens Rs 50, Foreigners Rs 485. The increase in prices is due to the fact that the Indian rupee is much weaker than currencies of many European countries and other developed nations. Therefore, such tourists can afford to pay without feeling the pinch, and the upkeep of historical monuments is done through this money. Secondly, foreigners are accustomed to prices being much higher in their home countries. For example, entry to the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art is US$20 (Rs 886). In that context, the Taj – an acknowledged wonder of the world, with centuries of tradition and some of the most striking architecture ever created by man – is very reasonable at Rs 970.

There are many reasons to oppose the above view. Firstly, it is unfair and leads to discrimination. Come to think of it – if an Indian visiting a foreign country has to pay similar high rates, what would be the reaction? On the one hand we brag about ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ ( meaning that guest is like God ), and on the other hand we fleece these tourists by charging them astronomically high rates. What impression of our country would these tourists take home with them?

Another reason to oppose the above view is that foreign travelers may never come again and this could deter their friends and all others who get this negative information. As it is, the international tourists spend a lot by staying, wining, dining and traveling in the foreign country and so it would be a big loss to that country in the long run.

Summing up, it is not good to charge foreign tourists more than local tourist because it would be unfair and it would be a short sighted approach of earning the tourist dollar.

Overall Band Score

Candidates receive a Test Report Form setting out their Overall Band Score and their scores on each of the four sub-tests: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.  Each of the sub-test scores is equally weighted.  The Overall Band Score is calculated by taking the mean of the total of the four individual sub-test scores.

Overall Band Scores are reported to the nearest whole or half band. For the avoidance of doubt, the following rounding convention applies; if the average across the four skills ends in .25, it is rounded up to the next half band, and if it ends in .75, it is rounded up to the next whole band.

Thus, a candidate achieving 6.5 for Listening, 6.5 for Reading, 5.0 for Writing and 7.0 for Speaking would be awarded an Overall Band Score of 6.5  (25 ÷ 4 = 6.25 = Band 6.5).

Likewise, a candidate achieving 4.0 for Listening, 3.5 for Reading, 4.0 for Writing and 4.0 for Speaking would be awarded an Overall Band Score of 4.0 (15.5 ÷ 4 = 3.875 = Band 4.0).

On the other hand, a candidate achieving 6.5 for Listening, 6.5 for Reading, 5.5 for Writing and 6.0 for Speaking would be awarded band 6 (24.5 ÷ 4 = 6.125 = Band 6).

How essays are marked

25%--Task Achievement /Response
How well you answer  the question

25%--Coherence and Cohesion
Organization of ideas

25%--Lexical Resources
Vocabulary

25%--Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Short and long sentences, different tenses 

He got a band 9 in Writing Task 2

Economic progress is often used to measure a country's success. However, some people believe that other factors are more important. What other factors should also be considered when measuring a country's success? Do you think one factor is more important than others?

The relative success of different countries is usually defined in economic terms. There are several other factors, apart from the economy, that could be used to assess a country, and in my opinion education is the most important of all.

Standards of education, health and individual human rights should certainly be considered when measuring a country’s status. A good education system is vital for the development of any nation, with schools, colleges and universities bearing the responsibility for the quality of future generations of workers. Healthcare provision is also an indicator of the standard of living within a country, and this can be measured by looking at average life expectancy rates or availability of medical services. Finally, human rights and levels of equality could be taken into account. For example, a country in which women do not have the same opportunities as men might be considered less successful than a country with better gender equality.

In my view, a country’s education system should be seen as the most important indicator of its success and level of development. This is because education has a considerable effect on the other two factors mentioned above. It affects people’s health in the sense that doctors and nurses need to be trained, and scientists need to be educated to the highest levels before they can carry out medical research. It also affects the economy in the sense that a well-educated workforce will allow a variety of companies and industries to flourish, leading to trade with other countries, and increased wealth.

In conclusion, nations can be assessed and compared in a variety of ways, but I would argue that the standard of a country's education system is the best measure of its success.

(288 words, band 9)

Idioms...

When Pigs Fly :
Something that will never ever happen.

Wild and Woolly:
Uncultured and without laws.

Water Under The Bridge:
Anything from the past that isn't significant or important anymore.

Under the weather:
Feeling ill or sick.

Turn A Blind Eye:
Refuse to acknowledge something you know is real or legit.

To Make A Long Story Short:
Something someone would say during a long and boring story in order to keep his/her audience from losing attention. Usually the story isn't shortened.

The Bigger They Are The Harder They Fall:
While the bigger and stronger opponent might be alot more difficult to beat, when you do they suffer a much bigger loss.

Start From Scratch:
To do it all over again from the beginning.

Smell A Rat:
To detect somone in the group is betraying the others.

Skid Row:
The rundown area of a city where the homeless and drug users live.

Rise and Shine:
Time to get out of bed and get ready for work/school.

Rome Was Not Built In One Day:
If you want something to be completely properly, then its going to take time.

Rule Of Thumb:
A rough estimate.

Run out of steam:
To be completely out of energy.

Practice Makes Perfect:
By constantly practicing, you will become better.

Pull the plug:
To stop something. To bring something to an end.

Pulling Your Leg:
Tricking someone as a joke.

Put a sock in it:
To tell noisy person or a group to be quiet.

Over My Dead Body:
When you absolutely will not allow something to happen.

Off On The Wrong Foot:
Getting a bad start on a relationship or task.

Off The Hook:
No longer have to deal with a tough situation.

Off the Record:
Something said in confidence that the one speaking doesn't want attributed to him/her.

On Pins And Needles:
Anxious or nervous, especially in anticipation of something.

On The Fence:
Undecided.

On The Same Page:
When multiple people all agree on the same thing.

Out Of The Blue:
Something that suddenly and unexpectedly occurs.

Out On A Limb:
When someone puts themself in a risky situation.

Out On The Town:
To enjoy yourself by going out.

You should be a genius to fill ALL the gaps with appropriate words.

Once, children had ambitions to be doctors, explorers, sportsmen, artist, or scientists. Now taking……1……lead from TV, they just want to be famous. Fame is no ……2…… a reward for gallant service or great, perhaps even selfness endeavor. It’s an end in ……3.….. and the sooner it can be achieved the sooner the lonely bedroom mirror can be replaced by the TV camera and flash gun the ……4..…. .   Celebrity is  profession ……5……. the moment, a vainglorious vocation which, ……6………some 18^th century royal court, seems to exist largely……7…….that the rest of us might watch and be amazed …….8……..its members live …...9……..  their lives in public, like self-regarding members of some glittering soap opera.

Today, almost ……10....….can be famous. Never has fame ……11…… more democratic, more ordinary, more achievable.   …12…… wonder it is a modern ambition. It’s easy to see why people crave a celebrity, ……13……. generations are reared on the instant fame ……14……by television who want to step out of ……15…… limousine……16……the flash lights bouncing ……17……… them.     ……18….. doesn’t want to be the center of attention at some time in their lives?

Modern celebrity, peopled by largely vain and vacuous, fills a ……19……. in our lives. It peoples talk shows, sells goods and newspapers and rewards the famous for well, …20…… famous. 

 

Can you complete these PROVERBS?

1. One man's meat .....................
2. Out of the mouths of..............
3. A stitch in time.................
4. Many true words..............
5. A miss is ....................

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1

The plans show the changes to a health center over the last six years. Since 2005, the center has expanded in a number of different ways. Firstly, an extension has been added to accommodate a minor operations room. Also, the interior has been significantly remodeled. In 2005, there was a large entrance area with wide doors and a lot of open space for waiting, with the reception desk in the  middle. There were only three consulting rooms and a physiotherapy room. This room has stayed the same size but the consulting  rooms have been made smaller and increased to four in number. The office has been made smaller and the reception desk put in front of it. A children's play area has been added in the corner near the entrance. Outside there have been changes. The car park has been expanded in size to accommodate 18 more cars. The garden is decreased in size to accommodate the extra parking space.

 

IELTS Speaking: 'band 9' example

IELTS Speaking: 'band 9' example

Improve Your Listening and Speaking Podcast # 58

Describe someone in your family that you like.

I am best friends with my cousin with my cousin. We can really relate to each other. He/She has always been there for me and I have done all I can to help him/her out. We have been playmates ever since we were kids and we went to school together. He was much better in general studies than I was and we had our own little study group. There is a lot of mutual respect between us, and it has been building up over the years. I really like spending time with him/her because he/she has a wonderful sense of humor and that he/she  delivers all he/she promises. I have never caught him/her lying or backbiting. I lay all my trust with him/her. The chemistry we have is anything beyond words. ....

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

TIPS; Dos and Don'ts in IELTS Speaking Part 2

• Read the topic card (cue-card) carefully 
• Make the best use of the minute given to organize your answer, and make brief notes for each key word, such as who, what, when, where, how, or why. A common criticism of some candidates in that they don't plan; you don't impress the examiner if you start immediately without planning, whatever your level is. Candidates who don't make notes tend to describe the general aspect of the question rather than covering the prompts of the card and giving specific information.
• Don't write on the topic card.
• Write notes not sentences.
• It may be easier to read and use your notes if you write them in a vertical list and in order.
• It is important to keep talking, but don't talk about things which aren't related to the topic.
• As you speak, refer to your note to organize your answers. If your talk is not organized, you will lose marks. 
• Remember that the IELTS test is a communication test, not a memory test. If there is something you can't remember, simply use other words and explain about it.

        -- ' I am not really sire when it happened to me, but I am sure I was very young.', is just as good as a date. 

• Don't worry if you decide to change a little of what you have palnned to say. Keeping your talk natural and fluent in much important than sticking rigidly to your note.
• There are some ways to extend your talk. For example, talking about your preferences, comparing or contrasting with other subjects.
• In the IELTS books, you can see a number of topic cards which are thematically the same, but have different prompts. make sure to talk about the question that you are asked to talk about NOT the one that you have prepared.
• Don't miss out any questions.
• Don't hesitate for too  long when it is time to speak. It is better to speak about anything than not to speak at all.