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