Writing task 2

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These days, for studying, staying or even visiting foreign countries, before trip, get information about the mores of that country.

Although many people believe that the tourists should follow the rules of the host country but it's difficult for foreigners to put their habits away and adopt themselves with new situation. The general belief is that this view only is propounded by the people, and governments and countries don't have any problem with new habits and cultures but this is not true. As an example, Iran is a religious country and all the females have to wear scarf. This is a law and has to be done by every person, even for the foreigners.

Customs and habits of each country are respected but people shouldn't be so tough about these because tourists are from different nations and do not have awareness about the popular things of the host country. If foreigners act strangely, it's not their fault. They used to behave in a different manner and suddenly they face new situation, it's expected from them to become confused. For example in England people used to talk about the weather in the first meeting. However in Malaysia this habitude is completely different and it's better to talk about the routine events of life but if somebody in England talk about these things it's supposed as rudeness.

If both foreigners and people accept their differences and spend time to know culture and customs of each other then differences are not so important. . Each country should accept new behaviors and new customs, with this viewpoint all the people and countries also, can share their cultures and knowledge with each other.

 ________________________________________________________________________

Dudes, This is my writing of task 2. Read it and if you find something wrong please inform me.

I miss all of you , specially ARDESHIR

with regards

soheil

Listening

Listening

There are ten questions in each section of the listening test . In section 1 , you will often have to answer questions that test your understanding of numbers , names & factual descriptions. It is important to be able to note these down quickly . Important name will be spelt for you on the recording . Remember that you will only hear the recording ONCE.

NOTE

*YOU WILL ALWAYS HEAR AN EXAMPLE FIRST IN SECTION 1. 

*YOU SHOULD TRY TO SPELL EVERY THING CORRECTLY. IF YOU WRITE A DATE WRONGLY(E.G.22THNOVEMBER) YOU WILL LOSE MARKS.

*IELTS QUESTIONS ALWAYS FOLLOW THE ORDER IN WHICH YOU HEAR THE INFORMATION ON THE RECORDING.

Section 2 is a talk by one speaker on a general topic . most talks are divided into two parts the question will follow the order of information in each part . Before each part begins, you will be given some time to read through the questions.

STEP1

Read questions 1-6  . For each question , note what type of answer you need to listen for. Use the words in the question to help you.

Step2

Listen to the first part of the talk & answer.

STEP 3

Discuss what you think are the main aims of first AID.

Section 3 is a conversation between two or more speakers on a topic related to academic work or study . like all the other sections it can contain a variety of question types.

NOTE : IN THE TEST , USE A HIGHLIGHTER PEN TO HIGHLIGHT KEY WORDS.

REMEMBER

*Section 3 is always a dialogue . It may have two parts with a short break between these.

*The topic for section 3 is always based on a study area & will involve a discussion between two or three speakers .

*The questions here are listening ,table completion & short answer questions .

APPROACH

*before the recording begins read the questions carefully & try to predict the type of words you will need.

*listen carefully at the start so that you know who the speakers are.

Section 4 is always a talk or mini-lecture related to academic work or study. Note –taking & short-answer questions are common , but other question types may also be used.

REMEMBER

·       *You will only hear the recording once, so you must answer the question as you listen.

·       *Section 4 is always a monologue

·       *the topic for section 4 is always an academic lecture or talk .

·       *the section may be divided into two parts.

·       *The questions here are labeling a diagram & note/flow chart completion but you may get any type of IELTS question in the listening sections.

·       *This is always the hardest part of the listening test.

·       APPROACH

·       *Before the recording begins read the questions carefully & try to predict the type of questions carefully & try to predict the answer that you will need.

·       *If you cannot do a question , ignore it & go on to the next one. Don’t waste time worrying about the answer.

·       *Spell all answer correctly when you write them on the answer sheet.    

News

IELTS Conversion table

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IELTs

This table can be used for the Listening & Reading tests to convert raw scores to band scores. This chart is a guide only, because sometimes the scores adjust slightly depending on how difficult the exam is.

Band Score	9.0	8.5	8.0	7.5	7.0	6.5	6.0	5.5	5.0	4.5	4.0	3.5	3.0	2.5	2.0	1.5	1.0	0.0
Raw score	39 – 40	37 – 38	35 – 36	32 – 34	29 – 31	26 – 28	22 – 25	18 – 21	15 – 17	12 – 14	10 – 11	8 – 9	6 – 7	4 – 5	3	2	1	0

Latest Changes in IELTS score for Canadian Immigration

Source: http://immig-canada.blogspot.com/2009/03/latest-changes-in-ielts-score.html

Canada is very keen to welcome immigrants from all over the world. Canadian government also knows about the difficulties of future applicants which they are facing due to a high IELTS band requirement for additional points of Canadian Immigration.

Due to these difficulties faced by the majority of the people over the world, Canadian government has very kindly reduced the IELTS score requirement for Canadian Immigration Points. CIC has now decrease the IELTS band requirement criteria for Canada Skilled worker Immigration points.

Congratulations to all!!!

Canada has reduced minimum IELTS score requirement for 4 points of Immigration

As CIC has decreased the minimum IELTS band score from 7 band to 6.5 band to obtain four points for Immigrate to Canada in Skilled Worker Category. Now you can obtain 4 points for one module of IELTS if you score 6.5 band as compared to old system which required at lease 7 Band in IELTS to obtain four points in a specific module of IELTS. Only listening module gained the IELST score instead of reduction. i.e. 7.5, which was 7 previously.

Now you can get 16 points for immigration by having the following minimum band in IELTS

Writing: 6.5 Band

Reading: 6.5 Band

Speaking: 6.5 Band

Listening: 7.5 Band

Speaking

 Speaking:

First step in speaking is introducing yourself to the examiner .

After that the examiner will ask you some short questions about yourself based on different topics, for example, sport.

NOTE: IT OFTEN HELPS OT USE THE SAME VERB TENSE AS THE QUESTION .

In speaking part 1 you may be asked negative questions for example WHAT DON’T YOU ENJOY ?Be prepared to give negative answer.

You can also try to vary your answer  by including information about things you don’t do.

NOTE: PART 1 TOPICS ARE ALWAYS PERSONAL & FAMILIAR . ABSTRACT TOPICS ARE NOT DISCUSSED IN THIS PART OF THE TEST.

PART 2

In part 2 of the speaking test , you have to talk for one to two minutes on a topic the examiner gives you . Before you talk, you have one minute to write notes on a piece of paper. Remember you lose marks for poor pronunciation in any part of speaking test.

THE CARD HELPS YOU ORGANISE YOUR TALK INTO THREE POINTS.

*READ THE CARD , THEN TAKE ONE MINUTE TO WRITE SOME KEY WORDS FOR EACH POINT.

*NOW GIVE YOUR TALK TO YOUR PARTNER .

*RECORD IT IF YOU CAN.

NOTE:

YOU MUST STICK TO THE TOPIC OTHERWISE YOU WILL LOSE MARKS.

Here are 6 steps that helps you to organize your answer.

STEP 1

Re-write the examiner's question in your own words, use one of these words : compare , describe , explain , predict, suggest , recommend.

STEP 2

Decide on your view. In this case , do you think there is

                                                                             A      one main reason

B      more than one reasoN 

C      no particular reason

STEP 3

Quickly think of some key vocabulary related to the topic & your focus.

STEP 4

Begin your answer with a clear statement that directly addresses the question & that opens the discussion.

                                                                                                          STEP 5

 The examiner will develop the topic by asking further questions that encourage you to support your ideas.

STEP 6

The examiner will continue the discussion by asking some questions on another related topic .

REMEMBER

The examiner will be assessing your language  NOT your views but you should always stick to the topic.

APPROACH

*In the first part , try to add a little extra information to each answer ,  but don’t overdo it & talk for too long .

  *In the third part, try to develop your ideas & take the opportunity to show the examiner what you can do. But keep to the topic.

* In all parts of the test

_speak clearly _ not too fast not too slowly _& link your ideas.

_Be adventurous with vocabulary& structures .

_pronounce words & use intonations & facial expression.

PART 3

 In speaking part 3you may be asked to make comparisons between different aspects of the topics . You may feel there are positi9ve & negative points to discuss.

NOTE:

*BE PREPARED FOR THE EXAMINER TO ASK A FOLLOW_UP QUESTION SUCH AS WHY? OR ? WHYNOT

 *REMEMBER TO USE SOME OF THE OTHER EXPRESSION YOU KNOW TO INTRODUSE & LINK IDEAS , SUCH AS WHILE/WHEREAS , BECAUSE ,SO THAT

 

  

 

 

Academic writing Task 2

 

Academic writing Task 2 :

Analysing the question Before you start writing you need to think what the task is asking you to do.

IELTS writing  tasks vary: there may be only one point of view that you have to discuss or there may be two parts to the question.

 NOTE: IN WRITING TASK 2 YOU WILL HAVE TO GIVE AN OPPINION, BACK UP BY REASONS & SOME PERSONAL EXPERIENCE.

 

REMEMBER:

* In task 1 you get information to write about .In task 2 you need to give your personal opinion on the topic.

* There is no correct answer to get a good mark, give your opinion , then give reason for it & example.

*APPROACH:

* Read the question carefully & decide how many points need addressing .

* make some quick notes with three or four main idea , each of which can be developed into a paragraph .

* Begin your answer with an introductory paragraph outlining the topic but do not copy word for word from the question as language that has been (lifted ) will not be marked.

Divide your answer to three or four paragraphs, each one contain one of  your main ideas. For each statement , try to give either an example or some evidence to support the idea.

*Finish with a concluding paragraph that summarises your main point.

NOTE: YOU MUST KEEP THE MAIN TOPIC IN MIND WHILE YOU ARE WRITING & REFER BACK TO IT ALL THE TIME . YO WILL LOSE MARKS IF YOU DO NOT ADDRESS THE ISSUE RAISED IN THE QUESTION.

ORGANISING YOUR ANSWER :

INTRODUCTION

Expand the summary to re-phrase the question in your own words start with a clear statement of your own about the policy.

PARAGRAPH 1

Expand the first point on the four side about the link between language culture. Balance it with a counter argument on the against side .

PARAGRAPH 2

*Express an opinion on having a national language .

Give your own view. Make it clear to reader where you stand or express an understanding of both points of view.

PARAGRAPH 3

 Include another point of view based on your idea above .

CONCLUSION

End with a clear statement on how you feel about the issue or summarise the two main ideas of the argument .     

 

ACADEMIC WRITING

                           ACADEMIC WRITING

In this task you have to explain a chart such as pie chart , bar chart, table, diagram, graph ,& etc. Therefor you'd better have some information knowing the best way to interpret them.

REMEMBER:

*In academic writing Task 1 you will always have to turn graphic information into written text.

*The information may not be presented as a graph or chart but may be a diagram or picture.

*The topic will be related  to a field of study.

*There may be more than one diagram. If so , you should attempt to link the information in some way, i.e. comparing , contrasting , finding similar information.

*if the chart contains text, do not copy the phrases or sentences straight from the diagram into your report.

*If you borrow any words from a diagram , make sure you spell them as exactly as they are spelled in the diagram.

*you will lose mark if the content of your answer is inaccurate or irrelevant ,or if you leave important information out.

*you must link your points well. Don’t write a list or use repetitive structures.

*Marks are awarded for vocabulary & grammatical accuracy so show the examiner the range of words & structures that you know & check your answers for errors.

APPROACH:

*Look at the diagrams or charts & consider the overall information they provide. Explain this.

*look for any common feature which link the two diagrams.

*describe the information in a way which highlights the main idea. Support these with some relevant details.

*Leave time at the end to check your answer for errors in grammar, spelling & punctuation.

*Examine the diagrams carefully & decide what each one shows.

*look for any overall trends or features first. Then decide on the best way to illustrate these.(describe what you should include & what you need not include.) think in terms of two or three paragraphs.

* Begin by stating clearly what the diagrams are about, but don’t copy the instructions.

*Next describe the key features/trends.( you may want to divide your answer according to the material presented.)

*support these using the most important or significant details. Give some figures.

*End by drawing any obvious conclusion.

TASK ACHIEVEMENT :

Have you done what the question asks, without living out important details?

COHERENCE/COHESION:

Have you build & organized your paragraphs so that information is easy to track?

Is your information connected effectively from sentence to sentence?

LEXICAL RESOURCE :

Is your vocabulary appropriate ,varied & accurate?

GRAMATICAL RANGE & ACCURACY:

Are your sentences grammatically accurate with a variety of complex as well as simple sentences?

NOTE:

*Take a minute to absorb the information in the tables. Do not begin writing your answer until you have understand the content of the tables as a whole.

*Note how the word month has been replaced. It is important to vary the words you use when describing this kind of information or your writing will be repetitive.                           

Here are some helping word you should use while you are interpreting a diagramwe mention  .

ROSE (BY…….TO)

FELL (BY……..TO)

FLUCTUATED (BETWEEN)

PLUMMETED (TO)

STABLISHED (AT) = LEVELLED OF (AT)

PEACKED (AT)

DIPPED (TO)

 

    

NOTE:

*Always check what the numbers refer on to the axes these numbers are not total numbers of the people. you will lose marks if you mis-read the chart.

*I don’t try to explain data. you need only describe what you see. the examiner will ignore any explanation.

*don’t try to cover everything, if you cannot do   `this in the word limit ,select the most significant & feature.

 

   

GENERAL WRITING

GENERAL WRITING                      

 HOW TO WRITE A LETTER:

The way you begin the first paragraph & the style you use will depend on :

1.The overall purpose of the letter .

2.The tone of the massage you want to get across .

3.Your relationship to the person receiving the letter.

NOTE: ALWAYS  BEAR  IN  MIND  THE  RESON YOURE  LETTER  & WHO  WILL  READ IT . YOU  WILL  LOSE  MARK  IF  YOU  USE THE  WRONG  TONE.

PURPOSE OF THE LETTER	KNOW THE READER	SOME OPENNING SENTENCES
To express thanks to a friend	KNOW THE READER	Thanks so much for your letter & the lovely photos of the wedding, which are absolutely marvelous
To ask permission	KNOW THE READER	I am a first year student in the Faculty of science. I am writing to ask a permission to transfer Biochemistry to Biology.
To thanks some one	KNOW THE READER	I am writing to thank you for your hospitality on S.A It was very kind of you to give us dinner even though we arrived unexpectedly
To report	DONT KNOW THE READER	I am resident at flat 4,43 Westbridge road Newport .I would like to report that a green Toyota van has been abandoned outside of our block of flats.
To complain	KNOW THE READER	On 15thmarch ,I purchased a new car through your Perth showroom. Since then I have experienced a serious of difficulties which I wish to outline.
Canceling the Meeting/confirm sth/apologizing/	KNOW THE READER	Following our telephone conversation ,this is to confirm that, unfortunately , I will be unable to attend the meeting on 3^rd march.

                                                              

SIGN OFF WITH	USAGE	SALUTATION
Yours faithfully	Use only when you are writing a formal or official letter & you do not know the person you are writing to , or their name.	Dear sir Dear sirs
Kind regards Yours sincerely	Use the title with the family name when you are writing a formal letter to some one you know or whose name you have been given .Use this salutation for people you don’t know very well or where you need to show respect	Dear Mr Smith Dear Ms Smith Dear Dr Smith
Kind regards Best whishes Lots of love	Use given name only with people you know quite well. In business this is something acceptable , but if In doubt, use the family name. Always use given name when writing an informal letter to a friend or relative.[1]	Dear Mary

  1.                      UL.TOPOLOWA      

  2 .                  31-506 KRAKOW    

                            March 2,2006                                                                  

  3Customer Representative   

McDonald's

UL.Florianska55,  

A 31-444 KRAKOW   .

4To whom it may concerne

5I am writing to voice concern  over the new   McDonald's  that has opened in our town 's Old Square .

6I understand that you have lased the space & that you have a right to decorate  it as you whish . however I am concerned that the golden arches at the top of this historic building clash with the surrounding with the architecture & interfere with the feel of the city. I would be the most grateful if you would consider using the more discreet design for your  symbol.

7I look forward to hearing from you & thank you consideration of this matter

      respectfully yours    

          Anna Stawicka                                     

1.your address

2.date

3.recepit's address

4.salutation

5.opening

6.body

7.conclution

8.complimentary close

9.signiture

                                                        REMEMBER:

* In GT writing task 1you will always have to write a letter .you will be given a situation & three main points which you must write about .

*The letter may be to some one you know ,such as a friend or a teacher , or it may be a formal letter to a stranger or an official .

*the style you choose ,& the opening & closing sentences , will depend on your relationship to this person .

*the letter have a particular purpose such as thanking some one /asking some one to do sth/complaining /requesting information /asking for a favour /offering to help some one

APPROACH:

*read the question carefully to make sure you have fully understand the function of the letter i.e. reason for writing it

*look at the three points& think of sth to write about of them .

*write a plan along the lines of the notes you wrote earlier in this unit.

*expand your plan into a full answer.

*leave time at the end to check your answer for errors in grammar, spelling & punctuation.

 

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IELTS TECHNIQUES

                                                           IELTSTECHNIQUES                                                                        

You can find some techniques of IELTS in this web page to improve your knowledge in four different skills.

Included : listening, reading, speaking & writing.       

IELTS has two branches: Academic & general.          

Academic is useful for those who just want to continue their education there , therefor they should have a wide range of English knowledge .                                     

Obviously they have more difficult reading  & writing tasks.

General is good for those who decide to live in a foreign country so it won't be essential to have specific knowledge .They should know English as they can communicate with others not as specific as academic.