Month: July 2016

Secret To Getting Band 9 In IELTS Reading

IELTS reading is not really a reading test. Sure, you require the skimming and scanning techniques to score high, but the most important thing is VOCABULARY. Yes, the reading test is more about your vocabulary than about anything else. You not only have to know lots of vocabulary but also synonyms of the different words. For example – In the text you may find something written as “civil calender” but in the question paper the word “muncipal calendar” describes it. Or “to organize public events” in the question paper but “to co-ordinate communal activities” in the reading text.

IELTS reading

But, why are there so many synonyms in the reading text?
Well, because it is IELTS and not your school English paper! Just think about it, the IELTS team finds out some reading text and then makes questions from it. But, if they use the same words as written in the text, it would be far more simple and you will rarely see someone getting a six. There will be so many more 9’s.

Should you practice IELTS past reading papers?

It is a good idea to go through some of the past papers but that is not the real help. There are too  many synonyms in the English language and it is quite unlikely to get the same questions as earlier.

How can we improve vocabulary?

Vocabulary is very important if you want to score high in IELTS. Be it speaking, reading , writing or listening, you need to have good vocabulary. But, how can one increase vocabulary?

  1. Don’t read IELTS test papers – Yes, don’t read too many IELTS test papers. They are important and you should be reading some of them but don’t focus entirely on them. It is better if you read the stuff that you like. So, if you love football read lot about football, read magazines, ,newspapers, whatever you can find about something that you love. This will ensure that you are excited about the stuff and also improve English also. Even more, Read the international news.
  2. Record the words- There is no point in reading a new word if you don’t understand the word. So, when you read a word underline it and try to get its meaning. In the end, make sure your guess matches with the actual meaning. Also, make a dictionary of words. Write its synonyms, antonyms and a sentence using it. This will help you in understanding the word better.

You can read articles from any of the following sources, depending on your interest.
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
NEW SCIENTIST
THE ECONOMIST
HISTORY TODAY
TIME
COSMOPOLITAN
WIRED

How should you practice test?

Well, there are two ways of practicing the IELTS test and you should go for both. First is the fast way. So, take the test in exam condition, make sure that you are able to finish off the exam on time. Next, take the exam the slow way. Check out why were the answers wrong. What are the other words that you left out. What is the meaning of the words you don’t know in the text? What are the synonyms of the words?

Once you start practicing in this way, you will start finding patters in the test. It will become easier for you to understand the test and the reading comprehension. It will be easier for you to answer questions, because you know them quite well. You will be familiar with more of the types of questions.

So, practice reading. Read things that you like and solve question papers. More importantly, understand the question paper well.

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IELTS Speaking Sample Answer # Luxury Items

We all crave for some or the other luxury item. However, luxury is a very relative term. What might seem to be luxury for one might be the basic requirement for other. No matter what, we all want to live luxurious lives. Let us have a look at some of the questions related to luxury items.

What is one luxury item you really want to have?

I would some day love to have a lamborghini outside my house. More than my house, I wish to gift it to my father.

 

What are the items that your country imports?

There are so many things each country imports and then exports. In case of my country, India, it imports oil, electronic items, beverages, aircrafts, plastics, iron and steel and many more.

Do you think developed countries focus too much on luxury items?

I think they do have the privilege to go for luxury items. Because at the end of the day their basic requirements are being met. Once they are met, looking forward to living for more than a basic life is something we all crave for.

What is exported by your country?

India is one of the largest exporter of oil based products. It is even one of the leading producers of steel and exports automobiles throughout the world. India even exports precious items like gold. It is the balance between the imports and exports that help the country to grow.

What do you think is the most popular luxury item in your country? Who is it made by?

I can think of Caprese bags as some luxurious item preferred by women in my country. Most of them go gaga over the bags and are even flaunted by some well knows personalities. The brand is owned by VIP, and Indian Brand.

Have you ever been jealous that someone had something you didn’t?

Well, there have been those weak moments here and there. Like very recently, the girl who lives next door to me has a laptop. She is a student and not even uses the laptop properly. But, I have a job and earning well but still am not able to afford a laptop which made me jealous. But, later I realized that there is no point of being jealous as I can buy it for myself as well.

Do you think that luxury goods make people happy? Why or why not?

They do make people happy, sometimes. Like, if a person works really hard and saves money for something big and luxurious and is able to finally buy it, the happiness is beyond imagination. However, if someone who already earns well buys some luxurious item, does not makes any difference. In my opinion, it is the pressure of saving money and then spending that makes buying luxurious items fun.

What do you think expensive perfume is made from?

Expensive perfumes are often made from the most refined and natural flavors. Like pepper or may be rose. While using them it is made sure that the natural essence of these things is maintained. It is then the process of making such perfumes that makes them expensive.

 

What is that one thing that can make you happy? How long do you think you can remain happy with it?

As of now, I think the only thing that can make me happy is the DSLR camera. I am in real need of it as I want to start a travel blog of mine. Also, if I get a good college through IELTS, I will be needing it to capture all the beautiful moments lying ahead. I think as long as I am able to use it and stay connected to my dreams through it, I will be happy.

LUXURY ITEMS

Who are the best electronics made by?

I think apple makes some great electronic items. Apart from apple, LG, sony, canon are even great leaders in the market of electronic goods.

Do brand name prices mean quality?

Yes, too an extent. Because a brand is able to make its name only after there is a long journey of trust from its consumers. And it is only after some time that people start trusting the brand completely. Based on their trust, more number of people tend to buy the same products. So, yes of course, brand names do mean quality.

Which types of products must have brand names if you are going to buy them?

I think when I am buying food items, I do look for brand names. Because it is something that I am going to consume and it will affect by body, which is the most important thing for me. So, I prefer going for brands. Apart from food, I look for brands in cosmetic items and shoes.

How often do you spend money on things you know you shouldn’t? What kind of things do you buy?

It is very rare that I spend money on something that I don’t need. Most of the times I make a budget for myself and try to stick with it. However, if there is something that I really like, especially bags or books, I go for it, no matter what the price of book or bag is.

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IELTS Speaking # Success And Failure

Success and failure are part and parcel of our lives. No one can live with one thing entirely. Everyone faces both the things and it is the sweetness and sourness of both that makes us what we become. Let us today have a look at some questions that might be asked in IELTS Speaking section.

Is your idea of success same as your parents idea of success?

There is a certain amount of gap between the way me and my parents things. Mostly because they have seen life in some other way, at some other time and faced difficulties of certain different level and degree. According to them, it is very important for a person to have a stable life, earning money and getting married and stuff like that. But, for me, success is happiness. I do need money but more important is the work. For me success is to be able to get up, feeling wow about my life and sleeping with a thank you for a great life, and money doesn’t defines that.

Do you think people focus too much on appearing to be successful?

I think definitely yes. The reason being that we look at a “society claimed” successful person and then try to be like them. So, we define our success on the parameters of what the world thinks is successful. Even more, in our society, it is assumed that the person who has the most amount of money or fame is successful. But, someone who speaks of a content life, with happiness, is assumed to be the non-competitive unsuccessful person. This makes people trying to show about their success stories.

Why do you think money is the most common way of seeing success?

I think this has to do something with the past. In earlier times, people did not had much money. So, anyone who had lot of it and could earn a great lifestyle for themselves was assumed to be successful. And in this fight of becoming successful people have forgotten that earlier people were more happy and content which actually made them more successful.

success and failure

Do you think money can buy happiness?

Of course it can. It can buy the kind of happiness that is outside, imaginary and something that really does not exist. Some people do claim that the food that one eats or gifts is also giving happiness. But, I think it is more about the love and the care that the person brings along that actually gives happiness. When we talk of the true happiness I think it does not comes from money but from the heart and the soul that we give out to ensure that the other person is happy.

How much pressure do your parents put on you to be successful?

I have never felt any kind of pressure from my parents side on being successful but their unhappy faces when I fail, makes me bleed for success. It is not that I cannot accept failure, its just that I like keeping my failures to myself and bring out only the areas where I succeed in front of my parents.

Will you put any pressure on your children to be successful?

I think yes I will. Not because I want them to be rich or successful, but I want them to understand that success is living life on your terms. Doing things that you love and going for something even if the world is against it, but your heart feels it right. And I am going to pressurise my child for that because the world often very forcibly and easily brings out the wrong idea of success in the minds of younger generation, almost ruining their lives.

Have their been any failures that made you better in your life?

Oh! I had so many of them. But, there is this one particular failure that I had during my class 11th which I just cannot forget. The entire scene of the house and the relations that I had completely changed and I felt so much heat around. It was then that I decided that no matter what I am going to give it my best shot to ensure that I succeed.

Do you think there is a right time to give up or stop trying or you think one should never give up?

I think it depends on the thing that you are trying to hold on or give up. Giving up a job that you picked just for money but your heart is somewhere else, should be easy and should be done the moment you realise it. But, leaving something you love just because there are troubles in it, is not a good idea. In situations like these, it should be more of never give up.

Can you remember a famous person who failed spectacularly at something?

The one name that comes to my mind when thinking of someone who failed spectacularly is Steve Jobs. He is that one man who failed like anything and then rose like never before. It was in his late 20s that he was kicked out of his own company, the one company that he worked out so much to build, he was kicked out, with no job at hand. When most of us would have thought it to be the end, he started a new beginning.

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Snacks # Speaking Sample Answer

Topic like snacks are more likely to be asked in the first section of the speaking test. Let us at some of the questions and their possible answers.

Do you likes snacks?

Sample A: No, not really. I eat less but often so I usually eat something that is healthy and more importantly fits well into my diet.

Sample B: I love snacks. I think they are the best way to escape that small hunger that creeps in every few hours. A light and healthy snack helps me feel refreshed.

Sample C: I would say, I stand in between. Neither do I hate eating snacks and neither are they very important for me. I would eat them if I have nothing else to eat or if I am in that mood. But, if I get something healthier I will go for it.

What kind of snacks are popular in your country?

Sample A: I guess people in my country usually like heavy snacks. So, one can find them eating samosa that is stuffed potato or stuffed chapatis. People also like having tea with either pakodas or biscuits.

Sample B: I suppose official people and corporates usually eat junk food because that is what they really get but the locals like to eat home made things for snacks like stuffed chapatis or papad.

Do you think eating snacks is healthy for your health?

Sample A: I think it all depends on what you are eating. So, if one is eating fruits in between the meals, I think it is fine. Also, some people don’t take full meals but rather prefer eating small meals more number of times. So, in that cases eating healthy snack is your way out.

Sample B: I suppose eating snacks is not the healthy way out. No matter what you are eating in snacks. Most of the times people find it as a way out to escape from work. So, when they are bored they go out and eat. It is both unnecessary and harmful.

How often do you eat snacks?

Sample A: My job requires me to sit form 9 till 8 in the evening. So, I go and have some snacks mostly at around 10 and then near 5 in the evening. I don’t prefer having snacks every hour and take them only when required.

Sample B: I love eating snacks. One can find me going in search of it every hour or so. My room is usually filled with lots of fruits and juices because I think they are really important if one needs to feel healthy in today’s era of rush.

How do you choose what snacks to eat?

Sample A: I like eating fruits and carry them with me or keep them in store for need. So, I would eat them raw or make a fruit chat out of them or juice, whichever seems easier and appropriate for the time.

Sample B: I am not very fussy about the snack that I eat. I usually go to the shop or the canteen and order randomly. The only thing that I am bothered about is the price. I just want cheap food that fills my appetite.

Did you ever eat snacks when you were a child?

Sample A: Yes, I did. But I remember back then it was my mother who used to prepare snacks so they used to be very healthy. Most of the time we used to get milk with fruits or any other juices.

Sample B: I never had time for snacks back then. We used to be so much engrossed in either studying or playing that food was a mere necessity which had to be fulfilled 3 or 4 times a day.

If you had a child, would you allow him/her to have snacks?

Sample A: I think definitely yes. Snacks are a good way to eat things you might avoid during full meals. Like fruits and other beverages. But, yes I will make sure that they eat only healthy stuff.

Sample B: I would prefer that they don’t eat too much of snacks but I don’t think I would be the strict parent forcing them. It would be their choice but from my side I would try my best that they eat only healthy food.

Have the snacks people eat changed over the last few decades?

Sample A: I think definitely yes. There has been a major shift in the economies of countries and with globalisation happening all around, what we eat has surely been influenced. Few decades before people preferred avoiding snacks but with changing times people started having home made stuff. But in recent times one can find people eating burgers and hot dogs and all the other fast food.

Do you think all snacks are junk food?

Sample A: Defineltely not. I think most of them are but then one can even eat fruits or juices for snacks and I think they are a perfect way to stay healthy.

Sample B: I think yes. Even if they are healthy foods like fruits eating too often is not the right way of eating, according to me. It not only distracts you from work but also creates a habbit of regularly eating.

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