#1 Read Instruction
#2 Understand Question
#3 Practice with Timer
- Writing
Read, Read and Read and improve your vocabulary.
Practice writing and correct the grammatical errors.
Understand the question.
Part 1
If the question demand to write an informal letter, make it informal.
If the question demand to write a formal letter, make it formal.
Part 2
It’s a thesis presentation. It should have an introduction to conclusion pattern.
You should state your opinion in the introduction and conclude it in the last paragraph. You should not go away from your opinion.
- Speaking
Speaking is not about the content/ depth of the matter presented. It’s about how freely and fluently you speak and interact.
- Reading
I followed answer to question approach. First I read the questions to assume the answers and then I read the article to find the answers. It’s all about skimming and scanning.
Different people has different pattern of reading an article. Some read each and every word and try to understand everything. Then try to answer the questions. For IELTS Reading exam, you won’t get the time for that extensive reading. Read the comprehension to just answer the questions. You will achieve it by practice.
- Listening
Listening needs practice. The more you practice more you score. You will grasp the conversation quickly and can answer the questions.
Helpful Links
https://www.ieltsonline.com.au/ieltsmaster/
https://www.examenglish.com/IELTS/index.html
https://www.clarityenglish.com/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKPpfQUSfHhesyjbskDKSEg
IELTS Liz YouTube channel
Writing Practice Sample Answers
Practice Test 1
Writing Task 1
20 minutes (150 words)
A friend has agreed to look after your house and pet while you are on a holiday.
Write a letter to your friend. In your letter
Give contact details for when you are away
Describe other household duties
Answer: Informal letter (Informal phrases and words italicized, Start sentence with subject say I, Don’t start sentence with connecting word say and)
Dear [First name only of friend]
All the best
Keep in touch.
[Your first name only]
Dear Paul
I hope you are doing great. I am writing this letter to tell you about my short vacation. My family and I are going for a one month vacation to India. We are leaving this Thursday and we will be back on the 10 May 2018.
As you know I need your help in taking care of my pet dog, Dawn. He is friendly and potty trained as well. Please give him food every evening at about 5 pm. Also fill up his water bowl. I would also like you to bathe him every alternate day. Also water my plants twice a week. Thank you so much for doing this. I really appreciate it.
Please contact me on my Indian number 0091 94472 12345. You can also reach me by email. Say hello to your wife for me.
Thank you once again.
Regards
Ann
Writing Task 2
40 minutes (250 words)
Some people believe that teaching children at home is best for a child’s development while others think that it is important for children to go to school. Discuss the advantages of both methods and give your own opinion
Give reasons for your answer and include relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Answer: Include 5 paragraphs to present a thesis on the matter
1 Introduction
2 Paragraph A – advantages of homeschooling
3 Paragraph B – advantages of regular schooling
4 Paragraph C – your opinion
5 Conclusion
Points
Play is the highest form of research – Albert Einstein
Wisdom
Regular schooling – adapting, interacting, adjusting, patience to wait for a chance
Homeschooling –precious parent child bonding, loneliness with reading
Resourcefulness of parents to answer children, finding sports clubs for interaction
In higher classed seek subject matter expertise
Answer:
- Article (a, an, the) to be used with singular noun, a parent, an additional responsibility, the child etc.,
- use comma before a quote and enclose quote in double quotes, remember to put full stop before ending quotest Albert Einstein says, “Play is the highest form of research.”
- Use transition words such as firstly, secondly, in addition etc. to show better organization of content.
Education is the holistic development of a child. Each child is unique and parents opt for either teaching their children at home or sending them to school. The resources and environment may be different but the goal remains the same – help a child to reach his or her best. Although homeschooling has its own advantages I consider regular school as a better option.
Homeschooling has the advantage of parent child bonding. A parent is the mentor and resource person and the precious time spent together contributes to an intimate bonding and understanding between the two. Furthermore parents are knowledgeable about the child’s questions and get involved in their activities. In addition to curriculum they takes an extra effort to engage kids in extracurricular activities such as arts and sports to provide them an environment to interact and mingle with other children.
Regular schools are a bigger environment where a child gets ample opportunities to interact and adjust in a multicultural community. They learn to respect and express their needs. They also learn to wait patiently for certain day to day needs such as wash rooms. The greatest benefit of being, the school provides expertise to teach each subject. They learn to win a race proudly and loose gracefully.
In my opinion apart from the benefits of homeschooling, it has the additional responsibility entrusted in a parent. The parent has to find the opportunities for the child to interact with other children. There are situations when the parent is busy and the child may feel lonely. One way to cope with the scenario is to engage the child in arts or reading. In this competitive world, communication is an aspect that up brings a future leader and I prefer my child to be in a regular school where he or she learns to communicate.
Homeschooling or regular schooling is totally an individual choice but it should bring a society of wise individuals. Apart from knowledge, the child should be molded to possess the wisdom to distinguish right and wrong. Albert Einstein says, “Play is the highest form of research.” Let our children play and learn and grow into fruitful individuals.
Practice Test 2
Writing Task 1
20 minutes (150 words)
Last year you attended an intensive English course at the Darwin College of English. Your new employer has asked you to provide copies of your reports and assignments as quickly as possible. Write a letter to the director of the language school and request these documents.
Answer: Formal letter
Dear Sir/Madam
I look forward to hearing from you. / I thank you for your consideration. / Please respond at the earliest convenience.
Yours faithfully
[Your Full Name]
Corrections in bold (Use Simple Past (did) instead of Present Perfect (have done) because you know the time. If you don’t know the time in the past, then you use the Present Perfect.
Dear Sir
I am writing this letter with regard to an intensive English course I attended at Darwin College of English. I am working as an Admin Assistant at the Institute of English, Doha, Qatar and my manager has requested copies of reports and assignments I did as a part of the course.
I attended the intensive English course in March 2018. For the course completion I did 2 assignments and 1 report. It was evaluated and graded and I received the course completion certificate. Please find attached my course completion certificate for the enrolment details.
In order to prove my efficiency, I have to participate in a performance review in my current organization and I need the documents to be attached for the same. Please send me your address so that I can schedule a DHL courier pick up to collect the express shipments.
Looking forward to receiving a favorable response from your office.
Yours faithfully
Ann Babuji
Writing Task 2
40 minutes (250 words)
As a part of a class assignment you have been asked to write about the following topic.
There have been many technological development in the 20th century, for example in transport, telecommunications and health.
What technological development do you think has been the most important? How has it changed people’s lives? Have all the changes been positive?
Points 10 minutes gone for points
Intro
Important development-Telecommunication Particularly Information Technology
Change in people’s life – reduced time and distance barriers
Effect of change – positive and negative impacts,
In my opinion people became gadget centered
Para A
telecommunication particularly mobile, ipad, apps skype interviews, search and type alphabets
transportation changes
Para B
Visual media fast pace slow paced reading , nature etc
Four critical factors necessary to achieve healthy child development are movement, touch, human connection, and exposure to nature.
Para C
My opinion
For example friends daughter and siri
technology should not exceed our humanity
Conclusion
Opt for a time for everything balance between technology and nature
David Wong American humor writer says- New technology is not good or evil in and of itself. It’s all about how people choose to use it.
Corrections in bold
(lives not life’s) (use ; before however and use , after however)( centered not centred) (the 20th century, don’t use without article the) (savvy not savy)
The 20th century marked the advancement of technological developments in many arenas say transport, telecommunication, health etc. Though many inventions and innovations changes people ‘s lives, for me the most influential was telecommunication and particularly information technology. In my opinion on a positive note technology has reduced the time and space barriers;however, it has made people gadget centered.
Telecommunication has evolved to reach people in different parts of the world and always keep them connected. It leads to the globalization impact on everyone’s life. People can access the wider market and can choose the products they need. They don’t need to compromise on what is available next door. Companies can recruit talents all over the world.
The aforesaid advancements changed people’s lives positively and negatively. The advancements started in the 20th century and by the 21st century, the world became faster and more competitive. There are four critical factors for a child’s healthy development- movement, touch, human connection and exposure to nature. Visual media has increased the screen time and has reduced the exposure to nature. Parents are gadget centered and if they are not motivated to dedicate time for children, the upcoming generation will be tech savvy but with less humanity.
In my opinion technology should not exceed our humanity. Firstly, we should always keep a balance between the use of technology and the time spend to appreciate and preserve our environment. In addition to that we should be responsible users of technology, for example when we communicate something in social media, we should authenticate the truth of the information being spread. Finally, we should act respectfully in our social networks.
American writer David Wong says, “New technology is not good or evil in itself. It’s all about how people choose to use it.” I strongly believe technological advancement can be used in the betterment of human lives if used wisely. Children should be brought up by connecting them to their surroundings along with connecting to the wider world by internet.
Practice Test 3
Writing Task 1
20 minutes (150 words)
A friend is already attending a TAFE college in Australia. You will be going to Australia next year. Write and ask him/her about what you should do before you go. Ask him/her about any problems he/she has had.
I hope you are doing well. I am writing this to tell you about my vacation plan in January 2019. My family and I will be coming for a short vacation to Australia.
Since you have been there for the past year I hope you could answer a few of my concerns. First of all, what is the weather like in Sydney in January. Weather statistics show a moderate climate. Since I’m travelling with the little ones, I’m wondering whether I should take some warm clothes for them.
Secondly I want to know if I can bring food say some cookies for cupcakes for my kids. Is it ok to bring food for personal consumption? I would like to have your suggestion on the best destinations and accommodations that will suit a family with kids. Also, could you tell me about local transportation options? We are going to buy travel insurance but I prefer to carry necessary medications for the kids. Is this ok to do?
I’m looking forward to hearing from you. Awaiting your reply soon. All the very best for your studies.
Keep in touch.
Regards
Ann
Writing Task 2
40 minutes (250 words)
As a part of a class assignment you have been asked to write about the following topic.
The average British child between ages 4 and 15 watches more than 20 hours of television a week. Studies show she/he only spends about 7 hours per week on physical exercise. How does this compare with the situation in your country? How can parents make sure children get enough exercise? Give reasons for your answer.
Facts and figures mention that an average British child spends 20 hours watching television whereas he spends only 7 hours of doing physical exercise. I live in Qatar and here on an average a 4 to 15-year-old child spends 14 hours of watching television and 4 hours doing physical exercise. If I compare this to my home country, it would be 10 hours spent watching television and 7 hours of physical exercise. In my opinion there should be balance between the hours spend on television and physical exercise.
In order to change the statistics and bring an equilibrium between multimedia and outdoor or indoor activities there needs to be a huge dedication and effort from parents. First of all, children should get interested in sports. They should have fun and the parent has to foster the need of being active by providing ample opportunities. They should enjoy sports rather than winning or losing.
Let’s consider the benefits of physical exercise. Firstly, active movement is important for the development of children. Secondly it cultivates a self-esteem in children. They learn through experiences say success and failure. When they explore the different ways of doing an activity, it will build their creativity and independence. Finally, increased participation in physical activity enhances cognitive functioning (information processing).
I believe sports activities play a vital role in the holistic development of a child and has to be taken care. Parent has a pivotal role in ensuring a child’s involvement in physical exercise and should not be avoided. Despite the tight schedules and limited family time parents should be committed to providing children with enough exercise so that they can be brought up healthy and active.
As Billie Jean Kings says, “Sports teaches you character, it teaches you to play the rules, it teaches you to feel what it feels like to win and lose- it teaches you about life”. In conclusion as parents we should at least balance the time spent on physical exercise and visual media so as to raise an energetic and fruitful generation.
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