Do you enjoy playing sports? Yes, definitely. I particularly enjoy outdoor ones.
Would you like to go there again? Possibly. It would depend on who I went with.
Do you think it will be easy to get a job in IT?
I expect so. It’s a growing industry.
Have you ever been to any other countries in Europe?
Yes, a few. France, Spain and Germany.
Would you consider doing the same sort of job again?
I don’t think so. It wasn’t really for me.
Would you recommend the holiday to other people?
No, not really. It wasn’t very good value for money.
Part III
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is it a good idea to exercise regularly?
Definitely! Nowadays, life is very stressful. Exercise is the ultimate solution to balance work and family life.
Are there more crimes these days?
I think so. With the society becoming more materialistic, crimes tend to increase also because people want to have more in life.
Do you think everyone should have a mobile phone?
Yes, I think it is a good idea that everyone becomes wireless in terms of communication.
Linking Ideas
On the other hand and so because however such as
Useful Language: Comparing and Contrasting
On the other hand Well, it isn’t as…as
…is nowhere near as…as…
I’d rather…
I’d much prefer (to)…
It depends (on)…
Useful Language: Making predictions/ talking about the future
There’s a good chance that…
I doubt very much if…
I hope that…
I expect that…
I’m afraid that…
It is/ isn’t very likely to…
Useful Language: Giving opinions
As far as I’m concerned…
It seems to me that…
I tend to think that…
Frequently Asked Questions in Part 3:
Do you think smoking should be banned in all public places?
It’s really hard to say but I think if this plan will benefit the majority, then it’s ok to ban it. For sure smokers will greatly go against this proposal as this has become their way of life.
Do you prefer to go out or stay at home in the evening?
I prefer to stay at home because I have to help my wife take care of my children.
Besides, this is the only time that I can spend with my children, helping them do their homework. On the other hand, when I became a father going out became limited to just meeting with very common friends who my wife knows.
Do you think that e-mail has made our lives easier?
Definitely, yes! Before I used to send letter through post but it needed much time to reach its destination. Now, e-mails greatly help me with sending of letters. It’s fast and convenient.
Which is better: living in the countryside or in the city?
I’d rather live in the city. City life offers modern living. There are many
opportunities in terms of work, entertainment, leisure and dining. However, the countryside gives a very common and limited life style which is I guess preferred by people in their old age.
How likely it is that computer will be able to do your job in the future?
With the kind of work that I do, computers are of great help. Back then, we had to do manual work in terms of calibration of machines. Today, calibration is done through computers making our work more efficient and easy to do.
Would you rather watch sport or play it?
Actually, I like both. If I want to learn how to play a new sport, I watch it first.
Similarly, if I want to improve a sport that I know how to play, I watch it on TV so I could learn some techniques.
What do you think the consequences of global warming will be?
If there’s global warming, our environment will be warmer. People and animals might have trouble coping with the changing temperature. Also, there people from the cold regions of the world might experience flood due to melting of ice. I believe that this is not a good phenomenon and will give bad effects to all of us.
EXTRA
Part 2:
Describe a happy event in your childhood that you remember well.
You should say:
When the event took place
Where the event took place
What happened exactly
And explain why you remember this event clearly.
FF:
Did you ever do this again?
What did your parents think about it?
Part 3:
Do you think children’s lives are very different nowadays?
Yes, of course! With modern life style, children are similarly affected as with adults. Before, children were confined in their house. They were just limited to some activities such as playing indoor games of simple nature. At present, they are faced with enormous challenges such as meeting deadlines for a school project, waking up early to beat the traffic and do homework using computers.
These things are a few examples of the notable changes in the lives of the children.
Are children too protected now?
For some, yes. This applies to parents who are aware that children are well exposed to temptations coming from peers and technologies. Parents who value their family would keep a close contact with them. However, for working parents, they have less time to oversee their children, thus, providing less care to them. As a result, there are delinquent minors.
Do you think children can have too many toys?
It depends. There are toys that have good effects to children. Due to
commercialization lately, there are also many hazardous toys. So, having few or many toys would be the prerogative of the parents. They should always guide their children in choosing toys to play.
Is it important to celebrate birthdays and other festivals?
Absolutely, yes! Birthdays come once a year. In the Philippines, celebrations are highly regarded by Filipinos. Celebrations are blessings that need to be
commemorated, the same with festivals which are mostly religious in nature.
Speaking Practice:
Directions: Provide a 2-minute response to the following questions.
Record your answer on a blank tape.
1. Discuss an interesting place you have been to recently (What is it, where is it, whether you like or dislike the place)
2. Discuss an interesting person you have met (who he is, where he lives, what qualities make him interesting)
3. Discuss what you would like to do when you get older (what is it, how you will do it, why you will do it)
4. Discuss what you would like to learn in the future (what is it, how you can learn it, why you’d like to learn it)
5. Discuss a frightening experience you had when you were young (what is it, where it took place, what makes it frightening) 6. Discuss a person you like to spend time always (who he is, what
you enjoy to do, why you like to be together always)
7. Discuss an exciting experience you had (what it is, where it happened, why it became exciting)
8. Discuss a favorite pet (what kind, where you got it from, why it is a favorite)
9. Discuss something you like to do when you have free time (what it is, how you do it, why you like to do it)
10.Discuss a place you would like to visit in the future (what is it, where it is, why you like to go there soon)
11.Discuss a person you would like to meet some day (who he is, where you’d like to meet, why you’d like to meet him)
12.Discuss a person who has influenced your life (who he is, what you like about him and why he was influential to you)
13.Discuss something you have never done but would like to do (what is it, how you can do it, why you’d like to do it)
14.Discuss something you have done but never want to do again (what was it, how you did it, why you don’t like to do it again) 15.Discuss an experience which made you laugh (what it is, where it
took place, why it made you laugh)
16.Discuss an experience which made you cry (what it is, where it took place, why it made you cry)
17.Discuss what you would do if you had a million dollars (what it is, where will you spend it, why will you spend it there)
18.Discuss what you would do if you were President of your country (what you’ll do, why you’ll do it)
19.Discuss a gift you could give others (what it is, to whom you’ll give it and why you have chosen it)
20.Discuss a gift you would like someone to give you (what it is, what occasion , why you’ll like it given to you)
21.Discuss a special talent you have (what it is, where you got it, what makes it special)
Tags: ielts philippines, ielts review 7 comments
IELTS Comprehensive Review and Coaching Mar 16, '08 2:27 AM for everyone
I conduct IELTS General Training Comprehensive Review and Coaching for Skilled Workers for Australia, Canada and other countries requiring IELTS General Training certificate. I service Joblane International Manpower Services and 21st Century Manpower Resources Inc., two active agencies recruiting skilled workers to Australia.
I also conduct IELTS Academic Review and Coaching for nurses and other allied health practitioners. I frequently conduct training for ISA- International Student Advisors 4 U Inc.- a recruiting firm for the United Kingdom.
Success rate for all firms is maintained at above 70%. For the Academic training, 100% pass rate is maintained for ISA while 90% for Joblane on the average and 80% on the average for 21st Century.
I am able to handle big class size but with impressive pass rate. For General Training, the average class size on a monthly basis is 30 participants while 20participants for the Academic training.
Updated materials, powerful and intuitive techniques are provided to participants during the training leaving them incredibly confident in taking the test.
For inquiries, please keep in touch with me at 09184905100 or 381-9941.
Carlo Villalona Tags: ielts review 0 comments
Carlo
Answer Key to Module Exercises for IELTS General Training Listening and Reading
Sep 30, '08 3:55 AM
for everyone General Training Reading Supplementary Material 1
Traveler’s Tip
General Training Reading Supplementary Material 2 London’s Market
11. community/ multicultural
General Training Reading Supplementary Material 3 General Training Reading Supplementary Material 3 Distance Learning
10. (full-time) employment (in any order)
11. family/ domestic responsibilities (in any order) 12. e
13. f 14. a 15. c
General Training Reading Supplementary Material 4 Revision for Exams
8. every evening
9. (your) weekend employment 10. working too hard
General Training Reading Supplementary Material 5 Australia Fights Back
General Training Reading Supplementary Material 6 Canals on Mars
7. b 8. e 9. yes 10. not given 11. not given 12. no 13. no 14. yes
MODULE LISTENING ANSWER KEY
1 £203 22 B
2 17 23
A or E
3 no 24
4 under 26/ less than 26 25
C or D
5 locals/ local people 26
6 satisfied/ ok 27 Early Childhood
7 (British) students 28 the differences/ how they
differ
8 (too) many/ big 29 not learned/ innate
9 careful 30 in person
10 the culture/ the food 31 higher
11 International Student Advisor 32 exam performance/ results
12 Learning/ study groups 33 sleep/ sleeping/
sleeplessness
13 Student IT Department 34 controlled
14 Housing Officer/ 35 thought/ thinking
Accommodation Officer
15 International Department 36 organized
16 personal and/ or financial 37 vary/ change/ be different
17 b 38 marks/ weighting
18 d 39 relaxed
19 e 40 (effective)s tudy skills
20 c 41
-21 a 42
Tags: ielts general 0 comments
Joblane lands 89% pass rate for 12 July IELTS General Training at the British Council Philippines
Jul 25, '08 12:07 AM for everyone It is interesting to note that since the start of the implementation of the IELTS General Training in July of last year, Joblane had 100% pass rate thrice and this month fairs at 89%.
Out of the 27 skilled workers who took the test 24 successfully made it to the 4.5 overall band score visa requirement. Three of them garnered 4.0 overall which is not bad. Looking closely at their individual scores, we can infer that their strengths are listening and writing at 93% while reading and speaking at 74% were their weaknesses.
It is really important that during the speaking test one has to listen attentively to the examiner so he would be able to respond appropriately to the question and secondly, he must be able to extend his answer to every question in a clear way.
One of the factors that could influence their score is attendance to the training which has to be 100% for a 3-week course or depending on the agreed time frame set by the IELTS trainer. Second factor is performance during the training. This includes completing all course work, assignments, quizzes, simulations and oral participation. Above all, positive thinking and self-confidence are great tools in achieving success in the real test.
Tags: ielts gt 1 comment
IELTS General Training- Writing Tasks 1 and 2, Sample Topics and Answers
Mar 25, '08 3:47 AM
for everyone Writing Assignments
MODEL ANSWERS Writing Task 1
No. 1
You eat at your college cafeteria every lunch time. However, you think that it needs some improvements. Write a letter to the college magazine. In your letter, explain what you like about the cafeteria, say what is wrong with it, and suggest how it could be improved.
29 March 2008
Dear Mrs. Smith,
I am writing to share my comments and suggestions about the College Cafeteria- the one and only student council owned cafeteria in the school. I am thinking that by writing to you your magazine will be able to reach the student populace and keep them informed
about this cafeteria.
Firstly, I am a frequent customer of this cafeteria. As a senior student, I am always busy.
The cafeteria becomes my home from breakfast to dinner. I particularly like it because it is convenient. I do not need to go out of the campus to eat meals. Aside from that, the cost of meals is affordable. In addition, I like the variety of menu that it offers keeping us with a balanced diet. However, there is one thing that I find quiet unpleasant about the area. During exam week, the area gets clogged with students who would also prefer to dine. As a result, serving of food and payment for such take time. Personally, this becomes annoying especially that everyone wants to be served fast to catch with the examination. I am suggesting that the cafeteria would employ more attendants. They could also hire student to work for them.
I look forward to reading these comments and suggestions in the college magazine soon.
Thank you.
Yours sincerely, John Dela Cruz
(214 words)
No. 2
You normally go shopping in the area where you live. However, you think some of the facilities for shoppers could be improved. Write a letter to your local newspaper. In your letter, say in general what you like about shopping in your area, say what is wrong with the facilities, and suggest how they could be improved.
29 March 2008
Dear Mrs. Smith,
I am writing to share my observations about the general shopping habit and trends in my hometown. I think this will be a good subject of an article that you could write about in the newspaper.
Firstly, I would like you to know that shopping in my hometown has become more and more popular lately as compared before. Although shopping for most people poses some threat to security, it is undeniably a hobby for some. On weekends, people crowd over bargains. Interestingly, there are more goods sold now than before such as antiques, imported electronic gadgets, house ornaments and fashionable clothes. However, there are two things that I think the government should do to improve the area. One is that there should be more security officers, uniformed and civilians who should take care of the safety of the patrons. Lately, there have been reports about crimes of various levels.
Another is the transportation in the area. Due to the increasing number of people buying goods, there are no more lanes for transports to cruise the area. As a result, people have to walk for more than 45 minutes to reach the main road. The management of this shopping area should think of ways on how they could let the customers feel welcome and not just think of the revenues they will get out of this.
I look forward to reading these comments in the newspaper soon. Thank you.
Yours sincerely, John Dela Cruz
(238 words)
No. 3
You are looking for a part-time job. Write a letter to an employment agency. In your letter, introduce yourself, explain what sort of job you would like and say what experience and skills you have.
29 March 2008
Dear Mrs. White,
I am writing to inquire if you have an opening for a welding job in your reputable construction firm. I have gained substantial experience and I feel confident that I am fit to undertake the said position.
I am a senior welder in ABC Company for 14 years now and was promoted to supervisory position 2 years ago. My skills in welding are very diverse and these experiences were honed while I worked for a gigantic construction company in the Middle East particularly in Dubai for 10 years. Recently, there is a need for me to come home because of my ailing grandmother and due to the pleading of my wife that I should stick to our own family since my children are still young. I felt that your company can provide me with an
opportunity where I can pursue a supervisory position in the same field while I address the needs of my grandmother and own family.
I look forward to hearing from you soon. Thank you.
Yours sincerely, John Dela Cruz
(168 words)
No. 4
You would like a temporary job working in a summer camp which runs sports and outdoor activities for children and young people next summer. Write a letter to the organizers of the summer camp. In your letter, explain what sort of job you would like to do, describe your personality and say what experience and skills you have.
29 March 2008
Dear Mrs. White,
I am writing to apply for a temporary job in the summer camp that you are organizing. I have read this advertisement from the newspaper and I found this interesting because I have the qualities that you are looking for.
Firstly, I have joined several camps before from team building to organizing games for Koreans, young and adults while teaching English to them. I believe from the advertisement that you have the same requirement for applying individuals. As I am a
person who loves the outdoors, children, games and English teaching, this is certainly a perfect summer job for me. Aside from that, my experience last year with group of children who went for camping in Laguna, and the team building in Tagaytay for foreign excursionist provided me with skills in leading groups, giving clear instructions and creating innovative games. Anyway, kindly you can reach me through my mobile number at 1234-5678.
I look forward to hearing from you the soonest. Thank you.
Yours sincerely, John Dela Cruz
(163 words)
No. 5
An English-speaking friend wants to spend a two-week holiday in your region and has written asking for information and advice. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter, offer to find somewhere to stay, giving advice about what to do and give information about what clothes to bring.
29 March 2008
Dear Jane,
I am writing to let you know that I am so much pleased to know that you are coming over for a visit. I would like you to know also of some good choices to stay and other things that you might need. By now, I could not help my self but be really happy that you will
I am writing to let you know that I am so much pleased to know that you are coming over for a visit. I would like you to know also of some good choices to stay and other things that you might need. By now, I could not help my self but be really happy that you will