We have moved on IELTS warriors!

Hello everybody!

After a relaxing two month break I am back on the IELTS trail.

In case you are interested, the new weblog is:

www.ieltscream.blogspot.com

You can comment on postings or use BLOGMEMBER account to post messages. If you want to join the weblog, please send me an email - Rashid and Vivek have kindly joined the new blog.

I'm looking forward to hearing from you! Any results news / updates?

Best regards

Tony

Get it ON!

Well people, I know you're reading this, even if you're too shy/wet/nervous/busy/pre-occupied/tense/lazy/bored/scared to make a comment! Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

Hassan, Huda Z and Venkata want company on:

Wednesday 28 September, 7.00 to 8.30pm (maybe later) in the Learning Zone for a STUDY GROUP

to do:

timed IELTS practice: Listening / Writing / Reading tests from the BC program. I have booked the room for you, please don't let me down...

SO, are you up for it? If not, why not?

No pain, no gain... You've got to be in it to win it!!! It's the phrase that pays...

We were five students down last night after a full house the previous lesson. Hmmmmmmmmmm. Maybe I should try a different eau de cologne...

Comments, commitment, co-operation PLEASE!

Tony the Torturer

Hello and good night

Good evening prize seekers!

No long motivational message - my previous ones evoked no response whatsoever!

So 'gird your loins' for the final 7 lessons. Now you realize the enormity of the task ahead of you, however, it is 'doable', isn't it?

Some good news:

On Monday 26 September at 7.45pm
Dr Rashid Saleem, Ieltsdream blog
Overall band 7.5 Academic version, August 2005 session

will address the class and give advice for succeeding in the IELTS exam. After a short presentation he will answer your questions about the exam.This is a golden opportunity to learn about what it takes to perform well in the IELTS exam.

Good luck and good night

Tony

ARE WOMEN BETTER PARENTS THAN MEN?

Some people might think that women are better parents than men .(P)From my perspective(S), I believe that both male and female can play a vital role in building up the family.In this essay,I am going to elaborate that point in more detail(s) (G). (Nice introduction).

Eve is kind ,generous and has the ability to convense(S)(convince) . She can really affect the child in a positive way ,the reason for that is the motherhood sentiment that God has offered(WC)(granted) her.However,women cannot live without men ,as they are in a great need (for) of them. No matter the fact that she is strong,(but,)(G) still man gives her and children safety and protection.(The subject in the second part of sentence should correspond the one in the first part) (still she needs protection,for herself and her children, by a man)

Moreover, the child has to feel that there is somebody who is caring (about) for him all the time at home ,and other who is supplying the best way of living.These(P) obligations must be shared by both mother and father.

Both parents should have a positive important role at home ; for example: trying to understand their children and giving the same shared opinions(S) in teaching them (the) (G) good manners.

What is more,is that when a child grows up, he /she needs those who showed him/her the right way to his/her future life .(, where) Father is the most appropriate person who (will)(G)(can) do so, and this is because man is usually mindly thinking (WC) (rational thinking?) rather than being emotional.

To sum up, I strongly believe that both Adam and Eve (are completing)(WC/G)(complement) each other to produce virtuous and useful generations.(A couple of more sentences are needed)
NOURA

Well done, NOURA!Superb effort.

You have got a good and fluent writing style.Short sentences make it more appealing.

You have very nicely used connecting words,phrases to express your opinion such as 'from my perspective',and finally use of 'to sum up' to sum it up.

Some suggestions:
Four paragraph format would be preferable.

Ensure writing about 250 plus words,otherwise you will be penalised.

A few more examples should have been given.

Basically, I agree wholeheartedly with Dr Rashid's comments and advice.

Great work, Noura, keep to the four paragraph blocks with intelligent use of linking words aided by relevant examples from your experience, studies, reading or wherever.

Come on the other 15 prize seekers!

Tony

Writing task 1(Home work).. + CORRECTIONS (tb)

The chart deals with the amount of money spent in (prep) different goods in Germany, Italy, France and Britain.

In Britain, photographic films took the priority .the (P) amount declined gradually (WC) in buying toys , CDs and perfumes.Tennis and personal stereos were almost the same (to be consumed through which) with 159 thousands (G) pound being spent. [Why write the figure in words and numbers? Can we do it in a neater way?]

The same good (G) (photographic films) were considered as number one to be used in French;155 thousand pound sterling were consumed .Toys and CDs remained steady at 159 thousand pound. Regarding perfumes , tennis and personal stereos, they showed a slight decline (than) in comparison with the formers (G) . However, they were all more or less equal.

In Italy, toys were the most (WC) selling good, where as (S), others had a very mild (WC) difference in consuming (G/WC),but were almost the same .

158 thousand pound was the ???? amount of money used for tennis racquets in Germany, which is considered the highest (than others) category / consumed item.

From the overall perspective, Britain was the (most costing) (WC) highest spending among the four Europian (S) countries while Germany was the least (WC) opposite of "highest"???.

NOURA

Good effort from Noura, don't you all think? You are following the formula and giving significant facts, overall trends and the "big" picture at the end.
The biggest problem is (WC) - using the appropriate terms in an interesting and correct manner.

Well done Noura - try to correct the mistakes I have left for you to think about.

Will look at your task 2 later on...

BFN

Tony

"children should never be taught by parents" do you agree?

Some people claim that children should never be taught by parents. I believe that learning skills start basically(S) at home.Moreover(P),the early(the earlier)(G) you teach your kids, the best(the better)(G) ability of learning will be achieved by them in the future.In(P) this essay,(P) I will be illustrating the positive and negative impacts of teaching by parents at home.

A lot of studies has(have)(G) shown that chidren’s teaching during the first five years of life is important to provide them with skills of receiving, understanding and getting the(G) information.Yuonger(P/S) children learn through their bodies ,eyes,ears, hands and legs.This(P) is initiated by parent(You can use joining words.For example, the preceding sentence can be written as:Younger children learn through their................which is initiated by parents.) Teaching kids(WC)(children)the alphabets (G) , numbers, colours, names and verbs will provide them with strong ability to practise(S) talking . The(P) intimate relationship between family members is enough to give children the love of sharing others activities(vague).As a result(S), good interactions with other friends will improve their language.Parents do know the weak points in(G)(of) their sons or(G)(and) daughters,(P) and they can treat it(WC)(those) easily(S), thus, preparing them to(G)(for) kindergarten and school.The process of teaching does not stop after joining schools.It is dual action exerted by teachers , mothers and fathers(parents). Each defect is corrected by one of this process members(WC) .However(P), it needs educated parents.(In the first paragraph,Ameinah has discussed the advantages of teaching by parents at home.In the next paragraph,she is supposed to write about the disadvantages.Let us see how she proceeds.)


If you visit speech physiotherapy(WC)(speech theray) clinics, you will find that most of the patients were negligible(G)(neglected) by their parents.In my point of view(in my view point or from my point of view), isolation of children from surrounding(nurturing) environment, due to social problems such as divorce , drug addiction and alcoholism, contributes to deterioration of their learning skills.In addition , it precipitates to gaining(leads to the development) of bad behaviors and psychological illnesses. Kids(WC/repitition) under these circumstances will develop feeling of inequity(WC) and they will hate(dislike) people, schools and society .Their concentration and understanding ability will be lost.on the other hand, social workers observed that parents who are applying pressure on their children in order to feed them facts and information by force will end by(G) similar problem.There should be a balance in teaching kids. (So,she has narrated the negative side of parental teaching:the results of neglecting children and teaching them by force.)


It is a message to all concerned people, development of educated and aware(enlightened) children depends on how much we give them from our time and the way we introduce things to them by patience, love and wise(wisdom).Education and teaching by parents and schools is important for the progress of our counties.

Another great effort by Ameinah,better than the first essay in many respects.

Ameinah,in the intro and body you have descirbed advantages and disadvantages of teaching by parents at home,whereas in the conclusion you have suggested the importance of school teaching as well.Had you developed an argument around the advantages of parental teaching versus school teaching,your conclusion would have matched better with your THESIS STATEMENT.Your opinion,Mr.Tony? Well, first of all thank you so much for taking the trouble to review Ameinah's fine essay, Dr Rashid. I agree that the conclusion does not 'amplify' and complement the introduction. Ameinah ended up suggesting a kind of 'partnership' between home and school but she did not make this explicit. Nevertheless she has plenty of ideas and now we need to hammer them into a logical, coherent framework that delivers the goods. I must say that Ameinah's approach to essay writing and blog posting is most admirable - well done, young lady! Please excuse me, it is rather late after a looooong Tuesday...

Tony

Suggested essay format:

Intro:
First sentence:One side of the argument - advantages of teaching by parents....
Second sentence:The other side of the argument - advantages of teaching at school...
Third sentence:Thesis statement and writer's stance:I shall analyse two sides of the argument......... .I suggest a balanced approach or this/that approach....

Body;
First Paragraph
.Opening sentence - Elaborate first argument.
.Rest of sentences- Ideas to support the argument with examples and evidence
Second Paragraph
.Opening sentence - Elaborate the other side of argument
.Rest of sentences - Ideas to suport second argument with examples and evidence.
Conclusion:
Summarise arguments,state your position and suggest a solution.




AMEINAH

Reza's Recommendations - An IELTS Candidate Speaks to the Prize Seekers!

Reza, an IELTS course member from April/May 2005 course, took the IELTS exam on 15 and 17 September 2005. Here is his report as commented in Hassan's posting. [Thanks Reza and good luck for a super result!]

Hello Tony and fellow class members

Yesterday I was in the battle zone and it was really a great experience for being there as a participant. I did my IELTS yesterday. While I was in Tony's class, I had realized that you need full concentration in the exam.We are all human, it is natural to have stress in mind but I would say, FORGET EVERYTHING AND KEEP YOUR BRAIN RELAXED in the examination hall.

Tony, without your advice and those valuable notes, it is quite difficult to get into the IELTS mindset.

I had my speaking test on 15 September. I found it easy but it could be more difficult if you are nervous. Just keep on talking. If you can deliver some logical clues then it would add more spice to it. Also it is important to have some practice before the exam. Prior to the exam, monitor yourself as to how you are talking to other people, pronunciation is important and keep a medium speed while you are talking to the examiner.

For reading and listening you need a lot of practice. I had to work hard as I had a long gap between Tony's class and the examination. If I am not wrong, I was in Tony's second batch but I do not really regret the delay as it is difficult sometime to overcome some situations in life. But, I must say, Tony's notes and handouts are really helpful and it will lead you to the right way.Use the learning zone as much as you can to improve your reading and listening. I have followed the time management as Tony said for reading (General Training) to keep 17 minutes for section one, 18 minutes for section two and 25 minutes for section three. It was really a good piece of advice. Use your highlighter pen to mark the keywords in both reading and writing.It will save your time and energy.

For reading, go through the questions first and skim the whole passage at once. Do not spend time to read the whole passage at a time. Try to get the theme first within a passage and please read the instructions carefully.

For writing, do not spend too much time on task one and try to finish it in 17 minutes, so that you can use the other three minutes to plan yourself for task two. Make a habit of writing in clear paragraphs and follow Tony's handouts for the use of linking words.

Finally, my advice to you all, do not put yourself under pressure on the day before the examination and try to have a sound sleep at night. At least for 7 hours. It will help you keep your brain functioning properly and you will not be lost.

All the best to you all.Tony, all I can say is, you are a great teacher and by following your system, one can easily succeed in IELTS. God bless you.

Posted 19 September (+ minor edits by Tony)

Hi mates,

Yesterday,me and Ameinah sat the speaking exam.. before entering it we were very anxious and worried,we couldnt imagine how would it be ;will we pass it with a high band!
Although it was just a MOCK, however ,it gives you an idea about your abilities..

My advice to you is to read Mr.Tony's sheet and to access through writefix website and www.elc.polyu.hk/ielts they are really valuble..

Thanks Mr.Tony for your suppot and waiting for you all in the class.



NOURA

MELTING OF TRADITIONAL CULTURES BY TECHNOLOGY

Technology has made a lot of changes in our society.Although people benefit from it in all fields , I think technology causes melting(WC) of our traditional cultures which in turn separates the generations from their origins. (A good brief intro.The writer seems to follow a dissertaion approach)


As we deal with daily changes in technology , one can identify the difference between situation before and after introduction of new developments .Easy(P) and fast communication between people,(P) by chatting through telephones and internet hinders(G) the nice,(P) innocent and(G) intimate relationship of members in one(P/WO)(among members of a) family and community. Love and friendship has(G)(have) been lost ,as (people) interaction(among people) is less than before .Television(P) and computers have replaced(G) the wonderful family’s meeting(WO) all over the world. I believe that ,technology has adversely (impact) affected our social traditions.Have(P) you thought about music sounds ,clothes, sports and arts?(You should describe the impact of technology on music sounds,clothes etc.)
Countless changes in all these aspects of cultures , make(s) one ask(s) himself o herself(onself) this music or clothes(which music and clothes) belong(s)(G) to which culture?


In my opinion, with good resources of economy as technology is applied in all branches(braches of what?) like(such as) commerce, health, education , construction , intertainment…..etc.(incomplete sentence )
Many people prefer earning money by comfortable jobs rather than being involved in traditional careers like (including or such as)diving and handmade production(handmade production of what?)…I do agree that progress of our countries for(to)(G) some extent,(P) depends on how technology is involved in it, but still there should be somebody (is)(G) doing our grandfather’s(grandfathers') jobs.

To summarise or in conclusion or in a nutshell,in my view, building of civilized cultures needs to have modernized things to be used , but it is a quest of (for)(G)balance between the past and future..let us make our traditions alive in all days (WC)by teaching it to all generations and applying it in our life…

Overall,a good effort.However,you need to concentrate on spellings and grammer.Suuport your arguments with examples from your experience and observation of your country and culture.Keep it up.



Ameinah

Friday Feelings

So, prize seekers, you have been enjoying the weekend! Good, me too!

Nevertheless, week 3 of the course is looming large. Tomorrow we have the first debate - have you read the article and thought about the issues? We should do some pairwork on the speaking test - part 2 especially. I'll be interested to see your essays. We should re-cap on task 1 writing as well.

You are another passive bunch of IELTS students, it appears. There is no obvious leader who will pull the weblog along. It's a pity because sharing ideas and posting work on the weblog can be very helpful. Ah well, you probably think that all you have to do is practise, practise, practise and learn the IELTS formula.

However, you need to think about your English language profile - how to compensate for your weak areas and maximize your strong points.

We'll be looking at the coursebook Insight into IELTS in more detail this week - have you been using the websites and reading/listening to as wide a range of English as possible?

No one is talking to me. Hello? Is anybody out there? Sometimes I wonder why I bother with these weblogs as in recent months it seems that students are too busy to take part. The first weblog www.ieltsmagic.blogspot.com was amazing! Since then the active bloggers have joined the new weblogs but the new bloggers seem a bit overawed and reluctant to participate - what a pity!

Anyway, seatbelt on this week and foot on the accelerator [within the speed limit, naturally :) !!!]

See you tomorrow (any comments/thoughts would be highly appreciated/article reviews and language queries are always welcome)

Over to you prize seekers!

Good night

Tony

Technology and traditions are incompatible(for & against)

Throughout the ages , man has brought numbers of countless inventions that are able to change darkness to light. these (P) technologes overcome the tradition which to a large extend (S)disappear.. (P)
What is YOUR position, Noura?

lets (P) take our country (sorry which country?) as an example; I believe that with the developments and civilization lots of heritages (G) has been lost , no wonder ; technology and modernization became incomptible (S). How? Write your sentences in a block paragraph.
The herbal medicines and the old ways of treating is changed in to an easy used medicine which are very effective. (Good example needs better English).
Traditional buildings are totally replaced by modern ones,which are safer and comfortable.
As a matter of fact human history is a process of replacing old , bad things with the newer and better. Not so sure of that, Noura, you could say "old is gold"...


On the other hand , tradition and modernization may reciprocate (WC) each others,for instant; (S/P) regarding the traditional dresses which are seldomly wear (G),the technology(internet)has benifit from this by selling them abroad ,furthermore, lots of accesories and products are produced in a modern assembly line. Separate sentences PLEASE! What is your point here?
When we found (G) some old medicine with poisinous (S) elements ,we started to take the idea of extacting them from herbs so, reducing the side effect which occurs before extractions.
Where is the culture here?

In sum (WC), some tradition and tecnology are compatible ,other time it may conflict.when (P)conflict occurs neither tradition nor modernization automatically take precedence over the other. Er, yes so there is no clear answer according to your discussion. Why not be more specific?

Thanks Noura, an interesting first effort with lots of potential. Try not to over-complicate your argument.

NOURA

homework....

Dear my classmates,

I want to remind you that mr.Tony told us to do the following:
1.arranging the folder.
2.reading practice ( unit 1,2& 3 of insight in to ielts book ) for academic
3.writing practice ( unit 1 & 2) ,,
4. writing an article on
it is inevitable that as technology develops so traditional cultures must be lost.to what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion ?
5. read about an argument on " computers hinder a child's learning ability"


good luck...


AMEINAH

The Grand Managed Canyon

The Article is talking about a beautiful adventure by a group of 4 dories (what are dories??) in the Grand Canyon, (exactly) on the Colrado River, to be precise. It started with a big wave which took the left oar of a boatman ''Litton''. Then they found themselves on 25 feet high facing the monster wave. Litton tried to maintain the straight direction, they felt as if they were climbing a rock vertically. After that, they flipped down into the womb of the Colorado.

They swam towards a rock and saw some of their dories (was) crashed while the others went with the waves.
the tellers' (narrator's)?? leg was banged and his thumb was lacerated. At the end the rescue dory came and pulled them to the boat.
I hope you enjoy reading this real short story.

LAILA

Thanks Laila!

Bats bring rain back.

A discovery had led (G) to undrestand (S) how the forests in French Guiana (S) ara (G) regenerated after floody (WC) rains, and after being denuded by logging rebound (WC).

the (P) forests return with the help of a special type of trees called (cecropian trees) ,with(prep) the great benefit of bats in that region.

These trees has (SVA) small fruits lied (WC/G) over it's (P) finger like extensions, The (P) short tailed leaf nose bats are feeding(G) on it's (P) fruits it is really wondering how they are used to eat the floral part of the the fruits leaving the minute seeds by defecating them intact while flying not clear, Noura, keep it simple!!)

( Cecropia fruits) are covered by a tough coat which protect and allow (SVA) the seeds to servive (S) 4 years & (P) beyond after the bats drop it.

The discoveror garanted (WC/S) that removing bats from these forests will delay the reforsting (S) process.

How marvellous nature is ... (WO)

NOURA

Good work, Noura! Where are the other reports?

RACING FOR SPACE

IN THE EARLY DAYS OF AVIATION , CASH PRIZES SPURRED PILOTS TO TAKE ON CHALLENGES NEVER BEFORE ATTEMPTED - thereby BLAZING TRAILS FOR THE COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT of A NEW INDUSTRY..

ONE OF THE BIGGEST COMPANIES, FOUNDATION OF ST. LOUIS WAS OFFERING TEN MILLION DOLLARS TO THE FIRST PRIVATELY FUNDED AND BUILT SPACE CRAFT TO FLY WITHIN 14 DAYS TO AN ALTITUDE OF 62 MILES.

IN THIS COMPETITION , PILOTS FROM DIFFERENT COUNTRIES TRAVELLED BY ROCKETS, BRISTOL SPACEPLANES & BALLoONS!!!!!


I WOULD NEVER THINK of taking aTRIP TO SPACE , GOING TO SPACE WITH A LOT OF BIOLOGICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL CHALLENGES IS DIFFICULT...
I DON'T WANT TO EXPERIENE (S) THE LIFE ON LONESOME PLANETS WITH STRANGE CREATURES IF IT (SVA) EXISTS..

I APPRECIATE THOSE WHO TOOK THE RISK AND WENT IN TO THIS ADVENTURE..

AMEINAH

Thanks Ameinah, please write in normal Upper and Lower case. WE NEVER WRITE IN BLOCK CAPITALS NORMALLY, do we?

Dear Blogmember,

I'm Noura,one of the new students of Mr.Tony's class..I'd like to congratulate those who passed the exam with distinction.& I'm very grateful for their valuble advice..
Thanks for you ..I hope i can do as you've done in your course..
Wishing all the best for all IELTS community members.



Noura.

how to write a report on graphs?

Dear colleagues,

it was difficult for me to write a report on charts , i couldn't arrange my ideas & express myself .

but i visited this amazing site: www.writefix.com it gives you the ABCs of reading & reporting the different types of graphs..
* how to get the main idea of graphs.?
*types of graphs.
*some special vocabulary for it.
*examples.

make your task 1 in writing exam easier by visiting this site ..
it will not take more than 30minutes.
you will be loser if you ignore my words...


AMEINAH

DEAR IELTSPRIZE MEMBERS .

HI EVERYBODY...
LET'S START INTERACTING WITH EACH OTHER . IAM AMEINAH ..GP DOCTOR IN ZAYED MILITARY HOSPITAL ( JUST RECENTLY I JOINED )
SIMPLY IAM STEPPING TOWARDS MY AMBITION BY JOINING THIS CLASS..I KNOW IT IS A LITTLE BIT HARD BUT WE CAN DO WHAT OTHERS HAVE DONE IT ..

EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT PLANNING TO SET FOR THE COMING IELTS EXAM, DO YOUR BEST IN GETTING BENEFITS FROM EACH ADVICE BY THE GENEROUS OTHER BLOGGERS & SURE MR. TONY..

THANKS FOR THEM & ALL OF THE BEST FOR ALL OF US ..

AMEINAH