Writing One Love

2021-04-15 17:17:46 Open / Comment

2021-04-14 21:36:27 So true

@ieltstask2writing Open / Comment

2021-04-14 20:22:53 #IELTSAdvantage

When it comes to the IELTS exam, the number one factor that you control is whether you work hard or not.

You cannot control the type of questions or topics that might come up, but you do control how much work you put into your preparation.

I think this is the most important factor. There are no problems that can’t be solved with hard work.

It is far easier to make excuses than it is to accept that you have to work hard. But those who put their head down and focus on their work, rather than make excuses, always do much better.

A recent student who got Band 7.5 worked very long hours as a nurse, had 3 children to look after when she got home from work and had failed to get the score she needed 3 times. She had every reason to make excuses and complain, but instead, she found the time to work hard and she got the score she needed.

Good things come to those who work hard!

@ieltstask2writing Open / Comment

2021-04-14 20:13:36 #IELTSAdvantage

 "Did you know that your brain does not process words individually?

Instead, it processes them in groups of 3-5 words together. These are sometimes called ‘chunks’. Unfortunately, many of us are taught at school to read each word individually. Also, when reading in another language we often read and think about the meaning of every word."

Instead, you should practice reading words in groups.

Take this paragraph as an example:

Did you know that /your brain does not process/ words individually? Instead, it processes them /in groups of 3-5 words together. /These are sometimes called ‘chunks’./ Unfortunately, many of us are /taught at school to read /each word individually/. Also, when reading in/ another language we often/ read and think about /the meaning of words individually.

Try reading the paragraph above, not as individual words but as groups of words. I’ve added slashes in between groups to help you.

This might seem unnatural at first, but with practice you will be able to do it very naturally and increase your reading speed dramatically.

Try spending 10-30 minutes a day reading with this method. Don’t worry if you don’t understand every word, just keep going. Don’t let your eyes rest on one word and don’t worry about words you don’t understand.

Make a note of how many words you can read in 5 minutes and after a week or two you will see a significant improvement.

The other big advantage of this is that you will really improve your grammar and vocabulary because you will notice how words and phrases group together. You will begin to see patterns and collocations and this will help you improve, not just reading, but your overall level of English.

I should say again that this takes lots of practice, but it is well worth the time and effort.

@ieltstask2writing Open / Comment

2021-04-10 21:14:35 Open / Comment

2021-04-07 22:35:10 For those who still disagree with my previous point Open / Comment

2021-04-07 20:33:13 #Misconception

"You can use invented statistics as an example to support your task 2 essay"

Some teachers claim that you can use fake evidence to support your arguments in task 2. For instance, if the question is about environment, students can invent smth like:

"For example, the experiment conducted by the Economist magazine showed that 87% of people in the U.S. do not recycle"

Examiners aren't stupid. They will notice that you are making up your own examples to support your ideas. The question asks you to "include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience". So using fake evidence isn't a good idea. Examiners will easily recognize these fake examples and your score for TR will be reduced. Some might argue that these types of examples look like academic-style sentences. If you believe that ielts essays should be academic and similar to the essays written at universities, it means you have a superficial understanding of ielts writing. You are expected to write ielts essays based on opinion rather than research. So try to focus on clearly expressing your ideas and views rather than inventing fake research and statistics.

@ieltstask2writing Open / Comment

2021-04-06 00:19:25 Who's this man on the left :) Open / Comment

2021-04-03 10:51:46 Some people who have been in prison become good citizens later, and it is often argued that these are the best people to talk to teenagers about the dangers of committing a crime.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

It is true that ex-prisoners can become normal, productive members of society. I completely agree with the idea that allowing such people to speak to teenagers about their experiences is the best way to discourage them from breaking the law.

In my opinion, teenagers are more likely to accept advice from someone who can speak from experience. Reformed offenders can tell young people about how they became involved in crime, the dangers of a criminal lifestyle, and what life in prison is really like. They can also dispel any ideas that teenagers may have about criminals leading glamorous lives. While adolescents are often indifferent to the guidance given by older people, I imagine that most of them would be extremely keen to hear the stories of an ex¬offender. The vivid and perhaps shocking nature of these stories is likely to have a powerful impact.

The alternatives to using reformed criminals to educate teenagers about crime would be much less effective. One option would be for police officers to visit schools and talk to young people. This could be useful in terms of informing teens about what happens to lawbreakers when they are caught, but young people are often reluctant to take advice from figures of authority. A second option would be for school teachers to speak to their students about crime, but I doubt that students would see teachers as credible sources of information about this topic. Finally, educational films might be informative, but there would be no opportunity for young people to interact and ask questions.

In conclusion, I fully support the view that people who have turned their lives around after serving a prison sentence could help to deter teenagers from committing crimes. Open / Comment