Search found 990 matches

by Ryan
Thu Sep 12, 2013 3:52 am
Forum: IELTS preparation resources
Topic: Post helpful online listening resources!
Replies: 5
Views: 5305

Post helpful online listening resources!

I want to start a thread where we can amass all of the terrific online listening content out there. If you know of a site with good resources for listening practice, post it here! Here are a few of my favourites: BBC Learn English I regularly use this site in my in-class lessons. The resource is hea...
by Ryan
Thu Sep 12, 2013 3:38 am
Forum: Post your writing
Topic: Creative persons should be paid or not
Replies: 10
Views: 4363

Re: Creative persons should be paid or not

That is a very healthy approach, Saran. Every little bit of advice can help.

I will try my best to spend a few hours commenting on submissions to this site later today and tomorrow.
by Ryan
Thu Sep 12, 2013 3:32 am
Forum: IELTS related discussion
Topic: Hello everyone
Replies: 2
Views: 2092

Re: Hello everyone

Hi Pinar,

It's very nice to meet you. Thanks for sharing a bit of background on your situation.

Good luck with your studies. I hope you're able to get that 6.5.
by Ryan
Tue Sep 10, 2013 3:42 pm
Forum: Latest IELTS questions
Topic: 7 September 2013 India General IELTS exam questions
Replies: 1
Views: 2868

Re: 7 September 2013 India General IELTS exam questions

These same Tasks were sent to me by two separate test takers in India. One of them reported seeing the question in Bangalore.
by Ryan
Tue Sep 10, 2013 3:25 pm
Forum: Latest IELTS questions
Topic: 7 September 2013 India General IELTS exam questions
Replies: 1
Views: 2868

7 September 2013 India General IELTS exam questions

A test taker was kind enough to share the Tasks they faced in their exam: Task 1 Your friend is visiting a city and needs information about the city. Write a letter to your friend with the below details: a) places they should visit b) where they should eat c) what transportation they should use to g...
by Ryan
Mon Sep 09, 2013 3:33 am
Forum: IELTS preparation resources
Topic: A book for IELTS recommended
Replies: 13
Views: 22167

Re: A book for IELTS recommended

Recently, I have done some exercises in Sam Mc Carter's "A book for IELTS" . Only regarding to reading, I do love the ways of presenting instructions in this book. Maybe it's not suitable for IELTS candidates who are going to sit in the exam soon, but it will be so great for those who are...
by Ryan
Sun Sep 08, 2013 1:56 pm
Forum: Post your writing
Topic: Need feedback for my essay
Replies: 2
Views: 4082

Re: Need feedback for my essay

Very nice insight, Azaaza. Thank you for taking the time to get involved. Sujan, I think you present several good points in the essay. If the action words of your question state something like "do you agree or disagree", your thesis is clear. I like how you separate workers and employers i...
by Ryan
Sun Sep 08, 2013 12:46 pm
Forum: IELTS related discussion
Topic: Presenting your position (essay)
Replies: 3
Views: 3021

Re: Presenting your position (essay)

The IELTS writing task 2 descriptors say "presents a clear position throughout the response" for a band 7. As far as I understood that, I have to make it clear which side of the argument I am on right from the beginning (that is, from the thesis in the introduction) of the essay till the ...
by Ryan
Sun Sep 08, 2013 11:00 am
Forum: Latest IELTS questions
Topic: IELTS exam on 29/08/2013 at Lahore.Pakistan
Replies: 2
Views: 3224

Re: IELTS exam on 29/08/2013 at Lahore.Pakistan

Hello Dr. Asher, Thank you very much for sharing your experience and questions. I'm sure other test takers around the world are using your words to help them prepare. Your approach to the essay sounds interesting. Your point about the value of the architecture is valid, I believe. Your second point ...
by Ryan
Sun Sep 08, 2013 10:49 am
Forum: Post your writing
Topic: Language patterns you can use to improve your Task 2
Replies: 2
Views: 20411

Re: Language patterns you can use to improve your Task 2

Thanks Ryan. That's great! However, I think one important point to bear in mind is to avoid being 'show-offy'! That's overusing these linkink devices or using them in an inappropriate place. If you've ever studied those samples in 'Cambridge IELTS 1-9', you easily realise that how simple they're wr...
by Ryan
Sat Sep 07, 2013 4:49 pm
Forum: Post your speaking
Topic: Custom in England
Replies: 4
Views: 3301

Re: Custom in England

(Is Oxford University Press endorsing American comma rules?)
by Ryan
Sat Sep 07, 2013 4:45 pm
Forum: Post your speaking
Topic: Custom in England
Replies: 4
Views: 3301

Re: Custom in England

Thank you for sharing your speaking, Meonhein. Your response outlines certain tea related customs in England, and I think you touch on several key points while speaking about the topic. You definitely have a very staccato way of speaking, and this is something we will need to improve. The momentary ...
by Ryan
Sat Sep 07, 2013 4:31 pm
Forum: IELTS related discussion
Topic: writing for the GRE
Replies: 10
Views: 7388

Re: writing for the GRE

Hi Mina,

I'm sorry, but I am up to my neck in IELTS related work. Plus, as I told you, I am not a GRE specialist.

Are there no GRE teachers online that can help you with this?
by Ryan
Sat Sep 07, 2013 4:18 pm
Forum: Post your writing
Topic: IELTS Academic Module Task 1 Response
Replies: 1
Views: 3944

Re: IELTS Academic Module Task 1 Response

Hi Sarvesh, I think you capture the charts quite well in your writing. Let me suggest a few quick ways to improve: 1. Regarding structure, I think your comment on revenue sources being almost completely negated by the expenditures should have been placed in the first sentence as part of the broad co...
by Ryan
Sat Sep 07, 2013 3:42 pm
Forum: IELTS related discussion
Topic: Jason from Singapore
Replies: 1
Views: 1732

Re: Jason from Singapore

Hi Jason,

It is very nice to meet you. Thank you for sharing a little bit about yourself and your connection to IELTS.
by Ryan
Sat Sep 07, 2013 3:38 pm
Forum: IELTS preparation resources
Topic: Countries listed in order of average IELTS band
Replies: 0
Views: 4323

Countries listed in order of average IELTS band

And way at the bottom is us. C'mon Qatar! Pull your socks up! :)

Image

Source: IELTS.org Test taker performance 2012 http://www.ielts.org/researchers/analys ... -2012.aspx
by Ryan
Sat Sep 07, 2013 3:33 pm
Forum: IELTS related discussion
Topic: get 8+ in writing in a non-English speaking country
Replies: 2
Views: 2719

Re: get 8+ in writing in a non-English speaking country

I want to post a few links here to the IELTS.org research reports (you've probably seen them before). Unfortunately, there is no list outlining scores by testing country.

http://ielts.org/researchers/analysis_of_test_data.aspx
by Ryan
Sat Sep 07, 2013 3:30 pm
Forum: IELTS related discussion
Topic: get 8+ in writing in a non-English speaking country
Replies: 2
Views: 2719

Re: get 8+ in writing in a non-English speaking country

Do you think it's possible for those like me who live in a non-English speaking country to get 8+ in writing/speaking? How about sharing such experiences so that you be an incentive for the others. To be honest, I used to get 6.5 each time I took the exam. After I spent some time reading Ryan's stu...
by Ryan
Sat Sep 07, 2013 2:11 pm
Forum: Latest IELTS questions
Topic: Academic Task 2 question seen today in Ufa, Russia
Replies: 1
Views: 2662

Academic Task 2 question seen today in Ufa, Russia

A test taker shared this with me via email: "In many countries, small shops in city centres go out of business because large out-of-town stores increasingly attract their customer base. Some people argue that this limits those who do not have cars and causes unnecessary car usage. Consider the ...
by Ryan
Fri Sep 06, 2013 12:20 pm
Forum: IELTS related discussion
Topic: It's nice to meet you all
Replies: 1
Views: 1600

Re: It's nice to meet you all

Hi Junior, Thank you for sharing a bit about yourself. Aside from us both teaching English, we are also both living in future World Cup host countries. :) While I was in Shanghai, a Brazilian friend introduced my wife and I to caipirinhas. What a great drink! What band are you hoping to get in IELTS?
by Ryan
Fri Sep 06, 2013 11:35 am
Forum: IELTS related discussion
Topic: Hello
Replies: 1
Views: 1592

Re: Hello

Hi Kashif,

Thank you for coming. I hope this site helps you improve.

I visited Karachi once. It was wonderful (particularly the food).

Why are you studying IELTS?
by Ryan
Fri Sep 06, 2013 11:33 am
Forum: IELTS related discussion
Topic: Hello from Venezuela!
Replies: 4
Views: 2282

Re: Hello from Venezuela!

Hi Gustavo,

It's very nice to meet you. Venezuela sounds like such an exotic place. What cities are worth visiting?

Good luck with your IELTS. :)
by Ryan
Fri Sep 06, 2013 11:18 am
Forum: IELTS related discussion
Topic: Hello
Replies: 2
Views: 1677

Re: Hello

Hi Sarvesh,

It's very nice to meet you. If I am not mistaken, Melbourne was recently voted most livable city on the planet, right? Does it live up to the legend? :)

Good luck with your studies. What band is your English currently?
by Ryan
Fri Sep 06, 2013 10:55 am
Forum: IELTS related discussion
Topic: writing for the GRE
Replies: 10
Views: 7388

Re: writing for the GRE

Hi Mina, I really want to help you. The problem is that I am not entirely sure how . Keeping in mind that I am not a GRE instructor, here are some ideas: The GRE question you have posted asks you to take a position. It suggests you look at the evidence, critique this line of thinking and pose possib...
by Ryan
Fri Sep 06, 2013 10:20 am
Forum: Post your writing
Topic: essay task 2 - need feedback and possible band score
Replies: 2
Views: 5570

Re: essay task 2 - need feedback and possible band score

Hi Nathan, Great work recognizing the nature of the question. Many students would have mistakenly written a discussion essay in response. Your writing is strong in many areas. The essay structure is good. You state a clear position and ensure it keeps with the essay question. There is lots of cohesi...