Search found 992 matches

by Ryan
Sat Sep 07, 2013 4:18 pm
Forum: Post your writing
Topic: IELTS Academic Module Task 1 Response
Replies: 1
Views: 3981

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: 1776

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: 4376

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: 2762

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: 2762

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: 2711

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: 1645

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: 1635

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: 2350

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: 1736

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: 7807

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: 5653

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...
by Ryan
Fri Sep 06, 2013 9:55 am
Forum: Post your writing
Topic: as most people spend a major part of their adult life at wor
Replies: 1
Views: 5009

Re: as most people spend a major part of their adult life at

Hi Sandeep, I'm not exactly sure what happened to the introduction. It looks like the first few sentences have been cut off. Also, please post the question you are responding to next time. It is difficult for me to gauge Task Achievement if I don't know what the task is. :) I think your writing need...
by Ryan
Fri Sep 06, 2013 9:36 am
Forum: Post your writing
Topic: Creative persons should be paid or not
Replies: 10
Views: 4453

Re: Creative persons should be paid or not

Hi Abdul, To start, there are several grammatical issues with the essay question. In future, please post an accurate version of the question to ensure I can properly assess how closely your respond to it. The essay itself has a recognizable structure, but all sentences appear to contain at least one...
by Ryan
Fri Sep 06, 2013 7:26 am
Forum: Post your writing
Topic: Language patterns you can use to improve your Task 2
Replies: 2
Views: 20497

Language patterns you can use to improve your Task 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-BnC_TY6SM&feature=youtu.be Here is a demonstration of phrases you can use to better frame the logic of your argument. For the purpose of example, all demonstration phrases will be in response to this overly simplified IELTS question: PepsiCo is a company well po...
by Ryan
Tue Sep 03, 2013 1:30 pm
Forum: IELTS preparation resources
Topic: Anyone else watching BBC Words in the News?
Replies: 6
Views: 3663

Anyone else watching BBC Words in the News?

The BBC has some great online resources. This Words in the News series is terrific at exposing viewers to new vocabulary as it appears in international reporting. Here is one of the videos from the series: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvO3qe_WkG0&feature=c4-overview-vl&list=PLcetZ6gSk96_UR...
by Ryan
Tue Sep 03, 2013 10:42 am
Forum: Post your writing
Topic: Task 1 adjectives, nouns, verbs and adverbs (video)
Replies: 1
Views: 3438

Re: Task 1 adjectives, nouns, verbs and adverbs (video)

Please feel free to suggest words or phrases for this list.
by Ryan
Tue Sep 03, 2013 10:41 am
Forum: Post your writing
Topic: Task 1 adjectives, nouns, verbs and adverbs (video)
Replies: 1
Views: 3438

Task 1 adjectives, nouns, verbs and adverbs (video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxnlyaD1MN4 Adjectives abrupt, sudden sharp, steep, rapid, major, dramatic, marked significant, considerable steady, gradual modest, gentle, slight, minor, mild Nouns a peak a surge an increase, a growth, a rise a variation, a volatile period, a fluctuation a plateau,...
by Ryan
Mon Sep 02, 2013 11:54 am
Forum: Post your writing
Topic: Writing task 2,Academic
Replies: 1
Views: 3971

Re: Writing task 2,Academic

Hi Soumya, I think your main issue here is grammar. Watch your tenses. Sentences that start with 'since' (like your background sentence) should make use of the present perfect. Please also review article and comma usage, as these are clearly weak areas for you. The lexical resources you demonstrate ...
by Ryan
Mon Sep 02, 2013 11:37 am
Forum: IELTS related discussion
Topic: writing for the GRE
Replies: 10
Views: 7807

Re: writing for the GRE

Hi 8322265021ms,

Could you elaborate a bit on what information you are looking for? Are you asking about structure? I am not a GRE specialist, so I am not comfortable recommending structures and response suggestions to you. Please let me know specifically what you are looking for.
by Ryan
Mon Sep 02, 2013 4:23 am
Forum: Post your writing
Topic: A task 2 essay
Replies: 2
Views: 8202

Re: A task 2 essay

Hi blurr, You present several strengths in your writing. For one, your grammar is quite strong (aside from a few small awkwardly worded areas, such as your statement of position in the conclusion). Your logical approach to the argument is solid and acts as a clear indicator of your strength as a wri...
by Ryan
Sat Aug 31, 2013 3:01 pm
Forum: IELTS preparation resources
Topic: Try my FULL listening test!
Replies: 5
Views: 3498

Try my FULL listening test!

I pulled together this listening test a few weeks ago and have been using it in my in-class lessons. I would love for you to try this test, too. Download the following file and unzip it. Then get yourself a piece a paper, open the PDF and MP3 files and engage this mock test under exam like condition...
by Ryan
Thu Aug 29, 2013 5:00 pm
Forum: IELTS related discussion
Topic: Nice to meet you!
Replies: 73
Views: 19728

Re: Nice to meet you!

Hi Ryan, This forum is a great idea! I'm sure more IELTS test takers will come and gather here to help each other with the preparation. Thank you for the work. My name is Joe. I'm in Hefei, a city of East China. I'm a software developer. Right now I'm preparing for another IELTS test. I'm planning ...
by Ryan
Thu Aug 29, 2013 4:09 pm
Forum: Post your writing
Topic: Essay on Tourism topic.
Replies: 1
Views: 8466

Re: Essay on Tourism topic.

Hi Huda, I think your essay is starting to show signs of good structure. However, please watch your grammar. "While It has some negative effects on the local environment and culture." is not a full sentence. Because this incomplete fragment acts as your thesis, your entire essay suffers. T...
by Ryan
Mon Aug 26, 2013 7:35 pm
Forum: Post your speaking
Topic: Speaking contest results video
Replies: 0
Views: 2109

Speaking contest results video

Last week, five individuals posted their speaking as part of an IELTS Speaking contest.  They spoke in response to this cue card seen in Jordan: Describe a person you know who made a good decision. Who is this person? What was their decision and why do you feel it was positive? What resulted from th...