tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53720712363380127062024-02-07T00:05:29.162-08:00MineAmazing...........Roslan b. Umarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761448410381859388noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5372071236338012706.post-78120819133900706672010-05-02T20:38:00.000-07:002010-05-02T20:44:59.818-07:00"TOKOH TOKOH ISLAM"<a href="http://alhakelantan.tripod.com/tokoh/index.html">Tokoh-tokoh sarjana Islam</a><br /><br /><a href="http://alhakelantan.tripod.com/tokoh/index.html"></a>Roslan b. Umarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761448410381859388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5372071236338012706.post-68769615623859501602010-03-31T23:57:00.000-07:002010-03-31T23:58:37.023-07:00East Coast IELTS Centre<b>Terengganu, 02 December 2009</b> - IELTS is the International English Language Testing System. It measures a person’s ability to communicate in English using the four language skills - listening, reading, writing and speaking.<br /> <br /> The IELTS Preparation Programmes at UCSI English Academy (UEA) offers academic preparatory courses for those who wish to enrol in universities and other institutions of higher learning. IELTS is accepted by most Australian, British, Canadian, Irish, New Zealand, South African and the US academic institutions.<br /> <br /> Together with USCI University, UEA is an IELTS testing venue. This is in collaboration with the International Development Programme (IDP) Australia to make every examination a success for the Institution and students respectively.<br /> <br /> UCSI English Academy, Terengganu Campus has started its IELTS preparatory classes scheduled on weekdays and weekends. For weekends, it is on Friday and Saturday, 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.<br /> <br /> The class started right after Hari Raya Aidilfitri and ended on the 3rd of October 2009. Puan Fardilla, on completing the course said, “Now I’m definitely ready for IELTS. I learned a lot at this workshop”.<br /> <br /> Classes for December is running as planned. Furthermore, UCSI English Academy, Terengganu Campus is recognized as the IELTS Test Venue for the east coast region by IDP for the states of Terengganu, Kelantan and Pahang. UEA received its recognition in November 2009. We have full-time and part-time classes to cater the needs of students and adult learners. Students need not be in Kuala Lumpur to take their examination as they can do it here starting 2010. For more enquiries, please call 09-628 1880.<br /><br />more info please rfer this website...<br /><a href="http://www.ucsi.edu.my/terengganu/media/press/2009/IELTS.asp">http://www.ucsi.edu.my/terengganu/media/press/2009/IELTS.asp</a>Roslan b. Umarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761448410381859388noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5372071236338012706.post-7443834006265674442009-12-05T21:33:00.000-08:002009-12-05T21:35:02.009-08:00<b>What do you think is the best way to improve academic listening skills?<br /></b><br /><b>This topic has now closed. Thanks for all your comments.</b> <div class="content"><style type="text/css"> #comments p {padding-bottom:15px} </style> <div id="comments"> <!-- learnenglish for_teachers_al --> <!-- Star Comments --> <span class="acs_star"> </span> <!-- All Comments --> <p> <span class="acs_name">Wilson Couto, Brazil</span><br /><span class="acs_text">In my opinion, the best way to improve academic listening skills is to practice this competence by watching movies with native english speakers from different countries. Another tip, is to set the subtitles to the english language too, so you can also improve your reading skils. </span> </p> <p> <span class="acs_name">Hamed Altairi , Yemen</span><br /><span class="acs_text">Good preparation is what a university student needs to improve his/her academic listening skills. For example, a student has to read something about the topic that will be discussed in the lecture. This will definitely help the student in two ways. First, pre-reading gives an idea of what the student expects to be discussed. Second, if there is something not clear when reading, then the student will be ready with questions to ask. These are sure enough to improve academic listening skills.</span> </p> <p> <span class="acs_name">Ericsem, Brazil</span><br /><span class="acs_text">That's really importatnt, how can I learn better? In my poor oipinion, the short and funny way is listen to a lot of programs and audios in english to try to understand the words, the expressions, the sounds, the pronounces, the jokes and so on.</span> </p> <p> <span class="acs_name">Kujtim, Kosova</span><br /><span class="acs_text">the best way to improve listening skills in my opinion is practising listening everyday like watching tv,listening to different documentarys and also listening the news,,the more you listen the more you train your ear to percept words </span> </p> <p> <span class="acs_name">Mortaza, Iran</span><br /><span class="acs_text">I think there are a number of factors that can improve students' academic listening skills: 1. students' general proficiency in English is a crucial factor. 2. students should be provided with ample opportunities to get familiar with the genre of their field. 3. they need some training in how to get the main ideas, how to take notes, and how to be active participants by having their own share and judgement 4. they need to have access to recorded lectures along with some tasks that contribute to the above mentioned skills.</span> </p> <p> <span class="acs_name">Dilara,Turkey</span><br /><span class="acs_text">I think listening to music is the best way to improve our listening skills.Because we enjoy listening to music and are entertained by it without any boring thing.</span> </p> <p> <span class="acs_name">Mai moc, Vietnam</span><br /><span class="acs_text">In my opinion, I think we should try to listen more and more, whenever we can</span> </p> <p> <span class="acs_name">Yu-Wen, Ling, Taiwan</span><br /><span class="acs_text">There are a number of methods to improve ones listening skills. As far as I am concerned, previewing the lecture would be the magic bullet.Take myself for example. My mother language is Chinese, whereas, my major in the university is English literatures. As a result, I indulge myself in English-speaking environment day by day. I have got to highlight that there is no need to spend a bunch of money to go to cram schools to learn English. If you are a music-junkie, listening to English tracks can sharpen ur listening skill without a doubt. To put it differently, watching flicks or news with English subtitles or pronunciation can train listeners quite well. The reason is that I benefit a lot from these flicks, such as Britains' got talent, Gossip Girl and Sex and the city.Take my word for it. After spending time on the listening training. Not only can fully understand my British professors' lectures fully, but get 'dazzling' grades on English oral tests. Isn't it kill two birds with one stone.Last but not least, it takes great patient and perseverance to attain ones goal(listening accomplishment). I am convinced that once the man can preview the lecture in advance, watching to related flicks or documentary and be patient to training intercourse. There would be amazing outcome!!!<br /></span></p><p><span class="acs_text"></span><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/teach/discuss/2009/04/090427_teach_discuss_al.shtml">more details click here.<br /></a></p><p><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/teach/discuss/2009/04/090427_teach_discuss_al.shtml">http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/teach/discuss/2009/04/090427_teach_discuss_al.shtml</a><br /><!--END OF DISCUSSION TOPIC--> <!-- delete from here when closing comments--> <!--delete to here when closing comments and un-hide the following --> </p></div></div>Roslan b. Umarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761448410381859388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5372071236338012706.post-19113823044879333902009-12-05T21:22:00.000-08:002009-12-05T21:25:22.196-08:00BBC Pronunciation tips<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/grammar/pron/sounds/index.shtml"><strong>The sounds of English</strong></a><br />There is a system of symbols for writing the sounds of English. We have a guide to these symbols and also videos to show how to pronounce each of the sounds.<br /><br />There are also activities to practise identifiying the difference between certain sounds which may sound similar.<br /><strong><br /><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/grammar/pron/features/spelling/index.shtml">Features of English</a></strong><br />Information about different elements of English pronunciation. <br /><br />There are also interactive and downloadable exercises to help you build your understanding of these areas.<br /><br /><strong><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/grammar/pron/quiz/quiz1/index.shtml">Quizzes</a><br /></strong>Interactive quizzes to test your knowledge of and help you learn about English pronunciation.<br /><br /><strong><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/grammar/pron/progs/prog1.shtml">Programmes</a></strong><br />Three radio programmes from 2005 on the topic of pronunciation. You can download the full programmes along with the script and audio examples.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/grammar/pron/">http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/grammar/pron/</a>Roslan b. Umarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761448410381859388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5372071236338012706.post-78459181097739684402009-11-11T20:52:00.000-08:002009-11-11T20:54:08.904-08:00To ponder especially for bosses who want their 'anak buah' to change...<pre>Change is not easy. But it is simple. Things will always change. We don't<br />have a choice about that, but we do have a choice on how we react to change.<br />The choice really boils down to this: Either we manage change, or it will<br />manage us.<br /><br />As a leader, however, deciding to make changes is the easy part. Getting<br />your people on board is much more difficult. Why is that? Quite simply,<br />change is an emotional process. We are all creatures of habit who usually<br />resist it, and welcome routine. Unchartered waters are scary! In the long<br />run, however, sameness is the fast track to mediocrity. And mediocre<br />companies won't survive. Tuli Kupferburg said it best, when patterns are<br />broken, new worlds emerge. And that is your challenge to convince your team<br />that the new world you are trying to create is better than the one you're<br />in. Is it easy? Of course not. It takes planning, commitment, patience, and<br />courage.<br /><br />The truth, of course, is that change can be a wonderful gift. In fact, it is<br />the key that unlocks the doors to growth and excitement in any organization.<br />And, most importantly, without it, your competition will pass you by. A big<br />part of success, as a leader, will be your ability to inspire your team to<br />get out of their comfort zones; to assure them that even though they are on<br />a new path, it's the right path, for the right reasons.<br /><br /><br />sdin<br /><br />_______________________________________________________________________<br /><br /><br />--<br />Assoc Professor Dato' Dr Saharuddin Abdul Hamid,<br />Dean,<br />Faculty of Maritime Studies and Marine Science,<br />University Malaysia Terengganu,<br /></pre>Roslan b. Umarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761448410381859388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5372071236338012706.post-5416022972308527362009-10-20T01:16:00.001-07:002009-10-20T01:33:59.531-07:00Sample IELTS Speaking Topics<!-- InstanceBeginEditable name="FirstBodyText" --> <p>Part 1 of the <strong>IELTS Speaking Module</strong> consists of personal questions about you, your family, your work, your education or other familiar topics. A categorized list of such topics and questions is given below. You can use these <strong>sample questions</strong> to rehearse for this part of the oral interview. Make sure you can speak correctly, clearly, and with ease and confidence in response to each question. Remember to make your answer interesting by providing more than the most basic information. <strong>Some of these sample questions are highly likely to appear on your exam</strong>, so review them well. </p> <!-- google_ad_section_end --> <!-- InstanceEndEditable --><!-- InstanceBeginEditable name="EditRegion5" --> <p> <span class="style1">YOU</span></p> <p>Describe yourself. </p> <p><span class="style1">FAMILY</span> </p><ul><ul><li>Describe your family?</li><li>Do you have a large or small family?</li><li>How much time do you spend with your family?</li><li>What do you like to do together as a family?</li><li>Do you get along well with your family?</li><li>Are people in your country generally close to their families? </li></ul></ul> <p><span class="style1">WORK</span> </p><ul><ul><li>What do you do?</li><li>What are your responsibilities?</li><li>How many hours do you work each day?</li><li>Do you enjoy your work?</li><li>Is there some other kind of work you would rather do?</li><li>If you could change your job or profession, what would you do?</li><li>Describe the process of getting a job in your country.</li><li>Describe the company or organization you work for.</li><li>What is your position?</li><li>What do you like about your job?</li><li>What do you dislike about your job?</li></ul></ul> <p><span class="style1">EDUCATION</span> </p><ul><ul><li>Describe your education. </li><li>What kind of school did you go to as a child?</li><li>Did you go to a co-educational school?</li><li>What was your favourite subject as a child?</li><li>Who was your favourite teacher?</li><li>What is the education system like in your country?</li><li>Do you think your country has an effective education system? </li></ul></ul> <p><span class="style1">STUDIES</span></p> <ul><li>What are you studying now? </li><li>What is your area of specialization? </li></ul> <p><span class="style1">HOMETOWN</span> </p><ul><ul><li>Describe your hometown. </li><li>What’s special about it?</li><li>Where is your hometown located?</li><li>Is it easy to travel around your hometown?</li><li>What is it known for?</li><li>What do people in your town do?</li><li>What are the main industries in your hometown?</li><li>What problems face your hometown?</li><li>What languages are spoken in your hometown?</li><li>What are the advantages of living in your hometown?</li><li>What are some problems faced by your hometown?</li><li>Compare your hometown with another city.</li><li>What are some environmental problems faced by your hometown?</li></ul></ul> <p><span class="style1">WEATHER</span> </p><ul><ul><li>What’s the weather like in your country? </li><li>Does the weather affect your mood?</li><li>How do rainy days make you feel?</li><li>What’s your favourite season of the year?</li><li>What do you like to do when it’s hot?</li><li>What do you usually do in the winter?</li><li>How many seasons does your country have? </li></ul></ul> <p><span class="style1">HOME</span> </p><ul><ul><li>Describe your home. </li><li>What kind of building do you live in?</li><li>How long have you lived there? </li></ul></ul> <p><span class="style1">WEDDING</span> </p><ul><ul><li>Have you ever been to a wedding? </li><li>Whose wedding was it?</li><li>Where was it held?</li><li>What clothes do people wear?</li><li>Describe the wedding ceremony.</li><li>What sort if gifts do people buy for the bridal couple?</li><li>What kind of clothes did the bride and groom wear? </li></ul></ul> <p><span class="style1">TRAVEL</span> </p><ul><ul><li>Do you like to travel? </li><li>What kind of places have you visited in your life?</li><li>Which place would you really like to visit? Why?</li><li>What’s the best place you’ve ever visited?<br /> </li></ul></ul> <p><span class="style1">COMPUTERS</span> </p><ul><ul><li>Do you think computers help society? </li><li>Do you think computers are bad for health?</li><li>How do you think computers have changed the world?<br /> </li></ul></ul> <p><span class="style1">INTERNET</span> </p><ul><ul><li>Do you use the Internet much during the day? </li><li>What do you usually do on the Internet?</li><li>What are some advantages of the Internet?</li><li>What are some disadvantages?</li><li>Do people in your country use the Internet a lot?</li><li>Do you do any shopping on the Internet? </li></ul></ul> <p><span class="style1">EMAIL</span> </p><ul><ul><li>Do you send and receive email regularly? </li><li>Who do you usually communicate with?</li><li>How often do you check your email?</li><li>Do you think writing email has strengthened or weakened people’s writing skills?</li><li>What are some disadvantages of email?<br /> </li></ul></ul> <p><span class="style1">FRIEND</span> </p><ul><ul><li>Describe a friend. </li><li>How long have you known each other?</li><li>What do usually do together?</li><li>What do you like the most about him / her?</li><li>How often do you see each other?<br /> </li></ul></ul> <p><span class="style1">PLACE</span> </p><ul><ul><li>Describe a place you like to go. </li><li>Why is this place special to you?</li><li>When did you first visit this place?</li><li>Where is this place located?</li><li>What language is spoken here? Do you speak this language?<br /> </li></ul></ul> <p><span class="style1">SMOKING</span> </p><ul><ul><li>What do you feel about smoking in public places? </li><li>Do you think smoking should be banned in people’s homes?<br /> </li></ul></ul> <p><span class="style1">MARRIAGE</span> </p><ul><ul><li>What is the attitude toward marriage in your country? </li><li>Do most young people plan on getting married in your country?</li><li>What are some of the advantages of marriage?</li><li>What are some of the disadvantages?</li><li>Is the divorce rate high in your country?</li><li>Do you think people should be allowed to get divorced?<br /> </li></ul></ul> <p><span class="style1">HOBBIES</span> </p><ul><ul><li>Do you have any hobbies? </li><li>What are some of your hobbies?</li><li>When did you first develop tis hobby?</li><li>What are some of the advantages of having a hobby?</li><li>How much time do you spend on your hobby?<br /> </li></ul></ul> <p><span class="style1">FILMS</span> </p><ul><ul><li>Do you enjoy watching movies? </li><li>What’s your favourite film?</li><li>Who are your favourite actors?</li><li>How often do you watch films?</li></ul></ul><ul><li>Related website</li><li>http://www.goodluckielts.com/IELTS-speaking-topics.html<br /></li></ul>Roslan b. Umarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761448410381859388noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5372071236338012706.post-21085445389577188612009-10-20T01:09:00.000-07:002009-10-20T01:12:13.249-07:00IELTS WRITING assessment and Suggestions - 1<span class="postbody">In most countries disabled people are not catered for adequately, e.g. buildings are often inappropriately designed. Governments rely too heavily on charities and voluntary organisations to provide assistance and funding.<br />What further measures could be taken to assist disabled people?<br />Discuss. </span><br /><span class="postbody"><br />It is <span style="text-decoration: underline;">unbelievable</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">{use word “implausible” instead because you have to show your lexical range}</span> but true that in many countries disabled people are not <span style="text-decoration: underline;">catered for adequately </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">{are not cared for/looked after becomingly: try to not you use words from the query statement in opening Para}</span>. </span>In other words, disabled people are not been <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">{no need of been here}</span> provided with the proper facilities and they have to depend on other's to get their routine work done. Though a disabled person can discuss the matter more efficiently, I too have strong opinion about the issue which will be <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">{made}</span> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">abundantly</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">(considerably: always keep a margin)</span> </span>clear in the later paragraphs of this essay.<br /><br />As per my point of view, I feel that though there are lot<span style="font-weight: bold;">{lots} </span>of facilities granted to physically disabled people by government: for example, reservation in government sector jobs and reduction in travelling fares etc.<span style="font-weight: bold;">{,}</span> But <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">{yet: after ‘though’ we use a comma and yet}</span>just providing such kind of facilities will not serve the whole purpose to cater disable people. Still, there is lot more which is required to be done.<span style="font-weight: bold;">{:}</span>Such as, special arrangaments should be made with no extra charges at airports, railway stations etc; to make the journey of handicapped persons hassle free. Also, official and residential<span style="font-weight: bold;">{s} </span>bulidings should be designed by keeping the disabled people in mind.<br /><br /><br />Furthermore, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">it is also necessary to</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">{better say: it is imperative too to say}</span> know the real difficulties faced by physically challenged<span style="font-weight: bold;">{spell error}</span> people by directly interacting with them. My intention to say this is that only a disabled person is able to express problems suffered by him or her in a better way. And then this information collected<span style="font-weight: bold;">,{no need of comma here}</span> should be implemented to our system.<br /><br />After doing great deal of thought and deliberations<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">{be careful about spell errors}</span> with myself about the topic<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">{,}{after mulling over/pondering over a great deal}</span> I come to a conclusion that disabled persons do not need our sympathy<span style="font-weight: bold;">{,}</span> and it is duty of each individual to give them morale support. Also<span style="font-weight: bold;">{,}</span> disabled persons have to make the attitude of "Never Say Die" , which will inturn<span style="font-weight: bold;">{in turn}</span> make our planet more healthier.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">BAND: 7.0</span><br />well done,<br />Riten keep me in your prayers,<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Checked by,<br /><a href="mailto:teacher_ielts@yahoo.com">teacher_ielts@yahoo.com</a></span></span>Roslan b. Umarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761448410381859388noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5372071236338012706.post-35336060493883350662009-10-20T00:49:00.000-07:002009-10-21T22:04:57.056-07:00Here some resources will help u...<span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-family:Garamond;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><i><a href="http://www.ielts-blog.com/" target="_blank">www.<b>ielts</b>-blog.com</a></i></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-size:100%;" ><br /></span> <span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-family:Garamond;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><a href="http://www.ielts-plan.com/" target="_blank">http://www.ielts-plan.com/</a></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-size:100%;" ><br /></span> <span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-family:Garamond;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><a href="http://www.yourieltsguide.com/" target="_blank">http://www.yourieltsguide.com</a></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-size:100%;" ><br /></span> <span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-family:Garamond;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:Shruti;"><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><a href="http://www.goodluckielts.com/" target="_blank">http://www.goodluckielts.com/</a></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodluckielts.com/" target="_blank">All the best...</a></span><span style="font-family:Garamond;"><span style="font-family:Shruti;"><span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.goodluckielts.com/" target="_blank"><br /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span> <!-- / message --> <!-- controls --> <a href="http://www.bincang.net/forum/newreply.php?s=33804f2b02d6c2bcfbb41f7c15f27cc1&do=newreply&p=2277677" rel="nofollow"><img title="Reply With Quote" src="http://www.bincang.net/forum/juicy/buttons/quote.gif" alt="Reply With Quote" border="0" /></a>Roslan b. Umarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761448410381859388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5372071236338012706.post-17392077854973169122009-10-19T23:58:00.001-07:002009-10-19T23:58:43.529-07:00How To Learn English!<b><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;">Here are some tips which may help you to master the English Language!</span></b> <p align="left"> <b><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:#0000ff;">Speak without Fear</span></b> </p><p align="left"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;">The biggest problem most people face in learning a new language is their own fear.<span style=""> </span>They worry that they won’t say things correctly or that they will look stupid so they don’t talk at all.<span style=""> </span>Don’t do this.<span style=""> </span>The fastest way to learn anything is to do it – again and again until you get it right.<span style=""> </span>Like anything,<b> learning English requires practice</b>.<span style=""> </span>Don’t let a little fear stop you from getting what you want. <o:p> </o:p> </span></p> <p align="left"> <b><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:#0000ff;">Use all of your Resources</span></b> </p><p align="left"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;">Even if you study English at a language school it doesn’t mean you can’t learn outside of class.<span style=""> </span>Using as many different sources, methods and tools as possible, will allow you to learn faster.<span style=""> </span>There are many different ways you can improve your English, so don’t limit yourself to only one or two.<span style=""> The internet is a fantastic resource for virtually anything, but for the language learner it's perfect. </span></span></p> <p align="left"> <b><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:#0000ff;">Surround Yourself with English</span></b> </p><p align="left"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;">The absolute best way to learn English is to surround yourself with it.<span style=""> </span>Take notes in English, put English books around your room, listen to English language radio broadcasts, watch English news, movies and television.<span style=""> </span>Speak English with your friends whenever you can.<span style=""> </span>The more English material that you have around you, the faster you will learn and the more likely it is that you will begin “thinking in English.”<o:p> . </o:p> </span></p> <p align="left"> <b><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:#0000ff;">Listen to Native Speakers as Much as Possible</span></b> </p><p align="left"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;">There are some good English teachers that have had to learn English as a second language before they could teach it.<span style=""> </span>However, there are several reasons why many of the best schools prefer to hire native English speakers.<span style=""> </span>One of the reasons is that native speakers have a natural flow to their speech that students of English should try to imitate.<span style=""> </span>The closer ESL / EFL students can get to this rhythm or flow, the more convincing and comfortable they will become. <o:p> </o:p> </span></p> <p align="left"> <b><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:#0000ff;">Watch English Films and Television</span></b> </p><p align="left"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;">This is not only a fun way to learn but it is also very effective.<span style=""> </span>By watching English films (especially those with <b>English</b> subtitles) you can expand your vocabulary and hear the flow of speech from the actors.<span style=""> </span>If you listen to the news you can also hear different accents.<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p align="left"><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:#0000ff;">Listen to English Music</span></b> </p> <p align="left"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;">Music can be a very effective method of learning English.<span style=""> </span>In fact, it is often used as a way of improving comprehension.<span style=""> </span>The best way to learn though, is to get the lyrics (words) to the songs you are listening to and try to read them as the artist sings.<span style=""> There are several good internet sites where one can find the words for most songs. </span>This way you can practice your listening and reading at the same time.<span style=""> </span>And if you like to sing, fine.<o:p> </o:p> </span></p> <p align="left"> <b><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:#0000ff;">Study As Often As Possible!</span></b></p><p align="left"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;">Only by studying things like grammar and vocabulary and doing exercises, can you really improve your knowledge of any language. <o:p> </o:p> </span></p> <p align="left"><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:#0000ff;">Do Exercises and Take Tests</span></b></p> <p align="left"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;">Many people think that exercises and tests aren't much fun.<span style=""> </span>However, by completing exercises and taking tests you can really improve your English.<span style=""> </span>One of the best reasons for doing lots of exercises and tests is that they give you a benchmark to compare your future results with.<span style=""> </span>Often, it is by comparing your score on a test you took yesterday with one you took a month or six months ago that you realize just how much you have learned.<span style=""> </span>If you never test yourself, you will never know how much you are progressing. <b> Start now by doing some of the many exercises and tests on this site, and return in a few days to see what you've learned</b>. Keep doing this and you really will make some progress with English.<o:p> </o:p> </span></p> <p align="left"> <b><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:#0000ff;">Record Yourself</span></b> </p><p align="left"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;">Nobody likes to hear their own voice on tape but like tests, it is good to compare your tapes from time to time.<span style=""> </span>You may be so impressed with the progress you are making that you may not mind the sound of your voice as much.<o:p> </o:p> </span></p> <p align="left"> <b><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:#0000ff;">Listen to English</span></b> </p><p align="left"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;">By this, we mean, speak on the phone or listen to radio broadcasts, audiobooks or CDs in English.<span style=""> </span>This is different than watching the television or films because you can’t see the person that is speaking to you.<span style=""> </span>Many learners of English say that speaking on the phone is one of the most difficult things that they do and the only way to improve is to practice.</span></p> <p align="left"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;color:#0000ff;"><b>Finally</b></span></p> <p align="left"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:100%;">Have fun!</span></p>Roslan b. Umarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761448410381859388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5372071236338012706.post-75690310112288565602009-09-30T21:57:00.000-07:002009-10-04T18:25:20.381-07:00Halo Phenomena<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixP-Cpl9JWRpuzNHLOX4VApIJQHX048zECIiD9XNVsakg58CFusaxQ4eKGX0grOrCd5n6NcrRP4s7Pvki_jtt3P-e1U8SBYTzqgJj_ieDB-ylDAh_WLS16X78MkrRl1sw67S0y5YvCOBY/s1600-h/halo+30+09+09_640.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixP-Cpl9JWRpuzNHLOX4VApIJQHX048zECIiD9XNVsakg58CFusaxQ4eKGX0grOrCd5n6NcrRP4s7Pvki_jtt3P-e1U8SBYTzqgJj_ieDB-ylDAh_WLS16X78MkrRl1sw67S0y5YvCOBY/s200/halo+30+09+09_640.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388920827695711154" border="0" /></a><br />In addition to the 22° halo and the sun dogs, a wide variety of other arcs or halo phenomena occur around the sun in cold climates as a result of ice crystals in the air. <center><img src="http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/HBASE/atmos/atmpic/sundogl.jpg" /></center> <p>Photo by Clay S. Turner. Used by permission. This photo was taken just north of Atlanta in December 1986. While sundogs can often be seen in Atlanta, the other arc phonemena are very rare this far south. </p> <center><img src="http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/HBASE/atmos/imgatm/halo.gif" /></center> <p>In the photo above are two arcs at the top of the 22° halo which are called upper tangent arcs. All of the halo phenomena shown are attributed to falling hexagonal ice crystals in the atmosphere. Greenler has done a considerable amount of modeling of the origin of the various types of halos and also discusses the modeling done by others. The upper tangent arc is attributed to thin pencil-like hexagonal ice crystals falling with their long axes horizontal. In most images I have seen, there is only one of these arcs, so it is not clear to me how the pair of arcs is formed. </p> <p>The sun pillar is attributed to reflection off the sides of falling ice crystals. The flare of light around the sun is attributable to <a href="http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/HBASE/atmos/blusky.html#c3">Mie scattering</a> off particulate matter in the atmosphere.</p><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/User/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-6.jpg" alt="" /><table><tbody><tr><td><br /></td><td><p>tation of the crystals in terms of the <a href="http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/HBASE/pber.html#beq">Berno</a></p></td></tr></tbody></table><a href="http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/HBASE/atmos/halo2.html">http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/HBASE/atmos/halo2.html</a>Roslan b. Umarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761448410381859388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5372071236338012706.post-78260149874543862282009-09-30T21:03:00.000-07:002009-09-30T21:05:47.196-07:00Bulan Pernah TerbelahBulan pernah terbelah di zaman Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. Tidak percaya? Lihat foto dibawah ini dan ikuti perdebatannya. Yang mengagumkan, ilmu pengetahuan modern sekarang membenarkannya berdasarkan temuan/foto-foto astronomi modern.<div class="snap_preview"> <p><span style="color:#ffffff;">aa</span></p> <p><span id="more-100"></span></p> <p><a href="http://moeflich.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/bulan1.jpg" title="bulan1.jpg"><img src="http://moeflich.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/bulan1.jpg?w=529&h=368" alt="bulan1.jpg" width="529" height="368" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://moeflich.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/bulan2.jpg" title="bulan2.jpg"><img src="http://moeflich.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/bulan2.jpg?w=529&h=409" alt="bulan2.jpg" width="529" height="409" /></a></p> <p>BISMILLAHIRRAHMAANIRRAHIIM</p> <p>SUBHANALLAH…………..<br />MAHA BESAR ALLAH SWT ATAS SEMUA CIPTAANNYA</p> <p>MISTERI TERBELAHNYA BULAN</p> <p>Allah SWT berfirman: “Sungguh telah dekat hari qiamat, dan bulan pun telah terbelah (Q.S. Al-Qamar: 1)”</p> <p align="justify">Dalam temu wicara di televisi bersama pakar Geologi Muslim, Prof. Dr. Zaghlul Al-Najar, salah seorang warga Inggris mengajukan pertanyaan kepadanya, apakah ayat dari surat Al-Qamar di atas memiliki kandungan mukjizat secara ilmiah ? Maka Prof. Dr. Zaghlul Al-Najar menjawabnya sebagai berikut :</p> <p align="justify">Tentang ayat ini, saya akan menceritakan sebuah kisah. Sejak beberapa waktu lalu, saya mempresentasikan di Univ. Cardif, Inggris bagian barat, dan para peserta yang hadir bermacam-macam, ada yang muslim dan ada juga yang bukan muslim. Salah satu tema diskusi waktu itu adalah seputar mukjizat ilmiah dari Al-Qur’an.</p> <p align="justify">Salah seorang pemuda yang beragama muslim pun berdiri dan bertanya, “Wahai Tuan, apakah menurut anda ayat yang berbunyi “Telah dekat hari qiamat dan bulan pun telah terbelah” mengandung mukjizat secara ilmiah ? Maka saya menjawabnya: “Tidak, sebab kehebatan ilmiah dapat diterangkan oleh ilmu pengetahuan, sedangkan mukjizat tidak bisa diterangkan oleh ilmu pengetahuan, sebab ia tidak bisa menjangkaunya. Dan tentang terbelahnya bulan, maka itu adalah mukjizat yang terjadi pada Rasul terakhir Muhammad shallallahu ‘alaihi wassalam sebagai pembenaran atas<br />kenabian dan kerasulannya, sebagaimana nabi-nabi sebelumnya. Dan mukjizat yang kelihatan, maka itu disaksikan dan dibenarkan oleh setiap orang yang melihatnya. Andai hal itu tidak termaktub di dalam kitab Allah dan hadits-hadits Rasulullah SAW, maka tentulah kami para muslimin di zaman ini tidak akan mengimani hal itu. Akan tetapi hal itu<br />memang benar termaktub di dalam Al-Qur’an dan sunnah-sunnah Rasulullah shallallahu alaihi wassalam. Dan memang Allah ta’alaa benar-benar Maha berkuasa atas segala sesuatu”.</p> <p align="justify">Maka Prof. Dr. Zaghlul Al-Najar pun mengutip sebuah kisah Rasulullah SAW membelah bulan. Kisah itu adalah di masa sebelum hijrah dari Mekah Al-Mukarramah ke Madinah. Orang-orang musyrik berkata, “Wahai Muhammad, kalau engkau benar Nabi dan Rasul, coba tunjukkan kepada kami satu kehebatan yang bisa membuktikan kenabian dan kerasulanmu (mengejek dan mengolok-olok)?” Rasulullah bertanya, “Apa yang kalian inginkan ?” Mereka menjawab: “Coba belahlah bulan …” Maka Rasulullah SAW pun berdiri dan terdiam, lalu berdoa kepada Allah SWT agar menolongnya. Maka Allah SWT memberitahu Muhammad SAW agar mengarahkan telunjuknya ke bulan. Rasulullah pun mengarahkan telunjuknya ke bulan, dan terbelahlah bulan itu dengan sebenar-benarnya. Maka serta-merta orang-orang musyrik pun berujar,<br />“Muhammad, engkau benar-benar telah menyihir kami!”.</p> <p align="justify">Akan tetapi para ahli mengatakan bahwa sihir, memang benar bisa saja “menyihir” orang yang ada disampingnya akan tetapi tidak bisa menyihir orang yang tidak ada ditempat itu. Mereka lantas menunggu-nunggu orang-orang yang akan pulang dari perjalanan. Orang-orang Quraisy pun bergegas menuju keluar batas kota Mekkah menanti orang yang baru pulang dari perjalanan. Dan ketika datang rombongan yang pertama kali dari perjalanan menuju Mekkah, maka orang-orang musyrik pun bertanya, “Apakah kalian melihat sesuatu yang aneh dengan bulan?”. Mereka menjawab, “Ya,<br />benar. Pada suatu malam yang lalu kami melihat bulan terbelah menjadi dua dan saling menjauh masing-masingnya kemudian bersatu kembali…!!!”.</p> <p align="justify">Maka sebagian mereka pun beriman, dan sebagian lainnya lagi tetap kafir (ingkar). Oleh karena itu, Allah menurunkan ayat-Nya: “Sungguh, telah dekat hari qiamat, dan telah terbelah bulan, dan ketika melihat tanda-tanda kebesaran Kami, merekapun ingkar lagi berpaling seraya berkata, “Ini adalah sihir yang terus-menerus”, dan mereka mendustakannya, bahkan mengikuti hawa nafsu mereka. Dan setiap urusan benar-benar telah tetap …..” sampai akhir surat Al-Qamar.</p> <p align="justify">“Ini adalah kisah nyata”, demikian kata Prof. Dr. Zaghlul Al-Najar. Dan setelah selesainya Prof. Dr. Zaghlul menyampaikan hadits nabi tersebut, berdirilah seorang muslim warga Inggris dan memperkenalkan diri seraya berkata, “Aku Daud Musa Pitkhok, ketua Al-Hizb Al-Islamy Inggris. Wahai tuan, bolehkah aku menambahkan?” Prof. Dr. Zaghlul Al-Najar jawab:<br />“Dipersilahkan dengan senang hati.”</p> <p align="justify">Daud Musa Pitkhok berkata, “Aku pernah meneliti agama-agama (sebelum menjadi muslim), maka salah seorang mahasiswa muslim menunjukiku sebuah terjemah makna-makna Al-Qur’an yang mulia. Maka, aku pun berterima kasih<br />kepadanya dan aku membawa terjemah itu pulang ke rumah. Dan ketika aku membuka-buka terjemahan Al-Qur’an itu di rumah, maka surat yang pertama aku buka ternyata Al-Qamar. Dan aku pun membacanya: “Telah dekat hari qiamat dan bulan pun telah terbelah…….” Maka aku pun bergumam: Apakah kalimat ini masuk akal?? Apakah mungkin bulan bisa<br />terbelah kemudian bersatu kembali?? Andai benar, kekuatan macam apa yang bisa melakukan hal itu??? Maka, aku pun menghentikan dari membaca ayat-ayat selanjutnya dan aku menyibukkan diri dengan urusan kehidupan sehari-hari. Akan tetapi Allah-lah Yang Maha Tahu tentang tingkat keikhlasan hamba-Nya dalam pencarian kebenaran.</p> <p align="justify">Maka aku pun suatu hari duduk di depan televisi Inggris. Saat itu ada sebuah diskusi hangat antara presenter seorang Inggris dan 3 orang pakar ruang angkasa AS. Ketiga pakar antariksa tersebut pun menceritakan tentang dana yang begitu besar dalam rangka melakukan perjalanan ke antariksa. Dan diantara diskusi tersebut adalah tentang turunnya astronot menjejakkan kakiknya di bulan, dimana perjalanan antariksa ke bulan tersebut telah menghabiskan dana tidak kurang dari 100 juta dollar. Mendengar hal itu, presenter terperangah kaget dan berkata, “Kebodohan macam apalagi ini, dana begitu besar dibuang oleh AS hanya untuk bisa mendarat di bulan?” Mereka pun menjawab, “Tidak, ..!!! Tujuannya tidak semata menancapkan ilmu pengetahuan AS di bulan, akan tetapi kami mempelajari kandungan yang ada di dalam bulan itu sendiri,<br />maka kami pun telah mendapat hakikat tentang bulan itu, yang jika kita berikan dana lebih dari 100 juta dollar untuk kesenangan manusia, maka kami tidak akan memberikan dana itu kepada siapapun. Maka presenter itu pun bertanya, “Hakikat apa yang kalian telah capai sehingga demikian mahal taruhannya?” Mereka menjawab, “Ternyata bulan pernah mengalami pembelahan di suatu hari dahulu kala, kemudian menyatu kembali.!!!” Presenter pun bertanya, “Bagaimana kalian bisa yakin akan hal itu?” Mereka menjawab, “Kami mendapati secara pasti dari batuan-batuan yang terpisah terpotong di permukaan bulan sampai di dalam (perut) bulan. Maka kami pun meminta para pakar geologi untuk menelitinya, dan mereka mengatakan, “Hal ini tidak mungkin telah terjadi kecuali jika memang bulan pernah terbelah lalu<br />bersatu kembali”. Mendengar paparan itu, ketua Al-Hizb Al-Islamy Inggris mengatakan, “Maka aku pun turun dari kursi dan berkata, “Mukjizat (kehebatan) benar-benar telah terjadi pada diri Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wassallam 1400-an tahun yang lalu. Allah benar-benar telah mengolok-olok AS untuk mengeluarkan dana yang begitu besar, 100 juta dollar lebih, hanya untuk menetapkan akan kebenaran muslimin !!!!”".</p> <p align="justify">Maka, agama Islam ini tidak mungkin salah … (aku pun bergumam), “Maka, aku pun membuka kembali Mushhaf Al-Qur’an dan aku baca surat Al-Qamar, dan … saat itu adalah awal aku menerima dan masuk Islam.</p> <p align="justify">Diterjemahkan oleh: Abu Muhammad ibn Shadiq</p><p align="justify">more info about this click <a href="http://moeflich.wordpress.com/2007/11/26/bulan-pernah-terbelah-di-zaman-nabi/">here</a><br /></p> </div>Roslan b. Umarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761448410381859388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5372071236338012706.post-40756493470467845402009-09-30T20:55:00.001-07:002009-09-30T20:58:13.204-07:00Angka-angka Menakjubkan dari Beberapa Kata dalam Al Qur’an<span class="postbody" style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span> <img src="http://alisaid.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/tabel11.jpg" border="0" /><br />Beberapa kata lain yang menarik dari tabel tersebut adalah kata “syahr (bulan)” yang disebutkan sebanyak 12 kali yang menunjukkan bahwa jumlah bulan dalam setahun adalah 12, dan kata “yaum (hari)” yang disebutkan sebanyak 365 kali yang menunjukkan jumlah hari dalam setahun adalah 365 hari<br /><br />or more info about this ..click <a href="http://alisaid.wordpress.com/category/al-quran-dan-angka-angka-menakjubkan/">here</a><br /><br /></span>Roslan b. Umarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761448410381859388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5372071236338012706.post-55951660784160292432009-09-30T20:52:00.000-07:002009-09-30T20:54:33.372-07:00SUCCESS FOR ME KEJAYAAN UNTUK DAKU<span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204); font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 100%;">Let others lead small lives, but not me</span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 100%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">Biarlah orang lain hidup cukup makan, tapi bukan aku</span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 100%;">Let others argue over small matters, but not me</span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 100%;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">Biarlah orang lain bergaduhan perkara remeh temeh, tapi bukan aku</span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 100%;">Let others cry over small hurts, but not me</span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">Biarlah orang lain menangis susah sikit-sikit, tapi bukan aku</span><br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 100%;">Let others leave their future in other people's hands, but not me</span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">Biarlah orang lain menyerahkan nasib mereka bulat-bulat di tangan orang lain, tapi bukan aku</span><br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 100%;">For I know</span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">Kerna aku tahu</span><br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 100%;">That I was born a perfect 10</span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">Bahawa aku dilahirkan genap 10 per 10</span><br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 100%;">That I was born to succeed</span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">Kerana aku dilahirkan untuk berjaya</span><br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 100%;">That success is my birthtright</span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">Bahawa kelahiran itu hak kelahiranku</span><br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 100%;">That if it is to be, it is up to me</span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">Bahawa untuk sesuatu berlaku itu, terpulang pada aku</span><br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 100%;">Now I demand my birthright</span><span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0); font-family: trebuchet ms;">Kini aku tuntut hak kelahiran ku</span><br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 100%;">I will do my best, Allah will do the rest</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0); font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 100%;">Aku buat sedaya upayaku, Allah yang akan menentukannya.</span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 255); font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 100%;">Profesor Dato' Dr Syeikh Omar Abdul Rahman</span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 255); font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 100%;">SOAR Consultings Sdn Bhd</span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 255); font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: 100%;">drsoar@consultings.com<br />sumber (http://kashkozz.blogspot.com/)<br /></span></span></span>Roslan b. Umarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761448410381859388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5372071236338012706.post-92143468123388426382009-09-01T00:39:00.000-07:002009-09-01T00:42:12.946-07:00IELTS Speaking Test 7<table class="contentpaneopen"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2" align="left" valign="top" width="70%"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span class="small">Written by Rad Danesh </span> </span></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" class="createdate" valign="top"><span style="font-size:78%;"> Sunday, 05 August 2007<br /><br /></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2" valign="top"> <p style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial;"><strong><span style="color: rgb(225, 31, 31);">Good afternoon. Could I have your full name please</span></strong><span style="color: rgb(225, 31, 31);"><strong>?</strong></span><br />Good afternoon. My full name is Luo Xiaojing; that is my Chinese name.</p><p style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial;"> <strong><span style="color: rgb(225, 31, 31);">All right. And can I see your passport, please</span></strong><span style="color: rgb(225, 31, 31);"><strong>?</strong></span><br />OK. Here you are.</p><p style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial;"><strong> <span style="color: rgb(225, 31, 31);">Thank you. That's fine. Now, in the first part of the test, I'd like to ask you some questions about yourself. Ah, let's talk about what you do. Are you a student or do you have a job</span></strong><span style="color: rgb(225, 31, 31);"><strong>?</strong></span><br />Mm, I'm a student now I have the language course is in Macquarie and then I will going to have the Master of Commerce.</p><p style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial;"> <strong><span style="color: rgb(225, 31, 31);">OK. And, er, why did you decide to do a Masters of Commerce</span></strong><span style="color: rgb(225, 31, 31);"><strong>?</strong></span><br />Mm. Um, because I think, if I can gain the Master degree maybe I will give a good job in China. And I will have a more opportunity, uh, to get a good pay job which is more appealing.</p><p style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial;"> <strong><span style="color: rgb(225, 31, 31);">All right. Um, later in life do you want to study something else</span></strong><span style="color: rgb(225, 31, 31);"><strong>?</strong></span><br />Sorry?</p><p style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial;"> <span style="color: rgb(225, 31, 31);"><strong> Later in life do you want to study something else?</strong></span><br />Yes, of course. Cause I think study is, uh, is better to me and, uh, I think, uh, I ... I will continue my studies throughout my life.</p><p style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial;"> <span style="color: rgb(225, 31, 31);"><strong>OK. Ah, now let's go on to the topic of reading magazines. Um, what kinds of magazines are popular in your country?</strong></span><br />Maybe the magazine about the superstars such as movie star, uh, TV star and, uh, the singer, the famous singer. Um, a lot of younger people like to see the magazine about it.</p><p style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: rgb(225, 31, 31);"><strong> Right. Um, why do some people prefer to read magazines rather than books?</strong></span><br />Mm. I think one of the reason is that in magazines, um, the people can see a lot of pictures then colourful and I think it's fantastic.</p><p style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial;"> <strong><span style="color: rgb(225, 31, 31);">OK. Can you learn much from magazines</span></strong><span style="color: rgb(225, 31, 31);"><strong>?</strong></span><br />Oh, something. You can gain some information about the magazine but I think, um, I will ... I will not spend a lot of time to see the magazine.</p><p style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial;"> <span style="color: rgb(225, 31, 31);"><strong>OK. Do you often read magazines?</strong></span><br />No, not often.</p><p style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial;"> <strong><span style="color: rgb(225, 31, 31);">Right, um, now I'd like to talk to you about drinks. Um, what are the most popular drinks in your country</span><span style="color: rgb(225, 31, 31);">?</span></strong><br />Beer, yeah.</p><p style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: rgb(225, 31, 31);"><strong> Yeah, OK.</strong></span><br />And, uh, maybe Coca Cola, but I dislike it. I always drink the orangey water and, uh, just drink the water.</p><p style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial;"> <strong><span style="color: rgb(225, 31, 31);">All right. Um, are there any drinks that people have at special times?</span></strong><br />Mm, yeah, uh, I think maybe in the parties such as birthday party or any, uh, celebration kind of party, the people will drink a lot of such as, uh, beer and any alcohol, alcohol water. Yeah, alcohol drink, sorry.</p><p style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial;"> <span style="color: rgb(225, 31, 31);"><strong>Mm hm. All right. Um, are there any hot drinks you like?</strong></span><br />No I don't like.</p><p style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial;"> <strong><span style="color: rgb(225, 31, 31);">OK and, uh, what do you think are the healthiest drinks?</span></strong><br />Mm. In my country a lot of people believe that, um, a little drink is better to your health, but I'm not sure because I think the men is always drink a lot and they cannot control, so I think drink is lot to their body.</p><p style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial;"> <strong><span style="color: rgb(225, 31, 31);">Right. Now we have the second part of the Speaking Test. I'm going to give you a card about a topic, and I'd like you to talk about it for one to two minutes.. Before you start, you can have one minute to think about what you are going to say, and if you want to, you can make some notes. Do you understand</span></strong><span style="color: rgb(225, 31, 31);"><strong>?</strong></span><br />Yes.</p><p style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial;"> <span style="color: rgb(225, 31, 31);"><strong>All right. So here is some paper and a pencil for making notes, and here's your topic. I'd like you to describe a house or an apartment you've lived in and which you liked.</strong></span><br /></p> <table style="padding: 5px; width: 350px; color: black; margin-bottom: 20px;" class="precontent" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr> <td style="border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 5px; width: 50%;"><strong> Describe something difficult that you are going to do and that you want to do.<br /> You should say:<br /> what it is<br /> when you're going to do it<br /> why it will be difficult<br /> and explain why you want to do it.</strong></td></tr></tbody></table> <p style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial;"> <strong><span style="color: rgb(225, 31, 31);">All right? So remember, you can talk for one to two minutes. I'll tell you when the time is up. Could you start speaking now, please?</span></strong><br />Yeah, now I will describe a house to you. Um, once I have been to Sydney I live in a big, very big house. The house has in Willoughby. You know Willoughby is quite far from the Macquarie and I like ... I like the house very much because it's, it's very beautiful. The house is very big. There are six bedroom and two toilets, hm, a kitchen, a living room, uh, and a, a very big parking room. I think it's very big, um, because in, in China my apartment is quite small so I fe ... I always fix stress when I live in it. Mm, ah, ah, after, after the courses I always go to, go to my house, I prefer to stay in my bedroom instead of go outside because, uh, I have a little friend and I think, uh, the house is quite comfortable. Mm, uh, of, of course I have three, three housemate. Most of them come from China. We always chat but, uh, one of the problem is that we always chat with Chinese. I think that is not good enough to me. Uh, in a word I like the house and I think it's beautiful, clear, large and, uh, it's very comfortable, so I think it's better for me.</p><p style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial;"> <strong><span style="color: rgb(225, 31, 31);">So is that home similar to other places in the area</span></strong><span style="color: rgb(225, 31, 31);"><strong>?</strong></span><br />Sorry?</p><p style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial;"> <strong><span style="color: rgb(225, 31, 31);">Is that home similar to other places in the area</span></strong><span style="color: rgb(225, 31, 31);"><strong>?</strong></span><br />Mm, no, maybe not.</p><p style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial;"> <strong><span style="color: rgb(225, 31, 31);">OK. All right. Well thank you very much.</span></strong><br />Oh, thanks.</p> <p style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial;"><strong><span style="color: rgb(225, 31, 31);"> You've been talking about a house or an apartment you have lived in, and now I want to discuss a few more general questions connected to this. Firstly, let's look at finding a place to live. Um, how do people usually find a place to live in your country</span></strong><span style="color: rgb(225, 31, 31);"><strong>?</strong></span><br />In my country, always go to the, uh, look for the advertisement and to gain some information about the house. Ah, maybe you, maybe the people can use a computer, um, collect the information from the Internet or buy some new newspaper, they always have some information about it. Ah, of course there are agents about just, uh, work for the, the rent, so I think it's quite easy for a person who want to have, who want to have, who want to have looking for a house.</p> <p style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial;"><strong><span style="color: rgb(225, 31, 31);">All right. So what factors do you think determine where people choose to live</span></strong><span style="color: rgb(225, 31, 31);"><strong>?</strong></span><br />Mm, I think most of, most of the important reason is comfortable and the price and the convenient. Yeah.</p> <p style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial;"><strong><span style="color: rgb(225, 31, 31);"> Right. And, um, how would you compare, then, living in an apartment and living in a house</span></strong><span style="color: rgb(225, 31, 31);"><strong>?</strong></span><br />Mm, when I in China I live in the apartment, it's quite small, mm, and, ah, I will feel, um, it's not as comfortable as the house. However, uh, in my, in my a ... , a sorry, apartment, I, I never find any insect because I live in the fifth floor of the building, the building quite high and, uh, higher world than when I lived in the house. Uh, sometime they can find the insect climbing to my house. I'm afraid of it.</p> <p style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial;"><strong><span style="color: rgb(225, 31, 31);">All right. Well, now let's look at home ownership. Um, do most people in your country rent their home or do they own their own home</span></strong><span style="color: rgb(225, 31, 31);"><strong>?</strong></span><br />Mm, if they have house or apartment, uh, most of people prefer to live in his own house because the, the rent of the house is quite expensive, especially in Shanghai and Beijing and in other big cities. Mm, I think the people should not put some money to rent a house if he had his own house. That's not economic.</p> <p style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial;"><strong><span style="color: rgb(225, 31, 31);">So what do you think is the difference in attitudes towards a house if you are a renter or you are an owner of that house? Do you think their attitudes towards their homes are different</span></strong><span style="color: rgb(225, 31, 31);"><strong>?</strong></span><br />Towards?</p> <p style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial;"><strong><span style="color: rgb(225, 31, 31);">Um, no, do you think an attitude of a renter, um, of a house compared to the attitude of an owner of the house is different?</span></strong><br />Oh, of course it's different. If I have my own house, I lived in it and I feel, oh, that it, that belongs to me. And I think I have a family, um, but if I live in the house just rent from somebody, I think I'm always worried maybe I will have to move another house.</p> <p style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial;"><strong><span style="color: rgb(225, 31, 31);"> Right.</span></strong><br />I think that it quite different.</p> <p style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial;"><strong><span style="color: rgb(225, 31, 31);">So how does that affect how they treat the house?</span></strong><br />Mm, treat?</p> <p style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: rgb(225, 31, 31);"> <strong> Um, how, how they, um, how they treat that house. So, do you think that they think of the house in a better way or a worse way, if they are a renter?</strong></span><br />Yeah, uh, I think the people can compare with others. If I have rent a house and I lived it for a, for a long time, maybe I think, oh, it's OK to me, but when I look, um, with it to my friend, maybe I will find out that his house is better to me, so I will all think maybe I will have to looking for another house.</p> <p style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: rgb(225, 31, 31);"> <strong>OK. Lastly, let's look at residential areas. Um, do you think that it's better to live in the city or that it's better to live in a suburban area?</strong></span><br />Mm. I think the both benefit and, uh, disadvantages to live in the city or the countryside. Uh, in the city the life will become very convenient and it's, it's very easy for you to go out for shopping and visit your friend and, uh, check bars to any place, but I think the, maybe the environment is not good enough and the traffic is bad too. If you want to go out or go to work, go to university, you'll find that the traffic always block, it will waste a lot of time. Mm. However, if the person live in countryside, uh, and the life is very leisure, but I think you maybe you will feel lonely. Yeah, nobody can try to reach you, nobody can tell, can take care of you. You just live by yourself, and maybe you just stay at home and watch the TV and, uh, call your friend. I think, uh, it's bad for the young people.</p> <p style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Arial;"><strong><span style="color: rgb(225, 31, 31);">OK. Well, thank you very much. That's the end of the Speaking Test.</span></strong><br />Thanks.</p></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />this is related website could help you...<br /><a style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);" href="http://www.ielts-exam.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=367&Itemid=71">http://www.ielts-exam.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=367&Itemid=71</a>Roslan b. Umarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761448410381859388noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5372071236338012706.post-15507196142215469362009-09-01T00:08:00.000-07:002009-09-01T00:29:20.186-07:00IELTS SPEAKING : 4 SPORTSWhat is your favourite sport?<br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 255, 51);">I love to play futsal or football</span><br /><br />Howmany time you play football in a month or a week?<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 51); font-style: italic;">Usually, i play football at least twice a month?</span><br /><br />with whom youusually play football?<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 51); font-style: italic;">i play football with my friends, my colleagues and sometimes I play with my siblings when i go back to my home town</span><br /><br />who is your idol in this sport?<br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 51); font-style: italic;">My favourite player is Zinadine Zidane because he is a skilful player and for me, no one can do the skills that he own, but now he has retotball arena. he also recieve the most expensive salary from his club, Real Madrid before his retirement.</span><br /><br />What do you think about introducing sports in school?<br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 255, 51);">In my opinion, it is a good effort to introduece sports in school as it is one of learning process. sometime , children need to enjoy and release their study stress. at the same time it also good for health.<br /><br /><br /></span>Roslan b. Umarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761448410381859388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5372071236338012706.post-52714655187578984932009-08-31T20:57:00.000-07:002009-09-01T01:18:10.503-07:00Band Score Conversion Table for IELTS<p><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 153);font-family:Arial;" > <span style="font-weight: 700;font-size:11;" ></span></span>There are total of 40 questions each in <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Reading and Listening Modules</span> of IELTS. The band scoring system of the 40 questions are mentioned below:</p> <table class="bodytext" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 293px; height: 280px; color: rgb(221, 221, 221);" border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td bg="" style="color: rgb(238, 238, 238); text-align: center;" width="50%" height="1"> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 153);"><b>Number of Correct Answers</b></span></td> <td bg="" style="color: rgb(238, 238, 238); text-align: center;" width="50%" height="1"> <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 153);"><b>Score</b></span></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;" width="50%" height="18">20</td> <td style="text-align: center;" width="50%" height="18">5.5</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;" width="50%" height="18">25</td> <td style="text-align: center;" width="50%" height="18">6</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;" width="50%" height="18">28</td> <td style="text-align: center;" width="50%" height="18">6.5</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;" width="50%" height="18">30</td> <td style="text-align: center;" width="50%" height="18">7</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;" width="50%" height="18">33</td> <td style="text-align: center;" width="50%" height="18">7.5</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;" width="50%" height="1">35</td> <td style="text-align: center;" width="50%" height="1">8</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;" width="50%" height="18">38</td> <td style="text-align: center;" width="50%" height="18">8.5</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;" width="50%" height="18">40</td> <td style="text-align: center;" width="50%" height="18">9</td> </tr> </tbody></table> <p><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">In writing Module</span> total score for Report writing is 3.6 and for Essay writing is 5.4. This score depends on your ability to write a report and an essay.</p> <p>Similarly, <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">speaking module</span> covers total of 9 score. You will never get the score of speaking in decimal.</p>here you can see more detail..<br /><a href="http://www.abroadeducation.com.np/test-preparation/ielts/score-pattern.html">http://www.abroadeducation.com.np/test-preparation/ielts/score-pattern.html</a><p><br /></p>Roslan b. Umarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761448410381859388noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5372071236338012706.post-15178446064172405992009-08-31T20:51:00.000-07:002009-08-31T21:03:01.471-07:00IELTS SPEAKING : 3 TRAVELING<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Do you love travel?<br /><br />will be updates soon<br /></span>Roslan b. Umarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761448410381859388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5372071236338012706.post-86822878767768892532009-08-31T20:39:00.000-07:002009-08-31T20:49:54.929-07:00IELTS SPEAKING : 1 SOCIAL INTERACTION<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Do you love to attend the party?</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 51); font-style: italic;">Yes of course. I love to be in party.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">What is the advantages and disadvantage sof being in the party?</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 51); font-style: italic;">In a social party, we can meet other people and get to know each other. From this event, we can establish our contact, share experience and learn new thing such as culture, religion,style and interest and many more. We can also release our working stress and try to relax and chat with friends and families. But sometime we need privacy and have an effective time with our own family. So this is disadvantages of party because we won't get our privacy and there is so much noise that sometimes it disturb our feeling. one more thing is are very easily to get infected if we are always in a crowd since some virus are easily spread in the air and body contact. for example like latest virus attack, H!N!.</span>Roslan b. Umarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761448410381859388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5372071236338012706.post-482901700485785362009-08-31T20:19:00.000-07:002009-08-31T20:37:25.987-07:00IELTS SPEAKING : 1 : BICYCLE<span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">1. Bicycle</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Did you own a bicycle when you were young.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Yes I did. It's a gift from my father on my eleventh birthday.</span><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Do you love</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">cycling?</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Absolutely. When i was young, i love to cycling with my friends. sometime we went to the beach and played football there.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">What do you think of the use of bicycle in Malaysia ? Do Malaysian people cycling most of the time?</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 255, 51);">From my point of view, Malaysian people are still use a bicycle but it depends on the area. In big Cities, they prefer to use a car than a bicycle. we can see that even children are sent by thier parents to school by car. but in a rural area, the bicycle is still popular as a transport for children to go to school, meeting with friend, library, and going to mosque. but i can say that the overall usage of bicycle is decrease nowdays since i can see in my hometown, the number of bicycle found on the road is not as many as in my childhood time.<br /><br /></span><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span>Roslan b. Umarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761448410381859388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5372071236338012706.post-72490187194711979132009-08-29T19:45:00.000-07:002009-08-29T19:46:04.331-07:00Wrting Sample 1. Education Should be free?Answer might be. <p style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -1in;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">In my opinion education should be free, there are a number of social and economy reasons for free education.</p> <p style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -1in;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">First of all education means that everyone can access schools and library resources. There are no restriction on access regardless of whether you are rich or poor. Everyone will be able to developed their reading and writing skill and as a result society will become more equal. There will be less social disadvantages.</p> <p style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -1in;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Secondly, there are economic advantages to free education if everyone can developed their skill and knowledge, they will become more productive workers. This is good for the country’s economy. As it will make us more internationally competitive with other countries</p> <p style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -1in;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Thirdly free education means that there will more social harmony, as people learn about each other, they will become more tolerant. A more society means there will be less social conflict.</p> <p style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -1in;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">In conclusion the social economy advantages of free education are overwhelming if people can developed their knowledge and skills they will become more tolerant more productive and society will become more egalitarian.</p><br /><p>Capital punishment is the killing of a criminal for a crime that he has committed. Previously most countries employed this method of punishment but nowadays it is much less widely used. I personally do not believe that societies today should use capital punishment and I also believe that there are alternative punishments that can be used.</p> <p>My main argument against capital punishment is that I believe we do not have the right to kill another human being regardless of the crime. I don't believe in the old religious maxim of "an eye for an eye." Modern societies shouldn't turn to such barbaric punishments.</p> <p>Another argument against capital punishment is that people can be wrongly convicted and executed. If a man is in prison, he can be released if later proved not guilty. If he is dead, there is nothing that can be done. In the UK, a group of supposed terrorists were convicted of murder in Birmingham in the 1970s. They were proved innocent about 15 years later and released. If they had been executed, innocent people would have died.</p> <p>There are alternative punishments available. For bad crimes prison life sentences can be given with criminals imprisoned for the rest of their lives. Also a lot of horrific crimes are committed by people who are mentally sick. These people are not responsible for their actions and can be kept safely and permanently in secure hospitals. Yes, this costs a lot more but I believe it is the duty of society to do this.</p> <p>There are arguments for capital punishment. Many people feel its threat stops serious crime and that criminals deserve nothing less. It's cheaper and keeps the prisons manageable. I can understand this point of view but I cannot agree with it.</p> <p>So, in conclusion, I don't believe in capital punishment, as there are less barbaric alternatives available. We can avoid horrific mistakes and make modern society a humane one.</p>Roslan b. Umarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761448410381859388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5372071236338012706.post-4146597757758121752009-08-19T00:15:00.001-07:002009-08-19T00:15:24.597-07:00Speaking TestSpeaking Test<br /><br />In the speaking part, you will ask by examiner some of familiar topic such as shopping, sports, work, hobbies, your free time, writing, reading and family. this several topic should be familiar with us.<br /><br />the question might be like this what do you do in free time. i like swimming, i play tennis, go shopping.<br /><br />or what did you studied at school?<br />the answer might be like this..<br />when i was in school i studied physics, maths, music and art.<br /><br />what do you do in your free time?<br />where do you live?<br />when did you do in primary school.?<br />what kind transport do your prefer?<br />what food do you like?<br />have you been a holiday abroad?<br />-i have been abroad. i went to Mexico 1980<br /><br />what sport did you play when you were young?<br /><br />the key is practice before u prepare IELTS test.Roslan b. Umarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761448410381859388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5372071236338012706.post-87702382967889019522009-08-05T23:40:00.000-07:002009-08-05T23:41:45.186-07:00Skills for the Writing Module<p><b><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:#008000;">Skills for the Writing Module</span></b><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"> </span> </p><p><b><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">TASK ONE</span></b><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"> </span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">In Task 1 of the Writing Module, you are given about 20 minutes to write a minimum of 150 words.You are asked to look at a diagram, table, graph or short piece of text and describe the information in your own words. There are three important steps you should follow: preparation, writing and editing. These steps will help you to write a coherent and well organised essay in the time given. </span> </p><p><b><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Preparation (about 2 minutes)</span></b><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"> </span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">You need to spend 2-3 minutes working out exactly what you are going to do. You should pay attention to the following points: </span> </p><ul type="square"><li> <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Study the question carefully. Most Task 1 writing involves writing a report which describes some information given. You may wish to note the instructions with a high-lighting pen.</span></li><li> <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Think carefully about the topic. Outline some pertinent points.</span></li><li> <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Ensure that your ideas are arranged logically.</span></li></ul> <p><b><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Writing (about 15 minutes)</span></b><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"> </span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">When writing a Task 1 report, include: </span> </p><ul type="square"><li> <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">introductory sentence</span></li><li> <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">body paragraphs (1-3)</span></li><li> <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">concluding sentence (optional)</span></li></ul> <i><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Introductory sentence</span></i><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"> </span> <p style="margin-top: -1px; margin-bottom: -1px;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">The introductory sentence explains what you are describing, for example: </span> </p><p style="margin-top: -1px; margin-bottom: -1px;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">‘The table compares the population growth and interstate migration in each Australian state for 12 months to the end of 1994.' </span> </p><p style="margin-top: -1px; margin-bottom: -1px;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">‘The graph shows the growth of computers in Australia between 1975 and 1995.' </span> </p><p style="margin-top: -1px; margin-bottom: -1px;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">‘The pie chart represents the proportion of gases contained in natural gas.' </span> </p><p><i><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Body paragraphs</span></i><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"> </span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">When discussing the date presented in the task, identify significant trends and give examples that relate directly to the given information to support your statements. If you are explaining a process or an object and how it works, you need to group your information so that it follows a definite logical order. </span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Remember that the use of verbs expressed in the present passive voice is often appropriate when giving a description of a process or procedure, for example: </span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">‘Coffee beans are pulped to remove their casing. They are then soaked in water, rinsed thoroughly and dried. After the beans are sorted, they are roasted in a kiln and blended. Next, they are packed and dispatched to shops and supermarkets.' </span> </p><p style="margin-top: -1px; margin-bottom: -1px;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"> </span> </p><p><i><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Concluding sentence (optional)</span></i><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"> </span> </p><p style="margin-top: -1px; margin-bottom: -1px;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">A simple concluding statement could include any of the following, where relevant: </span> </p><ul type="square"><li> <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">significant comments</span></li><li> <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">a potential solution</span></li><li> <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">an overall summary of the ideas</span></li><li> <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">future implications.</span></li></ul> <p><b><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Editing (about 2 minutes)</span></b><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"> </span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Make sure that you have followed the instructions carefully. Be sure that you have written what you intended and that no important ideas are missing. </span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">In the last few minutes, check for obvious errors, such as spelling or grammatical errors. </span> </p><p><b><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">TASK TWO</span></b><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"> </span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">All too often students begin planning or even writing their answers in the IELTS Writing Module before they understand what is actually expected of them. Following the steps below will help you to plan a well-structured and coherent essay or report that addresses the given task. </span> </p><p><b><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Preparation</span></b><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"> </span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">You may wish to spend about 5-7 minutes working out exactly what you are going to do. There are five steps to consider. </span> </p><ul type="square"><li> <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Study the question carefully. Most task statements or questions have a key instructional word or words telling you what to do. Note these words with a highlighting pen.</span></li></ul> <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">There are also key topic words which point to the most important parts of the question. Underline those words too. Ask yourself how the key words relate to the given instruction. </span> <ul type="square"><li> <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Think carefully about the topic. How do you feel about it?</span></li><li> <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Establish a point of view and list some points for development. The answer normally takes the form of a short essay. The word ‘essay' comes from an old French word <i>essai</i> which meant ‘to attempt or try out', or ‘to test'. In an IELTS Writing Module Task 2 answer, your purpose is to develop your point of view in a convincing way.</span></li><li> <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Decide which points will be written as topic sentences. Think about how they will develop into paragraphs.</span></li><li> <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Ensure that your points are arranged in a logical order.</span></li></ul> <p><b><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Writing</span></b><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"> </span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">When you are writing a Task 2 answer, a structure based on the following elements could be used (summarised in the flow chart opposite). </span> </p><p><i><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Introductory paragraph</span></i><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"> </span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">The introduction of a Task 2 answer should begin with a general statement or idea of your own that takes into account the key topic words or their synonyms. The last sentence of the introduction should include a thesis statement which shows the point of view or direction that will be taken in the answer.</span></p><p><i><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Body paragraphs</span></i><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"> </span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Body paragraphs each consist of several sentences that are arranged in a logical way to develop a main idea. You can expect to write about 2-4 body paragraphs for a Task 2 answer. Each of these contains an appropriate connective word to ensure a smooth transition between paragraphs. This connective is then put in a topic sentence which is the main point of the paragraph clearly stated in a sentence. Every sentence in the paragraph must be directly related to it. Try to develop every paragraph adequately. This may be done through the use of examples, explanations, detail, logical inference, cause and effect or making comparisons or contrasts. There are many different ways to organise your ideas for body paragraphs. Be confident of the ideas you choose. </span> </p><p><i><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">The conclusion</span></i><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"> </span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">A good conclusion serves several purposes: </span> </p><ul type="square"><li> <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">It indicates the end of your essay.</span></li><li> <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">It gives your final thoughts and assessments on the essay subject.</span></li><li> <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">It weighs up the points in your essay and should strengthen your thesis statement.</span></li><li> <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Do not simply repeat your opening paragraph. This appears too mechanical and superficial.</span></li></ul> <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"> </span> <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"> </span> <center><table id="table4" border="1" width="355" height="7"> <tbody><tr> <td width="355" height="7"> <center><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">BODY PARAGRAPH 1</span></center> <ul><li> <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Topic sentence including connective word</span></li><li> <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">First supporting sentence</span></li><li> <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Second supporting sentence</span></li><li> <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Third supporting sentence</span></li></ul> </td> </tr> </tbody></table></center> <center> </center><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"></span> <center><table id="table5" border="1" width="356" height="14"> <tbody><tr> <td align="center" width="356" height="14"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">BODY PARAGRAPH 2</span></td> </tr> </tbody></table></center> <center> </center><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"></span> <center><table id="table6" border="1" width="360" height="5"> <tbody><tr> <td align="center" width="360" height="5"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">BODY PARAGRAPH 3</span></td> </tr> </tbody></table></center> <center> </center> <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"></span><br /><center><table id="table7" border="1" width="360" height="15"> <tbody><tr> <td width="360" height="15"> <center><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">FURTHER BODY PARAGRAPHS</span></center> </td> </tr> </tbody></table></center> <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"> </span> <center><table id="table8" border="1" width="358" height="0"> <tbody><tr> <td width="358" height="0"> <center><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">CONCLUSION</span></center> <ul type="square"><li> <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Final assessment with concluding connective</span></li></ul> </td> </tr> </tbody></table></center> <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"> </span><b><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Editing (about 3-5 minutes)</span></b><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"> </span> <p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">In the last few minutes, you should check for obvious errors, such as spelling or grammatical errors. Be sure you have written what you intended and that there are no important ideas missing. </span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Study the checklist for editing. It lists points to think about when checking your essay. Become familiar with the list so that you will know what to check for in the actual IELTS Writing Module. </span> </p> <center><b><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Checklist for editing</span></b></center> <p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">1. — I have used accurate grammatical structures, for example, consistent verb tenses, subject-verb agreement, accurate word formation (especially of nouns, verb and adjectives) and appropriate use of ‘a' and ‘the' as well as prepositions. </span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">2. — I have used a range of sentence structures. </span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">3. — I have used appropriate vocabulary. </span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">4. — I have used accurate spelling. </span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">5. — I have stated the main idea for each paragraph in a topic sentence and all the points are related to this topic. </span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">6. — I have used connective words effectively to link ideas so that the thoughts move logically and clearly from sentence to sentence and paragraph to paragraph. </span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">7. — I have developed each paragraph adequately. </span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">8. — I have supplied enough detailed information and sufficient examples or facts. </span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">9. — I have developed a definite point of view. </span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">10.— Every paragraph that I have written has definitely helped to address the task.</span></p>Roslan b. Umarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761448410381859388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5372071236338012706.post-35097110546430121982009-08-05T23:31:00.000-07:002009-08-05T23:32:00.783-07:00Skills for the Reading Module<p><b><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:#008000;">Skills for the Reading Module</span></b><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"> </span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">One of the main difficulties experienced by students doing the Reading Module is not having enough time to complete the test. It is, therefore, essential to read both efficiently and effectively. </span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">There are a few main skills that you will need in order to do well in the IELTS Reading Module. It is useful to use the following procedure for each text that is given. <img src="http://www.askynz.com/images/academy_smile.jpg" align="right" border="0" width="270" height="184" /></span></p><p><b><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Previewing (about 2 minutes for each passage)</span></b><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"> </span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">(a) Study the passage by noting: </span> </p><ul type="square"><li> <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">titles</span></li><li> <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">headings</span></li><li> <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">illustrations</span></li><li> <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">diagrams</span></li><li> <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">any print in bold type or italics.</span></li></ul> <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">(b) Study key parts of the passage by skimming. Read the first paragraph which often focuses on the main idea. The first sentence of each paragraph usually expresses the key points of the paragraph. Generally, the concluding paragraph provides a summary of the given passage. You may wish to highlight these with a pen. </span> <p><b><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Interpreting the instructions and questions (about 2 minutes)</span></b><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"> </span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Read each word in the instructions carefully and ensure that you understand exactly what is required and in what form. For example, the instructions may say, ‘Choose no more than three words from the passage for each answer'. In this situation, it would not be acceptable to write four or more words. Often students find the right answer but present it in the wrong form and, unfortunately, do not score any marks for that answer. Understanding what is required, therefore, is just as important as finding the right answer in the passage. </span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">When you are looking at the questions, you need to recognise: </span> </p><ul type="square"><li> <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">what type of question you have to answer (is it gap-filling, multiple choice, matching information, etc?)</span></li><li> <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">whether or not the question requires a specific or general answer</span></li><li> <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">what form the answer should take (is it a number, date, reason, etc?)</span></li></ul> <b><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Scanning the text for specific answers (about 1 minute per question)</span></b><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"> </span> <p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Use your time wisely. Spend no longer than one minute on finding each answer. Only look in the given text, table, diagram or graph for the answer required. Locate key words in the question and find them, or synonyms for them, in the text. The sentences around these words are most likely to contain the answers you need. </span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">If you are still unsure of the answer after you have spent approximately one minute on the question, make a sensible guess in the appropriate form. You may wish to mark the answers you are unsure of in some way so that, if you do have time at the end of the Reading Module, you can check these answers again. </span> </p><p><b><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Checking your answers (about 3 minutes)</span></b><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"> </span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">After you have completed your answers for each section, you need to check them. Check that you have followed the instructions exactly. If you have time, return to the answers you marked because you were unsure and see if the answers you have given are the best ones. </span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"> Do not leave any answers blank as you do not lose marks for incorrect answers. </span> <table id="table2" border="1" width="521" height="3"> <tbody><tr> <td width="521" height="3"> <center><b><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Helpful hints for the Practice Reading Module</span></b></center> <ul type="square"><li> <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">There may be some words in the passage with which you are unfamiliar. Use the strategies explained in the section, ‘Working out unfamiliar vocabulary' to help you work out the meanings of these words.</span></li><li> <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Be aware of the use of connective words. These will help you with the general meaning of the text. If you are unsure of any answers, check the table of common connective words.</span></li><li> <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Note if there is a glossary accompanying the passage.</span></li><li> <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Follow the instructions carefully. A correct response will be marked wrong if it is written in the wrong form.</span></li></ul> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <b><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Working out unfamiliar vocabulary</span></b><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"> </span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">When reading a passage in the IELTS test, it is most likely that you will come across words with which you are unfamiliar. Be prepared for this. You may not need to understand the exact meaning of an unknown word, unless there is a question directly related to it. </span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">If you do need to know the meaning of an unfamiliar word, don't panic. There are various strategies that you can use to work out the meaning of the unknown words. </span> </p><p><i><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Check the context</span></i><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"> </span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Are there any clues in the surrounding words or phrases? Look particularly at the words just before and just after the unfamiliar words. </span> </p><p><i><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Look for a definition</span></i><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"> </span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Sometimes the writers realise that the word is an uncommon one so they define, restate, explain or give an example of it. Words that signal meaning often include ‘is', ‘means', ‘refers to', ‘that is', ‘consists of'. For example, ‘Snoring is a noise generated by vibrations of the soft parts of the throat during sleep.' The word ‘is' signals a definition. </span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Remember, too, to check if there is a glossary. </span> </p><p><i><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Identify the word's place and purpose</span></i><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"> </span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Is it a noun, adjective, verb or adverb in the sentence? Are there any punctuation clues, for example, semicolons or question marks? </span> </p><p><i><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Look for connective words</span></i><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"> </span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">They are often near the unknown words and will usually help to identify the general direction of the argument which will help to give some understanding of the unknown word. </span> </p><p><i><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Break the word down into syllables</span></i><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"> </span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Sometimes knowledge of common roots, affixes and possible similarity of words in your own language can help you to identify the meaning. </span> </p><p><i><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Treat the unknown word as an algebraic entity ‘X'</span></i><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"> </span> </p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;">Observe the relationship of the unknown word,‘X', to other words and concepts with which you are more familiar. Often this is enough to answer questions that include‘X'. </span> </p>Roslan b. Umarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761448410381859388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5372071236338012706.post-750906778153772472009-08-05T23:13:00.000-07:002009-08-05T23:14:34.512-07:00Tips for IELTS Reading TestResource for <strong>Tips for IELTS Reading Test</strong>. The <strong>Tips for IELTS Reading Test</strong> information are updating on regular basis, get the latest <strong>Tips for IELTS Reading Test</strong> along with other latest material for the preparation of IELTS test. The IELTS preparation material contains free IELTS cambridge books, IELTS tutorial, free IELTS practice test and other information of Tips for IELTS Reading Test.<br />Don't spend too long on a single question as that will lose you time for answering questions that could be easier for you. Sometimes leaving a question and coming back later can help you answer it too. Leave any questions that you have spent too long on, and come back at the end of the test if you have time. Sometimes, if the question has a yes/no/not given answer, the answer you are looking for does not exist as it could be a not given. Be aware so you don't waste time looking for something that isn't there.<br /><br />Read the questions and instructions so you don't make a silly mistake. For example, people often will mix the yes/no answers with the true/false answers and write yes as an answer instead of true or vice versa. Strictly speaking you are wrong although you have understood the question and answer.<br /><br />If the question asks for one answer then give one answer. Giving two is wrong as it asks for one and you will be marked wrong. The type of question where this could happen would be: Give one example of... Writing two examples, to show you really understand, is wrong.<br /><br />If the question asks for no more than 3 words, use no more than 3 words. Writing 4 words or more is wrong. You won't be asked to do it in 3 words or less unless it is possible so don't worry; it can always be done.<br /><br />One area that students don't like is that, in the reading test, good grammar and spelling are important. The grammar part is not as important as you can't make many grammar errors in 3 words (the maximum you use in the reading test) but, if you spell something wrong, it will be marked as wrong. People think, quite rightly in my opinion, that the reading should test whether you understand what you read and not how you spell something but these are the rules. So, be careful about your spelling!<br /><br />One constant discussion I have had with students is whether to read the questions first and then read the passage or read the passage first and then the questions. From my experience with many students my conclusion is that there is no correct answer for this. It depends on a number of variables. It can depend on the types of question and how difficult the questions are. It can depend on how good and fast a reader you are. It can depend on the length of the text and how much time you have. Let's look at these variables.<br /><br />If the question type is difficult and asking something which is hard to answer then reading the text first can help. Just a quick read through using a technique called skimming (see below for an analysis of skimming) can give you the knowledge of the text that will help you find the answer more easily.<br /><br />If you are a good, fast reader, then you can read the text quickly, getting good knowledge of the contents without using up too much precious time. This can help you answer the questions better.<br />If the texts are short then it doesn't take long to quickly read through them. On the other hand, if the texts are short it is easier to find the answers so you may not have to waste time reading the texts to find the answers quickly, especially if time is short.<br /><br />If time is short then it doesn't matter how complex or long the texts are. You need to get some answers on the answer sheet as quickly as possible. So, you can see that there is not one answer to the problem of whether to read the texts or questions first. What I tell students is to experiment in your practice and see what suits you for the different types of question in different situations. As usual practising your techniques is the key.<br /><br />Time management is an important thing to be aware of. You have a number of texts to read and 40 questions to answer in 1 hour. If you spend to long on one part, you may find that you have not enough time to finish all the questions and some of those questions could be ones that you could answer quite easily. As I said above, don't spend too long on a difficult answer but also keep an eye on the clock. It's a good idea to have your watch or a small clock on your desk so you know exactly how long you have left in the test at any given time. In addition to this, keep control on how long you spend on each section. Remember the test gets more difficult as it goes on so you will probably need more time for the questions at the end than for those at the start. Maybe a guideline could be:<br /><br />17 minutes on section 1.<br /><br />20 minutes on section 2.<br /><br />23 minutes on section 3.<br /><br />(If you can do things more quickly all the better as that will give you time to look at questions that you skipped and to check on your answers)<br />With experience and practice you will soon know how long things take you, and be able to manage your time well.<br /><br />As I just said, if you have finished the exam with time to spare, DON'T just sit there!! Check what you have done. If you have time after the check, check again. And so on....Roslan b. Umarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761448410381859388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5372071236338012706.post-22050933772726303232009-08-03T19:49:00.001-07:002009-08-03T19:51:36.960-07:00Capital punishment is essential to control violence in society. To what extent do you agree or disagree?Capital punishment is always associated with ignorance and intolerance. In fact, we must acknowledge that some people disagree with this kind of penalty but others are totally in favour. Portugal was the first European country to end this kind of penalty. Since the 19th century, tolerance and respect for life <a class="tippy_link" onmouseover="domTip_toolText('tip0', ' have been', 'are', '');" onmouseout="domTip_clearTip('false')">are </a> important values. Moreover, we can affirm that <a class="tippy_link" onmouseover="domTip_toolText('tip1', ' all Europe', 'all the Europe', '');" onmouseout="domTip_clearTip('false')">all the Europe</a> remains under the same codes. Maybe because of a religious view point, life respect is a typical value in the Old Catholic world.<br /><br /><p>Those who are in favour of capital punishment are particularly in developing countries. However, this is not just an image of third world countries. Actually, USA is where this kind of punishment has its <a class="tippy_link" onmouseover="domTip_toolText('tip2', ' highest', 'higher', '');" onmouseout="domTip_clearTip('false')">higher</a> rates. The state of Texas, in particular, is at the top, supporting this measure against crime, especially those related with serial killers and those involving children. In a society dominated by fear and government control, it is foreseen that this penalty will continue <a class="tippy_link" onmouseover="domTip_toolText('tip3', ' into the future', 'into a future next', '');" onmouseout="domTip_clearTip('false')">into a future next</a>.</p> <p>Maybe this is not a clear question. As we can see there are several values here and of course cultural behaviours. The roots of the question are religious, cultural, ethical and even geographical. The world is divided and the law systems show those divisions. The solutions, however can lead us to other questions concerning revenge and justice. <a class="tippy_link" onmouseover="domTip_toolText('tip4', ' Will it be', 'It will be', '');" onmouseout="domTip_clearTip('false')">It will be</a> better to kill a person because of his crimes? Can we admit that life sentence could be a much better sentence? In fact, rehabilitation is the right way especially with an accurate psychological evaluation first. Some people are lost forever, and in my opinion some murderers and other perverted people will suffer more in jail. In this sense, capital punishment is a soft release. </p> <p><em><strong>This is a very good essay, you should do well in the Task 2 Writing Test. </strong></em></p>Roslan b. Umarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10761448410381859388noreply@blogger.com0