Category Archives: Recently

[心得] 五週雅思課程+一戰達標6.5分

我的成績:

2019/1/5 總分6.5 閱讀6.5 聽力6.5 寫作6 口說6

雖說成績不高,但有達到我申請學校需要的成績,所以看到成績的時候真的很開心!

想起當初發願若有拿到6.5就要來分享心得,現在是還願的時候了~

在工作幾年後,決定申請國外研究所繼續唸藝術。

其實原本並不認為這次就會達標的,因為自從大學的基礎課程後就幾乎沒碰過英文了。

因為太生疏,不知道該如何著手準備,

上網參考了很多心得分享後,決定報名Andrew老師的五週雅思課程。

我覺得週一到週五每天三個小時的課,收穫最多的是寫作task2的部分。

Andrew老師的系統對考試很實用,

另外也刺激我反省自己在生活中是否太少思考各類議題。

我是在剛上完五週的課程,隔幾天就直接去考試了。

考試前幾天有和班上同學約練口說,寫了三回Andrew老師的試題本(聽力與閱讀的部分),

然後複習老師上課幫忙批改的作文。

這次考試的用意是想知道自己大概成績落在哪,便於知道哪部份該更加強。

原本打算是用接下來幾個月來認真準備、寫題目,

但很幸運地達標,所以不必再第二次了!

真心感謝Andrew老師,我覺得上課對我而言是最有效率的方式。

我想老師的課能做的是指引一條好的道路,

真的想拿高分也沒有他法,唯有踏實地培養自己的實力。

而這點也是Andrew老師一再強調的,沒有什麼一步登天的秘笈,背誦模板也是沒有用的。

因此,我覺得他是一位很誠實的老師,

他會說出事實,同時非常認真地幫助學生。

以下是分享一些考試的心得:

(抱歉沒有太多,因為我才正開始要好好準備就要跟它分手了…)

聽力:

平常在做無關緊要的事(例如化妝、刷牙、做伸展運動的時候)

會開著英文演講來聽,順便吸收新知。

原本以為聽力算是我各科中比較有信心的一項,

然而考試當天可能因為太早起床頭痛,在聽力的part2昏沉到一片空白,

意識到的時候已經進part3了。

在此提醒大家,在考試前要好好調整自己的作息,千萬不要像我一樣嗚。

閱讀:

速度的練習很重要,要訓練自己在20分鐘以內寫完一篇。

而且似乎前面的文章是比較簡單的,所以最好前面再快一點,留點時間給後面。

我沒有做到,所以考試的時候最後一篇沒寫完…

寫作:

我是完全按照Andrew老師課堂教學的邏輯寫的。

因為距離考試只有幾天時間,來不及增加什麼字彙量或複習複雜的文法,

所以我找出最適合自己的簡明扼要的風格,在準備時間不多時這應該是很安全的做法。

口說:

在Andrew老師的課程裡,除了一週一堂的口說課以外,還有很多可以練習口說的機會。

我的個性比較害羞,不太容易與陌生人說話,

可是雅思考官就是個陌生人,所以不能像平常一樣。

雖然短短五週並不可能讓我短期內有什麼突破性的進步(尤其本來我的口說就最弱),

但對於建立我開口的信心有很大的幫助。

另外,在考試現場:

我一直以為中間有休息所以沒先去上洗手間,寫作開始的時候想上了就有點緊張。

所以考前不能喝太多水,各項考科中間完全沒有休息唷

(還是說其實只有我這麼大意><)。

最後感謝大家看完這篇文章~也祝福大家都能順利地和雅思分手唷!

Collocation: the other key to IELTS 7 (10 of 16)

Collocation: the other key to IELTS 7 (10 of 16)

Collocation is the key to getting a higher IELTS Writing and Speaking score, but it is not easy. Students often do not collocate words very well (which is why they don’t receive IELTS 7 or 8). To do this, all the parts of speech [adjectives & nouns, verbs & adverbs, prepositions & nouns, and others] must fit together in accepted patterns, stylishly and nice, while all the time conveying clear and precise meaning – like the video at the top of this page. Watch it, and notice all the parts of this complex creation blend together perfectly. This is what your writing should be like.

Well, to have ‘a sense of collocation’ (= IELTS 7), you need to have some familiarity with English. So, start reading all my pixnet posts, and getting this familiarity, right?

In the meantime, the following exercises will help.

Time to Practice

Can you ‘fix’ the following sentences by changing (or removing) the underlined word? There may be different ways to answer these. The answers will be in the next ‘collocation’ post.

  1. Cigarettes can help make more social contact with people.
  1. Modern society causes a competitive environment.
  1. Teenagers want to push the limits of the rules imposed by parents.
  1. Using guns could make unimaginable consequences.
  1. We can easily repair the law to make society safer.
  1. Mad shooters make irrecoverable harm to their victims.
  1. Banning guns can avoid these tragedies from happening.
  1. We should remove these areas, creating a real non-smoking town.

Answers to Collocation 9 of 16

Here are the answers to the previous collocation exercise. The first sentence has the wrong collocation; the second sentence has the correct one.

1.

Once, people thought marriage was a necessary process.

Once, people thought marriage was a necessary step.

Marriage is a very common step.

2.

The government needs to build a good policy to deal with this.

The government needs to establish/implement/design/determine a good policy to deal with this.

3.

Fighting back can stop the development of bullying.

Fighting back can stop bullying.

Fighting back can stop the growth/rise of bullying.

‘Development’ is a positive word, for positive things. ‘Bullying’ is a negative thing.

4.

It is impractical to ask teachers to rescue students from a malicious situation.

It is impractical to ask teachers to rescue students from a dangerous situation.

‘Malicious’ is a word to describe people, not situations.

5.

The victims can express their bravery.

The victims can show/display their bravery.

6.

The degree of bankrupcy shows a remarkable descent.

The degree of bankrupcy shows a sharp descent.

‘Remarkable’ is a positive adjective, so it can’t collocate with the negative ‘bankrupcy’. Also,

‘remarkable’ is a subjective adjective – which means that the definition depends on you, the subject. What is ‘remarkable’? How much exactly is ‘remarkable’? In Task-One Writing, there can be some subjectivity, which I call ‘natural reactions’ [See Tip 5 Part Two, p.15), but in the case of this sentence, I don’t see that opportunity. Perhaps one could write …

The degree of bankrupcy shows a serious descent.

7.

It does not matter how many space missions a country makes, ….

It does not matter how many space missions a country has,

8.

Nuclear energy is better than using coal to transfer into energy.

Nuclear energy is better than using coal to generate energy.

By the way, you can learn more about me at   www.aisielts.com .

雅思Overall7.5 ( W5.5⇒W7 ) + 補習心得

第一次到PTT發文,想分享一下這幾個月準備雅思的心得

格式排版等等若有不正確請見諒 >___<

背景:

學測15級

一年半前多益裸考865分

三戰考試成績:

6/30 L7.5 R7 W5.5 S6.5 O6.5

9/29 L6 R7.5 W6.5 S6.5 O6.5

11/3 L8 R8.5 W7 S7 O7.5

補習的部分:

時X補習班 一期

個人工作室 5堂

Andrew老師 一期

一開始準備雅思時正值畢業最後一學期事情很多,因為不想花過多的時間在上面,所以選

擇去補習班,想說可以省去一些自學摸索的時間,然而在補習的過程中覺得好像沒有獲得

太大的幫助,基本上聽讀都是吃老本,補習班教的技巧有時候上考場真的不是那麼好用,

寫作方面可能我沒有遇到適合的老師,所以上完三個月後,只有學到一些架構跟句型、單

字的部分,對於寫作的「點子」還是不知道該怎麼找,作業我也很認真的照著老師的進度

練習,一個禮拜至少一篇。

因為深知自己在寫作上的不足,所以在補習班上課的同時,我也有去一間個人工作室上幾

堂寫作課,但是課程偏向考前衝刺,所以是教模板和大量的套模板練習,雖然說有比較知

道該怎麼考試,但是對於寫作能力的提升,好像沒有那麼多,簡單來說就是學到了可以應

付考試的技巧。可是第一次上考場時在寫作上還是太慌張了,光是想兩個task的點就花了

很多時間,雖然最後都有寫完、達到字數,但是成績(W5.5)還是很慘。

考完後休息了一個多月又開始準備考試,但上次寫作的經驗實在是令我太挫折了XD想要找

人求救可是請家教的錢實在是太貴啦,加上我的需求只有寫作,所以在爬文之下發現

Andrew老師的課程安排剛好很適合我,短期且密集的寫作課程。一開始老師會先帶我們看

考官的評分標準,讓你知道怎麼樣才不會踩到地雷,也會解釋他的方法為什麼要這麼寫,

課程先從基本的語法、單字、文法來講解,再帶到架構,老師也會帶你想點子,教我們思

考這些想法是否符合題目想要問的、有邏輯性,這個過程真的很重要也對我來說也很難,

但是多次的練習之下,可以感覺到自己的進步。

雖然一開始上課覺得進度偏慢,但其實過了兩堂後就覺得很剛好,老師有出作業後的每堂

課也會花一些時間檢討作文,每個人都可以找老師釐清作業上的盲點,我也會趁這個時間

跟其他同學交流&交換點子。每次下課雖然心很累但收穫很多,上完Andrew後我覺得作文

總算有穩紮穩打的感覺,而且也實際的反應在分數上面(W6.5)。三戰前準備的那一個月我

把上課的兩本書和教材全部讀完一遍,也做了幾篇練習給線上網站改,最後進步到7分,

超開心!

回想整個準備過程,我覺得如果本身底子還不錯的話,其實可以省下去大補習班的錢,雖

然在補習班我學到了大方向,但是我覺得這些花一些時間就能自學到了,不過在補習班的

好處就是可以模考,體驗一下上場的感覺。另外真的不太推模板的方式,就是40~50%是模

板的那種,雖然背起來很快就可以寫好,但是考官是看得出來的啊!(我第一次就是這樣)

準備方式:

【聽】

板上很多神人已經分享過了,我也是參考他們的方法,所以就簡單說一下~

前期有聽6 Minute English,開始準備後練習了劍7~13。

一開始會建議先做一回劍橋真題來熟悉他的出題方式,如果程度ok的話,可以開始一直做

題目來增加考試技巧!做久了就知道大概什麼時候答案要出來,而且雅思聽力出題方式都

蠻規律的,另外我覺得比較重要的是檢討!

我的檢討方式:第一次做題目對答案、第二次邊聽邊看script、第三次只聽不看確認自己

都聽懂,這個過程超花時間(一份題目大概1小時多一點),我剛開始練習6篇都這樣練,然

後就發現比較抓得到答案出來的那種感覺,之後熟悉了也有進步後,就變成第一次做題目

對答案、第二次重聽,聽不懂的地方看script就好。這樣大概一份題目一小時以內~這邊

推薦考滿分這個網站,做題目完後,我會打開這個網站選精聽聽寫—>句子精聽,非常適

合拿來檢討用!

【讀】

讀我沒有什麼特別的技巧,就是多練習題目!我的做法是先看文章的大標及副標,再去看

題目把每一題的關鍵字圈出來,最好可以記下來XD,最後回去看文章做題目這樣。然後每

次寫劍橋的時候都會計時,盡量要求自己第一二篇在16~18分鐘內寫完,剩下的時間給第

三篇+檢查,這樣的練習方式讓我對於閱讀的時間掌控蠻ok的,三次考試都有剩下時間檢

查。

【寫】

用書有:

慎小擬雅思寫作劍12

Simon範文&e-book

Andrew的書*2 看兩次 推!

線上改作文ielts-blog

第一本我自己覺得不太好用,Simon的話因為Andrew上課用的架構很不一樣,所以我看

Simon只會參考他寫的點子,因為我覺得寫作最難的就是點子了啊!!第三本就不用多說

啦,很好用,自己看應該也是可以理解並學到技巧的。

寫作我覺得最重要的就是要找到自己的寫作架構,創造自己的模板,透過閱讀範文和上課

後,我自己有整理出Task1的架構和Task2四種題型的架構,然後每次都用它來練習寫作就

會很熟悉,考試時就可以很自然、省時地寫出來,然後多看一些優質的範文,看範文時

Task1我會先想自己的大方向和細節會怎麼寫,再去對照範文的,Task2的話就是看點子和

例子囉~

【説】

一開始我也不太敢開口說英文,講話時都會邊講邊思考文法對不對,然後就不那麼的流暢

,補習班的模考分數大概都是5~5.5…於是一戰前一個月我開始使用Engoo,每天練習25分

鐘真的很有差,之後準備二戰時直接一口氣買了半年,就算準備完雅思也想繼續拿來保持

語感,總之推Engoo~~~

另外我也有用雅思哥題庫準備,考前一定都會把每一題part1~part3走過,part2會寫下點

子,考前坐在那邊等的時候快速翻每一題,這樣考試時就不用當場才想了,很幸運地三戰

的part2都是從題庫裡面出的!所以真心建議可以下載雅思哥題庫來練習喔!

最後祝大家早日擺脫雅思^_^

Collocation: the other key to IELTS 7 (9 of 16)

Collocation: the other key to IELTS 7 (9 of 16)

Collocation is the key to getting a higher IELTS Writing and Speaking score, but it is not easy. Students often do not collocate words very well (which is why they don’t receive IELTS 7 or 8). To do this, all the parts of speech [adjectives & nouns, verbs & adverbs, prepositions & nouns, and others] must fit together in accepted patterns, stylishly and nice, while all the time conveying clear and precise meaning – like the video at the top of this page. Watch it, and notice all the parts of this complex creation blend together perfectly. This is what your writing should be like.

Well, to have ‘a sense of collocation’ (= IELTS 7), you need to have some familiarity with English. So, start reading all my pixnet posts, and getting this familiarity, right?

In the meantime, the following exercises will help.

Time to Practice

Can you ‘fix’ the following sentences by changing (or removing) the underlined word? There may be different ways to answer these. The answers will be in the next ‘collocation’ post.

  1. Once, people thought marriage was a necessary process. Marriage is a very common activity.
  1. The government needs to build a good policy to deal with this.
  1. Fighting back can affect the development of bullying.
  1. It is impractical to ask teachers to rescue students from a malicious situation.
  1. The victims can express their bravery.
  1. The degree of bankrupcy shows a remarkable descent.
  1. It does not matter how many space missions a country makes, ….
  1. Nuclear energy is better than using coal to transfer into energy.

Answers to Collocation 8 of 16

Here are the answers to the previous collocation exercise. The first sentence has the wrong collocation; the second sentence has the correct one.

1.

When a bullied person fights back, the responsibility is given to both people.

When a bullied person fights back, the blame is given to both people.

2.

The bullies may start revenge.

The bullies may seek revenge.

3.

Louis Vitton has paid their effort to create a unique shopping experience.

Louis Vitton has made great effort to create a unique shopping experience.

4.

When people plan to do some purchases, they often ….

When people plan to make some purchases, they often …

5.

Individuals obtain more stress.

Individuals have/develop more stress.

Obtain is a positive word; stress is a negative concept, so they can’t be used together.

6.

The medical fare can be huge.

The medical fee can be huge.

7.

Living alone has become more popular than before.

Living alone has become more common.

Popular suggests that people want to live alone. This is probably not true. They live alone for other reasons.

8.

Only a part of the people believe this nowadays.

Only a minority of the people believe this nowadays.

By the way, you can learn more about me at   www.aisielts.com .

Collocation: the other key to IELTS 7 (8 of 16)

Collocation: the other key to IELTS 7 (8 of 16)

Collocation is the key to getting a higher IELTS Writing and Speaking score, but it is not easy. Students often do not collocate words very well (which is why they don’t receive IELTS 7 or 8). To do this, all the parts of speech [adjectives & nouns, verbs & adverbs, prepositions & nouns, and others] must fit together in accepted patterns, stylishly and nice, while all the time conveying clear and precise meaning – like the video at the top of this page. Watch it, and notice all the parts of this complex creation blend together perfectly. This is what your writing should be like.

Well, to have ‘a sense of collocation’ (= IELTS 7), you need to have some familiarity with English. So, start reading all my pixnet posts, and getting this familiarity, right?

In the meantime, the following exercises will help.

Time to Practice

Can you ‘fix’ the following sentences by changing (or removing) the underlined word? There may be different ways to answer these. The answers will be in the next ‘collocation’ post.

  1. When a bullied person fights back, the responsibility is given to both people.
  1. The bullies may start revenge.
  1. Louis Vitton has paid their effort to create a unique shopping experience.
  1. When people plan to do some purchases, they often ….
  1. Individuals obtain more stress.
  1. The medical fare can be huge.
  1. Living alone has become more popular than before.
  1. Only a part of the people believe this nowadays.

Answers to Collocation 7 of 16

Here are the answers to the previous collocation exercise. The first sentence has the wrong collocation; the second sentence has the correct one.

1.

Everyone who commits a crime must bear the result.

Everyone who commits a crime must take the consequences.

2.

Forcing students to work would provoke negative awareness.

Forcing students to work would provoke negative reactions.

Awareness is a positive work, and can’t collocate with provoke and negative.

3.

Capital punishment helps keep a steady society.

Capital punishment helps keep a stable society.

4.

Capital punishment fails to trust criminals have the potential to change.

[By the way, this one is very difficult.]

Capital punishment rejects the possibility that criminals can change.

Capital punishment denies the opportunity for criminals to change.

5.

At ony 5%, it plays a poor performance.

At only 5%, it plays a minor role.

Sometimes has a poor performance. For example, a company, your investment, or an actor.

6.

Hackers can steal individual information.

Hackers can steal private information.

7.

New online shopping platforms are rising.

New online shopping platforms are appearing.

8.

Online sellers sometimes make tricks on the photos of the products.

Online sellers sometimes play tricks with the photos of the products.

By the way, you can learn more about me at   www.aisielts.com .

Collocation: the other key to IELTS 7 (7 of 16)

Collocation: the other key to IELTS 7 (7 of 16)

Collocation is the key to getting a higher IELTS Writing and Speaking score, but it is not easy. Students often do not collocate words very well (which is why they don’t receive IELTS 7 or 8). To do this, all the parts of speech [adjectives & nouns, verbs & adverbs, prepositions & nouns, and others] must fit together in accepted patterns, stylishly and nice, while all the time conveying clear and precise meaning – like the video at the top of this page. Watch it, and notice all the parts of this complex creation blend together perfectly. This is what your writing should be like.

Well, to have ‘a sense of collocation’ (= IELTS 7), you need to have some familiarity with English. So, start reading all my pixnet posts, and getting this familiarity, right?

In the meantime, the following exercises will help.

Time to Practice

Can you ‘fix’ the following sentences by changing (or removing) the underlined word? There may be different ways to answer these. The answers will be in the next ‘collocation’ post.

  1. Everyone who commits a crime must bear the result.
  1. Forcing students to work would provoke negative awareness.
  1. Capital punishment helps keep a steady society.
  1. Capital punishment fails to trust criminals have the potential to change.
  1. At ony 5%, it plays a poor performance.
  1. Hackers can steal individual information.
  1. New online shopping platforms are rising.
  1. Online sellers sometimes make tricks on the photos of the products.

Answers to Collocation 6 of 16

Here are the answers to the previous collocation exercise. The first sentence has the wrong collocation; the second sentence has the correct one.

1.

The government can show pictures of unhealthy organs.

The government can show pictures of diseased organs.

2.

Peer pressure persuades many people to smoke.

Peer pressure forces many people to smoke.

3.

The gap between the two countries descends.

The gap between the two countries decreases.

4.

For example, the better qualified healthcare services.

For example, the better healthcare services.

Qualified is for people, not for services.

5.

Parents want to put the maximum resources on their single child.

Parents want to invest the maximum resources on their single child.

6.

The event of bringing back a deadly virus is impossible.

The possibility of bring back a deadly virus is nil/non-existent/negligle.

7.

Soldiers have to attend military training.

Soldiers have to do military training.

8.

When a horrible murder happens, the public are drastically alarmed.

When a horrible murder happens, the public are immediately alarmed.

Another good collocation here is to use intensifying adverbs, such as certainly and indeed.

By the way, you can learn more about me at   www.aisielts.com .

Collocation: the other key to IELTS 7 (6 of 16)

Collocation: the other key to IELTS 7 (6 of 16)

Collocation is the key to getting a higher IELTS Writing and Speaking score, but it is not easy. Students often do not collocate words very well (which is why they don’t receive IELTS 7 or 8). To do this, all the parts of speech [adjectives & nouns, verbs & adverbs, prepositions & nouns, and others] must fit together in accepted patterns, stylishly and nice, while all the time conveying clear and precise meaning – like the video at the top of this page. Watch it, and notice all the parts of this complex creation blend together perfectly. This is what your writing should be like.

Well, to have ‘a sense of collocation’ (= IELTS 7), you need to have some familiarity with English. So, start reading all my pixnet posts, and getting this familiarity, right?

In the meantime, the following exercises will help.

Time to Practice

Can you ‘fix’ the following sentences by changing (or removing) the underlined word? There may be different ways to answer these. The answers will be in the next ‘collocation’ post.

  1. The government can show pictures of unhealthy organs.
  1. Peer pressure persuades many people to smoke.
  1. The gap between the two countries descends.
  1. For example, the better qualified healthcare services.
  1. Parents want to put the maximum resources on their single child.
  1. The event of bringing back a deadly virus is impossible.
  1. Soldiers have to attend military training.
  1. When a horrible murder happens, the public are drastically alarmed.

Answers to Collocation 5 of 16

Here are the answers to the previous collocation exercise. The first sentence has the wrong collocation; the second sentence has the correct one.

1.

This could create a serious hurt.

This could create a serious injury.

2.

The damage of a nuclear bomb is great.

The destruction of a nuclear bomb is great.

3.

Nuclear eruptions can kill millions.

Nuclear explosions can kill millions.

4.

Army recruits cannot train peacefully.

Army recruits cannot train cohesively.

5.

Students must obey the laws of school.

Students must obey the rules of school.

6.

People need huge courage to fight back against bullies.

People need great courage to fight back against bullies.

7.

This medicine can improve the disease.

This medicine can cure the disease.

8.

Extra taxes will enhance the price.

Extra taxes will increase the price.

By the way, you can learn more about me at   www.aisielts.com .

Collocation: the other key to IELTS 7 (5 of 16)

Collocation: the other key to IELTS 7 (5 of 16)

Collocation is the key to getting a higher IELTS Writing and Speaking score, but it is not easy. Students often do not collocate words very well (which is why they don’t receive IELTS 7 or 8). To do this, all the parts of speech [adjectives & nouns, verbs & adverbs, prepositions & nouns, and others] must fit together in accepted patterns, stylishly and nice, while all the time conveying clear and precise meaning – like the video at the top of this page. Watch it, and notice all the parts of this complex creation blend together perfectly. This is what your writing should be like.

Well, to have ‘a sense of collocation’ (= IELTS 7), you need to have some familiarity with English. So, start reading all my pixnet posts, and getting this familiarity, right? In the meantime, the following exercises will help.

Time to Practice

Can you ‘fix’ the following sentences by changing (or removing) the underlined word? There may be different ways to answer these. The answers will be in the next ‘collocation’ post.

  1. This could create a serious hurt.
  2. The damage of a nuclear bomb is great.
  3. Nuclear eruptions can kill millions.
  4. Army recruits cannot train peacefully.
  5. Students must obey the laws of school.
  6. People need huge courage to fight back against bullies.
  7. This medicine can improve the disease.
  8. Extra taxes will enhance the price.

Answers to Collocation 4 of 16

Here are the answers to the previous collocation exercise. The first sentence has the wrong collocation; the second sentence has the correct one.

1.

Some people commit severe crimes.

Some people commit serious crimes.

2.

This makes a vicious circle.

This creates a vicious circle.

This is Chinese English. In English, we have many specific verbs for creating things. We create, make, cause, engender, encourage, stimulate, and so on. These verbs are used in different ways for different things. In Chinese, there are fewer verbs, used more flexibly. So, good collocation can be difficult here. No. 7 shows the same problem.

3.

Fighting back will just stimulate the bullies.

Fighting back will just enrage the bullies.

Stimulate is a positive verb, for positive things.

4.

Lying will lose the relationship.

Lying will destroy the relationship.

5.

Smoking allows people to approve of themselves.

Smoking allows people to feel confident about themselves.

6.

Army life can train their courage.

Army life can develop their courage.

7.

Education is made by good teachers.

Education is created by good teachers.

As with No. 2.

8.

People should step out for their rights.

People should stand up/fight for their rights.

9.

If scientists owned more knowlege about space, they could …

If scientists had/acquired more knowlege about space, they could

By the way, you can learn more about me at   www.aisielts.com .

Collocation: the other key to IELTS 7 (4 of 16)

Collocation: the other key to IELTS 7 (4 of 16)

Collocation is the key to getting a higher IELTS Writing and Speaking score, but it is not easy. Students often do not collocate words very well (which is why they don’t receive IELTS 7 or 8). To do this, all the parts of speech [adjectives & nouns, verbs & adverbs, prepositions & nouns, and others] must fit together in accepted patterns, stylishly and nice, while all the time conveying clear and precise meaning – like the video at the top of this page. Watch it, and notice all the parts of this complex creation blend together perfectly. This is what your writing should be like.

Well, to have ‘a sense of collocation’ (= IELTS 7), you need to have some familiarity with English. So, start reading all my pixnet posts, and getting this familiarity, right?

In the meantime, the following exercises will help.

Time to Practice

Can you ‘fix’ the following sentences by changing (or removing) the underlined word? There may be different ways to answer these. The answers will be in the next ‘collocation’ post.

  1. Some people commit severe crimes.
  2. This makes a vicious circle.
  3. Fighting back will just stimulate the bullies.
  4. Lying will lose the relationship.
  5. Smoking allows people to approve of themselves.
  6. Army life can train their courage.
  7. Education is made by good teachers.
  8. People should step out for their rights.
  9. If scientists owned more knowlege about space, they could …

Answers to Collocation 3 of 16

Here are the answers to the previous collocation exercise. The first sentence has the wrong collocation; the second sentence has the correct one.

1.

Government can remind people of the risk.

Government can warn people of the risk.

2.

Army life makes interaction between people.

Army life creates/provides interaction between people.

3.

The government has problems depositing nuclear waste.

The government has problems storing nuclear waste.

4.

Earth may not be available for human life.

Earth may not be suitable for human life.

5.

This enhances the cost of living.

This increases/raises the cost of living.

6.

Space missions could inspire the development of technology.

Space missions could stimulate the development of technology.

Only people can be inspired.

7.

People need to realise this planet and its environment.

People need to understand this planet and its environment.

This is Chinese English. In English, we have two verbs: realise and understand, and they are used in slightly different ways. In Chinese, there is only one verb, used more flexibly.

8.

People need to leave such violent behaviour.

People need to stop/abandon/reject such violent behaviour.

9.

Some countries have set rockets into space.

Some countries have launched rockets into space.

By the way, you can learn more about me at    www.aisielts.com  .

Collocation: the other key to IELTS 7 (3 of 16)

Collocation: the other key to IELTS 7 (3 of 16)

Collocation is the key to getting a higher IELTS Writing and Speaking score, but it is not easy. Students often do not collocate words very well (which is why they don’t receive IELTS 7 or 8). To do this, all the parts of speech [adjectives & nouns, verbs & adverbs, prepositions & nouns, and others] must fit together in accepted patterns, stylishly and nice, while all the time conveying clear and precise meaning – like the video at the top of this page. Watch it, and notice how all the parts of this complex creation blend together perfectly. This is what your writing should be like.

Well, to have ‘a sense of collocation’ (= IELTS 7), you need to have some familiarity with English. So, start reading all my pixnet posts, and getting this familiarity, right?

In the meantime, the following exercises will help.

Time to Practice

Can you ‘fix’ the following sentences by changing (or removing) the underlined word? There may be different ways to answer these. The answers will be in the next ‘collocation’ post.

  1. Government can remind people of the risk.
  2. Army life makes interaction between people.
  3. The government has problems depositing nuclear waste.
  4. Earth may not be available for human life.
  5. This enhances the cost of living.
  6. Space missions could inspire the development of technology.
  7. People need to realise this planet and its environment.
  8. People need to leave such violent behaviour.
  9. Some countries have set rockets into space.

Answers to Collocation 2 of 16

Here are the answers to the previous collocation exercise. The first sentence has the wrong collocation; the second sentence has the correct one.

1

The granules are sent into an oven.

The granules are transported/conveyed into an oven.

2

Participating in the army can be risky.

Being in the army can be risky.

We participate in activities.

3

Army life practises personal skills.

Army life develops personal skills.

4

We must take attention to national defence.

We must pay attention to national defence.

5

Countries should put more resources into space.

Countries should invest more resources into space.

We invest money, resources, time, and effort into things. There are other possible answers, with more specific meaning, such as ‘allocate’ and ‘divert’.

6

It has taken great effort to reach nowaday’s achievements.

It took great effort to reach the present achievements.

7

We are offering coupons with this letter.

We include coupons with this letter.

You could also use passive.Coupons are included with this letter.

8

Computers make more convenience.

Computers create more convenience

9

The production of wheat had the highest decrease.

Wheat had the greatest/biggest fall.

10

This could cause emotional disease.

This could cause emotional problems/disorders.

By the way, you can learn more about me at   www.aisielts.com .

Collocation: the other key to IELTS 7 (2 of 16)

Collocation: the other key to IELTS 7 (2 of 16)

Collocation is the key to getting a higher IELTS Writing and Speaking score, but it is not easy. English words: adjectives and nouns, verbs and adverbs, must connect together stylishly, in accepted patterns giving precise meaning – just all the parts of the above video.

Students often do not collocate words very well (which is why they don’t receive IELTS 7 or 8). To have ‘a sense of collocation’ (= IELTS 7), you need to have some familiarity with English. So, start reading all my pixnet posts, and getting this familiarity, right?

In the meantime, the following exercises will help.

Time to Practice

Can you ‘fix’ the following sentences by changing (or removing) the underlined word? There may be different ways to answer these. The answers will be in the next ‘collocation’ post.

  1. The granules are sent into an oven.
  2. Participating in the army can be risky.
  3. Army life practises personal skills.
  4. We must take attention to national defence.
  5. Countries should put more resources into space.
  6. It has taken great effort to reach nowaday’s achievements.
  7. We are offering coupons with this letter.
  8. Computers make more convenience.
  9. The production of wheat had the highest decrease.
  10. This could cause emotional disease.

By the way, you can learn more about me at   www.aisielts.com .

Collocation: the other key to IELTS 7 (1 of 16): Introduction to Collocation

Collocation: the other key to IELTS 7 (1 of 16): Introduction to Collocation

Okay everyone, it’s time (once again) to return to collocation. But let me begin by (re)introducing this concept. Let’s look at the public version of the IELTS Band Descriptors. These state that for your Writing Vocabulary Mark …

Band 7

Uses less common words with some awareness of style and collocation.

Band 8

Skillfully uses words but there may be occasional inaccuracies in word choice and collocation.

Notice the word, ‘collocation’. So, what does it mean? Collocation means putting together groups of words in accepted and stylish way. For example, in English, we don’t usually say …

  • big rain,
  • big damage,
  • big wind,

… as you do in Chinese. In English, it is much better to say …

  • heavy rain,
  • serious damage,
  • strong wind.

Looking at verbs, we don’t usually say …

  • make heavy rain,
  • make serious damage,
  • make strong wind.

It does depend on the situation, but it would be better to say …

  • create/causes heavy rain,
  • inflict/cause serious damage,
  • generate/produce strong wind.

All the words must fit together well – they must ‘mesh’, just like all the parts of the video at the top of this post. By the way, I have already presented some very useful material on collocation on my website. Click Teacher Andrew’s website: Good Collocation to see that.

Students mostly do not collocate words very well (which is why they don’t receive IELTS 7 or 8). Bad IELTS material encourages students to memorise wordy phrases that no native writer would ever produce, and which often don’t make sense (for example, one student wrote: ‘concluding theories representing the solution can be portrayed in detail’). The collocation is strange, and the word choice weird.

So, collocation is important, but not easy – but is the key to getting a higher IELTS Writing and Speaking score. The exercises to help you with this will begin in the next post.

By the way, you can learn more about me at   www.aisielts.com .

Yes, it’s Back to Concision, Again (30 of 30): Re-writing the ‘Circling Paragraph’ from 28 & 29 of 30

Reconstructing (General).png

Yes, it’s Back to Concision, Again (30 of 30): Re-writing the ‘Circling Paragraph’ from 28 & 29 of 30

In the last post, we reduced a 81-word paragraph to 24. 81 words cut to 24. Wow! That first paragraph had so much unnecessary stuff. But now, let’s consider how to continue this sentence, and build a real paragraph in a strong and convincing way. We will build it piece by piece, just like the picture above. Tip 16 of my book (‘Include Specific Support’) mentions a simple way to do this.

Approach

1

Why?

2

Result/

Consequence

3

General Example

4

Specific Example

Let’s try these approaches. Look at the cut paragraph again.

The first reason is that unemployed people can be freely trained in teamwork and responsibility, which helps career prospects.

[19 words]

Now, let’s think.

One: Why would these skills be useful?

Let’s add ….

The military offers a unique compression of people with diverse backgrounds, in many ways a microcosm of society, with its myriad traps and pitfalls. Involuntary immersion and the resultant forced cohesion cultivates learning of human dynamicsintangible assets which are necessary today,

Two: What is the result of knowing these skills?

Let’s add ….

… , where success in the corporate ladder is determined by interpersonal prowess of the sort best learnt in pressured military environments.

Now, let’s put the whole paragraph together.

The first reason is that unemployed people can be freely trained in teamwork and responsibility, which helps career prospects. The military offers a unique compression of people with diverse backgrounds, in many ways a microcosm of society, with its myriad traps and pitfalls. Involuntary immersion and the resultant forced cohesion cultivates learning of human dynamicsintangible assets which are necessary today, where success in the corporate ladder is determined by interpersonal prowess of the sort best learnt in pressured military environments.

[81 words]

I’ve put in some difficult words. Find out the meaning of …

to be unique (adj)

a compression (n)

a microcosm (n)

myriad (adj)

a pitfall (n)

to be involuntary (adj)

immersion (n)

cohesion (n)

dynamics (n)

to be intangible (adj)

an asset (n)

the corporate ladder (n)

prowess (n)

Notice that this new paragraph is the same length as the original one, but now it goes somewhere! The ideas are developed and show progress. This gives a higher IELTS mark.

Well, that’s the end of this 24 part ‘Concision Series’. I hope y ou liked it. Remember, it is important to a higher IELTS mark.

In the next series of posts, we’ll go back (once again) to collocation.

By the way, you can learn more about me at   www.aisielts.com .

Yes, it’s Back to Concision, Again (29 of 30): Answer to ‘Circling Paragraph’ from 28 of 30

29. Simple Path.jpg

Yes, it’s Back to Concision, Again (29 of 30): Answer to ‘Circling Paragraph’ from 28 of 30

Remember, we are now looking at concision in a bigger way: by looking at the whole paragraph (rather than just at the sentence level). Let’s keep looking at the paragraph from the previous post, and cut all the circling stuff out of it. Make it simple and clear, like the above picture. The original paragraph is …

The first reason for compulsory military service is that unemployed people can learn useful skills. By joining the services, citizens are trained for free. Aside from the skills of teamwork and responsibility, some young people have the chance to fly a helicopter, which even helps their careers after they leave the services. In addition, individuals who are uneducated also can become competent when doing a military job, because of developing skills. Consequently, governments can solve the problems of high youth unemployment.

[81 words]

I will cut this to ….

The first reason is that unemployed people can be freely trained in teamwork and responsibility, which helps career prospects.

[19 words]

Huh? I cut so much out! Why? Because the first part …

… for compulsory military service ..

… was stated already in the introduction. The second sentence …

            By joining the services, citizens are trained for free.

… only adds the word ‘free’, which can be put in the first sentence. The next sentence …

Aside from the skills of teamwork and responsibility, some young people have the chance to fly a helicopter, which even helps their careers after they leave the services.

… gives some information – teamwork and responsibility – which we can add to the first sentence. The ‘helicopter’ example only involves very few people, so it is not good. The next sentence…

In addition, individuals who are uneducated also can become competent when doing a military job, because of developing skills.

… just repeats all the ideas of the first sentence. The final sentence …

Consequently, governments can solve the problems of high youth unemployment.

… gives some new information at the end, which we can add to the first sentence, but I will change it a bit to be more logical, resulting one just one final sentence.

The first reason is that unemployed people can be freely trained in teamwork and responsibility, which helps career prospects.

[19 words]

81 words cut to 24. Wow! That first paragraph had so much repetition and unnecessary stuff. But now, let’s consider how to continue this sentence, and build a real paragraph in a strong and convincing way. Tip 16 of my book (‘Include Specific Support’) mentions a simple way to think, and we will look at that in the next post.

By the way, you can learn more about me at   www.aisielts.com .

Yes, it’s Back to Concision, Again (28 of 30): Another ‘Circling Paragraph’

28. Maze.jpg

Yes, it’s Back to Concision, Again (28 of 30): Another ‘Circling Paragraph’

Remember, we are now looking at concision in a bigger way: by looking at the whole paragraph (rather than just at the sentence level). Go to my IELTS Writing Task Two book, Tip 15: ‘Organise Your Paragraphs’, which gives two examples of ‘circling’ paragraphs. These paragraphs just repeat, and repeat, and repeat, the same thoughts, leaving the reader trapped in a maze (like the picture above). The reader wants to go somewhere, not in circles. The section of the book concludes by saying ..

These paragraphs do not go anywhere. Look at Task Response IELTS Five = ‘Ideas not developed enough’ and Coherence & Cohesion IELTS Five = May have unclear progression’. We want to move far away from these, right? So, ideas need to be developed and show progress.

Let’s look at another example.

Try making the following paragraph more concise.

Remember, it is not just words, but ideas which we do not want to repeat.

Cut them all out to just leave the main message remaining.

Can you then continue the paragraph in a better way?

The first reason for compulsory military service is that unemployed people can learn useful skills. By joining the services, citizens are trained for free. Aside from the skills of teamwork and responsibility, some young people have the chance to fly a helicopter, which even helps their careers after they leave the services. In addition, individuals who are uneducated also can become competent when doing a military job, because of developing skills. Consequently, governments can solve the problems of high youth unemployment.

[81 words]

By the way, you can learn more about me at   www.aisielts.com .

Yes, it’s Back to Concision, Again (27 of 30): Re-writing the ‘Circling Paragraph’ from 25 & 26 of 30

Reconstructing (General).png

Yes, it’s Back to Concision, Again (27 of 30): Re-writing the ‘Circling Paragraph’ from 25 & 26 of 30

In the last post, we reduced a 75-word paragraph to 19. 74 words cut to 19. Wow! That first paragraph had so much unnecessary stuff. But now, let’s consider how to continue this sentence, and build a real paragraph in a strong and convincing way. We will build it piece by piece, just like the picture above. Tip 16 of my book (‘Include Specific Support’) mentions a simple way to do this.

Approach

1

Why?

2

Result/

Consequence

3

General Example

4

Specific Example

Let’s try these approaches. Look at the cut paragraph again.

Another reason why people smoke is their dependence on the nicotine stimulus to temporarily obliviate their worries and pain.

[19 words]

Now, let’s think.

One: Why do they have worries and pain?

Let’s add ….

Society is horrendously complicated and often harshly competitive – a tangled mesh of obligations, needs, and dimly-envisioned ambitions.

Two: What is the result of this?

Let’s add ….

Some people are less equipped, both psychologically and temperamentally, to handle the consequent pressures.

Three: Let’s keep thinking of results, and a general example.

Let’s add ….

They need their brief interlude with the long languorous wafts of cigarette smoke for relief – perhaps being the only means to marshall the momentum to continue.

Now, let’s put the whole paragraph together.

Another reason why people smoke is their dependence on the nicotine stimulus to temporarily obliviate their worries and pain. Society is horrendously complicated and often harshly competitive – a tangled mesh of obligations, needs, and dimly-envisioned ambitions. Some people are less equipped, both psychologically and temperamentally, to handle the consequent pressures, needing their brief interlude with the long languorous wafts of cigarette smoke for relief – perhaps being their only means to marshall the momentum to continue.

[75 words]

I’ve put in some difficult words. Find out the meaning of …

a stimulus (n)

to obliviate (v)

to be horrendous (adj)

to be harsh (adj)

to be tangled (adj)

a mesh (n)

to be dim (adj)

to be envisioned (adj)

to be psychological (adj)

temperament (n)

an interlude (n)

to be languorous (adj)

a waft (n)

to marshall (v)

momentum (n)

Notice that this new paragraph is the same length as the original one, but now it goes somewhere! The ideas are developed and show progress (and the vocabulary and collocation are fantastic! – but, I wrote it, not a student!). Obviously this gives a higher IELTS mark.

So, that’s how it is done, and in the next post, we will look at another ‘circling’ paragraph, and practise cutting it down to the real message, then building it back into a real paragraph worthy of a high IELTS mark.

By the way, you can learn more about me at   www.aisielts.com .