Category Archives: Tips & Help

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 .

[分享] 雅思安德魯 Andrew 課後心得

「代po文」

第一次到PTT發文,主要是想分享一下雅思補習的心得。

個人由於工作的關係,沒辦法全職準備。除了平日晚間下班後讀書之外,另外請假幾週準

備雅思,2018/06考試成績L:7, R:7, W:6, S:6, O:6.5。

考試準備方面,聽、讀練完劍10-12,上下班會聽6 Minute English;寫作和口說基本上

是看IELTS Simon和一點點慎小疑,口說另外有上italki找老師練習兩堂課。

個人在準備考試方面很習慣以背誦記憶的方式練習英文(可能是台灣教育的成果XD),但

是經過6月的考試總覺得有個說不出的瓶頸,同時也覺得也許需要加強考試技巧,特別是

聽、讀我個人覺得考試技巧特別重要(閱讀常常看不完)。

因為成績沒達標,荒廢了幾個月後,振作起來開始找補習班想提升實力,偶然在網路上找

到了Andrew,跟師母約了試聽,上了半堂課覺得很符合我的需求,就報名聽說讀寫平日晚

間班(週一~五),期間大約一個半月。

我就直接跳到結果好了,11月初剛考完成績是L:7.5, R:7.5, W:6.5, S:7, O:7。雖然還

是沒達標,但結果是滿意的,畢竟除了補習之外,其實沒怎麼準備(工作爆忙)。

這邊要推Andrew的地方是,他是雅思考官,所以很清楚雅思的遊戲規則,整個課程的設計

很重視評分標準和避免失分。寫作方面特別著重不能背模版,因為考官一眼就看得出來,

而且會給你很差的分數。Andrew全程英文教學對聽力很有幫助;基本上雅思各科的題型(

寫作part 1各種圖都有教)都有涵蓋在他的課程裡,我想這也是爲什麼即使我沒什麼準備

整體成績也有提升了0.5分。

Anyway, 英文實力提升是個人修行,但是瞭解考試、避免失分也是考試中很重要的一環,

0.5分(對我來說)其實差很多。如果對Andrew的課程有興趣,建議大家參考他的pixnet

裡面有很多課程資訊,找師母談談先試聽,如果適合可以嘗試看看。

Yes, it’s Back to Concision, Again (26 of 30): Answer to ‘Circling Paragraph’ from 25 of 30

26. Neat Painting.jpg

Yes, it’s Back to Concision, Again (26 of 30): Answer to ‘Circling Paragraph’ from 25 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. Let’s change it from that messy painting to an elegant one with clear style and content (like the above photo). The original paragraph is …

Another reason why people smoke is that it will make these smokers much more happy. There is a component in cigarettes known as nicotine. The brains of those who are addicted to smoking will be stimulated by this nicotine to generate a variety of chemical factors which keep them in a good mood. By doing this habit, people can begin to forget about any worries or pain which may be currently occurring in their lives.

[75 words]

I will cut this to ….

Another reason why people smoke is that they need the stimulation from the nicotine to forget worries and pain.

[19 words]

Huh? I cut so much out! Why? Because so many words …

Another reason why people smoke is that it will make these smokers much more happy. There is a component in cigarettes known as nicotine. The brains of those who are addicted to smoking will be stimulated by this nicotine to generate a variety of chemical factors which keep them in a good mood. By doing this habit, people can begin to forget about any worries or pain which may be currently occurring in their lives.

… add little or no information. I have underlined the words which are new. The rest of the paragraph is just words which repeat or do nothing.

‘Happy’ is similar to ‘stimulated’ which is similar to ‘in a good mood’.

‘Nicotine’ is the same as ‘generate a variety of chemical factors’ [By the way, is this true?]

‘Smoking’ is the same as ‘by doing this habit’.

The first words of these lists are all that we need. Combining the key and meaningful words, we get …

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

[19 words]

75 words cut to 19. 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 .

[心得] 一戰雅思7.5,推薦Andrew寫作課

幫朋友代PO

今年10/27考試,

O:7.5 L:8.5 /R:8.5 /W:6.5 /S:6

因為是很突然的決定申請明年的研究所後,所以七月才趕緊準備雅思。

覺得準備雅思的四個月,是漫漫長路,摸索的過程也常很不知所措跟沮喪,

發現自己得失心真的很重,一邊上班一邊準備考試真不是普通的累,常常下班後回到家就

想耍廢。一度覺得還是不要考了,一種消極地覺得不考就不用面對考差的成績了,但後來

牙一咬,撐過去,覺得還是值得啦。

所以想在這,跟大家分享一些自己的準備心得,希望能給也在這條路上的大家一點幫助。

By the way,大家考前一定要記得上廁所,我那天不知道是不是太緊張,考到閱讀一半就

好想上廁所,又不想錯失考試時間,一路忍到寫作結束,很痛苦。

背景: 大三時(兩年前),多益考890分,然後就沒有在什麼碰英文了,

但還是會不時地跟國外朋友聯絡,出社會後也不時需要跟國外合作夥伴聯繫。

用書:

1. 劍橋模擬試題(4-13,但其實前面有點太舊)

2. Andrew雅思寫作課本Task1、Task2

3. Andrew 兩本IELTS Test Practice Book with MP3

4. Essential Words for the IELTS

5. 慎小疑:平行閱讀法

補習:Andrew寫作聽力班(大推)

9月中開始,5週密集課程(4週寫作+1週聽力),每週一三五晚上3小時,這3小時真是上

好上滿,都是晚上7:00上課,10:15下課。還沒上課前,其實很擔心會不會很累,畢竟六

點下班趕過去就開始上課。殊不知這五週完全成為我最愛的療癒時光。班級不大,而且

Andrew不只很專業還很搞笑,上課也會給我們一些時間去跟旁邊的同學討論各種議題。

【聽力】

聽力應該是四項中,我比較不擔心的。但因為寫模擬試題時,落點都大概在7-7.5左右,

所以最後成績是8.5,我整個要痛哭流涕。

1.劍橋試題

我把模擬試題的聽力當作一種娛樂(相較於其他項),每天會希望自己至少能聽一回,周末

的話,通常會完成一本。但因為本身是個很沒有耐心的人,所以常常會覺得音檔的講話速

度太慢,讓人很想睡覺,於是最後都會調成1.5倍速度做題目。做完題目,訂正錯誤時,

會再用正常速度聽一遍,如果又聽不懂,就會看原文一邊聽。考前兩週,也重新把

cambridge 10-13回的所有聽力都重聽一遍。考試當天早上,去報到前,也在聽了一回,

讓自己熟悉一下感覺。

2.Andrew聽寫班

九月中開始補聽寫班,雖然以課程安排上,老師到最後一個禮拜才教聽力,我覺得課程上

教的小技巧滿有用的,跟同學一起互動練習也很有趣。

因為整個五週聽寫的課程都是用全英文授課,感覺上有讓我更熟悉整個聽力的模式。同時

,我在考前大概一個月前,就已經寫完劍橋的題目,所以九月底就轉為寫Andrew的考題,

我覺得Andrew的題目相較於劍橋,比較有挑戰性。有時寫完也覺得很挫折,但還是會努力

訂正,把不會的,容易寫錯的單字寫在我的單字本裡。

3.看美劇或英劇

這算是我個人的娛樂,但也可以練習英文聽力。因為準備英文的過程其實很累,所以會不

時想放鬆,但放鬆又可以跟英文擦上邊的,大概就是看美劇或英劇了,我通常讀完書,會

看一集當休閒(然後就把摩登家庭1-8季全看完了)。

【閱讀】

一開始寫模擬考題時,完全想說雅思的閱讀到底在幹嘛,題型種類一大堆。

寫劍橋試題的前幾回,我的落點分數超慘,遇到true/faulse/not given題型就永遠錯一

堆(每次都覺得是在跟我開玩笑嗎)。於是上網研究了一下別人怎麼準備後,買了【慎小疑

的平行閱讀法】,覺得一些技巧滿有用的。從劍橋試題7以後,平均成績落點大概會在

6.5-7左右,因此最後出來8.5,真的很不可思議。

1.寫題目時,要計時

閱讀上,我是規定自己每一週要寫完一本並訂正,每回都要計時60分鐘。因為每回有3篇

,所以也會確認自己會在20分鐘內讀完一篇文章。我覺得練到最後,速度有加快,寫到劍

橋13的時候,我已可以在大概55分完成三篇。正式考試當天,我也大概早了10分鐘寫完,

有滿充足的時間可以檢查。

寫完劍橋後,我就換寫Andrew老師出的題目,如同聽力一樣,真的覺得老師出得很難,每

次做完題目看到自己錯的狀況,我的玻璃心都碎了一遍遍。不過老師除了在題本後面有單

字練習,也有提到一些閱讀小技巧,在焦慮時我就會看看,自我催眠一下。

2.製作自己的單字本

買了Essential Words for the IELTS,他將單字依據種類分為十個主題,也有閱讀可以

練習。我覺得滿有用的,因為裡面的單字真的很常出現,一開始我也真的一直重複錯。

我會把在裡面看到的不會的單字,依據種類(例如:自然、交通)寫在自己的本子上,之後

,我如果在寫試題上又看到,然後我又不會了的話,我就會拿螢光筆標示單字本上的這個

單字。因此,在寫試題時,我會一邊把看到不會的單字寫在文章的空白處,寫完閱讀後會

回來查單字,聽英文發音等,然後再把他們寫進我的單字本。後來也發現,有些單字真的

頻率出現很高!

3.做題技巧

我本身的習慣是先看題目,找出關鍵字後,回去把整篇讀一遍,邊讀的過程中邊圈關鍵字

(如:時間、人名、地名),然後再依據我對於題目的微薄印象,去開始找文章裡的線索。

但我覺得每個人喜歡的技巧跟習慣不一樣,倒不覺得一定需要改變自己去追尋某個技巧,

反而真的是自己有舒服的做題步調就好。

【寫作】

寫作是我的罩門,最慘的那種。一直很猶豫要不要補習,直到最後發現自己真的一個字都

寫不出來後,研究一下課程後就決定去Andrew的課。

老師有一套他的寫作方法,個人是覺得滿有用的,讓我在考試時知道要怎麼去架構文章。

每堂下課都會有文章要寫(五週共有4篇task2+5篇task1),雖然每次都忙著寫作業到很晚

,但這也是訓練自己寫作的方式,一定要嚴格計時,確保自己不會寫不完。我覺得在這上

課的好處,因為人數不多,上課時,會有時間去訂正自己的作文,也有機會和老師討論自

己的寫作。

其實直到考前我都很緊張,考前一個禮拜,我幾乎天天做惡夢,夢到自己寫不完考卷。考

試當天也很緊張,第一題遇到表格比較,第二題則討論認為商業公司參與在運動產業是好

還是壞。覺得自己寫得滿順的但應該就是普通,所以成績出來後,覺得已經滿足了。

可能因為連接著前面的考試,我在考寫作時真的很想很想尿尿,所以我竟然意外地提早10

分鐘寫完,之前練習時反而是都寫不完(但又因為是收卷前10分鐘,所以還是不能出去><

)。

【口說】

口說的部份,是我個人覺得最難準備的,雖然不定時會跟外國朋友視訊,可是自己的單字

量真的很不足夠,本來有想說要不要找朋友幫我練習,但實在是覺得太尷尬了,於是就一

直拖到考前一週,才開始想說來看「雅思哥app」裡面的口說練習題。那一週,我都會在

上下班的通勤時間看題目,然後在心裡默念答案,再聽聽別人的錄音,但老實說比起另外

三項,口說沒有很認真在準備。

當天考完早上的科目後,才赫然覺得,啊!我的口說會不會慘兮兮。但又覺得現在準備也

來不及了,於是就在休息區看著隔壁同學很認真的自言自語(覺得大家真的有夠認真)。

口說報到後,坐在等待區,我覺得等待的那幾分鐘超級漫長,焦慮感直線上升。還好考官

人很好,他基本上完全笑到尾,所以我就沒有這麼緊張了,不過我也是從頭到尾都在亂回

答一些我自己覺得很無釐頭的答案。

還好最後成績以6飛過我的四項個別最低標準。

希望打的這些對大家有一點點幫助,

祝福大家都有好成績,順利達標啊

Yes, it’s Back to Concision, Again (25 of 30): Another ‘Circling Paragraph’

25. Messy Painting.png

Yes, it’s Back to Concision, Again (25 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). You don’t want your paragraph to look like the above pciture, do you? Rather than a mess of random and circling thoughts saying the same thing, there must be a definite pattern, right?

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. The section 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?

Another reason why people smoke is that it will make these smokers much more happy. There is a component in cigarettes known as nicotine. The brains of those who are addicted to smoking will be stimulated by this nicotine to generate a variety of chemical factors which keep them in a good mood. By doing this habit, people can begin to forget about any worries or pain which may be currently occurring in their lives.

[75 words]

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