First Strategy in Reading IELTS: The Application of “Skimming”

In reading IELTS, you deal with 40 questions which follow three different passages, with a total of 2,000 until 2,750 words. To answer those questions, we can use ‘skimming’ appropriately. So, what should we do to use it appropriately?

What We Should Know about Reading IELTS

Reading is the second skill tested in IELTS series of test. After finishing listening section, test taker gets 60 minutes to finish three sections in reading IELTS with 13 until 14 questions for each section. A total question in this section is 40. The detail time arrangement for reading IELTS is:

• 17 minutes on section
• 20 minutes on section 
• 23 minutes in section 

In IELTS, test taker has to realize that he or she is going to deal with a three long passages. The passages are taken from academic sources. These passages can be categorized as an advanced text.  These three passages will be given started from the easiest until the most difficult one.

Passages in IELTS reading section are followed by some different kinds of question. There are 11 types of question that test taker meets in completing this section. The lists are:

1. Multiple choice
2. Multiple matching
3. Short-answer
4. Sentence completion
5. Tables, diagrams, flow charts
6. Summary completion
7. Paragraph headings
8. Locating information
9. Identifying writer’s views or claims
10. Classification
11. Matching

As test taker can see, there are many kinds of questions that test taker should deal with. Therefore, test taker needs to try each type of question to find out the most difficult type for him or her. Focus exercise on the most difficult type of question will contribute a lot in improving reading IELTS score.

Test taker can also apply another strategy in finishing this section by giving mark on the difficult question, moving from that question then coming back later when he or she has completed all questions. Test taker also needs to prepare some time for correcting his or her works.

In saving more time in doing this section, test taker should do three reading techniques, which should be matched with kind of question test taker are dealing with. The techniques are:

• Skimming
• Scanning
• Reading for detail

Besides applying the techniques above, test taker could also do some other efforts such as adding his or her bank of vocabulary by reading newspaper, books, and magazines. Test taker could improve his or her skill and speed in reading as well by taking more reading resources, especially from authentic materials.

Ref. http://www.aippg.com/ielts/reading-tips-ielts.html, http://www.examenglish.com/IELTS/cbIELTS_reading.htm, http://www.goodluckielts.com/2-1-1-IELTS_reading_overview.html

Grab the Skills in Listening IELTS

In IELTS, recording in listening section will only be played once. Therefore, you must apply some strategies to nail it. First, it is important for you to understand well main skills of this section.

Those main skills are:

IELTS Writing Task 1: Understand the Importance of Vocabulary

One of the most important points in execution of IELTS writing task 1 is to mastery so many vocabularies. There are some aspects which include in scope like correct spelling, words duplication, and vocabulary utilizing in the broad sense. A reliable resource said that the participants of IELTS prohibited to do vocabulary writing excessive for maximizing the score. The structure of grammar and vocabulary will determine the score. There some types of vocabulary test that will be explained below:

1. IELTS Vocabulary for Conditional Purpose
In this section, you’ll find some sentences that show a requirement to do something. Usually, the writing of these sentences use “if” as the marker of a condition.
Examples:

• You can borrow my book if you return it before you go home.

If can be replaced by providing that. From the sentence above we can see that the first person want to do something for the second one if the second person do something wanted by the first one.

• You can’t go abroad if you don’t have any passport.

We can replace the word under the red circle with unless. In this sentence, the person can’t do something because he or she doesn’t fulfill something required.
The word “if” can also be replaced by another words or phrases like no matter how, as long as, on condition that, however many, and wherever which all of these, have the different condition.              

2. IELTS Vocabulary for Changes
In addition of explaining a condition, a word may has more than one meaning at the different context of sentences. Let’s take a look for some examples below:

• We need some batteries to adapt this flashlight. adapt means recharge
• The Palestine societies have to adapt the politic condition of their country. adapt means conform or fit in.

3. IELTS Vocabulary for How Something Works
We can explain the use of an object with a phrase or vocabulary. For example, there are some steps of making tea with no hot water available:

• Fill the kettle with water.
• Heat up the water on the stove.
• While waiting for boiling water, prepare a glass fill with tea and some sugar.
• After the boiling water is ready, lift the kettle from the stove.
• Pour some boiling water to the glass prepared.

4. IELTS Vocabulary for Writing Letter
There are some phrases that commonly used in writing a letter like the example below:

• Dear Sir/ Madam explain greetings to somebody who sent the letter.
• I would like to….. explain the intention of letter.
• As you requested, I enclose…… explain eligibility which has been asked before.
• I look forward to hearing from you soon explain a response to wait a reply of letter.
• Thank you for your attention saying thanks to mail receiver.                                                            

5. IELTS Vocabulary for Presenting an Argument
For example, there are some sentences that being randomized. These sentences explain about somebody who is confusing to choose whether going to university or spending a year travelling around the world after school. Arrange these paragraphs to understand the arguments.

1. Not only getting a job immediately, but also getting a good job with a good salary. (4)
2. After that, if I have spare time, maybe I can follow a trip around the world. (5)
3. I have to decide should I go to university or spend a year travelling around the world? (1)
4. But, there are many advances of going to university. (2)
5. Because I will get my qualifications immediately and I can find a job early. (3)

• I have to decide should I go to university or spend a year travelling around the world?
• But, there are many advances of going to university.
• Because I will get my qualifications immediately and I can find a job early.
• Not only getting a job immediately, but also getting a good job with a good salary.
• After that, if I have spare time, maybe I can follow a trip around the world.

I hope this article can help you to learn about IELTS writing task 1 especially for understanding the use of vocabulary. Good luck.

Sumber: www.ielts-exam.net
http://www.world-english.org/ielts_writing.pdf

IELTS Writing Task 1: Explaining a Diagram Process

Usually a diagram explains the performance of an object. To catch up the meaning of a diagram, we should be focus to understand all of it components. There are some common step which is used to view diagram model like finding the primary part of it, relationship between its components, then command of a step that shown in diagram, and terminated by some buttons that might help you to understand the meaning of the process. For example, we have a base operation diagram of hydraulic lift as reported on: 

http://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/sites/default/files/IELTS%20writing%20lesson%20plan%205.pdf.

Illustration:





1.     Lift carriage (F)              
2.     Control button (A)                    
3.     Piston (G)                                   
4.     Electric wires (C)                       
5.     Hydraulic fluid (B)
6.     Piston housing (I)
7.     Pump (H)
8.     Valve (E)
9.     Fluid tank (D)

We can finish this task by the solution below:

In outline, the diagram illustrates the performance of a hydraulic lift. The system also consists of some parts like the lift carriage where the passengers stand on it, a piston that cause rise and fall the load and a pipes track that carry hydraulic fluid.

The passenger could raise or lowering the lift by pressing the “up” control button that causes fluid movement from the tank into the bottom of the fluid tank. We will see that the piston get pressed up. When the fluid fills up the piston, its position will be rise. The lift carriage that related to the top of piston will be forced up to. As we can see at the diagram, the flow of hydraulic fluid represent by the blue arrows. The process when the passengers want to get down almost the same with the previous case. The differences are located on the control button that should be pressed, followed by process flow of fluid and the piston. An electric signal is sent so the pump will be switch off when the “down” control button pressed. Simultaneously, a signal also sent to a valve in front of the pump to cut the fluid’s flow from the piston back to the fluid tank. The reversing flow shown in the diagram represent by the red arrows. The piston and lift would be brought back down caused by the gravity. 

From the discussion above we can see that there are three main parts of describing a process like:

• Process
• In this part we have to describe the performance of an object. We need to watch this stage carefully.
• Object
• We should describe something or someone that related to the diagram.
• Data
• We should describe the changes and trends of the data.

These are tips and tricks about IELTS Writing Task 1: Explaining a Diagram Process, good luck.

IELTS Writing Task 1 How To Answering a Question Containing Graph or Diagram?

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) has a purpose to examine somebody’s ability in studying or working with English as the part of those things. IELTS is held under the command of a group that consist of University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL), British Council and IDP, and IELTS Australia. IELTS has a highest international standard of language assessment. There are some steps that had to be followed by the participants of  IELTS, for example IELTS Writing Task I.

IELTS Writing Task 2: General Writing Hints

Writing in English follows some basic principles:

• The basic pattern of an English sentence is: Subject/Verb/Object.
• The connecting and reference words generally come at the beginning of sentences and/or clauses: words like moreover/he/they/such/this/these/another measure is, etc.

IELTS Writing Task 2: How to prepare for task 2.

Look at as many sample questions as you can. Practice underlining the key points and brainstorming the topics, making plans for each one. Gradually reduce the time you allow yourself to do this, so you can do it in less than 5 minutes. See all the practice books and websites for sample questions. Lots of them have sample answers as well.

Look at the language used for making paragraphs and sentences cohesive (linking your ideas within and between sentences and paragraphs). For example: logical links that show addition (as well as, in addition) or contrast (whereas, on the other hand).

Look at the language used for expressing views. For example: ‘I believe that….’ ‘I would argue that….’, for making contrasts and concessions. For example: ‘Despite the fact that….’.

Look at the language for refuting an argument. For example: ‘There is little evidence to support the….’, for giving arguments, for providing support to your main points. For example: ‘In my experiences…’, ‘A good example of this is ….’. And in conclusions. For example: ‘In conclusion…’ or ‘On balance…’.

Think about the topics that could be used for this task. For example:

• Technology
• Crime
• Tourism
• Transport
• Education
• Population
• Media
• Health
• Society.

Brainstorm the topics for possible questions. Write as many timed essay as possible. Do the ones that have sample and model answers in the exercise books.

Before the exam, practice writing answers to the tasks in the time allowed, especially if you haven’t written at speed by hand for a while; keep up to date with current affairs.

During the exam, you should use a pen. It should be easier to write faster with a pen. Make sure you have a checklist in mind for editing your writing at the end. Make one up now with the errors you know you make.

Reference: How to Prepare for IELTS Writing. City University of Hongkong: English Language Center.

IELTS Writing Task 2: One-sided Argument.

Example of task: Children are spending more time at their computers today than playing with their friends.To what extent do you agree or disagree?

 Task 2 will examine your ability to do one or maybe more of the following tasks:

• present justify opinions,
• argue case,
• evaluate and challenge ideas.

Your scope tells your reader the main points you will make. Your thesis statement tells the reader your opinion.

IELTS Writing Task 2: Two-sided Argument.

Example of the task: Some people think that children get a better education if they study away from home at a boarding school. Others believe it is better for them to stay with their families and attend day school.

Discuss both these points of view and give your opinion.

Task 2 will examine your ability to do one or maybe more of the following tasks:

• present justify opinions,
• argue case,
• evaluate and challenge ideas.