[ Virtual Class For This Exercise ]

Susan is telephoning a travel agency. Before listening to the recording, read the form carefully. The listen and fill in each gap with no more than three words. Listen to the recording only once:

Listen to a sample

Sample answer sheet:

WorldBridges Travel Agency, LTD. Inquiry Form

Inquiry regarding a holiday in: _______________________________.

Number of persons: ____________________.

Kind of accommodation needed: _____________________________.

Price: ______________pounds.

Location: ______________________________.

Customer’s Name:________________________________.

Month accommodation is needed:_____________________.

When would Susan and her friends travel cheaper? ________________

How far from the beach is the accommodation offered? ________________.

Who has already visited Greece? __________________________________.

What will Susan have to do before phoning Arnold again? _______________________________________________.

Download PDF:
[ Lesson One Questions: IELTS ]. To receive answers, [ Enroll in the course ].

IELTS listening test lasts for about 30 minutes. It consists of four sections in order of increasing difficulty. Each section might be a dialogue or a monologue. Each section will have 10 questions. The audio is played once only, and the questions for each section must be answered while listening, although time is given for students to check their answers. You will be given an answer sheet. You may look at this sheet and then listen to the recording while you answer the questions. When the recording stops, you will have about 10 minutes to work on your answers.

You can fine the listening exercises here: [ Listen exercises for the IELTS / TOEFL ].

Class 1: [ Class 1 of 10: Introduction ].

Class 2: [ Class 2 of 10: IELTS Exercise ]

Step Two – Outline: Sketch out your essay before straightway writing it out. Use one-line sentences to describe paragraphs, and bullet points to describe what each paragraph will contain. Play with the essay’s order. Map out the structure of your argument, and make sure each paragraph is unified.

Step Three – Introduction: Now sit down and write the essay. The introduction should grab the reader’s attention, set up the issue, and lead in to your thesis. Your intro is merely a buildup of the issue, a stage of bringing your reader into the essay’s argument.

Step Four – Paragraphs: Each individual paragraph should be focused on a single idea that supports your thesis [ main point ]. Begin paragraphs with topic sentences, support assertions with evidence, and expound your ideas in the clearest, most sensible way you can. Speak to your reader as if he or she were sitting in front of you. In other words, instead of writing the essay, try talking the essay.

Step Five – Conclusion: Gracefully exit your essay by making a quick wrap up sentence. Your conclusion should bring the whole essay together while at the same time answering the topic question and then end on some memorable thought, perhaps a quotation, or an interesting twist of logic, or some call to action. Is there something you want the reader to walk away and do? Let him or her know exactly what.

Example

Topic Sentence: Some businesses now say that no one can smoke cigarettes in any of their offices. Some governments have banned smoking in all public places. This is a good idea but it takes away some of our freedom. Do you agree or disagree?

Example Outline For Essay Writing

Topic Sentence: I agree with the ban on smoking in public places, but at the same time, this ban should not take away the peoples individual freedoms to choose to smoke or to choose not to smoke in public.

1). Scientific research shows that an increase in health related risk factors is high among non – smokers due to second hand smokers.

A). Hard to breathe

B). Lung diseases

C). Cancer

1). Banning smoking in public places would be good protection for the people.

2). Banning smoking completely, would infringe on the people’s individual freedom of choice in democratic society.

A). Specific places for smokers in public areas

B). Ex. Special zones at airports

1). By setting up special zones for smokers to smoke in public places, this would not encroach on people individual freedom of choice.

In closing, while I may agree with the ban on smoking in the work place, I do not agree with the ban on smoking all together in public places. I believe the government should set up special zones from which smokers are separated from the non – smokers. In this way, all peoples have the individual right to choose whether they want to smoke or not thus limiting the government’s involvement in the people’s individual freedom of choice to choose to smoke or to choose not to smoke.

On the one hand, scientific research shows that an increase in health related risk factors is high among non – smokers due to second hand smokers because of non-smokers and smokers working closely together in offices. In fact, non-smokers find it hard to breathe, because a of all the smoke that surrounds them during their work day. They can catch different lung diseases or even develop lung cancer. In this case, the banning smoking in offices is vitally essential for non-smokers. because it would be an extremely good protection for people who do not want to smoke or breathe the smoke from cigarettes.

One the other hand, banning smoking completely, would infringe on the people’s individual freedom of choice in democratic society. It would be better if the government created specific places for smokers in all public areas instead of to banning smoking everywhere. For instance, plenty of special zones were created in airports throughout our country. In this way, all smokers could be inside an airport and not increase the risk of lung illnesses due to second hand smoke. By setting up special zones for smokers to smoke in public places, this would not encroach on people individual freedom of choice.

In closing, while I may agree with the ban on smoking in the work place, I do not agree with the ban on smoking all together in public places. I believe the government should set up special zones from which smokers are separated from the non – smokers. In this way, all peoples have the individual right to choose whether they want to smoke or not thus limiting the government’s involvement in the people’s individual freedom of choice to choose to smoke or to choose not to smoke.

If cohesion is about connecting words, then coherence is about connecting ideas. Put another way, a coherent piece of writing is one where the reader understands why each point has been included and never has to stop and think “Why did the writer put that bit there?” Everything flows.

It’s a fact of life that examiners do not spend too much time marking an essay – they are not paid by the minute! Therefore – and this is a logical connection – it only makes sense to make it easy for them to see that you are being coherent.

One way to achieve coherence is to focus on openings. The openings of paragraphs (and sentences) need to connect with something that has come before. If there is no connection, the reader will have to stop and think to work out what the writer is thinking. If that happens, the flow of the writing will be lost and coherence will be damaged.
Here is a demonstration of what I mean. Look at the connections in my last paragraph:
One way to achieve coherence is to focus on openings. The openings of paragraphs (and sentences) need to connect with something that has come before. If there is no connection, the reader will have to stop and think to work out what the writer is thinking. If that happens, the flow of the writing will be lost and coherence will be damaged.
Each sentence opening reflects language from the previous sentence so each sentence flows easily into the next. More than that, there is strong connection between the topics of each sentence: they all relate to “coherence”.

Your essay need only be 250 words. It should always have an opening paragraph, two paragraphs to support your opinion and a closing paragraph. The closing paragraph should bring all the other paragraphs “together”. A paragraph can be as short as three sentences: one subject sentence plus two or three sentences that expand on the subject’s thought.

Sample Essay

— Submitted by a student from writing class.

Essay Question:Some businesses now say that no one can smoke cigarettes in any of their offices. Some governments have banned smoking in all public places. This is a good idea but it takes away some of our freedom. Do you agree or disagree?

Many people suffer from smokers, especially in public places such as offices, trains, planes, trade centres etc. That is why an ability to smoke cigarettes was banned by some officials and businesses.Whetherit is the fact that a ban on smoking is necessary for societies or it will just limit people’s freedom creates a lot of discussions and debates. Personally, I completely agree that the ban on smoking is necessary but this decision should not take away people’s freedom.

As far as I am concerned, I agree with the ban on smoking cigarettes in all public places include any offices, but it should not be just the ban. It would be better if government decides to build different special areas for smokersor to do any events to encourage smokers to give up smoke.

1). This essay is 405 words. For the TOEFL iBT and the IELTS, you only need 250 words so this is almost double.

2). I believe that this individual would have done a better job had he/she written an outline [ Click here for sample. ]

3). Grammer needs a little work.

4). I am not sure the author is getting his/her point across. In other words, due to the non flow of the sentences from one to the next, this essay needs to be more coherent.

Essay Corrected

Many people suffer from smokers, especially in public enclosed places such as offices, trains, planes, trade centres etc. This is why smoking cigarettes was banned by some officials and businesses. Whether it is the fact that a ban on smoking is necessary for societies or it will just limit people’s freedom of choice, creates a lot of discussions and debates. I agree with the ban on smoking in public places, but at the same time, this ban should not take away the peoples individual freedoms to choose to smoke or to choose not to smoke in public.

In closing, while I may agree with the ban on smoking in the work place, I do not agree with the ban on smoking all together in public places. I believe the government should set up special zones from which smokers are separated from the non – smokers. In this way, all peoples have the individual right to choose whether they want to smoke or not thus limiting the government’s involvement in the people’s individual freedom of choice to choose to smoke or to choose not to smoke.

Even if it is optional, look at the college interview as an opportunity to show your worthiness rather than a dreaded test you must pass. An interview demonstrates your interest in the college. It lets you learn more about the college. It also allows the college to get to know you—to put a face to your application. Knowing what to expect and how to prepare will remove much of your anxiety.

What Goes On in an Interview?
The interview is really more of a conversation than an interrogation. (In fact, the interviewer may want you to lead the conversation.) The topic of the conversation is you—your academic and outside interests, your family, your personal goals, even what you did last summer. Most importantly, the interviewer wants to know why you want to go to this particular college.

The interview can be quite informal or somewhat structured. Evaluative interviews that are required include standard questions. The interviewer will take notes. Informational interviews that you set up yourself will be more relaxed. Interviewers are usually admissions staff. But sometimes the interviewer will be an alumna or alumnus of the college—and not that much older than you.

What Questions Come Up in an Interview?
Interview questions boil down to: Who are you? Where are you going? Why this school? Sorts of questions the interviewer may ask include:

How would you describe yourself to a stranger?
What do you do for fun?
What subjects do you like? Don’t like?
What do you do with your free time?
What do you see yourself doing in ten years?
Why do you want to go to this college?

Actually, anticipating questions that interviewers ask is not quite as important as preparing answers you want to give. While you don’t want to sound “canned” make sure your answers show that you are the sort of student the college seeks. This is not the moment to mention your SAT scores or GPA. They already have that information. You are presenting the person behind the “stats.”

Also, ask a few questions of your own. Don’t ask about stuff you can easily find out on the college website. Show you have done your homework. Types of questions you might ask:

What sort of student does well at this school? Not so well?
What is life like at this school?
Do you have any advice for me?

If the interview is required, the school will work with you to set it up. The procedure for requesting one should be on the admission pages of the college website or guidebook. (You can also check CollegeData’s College Profiles by using the College Match tool.)

Naturally, traveling to the college for an interview has many benefits. But if the college is out-of-state, local interviews are often available. College representatives may travel to your state or a local alumnus may do the job.

Can You Prepare for an Interview?
You can prep for the interview, although it is not an academic test with “correct” answers.
Find out the basics about the college, such as what is offered in your major and what gives the college a good reputation.

Develop the questions you will ask.
Think about how you will answer tricky questions, such as “Where else have you applied?”
Practice talking about yourself. Talk to people who don’t know you well but who are interested in you. Schedule “dry run” interviews at your lower-priority schools.
What About Last-Minute Tips?
As your interview nears, look over this list.

BEFORE
Print out directions to the interview site.
Review your application to the college.
Dress neatly and conservatively. No jeans or t-shirts.
Write down your questions beforehand.
Arrive a little ahead of time.
DURING
Smile. Be polite. Shake the interviewer’s hand.
Talk naturally but without slang or swear words.
Answer decisively and positively even if you feel uncertain or negative.
Don’t answer “yes” or “no.” Speak for a minute or two.
If you can’t think of an answer, ask for more explanation of the question.
Surprise questions may pop up. It’s OK to pause briefly before you answer.
Don’t forget to ask your questions.
Show your enthusiasm for the school throughout the interview.
Tie your strengths to the strengths of the school.
Get the name and address of the interviewer.
AFTER
Write a short thank you note to your interviewer.

By the end of this section, you should be aware of different ways to effectively take notes for all 6 parts of the TOEFL Speaking Section.

Problem: There are a few more Practice Speaking Classes left and I have noticed that many participants are not taking notes when asked to do so in order to speak accurately expressing complete thoughts. Hopefully, these exercises will help you with the Speaking Section on the TOEFL.

In the speaking section, the questions ask for a response to a single question, there will be 2 of these, a conversation, there will be 2 of these, a talk and a lecture, making up a total of 6 parts to the speaking section.

I have found that it is helpful to keep these 5 question words in mind when formulating an answer in your mind: “How, what, where, when and why.” Always use two or more of these words with each question answered. It has been my experience, that if “why” is ALWAYS one of these words, your answer will always be backed up with a reason and this is what the test is looking for when expecting a complete answer.

In the speaking section questions 1 and 2 , you will be asked 2 general topic questions much like the one listed below:

Some people like to watch television to get the news while others like to read the paper. In like manner, some people like to get the news from online resources. How do you prefer to be informed about the news?

Preparation time: 15 seconds
Response time: 45 seconds

Sample Answer

— Audio —

Since I am online a lot, I figure, I will check my email and read the news while I’m online. In this way it allows me to do two things at once and I may not have the time to watch television, for example, or to go buy a newspaper. So, I would use online resources as a convenience for me.

Analysis of Answer

The ‘why” question word was used when I used the word “because” to give a reason. The “what” question word was used when I gave examples of the kind of news I would prefer to read. Again, paragraph 2 in the above example, points back to the question word “why”. I completed my answer by paraphrasing the question. Whenever possible, this is always advisable to do because it will show the examiner that you have command over the thought process that went into your answer.

For questions 3 and 4, you will read a short passage and then you will hear a short talk, on the same subject. You will then have the same 30 seconds to prepare and the same 60 seconds to respond to the question given after you read adn listen. Keeping in mind what you read and what you listened to as well. Please look at the example below:

Read an article about a Campus University Meal Plan then listen to two students speaking on the same topic.

Reading time: 45 seconds

College Meal Plan

Cancellations of the All-Access, 14, 5 and 7 Meal Plans are allowed except for students residing in a residence hall and are pro-rated, on a weekly basis, through the first two weeks only (similar to tuition and fees). Thereafter, there will be no refund for the remaining weeks. Students may change to a higher weekly plan (10, 5 or All-Access) at any time (pro-rated after the 2nd week). Students may purchase additional block plans throughout the semester if needed. Unspent Dining Dollars carry from semester to semester. You may change your Meal Plan (up or down) to a plan that suits you best during the first two weeks of the semester.

2 students talking about the plan

For this exercise, try to just listen to the audio and not look at the transcript when aswering the question below.

— Audio —

Transcript

I don’t like to cokk but I don’t like to eat in the cafeteria everyday either.
True. The food does get kind of “same -old-same-old”.
My point exactly! And besides, I go home about every other weekend. So, paying for my meals when I am not there doesn’t make a lot of sense.
Right. So, you’ll probably sign up for the 5 day plan next semester.
I already did. If I wanted to eat in the cafeteria some weenend, I can just buy a meal but I’d probably go out somewhere with my friends if I’m here over the weekend.
Well, I don’t go home on the weekends as much as you do but I still eat out a lot on the weekends
So the 5 day plan might work out better for you too. I’m really glad to have the option.

Question: The man expresses his opinion about the new meal plan. Report his opinion and explain what reasons he gives for his opinion.

Prep time: 30 seconds
Response time: 60 seconds

Sample Answer

— Audio —

Transcript

The man wants to get the 5 day meal plan because he goes home every other weekend and it wouldn’t make sense for him to buy the 14 day plan or the 7 day plan and if he is on campus during that weekend, he would just go out with his friends so he didn’t feel he needed the 14 day plan or the 7 day plan and therefore he wants to change his plan to the 5 day meal plan.

Analysis of Answer

Notice in my response I refered back to the article when I discussed about the meal plans and the policy of the college. The question was fairly direct in that it gave me the “why” question word and I had to support the man’s opinion by giving examples. I did two things when I formulated my answer. I integrated both the reading and the listening into my answer and I used the “why” question word because the question itself asked me to.

For questions 5 and 6, you will be asked to listen to a lecture and answer the question pertaining to the lecture. I have purposely left out the transcript following the lecture because I want you to get use to listening and speaking about what you just listened to.

— Lecture On Business & Innovation —

Prep Time: 20 Seconds [ Notice you DO NOT have 30 seconds ]
Response Time: 60 Seconds

Question: The lecturer talks about two types of innovations. Explain what they are and give an example of each.

Transcript of NOTES

—Help business and society—

Sample Answer

— Audio —

Analysis of Answer

Also, notice that my notes did not have complete thoughts or sentences. Remember, you are not being graded on your notes you are being graded on your speaking abilities. Another helpful hint: once you make your notes, you can “jump around” in what you want to speak. You do not have to stay in chronological order the way you have written your notes if you do not want to. The important thing here is to remember to have a complete, concise thought while at the same time answering the question asked of you in it’s entirety.

Post a Comment: When you post a comment, I will have your email privately and will send out a mass email to everyone who has posted. It is important to NOT post your email for the public to see. In this way, spam bots will not get your email and only I will have it. Please note, when I do send an email to everyone, no one else will see your email. You will get your own private email. In this way, people who are phishing for other emails to connect with to learn English, will not have anyone else’s email.

Check your Trash or Spam Folders: Some people have stated that they did not recieve an email only to find that they were indeed sent an email but it ended up in the “Trash” folder or “Spam” folder. If this happens, just approve my email address to allow you to accept my emails or just check your “Trash” folder. I do not know how the different email clients work. For example, I believe AOL marks email as “Spam”. In order to get email from me, you have to make sure that you enable my email to be accepted.

You cannot connect to me on Skype: My skype ID is annelieseRN. I delete people with whom I do not talk too much at the end of each month. Also, I announce in every class that if you want to connect to me in skype you must put in the greeting to make contact with me that you are studying for the TOEFL or IELTS otherwise, your request will be ignored. Please understand that I do not ignore people because I am an unkind person. Being American, I literally get thousands of request on skype each month simply because “I am a native speaker”. I would just like to say that if you add me to skype, please understand that this will not be an opportunity to practice for your IELTS or TOEFL. If you specifically need this, I do not mind helping you but you have to sign up for [ private sessions ]. Also, understand that if we get connected together on skype, it is to be a mutual friendship. Please do not connect to me on skype and expect for me to “entertain” you. Skype is to talk in English and to create friendships.

By the end of this section, you should be aware of different ways to effectively take notes in speaking Part 2.

Problem: There are a few more Practice Speaking Classes left and I have noticed that many participants are not taking notes when asked to do so in order to speak accurately expressing complete thoughts. Hopefully, these exercises will help you with the IELTS part 2 speaking cue card question.

In the speaking section Part 2, the examiner will give you a card with a topic on it and explain that you have 1 minute to make some notes about the topic before you start to speak. Here is an example of a topic card:

Describe a favorite day that you celebrate.

You have to talk about the following topic for between 1 and 2 minutes. You have 1 minute to make some notes before you start speaking.

You should think about:

Why it is your favorite celebration …

What happened …

Who was there …

Whenever possible think: How? Who? What? Where? and Why? In the above bullets, we used Why, What and Who …

Regardless of the question, try to use 3 of the 5 “Question Words” to formulate your response. The three bullet-points in the example above are only suggestions. You do not have to use any of them if you can think of others that are related to the topic. The examiner will then give you the card to read and a piece of paper and a pencil to make your notes.

Sample Answer

— Audio —

We usually go the the local shelter and give gifts to people who, we say, “that are less fortunate”. People who do not have money for gifts. We … if a … if it’s a family, we sometimes give them a turkey or a ham for their dinner. And, this is what I really like about Christmas: Because, it is the one time of the year that everybody really cares for eachother.

Analysis of Answer

I used the who question word when I talked about “family”, “friends” and made reference to the “shelter” and “people less fortunate”. So of the 5 question words, I used a total of 4. It is important to remember that these words, to formulate your thoughts, do NOT need to be used in order and in fact, you may actually sound too “rigid” and “unnatural” if you say them in order. These words just give you a “quick” reference point for you to prepare your answer as well as to speak your answer.

Come with me on a journey, and I will show you the beauty of words.

Yes, sure … words can cause hurt. Yes, sure … words can cause entire wars.

But, come with me on a journey, and I will show the beauty of words.

So you say potato and I say potahto and you say I am wrong.

I say tomato and you say tomahto and I say you are wrong.

Silence, listen … please. Look at the meaning and you will see, in any word, the beauty of words. Words are beautiful in and of themselves. It is the people that make them hurt. It is the people that misunderstand them. It is the people that misuse them. It is the people that abuse them — not the sentence, not the phrase, not the noun, adjective or adverb.

Come with me on a journey, and I will show you the meaning of words.

Words can heal a wounded heart or words can break a heart.

Words can touch a wounded soul or words can break one’s very spirit.

Words can share the wonders of life or words can rob one of life itself.

Words can rid one of all their fear or words can cause shear terror.

Words can enslave a person or by words, a person can be set free.

This is the beauty of words. The never – ending dichotomy.

So write your words down in a book a poem or a phrase. For such a beautiful thing should be shared with the world for each of us to learn, understand, feel moved by, or embody.

For if no one ever wrote a book, if no one ever wrote a poem, if no one ever spoke a word, this world would cease to be.

Wait…

perhaps this world would have never come into existance?

This is the beauty of words — the vast dicotomy.

Words are the very music of life itself. The people are the orchastra and our mind is the conductor.

This is the journey of words.

Part 1: 4- 6 questions on a familiar topic.

This will take about 5 minutes. Read the transcript below. This question will be in green and the response will be in blue.

There is no need to take notes. You answer these questions impromptu. ( meaning: spoken with no preparation. )

Examiner: Ok first then, a few questions about you and your life.
Let’s talk about your family. Do you come from a large or a small family?

You: A relatively large family, five members.

Examiner: Right, and do all your family live in the same town or city?

You: No, I live in Australia and my family live in Hungary.

Examiner: So how often do you see your brothers and sisters (or family)?

You: Probably one a year.

Examiner: Do you have a lot in common with them?

You: Well we look the same, I suppose our lives are little bit different, however.

Examiner: OK, Is it all right to talk about your friends?

You: That’s OK

Examiner: Do you have lots of friends or just a few, special friends?

You: I’ve got a few, very special friends but. I do have lots of people I can call friends.

Examiner: Can you say something about one or two of your friends?

You: Well I’ve got a special friend called Pat…er…she always helps me through rough times. I’ve got another special friend… Gordon, who is also wonderful and we share lots activities together.

Examiner: Let’s move on to talk about travelling to other countries.

Part 2: This will be your cue card question. You will be given a question on a cue card. You will have one minute to prepare and 2 minutes to respond

Examiner: What was one favorite country that you have traveled to and why?

Listen to a sample answer

Transcript

mmmm well it was … a … the last Country I had visited was … it was ah United Arab Emirates. And I like it ah so much mmmm for two main reasons: One was because I was going to meet with a very special person for me; a very close friend. And another one was because it was a Country with hmmm …. a lot of differences with my country. My hmmm… it’s like two cultures ah, completely opposite to each other and I like this contrast even the way of dressing, the way of behaving. The foods were so different and I liked them so much. It not hmmm… I, I didn’t like it as much hmmmm for, for the landscape or for … because the landscape, I think it’s not so beautiful. Just, they have very impressive buildings and so that I … this point I like it to. I like the contrast and I enjoyed a lot, this trip.

First let’s look at the positive points in this answer
1. The student clearly stated the country that she liked.

2. The student did a very good job at explaining why she liked her visit by giving 2 examples.

3. When giving her 2 examples she backed them up with reasons she liked the visit by giving several reasons such as her friend, the food and even why she did not like it.

4. The student when explaining why she did not like it even ended it on a positive note by stating that perhaps although the landscape was not that different, the buildings were beautiful.

Overall explaination was very good with complete thoughts. Well done!

Second: What improvements could be made?

1. Just try to keep your thinking words silent. hmm … ah … etc. This comes with practice. The more you practice the more comfortable you will be.

2. The last line was not a correct sentence. It would have been better stated. “I like this contrast and I enjoyed this trip a lot.” She could have also said, “very much”. Again, overall, a job well done with very minor improvements.

3. Also, the answer was on 1 minute and 25 seconds. Remember, you have to speak for 2 minutes. Within 5 -10 seconds of this goal, this is fine.

Part 3: Will be 4 – 6 questions related to the cue card question

This part will take no more than 5 – 6 minutes.

Where else do you think you want to travel?

Explain how you would enjoy this journey with yourself or with your friend?