Saturday, September 24, 2016

IELTS Materials and Resources, Get IELTS Tips, Tricks & Practice Test

IELTS Materials and Resources, Get IELTS Tips, Tricks & Practice Test


Overdo – Word Of The Day For IELTS

Posted: 24 Sep 2016 02:57 AM PDT

Overdo – Word Of The Day For IELTS Speaking And Writing

Overdo: (Verb) /əʊvəˈduː/

Definition:

to do something more than is suitable or natural

Synonyms: 

Overuse, Overplay, Exaggerate

Example:

For IELTS Speaking:.
“Use a few drawing and photographs, but don’t overdo it.”
“Analyst believe that worries about the economy are overdone.”

For IELTS Writing:
“Autumnal eyes are bold, obvious, slightly overdone, in deep, dark colours.”

Exercise:

Match these words and phrases with word below : gradually, recover, pace, overdoing, briskly, regular, recommendation, alternate.

  1. in a fixed pattern __________
  2. quickly _____________
  3. little by little __________
  4. a strong suggestion  ________________
  5. speed _____________
  6. doing something to excess _____________
  7. get better _______________
  8. every second one _____________

Answer key

  1. regular
  2. birskly
  3. gradually
  4. recommendation
  5. pace
  6. overdoing
  7. recover
  8. alternate

Check out Vocabulary for IELTS Speaking & Writing on IELTS Material website to improve your vocabulary for IELTS and get a high score in IELTS.

Have A Sinking Feeling – Idiom Of The Day

Posted: 24 Sep 2016 12:06 AM PDT

Have A Sinking Feeling – Idiom Of The Day For IELTS Speaking.

Definition: 

When you feel that something bad was about to happen.

Example:

“I had a sinking feeling when the policeman stood at my front door.”

“When Jane’s husband told her that he had to go to Germany for a week, she has already had a sinking feeling with his trip.”

“Willy has a sinking feeling when his wife asks him about this girl.”

Exercise: 

  1. Choose the suitable idiom to complete the sentence below.
    “I had forgotten to do my homework, so I _____________ when my teacher asked for it.”
    A. lost sleep over it.
    B. went out like a light.
    C. ran out of patience.
    D. had a sinking feeling.
  2. Describe the time when you forget something important. Try to use this idiom in your speech. You should say:
    – When it happened
    – What you forget
    – What you did
    And did you learn any lessons from this.

IELTS Listening Practice Test 50

Posted: 23 Sep 2016 11:57 PM PDT

SECTION 1

Questions 1-5

Complete the form below.

Write NO MORE THAN ONE WORD OR A NUMBER for each answer.

WESTLEY PUBLIC LIBRARY
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORM

FIRST NAME                                                     Peter

ADDRESS                                                             Flat 5
53  (1)……………………………..
Finsbury

POSTCODE                                                          (2)………………………………

DATE OF BIRTH                                                8th July (3)…………………………….

HOME TEL                                                          None

MOBILE TEL                                                      (4)………………………………………

PROOF OF RESIDENCE PROVIDED           (5)………………………………………

Questions 6 – 8

Circle THREE letters A – F.

What type of books does Peter like?

A. Wildlife books
B. Romance books
C. Travel books
D. Historical novels
E. Science Fiction novels
F. Mystery books

Question 9 – 10

Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS OR A NUMBER for each answer.

9. How much does it cost to join the library?

____________________________________

10. How much does it cost to rent a DVD?

____________________________________

SECTION 2

Questions 11 -14

List FOUR reasons given for people needing blood transfusions.

Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS OR A NUMBER for each answer.

Write your answers in boxes 11 -14 on your answer sheet.

11 __________________________________

12 __________________________________

13 __________________________________

14 __________________________________

Questions 15-20

Complete the 2 sets of notes below.

Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS OR A NUMBER for each answer.

Blood

Types of Blood                                O, A, B + AB

Component Parts

PART USED FOR
red blood cells (15)……………………………… to cells
white blood cells help patients’ (16)……………………………..
platelets blood clotting
plasma (17)………………………………….. the other blood parts

GIVING BLOOD

DAYS                                                    Wednesday + next 2 days

WHERE                                               Westley General Hospital. (18)……………………………… Department

WHEN                                                  Between 9.00am and (19)………………………………..

MUST                                                   be healthy
be (20) or over
weigh more than 110 pounds
have had no tattoos this year
not have donated blood within past 56 days

SECTION 3

Question 21-27

Complete the notes below.

Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS OR A NUMBER for each answer.

Computer Labs

The 4 labs below can be used by undergraduates. Other computer labs can only be used by postgraduates and (21)…………………………………

 Lab Locations                    Wimborne                                                    Johnson Building
Franklin                                                        Computer Sciences Building
Salisbury                                                       (22)………………………………
Court                                                              Johnson Building

Reservations                       (23)…………………………. a day unless computers are free
Write reservation in book (24)…………………………………….
(Penalty for erasing someone else’s reservation – 1 year ban)

User Name                         jamessmith2

Password                            (25)……………………………………

Printing                              Pick up print outs from (26)……………………………….. in Franklin
Costs (27)…………………………………..

Questions 28 – 30

Choose the correct letters A – C.

28. The introductory computer course that James decides to take is…

A. beginner.

B. intermediate.

C. advanced.

29. The computer laboratory for James' introductory computer course is in…

A. Wimborne

B. Franklin

C. Court

30. James will take his introductory computer course…

A. on Thursday at 2.00pm.

B. on Tuesday at 4.30pm.

C. on Tuesday at 5.00pm

SECTION 4:

Question 31 – 35

Complete the notes below 

Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS OR A NUMBER for each answer.

The Shinkansen or Bullet Train

Safety                             No deaths (bar 1 from passenger misadventure) since its launch in (31)………………………………

Speed                             Holds world train record for (32)……………………………….. of 261.8 kph.
500 series Nozumi’s fastest speed is 300kph.

Punctuality                   Punctual to within the second.
All bullet trains for 1 year were a total of (33)……………………………… late.

History                          First used on Tokyo to Osaka route.
Old models have now been retired.
300, 500 and 700 are recent models.

Services                         Nozomi trains stop at the (34)…………………………………
Hikari stop more frequently.
Kodama trains stop at (35)……………………………………..

Question 36 – 40

Complete the sentences below.

Write NO MORE THAN 3 WORDS for each answer.

36. French TGV locomotives pull the T6V trains from both ends using a …………………………………..

37. Japanese ground is unsuitable for the TGV type of train because it is ………………………………… and the tracks frequently curve horizontally and vertically.

38. An extra advantage of the Japanese electric car system is that it can act as a …………………………………….

39. Even after the power supply is cut off in the electric car system, electricity is still produced by ………………………

40. Huge improvements in power, operability and safety administration have been made possible by advances in …………………….

Answer keys

  1. Green Street
  2. 7434
  3. 1976
  4. 06634 982 746
  5. (An addressed) letter
  6. A
  7. D
  8. F
  9. Free/nothing
  10. $6 ($60 deposit)
  11. accidents/ burns
  12. heart surgery/ organ transplants
  13. patients with leukaemia/ cancer
  14. premature babies
  15. Carrying/ carry oxygen
  16. Immune/ defence system
  17. Carrying/ carries/ carry
  18. Outpatients
  19. 4.30pm
  20. 17
  21. Staff
  22. Library
  23. 2 hours
  24. In pen
  25. Biology
  26. Tray
  27. Nothing
  28. A
  29. B
  30. C
  31. 1964
  32. Fastest average speed
  33. 12 seconds
  34. Most important stations
  35. All stations
  36. Centralised power system
  37. Flimsy
  38. Brake
  39. Magnetic Induction
  40. Semiconductor technologies

BONUS EXERCISE: GAP-FILLING 

The texts below are transcript for your IELTS Listening Practice Test. To make the most out of this transcript, we removed some words from the texts and replaced with spaces. You has to fill each space with the missing word by listening to the audio for this IELTS listening practice test. 

Section 1. You will hear a conversation between a man and a woman as the man joins a local library.

Peter:  Hello, I'm new in the area and I'd like to join the [………………………………]please.

Will:  That's no problem. Let me get an [………………………………]form. Here we are. Now all we have to do is fill this in and then I'll get you to sign and you'll be a member.

P Great

W Now then. What's your full name?

P          Peter Adrian [………………………………].

W        How do you spell Camden?

P          C-A-M-D-E-N

W        C-A-M-D-E-N

P          Yes, that's right.

W        Right, and what's your address?

P          [………………………………], Finsbury.

W        Ok. Got that. That's near here isn't it?

P          Yes, just 5 minutes walk.

W        What's the post code?

P          7424.. I..I mean, sorry, [………………………………].

W        Got that now. Now, can you tell me your date of birth?

P          [………………………………]

W        And, what's your telephone number?

P          Well, I don't have a home number but I've got a mobile.

W        That'll do fine.

P          It's [………………………………]. Did you get that?

W        Some of it. Can you say it again?

P          The code's 06634 and the number's then 982 746

W        Right. That's almost it. Now I need some kind of [………………………………]to prove where you live. Do you have a [………………………………]or a passport or anything like that?

P I'm afraid that everything I have, has got my old address on it. Do you need it now?

W No, not now, but you won't be able to take anything out until we see that.

P Wait a minute. I've got a letter [………………………………]to me here that arrived this morning. Will that do?

W Oh yes. That's a good idea. That will be fine…. Let's look. Ok. Well, that's that finished. Before the [………………………………]continues, you have some time to look at questions 6 to 10.

W Could I ask you a few questions? The Council that runs the library is running a [………………………………]to find out what kind of books people prefer so that they can [………………………………]their buying.

P Yeah, no problem.

W OK. So, what type of books do you like?

P Well, I'm very keen on [………………………………]. You know, when a [………………………………]is trying to find out who did the [………………………………]. Historical novels interest me too. Romance never! My sister loves them but they bore me to [………………………………]. I quite like books on animals too. I get them out sometimes. Not [………………………………]either. Too weird.

W        Well, I think that's it then.

P          Good. Oh, do you [………………………………]anything?

W        The library is free unless you want to rent out some of our videos or DVDs.

P          How much is that?

W        Well, we rent videos out for [………………………………]each and DVDs are [………………………………]. You must leave us a [………………………………] of$60 as well. That's returnable of course.

P          I don't think I'll get any of those just yet. Can I pay later?

W        Sure, just give the money in when you're ready to rent them out.

P          Well thanks very much. You've been very helpful. I might take a book out now for the weekend, if that's OK?

W        Go ahead.

M Well, goodbye.

Section 2. You will hear a radio presenter interviewing a doctor.

Interviewer: Hello everyone. I've just been joined in the studio by Dr. Matthew Johnson. Dr. Johnson works at Westley General [………………………………]and he is here today to tell us all about giving blood. Good morning Matthew.

Matthew: Good morning.

Interviewer: So, Matthew. Why is it important for us to give [………………………………]?

Matthew: Donating blood is not important. It's actually [………………………………]that people do this. Without [………………………………]blood, thousands of people would die every year and it's something that could affect everyone.

We all expect blood to be there for us, but [………………………………]a fraction of those who can give, do. Yet sooner or later, virtually all of us will face a time of great [………………………………]in which we will need blood. And that time is all too often [………………………………]. The need for blood is great. On any given day, an average of [………………………………]units of red blood cells are needed. Blood [………………………………]are often needed for victims of things such as [………………………………]and burns, heart surgery, [………………………………]transplants, and patients receiving [………………………………]for leukaemia, cancer or other [………………………………]. In 2002, nearly [………………………………]units of blood components were transfused. And with an aging population and advances in medical [………………………………]and procedures requiring blood transfusions, the demand for blood continues to increase.

Interviewer: We really need that much?

Matthew: Yes. And we need it now. Blood supplies [………………………………]have reached [………………………………]low levels, with less than one day's supply of several blood types. Thousands of accident [………………………………], cancer patients, [………………………………]babies and countless others who need blood to stay alive are hoping you'll care enough to help them. All blood types are needed.

Interviewer: What are the different types?

Matthew: It's a bit more complicated than that. First we collect the whole blood from [………………………………]and then it's sorted into the different types which are basically O, A, B or AB though there are also [………………………………]here. Then the blood is split into its [………………………………]parts. We divide it into 4 basic parts. First there are the red blood cells, then the white blood cells, then things called [………………………………]and finally plasma. This is shipped off to hospitals where they use the blood parts that the patients need.

Interviewer: What are the different parts used for?

Matthew: Well, as I said before the whole blood is your blood in its [………………………………]and something we rarely use. It's much more useful to us to have it separated into its component parts. Red blood cells are what everyone [………………………………]with blood, i.e.: it's red. It's widely used to replace lost blood during [………………………………]or when people [………………………………]. Its main function is to carry [………………………………]to cells. White blood cells are the most important part of the body's [………………………………]system and they're used for patients whose normal [………………………………]systems aren't working properly. Platelets are [………………………………]for making your blood clot and we need to give them to patients who suffer from [………………………………]that deplete their natural levels of platelets or they will bleed to death. Finally, [………………………………]is what carries the other parts of blood around and needs to be [………………………………]with any of the other [………………………………]. Take away the red blood cells and this is actually yellow.

Interviewer: So, that's what blood is all about. Now, you're here in Westley today to collect blood. Can you tell us where and when we can donate?

Matthew: Of course! We're set up here today, that's [………………………………], and for the next two days at Westley General Hospital at the Outpatients Department. Come along between 9am and 4.30pm and we'll be able to deal with you within one hour. And let me tell you a few things that will calm your [………………………………]about giving blood. Aside from a brief [………………………………]prick, it doesn't hurt to give blood. Your body will replace the blood you donate within days of your [………………………………]. And finally you can't catch AIDS, [………………………………]or any other disease by giving blood. And of course, you get a cup of tea and a biscuit [………………………………].

Interviewer: And can anyone give blood?

Matthew: Almost everyone. Donors must be in [………………………………]good health, be at least [………………………………]of age, weigh no less than [………………………………], have not received a [………………………………]within the past year and not have donated whole blood within the past [………………………………]. We screen donors with a series of questions before we take the blood so, if you're [………………………………], come down and we'll let you know. Please come down and see us. Remember, if you can donate one pint of blood, this can save up to three lives.

Interviewer: Well, thanks Matthew. I for one will [………………………………]be going down to Westley General to donate.

Section 3. You will hear a conversation between 3 people about use of university computers.

Jim      Hello there. Do you work in the computer room?

Yes, I do. Can I help you?

Jim      Well, I'm a first year and I know that I'll need to use the computer room for my work as I don't have a computer of my own. So, I thought I'd get down here and see what I have to do in order to get time on one of the [………………………………]computers.

Dave   OK. There are 4 computer labs open to [………………………………]. The others can only be used by the staff and [………………………………]. The names of the 4 labs that you can use are Wimborne, Franklin, Salisbury and Court. [………………………………]and Court are in this building, the Johnson building,

Franklin is in the Computer Sciences building and Salisbury is in the library.

Jim      So I can use them whenever I like?

Dave   Well, you can use them but not whenever you like. As you can [………………………………]they're in quite a lot of demand so you have to [………………………………]your time on a computer. In each of the labs there is a [………………………………]book and you can reserve your time on a computer in that for 2 hours daily. If a computer is free though you can go on it straight away. It's quite straightforward but be sure to always write your name in the reservation book in pen or someone can rub it out and put their name [………………………………]Jim   Oh my God! Does that really happen?

Dave   I'm afraid so. And far more often than you would think. When people are [………………………………]about their [………………………………], they'll do anything to get some time on the computers. Better not try it yourself though or you'll be [………………………………]from the computers for the rest of the [………………………………]year and your password and username will be taken away.

Jim      That reminds me. I've got to get a username and [………………………………]. How do I go about that then?

Dave   Well, what I'll do is pass you over to my [………………………………], Jane, as she's in charge of all that. Jane!

Jane    Yes Dave.

Dave   I've got a new student here wanting to find out about usernames and passwords. Can you help him out with that?

Jane    Yeah sure. Hi there.

Jim      Hi.

Jane    Well, it's a straightforward [………………………………]. First of all tell me your name and I'll type it into the system.

Jim      James Smith.

Jane    Right, let me do that. You see all students are automatically given a username and then they just choose a password [………………………………]. OK. So, your username is [………………………………]– that's all small case. That means there must be more than one of you at the university at the moment. Well, what do you want your password to be?

Jim      I think I'll choose [………………………………], as that's the subject that I'm studying though my [………………………………]Mary will be upset that it's not her name I'm using.

Jane    Well, that's all done. You can now use any of the four undergraduate computer labs.

Jim      By the way, can I [………………………………]stuff at the labs?

Jane    Yes you can but sometimes it's not quick. When you print it goes into a [………………………………]and it will be left in a tray in Franklin, as that's where all the main printers are. The good bit is that, although last year it cost 3 pence per page, now it doesn't cost you anything.

Jim      I don't really know much about computing. Is there any training available?

Jane    Yes. We have [………………………………]courses for all new students. There is beginner, intermediate and advanced. Which would you like to go for?

Jim      Well, I have done some but I don't know if I'm up to anything more than beginner. I'd better stick with that. [………………………………]could be too tough.

Jane    Well your course is in Franklin then. We're in Court now. You know where that is?

Jim      That's in this building too, isn't it?

Jane    No that's Wimborne you're thinking about. Franklin's over in the Computer Sciences Building. Anything else?

Jim      I don't know what time the course starts.

Jane    Let's have a look then. Advanced starts at [………………………………]in the afternoon on Mondays but yours is the day after at 5 in the afternoon.

Jim      Are there any other times as I've got a part time job then.

Jane    Yes. You could try [………………………………]at 2.00 pm. How's that?

Jim      Even worse as I've a [………………………………]then. Anything else?

Jane    No. That's it.

Jim      I'll have to [………………………………]work then. I can't miss the tutorial.

Section 4. You will hear part a university seminar given by a student.

Tutor

Good afternoon everyone. In today's [………………………………]we are going to continue listening to different students giving us a [………………………………]on the subject of their term paper. Now today is Hillary's turn. So, what are you going to talk about today [………………………………]?

Hillary

Well, some of you will know that I was [………………………………]when I was young in Japan and I'm going to do my term paper on Japan's [………………………………]trains, which have [………………………………]their rail industry. Japan's main island Honshu is covered by a network of high speed train lines that connect Tokyo with most of the island's [………………………………]and Fukuoka on the island of Kyushu. Japan's high-speed trains are called [………………………………]but are known to us bullet trains. The Japanese [………………………………]train system is [………………………………]with being the world's first purpose-built high-speed railway, and the model and [………………………………]for all other similar type systems running today such as the French TGV. The reputation it has earned for safety, speed and punctuality is [………………………………]. I'd like to give you some figures about that. As [………………………………]safety, there has never been a death on the bullet train system since it's [………………………………]in 1964, other than that caused by [………………………………]passenger misadventure. As far as speed is concerned the bullet train holds the current world records for the fastest [………………………………]speed between two station stops, which was [………………………………]between Hiroshima and Kokura. The train travelled [………………………………] in 44 minutes. This record is from the 500 series “Nozomi" trains running at a maximum speed of [………………………………]between Shin-Osaka and Hakata. I'll talk more about them later. The [………………………………]puts European train services to shame. Most trains arrive at their destination, after several hours, to within the second!

In one year, the total time that all bullets trains were late by was 12 seconds! This [………………………………]is hard to believe but it would be difficult to prove otherwise and that's what the rail [………………………………]in Japan have told us.

Now I'd like to tell you a bit about their history. The first bullet train was introduced in [………………………………]by Central & West Japan Railways for the Tokyo to Osaka route. Most of these old trains have now been [………………………………]. There have been several bullet train models since then. The most recent ones have been the 300, 500 and 700 series and it's the 500 series one that can travel at 300 kph. The [………………………………]operating in Japan today are of the three following [………………………………]: Nozomi, Hikari and Kodama. The Nozomi trains stop only at the most important stations, and reach Osaka from Tokyo in only about two and a half hours and it's the most modern of bullet trains that serve as Nozomi. Hikari trains stop a little bit more [………………………………]than Nozomi trains, and need roughly [………………………………]to reach Osaka from Tokyo. Kodama trains stop at all stations and they are the local trains among bullet trains. Older models of bullet trains serve as Kodama.

I'd like now to talk a little bit about the technology [………………………………]in bullet trains. The Shinkansen bullet trains consist of electrically [………………………………]cars. That means basically all individual cars are [………………………………]with electric motor driving systems. This is in contrast to [………………………………]trains in which the locomotive pulls the passenger [………………………………]. The realization of the high-speed Shinkansen with the electric train system had a great [………………………………]. The French "Train a Grande Vitesse" or TGV runs on a [………………………………]power system, in which the heavyweight, high-output locomotives at both ends pull the passenger coaches. It's a system suitable to European [………………………………], which run basically on straight tracks in wide plains with solid foundations. However it is [………………………………]in Japan where the ground is [………………………………]and the tracks full of curves and undulations and inter-city distances are short, making it necessary for the trains to [………………………………]and decelerate frequently. One of the advantages of the electric car system is that the motor functions as a [………………………………]to reduce the speed of the train. When the power feed to the electric car motors is stopped, the wheels continue [………………………………], keeping the motors rotating, resulting in electricity generation by magnetic induction. As the force acts in the direction opposite to the [………………………………], it functions as a brake to the train. All the motors [………………………………]on each coach can be utilized effectively to reduce the speed, making the electric train system advantageous on Japanese railways, which involve frequent deceleration and acceleration. In addition, by [………………………………]of the remarkable progress achieved recently in [………………………………]technologies, the electric train system has [………………………………]tremendous improvements in power, [………………………………]and safety administration, so the system is becoming increasingly [………………………………].

Practice every day to improve your IELTS listening skills. Don’t forget to visit IELTS Material website on a daily basis to find more practice tests for every skill in the IELTS Test.

IELTS Cue Card Sample 45 – Topic: First Time You Used a Foreign Language  

Posted: 23 Sep 2016 11:27 PM PDT

IELTS Cue Card for IELTS Speaking Part 2:

Describe the first time you used a foreign language to communicate.
You should say:
what the situation was
where you were who you communicated with
and explain why you used a foreign language to communicate on this occasion.

BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER:

I have been learning English for a long time, but I haven‟t had many chances to practice speaking English with native speakers. To the best of my recollection, the first time I used it was on Christmas Eve three years ago.
At that time, I was hanging out with my friends. Suddenly, a foreigner came up to me and asked for directions to a supermarket. Honestly, he spoke too quickly for me to catch everything. But after he repeated his words, I finally understood and showed him the way to the nearest supermarket. I used body language a lot to explain the directions to him, since I didn‟t speak English well then. After that, he said "Thank you" to me and headed for the supermarket. I realize that English plays an important role in our life, despite the fact that we don‟t live in English-speaking countries. It is spoken globally and it‟s becoming the dominant language. Therefore, I have been trying to practice speaking English daily so that I can have a good command of this language, and I can talk confidently with foreigners, whatever the topic of conversation.

VOCABULARY
to the best of my recollection: [expression] if I remember correctly. Example: I was not present at that meeting, to the best of my recollection.
hanging out: [phrasal verb] spending a lot of time in a particular place, but doing no special activity. Example: My friends and I enjoy hanging out at our local coffee shop, just chatting and enjoying a coffee.
came up to: [phrasal verb] approached. Example: The manager came up to me and shook my hand.
catch everything: [expression] hear or understand everything that he said. Example: At the train station it was too noisy to hear all the information clearly, and I was unable to catch everything.
body language: [noun] the way that you show what you feel or think by moving your body. Example: Sometimes, our teacher uses body language, not words, to help to communicate an idea.
headed for: [phrasal verb] moved in a particular direction. Example: After the show finished, everyone headed for the exits.
have a good command of: [expression] have a good knowledge of something. Example: People who apply for this job must have a good command of English, in order to communicate with our American customers

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