Sunday, September 25, 2016

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

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


Be On Thin Ice – Idiom Of The Day For IELTS

Posted: 25 Sep 2016 02:39 AM PDT

Be On Thin Ice – Idiom Of The Day For IELTS Speaking.

Definition: 

Taking a risk

Example:

“If I want to gain a big prize, I have to be on thin ice.”

“Taking a gap year off after finishing the study in a high school is becoming a hot trend for the youngster. Some people think it is on thin ice.”

“Jack is always on thin ice which makes him interesting.”

Exercise: 

  1. Choose the suitable idiom to complete the sentence below.
    “I really think you _____________ when you criticise your manager so strongly.”
    A. are on thin ice.
    B. go out like a light.
    C. run out of patience.
    D. have a sinking feeling.
  2. Describe the time when you did something dangerous. Try to use this idiom in your speech. You should say:
    – When it happened
    – What you did
    – Why it was dangerous
    And explain why you did it.

IELTS Band 9 Vocab Secrets Cambridge (Ebook)

Posted: 25 Sep 2016 02:07 AM PDT

IELTS Band 9 Vocab Secrets is published by Cambridge IELTS Consultants. This book introduces you to these ten IELTS topics.

Book Description

Each of our ten modules summarises the various elements of a topic, and gives an example Academic Task 2 Writing Task exactly like the ones you will see in the exam. It also explains how to answer the writing Task. Each module then

It also explains how to answer the writing Task. Each module then teaches a large amount of vocabulary related to the module topic, contained in a Band 9 model essay so that you see how the words arc used in IELTS Writing.

Each module has a clear-to-follow definition of each word or phrase, and a further example of how to use these topic words again in the Speaking part of the test, so that you are ready to use the vocabulary in both Writing and Speaking.

If you are not yet familiar with the different types of IELTS Academic Writing Task 2 essays, please start by reading our 'Overview' from the table of Contents. If you have already read our other books on this concept, please go straight to the Topic Modules to begin expanding your IELTS vocabulary.

If you are not yet familiar with the different parts of the IELTS Speaking test, please consider reading our Band 9 Speaking book for help, either before or after you finish this book.

If you need a dictionary while using this book, we recommend the free Cambridge Dictionaries Online from Cambridge University Press.

How to use this book

This book will teach you a very large amount of vocabulary of exactly the type that the IELTS examiners want to see and hear from you in the exam, covering the ten IELTS topics. It is important that you prepare to answer questions on all of these ten topics, because they all may be used in the
test. Therefore, do not start by trying to remember all the words from Module 1, then all the words from Module 2 and so on.

Try to learn and practise a small number of words from Modules 1 to 10 at first, and then a slightly larger group of words from Modules 1 to 10, and so on. In this way, you will develop a wide IELTS vocabulary on all the topics, and not become a 'specialist' in just one topic.

Free Download Here:  Download Ebook

Grammar For IELTS: A, An, The (Part 1)

Posted: 25 Sep 2016 02:00 AM PDT

Those little words that can be so difficult to use correctly— introduce and identify nouns. There are two kinds of articles in English: indefinite (a, an) and definite (the). Articles occur before nouns (the book) and before adjective + noun combinations (a big book).

CHECK YOUR GRAMMAR

Five of the eight underlined words or phrases contain an error related to articles. Can you explain why each of these underlined areas is (or is not) wrong? Discuss with a partner.

Architecture—More Than Solving Problems

In the architecture, as in any art, it is never enough to solve a problem. Building forms have the profound effect on the quality of life; the painting and the sculpture reflect, comment on, and affect future of the arts and of humanity.

If you can’t find all 5 errors from the paragraph above, go through our lesson about Article to get all articles done in a correct way!

  1. Article Basics

This chart gives you the basic uses of articles in English.

Articles
Count Nouns Noncount Nouns
Indefinite articles (a, an) a cat

an ugly cat

an answer

cats

ugly cats

answers

money
Definite article (the) the cat the cats the money

2. Three Rules for Avoiding Common Article Mistakes

The following three rules, repeated later in the chapter, are grouped here because they are the main rules that will help you avoid the most common mistakes with articles.

Rule 1. Use a, an, or the (or another word such as my or this) with singular count nouns.

  • Incorrect: Most university students own computer.
  • Correct: Most university students own a computer.

Rule 2. Use the with specific noun references, either singular or plural. Specific noun references are definite.

  • Incorrect: Title of this course sounds interesting.
  • Correct: The title of this course sounds interesting.
  • Incorrect: Questions on yesterday’s grammar test were difficult.
  • Correct: The questions on yesterday’s grammar test were difficult.

Rule 3. Do not use the with general noun references, either singular or plural. General noun references are indefinite.

  • Incorrect: Our government should spend more money on the education.
  • Correct: Our government should spend more money on education.
  • Incorrect: The successful presentations require planning and practice.
  • Correct: Successful presentations require planning and practice.

3. Indefinite Articles

The indefinite articles are a and an. Use a and an with indefinite singular count nouns. Here are the main rules for indefinite articles.

  • Use a and an to introduce a singular count noun.

Let’s take a speech class this semester.

There is an excellent show on TV tonight.

  • Use a and an to define or classify something.

Jambalaya is a rice dish that is native to south Louisiana.

My brother is an investigator for the city health department.

  • Use a and an to show that you are talking about one (of the item).

Excuse me. Do you have a pencil that I could borrow?

I need an eraser, as well.

  • Do not use one interchangeably to mean a. “Do you have one pencil?” emphasises the number, not the pencil.
  •  Special time expressions: One is used before day, week, month, and so forth, to refer to a particular time when something occurred, as in “One day I visited the new museum in town.”
  •  Use a and an for a general truth about a singular count noun. Reference is to all or most of the members in the group. (Note that a plural count noun without any article expresses the same idea.)

   A piano has 96 keys. (= Pianos have 96 keys.)

   A teacher should plan lessons. (= Teachers should plan lessons.)

  • We do not usually use an article with a noncount noun. Articles can be used with abstract nouns that are derived from verbs.

Time is money, (no article)

Hospitals saw a demand for better care, (abstract noun)


Exercise:
Read the sentences and determine which of the four rules applies to the underlined noun or noun phrase. Put the rule number(s) in the blank. The first one has been done for you.

1 .__3__Georgia O’Keeffe was an American painter born in 1887 near Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.

2 .______O’Keeffe grew up on a dairy farm and knew at an early age that she wanted to be an artist.

3 ._____She held jobs as a commercial artist and as a teacher before moving to New York in 1918.

4 .______In New York, O’Keeffe found a new life with Alfred Stieglitz, a photographer and owner of the 291 gallery.

5 ._______In 1928, she took a vacation and went to Taos, New Mexico.

6 ._______The trip had an impact of such enormity that it changed her life forever. She referred to northern New Mexico as “the faraway.”

7 ._______New Mexico was a place with wide vistas and far-reaching horizons. O’Keeffe bought a Model A Ford with which to explore the back roads of her new home.

8 .______O’Keeffe’s large-flower paintings have been referred to as a woman’s art style, as though art created by a woman differed from that made by a man.

9 .______Today O’Keeffe remains an important contributor to American art of the twentieth century.

Hope this post could help you increase your writing also speaking skills in the IELTS Test. Don’t forget to check out our website (ieltsmaterial.com) to find more tips about the IELTS Test.

IELTS Listening Practice Test 51

Posted: 25 Sep 2016 12:41 AM PDT

SECTION 1

Questions 1 – 5

Complete the form below. Write NO MORE THAN ONE WORD OR A NUMBER for each answer.

Oakham Surgery
New Patient Form

Example                                                                           Answer
NEW PATIENT’S ROAD                                      Dawson Road

FULL NAME                                                                  Mike (1)……………………………..

WIFE'S FIRST NAME                                                  Janet

CHILDRENS’ FIRST NAMES                                     1st (2)……………………………..
2nd
3rd
4th

ADDRESS                                                                        52 Dawson Road
(3)…………………………………
Melbourne

HEALTH CARD NUMBER                                           (4)…………………………………

WIFE'S HEALTH CARD NUMBER                            will give later

PREFERRED DOCTOR SELECTED                           (5)…………………………………

Questions 6 – 10

Circle the correct letters A – C.

6. When is Mike's wife’s first appointment?

A. Friday 21st at 2.00pm.

B. Friday 21st at 2.30pm.

C. Friday 21st at 3.30pm.

7. What is the surgery’s phone number?

A. 7253 9819

B. 7253 9829

C. 7523 9829

8. What is the name of the girl with whom Mike is speaking at the surgery?

A. Rachel

B. Elizabeth

C. Angela

9. What's the night doctor's mobile number?

A. 0506 759 3856

B. 0506 759 3857

C. 0506 758 3856

10. Which of the following does the surgery NOT make a charge for?

A. Travel vaccinations

B. Consultations

C. Insurance reports

SECTION 2

Questions 11-16

Complete the notes below.

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

Notes on Library

Joining Library                                     You will need:                A completed application form.
(11)
(12)
Two passport photos.

Opening Hours                                     Library Reception         8am – 10om (13)………………………………
9am – 5pm (- 6.30 on (14)…………………………………….. )
(Mon-Sat: closed on Sundays)

Borrowing                                            Undergraduates             4 books
Postgraduates                 (15) …………………………………….
Borrowing for 2 weeks + (16)………………………………….. books renewals (in person)
No renewals over phone
Late return penalty: £2 per week

Questions 17 – 20

Label the library layout below.

Ground Floor                                                          reception; (17)……………………………………….
bathrooms; (18)…………………………………….

First Floor                                                                (19)…………………………………… section

Second Floor                                                            Science Section

(20)……………………….                                              Stack System

SECTION 3

Questions 21 – 24

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

21. When will Simon begin writing his essay?

_______________________________

22. According to Simon, what kind of problems did Jaguar have in the 1970s and 80s?

_______________________________

23. What is the word limit for the essay?

_______________________________

24. What is the preferable method for handing in the essay?

_______________________________

Questions 25 – 27

Complete the sentences below.

Write NO MORE THAN 3 WORDS for each answer.

25. Jennifer wants to write about how ……………………………….. are used by supermarkets.

26. Jennifer found some publications in the library ……………………………… to help her analysis.

27. The tutor warned Jennifer about ……………………………………… in her work.

Questions 28 – 30

Complete the tutor's summary notes on Melanie below. 

Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.

Notes on Student Essays

Student Melanie needs an (28)…………………………………. as she has been unwell with the flu. She will get a (29)…………………………… from the doctor. She's going to write about (30)……………………………. in the UK and their effect on housing trends. She should be on track with the  essay by the end of the weekend.

SECTION 4

Questions 31 – 33

Choose the correct letters A – C.

31. The Pacific is more prone to tsunami because…

A. it has many faults.

B. its faults undergo subduction.

C. its tectonic plates are bigger than elsewhere.

32. The biggest tsunami are usually created by…

A. undersea volcanic eruptions.

B. undersea earthquakes.

C. undersea landslides.

33. Tsunami are difficult to detect in deep water because of…

A. their wavelength.

B. their high speed.

C. their wave rate.

Questions 34 and 35

Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.

List the two ways which the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has set up to detect tsunami.

34. _____________________________

35. _____________________________

Questions 36 – 40

When Happened Cause Deaths Caused Wave Height
1992 (36)……………………….. none 3 feet
1992 Underwate
earthquake
none (37)……………………..
1998 (38)………………………. 1200 23 feet
1998 Underwater
volcanic eruption
3000 40 feet
1896 Underwater
earthquake
(39)…………………….. 35 feet
8000 years ago Underwater
landslide
(40)……………………. 30 feet

Answer keys:

  1. Jacobs
  2. Rod
  3. Highfield
  4. NH 87 18 12 C
  5. Dr (Kevin) White
  6. A
  7. B
  8. C
  9. A
  10. B
  11. 5 pound fee
  12. University card
  13. Daily
  14. Friday(s)
  15. 6
  16. 1 week
  17. Computers
  18. Non-leading section
  19. Arts
  20. Basement
  21. Tomorrow
  22. Reliability
  23. 4000 words
  24. E-mail attachment
  25. Market surveys
  26. Stack system
  27. Plagiarism/ using their conclusions
  28. Extension
  29. Doctor’s note/ certificate
  30. Mortgage interest rates
  31. B
  32. B
  33. A
  34. Seismic detection system
  35. Buoys (at sea)
  36. Offshore landslide
  37. No wave/ zero feet
  38. Submarine earthquake
  39. 26,000 people
  40. None

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 receptionist on the subject of joining a surgery.

Mike (man) Hello. I've just moved to [………………………………]for a new job and I've been [………………………………]to register with a new doctor for my family and myself. I think that this [………………………………]is the nearest one to where I live.

Recep. What's the name of the road that you live in sir?

M Dawson Road.

R Yes. That's in our area. Would you like to [………………………………]with us now?

M Yes please.

R Right. I'll just have to take some details. First of all, could you give me your name?

M It's [………………………………]. J-A-C-O-B-S.

R And your family?

M My wife's name is Janet and I have one little boy whose name is Rod.

R         Ron?

M        No, Rod. R-O-D.

R         Good, that's fine. And what is your address here in Melbourne?

M        [………………………………], Highfield. Melbourne.

R         Highfield. H-I-G-H-F-I-E-L-D. Good. And I'll need to know your health card number.

M        It's [………………………………]. What about my family?

R         Oh, only yours for now. Do you know the name of your old doctor?

M        It was Dr. Graham McKenzie in Perth.

R         Now, we've got 4 doctors here. There's Dr. Susan Larkins, Dr. Kevin White, Dr. James Nicholson and Dr. Linda Williams. Which one would you like to register with?

M Oh! I didn't think of that. Well, I think I would like a man as my doctor. I'll go for the last one. Was that one a man?

R No, that was Dr. Linda. How about Dr. Kevin?

M Yes, that will be fine.

R Right. Dr. White it is. Will that be the same for your family?

M Oh yes. My wife might not want a man as her doctor. Well, we'll leave it as it is for now and my wife can change if she wants to.

M I'd like to make an [………………………………]now for my wife. She wants to come in at the end of the week.

R How about this Friday morning? That's [………………………………]M Mmm, I don't think she can make the morning. Any openings in the afternoon?

R There are appointments available at 2.00, 2.30 and 3.30. M We'll take the first one please.

Ok. That's done.

M        Oh. And what shall my wife do if she wants to [………………………………]doctor?

R         She can just give us a call here. Do you want to take the number down?

M        Yes please.

R         It's [………………………………]M           Can you give me your name please?

R         My name's Angela but there are two other girls who might be on duty as well. Their names are Elizabeth and Rachel but it doesn't matter who's on duty. Anyone can [………………………………]of it.

M Now what do we do if we need to call out a doctor during the night?

R We've got a [………………………………]system with the doctors in the area. There's a [………………………………]you can call and that'll get through to the doctor who's on duty.

M What's that number?

R It's [………………………………]M Got that. I didn't ask about any charges.

R Like all Australia, [………………………………]have to be paid for at the chemist at the [………………………………]rate. Some things like [………………………………]for travel and insurance reports we make a standard charge for and I can give you a price list for those. [………………………………]though are under the National Health Service so they'll be free.

M Great. Well that's all. Thanks and goodbye.

R Goodbye.

 Section 2. You will hear a man giving a guide talk to new students at a university library.

Good morning everyone. I'd like to welcome you all to Westley University Library. This is a [………………………………]tour around the library to show you all the [………………………………]and all you will need to know to start off your life here as a student at the University. What I'll start by doing is telling you about what you need to do to join the [………………………………]. Then I'll [………………………………]tell you about our facilities and then I'll guide you quickly round and show you everything.

So to join the Library you need to go to the [………………………………]between the hours of 9am and 5pm. After that the reception closes, though all the other facilities will stay open until 10pm. At the reception they'll give you an [………………………………]form. After you fill that in, you'll have to give us the fee of [………………………………], which you have to give us every year that you're a member of the Library. We will also need to see your University Card to [………………………………]that you're a student of the University and finally we'll need 2 [………………………………] photos – 1 for our records and the other for your Library card. You will need to do all this as soon as possible so you'll be able to use the facilities at once. I'm sure your [………………………………]will begin to build up soon!

Now, let me tell you a bit about the facilities. The Library opens daily from 8am to 10pm though, as I told you earlier, the Reception [………………………………]only between the hours of 9am and 5pm, although this is [………………………………]to 6.30pm on Fridays to give students more time to organise their book requirements for the weekend. The reception is closed on [………………………………]. Undergraduate students are [………………………………]to take out 4 books at any one time and each book may be [………………………………]for a period of two weeks. [………………………………]may borrow 6 books at a time. Borrowing time can be extended by a period of one week per book if the student comes into the Library in person with the book in question so it can be [………………………………]. We do not renew book borrowing over the phone. If you are late in returning any book, then you will be charged a fine of [………………………………]for every week that you are late. You won't be able to take out any other books until this fine is paid. This is not a method of earning money for the Library but [………………………………]what we have to do to [………………………………]that all students have access to all the books that they will need.

Ok then. Onto the [………………………………]of the library. We're on the ground floor of the library at the moment. Here we have the reception, the computers, which you can use to search for books and their location, and the [………………………………], which are behind the reception. The rest of the ground floor is taken up by the [………………………………]section of the library. Here we keep all the books, which are either too [………………………………]or are used too much to lend out. You can [………………………………]time with these books at reception and use them during any time that the library is open but, of course, you may not remove them from the Library.

On the first floor above us, we have the Arts section, which includes books that students will need for such [………………………………]as languages, literature, art and history. On the second floor is the science [………………………………]. We'll see these in a minute. Of course, [………………………………]departments will usually have their [………………………………]libraries in their buildings, though the computer [………………………………]here will list them so you know where to find everything, whether it's here or in the specialist libraries.

Finally, in the [………………………………]we have the stack system, which contains the University collection of magazines and journals that we have collected and to which we subscribe.

If there is anything that we do not have or that you can't find, please go to reception and let them know the [………………………………]. The University operates a swap system with other universities and we can arrange for volumes that we do not [………………………………]to be sent here on a limited loan.

Well, those are the basic details about the University Library.

 Section 3. You will hear tutor and 3 students discussing their work.

Tutor  Good morning everyone. Well, in today's tutorial we're going to [………………………………]the essays that you have to [………………………………]by the end of next week. Some of you will have already started them, which is good and if you haven't, well that's OK but you'll have to get a move on. So, let's begin with you Simon. What's happening with you?

Simon Well, I've made a start on it. I've [………………………………]the background quite [………………………………]last weekend and I should get to the writing [………………………………]tomorrow with a bit of luck and I'll get it finished at the weekend.

Tutor  What are you writing about?

Simon I decided to look at the car [………………………………]company, Jaguar, examine the problems they had with [………………………………]in the 1970s and 80s, how they dealt with it, and how it [………………………………]their marketing and sales [………………………………].

Tutor  That sounds pretty interesting. Any problems with that?

Simon At the start I had problems getting information from that far back, but after rooting around in the library, I found some [………………………………]which gave me information and also gave me [………………………………]to find other stuff. It seems now the only problem is keeping to the [………………………………] limit. It just seems that I have so much to write about. It seems I'll need 5000 or even 6000 words to be able to cope.

Tutor  Yes, your essay title seems to me to be very wide-ranging. Would you think about cutting out part of it? How about looking at their sales and marketing strategy but only [………………………………]the problems in the [………………………………] and [………………………………]and not going too far into it?

Simon That's a good idea. That will make it much easier to handle. By the way, how do you want us to hand in our work? Do you want us to drop in a hard copy to your office?

Tutor  You could do that but I'd prefer it if you just e-mailed it to me as an [………………………………]. You've all got my address. If not, give it to the [………………………………]clearly marked that it's for me. Right, Jennifer, how about you?

Jennifer I've not really got going on it yet but I've decided on a subject. I'll try and do some research during the rest of this week and I should get writing this weekend.

Tutor  OK, what are you writing about then?

Jennifer I want to look into how [………………………………]use market surveys to develop their products.

Tutor  Will you have enough time to find out what sort of things that the supermarkets do? You won't have much time for that.

Jennifer I should be OK. I've had a look in the [………………………………]system in the library and I've found a magazine that [………………………………]all the UK major supermarkets and a trade [………………………………]that analysed the same things in Canadian supermarkets.

Tutor  Be careful about using their [………………………………]too much. The university takes a tough stance on [………………………………]. Make sure you properly list where you get your information from in a [………………………………]and try and do your own analysis. Get going too as that analysis will take a bit of time.

Jennifer OK, thanks.

Tutor  And Melanie. How is your work going?

Melanie I'm a bit behind I'm afraid. I was sick all last week and weekend with flu. I've got a subject I think but I've not done any work on it yet. Is there any chance I can get an [………………………………]to the submittal date?

Tutor  The policy of the department is not to give any extensions unless there are

extenuating [………………………………]. Do you have a doctor's [………………………………]or anything?

Melanie I went to the doctor's but I didn't get a note as I didn't realise I would need it. The doctor will have a record of me though as I got a [………………………………]. I'll go back and get one.

Tutor  Yes, do. If you get one, then there shouldn't be a problem getting an extension.

Without it though, you'll be in trouble. What subject are you [………………………………]anyway?

Melanie I thought I'd do an overview of the UK [………………………………]interest rates and their effect on housing sales trends over the last 10 years. I thought it might be of interest because of the huge [………………………………]of house prices over the last decade.

Tutor  Certainly an interesting subject and it should be no great problem getting information as this has been [………………………………]well documented. It's a lot of work again though and you'll really need to get cracking on it even with the [………………………………]– if you get one.

Melanie Well, I've not got much on for the rest of the week and I've set aside the weekend to really get to grips with it.

Tutor  Good. Now, is there anything else?

 Section 4. You will hear part of an earth sciences lecture.

Good afternoon and welcome to this Earth Sciences lecture. Today we're going to look at [………………………………]; or more correctly, [………………………………].

Deep below the ocean's surface [………………………………]plates collide, and every once in a while, these forces produce an [………………………………]. The energy of such [………………………………]earthquakes can produce tidal waves, which radiate out in all directions from the [………………………………]of the quake, moving at speeds of up to [………………………………]per hour. When these waves reach shore, they can cause enormous [………………………………]and loss of life. Tidal waves are actually [………………………………]. They are not caused by tides. A more accurate word for them is the Japanese name tsunami, which means, [………………………………]. They are also sometimes called [………………………………]sea waves, since they can be caused by seismic disturbances such as submarine quakes. However, that name is not really accurate either, since tsunami can also be caused by [………………………………], volcanic [………………………………], nuclear explosions, and even impacts of objects from outer space, such as [………………………………], asteroids, and [………………………………].

Earthquakes though are the largest cause of tsunami. Tectonic plates cover the world's surface and their movement can be detected anywhere in the world. Some areas of the world are more [………………………………]to greater movement, and it is in these places that the largest waves can occur. Large [………………………………]movements of the earth's crust occur at plate [………………………………]which are known as faults. The Pacific Ocean's denser oceanic plates are often known to slip under continental plates in a process known as [………………………………], and subduction earthquakes are the most effective in generating tsunamis.

A tsunami can be generated by any [………………………………]that displaces a large water mass from its [………………………………]position. In the case of earthquake-generated tsunamis, the water column is disturbed by the [………………………………]or subsidence of the sea floor. Submarine landslides, which often accompany large earthquakes, as well as [………………………………]of volcanic edifices, can also [………………………………]the overlying water column as sediment and rock slump down, and are redistributed across the sea floor. [………………………………]volcanic eruptions can create an impulsive force that uplifts the water column and generates a tsunami. Conversely, super marine landslides and [………………………………]impacts disturb the water from above, as momentum from falling debris is transferred to the water into which the [………………………………]falls. Generally speaking, tsunamis generated from these [………………………………], unlike the devastating Pacific-wide tsunamis caused by earthquakes, dissipate quickly and rarely affect [………………………………]distant from the source area.

Tsunamis are very hard to detect, since they cannot be seen when they are in the deep ocean.

The distance between two wave crests can be [………………………………]and, because of this, the wave height is only a few feet. Because the rate at which a wave loses its energy is [………………………………]related to its [………………………………], tsunamis not only propagate at high speeds, they can also travel great, transoceanic distances with limited energy losses. As the tsunami reaches [………………………………]water however, its speed decreases, but the energy it contains remains about the same. Instead of travelling fast, the wave rises high.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has set up a seismic [………………………………]system to monitor earthquakes and predict the possible arrival of [………………………………]for Pacific countries. Buoys at sea can also detect [………………………………]changes that can indicate tsunamis moving through the ocean. But when tsunamis originate near the shore there is often little chance to warn people.

Let's look at some examples of tsunami and their causes and effects.

Some can be relatively harmless. In 1992 an [………………………………]landslide caused a tidal wave of only about three feet high that struck at low tide, so Humboldt County, where it hit, got off easy with no [………………………………].

On January 13th in 1992, a Pacific Ocean earthquake off the coast of San [………………………………], registering 7.6 on the Richter scale, did not cause any ocean disturbance at all.

However, a recent tidal wave, which struck Papua New Guinea on [………………………………], was 23 feet high, and killed at least 1200 people. This wave was caused by a magnitude 7.1 submarine earthquake.

On July 17, 1998 a Papua New Guinea tsunami killed roughly [………………………………]A huge underwater volcanic [………………………………]15 miles offshore was followed within 10 minutes by a wave some [………………………………] tall. The villages of Arop and Warapu were destroyed.

One of the worst tsunami disasters engulfed whole villages along Sanriku, Japan, in [………………………………]. An underwater earthquake induced a wave of [………………………………]drowning some 26,000 people.

Finally, about [………………………………]ago, a massive undersea landslide off the coast of Norway sent a 30- foot wall of water [………………………………]into the uninhabited northern coast of Europe. If this were to recur today, as scientists say it could, almost anywhere in the world, it would cost billions if not tens of billions of dollars to repair the damage to [………………………………]cities and kill tens of thousands of people.

Any questions so far?

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Overcome – Word Of The Day For IELTS

Posted: 25 Sep 2016 12:12 AM PDT

Overcome – Word Of The Day For IELTS Speaking And Writing

Overcome: (Verb) /əʊvəˈkʌm/

Definition:

To successfully control a feeling or problem that prevents you from achieving something.

Synonyms: 

Defeat, Beat, Conquer

Collocations: 

With noun: overcome attempt/ barrier/ challenge/ crisis/ difficulty/ fear/ obstacle/ problem/ shyness
With verb:design/ help/ manage/need/ try to overcome

Example:

For IELTS Speaking:.
“A number of solutions have been put forward to try and overcome this problem.”
“Each school had to overcome numerous barriers to reform through the collective work of all the faculty.”

For IELTS Writing:
“Only when you overcome the crisis of self-confidence can opportunity make a difference in your life.”

Exercise:

Complete the text with the correct form of the verbs below. There may be more than one possible answer so try to use each verb once only. 

concentrate, do, learn, overcome, organise, study, take, teach, review, revise

Even the most studious among you will probably have difficulty studying at some stage in your academic career. If or when this happens, the only way to (1)…………………….this problem is to go back to basics. First, make sure you have a comfortable environment to (2)…………………….in. Some students need to have a quiet space to themselves and can't (3)…………………….if there are too many distractions. Others need some sort of background noise, such as music or the company of friends. Whatever your personal preference is, you need to (A)…………………….this first of all. Next, make sure you have all of the equipment or tools that you need. For example, if you are (5)……………………. a geography course and you have to (6)…………………….about countries and their capital cities then you will need to have your atlas to hand. If you’re (7)…………………….your maths homework then be sure to find your calculator, ruler, protractor and compass before you start. Perhaps you're not preparing a homework assignment or project, but are trying to (8)…………………….for an exam. If so, you need to know exactly what is on your curriculum. You should also (9)…………………….your notes and make sure that you have a clear understanding of what your lecturers have (10)…………………….you. Of course, people with a learning disorder such as dyslexia may need to work harder than others at their studies as they often struggle to read even relatively simple texts.

Answer key

  1. overcome
  2. study
  3. concentrate/ study
  4. organise
  5. taking/ studying
  6. learn
  7. doing
  8. revise
  9. review
  10. taught

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

IELTS Cue Card Sample 46 – Topic: local news people interested in

Posted: 24 Sep 2016 11:36 PM PDT

IELTS Cue Card for IELTS Speaking Part 2:

Describe some local news that people in your locality are interested in.

You should say:
what the news is
how you know about this news
who is involved in this news
and explain why it is interesting to people.
BAND 9.0 SAMPLE ANSWER:

I came across this intriguing article in a newspaper I read at my school's library. It involved how positive attitudes have greatly affected people‟s success, based on the story of how a local woman had never given up her dream and had now become a world-famous novelist.

According to the news story, optimistic people are more likely to be successful. Since they look at the bright side, their lives are always full of enjoyment. Therefore, when running into problems, optimists try their best to work out solutions. This leads them to great achievements. In contrast, pessimistic people tend to act negatively, which not only puts them under a lot of strain, but also has a bad impact on their performance and people around them.

Since I read this news, I have tried to maintain positive attitudes about everything. Whenever I fail to do something, I will not blame myself but work harder to overcome such failure. I hope that, like this woman, everybody can learn to be optimistic about whatever situation they face.

VOCABULARY
intriguing: [adjective] very interesting, because the news was unusual. Example: He told me an intriguing story about how a shark had once attacked him while he was swimming in the sea.
had never given up: [phrasal verb] had never abandoned: she had always continued to believe in her dream. Example: The police announced that – after 10 days – they had finally given up looking for survivors of the air crash.
world-famous: [adjective] known all over the world Example: McDonald‟s is a world-famous chain of fast-food restaurants.
novelist: [noun] a person who writes novels – fictional stories. Example: The author of the „Harry Potter‟ books used to teach English, but now she is a world-famous novelist.
optimistic: [adjective] expecting good things to happen or to be successful. Example: He was optimistic about his chances of passing the exam, because he had studied hard.
look at/on the bright side: [expression] to be cheerful about a bad situation, by thinking of the advantages – not the disadvantages. Example: Although you have lost your keys, look on the bright side – your brother has a copy of all of them.
work out (solutions): [phrasal verb] think of (solutions). Example: Engineers work out solutions to many technical problems when they design new buildings.
pessimistic: [adjective] expecting bad things to happen or expecting things to fail. Example: The patient was very ill, and the doctors were pessimistic about his chances of recovering.
puts them under a lot of strain: [expression] puts a lot of pressure on them, because they are worried about being able to solve a difficulty. Example: The team have lost every match, so this puts them under a lot of
strain when they have to face new opponents.
whatever: any or every (situation) Example: Whatever the situation about your travel visa, we will work out a solution together.

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