Posted: 15 Oct 2016 09:28 AM PDT

A Loose Cannon – Idiom Of The Day For IELTS Speaking.

Definition:

someone who cannot be trusted because they act in an unpredictable way

Example:

“He’s seen as something of a loose cannon by other team members.“

” As it turned out, he’s not just a loose cannon. He makes sense.“

“Some loose cannon in the State Department has been leaking stories to the press.“

Exercise:

Choose the suitable idiom to complete the sentence below.
“Our sales manager is _____________ You never know what he’ll say or do next “
A. the name of the game
B. having a sinking feeling
C. done to a turn
D. a loose cannon
Describe the time you had to make a conversation with a stranger. Try to use this idiom in your speech. You should say:
– When it happened
– Where it happened
– How you made a conversation with him or her
And explain why you had to talk with him or her

Refurbish – Word Of The Day For IELTS

Posted: 15 Oct 2016 08:55 AM PDT

Refurbish – Word Of The Day For IELTS Speaking And Writing

Refurbish: (Verb) /ˌriːˈfɜːrbɪʃ/

Definition:

to decorate and repair something such as a building or office in order to improve its appearance

Synonyms:

Renovate, Repair, Recondition

Collocation:

With adverb: completely/ newly/ recently refurbish
With noun: building/ cost

Example:

For IELTS Speaking:.
“Two of our laboratories have been completely refurbished recently as part of an ongoing programme of modernisation.”
“It’s first links with Beaverbrook came through refurbishing the Express building in Fleet Street.”

For IELTS Writing:
“The Northmavine factory of Ronas Fisheries is also to be refurbished, at a cost of £630,000.”

Exercise:

Match the word below to complete these sentences.

payable, refurbished, registers, logical, refreshing, palatable.

Teachers were reminded that school attendance …………….. were actually legal documents.
If the assisted party is successful, costs may be ……………….. by the opponent in the normal way.
All she wanted was to feel, to bring this overwhelming sensation of physical pleasure to its …………. conclusion.
Barley straw is soft and …………………, and is widely used as bulk feed for beef cattle.
Old classrooms in the main block were ……………. and brought back into use for Sociology and Philosophy.
Flesh varies from green to orange and is juicy and ……………………

Answer keys:

registers
payable
logical
palatable
refurbished
refreshing

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 Listening Practice Test 71

Posted: 14 Oct 2016 08:13 PM PDT

SECTION 1

Questions 1 -10

Complete the following notes using A WORD or SHORT PHRASE for each answer.

Borchester University Example: Where to get food on campus
PLACE	CAPACITY	REGULAR MENU	COST
Main Refectory Hall Open…………………. (2)	500	vegetarian, fish …………………………….(1)	………………………(3) – £3
Arts Building Café Open: 9 – 6	…………………..(4)	tea, coffee, hot chocolate, sandwiches	………………………..(5)
…………………….(6) Bar Open: 10 – 4		tea, coffee, …………………………(7) sandwiches	£1.30

Questions 8 -10

Complete the sentences below.

Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.

8. You can hear a concert of classical music every…………………………………………………………

9. The jazz concerts start at……………………………………………………………

10. You can smoke in……………………………………………………………

SECTION 2

Questions 11 – 17

Complete Amanda’s notes in NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.

WHERE TO SEND OUR RUBBISH

ITEM WHERE?

Returnable glass bottles milkman,………………………………..(11)

……………………………… (12) glass container

Telephone book? ……………………………………(13)

Paperbacks …………………………………….(14)

…………………………………….(15) general rubbish — no recycling

Newspapers ……………………………..(16) container

…………………………………….(17) charity shop .

Questions 18 – 20

Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.

18. How will Amanda and Barry know where to put the different plastic bottles?
……………………………………………………………………………………………….

19. What does the technician do?
……………………………………………………………………………………………….

20. Who uses the clothes which are in bad condition?
……………………………………………………………………………………………….

SECTION 3

Questions 21 – 24

Circle the correct answer A – D.

21. Roughly what proportion of the public is happy with the hospital?

A. all
B. the vast majority
C. few
D. some

22. What is the purpose or the “Visitors' Charter”?

A. To notify the public.
B. To display standards.
C. To help patients with special needs.
D. To give patients a sympathetic ear.

23. What is the purpose of the "sympathetic ear" symbol on patient records?

A. To make the patient aware of the problem.
B. To impair hearing.
C. To gain the patients’ consent.
D. To indicate a patient who has difficulty hearing.

24. The work on the main entrance

A. will be improved.
B. will be completed on schedule.
C. will be finished in a few months.
D. will cost more than planned.

Questions 25 – 27

Complete the sentences below.
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.

25. Members of staff who know a foreign language ought to have……………………………………………indicate this.

26 The hospital has bilingual staff speaking Welsh. Urdu and ………………………………………..

27 The hospital hopes more languages will be offered in …………………………………………………………

Questions 28 and 29

Circle TWO answers A – E.

Which ideas mil the hospital use for fundraising?

A. camping
B. outdoor suppers
C. sponsored bikes in the park
D. sponsored swims
E. surveys

Question 30

Circle the correct answer A – D.

30. How many people completed the questionnaire?

A. 18 B. 15O C. 200 D. 98

SECTION 4

Complete the questionnaire below.

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

Borchester University
Module Assessment Feedback Questionnaire

Underline level: Level 1 Level 2 Level 3

Title of Module: An Introduction to ……………………………………..(31)

Name of tutors: Professor Merrick and ……………………………………….(32)

Underline type of meaning: lecture practical seminar (33)
other (please specify)

Please score on the following scale: 1 = strongly disagree
2 = disagree
3 = agree
4 = strongly agree

1. The module has dearly stated aims and objectives. [4]

2. Teaching methods are well chosen. …………………………………(34)

3. The tutor presents module content dearfy. …………………………………(35)

4. The teaching is well matched by an up-to-date reading list. ………………………………….(36)

5. Book provision in the library is adequate. ………………………………….(37)

6. Time on each topic/area is well distributed. [4]

7. Assignment feedback is helpful. ………………………………….(38)

8. Seminar/group work improves understanding. [4]

9. Module stretches student's capacity for knowledge/skills/ideas. [4]

Questions 39 and 40

Circle TWO answers A – E.

Which problems in the classroom did Ann and Geoff note down?

A. inadequate facilities
B. room too small
C. room too hot
D. room has too many people
E. chairs without wings

Answer keys:

1. pasta and salad/pasta/salad
2. 11.30 – 2.30
3. £1.50
4. 50/fifty
5. £1.15
6. Theatre
7. toasted
8. Thursday
9. 1 o’clock/l p.m.
10. the Main Refectory
11. milkman
12. broken mirror
13. general rubbish
14. charity container
15. (car/old) batteries
16. paper
17. magazines
18. by a code
19. offer/give advice
20. paper industiy
21. B
22. A
23. D
24. B
25. a badge
26. Arabic
27. the autumn
28. B
29. D
30. C
31. South Pacific History
32. Dr. Smith
33. lecture
34. 4
35. 4
36. 3
37. 2
38. 3
39. B or E
40. E or B

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 have 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 Student Union representative talking to some new students.

[Guide] Right, … nine, ten – that's about right. OK let's start. As the [……………………………..]said, we'll look at where to eat on [……………………………..]first. The principal place to buy food is here – the Main [……………………………..]. As you can see this is large – it holds about five hundred people – so it's very busy.

What can you buy here? They always have a good choice. Usual choices are [……………………………..], fish, pasta and salad – as well as a main choice menu, including the budget choice. Sometimes they do special menus for a week – last week it was Chinese food. Mmm – I remember they had some [……………………………..]choices.

[laughter]

Of course, to get the best choice you need to get here early. The [……………………………..]is open from 11:30 to half past two – but by about two the choices are rather [……………………………..]. Unless you like chips and pies, that is – the [……………………………..]menu is always available!

What s the cost here? Well, it varies – from about [……………………………..]for the budget meal to [……………………………..]. It sounds expensive, but if you eat here you probably won't want to eat so much in the evening as the [……………………………..]are huge.

OK, so much for the refectory. The next place to eat is the café near the Arts Building – that’s here on the map. lliis is small – much smaller, with only space for about [……………………………..]. It's also a shop, so it’s very busy all day. It's open from nine in the morning until six in the evening. What can you buy here? Well, really only tea, coffee, hot chocolate and sandwiches. The cost of a meal is about [……………………………..]. One nice thing about here is that you can surf the Internet while you eat – absolutely free, as long as you are a [……………………………..], of course. There are [……………………………..]for customers to use. Oh, I said there's a shop too – it sells all the usual things, chocolate, newspapers, sweets, cakes and bottled drinks. It’s very convenient.

Another nice place to eat is the bar area in the [……………………………..]– again this is small, but there's more space than the cafe and no shop, so it tends to be less [……………………………..]. It is still quite busy though, because it's very comfortable with nice chairs. It's open from 10 to 4. What can you get to eat here? Again, it's really only drinks like tea and coffee and [……………………………..]sandwiches. The toasted sandwiches here are better since they also have a [……………………………..]– tomatoes and lettuce – with them, but the [……………………………..]meal costs more – about [……………………………..]. One problem is that they run out quickly here – you are not likely to find much to eat after about 1.30.

Well, that’s the general information about where you can eat on campus. But you know, those places are not just for eating and drinking. The Main Refectory has a string [……………………………..]of music students playing [……………………………..]Thursday at lunchtime and on Tuesdays and Fridays the Theatre Bar offers lunchtime [……………………………..]at one o' clock. They 're always popular and the bar fills up by noon, so make sure you get there early.

Now, I can see some of you are smoking. This is only allowed in certain areas of the campus and never in the [……………………………..]or eating places. Oh no, sony, it is allowed in the Main Refectory but only in a small section in the corner. There were suggestions that the Theatre Bar would be a smoking area but this created quite a [……………………………..]among students so a final decision hasn't as yet been made.

Thanks for your attention. Now your guide will take you on your tour.

Section 2

You will hear two students, Amanda and Barry discussing the disposal of their household rubbish.

Amanda: We really had better sort this [……………………………..]– there's quite a lot of it now.

Barry: Yes, it's probably [……………………………..]taking this lot to the recycling centre now – there's at least a full car-load

Amanda: Yes, but first we need to sort it all out – we won't be able to do that once we arrive there.

Barry: OK, so what do we do?

Amanda: That's easy – we put each type into [……………………………..]boxes.

Barry: You mean sort them out into different [……………………………..]?

Amanda: Yes, that's right.

Barry: OK, it seems quite [……………………………..]. What shall we start with? What about the glass?

Amanda: Good idea – first let's put all these bottles in.

Barry: Yes, but we shouldn't put that milk bottle in – that should go back to the [……………………………..].

Amanda: Yes, you are right – this is a [……………………………..]bottle too – it goes back to the local shop.

Barry: This broken mirror can go with the glass, can't it?

Amanda: Yes, of course, but be careful of your [……………………………..].

Barry: OK, what's next.

Amanda: Paper, I think. We should tie up all those piles of old newspapers and magazines.

Barry: What about these yellow telephone books?

Amanda: I think I remember reading that we shouldn't put those in when I last went there – we had better not. We II put them in the general [……………………………..].

Barry: And these paperback books?

Amanda: No, definitely not those – they should be put into the [……………………………..]container. They can resell those for charity.

Barry: There are some old car-[……………………………..]here – they look heavy. Let's lift them out here.

Amanda: Be careful! Lift them carefully, don't hurt your back – bend your knees not your back. And be careful you don't spill any acid – it will burn you!

Barry: It's a pity Britain doesn't have any system to collect these yet. They will just be [……………………………..], together with all the general [……………………………..].

Amanda: That's terrible! Doesn't anyone do something with them?

Barry: Well, if we lived in Germany, Denmark or Sweden we could [……………………………..]them, but not in the UK – at least, not yet.

Amanda: There are bundles of old magazines and newspapers here too. I think we put these in the general rubbish.

Barry: No, there's a special container for paper.

It's all recycled and they make other [……………………………..]like writing and kitchen paper with it.

Amanda: Actually, I think you'll find they can t do that with magazines as it's a different quality paper. They do go with the rest of the [……………………………..]refuse. Oh, look, plastic bottles – lots of them …

Amanda: Oh look, plastic bottles – lots of them!

Barry: Well, you know how much cola they had at the party, that's where most of it's from.

Amanda: Well, all the [……………………………..]bottles can be put together, what about the other [……………………………..]here?

Barry: Some things have a code – yes, look here, these two are the same. We just need to look for the code on the plastic. That will tell us where we have to put the [……………………………..].

Amanda: Any bottle without a code – well, we'll just have to check when we get there.

Barry: There won't be too many – anyway, they do have a technician to offer advice when you get to the re-cycling centre.

Amanda: OK – we've nearly finished. What about this bag of old clothes?

Barry: That's easy! The charities take those as they are. and they sort them out. Then they can sell the clothes which are still in a good [……………………………..]and they can make a lot of money out of them. The bad ones can be sold as rags – the paper industry takes those.

Amanda: It's amazing what can be done with things we [……………………………..].

Barry: If we don't try to recycle then the future of the planet, (fade)

Section 3

You will hear a talk given by Mrs. Beverley Evans about the Borchester Hospital Trust.

Dr Groves:

Welcome, everyone, to this final [……………………………..]of the Borchester Health Authority's Nurses [……………………………..]Programme. We re very pleased to welcome Mrs Beverly Evans, who is the [……………………………..], or should I say [……………………………..], of the Borchester Hospital Trust. All you nurses will know how [……………………………..]the work of the trust is to us. And Beverly is going to bring us up to date with some of the things the trust has been doing. Beverly…

(smattering of applause)

Mrs Beverlv Evans:

Thank you, Dr, Groves, for inviting me to talk to this group. I am happy to report to you on our [……………………………..]over the last few months.

Well, I am sure you'd like me to start with the good news. Most importantly, 1 can report on the Hospital Trusts [……………………………..]for last year. Well, one rough guide is how happy the public were with our [……………………………..]. I am happy to report that [……………………………..] letters of [……………………………..]were received by the Trust, whilst there were only 57 letters of complaint. I am sure that we don't want any letters of [……………………………..]at all, but I am sure you'll feel that this is a good result.

On the topic of public relations, we have recently [……………………………..]a “Visitors Charter” to inform the public what standards to expect. These standards are now [……………………………..]in all patient areas, for instance on ward [……………………………..].

An area of particular concern is that of patients with special needs. One recent [……………………………..]is a policy where all patients who have hearing problems have their records marked with a “[……………………………..]ear" symbol – only with their consent, of course. This will mean that anyone dealing with those whose hearing is [……………………………..]will be aware of the problem from the onset.

Now, on to general topics. The main entrance is being improved. You’ve all seen the plans, I am sure, and you've walked round the building work. Sorry about that. Well, the work actually started a few months ago. I am very happy to tell you the work is [……………………………..]well, and is on-budget and on time. By next June, we will have a brand new [……………………………..]hall, which will be much better than the old one.

We've received a few [……………………………..]which would help patients. One interesting one is that staff who can speak another language should wear a badge to show this. Well, we've worked on this, and have now [……………………………..]speakers of Welsh, Urdu, and Arabic. Soon these staff will be sent [……………………………..]to wear to show they are [……………………………..]. We are hoping to add further languages to this [……………………………..]very soon – by the autumn at least.

Now fundraising! As you know, our local newspaper is supporting the Cancer Appeal. The public's response continues to be excellent and many [……………………………..]are received every day. Many members of the public have [……………………………..]us with fund-raising plans. There are a lot of interesting ideas, but one really good one is for an open-air [……………………………..]dinner in the local park – but, given our weather, I feel that a large tent would be a good [……………………………..]. Other more traditional ideas are for [……………………………..] bike rides, and sponsored sea swimming. Details of these, and the necessary sponsor forms, will be available shortly.

Lastly a report on patient [……………………………..]within the [……………………………..]Unit. We undertook a survey [……………………………..]ago, questioning 50 first attenders and 150 re-attenders in the unit. I am sure you'll be happy to hear that all, yes all, of these [……………………………..]felt they were made welcome and were treated [……………………………..]at all times. Nearly all, [……………………………..], felt they had their treatment explained [……………………………..], and 98% found the facilities in the Day Unit to be very good. A small number of areas need to be [……………………………..]: one is more car parking, more toilet facilities and better areas for private [……………………………..]. But I am happy that the survey was so positive…

Section 4

You will hear two friends, Ann and Geoff, discussing their completion of a student questionnaire.

Prof Merrick

… so if you would all be kind enough to fill in these [……………………………..]before you go, I would be most grateful. I do take your comments very [……………………………..], and if you don't tell me if something doesn't work, then I can't do anything about it, can I? Anyway, take a moment now…

Ann: Geoff, you've got to help me with this. I never know what to write for these things.

Geoff: Well, the beginning is easy enough, Ann.

You know what year we're in.

Ann: The first year, so that's level one? Okay, I'll [……………………………..]that.

Geoff: And the title of the course is An introduction to the History of the South Pacific.

Ann: An introduction to South Pacific History actually.

Geoff: And the teacher is Professor Merrick.

Ann: And Dr Smith. She was nice.

Geoff: I don't remember her. Was that one of the [……………………………..]I couldn't attend?

Ann: Actually, she did two [……………………………..]in January and you had the flu then. Do you remember?

Geoff: Oh yes.

Ann: But what's the type of teaching? We have lectures and [……………………………..]. Should I underline both? Or write something in Other?

Geoff: No, a seminar course is one where there are no lectures, just seminar meetings and [……………………………..]. The lecture course [……………………………..]there'll be some tutorials as well. But it is just considered a lecture course. Underline that.

Ann: Okay, now for the hard part. These [……………………………..]about the course. It's 1 if we disagree and 4 if we agree. Right?

Geoff: Right. Well, the module has clearly stated aims and [……………………………..]. Surely you can give that a 4?

Ann: Yes, I agree.

Geoff: And for number 2, I thought the teaching methods were fine and [……………………………..]me to participate. Give that a 4 too.

Ann: You hypocrite! You hardly ever got out of bed for the classes. They certainly didn't encourage you to [……………………………..]. You should give it a 1 or 2.

Geoff: But that was my problem and not his. Professor Merrick is good and he encouraged me. I just didn't [……………………………..]… He deserves a 4.

Ann: Okay, then. Number 3 the same. Number 4, an up-to-date reading list. Well, I think that's true. I'd give it a 4.

Geoff: I'm not so sure about that. Every time I went to the library I could only get old books if I could get anything at all. I say a 2 for that or even 1.

Ann: You're being [……………………………..]Geoff. You were unable to get the books because you left writing the [……………………………..]until too late and other students had the books out. Let’s [……………………………..]and give it 3. What about book [……………………………..]in the library being adequate? It's number 5. I think I would give that a couple of points because a lot of books on the reading list only have one copy and, with over [……………………………..]on the course, that’s not enough. But the reading list itself is good.

Geoff: Okay. But the time on each topic is fine.

Ann: Yes. That's a 4,1 guess.

Geoff: For number 7, the feedback question, I think I'd give that a 4 too. He wrote some very [……………………………..]comments on my essays.

Ann: I thought I'd have liked the [……………………………..]to talk through the ideas in the essay with Professor Merrick at more length. Just an hour or so. A 2, maybe?

Geoff: 1 think that would be hard. You said yourself that there are more than 100 students on the course. If he spent an hour with everyone, you work it out. That's … two and a half weeks' work.

Ann: Well, a 3 then. Numbers 8 and 9 get 4s. Number 10, [……………………………..]of classroom and facilities.

Geoff: Now that is a problem. The room's not big enough for so many people and the chairs don't have those things on the side so you can make notes – what are they called?

Ann: Wings. And it is ever so hot in that room with all those people there.

Geoff: As Professor Merrick says, if we don’t [……………………………..]about it, no-one will change the room. In fact, I think you should say exactly what the problems are in the Other Comments [……………………………..]. Leave out the hot bit – that's just a [……………………………..]of the fact that the room isn’t designed for 100 or so people. We should write down our comments though.

Ann: Okay, I'll put our two [……………………………..]on paper.

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.

subtitle indonesia

Saturday, October 15, 2016

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