Saturday, October 8, 2016

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

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

Haughty – Word Of The Day For IELTS

Posted: 08 Oct 2016 02:38 AM PDT

Haughty – Word Of The Day For IELTS Speaking And Writing

Haughty: (Adjective) /ˈhɔːti/

Definition:

behaving in a proud unfriendly way

Synonyms: 

Stuck-up, Snob, Pompous

Example:

For IELTS Speaking:.
“Jessica turned away with a haughty look on her face.”
“People thought of him as being haughty and difficult to talk to.”

For IELTS Writing:
“Under different circumstances, this would have sounded patronizing, a wilted bouquet tossed by a haughty victor.”

Exercise:

Match the word below to complete these sentences.

fabricated, perfection, united, glossy, gluttony, settlement

  1. Rand …………………… from comment on the scandal involving his opponent.
  2. As a repentant ………………, I pledge to swear off this hallucinogen
  3. Only three of the 20 homes in his street had escaped the burglars and the ……………..
  4. Most were reluctant, defensive, or simply ……………….. to blow their own trumpet.
  5. She flicked him a ……………… smile, then strode briskly on.
  6. As long as any advert does not bring the profession into …………….. nor is in bad taste then it is permissible.

Answer keys:

  1. refrain
  2. sinner
  3. wrecker
  4. hesitant
  5. haughty
  6. disrepute

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

Grammar for IELTS: Advanced Comparison for IELTS Writing to Get Band 7.5 or Higher

Posted: 07 Oct 2016 08:58 PM PDT

Grammatical Range and Accuracy is one of four marking criteria in IELTS Writing and Speaking. Therefore, to get band 7.5+ for these section in the IELTS test, IELTS test takers need to uses a wide range of advanced grammar structures and the majority of sentences are error-free.

This post will cover 4 types of advanced grammar as follows:

  1. Progressive comparison

  2. Combined comparison

  3. Contrast comparison

  4. Like and as

  1. Progressive comparison: [short adjective + er and short adjective + er | more and more + long adjective ]

We can describe how something increases or decreases by repeating the same comparative two or sometimes three times, putting and between the forms:

Her visits to the country to see her son became rarer and rarer (= increasingly rare)
As the illness progressed the patients grew more and more detached from reality.
Marching into the sunset, the figures became smaller and smaller and smaller.

  1. Combined comparison: [The short adjective-er/more+ long adjective + Subject 1 (+to be), The short adjective-er/more+ long adjective + Subject 1 (+ to be)]

To describe how a change in one thing causes a change in another, we can use two comparative forms with the. Note the use of the comma after the first clause:

The longer you leave it, the worse it’ll get.
The more sophisticated the product, the more substantial the potential profit.

  1. Contrast Comparison:

When we contrast two related qualities, we always use more (not -er):

X I’m sadder than disappointed

✓ I’m more sad than disappointed.

    Her eyes are more green than grey.

We can also use not so much … as or rather than:

I’m not so much disappointed as sad.

Her eyes are green rather than grey.

  1. Like and As

We often describe something by comparing it to something else which has similar qualities. These comparisons are known as similes’. There are two forms:

  • as + adjective + as:

Listening to her was about as interesting as watching paint dry.

(In informal English we sometimes omit the first as. She looks white as a sheet.)

  • like + noun or verb phrase:

The cruise ship was like a skyscraper lying on its side.

There are many idioms in which we use these two patterns:

You’re as white as a sheet I think you 'd better see a doctor.

I feel full of energy today -I slept like a dog last night.

Note: We use like (not as) before a noun when we are making a comparison between two things which seem similar:

X You look as a man who's seen a ghost!
✓ You look like a man who’s seen a ghost!
When Mike puts on his dark suit he looks like a waiter (= He resembles a waiter.)

Note: We use as (not like) before a noun when we are describing someone’s job, role or identity, or something’s function:

X Simon's working like a waiter during the summer vacation
✓ Simon’s working as a waiter during the summer vacation. (This is his job.)
Use your payroll number as a password for the computer. (This is its function.)

Note: We can also describe something by comparing it with something similar without using like or as. this is known as a metaphor’:

We hope the new treaty will form a bridge between our two nations (a bridge = metaphor for a link)

Metaphors are common in poetry and literary English:

Sometimes too hot the eye of heaven shines. (eye of heaven = metaphor for the sun)

EXERCISES:

Exercise 1: Match the situations (1-15) with the similes (A-P). Then use the similes to rewrite the sentences. You may need to use a good dictionary for this exercise.
A like a cat on a hot tin roof                        I like hot cakes
B like a trooper                                              J as a fiddle
C like a lamb to the slaughter                     K as a feather
D like a bull in a china shop                        L as ice
E like a bear with a sore head                     M as the grave
F like a log                                                       N as a sheet
C like a chimney                                             O as a mule
H like a rocket                                                P as the hills

0 Stonehenge is incredibly ancient, more than 4.000 years old.==> Stonehenge is as old as the hills
1 She's a heavy smoker………………………………………
2 He's incredibly clumsy and often breaks things……………………………………
3 I slept really soundly last night………………………………..
4 It’s absolutely freezing in here!………………………………..
5 She so naive, she doesn’t realise what a dangerous situation she’s going into.
6 My grandmother may be 85 but she’s incredibly fit and healthy.
7 Do you feel all right? You’re very pale………………………………………..
8 He's terribly nervous, he can’t keep still for a moment………………………….
9 She’s in a foul mood this morning, shouting at and arguing with everyone.
10 Our new car goes really fast………………………………………..
11 My new flatmate never stops swearing…………………………………………..
12 Once the lights were out the dormitory became eerily quiet………………………….
13 She doesn't need to diet, she weighs hardly anything!………………………………
14 Once the old man has made his mind up he never changes it. whatever you say.
15 These new mobile phones are selling amazingly well.
Exercise 2. Tick (✓) the best explanation, A or B.
1 The prices on the menu aren’t nearly as expensive as I expected.
A Prices are a little cheaper than I expected.
B Prices are much cheaper than I expected.
2 It looks as if your new car isn’t any more reliable than the old one!
A Both cars are equally unreliable.
B The new car is slightly less reliable than the old one.
3 Of all the teams in the league, theirs is the least successful.
A Their team is the most unsuccessful.
B Their team is less successful than some of the others.
A They said it was one of the most powerful earthquakes ever.
A No other earthquake was as powerful.
B There may have been more powerful earthquakes
5 The new tax regulations are somewhat more rigorous than last year’s.
A The new regulations are much more rigorous than last year’s.
B Last year’s regulations were slightly less rigorous.
6 I have to say that the hotel wasn’t quite as luxurious as the brochure claimed.
A The hotel was much less luxurious than the brochure claimed.
B The hotel was slightly less luxurious than the brochure claimed.
7 This is by far the best seat in the plane. There’s loads of legroom.
A No seat in the plane is better.
B Other seats may be equally good.
8 She isn’t anything like as snobbish as you said.
A She is less snobbish than you said.
B She isn’t snobbish.
9 I’m afraid your figures are no more accurate than the ones Rachel gave me.
A Your figures are less accurate than Rachel’s.
B Your figures and Rachel’s figures are equally inaccurate.
10 As far as Daniel’s job is concerned, things are about as bad as they can be.
A Daniel’s job could get worse.
B Daniel’s job couldn’t be any worse than it is.
Exercise 3. Complete each sentence so that it means the same as preceding one(s). Use the words in brackets but do not change the words given in any way.

1 She’s slightly angry but she’s very disappointed (than)
She’s…………………………………………………………………………………….
2 Approaching the church, we noticed the sound of the bells becoming increasingly loud. (and … and)
Approaching the church, we noticed the sound of the bells………………………………………
3 As dogs get older they become less aggressive. (the less)
The older dogs ……………………………………………………………………………
4 Their remarks were only slightly insulting, but they were extremely inaccurate (not so much)
Their remarks…………………………………………………………………………………

IELTS Listening Practice Test 64

Posted: 07 Oct 2016 08:23 PM PDT

SECTION 1

Questions 7—5

Complete the chart below.

Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.

Example                                                                     Plainfield  community center
Classes and Activities
Days                                                      Class/Activity                                         Age Group
Wednesday. Saturday                            1____________                                     children, teens
2_____________                              Tennis                                                           3____________
Tuesday, Thursday                                4____________                                     children, teens, adults
Friday                                                       Book club                                                     5____________

Questions 6-10

Complete the notes below.

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

Membership fees       6 $___________(individual)
7 $___________(family)

Located at 107 8___________Street

Parking is located 9___________.

The Center is closed on 10 _____________.

SECTION 2

Questions 11-15

Choose FIVE letters, A—J.

Which FIVE things should hikers take on the hiking trip?

A. sleeping bag                                     F. backpack

B. tent                                                    G. walking poles

C. food                                                   H. maps

D. dishes                                                I. jacket

E. hiking boots.                                    J. first-aid kit

Questions 16-20

Complete the sentences below.

Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.

Safety Rules for Hiking

Always stay ahead of the 16______________

Stop and wait at any 17_____________

Don't try to climb 18_______________

Don't 19________________ wild animals.

Always carry 20________________ with you.

SECTION 3

Questions 21—24

Choose FOUR letters A-G.

Which FOUR of the following are required of student teachers?

A. weekly journal.

B. sample lesson plans

C. meetings with other student teachers

D. observing other teachers

E. evaluation from supervising teacher

F. portfolio

G. final exam

Question 25

Choose the correct letter, A, B, or C

25, Who has to sign the agreement form?

A. the student teacher
B. the supervising teacher
C. the advisor

Questions 26-30

Complete the schedule below.

Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.

First week                           26____________ due
Fourth week                       27____________ meeting
Seventh week                     28____________
Fourteenth week               29____________  due
Fifteenth week                   30____________

SECTION 4

Questions 31—35

Choose the correct letter, A, B, or C

31. Retailers place popular items

A. in the back of the store.
B. near the front entrance.
C. at the end of the aisle.

32. Carpet patterns are used to

A. help shoppers feel comfortable.
B. appeal to shoppers' decorative sense.
C. encourage shoppers to walk in certain directions.

33. Retailers can keep customers in the store longer by

A. providing places to sit.
B. keeping the doors closed.
C. lowering the prices.

34. Music is used in stores to

A. entertain customers.
B. slow customers down.
C. make customers shop faster.

35 The scent of vanilla has been used in

A. ice cream shops.
B. bakeries.
C. clothing stores.

Questions 36—40

Complete the chart about the effects of color

Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.

Color Effect
Purple encourages people to 36____________
Orange makes restaurant customers 37___________
Blue conveys a sense of 38_____________
Bright colors appeal to 39_____________
Soft colors appeal to 40______________

Answer keys:

  1. tutoring sessions
  2. Sunday
  3. teens, adults
  4. Yoga
  5. adults
  6. 75
  7. 225
  8. Eliot
  9. across the street/in a garage
  10. Monday
  11. A
  12. D
  13. E
  14. F
  15. I
  16. sweep/rear leader
  17. intersection
  18. rocks
  19. feed
  20. water
  21. A
  22. B
  23. D
  24. F
  25. B
  26. term paper topic
  27. first evaluation
  28. student teacher conference
  29. term paper
  30. semester review
  31. A
  32. C
  33. A
  34. B
  35. C
  36. spend money
  37. leave faster
  38. security
  39. younger people
  40. older people

BONUS EXERCISE: GAP-FILLING 

The texts below are transcript for your IELTS Liste. ning 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 woman asking for information over the phone.

Man:    Good afternoon. [……………………………..]Community Center.

Woman: Yes, hi. I'm new in town, and I was [……………………………..]about the services the Community Center has to offer.

Man:    We offer a variety of [……………………………..]activities. What were you interested in, in particular?

Woman: Well, everything, I guess. OK, let's start with kids. I have a [……………………………..]son. What activities do you have for teens?

Man:    Right now, during the school year, we have tutoring [……………………………..]for children and teens, in all subjects.

Woman: That would be good. He needs help with [……………………………..].

Man:    We can certainly help with that. Just have him come by any Wednesday or Saturday afternoon. That's when the tutoring sessions are [……………………………..].

Woman: Fantastic. What about sports? Do you have sports activities for teens?

Man:    We have [……………………………..]on Sunday mornings for teens and Sunday afternoons for adults.

Woman: Hmmm, I don't think my son would like that, but my husband might. For myself, I'd be more interested in [……………………………..]. Do you offer yoga classes?

Man:    We do. Our yoga classes take place on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. We [……………………………..]it up into several groups, so there's one class for younger children, one for teens, and one for adults.

Woman: Really? I doubt my husband and son would be interested, but I'd like to sign up for yoga. I also like reading. Do you have any book clubs?

Man:    We have one just about to start. The first meeting will be next Friday morning. It will focus on early [……………………………..]novels.

Woman: Too bad it's Friday morning. I think my son would enjoy it, but of course he's in school at that time.

Man:    Well, actually, that book club is for adults only. We may start one up for teens next summer, but we have nothing for that age group right now.

Woman: Oh, well. I suppose he has enough to keep him busy for now. Now, what about [……………………………..]? Do these classes and activities cost anything?

Man:    There's a small charge for [……………………………..]for each class. However, they're all free to members. Would you be interested in becoming a member?

Woman: How much does the [……………………………..]cost?

Man:    Not much at all. The yearly fee is [……………………………..]for individuals and [……………………………..]for families.

Woman: What do I get with the membership?

Man:    You get free access to all classes and activities, and you can use our facilities, like the tennis court, the exercise room, and the meeting room.

Woman: It's not a bad deal, really. Could you tell me exactly where the cen¬ter is [……………………………..]?

Man:    It's at 107 [one-oh-seven] Eliot Street.

Woman: Is that Eliot with two Ls or one L?

Man:    One L. E-L-I-O-T. It's right downtown.

Woman: I think I know where it is. Do you have [……………………………..]?

Man:    Yes. You can park just across the street. There's a [……………………………..]there.

Woman: That sounds easy enough. Maybe I'll come in one day next week and sign up for some classes.

Man:    That would be fine, but don't come on Monday because we're closed that day. We're open Tuesday through Sunday.

Woman: Oh. Thanks for telling me. Maybe I'll stop in on Tuesday then. Can I pay for the classes with a [……………………………..]?

Man:    We accept checks and credit cards.

Woman: OK. Thank you very much. You've been very helpful.

Section 2. You will hear a hike leader giving information about an upcoming hiking trip.

Hike leader: Good evening, everyone. As you know, this is our last meeting before we [……………………………..]on our [……………………………..]week-long hiking trip, so tonight I'll be telling you everything you'll need to know to be ready for the trip. Let's talk about [……………………………..]first. Having the right equip¬ment is [……………………………..]for your comfort and safety. First, you'll need a warm and [……………………………..]sleeping bag. However, you won't need to worry about carrying a [……………………………..]since we'll be sleeping in [……………………………..]along the way. Also, part of the fee you've paid for the trip goes toward food, so you won't need to put that on your packing list either. We've found, though, that it's more [……………………………..]for each person to bring his or her own [……………………………..], so be sure to pack a [……………………………..], a cup, and a fork, knife, and spoon. That's all you'll need in the way of dishes.

Perhaps the most important item to put on your list is a comfortable pair of [……………………………..]. Nothing ruins a hike more than getting [……………………………..]and sores from [……………………………..]boots. So make sure your boots fit you right. Shoes and sneakers aren't [……………………………..]for the type of hiking we'll be doing. Of course, a [……………………………..]is necessary for carrying your equipment. Make sure you have one that's [……………………………..]and comfortable to carry. Walking poles have become popular among hikers recently, but we don't recommend them. They can get in the way when too many hikers are using them at once, and some serious [……………………………..]have been caused, so it's best to leave those at home.

Let's see…What else? Oh, yes. Some people have asked me about [……………………………..]. They're available, but you really don't need them, as your hike leaders have scouted out the trail and will be [……………………………..]you along the way. And don't forget to bring a [……………………………..]. You may think you won't need one in this warm summer weather, but remember that evenings in the mountains can get quite cold. Is there anything else I need to tell you? Oh, yes, your guides will each be carrying a first- aid kit, so that's one less thing for you to pack [……………………………..]. Remember, you'll be carrying your backpack all day, so keep your load light and don't [……………………………..].

I know you're all experienced hikers, bur it's always worth [……………………………..]the rules of the trail since they're so important. These rules are in place for the safety of everyone on the trip. As you know, there’ll be a hike leader walking at the head of the line, who will show the group the way. At the end of the line will be the rear leader, or [……………………………..]. It's important to always stay ahead of this person while we re on the trail. There are several different trails on the [……………………………..]where we'll be hiking, and they cross each other at some points. When you come to any [……………………………..]of trails, stop and wait for the rest of the group to [……………………………..]. This way we can be sure that no one goes off on the wrong trail. Let me [……………………………..]here how important it is to stay on the trail. We'll be climbing through some steep and [……………………………..]areas. Don't be tempted to go off on your own and try to climb some rocks. That can be quite [……………………………..]. Also, it's not likely, but it is possible that we'll [……………………………..]some large wild animals along the way. The last thing you want to do is try to feed any of them. That will just encourage them to follow us, which could lead to some dangerous [……………………………..]. One last thing: Before we set off hiking each morning, be sure to fill up your water bottle. This is perhaps the most important safety rule. [……………………………..]can be a serious problem when you're out in the [……………………………..], so you must always be sure to carry an adequate supply of water with you.

I think that covers just about everything. Are there any questions?

Section 3. You will hear a conversation between a university student and a faculty advisor about the requirements for the student teach¬ing semester.

Advisor:          I'd like to go over with you today some of the [……………………………..]for your student teaching, which you'll be [……………………………..]next semester.

Student:          I'm really looking forward to working in a real classroom and teaching children, but I'm [……………………………..]about it, too.

Advisor:          One of my roles is to provide you with whatever support you may require. One thing that helps me do that is to know what you're doing in the classroom, so I require all my students to keep a journal about their teaching [……………………………..].

Student:          That sounds like a lot of work. Will I have to write in it every day?

Advisor:          Yes, if you can. You'll give it to me at the end of each week. Another thing I'll want from you is a few sample lesson plans. I'll let you know ahead of time [……………………………..]how I want you to do them.

Student:          Several of us from the university will be student teaching at the same school. Are we [……………………………..]to get together regularly to [……………………………..]our work?

Advisor:          I'll meet with each student teacher [……………………………..], but you aren't required to meet with each other. Of course, you can talk together as much as you want. You will, however, have to [……………………………..]some of the other teachers in the school, besides the teacher you'll be working with.

Student:          Then will I get an [……………………………..]from my supervising teacher at the end of the semester?

Advisor:          Actually, no. I'll do your evaluation, and I'll base it on several things. One is your required [……………………………..], which should contain samples of your class [……………………………..]and your students' work. Another important thing is your term paper.

Student:          Then there won't be a final exam?

Advisor:          No, we don't feel that's [……………………………..]for student teaching.

Student:          I know I have to get an agreement form signed. Since you're my [……………………………..], are you the one to do that?

Advisor:          No, that form is for your [……………………………..]teacher to sign, to document that he or she agrees to have you in the classroom as a student teacher.

Student: Oh, I see. I'm concerned about the term paper I'll have to do, and the [……………………………..]process. I'm not sure I understand what I'm supposed to do.

Advisor:          Regarding the term paper, the first thing is to choose a topic. It should be [……………………………..]to your teaching work. You should let me know your term paper topic by the end of the first week of the [……………………………..].

Student:          Will you be observing me regularly in the classroom?

Advisor:          Yes, and during the fourth week of the semester, we ll have our first evaluation meeting to discuss my [……………………………..].

Student:          One thing I'm really looking forward to is the student teacher [……………………………..]that the university puts on every year.

Advisor:          I'm glad you're looking forward to it. Of course, everyone in the pro¬gram is required to [……………………………..]. The conference takes place, let me check, yes, the [……………………………..]of the semester.

Student:          When will 1 have to turn in my term paper?

Advisor:          The term paper is due by the end of the fourteenth week of the semester. Then during the [……………………………..]and final week, we'll get together one last time for a semester review.

Student:          Wow. It looks like I have a busy semester ahead of me.

Section 4. You will hear a lecture about customer psychology.

Lecture: An understanding of customer [……………………………..]is an invaluable aid for retailers looking for ways to increase sales. Much can be done to the store environment to [……………………………..]shoppers to linger longer and spend more money. The first aspect to consider is the [……………………………..]organization of the store. Placement of [……………………………..]has a great deal of influence on what customers buy. For example, a common practice among [……………………………..]is to place the store's best-selling merchandise near the back of the store. In order to get to these popular items from the front [……………………………..], customers have to [……………………………..]aisles filled with merchandise that they might not see otherwise. [……………………………..]are also used to direct cus¬tomers through particular areas of the store. Retailers choose carpets not only for their [……………………………..]or comfort value, but also because lines or other types of [……………………………..]in the carpets can [……………………………..]guide shoppers in certain directions. Besides encouraging shoppers to go to certain areas of the store, retailers also want to keep them in the store longer. One way to do this is to provide comfortable seating [……………………………..]the store, but not too close to the doors. This gives customers a [……………………………..]to rest and then continue shopping.

Retailers can do a number of things to create a pleasant [……………………………..]in the store, thereby encouraging more [……………………………..]. Music is com¬monly used, not as entertainment, but as a [……………………………..]influence. It can slow the customers' pace through the store, making them spend more time shopping and, [……………………………..], making more purchases. Scent's are also used in [……………………………..]ways. Everyone has had the experience of being drawn into a bakery by the smell of [……………………………..]. Experiments have been done with other types of [……………………………..], as well. For example, the scent of [……………………………..]has been used to increase sales in clothing stores.

Lccturer: Use of color is another important [……………………………..]of store environment.

Certain colors can affect behavior as well as mood. Light [……………………………..], for example, has been found to have an interesting effect on customer behavior. People shopping in an environment where light purple is the [……………………………..]color seem to spend money more than shop¬pers in other environments. Orange is a color that's often used in [……………………………..]restaurants. It encourages customers to leave faster, mak¬ing room for the next group of diners. Blue, on the other hand, is a [……………………………..]. It gives customers a sense of security, so it's a good color for any business to use. In addition to using color to create mood and affect customer [……………………………..], color can also be used to [……………………………..]certain kinds of customers to a business. Stores that cater to a younger [……………………………..]should use bold, bright colors, which tend to be [……………………………..]to younger people. Stores that are interested in attracting an older clientele will have more success with soft, subtle colors, as older people find these colors more [……………………………..].

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.
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