Speaking memories 27th June 2011

Speaking test 1

1.      May I know your full name?

2.      May I see your I.D.?

3.      Presently what are you doing?

4.      Where do you come from?

5.      What facilities does your home town offer?

6.      Do you like flowers?

7.      On what occasions do people use flowers in your country?

8.      Do people use them for worship?

IELTS memories June 25th 2011

Writing task 1 – Line graph – there were two graphs, one showing the number of police officers in two different cities A and B and the second one showing the number of crimes in two different cities A and B.

Task 2 – Essay - Earlier technological developments brought more benefits and changed the lives of ordinary people more than recent technological developments ever will. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

(This essay is also from the list of past essays of 2006, published on this blog and a sample answer also was also posted in Sept. 2010 read here)

AC task 1 exam question of 11th June 2011.

See the question here - IELTS writing tasks of 11th June 2011

The given pie charts compare the energy consumption for various domestic areas with the emission of greenhouse gases through these sources in Australia. 

The most striking feature of the graph is that a fifth (20%) of energy is used for heating and cooling whereas the greenhouse gas emission through this is about two fifth (38%) which is just about double.  Greenhouse gas emissions because of water heating is 25% which is also slightly more than the usage at 23%. The least amount of energy is used for cooking and for stand-by purposes. 5% energy is used for each of these two purposes. The emission of greenhouse gases is also approximately similar from both these sources at 4 and 5% respectively. 

Approximately a tenth of the energy is used for lighting and a similar amount for refrigeration. However, these two areas are the most energy efficient as the greenhouse gas emission through both is 7%. Approximately a quarter of the energy is used for other appliances and the greenhouse gas emission through these is only 16% which is slightly over a fifth. 

Overall it can be seen that heating and cooling contribute the most to global warming whereas cooking and standby appliances contribute the least. 

(201 words)

IELTS result - 24th June ( test date - 11th June)

Satinder

Academic

L -7.5

R - 6

W - 5.5

S - 6

Overall 6.5

Cue card - Describe a friend who could be a good leader. · What is his/her name? · How did you meet him/her? · Do people behave differently when he/she is around? · Why do you think he/she can be a good leader?

 I have many friends but here I would like to talk about my best friend Shyam because I believe he has all the qualities needed to be a good leader.
He lives in my neighbourhood.
He is 20 years old and very handsome.
We have been friends since school days.
I remember, I used to be very shy and never used to go to the teachers with my problems.
But, he never had any hesitation to speak to the teachers or the principal.
In fact, he used to represent the whole class, if we had any problem and needed to talk to our school principal.
He has no glossophobia and every year he used to represent the school for debates and declamation contests and he won many trophies for the school.
He always used to be selected as the monitor of the class. In college, now he heads the students union.
Whenever he talks on any subject, he speaks so well that people listen to him. He can bind his audience very well.
He is himself very disciplined and he always used to encourage other students to be punctual.
He used to be very good in studies also.
He used to be in the good books of all teachers.
He could join politics and be a successful politician, but he wants to be an IAS officer.

IELTS essay - Many old cities around the world are going through a major process of modernization. What are the advantages and disadvantages of modernization?

Modernization is the process by which cities are being transformed under the impact of the scientific and technological revolution. Modernization is usually associated with urban and industrial development. Cities are growing as economic and cultural centers, and new technologies have transformed almost every aspect of life. As everything has its pros and cons, similarly modernization also has its good and bad points which I shall discuss in this essay. 

IELTS essay - Some people think that universities should provide graduates with the knowledge and skills needed in the workplace. Others think that the true function of a university should be to give access to knowledge for its own sake, regardless of whether the course is useful to an employer. What in your opinion should be the main function of a university?

One of the readers of my blog put up a request for this essay. I have posted a very similar essay on 23rd Sept. 2010 which you can read here:- Main functions of a university.

IELTS essay - People find it very difficult to speak in public or to give a presentation before an audience. Do you think public speaking skill is really important? Give reasons. Some people say public speaking should be taught at school. Do you agree or disagree?

Public speaking and oration are the most valued skills that an individual can possess. These skills can be used for almost anything. The most influential prophets and leaders were those who could sway their audiences verbally. The Powerful oratory skills of many leaders have won wars, averted mass panic and saved companies from financial disaster. Unfortunately, speaking in public is one of the most feared activities today. In the following paragraphs, I shall delve into the importance of the skill of public speaking. I believe that it should definitely be a part of the school curricula.

IELTS essay - In the past people wore their traditional clothes and followed their culture. These days most people wear similar clothes and therefore look very similar to one another. Do you think this is a positive or a negative development?

Today, we do not belong to a big planet Earth; we belong to a small global village. In this shrunken world, the cultures have also come closer and as a result people all over the world are dressing up in similar clothes and looking similar. This is largely a positive development.

IELTS essay - Most high level jobs are done by men. Should the government encourage a certain percentage of these jobs to be reserved for women?

Since the beginning of twentieth century, women have fought for equal rights and opportunities in society. As a result, in many countries these days, women make up 50% of the workforce. However it is still a fact that high positions such as CEO jobs are still dominated by men. Although this is not desirable, I do not personally believe that imposing quotas is the solution.

IELTS essay - Research indicates that the characteristics we are born with have much more influence on our personality and development than any experiences we may have in our life. Which do you consider to be the major influence?

Nature versus nurture debate has been around for ages and has been supported well by both sides. Nature, referring to heredity, and the nurture, referring to the environment, are two very reasonable explanations to why we are the people we are today. It would be worthwhile to look at both sides of the issue before forming an opinion.

IELTS essay - Some people think that too much money has been spent looking after and repairing old buildings, so we should knock down old buildings and build modern ones instead. To what extent do you agree or disagree?\

It has been a matter of intense debate for quite some time now as to what should be done with old buildings. Some opine that it is futile to spend money on their restoration and upkeep and that it would be better to build modern ones instead. I partially agree with their view. I believe that those old buildings which are neither beautiful nor useful, should be demolished where as those buildings which add character to a place, give it a unique identity or have a historic significance should be repaired and restored at all costs.

Templates for the IELTS essays

Generally 3 types of essays come in the IELTS

Opinion essays also called the agree/disagree essays	Discuss essays also called the for/against essays	Problem solution essays or essays in which some question has been asked which you have to answer
Introduction – you have to state your opinion in this essay	Introduction – Give a balanced view. Opinion is not to be given here	Introduction – Point out here what you are going to write in your essay. For example – In the following paragraphs, I shall discuss the problems related to this issue and suggest some ways forward / solutions.
Body paragraph 1	Body paragraph 1	Body paragraph 1
Body paragraph 2	Body paragraph 2	Body paragraph 2
Body paragraph 3	Body paragraph 3	Body paragraph 3
Conclusion – Restate your opinion	Conclusion – give your opinion here	Conclusion

Ideally, the introduction and conclusion should be only 2-3 sentences and body paragraphs should be 7-8 sentences.

Body paragraphs

Opinion or agree/disagree essay – You can make a totally one sided essay by agreeing or disagreeing or you can partially agree and write both sides of the topic. You can also put both sides of the issue by completely agreeing or disagreeing but the way of presenting the opponents viewpoint is important. You must again reiterate your opinion after acknowledging the opponents view.

For/against or discuss essay – In this essay your opinion comes in the conclusion but you can write two body paragraphs on the view you agree with and one paragraph of the other view.

Problem / solution essay – Give 2 paragraphs of problems and one of solutions OR give one paragraph of problems and one of solutions OR give one paragraph of one problem and its solution, second paragraph of another problem with its solution and a third paragraph with the third problem and its solution.

( As you go through the essays on this blog, try to see what plan has been followed. There may be some individual variation in a few essays depending on the topic.

Speaking memories 11th June 2011

1.       May I know your full name?

2.       Do you study or work?

3.       What is your qualification?

4.       What did you find most interesting in your study?

5.       What movies did you like in your childhood?

6.       What movies do you like now?

7.       Why has your taste changed?

8.       Do children have more independence today than in the past?

9.       Should there be strict rules for children?

10.   How should parents encourage children to be independent?

11.   Is there any meaning of numbers?

12.   What number is important in your country?

Cue card

Talk about an adventurous person you know

Follow up questions

1.       Should adventurous people be supported by society?

2.       If during adventure sports anyone needs help, should we help him?