Tips for IELTS Listening

I haven't blogged in ages, mainly because nothing note-worthy has happened recently. But that's no excuse, you say? Well, without further ado, here are a few tips I've compiled for the IELTS Listening exam:

1. Listen first, answer later

In the beginning, I wrote down the answers as they were being read. Sure it may seem like the normal thing to do, especially when the questions look so deceptively easy. But trust me, if you're concentrating on writing the answer quickly then you are risking missing out it. Listen and understand. This will help you to commit the facts to memory even if the recording whizzes by. This tip especially useful for lecture-type questions.

2. Look out for synonyms
During the time you're given to read each Section, you must attempt to guess what is going to be read in context for each blank. In doing so, one should be aware of synonyms that could be present. This means that although the speaker may describe something using a particular word, it's synonym could be on the question paper instead. For example:

Speaker: "Participants are advised to arrive 15 minutes at the Main Hall before the competition begins."
Question paper: "Players should be present quarter of an hour ahead at the   Main Hall   ."

3. Listen to radio shows

This will help improve you attention span of your ears. When I was doing practice tests, I noticed how easily distracted I could become. For instance, my pencil never looked more interesting until I started listening to a particularly challenging passage. Therefore, as practice in order to focus all my attention to hearing when needed, I listened to radio shows like Cabin Pressure on my iPod before I went to sleep.

Good luck for your IELTS!

PS - In case you were wondering, I scored 8.5 on my IELTS Listening exam.

I PASSED!

Oh my goodness, I actually passed IELTS!

I cannot describe the happiness and, most of all, the relief I'm feeling right now. I mean, I was actually expecting to resit the exam because of my lackluster performance, particularly in Speaking.

I'm quite proud of my results, especially the perfect score for Reading! Not so much for Writing, though. Oh well, I've never been great shakes at writing in the first place. Anyway, what matters is that I've got enough for my degree!

Until next time, goodbye!

Woe is me

I just got back from my IELTS exam and I honestly think that I sod up my Writing and Speaking tests. Hence, I'm feeling a little down in the dumps.

During the 2 hour wait for the Speaking interview to start, I tried to calm myself by reading Crime and Punishment (didn't work) and listening to Cabin Pressure (made me giggle like a buffoon in the lounge). During the course of the interview, I stuttered and and was often lost for words. Half the time, I was trying to make up stuff to say because a) the topics were mundane and b) nothing noteworthy ever happens in my life.

The examiner had a fake smile on the entire time which I found a bit disconcerting. I suppose you can't blame the old bird. If I were her, I'd want to stick a pencil into my forehead, just to rid myself of the monotony. But hey, that's just me.

On a lighter note, I finally got my prescription glasses - Ray Ban frames and Nikon lenses. The lenses were pretty expensive and they make me feel like I have two camera lenses on my face. The weight of the high-prescription lenses cause it keep sliding down my nose. Hopefully, I can get it adjusted accordingly soon.

I included the following picture because it cracked me up. You have be warned.

Enough hogging the camera A! Now here's a close-up the frames. It's a pair of Wayfarers with a dark blue gradient (ombre?)

Next week, on the 24th, I'll be heading back to Sri Lanka for a 2 month long holiday. The past 6 months have already been like a really, really long holiday but I guess I was too busy to enjoy. University, visa, IELTS and all that jazz.

I'm going to go watch The Legend of Korra now. Bye!

IELTS 4

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Face-to-face communication is better than other types of communication, such as letters, email, or telephone calls. Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

Humans have changed through thousands of years of evolution. But there's one aspect that has consistently stayed with us - our need to communicate. In the modern age we now live in, a vast array of communication methods are available to us. These methods can be sub-divided into direct communication (face-to-face) and indirect communication (letters, telephone calls etc.).

When considering face-to-face communication, I believe it's advantages are highlighted best when it comes to dealing with important issues that require immediate feedback such as when interviewing a prospective employee. In such situations, using this type of communication will allow you to observe body language of either party as well. On the other hand, it may sometimes prove difficult to arrange such meeting for face-to-face communication. For example, an unsatisfied customer will find it hard to complain, face-to-face, to an employee of an overseas company.

When face-to-face communication proves to be difficult or impossible, this is when usage of other forms of indirect communication come into play. Letters and emails, in particular, are advantageous because they save both the sender and receiver a lot a time. Also, you can organize your ideas in a fitting manner ensuring a concise transfer of information. For instance, it is much less money and time-consuming to inquire about the availability of an item in an online store using email rather than  meeting directly with a customer service representative. However, we cannot expect an immediate response nor observe mannerisms.

Therefore, in conclusion, I believe that both types of communication prove to be useful in certain situations. But, it is my personal preference to use non-face-to-face communication because it allows me to think carefully about what I wish to convey.

Number of words: 282

Personal comments: I have to say, I'm quite happy with this attempt! I've not gone past the word limit of 250 words too much. But I worry I take up too much time over one Task.

PS: I love love LOVE 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' by Stieg Larsson. I can't wait to get started on the rest of the Millennium books!

IELTS 3

Some people say that the Internet provides people with a lot of valuable information. Others think access to so much information creates problems. Which view do you agree with? Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

The 21st century has often been referred to as The Information Age. People move fast, talk fast and learn fast. It goes without saying that the Internet has been instrumental in shaping the way we handle information now. But it is my belief that the Internet, like all things, has its advantages as well as its disadvantages.

A few decades ago, if we wanted a list of the world's tallest mountains, we would most likely have had to visit a library or consulted somebody of that respective field. Now, all we have to do is type whatever it is we want to know into an Internet search engine to get information. What's more, with the myriad of information just a click away, we are able to discover new things even if weren't looking for them in the first place. This means that people will be able to discover and foster new interests. Another major advantage of the Internet is the ease of communication. It has never been easier to keep in touch with friends and family, near or far, thanks to emails, social networks, Skype etc.

However, when considering the disadvantages brought upon by the Internet, the number is certainly significant. Cyber crime is one of the leading problems caused by the Internet, affecting banks, government agencies etc. Counter-measures need to be employed in order to guard important information from hackers. Another weighty problem is pornography, readily available for anyone with an Internet connection. Most people, especially parents, are quick to point out the damaging effects of such content on younger Internet users. This issue can be dealt with by introducing safe-browsing software or by addressing the problem directly with the users.

In conclusion, I would like to say that the advantages of using the Internet far outweigh its disadvantages. It is up to us and us alone to use it wisely.

Number of words: 312

Personal comments: I took up too much time writing this one. Also, I'm not too sure I got my point across very well in the end.

Since my IELTs are coming up next month (January 19th 2013), I have decided to publish my Writing task answers. Hopefully, this might motivate me to practice writing more often. But please do bear in mind that these answers are rather rudimentary as I will be relying on self-studies for this exam. So far, I have come to realize that writing about a singular topic is definitely not my forte. I probably might cringe in the future when I read my answers again (in fact, I already do). Anyway, I don't really have much to report other than that so...that's all folks!

PS: I'm nervous.

IELTS 2

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to you concerning an issue about my current accommodation. For the past two months, I have been sharing a room with another student from my college. Since we'd only met each other for the first time as roommates, I had no clue as to what her personality would be like.

I laid some ground rules in the beginning. For instance, no loud music or other distractions when either one of us is studying. Unfortunately, my roommate decided not to heed these rules after a week and proceeded to play her music loud. Furthermore, our room was almost in constant disarray with half her wardrobe strewn on the floor. Despite my attempts to keep a tidy environment, it stubbornly remains in a chaotic state.

I feel that my studies are starting to get affected from this chaotic environment. It's highly stressful for me to come back to a loud and messy room after a long day of lectures. I have tried discussing these issues with my roommate but to no avail.

Therefore, I would highly appreciate if you would be able to find a non-shared single room for me so that I can properly focus on my studies. I hope you will be able to understand my predicament and respond to this letter soon.

Yours sincerely,

ADB

Number of words: 224

Personal comments: Vocabulary terribly needs improving! My reasoning sounds pretty ridiculous and the whole thing just ended up like a dying balloon, didn't it? 

IELTS 1

The graph illustrates the usage of water globally during the time period 1900 to 2000. The agriculture sector shows the most prominent rise during this period from 500 km3 to 3000 km3. Meanwhile, the industrial and domestic sectors too increased their water usages from 1950 onward, though not as strikingly as the agriculture sector. Domestic usage only reached 300 km3 at the start of the 21st century whereas industrial usage surged further till it reached 1000 km3. Using this graph, we can conclude that the global water usage has increased as time went by.

The table summarizes the correlation between the two countries, Brazil and Congo, and their water consumption for the year 2000. Firstly, we can see that Brazil has a population almost 30 times greater than Congo. Similarly, the irrigated land and water consumption of Brazil is vastly greater than Congo; Brazil has irrigated 26,500 km2 of it's land while by Congo, only a mere 100 km2. This explains why the water consumption per person in Congo is low, considering it's only 8 m3 which is a far cry from the 359 m3 consumed per person in Brazil. From these statistics,we have reached the conclusion that there is a positive correlation between the area of irrigated land and water consumption per person.

Number of words: 214

Personal comments: I suppose I ended up sounding rather mediocre but it is a first try, after all. Anyway I really have to buff up on my vocabulary and pick my words properly without rambling on so much.