WRITING TASK 2 ------ Writing Plan

In some parts of the world it is becoming popular to research the history of one's own family. Why might people want to do this? Is it a positive or negative development?

Here's the plan I wrote for the first main body paragraph:

• Paragraph 2: Why might people want to research family history?
• various different reasons
• to know more about themselves and their roots, where they come from, whether their ancestors had similar personality traits
• because the Internet makes it easier to do this research, we hear about others who have done it, there are advertisements to encourage us
• out of curiosity e.g. we might secretly hope that we have a famous or wealthy ancestor

Here's a full paragraph using the ideas above:

There are various reasons why people might decide to trace their family histories. One explanation may be that they would like to know more about themselves, in terms of their roots, where they come from, or whether their ancestors had similar personality traits. Another factor could be that it has become so much easier to carry out genealogical research using the Internet. We hear about people who have studied their family trees, and there are even advertisements to encourage us to use genealogy websites. Finally, it may be that people are simply curious to find out whether they have any famous or wealthy ancestors.

SAMPLE IELTS TASK 2

Happiness is considered very important in life.
Why is it difficult to define?
What factors are important in achieving happiness?

It is no doubt true that the majority of people would like to be happy in their lives. While the personal nature of happiness makes it difficult to describe, there do seem to be some common needs that we all share with regard to experiencing or achieving happiness.

Happiness is difficult to define because it means something different to each individual person. Nobody can fully understand or experience another person’s feelings, and we all have our own particular passions from which we take pleasure. Some people, for example, derive a sense of satisfaction from earning money or achieving success, whereas for others, health and family are much more important. At the same time, a range of other feelings, from excitement to peacefulness, may be associated with the idea of happiness, and the same person may therefore feel happy in a variety of different ways.

Although it seems almost impossible to give a precise definition of happiness, most people would agree that there are some basic preconditions to achieving it. Firstly, it is hard for a person to be happy if he or she does not have a safe place to live and enough food to eat. Our basic survival needs must surely be met before we can lead a pleasant life. Secondly, the greatest joy in life is usually found in shared experiences with family and friends, and it is rare to find a person who is content to live in complete isolation. Other key factors could be individual freedom and a sense of purpose in life.

In conclusion, happiness is difficult to define because it is particular to each individual, but I believe that our basic needs for shelter, food and company need to be fulfilled before we can experience it.

IELTS Writing Task 2: agree, disagree or partly agree?

IELTS Writing Task 2: agree, disagree or partly agree?

Here's some advice for people who are still confused about "agree or disagree" questions:

If you completely agree or completely disagree:

• Make your opinion clear in the introduction and conclusion.
• Explain one reason for your opinion in paragraph 2 and another in paragraph 3. Imagine that you are persuading the examiner that your opinion is right.
• Don't write a paragraph about what 'other people' think. If you do that, you are in danger of writing a "discuss both views" essay. If you mention the opposite argument, make sure that you refute it (explain why you think it's wrong), 

If you partly agree:

• Make it clear in the introduction and conclusion that you have a balanced view i.e. that you accept both sides of the argument to some extent
• Write one paragraph about each side of the argument. But do this fromyour point of view e.g. On the one hand, I accept that... / On the other hand, I also believe that...
• Don't write a discussion essay e.g. some people believe / other people argue...

Diagram IELTS TASK 1

The diagrams below show the life cycle of the silkworm and the stages in the production of silk cloth.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.
  

Sample Answer :


The figures illustrate the stages in the life of a silkworm and the process of producing silk cloth.

There are four main stages in the life cycle of the silkworm, from eggs to adult moth. The process of silk cloth production involves six steps, from silkworm cocoon to silk material.

Interestingly in 10 days eggs of the adult moth convert to lava which depends on mulberry leaf as their main food. In terms of the duration of transformation from lava to silk thread for certain takes the longest time compare to all other stages.Then in 3-8 days cocoons result from larva which is the most pivotal product of this biological process for the foreseeing project of silk material.

The silk material production process commence with boiling the selected eggs in the hot water then follows a drying procedure.The end result indeed we name as ''Thread'' is undergoing a dyeing procedure in any colour, in order to weave to get a silk material.

(162 words, band 9)

IELTS Writing Task 2 -- The percentage of overweight children in western society has increased by almost 20% in the last ten years. Discuss the causes and effects of this disturbing trend.

The percentage of overweight children in western society has increased by almost 20% in the last ten years.

Discuss the causes and effects of this disturbing trend.

Over the last ten years, western societies have seen close to a 20% rise in the number of children who are overweight. This essay will discuss some reasons why this has occurred and examine the consequences of this worrying trend.

The main cause of this problem is poor diet. Over the last decade there has been a prolific increase in the number of fast food restaurants. For example, on nearly every high street there is a MacDonald’s, Kentucky Fried Chicken and Pizza Hut. The food in these places has been proven to be very unhealthy, and much of the advertising is targeted at children, thus ensuring that they constitute the bulk of the customers of these establishments. However, it is not only due to eating out, but also the type of diet many children have at home. A lot of food consumed is processed food, especially with regards to ready-made meals which are a quick and easy option for parents who are working hard.

The effects of this have been and will continue to be very serious. Firstly, there has been a large increase in health related diseases among children, especially diabetes. This debilitating illness means a child has to be injected with insulin for the rest of their life. Not only this, very overweight children often experience bullying from other children, which may affect their mental health. The negative stigma of being overweight may also affect self-esteem.

To sum up, it is evident that there are several causes of obesity among children, and a variety of negative effects. Society must ensure steps are taken to prevent this problem from deteriorating further.

IELTS Writing Task 2 --- Reducing global environmental damage should be handled by governments rather than individuals. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Reducing global environmental damage should be handled by governments rather than individuals.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Answer
It is true that the damage to the environment is increasing at an alarming rate mainly due to human activities. Even though a great deal of effort is now being made by governments all over the world, individuals also have a major role to play in minimizing global environmental hazards.

To begin with, one of the major reasons for the pollution of the environment is the uncontrolled use of automobiles. If individuals can make a conscious effort to change their lifestyle, by cutting down the use of private cars and using public transport, it would substantially reduce the burning of fossil fuels. In other words, serious attempts could be made by individuals to travel to work regularly by buses and trains, which are cheap and abundant.

In addition to this, individuals could play a significant role towards making our environment safer by not using enormous amounts of plastic in daily life, which is a hazardous pollutant of the soil. For example, almost every consumer uses plastics while shopping, and there is always a 'use and throw away' culture. Instead of doing this, individuals could opt for eco friendly substitutes such as using paper and cloth bags instead of plastic in supermarkets.

In conclusion, it seems to me that environmental problems are a worrying concern and individuals have a crucial role in joining hands with the government in reducing the harm caused to the environment. Lack of individual participation could mean that addressing environmental issue is beyond reach.

IELTS VOCABULARY ON ENVIRONMENT TOPIC

IELTS VOCABULARY ON ENVIRONMENT TOPIC

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Alternative energy sources : Energy that does not come from fossil fuels (such as coal, oil, gas), for example wind, flowing water, solar energy and biomass.

Atmosphere : The mass of air surrounding the Earth.

Backyard burning : An illegal method of getting rid of household waste, possibly in an attempt to save on bin charges, that releases levels of pollutants into the air, so harming air quality and risking the health of those burning the waste and of their neighbours.

Biodiversity : A short form of the phrase ‘biological diversity’, which means the variety of life on this planet and how it interacts within habitats and ecosystems. Biodiversity covers all plants, animals and micro-organisms on land and in water. See also ecosystem, habitat and organism.

CFL bulbs : Short for ‘compact fluorescent lamp’ bulbs, which are light bulbs that use a fraction of the energy of traditional filament bulbs and last up to five times longer.

Domestic waste : Waste produced within the home, including garden waste. See also household waste.Draught proofing :A way to stop heat from escaping a home, for example by sealing window frames and using draught excluders under doors.

Dumping : Disposing of waste illegally by not using bins or official recycling centres, civic amenity sites or landfills.

Global warming : The gradual increase in temperature of the Earth’s surface caused by human activities that cause high levels of carbon dioxide and other gases to be released into the air.

Green bin : A wheelie bin used in certain local authorities to collect dry cardboard, paper, tins and other recyclable waste, including certain plastics.

Ecosystem : A community of organisms that depend on each other and the environment they inhabit.

Ecotourism : Small-scale tourism in fragile and protected areas that aims to have a low impact on the environment, benefit local communities and enable tourists to learn more about the natural and cultural history of the place. See also sustainable tourism.

Emissions : In the context of the atmosphere, gases or particles released into the air that can contribute to global warming or poor air quality.

Energy efficiency : Actions to save fuels, for example better building design, changing production processes, developing better transport policies, using better road vehicles and using insulation and double glazing in homes.

Insulation : In this guide, material such as foam or glass wool that is used in homes and other buildings to prevent heat loss, reduce noise and improve comfort.

Noise pollution : Noises that disturb the environment and people’s ability to enjoy it, for example continually sounding house alarms, loud music, air conditioning or other electrical units and aircraft or motor engines.

Organic food : Plants and animals that are grown or reared without the use of synthetic fertilisers, pesticides or hormones.

Organic : In this guide, matter from living, or once-living, things.

Organism : Any living thing, from bacteria and fungi through to insects, plants, animals and humans.

Ozone layer :The thin protective layer of gas 10 to 50km above the Earth that acts as a filter for ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. High UV levels can lead to skin cancer and cataracts and affect the growth of plants.

Pesticides : A general term for any chemicals that are used to kill weeds, fungi, insects or other pests.

Plastic bag levy : An environmental tax that customers must pay when they accept a plastic or laminated bag from a retailer. There is no tax on small bags, such as those for fresh meat or loose fruit and vegetables. Money raised from the tax is put into a special fund that is used to protect the environment.

Radiation : A form of energy that is transmitted in waves, rays or particles from a natural source, such as the sun and the ground, or an artificial source, such as an x-ray machine. Radiation can be ionising or non-ionising. Ionising radiation includes ultraviolet rays, radon gas and X-rays. Too much exposure to ionising radiation can be harmful, leading to increased risk of cancer. Non-ionising radiation includes visible light, radio waves and microwaves. This type of radiation is less risky to health because it contains less energy, but it can still be harmful at high levels for a long time.

Radioactive : A material is said to be radioactive if it emits radiation

Recycle : To break waste items down into their raw materials, which are then used to re-make the original item or make new items.

Renewable energy : Energy from renewable resources such as wind power, solar energy or biomass.

Reforestation : The process of planting trees in forest lands to replace those that have been cut down.

Sewage : Liquid wastes from communities, which may be a mixture of domestic effluent from homes and liquid waste from industry.

Smog : Air pollution consisting of smoke and fog, which occurs in large urban and industrial areas and is mainly caused by the action of sunlight on burned fuels, mostly from car exhausts. Smog can cause eye irritations and breathing problems and damage plant life.

Toxic : Poisonous or harmful to the body (ecotoxic relates to damage to the environment).

Toxin : A poisonous substance that can either be natural (produced by plants, animals or bacteria) or manufactured. 

Ventilation : In this guide, the movement of air between the inside and outside of a building usually through windows, doors and air vents built into the building’s walls or ceilings.

Wind energy : Energy harnessed from the wind at wind farms and converted to power.  See also wind turbine.

Wind turbine :An engine or machine, usually mounted on a towe, that captures the force of the wind and converts it to electricity.

Sample Answer IELTS Writing Task 1
about Cycle Diagram 1

The diagram below shows the water cycle, which is the continuous movement of water on, above and below the surface of the Earth.
 

Sample Answer :


The picture illustrates the way in which water passes from ocean to air to land during the natural process known as the water cycle.

Three main stages are shown on the diagram. Ocean water evaporates, falls as rain, and eventually runs back into the oceans again.

Beginning at the evaporation stage, we can see that 80% of water vapour in the air comes from the oceans. Heat from the sun causes water to evaporate, and water vapour condenses to form clouds. At the second stage, labelled ‘precipitation’ on the diagram, water falls as rain or snow.

At the third stage in the cycle, rainwater may take various paths. Some of it may fall into lakes or return to the oceans via ‘surface runoff’. Otherwise, rainwater may filter through the ground, reaching the impervious layer of the earth. Salt water intrusion is shown to take place just before groundwater passes into the oceans to complete the cycle.

(156 words, band 9)

IELTS TASK 1 ---The diagram below shows how a central heating system in a house works.

The diagram below shows how a central heating system in a house works.

Summaries the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

model answer:

This diagram provides an overview of a domestic central heating system. It shows how the tank, boiler and pipes ensure a constant flow of hot water to both the radiators and the taps.

The cold water enters the house and is stored in a water storage tank in the roof. From there ü flows down to the boiler, located on the ground floor of the house.

The boiler, which is fueled by gas or oil, heats up the water as it passes through it. The hot water is then pumped round the house through a system of pipes and flows into the radiators, located in different rooms. The water circulates through the radiators, which have small tubes inside them to help distribute the heat, and this warms each of the rooms. Some of the water is directed to the taps to provide hot water for the house.

Once the water has been through the pipes and radiators, it is returned to the boiler to be re-heated and circulated round the house again.

Recent IELTS Speaking Test ( Topic ) 2014

Speaking test July 18,2014


What is your name?
Where do you come from?
Are working or studying?
Tell me about your work.
Why did you choose your profession now?
Do you prefer taking photos by mobile phones or camera?
What kind of photos do you want to take capture of?
What do you do you with the photos you"ve taken?
Where do you keep them?
Do you have plans of studying photography?Why?



TOPIC
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Any important advise that you received in your life.

In what situation in your life did you get some advise? 
Who gave the advise? 
Was the advise made good to you?


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Task 3 questions:
Is it better to get advise from a family or a friend?
To whom are you giving advise now? What?Why?
In choosing a career is it better to seek advise or to make own decision?
Are school teachers can give advise on your personal problems?
What should be the personality of a good adviser?

IELTS General Writing: formal phrases

IELTS General Writing: formal phrases

Here are some formal phrases that I've used in previous lessons. See if you can use them in your own letters:

Beginning the letter by explaining why you are writing:

• I am writing with regard to...
• I am writing to inform you that...
• I am writing to bring to your attention some issues with...

Requesting or suggesting something:

• I have decided that I would like you to...
• I am entitled to ask for...
• I was wondering if it would be possible (for me) to...
• I hope that you will...
• I would like to suggest that...

Ending the letter with a request for action:

• I look forward to receiving your response.
• I await your prompt response.

Recent IELTS GT Test

Recent IELTS GT question

IELTS Writing - Key Words & Expressions

By learning to use common phrases and set expressions, you can add variety and interest to your writing. You will also be able to write more quickly and effectively during exams, when time is limited.

Of course, you won't need to use all of the expressions on the IELTS. Ideally, you should be comfortable using at least three or four expressions from each group below, so they come to mind easily during the IELTS. It is also helpful to have someone call them out so you can test your spelling. Unfortunately, students sometimes make spelling errors even in these commonly occurring expressions. Practice sufficiently so you don't lose points unnecessarily on something that's within your control.

KEY WORDS for IELTS WRITING

Stating Your Opinion

In my opinion,	According to me,
In my view,	To me,
From my point of view,	I think
It seems to me that	I believe
From my perspective	To my way of thinking
It appears that	I suppose
I realize	I understand
I imagine	I feel

Giving Examples

For example,	For instance,
such as	In other words,
as	like
that is	namely
To illustrate	To paraphrase

Comparing

Similar to	As...as
in common	also
Either...or	In the same way,
Neither...nor	At the same time
Just as	resemble

Contrasting

However,	But
On the contrary,	On the other hand,
Differ from	Nevertheless
Although	Though
Otherwise	Instead
Alternatively,	Even though

Generalizing

Generally,	Generally speaking,
Overall,	On the whole,
In general,	By and large,
It seems to me that	I believe
All in all,	Basically,
Essentially,	As a rule,
All things considered	For the most part

Expressing Certainty

Certainly,	Undoubtedly,
Doubtless,	No doubt,
Definitely,	Of course,

Expressing Partial Agreement

More or less,	To some extent,
Up to a point,	Almost,
In a way,	So to speak,

Showing effect

Therefore,	As a result,
Consequently,	For this reason,
Thus,	So,
thereby	Eventually,
Hence,	The reason why

Marking time

First,	Last
Second,	Lastly,
Third,	Then,
Firstly,	First of all,
Secondly,	Before
Thirdly,	After
During	While
To begin with	At the same time
Simultaneously	After this / that
Since	Meanwhile
Afterwards	Following this
When	As soon as

Adding Information

Furthermore	In addition
Also	And
Moreover	Similarly
Likewise	As well as
Besides	Too
Even	What’s more

Expressing condition

If	Whether
In case	Unless
Provided that	So that

Concluding

To summarize	In conclusion
Lastly,	Finally,
To conclude with,	In short,