IELTS General Test

Gerunds and Infinitives

Put the verbs in brackets in their correct form: 

1. Even though I felt like __________ /PERSUADE/ her __________ /GO/ on __________ /TALK/, I did not let myself __________ /IMPOSE/  anything like that, especially that she was just about __________ /FINISH/  her speech. 
2. Although she would rather __________ /COMMENT+NOT/ on my behaviour last night, she insisted on __________ /GIVE/ some explanation  concerning the last events. 
3. Benjamin is suspected of __________ /MAKE/ his clients __________ /PAY/ twice as much as is usually charged even though they do not seem  __________ /MIND/ __________ /MUST+PAY/. 
4. Her doctor forbade her __________ /SMOKE/ without __________ /SAY/ why she should __________ /STOP/ __________ /LEAD/ her life the way  she used to. 
5. Helen had better ____________ /STOP/ ____________ /CRITICISE/ people behind their backs. Has she ever stopped ____________  /CONSIDER/ why people never look forward to ____________  /INVITE/____________ /COME/ to her office? 
6. ____________ /TALK/ to all voters in the area, the young politician had no difficulty ____________ /WIN/ the campaign, although he admitted to  ____________ /MAKE+NOT/ his own wife ____________ /SUPPORT/   
7. Although doctors used to ____________ /RECOMMEND/ ____________ /GO/ ____________ /JOG/, they must have changed their minds as now  patients are slowly getting used to ____________ /ADVISE/ ____________  /DROP/ that habit. 
8. Mary is claimed ____________ /WATCH/ ____________ /START/____________ /FIGHT/with Anthony yesterday. 
9. Jeremy proposed __________________ /POSTPONE/ the meeting, but he was made __________________ /DROP/ the idea because nobody felt like  __________________ /MUST+COME/ once again. 
10. Stephen wouldn’t like __________________ /MISS/ the party the previous night although for him __________________ /EXPRESS/ any  regret must be very difficult as everybody considers him  __________________ /BE/ very insensitive. 
11. Agnes was afraid __________________ /CLAIM/ __________________ /FOLLOW/ by two strangers since the previous week, but she was sensible  enough __________________ /DEMAND/ __________________  /PROTECT/. 
12. Although I was delighted __________________ /HEAR/ Eve __________________ /SAY/ things which encouraged me  __________________ /KEEP/ on __________________ /WORK/, I would  rather __________________ /DISCOURAGE/ from that particular task. 
13. Why did you forget __________________ /WARN/ them __________________ /LET+NOT/ themselves __________________  /CRITICISE/ by their peers? 
14. Terry has always boasted of __________________ /CAN+MAKE/ even his greatest enemy __________________ / LOOK/ unimportant in his own   
15. Jim is said __________________ /DATE/ Jenny for some time now, in spite of __________________ /BE/ inclined __________________  /MARRY/ Jenny’s sister. 
16. Although I can’t help __________________ /FINISH/ the assignment on time, I can’t help __________________ /FEEL/ sorry about the delay. 
17. I don’t mind __________________ /TAKE/ to hospital the other day. I only regret __________________ /STAY+NOT/ there long enough  __________________ /RECOVER/ fully and __________________  /CAN+PLAY/ today. 
18. Did you remember __________________ /TELL/ the boss __________________ /ALLOW+NOT/ his both secretaries  __________________ /GO/ on __________________ /WORK/ till late? 
19. The conflict between the two superpowers, which seems __________________ /DIE/ down a few months ago is said  __________________ / INCREASE/ at present. 
20. Did they succeed in __________________ /PERSUADE/ Jimmy __________________ /LET/ Maggie __________________ /GO/ to the  movie instead of __________________ /KEEP/ her at home? 
21. For Jeremy __________________ /PRETEND/ __________________ /TALK/ to us while __________________ /ANSWER/ the phone from his  boss was not anything unusual.
22. George doesn't forbid _________________ (DRINK) at parties although he prefers  _________________ (DRINK) in restaurants. 
23. As father doesn't allow _________________ (SPEAK) during breakfast, we are all used to _________________ (EAT) in silence. 
24. The man _________________ (THREATEN) _________________ (CALL) the police, the boys _________________ (BEGIN)  _________________ (ESCAPE). 
25. As my coat wants _________________ (SHORTEN) I'll need _________________ (TAKE) it to a good tailor. 

Answers Below 

Communicating ideas understandably and impressively is a skill that is desired in all fields of life. Most of us have been using at least two means of communication: speaking and writing. Test of speaking and writing skills demands grammatically correct, coherent and fluent answers.

During any speaking test one should focus on the question asked and try to present the answer in the following format:

* one line concise answer to the question.

* elaborate the opinion/argument/claim keeping in mind to use a wider vocabulary.

* Conclude using a statement.

Note that using different types of sentence structures, phrases, idioms and fitting adjectives would do your writing and speak more impressive. However, this should not be done at the expense of fluency in speaking.

Examples Speaking:

Q. What is your opinion about punctuality in life?

A. Respecting and managing time should be everyone's priority, and this can be efficiently inculcated in our lives by being punctual. (This is your opinion)

By being late for something, we waste precious time of others and ourselves. From our school days, we were taught to be punctual. This is still helping us in managing our time without being stressed. For example, I am always the first one to reach my workplace, and hence, I can also leave my office on time. As a result, I get time for personal activities and feel satisfied at the end of the day. I am not very proud to say that in my country many people are in the habit of being late for everything. On a lighter note, even the trains are never on time here, and this has become a reason for a great loss to our economy.

(This elaborates your thought, and the last statement ends the conversation on a good note so let it be the conclusion)

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Writing tests are both easier and difficult as compared to reading. Easier because one gets time to think, organise, present and edit. Difficult because one is expected to include more elements of the language to embellish the piece. Writing should be organised in the following way:

* Before actual writing-Read the question carefully and draw a flowchart to organise your writing. The flowchart may be roughly divided into four sections- 1) Intro 2) Fact/ Reason1 3)Fact/ Reason2 4) Conclusion.

* Intro can be started using a fitting phrase or quotation. The intro should be short, crisp and to the point. The last line of intro should provide transition platform for next para.

* If you asked to give your opinion/ argument/ agree/disagree type question, start with the most important point in favour of your opinion/argument. First line should be a statement to the same effect. Next elaborate the idea with examples.

* The second fact should be the one which is relevant to your topic and has content to back it up.

* The last para should be a conclusion/ suggestion as required by the question.

   To obtain an impressive piece of writing, transition words, phrases, idioms and adjectives should be used smartly. Also, keep the writing within or close to a word limit.

Please look up for my next lecture for an example of writing.

Hope this helps and good luck with writing and speaking!

Can any body give me information that if I book IELTS (General) test on any date then the test will be completed on the same day or will continue for more days?

You should be familiar with the variety of tasks on the IELTS Academic Writing Module and on the General Training Writing Module.

Academic Writing Module

Describe a chart

Give an opinion

Purpose a solution to a problem

General Training Writing Module

Write a letter asking for assistance

Writing Tips

1. Make sure you organise your writing before you begin. Use the back of your answer sheet to create a concept map.

2. The examiners judge your writing on its clarity. Make sure you have supported your ideas with specific details.

3. You can write more than 150 words for task 1 or more than 250 words for task 2, but you can't write less. You will lose points of you have less than the assigned number of weird in your essay.

4. In the introductory paragraph, paraphrase your idea. Do not use the exact words in the introduction that you use in the body of the essay. This gives your writing more variety.

5. Organise your time carefully. Leave time for planning, writing and revising.I hope you find it worthy, and these guides will help to improve writing.

Hi all,

If you are here reading this, then it means you too are one of those many people who are looking to get an extra edge in your english section. English is all about your reading skills. The more you read, the more will be your chances to score high in very less time. And trust me you can not bell this section without improving your reading speed.

For example: In a 60 mins prelim exam of IBPS, you should try to solve the english section in 10 mins ideally and aim to score more than 60% correct out of total no of english questions in the section. This much should be your level in english.

How you can improve your English:

• Buy any of the good bestsellers available online and read atleast 10 pages daily. Buy book of any genre: romance, motivational, adult anything. The main idea is to read and read a lot.
• Download a magoosh GRE vocabulary application from google play store on your mobile and practice it daily. It is free of cost. For those who do not know, Magoosh is famous online preparation website for exams related to GRE, TOEFL, IELTS, SAT and many more.

I have seen people keep on practising from different books but still unable to score good marks. It is because they are unable to judge from the structure of sentence whether it is correct or not and this is what will makes the difference between an ardent reader and an irregular one.

You do not need a single thing extra apart from above two to excel in your english.

IELTS speaking Test - Tips and Strategies

The speaking test is taken on one-to-one interview of 11 to 14 minutes. It may be conducted on the very same day of the examination, or prior one day or after a few days.  It solely depends on discretion of the examination center.

The interview is taken into three parts. The interviewer guides the candidate through the interview process. The interview is recorded.

Part 1: Introduction and Interview (Duration 4 to 5 minutes)

In part 1, questions are very general and are of familiar topics like about the candidate, about the candidate’s home, family, job, studies the candidate is undertaking, candidate’s interest and so on.

The examiner introduces him or hers and asks for the candidate’s name and some form of identification, usually a passport.

How to approach?

The examiner knows how you feel because examiners are usually teachers. The examiner has a set of questions and he asks questions from them.

• Do not repeat the question while answering:
  • For example if the examiner asks you; which is your favourite colour?

You should not answer like my favourite colour is……..(Incorrect format). Do not repeat the question while answering. You would rather answer like this: It is blue. I like it because……………..                       (Correct Format)

• Try to use synonyms of the words used by the Examiner, if at all it is required or else go ahead with what you want to say.

Part 2: Topics (3-4 minutes)

In part 2, the candidate is given a cue card on which a topic is printed. The examiner asks the candidate to talk about the topic mentioned on the card. The candidate has one minute to prepare for about the topic. You need to talk about the topic between 1 to 2 minutes. You are allowed to make notes which will guide you when you start talking about it.

Topic on the card is usually related to a piece of music, clothes, a book, a film, any special day, your favourite place, your favourite shop, etc.

How to approach?

• Use one minute to plan. Do not start immediately without planning.
• Write the points not sentences. Write the points in vertical list in order so that it will be easier for you to see them during your talk.
• The mark is given when your talk is organized.
• The interviewer checks you on fluency and coherence. So be relevant and fluent and present a logic and clear argument. Give relevant examples and share your experience (if required).
• Use synonyms and phrases. Do not repeat words.
• Use different grammatical structures to show the interview that you have good command over English language.
• Be aware of the time limit, you only have 1-2 minutes. Record your talk before the exam and see how many words you speak in 2 minutes.
• As you speak, refer to the list to organize your answer and maintain proper eye contact with the interviewer.
• Sound natural and be yourself.

Part 3: Discussion (4 to 5 minutes)

In part 3, the examiner and the candidate talk about things which are related to Part 2. In this section, the examiner expects the candidate to elaborate more on the topics.

How to approach?

• Listen carefully to the examiner’s questions.
• Ask the examiner to repeat the question if you do not understand it.

• Sound natural. Make a story. Remember, the examiner here only bothers with your speaking ability. So, relax and make sense while speaking whether you have just cooked the story or it is coming from your experience.

• Make sure your answer is relevant.

How to develop speaking ability?

• Speak about anything that you see or experience. Speak as much English as you can.
• Start reading ALOUD. It will helps you gain confidence and fluency.
• Know the format of the examination beforehand and prepare according to that.
• Record your talk and make a habit of self correction and get yourself corrected from the experts, may be your teacher or mentor.

Dos and Don’ts

Do’s

• Be positive and smile.
• Maintain Eye contact with the interviewer.
• Use a wide range of vocabulary. Practice to use them before the exam.

Don’ts

• Do not sound as if you have learnt the answer.
• Do not start your talk promptly in part 2. Use 1 minute to make notes.
• Do not be put off by the tape recorder in the room.
• Do not repeat the words and sentences used by the examiner.