IELTS Coaching Updates

We generally use an before the words start with vowel sound [a, e, i, o, u] and a before the words start with consonant sound [non-vowel sounds, or their corresponding letters]

The use of ‘a’ and ‘an’ completely depends on the sound of the letters and how we pronounce the particular letter in English. It’s no matter the word starts with the vowel or consonant letters.

Vowels

A, E, I, O & U

Consonants

B, C, D, F, G, H, J, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W, X, Y

Sometimes the letter sounds as “Y” is not consonant. So we use a here (see the examples below – in use of ‘a’)

Use of ‘an’ [ before the letter start with vowel sound ]

Example:

1. Before the word starts with the vowel sound

              an Apple, an egg, an owl, an idea

2. Before the word starts with silent “h”

An hour, an honourable chief minister, an honest man

3. F, H, M, L, N, R, S, X are letters that are not vowels but start with vowel sound, so we use an before the word start with these letters.

an S.P, an F.I.R, an M.L.A, an N.C.C, an R.F.A

• ‘M’ has the sound of ‘em’ same as ‘N’ has the sound ‘en’ and ‘F’ has the sound ‘ef’, so we use an before abbreviations start with vowels or these letters.

Use of ‘a’ [before the letter start with consonant sound]

1. In the sense of one

a one-man show, a one-rupee note.

• Here one starts with the sound ‘W’, so we use a
• Since letter O is vowel but it sounds like consonant

2. With vowel letters having consonant value

a university,  a unique, a unit, a European Language

• All these letters start with the consonant sound ‘yu’, so we use a before these

3. With a certain expression of quantity

a lot of, a dozen, a great deal of, a couple

• Sometimes we tend to say ‘one dozen’, and that is the wrong expression.

4. With a special meal ( to celebrate something or in someone’s honor)

A dinner was arranged to welcome the chief guest.

I called my friends to a lunch to celebrate my success.

5. To make a common noun of a proper noun

He is ‘a second Newton’.

• This phrase means ‘a philosopher as great as Newton’)

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?

This is perhaps the most asked question by prospective test takers, and to which trainers rush in to answer, predicting anywhere from few days to weeks. The fact is, no one knows; not even your well-meaning friend who took the exam and got his/her desired score, simply because each individual is at a different proficiency level to begin with and preparation times may vary widely.

A lot of people have fairly good speaking skills but their writing abilities may need improvement and that can take time. It's important to understand how each section of the exam is assessed before you set out to prepare on your own or undergo coaching with an individual trainer/institute - what the question types are, how they are marked and what the assessment criteria are for the speaking and writing sections.

So the first step towards IELTS preparation is to take a test and get yourself assessed by a certified trainer. While one can self-assess the listening and reading sections, it is prudent to seek professional advice to avoid the pitfalls in each section, and receive feedback for the speaking and writing responses. A good trainer should be able to explain what the IELTS examiners are looking for and hence, the specific areas in which you need improvement. 

Therefore, seek out someone who is equipped to guide you well and set you on the right path.

Good luck on your IELTS preparations!

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.