At work or in your studies, do you often write things?
Yes, I write a lot of emails as part of my job. I work for a company that has offices in several countries, so we use email to communicate.
How often do you send e-mails?
I probably write between 5 and 10 work emails every day, and I send emails to friends or family a few times a week.
Do you prefer to write by hand or on a computer?
It depends what I’m doing. I prefer the computer for most things because it’s faster and you can save or copy things, but I still like making notes or writing ideas down by hand.
Do you think computers might one day replace handwriting?
No, I think we will always write by hand as well. I think it’s an important skill, and schools will continue to teach children to write by hand before they learn to type.
Hi Simon,
Just wanted to ask how important is the use of Subjunctive in Ielts,(writing and speaking)
Thanks and Regards.
Posted by: jawairia | February 03, 2012 at 10:15
Hi Jawairia,
You can forget about that. It's not important at all.
Posted by: Simon | February 03, 2012 at 18:19
Hi Simon,
It's been about 2 months that I have been reading novels avidly. Since of was reading them in the past but once in a while, I take great pleasure in reading them one after another now.
Just wanted to know, do you think its a good way of improving my reading skills even in IELTS and boosting up my GE as well as increasing my writing skills?
Thx a lot
Posted by: Abbas | February 03, 2012 at 18:55
Hii simon,
Thank you for this wonderful site...i m preparing for IELTS myself.is it possible to get a good band score if i study everything in this site?
Posted by: Rose | February 03, 2012 at 21:55
Hi Simon,
I have your eBook.
You have done great work.
Still, i think you should update some topics.
I went through the book quickly.
Now, I move on step by step and write essay according to your eBook topics.
I got advertising topic. There is more than enough information for Advertising topic.
Today I do "animal testing" in which i think you need to update that part. As students have no idea in such a topic.
I need your help in that topic.
Please give me more sentences on "Arguments "for" and "against" Animal".
Thanks.
Posted by: x-reader | February 04, 2012 at 01:57
Thanks Simon for having shared with us the questions and answers for speaking tests.It's really helpful.
Posted by: Qua Lam | February 04, 2012 at 06:06
Thanks Simon,
It's a great relief.
Posted by: jawairia | February 04, 2012 at 09:42
Hi Abbas,
Yes, that's definitely a good idea. Keep doing it!
...
Hi Rose,
Yes, use my site for advice and practice, and try to do some tests from the Cambridge IELTS books too. The only other thing you might need to do is to get some of your essays checked by a teacher.
...
Hi x-reader,
I'm not sure which part you are having difficulty with. There are enough ideas about animal testing in the ebook - you don't really need any more. Which ideas didn't you understand?
...
No problem Qua Lam and Jawairia.
Posted by: Simon | February 04, 2012 at 23:15
At work or in your studies, do you often write things?
Yes, I do much writing whenever I'm at work. Basically, my work involves a lot of documentation. Working as a nurse needs to write down important details to save me from lawsuit in case a patient sues the hospital or a nurse.
Posted by: gwapo | February 05, 2012 at 12:59
Do you prefer to write by hand or on a computer?
I'd rather use a computer than writing by hand. I find it way easier to type on a computer because it very easy to copy, erase or edit my writing unlike when I write on a paper I needed an eraser or a white marker just to erase my writing, which is quite messy.
Posted by: gwapo | February 05, 2012 at 13:03
Do you think computers might one day replace handwriting?
I believe I will be less common in the future. As more and more use electronic devices like ipad, iphones or laptops, which are more convenient to bring along outside, writing by hand can be replaced one day.
Posted by: gwapo | February 05, 2012 at 13:06
I believe It will be less common in the future. As more and more use electronic devices like ipad, iphones or laptops, which are more convenient to bring along outside, writing by hand can be replaced one day.
Posted by: gwapo | February 05, 2012 at 13:07
Hey simon,
When I took speaking, I always cannot hear examiner clearly. May i ask the examiner to repeat the question, it will give me an effect on my score?
Thanks
lily
Posted by: lily | February 06, 2012 at 09:45
hi simon ,
i have been following your site regular as i have already given Ielts twice and my speaking marks are 6.5 and 5.5 respectively. i think i was doing good for my second speaking test but didnt figure out why i got low marks ? i have been speaking little fast and using more slang words . how should i improve my habits?
your feedback would be appreciated,,
Posted by: sujan | February 06, 2012 at 12:04
Thanks for sharing Gwapo.
...
Hi Lily,
Yes, it's ok to ask the examiner to repeat a question.
...
Hi Sujan,
It's difficult for me to help you because I don't know what your individual problems are. It would be a good idea to take a few lessons with a private teacher who can analyse what you are doing wrong.
Posted by: Simon | February 06, 2012 at 13:07
Thanks simon,I will definitely follow your advice.
Posted by: Rose | February 06, 2012 at 20:23
Mr. Simon I find it useful to read the practice questions in speaking or even in writing.. My question: Is it really just "recycling of questions" ?? =D I saw the examiner having their copy of questions ... Is it really that way?? thank you =D
Posted by: D-red | February 06, 2012 at 23:47
hi simon,
do i need to speak slowly or normal what i have now while speaking? and what a techer looks in students in speaking test ?
confused
Posted by: sujan | February 07, 2012 at 11:55
Hi D-red,
I think I answered on Facebook.
...
Hi Sujan,
Just try to speak normally and naturally. This is what examiners look for.
Posted by: Simon | February 08, 2012 at 16:50
Hi simon
I really like your site and all the wonderful work, but as i know in the speaking test, idioms also vital as vocab and fluency. It can improve your mark even with only one suitable use in your speaking section whether it's sec 1,2 or 3, so i wonder it's could be very helpful if you can put at least one idiom with all the speaking materials from now on. I already studied the English idioms in use right now.
and many thanks :)
Posted by: vinh | February 09, 2012 at 03:49
Hi Vinh,
I think I'll do a lesson about idioms this weekend because many students ask about them.
Posted by: Simon | February 09, 2012 at 10:39
hi Simon,
if the examiner will ask for our name, do we only state our name or is there a need to add another sentence or phrase? I am confused because some teachers told us to give two to three sentences on part 1 of speaking and stating our name is just one sentence only.
thank you,
claud
Posted by: claudette | February 10, 2012 at 04:19
Hi simon
i'm looking forward to your lesson this weekend .
Many thanks
Posted by: vinh | February 10, 2012 at 06:34
Hi Claudette,
When they ask for your name, it is NOT part of the test. They need to check your identity before the test starts. So just give your name.
...
Ok Vinh.
Posted by: Simon | February 10, 2012 at 10:52
thank you Simon, I am enlightened now.
Posted by: claudette | February 11, 2012 at 02:13
2. Do you prefer to speak to people by phone or by writing emails?
For me, speaking to people by phone is way faster to convey one's information. Though email is important too if one is need to send documents or any valuable information, I still much prefer using mobile when I need to talk to someone.
Posted by: gwapo | February 12, 2012 at 05:55
Hi Simon,
another question from me, is it ok to use abbreviations in the speaking test, eg. i've?
thanks a lot.
Posted by: Angela Fanning | February 18, 2012 at 12:57
oops, i didn't read the words above before i posted, i'm sorry.:目
Posted by: Angela Fanning | February 18, 2012 at 13:05
No problem. Yes, it's normal to use contractions like "I've" in speech.
Posted by: Simon | February 20, 2012 at 16:40
hi simon. I have a question for you about the word "depend".
In your post, you wrote:
Do you prefer to write by hand or on a computer?
It depends what I’m doing. I prefer the computer for most things because it’s faster and you can save or copy things, but I still like making notes or writing ideas down by hand.
Normally, I think people would say "it depends on". would you mind telling me what's the difference?
Posted by: crazoy | December 04, 2013 at 06:08
Hello. thanks a lot for your efficient notes on your site. I would like to know is it possible for me to access ielts tests that have not been published in ielts cambridge books? If yes, how can I?
Thank you very much.
Posted by: sara zarghami | July 12, 2014 at 12:08
hi,Simon
Thanks for your writting.
I just have several questions ehwn I preparing for the test.
My chinese Ielts teacher tought me that we should use more difficult words and adverb for they are seldom spoken by others especially in Part1.She also said we should write long answers.And then the examiner will choose a difficult topic in part2(not talking about people).Is that a truth?
I am critical with that opinion because I think people would be casual and free when speaking.
Could you please help me with the question?
Thanks a lot!
Posted by: Lenka | November 14, 2015 at 09:25