Is it acceptable to use memorised phrases in the writing and speaking tests? Well, it depends. Take the sentence below as an example. A student asked me whether it can be used at the beginning of a letter (general writing task 1).
I hope this letter finds you well. Sorry I didn't write to you earlier, but I’ve been working flat out since the moment I arrived home.
Good use:
If the question tells you to begin by explaining to your friend why you haven't contacted him/her for a while, then this sentence would be perfect.
Bad use:
However, if the question does not tell you to explain why you didn't write earlier, the sentence is irrelevant. It will be clear to the examiner that you have used that phrase because it looks good, and not because it fits the question.
Can you see the difference? The examiner will only be impressed if your memorised phrases fit the question perfectly.
Hi All!
I got my results today
l 8
w 7
r 7.5
s 7.5
I needed 8 in speaking!!! Its really disturbing for me I dont know why I am always short of 0.5 every time. last time it was listening this time it is speaking but the most disappointing thing is I did really well in speaking i cant believe my score. I am going to reassess my score for speaking. I actually need this score for getting registered as a teacher in Australia.
Posted by: Mamta India | June 08, 2013 at 09:51
Hi again
Speak about an outdoor activity that u want like to do
I spoke about car driving as my outdoor activty since this was the first that came to my mind when I read this Q card
Anybody Pls help me whether I had selected correct topic to talk about. Somebody told me Car driving cannot be taken as an outdoor activity
Pls help me!
Posted by: Mamta India | June 08, 2013 at 09:59
hi
come on boy, use playing cricket as an outdoor activity and then say I forget to mention that one of my friend got hurt, had got severe injury on the head and then blah blah blah
Posted by: ozi | June 08, 2013 at 11:17
Hi Mamta India,
I think you dont have to worry about your choice. I've never heard of any car driving happening indoors, and in the remote case it existed, as far as you focused your answer on outdoors car driving, your answer would be fine. That's my personal opinion. On the other hand, it's no use flogging a dead horse, I mean that you can't change what you did, so relax and wait for the results. I wish you the very best of luck.
Posted by: Mikel | June 08, 2013 at 14:03
I strongly believe Ielts need exam lucky that I don't have
Posted by: Toyota view | July 05, 2013 at 07:33