Whenever you see a new word or phrase, it's a good idea to investigate. By this I mean that you should search for the word or phrase online, and see how it is used in a variety of sentences.
For example, take this phrase from yesterday's lesson: "I'm not one for...". If you search for this phrase on Google, you'll see examples like:
- I'm not one for complaining, but...
- I'm not one for writing reviews, but...
- I'm not one for settling for mediocrity.
- I'm not one for love songs.
- I'm not one for celeb news.
- I'm not one for too much structure.
I think you need to see five or more examples of a new phrase before you start to really see how you could use it yourself. Can you see any 'rules' for the phrase "I'm not one for"? Can you explain what it means? Can you use it in your own sentences?
Sir I really appreciate your this method of teaching.it's means to dig out something again and again.it will be easy for us to understand a phrase in different contexts.
Posted by: Muhammad Ayub Khan | July 25, 2015 at 09:07
I'm not one for this time of exam having the best result of the exam.
I'm not one for too much structure for doing the task 2 but I try my best to plan and to write.
I 'm not one for setting the plan when we are making the final decision about holiday in where.
I'm not one for settling for mediocrity, I am such ordinariness
I 'm not one for you whatever I do for you
Posted by: good | July 25, 2015 at 09:45
please can anybody tell me why itsems to be difficult to move from 6,5 to 7 in writing
Posted by: Maya | July 25, 2015 at 10:04
it seems
Posted by: Maya | July 25, 2015 at 10:05
Maya
The most common reason is that to achieve a 7 in grammar, you need 'frequent error free sentences' which means around 40% to 50%. If you get feedback on your writing, notice how many of your sentences have no errors. If you are at the 6 to 6.5 level, the percentage is probably in the 10% to 20% range.
You need expert feedback to identify the errors that you are making, and then you need to eliminate them. You can learn how to structure an essay and how to write an overview in Task 1, but if you are writing with errors it is extremely unlikely you will achieve a 7.
Posted by: sjm | July 25, 2015 at 11:10
I'm not one for celeb news. but I read the diary news
I'm not one for playing violin for long hours, but I do not mind to practicing it when I am in practical room
Posted by: good | July 25, 2015 at 12:57
hi
does anyone have idea about whether it is acceptable to conduct ielts listening test without providing headphones?
Posted by: lil | July 25, 2015 at 13:30
Dear Simon,
I took my exam today. Although I don't think I am able to achieve my required score, I'm happy to find myself improved a bit with more confidence. I would owe all those improvement to your guide in this blog. I have to say everything in your lesson, from advice to technique, is so useful for the exam. I chose to plan rather than prompt to write. I focused on good ideas, topic vocabulary, and logical-linking instead of staying with complicated words and expressions ... all these methods did work so well! However, I always get distracted in the listening, as I can hardly follow up to longer conversation. I'm at loss at the moment because listening are usually the part to score higher while I failed every time.
I would also like to express my deepest gratitude to some other mentors supporting this blog, sjm, Martin, Jean-Luc. Your devotion is always appreciated.
James Z.
Posted by: James Z. | July 25, 2015 at 13:59
Oh, I forgot to mention today's writing topic.
For writing task 1, you were required to give a report of "a bar chart comparing the number of magazines sold per person in five countries between 2000 and 2010, and forecasted sales for 2020".
For writing task 2, it was an 'opinion' essay which asked:
"As well as making money, businesses also have social responsibilities. Do you agree or disagree?"
Posted by: James Z. | July 25, 2015 at 14:08
I would like to express my gratitude to Simon and everyone here who helped me in my preparation for my IELTS exam. I got my results today and I'm happy that I achieved my required score except in writing. I will sit for another exam to conquer the world of IELTS writing.
Thanks once again.
Posted by: Che | July 25, 2015 at 17:32
Can someone make it clear what is the difference between Academic IELTS and Academic IELTS UKVI for study purposes? Does it make sense to pass IELTS UKVI under such strict conditions, under that video surveillance I mean.
As far as I understand in some cities UKVI appears more regularly and on the fixed dates, which may be more convenient for those who have tight deadlines and it might give an option to have the exam in very short period of time.
And I also wonder whether does it suit to application process for universities, in Germany for instance?
Thanks in advance
Posted by: Andrew | July 25, 2015 at 19:06
SJM
Many thanks for your recommendation ,that was something I am going to do
Posted by: Maya | July 26, 2015 at 09:53
To James Z,
Can you provide me some supporting ideas for writing task2 which you mentioned in your current IELTS exam?("As well as making money, businesses also have social responsibilities. Do you agree or disagree?)
Because as for the topic title itself, I think it's quite diffuclt to tackle it. If I had run across this title of essay, I would be get lost.
Posted by: Tian | July 26, 2015 at 12:18
I'm not one for fierce arguments.
Posted by: Tang Thi Thanh Thuy | July 28, 2015 at 04:56
I`m not one for meaning I donot like sth or I`m weak in sth
it can + ving or noun
and usually used like: I'm not not for...., but.....
I`m not one for swimming in sea, but I can swim in a pool.
I`m not one for argument
Am I right?
Posted by: niuxiufeng | July 30, 2015 at 02:44
I'm not one for doing something or something means I do not usually do it.
For instance, I am not one for complaint = I do not usually complain. However, when you use it while talking to a native speaker, she/he will expect there will be a "but". I am not one for writing comment, but I am typing one here and I have no idea what I am talking about lol.
Posted by: Adam | July 31, 2015 at 01:07
Simon,
Your lesson is truly useful.
Thank you very much!
Posted by: Phuongnhung | August 06, 2015 at 18:18
Dear Simon,
Is the word 'nihil' suitable to be used in academic writing? My student used it in her WT2...
Vivien from Malaysia
Posted by: Vivien Pang | September 22, 2015 at 07:15