On Wednesday I wrote a paragraph for a task 2 topic. Did you notice the following things in it?
- I used "in my opinion" and "I believe" to make it clear that I'm giving my own views. Read this lesson if your teacher has told you not to use "I" or "my".
- I wrote 5 sentences, which is the usual number that I aim for in my main body paragraphs.
- The structure was: 1 topic sentence, 1 sentence about the first idea (working hard), 2 sentences about the second idea (good manners), 1 sentence about the third idea (sense of community).
- The fact that I wrote about 3 distinct ideas meant that the paragraph "moves forward". Many students seem to get stuck on one idea, and the paragraph has no development or "movement".
There are also some 'band 7-9' phrases in the paragraph. Did you notice them?
hi Simon.Today i had an ielts exam. I have a question regarding to reading section. Is it ok to write" False" if in question it says" Only" but in passage there is nothing about only??Thanks in advance
Posted by: Vusal Mammadov | August 01, 2015 at 11:42
to Visual
probably the answer is more likley to be not given in this case .please can you tell what was topic of task 2 about
Posted by: Maya | August 01, 2015 at 12:05
No Maya. I dont think so . Because all the words were same except only. There was not only in passage thats why i got confused. Task 2 was " the most important decision for a young person has to make is which career to follow" if i am not wrong..
Posted by: Vusal Mammadov | August 01, 2015 at 12:10
Hello every one,
I found your 5-sentence paragraph full of worthwhile phrases following some of them:
- attach great importance to sth
- take pride in (doing) sth
- come into contact with sb
- treat sb/sth with respect
- applicable to
- a variety of sth
I look forward to receiving your new lessons.
Posted by: Mahmoud | August 01, 2015 at 13:22
hi sir my one friend had gotten topic about describing scientific advertisement that show on tv
Posted by: samira | August 01, 2015 at 15:52
Samira when?
Posted by: Vusal Mammadov | August 01, 2015 at 15:54
Simon please help me. here is :Rag dolls refer generically to dolls made of any fabric. Cloth dolls refer to a subset of rag dolls made of linen or cotton.---> if in question it says that "cloth dolls are made of only linen or cotton".Is that true of false? Please i am looking forward for your feedback
Posted by: Vusal Mammadov | August 01, 2015 at 16:15
@vusal mammdiv
That was true
100%
Posted by: Nee | August 01, 2015 at 16:44
Yes Simon. I definitely agree that your approach of writing works very well in the exam. All we need to do is to keep practising in that style BEFORE the exam, and check the essay, perhaps by an English teacher, to find where can be improved and where the mistakes are.
Thank you for your efforts and passion.
James Z.
Posted by: James Z. | August 01, 2015 at 16:59
Pls help me sir. I hv given ielts test today nd due to time i didnt write your faithfully at the end of formal letter. Pls tell me abt tht
Posted by: Sandy | August 01, 2015 at 17:34
Hi Simon ,
when the question just says " what are your views?" ,we should answer like agree /disagree?
Posted by: SAM | August 01, 2015 at 17:47
this week...what can we speak in this topic??
Posted by: samira | August 02, 2015 at 05:52
Dear Simon,
below are my questions about which conditional in an essay what you were writing.
I believe that young people would lead happier lives if they had a more 'old-fashioned 'sense of community and neighbourliness. is it mixed conditional?
another question is may I add such as
e.g. I believe that young people would lead happier lives if they had a more 'old-fashioned 'sense of community and neighbourliness such as, be a good neighbours is willing to help others while one's in need, likely look after one's children, or keep the tidy and clean of the community area.
To add those sentences is appropriate?
If yes, is it development paragraph?
Thanks in advanced
Posted by: good | August 02, 2015 at 06:17
Simon,some phrases or collocations were noticed form your paragrph:
1.be applicable to...
2.attach great importance to doing sth
3.take pride in one's work
4.enter competitive job market
5.politeness/good manners
6.in globalised world
7.come into contact with people
8.a huge variety of
9. it is more important than ever to do sth
10.treat sb with respect
11.lead happier lives
12.I believe that...would do...,if ...did(were)(subjective mood)
13.have a more"old-fashioned"sense of community and neighbourliness
Posted by: Leo | August 02, 2015 at 10:04
be certainly applicable to
attach great importance to working hard
take pride in
globalized world
a huge variety of backgrounds
lead
more old fashioned sense of
Posted by: niuxiufeng | August 03, 2015 at 06:31