Someone asked me the following useful questions:
- Instead of 'reduce pollution', can we write 'bring down pollution' or 'lessen pollution'?
- Instead of 'reduce the pressure', can we write 'cut down the pressure'?
My answer is no. Although 'bring down', 'lessen' and 'cut down' can be used as synonyms of 'reduce' in some situations, most native speakers wouldn't choose to use them in the contexts above. In other words, 'reduce pollution' is a common collocation, but 'bring down pollution' isn't.
To see which verbs collocate (go well) with 'pollution' click here.
To see collocations with the word 'pressure' click here.
FROM SHAKHZOD
Hello there. Today i have had other parts of the test!!
I have to say that the listening and the reading tests are really similar to practice tests in Cambridge 10.
Writing
Task 1
it is a map and it is nearly same as the writing take 1 in Cambridge Official materials!!! if you want to see that diagrams, you can also find them on ielts-simon.com.
Task 2
Some people believe that the main purpose of schools is to turn children into good citizens and workers rather than to benefit them individually!
to what extent do you agree or disagree?
Posted by: SHAKHZOD | March 06, 2016 at 09:50
FROM SHAKHZOD (MARCH 4)
HELLO THERE. Today I have had a speaking test. I think i did quite well with a few mistakes!!! Hope i will get better score!
part 1
(Sorry for some changes to the structure of the questions because I cannot exactly remember them)
Where are you from?
Can you tell me your full name?
Do you like dancing?
Do you like watching sb who is dancing?
Did you work in a team project when you were at school?
Do you think it is important for children to make things by hand?
Are handmade things popular in your country?
What kind of handmade thing would you like to learn to make?
i will write part 2 question later.
thank you
Posted by: SHAKHZOD | March 06, 2016 at 09:52
I would like to learn but weak vacuobalary makes me down
Posted by: rizwan | March 06, 2016 at 19:17
The collocation is always very important:
Reduce pollution,
Cost of pollution
Have/face/experience difficulty
Increase/share/gain knowledge
Acquire/have experience
Posted by: TUCHIBA | March 07, 2016 at 02:46
Hello Dear Simon,
Unfortunately,I cant Open the related links that you addressed for these collocations!Since this service is not available in my country.
Posted by: Anahita | March 07, 2016 at 08:27
@ Anahita
Try using proxy server.
Posted by: Dan | March 07, 2016 at 08:34
Dan
Thanks a lot.
Posted by: Anahita | March 07, 2016 at 09:32
hii simon
i took ielts 2 times all the times i got 5.5.i did my practise under best tutor but still result is same. so, pls help me out to solve my problem because my english is good still i did not get good band i broken down completely. please help me
Posted by: khushi | March 21, 2016 at 16:56