QUESTIONS- ANSWERS Some students asked me these questions: Q1: Can we use “to reveal” as a synonym for “to show”, “to illustrate”, etc. in the introduction of writing task 1? Some people argue that “to reveal” is used to describe something that previously could not be seen like a secret so that we should not use in in IELTS reports. Is that true? (verb used with object) A1: This word has two primary meanings: 1. to make known; disclose; divulge: to reveal a secret. 2. to lay open to view; display; exhibit. Yes, technically, definition number one requires an object, but a graph can be something that can be ‘made known.’ Plus, colloquially, ‘reveal’ is used as a synonym for your other examples of words above, so go ahead and use ‘reveal’ if you want to. Really -- a non-issue. I never met an examiner who mentioned or cared or even though about this point. Sounds like something a Vietnamese teacher would look up in the dictionary and try to find the literal meaning without understanding its actual usage in everyday language. So again, yes, use ‘reveal’ and don’t worry about it. Q2: In writing task 2, can I create fake evidence to support my point of view? For example, if I am writing about the idea that obesity could lead to a decline in human life expectancy, can I make up that European scientists prove that obesity could result in a 10-year reduction in people’s lifespans? A2: Yes, you can add data to support your points in either WT1 or WT2. But you should be sure that it is true, or at least sounds true enough so the examiner doesn’t discount your score for irrelevant information. But really, any false information that sounds plausible the examiner is not going to go to the internet and spend the time to research its validity. So, just make sure your fabrication sounds like it’s probably true and you will be OK. Q3: In speaking, when I talk about the content of my favorite book which I read in the past, should I use the past tense or the present tense? For example, I would like to tell you about Harry Potter. This book is about a boy who HAD or HAS a special destiny, bla bla bla A3: In real native speaking, it doesn’t matter. People switch tenses all the time, even in the same story. And for IELTS, it really shouldn’t matter and any talented examiner will know that you can use either tense --- but since examiners are trained on focusing on the past tense for part 2 in speaking, I wouldn’t risk it. I would play it safe and just use the past tense to talk about the story. Q4: In writing task 1, do we need to include all details? What happens if I miss some important data? A4: You don’t have to include all the details but you do have to include all the important data. It’s up to you to decide what is important and what is not. Usually, if there is text written in the diagram, it is important data (but not always). In graphs focus on the first and last points of the lines, the highest and the lowest points, and anything interesting like strange fluctuations. Q5: Can you tell me how to deal with the type of question “Is this a negative or positive development?” Do we need to answer the both sides? Please take this question as an example. “Some languages are declining while English is increasingly spoken across the world. Is this a positive or a negative development?” A5: It simply means do the benefits outweigh the consequences. Q6: Are you going to open new classes in this month? How can I join? A6: Yes, please see my advertisement – new class starts Sept 4th. For more details, please contact my assistant, Bao at ieltsmc@gmail or, you can check out his Facebook page at https://facebook/son.goku.716?fref=ts and message him so you can speak Vietnamese with him and sign up with him for the class.
Posted on: Sat, 30 Aug 2014 02:48:46 +0000
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