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Cambridge 18: Test 1: Academic Writing Task 2 (Band 6.5 sample)

  It is believed and understood by many that the main purpose of science is to enhance or develop people’s way of living. This essay will discuss why the author completely acknowledges this idea and several examples to support her idea. In the old times, people in society had a more uncomfortable lifestyle. Electricity did not exist and they depended highly on nature as their source of lights (sun, moon, and stars) or candles or gas lamps. However, since the invention of electricity, scientists and other great minds have created various machines that help make our lives easier and better. Nowadays, humans have the luxury to enjoy the use of electronic devices and other household appliances like TV’s, radios, etc. Machines were not only the result of the scientific revolution. Because of the study of science, medical breakthroughs happen. Long ago, tuberculosis was a disease that many feared; however, this time, this disease can be treated after only two weeks of medication. In some...
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Cambridge 19 Test 4 Writing Task 1 (Pie chart and bar chart)

  The graphic information presents data on the venues and types of dance classes attended by two Australian age groups. The pie chart illustrates the percentage of each location, while the bar chart displays the types of dance classes attended by individuals under 11 and those aged 11 to 16.  According to the pie chart, dance classes are held in four locations: private studios, school halls (after school), community halls & other, and college-based studios. Among these, nearly half of young Australians attend dance classes in private studios. Twenty-four percent take their classes in school halls, followed by 18 percent in community halls & other. Lastly, only 10 percent of dancers attend classes in college-based studios. According to the bar chart, there are three types of dance classes: ballet, tap, and modern. Interestingly, a reverse trend is observed between the two age groups. Among dancers under 11, the most popular classes are ballet, tap, and modern, with near...

Cambridge 19 Test 3 Writing Task 1 (Biofuel production: how ethanol is made)

The graphic information illustrates the production of a biofuel called ethanol. This essay will describe the step-by-step process from harvesting the raw materials to distribution to different vehicles. Overall, there are 5 steps to complete the whole cycle.  First, plants and trees grow and produce energy from sunlight and carbon dioxide. The raw materials such as plants and trees are harvested. Then, the harvested plants are pre-processed using a machine called grinder. The grinder will break down the plants into smaller pieces. After this, the processed materials are now called cellulose. These cellulose will go through another process where it would be broken down into sugars. Microbes will finally be mixed into the sugars and the biofuel called ethanol will be produced. The ethanol will then be used or distributed to various modes of transportation such as cars, trucks, and airplanes which will emit carbon dioxide for plants to use again.

Cambridge 15: Academic IELTS Speaking test 3 + Part 3 useful expressions

In the last part, the examiner will ask you for more in-depth questions about your topic in part 2. It is important that you know how to ask for clarification since the questions can be quite challenging to answer. Below are some helpful expressions: ·         Do you mean….? ·         Are you asking…? ·         Could you please explain what the question means? ·         Sorry, can I just clarify what you mean? ·         If I understand you correctly, you’re asking…? Remember, asking questions to the examiner is only possible in parts 1 and 3. Don’t worry about your score when asking for repetition. You are assessed according to 4 criteria - fluency and coherence, lexical resources, grammatical range and accuracy and pronunciation, understanding, and comprehension of the question are not included. These...

Cambridge 15: Academic IELTS Speaking test 2 + General Vocabulary for Part 2

B eginning your response I’m going to talk about … I’d like to tell you about … I’ve decided to speak about … Indicating a time in the past I think it was when I was around (age) years old. When I was a (school) student, … In my (school) days, … Omitting some details Briefly, … I won’t go into detail here but … There’s no time to explain fully here but … Avoiding hesitation What else can I say? What else is there to say? I suppose I should also mention that… Signaling the next part of the question As for … When it comes to … Moving on to … Giving reasons The reason I … … for two/several reasons. There are two/several reasons I’ve chosen to talk about … Adding your own impression It was the most memorable/remarkable (repeat question topic) of my life. For me, it was a truly memorable/remarkable (repeat question topic). I’ll never forget (it/him/her) as long as I live. Concluding your respons...

Cambridge 15: Academic IELTS Speaking Test 1

Please note that in the first part of the test, roughly 12 questions will be asked (3 topics). The topics are quite general so you do not need to explain your responses in too much detail.  As you can see, most of the questions in this test concentrate on the topic "Hotels and hospitality". We highly recommend assessing your own range of vocabulary about this topic by doing vocabulary review exercises such as listing all the words you know that belong to the scope of this topic. Try doing this with a time limit (2 minutes).  First, prepare a piece of paper and divide it into 4 sections. Make a table. Write "nouns", "verbs", "adjectives" and "idioms" as your headers. In two minutes, write down all the nouns, verbs, adjectives, and idioms you know about hotels and hospitality. DO NOT REFER TO YOUR DICTIONARY even if you're unsure of the spelling. This is your learning phase. Next, for another two minutes, list all the possible Synonym...

Cambridge 15: Academic IELTS Writing Test 4: Task 2 (Discuss 2 views + Opinion)

Sample essay: Adults spend most of their time at work. From this, preferences as to how long a person must stay in a company have been debated. On the one hand, there are those who opt to work in one company all their lives. On the other, some think that offering their services to various companies is more beneficial. The content of this essay will focus on discussing these two viewpoints and the opinion of the writer. Being loyal to an organization has some advantages. Perhaps the biggest one is the assurance of stability. Having to work in one company for a long time offers the employee a steady means of financial support. Another merit to be considered is professional growth. An employee may start small in the beginning but after a few years of work, the employee can gain skills and experiences necessary to advance professionally. In addition, many companies provide workshops and training to deserving workers. However, staying in one workplace has a demerit such as stagnation. T...