Cardiovascular exercise is an effective way to burn calories when it is done at a moderate, or intense level.

Walking tends to fall on the low end of the cardiovascular exercise spectrum as far as intensity. Most people who walk for exercise simply don't push their bodies as hard as individuals who lift weights. Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/371554-why-weight-lifting-burns-more-caloriesthan-walking-in-weight-loss/#ixzz1TJCUF5YN LEICESTERSHIRE, England, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- For those who want to lose weight, aerobic exercise is better at suppressing appetite than non-aerobic exercise, British researchers have found. David J. Stensel of Loughborough University in England and colleagues said a vigorous 60minute workout on a treadmill affects the release of two key appetite hormones, ghrelin and peptide YY, while 90 minutes of weight lifting only affects the level of ghrelin. The researchers said ghrelin is the only hormone known to stimulate appetite, while peptide YY suppresses appetite. Eleven male university students participated three eight-hour sessions. During one session they ran for 60 minutes on a treadmill, and then rested for seven hours. During another session they did 90 minutes of weight lifting, and then rested for 6 hours and 30 minutes. During another session, the participants did not exercise at all. During each of the sessions, the participants rated how hungry they felt at various points. They also received two meals during each session. The researchers measured ghrelin and peptide YY levels at multiple points along the way. Based on the hunger ratings, aerobic exercise produced a greater suppression of hunger. The changes the researchers observed were short term for both types of exercise, lasting about 2 hours, including the time spent exercising, Stensel reported. The findings are published in The American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology.

Read more: http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2008/12/17/Walking-better-than-lifting-to-loseweight/UPI-99541229572676/#ixzz1TJCna2sl t is not in just what is drawn or painted. Art is how you look at something. The world is full of many talented artists. They draw or paint what they see with their eyes. You can capture anything with your eyes and turn it into art. The world is so beautiful that if we do not stop and take a close look at it, we will miss much of what life has to offer us. In the world today, we need to just take out time to see the art of our beautiful town. You do not have to be an artist to capture art. There is a little artist in all us. Now there is the professional definition of that term which is form and content. The form is the element of the thing and the contents are the physical materials that are used. Now in the natural sense, art is just a form of your imagination. You capture things in your mind and use that to form that wonderful piece of art. Art has balanced, contrast, principles of design, and the emphasis that is placed on it. You can do art with brushes, paint, pencils, and canvas or paper.

Most art is done, in this day and time, on walls of buildings. You will find different types of art all around the world. You may see art in your home, in the sky, or even by just stepping out your front door. Just stop and look around you to see how much art you will find that is right under your nose. Art is also described as a way of showing emotions. Some people express their emotions by drawing. Their better days are the one that allows them to express themselves. It also gives a better aspect on things by bringing them closer. The best thing about art does not have to come up with a subject. It does not require any long thinking. The best captured art is that which do not require long thinking. It is what you see before you that it becomes known as art. It is another form of communication for others. An artist is someone that started out with one small thing and made it grow into something grand. You can start out very young and the skill gets better. The next thing you know, you are what the world call an artist. This name is gained by the art that you just produced. If you can see it, then you can draw and capture it to form the world's best known piece of art. All you have to do is to put your knowledge and skills together. Once you have accomplished that area, you are ready for art. Walking is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to exercise. Experts agree that you should get 30 minutes of moderate-level physical activity on most days of the week -- walking is one of these activities. There are also has several health benefits of walking, such as reducing your risk of certain medical conditions (such as high blood pressure and heart disease), reducing depression, and helping you sleep better.

The Benefits of Walking: An Overview Experts agree that physical activity is one of the cornerstones for good health, and walking is one of the easiest (and cheapest) ways to be physically active. All you need is a good pair of shoes, and you can do it almost anywhere and at any time. Experts also agree that all you need is 30 minutes of moderate-level physical activity on most days of the week to see health benefits. Brisk walking is considered a type of moderate-level physical activity. You can even divide the 30 minutes into shorter periods of at least 10 minutes each. For instance, use stairs instead of an elevator, get off a bus one or two stops early, or park your car at the far end of the lot at work. If you already engage in 30 minutes of moderate-level physical activity a day, you can get added benefits by doing more. Engage in a moderate-level activity for a longer period each day, or engage in a more vigorous activity. Specific Walking Benefits Based on research studies, walking on a regular basis has the following health benefits: It reduces your risk of dying from heart disease or stroke It lowers your risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, colon cancer, and diabetes It lowers high blood pressure (hypertension) It protects against falling and bone fractures in older adults It may help protect against certain types of cancer, such as breast cancer It increases the number of calories your body uses, which helps to control your weight (see BMI

Calculator to find your ideal weight) It helps control joint swelling and pain from arthritis. Regular physical activity, such as walking, can also make you feel better, because it: Helps keep your bones, muscles, and joints healthy Reduces anxiety and depression, boosting your mood Helps you handle stress Helps you feel more energetic Helps you sleep better Improves your self-esteem Gives you an opportunity to socialize actively with friends and family.

Speaking Cue Card Where would you prefer to live, a house or an apartment -Which locality would you prefer? -What facilities would you want? -With whom would you live? IELTS Speaking Cue/Clue Cards Describe an old man you know Describe a famous person of your localilty Describe a famous person you know Asnwer: Persons become famous for their qualities. I know many persons but the person I would like to tell about is Mr. James. He has been living in our locality for many years and he is 65 years old. He has one son and a daughter. His son is working in a bank and daughter is studying in a college. Mr. James is very kind and generous person. He is associated with many charity organizations and every year organizes some blood donation camps and other charity events in our locality. I remember one day when my father was not at home and I fell very ill. My mother rang up Mr. James and he immediately took to the doctor. He is always ready for help and also helps the poor. These are the qualities for which he is a very famous person in our locality.

Note: Modify this answer as per the card you get. All the best. ELTS Cue Cards & Speaking Questions Sample Cue Cards & Answers - Tips Card 1. What is an advertisement? -What are the advantages & disadvantages? -What is your favourite ad? -Do you think ad is required for a product to sell? Card 2. Talk about an international personality? -What is her/his name? -Why is she/he famous? Question: Which automobile would you like to buy? -What all qualities should it have? -Why would you like to buy it? -Does any of your friend own it? Recently Asked IELTS Question In Academic & General Training Modules (GT) Recent Asked Speaking Cue Cards Any message you received? -Where did you receive the message? -What was the message about? -What did you do after that? Recent Writing Tasks 1. Do you think that companies should promote home-office work culture? What are the advantages and disadvanatages? 2. Many pharmaceutical companies sell their medicines at high profits and use the money in further medical researches. What are the advanagtes and disadvantages of selling medicines at high price? Recently Asked IELTS Questions In General Training (GT) Writing Module Task 1 (Letter Writing) #You are going to visit a foreign country on a tourist visa for a few days. Write a letter to the Toursit Officer of the city you want to visit to get the details of the various locations you can see, the accommodation you can afford and any advice. Task 2 (Essay Writing) #What are the advantages and disadvantages of regular education and private education. Which view do you support and why? Currently rated 5.0 by 2 people

IELTS Speaking Module Cue Card Asked From March 06, 2010 Exam Students #1. A recent journey that you made -Where did you go? -What did you do on your way? -What problems did you face? #2. TV program that you watch -What program do you watch and why? -What is special about this program? -Any changes that would like to have in this program. -Should children participate in a TV program? ecently Asked IELTS Questions In Academic Writing Module Writing Module (Task 2) - Essay These days employers look for the appropirate qualifications in the candidates they recruit. Do you think qualifications matter or is it only the experience or knowledge which should be considered? Speaking Module - Cue Card Which is your favourite shop? - Where is it? - Why do you go there? - Do others feel the same as you do for this shop? CUE CARDS Phase I Do u go for shopping? Where do u go for shopping? Phase II What is the impact of media on relationships? Whom u consider to be the head of the family? All the questions related to the family. Phase III Do you go for shopping? Where do you go for shopping? What job are you doing? What difficulties do you encounter in the job? What kind of movies do you like to watch? What do you find interesting in your job? Are you interested in sports or games? What is the importance of time- management? What kind of TV programs do you like to watch? Are you interested in arts? What about reading books? Do you visit art galleries? Ist Cue Card Describe a family other than yours. What qualities should be there in the head of the family? All the questions related to the family.

Phase III Related Questions What are the qualities of a good parent? What is the impact of media on relationships? Whom u consider to be the head of the family? What is the role of grandparents in the family? Compare family in the past and present. IInd Cue Card A place with lot of water bodies. What kind of people visit over there? Why people go there? What people do over there? Phase III Related Questions What the countries are doing to preserve the water bodies? Do individuals have to take control over water usage? Compare amount of water usage in the past and present. IIIrd Cue Card Describe a place where you go for listening to music. How you came to know about this place? What kind of music do you like listening to? What kinds of people come over there? How it has helped you? Phase III Related Questions How has technology influenced the music? Do you think people should be allowed to download music free of cost? Should parents send a child to learn musical instruments? What are the effects of music on children? IVth Cue Card Describe a person who has done a lot of social work. Phase III Related Questions What is charity? What is the role of government in social work? Whats the source of income for charitable organizations? What kind of charitable services are available in our society?

Latest Questions In IELTS Writing Module Tasks & Speaking Cue Cards British Council & IDP Australia General Training (GT) Letter (Task 1) You are working in a company as an administrator and have organized a meeting with a client. The venue has been changed from the pre-decided location to the new one. Inform one of your clients about the eleventh hour change and aplologize. Also write about any change in the meeting schedule. Essay (Task 2) The students are often indulged in physical activities but the on the other hand the adults have no time for the same. What do you think they should do so that they also remain fit in this fast life. Academic

Essay (Task 1) Friendships and relationships are decrreasing these days. What do you think are the causes and solutions? Graph (Task 2) I am not sure about the question but there was a line graph describing some disease cases and also some predictions. IELTS Task 2 Writing Preparation. Essay 1. Children should be forced to read novels from every major genre including science fiction, sport, romance, horror and crime. Being widely read will mean children will have a better understanding of the world around them. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Write at least 250 words. For an average child growing up in the cocooned environs of home, school and playground, the world appears to be just what they see around them doting parents who take care of all their needs, school staff who nourish their intellect with structured learning, and fellow friends whom to share and fight with. How should we make the children aware of the existence of the rest of the world and its grown-up ways? One very good way of introducing the real world that exists beyond this shielded life is by putting novels into their hands. As the child begins to turn page after page, they are inexorably drawn into the fantasy woven by the author. As they navigate the story arc, they begin to get an inkling of what exactly to expect when they become adult. Well-read parents or seniors can discuss the pros and cons of the plot over lunch or dinner with the child and give their thinking the right, constructive direction. Each genre whether science fiction or sport, romance or crime and horror has some different perspective to offer to the child. Because the children themselves do not know which genre of novel might hold their interest, the best way is to let them discover what attracts them most by forcing them to read novels of all possible genres. Quite naturally, the kids will discard the genre that is not to their liking, and will gravitate towards the one that is. The best way to give children an education that goes beyond the learning of the classroom is to inculcate in them the taste for literature. What better way to round out their personality than by gently handholding their imagination into the world of fantasy of diverse authors? IELTS Task 1 Writing Preparation. Letter 2. You recently bought a computer that doesnt work the way you expected. Write a letter to the shop. In your letter Describe what is wrong with the computer Complain about the poor service Say what action you would like the shop to take

You should write at least 150 words. Dear Sir, I am writing to you with reference to my purchase of a computer from your shop recently. The invoice number was #09/762, dated 24/09/2010. Ever since it was brought home, I havent been very satisfied with the computers performance. The tray of the DVD drive gets stuck while coming out and has to be nudged before it can fully expose itself. In the front panel for the USB ports, port #2 on the left does not work. The printer cable does not connect properly. I had phoned your customer support and was promised that the problems will be looked into that very day. However, one week has passed since the complaint was registered and still nobody has turned up. Is this the kind of service and support that your shop is famed for? A dissatisfied customer, as you must be aware, can badmouth the business. I would like to therefore courteously request you to arrange for a qualified computer expert to look into the problems and rectify them at the earliest. I look forward to hearing your response to this matter. Yours faithfully M Board. IELTS Task 2 Writing Preparation. Essay 2. The cost of air travel has fallen in recent years. Do you believe this is a positive or negative development? To what extent do you agree or disagree? Write at least 250 words. For a busy human being, travelling from point A to point B in the fastest possible time is more important than enjoying the scenery that presents itself to them along the way. When speed takes higher priority over the pleasure of the journey itself, what better mode of transportation than air travel? It is quite natural that the economics of transport have followed the burgeoning demand for speed. Governments around the world have opened air travel to the private sector in recent years. Businesses have been quick to capitalize, and rightly so, on the basic human need to take advantage of air travel that takes them to their destination as quickly as possible. As more and more airline companies set up shop, seat capacities have risen exponentially. This has led to a situation where supply has matched and in some cases exceeded demand. Lowering of fares is a logical outcome of this competition. Presented with the alternatives of travelling by air versus travelling by rail or road, it is natural to opt for air travel because the fares have now become more-or-less equal. The time saved by reaching the destination earlier can be more productively spent elsewhere perhaps in seeking more business, or spending quality time with the family, or simply in rest and recreation. Whether it is to rush to ones fiance to make that lifetime decision, to ones ailing grandmother on the

deathbed, to the meeting with the client on the verge of placing that all-important order, or to reach the exact spot on earth where the perfect solar eclipse is visible in time; whatever the motive, air travel is the way to go. Lower airfares are quite obviously a positive development. IELTS Task 1 Writing Preparation. Letter 3. Your new roommate is not doing his chores. Write a letter to him complaining about this situation. In your letter Describe his messiness and poor hygiene Complain about his lack of consideration Say what action you would like him to take You should write at least 150 words. Dear Sir, As my new roommate, it has been a pleasure to welcome you. I hope that you have settled down comfortably in the new environs. Unfortunately, there are a couple of issues that I would like to point out to you that I find unacceptable. The first issue is disorderliness. There is a provision for our belongings to be stacked separately. Yet, I find your clothing and books, etc, mixing with mine. This is a totally avoidable embarrassment. The second issue is hygiene. Since we both have to share the toilet, it is important to flush it and keep it clean after use, so that the next person using it is not inconvenienced. In addition to this, leftover food must be thrown in the garbage, and must not litter the floor. This lackadaisical attitude towards orderliness and hygiene might be acceptable if you were living alone. However, when you share the room with others, consideration of them is a must. I hope that you take both this letter and my suggestions in the right spirit, and that you will mend your ways. I look forward to a more mutually congenial stay during the rest of our period of sharing this living space. Thanks and regards, Percy Nickety IELTS Task 2 Writing Preparation. Essay 3. In many countries, children are not exercising as much as before and are becoming more and more overweight. What is your opinion of this situation? Write at least 250 words. Child obesity is a cause for concern for all the stakeholders of society from parents to educators, to governments and the medical system. Rightly so, as obesity, and at such a young age, poses hazards on quite a few fronts. Thanks to industrialization and technology, people no longer have to indulge in as much physical exercise in order to earn money as they had to in the pre-industrial days. Jobs have become more and more sedentary with time, with the result that the importance of physical exercise and the benefits of maintaining ones physique become known only when the doctor is called in after some major health issue crops up. With parents taking their own physical exercise so casually, their attitude naturally reflects on

their childrens lifestyles too. The end result is that children invariably spend a lot of their free time sitting before the television instead of playing outside, and the only part of the body that gets ample exercise is the thumb that presses the buttons on the remote control. As if lack of exercise wasnt enough, unhealthy food has replaced nutritious food on the dining table. The increased level of lard leads to health problems for the child, straining not only the familys bills, but also stretching the medical system as a whole. Research has revealed that obese kids are more likely to be accident-prone, and more susceptible to disease conditions such as diabetes, which lowers their productivity as adults when they begin working. The remedy for child obesity begins at home. Parents need to be educated first on the negative sideeffects of the kind of lifestyles their children are leading. A healthy, and not obese, child is what should be aimed for. IELTS Task 1 Writing Preparation. Letter 4. You lost your wallet on the train. No one has found it yet. Write a letter to the station master of the local train station. In your letter Describe your wallet and what was in it Request information about their lost and found service Say what other action you would like the station master to take You should write at least 150 words. Dear Sir, Subject: Loss Of Wallet On The Train I am writing to inform you that I lost my wallet today (October 10, 2010) on the Sydney to Canberra train. I had boarded the train from Sydney at 12:05 pm at Central station, and got down at Queanbeyan at 4:14 pm. I was in the third car from the engine. It is most likely that the wallet must have slipped out onto the seat from my coat unnoticed, after I took it out to pay a hawker. I realized that the wallet was not with me after reaching Henderson Street. It is a dark-brown leather wallet with three compartments. I have my car driving licence and passport in it along with a photograph of my fiance. If I remember correctly, I was carrying AUD 500 in notes along with some coins. I shall be grateful if you can forward this letter to your lost-and-found service, and direct the officials of the onward stations to urgently look into the matter. I shall also appreciate being informed the moment any information about the wallet becomes available, as without the driving licence and the passport I am helpless. Thanks and regards, Juan Bornaminit IELTS Task 2 Writing Preparation. Essay 4. Some people believe that children spend too much time doing things they like and not enough time doing school work. What do you think children should be doing? Write at least 250 words.

The debate over the advantages and disadvantages of the structured, formal learning systems that we put the children through has been raging ever since education institutions were first set up. Are we constricting the childs innate creativity with the straitjacket of a practice that does not take cognizance of their natural talents? There is no doubt that the present education system has its inherent limitations. Given the inadequate infrastructure required for customized education, it is a very regimented pedagogy that has evolved over time. This pedagogy administers a standardized dose of learning to the entire class based on curricula prescribed by educationists. This approach is blind towards whether cherubic Mary sitting in the front row likes Math or not, or whether the dreamy John sitting near the window likes Chemistry or not. Is it any surprise, therefore, that given the chance, children invariably slip away towards doing things they really like, rather than doing the school work that they do not? Young minds require a lot of freedom to explore the world from their own perspective. The music playing from the play-station might hold to them more attraction than the set of problems they have been asked to spend time on. Yet, despite all limitations, the present education system prepares children to join the mainstream of society with ease. Without glossing over its flaws, the system does provide a standard measure of individual scholastic abilities, which can help decide where exactly in society each individual can fit. In conclusion, a balanced approach that allows the child the freedom to do their thing, but at the same time that keeps reminding them of the benefits of the education they are getting in school, might help give them the motivation to complete the school assignments in time. IELTS Task 1 Writing Preparation. Letter 5. Your friend has been treated badly in your local hospital. Write a letter to the hospital. In your letter Describe why she was in hospital Complain about the poor service she received Say what action you would like the hospital staff to take You should write at least 150 words. Dear Sir, Subject: Bad Treatment Of Patient In Your Hospital Through this letter, I would like to bring to your attention the shabby treatment received by my friend, Mrs. Sienna Boland, at the hands of the hospital staff while she was admitted here for a surgical procedure. Mrs. Boland was admitted for laryngotomy on October 2nd, 2010. The entire period of her stay in the hospital, according to her, was not at all a satisfactory experience. The behaviour of the nursing staff was casual, bordering on the indifferent. Her requests for assistance were fulfilled almost cursorily. The rooms were never cleaned. The doctors always seemed to be

in a hurry, and never set her mind at ease about the procedure she was undergoing. Mrs. Boland has vowed never to return to the hospital. As a responsible citizen, I would like to impress upon you the hospitals deteriorated standards. Your administration must pay more attention to cleanliness and hygiene. Further, you must inculcate professionalism and sensitivity in the staff. Only then will confidence be established in the minds of the public about the quality of healing in the hospital. I trust that you will address the issues in this letter immediately. Kind regards, Con Cerne IELTS Task 2 Writing Preparation. Essay 5. In some countries children start full time school at the age of four. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this situation? Write at least 250 words. The age at which the child is mentally ready to leave the warmth and cosiness of home to sit in a classroom along with peers is an issue of debate amongst psychologists. Usually, the minimum age when the child should begin schooling is dictated by the law of the land. On the one hand there are countries, such as Sweden, where a child can enter school only after turning seven. On the other hand, there are countries, such as Northern Ireland, where a child can join school the moment they turn four. Advocates of the early starting age posit the rationale of catching the mind early. The developing brain has begun to become receptive to recognizing symbols such as the alphabet and the numbers, they say, and it also is able to relate words with objects. The school only accelerates this process of learning, which helps them exit the pipeline that extends right up to college, earlier. Also, due to minimal distractions at this age, the brains concentration and retention capacity is at its peak, which schooling puts to use immediately. Opponents of the early-starting-age however dismiss the analogy that equates children with learning machines. At the age of four, kids must be gently hand-held into the world of symbols and pictures at their own pace, they say, which is possible at home and at informal play centers. The cognitive overload of recognizing a set of alphabet letters and numbers at four years might be okay for some kids, but might permanently instil the loathe of a schooling environment in others, according to them. Research on the impact of starting school early on individual cognition has been inconclusive thus far. While the debate continues to rage, the general opinion appears to be veering towards beginning school later rather than earlier. IELTS Task 1 Writing Preparation. Letter 6. Your car has broken down for the third time since it was fixed by your local garage. Write a letter to the garage manager. In it

 Describe the reason for needing their service Complain about the problems with the repairs Say what action you would like them to take You should write at least 150 words. Dear Sir Subject: Recurrent Problems With Car Repair I had brought my car a 2000 Holden Rodeo DX TFR9 to your garage on September 29th, 2010 for an overhaul. Since then I have had to return the car to the garage three more times, and still its problems dont seem to end. After the overhaul, on returning home I discovered a leaking oil sump. After this problem was sorted out, the very next day there was a loud noise in the engine bay. Your staff had to haul the vehicle back to the garage with a trailer to carry out repairs. Today, there was a strange noise in the engine bay yet again. I fail to understand why the garage is unable to resolve the cars problems once and for all. Is it a case of gross negligence, or downright incompetence? I am sure you understand the negative impact an unsatisfied customer can have on your business. I would like you to direct your most experienced personnel to take a look and fix the cars problems to their most competent best immediately. I look forward to receiving your response to this matter. Yours faithfully Rick Toff IELTS Task 2 Writing Preparation. Essay 6. In the old days it was expected that we would have a job for life. Now we dont expect to have the same job for more than a couple of years. What is your opinon of this situation? Write at least 250 words. There was a time when people completed their school or college, and eagerly sent out their resumes for a job in companies of their choice. The day the appointment letter hiring them for the job landed in their hands used to be a red-letter day. It was an indication that life was now well set, right up to retirement. Job-hopping was not the norm, and company loyalty mattered more than anything else. Today, company loyalty is a forgotten term. It is now very common to have a string of job tenures not lasting more than two years in ones resume. The churn in human resources is a sign of the times. Downsizing and resizing are the order of the day, and one feels lucky upon leaving the place of work without the proverbial pink-slip being handed over. A resume is now a commodity, to be encashed at the next hiring round being conducted at the competitors gate next door. An economy that has been swinging up and down is in major part the reason behind this change of attitude. The implication of the attitude-change is clear. The next job might require a set of skills totally different from what one had excelled at in the last job, and different from what one had learned back in college.

Todays organizational scenario demands a mindset that is open to the idea of learning new skills. It is not unusual, therefore, to see somebody who worked as a bean-counter for a garment-manufacturer in their earlier avatar, now marketing web-based solutions for an internet company. It is obvious that the good old days are not going to return any time soon. Survival in the job market depends on ones marketability, which in turn depends on whether one can supply the skill that is in demand. IELTS Task 1 Writing Preparation. Letter 7. Your train was late which meant you missed the final connecting train to your home. You had to get a taxi. Write to the railway company. In your letter Describe the importance of you making your connection Complain about missing your connection and needing to take an expensive taxi Request that your taxi charge be paid for by the railway company You should write at least 150 words. Dear Sir, Subject: Compensation For Using Taxi Due To Delayed Train I wish to bring to your attention the discomfort and inconvenience I had to undergo recently while using your public transport service. I am a regular commuter of the intercity train and use it to travel everyday from Graythorne station to Bowen Hills station. From here I switch to another train to reach Toowong, my home station. On the 10th of October 2010 trains were delayed on the Ferny Grove Line where Graythorne is located. Due to the delay, I reached Bowen Hills at 10:30 pm instead of the usual 7:00 pm. Since the last train from Bowen Hills to Toowong leaves at 7:30 pm, I had no alternative but to hire a taxi in order to reach home. It cost me AUD $300 that night to travel from Graythorne to Toowong by private taxi. Employed as an intern with a small firm in Graythorne, I can ill-afford to pay this amount, which I had to borrow from my room-mate that night. I therefore request you to arrange for this money to be compensated to me at the earliest. I would be happy to forward you a copy of the taxi receipt. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Kind regards Amy Pond

IELTS Task 2 Writing Preparation. Essay 7. More and more people these days are going into business for themselves, rather than work for someone else. Is this a positive or negative development? To what extent do you agree or disagree? Write at least 250 words. These past few decades have thrown up a new breed of people who thrive on the challenge of being on their own. Increased globalization, advancements in technology and innovative models of doing business

has generated a myriad number of avenues which has triggered the entrepreneurial itch in this new breed. Reporting for work at 9 am every morning at somebody elses doorstep to perform whatever job is expected, returning back home in the evening, and performing this routine for the entire workweek without break, was the idea of a perfect lifestyle for people till not many years ago. Not anymore. Now, the very idea of performing the same dull, boring routine day-in and day-out for an equally unimaginative employer makes a lot of people uncomfortable. These people see a lot of opportunities opening up around them, where they feel they can fulfil their potential and actually do something that they are passionate about. These are the risk-takers; they have an innate confidence that they can earn the same, if not more, amount of money as an entrepreneur than they could while in regular employment. The interest in entrepreneurialism as a calling has also been motivated by the way business is being conducted these days. Organizations are not only downsizing and flattening their hierarchy, they are also outsourcing many of their functions in order to concentrate on their core competence and cut down on employee costs. When entire departments are hived off, the people manning these departments turn around as entrepreneurs and offer their services to their own former employers. It is a win-win situation for both the employer and the now former-employee. The trend towards setting up ones own business is a positive development. Owning ones own company is a matter of pride that no regular job can provide!

IELTS Task 1 Writing Preparation. Letter 8. You recently signed a lease to an apartment. After moving in you found that the cracks in the ceiling let the rain in damaging your antique collection of vinyl music records. Write a letter to the real estate agent. In your letter: Describe the problem in your apartment Complain about the damage to your records Say what you expect them to do about it You should write at least 150 words. Dear Sir, Subject: Damage Of Antique Goods Due To Faulty Ceiling This letter is written with reference to the apartment located on the first floor, Oaks Grand Building, 187 Kent Street, Sydney, and leased by me with effect from October 1st, 2009. Last night, I had left an open box of my vinyl music records on the centre table of the main hall before going to bed. I was in the process of cataloguing and archiving them for my collection. This morning I discovered that water from last nights rain had seeped through the cracks in the ceiling and dropped on these records, damaging them permanently. These records are antique, one-of-a-kind and therefore priceless. I have some other pieces of furniture that are similarly highly priced. I do not wish to see them

damaged because of any faulty construction. I am also concerned that the resultant mildew and mould may pose health hazards. I therefore ask you to arrange to rectify the fault in the ceiling within the next thirty days, failing which I shall be forced to take legal redress. I am enclosing digital images of the leaking ceiling and the damaged records for your perusal. I also require compensation for these records and would be happy to forward you copies of the valuation certificates. I look forward to your response to this matter. Yours faithfully, J Chow IELTS Task 2 Writing Preparation. Essay 8. University graduates no longer expect to get a job when leaving university and even if they do, end up working at a fast food restaurant until they can find a real job. What is your opinion of this situation? Write at least 250 words. Even in the best of times, youngsters never expected that a job with a description fitting their skills would be waiting for them when they stepped out of the hallowed precincts of the university. Today, given the uncertain times, the only thing they are certain of is the odd job in the fast food restaurant down the corner. One reason for this mismatch between industry expectations and university outputs is that the academia is always a step behind industry requirements. The skill sets of the batches that universities churn out year after year do not find any takers in the industry because they are either for jobs that had dried up long ago, or for jobs that are too few and far between. Lack of adequate on-the-job training, while undergoing formal education, is another culprit behind the malaise. All that the young graduate has to show by way of expertise is the sheet of paper with ornate lettering that grandiosely announces the education undergone by the holder of the paper. It is a sad truth of life that, after burning money on expensive education and after poring over the books in the library till late in the night for so many years, at the end of it all, the sheet of paper that they had so coveted and worked so hard for does not turn out to be their passport to a decent life. It is time the industry and academia worked out a bridge that prepares job descriptions a number of years in advance, which can then be translated into course curriculum. Such a bridge does sound challenging, but is not infeasible to implement. Till such time, the fast food restaurant will continue to act as the bridge between academic learning and a real job.

IELTS Task 1 Writing Preparation. Letter 9.

When you changed the plan on your mobile phone service awhile ago you didnt realise that your service provider also signed you up to a new 24 month contract. When you changed service providers your original provider sent you a bill for $800 for breaking your contract. Write a letter to the mobile phone service provider. In your letter Describe the situation Reject the bill Tell them what they have to do with it You should write at least 150 words. Dear Sir, Subject: Wrongly Charged Bill Of $800 I was a subscriber to the Freedom Plan of your mobile service from May 2008. In September 2008, attracted by the features of the then newly-announced Complete Plan, I switched over to this plan. On October 9, 2009, I terminated my subscription altogether from your services and have subscribed to another service provider. However, I have received a bill from your company for $800 for breaking a 24-month contract with the company purported to have been agreed upon by me when I signed up for the Complete Plan. This is shocking, to say the least. The sales person who presented the papers for me to sign for the switch-over from Freedom to Complete never informed me about any such contract. To my mind, this is an underhand way of doing business. Through this letter therefore, I am hereby rejecting this bill. Further, I would like to suggest that the 24-month contract be highlighted in all your future interactions with prospective customers who might be interested in subscribing to the Complete Plan. Yours faithfully, Fonny Busnis IELTS Task 2 Writing Preparation. Essay 9. In the 21st century, experience is being prized by employers more than degrees. A person without a degree and 5 years experience is more likely to get a job over someone with 2 masters degrees and no experience. Is this a positive or negative development? Write at least 250 words. Businesses the world over seem to have finally learnt their lesson the hard way: it is not the beautifully printed parchments with their florid writing that announces the degree of the holder of the paper that matter. What matters is the expertise that the person brings to the job. This realization has dramatically dropped the stratospheric value of academic learning in the eyes of both the society and the learners. The craze for degree, once at a frenzied high, has visibly ebbed. Having burnt their fingers in experimenting with the bright young boys and girls who bring a bunch of fancy degrees but have nothing to show by experience, employers are now increasingly veering towards people who do not have any degrees to crow about, but who can place their finger on the pulse of the business and tell you exactly what is wrong, how to set it right, and then proceed to set it right without making any

show of it. It is not entirely the fault of the youth. Having sat through long hours in classrooms, listening to the steady drone of the lecturer, working on problems that make umpteen presumptions in order to make them solvable within the time-limits of the exams, these kids are fully versed in theory, but thoroughly out of touch with the reality of the wide world. Is it any surprise then that, faced with a real-life problem in corporate life, they are left scratching their head, with nary a clue about how to solve it? The preference of experience over academic degree cannot be viewed as a positive or negative development. It is simply the demand of the times. For university degrees to still be relevant in todays society, universities should arrange to provide on-the-job training within the curriculum, so that the chances of the youth getting at least entry-level jobs will improve. IELTS test in Singapore June 2011 (General Training) Below are the topics and questions shared by A, who recently took an IELTS exam in Singapore. Listening test Section 1. About burglaries. Section 2. Directions in a Zoo Safari Park and information about adopting animals. Section 3. Dialog of two students about engine design. Section 4. Comparison of childrens development in the past and at present. Reading test Dont remember. Writing test Writing task 1 (a letter) You have attended an event in the local park. Write a letter to the organizers of the event and include the following - details of the event - what you enjoyed the most - what needs to be improved - make suggestions how to improve. Writing Task 2 (an essay) In most parts of the world people are living longer. What are the possible causes of this situation? Is this a negative or positive development?

IELTS Writing Model Answer for an essay (from a recent exam in Singapore)

General Training Writing Task 2 You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. In most parts of the world people are living longer. What are the possible causes of this situation? Is this a negative or positive development? You should write at least 250 words. Model Answer Longevity in the world over has been increasing for a variety of reasons. Babies born today enjoy much longer life spans than those of their parents. It is argued that this increase is a positive phenomenon and that the main causes of it are both the deepening of medical understanding and the sharing of such information between people via tools like the Internet. These causes will be examined in detail to prove their value in the lengthening of worldwide life spans. Firstly, medical advancements over the last century have allowed people to postpone death. Among the more significant discoveries that made this possible is the development of antibiotics. Antibiotics, now available to most people the world over, dramatically lower incidences of infection and have thus greatly curbed the number of people the world over who die due to diseases once thought incurable. Thus, advancements in science can be seen as one of the more major contributors to the extending of worldwide life spans. Secondly, the Internet and the information shared across it has made the debunking of ineffective medical practices much easier. For example, medical folklore in countries like Ghana and rural China dictate new mothers avoid washing themselves for a month after giving birth. Before tools like the Internet, ridiculous and unsanitary practices such as this were widely believed to be in the best interests of the mothers health. Today, few people in either country would argue in favour of this postnatal tradition. Thus, the Internet has allowed people to share life-promoting information the world over. In conclusion, human life is precious and the global extending of life spans should be seen as positive. It is hoped medical discoveries continue to increase in number and that access to the Internet continues to grow, allowing longevity to be a pleasure enjoyed everywhere. This model answer was written for IELTS-Blog.com visitors by Ryan Higgins, an online IELTS instructor, blogger and author. For more of his free IELTS resources, visit his blog. IELTS Writing Model Answer for an essay (from a recent exam in Australia) General Training Writing Task 2 You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Several languages die every year. Many people feel this is a positive trend and that a world with fewer languages promotes harmony and understanding between people. Analyze both sides of this argument and provide your opinion. You should write at least 250 words. Model Answer Many languages around the world die every year, often replaced with more widely spoken

dialects. Opinions as to whether this is a positive or negative trend are mixed. On one hand, people feel sharing a common language may help to encourage economical development in the world. However on the other hand, many feel the losing of languages is a negative trend that makes it increasingly difficult to trace humanitys heritage. Both of these accounts will be examined before a conclusion is reached. As many attest, the global adoption of a single language can do a lot in promoting economical development. For example, all export companies in China hire English speaking people to help them communicate with foreign buyers. The growth in trade that comes as a result of this effort to speak the worlds language does a lot to create jobs and industries around the world. Thus it can be understood why many people support this point of view. However, other people would argue that the rapid reduction of the worlds languages is making it increasingly hard to trace where and how people evolved. For example, during colonial times many lesser spoken African languages were replaced with English, French and Dutch. This phenomenon has understandably caused major problems for modern day historians, as these old and forgotten languages render many of the recovered historical records and artifacts indecipherable. After analyzing both sides of this argument, it is felt that more good comes from the global adoption of a single language than the preservation and practice of older languages. Thus, it is hope the world continues to move towards a single, standardized linguistic system. This model answer was written for IELTS-Blog.com visitors by Ryan Higgins, an online IELTS instructor, blogger and author. For more of his free IELTS resources, visit his blog. IELTS Writing Model Answer for an essay (from a recent exam in the UK) The topic below was seen in the Academic IELTS exam in the UK, March 2011. General Training Writing Task 2 You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. The costs of international travel are decreasing and tourism is growing. What are the advantages and disadvantages of increasing tourism activity in different countries? You should write at least 250 words. Model Answer Tourism is often touted as an industry that will never shrink in size. In other words, as the world develops, more and more people will be able to travel. Although many may see this as a positive phenomenon, it is not a trend without drawbacks. Both the advantages and disadvantages of this topic will be analyzed before a reasoned conclusion is reached. On the one hand, the reduction in travel fare and the increasing of global tourism can be seen as a positive event as it promotes intercultural understanding and global harmony. For example, many Middle Eastern states have opened their doors and embraced tourism over the last twenty years and this has helped shed prejudiced views internationally that all Middle Eastern countries are dangerous. This development clearly shows the benefits of an increasing international tourism industry. In addition to this, tourism creates new opportunities for trade. For example, many Chinese

tourists are bringing back products from foreign countries that are currently unavailable in China. These new trade ties are great for the health of the entire global economy and can be seen as yet another positive ramification resulting from increased tourism. On the other hand, the international tourism industry does pose some disadvantages. For one, money travelling into countries through tourism can lead to the establishment of some morally questionable activity. To name a few, tourist hotspots in developing countries are often rife with theft problems, maimed beggars and prostitution. The inflaming of these issues as a result of increased tourism is an obvious disadvantage to the growing global travel industry. Following this analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of tourism and the falling travel prices that are making it more possible, it is felt tourism has more benefits than drawbacks. It is hoped the growth in global intercultural understanding continues uninterrupted as tourism increases. This model answer was written for IELTS-Blog.com visitors by Ryan Higgins, an online IELTS instructor, blogger and author. For more of his free IELTS resources, visit his blog. Share ShareThis The topic below was seen in the Academic IELTS exam in Malaysia, May 2011. General Training Writing Task 2 You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Many people believe that teachers should teach students how to judge right from wrong and how to behave, while others think they should just teach academic subjects. What is your opinion? You should write at least 250 words. Model Answer Teaching is the art of transferring information from one human being to another. A good teacher is someone who can make this process happen smoothly. It is argued that instructors should make efforts to teach not only academic subjects but also those pertaining to basic ethics and proper behaviour. To prove this, the heightened abilities of a teacher to instill ideas and the community-related benefits of morality-based lessons will be analyzed. Firstly, teachers are trained to communicate ideas effectively and applying these skills to the areas of morality and behaviour is a positive thing. For example, Canadian Catholic schools engage students in lessons that challenge them to clearly distinguish moral choices from immoral ones. As these sorts of lessons are typically part of a spiritual studies program, they are not found in Canadian public schools. Interestingly, Canadian public schools have much higher incidences of youth hostility and drug use and much lower high school graduation rates. Thus, when Canadian Catholic schools are compared to their public counterparts, the effects of the moral and behavioural lessons teachers impart to their students can be clearly seen as beneficial. In addition to this, standardised classes instructing young people how to behave can help to preserve the values of a community from one generation to the next. Take China as an example. The Chinese education system to this day includes the teachings of Confucius, which stress the honouring of ones parents. As anyone who has been to China can attest, young people tend to obey the will of their parents regardless of its nature. Thus, the teachings of behaviour by classroom instructors are effective in ensuring the values of a community are upheld from one

generation to another. After looking at how the teaching of behaviour and morality can be efficiently accomplished by teachers and further how these teachings help prevent the erosion of societal values, it is concluded that teachers should instruct students how to judge right from wrong and how to behave. It is hoped global lessons on morality grow increasingly similar in nature in the years to come. This model answer was written for IELTS-Blog.com visitors by Ryan Higgins, an online IELTS instructor, blogger and author. For more of his free IELTS resources, visit his blog. IELTS Writing Model Answer for a letter (from the May 2011 exam in India) Since many of you were writing to us, asking to publish answers to the recent IELTS exams that we share, here is the first post of a new series, Writing Model Answers. When our visitors talk we listen, pay attention, and do what we can to help. So, in the spirit of improving things, we have asked Ryan Higgins, an online IELTS instructor, to provide the model answers and he agreed. From now on, every week we will be posting a sample answer written on a topic that appeared in a recent exam. Below is the first installment a letter on a topic that was seen in a General Training exam in Pune, India. General Training Writing Task 1 You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. Write a letter to a teacher asking for a reference letter for a job and explain: - Why you have chosen him to write the reference letter - What kind of job you are applying for - Why you think you are suitable for this job Model Answer Dear Mr. Moloisa, As you are aware, this month marks my foray into the working world, having graduated my studies with you at Watsons Photographer College. I am writing to you to request your aid in my transition from student to employed professional. As your top scholar last year, I am sure you will be happy to hear my chosen career path is photography. Thanks to your grueling courses, I feel I am completely prepared to take on a professional challenge and am excited to tell you I have been offered to attend the initial employment screening at National Geographic Magazine. As part of this process, I am required to submit a reference letter written by a third party of notable acclaim among the global photography community. Of course, I was hoping I could ask you to be this person. I would be very grateful for any kind words you could compose on my behalf to help make this opportunity at National Geographic Magazine possible for me. Thanking you in advance, Ryan This model answer was written b The topic below was seen in the Academic IELTS exam in Nigeria, May 2011.

General Training Writing Task 2 You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Reducing global environmental damage should be handled by governments rather than individuals. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer and provide relevant examples from your own experience. You should write at least 250 words. Model Answer The rate at which the Earth is being damaged through human activity is alarming. As awareness of this disturbing situation grows, actions are increasingly being taken to meet the challenge. Although world governments play key roles in the question of environmental health, it is strongly disagreed that their environmental efforts negate those of individuals. I will use both a personal experience I have had as well as non-government inspired initiatives undertaken in my country to illustrate this position. Firstly, the sizeable contribution an individual can make in the worlds attempt to cleanse itself should not be underestimated. I feel the changes I have made to my own lifestyle act as a good example here. Four years ago, I made a conscious effort to start taking the subway to work instead of driving after realizing I had been burning an entire tank of gas every week. The effect of this small change over the course of four years became magnified when I realized I had refrained from burning more than two hundred full car tanks of gas! Thus, although there are many things that governments can do to help fight environmental damage, the individual still plays a huge role. In addition to this, many non-government related entities have also been making inroads in the battle for a cleaner world. For example, at many of the universities in Canada, there are student groups that work to raise awareness of the lifestyle changes people can make to better help the environment. These independent groups help put a face to a message and really push people to alter themselves for the benefit of the natural world. As this makes clear, projects aimed at preserving the Earth do not have to be government-run to make a difference. As my experiences show, the worlds governments should not solely handle the issue of global environmental damage. It is hoped that the future sees more people contribute to this cause in any way they can. This model answer was written for IELTS-Blog.com visitors by Ryan Higgins, an online IELTS instructor, blogger and author. For more of his free IELTS resources, visit his blog. Share ShareThis The topic below was seen in the Academic IELTS exam in UK, May 2011. General Training Writing Task 2 You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Some people believe that universities are producing more graduates than needed, and that less emphasis should be placed on university education. Others are of a different opinion. Discuss both views and include your own opinion.

You should write at least 250 words. Model Answer As the world develops, the opportunity to achieve a tertiary education is becoming more widespread. This has led many to question whether larger numbers of university graduates is a positive trend. However, others counter than university does more than simply provide employment opportunities. Both of these arguments will be analysed before a reasoned conclusion is reached. On the one hand, many feel the rising number of university graduates today causes more harm than good. For example, graduates from Canadian universities are having to wait for employment simply because there are no working opportunities for them to engage in. Despite this, Canadian labour-related job openings are booming. This example shows a disparity that is common in many parts of the world and makes clear that achieving a higher education can actually be the precursor to unemployment. Thus, it is understandable why many support the argument that less emphasis should be put on garnering a university education. However, in contrast to this stance, there are those who believe higher education provides more to people than simply job related skill sets. For instance, the analytical skills honed by university graduates in the United States give them a heightened perception and deeper understanding of the world. Although this benefit does little by way of professional development, it gives people the chance to develop and challenge themselves personally. This makes it is clear why many do not agree with reducing the enthusiasm for higher education. After analysing these stances on university, it is felt the argument to lessen educational emphasis holds little water. It is hoped the world continues to push its young people towards the challenges offered through higher learning. This model answer was written for IELTS-Blog.com visitors by Ryan Higgins, an online IELTS instructor, blogger and author. For more of his free IELTS resources, visit his blog.