IELTS Reading (YES/ NO/ NOT GIVEN) Bangla

IELTS Reading T.F.NG. 1

Structuring an essay: Format with word limit

Coherence and word-count are two of the most important criteria in assessing an essay; the lack of either will surely result in reduced score. However, both requirements can be easily met with a format which is contingent on word-count.

Introduction

Try to keep your introduction within 50 to 60 words. Make sure your introduction starts with a hook. It should be followed by background information that can be 2–3 sentences long. To finish it off, write a clear and concise thesis statement.

Body Paragraphs

Depending on the required word limit, you have to decide whether to write 2 or 3 paragraphs; they also vary according to the test you are taking. Typically, for approximately 250 words 2 body paragraphs may suffice. However, when you are asked to write in academic tests, it may exceed 400 words. In that case, it will be a good idea to plan 3 or more body paragraphs. Accordingly, the paragraphs should be of 80 to 100 words long.

Conclusion

The conclusion sums up the main idea of the thesis in different words. Additionally, it may include a suggestion, prediction or warning. Since it’s the last paragraph, it’s better not to introduce any new idea. It is also important to keep the length between 30 and 40 words.

Overall, you should plan your writing keeping the aforementioned aspects in mind. It will help you enormously to manage your allocated time properly.

IELTS Academic Writing (Task 1): Planning the report

 Writing Task 1 requires you the write a summary of a visual figure by selecting and reporting the main features and compare where relevant. Your should complete your writing in 20 minutes ensuring 150 words or more.

Composition 

Ideally, this type of composition consists of 3 paragraphs beginning with an introduction followed by an overview of the trends in general. The body paragraphs give a detailed analysis of the data and the comparison and contrast between categories. No conclusion is necessary as an overview is already there. The order of paragraphs is as follows: 

1. Introduction with overview 
2. Detailed analysis 
3. Comparison & contrast 

Key categories 

The given visual actually presents various data in different categories and units. So, before starting you should classify the data and sort out the categories. Following are the most frequent categories common to all types of visual figures: 

1. Units 
2. Time / duration 
3. Place
4. Number / signs  

In accordance with these diverse units are generally used. Your primary task is to find and collate them. 

Copyright © 2014 Tanvir Rajib - All Rights Reserved.

IELTS Speaking Preparation: Starting to speak

The reason why many people fear the speaking module of IELTS test is their lack of speaking practice in real-life situations. As a result, they feel lost as they don’t know what to say; they can’t even articulate how to say it either. Thus it is not just a matter of content knowledge that they lack but also of the psychological disadvantage which they have. However, since they have to take the test, let us focus on how they can prepare themselves with available resources in a short period of time. The following list is not all exhaustive but consists of some common and effective practices among the test takers. 

Practice, practice & practice

No matter what preparation time you have ahead, spend the time practicing. Before starting, however, it will be wise to plan your work. Since it is a test practice, the content selection and topics have to be focused and relevant; i.e., don’t choose amusing topics as pastime activities. 

Be serious & stay so

It is highly recommended for the competent users to adopt a serious nature of preparation. Any test preparation basically requires a well laid strategic work-plan and the consistency to carry through. But the guiding force behind all these is the seriousness, which in most of the cases wane away. So, stay serious all along. 

Find a partner 

For its interactive nature, even being a productive skill, speaking is not really a solitary activity; it is rather a reciprocal one. There are also several non-linguistic elements which can not be developed unless you practice speaking with someone. An important thing to make sure, however, is that your partner is going to take IELTS too; otherwise, there will be conflict of interest. 

Join an online group 

Usually, it is unlikely to get a partner for speaking who is also an examinee, but there are online groups and communities where people with similar needs are available. Even in social media like Facebook you can easily run into a probable partner. 

Record yourself 

If you haven’t already done it yet, it can be fun. The first time I heard my voice, I could not believe my own ears. It was awful. So, it is definitely a good idea to give it a try. You will have a better idea about a non-verbal shortcoming or may be an advantage. 

Rehearse in a regular tone and tempo 

Finally, in order to maintain a fluent response with no show of nervousness, practice a confident tone of voice in a moderate tempo — neither too slow, nor too fast. It will develop into a natural flow and then you will not have to worry about fluency. 

  © 2022 by Tanvir Rajib

Silver rules for movie buffs

 

Movies as a genre has by now become more of a subject of study rather than a medium of entertainment. Keeping with the types of movies, the movie-goers also vary. And with the rise of international releases at the doorstep any movie-buff, nowadays, usually runs the risk of becoming a movie-nerd. In this not-so-nerdy article, I am going to propose a few ways that can help us simply to enjoy watching a movie rather than analysing it.

First of all, let us accept that we have already missed the opportunity to write the script and the movie is already made; keeping it in mind will certainly help us concentrate on the movie itself. It is almost rare to come across a story line that cannot be predicted beforehand; well, it seems to be the case with some people. I must admit that it is detrimental to the full enjoyment of any movie. So, to have a better delectation let’s not predict and keep being surprised at every turn and twist in the story. It can be called a willing suspension of predictability.

Many of us are also apt in thinking of a completely different version of the story at hand; for these people, watching a movie is identical to correcting an academic essay. Honestly, every script could have been a different script. It is, therefore, a better idea to plan a brand-new script rather than thinking about a different version of the one we watch. 

The same is true for the movie titles as well. Yes, “Vertigo” could have been “Why Did She Have to Go?” But that would not, in any way, change things for better. Rather, we should think about how the writers would justify it, or had better not think of it at all. They are just so absurd that we hardly have anything to do about it. Just think, how it can be an “Infinity War” with half of the universe gone!

Next, let all the screen awards alone to be considered by the people paid for the job; it is extremely cumbersome to stay tuned with so many categories of awards to be dispensed with. Besides, they have always overlooked our opinions, haven’t they? In many instances, the best motion pictures were of the nominees, not the winners. 

The most unfortunate of all is the director since he is the one who receives some kind of crucially justified certificate no matter how Spielberg he is. Initially, we start with an honest appraisal of Jurassic Park; however, the problem begins when we expect him to stick to the dinosaurs only. That said, why does someone have to make Dunkirk? We should find some excuse to forgive them as well.

IMDB or Rotten Tomatoes are run by some people. Unfortunately, many of these people might not really share your taste. Going by ratings is somewhat useful as a guide for the dummies since we are not going to be disappointed at least, but they have no idea about the ones we would still like very much even after their poor ratings.

All the actors don’t always realise their acting strengths, mostly the ones we viewers have recognized. They are such amazing beings that they fit in where we think of them most improbable and don’t where they should. Edward Norton didn’t make a better Hulk. Let’s blame the Hulk! On the other hand, it’s not a nice idea to think of the favourite actor for every role; the actor on screen has definitely got something to offer that you can’t refuse.

© 2022 by Tanvir Rajib

Spending 101

    One of the unusual ways to define spending is by the notion of saving: whatever is not saving is spending. Spending is necessary; it is the other main reason for earning. It gives pleasure, elevates spirit as well as status, and most importantly serves the purpose. The pleasure it provides is second to that of earning itself. However, spending can be something worth doing if done wisely, avoiding some frequent mistakes and dealing with to-have-or-not-to-have dilemmas. These are essential skills when it comes to spending on a budget.

 

Give it another thought.

    The first point of consideration is that final call, because after this you are in a completely different phase. Think meticulously whether the thing you want to buy is of any necessity or is it just a fancy-requirement. For instance, someone willing to start photography doesn’t need a full frame DSLR camera; rather a mobile phone with good camera features is enough to start with. We often tend to set some imaginary requirements for tasks that don’t require them at all. In such cases, it is wise to think over again and consult someone if necessary.

 

Don’t compromise unless need be.

    The ever convincing “plan B” can sometimes fool around too. If you are willing to buy an iPhone, don’t compromise that with a Chinese duplicate. The only consideration you can possibly have is if you really need an iPhone, not how to get one with the similar configuration for less. This mistake can culminate in an utter frustration with the phone as well as with the money spent on it. Dealing with dilemmas like this makes you a smart user of money; it takes nothing but money to be a spendthrift.

 

Be a pro with promotions.

    Wisdom in spending is also associated with the skills of identifying and eliminating the traps of promotion. A large portion of the items on sale are actually the items not worth their original price; that is actually the reason why they are put in the most noticeable spots. What is worse, by the time their worth was realised they already got old; sometimes too old to get sold. Now, how would you really feel about buying some old items which were not sold new? 

 

    Have less but the best!

This “less” pertains to quantity whereas the “best” refers to quality. Let me elaborate with an example: if you intend to get fragrant, it’s not unwise to have a better perfume for more than having a few cheaper ones that don’t serve the purpose that well. If you are going to have a blast with old buddies, even none of the few will do; but just think of your colleagues in their stead. Most people, however, disagree with the view relying on quantity that can serve for a longer time-span. Then again, the longer we use the more we lose the chance.

 

Have your decisions noted.

    As it happens too often to the shopaholics, they tend to forget some resolution taken very recently. In an instinctive shopping spree they go by themselves and get things they have already got plenty of or keep looking for items that are absolutely useless. However, this is often also true for the normal people with an average knack for shopping; they sometimes get carried away especially when a thick wad occupies the wallet. It is, therefore, a good idea to note down any new decision or resolution pertaining to shopping and the list.