I hope you have kicked off a productive summer.  In this update, I wanted to talk about a couple of the things I am working on and how you can get involved.  Don’t forget to enter the writing contest (update #3) and suggest an explanation for the New Yorker cartoon that has me stumped (update #4).

1 – New website

Please excuse the lack of updates to ieltsielts.com over the past few weeks.  I’m pulling together a new and updated version of this website, which will include material for the other three sections of the IELTS.  New versions of all writing ebooks are in the works, too (a task I’ve been working on since the start of 2013).  As always, those who purchased older ebook versions will receive the updated versions free of charge.  Please be patient as I pull together these new projects.  I am hoping to launch everything in July.

2 – New podcast

IELTS Speaking specialist Tom (from drvipmethod.com) and I are testing a new vocabulary focused podcast.  You may have read about it on the Facebook page we set up (please add me as a Facebook friend if you haven’t already).  We’ve recorded two episodes and we’re looking for your feedback on whether the material is useful or not.  The idea is simple: each episode, we take 6 words from Victoria University of Wellington’s Academic Word List and use them to ask each other IELTS-like questions to demonstrate the words in use.  We’re hoping in future to take suggested questions from online IELTS student submissions.  We’re also hoping to get listeners on the show to participate.  If you have a free hour or so, please tune in to these pilot episodes and let us know what you think:

The Tom and Ryan IELTS Show – Episode 1

The Tom and Ryan IELTS Show – Episode 2

3 – New essay contest

Below is an IELTS essay that is missing cohesive devices in four places.  As a comment to this blog post, please suggest a word or group of words that you feel would fit in the blanks.  I will use your submissions in an upcoming IELTS video.

Does living with a pet enhance a person’s life?

A practice that has spanned across all cultures and countries throughout history is the domestication of animals.  1._________, living with a pet is a very common occurrence.  It is argued that several benefits derive from living with animals.  This will be proven by looking at the manner in which animals both provide companionship to the lonely and teach the importance of responsibility to children.

Firstly, living with animals provides companionship to people who are lonely, and 2._________ catalyzes healthful results.  For example, a study in the US revealed that widowed cat or dog owners tended to live longer than other widowed people living without pets.  As this example shows, the link between pet ownership and longevity can be seen.  Thus, it is clear that living with a pet enhances a person’s life.

In addition to the above, children who live with pets learn how to be responsible at a very young age.  For example, my nephew spent the first 15 years of his life caring for a family dog.  3._________ taught him the importance of maintaining routine, and I feel this pushed him to develop the healthy study regimen that resulted in his acceptance to a good university.  Therefore, living with animals can fortify a person’s ability to act responsibly.

Following this look, it can be concluded that pet ownership can simultaneously discourage loneliness and encourage maturity.  The positive nature of 4._________ makes it clear that living with an animal enhances a person’s life.  It is hoped more people choose pets as a part of their lifestyle.

4 – Personal request

The New Yorker is an American publication that provides an eclectic grouping of composition, namely current affair commentary, interesting but sometimes obscure articles, short stories and poetry.  It is also peppered with single panel cartoons, renowned for occasionally being difficult to understand.

This week, I have come across one such cartoon.  No matter how I dissect it, I cannot seem to come up with an explanation for its humour.  I am thus addressing the wordsmiths of the online IELTS world to shed some light: why is this funny?  If you think you understand the joke, please share an explanation as a comment to this post.

Victoria is not the only successful student out there creating helpful original IELTS material.  You may recall my conversation with band 8 speaking student Alla from several months ago.  Alla has been keeping a blog and posting more advanced tips on how to use specialized English structures and vocabulary.  Here’s a brief article of hers on simple and complex sentence structures: http://blog.allasobirova.com/2013/03/08/sentence-types/

Are you an IELTS student with original online material?  Get in contact with me and I will share your resources as part of this post.

Should children go to nursery school prior to their primary studies?  Share personal examples in your essay, if applicable.

In most countries today, children attend some form of preschool before engaging their studies at primary school.  Although many feel this is an ideal arrangement, this essay will argue that a strong familial environment at home can replace the need for a child to attend nursery school.  This will be shown by analyzing how the skills needed for elementary studies can be taught at home and how having additional time with parents can help strengthen a child’s sense of family.

For one, many of the skills a child develops in preschool can be taught by parents.  For example, when my nephew was 3, ‘sharing’ was one of the main topics the very young were expected to have mastered upon entry into primary school.  Despite not having attended preschool, my nephew finished his kindergarten years at the top of his class and was given a special award for his particularly strong sense of sharing.  This example makes it clear that nursery school attendance should not be assumed a precursor to success in elementary school.

In addition to this, preschool-aged children are forced to engage the world of academia before they have had a chance to properly bond with their parents.  For instance, a study in the US recently revealed a link between preschool attendance and childhood feelings of abandonment.  As this report shows, a clear link appears to exist in many cases between nursery school students and subpar parental relations.  Thus, encouraging the very young to attend preschool studies may not be as positive a course of action as many think.

Following this look at how parents can both set an academic foundation and establish stronger relations with their children, the conclusion can be drawn that nursery schools do not need to be attended prior to primary studies.  It is hoped parents the world over recognize that education and childhood development extend beyond the classroom.

Should children go to nursery school prior to their primary studies?  Share personal examples in your essay if applicable.

In most countries today, children attend some form of preschool before engaging their studies at primary school.  Although many feel this is an ideal arrangement, this essay will argue that a strong familial environment at home can replace the need for a child to attend nursery school.  This will be shown by analyzing how the skills needed for elementary studies can be taught at home and how having additional time with parents can help strengthen a child’s sense of __________.

For one, many of the skills a child develops in preschool can be taught by parents.  For example, when my nephew was 3, ‘sharing’ was one of the main topics the very young were expected to have __________ upon entry into primary school.  Despite not having attended preschool, my nephew finished his kindergarten years at the top of his class and was given a special award for his particularly strong sense of sharing.  This example makes it clear that nursery school attendance should not be assumed a precursor to success in elementary school.

In addition to this, preschool-aged children are forced to engage the world of academia before they have had a chance to properly __________ with their parents.  For instance, a study in the US recently revealed a link between preschool attendance and childhood feelings of abandonment.  As this report shows, a clear link appears to exist in many cases between nursery school students and subpar parental relations.  Thus, encouraging the very young to attend preschool studies may not be as positive a course of action as many think.

Following this look at how parents can both set an academic foundation and establish stronger relations with their children, the conclusion can be drawn that nursery schools do not need to be attended prior to primary studies.  It is hoped parents the world over recognize that education and childhood development extend __________ the classroom.

Here is the question and essay response with correctly ordered sentences:

More people are traveling today than ever before.  Why do you think this is?

Today, the number of people engaging in international travel is swelling rapidly.  This is a trend that does not appear to be slowing at all.  Although many factors have contributed to this growth, trade opportunities and tourism are thought to be the main triggers.  Both will be examined in this essay.

On the one hand, the increasing international awareness of growth markets is spurring development in the travel sector.  For example, knowledge of raw resources available in African countries has piqued the interest of manufacturing and consuming nations the world over.  To capitalize on this interest, many are making expeditions to establish cross border connections with businesspeople in the African region.  Thus, it is clear that trade is one of the core reasons international travel is growing.

In addition to this, growing affluence the world over has made it possible for increasing amounts of people to engage in recreational travel.  For instance, Chinese tourist numbers are growing so quickly that major holiday destinations, such as the Eiffel Tower in Paris, are choosing to display their public signs in French, English and Mandarin.  Thus, the unshrinking need for tourist hotspots to accommodate travelers from various countries is clear evidence that a true link between tourism numbers and international travel exists.  It can therefore be concluded that growing worldwide affluence is fueling a surge in international travel numbers. 

Following this look, it is clear that global trade opportunities and tourism are altering humanity’s need for international travel.  It is thus expected that rates of travel will only continue to climb into the foreseeable future.

More people are traveling today than ever before.  Why do you think this is?

Look at the following sentences.  As a comment to this blog post, please copy and paste these sentences into the right order.  I will be making a video about this exercise and will include images of your responses:

1. Following this look, it is clear that global trade opportunities and tourism are altering humanity’s need for international travel.
2. For example, knowledge of raw resources available in African countries has piqued the interest of manufacturing and consuming nations the world over.
3. Both will be examined in this essay.
4. For instance, Chinese tourist numbers are growing so quickly that major holiday destinations, such as the Eiffel Tower in Paris, are choosing to display their public signs in French, English and Mandarin.
5. In addition to this, growing affluence the world over has made it possible for increasing amounts of people to engage in recreational travel.
6. Today, the number of people engaging in international travel is swelling rapidly.
7. Thus, the unshrinking need for tourist hotspots to accommodate travelers from various countries is clear evidence that a true link between tourism numbers and international travel exists.
8. Thus, it is clear that trade is one of the core reasons international travel is growing.
9. To capitalize on this interest, many are making expeditions to establish cross border connections with businesspeople in the African region.
10. It is thus expected that rates of travel will only continue to climb into the foreseeable future.
11. This is a trend that does not appear to be slowing at all.
12. On the one hand, the increasing international awareness of growth markets is spurring development in the travel sector.
13. It can therefore be concluded that growing worldwide affluence is fueling a surge in international travel numbers.
14. Although many factors have contributed to this growth, trade opportunities and tourism are thought to be the main triggers.

No access to YouTube?  Download the video here.

Should education and healthcare be free of charge and funded by the government, or should it be the responsibility of the people to pay for these services?

History and human development have proven that education and healthcare are fundamental human rights and should not be restricted to anyone regardless of financial status.  Thus, it is argued that the funding of education and basic healthcare is a responsibility that should be borne by a country’s government.  This will be proven by looking at how such an arrangement leads societies to higher standards of living, which in turn leads to greater degrees of productivity per capita.

Firstly, when the people of a society do not need to worry about paying for education and healthcare, they have greater freedom to develop as human beings.  For example, the Human Development Index is a chart that compares countries based on their citizens’ life expectancy, level of education and income expectancy.  It is no surprise that countries providing free healthcare and education (such as Sweden and Australia) consistently have higher HDI levels than countries that do not provide these services.  Thus, academia and medical support should be provided by governments.

In addition to the above, it appears that when a society’s concern for personal wellbeing is lessened, the productivity of its people increases.  For instance, gross domestic product per capita values appear to move in tandem with HDI values.  Thus, the tie between longer life expectancy, education and GDP can be seen.  It therefore is clear that governments capable of providing educational and healthcare resources for their societies encourage positive growth.

As the above discussion shows, countries are most benefitted when governments take on the burden of education and medical expenses.  It is therefore hoped that all countries around the world strive to provide such an arrangement.

Tune in to our conversation and hear Rahul explain this and other strategies in his own words.  You can download the entire interview here.  (If you find these videos motivating, please consider leaving me a 5 star rating in iTunes.)

Attention:  I am looking for more successful IELTS students to interview.  I know from reading your comments on my YouTube page that many of you have scored band 7 and higher.  Please consider sparing 30 minutes of your time to share your exam strategies with the world.  Contact me at ryan@ieltsielts.com.

No access to YouTube?  Download the video by clicking here.

Your friend visited your home recently.  They forgot something.  Write a letter to your friend about this situation.  In your letter include:

-what your friend forgot

-where the item is now

-a proposed arrangement to return the item

Dear Jose,

I am writing for/on/to two reasons.  Firstly, my wife and I would like to thank you for your visit last night.  You and Sharon are great company.  Secondly, I wanted to let you know that you forgot your laptop when you left.  Allow me to elaborate.

I imagine that upon arriving home you realized it was missing, but on/about/in the event you did not I wanted to write this letter to tell you.  The laptop is still sitting where you left it at/between/on the coffee table in/at/around our living room.  My wife and I have appreciated having your library of music to tap into.  However, I should point out that I could not track down the computer’s carrying case, so I hope this is on/among/around your things.

I suppose we will have to arrange a time to meet.  I am free any day this week, aside from Sunday.  What day and time suit you?  We could either drive it your direction, or you could come our way to pick it up.

Your friend,

Ryan

Many high school students take part time jobs.  What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?

At/Among/To many cultures, adolescents are encouraged to work part time.  But this is a phenomenon that is not universally encouraged, as many people feel such an arrangement has drawbacks.  This essay will look at the advantages and disadvantages associated among/to/with working high school students.

On the one hand, students who work part time gain business exposure and learn to handle money.  For example, companies like McDonald’s often hire high school students to work their front cash registers.  For these young adults, they are learning both how to deal among/below/with people in a professional way and how to transact money.  As these sorts of hands on abilities are not taught in schools, it is clear that several advantages derive from/to/towards students working part time.

However, on the other hand, students who choose to work during their high school years spend time away from their studies and may be exposed to dangerous situations.  For instance, I remember as a student once working by/within/in a restaurant in an underdeveloped part of my city.  The clientele often had serious personal problems, such as drug and alcohol addiction.  To make matters worse, I worked so many weekly hours at this restaurant that my school grades started to suffer.  As this experience shows, there are several disadvantages that can befall working students.

Following this look, it can be concluded that part time work among students should be engaged on/for/by a case-by-case basis.  So long as a working arrangement does not infringe upon a student’s safety or their grades, it is recommended that part time work be pursued by/from/to all adolescent people