The use of connectors in logical interpretation of a text

Many of you have heard your teachers talk about Logical Connectors. For sure, your teachers have emphasized on the importance of these phrases and words, but there still seems to be a lot of questions regarding their usage. Well, in order to familiarize you more with their usage, I have prepared this short post. Let’s have an example first:

Ali didn’t study well. Ali failed the test.

Question: Based on the sentences, is this argument True, False, or Not Given?

Ali couldn’t pass the test because he hadn’t studied well.

Easy, right? The answer is True for sure. Ali didn’t study, and he failed the test. That’s the usual case for everybody who doesn’t study well… But stop at this point! YOU ARE WRONG! The answer is: Not Given. Where in the sentences there is the relation between Ali’s not studying, and his not passing the test?

That’s exactly why logical connectors are used in a text. If there’s no such thing, there’s no logical relation between the two sentences, and you cannot understand if Ali’s failure was the result of his not studying. Can you get what I mean?

Read this other example:

I was really hungry.

I didn’t eat lunch.

What’s happening here? Which sentence should be written first? Well, nobody can tell for sure. It depends on the idea the writer wants to express. Look here:

I didn’t eat lunch. As a result, I was really hungry.

I was really hungry. However, I didn’t eat lunch.

Can you get what I’m talking about? That’s the very reason why we, as your teachers, emphasize on the importance of logical connectors. They help you a lot in understanding the organization of sentences in a reading passage, and they, therefore, help you in answering the questions precisely and correctly. I hope this has been of help in familiarizing you with the use of connectors in a reading passage. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask in the comments section.

Thank you for reading.

Well, here is the second list of phrases which can help you give a more natural tone to your speaking. The phrases below will help you express your agreement or disagreement on a particular topic. In the IELTS test, there are several occasions in which the examiner gives you an opinion and asks you about your idea. In such occasions, these phrases will help you.

Agreeing with an opinion

• My view about this is positive.
• I agree with this idea.
• I completely agree with this idea.
• I can't agree more.
• I agree.
• This idea is absolutely right.
• I couldn't agree more on this.
• I think this idea is perfect.

Partial agreement or polite disagreement

• I agree partially with this idea.
• This idea is partially right.
• I see what you mean, but
• That's one way of looking at it, but
• I see your point, but
• I agree with you, but
• I think this idea is possible, but
• I'm not sure you're right there.
• I'm not sure that I agree with this idea.

Disagreeing with an opinion

• I think it is a bad idea.
• I'm afraid I can't agree with this idea.
• I'm afraid I entirely disagree with you.
• I think this idea is impossible.
• I guess this idea is impractical.
• I see that this idea is bad.
• I think it is a bad idea.
• I don't agree with this idea.
• I suppose this idea cannot be implemented.

I hope you use all the phrases in your speaking. In the next thread, I will come up with some phrases to express certainty, probability, improbability, possibility, and prohibition.

See you soon and take care.

Misconceptions about the speaking test of IELTS(Part One)

Hey everybody!

Throughout the years I have been preparing students for IELTS test, I have noticed there are some very common misconceptions about this test. Today, I am going to focus on the speaking section of the test, and in the future, if time allows, I will move on to the other topics as well.

IELTS Is Not Real Life!

Well, the first thing I want to talk about is the common belief of many, including some teachers, that IELTS is a test of speaking, and we have to speak, no matter how well we control our language.

Take this as an example:

Examiner: what do you do in your free time?

Well, mostly I fool around with a bunch of high school dudes. We try to paint the city red and cheer up a bit pulling each other’s legs and stuff…

OK, there are some fun phrases and words in what the applicant said, but hey, what’s going on there? IELTS is a test of formality, not a test of street talk!

The point is, when you are taking the IELTS test, you are supposed to speak as queen-like as you can. Have Queen Elizabeth in mind, and try to speak as formal as she does. No informal phrases, no slang, no street talk. The only thing you need is formality. OK?

Topic of the week: Customs and Traditions

Well, after a lot of pretty hot discussion about fashion, it seems we can now reach to a conclusion about the topic. The ideas which were presented in the comments can be categorized into two main points of view.

To some people, fashion is a branch of art. It is a kind of art which expresses itself in everyday life, and tries to add spice to people’s lives, as it can be seen in the old saying, “variety is the spice of life”. This group of people believe that fashion is not only a very good thing, but also an inevitable, inseparable part of life. Designers of fashion are artists who know the taste of people, and what they do is merely showing people their own taste. Fashion can prevent life from becoming dull and monotonous.

Some other people believe that fashion is a weakened kind of dictatorship, which is hidden behind beautiful colors and styles. This group of people believe that what designers do is a kind of deceit they do in order to earn more money. Such type of thinking cannot accept a style of fashion, and followers of this belief system try to make a style for themselves.

Now, let us talk about a new topic:

Some people believe that customs and traditions are a nuisance, and they stop people from having a modern life, while others believe that they are necessary and important and must be kept alive.

What is your opinion? What is your approach towards traditions and customs?

Grammar competition:

This is a grammar contest. ALL of the following sentences contain errors. Find them, and write the correct form of the sentences in a Microsoft Office Word file. E-mail the file to me at ed@ieicielts.com. Don’t forget to write your name in the mail you send. Remember: DO NOT WRITE THE ANSWERS IN THE COMMENTS SECTION!

Thank you and see you soon.

1.   Ali and Jack were talking about some problems. The problems which have never been the matter of focus seemed really difficult for them to solve. They decided to talk to a man, who lived in a city called Ouchtapuia which was located 300 kilometers from their house…

2.   Jack and Mary were studying with each other. Suddenly, Mary started and shouted: “Oh, I am remembering the sentence Ali has said yesterday!”

3.   When have you gone to Michigan? You never said me you did that!

4.   When you are angry, what do you do?

5.   I can’t remember why what he said was really embarrassed.

6.   Where Jack is is really beautiful decorated.

7.   Don’t you know the people who Jack visited their house on Sunday where do they live?

8.   The number of advices Mary got to me were so much that I am forgetting that right now.

9.   I have a car which is red. My car which is always parked in front of Mr. Smith’s house who is an English teacher is usually so obvious to see.

10.                 Write the longest noun phrase you can.