PLATINUM LEVEL Lesson 2

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LISTENING
Overview:
1. Learn skills to predict and identify the exact type of words in questions.
2. Discover a trick in “Countable & Uncountable noun” v/s “Plural & Singular noun”.
3. Strategies to deal with “Sentence Completion” in IELTS Listening.

WARM – UP: Write no more than TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER.

The crossword puzzle was introduced in the Sunday supplement of the New York World
newspaper in 1._____________. The designer of crossword, Arthur Wynne, was inspired by
2._____________ Square, a children’s word game in which words are 3._____________ vertically
and horizontally. Wynne added empty squares and some clues. By the early 1920s, crossword
puzzles were 4._____________ features of almost every American newspaper. In 1924, four
puzzle books were on the 5._____________ lists. Today, crossword puzzle makers each have their
own techniques to 6._____________ the skills of their players. Eugene Waleska is a creator of the
New York Times crossword puzzle. He begins with a 7._____________ and lists as many words
as he can think of that loosely fit the theme. Then Waleska starts to fill in the grid with the
8._____________ first, avoiding words ending in J or beginning with X. He works first in the
lower right corner of the grid, since it is 9._____________ to find a word that ends with a certain
letter. Waleska says that when he started in this business, it took him 10._____________ to fit the
words into a 15x15-square grid. Now it takes less than an hour.

BEFORE LISTENING: Why do we need to do the following? – Discuss with your partner:
Step 1: Underline the word limit.
Step 2: Underline key words in the text.
Step 3: Identify the types of words you will listen for.
Step 4: Predict and guess your answer.
Step 5: Pay your attentive focus on every two questions at the same time.

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O1. Listen to the talk and fill in the missing information in the notes below.
Write no more than ONE WORD
A (1) ______________ is an event which is celebrated collectively. Festivals are mostly
celebrated to propagate the cultural heritage of nations. Most festivals have their origins in a
cultural (2) _____________ which has been passed down through the generations. Festivals help
to promote solidarity and the patriotic spirit in society by bringing people closer together in
harmony as they celebrate the festival. During this time, differences are forgotten, and the national
cultural identity predominates. By celebrating international festivals, it helps to promote tolerance,
(3) __________ racial conflict and encourages the acceptance of cultural diversity in a country.
While there are marked differences in the way festivals are celebrated all over the world, there is
a similarity in the (4) _____________ that the festival serves.

BEFORE LISTENING: Have you done the following steps? – Check with your partner:
Step 1: Underline the word limit.
Step 2: Underline key words in the text.
Step 3: Identify the types of words you will listen for.
Step 4: Predict and guess your answer.
Step 5: Pay your attentive focus on every two questions at the same time.

O2. A trick to Uncountable vs Countable noun:

Identify words in italic, are they countable or uncountable? Tick in the correct column.
Countable Uncountable
1. My grandmother uses real butter in every cake she bakes.
2. The use of plastics has greatly increased.
3. I need some paper to write on.
4. Most kids like chocolate, but Monica hates it.
5. Have you got an iron?
6. How many politicians does it take to pass a simple law?
7. I switched all the lights on.
8. Chloe does not make much progress today.
9. She was so stressed that she ate 3 entire boxes of cookies.
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O3. Articles: a / an / the
Choose an appropriate article: a/an/the/no article to fill in the gap below.
Which article can go with a plural noun?
1. ____ dogs that bark at a distance bite not at hand.
2. Are you coming to ____ party next Saturday?
3. ____ cars had both broken down.
4. I think ____ man over there is very ill. He can't stand on his feet.
5. She was wearing ____ ugly dress when she met him.
6. I am crazy about reading ____ history books.
7. We saw ____ elephants in the zoo.
8. He is ____ teacher.
9. He thinks that ____ love is what will save us all.
10. Two ____ coffees, please.

LISTENING TO PLURALS
In the IELTS Listening test, you often need to listen for plurals. Missing out “s” at the end can
cause a loss of mark for that answer. In order to identify if the word is plural, apart from listening
carefully, you also need to use basic grammar knowledge.

O4: Complete the notes below (Cam 12 test 5)

Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.
FAMILY EXCURSIONS
Cruise on a lake
Example
• Travel on an old steamship
• Can take photos of the 1 ………………………………… that surround the lake
Farm visit
• Children can help feed the sheep
• Visit can include a 40-minute ride on a 2 ………………………….
• Visitors can walk in the farm's 3 …………………………… by the lake
• 4 ……………..……… is available at extra cost

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BEFORE LISTENING: Have you done the following steps? – Tick if you have finished.
Step 1: Underline the word limit.
Step 2: Underline key words in the text.
Step 3: Identify the types of words you will listen for. (If it is a noun, then check plural or singular)
Step 4: Predict and guess your answer.
Step 5: Pay your attentive focus on every two questions at the same time.

O5. Complete the sentences below.

Write NO MORE THAN ONE WORDS for each answer.
1. Studying with the Open University demanded a great deal of _____________.
2. Studying and working at the same time improved Rachel's _____________ skills.
3. It was helpful that the course was structured in _____________.
4. She enjoyed meeting other students at lessons in _____________.

BEFORE LISTENING:
What can we PREDICT from the information given in the form?
Answer 1: …………………………………………………………………………………
Answer 2: …………………………………………………………………………………
Answer 3: …………………………………………………………………………………
Answer 4: …………………………………………………………………………………

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PLATINUM LEVEL Lesson 2
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AFTER LISTENING:
Read the script below. Circle the words you have filled in the blank and explain why you chose
those words.
Listening Script
Paul: The other thing I wanted to ask you was, did you find it hard, studying with the Open
University?
Rachel: You mean, because you're studying on your own, most of the time?
Paul: Mm.
Rachel: Well, it took me a while to get used to it. I found I needed to maintain a high level of
motivation, because it's so different from school. There's no-one saying, 'Why haven't
you written your assignment yet?' and that sort of thing.
Paul: Oh dear.
Rachel: You'll learn it, Paul. Another thing was that I got very good at time-management
because I had to fit time for studying round a full-time job.
Paul: Well, I'm hoping to change to working part-time, so that'll help.
Rachel: What makes it easier is that the degree is made up of modules, so you can take time
off between them if you need to. It isn't like a traditional three-or four-year course,
where you've got to do the whole thing of it in one go.
Paul: That's good because I'd like to spend six months travelling next year.
Rachel: Huh, it's all right for some. Then even though you're mostly studying at home,
remember you've got tutors to help you, and from time to time there are summer
schools. They usually last a week. They're great because you meet all the other people
struggling with the same things as you. I've made some really good friends that way.

Paul: Sounds good. So how do I apply?

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O6. Complete the following notes about the three catering companies
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER.

Paris Kitchen

lack of variety of food

poor quality 5 ………………………..

Company Caterers
expensive
6 ……… discount for groups of 30 or more

Celebrations
new company
only 7 …………………………. for picnics
8 …………………………. dishes
offers free samples

What can we PREDICT from the information given in the form?

Answer 5: …………………………………………………………………………………
Answer 6: …………………………………………………………………………………
Answer 7: …………………………………………………………………………………
Answer 8: …………………………………………………………………………………

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PLATINUM LEVEL Lesson 2
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TAKEAWAY VOCABULARY
Fill in the bank with these given words
lack expect cultural vegetarian
variety poor-quality take into consideration demand
assignment maintain made up of struggle

1. She said the food was good, but not quite the ___________ they’d expected.
2. You have an ___________ which is due on next Monday.
3. I need to ___________ a high GPA to keep my scholarship.
4. Thank you for your suggestion. I will ______ it _______________.
5. I do not eat meat! I am on a _______________ diet.
6. The students _______________ to pay full attention to the lecture.
7. New employees usually ___________ experience
8. We do not accept ______________ products.
9. ___________ exchanges are a way of building bridges between countries.
10. We __________ to speak with the manager.
11. He is a selfish man. Don’t __________ gifts from him.
12. Happiness is _______________those tiny successes.

O7. Practice listening to Plurals

Questions 1-6
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER.
1. The charity is a ____________ project.
2. The charity is aimed at helping ___________.
3. The is possible to give money donations or even ____________.
4. It is possible to be actively involved in the coming ____________.
5. The aim is to raise £____________.
6. For communities to thrive, ____________ should not be ignored.

BEFORE LISTENING: What type of words will you listen for?

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HOMEWORK
Exercise 1:
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER.
Surname : BLAKE
First name : 1______________
ID number : 2______________
Gender : male
Email address : [email protected]
Telephone number : 3______________
Course attending : 4______________
Start date : 5______________
Accommodation type : 6______________
Room type : 7______________
Type of bathroom : 8______________
Vehicle : 9______________
Amount of deposit : 10 £____________

Exercise 2:
Complete the notes below.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.
Joining the leisure club
Personal Assessment
● New members should describe any 13. _____________________.
● The 14. ___________________ will be explained to you before you use the equipment.
● You will be given a six-week 15. ____________________.
Types of membership
● There is a compulsory £90 16. ____________________ fee for members.
● Gold members are given 17. ___________________ to all the LP club.
● Premier members are given priority during 18. ____________________ hours.
● Premier members can bring some 19. _____________________ every month.
● Members should always take their 20. ______________________ with them.

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Exercise 3:
Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer
A company providing luxury serviced apartments aims to:

Cater specifically for (1) ____________ travelers.

Provide a stylish (2) ____________ for guests to use.

Set a trend throughout the (3) ____________ which becomes permanent.

Traditional holiday hotels attract people by:

Offering the chance to (4) ____________ their ordinary routine life

Making sure that they are cared for in all respects – like a (5) ____________.
Leaving small treats in their rooms – e.g. cosmetics or (6) ____________.

Exercise 4:
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.
Problems affecting small areas of rainforest

31. A process called ________________ has a negative effect in these areas.

32. There is less food, especially ________________, for animals to eat.

33. Larger animals may see a fall in ________________ because of lack of contact with other
populations.

34. The 'edge effect' can change both the ________________ and the amount of light at the forest
edges.

35. There is probably more ________________ activity in forest areas close to farmland.

36. Small animals which have a particular ________________ may be most at risk.

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PLATINUM LEVEL Lesson 2
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Questions 37-40

Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.

Assessing biodiversity

Basic method:

• Walk through the forest

• Some animals make a lot of noise, for example 37________________

• Some birds have easily identified nests

• Some animals always hide in certain places, for example 38________________

• Trapping methods:

• Simple traps using a sheet of plastic and 39________________ for small animals

• Mist nets can trap birds

• Camera traps for other species

• A 40________________ can be used to identify animals trapped more than once.

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WRITING TASK 1
“If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.”
~ Stephen King

Overview:
1. Identify the main features of a line graph
2. Achieve a high score in Task Achievement
3. Describe and compare using adjectives and adverbs

I. Warm up:
O1. Using the verb to grow and the adverb rapidly, complete the
sentences to describe the information in the graphs. Focus on the
correct verb tense in each case, bearing in mind the time phrases you
are given and the dates in the graph.

1. For five years ago, sales have grown rapidly to around 90,000.
2. Between 1980 and 1990………………………………… 90,000.
3. From 2020 to 2030, ……………………………………. 90,000.
4. By the year 2000, ………………………………………. 90,000.
5. By the year 2030, ………………………………………. 90,000.

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O2. With your partner, make correct sentences using a verb from column 1, an adverb from column
2 and a time phrase.

Example:
Student A: increase, slowly, by the year 2000
Student B: By the year 2000, it had increased slowly to 90%.

Verb Adverb Time Phrase

Increase dramatically by the year 2000
Decrease significantly from 1995 to 2000
Fall sharply for the next ten years
Rise gradually between 2010 and now
Climb steadily by the year 2030
Drop slightly since 2016

II. TASK 1 - TASK ACHIEVEMENT

Task Achievement (TA) is the mark you get for how well you answer the question. There are a
number of common mistakes that prevent candidates from getting a high score in TA. These are:

• not including an overview statement

• misreporting data
• not highlighting key information or trends
• not including enough or any data
• speculating or giving an opinion about why changes have occurred
• using an inappropriate tone
• writing fewer than 150 words
• not including a final summary or concluding paragraph, or producing one which doesn't summarise
the main features.

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O3. With a partner, make notes on the main features in this Task 1 line graph.

The line graph below shows the main reasons people gave for moving away from a particular
capital city to the countryside.

▣ TIPS: As you look at a graph/table/chart for the first time, ask yourself:
• Are there any common trends in the graphical information?
• Does any of the information differ from the rest in an obvious and significant way? If so, how?
• Is there anything that two or more categories have in common?
• Is there anything that only happens once?

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O4. Look at this description of the line graph above. It would not get a good score for Task
Achievement. Why not?

Answer 1

The line graph illustrates the main reasons people gave for moving away from a capital city to the
countryside.

The main reason was traffic. In 1990, 66,000 people left the city because of this, followed by
85,000 in 2000. 70,000 left in 2010, so it actually went down in those last ten years.

It was different for the other two reasons, which both started a lot lower than rising cost of living
and both kept going up between 1990 and 2010. Subsequently, both categories saw large increases,
with traffic first going up a lot between 1990 and 2000 and then even more clearly after that.
Lifestyle went up to 30,000 initially, then up again until 2010.

O5. The description from exercise 4 has been rewritten, but there is still room for improvement.
Read it and think about how it could be improved. Then match the teacher's comments (A-D) to
the numbered sections (1-4).

Answer 2

The line graph sets out the main motivations people expressed for relocating to the countryside
from the city in the years 1990, 2000 and 2010. The overall trend for the period is of an increase
in the numbers moving away from the city.

According to the graph, the main reason for relocation was the rising cost of living. In 1990, 65,000
people left the city because of this, then 85,000 left in 2000, then 80,000 people moved away in
2010, so it actually increased by 20,000 initially (between 1990 and 2000), before going down by
5,000 in those last ten years between 2000 and 2010 (1). This drop of 5,000 could have been
because people generally had less money in 2010 than they did in 2000, so they couldn't afford to
move. (2)

It was a different story for traffic and lifestyle. Both had the same number of city leavers at the
start of the period. Subsequently, both categories saw increases, with traffic first going up by a
large number between 1990 and 2000 and then even more steeply after that. Lifestyle leavers rose
consistently over the whole period, going up to 30,000 initially, then up again to 2010. (3)

So, what does it all mean? For me, the answer is crystal clear. Overall, the graph shows that a huge
number of people moved away from the city to the countryside in a twenty-year period. (4)

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A. Don't speculate -you shouldn't suggest reasons for any change. All you need to do is report what
you can see on the graph.

B. This section is too mechanical - avoid simply listing the changes to a single category like this.
Focus more on highlighting the key figures and trends.

C. Better - you have included a conclusion this time, but it doesn't really summarise the key
features. Your tone here is inappropriate -it sounds like you're writing a magazine article.
Remember to keep the tone more formal and scientific.

D. This section makes its points more clearly but fails to include key data to demonstrate the points.

O6. With a partner, discuss which option works best as a summary/overview for this task. Give
reasons.

A. To sum up, people left the city for three main reasons, all of which rose significantly
between 1990 and 2000. Traffic changed the most rapidly, lifestyle changed the least, and rising
cost of living was the only reason that went down.

B. Overall, the graph suggests the number of people relocating to the countryside rose across
the period. Cost of living was the main reason for relocation by some distance, despite a fall in
numbers in the second half of the period. Traffic saw the greatest overall increase, with lifestyle
seeing a relatively slow but steady rise.

C. All in all, the rising cost of living rose from 65,000 to 85,000 and then 80,000, and was the
highest of all three reasons. Traffic had the biggest increase from 20,000 up to 60,000, while
lifestyle changed the least (20,000 / 30,000 / 40,000).

▣ TIPS:
Don't include data in your overview - it is a summary of the trends shown in the whole graph, and
you do not need to repeat specific information.

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III. DESCRIBE CHANGES WITH ADJECTIVES AND ADVERBS:

O7. Look at these notes that another candidate made for this line graph, which helped them to
write a more effective description. Complete the sentences with the adjectives in the box.
Consistent highest joint-lowest lowest notable overall stable

Rising cost of living: the (1) …………….. point of any reason in any year (85,000 in 2000); the
only one to decrease (to 80,000 in 2010).

Traffic: greatest (2) ………………. rise (40,000); most (3) ……………. rise between 2000 and
2010 (25,000).

Lifestyle: Most (4) …………… and (5) ………………. increase (only 20,000); remained the (6)
……………… of all three reasons.

Traffic and Lifestyle: (7) …………… in the first year presented (20,000 in 1990).

O8. Look at the following adverbs which describe the manner of change. With a partner, decide
which ones would be inappropriate for a Task 1 answer.

Abruptly Markedly Noticeably Significantly

Sharply Shockingly Gradually Inconsistently
Steadily Predictably Progressively
Amazingly Surprisingly

▣ TIPS: This kind of task requires you to report the data objectively. Avoid using adverbs which
give your subjective interpretation or opinion of the data, e.g., worryingly.

O9. Change the underlined words in the sentences into the form given in brackets and then rewrite
the sentences. The first one has been done for you.

1. The category of 'Lifestyle' increased the most consistently and stably. (adjective+ noun)
à The most consistent and stable increase was seen in the category of 'Lifestyle'.

2. Traffic rose steadily as a reason for moving to the countryside between 1990 and 2000 ...
(adjective+ noun)

3. ... but then there was a marked increase between 2000 and 2010. (verb+ adverb)

4. The number of people moving to the countryside for lifestyle reasons grew consistently across
the whole period shown in the graph. (adjective+ noun)

▣ TIPS: If you answer includes a range of structures, you can improve your score in another criteria,
Grammatical range and accuracy (GRA), so vary your combinations (Verb + Adv), (Adj + Noun)

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HOMEWORK
Use the information and language from this lesson to answer this Writing Task 1.

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The line chart below shows the results of a survey giving the reasons why people moved to the
capital city of a particular country.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons
where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

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READING

Overview:
1. Practice Sentence Completion Types
2. Review Grammar Points: Simple Linking + Conjuctions
3. Methods of correcting and improving vocabulary after exercises

I. Practice Sentence Completion:

▣Exercise 1 – 15 minutes:

The Impact of the Potato

Jeff Chapman relates the story of history the most important vegetable

The potato was first cultivated in South America between three and seven thousand years ago,
though scientists believe they may have grown wild in the region as long as 13,000 years ago. The
genetic patterns of potato distribution indicate that the potato probably originated in the
mountainous west-central region of the continent.

Early Spanish chroniclers who misused the Indian word batata (sweet potato) as the name for the
potato noted the importance of the tuber to the Incan Empire. The Incas had learned to preserve
the potato for storage by dehydrating and mashing potatoes into a substance called Chuchu could
be stored in a room for up to 10 years, providing excellent insurance against possible crop failures.
As well as using the food as a staple crop, the Incas thought potatoes made childbirth easier and
used it to treat injuries.

The Spanish conquistadors first encountered the potato when they arrived in Peru in 1532 in search
of gold, and noted Inca miners eating chuchu. At the time the Spaniards failed to realize that the
potato represented a far more important treasure than either silver or gold, but they did gradually
begin to use potatoes as basic rations aboard their ships. After the arrival of the potato in Spain in
1570，a few Spanish farmers began to cultivate them on a small scale, mostly as food for
livestock.

Throughout Europe, potatoes were regarded with suspicion, distaste and fear. Generally considered
to be unfit for human consumption, they were used only as animal fodder and sustenance for the
starving. In northern Europe, potatoes were primarily grown in botanical gardens as an exotic
novelty. Even peasants refused to eat from a plant that produced ugly, misshapen tubers and that
had come from a heathen civilization. Some felt that the potato plant’s resemblance to plants in
the nightshade family hinted that it was the creation of witches or devils.

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In meat-loving England, farmers and urban workers regarded potatoes with extreme distaste. In
1662, the Royal Society recommended the cultivation of the tuber to the English government and
the nation, but this recommendation had little impact. Potatoes did not become a staple until, during
the food shortages associated with the Revolutionary Wars, the English government began to
officially encourage potato cultivation. In 1795, the Board of Agriculture issued a pamphlet
entitled “Hints Respecting the Culture and Use of Potatoes”； this was followed shortly by pro-
potato editorials and potato recipes in The Times. Gradually, the lower classes began to follow the
lead of the upper classes.

A similar pattern emerged across the English Channel in the Netherlands, Belgium and France.
While the potato slowly gained ground in eastern France (where it was often the only crop
remaining after marauding soldiers plundered wheat fields and vineyards), it did not achieve
widespread acceptance until the late 1700s. The peasants remained suspicious, in spite of a 1771
paper from the Facult de Paris testifying that the potato was not harmful but beneficial. The people
began to overcome their distaste when the plant received the royal seal of approval: Louis XVI
began to sport a potato flower in his buttonhole, and Marie-Antoinette wore the purple potato
blossom in her hair.

Frederick the Great of Prussia saw the potato’s potential to help feed his nation and lower the price
of bread, but faced the challenge of overcoming the people’s prejudice against the plant. When he
issued a 1774 order for his subjects to grow potatoes as protection against famine, the town of
Kolberg replied:

“The things have neither smell nor taste, not even the dogs will eat them, so what use are they to
us?” Trying a less direct approach to encourage his subjects to begin planting potatoes, Frederick
used a bit of reverse psychology: he planted a royal field of potato plants and stationed a heavy
guard to protect this field from thieves. Nearby peasants naturally assumed that anything worth
guarding was worth stealing, and so snuck into the field and snatched the plants for their home
gardens. Of course, this was entirely in line with Frederick’s wishes.

Historians debate whether the potato was primarily a cause or an effect of the huge population
boom in industrial-era England and Wales. Prior to 1800，the English diet had consisted primarily
of meat, supplemented by bread, butter and cheese. Few vegetables were consumed, most
vegetables being regarded as nutritionally worthless and potentially harmful. This view began to
change gradually in the late 1700s. The Industrial Revolution was drawing an ever increasing
percentage of the populace into crowded cities, where only the richest could afford homes with
ovens or coal storage rooms, and people were working 12-16 hour days which left them with little

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time or energy to prepare food. High yielding, easily prepared potato crops were the obvious
solution to England’s food problems.

Whereas most of their neighbors regarded the potato with suspicion and had to be persuaded to use
it by the upper classes, the Irish peasantry embraced the tuber more passionately than anyone since
the Incas. The potato was well suited to the Irish the soil and climate, and its high yield suited the
most important concern of most Irish farmers: to feed their families.

The most dramatic example of the potato’s potential to alter population patterns occurred in
Ireland, where the potato had become a staple by 1800. The Irish population doubled to eight
million between 1780 and 1841，this without any significant expansion of industry or reform of
agricultural techniques beyond the widespread cultivation of the potato. Though Irish landholding
practices were primitive in comparison with those of England, the potato’s high yields allowed
even the poorest farmers to produce more healthy food than they needed with scarcely any
investment or hard labor. Even children could easily plant, harvest and cook potatoes, which of
course required no threshing, curing or grinding. The abundance provided by potatoes greatly
decreased infant mortality and encouraged early marriage.

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Complete the sentences below with NO MORE THAN ONE WORD from the passage 1 for
each answer.

1. In France, people started to overcome their disgusting about potatoes because the King put a
potato ………………………… in his button hole.

2. Frederick realized the potential of potato but he had to handle the ………………………
against potatoes from ordinary people.

3. The King of Prussia adopted some ………………………… psychology to make people accept
potatoes.

4. Before 1800，the English people preferred eating ………………………… with bread, butter
and cheese.

5. The obvious way to deal with England food problems were high yielding potato
………………………

6. The Irish ………………………… and climate suited potatoes well.

7. Between 1780 and 1841, based on the ………………………… of the potatoes, the Irish
population doubled to eight million.

8. The potato’s high yields help the poorest farmers to produce more healthy food almost without
………………………...

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▣Exercise 2 – 15 minutes:

Timekeeper: Invention of Marine Chronometer

Up to the middle of the 18th century, the The simple and again obvious answer is that
navigators were still unable to exactly one takes an accurate clock with him, which
identify the position at sea, so they might face he sets to the home time before leaving. A
a great number of risks such as the shipwreck comparison with the local time (easily
or running out of supplies before arriving at identified by checking the position of the
the destination. Knowing one’s position on Sun) would indicate the time difference
the earth requires two simple but essential between the home time and the local time,
coordinates, one of which is the and thus the distance from home was
longitude. obtained. The truth was that nobody in the
18th century had ever managed to create a
The longitude is a term that can be used to clock that could endure the violent shaking of
measure the distance that one has covered a ship and the fluctuating temperature while
from one’s home to another place around the still maintaining the accuracy of time for
world without the limitations of naturally navigation.
occurring baseline like the equator. To
determine longitude, navigators had no After 1714, as an attempt to find a
choice but to measure the angle with the solution to the problem, the British
naval sextant between Moon centre and a government offered a tremendous
specific star— lunar distance—along with amount of £20,000, which were to be
the height of both heavenly bodies. Together managed by the magnificently named
with the nautical almanac, Greenwich Mean ‘Board of Longitude’. If timekeeper was
Time (GMT) was determined, which could the answer (and there could be other
be adopted to calculate longitude because one proposed solutions, since the money
hour in GMT means 15-degree longitude. wasn’t only offered for timekeeper), then
Unfortunately, this approach laid great the error of the required timekeeping for
reliance on the weather conditions, which achieving this goal needed to be within
brought great inconvenience to the crew 2.8 seconds a day, which was considered
members. Therefore, another method was impossible for any clock or watch at sea,
proposed, that is, the time difference between even when they were in their finest
the home time and the local time served for conditions.
the measurement. Theoretically, knowing the
longitude position was quite simple, even for This award, worth about £2 million today,
the people in the middle of the sea with no inspired the self-taught Yorkshire carpenter
land in sight. The key element for calculating John Harrison to attempt a design for a
the distance travelled was to know, at the practical marine clock. In the later stage of
very moment, the accurate home time. But his early career, he worked alongside his
the greatest problem is: how can a sailor younger brother James. The first big project
know the home time at sea? of theirs was to build a turret clock for the
stables at Brockelsby Park, which was

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revolutionary because it required no developed sextant. The sextant is the tool that
lubrication. Harrison designed a marine people adopt to measure angles, such as the
clock in 1730, and he travelled to London in one between the Sun and the horizon, for a
seek of financial aid. He explained his ideas calculation of the location of ships or planes.
to Edmond Halley, the Astronomer Royal, In addition, his invention is significant since
who then it can help determine longitude.
introduced him to George Graham, Britain’s
firstclass clockmaker. Graham provided him Most chronometer forerunners of that
with financial aid for his early-stage work on particular generation were English, but that
sea clocks. It took Harrison five years to doesn’t mean every achievement was made
build Harrison Number One or HI. Later, he by them. One wonderful figure in the history
sought the improvement from alternate is the Lancastrian Thomas Earnshaw, who
design and produced H4 with the giant clock created the ultimate form of chronometer
appearance. Remarkable as it was, the Board escapement—the spring detent
of Longitude wouldn’t grant him the prize for escapement—and made the final decision on
some time until it was adequately format and productions system for the marine
satisfied. chronometer, which turns it into a genuine
modem commercial product, as well as a safe
Harrison had a principal contestant for the and pragmatic way of navigation at sea over
tempting prize at that time, an English the next century and half.
mathematician called John Hadley, who

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the passage for each
answer.

1. Sailors were able to use the position of the Sun to calculate …………………….

2. An invention that could win the competition would lose no more than …………………….
every day.

3. John and James Harrison’s clock worked accurately without …………………….

4. Harrison’s main competitor’s invention was known as …………………….

5. Hadley’s instrument can use ……………………. to make a calculation of location of ships or

planes.

6. The modem version of Harrison’s invention is called …………………….

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II. GRAMMAR BOOST - LINKING WORDS:

O1. What is linking words? Look at words below and point out which one is word and which
one is phrase?

However As a result Consequently On the other hand but and

Word Phrase

O2. Look at the following sentences, circle all linking words and point out the location of
them.

1. Due to the rise in oil prices, the inflation rate rose by 1.25%.
2. The company are expanding. As a result, they are taking on extra staff.
3. He works hard, but he doesn’t earn much.
4. Even though life was hard during the war, we managed to survive.
5. In addition to the six air bags, the car also has a built-in security system.
6. On one hand we have to fight against environmental problems, but on the other hand we
need more and more energy every day.
7. Our economy will not improve this year. By contrast, all projections show that it will get
worse.

O3. From 1 to 10, why do you think we should use linking words?
A. They make your writing clearer for readers.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

C. Help you get better score in IELTS

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

D. Impress the examiner

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

E. Sound academic
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

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O4. Answer: It is necessary to use linking words to get higher scores, but you need to use
them in the right way. You use linking words to make the structure of your ideas clearer.

Example:

Overreliance on private cars not only leads to more congestion, but also causes severe air pollution
in many large cities.

Write the next sentence using:

1. On the other hand, ………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………

2. Consequently, ………………………...…………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………

3. However, ………..………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………

What is the difference between “on the other hand”, “Consequently” and “However”?

O5. The best way to learn linking words is …………………………………. Categorize the
below linking words to the following 4 groups:

Furthermore Because Therefore So In addition also Due to But

Moreover Consequently Even though In order to So that
However As a result Although Despite And In spite of

Addition Contrast Reason/ Purpose Cause/ Effect

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RECAP
Linking words and phrases can be divided into three categories.

1. Conjunctions: they are used in a sentence with at least two clauses. For example,
‘because’ and ‘although’. After these words, you add a clause. Then, you need another to
complete the sentence.
For example:
- I need to ask for some time off work because I am planning to attend a training course.
- Although social media can help people to connect with each other, it also has several
significant disadvantages.

2. Prepositions. This means you need to use a noun after the linking word. ‘Due to’, ‘despite’
and ‘because of’ are all prepositions.
For example:
- Despite the well-known health benefits of regular exercise, many people still lead mostly
sedentary lifestyles.
- Young professionals are increasingly moving to smaller cities because of the high cost of
living in large urban centres.

3. Adverbs, like ‘on the other hand’ or ‘therefore’. These are generally used at the beginning
of a sentence. When you use adverbs like this, you need to put a comma afterwards.
For example:
- Freedom of the press is more important than individuals’ rights to privacy. Therefore,
newspapers should be able to publish stories about the private lives of celebrities if they
choose to.
- Of course, elderly people should be paid a pension which reflects the money they paid into
the social security system during their working lives. On the other hand, the pension system
needs to be sustainable over the long term.

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III. Methods of correcting and improving vocabulary:

Learning vocabulary is not enough to score higher in the IELTS test. In fact, understanding how
the word is used and turn in into your vocabulary should be your ultimate every day goals.

At IELTS The Tutors, we have a powerful technique to Master Vocabs, called ACSEP, with:
- A: Antonym
- C: Collocation
- S: Synonym
- E: Example
- P: Pronunciation

O1. Read the following Passage again and pick out 10 new vocabulary you would like to
learn because you have seen it before but forgot the meaning at the moment or simply
because you want to learn, use your diary as guidance.

The most dramatic example of the potato’s potential to alter population patterns occurred in
Ireland, where the potato had become a staple by 1800. The Irish population doubled to eight
million between 1780 and 1841，this without any significant expansion of industry or reform of
agricultural techniques beyond the widespread cultivation of the potato. Though Irish landholding
practices were primitive in comparison with those of England, the potato’s high yields allowed
even the poorest farmers to produce more healthy food than they needed with scarcely any
investment or hard labor. Even children could easily plant, harvest and cook potatoes, which of
course required no threshing, curing or grinding. The abundance provided by potatoes greatly
decreased infant mortality and encouraged early marriage.

From The Impact of the Potato – Exercise 1 – Chapter 2.2

These links below might help you:

1. Pronunciation/ Example: https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/

2. Antonym/ Synoynm: https://www.thesaurus.com/

3. Collocation: https://www.freecollocation.com/

Remember: Apply the technique ACSEP everyday in your daily learning vocab journey!

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HOMEWORK
▣Exercise 1:

Safe computer use

Most people suffer no ill-effects from using VDUs (Visual Display Units) as they don’t give out
harmful levels of radiation and rarely cause any kind of skin complaint. If you do suffer ill-
effects, it may be because of the way you’re using the computer and this can be avoided by well-
designed workstations. When working at a VDU, make sure you keep
a good posture and that your eyes are levels with the screen.

Under health and safety regulations your employer should look at VDU workstations, and reduce
any risks by supplying any equipment considered necessary (e.g. a wrist rest). They should also
provide health and safety training. This also applies if you’re working at home as an employee and
using a VDU for a long period of time. There is no legal limit to how long you should work at a
VDU, but under health and safety regulations you have the right to breaks from work using a VDU.
This doesn’t have to be a rest break, just a different type of work. Guidance from the Health and
Safety Executive (HSE) suggests it’s better to take frequent short breaks but if your job means
spending long periods at a VDU, for example as in the case of data input, then longer breaks from
your workstation should be introduced.

If you’re disabled, your employer's duty to make reasonable adjustments for you may mean that
they will provide you with special computer equipment. You can also get advice and maybe help
with paying for equipment from the local job center.

Studies haven’t shown a link between VDU use and damage to eyesight, but if you feel that using
a VDU screen is making your eyes tired, tell your employee safety representative. You have the
right to a free eyesight test if you use a VDU a lot during work hours. If you’re prescribed glasses
your company must pay for them, provided they’re required in your job.

If you have any health problems you think may be caused by your VDU, contact your line manager.
He/she has a duty to consult you on health and safety issues that affect you and should welcome
early reporting of an issue.

Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the text for each answer.
1. It is unusual to get a ………… as a result of using computers.
2. Employers may be required to provide you with items such as a ………… to use while at work.
3. If your job involves tasks such as ………… , the advice from the HSE may not apply.
4. Financial assistance in the case of special requirements may be available from the………… .
5. The company is obliged to cover the cost of ………… if you need them while working.
6. Any concerns about the effect of using a VDU on your general well-being should be reported to
…………………………
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▣Exercise 2:

The Innovation of Grocery Stores

cooperative. In his newly designed grocery
store, he divided the store into three different
A. At the very beginning of the 20th areas: ‘A front lobby’ served as an entrance,
century, the American grocery stores offered an exit, as well as the checkouts at the front.
comprehensive services: the customers ‘A sales department’ was deliberately
would ask help from the people behind the designed to allow customers to wander
counters (called clerks) for the items they around the aisle and select their needed
liked, and then the clerks would wrap the groceries. In this way, the clerks would not
items up. For the purpose of saving time, do the unnecessary work but arrange more
customers had to ask delivery boys or go in delicate aisle and shelves to display the
person to send the lists of what they intended goods and enable the customers to browse
to buy to the stores in advance and then went through all the items. In the gallery above the
to pay for the goods later. Generally sales department, supervisors can monitor
speaking, these grocery stores sold only one the customers without disturbing them.
brand for each item. Such early chain stores ‘Stockroom’, where large fridges were
as A&P stores, although containing full placed to maintain fresh products, is another
services, were very timeconsuming and section of his grocery store only for the staff
inefficient for the purchase. to enter. Also, this new shopping design and
layout could accommodate more customers
B. Bom in Virginia, Clarence Saunders to go shopping simultaneously and even lead
left school at the age of 14 in 1895 to work to some unimaginable phenomena: impulse
first as a clerk in a grocery store. During his buying and later supermarket.
working in the store, he found that it was very
inefficient for people to buy things there. D. On September 6, 1916, Saunders
Without the assistance of computers at that performed the self-service revolution in the
time, shopping was performed in a quite USA by opening the first Piggly Wiggly
backward way. Having noticed that this featured by the turnstile at the entrance store
inconvenient shopping mode could lead to at 79 Jefferson Street in Memphis,
tremendous consumption of time and money, Tennessee. Quite distinct from those in other
Saunders, with great enthusiasm and grocery stores, customers in Piggly Wiggly
innovation, proposed an unprecedented chose the goods on the shelves and paid the
solution—let the consumers do self-service items all by themselves. Inside the Piggly
in the process of shopping—which might Wiggly, shoppers were not at the mercy of
bring a thorough revolution to the whole staff. They were free to roam the store, check
industry. out the products and get what they needed by
their own hands. There, the items were
C. In 1902, Saunders moved to clearly priced, and no one forced customers
Memphis to put his perspective into practice, to buy the things they did not need. As a
that is, to establish a grocery wholesale matter of fact, the biggest benefit that the
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Piggly Wiggly brought to customers was the Wiggly stores. Thanks to the employment of
money-saving effect. Selfservice was self-service and franchising, the number of
optimistic for the improvement. ‘It is good Piggly Wiggly had increased to nearly 1,300
for both the consumer and retailer because it by 1923. Piggly Wiggly sold $100 million
cuts costs,’ noted George T. Haley, a (worth $1.3 billion today) in groceries, which
professor at the University of New Haven made it the third-biggest grocery retailer in
and director of the Centre for International the nation. After that, this chain store
Industry experienced company listing on the New
Competitiveness, ‘if you look at the way in York Stock Exchange, with the stocks
which grocery stores (previous to Piggly doubling from late 1922 to March 1923.
Wiggly and Alpha Beta) were operated, what Saunders contributed significantly to the
you can find is that there are a great number perfect design and layout of grocery stores.
of workers involved, and labour is a major In order to keep the flow rate smooth,
expense.’ Fortunately, the chain stores such Saunders even invented the turnstile to
as Piggly Wiggly cut the fat. replace the common entrance mode.

E. Piggly Wiggly and this kind of self- F. Clarence Saunders died in 1953,
service stores soared at that time. In the first leaving abundant legacies mainly
year, Saunders opened nine branches in symbolised by Piggly Wiggly, the pattern of
Memphis. Meanwhile, Saunders which spread extensively and lasted
immediately applied a patent for the self- permanently.
service concept and began franchising Piggly

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.

1. Clarence Saunders’ first job was as ……………… in a grocery store.

2. In Clarence Saunders’ store, people should pay for goods at a ………………..

3. Customers would be under surveillance at the ………………….

4. Another area in his store was called '…………………… ’, which was only accessible to the
internal staff.

5. In Clarence Saunders’ shopping design, much work was done by ……………………

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▣Exercise 3:

The Connection Between Culture and Thought

A. The world’s population has surpassed D. One experiment led by Bessett and
7 billion and continues to grow. Across the Masuku showed an animated video picturing
globe, humans have many differences. These a big fish swimming among smaller fish and
differences can be influenced by factors such other sea creatures. Subjects were asked to
as geography, climate, politics, nationality, describe the scene. The Japanese participants
and many more. Culture is one such aspect tended to focus on the aquatic background,
that can change the way people behave. such as the plants and colour of the water, as
well as the relationship between the big and
B. Your culture may influence your small fish. American participants tended to
clothing, your language, and many aspects of focus on individual fishes, mainly the larger,
your life. But is culture influential enough to more unique looking fish. The experiment
change the way an individual thinks? It has suggested that members of Eastern cultures
long been believed that people from different focus more on the overall picture, while
cultures would think differently. For members of Western culture focus more on
example, a young boy from a farm would talk the individuals.
about cows while a boy from New York will
talk about cars. If two young children from E. In another experiment performed by
different countries are asked about their Bessett and Choi, the subjects were presented
thoughts about a painting, they would answer with some very convincing evidence for a
differently because of their cultural position. Both the Korean and the American
backgrounds. showed strong support. And after they were
C. In recent years, there has been new given some evidence opposing the position,
research that changed this long-held belief; the Korean started to modified or decreased
However, this new research is not the first to their support. However, the American began
explore the idea that culture can change the to give more support to the former argument.
way we think. Earlier research has provided This project suggested that in Korean culture,
valuable insight to the question. One of the support for arguments is based on context.
earliest research projects was carried out in Ideas and conclusions are changeable and
the Soviet Union. This project was designed flexible, so an individual may be more
to find out whether culture would affect willing to change his or her mind. For
peopled way of thought processing. The Americans, they were less willing to change
researchers focused on how living their original conclusion.
environment and nationality might influence
how people think. The experiment led by F. Bessett and Ara devised an
Bessett aimed to question such awareness of experiment to test the thought processing of
cognitive psychology. Bessett conducted both oriental and occidental worlds. Test
several versions of the experiment to test subject was given an argument “All animals
different cognitive processes. with furs hibernate. Rabbit has fur.
Therefore, rabbit hibernate”. People from the
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eastern world questioned the argument as not an IQ test. With objective content, such as
being logical, because in their knowledge nature and animals, people from different
some furry animals just don’t hibernate. But countries of the world might have different
the American think the statement is right. pre-conceived ideas about these animals.
They assume the logic deduction is based on Prior knowledge based on geographic
a correct argument, thus the conclusion is location would further complicate the results.
right since the logic is right. A test that is more abstract, or more
quantitative, would provide a more
G. From these early experiments in the controlled study of how cognitive processing
Soviet Union, one might conclude that our works for different groups of people.
original premise— that culture can impact
the way we think—was still correct. J. The research on culture’s effect on
However, recent research criticises this view, cognitive processing still goes on today, and
as well as Bessett’s early experiments. while some criticisms exist of Bessett’s early
Though these experiments changed the studies, the projects still provide valuable
original belief on thought processing, how insight. It is important for future research
much does it result from all factors needs projects to control carefully for the variables,
further discussion. Fischer thinks Bessett’s such as culture. Something like culture is
experiments provide valuable information complex and difficult to define. It can also be
because his research only provides influenced by many other variables, such as
qualitative descriptions, not results from geography or education styles. When
controlled environment. Chang partly agrees studying a variable like culture, it is critical
with him, because there are some social that the researcher create a clear definition
factors that might influence the results. for what is—and what is not—considered
culture.
H. Another criticism of Bessett’s
experiments is that culture was studied as a K. Another important aspect of modern
sub-factor of nationality. The experiments research is the ethical impact of the research.
assumed that culture would be the same A researcher must consider carefully whether
among all members of a nationality. For the results of the research will negatively
example, every American that participated in impact any of the groups involved. In an
the experiments could be assumed to have increasingly globalised job economy,
the same culture. In reality, culture is much generalisations made about nationalities can
more complicated than nationality. These be harmful to prospective employees. This
early experiments did not control for other information could also impact the way tests
factors, such as socioeconomic status, and university admissions standards are
education, ethnicity, and regional differences designed, which would potentially favor one
in culture. All of these factors could have a group or create a disadvantage for another.
big effect on the individual’s response. When conducting any research about culture
and nationality, researchers should consider
I. A third criticism of Bessett’s all possible effects, positive or negative, that
experiment is that the content itself should their conclusions may have when published
have been more abstract, such as a puzzle or for the world to see.

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Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer

1. Researchers in the Soviet Union wanted to find out how ………………………. and nationality
will control the way people think.

2. Bessett and Ara’s experiment shows, for Americans, so long as the logic deduction is based on
a correct argument, the ………………………. should be right.

3. Fischer thinks Bessett’s research is quite valuable because it is conducted in a

……………………….
way rather than in controlled environment.

4. Future researchers on culture’s effect on cognitive processing should start with a

………………………. of culture as a variable.

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SPEAKING
Overview: 1. Strategies to expand your ideas and answers effectively
2. “Work and Study” Practice

➢ STRATEGIES: How to expand ideas effectively, you ask? Well, here’s how.

Tips on Expanding Ideas

Tips Examples

Examples ● What’s your favorite book?

Listing typical examples from your key Well, although I don’t have a personal favorite in
point reading, I’m really into psychological thriller
books such as Gone Girl, The Silent Patient,
Before I Go to Sleep etc.

Personal Favorites ● What do you like most about Vietnam?

Who doesn’t like talking about what As a Vietnamese myself, I often find food,
he/she loves? specifically Bánh Mì, as one of my perennial
In case of getting a favorite-related favorites. Growing up in a low-class family,
topic, try your best to speak your heart having one for a daily meal was all I could ask for.
out.
*perennial (adj) = everlasting, often relates to
childhood

Pros vs Cons ● Do you do a lot of sports?

Pros - pointing out advantages, both Yes, indeed. Working out frequently doesn’t only
physically and mentally, that you gethelp me to stay in shape, but also maintains a
balanced and healthy habit for me; considering,
from a particular activity/object etc.
I’ve quitted on junk foods and smoking recently as
Cons - disadvantages of the opposite well.
activity/object etc. (ex.unlike)

Childhood Connection ● Has your daily routine changed since you

Take advantage of Speaking Part 1 as were a child?
this is the highest personal level you To be honest, not that much actually. My regular
can get. habits have pretty much stayed the same
Try your best to recall memories. throughout the years, regardless of the multiple
Remember to use past tense. times my family has moved from one place to
another.

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Facts ● Are there many international car brands

If the topic is irrelevant to you, try to in your area?
pick some general facts (knowledge) Personally, you can possibly tell I’m not a big car
that you know about them on a basic person. But, I believe the majority of the
level. population here is fond of driving Toyota Innova.
If you have a drive across the city, you’ll see it
every now and then.

I. WORK & STUDY

1. Practices on Expanding Ideas

➢ Based on the 5 tips on expanding ideas above, brainstorm your answers to the
following questions. There’s no need for full-sentence answers.
➢ It is up to you to put any questions in any ‘Tips’ categories. PICK ONE QUESTION
FOR EACH CATEGORY ONLY. You do not necessarily use all questions below.

● Do you work or study?

● What do you do/study?
● Why did you choose that job/school/course?
● Is it a popular job/school in your area?
● What do you like most about your job/school/course?
● Do you get along with your colleagues/classmates?
● Have your working/studying experience changed since day one?
● Would you like to work/study in the same field in near future?

Practices on Expanding Ideas

Tips Questions + Answers

Examples

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Personal Favorites

Pros vs Cons

Childhood
Connection

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Facts

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➢ Now, go back to the Part 1 Crucial Elements table. Do you notice the highlighted
words? What are they, how are they used and why should you care about them?

➢ Down below are some unfinished dialogues between the examiner and candidate.
Based on the ___________________ above, fill in the blanks with the suitable
words/phrases from the bank.
➢ PAIR UP! Take turns playing the two roles and share your answers.

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● Dialogue 1

I guess So Personally speaking it (really just) depends Otherwise

Examiner What kind of films do you like the most?

Candidate ______________________, I don’t have any go-to genre when it comes to film. For
most of the time, ______________________ _____________________ on my mood.
__________, if I’ve had a hard day, I might watch a rom-com. ____________________, I often
find myself on the couch watching any possible random TV shows.

● Dialogue 2

I suppose Like but I mean

Examiner Do you prefer spending time with your family or friends?

Candidate _________________, you can still get the best of both worlds without the need to pick
one over another, right? __________________ what truly matters is whether you’re able to balance
between the two or not. __________________, I may spend most of the week with my friends at
school,_________________ would always cherish the family moments during the weekends.

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HOMEWORK
➢ Down below are some unfinished dialogues between the examiner and candidate.
Extend the responses with your own suitable thoughts and ideas.
➢ Highlight the ______________________ as you complete the sentences.
➢ PAIR UP! Then take turns playing the two roles and share your answers.

● Dialogue 1

Examiner What did you enjoy doing as a child?

Candidate There were countless things I got myself interested in during childhood, actually.
But,__________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________ . In fact, I enjoyed it so much
that___________________________________________________________________________
______

● Dialogue 2

Examiner Do you have the same routine everyday?

Candidate Not really, though. To be honest, it pretty much depends on
_________________________________________________________________. You know,
although I always started my morning with ___________________________________________,
but the later steps (are) always ______________________________________________. While
my weekdays often ends with ___________________________________________, I tend to
______________________________________________________________________________
_____ at the weekends.

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● Dialogue 3

Examiner: What are you studying at the moment?

Candidate: As you can tell, I’m currently a ______________ major at ___________________
University. So far, it has been ________________________________________________thanks
to __________________________________________. Not to mention, I’m also very lucky to
____________________________________________________. Since it’s already my junior
year, _______________________________________________________for
______________________________________________________________________.

2. PAIR UP - True or False?

● Write down 3 things about your work/study in 5 minutes.
● Tell your partner and let him/her guess whether it’s True or False. You have 10 minutes on
this task.
● Your partner must explain in AT LEAST 3 sentences why he/she thinks it’s True or False.
The same goes for you when revealing the answers. Afterwards, switch roles.
● After 10 minutes, share YOUR PARTNER’S Truth (and False) with the class.
● Suggestions: Education experience, academic plans for future, opinions about exams,
ambitions, possible occupations for future (→ how English supports you to achieve these
goals?)

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