Dear All,
Finally the university accepted me to join the university to start my master program as they’ve given me a second chance to take the English test and get higher marks … I know it is unbelievable but there were a mistake from their side and I’ve took the advantage of that ^_^
I remember when we were displeasure with the writing task in class as we were thinking that it was so long … and it was not … now I have to write 2000 – 2500 words for my assignments… so my advice to IELTS champions try your best you can do it… and THANK YOU TONY you guidelines are helping me a lot in my studies …
That’s all what I have …
Have a nice day…
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Summarizing
Salam to you all,
Today I am planning to improve my writing skills; therefore, I will try to summarize what came under the title: PEOPLE AND PLACES through the BBC newsletter:
Pen Hadow is a polar explorer who is travelling to the Arctic Circle to raise money and to do scientific research. In this report, he is explaining why he would take a six- inch nail to help him survive on a desert island.
According to him, there were six Walrus hunters trapped on an island when their ship got crushed, so they survived for six years with one means only, which was a six-inch nail found in a log that had drifted across the Arctic Ocean.
They used this nail to create sparks and a hammer, from which they then made arrowheads which enabled them to kill a polar bear.
Dear Mr. Tony, not forgetting my colleague Firas,
I am seeking to perfect my language in terms of spelling, grammar, vocabulary, punctuation and ideas.
It is time to learn, and get rid of my laziness, whether I am going to re-submit for IELTS or not.
Thank you for your precious help.
Super stuff, Khawla! Writing such summaries of the main idea of a long text is excellent practice. Keep it up! As Firas knows only too well, I am not too fond of using brackets / parentheses. If the information is important then take away the brackets. If it isn't necessary then delete that information between such unnecessary brackets!
Lovely to hear from my faithful bloggers!
The incredible Dr Dana Beale arrives from five days of night shifts at her hospital in Watford tonight, In Sha Allah! We've had enough rain for the moment so please keep it sunny and warm. please for the next twelve days, thanks!
Tony
26 January 2008. 3.05pm
Hope Watford do well in the FA Cup 4th Round this evening!!!
Today I am planning to improve my writing skills; therefore, I will try to summarize what came under the title: PEOPLE AND PLACES through the BBC newsletter:
Pen Hadow is a polar explorer who is travelling to the Arctic Circle to raise money and to do scientific research. In this report, he is explaining why he would take a six- inch nail to help him survive on a desert island.
According to him, there were six Walrus hunters trapped on an island when their ship got crushed, so they survived for six years with one means only, which was a six-inch nail found in a log that had drifted across the Arctic Ocean.
They used this nail to create sparks and a hammer, from which they then made arrowheads which enabled them to kill a polar bear.
Dear Mr. Tony, not forgetting my colleague Firas,
I am seeking to perfect my language in terms of spelling, grammar, vocabulary, punctuation and ideas.
It is time to learn, and get rid of my laziness, whether I am going to re-submit for IELTS or not.
Thank you for your precious help.
Super stuff, Khawla! Writing such summaries of the main idea of a long text is excellent practice. Keep it up! As Firas knows only too well, I am not too fond of using brackets / parentheses. If the information is important then take away the brackets. If it isn't necessary then delete that information between such unnecessary brackets!
Lovely to hear from my faithful bloggers!
The incredible Dr Dana Beale arrives from five days of night shifts at her hospital in Watford tonight, In Sha Allah! We've had enough rain for the moment so please keep it sunny and warm. please for the next twelve days, thanks!
Tony
26 January 2008. 3.05pm
Hope Watford do well in the FA Cup 4th Round this evening!!!
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Question to Mr. Tony / Answer from Tony
Al salam Aleaikum,
As I promised you I am trying to improve my English, so I am receiving a weekly newsletter through BBC LEARNING ENGLISH.
last week they sent me a report about the ICE FESTIVAL in China, and I came across this sentence:"BUT THIS YEAR, THERE ARE FEARS THAT ICE WILL HAVE MELTED LONG BEFORE THEN".
the question is: what do we call this kind of tense?, and why didn't they use :" would be melted ...."?
one more thing, I would like to know if i can keep asking these kinds of questions to you Mr. tony, I mean is it OK to you or not?
thank you for you help,
KHAWLA
Dear Khawla
Second question first, this is a great way to use the weblog and I am DELIGHTED that you have signed up for the BBC email and asked this question.
As Firas has kindly said in his comment, this tense is the Future Perfect. Do you have this in Arabic? It refers to a time in the future when we 'look back' to what will have happened. It is the same concept as the Present Perfect looking back to what has happened.
Usually we use the preposition by to indicate the limit of the future moment, such as in:
By January 2009, G W Bush will have been US President for eight years.
So put yourself in the future and imagine what has happened and then you will have understood the Future Perfect.
I echo Firas' advice to refer to Raymond Murphy's classic grammar study/reference book English Grammar In Use. You cannot go wrong with using this self study / practice book + CD ROM.
Carry on reading, studying, asking questions and improving!
Excellent work and initiative, young lady!
Tony
As I promised you I am trying to improve my English, so I am receiving a weekly newsletter through BBC LEARNING ENGLISH.
last week they sent me a report about the ICE FESTIVAL in China, and I came across this sentence:"BUT THIS YEAR, THERE ARE FEARS THAT ICE WILL HAVE MELTED LONG BEFORE THEN".
the question is: what do we call this kind of tense?, and why didn't they use :" would be melted ...."?
one more thing, I would like to know if i can keep asking these kinds of questions to you Mr. tony, I mean is it OK to you or not?
thank you for you help,
KHAWLA
Dear Khawla
Second question first, this is a great way to use the weblog and I am DELIGHTED that you have signed up for the BBC email and asked this question.
As Firas has kindly said in his comment, this tense is the Future Perfect. Do you have this in Arabic? It refers to a time in the future when we 'look back' to what will have happened. It is the same concept as the Present Perfect looking back to what has happened.
Usually we use the preposition by to indicate the limit of the future moment, such as in:
By January 2009, G W Bush will have been US President for eight years.
So put yourself in the future and imagine what has happened and then you will have understood the Future Perfect.
I echo Firas' advice to refer to Raymond Murphy's classic grammar study/reference book English Grammar In Use. You cannot go wrong with using this self study / practice book + CD ROM.
Carry on reading, studying, asking questions and improving!
Excellent work and initiative, young lady!
Tony
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Tony's assistance is required / Tony's assistance is provided
Dear friend of Firas,
I have corrected your text and invite you to compare your version with mine.
Alas, I grade your work at band 5.5 overall - this is your current level. Come back to me after 6 months' serious study.
Good luck!
Tony
20 January 2008
Dear "Captain",
It has been a while since i published my last post. Today I'm publishing an essay prepared by one of my friends who went through IELTS exam last month and scored 5.5 in writing module. This friend is preparing himself to go through the upcoming exam and requires your kind assistance to evaluate his essay if possibe. I know how much you are busy with family and job, but your evaluation will be a great help to him and all the Weblog students.
Thanks and regards,
Gotcha! Hello there, Firas, lovely to hear from you! Sure, I will look at the essay below and give you my assessment and comments in due course - give me a few days (I am thoroughly 'enjoying' this English weather)! My first reaction is that your friend MISUNDERSTOOD the topic, oh dear! The essay was about "telecommuting", which means working electronically from home rather than commuting to work. He wrote about "telecommunications" and has done a reasonable job. His major problem seems to be serious flaws in his use of tenses. Such grammar mistakes will drag him down to the 5 - 6 band level, while he probably yearms for the 'Holy Grail' of band 7.0. Again at first glance a solid band 6.0 seems our likeliest outcome...
Telecommuting will it change the world ?
Many people believe that telecommunication has changed our lifestyle, work style, and social habits. On the other hand, some people would say that it is destroying our social life and might be harmful to our health.
This essay will discuss some examples of telecommunication have made to our world and some argues regarding the negative impact of using such technology.
One of famous example of modern telecommunication devices is the cell phone known also as a “mobile phone”, widely spread and majority of people use it to communicate with each other (make a phone call). With this device people now, become able to do their work easily through getting the required information or contacting the concern person to do their job. Furthermore, some businesses such as sales and banking can be completely preformed through this cell phone, sales-man now doing most of his communication through telephone like, contacts agent and vender .also you can transfer money from your account while you are sitting relaxed at home by just making simple call to your bank and then make the transaction.
Due to the existing of internet in our life world has become like one small village. We become able to get any information at once, only we need to open search engine of any web site such as, Google or Yahoo and then one click all data will be in our hand. This feature has enable scientist to see easily the result of each other, look for a report or a book around the world while they are continue their researches, and do not waste any time.
However, some people would say that recent advances in telecommunication technology have affected the social relation because people nowadays prefer to make phone call to ask about each other rather than making an ordinary visit to their friends and relatives, this might have serious impact on these bonds. For example, the telephone will never help people understand each other feelings. Another harmful effect for modern technology (cell phone) would be on health. Many physicians have reported cancer cases for patient and they thought it was resulted from excessive use of these technology.
Overall, modern technology in the field of telecommunication undoubtedly has improved our live, the way we work, and the way we communicate with each other. However opponent to this advances technology confirm that it would be damaging for normal social life as well as our health. I believe people should continue use this technology but wisely and use it only for the purpose it has designed for.
AMENDED VERSION:
Telecommuting, will it change the world ?
Many people believe that telecommuting has changed our lifestyle, work style, and social habits. On the other hand, others would say that it is destroying our social life and might be harmful to our health.
This essay will discuss the benefits that telecommuting has made to our world and will look at the negative impact of using such technology.
A common example of modern telecommunication devices is the cell phone known also as a “mobile phone”, which people use to communicate with each other. With this device people have now become able to do their work easily through getting the required information or contacting the concerned person to do their job. Furthermore, some businesses such as sales and banking can be totally conducted by cell phone. Salesmen are now doing most of their communication through telephone when contacting customers and vendors. You can also transfer money from your account while you are sitting relaxed at home by just making a simple call to your bank and then doing the transaction.
Due to the Internet in our life, the world has become like one small village. We have become able to get any information at once, we only need to open the search engine of any web site such as Google or Yahoo and then with one click, all the data will be at our finger tips. This feature has enabled scientists to view easily each other's research, look for an article or a book from anywhere in the world without wasting time.
However, some people would contend that recent advances in telecommunication technology have affected social relations because people nowadays prefer to make phone calls to ask about each other rather than paying a visit to their friends and relatives, which might have a serious impact on these bonds. For example, the telephone will never help people understand each other's feelings. Another harmful effect for modern technology (cell phone) would be on health. Many physicians have reported cancer cases for patients as a direct result of excessive use of this technology.
Overall, modern technology in the field of telecommunication has undoubtedly improved our lives, how we work, and the way we communicate with each other. However, opponents of this advanced technology argue that it would be damaging for normal social life as well as our health. Personally, I believe that people should continue to use this technology wisely and only for the purpose for which it was designed.
Verdict: band 5.5 overall, mistakes in:
All the best
Tony
late on Sunday, 20 January 2008...
comments are most welcome on this splendid initiative
the blog needs YOU to make it work and to give ME something to respond to!!!
I have corrected your text and invite you to compare your version with mine.
Alas, I grade your work at band 5.5 overall - this is your current level. Come back to me after 6 months' serious study.
Good luck!
Tony
20 January 2008
Dear "Captain",
It has been a while since i published my last post. Today I'm publishing an essay prepared by one of my friends who went through IELTS exam last month and scored 5.5 in writing module. This friend is preparing himself to go through the upcoming exam and requires your kind assistance to evaluate his essay if possibe. I know how much you are busy with family and job, but your evaluation will be a great help to him and all the Weblog students.
Thanks and regards,
Gotcha! Hello there, Firas, lovely to hear from you! Sure, I will look at the essay below and give you my assessment and comments in due course - give me a few days (I am thoroughly 'enjoying' this English weather)! My first reaction is that your friend MISUNDERSTOOD the topic, oh dear! The essay was about "telecommuting", which means working electronically from home rather than commuting to work. He wrote about "telecommunications" and has done a reasonable job. His major problem seems to be serious flaws in his use of tenses. Such grammar mistakes will drag him down to the 5 - 6 band level, while he probably yearms for the 'Holy Grail' of band 7.0. Again at first glance a solid band 6.0 seems our likeliest outcome...
Stand by for further comments.
Tony
15 Jan 2008
Telecommuting will it change the world ?
Many people believe that telecommunication has changed our lifestyle, work style, and social habits. On the other hand, some people would say that it is destroying our social life and might be harmful to our health.
This essay will discuss some examples of telecommunication have made to our world and some argues regarding the negative impact of using such technology.
One of famous example of modern telecommunication devices is the cell phone known also as a “mobile phone”, widely spread and majority of people use it to communicate with each other (make a phone call). With this device people now, become able to do their work easily through getting the required information or contacting the concern person to do their job. Furthermore, some businesses such as sales and banking can be completely preformed through this cell phone, sales-man now doing most of his communication through telephone like, contacts agent and vender .also you can transfer money from your account while you are sitting relaxed at home by just making simple call to your bank and then make the transaction.
Due to the existing of internet in our life world has become like one small village. We become able to get any information at once, only we need to open search engine of any web site such as, Google or Yahoo and then one click all data will be in our hand. This feature has enable scientist to see easily the result of each other, look for a report or a book around the world while they are continue their researches, and do not waste any time.
However, some people would say that recent advances in telecommunication technology have affected the social relation because people nowadays prefer to make phone call to ask about each other rather than making an ordinary visit to their friends and relatives, this might have serious impact on these bonds. For example, the telephone will never help people understand each other feelings. Another harmful effect for modern technology (cell phone) would be on health. Many physicians have reported cancer cases for patient and they thought it was resulted from excessive use of these technology.
Overall, modern technology in the field of telecommunication undoubtedly has improved our live, the way we work, and the way we communicate with each other. However opponent to this advances technology confirm that it would be damaging for normal social life as well as our health. I believe people should continue use this technology but wisely and use it only for the purpose it has designed for.
AMENDED VERSION:
Telecommuting, will it change the world ?
Many people believe that telecommuting has changed our lifestyle, work style, and social habits. On the other hand, others would say that it is destroying our social life and might be harmful to our health.
This essay will discuss the benefits that telecommuting has made to our world and will look at the negative impact of using such technology.
A common example of modern telecommunication devices is the cell phone known also as a “mobile phone”, which people use to communicate with each other. With this device people have now become able to do their work easily through getting the required information or contacting the concerned person to do their job. Furthermore, some businesses such as sales and banking can be totally conducted by cell phone. Salesmen are now doing most of their communication through telephone when contacting customers and vendors. You can also transfer money from your account while you are sitting relaxed at home by just making a simple call to your bank and then doing the transaction.
Due to the Internet in our life, the world has become like one small village. We have become able to get any information at once, we only need to open the search engine of any web site such as Google or Yahoo and then with one click, all the data will be at our finger tips. This feature has enabled scientists to view easily each other's research, look for an article or a book from anywhere in the world without wasting time.
However, some people would contend that recent advances in telecommunication technology have affected social relations because people nowadays prefer to make phone calls to ask about each other rather than paying a visit to their friends and relatives, which might have a serious impact on these bonds. For example, the telephone will never help people understand each other's feelings. Another harmful effect for modern technology (cell phone) would be on health. Many physicians have reported cancer cases for patients as a direct result of excessive use of this technology.
Overall, modern technology in the field of telecommunication has undoubtedly improved our lives, how we work, and the way we communicate with each other. However, opponents of this advanced technology argue that it would be damaging for normal social life as well as our health. Personally, I believe that people should continue to use this technology wisely and only for the purpose for which it was designed.
Verdict: band 5.5 overall, mistakes in:
- tense usage and agreement
- word order (adverbs especially)
- misunderstanding of essay title key word "teleCOMMUTING"
- weak ideas against technology (3rd paragraph)
- why no specific PERSONAL examples to bolster the argument?
- introduction needs to be sharper
- conclusion was repetitive and said nothing interesting, striking or original (I have very high standards and a low boredom threshold!)
All the best
Tony
late on Sunday, 20 January 2008...
comments are most welcome on this splendid initiative
the blog needs YOU to make it work and to give ME something to respond to!!!
Monday, January 14, 2008
A message from Maha Hanna
Dear Tony, Ahmad, Khawla, Firas and all the other IELTS Bloggers
It is been long since I posted any comments on this blog, somehow, I felt I need to re-connect with you guys, it felt good at that time during our IELTS course and it feels good now.
Anyway, I want to wish you all a very good start of Year 2008, may God give you peace, which we badly need in the Middle East, health, success and happiness.
I need to share with you my very good news that my papers for Canadian Immigration were accepted, I did my medical and now we got the ok for visa, then we shall do our landing as requested.
I want to thank Tony for his efforts and valuable comments during the IELTS course and his comments on the blog and give Khawla and the others some positive news which may give them hope and encourage them to pursue their targets.
Since I lost contact with most of our group, any news whatsoever from our IELTS group?
Please note that my email has been changed and it is now: cryptoag@eim.ae
Have a good day.
Best wishes
Maha Hanna
It is been long since I posted any comments on this blog, somehow, I felt I need to re-connect with you guys, it felt good at that time during our IELTS course and it feels good now.
Anyway, I want to wish you all a very good start of Year 2008, may God give you peace, which we badly need in the Middle East, health, success and happiness.
I need to share with you my very good news that my papers for Canadian Immigration were accepted, I did my medical and now we got the ok for visa, then we shall do our landing as requested.
I want to thank Tony for his efforts and valuable comments during the IELTS course and his comments on the blog and give Khawla and the others some positive news which may give them hope and encourage them to pursue their targets.
Since I lost contact with most of our group, any news whatsoever from our IELTS group?
Please note that my email has been changed and it is now: cryptoag@eim.ae
Have a good day.
Best wishes
Maha Hanna
Friday, January 11, 2008
The Golden Compass
I would like to go to cinema, but I believe the enjoy will not be a chived if I went alone! So only my wife can joine me in this outgoing, therefore I transfer Mr. Tony recommended for “The Golden Compass “ she was very happy because we will go to the move and we will break the routine , I understand that I trapped myself ! Because she like comedy, r
omance and social types, therefore I vested The Golden Compass website; I found it is an action- adventure built on very rich fantasy base, and it is same group of Potter and trilogy of the rings in fantasia.
I agree fantasy gives very loam environment to the writer to configrate his characters to pass his idea, moreover he is free to select any period or part of the universe as theater for the events.therfore this type of move shouldbe understood according to this point of viwe neglecating the a mount of the magice power and the fortuities fighting the villains and the murky world.
In short sentence I can say it is part of semi philosophy story. Isn’t it Mr. Tony?
BFN
omance and social types, therefore I vested The Golden Compass website; I found it is an action- adventure built on very rich fantasy base, and it is same group of Potter and trilogy of the rings in fantasia.
I agree fantasy gives very loam environment to the writer to configrate his characters to pass his idea, moreover he is free to select any period or part of the universe as theater for the events.therfore this type of move shouldbe understood according to this point of viwe neglecating the a mount of the magice power and the fortuities fighting the villains and the murky world.
In short sentence I can say it is part of semi philosophy story. Isn’t it Mr. Tony?
BFN
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Highlighter Pens Allowed for IELTS exams
Hello everyone!
Hmm, all quiet out there, have you gone into hibernation for the winter?
I checked with the Examinations Dept again and can confirm that you ARE allowed to use highlighter pens on the QUESTION PAPER in the IELTS exam.
There is no regulation AGAINST using highlighter pens if you want to. So, in other words, insist on your right to use highlighter pens to pinpoint key words in the IELTS texts / instructions / questions.
OK? If anyone has had problems with IELTS invigilators forbidding the use of highlighter pens, then please let me know about such cases.
Standing by for news / comments / queries / suggestions . . .
All the very best for 2008
Tony
ps the film "Charlie Wilson's War" with Tom Hanks playing the title role has impressed one of my colleagues at work. Has anyone seen "Rendition" yet or "The Golden Compass"? As I had read all the books by Philip Pullman, I understood the background to "The Golden Compass" and loved the screen version of one of my favourite books. Did you like it?
Hmm, all quiet out there, have you gone into hibernation for the winter?
I checked with the Examinations Dept again and can confirm that you ARE allowed to use highlighter pens on the QUESTION PAPER in the IELTS exam.
There is no regulation AGAINST using highlighter pens if you want to. So, in other words, insist on your right to use highlighter pens to pinpoint key words in the IELTS texts / instructions / questions.
OK? If anyone has had problems with IELTS invigilators forbidding the use of highlighter pens, then please let me know about such cases.
Standing by for news / comments / queries / suggestions . . .
All the very best for 2008
Tony
ps the film "Charlie Wilson's War" with Tom Hanks playing the title role has impressed one of my colleagues at work. Has anyone seen "Rendition" yet or "The Golden Compass"? As I had read all the books by Philip Pullman, I understood the background to "The Golden Compass" and loved the screen version of one of my favourite books. Did you like it?
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