First conditional test
Zero conditional
Fling the teacher all conditionals
Intermediate - Advanced grammar
Borrow or lend
Tuesday, 21 December 2010
MATCHING THE PROVERBS - 21 December 2010
(1) A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
(2) Every cloud has a silver lining
(3) More haste less speed
(4) The early bird catches the worm
(5) A friend in need is a friend in deed
(6) A disappointment is a blessing
(7) Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today
(8) Don't look a gift horse in the mouth
(2) Every cloud has a silver lining
(3) More haste less speed
(4) The early bird catches the worm
(5) A friend in need is a friend in deed
(6) A disappointment is a blessing
(7) Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today
(8) Don't look a gift horse in the mouth
Phrasal verb form and meanings
EXERCISE 3
(1) To take off
(2) to go off
(3) to look after
(4) to hurry up
(5) to write down
(6) to pick up
(7) to go off
(8) to find out
(9) to finish off
(10) to take off
EXERCICE 2
[discard, create, exercise, die, resemble, omit, explode, choose, bully]
to blow up
to throw away
to look like
to leave out
to pass away
to pick out
to work out
to make up
pick on
EXERCISE I
[cancel, recover, recollect, postpone, continue, wait, admire, happen, find]
to get over
to put off
to call off
to hold on
to come across
to look back on
to carry on
to take place
to look up
(1) To take off
(2) to go off
(3) to look after
(4) to hurry up
(5) to write down
(6) to pick up
(7) to go off
(8) to find out
(9) to finish off
(10) to take off
EXERCICE 2
[discard, create, exercise, die, resemble, omit, explode, choose, bully]
to blow up
to throw away
to look like
to leave out
to pass away
to pick out
to work out
to make up
pick on
EXERCISE I
[cancel, recover, recollect, postpone, continue, wait, admire, happen, find]
to get over
to put off
to call off
to hold on
to come across
to look back on
to carry on
to take place
to look up
Monday, 20 December 2010
Tuesday, 7 December 2010
Tuesday, 30 November 2010
Use of colour expressions - 30 November
A Silver Lining
In a rash moment I said I'd buy my wife a car for her birthday. The trouble was she had set her heart on a particular colour — white. It had to be white at all costs. I pointed out till I was blue in the face — almost going out of my mind, that white was a very difficult colour to keep clean.But she was adamant and so in the end I decided to surrender — to show the white flag, as it were. We looked at dozens of white and off white cars but none seemed to be worth buying.
Now, I'm a bit green — rather inexperienced, about buying cars. I'm the perfect customer as far as the secondhand car salesman is concerned. Take the first place we went to. The manager rolled out the red carpet — gave me preferential treatment, when he saw me coming. He started by showing me the most expensive models he could find, some of which made me turn green with envy — I was quite envious of anyone who could afford to buy one. But as soon as I mentioned the sort of age for the car I had in mind, he started to give me black looks — started to frown. I can't describe the language he used when I gave some idea of the price I was thinking of because it would be red-pencilled — censored. From the beginning I was therefore somewhat browned off — fed up. Once in a blue moon — very rarely, I thought do you come across a genuine bargain. I mean some of the dealers are thoroughly dishonest or is it that they are simply telling white lies — only half-truths? The trouble is you have to buy a car in order to find out. At one garage I actually caught one of the salesmen red-handed — in the middle of his act, just as he was gluing back a chip of paint that had fallen off. I put a black mark against his name — didn't think much of his reputation. But what really made me see red — get angry was when I was told that I would only get an old wreck for what I was prepared to pay. Perhaps I was being a bit moderate but then I didn't want to end up in the red — in debt to the bank. The only way to deal with these salesmen is to put on a bold face. It doesn't matter if you have a yellow streak — are a coward. You don't have to accept the first price and whatever you do don't give the green light — permission to continue with the sale until you're absolutely satisfied.
One weekend I decided to leave my car at home and go by train to a large car centre. I was feeling in the pink — very fit as we approached the man standing by the sales office. He had one of those arrogant expressions that act rather like a red rag to me — somehow provoke me. I told him straight that I knew his centre had been black listed by motoring organizations — no longer approved by them and therefore it was no good him trying to whitewash — excuse all the stories I'd heard. That wiped the arrogant expression off his face. The only trouble was that I discovered that I'd not been talking to the sales manager but a fellow customer. In my confusion I tripped over a spare tyre, rolled over and ended up in a ditch.
When I got home I was black and blue all over — covered in bruises.
By the sixth weekend of looking I was understandably feeling rather blue — somewhat depressed. I'd even considered getting a car through the black market — by some dishonest means.
But every cloud has a silver lining — things improve in the end. And that Sunday was a red letter day — a special day to remember, since we finally found a car. We were out driving in the countryside when out of the blue — totally unexpectedly, we saw a notice advertising cars for sale in a farm yard.
We saw a man in a brown study — deep in thought sitting in a small hut. He was the farmer cum salesman from whom I eventually bought the car. He quickly dispensed with all the red tape — all the formalities and very soon I had it in black and white — in writing that the car belonged to me. It's quite a good car and it's white or to be more accurate, it's more what you would call two tone.
You see with the white there's quite a bit of brown — known less colourfully as rust.
Examples of take used as a phrasal verb 30 November
He didn't take to the idea at all.
He didn't like the fact that he had lost his job.
His boss, Angus Henderson, whom Charlie had not taken to the moment he'd taken over from his previous boss eighteen months before, took him aside early one Monday morning and asked him to come to his office, assuring him as he did so that it wouldn't take up much of his time.
Angus Henderson had been Charlie's boss for 18 months and throughout that time Charlie hadn't really liked him. Early one Monday morning Angus wanted to talk to Charlie in private and told him it wouldn't take long.
Henderson asked him to sit down, took up a piece of paper and proceeded to read from it.
Henderson asked him to sit down, picked up a piece of paper and started reading from it.
The content of the speech was that Charlie would have to go but of course, if he wished, he could take the matter up with the managing director and take the matter further.
In summary Charlie had to leave the company and he was told that if he liked he could talk about this matter with the managing director and have additional discussions.
In other words Charlie was being asked to take himself off as quickly as possible.
In other words, Charlie was being asked to remove himself as quickly as possible.
It took several minutes before Charlie could really take in the news.
It took several mintues before Charlie could really grasp what had happened.
What really galled him was that Henderson was so taken up with himself that he couldn't even be bothered to thank Charlie for his services over the last ten years.
What really made him angry was that Henderson was so preoccupied with himself that he couldn't even be bothered to thank Charlie for his services over the last ten years.
Charlie was apparently being blamed for the drop in sales of his new product which he had convinced everyone would soon take off.
Charlie was obviously being blamed for the decrease in sales of his new product which he had persuaded everyone would soon be successful.
With his free time, they said, Charlie could take up all those hobbies and interests for which he had never had time before.
With his free time, they said, Charlie could pursue all those hobbies and interests for which he had never had time before.
He would soon take to his new life.
He would soon start to like his new life.
At first he was so taken aback by the news that he couldn't think straight.
At first he was so shocked by the news that he couldn't think clearly.
Then all he wanted was to take Henderson by the throat.
Then all he wanted was to strangle Henderson.
But Charlie took after his father.
But Charlie resembled his father.
But Charlie was very much like his father.
He began to take in the possible advantages he could get from his new situation.
He began to comprehend the possible advantages he could get from his new situation.
There was no point, he thought to himself, in taking it out on Henderson.
There was no point, he thought to himself, in blaming Henderson.
Within the space of about six months his time was completely taken up with making preparations for setting up a new agency.
Within about six month his time was completely occupied with making preparations for starting a new agency.
.... so that he would always be clear in his mind what his aims were and what task he had taken on.
..... so that he would aways be aware what his aims were and what task he had undertaken.
He took out a loan from his local bank to refurbish an office, worked out a detailed business plan, which the bank manager was quite taken with, advertised for some staff and took on two of the fifty that applied and set up his business.
He negotiated a loan with his local bank to establish an office, worked out a detailed business plan, which the bank manager was quite impressed with, advertised for some staff and employed two of the fifty that applied and set up his business.
Within three years he had taken on another ten staff and taken over a local agency that had failed to make a profit.
Within three years he had hired ten more people and bought out a local agency that had failed to make a profit.
Many people in the area originally took him for a bit of a confidence trickster but they soon found out that he was very effective and successful and it wasn't long before they took back all their critical remarks.
Many people in the area initially regarded him a bit of a confidence trickster but they soon found out that he was very effective and successful and it wasn't long before they admitted they were wrong with their critical remarks.
Nevertheless he still continued to take in a large amount of business.
Nevertheless he still continued to generate a large amount of business.
He soon began to realize that he was very wealthy even when you had taken the tax away from his earnings.
He soon began to realize that he was very rich even when you had deducted the tax from his earnings.
At the same time he didn't take on airs, he remained the same person who had lost his job five years ago.
At the same time he didn't behave in a conceited way, he stayed the same person who had lost his job five years ago.
Sitting in front of him was his old boss, Henderson, who had also been redundant and had taken upon himself to apply for a job with Charlie.
Sitting in fron of him was his old boss, Henderson, who had also lost his job and had decided to apply for a job with Charlie.
As Henderson assured him he would be prepared to undertake any type of work, Charlie had this irrestible feeling that he would like to take Henderson down but he resisted.
As Henderson assured him he would be ready to accept any type of job, Charlie had this terrible feeling that he would like to humiliate Henderson but he suppressed this thought.
Then as he took down Henderson's details, he had a brilliant idea and asked Henderson whether he would like to take on a role in a training video he was making.
Then as he wrote down Henderson's details, he had an excellent idea and asked Henderson whether he would like to accept a role in a training videa he was making.
Henderson took to the idea immediately and agreed to do it.
Henderson liked the idea straight away and accepted it.
Charlie took out a video they had already made from the shelf behind him and showed Henderson the title.
Charlie removed a video they had already produced from the shelf behind him and showed Henderson the title.
Then, making sure Henderson was taking everything in, he leaned across his desk and said: "Now the one I would like you to be in will be called: HOW NOT TO MANAGE PEOPLE."
Then, making sure Henderson was absorbing everything, he leaned across his desk and said: "Now the one I would like you to be in will be called: HOW NOT TO MANAGE PEOPLE."
He didn't like the fact that he had lost his job.
His boss, Angus Henderson, whom Charlie had not taken to the moment he'd taken over from his previous boss eighteen months before, took him aside early one Monday morning and asked him to come to his office, assuring him as he did so that it wouldn't take up much of his time.
Angus Henderson had been Charlie's boss for 18 months and throughout that time Charlie hadn't really liked him. Early one Monday morning Angus wanted to talk to Charlie in private and told him it wouldn't take long.
Henderson asked him to sit down, took up a piece of paper and proceeded to read from it.
Henderson asked him to sit down, picked up a piece of paper and started reading from it.
The content of the speech was that Charlie would have to go but of course, if he wished, he could take the matter up with the managing director and take the matter further.
In summary Charlie had to leave the company and he was told that if he liked he could talk about this matter with the managing director and have additional discussions.
In other words Charlie was being asked to take himself off as quickly as possible.
In other words, Charlie was being asked to remove himself as quickly as possible.
It took several minutes before Charlie could really take in the news.
It took several mintues before Charlie could really grasp what had happened.
What really galled him was that Henderson was so taken up with himself that he couldn't even be bothered to thank Charlie for his services over the last ten years.
What really made him angry was that Henderson was so preoccupied with himself that he couldn't even be bothered to thank Charlie for his services over the last ten years.
Charlie was apparently being blamed for the drop in sales of his new product which he had convinced everyone would soon take off.
Charlie was obviously being blamed for the decrease in sales of his new product which he had persuaded everyone would soon be successful.
With his free time, they said, Charlie could take up all those hobbies and interests for which he had never had time before.
With his free time, they said, Charlie could pursue all those hobbies and interests for which he had never had time before.
He would soon take to his new life.
He would soon start to like his new life.
At first he was so taken aback by the news that he couldn't think straight.
At first he was so shocked by the news that he couldn't think clearly.
Then all he wanted was to take Henderson by the throat.
Then all he wanted was to strangle Henderson.
But Charlie took after his father.
But Charlie resembled his father.
But Charlie was very much like his father.
He began to take in the possible advantages he could get from his new situation.
He began to comprehend the possible advantages he could get from his new situation.
There was no point, he thought to himself, in taking it out on Henderson.
There was no point, he thought to himself, in blaming Henderson.
Within the space of about six months his time was completely taken up with making preparations for setting up a new agency.
Within about six month his time was completely occupied with making preparations for starting a new agency.
.... so that he would always be clear in his mind what his aims were and what task he had taken on.
..... so that he would aways be aware what his aims were and what task he had undertaken.
He took out a loan from his local bank to refurbish an office, worked out a detailed business plan, which the bank manager was quite taken with, advertised for some staff and took on two of the fifty that applied and set up his business.
He negotiated a loan with his local bank to establish an office, worked out a detailed business plan, which the bank manager was quite impressed with, advertised for some staff and employed two of the fifty that applied and set up his business.
Within three years he had taken on another ten staff and taken over a local agency that had failed to make a profit.
Within three years he had hired ten more people and bought out a local agency that had failed to make a profit.
Many people in the area originally took him for a bit of a confidence trickster but they soon found out that he was very effective and successful and it wasn't long before they took back all their critical remarks.
Many people in the area initially regarded him a bit of a confidence trickster but they soon found out that he was very effective and successful and it wasn't long before they admitted they were wrong with their critical remarks.
Nevertheless he still continued to take in a large amount of business.
Nevertheless he still continued to generate a large amount of business.
He soon began to realize that he was very wealthy even when you had taken the tax away from his earnings.
He soon began to realize that he was very rich even when you had deducted the tax from his earnings.
At the same time he didn't take on airs, he remained the same person who had lost his job five years ago.
At the same time he didn't behave in a conceited way, he stayed the same person who had lost his job five years ago.
Sitting in front of him was his old boss, Henderson, who had also been redundant and had taken upon himself to apply for a job with Charlie.
Sitting in fron of him was his old boss, Henderson, who had also lost his job and had decided to apply for a job with Charlie.
As Henderson assured him he would be prepared to undertake any type of work, Charlie had this irrestible feeling that he would like to take Henderson down but he resisted.
As Henderson assured him he would be ready to accept any type of job, Charlie had this terrible feeling that he would like to humiliate Henderson but he suppressed this thought.
Then as he took down Henderson's details, he had a brilliant idea and asked Henderson whether he would like to take on a role in a training video he was making.
Then as he wrote down Henderson's details, he had an excellent idea and asked Henderson whether he would like to accept a role in a training videa he was making.
Henderson took to the idea immediately and agreed to do it.
Henderson liked the idea straight away and accepted it.
Charlie took out a video they had already made from the shelf behind him and showed Henderson the title.
Charlie removed a video they had already produced from the shelf behind him and showed Henderson the title.
Then, making sure Henderson was taking everything in, he leaned across his desk and said: "Now the one I would like you to be in will be called: HOW NOT TO MANAGE PEOPLE."
Then, making sure Henderson was absorbing everything, he leaned across his desk and said: "Now the one I would like you to be in will be called: HOW NOT TO MANAGE PEOPLE."
PHRASAL VERB - to take (30 November)
taken over from his previous boss
acquired the job from his previous boss
took him aside
he led him to one side to talk to him privately
take up
much of his time
occupy much of his time
took up a piece of paper
picked up a piece of paper
take the matter up
discuss the matter
take the matter further
discuss the matter in greater detail
take himself off
dismiss/fire himself
take in the news
absorb/grasp the news
taken up with himself
preoccupied with himself
sales would soon take off
sales would soon rise considerably
take up all those hobbies
start doing all his hobbies
take to his new life
enjoy his new life
taken aback by the news
shocked by the news
take Henderson by the throat
strangle Henderson
he took after his father
he was like his father
take in the possible advantages
comprehend the possible advantages
taking it out on Henderson
blaming Henderson
taken up with making preparations
preoccupied with making preparations
what task he had taken on
what task he had committed himself to
he took out a loan
he negotiated a loan
the bank manager taken with
the bank manager was impressed by
took on two of the fifty that applied
employed/hired two of the fifty that applied
taken on another ten staff
employed/hired another ten staff
taken over a local agency
become owner of a local agency
they took him for
they regarded him as
they took back all their critical remarks
they retracted all their critical remarks
take in a large amount of business
generate a large amount of business
taken the tax away from his earnings
deducted the tax from his earnings
he didn't take on airs
he didn't behave in a conceited way
taking off the boss
mimickingg the boss
he had taken upon himself to apply for a job
he had decided to apply for a job
take Henderson down
humiliate Henderson
as he took down Henderson's details
as he wrote down/jotted down Henderson's details
take on a role
accept a role
he took to the idea immediately
he liked the idea immediately
Charlie took out a video
Charlie removed a video
Henderson was taking everything in
Henderson was absorbing/grasping everything
acquired the job from his previous boss
took him aside
he led him to one side to talk to him privately
take up
much of his time
occupy much of his time
took up a piece of paper
picked up a piece of paper
take the matter up
discuss the matter
take the matter further
discuss the matter in greater detail
take himself off
dismiss/fire himself
take in the news
absorb/grasp the news
taken up with himself
preoccupied with himself
sales would soon take off
sales would soon rise considerably
take up all those hobbies
start doing all his hobbies
take to his new life
enjoy his new life
taken aback by the news
shocked by the news
take Henderson by the throat
strangle Henderson
he took after his father
he was like his father
take in the possible advantages
comprehend the possible advantages
taking it out on Henderson
blaming Henderson
taken up with making preparations
preoccupied with making preparations
what task he had taken on
what task he had committed himself to
he took out a loan
he negotiated a loan
the bank manager taken with
the bank manager was impressed by
took on two of the fifty that applied
employed/hired two of the fifty that applied
taken on another ten staff
employed/hired another ten staff
taken over a local agency
become owner of a local agency
they took him for
they regarded him as
they took back all their critical remarks
they retracted all their critical remarks
take in a large amount of business
generate a large amount of business
taken the tax away from his earnings
deducted the tax from his earnings
he didn't take on airs
he didn't behave in a conceited way
taking off the boss
mimickingg the boss
he had taken upon himself to apply for a job
he had decided to apply for a job
take Henderson down
humiliate Henderson
as he took down Henderson's details
as he wrote down/jotted down Henderson's details
take on a role
accept a role
he took to the idea immediately
he liked the idea immediately
Charlie took out a video
Charlie removed a video
Henderson was taking everything in
Henderson was absorbing/grasping everything
Tuesday, 9 November 2010
MORE IDIOMS
<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gWREqA0Q4AM?fs=1&hl=en_GB"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gWREqA0Q4AM?fs=1&hl=en_GB" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>
Tuesday, 2 November 2010
Tuesday, 19 October 2010
20 TIPS FOR DOING WELL IN TOEIC
20 TOEIC Tips
- Set a goal
So, you've decided to take the TOEIC test. Congratulations! The first thing you should do is set a goal. If you are taking the test in order to apply for a job, find out what proficiency level is required.
Choose a goal that is achievable. If you aim too high, you will be disappointed. Remember, you can take the test as often as you want if you don't mind paying the fee.
- Understand the test
Before you start studying for the test, make sure you understand the format of each section. You will be tested on your listening and reading comprehension skills. By doing model or practice tests, you will become very familiar with the TOEIC. The test should become "second nature" to you before you attempt the real thing.
- Make a study plan
Procrastination is one of the key reasons students fail the TOEIC test. You may book your TOEIC test months in advance. However, the day you decide to take the TOEIC test should be the day you start to study.
You will have to decide whether or not you are going to teach yourself the TOEIC with reliable resources or whether you are going to take a TOEIC preparation class. In order to get the best results, you should do both. If you cannot afford to take a TOEIC class, make sure to choose a TOEIC textbook that has explanatory answers. You will also want to have a teacher or tutor that you can go to from time to time with questions.
If you choose a TOEIC class, make sure that you trust your teacher and feel comfortable in his or her class. Take a class with a friend and make a commitment to study together in and outside of class.
Studying at the same time every day is a great way to improve your score. Write down your study plan and sign it!
- Divide study time appropriately
Each section is worth a certain amount of points. Don't spend too much time studying one section. Many students make the mistake of studying the section that they enjoy the most. This is the section you should spend the least amount of time on.
You might want to divide your study week by focusing on a certain section each day. Remember, if Sunday is your day to practice Part VII (40 questions on the test), you might have to study twice as long as you would on Monday when you focus on Part I (20 questions on the test).
- Build a strong vocabulary
Another reason students fail the TOEIC test is that they have a very limited vocabulary. The day you decide to take the TOEIC test you should make yourself a blank dictionary. Use a notebook (an address book works great because it is divided into letters) and keep track of all of the new words you learn along the way. It is not useful to study vocabulary lists. You will only remember words that you have seen in context. For each entry, write the word and use it in a sentence. At the end of each week you should write a short letter or composition using as many of the words as you can.
This might also be the time to stop using your translation dictionary. Electric dictionaries make things too simple! You will not remember the word if it doesn't take any effort to understand it.
Keep in mind that the TOEIC test has a business theme. You should study vocabulary from topics such as travel, banking, health, restaurants, offices, etc. You will also want to learn everyday idiomatic expressions.
- Isolate your weak points
After you have been studying the TOEIC for a while, you will find out which parts give you the most trouble. You might want to change how you divide your time. There are certain grammar points that many students have trouble with. If you are taking a TOEIC class, ask your teacher to bring in extra homework help on problems like these. If you are studying by yourself, find a good reference book in the library and look up your question. There may also be help on the Internet. For example, type "gerunds" into a search engine and you will probably find a useful exercise.
- Eliminate distractors
In every TOEIC question, there are at least two distractors (wrong answers that the test writer uses to trick you). It is much easier to choose the correct answer when you have only two to choose from. (The third choice is often impossible and easy to spot.) There are many types of distractors such as, similar sounds, homonyms, repeated words, etc. As you study, make yourself a list of distractors. When you come across them you will be able to eliminate them more easily.
- Trust your instincts
Sometimes an answer will jump out at you as either correct or incorrect. If you have been studying hard, chances are that your brain is telling you which choice to pick. Don't change your answers after following your instinct. If you do decide to change an answer, make sure that you erase very carefully. A machine will be marking your test. Be sure to use a pencil and fill in your circle choice completely. Bring extra pencils, erasers, and a pencil sharpener!
- Don't try to translate
Translating vocabulary and sentences wastes a lot of time. It is very rare that students have extra time during the TOEIC test. If you don't know a word, look at the context of the sentence and the words around it. You will not be allowed to use a dictionary when you take the test.
- Guess as a last resort
On test day, if you don't know the answer, and you have eliminated all of the distractors you can, don't leave the space blank. There is a good chance you will not have time to go back to this question. You still have a 25% chance of getting the answer right if you guess. If you are sure that one or two of the answers are incorrect, your guess is even more likely to be correct!
- Be aware of time management
When you are doing practice tests, you should always be aware of the time. Never allow yourself an open ended study session. You will have to learn to work efficiently.
On test day, you should be especially careful in the Reading section. You will have 75 minutes to complete Parts V, VI and VII. Many students spend too long on section V or VI because they find these the most difficult. Don't spend more than 30 minutes on the first two parts. Part VII will take you at least 40 minutes, and it is worth a lot of points, especially if you find it an easier section.
- Listen quickly
When you are studying for the TOEIC test, do not get in the habit of rewinding the tape. On test day you won't have any control over the speed of the listening section. You will not even have time to think for very long between questions. Make sure that you do not get behind during the real test. If you do not know the answer, take your best guess. Then continue to follow along. Don't look back at questions when you are waiting for another question to start.
- Practise reading aloud
Reading out loud will help your listening and reading comprehension skills. In order to comprehend English more quickly, it is important that you understand the rhythm of the language. Read from textbooks, pamphlets, newspapers, and even children's novels. You might want to tape yourself and listen to how you sound.
- Use mass media
One of the best ways to prepare for the TOEIC test is to study real English. Watch television, listen to radio reports, and read newspapers and magazines. Pay special attention to ads, letters, weather and traffic reports, coupons, and special announcements. Do this with a friend, and write out questions for each other to answer. This is a great way to practice your wh-questions. It is also a great way to learn common idiomatic expressions.
- Use free web sites
There are many web sites that offer free model tests and samples. Type TOEIC into your search engine and start practising! Surfing the web is a great way to practise your reading and listening. If you are interested in a certain topic, such as snowboarding, type that into a search engine. You might want to reserve an hour a day for Internet studying. Just make sure to study English and don't get caught wasting hours playing games!
- Teach a native English speaker your language
If you can't afford a tutor, you might know a native English speaker who would be interested in learning your first language. Tell him you will teach him for free for one hour a week! You will have to use English to teach him, and you will learn many new English words and expressions at each session. Forcing yourself to teach someone a language will help you to understand English grammatical rules as well. Do anything you can to speak with native English speakers.
- Keep an English journal
Keeping a journal doesn't have to be an account of your daily activities. You can write anything in a journal, such as how your studying is coming along, what your new favourite word is and why, or which teacher you admire. If you are studying TOEIC with a friend, make a list of writing topics for each other. You might decide to write a paragraph three times a week. Get your friend to try to find your mistakes. Finding your partner's writing errors is great practice for Part V and VI.
- Ask questions
Never hesitate to ask lots of questions. In a TOEIC class, all of the students will benefit from your question. If you don't understand something, such as conditionals, you may lose ten points on a TOEIC exam. A teacher is not always available, but students are everywhere! Sometimes other students can help you with a grammar problem even better than a teacher.
- Manage your stress
If you are feeling stressed about taking the TOEIC you may be studying too hard or expecting too much of yourself. Like everything else in life, balance is the key. Remind yourself that you will try to do your best. Before the test, take deep breaths and remember that you can always improve your score in a few months time. In between the listening and reading section, take a few deep breaths again to get focused.
- Don't cram
You should never cram (study extremely hard in a short period of time) the night or even week before the TOEIC test. There is so much to learn when you study the TOEIC. The last week should be for reviewing and practising rather than learning new things. Make sure to get plenty of sleep the night before the test. On the day of the test, have a good meal and relax for a few hours before going to the testing centre. Plan to reward yourself when the test is over!
| BrE | AmE | |
| practice | practice | noun |
| practise | practice | verb |
| practising | practicing | |
| favourite | favorite |
Examples for each section of the TOEIC, and explanations concerning the right and wrong answers.
TOEIC ADVANCED COURSE
Test Content
The TOEIC® Listening and Reading test is a paper-and-pencil, multiple-choice assessment. There are two timed sections of 100 questions each. For more detailed information on test content, please see pages two and three of the TOEIC® Listening and Reading Examinee Handbook (PDF).For information on disability accommodations, please see the Disabilities Accommodations page.
Section I: Listening
Test takers listen to a variety of questions and short conversations recorded in English, then answer questions based on what they have heard (100 items total).- Part 1: Photographs
- Part 2: Question-Response
- Part 3: Conversations
- Part 4: Short Talks
Section II: Reading
Test takers read a variety of materials and respond at their own pace (100 items total).- Part 5: Incomplete Sentences
- Part 6: Error Recognition or Text Completion
- Part 7: Reading Comprehension
Test Length
The test takes approximately 2½ hours, with:- 45 minutes for Section I
- 75 minutes for Section II
- approximately 30 minutes to answer biographical questions
SAMPLE TEST
READING COMPREHESION
LISTENING
LISTENING PHOTOGRAPHS
FOUR TESTS TOEIC
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)