Irene 推薦 IELTS 7.5!

恭喜Irene雅思7.5分，並取得劍橋大學財經系的入學許可 IELTS Test results IELTS Test date: 17/Mar/2012 - Overall 7.5 - Listening 8.5 - Reading 8 - Writing 6.5 - Speaking 7 Irene給流利英語的話： 年初為了準備學校面試，在家附近找到了流利英語學苑。還記得那時距離面試僅有兩個星期，但Amber老師細心了解我的需求，給我專業的建議。我報名了一對一的教學課程，Ben老師在英文面試給我的幫助很大，從最基本的自我介紹開始練習，並逐堂課進階至專業領域的問答，面試前的最後一堂課Ben老師更直接模擬面試，讓我在面試之前信心增加不少，也讓我的面試順利過關! 之後需在短時間內準備雅思考試，由於之前只考過托福考試，我又選擇報名Stephen老師的一對一雅思說跟寫教學，雖然只有短短幾堂課，但Stephen老師有效率地讓我了解雅思考試的出題方向跟答題技巧，每堂課都有很紮實密集的口說練習及寫作檢討，讓我一次就能考到需要的成績。除此之外，申請的最後階段須通過學校的語言測驗，Ben老師在學術英文上也給我許多專業的指導，讓我順利通過! 不僅如此，Amber老師總是會主動關心學生的學習跟考試情況，假如學生有任何困難，也總是會耐心瞭解，提供專業的解決辦法。我想我整個申請過程能夠在最後順利完成，真的要感謝流利英語學院的幫助! Irene

Jessica推薦 IELTS 7!

恭喜Jessica雅思7分
IELTS Test Results
- Overall: 7
- Listening 7.5
- Reading 7
- Writing 6.5
- Speaking 7
Jessica給流利英語學苑的話
從事研究工作多年的我，認為自己最厲害的地方就是蒐集分析各方資訊，然後做出最適當判斷與最佳選擇。因此，在決定出國念博士班時，就努力上網爬文，找尋能強化自己寫作與口說實力的老師。在多方比較下，我選擇到流利英語學苑做分級測驗及試聽。一進到學苑的感覺相當好，每個人都非常親切。口試我的Ben老師是讓我印象最深刻的，因為他在短短10分鐘的口試過程中，就點出我口說問題；另在1小時的雅思課程試聽過程中，他更讓我見識到超強的英文專業能力與寫作邏輯。
原以為IELTS的學術寫作想拿高分，一定要大量使用複雜的句型結構與高階版的字彙，其實不盡然；如何能準確答題，並輔以例證來說明你的論點，才是最重要的。Ben老師所教授的有層次邏輯寫作方法，不僅僅能幫助我們通過寫作考試，對於日後撰寫英文報告及論文更是有所助益。而這也是為什麼原本只堅持上家教班的我，可以放棄堅持，每天來回通勤2小時，去上Ben老師1小時的課，因為它真的很值得。
對於有心想要準備留學考試，或是想提升自身英文實力的人，我真心的推薦Ben老師給大家。
Jessica 佳惠

Daisy推薦 IELTS W7!

恭喜Daisy 雅思寫作七分
IELTS Test Results
- Overall: 6.5
- Listening 6.5
- Reading 7
- Writing 7
- Speaking 6
Daisy給流利英語學苑的話
第一次到流利就很喜歡他的教學環境，明亮又乾淨。一個班級的人數也在4-10人之間，老師們可以很容易的掌握每位學生的狀況，在課堂上有任何問題都可以隨時發問，如果還有問題也可以跟老師課後討論，老師們都非常樂意回答問題。在課堂上的教學也非常有趣，有各式的遊戲穿插其中，讓你可以很快的熟記單字與文法。每次的上課都很平均的練習聽說讀寫，在各部份都有明顯的進步，尤其是寫作的部份，每份作文都是老師們親自批改，給予建議，因此寫起來會越來越順手。雅思課程的部份每個禮拜都有不同的主題，可以熟悉不同議題，每個禮拜也練習不同的題型，讓你了解自己的弱點，老師也出不同的回家作業，可以有充足的練習。

Irene 推薦 IELTS 7.5!

恭喜Irene雅思7.5分，並取得劍橋大學財經系的入學許可
IELTS Test results
IELTS Test date: 17/Mar/2012
- Overall 7.5
- Listening 8.5
- Reading 8
- Writing 6.5
- Speaking 7
Irene給流利英語的話：
年初為了準備學校面試，在家附近找到了流利英語學苑。還記得那時距離面試僅有兩個星期，但Amber老師細心了解我的需求，給我專業的建議。我報名了一對一的教學課程，Ben老師在英文面試給我的幫助很大，從最基本的自我介紹開始練習，並逐堂課進階至專業領域的問答，面試前的最後一堂課Ben老師更直接模擬面試，讓我在面試之前信心增加不少，也讓我的面試順利過關!
之後需在短時間內準備雅思考試，由於之前只考過托福考試，我又選擇報名Stephen老師的一對一雅思說跟寫教學，雖然只有短短幾堂課，但Stephen老師有效率地讓我了解雅思考試的出題方向跟答題技巧，每堂課都有很紮實密集的口說練習及寫作檢討，讓我一次就能考到需要的成績。除此之外，申請的最後階段須通過學校的語言測驗，Ben老師在學術英文上也給我許多專業的指導，讓我順利通過!
不僅如此，Amber老師總是會主動關心學生的學習跟考試情況，假如學生有任何困難，也總是會耐心瞭解，提供專業的解決辦法。我想我整個申請過程能夠在最後順利完成，真的要感謝流利英語學院的幫助!

雅思口說考古題分享(26/May)

Part 1
1.你現在是學生還是在工作?
2.為什麼選擇你現在的學校?
3.你喜歡什麼料理?
4.你常常吃港式料理嗎?
5.你覺得小時候吃的食物現在還是一樣的味道嗎？
6.你會煮飯嗎?
7.你父母會教你煮飯嗎?
Part2
請敘述一本平常會閱讀的雜誌
Part3
1.你的同學也會看這份雜誌嗎?
2.為什麼覺得這雜誌對你很有幫助?
3.你覺得當編輯需要什麼樣的技能?
4.你覺得台灣人最愛看什麼雜誌?
5.為什麼台灣人愛看八卦?
6.你覺得為什麼報紙很多人喜歡看報紙?
7.看報紙對你有什麼幫助?

Kiko推薦IELTS 7!

恭喜Kiko雅思寫作從5.5分進步到7分!

Congratulations to Kiko. She worked hard and increased her IELTS Writing Score from 5.5 to 7!

IELTS Test Results

- Overall: 6.5
- Listening 5.5
- Reading 6.5
- Writing 7
- Speaking 6

Kiko給流利英語學苑的話

1. 當初為何選擇流利英語學苑？
為了去英國讀研究所，我得考雅思，
當初沒想過要補雅思的，但上網找考試報名地點時發現我家附近的流利英語。
裡面的老師及顧問們讓人感覺親切並專業 於是我決定試上看看。
爾後，課程上的多元教材和老師們的靈活教學，讓我覺得可以繼續在這充實加強我的英語。
2. 印象最深的老師以及教學方式。
其中我最感謝的是Andrew老師 在我上過的IE4 IP3 到之後的1 on 1都有他的教導
起初我是個不太聽從老師教導的學生 但Andrew認真努力的反覆說明並舉證 最後我決定 就照著他的話做吧
3. 給其他同學的建議，以及最推薦流利英語學苑的部分。
果然 我的雅思成績在三周的準備下 進步了0.5分 其中寫作更是從5.5提高到7.0
感謝Andrew和教我過的流利的老師們的教導 讓我因此省下快20萬的pre sessional費用 可以在台灣再多待幾個月

雅思考古題分享 (5/15)

寫:TASK1: 兩個BAR CHARTS,有三個點可以寫,horizontal axis是月份
vertical axis是雨量和溫度

TASK 2: 現在的公司允許員工每年休假4個禮拜,同意或不同意

問題:
1喜歡早上念書還是晚上念書?
2 有沒有去過動物園啊?
3 喜歡聽哪種音樂?

PART 2:
敘述你在某個地方遇見某個老朋友,感覺如何?說了什麼?

PART 3:
你覺得國際友誼怎樣?
什麼事情會摧毀友誼       
什麼東西能增進友情?
現代電器用品有幫助增進友情嗎?
不同國家的人能當朋友嗎?
不同國家的人不能當朋友是為什麼?

【流利雅思密集班】新班開課

流利最新IELTS雅思密集課程及將開課，每天上課，2週學會最有效率的雅思技巧：聽說讀寫各項技巧皆備，由（雅思核心單字）作者Ben領軍，帶領最優秀的雅思教師群，給您最精華的雅思考試技巧，上課除了練習外，還有實境模擬，想要短時間獲取雅思高分的您，還在等什麼？快來流利報名。
二種雅思班，挑選最適合您的班級加入吧！
雅思預備班：適合目前雅思4.5~5分學員，欲衝刺至5.5~6分者。
雅思技巧班：適合目前雅思6~6.5分學員，欲衝刺至6.5~7分以上者。
流利雅思班上課資訊：
授課師資：資深雅思老師
上課時間：每天下午
課程長度：2週 40小時
獨家優惠：自編教材、作文批改、一對一雅思家教時間（彈性預約）
回家作業：雅思練習題及作文（作文皆由雅思授課外籍教師親自批改！）
所有開課資訊每週更新，請密切關注！
所有課程4人以上即開班，已開課的班級歡迎插班！
為確保教學品質與成效，每班最多12人為限，滿班即不再收！
更多資訊
http://courses.academy.com.tw/intensive-ielts/

【學員Rita 推薦】在流利英語學習是件有趣的事情

很開心有機會能夠到流利英語進修英文，目前加入的是聽說讀寫平日晚上的課程，由於四種方面都要做到訓練，選用的教材方面便非常重要，我非常喜歡我們的課本(Global Intermediate Coursebook)內容充實有趣，並能夠循序漸進有次序地訓練到英語聽說讀寫的能力；

再來除了課本的教學老師也會額外準備一些小活動讓學生互相做練習，在練習的過程中讓學生接觸互動，以英文來認識交新朋友；幾堂課下來發現自己的口語有一點進步，講出來的英語也比較有情緒有韻律，不再是硬梆梆地把每個字都讀出來了！

雅思4/5口說寫作題目分享

雅思4/5的考古題分享給大家
更多雅思相關問題請至
http://www.academy.com.tw/ielts/index.php

Part 1

Where are you from?
What is the name of your hometown?
Is it a bog city or a small place?
How long have you been living here?
What do you like the most about your hometown?
--
Did you often play games when you were a child?
Did you enjoy outdoor or indoor activities as a child?
What are the differences between the games that children play before and
nowadays?
--
How do people in your culture show politeness?
Who taught you politeness when you were a child?
Comparing to the past,does the way people show politeness change in your
country?

Part 2,
Describe an important person of your country.
-Who he/she is?
-What does he/she do?
-Why is he/she important to your country?
-Your feeling about this person
--
Part 3,(I can't recall the complete sentences, but they are all "famous-related"
questions.)
What are the ways to become famous?
Do you think hard work is needed for the people who want to become famous?
What are the differences between the famous people in the past time and now?
Do you think the famous people should behave themselves?
--

Writing task 1,
a table about the weekly spent of international students in 4 countries in
2005 and a bar graph diving the total costs into 3 different types
--
Writing task 2,
The number of cars is increasing. The government will spent more money on the
road system. Some people think the government should pay for this, while
others think the drivers should cover this.
Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

【學員Amina 推薦】流利英語學習意願高又有效

上了流利英語之後，發現有很多以前之到但是不會用的單字或是句子，到了流利後，老師都會在課堂上實際對話讓我們可以練習 而且因為是小班制的，所以老師可以針對每一位學員的問題去做解決，最重要的是每一次上課一定都要發言，如果都沒有講話的話，老師就會一直問你問題讓你開口說話練習。還有因為有能力分級，不用擔心說講出來的英文大家會笑你，因為大家的程度都ㄧ樣，所以你不懂得大家也都幾乎不懂，有問題就直接問會從學生跟老師的身上發現不同的答案，增加對一件事情的不同想法，我覺得是非常好的。
另外，我覺得很棒的事，因為流利都是採取全英語式教學和外國老師授課，我覺得這樣的一個方式可以讓我去思考要怎麼樣把我想要表達的事情用英文說出來，跟老師同學們也是都用英文再聊天的，我覺得很有趣而且還可以從中學習 老師也會在這當中糾正我的發音 讓我的英文可以更加正確、流利和快速，不會聽起來像是台式英文，還有在每次上課都會先玩一個小遊戲，讓學生們可以互相討論學習，也可以藉此增進友誼提升專注力，學習的意願相對也會提高，每次去上課都很開心，時間都過得很快，要下課時都會覺得很可惜，希望時間過慢一點。

Writing an email / letter: Applying for a job

Help! I need to apply for a job in English!

Writing a job application email or letter is a useful skill and it isn’t very difficult. You need to choose and organize your information clearly and logically. Also, you need to make sure your style and language is appropriate.

What information should I include?

You should include the following information in the following order. Try to write each section in a separate sentence or paragraph.

• Reason(s) for writing
• Age / present job / qualifications
• Work experience & key accomplishment
• Personal qualities
• Closing remarks

Do’s and Don’ts

Do

• Make sure you address the key requirements in the job advertisement.
• Use polite & slightly formal language. E.g. I would appreciate it if…
• Passive language. E.g. I can be contacted by NOT You can contact me.
• Use common starting and ending phrases

Don’t

• Use contractions and casual language. E.g. I’ll go.
• Don’t copy what you say in your resume.
• Write your life story – it should encourage the reader to look at your resume

Sample Job Application letter / email

Here is a sample application email / letter. The useful phrases are in red. Use these to keep your email clear and to keep the style and tone correct.

 

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to apply for the position of junior marketing manager, which was advertised on the 105 Job bank this week.
I am 25 years old and currently working in Taipei. I have a BA degree in marketing from the University of Arizona, in the United States. I have excellent English communication skills and I am fluent in Mandarin.
I have been working for Maximum Impact, a small marketing company based in Taipei, for three years. During this time, I gained many practical skills including customer relations management, computer skills, and personal communication skills. I also had the opportunity to run several marketing campaigns. One of these was very successful and exceeded our client’s expectations.
I consider myself to be punctual, hard-working, and very good with people. I work well in a team and I am good at meeting performance targets.
I am available for an interview any weekday morning. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you can have any other questions about my experience or skills. I can be contacted by phone on (02)2555-5555 or 0955-555-555.
Please find my resume attached.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Alice Lin

Please feel free to use this letter or make some changes to it to suit your needs. Good luck with your new job!

If you are interested in our writing courses, please email us.

【學員Chloe 推薦】英文，可以變成一種興趣！！！

英文，可以變成一種興趣！！！
對於我而言，「去年我花了約半年的時間尋找適合自己的英文學習環境。因緣際會下，在朋友的臉書看到了「流利英文」，就…預約時間諮詢及測驗，預約的過程中馬上就加了分：分班測驗有測口說…我並不知道是否很多家有口說測驗，但至少這是我在別處所沒遇到的(當然，為了留學考試的IELTS那種除外囉)。在Amber精闢的解說後也約了試聽，相較於很多家試聽僅有半小時甚至沒有的情況下，流利其實做的還蠻足的。試聽完後我就決定要加入了…正式加入流利約莫在2013年的8月底，在試聽及過去半年的課程中，完全沒有感受到台灣補習班常見的填鴨式教學，所以也就沒有太多的壓力在，對於我而言是很好的事，我想多數人都不喜歡強迫式的學習吧!你會感覺在流利的學習是一種享受，英文會滲透到你的生活中，不知不覺地你就會喜歡上它！當然，流利還是有在把關的啦！所以也會有作業有單元考試，也一樣會有level test，還會有成績單跟出缺勤狀況。喜歡」是被我prioritize在第一順位考量的，畢竟不喜歡的話又怎能跟它相處呢？
給自己一個機會吧! Enjoy English!  Join 流利Academy  !!!

雅思口說考古題

part1
   住哪個城市?喜不喜歡?未來會不會搬
   喜歡哪種音樂??為什麼?什麼時候聽??
   不喜歡哪種音樂??
   為什麼有人喜歡買衣服
   你工作時穿什麼衣服??
   回家會不會換衣服??
  part2
   講一次離家出遠們的經驗??
   什麼時候??為什麼要出遠門??
   搭什麼交通工具??
   對於這次出遠門的經驗有什麼感覺??
  part3
   過去的人和現在的人旅遊有什麼不同???
   年輕人和老人旅遊經驗有什麼不同??
   有了網路和電視是不是就不需要實地旅遊了??

更多資訊：
http://www.academy.com.tw/ielts/index.php

雅思口說考古題

part 1
1. Are you a student or do you work?
2. Do you enjoy your work? why?
3. 有換工作的打算嗎?
4. Do you like sunshine? why?
part2
請說明一個你常瀏覽的網站
part3
1. 延續上一個話題 現在年輕人喜歡逛哪些網站
2. 對於網路購物跟實體店面購物的想法
3. 報紙是不是可以完全被網路新聞所取代

更多內容
http://www.academy.com.tw/ielts/index.php

【學員Luke推薦】流利英語學習最有趣

轉眼間我來流利英語學苑也快半年了，還記得我來考入班考試的當天，當我看到老外準備要跟我對話時，我整個人完全呆住了，從以前到現在，我頂多在學校背背英文單字，很少會開口講英文。所以當時我只好硬著頭皮上啦。考完後我發現文法、單字錯的一蹋糊塗，那天我便開始投入IE2 英文密集班初級的課程，第一堂課真可說是一個震撼教育呀，我發現怎麼每個人都說得這麼棒呀!我便下定決心雖然我比別人晚開始，但我要比別人更認真、更努力一定可以超越其他人。還記得當時我的老師是Warwick 他是一個非常親切的老師，不管是一個字還是一句話，他總是不厭其煩地糾正我們的發音、語氣，還記得有一次下課時老師還特別留下來單獨指導我口說，像我這種毛病特別多的學生，一般老師一定都直接略過，但他竟然足足教了我半個小時，也讓我十分感動，也是他讓我有信心開口說英文。到現在我升上了IE3英文密集班中級，和一些外籍老師聊聊天對我來說已經不是一件那麼困難的事了，不久之前我在家附近的早餐店看到一群完全不會講中文的僑生，和一個年紀一大把的老闆娘點餐，我在一旁看著他們比來比去，指來指去，都沒有一個結論，我就上前去充當翻譯員，幫助他們吃到美味的早餐。不只如此，除了口說外此學苑還提共了一整櫃的英文小說，讓每個學生藉此增加自己的單字量，對我來說，學英文的目的不只是為了要應付學校的考試，英文在現今社會已經成為一個非常重要的語言，不管在職場上，還是旅遊上，語言通了，很多事情就可以簡單解決，不妨大家都抽個空來流利英文學院聽聽看，會收到意想不到的效果唷。

學員背景：五專生，去年來學苑參加暑期密集班，中間因為時間無法配合，有試著加入別的補習班課程，最後因為還是最喜歡流利老師的教法，所以今年學校放寒假時跑回來上課，學校開課後改上晚上的課程。
上課期間：2013年7月~8月、2014年1月~迄今。
上課班級：暑期白天密集初中級班、白天密集中級班、聽說讀寫中級班

Should I do TOEFL iBT or IELTS? 考托福？還是考雅思？

If you are thinking about studying overseas in an English speaking country or an European University, then you will probably need to take an English proficiency test. But which one should you choose?

The two most common English tests for university admission are the IELTS and TOEFL tests. This article will compare both to choose the best one for you.

Basic Information about the exams 雅思和托福的基本資訊

The IELTS exam, or International English Language Testing System, is developed by UCLES, University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES and delivered by the British Council and IDP Education Australia. The test is available in an Academic and General Training Module (only the writing and reading are different). Here, we are talking about the Academic module.

The TOEFL Test, or Test of English as a Foreign Language, is developed and delivered by ETS, the Educational Testing Service, a non-profit American company that has a virtual monopoly. The test is available in a paper-based version (PBT), a computer-based version (CBT) and an Internet-Based Version (IBT). Here, we only look at the Internet-Based Test.
All are non-profit organizations – but do occasionally make money.

Cost 考試費用

The cost of the IELTS test can vary depending on whether the provider is IDP or The British Council, but currently it is NT$5,100 in Taiwan (around US$160) while the TOEFL is US$160.

How many times I can take the tests? 我應該考幾次雅思 / 托福？

IELTS test is available on 48 fixed dates a year – for specifically available dates you need to contact your local center while the TOEFL is available in any 7-day period. There is no limit to the number of times you can take the test

Acceptance 學校接受度

It used to be the case that IELTS tests were only accepted by British, Australian, New Zealand and Canadian schools while TOEFL dominated in the US. How things have changed! Now, the two tests are literally competing with each other and nearly any school you wish to go to will accept both.

Difficulty 考試難易度

Students often ask which is more difficult. Unfortunately, the answer really depends on your individual situation and your learning experience. It can also depend on your learning style and how you think. In many cases, difficulty depends on the type of tasks in each test.

How are IELTS and TOEFL different? 雅思和托福的差異性？

In the IELTS exam, the speaking test is divided into three parts: (1) general topics, (2) the individual Long turn, and (3) discussion. Part one involves answering common English type questions on up to three or four topics such as flowers, the Internet, and your hometown. In part two, you are given a topic to talk about for two minutes and one minute to prepare for it. In part three, the examiner will discuss with you a variety of issues and ideas with you related to the topic. So, if you had to talk about a famous person you admired in part two, you may end up discussing the idea of fame, and whether or not famous people should consider how they influence society.
In the TOEFL iBT things are quite different. To begin with, you are facing a computer, not an examiner. You begin with 2 questions where you have to report and comment on what you hear. You then have integrated questions that require you to read some information and then listen to something. For example, you may read about library opening times, and then listen to someone talking about what they have to do that day. There is also a task that requires you to listen to someone talking about a problem and the test-taker has to summarize the situation, the problem and what they think the speaker ought to do.
Overall, many English learners prefer the Face-to-Face Interview in IELTS. You are able to ask the interviewer to clarify, explain words or repeat the question, which makes it easier to make sure that you answer the question properly. In the IELTS test, asking questions does NOT reduce your score. On the other hand the TOEFL test environment can be noisy and uncomfortable since you listen to pre-recorded questions and speak into a microphone in a room filled with other people. You also have a fixed time limit while the IELTS is more flexible.
The other thing to consider is the type of questions themselves. The biggest problem with the TOEFL speaking for some people is that it may be difficult to catch the ideas in the integrated speaking questions. That said, the TOEFL speaking questions are not as complex. IELTS questions can become quite sophisticated in part 3.

Listening 聽力考試

IELTS and the TOEFL iBT differ in question types, format, content, length and accent. First, in the iBT all questions are multi-choice format, checking or matching. IELTS, on the other hand, has a wider range of question types and it often asks you to write exactly the words you hear. Spelling is critical.
In the iBT test, apart from the first part, all are lectures or mini-lectures. While IELTS has a conversation in Part 1, a monologue on a topic of general interest in Part 2, a 2-4 person discussion in an academic context in Part 3 and a simplified lecture in Part 4.
As for accents, IELTS prides itself on the fact that it has a real range including British, Australian, and North American, while in the iBT students will hear British, American, and Canadian. Length also differs with the IELTS being considerably shorter at 30-40 minutes + 10 minutes transfer time while the iBT will be between 60-90 minutes since ETS (the test developer) may try out a new test on the tester.
Regarding content, TOEFL listenings tend to be more academically specialized. They are more likely to ask questions about cells, and molecular biology. Although IELTS listenings are also academic, they tend to be more general. The main reason why people find IELTS listenings difficult is that they require you to write down words and phrases, which is difficult because usually the keywords are synonyms or paraphrased AND you have to spell correctly! Finally, if you are used to American English, you will find the IELTS test to be a little more challenging just because of the wider range of accents.

Reading 閱讀考試

Interestingly, the IELTS and iBT reading sections are fairly similar. You will face 3 readings in the IELTS and 3-5 in the iBT – again because of ETS’ testing policy. this also means the iBT is longer at 60-90 minutes compared to the IELTS’ 60. There are a greater range of question types in IELTS including multi-choice, writing words, matching, summarizing, Yes / No / Not Given and others. The iBT tends to have more multi-choice questions. It also has checking and matching questions along with some questions that test a students awareness of a passage’s organization.
Again, the main difference is in the format of the questions. Again, the IELTS requires a much better control over your language. Some of the tasks require you to understand what types of words (verb, noun, adjective etc) could possibly fit in a space. There are also some challenging tasks – especially the Yes / No / Not Given questions! In other words, if you have a very strong passive vocabulary (you can understand the basic meanings of many words) and are good at eliminating options then TOEFL will be better for you. That said, if you have a wider general awareness of language and reading then you will understand more of the IELTS reading as the TOEFL iBT is more subject specific.
This is the part where the two exams differ the most. The TOEFL iBt requires an integrated writing task and a simple (independent) essay task while IELTS requires students to write one essay and one report based on visual information. Both are challenging and difficult in different ways.
Looking at the standard essay types first, in both cases, students are asked to write a formal essay in response to a prompt.
IELTS prompt types:
- Present and support an opinion (agree/disagree)
- Discuss problems/solutions
- Weigh two arguments
- Compare advantages and disadvantages
TOEFL prompt types
- Present and support an opinion (agree/disagree)
- Explain a preference
- Comparison and contrast
- Description and evaluation
- If / Imaginary
Generally, TOEFL questions are much easier to understand than IELTS questions. TOEFL questions need to be a little longer at 300 words to IELTS 250.
The IELTS (Academic) Task 1 question type is the one that gives many students trouble. Here, they are asked to describe a piece of factual information such as a table, chart, or process in 150 words. Students often find it difficult to work out exactly what they are supposed to be writing.
The iBT Integrated Essay is very different. Students need to listen to a speaker and read a short article that either supports or contradicts the speaker. They then need to write a short report summarizing the key points presented
The TOEFL integrated task is difficult since you need to read and listen and make notes about what you hear before writing. This can be difficult for students. However, it is balanced by the second writing task which is often much easier to understand than IELTS writing topics! In fact, the writing is nearly always the most challenging section for IELTS students, Not only do you have to master a wide range of writing styles for Task 1 where you have to describe data, you also lose marks in IELTS if you do not directly answer the question. This is a common problem!
It is also important to think about some practical matters. You currently need to handwriteyour writing in IELTS while you use a computer in the iBT. Timing is also important. In the IELTS test, you have longer and the time is more flexible. You have 60 minutes and the student is able to divide the time as they wish. In contrast, in the iBT you only have 20 minutes to complete the first task and then 30 minutes to complete the second task.

So which is better? 哪一個考試較適合我？

It really depends, both are very widely accepted and they cost about the same. The real issue is if you feel that you will do better in one format or the other. For example, if you have terrible spelling, you WILL score lower in the IELTS Listening test. On the other hand, if you are a weak speaker and need a bit of help, then the IELTS speaking format will help. So, it is up to you!
What ever your decision, good luck with your test!

雅思不懂單字也能閱讀

Reading IELTS articles is hard because there are a lot of complex or unusual phrases.
1. Read the article once. Look at the highlighted words phrases in yellow. Try to match them with the choices under each paragraph. Note: the word form may be different! This is a close meaning to help your reading comprehension.

2. Read the article again. This time try to answer the comprehension questions the end.

3. Exploit the article. Don’t just do the questions and move on! There is a lot of language in an article you can use to develop. Notice how these phrases were used. Write them out again in your own sentences in a summary of the article.

You can print the original article here.

Thaliaceans and the carbon cycle
The jelly cycle
May 21st 2009
From The Economist print edition

A hitherto unknown way of burying carbon at the bottom of the sea

Swim or sink
A
IN 2006 Mario Lebrato and Daniel Jones of the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton, England, were using a remotely operated deep-sea vehicle to study the sea floor near an oil pipeline off Côte d’Ivoire. What they found surprised them. It was a thaliacean graveyard. And its discovery throws into question1 the received wisdom about2 one important aspect of climate change, namely how much carbon from the atmosphere ends up at the bottom of the sea.
1.
A) challenges
B) criticizes
C) changes
2.
A) what people are told
B) what most people believe
C) what wise people think
B
Despite their unfamiliarity to most people, thaliaceans (a colony of which is pictured) are abundant creatures in many parts of the ocean. Their bodies are transparent and gelatinous3, like those of jellyfish. They are not jellyfish, though. They are actually chordates—in other words, part of the same group of animals as humans, even though they do not have backbones. The thaliacean graveyard off Côte d’Ivoire came as a surprise because not much was known at the time about what happens to animals with gelatinous bodies, whether chordates or jellyfish, after they have died. And it set Mr Lebrato and Dr Jones thinking4, because if thaliaceans are falling to the bottom of the sea in large numbers, they might be taking a lot of carbon with them5.
3.
A) solid and rigid
B) milky and firm
C) clear and squishy
4.
A) started … thinking
B) encouraged … to think
C) stopped … from thinking
5.
A) encouraging carbon to move to the sea floor
B) carrying the carbon in their dead bodies to the sea floor
C) preventing the carbon from reaching the sea floor
C
Until then gelatinous animals had largely been ignored by researchers studying the carbon cycle (the way that element moves through land, sea, air and living creatures) because gelatinous bodies were thought to contain a lot of water and thus relatively little carbon6. However, as Mr Lebrato and Dr Jones report in Limnology and Oceanography, when they analysed thaliacean tissues7 they found that the creatures were one-third carbon by weight. That was much more than they expected. Jellyfish, by comparison, are 10% carbon, and diatoms (single-celled algae that are common in plankton) 20%. It also helps explain why thaliaceans are so dense8—and thus sink so quickly after they die.
6.
A) very little carbon
B) a similar amount of carbon as water
C) not much carbon compared to the amount of water
7.
A) bones
B) the liquids in the body
C) skin, flesh etc.
8.
A) heavy
B) firm
C) common
D
Hitherto9 it was assumed that the main way carbon gets from the top to the bottom of the ocean was as part of dead planktonic algae sinking to the seabed. But the discovery of just how carbon-rich10 and prone to11 sinking thaliaceans are may change that assumption. Because they gather by the billion in feeding swarms around the world (they eat single-celled algae), the amount of carbon thaliaceans are taking to the bottom of the sea is by no means trivial12, according to Mr Lebrato. He admits it is difficult to make accurate comparisons, because the research is still in its infancy13. But he estimates that the “jelly pump”, as he refers to it, sinks almost twice as much carbon as algae do.
9.
A) Before this
B) Recently
C) A long time ago
10.
A) no carbon
B) some carbon
C) lots of carbon
11.
A) rarely
B) sometimes
C) tends to
12.
A) it is small
B) it is significant
C) it is large
13.
A) beginning
B) mature
C) old news
E
The question is, does that carbon stay down once it has arrived? That is unclear. The one sure way14 of keeping carbon on the seabed is in the form of calcium carbonate, the main ingredient of most animal shells. But thaliaceans have no shells. Nevertheless, some thaliaceans get buried before they have completely decomposed, and other researchers have found evidence that dead jellyfish sometimes accumulate15 in trenches without much decomposition, so perhaps thaliaceans do, too.
14.
A) One of several methods
B) We can’t be sure which method
C) There is only one 100% method
15.
A) fall apart
B) grow in amount
C) stay in one piece
F
Even if the carbon is not permanently buried, the lack of mixing16 between deep and shallow water in the ocean means that it is likely to stay down there for a long time—something that will have to be added to computer models of how the climate works. The carbon cycle has thus acquired another epicycle, and become even more complicated to understand than it was.
16.
A) it never combines
B) it often mixes
C) it is mostly separate
Copyright © 2009 The Economist Newspaper and The Economist Group. All rights reserved.

Comprehension Questions

Note: These are not IELTS style questions. They are just to check your understanding of each paragraph. Answers are below.

Paragraph A
Q1. How has the discovery changed scientists’ theories on climate change?

Paragraph B
Q2. How are thaliaceans different from Jellyfish?
Q3. Before the discovery of the graveyard, what did scientists probably believe about the numbers of thaliaceans?

Paragraph C
Q4. Why hadn’t climate change scientists previously thought about thaliaceans?

Paragraph D
Q5. How did scientists used to believe carbon was transported to the bottom of the sea?
Q6. Compared to algae, to what extent do thaliaceans affect the carbon cycle?

Paragraph E
Q7. Is there evidence that the carbon from thaliaceans remains on the sea floor?

Paragraph F
Q8. Why is it clear that more carbon is stored in the ocean than previously thought?
Q9. After this discovery, what do scientists know about the carbon cycle?


Vocabulary Guessing Answers
1 A
2 B
3 C
4 A
5 B
6 C
7 C
8 A
9 A
10 C
11 C
12 B
13 A
14 C
15 B
16 C


Reading comprehension answers
1 They have to re-calculate how much carbon from the atmosphere is stored on the sea floor.
2 They have backbones.
3 That their numbers were small.
4 That their bodies contained mainly water and very little carbon.
5 That it was carried down to the sea floor by the bodies of dead planktonic algae.
6 They affect it twice as much because they carry twice as much carbon to the bottom of the sea.
7 No. But scientists guess that it does because they have found the buried bodies of jellyfish, which still haven’t decomposed.          
8 Because even if the bodes of thaliaceans do decompose in the water. Deep water usually stays separate from shallow water, and therefore it is not released into the atmosphere.
9 It is more than they previously thought.

I hope this helps!
Please let me know what you think of this exercise. Email me or comment.

【學員Ling推薦】流利英語學習最有趣

學如逆水行舟，不進則退。這句話就驗證在我這個上班族身上，因此去年決定好好的加強自己的語言能力。流利英語學院不同於其他英語補習班的大班制，通常一班不會超過十位學員，因此上課時老師可以兼顧到每位學生，這點很不同於大班制。
流利英語學院的教學方式是：針對每一小單元結束後都會有小測驗，讓我可以知道這幾週當中自己的學習狀況；課堂上的任何問題都可以即時發問，老師也會立即回應。課堂上也不會只有教授課本上的內容，老師有時會準備一些英文小遊戲，透過這些有趣的小遊戲來測驗我們的文法、發音或增廣見聞，例如：澳洲的綿羊比人多、世界上最多英節的單字是哪個國家……等等。很不同於我在校園裡接觸的英文課，讓我學習英文越學越有興趣。
學員背景：忙碌的上班族加上母親，英文目標想學習到B1以上。
上課班級：聽說讀寫初中級班、聽說讀寫中級班
上課期間：2013年7月~迄今。

【學員Samantha推薦】流利英語最棒的選擇

很開心能到流利學習英文，在這裡有親切的職員，會時常關心我的學習的狀況，而且更有優秀的外籍老師幫助我，讓我每次上完課後，英文能力又往上提升了，並且不斷的進步。流利所使用的教材我很喜歡，因為課本除了內容有趣之外，教材還提供了線上的學習的平台，讓我不管是下班後或是休假在家，也一樣可以持續練習並增進我的英文能力。
如果想要好好的學習英文，來流利是明智的選擇!! ^^