PTE

Understanding Reading Comprehension

 Aug 17 2017    |   Category: Quiz , TOEFL , IELTS , GRE , PTE
One of the most troublesome sections in English exams is reading comprehension. The challenge is that most of us are not used to reading, let alone reading with full concentration. If you are looking for a 'tip' to improve your RC performance, here it is - read more often. It does not sound much like a tip, but you will be surprised at how beneficial following the tip can be. Putting in an effort to read, for even 30 minutes each day, can dramatically improve your levels of concentration and und

There or Their?

 Feb 04 2020    |   Category: IELTS , OET , PTE , TOEFL , Quiz
We at First Academy have the fortune of learning on the job. As teachers of English, we are naturally among the first to encounter the most common mistakes people make and encounter them on a regular basis. The one mistake that usually takes the cake is the difficulty most people face in understanding the difference between there, they’re (they are) and their.Here is a short primer on what these words mean and how to use them correctly. Be it IELTS or PTE or CELPIP or any other English test wh

IELTS Band 9 sample 1 - Task 2

 Mar 10 2020    |   Category: TOEFL , PTE , IELTS
Question 1 Many newspapers and magazines feature stories about the private lives of famous people. We know what they eat, where they buy their clothes and who they love. We also often see pictures of them in private situations. Is it appropriate for a magazine or newspaper to give this kind of private information about people?Give reasons for your answer. Write at least 250 words. The purpose of newspapers, as their name suggests, is to present news. The issue however, is how th

IELTS Band 9 sample 2 - Task 2

 Mar 10 2020    |   Category: TOEFL , PTE , IELTS
Question 2 More and more qualified people are moving from poor to rich countries to fill vacancies in specialist areas like engineering, computing and medicine. Some people believe that by encouraging the movement of such people, rich countries are stealing from poor countries. Others feel that this is only part of the natural movement of workers around the world. Which viewpoint do you agree with? Why? Write at least 250 words Here is an analysis of the question The

IELTS Band 9 sample 3 - Task 2

 Mar 12 2020    |   Category: IELTS , PTE , TOEFL
Question #3 Climate change is a phenomenon that affects countries all over the world. Many people strongly believe that it is the responsibility of individuals, rather than corporations and governments, to deal with this problem. To what extent do you agree? Write at least 250 words Here is an analysis of the question The questions asks about the extent of your agreement. It could be partly, fully, not at all, or anything else that falls between those. Remember The ques


Matching – Listening Exercise

 Dec 06 2017    |   Category: IELTS , OET , PTE , TOEFL
To listen to the audio click onto this link : https://firstacademy.in/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Matching-Lists.mp3?_=1

Modifiers Quiz 1

 Dec 04 2017    |   Category: IELTS , OET , PTE , TOEFL , SSC CGL
A modifier is a word, phrase, or clause which functions as an adjective or an adverb to describe a word or make its meaning more specific. It is one of the most common errors students commit in tests that include a writing module. Take this short quiz to know where you stand. Good Luck!

Grammar and Sentence Structure Test

 Nov 24 2017    |   Category: IELTS , PTE , TOEFL , Quiz
Wondering about what the right phrase would be in the context? This quiz is for you. Be it for speaking in the IELTS test, or understanding the meaning of a piece of written text, knowing how subtle differences in usage can alter meaning can be vital.

Listening Test 1 – Difficulty: High

 Aug 17 2017    |   Category: IELTS , PTE , TOEFL , Quiz
The listening test contains multiple choice questions. As with most multiple choice questions in most listening tests, the answer options will have words and phrases that are a part of the conversation. This is a [tooltip tip=”Done on purpose; intentional; planned”]deliberate[/tooltip] measure to force candidates to focus on the understanding of the passage rather than marking an answer based on words or sounds of words that have been heard. As always, read the instructions thoroughly before

Writing Better

 Jul 06 2018    |   Category: IELTS , PTE
Writing. What can be said about it? We can all write, but how well we write is usually determined, at least for those that are planning to immigrate into Canada or Australia, by what you score in your IELTS. For many, the excruciating experience of being stuck at a 6.5 in writing while waltzing through every other section of IELTS is something that will remain a painful memory.For those of us who wish to erase this memory or build up on our failures, the first step is to be able to write clearly

Speaking Part 2 – IELTS

 Apr 08 2018    |   Category: IELTS , PTE , TOEFL
🗣️Speaking Part 2 – Talking about an event from your life This post gives you an idea of what you could do in the IELTS speaking section, with specific focus on how to handle a cure card that requires you to talk about an event from your life.  Note: While this is more in tune with the IELTS test, you can use many of the pointers to help you with speaking in other tests like the PTE and TOEFL!  Here are the pointers 💡Get some ideas by asking yourself Who? What? Where? When? a

Active and Passive Voice – For Writing and Speaking

 Mar 13 2018    |   Category: IELTS , PTE , TOEFL , Quiz
Active to passive conversions (or vice versa) are more than a grammar exercise that we do in school. While we are never taught the purpose of these conversions, knowing how to convert a sentence from active to passive and back is essential for being able to score well on the ‘Grammatical Range’ parameter of tests like PTE, IELTS, OET, and TOEFL. Grammatical range looks at the variety of sentences you can construct to convey precise meanings and opinions. This is helpful not just in t

Word Usage Quiz

 Feb 19 2018    |   Category: GRE , IELTS , PTE , Quiz
The picture was inspired by a quote by Jack London

Parallel Structures

 Feb 07 2018    |   Category: GRE , IELTS , PTE , TOEFL , Quiz
If there is proof that certain aspects of English appeal to the aesthete, it is parallel structures. Parallel structures can make what you write and what you say memorable. If you closely observe most the quotable quotes, you will start noticing that most of them have parallel structure hidden in them. Take a look at this for instance:So, how are these relevant to IELTS, GRE, or PTE coaching? For language tests, they will help you get a better score in speaking and writing. And in tests like GRE

Collocations – Explanation and Quiz

 Jan 31 2018    |   Category: GRE , IELTS , PTE
Collocation A collocation is two or more words that often go together. Strong collocations are word pairings that are expected to come together Collocation Examples Here are some examples of common collocations: feel free come prepared make progress curly hair It is important to be able to fluently use collocations in tests like IELTS and PTE. In more advanced tests like the GRE, the ability to understand and identify collocations is necessary to pick the right answer. Here i

Subject Verb Agreement Test 1

 Dec 27 2017    |   Category: IELTS , OET , PTE , SSC CGL , Quiz
Now, for the quiz. If you are taking the quiz on a mobile, click below (it will open in a nice pop-up window that is unobtrusive)  Mobile Quiz  If you wish to take the quiz on the desktop, here you are:

Words, Speaking, Reading and More!

 Mar 18 2019    |   Category: GRE , IELTS , PTE , TOEFL , SSC CGL
1. What is the purpose of this audio file? 2. Why is there a text transcript? Instructions listen to the tape, then listen to the tape as you read the text note down the words you do not know figure out what they mean observe voice modulation record yourself reading the same thing notice the difference Yayy!

Reading Comprehension – Sample Questions

 Mar 16 2019    |   Category: General Interest , IELTS , PTE , Quiz
This quiz has 10 questions. The suggested completion time is 20 minutes. The quiz is NOT timed.THE NEXT STEP IN BRAIN EVOLUTION Emily Feld is a native of a new planet. While the 20-year-old university student may appear to live in London, she actually spends much of her time in another galaxy – in the digital universe of websites, e-mails, smart phones and social networking sites. The behavior of Emily and her generation, say experts, is being shaped by digital technology as never before.

Sentence Variety – 1

 Sep 30 2018    |   Category: GRE , IELTS , PTE
In this series, we are going to explore one of themes that has been less explored than other aspects of language – sentence variety. No matter which exam you are taking, understanding sentence variety becomes very important. If you are taking IELTS or PTE for that matter, sentence variety becomes vital in writing. They are both tests of language and hence expect you to be able to use different sentence structure while writing. On the other hand, tests like the GRE look at your ability to under

Reading Write!

 Sep 02 2018    |   Category: GRE , IELTS , PTE , Quiz
Do you want to Read for your IELTS and GRE right? Sometimes, small differences in a sentence can make huge differences. Understanding this is a vital aspect of any language. If you are here, and are reading this, you are in all probability looking to take an exam that tests your proficiency in English (IELTS, GRE, etc), or are looking for material to train students for such tests.  The changes in sentence structure often change the part of speech a word belongs to. Let us look at a garden p

So, you think you can connect with me?

 Jul 20 2018    |   Category: IELTS , OET , PTE
Coherence and Cohesion is one of the parameters of evaluation for writing. Since the name sounds good, most are swept up in the charm of the name and hence do not bother to figure out what it means and how it can affect their score. Coherence is about the logical flow of information. It is about unity. About how your essay sounds as a whole. Look at the following sequence of sentences:  Bats are the only mammals capable of flight. Mammals are animals that have hair and external ears. Man is

Writing Better Part 3

 Apr 03 2019    |   Category: GRE , IELTS , PTE , TOEFL , Quiz
This quiz is the third installment of our eight part series focusing on sentence variety. Hope you find it enlightening! For those of you who have missed the first two tests, the links are at the page below!InstructionsFor the questions in the set, complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given.Here is an example:  It's true that the company might go into liquidation if it's not careful. DANGER  There is a danger of the company

Listening Test – Challenging

 Mar 31 2019    |   Category: IELTS , OET , PTE
Short Listening 2Play the audio file and answer questions as you listen. In the actual test, you will not be allowed to pause or rewind the tape. Try following the same rules here too! Remember, the questions are not easy. Read the questions and the answer options at least once before you play the audio tape!  Audio Player : https://firstacademy.in/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Art_Listening.mp3?_=1 For question or clarifications, you can always reach out to us at www.firstacademy.in



Few vs. A Few

 Mar 25 2019    |   Category: GRE , IELTS , OET , PTE , Quiz



Sentence Variety – 2

 Mar 19 2019    |   Category: GRE , IELTS , PTE , Quiz
Be it for IELTS, GRE, OET, or any other test you wish to take, knowing words is only one very small part of the fight. If you want to be better than most, you need to be able to both understand and construct a variety of sentences. This quiz looks at your ability to use words in different contexts (GRE) and your ability to construct different sentences with the same meaning (IELTS). Take this quiz and see how you score! If you are new here, and want to look at the earlier test, you can take

The Understanding Series – Part 2 – Another vs. Other

 May 10 2019    |   Category: GRE , IELTS , OET , PTE , Quiz
In the second part of the series, we will look at use of Another and Other, and along the way also take a look at use of Articles. Most of us already know that A and An are articles to indicate non specific nouns, while the is used for specific nouns. Extending from this, Another simply is the combination of the two words an and other. So, when we are using Another or other, it means we are looking at nonspecific noun.  Ex: This pen is not writing well. Give me another. (Any other pen) Howe

OET Writing – 6 Tips to Get an A

 May 02 2019    |   Category: IELTS , OET , PTE , TOEFL
This article is details 6 pointers which will help you score high on the OET writing subtest. 1. Who are you writing to? ❔ The answer to this question has the potential to completely change the geography of the letter you are going to write. Are you writing to a doctor or a caretaker or a nurse? If you are writing to a doctor, are you writing to a general physician, or a gynaecologist, or a neurologist? Understanding this will give you an understanding of what to look for in the case notes.

Understanding Stuff Better – Interpreting Language

 May 02 2019    |   Category: GRE , IELTS , OET , PTE
There are several seemingly simple words and expressions that test takers regularly encounter. Seemingly because these words have different meanings in different contexts. Understanding what these mean and when can mean the difference between selecting a right answer and being saddled with a lower than expected score. Take for instance the following expressions: Here are a few common words that are used in questions and reading comprehension passages. Take a look:

Understanding Reading Texts

 Apr 26 2019    |   Category: GRE , IELTS , OET , PTE , TOEFL , Quiz
Reading in the IELTS, GRE, PTE, OET, TOEFL tests is not about reading aloud but being able to understand the texts. Sometimes understanding texts can be difficult due to unfamiliar words or challenging sentence structure.There are various reasons why words might be  unfamiliar to a reader. One of them could be culture. An American, for instance, might not immediately figure out what lorry is, since Americans use the word truck. The same goes with biscuits and cookies. This could be a hurd

Paraphrase – Understanding – 🎧

 Apr 25 2019    |   Category: IELTS , OET , PTE , TOEFL , Quiz
The test is in 4 Parts. Answer the questions as you listen. Fill in the answers in the blanks below!Audio : https://firstacademy.in/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Paraphrase-Listening.mp3?_=1The full PDF of the test is available here:  https://firstacademy.in/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/FULL-LISTENING-TEST.pdf