COVET (v.)
To strongly desire; to crave
What do Lord Voldemort (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows), The Wicked Witch of the West (Wizard of Oz), and Megatron (Transjorme1•s) all have in common? All three are villains who COVET something they can't have but desperately want. Lord Voldemort COVETS the Elder Wand, the Wicked Witch of the West COVETS Dorothy's Ruby Slippers, and Megatron COVETS the All Spark.
Quick Quiz
Their play has won many awards, including three highly coveted royal television society awards. This sentence implies that the royal television society awards —---------.
A. can be easily won
B. are given to non-artistic works
C. are valued in artistic circles
Answer: C
@ibtil
To strongly desire; to crave
What do Lord Voldemort (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows), The Wicked Witch of the West (Wizard of Oz), and Megatron (Transjorme1•s) all have in common? All three are villains who COVET something they can't have but desperately want. Lord Voldemort COVETS the Elder Wand, the Wicked Witch of the West COVETS Dorothy's Ruby Slippers, and Megatron COVETS the All Spark.
Quick Quiz
Their play has won many awards, including three highly coveted royal television society awards. This sentence implies that the royal television society awards —---------.
A. can be easily won
B. are given to non-artistic works
C. are valued in artistic circles
Answer: C
@ibtil
Reading Passage with New Words: Make sure to look up the new words:
@aalaeeTOEFLiBT
Appalling: dreadful: shocking: horrendous
Undermine: weaken
Condemn: censure: denounce
Bland: tasteless: insipid
Skeptic: doubter: cynic
Contend: state: argue
Contemplate: consider
Harassment: annoyance
Boisterous: noisy: lively
Elicit: provoke: stimulate: obtain: bring about
Belligerent: aggressive: quarrelsome
Articulate(v.): state: utter
Flamboyant: showy: flashy
Elated: thrilled: overjoyed
Concise: short: terse
Emulate: imitate
Thwart: hinder: obstruct: stop
Jackie Robinson, Baseball Hero
As incredible as it may seem today, at one time African Americans were forbidden to play baseball in the major leagues. The ban was first broken by Jackie Robinson, a star athlete from the “Negro Leagues” who went on to enrich major league baseball with his exciting and competitive style. This is Robinson’s story, but as you read it, you should also think of Satchel Paige, “Smokey” Joe Williams, Rube and Willie Foster, Josh Gibson, Cool Papa Bell, “Bullet” Joe Rogan, and other African American greats who were long denied the chance to play major league baseball.
Almost sixty years ago, a quiet man made baseball history. In 1947 Jackie Robinson became the first African American to play major league baseball in the twentieth century. He bravely faced appalling persecution and helped undermine racial prejudice in the United States.
Jackie Robinson “broke the color line.” For years before Robinson’s brave act, blacks could not play in the majors. Although they had their own leagues, the games were not well publicized. So, although many black players were as good as, or better than, white major league players, blacks were condemned to receive almost no national attention.
But in 1947, the Dodgers’ management made a historic decision to sign an African-American player—Jackie Robinson. The team issued a purposely bland announcement: “The Brooklyn Dodgers today purchased the contract of Jackie Roosevelt Robinson from the Montreal Royals.”
The baseball world reacted strongly. Some applauded the move to end discrimination. Skeptics, though, predicted disaster.
How could an African American succeed in white baseball? Some critics contended that Robinson would never be able to live peacefully with white teammates or tolerate the insults of fans. Still others doubted Robinson’s ability as a baseball player.
All the doubters were wrong. The Dodgers’ general manager, Branch Rickey, had contemplated the problems before he acted. Rickey ensured Robinson’s success in the major leagues by working with him on how to respond to harassment. “Hey,” he would say, impersonating a hotel clerk. “You can’t eat here.” He imitated a prejudiced white ballplayer and charged into Robinson, saying, “Next time get out of my way, you bastard.” Robinson was puzzled. Rickey explained, “I’m looking for a ballplayer with guts enough not to fight back. Those boisterous crowds will insult you, harass you, do anything to make you start a fight. And if you fight back, they’ll say, ‘Blacks don’t belong in baseball.’ ”
Of all the struggles Robinson was to have, the hardest one would be to keep calm in the face of insults. Nobody would be able to elicit an outburst from Jackie Robinson. This fiercely proud man, who had refused to sit in the back of an army bus, found the ultimate courage—the courage to be quiet.
In the 1947 season, Robinson was to face trouble that would have defeated a lesser man. Roars of “Go home!” and “Kill him!” were heard from belligerent crowd members. Robinson was hit in the head by more “beanballing” pitchers than any other player in the major leagues.
Sometimes it became too much for his friends. Robinson’s teammate Pee Wee Reese once challenged some harassers by shouting at them to take on somebody who could fight back. But Robinson never articulated his grievances publicly.
@aalaeeTOEFLiBT
Appalling: dreadful: shocking: horrendous
Undermine: weaken
Condemn: censure: denounce
Bland: tasteless: insipid
Skeptic: doubter: cynic
Contend: state: argue
Contemplate: consider
Harassment: annoyance
Boisterous: noisy: lively
Elicit: provoke: stimulate: obtain: bring about
Belligerent: aggressive: quarrelsome
Articulate(v.): state: utter
Flamboyant: showy: flashy
Elated: thrilled: overjoyed
Concise: short: terse
Emulate: imitate
Thwart: hinder: obstruct: stop
Jackie Robinson, Baseball Hero
As incredible as it may seem today, at one time African Americans were forbidden to play baseball in the major leagues. The ban was first broken by Jackie Robinson, a star athlete from the “Negro Leagues” who went on to enrich major league baseball with his exciting and competitive style. This is Robinson’s story, but as you read it, you should also think of Satchel Paige, “Smokey” Joe Williams, Rube and Willie Foster, Josh Gibson, Cool Papa Bell, “Bullet” Joe Rogan, and other African American greats who were long denied the chance to play major league baseball.
Almost sixty years ago, a quiet man made baseball history. In 1947 Jackie Robinson became the first African American to play major league baseball in the twentieth century. He bravely faced appalling persecution and helped undermine racial prejudice in the United States.
Jackie Robinson “broke the color line.” For years before Robinson’s brave act, blacks could not play in the majors. Although they had their own leagues, the games were not well publicized. So, although many black players were as good as, or better than, white major league players, blacks were condemned to receive almost no national attention.
But in 1947, the Dodgers’ management made a historic decision to sign an African-American player—Jackie Robinson. The team issued a purposely bland announcement: “The Brooklyn Dodgers today purchased the contract of Jackie Roosevelt Robinson from the Montreal Royals.”
The baseball world reacted strongly. Some applauded the move to end discrimination. Skeptics, though, predicted disaster.
How could an African American succeed in white baseball? Some critics contended that Robinson would never be able to live peacefully with white teammates or tolerate the insults of fans. Still others doubted Robinson’s ability as a baseball player.
All the doubters were wrong. The Dodgers’ general manager, Branch Rickey, had contemplated the problems before he acted. Rickey ensured Robinson’s success in the major leagues by working with him on how to respond to harassment. “Hey,” he would say, impersonating a hotel clerk. “You can’t eat here.” He imitated a prejudiced white ballplayer and charged into Robinson, saying, “Next time get out of my way, you bastard.” Robinson was puzzled. Rickey explained, “I’m looking for a ballplayer with guts enough not to fight back. Those boisterous crowds will insult you, harass you, do anything to make you start a fight. And if you fight back, they’ll say, ‘Blacks don’t belong in baseball.’ ”
Of all the struggles Robinson was to have, the hardest one would be to keep calm in the face of insults. Nobody would be able to elicit an outburst from Jackie Robinson. This fiercely proud man, who had refused to sit in the back of an army bus, found the ultimate courage—the courage to be quiet.
In the 1947 season, Robinson was to face trouble that would have defeated a lesser man. Roars of “Go home!” and “Kill him!” were heard from belligerent crowd members. Robinson was hit in the head by more “beanballing” pitchers than any other player in the major leagues.
Sometimes it became too much for his friends. Robinson’s teammate Pee Wee Reese once challenged some harassers by shouting at them to take on somebody who could fight back. But Robinson never articulated his grievances publicly.
Instead, Robinson gained revenge in another way. To the amazement of his critics, he succeeded brilliantly in the major leagues. Although not a flamboyant man, it was apparent that he was a marvelous ballplayer. In his first year in the majors, he achieved a batting average of .297, the team high, and was named Rookie of the Year. In his ten years in baseball, his superior playing helped his team win the pennant six times. He must have been elated when he was elected the first black
member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Robinson is perhaps best remembered for his daring base stealing. Sleepy pitchers had to beware, for Robinson could steal a base at a moment’s notice. As he ran from base to base, he confused infielders into making mistakes and losing control of the ball.
A fellow player gave a concise description of Robinson as “a hard out.” He stole home base eleven times! Although many have tried to emulate him, this feat has
never been equaled. In his later years Robinson became ill with diabetes. Although he left baseball, he never stopped fighting for a just society. He championed civil
rights and made investments to help build good housing in slums. Jackie Robinson’s name lives on in history. We all owe a debt to a brave man who bore the burdens of a prejudiced society. No one could thwart the ambitions of this great baseball player and civil rights pioneer.
@aalaeeTOEFLiBT
Source: The World of Words
Vocabulary for College Success
By: Margaret Ann Richek
Northeastern Illinois University
member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Robinson is perhaps best remembered for his daring base stealing. Sleepy pitchers had to beware, for Robinson could steal a base at a moment’s notice. As he ran from base to base, he confused infielders into making mistakes and losing control of the ball.
A fellow player gave a concise description of Robinson as “a hard out.” He stole home base eleven times! Although many have tried to emulate him, this feat has
never been equaled. In his later years Robinson became ill with diabetes. Although he left baseball, he never stopped fighting for a just society. He championed civil
rights and made investments to help build good housing in slums. Jackie Robinson’s name lives on in history. We all owe a debt to a brave man who bore the burdens of a prejudiced society. No one could thwart the ambitions of this great baseball player and civil rights pioneer.
@aalaeeTOEFLiBT
Source: The World of Words
Vocabulary for College Success
By: Margaret Ann Richek
Northeastern Illinois University
سلام. من ساعت 9 صبح 28 فوریه در مرکز کریمخان سازمان سنجش امتحان دادم.
کلیات آزمون:
• کلاً همه چیز منظم و خوب برگزار شد و در کل سنتر منظمی بود. مسئولین سنجش آدمای مودبی بودن با این حال خیلی به رعایت قوانین ETS سخت میگرفتن مثلاً مدارکو چندین و چند بار اول و وسط آزمون کنترل کردن و میومدن بالاسر بچه ها. با این اهل کرم ریختن و اذیت الکی نبودن.
• تا ساعت 8:30 پذیرش نداشتن وکسی رو راه نمیدادن داخل.
• به مدرک شناسایی خیلی خیلی حساسیت داشتن. شناسنامه و کارت ملی قدیمی رو گیر میدادن با این حال به یه خانمی اجازه دادن بره سر جلسه تا باباش پاسپورتشو بیاره!
• مراقب به تعداد کافی بود و اگه مشکلی داشتیم سریع رسیدگی میکردن.
• خوراکی هیچی داخل سالن مجاز نبود ولی چون قبل امتحان کمد میدادن می تونستیم آب معدنی یا خوراکیمونو وسط BREAK بخوریم. به علاوه خودشون هم برای همه ساندیس کیک گذاشته بودن.
• هدست بر خلاف انتظارم هم صدای خوب و مناسبی داشت و هم راحت بود. کلن چیدمان سالن و فاصله ها هم خوبه.
• قبل این که آزمون شروع بشه باید یه فرم تعهدنامه ETS رو کامل می کردیم که یه قسمتش هم باید متن تعهد رد رونویسی کرد تا بذارن آزمون بدیم.
• قبل از شروع آزمون موسیقی ملایم پخش کردن!
• مشکلی از لحاظ برگه دادن نبود. به علاوه واسه هر دو اسکیل میشد سه تا برگه گرفت.
• برای تنظیم میکروفون اول آزمون بهتره تند تند صحبت کنید( مثلا جملات روی صفحه) و مکس نباشه وگرنه هی ایراد میگیره.
• خودکار بود ولی میذاشتن ببریم.
READING@aalaeeTOEFLiBT
• ظاهراً که متن ها خیلی پیچیده نبود.
• فونت امتحان بزرگتر از TPO ها هست که اولش ممکنه آدمو بترسونه ولی در عمل همون اندازه مطلب داره.
• VOCAB عجیب غریب نداشت که نشه حدس زد. خیلیا تکراری بودن مثل SURELY و VIGOROUS و AFTERMATH جدید بود ولی میشد از گزینه ها حدس زد.
• موضوع متن ها یکی در مورد حشرات بود که چجوری بال بزنن که انرژی کمی بسوزونن. یکی در مورد صنعت پارچه تو اروپا بعد انقلاب صنعتی ( خیلی متنش شبیه TPO بود و با کلیتش آشنا بودم). یکی از بیولوژیکی بود که چجوری گونه ای جدید تو طبیعت ایجاد میشن.
• سولات خیلی دوپهلو نبود و اگه کسی با دقت رو سوالا وقت میذاشت کسی راحت و سریع میتونست جواب بده. من رسیدم هر سه تا متن رو کامل بخونم.
Listening@aalaeeTOEFLiBT
• مکالمه اول یه دانشجو بود که بیولوژی برداشته بود. اول فک میکرده علاقه نداره ولی بعدش دیده با وجود این که ریاضی دوست داره بیولوژی به دردش میخوره
• یکی از لکچرها بسیار سخت بود. در مورد این که آیا حیوونا دلشون برای هم میسوزه یا نه؟ و آزمایشی که روی میمون انجام دادن. از جزئیات و روش آزمایش خیلی دقیق ولی دو پهلو سوال یک و چند گزینه ای کرده بود.
• یکی دیگه از لکچرا در مورد فواید یه روش هسته ای برای تحلیل آثار باستانی بود.
• مکالمه دوم در مورد یه دانشجویی بود که ماشین دوستشو قرض کرده. چون طرح ترافیک نداشته پلیس دانشگاه ماشینشو برداشته برده حالا ناراحته.
• یه لکچر دیگه هم در مورد روش معادلی برای اندازه گیری مقدار زغال سنگو و پشم و چوب و ... محصولات پرکاربرد در انقلاب صنعتی تو انگلیس بود. یه بخشایی با یکی از ریدینگهای TPO مشابهت زیادی داست.
• بخش اکستند هم دقیقاً شبیه سوالای عمو تکراری بود.
SPEAKING@aalaeeTOEFLiBT
• موضوع سوال اول این بود که عیبهای درس خوندن تو یه شهر جدید رو بگید. تقریباً نزدیک بهش تو SUPER23 بود.
• سوال دوم یادم نمیاد ولی موضوعش در کل چالش برانگیز نبود.
• سوال سه در مورد یه پروفسور بود که چون قرار بود بره کنفرانس جاش یه سری محقق فرستاده بود سر کلاس. بچه ها مخالف بودن چون فکر میکردن بهتره تاریخ کلاسو عوض کنه و پیچوندن کلاس باعث میشه به مباحث مهم آخر ترم نرسن.
• سوال چهار در مورد ECONOMINC ON SCALE بود. یعنی یه چیزیون تو تعداد زیاد تولید کنن سودش بیشتره. مثالش در مورد یه مجله بود که اوش باید پول نویسنده و جا و اینا رو بده ولی بعد که معروف شد با همون قیمت اول تو تعداد زیاد به مردم میفروشه مجله رو و چون هزینه ای نویسنده و اینا خیلی تغییر نکرده کلن به نفعش تموم میشه.
• سوال پنج در مورد به خانمی بود که میخواست شب بره تولد دوستش رستوران ولی یادش افتاده بود که صبح باید بره یه دانشگاه دوردست مسابقه دو بده! می تونه بره مهمونی صبح تو اتوبوس بخوابه ولی اذیت میشه یا پاشه بره مهمونی ولی زود برگرده که البته دوستش ناراحت می شه به علاوه دلش هم تنگ شده و میخواد با دوستش وقت بگذرونه.
• سوال شیش موضوعش دو روش خواب زمستانی HIBERNATION برای حیوانات بود. یه سری ساعت بیولوژیکی دارن تو بدنشون آخرای تابستون میخوابن مثه یه سنجاب. سری دوم وقتی غذا کم باشه یه هوا سرد بشه فقط اینطوری میشن!
WRITING
کلیات آزمون:
• کلاً همه چیز منظم و خوب برگزار شد و در کل سنتر منظمی بود. مسئولین سنجش آدمای مودبی بودن با این حال خیلی به رعایت قوانین ETS سخت میگرفتن مثلاً مدارکو چندین و چند بار اول و وسط آزمون کنترل کردن و میومدن بالاسر بچه ها. با این اهل کرم ریختن و اذیت الکی نبودن.
• تا ساعت 8:30 پذیرش نداشتن وکسی رو راه نمیدادن داخل.
• به مدرک شناسایی خیلی خیلی حساسیت داشتن. شناسنامه و کارت ملی قدیمی رو گیر میدادن با این حال به یه خانمی اجازه دادن بره سر جلسه تا باباش پاسپورتشو بیاره!
• مراقب به تعداد کافی بود و اگه مشکلی داشتیم سریع رسیدگی میکردن.
• خوراکی هیچی داخل سالن مجاز نبود ولی چون قبل امتحان کمد میدادن می تونستیم آب معدنی یا خوراکیمونو وسط BREAK بخوریم. به علاوه خودشون هم برای همه ساندیس کیک گذاشته بودن.
• هدست بر خلاف انتظارم هم صدای خوب و مناسبی داشت و هم راحت بود. کلن چیدمان سالن و فاصله ها هم خوبه.
• قبل این که آزمون شروع بشه باید یه فرم تعهدنامه ETS رو کامل می کردیم که یه قسمتش هم باید متن تعهد رد رونویسی کرد تا بذارن آزمون بدیم.
• قبل از شروع آزمون موسیقی ملایم پخش کردن!
• مشکلی از لحاظ برگه دادن نبود. به علاوه واسه هر دو اسکیل میشد سه تا برگه گرفت.
• برای تنظیم میکروفون اول آزمون بهتره تند تند صحبت کنید( مثلا جملات روی صفحه) و مکس نباشه وگرنه هی ایراد میگیره.
• خودکار بود ولی میذاشتن ببریم.
READING@aalaeeTOEFLiBT
• ظاهراً که متن ها خیلی پیچیده نبود.
• فونت امتحان بزرگتر از TPO ها هست که اولش ممکنه آدمو بترسونه ولی در عمل همون اندازه مطلب داره.
• VOCAB عجیب غریب نداشت که نشه حدس زد. خیلیا تکراری بودن مثل SURELY و VIGOROUS و AFTERMATH جدید بود ولی میشد از گزینه ها حدس زد.
• موضوع متن ها یکی در مورد حشرات بود که چجوری بال بزنن که انرژی کمی بسوزونن. یکی در مورد صنعت پارچه تو اروپا بعد انقلاب صنعتی ( خیلی متنش شبیه TPO بود و با کلیتش آشنا بودم). یکی از بیولوژیکی بود که چجوری گونه ای جدید تو طبیعت ایجاد میشن.
• سولات خیلی دوپهلو نبود و اگه کسی با دقت رو سوالا وقت میذاشت کسی راحت و سریع میتونست جواب بده. من رسیدم هر سه تا متن رو کامل بخونم.
Listening@aalaeeTOEFLiBT
• مکالمه اول یه دانشجو بود که بیولوژی برداشته بود. اول فک میکرده علاقه نداره ولی بعدش دیده با وجود این که ریاضی دوست داره بیولوژی به دردش میخوره
• یکی از لکچرها بسیار سخت بود. در مورد این که آیا حیوونا دلشون برای هم میسوزه یا نه؟ و آزمایشی که روی میمون انجام دادن. از جزئیات و روش آزمایش خیلی دقیق ولی دو پهلو سوال یک و چند گزینه ای کرده بود.
• یکی دیگه از لکچرا در مورد فواید یه روش هسته ای برای تحلیل آثار باستانی بود.
• مکالمه دوم در مورد یه دانشجویی بود که ماشین دوستشو قرض کرده. چون طرح ترافیک نداشته پلیس دانشگاه ماشینشو برداشته برده حالا ناراحته.
• یه لکچر دیگه هم در مورد روش معادلی برای اندازه گیری مقدار زغال سنگو و پشم و چوب و ... محصولات پرکاربرد در انقلاب صنعتی تو انگلیس بود. یه بخشایی با یکی از ریدینگهای TPO مشابهت زیادی داست.
• بخش اکستند هم دقیقاً شبیه سوالای عمو تکراری بود.
SPEAKING@aalaeeTOEFLiBT
• موضوع سوال اول این بود که عیبهای درس خوندن تو یه شهر جدید رو بگید. تقریباً نزدیک بهش تو SUPER23 بود.
• سوال دوم یادم نمیاد ولی موضوعش در کل چالش برانگیز نبود.
• سوال سه در مورد یه پروفسور بود که چون قرار بود بره کنفرانس جاش یه سری محقق فرستاده بود سر کلاس. بچه ها مخالف بودن چون فکر میکردن بهتره تاریخ کلاسو عوض کنه و پیچوندن کلاس باعث میشه به مباحث مهم آخر ترم نرسن.
• سوال چهار در مورد ECONOMINC ON SCALE بود. یعنی یه چیزیون تو تعداد زیاد تولید کنن سودش بیشتره. مثالش در مورد یه مجله بود که اوش باید پول نویسنده و جا و اینا رو بده ولی بعد که معروف شد با همون قیمت اول تو تعداد زیاد به مردم میفروشه مجله رو و چون هزینه ای نویسنده و اینا خیلی تغییر نکرده کلن به نفعش تموم میشه.
• سوال پنج در مورد به خانمی بود که میخواست شب بره تولد دوستش رستوران ولی یادش افتاده بود که صبح باید بره یه دانشگاه دوردست مسابقه دو بده! می تونه بره مهمونی صبح تو اتوبوس بخوابه ولی اذیت میشه یا پاشه بره مهمونی ولی زود برگرده که البته دوستش ناراحت می شه به علاوه دلش هم تنگ شده و میخواد با دوستش وقت بگذرونه.
• سوال شیش موضوعش دو روش خواب زمستانی HIBERNATION برای حیوانات بود. یه سری ساعت بیولوژیکی دارن تو بدنشون آخرای تابستون میخوابن مثه یه سنجاب. سری دوم وقتی غذا کم باشه یه هوا سرد بشه فقط اینطوری میشن!
WRITING
• متن بخش اول در مورد این بود که جنگل مصنوعی درست کنیم برای آدم و طبیعت خوبه. فرسایش زمین کم میشه، حیوونا جا و مکان پیدا میکنن و GLOBAL WARMING هم کم میشه. آقاهه همه رو رد میکنه.
• موضوع قسمت دوم هم این بود که آیا بچه ها زیادی به موبایل و بازی کامپیوتری وابسته شدن؟ و بهتره که خانواده ها بچه ها رو مثل قدیم بفرستن تو کوچه بازی کنن تا ذهنشون رشد کنه.
• موضوع قسمت دوم هم این بود که آیا بچه ها زیادی به موبایل و بازی کامپیوتری وابسته شدن؟ و بهتره که خانواده ها بچه ها رو مثل قدیم بفرستن تو کوچه بازی کنن تا ذهنشون رشد کنه.
TOEFL iBT Saturday February 27, 2016
Reading Section Vocabulary Questions
component = factor, part
advent = arrival
durable = long lasting
fragile = easily damaged
scattered = distributed
episode = occurrence
scrutiny = close observation
proponent = supporter
swift = quick
@aalaeeTOEFLiBT
Reading Section Vocabulary Questions
component = factor, part
advent = arrival
durable = long lasting
fragile = easily damaged
scattered = distributed
episode = occurrence
scrutiny = close observation
proponent = supporter
swift = quick
@aalaeeTOEFLiBT
TOEFL iBT Saturday February 27, 2016
Writing Independent Task Topic:
Do you agree or disagree: Should high-school students be required to study many different subjects at the same time or they should study only three or four subjects at a time? @aalaeeTOEFLiBT
Writing Independent Task Topic:
Do you agree or disagree: Should high-school students be required to study many different subjects at the same time or they should study only three or four subjects at a time? @aalaeeTOEFLiBT
ANACHRONISM (n.)
The false assignment of an event, person, scene or •language to a time when the event, person, scene, or word did not exist
Northern Renaissance artists often included ANACHRONISMS in their paintings. For example, Last Supper by the 15th century artist Dirk Bouts shows Christ and his disciples eating in a royal palace in what is today Belgium. While the ANACHRONISM in Bouts’ painting is deliberate, the ANACHRONISMS in modern movies are unplanned blunders. For example, in the Civil War movie Glory, a digital watch is clearly visible on the wrist of a boy waving goodbye to the black soldiers of the 54th Massachusetts Regiment. And in the movie Gladiator, you can see a gas cylinder in the back of one of the overturned "Roman" chariots!
Quick Quiz:
To set up the background scene for the play, we should stick to the period to which the events in the play occur; in fact, any anachronisms, would —---------.
A. make our product more valuable
B. elicit favorable critiques
C. lower the effect of our work
Answer: C
@ibtil
The false assignment of an event, person, scene or •language to a time when the event, person, scene, or word did not exist
Northern Renaissance artists often included ANACHRONISMS in their paintings. For example, Last Supper by the 15th century artist Dirk Bouts shows Christ and his disciples eating in a royal palace in what is today Belgium. While the ANACHRONISM in Bouts’ painting is deliberate, the ANACHRONISMS in modern movies are unplanned blunders. For example, in the Civil War movie Glory, a digital watch is clearly visible on the wrist of a boy waving goodbye to the black soldiers of the 54th Massachusetts Regiment. And in the movie Gladiator, you can see a gas cylinder in the back of one of the overturned "Roman" chariots!
Quick Quiz:
To set up the background scene for the play, we should stick to the period to which the events in the play occur; in fact, any anachronisms, would —---------.
A. make our product more valuable
B. elicit favorable critiques
C. lower the effect of our work
Answer: C
@ibtil
Writing Topic: Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: One quality that a successful leader must have is to make decisions quickly; when a leader takes too much time to make decisions, he will be seen as ineffective to the people he leads.
Sample Essay:
Of all the skills that contribute to a leader’s success, such as confidence, tenacity and keen insight, the ability to make wise decisions has always been regarded as an indispensable quality. While there are circumstances in which excellence is determined by how quickly the leader makes decisions, I do believe that, most of time, taking time to make decisions will not be seen as ineffective since good judgments always require deliberation and full-scale evaluation.
Indeed, in a few cases, a successful leader must make decisions quickly in response to the ever-changing outside environment. Especially in the commercial industry, a prominent leader ought to capture the most transient economic opportunities before its rivals in order to dominate the market. For instance, the social networks in my country were not well developed five years ago. My uncle, who was the CEO of a computer software company, keenly realized the great potentials of the development of social networks and shifted the company’s focus to this area before any other competitors. As a result, the first social networking system, developed by his company, won tremendous success; his company now ranks top 10 in the nation.
However, for the majority of leaders, making decisions requires careful weighing of the pros and cons; thus, it is plausible that it takes time to make up one’s mind. Because most decisions have long-lasting and profound influence on the lives of others, making decisions quickly would be considered hasty in most cases. At the end of the World War II, the US president faced a dilemma; should the US drop the atomic bomb to force Japan to surrender? Being a successful leader, he did not settle on the issue rapidly; instead, he organized numerous meetings with his consultants, asked the opinions of allied countries, and considered both the advantages and the downsides of his decision back and forth for days. The dropping of the atomic bombs, though still controversial today, finally brought the bloody and destructive war to an end.
Furthermore, a thoughtful leader should not jump to the conclusion to an issue because decisions often may incur a heavy cost. If decisions are made in a short period of time, they mostly lack deliberation and ignore the high expenses of such an action. For example, implementation of social welfare is considered a slow process. It may take a president some years to finally carry out such a fundamental government project to provide aids for housing, food and medical care for people who live below the poverty line. The president has to realize the high cost of the social welfare and its pressure on the tax payers. Therefore, it may take a president a lot of time to weigh the true values of this program in comparison to its high price.
In brief, I do believe that despite few circumstances, a successful leader should take time to make final decisions and should not be considered ineffective for such deliberation, for careful judgments of the costs and effects are required. @aalaeeTOEFLiBT
Sample Essay:
Of all the skills that contribute to a leader’s success, such as confidence, tenacity and keen insight, the ability to make wise decisions has always been regarded as an indispensable quality. While there are circumstances in which excellence is determined by how quickly the leader makes decisions, I do believe that, most of time, taking time to make decisions will not be seen as ineffective since good judgments always require deliberation and full-scale evaluation.
Indeed, in a few cases, a successful leader must make decisions quickly in response to the ever-changing outside environment. Especially in the commercial industry, a prominent leader ought to capture the most transient economic opportunities before its rivals in order to dominate the market. For instance, the social networks in my country were not well developed five years ago. My uncle, who was the CEO of a computer software company, keenly realized the great potentials of the development of social networks and shifted the company’s focus to this area before any other competitors. As a result, the first social networking system, developed by his company, won tremendous success; his company now ranks top 10 in the nation.
However, for the majority of leaders, making decisions requires careful weighing of the pros and cons; thus, it is plausible that it takes time to make up one’s mind. Because most decisions have long-lasting and profound influence on the lives of others, making decisions quickly would be considered hasty in most cases. At the end of the World War II, the US president faced a dilemma; should the US drop the atomic bomb to force Japan to surrender? Being a successful leader, he did not settle on the issue rapidly; instead, he organized numerous meetings with his consultants, asked the opinions of allied countries, and considered both the advantages and the downsides of his decision back and forth for days. The dropping of the atomic bombs, though still controversial today, finally brought the bloody and destructive war to an end.
Furthermore, a thoughtful leader should not jump to the conclusion to an issue because decisions often may incur a heavy cost. If decisions are made in a short period of time, they mostly lack deliberation and ignore the high expenses of such an action. For example, implementation of social welfare is considered a slow process. It may take a president some years to finally carry out such a fundamental government project to provide aids for housing, food and medical care for people who live below the poverty line. The president has to realize the high cost of the social welfare and its pressure on the tax payers. Therefore, it may take a president a lot of time to weigh the true values of this program in comparison to its high price.
In brief, I do believe that despite few circumstances, a successful leader should take time to make final decisions and should not be considered ineffective for such deliberation, for careful judgments of the costs and effects are required. @aalaeeTOEFLiBT
FUTILE (adj.)
Completely useless; doomed to failure
The Deepwater Horizon oil spill released a PRODIGIOUS (huge, massive) flood of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico. BP engineers made repeated attempts to control or stop the spill. However, all of their initial efforts proved to be FUTILE. Although crews worked tirelessly to protect hundreds of miles of beaches, wetlands, and estuaries local residents worried that these efforts would also prove to be FUTILE.
Quick Quiz
Futile attempts at farming and failure to continue successful fisheries (due to the silting of harbors and marine disasters offshore) —--------.
A. were praised by all the town’s residents
B. was the cause of the mayor’s reelection
C. led to the town's decline
Answer: C
@ibtil
Completely useless; doomed to failure
The Deepwater Horizon oil spill released a PRODIGIOUS (huge, massive) flood of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico. BP engineers made repeated attempts to control or stop the spill. However, all of their initial efforts proved to be FUTILE. Although crews worked tirelessly to protect hundreds of miles of beaches, wetlands, and estuaries local residents worried that these efforts would also prove to be FUTILE.
Quick Quiz
Futile attempts at farming and failure to continue successful fisheries (due to the silting of harbors and marine disasters offshore) —--------.
A. were praised by all the town’s residents
B. was the cause of the mayor’s reelection
C. led to the town's decline
Answer: C
@ibtil
Forwarded from ibtil_ IELTS
Dancing
• Do you dance? When was the last time you danced?
To be honest, I don’t really know how to dance, but I remember last summer I went to a party and danced with some friends. I think dancing is a good way to exercise and make friends.
Why do people like dance?
Some people like to dance because they think it’s a good way to exercise. Dancing can help them keep in shape and stay healthy. Others like dance because they like the passion or excitement or take it as a good way to make friends.
• What do you feel when you watch dancing programs on TV?
Those dancers are really in perfect shapes, their movements are graceful. But sometimes I find too many similar activities on TV, which decreases my interest.
• Do you like to watch dance performances?
Yes. I sometimes watch dance performances on TV. When I was a child, I would always get excited when I saw them dance on TV and wanted to learn from them.
• Have you ever learned to dance?
Not really, but I think I should learn in the future because dance can help us stay healthy and make friends. It’s a very good way to make our life more colorful.
• Is it important to learn how to dance?
I think learning how to dance is important. Dance is an art form used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting. Many social dances are partner dances, which is an important way to get socialized in some formal situations. If we learn some traditional dances, we can understand our cultural value even better. It’s also believed that dancing is a great way to exercise our muscles and keep us fit. Because of so many benefits, it’s hard to say that we don’t want to learn it.
• Do you dance? When was the last time you danced?
To be honest, I don’t really know how to dance, but I remember last summer I went to a party and danced with some friends. I think dancing is a good way to exercise and make friends.
Why do people like dance?
Some people like to dance because they think it’s a good way to exercise. Dancing can help them keep in shape and stay healthy. Others like dance because they like the passion or excitement or take it as a good way to make friends.
• What do you feel when you watch dancing programs on TV?
Those dancers are really in perfect shapes, their movements are graceful. But sometimes I find too many similar activities on TV, which decreases my interest.
• Do you like to watch dance performances?
Yes. I sometimes watch dance performances on TV. When I was a child, I would always get excited when I saw them dance on TV and wanted to learn from them.
• Have you ever learned to dance?
Not really, but I think I should learn in the future because dance can help us stay healthy and make friends. It’s a very good way to make our life more colorful.
• Is it important to learn how to dance?
I think learning how to dance is important. Dance is an art form used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting. Many social dances are partner dances, which is an important way to get socialized in some formal situations. If we learn some traditional dances, we can understand our cultural value even better. It’s also believed that dancing is a great way to exercise our muscles and keep us fit. Because of so many benefits, it’s hard to say that we don’t want to learn it.
Forwarded from ibtil_ IELTS
Books & Reading
• Do you like reading (books)? (Why?/Why not?)
I used to, but now I’m busy all the time, so I don’t spend a lot of time reading. I used to read novels and they could help me enrich my life.
• What books did you like when you were a child? What about now?
Same to above
• What (kinds of ) books do you like to read?
I used to read novels and they could make my life more colorful. When I read novels, I always feel I’m in a different world.
• For children, what do you think are the benefits of reading?
They can learn knowledge and develop their imagination. I learned many fictional characters from reading when I was a child. I love history books. Through them, I learn a lot of history knowledge.
• Would you like to write a book?
I always want to but it’s not an easy thing to do. Maybe when I’m old, I can write my own biography to share my own stories with others.
• Do you like receiving a book as a gift?
Yes, I think it’s nice to get a book as a gift. I also like giving other people books as gifts. It’s a great thing to share what we like with our good friends.
• What books did you like to read in your childhood?
When I was a child, I loved cartoon books because the vivid illustrations could always make me feel that the stories were alive in front of me. I still remember the book my mom bought me when I was five. It’s called Jack and the Beanstalk. I still remember all the details in that book.
• Do you like reading (books)? (Why?/Why not?)
I used to, but now I’m busy all the time, so I don’t spend a lot of time reading. I used to read novels and they could help me enrich my life.
• What books did you like when you were a child? What about now?
Same to above
• What (kinds of ) books do you like to read?
I used to read novels and they could make my life more colorful. When I read novels, I always feel I’m in a different world.
• For children, what do you think are the benefits of reading?
They can learn knowledge and develop their imagination. I learned many fictional characters from reading when I was a child. I love history books. Through them, I learn a lot of history knowledge.
• Would you like to write a book?
I always want to but it’s not an easy thing to do. Maybe when I’m old, I can write my own biography to share my own stories with others.
• Do you like receiving a book as a gift?
Yes, I think it’s nice to get a book as a gift. I also like giving other people books as gifts. It’s a great thing to share what we like with our good friends.
• What books did you like to read in your childhood?
When I was a child, I loved cartoon books because the vivid illustrations could always make me feel that the stories were alive in front of me. I still remember the book my mom bought me when I was five. It’s called Jack and the Beanstalk. I still remember all the details in that book.
Forwarded from ibtil_ IELTS
Colors
• What's your favorite color? (Why?)
I like many colors and my favorite color is green because it’s the color of nature. When I buy something, I tend to choose green ones because this color can make me feel relaxed and comfortable.
• Do you usually (or, always) wear clothes in your favorite color?
Yes, although I like other colors too, I tend to choose green if I have the choice.
• What color would you choose to paint the walls of your room?
I would paint my walls light green because my favorite color is green. It’s the color of our nature. Green can make me feel relaxed and comfortable.
• What kind of color do you dislike?
I don’t like very bright colors, such as yellow or red because they can make me feel a little dizzy. Also, I think bright color clothes are more difficult to match. I prefer colors that are softer and are easy to match other colors. So I would usually buy clothes that are not too bright.
• What color did you like in your childhood?
When I was a child, I was fond of the blue color, coz I liked the blue sky, which would always make me feel relaxed and delighted. And I liked the blue sea water, coz it reminded me of my being tiny in the world. However, these days, it is not so easy for me to see the blue sky since it is always gray, and I have few chances to go to the sea because life in the city is so busy for me.
• What colors do Iranian people dislike?
Black is the color used in funerals, so a lot of people don’t like this color.
• What's your favorite color? (Why?)
I like many colors and my favorite color is green because it’s the color of nature. When I buy something, I tend to choose green ones because this color can make me feel relaxed and comfortable.
• Do you usually (or, always) wear clothes in your favorite color?
Yes, although I like other colors too, I tend to choose green if I have the choice.
• What color would you choose to paint the walls of your room?
I would paint my walls light green because my favorite color is green. It’s the color of our nature. Green can make me feel relaxed and comfortable.
• What kind of color do you dislike?
I don’t like very bright colors, such as yellow or red because they can make me feel a little dizzy. Also, I think bright color clothes are more difficult to match. I prefer colors that are softer and are easy to match other colors. So I would usually buy clothes that are not too bright.
• What color did you like in your childhood?
When I was a child, I was fond of the blue color, coz I liked the blue sky, which would always make me feel relaxed and delighted. And I liked the blue sea water, coz it reminded me of my being tiny in the world. However, these days, it is not so easy for me to see the blue sky since it is always gray, and I have few chances to go to the sea because life in the city is so busy for me.
• What colors do Iranian people dislike?
Black is the color used in funerals, so a lot of people don’t like this color.