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IELTS Writing Task Topic
Old People Learn To Use New Technology
Sample Essay by Jeenn Lee Hsieh 谢振礼
Essay Topic: Canada, August 2013
>Old people take a while to begin using new technology, such as mobile phones. What do you think this is happening? Suggest ways to encourage them to use mobile phones and new technology.
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your knowledge or experience to support your opinion.
Example Essay (Jeenn Lee Hsieh):
In an era when everything is moving online, old people should not be left behind simply for learning at a slower pace. It is important to help seniors learn the new technology of the Internet, cell and iPhones, so that they can become active and creative online in life. Even for people over age 80, it is never too late to learn a range of new tricks that can prove to be both useful and enjoyable.
A fair amount of interactive activity is key to a fuller life in the 'new old age'. What is happening is that the majority of the aged population do not know how to use new technology at all, and as such they literally become disadvantaged for being computer illiterate. According to a research, only less than 40 percent of people over age 65 have access to the Internet, for example. Among those 75 and older, the proportion drops to below a third. This being the case, those older people being kept offline are not able to send emails, use Facebook and twitter, write blogs, and communicate with friends and relatives, etc. Understandably, to encourage them to learn new technology there are several obstacles, ranging from the costs of devices and internet service to physical limitations to cognitive impairment.
Obviously, however, there are a number of ways to help the less favored old people open windows to a wide new world ahead of them. For one thing, free tech training may be provided by establishing learning centers across the country. The idea is to call for a national campaign to bring 100 percent of seniors online. Further, since everyone exploring a new world needs a guide, a young and willing person in the family or in the community can do the job with patience. Moreover, local governments and foundations should play a role in financing related projects. In addition, tech giants like Microsoft and IBM, Adobe, Apple, Samsung are expected to continue giving more support, to join forces in the overall campaign.
For old people in this new age, it is paying off to create a technology-friendly environment in which all of them have the opportunity to begin using smart phones, the Internet and so on. Although being born almost half a century before the age of B.C. (meaning Before Computer), they deserve a socially active and culturally creative life. It should be made known to all old people that life is a lot more fun and enjoyable online than offline. (Essay created by Jeenn Lee Hsieh, 谢振礼 ielts360toefl@hotmail.com pigai zuowen)
IELTS Essay Preparation Guidelines:Tutoring Lessons
雅思真题>Analyzing IELTS (360) essay topics. (Try to get familiar with as many prompts as possible.)
A global collection of writing prompts.
A list of writing topics from China 2009-2013
Updates: new topics
小大作文>Understanding IELTS scoring guides for the writing section Task 1 and Task 2.
Task 1--Test-takers review diagram, table, or data and write about the important information in their own words (20 minutes).
Task 2--Test-takers write an essay on a given topic using their knowledge or experience (40 minutes).
开头结尾>How to write the introduction and conclusion in an opinion essay (Task 2)?
Introduction=thesis+focus+signposting. (from the general to the specific)
Conclusion=Signposting+focus+thesis. (from the specific to the general)
中体两段>How to write the two body paragraphs in a 4-paragraph essay (Task 2)?
Method PEE: Point+Examples+Explanations.
Topic sentence (signpost)=sub-focus point.
Supporting sentences (examples, explanations and details).
时间字数>Task 2 Time control: 40 minutes for a minimum of 250 words (handwriting).
Planning--about 8 minutes
Writing--about 27 minutes
Proofreading--about 5 minutes
逻辑文法>English composition: Plan logically and write grammatically.
English--rhetoric (language effectiveness), syntax (sentence variety), lexicon (word choice).
composition--thesis (well focused), structure (well organized), content (well supported).
IELTS Writing Practice: Have your essays checked and re-written by Jeenn Lee Hsieh.
Your 'opinion' essay has to follow the English essay plan (outline). In fact, even native speakers of English have to use this mind-mapping method when they write--if they do not use it, then their essays will not very good ones. There are only three main parts: introduction, body (A+B), conclusion.
Stick to the 4-paragraph 18-sentence format 3663. (introduction-3, body A-6, body B-6, conclusion-3)
introduction: Say what you are going to say. Your introduction must have a thesis statement. (Writing the introductory paragraph is key to a good essay!)
body: Say it, with evidence. Beginning with a topic sentence, a body paragraph supports your thesis. (Typically, you need two body paragraphs.)
conclusion: Say what you have said. It is a summary of the main points of your essay. (You should not copy your thesis statement and topic sentences exactly. However, it is a good idea to write the introduction and conclusion, each with the other in mind.)
焦点指标>Topic sentences--exercises. (Every paragraph in the essay body begins with a topic sentence.)
Signpost A at the beginning of body paragraph A.
Signpost B at the beginning of body paragraph B.
举例说明>Supporting sentences--exercises. (This is what comes after a topic sentence.)
Giving examples.
Explanations and details.
四类句型>4 sentence types. (Sentence variety)--360 example sentences for you to read. (You should know the difference between an independent clause and a dependent clause.)
Simple sentence. (1 independent clause only. Not any dependent clause.)
Complex sentence. (1 independent clause + 1 or more dependent clause)
Compound sentence. (2 or more independent clauses. Not any dependent clause.)
Compound-complex sentence. (2 or more independent clauses. 1 or more dependent clause.)
Exclusive!!! IELTS Sample Essays by Jeenn Lee Hsieh: Answers to essay questions.
Students learn best through examples. There are more than 360 example essays for you to choose from.
(Write to ielts360toefl@hotmail.com )
A good introductory paragraph is key to a successful essay. Try to write at least 80 introductions (based on random writing topics Task 2).
Try to write at least 20 mock essays and have them checked by a teacher, weeks prior the real test.
Rewrite other writers' example essays and improve! Write better and write faster!
Reference>IELTS writing task 1 and writing task 2.
图表作文 IELTS Scoring Rubrics Task 1: A paper at top level
>Task Achievement (TA)--
fully satisfies all the requirements of the task.
clearly presents a fully developed response.
>Coherence and Cohesion (CC)--
uses cohesion in such a way that it attracts no attention.
skilfully manages paragraphing.
>Lexical Resource (LR)--
uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control of lexical features.
>Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA)--
uses a wide range of (sentence) structures with full flexibility and accuracy.
意见论文 IELTS Scoring Rubrics Task 2: (Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience to support your opinion.)
>Task Response (TR)--
fully addresses all parts of the task.
presents a fully developed position in answer to the question with relevant, fully extended and well supported ideas.
>Coherence and Cohesion (CC)--
uses cohesion is such a way that it attracts no attention.
skilfully manages paragraphing.
>Lexical Resource (LR)--
uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control of lexical features.
>Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA)
uses a wide range of (sentence) structures with full flexibility and accuracy.
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