Quick Tips on the IELTS Test

Many people in the world would like to pursue their dreams by continuing their studies in their favorite universities or working in top global companies. If the organizations are located in English-speaking countries, it is very likely that one of the requirements is in the form of a test or exam such as TOEFL or IELTS. In this article, I am going to give you quick tips for achieving a good (or even great) band score on the IELTS test.

One of the Founding Fathers of the United States, Benjamin Franklin once said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” This is just true in the case of IELTS taking. Before you face the real test, make sure you devote a sufficient amount of time to getting prepared for it.

The very first thing you should do is to familiarize yourself with the test format and band score criteria. You have to be able to answer questions such as How many and what types of questions are there in the Listening part?, How many texts are there in the Reading component and how long does it last?, What is the minimum number of words do test-takers have to write in the IELTS Writing? In addition, keep in mind what you have to do so as to achieve your desired band score. For instance, to reach a band score of 8 in the IELTS Speaking, you must “use paraphrase effectively as required”, and to attain a 7 in Writing Task 1, you have to “use a variety of complex structures”. Knowing these will be of great mental advantage to you in tackling the exam, with good time management being one of the results.

Possessing that knowledge alone is not enough. In order to succeed in the IELTS, you also need to do a substantial amount of practice. It is highly advisable that you do many practice tests. Make sure you practice carrying out the various possible task types; for example, in the IELTS Reading there are multiple choice, identifying information, identifying the writer’s views/claims, matching information, matching headings, and so on. What is more, put a lot of effort into honing the skills that are required to get your target band score – these might include paraphrasing and using complex structures (see above). Learning with an IELTS tutor can be very helpful too as they can monitor your progress and give you feedback based on your performance – what is already good and what still needs to be improved on.

Last but not least (and perhaps one that is often forgotten or missed by IELTS participants), ensure that you are physically fit and remain calm during the test. Nourish your body with plenty of nutrients and, while practicing can take a lot of energy, remember to always have enough rest and sleep. Taking an exam can also be especially stressful, with students sweating being a common sight in examination rooms. Getting nervous can lead to your mind going blank and it definitely reduces your chance of performing to the best of your abilities on the IELTS test. Test-takers might find the effect even stronger in the Speaking section, where they need to give responses to an examiner face-to-face. Therefore, relax and enjoy the “show” – relishing your favorite beverage before the test begins might help. Wish you the best of luck with the IELTS test!

Information about IELTS can be accessed at https://www.ielts.org.

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Nervousness

This is a feeling that I strongly believe every single human, extant and extinct, has had.

Think about your last exam (IELTS maybe? Having to express your ideas in spoken English eloquently with a complete native-speaker stranger). Or the moment you had to show off your musical skills (by means of strumming your beloved accoustic guitar perhaps?) in front of 'millions' of eyes directed towards you and no-one else. And how about the last interview you went on for that highly desired job in a super tantalizing company?

I'm sure you just flashbacked to some point in time when your security was sort of 'threatened' and this annoying quality overwhelmed you in such a way that you didn't perform satisfactorily. Well, you are not alone; we've been in the same boat.

A few years ago, I decided to compete in a Chinese singing contest organized by my university. Of course, Jay Chou was the main motivation for that (seriously, I'm still wondering why such a prodigy could possibly exist in the world), and the awe-inspiring life-saving 2008 song 稻香 (Rice Fragrance) was what I selected to be the centerpiece of my show.

The time had come. I got on the stage in one of the classrooms to take an opportunity to do my portion of evanJaylization. There were 3 judges (in I'm not mistaken) in front of me and behind them were sitting around 40 people ready to watch me sing the heavenly king's song. However, things didn't go as I wanted them to. My voice was weak and I didn't produce sounds as impressively as I can in the relatively small bathroom of my simply designed house. In short, it was a flop.

Now let's turn our attention to the second last sentence of the previous paragraph. I CAN sing the song well while taking a shower! (although you really can't compared it to those flawless jaw-dropping performances of Jay) I am ABLE to do that. The problem that led to my disappointing performance was my sheer tense (not to mention the fact that the KTV version of the song didn't meet my expectations), and it markedly affected my action in a negative way, resulting in me not qualifying for the next round. Isn't it a pity that one cannot display their maximum ability only due to some irritating psychological state? How do we overcome it?

First things first, we need to really understand what being nervous exactly is. It is an occurrence when we are afraid that what we are doing (or will do) will turn out badly. Ironically, this particular feeling encourages that nightmarish outcome. Therefore, what we need to do is to change our mindset; in other words, we need to keep our attention on giving the best to the audience or whoever else/whatever. I realize it would appear to be easier said than done, but there it is.

It is vital to do anything not in such a degrading condition. Possessing a considerable (but not excessive) degree of confidence, which is indispensable for success, certainly brings out the best in you.

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GO-JEK, GrabBike, and Our Indonesian Mentality

The occurrence the other day has motivated me to compose this piece of writing.

I am a repeat customer of Grab – sometimes I utilize the GrabCar and GrabFood services; however, GrabBike is what I use most often. That day I set out from my itsy-bitsy home with a GrabBike. The journey was smooth until we came to a point which is not far from where I dwell as a Jakartan; the GrabBiker chose to take the wrong way, driving against the flow of traffic. With my eyes open, I could also see a GO-JEK heading in the same direction whose driver didn't seem to feel guilty of what he was doing at that moment. (for those who don't know GO-JEK, it is an Indonesian (local) company which provides transportation services, competing with Grab, which is based in Malaysia)

I often give 1-star ratings to GrabBike riders (don't believe it? Check with Grab itself, or contact me and I'll forward to you the plethora of complaint response e-mails from Grab). The reason is nothing but such dangerously frivolous behavior, which could bring their passengers' lives to an end.

Indonesia is a fantastic country. We are endowed with huge amounts of exquisite scenery, vast biodiversity which is probably the greatest on the planet, and abundant natural resources. With these advantages, along with other strong points which include a gigantic population of some 250 million people, Indonesia surely has the potential to be one of the most powerful countries in the world. However, compared with two neighboring countries Singapore and Vietnam both of which gained independence much later than Indonesia, I'd say Indonesia's progress has been 'pretty' disappointing.

It seems to be an irony since we have bountiful treasures which other nations, I believe, are drooling over. Are the Indonesians stupider than those of other nationalities? Nope. We boast a significant figure of doctors and professors, don't we? So, what makes this country far less developed than it should be?

The mentality is what I think the culprit of this big issue. The attitude that everything should be done in an instant and not being concerned about the consequences of what one's acts might carry is the key factor of why we are still building an MRT system in the 2010s. This is, of course, what leads to corruption, which is one of the major problems of this highly diverse nation.

That's our challenge. Fixing this might take quite a lot of time since older generations tend to resist change; later ones might be easier to shape into humans of excellent quality. Nevertheless, it is of extreme importance to work together fervently to make up for what we have wasted and, ultimately, for a much better Indonesia that we can take pride in. Continue reading

Our Own Parts

I am known as an 'innocent' man among those who have been my companions for long. Obeying traffic laws, being strongly opposed to smoking, and throwing garbage in the proper place are some traits that cling to me and would probably be the first things that come across their minds when they are asked to picture my behavior.

Flashing back to some point in the past, I recall someone, who is probably a very close relative of mine, told me that it is no use doing some good deed (most likely that action of keeping the environment clean and visibly satisfying) while there are tons of others are doing exactly the opposite of what I do.

This apparently nice idea – which is actually pernicious – is, as I see it, simply is the root of the great deals of cases of development inhibition occuring in our society. This way of thinking appears to be mildly damaging. However, it would generate continuous actions that, if you think about it, certainly cause terrible harm. In addition, when an enormous number of people take it as a life guide, the result will unavoidably be ghastly. If everyone keeps ignoring this and doesn't take action to resolve it, it will eventually lead to the demise of our own taxon.

We must adopt the view that what we do is worth the value of what we do: nothing more and nothing less. The result of our actions, in a sense, is actually free from any influence from the outside. This means we shouldn't try to alter people, some (or most) of them perhaps being stubborn and incorrigible. What we need to do is direct our energy, thoughts, and so forth toward what we can do to improve life quality.

It is true that we are just a minuscule part of the gargantuan community of humans; we have too many limitations to do the huge task of changing the world at the drop of a hat. However, when we do our own parts in the best way possible, it is actually enough to achieve our ultimate goal.

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7 "Little" Things You Can Do to Make the World a Better Place

No-one can deny that we live in one big world called Earth. The globe is the place where we entirely spend every single day – unless you are an astronaut. And I think it makes sense to think that it is highly demanded that our dwelling place increase in quality so that every Homo sapiens individual living here can take full advantage of it.

I know that this post might not change your behavior in an instant, but I am glad that you have read this article up to this point so far, making my hope go up. The last mass extinction event happened around 66 million years ago, wiping out the non-avian dinosaurs and other groups of animals, and I am sure you don't want humankind to vanish soon. So, here they are: some things that you can do to make the earth a more enjoyable place to live in.

1. Give up smoking
This is probably a 'rusty' topic. But, let's give it one more try. I am pretty sure there are smokers in each country existing today. To the best of my knowledge, there is no single advantage of consuming this 'small killer', except for escapism. Some points to highlight:

• Smoking kills you and people around you
You already know so many diseases can be caused by smoking: cancer and those with believably Latin-derived names. And the thing is, you don't only kill yourself – yes, literally kill – but also take out your loved ones. And the unique thing is I have never heard of people put into jail because of this horrendous act.

• Smoking is a waste of money
In my country, Indonesia, a pack of cigarettes costs around USD 1. Let's say, you buy one pack a day: this means it swallows USD 30 per month or USD 360 per year. You could spend that sum of money on something useful such as the education of your children or high-quality dinosaur books such as Dinosaurs: The Most Complete Up-to-Date Encyclopedia for Dinosaur Lovers or All Ages.

Smoking is probably one of the most terrible ideas ever in the history of the human race. Sometimes I imagine what would the world be if all smokers just quit it simultaneously. Ahh.....

2. Stop getting drunk
Well, yeah, you know the health implications of drinking too much, not to mention the family quarrels that it has contributed to. You might throw some plates or knives, which might lead to injury or even death of your spouse and/or children. And think of what you would get if you spent that amount of money on dihydrogen monoxide. Yes, children in Africa could have drunk it.

3. Put trash in the proper place
Hmm... This relates to an 'excruciating' disposition of some humans. Actually, if you think about it, it is pretty simple. You buy a package of Keripik Karuhun in a convenience store and finish it up. Then, you realize there is no garbage can around. You just need to keep it until you find one along your way home. In addition to musty smells that sting everybody's nose nearby, huge accumulations of trash can trigger major floods, which affect people's lives in a not-so-good way. And sadly, sometimes it can switch them off as well. The problem is people often do something without thinking about any harmful effects it may cause. I hope you are not one of those. Remember our existence depends on us.

4. Say thanks and sorry
This seems to be a petty thing but I consider this "of huge importance". I often experience this kind of thing, people benefiting from a good favor without saying thanks and doing something unpleasant without saying sorry. From my personal viewpoint, saying thanks and sorry is an honorable act that makes people people. I base this on my experience: the feelings that I had when I received sorry and thanks, even though the objects concerned were of little importance, were 'overwhelming'. I smiled and it seemed as if there were flowers growing in my heart. I am not trying to be poetic or whatever else but this is an honest confession. In contrast, annoyance coming out from the opposite situation is surely irritating, bringing about a bit of a bad day. Saying thanks and sorry can bring happiness to the world and cause a domino effect. Yes! Let's do it – say them sincerely, though!

5. Avoid speeding
You are not a great driver if you do this. Instead, people might call you "the Grim Reaper" or something. The speeding case of Abdul Qodir Jaelani a.k.a. Dul, the third son of famous Indonesian musician Ahmad Dhani, in which he caused many people to die, has gotten many people to deem him evil. Speeding is only for those who want put their and others' lives at stake. Why don't you just sit at home, reading blog posts by Brian Switek?

6. Stop talking garbage and that sort of thing on social media
Technology has made almost everything easier. Communicating with people 1,000 miles apart is a piece of cake, nowadays, thanks to Facebook, Twitter, and the like. However, unfortunately, not everything produced there is satisfying. Many people use this advancement to express things that are not for the good of society. Often, they insult each other and boast about themselves, acting as if they are the most important people on the planet. They exhibit something that they shouldn't and the list goes on and on. The principle is simple: before you write or post something, think about why you should do that. Will it make you and others happy? Will it be helpful for the readers in some way? Will it contribute to humanity?

7. Reduce the use of plastics, paper, etc.
I am quite sure you have heard or been given this advice at some point in your life. It might appear to be a hard thing to do, but thankfully it's not. Three things that you can start doing tomorrow – or now:

• Going shopping? Use your own bags!
Whenever you want to go to supermarkets, remember to carry your own bags. I myself try to use my own backpack to keep the things I buy from minimarkets and stuff, and often I consume them as soon as the transactions are finished.

• Do not order takeout
Yes! Why not? You don't have to eat at home: just enjoy the food in the eatery like what I do whenever possible – perhaps you will meet your future spouse; who knows?

• In the restaurant, ask for reusable items (for example, stainless steel spoons) instead of disposable ones (for example, wooden spoons)

Bonus: Eat (and drink) all of what you have bought and ordered.
It's pretty simple and actually will help you save more money. Remember that we all are connected and make up the human race. Isn't it wise to share with our fellow humans by not wasting food and drink? Bear in mind that we all must be responsible for the resources that are available on our planet, including sustenance.

Let's unite and make the world a better place! Continue reading

Quote #12

"If you can't tell the reason why you do something, it's useless." - Klinsman Hinjaya

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You Are (Part of) The World

"I'm not worthy."
"My life has no meaning."
"It's better for me to die, to vanish, to disappear."
"Everybody does not need me."

Those poor statements lie in the soul of some people on Earth. And, poor is poor.

Firstly, we have to realize that we live because of God's grace. It's a FREE gift. So, is there any reason not to be grateful for our life?

You might say, "I have many problems," or, "Everything goes bad," or "No happiness in my life."

Life is full of challenges, full of troubles, full of obstacles. Life is always full of something that we must overcome. And, yep, we can't deny that! (Who can?) We face them continually.

God wants us to "conquer" the world. He wants us, His children, to make the world a more convenient place to live in. We are here to spread God's love. We are here to bring peace to humankind. To make it a better place. It is our job. A noble job. This God's task for us is the next thing we should realize.

I AM here. You ARE there. We ARE on the EARTH. We ARE in the WORLD. We EXIST. We DO EXIST.

Yeah, and in accordance with the six sentences above, we DO have influence. This is what I want to emphasize through this article. We are a "piece" of the world. We make up a "tiny part" of this world. Although we are that small, we DO have influence and, depending on what you do, what you make, what you create, that influence can be big or small, and good or bad.

Whether you are a couch potato or a bad apple, you have influence. Whether you are a peasant or a president, you have influence. Whether you are a paleontologist or a priest, you have influence. Whether you always smile or frown, you have influence. Whether you are a do-gooder or as crooked as a dog's hind leg, you have influence. And that influence determines the destiny of our world. It draws the next scene of our life.

To end this article, here is a very good excerpt from George Eliot. Continue reading

Conscious

A simple word, yet powerful. And, as a matter of fact, this nine-letter word is essential for our life.

Let's start from a simple question: What are you doing?
The answer: Reading this article. (indeed)

Next question: What is your purpose of reading this article?

The answer: ____.

I don't mind what your answer is. What matters is: can you answer this? If you can answer this, congratulations! You know what your goal, target, or objective is, what you want to achieve, what makes you "move". A person like you is called a conscious man. A person who's aware of why they do something. And, this kind of person has the meaning of life. That's why the world needs (only) this sort of person.

Sometimes, including me, people do something and they don't know why they do that!

They study at university hard but they don't know what they will do after graduating. They read books but they don't know what they will use the information for. They are in a relationship with someone but before sleeping they think "Why did I become his girlfriend/her boyfriend?" They marry but at night they think, "Why did I marry him/her?"

Being conscious is everything. Man in the world without a purpose is like a boat at sea without a sailor. It lets itself be controlled by winds. Will it arrive at the destination? You can imagine.

In my opinion, it's wise to ask ourselves some purpose questions from time to time:
Why am I calling you? Why am I listening to this music? Why do I play this game? Why do I work for this company? Why do I buy discounted items? Why am I studying math? Why am I here? Why, why, and why.

Hopefully, we can be a real person, a person that deserves the world, a conscious man. Continue reading

See The Unseen

Yesterday, I watched The Avengers with my friend and his family. Many funny scenes there! Hahaha! :D After watching the movie, we went to a food stall to eat gudeg. That was the first time I've eaten that food. It tasted sweeettt~ ;) (try it when you come to Indonesia :)) Then, there happened a chat that inspired me to write this article.

My friend's father said that the cool gadget my friend uses smells his father's sweat. The parents described how they persevered in working, endeavored to be successful. I was touched and my brain was "tugged" by what they said.

I think it is normal for us to adore someone with great amazement.

• "Wow, how clever my teacher is! I want to be like him! He is an English master!"
• "Merry has a cool laptop. I want to be like her too! I want to have one!"
• "Lisa, I once went to John's house. His house is so big! The interior is very beautiful! After all, there are a swimming pool and a basketball court! My dream house!"

Such expressions come out from our mouths.

But, have we ever thought about how much struggle they have undergone? How much toil they have done? How myriad obstacles they have faced?

Achievements, popularity, cars, handphones, .... (please fill this in by yourself)

Those are the "products", the final results. REALIZE that behind all those is something that we should consider, something that we must reflect on, something that is unseen, but we have to see.

So, every time you see someone or something "shining", _ _ _ the un _ _ _ n! Continue reading

"Afford" and "Effort"

Two simple words. They look and sound similar, don't they? And, in fact, the relationship between them is very strong!

Please read the story below, which is based on a true one:

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There is a 21-year-old girl named Tania. She loves English and wants to buy Advanced Grammar in Use by Martin Hewings—one of my favorite English books—to improve her grammar. The problem is she doesn't have enough money.
One day, her friend offers her to be a data entry clerk for three days. "The wage is more than enough," she thinks, "I will be able to buy AGU!" Then, she decides to take the opportunity.

And. . . Deng deng deng~ AGU is in her hands!

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Effort → working for three days
Afford → AGU

So simple, so simple! But, often we only look at the "afford"! We don't pay attention to the "twin". We seem under hypnosis! Do we realize that it is like eating without a mouth or playing without a game? It is impossible. What would have happened if Tania had not taken the opportunity? We need to do something to get something. That's the precept.

Wake up! The world is a place for non-dreamers! The world is a place for vigorous men! The world is a place for real men making real efforts to get real results! And they are us, right? ;)

PSsstt. That's my true story. :p Continue reading