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The Prepositions: AT, ON, IN
It is a constant reminder to anyone who is taking any English competency examination to have a good background in grammar. Grammar is the basic foundation one must have to be able to speak and write in English. There are eight parts of speech in English namely; nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, conjunctions, interjections and the considered one of the most difficult because of its varied rules in grammar – prepositions.
What are prepositions?
Prepositions are words that link a word or a phrase to a part of the sentence. It is entirely different from a conjunction as a conjunction connects two grammatically alike sentences. Meaning to say, conjunctions connect a word to a word, a phrase to a phrase and a clause to another clause.
Prepositions are used in grammar very often. Hence, it is important for us to know the rules on the basic and most commonly used prepositions – in, on, and at.
Prepositions In, On, At as Time prepositions
"in" can be used with the following:
• parts of the day
I was here in the morning.
I have set a meeting with Mr. Bo in the evening.
In the afternoon, the children take a nap in the living room.
• months, years, seasons
The Kims are going back to Korea in December.
In 1985, my younger brother was born.
My parents usually hire a cabin in the woods in spring.
In 1985, my younger brother was born.
My parents usually hire a cabin in the woods in spring.
"on" can be used with:
• days and dates
The president is said to have a meeting with his cabinet members on Tuesday.
Philippines got its independence from the Spaniards on June 12.
Philippines got its independence from the Spaniards on June 12.
• special days
On Christmas, we always go to the ski resort.
There is a big feast in my aunts on Independence Day.
"at" can be used with:
• specific time of the day
I usually get up at 8 o’clock in the morning. How about you?
Class starts at 7.20 am.
Class starts at 7.20 am.
• the following expressions: at night, at midnight, at noon, at sunrise, at sunset, at the moment
I can hear wolves howling at night by the cliff.
Do you eat lunch at noon?
Do you eat lunch at noon?
Prepositions In, On, At as Place prepositions
The preposition in is used to describe an object or a person within the area of something or within the confines of something.
Examples:
The children are busily doing an experiment in the laboratory.
Davao City is in Mindanao.
What is in your bag?
The preposition on is used to describe that something is on or against another surface of something.
Examples:
The books that I bought are placed on the table.
The cat is sleeping on the sofa.
A huge wall clock is placed on the wall.
Finally, the preposition at is used when writing a complete address.
Examples:
I live at 34 St. Coral Avenue, Toril, Davao City.
Her favorite flower shop is at 1423 Main Street.
Examples:
I live at 34 St. Coral Avenue, Toril, Davao City.
Her favorite flower shop is at 1423 Main Street.
In addition, you can also use at to show a specific point or location.
Examples:
Examples:
Rhea is working at her desk.
I work at a bank.
I saw her standing at the entrance of the building.
Being familiar with the basic usage of these prepositions is essential in writing and in speaking. Practice more on these and remember the rules very well.
Common IELTS Speaking Topics for General Training Module
Do you feel apprehensive when you are asked to speak in front of someone? Have you experienced having a conversation to a native English speaker? Well, you will have to experience both when you are about to take the IELTS Speaking test.
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination has been very popular among individuals who are preparing their requirements in working, studying or migrating overseas. Certain countries have made the IELTS as one of their requirements to ensure the competency of an individual in terms of being competitive and ability to communicate in an English-speaking country.
It is known to any IELTS candidate that there are two kinds of IELTS test depending on the purpose of the examinee – the Academic and the General Training. Because speaking in English is very important to communicate, the speaking examination assesses the individual’s capability to handle conversations and situations in the English languages. In the General Training assessment, here are some common topics interviewers ask the examinees.
For Task 1, the examiner can ask questions about your family, work, education, and hometown.
• Describe your family. Do you have a large or small family?
• What do you do at work? What are your certain responsibilities? Describe the company or the organization you are working for.
• What was your course in the university? What is the education system like in your country?
• What are the industries to be found in your hometown? Is there any advantage or disadvantage living in your hometown?
For the second task, you might be given questions regarding people, events, and places.
• Describe a childhood memory you have.
1. When did it happen?
2. Who was with you?
3. How did you feel that time.
Explain why you remember this particular memory.
• Describe a lake, a river or a sea you have visited.
1. Where is the lake?
2. How often you have visited it?
3. What activities do you do there?
Explain why you like this particular place.
For the third task, questions are connected with the topic in the second task.
• What types of leisure activities are popular in your country?
• Why it is important for people to have time for leisure activities?
• Do you think state or private television is better?
• What effects can watching television have on children?
If you are not that confident with your speaking skills, then it is best to enrol in an IELTS training center. They will help you learn more strategies that will make your speaking skills the best for the IELTS examination.
IELTS Speaking Practice - Effective Tips on How to Ace the IELTS Speaking Tasks
Speaking in front of a native speaker for the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) test is not a piece of cake. There are different thoughts running around your head while facing the interviewer. Am I being judged on how I look? Will I be able to answer the questions appropriately? Will I have to confidence to build constant eye contact with the interviewer? With all these thoughts clouding your mind, chances are you are going to mess up your interview. The best way to do before and while having the speaking examination is to stay calm. Aside from that, here are some simple yet effective ways on how you can ace the IELTS speaking test.
• Be familiar with how you are going to be assessed
Examiners have criteria in rating your responses. Some of these are fluency, cohesion, grammar, pronunciation, and accuracy. If a candidate knows well about these criteria, then he or she can formulate responses that will address all of the mentioned above. As a result, the response is straightforward and appropriate for every question asked.
• Give intelligent responses
What do we mean by intelligent? When asked a question, answer in complete sentences. Give full responses to questions. Longer responses give emphasis that you are conversant and at the same time full of ideas. Moreover, elaborate your answers by describing and providing more details most especially on the first task.
• Use your experiences in your answer
Based on experience, people speak more when they relate their answers to their experiences and or to their prior knowledge. Sometimes these experiences are not even real. People make up stories to support their answers. Having this makes the talk more interesting having the examinee hooked on your responses.
• Have a conversations English
Practice speaking in English at work or even at home. Find a partner whom you can speak English comfortably. Be open to criticisms when it comes to your pronunciation and choice of words. Learning is best when you are corrected and you are prepared enough for feedbacks and suggestions.
• Be exposed with the media – TV and print in English
The more you read or listen to people speaking in English, the better your understanding and fluency with the language. Observe how people speak. Imitate them but do not overdo it. Try to be natural and practice in front of a mirror. Be confident.
In IELTS review centers, coaches have one-on-one mock assessments in speaking candidates can take advantage. Having this makes the candidate prepared and ready to face a native English speaker on the IELTS exam day.
Common Errors in IELTS Speaking Examination
Speaking in English is very usual for Filipinos. We normally listen to individuals talking in English all over the place - in university, in the office, in dining places and even at home. Due to the incorporation of the English language in our education system, Filipinos have already been exposed and have a long experience with the English language. Therefore, as Filipinos, we are very privileged to have the opportunity to have English as our second language. In the eventuality of taking an English experience examination such as the IELTS or the International English Language Testing System, taking the speaking evaluation delivers worry to the individuals making them commit errors during the assessment. For that reason, the prospects for the IELTS evaluation try to get aid for tactics and strategies to ensure they are aimed at their assessment. What seems to be the common errors individuals do in the speaking evaluation?
One thing the applicants must prevent is having long pauses in answering. It is okay to temporarily stop for a few seconds but not too long. Stopping too long helps make an opinion that one does not obviously know very well what the question is all about. Instead of taking long breaks, one can say, This inquiry is a little tough, but I think…. As a result, the applicant can buy some time for him or her to think of his or her solution.
A lot of individuals have been through training in IELTS review centers. Hubs offer training and give styles in giving solutions. The only problem with this is when individuals use the same template in answering in the real exam. The responses do not come out naturally and these can be noticed by the interviewer. If one performs this, there is a huge deduction on the candidate’s score.
Avoid saying the question. For example the interviewer asks, What is your most loved book? Avoid saying “My most liked book is…”. The interviewer gauges how well a candidate can change syntax and play with grammar. Echoing the question will not give prospects a high rating.
Listen to the question properly. Some job hopefuls answer the question quickly without genuinely knowing the task. Because of this, they fail to answer the question properly. People should listen carefully on what the task involves to create an efficient answer.
Being in front of a native speaker is obviously one factor that makes these job hopefuls feel worried in the assessment. The challenge with getting worried is that it causes mental block for the applicant. Even so, when applicants are going to an IELTS review, these complaints are wiped out and given solution to be able to effectively succeed in the speaking evaluation.
One thing the applicants must prevent is having long pauses in answering. It is okay to temporarily stop for a few seconds but not too long. Stopping too long helps make an opinion that one does not obviously know very well what the question is all about. Instead of taking long breaks, one can say, This inquiry is a little tough, but I think…. As a result, the applicant can buy some time for him or her to think of his or her solution.
A lot of individuals have been through training in IELTS review centers. Hubs offer training and give styles in giving solutions. The only problem with this is when individuals use the same template in answering in the real exam. The responses do not come out naturally and these can be noticed by the interviewer. If one performs this, there is a huge deduction on the candidate’s score.
Avoid saying the question. For example the interviewer asks, What is your most loved book? Avoid saying “My most liked book is…”. The interviewer gauges how well a candidate can change syntax and play with grammar. Echoing the question will not give prospects a high rating.
Listen to the question properly. Some job hopefuls answer the question quickly without genuinely knowing the task. Because of this, they fail to answer the question properly. People should listen carefully on what the task involves to create an efficient answer.
Being in front of a native speaker is obviously one factor that makes these job hopefuls feel worried in the assessment. The challenge with getting worried is that it causes mental block for the applicant. Even so, when applicants are going to an IELTS review, these complaints are wiped out and given solution to be able to effectively succeed in the speaking evaluation.
Win over the Interviewer with IELTS Speaking Instruction
Considered the very most difficult area in the IELTS, the speaking section is where the most candidates seek out practice. The test intends to see how well an individual can have English conversations in an academic setting examining the candidates’ replies. In addition, the candidates need to develop very intelligible and sensible responses for raters will review how well they can take care of these conversations. As an applicant for the speaking examination, the solutions should come out naturally and not something that is patterned in a template kind of speaking.
There are three sections that prospects ought to go through in the speaking examination. The introduction is the first area where the individuals are instructed to introduce themselves. Moreover, the people will be asked popular questions like family, studying, work, hobbies, and much more questions about the candidates’ record. It's done this way to relax the prospects and at the same time prepare them for far more serious questions.
The second task is a small talk. The individuals are provided a cue card with a question written on it. Once the prospects have it, they will be given a minute or two to prepare for it and are asked to talk about it after. The topics are most of the time an outline of a person, a place or an event that the prospects have experienced. Often, the interviewer asks two or more questions as the interviewer ends the second part.
Lastly, the last question is an intensive discussion of the general subject of the question asked in the second part. This is a more active talk as the interview carries out more questions with your answers examining how well you can deal with a conversation.
People see the speaking test tough simply because that every person has to sit in front of a native speaker. Thus, the trainings done in IELTS Philippines hubs will help develop the candidates’ speaking knowledge to get the desired score they want.
