It is funny. I just read the comments from yesterday.

I actually wasn’t late. My turn was at 3:30 so I got there half an hour earlier.

Some people in the comments apparently blamed me for being irresponsible/late/inconsiderate. You guys need to get a life :)

Chat GPT 4.0 has drafted this email for me after I provided only a few personal details.

Look at how far the technology has come: crafting an email in the matter of seconds with just a few words of instruction.

That makes me think about the future of language proficiency tests like IELTS.
I mean the whole purpose of the writing section, for example, is to test your ability to communicate clearly. If technology can already do that for us, what is in store for language tests? Are they going to be obsolete in a few years time? Maybe not immediately, but eventually yes.

I always thought language tests would go out of fashion with the emergence of universal language (like being fluent in English, for instance), but I guess we don’t even have to wait that long.

#GuessTheIdiom

Try to guess the idiom by looking at the photo, and reading the text below. It is hidden under spoiler effect, so only click on it when you are ready to check your answer!

Good luck!

P.s. this is one of those idioms that can be used in writing task 2 as well. In fact, I used this very idiom back in 2017, and secured my first ever 8.0 for writing.

My task 2 question on that day was the following:

Nowadays more and more fathers are staying at home to care for children, while mothers are working.

Why is it the case?
Is this a positive or negative development?

Definition: The idiom "level playing field" refers to a situation where everyone has an equal chance of succeeding because no individual or group has an unfair advantage over others. It's often used in discussions about fairness and equality in various contexts like business, sports, or education.

Example in a sentence: "The new regulations were introduced to create a level playing field for all companies in the industry, ensuring that smaller firms could compete fairly with the larger corporations."

Nov 12 (overall 8.5)
L 9.0 R 8.5 W 8.0 S 9.0

Nov 19 (overall 8.5)
L 9.0 R 9.0 W 8.5 S 8.0

Eldor 🗿

I am sure this time appealing the speaking score will be enough to secure that 9.0

#humor
Old but GOLD

Obama’s oratory skills are on a different level, for sure.

#GuessTheIdiom

Definition: "Take it with a grain of salt" means to not accept something fully or literally, but to view it with skepticism or caution.

Used in a sentence: "When you read online reviews, always take them with a grain of salt, as they might not always reflect the true quality of the product."

This was the start of the chain reaction…

What kind of content do you want to see more in this channel?

Fresh out of the oven...
Guess who just scored a unique overall 9.0

IELTS ZONE - AIM FOR THE HIGHEST

I said "unique". Why would it be a special 9.0?

Guys, sorry I was in the meeting.

This is a unique result in that it was OFFICIALLY the FIRST case of One Skill Retake (OSR) done in Uzbekistan.

And the first one had to be 9.0....

Which section do you think was retaken?

Recently I volunteered for the first ever One Skill Retake session organized by IDP IELTS, and was given only a 10 day's notice to take the main test in an updated format. 

Despite not having sat the IELTS test in nearly 9 months, my main test results from the Nov 11 exam showed strong scores in Listening (9.0), Reading (9.0) and Speaking (8.5). Ironically, the only section I intensively practiced for a week was Writing, but the result was unexpectedly (or perhaps, expectedly) low (7.5). I say 'expectedly' because this is a testament to the fact that you can't expect to achieve a high score within a short period of time, instead aim for a more consistent language practice. Had I invested as much effort in writing as I did in the other three skills, this would have been a different story.

Getting back to the main story, generally, candidates have a 60-day window to book their OSR test, but I had to take it just three days after my result came out. And unluckily for me, it was the writing section I had to retake. To successfully change my overall score to 9.0, I needed a remarkable comeback, from 7.5 to 8.5, the score I'd only achieved twice before.

P.S. No, you do not get the same tasks in the OSR test :) but yes, it is still easier to just focus on one section!

To summarize, I had not planned to take the IELTS exam again soon, and this score does not change my plans in any way as it was just a one-time thing :). I am still focused on other aspects of my business and personal life. However, experiencing the test one more time was both refreshing and nostalgic. It reminded me of a famous quote from FRIENDS, my relationship with the IELTS test is 'never off the table'.

#WritingQuestions
Nov 25 (Uzb)

Task 1
Bar chart shows the percentage of the population in the UK (Women, Men and Children) who consumed the recommended daily amount of fruit and vegetables in 2002, 2006 and 2012.

Task 2
Some people say that too much attention and too many resources are given to protect wild animals and birds.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

#GuessTheIdiom

Definition: The idiom "balancing act" refers to a situation where someone is trying to manage two or more different tasks, responsibilities, or aspects of life at the same time, especially when it requires careful planning or skill to keep everything under control.

Speaking
Example sentence: "Juggling her full-time job and studying for her master's degree has been a real balancing act for Sarah."

Writing
In today's fast-paced world, individuals often face a delicate balancing act between their professional obligations and personal life, striving to maintain equilibrium amidst these competing demands.

Today I am visiting my parents in my hometown. Do you guys know where I am from?

9th 9er is out, and he did it in style (35.5)
Hats off to Dilmurod, who apparently has been the member of the IELTS Elite group that I started for those with an 8.5 back in the day.

https://www.tg-me.com/dilmurod_notes/385

My next online #WRITING course is almost ready to be rolled out!

The task 2 part is being finalized and I have to say it will be the most comprehensive WRITING course on offer.

This will soon be incorporated to all the face to face classes taught at IELTS ZONE too.