何谓BAU

BAU就是Business As Usual的意思，中文翻译为“情景照常”。

摘录的一句话

Such actions mean that NASCAR might lose a sale today, but it will keep the customer tomorrow.

divert from 转移

divert attention from 转移注意力

forte = strong point or speciality

Tips for the IELTS Speaking Section

Before going into the room, take three DEEP breaths!

Do not worry about mistakes - everybody makes them! Instead, think about communicating well.

Do not worry about your accent. Just speak clearly.

Avoid slang or very informal language. We only use such language with our close friends.

Say NAMES slowly. If you say a name in your own language, you MUST explain it!

Do NOT use difficult words or expressions unless you are 100% sure you know how to use them right. If you use words at the wrong time, your score will be lower!

Make good, clear sentences to express your meaning.

Do not speak either too fast nor too slow.

You cannot ask questions on Part 1 or Part 2, but you SHOULD ask questions on Part 3 if you do not understand.

Do not change the topic. The examiner will think you cannot speak enough on that topic and will give you a lower score.

If you don't know much about a topic, talk about something related to that topic, then explain the connection.

Do not memorize answers to prepare for the test. The examiner will hear that you are not speaking naturally and will change the topic.

Practice speaking with a watch. You should use about 4 minutes for each part of the Speaking Test.

• Practice speaking with a friend. Your friend can surprise you with all kinds of questions.

Digged from Learn English with Teatcher Joe
这个是从一个雅思考官的网站上摘过来的。

TOEFL SPEAKING question 3 (4samples)

YOU WILL FIND THE ANNOUNCEMENT JUST A LITTLE FURTHER DOWN, AFTER THE INSTRUCTIONS. Here are 4 sample questions for the TOEFL IBT 3rd speaking section. As you probably know, the speaking part of t...

YOU WILL FIND THE ANNOUNCEMENT JUST A LITTLE FURTHER DOWN, AFTER THE INSTRUCTIONS.


Here are 4 sample questions for the TOEFL IBT 3rd speaking section. As you probably know, the speaking part of the test is divided into 6 different sections. The following video deals with the THIRD section (Read, listen and summarize).

This question requires you to read an announcement and to listen to a conversation between two students as they discuss the announcement. Oddly enough, one of the passages here involves only one student ranting about the announcement. But the question remains the same; what does he/she thinks and why?

That question is fairly easy since all you have to do is read and listen carefully, take notes about both the text and the conversation and then regurgitate the information using your own words. You MUST NOT add any information of your own. You simply have to stick with the information provided to you by the test and add nothing else.

I suggest you structure your answer using the following pattern:

1: Quickly sum up the content of the announcement
2: Clearly state the position of the man or woman (depending on the question)
3: Give 2 reasons/arguments why they think the way they do.
4: Give details (examples) that the students use to illustrate their arguments.
5: End up with a neat concluding sentence (that is why the man thinks the library should kind of thing!)



HERE ARE THE ANNOUNCEMENTS


1) Closure for the Evening Class


With the decrease of students interested in the evening class, the university decided to discontinue it. This decision was made because the number of students for the evening class has declined for the past few years and more students prefer to study with an experienced faculty member. Students who already registered for the evening class are required to change their schedule, or refunds will be applicable for those who cannot meet the schedule.




2) Welcome, Freshman Students!


As of September 1st, unlike last year, the university has decided to change its plan from holding freshmen orientation for all students it giving them the option of either going on a campus hiking tour or participating in games. This change has been decided by the student committee since the number of participants was relatively low in previous years. The university hopes that this change will give the students opportunities to interact with fellow freshmen and reduce the tension of coming to the new school with new surroundings.




3) Plan to Enlarge the Library


We plan to enlarge the library by 20 000 square feet and the space would be devoted to increased shelf space for printed materials and more desks for students. The university plans to transform the main library into a learning and information center that will fulfill promise to offer the best possible environment for academic success and high achieving students in the 21st century. The work is expected to begin in early February and it will be completed next year.




4) Library Renovation plan


In June 2007, a one year renovation of the main library began. When the renovation is completed, the IT center will be equipped with computers with the latest technology and space for quiet talks. Additionally, the room will be accessible for 24 hours. All floors including the lobby, halls and entrances, will come together with a light colored wooden floor and it will be brightened up with the newly painted walls.


Here is the link to the PDF speaking scoring grid
www.ets.org/Media/Tests/TOEFL/pdf/Speaki ng_Rubrics.pdf

It will give you a good idea of what they use to grade you

一个转折句

However, there was one big dark cloud on ones blue sky, and that was that ...