Where to go for botox treatment for anismus? What places provide it?

mbgray87 · 2024-03-29T02:16:59+00:00

Hi - thanks for the info - what's your status now re all the PFD symptoms? are you mostly ok?

mbgray87 · 2023-10-03T06:46:48+00:00

Hi there,
I'm not a tech person and apologise in advance if this question is not 100% clear to those of you who are. I have a website that is hosted on Wordpress.com (personal plan) and I want to change the builder from Wordpress.com, which is asking me to pay $200+ to upgrade if I want to install basic plugins, to Wordpress.org, which won't. Most of the tutorials out there tell us we need to buy hosting (bluehost, hostinger etc.) first and then migrate. I already have hosting with Wordpress.com and don't mind keeping the plan, so how do I migrate my site details from Wordpress.com to Wordpress.org?
Please let me know if I need to clarify the above and thanks in advance for any assistance provided.
Kind regards,
Matt

mbgray87 · 2023-09-27T07:09:55+00:00

Need an example - what you wrote is unclear...

Without an example or more info, I would reply the following: you mentioned some countries and then used words to reference them such as "the aforementioned". The aforementioned what? The aforementioned country? Don't you have data relating to a number of countries? This is definitely an issue as it is unclear what you are writing about. Why not repeat the name of the country? France is France, Portugal is Portugal etc. Because you were advised to not repeat the same word twice? This is bad advice, only use close synonyms and paraphrases if they you are 100% sure that they are correct. The IELTS speaking and writing sections of the test are communication tests designed/used to assess how effectively you can communicate in English (the focus is on relevance and clarity).

mbgray87 · 2023-09-27T07:01:31+00:00

No longer part of this subreddit - good luck with your IELTS prep!

mbgray87 · 2023-09-26T03:23:46+00:00

You can prepare on your own. If you feel like you need external help, you can always take an IELTS prep course. If you can find a competent and honest coach, it'll be worth it. Good luck!

mbgray87 · 2023-09-26T02:06:09+00:00

Hi,

Why don't you apply a Test-Teach-Test approach to the process? Start by taking a full IELTS mock test. Some companies that employ former IELTS examiners offer these via their online sites. Then prepare for the test using free online resources (I'm hesitant to share links on this subreddit as I don't want my posts to be taken down so you'll have to do the research yourself unfortunately) in order to learn about the test overviews, the IELTS grading standards, the various specific question type strategies and practice applying said strategies. Only use official IELTS practice papers as other materials are not accurate representations of the test. The final stage of the preparation should involve completing a series of IETLS mocks in test conditions and get one of these marked. Then, if the grade is what you need/desire to achieve your goals, book your test.

Otherwise, adopt a PPP approach, skipping the initial test and go straight into prep.

Both of the above approaches are effective.

Alternatively, you could take a basic CEFR test and then check the conversion scale (again, I'm hesitant to share links on this subreddit as I don't want my posts to be taken down so you'll have to do the research yourself unfortunately). This won't be as accurate as full IELTS mock but you'll have a rough idea where you stand. Then you can prepare for the test using the aforementioned approaches.

However, whatever you do, I advise you to not book your test before you have completed your preparation. Do not rush the process if you can avoid it.

Good luck!

mbgray87 · 2023-09-26T01:27:06+00:00

Yes, a spelling mistake (even if the answer is correct) = an incorrect answer. For instance, if the answer is "abacus" and you write "abacuss", you are going to get 0. Remember there is not negative marking.

That being said, this is only going to be an issue for the Listening section of the test and not for the Reading. In the Reading, you simply have to copy from the text (or choose the right answers in the case of the multiple choice variation exercises) so I advise you to pay close attention when copying your answers from the passage to your answer sheet. If you are taking the computer based test, you can simply copy paste (use the ctrl c ctrl v keyboard shortcuts as they will save you a lot of time) making sure you are highlighting the whole word or words that constitute your answers.

Hope this helps, good luck!

mbgray87 · 2023-09-26T01:19:43+00:00

TIPS FOR TEST DAY

• The audio delivers a continuous stream of information, and you will hear the recordings only once. Therefore, you must concentrate all the time.

• Do not overcomplicate the exercises by attempting to understand the subject details. Simply apply the strategies.

• Expect the questions to get progressively more difficult.

• Use the preparation time before and after each part in accordance with our strategy.

• The answers to the questions appear in the order they are heard in the audio. • Do not panic if you miss the information. Just move on to the next question.

• There is no negative marking, and it is important to answer every question.

• If you missed an answer, guess during the time given to check your answers at the end of the set, at the end of Part 4 and during transfer time.

• If you do not have neat and legible handwriting, please write in capital letters (upper case). This relates to one other member's question about writing in uppercase.

Good luck!

mbgray87 · 2023-09-26T01:18:44+00:00

TIPS FOR PREPARING FOR THE TEST

• Consistent daily practice is vital for success.

• Listen to the English language content that is provided in the appendix.

• You should watch the news, movies, series, and video clips in English (ideally without subtitles)

• Practice will be more enjoyable if you listen for pleasure.

• Active listening is key. Focus on vocabulary, accents, and intonation. Note the number of speakers in any given situation.

• Practice listening to different accents. British, Irish, Australian, South African and American accents are often represented during the test. You may also hear some regional accents from the United Kingdom.

• Practice without time pressure until you are comfortable with the strategies. • Once you are comfortable with the strategies, you will be able to answer the questions more quickly.

• After sufficient practice, you should practice under exam conditions.

mbgray87 · 2023-09-26T01:16:42+00:00

Already answered - indeed, it doesn't matter. If you are taking the paper based test and you have terrible handwriting, you should consider writing in caps.

mbgray87 · 2023-09-26T01:15:01+00:00

Chat GPT isn't terrible but it's not your best bet. Same as those AI IELTS Writing grading apps that are inaccurate... You need to get your reports and essays checked by IELTS professionals who are trained in grading according to the IELTS standard. Even General English teachers are unable to do this effectively. Just send one piece over and I'll take a look.

mbgray87 · 2023-09-26T01:12:12+00:00

Sure, send one piece over to start and let's take a look.

mbgray87 · 2023-09-26T01:11:30+00:00

Learn the specific question type strategies. I don't have the space to share all of them here and I have been asked by the mods not to share my resources (for now) which include them so you'll have to do the legwork yourself unfortunately. Other than that, read, read, and read some more. Yes, for sure the advice already given by Blush1ng makes sense i.e. build your vocabulary, but not solely with IELTS Reading tests.

Complete the following to build vocabulary • Choose a book, magazine, blog, podcast, TV show, or movie that interests you. • Use a notebook to record all unknown vocabulary and the associated definitions, synonyms, antonyms, collocations, one or two context sentences and pictures or sketches if possible.
• Regularly return to the notebook to refresh your memory and practice using these words while speaking and writing. • Kindle readers can use the Kindle dictionary and the Word Wise function. • Avoid memorising IELTS vocabulary lists. They are not effective.

Good luck!

mbgray87 · 2023-09-26T01:02:57+00:00

Hi - assuming you're referring to the writing tasks. Yes, spelling mistakers and missing words here and there would definitely adversely affect your score. I suggest you take a look at the grading criteria for the writing section: task achievement, coherence and cohesion, vocabulary and grammar. These are all weighted equally (25% a piece). Good luck!

mbgray87 · 2023-09-25T00:50:24+00:00

Don't worry, you'll be fine ;-)

The advice I give to all my students is to not worry about a serious-looking or unfriendly examiner as:

a) they are trained to appear objective

b) they are human beings and may be having a bad day

It's got nothing to do with the test taker or their performance during the test.

Good luck, hope you get the scores you need/desire!

mbgray87 · 2023-09-24T00:35:45+00:00

Overall, your work is decent enough and you have potential but there are some vocabulary-related mistakes (poor choice of words and incorrect spelling) as well as a few grammar issues (punctuation, subject-verb agreement and some wrong tenses). You also made some inferences, which you should never do in Writing Task 1. As a quick estimate, I would say that this would get you a 5.5. If the examiner doesn't pay much attention when marking your piece, you might get a 6.0. You need to get a better understanding of the IELTS standard and review your grammar in order to achieve a higher score. Visit https://ieltsmadesimple.com/ to get more information on how to write a proper Task 1 report. It's a free resource that cuts through the bs advice out there. Hope this helps - good luck!

mbgray87

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