Phrasal verb: pass (something) up

"pass (something) up"

Meaning: decline (usually something good)

Example: Wendy passed up the job offer. She said that the compensation package was good, but the office was really far from her home.


Last week's phrasal verbs:
hand (something) over
keep (something) up
look down on (someone)

Idiom: pop quiz

"pop quiz"

Meaning: unannounced short test

Example: We should be ready for a pop quiz this week. Our professor is fond of surprising his students.


Last week's idioms:
hard-headed
in stock
junk mail
keep (one's) nose to the grindstone
Let sleeping dogs lie.

Idiom: (on the) cutting edge

"(on the) cutting edge"

Meaning: using the most recent technology

Example: The new hospital hospital in the city is on the cutting edge when you consider its modern medical equipment.


Last week's idioms:
hard-headed
in stock
junk mail
keep (one's) nose to the grindstone
Let sleeping dogs lie.

Idiom: now and then

"now and then"

Meaning: occasionally; from time to time.

Example: We see Mariel at the store now and then, but only when she buys her kilo of rice.


Last week's idioms:
hard-headed
in stock
junk mail
keep (one's) nose to the grindstone
Let sleeping dogs lie.

Phrasal verb: mix (something) up

"mix (something) up"

Meaning: confuse two or more things

Example: I mixed up the brand names of the two cars again. They really appear similar to me.


Last week's phrasal verbs:
hand (something) over
keep (something) up
look down on (someone)

5 Tips for Multiple Choice/Answer Questions in IELTS Reading

Today I'm going to share some things you should keep in mind when it comes to multiple choice (multiple answer) questions in the IELTS Reading Module.

1. There are 3 possibilities for every idea or choice that you see in the task:
-it might be stated differently in the text
-it might be incorrect from the one stated in the text
-it might not be stated in the text

2. Scan the text and locate where the ideas or choices are stated.

3. Be careful of words such as "more," "all," "always," "never," etc., as they modify the meaning expressed in the text, idea, or choice.

4. If you find that the ideas are clearly incorrect or wrong, make it a habit to cross them out.

5. Do the easiest items first. Proceed to the next item/s should you find that you're unsure of the answer to a particular item.

Next week, we'll share with you some tips with regard to notes/summary completion questions in the IELTS Reading Module.

Cheers. :)

Other IELTS reading tips:

• 5 Tips for Sentence Completion Questions in the IELTS Reading Module
• 4 Tips for Multiple Choice Questions in the IELTS Reading Module
• 6 Tips for Choosing Headings in the IELTS Reading Module
• 5 Tips for Multiple Choice (Multiple Answer) Questions in the IELTS Reading Module
• 5 Tips for Notes/Summary Completion Questions in the IELTS Reading Module
• 5 Tips for Identifying Information and the Writer's Views in the IELTS Reading Module
• 5 Tips for Diagram/Flow Chart Questions in the IELTS Reading Module
• 5 Tips for Classification and Matching Type Questions in the IELTS Reading Module

Phrasal verb: look down on (someone)

"look down on (someone)"

Meaning: think less of, consider inferior

Example: Never look down on a person based on his or her appearance alone.


Last week's phrasal verbs:
call on someone
do (something) up
fall out
get away

Idiom: Let sleeping dogs lie.

"Let sleeping dogs lie."

Meaning: Don't cause problems by doing something when it isn't necessary

Example: I humbly suggest that you avoid arguing with Sylvia and let her choose her own car. Let sleeping dogs lie.


Last week's idioms:
catch some Zs
do a bang up job
elbow grease
feel puny
get a kick out of (something)

Phrasal verb: keep (something) up

"keep something up"

Meaning: continue at the same rate

Example: At this point, just keep the buffing machine's speed up to 6. With medium pressure, move the buffer slowly on a 1' x 1' area until the polish on the paint appears to be almost clear.


Last week's phrasal verbs:
call on someone
do (something) up
fall out
get away

Idiom: keep (one's) nose to the grindstone

"keep (one's) nose to the grindstone"

Meaning: stay diligent; steadily work hard, without breaks or an uneven pace

Example: I'll keep my nose to the grindstone since I only have a day to detail this car.


Last week's idioms:
catch some Zs
do a bang up job
elbow grease
feel puny
get a kick out of (something)

Idiom: junk mail

"junk mail"

Meaning: unsolicited mail usually containing advertisements for something you're not interested in

Example: How do I mark these emails as junk mail?


Last week's idioms:
catch some Zs
do a bang up job
elbow grease
feel puny
get a kick out of (something)

Idiom: in stock

"in stock"

Meanng: in supply and available to buy / sell.

Example: Yes, we have a few boxes left. They are still in stock.


Last week's idioms:
catch some Zs
do a bang up job
elbow grease
feel puny
get a kick out of (something)

Phrasal verb: hand (something) over

"hand (something) over"

Meaning: give (usually unwillingly)

Example: The teacher asked Salve to hand over her cellphone because it was disturbing the class.


Last week's phrasal verbs:
call on someone
do (something) up
fall out
get away

Idiom: hard-headed

"hard-headed"

Meaning: stubborn, inflexible, unwilling to change

Example: Kyle is so hard-headed that my guess is he would still stick to his plan no matter what.


Last week's idioms:
catch some Zs
do a bang up job
elbow grease
feel puny
get a kick out of (something)

6 Tips for Choosing Headings in IELTS Reading

Hi. It's time for sharing some tips when you see questions that require you to choose headings in the IELTS reading module. Remember the following:

1. Skim the entire text to get its general idea.

2. Cross out the heading which was already used as an example.

3. Try to find the heading by skimming the first paragraph.

4. Should you become unsure as regards the heading, proceed to the next paragraph so you won't unnecessarily consume your remaining time.

5. Make it a habit to cross out those headings that you've already chosen.

6. Never leave blanks unanswered.

Next week, we'll share with you some tips if you're meet some multiple choice (multiple answer) questions in the IELTS Reading Module.

Cheers. :)

Other IELTS reading tips:

• 5 Tips for Sentence Completion Questions in the IELTS Reading Module
• 4 Tips for Multiple Choice Questions in the IELTS Reading Module
• 6 Tips for Choosing Headings in the IELTS Reading Module
• 5 Tips for Multiple Choice (Multiple Answer) Questions in the IELTS Reading Module
• 5 Tips for Notes/Summary Completion Questions in the IELTS Reading Module
• 5 Tips for Identifying Information and the Writer's Views in the IELTS Reading Module
• 5 Tips for Diagram/Flow Chart Questions in the IELTS Reading Module
• 5 Tips for Classification and Matching Type Questions in the IELTS Reading Module

Phrasal verb: get away

"get away"

Meaning: go on a vacation

Example: We've had a busy year. Let's get away for a week. What do you think?


Last week's phrasal verbs:
warm up
blow (something) up

Idiom: get a kick out of (something)

"get a kick out of (something)"

Meaning: find something amusing

Example: Dave really gets a kick out of watching comedy films.


Last week's idioms:
until you're blue in the face
wet behind the ears
You've got to be kidding!
antsy
be broke

Phrasal verb: fall out

"fall out" (of hair, teeth)

Meaning: become loose and unattached

Example: Sweetie says her baby tooth is starting to fall out.


Last week's phrasal verbs:
warm up
blow (something) up

Idiom: feel puny

"feel puny"

Meaning: feel unwell, ill

Example: Iya said she was feeling puny. Maybe that's why she's not training now.


Last week's idioms:
until you're blue in the face
wet behind the ears
You've got to be kidding!
antsy
be broke

Idiom: elbow grease

"elbow grease"

Meaning: hard work; effort

Example: I don't like using that brand of car wax. It's very difficult to use. You'll need a little elbow grease just to remove it even if it has dried.


Last week's idioms:
until you're blue in the face
wet behind the ears
You've got to be kidding!
antsy
be broke

Phrasal verb: do (something) up

"do (something) up"

Meaning: fasten, close

Example: To avoid spilling water, make sure you do the bottle up before you bring it out.


Last week's phrasal verbs:
warm up
blow (something) up

Idiom: do a bang up job

"do a bang-up job"

Meaning: do a very good job; do very well at something.

Example: The paint on Paul's car is very shiny. Paul did a bang-up job with it.


Last week's idioms:
until you're blue in the face
wet behind the ears
You've got to be kidding!
antsy
be broke

Phrasal verb: call on (someone)

"call on (someone)"

Meaning: ask for an answer or opinion

Example: My law professor called on me for his question about Article 282 of the Labor Code of the Philippines.


Last week's phrasal verbs:
warm up
blow (something) up

Idiom: catch some Zs

"catch some Zs"

Meaning: sleep for a while; take a nap.

Example: I just got home from work and I feel tired. I think I'm going to catch some Zs.


Last week's idioms:
until you're blue in the face
wet behind the ears
You've got to be kidding!
antsy
be broke

4 Tips for Multiple Choice Questions in IELTS Reading

Hi. Here are the tips to take note of when you get to see multiple choice questions in the IELTS reading module.

1. These are tricky questions that provide choices which are:
-not stated in the passage;
-stated, but are not relevant;
-stated but could refer to a different topic; and
-opposite of the the passage has stated.

2. Skim and Scan the passage for the correct answer.

3. Don't spend too much time on a particular item. Skip, but make it a point to go back to the item/s skipped if you still have time.

4. Cross-out the choices that you have identified as incorrect.

Next week, we'll share with you some tips if you're required to choose headings in the IELTS Reading Module.

Cheers. :)

Other IELTS reading tips:

• 5 Tips for Sentence Completion Questions in the IELTS Reading Module
• 4 Tips for Multiple Choice Questions in the IELTS Reading Module
• 6 Tips for Choosing Headings in the IELTS Reading Module
• 5 Tips for Multiple Choice (Multiple Answer) Questions in the IELTS Reading Module
• 5 Tips for Notes/Summary Completion Questions in the IELTS Reading Module
• 5 Tips for Identifying Information and the Writer's Views in the IELTS Reading Module
• 5 Tips for Diagram/Flow Chart Questions in the IELTS Reading Module
• 5 Tips for Classification and Matching Type Questions in the IELTS Reading Module

Phrasal verb: blow (something) up

"blow (something) up"

Meaning: add air

Example: Teddy has to blow the inflatable balls up for the kids who are at the pool.


Last week's phrasal verbs:
pass (something) out
run over/through (something)
set (someone) up
take (something) back

Idiom: be broke

"be broke"

Meaning: be without money.

Example: I'm sorry I can't help you right now, my friend. I'm also broke.


Last week's idioms:
on time
pooped
rain cats and dogs
shoot the breeze
toss (something)

Idiom: antsy

"antsy"

Meaning: restless; impatient and tired of waiting.

Example: I just wish the approval arrives via mail soon. Waiting makes me antsy.


Last week's idioms:
on time
pooped
rain cats and dogs
shoot the breeze
toss (something)

Idiom: You've got to be kidding!

"You've got to be kidding!"

Meaning: You can't be serious! (What you said can't be true. What you said is very surprising/hard to believe.)

Tonyang: Haven't you heard the news? Agua's alive!
Doña Amalia: You've got to be kidding!


Last week's idioms:
on time
pooped
rain cats and dogs
shoot the breeze
toss (something)

Phrasal verb: warm up

"warm up"

Meaning: prepare body for exercise

Example: It's always good to warm up before doing any kind of exercise.


Last week's phrasal verbs:
pass (something) out
run over/through (something)
set (someone) up
take (something) back

Idiom: wet behind the ears

"wet behind the ears"

Meaning: inexperienced and naive

Example: Try to give a briefing to our new employee, Venus, before she interviews the applicants. She's still too wet behind the ears.


Last week's idioms:
on time
pooped
rain cats and dogs
shoot the breeze
toss (something)

Idiom: until you're blue in the face

"until you're blue in the face"

Meaning: forever

Example: You could try convincing him to join your group until you're blue in the face, but I think he won't join any other group. He has already decided to join us.


Last week's idioms:
on time
pooped
rain cats and dogs
shoot the breeze
toss (something)

5 Tips for Sentence Completion Questions in IELTS Reading

Hi. We're now going to start our next series. We're going to give you some tips and strategies with regard to the IELTS Reading Module.

Today, we'll share with you some things you need to remember when you encounter sentence completion questions in reading. Here they are:

1. Check the instructions. Note the number of words you need to fill the blank or gap.

2. Skim the text or passage so that you'll get its general idea.

3. After reading the questions, scan the text or passage to search for relevant words and phrases. After you find them, read carefully so that you'll be able to find the answer.

4. The answers you should place in the blanks or gaps should fit grammatically.

5. Never change the form of the words or phrases so that it would fit grammatically in the blanks or gaps.

Next week, we'll share with you some tips with regard to multiple choice questions in the IELTS Reading Module. Cheers. :)

Cheers!

Other IELTS reading tips:

• 5 Tips for Sentence Completion Questions in the IELTS Reading Module
• 4 Tips for Multiple Choice Questions in the IELTS Reading Module
• 6 Tips for Choosing Headings in the IELTS Reading Module
• 5 Tips for Multiple Choice (Multiple Answer) Questions in the IELTS Reading Module
• 5 Tips for Notes/Summary Completion Questions in the IELTS Reading Module
• 5 Tips for Identifying Information and the Writer's Views in the IELTS Reading Module
• 5 Tips for Diagram/Flow Chart Questions in the IELTS Reading Module
• 5 Tips for Classification and Matching Type Questions in the IELTS Reading Module

Phrasal verb: take (something) back

"take (something) back"

Meaning: return an item

Example: You could try to take the LCD monitor back because it's not working.


Last week's phrasal verbs:
keep (someone/something) out
look after (someone/something)
make (someone) up

Idiom: toss (something)

"toss (something)"

Meaning: throw something away; put something in the trash

Example: These bags really look old and worn out. I think I'll have to toss them.


Last week's idioms:
jump to conclusions
keep (one's) chin up
a let-down
make up (one's) mind
Not on your life!

Phrasal verb: set (someone) up

"set (someone) up"

Meaning: trick, trap

Example: The police set up the hostage taker by using the SWAT.


Last week's phrasal verbs:
keep (someone/something) out
look after (someone/something)
make (someone) up

Idiom: shoot the breeze

"shoot the breeze"

Meaning: make relaxed, casual conversation

Example: Kim and I had a short chat; we were just shooting the breeze.


Last week's idioms:
jump to conclusions
keep (one's) chin up
a let-down
make up (one's) mind
Not on your life!

Phrasal verb: run over/through (something)

"run over/through (something)"

Meaning: rehearse, review

Example: Try to run over/through the chorus a couple of times before we call it a day.


Last week's phrasal verbs:
keep (someone/something) out
look after (someone/something)
make (someone) up

Idiom: rain cats and dogs

"rain cats and dogs"

Meaning: rain very hard

Example: It's raining cats and dogs. Since you don't have an umbrella, you might as well leave later.


Last week's idioms:
jump to conclusions
keep (one's) chin up
a let-down
make up (one's) mind
Not on your life!