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Wednesday 7 April 2021

IELTS Writing Task 1 -Sample 1

 

The charts below give information about travel to and from the UK, and about the most popular countries for UK residents to visit.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

You should write at least 150 words.



My Answer with instructor's Correction



Model answer provided by my instructor at RTC ENGLISH with Guidelines.

1. Re-write / rephrase the title / task (try and make it simpler and more straightforward).
The graph shows the number of UK citizens who travelled overseas and the number of visitors to the UK between 1979 and 1999. The bar chart shows the most popular overseas destinations of British people.

2. Identify the main points described by the data ( look for a pattern in the data and describe it).
It can be seen that overseas travel by UK citizens grew substantially over the period and that the most popular destinations ( apart from the USA) were in Europe. Visits to the UK also increased, but at a slower rate.

3. Describe the data in a clear and organised way ( are you describing change or difference in this case a difference, but in the past tense).

In 1979, over 10 million overseas journeys were made by UK citizens. By 1984, this increased to 20 million and after that the rate of increase grew. In 1999, over 50 million UK residents traveled overseas.

There was a similar rate of increase in the number of people visiting the UK. In 1979, the number was 10 million and this number increased slowly until approximately 1986 and then the rate of increase became more marked. In 1999, almost 20 million people visited the UK.

By far the most popular destinations for UK residents in 1999 were France ( with approximately 11 million visitors) and Spain ( just under 10 million). The third most popular destination was the USA ( approximately 3 million visitors) followed by Greece and Turkey.

4. Give a summary statement.
In summary, overseas travel by UK residents grew five-fold between 1979 and 1999 while the number of visitors to the UK doubled. The most popular destinations for the British were France and Spain.

5. Write at least 150 words.

(232 words) in this answer.

Tuesday 6 April 2021

List of documents required for Nepali students to study in Canada.

Image source: Change.org

This blogpost contains the comprehensive list of documents required for Nepali students to apply for a  Student Visa to Canada. Though this document checklist is specifically for Canada, it also helps Nepali students to apply to other countries as well. This checklist is from the time I applied and it might vary in future. So check the official website of Canadian Immigration or contact Canadian Embassy or High Commission for authentic and up-to-date information.

  1.  SOP (Statement of Purpose)       
    This is a crucial document. It should reflect why you want to pursue a certain course in a Canadian    university. It must be original, succinct and powerful.  Sample SOPs can be found online. I was told that it plays a big role in deciding your visa outcome.

  2. CV
    Your CV detailing your previous study and work experience. If you have a gap in studies, it is a good idea to include work experience to compensate for that in your CV.

  3. Transcript, Character, Provisional and Migration Certificates
    All your academic certificates

  4. IELTS
    IELTS test score is very important. You should have an overall IELTS score of at least 6.5 with no band score less than 6 in order to be eligible for applying to Canada. Some agents can encourage you to apply even with lower IELTS score but visa chances will be significantly smaller.

  5. Experience Letter
    If you have work experience include that as well. If you have a gap in studies include work experience to compensate for that.

  6. 2 Recommendation Letters
    You can have your recommendation letters issued from your workplace and your high-school or university teachers / professors.

  7. Extra Curricular Certificates
    If you have taken part in extra-curricular activities and possess the certifications of the same, include those as well because those will help create positive impression of you in the mind of the  Visa Officer.

  8. Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate (if applicable), Relationship Certificate, Income Verification, Income Reference Letter, Tax Clearance, Address Verification, Property Valuation, Land Ownership Certificate Translation
    You can get nearly all the documents from your ward office. Land Ownership translation can be done in any authorised Notary Public's office. If your ward documents are in Nepali, you need to translate them into English and notarise them as well.

  9. Sponsor Letter
    You also need to attest the sponsor letter written and signed by your sponsors. Sponsor could be your parents, siblings or any other valid sponsor. This letter mentions that they will fund your stay and studies in Canada.

  10. Police Report
    You are also required to attach police report mentioning you have no criminal records against you. You can apply for a  police report online and receive it in your Email (within 24 hours). This is the easiest option.

  11. No Objection Letter
    You can get your No Objection Certificate (or letter) (NOC) from Ministry of Education Keiser Mahal Kathmandu. Now you can apply for it online as well.

  12. Offer Letter
    Offer Letter from a valid Canadian University or College is required.

  13. T.T. Copy
    This document shows that you have sent tuition fees to your University in Canada. This document is issued by your Nepali Bank after you have sent the tuition fees. I was told that Nepal Investment Bank is good to send fees to Canada, you can also learn with other banks about the charges and choose whichever is best for you. You also need to pay government tax while sending tuition fees. Even if your visa gets rejected, the government tax will not be refunded. Sounds strange? but that's how it is as of now.

  14.  PAN Card
    You do not need to attach PAN Card or a copy of it to the application. However, you require a PAN Card to send tuition fees to your university from Nepal. PAN stands for Permanent Account Number. So, if you get it once, you must keep it for lifetime and can use it anywhere. You can apply it online with a Passport size photo (digital, if applied online) and your Citizenship card and you need to visit Inland Revenue Department to get your PAN Card. You can get it on the same day free of cost.

  15. College Receipt
    This is the document issued by college which shows that college / university has received your tuition fees.  You can have the receipt sent by your University / college to your email or download it from the online portal in the case of some universities.

  16. CA Report
    You are required to have all your income related documents audited by a licensed Chartered Accountant. In my case I had paid almost NRS 2500 to get a CA report. It might vary from one firm to another.

  17. Balance Certificate
    You also need to show your Bank Balance which should be 30-40 Lakhs Nepali rupees. It shows that you have sufficient funds for your stay in Canada. If you are applying with your spouse Bank Balance should be almost / more than 40 Lakhs.

  18. Bank Statement (Not Compulsory) 
    You also need to show your Bank Statement as well if it is possible. You can get your Bank Statement free of charge from your bank. But when I applied I was told that it is not compulsory if you cannot have it issued.

  19. Document Checklist
    You also need to attach the checklist of all the documents you have in your application, which will make the visa officer convenient to access a particular document.

  20. Consent Form
  21. Study Permit Form
  22. Study Permit Questionnaire
  23. IMM Form
  24. Schedule Form
  25. Family Information

  26. Photo
    In my case they had taken photo themselves at VFS Office.

  27. Demand Draft
    You can get Demand Draft from your Bank. Ask with your consultancy or agent about the amount of Demand Draft. You need two separate Demand Drafts for Visa and Biometric fees.

  28. Passport
    You need to send your passport to Canadian High Commission New Delhi. And after the visa decision has been made, VFS will inform you by phone and by Email and you can book a date at VFS to collect your passport.

    Also read this. (How much it costs tentatively to apply to Canada).
    https://nepalihal.blogspot.com/2021/04/how-much-money-nepali-student-loses-if.html

Monday 22 March 2021

English Grammar.

 By vs Within

Use By with a point of time
        Example: The assignment must be submitted by 12th March 2021.

Use Within with a period of time. 
        Example: These invoices must be paid within 2 weeks.

There is also another possibility to use in instead of within, they are synonymous.
        The invoices must be paid in 2 weeks.


Have Been vs Have Gone

Have Been : If you have been to a place and returned.
Have Gone: if you have gone to a place and not returned yet. 

Example: Where's Ram? He's gone to Kathmandu. He'll be back on Monday.
                Hari has been to Pokhara, he bought me this gift.

On Time vs In Time

On time : at the planned time (not before nor after)
In Time : with enough time to spare (not later than the planned time)

Example: The bus was on time.
                He arrived in time to catch the bus.
                The project was completed on time.
                We delivered the project report in time for the board meeting.

When using multiple adjectives   

When using multiple adjectives they should follow this order.
Opinion - Size - Shape - Age - Colour - Nationality - Material - Purpose (OSSACNMP)

My husband has bought a big new white German sports car. 
Ayushman is a handsome thin young man. 
I always carry a square black plastic bag.

When using the verbs TELL, ASK, CALL and PHONE do not use the preposition to before the object.

Can you ask your friend if he knows the answer?
Let me phone my father.
Can you call me when you are ready to go?
He told me to keep quiet.

Sunday 21 March 2021

Who owns Chhaya Center Thamel?

Photo Source:- Chhaya Center's Website

VFS Global (Visa Facilitation Services Global) which used to be in Lalitpur is now in Thamel, Chhaya Devi Complex). Anybody visiting VFS Global would surely wonder who owns this multi-faceted mega  complex? VFS Global is in the third floor of this lavish mansion. As per its website in addition to VFS Global the facility which is spread in the area of 86000 sq. ft. houses 200 top notch retail stores, multiplex, theatres, corporate offices, banquet center, conference halls, casino, discotheque, food court and many more. Chhaya Center also has "The Aloft" which is the first five star hotel in Thamel from 5th to 15th floor of its building. 

From the internet I found out that this building is owned by the Chairman of Nepal Investment Bank Limited (NIBL) Prithvi Bahadur Pande who is one of the most renowned bankers in Nepal. He is the third son of Sardar Bhim Bahadur Pande and Chhaya Devi and is the eighth descendent of Kaji of Gorkha Kingdom, Kalu Pande. He is married to Pratima Rajya Laxmi Rana, the eldest daughter of the First Governor of Nepal, Himalaya Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana. And he completed his chartered accountancy degree from Delhi in 1978. 

He was an employee of Nepal Rastra Bank and had worked as director of Rastriya Banijya Bank and Himalayan Bank Limited before leading Nepal Investment Bank in 2001 through foreign investment.



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