Why is Vivekananda's birthday celebrated as youth day? | What is the theme of National Youth Day in 2025?

 Swami Vivekananda National Youth Day is celebrated annually on January 12th in India to honor the birthday of Swami Vivekananda, one of the most prominent spiritual leaders and philosophers of India. Swami Vivekananda is known for his teachings on self-reliance, strength, and unity, and his contributions to spreading Indian philosophy and culture both in India and abroad, especially through his speech at the Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago in 1893.

Why is it celebrated?

• Honoring Swami Vivekananda's legacy: The day is a tribute to his vision of empowering youth and inspiring them to take active roles in nation-building.
• Inspiring youth: Swami Vivekananda emphasized the importance of education, self-discipline, and self-confidence. His teachings continue to motivate young people to pursue their goals with passion and perseverance.
• Youth Development: The day is dedicated to creating awareness about the importance of youth participation in social and cultural development.

Key Themes:

• Empowering Youth: The core focus of National Youth Day is to inspire youth to lead a life of purpose, commitment, and service to society.
• Spiritual and Cultural Growth: Swami Vivekananda believed in the spiritual and moral development of youth, encouraging them to uphold values such as self-respect, discipline, and love for humanity.

Celebrations:

How do I prepare IELTS 2025 exam? | Effective and Smart Study Plan for IELTS 2025

 Preparing for the IELTS 2025 exam effectively requires a structured approach and consistent practice across all four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Here’s a detailed guide on how you can prepare for the IELTS exam in 2025, along with tips and strategies for each section.

1. Understand the IELTS Format and Scoring

Before you start studying, it’s important to understand the IELTS test format and scoring system:

• Listening: 4 sections, 40 questions, 30 minutes.
• Reading: 3 sections, 40 questions, 60 minutes.
• Writing: 2 tasks, 60 minutes.
• Speaking: 3 parts, 11-14 minutes (a face-to-face interview with an examiner).

The IELTS test is scored from 0 to 9, with 9 being the highest band. Each section contributes equally to your overall score, and your score is the average of the four individual sections.

2. Create a Study Plan

A structured study plan is key. Divide your preparation into weekly or daily goals to make steady progress.

Example Weekly Plan:

• Monday: Listening practice + Vocabulary building
• Tuesday: Reading comprehension + Skimming/scanning practice
• Wednesday: Writing Task 1 (Graph/Chart description)
• Thursday: Writing Task 2 (Essay writing)
• Friday: Speaking practice (record your responses or speak with a partner)
• Saturday: Full IELTS practice test (Listening, Reading, and Writing)
• Sunday: Review and analyze mistakes

3. Prepare for Each Section

Listening Section

• Understand the Question Types: Practice with the four main types of listening questions: multiple choice, matching, short answer, and sentence completion.
• Listen Actively: Listen to a variety of English accents (British, Australian, American, etc.) through podcasts, news channels, and IELTS practice materials.
• Practice Transcription: Listen to short segments of audio and write down what you hear. This improves both listening and spelling skills.
• Simulate Exam Conditions: Do practice tests with a timer. In the actual exam, you’ll hear the recording once, so it's important to stay focused and practice active listening.

Listening Resources:

IELTS 2025 practice test 01

 IELTS 2025 practice test with questions and answers for each section: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.

You can use this as a comprehensive practice exercise and refer to the answers afterward for feedback.

IELTS 2025 Practice Test

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Listening Section

Part 1:

You will hear a conversation between two people discussing a university orientation event. Answer the following questions based on the conversation.

Questions 1-5: Complete the details.

Details	Information
Name of student	John Smith
Student ID number	123456
Date of orientation	September 5
Time of registration	9:00 AM
Type of event	Campus tour

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Part 2:

You will hear a speaker giving a talk about environmental awareness. Answer the following questions.

Questions 6-10:

6. According to the speaker, what is one of the main causes of environmental pollution?

• Answer: b) Industrial waste

7. What solution does the speaker propose to reduce air pollution?

IELTS 2025 Practice Test

Listening Section

In the Listening section, you would listen to recordings and answer the following questions. (Note: In an actual test, you would listen to the audio and have a limited time to answer each set of questions).

Part 1:

You will hear a conversation between two people discussing a university orientation event. Answer the following questions based on the conversation.

Questions 1-5: Complete the details.

Details	Information
Name of student	___________
Student ID number	___________
Date of orientation	___________
Time of registration	___________
Type of event	___________

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Part 2:

You will hear a speaker giving a talk about environmental awareness. Answer the following questions.

Questions 6-10:

6. According to the speaker, what is one of the main causes of environmental pollution?

a) Overpopulation
b) Industrial waste
c) Increased tourism
d) Excessive deforestation

7. What solution does the speaker propose to reduce air pollution?

a) Planting more trees
b) Restricting car use
c) Building more factories
d) Reducing agricultural activities

8. How much global waste is recycled according to the speaker?

a) 10%
b) 20%
c) 50%
d) 70%

9. What is one of the challenges in tackling pollution mentioned by the speaker?

a) Lack of government regulation
b) Limited public awareness
c) The high cost of green technologies
d) Low interest from large corporations

10. What does the speaker suggest individuals can do to help the environment?

a) Use electric cars
b) Participate in clean-up campaigns
c) Boycott large companies
d) Spend more on renewable energy

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Reading Section

Vocabulary for TOEFL/IELTS preparation 2025

 When preparing for the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System), it’s crucial to develop a solid vocabulary to enhance both your speaking and writing skills. Having a broad range of words allows you to express your ideas clearly, avoid repetition, and demonstrate a strong command of English.

Here’s a list of useful vocabulary for TOEFL and IELTS preparation, organized by themes relevant to these exams. These words will help you with academic writing, discussion topics, and everyday conversations often featured in both exams.

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1. Vocabulary for Academic Writing

These words are useful for writing essays and responses to academic questions, especially in the writing and speaking sections of the TOEFL and IELTS.

Topic: Education and Learning

• Curriculum (n.): The subjects and materials taught in a school or educational program.

  • Example: "The curriculum needs to be updated to reflect current trends in technology."

• Pedagogy (n.): The method and practice of teaching.

  • Example: "Effective pedagogy is key to student success."

• Proficiency (n.): The level of skill or ability in a subject or activity.

  • Example: "The goal is to increase the students' proficiency in both written and spoken English."

• Retention (n.): The ability to remember or keep information.

  • Example: "Using diverse teaching methods can improve knowledge retention."

• Interdisciplinary (adj.): Involving two or more academic disciplines.

  • Example: "The project requires an interdisciplinary approach combining science and economics."

Topic: Environment and Sustainability

• Sustainability (n.): The ability to maintain or support something over the long term, especially concerning environmental impact.

  • Example: "Governments must promote sustainability to protect the planet for future generations."

• Conservation (n.): The protection and preservation of the environment and wildlife.

  • Example: "Wildlife conservation efforts are essential to preventing species extinction."

• Degradation (n.): The process of something becoming worse or lower in quality.

  • Example: "Soil degradation caused by over-farming is a major environmental concern."

• Ecology (n.): The study of organisms and their environment.

  • Example: "Understanding ecology is crucial for addressing climate change."

• Carbon footprint (n.): The amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases emitted by human activities.

  • Example: "Individuals can reduce their carbon footprint by using public transportation."

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2. Vocabulary for Discussion and Opinion

These words are useful for expressing opinions, agreeing, disagreeing, and making arguments—common in the speaking and writing sections.

• Argumentative (adj.): Involving strong reasons or arguments.

  • Example: "The article presents an argumentative perspective on global warming."

• Controversial (adj.): Likely to cause disagreement or debate.

  • Example: "The decision to implement the new law was controversial."

• Noteworthy (adj.): Important or significant enough to be considered.

  • Example: "The noteworthy achievements of the team were recognized at the ceremony."

• Viable (adj.): Capable of working successfully; practical.

  • Example: "The committee is exploring viable solutions to reduce traffic congestion."

• Significant (adj.): Important and having a major impact.

  • Example: "There has been a significant increase in renewable energy usage in recent years."

• Advocate (v.): To publicly support or recommend.

  • Example: "Many scientists advocate the use of renewable energy sources to combat climate change."

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3. Vocabulary for Describing Processes and Changes

These terms are essential for describing trends, processes, and changes, often required in both writing and speaking sections.

• Fluctuate (v.): To rise and fall irregularly.

  • Example: "Temperatures fluctuate significantly in this region during the summer."

• Evolve (v.): To develop gradually over time.

  • Example: "Technologies continue to evolve in response to consumer demand."

• Accelerate (v.): To speed up or increase the rate of progress.