Writing Task 2

March 01, 2020

IELTS Grammar: adjectives after nouns?

As I'm sure you know, we normally place the adjective in front of the noun in English e.g. "the red car" instead of "the car red".

However, English is a crazy language, and rules are there to be broken!

If you read yesterday's lesson (and clicked on this link), you may have seen the following examples of noun + adjective:

someone important
somewhere nice
the best room available
the only decision possible
the worst choice imaginable
the person responsible

Remember: The 'rules' that you find in an intermediate (or even 'advanced') grammar book are probably a simplification. There are deeper levels to be discovered!

February 29, 2020

IELTS Grammar: 'any product imaginable'

There was an interesting discussion in the comments below Wednesday's lesson about the phrase "I can buy any product imaginable".

Here's a summary of the questions in that discussion:

1) Why did I write any product imaginable instead of any imaginable product?
2) Would any imaginable product also be correct?
3) Is there a difference in meaning between the two phrases?

I'll try to answer without going deep into grammar, but if you really like the grammar side of things, have a look at this page (especially the part about 'the only decision possible' and 'the worst choice imaginable').

The simple answer is that "any product imaginable" sounds better to me as a native speaker. This phrase isn't my own original creation; I've probably heard or read it many times in similar contexts, so it's the instinctive phrase to use.
Note: There are 14,300 Google search results for this collocation.
While "any imaginable product" is also grammatically correct, it seems just a little less natural to me. The emphasis is slightly different, and the meaning could also be understood in a slightly different way.
Note: There are only 905 Google search results for this collocation.
This is debatable. If I had to give you my view, I would say that an "imaginable product" could include products that don't currently exist (e.g. a flying car), whereas my phrase "any product imaginable" tends to refer to products that currently exist.

In the end, the Google results and my instinct as a native speaker are probably your best guide. In normal English usage, "any product imaginable" is the typical collocation.

February 26, 2020

IELTS Writing Task 2: from plan to paragraph

When you have written a plan, you then need to turn your notes into full sentences. Let's try this using the paragraph plan below.

Paragraph plan:

- High street shops are disappearing because of online stores.
- Online shopping is faster, cheaper and more convenient.
- People can sit at home, search for deals, receive delivery the next day.
- It is impossible for normal stores to compete with the range of choice.
- Personal example: recent purchases on Amazon.

Full paragraph:

In my opinion, high street shops are disappearing due to competition from online shopping websites, which are cheaper and more convenient. Web-based stores allow customers to search for the best deals, make purchases from the comfort of their homes, and receive delivery of their purchased items the next day. Furthermore, it is impossible for traditional bricks-and-mortar stores to compete with the range of choice that can be found online. For example, I recently used the website Amazon to buy some fairly rare academic textbooks that were not stocked at my local bookshop. As a customer, the fact that I can find any product imaginable online makes it almost pointless for me to make a trip to my local high street.

February 23, 2020

IELTS Advice: "I only improved by 0.5"

I often hear from students who are disappointed because their scores have only improved by half a band. For example: "I've been studying for 3 months but my score has only improved by 0.5".

My reply is always this: You should be happy! An improvement of half a band is great, and it shows that you are on the right track.

Remember: small, gradual improvements are signposts on the path to success!

February 22, 2020

IELTS Grammar: linking with 'this'

All students learn to link ideas using words like "however", "furthermore" etc. Most students don't realise that the word "this" is also a linking word. Look at the following examples:

Nowadays, people can use the Internet to work from home. In this way, people who do not have access to transport can find employment.
Most products are built to last only a short time, and this creates a "throw-away" culture.
A global economy means free trade between countries. This can strengthen political relationships.

The word "this" refers to the sentence or idea that came before. "This" helps you to link ideas and avoid repetition. Native speakers and good writers use "this" a lot, and the IELTS examiner will be impressed if you can use it.

February 19, 2020

IELTS Writing Task 2: three aspects of an essay plan

There are three things that you need to think about when planning an essay:

How you will answer the question (your position / opinion)
How you will structure your essay to communicate your answer
The ideas that you will include in your main paragraphs

For example, let's do an essay plan for the question below.

Many high street shops have gone out of business in recent years. Why do you think this has happened? Is it a positive or negative development?

1. My answer

Online shopping is the main reason. The trend is both positive and negative.

2. Structure: four paragraphs

- Introduce the topic, and give a brief answer to both questions
- Main paragraph about online shopping
- Main paragraph about the positive and negative impacts
- Conclude by summarising the overall answer

3. Ideas for the main paragraphs

Online shopping is faster, cheaper and more convenient. People can sit at home, search for the best deal, pay, and receive a delivery the next day. Impossible for stores to compete. Personal example: recent purchases on Amazon.
Positives: a world of choice, a solution for busy people or those who can't leave the house. Negatives: rising unemployment, loss of community as high streets become deserted.

February 15, 2020

IELTS Advice: knowledge vs skill

I studied French at school for seven years, and my teachers helped me to accumulate quite a lot of knowledge about the language.

However, when I visited France I still felt like a beginner. I found it difficult to understand native speakers, and I couldn't speak naturally; I had to construct sentences in my head before I spoke, and I was constantly worried about making mistakes. In short, I had knowledge but not much skill.

Do you feel like this when you speak or write in English? Maybe it's time to stop studying English and start practising it as much as possible!

February 12, 2020

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'high street shops' topic

This was one of my recent 'daily IELTS challenge' flashcards:

This is a good topic for a writing task 2, so let's work on the question below. If you have any ideas, please share them in the form of a plan rather than a full essay. I'll write a full essay eventually, but we need ideas first.

Many high street shops have gone out of business in recent years. Why do you think this has happened? Is it a positive or negative development?

Note: If you haven't seen the daily challenge flashcards, sign up here.

February 08, 2020

IELTS Grammar: mixed conditional

Yesterday I asked you to look at the sentence below.

There would be no computer programmers if the computer hadn't been invented.

This sentence contains a mixed conditional: would + infinitive (2nd conditional) with if + past perfect (3rd conditional).

Notice that I'm imagining the present result of an imagined event in the past.

To learn more about this type of construction, visit this web page.

February 05, 2020

IELTS Writing Task 2: vocabulary review

Here's a list of topic vocabulary from the essay that I shared last week.

the power to unite and connect people
regardless of their cultural backgrounds
reach across cultural and national boundaries
concerts that took place
back in the 1980s
were broadcast to a global audience
two events were held simultaneously
to raise funds for
famine relief
a huge success
international public awareness
the planet's common / shared language
music transcends cultures
different generations
a memorable melody
a strong rhythm
a beautiful singing voice
have a magical effect on us
popular prime-time shows
attract incredibly broad audiences
appeal to children, parents and grandparents alike
form of entertainment
bring families together
is unique in its capacity to
create shared experiences
irrespective of culture and age

February 02, 2020

IELTS Vocabulary: editing and improving

You won't have time to do this in your test, but it's a good idea to edit and improve the essays that you write at home.

For example, in the music essay that I shared on Wednesday, there's a phrase that we could improve: "the planet's global language".

While this phrase is fine and wouldn't affect the essay's score, you could argue that it contains repetition because 'planet' and 'global' communicate similar meanings. Note: We could simply write "the planet's language" or "the global language", but I wanted to use this structure: noun + adjective + language.

So let's think about some possible alternatives:

the planet's shared language
the planet's common language
humanity's global language
our global language

Notice that I changed the adjective 'global' in the first two examples, I used a different noun (humanity) in example 3, and I used a pronoun instead of the noun 'planet' in example 4. Which alternative do you prefer?

February 01, 2020

IELTS Grammar: I was hoping that...

A student asked me about the phrase "I was hoping that you could help me".

Why do we use the past tense (was hoping) if we're asking for help now?

Here's the answer that I gave the student:

I know it seems strange, but this is a common way to ask for something in English. For example:

I was hoping that you could help me = I hope you can help me.
I was hoping to get your advice = Can you give me your advice?

Perhaps you could think about it like this: the "hoping" happened in my head before I decided to ask for the help.

Or you could just see this as a fixed phrase, and a typically English way to ask politely and indirectly!

January 29, 2020

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'music' essay

Here's my band 9 sample answer for the question below.

Some people say that music is a good way of bringing people of different cultures and ages together. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

It is often said that music has the power to unite and connect people, regardless of their cultural backgrounds or ages. I completely agree with this view, and will give my reasons below.

Music can certainly reach across cultural and national boundaries and bring people together. Perhaps the best example of this would be the Live Aid concerts that took place back in the 1980s, and which were broadcast to a global audience. Two live events were held simultaneously in the UK and the US, and the objective was to raise funds for famine relief in Ethiopia. The concerts were a huge success, both in terms of the number of people around the world who watched them and their impact on international public awareness of the famine. They demonstrated, I believe, that music truly is the planet’s global language.

Just as it transcends cultures, music also has the ability to connect people from different generations. Regardless of age, we can all enjoy a memorable melody, a strong rhythm or a beautiful singing voice, and the best songs seem to have the same magical effect on all of us. This would explain why televised music competitions, such as ‘The X Factor’ or ‘The Voice’, are such popular prime-time shows. These programmes attract incredibly broad audiences because singing and popular songs appeal to children, parents and grandparents alike. I would argue that no other form of entertainment can bring families together in this way.

In conclusion, I believe that music is unique in its capacity to create shared experiences between people, irrespective of culture and age.

(265 words)

January 25, 2020

IELTS Grammar: do you make this 'pronoun' mistake?

Look at the sentences below. Can you see the mistake in each one?

Children who play chess, they become more creative as adults.
A lot of political leaders, they are corrupt.
My brother, he is studying at university in Canada.
My writing exam, it was very difficult.

I've underlined the problem: each sentence contains an unnecessary pronoun. Many students make this mistake, especially when speaking. If you can avoid it, your English will sound much more natural.

Here are the correct versions:

Children who play chess become more creative as adults.
A lot of political leaders are corrupt.
My brother is studying at university in Canada.
My writing exam was very difficult.

January 22, 2020

IELTS Writing Task 2: complex isn't complicated

A colleague of mine, Pete, wrote a useful comment below one of my recent lessons. I'm sharing it here because I think too many people have the wrong idea about complex sentences.

Here's the important part of what Pete wrote:

..........

I think it's worth noting that complex sentences are not always complicated sentences, or even long ones.

Here's an example of a complex sentence: Pete doesn't play football now because he's too old. This isn't a complicated sentence.

..........

So, complex sentences aren't difficult, and I'm sure you use them all the time. If you want to improve your grammar score, stop worrying about 'complex structures'. Instead, work on gradually learning from your mistakes. Accuracy is more important, and more difficult, than structures.

January 19, 2020

IELTS Advice: long and short sentences

Many students seem to think that the following is true:

long, complex sentences = difficult = high score

But this isn't necessarily correct. First, long sentences are just short sentences (or clauses) that have been linked together, so it's not difficult to write them. Second, you won't get a high score if your long sentences are full of mistakes.

The best writers use a mix of long and short sentences. This is the ideal style to aim for because it makes your writing 'smoother', more varied, and easier to read.

January 15, 2020

IELTS Writing Task 2: example-led paragraph

Let's look at what I call an 'example-led' paragraph. In this type of paragraph, we explain an opinion or develop an idea based on a single example.

Paragraph topic: music connects people from different cultures

Music can certainly reach across cultural and national boundaries and bring people together. Perhaps the best example of this would be the Live Aid concerts that took place back in the 1980s, and which were broadcast to a global audience. Two live events were held simultaneously in the UK and the US, and the objective was to raise funds for famine relief in Ethiopia. The concerts were a huge success, both in terms of the number of people around the world who watched them and their impact on international public awareness of the famine. They demonstrated, I believe, that music truly is the planet’s global language.

Analysis:

Notice how I introduce a key example after the topic sentence. In the rest of the paragraph, I simply describe the example in more detail, and I show how the example illustrates my point.

(You can read about the Live Aid concerts here)

January 12, 2020

IELTS Advice: tangible daily progress

If you want to make tangible progress every day, aim to do one of the following:

Analyse one grammar or vocabulary mistake that you made, and understand the correction.
Analyse one mistake in a reading or listening test, and understand why you got the answer wrong.
Learn one new word, collocation or phrase.
Learn how to express one idea in a 'natural' way. Find out how a native speaker would say it.
Prepare ideas, opinions and vocabulary for one IELTS topic.
Read one sample band 9 essay, and highlight anything useful e.g. vocabulary, cohesive devices, how ideas are developed.
Write one paragraph and get it checked by a teacher.
Record yourself doing one speaking test. Transcribe the recording and analyse the transcription or get it checked by a teacher.

I could add more points, but I'm sure you get the idea. Just do one thing that feels like real progress every day. Imagine where you'll be after 100 days!

January 11, 2020

IELTS Advice: tangible progress

Here's a nice collocation: tangible progress e.g. I'm making tangible progress every day.

Tangible means real and definite, or something that you can touch.

This is the type of progress that we should be aiming for. So how can we make our IELTS preparation progress more tangible? What can you do each day that gives you a sense of real improvement?

January 08, 2020

IELTS Writing Task 2: introduction paraphrasing

Let's look at how paraphrasing can be used in an introduction. My ability to paraphrase demonstrates both range and flexibility of language use.

Task / question:

Some people say that music is a good way of bringing people of different cultures and ages together. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

My introduction:

It is often said that music has the power to unite and connect people, regardless of their cultural backgrounds or ages. I completely agree with this view, and will give my reasons below.

Examples of paraphrasing:

some people say that = it is often said that
music is a good way of = music has the power to
bringing people together = unite and connect people
of different cultures = regardless of their cultural backgrounds

January 04, 2020

IELTS Advice: try a (slightly) new approach

Preparing for a test can become boring and repetitive. To keep things interesting, I recommend that you try something new from time to time.

I'm not suggesting that you should change your whole approach to the IELTS test. Just find ways to add variety to your study plan.

For example, you could

work on a different aspect of your writing e.g. coherence
record yourself speaking and listen to your hesitations
analyse the correct answers to a reading test, instead of doing the test
try this writing exercise

How do you intend to add variety to your study plan this year?

December 22, 2019

IELTS Grammar: corrections

Here are my corrections for the sentences in yesterday's lesson.

1. "There are many reasons to believe why" is a clumsy phrase. Instead, write:

- There are many reasons why this is detrimental.
- There are many reasons why I believe that this is detrimental.
- I believe that this is detrimental for several reasons.

2. They have an impact on young adults' health. (plural possessive)

3. We need to use the uncountable (not plural) form of the word exercise. We're talking about 'exercise' in general, not a specific number of exercises.

- The number of people doing physical exercise is falling.

4. "By spending hours on television" is a problematic phrase because "on television" is usually used when we're talking about the people who appear on TV. For example, if you say "I was on television yesterday", it means that you appeared on a TV programme. To avoid confusion, we need to write:

- By spending hours watching television...
- We lead a sedentary life because we spend so many hours watching TV.

December 21, 2019

IELTS Grammar: explain these little mistakes

In Wednesday's video presentation, I showed you a band 8 paragraph that contained four little mistakes. Here they are (in simplified form). Can you explain what is wrong in each case?

There are many reasons to believe why this is detrimental.
They have an impact on young adult's health.
The number of people doing physical exercises is falling.
By spending hours on television, we lead a sedentary lifestyle.

December 18, 2019

IELTS Writing Task 2: errors or complex structures?

Which aspect of your grammar score is more important: errors or complex structures? Watch the short video below to find out what I think.

The full lesson is about 25 minutes long, and it's on my member site. If you find my advice useful, feel free to subscribe and join my class!

December 15, 2019

IELTS Advice: you can study alone (and pass)

Here's a screenshot of an email that I received from a student called Pegah this week. I think it's interesting that Pegah says she studied alone, without a face-to-face teacher.

I recently rewrote my 'welcome' page to include my IELTS teaching 'mission', and creating materials for self-study was one of my key aims. If you're organised and motivated, you can study alone and get the IELTS scores you need!

December 11, 2019

IELTS Writing Task 2: improved 'music topic' plan

Some people say that music is a good way of bringing people of different cultures and ages together. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

Here's the essay plan that I asked you to think about last week:

Introduction: completely agree
Main paragraph: why music transcends cultures and age groups
Main paragraph: how music connects people
Conclusion: repeat / summarise

But KiKi suggested an alternative plan, which I think is better:

Introduction: completely agree
Main paragraph: why music transcends or connects cultures
Main paragraph: how music connects different age groups
Conclusion: repeat / summarise

KiKi has noticed that the question contains two ideas: cultures and ages. It makes sense to look at these two ideas separately and use them as the basis for our two main paragraphs. This is a great way to approach many IELTS questions.

December 08, 2019

IELTS Advice: examples bring your answers to life!

Examples are important because they bring your answers to life*. They make your message clearer and your answers more real.

Look at the examples that I used in my 'difficult jobs' answers in Friday's speaking lesson. Without these examples, my answers would be boring and abstract.

concert pianist
surgeon
police officer
firefighter
soldier
paramedic

*Look up the phrase "bring something to life". What does it mean?

December 07, 2019

IELTS Vocabulary: 'less common' phrases

Here's a list of the 'less common' phrases that I used in yesterday's speaking answers. Notice that I'm highlighting phrases and collocations, not individual 'big' words.

are difficult in the sense that
they require a high level of skill
that must be developed through many years of study and practice
might not require such high skill levels
they are known to be extremely stressful and sometimes traumatic
do something meaningful
achieving a great ambition
for altruistic reasons
it's their duty to contribute to society
in the grand scheme of things
a tight deadline
minor inconveniences
the horrors of war that soldiers face
life-and-death situations

December 04, 2019

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'music' topic

A student on my member site asked me about the following question:

Some people say that music is a good way of bringing people of different cultures and ages together. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

(From Cambridge IELTS 14, test 3)

The student asked whether the following plan would work. What do you think?

Introduction: completely agree
Main paragraph: why music transcends* cultures and age groups
Main paragraph: how music connects people
Conclusion: repeat / summarise

*I added the word 'transcend' myself (to summarise the student's point). What do you think I mean when I say that "music transcends cultures"?

December 01, 2019

IELTS Vocabulary: personal examples, stories

Yesterday we looked at two simple methods that can help you to generate ideas for IELTS topics.

Here's a third tip: Think about personal examples or stories.

So, do you have a personal example or story about how the arts have affected your life? I'm sure you remember a special experience, such as seeing a famous painting, attending a wonderful concert, or reading a great work of fiction. Practise telling your story!

November 30, 2019

IELTS Vocabulary: topic idea preparation

On my member site I asked students to prepare vocabulary ideas for the following topic:

What do the arts contribute to our lives?

I gave two tips that can help you to think of vocabulary ideas.

1) Start by thinking of examples to make the topic (the arts) more real.

- Paintings e.g. in the National Gallery in London
- Music e.g. live concerts and performances
- Theatre e.g. a Shakespeare play

2) Then think about the topic from different perspectives.

- Personal: enjoyment, inspiration, enrich our lives, capture our imagination
- Cultural: heritage, national identity, connection to the past
- Economic: employment, boost the economy, attract visitors, tourism

Some of the students shared many more ideas, and they seemed to find the 'perspectives' idea useful. Try it yourself.

November 27, 2019

IELTS Writing Task 2: extend, develop, progress...

You'll see these three words in the band descriptors for writing task 2. If you want a high score, you need to extend and develop your ideas, and your writing should progress from one sentence to the next.

How do you achieve this?

My tip is to make sure that each sentence says something new. The new information could be a reason, an example, a consequence, an alternative, a prediction...

It's easy to make the mistake of repeating the same idea in slightly different ways. Don't do this. Don't feel that you need to rephrase a point that you've already made. Instead, make your point and then extend or develop it.

November 24, 2019

IELTS Advice: don't use these phrases

Do not use the following phrases instead of "Firstly" when you are organising ideas in an essay:

At first
Initially
In the beginning
At the beginning
In the first place

These phrases do exist in English, but they are not the same as "Firstly".

In the same way, do not use these phrases instead of "Finally":

At last
At the end
In the end
In the last place

You don't need to learn different ways to say "Firstly" or "Finally". The examiner is not looking for 'difficult' organisational phrases. Spend your time learning topic vocabulary instead.

November 23, 2019

IELTS Advice: task 1 overview / purpose

In the latest lesson on my member site I explain the importance of the overview (academic) and purpose statement (general) in writing task 1.

In the following short excerpt from the lesson, I highlight the differences between bands 5, 6 and 7 in terms of task achievement. I also mention bands 8 and 9.

Join me on the member site to see the full lesson!

November 20, 2019

IELTS Writing Task 2: improved 'task response'

Have a look at the two paragraphs below. The second version is better in terms of task response. Can you see why?

Version 1 - highlighted sentences don't extend my response

The negative implications of genetic engineering are often discussed in terms of two key areas, which are food production and the cloning of humans. Genetically modified crops are already being grown, and people are concerned that they may damage whole ecosystems as foods become resistant to diseases and natural predators. But perhaps even more worrying is the possibility that humans could be modified or cloned. Some people imagine a world in which cloned humans are used to fight wars or to provide body part replacements. Although perhaps not a threat to life on earth, the implications of such practices would be unprecedented.

Version 2 - highlighted sentences extend and develop my ideas

The negative implications of genetic engineering are often discussed in terms of two key areas, which are food production and the cloning of humans. Genetically modified crops are already being grown, and people are concerned that they may damage whole ecosystems as foods become resistant to diseases and natural predators. For example, scientists are able to produce a variety of corn that releases a toxin to kill certain insects, but this intervention could lead to the disappearance of birds that feed on those insects. In the human realm, some people imagine a world in which clones are used to fight wars or to provide body part replacements. Perhaps cloning could even be used to bring deceased people back to life, which would certainly be a threat to humanity as we know it.

November 15, 2019

IELTS Grammar: clause lists

A student asked me about the following type of sentence:

It was a lovely day, the children were playing happily, and everyone was enjoying the party.

Can we put three independent clauses together in a 'list' like this? The answer is yes. This is a normal sentence structure in English. Maybe you could try writing an IELTS-style sentence in the same way.

November 12, 2019

IELTS Writing Task 2: why planning is so important!

The essay that I shared last Wednesday was good, but it wasn't perfect. The problem was that I didn't follow my own advice: I wrote the main body paragraphs without doing a plan first.

Look at the 'unplanned' paragraph below:

Analysis:

The first highlighted sentence doesn't extend my ideas. It would be better to go straight to the point about cloned humans fighting wars. I could then add more 'depth' and 'detail' to that particular idea, and this would help my task response score.
The second highlighted sentence is fine as a 'concluding' sentence, but it would be better if I explained what the "implications" are. Reading this sentence now, I can tell that I wrote it without planning; I relied on my vocabulary knowledge to cover up my lack of real ideas!

This is what happens when you neglect the planning stage. It's so easy to write sentences that fill a space but don't move the essay forward.

Task: Let's improve this paragraph by refining the two highlighted sentences.

November 09, 2019

IELTS Vocabulary: good essay phrases

Let's review the good vocabulary from the essay that I shared on Wednesday. It was full of 'less common' collocations and phrases.

with broad implications for
may have its dangers
the negative implications
the cloning of humans
genetically modified crops
damage whole ecosystems
foods become resistant to
natural predators
humans could be modified or cloned
provide body part replacements
would be unprecedented
a more optimistic prediction
mitigate the risks
genetic technologies
famine in developing countries
can be grown in harsh conditions
from a medical perspective
produce vaccines
cure diseases
to correct a genetic defect
if properly regulated
the cloning of individual organs
for transplant purposes
have a positive impact on our lives
people's fears will be unwarranted

November 05, 2019

IELTS Writing Task 2: genetic engineering essay

Here's my sample essay for the question below.

Genetic engineering is an important issue in society today. Some people think that it will improve people’s lives in many ways. Others feel that it may be a threat to life on earth. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

It is true that genetic engineering is a key area of modern scientific research, with broad implications for all human societies. While I accept that this field of technology may have its dangers, I believe that the benefits of genetic engineering outweigh the drawbacks.

A more optimistic prediction, and one that I favour, is that humans will find ways to mitigate the risks and use genetic technologies in a responsible way. From the food production perspective, genetic engineering could be the solution to famine in developing countries, if, for instance, crops can be grown more reliably in harsh conditions. From a medical perspective, scientists may use genetic engineering to produce vaccines, to cure diseases, or to correct a genetic defect before a child is born. If properly regulated, even cloning can be done in a way that improves lives. For example, the cloning of individual organs, such as a heart or kidney, could be permitted for transplant purposes.

In conclusion, I am convinced that genetic engineering will have a positive impact on our lives, and that people's fears will be unwarranted.

(283 words, band 9)

November 02, 2019

IELTS Advice: try worring about just two things

In Thursday's lesson I wrote about word choice, and I want to stress how important this idea is.

As I write this blog post, I'm not thinking about grammar, and I don't have any pre-prepared words or phrases that I'm hoping to use. My only aim is to communicate a message, and my only task, in terms of language, is to choose the right words in order to deliver my message clearly.

Try this yourself when you're speaking or writing in English. Push all of your worries out of your mind e.g. grammar, impressing the examiner, your score, what you've studied etc.

Instead, just focus on two things:

The message that you want to communicate.
Choosing your words carefully to deliver that message.

November 01, 2019

IELTS Vocabulary: where do you get your language from?

Where are you getting your English language from? Look at the lists below.

List A

I use a dictionary to find new words.
I often translate vocabulary from my own language.
I learn lists of words from a vocabulary textbook.

List B

I learn by reading ‘real’ native-speaker texts (e.g. newspaper articles, books, essays by Simon and other reliable teachers).
I watch lots of ‘real’ English videos online, and I record useful vocabulary in a notebook.
I chat to native English speakers and try to copy the expressions that they use.
My English teacher gives me authentic English texts, video and audio, and we get our vocabulary from those sources.

Which list describes you best?

October 29, 2019

IELTS Writing Task 2: genetic engineering 'essay skeleton'

Let's return to the question below.

Here's my 'essay skeleton':

Introduction
It is true that genetic engineering is a key area of modern scientific research, with broad implications for all human societies. While I accept that this field of technology may have its dangers, I believe that the benefits of genetic engineering outweigh the drawbacks.

Topic sentence, paragraph 2
The negative implications of genetic engineering are often discussed in terms of two key areas, which are food production and the cloning of humans.

Topic sentence, paragraph 3
A more optimistic prediction, and one that I favour, is that humans will find ways to mitigate the risks and use genetic technologies in a responsible way.

Conclusion
In conclusion, I am convinced that genetic engineering will have a positive impact on our lives, and that people's fears will be unwarranted.

Tasks:
Can you explain the risks of genetic engineering, in terms of food and cloning?
Can you suggest how we might use genetic engineering responsibly?

October 22, 2019

IELTS Writing Task 2: should you mention both sides?

I often receive questions like this from students:

For 'agree or disagree' questions, my teacher told me that I should mention both sides of the argument, even if I have a strong opinion. Is this true? And how do I do it?

Here's my answer:

It is not true that you must always mention both sides.
The way you answer will depend on the particular question and on the ideas that you have.

Let's look at some examples:

1) Look at the strong opinion essay that I shared here. My argument is that we do have too many choices, and I think it would be strange to contradict myself by writing about the opposite view. Why would I want to mention the view that we don't have too many choices?

2) Now look at this essay. You'll see that I express a strong opinion in paragraph two, and then I refute (argue against) some opposite views in paragraph three. In other words, I do mention the other side of the argument, but in a negative way.

3) Finally, if you study this essay, you'll see that I am able to write about both sides of the topic in a balanced way, even though I disagree with the argument given in the question.

Note:
When somebody tells you that you must always answer in a certain way, you should be cautious. If you're confused, just forget all of the advice, and focus instead on what the question is asking you to do.

October 19, 2019

IELTS Vocabulary: usage intead of explanation

A student asked me to explain the difference between the words below:

trait
personality
character
characteristic

But when we explain vocabulary, we're not getting the full picture. An explanation might help you to understand a meaning, but it won't necessarily help you to use the vocabulary in a natural way.

Instead of explaining, which is a 'grammar mindset' exercise, let's shift to a 'vocabulary mindset' and look at usage.

Fill the gaps below using the word that seems most natural.

My client is a person of good ______.
My worst ______ is that I am sometimes self-centred.
A key ______ of entrepreneurs is that they are action-oriented.
She's a little girl with a big ______.

October 18, 2019

IELTS Grammar: 'sticking points'

In last week's grammar lesson on my member site I highlighted some key mistakes in a student's task 1 answer. The most important mistake involved the student's use of the word 'while'.

The student wrote something like this:

Spending on salaries rose. While, spending on resources fell.
(Note: the student used 'while' incorrectly between two simple sentences)

The correct version would be this:

Spending on salaries rose, while spending on resources fell.
(Note: the correct version is a complex sentence)

The student made three similar mistakes with the word 'while', and I gave the answer a band 6 for grammar. If the student had written three correct 'while' sentences, I would have given a 7 for grammar.

I call this type of mistake a 'sticking point' because it keeps you stuck on a lower band. In this case, the 'while' mistake is important because the student missed the opportunity to create three complex sentences.

Ask a teacher to help you to look for 'sticking points' in your writing. Getting past these sticking points could be the fastest route to a higher score.

October 15, 2019

IELTS Writing Task 2: ignore the word 'academic'

Many people are confused by the idea that they are doing the IELTS academic writing test. They think this means that they need to use "academic" words, or that IELTS writing is similar to university academic writing.

All of this is wrong. Here's why:

Examiners are not looking for "academic" words. There is nothing in the scoring criteria that tells examiners to do this. Instead, examiners are told to look for a wide range of vocabulary, collocations, and some less common vocabulary.
IELTS writing (especially task 2) is more like a high school writing task, rather than a university assignment. In a university assignment, for example, you will never see the question "do you agree or disagree?". At university you are expected to use research as the basis of your writing, but in the IELTS test you only have your own ideas and opinions. You are even told that you can use examples from your own personal experience in IELTS writing task 2. This isn't very "academic"!

So, it's best to ignore the word "academic". Ignore any advice that relates to university academic writing; IELTS writing has its own 'rules' and requirements, and I do my best to explain these here on the blog.

October 12, 2019

IELTS Vocabulary: the academic word list

I sometimes receive questions from students about the 'academic word list'. Here's what people want to know:

Is this list useful for IELTS preparation?

The short answer (in my opinion) is no. I've never used the academic word list with IELTS students.

Here's a longer answer:

Of course there are lots of useful words on the academic word list, and it would be great if you knew all of them. But remember: understanding is not the same as using. You would need to spend time learning how to use the words correctly in phrases and sentences. Furthermore, the list contains only individual words; you need to build your knowledge of phrases and collocations, and the list doesn't help you with that.

If you're preparing for IELTS, I think you have other priorities: test practice, exam techniques, question types, topic vocabulary, phrases and collocations, reducing grammar mistakes etc. Unless you have a lot of study time, I wouldn't include the academic word list in your study schedule.

October 11, 2019

IELTS Grammar: using the word 'mere'

Look at the sentence below. Is the word 'mere' used correctly?

6.1% of women in Scotland were unemployed in 2013, and this figure rose by a mere of 0.6% one year later.

October 08, 2019

IELTS Writing Task 2: writing a conclusion

When writing a conclusion, this is what I do:

I check the question again, because I want to make sure that I answer it properly (but briefly) in my conclusion.
I also think about key words or phrases from the question that I could reuse or paraphrase.
And I look at my introduction again. I want to make sure that the 'position' that I express in my conclusion is consistent with what I wrote in the introduction.
I can also paraphrase what I wrote in my introduction when writing the conclusion.

Look at the question and the introduction that I showed you last week. Here are some of my thoughts before I write the conclusion:

I'm going to start with 'In conclusion', and I want to write one concise sentence only.
I need to repeat the idea that the benefits of genetic engineering outweigh the drawbacks (using different words).
In my introduction I used a "while" sentence (while I accept the dangers, I believe the benefits...).
So I'll start my conclusion with the benefits and then use the phrase "in spite of" to mention the dangers.
Instead of "threat to life" or "dangers", I could write about the "risks".
Instead of "improve people's lives", I could write that it will have a "positive impact".

Here's a concise conclusion using the ideas above:

In conclusion, I am convinced that genetic engineering will have a positive impact on our lives, in spite of its potential risks.

October 05, 2019

IELTS Advice: method or language (part 2)

Here's my answer to the task in yesterday's lesson: the method was fine, but the language can be improved.

The method is fine:
The student wrote the introduction in the way that I recommend: the first sentence introduces the topic, and the second sentence answers the question.

But there are some language problems (underlined below):
There are different views regarding on question that should children be punished to learn the discrepancy between wrong and right. From my perspective, some sorts of punishments as well as rewards are necessary to teach children, however, parents and teachers should apply soft and simple forms of punishment.

Here's my improved version:
People have different views with regard to the question of whether children should be punished in order to teach them the difference between right and wrong. In my opinion, simple or 'soft' punishments are a necessary tool for parents and teachers as they raise and educate children.

Note:
Sometimes people make 'mistakes' in their choice of vocabulary. For example, in English we say "the difference between right and wrong", not "the discrepancy between wrong and right". This is not a grammar mistake, it's a collocation mistake.

October 04, 2019

IELTS Advice: method or language?

I often tell students that there are two things that we need to work on: 1) method i.e. exam techniques 2) improving your English language knowledge.

Let's look at an essay introduction (writing task 2) that a student wrote. The topic is: should children be punished?

There are different views regarding on question that should children be punished to learn the discrepancy between wrong and right. From my perspective, some sorts of punishments as well as rewards are necessary to teach children, however, parents and teachers should apply soft and simple forms of punishment.

Task:
Read the introduction above. What should this student work on: method or language? In other words, is there a problem with the way that the introduction is written, or with the language that it contains? I'll tell you what I think in tomorrow's lesson.

October 01, 2019

IELTS Writing Task 2: normal introduction technique

Here's the question that I showed you last Wednesday:

And here's an introduction, using our normal 2-sentence technique:

Note:
The first sentence introduces the topic, using paraphrasing and some extra information. The second sentence covers both views and makes my own opinion clear.

September 28, 2019

IELTS Advice: avoid proverbs and clichés

A proverb is a short saying like "There are two sides to every story" or "Many hands make light work". These sayings are nice for grandmothers who want to give advice, but they are not appropriate for academic writing! Click here to see some more proverbs - but don't learn them!

A cliché is an overused phrase like "in a nutshell" (which means "in summary" or "summed up briefly"). This website explains more about clichés and gives some more examples.

PS. Sorry for joking about grandmothers :)

September 24, 2019

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'genetic engineering' topic

It's time to start work on a new question, so let's try this one that a student asked me to look at:

This is one of the common topics that I covered in my ebook. You can see some ideas from the ebook here. We'll start writing the essay next Wednesday.

September 21, 2019

IELTS Advice: don't forget the 'English' part!

As you prepare for the IELTS test, you might be concentrating on exam techniques and practice. But don't forget to keep working on your English!

If your English is at intermediate level, no secret tip or technique is suddenly going to take you to band 7 or higher. You'll need to spend time gradually improving your language skills.

September 16, 2019

IELTS Writing Task 2: topic preparation

As well as learning how to write introductions, main paragraphs and conclusions, are you preparing your ideas and opinions for different topics?

Look at the last five essay topics that I've covered on this site:

Are small families a good or bad thing?
Advantages and disadvantages of books, radio and TV.
Do we have too many choices nowadays?
Do people choose hobbies only because they are fashionable?
Positives and negatives of artificial intelligence.

Do you have ideas and opinions for these five topics?

Task: Give yourself five minutes to note down some ideas for each of the topics above. Then look at your ideas and be honest: how good are they?

September 13, 2019

IELTS Grammar: to + ing

You've probably been taught not to write things like "to having" or "to doing". But this grammar 'rule' doesn't always work.

For example, here's a correct sentence that I wrote in a recent lesson:

I was always a bit shy when it came to having my photo taken.

"when it comes to + ing" is a normal construction in English, and there are several other constructions that break the rule. Click here to see some of them.

September 09, 2019

IELTS Writing Task 2: relying too much on linking

Some IELTS candidates rely far too much on linking words. If you start every sentence of your essay with a typical linking word (firstly, furthermore, moreover etc.), your writing will seem 'mechanical' and you probably won't get higher than a band 6 for coherence and cohesion (25% of your score).

The opposite extreme is to use none of the typical linking words. In last week's lesson I showed you an example of this. I called it "the art of linking without linking". The only problem with this way of writing is that you need to be an advanced user of English to do it well. It's the kind of thing that a native speaker or band 9 candidate might do.

Most candidates should aim to be somewhere between these two extremes. Try to use linking words in a natural way. It makes sense to use 'Furthermore' when you're adding to an idea, and it makes sense to use 'For example' when you're giving an example.

In short, linking words are useful, but you shouldn't rely on them; they are not going to impress the examiner or magically give you a high score.

September 02, 2019

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'advanced' linking

Most people learn linking words like firstly, furthermore, moreover, however, whereas. There's nothing wrong with this type of linking; I use it myself.

Another way to link ideas between or within sentences is to use pronouns and determiners like it, they, which, this, that.

And perhaps the most 'advanced' form of linking involves no linking words at all. Instead, you rely on the topic vocabulary itself to create cohesion.

I call this "the art of linking without linking". Here's an example:

..........

The trend towards people living alone is perhaps even more damaging because of the psychological effects of reduced human interaction. Individuals who live on their own have nobody to talk to in person, so they cannot share problems or discuss the highs and lows of daily life. They forgo the constant stimulation and hustle and bustle of a large family, and are left to their own devices for extended periods of time. The lack of human contact in the home is necessarily replaced by passive distractions, such as television, video games, online chat rooms or Internet surfing. This type of existence is associated with boredom, loneliness, and feelings of isolation or even alienation, all of which are factors that are known to increase the risk of mental illness.

..........

I've used different coloured highlighting to show which phrases are connected. So, for example, the phrases in blue all develop the idea of 'reduced human interaction'.

Can you see how the vocabulary itself holds the paragraph together? This is probably how you write in your own language.

August 26, 2019

IELTS Writing Task 2: excellent 'topic vocabulary'

Here's a list of some of the good collocations and phrases from the essay that I shared last week. I hope you can see how much excellent 'topic vocabulary' the essay contained.

are seeing a rise in
one-person households
is becoming a rarity
the traditional family support network
a nuclear family
a single-parent household
a stressful part of daily life
the absence of
adult family members
the primary influences on
the decline of the extended family
psychological and behavioural problems
amongst young people
the psychological effects of
reduced human interaction
discuss the highs and lows of daily life
They forgo the constant stimulation
hustle and bustle of a large family
left to their own devices
for extended periods of time
lack of human contact
replaced by passive distractions
This type of existence
is associated with boredom, loneliness
feelings of isolation or even alienation
increase the risk of mental illness
individuals thrive when

August 23, 2019

IELTS Advice: improve your learning environment

Last Sunday I asked for your comments regarding the following question:

How can you improve your environment so that it accelerates your learning?

People shared lots of good ideas in the comments below the lesson. Here are a few of my own tips:

First, it's important to realise how important your environment is. If you live and work with native English speakers and you're surrounded by the English language all day, you're going to improve much more quickly than someone who studies English from a book for one hour each day. Knowing that the 'native speaker' environment is the ideal, try to set up your environment so that it is a close to this ideal as possible.
Second, I recommend finding an environment that challenges you. If you attend a course of English lessons, for example, it shouldn't be an easy course. You need to feel like you're learning something useful in every lesson, and your teacher should be highlighting your mistakes and pushing you to perform better.
Third, I think it helps if you feel that you're part of a community of learners who have shared goals. By following this blog, you are already doing this to some extent.
Finally, use the Internet to get as much language 'input' as you can. Even if you're studying alone, you have access to a world of English content online. You can probably also find people to talk to and practise with.

Here's a shorter answer: Surround yourself with as much English as you can, and take every opportunity to practise what you learn.

August 19, 2019

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'small families' essay

Here's my band 9 sample answer for the task below. We'll analyse it next week.

In many countries today, people in cities either live alone or in small family units, rather than in large, extended family groups. Is this a positive or negative trend?

It is true that cities are seeing a rise in smaller families and one-person households, while the extended family is becoming a rarity. In my opinion, this is a negative development.

As families become smaller, the traditional family support network is disappearing, and this can have a negative impact on children as they grow up. In a nuclear family or single-parent household, childcare becomes an expensive and stressful part of daily life. Without the help of grandparents or aunts and uncles, busy parents must rely on babysitters, nannies and after-school clubs to take care of younger children, while older children may be left alone after school and during holidays. The absence of adult family members can mean that friends, television and the Internet become the primary influences on children’s behaviour. It is no surprise that the decline of the extended family has been linked to a rise in psychological and behavioural problems amongst young people.

In conclusion, I believe that individuals thrive when they are part of larger family groups, and so it is worrying that many people are choosing to live alone or in such small family units.

August 16, 2019

IELTS Advice: your learning environment

Yesterday I gave some advice about putting yourself in an English language environment. But how do you do that? How can you improve your environment so that it accelerates your learning?

Several people asked these questions in the comments below yesterday's lesson, so let's have a discussion: what do you think?

August 15, 2019

IELTS Advice: the fastest way to improve your English

What's the fastest way to improve your English?

Well, in my opinion the answer is this: put yourself in the best possible English language environment.

Studying alone is a slow, hard journey. But if you can find a way to surround yourself with English speakers, or a community of English learners, you'll make faster progress and the journey won't seem so arduous.

If you're feeling stuck or isolated as you learn English and prepare for the IELTS test, perhaps you need to find an environment or community that can carry you forward.

August 12, 2019

IELTS Writing Task 2: paragraph ordering exercise

Put the five sentences below in the correct order to create a paragraph. You'll need to think about the best logical order for the sentences.

Topic: The effects of smaller families on children.

..........

A) The absence of adult family members can mean that friends, television and the Internet become the primary influences on children’s behaviour.

B) As families become smaller, the traditional family support network is disappearing, and this can have a negative impact on children as they grow up.

C) It is no surprise that the decline of the extended family has been linked to a rise in psychological and behavioural problems amongst young people.

D) In a nuclear family or single parent household, childcare becomes an expensive and stressful part of daily life.

E) Without the help of grandparents or aunts and uncles, busy parents must rely on babysitters, nannies and after-school clubs to take care of younger children, while older children may be left alone after school and during holidays.

..........

Tip: If you need help, look at the essay plan in this lesson.

August 09, 2019

IELTS Advice: small, gradual improvements

Many students ask how long it will take to get from an intermediate level (maybe IELTS band 5) to an advanced level (band 7).

If you were learning to play the piano, would you expect to go from intermediate to advanced in a few weeks? Would you expect to find a special technique that suddenly makes you an advanced pianist? The answer is no. Most people know that they would need to work hard and practise every day to get to an advanced level on the piano.

In my opinion, learning a new language is a similar challenge. You should aim to make small, gradual improvements because it isn't realistic to expect sudden changes.

August 08, 2019

IELTS Advice: trust me, and save time

A student asked me whether I thought it was a good idea for him to develop his own way of doing the IELTS test. He wanted to take my advice, mix it with advice from other sources, and find his own 'method'.

Here's my response to the student's question:

It's fine to mix ideas and develop your own way, but please remember that I have spent more than 10 years doing that job for you. You'll save time if you trust me as your expert guide.

August 05, 2019

IELTS Writing Task 2: numbering your essay plan

Whenever I do a course on IELTS writing here in Manchester, I always ask the students this question at the end of the day:

What did I teach you today that will change the way you do the test?

One of the most common answers that students give me is: doing a good essay plan and numbering the ideas in the plan. (as shown in this video lesson).

If you put the numbers 1 to 5 next to the ideas that you have for each main paragraph, your only task when writing the essay is to turn those 5 ideas into 5 full sentences. Practise doing this, and you'll find that paragraph writing becomes much easier.

August 02, 2019

IELTS Advice: 'plethora'

Yesterday I told you that my examiner friend and I advise students not to use the word 'plethora' in their essays. Why not? Well, for a plethora ;) of reasons:

Plethora means 'many'. If you write that there are a plethora of reasons and then give only one or two reasons, you've used the word wrongly.
The word plethora seems too exaggerated, pompous or pretentious for an IELTS essay. It doesn't suit the 'measured' academic style that we're aiming for.
If the rest of your essay is written in a more basic style, a word like plethora will stand out as strange and unnatural.
If you attempt to use 'impressive' words but your essay is full of mistakes, it is obvious to the examiner that you're trying to show off. When surrounded by grammar mistakes, a word like plethora looks even more unnatural.
I'm a native speaker, and I would only use the word plethora if I really wanted to exaggerate something, or to sound pretentious on purpose (perhaps for humorous effect). I wouldn't use it in an academic essay.
Finally, plethora is an example of what I call an 'any essay word'. Students learn words like this because they hope to use them in any essay, regardless of the topic. In other words, these students are trying to 'trick' the examiner into being impressed - this doesn't work. If you want to impress the examiner, you should focus on specific topic vocabulary.

I hope this convinces you to stop learning words like plethora. Just write "there are several reasons" or "there are two main reasons" and then focus on describing them. Leave the pompous language to politicians!

July 19, 2019

IELTS Advice: you can't prepare everything!

Many students write to me because they are worried about strange or difficult questions they have found (usually for writing task 2).

I think you need to remember that it's impossible to prepare for every topic or question that might appear in the exam. You will go mad if you try to do this!

The solution is to make sure you "know what you know". Focus on the common topics that appear regularly, not the strange topic that your friend found on a website.

July 18, 2019

IELTS Grammar: errors vs complex structures

Too many students (and teachers) waste time worrying about the 'complex structures' aspect of the grammar score in the writing test.

From what I've seen when marking essays, 99% of students are able to write sentences with more than one clause, using words like and, but, because, while, which, if... to connect ideas. Therefore, they are able to meet the requirement for 'complex structures'.

On the other hand, many of the same students are not able to produce frequent error-free sentences (band 7), and it's rare for me to see essays in which the majority of sentences are error-free (band 8).

So, if people can't produce error-free sentences, why are they worrying about complex structures? In most cases, the key to a high grammar score is fewer mistakes, not more complex sentences.

July 15, 2019

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'small families' essay skeleton

Let's return to the 'small families' question below:

In many countries today, people in cities either live alone or in small family units, rather than in large, extended family groups. Is this a positive or negative trend?

Here's my essay skeleton (using the plan that I wrote here):

..........

Introduction
It is true that cities are seeing a rise in smaller families and one-person households, while the extended family is becoming a rarity. In my opinion, this is a negative development.

Paragraph 2, topic sentence
As families become smaller, the traditional family support network is disappearing, and this can have a negative impact on children as they grow up.

Paragraph 3, topic sentence
The trend towards people living alone is perhaps even more damaging because of the psychological effects of reduced human interaction.

Conclusion
In conclusion, I believe that individuals thrive when they are part of larger family groups, and so it is worrying that many people are choosing to live alone or in such small family units.

..........

Note:
It's a good idea to practise writing essay 'skeletons' because they force you to produce a very clear, coherent essay structure.

July 11, 2019

IELTS Vocabulary: from yesterday's answers

You don't really need to impress the examiner with 'less common' vocabulary in part 1 of the speaking test. However, without trying to show off, I used some nice words and phrases in the answers that I shared yesterday:

I'd like to think that = I hope
in ten years' time = ten years from now
I can't imagine changing profession (imagine + ing)
essential
field of work
research is being done
is published in English
see more of the world (see the world = travel to many countries)
it would be nice to
travel extensively
at some point
when I'm retired
make progress
in terms of my home life
what technologies come along (come along = appear / emerge)
in the next decade or two

Notice that I tend to highlight collocations (groups of words) rather than individual words e.g. "make progress" (verb + noun collocation) instead of just "progress".

July 08, 2019

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'band 9' linking

If you look at the official band descriptors for writing task 2, you'll find this phrase in the band 9 description for 'coherence and cohesion':

"uses cohesion in such a way that it attracts no attention"

So how do you connect your ideas (cohesion) without attracting too much attention? I think there are 2 possible ways:

Explain your ideas in a logical order so that you don't need many linking words. This is probably what you do when writing in your own language.
Use easy linking and referencing words like and, but, because, which, that, this, while, for example. These are so common that they attract almost no attention.

July 05, 2019

IELTS Vocabulary: collocations

I keep seeing comments and questions from students that include the following sentences:

- I gave the test on Saturday.
- I gave my IELTS exam last week.

Both of the sentences above are wrong! You don't "give" a test or exam. This is the wrong verb + noun collocation.

Here are some correct collocations with the words test or exam:

- I took the test / exam.
- I sat the test / exam.
- I did the test / exam.
- I passed the test / exam.

It's important to use the right collocations. Getting them wrong makes your English sound strange. "I gave the test" sounds completely wrong.

July 01, 2019

IELTS Writing Task 2: topic sentences

The first sentence of a main body paragraph is often called the 'topic sentence'.

There's a simple reason why topic sentences are important in IELTS essays: Examiners want to see a "clear central topic within each paragraph" (band 7 descriptor for coherence and cohesion). So if you start your main paragraphs with a topic sentence, you can make sure that the "central topic" of each one is clear.

Task:
Have another look at the essay plan that I wrote for last week's lesson. Can you write a topic sentence for each of the two main paragraphs?

June 28, 2019

IELTS Advice: stories and 'natural' linking

Did you notice that my sample answer in Friday's speaking lesson was a story?

When telling stories, native speakers use lots of 'natural' linking words and phrases. Have a look at the following examples from my description:

This happened (referring to previous sentence)
and at some point
so
It (referring to the restaurant previously mentioned)
But as soon as
and we
After standing around for a few minutes
So, I went
so I suggested
But the manager
; our only option was
By this time
yet (meaning 'but in spite of that')
We decided
and fortunately

Notice that I didn't use any of the typical linking words that people learn (Moreover, Furthermore etc.). Those lists of typical linking phrases won't help you to get a higher score. Try to practise 'natural' linking instead!

June 27, 2019

IELTS Vocabulary: from yesterday's answer

Here's a list of some good phrases that I used in yesterday's sample speaking answer. Notice that some of the phrases are perfect for the speaking test, but a little too informal for a written essay.

experience poor service
have a bite to eat (informal)
come across something (meaning 'find by chance')
book in advance
as soon as we walked through the door
things started to go wrong (informal)
not at all impressed with
the attitude of the staff
standing around (informal)
attract the attention of someone / attract someone's attention
only to be told that
a party of our size
to be adamant that
our only option was to
getting fed up (informal)
being treated as if
where we felt unwelcome
we left feeling disappointed
to be dismissive
a much friendlier place
just around the corner

June 24, 2019

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'small families' essay plan

In many countries today, people in cities either live alone or in small family units, rather than in large, extended family groups. Is this a positive or negative trend?

Here's my plan for a 'strong opinion' answer:

June 21, 2019

IELTS Advice: an example of 'general to specific'

Look at the two short paragraphs below. Can you see the difference between them?

Paragraph 1
Every member of society should contribute to improving the environment. We all need to take responsibility for the environmental issues that face the planet. If each individual person plays his or her part, our world will remain habitable for future generations.

Paragraph 2
Every member of society should contribute to improving the environment. Small daily actions, like turning lights off or recycling paper, glass and plastics, can make a difference. I also try to play my part by walking or by taking public transport rather than driving.

Analysis

Paragraph 1 might look good in terms of the vocabulary that I used, but it doesn't really move forward. The three sentences basically say the same thing in different ways. It's all too general.

Paragraph 2 might seem simpler, but it's much better in terms of 'task response' and 'coherence' because the main idea is extended and we can see some progression. Can you see the movement from general to specific in this paragraph?

June 20, 2019

IELTS Advice: general to specific

I've been checking students' essays this week, and one of the most noticeable problems has been this: most essays are too general, and so there's not enough development and progression of ideas.

When writing a paragraph, or when giving a longer answer in part 3 of the speaking test, try to use a general to specific approach. Start with a general idea, then explain it in more detail.

Note: Don't just explain the same general idea in a different way. Your answer needs to move forward.

June 16, 2019

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'small families' topic

Here's an exam question that a student sent me. We'll work on it over the next few weeks.

In many countries today, people in cities either live alone or in small family units, rather than in large, extended family groups. Is this a positive or negative trend?

..........

PS. If you missed my 7-day IELTS writing course, I'll make it available again later today.

June 12, 2019

IELTS Advice: "the method isn't working"

One of the main aims of this blog is to give people a method for tackling each aspect of the IELTS test.

I hear from many people who have been successful after following my advice, but I also hear from people who haven't passed yet. And when people are stuck on the same score, they sometimes think that "the method isn't working". But this is the wrong way to think.

Methods / exam techniques will only help you to get the score that reflects your current level of English. If your English level is 'beginner' or 'intermediate', no method will suddenly give you a band 7. Exam techniques don't increase your vocabulary knowledge or your grammatical accuracy.

Remember that we're working on 2 things here:

Methods e.g. knowing how to write an essay.
English language e.g. expressing your ideas using good vocabulary and without making mistakes.

If you've been following my advice but you're stuck on the same score, don't change your method! Instead, work on point 2 above.

June 09, 2019

IELTS Writing Task 2: the BIG mistake

A student asked me the following question:

If the question asks "To what extent do you agree or disagree?", can I discuss the two views of other people and end with my opinion in the conclusion?

I hope most of you know that the answer is NO. This is the big mistake that so many people make - they write a "discussion" essay instead of an "opinion" essay.

When the question asks "To what extent do you agree or disagree?", you should state your view in the introduction, support it in the main body paragraphs, and repeat or summarise it in the conclusion. The whole essay needs to be about YOUR views, not the views of other people.

June 06, 2019

IELTS Vocabulary: 'easy' words in 'less common' phrases

You might think that a word is 'easy' because you understand it. But do you really know all the uses of that word? There might be some 'less common' uses that would impress the examiner.

Take the word "interest" for example. When teaching a class of advanced-level students, I used the phrase "out of interest" (e.g. I decided to take the course out of interest in the subject*). My students admitted that they had never heard the phrase "out of interest" before.

*out of interest in the subject = because I'm interested in the subject

Can you think of any other examples of 'easy' words that are used in 'less common' phrases?

June 05, 2019

IELTS Advice: 'know what you know'

People often ask me what they should do in the final week before an exam.

My advice is that it's probably too late to learn anything new. It's best to review what you have already studied and make sure you "know what you know".

Go through the topics and techniques that you have studied, and make sure that you have learnt from any mistakes you have made. It's too late to worry about what you haven't studied; just focus on what you have.

June 02, 2019

IELTS Writing Task 2: four 'rules' for introductions

Here are four 'rules' to follow when writing an introduction for a task 2 essay:

Write two sentences: introduce the topic, then give a general answer.
In those two sentences you should briefly mention everything that the question mentions.
Demonstrate that you can paraphrase the ideas in the question.
Don't save any surprises for the conclusion; give your opinion in the introduction if the question asks for it.

PS. Today is the final day for joining my new writing course. I'll remove the sign-up link at 10pm (UK time).

May 30, 2019

IELTS Grammar: easy examples to help understanding

A student asked me to explain the grammar of the sentences below. In particular, the word 'rise' was confusing the student.

Samsung saw sales rise.
Apple saw the biggest rises in sales.

A good way to understand grammar is by looking at some very easy examples of the same type of construction. Here are some sentences that you could compare with those above:

I saw the accident happen.
I saw her leave.
I saw a big change in his behaviour.

Can you explain the grammar of the examples above? Hopefully the two sentences with 'rise' will then seem easier to understand.

May 26, 2019

IELTS Writing Task 2: it's only 13 sentences!

It surprises some people when I tell them that they only need to write 13 sentences for writing task 2:

Introduction: 2 sentences
First main body paragraph: 5 sentences
Second main body paragraph: 5 sentences
Conclusion: 1 sentence

If you look through my lessons here on the blog, you'll see that I usually manage to write 250 words or more in this way. I think it seems a lot less scary if you think that your task is to write just 13 sentences!

Please note: It is not a 'rule' that you must write 13 sentences. This is just my approach or method.

May 23, 2019

IELTS Vocabulary: 'topic specific' vocabulary

Yesterday I said that linking words don't help your vocabulary score, and that you need to use 'topic specific' vocabulary if you want a high score.

But what is 'topic specific' vocabulary?

The answer is: vocabulary that you would probably only use for one particular essay topic. For example, I used this vocabulary in a lesson last week:

- no visual element
- brings us closer to reality
- presented in limited depth
- excellent communication tools
- an even greater impact on the viewer

You might be able to adapt these phrases to a different topic, but it wouldn't be easy; they are quite specific to the particular question in this lesson. However, these are the kind of words and phrases that you need if you want to get a good vocabulary score.

May 22, 2019

IELTS Advice: phrases for any essay?

I've written about this several times before, but people still ask me for lists of phrases for any essay. For example, I received this question the other day:

"Please send me some common phrases that I will write in many essays."

If you've followed my lessons on this blog, you'll know that "any essay" phrases are not the secret to getting a high score in IELTS writing. In fact, I recommend that you work on the opposite: vocabulary for specific topics like education, family, work or the environment. You can use linking words/phrases in any essay, but these only help your coherence and cohesion, not your vocabulary score. So please forget the idea of "phrases for any essay", and focus instead on vocabulary for topics.

May 19, 2019

IELTS Writing Task 2: using the band descriptors

Here's a quick example of what I'll be looking at on the writing course next month:

How does your introduction paragraph contribute to your score? How does it help you to meet the criteria shown on the band descriptors document?

There are two main things that I try to do when writing an introduction:

address all parts of the task
present a clear position (my view or my overall answer)

The two phrases above come from the 'task achievement' column of the band descriptors table. Notice how they match the advice that I've given many times in my lessons:

Your introduction only needs to contain two sentences
First introduce the topic (address the task)
Then give an overall answer to the question (address the task, present your position)

I'll talk about this in more detail on the course. Note: the 25% discount will end at midnight tonight, UK time.

May 16, 2019

IELTS Advice: big words don’t impress

One of my IELTS examiner friends sent me a message the other day. Here’s a short version of what he said:

”Who is teaching candidates words like ‘plethora’, ‘myriad’ and ‘recapitulate’? These words stand out like a sore thumb.”

As I’ve said many times before, individual big words won’t impress the examiner. They’re more likely to have the opposite effect.

PS. The 25% discount on my writing course runs out in three days.

May 12, 2019

IELTS Writing Task 2: vocabulary and grammar review

Let's review some of the good topic vocabulary from the three media essay that I shared recently.

Remember: these are collocations and phrases, not big or 'academic' words.

the most powerful of these media
not the best medium
a much more effective medium
the most dynamic of these media
its ability to communicate information
the communication of up-to-date information
reliable sources of information
research a subject in depth
news broadcasts
what the broadcaster is describing
events as they happen
events as they take place
no visual element
brings us closer to reality
the body language of a politician
interrupted by advertisements
presented in limited depth
excellent communication tools
an even greater impact on the viewer

And here's a task for grammar fans. Can you find the following in the essay?

a noun phrase added on the end of a sentence (after a comma)
a compound sentence
a complex sentence
three different verb tenses
three pronouns that refer back to nouns
a relative pronoun
two examples of passive verbs
extra information surrounded by commas
use of a semicolon to link two related sentences
an extra clause added on the end of a sentence (after a comma)

May 05, 2019

IELTS Writing Task 2: two unusual things

Did you notice the two unusual things about the essay that I shared in last Wednesday's lesson?

The first unusual thing was that I wrote five paragraphs instead of my normal four. If you read the question, it should be obvious why I wrote three main body paragraphs instead of two.
The second unusual thing was that I began the essay with the phrase This essay will discuss. I don't usually write a 'thesis statement', but I think it works well for this particular task.

If you have time, compare my 'three media' essay with any other essay that you find here on my blog. I wrote almost all of the other essays using my normal method.

PS. I'll be announcing a new IELTS writing course this weekend. The course will be in June and it will last 7 days, with daily lessons delivered by email and video. I'll also check one of your essays at the end of it. I'll tell you more on Saturday.

May 02, 2019

IELTS Advice: linking

Many IELTS students become obsessed with 'linkers' - words or phrases that link ideas together in a paragraph e.g. firstly, secondly, furthermore, moreover. There is nothing wrong with using linkers, and they can certainly help you to write good paragraphs.

However, linkers become a problem when they are the only thing that students care about. Examiners care much more about the content between the linkers.

As an experiment, try writing a paragraph without linking words. Can you still make your paragraph coherent? Note: you probably don't use many linkers when you write in your own language!

May 01, 2019

IELTS Grammar: for band 7 and higher

Many students believe that they need to use difficult grammar in order to get a band 7 or higher. But, in fact, the secret to a high grammar score is being able to write error-free sentences.

Look at the band descriptors for writing task 2 and you'll see this:

Band 7: frequent error-free sentences
Band 8: the majority of sentences are error-free

So, there's no point trying to impress the examiner with difficult structures if none of your sentences are error-free. It's better to keep things simple and avoid mistakes.

April 28, 2019

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'three media' essay

Today I'm attaching my full sample essay for the "compare three media" question that we saw in a recent lesson.

Download Three media essay

Which TWO things make this essay different from my usual essays?

April 25, 2019

IELTS Advice: vocabulary is the key!

As I've said before, there is no 'secret' way to improve your IELTS score. You just need to study hard and keep practising. However, if I had to give one piece of advice, it would be this: work on vocabulary.

If you use a wide range of vocabulary in the speaking and writing exams, you are more likely to get a high score. Vocabulary is also the key to finding the answers in the reading test and understanding the speakers in the listening test.

So, are you writing new words and phrases in a notebook every day? Do you read something in English every day? Do you use a dictionary? Do you use Google or Wikipedia to look up words and phrases? If you don't do these things, start now!

April 24, 2019

IELTS Advice: smiling won't help your score, but...

Regarding the advice that I gave yesterday (stop and smile), I just want to clarify that there are no marks for body language in the speaking test. The "stop and smile" idea is simply a way to show the examiner that you're ready for the next question in part 1 of the test.

So, smiling won't help your score, but it can help with the "flow" of questions and answers in part 1.

April 21, 2019

IELTS Writing Task 2: improve the sentences

Here are some sentences that people wrote below last Wednesday's lesson. Each sentence is 'awkward' in some way, so can you rewrite and improve them?

It is true that media communication has several types such as books, radio and television.
As far as I am concerned, I think that the most advantageous is television.
I, however, prefer mostly TV is the best choice of communication's tools.
Different types of medium have their own benefits and drawbacks based on their own features for communication of information.
It is true that the media plays a major role in communications in recent years.

April 18, 2019

IELTS Advice: the week before your exam

What are the best things to do in the last week before your exam? Here are some tips:

1. Nothing new
It's often best not to study anything new just before an exam. "Revision" means studying what you have already studied to make sure that you know it well. The aim is to be confident about what you do know, rather than worrying about what you don't know.

2. Common topics
It's always a good idea to look again at the most common topics for IELTS writing and speaking. Make sure you have some ideas, opinions and vocabulary for topics like 'education', 'environment' etc.

3. Test practice
If you have never done a full test (e.g. a full one-hour reading test) before, you might get a shock in the real exam! Timing is a big problem, so practise a full test in strict exam conditions. Don't worry about your score; just focus on finishing everything within the time limit.

April 14, 2019

IELTS Writing Task 2: a rare 5-paragraph essay

I almost always write 4 paragraphs, but sometimes the question requires a different approach. For example, a student asked me to return to the question below (from Cambridge IELTS 4). I wrote a couple of lessons about this topic back in 2012, but we didn't finish the full essay.

Compare the advantages and disadvantages of three of the following as media for communicating information. State which you consider to be the most effective.

comics
books
radio
television
film
theatre

Here are my three main body paragraphs.
Can you add the introduction and conclusion?

The main advantage of books is that they are usually considered to be reliable sources of information. People tend to refer to books when they want to research a subject in depth, and for this reason they continue to play an important role in education. On the other hand, books quickly go out of date, and therefore they are not the best medium for communicating news stories.

Radio is a much more effective medium than books for the communication of up-to-date information. We can listen to news broadcasts about events as they happen, and a key benefit of radio is that we can listen to it while doing other activities, such as driving or working. The main drawback of radio, when compared to books or television, is that there is no visual element; we cannot see what the broadcaster is describing.

In my opinion, television is the most effective of these three media because it brings us closer to reality than a book or radio programme ever can. For example, we can watch events as they take place on the other side of the world, or we can see the body language of a politician who is being interviewed. The disadvantages of television are that programmes tend to be short and interrupted by advertisements, meaning that information is presented in limited depth.

April 11, 2019

IELTS Advice: having the right aims

Many people work hard but with the wrong aims. Their hard work takes them in the wrong direction.

Here are two examples of the wrong aims (for IELTS students):

Learning "impressive" phrases for linking and organising your ideas.
Becoming better at English grammar by working through exercises in a grammar book.

You could do many hours of hard work on these two aims, but I doubt that your IELTS scores would improve.

Your next question should be: What are the right aims? If you've read enough of my lessons, you'll know what I think. Maybe you would like to share your aims in the comments below this lesson, and we can discuss and refine them.

April 07, 2019

IELTS Writing Task 2: how many ideas per paragraph?

A student asked me this useful question:

In writing task 2, isn't it better to write about just one idea in each main body paragraph? If we put two or three ideas in the same paragraph (e.g. firstly, secondly, finally), we can't explain each idea in as much detail.

Here's my answer to this question:

Some questions require you to put more than one idea in each main paragraph. For example, if the question asks you to explain the advantages, disadvantages, reasons, causes or solutions, you must give more than one. Therefore a "firstly, secondly, finally" paragraph structure is perfect. If the question doesn't contain a plural word, one idea per paragraph is fine.

To learn the two methods that I use for writing paragraphs, study this lesson.

April 03, 2019

IELTS Advice: do the basics well

People who become good at things do the basics well, and they only show off occasionally.

For example, native speakers (of any language) spend most of their time using clear and relatively simple language. They might add a 'flourish' here and there, but it's rare to meet a native speaker who tries to make every sentence seem impressive.

I try to persuade students to aim for this 'natural' native-speaker style of writing and speaking. Learn to write and speak in a clear, simple, accurate and coherent way. Leave the rhetorical flourishes to politicians and professional writers!

March 31, 2019

IELTS Writing Task 2: advice for different scores

Depending on what scores my students are aiming for, I give different advice.

If you are aiming for band 5, 5.5 or 6:

You can reach band 6 with fairly 'easy' language if your essay structure is good, your ideas are relevant to the question topic, and you write at least 250 words. Look through the writing task 2 lessons on this website to learn how to write introductions, main paragraphs and conclusions, and work on writing short, simple sentences to express your ideas.

When people get band 5 or below, it is often because they don't finish their essays, they go off-topic, they have no idea about good essay structure, or they try to use 'difficult' language and therefore make lots of mistakes. For bands 5 to 6, keep your essays simple and clear.

If you are aiming for band 7 or higher:

First, you need to do everything that I mentioned above: you need relevant ideas, a good essay structure, and you must write at least 250 words.

But to reach the higher scores, your essays need more 'depth'. You need to explain your ideas in more detail, using a wider range of vocabulary. At this level, good essay structure is not enough, and memorised linking phrases won't help either. Your focus should be on real content.

March 28, 2019

IELTS Advice: a little every day

Instead of worrying about study timetables or how many hours of IELTS practice you think you need to do, just make one simple rule for yourself: do something every day, no matter how small.

A lot can be achieved if you commit to doing a little every day.

March 27, 2019

IELTS Advice: methods and principles

Every IELTS teacher will suggest a slightly different way of doing each part of the test. In other words, teachers have different methods.

An example of a method is my 13-sentences approach to writing a task 2 essay. This is how I like to break down the writing task, but it isn't the only way. Other teachers' methods can be equally good.

On the other hand, there are principles that all IELTS teachers should agree on. For example, when you write an essay, you need to present a clear position and answer all parts of the question.

Many IELTS students are confused by all of the different 'methods' that teachers give them. Perhaps we need to focus more on 'principles'.

March 24, 2019

IELTS Writing Task 2: make your 'position' clear

One of the key principles that you should remember when writing a task 2 essay is this: make sure that your position is clear throughout the essay.

Your "position" is your overall answer to the question. It is an expression of where you stand on the issue or topic.

Notice also my use of the word "throughout". Your position should be made clear in the introduction, supported in the main paragraphs, and restated in the conclusion.

Task:
Look again at this essay. Which phrases did I use to make my position clear?

March 21, 2019

IELTS Advice: understanding vs using

I've written about the difference between understanding and using before, but I think it's worth repeating this idea.

Have another look at the list of phrases in yesterday's lesson. Perhaps you understand all of the individual words in that list. But ask yourself this: would you have been able to use those words to create correct phrases, and a coherent essay, in the same way that I did?

Using words and phrases is much more difficult than simply understanding what they mean. While understanding only requires a quick dictionary search, using requires considerable language experience and practice.

March 20, 2019

IELTS Vocabulary: 'choices' essay review

Here's a list of the 'band 7-9' vocabulary in my most recent essay:

modern life presents us with
an overwhelming number of choices
the two major factors involved
a dramatic expansion in
online media options
almost endless
countless websites
on-demand TV
music streaming
abundance of media
on the part of the average user
the content that we consume
compounding this problem
faced with a world of options
limited but simple travel choices
our grandparents' generation
the same is true
the increasing tendency for
the opportunity for overseas study
seems appealing
which path to take
more bewildering than beneficial

March 17, 2019

IELTS Writing Task 2: essay analysis

You can learn a lot by analysing a well-written essay. Here's a quick analysis of the essay that I shared last Wednesday:

Method
As usual, I wrote 4 paragraphs containing 13 sentences in total. If you always follow the same writing method, you'll feel confident that you know exactly how to write your essay in the exam. If you have time, look at my 13 sentences again and analyse what each one is doing.

Style
I consider task 2 essays (like the one I wrote) to be "high school style" essays, rather than "university level" essays. This is because we're writing about our own ideas and opinions; we don't have access to any research. Task 2 essays should be clear and easy to read, with a focus on relevant ideas and good 'topic vocabulary'. You won't have time to develop the kind of detailed arguments that a university teacher would expect, so imagine that you're writing for your high school teacher!

Focus
IELTS students often worry too much about grammar; they think that they need to fill their essays with passives, conditionals, compound sentences, complex sentences etc. I tell my students not to think about those things. Instead, we focus on vocabulary: expressing our ideas well and making sure that we answer the question. Vocabulary (ideas) was my main focus when I wrote the essay.

March 14, 2019

IELTS Advice: reading vs studying

There's a big difference between reading a book and studying a book. When you study something, you analyse it in detail and you learn a lot more.

Maybe you read the essay that I shared on Wednesday, but did you study it? The deeper you study something, the more you'll learn from it. So go deeper, study hard, and you're sure to improve!

March 10, 2019

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'choices' essay

Here's my band 9 sample answer for the question below. I followed the essay plan that you can see in this lesson.

Some people believe that nowadays we have too many choices. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

It is often said that modern life presents us with an overwhelming number of choices. I completely agree with this, and I believe that the Internet and globalisation are the two major factors involved.

It is undeniable that the Internet has led to a dramatic expansion in the number of choices that are available to us. The number of online media options, for instance, is now almost endless. There are countless websites offering entertainment, news, videos, on-demand TV and music streaming, many of which are free. I would argue that this abundance of media leads to confusion on the part of the average user, as we have to make so many decisions about the content that we consume. A personal example of this trend would be the fact that I had a choice of just four TV channels when I was a child, whereas I now have access to thousands of films and series through services like Netflix.

Alongside the influence of the Internet, globalisation is making the world smaller and compounding this problem of too much choice. Cheap international flights have made overseas travel possible for millions of people, but this also means that we are faced with a world of options when deciding where to go on holiday or even where to live. We no longer have the limited but simple travel choices of our grandparents’ generation. The same is true if we look at the increasing tendency for young people to study abroad. While the opportunity for overseas study seems appealing, many students are confused about where to go and which path to take.

In conclusion, we are faced with a huge number of options in most areas of life nowadays, and this is often more bewildering than beneficial.

(293 words)

March 06, 2019

IELTS Grammar: 'by/in contrast' and 'on the contrary'

A few people have asked me about these phrases. Do they have the same meaning? When is each one used?

By contrast / In contrast
I often use these two phrases in both writing task 1 and 2. They are exactly the same, and are used in a similar way to "however" or "on the other hand" to introduce a contrast / comparison. Put "By / In contrast" at the beginning of a sentence, with a comma after "contrast".

Example
Unemployment rose in the UK. By contrast, the number of unemployed people in Canada fell.

On the contrary
I don't think you'll need this phrase for any part of the IELTS test. It doesn't mean the same thing as "by / in contrast". We use "on the contrary" to deny that something is true, and to explain that the opposite is true.

Example
- Person 1: "You had some problems with your hotel, didn't you?"
- Person 2: "On the contrary, the hotel was great, but the airline lost my suitcase."

March 03, 2019

IELTS Writing Task 2: opinion, not discussion

If the question asks whether you agree or disagree, it is asking for your opinion. You should express your opinion in the introduction, and support it in the rest of the essay.

Don’t structure an “opinion” essay like this:

Introduction
Paragraph supporting the opposite opinion
Paragraph supporting my opinion
Conclusion

The problem with this essay structure is that paragraph 2 is not consistent with my opinion. This is a “discussion” essay structure!

Think of it this way: your task when you answer an “agree or disagree” question is to persuade the reader that your view is right. Each paragraph should defend your opinion.

Note:
You can write about both sides of the argument if you say that you "partly agree". Go to this lesson to see some suggestions for essay structures.

February 28, 2019

IELTS Advice: it isn't about 'big' words

The list of less common vocabulary in yesterday's lesson didn't contain any words that are 'big' or impressive on their own.

In fact, if you're trying to impress the examiner with good vocabulary, you shouldn't be worrying about individual words at all. Instead, you should be trying to show that you can use interesting groups of words.

Here's an easy example. The three words below are not particularly special or impressive on their own:

- incredible
- beautiful
- images

But look at how I put these words together in the sentence below:

The TV trailers were really eye-catching because they showed incredibly beautiful images of nature.

The phrase "incredibly beautiful images" is much more interesting (and 'less common') than the three individual words that it contains.

Remember: It's only when you start putting words together that the language comes alive. Focus on groups of words, not individual 'big' words.

February 27, 2019

IELTS Vocabulary: 'less common' phrases

Did you note down the following 'less common' phrases from the description that I wrote yesterday? Could you use these phrases in your own sentences?

each episode featured
spectacular footage
it was broadcast
the DVD box set
it was advertised repeatedly
it was aired (means 'it was shown on TV')
the trailers were eye-catching
incredibly beautiful images
the voice of the narrator
stunning photography
global scope
to film such interesting creatures in so many locations
opened my eyes to the hidden wonders of our planet

Note:
The phrase 'less common vocabulary' (or 'uncommon lexical items') is used in the examiner's mark scheme. It refers to any vocabulary that examiners don't expect most candidates to use. But this doesn't mean 'difficult' words; it means the kind of 'natural' phrases that native speakers use. A good example is "DVD box set" - this isn't a difficult phrase, but it's something that English learners might not be expected to use.

February 24, 2019

IELTS Writing Task 2: introduction with main ideas

I don't usually present my main ideas in the introduction. However, if you look at the essay plan that I wrote last week, you'll see that there's a really clear main idea for each body paragraph.

Because of this, I found it easy to mention both points in the introduction below.

Here's the task again:
Some people believe that nowadays we have too many choices. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

And my introduction, with main paragraph ideas underlined:
It is often said that modern life presents us with an overwhelming number of choices. I completely agree with this, and I believe that the Internet and globalisation are the two major factors involved.

February 21, 2019

IELTS Advice: 'easy' can be difficult

IELTS isn't simply a test of how much 'difficult' vocabulary and grammar you can use. It also tests your ability to do 'easy' things with the language, like making a simple sentence that contains no mistakes.

Speaking part 1 is a good example of this. In this part of the speaking test, you will impress the examiner by answering without hesitation, by speaking in a natural and fluid way, and by using error-free simple sentences. You can show off your best language later in the test, but you should start, in part 1, by showing the examiner that you can do the 'easy' things well.

Note: many people don't do the easy things well.

February 20, 2019

IELTS Advice: fear of failure

A colleague asked me for some advice about how to help a student who is so worried about the IELTS writing test that she feels unable to write an essay. She says she has a mental block and just can't start writing.

In my opinion, this student's problem is that she is aiming too high too soon. She wants to write the perfect essay now, but she is afraid that she won't. She's putting too much pressure on herself to be successful.

So here's some advice for people who feel stuck or afraid: aim much lower! Imagine you're a lazy student who just wants to do his/her homework as quickly as possible, and write an essay that you know isn't your best work - write it quickly and carelessly. Write another 'bad' essay the next day and the day after that. Soon the fear of essay writing will have disappeared, and you'll start wanting to improve your 'bad' essays. When the fear of failure has gone, you'll be free to enjoy the challenge and to do your best work.

Note: if you are not suffering from this essay writing 'fear', please ignore the advice above. Aim high, enjoy the challenge, and do your best work now!

February 17, 2019

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'choices' plan

I've written a quick plan (see photo) for the 'choices' question below.

Some people believe that nowadays we have too many choices. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

I hope you can read my handwriting!

February 14, 2019

IELTS Vocabulary: paraphrasing techniques

Here are some techniques that should help you to paraphrase (to say the same thing in different ways):

1) Use a synonym

This is important = This is significant / crucial / vital

2) Use an opposite

I found it difficult = It wasn't easy for me

3) Change active to passive

You should not do this = This should not be done

4) Use a related word (e.g. change the verb into a noun)

The number rose = There was a rise in the number

5) Consider a more formal or informal version

I am worried = I am extremely concerned (formal) / I'm stressed out (informal)

Task:
Try using some of these techniques, and let me know if you think of any others.

February 13, 2019

IELTS Advice: don't ask the examiner questions

In the speaking test, some candidates try to involve the examiner in the conversation. For example:

Examiner: Do you like cooking?
Student: Not really, I prefer eating in restaurants. And you?

You should definitely not do this!

In fact, the only time that you might need to ask a question is if you don't hear what the examiner said. Just say: "Sorry, can you repeat that please?"

February 10, 2019

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'choices' topic

Here's an interesting question from Cambridge IELTS 13:

Some people believe that nowadays we have too many choices. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

I'm going to go with my instinct and say that I completely agree with this. I'll show you how I build my essay over the next couple of weeks.

February 07, 2019

IELTS Advice: basic study plan

People often ask me to give them a study plan. If I haven't taught the student, I can't suggest a detailed plan because I don't know anything about him/her.

However, I often suggest a basic study plan like this:

Spend Monday to Friday preparing vocabulary for common IELTS topics, working on exam 'methods', and practising small parts of tests with no time limit.
Test yourself on Saturday or Sunday (in all four parts) to see if what you studied during the week has helped you to improve.
Don't spend any time working on grammar, unless you have identified specific problems / mistakes that you keep making.

February 06, 2019

IELTS Vocabulary: from my GT answer

The vocabulary below comes from the 'General' IELTS task that I looked at last weekend. I think these phrases could be useful for both General and Academic students.

available to help
after-school lessons
missed the majority of the term
due to illness
struggling to catch up
his problems stem from the fact that
unable to attend
he lacks confidence
are you familiar with...?
topics that are covered
perhaps you could also tell me
build students' pronunciation and conversation skills
in the late afternoon or early evening
would be ideal

February 03, 2019

IELTS Writing Task 2: very simple conclusion

If you've written a good essay, there's no need for a 'difficult' or 'impressive' conclusion. Just let the conclusion do its job: it should restate your position (answer) in a clear and simple way.

Here's a simple conclusion that finishes off last week's essay:

In conclusion, while some people are attracted to the latest fashionable hobby, others choose their pastimes for more genuine reasons.

January 27, 2019

IELTS Writing Task 2: conclusion mistakes

Can you find and correct the mistakes in the following conclusion sentences?

In conclusion, Following trends and fashions or not, it is up to people.
In conclusion, some hobbies can temporary popular while some can last for ages.
Some entertainment becomes old-fashioned these days but there are other popular entertainments that trends have not affected on them.
In conclusion, I could conclude that some people are too much trendy in term of their preferred interests.
In conclusion, some hobbies and interests are changable time by time according to individuals while some of them everytime are liked people doing.

January 20, 2019

IELTS Writing Task 2: write the conclusion for me!

I've almost finished the essay below, but can you write a one-sentence conclusion for me?

Popular hobbies and interests change over time and are more a reflection of trends and fashions than an indication of what individuals really want to do in their spare time. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Some leisure activities become fashionable for a short time and then disappear when a new trend comes along, whereas others seem to be perennially popular. I can therefore only partly agree with the assertion that hobbies reflect changing fashions rather than our true interests.

On the one hand, it is true that many hobbies are simply passing trends. Children and teenagers, in particular, are attracted to whatever activity is currently popular among their peers. My 10-year-old niece, for example, seems to have a new interest every month, as she joins in with the latest craze that sweeps through her primary school. Over the last year or so, she has been obsessed with Rubik’s cubes, fidget spinners, squidgies and slime. In a similar way, there have been several different fitness trends for adults over recent years, from jogging to yoga to circuit training, and I doubt whether the majority of participants continued to enjoy those activities in the long term.

On the other hand, many people spend their free time doing popular activities that are far from trendy. One good example would be the game chess. Children and adults who enjoy playing chess are certainly not following a new fashion or wasting their time on something that they do not truly like. On the contrary, they are passionate about a game that has existed for hundreds of years, and they find it inherently fascinating and absorbing. I would say the same about many other hobbies, from reading to swimming.

In conclusion,.....

January 17, 2019

IELTS Advice: learn by copying

Yesterday I wrote that your English teacher should take you just outside your comfort zone. Your teacher should also be your best source of language and the 'model' that you try to copy.

Don't be afraid to copy the way I write or the way your favourite English speaker speaks. Copying is the best way to learn a language; it's much more reliable than translating word by word using a dictionary.

January 16, 2019

IELTS Advice: just outside your comfort zone

In the comments below Wednesday's lesson, one student wrote that he/she isn't able to write at the same level as me. This is a good thing!

If you can already write at the same level as me, you don't need my help!

The best way to learn is to have a teacher who takes you just outside your comfort zone. If the work is too easy you won't progress, and if it's far too difficult you won't be able to do it. A good teacher should give you work that is difficult, but achievable with help. Hopefully the paragraph that I wrote on Wednesday fits that description.

January 13, 2019

IELTS Writing Task 2: paragraph analysis

Here's a paragraph supporting the opinion that most hobbies are just trends (the full question is here).

Let's analyse the paragraph:

My position is clear, especially from these phrases: it is true that..., I doubt whether...
Five sentences: 1) topic, 2) illustration using children and teenagers, 3) personal example, 4) personal example continued, 5) comparison with adults, examples and concluding view.
Examples of passing trends are the key feature in the paragraph: Rubik’s cubes, fidget spinners, squidgies, slime, jogging, yoga, circuit training (7 examples in total). These examples really help to support the view given in the paragraph.
Plenty of natural, appropriate 'topic' vocabulary: passing trends, attracted to, currently popular, among their peers, joins in with the latest craze, sweeps through her primary school, obsessed with, fitness trends, the majority of participants.
Good coherence. For example, notice the use of the phrase 'In a similar way', which allows me to move from talking about children to talking about adults. Notice also the relationship between sentences 2, 3 and 4: children... my niece... she.
Notice how I finish with a reference to the original question: "I doubt whether... in the long term" refers to the idea that "individuals don't really want to do these activities in their spare time".
Grammar: there's a nice mix of long and short sentences, and I can't see any mistakes!

January 10, 2019

IELTS Vocabulary: 'easy' theme

Here's my quick brainstorm on the theme of the word 'easy'. I've divided it into a few different categories; you might find it helpful to do this yourself when brainstorming ideas.

Synonyms of 'easy'

simple, straightforward, uncomplicated, effortless

Informal phrases

a piece of cake, a walk in the park, a breeze, a doddle

Phrases with opposites

it wasn't difficult, it wasn't hard, it didn't take much effort, it wasn't very challenging, it didn't present any real problems, I didn't really struggle

Use an example to create context e.g. 'the exam was easy'

it was fairly simple, I found it quite straightforward, I breezed through it, I could have done it in my sleep, it was easier than I expected

January 09, 2019

IELTS Vocabulary: brainstorm themes

In yesterday’s lesson I brainstormed the theme of a modern apartment. It’s easy to brainstorm ideas when you focus on a specific word, and I was able to produce a useful list of ideas related to the word ‘modern’.

You can use this technique as a way to prepare for topics and to expand your overall vocabulary knowledge. Just choose a word (your ‘theme’) and brainstorm ideas related to it. You could also use the Internet as a source of ideas.

Task: Let’s take the word ‘easy’ as our theme. Can you list between five and ten words or phrases related to this theme?

January 06, 2019

IELTS Writing Task 2: partly agree

Here's the 'hobbies' question that we've been looking at:

After thinking about some examples of hobbies, it seems to me that some of them are trends (e.g. video games or gym activities), whereas others have stood the test of time (e.g. jogging, football, swimming, reading).

I'll therefore write a 'partly agree' answer. Here's a possible introduction:

January 03, 2019

IELTS Advice: how I can help you

Yesterday I suggested that you'll need to work on both exam technique and English language as you prepare for the IELTS test. So how can IELTS-Simon help you with these two things?

Exam technique
The fastest way to learn how to approach the IELTS test is to watch the video lessons that I published on this website. The videos take you step by step through each part of the test, and you'll see me giving band 9 answers using clear and simple exam techniques. I consider the video lessons to be my best work, and I don't know of any other course that provides such a methodical and effective approach.

Of course, this blog contains the same advice that you'll find in the video lessons. The difference is that the blog isn't written as a step-by-step course. If you have the time, go back through the blog's archives or search the blog for anything that you need. I think I've probably written a lesson about almost any IELTS problem that you might have.

English language
The ultimate aim of this blog is to help you to improve your English. You'll find many lessons in which language, rather than exam technique, is the main focus.

I'm also trying to cover as many IELTS topics as possible here on the blog, and you'll find plenty of vocabulary ideas (words, phrases, examples, opinions etc.) that you can 'copy' from me and use in your own answers.

January 02, 2019

IELTS Advice: advice for the new year

Let's think about what you're going to do in 2019. Broadly speaking, you'll probably need to work on two main things:

Exam technique
English language

Both of these areas are important, but if we're talking about a whole year of study, I think it's far more important to improve your English.

Imagine yourself at the end of 2019. Surely your priority should be to have a better overall level of English, not just to collect more exam tips and techniques.

December 30, 2018

IELTS Writing Task 2: opinion question about hobbies

Last week I asked you to vote on which of three different questions we should work on next. The opinion question was the most popular choice:

Tip: start by thinking of examples.

For this type of question, I would begin by listing some hobbies or interests. Here are the first six that came into my head:

playing / watching football
swimming
jogging / running
going to the gym
reading
playing computer games

Next, we can decide whether or not these are hobbies that change over time. What do you think? Are these hobbies just short-term trends?

December 27, 2018

IELTS Advice: 'I know this already'

Language learners often think they know something (e.g. a word, phrase, grammar rule) because they understand it or because they have studied it before. However, there is a huge difference between understanding something and really knowing it.

'Really knowing' means being able to use the word, phrase or grammar rule.

For example, you might understand the vocabulary in this lesson. But does that mean that you know it? Could you use those words and phrases in different contexts in your own essays or spoken answers?

December 25, 2018

IELTS Advice: your 'repertoire'

'Repertoire' is an interesting word. It is used by musicians to mean 'all of the songs or pieces of music that they can play or that they perform'.

Instead of learning linking words or worrying about grammatical structures, it might be better to think about your 'IELTS repertoire'. For example: What topics can you write or speak about with confidence? What band 7 words and phrases are you confident about using?

A large repertoire of ideas, opinions, words and phrases for a wide range of topics is the sign of someone who will probably get a high IELTS score.

December 20, 2018

IELTS Advice: concise and succinct

Yesterday I advised you not to "waffle" in the speaking and writing tests. As one of my high school teachers used to tell us, the opposite of waffling is to be "concise and succinct". Look these two words up if you're not sure what they mean.

December 19, 2018

IELTS Advice: give direct answers

Hopefully you noticed what was wrong with the beginning of the student's answer in yesterday's lesson: the first two sentences were unnecessary and irrelevant. Let's take another look:

Question:
Describe an interesting house or apartment.

First three sentences of the answer:
Well, living in an apartment is an overgrowing trend not only in my country but all over the world. We have our own apartment which is really awesome. By the way, I would like to talk about a new apartment/flat that I have recently visited.

The real answer begins in the third sentence with the words "I would like to talk about". This is where I would begin. Everything before that is just background waffle*. Examiners don't like this waffle; you'll impress them more if you get straight to the point and answer directly.

waffle = lengthy but vague or trivial talk or writing (i.e. useless extra words that you don't need)

December 16, 2018

IELTS Writing Task 2: three recent questions

Here are three questions that students have sent to me recently. Let me know, in the comments area, which question you think we should work on next.

Discussion question
Some people say that it is possible for a country to be both economically successful and have a clean environment. Others disagree. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Opinion question
Popular hobbies and interests change over time and are more a reflection of trends and fashions than an indication of what individuals really want to do in their spare time. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

2-part question
Society seems to pay less attention to women's sports than to men's sports. Why do you think this is the case? Is it a positive or negative trend?

December 13, 2018

IELTS Advice: just find a good English teacher

Instead of worrying about finding a good IELTS teacher, just look for a good English teacher.

If you practise with the official Cambridge books and follow the advice on this blog, you don't really need any more IELTS help.

Many IELTS students would benefit more from taking 'normal' English lessons, rather than attending a 'tips and techniques' course.

December 12, 2018

IELTS Advice: if you have a teacher

If you are taking IELTS preparation lessons with a teacher, here's a tip:

Make sure that your teacher is helping you to improve your English, rather than just giving you exam tips and techniques. If you don't seem to be improving your overall knowledge of the English language, you might need to consider changing your teacher.

Remember: exam tips and techniques are useful and important, but the surest way to improve your IELTS score is by improving your English.

December 09, 2018

IELTS Writing Task 2: band 7-9 vocabulary

Here's a list of the good words, collocations and phrases from the essay that I shared in last Wednesday's lesson. Maybe you could try using some of this vocabulary in your own sentences.

the future impact of
the two opposing points of view
I am both fascinated and apprehensive about...
bring some obvious benefits
high levels of accuracy
calculations using large amounts of data
carry out surgical procedures
with greater precision
reducing the likelihood of
human errors
steadily improve our quality of life
I share the concerns of people who...
in the short / medium / long term
a rise in unemployment
in various industries
are replaced by software programs
self-driving vehicles
cause redundancies
become deskilled
lose their sense of purpose
a longer term fear
without human oversight
without regard for
our well-being
the potential risks
should not be ignored

December 06, 2018

IELTS Advice: deviating from the topic (writing)

Yesterday I suggested that it is possible to deviate from the topic a little in the speaking test, as long as you do this skilfully (read yesterday's lesson to see what I mean).

But can you do the same thing in the writing test? No. You should never deviate from the topic in either of the writing tasks. You'll get a lower score if you do.

December 02, 2018

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'artificial intelligence' essay

Here's my full essay for the question below.

Some people believe that developments in the field of artificial intelligence will have a positive impact on our lives in the near future. Others, by contrast, are worried that we are not prepared for a world in which computers are more intelligent than humans. Discuss both of these views and give your own opinion.

People seem to be either excited or worried about the future impact of artificial intelligence. Personally I can understand the two opposing points of view; I am both fascinated by developments in artificial intelligence and apprehensive about its possible negative effects.

On the one hand, the increasing intelligence of technology should bring some obvious benefits. Machines are clearly able to do many jobs better than humans can, especially in areas that require high levels of accuracy or calculations using large amounts of data. For example, robots are being developed that can carry out surgical procedures with greater precision than a human doctor, and we already have cars that use sensors and cameras to drive themselves. Such technologies can improve safety by reducing the likelihood of human errors. It is easy to imagine how these developments, and many others, will steadily improve our quality of life.

On the other hand, I share the concerns of people who believe that artificial intelligence may harm us if we are not careful. In the short term, it is likely that we will see a rise in unemployment as workers in various industries are replaced by machines or software programs. For example, self-driving vehicles are expected to cause redundancies in driving jobs, such as lorry drivers, taxi drivers and bus drivers. In the medium term, if intelligent technologies gradually take jobs away from humans, we may find that people become deskilled and lose their sense of purpose in life. A longer term fear is that computers become so intelligent that they begin to make decisions without human oversight and without regard for our well-being.

In conclusion, while intelligent machines will no doubt improve our lives in many ways, the potential risks of such technologies should not be ignored.

(295 words, band 9)

November 28, 2018

IELTS Grammar: using 'they' with a singular

A student asked me about this page on Wikipedia, which gives three examples of the words "they" and "their" being used to refer to singular nouns:

Somebody left their umbrella here. Would they please collect it?
The patient should be told how much they will be required to pay.
A journalist should not be forced to reveal their sources.

They and their are used instead of he or she and his or her.

This is very common in English, and it is unlikely that someone would say: "Somebody left his or her umbrella. Would he or she please collect it?"

But can we use "they" with a singular in the IELTS test?

The simple answer is yes, but my own preference is a little more complicated. When speaking, I naturally use "they" with singular nouns from time to time. But I tend to avoid doing this in written essays, as I prefer to stick to the normal grammatical conventions. For example, I used "he or she" in the sentence below, which comes from this essay.

Firstly, it is hard for a person to be happy if he or she does not have a safe place to live and enough food to eat.

November 25, 2018

IELTS Writing Task 2: from plan to paragraph

Here's my plan for a 5-sentence paragraph about the negatives or dangers of artificial intelligence:

Topic sentence: I share concerns about potential harm
Idea 1: Short term rise in unemployment as workers are replaced
Example: Self-driving vehicles replace driving jobs
Idea 2: Medium term effect, humans lose skills and purpose
Idea 3: Long term worry, computers take over and make decisions

Here's my 5-sentence paragraph. Notice how I refer to short, medium and long term effects.

I share the concerns of people who believe that artificial intelligence may harm us if we are not careful. In the short term, it is likely that we will see a rise in unemployment as workers in various industries are replaced by machines or software programs. For example, self-driving vehicles are expected to cause redundancies in driving jobs, such as lorry drivers, taxi drivers and bus drivers. In the medium term, if intelligent technologies gradually take jobs away from humans, we may find that people become deskilled and lose their sense of purpose in life. A longer term fear is that computers become so intelligent that they begin to make decisions without human oversight and without regard for our well-being.

November 21, 2018

IELTS Vocabulary: range and flexibility

If you take lessons with an English teacher, I recommend that you ask yourself this question at the end of each lesson:

Did I learn some new language in this lesson, or did I become better at using some language that I already knew?

In other words, you are asking yourself whether you worked on your vocabulary range (new words and phrases) or on your flexibility (becoming better at using the language that you already knew).

Note: examiners are looking for range and flexibility when they assess your vocabulary in the writing and speaking tests.

November 12, 2018

IELTS Writing Task 2: essay 'skeleton'

Do you remember the idea of the essay skeleton? I've written a 'skeleton' for the artificial intelligence question below.

Introduction
People seem to be either excited or worried about the future impact of artificial intelligence. Personally I can understand the two opposing points of view; I am both fascinated by developments in artificial intelligence and apprehensive about its possible negative effects.

Topic sentence, paragraph 2
On the one hand, the increasing intelligence of technology should bring some obvious benefits.

Topic sentence, paragraph 3
On the other hand, I share the concerns of people who believe that artificial intelligence may harm us if we are not careful.

Conclusion
In conclusion, while intelligent machines will no doubt improve our lives in many ways, the potential risks of such technologies should not be ignored.

Remember:
The essay 'skeleton' should make sense on its own, providing the reader with a summary of your answer. The only thing missing is a detailed explanation after each main paragraph topic sentence.

Tip:
Practise writing your own essay skeletons, and your essay coherence will improve.

November 07, 2018

IELTS Advice: 'deep' answers

Unfortunately, many candidates give shallow answers in their IELTS speaking and writing tests. They mention a few different ideas, but fail to develop any of them in detail. They would get higher scores if they just took one idea and developed it in detail; this is what I call a deep answer.

Practise explaining just one idea in as much detail as you can. The ability to do this could really benefit your speaking and writing scores.

November 06, 2018

IELTS Advice: don't forget the easy words!

One thing I noticed as an examiner is that many students forget to use simple words like "and" or "but". At the same time, they overuse words like "moreover" and "furthermore".

Native speakers use "and" all the time (in both speech and writing). You can use "and" or "but" as many times as you want; the examiner will not notice!

On the other hand, if you use "moreover" or "furthermore" more than once, the examiner will notice straight away. These words do not get you a high score. In fact, in the speaking exam, they make your English sound 'forced'.

November 03, 2018

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'artificial intelligence' plan

Here's my essay plan for the artificial intelligence question that I showed you in last week's lesson:

Note:
This is the kind of clear, simple plan that you could aim to write in your test. Give yourself 10 minutes, and I think you could produce a plan like this one (if you've done enough planning practice).

October 31, 2018

IELTS Vocabulary: paraphrasing practice

Paraphrasing = expressing the same idea in a different way.

Here are some phrases from Friday's speaking lesson. Can you find a different way to express each idea?

I was never much of a singer.
I was always a little shy.
This happens once a week or less.
I prefer to listen to a variety of music.
Singing contests are hugely popular at the moment.

October 30, 2018

IELTS Grammar: subject + verb

Question: Which of the following is a correct sentence?

Learning a foreign language.
Firstly, learning a foreign language in order to improve your career prospects.
For example, learning a foreign language by living in a country where that language is spoken, and communicating with native speakers on a daily basis.

Answer: None of these are correct sentences. None of them has a main verb.

To make a sentence, you need a subject (noun/noun phrase) and a verb:

I am learning a foreign language. OR, Learning a foreign language is useful.
Firstly, many people learn a foreign language in order to improve their career prospects.
For example, some people learn a foreign language by living in a country where that language is spoken and communicating with native speakers on a daily basis.

Some students really need to work on writing correct "subject + verb" sentences. Missing the verb in a sentence is a serious mistake that will definitely affect your score.

October 27, 2018

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'artificial intelligence' discussion

I've been looking at the topic of artificial intelligence in some of my recent lessons. Here's how I think this topic could appear in the writing test:

Please don't rush to write an essay about this topic without doing a plan first. I'd be really happy to see some essay plans in the 'comments' area below this lesson.

October 24, 2018

IELTS Advice: the 'structures' we use

One of the things that I liked about the presentation in this lesson was the idea that 'structures' are so important in any form of communication. When you are speaking or writing (in any context, not just for the IELTS test), the way you structure your ideas makes a difference. A good structure keeps your audience (the listener or reader) interested and on track; it will also add to the coherence, power and persuasiveness of your message.

Consider this example: a sales presentation using a "problem and solution" structure. The sales person explains a problem and then tells the audience how his/her product or service can solve this problem. This simple structure is used in countless advertising and marketing campaigns.

Now let's think about the structures that we use in the IELTS test. Can you list the structures that I've used in my speaking and writing lessons? Here's one example: "answer, explain, example" in part 3 of the speaking test.

October 23, 2018

IELTS Advice: the confidence to be 'simple'

For many of the students I've taught, a breakthrough (or big improvement) came when they found the confidence to write and speak in a more 'simple' way.

When you stop worrying about whether you need to use passives, conditionals or 'difficult academic words', you are free to focus on answering the question and explaining your ideas coherently. It takes confidence to change your approach and to believe that the 'simple' way will work.

Note: Remember that 'simple' is not the same thing as 'easy'!

October 20, 2018

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'artificial intelligence' topic

On Monday I shared a reading exercise about artificial intelligence. I chose that topic because it seems to be appearing in the news a lot at the moment, with people like Elon Musk saying that they are worried about it.

Perhaps we should prepare some ideas and opinions about artificial intelligence, in case this topic appears in the IELTS test.

Here are some questions to encourage you to prepare ideas:

What does artificial intelligence (AI) mean?
Can you give any examples of it?
What benefits might AI bring?
What are the potential drawbacks or dangers?
What is your opinion of AI?

October 17, 2018

IELTS Vocabulary: from the 'advertising' essay

Here are some good phrases from the essay that I shared in Wednesday's lesson. Write them down in your notebook, and see if you can use them in your own sentences.

we are increasingly surrounded by
has an impact on
tempt people to buy products
that they might not otherwise want
queuing to buy the latest models
does not need replacing
the influence of marketing
leads us to make decisions
stay up to date
the latest fashions
a high-status device
make choices
make a purchase
new versions of products
improved features
improved safety features
more economical to run (referring to a car)
pollute less
communicate more quickly or effectively
enhancing their quality of life
our buying behaviour
their real needs

October 16, 2018

IELTS Vocabulary: are you a collector?

In my opinion, a good language learner is someone who collects words and phrases. But the best learners don't simply store their collections and allow them to get dusty; they use them.

How about you? Are you a language collector? Did you collect any good phrases from the essay that I shared on Wednesday? Did you note them down? Do you regularly review your collection and try to use it?

October 13, 2018

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'power of advertising' essay

Somebody asked me whether I had a sample answer for the question below, which comes from Cambridge IELTS book 6. I realised I had an old essay that I wrote with some students, so I'm sharing that with you today.

Today, the high sales of popular consumer goods reflect the power of advertising and not the real needs of the society in which they are sold. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

It is true that we are increasingly surrounded by advertising by companies that want to sell us their products. To some extent I agree that advertising has an impact on sales, but I would also argue that we do need most of the goods that we buy.

Advertisements can certainly tempt people to buy products that they might not otherwise want. A good example could be the mobile phone. Every year people can be seen queuing to buy the latest models, even when they already have a perfectly good phone that does not need replacing. Perhaps it is the influence of marketing that leads us to make these kinds of decisions; we want to stay up to date with the latest fashions or own the newest high-status device. The high sales of the iPhone seem to support this idea.

On the other hand, I believe that most people do not buy products because of the advertising alone. There are other good reasons why we make these choices, and there must be some kind of need before a person makes a purchase. New versions of products almost always have improved features that buyers may want. A new car, for example, may have greatly improved safety features, or it may be more economical to run, or it may pollute less. A new phone may allow the user to communicate more quickly or effectively, thus enhancing their quality of life.

In conclusion, while advertising obviously influences our buying behaviour, I do not agree that people make decisions that go against their real needs.

(261 words)

Note:
I wrote this essay with my students during a lesson using the students' ideas. I haven't checked it properly, so maybe we can analyse it together. It might not be perfect!

October 10, 2018

IELTS Advice: are you going too quickly?

Yesterday I advised you to start slowly when studying something new. Today I'd like to share a short conversation that I had with a student. I think this is a good example of a problem that many students face: they don't take the time to do things slowly and properly!

The student's question:
Hi Simon. Brainstorming ideas when I'm writing essays didn't work for me. My essays look better when I'm writing without planning and brainstorming. Should I continue brainstorming until I'm good at it or write without planning. What do you advise?

My answer:
My advice is this: whenever you try a new technique, start very slowly. So, try following my planning advice again, but give yourself as much time as you need. It doesn't matter if it takes you an hour to create a good essay plan at first - just aim to get the plan right. Then see what happens when you write an essay using a really good plan. Again, don't give yourself a time limit. When you're comfortable planning and writing in this way, gradually speed up! Perhaps your problem was that you were going too fast.

The student's response:
Definitely, yes you are right I'm going too fast and I always place importance on the speed of my writing. The reason I am in a hurry is I think there are lots of topics I need to work on.

October 09, 2018

IELTS Advice: start slowly

Imagine a musician (pianist, guitarist etc.) who is learning a new technique, or a new piece of music or song. Musicians learn by going slowly at first and gradually speeding up as they become familiar with the technique or music.

I recommend the same when you start preparing for IELTS, or when you learn a new exam technique or study a new topic: start slowly. Try to achieve the score you need at slow speed, and then gradually reduce the time until you can do the same at exam speed.

October 06, 2018

IELTS Writing Task 2: vocabulary and grammar review

Here's a list of the good vocabulary in last week's essay:

national versus global
great books and historical events
global events and foreign novels
develop a sense of identity
this approach is appealing to parents
just as their parents did (meaning "like their parents did")
educational continuity across the generations
an emphasis on
gives educators a narrower teaching scope
making curriculum design an easier task
cause unnecessary difficulty and confusion
more able to comprehend
events that took place in
exposure to international literature
is likely to require
not ready for such complications
it is undesirable
to cover aspects of
ground their pupils in the local culture

And here's my analysis of the grammar in the same essay:

- No mistakes at all.
- Plenty of sentences with more than one clause.

There's no need for a deeper analysis of grammar than this. Examiners don't have a checklist of required 'structures' or sentence types!

Remember: vocabulary mindset!

October 03, 2018

IELTS Advice: the 'vocabulary mindset'

I've written about this before, but I think it's a message that I need to keep repeating:

Too many candidates approach the IELTS exam with a grammar mindset. They go into the test with their heads full of 'grammatical structures' that they think will impress the examiner. Unfortunately this approach is more likely to hinder you than help you.

I'm trying to persuade people to have a vocabulary mindset. This means that you go into the test knowing that you have prepared ideas for common IELTS topics, and with the aim of expressing your ideas coherently and in as much detail as you can.

Here's a quick question to see which mindset you have:

Which of the two activities below do you spend more time doing?

practising complex sentences, passives and conditionals; learning lists of linking words and phrases; worrying that you make too many mistakes
collecting ideas for IELTS topics and past exam questions; reading and listening to English (not just IELTS related); trying to copy the way native speakers write and speak

October 02, 2018

IELTS Advice: daily Facebook tips

Over the last couple of weeks I've started to use Facebook to complement my blog lessons. The simple reason is this: I use my laptop for blogging, but it's easier to use Facebook on my phone.

If you're not on Facebook, don't worry. I'm not giving any 'new' information there; it's the same message, just delivered in a slightly different way. If you are on Facebook, maybe you'll visit me there. As I said, I think the Facebook page can complement this blog and perhaps offer some alternative ways to prepare for the IELTS test.

Click here to see my most recent Facebook posts.

September 29, 2018

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'literature and history' essay

We've been looking at the following task for several weeks, so I think it's time for a full sample answer.

Some people believe that it is more important to teach children the literature and history of their own country, rather than the literature and history of other countries. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

People have different views about the teaching of national versus global literature and history in schools. Personally, I support the idea that children should study first and foremost the great books and historical events of their own countries.

There are several reasons why I believe that schools should focus on teaching national literature and history. Firstly, children enjoy learning about where they live, and by studying the ideas, culture and history of their own countries they begin to develop a sense of identity. At the same time, this approach is appealing to parents, who studied the same books and historical events and can therefore help their children with school work. English children, for example, read Shakespeare and learn about the Battle of Hastings just as their parents did, and there is educational continuity across the generations. Finally, an emphasis on national literature and history gives educators a narrower teaching scope, making curriculum design an easier task.

By contrast, the study of global events and foreign novels could cause unnecessary difficulty and confusion for school pupils. For example, I do not see the point in presenting Russian or Chinese history to a British child who has not yet studied the history of his or her own country in detail. Surely the child would be more able to comprehend historical events that took place in London than those that happened in Moscow or Beijing. Similarly, any exposure to international literature is likely to require the teaching of a foreign language or the use of translations. Young people at primary or secondary school age are simply not ready for such complications.

In conclusion, I would argue that it is undesirable for schools to cover aspects of foreign history and literature; they should ground their pupils in the local culture instead.

(297 words, band 9)

September 22, 2018

IELTS Writing Task 2: follow the numbers!

If you've written a good plan, it should be relatively easy to write a good paragraph. Simply follow the numbers to write your five sentences.

For example, look at my 5-sentence plan in last week's lesson, then read my 5-sentence paragraph below. I've highlighted the key idea in each sentence.

Note: this is just one paragraph, not a full essay.

There are several reasons why I believe that schools should focus on teaching national literature and history. Firstly, children enjoy learning about where they live, and by studying the ideas, culture and history of their own countries they begin to develop a sense of identity. At the same time, this approach is likely to please parents, who studied the same books and historical events and can therefore help their children with school work. English children, for example, read Shakespeare and learn about the Battle of Hastings just as their parents did, and there is educational continuity across the generations. Finally, an emphasis on national literature and history gives educators a narrower teaching scope, making curriculum design an easier task.

September 19, 2018

IELTS Vocabulary: review of the week

Here's a list of some of the good words and phrases that I've used in my blog lessons this week:

certain special occasions
is likely to have (meaning 'probably has')
you would hope that (common expression meaning 'hopefully')
the end result
a set of stunning photographs
thinking back to... (this is a nice way to give a personal example)
knew exactly what he was doing
the bride, groom and guests
(can't) trust an amateur
a once-in-a-lifetime event
a shift towards eating fast food less frequently
restaurants = outlets = establishments
at the other end of the scale
the weekly fast food habit
became a monthly or twice monthly habit
historical events
a sense of continuity across the generations
passing down knowledge
a consistent curriculum
limits to the teaching scope
visit key locations

September 18, 2018

IELTS Advice: the performance gap

There is usually a gap between the IELTS scores that people get when they practise at home and the scores they get when they take a real test.

For example, maybe you can achieve a band 7 when you write essays without a time limit, but you get a band 6 when you take the test. This is a gap of one band.

Here are some tips relating to this 'performance gap':

There should be a gap!
If there isn't a gap, something is wrong with the way you're studying.
If the gap is too big, you're doing something wrong in the exam.
First, try to make the gap bigger through study and learning.
Then try to make the gap smaller by practising in exam conditions.

I hope this makes sense! Let me know if you've noticed this gap. How big is it, and what are you doing to make it bigger or smaller?

September 15, 2018

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'different perspectives' paragraph

A nice alternative to the "firstly, secondly, finally" type of paragraph is to look at the question from different perspectives.

As an example, let's plan some ideas for paragraph 2 from this lesson.

Topic: reasons why children should read books and study historical events of their own countries
The child's perspective: young children like learning about where they live, it makes sense to them
The parent's perspective: they studied the same books and historical events, they can help their children, there is a sense of continuity across the generations, passing down knowledge
Example: reading Shakespeare or learning about the Battle of Hastings in English schools
The school's perspective: a consistent curriculum of topics, clear limits to teaching scope, easy to visit key locations on school trips

We now have a good plan for a 5-sentence paragraph. If you have time, have a go at writing it!

September 12, 2018

IELTS Advice: the first rule of 'brainstorming'

A few days ago, I asked people the following question on my Facebook page:

When you "brainstorm" ideas for an IELTS essay, what is the number one rule?

Only one person gave an answer that was close to what I was looking for. Here's my answer to this question:

The key idea behind "brainstorming" is that you write down anything that comes into your head: good ideas, bad ideas, irrelevant ideas... just write them all down. You can organise them and cross out the bad ones later.

People who forget this 'rule' often get stuck because they are afraid that their ideas aren't good enough. Don't judge yourself at the brainstorming stage.

September 11, 2018

IELTS Grammar / Vocabulary: correct the mistakes

Here are some of the sentences that people wrote below last Sunday's lesson. They all contain grammar mistakes or 'unnatural' use of vocabulary. Can you correct and/or improve them?

I’m in the dilemma of whether to get a job or continue my education.
I am uncertain about to a get a job or go to university.
I am thinking about to get admission in university or to start work.
I am undecisive of going to a university or getting a job.
I am a bit confused if I get a job or go to university.
I haven't decided if I should step into society or enrol in tertiary education.

September 08, 2018

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'local vs foreign' essay plan

Here's my 4-paragraph 'essay structure' plan:

Introduce the topic: teaching national vs global literature and history
Answer the question: I agree that studying national books and events is the priority
Paragraph 2: explain why children should read books and study the key historical events of their own countries
Paragraph 3: explain why teaching the literature and history of other countries is unnecessary or less important
Conclusion: repeat / summarise the answer

Planning ideas for the main body:

We've planned our essay structure (above), but the plan isn't finished yet. We need to brainstorm ideas for paragraphs 2 and 3. Try spending three minutes brainstorming and writing notes for each paragraph. You can share your ideas in the 'comments' area below.

September 05, 2018

IELTS Vocabulary: the paraphrasing skill

How good are you at finding different ways to communicate the same message? Let's practise using the following sentence from yesterday's lesson:

I am considering whether to get a job or go to university.

How many different ways can you find to communicate this idea? You don't need to change all of the words in the sentence, and it doesn't matter if your suggestions are less (or more) formal than the original. Just practise the paraphrasing skill.

Here's one example:
I'm not sure if I should look for work or apply to university.

September 04, 2018

IELTS Grammar: whether

Look at the two sentences below. Both are normal and correct.

A) I am considering whether to get a job instead of going to university.
B) I am considering whether to get a job or go to university.

Now look at this sentence from the introduction in Wednesday's lesson:

People have different opinions about whether schools should prioritise the teaching of national literature and history, instead of taking a more global view of these subjects.

Task: Can you change the sentence above into a type 'B' sentence?

September 01, 2018

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'local vs foreign' introduction

Instead of working on the two separate questions that I showed you in this lesson, I thought it would be easier to blend them together:

Let's write a two-sentence introduction for the question above:

People have different opinions about whether schools should prioritise the teaching of national literature and history, instead of taking a more global view of these subjects. I tend to agree with the idea that children should study first and foremost the great books and historical events of their own countries.

August 29, 2018

IELTS Grammar: opinion + conditional

Try this useful technique for IELTS writing and speaking:

Give an opinion, then follow it with a conditional sentence.

Look at these examples:

In my opinion, governments should invest more money in public transport. If rail and bus services were more reliable, fewer people would need to drive.
Schools have an important role to play in children's health. If schools banned junk food, they would help to reduce the problem of childhood obesity.
In the future I think more people will do their shopping online. But if Internet shopping becomes more popular, many traditional shops will lose customers.

I've underlined the conditionals. Examples 1 and 2 are second conditionals, while 3 uses the first conditional.

Practice:
Prepare your own "opinion + conditional" ideas for different topics. Having a few of these ideas ready could help you in the writing and speaking tests.

August 25, 2018

IELTS Writing Task 2: real opinion or easy opinion?

Before I start work on one of the "local vs foreign" questions that we saw in last week's lesson, let's consider two things: our real opinion and the easy opinion.

Here's a basic version of the two questions from last week:

Is it more important to teach children about local culture (history, literature etc.) than foreign cultures?

My real opinion
I haven't really thought about this idea before. My instinct seems to be telling me that we should start with local culture. It also seems useful to have some idea of global history, major events that have shaped other countries, the great works of literature from a range of countries. But I'm not sure what the ideal blend of local and global would be, or how teachers could cover such a wide range of material.

The easy opinion
Yes. We should focus on the history / literature / culture of our own countries.

I advise students to go for the easy opinion. Your real opinion is often too complex or nuanced* for the demands of a 250-word essay! We'll start work on an "easy opinion" essay next Wednesday.

*Look this word up in a dictionary or on Google if you're not sure what I mean.

August 22, 2018

IELTS Vocabulary: from yesterday's lesson

Have a look at the following phrases from yesterday's lesson. There is some interesting vocabulary here, even if you're not doing the General IELTS test.

the unacceptable state of
the neglected and shabby state of
carry out maintenance work
in all that time
paint is peeling off the walls
floor tiles are cracked
there is mould and mildew growing
we are being treated like farm animals
putting our health at risk
the customer experience
address the issue
as a matter of urgency
a full refurbishment
consider some form of compensation
tolerate a situation

August 18, 2018

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'local vs foreign' topic

Here are two exam questions that students have asked me about recently:

Question 1
It is more important to learn about local history than foreign history. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Question 2
Some people believe that it is more important to teach children the literature of their own country, rather than that of other countries. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

These two questions are essentially the same, so I think we can work on them both at the same time. Let's start with our overall opinion: Do you agree that we should place more importance on learning about our own countries / cultures?

August 11, 2018

IELTS Writing Task 2: forget about 'word lists'

If you want to become a better essay writer, I advise you to forget the idea of learning lists of 'difficult' or 'academic' words.

Here's the alternative approach that I recommend:

Do more reading, and make a note of the 'natural' collocations and phrases that native speakers use. You'll find many of these in the lessons on this site.
Also, instead of always learning new words, try to become better at using the words you already know. For example, did you know that we use the words 'shoulder' and 'responsibility' together ? e.g. "It is true that parents shoulder a huge responsibility" from this essay.

Here's the simple way to understand the advice above: focus on phrases instead of individual words. Communication is about using words together.

August 08, 2018

IELTS Advice: where to find vocabulary

I noticed a common question in the 'comments' area below Friday's lesson:

Can you suggest some websites for vocabulary, idioms and phrasal verbs for IELTS?

Here's another comment (written by shokhrukh) that answers this question:

I often wonder why so many people look for vocabulary websites when they have one right under their noses: ielts-simon.com. If you went through all the lessons Simon has posted over the years and picked up all the great words and phrases along the way, I'm sure you'd be well on your way to getting band 7+ in IELTS.

Obviously I agree with shokhrukh. I believe this website contains all the IELTS vocabulary that you need!

August 07, 2018

IELTS Vocabulary: essay review

Here's a quick review of the 'band 7 to 9' vocabulary in the essay that I shared on Wednesday:

shoulder a huge responsibility
raising children
by no means an easy task
attend parenting courses
take a parenthood preparation course
prospective parents
busy schedules
may not be willing or able to
this raises the question of
to enforce the idea
compulsory training
what good parenting entails
to suit everyone
without formal help
official interference
the surrounding culture
learn by instinct
learn by trial and error
try different strategies
a badly-behaved child
develop an understanding
a taught course
such a scheme
unworkable and largely pointless

What connection do you see between the list of vocabulary above and the advice in yesterday's speaking lesson?

August 04, 2018

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'parenting course' essay

Here's my full essay for the question below.

Caring for children is probably the most important job in any society. Because of this, all mothers and fathers should be required to take a course that prepares them to be good parents. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?

It is true that parents shoulder a huge responsibility and that raising children is by no means an easy task. However, I completely disagree with the idea that we should therefore force all mothers and fathers to attend parenting courses.

In my opinion, the idea that all future parents should take a parenthood preparation course is completely impractical. Many prospective parents have jobs and busy schedules, and they may not be willing or able to attend regular parenting classes. This raises the question of whether those who missed the classes, or perhaps refused to attend, would be punished. I believe that it would be wrong to do this, and it would therefore be impossible to enforce the idea of compulsory training for parents. Besides, even if parents could be forced to attend, I doubt that people would agree on what good parenting entails, and so it would be difficult to create a parenting course to suit everyone.

As well as being impractical, I would argue that training courses for parents are unnecessary. Mothers and fathers have been raising children without any formal help or official interference for thousands of years. Parenting skills are learnt from family members, friends, neighbours and the surrounding culture. Perhaps more importantly, adults learn to be good parents by instinct, by trial and error, and by getting to know their own children; for example, a good parent will try different strategies when faced with a badly-behaved child, and will gradually develop an understanding of what works to correct the behaviour. None of this requires the intervention of a taught course.

In conclusion, while compulsory parenting lessons might seem like a good idea, I believe that such a scheme would be unworkable and largely pointless.

(289 words, band 9)

July 28, 2018

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'moreover' isn't a difficult word

I've written before about students' overuse of the word 'Moreover' and why I would ban it. But for some reason, many people still believe that 'Moreover' will help them to get a high score.

Here's a trick that I sometimes use to demonstrate to my students that 'Moreover' isn't the key to a high score: Teach me the word for 'Moreover' in your language. If a beginner like me can learn it, it can't be such a difficult word!

July 25, 2018

IELTS Advice: why did my scores drop?

Students often ask me to explain why their scores have dropped. For example, one student got a band 7 in speaking last month, but his speaking score dropped to 6 this month. How is that possible?

You might think that the examiner has been too strict or has done something wrong, but this is probably not the case. The best explanation for fluctuating IELTS scores is performance on the day.

Some days you perform well: the topics in the exam seem to suit you, your brain seems to find good answers and remember good words or phrases, and you finish all parts of the test in the time allowed. Other days nothing seems to go right; you simply have a bad day.

Don't worry if your score fluctuates; this is completely normal. One day everything will go perfectly, and you'll get the scores you need!

Note: Your scores will also fluctuate if you keep changing the 'method' that you use.

July 24, 2018

IELTS Advice: are you using too many resources?

A student wrote to me the other day to ask about an IELTS book that she had bought. The book contained tips that were completely different from the tips that I give. The student felt confused and wanted to know which tips were right.

I see this problem all the time. Students use different books and websites that contain different tips and methods. The resulting confusion hinders* students instead of helping them.

Here's my solution to this problem: stop using so many different books and websites! Choose one website, or one book, or one teacher, and follow one consistent method. If you read contradictory advice in a different book, ignore it - it's just a different method.

*to hinder = to stop someone or something from making progress

July 21, 2018

IELTS Writing Task 2: in theory... in reality

Here's one way to write a conclusion for the 'parenting courses' question that we've been looking at over the last few weeks:

Write a 'while' sentence that compares the theory with the reality.

For example, here's my conclusion:

In conclusion, while compulsory parenting lessons might seem like a good idea in theory, I believe that such a scheme would be completely unworkable in reality.

July 17, 2018

IELTS Grammar: conclusion mistakes

The following sentences come from conclusions that people shared below this lesson. Can you improve them by correcting mistakes or by choosing more natural phrasing?

Organising a same parenting course for mothers and fathers with different family, culture and education background is impractical.
I do not see it as applicable to force parents to attend special courses.
That is a hard journey with fully challenges.
I disagree with the need for parents attending a mandatory parenting course.
I disagree with the view that parents should be made to undertake a parenting course instead these factors should rather be taken into consideration.

July 14, 2018

IELTS Writing Task 2: introduction and conclusion

Let's turn our attention back to the question below.

Here's a possible introduction for a 'completely disagree' essay:

How to write a conclusion:

The easiest way to write a conclusion is to paraphrase the introduction that you have already written. Start with "In conclusion", and write one sentence that summarises your answer. Can you rewrite my introduction as a one-sentence conclusion?

July 10, 2018

IELTS Advice: there's no best method, but...

People often argue that "there's no best method" with regard to learning a language, or perhaps with regard to IELTS preparation.

While I agree with the "no best method" idea to a large extent, I believe that we should add to this statement:

"There's no best method, but you still need to choose a method."

And perhaps we could add a bit more:

Don't keep changing methods. Find one that works and stick to it.
Trust the method of an 'expert' e.g. your teacher or someone who has already been successful.
There may be several good methods, but bad methods also exist. Choose a good method and avoid the bad ones!

July 07, 2018

IELTS Writing Task 2: a flexible approach?

I received a useful question from another IELTS teacher this week. Here's a summary of what the teacher asked me:

The IELTS-Simon approach to writing task 2 is very prescriptive (strict and always the same): always 4 paragraphs, 13 sentences etc. But what do you think about giving students a more flexible approach to IELTS writing task 2? For example, might it sometimes be better to write 5 paragraphs instead of 4?

Here's a summary of my response:

The more you try to teach your students to be flexible, the more you risk confusing them and making them less decisive and efficient when they find themselves under pressure on test day. I've found that students perform better if they know exactly what to do every time they write an essay. The prescriptive approach seems to work better than a flexible approach.

July 04, 2018

IELTS Vocabulary: from the 'money' topic

Here are some good phrases from the answers in Friday's speaking lesson:

in the long term
save for retirement
have a certain amount of money saved
deal with unexpected problems
in the less distant future
put some money aside (= save some money)
to come in useful
be in the red / go into the red (be / become overdrawn)
there's no need for
I remember being given money
I don't see any reason why
or vice versa
summon the willpower

Note:
The phrase 'in the red' means overdrawn (i.e. your bank account is showing negative numbers). Do you know what the opposite of 'in the red' is? Click here to find out.

July 03, 2018

IELTS Grammar: 'onto' or 'on to'?

In Thursday's lesson I wrote this: "Traffic will be diverted on to a dual carriageway".

But why didn't I write 'onto' as one word? Do you know when to write the single word 'onto' and when to write 'on to' as two separate words?

Here's the answer:

When the meaning is 'to a position on the surface of', we can use the single word 'onto' e.g. The child climbed onto the chair.
But if the meaning is 'onwards' or 'towards', we should use the two words 'on to'. In my example ("on to a dual carriageway"), the meaning was 'towards', not 'to a position on the surface of'.

June 30, 2018

IELTS Writing Task 2: one view or both views?

This is one of the most common questions that students ask me:

For "agree or disagree" questions, do I have to discuss both sides,
or should I just support one side of the argument?

The answer is: it's your decision. If you completely agree (or completely disagree), you don't need to mention the opposite view - just support your side of the argument. If you partly agree, you should write something about both sides.

June 27, 2018

IELTS Advice: 'difficult' words and how to learn vocabulary

Note: I'm re-posting this lesson because people keep asking me about 'difficult' words.

Here's a useful question from a student who asked about "difficult" words and how to learn new vocabulary:

Hi Simon. Reading your blog and studying your ebook, I’ve noticed your English is perfect, but you don’t use difficult words. Also, regarding the process of learning new words, some teachers say that we should write them on cards and write the adjective, noun, verb associated with the new word. Do you think this is a good idea?

Here's my answer:

I don't believe in the idea of a "difficult word" - any individual word can be learnt easily. What is difficult is using words together in phrases. So, I tell my students not to write down individual words, but to investigate how words work in real contexts. Instead of writing single words on cards, I'd write phrases or even sentences in a notebook. It's definitely a good idea to look for associated nouns, verbs and adjectives, but always try to find examples of how those words are used (just search for them on the Internet). Remember: it's easy to understand a word, but it's not so easy to use it in a range of full sentence contexts.

June 26, 2018

IELTS Advice: model essays

Model essays can be extremely useful because they show you what you are aiming for, and they contain good vocabulary and correct grammar. However, the model essays in some IELTS books seem to confuse students because they are written in too many different ways (so the 'method' isn't clear).

Although there is no 'right way' to write an essay, I think that you should find one way and stick with it. If you read a model essay that is written in a different way, don't worry! Use the essay for ideas and vocabulary, but don't change your method. Maybe you could even rewrite the model essay using your method.

June 23, 2018

IELTS Writing Task 2: from plan to paragraph

Here's part of my essay plan from last week's lesson:

First main body paragraph: I disagree because the idea is impractical

- Many adults are too busy with work and other commitments
- They may miss sessions, and would they therefore be punished?
- It would be impossible to force prospective parents to attend
- Different parenting styles, impossible to create a course that suits everyone

And here's my 5-sentence paragraph using the ideas above:

Try using the plan in last week's lesson to create paragraph 2 in the same way.

June 20, 2018

IELTS Vocabulary: if you use an idiom...

Look at these two phrases from yesterday's lesson. Are they correct?

save something for the rainy day
save something for rainy days

The answer is no. Both phrases contain a mistake.
The correct form is this: save (something) for a rainy day

If you use an idiom, you need to get it exactly right. Even a small mistake in an idiomatic expression makes it sound strange and completely wrong.

June 19, 2018

IELTS Grammar: correct the mistakes

Here are some sentences that people wrote below yesterday's lesson. Can you correct the mistakes or change the sentences to improve them?

By giving some pocket money to a kid for a fixed period of time can help with planning and being responsible for the choices.
Personally, Everyone should set money aside just because it will help them to achieve their long-term goals.
I have always reminded by my parents to save something for the rainy day.
One should manage financial well so as to get the things they want.
It is also said that save something for rainy days.

June 16, 2018

IELTS Writing Task 2: a paragraph from an adjective

Look again at the question below.

When I write my answer I'm going to completely disagree with the idea that all parents should take a parenting course. And I'll build each main body paragraph around a single idea, which can be expressed using an adjective. I'll show you what I mean below.

First main body paragraph: I disagree because the idea is impractical

Second main body paragraph: I disagree because it is unnecessary

- Parents have been raising children without help for thousands of years
- Parents learn from family members, their own upbringing, friends...
- They learn by instinct, trial and error, getting to know their children
- Example: correcting bad behaviour, trying different strategies

June 13, 2018

IELTS Grammar: passives with 'will be' and 'being'

Here are some more examples of the construction in yesterday's lesson:

There is a danger that this will be misunderstood. =
There is a danger of this being misunderstood.

Employers should assess the risk that staff will be affected by stress. =
Employers should assess the risk of staff being affected by stress.

What is the likelihood that the project will be completed by Friday? =
What is the likelihood of the project being completed by Friday?

June 12, 2018

IELTS Grammar: passive with 'being'

A student asked me about the use of 'being' in the following sentence.

"There is a danger of nuclear weapons being obtained by terrorists."

Here's my (updated) explanation:

First, imagine that the simplest version of this sentence is this: "There is a danger of x" (in which x is a noun).
Now we can consider "nuclear weapons being obtained by terrorists" as a big noun phrase.
The "being obtained" part of this phrase can be called a passive gerund. It is not a verb or verb phrase, so the word "are" (are being) is not missing and cannot be added.

Note: When we use the phrase "there is a danger of...", there is a future implication. So, "there is a danger of x" means "there is a danger that x will happen".

Therefore, our sentence really means this:
- There is a danger that nuclear weapons will be obtained by terrorists" OR
- There is a danger that terrorists will obtain nuclear weapons.

Thanks to Morteza and Oleg for pushing me towards a better explanation!

June 09, 2018

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'parenting' topic

Let's start work on a new writing topic. Here's a recent exam question that a student sent me:

Feel free to share your ideas in the 'comments' area below this lesson, and I'll continue with this topic next Wednesday.

June 06, 2018

IELTS Grammar: I'm agree or I agree?

In the comments below a recent lesson, I noticed that several people had written "I'm agree with you". This is incorrect.

You can't say "I'm agree" in English. You must say "I agree".

I think this mistake is caused by people translating from their own languages. For example, I know that in French and Spanish, the verb 'be' is used when people want to say that they agree, so it looks something like "I am agree" or "I am agreed". It's not the same in English.

In English, we simply use 'agree' as a normal verb: I agree, I prefer, I like...

May 29, 2018

IELTS Vocabulary: when do we use 'soar' and 'plummet'?

In Thursday's lesson I told you not to use words like soar, rocket, shoot up, creep up, dive and plummet in IELTS writing task 1.

But what's wrong with those words?

The problem with those words is that they are too figurative for writing task 1. Think about the normal use of these verbs (e.g. the bird soared into the air, the climber plummeted to his death). If you use these words to describe figures on a graph, it seems too sensational or exaggerated. This is why I prefer to stick with increase, decrease, rise and fall.

So can we ever use these words to describe figures?

If you're writing for a newspaper, yes you can! You'll often see phrases like this in newspapers: house prices soared, share prices plummeted, the price of petrol crept up. Newspapers and magazines love idiomatic and descriptive language, but this style does not suit academic graph descriptions.

May 26, 2018

IELTS Writing Task 2: adverbs and writing style

Note: I don't normally give the following advice to IELTS students. However, I think it's an interesting idea to consider.

Did you know that some professional English writers try to avoid using adverbs? Let's look at some examples to understand why they might do this.

1) Sometimes the adverb is unnecessary. Compare these two phrases:

- It is true that
- It is certainly true that

I often use the second phrase in my essays, but you could argue that the word "certainly" is redundant. If something is true, it's true! Do we really need to emphasise it?

2) Sometimes a single word is more descriptive:

- This is very important = This is essential, vital, crucial
- This is really difficult = This is complicated, complex, problematic, challenging

For our purposes, I think the second point above is more useful, because it encourages you to use a wider range of vocabulary to express ideas.

Remember: There's nothing wrong with using adverbs in the IELTS writing test. I just think it's interesting to consider the alternatives.

May 23, 2018

IELTS Advice: why I teach using a blog

Someone asked me this question the other day: Why do you use a blog to teach IELTS?

Here's my answer:

The advantage of a blog is that it can keep going and going (unlike a book or a course). Over the years, this blog has evolved as I've learnt more about students' problems, and as I've gradually refined my IELTS preparation methods.

The disadvantage of the blog is that the lessons aren't in a particular order, so there isn't a starting point or a step-by-step progression. However, I find this lack of structure interesting. I don't think we always need to study in a perfectly organised way. Perhaps the act of searching through the lessons and reading them in your own unique order makes the study process more engaging and creative.

May 22, 2018

IELTS Advice: from a student who passed

I'd like to share a comment that a student called Sana wrote below yesterday's lesson here on the blog:

..........

Dear Simon,

I just checked my IELTS result now and found out that finally I got the results I always wanted.

I got 7.5 for reading this time and 8 and 7.5 for the rest. And without your clear guidelines and methods I could never achieve this!

Thank you so much!

..........

If you're struggling with the IELTS test and you feel frustrated, I hope Sana's success inspires you to keep going. If you work hard and use this blog well, I'm confident that you'll pass in the end.

May 19, 2018

IELTS Writing Task 2: rewriting

Instead of writing five different essays, have you considered rewriting one essay five times?

Most people don't like rewriting essays because it seems boring. And the people who do rewrite essays usually only do this because they need to correct grammar mistakes.

But good rewriting is about more than just grammar corrections; there are many other things that you could improve, such as:

how well you address the question
clarity of your position
sentences or phrases that are vague or irrelevant
level of detail in your explanations
overall paragraph structure
paragraph movement
coherence between neighbouring sentences
repetition and variety of vocabulary
use of connectives to link sentence clauses
anything else that 'tightens up' your writing

Imagine how much you could learn if you rewrote one essay five times (or more!) to address all of these areas.

Warning 1:
You'll need help from a teacher to do this properly. Show him or her this lesson so that you both understand what you're aiming to do.

Warning 2:
This is the kind of hard work that most people aren't prepared to do. But it's the kind of work that yields real results!

May 16, 2018

IELTS Vocabulary: from speaking part 2

Here's a list of the good phrases from Friday's speaking lesson. See if you can use them in your own description of a maths lesson.

multiplication tables
times tables (informal)
the penultimate year
as far as I remember
we gradually worked our way through
learnt the answers by heart
learn by rote
keen to get good marks
ingrained into my mind
do quick calculations without having to think
the answer just popped into my head
another instance that I can think of
bill payments, earnings and savings over a 12-month period
teachers were so insistent about

May 15, 2018

IELTS Vocabulary: from this week's essay

Here's a list of the good 'topic vocabulary' from Wednesday's essay:

in the modern workplace
dress codes
should be seen as irrelevant
in many work contexts
certain professions
technology giants like Google and Facebook
create relaxed office environments
encouraged to dress casually
are rarely seen wearing anything other than...
produce work of outstanding quality
global dominance
in the technology sector
a practical or safety function
identify the person's position or role in society
to portray an image of
authority, trustworthiness and diligence
smart, formal attire
not applicable to all occupations
sectors of the economy

May 12, 2018

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'dress code' essay

Here's my full essay for the question that we looked at a couple of weeks ago.

Some people think that employers should not care about the way their employees dress, because what matters is the quality of their work. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

In the modern workplace, dress codes are changing as employers focus more on results than on the rules that employees must follow. While I agree that the way people dress should be seen as irrelevant in many work contexts, I believe that dress codes still exist for good reason in certain professions.

On the one hand, many employers have stopped telling their staff how to dress, and I see this as a positive trend. Some of the most successful companies in the world, including technology giants like Google and Facebook, are famous for the relaxed office environments that they try to create. Employees are encouraged to dress casually, and even the company executives and leaders are rarely seen wearing anything other than T-shirts and jeans. However, while managers and programmers are free to dress how they like, they are expected to produce work of outstanding quality. It is clear from the performance and global dominance of such companies that strict dress codes are completely unnecessary in the technology sector.

However, I would also argue that rules regarding employees' clothing are still relevant in other work situations. We expect certain professionals, such as nurses, police officers and airline pilots, to wear uniforms. These uniforms may have a practical or safety function, but perhaps more importantly they identify the person’s position or role in society. Similarly, a lawyer, politician or school principal may choose to wear formal clothing in order to portray an image of authority, trustworthiness and diligence. I believe that most of us prefer to see these professionals in smart, formal attire, even if it is not strictly necessary.

In conclusion, I support the trend towards relaxed dress codes for workers, but I do not see it as applicable to all occupations or sectors of the economy.

(298 words, band 9)

May 09, 2018

IELTS Advice: more about clear thinking

With yesterday's advice in mind, let's look at some reasons why students don't write clear, coherent essays:

They don't have a mental picture of what they are aiming to produce.
They don't take the time to think about the question before they start writing.
They don't spend enough time planning. A few ideas are not enough; a good essay plan should be detailed and organised. Do some "clear thinking" before you start writing!
They are thinking about the big words, complex grammar and memorised phrases that they hope to use in the essay, instead of thinking about how to answer the question. You can't think clearly about the question if your brain is focused on these other things.
They are thinking clearly in their own languages, but they are not able to translate these ideas into 'natural' English.

Can you see how important 'clear thinking' is? Everything that you write is a manifestation of the thoughts in your head. In other words, your writing demonstrates exactly how clear your thinking is.

May 08, 2018

IELTS Advice: clear thinking = clear writing

On Tuesday I used part of a very interesting speech by a university professor. I could sum up his message in this way:

There's no difference between thinking and writing. We should teach people to write well so that they learn to think well.

Of course, the opposite must also be true: If you want to write clearly and coherently, you need to think clearly and coherently.

Ask yourself this: When I'm writing an IELTS essay, does my thinking feel clear, coherent and organised? Or do I feel confused and disorganised?

May 05, 2018

IELTS Writing Task 2: both sides or one side?

Can you see the difference between the two tasks / questions below?

A) Explain the positives and negatives of this development.
B) Is this a positive or negative development?

and these two questions:

A) What are the advantages and disadvantages?
B) Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

and these two questions:

A) Discuss both views and give your opinion.
B) To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Answer:
The difference is that for all of the (A) questions you must explain both sides of the argument, whereas the (B) questions can be answered by giving both sides or by supporting only one side, depending on the view that you express in your introduction.

This is still the most common confusion that students ask me about. Make sure you understand the difference between the questions above; if you're still unsure, look through all of my task 2 lessons to see further advice and examples.

May 02, 2018

IELTS Advice: memorised 'show-off' phrases

On Wednesday I wrote a lesson about irrelevant information. Here's a writing tip that I gave in the comments area below the lesson:

Look at the phrases you use, and ask yourself this:

Am I writing this phrase because it really expresses my ideas in response to the question, or am I just writing this phrase because I memorised it and because I want to 'show it off'?

I believe you'll get a better score if you stop memorising 'show-off' phrases. Instead, work on building your knowledge of 'topic vocabulary', and focus on answering the question with relevant ideas.

May 01, 2018

IELTS Grammar / Vocabulary: correct or improve

The following sentences (and parts of sentences) come from the 'comments' area below Thursday's lesson. Can you correct the mistake(s) in each one?

The number of participants at hospital emergency care departments...
People in the age of 75 and over were the most visitors’ emergency care.
In overall, there was an increase in the proportion of patients.
...proportion of patients who went for a visit in the ER department...
The infants and elderlies suffered delicately illness than the other groups.
Obviously, a period of one year from December 2016 until December 2017 is observed upward trend in the need for hospital service.

April 28, 2018

IELTS Writing Task 2: irrelevant information

Read the following question and the introduction paragraph below it. I would argue that part of the introduction is irrelevant.

Question:
Governments should make people responsible for looking after their own local environment. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Introduction:
In the midst of a booming economy, environmental protection has always been an issue of public concern. While I agree that people should be made accountable for their local areas, governments also have an essential role to play in preserving the environment.

Task:
Can you see which part of the introduction is irrelevant or off-topic? What changes could we make to correct this problem?

April 25, 2018

IELTS Advice: 'tighten up' your writing

I often use the phrasal verb 'tighten up' when I'm talking about improving essays. Here's what I mean when I use this verb:

- Make your writing clear, concise and succinct
- Remove anything that is irrelevant or vague
- Avoid unnecessary repetition
- Check that each sentence follows on logically from the sentence before it
- Make sure that your sentences move your paragraphs forward

Think about the job of an editor (for a newspaper, magazine or book publisher). Editors check other people's writing and "tighten it up" so that it's easier to read. This is what you should try to do with your own writing.

April 24, 2018

IELTS Grammar: lowest, least, minimum

Look at this sentence from Thursday's lesson:

"The lowest number of attendances was recorded in the 5 to 15 age group."

Can you explain why we can't use "least" or "minimum" instead of "lowest" in this sentence? Note: there's a different problem with each of these two words.

April 21, 2018

IELTS Writing Task 2: example-led paragraph

One way to write a main body paragraph is by starting (or 'leading') with an example. I call this an example-led paragraph.

Here's a paragraph that I wrote in this way. Notice that I bring in the examples in the second sentence, straight after the topic sentence.

Paragraph topic: employers should not care how employees dress

April 18, 2018

IELTS Advice: opposite answers

Have another look at the negative answers that I gave in Friday's lesson. What would the opposite (positive) answers be? For example:

Question
Did you enjoy doing art lessons when you were a child?

Negative answer
No I didn't. I was never very good at drawing or painting, and I found art lessons quite slow and boring. I preferred language and science lessons.

Opposite answer (positive)
Yes I did. I was always quite good at drawing and painting, and I found art lessons enjoyable and fascinating. Art was one of my favourite subjects.

Practice tip:
Look through some more sample answers, and see if you can give the opposite answer or express the opposite opinion. The ability to see both sides could be really useful in the speaking and writing tests.

April 14, 2018

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'dress code' essay skeleton

Here's my 'essay skeleton' for the question below.

Question
Some people think that employers should not care about the way their employees dress, because what matters is the quality of their work. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Introduction (balanced opinion)
In the modern workplace, dress codes are changing as employers focus more on results than on the rules that employees must follow. While I agree that the way people dress should be seen as irrelevant in many work contexts, I believe that dress codes still exist for good reason in certain professions.

Topic sentence, paragraph 2
On the one hand, many employers have stopped telling their staff how to dress, and I see this as a positive trend.

Topic sentence, paragraph 3
However, I would also argue that rules regarding employees' clothing are still relevant or necessary in other work situations.

Conclusion
In conclusion, I support the trend towards relaxed dress codes for workers, but I do not see it as applicable to all occupations or sectors of the economy.

April 11, 2018

IELTS Advice: 10 study tips

I first published the following video in 2014, but as the first tip in the video is "you need a method" (the same tip that I gave in yesterday's lesson), I thought it would be a good time to repost it.

These are still my top ten study tips, four years after I recorded them:
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And here's an audio recording in case you can't see the video:

Click here to listen

April 10, 2018

IELTS Advice: the first thing that I say

When people ask me for general advice about how to improve their IELTS scores, the first thing that I say to them is: you need a method for everything.

Do you have a method or a way of approaching every part of the test? If you don't have a method, you're not as well prepared as you could be.

April 07, 2018

IELTS Writing Task 2: make your 'position' clear

If you want to get a band 7 or higher for 'task response' (which is 25% of your task 2 score), your "position" needs to be clear "throughout the response".

The means that you need to answer the question clearly and directly in your introduction, explain and support your answer in the main body paragraphs, and repeat (paraphrase) or summarise your answer in the conclusion.

Look at the three introductions below. Do all three of them present a clear "position"? Which introduction would you prefer to use?

Here's the question again:
Some people think that employers should not care about the way their employees dress, because what matters is the quality of their work. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Introduction 1
In the modern workplace, dress codes are changing as employers focus more on results than on the rules that employees must follow. There are strong arguments for both points of view.

Introduction 2
In the modern workplace, dress codes are changing as employers focus more on results than on the rules that employees must follow. I completely agree with the view that workers should be judged on their work alone, and that they should be allowed to dress however they want.

Introduction 3
In the modern workplace, dress codes are changing as employers focus more on results than on the rules that employees must follow. While I agree that the way people dress should be seen as irrelevant in many work contexts, I believe that dress codes still exist for good reason in certain professions.

April 04, 2018

IELTS Vocabulary: collocations and phrases

There were some really good collocations and phrases in the letter that I wrote last Sunday. Note them down, even if you're not doing the General Training test.

recommend someone for something
work closely with someone
provide a reference
highly qualified
have significant (sales, teaching, management) experience
to be given a post / job / position
demonstrate skills
exceptional skills
organisation skills
team building skills
describe someone as (dedicated, hard-working, enthusiastic)
professionalism in (e.g. in the classroom, in her job, in the workplace)
commitment to something
the perfect candidate ('ideal candidate' is another common collocation)
If you have any further questions
do not hesitate to contact me

April 03, 2018

IELTS Advice: 3 hours!

A student called Wanda left a really good piece of advice in the comments area below Wednesday's lesson. I think it's worth repeating the advice so that more people read it.

Here's what Wanda wrote:

"The IELTS exam takes three hours, so to my mind you should be used to spending at least this long thinking in English every day. Anything less, and your mind will be exhausted with the effort on exam day."

So, ask yourself this question: Are you regularly using English or thinking in English for three hours each day?

March 31, 2018

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'employee dress code' topic

Last week I asked you to think about how we could give a balanced answer to the question below.

Some people think that employers should not care about the way their employees dress, because what matters is the quality of their work. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Here's my suggestion: start by thinking of real examples.

Are there any companies that allow employees to dress casually or wear whatever clothes they want? Yes. Technology companies like Google and Facebook are famous for their relaxed dress codes. They aim to create an informal, fun and creative environment.
Now let's think about the opposite: In which jobs would casual clothes seem strange or inappropriate? Perhaps we could write about doctors, lawyers, teachers or even sales people. We usually expect these people to dress in a smart and professional manner.

I think these examples help us to see that the way employees dress depends on the type of company or job. This is a good way to give a balanced answer.

March 27, 2018

IELTS Advice: expose your weaknesses

In last Sunday's lesson I suggested that you identify and work on your weaknesses. It's not always easy to identify your own weaknesses, so here are three tips to help you to expose them:

Break each part of the test into smaller tasks. For example, you could spend time working on multiple choice questions in the reading test, idea generation for speaking part 2 (see yesterday's lesson), trend descriptions for writing task 1, or main body paragraphs for writing task 2. If you practise "small pieces" of the test, it's likely that you'll discover which "pieces" are problematic.
Put yourself under pressure. Some people only discover their weaknesses on the day of their real IELTS tests. A good way to create this kind of pressure at home is to give yourself less time than normal. For example, you could try to write a task 2 essay in just 30 minutes, finish a reading test in 50 minutes, or do a full listening test with no breaks (i.e. fast forward the recording every time there is a break). Going too quickly will expose your weak points, and then you can go back and analyse them.
Ask a teacher. If nothing else seems to work, you'll need to get some feedback from a teacher. Ask your teacher to identify the main weaknesses that are stopping you from getting a higher score.

Note: Be careful with point 2 above. It's fine to test yourself or "go too quickly" occasionally, as a way to expose weaknesses, but you should spend most of your time preparing slowly and carefully.

March 24, 2018

IELTS Writing Task 2: balanced answer?

A student asked me to suggest how we could write a balanced answer to the following question.

Some people think that employers should not care about the way their employees dress, because what matters is the quality of their work. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Can we write a balanced answer? How?

March 21, 2018

IELTS Advice: work on your weaknesses

It's often the case that just one particular weakness is stopping people from getting a higher score. For example, the student that I wrote about yesterday had a problem with idea generation. His English was very good, but he struggled to think of good ideas, especially when under pressure.

I told him to stop writing essays and to spend time working only on his weakness (as described yesterday). In other words, we identified a weakness, we isolated it, and then we came up with a simple action plan to tackle it. Perhaps you can do the same.

March 20, 2018

IELTS Advice: practise generating ideas

I got chatting to a student in a café the other day, and he told me that his big problem was not being able to think of good ideas for writing task 2.

When I asked the student about how he practised for this part of the test, it became clear that he wasn't working on his weakness. He wasn't practising idea generation.

So here's a summary of the advice that I gave the student:

First, watch my video lesson about planning ideas.
Then print a big list of questions, like this one.
The next time you're sitting in a café, take your list out and try brainstorming ideas for two or three of the questions.
Don't write an essay or even any sentences. Just note down ideas on a piece of paper.
If you can't think of good ideas in English, try thinking in your own language. Don't translate the ideas into English at this stage. Your only aim is to turn on the creative part of your brain!
Start with your real opinion. Ask yourself what you really think about the topic; if you were debating the topic with a friend, what would you say?
Start with examples. If the topic is 'unhealthy food', think about McDonald's or Coca Cola. If the topic is 'work', think about doctors, teachers, computer programmers etc.

Imagine spending 15 minutes each day just thinking of ideas, questioning your own opinions, and making notes on a wide range of IELTS topics. With practice, I'm sure you can turn a weakness into a strength!

March 17, 2018

IELTS Writing Task 2: my mental picture

Last week I showed you the following 'mental picture' of a task 2 essay:

Here's what I was trying to represent:

There are 13 coloured lines to represent 13 sentences.
The white spaces separate the 4 paragraphs (2, 5, 5 1 sentence structure).
The purple lines are my 'essay skeleton': introduction, main paragraph topic sentences, conclusion.
The grey lines indicate a 'one idea' paragraph. The topic sentence is followed by 4 sentences that develop the same central idea.
Paragraph 3 could be a 'Firstly, Secondly, Finally' paragraph. The orange lines represent the first idea and perhaps an example or further explanation. The blue line will be a second supporting idea, and the green line is the final point.

This is the basic 'blueprint' that I have in my head when I'm writing an essay. It really helps to have a clear mental image like this. Otherwise it's like travelling without a map; who knows where you'll end up!

March 13, 2018

IELTS Advice: simple and difficult

Many students are concerned that the language they use might be too 'simple', so they try to find more 'difficult' words or phrases.

In my opinion, words and phrases are never 'difficult' in the way that a subject like mathematics can be difficult. Anyone can understand and learn a word or phrase. What is difficult about learning a language is building a large repertoire of words and phrases that you can use flexibly to express a wide variety of ideas.

Examiners don't really think in terms of 'simple' and 'difficult'. They look for:

range and variety of vocabulary
detailed explanation of relevant ideas
ability to put groups of words together correctly (e.g. collocation)
accurate use of small words (e.g. articles) as well as big words

March 10, 2018

IELTS Writing Task 2: a mental picture

Last Wednesday I suggested that you should have a clear mental picture of what you aim to produce each time you write an essay.

I decided not to explain what I meant because I was hoping that people would think about this idea and discuss it in the 'comments' below the lesson (which some people did).

I'm going to continue with this idea of having a 'mental picture' by asking you to think about the image below. This is part of my 'mental picture' of a good essay. Can you explain what I'm trying to represent?

Mental picture of an IELTS essay:

March 07, 2018

IELTS Advice: intelligent comments

Yesterday I mentioned that people are writing some really intelligent comments below lessons here on the blog. Today I'd like to share a comment written by Kali. I think this is a great example of 'deep work'.

Kali took five of my task 2 essays and shared the following analysis:

Each essay averaged 13 sentences, the longest 32 words, the shortest 10 words.
One in three sentences was complex in the sense that it contained a subordinate, noun, or relative clause.
On average ONE of the following: "Though/although", "because", "whereas", "while", "whilst",or "if" occurred ONCE per essay.
"In conclusion" ONCE per essay.
"Also" almost ONCE per essay.
Either "On the other hand" or "however" ONCE per essay.
"This" (as a cohesion device) in two out of five essays.
"but" occurred on average once or twice per essay.
"or" comes up about twice per essay.
"and" seven times per essay on average.

Here's Kali's summary of the above analysis:

In my view, what this demonstrates is that Simon's writing is both normal, and that its simplicity is deceptive. There is comparatively little reliance on connective adverbs, such as "moreover" or "consequently", at the start of sentences. Although some sentences are technically and grammatically more complex, the complexity passes unnoticed to the average reader.

If you find this kind of analysis useful, read the third comment below this lesson (written by csaj). This is a great example of how Google Books and Ngrams can help us.

March 06, 2018

IELTS Advice: using Google Books and Ngrams

Over the last few months I've noticed that people have been writing some really intelligent comments below lessons here on the blog.

In particular, many people are searching 'Google Books' and using the 'Google Ngram Viewer' to check collocations and phrases.

Some of you may be wondering what I'm talking about, so let's discuss the two tools in the comments area below this lesson. How can we search Google Books and use the Ngram Viewer to "investigate" the English language?

March 03, 2018

IELTS Writing Task 2: do you have a 'mental picture'?

If you want to become a good essay writer, you could start by thinking about the following question:

Before you write an essay, do you have a clear mental picture of what you're aiming to produce?

February 28, 2018

IELTS Vocabulary: weekly review

There were plenty of good phrases and collocations in this week's lessons. Here are just some of them:

From the reading lesson:

internationally known
a teaching philosophy
create an environment
to foster good moral character
pick up their native language
acquire their native language
become proficient
raise generations of children

From the writing task 2 lesson:

a positive trait or attitude
in the realm of education
diligently follow instructions
achieve good grades
take their first steps
the path to a successful career
in an employment setting
the most motivated, industrious and committed individuals
rise to the top
experts in their fields
an unhealthy obsession with
outcompeting others
neglect family and relationships
stressed and irritable
a positive trait

Task: Can you list the good phrases and collocations from Friday's speaking lesson?

February 27, 2018

IELTS Advice: 'deep work'

Did you quickly scan through this week's lessons here on the blog, or did you spend the time to do some 'deep work'? For example: Did you write all of the useful vocabulary in a notebook? Did you analyse my task 1 and task 2 paragraphs carefully, looking at organisation, coherence, grammar and word choice?

If you read through my lessons quickly, I'm sure you'll pick up some useful tips. But if you go deeper, you'll learn a lot more!

PS. There's an interesting book called 'Deep Work'. You can read about it here.

February 24, 2018

IELTS Writing Task 2: another band 9 paragraph

Is it always a good thing to work hard?

Here's my plan for a 5-sentence paragraph to answer this question:

Topic sentence - hard work is usually seen as positive
Explain why - education: pass exams, good grades, career progression
Explain why - employment: most industrious people rise to the top
However - it can become an obsession with perfection, competition
Result - neglecting family relationships, stressed, irritable

And here's my paragraph:

When a person is described as hard-working, this is almost always seen as a positive trait or attitude. In the realm of education, we expect hard workers to diligently follow instructions, pass their exams, achieve good grades and take their first steps on the path to a successful career. Similarly, in an employment setting, we expect the most motivated, industrious and committed individuals to rise to the top and become leaders or experts in their fields. However, I believe that in some people the desire to work hard can become an unhealthy obsession with perfection, outcompeting others or being the best. When people work so hard that they neglect family and relationships or become stressed and irritable, a positive trait has surely become detrimental.

February 21, 2018

IELTS Advice: become a collocations collector!

Native speakers instinctively know which words work well together. In our native languages, we don't usually need to think about grammar because we have a vast store of 'correct' collocations and phrases in our heads; some people refer to these as 'chunks' of language. It's incredible how quickly our brains are able to retrieve these 'chunks' and piece them together to form sentences and express ideas.

Unfortunately most of us don't use our brains in this way when we're learning a second language. We learn grammar rules and individual words, and we fall into the trap of translating from our native languages. As a result, we often make the wrong word choices and produce 'unnatural collocations'.

Part of the solution to this problem, in my view, is to become a collocations collector! Collect groups of words that native speakers actually use (see yesterday's lesson for some examples). Write them in a notebook, reread them regularly, and try to use them when you're speaking or writing,

Note: How many collocations can you find in the paragraphs above?

February 20, 2018

IELTS Vocabulary: collocations

Did you notice the following collocations (words that often go together) in Wednesday's lesson?

main factors
key factor
work hard
study hard
hard work
goal-oriented
parental pressure
graduate successfully
escape poverty
a new life
truly enjoy

A student called DaNang even made a collocations exercise in the comments area below Wednesday's lesson. Good work DaNang!

February 17, 2018

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'hard work' paragraph

Continuing with the question from this lesson, let's write a paragraph about why some people work harder than others.

First, here's a quick plan for a 5-sentence paragraph:

Three main reasons why some people work harder
1) Parental pressure to be studious and successful 
Example: medical students do not want to disappoint family members
2) Escape from poverty or create a new life
3) Found a subject or job that they love

Now here's my paragraph, using the ideas above:

In my experience, there are three main factors that influence how hard people study or work. One key factor that drives people and makes them more studious and goal-oriented is parental pressure. Some medical students, for example, are motivated to study hard because they do not wish to disappoint family members who expect them to graduate successfully and become doctors. On the other hand, there are people who see hard work as a means to escape poverty or create a completely new life for themselves. Finally, it seems to me that some people are more driven and persistent as students or workers simply because they have found a subject or job that they truly enjoy; people who love their work describe it as effortless rather than hard.

February 14, 2018

IELTS Advice: the path to improvement

If you're looking for the path to improvement, my advice is to let your mistakes guide you. Think of your mistakes as a torch lighting up the path in front of you. They will show you what your weaknesses are, and what you need to work on.

February 13, 2018

IELTS Advice: using the archives on this blog

A student thanked me recently for keeping my blog going for 10 months. This confused me because I've been writing lessons here since 2009 / 2010. But then I realised what the problem is:

The 'Archives' menu on the left only shows the most recent 10 months of blog lessons.

There are many more lessons that you can find if you "dig a bit further"! Click here to see the full list of monthly archives. Alternatively, click on any link in the "Categories" menu and keep clicking on "Next" at the bottom of each page to go back to older lessons.

One day I'll make a proper index for the site, but for now you'll need to do your own "digging" to find things!

February 09, 2018

IELTS Writing Task 2: two-part question plan

Here's the question that I shared last week:

In education and employment, some people work harder than others. Why do some people work harder? Is it always a good thing to work hard?

And here's my 4-paragraph essay plan:

Introduction: Introduce the topic and briefly answer both questions.
Main paragraph: Answer the first question.
Main paragraph: Answer the second question.
Conclusion: Summarise the answer to both questions.

To get the essay started, here's a possible introduction:

It is true that some people are hard-working and diligent while others prefer not to push themselves, and there could be various reasons for these different attitudes. In my view, a positive work ethic is desirable up to a point, but too much hard work can be counterproductive and even unhealthy.

February 06, 2018

IELTS Advice: five procrastination tips

It was interesting to read about people's procrastination problems in the comments below last Saturday's lesson. I think we all experience these problems when we're trying to do something difficult.

Here are five tips that help me to fight procrastination:

Just make a start. If you've been procrastinating about writing an essay, for example, make it your goal to write the first sentence only. The hardest thing is to get started, and the idea of writing a full essay can be daunting. Put this idea out of your mind, and focus instead on writing just one sentence.
Find a nice place. Whenever I have some difficult writing to do, I find it much easier to get started if I'm sitting in a café with a cup of coffee. It doesn't feel like such hard work when you're in a nice environment.
Aim lower (at first). Sometimes our frustration is caused by the high expectations that we have. Instead of jumping into a 10-hour-a-day study programme, it's better to start with 10 minutes, then gradually do more each day.
Get some help. It's hard to study alone, so try to find a study partner, teacher or someone who can occasionally check your progress and give you advice.
Form a daily habit. For me, doing something every day is the ultimate weapon in the fight against procrastination. Doing something once a week (or even 5 times a week) doesn't work as well. There's something magic about daily practice: when a daily action becomes as normal as brushing your teeth, big changes start to happen!

February 03, 2018

IELTS Writing Task 2: two-part question about 'hard work'

The task below is what I call a two-part question. The good thing about this type of question is that you know exactly what to write about in each main body paragraph.

In education and employment, some people work harder than others. Why do some people work harder? Is it always a good thing to work hard?

How would you structure a 4-paragraph answer to this question? Please share your essay plans (not full essays yet) in the 'comments' area below.

January 31, 2018

IELTS Advice: the positive thing about procrastination

I'll share some tips on beating procrastination next weekend, but I thought I'd say just one thing about it today, and it's something positive.

The positive thing about procrastination is that it tells you what is important. The more you procrastinate and leave something for later, the more important that task probably is in your life. So, let your procrastinating guide you towards what needs to be done, and begin to confront that task now. You'll feel much better if you do.

January 30, 2018

IELTS Advice: procrastination

Do you find it difficult to study as much as you would like to? Perhaps you make study plans but then decide to "do it later". This is what we call 'procrastination'.

Most of us procrastinate, put things off, or tell ourselves that we'll do it later, especially when the task is difficult and we feel stuck.

Let me know if procrastination is a problem for you (with regard to your IELTS preparation, or anything else), and we can discuss some ways to beat it.

January 27, 2018

IELTS Writing Task 2: main paragraph methods

I always tell my students to choose a method and stick to it. For main paragraphs, I teach them two easy ways to organise their ideas:

Idea, explain, example: If you have one main idea, this easy format will help you to build a good paragraph. To see an example, look at paragraph 3 in this essay.
Firstly, secondly, finally: If you have two or three ideas, just use this format. Miss the "finally" if you only have two ideas, and remember that you can use alternative words for the same structure (e.g. The main reason, another reason, also, furthermore). Click here and here to see examples.

January 24, 2018

IELTS Advice: your 'learning situation'

Many people ask how long it will take them to get the score they need. The answer is that it depends on several factors.

One of the most important factors is your 'learning situation'. This includes:

the amount of time that you can use for study each day
whether you have the opportunity to speak to native English speakers
whether you have a teacher who checks your written work

Have a look at your own learning situation. How good is it? What can you do to make it better?

January 23, 2018

IELTS Grammar: correct the mistakes

Can you correct the mistakes in the following sentences that students wrote about yesterday's 'status symbols' topic?

Owning a house is symbolised for having enough money to live.
I don’t think the possessions take an important role for our life.
People has a high regards to personality possessing extremely huge houses.
Owning summerhouse which is usually a little cottage in countryside is a status symbol.
They are considered as status symbols of the upper class people which make them proud to see people marvelling at these things.

January 19, 2018

IELTS Writing Task 2: confused about question types?

I've tried to explain the different question types here and here. Also, this lesson tells you when you should give your opinion and when you shouldn't.

However, if you're still confused about question types, here's my advice:

Just make sure that you do what the question tells you to do.

As long as you cover everything that the question asks you to cover, you'll be fine. Let the question / task guide you, and do your best to answer!

January 13, 2018

IELTS Writing Task 2: argument or discussion?

Many people ask me about the difference between an 'argument' (opinion) essay and a 'discussion' essay. Here's an easy way to think about the difference:

When you argue, you are trying to persuade the other person to agree with your point of view. You might even get angry!
When you discuss, you consider different points of view, and nobody gets angry.

The question should make it very clear what it wants you to do. If it asks you to "discuss", you should write about both sides or two views.

If the question asks whether you "agree or disagree", it's asking for your view. For this type of question, give your opinion in the introduction and support it in the rest of the essay. Develop an argument that persuades the reader to agree with you. Note: you can have a strong view or a balanced view - it's your choice.

January 10, 2018

IELTS Grammar: mistakes and corrections

Let's look at the grammar problems in last Sunday's lesson.

1. Don't write "growth population". You need to write "population growth".
2. You can't write "the number of public" because 'public' is uncountable.
3. Don't write "there was" when giving a future prediction.
4. You can't put "alike" before a noun, so "alike growth rate" is wrong.
5. Don't put "is" after a plural (prospects is), and you can't write "by meanwhile".

Here are my corrected versions of the sentences:

Population growth in England is projected at 5.9%.
The number of people living in England is projected to grow by 5.9%.
There will be a 5.9% increase in England's population.
There are similar population growth trends in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
The population is expected to grow by 3.2% in Scotland and by 4.3% in Northern Ireland.

January 09, 2018

IELTS Advice: if you're worrying

I think it's important to remember that you can never be 100% prepared for any exam. One of the aims of an exam is to take you out of your 'comfort zone' in order to find the limit of your current ability. There will always be surprises and difficult questions; otherwise everyone would get full marks.

So, don't worry if there are topics that you haven't studied, or words that you don't understand, and try not to get too nervous or frustrated. Just keep working hard, do your best, and try to enjoy the challenge of the exam!

January 06, 2018

IELTS Writing Task 2: instead of 'firstly, secondly, finally'

Whenever I write a paragraph using 'firstly, secondly, finally', people ask me whether there are any better alternatives to these linking words.

For example, here's a comment that someone wrote below last week's lesson:

"Is there another way to state firstly, secondly and finally? My teacher told me these are already overused."

The simple answer:

The easy answer to this question is yes. There are plenty of other words that we could use instead of 'firstly, secondly, finally'. Click here to see some examples.

The deeper answer:

Remember that I use 'firstly, secondly, finally' almost like a label, to identify a particular type of paragraph (one with a topic sentence and three supporting ideas). It's fine to change the linking words, but the paragraph style should stay the same.
It is not true that examiners consider 'firstly, secondly, finally' to be "overused". These are just simple linking words that do a useful job. Most linking words (e.g. and, but, because, while, if) are very easy and very commonly used, but we still need them.
You won't get a higher score by using bigger linking words that seem more impressive. For example, there's nothing difficult or impressive about the word 'moreover'. Why waste your time looking for more original linking words if they don't exist?
If you want a really high score, read this lesson about 'band 9 linking'.
Instead of worrying about linking, spend your time working on 'topic vocabulary' (like the list of phrases here). This is what will impress the examiner.

January 03, 2018

IELTS Grammar: correct the mistakes

Here are some sentences that people wrote below Thursday's lesson. Can you correct the mistakes that they contain?

Growth population in England is projected at 5.9%.
The number of public living in England is projected to grow by 5.9%.
There was a slight increase in England's population approximately 5.9%.
There is alike growth rate trend in Northern Ireland and Scotland population.
By meanwhile the growth prospects is expected to be almost 3.2% in Scotland and 4.3% in Ireland.

January 02, 2018

IELTS Vocabulary: review of this week

Here's a list of useful vocabulary from this week's lessons:

Reading and listening

make a resolution
keep a resolution
achieve a resolution
draw a conclusion
slip or make a mistake
double your efforts
break a goal into smaller steps
give yourself a reward
map out your progress

Writing task 2

experience various problems
considerable numbers of people
intense competition
oversupply of labour
an abundance of working-age adults
higher rates of poverty
falling living standards
meet the demand for
provision of housing and public services
rates of crime and antisocial behaviour
the needs of .......... are not met
poorer working conditions
bring wages down
exploit workers
forced to migrate abroad
in search of work
an exodus of well-qualified young graduates
brain drain
not a desirable outcome

Speaking

a specific example of
it's thought to be
I'd probably say that
the most impressive .......... that I've ever seen
areas of woodland
commonly found in
it stands out from
has traditionally been used in
a tourist attraction
to marvel at something
it symbolises history, strength and reliability
legendary or mythical status
the stories that are associated with it

December 30, 2017

IELTS Writing Task 2: two types of main paragraph

Let's return to the 'young population' question that you can see in this lesson. Today I'd like to show you two different ways to write the same paragraph.

1. Paragraph describing three separate disadvantages:

On the one hand, countries with a large proportion of young adults may experience various problems. Firstly, if considerable numbers of people leave school or university at the same time, there will be intense competition for jobs. This oversupply of labour could cause an increase in unemployment. Secondly, an abundance of working-age adults may result in higher rates of poverty and falling living standards, as governments or local councils are unable to meet the demand for the provision of housing and public services. Finally, there is a risk that rates of crime and antisocial behaviour may rise if the needs of a young population are not met.

2. Paragraph focusing on one main disadvantage, with supporting ideas:

On the one hand, countries with a large proportion of young adults may experience problems related to employment. If considerable numbers of people leave school or university at the same time, there will be intense competition for jobs. This oversupply of labour could cause an increase in unemployment, or lead to poorer working conditions as employers realise that they can bring wages down and exploit young workers. Another possible consequence might be that young adults are forced to migrate abroad in search of work. An exodus of well-qualified young graduates and workers is often referred to as a ‘brain drain’, and this is not a desirable outcome for any country.

Note:
In the first paragraph, I simply describe three separate disadvantages using "firstly, secondly, finally". In the second paragraph, I go into more detail about the consequences in one area only (employment problems). Both paragraph types can be equally good - it just depends on the ideas that you have.

December 21, 2017

IELTS Advice: start off slowly

When learning something new, it's always best to start off slowly. If you want to master a skill, you need to learn the necessary techniques and practise them slowly before you can gradually build up speed.

This was the idea behind yesterday's lesson. Start by practising 10-minute plans for speaking part 2, and gradually reduce your planning time. If you practise enough, you'll become much better at thinking of ideas for this part of the speaking test, and you'll be able to use your minute more effectively on the day of your test.

Tip: think about other parts of the IELTS test that you could practise slowly.

December 15, 2017

IELTS Writing Task 2: introduction and conclusion

Here's an introduction and conclusion for the young population question that we've been looking at. Can you find the examples of paraphrasing that I've used?

Question
At the present time, the population of some countries includes a relatively large number of young adults, compared with the number of older people. Do the advantages of this situation outweigh the disadvantages?

Introduction
It is true that younger adults make up a significant proportion of the population of some nations. While there are certain drawbacks for countries with this kind of population structure, I believe that the individual, social and economic benefits far outweigh these drawbacks.

Conclusion
In conclusion, it seems to me that it is advantageous in a variety of ways for countries to have more young adults than elderly people.

December 12, 2017

IELTS Advice: more about 'model sentences'

In the comments below Thursday's lesson, I noticed a useful question from nav, and a very thoughtful response from Kati. It's great to see people discussing things and helping each other in the comments below my lessons!

To add to Kati's response, I'd like to say a little more about using 'model sentences'. First, I'll quickly repeat two useful points from Kati's comment:

As Kati points out, the 'model sentences' exercise is probably more suited to writing task 1. This is because task 1 is quite predictable: we know that we'll have to describe trends, compare numbers or describe steps, so we can practise specific types of sentence for these purposes (e.g. 'while' sentences, 'respectively' sentences etc.).
There are some sentence types that I repeatedly use in writing task 2 (e.g. a 'while' sentence in the introduction). See Kati's comment for links to lessons about these sentence types.

Now here's the final tip that I wanted to add:

Try not to confuse 'model' sentences with 'template' sentences. Examiners don't like essays that are full of memorised template language (read this warning).

On the other hand, any correct sentence can be used as a model. For example, we could take the first sentence of today's lesson ("In the comments below Thursday's lesson, I noticed a useful question.") and invent a new sentence that follows a similar structure or pattern (e.g. On the way home from yesterday's lecture, I read an interesting article in the paper.).

I think you could turn this into a great daily exercise. But the aim would be to improve your English, not to collect template sentences for IELTS.

December 11, 2017

IELTS Grammar: mistakes using model sentences

On Thursday I suggested that you write some sentences using two of my own sentences as models. Here are the model sentences:

More waste goes to landfill sites than to any other refuse management facility.
Austria and Belgium are the most environmentally friendly of the fifteen countries, recycling around 60% and 50% of their waste respectively.

And here are some sentences that people wrote in the 'comments' area below the lesson. Can you find and correct the mistakes?

More expenditure spends on cars than to any other consumer goods.
More women go to science degrees than any other university courses.
America and China are the most exported countries of all, exporting almost 2300 billion and 1600 billion respectively.
America and Canada are the most culturally friendly of the fifteen countries, with welcoming 50% and 60% of foreigners respectively.

December 07, 2017

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'young population' essay plan

At the present time, the population of some countries includes a relatively large number of young adults, compared with the number of older people. Do the advantages of this situation outweigh the disadvantages?

Using the ideas that people shared below last week's lesson, here's a simple essay plan:

Introduction: Introduce the topic, then say that there are more advantages than disadvantages.
Paragraph about disadvantages: competition for jobs, oversupply of labour, possible increase in unemployment, pressure on housing and public services, social problems e.g. crime.
Paragraph about advantages: young, vibrant workforce, new ideas, creativity, adopting new technologies, increased productivity, boost to economy, more money from taxes.
Conclusion: repeat / summarise.

I'll use these ideas to start writing the essay next Wednesday.

December 04, 2017

IELTS Advice: what have you learnt?

When I teach lessons here in Manchester, I always ask my students one question at the end of the day: What have you learnt? I ask the students to tell me the one key thing that they will remember the next day.

So, can I ask you the same question? If you have been following the lessons on this blog, what is the most useful thing that you have learnt?

December 03, 2017

IELTS Advice: you are not being compared with others

Some students have the mistaken idea that examiners compare candidates, and that you'll therefore get a lower score if you use words or phrases that "too many other candidates use".

This is not true!

Examiners are trained to mark candidates according to a defined set of criteria. For example, look at these phrases from the band descriptors for band 7 in writing task 2:

- addresses all parts of the task
- presents a clear position throughout the response
- logically organises information and ideas
- there is clear progression
- uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow some flexibility

You won't find phrases like this in the band descriptors:

- too many candidates use ..... in their essays
- reduce the score if the word ..... is used

Remember: the only comparison that examiners make is between your answer and the band descriptors.

December 01, 2017

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'young population' topic

Let's start work on the question below.

(Source: Cambridge IELTS 12)

Here's how I would approach this type of question:

Planning: Brainstorm advantages and disadvantages of a young population.
My view: Looking at the plan, it should be clear whether I have more (or stronger) advantages or disadvantages. Make a decision about what my view is.
Introduction: Write 2 sentences - introduce the topic and my view.
Paragraph 2: Present the weaker side of the argument.
Paragraph 3: Present the stronger side (i.e. the side that 'outweighs' the other view).
Conclusion: Repeat and summarise my view.

Can you help me to plan some ideas? What are the advantages and disadvantages for countries with a large proportion of young adults?

November 28, 2017

IELTS Grammar: imagining something that doesn't exist

An interesting aspect of the speaking part 2 question that I answered on Friday was that I had to imagine a sports centre that doesn't currently exist.

Look at the phrases that I used when imagining:

The place of entertainment that I wish we had
My ideal sports centre would have...
I can think of the perfect place for this
It would be easy for people to get to
I think a sports centre would be much better
There could be sports lessons
I’m sure many adults would join the gym
The centre could hold sports events
A sports complex would give young people...
A sports centre would brighten up my local area

Notice that I mostly used 'would' and 'could' to imagine things. Try preparing an 'imagining' description yourself, and make sure you use these words.

November 27, 2017

IELTS Vocabulary: good phrases

Did you note down the following phrases from yesterday's description?

indoor and outdoor football pitches
an all-purpose area
a disused piece of land
just down the road from where I live
an old warehouse was knocked down
a plot of land
local residents
team practice sessions
join the gym
use the pool
book the courts for games of tennis
hold sports events
attract spectators as well as participants
facilities, activities, lessons and clubs
something fun and productive to do
brighten up my local area
improve our quality of life

November 24, 2017

IELTS Writing Task 2: same topic, different angle

Old exam questions are not reused in the writing test. However, there are some common topics that come up again and again. Look at the two questions below, for example:

1) In the developed world, average life expectancy is increasing. What problems will this cause for individuals and society? Suggest some measures that could be taken to reduce the impact of ageing populations.

2) At the present time, the population of some countries includes a relatively large number of young adults, compared with the number of older people. Do the advantages of this situation outweigh the disadvantages?

Can you see how the IELTS writers are looking at basically the same topic here, but from a different angle*?

- Number 1 is a 'problem and solution' question about ageing populations.
- Number 2 is a 'discussion and opinion'** question about younger populations.

You can see my essay for question 1 here. Question 2 comes from Cambridge IELTS book 12, and we'll look at this question over the next few weeks.

*from a different angle = from a different perspective / position
**Write about both sides, but make it clear which side you think 'outweighs' the other

November 21, 2017

IELTS Advice: the importance of focus

Here's a piece of advice that I gave in a blog lesson a few years ago. I forgot that I had written this, and I think it's worth repeating:

In my experience, people become good at what they focus on. Are you constantly reading things in English, thinking about English, watching English videos, and making notes of anything new that you learn? If English is your main focus each day, I'm sure you'll improve.

November 20, 2017

IELTS Advice: before you retake the exam

Before you retake the exam, ask yourself some questions:

What specific areas have I worked to improve since my last exam?
How do I know that I have improved?
Can I get higher scores when I'm practising than the scores I need?

Here's an example of an ideal response to these questions:

Since my last exam, I've been doing a lot of work to improve my 'main body' paragraphs for writing task 2. I now spend more time planning and organising my ideas before I start writing, so my paragraphs are a lot better. My teacher noticed this improvement and gave my most recent essay a band 7. I only need a 6.5.

November 17, 2017

IELTS Writing Task 2: choose a method, then practise it

Over the years I've realised that one of the most important tips that I can give my students is this:

Choose one method for writing essays and use this method every time you practise or take the test.

Imagine a tennis player who decides to change her / his serving action, or a guitarist who experiments with a new way of holding the instrument, or an artist who decides to paint in a new style. In each case, the person's performance will probably get worse before it gets better.

But this is what I see happening with many IELTS students. Some of them keep trying new ways of writing, while others haven't thought about having a 'method' at all - they write each essay in a different way without realising it. Consequently, their scores either fluctuate or stay the same.

The only way to hone* your writing skill is to choose a method or way of writing and then practise it as much as possible.

*hone = to perfect, refine, improve, sharpen

November 14, 2017

IELTS Vocabulary: band 7-9 phrases

Here are the best words and phrases from Wednesday's essay. Note them down, and try to use them in your own sentences - perhaps you could even try rewriting the essay using the list below to help you.

household waste
new legislation
just one possible way to tackle the problem
a legal obligation
householders
fail to adhere to this law
prison sentences for repeat offenders
act as a deterrent
encourage people to obey
improved behaviour of homeowners
a clean, waste-free environment
put education at the centre of a recycling campaign
the environmental impact of household waste
Another tactic that governments could use
create stricter regulations
packaging for household products
recycling facilities and systems
waste is processed more effectively
dispose of their waste more responsibly

November 12, 2017

IELTS Advice: part 1 speaking technique

Did you notice how I answered each question in yesterday's lesson? Here's the first part of each of the four answers:

- No, not at all.
- Yes, definitely.
- Yes, unfortunately it does.
- Yes, many times.

After answering with these short phrases, I then explained my answers in more detail, using full sentences.

I think this is a nice technique that you could try. Start with a short "yes or no" answer (e.g. yes I do, no we don't, yes it certainly is...), and then explain your answer fully. Perhaps this technique will give you a few extra seconds to think before you give your full answer.

November 09, 2017

IELTS Writing Task 2: recycling essay

Here's my full sample essay for the recycling topic that we've been working on.

Some people claim that not enough of the waste from homes is recycled. They say that the only way to increase recycling is for governments to make it a legal requirement. 
To what extent do you think laws are needed to make people recycle more of their waste?

It is true that we do not recycle enough of our household waste. Although I accept that new legislation to force people to recycle could help this situation, I do not agree that a recycling law is the only measure that governments should take.

In my view, a new recycling law would be just one possible way to tackle the waste problem. Governments could make it a legal obligation for householders to separate all waste into different bins. There could be punishments for people who fail to adhere to this law, ranging from a small fine to community service, or even perhaps prison sentences for repeat offenders. These measures would act as a deterrent and encourage people to obey the recycling law. As a result, the improved behaviour of homeowners could lead to a clean, waste-free environment for everyone.

However, I believe that governments should do more than simply introduce a recycling law. It might be more effective if politicians put education, rather than punishment, at the centre of a recycling campaign. For example, children could be taught about recycling in schools, and homeowners could be informed about the environmental impact of household waste. Another tactic that governments could use would be to create stricter regulations for the companies that produce the packaging for household products. Finally, money could also be spent to improve recycling facilities and systems, so that waste is processed more effectively, regardless of whether or not people separate it correctly in the home.

In conclusion, perhaps we do need to make recycling a legal requirement, but this would certainly not be the only way to encourage people to dispose of their waste more responsibly.

(279 words, band 9)

November 05, 2017

IELTS Advice: some ideas for repeated practice

In last Saturday's lesson I asked you to think about the power of repetition in terms of developing your English skills. Here are a few ideas:

Listening: Listen to the same recording several times, but focus on something different each time you listen. I explained this idea here.
Speaking: Compile a list of questions, and practise answering them every day. Record yourself so that you can listen for mistakes, and make notes about how you could improve. The aim is to 'master' your list of questions before you move on to anything new.
Reading: If you've done all of the tests in the official Cambridge IELTS books, do them all again, and again! It doesn't matter if you remember some of the answers; you'll still learn something new each time you do the tests. If you can 'master' every reading test in the Cambridge books, I guarantee you'll get a high score in the test (but you'll only master them if you repeat each test several times).
Writing: Instead of writing four different essays (which will probably all get the same score), try rewriting the same essay four times. Each time you rewrite the essay, try to improve one aspect of it. For example, for the first rewrite you could work on grammar, then the second time you could try to add more detailed explanation, then for the third rewrite you could improve the vocabulary or the coherence.

Repetitive exercises might seem like boring hard work, but I believe that you can use them as a form of 'training' to develop both your English skills and your exam skills.

November 03, 2017

IELTS Grammar: 'rain' topic mistakes

The following sentences were written by students below yesterday's lesson. Can you correct or improve them?

Yes, I like when it rains. Because it makes the weather awesome.
People say environment affects mood and I am with this.
After few seconds it started raining and I was beaten heavily.
Taichung, my city only rain in summer.
I don't like the rainy day, when it is dropping on my face, let me feel sticky.
I've got caught in the rain several times so far as I got nothing to cover me at that time.

October 31, 2017

IELTS Writing Task 2: from ideas to paragraph

Following on from the paragraph about a recycling law in last week's lesson, we need to write a paragraph about other measures that governments could take to encourage recycling.

Here's my plan for a 5-sentence paragraph:

Topic sentence: other measures, instead of a recycling law
First idea: educate people with a recycling campaign
Example: teach children in schools, inform homeowners too
Second idea: regulations for companies that produce packaging
Third idea: invest in recycling facilities to process waste better

Here's a paragraph using the ideas above:

However, I believe that governments should do more than simply introduce a recycling law. It would be far more effective if politicians put education, rather than punishment, at the centre of a recycling campaign. For example, children could be taught about recycling in schools, and homeowners could be informed about the environmental impact of household waste. Another tactic that governments could use would be to create stricter regulations for the companies that produce the packaging for household products. Finally, money could also be spent to improve recycling facilities and systems, so that waste could be processed more effectively, regardless of whether people had separated it correctly in the home.

October 28, 2017

IELTS Advice: more about 'highest and lowest'

In Thursday's lesson about IELTS writing task 1, I wrote that it's ok to describe the highest and lowest figures in your 'overview' paragraph. However, thanks to a comment by Erika, I've realised that I should add some extra advice or some warnings about this:

First, it's important to remember that the best type of overview is one that describes overall trends, rather than specific details. The highest and lowest figures on a chart are normally considered to be specific details, so they shouldn't be your first choice for the overview.
If you can't see a clear general trend, it's ok to describe the highest and lowest, but don't mention any numbers.
Look for the highest and lowest category overall, rather than a single highest or lowest point. For example, if you're writing an overview about a line graph, it's fine to say that one of the lines was highest for most of the period, but don't describe any specific peaks (save them for the 'details' paragraphs).

The overview that I wrote on Thursday was fine because the main aim of the chart was not to show trends. Picking out the most and least environmentally friendly country made sense in this particular case, and I didn't mention specific numbers.

However, I want to make it clear that describing the highest and lowest should not be your first choice method for writing the overview. Look for overall trends first.

Task:
Next Thursday I'll show you an alternative overview paragraph for the "waste chart" question. Can you suggest which "main or general points" about the chart I could include, instead of describing the highest and lowest?

October 26, 2017

IELTS Advice: the power of repetition

I've been thinking about the power of repetition (in the sense of practising the same thing many times) this week.

Young children (the best language learners!) love watching the same cartoon or reading the same book again and again. But as adult language learners we rarely do this; we move on to the next thing too quickly.

Let's think about how we can build some repetition into our IELTS practice. I gave you some ideas yesterday and on Tuesday, but what else can we do? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below, and I'll give you my tips next weekend.

October 23, 2017

IELTS Writing Task 2: easy opinion, not real opinion

You don't need to give your real opinion in your task 2 essays. Just choose an opinion that is easy to explain and support. For example, read the paragraph below.

..........

In my view, a new recycling law would be just one possible way to tackle the waste problem. Governments could make it a legal obligation for householders to separate all waste into different bins. There could be punishments for people who fail to adhere to this law, ranging from a small fine to community service, or even perhaps prison sentences for repeat offenders. These measures would act as a deterrent and encourage people to obey the recycling law. As a result, the improved behaviour of homeowners could lead to a clean, waste-free environment for everyone.

..........

Look at the phrase that I've highlighted in bold italic letters. Do I really believe that people should be sent to prison for failing to separate household waste properly?

The answer is no. I simply chose an easy opinion, and I explained it in a logical way, building an argument that, I admit, becomes a little extreme! But the examiner will not judge my opinions as extreme; he or she will only judge the coherence of the paragraph and the language used. The 'prison sentence' idea will not bring my score down. In fact, it will probably help my score because I've expressed the idea using some nice vocabulary.

October 20, 2017

IELTS Grammar: not following advice leads to mistakes!

In Thursday's lesson I suggested some phrases that could be used in a task 1 introduction sentence.

However, I noticed below the lesson that some students had used their own ideas instead of my suggested phrases. Unfortunately this led to some big mistakes in the sentences below:

The bar chart portraits the three different environmental unfriendly techniques for recycling the waste management in various countries of Europe.
The bar chart depicts data about the percentage of recycled waste that is put into a landfill, an incinerator, or have been disposed of in other ways which are done in various EU countries.
The bar chart shows the percentage waste that is recycled.Meanwhile, put into landfill, incinerated, or disposed of in other ways in various EU countries.

Can you see the mistakes that could have been avoided if the students had used my suggestions?

October 16, 2017

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'recycling' essay skeleton

Here's the recycling question from last week, with my essay 'skeleton' below it.

..........

Introduction
It is true that we do not recycle enough of our household waste. Although I accept that new legislation to force people to recycle could help this situation, I do not agree that a recycling law is the only measure that governments should take.

Topic sentence for first main paragraph
In my view, a new recycling law would be just one possible way to tackle the waste problem.

Topic sentence for second main paragraph
However, I believe that governments should do more than simply introduce a recycling law.

Conclusion
In conclusion, I disagree with the idea that making recycling a legal requirement is the only way to encourage people to recycle their household waste.

..........

The introduction, main paragraph topic sentences and conclusion should give you a clear and coherent outline of my answer. The only thing missing is the detailed explanation in each main body paragraph. We'll look at ideas for the main body next week.

October 12, 2017

IELTS Advice: sample answer analysis

Yesterday I suggested that you analyse sample answers carefully, instead of just reading them and then forgetting them. So here's a quick analysis of two of Friday's sample speaking answers:

Answer 1

4 sentences: topic sentence then 3 advantages
Organising: I think... / First,... / Another benefit would be... / Finally, it seems to me that...
Good vocabulary: clear advantages, lack of traffic or industry, the average city, sense of community, everyone knows each other, the pace of life, laid back, the hustle and bustle
Interesting grammar: second sentence begins with a subordinate clause using 'with'

Answer 3

3 sentences: direct answer, explanation, the opposite or alternative
Organising: Yes, think... / A visit can be both... and... / If schools don't offer...
Good vocabulary: both relaxing and educational, walks in the fresh air, may never have seen before, offer this opportunity, life outside the city
Interesting grammar: adding information using 'especially', use of semicolon to expand on one idea, first conditional sentence to imagine the alternative

Can you analyse answer 2 in the same way?

October 11, 2017

IELTS Advice: always analyse!

Did you analyse yesterday's sample answers carefully, perhaps by copying or printing them, highlighting certain ideas, or taking notes? Or did you simply read them once and then forget them?

Obviously you'll learn much more if you spend the time to study sample answers carefully. For example, how many sentences did each of my answers in yesterday's lesson contain? What was the job of each sentence? Did I use any nice phrases that you could 'steal'?

October 08, 2017

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'recycling' topic

A few people have asked me to look at the question below, from Cambridge IELTS book 11.

Before we start, what would your opinion be?

October 06, 2017

IELTS Grammar: instead of 'rules'

Instead of trusting the grammar 'rules' that you find in a book, why not do your own investigating to see exactly how a word or phrase is used by native English speakers?

This is what I was encouraging you to do in yesterday's lesson about the word "alike". Instead of explaining the grammar rules, I simply showed you some correct sentences that contained the word. I gave you a 'model' or 'pattern' that you can use to make your own sentences.

Click here to see another example of a lesson in which I used 'model' sentences instead of rules to show how a word is used.

October 05, 2017

IELTS Grammar: copy sentence 'patterns'

In last Saturday's lesson I suggested that you write a sentence using the word 'alike'. I gave you a model sentence, so you only needed to follow the 'pattern' of that sentence. Let's look at some examples.

1. Model sentence:
Video cameras make cities safer for inhabitants and visitors alike.

2. New sentence following exactly the same pattern:
Teaching assistants make lessons easier for students and teachers alike.

3. New sentence with the same basic pattern:
The school website can be used by students, teachers and parents alike.

Can you see how I used exactly the same sentence pattern in number 2, and that I made a few changes in number 3?

October 02, 2017

IELTS Writing Task 2: you don't need to use an eraser

A Japanese student wrote to me about an interesting cultural difference:

"In Japan, students are told to correct their work using an eraser. They are not allowed to insert words or cross words out."

This is not true in the IELTS exam. You don't need to waste time using an eraser. Your writing needs to be clear, but it doesn't have to be perfect.

September 29, 2017

IELTS Grammar: mistakes with 'alike'

Several people wrote sentences below yesterday's lesson, but some of them contained mistakes. Can you correct the sentences below?

The two teachers had alike ideas about using technology in education.
My three children had received an academic reward alike at the end of the term.
The profits gained from the selling of bouquets of flowers are given for the sellers and the poor alike.
CCTV footage confirm your safety, prevent losing of precious items from footpath,shopping mall and alike.

September 28, 2017

IELTS Grammar: 'alike'

1) The word 'alike' can be used as an adjective, meaning 'similar'.

e.g. The two brothers look alike.

2) It can also be an adverb meaning 'in the same way'.

e.g. The brothers often dress alike.

3) But did you notice how I used 'alike' in last week's essay?:

Video cameras make cities safer for inhabitants, workers and visitors alike.

Task:
Can you write a sentence using 'alike' in the way that I used it in point 3 above?

September 25, 2017

IELTS Writing Task 2: band 7-9 vocabulary

Let's look at the 'band 7-9' vocabulary from last week's essay:

video surveillance
has become commonplace
an invasion of privacy
reasons why people might disapprove of
The first objection is that
we are constantly being watched by the authorities
private security firms
intrusive
a form of state control
curtails their individual freedom
the proliferation of CCTV cameras
police officers patrolling the streets
to monitor public areas
to deter criminals
petty criminals like shoplifters and pickpockets
less likely to operate in parts of cities
video evidence to catch and prosecute offenders
offer valuable support to police officers
make cities safer for inhabitants, workers and visitors alike
we gain more than we lose
the enhanced security that CCTV cameras bring

Note:
Only one phrase in the list above is a linking / organising phrase. Can you see it? All of the other items on the list are what I call "topic vocabulary".

September 21, 2017

IELTS Grammar: verb tenses in general writing

Have another look at the letter that I shared last Sunday (even if you're not doing the General test), and you'll see that I used a variety of verb tenses.

Can you name the verb tenses in the phrases below?

I'm just writing to offer you
I won't be able to use
I told you I was going to a gig
there's a guitarist who's playing this Saturday
you'll be blown away
the concert starts at 7pm
I've been asked to visit a client
if you're free on Saturday
he'll be going to the gig

September 16, 2017

IELTS Writing Task 2: CCTV essay

Here's another band 9 sample answer.

In many cities the use of video cameras in public places is being increased in order to reduce crime, but some people believe that these measures restrict our individual freedom.
Do the benefits of increased security outweigh the drawbacks?

It is true that video surveillance has become commonplace in many cities in recent years. While I understand that critics may see this as an invasion of privacy, I believe that the benefits do outweigh the drawbacks.

There are two main reasons why people might disapprove of the use of video cameras in public places. The first objection is that these cameras invade our privacy, in the sense that we are constantly being watched by the authorities or by private security firms. Many people find this intrusive and feel that the recording of their movements is a form of state control that curtails their individual freedom. The second argument against the proliferation of CCTV cameras is that they are being used as an alternative to police officers patrolling the streets. If this is indeed happening, then it is unlikely that members of the public will feel safer.

In spite of the drawbacks mentioned above, I believe that the use of video cameras to monitor public areas is a positive measure. The key objective of video surveillance is to deter criminals and to prevent crime. For example, petty criminals like shoplifters and pickpockets are less likely to operate in parts of cities where they know that they are being watched. At the same time, when crimes are committed, the police can use video evidence to catch and prosecute offenders. Therefore, in my view, video cameras offer valuable support to police officers, and they make cities safer for inhabitants, workers and visitors alike.

In conclusion, it seems to me that we gain more than we lose from the enhanced security that CCTV cameras bring to our cities.

(275 words)

September 11, 2017

IELTS Advice: get Cambridge IELTS book 12

It's always a good idea to do the most recent tests that have been published in the official Cambridge IELTS books, so get a copy of book 12 if you can. I'm going to start working on the tests in book 12 with my students, so you can expect to see some lessons about it here on the blog soon.

September 08, 2017

IELTS Writing Task 2: paragraph with two ideas

If you've read enough of my blog lessons, you'll know that I often include three ideas in my main body paragraphs (e.g. firstly, secondly, finally). But what if you only have two ideas? Let's have a look at a "two-idea" paragraph today.

Here's my plan for a 5-sentence paragraph about the negatives of CCTV:

Topic sentence: there are two main arguments against CCTV
The first negative: video cameras in public invade our privacy
Explain more: intrusive, feels like state control, curtails our freedom
The second negative: cameras instead of police officers
Explain more: if cameras replace police, we will not feel safer

And here's my 5-sentence paragraph using the ideas above:

September 05, 2017

IELTS Advice: how good at paraphrasing are you?

A fast way to test someone's ability to speak a language is to ask them to paraphrase something - to express the same idea in a variety of ways. Some students find this difficult, and they usually need more help with vocabulary and ideas. By contrast, the students who do this well tend to reach their IELTS goal much more quickly.

If you're looking for the secret to a high IELTS score, paraphrasing might be it!

September 01, 2017

IELTS Writing Task 2: unfinished essay about CCTV

A student asked me to go back to the question below. I started to look at this topic back in October 2014 (here), but I didn't share a full essay about it.

Here's the introduction that I wrote:

It is true that video surveillance has become commonplace in many cities in recent years. While I understand that critics may see this as an invasion of privacy, I believe that there are more benefits than drawbacks.

Tasks:
- Quickly analyse the introduction above. What does it contain?
- Suggest some benefits and drawbacks for the main body paragraphs.

August 27, 2017

IELTS Vocabulary: paraphrasing

Did you notice the following examples of paraphrasing in the task 1 answer that I shared on Thursday?

show = give information about
public in the US = US residents, Americans, those surveyed
reasons for travel = why... travelled, trips were for the purpose of, for... reasons, was cited as the reason for... , accounted for...
travel to and from work = to commute, commuting
price = cost
main issue(s) = problems, primary concern, key consideration, foremost concern, most important issue

August 26, 2017

IELTS Advice: warning about templates!

From the comments that people wrote below Wednesday's lesson, it seems that many students find essay templates useful. However, I think it's important to repeat the warning that I gave in my own comment below that lesson.

Warning about templates:

Templates can certainly be useful, as they can help us to quickly organise our ideas. Also, it is inevitable that we will need to use some 'linking' words and phrases in our essays.

However, there is also a danger that people focus more on the template than on answering the question with good ideas. Templates and linking are not the secret to a high score in the writing test. They just do a simple job - they help you to organise your ideas, that's all. In the end, your score will depend on the quality of language that you use to express ideas, not simply to organise them.

So, learn some basic template / linking / organising language, but don't become obsessed with it. Spend most of your time working on topic vocabulary and your ability to express and develop "real" ideas.

August 23, 2017

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'template' language

Let's compare the 'template' language that I used to organise the ideas in my two most recent essays.

Essay 1
In last week's permissive parenting essay, I didn't use much template language at all. Here are the linking / organising phrases from that essay. I don't think we can really call this a 'template'.

..........

It is true that
In my opinion,

I believe that
Having + past participle (personal example)
In my view,

The first and most obvious
One consequence of
A second negative
This may lead, for example, to

In conclusion, … should …, and I do not believe that…

..........

Essay 2
Now look at the homework essay that I wrote back in June. In that essay I used a more typical 'template' structure.

..........

People’s opinions differ as to whether or not
While there are some strong arguments against….., I still believe that

There are several reasons why people might argue that
Firstly,
Secondly,
Finally,

In spite of the above arguments, I support the view that
The main benefit of
For example,
In my view,

In conclusion, ….. certainly has its drawbacks, but I believe that the benefits outweigh them in the long term.

..........

Question:
What do you think we can learn by highlighting the 'template' language from my essays in this way?

August 20, 2017

IELTS Grammar: having + past participle

Did you notice the following sentence in Wednesday's essay? This is a nice way to introduce a personal example in the writing or speaking test.

Having worked with children myself, I have learnt that clear expectations and boundaries are necessary.

Try creating your own personal examples with "having + past participle". You can also add the word "never" to make a negative. For example:

Having lived abroad myself, I understand how important it is to learn about local customs.
Having never tracked my fitness goals before, I found the new app really useful.

August 19, 2017

IELTS Vocabulary: essay review

Here's the 'band 7-9' vocabulary from the essay that I shared on Wednesday:

overly permissive
tend to spoil their children
parenting style
a range of negative long-term consequences
to raise respectful and well-behaved children
a certain amount of discipline
Having worked with children myself,.....
clear expectations and boundaries
to push against these boundaries
to regulate their desires
develop self control
constantly give in to their children’s demands
doing more harm than good
failing their children
indulgent or lenient parents
negative personality traits
The first and most obvious danger
self-centred adults
show little consideration for the feelings or needs of others
One consequence of such an attitude
unable to work successfully in teams
impulsiveness
lack the patience
to carefully consider options
compulsive shopping
unwise financial decisions
criminal activity
I do not believe that..... supports this objective

Notice that this is all "topic vocabulary", which contributes to the 'task response' and 'lexical resource' scores. The words and phrases above are the key reason why my essay would easily achieve a band 9.

August 16, 2017

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'permissive parenting' answer

Here's my full answer to the question below.

Some parents buy their children whatever they ask for, and allow their children to do whatever they want. Is this a good way to raise children? What consequences could this style of parenting have for children as they get older?

It is true that some parents are overly permissive and tend to spoil their children. In my opinion, this is not a good parenting style, and it can have a range of negative long-term consequences.

If parents want to raise respectful and well-behaved children, I believe that a certain amount of discipline is necessary. Having worked with children myself, I have learnt that clear expectations and boundaries are necessary, and it is important to be able to say ‘no’ to children when they misbehave or try to push against these boundaries. This is the only way to help young people to regulate their desires and develop self-control. In my view, parents who do the opposite and constantly give in to their children’s demands, are actually doing more harm than good. They are failing their children rather than being kind to them.

The children of indulgent or lenient parents are likely to grow up with several negative personality traits. The first and most obvious danger is that these children will become self-centred adults who show little consideration for the feelings or needs of others. One consequence of such an attitude could be that these adults are unable to work successfully in teams with other colleagues. A second negative trait in such people could be impulsiveness. A person who has never lived with any boundaries is likely to lack the patience to carefully consider options before making decisions. This may lead, for example, to compulsive shopping, unwise financial decisions, or even criminal activity.

In conclusion, parents should help their children to develop self-control and respect for others, and I do not believe that the permissive parenting style supports this objective.

(283 words, band 9)

August 15, 2017

IELTS Grammar: singular or plural after %

I was surprised to see how many people made the mistake below:

49% of the trips made by Americans was for...

We need to use "were" instead of "was". When you have a percentage, the verb needs to agree with the noun that comes after it. For example:

- 50% of people were happy with the service. ('people' is plural)
- 50% of the project was completed last year. ('project' is singular)

August 14, 2017

IELTS Grammar: find the mistakes

Here are some sentences that people wrote below Thursday's lesson. Can you find the mistake(s) in each sentence, and explain what the problems are?

In 2009, 49% of the trips made by Americans was due to travel to work.
In 2009, 49% of the trips made by Americans was for the purpose of moving to work.
In 2009, 49% of the trip made by Americans commuter.
In 2009, 49% of the trips made by Americans tended to commute to and from work.
In 2009, 49% of the trips made by Americans who were to commute to and from work.
In 2009, 49% trips made by Americans in order to travel to and from workplace.

August 11, 2017

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'permissive parenting' question

Let's continue with the question below, which we started looking at a couple of weeks ago.

Here's my "essay skeleton". I'll finish the main paragraphs next week.

Introduction
It is true that some parents are overly permissive and tend to spoil their children. In my opinion, this is not a good parenting style, and it can have a range of negative long-term consequences.

Topic sentence, main paragraph 1
If parents want to raise respectful and well-behaved children, I believe that a certain amount of discipline is necessary.

Topic sentence, main paragraph 2
In my view, the children of indulgent or lenient parents are likely to grow up with several negative personality traits.

Conclusion
In conclusion, parents should help their children to develop self control and respect for others, and I do not believe that the permissive parenting style supports this objective.

August 08, 2017

IELTS Advice: you don't need a grammar book

Yesterday a student asked me to recommend a good grammar book. My answer to this question is that you don't need one. Let me explain my reasons for this view.

When I was at school, language learning meant studying two things: 1) grammar rules and 2) lists of vocabulary. The idea was that we should use the grammar rules to construct sentences, and the vocabulary would fill in the gaps. To me this seemed like a "mathematical" approach, where each grammar rule is like a formula. If you use a grammar book, you're probably following this method.

Nowadays I prefer a different approach, especially when teaching IELTS. Here are five reasons why I've moved away from the "grammar book" method:

I believe that students can pass the test more quickly if they remember that grammar only accounts for 25% of their score, and they focus instead on the other 75%.
I believe that the "mathematical formula" approach causes people to create unnatural sentences.
I think that a better use of your time is to read and listen to as much native-speaker English as possible, so that you pick up the words, phrases and constructions that English speakers really use.
If you want to improve your grammar for IELTS, I recommend that you ask a teacher to highlight your mistakes. Instead of learning rules from a book, just aim to learn from the mistakes that you make, and therefore gradually "edit" your English.
You can check any grammar point with a quick search on the Internet. There's no need to slowly work through a book any more!

August 06, 2017

IELTS Advice: more about 'templates'

On Wednesday I wrote about 'template language', and there's a useful comment from sjm (another IELTS teacher) below the lesson. Here's what he said:

The problem with a lot of templates is that they contain too many memorised words and phrases. This then lowers the amount of topic vocabulary. Simon even uses a basic template (for example, he uses a five sentence body paragraph with a clear topic sentence, and similar linkers). However the key is that a template (or what I would call 'good organisation') does not dominate the essay. I always say from an examiner's point of view that candidates should keep memorised words and linkers to under 20% of the total word count.

This made me think: Which words or phrases in some of my own essays could we highlight as 'template language' or 'good organisation'?

If you have time, make a list of the template / organising language in the two essays linked below. We can then compare the two lists.

August 03, 2017

IELTS Writing Task 2: templates and 'firstly, secondly, finally'

Here's a question that someone asked me yesterday (I've rewritten it in my own words to make it shorter):

I've heard that examiners in China are lowering scores when candidates use prepared writing templates. The linking words "firstly, secondly, finally" are considered as 'template words' for writing task 2, so how can we replace them to avoid getting a lower score?

First, there are a couple of problems with this question:

It assumes that examiners in one country have decided to create their own rules about how tests should be marked. This is not true! All examiners are trained to use the band descriptors in the same way.
It implies that the use of just three simple words (firstly, secondly, finally) will automatically bring your score down. This is also wrong! Your score will not be lowered on the basis of just three words.

Next, let's look at what the band descriptors say about this issue:

The band descriptors refer to "over-use of cohesive devices" at band 5 level. In other words, if you use too many linking words or template phrases, you're in danger of entering band 5 territory for "coherence and cohesion", which is worth 25% of your score.
On the other hand, if we look at the descriptor for band 7, we can see the phrase "uses a range of cohesive devices appropriately". This tells us that we do need to use some linking words, but only where they help the flow of ideas.
No specific examples of good or bad linking or 'template' words are given in the band descriptors, so there is nothing inherently wrong with using "firstly, secondly, finally". Personally I dislike the word 'moreover', but I've never lowered a candidate's score just because he/she used this word once or twice.

To sum up, here's a more direct answer to the student's question:

Examiners in every country (not only in China) want to read essays that are full of 'real content'; they don't like essays that mainly consist of 'phrases for any essay'. I think it's true that too many candidates rely on templates, and I believe that people should focus on preparing topic ideas instead.

Having said that, you do need to link and organise your ideas, and simple words like "firstly, secondly, finally" can help you to do that. These words will only have a negative effect on your score if you overuse them, or if you use them wrongly. But if you still want to avoid using "firstly, secondly, finally", there are plenty of other ways to organise your ideas (click here and here to see some examples).

July 31, 2017

IELTS Grammar: verb and noun collocations

The problem with the following sentences is that the verbs and nouns (underlined) don't go together. Do you know what the correct verbs should be?

I gave the IELTS exam last week.
I usually take a coffee in the morning.
This will bring a negative impact on people.

The correct 'verb + noun' groups are examples of collocation.

July 30, 2017

IELTS Grammar: uncountable nouns

Students often make mistakes with uncountable nouns. These are nouns that you can't count. Most importantly, they don't have a plural form.

For example, you can't say "an information, two informations, many informations". You can say "some information, more information, a lot of information, a piece of information".

Below are some common uncountable nouns. Do you know any others?

give advice, some advice, a piece of advice (an advice, advices)
do research, carry out research (a research, researches)
gain knowledge, share knowledge, increase knowledge (knowledges)

July 21, 2017

IELTS Writing Task 2: one-sentence conclusion

Some students learn to write two or three-sentence conclusions that contain future predictions or recommendations. Personally I think this is an unnecessary waste of time, and it may even have a negative effect on your essay (if the question doesn't ask for a prediction or recommendation, you're going "off topic").

I advise my students to write simple one-sentence conclusions, and spend more time perfecting the main body paragraphs.

Task:
Look at the question and introduction in last week's lesson. Can you write a simple one-sentence conclusion that answers both parts of the question? Avoid using "showy" language, but aim to make your sentence completely error-free!

July 19, 2017

IELTS Advice: do your own mock test days

A full day of testing isn't easy, and you'll probably get a shock on your exam day if you've only practised individual parts of the test at home.

So, as part of your IELTS preparation, why not do a full day of testing at home, maybe once every two weeks? In the morning, start with a full listening test, then go straight on to a reading test, and follow that with both writing tasks. Have lunch, and then ask a friend or family member to be your speaking examiner in the afternoon.

Don't worry too much about your scores. Just get used to the difficulty of maintaining concentration for a full day. You'll be much better prepared when your exam day arrives if you've done a few of these mock test days at home.

July 17, 2017

IELTS Advice: advice vs rules

If a teacher, website, book or friend tells you that you must do a particular thing in the writing test, you can check the band descriptors to see whether it's true.

For example, I often receive questions like this:

My teacher told me that I must add a second sentence, containing a recommendation or prediction, to my task 2 conclusions? Is this true?

Here's my answer:

No, this is not true. There's nothing in the band descriptors about conclusions needing a recommendation or prediction. I think it's fine for teachers to say "this is how I think we should write a good conclusion", but they should make it clear that they are giving advice rather than stating a rule. If it's not in the band descriptors, it's not a rule.

Download Writing Band Descriptors Task 1

Download Writing Band Descriptors Task 2

July 14, 2017

IELTS Writing Task 2: paraphrase + basic answer

Let's look at a simple 2-sentence introduction for the question below. Notice how I paraphrase the main ideas in my first sentence, and I manage to answer both parts of the question in my second sentence.

Question
Some parents buy their children whatever they ask for, and allow their children to do whatever they want. Is this a good way to raise children? What consequences could this style of parenting have for children as they get older?

My introduction
It is true that some parents are overly permissive and tend to spoil their children. In my opinion, this is not a good parenting style, and it can have a range of negative long-term consequences.

July 10, 2017

IELTS Advice: from a student who passed

Thanks to those of you who wished me a happy holiday! I'm feeling refreshed after a week off, and I thought it would be a good time to share a positive message that I received from a student, called Evan, who passed the IELTS test this month.

Here are the main parts of Evan's message:

Dear Simon,

I received my IELTS result this morning, and I am so happy to share with you that I've achieved my goal (7.0 for every part). I started taking IELTS in October 2016, and this is my 5th attempt. I would like to thank you very much for your useful lessons, tips and advice on your blog and your video course. I could not have got the results without it. I also want to share with you my experience, and hopefully this could once again prove that if one follows your method, he or she will succeed one day.

My journey to achieving my IELTS goal has been very difficult and frustrating as I have been stuck with either writing or reading, especially writing. At some points I almost gave up and was thinking that IELTS may not be for me. But when I felt down, I read your posts and comments from successful takers, especially James Z, Chanaka and Kevin, which inspired me to continue. After my 4th attempt, I decided to take time off work so I could devote all my time to study. I studied from 9am to 6.30pm from Monday to Saturday for 5 weeks, and I wrote 34 essays and 11 letters following your method, and had 6 essays and 2 letters corrected. This helped identify my common mistakes, such as grammar error and word choice, and also to give me an idea of what a band 7.0 in writing would look like. I focused on learning topic vocabulary, and I practised the keyword technique for writing and listening. I strictly followed your advice for speaking part 1 (short and easy), part 2 (vocabulary theme) and part 3 (flow).

After all, I think that the key to IELTS band 7 includes the following:

Hard work always pays off.
Trust ielts-simon.com's lessons, you don't need any others, even books. In fact, I only used the 12 Cambridge books and Official Practice Materials from ielts.org.
Don't waste time and money to take the test repeatedly. Instead, concentrate on language learning, and take the test when you are ready.
Spend more time on studying and practising than testing (I found this advice from you the most useful).
Have someone to check your work to identify common mistakes.

Once again, thank you Simon very much and I really appreciate your work. Now,I can go back to work while preparing for the next chapter of my life with my IELTS result.

Regards,
Evan

July 08, 2017

IELTS Advice: using the verb 'get'

A student pointed out that I often use the word 'get' in my sample answers for IELTS speaking. For example, I wrote "get cash out" in my answer to question 4 in yesterday's lesson.

So, is it acceptable to use the word 'get' or is it too informal? Here's my answer:

The word 'get' is used so often in spoken English that no native speaker (or examiner) will even notice that you've used it. In fact, it might even help to make your speech sound more fluent and natural if you use 'get' in your speaking test.

Note: 'get' is fine in the speaking test, but I would normally avoid using it in the writing test.

July 05, 2017

IELTS Writing Task 2: two-part question

Here's an example of a two-part question that a student shared recently:

Notice the two separate questions: Is this...? and What consequences...?

It's very easy to plan your 4-paragraph essay structure for this kind of question: introduction, answer the first question, answer the second question, conclusion. Now you just need to plan some ideas.

June 28, 2017

IELTS Writing Task 2: from band 6.5 to band 7

Many people who need band 7 seem to get stuck at band 6.5, especially in the writing test. I've written about this here and here, but a student asked me to give a bit more advice about how to move from 6.5 to 7.

As I said in the lessons linked above, band 6.5 in writing is very close to band 7, so you only need to make a small improvement in the quality of your essays.

But where will this small improvement come from? Here are some tips:

First, if you want to make this small improvement quickly, I don't recommend that you focus on grammar. Improving your grammatical accuracy is probably going to be a slow and gradual process.
So that leaves us with 3 possible areas for improvement: task response, coherence and cohesion, and vocabulary.
In my experience, the secret to improving in all three areas is planning. A good plan will ensure that you answer the question, and that your answer is coherent and well structured. Hopefully it will also contain some good ideas (i.e. vocabulary).

Look at the essay plan in this lesson and the resulting essay that I wrote here. Without a good plan, I find it very difficult to "improvise" a coherent essay, so I'm sure that you do too. Give yourself more planning time (around 10 minutes), and you'll write better essays.

A couple of notes about the advice above:

Maybe you have read my lessons about 10-minute plans and 13-sentence essays, but are you really following this advice? I've taught many students who used my methods well in lessons and homework tasks, but "crumbled" under the pressure of a real exam and went back to their "old ways". Is this happening to you?
If you are following all of my advice about planning and writing 13-sentence essays, maybe your problem is writing task 1, not task 2.

June 25, 2017

IELTS Advice: if they can do it, so can you!

If you're frustrated with the IELTS test at the moment, it might help you to know that people do pass the test every week, sometimes with very high scores.

For example, take a moment to read the comments by Elizabeth, Gary, Hung and Sunggie below this lesson. If they can get such high scores (7.5 and higher), so can you!

June 24, 2017

IELTS Vocabulary: useful phrases

Even if you're not doing the General IELTS test, there were some useful phrases in the letter that I wrote last Sunday. Note them down, and see if you can use them in your own sentences:

to have a document translated
(to have something done = to get someone else to do it for you)
I've been given the opportunity to...
provide a copy along with the original
to submit a document
to secure a place on a course
I'm running out of time
do someone a favour
(e.g. Do you think you could do me a big favour?)
give me an hour of your time
whenever suits you best
to pop round (informal) = to visit someone

June 21, 2017

IELTS Writing Task 2: proverbs and idioms

A student sent me the following question:

Hi Simon. Can I use proverbs and idioms in IELTS writing task 2?

My quick answer would be no. Proverbs are certainly not appropriate for an academic-style essay, and the kind of idioms that many students learn (e.g. "In a nutshell") should also be avoided. Click here to read a lesson about proverbs and clichés, and make sure you don't use them.

On the other hand, some idioms are acceptable, and you probably use good idiomatic phrases without realising it (e.g. the key to solving a problem). To read a longer explanation about using idioms, click here. Read that lesson carefully, and be very careful with the type of idioms that you use.

June 16, 2017

IELTS Advice: just keep going!

The most important thing that writing this blog has taught me is to keep going. Some days I have great lesson ideas and other days I don't, but I write something anyway.

And I believe that you can study for IELTS in the same way - just do something (even something very small or quick) every day, and you'll reach your goal in the end.

June 13, 2017

IELTS Writing Task 2: Google my phrases

Take another look at the phrases in this vocabulary lesson. Choose five of the phrases and put them into Google. It's interesting to see some other examples of how those phrases have been used in non-IELTS contexts.

For example, here are the results of my Google search for the highlighted parts of each sentence below.

Opinions differ as to whether Edward Snowden should be punished or rewarded.
Is poverty a necessary aspect of capitalism?
More money does not lead to better educational outcomes.
Scientists say yoga is just as beneficial as cardio exercise and could fend off heart disease.
You want your employees to be able to apply the knowledge acquired from the training programs.

June 09, 2017

IELTS Advice: good writing looks easy (but it isn't)

I sometimes hear from students who believe that my essays seem too easy. Have another look at the essay that I wrote on Wednesday, and the vocabulary list in yesterday's lesson. Is it really as easy as it seems to write like that?

June 08, 2017

IELTS Vocabulary: groups of words

Individual words (e.g. big, difficult or unusual words) are not the secret to getting a good vocabulary score in IELTS writing or speaking.

Instead, it's your ability to use groups of words (e.g. collocations and phrases) that will impress the examiner.

Look at these examples from the essay that I shared on Wednesday:

opinions differ as to whether or not
the setting of homework
a necessary aspect of
an unnecessary burden on
there is evidence to support the idea that
improve educational outcomes
regularly top international educational league tables
countries where..... outperform nations where.....
setting homework is the norm
is just as beneficial as
from the perspective of
brain development
has an important role to play in
the schooling of children
encourages independent learning and problem solving
are challenged to work through tasks
at their own pace
In doing so, .....
apply the knowledge
consolidate their understanding
concepts taught by their teacher
develop an independent study habit
certainly has its drawbacks
the benefits outweigh them in the long term

June 04, 2017

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'homework' essay

Here's my full essay for the question below.

Some people believe that school children should not be given homework by their teachers, whereas others argue that homework plays an important role in the education of children. Discuss both of these views and give your own opinion.

People’s opinions differ as to whether or not school children should be given homework. While there are some strong arguments against the setting of homework, I still believe that it is a necessary aspect of education.

There are several reasons why people might argue that homework is an unnecessary burden on children. Firstly, there is evidence to support the idea that homework does nothing to improve educational outcomes. Countries such as Finland, where school children are not given homework, regularly top international educational league tables and outperform nations where setting homework is the norm. Secondly, many parents would agree that the school day is already long enough, and leaves their children too tired to do further study when they return home. Finally, it is recognised that play time is just as beneficial as study time from the perspective of brain development.

In spite of the above arguments, I support the view that homework has an important role to play in the schooling of children. The main benefit of homework is that it encourages independent learning and problem solving, as children are challenged to work through tasks alone and at their own pace. In doing so, students must apply the knowledge that they have learnt in the classroom. For example, by doing mathematics exercises at home, students consolidate their understanding of the concepts taught by their teacher at school. In my view, it is important for children to develop an independent study habit because this prepares them to work alone as adults.

In conclusion, homework certainly has its drawbacks, but I believe that the benefits outweigh them in the long term.

(270 words, band 9)

June 02, 2017

IELTS Advice: study alone or take lessons?

Studying alone

It's certainly possible to prepare for the IELTS test alone. Every week I receive messages from people who tell me that they passed the test without attending any "normal" lessons. Some of them used only the free lessons here on the blog, while others found my video course to be exactly what they needed.

Taking lessons

On the other hand, not everyone likes working independently. You might find that attending English lessons with a teacher suits you better. The good news is that your teacher doesn't need to be an IELTS expert. You already have all the IELTS advice that you need here, so just try to find a good "general English" teacher.

A middle point

A "middle point" between the two paths above could be to study alone but get some feedback from an IELTS teacher every now and then. For example, you could study my blog lessons, and then get an essay checked or try taking a realistic online speaking test with one of my colleagues. If you're working alone, a teacher's feedback will make sure you're on the right track.

June 01, 2017

IELTS Vocabulary: weekly review

Here's a list of the good vocabulary from this week's blog lessons. Copy the words and phrases, and see if you can use them in your own sentences.

Writing task 2:

homework is an unnecessary burden on children
there is evidence to support the idea that...
improve educational outcomes
top (verb) international league tables
outperform (verb)
setting homework is the norm
play time is just as beneficial as study time
from the perspective of

Writing task 1:

the table compares..... in terms of.....
experienced (verb) educational problems
reduce the incidence of
saw a rise in
children who were struggling

Speaking part 2:

a small, family-run place
all the more welcoming and inviting
to catch up with someone (informal)
what we had been up to (informal)
made us feel at home
from the moment we walked in
polite, approachable and attentive
nothing was too much to ask
the delicious food, good company and friendly service
made it an unforgettable evening

May 28, 2017

IELTS Writing Task 2: ideas, sentences, paragraph

Instead of always writing full essays, it's a good idea to practise single paragraphs. Start with ideas (a 5-point plan), then write a sentence for each idea. If you make sure the sentences "flow" properly and work well together, you'll be able to create a good paragraph.

Here's an example:

Planned ideas (arguments against homework)
1. Topic (e.g. People disagree with homework for several reasons)
2. Firstly: homework does not improve educational outcomes
3. Example: achievements of countries like Finland
4. Secondly: school day is long enough, children are tired
5. Finally: play time is equally beneficial for development

5-sentence paragraph using the ideas above
There are several reasons why people might argue that homework is an unnecessary burden on children. Firstly, there is evidence to support the idea that homework does nothing to improve educational outcomes. Countries such as Finland, where school children are not given homework, regularly top international educational league tables and outperform nations where setting homework is the norm. Secondly, many parents would agree that the school day is already long enough, and leaves their children too tired to do further study when they return home. Finally, it is recognised that play time is just as beneficial as study time from the perspective of brain development.

May 26, 2017

IELTS Advice: a change of mindset

(mindset = established set of attitudes or way of thinking)

It seems to me that too many students have a "grammar mindset". They believe that 'complex structures' are the key to a high IELTS score, and they focus on learning grammar rules and linking phrases.

I prefer the "vocabulary mindset". Students who have this mindset are more concerned about how native speakers really use the language. They 'collect' words, phrases and collocations by doing lots of reading and listening, and they enjoy using the new vocabulary that they have 'copied' from these sources.

To me, the vocabulary mindset seems much more positive and proactive than the grammar mindset. It seems less critical and more curious, and I also think that it makes language learning more fun!

May 25, 2017

IELTS Grammar: with + ing

Look at the following sentence from one of my task 1 answers:

A dramatic increase in both commodity prices was seen from 2007 to 2008, with oil prices reaching a peak of approximately $130 per barrel and the food price index rising to 220 points.

Notice how this sentence is written: first I state the overall trend, then there is a comma, then I add the statistics using "with + ing".

See if you can write a similar sentence using the information below.

- The number of young people who attended UK universities rose (2006 to 2015)
- Female university entrants: an increase of 20,000 over the 9-year period
- Male university entrants: peaked at 157,000 in 2011

May 22, 2017

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'homework' essay plan

Here's a 13-sentence essay plan for the question above:

Introduction
1. Introduce the topic (e.g. People have different views about…)
2. Give a general answer, mentioning both sides and your opinion

One view (arguments against homework)
3. Topic (e.g. People disagree with homework for several reasons)
4. Firstly: homework does not improve educational outcomes
5. Example: achievements of countries like Finland
6. Secondly: school day is long enough, children are tired
7. Finally: play time is equally beneficial for development

Opposite view / my view (some homework is necessary)
8. Topic (e.g. In spite of the above arguments, I support the view that…)
9. Explain: encourage independent learning, problem solving
10. Explain: apply knowledge learnt in the classroom
11. Example: maths exercises to consolidate ability to...
12. Result: prepares people to work alone as adults

Conclusion
13. Repeat / summarise your answer

May 21, 2017

IELTS Vocabulary: a detailed explanation

I've just written a long response to some good questions in the "comments" area below this lesson. If you're aiming for band 7 or higher, I think you should read the little debate we've been having!

May 19, 2017

IELTS Grammar / Vocabulary: 'advanced and complex'?

In this lesson I'll try to answer Kami's question (see yesterday's lesson). Let's start by looking at the sentence below in more detail.

Fierce debates have been provoked if assignments ought to be done by students.

Grammar
There's really only one grammar mistake in the sentence above: the word "if" is used wrongly. We would need to write something like this: "Fierce debates have been provoked about the issue of whether assignments..."

Vocabulary
However, vocabulary is the real problem in the sentence:

The word fierce is much too strong, and seems unnatural or inappropriate in this context. Are people really having fierce (i.e. furious, very angry) debates about homework?
I would also question the use of the word debates. Are people really debating this homework issue? Maybe they are, but this still seems a little exaggerated to me.
Next, while it isn't grammatically wrong, I would question the use of the word provoked. Has someone or something provoked this debate?
Finally, assignments are not necessarily the same thing as homework. Assignments can be done in the classroom, so the use of this word confuses the issue.

While the grammar of the original sentence was almost correct, any native English speaker would find the sentence strange or unnatural, due to the vocabulary issues mentioned above. There's nothing "advanced or complex" about choosing inappropriate or exaggerated words that no English speaker would use.

Final tip:
It's good to be fascinated by new words and phrases, but using them correctly and appropriately is a different challenge. For most people, trying to write like an English-speaking journalist or novelist is like trying to play football at the level of Messi or Ronaldo! If you aim for such a high level, you're likely to make big mistakes.

May 18, 2017

IELTS Grammar / Vocabulary: too simple?

In Wednesday's lesson I said that the sentence below needed to be corrected and improved.

Fierce debates have been provoked if assignments ought to be done by students.

In the "comments" below the lesson, I suggested two corrected versions:

People have different views about whether school pupils should have to do homework.
Opinions differ as to whether (or not) school children should be given homework.

But a student (Kami) asked a useful question:

Hi Simon. You made it too simple. What if I were fascinated by more advanced and complex structures to use while I apply correct grammar? I failed to find any grammar mistakes in the first sentence.

How do you think I should answer Kami's question? Are my suggestions too simple? And what advice do you think I should give about the issue of "advanced and complex structures"? I'll give you my answer and advice in tomorrow's lesson.

May 15, 2017

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'homework' mistakes

Here are some sentences that people wrote about the "homework" topic that I shared with you in last week's lesson. Can you correct the mistakes and improve the sentences?

Fierce debates have been provoked if assignments ought to be done by students.
Although there are some merits of doing homework, I would argue that homework is not as vital as the public reckons.
They always garner the top scores in every competition of major subjects.
There are people who argue the benefits of getting rid of homework from the students.
Since home work is gainful for students, teachers need to ensure that they are not burdening students with excessive tasks.
Children in school prefer to undergo everything what they learn rather than try hard in homework.

Note: Apart from any grammar mistakes, each of the sentences above contains a word or phrase that doesn't work in the context. Can you identify the vocabulary problem in each sentence?

May 13, 2017

IELTS Advice: focus on YOU, get the job done!

Yesterday I asked you to consider how you would respond to "exam environment" problems, like unfriendly staff or noise from other candidates.

Here's what I think about these problems: they are out of your control, so it's best to ignore them. Instead, you should focus on your own performance only - this is something that you can control.

In the right frame of mind, we are all capable of performing well under pressure. We can ignore other people and external distractions, and we can focus on the job that needs doing. Approach the test as a "professional" - if you've prepared properly, you're ready to get the job done!

May 12, 2017

IELTS Advice: the exam environment

A student wrote to me recently to tell me about his negative experience of the test centre on the day of his IELTS exam. He said that the test centre staff were unfriendly and unhelpful, and he wondered whether it was a good idea to complain.

Let's consider some problems that you might experience on your test day:

unfriendly staff
an unfriendly examiner
other candidates coughing or sneezing
unclear instructions from staff
noises outside the building
a wobbly table
any other problem with the exam environment that you can think of

What should you do about these problems? Tell us what you would do in the 'comments' area below, and I'll give you my advice in tomorrow's lesson.

May 08, 2017

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'homework' question

Following the video that I shared in yesterday's lesson, here's a writing task 2 question on the same topic:

See if you can plan your answer in the same way as I did in this lesson.

May 05, 2017

IELTS Grammar / Vocabulary: 'fixed phrases'

Sometimes it's better not to look at word usage from a grammar perspective. Instead, we can accept that some phrases are 'fixed', and there's no point worrying about the individual words within them.

The phrase "I look forward to seeing you", from yesterday's lesson, is a good example. There's no point trying to understand why we use "to + ing" in this phrase. Just learn it as a fixed phrase.

Let's take another example. Someone asked me for a grammatical explanation of my use of the word "for" in the sentence below:

One option would be for police officers to visit schools. (taken from this essay)

Here's the answer that I gave the student:

It might be best to learn the whole phrase "one option would be for x to..." without trying to understand it word by word. You could consider this to be a 'fixed phrase'.

In other words, rather than looking at this from a grammar perspective, you could learn it as a vocabulary item. Then, the best way to understand the phrase is to see it used in various different contexts. Here are some examples from a Google search:

One option would be for national authorities to intervene.
In order to improve the economy, one option would be for the government to invest in infrastructure.
One option would be for staff to work more hours.

May 04, 2017

IELTS Grammar: 'to' with 'ing'

Many students have learnt that 'to' can't be followed by a word ending in 'ing'. But you might have noticed that I break this 'rule' in some of my essays. For example:

"strict punishments for driving offences are the key to reducing traffic accidents"

This phrase is completely correct, so it must mean that the "rule" was wrong! You can put 'to' with 'ing' in many situations. Here are some examples:

The key to being more productive is...
I look forward to seeing you.
He admitted to taking the money.
Scientists are closer to being able to...
Seven steps to reaching your goals!

Can you find any more examples?
Tip: try searching on Google for "to being", "to having", "to doing" etc.

April 30, 2017

IELTS Writing Task 2: using a dictionary

Don't forget that a good English dictionary should be a key tool as you prepare for the IELTS test. Here's an example of how a dictionary can help you:

The other day I received a message from a student who asked why I wrote "the media are" instead of "the media is" in one of the sentences in my ebook.

Instead of trying to answer this question myself, I simply copied the relevant section from my computer's dictionary. Here's what it says:

media
usage: The word media comes from the Latin plural of medium. The traditional view is that it should therefore be treated as a plural noun in all its senses in English and be used with a plural rather than a singular verb: the media have not followed the reports (rather than ‘has’). In practice, in the sense ‘television, radio, and the press collectively’, it behaves as a collective noun (like staff or clergy, for example), which means that it is now acceptable in standard English for it to take either a singular or a plural verb.

April 27, 2017

IELTS Advice: easy essay structure

Whether you're doing the academic test or the general test, I recommend that you use the 4-paragraph, 13-sentence essay structure that you can see in yesterday's lesson.

Look again at yesterday's essay plan; I think it's very clear and easy to follow. If you get used to planning and organising your essays in this way, the 'structure' part becomes easy and you have more time to focus on good ideas and vocabulary.

April 23, 2017

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'simple but good' introduction

Last week I showed you an example of a bad introduction for the question below. The main problem was the overuse of 'template phrases'. Now let's look at a good introduction.

Here's the question again:

Because computers can translate all languages very quickly and accurately, learning a foreign language is a waste of time. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Here's a "simple but good" introduction:

It is true that computer programs are now able to carry out language translation tasks far more quickly than any human can. However, I completely disagree with the idea that this development makes learning foreign languages unnecessary.

April 17, 2017

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'bad' introduction example

Have a look at this recent exam question:

Because computers can translate all languages very quickly and accurately, learning a foreign language is a waste of time. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Now look at this example of a 'bad' introduction:

The discussion about whether or not the assimilation of a foreign tongue is needful in this age of computer translation is a contentious one. Although it is undoubtedly true that computers will be of paramount importance throughout all human cultures in the coming years, I am diametrically opposed to the given statement.

Can you see why I think this is a bad introduction? Can you explain what the main problem is? How would you write it in the style that I normally suggest?

April 14, 2017

IELTS Advice: acceptable templates

Yesterday I showed you a 'bad' conclusion template, but what does a 'good' template look like?

One way for me to answer this is to recommend that you forget about templates completely. Just use the shortest, most basic 'organising' phrases, like "In conclusion", and focus on answering the question. In other words, you should worry about 'topic language', not 'template language'.

On the other hand, if you really want a template for conclusions, have a look at this lesson. The templates you'll see there are acceptable.

April 13, 2017

IELTS Advice: don't use 'templates' like this

A student sent me the following 'template' for writing task 2 conclusions:

In conclusion, not only..... but also..... I believe..... . So, that’s why without a doubt that everyone should concern alongside authority and help each other's out to have a good and updated (topic).

My advice is simple: throw this template away! First, it contains mistakes. Second, it doesn't really make sense. And third, it's an example of the kind of "memorised language" that I wrote about in last Sunday's lesson. You'll probably get a lower score if you write in this way.

April 08, 2017

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'agree or disagree' essay samples

Here are links to four of my essays, each of which demonstrates one of the four "systems" that I recommended in last week's lesson.

1. Click here to see a strong answer with two supporting ideas.

2. Click here to see a strong answer in which I refute the opposite view.

3. Click here to see a balanced answer.

4. Click here to see an "almost balanced" answer, favouring one side.

Remember:
All four systems are equally good. I don't really have a favourite one - it all depends on the question and the ideas that I have. However, if you prefer to choose one or two of these systems and just practise it / them, that's fine!

April 03, 2017

IELTS Advice: memorised language

What do examiners consider to be "memorised language", and how will your score be affected if you use it?

Words
Individual words will not be considered memorised. However, if you have learnt some "big" words, you should make sure that you can use them in a natural and appropriate way, because incorrect use of words will affect your vocabulary score.

Phrases
It's fine to memorise and use "topic vocabulary" phrases (e.g. the opportunity to engage face-to-face) and short organising phrases (e.g. people have different views about...). However, I recommend that you avoid learning long "any essay" phrases (e.g. ... is a controversial and hotly debated issue in today's world). These "phrases for any essay" are very obvious to the examiner, and you'll probably get a lower score if you use them.

Sentences
Again, "topic vocabulary" is fine, but "any essay" sentences are not. So, if the question is about environmental problems, you can use a full sentence from my blog (e.g. Human activity is a major factor in the rise of the greenhouse gases that cause global warming). Having said that, it isn't easy to memorise full sentences for a wide range of topics, so I advise people to learn shorter "topic" phrases instead.

Paragraphs and full essays
If you write a perfect paragraph or full essay from memory and it fits the question, the examiner will not know and you will not be penalised. However, you would need to memorise hundreds of essays, so I don't recommend that you take this approach! Furthermore, if you write a perfect essay but it doesn't match the question, you will score zero!

My final tip
I recommend that you learn words and phrases (and maybe a few full sentences) for common IELTS topics, as well as some simple words and phrases for linking and organising your ideas. Don't learn lists of "phrases for any essay".

April 02, 2017

IELTS Advice: it's fine to use my ideas

If you use words, phrases or sentences from this website or from my ebook, will the examiner know that you have copied me, and therefore consider part of your answer to be memorised?

The answer is no! You can, and you should, use the language that you find on this site. If you can't use the language that a teacher gives you, how are you expected to learn English?

For example, look at the following sentence from my most recent essay:

"Students may not have the opportunity to engage face-to-face with their teachers."

It would be fine to use a word (e.g. engage) or a phrase (e.g. the opportunity to engage face-to-face) from this sentence. You can even use the whole sentence, as long as it's relevant to the question that you have been asked.

So what do examiners consider to be "memorised language"? I'll explain that in tomorrow's lesson.

March 30, 2017

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'agree or disagree' essay structures

If you're still confused about how to answer questions that ask "to what extent do you agree or disagree?", just use one of the essay structures below.

Notice that we never discuss the views of other people in this type of essay; the question asks for your views.

Strong answer, two supporting ideas

1. Introduce the topic, then state a strong opinion (e.g. I completely agree)
2. Main paragraph: explain one reason for your opinion
3. Main paragraph: explain another reason for your opinion
4. Conclusion: repeat / summarise your view

Strong answer, refute the opposite view

1. Introduce the topic, then state a strong opinion (e.g. I completely agree)
2. Main paragraph: explain your opinion
3. Main paragraph: explain why you think the opposite view is wrong
4. Conclusion: repeat / summarise your view

Balanced opinion

1. Introduce the topic, then explain that you have a balanced view
2. Main paragraph: explain your views on one side of the argument
3. Main paragraph: explain why you also recognise the opposite view
4. Conclusion: repeat / summarise your views

Almost balanced opinion, but favouring one side

1. Introduce the topic, then use a "while" sentence (while I accept A, I believe B)
2. Main paragraph: explain why you accept one side of the argument
3. Main paragraph: but explain why you still favour the opposite view
4. Conclusion: repeat / summarise your views

Task:
I have used all four of the 'systems' above in different essays here on the blog. Can you find and link to an example essay for each system?

March 27, 2017

IELTS Grammar: 'overview' mistakes

Here are some sentences that people wrote below Thursday's writing task 1 lesson. Can you find and correct the mistakes?

There are a lot of fluctuations in cost these years.
Prices of both food and oil have a significant increase in eleven years.
The trends show almost similar figures throughout the period.
Oil and food prices follow nearly same trends within period.
Both goods increased theirs prices throughout the period shown.
Both goods had their prices increased throughout the period shown.

March 22, 2017

IELTS Grammar: a student's question

A student asked me about the following sentence:

Traffic jams are a feature of everyday life in modern cities.

He asked me if the following version is also correct:

Traffic jams are a feature of everyday's life in modern cities.

What do you think? Is the second sentence correct? Why / why not?

March 20, 2017

IELTS Writing Task 2: essay analysis

Here's my analysis of the essay in last week's lesson:

Task response
If you look at the 'skeleton' of my essay (introduction, first sentence of each body paragraph, conclusion), you can see that I answer the question very clearly. Then, within the body paragraphs there are well-developed ideas to support my answer.

Coherence and cohesion (i.e. organisation)
I used my normal method: 4 paragraphs containing 13 sentences in total. The essay is easy to read because it is well organised and the ideas are developed in a very clear, logical way. Linking words (e.g. and, similarly, this, for example, mentioned above, firstly, secondly, finally, while, which) are used to connect ideas, but the linking doesn't distract the reader from the content.

Vocabulary
I reviewed the good vocabulary in this lesson. Remember that your vocabulary score comes from your use of 'topic vocabulary', not linking words or phrases.

Grammar
The essay contains a mix of long and short sentences, and there are no mistakes. Remember: as soon as you use connecting words like and, while or which, you will automatically create compound or complex sentences, so there's no need to worry about "complex grammatical structures".

March 16, 2017

IELTS Vocabulary: review

Let's review the good vocabulary from this week's writing and speaking lessons. First, some phrases from my task 2 essay:

are becoming a common feature of
Internet-based learning
less direct interaction
the opportunity to engage face-to-face with
rely on written forms of communication
come into direct contact with
a negative impact on peer support
chatting through website forum areas
element of competition
study in a flexible way
cover the material at their own pace
revenues for institutions
regardless of age, location, ability and background
enrolled on an online MBA course

Second, some phrases from Friday's speaking lesson:

just down the road
a bite to eat
I found myself getting distracted
a change of scenery
made the short walk
just the right level of background noise
over the course of the afternoon
takes a lot of pride in making
avoid drinking too much caffeine
on that occasion
the atmosphere and noise level
focus on my work without distractions

Note: You should see a difference in 'tone' (i.e. how formal or informal something is) between the two lists of phrases above. Can you see what I mean?

March 15, 2017

IELTS Grammar: plural with singular

Did you notice the following sentence in my essay on Wednesday?

Online courses are becoming a common feature of university education.

It might seem strange to mix a plural with a singular like this, but it's correct. The reason is that the courses are being grouped together as one feature. Look at some similar examples:

- Traffic jams are a feature of everyday life in modern cities.
- Online courses are a positive development.
- Electric cars are a good idea.
- Lower birth rates in America are an interesting trend.

March 12, 2017

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'positive or negative' essay

Here's my full band 9 essay. I'll analyse it in next week's lesson.

Some universities now offer their courses on the Internet so that people can study online. Is this a positive or negative development?

It is true that online courses are becoming a common feature of university education. Although there are some drawbacks of Internet-based learning, I would argue that there are far more benefits.

The main drawback of the trend towards online university courses is that there is less direct interaction. Students may not have the opportunity to engage face-to-face with their teachers, and will instead have to rely on written forms of communication. Similarly, students who study online do not come into direct contact with each other, and this could have a negative impact on peer support, discussion and exchange of ideas. For example, whereas students on traditional courses can attend seminars and even discuss their subjects over coffee after lessons, online learners are restricted to chatting through website forum areas. These learners may also lack the motivation and element of competition that face-to-face group work brings.

Despite the negatives mentioned above, I believe that online university courses are a positive development for various reasons. Firstly, they allow learners to study in a flexible way, meaning that they can work whenever and wherever is convenient, and they can cover the material at their own pace. Secondly, the cost of a university education can be greatly reduced, while revenues for institutions may increase as more students can be taught. Finally, online learning offers open access to anybody who is willing to study, regardless of age, location, ability and background. For example, my uncle, who is 65 years old, has recently enrolled on an online MBA course in a different country, which would have been impossible in the days before Internet-based education.

In conclusion, while I recognise the possible disadvantages of online learning, I consider it to be a positive development overall.

March 07, 2017

IELTS Advice: the other 75%

Remember that 'grammar' is only 25% of your writing and speaking scores. I think you'll improve your scores faster if you focus on the other 75%.

In the writing test, the other 75% comes from your ideas, vocabulary and essay organisation. In the speaking test, the 75% comes from your fluency and coherence, vocabulary and pronunciation. Why not spend more time on those things instead of worrying so much about grammar?

March 03, 2017

IELTS Writing Task 2: positive or negative development?

If the question asks you 'Is this a positive or negative development?', you are being asked to give your opinion. Therefore, I consider this to be an "opinion" question, similar to the question 'To what extent do you agree or disagree?'.

Notice the use of the word 'or': positive or negative, agree or disagree. You are not being told to discuss the positives and negatives.

Having said that, it is perfectly acceptable for you to write about both sides. For example, look at the following question and my introduction and conclusion below. Can you see how I give a clear answer that mentions both sides?

Question:
Some universities now offer their courses on the Internet so that people can study online. Is this a positive or negative development?

Introduction:
It is true that online courses are becoming a common feature of university education. Although there are some drawbacks of Internet-based learning, I would argue that there are far more benefits.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, while I recognise the possible disadvantages of online learning, I consider this to be a positive development overall.

I'll show you a full essay for this topic next week.

February 26, 2017

IELTS Advice: slow practice

I've mentioned slow practice in a few lessons this week, and I've explained before that you should aim to get better before you get faster (click here to see that lesson).

Before I finish with the "slow" theme, I'd like to recommend that you put the words "slow practice" into Google (or another search engine). You'll find lots of interesting articles about the importance of slow practice in music, sport, martial arts and other areas of life. Why not use the same concept as one of your language learning tools?

February 22, 2017

IELTS Writing Task 2: some grammar advice

People often ask me about the grammar score in IELTS writing. For example, here's a typical question:

What exactly are examiners looking for in terms of “grammatical range and accuracy”? Are there any specific tenses or types of sentence that should be included in the essay?

Here's my answer:

The main thing is to reduce the number of mistakes that you make. An essay that contains no mistakes is likely to get a 9 for grammar, regardless of the types of sentence that it may or may not contain.

There is nothing in the scoring criteria about including specific tenses or sentence constructions. If there is a nice mix of long and short sentences in your essay, you'll meet the grammar requirements. Remember: as soon as you write a "long" sentence you are naturally going to use connectives (linking words), which will make the sentence 'compound' or 'complex'. So, don't think too much about the grammar - just aim to reduce the number of mistakes that you make, and try to include a few longer sentences.

February 18, 2017

IELTS Grammar: is, will, would, would have

Compare the following sentences. Can you explain the difference in meaning between each one, or suggest when we might use each one?

1) This book is useful.

2) This book will be useful.

3) This book would be useful.

4) This book would have been useful.

February 15, 2017

IELTS Writing Task 2: analyse this paragraph

Here's a main-body paragraph for the essay question in last week's lesson:

In my opinion, people buy new things rather than repairing damaged items because manufacturers and advertisers encourage this behaviour. Companies know that to maximise profits they must constantly update their products. They do this either by making technological improvements, especially in the case of gadgets like phones and laptops, or by creating new fashions, in the case of items like clothes or homeware. As a result, consumer goods quickly become obsolete, and there is no incentive for people to repair damaged items when a new and more desirable model is available. Furthermore, modern products tend to be difficult to repair, and it is often cheaper to simply buy a replacement.

Analyse the paragraph by considering the following questions:

Is it a "firstly, secondly, finally" paragraph or an "idea, explain, example" paragraph?
How many sentences does it contain?
What does each sentence do?
How are the ideas linked together in a coherent way?
Is there a mix of short and long sentences?
Can you find any good vocabulary?

February 12, 2017

IELTS Advice: 'difficult' words

I've written about this many times before, but I still hear from many people who think that the way to get a higher score is by using big, difficult or 'original' words.

For example, a student commented recently that she had improved her English by learning the words ameliorate, juggernaut and katzenjammer. I can honestly say that I had never seen or heard the word 'katzenjammer' before. My dictionary says that it is an informal and old-fashioned word that was used in the US, which explains why I didn't know it. If you use a word like that in your IELTS essay, your writing will look very strange!

Please don't waste your time learning strange words. Instead, read through the writing lessons on this website, and try to copy the writing style that I use.

February 09, 2017

IELTS Writing Task 2: two-part question

We haven't looked at a 2-part question for a while, so let's try this one:

These days many of us prefer to throw damaged things away, whereas in the past people used to repair damaged items and keep them for a long time.  Explain why you think this change has happened.  What are the effects of this change in attitude?

For this type of question, I would start with an "It is true..." sentence, followed by a "There are various..." sentence:

It is true that people tend to discard their old or damaged possessions these days, rather than repairing them. There are various reasons why we behave in this way, and it seems to me that the effects are largely negative.

February 06, 2017

IELTS Grammar: compound and complex?

Some IELTS students spend a lot of time preparing "difficult" sentence structures to impress the examiner. One particular issue that people ask me about is the use of 'compound' and 'complex' sentences.

The first thing I would say about compound and complex sentences is that they are not "difficult". Here in the UK, children learn about these sentence structures in primary school (click here to see how children are taught to understand sentence types). If you use words like and, but, because, although, while, when to connect ideas, you will automatically write a longer sentence that will be either compound or complex.

The second thing I would say is that you should not be worrying about these things when you are writing an IELTS essay. Just focus on answering the question and explaining your ideas well. I'm sure you'll naturally use "connecting" words to join ideas and create some longer sentences, so there's no need to worry about this at all.

February 01, 2017

IELTS Writing Task 2: numbering your essay plan

Whenever I do a course on IELTS writing here in Manchester, I always ask the students this question at the end of the day:

What did I teach you today that will change the way you do the test?

One of the most common answers that students give me is: doing a good essay plan and numbering the ideas in the plan. (as shown in this video lesson)

January 29, 2017

IELTS Vocabulary: essay review

Here are the "band 7 to 9" phrases from Wednesday's essay. See if you can write a full sentence with each of these phrases.

technological developments
lead to the loss of
this assertion
it may be true in the case of
seem to be unaffected by
advances in technology that have driven industrialisation
contributed to the disappearance of
in pre-industrial Britain
generations of families grew up in small communities
a strong sense of identity
shared customs and beliefs
led to the dispersal of families
villages are inhabited by commuters
traditional cultures still thrive
have been completely untouched by
hunt and gather food
traditional skills are passed on to children by parents and elders
are embracing communications technologies
access to information
from weather predictions to market prices
helps them to prosper
have survived and even flourished

Vocabulary was a strong feature in Wednesday's essay, but I'll talk about some other aspects of the essay tomorrow.

January 25, 2017

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'traditions and technology' essay

Read my full essay for the question below. I've tried to keep it as concise as possible, but it's still good enough for a band 9 score.

It is inevitable that traditional cultures will be lost as technology develops. Technology and traditional cultures are incompatible. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?

Some people believe that technological developments lead to the loss of traditional cultures. I partly agree with this assertion; while it may be true in the case of some societies, others seem to be unaffected by technology and the modern world.

On the one hand, the advances in technology that have driven industrialisation in developed countries have certainly contributed to the disappearance of traditional ways of life. For example, in pre-industrial Britain, generations of families grew up in the same small village communities. These communities had a strong sense of identity, due to their shared customs and beliefs. However, developments in transport, communications and manufacturing led to the dispersal of families and village communities as people moved to the cities in search of work. Nowadays most British villages are inhabited by commuters, many of whom do not know their closest neighbours.

On the other hand, in some parts of the world traditional cultures still thrive. There are tribes in the Amazon Rainforest, for example, that have been completely untouched by the technological developments of the developed world. These tribal communities continue to hunt and gather food from the forest, and traditional skills are passed on to children by parents and elders. Other traditional cultures, such as farming communities in parts of Africa, are embracing communications technologies. Mobile phones give farmers access to information, from weather predictions to market prices, which helps them to prosper and therefore supports their culture.

In conclusion, many traditional ways of life have been lost as a result of advances in technology, but other traditional communities have survived and even flourished.

(266 words, band 9)

Note: I'll analyse this essay in another lesson this weekend.

January 19, 2017

IELTS Vocabulary: culture / a culture

The word "culture" is tricky because it can be used as an uncountable or a countable noun. It also has various meanings. A better understanding of this word will help you with the writing task that we've been working on, so let's look at some definitions and uses.

1. Culture (uncountable): don't use with "a", don't make it plural

This means the customs, beliefs, way of life, art, music, literature or social organisation of a group of people.

For example:
- I'm studying European culture. (everything from beliefs to art)
- This city is full of culture and history. (art, old buildings, traditional food etc.)

2. Culture (countable): a culture / different cultures

When we make 'culture' countable, we are usually* talking about the group of people itself. So, 'a culture' can be similar to 'a society' or 'a community'.

For example:
- Children are taught to respect different cultures. (different groups of people)
- Traditional cultures are disappearing. (traditional societies or communities)

*Note:
You might also see "a culture" used to describe an "attitude" e.g. The manager is trying to create a culture of success.

January 18, 2017

IELTS Vocabulary: less formal for speaking

In the speaking test, you can use conversational (less formal) phrases that you wouldn't use in the writing test. Here are some examples from yesterday's lesson:

leave something until the last minute
work flat out (meaning: work hard without stopping)
get something finished
get something done
one in particular that I really struggled with
put something off (meaning: avoid doing it)
in the end
have mixed feelings about
get started on something
to go through it again (meaning: to do or experience something again)

I also used some good words and phrases that would be suitable for both speaking and writing (i.e. this vocabulary is not informal):

procrastinating
producing a final draft
complete the final draft
the pressure of such a close deadline
manage the task in an efficient way
I limited myself to just ten research sources
summarise and synthesise
I was relieved and quite impressed with myself

The vocabulary in the two lists above might not seem 'difficult', but it's the kind of natural "native-speaker" language that will impress the examiner. That's why I gave the answer a band 9.

January 15, 2017

IELTS Writing Task 2: three possible introductions

Last week I asked you to think about this question:

It is inevitable that traditional cultures will be lost as technology develops. Technology and traditional cultures are incompatible. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?

There are basically three ways to answer this question: you can agree, disagree or partly agree. So here are three possible introductions:

1. Agree
It is true that technology is developing at an incredible rate, and that traditional societies and cultural practices are disappearing as a result. I therefore agree with the view that technology and traditional cultures cannot coexist.

2. Disagree
Some people would argue that technological developments lead to the disappearance of traditional societies and cultural practices. I completely disagree with this view because I see no reason why technology cannot coexist with traditional cultures and even enhance them.

3. Partly agree / balanced opinion
Some people believe that technological developments lead to the disappearance of traditional cultures. While this may be true in the case of some societies or customs, others seem to be unaffected by technology and the modern world.

Tip:
There isn't a 'best way' to answer, so the three introductions above are equally good. You should choose your answer according to the ideas that you have when you do your essay plan.

January 11, 2017

IELTS Writing Task 2: traditions and technology

Last week I showed you three recent questions and asked which one we should work on next. The first question received the most votes:

It is inevitable that traditional cultures will be lost as technology develops. Technology and traditional cultures are incompatible. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?

Here are some things to consider:

What are "traditional cultures"? It might help if we start with some examples. If you can't think of any, search on the Internet and see what you find. Then choose a couple of easy examples (e.g. the first example I found was the Inuit / Eskimo culture).
Think about whether traditional cultures are being lost in your country. Are people from traditional societies moving to cities and joining "modern culture", or is technology helping them to keep their cultures alive?
Think about the words "inevitable" and "incompatible". These are very strong words! Why can't technology and traditional cultures exist together?
Is there a balanced answer here? Are some traditional cultures being lost while others remain strong? Is technology the only thing that destroys traditional cultures, or just part of the problem? Do some cultures simply choose to ingore new technologies?

I think the question is trickier than it first seems, so let's consider the above points carefully before we write or even plan anything!

January 08, 2017

IELTS Advice: don't get too technical

A student wrote to me with a useful question:

"My IELTS teacher told us not to mention complex subjects and show off knowledge in the speaking test. I tend to talk about my major using big words and terms to expand my answers. Would this be seen as "showing off knowledge"? And what do you think about this advice?"

To answer this question, let's compare two answers to the question "how often do you eat chocolate?":

Answer 1:
I probably eat something that contains chocolate, like a chocolate bar or a cake, every couple of days.

Answer 2:
I try to keep my chocolate intake to a minimum because it is relatively high in calories, and because sugary foods can lead to insulin resistance.

The second answer might look more difficult and impressive, but it actually seems inappropriate and unnatural. I much prefer the first answer. So, I think this is what the teacher meant when he/she advised students not to "show off their knowledge", and I agree with this advice.

January 05, 2017

IELTS Writing Task 2: three recent questions

Here are 3 exam questions that people have sent me recently. Which one do you think we should work on next?

1.
It is inevitable that traditional cultures will be lost as technology develops. Technology and traditional cultures are incompatible. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?

2.
Some universities now offer their courses on the Internet so that people everywhere can study them. Is this a positive or negative development?

3.
Some people believe that the main benefit of international cooperation is the protection of the environment, while others think that the main benefits are in the world of business. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

December 28, 2016

IELTS Writing Task 2: convert notes into sentences

It's a good idea to practise converting basic notes into full sentences. For example, the notes below come from an essay plan for the question about banning mobile phones (which you can see here).

cigarettes - toxic fumes, passive smoking, health issues
mobile phones - loud conversations - annoying, not dangerous
instead of banning, encourage polite behaviour
e.g. turning phones off in cinema - respect

Let's convert the above notes into full sentences:

Cigarettes produce toxic fumes which are inhaled by others; this is known as passive smoking, and can lead to serious health issues.
While loud conversations on mobile phones can be annoying for others, this is not comparable with the dangers of inhaling cigarette smoke.
Rather than imposing a ban, it is much more sensible to encourage polite mobile phone behaviour.
In cinemas, for instance, the audience is politely asked to turn phones off during the film, and most people respect this request.

If you can convert notes into sentences, you'll be able to convert an essay plan into a full essay. So practise doing this as much as you can!

December 24, 2016

IELTS Grammar: test it with an easier sentence

If you're unsure about a bit of grammar, see what happens when you look at it in a much easier sentence. I'll demonstrate this with an example.

A student asked me this question:

Should we write "Companies A and B saw waste output fall" or "Companies A and B saw waste output fell"?

I told the student to consider an easier example:

Do we say "I saw him go" or "I saw him went"?

Hopefully the easy example above makes the grammar point much clearer. "Companies A and B saw waste output fall" and "I saw him go" are of course correct.

December 20, 2016

IELTS Writing Task 2: question types

People often ask me about question types. If you don't know what the 4 types of question are, start by reading the lesson linked here.

Now look at the two questions below. A student wrote to me this week to ask whether they should be treated as "opinion" or "discussion" questions.

Is this a positive or negative development?
Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?

What do you think? Which of the four question categories (opinion, discussion, problem / solution, two-part question) do the above questions fit into? And can you find any previous lessons on this website that could help the student who asked me about this?

December 16, 2016

IELTS Advice: yesterday's challenge

In yesterday's lesson I challenged you to read, watch or listen to something new and interesting (in English of course). Thanks to those of you who replied.

Here's my response to the challenge:
After trying to help my nephew to solve his 'Rubik's Revenge' (see picture below), I gave up and went online to find a proper strategy. The interesting text that I ended up reading was this one about how the Rubik's cube is similar to life. In some ways, I think it's also similar to the IELTS exam!

December 15, 2016

IELTS Advice: for 'down days'

If you're having a 'down day' when you don't feel like studying, my advice is this: just read (or watch or listen to) something interesting in English. Search the Internet for a hobby or an interesting topic, and see what you can find.

Here's a challenge to help you:
Can you find a short text or video about something that you have never thought about before today? I'll share my own response to this challenge tomorrow.

December 11, 2016

IELTS Writing Task 2: correct the mistakes

Here are some sentences that people wrote in the 'comments' area below the lesson on this page. Can you find and correct the mistakes?

Mobile phone has been widely used by people around the world.
Prohibiting mobile phone in public places is unequal with smoking ban.
Firstly, when people not respecting others privacy by talking aloud or not using vibration mode while in public areas.
They go to these places for having a good time such as playing a game by smartphone.
The main reason to ban smoking in certain places is passive smoking has a negative effect on public health, while mobile phones do not have.

December 03, 2016

IELTS Advice: techniques / English

I tell my students that they need to work on two things:

Exam techniques: My aim on this blog is to show you how to approach the IELTS test. If you have 'a method for everything', you'll be well-prepared and confident.
English: Of course, exam techniques won't help you to get a high score if your English is only at beginner or intermediate level. You'll also need to learn more English words and phrases, and you'll need to do lots of practice.

How confident do you feel about your progress in the two areas above? Are you improving in each area, or are you struggling with one of them?

December 01, 2016

IELTS Writing Task 2: answer both parts

Last week I showed you the question below, and I asked you to think about which part of the question to answer. Hopefully you realised that it would be better to answer both parts.

The use of mobile phones in public places is as antisocial as smoking. Smoking is banned in certain places, so mobile phones should be banned in the same way. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

So, let's look at the two statements separately.

1) The use of mobile phones in public places is as antisocial as smoking.

This is clearly an opinion, not a fact. We can either agree with the view that the use of mobiles is as antisocial as smoking, or we can disagree. This gives us the perfect topic for our first main body paragraph.

2) Smoking is banned in certain places, so mobile phones should be banned in the same way.

This is also somebody's opinion, and you can choose to agree or disagree with it in your second main paragraph. Of course, what you write here will depend on the opinion that you gave in the first main paragraph.

Note:
- I don't recommend a "partly agree" answer for this question; it will be much easier to either agree or disagree (i.e. have a strong opinion).
- If the question contains two opinion statements, we can usually write a main paragraph about each one.

November 28, 2016

IELTS Vocabulary: words that I don't use

A student asked me: Can I use the words pros and cons, leaps and bounds, merits and demerits?

Here's my simple answer:

No. I don't recommend using any of those words in your IELTS test. I never use them, so why would you use them? By the way, if you want to check whether I use a word, click here and follow the advice about how to search my website.

Here's a longer answer:

Why are you asking about those words? If you are studying vocabulary, you should be focusing on 'topic-specific' vocabulary, not 'generic' language (words and phrases that can be used in any essay). Linking words and other generic words or phrases might be necessary in terms of essay structure, but they don't help your vocabulary score. That's why, for linking and organisation, I prefer to use 'normal' vocabulary like firstly, secondly, finally, however, on the one hand, on the other hand, furthermore, advantages, disadvantages, benefits, positives etc. There is no need to find less common alternatives for these words and phrases.

Finally, a quick explanation:

"pros and cons" is a bit too informal for IELTS writing.
"leaps and bounds" is an informal phrase that we use to talk about improvements e.g. "Since living in the UK, my English has come on in leaps and bounds" (meaning: my English has improved a lot). You might be able to use this in the speaking test, but don't use it in an essay.
"merits and demerits" is not a good alternative for "advantages and disadvantages". I've never used the word "demerits" in my life.

November 25, 2016

IELTS Writing Task 2: a useful question

A student asked me for advice about the question below:

Here's what the student asked:

If I regard the part about mobile phones being antisocial as a fact, and only focus on answering whether we should ban them like smoking, is that okay? And how can we determine which part of the question requires an answer?

What do you think? I'll give you my answer next week.

November 23, 2016

IELTS Vocabulary: from my essay

Here's a list of phrases from my 'festivals' essay that the examiner would consider "less common" (most IELTS candidates probably wouldn't use them):

we no longer remember
treat them as opportunities to
have become times for celebration
people are most concerned with
a holiday period, rather than a time to practise religion
similar behaviour can be seen
non-religious festivals
people associate this occasion with
the underlying meaning of such festivals
songs which have a religious content
perform nativity plays
families play a role in
passing knowledge on to the next generation
festivals' deeper significance
the same is true for
a historical background
in the sense that
at an early age
they are still aware of

Note:
The vocabulary above is not 'difficult'. The difficult thing is to use words together in correct collocations and phrases. Maybe you could try using some of the above phrases in your own full sentences.

November 22, 2016

IELTS Advice: using resources

In yesterday's lesson I explained how I use a thesaurus and a collocations dictionary to help me to gather vocabulary ideas. Did you find it strange that an English teacher (and native English speaker) would need to use these resources?

It's true that, as a native English speaker, if I brainstorm for long enough I can probably find all of the ideas that I need in my head. However, I can make the task so much easier and quicker by using a dictionary, thesaurus, collocations dictionary and the Internet.

Are you using these resources to expand your own language repertoire?

November 19, 2016

IELTS Writing Task 2: festivals essay

Read the full essay that my students and I wrote for the 'festivals' question below. Can you highlight the features that help this essay to get a band 9?

Most people have forgotten the meaning behind traditional or religious festivals; during festival periods, people nowadays only want to enjoy themselves. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

Some people argue that we no longer remember the original meaning of festivals, and that most of us treat them as opportunities to have fun. While I agree that enjoyment seems to be the priority during festival times, I do not agree that people have forgotten what these festivals mean.

On the one hand, religious and traditional festivals have certainly become times for celebration. In the UK, Christmas is a good example of a festival period when people are most concerned with shopping, giving and receiving presents, decorating their homes and enjoying traditional meals with their families. Most people look forward to Christmas as a holiday period, rather than a time to practise religion. Similar behaviour can be seen during non-religious festivals, such as Bonfire Night. People associate this occasion with making fires, watching firework displays, and perhaps going to large events in local parks; in other words, enjoyment is people’s primary goal.

However, I disagree with the idea that the underlying meaning of such festivals has been forgotten. In UK primary schools, children learn in detail about the religious reasons for celebrating Christmas, Easter and a variety of festivals in other religions. For example, in late December, children sing Christmas songs which have a religious content, and they may even perform nativity plays telling the story of Jesus’ birth. Families also play a role in passing knowledge of religious festivals’ deeper significance on to the next generation. The same is true for festivals that have a historical background, such as Bonfire Night or Halloween, in the sense that people generally learn the stories behind these occasions at an early age.

In conclusion, although people mainly want to enjoy themselves during festivals, I believe that they are still aware of the reasons for these celebrations.

(296 words, band 9)

November 13, 2016

IELTS Vocabulary: collocations and phrases

IELTS candidates often use good collocations or phrases, but they get them slightly wrong. This is what happened in the sentences in yesterday's lesson:

1) Use "be + achievement". You can't use "win + achievement"
Example: It was a great achievement. Don't say: I won a great achievement.

2) "my hard work (had) paid off"
Example: I was proud that all of my hard work had paid off.
The mistake in yesterday's lesson was to make this passive (had been paid off).

3) "I'll never forget" and "I never forget" have different meanings
- I'll never forget the day when I passed the exam. (a memorable event)
- I never forget my mother's birthday. (you remember every year)

4) "lose interest in something". Never write the plural "interests"
Example: I lost interest in the course.

5) With the word "difficulty / difficulties" you can use these verbs:
have, face, experience, encounter, run into, get into
You can't say "difficulties concurred".

6) "due to" is followed by a noun, not a subject + verb
Example: due to the fact that I had never...
Don't say: due to I had never...

PS. One of my colleagues has a Facebook page dedicated to 'correct the mistakes' exercises. You can find it here.

November 10, 2016

IELTS Writing Task 2: festivals essay skeleton

My students and I decided to write a balanced answer to the question below.

Here's our balanced answer essay 'skeleton':

Introduction
Some people argue that we no longer remember the original meaning of festivals, and that most of us treat them as opportunities to have fun. While I agree that enjoyment seems to be the priority during festival times, I do not agree that people have forgotten what these festivals mean.

Paragraph 2 topic sentence
On the one hand, religious and traditional festivals have certainly become times for celebration.

Paragraph 3 topic sentence
However, I disagree with the idea that the meaning behind such festivals has been forgotten.

Conclusion
In conclusion, although people mainly want to enjoy themselves during festivals, I believe that they are still aware of the reasons for these celebrations.

November 03, 2016

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'festivals' plan

The best way to answer the question below depends on your own personal experience of traditional and religious festivals in your country.

Last week I recommended that we should start by thinking of some examples before we decide how to answer this question. I'm English, so the easiest examples for me are: Christmas and Easter (religious festivals), Halloween and Bonfire Night (traditional festivals). Now let's look at two possible ways that I could answer.

Completely agree

Introduction: completely agree
Paragraph about religious festivals
Paragraph about traditional festivals
Conclusion

Partly agree

Introduction: partly agree - people mainly want to enjoy themselves, but we do still remember the meaning behind festivals
Paragraph about people enjoying festivals
Paragraph about remembering the meaning
Conclusion

Both approaches are equally good, but which one would you find easiest?

October 29, 2016

IELTS Advice: from a student who passed

This week I received an email from a student who passed the IELTS test with high scores. I'd like to share a simple piece of advice from that person.

Here's what she said:
When I took my exam, I always asked myself, “What would Simon do?”

I think this sums up the whole aim of my blog. If I can help people to "think like me" in the IELTS test, then I'm happy with the job I'm doing!

October 26, 2016

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'festivals' topic

Read the question below, and try to think of some examples that could support or disprove the opinion given. Let's start by thinking of examples before we decide what our view is.

October 17, 2016

IELTS Writing Task 2: one-sentence conclusion

Looking at the conclusions that people wrote below last week's lesson (here), I noticed that many people wrote more than one sentence.

Remember:

The job of a conclusion is to quickly repeat and summarise your overall response to the question.
Don't include any detailed reasons or new ideas.
Your conclusion won't really help or change your score. The main paragraphs are much more important.
One sentence is definitely enough.
Instead of writing a longer conclusion, use any extra time to check your essay or to improve the main body paragraphs.

So here's my conclusion for last week's essay:

In conclusion, I would argue that people should be free to enjoy extreme sports as long as they understand the risks and take the appropriate precautions.

October 12, 2016

IELTS Vocabulary: note it down, then use it

Are you keeping a record of good words and phrases? Have you noted down the good vocabulary from the paragraphs that I shared in Wednesday's writing lesson, and from the answers in yesterday's speaking lesson?

When you read my sample answers, I hope that you sometimes think to yourself: that's a good word/phrase; I'll take that and use it myself.

October 09, 2016

IELTS Writing Task 2: suggest your conclusion

Can you suggest an appropriate conclusion to finish my essay below?

Extreme sports such as sky diving and skiing are very dangerous and should be banned. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?

In recent years, extreme sports have become increasingly popular, and some people argue that governments should prohibit them. I completely disagree with the idea that these sports are too dangerous, and I therefore believe that they should not be banned.

In my opinion, so-called extreme sports are not as dangerous as many people think. All sports involve some element of risk, and there should always be clear regulations and safety procedures to reduce the possibility of accidents. People who take part in extreme sports are usually required to undergo appropriate training so that the dangers are minimised. For example, anyone who wants to try skydiving will need to sign up for lessons with a registered club, and beginners are not allowed to dive solo; they must be accompanied by an experienced professional. Finally, the protective equipment and technology used in sports from motor racing to mountain climbing is constantly improving safety.

While I support regulations and safety measures, I believe that it would be wrong, and almost impossible, to ban extreme sports. In the first place, we should all be free to decide how we spend our leisure time; as long as we understand the risks, I do not believe that politicians should stop us from enjoying ourselves. However, an even stronger argument against such a ban would be the difficulty of enforcing it. Many of the most risky sports, like base jumping or big wave surfing, are practised far away from the reach of any authorities. I cannot imagine the police being called to stop people from parachuting off a mountain face or surfing on an isolated beach.

In conclusion,…

October 07, 2016

IELTS Grammar: correct the mistakes

Here are some sentences that people wrote below yesterday's lesson. Can you find and correct the mistakes?

My name was named by my mom. She likes its sounds.
It's unusual name in my country.
I never change my name because I am proud so much.
My parents give me a good name.
Well, I have not think about it.

October 03, 2016

IELTS Writing Task 2: different essay outlines

Today's lesson is a little longer than usual, so I'm attaching it as a document. In the lesson, I look at three different essay outlines for the 'extreme sports' question that I shared last week.

Click here to see the lesson

There's also a warning about how not to structure your essay.

September 29, 2016

IELTS Grammar: prepositions

A student asked me recently which preposition to use with the word 'spending'. But there isn't an easy answer to this question. Here are a few possible phrases:

- spending on food
- spending by teenagers
- spending in the UK
- spending during the summer holiday
- spending throughout October
- spending in dollars
- spending via mobile phone apps

Correct use of prepositions is one of the most difficult aspects of learning English. However, instead of learning 'rules', I recommend that you simply copy the phrases that you read and hear. This is how native speakers learn to use prepositions.

September 25, 2016

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'extreme sports' topic

(Note: I normally do a listening lesson on Tuesdays, but this week it will be on Wednesday)

Several people sent me this recent IELTS writing task 2 question:

Extreme sports such as sky diving and skiing are very dangerous and should be banned. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?

I looked at this question with some of my students here in Manchester, and we wrote the following essay plan.

Introduction: Topic = ban extreme sports. Answer = disagree
First reason: These sports are not so dangerous 1) because of regulations, procedures and safety measures, 2) because of training and preparation (give an example sport), 3) because of improving equipment and technology
Second reason: It would be wrong to ban these sports, and difficult to enforce a ban - freedom of choice - the right to enjoy yourself - risks and rewards (example) - who would decide which sports? - who would stop people from participating?
Conclusion: repeat / summarise the opinion

Tip: The key thing when planning this "completely disagree" answer was to find two separate reasons for the two main paragraphs. We decided to do this by disagreeing with the two ideas that are mentioned in the question: 1) extreme sports are dangerous 2) they should be banned.

September 22, 2016

IELTS Vocabulary: topic-specific

Did you notice that the vocabulary list in yesterday's lesson contained no linking words and no phrases that could be used in any essay?

Instead, all of the vocabulary in the list was what I call "topic vocabulary" - words and phrases that are directly relevant to the specific topic of the question. This is the kind of vocabulary that impresses examiners.

September 21, 2016

IELTS Vocabulary: review

Let's review some of the good vocabulary from this week's task 2 essay. It is this vocabulary that really takes the essay up to band 9 level.

a maximum wage
employee remuneration
should be capped
excellent pay packages
attract the most talented people
the huge sums that they are willing to pay
highly motivated
drive their businesses
a thriving economy
increased tax revenues
a limit on earnings
the pay-gap
demotivate workers
lower executive salaries
higher minimum wages
everybody will be better off
poverty and crime rates fall
the general population
an improved standard of living
set a limit
the highest earners

September 19, 2016

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'high salaries' essay

Here's a full essay that I wrote with my students for the question below.

In many countries, a small number of people earn extremely high salaries. Some people believe that this is good for the country, but others think that governments should not allow salaries above a certain level.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

People have different views about whether governments should introduce a maximum wage. While in some ways it may seem reasonable to allow people to earn as much as companies are willing to pay, I personally believe that employee remuneration should be capped at a certain level.

There are various reasons why it might be considered beneficial to allow people to be paid extremely high salaries. If companies offer excellent pay packages, they can attract the most talented people in their fields to work for them. For example, technology companies like Google are able to employ the best programmers because of the huge sums that they are willing to pay. Furthermore, these well-paid employees are likely to be highly motivated to work hard and therefore drive their businesses successfully. In theory, this should result in a thriving economy and increased tax revenues, which means that paying high salaries benefits everyone.

However, I agree with those who argue that there should be a maximum wage. By introducing a limit on earnings, the pay-gap between bosses and employees can be reduced. Currently, the difference between normal and top salaries is huge, and this can demotivate workers who feel that the situation is unfair. With lower executive salaries, it might become feasible to introduce higher minimum wages, and everybody would be better off. One possible consequence of greater equality could be that poverty and crime rates fall because the general population will experience an improved standard of living.

In conclusion, it seems to me that it would be better, on balance, for governments to set a limit on the wages of the highest earners in society.

(274 words, band 9)

September 16, 2016

IELTS Grammar: using Google

If you are unsure about the correct way to use a word, Google can often solve the problem. Here are two examples:

Try searching for "drink driving" and "drunk driving". Both are correct, but which is more common?
I wanted to explain the use of "having had", so I googled "having had grammar" and found this page from the BBC.

Google and Wikipedia are two of the best tools for improving your vocabulary and grammar. Try them the next time you have a language problem.

September 14, 2016

IELTS Advice: 'official' and 'unofficial' practice tests

A student asked me whether it's best to only use the 'official' IELTS practice tests i.e. the Cambridge IELTS books. Or should you also do tests in books by other publishers?

Here's my advice: Do the official practice tests first. If you have finished all of them, then I think it's fine to use 'unofficial' books; just don't expect them to give you a realistic idea of your score.

September 11, 2016

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'high salaries' essay skeleton

Here's my essay skeleton (basic framework) for the question above:

Introduction
People have different views about whether governments should introduce a maximum wage. While in some ways it may seem reasonable to allow people to earn as much as companies are willing to pay, I personally believe that employee remuneration should be capped at a certain level.

Paragraph 2 topic sentence
There are various reasons why it might be considered beneficial to allow people to be paid extremely high salaries.

Paragraph 3 topic sentence
However, I agree with those who argue that there should be a maximum wage.

Conclusion
In conclusion, it seems to me that it would be better, on balance, for governments to set a limit on the wages of the highest earners in society.

September 06, 2016

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'high salaries' discussion

Here's a "discussion + opinion" question from a recent IELTS test:

Can you suggest a 4-paragraph essay plan using the advice that I gave you in last week's lesson?

September 04, 2016

IELTS Advice: work on the easy things

Following on from yesterday's advice about doing the easy things well, let's think about some of the 'easy' aspects of the IELTS test:

Speaking part 1: Have you mastered the art of giving short, simple answers without hesitation? Have a look at this lesson to see some useful examples.
Listening section 1: Can you get 10 out of 10 correct answers? If you can't, you need to do more work on this section before you worry about sections 2, 3 and 4.
Writing task 1 introductions: If you've done enough practice, you should find it easy to write task 1 introductions. Use the method in this lesson.
Writing task 2 introductions and conclusions: Practise writing introductions like this and conclusions like this.

My tip: become good at these 'easy' parts of the test before you move on to anything more difficult.

August 26, 2016

IELTS Writing Task 2: discussion + opinion

Students are often confused about questions that ask you to "discuss both views and give your own opinion".

Do we need to write 3 main paragraphs: one view, the other view, my own view?

The answer is no. I usually use the following essay structure:

Introduction: mention both views and my own view
Main paragraph: one view
Main paragraph: the opposite view (which is also my view)
Conclusion: repeat / summarise

We'll look at a new "discussion + opinion" question next Wednesday.

August 23, 2016

IELTS Advice: about 'task response'

Someone asked me about the following phrase, which describes a band 9 task response in writing task 2:

"presents a fully developed position with relevant, fully extended and well supported ideas"

Is it really possible to "fully extend and support" your ideas in such a short essay? Probably not. If you had time to write 1000 words, I'm sure you could extend and support your ideas more fully.

However, we shouldn't "overthink" this problem. Examiners know that it's impossible to write a truly perfect, fully developed answer in just 250 words. They understand the limitations of the task, and (hopefully!) they use their common sense. Instead of worrying about the precise meaning of the band descriptions, it's best to simply focus on answering the question as well as you can.

August 22, 2016

IELTS Advice: success tips

Occasionally I like to use this blog to share my thoughts about how to achieve goals. Here's a summary of what I believe are the keys to success in IELTS, or in any other endeavour:

1) The best information
If you want to achieve something, you first need to find the best source of information and guidance that you can.

2) Persistent work
Of course, you'll need to use the information that you have and take action. You'll need to do the regular practice that leads to improvement.

3) Positive attitude (or growth mindset)
If you have the right guidance and you're working hard, you need to be positive and patient. Try not to waste time worrying; instead, trust the process and know that you will improve gradually. Don't expect fast or easy results.

4) Measure your progress
Finally, you need to find a way to analyse the work that you produce. This will allow you to learn from your mistakes and make any necessary changes to your approach. Also, tracking your progress will give you confidence that you are moving towards your goal.

August 20, 2016

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'perfect' essays

In this lesson I wrote that you should try to write 'perfect' essays when you are practising at home.

What I meant was that you should take as much time as you need, check everything carefully, use a dictionary or the Internet to find better vocabulary, and generally do your best to write an essay that you probably wouldn't be able to write in an exam. You should be able to score at least one band higher when you're practising like this, compared to the score you get in exam conditions.

Ask yourself: Am I pushing myself to write essays to the best of my ability when I'm practising at home? Or am I simply testing myself or staying in my comfort zone?

August 17, 2016

IELTS Vocabulary: band 7-9 phrases

Here's a list of the good vocabulary from my 'climate change' essay:

represents a major threat to
tackle this issue
reduce the human impact
to prevent, or at least mitigate, climate change
limit the carbon dioxide emissions
impose “green taxes” on drivers
other polluters
invest in renewable energy production
energy efficient
voting for politicians who propose to tackle climate change
the consequences will be disastrous
not optimistic that we would be able to cope
rise in sea levels
people would be displaced
the means to safeguard low-lying areas
forced to migrate to nearby cities
the potential for human suffering would be huge
outbreaks of disease and famine
increased homelessness and poverty

Remember: if you want a high score in writing task 2, you need to use good 'topic vocabulary' like the examples above.

August 12, 2016

IELTS Writing Task 2: climate change essay

Here's my full essay for the question that we've been looking at in recent weeks (see below). It's a bit longer than necessary, but I decided not to cut it down.

Some people think that instead of preventing climate change, we need to find a way to live with it. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Climate change represents a major threat to life on Earth, but some people argue that we need to accept it rather than try to stop it. I completely disagree with this opinion, because I believe that we still have time to tackle this issue and reduce the human impact on the Earth's climate.

There are various measures that governments and individuals could take to prevent, or at least mitigate, climate change. Governments could introduce laws to limit the carbon dioxide emissions that lead to global warming. They could impose “green taxes” on drivers, airline companies and other polluters, and they could invest in renewable energy production from solar, wind or water power. As individuals, we should also try to limit our contribution to climate change, by becoming more energy efficient, by flying less, and by using bicycles and public transport. Furthermore, the public can affect the actions of governments by voting for politicians who propose to tackle climate change, rather than for those who would prefer to ignore it.

If instead of taking the above measures we simply try to live with climate change, I believe that the consequences will be disastrous. To give just one example, I am not optimistic that we would be able to cope with even a small rise in sea levels. Millions of people would be displaced by flooding, particularly in countries that do not have the means to safeguard low-lying areas. These people would lose their homes and their jobs, and they would be forced to migrate to nearby cities or perhaps to other countries. The potential for human suffering would be huge, and it is likely that we would see outbreaks of disease and famine, as well as increased homelessness and poverty.

In conclusion, it is clear to me that we must address the problem of climate change, and I disagree with those who argue that we can find ways to live with it.

(322 words, band 9)

August 09, 2016

IELTS Vocabulary: from Friday's lesson

Here's a list of the good vocabulary from Friday's speaking lesson:

working in a previous job
catch an early flight
a senior member of our department
had volunteered to
waiting to be picked up
look out for his car
I overslept
I had set my alarm
I must have turned it off
I sprang out of bed
got dressed in record time
I splashed some water on my face
put my shoes on without properly tying the laces
I was filled with a sense of panic
walked towards the awaiting car
I felt so embarrassed
it was obvious that I hadn’t been ready on time

Note:
These words and phrases might not seem 'difficult' or 'academic'. However, examiners don't often meet candidates who use this kind of natural, native-speaker language.

In particular, phrases like "I sprang out of bed", "I got dressed in record time" and "I splashed some water on my face" would certainly surprise an examiner.

August 07, 2016

IELTS Vocabulary: phrasal verbs

I used several phrasal verbs (e.g. pick up, look out for, turn off, carry on) in my description in yesterday's lesson.

These verbs look easy, but they are good examples of the kind of natural, idiomatic language that native speakers use. The tricky thing about phrasal verbs is that you have to learn what each one means; you can't understand them by translating the individual words.

For example, I used "pick up" to mean "collect" (I was waiting for my colleague to collect me), but "pick up" can also mean improve, learn quickly, or receive. Have a look at this page on a grammar website. Can you see why phrasal verbs might impress the examiner if you use them correctly?

August 01, 2016

IELTS Writing Task 2: climate change paragraph

Here's the question that we've been looking at over recent weeks:

Some people think that instead of preventing climate change, we need to find a way to live with it. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

I wrote the introduction, topic sentences and conclusion last week, so now we can focus on the main body paragraphs.

Here are some ideas for the first main paragraph:

Topic sentence: various measures to prevent climate change
Governments: introduce laws to limit emissions, impose 'green taxes', invest in renewable energy
Individuals: become energy efficient, fly less, use public transport, vote for politicians who want to tackle the problem

Here's my paragraph, using the ideas above:

Can you write the second body paragraph, about the dangers of not tackling climate change?

July 28, 2016

IELTS Grammar: active and passive

A student called Rosh asked for some help with the following sentences. Are they active or passive? Are they all correct?

My boss recommended me a long holiday.
I was recommended a long holiday by my boss.
My boss was recommended me a long holiday.
Members asked me many questions in the meeting.
I was asked many questions by members in the meeting.
Members were asked me many questions in the meeting.

July 27, 2016

IELTS Advice: asking for a re-mark

Recently I've heard from quite a few people whose writing scores were raised from 6.5 to band 7 after they asked for a re-mark. This suggests that some examiners are a bit too cautious when marking, especially at the higher levels.

There are no guarantees when you ask for a re-mark. However, if you think you did well in the writing test, if you got higher scores in the other three parts, and if you missed your target by only half a band, it might be worth a try.

Please share your experiences of re-marking in the comments below.

July 23, 2016

IELTS Writing Task 2: climate change 'skeleton'

In this lesson I explained my idea of the 'essay skeleton' - the basic structure of an IELTS essay, which consists of the introduction, a topic sentence for each main paragraph, and the conclusion.

Here's a possible essay skeleton for the climate change question that we started looking at last week:
..........

Introduction
Climate change represents a major threat to life on Earth, but some people argue that we need to accept it rather than try to stop it. I completely disagree with this opinion, because I believe that we still have time to tackle this issue and reduce the human impact on the Earth's climate.

Paragraph 2 topic sentence
There are various measures that governments and individuals could take to prevent, or at least mitigate, climate change.

Paragraph 3 topic sentence
If instead of taking the above measures we simply try to live with climate change, I believe that the consequences will be disastrous.

Conclusion
In conclusion, it is clear to me that we must address the problem of climate change, and I disagree with those who argue that we can find ways to live with it.
..........

Can you see how the 'skeleton' communicates my overall answer very clearly? The only thing missing is the detail in paragraphs 2 and 3.

July 21, 2016

IELTS Advice: strong opinion but only one idea

A student called Sebastian asked me the following useful question:

In writing task 2, what if I choose a strong opinion answer (e.g. completely agree) but I only have one idea? In other words, I only have an idea for one main-body paragraph, so what can I write in the second body paragraph?

Here are my tips to address Sebastian's question:

You could solve this problem during your planning time, before you start writing. If you realise that you only have one idea, you still have time to change to a 'balanced' opinion answer.
Alternatively, you could use the 'perspectives' approach to planning. This might help you to divide your main idea into two parts (e.g. the same idea from an individual perspective and from a social or economic perspective).
Another method that I use is to support my opinion in paragraph 2, and then refute the opposite opinion in paragraph 3. This is the essay structure that I suggested in Wednesday's lesson. You only need one main idea if you do this.

July 20, 2016

IELTS Advice: don't write this!

A student asked me whether I would write the following sentence:

Nonetheless, the extremely central issue is whether the significance of this pivotal factor is totally sufficient for convincing us to provide a closed-form formula or not.

My answer is no! Examiners hate this kind of sentence. It just seems to be a list of big words that have been thrown together; it's completely unnatural, and contains almost no real meaning.

Please don't learn sentences like this. Just write in a clear, direct way, and focus on answering the question.

July 17, 2016

IELTS Writing Task 2: introduction and plan

Let's continue to look at the 'climate change' question below.

Some people think that instead of preventing climate change, we need to find a way to live with it. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Introduction:
Climate change represents a major threat to life on Earth, but some people argue that we need to accept it rather than try to stop it. I completely disagree with this opinion, because I believe that we still have time to tackle this issue and reduce the human impact on the Earth's climate.

Planning:
Here's a 4-paragraph essay plan using the opinion that I expressed above.

Introduction: completely disagree
Main paragraph: things that we can do to prevent climate change
Main paragraph: the problems of trying to live with climate change
Conclusion: repeat that we should try to prevent climate change now

July 15, 2016

IELTS Advice: my favourite 'comments' on this blog

There are some really useful comments and questions below the lessons on this site. Someone asked me: "What's your favourite type of comment from students?"

The answer is simple: my favourite comments are those that relate directly to the lesson above them. This tells me that the student has read the lesson and thought about it carefully.

Of course, you are welcome to ask other questions about IELTS, but comments that show an engagement with the lessons are my favourite.

Please note: I can't answer most comments individually these days, but I do still read them all, and they help me to create new lessons.

July 11, 2016

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'climate change' topic

How would you answer the question below? Would you completely agree, completely disagree, or try to write a balanced answer?

Before you decide which view to take, brainstorm some ideas. Then think about your 4-paragraph essay structure and what points you would include in each paragraph.

Some people think that instead of preventing climate change, we need to find a way to live with it. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

July 06, 2016

IELTS Grammar / Vocabulary: 'meaning that'

A student pointed out that I sometimes use the phrase "meaning that" in my essays, but he wasn't sure how to use this phrase himself.

Here are some examples from my essays:

Penalties for dangerous drivers can act as a deterrent, meaning that people avoid repeating the same offence.
Some bilinguals also have two cultural identities, meaning that they are able to adapt their behaviour effortlessly.
Some people call this ‘cultural imperialism’, meaning that one culture has power over others.

Can you see when and how I use the phrase "meaning that"?

July 04, 2016

IELTS Writing Task 2: vocabulary review

Here are some good words and phrases from last week's essay. This vocabulary is what really lifts the essay to band 9.

measure (verb) progress
measures (noun) of progress
just as important, equally significant
a fundamental goal
a healthy economy
job creation, a high level of employment, better salaries
money is available
spend on infrastructure
higher revenues
invest in the transport network
a country’s standing on the global stage
political influence, trading power
social justice, human rights
the treatment of minority groups
seen as a reflection of
moral standards
another key consideration
judging the progress
moving towards environmental sustainability
health, well-being and happiness
a key marker of
social, environmental and health criteria

July 03, 2016

IELTS Grammar: correct the mistakes

Can you improve the following sentences? They were all written by students below this lesson.

In 2005, only 5% of visitors gave excellent impression of the service.
45% of guests were in favour of satisfactory services in the hotel.
Satisfactory impression was given by 45% of hotel guests.
In 2005, negligible 5% of people surveyed thought the service was excellent, while the figure for good was relatively larger, being 14%.
In conclusion, the hotel performance showed marked progress between 2005 and 2010.

July 02, 2016

IELTS Advice: feedback from a student

People are often surprised when I tell them to stop thinking about 'academic' language, complex grammar or 'difficult' words. In this lesson, for example, I suggest that IELTS writing task 2 is more like a high school essay than a university assignment.

Here's some feedback from a student in relation to this advice:

Hi Simon,

I was initially very sceptical of your "high school" writing approach. I believed in a complicated, "academic" style writing with flashy words and complex sentences. Well, I was wrong.

With that mindset, on the IELTS test day I confidently penned a monstrous 400-word essay with multiple metaphors, symbolism, lengthy sentences, and analyses of complex real-world examples. I ended up getting a band 7 for writing (L9, R9, S8.5).

I was very surprised. What I came to understand is that the IELTS encourages clear, concise and coherent writing more than anything else. It really is a high school writing task. If I ever take the IELTS test again, I will make absolutely sure to follow the simple and effective strategy that you advocate.

June 29, 2016

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'economic progress' essay

Here's the full essay that I wrote with my students for the question below.

Many governments think that economic progress is their most important goal. Some people, however, think that other types of progress are equally important for a country. 
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

People have different views about how governments should measure their countries’ progress. While economic progress is of course essential, I agree with those who believe that other measures of progress are just as important.

There are three key reasons why economic growth is seen as a fundamental goal for countries. Firstly, a healthy economy results in job creation, a high level of employment, and better salaries for all citizens. Secondly, economic progress ensures that more money is available for governments to spend on infrastructure and public services. For example, a government with higher revenues can invest in the country's transport network, its education system and its hospitals. Finally, a strong economy can help a country’s standing on the global stage, in terms of its political influence and trading power.

However, I would argue that various other forms of progress are just as significant as the economic factors mentioned above. In particular, we should consider the area of social justice, human rights, equality and democracy itself. For example, the treatment of minority groups is often seen as a reflection of the moral standards and level of development of a society. Perhaps another key consideration when judging the progress of a modern country should be how well that country protects the natural environment, and whether it is moving towards environmental sustainability. Alternatively, the success of a nation could be measured by looking at the health, well-being and happiness of its residents.

In conclusion, the economy is obviously a key marker of a country’s success, but social, environmental and health criteria are equally significant.

(262 words, band 9)

June 25, 2016

IELTS Grammar: articles

Today I'm attaching some questions that a student asked about articles. You can read my answers below each question.

Click here to download

Please note that I cannot provide a complete explanation of all article rules and uses. Grammar books take many pages to do this!

Article rules can become very confusing, so don't worry too much about them. Students who are good at using articles have normally learnt by copying what they read and hear, rather than by learning the 'rules'.

June 20, 2016

IELTS Writing Task 2: question with two subjects

Here's a useful question that someone asked me: How should we approach a question that contains two different subjects?

Take this question for example:

Some people believe that governments should pay for healthcare and education, but others disagree with this opinion. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

What do you think? Should we write separate paragraphs about healthcare and education? Or can we put these two subjects together in each paragraph? Can you suggest an outline for a good essay structure for this task?

June 18, 2016

IELTS Advice: search this website

This blog has its own search bar, but Google is better! Here's how to search the blog using Google:

1) First, search for "ielts simon" on Google.
2) You should then see the result in the image below.

3) Now use the "ielts simon" search bar circled in red above.
4) Google will give you results from this website only.

I use this option all the time to find old lessons on my blog. It's a great way to search for a particular topic, type of question, or anything else that you're worried about. For example, if you want to know about using capital letters in the listening test, just type "listening capital letters" into the search bar, and see what you find.

June 14, 2016

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'economic progress' topic

Let's have a look at one of the questions from Cambridge IELTS 11.

Many governments think that economic progress is their most important goal. Some people, however, think that other types of progress are equally important for a country. 
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Here's the first half of my sample answer. Can you fill the gaps?

People have different views _____ how governments should measure their countries’ progress. _____ economic progress is of course essential, I agree with those _____ believe that other measures of progress are just as important.

There are three key reasons why economic growth is seen _____ a fundamental goal for countries. Firstly, a healthy economy results _____ job creation, a high level of employment, and better salaries for all citizens. Secondly, economic progress ensures that more money is available for governments to spend _____ infrastructure and public services. For example, a government with higher revenues can invest _____ the country's transport network, its education system and its hospitals. Finally, a strong economy can help a country’s standing _____ the global stage, in terms of its political influence and trading power.

June 09, 2016

IELTS Grammar: correct the mistakes

Here are some of the "Finally" sentences that people wrote below Wednesday's lesson. Can you find and correct the mistakes?

Finally, development of an economy might help a nation tackle with such problems as currency fluctuations, natural damages, terrorist attacks and the like.
Finally, a sustainable economy also help the government well-prepare for natural disaster as well as the battle against inflation.
Finally, strong economy leads towards a better lifestyle for inhabitants by providing state of the art technology.
Finally, from broader aspect, progress in economy enable government to gain authority in political arena, thereby helps to future progression of a country.

June 05, 2016

IELTS Writing Task 2: firstly, secondly...

The paragraph below needs a "finally" sentence. Can you suggest one?

Paragraph topic: why economic progress is an important goal for governments.

June 03, 2016

IELTS Grammar and Vocabulary: from last week

Here are my correct versions of the sentences in Thursday's lesson:

In 1985, Canada exported about 19 million tonnes of wheat.
The figure for Australia was lower, at 15 million tonnes.
In 1988, the amount of wheat exported by Canada increased by about 5 million tonnes.

And here are some good phrases from last week's General Writing letter:

the proposed closure
stress how important something is
on a daily basis
which they enjoy immensely
an integral part of the local community
a social hub in the town
lose a treasured facility
within a reasonable distance
have a detrimental effect on
quality of life
take these concerns into consideration

Note: The phrases above are not only useful for GT task 1. You might be able to use them in writing task 2 or in the speaking test.

June 02, 2016

IELTS Grammar: question about verb tenses

Here's a question that someone sent me this week:

I have a big problem with verb tenses, especially the present perfect continuous and past perfect continuous. I can't use these tenses when I'm speaking. How can I solve this problem?

My answer is simple: stop worrying about this! You don't have time to think about grammar when you're speaking. Thinking about verb tenses will distract you from your main objective, which is to answer the question well. Forget those tenses, and focus instead on listening to the question and answering it naturally.

May 29, 2016

IELTS Writing Task 2: improving a paragraph

Today I'm attaching a slightly longer lesson. It shows you how I would improve the coherence of a 'main body' paragraph written by a student below one of my recent lessons.

Click here to download the lesson document.

May 20, 2016

IELTS Writing Task 2: keep the introduction short

Some students (and teachers) think that it's a good idea to write a long introduction. I disagree, and I recommend that you keep the introduction short. Let's compare some examples.

My short introduction:
People have different views about how best to improve transportation in cities. While better provision for cyclists would be a positive measure, I would argue that further investment in public transport should be the priority in most cities.

A long introduction written by a student:
Nowadays, there is a large debate around the ideal transportation means that should be promoted by governments. Some believe that means like bicycles should be supported, while others feel that spending should be directed toward public transportations. I think that both means have to be subsidized because each has advantages and potential disadvantages. In this essay, I shall discuss and analyze both views.

Analysis:
The long introduction above is a little repetitive, but otherwise it's fine. The main problem is the extra time that you waste if you write four sentences instead of two. This is time that could be spent on the main body paragraphs, which are the key to a high score. A long introduction won't help your score at all, but longer and better main body paragraphs will.

May 17, 2016

IELTS Vocabulary: from this week

Did you take note of the following vocabulary from this week's lessons?

numerous
unprecedented
scepticism
a spirited and compelling argument
to extend human understanding
disciplined intellectual enquiry
can never be wholly harnessed
the future of higher education lies in the balance
deeper and more enlightened understanding
how best to improve transportation
better provision for
further investment in
become more bicycle-friendly
public transport infrastructure
a mere 8%
a massive 69%
such dramatic differences

May 14, 2016

IELTS Writing Task 2: discussion with opinion

In last week's lesson I asked you to think about where you would put your opinion in an essay about the question below.

Some people think that more money should be spent to promote the use of bicycles in cities. Others, however, believe that cities should focus on investing in public transport systems.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Let's start with the introduction and conclusion. My general 'rule' for these paragraphs is that they should cover everything that the question asks you to cover. This means that your opinion should be clear in both. Here are my examples:

Introduction:
People have different views about how best to improve transportation in cities. While better provision for cyclists would be a positive measure, I would argue that further investment in public transport should be the priority in most cities.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, although I hope that cities will become more bicycle-friendly in the future, I believe that more money should be spent on public transport infrastructure than on the promotion of cycling.

May 11, 2016

IELTS Grammar: simplify

Instead of correcting every grammar mistake, an easier way to improve the introduction paragraph in yesterday's lesson would be to simplify it. To simplify something, we need to focus on the message that we are trying to communicate; how can we deliver that message in the clearest, simplest way?

For example, here's a simplified version of the introduction:

Many people are confident that this century will be a positive one. I share this optimism, and there are several positive changes that I hope to see over the coming years.

May 10, 2016

IELTS Grammar: correct the mistakes

Can you correct and improve the following introduction paragraph?

It is commonly increasing to hear about that some people are in hope of the current century and look it as an check out to make good changes to the globe. From my view some changes can be better for the world, there are few ideas that I would love to see in the nextby century.

May 07, 2016

IELTS Writing Task 2: discussion with opinion

Look at the following question, which asks you to discuss and give an opinion:

Before you begin planning or writing, let me ask you two things:

1) How many paragraphs would you write?
2) In which paragraphs would you include your own opinion?

May 04, 2016

IELTS Vocabulary: topic list

Note: I'm reposting this list of topics because it was difficult to find amongst my older lessons.

Look through the following list of common IELTS topics. Do you have opinions about them? Could you discuss them in an essay or in a conversation?

Advertising
Animal Rights: testing on animals, vegetarianism, zoos
Cities: urbanisation, problems of city life
Crime: police, punishments/prisons, rehabilitation, capital punishment
Education: studying abroad, technology in education, education in developing countries, higher education, home-schooling, bad behaviour, corporal punishment, single sex education, streaming (grouping children according to ability)
Environment: global warming, impact of humans on the environment, solutions to environment problems, waste/rubbish, litter, recycling, nuclear power
Family: family size, working parents, negative effects on children, divorce, care for old people
Gender: gender and education, gender and work, women’s and men’s role in the family
Genetic Engineering: positives, negatives, genetically modified foods
Global Issues: problems in developing countries, how to help developing countries, immigration, multi-cultural societies, globalisation
Government and Society: what governments can do, public services, censorship, video cameras in public places
Guns and Weapons: gun ownership and possession, police and guns, nuclear weapons, armed forces
Health: diet, exercise, state health systems, private healthcare, alternative medicine, stress
Housing and Architecture: state housing, old buildings, modern/green buildings
International Language: English as an international language
Money: money and society, consumerism
Personal Development: happiness, success, nature or nurture
Sport and Leisure: professional/competitive sport, sport salaries, sport and politics
Tourism: positives, negative effects on environment, future of tourism
Traditions and Modern Life: losing traditional skills, traditional customs
Transport: traffic problems and solutions, public transport, road safety
Television, Internet and Mobile Phones: positives and negatives, Internet compared to newspapers and books
Water: importance of clean water, water supply, water should be free, bottled water
Work: same job for life, self-employment, unemployment, work/life balance, technology and work, child labour

This is the topic list that I work with when preparing lessons, and it's the basis of my ebook. It's a good idea to print this list and try to work through it.

April 30, 2016

IELTS Advice: feedback from teachers

Last week I did some IELTS teacher training at Liverpool University. Afterwards, I asked the teachers what they found most useful about the session, and three things stood out:

They liked my advice on essay planning for writing task 2. In particular, they thought that numbering the ideas in the plan was really useful. Watch this video to see an example.
They had a clearer understanding of the differences between IELTS writing and university academic writing e.g. using the word "I".
They liked the idea that it's easier to get faster than it is to get better. Don't worry if it takes you four hours to write a band 7 essay; the important thing is that you're achieving that score. Your only task now is to gradually speed up.

Note: These might not be the most useful tips for students, but it's interesting to see what's important for teachers.

April 29, 2016

IELTS Advice: 'empty package' essays

In Wednesday's lesson I showed you some examples of the kind of memorised phrases that examiners don't like. Here's the reply that I wrote to the student who asked me about those phrases:

Too many people write "empty" essays. Their essays are "packaged" with phrases like the ones you mentioned, but there is nothing inside the package - no real topic content.

If you read my own essays here on the blog, you'll see that the "packaging" is quite simple. I'm much more concerned about the contents.

April 25, 2016

IELTS Writing Task 2: these phrases don't impress

A student on Facebook asked me about the following phrases:

The concerns surrounding the problem of _____ have considerably escalated increasing awareness of the general public towards the issue.
Notwithstanding the fact that attempts have been undertaken to tackle this nuisance, there is still a lot to be done to exterminate the problem.
The most effective way in dealing with this situation is, first of all, through turning urgent attention to the underlying causes of the problem.

I don't like phrases like these, and I never teach them to my students. But why? Do you know why these phrases wouldn't impress an examiner?

April 21, 2016

IELTS Advice: from students who have passed

I've just been reading the comments below yesterday's lesson, particularly those written by James Z and Kevin.

If you have time, please click here and read what James and Kevin wrote. If you're struggling to get the IELTS score you need, I hope it will inspire you to see that people do achieve their goals. Just keep working hard, and you'll be able to share your own success story soon!

April 16, 2016

IELTS Writing Task 2: strong opinion and both sides

A few people were confused by the essay that I shared last week, because I gave a strong opinion (completely agree) and then wrote about both sides of the issue. Can you see why I was able to do this?

Here's the reason: the question contains the phrase "as well as". It wasn't asking me to give an opinion about whether companies should make money or have social responsibilities; it was asking whether I agree that companies should make money and have social responsibilities. I agreed that companies should do both.

Always read the question carefully. Sometimes it's possible to have a strong opinion and still write about both sides. Click here to see another example.

April 11, 2016

IELTS Vocabulary: paraphrasing

Let's review the paraphrasing that I used in Thursday's lesson:

the pie charts compare = the pie charts give information about
water usage = the water used
water usage = water is consumed
the rest of the world = the world as a whole
the rest of the world = worldwide
for residential purposes = by homes
San Diego and California = two American regions

Remember: Paraphrasing is considered to be a 'high level' language skill. The ability to say or write the same thing in several different ways is the sign of an 'advanced' language user.

April 10, 2016

IELTS Vocabulary: weekly review

Have you noted down the following good vocabulary from this week's lessons?

should do the trick (informal) = should be enough
resist the urge to
ramble on (informal) = say too much
dive right in (informal) = go straight to
with the sole aim of
maximising profit
a wider role to play in society
treat employees well, rather than exploiting them
pay a "living wage"
ensure that they have a good quality of life
use a proportion of their profits
support local charities
environmental projects
education initiatives
minimise tax payments
accounting loopholes
contribute to society
in the world as a whole
accounts for the vast majority of
they've used up their energy
leave a good impression on someone

April 08, 2016

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'business responsibilities' essay

Here's my full essay for the question below.

As well as making money, businesses also have social responsibilities. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Businesses have always sought to make a profit, but it is becoming increasingly common to hear people talk about the social obligations that companies have. I completely agree with the idea that businesses should do more for society than simply make money.

On the one hand, I accept that businesses must make money in order to survive in a competitive world. It seems logical that the priority of any company should be to cover its running costs, such as employees’ wages and payments for buildings and utilities. On top of these costs, companies also need to invest in improvements and innovations if they wish to remain successful. If a company is unable to pay its bills or meet the changing needs of customers, any concerns about social responsibilities become irrelevant. In other words, a company can only make a positive contribution to society if it is in good financial health.

On the other hand, companies should not be run with the sole aim of maximising profit; they have a wider role to play in society. One social obligation that owners and managers have is to treat their employees well, rather than exploiting them. For example, they could pay a “living wage” to ensure that workers have a good quality of life. I also like the idea that businesses could use a proportion of their profits to support local charities, environmental projects or education initiatives. Finally, instead of trying to minimise their tax payments by using accounting loopholes, I believe that company bosses should be happy to contribute to society through the tax system.

In conclusion, I believe that companies should place as much importance on their social responsibilities as they do on their financial objectives.

(285 words, band 9)

April 06, 2016

IELTS Advice: answer the question!

In the IELTS speaking and writing tests, the most important thing is to answer the question. This seems obvious, but many students are so worried about using 'difficult grammar' that they don't give relevant answers.

In the speaking test, listen carefully to the question and answer it as if you were speaking to a friend. Try to speak without thinking too much; forget the grammar and just have a normal conversation.

In the writing test, take some time to understand each question and plan your answer. Check the question every time you write a new idea; make sure that everything you write is relevant. If part of your answer is not related to the topic you will lose marks, even if your grammar is perfect.

April 04, 2016

IELTS Advice: boring hard work

I often advise students to try to enjoy studying English and preparing for the IELTS test.

However, sometimes the boring things are the most useful: rewriting an essay to improve it, looking up words in a dictionary, learning correct spellings by heart. If you're not doing any boring work, maybe you're not working hard enough!

April 01, 2016

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'one idea' paragraph

Today's lesson is a little longer than usual, so I'm attaching it as a PDF.

Click here to see the lesson

March 30, 2016

IELTS Vocabulary: collocations

Did you notice the following phrase in my conclusion in Wednesday's lesson?

"companies should place as much importance on their social responsibilities"

Notice the "verb + noun" collocation that I used: place importance on

Did you know that we can say "place importance on something"? Have you ever used this collocation / phrase yourself?

You might think that you know the word "importance", but I would be surprised if you knew all of the common collocations on this webpage. Remember: it's easy to learn the meaning of a word, but this doesn't mean that you know all of the word's uses.

March 26, 2016

IELTS Writing Task 2: short, fast conclusions

It's nice to finish your essay with a conclusion, but I'd say that the conclusion is the least important part of your essay. Don't worry too much if you don't have time to write one; your main body paragraphs are much more important.

I advise people to write short, fast conclusions. Just paraphrase the overall answer that you gave in your introduction. For example:

My introduction from last week's lesson:
Businesses have always sought to make a profit, but it is becoming increasingly common to hear people talk about the social obligations that companies have. I completely agree with the idea that businesses should do more for society than simply make money.

My short, fast conclusion:
In conclusion, I believe that companies should place as much importance on their social responsibilities as they do on their financial objectives.

Note:
Can you find examples of paraphrasing in the introduction and conclusion above?

March 25, 2016

IELTS Advice: why many teachers get it wrong

In yesterday's lesson I asked why teachers often give students the wrong advice about IELTS writing. This can happen even with teachers who are generally very good at teaching English.

In my experience, the reason is simple:

Many teachers have been trained to teach academic writing for university, but they haven't had any specific IELTS training. IELTS writing follows a few different rules compared to university writing, and teachers aren't always aware of the differences. Maybe we need a list of these differences; can you think of any?

March 22, 2016

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'completely agree' introduction

Many IELTS candidates waste time writing long introductions, because they believe that the introduction is the key to a high score.

This approach is wrong. The main body paragraphs are the key to a high score, so it's best to keep your introduction short. Just introduce the topic and give an overall answer to the question. For example:

Question:
As well as making money, businesses also have social responsibilities. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

2-sentence introduction:
Businesses have always sought to make a profit, but it is becoming increasingly common to hear people talk about the social obligations that companies have. I completely agree with the idea that businesses should do more for society than simply make money.

Tip:
Try searching online for "corporate social responsibility" to see what people are saying about this issue.

March 20, 2016

IELTS Advice: do something every day

For various reasons, I haven't been able to write today's blog post until now (6pm in the UK). Some days I have plenty of time to make a good lesson or even write a full essay, while other days I might only have time to write a quick tip. The important thing, I think, is to stick to my daily blogging habit and keep going.

I give the same advice to my students: If you want to improve your English and your IELTS score, just do something every day that helps you to move forward.

March 19, 2016

IELTS Vocabulary: learn from examples

Instead of looking for a grammatical explanation for the use of a word or phrase, it's often better to search for real examples of usage.

Take the following question, for example. A student asked me:

Is there a difference between "in terms of" and "with regard to"? When and how should we use these phrases?

Task:
Can you find 3 examples of each of the two phrases in the student's question above? Use a search engine, such as Google, and choose examples that come from reliable sources (e.g. newspaper articles). Does this help you to see how and when the two phrases are used? Do you think there is a difference between them?

March 13, 2016

IELTS Writing Task 2: the easiest way

In last week's lesson I asked you to think about the easiest way to answer this question:

As well as making money, businesses also have social responsibilities. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

For me, the easiest way would be to completely agree. Here's a quick plan for a 4-paragraph answer:

Introduction: introduce the topic and completely agree
Main paragraph: explain why you agree that businesses need to make money, and what would happen if they didn't (perhaps mention that many social responsibilities depend on money)
Main paragraph: explain why you agree that businesses also have social responsibilities (give examples)
Conclusion: repeat / summarise your answer

A few people shared more detailed plans in the comments below last week's lesson. Have a look at their ideas regarding the 'social responsibilities' of businesses.

March 11, 2016

IELTS Advice: notice your mistakes

Students often don't notice when a teacher corrects their mistakes.

Look at this example of a conversation between a student and a teacher:

Student: I gave the IELTS test five times.
Teacher: Oh, you've taken the test five times?
Student: Yes, the last time I gave it was two weeks ago.

The student doesn't notice that the teacher is correcting a mistake. In English we don't say "give a test" (unless you are the examiner giving the test to the students), we say "take a test".

When a teacher repeats something that you said in a different way, it's possible that you made a mistake. Listen carefully, and try to notice mistakes and corrections. If you're not sure, ask the teacher whether you made a mistake.

March 05, 2016

IELTS Writing Task 2: choose the easy opinion

Look at the following exam question that a student sent me:

As well as making money, businesses also have social responsibilities. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

When deciding whether to agree, disagree or partly agree, I suggest that you think about your two main body paragraphs. What would you like to include in your two main paragraphs, and which opinion allows you to do this?

March 02, 2016

IELTS Vocabulary: paraphrasing and comparisons

Did you notice the paraphrasing that I used in Thursday's lesson?

the amount of time = the time spent
10 to 15-year-olds = aged between 10 and 15
chatting on the Internet = chatting online = chat online = engage in online conversation
playing on games consoles = playing computer games = play on their consoles
more popular = boys favour = girls prefer
the majority of = most of them = most girls

and the comparisons that I made?

...is more popular than...
Boys favour... / By contrast, girls prefer...
while 85% of boys..., only 55%...
close to 70% of girls..., compared to about 50% of this cohort who...
most of them..., whereas most...

March 01, 2016

IELTS Vocabulary: band 7-9 phrases

Did you note down these good phrases from Wednesday's lesson?

it is an abstract concept with no definite meaning
it can mean or represent
depending on a person's age, culture or background
a feeling of pleasure in a particular moment
a state of mind
adults equate happiness with...
health, security, financial stability or success
we seek contentment
in our own individual ways

If you want to write at a band 7-9 level, vocabulary is the key!

February 27, 2016

IELTS Writing Task 2: what makes a good paragraph?

I asked my students to plan some ideas for the 'happiness' question that you can see in this lesson (the students hadn't seen my full essay). We then wrote a band 9 paragraph together (see below).

Paragraph answering the question 'why is happiness difficult to define?':

Happiness is almost impossible to explain because it is an abstract concept with no definite meaning. It can mean or represent something completely different depending on a person's age, culture or background. For some people, happiness is a feeling of pleasure in a particular moment, whereas for others, it is a state of mind. Children, for example, are happiest when playing, laughing and having fun, while adults usually equate happiness with health, security, financial stability or success. In other words, we all have different views or requirements, and so we seek contentment in our own individual ways.

But what makes this a 'band 9' paragraph?
Can you analyse it in terms of the 4 criteria?

February 24, 2016

IELTS Grammar: mistakes with the passive

In which of these sentences is the passive used correctly?

The amount of rainfall was increased last month.
An increase in rainfall was seen last month.
The UK was experienced an increase in rainfall.
Rainfall has been reduced this year.
Income tax has been reduced this year.

February 23, 2016

IELTS Advice: using my vocabulary is fine!

People sometimes ask me whether the examiner will reduce their scores if they copy my vocabulary ideas, either from this website or from my ebook.

The answer is no, the examiner will not reduce your score! Everyone has to get vocabulary ideas from somewhere, whether it's from a teacher, a textbook, a dictionary or my website. Besides, I wasn't the "inventor" of any of the words or phrases that I use.

February 19, 2016

IELTS Grammar: corrected (simplified) sentences

Here are my suggestions for correct, simplified versions of the sentences in yesterday's lesson:

People who live in cities face various problems.
The problems that urban inhabitants face include a high cost of living, social problems, and poor air quality.
People who live in cities face various problems.
People who live in urban areas face various challenges.
City life is much more challenging than many people are led to believe.

Notes:

Sentences 1 and 3 were trying to communicate the same simple idea, so I used the same easy sentence for both.
Notice that I removed the words 'dwelling' and 'denizen'. Don't try to show off with difficult words in your introduction.
Notice how the verb 'face' is used: A face(s) B. For example: people face problems.

February 18, 2016

IELTS Grammar: correct the mistakes

Can you see the mistakes in the following topic sentences?

On the one hand, people facing different situation living in a city.
The problems that urban inhabitants may face with are high cost of living, many kinds of social problems as well as poor air quality.
People dwelling in cities are facing different kind of issues every day.
On the one hand, the denizen need to face the challenge life in urban sprawl.
The fantasy of high standard city life is infact faced with reality of many daily challenges.

Tip: the easiest way to improve these sentences is by simplifying them.

February 14, 2016

IELTS Writing Task 2: add the 'topic sentence'

When writing a main body paragraph, I usually recommend that you start with a topic sentence. To see a good example, look at paragraph 3 in this lesson. Here's the topic sentence again:

However, there are various steps that governments could take to tackle these problems.

But did you notice that I missed the topic sentence in paragraph 2 of the essay? Can you suggest a short, simple topic sentence that we could add to the start of this paragraph?

February 12, 2016

IELTS Vocabulary: the problem with synonyms

Someone asked me the following useful questions:

Instead of 'reduce pollution', can we write 'bring down pollution' or 'lessen pollution'?
Instead of 'reduce the pressure', can we write 'cut down the pressure'?

My answer is no. Although 'bring down', 'lessen' and 'cut down' can be used as synonyms of 'reduce' in some situations, most native speakers wouldn't choose to use them in the contexts above. In other words, 'reduce pollution' is a common collocation, but 'bring down pollution' isn't.

To see which verbs collocate (go well) with 'pollution' click here.
To see collocations with the word 'pressure' click here.

February 11, 2016

IELTS Vocabulary: essay analysis

Did you analyse the essay in Wednesday's lesson? Here are some good phrases that you could try to use yourself:

seen as places of opportunity
major drawbacks
a large metropolis
the average inhabitant
the cost of living
urban areas, rural areas
high crime and poverty rates
the air quality is poor
public transport systems are overcrowded
take steps to tackle these problems
affordable housing
ban vehicles
promote the use of cleaner public transport
traffic congestion, a congestion charge
curb the traffic problem
provincial towns
reduce the pressure on
implement a range of measures
enhance the quality of life

Remember that 'topic vocabulary' is the key to a high score in writing task 2.

February 07, 2016

IELTS Writing Task 2: problem and solution essay

Here's my full sample essay for question below.

More and more people are migrating to cities in search of a better life, but city life can be extremely difficult. Explain some of the difficulties of living in a city. How can governments make urban life better for everyone?

Cities are often seen as places of opportunity, but there are also some major drawbacks of living in a large metropolis. In my opinion, governments could do much more to improve city life for the average inhabitant.

The main problem for anyone who hopes to migrate to a large city is that the cost of living is likely to be much higher than it is in a small town or village. Inhabitants of cities have to pay higher prices for housing, transport, and even food. Another issue is that urban areas tend to suffer from social problems such as high crime and poverty rates in comparison with rural areas. Furthermore, the air quality in cities is often poor, due to pollution from traffic, and the streets and public transport systems are usually overcrowded. As a result, city life can be unhealthy and stressful.

However, there are various steps that governments could take to tackle these problems. Firstly, they could invest money in the building of affordable or social housing to reduce the cost of living. Secondly, politicians have the power to ban vehicles from city centres and promote the use of cleaner public transport, which would help to reduce both air pollution and traffic congestion. In London, for example, the introduction of a congestion charge for drivers has helped to curb the traffic problem. A third option would be to develop provincial towns and rural areas, by moving industry and jobs to those regions, in order to reduce the pressure on major cities.

In conclusion, governments could certainly implement a range of measures to enhance the quality of life for all city residents.

(273 words, band 9)

February 04, 2016

IELTS Vocabulary: yesterday's sentences improved

Here are my improved versions of the sentences in yesterday's lesson. I've replaced the strange words with more natural alternatives.

It is widely accepted that sport has a positive impact on people's physical and mental health.
Investment in facilities will not, by itself, lead to an overall improvement in public health.
In order to revolutionise public health, alternative measures will need to be taken.

February 03, 2016

IELTS Vocabulary: trying to be 'difficult'

I recently read a student's essay that contained the following sentences:

As a matter of fact, it is no clandestine issue to anybody that sport has indisputable impacts on overall health of people.
The proponents of this view perceive that investment in enhancing the number of health-related facilities is not alone a cure-all for protecting and maintaining healthy atmosphere.
To revolutionize public health, alternative effective measures are entailed.

I told the student that I thought she was trying too hard to be 'difficult'. Which words or phrases in each sentence do you think I suggested changing?

January 31, 2016

IELTS Writing Task 2: problem and solution

Let's look at an essay plan and an introduction for the question below.

Essay structure and ideas:

Introduction: introduce the topic, then give a general answer
Difficulties: cost of living, unemployment, stress, traffic congestion, pollution
Solutions: social housing, reduce migration by improving small towns and the rural economy, improve public transport, fewer cars
Conclusion: repeat / summarise

Introduction:

January 28, 2016

IELTS Advice: keep moving forward!

You're moving forward every time you do some IELTS practice, every time you learn a new word, every time you read one of my blog lessons.

You might not notice these small improvements, but they add up over time, and you will gradually move towards your goal. Keep going!

January 21, 2016

IELTS Writing Task 2: problem and solution

Someone pointed out that I haven't done a lesson about a "problem and solution" question for a long time. I shared the question below several years ago (here), but I didn't write the full essay.

Can you see why we call this a "problem and solution" question?
Which words are used instead of "problem" and "solution"?
How can we write a 2-sentence introduction for this question?
What ideas do you have for the main paragraphs?

Feel free to share your ideas, and I'll start my essay in next Wednesday's lesson.

January 19, 2016

IELTS Vocabulary: 'less common' not 'advanced'

In the comments below Wednesday's lesson, a few people said that they didn't see any "advanced" vocabulary* in my essay. But examiners are not looking for "advanced" vocabulary; they are looking for "less common" vocabulary.

"Less common" vocabulary means words and phrases that most students wouldn't think to use in their essays. For example, in the first line of my essay, I used the verb "to rival". You might know the noun "rival", but have you ever used it as a verb? This is not an "advanced" word, but it is certainly less commonly used by IELTS candidates, and the examiner would be impressed to see it used in this way.

Here are the "less common" phrases from my essay:

the Internet is beginning to rival newspapers
the traditional press
vital source of information
the Internet age
traditional means of communicating
rural areas
the ability or opportunity to get online
trusted as reliable sources
employ professional journalists and editors
news in real time
gadgets and mobile devices
contribute with our own updates on social media
an explosion in the use of platforms

Note:
Although you probably understand the phrases above, most candidates would not use them in their essays.

*I never use the terms "advanced vocabulary" or "difficult vocabulary". Anyone can find a "big" word in the dictionary and translate it. The difficult skill is to use words together in collocations and phrases.

January 15, 2016

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'disagree' essay with both sides

Today I'm attaching my full essay for the 'newspapers' question that we've been looking at recently. My students here in Manchester helped me to write it, and I've included our essay plan too.

Click here to download the full essay and plan

January 12, 2016

IELTS Grammar: 'most' or 'most of'?

Should you write "most people", "most of people" or "most of the people"?

Answer:

Don't write "most of people".
"Most of the people" is correct when you are talking about a specific group of people e.g. most of the people in my department.
For IELTS writing and speaking "most people" is the best phrase.

Here are some examples for IELTS Writing:

English is taught in most countries. (most of countries)
Most people agree that the ability to speak English is a useful skill.
Most products are made in factories rather than by hand.
Crime is on the increase in most major cities.

January 11, 2016

IELTS Advice: don't invent statistics

People often ask me about inventing statistics in their task 2 essays. For example, if the question is about crime, they might invent something like this:

"According to a recent report from Oxford University, around 60% of prisoners reoffend after being released."

Although this looks like a good 'academic-style' sentence, I still wouldn't recommend writing it. Here are two reasons why:

As you don't have access to research in your exam, statistics like this always seem 'fake' to the examiner.
Statistics aren't really appropriate for the style of writing that examiners expect. They are expecting an opinion-based essay, not a research-based assignment.

Rather than relying on invented statistics, focus on expressing your own views.

January 07, 2016

IELTS Writing Task 2: disagree but give both sides

In last week's lesson I explained that we sometimes need to 'disagree' if we want to write a balanced answer. I'll demonstrate how this works below.

Question:
Although more and more people read news on the Internet, newspapers will remain the most important source of news. Do you agree or disagree?

My introduction:
The Internet is beginning to rival newspapers as the best place to find information about what is happening in the world. I believe that this trend will continue, and the Internet will soon be just as important as the traditional press.

My conclusion:
In conclusion, I disagree with the view that newspapers will continue to be the main source of news, because I believe that the Internet will soon be equally important.

Note:
Remember that I'm disagreeing with the word "most". By arguing that the Internet will become equally important, I can write about both newspapers and the Internet as sources of news.

January 02, 2016

IELTS Advice: aims for February

Did you make a New Year's resolution at the beginning of this month? Did you set yourself a small, achievable objective for January?

My aim was to make my first video for IELTS speaking. I achieved this aim yesterday, so I'm going to be more ambitious in February: I'll try to make a new video lesson every week.

Did you achieve your January objective? What are your aims for February?

December 30, 2015

IELTS Writing Task 2: can we always 'partly agree'?

Read the question below. Do you think it's possible to partly agree? Is it possible to write a balanced answer?

Although more and more people read news on the Internet, newspapers will remain the most important source of news. Do you agree or disagree?

Be careful with this type of question. Here's why:

Because of the word "most", I don't think we can 'partly agree'. Either we believe that newspapers will remain the most popular source of information (agree), or we believe that they won't (disagree). This probably explains why the question doesn't say "to what extent do you agree or disagree?".

However, there is a way to write a balanced answer: we need to disagree. We can say that we disagree that newspapers will remain the most important source of news, because we believe that the Internet will become equally important. This answer allows us to write one main paragraph about each source of news.

Task:
Try writing a 'disagree' introduction in the way that I've suggested above.

December 22, 2015

IELTS Advice: you don't need to be 'original'

Some students worry about being 'original'. They worry that too many other candidates might use the same ideas, vocabulary or linking words as them. For example, several people have asked me whether the examiner will notice if they use the vocabulary from my blog lessons or ebook. Others worry that simple linking words like "firstly, secondly, finally" are too common or even too 'old'.

So, is it true that we should worry about these things? Do candidates need to use 'new', original language in their tests?

The answer is no! IELTS is not testing your originality; it's testing your ability to use the English language in a normal, natural way. Don't worry about any of the things mentioned above!

December 18, 2015

IELTS Writing Task 2: real examples!

On a recent course, my students and I looked at the following question:

Countries are becoming more and more similar because people are able to buy the same products anywhere in the world. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

One problem that I often see with this kind of question is that students / candidates fail to mention even one real example in their essays. Surely we should mention at least one product for this topic, but many people don't; they simply write in general about global brands.

Task:
Fill the gaps below with three real examples.

It is easier than ever for travellers to go abroad and find recognisable products by the brands that they use at home. For example, shops like _____, _____ and _____ can be found on the high streets of most major cities, and tourists are guaranteed the same quality and standard of product wherever they are.

December 15, 2015

IELTS Advice: nervousness

People often ask me for advice about overcoming nervousness when they're taking the IELTS test.

Personally, I think it's normal and even helpful to feel nervous before an exam. The feeling that I think you should aim for is a healthy mix of nervousness and determination. The determination comes from knowing that you are well prepared for the challenge; when you feel like this, the nerves usually disappear as soon as you start the first part of the exam.

December 13, 2015

IELTS Advice: metaphors help learning

In Monday's reading lesson I used the metaphor of a "treasure hunt" to describe the task of finding answers in the passage.

In a comment below the lesson I pointed out that metaphors are a great aid to learning. Metaphors can help us to understand complex ideas more easily and clearly, and they also help us to remember things.

Here are some other metaphors (or similes) that I've used on this blog:

Note: If you're not sure what metaphors and similes are, read this.

December 10, 2015

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'real opinion' and 'easiest opinion'

Last week I asked you to think about the question below. I asked what your real opinion would be, and whether a different opinion might be easier to write about.

Sports programmes are hugely popular on television nowadays. But some people argue that these programmes are to blame for the poor health of many young people who prefer to watch rather than partake in physical activity. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?

Real opinion
Personally, my real opinion is that I completely disagree. I don't think that sports programmes are responsible for any health problems.

Easiest opinion
However, it might be easier to say that we "agree to a certain extent" (partly agree). This would allow us to argue that too much sport on TV may be partly to blame, but that other factors may be equally or even more important.

Tip:
In your exam, I recommend noting down some ideas before you decide what your opinion is. Look at your ideas, and see whether they suggest a one-sided answer or a balanced answer.

Task:
Try writing two different introduction paragraphs - one for my real opinion, and one for the easier opinion above.

December 04, 2015

IELTS Writing Task 2: your real opinion isn't always best

Your real opinion isn't always the best opinion to give when answering an IELTS question. I tell my students to brainstorm ideas before they decide which opinion to give. You might find that there are more (or better) arguments for a view that you wouldn't agree with in the 'real world'.

Take this question for example:

Sports programmes are hugely popular on television nowadays. But some people argue that these programmes are to blame for the poor health of many young people who prefer to watch rather than partake in physical activity. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?

Try planning some ideas, and think about the following questions:

- What is your real opinion about the topic above?
- Is your opinion easy to write about, or would it be easier to choose a different answer?

November 30, 2015

IELTS Grammar: interesting 'article' question

A student noticed something interesting in my video lesson about "discussion essays". In the lesson I wrote the following two phrases:

their determination will help them in competitive situations
more useful than a competitive determination to win

The student asked why I used the article "a" in the second phrase. Isn't "determination" an uncountable noun? The answer is, not always.

Sometimes we use "determination" as a countable noun. In the second sentence above, I'm writing about one specific type of determination: the determination to win. In this case it's correct to write "a determination".

Note:
People often ask me to make a lesson that explains how to use articles. The problem is that article use doesn't follow a set of simple 'rules'. I think it's best to learn gradually by reading lots of English and by noticing things like the example above.

November 29, 2015

IELTS Advice: overall aims, specific actions

Most people who read this blog have the overall aim of passing the IELTS test with a certain score. But what specific actions are you going to take to achieve this overall aim? For example:

Write one essay every week, get it checked by a teacher, and rewrite it.
Do a full reading test once a week, check the answers, analyse my mistakes, and make a keyword table.
Read this blog every day and follow Simon's advice :)

By the way, my own overall aim for this year is to finish my video course and my teacher training course. My small, short-term goal (my first specific action) is to produce the first video lesson for the speaking test.

November 28, 2015

IELTS Advice: New Year's resolutions

A New Year's resolution is an intention or objective for the coming year. The problem is that most people (including me!) break their resolutions - apparently 35% of New Year's resolutions are broken by the end of January.

If you're making a New Year’s resolution related to IELTS, here’s an idea:

We know that the overall aim is to pass the IELTS test, but the best resolutions are small and achievable. It’s disheartening to break a promise that you made to yourself, so start with something very easy. Why not make a short-term resolution for January only? When you've achieved that aim, you can set another one for February. Each aim can become gradually more difficult as you gain confidence.

Do you have a small, short-term, achievable objective for January? Feel free to share your resolutions in the “comments” below. I’ll tell you mine tomorrow, and maybe we can encourage each other to achieve our goals this year.

Happy New Year!

November 26, 2015

IELTS Writing Task 2: words from the question

People often worry about using words from the question in their essays.

While it's important to show that you can paraphrase the question and explain your ideas in a variety of ways, I believe that you should use words from the question somewhere in your essays. But why? Here are 3 reasons:

The first reason is easy: some words/phrases are difficult to paraphrase. For example, in my essay about 'living alone' I found it difficult to avoid using the phrase 'live alone'. Almost every sentence refers to this topic, and nobody expects you to find ten or more different synonyms.
The second reason is more interesting: repeating certain key words or phrases helps to hold your essay together. The reader cannot miss the connection between ideas (whereas he/she might miss the connection if you use too many synonyms). Politicians often use this technique in their speeches e.g. Barack Obama's famous "Yes we can" speech.
The third reason is equally important: repeating words from the question helps to keep you "on topic". Refer to the question to show the examiner that you are answering it. This can help your 'task response' score.

Idea:
Take one of my sample essays, or a sample essay from an IELTS book. Underline key words in the question, then highlight those words in the essay. If the writer used words from the question, it was probably for one of the 3 reasons above. A good essay is likely to have a nice balance between words that are taken from the question and the use of synonyms or paraphrasing.

November 21, 2015

IELTS Grammar: superlative without 'the' (part 2)

Following on from yesterday's lesson, here are some key points to remember.

1) Superlatives can be used after possessive forms, without "the":

My highest IELTS score was...
His fastest running time was...
Britain's oldest person is...

2) Miss "the" if the noun is before (not after) the superlative:

The UK had the highest revenue from bananas. (noun after, use "the")
Revenue from bananas was highest in the UK. (noun before, no "the")

3) Miss "the" when the meaning is "at its..." or "at their...":

Revenue from bananas was (at its) highest in the UK.
Temperatures are (at their) warmest in the south of the country.

Task:
Here's a puzzle for you. The sentence below is correct, but it seems to break the 'rule' in point 2 above. Can you explain why I wrote "the oldest" even though there is no noun after the superlative?

The London underground is the oldest.

November 20, 2015

IELTS Grammar: superlative without 'the'

In this lesson I gave a grammatical explanation of when to write "highest" without the word "the" before it. For example:

- The UK had the highest rate of unemployment. (the highest + noun)
- The unemployment rate was highest in the UK. (noun before 'highest', no 'the')

However, there might be an easier way to remember when to miss the word "the". We miss the word "the" when "highest" means "at its highest" or "at their highest" e.g. The unemployment rate was at its highest in the UK.

Let's try this with a few more examples:

1. Rainfall is highest in October. (Rainfall is at its highest in October)
2. Temperatures are warmest in the south of the country. (at their warmest)
3. Traffic is slowest between 7 and 9am. (at its slowest)

In the above examples, don't put the word "the" before the superlative adjectives.

Note:
I'll add a bit more to this explanation in tomorrow's lesson, so feel free to ask any questions in the comments area below.

November 17, 2015

IELTS Writing Task 2: essay analysis

Did you analyse last week's essay carefully? Here's an example of how an examiner would analyse it:

Task repsonse

The essay fully addresses the task; it is "on topic" at all times, and it definitely answers the question.
The position (opinion / overall answer) is clear throughout the essay. It is presented in the introduction, and then supported in the rest of the essay (with no surprises in the conclusion!).
Lots of detail is given. Ideas are "fully extended" (explained in depth) and well supported.

Coherence and cohesion

Ideas are presented in a logical and organised way.
There is definitely a good "flow" to the essay, so that the argument builds and develops. Paragraphing is well managed, and each paragraph is well constructed.
Cohesive devices (linking) are used in an effective but subtle way - they help with the development of ideas, but do not overshadow those ideas.

Lexical resource (vocabulary)

A wide range of vocabulary is used.
Vocabulary is used appropriately, skillfully and naturally in the development of ideas.
There are several examples of "less common" items of vocabulary, all of which are used appropriately.

Grammatical range and accuracy

A wide range of structures is used.
There are no mistakes!

Task:
Can you add to this analysis by listing the linking words and the good vocabulary from the essay?

November 15, 2015

IELTS Vocabulary: useful phrases

I used some good phrases in yesterday's letter task. Even if you're doing the academic IELTS test, I recommend that you note them down.

at short notice
made the spontaneous decision
to eat out
we could not have chosen a better restaurant
the ceremony had taken place
my friends and I
we were relieved to have finally (+ past participle)
we were in good hands
friendly and obliging
such a memorable evening

Task:
Think about how you could use these phrases in your speaking test.

November 10, 2015

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'positive or negative' essay

Here's my full essay for the 'positive or negative development' question that we've been looking at over the last few weeks.

In some countries, many more people are choosing to live alone nowadays than in the past. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

In recent years it has become far more normal for people to live alone, particularly in large cities in the developed world. In my opinion, this trend could have both positive and negative consequences in equal measure.

The rise in one-person households can be seen as positive for both personal and broader economic reasons. On an individual level, people who choose to live alone may become more independent and self-reliant than those who live with family members. A young adult who lives alone, for example, will need to learn to cook, clean, pay bills and manage his or her budget, all of which are valuable life skills; an increase in the number of such individuals can certainly be seen as a positive development. From an economic perspective, the trend towards living alone will result in greater demand for housing. This is likely to benefit the construction industry, estate agents and a whole host of other companies that rely on homeowners to buy their products or services.

However, the personal and economic arguments given above can be considered from the opposite angle. Firstly, rather than the positive feeling of increased independence, people who live alone may experience feelings of loneliness, isolation and worry. They miss out on the emotional support and daily conversation that family or flatmates can provide, and they must bear the weight of all household bills and responsibilities; in this sense, perhaps the trend towards living alone is a negative one. Secondly, from the financial point of view, a rise in demand for housing is likely to push up property prices and rents. While this may benefit some businesses, the general population, including those who live alone, will be faced with rising living costs.

In conclusion, the increase in one-person households will have both beneficial and detrimental effects on individuals and on the economy.

(band 9)

November 06, 2015

IELTS Vocabulary: this week's review

In my Saturday blog lessons, I often list the good vocabulary from the previous week. Today I'm going to ask you to do this week's vocabulary review.

So, look back through this week's lessons here on the blog, and make a note of any good vocabulary that I used. Feel free to share your lists in the "comments" area below.

November 04, 2015

IELTS Writing Task 2: different perspectives

A good way to organise your ideas is by thinking about the topic from different perspectives or points of view. Click here to see another lesson about this.

I used the 'perspectives' technique to write a paragraph about the positives of more people living alone (see last week's lesson).

Here's my paragraph with the perspectives highlighted:

The rise in one-person households can be seen as positive for both personal and broader economic reasons. On an individual level, people who choose to live alone may become more independent and self-reliant than those who live with family members. A young adult who lives alone, for example, will need to learn to cook, clean, pay bills and manage his or her budget, all of which are valuable life skills. From an economic perspective, the trend towards living alone will result in greater demand for housing. This is likely to benefit the construction industry, estate agents and a whole host of other companies that rely on homeowners to buy their products or services.

Task:
Try writing about the negatives of the same trend, from two or three different perspectives.

November 01, 2015

IELTS Advice: an important question

Here's a question that a student wrote in the "comments" below one of my lessons this week:

Dear Simon,

I'm reading your model essays and find them easy to follow and understand. They are totally different from what I'm being trained to write in my IELTS class. We are advised to include linking words, adverbs and descriptive clauses in almost every sentence, while your sentences are much shorter and cleaner. Please give me your opinion about this difference.

(Note: I've corrected a few small mistakes that the student made)

For me, this is an important question because it highlights one of the main reasons why I started writing this blog: I disagree with the way that many teachers, books and websites teach IELTS, and I wanted to suggest a different approach. Examiners are pleasantly surprised when they see essays that are 'clean' and easy to follow, and you might find that your scores improve as you start to focus on real content instead of linking words and memorised phrases.

October 27, 2015

IELTS Writing Task 2: balanced introduction

If we want to write a balanced answer for the question below, it's important to make our balanced view very clear in the introduction.

Here's the question again:

In some countries, many more people are choosing to live alone nowadays than in the past. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

Here's my 'balanced opinion' introduction:

In recent years it has become far more normal for people to live alone, particularly in large cities in the developed world. In my opinion, this trend is having both positive and negative consequences in equal measure.

Note:
Notice that I wrote two sentences as usual. The first sentence introduces the topic by paraphrasing the question statement, and the second sentence makes my opinion very clear.

October 23, 2015

IELTS Advice: how to improve

Many people ask me how they can improve their IELTS scores. In my experience, improvements tend to happen in the following way:

Note: The numbers on the graph refer to stages of improvement, not scores.

Here's my explanation of the four stages of improvement:

When a student first starts taking IELTS lessons, they learn useful exam techniques and they do some practice tests. They often improve quite quickly at this stage.
However, there is a limit to the improvements that you can make with exam techniques alone. Stage 2 represents the frustrating period during which your score stays the same.
The only way to reach point 3 is by working hard to improve your English. There are no secrets, shortcuts or special techniques; learning a second language takes time and practice.
In the end, students who persist do tend to get the scores they need! (I'm afraid nobody can tell you how long this will take).

October 22, 2015

IELTS Advice: homework should be perfect!

Students often make simple mistakes that could be avoided. In exam conditions this is understandable, but there is no excuse for making careless mistakes in your homework!

If you are writing an IELTS essay at home, don't do it as a test. Take your time, check everything carefully, and aim to write a "perfect" essay. Homework is an opportunity to learn and improve, not just a test of your current level.

October 19, 2015

IELTS Writing Task 2: positive or negative development?

Questions that ask "Is this a positive or negative development?" seem to be quite common in the IELTS test these days. For example, here's a recent question that several people told me about:

In some countries, many more people are choosing to live alone nowadays than in the past. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

Here's my advice:

This type of question is asking for your opinion, so don't write about the views of other people.
Three different answers are possible: (1) You think it is a positive development. (2) You think it is a negative development. (3) You believe that there are some positives and some negatives.
As usual, make your opinion clear in the introduction, support it with good ideas in the main body, and repeat / summarise it in the conclusion.

October 13, 2015

IELTS Vocabulary: try this exercise

Let's take some of the phrases from yesterday's lesson, and see if you can use them to make new sentences about completely different topics.

Here are the phrases to use:

The focus of _____ is on _____ rather than _____.
I've recently started taking an interest in _____.
I would never have _____ when I was younger.

Remember to choose a new topic (not TV). You can put as many words as you want in the gaps.

October 12, 2015

IELTS Vocabulary: from yesterday's lesson

Here are the good words and phrases that I used in yesterday's speaking lesson:

primarily for entertainment
people treat television as a form of relaxation
talent shows
soap operas
the focus is on entertainment rather than education
what is morally right and wrong
traditional fairy tales
toddlers
we start taking an interest in
my own preferences have changed over the years
I would never have watched news programmes when I was younger
our viewing habits mature ('mature' is used as a verb)

October 07, 2015

IELTS Advice: step by step

Yesterday I was reading some advice from a successful musician, and it struck me as being equally relevant to language learning and IELTS preparation:

"It is true of any subject that the person that succeeds has the realistic viewpoint at the beginning, and knows that the problem is large and that he has to take it a step at a time, and that he has to enjoy the step-by-step learning procedure."
(Bill Evans, pianist and composer)

Do you have a realistic idea of what you need to do to reach your required IELTS score? Are you tackling the problem in a step-by-step manner? And are you enjoying the challenge?

October 02, 2015

IELTS Writing Task 2: the problem with 'difficult' language

One of the main messages that I try to communicate in my lessons is that 'difficult' words and grammar are not the secret to a high score. You don't need to be Shakespeare to get band 7, 8 or 9!

In fact, 'difficult' language often has a negative effect on people's scores. Instead of impressing the examiner, the 'difficult' language may be unnatural, inappropriate, or just incorrect.

Look at these examples from Sunday's lesson. I've underlined the words that I think the students hoped would impress the examiner.

If schools administered with any teachers, disorder and lawlessness would arise.
If uncensored commercials had been banned, the crime rate would be seized from rising.

All of the underlined 'difficult' words are either used wrongly or they seem strange in these contexts. It would be better to write the following versions:

If schools were run without teachers, the behaviour of pupils would be much worse.
If violent commercials were banned, the crime rate would fall.

September 29, 2015

IELTS Grammar: conditional mistakes

Can you correct the mistakes in the following conditional sentences?

If there was a ban on cigarette, less people would smoke cigarette.
If the tax rate on junk food had increased, people would likely to prefer making food at home.
If schools administered with any teachers, disorder and lawlessness would arise.
If uncensored commercials had been banned, the crime rate would be seized from rising.

September 27, 2015

IELTS Writing Task 2: conditional for imagining

When discussing different views, giving your opinion or suggesting solutions to a problem, you might want to say what would or wouldn't happen in a certain situation. In other words, you are imagining something, and you'll need to write a conditional sentence.

Use the 2nd conditional for imagining: If + past + would

Example: If I had enough money, I would go on holiday.

Here's an example from the essay that I wrote last week:

It may be that employers begin to value creative thinking skills above practical or technical skills. If this were the case, perhaps we would need more students of art, history and philosophy than of science or technology.

Quick exercise - write sentences to imagine the following situations:

Imagine a ban on advertising.
Imagine a tax on unhealthy junk food.
Imagine schools with no teachers (computers doing the teaching).

September 23, 2015

IELTS Vocabulary: weekly review

Did you note down the good vocabulary from this week's lessons? Here's a list of some of the best words and phrases. Try using them to make your own sentences.

erratically
precipitation
mishandling, bungling
convenient, handy
certain key subject areas
the courses of their choice
from a personal perspective
on the societal level
job opportunities, career progression, better salaries
knowledge and skill gaps are covered
greater future prosperity
passionate about what they are learning
value creative thinking skills above practical or technical skills
if this were the case
I personally prefer the current system in which...

September 20, 2015

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'university subjects' essay

Today I'm sharing my full essay for the question below.

Some people think that all university students should study whatever they like. Others believe that they should only be allowed to study subjects that will be useful in the future, such as those related to science and technology.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

People have different views about how much choice students should have with regard to what they can study at university. While some argue that it would be better for students to be forced into certain key subject areas, I believe that everyone should be able to study the course of their choice.

There are various reasons why people believe that universities should only offer subjects that will be useful in the future. They may assert that university courses like medicine, engineering and information technology are more likely to be beneficial than certain art degrees. From a personal perspective, it can be argued that these courses provide more job opportunities, career progression, better salaries, and therefore an improved quality of life for students who take them. On the societal level, by forcing people to choose particular university subjects, governments can ensure that any knowledge and skill gaps in the economy are covered. Finally, a focus on technology in higher education could lead to new inventions, economic growth, and greater future prosperity.

In spite of these arguments, I believe that university students should be free to choose their preferred areas of study. In my opinion, society will benefit more if our students are passionate about what they are learning. Besides, nobody can really predict which areas of knowledge will be most useful to society in the future, and it may be that employers begin to value creative thinking skills above practical or technical skills. If this were the case, perhaps we would need more students of art, history and philosophy than of science or technology.

In conclusion, although it might seem sensible for universities to focus only on the most useful subjects, I personally prefer the current system in which people have the right to study whatever they like.

(297 words, band 9)

September 16, 2015

IELTS Writing Task 2: from plan to paragraph

Here's the question we looked at in last week's lesson:

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

And here's my plan for the second view (one paragraph only):

Topic sentence - only study useful subjects, various reasons
Give examples of subjects that are more useful than others
Personal reasons - job opportunities, career progression, high salary
Societal reasons - cover gaps in knowledge / skills in the economy
Future reason - new inventions lead to growth and future prosperity

Now here's the paragraph that I wrote with my students, using this plan:

(1) There are various reasons why people may believe that universities should only offer subjects that will be useful in the future. (2) It is true that university courses like medicine, engineering and information technology are more likely to be beneficial than certain art degrees. (3) From a personal perspective, these courses can provide more job opportunities, career progression, better salaries, and therefore an improved quality of life for students who take them. (4) On the societal level, by forcing people to choose the most useful university subjects, governments can ensure that any knowledge and skill gaps in the economy are covered. (5) Finally, a focus on technology in higher education could lead to new inventions, economic growth, and greater future prosperity.

Note:
To write this 'band 9' paragraph, we simply turned the 5 points in the plan into 5 full sentences.

September 07, 2015

IELTS Writing Task 2: good plan = good paragraph

My students and I looked at the following question from Cambridge IELTS 10.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Here's our 5-sentence plan for the second view given in the question:

Topic sentence - only study useful subjects, various reasons
Give examples of subjects that are more useful than others
Personal reasons - job opportunities, career progression, high salary
Societal reasons - cover gaps in knowledge / skills in the economy
Future reason - new inventions lead to growth and future prosperity

With a good plan like this, it should be easy to write a good paragraph. Just try writing one full sentence for each of these five ideas.

September 04, 2015

IELTS Advice: the wrong thing to focus on

In yesterday's lesson I mentioned that someone asked me this question: "Can we use the passive in writing task 1?"

If you ask a question like this, it tells me that you're focusing on the wrong thing. Your method, or your whole approach to the IELTS test is wrong.

When you look at a graph or chart in writing task 1, you shouldn't be thinking, "can I use the passive to describe this information?". You should be thinking, "what is the main trend, which numbers should I compare or contrast, how will I paraphrase the question etc.?".

Don't take a 'grammar approach' to your IELTS preparation. Take a 'task response' approach: focus on answering the question.

August 30, 2015

IELTS Writing Task 2: better linking

Most students learn simple linking words (firstly, secondly, furthermore etc.). But did you know that there are other, more sophisticated ways to link your ideas? Here are some of them:

Use this or these to refer to the idea in the previous sentence.
Use pronouns like it and they to refer to nouns you have already used.
Repeat a key word throughout the paragraph.
Repeat a key idea in different ways.
Develop an idea from 'general' to 'specific'.

You might not notice this type of linking because it seems so natural. Click here to see a paragraph that demonstrates the 5 techniques described above.

August 24, 2015

IELTS Writing Task 2: focus on 'real content'

Whenever people ask me for one quick tip for writing task 2, I tell them to focus on 'real content' rather than grammar, linking or structure.

I'm not saying that grammar, linking and structure aren't important, but the big difference between people who get less than band 7 and people who get band 7 or higher is content.

'Real content' means ideas that are related to the question topic. And it means that a range of good vocabulary has been used to express those ideas.

Here are the 'real content' ideas from the essay I wrote last week:

productive members of society
discourage them from breaking the law
accept advice from someone who can speak from experience
reformed offenders
dispel any ideas
leading glamorous lives
adolescents are often indifferent to the guidance given by...
the vivid and perhaps shocking nature of these stories
have a powerful impact
informing teens about what happens to lawbreakers
reluctant to take advice from figures of authority
credible sources of information
opportunity for young people to interact
turned their lives around
serving a prison sentence
deter teenagers from committing crimes

Hopefully it's clear that this vocabulary is more impressive than linking words like 'moreover'!

August 21, 2015

IELTS Grammar: correct the mistakes

Here are some phrases (parts of sentences) that people wrote below Thursday's writing task 1 lesson. Can you find and correct the mistakes?

Note: I'm focusing here on the parts of people's sentences that contained a problem. Don't worry about the information that I've missed out.

The highest numbers of sales were 3 million Euros and 15 million Euros respectively.
The highest sales figures for Fairtrade coffee and bananas was recorded in Switzerland.
Switzerland was earning 15 million euros of fairtrade bananas.
...with the sales figures for coffee and bananas stood at 3 million Euros and 15 million Euros respectively.
Switzerland was the highest sales in fairtrade of coffee and bananas.

In case you didn't see it, here's my correct version:

In 1999, Switzerland had the highest figures for sales of both Fairtrade coffee and Fairtrade bananas, with 3 million and 15 million Euros of sales for the two respective products.

August 16, 2015

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'strong opinion' essay

Here's my full essay for the "ex-prisoner" topic that we've been looking at over the last few weeks. Notice that I give only one opinion, and I support it in each paragraph.

Some people who have been in prison become good citizens later, and it is often argued that these are the best people to talk to teenagers about the dangers of committing a crime.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

It is true that ex-prisoners can become normal, productive members of society. I completely agree with the idea that allowing such people to speak to teenagers about their experiences is the best way to discourage them from breaking the law.

In my opinion, teenagers are more likely to accept advice from someone who can speak from experience. Reformed offenders can tell young people about how they became involved in crime, the dangers of a criminal lifestyle, and what life in prison is really like. They can also dispel any ideas that teenagers may have about criminals leading glamorous lives. While adolescents are often indifferent to the guidance given by older people, I imagine that most of them would be extremely keen to hear the stories of an ex-offender. The vivid and perhaps shocking nature of these stories is likely to have a powerful impact.

The alternatives to using reformed criminals to educate teenagers about crime would be much less effective. One option would be for police officers to visit schools and talk to young people. This could be useful in terms of informing teens about what happens to lawbreakers when they are caught, but young people are often reluctant to take advice from figures of authority. A second option would be for school teachers to speak to their students about crime, but I doubt that students would see teachers as credible sources of information about this topic. Finally, educational films might be informative, but there would be no opportunity for young people to interact and ask questions.

In conclusion, I fully support the view that people who have turned their lives around after serving a prison sentence could help to deter teenagers from committing crimes.

(287 words, band 9)

August 14, 2015

IELTS Advice: don't give up!

It's always nice to hear from people who have struggled with IELTS but have been successful in the end. Here's part of a positive message from my Facebook page. I'm sharing it today because the key advice is: don't give up!

"After multiple attempts of taking the exam, I was able to get my needed scores on my 4th try. What's astonishing is I got 7 in writing, my weakest part, after the remarking. I know thousands of people are struggling to get their desired scores but all I can say is 'Do not give up'. There was a time in my life where I said to myself that IELTS is just a business, dreadful and unjust. However, I continued to believe in myself."

(Veyga, Philippines)

Although I hear from lots of people who are frustrated by the IELTS test, I hear from many others who have passed. Keep working and you'll be one of them!

August 13, 2015

IELTS Advice: useful online dictionary

A colleague of mine (thanks Phil) just sent me a link to an online dictionary called Your Dictionary. The best feature of this dictionary is that it shows you lots of example sentences that include the word you searched for.

Try searching for a word, and then click on the 'sentences' option:

I tried this with the word "otherwise" (someone asked me about the different uses of this word a few days ago). I found the 'sentences' option much more useful than just reading the definitions.

August 11, 2015

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'strong opinion' conclusion

Examiners don't want to be surprised by new ideas or opinions in your conclusion; they just want to read a summary of your overall answer to the question. The easiest way to do this is by paraphrasing what you wrote in your introduction. For example:

Introduction
It is true that ex-prisoners can become normal, productive members of society. I completely agree with the idea that allowing such people to speak to teenagers about their experiences is the best way to discourage young people from breaking the law.

Conclusion
In conclusion, I fully support the view that people who have turned their lives around after serving a prison sentence could be used to deter teenagers from committing crimes.

Examples of paraphrasing:

I completely agree with the idea that = I fully support the view that
become normal members of society = turned their lives around
ex-prisoners = after serving a prison sentence
discourage young people = deter teenagers
breaking the law = committing crimes

August 08, 2015

IELTS Advice: typical mistake in writing task 1

In case you didn't see my lesson on Thursday, or the answer I gave in the comments below it, here's one of the most typical mistakes that I see people making in their writing task 1 answers:

They write things like "Canada decreased" or "the USA was the highest".

These phrases don't make sense. Canada, the country, didn't decrease! You must remember to describe the topic properly. For example:

- Unemployment in Canada decreased.
- The USA had the highest rate of unemployment.

Remember: saying that a country increases or decreases sounds very strange!

August 03, 2015

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'strong opinion' introduction

If we're going to write an essay following our 'strong opinion' plan, we need to start with an introduction that makes our view very clear.

Here's the question again:

Some people who have been in prison become good citizens later, and it is often argued that these are the best people to talk to teenagers about the dangers of committing a crime.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

And here's a 'strong opinion' introduction:

Note: Can you see the examples of paraphrasing that I used?

August 01, 2015

IELTS Grammar: 'future perfect' tense

Did you notice that I used the 'future perfect' tense in the answer that I wrote for Thursday's writing task 1 lesson? Here's the sentence:

- By 2024, a third building will have been constructed.

In fact, this is a 'future perfect passive' sentence. Another option was to write:

- In 2024, a third building will be constructed. (simple future, passive)

There's a small difference in meaning between these two sentences. The future perfect sentence suggests that construction of the building will already be finished in 2024, whereas the simple future sentence suggests that the construction work will happen in the year 2024.

July 27, 2015

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'strong opinion' plan

Here's a possible plan for a one-sided answer:

Introduction: Completely agree with the idea.
First reason: Ex-prisoners have real experiences that they can tell the teenagers about. Young people will believe them, and will be shocked by the reality of their stories. Give an example.
Second reason: The alternatives are teachers or police officers talking to young people, or the use of educational films. These methods have a lesser impact - young people often ignore authority figures.
Conclusion: Repeat / summarise your opinion.

July 18, 2015

IELTS Writing Task 2: strong opinion

Here's a recent exam question that a few people told me about:

Let's try writing a 'strong opinion' answer for this question. In other words, we're going to completely agree or completely disagree. We're not going to write about both points of view.

Can you suggest a 4-paragraph plan for a 'strong opinion' answer?

July 15, 2015

IELTS Vocabulary: paraphrasing

In last Sunday's lesson I wrote that an advanced user of any language is someone who can express the same idea in a variety of ways. When you do this, you are paraphrasing.

Let's practise paraphrasing some of the ideas from Friday's speaking lesson. Can you express the ideas below in one or two (or more) different ways? Note: you don't need to use exact synonyms - just make sure you communicate the same overall idea.

Traffic clogs up the main street.
Local people need to bring the problem to light.
They should come up with some possible designs.
This would have a positive knock-on effect.

July 14, 2015

IELTS Vocabulary: from yesterday's lesson

Here's some of the good vocabulary that I used in yesterday's speaking lesson. Would you be able to use these phrases in your own sentences? If you're not sure, look the phrases up in a dictionary, or use Google to search for examples of their use.

local neighbourhood
pedestrianisation
traffic diverted
clogs up the main street
congestion, noise and pollution
pressure from local people
bring a problem to light
a campaign by residents
come up with some possible designs
a bypass
blocked off
quality of life
outdoor seating
a safer and more pleasant place
a positive knock-on effect

July 11, 2015

IELTS Writing Task 2: study order

Someone asked me a useful question: Is there any specific study order that you recommend? So here's what I think:

1. Essay structure and paragraphs

The first thing to do is find an essay structure that works for you. You probably know that I prefer to write 4 paragraphs, and maybe you've seen how I write 2-sentence introductions, 5-sentence main paragraphs and 1-sentence conclusions. Try this: take some essays that you have already written, and rewrite them so that they all have the same number of paragraphs and sentences.

2. Question types

You need to see examples of the four question types, and make sure you know how to answer each type using your preferred essay structure.

3. Planning, and isolated paragraph practice

Take several different questions, and practise planning ideas. Then spend some time focusing only on introductions e.g. write an introduction for five different questions. Then do the same with conclusions. Then try writing different types of main paragraph e.g. an 'advantages' paragraph, an 'opinion' paragraph, a 'problem' paragraph etc.

4. Topic ideas

When you are confident that you know how to write an essay, it's time to start working through as many common IELTS writing topics as possible. Even if you don't write a full essay for each topic, you should at least plan some ideas and opinions.

5. Mistakes, corrections and improvements

Try to find someone who can check your writing, highlight and explain your mistakes, and show you how to improve your essays.

July 08, 2015

IELTS Advice: what is 'advanced' language?

When I was at school I studied French. The teachers taught us lots of grammar, and after five or six years we were ready to learn passives, conditionals and the subjunctive. These were considered to be the the most advanced aspects of the language.

But then I went to France, and realised that I was still a beginner! I couldn't understand fast speech, and I couldn't express myself without thinking first; I needed time to construct sentences in my head.

Now I have a different view about what 'advanced' or 'difficult' language is, and the IELTS marking system agrees with me. An 'advanced' user of English isn't someone who uses lots of passives and conditionals. An advanced user is someone who has a large language repertoire, can explain ideas in detail, can speak without thinking (too much), and can express the same idea in a variety of ways. Which type of 'advanced' are you tryng to reach?

July 04, 2015

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'traditional views' essay

Here's my full essay for the following question.

The older generations tend to have very traditional ideas about how people should live, think and behave. However, some people believe that these ideas are not helpful in preparing younger generations for modern life.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?

It is true that many older people believe in traditional values that often seem incompatible with the needs of younger people. While I agree that some traditional ideas are outdated, I believe that others are still useful and should not be forgotten.

On the one hand, many of the ideas that elderly people have about life are becoming less relevant for younger people. In the past, for example, people were advised to learn a profession and find a secure job for life, but today’s workers expect much more variety and diversity from their careers. At the same time, the ‘rules’ around relationships are being eroded as young adults make their own choices about who and when to marry. But perhaps the greatest disparity between the generations can be seen in their attitudes towards gender roles. The traditional roles of men and women, as breadwinners and housewives, are no longer accepted as necessary or appropriate by most younger people.

On the other hand, some traditional views and values are certainly applicable to the modern world. For example, older generations attach great importance to working hard, doing one’s best, and taking pride in one’s work, and these behaviours can surely benefit young people as they enter today’s competitive job market. Other characteristics that are perhaps seen as traditional are politeness and good manners. In our globalised world, young adults can expect to come into contact with people from a huge variety of backgrounds, and it is more important than ever to treat others with respect. Finally, I believe that young people would lead happier lives if they had a more ‘old-fashioned’ sense of community and neighbourliness.

In conclusion, although the views of older people may sometimes seem unhelpful in today’s world, we should not dismiss all traditional ideas as irrelevant.

(299 words, band 9)

July 02, 2015

IELTS Advice: paragraph 'movement'

In yesterday's lesson, I wrote this:

The fact that I wrote about 3 distinct ideas meant that the paragraph "moves forward". Many students seem to get stuck on one idea, and the paragraph has no development or “movement".

This is something that I often see in students' essays: they go "round and round" explaining the same idea for a whole paragraph. Look carefully at your own paragraphs to see whether this happens to you. If it does, here are 2 possible solutions:

Spend more time planning, and try to think of 3 distinct ideas or points before you start writing. When you've written about one point, leave it and move on to the next one.
Spend more time planning, and develop your idea (if you only have one idea). Make sure you don't just explain the same point in different ways. Instead, try to "move the idea forward" by thinking about reasons, consequences and examples. You could even consider alternatives e.g. what the opposite of your idea would be.

July 01, 2015

IELTS Advice: did you notice?

On Wednesday I wrote a paragraph for a task 2 topic. Did you notice the following things in it?

I used "in my opinion" and "I believe" to make it clear that I'm giving my own views. Read this lesson if your teacher has told you not to use "I" or "my".
I wrote 5 sentences, which is the usual number that I aim for in my main body paragraphs.
The structure was: 1 topic sentence, 1 sentence about the first idea (working hard), 2 sentences about the second idea (good manners), 1 sentence about the third idea (sense of community).
The fact that I wrote about 3 distinct ideas meant that the paragraph "moves forward". Many students seem to get stuck on one idea, and the paragraph has no development or "movement".

There are also some 'band 7-9' phrases in the paragraph. Did you notice them?

June 28, 2015

IELTS Writing Task 2: plan and 5-sentence paragraph

Here's another example of how I use a plan to write a 5-sentence paragraph. The plan and paragraph relate to the question in this lesson. I'll share my full essay next week.

Plan for a paragraph about traditional ideas which are still useful:

Work - work hard, do your best, take pride in your work
Behaviour - politeness, good manners, respect for others
Community - help others, be a good neighbour, look after local area

Full paragraph using the ideas above (topic sentence and 3 points):

In my opinion, some traditional views and values are certainly applicable to the modern world. For example, older generations attached great importance to working hard, doing one’s best, and taking pride in one’s work, and these behaviours can surely benefit young people as they enter today’s competitive job market. Other characteristics that are perhaps seen as traditional are politeness and good manners. In our globalised world, young adults can expect to come into contact with people from a huge variety of backgrounds, and it is more important than ever to treat others with respect. Finally, I believe that young people would lead happier lives if they had a more ‘old-fashioned’ sense of community and neighbourliness.

June 24, 2015

IELTS Vocabulary: investigate!

Whenever you see a new word or phrase, it's a good idea to investigate. By this I mean that you should search for the word or phrase online, and see how it is used in a variety of sentences.

For example, take this phrase from yesterday's lesson: "I'm not one for...". If you search for this phrase on Google, you'll see examples like:

I'm not one for complaining, but...
I'm not one for writing reviews, but...
I'm not one for settling for mediocrity.
I'm not one for love songs.
I'm not one for celeb news.
I'm not one for too much structure.

I think you need to see five or more examples of a new phrase before you start to really see how you could use it yourself. Can you see any 'rules' for the phrase "I'm not one for"? Can you explain what it means? Can you use it in your own sentences?

June 22, 2015

IELTS Writing Task 2: partly agree

If you want to write about both sides of the argument for an "agree or disagree" question, you need to make it clear in your introduction that you "partly agree". For example:

Question
The older generations tend to have very traditional ideas about how people should live, think and behave. However, some people believe that these ideas are not helpful in preparing younger generations for modern life.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?

Introduction
It is true that many older people believe in traditional values that often seem incompatible with the needs of younger people. While I agree that some traditional ideas are outdated, I believe that others are still relevant and should not be forgotten.

Tip:
Notice that I often start my introductions with "It is true that", and I use a while sentence to give both views in the same sentence.

June 18, 2015

IELTS Advice: what can you memorise?

While I don't recommend memorising full IELTS essays, I'm sure that memorising can be a useful technique that might help you to get the score you need.

So, what can you memorise? Here are some ideas:

The correct spelling of any words you have problems with.
Some useful organisational phrases e.g. "It is clear that..." (to begin your summary paragraph for writing task 1).
Some common topics for IELTS speaking part 2 e.g. a description of a hobby, person, place.
Some good topic vocabulary (phrases rather than single words) for IELTS writing task 2.

Can you think of anything else that you could memorise before the exam?

June 17, 2015

IELTS Vocabulary: from this week

Here are some good words and phrases from this week's blog lessons:

an exact replica
a mock-up
to gauge
painstaking work
hands-on experience
priceless
outdated
a career for life
fixed roles of men and women
take pride in your work
the Hollywood formula
a popular subject for film-makers
share the experience
replicate that cinema atmosphere

Did you notice that the noun 'replica' and the verb 'replicate' both appeared in this week's lessons, and in very different contexts?

June 15, 2015

IELTS Writing Task 2: plan your ideas!

If you don't spend some time planning your ideas, it's likely that you'll run out of things to write, or you'll go off-topic. When planning, keep checking the question to make sure that your ideas are relevant.

Read the question below, and then look at my example plan.

4-paragraph plan:

Introduce the topic of 'traditional ideas and modern life', then partly agree: some ideas are outdated, but others are still helpful
Paragraph about ideas which are not so helpful nowadays:
Work - having a career for life is no longer normal
Relationships - 'rules' about who and when to marry are changing
Gender roles - traditional fixed roles of men and women have changed
Paragraph about traditional ideas which we shouldn't forget:
Work - work hard, do your best, take pride in your work
Behaviour - politeness, good manners, respect for others
Community - help others, be a good neighbour, look after local area
Conclusion: repeat / summarise the answer

June 06, 2015

IELTS Writing Task 2: agree, disagree or partly agree?

Here's a recent exam question that someone sent me:

The older generations tend to have very traditional ideas about how people should live, think and behave. However, some people believe that these ideas are not helpful in preparing younger generations for modern life.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?

Try making some notes on the following questions:

What arguments and examples could you use to agree?
What arguments and examples could be used to disagree?
Which answer would you find easier: agree, disagree or partly agree?

May 29, 2015

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'structure' is not the secret

I often receive questions from students like this one:

"Hi Simon. I used your 4-paragraph structure with short introduction and conclusion, but I only got band 6.5. I need a band 7, so should I try a different structure?"

Can you see what is wrong with this question? The student is assuming that essay structure is the secret to a high score. But remember: even a great essay structure is nothing without good content (ideas, vocabulary, correct grammar). If you're stuck on band 6 or 6.5, you probably need to improve the content, not the structure.

May 26, 2015

IELTS Advice: technique and language

Exam technique is obviously important. Good preparation means knowing how to approach each part of the test.

However, exam technique won't help someone with intermediate language skills to get an 'advanced' score (band 7 or higher). Exam technique just helps you to get the score that your current language level deserves.

So keep doing the exam practice, but don't stop working on your English language skills!

May 24, 2015

IELTS Vocabulary: more good phrases

There were several good words and phrases in this week's lessons here on the blog. Here are some of them, and I've left gaps to encourage you to look a bit harder!

universities became accessible to the ______
talented ______ film-makers
given the opportunity to ______ themselves
a ______ of other costs
partly ______ by government subsidies
foreign productions ______ the market
percentage of ______ inhabitants
each five-year age ______
each five-year ______
No significant ______ differences can be seen

May 21, 2015

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'foreign films' essay

Here's my full essay for the question that we've been working on recently.

Many people prefer to watch foreign films rather than locally produced films. Why could this be?
Should governments give more financial support to local film industries?

It is true that foreign films are more popular in many countries than domestically produced films. There could be several reasons why this is the case, and I believe that governments should promote local film-making by subsidising the industry.

There are various reasons why many people find foreign films more enjoyable than the films produced in their own countries. Firstly, the established film industries in certain countries have huge budgets for action, special effects and to shoot scenes in spectacular locations. Hollywood blockbusters like ‘Avatar’ or the James Bond films are examples of such productions, and their global appeal is undeniable. Another reason why these big-budget films are so successful is that they often star the most famous actors and actresses, and they are made by the most accomplished producers and directors. The poor quality, low-budget filmmaking in many countries suffers in comparison.

In my view, governments should support local film industries financially. In every country, there may be talented amateur film-makers who just need to be given the opportunity to prove themselves. To compete with big-budget productions from overseas, these people need money to pay for film crews, actors and a host of other costs related to producing high-quality films. If governments did help with these costs, they would see an increase in employment in the film industry, income from film sales, and perhaps even a rise in tourist numbers. New Zealand, for example, has seen an increase in tourism related to the 'Lord of the Rings' films, which were partly funded by government subsidies.

In conclusion, I believe that increased financial support could help to raise the quality of locally made films and allow them to compete with the foreign productions that currently dominate the market.

(294 words, band 9)

Note:
I'm not really sure whether the New Zealand example is true, but it's fine to invent this kind of thing in the test!

May 17, 2015

IELTS Advice: misinformation!

This week someone asked me a question which included the following statement:

Some examiners do not agree with the use of "I" in the writing test.

My question is: who are these examiners? I can't believe that examiners would ignore their training and penalise the use of "I". How are candidates expected to answer the question "Do you agree or disagree?" without using "I" or "my" (e.g. I completely disagree)? Also, if the personal pronoun "you" is used in the question, why would personal pronouns be prohibited in your answer?

My guess is that this misinformation about the use of "I" is coming from teachers, not examiners. In my experience here in the UK, examiners are all well trained and they all work in the same way. They expect you to use phrases like "I believe" or "I agree" when the question asks for your opinion!

May 15, 2015

IELTS Vocabulary: weekly review

This week's lessons contained some good vocabulary. Here are some of the words and phrases that you could put in your notebook:

cartography
symptoms manifested
fundamental things
balance, symmetry and repetition
soul-destroying
rigid, bleak, relentless, harsh
established film industries
huge budgets, big-budget films
shoot scenes in spectacular locations
Hollywood blockbusters
global appeal
they star the most famous actors
made by the most accomplished producers
suffers in comparison
in theory, in practice
made a mess of (informal)
the core of
the point at which

May 11, 2015

IELTS Writing Task 2: from plan to paragraph

If you have a 5-idea plan, it should be relatively easy to write a paragraph. Just make each point in your plan into a sentence. For example:

5-idea plan for "why people prefer foreign films"

Topic sentence - several reasons
First reason - budgets for action, special effects, spectacular locations
Example - Hollywood blockbusters like Avatar or James Bond films
Second reason - the most famous actors, actresses and directors
Final reason - poor quality local filmmaking in many countries

Full paragraph with 5-sentences (one for each idea)

There are several reasons why many people find foreign films more enjoyable than the films produced in their own countries. Firstly, the established film industries in certain countries have huge budgets for action, special effects and to shoot scenes in spectacular locations. Hollywood blockbusters like ‘Avatar’ or the James Bond films are examples of such productions, and their global appeal is undeniable. Another reason why these big-budget films are so successful is that they often star the most famous actors and actresses, and they are made by the most accomplished producers and directors. The poor quality, low-budget filmmaking in many countries suffers in comparison.

(106 words)

May 07, 2015

IELTS Grammar: correct the mistakes

Can you correct the small mistake(s) in each of the following sentences, or change the sentences to make them more natural?

Global filmmaking companies have more budget for action, special effects and spectacular locations.
Governments should support local film industries by financially support the film makers.
If governments help local movie industry, it would create employment opportunities.
There are several reasons why locally made films lose popularity to foreign films.
The following essay will discuss in details about the issue.

May 05, 2015

IELTS Writing Task 2: plan for 5-sentence paragraphs

Over the last few weeks I've been using this question:

Many people prefer to watch foreign films rather than locally produced films. Why could this be?
Should governments give more financial support to local film industries?

Here's my plan for the two main body paragraphs, each with 5 sentences:

First main paragraph: Why could this be?

Topic sentence - several reasons
First reason - budgets for action, special effects, spectacular locations
Example - Hollywood blockbusters like Avatar or James Bond films
Second reason - the most famous actors, actresses and directors
Final reason - poor quality local filmmaking in many countries

Second main paragraph: Should governments give financial support?

Topic sentence - governments should support local film industries
Explain why - talented local film-makers need opportunities
Explain more - they need money to pay film crews, actors etc.
Explain consequences - would lead to employment, income, tourism
Example - invent an example about your country!

May 01, 2015

IELTS Vocabulary: lists of 3

For my first answer in yesterday's lesson I wrote: "I like reading, learning from others, and trying to understand difficult concepts." As you can see, I gave a list of 3 things that I like about studying.

Here are some more "lists of 3" that I could have used in my answers:

I prefer to study alone so that I can concentrate, think deeply, and stay focused on the task.
I like studying in the library because of its peaceful, studious and contemplative atmosphere.
When someone disturbs me I feel frustrated, annoyed and impatient.

Making "lists of 3" is a good way to practise adding variety to the language that you use. Try it yourself!

April 28, 2015

IELTS Writing Task 2: two-part conclusion

Here's the introduction that I wrote for last week's lesson:

Now, here's my conclusion:

Note:
- I wrote my conclusion by paraphrasing the introduction.
- In my conclusion, I changed the order of the two parts, mentioning the financial support first and the popularity of foreign films second.

April 21, 2015

IELTS Writing Task 2: two-part question introduction

To write an introduction for the question below, we just need two sentences: one sentence to introduce the topic, and one sentence to give a quick answer to both parts of the question.

Many people prefer to watch foreign films rather than locally produced films. Why could this be?
Should governments give more financial support to local film industries?

April 19, 2015

IELTS Vocabulary: collocations and phrases

There were some good collocations and phrases in the 'improved sentences' that I wrote for yesterday's lesson. Did you write them in your notebook?

give a presentation
members of the audience
my mind goes blank
use visual aids
engage the audience
feel anxious
regardless of how (+ adjective) something is
adequate preparation
the key to doing something

April 15, 2015

IELTS Writing Task 2: two-part question

Here's a recent exam question (thanks to Mohammed Nasser for sharing it).

Many people prefer to watch foreign films rather than locally produced films. Why could this be?
Should governments give more financial support to local film industries?

I call this type of question a "two-part question". The best thing about two-part questions is that it's so easy to plan your 4-paragraph essay structure:

Introduction: topic + general answer to both questions
Answer the first question
Answer the second question
Conclusion: paraphrase the answer you gave in the introduction

April 12, 2015

IELTS Advice: identify the problem

Many students ask me for advice about how to improve their scores. Or they ask me to explain why they didn't get higher scores in their exams.

Unfortunately, I can't give good advice if I don't know the person. To give good advice, I need to be able to identify the problem, and the only way to do that is by speaking to the student and reading some of his/her essays.

So, here's my tip for today: If you want to improve your score, first you need to identify what your problems are. You might need to invest in a few lessons with a teacher who can help you with this.

April 10, 2015

IELTS Writing Task 2: strong or balanced opinion

The following question asks for your opinion. You can either have a strong opinion or a more balanced opinion, but you should definitely make your opinion clear in your introduction.

Governments should not have to provide care or financial support for elderly people because it is the responsibility of each person to prepare for retirement and support him or herself.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

Introduction (strong opinion):
People have different views about whether or not governments should help senior citizens. I completely disagree with the idea that elderly people should receive no support from the state.

Introduction (more balanced opinion):
People have different views about whether or not governments should help senior citizens. Although I accept that we all have a responsibility to save money for retirement, I disagree with the idea that elderly people should receive no support from the state.

Note:
After the first introduction, I'd advise you to write 2 paragraphs that both explain why you disagree. The second introduction allows you to discuss both sides (which might be easier).

April 08, 2015

IELTS Advice: practice or preparation?

Are exam practice and exam preparation the same thing? I'd say they are not. Preparation for any test should involve more than just exam practice. What else do you do, apart from test practice, to prepare for the IELTS exam?

April 07, 2015

IELTS Vocabulary: review and practice

If I asked you to list the 10 best phrases from yesterday's speaking lesson and Wednesday's writing lesson, which would you choose?

Could you then use those 10 phrases in your own sentences?

April 02, 2015

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'road safety' essay

Here's the full essay that I wrote with my students for the question below.

Some people think that strict punishments for driving offences are the key to reducing traffic accidents. Others, however, believe that other measures would be more effective in improving road safety. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

People have differing views with regard to the question of how to make our roads safer. In my view, both punishments and a range of other measures can be used together to promote better driving habits.

On the one hand, strict punishments can certainly help to encourage people to drive more safely. Penalties for dangerous drivers can act as a deterrent, meaning that people avoid repeating the same offence. There are various types of driving penalty, such as small fines, licence suspension, driver awareness courses, and even prison sentences. The aim of these punishments is to show dangerous drivers that their actions have negative consequences. As a result, we would hope that drivers become more disciplined and alert, and that they follow the rules more carefully.

On the other hand, I believe that safe driving can be promoted in several different ways that do not punish drivers. Firstly, it is vitally important to educate people properly before they start to drive, and this could be done in schools or even as part of an extended or more difficult driving test. Secondly, more attention could be paid to safe road design. For example, signs can be used to warn people, speed bumps and road bends can be added to calm traffic, and speed cameras can help to deter people from driving too quickly. Finally, governments or local councils could reduce road accidents by investing in better public transport, which would mean that fewer people would need to travel by car.

In conclusion, while punishments can help to prevent bad driving, I believe that other road safety measures should also be introduced.

(269 words, band 9)

March 30, 2015

IELTS Advice: conscious use of techniques

At the end of yesterday's speaking lesson, I made an important point:

You need to be conscious of the techniques that you are using as you answer questions in the exam (especially in the speaking and writing tests). Otherwise you'll go back to your 'old technique' of saying or writing whatever comes into your head.

Let me explain this a bit more with an example:

When I teach students the 3-step technique that I mentioned yesterday (answer, explain, example), they have no problem understanding it. However, when I then ask some sample questions, most people seem to forget the technique completely. They miss the example, or they give a list of two or three answers with no explanation.

Ask yourself: are you consciously using the exam techniques that you have learnt, or do you fall back into old habits when under pressure?

March 26, 2015

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'while' conclusion

You might already know that I like using the word while in my introductions. It's also possible to write a 'while sentence' for the conclusion.

Take this question for example:

Here's an example of a 'while' conclusion:

In conclusion, while punishments can help to prevent bad driving, I believe that other road safety measures should also be introduced.

March 19, 2015

IELTS Vocabulary: weekly review

Do you keep a notebook for useful words and phrases? And do you review the vocabulary in it regularly?

For example, here's a quick review of some useful vocabulary from the last seven days of lessons on this blog:

compile a list
build a repertoire
the current generation of language learners
don't know how lucky they are
they have the Internet at their disposal
they have access to videos, podcasts and audiobooks
they have the chance to immerse themselves in the language
to take advantage of
overuse of a word
the charts compare three countries in terms of...
dispose of harmful waste
hazardous materials
are buried underground / are recycled
know the basics
rely on pre-prepared meals
that would surely be a good thing

Remember: Understanding a word is not the same as being able to use it. Practise using the phrases above in your own sentences.

March 13, 2015

IELTS Advice: prepare 'topic phrases'

Yesterday I explained why nobody can create a list of 'band 9 phrases for any essay'. So, is there any way to prepare band 7-9 vocabulary for the test?

The answer is yes, but I'm afraid you will need to make many lists, not just one! I advise my students to prepare ideas and opinions for as many common IELTS topics as possible. Click here to see the basic list that I use.

My aim in the writing lessons on this blog (and in my ebook) is to help you to compile a list or build a repertoire of good 'topic vocabulary'. I could easily give you a list of linking phrases, but unfortunately that wouldn't really help you.

March 12, 2015

IELTS Advice: band 9 phrases for every essay?

Here's an interesting question that someone asked me on Facebook:

Can you add on your blog some typical phrases (band 9) that we can use in every essay?

This seems to be the 'secret' that so many people are looking for. The problem is that these phrases do not exist. I'll try to explain why.

To get a high score for vocabulary and task response, you need to use words and phrases that are specific to the particular question that you are given. For example, if the question is about the environment, you could write about 'greenhouse gases' or 'carbon dioxide emissions'. But these phrases cannot be used in every essay; they are only relevant to this one topic.

The only phrases that can be used in every essay would be 'linking' phrases, and these do not contribute to your vocabulary or task response scores. They only help you to organise your ideas.

So, please stop looking for 'any essay' phrases. Tomorrow I'll explain what to do instead.

March 08, 2015

IELTS Writing Task 2: firstly, secondly, finally

Here's another 'firstly, secondly, finally' paragraph that I wrote with my students. As usual, it contains three main ideas, and five sentences in total.

Ways to improve road safety (apart from using punishments):

I believe that safe driving can be promoted in several different ways that do not punish drivers. Firstly, it is vitally important to educate people properly before they start to drive, and this could be done in schools or even as part of an extended or more difficult driving test. Secondly, more attention could be paid to safe road design. For example, signs can be used to warn people, speed bumps and road bends can be added to calm traffic, and speed cameras can help to deter people from driving too quickly. Finally, governments or local councils could reduce road accidents by investing in better public transport, which would mean that fewer people needed to travel by car.

Note: This would be a 'band 9' paragraph. Does that surprise you? Can you explain why it deserves such a high score?

March 06, 2015

IELTS Advice: score fluctuations

Yesterday I explained why it's normal for your scores to fluctuate between tests. Now I'm going to try to suggest some ways to deal with this.

1. Keep retaking the test

This advice might surprise you, but I remember a student who booked 4 tests in one month. He understood that his scores would fluctuate, but he hoped to improve his chances of having a 'lucky day' when everything went well. It worked! The student told me that the main benefit of taking the test every week was that he stopped feeling nervous. On the third Saturday he performed well in all 4 parts of the test and achieved the scores he needed. *But read the warning below!

2. Practise until you over-perform

To get a band 7 in exam conditions, you probably need to be achieving band 7.5 when practising at home. Most people perform worse in real tests due to nerves, so make sure you can comfortably get the score you need before taking the test.

3. Be more consistent in your approach

You might think that you always write essays in the same way, but most people don't. One of my aims in these lessons is to encourage people to use the exact same method every time. For example, I always try to write 9 sentences for writing task 1, and 13 sentences for task 2. If you can't say how many sentences you usually write, you're probably not being consistent. I'm using writing as an example, but there are methods for the other parts too.

Notes:

*Warning: Strategy number 1 can be expensive, and there are no guarantees that it will work. Only try this if you are able to get the score you need in each part and you keep missing your target by 0.5 band in just one part of the test.
Strategy number 2 is sensible, but some people don't want to wait until they can over-perfom.
Strategy number 3 is my favourite. If I can help students to become more consistent, I feel like I'm doing my job as a teacher!

March 04, 2015

IELTS Advice: why do your scores fluctuate?

People often wonder why their IELTS scores fluctuate. For example, they might get a band 7 in writing one week, but only band 6 or 6.5 the next week.

Does this mean that the test is unreliable or that you had a bad examiner?

Probably not. Fluctuations are normal, both in the exam and when you are practising at home. For example, I've seen the same fluctuations in the quality of students' homework. Sometimes they have great ideas for the essay topic, or they find the answers easily in a reading test. Other times everything seems to go wrong; they have a bad day, and get lower scores.

Tomorrow I'll talk a bit more about this, and I'll try to suggest some strategies for dealing with this 'fluctuation' problem.

February 28, 2015

IELTS Writing Task 2: longer introductions?

People sometimes ask me whether writing a longer introduction could be the way to improve their task 2 scores. My answer is no! A longer introduction is more likely to harm your score, not help it. The more time you spend on your introduction, the less time you have to write good main body paragraphs. The main body is the key to a high score!

So, how can we improve our main body paragraphs? I think there are 3 easy steps you can take:

Spend more time planning the main paragraphs.
Spend less time on the introduction and conclusion.
Prepare ideas for common topics before you take the exam.

February 21, 2015

IELTS Writing Task 2: what's the difference?

Is there a difference between the two questions below? How would you approach answering each one?

Question 1
With the availability of information on the Internet, public libraries are no longer necessary. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Question 2
Some people consider public libraries to be unnecessary due to the availability of information on the Internet. Others, however, believe that libraries can still play an important role in society. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

February 16, 2015

IELTS Vocabulary: from this week's essay

Did you write down the good vocabulary from the essay that I shared on Wednesday? Here are the 'band 7-9' words, collocations and phrases that I used:

are increasingly likely to
take on the role of househusband
breadwinners
equal rights movements
made great progress
gain qualifications
pursue a career
become socially acceptable
the rising cost of living
marriage partners
starting a family
personal preference
should be seen as progress
equal opportunities
put under pressure
sacrifice their careers
assume childcare responsibilities
parental role
their particular circumstances and needs
wider changes in society
these developments are desirable

Try writing your own full sentences using each vocabulary item above.

February 12, 2015

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'parental roles' essay

These days more fathers stay at home and take care of their children while mothers go out to work. What could be the reasons for this? Do you think it is a positive or a negative development?

It is true that men are increasingly likely to take on the role of househusband, while more women than ever are the breadwinners in their families. There could be several reasons for this, and I consider it to be a very positive trend.

In recent years, parents have had to adapt to various changes in our societies. Equal rights movements have made great progress, and it has become normal for women to gain qualifications and pursue a career. It has also become socially acceptable for men to stay at home and look after their children. At the same time, the rising cost of living has meant that both marriage partners usually need to work and save money before starting a family. Therefore, when couples have children, they may decide who works and who stays at home depending on the personal preference of each partner, or based on which partner earns the most money.

In my view, the changes described above should be seen as progress. We should be happy to live in a society in which men and women have equal opportunities, and in which women are not put under pressure to sacrifice their careers. Equally, it seems only fair that men should be free to leave their jobs in order to assume childcare responsibilities if this is what they wish to do. Couples should be left to make their own decisions about which parental role each partner takes, according to their particular circumstances and needs.

In conclusion, the changing roles of men and women in the family are a result of wider changes in society, and I believe that these developments are desirable.

(274 words, band 9)

February 08, 2015

IELTS Writing Task 2: correct the mistakes

The following sentences come from comments below last week's lesson. Can you correct the mistakes or rewrite and improve each sentence?

Women play an increasingly important role than ever in raising the family.
Firstly, female nowadays are highly educated than ever before.
With the changing trend of lifestyle, parenting is amongst the one that has significantly rehabilitated.
I personally believe that it is far beneficial to family and society in number of aspects.
Do you really think that sitting at home husband is looking after children, cooking and cleaning rooms, while his wife is at work?

I'll put my suggestions in the 'comments' area tomorrow, and I'll write my full essay about this topic for next week.

February 05, 2015

IELTS Advice: how to know when you're ready

How do you know when you're ready to take the IELTS exam? Here's my advice:

If you've never taken the exam before, take it as soon as you can. You'll be surprised how difficult a full day of testing is! Treat your first attempt as a practice test to get used to what it 'feels' like. Also, taking the exam is the best way to assess your level.
Your next step could be to read about the best ways (techniques, methods) of doing each part of the exam; this is what I try to provide here on the website. Read my advice, analyse my model answers, and try to copy the way I approach each part of the test.
Using what you have learnt, you need to practise and train yourself. This is not the same as testing yourself. Read yesterday's lesson to understand the difference.
Finally, you need to do some tests and get feedback. You need to find out what you are doing wrong and what you need to do to improve. The best form of feedback is from a teacher who can read your essays or listen to you speak.

You will know that you are ready when you consistently get the score you need in all of your practice tests.

February 04, 2015

IELTS Advice: testing or training?

Many students prepare for the IELTS exam by doing lots of practice tests. But too much testing is a bad idea.

I think that there is a difference between 'testing' and 'training'.

Testing:

shows you what your current level is
gets you used to working in exam conditions (e.g. with a time limit)

Training:

means that you focus on vocabulary for a particular topic
or work on particular grammar mistakes
or work on a technique for a particular part of the exam

A good example of training is when you practise writing introductions. Sometimes I spend a whole lesson with my students just doing different introductions. We practise one technique until students become good at it.

So, how much 'training' and how much 'testing' should you do? Well, a good idea might be to spend Monday to Friday training, preparing and working on language. Then test yourself at the weekend - if you've worked hard, you might see an improvement!

February 01, 2015

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'family' essay skeleton

Let's try writing an essay 'skeleton' for one of the questions in last week's lesson. Here's the question again:

These days more fathers stay at home and take care of their children while mothers go out to work. What could be the reasons for this? Do you think it is a positive or a negative development?

Here's my sample essay skeleton. Try writing your own!

Introduction
It is true that men are increasingly likely to take on the role of househusband, while more women than ever are the breadwinners in their families. There could be several reasons for this, and I consider it to be a very positive trend.

Main body 1, topic sentence
In recent years, parents have had to adapt to various changes in our societies.

Main body 2, topic sentence
In my view, the changes described above should be seen as progress.

Conclusion
In conclusion, the changing roles of men and women in the family are a result of wider changes in society, and I believe that these developments are desirable.

January 30, 2015

IELTS Grammar: using 'by'

A student asked me about the two uses of the word "by" in these sentences:

Korea was the only country that managed to reduce its waste output by the year 2000. Korea cut its waste output by 12 million tonnes between 1990 and 2000.

Questions:
1. Can you explain how "by" is used in the two cases above?
2. What is the difference between "by the year 2000" and "in the year 2000"?

January 29, 2015

IELTS Advice: one tip for each part

A student of mine asked me to give him just one key piece of advice for each part of the IELTS test. Here is my answer:

Speaking
Focus on vocabulary instead of grammar or linking. In parts 2 and 3, explain your ideas in detail to increase your vocabulary score.

Listening
Use the breaks to read ahead. When they give you half a minute to check your answers, don't. Use the time to get ready for the next section.

Reading
Get to the end! Miss the questions you find difficult, and make sure you do all of the easier ones. Return to the harder questions if you have time.

Writing Task 1
Write a good overview. Examiners want to see a summary of the information, as well as detailed description.

Writing Task 2
Spend more time planning. A good plan will help you to write a more organised essay with better ideas.

January 26, 2015

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'family' topic

Here are some questions related to the topic of 'family and children'. This is a very common topic area, so it would be a good idea to prepare ideas for it.

1) These days more fathers stay at home and take care of their children while mothers go out to work. What could be the reasons for this? Do you think it is a positive or a negative development?

2) Some people believe that children should be allowed to stay at home and play until they are six or seven years old. Others believe that it is important for young children to go to school as soon as possible. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

3) Some people think that mothers should spend most of their time raising their children, and therefore the government should support them financially. Do you agree or disagree?

January 23, 2015

IELTS Advice: which writing task should you do first?

Students often ask me which writing task they should do first in the exam. Is it better to start with IELTS writing task 1 or task 2?

Personally, I would start with task 1.

You'll be feeling nervous in the exam, so it's a good idea to start with something easy: the introduction to task 1. If you have read my advice on how to write the introduction for task 1, you will have a fast and simple way to begin the exam.

So, don't waste any time at the beginning of the writing test. If you have practised paraphrasing task 1 questions, you should be confident that you know exactly what to do. Get started straight away; you'll feel much better.

January 22, 2015

IELTS Grammar: nouns and verbs

Sometimes the noun form and the verb form of a word are the same. For example, the word “increase” can be a noun or a verb. The problem is that nouns and verbs are used differently. Here are some examples:

Increase
There was an increase in the unemployment rate. (noun)
The unemployment rate increased. (verb)

Lack
There is a lack of investment in hospitals. (noun)
Many hospitals lack the investment they need. (verb)

Pay
Companies should give men and women equal pay. (noun)
Companies should pay men and women equally. (verb)

It's the little words like "an increase in" that cause most problems for students. Examiners do notice these things, so it's worth getting them right.

January 17, 2015

IELTS Advice: are longer essays better?

A student asked me the following question:

Will it help my score if I write a longer essay for writing task 2 - because a longer essay will contain more vocabulary?

Here's my answer:

Quality is more important than quantity in the IELTS writing test. If you write a longer essay, you might demonstrate a wider range of vocabulary. On the other hand, you might just repeat the same ideas, and you might make more mistakes.

I don't teach my students to write longer essays (anything over 250 words is fine). I teach them to spend 10 minutes planning good ideas, rather than trying to write more words. In my view, planning is the secret to improving the quality.

January 16, 2015

IELTS Grammar: correct the mistakes

Here are some sentences that people wrote below yesterday's speaking lesson (about 'collecting'). Can you find and correct the mistakes?

1) There are a lot of things that people often are collect.
2) I think people often go to gather small things such as stamps.
2) Whenever I went in a vacation, I used this opportunity to buy another object.
3) Let me think, may be valuable watches which their prices increase by time.
5) People collecting things for many reasons for example they do it as a hobby.

January 11, 2015

IELTS Grammar: using 'the'

People often ask me for help with articles (the, a, an). You really need to consult a specialist grammar book if you want to know everything about articles, but here's a useful question about my use of "the" in a recent lesson:

Look at the following sentences.

1) I would need time, commitment and the passion to keep working.
2) I would need the time, commitment and passion to keep working.
3) I would need time, commitment and passion to keep working.

Are all three sentences correct? Is one better than the others? Does the position or absence of "the" change the meaning?

January 07, 2015

IELTS Writing Task 2: main body paragraph

Last week I showed you the skeleton of an essay. Now let's look at what was missing: the detailed explanation of ideas in the main body paragraphs. I'm tempted to refer to this as the 'muscle' on top of the skeleton's bones!

Here's an example of a full paragraph:

(1) On the other hand, school teachers may contribute almost as much as parents to the development of a child. (2) Teachers educate large groups of children together, which means that they must train pupils to work with their peers and respect other members of the class. (3) Pupils also learn to behave sensibly in lessons, regardless of the distractions around them, and to follow instructions given to them by teaching staff. (4) These behavioural skills will be crucial in later life. (5) In the workplace, for example, adults are expected to work in teams, listen to each other, and follow the instructions of a manager or company director.

Notice how I "build" the paragraph using 5 sentences:

Topic sentence introducing the main idea - the role of teachers in children's development.
One aspect of this role - training children to work with others.
Another aspect of this role - children learn to behave and follow instructions.
Why the two points above are important - for later life.
Examples - work in teams, follow a manager's instructions.

January 04, 2015

IELTS Vocabulary: future plans

Here are the band 7-9 phrases from yesterday's lesson. Remember that I'm not trying to use strange or difficult words; I'm trying to speak in a natural way, using 'native speaker' collocations and phrases.

a future aim of mine
the plot would be fictional
influenced by some of my own experiences, ideas and views
I might suddenly be inspired
a vague objective
time, commitment and passion
to set a goal
I’ve always wondered how
create a work of fiction
bringing a story to life
follow in the footsteps of my favourite authors

January 01, 2015

IELTS Writing Task 2: essay 'skeleton'

For me, the skeleton (or framework or basic structure) of a task 2 essay is:

- the introduction
- topic sentences for main paragraphs
- and the conclusion

Look at this essay 'skeleton' for example:

..........

People have different views about whether parents or schools should bear the responsibility for helping children to become good citizens. In my view, this responsibility should be shared.

On the one hand, parents certainly have a vital role to play in the upbringing of their children.

On the other hand, school teachers may contribute almost as much as parents to the development of a child.

In conclusion, both parents and schools should work together to ensure that young people become polite and productive members of society.

..........

Can you see how the 'skeleton' communicates my overall answer very clearly? The only thing missing is the detail in paragraphs 2 and 3.

Have a look at an essay that you have written. How clearly does the skeleton communicate your message?

December 29, 2014

IELTS Advice: collocations and topic vocabulary

I often talk about 'collocations' and 'topic vocabulary'. Do you understand the difference between these two terms?

Collocations are groups of words that often go together. Many groups of words, such as "global warming" and "for example", can be called collocations.

Topic vocabulary is the term I use when I'm teaching IELTS writing task 2. It refers to single words, collocations and phrases that relate specifically to the question topic. So, "global warming" is topic vocabulary, but "for example" isn't.

December 28, 2014

IELTS Vocabulary: which sentence is best?

A student asked me which sentence I prefer from these two:

There is an array of reasons for the proliferation of high amounts of waste disposal.
There are various reasons for the rise in the amount of waste that we produce.

Although sentence 1 might look more 'difficult' (due to the use of array, proliferation and disposal), I definitely prefer sentence 2.

The problem with sentence 1 is that it seems forced and unnatural:

"Array of reasons" is fine, although no better than "various reasons".
"Proliferation" and "high amounts" sound strange together. I would use one or the other, but not both.
"The proliferation of waste disposal" also sounds wrong to a native speaker. It isn't a collocation that I would expect to read or hear.
I think the topic would be about "waste production", not "waste disposal". The root problem is that we are producing more waste, not that we are throwing it away more often. The word "disposal" looks good, but for me it affects the coherence of the sentence.

I think this is a great example of what I said in Wednesday's lesson about having the confidence to keep it simple. When students try too hard to be difficult, they write unnatural sentences like number 1 above.

December 17, 2014

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'wild animals' topic vocabulary

Did you note down the following 'band 7-9' phrases from my wild animals essay? I've left some gaps to encourage you to look a bit harder!

it is absurd to argue that...
exists only for the benefit of humans
allow or encourage the ______ of any species
there is no ______ reason why...
let animals die out (die out = become extinct)
exploit or destroy every last square metre of land
feed or accommodate the world’s population
exist side by ______ with wild animals
protection of natural ______
ensures the survival of wild animals
crucial for human survival
rainforests produce oxygen, absorb carbon dioxide
and ______ the Earth’s climate
maintain the natural ______ of all life on Earth

December 12, 2014

IELTS Grammar: wide range or error-free?

A student, Kishanth, asked me about two of the points in the grammar criterion for band 8 writing (both task 1 and 2):

uses a wide range of structures
the majority of sentences are error-free

Here's the problem with these two points:
When you try to use a wide range of grammatical structures, you risk making more mistakes (errors). But to reduce the number of mistakes, you might have to simplify your sentences.

So what should you do?
My advice is this: Forget about the 'wide range of structures' point. If all of your focus is on using complex grammar, you'll probably do something worse than just make mistakes; you'll probably forget to answer the question properly. The people who worry most about grammar usually neglect task response, coherence and vocabulary.

For me, grammar is the least important criterion to worry about. I tell students to focus on the other 75% of the scoring system: task response, coherence and vocabulary. However, if you want my tip for improving your grammar score, I'd say that it's better to focus on reducing errors. I think examiners notice errors more than they notice grammatical range, and if you write a mix of short and long sentences, you'll probably fulfil the 'wide range of structures' requirement without realising it.

December 09, 2014

IELTS Writing Task 2: the keys to a high score

Memorised phrases for any essay, original or difficult words, complex grammatical structures, a long introduction with background and thesis statement: these are NOT the keys to a high score!

If you want to get the highest score possible with your current level of English:

Focus on answering the question well. This means that you need good ideas (which is why planning is important). Explain your ideas in detail in the main body paragraphs.
Work on topic vocabulary rather than 'any essay vocabulary'.
Forget about 'complex structures' and 'difficult words'. When you try too hard to make your writing look difficult, it usually just seems strange or wrong.
Keep your essay structure simple: a short introduction and conclusion, and two well-developed main body paragraphs.

December 06, 2014

IELTS Advice: if your writing score is lower

I often meet students who have no problem getting band 7 for listening, reading and speaking, but they get a lower score in the writing test. Why is this?

These seem to be the main reasons:

They start writing without stopping to think first.
Their essays lack organisation because they didn't do a plan.
They don't develop their ideas in enough detail or depth.

The solution is to spend more time planning and organising your ideas before you start writing. Think and plan before you write!

December 02, 2014

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'wild animals' essay

Wild animals have no place in the 21st century, so protecting them is a waste of resources. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Some people argue that it is pointless to spend money on the protection of wild animals because we humans have no need for them. I completely disagree with this point of view.

In my opinion, it is absurd to argue that wild animals have no place in the 21st century. I do not believe that planet Earth exists only for the benefit of humans, and there is nothing special about this particular century that means that we suddenly have the right to allow or encourage the extinction of any species. Furthermore, there is no compelling reason why we should let animals die out. We do not need to exploit or destroy every last square metre of land in order to feed or accommodate the world’s population. There is plenty of room for us to exist side by side with wild animals, and this should be our aim.

I also disagree with the idea that protecting animals is a waste of resources. It is usually the protection of natural habitats that ensures the survival of wild animals, and most scientists agree that these habitats are also crucial for human survival. For example, rainforests produce oxygen, absorb carbon dioxide and stabilise the Earth’s climate. If we destroyed these areas, the costs of managing the resulting changes to our planet would far outweigh the costs of conservation. By protecting wild animals and their habitats, we maintain the natural balance of all life on Earth.

In conclusion, we have no right to decide whether or not wild animals should exist, and I believe that we should do everything we can to protect them.

(269 words, band 9)

Note:
I've highlighted my main paragraph 'topic sentences' in blue. Can you see how each topic sentence relates to one part of the question?

November 27, 2014

IELTS Advice: don't translate word by word

If you try to translate word by word from your language into English, you'll probably make sentences that an English speaker would never make.

Instead of translating word for word, try to build your knowledge (or repertoire) of English collocations. Here are a few that I've already used this year:

achieve an aim / achieve a goal
reach your goal
the key difference
make a fresh start
establish better habits
redouble our efforts
make a resolution

November 23, 2014

IELTS Writing Task 2: introduction and conclusion

Wild animals have no place in the 21st century, so protecting them is a waste of resources. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Introduction (topic + general answer)
Some people argue that it is pointless to spend money on the protection of wild animals because we humans have no need for them. I completely disagree with this point of view.

Conclusion (paraphrase the answer)
In conclusion, we have no right to decide whether or not wild animals should exist, and I believe that we should do everything we can to protect them.

Remember:
The introduction and conclusion should be short, quick and direct. If you want a high score, spend your time on the main body.

November 20, 2014

IELTS Advice: daily study habit

In my opinion it's better to study for 30 minutes every day than for 3.5 hours once a week. I try to write these lessons every day to encourage students to get into a daily study habit. It isn't easy, and there are days when you feel like giving up, but it will all be worth it when you get the scores you need!

November 19, 2014

IELTS Advice: common topics first!

Students often write to me asking about a strange or difficult question that they have found. Personally, I think that studying strange questions is a waste of time when there are some really common topics that appear again and again.

Topics like education, family and work in the writing test, and 'describe a person' or 'describe a place' in the speaking test are so common that you should definitely prepare these topics before you start worrying about any unusual questions.

Use the 'real' questions in the Cambridge IELTS books and the topics here on my website before you worry about anything else.

November 16, 2014

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'wild animals' topic

Several people have asked me to work through the question below (which I mentioned in a lesson last month).

Wild animals have no place in the 21st century, so protecting them is a waste of resources. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

The first step is to decide whether we agree, disagree or partly agree. My preference would be to 'completely disagree'. I don't think we can partly agree in this case (either we value and protect animals or we don't).

Next, we need a 4-paragraph plan:

Introduce the topic (rights and protection of wild animals), then answer the question (completely disagree)
First reason why we disagree e.g. our duty to protect animals, their rights and place in the world
Second reason why we disagree e.g. the resources we should use to protect animals, and why this is not a waste
Conclusion: repeat / summarise our answer

Now comes the important part: ideas. Can you think of some good ideas for paragraphs 2 and 3?

November 06, 2014

IELTS Advice: grammar or vocabulary?

Students often ask me questions like: "Can you explain phrasal verbs?" or "Can you explain prepositions?"

The problem is that the word explain implies that phrasal verbs and prepositions are grammar issues with easy rules. In fact, there are no easy rules to explain phrasal verbs, prepositions, and many other areas of language. Instead of treating these things as 'grammar', it's easier to see them as vocabulary items.

In any language, some things can be explained using grammar rules. Everything else is vocabulary. You don't need to explain vocabulary; you just need to learn it gradually.

Tip: vocabulary knowledge is the key to a high IELTS score!

November 05, 2014

IELTS Vocabulary: from the 'parks' topic

As I said yesterday, you don't need to 'show off' in part 1 of IELTS speaking. However, I did use some nice vocabulary in my answers:

- every city needs some green space
- people can escape from the crowds
- Parks are like an oasis
- get away from the hustle and bustle* of city life
- take some exercise
- forget about work for a while
- I can't imagine what I would do

*hustle and bustle = busy activity, usually when describing a city

October 31, 2014

IELTS Writing Task 2: agree, disagree or partly agree?

Here's some advice for people who are still confused about "agree or disagree" questions:

If you completely agree or completely disagree:

Make your opinion clear in the introduction and conclusion.
Explain one reason for your opinion in paragraph 2 and another in paragraph 3. Imagine that you are persuading the examiner that your opinion is right.
Don't write a paragraph about what 'other people' think. If you do that, you are in danger of writing a "discuss both views" essay. If you mention the opposite argument, make sure that you refute it (explain why you think it's wrong), like I did in paragraph 2 of this essay.

If you partly agree:

Make it clear in the introduction and conclusion that you have a balanced view i.e. that you accept both sides of the argument to some extent, like I did in last week's lesson.
Write one paragraph about each side of the argument. But do this from your point of view e.g. On the one hand, I accept that... / On the other hand, I also believe that...
Don't write a discussion essay e.g. some people believe / other people argue...

PS. This week's (free) video lesson will also help with this "agree, disagree or partly agree" problem. It will be ready tomorrow.

October 24, 2014

IELTS Advice: meticulous preparation

'Meticulous preparation' is a nice collocation. Meticulous means extremely careful, detailed, diligent and methodical. How meticulously are you preparing for IELTS? What could you do to be even more meticulous?

October 20, 2014

IELTS Writing Task 2: balanced opinion

In this lesson I suggested writing a balanced opinion (partly agree) essay for the question below.

In the last century, the first man to walk on the moon said it was "a giant leap for mankind”. However, some people think it has made little difference to our daily lives. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

You can see my 4-paragraph plan in the lesson, but a student asked me to explain exactly how we can 'partly agree'. So here's my sample introduction:

It is often argued that the act of sending a man to the moon has been of no benefit to normal people. While I agree that this is true in practical terms, I believe that the psychological impact of this great achievement should not be underestimated.

Note:
Can you see how I create a balanced answer by using a 'while' sentence to contrast the 'practical' and 'psychological' impacts of the moon landing?

October 17, 2014

IELTS Vocabulary: band 7-9 phrases

Let's review the vocabulary that I used in yesterday's speaking lesson. Here are the phrases that I think would impress an examiner:

volunteer to run activity clubs
help out (phrasal verb)
residential homes for elderly people
support people living below the poverty line
there isn’t a scale of importance when it comes to helping others
all forms of help are positive
experience difficult times
run the risk of losing our jobs
people help others because they empathise with them
It’s impossible to generalise about...
from one generation to the next
judge or compare how altruistic people are

October 14, 2014

IELTS Writing Task 2: paraphrasing practice

Here's an essay introduction that my students and I wrote:

It is true that many high school leavers decide to take a gap year before starting university. While there are several benefits for students who do this, there are also some possible drawbacks.

Task:
Try writing a one-sentence conclusion for the same essay.
Start with "In conclusion", and then paraphrase the introduction above.

(A 'gap year' is a year of work or travel between high school and university)

October 09, 2014

IELTS Grammar: 'natural' answers

The sentences in yesterday's speaking lesson contained some grammar mistakes. However, perhaps a bigger problem was that the sentences didn't seem very 'natural' (most native speakers wouldn't talk like that).

If you download the document attached below, you'll see my grammar corrections and my suggestions for more 'natural' answers.

Click here to see the document

October 04, 2014

IELTS Writing Task 2: main ideas, supporting points

If you're using my 4-paragraph essay approach, your essays only need to contain two main ideas - one for each main body paragraph.

But there is a difference between the main idea and the supporting points. For example, the main idea could be "there are several advantages", and each advantage is a supporting point. Start a new paragraph for each main idea, but not for each supporting point.

Express your main idea for each paragraph in a 'topic sentence' at the beginning of the paragraph. Then explain that idea with either one, two or three supporting points.

October 01, 2014

IELTS Advice: it takes time

Can I improve my score from 5.5 to 7 in one month?

The honest answer is: no, you probably can't

It's important to be realistic about the time it takes to improve your ability to speak, write or understand a second language. It's a really difficult task. There is no magic recipe for success and there are no shortcuts. Take your time, work hard and be patient.

Note:
I've underlined the good vocabulary contained in my advice.

September 25, 2014

IELTS Writing Task 2: which part to answer

In last week's lesson I gave you two exam questions and asked you to think about which part of each question you should answer.

I hope you realised that we need to write about both parts (the green and blue parts). Let's look again at the questions:

Wild animals have no place in the 21st century, so protecting them is a waste of resources. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
International travel is cheaper than ever before, and more countries have opened their doors to tourists. Do the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages?

Question 1 contains two opinions: "wild animals have no place in the 21st century" and "protecting them is a waste of resources". These two opinions are connected, and we need to address both of them in our answer. A good way to do this might be to disagree completely, and to write one main body paragraph for each opinion (explaining why you disagree).

Question 2 contains two facts: "international travel is cheaper than ever before" and "more countries have opened their doors to tourists". The 'trend' in the question refers to both of these facts, and we need to consider the advantages and disadvantages of both aspects of this trend.

Note:
Some questions do contain a 'background' statement that you can quickly accept in your introduction (e.g. this one). If you're unsure, just answer all parts of the question.

September 23, 2014

IELTS Advice: 'read around'

I like the phrase "to read around a subject". It means doing general research about something in order to learn more about it. Search engines and websites like Wikipedia make it so easy to do a bit of "reading around" about anything that interests you, or about any IELTS topic that you find difficult. So read around more; you'll improve your knowledge and your vocabulary at the same time!

September 19, 2014

IELTS Writing Task 2: which part to answer

The question below contains 2 ideas or statements, highlighted in blue and green.

Wild animals have no place in the 21st century, so protecting them is a waste of resources. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

A student, Raymond, asked which part of this question we should answer. Should we agree or disagree with just the blue part, just the green part, or both parts?

Here's another example:

International travel is cheaper than ever before, and more countries have opened their doors to tourists. Do the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages?

For this question, Raymond asks whether we need to discuss the pros and cons of travel being cheaper, or whether we should just focus on the green part. What do you think?

Note: You can find my answer and explanation in this lesson.

September 16, 2014

IELTS Vocabulary: less common phrases

Here is some 'less common' vocabulary from yesterday's lesson:

defeat the other player
trapping his King... checkmate
portable chess set
the chance to hone my skills
I made it onto the school team
the challenge of thinking ahead
trying to outwit my opponent
a very mysterious and intellectual game
taught me to learn from my losses
to congratulate the person who had beaten me

September 11, 2014

IELTS Writing Task 2: research and write

If you're writing an IELTS essay at home, try doing some Internet research first.

For example, I did a Google search for "benefits of CCTV" (for this question), and I found lots of great ideas and vocabulary. Click here to download the best article that I found. Underline the good vocabulary, then choose 3 benefits and try to write a "firstly, secondly, finally" paragraph.

PS. My next video lesson will be ready later today. This one will be free.

September 10, 2014

IELTS Vocabulary: review

Let's review the useful vocabulary that we've seen in this week's lessons:

inconvenient
nearby
surfing the web
an initiative
communal
tuition fees
applicants
surveillance
commonplace
an invasion of privacy
aged (adjective meaning 'elderly')

Would you be able to use all of these words and phrases in your own sentences?

September 05, 2014

IELTS Writing Task 2: CCTV introduction

Here's my introduction for the question in last week's lesson:

If you watched lesson 2 in my video course, you will notice that I used the same techniques when writing the introduction above:

- 2 sentences
- introduce the topic, then answer the question
- accept what the question is saying: "It is true that..."
- compare the two views in a 'while' sentence

PS. There will be a new video lesson later today.

September 02, 2014

IELTS Vocabulary: less common alternatives

Let's look at some of the vocabulary from Friday's speaking lesson, and some interesting alternatives. The alternatives on the right are a bit less common, and might impress the examiner if you used them.

with three bedrooms = a three-bedroomed house
in a suburb of Manchester = on the outskirts of Manchester
relax = unwind, put my feet up, wind down
it needs a new kitchen = it could do with a new kitchen

Note:
"could do with" is an informal way of saying "need" e.g. I could do with a drink, I could do with some help, I could do with another few days to finish this project.

September 01, 2014

IELTS Grammar: some conditionals

Did you notice that I used several conditional sentences in yesterday's speaking lesson? Here they are again:

But if I had to choose, I'd say the living room...
...so that's what I'd change first.
I'd definitely move again at some point if I could afford to.

Notice that I use I'd instead of the full I would because these are spoken answers (although it's fine to say I would).

Notice also that the 'if' conditional clause is missing from the second example. Sometimes we miss the condition because it is understood from the context. We understand from the context that I mean: "If I redecorated my home, that's what I would change first".

August 28, 2014

IELTS Writing Task 2: CCTV topic

Here's a question about the same topic as yesterday's listening lesson:

This is my suggestion for an essay outline:

Introduce the topic, and say that the benefits do outweigh the drawbacks.
Explain the drawbacks of CCTV (see yesterday's ideas).
Explain the security benefits.
Conclude by repeating / summarising your opinion.

PS. The next lesson in my video course should be ready later today.

August 25, 2014

IELTS Advice: practise paraphrasing yourself

In yesterday's lesson I suggested that the sign of an advanced learner of English is the ability to express the same thing in different ways. But how can you get better at doing this?

Here's a simple exercise:
Imagine that you have to explain a word, phrase or idea to somebody who doesn't understand it. You have to explain it in as many different ways as you can, until you are sure that the other person understands.

Let's try this with the word 'paraphrasing'. Can you explain the concept of paraphrasing in a variety of different ways to someone who doesn't know what it means?

August 24, 2014

IELTS Advice: the same thing in different ways

English students at beginner level learn to say "How are you?", but they probably don't know any other ways to say this. For example:

- How (are) you doing?
- How's life?
- How's it going?
- How are things? / How's things (with you)?
- What's up?
- How's tricks?
- How's everything going?
- Alright?

As a native speaker, I could keep going and add several more phrases to this list. The same happens in IELTS contexts: click here to see an example.

If you can express the same thing in several different ways, it usually means that you have a good level of English.

August 20, 2014

IELTS Writing Task 2: video lesson 1

My first video lesson for writing task 2 is now available here.

In this lesson, I give a basic overview of the requirements of the task, the scoring system, and how I break essay writing into smaller parts to make it easier. There are some useful tips in there, and you could also use the lesson as listening practice!

August 16, 2014

IELTS Advice: stop worrying about the examiner

Many students are overly worried about the examiner. They worry about body language, eye contact, how friendly the examiner is, whether the examiner smiles, whether he/she is making notes, what his/her opinion might be etc.

This kind of worrying is a waste of time and energy. My advice is that you should only worry about 2 things in the speaking test: 1) listening carefully to the questions 2) trying your best to give good answers. It's a language exam, so let's worry about language.

August 15, 2014

IELTS Vocabulary: notice, look up, use

Notice
A student called herry commented below this lesson that he/she noticed the phrase "resort to" in my paragraph about credit cards.

Look up
Herry then looked the phrase up in a dictionary and found the meaning:
resort to something = do something that you do not want to do because you cannot find any other way.

Use
The next step is to try using the phrase in a sentence of your own (e.g. Many stores have resorted to cutting prices). If possible, ask a teacher to check your sentence to make sure it's correct.

This is a great way to improve your vocabulary repertoire.

August 12, 2014

IELTS Writing Task 2: five-sentence paragraph

Here are the 5 ideas from last week, about the negatives of credit cards:

1. encourage spending money that people don't have
2. leads to excess shopping, consumer culture
3. more credit cards, debt becomes out of control
4. bankrupt, in court, lose home
5. sometimes fines or even prison

Now here's a 5-sentence paragraph using these ideas:

The main drawback of credit cards is that they encourage people to spend money that they do not have. This has led to the consumer culture and addiction to shopping that we now see in society. When credit card users are unable to pay off their debts, they often resort to signing up for multiple cards, and the debt becomes increasingly overwhelming. Many people in this situation find themselves in court, bankrupt, and without a home as a final consequence of credit card dependence. In the worst cases, they may even face prison sentences.

Note:
Notice that I made one or two changes (e.g. 'overwhelming' instead of 'out of control'), but that I mostly followed the plan, writing one sentence for each idea. Practise doing this yourself.

August 08, 2014

IELTS Grammar: correct the mistakes

People often make mistakes when they try to use 'difficult' language. Can you correct the following sentences and write them in a less complicated way?

Banks always motivates their customers for availing various types of credit cards.
As a credit card has become prevalent for which it is easy to apply and gain this, there are several problems that people undergo.
Credit cards do have both pros and cons but it depends on the inevitability of user and their attitude to know purposely that determines the usage of mostly worth of it.

August 05, 2014

IELTS Writing Task 2: five ideas, five sentences

Last week, my students and I (here in Manchester) looked at a question about the positives and negatives of credit cards. You can see the full question here.

Here's our plan for a paragraph about the negatives of credit cards:

encourage spending money that people don't have
leads to excess shopping, consumer culture
more credit cards, debt becomes out of control
bankrupt, in court, lose home
sometimes fines or even prison

We wrote a 5-sentence paragraph using these 5 ideas. I'll show you our paragraph next week, but can you use the same ideas to write your own?

July 27, 2014

IELTS Grammar: Googling for grammar patterns

Have you tried using Google (or another search engine) to resolve grammar problems? For example, students asked me to explain the following sentences from the essay in Wednesday's lesson:

There are some basic preconditions to achieving happiness.
There do seem to be some common needs that we all share.
It is no doubt true that...

If we put quotation marks ("...") around the key words, and Google them, we can look for patterns in the search results that help us to understand the grammar.

Example:
Try searching for "preconditions to achieving", then try "preconditions to being" and "preconditions to doing". The search results should show you that "preconditions to +ing" is a normal grammar pattern in English.

Now search for "there do seem to be" and "it is no doubt true that". You might find that searching for grammar patterns is more useful than learning grammar rules.

July 24, 2014

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'happiness' essay

Here's my full essay for the question below.

Happiness is considered very important in life.
Why is it difficult to define?
What factors are important in achieving happiness?

It is no doubt true that the majority of people would like to be happy in their lives. While the personal nature of happiness makes it difficult to describe, there do seem to be some common needs that we all share with regard to experiencing or achieving happiness.

Happiness is difficult to define because it means something different to each individual person. Nobody can fully understand or experience another person’s feelings, and we all have our own particular passions from which we take pleasure. Some people, for example, derive a sense of satisfaction from earning money or achieving success, whereas for others, health and family are much more important. At the same time, a range of other feelings, from excitement to peacefulness, may be associated with the idea of happiness, and the same person may therefore feel happy in a variety of different ways.

Although it seems almost impossible to give a precise definition of happiness, most people would agree that there are some basic preconditions to achieving it. Firstly, it is hard for a person to be happy if he or she does not have a safe place to live and enough food to eat. Our basic survival needs must surely be met before we can lead a pleasant life. Secondly, the greatest joy in life is usually found in shared experiences with family and friends, and it is rare to find a person who is content to live in complete isolation. Other key factors could be individual freedom and a sense of purpose in life.

In conclusion, happiness is difficult to define because it is particular to each individual, but I believe that our basic needs for shelter, food and company need to be fulfilled before we can experience it.

(292 words, band 9)

July 22, 2014

IELTS Advice: use a dictionary for accuracy

Most students use a dictionary to find the meanings of words. However, this is not enough; you also need to know how to use words correctly or accurately.

For example, you might know the meaning of the word "blame", but do you know which preposition follows it? Do you know that it can be a verb or a noun? Do you know which verbs can be used with the noun "the blame"?

Many people blame politicians for the economic crisis. (verb)
Politicians have taken the blame for the economic crisis. (take + noun)
Other people put the blame for this problem on the banks. (put + noun)
They think the banks are to blame for the crisis. (phrase: is/are to blame)

At advanced levels, you should stop thinking that your dictionary is just a translator. Use it to improve your accuracy.

July 18, 2014

IELTS Writing Task 2: two-part question

Last week I wrote the introduction for a two-part question about happiness. After the introduction, we need to write a main paragraph about each of the two questions. Here's the first one for example:

Why is happiness difficult to define?

July 15, 2014

IELTS Vocabulary: 'native speaker phrases'

I know I often ask the same question, but did you really look carefully at the vocabulary in my lessons over the last week?

In particular, I used some great "native speaker phrases" in yesterday's speaking lesson and in Sunday's General Training task 1 letter. Have a closer look at those two lessons, and see if you can identify the good vocabulary that would impress an examiner.

July 11, 2014

IELTS Writing Task 2: two-part question

The 'happiness' question below is what I call a "two-part question".

Happiness is considered very important in life.
Why is it difficult to define?
What factors are important in achieving happiness?

Use the following 4-paragraph essay structure for this kind of question:

1. Introduce the topic and give an overall answer to both questions
2. Answer the first question
3. Answer the second question
4. Conclude by summarising both answers

Let's start with a 2-sentence introduction:

July 07, 2014

IELTS Advice: people do pass!

When you're struggling with IELTS, it might seem like you'll never get the score you need, and it's tempting to think that it's an unfair exam.

But remember that people do pass the test every week. Several students have shared really positive stories here on the blog this week, and they all have the same message: keep trying, keep studying, and eventually you WILL pass!

July 04, 2014

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'happiness' question

Many students find the following question difficult (Cambridge IELTS 4, page 55):

Happiness is considered very important in life.
Why is it difficult to define?
What factors are important in achieving happiness?

Here are some ideas from my ebook.

Happiness means different things to different people.
It can be described as a feeling of pleasure or enjoyment.
People enjoy spending time with family and friends.
Hobbies, sports and games can be a source of fun and enjoyment.
Some people see money as a source of happiness.
Other people define happiness as something deeper.
They need to feel that they are doing something useful with their lives.
Some people get a sense of achievement from their work.
Others find happiness in bringing up their children.

I'll show you how I would write an essay for this question next week.

June 28, 2014

IELTS Writing Task 2: do YOU agree?

In last week's lesson I asked whether you could see the problem with an essay outline. The problem was the use of "many people" in paragraph 2.

If the question asks whether YOU agree or disagree, don't write a paragraph about what other people think. The whole essay should be about YOUR views.

Click here to see how I wrote a 'balanced opinion' essay. Notice that the opinions expressed are all my own; I don't mention what other people think.

June 27, 2014

IELTS Vocabulary: natural, appropriate

To get a high vocabulary score, you should try to use a good range of vocabulary. However, this doesn't mean that 'strange' or 'difficult' words are the secret to success.

The vocabulary that you use also needs to be natural and appropriate to the style of the essay or report that you are writing. This is the reason why I suggested avoiding words like 'plummet' and 'rocket' in writing task 1. These words are not normally used in academic-style reports (because they exaggerate too much), whereas 'fall' and 'increase significantly' seem much more natural and appropriate.

June 26, 2014

IELTS Vocabulary: soar, rocket, plummet

In Thursday's lesson I suggested that you should avoid using words like soar, rocket and plummet when describing changes on a graph or chart. I explained that these words exaggerate too much, and that they are not 'academic'.

But someone asked this sensible question:

How can we get a high score for lexical resource (vocabulary) if we only use common words like 'increase', 'rise' and 'fall'?

The quick answer is that it's better to use 'less common vocabulary' for other aspects of your description. If you analyse this band 9 essay, you'll see that I used common words like rose, decreased, reaching and dropped to describe changes, but I managed to use 'less common vocabulary' for other aspects of my description e.g. global turnover, devices, namely, platform.

I'll explain more about how to get a high vocabulary score tomorrow.

June 23, 2014

IELTS Writing Task 2: can you see the problem?

Imagine that the question asks "to what extent do you agree or disagree?". Can you see the problem in the type of essay outlined below?

.....

Paragraph 1
Introduce the topic, then answer that you completely disagree

Paragraph 2
Give the other side of the argument e.g. "On the one hand, many people believe..."

Paragraph 3
Give your side of the argument e.g. "On the other hand, in my opinion..."

Paragraph 4
Summarise the reasons why you disagree

.....

Many students make the mistake of writing their "agree / disagree" essays in this way. Can you see what's wrong and where the problem is?

June 17, 2014

IELTS Writing Task 2: from plan to paragraph

Let's go back to the question we were looking at a couple of weeks ago:

In some parts of the world it is becoming popular to research the history of one's own family. Why might people want to do this? Is it a positive or negative development?

Here's the plan I wrote for the first main body paragraph:

Paragraph 2: Why might people want to research family history?
various different reasons
to know more about themselves and their roots, where they come from, whether their ancestors had similar personality traits
because the Internet makes it easier to do this research, we hear about others who have done it, there are advertisements to encourage us
out of curiosity e.g. we might secretly hope that we have a famous or wealthy ancestor

Here's a full paragraph using the ideas above:

There are various reasons why people might decide to trace their family histories. One explanation may be that they would like to know more about themselves, in terms of their roots, where they come from, or whether their ancestors had similar personality traits. Another factor could be that it has become so much easier to carry out genealogical research using the Internet. We hear about people who have studied their family trees, and there are even advertisements to encourage us to use genealogy websites. Finally, it may be that people are simply curious to find out whether they have any famous or wealthy ancestors.

June 11, 2014

IELTS Advice: worrying wastes time!

I posted this advice back in 2011, but I thought I would post it again today for people who haven't seen it. The first diagram below illustrates the idea that hard work is the only path to IELTS success:

...
Compare this with what happens if you spend all of your time worrying and hoping to find the 'secret' IELTS technique:
...

So, which cycle are you in - the 'success' cycle or the 'worry' cycle?

June 10, 2014

IELTS Advice: topic research

If you're preparing for a writing or speaking topic, I recommend doing an Internet search for ideas first.

To find ideas for yesterday's speaking questions, I typed the phrase "what makes a good adviser" into Google, and found this webpage. Look at some of the great language that we can steal from it:

turning to an adviser
a wise choice
make decisions with more confidence
the decision requires expertise
use knowledge and experience
make an informed decision
some qualities are characteristic of good advisers
trustworthy, someone you can trust
possesses a strong base of knowledge

Remember: the key to high speaking and writing scores is good vocabulary, so topic research is a vital part of your IELTS preparation.

June 07, 2014

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'family history' topic

Today I'm attaching a document about the 'family history' question in last week's lesson. Open and download it to see some tips and my full essay plan.

Click here to open the document

June 01, 2014

IELTS Vocabulary: nice bits of language!

There were a few nice bits of language that you might have noticed in yesterday's speaking lesson:

all sorts of things
a certain amount of
I pick up a newspaper most days
I usually have a book on the go
I couldn't put it down
opens the door to all aspects of education

These phrases made my answers sound very natural and "native-speaker-like". Try using them in your own sentences.

May 29, 2014

IELTS Writing Task 2: a recent question

Here's a recent exam question that was given to me by one of my students:

In some parts of the world it is becoming popular to research the history of one's own family. Why might people want to do this? Is it a positive or negative development?

Try planning some ideas. I'll share mine next week.

May 27, 2014

IELTS Grammar: are phrasal verbs ok?

People often ask me whether it's ok to use phrasal verbs in the IELTS writing and speaking tests.

My answer is yes; phrasal verbs are generally fine. In Friday's speaking lesson I used the phrasal verb to grow up, and the 'multi-word verbs' to take place and to make sure. In this essay, I used the phrasal verb to result in.

It isn't true that all phrasal verbs are informal. Read this article for a full explanation.

May 24, 2014

IELTS Vocabulary: for your notebook

Did you write the good vocabulary from yesterday's lesson in your notebook? Here are the words and phrases that I think you should have noted down:

took place a few years ago
where I grew up
the marriage ceremony was held in a church
the wedding reception
members of my family
the bride and groom
my mother made sure that...
we all dressed for the occasion
and so on (instead of "etc.")
her big day
we had a fantastic time
it's rare for me to see
what made the day so memorable

May 20, 2014

IELTS Writing Task 2: try this exercise

Try this exercise using the essay in last week's lesson:

Read the essay and make sure you understand it.
Read it again slowly, and make notes on a separate piece of paper. Just write the main idea or key words from each sentence (there are only 13 sentences in the whole essay).
Hide my essay, and try to rewrite it using only your notes. Don't try to memorise the essay exactly as I wrote it; the aim is to see if you can write a similar essay using the same key ideas.
Compare your essay with mine. Did you write the same number of sentences? Did you include the same key vocabulary? Did you use the vocabulary correctly? Does your essay 'flow' as well as mine does?

You can learn a lot by doing this exercise. Apparently, this is how Benjamin Franklin worked on his writing skills! He describes the technique in chapter 2, paragraph 6 of his autobiography, which you can read here.

May 17, 2014

IELTS Grammar: be careful with the 's'

Notice where we put the "s" on the end of a word and where we don't:

Thousands of people watched the show.
Fifty thousand people watched the show.
over a period of ten years
over a ten-year period
The fish weighed 5 kilos.
It was a five-kilo fish.
The boy is three years old.
He is a three-year-old boy.

May 13, 2014

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'private schools' essay

Here's an essay that I wrote with my students using the ideas and the advice about organisation in last week's lesson.

Families who send their children to private schools should not be required to pay taxes that support the state education system.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Some people believe that parents of children who attend private schools should not need to contribute to state schools through taxes. Personally, I completely disagree with this view.

For a variety of reasons, it would be wrong to reduce taxes for families who pay for private education. Firstly, it would be difficult to calculate the correct amount of tax reduction for these families, and staff would be required to manage this complex process. Secondly, we all pay a certain amount of tax for public services that we may not use. For example, most people are fortunate enough not to have to call the police or fire brigade at any time in their lives, but they would not expect a tax reduction for this. Finally, if wealthy families were given a tax discount for sending their children to private schools, we might have a situation where poorer people pay higher taxes than the rich.

In my opinion, we should all be happy to pay our share of the money that supports public schools. It is beneficial for all members of society to have a high quality education system with equal opportunities for all young people. This will result in a well-educated workforce, and in turn a more productive and prosperous nation. Parents of children in private schools may also see the advantages of this in their own lives. For example, a company owner will need well qualified and competent staff, and a well-funded education system can provide such employees.

In conclusion, I do not believe that any financial concessions should be made for people who choose private education.

(269 words, band 9)

May 10, 2014

IELTS Advice: examiners like examples

If you're not sure what to say or what to write, give an example.

Add examples to support your ideas for IELTS writing task 2. Give examples from your life (like a story) if you don't know what to say during part 2 or part 3 of the speaking test.

Examiners like examples because they're interesting. From your point of view, examples can help you to keep talking, or to add a few extra words to your essay.

May 07, 2014

IELTS Writing Task 2: brainstorm then organise

I asked my students to brainstorm ideas for the question below.

Families who send their children to private schools should not be required to pay taxes that support the state education system.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Here are their ideas for a 'completely disagree' answer:

difficult to calculate the tax reduction
more government staff would be required for this process
we all pay for public services that we may not need e.g. police
poorer people would pay more tax than wealthy people
state schools benefit the whole of society
high quality state education leads to equal opportunities for all
a well-educated workforce is the key to a prosperous nation
companies need educated staff
we should all be happy to contribute to public services

After brainstorming, we need to organise these ideas so that we have two paragraphs. There seem to be two main themes in the ideas above:

Reasons why we think the idea would not work, or would be unfair.
Reasons why everyone should pay taxes that support state education.

Next week I'll show you how we used these ideas to write a full essay.

May 02, 2014

IELTS Vocabulary: collocations

I often talk about the importance of collocations (see Thursday's lesson). For a really clear explanation of what collocations are, why they are important, and how to learn them, visit this website. I also like the Online Oxford Collocation Dictionary, which you can find here.

If you like studying grammar, you could classify collocations like this:

Alternatively, you could classify them according to their IELTS use:

April 29, 2014

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'strong opinion' answer

If the question asks whether you agree or disagree, you need to make your opinion very clear. You can either have a strong opinion or a balanced opinion. Let's try writing a 'strong opinion' answer for the following question:

Families who send their children to private schools should not be required to pay taxes that support the state education system.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

When you have a strong opinion, you don't need to mention the opposite view.
Here's my plan for a 4-paragraph essay:

Introduction: 1 sentence to introduce the topic, 1 sentence to make your opinion clear (e.g. I completely disagree...)
Main paragraph: support your opinion with a reason
Main paragraph: support your opinion with another reason
Conclusion: repeat/summarise your opinion

I'll continue with this topic next week.

April 25, 2014

IELTS Advice: two things to improve

A lot of people ask me what they should do to improve their scores. Generally speaking, there are only two things that you can do:

Work on your exam technique
Work on your English

I can often help students to make fast improvements by teaching them how to organise their essays, how to look for keywords in the reading test, or how to expand their answers in the speaking test. These are exam techniques.

However, exam techniques alone will not get you a band 7. You need a good level of English to get a 7, and that means you need to do the hard work it takes to gradually learn more words and phrases, improve your speaking fluency, and generally become a more confident user of the language.

Note:
Point 2 takes time. Don't expect your English to improve from 5.5 to 7 without a lot of work!

April 20, 2014

IELTS Writing Task 2: timing

If you haven't seen my advice about timing before, here's a reminder.

You have 40 minutes for writing task 2, and I suggest that you:

Spend the first 10 minutes planning your essay structure and brainstorming ideas for the two main body paragraphs.
Spend 5 minutes writing your 2-sentence introduction.
Spend 20 minutes on the main body (10 minutes for each paragraph).
Spend the last 5 minutes writing your conclusion and checking everything.

Have a look through the lessons here on the site if you want to read about any of this advice in more detail.

April 17, 2014

IELTS Grammar: easy sentences

Here are my suggestions for the sentences in Friday's lesson. Remember, the aim was to make the sentences as easy as possible.

I like learning languages because they help me to communicate with people from other countries.
I do lots of reading in my spare time.
If you can speak the local language, it's easier to make friends.
Knowing a foreign language can help you to get a better job.
The best time to learn another language is when you are young.
Learning a foreign language opens your mind and expands your horizons.
The more you practise, the easier it becomes to communicate in a new language.

April 16, 2014

IELTS Advice: if you have a grammar question

If you have a grammar question, this website probably isn't the best place to find the answer. There are many dedicated grammar sites, so all you need to do is put your problem into a search engine (e.g. Google).

Example:
A student asked me to explain how to use "not only... but also...". If we do a Google search for "grammar not only but also", here's the first website that Google suggests: click here.

After reading the explanation of "not only... but also...", you could try making your own sentences about common IELTS topics, such as education, work or the environment.

April 13, 2014

IELTS Writing Task 2: very simple conclusion

I tell my students to write very short, simple conclusions for writing task 2. If you want a high score, you need to spend as much time as possible on the main body paragraphs, so it's important to be able to write your conclusion very quickly at the end of the test.

Here's my short, simple conclusion for last week's essay:

In conclusion, it seems to me that the influence of celebrities on young people can be positive as well as negative.

April 12, 2014

IELTS Advice: books that I use

People sometimes ask me which books I recommend for IELTS preparation and English language study.

In fact, I don't think you need many books at all. If you have some of the official IELTS test books, a good dictionary, and access to the Internet, you have everything you need. Here are links to the only books that I regularly use myself:

For IELTS test practice
I only use the official Cambridge books e.g. Cambridge IELTS book 9.

Dictionaries
My favourite dictionary is the Collins Advanced (Learner) Dictionary.
I also use the Oxford Collocations Dictionary for Students of English.

April 06, 2014

IELTS Writing Task 2: add your own conclusion

In the essay below, the conclusion is missing. Can you suggest one? Remember to keep it short and simple. Don't add any new information; just repeat or summarise your answer.

Nowadays celebrities are more famous for their glamour and wealth than for their achievements, and this sets a bad example to young people.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

It is true that some celebrities are known for their glamorous lifestyles rather than for the work they do. While I agree that these celebrities set a bad example for children, I believe that other famous people act as positive role models.

On the one hand, many people do achieve fame without really working for it. They may have inherited money from parents, married a famous or wealthy person, or they may have appeared in gossip magazines or on a reality TV programme. A good example would be Paris Hilton, who is rich and famous for the wrong reasons. She spends her time attending parties and nightclubs, and her behaviour promotes the idea that appearance, glamour and media profile are more important than hard work and good character. The message to young people is that success can be achieved easily, and that school work is not necessary.

On the other hand, there are at least as many celebrities whose accomplishments make them excellent role models for young people. Actors, musicians and sports stars become famous idols because they have worked hard and applied themselves to develop real skills and abilities. They demonstrate great effort, determination and ambition, which is required for someone who wants to be truly successful in their chosen field. An example is the actor and martial artist Jackie Chan, who has become world famous through years of practice and hard work. This kind of self-made celebrity can inspire children to develop their talents through application and perseverance.

(Add your own conclusion)

April 03, 2014

IELTS Advice: how long will it take?

Many students want to know how long it will take to get the score they need. It's impossible for me to answer this question because it depends on too many things. For example:

- How many hours of study do you do each day?
- What kind of study do you do?
- Do you have a teacher or someone who can help you?
- Do you live in an English-speaking country?
- Do you like learning English, or do you just need an IELTS score?

Maybe the last question is the most important one. In my experience, people who enjoy learning English tend to make the fastest progress.

April 01, 2014

IELTS Writing Task 2: a real example

Here's a paragraph that I wrote with my students as part of an essay about last week's question. Who would you use as your 'real example' to fill the gap near the end of the paragraph?

On the other hand, there are at least as many celebrities whose accomplishments make them excellent role models for young people. Actors, musicians and sports stars become famous idols because they have worked hard and applied themselves to develop real skills and abilities. They demonstrate great effort, determination and ambition, which is required for someone who wants to be truly successful in their chosen field. An example is ______, who has become world famous through years of practice and hard work. This kind of self-made celebrity can inspire children to develop their talents through application and perseverance.

March 29, 2014

IELTS Vocabulary: practise using it

Have you practised using the vocabulary from yesterday's lesson? For example, you could try making your own sentences using these phrases:

- As far as I remember...
- One of my first memories was...
- What really struck* me about... was...
- The experience (of doing something) made me keen to...

*what struck me = what surprised / impressed me

March 28, 2014

IELTS Vocabulary: band 7-9 phrases

There was some good vocabulary in yesterday's speaking lesson. Here's a list of the phrases that I think would impress an examiner:

it was great to share that experience
The positive experience wasn’t confined to one particular place
As far as I remember
visits to various tourist attractions
one of my first memories was
a group of close friends
which made the experience more enjoyable
What really struck me about London was
historic but modern and thriving at the same time
a lively, fashionable and cosmopolitan place
Coming from a relatively small town
the experience made me keen to visit more capital cities

March 25, 2014

IELTS Writing Task 2: balanced answer

If you want to write a balanced answer for an "agree or disagree" question, it's important to get the introduction right. Let's use last week's question as an example:

Here's my introduction. Notice that I use a "while" sentence to express my balanced opinion.

March 19, 2014

IELTS Advice: error-free sentences

Can you write an error-free sentence? How about an error-free paragraph?

If you want to get a band 7 or higher for IELTS writing, the examiner needs to see that you "regularly write error-free sentences". This means that several of the sentences in your essays should contain no mistakes.

The best way to improve your grammatical accuracy is by learning from your mistakes. Try to find a teacher or native speaker who can check your work and highlight the errors. Then make sure you understand the mistakes you made, and try to avoid making them again. Aim to write more error-free sentences each time you write an essay.

March 13, 2014

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'role models' topic

A 'role model' is a person who acts as an example to others. The following is a recent IELTS exam question about this topic.

Here are some tips to help you plan your answer:

Start by considering some real examples. Think about the celebrities you know - are they famous for their glamour and wealth, or for their achievements?
It's usually easier to write about both sides. Think about whether it's possible to 'partly agree', or to have a strong opinion but still mention the other view.
Plan for a 4-paragraph essay. Decide what your view is, then focus on the main body paragraphs - what will be the central idea in each one?

March 09, 2014

IELTS Grammar: lead, contribute, result

Students often make mistakes with the verbs lead, contribute and result. Try to correct the sentences below.

1. Qualifications and skills may lead to get promotions.
2. Lack of exercise contributes to have an unhealthy body.
3. Violence on television is one factor that results to increase the crime rate.

What is the rule for these 3 verbs?

March 06, 2014

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'salary' essay

When choosing a job, the salary is the most important consideration. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Many people choose their jobs based on the size of the salary offered. Personally, I disagree with the idea that money is the key consideration when deciding on a career, because I believe that other factors are equally important.

On the one hand, I agree that money is necessary in order for people to meet their basic needs. For example, we all need money to pay for housing, food, bills, health care, and education. Most people consider it a priority to at least earn a salary that allows them to cover these needs and have a reasonable quality of life. If people chose their jobs based on enjoyment or other non-financial factors, they might find it difficult to support themselves. Artists and musicians, for instance, are known for choosing a career path that they love, but that does not always provide them with enough money to live comfortably and raise a family.

Nevertheless, I believe that other considerations are just as important as what we earn in our jobs. Firstly, personal relationships and the atmosphere in a workplace are extremely important when choosing a job. Having a good manager or friendly colleagues, for example, can make a huge difference to workers’ levels of happiness and general quality of life. Secondly, many people’s feelings of job satisfaction come from their professional achievements, the skills they learn, and the position they reach, rather than the money they earn. Finally, some people choose a career because they want to help others and contribute something positive to society.

In conclusion, while salaries certainly affect people’s choice of profession, I do not believe that money outweighs all other motivators.

(275 words, band 9)

February 28, 2014

IELTS Writing Task 2: five-sentence paragraphs

When writing a main body paragraph for task 2, I recommend aiming for five sentences.

Read the following 5-sentence paragraph. The essay question was: When choosing a job, the salary is the most important consideration. Do you agree or disagree?

Tasks:

Analyse the 5 sentences in the paragraph. What does each one do?
Try writing your own 5-sentence paragraph about the following opinion: "When choosing a job, other factors are just as important as money."

February 26, 2014

IELTS Grammar: correct the mistakes

Improve the following sentences. All of them are about the 'teleworking' topic.

There are several disadvantages to do work at home.
In comparison with office, home is a relatively quiet and comfortable place to work at.
People's daily activity may be decreased.
Not everyone enjoy working and living at the same places.
Employee tend to put less important on work because there is no supervisor.

February 21, 2014

IELTS Writing Task 2: using examples

Sometimes, the best way to think of ideas for an essay is to start with an example. One good example can give you enough ideas for a full paragraph.

Look at the following question:

Should governments make decisions about people's lifestyle, or should people make their own decisions?

This question seems difficult, but if you take "smoking" as an example of a lifestyle choice, it becomes a lot easier. Here's my paragraph:

In some cases, governments can help people to make better lifestyle choices. In the UK, for example, smoking is now banned in all workplaces, and it is even prohibited for people to smoke in restaurants, bars and pubs. As a result, many people who used to smoke socially have now given up. At the same time, the government has ensured that cigarette prices keep going up, and there have been several campaigns to highlight the health risks of smoking. These measures have also helped to reduce the number of smokers in this country.

February 14, 2014

IELTS Writing Task 2: strong opinion & both sides

Sometimes it's possible to have a strong opinion but still write about both sides of the argument. Take this question for example:

‘Teleworking’, or the use of telecommunications to allow people to work from home, should be adopted by all employers in order to improve the quality of life of their staff.  To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Here's my introduction:

The current trend towards teleworking is a positive one in many respects. However, I strongly disagree with the idea that it should be introduced in all work contexts.

Can you see how this introduction allows me to write about both the positives and negatives of teleworking, even though I expressed a strong opinion? Which word in the question allowed me to do this?

February 09, 2014

IELTS Advice: good habits

I'd like to share some feedback that a student sent me recently. What I particularly like is that the student talks about "having good habits". For me, good habits are the secret to success!

Hi Simon,

I am so excited to tell you that I finally got 7.0 in writing! Additionally I got overall 8.0 which is my personal best score ever. While practising writing skills after your course, I remembered how you demonstrated writing, beginning with brainstorming, followed by organising the ideas, then putting it all into sentences. It seemed very easy and I tried to write as you wrote both in practice and in the examination. Magic happened. I finished writing task 2 with 5 minutes extra time! Unbelievable.

This clearly shows how your message of "having a good habit" is extremely powerful. I have applied this message in my daily life and hopefully I will pass medical examinations to be qualified as a doctor in this country very soon.

Thank you very much!

February 06, 2014

IELTS Writing Task 2: seeing both sides

Whatever your real opinion is, it's important to be able to see both sides of the argument when preparing IELTS writing topics.

For example, in yesterday's lesson the speaker talked about the advantages of teleworking. To complete our preparation of this topic, let's think about the possible disadvantages of teleworking. Feel free to share your ideas in the "comments" below this lesson, and we'll look at a possible question next week.

February 01, 2014

IELTS Vocabulary: from this week's lessons

Here are some of the useful words and phrases from this week's lessons. Remember that you need to be able to use this vocabulary, not just understand it.

the cost of living
property prices
pay a deposit and a mortgage
a better quality of life
families are becoming smaller and more dispersed
rely on / depend on / count on
transport infrastructure
populated areas
growth / development / expansion
open-minded and welcoming
the mix of cultures that immigration and tourism bring
cosmopolitan
benefit from someone with local knowledge
character and customs of the local people

January 31, 2014

IELTS Advice: the wrong idea

Many students (and some teachers!) have the wrong idea about what a band 7, 8 or 9 essay looks like. For example, a few people commented that they thought the essay in this lesson wasn't good enough for a high score.

Please remember that the IELTS exam is a test for non-native speakers of English, not professional English writers. It's much easier than some people think to write a good IELTS essay. Don't try to use strange or 'difficult' language; just keep it clear and simple, and try to develop your ideas so that you fully answer the question.

Some people won't want to believe me, but the essay in Wednesday's lesson would get a band 9.

January 27, 2014

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'independence' question

Some people think that in the modern world we are more dependent on each other, while others think that people have become more independent.  Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

People have different views about whether we are more or less dependent on others nowadays. In my view, modern life forces us to be more independent than people were in the past.

There are two main reasons why it could be argued that we are more dependent on each other now. Firstly, life is more complex and difficult, especially because the cost of living has increased so dramatically. For example, young adults tend to rely on their parents for help when buying a house. Property prices are higher than ever, and without help it would be impossible for many people to pay a deposit and a mortgage. Secondly, people seem to be more ambitious nowadays, and they want a better quality of life for their families. This means that both parents usually need to work full-time, and they depend on support from grandparents and babysitters for child care.

However, I would agree with those who believe that people are more independent these days. In most countries, families are becoming smaller and more dispersed, which means that people cannot count on relatives as much as they used to. We also have more freedom to travel and live far away from our home towns. For example, many students choose to study abroad instead of going to their local university, and this experience makes them more independent as they learn to live alone. Another factor in this growing independence is technology, which allows us to work alone and from any part of the world.

In conclusion, while there are some reasons to believe that people now depend on each other more, my own view is that we are more independent than ever.

Note:
As usual, try to analyse this essay in terms of task response (does it fully answer the question?), organisation, 'band 7-9' vocabulary, and grammar.

January 24, 2014

IELTS Advice: I should have been more direct

In Thursday's lesson I said that "you don't need to write a conclusion" for task 1.

I've realised that I should have been more direct with this advice. I should have said "you should not write a conclusion for writing task 1".

English speakers are sometimes too tactful when giving advice. We find it hard to say "you should" or "you must"!

January 22, 2014

IELTS Writing Task 2: really short conclusion!

It's fine to write a really short conclusion for IELTS writing task 2. You don't need to say anything new; just paraphrase what you wrote in your introduction or summarise your overall answer to the question. For example, read last week's question and my introduction, then read my short conclusion below.

In conclusion, I disagree with the idea that early technologies had more of an effect on ordinary people than recent ones.

January 20, 2014

IELTS Grammar: correct the mistakes

Find and correct the mistake in each of the sentences below:

Technology allowed the growing of factories.
Parents should be more conscious on their children’s online activities.
The Internet allows people from all over the world to involve in discussions about current events.

I'll put my answers in the "comments" area tomorrow.

January 17, 2014

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'while' introductions

If you want to mention both sides of the argument for an "agree or disagree" question, try including a 'while' sentence in your introduction.

Here's the 'while' sentence formula:
"While I accept argument A, I favour argument B"

Here's an example question:

Early technological developments helped ordinary people and changed their lives more than recent developments. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Here's my introduction:

Technological progress has taken place throughout the course of human history. While early technologies certainly changed the lives of normal people, I believe that recent breakthroughs have had an even greater impact.

Note:
The 'while' sentence makes it clear that I favour one side of the argument, but it allows me to mention both sides in the main body of my essay.

January 12, 2014

IELTS Advice: for speaking and writing

Did you notice that I used "firstly, secondly, finally" in my speaking lesson yesterday?

For speaking parts 2 and 3, it might help if you imagine you are writing a paragraph: start with a direct answer, then either use "firstly, secondly, (finally)" to give two or three reasons, or use the explain, alternative, example technique if you only have one idea.

January 08, 2014

IELTS Writing Task 2: another example

Here's another example of a "firstly, secondly, finally" paragraph that I wrote with my students:

Three main factors are affecting health in modern societies. One problem is the lack of awareness among many people of the negative consequences of an unhealthy diet. This is made worse by the prevalence of fast food and processed food, which are full of fat, salt and sugar. Another key factor is the changing trend in lifestyles. For example, children’s hobbies now involve much less outdoor activity, and adults are less active as jobs have shifted towards sedentary office work instead of manual labour. In addition to this, time-saving technologies, such as cars, elevators, dishwashers and washing machines, have made people lazier.

Analyse the paragraph by answering the following questions.

What is the main topic of the paragraph?
Which phrases are used instead of "firstly, secondly, finally"?
What examples of 'band 7-9' vocabulary can you find?

January 05, 2014

IELTS Advice: don't just test yourself

An important message in yesterday’s lesson was this: when preparing for IELTS, you need to do more than just test yourself. Testing will show you what your current level is, but it won’t take you up to the next level. If you want your score to improve, you need to do more training than testing.

January 02, 2014

IELTS Writing Task 2: firstly, secondly, finally

In last week's lesson I showed you a band 9 paragraph using a "firstly, secondly, finally" structure. I also asked you to think of some alternative words or phrases that we could use instead of "firstly, secondly, finally".

Click here to see some other ways to link 3 ideas in the same paragraph.

December 23, 2013

IELTS Advice: create positive habits

I'm a great believer in the power of habits: if you do something often enough, it becomes easier and more natural to you.

An example could be the "why, alternative, example" technique from yesterday's speaking lesson. Imagine practising this technique once a day for a month. You might start to find it easy to give longer answers that include a conditional sentence (the 'alternative' part). This one simple habit could make a real difference in your test.

December 15, 2013

IELTS Writing Task 2: band 9 paragraph

Here's this week's video lesson:

One thing to think about:
It's best not to use "Firstly, Secondly, Finally" twice in one essay. If we wanted to write a second main paragraph with three ideas, what could we used instead of "Firstly, Secondly, Finally" to organise them?

December 13, 2013

IELTS Advice: from 6.5 to 7

One of the most common questions that people ask me is: "How can I improve my score from 6.5 to 7?"

Here's some advice if your current score is 6.5:

The good news is that you are not doing anything wrong in terms of exam technique. The fact that you are getting 6.5 means that you are doing the exam in the right way.
You are very close to getting a 7. In the writing and speaking tests, a score of 6.5 means that you are already achieving band 7 in half of the requirements.
You don't need a special technique or piece of advice. You only need to make small improvements. For example, in the speaking and writing tests, try to express your ideas in a bit more detail, and try to reduce the number of small mistakes that you make.

December 07, 2013

IELTS Writing Task 2: short, clear introduction

My colleague, Peter, wrote an essay about last week's credit card question - to read the full essay, look for the comment by Peter Walton below the lesson.

For today, I want to focus on the introduction that Peter wrote:

It is all too easy to obtain a credit card and then to run up debts which are difficult to repay. In my opinion, the disadvantages of credit cards far outweigh the advantages.

It might seem easy, but for me this is the perfect introduction: it's short, clear, and it answers the question directly.

November 30, 2013

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'credit cards' question

Several people have asked me for help with the question below.

Nowadays it is easy to apply for and be given a credit card. However, some people experience problems when they are not be able to pay their debts back. In your opinion, do the advantages of credit cards outweigh the disadvantages?

You might be surprised to see a question about credit cards, but I don't think it's as bad as it seems. Let's summarise the advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages:
A credit card gives you access to money and the facility to pay it back later, like a loan. This could be useful for emergencies or something expensive, like a holiday. Credit cards are a safe way to pay. Easy access to money means that people spend, and this benefits the economy.

Disadvantages:
Credit cards encourage people to spend money they do not have. Debts can build up and leave people in real financial difficulties. When people cannot pay their debts back, everyone suffers: those in debt may lose their homes, the banks lose money, and the whole economy suffers.

Task: Try using these ideas to write full paragraphs.

November 29, 2013

IELTS Advice: vocabulary is the key

In my opinion, vocabulary is the key to language learning, and it's the key to a good IELTS score. The more words and phrases you know, the better you'll do in the test.

Have you made note of all the vocabulary in this week's lessons here on the site? Look closely at the lessons and you'll find a lot of useful language. Write it down in your notebook, and try using it.

If anyone could write a summary of this week's useful vocabulary in the "comments" below this lesson, that would be great!

November 22, 2013

IELTS Writing Task 2: consumer society

A few days ago, I looked at the question in this lesson with my students here in Manchester. The phrase 'consumer society' is a negative one because it suggests that our lives revolve around money and possessions.

Here's part of an essay that my students helped me to write:

It is true that many people criticize modern society because it seems to be too materialistic. I agree with this to some extent, but I do not think it is the case that everyone is a victim of consumer culture.

On the one hand, many people do seem to focus too much on money and possessions. Wherever we go, we are bombarded with advertising to sell us products and services, many of which we do not need. For example, people may be persuaded to purchase the latest model of iPhone, when their old phone is still perfectly functional. This could be seen as a demonstration that we are obsessive consumers; we buy things based on fashion and branding, and shopping has become a hobby or even an addiction.

Task:
Which phrases in the paragraphs would you highlight as 'band 7-9 vocabulary'?

November 18, 2013

IELTS Vocabulary: band 7-9 descriptions

Here are some suggestions for ways to improve the sentences in yesterday's exercise:

1. The clock is very old.
= The clock is an antique; it's probably a collector's item.

2. It is big and made of wood.
= It is housed in a large wooden cabinet that stands nearly two metres tall.

(The kind of clock I'm describing)

3. It has been in my family for a long time.
= It has been in my family for several generations.

4. Everyone in my family likes the clock.
= We've all become quite attached to the clock; it's like part of the family.

5. I hope my parents will give it to me one day.
= The clock is a real family heirloom, so hopefully I'll inherit it one day.

November 13, 2013

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'perfect society' paragraph

Last week I made a video lesson to show you how I would do an essay plan. Today I want to show you how I turned part of that plan into a full paragraph.

Paragraph topic: The most important element of a perfect society.
Planned ideas: Safety = No crime, trust our neighbours, feel part of a community, able to leave doors unlocked. Trust institutions (police, government), feel protected by the law. Safety is the most basic freedom.

Here's my paragraph using the ideas above:

If I had to choose the one, most desirable element of an ideal society, it would have to be safety. A safe society would be one in which crime did not exist, and in which all citizens trusted their neighbours, felt part of a community, and were even able to leave their doors unlocked without fear. A broader definition of safety could also include belief in the integrity of state institutions, such as governments or police forces, and confidence that we are all protected by fair laws. In this sense, safety could be described as the most basic freedom and the starting point for the creation of a perfect society.

November 06, 2013

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'perfect society' essay plan

Here's my video lesson about essay planning:

You can also watch the lesson on Vimeo by clicking here.

November 01, 2013

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'perfect society' question

Here's an interesting recent exam question that someone sent me:

Throughout history, people have dreamed of living in a perfect society. However, there is still no agreement about what a perfect society would be like. What, in your opinion, would be the most important element of a perfect society? What can people do to help create an ideal society?

Before we write anything, we'll need some good ideas. If you have any ideas, please share them in the 'comments' below this lesson, and I'll try to use them in next week's lesson.

October 20, 2013

IELTS Advice: Cambridge past papers

Have you done all of the practice tests (including the general training reading tests) in all nine of the Cambridge books?

If you have, my advice is to do them again! This time, don't use the books for testing. Study and analyse the questions and answers carefully, use a dictionary to look up new vocabulary, try writing essays without a time limit, and record yourself answering the speaking questions. There is so much that you can learn from past exam papers.

October 18, 2013

IELTS Advice: test your vocabulary range

Candidates who get higher IELTS scores tend to use a wider range of vocabulary. A quick way to test your 'vocabulary range' is to challenge yourself to explain something in as many different ways as possible.

Example: I asked my students to explain the word 'recreation'

Short answer:
doing things that you enjoy

Longer answer showing a wider vocabulary range:
doing things that you enjoy; activities for fun or pleasure; leisure activities; what you do in your free time outside work; maybe pastimes or hobbies; it could include sports, games, or just relaxing and unwinding when you have time to yourself...

October 17, 2013

IELTS Advice: how closely did you look?

How closely did you look at the essay in Wednesday's lesson? Did you read it quickly, and think to yourself: "ok, I understand it"?

Or did you look closely at the words, phrases, grammar, paragraph structure, and development of ideas? Did you make any notes? Did you use those notes to rewrite the essay, and then compare your essay with mine?

October 13, 2013

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'foreign tourists' essay

Foreign visitors should pay more than local visitors for cultural and historical attractions. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

It is sometimes argued that tourists from overseas should be charged more than local residents to visit important sites and monuments. I completely disagree with this idea.

The argument in favour of higher prices for foreign tourists would be that cultural or historical attractions often depend on state subsidies to keep them going, which means that the resident population already pays money to these sites through the tax system. However, I believe this to be a very shortsighted view. Foreign tourists contribute to the economy of the host country with the money they spend on a wide range of goods and services, including food, souvenirs, accommodation and travel. The governments and inhabitants of every country should be happy to subsidise important tourist sites and encourage people from the rest of the world to visit them.

If travellers realised that they would have to pay more to visit historical and cultural attractions in a particular nation, they would perhaps decide not to go to that country on holiday. To take the UK as an example, the tourism industry and many related jobs rely on visitors coming to the country to see places like Windsor Castle or Saint Paul’s Cathedral. These two sites charge the same price regardless of nationality, and this helps to promote the nation’s cultural heritage. If overseas tourists stopped coming due to higher prices, there would be a risk of insufficient funding for the maintenance of these important buildings.

In conclusion, I believe that every effort should be made to attract tourists from overseas, and it would be counterproductive to make them pay more than local residents.

(269 words, band 9)

October 12, 2013

IELTS Vocabulary: good phrases

Looking back at yesterday's lesson, I'm surprised to see how many good phrases I used. Try making your own sentences with the phrases below. Check to see how I used them before you write anything.

- caught my eye
- out of curiosity
- I ended up (+ing)
- dedicated to
- I hadn't intended to.....
- approached me
- I wondered what..... were
- the various..... on show
- I found..... fascinating
- he had a passion for.....
- he didn't mind (+ing)
- I had made it clear that.....

October 10, 2013

IELTS Writing Task 2: strong opinion answer

Foreign visitors should pay more than local visitors for cultural and historical attractions. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

Last week I said that we needed a 'strong opinion' answer to the question above. Here's my suggested outline for a 4-paragraph essay:

Introduction: make your opinion clear (e.g. I completely disagree)
First reason why you disagree
Second reason why you disagree
Conclusion: repeat / summarise your opinion

Note: It is possible to mention the opposite view in one of the main paragraphs, but you should make it very clear that you disagree with it. Here's an example:

October 08, 2013

IELTS Grammar: two important points

Here are two grammar points to note from the mistakes in Friday's lesson:

1. Commas don't connect sentences
You can't write "They asked me to do an interview, I felt so shy" with a comma connecting the two ideas. You would need a full stop or a linking word like "and" or "but" (e.g. They asked me to do an interview, but I felt so shy).

2. Don't put "which" and "it" together
You can't write "a conversation which I found it interesting". Delete the "it".

Click here to see all of the answers to Friday's exercise.

October 03, 2013

IELTS Writing Task 2: strong answer for agree/disagree

In this lesson I wrote an introduction for a 'balanced opinion' answer. Today we're going to look at a question which I think requires a 'strong opinion' answer:

Foreign visitors should pay more than local visitors for cultural and historical attractions. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

I think it would become confusing if you tried to explain a balanced view for this question. The choice of opinion is simple: either foreign visitors should pay more, or they shouldn't.

I'll show you how I would write an essay for this question next week. For the moment, just compare the question above with the question here. Make sure you understand why I'm suggesting a strong answer for one and a balanced answer for the other.

September 26, 2013

IELTS Vocabulary: idioms

Many students ask me about idioms: What are they? Should you use them? Do they help your score?

Meaning
My dictionary defines an idiom as "a group of words whose meaning is not deducible from the meaning of each individual word". This means that you cannot understand an idiom by analysing it word for word. For example, "it's a piece of cake" means "it's easy". Phrasal verbs are also idiomatic expressions (e.g. "look up" can mean "search in a dictionary").

Using idioms
English speakers use idioms all the time in conversation, but less so in formal/academic speaking and writing contexts. However, we often write things like "focus on an issue" or "the key to solving a problem" and here we are using 'focus' and 'key' in a figurative or idiomatic way.

Idioms in IELTS
You need to be really careful when using idioms in your IELTS test. Please don't learn lists of idioms; if you use them in the wrong way, your speech/writing will seem forced and unnatural. Also, remember that many idioms are informal or clichéd. So, what should you do? Read my tip below.

My tip
You can only be sure that you are using an idiom correctly if you have seen or heard it used in context. For example, if you've read about someone who "set up a business", you can use that phrase with confidence (and it might help your score). If you've only seen the idiom on a list, don't use it.

September 21, 2013

IELTS Writing Task 2: full essay

Today I'm attaching a model essay for the 'economic success' question that we were looking at a few weeks ago. The question is what I call a "2-part question", and I simply wrote one main paragraph about each of the two parts.

Click here to download the essay

September 15, 2013

IELTS Writing Task 2: balanced answer for agree/disagree

People often ask me how to give a balanced answer for "agree or disagree" questions. Take this question for example:

Many people say that we now live in 'consumer societies' where money and possessions are given too much importance.  To what extent do you agree or disagree?

A clear introduction is vital when giving a balanced answer:

It is sometimes argued that we live in a materialistic world and that we value money too highly. In my opinion, some people are extremely money oriented, but many of us place more importance on other values.

The big mistake that students make when trying to give a balanced answer is that they write about what "some people" and "other people" think. This question asks for your views, not the views of other people. Notice how my introduction makes it clear that the essay is about my own views.

September 09, 2013

IELTS Writing Task 2: from plan to paragraph

Let's plan and then write one main paragraph for the question below.

Economic progress is often used to measure a country's success. However, some people believe that other factors are more important. What other factors should also be considered when measuring a country's success? Do you think one factor is more important than others?

Here's a plan I wrote with my students:

Paragraph about other factors:
1) Education for development of the country, providing future workforce. 2) Good health system, living standards, life expectancy. 3) Personal freedom / rights / equality e.g. equal opportunities for both genders.

Here's our full paragraph using the plan above:

Standards of education, health and individual human rights should certainly be considered when measuring a country’s status. A good education system is vital for the development of any nation, with schools, colleges and universities bearing the responsibility for the quality of future generations of workers. Healthcare provision is also an indicator of the standard of living within a country, and this can be measured by looking at average life expectancy rates or availability of medical services. Finally, human rights and levels of equality could be taken into account. For example, a country in which women do not have the same opportunities as men might be considered less successful than a country with better gender equality.

September 06, 2013

Useful IELTS Vocabulary

There were some really useful phrases in the letter I wrote last week, even for people doing the academic test:

come to an end
thoroughly enjoy
broaden my horizons
gain experience
different working environments and practices
the chance to travel
over the course of
be proficient with / in / at
learn valuable interpersonal skills
delegate tasks
extremely grateful

Don't ignore the general IELTS lessons; think about how you could use the vocabulary for IELTS speaking or academic writing.

September 05, 2013

IELTS Advice: use Google to search this site

Although this website has its own search box, you might find that Google works better. If you want Google to search within one website, just write the word or phrase that you want to search for, followed by "site:URL".

For example, here's a search for "environment" on this website:

Here's a search for the phrase "in terms of". Notice that you need to use speech marks to search for a phrase:

Try doing both searches. The results that Google gives you should come only from ielts-simon.com. Can you see why this type of search might be useful?

September 01, 2013

IELTS Writing Task 2: introduction and conclusion

Introduction: Introduce the topic and give a general answer to both questions.

The relative success of different countries is usually defined in economic terms. There are several other factors, apart from the economy, that could be used to assess a country, and in my opinion education is the most important of all.

Conclusion: Repeat / summarise your answer.

In conclusion, nations can be assessed and compared in a variety of ways, but I would argue that the standard of a country's education system is the best indicator of its success.

August 29, 2013

IELTS Advice: how essays are marked

Here's a simplified version of the marking system for IELTS writing:

Note:
I tell my students that the fastest way to improve their scores is by focusing on 'task response' and 'lexical resource'. You do this by explaining your ideas / views in more detail.

August 25, 2013

IELTS Writing Task 2: always plan first!

Let's start working on the question about economic progress from last week's lesson. The first thing to do is plan your structure and think of some ideas:

Introduce the topic of measuring a country's success. Then answer that several factors can be considered, and education is the most important (this was the opinion of my students).
Other factors: 1) Education for development of the country, jobs, people will be more civilized, fewer social problems, less crime e.g. Scandinavian countries. 2) Personal freedom / rights e.g. religion, free speech, political views, gender, race, privacy. 3) Health i.e. good health system, living standards, life expectancy e.g. Japan.
Education is the main factor: education has an effect on all other factors. It affects health - there will be more doctors, more research, medical discoveries; educated people tend to be healthier. It also affects the economy - better work force, more creation of jobs, companies. Prestigious schools and universities attract people from other countries.
Conclude by summarising these ideas.

Next week we'll look at the introduction and conclusion.

August 21, 2013

IELTS Grammar: correct the mistakes

Last Sunday's lesson was about using 'with' instead of 'and'. Several people tried to make their own 'with' sentences, but some corrections are necessary. Can you help with the following sentences?

He love that girl, with she loving another boy.
London is the world's sixth most expensive city, with being visited by almost 1 million tourists every day.
City life is quite stressful, with the people lacking of the sense of community.

August 17, 2013

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'money' topic

Here's a recent exam question on a topic related to yesterday's lesson:

This is what I call a "2 part question". Here's my 4-paragraph essay structure:

Introduce the topic and give a general answer to both questions.
Describe two or three other factors.
Say which factor you think is more important.
Conclude by repeating / summarising your views.

August 14, 2013

IELTS Grammar: using 'with' instead of 'and'

Here's a structure that my students found interesting:

A) The IELTS exam is popular, and over 1 million people take it every year.
B) The IELTS exam is popular, with over 1 million people taking it every year.

A) The cost of living is high, and prices are going up every year.
B) The cost of living is high, with prices going up every year.

Notice the use of the 'ing' verb form after 'with'. Notice also that there is no auxiliary verb 'are' in the second example. To practise this type of sentence, try making an example of your own!

August 09, 2013

IELTS Writing Task 2: improve the sentences

The following sentences do not contain grammar mistakes, but they are still "wrong" in some way. Can you spot the problems and suggest changes?

We live in a rapidly changing globalized world, and whether the teenage years are the happiest of our lives is a hotly debated issue.
In my view, I am of the opinion that teachers, rather than politicians, should choose what pupils learn at school.
The demerits can be succinctly summarized thusly: children of wealthy parents may not learn the importance hard work.

August 07, 2013

IELTS Vocabulary: 'difficult' words

Related to yesterday's lesson, here's a question that a student sent me last year:

Hi Simon, when you talk about Band 7+ vocabulary, you always talk about two or three words (a phrase basically). But I am trying to learn few "heavy" words like cardinal, multitudinous, prodigious, prestidigitation, peregrination etc. Can you please tell us what is more important for IELTS: "heavy words" or good phrases?

My answer to this question is simple: good phrases are much more important. The words listed by the student above would seem forced and unnatural, whereas good phrases show your ability to use words together like a native speaker would.

Please don't learn the "heavy" words mentioned by the student. Instead, focus on learning good collocations for IELTS topics.

August 05, 2013

IELTS Advice: words that I would ban

I ban my students from using certain words in the IELTS test. The easiest way for me to explain why I ban these words is that most native speakers wouldn't use them if they were doing the test. Here are a few of my least favourites:

Moreover - Native speakers hardly ever use this word, and students tend to use it wrongly. Just use 'furthermore' or 'also'.
Demerits - It's ok to talk about the 'merits' of something, but the word 'demerits' seems unnatural. Just use 'disadvantages' or 'drawbacks'.
Hence / Thusly - These words sound too formal and old-fashioned. Just use 'therefore' or 'as a result'.

Remember that topic vocabulary is the key to a high score, not 'difficult' words.

July 25, 2013

IELTS Writing Task 2: children's upbringing

Children who are brought up in families that do not have large amounts of money are better prepared to deal with the problems of adult life than children brought up by wealthy parents. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

Here are two quick tasks related to the question above.

1) Vocabulary: fill the gaps in the following paragraph:

On the one hand, I agree that some children from less wealthy _____ might be in a better position to _____ adult life. Children whose parents have less money learn to fight, struggle and solve problems on a daily _____. They are forced to rely on _____ because they have less financial help from parents and cannot get what they want as soon as they want it. For example, poorer children may have to wait until a birthday to receive a toy or game that they have asked for, and this encourages them to learn patience. These children will also learn the importance of managing money and the value of hard _____, which will be vital _____ in later life.

2) Opinions: think of some ideas to support the opposite point of view.

July 21, 2013

IELTS Vocabulary

Here are some band 7-9 phrases from Friday's lesson:

- a typical winter would last...
- when I say..., I'm really thinking about...
- wintry months
- the temperature drops below zero
- we’ve had periods of quite heavy snowfall
- to the extent that...
- roads have been blocked and schools have had to close
- everything covered in a layer of white
- the snow is what differentiates winter from the other seasons
- the landscape looks beautiful

July 20, 2013

IELTS Advice: good writing looks easy

Yesterday's description of a season might seem easy when you first read it. But don't be fooled - it's full of great 'native speaker' phrases that mean it's easily at band 9 level. Can you spot the phrases that would surprise and impress the examiner? I'll answer this question myself tomorrow.

July 17, 2013

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'disagree' essay plan

The subjects that children are taught in schools are decided by central authorities. Some people say that teachers, not politicians, should be responsible for this task. To what extent you agree or disagree with this opinion?

Here's my plan for a 'disagree' essay:

Note: I don't think you need to plan your conclusion.

July 15, 2013

IELTS Advice: different teachers, different methods

Different teachers, books and websites will give you different advice, methods and techniques, and it's important to remember that there isn't a "best way" to approach the test. For example, it's possible to achieve a band 9 in writing using various different essay writing approaches.

It only becomes a problem when you start to get confused about which method is "right" or which person you should believe. If you get confused, here's the solution: choose one method, believe in it, and persist with it.

July 14, 2013

IELTS Advice: noticing your mistakes

Last week I suggested that mistakes can be stepping stones that help you to improve your English. But you need to notice your mistakes before you can learn from them.

Here are some tips about noticing and learning from mistakes:

The most obvious strategy is to get someone (e.g. a teacher) to check your written work and correct your mistakes.
Before your teacher checks your work, did you check it carefully yourself?
Study your teacher's corrections, and make sure you understand what you did wrong.
Pay special attention to any repeated mistakes that you make.
If you have a one-to-one teacher, you could also ask him or her to listen for mistakes that you make when speaking.
Try recording yourself. Listen to the recording, and transcribe it. Analyse what you said carefully and ask someone to check it.

July 11, 2013

IELTS Writing Task 2: some recent questions

If you're preparing for writing task 2, here are some recent questions that you could work on.

Opinion question
The subjects that children are taught in schools are decided by central authorities. Some people say that teachers, not politicians, should be responsible for this task. To what extent you agree or disagree with this opinion?

Discussion question
Some people think that the teenage years are the happiest of our lives, while others believe that adult life brings more happiness. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

2-part question
News editors decide what to broadcast on television and what to print in newspapers. What factors do you think influence these decisions? Do we become used to bad news, and would it be better if more good news was reported?

July 07, 2013

IELTS Advice: mistakes are 'stepping stones'

Every time you make a mistake, you have an opportunity to learn something. Use your mistakes as stepping stones to take you closer to your goal.

Stepping stones

Remember: you have to notice your mistakes before you can learn from them!

June 26, 2013

IELTS Advice: what's the secret?

I try to persuade my students that there is no "secret" to language learning. If there is a secret, it's that you need to work hard, practise and try to enjoy the process.

I often compare learning a language to learning the piano. Nobody would expect to find a "secret" method to take them from intermediate to advanced on the piano - why do we expect language learning to be different?

June 20, 2013

IELTS Writing Task 2: band 9 paragraph

Last week I asked you to try rewriting the third paragraph in this essay. The paragraph below is an edited compilation of students' ideas. I think it's good enough for a band 9.

On the other hand, I can understand the view taken by many people that artists should not expect the state to fund their work. Most musicians and the majority of painters make a living by performing or selling their artistic creations to fans or collectors; they would not expect to receive any help from their governments. Industry sponsorships can be another useful source of revenue for creative artists. For example, media companies like the mobile giant Apple are often willing to pay huge fees to inspirational designers who work on their advertising campaigns, product packaging, and even the appearance of their electronic devices. Finally, some artists may be lucky enough to receive donations from wealthy individuals.

June 16, 2013

IELTS Grammar: collocations

A student asked me to explain which is better: 'a prime example' or 'a primary example'.

I would say 'a prime example'. Why? The answer is that 'prime example' is a normal collocation in English. It's the phrase that English speakers would use.

Native speakers instinctively know which words go together more commonly. They recognise groups of words like 'prime example'. This is what we mean by "collocation".

Tip:
Put "prime example" and "primary example" into Google (don't forget the speech marks), and look at the numbers of results. It should be clear which collocation we prefer.

June 15, 2013

IELTS Vocabulary Advice

This is a question that students often ask:

"Millions of students take the IELTS exam in my country, so should I try to write differently and use original ideas?"

Here's my answer:

No, don't try to write differently. This will lead to mistakes. Remember, each examiner only reads 10 to 20 students' essays, so you are not competing with millions of students.

The key is to write clear English, answer the question, and try to include some good vocabulary related to the topic. Forget completely about the other students, and forget about trying to use strange words or phrases.

June 01, 2013

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'artists' essay

Here's a full essay that I wrote with my students about the topic below.

Some people think that governments should give financial support to creative artists such as painters and musicians. Others believe that creative artists should be funded by alternative sources. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

People have different views about the funding of creative artists. While some people disagree with the idea of government support for artists, I believe that money for art projects should come from both governments and other sources.

Some art projects definitely require help from the state. In the UK, there are many works of art in public spaces, such as streets or squares in city centres. In Liverpool, for example, there are several new statues and sculptures in the docks area of the city, which has been redeveloped recently. These artworks represent culture, heritage and history. They serve to educate people about the city, and act as landmarks or talking points for visitors and tourists. Governments and local councils should pay creative artists to produce this kind of art, because without their funding our cities would be much less interesting and attractive.

On the other hand, I can understand the arguments against government funding for art. The main reason for this view is that governments have more important concerns. For example, state budgets need to be spent on education, healthcare, infrastructure and security, among other areas. These public services are vital for a country to function properly, whereas the work of creative artists, even in public places, is a luxury. Another reason for this opinion is that artists do a job like any other professional, and they should therefore earn their own money by selling their work.

In conclusion, there are good reasons why artists should rely on alternative sources of financial support, but in my opinion government help is sometimes necessary.

May 29, 2013

IELTS Advice: why do my scores fluctuate?

Students often wonder why their scores fluctuate, especially in the writing and speaking tests. One reason could be that they don't have a method; they approach the exam in a different way every time.

You can only measure your progress if you use the same method every time you take the test. If you always approach the exam in the same way, you will know when you have done well or badly, and if your scores go up or down, you will probably know why.

May 25, 2013

IELTS Advice: understanding is only the first step

It's easy to read something (e.g. a lesson on this site) and think that you understand it. But 'understanding' is not the same as 'using'.

Can you really USE everything that you have read?
Can you use it correctly, without any mistakes?

Look again at yesterday's lesson about 'lead to'. I'm sure you understand these words, but not many students are able to use them accurately. This is important because it could make the difference between a band 6 and a band 7.

Try to think about these steps when you are studying:

Understanding a word is only the first step (e.g. 'lead to' means 'cause')
The next step is seeing how words are used (e.g. 'lead to + noun')
Try to use what you have learnt
Ask a teacher to correct your work
Learn from your mistakes

May 24, 2013

IELTS Grammar: 'lead to'

Students often make mistakes when using 'lead to' in their writing. What's the problem with these sentences?

Consumerism can lead to increase the economy.
Tourism can lead to destroy natural habitats.
A competitive atmosphere in lessons leads to motivate students.

The problem is that we need a noun or noun phrase after 'lead to', not a verb.

So, here are some some ways that you could rewrite the sentences:

Consumerism can lead to a more successful economy.
Tourism can lead to the destruction of natural habitats.
A competitive atmosphere in lessons motivates students.

Notice that in sentence 3 it is better to keep the verb 'motivates' and miss out 'leads to'.

May 21, 2013

IELTS Writing Task 2: idea, example, explain

The "idea, explain, example" format is a good way to organise your main paragraphs. Start with the main idea of the paragraph, explain it in more detail, then give an example.

A variation on this format is "idea, example, explain". Here's a paragraph that I wrote with my students about last week's topic:

Task: Analyse the paragraph. What role does each sentence play?

May 18, 2013

IELTS Advice: for people with 6.5

When students are stuck on band 6.5 in writing, they often think that they need a new technique, a new book or some new advice. This is wrong!

If you have a 6.5, it means that you are already getting band 7 in 50% of the scoring criteria. For example, you might be getting 7 for task response and 7 for organisation, but 6 for vocabulary and 6 for grammar (examiners can't give half marks in these criteria). Just a small improvement in one area will take you to band 7 overall (e.g. 7,7,7,6 = band 7).

If you are getting band 6.5, your method is fine. Don't change what you're doing; just try to find a small improvement in one area.

May 17, 2013

IELTS Grammar: passives, conditionals, subjunctives?

It seems that teachers in some countries are telling their students to fill their answers with "difficult grammar devices" like passives, conditionals and subjunctives.

I tell my students to do the opposite: forget about these things!

In my experience, the more you focus on grammar (25% of your score), the less you focus on answering the question well, organising your ideas, and using good vocabulary (75% of your score). Worrying about "difficult grammar" is likely to ruin your answers rather than improve them! Focus on the other 75%.

May 12, 2013

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'artists' topic

Compare the following questions. Both ask you about the same topic, but the requirements of each question are different. Think about how you would organise your answer for each one.

Discussion question
Some people think that governments should give financial support to creative artists such as painters and musicians. Others believe that creative artists should be funded by alternative sources. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Opinion question
Some people believe that governments should stop spending money on the arts. Instead, they should use this money to improve vital services such as schools and hospitals. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

May 09, 2013

IELTS Advice: be more than ready

If you are able to get a band 7 score when you do a test at home, can you be confident that you'll get a band 7 in the real test? Probably not.

The stress of a real exam means that your performance level will probably drop, so you'll need to be more than ready. In other words, you probably need to be achieving band 7.5 when you do practice tests in the comfort of your home. Only then can you be confident of getting a band 7 under exam conditions.

May 04, 2013

IELTS Writing Task 2: how to write faster

A student asked me for some tips about how to write task 2 essays faster. Here's my advice:

The first step is to write better, not faster. If you can't get the score you need when it takes you 2 hours to write an essay, you won't be able to write a good essay in 40 minutes.
Click here to read about a student who started slowly and got faster with practice.
The next step is to break the 40 minutes into smaller parts. For example, you could practise writing introductions in only 5 minutes. Don't work on full essays yet; just practise the parts according to my advice in this lesson.
Separate the 'thinking' from the 'writing'. I do all my thinking (planning or brainstorming) in the first 10 minutes. When I'm happy with my essay plan, I start writing. I try to stick to my plan so that I can focus on writing rather than more thinking.
Finally, remember that improvements happen gradually. You have to be prepared to do the hard work: practising lots of essays and parts of essays, preparing ideas and opinions for topics, building your vocabulary repertoire, and learning from mistakes. Do the work and you'll get better and faster!

May 01, 2013

IELTS Vocabulary: band 7-9 phrases

The essay I wrote on Wednesday was full of good words and phrases. Can you remember the missing words in the phrases below?

1. medicines are ______ tested on animals
2. cleared for ______ use
3. a limited ______ of animal experimentation
4. clear ______ arguments
5. a common ______ of this practice
6. the ______ of a drug can be measured
7. subject animals to ______
8. all creatures should be ______
9. the benefits do not ______ the suffering
10. alternative ______ of research
11. suffering on the ______ of mice and rats
12. may be a necessary ______

April 25, 2013

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'animal testing' essay

Nowadays animal experiments are widely used to develop new medicines and to test the safety of other products. Some people argue that these experiments should be banned because it is morally wrong to cause animals to suffer, while others are in favour of them because of their benefits to humanity.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

It is true that medicines and other products are routinely tested on animals before they are cleared for human use. While I tend towards the viewpoint that animal testing is morally wrong, I would have to support a limited amount of animal experimentation for the development of medicines.

On the one hand, there are clear ethical arguments against animal experimentation. To use a common example of this practice, laboratory mice may be given an illness so that the effectiveness of a new drug can be measured. Opponents of such research argue that humans have no right to subject animals to this kind of trauma, and that the lives of all creatures should be respected. They believe that the benefits to humans do not justify the suffering caused, and that scientists should use alternative methods of research.

On the other hand, reliable alternatives to animal experimentation may not always be available. Supporters of the use of animals in medical research believe that a certain amount of suffering on the part of mice or rats can be justified if human lives are saved. They argue that opponents of such research might feel differently if a member of their own families needed a medical treatment that had been developed through the use of animal experimentation. Personally, I agree with the banning of animal testing for non-medical products, but I feel that it may be a necessary evil where new drugs and medical procedures are concerned.

In conclusion, it seems to me that it would be wrong to ban testing on animals for vital medical research until equally effective alternatives have been developed.

(270 words, band 9)

April 17, 2013

IELTS Writing Task 2: correct the mistakes

Students shared some good essays about the animal experiments topic that we looked at last week. Can you improve the sentences below?

This essay examines both sides of views.
The first reason, the lives of animals should be respected.
Most people think animal testing is necessary but others are upset of these activities.
On other hand for those who are opposed this type of research would stand on ethical issues.
Thanks to the researches on mice, scientists have known how to treat diseases.
To sum up, it is highly true that we rely on animals’ research to help us to develop medicines.

I'll share my full essay next week.

April 14, 2013

IELTS Advice: small words can also impress

In Thursday's lesson I wrote that examiners would be impressed by the words huts, dock and tip. This would probably surprise most students, so I'll explain.

The three words would impress the examiner because they fit the description perfectly. As one person pointed out in a comment below that lesson, most students would probably use the word 'hotel' to describe the accommodation for tourists shown on the map. Only a native speaker or an advanced learner of English would know that small buildings to accommodate tourists on an island would probably be called huts. Click here to see a real example.

It's the same with 'dock' and 'tip'. Not everyone would know that the perfect verb to describe the parking of a boat is 'to dock'. And not everyone would know that tip is the perfect word for the end point of a landmass.

April 08, 2013

IELTS Writing Task 2: discuss both views

Last week I asked you to share your "discuss both views" questions. I've chosen a question shared by JK:

Here are the steps I would take to answer this question:

First we need ideas. I would start by writing down some arguments for and against animal testing. I covered this topic in my ebook (chapter 2), so I already have some good ideas in my head.
Next we can decide on our own view. Looking at the ideas you wrote down, you need to make a decision. A good 'middle point' might be that animal experiments should only be used for the most important medical research.
Now we need to organise our ideas. Always stick to the 4-paragraph structure; you don't need an extra paragraph for your own view because you agree with elements of the two views stated in the question.
Finally we're ready to write the essay. Keep your introduction and conclusion short. Spend most of your time on the main body paragraphs.

April 07, 2013

IELTS Advice: using memorised phrases

Is it acceptable to use memorised phrases in the writing and speaking tests? Well, it depends. Take the sentence below as an example. A student asked me whether it can be used at the beginning of a letter (general writing task 1).

I hope this letter ﬁnds you well. Sorry I didn't write to you earlier, but I’ve been working ﬂat out since the moment I arrived home.

Good use:
If the question tells you to begin by explaining to your friend why you haven't contacted him/her for a while, then this sentence would be perfect.

Bad use:
However, if the question does not tell you to explain why you didn't write earlier, the sentence is irrelevant. It will be clear to the examiner that you have used that phrase because it looks good, and not because it fits the question.

Can you see the difference? The examiner will only be impressed if your memorised phrases fit the question perfectly.

April 02, 2013

IELTS Writing Task 2: discuss both views

Task 2 questions often ask you to Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Here's how I structure a 4-paragraph essay for this kind of question:

1. Introduction (2 sentences):

First introduce the topic. I often begin with the phrase "People have different views about...".
In the second sentence, mention both views and your own opinion. I often use the word "although" in this sentence e.g. Although there are good arguments in favour of..., I personally believe that...

2. The first view
3. The second view (I make it clear that I agree with this view)
4. Conclusion: summarise both views and your own opinion

Please share any 'discuss both views' questions that you find difficult in the comments area below. I'll choose one question to look at next week.

March 24, 2013

IELTS Writing Task 2: find the good vocabulary

In last week's lesson I explained what I mean by 'band 7 vocabulary'. Read the lesson again, then study the paragraph below.

Which words or phrases in the following paragraph might be considered 'band 7 or higher'?

It is true that there are some disadvantages to learning a foreign language at primary school age. The main problem is that young children need to study other subjects which can be considered as more important than a second language. The core subjects in most primary schools are the mother tongue language, mathematics and science, and it can be argued that lessons in a new language take valuable study time away from these key disciplines, as well as causing confusion in the young learners. In particular, some people might worry that lessons in the new language could delay the development of a child’s first language.

Note:
The paragraph above would be part of my answer to this question.

March 22, 2013

IELTS Advice: how to use a private teacher

If you have the chance to take some lessons with a private teacher, here are some tips for writing and speaking:

Ask the teacher to identify your problem areas. Focus on improving those things first.
First, work together on 'big things' like overall essay structure, paragraphs or making sure you answer the question. Only work on 'small things' like grammar mistakes when you have perfected the big things.
Ask your teacher to write a full essay in front of you. Watch how she does it, and ask her to explain what she is thinking as she writes it.
Ask your teacher to mark your essays in front of you, and ask her to explain each correction.
When you practise questions for the speaking test, ask your teacher to play the part of the student. Record her answers and listen to them at home. Try to copy some of the phrases she used.
Practise doing speaking tests, and always ask the teacher for feedback: what did you do that was good, and how could you improve your answers?

Private lessons might be more expensive, but they can be hugely beneficial if they are done in the right way.

March 20, 2013

IELTS Advice: meaning and usage

Many people think they know a word when they understand its meaning. But understanding the meaning is not enough.

You only really know a word when you can use it in a variety of ways and contexts. Don't take it for granted that you know a word until you have studied its usage.

March 10, 2013

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'band 7 vocabulary'

I sometimes use the term 'band 7 vocabulary' and several people have asked me to explain what I mean by this. Here goes:

First, when I say 'band 7 vocabulary', I'm talking about vocabulary that could help you to get a band 7 or higher.
There is no list of band 7 vocabulary that you can use in any essay.
'Band 7 vocabulary' refers to words and phrases that relate to the question topic. For example, a phrase like "delay the development of a child's first language" would be band 7 vocabulary, but a linking word like "moreover" would not.
Examiners are looking for 'less common' vocabulary. They wouldn't expect many students to write "delay the development of a child's first language", so this phrase would impress them.
Remember that we are not looking for 'big' words that are difficult to understand. We are looking for groups of words used naturally and accurately together. The phrase "delay the development of a child's first language" is easy to understand, but not many students would think to use it.

March 08, 2013

IELTS Grammar: 'for example' and 'such as'

Students often make mistakes when using these two phrases. To avoid mistakes, follow this simple advice:

- Use For example, at the start of a sentence.
- Use such as in the middle of a sentence.

Compare these examples:

Children should eat less junk food. For example, they should avoid eating burgers and chips.
Children should avoid eating junk food such as burgers and chips.

Notice that 'For example' is followed by a comma and a full sentence. 'Such as' is in the middle of the sentence, followed by two nouns. You can use 'For instance' instead of 'For example'. You can use 'like' instead of 'such as'.

March 07, 2013

IELTS Advice: less testing, more preparing

Many students do a lot of testing but not enough preparation. The problem with tests is that you don't learn anything new. You don't improve.

"To train for a marathon, you don't run a full marathon every day!"

The solution is to spend more time preparing. Don't test yourself on a new topic that you have no idea about. Spend some time researching the topic to find good ideas and vocabulary. Then try to write a 'perfect' essay using your research, a dictionary, your teacher to help you etc. Type the essay on a computer, check for spelling and grammar mistakes, re-read it, look at how the paragraphs are organised, highlight the 'band 7 vocabulary'. If I've covered the topic on this website, use my ideas to make 'perfect' paragraphs and ask a teacher to check them.

When you have written a 'perfect' essay, wait for a few days and then test yourself on that topic. Imagine the difference!

March 05, 2013

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'language learning' topic

My students and I worked on this question from Cambridge IELTS 9:

Some experts believe that it is better for children to begin learning a foreign language at primary school rather than secondary school. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

Here's our plan for a 4-paragraph essay:

Introduction: Topic = best age to learn a foreign language. Our opinion = better to learn at primary school age.
Disadvantages of learning languages at primary age: other subjects are more important at that age (maths, mother tongue language, science), learning a new language is confusing and wastes time, could delay development of child's first language.
Advantages of learning languages at primary age: young children learn faster, they are less self-conscious or shy, they pick up the pronunciation better, they enjoy copying and learning through games, nowadays languages are just as important as maths etc.
Conclusion: repeat / summarise our answer.

The plan took us 10 minutes to write. With a plan like this, it should be easy to write a good essay in 30 minutes.

March 03, 2013

IELTS Grammar: rules and exceptions

When learning a language, grammar rules are useful because they show you how the language normally behaves. For example, you might learn that the word "to" is followed by the infinitive of the verb. The rule tells you that "to have" is correct and "to having" is wrong.

However, you should also be prepared to meet some exceptions to the grammar rules that you learn. For example, students are often confused by phrases like 'look forward to having' or 'advantages to having', both of which are correct.

When you find an exception to a grammar rule, don't get frustrated; consider it an opportunity to expand your knowledge of the language, and perhaps to impress the examiner!

February 26, 2013

IELTS Writing Task 2: when to give your opinion

Do the following questions ask for your opinion or not?

To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
Is this a positive or negative development?
What are the benefits and drawbacks?

Answers:
- Numbers 2 and 6 are discussion questions. Discuss both sides of the issue, but don't give an opinion about which side you agree with.
- Numbers 1 and 5 are opinion questions. Give your opinion and support it. If you have a strong opinion, you don't need to mention the other side of the argument.
- Numbers 3 and 4 can be called discussion + opinion questions. Discuss both sides and make your opinion clear too.

February 23, 2013

IELTS Advice: get Cambridge book 9

I've just bought a copy of Cambridge IELTS book 9, the latest collection of official IELTS exam papers. I'll be using it with my students here in Manchester, and I'll probably refer to it in lessons here on my site.

If you're looking for test practice, the Cambridge books are the only ones you can really trust. If you can get a copy of book 9, I'm sure you'll find it useful.

February 18, 2013

IELTS Writing Task 2: quick conclusions

The easiest way to write a short, effective conclusion is to paraphrase what you wrote in your introduction. Let's try this with the introduction I wrote last week.

Introduction
It is true that the top sports people earn incredibly high salaries. Although reasons can be given to justify this, I personally believe that sports stars should be paid much less.

Conclusion (loosely paraphrasing the introduction)
In conclusion, I do not accept the argument that sports professionals deserve to be paid so much more than people who do other important jobs.

Note:
Notice that I wrote "loosely paraphrasing" (I paraphrased the overall idea, rather than word for word).

February 15, 2013

IELTS Grammar: correct the mistakes

Try to improve the following sentences.

It is clear that, the commuter numbers by car are dominant.
The number of passengers in train showed upward trend.
The number of commuters favor car and train significantly increase.
About average 5 million commuters traveled by car.
The figure for train started from about 2 millions.
British people continuously used more car than other vehicles.

February 10, 2013

IELTS Writing Task 2: ideas and planning

Here's a question that my students and I looked at recently:

Successful sports professionals can earn a great deal more money than people in other important professions. Some people think this is fully justified while others think it is unfair. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

We spent 10 minutes planning, then we wrote half of the essay together:

It is true that the top sports people earn incredibly high salaries. Although reasons can be given to justify this, I personally believe that sports stars should be paid much less.

There are several reasons why some people support high incomes in sport. Firstly, people who reach the highest levels in any sport must be uniquely talented. For example, it is rare to find someone with the football skills of Messi or Ronaldo, and it can be argued that these players deserve salaries that reflect their abilities. Secondly, even the most talented sports professionals must undergo many years of training to develop the skills and fitness required, and this takes great commitment, dedication and passion. Finally, sports salaries are only high because audiences and fans are willing to pay to watch their favourite stars.

Note:
The main reason why these two paragraphs are good is that we planned them carefully. We spent time thinking about the question, making notes, and organising our ideas in a logical way.

February 08, 2013

IELTS Advice: storytelling

In Friday's speaking lesson I described a funny thing that happened to me. I found it really easy to write my description because I told a true story. I wasn't worrying about grammar or vocabulary; I just told my story in a natural way.

The key to a high speaking score isn't your use of 'complex' grammar structures, big words or idiomatic phrases. The key is to speak as naturally as possible, and real examples or stories help you to do this.

February 04, 2013

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'marriages' topic

Here's the question that we started to look at last week:

Marriages are bigger and more expensive nowadays than in the past. Why is this the case? Is it a positive or negative development?

After writing the introduction, we need to write a paragraph about the first question (why is this the case?). Here's something I wrote with my students:

Marriages have become bigger and more expensive for three main reasons. Firstly, people in developed countries are wealthier than their ancestors were in the past. They therefore have more money to spend on weddings, which are seen as one of life’s most important and unforgettable occasions. Secondly, in today’s globalized world, people see photos of celebrity weddings and want to copy them. For example, when Prince William got married here in England, the ceremony was shown on television and many people were influenced by what they saw. Finally, the wedding industry has grown, and many companies have an interest in selling products and services to us, using persuasive marketing techniques.

Task:
Analyse the paragraph: Does it answer the question, how is it structured, and what "less common" vocabulary is used?

February 03, 2013

IELTS Advice: 'less common vocabulary'

According to the IELTS marking system, candidates need to use some "less common lexical items" (vocabulary) if they want to get a band 7 or higher. But what is "less common vocabulary" and how can you learn it?

I'm afraid it's impossible to make a list of all "less common vocabulary items". The only thing I can do is point them out when I use them. Try the task below.

Task: Which words or phrases in the paragraph in this lesson might be considered "less common"?

February 01, 2013

IELTS Advice: a student's experience of re-marking

A student called Chanaka asked me to share his experiences regarding re-marking and how he eventually got the scores he needed. I hope you find his insights useful.

Click here to read Chanaka's advice

January 30, 2013

IELTS Writing Task 2: succinct introductions

The introduction technique that I recommend involves writing just 2 sentences: one to introduce the topic, and one to answer the question. Let’s look at this technique in more detail using the following question:

Marriages are bigger and more expensive nowadays than in the past. Why is this the case? Is it a positive or negative development?

First, we can introduce the topic by paraphrasing the question statement:

It is true that weddings have become more costly and extravagant in recent years.

Second, I need a short, simple answer to both parts of the question:

There are several reasons for this, and in my view it is a negative trend.

If I put the two sentences together, I have a really succinct* introduction:

It is true that weddings have become more costly and extravagant in recent years. There are several reasons for this, and in my view it is a negative trend.

*(succinct: clear, precise expression in few words)

January 21, 2013

IELTS Grammar: 'finally' or 'at last'?

This week I wrote a lesson about using "Firstly, Secondly, Finally", and a student asked me whether it's ok to use "at last" instead of "finally".

The answer is no. "Finally" and "at last" are not used in the same way.

Use "finally" in the IELTS writing test when you want to make your final point, or to talk about the final stage in a process e.g. Finally, as well as making life more fun and interesting, new experiences can be good for our physical and mental health. (taken from this lesson)

Only use "at last" when you have been waiting for a long time for something to happen e.g. At last I've passed the IELTS exam!

January 19, 2013

IELTS Writing Task 2: firstly, secondly, finally

The paragraph I wrote for last week's lesson (repeated below) is structured in the following way:

1. Topic sentence
2. Firstly
3. Example
4. Secondly
5. Finally

I think this is a good way to organise a paragraph. However, it's best not to use the same structure twice in one essay. Compare the two paragraphs below. How did I structure the second one to avoid repeating "Firstly, Secondly, Finally"?

First main paragraph
There are good reasons why some people feel the need to make significant changes to their lives from time to time. Firstly, any new situation that a person encounters can be an opportunity to learn and grow as a person. A new job, for instance, might present challenges that push the person to adapt, acquire new knowledge, or add to his or her skill set. Secondly, a change can represent a break with the past and an old routine which has become boring and predictable. Finally, as well as making life more fun and interesting, new experiences can be good for our physical and mental health.

Second main paragraph
On the other hand, it is understandable why people might avoid change. Whenever people are forced to change their lifestyles, jobs or even to move house, they are likely to experience stress and worry as they try to adapt to the new situation. By contrast, we feel comfortable and confident when we stay with what we know. The decision to persist with a course of action or stick to one chosen path often leads to greater success in life. For example, by staying in the same job for many years, a person can become an expert in his or her field, which will lead to better opportunities for promotions and career progression.

January 17, 2013

IELTS Advice: review vocabulary

You may have read this week's lessons here on the blog, but did you take notes? Would you really be able to use the vocabulary that I used?

Let's review some good phrases from this week's lessons:

society is undergoing enormous change(s)
make significant changes to their lives
encounter a situation
(something) presents a challenge / challenges
acquire knowledge
add to your/his/her/their skill set
a break with the past
share common interests / have something in common with
spend time with
honest and trustworthy
have time to yourself
take stock and reflect on things

January 13, 2013

IELTS Writing Task 2: band 9 paragraph

My students and I prepared an essay about the following question:

Some people prefer to spend their lives doing the same things and avoiding change. Others, however, think that change is always a good thing. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Here's one of the main body paragraphs:

There are good reasons why some people feel the need to make significant changes to their lives from time to time. Firstly, any new situation that a person encounters can be an opportunity to learn and grow as a person. A new job, for instance, might present challenges that push the person to adapt, acquire new knowledge, or add to their skill set. Secondly, a change can represent a break with the past and an old routine which has become boring and predictable. Finally, as well as making life more fun and interesting, new experiences can be good for our physical and mental health.

Task:
Analyse this paragraph carefully. What can you learn from it in terms of structure, ideas, vocabulary and grammar?

January 10, 2013

IELTS Vocabulary: band 7 or higher

To get a band 7, you don't need to learn "big" or "difficult" words. You need to learn how to use words together. You need to use good collocations.

Collocations are groups of words that often go together. For example, collocations like "increase significantly" are used in IELTS Writing Task 1.

Look for collocations in the speaking and writing lessons on this website. Here are some examples:

Health topic: a major cause, poor health, manual jobs, physical activity, outdoor sports.
Writing Task 1: noticeable feature, significantly higher, a dramatic increase in.
Describe a person: a major influence, a good role model, inherit traits, set an example, a positive outlook.

Most learner dictionaries now show examples of how words are used in common collocations and phrases. If you read a lot of English, you will see collocations everywhere.

January 09, 2013

IELTS Advice: copy my ideas!

I try to give my students good vocabulary ideas to help them write better essays and give better spoken answers. However, some students feel like they are copying or cheating if they use my ideas. They prefer to use a dictionary or rely on what they already know.

My advice is: get your vocabulary ideas from the lessons on this website, from a book, or from your teacher. This is good preparation, not copying or cheating!

January 05, 2013

IELTS Writing Task 2: agree or disagree?

When the question asks whether you agree or disagree, you can either express a strong opinion (completely agree or disagree) or you can express a balanced opinion (partly agree, or agree to a certain extent).

Let's look at two ways to answer the following question:

After leaving school or university, young people should choose a job or career that they love, rather than one that pays the best salary. To what extent do you agree with this statement?

1) Introduction for a strong opinion
Some people make their career choices according to what they enjoy doing, whereas others place more importance on earning a high salary. Personally, I support the view that job satisfaction and a sense of fulfillment are much more important than money.

2) Introduction for a balanced opinion
Some people make their career choices according to what they enjoy doing, whereas others place more importance on earning a high salary. Personally, I believe that both criteria should be given equal consideration.

December 21, 2012

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'money' topic

Following on from yesterday's video, let's look at a writing task 2 question:

After leaving school or university, young people should choose a job or career that they love, rather than one that pays the best salary. To what extent do you agree with this statement?

Don't attempt this question without spending some time planning first:

Decide on your overall point of view: agree or disagree (or maybe 'partly agree').
Plan your 4-paragraph essay structure: what will each paragraph be about?
Note some ideas for each main paragraph: think about how you will explain your ideas in detail, and what real-life examples you could use.

December 18, 2012

IELTS Advice: phrases and collocations

To get a good IELTS score, you need to use the kind of language that native speakers might use. This doesn't mean 'difficult words', it means good groups of words (phrases and collocations).

When reading, try to look for phrases that English speakers use. Here's an example paragraph from the Economist Magazine with a few useful words and phrases underlined.

It is always a little disconcerting to realise a generation has grown up never knowing what it was like to manage without something that is taken for granted today. A case in point: the World Wide Web (WWW), which celebrated the 20th anniversary of its introduction last Saturday. It is no exaggeration to say that not since the invention of the printing press has a new media technology altered the way people think, work and play quite so extensively. With the web having been so thoroughly embraced socially, politically and economically, the world has become an entirely different place from what it was just two decades ago.

December 16, 2012

IELTS Grammar: correct the mistakes

Try to correct the mistakes in the sentences below:

Most of advertising aim to persuade people that buying things will make them happier.
Advertisers use every efforts to make their products more attractive.
Governments should control advertising or even banned.

I'll give you my answers in the "comments" area tomorrow.

December 14, 2012

IELTS Writing Task 2: make your own questions

A useful way to practise is to write your own questions. By doing this, you can cover a range of topics without needing to search for questions in books or on the Internet. You can also keep the questions clear and simple.

Let's write 3 questions about 'population growth' (yesterday's listening topic):

Discussion question
The populations of many countries are increasing rapidly. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this trend.

Opinion question
Many people believe that it is time to limit population growth. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Problem and solution
The populations of many countries are increasing rapidly. Explain what problems this trend may cause, and suggest some possible solutions.

December 08, 2012

IELTS Writing Task 2: two common mistakes

Here are two mistakes that students often make:

Using "although" wrongly
Always putting a comma after "that"

Look at these incorrect sentences:

Although, tourism has many benefits, but it also has some drawbacks.
Many people believe that, parents should be strict.

Now look at the correct sentences:

Although tourism has many benefits, it also has some drawbacks.
Many people believe that parents should be strict.

December 05, 2012

IELTS Advice: don't overthink your answers

Question 4 in Monday's reading lesson caused some problems because many people fell into the trap of 'overthinking' the answer. They were worried about the precise meaning of the word "infants", and whether it meant the same thing as "pre-school age children".

In the reading test, you shouldn't worry about such precise distinctions. It's enough to recognise that both "infants" and "pre-school age children" are very young children. The answer would be 'false' if the question mentioned "teenagers" or "adolescents" - these are definitely not pre-school ages.

Remember that the people who write these questions rely on paraphrasing and synonyms; it wouldn't really test your English if every question contained the exact words from the passage. If the words have basically the same meaning, don't analyse them any further.

December 02, 2012

IELTS Writing Task 2: ways to prepare

Many students only do one thing to prepare for writing task 2: they write lots of full essays. Although it's obviously important to practise writing full essays, there are other things that I think you should be doing.

Here are some study ideas for writing task 2:

1) Break the task into parts
Instead of writing a full essay today, why not try writing 5 different introductions using my 2-sentence technique? Or challenge yourself to write 3 different main-body paragraphs about "advantages" (e.g. advantages of mobile phones, homeschooling and immigration) - use this lesson to help you. Or write 5 different conclusions - just one sentence each, summarising your response to 5 different questions.

2) Do some research
Instead of worrying about one particular question, try to find 10 recent exam questions (maybe using this page). Write the questions on a piece of paper, decide what the general topic is for each one (e.g. advertising, prisons, life expectancy) and do some research about those topics. Don't worry about the exact question, just try to "collect" good ideas and vocabulary for the overall topic. A quick search on Google or Wikipedia should give you what you need.

3) What do you believe?
A big problem for some students is that they don't have well-formed opinions. They're not sure what to write about topics like homeschooling, immigration or gun control. The good news is that there is no 'correct' opinion - the examiner is only looking at how well you express your opinions in English. So, after doing some research (see point 2 above), make sure you have an opinion of your own.

November 24, 2012

IELTS Writing Task 2: problem/solution essay

Here's my full essay for the question we've been working on.

In the developed world, average life expectancy is increasing. What problems will this cause for individuals and society? Suggest some measures that could be taken to reduce the impact of ageing populations.

It is true that people in industrialised nations can expect to live longer than ever before. Although there will undoubtedly be some negative consequences of this trend, societies can take steps to mitigate these potential problems.

As people live longer and the populations of developed countries grow older, several related problems can be anticipated. The main issue is that there will obviously be more people of retirement age who will be eligible to receive a pension. The proportion of younger, working adults will be smaller, and governments will therefore receive less money in taxes in relation to the size of the population. In other words, an ageing population will mean a greater tax burden for working adults. Further pressures will include a rise in the demand for healthcare, and the fact young adults will increasingly have to look after their elderly relatives.

There are several actions that governments could take to solve the problems described above. Firstly, a simple solution would be to increase the retirement age for working adults, perhaps from 65 to 70. Nowadays, people of this age tend to be healthy enough to continue a productive working life. A second measure would be for governments to encourage immigration in order to increase the number of working adults who pay taxes. Finally, money from national budgets will need to be taken from other areas and spent on vital healthcare, accommodation and transport facilities for the rising numbers of older citizens.

In conclusion, various measures can be taken to tackle the problems that are certain to arise as the populations of countries grow older.

(265 words, band 9)

November 20, 2012

IELTS Writing Task 2: from plan to paragraph

Let's try writing a full paragraph using the essay plan from this lesson. The topic of this paragraph is "the problems caused by increasing life expectancy". Here's the plan I wrote:

Problems
- an increase in the number of retired people who will receive a pension
- a smaller proportion of young adults = smaller working populations
- a greater tax burden on working adults
- demand for healthcare will rise
- young adults will have to look after elderly relatives

Here's my paragraph using the ideas above:

Note: It would be easy to write more by adding an example (such as healthcare costs like more hospital beds and medical staff), but I've already written 106 words, which is enough for one main paragraph.

November 17, 2012

IELTS Advice: get some feedback

Many students are forced to study for the IELTS test alone. For one reason or another, they can't attend any classes or preparation courses. I started this blog with the aim of helping people in that position.

However, those people often reach the point where they need some direct guidance. They need someone to check their essays or listen to them speak.

If you keep getting the same score in every test that you take, it's probably time to find a teacher who can check your work and help you to become 'unstuck'.

November 16, 2012

IELTS Advice: speaking strategies

Here are some of the strategies that I used in yesterday's description:

Try to develop each bullet point in detail. If you don't say enough for the first two or three points, you'll find yourself with too much time for the last point.
Tell a story! My second point tells the story of how I was given the chair by a friend, and I could probably speak for 2 minutes about this point alone. When you tell a story about something real that happened, you'll find it easy to keep talking. Stories are also interesting for the listener (the examiner).
Add examples. In point 3, you can see that I added an example at the end ("last night I fell asleep in my armchair while I was watching a film"). I could easily take this example and develop it into another short story.
When describing an object, don't forget the simple things like size, colour (I forgot that one!), shape, material, position ("just under my living room window").

November 10, 2012

IELTS Writing Task 2: introduction and conclusion

You don't need to mention any specific problems or solutions in your introduction and conclusion. These paragraphs can be short, easy and general. Remember that the main paragraphs are much more important in terms of your score.

Example introduction
It is true that people in industrialised nations can expect to live longer than ever before. Although there will undoubtedly be some negative consequences of this trend, societies can take steps to mitigate these potential problems.

Example conclusion
In conclusion, various measures can be taken to tackle the problems that are certain to arise as the populations of countries grow older.

November 08, 2012

IELTS Grammar: affect or effect?

Almost every week I see mistakes in the use of "affect" and "effect". These are common and important words, especially in the IELTS writing test, so you need to get them right.

"Affect" is a verb. Don't write "affect on".

Smoking affects your health. (smoking affects on your health)
The Internet is affecting our way of life.
Children are affected by what they see on television.

"Effect" is a noun. Do write "have an effect on".

Smoking has a harmful effect on your health.
The Internet is having a significant effect on our way of life.
Television can have a negative effect on children.

If you use these words correctly, the examiner will be impressed.

November 04, 2012

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'ageing population' topic

Some advice:

- Write 4 paragraphs: introduction, problems, solutions, conclusion.
- You don't need to separate ideas about individuals and ideas about society. Just mention something about both in your paragraphs.

Some ideas:

Solutions
- people may have to retire later; the state pension age will rise
- medical advances and health programmes might allow elderly people to stay healthy and work for longer
- people should be encouraged to have more children
- governments could encourage immigration (in order to increase the number of younger adults)

November 02, 2012

IELTS Advice: which resources to use

Students are often confused because there are so many different IELTS books and websites.

So, to make things simple, here are my top 3 resources:

Cambridge IELTS books for real practice tests.
This website (if you like my approach) for daily lessons.
A teacher to give you feedback on your writing and speaking.

October 26, 2012

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'capital punishment' topic

Here are some ideas from my ebook about the topic of capital punishment. Remember that you won't be able to write a good essay unless you have good ideas. Also, you should always try to prepare both sides of the argument.

Arguments for capital punishment:

Supporters say that capital punishment deters crime.
Fear of the death penalty stops people from committing offences.
The death penalty shows that crime is not tolerated.
It is a form of revenge.
The cost of imprisonment is avoided.
The offender cannot pose a threat to others.

Arguments against capital punishment:

Innocent people could be wrongly convicted and executed.
Crime rates are not necessarily reduced.
Many criminals do not think they will be caught.
Capital punishment is not a good deterrent.
Executing prisoners creates a violent culture and encourages revenge.
We have no right to take another human life.

October 25, 2012

IELTS Advice: sometimes you need a break!

Earlier this year, one of my students decided to take a break from studying for the IELTS exam. When I met her a few weeks later, she seemed more relaxed and confident, and her scores soon improved.

Sometimes you need to take a break to give your brain a chance to process all the information that you've been feeding it. if you're feeling stressed or frustrated about the IELTS test, consider taking some time off!

October 19, 2012

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'petrol price' introduction

The following question comes from Cambridge IELTS book 8.

Increasing the price of petrol is the best way to solve growing traffic and pollution problems.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
What other measures do you think might be effective?

My students wrote the introduction below. Notice that it addresses all parts of the question so that the examiner knows exactly what our position is.

Traffic and pollution are growing problems in today’s society. Personally, I disagree with the idea that higher petrol prices could solve these problems, and I believe that various other measures would be more constructive.

PS. Don't waste time writing a longer introduction than this. The main body paragraphs are much more important!

October 17, 2012

IELTS Grammar: simplify to avoid mistakes

Try to correct / improve the following sentences by writing them in a simpler way.

There is no doubt that the attraction of video games are catching people’s attraction easily.
In our world today where technologies bound to run in our daily existence, playing video games plays a vital part to our own society.
All RPGs (role-playing games), as the name already suggests, involves the player assuming a character and controlling the entire process and unlock tasks to advance.
On the one hand, it is undoubtedly that video games have offered much more benefits to human beings.
I personally believe that video games seem to have noxious implications.

October 15, 2012

IELTS Advice: the importance of phrases

Note: I'm using the term 'phrase' to refer to 'a group of words' (not an expression or idiom).

When I studied foreign languages at school, we were mainly taught vocabulary as a list of individual words with a translation of their meanings. The problem with learning a list of individual words is that you don't learn how to use them in a natural way, and you find yourself translating word by word from your own language.

The alternative is to study phrases that native speakers have produced. I was happy to see that the first comment (by 'boburShox') below this lesson was a list of good phrases that I used in my essay. The individual words are easy to understand, but you can learn a lot by analysing the way I put them together.

October 12, 2012

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'video games' essay

Some people regard video games as harmless fun, or even as a useful educational tool. Others, however, believe that video games are having an adverse effect on the people who play them. In your opinion, do the drawbacks of video games outweigh the benefits?

Many people, and children in particular, enjoy playing computer games. While I accept that these games can sometimes have a positive effect on the user, I believe that they are more likely to have a harmful impact.

On the one hand, video games can be both entertaining and educational. Users, or gamers, are transported into virtual worlds which are often more exciting and engaging than real-life pastimes. From an educational perspective, these games encourage imagination and creativity, as well as concentration, logical thinking and problem solving, all of which are useful skills outside the gaming context. Furthermore, it has been shown that computer simulation games can improve users’ motor skills and help to prepare them for real-world tasks, such as flying a plane.

However, I would argue that these benefits are outweighed by the drawbacks. Gaming can be highly addictive because users are constantly given scores, new targets and frequent rewards to keep them playing. Many children now spend hours each day trying to progress through the levels of a game or to get a higher score than their friends. This type of addiction can have effects ranging from lack of sleep to problems at school, when homework is sacrificed for a few more hours on the computer or console. The rise in obesity in recent years has also been linked in part to the sedentary lifestyle and lack of exercise that often accompany gaming addiction.

In conclusion, it seems to me that the potential dangers of video games are more significant than the possible benefits.

(258 words, band 9)

October 08, 2012

IELTS Writing Task 2: video games

Here's a question about the 'video games' topic we looked at last week:

Some people regard video games as harmless fun, or even as a useful educational tool. Others, however, believe that videos games are having an adverse effect on the people who play them. In your opinion, do the drawbacks of video games outweigh the benefits?

Personally, I'd answer this question in the same way as I'd answer a 'discuss both views and give your opinion' question. I'd write 4 paragraphs:

Introduce the topic, both sides of the argument, and my view.
Explain the benefits of video games.
Explain the drawbacks.
Summarise / repeat my overall opinion.

Students shared some good ideas in the comments area here (especially some of the comments near the bottom). You could also adapt the ideas in my ebook chapter about the positives and negatives of television. I'll share my full essay next week.

October 02, 2012

IELTS Writing Task 2: video games

Yesterday's listening exercise was about the topic of video games. This could also be an IELTS writing topic, so let's think about how we could prepare for it.

Think about the following points:

1) Which type of question do you think is more likely for the 'video games' topic: discussion, agree/disagree or problem/solution?
2) Can we use any of the ideas, opinions or vocabulary from yesterday's lesson?
3) What other ideas or arguments could we add?

Task: try writing your own exam question for this topic. We'll look at a real question next week.

September 26, 2012

IELTS Writing Task 2: parents or schools?

One of the questions in Cambridge IELTS book 8 asks who should be responsible for making children into good citizens: parents or schools?

Here's a paragraph I wrote about this topic:

Parents play a huge ______ in their children’s lives, and shoulder more of the ______ for their upbringing than school teachers do. Before starting school, infants spend the first four or five years of their lives with their mothers and fathers. During those ______ years, parents teach their children vital skills and habits, such as the ability to speak, eat and behave. Parents are the major role ______ for young people, who copy the behaviour that they see on a daily ______ at home, and it would be wrong to expect schools to ______ a greater influence than the family.

Task:
Can you guess what words I used in the spaces?

September 18, 2012

IELTS Writing Task 2: are you stuck?

Students often tell me that they are stuck on the same writing score. For example, they keep getting 6.5 in every test they take. If you are stuck in a rut like this, perhaps the most effective way to get out of it is to give more importance to your essay plan.

I tell my students to spend around 3 minutes making notes for each main body paragraph. So, for the housing topic we've been looking at recently, we would spend 3 minutes thinking about why we shouldn't build more houses in cities, and 3 more minutes thinking about the benefits of developing new towns.

The act of planning helps you to separate the task of idea generation from the task of writing. It's extremely difficult to do both of these things at the same time.

September 17, 2012

IELTS Advice: vocabulary review

It's useful to review the words and phrases you learn each week. Here's a quick list of some vocabulary from this week's lessons on the blog:

a pressing issue
consecutive
the provision of
over the course of (+ time)
a calendar year

Try writing a simple sentence with each of the above phrases. Check the meaning of each one in a dictionary first if you're not sure.

September 13, 2012

IELTS Writing Task 2: introduction technique

As I've said before, task 2 introductions should be short and direct. You only need to write two sentences in order to do two things:

Introduce the topic.
Respond to the question, making your position clear.

Take this question from last week's lesson:

More houses are needed in many countries to cope with increasing populations. Would it be better to build houses in existing towns and cities, or to develop new towns in rural areas?

Here's my 2-sentence introduction:

It is true that the populations of many countries are growing, and that new housing is therefore needed. In my opinion, it would be better to increase the provision of housing by creating new towns, rather than by further developing existing towns and cities.

September 11, 2012

IELTS Advice: use a dictionary

Many students make spelling, vocabulary and grammar mistakes that could be avoided if they checked their work properly.

When practising your writing, do you have a dictionary with you? Do you check when you are not sure about something?

Remember, a dictionary shows more than just meanings of words. A good dictionary shows you examples of how to use words correctly.

September 05, 2012

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'housing' topic

Several people have asked me to help with the following question:

More houses are needed in many countries to cope with increasing populations. Would it be better to build houses in existing towns and cities, or to develop new towns in rural areas?

The first thing that I would do is think about my 4-paragraph structure. This means that we need 2 main body paragraphs (2 main ideas). Don't worry about putting your real opinion; just try to think of the easiest opinion for a 4-paragraph essay.

Here's one way that we could structure the essay:

Introduction: give your opinion e.g. it's better to develop new towns
Paragraph: explain why we shouldn't build more houses in cities
Paragraph: explain the benefits of building new towns
Conclusion: repeat / summarise your opinion

August 29, 2012

IELTS Writing Task 2: use what you learn

When you learn a new word, collocation or phrase, it's a good idea to try using it in different contexts. For example, the collocations in last week's lesson came from an essay about music, but maybe we can use them for other topics.

As an example, I'll choose the topic of education, and I'll write a couple of sentences around some of the collocations (underlined) from last week:

In primary schools, more importance should be given to creativity and problem solving, and these skills should be valued over memorisation and rote learning. Creativity can be fostered by exposing children to a rich variety of media, and by encouraging them to express their emotions.

August 21, 2012

IELTS Writing Task 2: collocations

Collocations are groups of words that are often found together. Native speakers have a large repertoire of these word groups, and can use them without thinking. Language learners need to build their own repertoire of collocations through reading and listening, and by noticing word groups that commonly occur.

Here are some collocations from the essay I wrote last week:

a rich variety
a vital part, a necessary part
a range of reasons
musical preferences
life stories
express emotions, arouse emotions
a commercial product
cultural identity
human existence
give importance

These are just some of the most obvious collocations in the essay. We could also add grammatical collocations like 'a means of' and 'valued over'. To read more about collocations, click here and here.

August 08, 2012

IELTS Advice: only use official questions

Students are often worried because they find difficult or confusing IELTS questions on the Internet (especially for writing task 2). My advice is: don't trust questions you find on the Internet. They are often written by students who have remembered them wrongly.

You can definitely trust the Cambridge IELTS books. Cambridge makes the IELTS exam, so you know that the questions in those books are 'real'. They are also clearly written, so you will not be confused about what the question is asking you to do.

PS. I promise I'm not paid by Cambridge to advertise their books!!

August 04, 2012

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'music' essay

There are many different types of music in the world today. Why do we need music? Is the traditional music of a country more important than the international music that is heard everywhere nowadays?

It is true that a rich variety of musical styles can be found around the world. Music is a vital part of all human cultures for a range of reasons, and I would argue that traditional music is more important than modern, international music.

Music is something that accompanies all of us throughout our lives. As children, we are taught songs by our parents and teachers as a means of learning language, or simply as a form of enjoyment. Children delight in singing with others, and it would appear that the act of singing in a group creates a connection between participants, regardless of their age. Later in life, people’s musical preferences develop, and we come to see our favourite songs as part of our life stories. Music both expresses and arouses emotions in a way that words alone cannot. In short, it is difficult to imagine life without it.

In my opinion, traditional music should be valued over the international music that has become so popular. International pop music is often catchy and fun, but it is essentially a commercial product that is marketed and sold by business people. Traditional music, by contrast, expresses the culture, customs and history of a country. Traditional styles, such as ...(example)..., connect us to the past and form part of our cultural identity. It would be a real pity if pop music became so predominant that these national styles disappeared.

In conclusion, music is a necessary part of human existence, and I believe that traditional music should be given more importance than international music.

(261 words, band 9)

July 28, 2012

IELTS Advice: your comments

You might have noticed that I no longer reply to most comments. I'm afraid it has become impossible for me to keep up with the questions that people ask me.

However, I do still read every comment, and your questions influence the lessons that I write. Please feel free to keep commenting, and please don't be offended if I don't answer you individually.

PS. Congratulations to those of you who wrote to say that you got the scores you needed last week! It's great to hear that my lessons have helped.

July 22, 2012

IELTS Writing Task 2: correct the mistakes

Several people tried writing about the music topic in last week's lesson. Try to correct the mistakes that they made in the sentences below. I'll share my full essay next week.

We have different types of music all over the world, we need music for various reasons.
The first I think we need music almost for enjoyment.
People listening to a variety of music is due to a number of reasons.
It is clear cut evidence why we need for music.
Traditional music of a country has more weight that the famous international music.
At a glance, we need music for enjoyment.
The people is more happier listening all kind the rhythms and sounds than without it.
It helps to make relaxed from any sort of strain.
If the international music would replace it then the whole historical experience of a country will die.

July 20, 2012

IELTS Advice: preparing speaking topics

On Friday I suggested preparing six main topics for IELTS Speaking Part 2. But how should you prepare these topics? Where can you find good ideas?

I recommend doing two things. First, have a look through the speaking lessons on this site. Second, use the Internet to do some further research. For example, if you want a good description of a famous person, look him/her up on Wikipedia and note down the best vocabulary ideas.

July 15, 2012

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'music' topic

Arnie shared this question about music:

Here's a quick plan to show you how I would approach this question:

Introduction: Paraphrase the idea that many types of music are found around the world, then briefly answer both parts of the question.
Paragraph answering the first question: Explain why we need music e.g. for enjoyment, to express ideas and emotions. Give an example from your experience, and/or explain what life would be like without music.
Paragraph answering the second question: It might be easier to argue that traditional music is more important e.g. because it expresses cultural identity, customs, history. Give an example from your country, and/or explain how you would feel if traditional music disappeared.
Conclusion: Repeat / summarise your views.

I'll continue with this question next week.

July 10, 2012

IELTS Writing Task 2: introduction and conclusion

In last week's lesson, I explained why you shouldn't save your opinion for a 'surprise conclusion'. Look at the following introduction and conclusion for an essay about whether it is better for students to work alone or in a group:

Introduction
People have different views about the most effective way for students to work. While there are some advantages to studying alone, I personally believe that group work is usually more productive.

Conclusion
In conclusion, both individual and group study can be useful under different circumstances, but I generally prefer to work with others as part of a team.

Notice that my 'position' is clear in the introduction, so the conclusion simply repeats my view in a different way.

June 29, 2012

IELTS Writing Task 2: no surprises!

The examiners' band descriptor sheet states that a band 7 essay "presents a clear position throughout the response".

A "clear position" means that your opinion must be clear (if the question asks for it), and "throughout the response" means from the beginning to the end of your essay.

For this reason, it's a bad idea to save your opinion for the conclusion. We don't like 'surprise conclusions' in English academic writing. Instead, you should state your position in the introduction, support it in your main paragraphs, and repeat or summarise it in the conclusion.

June 24, 2012

IELTS Writing Task 2: answer all parts of the question

A student sent me the following question:

The role of prisons should be to punish criminals who have committed serious crimes. Training courses and education offered to prisoners are a waste of taxpayer's money. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

The student who sent me this question noticed that it contains two sub-topics:

Should the role of prisons be to punish serious criminals, not petty criminals (less serious criminals)?
Are training courses and education a waste of money?

Apparently there is a model essay for this question which only addresses the second sub-topic. I think that would be a mistake; you should try to answer all parts of the question.

In this case, the two sub-topics help you because they tell you what you should write about in your two main body paragraphs. Always study the question carefully, and make sure you know exactly what it is asking you to do!

June 20, 2012

IELTS Writing Task 2: the 10-minute plan

If you are struggling to improve your score for writing task 2, the solution might be to spend more time planning before you start writing.

I asked the students on my most recent one-day course to spend 10 minutes planning a question about whether the only purpose of prisons is to punish people. Here are the ideas that my students had:

Paragraph 2: prisons do punish offenders
Punishment makes offenders think, reflect, feel sorry, understand the consequences (that we have choices about the actions we take), suffering, revenge / justice for victims, debt to society, taking away freedom and privileges, miss family, deter people from committing crimes in future - fear of prison

Paragraph 3: other purposes of prisons
Reflection time, rehabilitation - help the prisoner to prepare for normal life: new skills, education, courses, qualifications, treatment - reform, reeducate, find employment, re-enter society - address the root causes of crime

With a plan like this, you should find it easier to write a great essay.

June 15, 2012

IELTS Writing Task 2: how to use your 40 minutes

You have 40 minutes for task 2, so try organising your time in the following way. Please note that these are suggestions, not rules.

First 10 minutes
Read the question and make sure you understand what it is asking you to do. Write a plan for a 4-paragraph essay (introduction, 2 main paragraphs, conclusion) and spend most of the 10 minutes thinking of ideas for the 2 main paragraphs.

5 minutes
Write your introduction: 2 sentences are enough.

20 minutes
Spend 10 minutes on each of your main body paragraphs. These are they most important part of your essay, and the key to a high score.

Last 5 minutes
Write a quick conclusion then check your work.

June 08, 2012

IELTS Writing Task 2: advantages and disadvantages

Albert sent me this recent exam question:

In many countries nowadays, young single people no longer stay with their parents until they are married, but leave to study or work somewhere else.
Do you think this trend has more advantages or disadvantages?

Here are some tips to help with this kind of question:

Notice that the question includes the words "do you think". This tells you that you need to give your own opinion, as well as discussing both the advantages and disadvantages. Put your opinion in the introduction and conclusion, and don't be afraid to use the word "I" (e.g. I believe) to make it clear what you think.
You won't be able to write a good essay if you don't plan your ideas first. Spend 2-3 minutes noting down ideas for the advantages of leaving home before marriage, then 2-3 minutes writing notes for the disadvantages. Then decide what your opinion is, according to whether you have more advantages or disadvantages.
If you can't think of any ideas, start by thinking of some examples e.g. Did you or any of your friends leave home before getting married? Do you know anyone who lived with their parents until they got married? What were the reasons and benefits or drawbacks of each decision?

June 03, 2012

IELTS Grammar: find the mistakes

Find the mistakes in the following sentences. All of the sentences relate to the graph in this lesson.

Families who do not have cars have decreased from 1971 to 2007.
Households without a car percentage gradually decreased.
There is a rise can be noted in the proportion of households with two cars.
The number of household with no car were well below 50% in 1971.
There were least percentage of household who had three or more cars, but it steadily improved to 5% by 2007.

I'll put my answers in the comments area tomorrow.

June 01, 2012

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'discussion' introduction

Last week we looked at a 'problem and solution' introduction. Today I'll use the same technique (2 sentences: topic + basic answer) to write a 'discussion and opinion' introduction.

Here's a question (from Cambridge IELTS 6):

Successful sports professionals can earn a great deal more money than people in other important professions. Some people think this is fully justified while others think it is unfair.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Here's my 2-sentence introduction:

It is true that sports stars often earn huge salaries. While there are some good reasons why this is the case, I personally believe that it is wrong for these people to be paid more than other professionals.

May 28, 2012

IELTS Writing Task 2: problem & solution introduction

My advice for task 2 introductions is to write them very quickly. Just write 2 sentences: one to introduce the topic, and one to give a basic answer. Let's look at how to do this for a "problem and solution" question:

The number of plants and animals is declining. Describe some reasons for this problem and suggest some solutions.

Here's my introduction:

It is undeniable that wildlife habitats are being destroyed and whole species of plants and animals are disappearing. There are several causes of this alarming trend, but measures could certainly be taken to tackle the problem.

Note:
In the second sentence you don't need to give any causes or solutions; save your ideas for the main paragraphs.

May 27, 2012

IELTS Advice: asking for a re-mark

People often ask whether it's a good idea to ask for a re-mark of their tests. Here are a few tips:

I don't recommend asking for your reading or listening paper to be re-marked. Reading and listening questions are either right or wrong, so it's unlikely that your scores will change.
If there is a 2 band difference between your writing and speaking scores, they are usually double-checked automatically, so a re-mark probably won't help.
A re-mark might be worth trying if you only need an extra half band in speaking or writing (e.g. if you have 6.5 and need 7).
Remember that it can take up to 8 weeks to get your test re-marked. It might be faster to resit the test.

Note:
If you have had a test re-marked, please tell us what happened. It would be interesting to know how many people's scores went up.

May 23, 2012

IELTS Writing Task 2: idea and paragraph

My students and I followed the advice in last week's lesson to write a paragraph for the topic below.

The number of plants and animals is declining. Describe the problem and suggest some solutions.

Ideas for describing the problem:

over-farming, land needed for crops and animals
cutting down trees destroys natural habitats, animals become extinct
industrial waste in rivers, sea
chemicals kill fish and plants, interrupt natural cycles / food chain

It seemed that we had 2 main ideas, so we wrote a 2-idea paragraph:

There are two main reasons why plants and animals are disappearing. Firstly, in many parts of the world trees are being cut down to make way for farmland on which to grow crops and keep animals. The result of this is that natural habitats are being destroyed, and in some cases whole species of animals are becoming extinct. Secondly, human activity is also responsible for the destruction of aquatic life as domestic and industrial waste is pumped into rivers and seas. This chemical waste kills plants and fish, interrupting natural cycles and having a devastating effect on food chains.

(99 words)

May 13, 2012

IELTS Writing Task 2: from ideas to paragraph

I always tell my students to plan ideas for their main body paragraphs. Let's look at how to put some ideas together to make a paragraph. Here's the question:

The main reason people go to work is to earn money.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Ideas for one main paragraph:

agree that money is the main reason people work
people look at salary first, they rarely take a salary cut
need to live, pay bills, food etc.
look after our families, save for the future
otherwise, most people would probably choose not to work

Full paragraph using the ideas above:

I agree that the majority of people work in order to earn money. Before taking any other factors into account, it is normal to first consider the salary that a particular post offers, and it is rare to hear of a person who happily takes a cut in pay when beginning a new job. We all need money to pay for our basic necessities, such as accommodation, bills and food. Many adults also have families who depend on the wages they earn, and at the same time they are conscious of the need to save for the future. If we no longer needed money, I doubt most of us would choose to continue in our jobs.

(116 words)

May 07, 2012

IELTS Advice: focus on vocabulary

The secret to a high IELTS score is being able to understand and use a wide range of words and phrases. As I said on Monday, it's really important to collect vocabulary in a notebook, but you also need to practise using it.

Here are some words and phrases from the lessons this week:

achieve goals
delegate
cope with stress
in terms of
for career purposes
decreases with age
up to the point when
household names
with the advent of
a new breed of

Try making your own sentences with the words and phrases above. It might seem easy to understand them, but it's not so easy to use them properly!

May 04, 2012

IELTS Writing Task 2: before you start writing

Before you start writing your task 2 essay, you need to do two things:

Plan your overall essay structure (ideally 4 paragraphs)
Spend some time thinking of ideas for the main body paragraphs

Here are two recent exam questions that you could try writing a plan for:

The main reason people go to work is to earn money.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Many people prefer to rent a house rather than buying one. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of renting.

April 29, 2012

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'unpaid work' essay

Some people think that all teenagers should be required to do unpaid work in their free time to help the local community. They believe this would benefit both the individual teenager and society as a whole.
Do you agree or disagree?

Many young people work on a volunteer basis, and this can only be beneficial for both the individual and society as a whole. However, I do not agree that we should therefore force all teenagers to do unpaid work.

Most young people are already under enough pressure with their studies, without being given the added responsibility of working in their spare time. School is just as demanding as a full-time job, and teachers expect their students to do homework and exam revision on top of attending lessons every day. When young people do have some free time, we should encourage them to enjoy it with their friends or to spend it doing sports and other leisure activities. They have many years of work ahead of them when they finish their studies.

At the same time, I do not believe that society has anything to gain from obliging young people to do unpaid work. In fact, I would argue that it goes against the values of a free and fair society to force a group of people to do something against their will. Doing this can only lead to resentment amongst young people, who would feel that they were being used, and parents, who would not want to be told how to raise their children. Currently, nobody is forced to volunteer, and this is surely the best system.

In conclusion, teenagers may choose to work for free and help others, but in my opinion we should not make this compulsory.

(250 words, band 9)

April 26, 2012

IELTS Grammar: correct the mistakes

Try to correct the mistakes in the following sentences.

More proportion of American people in 1970 than in 2000 got married.
There are many things easy enough for those young people to do.
I am agreed that volunteer work can build up the responsibilities in youngs.
Society gets benefitted as the juvenile crime rate reduced.
Having a work experience may help to having a job quicker and easier.

PS. Nobody answered this question from Monday's reading lesson:

If a survey showed that "households spent seven hours a day on transporting themselves and their goods", does this mean that it was "a survey of household expenditure on transport"?

April 23, 2012

IELTS Writing Task 2: completely disagree

When you completely agree or completely disagree with the question statement, you don't need to write about the other side of the argument. Just state your opinion and give reasons. Today I'll show you how to write a 'disagree' essay for this question:

Here's my 4-paragraph plan:

Introduction: introduce the topic of unpaid work for teenagers, and make it clear that you completely disagree with the idea of requiring (forcing) young people to do this.
First reason: explain why this idea would not benefit teenagers e.g. they are already busy with school work, they should be allowed to enjoy being young, they have many years of work ahead of them when they finish their studies.
Second reason: explain why this idea would not benefit society e.g. forcing young people to work goes against the values of a free society, the current system of volunteering is better, this idea would be impossible to enforce.
Conclusion: repeat your opinion that requiring teenagers to work benefits neither the teenagers nor society as a whole.

April 12, 2012

IELTS Writing Task 2: fully respond to the question

One of the things that the examiner will check carefully is whether or not you have fully responded to the question. Here's a question that a student sent me:

The student who sent me this question wrote about the advantages and disadvantages of unpaid work for teenagers, but completely forgot to mention the benefits and/or drawbacks for society as a whole.

If you don't fully answer the question, it's extremely difficult to get a band 7.

April 10, 2012

IELTS Grammar: correct the mistakes

Here are some sentences about this week's writing task 1 question. Can you find and correct the mistakes? Not all of them are grammar mistakes!

There were 51 million pmt incidents than 35 million pmt injuries by bus.
In general, both the figures for serious fatalities and injuries were dramatically higher for the demand response field.
The number of people having injuries showed the more popular level than that of people having incidents.
There is a somewhat difference between the number of people using heavy rail and light rail.
The bar chart illustrates the amount of passengers who were been incidents and injuries travelled by five types of transport such as demand response, bus, heavy rail, light rail, and commuter rail in 2002.
The bus, which is used by almost 80 people, tallied 66 injuries.
In three types of rail, being lower than light rail, heavy rail surpassed commuter rail in the amount of incidents and injuries.
Injuries by bus was went up approximately 4 times than commuter rail.

April 07, 2012

IELTS Writing Task 2: introduction without opinion

My normal advice for task 2 introductions is this: write two sentences - one to introduce the essay topic, and one to give a basic answer to the question. But what should you put in the second sentence (basic answer) if the question doesn't ask for your opinion?

Here are two example questions:

Many people believe that an effective public transport system is a key component of a modern city. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of public transport.
Crime rates tend to be higher in cities than in smaller towns. Explain some possible reasons for this problem, and suggest some solutions.

Here are two sample introductions:

Officials in many cities are keen to develop efficient public transport systems. While public transport has many benefits, there are also some drawbacks which are worth considering.
Cities generally experience higher levels of criminality than towns or villages. There are various reasons for this, but measures could be taken to tackle the problem.

Hopefully you can see that it's quite easy to write an introduction for these types of question. The approach is the same (topic + basic answer) whether the question asks for your opinion or not.

April 04, 2012

IELTS Advice: what do the best students do?

Yesterday I was chatting to a really experienced high school teacher. I asked for his opinion on what makes an excellent student or learner. This is what he said:

"It's not really about what students do inside the classroom. The best students are always the ones that do the most outside the classroom: for example, the ones that go online after a lesson to search for more information, or to look for different ways to understand a topic or solve a problem."

The good news is that if you're reading this blog post, you're already one of these students. You're on the right track!

March 29, 2012

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'food technology' topic

Here are some ideas for last week's topic. The ideas are adapted from the 'genetic engineering' chapter in my ebook.

The range and quality of food that we can buy has changed because of technological and scientific advances. Some people regard this change as an improvement, while others believe that it is harmful.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Positives of advances in food technology:

Farmers can produce crops that grow bigger and faster.
Genetically modified crops may be more resistant to disease or insects.
This could be important for food production in developing countries.
Faster growing cereals, fruit and vegetables will mean more profit.
Foods can be modified to look perfect and last longer.
They may be more attractive to customers.

Negatives of advances in food technology:

Many people distrust foods that have been modified or processed.
They prefer organic foods which are produced without chemicals.
Farming without fertilisers or pesticides is more environmentally friendly.
There may be risks involved in the genetic engineering of foods.
Genetically modified crops might change whole ecosystems.
Food chains could be broken if crops are resistant to predators.

March 25, 2012

IELTS Advice: you don't need to be 'original'

Students often ask me questions like: Can I use "ascend" instead of "increase"? Can I write "the graph portrays" instead of "the graph shows"?

My answer to the above questions is no. If you write "ascend" or "portray" in writing task 1, it will seem strange to the examiner. Those words are not appropriate for a graph or chart description.

Remember: the aim of the IELTS test is not to find 'original' writers; it is to see whether you can express your ideas clearly, accurately, and in a certain amount of detail. These are the skills that you need for university or work. Leave the 'original' writing to novelists!

March 21, 2012

IELTS Writing Task 2: the importance of planning

When the question topic is difficult, planning becomes even more important. If you start writing your essay straight away, without preparing some ideas first, you will probably get stuck and start to panic!

Take this recent exam question:

I think you'll agree that this is a tricky question. My advice would be to spend about 10 minutes planning. Follow these steps before you start writing:

Take a couple of minutes to read and understand the question.
Decide what each of your 4 paragraphs should contain.
Spend around 6 minutes noting down ideas for the two points of view.

Click here to download an essay plan template that I use with my students.

March 08, 2012

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'prisons' topic

In today's lesson I'll try to explain what makes a good paragraph. We'll analyse a paragraph that I wrote with some of my students.

Paragraph about the purpose of prisons:

On the one hand, criminals do need to be punished in some way. A person who commits a crime must learn that unlawful actions have consequences. Prison sentences punish offenders because they lose their freedom, and are separated from family and friends. In this way, prison acts as a deterrent to make people think carefully before breaking the law. Last year in the UK, many people were given a prison sentence for rioting, and hopefully this punishment will deter them from similar behaviour in future.

Analysis:

The paragraph contains 5 sentences, with a total of 85 words. This is the kind of length I suggest aiming for.
The first sentence is short and simple. We often call this type of sentence a 'topic sentence' because it introduces the topic of the paragraph.
Sentences 2, 3 and 4 develop the main idea in a logical, step-by-step way: crime has consequences - loss of freedom is the punishment - this stops people from breaking the law.
Sentence 5 contains a real example.
Remember that good vocabulary is the key to a high score. I've underlined the best words and phrases in the paragraph.

March 02, 2012

IELTS Grammar: cause and effect

Here are some useful phrases for describing causes and effects (for IELTS Writing Task 2 and maybe Speaking Part 3). I'll use the topic of 'global warming' to show how the phrases work.

1. Cause and Effect

Pollution causes global warming.
Pollution leads to global warming.
Pollution results in global warming.
Pollution is the main cause of global warming.
Factories pollute the atmosphere. As a result, global warming is occurring.

2. Effect and Cause

Global warming is caused by pollution.
Global warming is the result of pollution.
Global warming is due to pollution.
Global warming occurs as a result of pollution.

Notice the different uses of 'result' (results in, is the result of, as a result). Students make a lot of mistakes with these phrases.

February 28, 2012

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'university' topic

The book I mentioned in Monday's lesson (What are Universities for?) reminded me of this question from Cambridge IELTS 7:

Some people think that universities should provide graduates with the knowledge and skills needed in the workplace. Others think that the true function of a university should be to give access to knowledge for its own sake, regardless of whether the course is useful to an employer.
What, in your opinion, should be the function of a university?

Here are some ideas:

It would probably be easiest to argue that universities should fulfil both roles (providing vocational skills and knowledge for its own sake).
We could use examples to help us generate ideas: try to make a list of some vocational degree courses (that provide training for a specific job), and a list of courses that do not lead to a particular job.
Write one main paragraph explaining the benefits (to the student and to society in general) of the two types of course.

February 25, 2012

IELTS Advice: using Amazon

The Amazon website is a great place to read descriptions and reviews of books, films and many other products. Here are a few reasons why this might be useful:

for general reading practice
to get ideas for IELTS speaking topics (e.g. describe you favourite book)
to see how native English speakers express their opinions
to get ideas for IELTS writing topics

To give you an example, I'll use a book description from Amazon for tomorrow's reading lesson, and for Wednesday's writing lesson.

February 24, 2012

IELTS Advice: what's your technique?

One problem for students is that different teachers, books and websites teach different techniques. Students get confused.

My advice is to stop looking for the magic technique; it doesn't exist. There is no best book or website, and there are many different ways to write a good essay.

You just need one way, one technique that you like.

If you look at my lessons, you will see that I have "my technique" for each part of the exam (feel free to use my techniques if you like them). For example, I always write introductions in the same way, and I always start paragraphs with a topic sentence.

Because of the time limit in the exam, you NEED to know what you're going to do. You need to practise ONE way of working. Don't get confused by having too many options.

February 21, 2012

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'hobbies' essay

I wrote the following essay with some of my students. We tried to keep it clear, concise and well-organised, but it's still good enough for a band 9.

Some people believe that hobbies need to be difficult to be enjoyable.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Some hobbies are relatively easy, while others present more of a challenge. Personally, I believe that both types of hobby can be fun, and I therefore disagree with the statement that hobbies need to be difficult in order to be enjoyable.

On the one hand, many people enjoy easy hobbies. One example of an activity that is easy for most people is swimming. This hobby requires very little equipment, it is simple to learn, and it is inexpensive. I remember learning to swim at my local swimming pool when I was a child, and it never felt like a demanding or challenging experience. Another hobby that I find easy and fun is photography. In my opinion, anyone can take interesting pictures without knowing too much about the technicalities of operating a camera. Despite being straightforward, taking photos is a satisfying activity.

On the other hand, difficult hobbies can sometimes be more exciting. If an activity is more challenging, we might feel a greater sense of satisfaction when we manage to do it successfully. For example, film editing is a hobby that requires a high level of knowledge and expertise. In my case, it took me around two years before I became competent at this activity, but now I enjoy it much more than I did when I started. I believe that many hobbies give us more pleasure when we reach a higher level of performance because the results are better and the feeling of achievement is greater.

In conclusion, simple hobbies can be fun and relaxing, but difficult hobbies can be equally pleasurable for different reasons.

Note:
Notice that we used examples as the basis of both main paragraphs.

February 10, 2012

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'hobbies' essay plan

Did you try planning some ideas for last week's essay question?

Some people believe that hobbies need to be difficult to be enjoyable.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

When I wrote my list of hobbies, I realised that some were easy and others were difficult. As a result, I'd say that "I partly agree" with the statement.

Here's my 4-paragraph essay plan:

Introduction - write 2 sentences: introduce the topic, and give an overall answer.
Main paragraph - about difficult hobbies. My examples: swimming, football, chess. Most sports and games are difficult, but the challenge makes them more enjoyable, especially when you can see that you are improving.
Main paragraph - about easy hobbies. My examples: photography, reading, cinema. In my opinion, you do not need to be an expert to enjoy taking photos, reading books, or watching films. I find these activities both easy and enjoyable.
Conclusion - repeat / summarise your answer in one sentence.

February 08, 2012

IELTS Grammar: punctuation

Here are some simple rules to help you with punctuation for IELTS writing:

Full stops
Full stops are very important. Put a clear full stop at the end of each sentence, and then begin the next sentence with a capital letter. If you don't do this, you will get a low score.

Commas

When you start a sentence with these words, put a comma after them:
Nowadays, Recently, Firstly, Secondly, Finally, Furthermore, In addition, Also, However, By contrast, On the other hand, In my opinion,...
We use commas in lists:
e.g. This problem affects individuals, communities and society in general.
We don't usually put a comma after the word "that":
e.g. It is clear that the rate of immigration increased.
Don't worry about other uses of commas. The use of a comma is often optional in other situations.

Apostrophes
Avoid contractions in IELTS writing. Use "do not" instead of "don't".
You may sometimes need to show possession e.g. the government's decision.

Other punctuation
You don't really need to use any other punctuation in IELTS writing.
My advice is to avoid trying to use colons and semicolons.

February 02, 2012

IELTS Writing Task 2: examples give you ideas

If you can't think of any good ideas for an essay, try thinking about some examples first. Plan your essay around the examples. Take this question:

Some people believe that hobbies need to be difficult to be enjoyable.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Use examples to give you ideas:

Make a list of some hobbies: either your own hobbies, or some typical hobbies that you can easily write about. Label each hobby 'easy' or 'difficult'.
Look at your list. Is there a balance between easy and difficult hobbies, or is your list one-sided? The answer to this question will give you your overall opinion.
Finally, write down a few reasons why each hobby is easy or difficult. Is there a connection between the difficulty of the hobby and the enjoyment you get from it?

January 27, 2012

IELTS Grammar: verbs with 'exam'

A lot of students write to me saying "I gave the IELTS test yesterday". Please note that "give an exam" is not correct.

Don't say:
- I gave an exam.
- I gave the IELTS test.

Do say:
- I took the IELTS exam/test.
- I passed the exam. (i.e. you were successful)

In other words, use "take" not "give".

January 22, 2012

IELTS Writing Task 2: question types

Here are the four types of question from last week's lesson:

Opinion
Discussion + opinion
Problem + solution
2-part question

Important points to remember:

An 'opinion' question asks for your view, not the views of other people, and you don't have to give both sides of the argument. Just make your opinion clear in the introduction, then explain it in the rest of the essay.
A 'discussion' question requires you to write about both sides of the argument, and you should write a similar amount for each view. If the question also asks for your opinion, you don't need an extra paragraph. Just make it clear in the introduction and conclusion which of the two views you agree with.
Type 3 is easy. Simply write a paragraph explaining the problem(s) and a paragraph explaining the solution(s). Some questions ask about 'causes' or 'effects': these would be part of the 'problem' paragraph.
For type 4, just answer the two questions. Write one paragraph about each.

January 18, 2012

IELTS Writing Task 2: four question types

Here are 4 questions that illustrate the different types of task 2 question. Can you name each type? Can you explain the big difference between the first and the second type?

Some people think that the only purpose of working hard is to earn money. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
Some people believe that punishment is the only purpose of prisons, while others believe that prisons exist for various reasons. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
The number of plants and animals is declining. Explain this problem and suggest some solutions.
Many people around the world are choosing to move to live in cities. What problems do people experience in big cities? Should governments encourage people to move to smaller towns?

I'll explain the differences in detail next Wednesday, but feel free to discuss your ideas in the "comments" area below.

January 10, 2012

IELTS Writing Task 2: topic sentences

A good way to start a paragraph is with a short, simple sentence that introduces the main idea of the paragraph. Teachers often call this a ‘topic sentence’.

I normally write my topic sentences by thinking about how many points I want to mention in the paragraph:

1. If I only have one point or idea, I usually state it straight away:

In my opinion, junk food is the main cause of childhood obesity.
(then explain this opinion and give examples in the rest of the paragraph)

2. If I have two or three points or ideas, I don’t usually mention them directly in the topic sentence:

There are two main causes (or ‘several causes’) of childhood obesity.
(then explain using “firstly, secondly...” or something similar)

Have a look through the essays that you’ve written in the past, and compare them with some of mine. Did you begin your main paragraphs with good topic sentences?

December 31, 2011

IELTS Writing Task 2: agree, disagree, or both?

For 'agree or disagree' essays, do you think you should give both sides of the argument or just one side? The answer is that you can do either.

A) Essay structure for one side of the argument:

Introduction: topic + your opinion (either agree or disagree)
First idea to support your opinion
Second idea to support your opinion
Conclusion: repeat your opinion

B) Essay structure for giving both sides:

Introduction: topic + say that you 'partly agree'
On the one hand,...
On the other hand,...
Conclusion: repeat that you accept elements of both arguments

Remember: it's very important to get the introduction right. This tells the examiner whether you are going to give one side of the argument or both sides.

December 25, 2011

IELTS Writing Task 2: firstly, secondly, finally

A few people have asked me whether using "firstly, secondly, finally" to organise a paragraph is too easy.

My answer is that using easy organising language like "firstly, secondly, finally" allows you to focus on the real content of what you are writing - topic vocabulary, collocations, examples. This is what the examiner wants to see. You can get a band 9 using "firstly, secondly, finally" if the ideas between these linking words are good.

Some simple alternatives to "firstly, secondly, finally" could be:

The main reason why I believe... is... / Another argument is... / Also,...
One problem is that... / Furthermore,... / Another drawback is that...
From a business perspective,... / In terms of education,... / From a social point of view,... (this could work for the paragraph in last week's lesson)

December 17, 2011

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'technology' essay

Several people have asked me about this question from Cambridge IELTS 8. I wrote the essay below with the help of some of my students. A few simple linking features are highlighted.

Nowadays the way many people interact with each other has changed because of technology.
In what ways has technology affected the types of relationships that people make? Has this been a positive or negative development?

It is true that new technologies have had an influence on communication between people. Technology has affected relationships in various ways, and in my opinion there are both positive and negative effects.

Technology has had an impact on relationships in business, education and social life. Firstly, telephones and the Internet allow business people in different countries to interact without ever meeting each other. Secondly, services like Skype create new possibilities for relationships between students and teachers. For example, a student can now take video lessons with a teacher in a different city or country. Finally, many people use social networks, like Facebook, to make new friends and find people who share common interests, and they interact through their computers rather than face to face.

On the one hand, these developments can be extremely positive. Cooperation between people in different countries was much more difficult when communication was limited to written letters or telegrams. Nowadays, interactions by email, phone or video are almost as good as face-to-face meetings, and many of us benefit from these interactions, either in work or social contexts. On the other hand, the availability of new communication technologies can also have the result of isolating people and discouraging real interaction. For example, many young people choose to make friends online rather than mixing with their peers in the real world, and these ‘virtual’ relationships are a poor substitute for real friendships.

In conclusion, technology has certainly revolutionised communication between people, but not all of the outcomes of this revolution have been positive.

(257 words, band 9)

December 12, 2011

IELTS Grammar: correct the mistakes

Try to find and correct the mistakes in these sentences:

I agree that we should interest more with our own societies and countries.
There three main problems that we need to tackle first, education.
You should mention your opinion in the introduction so examiner have some idea what to expect from your essay.

Feel free to share your corrections as 'comments'. I'll add my answers tomorrow.

December 09, 2011

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'art and science' topic

A student sent me this recent exam question:

These days people pay more attention to artists (writers, painters and so on) and give less importance to science and technology.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

This seems to me to be a perfect question for a "balanced opinion" answer (i.e. both art and science are given equal importance). However, notice that you need to disagree with the question statement in order to give this balanced response.

Here's my recommended 4-paragraph essay plan:

Introduction: we could accept that artists are popular nowadays, but disagree that science and technology are treated as less important.
Main paragraph about the popularity of artists. I'd use examples as the basis for this paragraph. If you don't know any writers or painters, you can talk about actors and musicians.
Main paragraph about the importance of science and technology. I'd write about the popularity of mobile phones, computers and tablets. Maybe I'd use Steve Jobs or Bill Gates as examples of people who are famous for the technologies they created.
Conclusion: paraphrase the argument that you presented in the introduction.

December 02, 2011

IELTS Writing Task 2: introductions and conclusions

Many students waste time writing long introductions and conclusions. These two paragraphs should be short and simple; a long, complex introduction or conclusion will not give you a high score.

Just make your introductions and conclusions quick and concise, and spend your time writing really good main body paragraphs.

Here's my introduction and conclusion for the topic of my last two writing lessons:

Introduction
There are various benefits and drawbacks of books, radio and television as ways to convey information. In my view, television is definitely the most effective of these three media.

Conclusion
In conclusion, although books, radio and television each have their advantages and disadvantages, it seems to me that the impact of television is greater.

November 27, 2011

IELTS Writing Task 2: books, radio, TV

Here are my 'main body' paragraphs for last week's question. Notice that it's possible to put advantages and disadvantages together in the same paragraph. Also, you need to be careful not to write too much!

Advantages / disadvantages of books:

Advantages / disadvantages of radio:

Advantages / disadvantages of TV, and my opinion:

November 23, 2011

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'media' topic

Several people have asked me about the following question from Cambridge IELTS book 4.

Compare the advantages and disadvantages of three of the following as media for communicating information. State which you consider to be the most effective.

comics
books
radio
television
film
theatre

Usually I recommend writing 4 paragraphs, but for this question I think I would write 5 paragraphs:

Introduction: state which 3 media you are going to write about (e.g. books, radio, TV), and say which you think is most effective (e.g. television).
Advantages and disadvantages of books.
Advantages and disadvantages of radio.
Advantages and disadvantages of TV (mention again that you consider this the most effective).
Conclusion: summarise and repeat your opinion.

Maybe you can share your ideas about the advantages and disadvantages of these 3 media, and I’ll use them to write an essay for next week’s lesson.

November 19, 2011

IELTS Writing Task 2: full essay

Today I'm attaching the full essay (click here) that we've been working on for the last 2 weeks. Here are some points to notice:

There is a clear 4-paragraph structure, and the essay is easy to read because the ideas are developed in a logical way.
The introduction is short, but it covers everything that the question asks you about.
The main paragraphs make up around 70% of the essay. These paragraphs are the key to a high score.
The conclusion is very short, and simply summarises what I had already written. Never put any new ideas in the conclusion.
I focus on expressing my ideas well, using a range of relevant words and phrases. I'm not thinking about 'complex grammar' or linking phrases.

Note:
I went a bit "over the top" with this essay. It's 310 words long, and more than good enough for band 9. You might not be able to write like this, but hopefully you can learn something from it.

(go over the top: to do something that is more than what is considered normal or suitable)

November 18, 2011

IELTS Grammar: capital letters

A few people have asked me about using capital letters in different parts of the IELTS test. Here's my advice:

In the reading and listening tests, they don't care about capital letters. So you can write everything in lowercase or in capitals, and it won't affect your score.
In the writing test, try to follow the normal rules for capital letters. Grammar books and websites explain these rules in detail. Click here to see a website that summarises the rules quite well.

November 17, 2011

IELTS Advice: 'real content'

Yesterday I made the point that 'real content' (topic-specific words and phrases) is much more important than linking phrases. To see a good example of real content, look back to Wednesday's lesson about main body paragraphs.

Here's some of the band 7-9 vocabulary that I used:

a defined career path
a great sense of satisfaction
work towards (and gradually achieve) goals
realise an ambition
gain the relevant qualifications
undertake years of training
find their work rewarding
invest time and effort

The above phrases came from just one paragraph! To be honest, the paragraphs I wrote on Wednesday are beyond (better than) what an examiner would ever expect to read. So don't worry if you can't write paragraphs like that; just try to learn something from them.

November 11, 2011

IELTS Writing Task 2: main body paragraphs

Here are my 2 main body paragraphs for last week's question. I tried to use an "Idea, Explain, Example" structure for the first paragraph, and a "Firstly, Secondly, Finally" structure for the second.

Main body paragraphs:

On the one hand, having a defined career path can certainly lead to a satisfying working life. Many people decide as young children what they want to do as adults, and it gives them a great sense of satisfaction to work towards their goals and gradually achieve them. For example, many children dream of becoming doctors, but to realise this ambition they need to gain the relevant qualifications and undertake years of training. In my experience, very few people who have qualified as doctors choose to change career because they find their work so rewarding, and because they have invested so much time and effort to reach their goal.

On the other hand, people find happiness in their working lives in different ways. Firstly, not everyone dreams of doing a particular job, and it can be equally rewarding to try a variety of professions; starting out on a completely new career path can be a reinvigorating experience. Secondly, some people see their jobs as simply a means of earning money, and they are happy if their salary is high enough to allow them to enjoy life outside work. Finally, job satisfaction is often the result of working conditions, rather than the career itself. For example, a positive working atmosphere, enthusiastic colleagues, and an inspirational boss can make working life much more satisfying, regardless of the profession.

November 10, 2011

IELTS Grammar: correct the mistakes

Find the mistakes in the following sentences:

Parents influence on their children and give them many advices.
Students need to develop their knowledges and skills.
We can use the Internet to do some researches.
If we want to find some informations fastly, the Internet is the best resource.

Feel free to share your answers in the "comments" area. I'll give you my answers tomorrow.

November 09, 2011

IELTS Advice: where to find test practice

On Monday and Tuesday I linked to some practice materials from the official IELTS website, ielts.org. This is the best place to start looking for official practice materials online because all of the example questions there are 'real'.

ielts.org is a big website, and it's not easy to find the test samples, so here's a direct link to the page you need: click here. Just go down the page until you see the PDF links.

Of course, the other sources of 'real' test practice are the Cambridge IELTS books.

November 05, 2011

IELTS Writing Task 2: rules for introductions

Many people decide on a career path early in their lives and keep to it. This, they argue, leads to a more satisfying working life.
To what extent do you agree with this view?
What other things can people do in order to have a satisfying working life?

In today's lesson I just want to look at how to write an introduction for this type of question. My simple rules for task 2 introductions are:

Write 2 sentences: introduce the topic, then give a general answer.
Mention everything that the question mentions.
Don't save any surprises for the conclusion; give your opinion in the introduction if the question asks for it.

Here's an example introduction:

It is true that some people know from an early age what career they want to pursue, and they are happy to spend the rest of their lives in the same profession. While I accept that this may suit many people, I believe that others enjoy changing careers or seeking job satisfaction in different ways.

I'll look at the main paragraphs next week.

October 31, 2011

IELTS Writing Task 2: using the word "I"

Here is a question that a lot of students ask:

Is it acceptable to use "I" or "my" in IELTS writing?

As an ex-examiner, my advice is that you should use phrases like "I believe" or "in my opinion" when the question asks for your opinion e.g To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Some teachers tell students not to use "I" in academic essays, but this advice is really for university academic writing, not IELTS.

October 28, 2011

IELTS Grammar: 'highest' or 'the highest'?

Most grammar books will tell you that you need "the" before a superlative like "highest" or "lowest", but this is not always true.

We use "the" when there is a noun after the adjective e.g. the highest number, the highest proportion.
When we put the noun before, we don't need "the" e.g. the number was highest, the proportion was highest.

So, compare these 2 sentences:

- The UK had the highest rate of unemployment.
- The unemployment rate was highest in the UK.

October 26, 2011

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'nuclear power' topic

Following on from yesterday's listening lesson, here is a paragraph explaining some of the benefits of nuclear power:

There are several benefits to building more nuclear power stations. Firstly, nuclear power is a relatively sustainable energy source, meaning that it can be used to produce electricity without wasting limited natural resources like coal, oil or gas. Secondly, nuclear power stations are cleaner than fossil fuel power stations, and could help to reduce carbon emissions that cause global warming. With improvements in nuclear technology, the risks of accidents are being reduced. As a result, many countries are now considering nuclear power as a solution to high oil and gas prices, increasing demand for electricity, and worries about pollution and climate change.

Read, analyse and use the paragraph:

How many sentences are there, and what does each sentence do?
Note the main ideas and collocations (e.g. sustainable energy source).
Try to rewrite the paragraph using only your notes.

PS. If you have my ebook, you will find some ideas for the 'negatives of nuclear power' in the environment chapter on page 19.

October 17, 2011

IELTS Vocabulary: 'topic specific' vocabulary

Yesterday I said that linking words don't help your vocabulary score, and that you need to use 'topic specific' vocabulary if you want a high score.

But what is 'topic specific' vocabulary?

The answer is: vocabulary that you would probably only use for one particular essay question. For example, I used this vocabulary in a lesson last week:

- impoverished or disadvantaged
- prioritise local charity
- those who live beyond our national borders
- curable diseases
- paying for vaccines that already exist

October 15, 2011

IELTS Vocabulary: 'phrases for any topic'

Many students have asked me to give them "a list of good phrases for any topic". In other words, they want to find a shortcut to band 7.

Unfortunately, this list does not exist!

The only words or phrases that you can use for any topic are 'linking' words or phrases. These might help you to organise your ideas, but they won't help your vocabulary score. The only way to get a good vocabulary score is by using 'topic specific' words and phrases.

October 12, 2011

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'global warming' topic

If the question asks you to explain a problem related to the environment, you could write about global warming.

Here is a paragraph explaining the problem (causes) of global warming:

Perhaps the most serious problem facing the environment is global warming. Gases such as carbon dioxide trap heat from the sun within the earth’s atmosphere, and this causes global temperatures to rise. This process is known as the greenhouse effect, and human activity is a major factor in the rise of the greenhouse gases which cause it. For example, factories and vehicles produce emissions and exhaust fumes. As many developing countries are becoming industrialised, emissions from factories are expected to increase. Furthermore, the number of cars on our streets is growing all the time, and cheap air travel is making flying accessible to more and more people. Consequently, the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere shows no signs of decreasing.

You can learn a lot from this paragraph if you analyse it:

How many sentences are there? What does each sentence do? (e.g. The first sentence introduces the topic)
Can you find some "band 7 vocabulary"?
Look at how the ideas are linked. Can you see that the word "this" is an important linking word?

October 07, 2011

IELTS Grammar: correct the mistakes

Here are some more sentences that contain mistakes. See if you can find them.

Children are not enough mature to make decisions.
Poor parenting has contributed children to misbehave more.
Good parenting encourages children acquire social skills.
Bringing up children and educate them is the responsibility of parents.

Please share your corrections in the "comments" area below this lesson. I'll add my corrections tomorrow.

October 06, 2011

IELTS Advice: someone to check your work

I think it's important to practise every day if you want to improve your English and your IELTS score. That's why I write something on this website every day.

However, you also need feedback. You need someone to check your work, point out your mistakes and give you advice about how to improve.

Books and websites are great for advice, techniques and practice questions. But if I were you, I'd also try to get some face-to-face help, maybe just once a week.

September 29, 2011

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'help' essay

Last week I wrote a plan for the question below. Now you can read my full essay.

We cannot help everyone in the world that needs help, so we should only be concerned with our own communities and countries.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Some people believe that we should not help people in other countries as long as there are problems in our own society. I disagree with this view because I believe that we should try to help as many people as possible.

On the one hand, I accept that it is important to help our neighbours and fellow citizens. In most communities there are people who are impoverished or disadvantaged in some way. It is possible to find homeless people, for example, in even the wealthiest of cities, and for those who are concerned about this problem, there are usually opportunities to volunteer time or give money to support these people. In the UK, people can help in a variety of ways, from donating clothing to serving free food in a soup kitchen. As the problems are on our doorstep, and there are obvious ways to help, I can understand why some people feel that we should prioritise local charity.

At the same time, I believe that we have an obligation to help those who live beyond our national borders. In some countries the problems that people face are much more serious than those in our own communities, and it is often even easier to help. For example, when children are dying from curable diseases in African countries, governments and individuals in richer countries can save lives simply by paying for vaccines that already exist. A small donation to an international charity might have a much greater impact than helping in our local area.

In conclusion, it is true that we cannot help everyone, but in my opinion national boundaries should not stop us from helping those who are in need.

(280 words, band 9)

September 27, 2011

IELTS Grammar: number, amount, proportion, figure

Somebody asked me about the difference between these 4 words (for IELTS writing task 1). I'll try to explain some basic ways to use them.

number
- Use "the number of + plural noun" e.g. the number of visitors.
- Don't use it to describe percentages or uncountable nouns e.g. money.

amount
- Use "the amount of + uncountable noun" e.g. the amount of money.
- Don't use it with countable nouns e.g. the amount of person/people.

proportion
- Only use this to describe percentages (not numbers).
- Use "the proportion of + plural noun" e.g. the proportion of people.

figure
- Use "the figure for + plural noun" e.g. the figure for visitors to the UK.
- Use it with uncountable nouns e.g. the figure for unemployment.
- Use it with countries e.g. the figure for Canada.
- Use it with percentages e.g. the figure (for...) rose to 10%.

Note:
If you've read any of my task 1 essays, you'll see that I like "the figure for" because it can be used in almost any situation.

September 20, 2011

IELTS Writing Task 2: who should we help?

We cannot help everyone in the world that needs help, so we should only be concerned with our own communities and countries.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Let's plan an essay for this question.

Introduction - I don't think there is a "middle" opinion for this question. You either agree that we should only be worried about our own communities and countries, or you think that we should also help those outside our own countries. The best response might be to disagree - then you can say that we should try to help everyone.
Paragraph 2 - I agree that it is important to help our neighbours and fellow citizens. (Explain this idea)
Paragraph 3 - At the same time, I believe that we have an obligation to help those who live beyond our national borders. (Explain)
Conclusion - Repeat the idea that we can help people both at home and abroad.

September 14, 2011

IELTS Grammar: using 'see' in writing task 1

A few people have asked me about using 'see' to describe numbers on a graph or chart. Look at the following sentence:

In Britain, CD sales increased dramatically in the 1980s.

We can write the same sentence in various ways using 'see':

Britain saw a dramatic increase in CD sales in the 1980s.
The 1980s saw a dramatic increase in CD sales in Britain.
British shops saw CD sales increase dramatically in the 1980s.

September 12, 2011

IELTS Advice: band 9 essays

Some students (both in my classes and online) find it hard to believe that all of my essays are band 9. They are under the impression that you need to use "difficult" language to get a high score. This is how I respond:

What is "difficult" language? Language is not mathematics; anyone can learn and understand a word or phrase.
The most difficult thing is using words together correctly and naturally. Small words like articles and prepositions cause the most problems.
If an essay has no grammar mistakes and a mix of long and short sentences, it's almost certain that it will get band 9 for grammar.
If ideas are explained and developed in a clear, logical way, you will get a high score for coherence and cohesion.
If you try to make your writing over-complicated, it will seem forced and unnatural.

Remember: if an essay is difficult to read, it's probably badly written. Good writing is surprisingly easy to read, and the arguments are easy to follow.

September 08, 2011

IELTS Writing Task 2: conclusions

Several people have asked me about conclusions for IELTS Writing Task 2. The main body paragraphs are much more important, so don't worry too much about the conclusion; make it short, simple and fast.

Here are some example conclusion phrases for different types of question:

1. Opinion

For the reasons mentioned above, I believe that... (+ repeat your opinion).

2. Discussion (+ Opinion)

In conclusion, there are convincing arguments both for and against... (topic), but I believe that... (if the question asks for your opinion).

3. Advantages and Disadvantages

In conclusion, I would argue that the benefits of... (topic) outweigh the drawbacks.

4. Problem and Solution

In conclusion, it is clear that there are various reasons for... (topic), and steps need to be taken to tackle this problem.

September 02, 2011

IELTS Grammar: correct the mistakes

Can you correct the mistakes in the following sentences?

The pollution and waste that we produce also affect on animals.
Many animals are in danger extinction.
Traffic congestion in nearly all over the world is on the increase.
Most of people who live in cities are suffering from traffic.
Schools can make a big part in educating children about this issue.

Please share your corrections in the "comments" area below this lesson. I'll add my corrections tomorrow.

September 01, 2011

IELTS Advice: notice your mistakes

Students often don't notice when a teacher corrects their mistakes.

Look at this example of a conversation between a teacher and a student:

Teacher: How long have you been living in Manchester?
Student: I came here before one month?
Teacher: One month ago?
Student: Yes, before one month.

The student doesn't notice that the teacher is correcting a mistake. In English we don't say "before one month", we say "one month ago".

When a teacher repeats something that you said in a different way, you probably made a mistake. Listen carefully, and try to notice mistakes and corrections.

August 26, 2011

IELTS Writing Task 2: discussion without opinion

Most discussion essays also ask for your opinion. Sometimes, however, the question doesn't ask for your opinion. It might just ask you to discuss two different views, or compare the advantages and disadvantages.

Remember: if the question doesn't ask for your opinion, don't give it.

Compare the 2 essays attached below. They are almost the same, but in the first essay I give my opinion clearly in several places, while in the second essay I've removed my opinions completely.

Click here to download essays

August 20, 2011

IELTS Writing Task 2: plan your main paragraphs

Before you start writing your task 2 essay, you need a plan:

First, think about how you could write 2 main body paragraphs. What would be the main idea/topic of each one?
Then make some notes for the first main paragraph. Your notes could follow this formula: Idea, Explain, Example.
Do the same thing for the second main paragraph.

Here's an example question with a few ideas below:

People nowadays work hard to buy more things. This has made our lives generally more comfortable, but many traditional values and customs have been lost and this is a pity.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

I can see two clear ideas in this question: 1) buying things has made our lives more comfortable. 2) traditional values and customs have been lost. I agree with both of these points, so I'll write one paragraph explaining why I agree with the first point, and another paragraph explaining the second point.
Idea: buying things has made life more comfortable. Explain/Examples: we buy appliances like microwave ovens and dishwashers; we use computers to shop online; more people own a car.
Idea: traditional values and customs have been lost. Explain/Examples: people buy microwave meals rather than cooking traditional dishes; traditional local shops disappear and are replaced with online shopping; people are more independent, but lack a sense of community.

August 19, 2011

IELTS Grammar: correct the mistakes

Can you find the mistakes in the following sentences? You might need to make several changes.

It is clear that, diploma and degree were the most popular qualifications.
Parents are usually try to provide their children different alternatives.
Most of computer games contain several of violence.
The number of people living in cities will be sharply increased.
Advertising are widely spread nowadays.

Please share your corrections in the "comments" area below this lesson. I'll add my corrections tomorrow.

August 17, 2011

IELTS Advice: big mistakes!

Here are some mistakes that can really affect your IELTS score:

Writing less than 150 or 250 words. My advice: count how many words you write, on average, per line. If you write about 10 words per line, make sure that you write more than 25 lines for writing task 2.
Not separating paragraphs. Your score will immediately drop if you don't separate paragraphs clearly. My advice: leave a full line between paragraphs.
Not answering the question (writing and speaking). My advice: in the writing exam, keep checking the question to make sure you are answering it fully. In the speaking exam, answer the question directly, then explain your answer.
Not finishing the reading test. My advice: you must get to the end of the test paper. If you get stuck on a difficult question, miss it out and return to it later.
Making spelling mistakes in the listening test. My advice: if you have a spelling problem, you must keep a list of your mistakes and learn the correct spellings by heart. Test yourself every day.

August 11, 2011

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'equality' topic

Here's my full (band 9) essay for last week's question.

In recent years, there has been growing interest in the relationship between equality and personal achievement. Some people believe that individuals can achieve more in egalitarian societies. Others believe that high levels of personal achievement are possible only if individuals are free to succeed or fail according to their individual merits.
What is your view of the relationship between equality and personal success?

In my opinion, an egalitarian society is one in which everyone has the same rights and the same opportunities. I completely agree that people can achieve more in this kind of society.

Education is an important factor with regard to personal success in life. I believe that all children should have access to free schooling, and higher education should be either free or affordable for all those who chose to pursue a university degree. In a society without free schooling or affordable higher education, only children and young adults from wealthier families would have access to the best learning opportunities, and they would therefore be better prepared for the job market. This kind of inequality would ensure the success of some but harm the prospects of others.

I would argue that equal rights and opportunities are not in conflict with people’s freedom to succeed or fail. In other words, equality does not mean that people lose their motivation to succeed, or that they are not allowed to fail. On the contrary, I believe that most people would feel more motivated to work hard and reach their potential if they thought that they lived in a fair society. Those who did not make the same effort would know that they had wasted their opportunity. Inequality, on the other hand, would be more likely to demotivate people because they would know that the odds of success were stacked in favour of those from privileged backgrounds.

In conclusion, it seems to me that there is a positive relationship between equality and personal success.

(260 words)

Note:
I'm not sure that this was a 'real' IELTS question (maybe the student who sent it to me remembered it wrongly) because it is a bit confusing: it seems strange to me to imply that "egalitarian/equality" is the opposite of "free to succeed or fail". Anyway, I hope you still find the essay useful.

July 29, 2011

IELTS Writing Task 2: difficult questions

I student sent me this question, and I agree that it's difficult:

Faced with this question, here are 3 tips:

Have a strong opinion (e.g. I completely agree that people can achieve more in egalitarian societies.) You can ignore the other view.
Focus on the last line of the question (What is your view of...?). This line sums up the whole question very clearly. Just answer this question.
Use examples as the basis of your argument e.g. free university education ensures equality of opportunity, and therefore allows individuals to achieve more.

If you try writing an essay for this question, you can compare your essay with my answer next Wednesday. I'm afraid I can't check essays or give scores.

Note: 'egalitarian' refers to the principle that people are equal, and deserve equal rights and opportunities.

July 23, 2011

IELTS Writing Task 2: higher education

Some people believe that studying at university or college is the best route to a successful career, while others believe that it is better to get a job straight after school.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Here's my full introduction and conclusion, as well as some ideas for the main body paragraphs:

Introduction
When they finish school, teenagers face the dilemma of whether to get a job or continue their education. While there are some benefits to getting a job straight after school, I would argue that it is better to go to college or university.

Paragraph 1: benefits of getting a job
The option to start work straight after school is attractive for several reasons.
(IDEAS: start earning money, become independent, gain experience, learn skills, get promotions, settle down earlier, afford a house, have a family)

Paragraph 2: benefits of higher education (my opinion)
On the other hand, I believe that it is more beneficial for students to continue their studies.
(IDEAS: some jobs require academic qualifications, better job opportunities, higher salaries, the job market is very competitive, gain knowledge, become a useful member of society)

Conclusion
For the reasons mentioned above, it seems to me that students are more likely to be successful in their lives if they continue their studies beyond school level.

July 20, 2011

IELTS Advice: keep a vocabulary notebook

As I've said before, you should keep a notebook to collect 'band 7' IELTS vocabulary. Here are some of this week's key words and phrases for your notebook:

Listening:
the unemployment rate, the country as a whole, working hours, hire staff, job opportunities, expansion of the workforce

Writing Task 2:
form of entertainment, vital public service, contribute to society, undervalued and underpaid, enormous salaries, earn a fraction of the money, essential for our health and prosperity

Writing Task 1:
in terms of, emissions, fell considerably, the most dramatic decrease, was responsible for, an increase was seen, saw an increase

July 15, 2011

IELTS Writing Task 2: example paragraph

Here's a 5-sentence paragraph using the second plan from last week's lesson:

Many people believe that sports professionals earn too much money. They argue that sport is a form of entertainment rather than a vital public service. We could easily live without sportspeople, yet other professionals who contribute much more to society are undervalued and underpaid. For example, football players can earn enormous salaries by simply kicking a ball, while doctors, nurses and teachers earn a fraction of the money despite being essential for our health and prosperity. From this perspective, sports stars do not deserve the salaries they currently earn.

As you can see, the paragraph explains the view that sportspeople earn too much money. This came from a discuss both views question.

July 08, 2011

IELTS Grammar: notice your mistakes

Students often don't notice when a teacher corrects their mistakes.

Look at this example of a conversation between a student and a teacher:

Student: I gave the IELTS exam last week.
Teacher: Oh, you mean you took the exam last week?
Student: Yes, I have given the exam twice. (should be 'taken')

The student doesn't notice that the teacher is correcting a mistake. Your teacher can 'give' you a test or an exam, but you 'take' or 'do' the exam.

When a teacher repeats something that you said in a different way, you probably made a mistake. Listen carefully, and try to correct yourself.

July 06, 2011

IELTS Writing Task 2: problem and solution (obesity)

Hopefully yesterday's video gave you some good vocabulary ideas for the following question.

Childhood obesity is becoming a serious problem in many countries. Explain the main causes and effects of this problem, and suggest some possible solutions.

Here are some more ideas for this topic:

June 30, 2011

IELTS Writing Task 2: do the advantages outweigh...?

Some IELTS writing task 2 questions ask: "Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?" or "Do the benefits outweigh the drawbacks?"

My advice for these questions is to write a paragraph about each side, and make it clear in the introduction and conclusion which side outweighs the other (i.e. your opinion about whether there are more advantages or disadvantages).

This was a recent exam question:

In some countries, governments are encouraging industries and businesses to move to regional areas outside the big cities.
Do the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages?

Here are some ideas:

Introduce the topic by paraphrasing the statement, then give a clear opinion about whether there are more advantages or disadvantages.
Advantages - e.g. costs are lower in regional areas; there is more space; provide jobs to boost deprived areas; avoid further overcrowding in cities.
Disadvantages - e.g. greater availability of skilled workers in big cities; better transport and infrastructure; companies based in regional areas are further from their clients, providers and other contacts.
Conclude by summarising your opinion in a different way.

June 24, 2011

IELTS Writing Task 2: balanced opinion

Last week I said that it's often easier to have a strong opinion and only support one side of the argument. Today I'm going to contradict myself! Let's look at a 'balanced opinion' essay.

For this question, I would write that "I partly agree" or that "I agree to some extent". Then I would write one main paragraph about each side of the argument:

Introduction: I partly agree. Make it clear that you have a balanced opinion.
One side: In practical terms, sending a man to the moon has not changed most people's lives. We have not benefited in terms of our standard of living, health etc. In fact, governments have wasted a lot of money that could have been spent on public services.
Other side: On the other hand, putting a man on the moon was a huge achievement that still inspires and interests people today. It showed us that we can achieve anything we put our minds to.
Conclusion: The fact that man has walked on the moon might not have had a direct effect on our daily lives, but it was an inspiring achievement.

June 22, 2011

IELTS Vocabulary: word family for 'compare'

Let's look at the word family for 'compare'. Remember that we are looking at usage, not meaning (I'm sure you know the meaning of these words).

The graph compares the number of males and females...
10% of males were unemployed, compared to only 8% of females.
The unemployment rate was high in 2008 compared with previous years.
The unemployment rate was high in 2008 in comparison with...
By/in comparison, the unemployment rate in 2008 increased to...
Figures for the USA were comparable with/to those for the UK.
The figure for females was comparatively low, at only 8%.

You've probably noticed that this word family is really useful for writing task 1.

PS. Thanks to Martin for sharing this online dictionary. The 'usage notes' at the bottom of the page are especially helpful.

June 15, 2011

IELTS Grammar: word families

If you want to improve your vocabulary knowledge, it's a good idea to study word families.

Let's look at the word family for "different".

We usually say different from e.g. A is different from B.
The noun is difference e.g. There is a difference between A and B.
The verb is differ e.g. A differs from B (or A and B differ).

I'm sure you understood these words, but did you really know how to use them correctly? We'll look at another word family next week.

June 09, 2011

IELTS Writing Task 2: problem and solution

Behaviour in schools is getting worse. Explain the causes and effects of this problem, and suggest some possible solutions.

Here are some ideas for two main body paragraphs:

Causes of bad behaviour in schools:

bad behaviour / lack of discipline
large classes / difficult to teach
disruptive students / family background
parents / lenient / spoil

Possible solutions:

schools / clear rules
teachers / punish disruptive students
parents / support / school rules
parents / take responsibility / children’s behaviour

A good way to practise your writing is to try making full sentences with these ideas e.g. One reason for bad behaviour is the lack of discipline in many schools.

PS. If you have my ebook, you'll find this topic in the 'education' chapter.

May 25, 2011

IELTS Writing Task 2: different introductions

Some people think the main purpose of schools is to turn children into good citizens and workers, rather than to benefit them as individuals.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Here are 3 different introductions. Notice that the opinion is clear in each one.

Agree:
People have different views about what the main purpose of schools should be. Personally, I agree that a school's role is to prepare children to be productive members of society.

Disagree:
Many people argue that the main role of schools is to prepare children for their future jobs. However, I believe that the purpose of education should be to help children to grow as individuals.

Balanced view:
To a certain extent I agree that the role of schools is to prepare children to be productive members of society. However, I also believe that the education process has a positive impact on us as individuals.

May 21, 2011

IELTS Writing Task 2: method

I've noticed that the more essay practice I do with my students, the more defined my writing method becomes.

For example, I now know that my 250-word essays usually contain 13 to 15 sentences: 2 for the introduction, 5 to 6 for each main paragraph and 1 sentence for the conclusion. It takes me 10 minutes to write a good plan, 5 minutes to write an introduction, I have 2 main ways of writing main paragraphs etc. etc.

The question is: Do you have a clearly defined method? Do you repeatedly practise writing essays in the same way?

If you don't have a method, it's just "hit and hope".

May 20, 2011

IELTS Advice: the "four-hour essay"

One of my students was worried that it took her 4 hours to write a band 7 essay for homework.

In my opinion, spending 4 hours to write an essay is a good idea. This kind of hard work leads to great results! The important thing is to be able to write your first band 7 essay. At first it might take you 4 hours, but you will get faster with practice.

PS. The student I mentioned got a band 7 in her exam about 6 weeks later!

May 11, 2011

IELTS Writing Task 2: advertising

'Advertising' has been the topic of IELTS writing task 2 several times this year. It's a popular topic, so you need some ideas and opinions about it.

Here are some opinions about advertising, taken from my ebook.

Advertising should be ______.
Advertising ______ children should be controlled or even banned.
Unhealthy foods should not be marketed ______ attracts children.
Products that can be a risk to health should ______ warnings.
However, advertising is necessary in free ______ economies.
It creates ______ products.
Governments should only ______ false information or products that are harmful.

Fill the gaps with these words/phrases:
market, in a way that, regulated, display, censor, demand for, aimed at

Note:
'Advertising' is uncountable (you can't say "an advertising" or "advertisings"). 'Advertising' is the name of the industry, activity or profession (like 'marketing'). 'An advertisement' (or 'advertisements') is what you see on TV, in the street, in newspapers etc.

May 04, 2011

IELTS Writing Task 2: globalisation of culture

This was a recent exam question:

Differences between countries become less evident each year. Nowadays, all over the world people share the same fashions, advertising, brands, eating habits and TV channels.
Do the disadvantages of this trend outweigh the advantages?

Here's my outline for a 4-paragraph essay:

Introduction
It is true that many aspects of culture are becoming increasingly similar throughout the world. Although this trend has some benefits, I would argue that there are more drawbacks.

First sentence of paragraph 2
On the one hand, the globalisation of fashion, brands, eating habits and other areas of culture has some benefits. (Explain the benefits)

First sentence of paragraph 3
On the other hand, I believe that the disadvantages of cultural globalisation are even more significant. (Explain the disadvantages)

Conclusion
In conclusion, it seems to me that the drawbacks of globalisation, in terms of cultural habits such as the clothes we wear or the foods we eat, do outweigh the benefits.

May 03, 2011

IELTS Advice: planning

Here's what I thought when I read the research mentioned yesterday:

The research is most relevant to the IELTS writing test, especially task 2.
Students who rush to start writing often get into trouble: their essays lack organisation, and they often forget to answer all parts of the question.
Students who take some time to plan their essays often get higher scores. Their essays contain more relevant ideas and better vocabulary.

So, try to be more like the professors and PhD students: spend some time thinking and making notes before you start writing. Planning is the key to better writing.

May 01, 2011

IELTS Advice: experts spend longer planning

The other day I read about some interesting research which compared physics professors and PhD students (experts) with physics undergraduates (not experts). The professors, PhD students and undergraduates were all given the same physics test.

Here's a summary of the research findings:

"Professors and PhDs were slower than undergraduates to begin to solve the problems. The experts paused before they put pencil to paper. They spent a few minutes assessing the structure of the problem and figuring out the best physics principle to use. The undergraduates, on the other hand, jumped right into problem solving, which often got them in trouble."
(Click here to see the book this comes from)

Do you think IELTS candidates can learn anything from this?

April 28, 2011

IELTS Writing Task 2: recent question

This was the IELTS writing task 2 question two weeks ago in the UK:

It is right that university graduates should earn more money than less well educated people, but they should pay the full cost of their education.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

My students and I planned a 4-paragraph essay:

1) Introduction: introduce the topic and respond to both parts of the question. We decided to agree that graduates deserve good salaries, but we disagree with the idea that they should pay the full cost of their degree courses.

2) Paragraph explaining why graduates should earn good salaries: they have invested time and effort into gaining their qualifications; they have knowledge, skills and training required for important jobs; they are an asset to society.

3) Paragraph explaining why graduates should not have to pay the full cost of education: this will be too expensive and will deter many young people from going to university; students will have huge debts; graduates contribute by paying taxes when they work.

4) Conclusion: repeat the two main ideas.

April 27, 2011

IELTS Advice: describe your favourite...

More advice about describing your favourite book, film or piece of music:

You can talk about any type of book (textbook, biography etc.). You only need to describe a story if the question asks you to describe a 'novel'.
Many books are also films. It would be a good idea to prepare one description that you can use for both.
Amazon.com is great for reviews of books, films and music. Just search for a title, then go down the page to find the reviews.
"Steal" the best vocabulary from the reviews that you find.
Use Google. I searched for "my favourite film is" on Google and found this 'My Favourite Films' website. It's full of good ideas.
Try this Google search: "my favourite piece of music is"
You can describe a book, film or piece of music from your country.
You can invent a story if necessary, but it's easier to tell the truth.
If you don't like books, pretend that your favourite film is a book (and vice versa).
Remember to include adjectives to describe your feelings/opinions. Tell the story of when you first read the book, saw the film or listened to the song, who recommended it, why you like it etc.

NB. 'Piece of music' just means a song.

April 17, 2011

IELTS Writing Task 2: the '2 part' question

The following question confuses many students because it doesn't seem to be one of the 3 normal types (opinion, discussion, problem/solution).

Happiness is considered very important in life.
Why is it difficult to define?
What factors are important in achieving happiness?

I call this a "2 part" question, and it's easier than you think. Just answer the first question in paragraph 2, and the second question in paragraph 3:

1. Introduction - topic + simple answer to both questions

2. Paragraph - explain why happiness is difficult to define

Some ideas: Explain that happiness means different things to different people; the same situation can make one person happy but another person sad/bored etc. Give examples of what makes different people happy (money, success, family, friends, hobbies). Give an example from your experience e.g. a hobby that makes you happy but that your friend hates.

3. Paragraph - give your opinions about how to achieve happiness

Some ideas: Try to organise your ideas logically - you could begin with humans' basic needs (in order to be happy we need to be healthy and have somewhere to live, food to eat etc.) then talk about the importance of family and friends. You could then write about career, money, success, status etc. - maybe you could explain that these things mean nothing if we do not have family and friends to share our experiences with. Give an example from your own life - what will make you happier than you are now?

4. Conclusion - repeat/summarise the main ideas

April 16, 2011

IELTS Grammar: correct the mistakes

The sentences below contain some common mistakes. Try to correct them.

The number of holidays abroad was dramatically increased in 2005.
The figure was raised again in 2006, but it reduced in 2007.
In 2008, the number of foreign holidays was reduced to its lowest point.

What grammar point can we learn by correcting these 3 sentences?

April 15, 2011

IELTS Advice: do your own research

The Internet is an unbelievable resource for language learning. One way to use it is to do extra research about IELTS topics.

This week, for example, I did a reading test with my students about performance in sport (Cambridge IELTS 4, page 88). The passage contained several terms that my students didn't know, such as:

plyometrics
biomechanics
the Fosbury flop

These are very specific terms that you might never need again, but wouldn't it be interesting to find out more about them? It might help your English as well as your general knowledge.

April 07, 2011

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'technology' topic

This was a recent IELTS exam question:

Early technological developments helped ordinary people and changed their lives more than recent developments.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Here's the plan that I wrote with my students:

Introduction: we disagree because we think that early and recent technologies have had an equally significant impact on our lives.
Paragraph about how early technologies helped people.
Paragraph about how recent technologies help people.
Conclusion: repeat the significance of both.

Here's a picture of what we wrote for paragraph 2:

April 05, 2011

IELTS Advice: 'topic vocabulary' is the key!

As I've said before, the key to a high score in IELTS writing and speaking is to express relevant ideas using good vocabulary.

Did you write down the following phrases from yesterday's lesson?

interesting and engaging
feel involved in the lesson
something that is relevant to them
the teacher delivers the content
there's no substitute for a good teacher
the guidance of a teacher
tell you where you're going wrong
become less common
study independently
using different technologies
rather than sitting in a classroom
following online courses

Notice that the phrases above are all relevant to the topic. I call this 'topic vocabulary'. They are not linking phrases or phrases that you can use for any topic.

It's the topic vocabulary that gets you a high score.

March 31, 2011

IELTS Writing Task 2: how to answer any question

Today I want to show you what happens in my brain when I see any IELTS Writing Task 2 question.

Here are my thinking steps:

I read the question very carefully, maybe three times. I ask myself "What's the topic? What is the question asking me to write about?"
I underline the key things that must be included in the essay. I always answer every part of the question.
Now I think about my 4 paragraph structure. I can write any type of essay in 4 paragraphs; I just need to decide what to put in each paragraph.
If I need to give my opinion, I think "What is the easiest opinion to explain? What good vocabulary could I use?"
Then I write down some vocabulary ideas that are related to the topic.
I try to write 2 sentences for the introduction: I introduce the topic, then give a simple answer (including my opinion if the question asks for it).
I write short 'topic sentences' to start each paragraph, then develop my ideas by explaining and supporting with examples.
I look at the question from time to time in order to check that I'm answering every part of it.
I know that I write about 10 words per line; I can quickly check the approximate number of words that I've written.
If I need more words (to reach 250), I expand one of my examples in the main body paragraphs. If necessary, I draw an arrow to show where I want to add the extra words.

March 24, 2011

IELTS Advice: 'less common vocabulary'

To get a band 7 or higher in IELTS writing task 2, you need to use less common vocabulary.

Here are some "less common" words and phrases from Wednesday's lesson:

educational opportunities
equal proportions of each gender
simply unrealistic
applications that the institution receives
applicants of each gender
tend to attract
the practical concerns expressed above
to base admission on
select candidates
according to their qualifications
achieve good grades
the best candidate for a place on a course
it would be wrong to reject her in favour of
fewer qualifications
based on merit
impractical
a selection procedure

This list of vocabulary is the main reason why my essay would get a band 9.

March 20, 2011

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'gender and university' essay

Here's my full essay using last week's plan:

Universities should accept equal numbers of male and female students in every subject. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

In my opinion, men and women should have the same educational opportunities. However, I do not agree with the idea of accepting equal proportions of each gender in every university subject.

Having the same number of men and women on all degree courses is simply unrealistic. Student numbers on any course depend on the applications that the institution receives. If a university decided to fill courses with equal numbers of males and females, it would need enough applicants of each gender. In reality, many courses are more popular with one gender than the other, and it would not be practical to aim for equal proportions. For example, nursing courses tend to attract more female applicants, and it would be difficult to fill these courses if fifty per cent of the places needed to go to males.

Apart from the practical concerns expressed above, I also believe that it would be unfair to base admission to university courses on gender. Universities should continue to select the best candidates for each course according to their qualifications. In this way, both men and women have the same opportunities, and applicants know that they will be successful if they work hard to achieve good grades at school. If a female student is the best candidate for a place on a course, it is surely wrong to reject her in favour of a male student with lower grades or fewer qualifications.

In conclusion, the selection of university students should be based on merit, and it would be both impractical and unfair to change to a selection procedure based on gender.

(265 words, band 9)

March 19, 2011

IELTS Advice: how to escape the worry cycle

One of the steps in yesterday's success cycle was "enjoy studying more".

To escape the worry cycle, try to find ways to enjoy learning English more. Maybe you could watch more videos on ted.com or YouTube. Maybe you could read a book that you have already read in your own language. If you don't find ways to make it interesting, you'll get bored, frustrated and even more worried.

March 16, 2011

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'gender and university' topic

A few people have asked me about this question from Cambridge IELTS 5:

Universities should accept equal numbers of male and female students in every subject. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

I did a lesson about this question with my students. Here are our ideas:

Introduction: We decided to completely disagree with the question statement. You don't need to explain both sides of the argument. Just give your opinion in the introduction, then support it in the main body paragraphs.
Paragraph 2: One reason why we decided to disagree is that it would not be practical or realistic to have exactly the same number of males and females on every course. Some courses have mainly male applicants, while others are more popular with females.
Paragraph 3: Another reason we disagreed is that it would not be fair to base admission to courses on gender. Universities should select candidates based on their qualifications, skills, experience etc.
Conclusion: Repeat the idea that selecting according to gender is not the best way to ensure equal opportunities for men and women at university.

I'll put a full example essay on the site next week. You are welcome to share your own ideas, but I'm afraid I can't give feedback, scores or corrections.

March 11, 2011

IELTS Grammar: verb + noun collocations

When deciding whether to give a band 7 in IELTS speaking or writing, one of the things that examiners look at is your use of collocations.

'Collocation' basically means using the right words together. Many students know a lot of nouns, but they don't always know the right verbs to use with those nouns.

Here are some useful 'verb + noun' collocations:

to make a mistake (not 'do' a mistake)
to do/carry out/conduct research (not 'make' research, not 'a' research)
to make/take/reach a decision
to have/gain/lack experience
to have/face/experience difficulties

Think about this, especially when you are writing essays. Check in a dictionary to make sure you have used the right verb with the right noun.

March 06, 2011

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'helping poor countries' topic

This was the IELTS writing task 2 question on 28th May:

The money given to help poor countries does not solve the problem of poverty, so rich countries should give other types of help instead.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

My students and I planned a 4-paragraph essay:

Introduction: introduce the topic of helping poor countries, and agree that giving money is not the best way to help.
Paragraph explaining why giving money is a bad idea.
Paragraph explaining why other types of help are better.
Conclusion: repeat the argument (investing is better than giving).

We discussed some ideas and wrote paragraph 2 together:

In my opinion, it is a bad idea to simply give financial aid to governments of poor countries. If rich countries do this, there is a risk that the money will not go to the people who need it most. Governments may misuse the money they are given because they do not have the resources or the know-how to tackle the causes of poverty. In some cases, corrupt politicians have become rich while their citizens continue to suffer. For these reasons, it is important for developed countries to find ways to invest in developing nations, instead of just donating money.

February 17, 2011

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'sports salaries' topic

As I've said before, you can't get a high score for IELTS writing task 2 if you don't have good ideas about the question topic. Here are some ideas from my ebook about the following question:

Some people believe that the salaries paid to professional sportspeople are too high, while others argue that sports salaries are fair.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.

View 1: sports salaries are too high

Sports professionals earn too much money.
They do not provide a vital service.
Football players earn enormous salaries by simply kicking a ball.
We could all live happily without professional football.
We should value professionals such as nurses and teachers more highly.

View 2: sports salaries are fair

It is fair that the best sportspeople earn a lot of money.
Sport is a multi-million-pound industry.
There is a large audience of sports fans who are willing to pay.
Televised games or events attract many viewers.
Being a top sportsperson requires hours of practice.

February 16, 2011

IELTS Grammar: correct the mistakes

The following sentences contain mistakes. Can you find them?

Governments have played an essential place in society.
Lack of exercise has bad effects to health.
Qualifications lead to get promotions.
This may contribute to reach their dreams.
The main important thing is to make people aware for this problem.

I'll put my corrections in the "comments" area tomorrow.

February 13, 2011

IELTS Writing Task 2: band 9 paragraph

Below is a 'band 9' paragraph about the benefits of zoos. I took the vocabulary ideas from this lesson (click here) and organised them in the following way:

Simple topic sentence.
The main benefit is that...
Another advantage of zoos is that...
From a personal point of view,...

I've underlined the band 9 vocabulary.

Zoos have several benefits. The main benefit is that zoos play an important role in wildlife conservation. They help to protect endangered species, such as pandas or rhinos, and allow scientists to study animal behaviour. Another advantage of zoos is that they employ large numbers of people, therefore providing job opportunities and income for the local area. Also, the money that zoos make can be used for conservation projects. From a personal point of view, zoos are interesting, educational and fun. They are entertaining for families, and teach children to appreciate wildlife and nature.

February 05, 2011

IELTS Writing Task 2: idea, explain, example

A good way to write main body paragraphs is this:

Start with an idea; Explain it in detail; Give an example

Here's an example of how I 'build' a paragraph using the above method:

A sense of competition is necessary for success in life, and should therefore be encouraged. Competition motivates children to get good grades at school or become better at sports, while adults compete to climb the career ladder. In a job interview, for example, candidates compete to show that they are the most qualified, hard-working and competent person for the post.

Note:
What's the topic of the paragraph above? What do you think the question was?

February 02, 2011

IELTS Writing Task 2: use related words

Look again at last week's question:

Some people think that museums should be enjoyable places to entertain people, while others believe that the purpose of museums is to educate.
Discuss both views and give you own opinion.

Let's forget about the whole question. Just try to list some words that are related to the 3 main ideas.

Museums:

exhibition, exhibit (verb, like 'show'), an exhibit (noun, 'item'), artifact, object, collection, history, science, art, culture, visitors, members of the public, public viewing...

Entertain:

entertainment, entertaining, enjoy, enjoyment, enjoyable, have fun, interesting, fascinating, spectacular, impressive, leisure time, free time, a day out, tourist attraction...

Educate:

education, educational, teach, learn, explain, understand, know, gain/expand/pass on/transmit knowledge, skills, experience, open your mind, broaden your horizons...

Making lists of related words is a good way to generate ideas. You might not have time to do this in the exam, but it's a useful study technique.

January 13, 2011

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'museums' essay

Some people think that museums should be enjoyable places to entertain people, while others believe that the purpose of museums is to educate.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

People have different views about the role and function of museums. In my opinion, museums can and should be both entertaining and educational.

On the one hand, it can be argued that the main role of a museum is to entertain. Museums are tourist attractions, and their aim is to exhibit a collection of interesting objects that many people will want to see. The average visitor may become bored if he or she has to read or listen to too much educational content, so museums often put more of an emphasis on enjoyment rather than learning. This type of museum is designed to be visually spectacular, and may have interactive activities or even games as part of its exhibitions.

On the other hand, some people argue that museums should focus on education. The aim of any exhibition should be to teach visitors something that they did not previously know. Usually this means that the history behind the museum’s exhibits needs to be explained, and this can be done in various ways. Some museums employ professional guides to talk to their visitors, while other museums offer headsets so that visitors can listen to detailed commentary about the exhibition. In this way, museums can play an important role in teaching people about history, culture, science and many other aspects of life.

In conclusion, it seems to me that a good museum should be able to offer an interesting, enjoyable and educational experience so that people can have fun and learn something at the same time.

(253 words, band 9)

January 05, 2011

IELTS Writing Task 2: how to write a paragraph

Today I'm going to write a paragraph about gun control. I'll start with some vocabulary ideas, then I'll make them into full sentences.

Ideas: why should the ownership of guns be limited/controlled?

Topic sentence to introduce the idea of gun control
risk of accidents, danger to children
more violent crimes, criminals will use guns, police will need guns
higher suicide rates
guns create violent societies

Here's my paragraph using the ideas above. I've divided the paragraph into separate sentences so that you can see what I have done more clearly.

In many countries, gun ownership is strictly controlled.
Supporters of this policy point out the risk of accidents with guns, especially when children can gain access to them.
They also argue that the number of violent crimes increases when guns are available, and that police are forced to use guns to combat armed criminals.
Furthermore, suicide rates have been shown to rise in places where guns are legal.
All in all, gun control advocates believe that guns create violent societies with high murder rates.

Of course, in the IELTS exam you would probably have to explain the opposite view: the arguments in favour of gun ownership.

January 01, 2011

IELTS Writing Task 2: sample discussion essay

Here's an example of how I write a 4-paragraph essay for "discuss and give your opinion" questions. Notice that I give my opinion in 3 places (introduction, paragraph 3, conclusion).

When they finish school, teenagers face the dilemma of whether to get a job or continue their education. While there are some benefits to getting a job straight after school, I would argue that it is better to go to college or university.

The option to start work straight after school is attractive for several reasons. Many young people want to start earning money as soon as possible. In this way, they can become independent, and they will be able to afford their own house or start a family. In terms of their career, young people who decide to find work, rather than continue their studies, may progress more quickly. They will have the chance to gain real experience and learn practical skills related to their chosen profession. This may lead to promotions and a successful career.

On the other hand, I believe that it is more beneficial for students to continue their studies. Firstly, academic qualifications are required in many professions. For example, it is impossible to become a doctor, teacher or lawyer without having the relevant degree. As a result, university graduates have access to more and better job opportunities, and they tend to earn higher salaries than those with fewer qualifications. Secondly, the job market is becoming increasingly competitive, and sometimes there are hundreds of applicants for one position in a company. Young people who do not have qualifications from a university or college will not be able to compete.

For the reasons mentioned above, it seems to me that students are more likely to be successful in their careers if they continue their studies beyond school level.

(271 words, band 9)

December 22, 2010

IELTS Advice: questions about current events

Several people have asked me this question:

"Could there be questions about current events (e.g. the earthquake in Japan or the situation in the Arab world) in the speaking or writing exam?"

My answer to this is "no, I don't think so".

Remember, you are not supposed to need any specific knowledge for the IELTS exam. I've never seen any questions about current political events or specific news stories. The only time the examiner may ask you about such events is if you mention them (maybe in part 3 of the speaking test).

December 14, 2010

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'job satisfaction' topic

As most people spend a major part of their adult life at work, job satisfaction is an important element of individual well-being.
What factors contribute to job satisfaction?
How realistic is the expectation of job satisfaction for all workers?

The following paragraph answers the second part of the question (How realistic..)

It is difficult to imagine a world in which everyone is truly satisfied with their job. Most people work in order to earn a salary, and they would probably not choose to spend eight or more hours each day doing their jobs if they did not need the money. The need to earn money to pay mortgages, bills and everyday living costs is of much greater concern than job satisfaction. In fact, I would argue that the majority of people dislike their jobs and are unhappy about their salaries, working hours, workloads, or their bosses.

(95 words)

Note:
What "band 7 vocabulary" can you find in the paragraph above?

December 09, 2010

IELTS Writing Task 2: how to write introductions

Here is a review of my advice for task 2 introductions:

Make the introduction short and do it quickly. The main body paragraphs are more important.
Two sentences are enough: 1) introduce the topic. 2) give a basic answer to the question.

Example question:

All high school students should be encouraged to take part in community service programmes.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

My introduction:

Some people believe that high school students would benefit from doing unpaid work in their local communities. I completely agree that community service programmes for teenagers are a good idea.

December 02, 2010

IELTS Advice: extra help

Several students have emailed me recently asking for extra help. Unfortunately, if you don't live in Manchester, the only help I can give is through the lessons on this blog. I'm afraid it's impossible for me to teach people by email or Skype.

When people ask for extra help, my usual advice is to find a teacher who can help you one-to-one. Books or websites (like this one) can be a great source of advice and practice materials, but only a teacher can give you personalised feedback.

If you find a 'private' teacher, I suggest you spend most of your lesson time either analysing your essays (to see how you can improve them) or practising your answers for speaking questions.

November 23, 2010

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'dependence' question

The following question was used in several countries last Saturday. I've listed some ideas below.

Some people think that in the modern world we have become more dependent on each other, while others think that people are now more independent.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

First view: we have become more dependent

Life is more difficult and expensive, and we are less self-sufficient
Young people rely on their parents for longer
Unemployed people receive state benefits
Our jobs are much more specialised, and we need to work in teams

Second view: we are more independent

We rely on machines more than we depend on each other
The Internet allows us to solve problems without needing help
Families are more dispersed, and therefore provide less support
Education gives us the freedom to make our own choices

By linking these points together and supporting them with examples, you could easily write two good paragraphs.

November 20, 2010

IELTS Grammar: find the mistakes

Find the mistakes in the sentences below.

The graph shows the number of people travelled to and from UK.
In 1979, the number of people visited UK was 10 millions.
Turkey was the least country in terms of the number of people visiting it.

Feel free to share your answers in the "comments" area below. I'll post my answers tomorrow.

November 19, 2010

IELTS Advice: 'band 7 vocabulary'

As I've said before, good vocabulary is the key to a high score in IELTS writing and speaking.

Did you notice the band 7 vocabulary in yesterday's lesson?

every form of transport apart from
back then (= back when my grandparents were young)
technology has moved on (= progressed)
having said that (= however)
not necessarily
stuck in traffic
hopefully we'll have cars that drive themselves
getting around towns and cities (= travelling around)

The phrases above might not look difficult, but they are the kind of "natural" phrases that a native speaker would use.

November 17, 2010

IELTS Writing Task 2: the 'two-part' question

Usually the question tells you to "discuss both views" or it asks whether you "agree or disagree". However, sometimes the question looks different:

Competitiveness is considered to be a positive quality among people.
How does competitiveness affect individuals?
Is competitiveness a positive or negative quality?

Notice that the question above gives you the topic (competitiveness) and then two questions. I call this a "two-part" question.

For this kind of question, just write 4 paragraphs (see below), and make sure you write an equal amount for paragraphs 2 and 3.

Introduction: topic + general response
Answer the first question
Answer the second question
Conclusion: repeat your response

November 08, 2010

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'minority languages' essay

Today, I'd like to share a 'band 9' sample essay for the question below.

Several languages are in danger of extinction because they are spoken by very small numbers of people. Some people say that governments should spend public money on saving these languages, while others believe that would be a waste of money.
Discuss both these views and give your opinion.

It is true that some minority languages may disappear in the near future. Although it can be argued that governments could save money by allowing this to happen, I believe that these languages should be protected and preserved.

There are several reasons why saving minority languages could be seen as a waste of money. Firstly, if a language is only spoken by a small number of people, expensive education programmes will be needed to make sure that more people learn it, and the state will have to pay for facilities, teachers and marketing. This money might be better spent on other public services. Secondly, it would be much cheaper and more efficient for countries to have just one language. Governments could cut all kinds of costs related to communicating with each minority group.

Despite the above arguments, I believe that governments should try to preserve languages that are less widely spoken. A language is much more than simply a means of communication; it has a vital connection with the cultural identity of the people who speak it. If a language disappears, a whole way of life will disappear with it, and we will lose the rich cultural diversity that makes societies more interesting. By spending money to protect minority languages, governments can also preserve traditions, customs and behaviours that are part of a country’s history.

In conclusion, it may save money in the short term if we allow minority languages to disappear, but in the long term this would have an extremely negative impact on our cultural heritage.

(258 words)

November 03, 2010

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'women and work' topic

Dana sent me the following question:

Women should have an equal role alongside men in both police and armed forces. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Here is my plan for a 4-paragraph essay:

1. Introduction: topic + response
- Introduce the topic e.g. "Increasing numbers of women are choosing to..."
- Respond to the question e.g. "I completely agree that women should be able..."

2. First reason why I agree: equal opportunities
Explain why women should have the same right as men to choose their profession. People should be chosen for jobs according to their skills, qualifications, character etc.

3. Second reason why I agree: women's capabilities
I would disagree with the view that women are less able than men to do certain jobs. Also, I would argue that policewomen, for example, may be better at controlling a situation by communicating more effectively. Police and military work requires more than just physical strength. Teamwork, leadership and communication can be much more important.

4. Conclusion: one sentence
Repeat your response in a different way.

October 30, 2010

IELTS Grammar: more mistakes!

Try to correct the mistakes in the following sentences:

I am completely agree that job satisfaction for workers are important.
On the other side, maybe it is difficult for all workers to be happy in their jobs.
Although, we all need to work in order to pay our bills etc, but we also need to enjoy our jobs.

Be careful with "although". Most English learners make mistakes with this word.

October 28, 2010

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'robots' topic

A student sent me this question:

Some people believe that robots will play an important role in future societies, while others argue that robots might have negative effects on society.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Today my students planned an essay for this topic. The photo below shows the ideas they had in the lesson:

October 25, 2010

IELTS Grammar: find the mistakes

Correct the mistakes in the sentences below.

With developments in nuclear technology, the risk of accidents are being reduced.
Scientists need to make more researches to improve the safety of nuclear power stations.
Using of nuclear power not only does it produce cheap electricity, but also it does not have any pollution.

I'll put my answers in the "comments" area tomorrow.

October 23, 2010

IELTS Advice: essay introductions

On Wednesday I wrote a lesson about introductions for IELTS writing task 2. Since then, several students have asked me this question:

"Will my introduction get a good score?"

Answer: your introduction alone will not get you a high score, even if it is perfect. The introduction is necessary, but the main body paragraphs decide your score.

Write a short, clear introduction. Then spend most of your time on the main body of the essay.

October 20, 2010

IELTS Writing Task 2: introductions

Here are some example introductions for 3 different types of essay. My technique is to write 2 sentences:

A sentence to introduce the topic
A sentence giving a general response to the question or instruction

Problem & Solution Essay:

It is true that children's behaviour seems to be getting worse. There are various reasons for this, and both schools and parents need to work together to improve the situation.

Discussion (& Opinion) Essay:

People have different views about how children should be taught. While there are some good arguments in favour of teaching children to be competitive, I believe that it is better to encourage co-operation.

Opinion (Agree / Disagree) Essay:

In recent years it has become more common for women to return to work after having a child. However, I do not agree that this has been the cause of problems for young people.

My advice:
Keep your introduction short. Main body paragraphs are more important.

October 16, 2010

IELTS Advice: did you notice?

There was a lot of useful grammar and vocabulary in this week's lessons. Did you notice it, or did you just read the lessons quickly?

For example, did you notice:

which verb is used with the noun 'expectations'?
another way to say 'linked to'?
two uses of the word 'self'?
any new words or phrases e.g. 'the big pcture'?

Most people read things quickly and think that they understand. A few language students study everything carefully and notice the little details that make the difference.

October 14, 2010

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'academic ability' topic

Some people think schools should group pupils according to their academic ability, but others believe pupils with different abilities should be educated together. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Here are some "band 7" (or higher) ideas from my ebook:

For grouping by ability:

Teachers can work at the right speed for their students.
Teachers can plan more suitable lessons.
High-level groups may progress faster.
Lower level groups can benefit from a slower pace.

Against grouping by ability:

Grouping by ability may have a negative impact on students.
Children do not want to be seen as less intelligent than others.
Being in a lower level group could damage their self esteem.
Mixed ability classes encourage children of all abilities to cooperate.

October 08, 2010

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'road safety' topic

Road safety could be the topic of a "problem/solution" essay:

Despite improvements in vehicle technology, there are still large numbers of road accidents. Explain some of the causes of these accidents, and suggest some measures that could be taken to address the problem.

Here are some ideas from my ebook:

Causes:

Driving while tired or drunk is extremely dangerous.
Mobile phones can be a dangerous distraction for drivers.
They draw the driver’s attention away from the road.

Solutions:

The use of phones while driving has been banned in many countries.
Punishments are becoming stricter.
Television campaigns are used to remind people to drive safely.
Speed cameras have become more common.

You could also add the causes mentioned in yesterday's lesson.

October 07, 2010

IELTS Grammar: correct the mistakes

The following sentences contain mistakes. Try to correct them.

We are friends ever since we first met.
If people work in teams can help them to achieve more.
If we consider unemployment is another important issue.
It is difficult to live in a new country, it is also difficult to speak a new language.
Many children behave badly, could be because their parents are not strict enough.

October 06, 2010

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'marriages' topic

Marriages are bigger and more expensive nowadays than in the past. Why is this the case? Is it a positive or negative development?

To plan an essay for this topic, consider the following questions:

Would you call this an 'opinion' essay or a 'discussion' essay?
For a 4-paragraph essay, what would each paragraph be about?
What 2 things do you need to do in the introduction?
Do you have any ideas to explain why weddings are bigger/expensive?
Should you choose 'positive' or 'negative', or can you discuss both?

Feel free to answer these questions in the comments area. I'll give you my answers tomorrow, and I'll try to write a full essay for next week.

Note:
Please don't send me full essays. I can't check them or give you a score.

September 15, 2010

IELTS Writing Task 2: using the ebook

A few people have asked me how to use the ebook. One way is to practise writing paragraphs using the ebook ideas.

Some ideas from the ebook about the benefits of mobile phones:

The mobile phone is the most popular gadget in today’s world.
We can stay in touch with family, friends and colleagues wherever we are.
Users can send text messages, surf the Internet, take photos and listen to music.
Mobiles have also become fashion accessories.
Mobile phones have revolutionised the way we communicate.

By linking these ideas (and adding a few things) I can write a paragraph:

The mobile phone has become the most popular gadget in today’s world. The reason for this is that it is portable and versatile. Mobile phones are now carried at all times by most people, allowing us to stay in touch with family, friends and colleagues wherever we are. Furthermore, they now have many more functions than a standard telephone; mobile phone users can send text messages, surf the Internet, take photos and listen to music, as well as making calls. Mobiles have become fashion accessories, and they have revolutionised the way we communicate.

(93 words)

September 07, 2010

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'online shopping' topic

This was a recent IELTS exam question:

Online shopping is increasing dramatically. How could this trend affect our environment and the kinds of jobs required?

My advice is to plan your essay with a 4-paragraph structure:

1. Introduction: topic + response (2 sentences are enough)
Introduce the topic of 'online shopping becoming more popular'. Then write that it will have a significant impact on the environment and on jobs.

2. Paragraph about the environment
Write about simple ideas e.g. people will drive less, so there will be less pollution, less destruction from the building of new roads, but perhaps more packaging.

3. Paragraph about jobs
Simple ideas e.g. many shop workers will lose their jobs, unemployment may rise, but there will be more skilled jobs in IT (computer programmers, web designers).

4. Conclusion: repeat your response
Overall opinion: online shopping may have a negative effect on employment, but it might be a good thing for the environment.

September 05, 2010

IELTS Writing Task 2: fixed punishments

Some people believe that there should be fixed punishments for each type of crime. Others, however, argue that the circumstances of an individual crime, and the motivation for committing it, should always be taken into account when deciding on the punishment. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Here is my suggested essay outline:

1. Introduction: topic + response

People have different views about whether punishments for crimes should be fixed. Although there are some advantages of fixed punishments, I believe that it is better to judge each crime individually.

2. Benefits of fixed punishments

There are some good arguments for having one set punishment for each crime.
IDEAS: easy, fair justice system; everyone is aware of the punishment for each crime; fixed punishments could deter criminals.

3. Benefits of not having fixed punishments

However, I would argue that the circumstances of a crime and the criminal’s motivation should have an influence on the punishment.
IDEAS: judge can decide the best response; a more humane system; example: stealing to feed a family compared to stealing for profit.

4. Conclusion: repeat your response

In conclusion, despite the advantages of fixed punishments, it seems to me that each crime should be judged taking both the circumstances and motivation into account.

September 01, 2010

IELTS Advice: looking for a 'nice' examiner

Kevin wrote a very interesting comment:

"I had a few lazy friends who tried different test centres in the hope of meeting a 'nice' examiner, but they never did. You are the person holding the key to success, not others."

Kevin makes an excellent point: don't waste your time comparing test centres, looking for nice examiners, or trying to find a 'magic' technique. Just do the hard work!

August 28, 2010

IELTS Writing Task 2: money and consumerism

Here are some vocabulary ideas for the topic of money and consumerism. You could use these ideas to write an essay:

Many people say that we now live in 'consumer societies' where money and possessions are given too much importance. Others believe that consumer culture has played a vital role in improving our lives.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.

General ideas:

a consumer society, materialistic, earn money, make money, make a profit, success, material possessions, connect wealth with happiness, status symbols, the power of advertising.

Positives of consumerism:

employment, income, salaries, products that we need, reduce poverty, better standard of living, quality of life, creativity and innovation, trade between countries.

Negatives:

create waste, use natural resources, damage to the environment, throw-away culture, people become greedy, selfish, money does not make us happy, loss of traditional values.

August 25, 2010

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'bottled water' topic

Water is a natural resource that should always be free. Governments should ban the sale of bottled water.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Here are some opinions that you could use:

Some people believe that bottled water is healthier than tap water.
They also argue that it tastes better.
Other people believe that we should consume less bottled water.
Plastic water bottles add to litter and waste problems.
Companies should not be able to make a profit from a natural resource.
There is no difference in quality between bottled and tap water.
Governments should ensure that everyone has access to clean tap water.

If you want more ideas, watch the video below.

August 22, 2010

IELTS Writing Task 2: government spending

As yesterday's listening exercise was about space programmes, let's look at the following writing question:

The money spent by governments on space programmes would be better spent on vital public services such as schools and hospitals. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Planning your answer:

First you need to decide what your opinion is. Will you agree, disagree, or try to present a balanced opinion? Which would be easier?
Then you need to decide how to organise the essay. How many paragraphs will you write, and what will each paragraph be about?
Finally, you need to plan some ideas (good vocabulary) to support your opinion.

Feel free to discuss your ideas in the "comments" area below. I'm afraid I can't check essays, but I'll be happy to make general comments about your ideas.

August 18, 2010

IELTS Grammar: while, whilst, whereas, as

Joshua asked me the following question:

"Can you explain while, whilst, whereas, as? Either can be used to connect two sentences, but I am not sure how to identify them and quite often I use them wrongly."

Here's my simplified explanation:

While and whilst are the same, but whilst is a bit more formal (according to one famous grammar book).
Whereas is always used for contrast. While/whilst can be used for contrast, OR to mean "at the same time".
As can mean "because" or "exactly at the moment when".

Try to write an example sentence using each of these words. Feel free to share your sentences in the "comments" area below.

August 12, 2010

IELTS Grammar: 'however' and 'whereas'

You can't use 'however' and 'whereas' in the same way. Follow these general rules in order to avoid grammar mistakes:

Use 'however' (followed by a comma) at the beginning of a sentence to contrast with the previous sentence:

Some people believe that schools are responsible for the behaviour of their students. However, others argue that discipline is the responsibility of parents.

Use 'whereas' (after a comma) to contrast two ideas in the same sentence:

Some people believe that schools are responsible for the behaviour of their students, whereas others argue that discipline is the responsibility of parents.

You can use 'on the other hand' or 'by contrast' in the same way as 'however'. You can use 'while' instead of 'whereas'.

August 11, 2010

IELTS Writing Task 2: governments

A lot of IELTS Writing questions ask you to give opinions about what governments should do in relation to an issue. Governments can have an influence on almost everything: environment, crime, television, advertising, work etc.

As part of your IELTS preparation, you should think about what governments can do in relation to IELTS topics. Here are some ideas from my ebook:

Governments provide public services like healthcare and education.
They introduce new laws.
They raise money by taxing working people.
They can spend money on campaigns to educate people.
They can raise people's awareness of issues.
They can create new jobs.
They can provide resources for schools, hospitals etc.
They can support people who are living in poverty or unable to work.

So, if the question asks you to suggest what governments should do to reduce obesity, you could write this:

"In my opinion, governments should spend money on campaigns to educate people about the importance of regular exercise and a healthy diet. Perhaps they should also introduce new laws to ban the advertising of junk food to children."

Think about some other IELTS topics. What do you think governments should do?

August 09, 2010

IELTS Advice: 'moreover' doesn't get you a 7

When I was working as an examiner, I noticed that many students overuse 'moreover', 'furthermore' and 'in addition'. Some students seem to think that using these linking words will help them to get a 7. This is wrong.

Don't overuse these words. Although they can be useful, you should not begin every sentence with one of them. Use them occasionally.

Remember, all IELTS students learn linking words like 'moreover', so examiners are not impressed by them. If you want to impress the examiner, you need to use good vocabulary related to the question topic.

Note:
Don't forget to use the word 'and'. As a native speaker, I probably use 'and' much more than any other linking word.

August 05, 2010

IELTS Writing Task 2: city problems

Here are some band 7 vocabulary ideas from my ebook for describing city problems:

Life in cities has its drawbacks.
The cost of living is higher than in rural areas.
Housing is usually much more expensive.
Homelessness and poverty are common in cities.
There is a gap between the rich and poor.
Life in cities can be extremely stressful.
There are problems like traffic congestion and crime.
Cities lack a sense of community.
People do not even know their neighbours.
Cities are sometimes described as “concrete jungles”.

Can you suggest any solutions to these problems? Watch yesterday's video for some ideas.

July 28, 2010

IELTS Writing Task 2: technology

Here is a question that a student asked me about:

Some people believe that the range of technology available to individuals today is increasing the gap between rich people and poor people, while others say that technology has the opposite effect. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

I'd write a 4-paragraph essay:

Introduction: introduce the topic and give your view
One view
The other view (that you agree with)
Conclusion: repeat your view

Some ideas:

Technology could increase the gap between rich and poor. Rich people have smartphones, laptops, wireless broadband Internet etc. People in developed countries can now work from home or from anywhere in the world. They can do their shopping online and have things delivered to their homes. Technology improves their quality of life.

On the other hand, many people in poorer countries, who did not have normal telephones, now have mobile phones. Also, the Internet is spreading to all parts of the world. In the past, only people in developed countries had access to world-class libraries, but now the Internet gives everyone access to the same information. This will lead to greater equality.

July 24, 2010

IELTS Grammar: 'because of'

Last week I looked at how to use the word 'because'. One of my students then asked me to explain the difference between 'because' and 'because of'.

Compare these two sentences:

I stayed at home because the weather was bad.
I stayed at home because of the bad weather.

The important difference is the use of the word 'was' in the first sentence. After 'because', you need a subject and a verb (e.g. the weather was). After 'because of', we don't use a verb, only a noun, nouns or noun phrase.

July 21, 2010

IELTS Writing Task 2: global language argument

The speaker in yesterday's video gave the positives of English as a global second language. Here is a paragraph with arguments against this view.

Negatives of English as a global language:
The expansion of English has also been criticised. Some people worry that if one language, like English, becomes dominant, other languages may disappear. Languages spoken by small communities could become extinct as people learn English in order to find work. This would obviously have a negative effect on local cultures, customs and traditions because the new dominant language would bring its own culture with it. For example, the expansion of English has happened alongside the increasing popularity of American culture. The American film, music and fashion industries are as dominant as global American companies and products, such as Microsoft or the iPod. Some people call this ‘cultural imperialism’, meaning that one culture has power over others.

Try to analyse this paragraph
Is there a topic sentence? What reasons and examples are given? What linking expressions are used? What 'band 7 vocabulary' is used? Can you find some conditional sentences?

Write the main ideas for the 'global language' topic (positives and negatives) in your notebook.

July 18, 2010

IELTS Advice: there is no secret

Many students are waiting to find the 'secret' to the IELTS test. They try different books, websites, teachers and even different test centres in their search for the answer. They spend a lot of time worrying.

Other students just do an hour or two of hard work every day. They read newspapers and watch TV or online videos, they keep a notebook for vocabulary, they gradually prepare themselves rather than doing tests all the time, they do their homework, and they try to learn from their mistakes.

Which group are you in?

July 15, 2010

IELTS Grammar: because

Students often make mistakes when using the word "because". You can't use "because" to connect ideas in two separate sentences. Put both the main idea and the reason in the same sentence.

Which sentence is NOT correct?

Some children behave badly at school because their parents are too lenient at home.
Because parents are often too lenient at home, discipline in schools is becoming more difficult to enforce.
Children's behaviour is getting worse nowadays. Because parents are not strict enough.

July 07, 2010

IELTS Writing Task 2: tourism

Do the benefits of tourism outweigh the drawbacks?

Here are some ideas. I've organised the vocabulary according to different perspectives (different ways of looking at this issue).

Positives of tourism:

Personal perspective: Tourism is a popular leisure activity. Tourists can relax, have fun, 'recharge their batteries', experience different customs and cultures (sight-seeing, sunbathing, visiting monuments, tasting new cuisine). Travel opens our minds. It can broaden our horizons.
Economic perspective: The tourism industry is vital for some countries. People rely on tourism for their income. Tourism attracts investment from governments and companies. It creates employment due to demand for goods and services (hotels, entertainment etc.). It helps to improve the standard of living.

Negatives of tourism:

Environmental perspective: Tourism can have a negative impact on the environment. Excessive building (roads, hotels etc.) destroys natural habitats and spoils the landscape. Tourism creates pollution and waste. It puts pressure on local resources such as food, water and energy.
Economic perspective: Tourism may cause a rise in the cost of living. Prices of goods and services go up. Tourists buy second homes. All of this affects local people.
Cultural perspective: Local traditions may be lost. Traditional jobs and skills die out (e.g. farming, fishing). Local people are forced to work in the tourist industry.

Thinking about topics from different perspectives can help you to generate better ideas. This technique isn't perfect for every topic, but it can be really useful.

June 30, 2010

IELTS Writing Task 2: advertising topic

Advertising is a very common topic in both the IELTS writing and speaking tests. Here are some ideas from my ebook that you could learn.

Positives of advertising:

Companies need to tell customers about their products and services.
Advertisements inform us about the choices we have.
The advertising industry employs many people.
Advertisements are often funny, artistic or thought-provoking.

Negatives of advertising:

Advertisers aim to convince us that buying things leads to happiness.
We are persuaded to follow the latest trends and fashions.
Children can be easily influenced by advertisements.
They put pressure on their parents by pestering or nagging.

Opinions:

Advertising should be regulated by governments.
Advertisements that target children should be banned.
Packaging for junk food should display clear health warnings.
Overall, advertising is necessary but it needs to be controlled.

June 20, 2010

IELTS Writing Task 2: globalisation

Here is an essay question on the topic of globalisation:

It has been said that the world is becoming a global village in which there are no boundaries to trade and communication. Do the benefits of globalisation outweigh the drawbacks?

Yesterday's video contained some useful ideas, but here are some more ideas from my ebook:

Positives of globalisation:

Business is becoming increasingly international.
A global economy means free trade between countries.
This can strengthen political relationships.
Globalisation can also create opportunities for employment.
It encourages investment in less developed countries.
It could reduce poverty in the developing world.

Negatives of globalisation:

Globalisation can also lead to unemployment and exploitation.
Companies move to countries where labour is cheap.
This creates redundancies, or job losses.
Some companies exploit their employees in developing countries.
Salaries are low and working conditions are often poor.
Global trade also creates excessive waste and pollution.

Note:
The American English spelling is 'globalization'. You can use either spelling in the IELTS test.

June 06, 2010

IELTS Writing Task 2: education / practical skills

Several students have asked me to help them with this IELTS question:

Some people think that school children need to learn practical skills such as car maintenance or bank account management along with the academic subjects at school. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Here are some suggestions (this is NOT an essay):

1. Introduce the topic then give your opinion
I would write that it is true that children learn academic subjects at school, but not many practical skills. However, I would then disagree that schools should teach skills like bank account management and car maintenance.

2. First supporting paragraph
I would write a paragraph about the importance of academic subjects like maths, science, languages etc. We live in a knowledge-based economy where independent thinking and problem solving are the most important skills. With timetables already full, schools do not have time to teach children anything else.

3. Second supporting paragraph
I would argue that bank account management is a 'life skill' that anyone can learn by simply opening a bank account. Most adults have no problem managing their finances without being taught accounting lessons at school. Other skills like car maintenance are not really necessary. Most people take their cars to a qualified mechanic.

4. Conclusion
Repeat the idea that schools are already doing a good job teaching the traditional academic subjects. If they start to teach practical skills, the study of important academic subjects will suffer.

May 19, 2010

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'zoo' topic

Some people believe that it is wrong to keep animals in zoos, while others think that zoos are both entertaining and ecologically important. Discuss both views.

Here are some (band 7 or higher) vocabulary ideas. I've organised the vocabulary according to different perspectives.

Positives of keeping animals in zoos:

Environmental perspective: Zoos play an important role in wildlife conservation. They help to protect endangered species. They allow scientists to study animal behaviour.
Economic perspective: Zoos employ large numbers of people. They provide job opportunities and income for the local area. The money raised can be used for conservation projects.
Personal perspective: Zoos are interesting, educational and fun. They make a great day out for families. Children learn to appreciate wildlife and nature.

Negatives of zoos:

Environmental perspective: Zoos are artificial environments. Animals lose their instinct to hunt for food. It would be better to save endangered species by protecting their natural habitats.
Moral perspective: Keeping animals in cages is unethical. We have no right to use animals for entertainment. Zoos exhibit animals with the aim of making a profit.

Thinking about topics from different perspectives is a useful technique. It helps you to generate a variety of interesting ideas. I used this technique when thinking of ideas for my ebook, and I encourage my students to use it when planning their essays.

May 05, 2010

IELTS Advice: don't get angry

Some students get angry with the IELTS exam. They disagree with the exam format, or they think that examiners are too strict. They often want to suggest their own improvements.

I completely understand that such an important exam can be frustrating, and I agree that the IELTS exam is not perfect. However, I also think that too much worrying is a waste of time.

Unfortunately, the exam is what it is. We have to accept that, and work hard to overcome the difficulties. You will pass the exam if you apply yourself, follow advice, and study hard.

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IELTS Grammar: fall or reduce?

These two words are the opposites of 'rise' and 'raise' (see last week's grammar lesson):

something falls (e.g. the price fell)
somebody reduces something (e.g. the company reduced the price)

You will probably use 'fall' to describe numbers on a graph or chart for IELTS Writing Task 1:

In 2008, the number of customers fell. (verb, past)
There was a sharp fall in Internet usage. (noun)

'Reduce' and 'reduction' are probably more useful for Writing Task 2:

We need to reduce the amount of pollution from exhaust fumes. (verb)
Recycling leads to a reduction in waste. (noun)

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IELTS Writing Task 2: crime topic

Here is a "problem/solution" question, with some ideas for an essay below:

Many criminals re-offend after they have been punished. Why do some people continue to commit crimes after they have been punished, and what measures can be taken to tackle this problem?

Causes of crime and re-offending:

The main causes of crime are poverty, unemployment and lack of education.
People who commit crimes often have no other way of making a living.
The prison system can make the situation worse.
Offenders mix with other criminals who can be a negative influence.
A criminal record makes finding a job more difficult.
Many prisoners re-offend when they are released.

Possible measures to reduce crime and re-offending:

Prisons should provide education or vocational training.
Rehabilitation programmes prepare prisoners for release into society.
Community service is another way to reform offenders.
It makes offenders useful in their local communities.
They might be required to talk to school groups or clean public areas.
Offenders also need help when looking for accommodation and work.

There are more ideas about topics like police, prisons, capital punishment and community service in my ebook.

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IELTS Writing Task 2: studying abroad

More and more students are choosing to study at colleges and universities in a foreign country. Do the benefits of studying abroad outweigh the drawbacks?

Here are some ideas from my ebook:

Benefits of studying abroad:

Many students travel abroad to study at a prestigious university.
The best universities employ lecturers who are experts in their fields.
Qualifications gained abroad can open doors to better job opportunities.
Living in a foreign country can broaden students' horizons.
Overseas students are exposed to different cultures and customs.
They can immerse themselves in a language.

Drawbacks of studying abroad:

Living away from home can be challenging.
Students have problems with paperwork such as visa applications.
The language barrier can cause difficulties.
Students have to find accommodation and pay bills.
Many students feel homesick and miss their families.
Some students experience culture shock.

Which of the words or phrases above do you think would be considered band 7 or higher?

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IELTS Grammar: before or ago?

Don't say: I came to Manchester before two weeks.

Do say: I came to Manchester two weeks ago.

Use "past time + ago"

10 years ago, a long time ago, a few weeks ago, a couple of days ago

Use "before + action / event"

before you left, before we start, before lunch

Don't use "before + past time" (before two weeks, before three days)

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IELTS Writing Task 2: full essay

Usually I suggest writing 4 paragraphs for task 2. However, sometimes it might be better to write 5 paragraphs. The following essay question has three parts, so I've written three main body paragraphs (5 paragraphs in total).

Explain some of the ways in which humans are damaging the environment. What can governments do to address these problems? What can individual people do?

Humans are responsible for a variety of environmental problems, but we can also take steps to reduce the damage that we are causing to the planet. This essay will discuss environmental problems and the measures that governments and individuals can take to address these problems.

Two of the biggest threats to the environment are air pollution and waste. Gas emissions from factories and exhaust fumes from vehicles lead to global warming, which may have a devastating effect on the planet in the future. As the human population increases, we are also producing ever greater quantities of waste, which contaminates the earth and pollutes rivers and oceans.

Governments could certainly make more effort to reduce air pollution. They could introduce laws to limit emissions from factories or to force companies to use renewable energy from solar, wind or water power. They could also impose ‘green taxes’ on drivers and airline companies. In this way, people would be encouraged to use public transport and to take fewer flights abroad, therefore reducing emissions.

Individuals should also take responsibility for the impact they have on the environment. They can take public transport rather than driving, choose products with less packaging, and recycle as much as possible. Most supermarkets now provide reusable bags for shoppers as well as ‘banks’ for recycling glass, plastic and paper in their car parks. By reusing and recycling, we can help to reduce waste.

In conclusion, both national governments and individuals must play their part in looking after the environment.

Note:
This essay is exactly 250 words long. I've tried to make it as simple as possible, but it's still good enough to get a band 9.

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IELTS Writing Task 2: main body paragraphs

After you introduction (see last week's lesson) you need to write 2 or 3 main body paragraphs. This is the most important part of your essay.

If you have been following this blog for a while, or if you have bought my ebook, you may have seen today's paragraph before. However, I'm reusing it for 2 reasons:

It's a great example of how to write an "advantages" paragraph using a "firstly, secondly, finally" structure.
There are some excellent comments from students below this lesson. If you read them carefully, you will learn a lot.

Main body "advantages" paragraph (band 9):

There are several advantages to using computers in education. Firstly, students learn new skills which will be extremely useful for their future jobs. For example, they learn to write reports or other documents using a word processor, and they can practise doing spoken presentations using PowerPoint slides. Secondly, technology is a powerful tool to engage students. The use of websites or online videos can make lessons much more interesting, and many students are more motivated to do homework or research using online resources. Finally, if each student has a computer to work on, they can study at their own pace.

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IELTS Writing Task 2: how to write an introduction

For IELTS Writing Task 2, keep your introduction short and simple. Don't waste time writing a long introduction; the main body paragraphs are more important.

A good IELTS Writing introduction needs only 2 things:

A sentence that introduces the topic
A sentence that gives a short, general answer to the question

Here is an example of an IELTS Task 2 question:

As computers are being used more and more in education, there will soon be no role for the teacher in the classroom. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Here is my introduction:

It is true that computers have become an essential tool for teachers and students in all areas of education. However, while computers are extremely useful, I do not agree with the idea that they could soon replace teachers completely.

In the first sentence I introduce the topic of computers in education.
In the second sentence I answer the question and make my opinion clear. Don't wait until the conclusion to give your opinion.

Remember, do a simple introduction, then you can focus on the main paragraphs.

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IELTS Writing Task 2: 'parents and children' topic

Many people believe that parents are not as close to their children as they used to be. Suggest some reasons why this could be true.

Here is an example paragraph about the above topic:

Parents and their children seem to be less close nowadays. Perhaps the main reason for this is that both parents often work full-time and therefore spend less time with their children. Whereas women traditionally stayed at home to cook, clean and look after children, many mothers now choose to work or are forced to do so. This means that children may be left alone, or with nannies or babysitters. Busy parents have less contact with their children and less energy to enjoy family activities. Many families no longer eat meals together, and children are given the freedom to go out with friends, watch television or chat on the Internet for hours.

Please note:
A full IELTS question would also ask you to suggest how families could become closer.

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IELTS Writing Task 2: 'genetic engineering' topic

Would you be able to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of genetic engineering? Here are some ideas from my ebook:

- Genetic engineering is the practice of manipulating the genes of an organism.
- It is used to produce crops that are more resistant to insects and diseases.
- Some genetically modified crops grow more quickly.
- Some drugs and vaccines are produced by genetic engineering.
- It may become possible to change a person's genetic characteristics.
- Scientists may use genetic engineering to cure diseases.
- Inherited illnesses would no longer exist.
- Genes could be changed before a baby is born.
- It could also be possible to clone human organs.
- We could have replacement body parts.
- Humans could live longer, healthier lives.

As you can see, I've only listed the advantages. Can you think of any disadvantages?

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IELTS Grammar: some typical mistakes

Find 5 common mistakes in the paragraph below:

Some people believe that, all police officers should carry a gun. While, others disagree with this idea, and argue that it is intimidating to see armed police officers on the streets. From my view, the advantages of police officers carrying guns have overweighed the disadvantages. Because the police need to be able to protect both themselves and the general public.

Feel free to share your answers in the "comments" area below. I'll reveal the correct answers tomorrow.

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IELTS Writing Task 2: 'immigration' topic

What are the benefits and drawbacks of immigration or multi-cultural societies?

Here is a paragraph giving some of the economic benefits of immigration:

From an economic perspective, immigration can be extremely positive. Many immigrants have skills that are needed in the country they move to. For example, countries sometimes lack key workers like doctors and nurses, and immigration is therefore encouraged. Immigrants who find work contribute to the economy of their new country with the skills they bring and the taxes they pay. At the same time, many immigrants send money to help family members in their home country, therefore helping to boost that economy too.

Can you think of any social benefits of immigration? Are there any economic or social disadvantages?

PS. I'll send a few extra paragraphs about this topic to people on my email list (people who have bought the ebook).

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IELTS Writing Task 2: 'children' topic

What problems do children face in today's world? What should we do to address or solve these problems?

Here are some ideas from my ebook to get you thinking about this topic:

The lack of closeness in families can have a negative effect on children.
Many parents have no idea how their children spend their time.
Friends, television and the Internet have become the main influences on children’s behaviour.
Teenagers are influenced by peer pressure.
Juvenile delinquency is on the increase.
Parents should be more involved with their children’s upbringing.
Young people need positive role models.

Can you think of any more problems that children face, or suggest other solutions? Is it the responsibility of parents, schools or governments to tackle these problems?

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IELTS Writing Task 2: public/private healthcare

A recent IELTS Writing Task 2 question was about the advantages and disadvantages of private healthcare. Here are some ideas from my ebook:

State Health Systems: Advantages

Good healthcare should be available to everyone for free.
State healthcare is paid by the government using money from taxes.
Everyone has access to the same quality of care and treatment.
Private healthcare is unfair because only wealthy people can afford it.
The National Health Service in the UK provides free healthcare for every resident. (use this as an example)

Private Healthcare: Advantages

State hospitals are often very large and difficult to run.
Private hospitals have shorter waiting lists for operations and appointments.
Patients can benefit from faster treatment.
Many people prefer to pay for a more personal service.
Patients have their own room and more comfortable facilities.

Note:
You can use the advantages of state healthcare when discussing the disadvantages of private healthcare.

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IELTS Writing Task 2: 'vegetarianism' topic

Today I asked my students about the vegetarianism topic. They found it quite difficult to give both sides of the argument. It's important to be able to discuss both sides of an issue, even if there are points that you don't agree with.

Here is a summary of the arguments in favour of a vegetarian diet, according to the speaker in yesterday's video:

A vegetarian diet is healthier.
Eating a hamburger a day can increase your risk of dying by a third.
Raising animals in factory farm conditions is cruel.
Meat production causes more emissions than transportation.
Beef production uses 100 times the amount of water that vegetable production requires.
A vegetarian diet is cheaper.

So, basically he is saying that a vegetarian diet is healthier, kinder to animals, better for the environment and cheaper.

Now you need to think about the opposite argument. Feel free to discuss your ideas in the "comments" area.

PS. I've written about this topic in my ebook.

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IELTS Writing Task 2: 'traffic' topic

Today I'd like to show you a good essay by one of my students. This is the essay question:

Traffic congestion is becoming a huge problem for many major cities. Suggest some measures that could be taken to reduce traffic in big cities.

I gave the student's essay a band 7, mainly because it contains some really good topic vocabulary. Open the file below to see the full essay, grammar corrections and my comments.

Download Essay

Hopefully you can see that the student has followed my advice. He focuses on answering the question, there is a clear structure, and there is enough 'band 7' vocabulary.