IELTS Simon

Students' Questions: tax on cars

Tomoko asked me to help with some advice about the following question:

The burning of oil for transport, especially in private cars, is wasteful and environmentally irresponsible. Taxation on petrol and diesel fuel should be increased to very high levels to discourage the use of private cars. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

To answer this question, you first need to decide what your opinion is - do you agree that the use of private cars is bad for the environment, and do you think that taxation is a good solution? To make it easy, let’s say that we agree:

I'd write a paragraph about the problem of cars causing air pollution in cities. I'd say that it's wasteful when people travel to work alone because their cars could carry 4 or 5 people. I'd talk about other forms of transport that are more efficient and less damaging e.g. trains.

My second body paragraph would be about the positive effects that taxation could have: people would be forced to use public transport, and the money from taxation could be used to improve buses, trains, underground systems etc.

There are more ideas about transport and the environment in my ebook.

IELTS Writing Task 1: full essay

The essay below is 151 words long. I've tried to make it as simple as possible, but it's still good enough to get a band 9.

The line graph compares the percentage of people in three countries who used the Internet between 1999 and 2009.

It is clear that the proportion of the population who used the Internet increased in each country over the period shown. Overall, a much larger percentage of Canadians and Americans had access to the Internet in comparison with Mexicans, and Canada experienced the fastest growth in Internet usage.

In 1999, the proportion of people using the Internet in the USA was about 20%. The figures for Canada and Mexico were lower, at about 10% and 5% respectively. In 2005, Internet usage in both the USA and Canada rose to around 70% of the population, while the figure for Mexico reached just over 25%.

By 2009, the percentage of Internet users was highest in Canada. Almost 100% of Canadians used the Internet, compared to about 80% of Americans and only 40% of Mexicans.

"Band 7 Vocabulary"

When I say "band 7 vocabulary", I'm really talking about vocabulary that could help you to get a band 7 or higher. Examiners are looking for "less common" words and phrases, correct and relevant collocations, and maybe some idiomatic language.

I've written the following paragraph using some of the ideas from the lesson below. I've underlined the band 7 (or higher) vocabulary.

Advantages of studying abroad:

Many students choose to study abroad because there are greater opportunities in a particular foreign country. Foreign universities may offer better facilities or courses. They may also be more prestigious than universities in the student’s own country and have teachers who are experts in their fields. Therefore, by studying abroad, students can expand their knowledge and gain qualifications that open the door to better job opportunities. A period of study abroad can also broaden students’ horizons. In the new country, they will have to live and work with other students of various nationalities. Thus, overseas students are exposed to different cultures, customs and points of view.

(106 words)

PS. I'll send some extra paragraphs on this topic to everyone on my email list.

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?

Have you recently taken an IELTS test?

If you take the IELTS exam, please let us know what the writing and speaking questions were (particularly writing task 2 and speaking part 2).

Also, please tell me how your exam went and whether you found any of the advice on this site useful.

The best place to share your exam questions is on the ielts-simon Facebook page, but you can also contact me by email or by writing a comment on this site.

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)

IELTS Writing Task 1: easy verbs

For IELTS writing task 1, don't worry about using "difficult" verbs or verb tenses. Forget about continuous and perfect tenses; just use present or past simple.

 

Fill the gaps in the graph description with the past simple verbs below.

In 1999, the proportion of people using the Internet in the USA ______ about 20%. The figures for Canada and Mexico ______ lower, at about 10% and 5% respectively. In 2005, Internet usage in both the USA and Canada ______ around 70% of the population, while the figure for Mexico ______ just over 25%.

By 2009, the percentage of Internet users ______ highest in Canada. Almost 100% of Canadians ______ the Internet, compared to about 80% of Americans and only 40% of Mexicans.

Verbs:
rose to, were, used, reached, was (x2)

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.

IELTS Reading: test practice

A student recently asked me about the reading test on page 40 of Cambridge IELTS book 6. Find a copy of this test, and use the vocabulary in the table below to help you find the answers.

For the 'paragraph headings' question, you should find it easier to start with the shortest paragraphs.

Note:
"Commuting" means travelling (into a city) to work. "Overcrowded" means there are too many people in one place.

IELTS Speaking Part 2: describe an object

In IELTS speaking part 2, you might be asked to describe an object. For example:

• Describe something you bought recently.
• Describe a gift you gave or received.
• Describe something you own which is important to you.

Choose something easy, like a mobile phone:

I'm going to describe my mobile phone. I bought it online / in a mobile phone shop / it was a present from...

I use the phone to keep in touch with friends and family, for communication by voice, text and email. It has various features like video, MP3 player, wireless Internet, digital camera and games. It's easy to share photos and music. I use it for almost everything, it even has a calendar that reminds me about appointments.

My phone is an essential part of my life. It holds my contacts, my photos, my music collection. I've got instant access to my favourite websites. It's like having my whole life in my pocket. I couldn't live without it.

Note:
I've underlined the best phrases for IELTS band 7 or higher.

IELTS Writing Task 1: graph trends

After your introduction (see last week's lesson), you should write a general summary of the information in the graph, chart etc.

For graphs that show time periods (years, months etc.):

• Look for the overall trend from left to right on the graph. Is there a change from the first year to the last year?
• Do the lines on the graph follow a similar trend, or can you see any differences?

In the paragraph below, I describe the overall trend for all 3 countries. Then I point out a clear difference in the trends for 2 countries.

Summary of trends:
It is clear from the graph that the proportion of people who use the Internet increased in each country over the period shown. Overall, Mexico had the lowest percentage of Internet users, while Canada experienced the fastest growth in Internet usage.

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:

1. It's a great example of how to write an "advantages" paragraph using a "firstly, secondly, finally" structure.
2. 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.

IELTS Reading: true, false, not given

Read the following text about "green taxes" in Britain.

According to a survey, most Britons believe “green” taxes on 4×4s, plastic bags and other consumer goods have been imposed to raise cash rather than change our behaviour, while two-thirds of Britons think the entire green agenda has been hijacked as a ploy to increase taxes.

The UK is committed to reducing carbon emissions by 60 per cent by 2050, a target that most experts believe will be difficult to reach. The results of the poll by Opinium, a leading research company, indicate that maintaining popular support for green policies may be a difficult act to pull off and attempts in the future to curb car use and publicly fund investment in renewable resources will prove deeply unpopular.

The findings were released as the Prince of Wales yesterday called on Britain’s business leaders to take “essential action” to make their firms more sustainable. Speaking in central London to some of the country’s leading chief executives, Prince Charles said: “What more can I do but urge you, this country’s business leaders, to take the essential action now to make your businesses more sustainable. I’m exhausted with repeating that there really is no time to lose.”

Are the following statements true, false, or not given in the text?

1. Most Britons think that the Government wants to change people’s behaviour.
2. By the year 2050 the Government will have imposed higher green taxes.
3. The survey predicts that it will be difficult to change people’s dependence on cars.
4. The Prince of Wales believes that most businesses are not sustainable.

(Text adapted from The Independent, 2nd May 2008)

Is IELTS more difficult in the UK?

Several students have asked me whether it is easier to get a good IELTS score in other countries. They think UK examiners are strict. Other students think that examiners in Liverpool might be less strict than those in Manchester.

Of course, these rumours are not true. Firstly, your reading and listening papers are not marked by examiners at the test centre. Secondly, examiners are trained in the same way wherever they work. They follow a strict scoring system when assessing your writing and speaking. Finally, examiners are individuals who work alone; they don't have time to discuss or compare scores.

One factor will help you in the IELTS exam: confidence. If you take the exam in your own country, you will probably feel more confident. The exam isn't easier, it just feels easier.

IELTS Writing Task 1: how to write an introduction

The introduction to an IELTS writing task 1 essay should explain what the chart/graph shows. To do this, just paraphrase the question (rewrite it in your own words).

Here is an example description from an IELTS Task 1 question:

The graph below shows the proportion of the population aged 65 and over between 1940 and 2040 in three different countries.

By rewriting this description with a few changes, I can quickly create a good introduction:

The line graph compares the percentage of people aged 65 or more in three countries over a period of 100 years.

If you practise this technique, you will be able to write task 1 introductions very quickly. You will be able to start the writing test quickly and confidently.