IELTS Simon

Message from Simon

I'm taking a few days off work from today until 1st January.

I'm afraid to say this means:

• no blog lessons for the next 5 days
• no replies to comments or emails
• the ebook is not available

After over a year of lessons without missing a day, I need a short break! I'll be back with new ideas and lessons on 1st January 2011.

Thanks to those of you who wished me Happy Christmas. I look forward to speaking to you again in the new year.

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.

IELTS Writing Task 1: describing steps

For process diagrams, you will need to describe each step in order.
Click here to see an example process diagram.

Here are my 2 main paragraphs describing the steps:

At the beginning of the process, clay is dug from the ground. The clay is put through a metal grid, and it passes onto a roller where it is mixed with sand and water. After that, the clay can be shaped into bricks in two ways: either it is put in a mould, or a wire cutter is used.

At the fourth stage in the process, the clay bricks are placed in a drying oven for one to two days. Next, the bricks are heated in a kiln at a moderate temperature (200 - 900 degrees Celsius) and then at a high temperature (up to 1300 degrees), before spending two to three days in a cooling chamber. Finally, the finished bricks are packaged and delivered.

Note:
Look at the use of passive verbs e.g. is dug, can be shaped, are placed.
I divided the stages into 2 paragraphs to make the essay easier to read.

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.

IELTS Listening: 'obesity' topic

Listen to the news report about obesity in the UK, then fill the gaps in the text. Share and compare your answers in the "comments" area.

click here to listen

Today’s survey shows that ______ ______ ______ in the East Midlands is overweight. The research found that the region ______ ______ ______ average Body Mass Index score in the country, bordering on obese.

As a region, it means we’ve got a much ______ ______ ______ ______ type 2 diabetes; a much ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ and some forms of cancer. And of course, that all ______ ______ ______ ______ the National Health Service.

Overall, the survey showed that 13 million adults in the UK are either overweight or obese. ______ ______ ______ the NHS an estimated 4.2 billion pounds a year.

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!

IELTS Writing Task 1: process diagrams

Here is some advice for describing a process diagram. The question I'm using comes from Cambridge IELTS 6. It's also on this website (go down the page to test 3).

Advice:

1. Introduction: paraphrase the question (one sentence).
2. Summary paragraph: write how many steps there are. You could also mention the first step and the last step (two sentences).
3. Details: describe each step in the diagrams.

Introduction and summary paragraphs:

The figures illustrate the stages in the life of a silkworm and the process of producing silk cloth.

There are four main stages in the life cycle of the silkworm, from eggs to adult moth. The process of silk cloth production involves six steps, from silkworm cocoon to silk material.

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.

IELTS Writing Task 1: four pie charts essay

Here is my full essay for a question about 4 pie charts.

Cambridge IELTS book 7, page 101:

The pie charts compare the amount of electricity produced using five different sources of fuel in two countries over two separate years.

Total electricity production increased dramatically from 1980 to 2000 in both Australia and France. While the totals for both countries were similar, there were big differences in the fuel sources used.

Coal was used to produce 50 of the total 100 units of electricity in Australia in 1980, rising to 130 out of 170 units in 2000. By contrast, nuclear power became the most important fuel source in France in 2000, producing almost 75% of the country’s electricity.

Australia depended on hydro power for just under 25% of its electricity in both years, but the amount of electricity produced using this type of power fell from 5 to only 2 units in France. Oil, on the other hand, remained a relatively important fuel source in France, but its use declined in Australia. Both countries relied on natural gas for electricity production significantly more in 1980 than in 2000.

(170 words)

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.