IELTS Simon

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.

IELTS Grammar: correct the mistakes

The following sentences contain mistakes. Try to correct them.

1. We are friends ever since we first met.
2. If people work in teams can help them to achieve more.
3. If we consider unemployment is another important issue.
4. It is difficult to live in a new country, it is also difficult to speak a new language.
5. Many children behave badly, could be because their parents are not strict enough.

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:

1. Would you call this an 'opinion' essay or a 'discussion' essay?
2. For a 4-paragraph essay, what would each paragraph be about?
3. What 2 things do you need to do in the introduction?
4. Do you have any ideas to explain why weddings are bigger/expensive?
5. 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.

IELTS Writing Task 1: 'consumer durables' table

Yesterday I looked at the following question with my students.

The table below shows the consumer durables owned in Britain from 1972 to 1983.

Here's our essay plan:

1. Introduction: paraphrase the question
2. Overview: highest = TV, biggest change = telephone and central heating
3. Describe figures for the 4 items with highest percentages
4. Describe figures for the 4 items with lowest percentages

We did paragraph 3 as an example:

In 1972, 93% of British homes had a television, and this increased to 98% in 1983. The majority of homes also had a vacuum cleaner and a refrigerator. These consumer durables were owned by over 90% of households by the end of the period. Washing machines were the fourth most common item, with 66% of households owning one in 1972, rising to 80% of households in 1983.

IELTS Writing: to what extent do you agree?

A good way to answer this question is:

To a certain extent I agree that... However, I also think that...

By saying that you agree to a certain extent (not completely), you can now talk about both sides of the argument.

Example question:
People visiting other countries should adapt to the customs and behaviours expected there. They should not expect the host country to welcome different customs and behaviours. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

My introduction:
To a certain extent I agree that visitors to other countries should respect the culture of the host country. However, I also think that host countries should accept visitors' cultural differences.

After this introduction, you can write one paragraph about each view.

IELTS Speaking: informal expressions

Yesterday I wrote about 'an event' for IELTS Speaking Part 2. Some of the expressions I used were informal:

• we chatted (talked)
• to get together with (meet)
• to catch up with (talk to someone you haven't seen for a while)
• what my friends had been up to (had been doing)
• to wind down (relax after something tiring)

The examiner would consider these phrases to be "less common vocabulary". In other words, a few phrasal verbs or informal expressions can help you to get a high score in IELTS Speaking.

IELTS Speaking Part 2: describe an event

Describe a recent event that made you happy.
You should say:

• when and where it was
• who was involved
• what happened
• and explain why it made you happy.

The following description contains the kind of phrases that native speakers (like me) really use. I've underlined the best vocabulary.

1. When and where: my friend's birthday party, last Saturday evening, we went for a meal in an Italian restaurant.
2. Who: there were about 10 of us, he invited some close friends and work colleagues, most of them were people I've known since university.
3. What happened: we met at the restaurant, I gave my friend a present and a birthday card, we ordered some food, while we ate dinner everyone chatted, after the main course the waiter brought out a cake and we sang 'Happy Birthday', everyone went home quite late.
4. Why it made me happy: it was great to get together with old friends, I had some interesting conversations, it was a good opportunity to catch up with what my friends had been up to, it was a nice way to wind down after a hard week at work, the food was delicious, I went home feeling full after a fantastic meal.

IELTS Writing Task 1: comparisons

Yesterday I looked at this question with my students. When describing a line graph:

- Do not describe each line separately.
- You must compare the figures.

Here is an example of how to compare the 4 lines for the year 1990:

In 1990, almost 90% of 14 to 24 year olds went to the cinema at least once a year. Cinema attendance was about 30% lower than this among people aged 25 to 34 and 35 to 49, while the figure for those aged over 50 was the lowest, at only 40%.

If you can write comparisons like this, you will get a very high score. Try using my comparison as a model to help you compare the figures for 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)

IELTS Listening: mobile phones

Watch the first minute of the video and complete the text below.

In 2000 there were 700 million ______ ______ ______, three quarters of which were in the ______ ______. Yet by the end of 2008 there were around 4 billion, three quarters of them in the ______ ______. What was once a yuppie toy has become a tool of ______ ______, even in the world's poorest places.

Developing countries are now ______ the market's ______. In the 12 months to the end of March 2009, the number of ______ ______ in India increased by 128 million, or 52%. In Western Europe, by contrast, the number of subscribers increased by 27 million, or 5%.

Note:
If you can't see the video properly, click here to watch it on the Economist site.

Happy New Year

Just a quick message to say thanks to everyone who wished me a happy new year. I'd like to wish you all the same too.

I've just arrived home after my short holiday, so I'll be back to normal tomorrow.