IELTS Simon

IELTS Writing Task 1: 'building plans' essay

Here is my full essay for last week's question.

Click here to see the question

The first picture shows the layout of an art gallery, and the second shows some proposed changes to the gallery space.

It is clear that significant changes will be made in terms of the use of floor space in the gallery. There will be a completely new entrance and more space for exhibitions.

At present, visitors enter the gallery through doors which lead into a lobby. However, the plan is to move the entrance to the Parkinson Court side of the building, and visitors will walk straight into the exhibition area. In place of the lobby and office areas, which are shown on the existing plan, the new gallery plan shows an education area and a small storage area.

The permanent exhibition space in the redeveloped gallery will be about twice as large as it is now because it will occupy the area that is now used for temporary exhibitions. There will also be a new room for special exhibitions. This room is shown in red on the existing plan and is not currently part of the gallery.

(178 words, band 9)

IELTS Writing Task 1: 'before and after' diagram

Several students have asked for help with the following type of question.

The diagrams below are existing and proposed floor plans for the redevelopment of an art gallery.

(click on the diagram to enlarge it)

Here's my advice:

1. Introduction: paraphrase the question
2. Summary: the main changes to the gallery (entrance and use of space)
3. Paragraph comparing entrance, lobby, office, education area
4. Paragraph comparing use of space for exhibitions

I'll show you my full essay for this diagram next week.

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.

IELTS Reading: quite an easy one!

Last week my students and I looked at Cambridge IELTS 4 (test 1, passage 2). This is quite an easy test, and most of my students got the answers right.

The table below shows some of the key vocabulary that helped us to get the correct answers.

If you have book 4, try doing this test. Hopefully you'll find it quite easy too.

IELTS Grammar: find the mistakes

Find the mistakes in the sentences below.

1. The graph shows the number of people travelled to and from UK.
2. In 1979, the number of people visited UK was 10 millions.
3. 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.

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.

IELTS Writing Task 1: line graph

The graph below shows the demand for electricity in England during typical days in winter and summer. (Cambridge IELTS 4, page 54)

Fill the gaps below using words from the following list:

demand (x2)
lowest
at (x2)
in
highest
consumption (x2)
peaks
twice

1. The daily ______ of electricity in England is about ______ as high in the winter compared to the summer.

2. During the winter, ______ for electricity ______ ______ around 45,000 units between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m.

3. During the summer, ______ of electricity is at its ______, at about 20,000 units, between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.

4. ______ for electricity is ______ its ______ between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. ______ both seasons.

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.

1. Introduction: topic + general response
2. Answer the first question
3. Answer the second question
4. Conclusion: repeat your response

IELTS Speaking Part 2: 1-minute preparation

This week I've been thinking about different ways to use the 1-minute preparation time. Here's what I've learnt:

1. One minute is a very short amount of time! I found it just as difficult as my students did.
2. A simple list is probably faster and easier than a diagram or mind map.
3. You need to decide on your topic as quickly as possible. Then spend most of your time making notes.
4. Try to write at least one key idea for each part of the question.
5. Don't write sentences, and don't waste time erasing "mistakes".
6. Try to use a topic you have already prepared.
7. Forget about grammar. Focus on answering the question.
8. Finally, fast preparation is a skill that you can practise. Why not train yourself by making notes for a few different questions every day?

The following photo shows a part 2 question with my notes below. As you can see, I couldn't write much in 1 minute, but I followed the advice above.

IELTS Writing Task 1: 'natural process' diagram

Some of my students are working on the following question:

The diagram below shows the water cycle, which is the continuous movement of water on, above and below the surface of the Earth.

Here are some tips:

1. Introduction: Paraphrase the question. You could use the words 'natural process'.
2. Summary: Say how many steps there are, and mention the first and last steps. You can choose where the cycle begins, but I'd start from the ocean.
3. Details (2 paragraphs): Describe the process step by step. You don't have to mention every word shown on the diagram, so don't worry if you don't understand 'salt water intrusion'.
4. No conclusion: It's a description, so there is nothing to conclude.

Note:
Verbs will be active, not passive e.g. "water evaporates", not "water is evaporated".

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)

IELTS Speaking: using the 1-minute preparation time

Martin asked a great question: "What's the best way to use the 1-minute preparation time in part 2 of the speaking test?"

I must admit, I don't have a good answer to this question (yet). I'm going to try some different approaches with my students this week - hopefully I'll find some answers.

If anyone has any suggestions, feel free to share them in the "comments" area. I'll share my ideas on Friday.

IELTS Writing Task 1: 'table' essay

The table below gives information about the underground railway systems in six cities.

Full essay (band 9):

The table shows data about the underground rail networks in six major cities.

The table compares the six networks in terms of their age, size and the number of people who use them each year. It is clear that the three oldest underground systems are larger and serve significantly more passengers than the newer systems.

The London underground is the oldest system, having opened in 1863. It is also the largest system, with 394 kilometres of route. The second largest system, in Paris, is only about half the size of the London underground, with 199 kilometres of route. However, it serves more people per year. While only third in terms of size, the Tokyo system is easily the most used, with 1927 million passengers per year.

Of the three newer networks, the Washington DC underground is the most extensive, with 126 kilometres of route, compared to only 11 kilometres and 28 kilometres for the Kyoto and Los Angeles systems. The Los Angeles network is the newest, having opened in 2001, while the Kyoto network is the smallest and serves only 45 million passengers per year.

(185 words)

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.