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!
Sounds encouraging. Thanks for inspiring us by sharing this.
Posted by: Ed | August 07, 2011 at 11:42
Dear Sir
Can v underline the keywords in each para after completing d essay.Is it allowed in ielts exam.
And
Another Qn my Vice Principal told me a question can never b a title or subtitle of any seen or unseen passage. I would like to know whether it is right or wrong.
Posted by: Vaishu | August 07, 2011 at 13:47
Hello Simon,
Thanks for reply but you did not tell me about any centre in UK which takes exams through IDP as I have listened their marking is quite lenient.
Posted by: Mehreen Batool | August 07, 2011 at 19:27
No problem Ed.
...
Hi Vaishu
No, don't underline words in your own essay in the exam. I answered the other question in a different place.
...
Hi Mehreen,
IDP is Australian. As far as I know, there are no IDP centres in the UK, but all IELTS papers are marked according to the same system and criteria.
Posted by: Simon | August 07, 2011 at 20:20
if i have an essay which haven't been repaired, can i ask you for help to repair it? and if it's ok where can i post it?
Posted by: xuan | August 08, 2011 at 03:47
Good Morning
Simon
I done lots of reading but my score was fluctuate why this happen? As you told hard work is beeter than luck but some of my friend didnt work hard and they got band.How is possible? Sometime i think luck and hard work both are essential for good score am i right?
I hope you may give me proper suggestion for my issue
Thanking you
Posted by: vipul | August 08, 2011 at 04:10
Hi Vipul,
It's difficult for me to comment on why your friends did well. The only advice I can give is to keep working hard and try your best.
Posted by: Simon | August 09, 2011 at 09:07
Dear Simon:
1. You mentioned that "One of my students was worried that it took her 4 hours to write a band 7 essay for homework."
But my question is how can she know she was writing a band 7 essay?
How do I analyse the score I wrote?
2. When I wrote task 1, I can not figure out a logical analysis...So I will print your sample essay out and study it. But when I write task 1 next time, I still do not know how to organize it!(I know I have to spend 5 minute to analyse question before I write)
3. My teacher (he is an examiner)told me sixteen is a good number, so he recommend me do cover all the number if I can.
for example, http://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/2010/05/ielts-writing-task-1-understanding-and-organising.html
In this essay, he wrote all the numbers and had 5 paragraphs, (introduction, 3 categories bodies and summary). But I think I do not have enough time to write so many information... so which one is true? I am so confused!
Posted by: Pei | October 06, 2011 at 17:37
Hi Pei,
1. She didn't know she was writing a band 7 essay. She just wrote the best essay she could, and I told her it was a band 7 essay after marking it. You can't really analyse your own score - this is why a teacher is so useful.
2. Just keep practising using my method. It takes time and hard work to improve, but you will get better if you keep trying!
3. In my experience, students can't possibly describe all of the numbers in only 20 minutes. Also, every task 1 question tells you to "select the main features". So I disagree with your teacher about that.
Hope this helps
Posted by: Simon | October 07, 2011 at 10:45
Thank you Simon~ 감사합니다 사이먼. (in Korean)
Your comment encourages me to work more on writing.
I actually got 7 for writing last year but it was my best score ever. After that I didn't study hard. I think I was a bit big-headed.
I think I had better gird up my loins and renew my mindset.
Posted by: Ko Sa Ri | July 03, 2013 at 15:26
Hi sir
i m going to appear on 13 july.Instead of getting good bands my scores are decreasing day by day in r,w and s.M worried about exam.kindly plz help me
Posted by: prince | July 06, 2013 at 12:31
Hi simon, i have my ielts test on 18 of july 2013 !!! so, i need tips to get good band in reading and writing and speaking !!! thank you in advance....
Posted by: srinivas | July 08, 2013 at 14:21
my exam is on july 18. im from Philippines. i am taking the Academic test. ano tips for me?
Posted by: nicolai john | July 09, 2013 at 15:34
hi simon i need your output to improve my reading sections, because my IELTS exam on 27july 2013 still i am not able to understand the reading sections
Posted by: guldahoor | July 17, 2013 at 20:17
Dear Simon:
i have given 3 times ielts for ACADAMIC.But every time i got 5.5 band..I need each 6 and 6.5 overall.
1. actually i dont like READING modual.I feel bore when i do..i can't understand what the passage want to say due to lake of vocabulary..got 4.5 or 5 bands last 2 times
2. same problem in WRITING i can't use good words..got 5 or 5.5 bands last 2 times.
3. in SPEAKING i want 7..got 6 both times..
4. in LISTENING i got only 5 bands..how can i improve this one??
PLEASE reply me and give me sugestion...plz help. this is my 4th times i really want good score..
Posted by: Angel | July 19, 2013 at 14:59
Hi Simon,
I have problem in writing section.i m not able to write good essay.
I Got scored in my ielts 5 bands.how can I improve my writing skill.
Guide me with this please.
Thanks.
Posted by: Sandeep | July 20, 2013 at 12:58
hii simon sir
In writing i have much material to write but i dont know how to arrange it????
Posted by: puneetpandher | August 22, 2013 at 17:41
hi simon
i gave three times ielts exam but every time i got 5 band in reading so how i can improve my reading .i also need some writing tips pls help me sir
Posted by: ramanjeet kaur | October 07, 2013 at 05:36
sir if i am using more phrases,linkers,idoms and good vocab.will it be right for good band score or note
Posted by: sahil | October 14, 2013 at 15:37
Hi simon
i always get confused how to make examples in writing task 2. can you help me out with that?
Posted by: Kamal | November 20, 2013 at 05:57
Hello Sir,
Please help me ...
By which type of practice I can get band score 7?
Posted by: Md Shakurullah BHuiya | February 18, 2014 at 20:30