IELTS Simon

IELTS Writing Task 1: 'waste' pie chart details

Here are six sentences that my students and I wrote about the pie charts in this lesson. To encourage you to look carefully at the sentences, I've put them in the wrong order. Can you find the correct order? You could also divide the description into two paragraphs.

(A) The latter country recycles 69% of hazardous materials, which is far more than the other two nations.

(B) These two methods are not employed in Korea or Sweden, which favour incineration for 9% and 20% of dangerous waste respectively.

(C) Looking at the information in more detail, we can see that 82% of the UK’s dangerous waste is put into landfill sites.

(D) While 25% of Sweden's dangerous waste is recycled, the UK does not recycle at all.

(E) This disposal technique is used for 55% of the harmful waste in Sweden and only 22% of similar waste in Korea.

(F) Instead, it dumps waste at sea or treats it chemically.

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'while' conclusion

You might already know that I like using the word while in my introductions. It's also possible to write a 'while sentence' for the conclusion.

Take this question for example:

Some people think that strict punishments for driving offences are the key to reducing traffic accidents. Others, however, believe that other measures would be more effective in improving road safety. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. (Official IELTS Practice Materials 2)

Here's an example of a 'while' conclusion:

In conclusion, while punishments can help to prevent bad driving, I believe that other road safety measures should also be introduced.

IELTS Listening: most livable cities

Watch the following video or listen to the recording below it.

Click here to listen

Fill the gaps below. Which city does each phrase refer to?

1. top-_____ education and welfare
2. integration for immigrants to increase its _____
3. greatly _____ public transportation
4. innovative, mixed-use _____ incorporating cycling paths
5. hidden under the _____ of a neon-lit mega city
6. a small-town _____
7. world-class shopping and business _____
8. Australia’s cultural _____
9. a big push to _____ traffic congestion
10. integration between city life and the _____

IELTS General Writing: formal phrases

Here are some formal phrases that I've used in previous lessons. See if you can use them in your own letters:

Beginning the letter by explaining why you are writing:

• I am writing with regard to...
• I am writing to inform you that...
• I am writing to bring to your attention some issues with...

Requesting or suggesting something:

• I have decided that I would like you to...
• I am entitled to ask for...
• I was wondering if it would be possible (for me) to...
• I hope that you will...
• I would like to suggest that...

Ending the letter with a request for action:

• I look forward to receiving your response.
• I await your prompt response.

IELTS Vocabulary: weekly review

Do you keep a notebook for useful words and phrases? And do you review the vocabulary in it regularly?

For example, here's a quick review of some useful vocabulary from the last seven days of lessons on this blog:

• compile a list
• build a repertoire
• the current generation of language learners
• don't know how lucky they are
• they have the Internet at their disposal
• they have access to videos, podcasts and audiobooks
• they have the chance to immerse themselves in the language
• to take advantage of
• overuse of a word
• the charts compare three countries in terms of...
• dispose of harmful waste
• hazardous materials
• are buried underground / are recycled
• know the basics
• rely on pre-prepared meals
• that would surely be a good thing

Remember: Understanding a word is not the same as being able to use it. Practise using the phrases above in your own sentences.

IELTS Speaking Part 1: 'cooking' topic

Here are some recent part 1 questions, with my example answers.

1. Do you like cooking? Why / why not?

Sometimes. I like preparing a special meal for family or friends who visit, but everyday cooking is a bit boring; it's something that has to be done, but it's not really fun.

2. Who did the cooking in your family when you were a child?

My mother almost always did the cooking when I was young. I don't think she trusted my father to make a nice meal.

3. Do you think that it's important to know how to cook well?

I'm not sure whether it's important to cook well, but I do think that everyone should know the basics. It definitely isn't healthy to rely on pre-prepared meals or fast food.

4. Do you think that children should be taught cookery at school?

Yes, that's probably a good idea. If all children knew how to cook a few basic, healthy meals, that would surely be a good thing.

IELTS Writing Task 1: 'waste' pie charts

Here are my first two paragraphs for the question in last week's lesson. As usual, I wrote the introduction by paraphrasing the question statement, and then I chose two main features for the 'overview'.

The charts compare Korea, Sweden and the UK in terms of the methods used in each country to dispose of harmful waste.

It is clear that in both the UK and Sweden, the majority of dangerous waste products are buried underground. By contrast, most hazardous materials in the Republic of Korea are recycled.

Video lesson for IELTS reading

I've just published my first video lesson for IELTS reading. You can find it at the bottom of this webpage.

IELTS Listening Advice: listen to 'real' things

When I was learning languages (French and German) at school, the only listening practice I got was when the teacher spoke or when she played short recordings on a tape recorder!

The current generation of language learners don't know how lucky they are! They have the Internet at their disposal, with access to millions of videos, podcasts, audiobooks etc. They have the chance to immerse themselves in the language for hours every day. Are you taking advantage of this?

IELTS Reading: gap-fill video lesson

I've nearly finished my first video lesson for IELTS Reading. I'll start by looking at 'gap-fill' questions, and the lesson will cover various types of gap-fill task:

• Fill the gaps in a summary with words from the passage.
• Fill the gaps in a summary using words from a given list.
• Fill the gaps to complete a table of information.
• Fill the gaps to label a diagram.

If you haven't practised these four types of gap-fill question, don't worry. The task is basically the same, and the method that I suggest for finding the answers is also the same for each type. If you've followed my reading lessons here on the blog, you can probably guess which method I'll be using!

The video lesson should be ready later today or early tomorrow.

IELTS Advice: prepare 'topic phrases'

Yesterday I explained why nobody can create a list of 'band 9 phrases for any essay'. So, is there any way to prepare band 7-9 vocabulary for the test?

The answer is yes, but I'm afraid you will need to make many lists, not just one! I advise my students to prepare ideas and opinions for as many common IELTS topics as possible. Click here to see the basic list that I use.

My aim in the writing lessons on this blog (and in my ebook) is to help you to compile a list or build a repertoire of good 'topic vocabulary'. I could easily give you a list of linking phrases, but unfortunately that wouldn't really help you.

IELTS Advice: band 9 phrases for every essay?

Here's an interesting question that someone asked me on Facebook:

Can you add on your blog some typical phrases (band 9) that we can use in every essay?

This seems to be the 'secret' that so many people are looking for. The problem is that these phrases do not exist. I'll try to explain why.

To get a high score for vocabulary and task response, you need to use words and phrases that are specific to the particular question that you are given. For example, if the question is about the environment, you could write about 'greenhouse gases' or 'carbon dioxide emissions'. But these phrases cannot be used in every essay; they are only relevant to this one topic.

The only phrases that can be used in every essay would be 'linking' phrases, and these do not contribute to your vocabulary or task response scores. They only help you to organise your ideas.

So, please stop looking for 'any essay' phrases. Tomorrow I'll explain what to do instead.

IELTS Speaking: is accent important?

People often ask whether their accent will affect their IELTS score. The simple answer is no. Your score for pronunciation depends on how clearly you speak and how intelligible (easy to understand) you are.

So if accent is not important, what are the factors that affect pronunciation? I really like the explanation on this page from the Warwick University website. They look at 5 key elements of pronunciation:

There are some great tips about improving your pronunciation near the bottom of the page, but my favourites are: work on your mistakes, copy good models of speech, record yourself, slow down, and try to sound interesting / interested!

IELTS Writing Task 1: more pie charts!

There's a good pie chart question in 'Official IELTS Practice Materials' book 2. You can see the pie charts here, and this is the question statement:

The pie charts below show how dangerous waste products are dealt with in three countries.

Let's start with an introduction and overview / summary:

1. How would you paraphrase the question statement above?
2. What two main or general points would you choose for the summary?

IELTS Writing Task 2: firstly, secondly, finally

Here's another 'firstly, secondly, finally' paragraph that I wrote with my students. As usual, it contains three main ideas, and five sentences in total.

Ways to improve road safety (apart from using punishments):

I believe that safe driving can be promoted in several different ways that do not punish drivers. Firstly, it is vitally important to educate people properly before they start to drive, and this could be done in schools or even as part of an extended or more difficult driving test. Secondly, more attention could be paid to safe road design. For example, signs can be used to warn people, speed bumps and road bends can be added to calm traffic, and speed cameras can help to deter people from driving too quickly. Finally, governments or local councils could reduce road accidents by investing in better public transport, which would mean that fewer people needed to travel by car.

Note: This would be a 'band 9' paragraph. Does that surprise you? Can you explain why it deserves such a high score?

IELTS Reading: 'paragraph headings' keywords

The table below shows keywords for the paragraph headings exercise on page 14 of the book called Official IELTS Practice Materials 2. If you can find a copy of this passage (about 'Seaweeds of New Zealand'), it's a good one to try.

IELTS Advice: score fluctuations

Yesterday I explained why it's normal for your scores to fluctuate between tests. Now I'm going to try to suggest some ways to deal with this.

1. Keep retaking the test

This advice might surprise you, but I remember a student who booked 4 tests in one month. He understood that his scores would fluctuate, but he hoped to improve his chances of having a 'lucky day' when everything went well. It worked! The student told me that the main benefit of taking the test every week was that he stopped feeling nervous. On the third Saturday he performed well in all 4 parts of the test and achieved the scores he needed. *But read the warning below!

2. Practise until you over-perform

To get a band 7 in exam conditions, you probably need to be achieving band 7.5 when practising at home. Most people perform worse in real tests due to nerves, so make sure you can comfortably get the score you need before taking the test.

3. Be more consistent in your approach

You might think that you always write essays in the same way, but most people don't. One of my aims in these lessons is to encourage people to use the exact same method every time. For example, I always try to write 9 sentences for writing task 1, and 13 sentences for task 2. If you can't say how many sentences you usually write, you're probably not being consistent. I'm using writing as an example, but there are methods for the other parts too.

Notes:

• *Warning: Strategy number 1 can be expensive, and there are no guarantees that it will work. Only try this if you are able to get the score you need in each part and you keep missing your target by 0.5 band in just one part of the test.
• Strategy number 2 is sensible, but some people don't want to wait until they can over-perfom.
• Strategy number 3 is my favourite. If I can help students to become more consistent, I feel like I'm doing my job as a teacher!

IELTS Advice: why do your scores fluctuate?

People often wonder why their IELTS scores fluctuate. For example, they might get a band 7 in writing one week, but only band 6 or 6.5 the next week.

Does this mean that the test is unreliable or that you had a bad examiner?

Probably not. Fluctuations are normal, both in the exam and when you are practising at home. For example, I've seen the same fluctuations in the quality of students' homework. Sometimes they have great ideas for the essay topic, or they find the answers easily in a reading test. Other times everything seems to go wrong; they have a bad day, and get lower scores.

Tomorrow I'll talk a bit more about this, and I'll try to suggest some strategies for dealing with this 'fluctuation' problem.

IELTS Speaking: search the web for ideas

Have you tried searching the Internet to get ideas for the "describe a prize" topic from this lesson?

I tried searching for ideas related to winning 'employee of the month'. I found some advice (and great vocabulary) on this website. Here are some of the good phrases that they used. I've left a few gaps to encourage you to look carefully at some key words.

How to win employee of the month:

• employers appreciate employees who take the _____
• meet all deadlines
• prove that you can be _____ on
• understand your company's _____ values
• demonstrate good communication skills and a loyal work _____
• show ambition and initiative
• stand out from the _____
• go beyond your employer's _____

Do you think we can use some of this vocabulary for the prize task?

2 new videos (free)

I've just published two quick videos as part of my course of video lessons.

The first is a summary of my lessons for writing task 1, with some final advice about 'map' questions and an attached document showing three different 'map' answers. You can watch this lesson and download the sample map reports here.

The second video is a useful introduction to IELTS Reading. Watch it here.

IELTS Writing Task 2: longer introductions?

People sometimes ask me whether writing a longer introduction could be the way to improve their task 2 scores. My answer is no! A longer introduction is more likely to harm your score, not help it. The more time you spend on your introduction, the less time you have to write good main body paragraphs. The main body is the key to a high score!

So, how can we improve our main body paragraphs? I think there are 3 easy steps you can take:

1. Spend more time planning the main paragraphs.
2. Spend less time on the introduction and conclusion.
3. Prepare ideas for common topics before you take the exam.

IELTS Listening: students' questions

Here are some common questions that people ask me about the listening test, with my answers below each one.

1. What is the best way to write a date?

There is no best way, and all normal ways of writing dates are accepted e.g. 7th April, 7 April, April 7th etc.

2. What is the best way to write a time?

Again, as long as the time is correct, it shouldn't matter too much how you write it. You can write 9am, 9.00am, 9:00 am etc.

3. Do we need to include articles ('a' or 'the') before nouns?

Usually you don't need the article. If the answer is a noun, just write that word. However, if you need to fill a gap in a sentence, the grammar should be correct, so you may need an article. If you're unsure, write the article that you hear.

4. Are correct use of capital letters and singular/plural important?

I've answered that question in a previous lesson - click here.

5. Should we write "bookshop" or "book shop"?

I mentioned the problem of words like "bookshop" and "seafood" in this lesson.

Students' questions

Here are my answers to a few questions that people have asked in the 'comments' below recent lessons.

1. Can we lie (e.g. make up a story) in part 2 of the speaking test?

Yes, it's ok to lie, but it's better to 'adapt' the truth. Read this lesson for a full explanation.

2. In writing task 2, is it better to write four paragraphs or five?

There isn't really a 'best' way; it's possible to write a band 9 essay with four, five, or even six paragraphs. My preference is for four paragraphs because this encourages you to go into more detail in each of the two main body paragraphs. More detail and depth = a better essay!

3. What type of books should I read to improve my reading skills?

Anything that you read in English will help. My tip is to read things that you find interesting; if you enjoy reading, you'll read more, learn more, and improve faster.

4. Can we use symbols like $, £ and % in writing task 1?

Yes, I usually prefer to use these symbols instead of full words like "per cent". For native speakers, it's very normal and natural to do this.

5. How can I improve my memory so that I use better vocabulary?

In my experience, people become good at what they focus on. Are you constantly reading things in English, thinking about English, watching English videos, and making notes of anything new that you learn? If English is your main focus each day, I'm sure you'll improve.

IELTS Speaking: correct the mistakes

Here are some of the sentences that students wrote below this speaking lesson. Can you correct the mistakes?

1. I would like to win a Nobel Prize, which was one of my dreams for long time.
2. I had the chance for participating the first in this TV show game in 2013.
3. Although this will require a hard work but I believe it's worthy.
4. For my money, Prize can be given to a person due to his/her great effort.
5. If I won this scholarship, I will be the happiest person in the world.

A real-life example of writing task 1

A student sent me this link to a BBC article about unemployment. It's a fantastic real-life example of the kind of language that I often use in my task 1 reports.

Here's part of the article with some useful language highlighted:

The UK unemployment rate has fallen to its lowest level since 2009, official figures show. At 7.4%, this is the lowest rate since the February-to-April period in 2009. The number of people out of work fell by 99,000 to 2.39 million in the three months to October.

In Northern Ireland the unemployment rate was slightly higher at 7.5%, while Scotland's figure was 7.1.%. The North East of England had the highest unemployment rate, at 10.1%, while the lowest rate was 5.6% in the East of England.

IELTS Writing Task 2: what's the difference?

Is there a difference between the two questions below? How would you approach answering each one?

Question 1
With the availability of information on the Internet, public libraries are no longer necessary. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Question 2
Some people consider public libraries to be unnecessary due to the availability of information on the Internet. Others, however, believe that libraries can still play an important role in society. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.