If you've prepared the six main topics well, you should be able to adapt and use your prepared ideas for most questions. Take the following question, for example:
Describe a beautiful sky that you watched
I would adapt my description of London (main topic: describe a place). I already have some good ideas: the spectacular views, the skyline, the iconic buildings, the landmarks etc. I could simply add that I watched the sunset from a 'vantage point' overlooking the city centre. This question now seems a lot easier!
Have another look through the topics that people shared in the comments below last week's lesson, and think about whether you could adapt your ideas from one of the six main topics.
Note:
Not every question can be answered by adapting the main topics. I'll cover some possible solutions to this problem in my next video lesson.
you are encouraging students to take a short cut rather than build a solid foundation for academic EEnglish for IELTS.
Posted by: David Du | April 22, 2016 at 10:17
Sorry David, but that's not true. What Simon is doing is actually teaching the skill of 'adapting' language for different situations, which is exactly what native speakers do when we use English.
Also, the speaking test is most certainly NOT academic English.
Posted by: sjm | April 22, 2016 at 10:59
David,
All of us know that IELTS test is mainly techniques, and the reason for that could be, not all native speakers can get whole marks in the whole areas. What Simon do is teaching these techniques. IELTS is not checking the foundation of academic English, but it checks the ability of answering the questions, and using techniques.
Thank you Simon.
Posted by: DR-ALI | April 22, 2016 at 11:31
Hi David,
I'm sorry to hear your words but you obviously misunderstood Simon. I can't find the post he wrote but fortunately I noted it down:
"9. There isn’t a secret
As I said earlier, there’s no special technique that will lead to a sudden, dramatic improvement in your score. Just keep practising and keep learning."
It's true that IELTS is a language test but that doesn't mean you can't do it more effectively.
Posted by: James Z. | April 22, 2016 at 11:45
Hi DAvid
You can learn English from everybody and everywhere , but you cannot learn Ielts techniques and tips everywhere.
If anybody has very good English language knowledge and can use different vocabulary for different topics, that will be amazing. But if you do not have enough vocabulary or your English language is poor, come here and learn techniques and .........,,
Posted by: Nee | April 22, 2016 at 13:52
hi Simon!
i find your website very useful,so thank you very much for the tips.
i will be taking my ielts on june and i am wondering, in the speaking test, would they ask questions regarding current issues like politics? since i just moved in the US and i'm not very familiar with the news here.
please answer my query. thank you very much!
Posted by: jo marie | April 22, 2016 at 19:51
David.....
building a solid foundation for academic ielts!!!!!
it is exactly what is happening here.......thanks to Simon
Posted by: N.S | April 22, 2016 at 20:15
FROM SIMON:
Thanks to those of you who replied to David above. I'm sure that your explanations will help David and others.
...
Jo Marie,
Don't worry. They never ask about politics or any subject that is specific to one country. They only use "universal" topics e.g. health, work, family, education etc.
Posted by: Simon | April 22, 2016 at 21:43
Does anyone help to judge my writing?
I am planning to take in May. This is my first essay after having studied lots of material and classes.
Which band could it be? Please
I am sorry post it in the wrong threat.
The topic is " Smart Devices have put all of the world's information at our fingertips. What is the drawbacks of this development?
Here is my essay,
In recent years, there has been an explosion in the information technology development, which has been a tremendous influence on people’s way of life with the invention of aplenty of convenient tools and equipment. One of which, smart devices is believed to be the most intelligent piece of equipment that one could deserve to own in this fast-paced modern world. Despite this, it is agreed that beside the privileges that it brings, this invention brings negative impacts on both social and environment aspects.
Firstly, in terms of social side, smart devices have been creating a network of sophisticated relationship among people. The growing in a number of smart phones, for instance, has a closely connection with the surge of in-app social webpages such as Facebook, Twitter, Dating Web like Flirts, etc. This link has opened up intricate relationships which is unknown and been creating an insecurity of people joined in these social places in respect of personal information being stolen. Thus, it is clear to address that the threats brought by these devices to the user is certain.
Secondly, in regard to environment issues, the manufacture and fabrication of these devices has caused destruction to people’s inhabitant. The mass production of these devices has to be gone through many processes and chains. One of the processes would be using the synthetic and artificial material and substances to make accessories and chips. This has produced a great deal of carbon dioxide exhausted to the air and cause global warning and dispose a variety of industrial waste. Hence, it is undeniably admitted that the people’s living quality is being destroyed.
As mentioned above, the increasing usage of smart devices has turned society and inhabitant in a danger, which could directly affect any living creatures. It is predicted that these weaknesses will continue to grow in size and scale in the foreseeable future.
Posted by: Hiroko | April 23, 2016 at 04:54
Thank you so much for the answer, Simon! I am so relieved.
Posted by: jo marie | April 30, 2016 at 19:33
Please tell me describe a family event will be happening forward to
Posted by: pooja | July 10, 2016 at 09:31
Please give me some advice for good sentence formation ..
Posted by: Singh Jugraj | August 03, 2016 at 00:58