IELTS Simon

IELTS Writing Task 1: look at the chart first

It should be possible to understand any chart, graph or diagram without reading the question. So today's tip is: look at the chart (graph, diagram etc.) first. Make sure you understand what it shows, and put a circle around some of the key things that you can see.

I tried this with my students, and we found it very easy to understand the chart. Also, as we already knew what the chart was about, it was easier to understand the question statement.

IELTS Writing Task 2: firstly, secondly...

The paragraph below needs a "finally" sentence. Can you suggest one?

Paragraph topic: why economic progress is an important goal for governments.

There are three key reasons why economic growth is seen as a fundamental goal for countries. Firstly, a healthy economy results in job creation, a high level of employment, and better salaries for all citizens. Secondly, economic progress ensures that more money is available for governments to spend on infrastructure and public services. For example, a government with higher revenues can invest in the country's transport network, its education system and its hospitals. Finally,...

IELTS Reading: more keywords from book 11

Here's my keyword table for test 3, passage 2 in Cambridge IELTS book 11.

Note: gulls and terns are types of bird

IELTS Grammar and Vocabulary: from last week

Here are my correct versions of the sentences in Thursday's lesson:

1. In 1985, Canada exported about 19 million tonnes of wheat.
2. The figure for Australia was lower, at 15 million tonnes.
3. In 1988, the amount of wheat exported by Canada increased by about 5 million tonnes.

And here are some good phrases from last week's General Writing letter:

• the proposed closure
• stress how important something is
• on a daily basis
• which they enjoy immensely
• an integral part of the local community
• a social hub in the town
• lose a treasured facility
• within a reasonable distance
• have a detrimental effect on
• quality of life
• take these concerns into consideration

Note: The phrases above are not only useful for GT task 1. You might be able to use them in writing task 2 or in the speaking test.

IELTS Grammar: question about verb tenses

Here's a question that someone sent me this week:

I have a big problem with verb tenses, especially the present perfect continuous and past perfect continuous. I can't use these tenses when I'm speaking. How can I solve this problem?

My answer is simple: stop worrying about this! You don't have time to think about grammar when you're speaking. Thinking about verb tenses will distract you from your main objective, which is to answer the question well. Forget those tenses, and focus instead on listening to the question and answering it naturally.

IELTS Speaking Part 2: using the task card

People often ask me whether it is necessary to talk about all of the points on the task card in speaking part 2.

The answer is no. You won't lose any marks for missing some of the bullet points on the task card. There's nothing in the examiner's marking scheme about covering every point.

However, I do still advise people to try to cover each point. Here's why:

• The points on the task card help you to structure your description.
• They help you to move forward, rather than getting stuck on one idea.
• The points are 'prompts' that remind you what to say next.
• The final point is often a 'why' question, which will allow you to express your feelings, opinions and reasons using some good descriptive language. It would be a shame to miss this point.

IELTS General Writing: full answer

Here's my band 9 answer for the task in yesterday's lesson:

IELTS General Writing: task 1 letter

We haven't looked at a General Writing task 1 for a while, so here's one from Cambridge IELTS book 11:

This is a formal letter task, and you would begin with "Dear Sir or Madam". I would probably start with a sentence that explains why I'm writing the letter (e.g. I'm writing with regard to...), and then I would write a short paragraph about each of the bullet points.

I'll show you my full answer tomorrow.

IELTS Speaking Part 1: a student's question

Someone asked me this question:

I was asked to describe my living room in IELTS speaking part 1. What style of answer should I give for this question?

Let's see what people think. How would you answer this part 1 question?

IELTS Writing Task 2: keep the introduction short

Some students (and teachers) think that it's a good idea to write a long introduction. I disagree, and I recommend that you keep the introduction short. Let's compare some examples.

My short introduction:
People have different views about how best to improve transportation in cities. While better provision for cyclists would be a positive measure, I would argue that further investment in public transport should be the priority in most cities.

A long introduction written by a student:
Nowadays, there is a large debate around the ideal transportation means that should be promoted by governments. Some believe that means like bicycles should be supported, while others feel that spending should be directed toward public transportations. I think that both means have to be subsidized because each has advantages and potential disadvantages. In this essay, I shall discuss and analyze both views.

Analysis:
The long introduction above is a little repetitive, but otherwise it's fine. The main problem is the extra time that you waste if you write four sentences instead of two. This is time that could be spent on the main body paragraphs, which are the key to a high score. A long introduction won't help your score at all, but longer and better main body paragraphs will.

IELTS Listening: quick spelling test

Here's a quick spelling test using 10 words from the listening tests in Cambridge IELTS book 11. See if you can write all 10 words with correct spelling.

Click here to listen

IELTS Reading: academic and general

If you are preparing for the academic IELTS test, you might never have tried a general reading paper. I recommend that you do. The techniques that you'll need to use are the same for both papers, and because the general test is easier, it serves as good practice.

Here's my keyword table for the general test questions on page 122 of Cambridge book 4:

Notice how the people who write the IELTS reading test use paraphrasing to make the questions. When you see 'keywords' like cultivation = growing, elderly = aged, or beach = coastal, you know you have the answer.

IELTS Vocabulary: from this week

Did you take note of the following vocabulary from this week's lessons?

• numerous
• unprecedented
• scepticism
• a spirited and compelling argument
• to extend human understanding
• disciplined intellectual enquiry
• can never be wholly harnessed
• the future of higher education lies in the balance
• deeper and more enlightened understanding
• how best to improve transportation
• better provision for
• further investment in
• become more bicycle-friendly
• public transport infrastructure
• a mere 8%
• a massive 69%
• such dramatic differences

IELTS Speaking: use what you know

In parts 2 and 3 of the IELTS speaking test, you need to make quick decisions about what to talk about. Always try to talk about a topic you have prepared or something you know about. Here are some examples:

Part 2: Describe a law in your country.

Advice: Choose a typical IELTS topic like "guns". Explain why people in your country can/can't own a gun, and talk about the pros and cons of this law. There is a chapter on this topic in my ebook.

Part 3: What new law would you introduce to improve life in your country?

Advice: Choose an easy topic like "environment". Explain that the government could introduce new laws to reduce pollution from factories, cars etc. Explain how this would improve people's lives.

IELTS Writing Task 1: pie charts answer

Have a look at my full answer for the question below.

The pie charts below compare water usage in San Diego, California and the rest of the world.
mm

mm
The pie charts give information about the water used for residential, industrial and agricultural purposes in San Diego County, California, and the world as a whole.

It is noticeable that more water is consumed by homes than by industry or agriculture in the two American regions. By contrast, agriculture accounts for the vast majority of water used worldwide.

In San Diego County and California State, residential water consumption accounts for 60% and 39% of total water usage. By contrast, a mere 8% of the water used globally goes to homes. The opposite trend can be seen when we look at water consumption for agriculture. This accounts for a massive 69% of global water use, but only 17% and 28% of water usage in San Diego and California respectively.

Such dramatic differences are not seen when we compare the figures for industrial water use. The same proportion of water (23%) is used by industry in San Diego and worldwide, while the figure for California is 10% higher, at 33%.

(168 words, band 9)

IELTS Writing Task 2: discussion with opinion

In last week's lesson I asked you to think about where you would put your opinion in an essay about the question below.

Some people think that more money should be spent to promote the use of bicycles in cities. Others, however, believe that cities should focus on investing in public transport systems.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Let's start with the introduction and conclusion. My general 'rule' for these paragraphs is that they should cover everything that the question asks you to cover. This means that your opinion should be clear in both. Here are my examples:

Introduction:
People have different views about how best to improve transportation in cities. While better provision for cyclists would be a positive measure, I would argue that further investment in public transport should be the priority in most cities.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, although I hope that cities will become more bicycle-friendly in the future, I believe that more money should be spent on public transport infrastructure than on the promotion of cycling.

IELTS Listening: 'happiness' topic

Here's another popular video from the website ted.com. I found the talk quite interesting, and I'm sure there's a possible IELTS writing question in there. Can you think how they might ask you about this topic in writing task 2?

Website problem (fixed)

Sorry if you tried to access the blog earlier and found that it wasn't working. My website provider was having some server problems, but they seem to be fixed now.

IELTS Grammar: simplify

Instead of correcting every grammar mistake, an easier way to improve the introduction paragraph in yesterday's lesson would be to simplify it. To simplify something, we need to focus on the message that we are trying to communicate; how can we deliver that message in the clearest, simplest way?

For example, here's a simplified version of the introduction:

Many people are confident that this century will be a positive one. I share this optimism, and there are several positive changes that I hope to see over the coming years.

IELTS Grammar: correct the mistakes

Can you correct and improve the following introduction paragraph?

It is commonly increasing to hear about that some people are in hope of the current century and look it as an check out to make good changes to the globe. From my view some changes can be better for the world, there are few ideas that I would love to see in the nextby century.

IELTS Speaking Part 1: negative answers

Here are my negative answers to the questions in last week's lesson:

1) What type of photos do you like taking?

Well, I don't usually take photos to be honest. I prefer to enjoy whatever I'm doing, rather than stop to take a photograph.

2) What do you do with photos you take?

I rarely take photos, but if I occasionally use my mobile phone to take a picture of something, I just leave the photo there; I don't do anything special with it.

3) When you visit other places, do you take photos or buy postcards?

I don't really do either. I leave it to my friends or other family members to take photographs; I'm usually with someone who likes taking photos and can share them with me later.

4) Do you like people taking photos of you?

No, I prefer not to be in photos. I always feel awkward when someone asks me to smile for the camera, and I don't think I'm very photogenic.

Note:
It's usually easier to give positive answers, but it's worth practising some negative responses just in case you get a topic that doesn't interest you. Whatever the question is, the easiest way to answer is to tell the truth!

IELTS Writing Task 2: discussion with opinion

Look at the following question, which asks you to discuss and give an opinion:

Some people think that more money should be spent to promote the use of bicycles in cities. Others, however, believe that cities should focus on investing in public transport systems.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Before you begin planning or writing, let me ask you two things:

1) How many paragraphs would you write?
2) In which paragraphs would you include your own opinion?