ielts-simon.com

IELTS Advice: the importance of phrases

Note: I'm using the term 'phrase' to refer to 'a group of words' (not an expression or idiom).

When I studied foreign languages at school, we were mainly taught vocabulary as a list of individual words with a translation of their meanings. The problem with learning a list of individual words is that you don't learn how to use them in a natural way, and you find yourself translating word by word from your own language.

The alternative is to study phrases that native speakers have produced. I was happy to see that the first comment (by 'boburShox') below this lesson was a list of good phrases that I used in my essay. The individual words are easy to understand, but you can learn a lot by analysing the way I put them together.

IELTS Advice: practice or preparation?

Are practice and preparation the same thing? I'd say they are not. Preparation for the IELTS test should involve more than just exam practice. What would you put in the preparation area of the diagram below?

Students' questions

1) Is it a good idea to use headings to organise my essays?

No, you should never use headings in any of your IELTS essays. Don't include lists or bullet points either. All of these things are considered incorrect format.

2) Is it ok to write "I think" or "I like to say" in my task 2 essay?

Those phrases are a bit informal. I prefer to write "I believe" or "I would argue".

3) If I write that I completely agree, can I still write a paragraph explaining the other side of the argument?

Imagine the examiner's confusion if you say that you agree, but then give good reasons for the opposite opinion. If you want to include the other side of the argument, either write a paragraph explaining why you think it is wrong, or change to a 'partly agree' introduction.

4) Do I have to give my opinion in the main paragraphs as well as in the introduction and conclusion?

If you have stated your opinion clearly in the introduction, it will be obvious to the examiner that your main paragraphs are supporting that opinion. Your opinion should be clear throughout the essay (if you want to get a good score), but that doesn't mean that you need to write "in my opinion" before every idea. Have a look at some of my essays here on the site to see how I do it.

5) Which is correct: "A and B showed an increase" or "A and B showed increases"?

Both are fine. Try Googling "they showed an increase" and "they showed increases". You'll find examples of both.

IELTS Advice: one tip for each part

A student of mine asked me to give him just one key piece of advice for each part of the IELTS test. After giving it some thought, here is my answer:

Speaking
Focus on vocabulary instead of grammar or linking. In parts 2 and 3, explain your ideas in detail to increase your vocabulary score.

Listening
Use the breaks to read ahead. When they give you half a minute to check your answers, don't! Use the time to get ready for the next section.

Reading
Get to the end! Miss the questions you find difficult, and make sure you do all of the easier ones. Return to the harder questions if you have time.

Writing Task 1
Write a good overview. Examiners want to see a summary of the information, as well as detailed description.

Writing Task 2
Spend more time planning. A good plan will help you to write a more organised essay with better ideas.

IELTS Advice: stop worrying about the examiner

Many students are overly worried about the examiner. They worry about body language, eye contact, how friendly the examiner is, whether the examiner smiles, whether he/she is making notes, what his/her opinion might be etc.

This kind of worrying is a waste of time and energy. My advice is that you should only worry about 2 things in the speaking test: 1) listening carefully to the questions 2) trying your best to give good answers. It's a language exam, so let's worry about language.

Students' questions

1. What is the difference between bands 7.5 and 8 in writing and speaking?

The difference is small. In the writing test, you need a small improvement in one of the following four areas: 1) answering the question in a bit more depth 2) developing your ideas in a more organised way 3) using a wider range of vocabulary 4) making fewer mistakes. In the speaking test, my advice is to focus on adding detail to your answers in parts 2 and 3.

2. If the question is about 'working at home', is it ok to repeat those words?

Yes. It is inevitable that you will repeat some of the words from the question in both writing tasks. Try to add some variety where you can, but don't get stuck trying to think of five different ways to say the word "work" or "home"!

3. The examiner laughed at one of my answers. Is that a bad sign?

No, it's probably a good sign. Maybe you said something unexpected and the examiner liked it!

4. In writing task 1, can we join the introduction and overview together?

Yes, it's fine to put the introduction and overview together as one paragraph. Just make sure that your overview is good because it's an important part of your essay.

5. Can we use quotations in writing task 2 and the speaking test?

Personally I don't recommend including quotations because it's difficult to use them in a natural and relevant way. It usually seems like the student has 'forced' the quotation into his/her work, and this won't impress the examiner.

IELTS Band 9 (continued)

Following on from yesterday's lesson, let's look at why the answers I wrote on Friday were at band 9 level. Here are two reasons:

- Quality of language: rich vocabulary and detailed description
- Answers are relevant and well developed, with opinions and examples

For me, these are the two main things to focus on if you want to get a higher score in IELTS speaking or writing. If you thought that grammar and linking were the most important things, you need to change your approach!

IELTS Band 9

People often ask what makes a band 9 answer in the writing and speaking tests. The answers I wrote in yesterday's speaking lesson are definitely at band 9 level. Can you explain why?

Feel free to suggest some reasons in the 'comments' area below this lesson. I'll add my own explanation tomorrow.

IELTS Advice: vocabulary review

It's useful to review the words and phrases you learn each week. Here's a quick list of some vocabulary from this week's lessons on the blog:

• a pressing issue
• consecutive
• the provision of
• over the course of (+ time)
• a calendar year

Try writing a simple sentence with each of the above phrases. Check the meaning of each one in a dictionary first if you're not sure.

Students' questions

1. Is it a good idea to write 60 to 80 words for my task 2 introduction?

Personally I wouldn't write that many words for the introduction. The main body paragraphs are much more important, so I would spend more time on those.

2. Which verb tense should I use to describe a film or novel?

We normally use the present simple to describe what happens in a film or novel e.g. "the film is about a man who travels to..."

3. The sentences in your ebook are all quite short. Do I need to write some longer, more complex sentences too?

Yes. I tried to limit the length of sentences in the ebook because I wanted to focus on ideas and vocabulary. However, it's easy to make longer, complex sentences by joining two or three ideas together. Remember that long sentences are not necessarily considered 'difficult'. Good writing tends to involve a mix of long and short sentences.

4. Is it ok to introduce myself when writing a complaint letter (GT task 1)?

Yes, that would be fine.

5. Are the academic and general listening tests different?

No, there are no differences in either the listening or the speaking tests.

IELTS Advice: use a dictionary

Many students make spelling, vocabulary and grammar mistakes that could be avoided if they checked their work properly.

When practising your writing, do you have a dictionary with you? Do you check when you are not sure about something?

Remember, a dictionary shows more than just meanings of words. A good dictionary shows you examples of how to use words correctly.

Students' questions

1. I followed your advice and used a 4-paragraph essay structure, so why didn't I get a higher score?

Good structure and organisation are important, but the expression of ideas is even more important. IELTS is a language test, so the key to a high score is to express relevant ideas using good language.

2. How many bands will I lose if I only write 130 words for task 1?

I can't give an exact answer to this. The examiner will give you a lower score for 'task achievement', but you might also lose marks for vocabulary - a shorter essay probably contains fewer examples of good language use.

3. Can I use 'double' like this: "The figure for X increased to nearly 20% in 1997, which almost doubled its initial rate in 2000."

The use of 'doubled' is ok, but I found the whole sentence a bit confusing, maybe because the years seem to be mixed up. Can anyone suggest a clearer way to write this sentence?

4. Can I use the word "skew" to describe numbers in task 1?

If you Google the word "skew" or "skewed", you'll see it used to describe numbers and data. However, it's only used in certain situations, and I've never used it in an IELTS essay. I wouldn't worry about this word if I were you.

5. Can I say "There were twice as many precipitation"?

No, you would need to write "There was twice as much precipitation" because 'precipitation' is an uncountable noun.

IELTS Advice: homework should be perfect!

Students often make simple mistakes that could be avoided. In exam conditions this is understandable, but there is no excuse for making careless mistakes in your homework!

If you are writing an IELTS essay at home, don't do it as a test. Take your time, check everything carefully, and aim to write a "perfect" essay. Homework is an opportunity to learn and improve, not just a test of your current level.

Students' questions

1. Are "the" and "a" counted as words?

Yes! They are counted as words in the writing, listening and reading tests.

2. How can I improve my listening and reading?

The simple answer is: do more listening and reading. There are no shortcuts I'm afraid; it takes time to develop a "good ear" for a language, and the reading exam is basically a test of your vocabulary knowledge. Your listening and reading will improve gradually with time, practice and exposure to the language.

3. If the question asks for "type of exam", would the answer be "open book" or "open book exam"?

You don't need the word "exam" in your answer because it is part of the question. However, I don't think "open book exam" would be marked wrong (if 3 words are allowed).

4. If the answer in a listening test is "wide variety", would "variety" be marked wrong?

Probably. I've seen many examples in the listening test where one word is not enough. For example, if the answer is "early morning", students who only write "morning" are marked wrong. If a second word changes the meaning a little (e.g. early morning, wide variety), you should write it.

IELTS Advice: only use official questions

Students are often worried because they find difficult or confusing IELTS questions on the Internet (especially for writing task 2). My advice is: don't trust questions you find on the Internet. They are often written by students who have remembered them wrongly.

You can definitely trust the Cambridge IELTS books. Cambridge makes the IELTS exam, so you know that the questions in those books are 'real'. They are also clearly written, so you will not be confused about what the question is asking you to do.

PS. I promise I'm not paid by Cambridge to advertise their books!!

IELTS Advice: your comments

You might have noticed that I no longer reply to most comments. I'm afraid it has become impossible for me to keep up with the questions that people ask me.

However, I do still read every comment, and your questions influence the lessons that I write. Please feel free to keep commenting, and please don't be offended if I don't answer you individually.

PS. Congratulations to those of you who wrote to say that you got the scores you needed last week! It's great to hear that my lessons have helped.

IELTS Advice: vocabulary is the key!

As I've said before, there is no 'secret' way to improve your IELTS score. You just need to study hard and keep practising. However, if I had to give one piece of advice, it would be this: work on vocabulary.

If you use a wide range of vocabulary in the speaking and writing exams, you are more likely to get a high score. Vocabulary is also the key to finding the answers in the reading test and understanding the speakers in the listening test.

So, are you writing new words and phrases in a notebook every day? Do you read something in English every day? Do you use a dictionary? Do you use Google or Wikipedia to look up words and phrases? If you don't do these things, start now!

IELTS Advice: preparing speaking topics

On Friday I suggested preparing six main topics for IELTS Speaking Part 2. But how should you prepare these topics? Where can you find good ideas?

I recommend doing two things. First, have a look through the speaking lessons on this site. Second, use the Internet to do some further research. For example, if you want a good description of a famous person, look him/her up on Wikipedia and note down the best vocabulary ideas.

Students' questions

1. I'm new to IELTS reading. Should I start by doing some general tests?

I think that's quite a good idea. The general tests are a bit easier than the academic ones, so you could start with them and practise the techniques I suggest in lessons here on the site.

2. How can I improve my vocabulary and my reading ability?

Basically you need to read a lot, use a dictionary, and keep a vocabulary notebook. Have a look at this lesson.

3. Will it affect my score if I say too much (e.g. a long example in part 3)?

Don't worry about saying too much in parts 2 and 3 of the speaking test; the examiner will stop you if he/she wants to. Just try to give short, direct answers in part 1.

4. Is it ok to write a sentence beginning "This essay will..." in the introduction to task 2?

I prefer to simply answer the question directly (have a look through my lessons to see how I write introductions), but it definitely isn't wrong to write "This essay will...". It won't affect your score either way.

5. What is the difference between could, should and would?

For this kind of question, I'd recommend that you consult a dedicated grammar book or website. This grammar website looks quite good.

IELTS Advice: examiners like examples

If you're not sure what to say or what to write, give an example.

Add examples to support your ideas for IELTS writing task 2. Give examples from your life (like a story) if you don't know what to say during part 2 or part 3 of the speaking test.

Examiners like examples because they're interesting. From your point of view, examples can help you to keep talking, or to add a few extra words to your essay.

Students' questions

Sorry if I haven't been able to answer your question. Here are some of the questions that people asked me this week:

1. Can I use slang (e.g. 'rank' meaning 'disgusting') in the speaking test?

No, it's not really appropriate to use slang.

2. Can I give personal examples like the name of the company I work for?

Yes, it's a good idea to use that kind of example when relevant.

3. What is the difference between 'programme' and 'program'?

The first is British English spelling, and the second is American spelling. Both are equally acceptable.

4. How many ideas should I include in each main paragraph (for task 2)?

I include between one and three ideas. If you only have one main idea, just explain it in more detail.

5. Is there a difference between 'put more emphasis on' and 'put more of an emphasis on'?

No, not really. You can use either phrase.

6. Is there a difference between 'of the five countries' and 'out of the five countries'?

No, not really. You can use either phrase.

IELTS Advice: 'read around'

I like the phrase "to read around a subject". It means doing general research about something in order to learn more about it. Search engines and websites like Wikipedia make it so easy to do a bit of "reading around" about anything that interests you, or about any IELTS topic that you find difficult. So read around more; you'll improve your knowledge and your vocabulary at the same time!

Students' questions

1. Will I lose marks for spelling mistakes like 'Appril' instead of 'April'?

Yes, 'Appril' would be marked wrong in the listening and reading tests.

2. Can I suggest reasons for changes shown on graphs or charts?

No, you shouldn't try to explain reasons for the data in writing task 1. Just describe what you can see.

3. When should I use 'the' in the phrase 'figure / figures for'?

You can use 'the' with the singular and plural, but I often miss it with the plural (i.e. "the graph shows the figure for" but "the graph shows figures for").

4. Is it a ok to start task 2 essays with a question?

No, that would be more journalistic than academic style.

5. In writing task 2, is it possible to agree completely but still mention the other side?

Yes, you can mention the other side of the argument too, but make sure it's clear that you disagree with it, and explain why.

IELTS Advice: how long will it take?

Many students want to know how long it will take to get the score they need. It's impossible for me to answer this question because it depends on too many things. For example:

- How many hours of study do you do each day?
- What kind of study do you do?
- Do you have a teacher or someone who can help you?
- Do you live in an English-speaking country?
- Do you like learning English, or do you just need an IELTS score?

Maybe the last question is the most important one. In my experience, people who enjoy learning English tend to make the fastest progress.

Students' questions

Is it best to use "was" or "were" with "majority" and "proportion"?

It is normal in English to say "the majority of people were" but "the proportion of people was".

If the question was about an old friend and I spoke about an elderly friend, will I lose marks?

Hopefully the examiner won't penalise you for this mistake. The confusion is understandable.

For questions about where I live, should I talk about my hometown or where I live now?

It doesn't matter. You can talk about either.

If the question asks us to explain “problems (or causes) and solutions”, how many problems and solutions should we mention?

I'd go for two or three problems (or causes) and two or three suggested solutions.

The ebook talks about “consumer culture”. What does this mean?

It's a phrase that is often used to criticise societies in which people are encouraged to buy more and more things. Click here to read more.

If I want a band 7 in writing, is it true that 50% of the sentences in my essays need to be error-free?

The examiner will not calculate the percentage of sentences that contain mistakes, but the mark scheme does say that you need to "produce frequent error-free sentences" in order to get a band 7 for grammar.

Can I use the terms “x-axis” and “y-axis” for graphs in writing task 1?

Yes, but I tend not to bother with that.

Can I invent statistics in writing task 2 (e.g. 80% of children watch violent films)?

You can, but I tend not to. I'd just write something like: "a growing number of children watch violent films". Instead of inventing a statistic, you can probably find a better way to express the idea.

Students' questions

I'm afraid I can't answer eveyone's questions individually, but here are my answers to some that people have asked me over the last week:

1. Should we give essays a title?

No, your essays don't need titles, so don't waste time inventing one.

2. Can I use the words plunge, plummet, rocket and soar in writing task 1?

Personally, I wouldn't use those words because they usually seem too exaggerated, and make it look like you have simply learnt a list of synonyms. Have a look through my essays to see how I describe numbers.

3. Should I start new paragraphs by missing a line or with an indentation?

Both ways are fine, but I think it's clearer if you miss a line.

4. Can I ask the examiner about difficult vocabulary in the speaking test?

The examiner cannot help you in part 1 or 2, but you can ask him/her to clarify a question in part 3.

5. Is it ok to use the phrase 'due to the fact that' instead of 'because'?

Yes, it's fine, but don't repeat it more than once or twice.

6. Is it necessary to give (personal) examples in writing task 2?

The question usually tells you to "include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience". I interpret this to mean that you can include personal examples if they are relevant, but you don't have to.

Maybe you understand it, but can you use it?

A student reminded me about the following advice, and I think it's worth repeating:

When you read these lessons, you probably understand everything. But understanding is not enough to get you a high IELTS score. You need to be able to use what you have read.

Look again at the language from this week's lessons. Maybe you understand it, but have you written it down? Would you be able to use it correctly?

IELTS Advice: asking for a re-mark

People often ask whether it's a good idea to ask for a re-mark of their tests. Here are a few tips:

• I don't recommend asking for your reading or listening paper to be re-marked. Reading and listening questions are either right or wrong, so it's unlikely that your scores will change.
• If there is a 2 band difference between your writing and speaking scores, they are usually double-checked automatically, so a re-mark probably won't help.
• A re-mark might be worth trying if you only need an extra half band in speaking or writing (e.g. if you have 6.5 and need 7).
• Remember that it can take up to 8 weeks to get your test re-marked. It might be faster to resit the test.

Note:
If you have had a test re-marked, please tell us what happened. It would be interesting to know how many people's scores went up.

Students' questions

Here are a few useful questions that people have asked me this week:

1. Are writing tasks 1 and 2 examined by the same person?

Yes, always.

2. Can you do a writing task 1 lesson about how to describe the 'shape' of lines on a graph?

Personally I rarely describe the 'shape' of a line. Instead of following the trend of one line, it's much better to compare two or more lines at a particular point. Have a look through my task 1 lessons to see how I describe changes and make comparisons. I don't think you need to learn any other 'shape' or 'trend' language.

3. Can you do a lesson about how to use prepositions?

I'm afraid that 'how to use prepositions' is a HUGE area, and I won't be able to explain it here. It's one of those things that you have to learn gradually. In fact, it's better to treat that area as 'vocabulary' (that you gradually learn) rather than 'grammar' (that someone can explain).

4. Can you do a lesson about 'low, less, little, few, much, more'?

This is another big area, and a dedicated grammar book or website is the best place to read about that kind of thing.

5. Is it better to use 'he' or 'she' when writing about a person in general?

I would try to avoid choosing between 'he' and 'she' by using plurals (e.g. they) and alternative words (e.g. individuals, employees). For example, instead of writing "when a child starts school, he learns...", you could write "when children start school, they learn..." or "school pupils learn...".

IELTS Writing Advice: cohesion

Albert wrote a comment below Wednesday's lesson that I would like to share with you. It contains a key observation about how to write a good paragraph.

"Thanks for the great paragraph. I noticed that this paragraph is highly cohesive without any explicit linking words such as ‘furthermore/moreover’. I think this is what ‘uses cohesion in such a way that it attracts no attention’ means for the band 9 level according to the descriptor, right? The way the sentences in the paragraph are linked together is by all the ‘money’ words in each sentence: earn money/the salary/pay/need money/wages/to save for the future/if…needed money. Is my understanding correct?"

I replied to Albert that this is exactly right! Cohesion means "togetherness", and the best way to link your ideas together is by developing them in a logical way, not by using 'moreover' or 'furthermore'.

Read my paragraph again, and hopefully you'll see what Albert means.

IELTS Advice: focus on vocabulary

The secret to a high IELTS score is being able to understand and use a wide range of words and phrases. As I said on Monday, it's really important to collect vocabulary in a notebook, but you also need to practise using it.

Here are some words and phrases from the lessons this week:

• achieve goals
• delegate
• cope with stress
• in terms of
• for career purposes
• decreases with age
• up to the point when
• household names
• with the advent of
• a new breed of

Try making your own sentences with the words and phrases above. It might seem easy to understand them, but it's not so easy to use them properly!