ielts-simon.com

IELTS General Writing: semi-formal letter?

Someone asked me a useful question about 'semi-formal' letters. I've summarised the student's question here:

The task in my test was to write to a colleague. In my letter, I used some informal language e.g. I greeted the colleague in a friendly way and I used contractions (I'm, don't, isn't). However, I also included some formal language when asking the colleague to speak at a conference. Is this mix of informal and formal ok?

In this lesson I wrote that we can forget about "semi-formal" letters. However, in the situation described above, I think it's fine to include both formal and informal language. You can write to a colleague in an informal style, but you may use some formal language when discussing work-related issues. This is what we do in 'real life', so I think it's perfectly acceptable in an IELTS task.

IELTS Advice: aims for February

Did you make a New Year's resolution at the beginning of this month? Did you set yourself a small, achievable objective for January?

My aim was to make my first video for IELTS speaking. I achieved this aim yesterday, so I'm going to be more ambitious in February: I'll try to make a new video lesson every week.

Did you achieve your January objective? What are your aims for February?

IELTS Speaking: video lesson

I've just published the first of my video lessons for IELTS speaking. You can watch it for free on this webpage.

I'll publish another speaking video next Friday.

IELTS Writing Task 1: 'phone calls' introduction and overview

Here's the first half of my report about the chart in last week's lesson. I'll finish paragraphs 3 and 4 next Thursday.

The bar chart compares the amount of time spent by people in the UK on three different types of phone call between 1995 and 2002.

It is clear that calls made via local, fixed lines were the most popular type, in terms of overall usage, throughout the period shown. The lowest figures on the chart are for mobile calls, but this category also saw the most dramatic increase in user minutes.

Note:
Can you see the paraphrasing that I used in the introduction, and the main points that I chose for the overview? Did I use any good words or phrases?

IELTS Writing Task 2: can we always 'partly agree'?

Read the question below. Do you think it's possible to partly agree? Is it possible to write a balanced answer?

Although more and more people read news on the Internet, newspapers will remain the most important source of news. Do you agree or disagree?

Be careful with this type of question. Here's why:

Because of the word "most", I don't think we can 'partly agree'. Either we believe that newspapers will remain the most popular source of information (agree), or we believe that they won't (disagree). This probably explains why the question doesn't say "to what extent do you agree or disagree?".

However, there is a way to write a balanced answer: we need to disagree. We can say that we disagree that newspapers will remain the most important source of news, because we believe that the Internet will become equally important. This answer allows us to write one main paragraph about each source of news.

Task:
Try writing a 'disagree' introduction in the way that I've suggested above.

New video lesson for IELTS reading

I've just published the final video lesson in my series about IELTS reading. It contains a summary of the tips and techniques in the previous 9 lessons.

Click here to go to the video.

I'll publish my first video lesson for IELTS speaking this Friday.

IELTS Reading: question types and techniques

Later today I'll publish a video lesson that summarises my advice for IELTS reading. Before you see it, think about the following questions:

1. Do you know how many types of question there are?
2. What is the main technique that I recommend for IELTS reading?
3. Do any of the question types require a different technique?

IELTS Vocabulary: 'easy' words in 'less common' phrases

You might think that a word is 'easy' because you understand it. But do you really know all the uses of that word? There might be some 'less common' uses that would impress the examiner.

Take the word "interest" for example. When teaching a class of advanced-level students, I used the phrase "out of interest" (e.g. I decided to take the course out of interest in the subject*). My students admitted that they had never heard the phrase "out of interest" before.

*out of interest in the subject = because I'm interested in the subject

Can you think of any other examples of 'easy' words that are used in 'less common' phrases?

IELTS Advice: you don't need to be 'original'

Some students worry about being 'original'. They worry that too many other candidates might use the same ideas, vocabulary or linking words as them. For example, several people have asked me whether the examiner will notice if they use the vocabulary from my blog lessons or ebook. Others worry that simple linking words like "firstly, secondly, finally" are too common or even too 'old'.

So, is it true that we should worry about these things? Do candidates need to use 'new', original language in their tests?

The answer is no! IELTS is not testing your originality; it's testing your ability to use the English language in a normal, natural way. Don't worry about any of the things mentioned above!

IELTS Speaking Part 2: use and adapt main topics

I've written before about the six main topic areas that I think you should prepare:

1. Describe a person (family member, famous person...)
2. Describe a place (city, holiday...)
3. Describe an object (something you use, a gift...)
4. Describe an event (festival, celebration...)
5. Describe an activity (hobby, game, sport...)
6. Describe your favourite (book, film, website...)

You should also be prepared to talk about your job and/or your studies.

After preparing one main description for these seven or eight topics, you should then practise adapting your descriptions to as many questions as you can.

Example:
Let's take the "disagreement" question in this lesson as an example. Can we use one of the main topics above as our answer? Perhaps we could say that we had a family disagreement about where to go on holiday, which gift to buy someone, or which film to see at the cinema. Which topic would you use and adapt for the "disagreement" question?

IELTS Writing Task 1: 'phone calls' bar chart

Several people have asked me for help with the following question, from Cambridge IELTS book 9:

The chart below shows the total number of minutes (in billions) of telephone calls in the UK, divided into three categories, from 1995-2002.

Here's my suggested outline for a 4-paragraph report:

1. Introduction: rewrite the question statement in your own words.
2. Overview: point out which category was highest in each year, which was lowest, and which saw the biggest changes.
3. Details: compare the 3 categories in 1995, then say what happened up until 1999.
4. Details: notice what happened to local calls from 1999 onwards, and contrast this with the other 2 categories. Finish with a comparison of the figures in 2002.

IELTS Writing Task 2: real examples!

On a recent course, my students and I looked at the following question:

Countries are becoming more and more similar because people are able to buy the same products anywhere in the world. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

One problem that I often see with this kind of question is that students / candidates fail to mention even one real example in their essays. Surely we should mention at least one product for this topic, but many people don't; they simply write in general about global brands.

Task:
Fill the gaps below with three real examples.

It is easier than ever for travellers to go abroad and find recognisable products by the brands that they use at home. For example, shops like _____, _____ and _____ can be found on the high streets of most major cities, and tourists are guaranteed the same quality and standard of product wherever they are.

IELTS Listening: multiple choice transcripts

It's always useful to check the transcripts at the back of the Cambridge IELTS books after you've done a practice test. This is especially helpful when you've done a multiple choice exercise.

Here's an example from Cambridge IELTS 10, page 35:

What decision has not yet been made about the pool?

A) whose statue will be at the door
B) the exact opening times
C) who will open it

Here's the relevant part of the transcript:

We're on schedule for a June 15th opening date and well within budget. We have engaged award-winning actress Coral White to declare the pool open and there'll be drinks and snacks available at the pool side. There'll also be a competition for the public to decide on the sculpture we plan to have at the entrance; you will decide which famous historical figure from the city we should have.

Task:
Can you see what the correct answer is, and explain why? Which 'keywords' gave you the answer? Also, can you see that all three choices are mentioned?

IELTS Reading: false or not given?

Over the weekend I taught an IELTS course here in Manchester, and my students found the following question tricky. (Cambridge IELTS book 10, page 67)

Here's the question. Is this statement true, false or not given?:
Tourism has a social impact because it promotes recreation.

Here's the relevant sentence from the passage:
Tourism has a profound impact both on the world economy, and because of the educative effect of travel and the effects on employment, on society itself.

What's the answer?
My students were sure that the answer would be "false". According to the passage, the social impact of tourism is related to education and employment. However, the correct answer is "not given".

Why?
There is no mention of "recreation" in the passage. For the answer to be "false", the passage would need to tell us that recreation is not part of the social impact of tourism.

Remember:
The answer is "false" when the information in the passage contradicts the question statement. If any of the information is missing, we have to answer "not given".

IELTS Advice: nervousness

People often ask me for advice about overcoming nervousness when they're taking the IELTS test.

Personally, I think it's normal and even helpful to feel nervous before an exam. The feeling that I think you should aim for is a healthy mix of nervousness and determination. The determination comes from knowing that you are well prepared for the challenge; when you feel like this, the nerves usually disappear as soon as you start the first part of the exam.

IELTS Advice: metaphors help learning

In Monday's reading lesson I used the metaphor of a "treasure hunt" to describe the task of finding answers in the passage.

In a comment below the lesson I pointed out that metaphors are a great aid to learning. Metaphors can help us to understand complex ideas more easily and clearly, and they also help us to remember things.

Here are some other metaphors (or similes) that I've used on this blog:

• Running a marathon
• Playing the piano
• Stepping stones
• Skeleton

Note: If you're not sure what metaphors and similes are, read this.

IELTS Speaking Part 3: idea, explain, personal example

Let's look at a sample answer using the "idea, explain, example" structure. This time I'm using a personal example in the last sentence.

What disagreements do teenagers often have with their parents? Why?

(Idea / basic answer) Teenagers disagree with their parents about all sorts of things, like the clothes they want to wear, whether they can go out with their friends, doing homework, and how much help they give their parents around the house. (Explain why) I think the teenage years are when we develop a sense of identity, and we want to make our own decisions rather than follow other people's instructions. (Personal example) I remember having disagreements with my own parents, usually about simple things like getting up early in the morning, tidying my room, or doing the washing up!

Task:
Can you answer the following question in the same way?

Do you think that it's important to be polite?

IELTS Writing Task 1: 'living alone' answer

Here's my full report for the "living alone" charts from this lesson.

The two charts give information about single-occupant households in England in the year 2011. The bar chart compares figures for occupants' age and gender, and the pie chart shows data about the number of bedrooms in these homes.

Overall, females made up a higher proportion of people living alone than males, and this difference is particularly noticeable in the older age categories. We can also see that the most common number of bedrooms in a single-occupant home was two.

A significant majority of the people aged 65 or over who were living alone in England in 2011 were female. Women made up around 72% of single occupants aged 75 to 84, and 76% of those aged 85 or over. By contrast, among younger adults the figures for males were higher. For example, in the 35-49 age category, men accounted for nearly 65% of people living alone.

In the same year, 35.4% of one-person households in England had two bedrooms, while one-bedroom and three-bedroom homes accounted for 28% and 29.8% of the total. Under 7% of single-occupant homes had four or more bedrooms.

(189 words, band 9)

Tip:
Notice that I was forced to leave out some of the information from the bar chart. This is normal when you only have 20 minutes; examiners expect you to select some key figures, not to try to include everything.

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'real opinion' and 'easiest opinion'

Last week I asked you to think about the question below. I asked what your real opinion would be, and whether a different opinion might be easier to write about.

Sports programmes are hugely popular on television nowadays. But some people argue that these programmes are to blame for the poor health of many young people who prefer to watch rather than partake in physical activity. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?

Real opinion
Personally, my real opinion is that I completely disagree. I don't think that sports programmes are responsible for any health problems.

Easiest opinion
However, it might be easier to say that we "agree to a certain extent" (partly agree). This would allow us to argue that too much sport on TV may be partly to blame, but that other factors may be equally or even more important.

Tip:
In your exam, I recommend noting down some ideas before you decide what your opinion is. Look at your ideas, and see whether they suggest a one-sided answer or a balanced answer.

Task:
Try writing two different introduction paragraphs - one for my real opinion, and one for the easier opinion above.

IELTS Listening: 'volcano' exercise

Fill the gaps in the following summary of a short video on the Economist website.

Click here to go to video

The eruption of Mount Tambora ______ years ago killed perhaps 100,000 people. However, the impact on the wider ______ was even greater; the eruption changed the ______ of the planet.

After a volcanic eruption, sulphate particles in the earth's atmosphere ______ some sunlight back into space, and also ______ some sunlight. Scientists estimate that Tambora's sulphate veil caused a ______ drop in rainfall and cooled the planet by ______.

Nobody can say when a similarly catastrophic eruption will happen next, but it is a ______ that one will happen.

IELTS Reading: imagine it's a game

Finding the answers in the IELTS reading test is a bit like doing a "treasure hunt". The answers are all hidden in the passage, and the questions are the "clues" that you follow to find the "treasure".

The next time you do a practice reading test, imagine that it's a game of treasure hunt. The IELTS test writers are your opponents, but if you know how questions are made, you can learn to beat them!

IELTS General Writing: some questions

Here are some questions that a student asked me about General Writing task 1:

1. Should I write the date at the top of a formal letter?

No, in the IELTS test you should not write the date or your address.

2. Should I use indentation at the start of a new paragraph?

You can either indent or miss a line. Just make sure it's clear that you have begun a new paragraph. Personally, I think missing a line is clearer.

3. Should I end the letter with "Yours..." on the left or on the right?

Always end the letter on the left. Have a look at my letters on this page.

4. Should I sign the letter before writing my name?

No, don't sign your name. You don't even need to put your real name. Personally, I use a first name (e.g. John) for informal letters, and a full name (e.g. John Smith) for formal letters.

IELTS Speaking: 3 simple tips

Here are three simple tips that could make a difference to your score:

1. Be confident

Although you might be nervous, try to speak clearly and confidently. Smile and be friendly* with the examiner. As you go into the exam, tell yourself that you have prepared well and that you're going to enjoy the challenge.

2. Know that you are prepared

You will feel much more confident if you know that you have prepared and practised for the test. You should know exactly what to expect. For example, have you prepared some common topics (e.g. describe a place, a person, a hobby) for the short presentation? Are you ready for a past and a future question in part 3?

3. Speak naturally

Try to enjoy a normal conversation with the examiner. Instead of worrying about your grammar, listen carefully to the questions and try to give natural answers. Most of the questions are about you, your life and your opinions, so it's best to be open. I used to be an examiner, and I always found the job more interesting when students spoke openly about their opinions and experiences.

*Note: You are not marked on body language, but I'd still recommend that you try to act in a friendly, confident manner.

IELTS Writing Task 1: don't use these phrases

Can you see what's wrong with the phrases below? Try to explain the problem with each phrase, and suggest a better alternative.

1. The bar chart displays the percentage of...
2. A glance at the bar chart provided reveals...
3. From an overall perspective, it is clear from the evidence that...
4. Looking at the pie chart, it is noticed that...
5. As can be seen, the figures show that...

IELTS Writing Task 2: your real opinion isn't always best

Your real opinion isn't always the best opinion to give when answering an IELTS question. I tell my students to brainstorm ideas before they decide which opinion to give. You might find that there are more (or better) arguments for a view that you wouldn't agree with in the 'real world'.

Take this question for example:

Sports programmes are hugely popular on television nowadays. But some people argue that these programmes are to blame for the poor health of many young people who prefer to watch rather than partake in physical activity. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?

Try planning some ideas, and think about the following questions:

- What is your real opinion about the topic above?
- Is your opinion easy to write about, or would it be easier to choose a different answer?

IELTS Reading: 3 study tips

Here are 3 tips to help you prepare for IELTS reading:

Materials
First, for test practice I only recommend the official Cambridge IELTS books. These contain real exam papers from previous years, so you can trust that the difficulty level will be accurate. Second, for advice, techniques and quick exercises, use the lessons here on the blog. Finally, read as much English as you can (in newspapers, books, on the Internet etc.) and write new or useful vocabulary in a notebook.

Method
There are just two things that you need to do in the reading test: find and understand. First, you need to find where the answer is in the passage. Then you need to read and understand that part of the passage in order to get the right answer. Look through my lessons here on the blog to find more advice about the "keyword technique". I've also explained the keyword technique in this video and in all of the reading lessons on my video course website.

Improving your score
To improve your score, you need to work on two things: exam technique and your overall knowledge of the English language. With practice, you'll get better at using the "keyword technique" to find answers. However, if you don't understand the passage, you'll find it very hard to get the right answers. To improve your overall language knowledge, read as much English as you can, and write new or useful vocabulary in a notebook.

IELTS Grammar: interesting 'article' question

A student noticed something interesting in my video lesson about "discussion essays". In the lesson I wrote the following two phrases:

1. their determination will help them in competitive situations
2. more useful than a competitive determination to win

The student asked why I used the article "a" in the second phrase. Isn't "determination" an uncountable noun? The answer is, not always.

Sometimes we use "determination" as a countable noun. In the second sentence above, I'm writing about one specific type of determination: the determination to win. In this case it's correct to write "a determination".

Note:
People often ask me to make a lesson that explains how to use articles. The problem is that article use doesn't follow a set of simple 'rules'. I think it's best to learn gradually by reading lots of English and by noticing things like the example above.

IELTS Advice: overall aims, specific actions

Most people who read this blog have the overall aim of passing the IELTS test with a certain score. But what specific actions are you going to take to achieve this overall aim? For example:

• Write one essay every week, get it checked by a teacher, and rewrite it.
• Do a full reading test once a week, check the answers, analyse my mistakes, and make a keyword table.
• Read this blog every day and follow Simon's advice :)

By the way, my own overall aim for this year is to finish my video course and my teacher training course. My small, short-term goal (my first specific action) is to produce the first video lesson for the speaking test.

IELTS Advice: New Year's resolutions

A New Year's resolution is an intention or objective for the coming year. The problem is that most people (including me!) break their resolutions - apparently 35% of New Year's resolutions are broken by the end of January.

If you're making a New Year’s resolution related to IELTS, here’s an idea:

We know that the overall aim is to pass the IELTS test, but the best resolutions are small and achievable. It’s disheartening to break a promise that you made to yourself, so start with something very easy. Why not make a short-term resolution for January only? When you've achieved that aim, you can set another one for February. Each aim can become gradually more difficult as you gain confidence.

Do you have a small, short-term, achievable objective for January? Feel free to share your resolutions in the “comments” below. I’ll tell you mine tomorrow, and maybe we can encourage each other to achieve our goals this year.

Happy New Year!