IELTS Speaking: describe a toy

Below, you can read an example description of a toy (for IELTS speaking part 2). See the previous post for the full question.

Lego Car Description:

One special toy that I remember getting was a Lego car. It was a birthday present from my parents. I can't remember exactly how old I was, but I was probably about 10 or 11.

The special thing about this car was that I had to build it myself out of hundreds of pieces of Lego. The pieces came in a box with a picture of the finished car on the front, and I had to follow step-by-step instructions to put all the pieces together in the correct way. This wasn't an easy task because the car even had an engine, movable seats and gears. It took me a day or two to make, and required a lot of concentration.

When the car was finished it looked great, and I felt a sense of accomplishment. I seem to remember that I didn't play with the car very much; the fun part had been the process of building it.

Don't just read this description once. Spend some time analysing it:

• Is the description well-organised and easy to follow?
• Can you find any good 'band 7' words or phrases?
• Could you write a similar description for a different toy?

IELTS Speaking Part 2: describe a toy

A student sent me this difficult speaking question:

Describe a toy that was special to you when you were a child.
You should say:

- when you got it
- what it looked like
- who gave it to you
- and how you used it or played with it.

If you can't remember a real toy that you had, choose something simple like a toy car (typical boy's toy) or a doll (typical girl's toy). Both of these toys are easy to describe.

I'll write some example ideas about this topic tomorrow. If you have any suggestions, please share them in the "comments" area below.

IELTS Grammar: some typical mistakes

Find 5 common mistakes in the paragraph below:

Some people believe that, all police officers should carry a gun. While, others disagree with this idea, and argue that it is intimidating to see armed police officers on the streets. From my view, the advantages of police officers carrying guns have overweighed the disadvantages. Because the police need to be able to protect both themselves and the general public.

Feel free to share your answers in the "comments" area below. I'll reveal the correct answers tomorrow.

IELTS Writing Task 1: general to specific

IELTS Writing Task 1 essays follow a "general to specific" structure.

• The introduction is the most general part of the essay; it simply tells the reader what the graph is about.
• Then I write a paragraph about the main points or a general trend. I call it overview paragraph.
• Finally, I write 2 paragraphs describing specific facts or figures.
• I don't write a conclusion because I have already summarised the information in paragraph 2.

Look at the graph below. First, make sure you understand it. Then look for a general trend. Finally, select specific points on the graph to describe in detail.

 

IELTS Essay Correction: May only

Many students have asked me to check their IELTS essays. For May only, I can offer this service, but I'm afraid it will not be free.

• For 300,000 Rials I will give you a score and some advice. I will also correct your mistakes.
• For 150,000 Rials I will give you a score and some advice (a short comment).

The prices above are for one essay (either task 1 or task 2). If you send me two essays, the price will be double.

So, if you want to check your writing progress, here's what you need to do:

1. Send me one essay (task 1 or task 2) by email. Put the essay in the email, not as an attachment. Tell me whether you want the 150,000 or 200,000 service.
2. I will send you an email with a link to pay me.
3. When I receive the payment I will check your essay. I will try to return your essay the next day.

Hopefully, by using the website, and now the essay correction service, you can make real progress with your writing this month.

If you have any questions, use the "comments" area below. To send an essay, email me at "[e-mail]".

IELTS Writing Task 1: describe a map

Sometimes are asked to describe a map for IELTS Writing Task 1. Today I'll explain how I would answer this type of question.

The map below is of the town of Garlsdon. A new supermarket (S) is planned for the town. The map shows two possible sites for the supermarket.

 

 

Here is some advice:

1. Introduction - Just paraphrase the question (instead of 'two possible sites' you could write 'two potential locations').
2. Overview - The main point is that the first site (S1) is outside the town, whereas the second site is in the town centre. Also, you could mention that the map shows the position of both sites relative to a railway and three roads which lead to three smaller towns.
3. Details (2 paragraphs) - Don't write a separate paragraph about each site; it's much better to compare the sites. I'd write one paragraph comparing the position of each site relative to Garlsdon (mention the different areas of the town), and another paragraph about the positions relative to transport links with the other three towns.

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'immigration' topic

What are the benefits and drawbacks of immigration or multi-cultural societies?

Here is a paragraph giving some of the economic benefits of immigration:

From an economic perspective, immigration can be extremely positive. Many immigrants have skills that are needed in the country they move to. For example, countries sometimes lack key workers like doctors and engineers, and immigration is therefore encouraged. Immigrants who find work contribute to the economy of their new country with the skills they bring and the taxes they pay. At the same time, many immigrants send money to help family members in their home country, therefore helping to boost that economy too.

Can you think of any social benefits of immigration? Are there any economic or social disadvantages?

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'children' topic

What problems do children face in today's world? What should we do to address or solve these problems?

Here are some ideas to get you thinking about this topic:

• The lack of closeness in families can have a negative effect on children.
• Many parents have no idea how their children spend their time.
• Friends, television and the Internet have become the main influences on children’s behaviour.
• Teenagers are influenced by peer pressure.
• Juvenile delinquency is on the increase.
• Parents should be more involved with their children’s upbringing.
• Young people need positive role models.

Can you think of any more problems that children face, or suggest other solutions? Is it the responsibility of parents, schools or governments to tackle these problems?

IELTS Writing Task 2: public/private healthcare

A recent IELTS Writing Task 2 question was about the advantages and disadvantages of private healthcare.

Public Healthcare: Advantages

• Good healthcare should be available to everyone for free.
• Public healthcare is paid by the government using money from taxes.
• Everyone has access to the same quality of care and treatment.
• Private healthcare is unfair because only wealthy people can afford it.
• The Public Health Service in the Iran provides free healthcare for every resident. (use this as an example)

Private Healthcare: Advantages

• Public hospitals are often very large and difficult to run.
• Private hospitals have shorter waiting lists for operations and appointments.
• Patients can benefit from faster treatment.
• Many people prefer to pay for a more personal service.
• Patients have their own room and more comfortable facilities.

Note:
You can use the advantages of public healthcare when discussing the disadvantages of private healthcare.

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'vegetarianism' topic

Today I asked my students about the vegetarianism topic. They found it quite difficult to give both sides of the argument. It's important to be able to discuss both sides of an issue, even if there are points that you don't agree with.

Here is a summary of the arguments in favour of a vegetarian diet:

• A vegetarian diet is healthier.
• Eating a hamburger a day can increase your risk of dying by a third.
• Raising animals in factory farm conditions is cruel.
• Meat production causes more emissions than transportation.
• Beef production uses 100 times the amount of water that vegetable production requires.
• A vegetarian diet is cheaper.

So, basically he is saying that a vegetarian diet is healthier, kinder to animals, better for the environment and cheaper.

Now you need to think about the opposite argument. Feel free to discuss your ideas in the "comments" area.

IELTS Writing Task 2: 'traffic' topic

Today I'd like to show you a good essay by one of my students. This is the essay question:

Traffic congestion is becoming a huge problem for many major cities. Suggest some measures that could be taken to reduce traffic in big cities.

It is a band 7 essay, mainly because it contains some really good topic vocabulary. Open the file below to see the full essay, grammar corrections and my comments.

Download the essay

Hopefully you can see that the student has followed my advice. He focuses on answering the question, there is a clear structure, and there is enough 'band 7' vocabulary.

IELTS Advice: the "Firstly, Secondly, Finally" structure

Some students ask if they can get a band 9 using "Firstly, Secondly, Finally".

Is the phrase "First and foremost" better than "Firstly"?

The answer is NO.

Using simple organising language like "Firstly, Secondly" makes you focus on the REAL CONTENT of what you are writing - topic vocabulary, collocations, examples. This is what the examiner wants to see.

Spend your time preparing ideas, opinions and examples for IELTS topics, not learning alternative ways to write "Firstly".

IELTS Speaking: Basic Information

The IELTS Speaking Test can be completed up to a week before or after the other tests. Your test centre will advise. You can take only your ID document into the exam room.

The test lasts between 11 and 14 minutes. You will be interviewed by an examiner who will record your conversation. Timing is strictly controlled by the examiner, so don't be surprised if he or she interrupts you during an answer.

There are 3 parts to the Speaking Test:

1. Introduction/ interview: around 10 questions in 4 to 5 minutes.
2. Long turn: talk for 2 minutes with 1 minute to prepare.
3. Discussion: around 5 questions in 4 to 5 minutes.

Preparation is the key to a good score in IELTS Speaking. Different skills are tested in each part, so you need to know exactly what to do. 

We can predict the kinds of questions that the examiner will ask. We'll prepare ideas, possible answers and good vocabulary for each part of the test.

IELTS Academic Writing Task 2

In the second part of the IELTS Academic Writing Test, you have to write 250 words. You should spend 40 minutes on this task. Writing Task 2 is worth more than Task 1, so you need to do it well.

For IELTS Writing Task 2, you have to write an essay discussing a topic. You will be given a question on one of these topics:

• Opinion (agree or disagree)
• Discussion (discuss both views)
• Problem and solution
• Advantages and disadvantages
• two-part questions

Most students prepare phrases for introducing and linking ideas. However, not many students prepare good ideas and opinions for IELTS topics.

We'll work on these areas:

• How to structure a good Task 2 essay.
• Preparation of ideas, opinions and good vocabulary for each IELTS topic.
• How to build and link sentences to create coherent paragraphs.
• Common mistakes in grammar and word usage.

Some hard work on these areas can make a big difference to your writing score. 

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1

The IELTS Writing Test should start right after the Reading Test. There are 2 parts to the Writing Test, and you have a total of 60 minutes to complete them. 

You should spend 20 minutes doing IELTS Writing Task 1. You must write 150 words or more. You will have to describe a graph, chart, table, diagram, map or a process.

The good news is that you can quickly learn how to write a Task 1 essay. I'll make sure you know exactly what to do in the exam.

We'll work on these areas:

• How to structure a good Task 1 essay.
• How to decide what information to include in your description.
• The words, phrases and grammatical structures for describing graphs, charts, tables, diagrams and maps.

By using the right techniques, you can write the kind of essay that examiners like.

IELTS Academic Reading: Basic Information

The Reading Test is immediately after the Listening Test. You do not get a break between them.

There are 3 sections in the Reading Test. Each section has 13 or 14 questions, making 40 questions in total. The test lasts 60 minutes, and in that time you must write your answers on an answer sheet.

Here are some of the common problems students have with IELTS Reading:

• Time is the biggest problem. Many students don't manage to finish the test.
• The texts are long and contain some difficult vocabulary.
• Students find "paragraph headings" questions difficult.
• Students find "true/ false/ not given" questions difficult.

IELTS Reading is really a test of your vocabulary. If your knowledge of English words and phrases is good, you will do well. 

There are techniques that can help you to work faster and cope with the difficult question types. However, the best way to improve your IELTS Reading score is by doing a lot of reading and vocabulary work.

IELTS Listening: Basic Information

The IELTS Listening Test is the first thing you have to do when you take the exam. If your exam starts at 9.30am, you should arrive at 9.00am. You will be taken to an exam room (hall) and your ID documents will be checked.

The Listening Test has 4 parts. Each section contains 10 questions, so there are 40 questions in total. The test lasts about 30 minutes, then you have an extra 10 minutes to write your answers on an answer sheet.

Here are some of the common problems students have with IELTS Listening:

• You only have ONE chance to listen to the recording.
• Correct spelling is important.
• Different English accents are used.
• Some of the questions are designed to trick you.

To solve these problems, we need to do lots of listening and spelling practice. There are also some exam tips, techniqess and strategies I can give you. However, listening practice will help you much more than exam techniques.

If you want to have "a good ear", you need to listen to as much English as possible. We'll start in next week's lesson.