Archives for September 2017

IELTS Test Toilet Breaks

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Yesterday, a student called Tamara posted a great little tip about toilet breaks in IELTS.

Her points were these:

  1. It’s important to drink water because you are nervous and the exam is long. But inevitably you might need the toilet.
  2. IELTS do not provide toilet breaks. So, you need to choose the best time to go to the toilet.
  3. Don’t go during your listening test. The listening test will not stop because you have gone to the toilet. You will miss answers and you will get a lower score as a result.
  4. Go to the toilet during your reading or writing test.
  5. The writing test is usually really hard to complete on time, so for most students, it’s best to go to the loo during the reading test.
  6. Be prepared for your IELTS test. Sleep well, eat well and be ready to concentrate.

Tamara did very well in her test, getting band score 8.5 overall. Brilliant!! Well done to her 🙂 See her score and read her tips as well as tips from other students on this page: IELTS Results Page

Get On the Day Tips by click on the link. My on the day tips cover listening, reading, writing and also speaking. So, read them all well.

Good luck everyone!! 🙂

Liz

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IELTS Model Essays for September 2017

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Below are three IELTS model essays for IELTS essay questions that students have reported this month in their test. You can find the full list of 20 essay questions on this page: IELTS Essay Questions 2017.  I did say that I would write only one model essay but, due to student demand, I have choose the three most popular essay questions.

Paragraphs: The model essays below all have two body paragraphs. Please note it is also possible to have three body paragraphs in IELTS writing task 2 – your choice depends on your ideas.

IELTS Essay Model Q#1

Nowadays young people lack an understanding of how to manage their finances after they finish high school. Explain why they do not know how to manage money and how this can be changed.

Below is an IELTS cause / solution model essay.

Many young people are leaving school without a basic and vital understanding of how personal finances ought to be managed in the adult world. This lack of knowledge is due to a lack of life experience and limited education which can be solved in two simple ways.

One main reason why so many young people are unable to manage their own finances upon finishing high school is that they have been living with their parents for free. As a result, they have never needed to earn a salary or save their money in order to pay bills. Another cause is that schools do not factor personal financial management into their curriculum. Schools focus instead on classic subjects, such as maths, geography, history and languages, which means important life skills are not being taught. Both teachers and parents are failing to prepare young people for the real world.

There are two options for solving young people’s inability to manage personal finances. Firstly, parents should spend time with their children teaching them how money is earned, budgeted and used for either savings or expenses. One simple step could be for parents to start by teaching young children how to manage their pocket money and, as their child grows up, expand into more serious household expenses. Secondly, schools should incorporate life skills into their curriculum for final year students. In this way, children will be able to learn in a supportive environment how their finances need to be budgeted and managed to avoid debt problems later in life.

In conclusion, young people lack financial management skills due to the negligence of parents and schools, which can only be solved if both take more responsibility for equipping school leavers with the right skills.

IELTS Essay Model Q#4

Advertising discourages us from being different and individuals eventually look the same. To what extent do you agree or disagree.

Below is a partial agreement (a balanced view) model opinion essay.

It is sometimes thought that advertisements result in people becoming increasingly similar and that they discourage individuality. In my opinion, advertising certainly  does promote conformity amongst certain people but most people will always make their own individual choices which will make them appear different.

The role of advertising is to promote products in a way that encourages people to buy them and this in turn means that people inevitably end up buying the same things and appearing the same. This is particularly true of the fashion industry which tells followers of fashion what colours to wear in which seasons, what styles of clothes they should wear and even the length of their hair. The adverts put pressure on young people to look fashionable by following looks which have been planned by the fashion industry. As a result, those who are easily influenced by fashion trends will tend to appear more similar and with less individuality in an attempt to be considered fashionable.

However, the wish to appear fashionable and follow fashion trends with strict conformity only applies to a certain group of young “trendy” people. For others, the fashion trends are interesting but not something that should be followed religiously. For instances, while some of them may choose to follow the fashionable colour that season, they may prefer a different hair style which is more suited to their own face shape or character. Consequently, although some aspects of their dress may be similar, the majority of what they wear and how they wear it is different and shows their individual character.

In conclusion, although fashion victims follow trends and may appear similar, they are in the minority as most people prefer to select what they wear and how they look for themselves.

IELTS Essay Model Q#9

Some people believe that development of business results in a loss of cultural ties between countries. Other people contradict this belief. Give your opinion.

Below is a one sided model opinion essay.

The development of business, according to some, has had a negative impact on cultural ties between countries. I do not agree with this as international business can often encourage cultural ties and does not impact on existing ones.

Firstly, international business has resulted in new relationships between countries that previously had little contact. Consequently products from countries all around the world become available to the everyday person which raises their awareness of these countries. As awareness between countries grows, so too does cultural respect and interest. For this reason, there are more people travelling abroad today to experience new cultures than ever before. One good example of this is the long lasting cultural interest between China and Europe which was initially brought about by the silk trade.

Another point to consider is that cultural ties that already exist between countries are not necessarily disturbed by business. Most cultural ties have actually been established due to the development of transportation which has enabled people to travel further distances from their homes. For decades, if not centuries, the British were known to travel to France and even as far as Egypt to enjoy warmer climates as well as to appreciate their culture. Regardless of business or business problems which came later, these cultural ties continue to exist today. In other words, although business may throw a spanner in the works with regards to international relationships from time to time, it cannot undo the deep cultural connections between these countries that have evolved and been enjoyed over time.

To conclude, business mostly certainly does not cause a loss of cultural ties between countries and can, in fact, be the root of establishing new ones.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Tips & Lessons

You can find writing task 2 tips and more model essays on this page: IELTS Writing Task 2 Main Page

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IELTS Writing Questions September 2017

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Here is a list of IELTS writing task 2 questions which students have reported this month, September 2017.

Can the same questions and topics be used? Yes, they can. Sometimes they are new topics and sometimes they are old topics which have been reworded. To prepare fully for IELTS writing task 2, you need to prepare both common and current topics.

September 2017 IELTS Writing Topics

Please remember, these are not predictions. These are IELTS essay questions that students have had so far this month. It is possible for topics and questions to be repeated. Your should prepare both common topics and the topics below. Get common IELTS essays questions here: 100 IELTS Essay Questions

  1.  Nowadays young people lack an understanding of how to manage their finances after they finish high school. Explain why they do not know how to manage money and how this can be changed.
  2. Many forms of advertisement are very powerful and they have a harmful effect on some people. Why is this the case? What solutions can be implemented to solve this problems.
  3. A very high percentage of television advertisements are aimed at children. What is the effect on children? Should there be more control of advertisement?
  4.  Advertising discourages us from being different and individuals eventually look the same. To what extent do you agree or disagree.
  5. English is now considered to be a global language. Do you think the advantages of the spread of English as a global language outweighs its disadvantages?
  6. Some people think that children should be punished when they commit crimes. Others think that their parents should be punished. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
  7. In some countries, the amount of garbage has become an increasing problem. What are the causes of these problems? What can be done to solve this problem?
  8. Is it important to have huge public spaces like parks and squares in towns and cities. Do you agree or disagree?
  9. Some people believe that development of business results in a loss of cultural ties between countries. Other people contradict this belief. Give your opinion.
  10. Some people believe that children of different ages should be put together in the same class .What is your opinion?
  11. Some people think that nowadays children have too much freedom. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
  12. Some people think all students should do some community service (unpaid). What is your opinion?
  13. Some people say that schools should teach good behaviour to children and introduce them to ‘right’ and ‘wrong’. Parents should not be the only ones responsible. Do you agree or disagree?
  14. In some schools, sports lesson are included in the curriculum. How important is it for girls and boys to do sports activity at schools ?
  15. Nowadays, people are doing work at home using computers and telephones. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this development?
  16. Some people get involved in sports that are dangerous for them. Why do some people get involved in such sports? What could be done to mitigate the danger involved?
  17. Some people believe job satisfaction is more important than job security. Others feel that one’s job need not be satisfactory and that having a permanent job is more important. Do you agree or disagree?
  18. Mobile phone enables us to take work or personal calls anywhere anytime. Do you think it has positive or negative impact on individuals and society?
  19. Some people think that university education is important to have a successful life , while others think it is not needed nowadays . Discuss both points of view and give your opinion.
  20. Usually directors are paid much higher salaries than ordinary workers. Some people agree with this but others believe it is unfair. Discuss both views and give your own opinion on this topic.

Model Essays: You can find model essays for questions #1, #4 and #9 on this page: IELTS Model Essays Sept 2017

IELTS Writing Task 2 Tips

You can find IELTS writing task 2 tips, model essays and free lessons on my main IELTS writing task 2 page.

All of my writing task 2 lessons are for both GT and Academic IELTS students. My lessons are aimed at learning the right techniques to achieve a high score.

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Answer to yesterday’s paraphrasing exercise 3

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Yesterday, I gave you the essay question below to paraphrase:

Essay Question: Artists need a certain amount of freedom to develop their creativity. Some people think that artists should have total freedom to express any thoughts and ideas. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

On this page you will find

  1. model background statements for the above essay question
  2. good background statements posted by students
  3. a list of common mistakes
  4. a full model introduction
  5. useful link for writing task 2

Please let me know if you find this lesson useful

Model Background Statements

  1. As artists need freedom for their creativity, it is thought that there should be no limits to their freedom of expression.
  2. Some people believe that artists require freedom to be creative and therefore should have complete freedom to express any idea they have.
  3. Artists having complete freedom to convey any belief is thought by some to be paramount to an artist’s creative development.
  4. It is thought that without complete freedom of expression, an artist will not be able to be develop their creativity.

Interesting Background Statements from Students

  1. While it is generally understood that in order to be creative an artist must have some liberty to develop impulses and ideas creatively , some would argue that they should have full, and unrestricted, creative licence.
    1. Comment: This is a good background statement but too long. It’s a waste of time to write a long background statement and it won’t boost your score. But otherwise, this is well written with great vocabulary.
  2. It is considered by some that artists, in order to amplify their creativity, should be totally free to express their ideas and thoughts.
    1. Comment: This is the right length and well written. Just one mistake – the word “amplify” is incorrect. Avoid over paraphrasing – just use the word “develop”.
  3. Since art requires a level of freedom to be creative, some believe that artists ought to be granted all the freedom of expression they need.
    1. Comment: This is a great background statement. It’s written very well. The only thin I would change is the last word. I would change it from “need” to “want”.
  4. It is true that a level of liberty is required by artist to enhance their imaginative skills, but some people believe that artists should have unrestricted freedom in giving voice to their opinion and believe.
    1. Comment: I like this background statement. Nicely written. However, there are grammar mistakes: required by artists (plural needed) / to voice their opinions and beliefs (plurals needed).
  5. It is widely believed that artists ought to be given absolute freedom of expression, because freedom is essential in the development of their creative process.
    1. Comment: Well done 🙂

Common Mistakes in Paraphrasing

  • Artists = creators
    • this is wrong. The word artist means artist. You don’t try to paraphrase this.
  • Artists = people from art sphere
    • A mistake. It is obvious that paraphrasing the word “artist” is difficult. In fact, you shouldn’t try. Not all words in English can be paraphrased.
  • Some people = few people
    • this is wrong. You could write “a few people” but not “few people”. The term “few people” means “not enough people. It has a different meaning entirely.
  • It is always a topic of debate that
    • this shows the examiner you can’t write your own sentences and need to memorise phrases from a book. It will not help your score.
  • creativity = ingeniousness
    • completely wrong. Never paraphrase unless you are 100% sure. Mistakes will lower your score.

Full Model Introduction

Here is my model introduction. My thesis statement presents a partial agreement.

Some people believe that artists require freedom to be creative and therefore should have complete freedom to express any idea they have. In my opinion, while freedom of expression is important, art must be censored for violent or dangerous content.

Please let me know if you find this lesson useful.

Useful Link for IELTS writing task 2

Get all my IELTS writing task 2 tips & model essays

My writing task 2 lessons are for both GT and Academic students.

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IELTS Writing Task 2 Paraphrasing Practice No. 3

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The lesson today is about paraphrasing in IELTS writing task 2. It is about paraphrase the essay question in order to make a background statement for the introduction.

The introduction for an IELTS essay in writing task 2 consists of two sentences: a background statement and a thesis statement. The background statement paraphrases the essay question. The thesis statement gives your answer.

Yesterday, a student wrote this to me about paraphrasing:

Hi Liz,

You said that it’s ok to keep some words the same when you paraphrase. My question is: “Do you have a maximum number of words that can stay the same?

For example: Artists need a certain amount of freedom to develop their creativity. Some people think that artists should have total freedom to express any thoughts and ideas. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

I think I can keep the word “artist” and “creativity”. But I doubt using “freedom” Should I paraphrase the word “people”? What words can I keep?

Get Model Answer

You can find a model introduction with paraphrasing tips on this page. The link below will explain how you can paraphrase your background statement.

Paraphrasing: Model Introduction & Tips

 

 

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IELTS Opinion Essay: Choosing one side or partially agreeing?

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In an IELTS opinion essay, you can either agree, disagree or take a balanced approach which means to partially agree. However, you need to learn more so that you fulfil the requirements of the higher band scores.

See the answers to the 4 questions below. Also see useful links for writing task 2 below. All tips are for GT and Academic students.

1. Is it better to choose one side?

It won’t alter your score if you choose to support one side or partially agree. As long as you give a clear opinion, the examiner will be happy.

If you don’t understand a partial agreement essay, then choose one side. It’s easier to choose one side for most students and you can still get band score 9 by choosing one side.

Sometimes it might be hard to find enough ideas to support one side. In this case, go for a partial agreement. BUT if you need training to learn how to do this correctly.

2. Will you get a higher score if you partially agree?

No. It’s doesn’t matter what your opinion is – one side or partial. The only thing the examiner wants is a relevant opinion which is fully explained.

3. Can you write a discussion essay instead?

NO. Let me repeat that – NO !!! An opinion essay is only about your opinion. It is not about what other people think. You can’t change the type of essay you have been given. Look at the instructions below:

  • Discussion both sides and give your opinion
    • You must explain both sides of what other people think and also give your opinion
  • To what extent do you agree or disagree?
    • You must present your opinion and nothing else. Your opinion must cover all aspects of the essay question.

 

4. Can you use “I” or “my” in an opinion essay?

Yes. Of course. You MUST use “i” or “my” – it’s the only way to give your own personal opinion. Look at the language below:

  • it is believed / it is considered / it seems – This language does not express your own individual opinion. It is perfect for discussion essays but it can’t be used for your own views.
  • I think / I agree / I disagree / In my opinion – This is how you clearly express your view. The examiner wants to see this language when you give your opinion.

Useful Links for IELTS Writing Task 2

Click below to open useful links for IELTS writing task 2:

When to give your opinion

How to write an introduction

Using “I” or “my”: Free Video

Using quotes and idioms

All Writing Task 2 Tips & Model Essays

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IELTS Essay Writing: Choosing your opinion

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An IELTS opinion essay requires you to give your opinion. Is it better to choose one side or have a balanced view? Many students are not sure which opinion will give them a higher score.

The instructions can vary for an opinion essay (agree/disagree essay):

  • Do you agree or disagree?
  • What is your view?
  • To what extent do you agree?
  • To what extent do you agree or disagree?
  • Do you agree?

All these instructions are for the same essay. You can answer them in the same way. IELTS sometimes likes to paraphrase instructions but the aim of the essay is the same. There is no difference between them.

IELTS Opinion Essay Question

This question was given in the IELTS test 2 weeks ago.

It is more important for children to learn about local history than world history.

Do you agree or disagree?

Questions for You:

  1. Do you think it is better to choose one side?
  2. Will you get a higher score if you partially agree?
  3. Can you write a discussion essay instead giving both sided without an opinion?
  4. Can you use “I” or “my” in an opinion essay?

Answers

You can see the answers and tips for choosing sides in an opinion essay on this page: IELTS Opinion Essay: Choosing Sides

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How I Increased my IELTS Score in 4 Months

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An IELTS student increased her scores in each part of the IELTS test in 4 months. Her name is Priscilla. Below you can learn some of her tips for increasing your IELTS score.

Priscilla’s Results

April: L8, R7.5, W6.5, S7 (OBS 7.5)

August: L9, R8.5, W7, S7.5 (OBS 8)

Her certificate April:

Her certificate: August

Priscilla’s Experience in 2 IELTS Tests

April 20th IELTS preparation and examination evaluation
I was too excite and too confident mainly because I felt that since I spoke English from cradle, the exam should not be a big deal thus I practiced less.During the exam, I lacked understanding of the writing task 2 question. Generally I lacked structure, I just started writing and wrote too many words and even collected an extra sheet. In reading, because i lacked method, i took a lot of time for passages 1 and 2 which resulted to less time for 3. In listening, I got worried when I missed some points and i kept thinking about it. In speaking, I was nervous and i tried to impress the examiner. I was not generally natural, I used learned phrases too.
August 3rd IELTS preparation and examination evaluation  
I was calmer and took corrections. I learnt planning for writing task 2 and i wrote average words in the two tasks using only the sheets provided, no extras. I had extra time to go over my work. For reading, I found a method that worked for me and I held on to it. I solved the first two passages faster and had more time for the third passage still checked my answers. In listening, I anticipated answers, did not dwell on missed points and followed the conversation by tracing the questions with my pencil. While speaking, I spoke more naturally (no forming of intonation). I avoided impressing the examiner, i did not look for big words to use  and I answered the questions mostly sincerely as if my information would be verified; this prevented me from overthinking.

Priscilla’s Tips to Increase your Score

These are some tips that i think helped me. First, observe how calm Liz is when she teaches. Adopt that nature at least for the exam!

  • Don’t be too excited
  • Don’t try to impress the examiner
  • Read and Follow instructions
  • Understand Questions

In Listening: (9.0)
*Listen carefully and move on when u miss an answer.
*Sometime predict answers (this helped me a lot)
*Use your pencil to follow the conversions (it kept me on track)

Reading: (8.5)
My method:

  1. read questions fully
  2. read passage fully but fast
  3. then answer questions
  4. I finished passages 1 & 2 in 30 mins then 3 in 25 mins. Used 5 mins to go over questions and answers

Writing (7.0)
I practised sensibly. I learnt planning for my writing. This works like magic. I finished task 2 within 30 mins
Went over the two tasks and made error corrections.

Speaking: (7.5) I never believed I’d get this mark!
I was less excited, I spoke naturally. I wasn’t thinking of any big words to use.
I don’t know if this will work for another but I answered the questions truthfully as if I was in a non-English exam interview. I added details to short answers too.

http://www.ieltsliz.com is perfect for learning. Don’t be in a hurry. Just give yourself practice time. I now tell my friends, study everything on LIZ first, then do practice tests a lot.

Message to Priscilla: Thanks so much for sharing your experience. It truly shows students that it is possible to increase their scores with the right techniques and practice. Well done to you for your great achievement !! Liz

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