Important Things are Free Essay Tips

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A number of students reported this essay question in IELTS writing task 2. Many of you have asked me for ideas and tips about this essay. You can find step by step tips below. The essay below is called an Opinion Essay (however some teachers called it an “argumentative essay” or “agree/disagree essay”).

IELTS Essay Question

Some people think that the most important things in life are free and cannot be bought. To what extent do you agree?

Tips for this IELTS Essay

  1. Please note that the wording of the essay is “important things” not “important services”. You need to pay close attention to the words used in the essay so that you don’t change the meaning.
  2. You need to make a list of things that are important in life and are free:
    1. family
    2. health
    3. appreciation of nature
    4. love
    5. Each of the above cannot be bought using money – they are available to rich and poor alike.
  3. This essay is not about WHY they are free. You need to be very clear what the aim of the question is. The question is “do you think the most important things are free or do you think the most important things are not free and must be bought.
  4. You need to think of things that are not free and must be bought:
    1. food
    2. housing
    3. education
    4. health care
    5. clothes
    6. cars
    7. electricity
    8. these items must be bought using money. Rich people get better quality food, housing, education etc than poor people who sometimes can’t afford even the most basic human necessities.
  5. Now you have brainstormed your ideas. What is your opinion? Do you think the best things in life are free? Or do you think the best things in life are not free?
  6. Your opinion must be written clearly in the introduction and explained in the body paragraphs.
  7. Your thesis statement:
    1. The thesis statement should be one sentence that presents your position (your opinion).
    2. You can start this sentence with : In my opinion or I think or I believe or something similar that shows YOUR own personal opinion. Don’t start it with “this essay”.
  8. Model Introduction
    1. See a range of different introductions for this essay question: Model Introductions

IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Essays

You can find more tips, free videos and model essays on this page: IELTS Writing Task 2.

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Answers for Bitcoin listening

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See the answers below for the listening exercise about Bitcoin. If you didn’t complete the lesson, please check here: Bitcoin listening before checking the answers and transcript below.

Transcript

Bitcoin is an experimental, decentralized digital currency that enables instant payments to anyone, anywhere in the world. Bitcoin uses peer-to-peer technology to operate with no central authority: managing transactions and issuing money are carried out collectively by the network.

Bitcoin is one of the first successful implementations of a distributed crypto-currency, described in part in 1998 by Wei Dai on the cypherpunks mailing list. It is built upon the notion that money is any object, or any sort of record, accepted as payment for goods and services and repayment of debts in a given country or socio-economic context. Bitcoin is designed around the idea of using cryptography to control the creation and transfer of money, rather than relying on central authorities.

There are many advantages to bitcoins, for example they are sent easily through the Internet, without needing to trust any third party and also transactions are fast. However, unfortunately, transactions are also irreversible.

Information from wiki.

Answers

  1. instant
  2. central authority
  3. record
  4. fast
  5. irreversible

More Listening Lessons for IELTS

You can find all my listening exercises and tips on this page: IELTS Listening

 

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IELTS Listening: Bitcoin

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A short listening exercise which focused on filling in the gaps in a passage. You need to read the passage first before listening the the recording. Make a note of key words in the passage and predict the types of answers that will come (nouns / verbs etc). This audio is on a cloud so you will need stable internet connection to stream it.

Tip: Answers will come in order of the question numbers. To keep your place in the recording and not get list, you need to focus on key words in the passage below and not get lost in the extra detail in the recording.

Post your answers below and I’ll post the answers tomorrow.

Listening: What is bitcoin?

Complete the summary using no more than two words and/or a number.

A new currency recently established is the bitcoin which allows (1) …………. transactions. It is not limited geographically and is not controlled by a (2) ………………………… The idea behind it is that money is any object or (3)……… which is accepted as payment. The benefits of bitcoins is that they can easily used online and transactions are (4)…………. but the downside is that they are (5)……………

 

 

Answers:

Click below to see the answers

Answers to Bitcoin Listening

 

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How to Paraphrase Successfully in IELTS

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Paraphrasing in IELTS is essential for a high score in IELTS. This page contains tips on paraphrasing to maximise your score. For IELTS Writing Task 2, paraphrasing is critical to your score for essay writing. Vocabulary counts for 25% of your writing marks. This page mainly focuses in paraphrasing for essays, but it can also help you understand more about paraphrasing in IELTS Reading and IELTS Listening. Certainly, it plays a role in the speaking, but to a lesser degree because repeated words are much more acceptable in the informal IELTS speaking test. So, lets review all about paraphrasing.

This page will review:

  1. using synonyms
  2. not changing all words
  3. avoiding mistakes
  4. changing word forms
  5. changing sentence structure
  6. paraphrasing and band scores

IELTS Paraphrasing

1. Using Synonyms

In IELTS one way to paraphrase is to use synonyms. This shows the examiner your range of vocabulary for any given topic. The wider your range of vocabulary, the higher your band score. BUT, only if you don’t make mistakes. 

Here is an example of how a sentence can be re-written by using synonyms:

The reasons for increasing levels of pollution are the development of industry and air travel.

The sentence above can be paraphrased as:

The causes of rising levels of pollution are the growth and expansion of industry as well as the number of people travelling by air.

Here is a list of how the sentence was altered using synonyms.

  • causes = reasons
  • increasing = rising
  • the development of = the growth and expansion of
  • and = as well as
  • air travel = travelling by air

Notice: you can see that the words “levels of pollution” and “industry” have not be changed. This is fine. Not all words need to be changed. In fact, the word “pollution” is best not changed. See tip number 2, below:

Problems with Synonyms

Synonyms are NOT words with 100% the same meaning and same usage. This is why so many people make mistakes with them.

Synonyms are words with a very similar meaning and might be perfect in some contexts but then not at all suitable in other contexts. So, using synonyms well is all about how deep your knowledge is of the word meaning and how the word is used – both in grammar and context.

The more mistakes you make with words, the lower your band score will be. See Tip 6 below.

2. Not All Words Need Changing

Not all words need to be changed for a high score in IELTS. You can see from the example above that some words have remained the same levels of pollution, industry , air). This means you need to decide which words to paraphrase and which words to keep the same.

High band score successful candidates (band 7 and over) know when to paraphrase and when to keep words the same.

People stuck at band 6 and below, often over-paraphrase. They try to change too many words too often which results in 1) poor word choices   2) changing the meaning and going off topic. Both problems will lower your score below band 7.

3. Avoiding Mistakes

The more mistakes you make with vocabulary in IELTS writing and speaking, the lower your score will be. Paraphrasing is a skill. Synonyms do not have exactly the same meaning and cannot always be used at the same time.

Watch this video below to get useful tips on paraphrasing for writing task 1 and writing task 2.

Mistakes with paraphrases cause people to get a low score and can also take people off topic in an IELTS essay.

4. Changing the Word Form

Another way to paraphrase sentences is to change the form of the word. This means we use the same words as IELTS but change their form. This type of paraphrasing is really focused at your writing skills because it means you don’t need to look for a synonym for a word, instead you can alter the word form.

Here is an example:

Many people are unhealthy because they fail to eat well and exercise.

This can be paraphrased by changing the word form of “unhealthy”, “fail” and “exercise”.

Many people have poor health as they are failing to eat well and are not exercising enough.

Lets look at the word changes for this paraphrase:

  1. Word forms
    • unhealthy = poor health
    • fail = are failing
    • exercise = are exercising
  2. Linking word
    • because = as

This is not low level paraphrasing, in IELTS this is considered skilful paraphrasing and it is actually a skill that you want to demonstrate. You need to show the examiner that you can alter word forms as a sign of flexibility with language.

So, don’t get stuck on always trying to find synonyms, you can just change the word form and still get a high score. It’s also a good way to avoid errors but taking risks with synonyms that are not perfect.

5. Changing Sentence Structure

Another way to paraphrase successfully is to change the order to words in a sentence. This means changing the structure of the sentence. Taking the example from above again:

Many people are unhealthy because they fail to eat well and exercise.

You can see above there are two clauses:

  1. Many people are unhealthy
  2. because they fail to eat well and exercise

We can change the order of the clauses:

Many people fail to eat well and exercise and for that reason they are unhealthy.

The clauses are now in a different order:

  1. people fail to eat well and exercise
  2. they are unhealthy

Let’s change this even more:

Failing to eat well and not exercising are the reasons that many people have poor health.

This is the best way to tackle paraphrasing in IELTS essays. The examiner will look for sentences that start with a gerund – a verb converted to a noun using +ing which makes the noun always singular. 

If we use this approach and also add synonyms – it will look like this:

Failing to have a balanced diet and not getting enough physical exercise are the reasons behind the large number of people facing a range of health problems in society today.

Now we are approaching band 9 paraphrasing skills for IELTS writing task 2. Even a band 9 can keep some words the same – exercise = exercise.

If you enjoyed the example sentences above, you’ll love my Grammar E-book for Writing Task 2. It shows lots of ways to develop language and change sentence structures. See the link at the bottom of this page.

6. Paraphrasing & IELTS Band Scores

Of course paraphrasing will help your band score for the criterion of vocabulary. Below you see how your range of vocabulary affects your band score and also how the number of errors affects your score. Even if you have a wide range of vocabulary, your score will go down if you have too many errors. And if those errors impact your meaning, it will be below band 6.

Vocabulary Range

  • Band 5 = minimum range
  • Band 6 = adequate range
  • Band 7 = sufficient range
  • Band 8 – wide range

Number of Errors

  • Band 5 = frequent errors & problems with meaning
  • Band 6 = some errors, no problems with meaning
  • Band 7 = few errors
  • Band 8 = most sentences are error free

You can see that you need to show a range of words which means you need to paraphrase. But you also need to reduce your errors which means don’t try to paraphrase too much and don’t make mistakes.

Following the above tips (using synonyms, not paraphrasing all words, avoiding errors, changing the word form and changing the sentence structure) will help you achieve the highest score.

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IELTS Complex Table for Writing Task 1

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A model answer for an IELTS complex table for writing task 1.  The table below has been reported in the IELTS test a number of times so it is definitely worth reviewing and learning from. IELTS do like to recycle writing task 1 charts, tables etc which is why you need to review tasks from previous years. It is not common to be given a table with so many categories and numbers, but when you get it, you must be prepared to group information together in a logical way rather than ignore categories completely. This model answer will help you understand how to organise the information.

IELTS Complex Table for Writing Task 1

Download a word doc of this table by clicking: IELTS Complex Table

IELTS Table Writing Task 1 Complex Lots of Data

Source: IELTS Liz

Band 9 IELTS Complex Table Model Answer

Note: this model answer was provided by Tony Grace, experienced IELTS tutor.

The tables illustrate the proportion of people assessing six aspects of one city’s life as good, average, or bad, in 1980 and 2010.

Overall, healthcare, education, and the environment were given the highest scores in both years, and transport facilities received the lowest.  Meanwhile, education’s rating rose over the period, while that of transportation fell.

In 1980, people rated healthcare, education, and the environment the highest, with over 80% approving of healthcare, while the other two had figures of 72%.  Under 10% of respondents thought these three services were bad.  As for shopping and unemployment, both had similar figures, as 62-64% expressed approval, and 22-24% said they were average.   Only a half of those surveyed gave a high score to transportation, with roughly a third stating it was bad.

Turning to 2010, the most significant changes were seen in education, as over 80% were happy with it, and in healthcare whose good rating fell to 74%.  The employment situation improved, as in 2010, almost three-quarters of those asked expressed satisfaction.  In contrast, approval of the transport facilities fell to 39%, and a similar proportion stated it was bad.  Finally, with regard to the environment and shopping, their approval levels both remained relatively unchanged.

Recommended for IELTS Writing Task 1

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Answers to yesterdays TFNG exercise 2

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This page contains answers, as well as the passage and questions to exercise 2 reading practice for TFNG.

Passage: Impact of Hunting

Humans have long hunted wild game from forests, but over the past 50 years commercialisation of killing has triggered a rapid increase in wildlife depletion. Hunting and poaching cause damage to the rain forest ecosystem by removing species key to the system’s functioning. The loss of a certain single species can mean extinction for many others. Hunting of seed dispersers and pollinators can influence the structure of a forest.

This passage is from rainforests.mongabay.com. You can view the full article on this page: Impact of hunting & poaching

Questions for TFNG practice.

Are the sentences below True, False or Not Given according to the information in the passage above.

  1. Commercialised hunting is mainly focused in forests.
  2. The falling numbers in wildlife have been brought about by the commercialisation of hunting.
  3. Hunting negatively impacts the world’s ecosystem.
  4. One species in decline can adversely affect other species.
  5. The structure of forests can be altered by the hunting of seeds.

Answers

  1. Not Given
    1. The passage does not mention where commercialised hunting is focused. We don’t know if it is only in forests or if it is also in other places.
  2. True
    1. ” commercialisation of killing has triggered a rapid increase in wildlife depletion.”
  3. False
    1. “Hunting negatively impacts the forest’s ecosystem.”
    2. The passage shows that it is not the world’s ecosystem which is affected, it is the forest’s ecosystem that is affected.
    3. This means the answer is FALSE – the statement in the question is wrong.
  4. True
    1. “The loss of a certain single species can mean extinction for many others. “
  5. False
    1. “Hunting of seed dispersers and pollinators can influence the structure of a forest.”
    2. Only high level students will get this one right. So, don’t worry it you got it wrong.
    3. The passage does not talk about the hunting of seeds. The passage talks about the hunting of seed dispersers and pollinators. Let me explain those words:
      1. Examples of “seed dispersers” = elephants. They eat vegetation which contains seeds. They move through the forest and the seeds come out in their faeces (poo). This means they disperse the seeds through the forests by eating them and pooing them. Birds are also well known seed dispersers.
      2. Examples of pollinators = bees, butterflies etc.
    4. The passage shows that it is not “the hunting of seeds” that is the problem. The passage shows that is it the hunting of “seed dispersers and pollinators” that causes the problem.
    5. This means that the question statement is incorrect. So, the answer is FALSE

Comments

  1. As I said, if you got question 5 wrong, don’t worry about it. Only people aiming for band 8 or 9 should get this right.
  2. Don’t forget that the answer FALSE has two meanings: 1) the passage shows opposite information 2) the passage shows the statement is wrong. Remember those two meanings and you will be fine.

 

I hope you found the lesson useful 🙂

All the best

Liz

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Reading Lesson for IELTS: Exercise 2

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This is a reading lesson to practice TFNG questions. It is not an IELTS test.

Passage: Impact of Hunting

Humans have long hunted wild game from forests, but over the past 50 years commercialisation of killing has triggered a rapid increase in wildlife depletion. Hunting and poaching cause damage to the rain forest ecosystem by removing species key to the system’s functioning. The loss of a certain single species can mean extinction for many others. Hunting of seed dispersers and pollinators can influence the structure of a forest.

This passage is from rainforests.mongabay.com. You can view the full article on this page: Impact of hunting & poaching

Questions for TFNG practice.

Are the sentences below True, False or Not Given according to the information in the passage above.

  1. Commercialised hunting is mainly focused in forests.
  2. The falling numbers in wildlife have been brought about by the commercialisation of hunting.
  3. Hunting negatively impacts the world’s ecosystem.
  4. One species in decline can adversely affect other species.
  5. The structure of forests can be altered by the hunting of seeds.

Answers

You can access the answers for this lesson by clicking here: Answers to Reading Exercise 2

 

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IELTS Apology Letter for General Training

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It is common to be asked to write an IELTS apology letter for General Training writing task 1. You might be given a formal or informal apology letter. You must use the correct style and tone to get a high band score. Always decide what type of letter you must write before you start planning. Students taking the academic test, do not write letters for task 1 writing.

Below you will find:

  • an informal apology letter: question and model answer
  • a formal apology letter: question and model answer
  • link to essential tips for IELTS letter writing

Note the difference in tone, content and also language between formal and informal apology letters.

IELTS Informal Apology Letter

This letter was in the IELTS test, October 2017.

Write a letter to a friend. You have borrowed something from your friend and it got damaged.

  1. Apologize for damaging the product
  2. Explain what happened
  3. Say how are you going to fix the issue

IELTS Model Answer Apology Letter – Informal

Dear Emily,

Sorry it’s taken me so long to write to you but at last I put pen to paper to explain why I haven’t returned that DIY book I borrowed from you.

To be honest, I’ve been feeling so guilty that I delayed writing to you. I have to own up that I damaged the book accidentally. I’m so very sorry. I know how important that book is to you as it was passed down from your late father.

What happened is that I had been reading up on the chapter about DIY plumbing when I knocked over my cup of coffee which splashed all over the book. Most of the stain is on the pages that were open at the time.

I’ve sent the book away to be repaired. I didn’t realise that was even possible until I researched it. Anyway, it should be as good as new when I get it back next week and then I’ll send it on to you.

Again, I’m so sorry for the delay in telling you. I hope you can forgive me.

Best wishes

Sarah

(184 words)

IELTS Formal Apology Letter

Write a letter to your boss apologising for the recent meeting you missed at work.

  1. Apologise for missing the meeting.
  2. Explain what happened.
  3. Say what you will do to compensate.

Model Answer for an IELTS Formal Apology Letter

Dear Mr Drummond,

I am writing to apologise for the meeting I missed on October 20th about development plans for the company.

I am sincerely sorry for not being able to attend this meeting. I am aware of the importance of the meeting but, unfortunately, my absence was unavoidable.

The reason for not attending this meeting was that I had a car accident on the way to work that day. Although the accident was not serious, I was taken to hospital for a check up and not allowed to leave until I had been given the all clear from a doctor.

I understand how crucial this meeting was and, therefore, I have asked one of my colleagues, Sandra Brown, to review the meeting with me after work today. We will go over all development plans and also people’s roles and responsibilities. By the end of today, I will be up to speed with all plans.

I hope you will forgive my absence and be assured of my commitment to this company and its future.

Yours sincerely,

Richard Brollend

(178 words)

Note: Although I have put the word count at the bottom of each letter, this is just for your convenience. It is not something you should do in your test. Most writing task 1 letters should be between 170 and 190 words on average.

Useful Link

You can find essential tips for IELTS letters on this page: IELTS GT Letter Writing Tips

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