IELTS Preparation with Liz: Free IELTS Tips and Lessons, 2026
Welcome! I'm Liz. Develop your IELTS exam skills to maximise your score.
It is common to be asked to listen for a time in IELTS listening section 1. This lesson gives you practice in listening and writing down times.
Recommended Lessons
IELTS Listening Video Lesson: Predicting Answers
IELTS Listening Video Lesson: Names
IELTS Listening Practice: Picture Multiple Choice
IELTS Listening Practice: Selecting from a List
Before answering the IELTS multiple choice reading exercise questions, read through the passage and then prepare paraphrases for the multiple choice options.
Having an Ear for Music
It brings new meaning to having an ear for music. Musical aptitude may be partly down to genes that determine the architecture of the inner ear.
We perceive sound after vibrations in the inner ear are detected by “hair cells” and transmitted to the brain as electrical signals. There, the inferior colliculus integrates the signals with other sensory information before passing it on to other parts of the brain for processing.
Questions 1 – 2. Choose the correct letter, A-C.
1. What does ‘having an ear for music’ mean according to the passage?
a) a person enjoys listening to music
b) a person has an ability and predisposition for music
c) a person has special hearing
2. Sound is perceived when vibrations are sent to the brain in the form of ……………..
a) hair cells
b) electrical signals
c) sensations
Answers
Click below to reveal the answers.
Answers2 = b (this answer is testing your grammar as well as vocab – to be transmitted as = sent in the form of)
All reading exercises on ieltsliz.com have been written by myself to help you prepare for your IELTS test.
Liz
aptitude = skill / ability / capacityto determine = decide / conclude / establish
Recommended Lessons
IELTS Reading Practice: Summary Completion
IELTS Reading Practice: Sentence Completion
IELTS Reading Practice: Matching Paragraph Information
Learn how many paragraphs for your IELTS Writing Task 1 with tips about where to put your overview statement. In writing task 1, the examiner will mark you on your structure as part of the marking criterion of Coherence & Cohesion, which is 25% of your marks. Below, learn about how to structure your writing, how to organise information into the right paragraphs and which paragraph is the most important.
In writing task 1, you will be asked to write a report for a bar chart, line graph, table, pie charts, maps or diagram. All IELTS Writing Task 1 reports have the same structure, regardless of which task you are given. There are four main paragraphs that you need to use.
Remember, IELTS writing task 1 is a report, not an essay. This means the structure will be different and the examiner is looking for an overview, not a conclusion.
Below read about the individual paragraphs you need in your writing task 1 report.
The first paragraph will be your introduction and that contains a description of the graph – what it shows. IELTS will always give you a description and you can use that information for your introduction but don’t copy it. You need to paraphrase it. So write it again using your own words.
It is your chance to introduce information such as categories, titles, headings, names, dates etc. Make sure your introduction is complete. It is usually one sentence but sometimes it can also contain a second sentence about the measurement of units. See this video: How to Write an Introduction for WT1
This paragraph is the most important paragraph in your IELTS writing task 1 report. This is where you collect all the key features shown in the task and present them together. This paragraph has a direct impact on your band score for Task Achievement, which is 25% of your score. You can read more about the band scores here: IELTS WRITING TASK 1 BAND SCORES 5-8 TIPS. But to give you an idea:
The clearer and more complete your overview paragraph is, the higher your score for Task Achievement. The biggest challenges with the overview are:
You can see examples of key features in all my model answers for writing task 1: ALL MODEL ANSWERS.
All writing task 2 reports have an overview no matter which task you get. An overview is not the same as a conclusion. Writing task 2 has a conclusion, writing task 1 has an overview. This is clearly stated in the IELTS Band Score Descriptors. An overview has a different function to a conclusion. See the video below:
An oldie, but a goodie. My older videos are still packed with useful tips. All still relevant today.
These paragraphs (usually two) contain the details. If your task contains numbers, such as a chart, you will need to support your sentences with data. Failing to do that will lower your score for Task Achievement.
You should organise the details of the task into logical body paragraphs based on the key features. You should also take into consideration what type of task you have. For example, a bar chart shows comparisons between two things, such as men and women, for different categories so your aim is to compare men and women within each category. You would then see which categories are most popular and which are least and then organise categories into body paragraphs. Of course, it might not be about popularity, it might be about which categories have the biggest differences or the least differences. Which ever way you organise the information, it must be logical.
To sum up, it can feel complicated and overwhelming when you first start preparing for your writing task 1. So, I made this video years ago to sum up how to organise your task 1 report. It’s an old video, but of course still relevant today. The test hasn’t changed.
Another oldie which is still great today and reviews the paragraphing for writing task 1.
Now review model answers for writing task 1 to see what the paragraphs looks like. See links below:
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In an IELTS opinion essay for writing task 2, your introduction has a Background Statement and a Thesis Statement. You should aim for between 40 to 50 words for the length of your essay introduction. While the background statement introduces the topics, the thesis statement is your answer to the task given by IELTS. It should introduce the main points and show the direction your essay will take. Below are two possible introductions with different thesis statements for the following IELTS task.
IELTS Task 2
The increase in the amount of traffic is responsible for growing problems in many large cities and this has resulted in more traffic congestion, particularly at rush hour. What measures could be taken to deal with this problem?
The introductions below have different thesis statements. Which one do you think is the best?
1. The growth in the quantity of traffic in most major cities has led to problems of congestion in the peak travel hours. There are a number of solutions to this issue which I will discuss in this essay.
2. The growth in the quantity of traffic in most major cities has led to problems of congestion in the peak travel hours. This can be solved by having a traffic free zone and improving the public transportation system offered to the public.
ANSWER
Click below:
AnswerNumber 2 is the best introduction because the thesis statement is more specific and directly related to the topic.
Explanation:
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RECOMMENDED VIDEO:
This is an old video but it is good and still relevant over a decade later. Please watch to learn:
HOW TO WRITE AN INTRODUCTION FOR IELTS WRITING TASK 1
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For an IELTS diagram, you need an introduction and overall paragraph containing the main features of the diagram or process in your report. The overview is one of the most important parts of your report and a full overview is essential for a high band score.
The diagram below is of the life cycle of a frog. Life cycles and other cycles, such as the water cycle, are quite common diagrams to get in IELTS writing task 1. The other common type is a process which shows how something is made or how it works.
Introduction Paragraph
The introduction paragraph for most diagrams in IELTS is short. Don’t try to make it longer. All you need to do is paraphrase the description given above the diagram.
Overview Paragraph
This is the most important paragraph is all writing task 1 (academic). This means you should aim to have a full overview with stages well summarised. This isn’t just about the number of stages, but an overview of what the main stages are. And yes, you can use the words given in the diagram. The words are given for you to use.
Model Answer Click Below:
Model Introduction and Overview
Introduction Options
Overview Paragraph
Note: this overview is complete. It gives a full summary of the key stages without going into detail. All the detail is then given in the body paragraphs.
Full Model Answer
The diagram illustrates the developmental phases that a frog passes through during its lifetime.
Overall, a frog passes through eight stages which start with adult frogs mating and eggs laid in the water from which tadpoles emerge. Tadpoles pass through three stages before becoming a froglet, a young frog and finally an adult frog, starting the life cycle again.
Initially, adult frogs mate and then the female frog lays eggs in the water, which are called frogspawn. Seven to ten days later, tadpoles emerge from the eggs which can swim and eat algae for food. Six weeks later, the tadpole grows and develops back legs. This development continues and nine weeks later it develops front legs. Its head and body also become more pronounced.
Twelve weeks after the tadpole stages, it becomes a froglet which resembles a small frog. However, it still has a tail, although shorter than that of a tadpole. At this stage, it also develops pulmonary breathing which enables it to leave the water and breathe air on land. Over time, the froglet becomes a young frog and eventually, four years later, it is an adult frog ready to start the life cycle again.
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The key for success in speaking is to prepare the common topics which the examiner can ask you about in IELTS speaking part 1. You will be asked a total of 3 topic for IELTS speaking part 1. The examiner has a list of subjects to take the questions from so you need to prepare ideas for a range of different topics.
This video tutorial will explain what the common topics are for part 1 and which ones you should focus on for your preparation.
Transcript
Recommended
List of Topics and Questions for Speaking Part 1, click here
IELTS Video Tutorial for speaking part 1 1: What’s your favourite…?, click here
The questions below are taken from various topics in speaking part 1. What problems can you find with the answers?
Can you swim?
I really enjoy swimming. In fact, I swim almost every day in my local pool.
Do you prefer eating at home or eating out?
I go out to restaurants a few times each week with my colleagues from work for lunch.
Have you ever been abroad?
Most holidays I travel to my hometown to see my family but one day I would really like to go to the UK and visit London.
Did you enjoy school when you were a child?
I was very active in school. I joined a lot of clubs and was a member of two sports teams as well. I’m still in touch with my friends from school.
Answers
None of the answers above give a direct answer to the question. It is important in IELTS speaking part 1 to give a grammatically correct direct answer to each question. Here is what the answers should have been:
Can you swim?
Yes, I can. I really enjoy swimming. In fact, I swim almost every day in my local pool.
Do you prefer eating at home or eating out?
I usually prefer to eat out. I go out to restaurants a few times each week with my colleagues from work for lunch.
Have you ever been abroad?
No, I haven’t. Most holidays I travel to my hometown to see my family but one day I would really like to go to the UK and visit London.
Did you enjoy school when you were a child?
Yes, I did. I was very active in school. I joined a lot of clubs and was a member of two sports teams as well. I’m still in touch with my friends from school.
Table completion questions in IELTS listening are quite common and can appear in any section of the listening test. Spend time preparing the headings and the predict the missing content of the table. Pay attention to the number of words possible for the answers. This listening exercise is a similar level to section 4 of the listening IELTS test.
Read the points below to learn how to tackle Table Questions in IELTS Listening. These questions are known as “Table Completion” questions.
These practice lessons are at various levels of difficulty so that you have realistic practice for the difficult in different sections of the listening test. You can only listening once in the real test and you can’t pause the recording in your actual test. You will always have a short amount of time to read through questions and get familiar with the table before the recording starts.
The level of this listening table practice lesson is similar to a section 4 of the IELTS listening test.
Introduced species of the British Isles
Questions 1-5: Write no more than three words for each answer.
RECORDING:
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TABLE ANSWERS & TRANSCRIPT
Click below to read the transcript and see the answers.
The transcript is to be used for checking your answers and also reviewing the recording word for word after you complete the lesson to see precise why you got an answer right or wrong.
TRANSCRIPTIslands, such as the British Isles, can be adversely affected by the introduction of non-native species. Many species have been introduced to Britain during historical times. Some species have been introduced with no adverse consequences. However, others have had a severe impact both economically and ecologically.
One good example of an invasive species is the gray squirrel which, at the turn of the 20th century, was introduced into South Africa, Ireland, and England from North America. On mainland Britain, it has almost entirely displaced the populations of native red squirrels. Schemes have been introduced to control the population in Ireland to encourage the native red squirrels. In the wild, gray squirrels can be found living in large areas of mature, dense woodland. These forests usually contain large amounts of dense understory vegetation that provides them sufficient amount of food sources and favorable shelters. On very rare occasions, when their usual food sources are scarce, gray squirrels will eat insects and small birds. However, in general gray squirrels exist mainly on nuts and seeds. They even have a high enough tolerance for humans to inhabit residential neighborhoods and are known to raid bird feeders.
Among those species which have been introduced with little harm to the local ecosystem is the rainbow trout which is native only to the rivers and lakes of North America but its value as a hard-fighting game fish and tasty meal has led to its introduction throughout the world. Rainbow trout are gorgeous fish, with coloring and patterns that vary widely depending on habitat, age, and spawning condition. They are members of the salmon family and, like their salmon cousins, can grow quite large. They prefer cool, clear rivers and lakes and survive on insects and small fish.
Adapted from the following sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_gray_squirrel, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Introduced_species_of_the_British_Isles
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The level of this table listening lesson is similar to a section 2 of the IELTS Listening Test.
London Attractions
Questions 6-10: Write no more than two words and / or numbers for your answer.
RECORDING
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TRANSCRIPT & ANSWERS
Click below to reveal the transcript and answers.
TranscriptLondon has uncountable attractions for first time visitors but for those of you looking for interest and history, Hampton Court Palace and Madame Tussauds are unmissable. Hampton Court Palace, which was the favourite royal residence of Henry VIII, boasts 60 acres of formal gardens as well as the famous maze and Great Vine. For adults the price for an entry ticket is 16.50 but a child’s ticket is 8.25 although if your child is under 5, it’s free. If you are only interested in the gardens rather than entering the court itself, then you can get a garden ticket only. It opens daily at 10 in the morning, last admissions are at 5pm and closing time is at 6.
Another popular favourite place to put on your London itinerary is Madame Tussauds. Filled with life size wax models of celebrities, there are 14 interactive zones as well as the amazing Marvel Super Heroes 4D movie experience. Why don’t you take a walk down the red carpet and strike a pose next your favourite film star. Tickets are 28.00 for an adult and 22.50 for all children. That may sound like a steep price but it really is a once-in-a-life-time experience. Doors open at 9.30 each morning and close at 5.30pm.
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Hi, my name is Elizabeth (Liz). I am your teacher and the author of this website. I am an experienced, qualified English teacher specialising in IELTS test preparation since 2008. Please enjoy the 300 plus pages of free lessons, tips, model answers, topics etc.
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