Below are a range of questions about the topic of Sport for IELTS Speaking Part 3. This is the part of the test when you speak about the world in general rather than your own personal experiences. It’s known as the Discussion.

QUESTIONS:

1. Do you think children get enough exercise these days?
2. Do you think exercise is important?
3. Is there a difference between exercise that boys like and exercise that girls usually enjoy?
4. How can parents encourage their children to take more exercise?
5. Do you think sports have changed much over the last few decades? 
6. What are the benefits of international sports events?
7. Are there any downsides to international sports events?
8. Do sports people make good role models? 

As you see, some questions are quite simple and some are harder. The examiner will decide which questions to ask. Usually the examiner will ask between 5-6 questions.

Feel free to post your answers to these questions for practice.

ANSWERS

For answers, click below:

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You must use a range of linking words in your IELTS essay. The examiner will mark your linking words for both accuracy and range. Linking words are part of the marking criterion of Coherence & Cohesion, which counts for 25% of your marks. Try this test below:

Practice with Linking Words

Use the linking words given below to fill in the gaps and complete the sentences:

• (1) ……………………… of the popularity of Facebook, there has been a rise in online crime, (2) ………….. fraud and identify theft. 
• There are a number of drawbacks to people using Facebook as a way of communicating (3)………………… it is (4)…………….. one of the most common social networking platforms for both individuals and businesses.
• (5)……………………….. the lack of exercise taken by the average person, obesity and other weight related problems are on the rise.
• Unemployment and poverty, (6) ………….. in urban areas, is often deemed to be the cause of the rising crime rate.
• (7) ………….. the rise in urban crime, more and more people continue to move to cities looking for a better life.
• More children are becoming obese and (8)…………….. schools should be encouraged to provide more sports lessons and outdoor activities.

Word Options:

but	because of	admittedly
despite	like	resulting in
such as	particularly	however
alternatively	even though	regardless
although	therefore	due to

ANSWERS

To see the answers and a full list of linking words for IELTS Writing Task 2, click below:

All the best

Liz

This is a great way to develop your English and practice your IELTS reading skills. Learn some interesting vocabulary about an interesting topic. The questions are sentence completion which means you need to locate a word or words in the passage for the answer.

Reading Passage: Problems with Badgers

Badgers in gardens can be a delight. A nightly treat that householders all over the country look forward to. But for some, they are at the very least unwelcome visitors, threatening cherished pristine lawns and carefully cultivated vegetables because badgers find food where they can and have little respect for people’s efforts in gardening. Often unseen and unheard, they wander quietly into gardens at night, feeding on the earthworms, grubs, snails and slugs they find in lawns and borders before moving on. In their wake, they leave only the slightest clues, an odd small snuffle hole here and there, showing where they obviously sought out their nightly treat. If it is suspected there is a badger sett in a garden, expert advice should be sought. It’s easy to know if there is one by the many holes you’ll find which tunnel down to various living chambers in their underground sett. People should not try to interfere with them in this situation, as it is against the law. Badgers will not cause people any harm or pass on diseases so they should be left to live quietly in their residence but their presence should be reported to an expert who can rehome them if necessary.

There are some fascinating facts about badgers. Badgers are extremely clean animals and do not take food into their setts preferring to eat out in the open and retain a clean living area underground. They are remarkably suited to their purpose of digging, having powerful claws and limbs. American badgers even have a third eyelid that keeps out grains of sand and soil. Interestingly, the idiom we know as “to badger someone” comes from an old sport of Badger Baiting rather than their actual character. The idiom actually means to tell someone to do something or to question them again and again and again – incessantly without let up. No wonder badgers sometimes get such a bad rep.

Questions 1 -6: Use no more than two words and/or a number for your answer.

 

1. While badgers are seen as a delight by some people, others see them as ………………
2. A …………………. is a sure way to know a badger has visited a garden.
3. It is best not to ……….. with badgers if they have made a home in your garden.
4. Badgers do not transmit …………… to humans.
5. Badgers are built for digging and some also have a protective ………………
6. The idiom “to badger someone” is unrelated to the …………… of badgers.

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ANSWERS

I’ve posted the answers on the Main Page for Sentence Completion Questions which also contains loads of excellent tips and another reading exercise.

Click below:

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All the best

Liz

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Hi guys,

I’ve made this video to let you know how I am and whether I’m going to make more videos. I haven’t made a video for 9 years and now it is time to tell you what happened to me. Learn about my background and my motivations behind creating this website. Click below to watch…

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Thanks to all of you who sent me lovely, kind, supportive messages over the years as I’ve been fighting for my health. I appreciate all your support.

Wishing you all the best

Liz

Hi guys,

This is to let you know that I’ve add more last minute tips to the “On the day tips” page.

The “On the Day Tips” page is a run down of vital tips for all parts of the test and other aspects of the test that you really need to remember before you step into the exam room. It also reminds you what you should take with you on the day.

I’ve tried to add as many tips for you without overwhelming you as I want you to remain calm and focused on the day of your test. I hope the On the Day Tips page will help you.

Wishing you lots of luck as always,

Liz

Hi guys,

I thought you would like a bit of inspiration for a high IELTS score. It’s now 2023 and each New Year brings new chances to change your future. Below are useful links to inspiration that will help build your determination to do well.

1.  High Band Score Results

This page will show you comments from people posting their results. They have shared their results as a way to say thank you but also as a way to inspire others. If you scroll down the comments, you’ll see a couple of lengthy comments which contain really useful tips for you.  Click here: IELTS Results Page.

2. Tips from band 8.5 IELTS candidates

These pages were written a couple of years ago by candidates who wanted to share their results and also give you all loads of tips for success. At the bottom of each page, you’ll find a list of useful links to more resources and also links to other high band score candidates who have published their tips on my website. Click here: 8.5 Band Score Candidate One and 8.5 Band Score Candidate Two

3.  The requirements for a high score

This page will help you understand more about the two factors that influence your final score. Take your time to read it carefully because there are lots of useful tips and links for you to learn from. While this page isn’t very inspirational, it is important to know about. Click here: High Score Requirements

4. Know the test in detail

You won’t do well until you know as much as you can about the IELTS test. The more you know and understand, the more confident you will feel. For this reason, I created the FAQ page. It provides answers to loads of queries and concerns people have about the test. Of course, all the main pages of my website are useful, but the FAQ page is a Must Read page. Click here: IELTS Test FAQ

5. Understand the band scores

Learn about the band scores in IELTS. This page will give you an overview of the main band scores for each part of the test: IELTS Band Scores. These pages will give you more a more detailed understanding of the band scores for writing task 1 and writing task 2, as well as how to increase your score: Writing Task 1 Band Scores Explained and Writing Task 2 Band Scores Explained

Notice:

My Health Update: As many of you know, I’m currently battling a serious long term illness. Last year, 2022, turned out to be a really tough year for me when I faced a lot of difficult times. I am hoping that 2023 will be a kinder year to me. I will try to continue posting here on my website, but please be patient. I don’t have a lot of strength and I can only do a small amount of work. But with luck that will change this year.

Wishing you all the best

Liz

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Hi guys,

It’s 2024! I would like to wish you all a very wonderful 2024!

May this year bring you joy, health and prosperity.

And my wish for the world this year is …. understanding, respect, peace and love. May each of us in our own corners of the world strive to bring this about in 2024 in our own special way.

My love to you all,

Liz xxx

Dear all,

I’m sure you’ve heard the news that Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom died yesterday.

She dedicated her life to her duty. A duty which lasted 70 years. She worked with dignity and faithfulness to what she believed in. In an ever changing world, she remained a constant – a rock for many people.  Ascending the throne at the young age of 25, her ability to remain steady and focused no matter what happened in the UK and globally never faltered. Even through the death of her husband, she continued her work with the same determined resolve right up to the end of her life aged 96.

While I am not a royalist as I believe that no single person is above another, I do deeply admire someone who was able to work with such great moral integrity over such a long period of time and who was held in such great respect by so many around the world. She was an inspiration in many ways.

My best wishes to you all,

Liz