Hi guys,

I want to apologise for this post, but many of you once said I could reach out for support if I ever needed. I do need it.

This year started with promise, but it has been spiralling for a while and my health is being affected by the strain. I’m struggling right now to stay strong and keep my mind focused on positive thoughts. I fight alone in isolation, which makes it harder for me. And not being able to leave the house also prevents me accessing the joy of nature. My character is a determined one, but even the strongest sometimes need to reach out for inspiration, kindness and support.

I know I should focus my mind on providing free lessons. It brings me joy in times of darkness. But when things are so very hard, your mind can wander down the wrong paths and focus becomes difficult. I need to get my vision back. I need to get my fire back.

If you have time, please remind me of the great things worth fighting for in life, share an inspiring story, make me laugh – bring some strength and joy into my life. And if there’s anyone else fighting hard right now, we will all benefit.

I hope to be back on top soon. Fighters always survive. Thank you for being there.

All the best to you

Liz

(Elizabeth Ferguson)

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