Hi guys,

Has your test been suspended? When will tests start again? Here in the UK, more and more steps are being taken to protect the public from the Coronavirus (Covid-19). Some European countries are already in lockdown. This will have an impact on some IELTS tests. Some countries around the world have already seen IELTS tests suspended. This page was last updated March 20th.

Has my IELTS Test been Suspended?

Click on the following link to learn which places have IELTS Tests Suspended. It is a link to an Official IELTS list of test dates around the world showing which ones have been suspended. Make sure you check that link regularly because the situation is changing daily: CLICK HERE: IELTS OFFICIAL UPDATES ON SUSPENDED TESTS.

When will IELTS Tests start again in My Country?

On the official link above, it will show not only which countries and cities have tests cancelled but also when IELTS tests are likely to start again in those areas. So, click on the link above to check.

HOWEVER, please note that due to the uncertainty surrounding the Covid-19 situation, no dates are set in stone (this means no dates are 100% guaranteed). The date the tests are set to continue are an estimate and will depend on what happens with the virus in your area. This is not the fault of IELTS. This means, as I stated before, you need to keep checking that page for updates. Do not be disheartened. Aim to prepare for the new date given, but also be ready for further delays. These are uncertain times and we must all adapt from day to day with as much positivity as possible. See the links to free lessons below to keep positive and keep learning.

Your Concerns of IELTS Test Cancellation

Share your experiences and concerns. Feel free to post your comments.

1. Have you had your IELTS test suspended or are worried about your test being suspended? Do you have new dates for another test?
2. Has this changed your plans for your future?
3. How are you all feeling about this situation?
4. Are you concerned about Coronavirus in your area?

Free Lessons to Study at Home

If you are in lockdown or your IELTS test has been cancelled due to Coronavirus, I hope you are using your time to improve your English language and develop your IELTS skills. Below are some useful links to FREE lessons.

For Free Listening Lessons, click here: Listening Practice

For Free Reading Lessons, click here: Reading Practice

For Free Writing Task 1 and Task 2, click here: Task 1 and Task 2

For Free Speaking, click here: Speaking Topics, Answers & Tips

For Free Vocabulary: Vocabulary Lists

Ideas for Topics E-book & Advanced Lessons

This is a good time for you to prepare ideas and vocabulary for topics. Even if the Coronavirus has disrupted IELTS test dates, it should not disrupt your development of English and IELTS. My Ideas for Essay Topics E-book will help you learn both English and ideas for IELTS while you are at home. The Advanced Lessons will teach you techniques to push your score above to band 7 and above.

All the best and stay safe!

Liz

A band score 9 model essay for IELTS writing task 2. The essay question below was reported in the IELTS test in February 2020.

IELTS Essay Question 2020

Some people think that mobile phones are harmful for children, while others disagree. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

IELTS Essay Model Answer 2020

Note: The essay below is longer than most of you will aim for. It’s fine for a band 9 candidate. For others, try to aim for between 270 and 290 words. Aim for accuracy and quality rather than length.

People hold different views as to whether mobile phones are detrimental to children or not. In my opinion, this depends very much on how the phones are used and how that use is supervised as to whether they are harmful for children or not.

On the one hand, some people think children can be harmed by using mobile phones mainly because the games and apps found on phones, which are mostly not educational, can easily become addictive. This results in children engaging less in healthy physical activities and spending less time on homework, both of which can have dire consequences in the long run. Furthermore, using mobile phones exposes children to unmonitored social media platforms where predators might be lurking in wait by taking advantage of the anonymity offered online.

On the other hand, mobile phones can actually protect children by allowing parents to track their geographical location and contact them immediately if necessary. Never before have parents been able to know the exact whereabouts of their child minute by minute. In addition, the instant communication provides essential security for children in times of crisis. Lastly, mobile phones do allow access to educational apps specifically created for children which, if used wisely, can further their education.

Finally, I believe that if parents monitor how the smart phone is being used by their child, it can be beneficial for a child’s development. By blocking certain social media sites, parents can be sure their child is safe whilst being online. Moreover, by setting time limits on how long their child can use the phone means that it will not interfere with a child’s educational development and will avoid any form of addiction.

In conclusion, children are only at risk when using a mobile phone if they are not being supervised and are not given strict guidelines to follow which are set by their parents.

Comments: This essay presents a clear opinion which is fully explained. Both sides have been clearly discussed. Ideas are extended and supporting points relevant. Ideas are organised logical and a good range of linking words have been used. Grammar is both complex and accurate. Vocabulary is topic related and less common items are used.

See more model essays and lessons , click here: Writing Task 2 Answers, Lessons & Tips.

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Below you can find the answers to the reading practice lesson about Butterflies. If you have not completed this lesson, please do so before looking at the answers. Click here to go to the lesson: Butterfly Reading Practice

Below check the questions and answers.

Questions

1. About 50% of Monarch butterflies migrate.
2. Migration skips only one generation.
3. Migration paths are innately known in Monarchs.
4. Monarch butterflies feed on milkweed.
5. Milkweed dense zones are popular breeding spots.
6. Monarch butterflies are toxic to predators.
7. The Monarch butterfly is widely distributed in Canada.
8. Monarch butterflies are driven to the Pacific coast in order to survive.
9. Monarchs are able to survive icy weather under certain conditions.

Answers

1. NOT GIVEN
   1. No information exists in the passage to confirm or deny a percentage of Monarchs migrating.
2. FALSE
   1. The passage tells use that “several summer generations will have lived and died” before it is time for migration. 
3. TRUE
   1. This information is found here: “new generations are born to know the way, and follow the same routes their ancestors took”
4. FALSE
   1. The passage shows that the caterpillars feed on milkweed and the butterflies (adults) feed on nectar.
   2. “monarch caterpillars feed almost exclusively on milkweed and as adults get their nutrients from the nectar of flowers”
5. TRUE
   1. The information is found here: “monarch will always return to areas rich in milkweed to lay their eggs upon the plant.”
6. FALSE
   1. The passage shows that the butterflies are not toxic. Toxic means that the butterflies kill the predator when eaten. However, the passage shows that the butterflies only taste bitter.
   2. “the monarch butterfly taste so terrible to predators”
   3. The information in the passage is about the milkweed is a toxin which is stored in their bodies. This does not indicate that the butterfly is actually toxic to the predator – only that their bodies contain toxins. These toxins are what make them taste bitter.
   4. This question really tests your attention to detail.
7. FALSE 
   1. The monarch is widely distributed across North American, but in Canada, it is only found in the south.
8. NOT GIVEN
   
   1. We know they are spread in area with milkweed, but the passage says nothing about whether it is for survival. 
9. TRUE
   1. Monarchs can survive icy weather if they are dry. But they can’t survive icy weather if they are wet. This means they can survive icy weather under certain conditions, which means in specific situations.

I hope you enjoyed this reading lesson. The TFNG questions can be challenging, but if you pay attention to detail and make sure you understand the fully meaning of the statement before looking for the answer, you can conquer 🙂 If you got some answers wrong in this lesson, I hope the explanation above will help you understand why and help you improve 🙂

For more reading lessons, see this page: IELTS Reading Practice & Tips

All the best

Liz

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This is a reading exercise to practise the TFNG questions that appear in the IELTS test. This exercise is slightly easier than an IELTS reading passage but still useful practice for both academic and GT students. To see IELTS reading tips and a TFNG free video lesson, see this page: IELTSliz Reading Main Page

IELTS TFNG Practice Lesson

Passage: Monarch Butterflies

Only monarchs born in late summer or early fall make the migration, and they make only one round trip. By the time next year’s winter migration begins, several summer generations will have lived and died and it will be last year’s migrators’ great grandchildren that make the trip. Yet somehow these new generations are born to know the way, and follow the same routes their ancestors took—sometimes even returning to the same tree.

In their larval stage monarch caterpillars feed almost exclusively on milkweed and as adults get their nutrients from the nectar of flowers. The monarch will always return to areas rich in milkweed to lay their eggs upon the plant. The milkweed they feed on as a caterpillar is actually a poisonous toxin and is stored in their bodies. This is what makes the monarch butterfly taste so terrible to predators – it is nature’s deterrent. Wherever there is milkweed there will be Monarch butterflies. The monarch is widely distributed across North America, from Central America northwards to southern Canada, and from the Atlantic to the Pacific coasts.

It is predicted that one of the many effects of climate change will be wetter and colder winters. If they are dry, monarchs can survive below freezing temperatures, but if they get wet and the temperature drops they will freeze to death.

Notice: This reading passage is from the website: defenders.org. To see the full article , please visit this page: http://www.defenders.org/monarch-butterfly/basic-facts. Learn about conservation – protect our planet!

Questions

Decide if the following statements are True, False or Not Given according to the information in the passage above.

1. About 50% of Monarch butterflies migrate.
2. Migration skips only one generation.
3. Migration paths are innately known in Monarchs.
4. Monarch butterflies feed on milkweed.
5. Milkweed dense zones are popular breeding spots.
6. Monarch butterflies are toxic to predators.
7. The Monarch butterfly is widely distributed in Canada.
8. Monarch butterflies are driven to the Pacific coast in order to survive.
9. Monarchs are able to survive icy weather under certain conditions.

Answers

Click below to see the answers to this reading lesson:

Click here: Answers to Butterfly Reading Practice

For more reading practice, click here: IELTS Reading Exercises & Tips

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Hi guys.

I’ve posted a detailed answer about using umm’s and aahh’s in IELTS Speaking back on the original page, click here: IELTS Speaking Ummm’s

I’m glad I posted this short lesson because I see that some of you have mixed understanding about the marking criterion of Fluency and some of you also have mixed understanding about what “fillers” are. Hopefully my explanations will help you 🙂

All the best

Liz

Should you use Umm and Ahh Fillers in your IELTS Speaking? This is a good question. Fillers play an important part in speaking and it is important to understand how the IELTS speaking examiner will mark such words. Do you think you will get a lower score if you use “umm” or “aahh” in your IELTS Speaking Test? Are fillers ok to use?

Are fillers good to use in IELTS Speaking

Yes, they are, but it depends on what you think a filler is. The problem is that umm and ahh are only sounds and do not represent language. Whereas real fillers, which are words, are great to use and don’t have a bad impact on your Fluency band score.

Fluency

Fluency is 25% of your marks for IELTS Speaking. There are a number of aspects relating to this marking criterion and one of them is the ability to speak without hesitation. It is about a natural flow of language. Umm and Ahh disrupt the flow of speaking and lower your score for Fluency.

What are good fillers in IELTS Speaking?

Fillers are words that we can use to fill gaps while we think. It means that we can continue speaking by filling in gaps. Here is an examples of a filler:

Q. Do you think men and women like the same kinds of holidays.

A. Well, to be honest, it isn’t something I’ve thought about before. Let me see… I guess men and women do like different kinds of holidays. I suppose that on the whole men prefer more active holidays etc etc…..

I have underlined the fillers. When you use fillers, it means you are still using words to fill in the space while you think of an answer. Your language does not stop, it doesn’t breakdown and your fluency continues strong. This is good for IELTS speaking.

How do umm and ahh affect your IELTS Speaking Score?

Umm and Ahh represent a breakdown in language. It shows the examiner that you are not able to continue speaking. Now let’s look at two possible answers to a question, which answer do you think shows the best English?

Q. How would you improve your home if you had the chance?

A. Ummmm, ahhhh, ummmm,  I supposed that ummm ahhh I think ummm ahhh well, I guess I would add a garden outside or a balcony for outside space.

A. Well, let me see…I haven’t actually considered improving my home before. I’m not exactly sure what I would do to be honest. But I guess, if I had to choose, I would add a garden or a balcony so that I had some outdoor space.

As you can see, the second answer contains lots of language. The examiner isn’t actually interested in your plans for your home. Your ideas are not marked in IELTS speaking. All the examiner wants is to hear your English language. You can also see that the second answer contains a bigger range of tenses, grammar features and vocabulary.

Native Speaking Umms and Ahh’s

It is true that it is natural to produce the “ummm” sound while we are thinking, and even native speakers will do so. Pauses in speaking are accepted in IELTS speaking if a) they are rare b) they are because you are thinking of an idea, not a word. Everyone has the odd pause when they think about an ideas – even native speakers. But these pauses are not language related, they are not frequent and they don’t interrupt fluency.

If you are using “ummm” because you are stuck for a word and need to think more about language, it will definitely lower your score. Any pauses which are language related will lower your score. So, learn to use fillers or ask the examiner to repeat the question so you have thinking time.

Asking to repeat the question

If you need thinking time in part 1, ask the examiner to repeat the question. You can do this a couple of times and it won’t affect your score.

In part 3, you can ask the examiner to repeat or explain the question (one is probably enough) and it won’t affect your score.

Prepare Ideas for Topics to Avoid Umm & Ahh

To help avoid ummms and aahhs, prepare ideas for more topics. The more prepared you are, the more you have to say. The more you have to say and the more you practise the questions, the fewer ummms and aahhhs you will produce. For topics and also tips about IELTS Speaking click here: IELTS Speaking Tips, Lessons etc.

I hope this was useful for you 😊

All the best

Liz

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Hi guys,

I have updates for you:

1. I wanted to let you know that I will be releasing a new IELTS Grammar E-book in May this year. See chapters and sample pages below.
2. I have set up a new online store that takes card payments for Advanced Lessons & E-books.
3. ieltsliz.com will continue to be free for everyone and I will continue to post more lessons, tips and model answers this coming year 🙂

Grammar E-book Coming soon…

In May 2020, I will be releasing my Grammar for IELTS Writing Task 2 E-book. It will help you increase your grammar score for your essay as well as improve your overall level of English. It is one the best grammar books on the market. Below you will find preview sample pages:

https://www.ieltslizstore.com/

Grammar E-book Information:

• Over 200 pages
• Target band 7, 8 & 9
• High level grammar in easy steps
• Simple explanations & illustrations for complex grammar
• Understanding what grammar features will push your score higher
• Linking words with sample sentences
• Sentence structures to show range & flexibility
• Hundreds of model sentences
• Learn about common errors that lower your score
• Advice & tips for IELTS writing task 2 – learn what the examiner wants
• Workbook: Exercises to help you develop and test yourself

See a list of chapters and a few sample pages:

New Online Store

I’ve set up a new online store which can accept both bank card payments from major cards (visa, amex, mastercard) as well as paypal. This means people from all countries will be able to use my store. Paypal is still available for those who want to use it. I hope you all find this more useful. Click here to visit store: IELTS LIZ STORE

My store at present contains Advanced Lessons for Writing Task 2 and an Ideas for Topics E-book. My Advanced Lessons are professionally designed to help you push your score up to band 7 and above.

All the best

Liz

The topic of Water Sports appears quite regularly in IELTS Speaking part 2. While the general topics of Sport can be answered easily by most candidates, Water Sports is a topic that can be very challenging.

It is important in Speaking Part 2 that you use your 2 mins to your advantage. It is a time for you to plan what language to showcase and to demonstrate fluency by being able to speak at length without effort.

Part 2 Cue Card: Water Sport

Describe a water sport you would like to try. You should say:

• what the sport is
• when and where you would do it
• what preparation and equipment you would need

Model Answer & Tips

Below I have given a link to a model answer and tips from highly experienced and qualified IELTS teacher (an ex-examiner) called Keith O’Hare. You will also find lots more tips, model answers and videos on his site – enjoy!!

Click here: Model Answer by Keith O’Hare

Also remember:

You do not need to cover all prompts. That is not your aim because task achievement is not a marking criterion for IELTS speaking. Your aim is to showcase language in a natural way.

Also remember that “equipment” is uncountable = no “s” (it can’t be plural).

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