IELTS Preparation with Liz: Free IELTS Tips and Lessons, 2024
Hi, I'm Liz. Welcome! Enjoy your IELTS journey to success!
One key to success in the IELTS listening test is to be able to predict what kind of answer you must listen for. When you know what to listen for, you have a good chance of getting the answer right.
Learn how to predict the answers using prepositions.
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.
Hi Lize,
thanks for your useful training
You’re welcome 🙂
Can we use the preposition, in, when referring to a place, e.g., we are going to meet in Pretoria or They had a meeting in Botswana?
Yes, definitely.
Hi Liz,
What are some differences between American and British English in writing? I often get confused by the spellings.
You can find a list of spelling differences linked on my main Vocabulary Page: https://ieltsliz.com/vocabulary/
Hello Ma’am
how are you?
can you suggest the best platform to do free online practice for Computer-Based IELTS listening & reading?
I will very thankful to you
best Regards
The British Council and IELTS.org have examples of how you put answers into the computer for both reading and listening. The test itself is 100% the same. It isn’t a different test. All you are doing is putting your answers into a screen instead of on paper. So, get used to using a screen on their website and then you can see all online sources as well as the IELTS test books which contain authentic tests to prepare at home. There is a slight test format difference in the listening test and that is you only have 2 mins to check your answers at the end of the recording on the computer based test, whereas you have 10 mins to transfer answers on the paper test. Otherwise, the test is 100% the same.
thank you so much for lessoning , teacher Liz and I a lot of benefit this lesson.
best regards,
You’re welcome 🙂
Hi Liz, for the preposition ‘on’, can we also have weekend for example, as in, ‘He would like to meet on the weekend’?
“on the weekend” is actually US English. UK English is “at the weekend”.
Hello, Liz.
I’d like to thank you for your information.
And I want to ask you Where can I practice more?
I’ve followed your blog and your channel in youtube, but i can’t find more practice test 🙁
Thank you so much.
I hope you are able to reply.
My website is mainly for learning rather than exam practice. For exam practice at home, get the IELTS Cambridge test books which have been published by IELTS.
Hi Liz,
when I listen to to you , I undrestand every single word you said, however when I practice I didn’t succed 🙁
I’m afraid I can not succed in this exam
Remember, my lessons are to learn techniques. Make a note of the techniques and then apply them.
Liz, Thanks for your marvellous tutorials and radiant smile.
Thank you for your kind comment
Hi Liz,
Thank you so, very much for your help for me. I wish I can throw you a hug right now. You have completely taken out all my fears for IELTS. Even tho ‘my 3 degrees are in English Language, I’ve got to learn more.
Thank you.
You are very welcome 🙂
Hi Liz,
Thank you so many times for your great effort, and I hope you soon obtain your heath.
I just wonder what if I writh “Fall” instead of “Autumn” in the answer sheet? Is it considered wrong?
Best,
Abolfaz
It is important that you write the word that you hear. Don’t change it.
I am scared liz
Most people feel scared of IELTS because they feel lost and confused. Take your time to learn everything about it. There are over 300 pages of free lessons, tips, advice etc on my site. Use it all. Try to enjoy learning something new each day 🙂
Thanks Liz… Exam is in 3days tho…. But I’m still pushing
In that case, take a moment to list all the things you are still unsure of for each section. Then go through the systematically. Be focused and use your time wisely. But also make sure you sleep well, eat well and take breaks so that you are fresh for your test. Good luck!
Hi Liz,
Could you please clarify:
15th April and 15th of April, both are correct?
Best Regards
We never write “of” when we write a date in English. We say it but we don’t write it.
Oh! Wow! Thanks for that Liz.
Thanks dear, Your inputs and smile makes my day!
You’re very welcome 🙂
Thank you so much Liz ^_^
You’re welcome 🙂
How do I refer to a street name then, Liz? What preposition should I use?
“on” in US English and “in” in UK English.
Thank you liz
God bless
Thank you very much madam,
Indeed, you are a teacher and a God sent at this lockdown. This is because, most ielt test centres are locked down because of this pandemic. This your online platform has really helped a lot.
Thank you and God bless you.
I’m glad you found me 🙂
Hi, Liz
Thank you so much for your lessons.
I´d like to know if is possible use a street name after preposition “on”? Example: He would like to meet on Fifth Avenue.
Thanks
“on” is a preposition that is used in US English when referring to streets and locations.
Your lessons are very useful and effective , you are a great teacher. Keep the good works. I appreciate .thanks
You’re welcome 🙂
Hello ma’am,
I’m giving first IELTS . In lockdown online is the only source for us, now I’m learning from your videos and tips, Really you are very sweet, I like the way you teach, I think your way of teaching is making things easy for us. I’m Neha from Jaipur, India…. Thanks we need your support always.
I’m glad you are benefiting from my lessons 🙂
Thank you Liz
Very much useful to me…
Advance Merry Christmas wishes to you and your family…😀
And a very Merry Xmas to you too 🙂
Thank you So much Mam ,you are such a great teacher and I found your tutorials really best among others ,May Almighty bless you for this.I wish you a very happy Christmas to you and your family with lots of prayers.
Jazak ALLAH means May ALLAH bless you for this Ameen
Thank you so much for your kind message. Wishing you and your family all the best 🙂
I have taken ilest coching two different center,still band score was similar 6, After watching your videos tips and example, in practice test I got score 7, Thank you Liz,I wish you happy New Year in Advance.
That’s great to hear 🙂 Well done and Happy New Year to you too 🙂
Thank you Liz for such an exhaustive material on IELTS. Really Appreciate your efforts.
You’re welcome 🙂
Thank you so much Liz. I scored a band 8 in my Listening test. You gave me the best tutorial in preparation for the test. Thanks
I’m so pleased for you – very well done 🙂 Band 8 is excellent 🙂 It’s great to hear that my lessons helped 🙂
It’s very useful for me to improve my listing skill for ielts… thank you so much.
Hi Dear Liz,
I realy appreciate your teaching is perfect thanks a lot
Thank you so much liz , you are the best teacher i have ever had.
Hi Liz,
It’s very resourceful to review your tips and videos. Well, I would like to clarify regarding usage of propositions. For an instance, as described in this video ‘at’ could be used with weekend i.e. at the weekend. Whereas, very often I see a sentence with ‘on the weekend’. Is this difference due to British and American English and Are both correct?
If so then in One IELTS Test (throughout the test) we shall follow as per British or American English, need your help to clarify this.
Thank you.
Hari
One is UK and the other is US. For IELTS writing, choose only one language.
Hi Liz. You point in this video about use of capital letter(February/Monday). However, another video you mentioned all letters in Capital. Will there be marks deducted for all Capital letters. Could you please clarify.
It is best to use all capital letters for listening and reading.
Thanks Liz your lectures are very helpful for me
I have a question
How can I understand the difference of British and American for example date 15th April or April 15th
There is no need to differentiate. IELTS is an International English Language Testing System. Can you see each letter? This means it accepts either US or UK English for all parts of the test.
Thanks Liz. but is it ok to use both the US and UK english variants of spellings / formats in the same paper? e.g. using Colors (UK version) for 1 answer and then using April 15th (US version) for the other answer?
Also, if a date is to be written, are all these formats accepted as correct – 10.08.2019, 10/08/2019, 10.8.2019 and 10/8/2019 ?
You should choose one spelling only – don’t mix them. There is no rule about the format of dates – as long as it is clear, it’s fine.
Perfect.
Hi Liz,
your videos are very easy to understand. Thank you so much and keep it up.
Hi Liz!!! Thank you so much for your effort of sharing your knowledge, about this tormenting English Test… I’am always keeping you in all my prayers, God bless your good heart!!! I love you.. 🙂
Hi Liz,
Many Thanks for your videos.
I have few questions.
1) in Listening or Reading, if i use capitalize format and if an answer is The India how to write in sentence completion task?
for ex: THE INDIA or The India?
2) In general task1, if it’s a formal letter to bank manager, can i start like
“Dear Bank Magaer,” rather than using “Dear Sir,” ?
And in reading for True False Not Given Can you please give a tip to Advance Level.
I tried to solve from Cambridge 1-12 books, it’s quiet confusing.
Thanks Again
If you use capital letters for your answers, IT MEANS ALL WORDS WILL BE WRITTEN USING CAPITAL LETTERS. You never start a letter with Dear Bank Manager. If you don’t know their name, you start with Dear Sir. This is only for formal writing – not for speaking. For reading, see this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-reading-lessons-information-and-tips/
how much time is given to read the question before the recording begins?
your website is great and the all the lessons and tips are really helpful Liz
Get the IELTS Cambridge test books – they are real tests and you will know and practise the amount of time given.
Hi ma’am Liz,
Thank you so much for your lessons. It was really helpful. 🙂
Hi Liz,
I am not able to concentrate during the listening task section -3 & 4.
Give me some tips relate to that.
when you have time to read through the questions, before the recording plays, you should be underlining key words – in both questions and possible answers. The answers always come in the order of the question numbers. So, use the key words to help you keep your place and follow the content. Your aim is to locate answers – nothing more.
Liz, your lessons are quite useful – thanks. As we’re talking about attentiveness during listening session; would like to mention my problem. I scored overall Band 8 in IELTS by having Band 8 in Speaking & Reading. Got Band 7.5 in listening & writing. I appeared for IELTS in India where they give you headset during Listening test. I find that quite helpful. I appeared for IELTS again but this time in the USA where they don’t give you headsets but they plan recording by loudspeaker or a stereo. I find it tough to concentrate when recording is played on a stereo. I feel this is why I could not score Band 8+ in my listening module as you have 20 people sitting in room and you don’t have own headset to focus on recording. Can you suggest any tips on how to counter this problem? Thanks
I understand your problem and I have heard about this before. The only thing you can do is find a test center where they use headphones and register for your test there. Also you can practice doing listening tests in a room with other people in it at home – but I recommend my first suggestion more.
Hi Liz,
Good day!
I can’t complete reading all the questions (hardly 50% of them) within given time before starting of each recording.
It would be really great, if you suggest on that point.
Lastly, thanks a lot …. for your tutorials, they are just great.
Go to the links for tips on this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-reading-lessons-information-and-tips/. Read them carefully.
Thanks a lot for your kind and prompt reply.
Hi Liz
May be Shakil want to say that he doesn’t complete read all question in listening section before start record and this problem also me.
Have you any suggestion to overcome this problem?
I understand. This is because you need to develop speed reading and identifying key words. You need to practice this. It means you get lists of a few questions and practice reading them in a given time limit.
Hi Liz,
Good day!
I can’t complete reading all the questions (hardly 50% of them) within given time before starting of each recording.
It would be really great, if you suggest on that point.
Lastly, thanks a lot …. for your tutorials, they are just great.
https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-reading-lessons-information-and-tips/
Hey Liz I want to confirm that whether we need to change our answers as per given in examples or rather we should write as we listen because you only said that answers are sometimes paraphrased in recording. By the way thanks for such a lovely video it really helped a lot.😇
You write down exactly what you hear.
Thank you for this useful tips
Hello Liz,
I don’t have any questions. I just want to say thank you for your support )
You’re welcome 🙂
Hi Liz. Thank you for these videos.
I would like to ask if there are possibilities of paraphrasing the answers in the listening test or we need to write the answers exactly as what we heard.
You need to write the answers as you hear them.
Hi Liz,
Are we supposed to write the word/s as we hear them or adjust the answers according to the question? For example, the recording said I am from Japan and stayed in China, question was Nationality: would writing Japan be considered or it should be Japanese? Another example, the recording mentioned about, dogs skills such as barking and biting. On a sample answer, they have provided an answer like “sit”. Are we suppose to to follow that “form”? Shall we just write bark instead of barking, or bite instead of biting. These technicalities bothers me. -james
You write words as you hear them.
Another question Liz, in case you got two conflicting answers which may seem similar such as (warm-up/stretching), would it help to put the two answers or just choose one? Also, is it alright to put parenthesis () on your answers — for certain adjectives such as (a short) essay, or (early) 20th. Hope you can clarify these to me. Thanks a lot Liz!
If you wrote two answers, they would be marked wrong. You must write one answer only. You can’t use brackets for your answers. Your final answer is either 100% correct or it is 100% wrong.
Thank you
Hi Liz. If I hear the speaker say “20%” on the Listening test,
will either “20 %” or “20 percent” be correct? Thanks!
Both are correct. But it’s easier to write 20%.
Hi Liz,
When it is said that ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER, the question is “Date of birth” and I listened “31st March, 1972”, what should or what can I write on the answer sheet:
31st March or 31/03/1972 or 31st March/1972?
Thank you!
These problems won’t happen in the real IELTS test. The instructions are always written to allow the correct answer.
Yes, I got it.
And I’m really amazed at how fast you replied!
Thank you 😄.
Sometimes I’m online and sometimes I’m not 🙂
Dear Liz,
I feel that I’m blessed to come across your blog site. You are no more than a blessing to me. I am not so good in English and going to appear in exam on 13th May. I am trying my level best to understand and follow your instructions fully.
Although, within one month, I’ve improved a lot and my score is getting better day by day but still sometimes I loose confidence and feel crying. I need your prayers as you are a blessed person for this noble work.
I’ve a question which is, when it is said that ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBERS, the question is “Target Age group” and I listened ” 5 to 12 ” , what should I write in this case?
Thanks.
Stay blessed.
The answers in IELTS will always be logical and will always be within the word count given or the number count given. They never have impossible questions. So, don’t worry about that. But always pay attention to whether the instructions are “and/or a number” OR “and/or numbers”. You can see the first one is just one number and the second allows for more than one number. Check the instructions for each set of questions. Keep a smile on your face and your chin high – it’s just a test 🙂
Thank you for your reply 🙂
Liz,
Good day, Unfortunately, this was the case in the Cambridge practice book 9, Test 2. Instruction was one word and / a number.The question was date of birth which was 31st March 1972, but they wrote answer as 31 March only, no year
If the year was presumed (which means the year is irrelevant based on other information given), it will be the right answer.
As per the instruction, if you’ll write 31st March 1972 that’ll be two numbers and one word so I believe that’d be incorrect. The instruction doesn’t say one word and or numbers (plurals).
hello liz,
are we a loud to take a stopwatch to the exam room with us?
No. There will be a clock on the wall.
please liz
how to spell the year 2015 you mentioned before
it is 2 thousands fifteen
or twenty fifteen
which of them is true
2015 can be said as :
twenty fifteen or two thousand and fifteen
Hi Liz,
You told that, It is fine to use capital letter in whole word, but with the days can I write MONDAY instead of Monday?
All The Best
SAMI
You can use capital letters in any way you want. IELTS will not check them for listening.
Hi,
have a good day!!
I would like to request could you give me some website or form you for listening test address.
Thanks,
The best regards,
Sykat
You can find practice listening exercises on this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-listening/ and a free practice test on this page: https://ieltsliz.com/useful-websites-and-resources-for-ielts/
Hi Liz ,
God bless you dear for this very help you are giving .
Keep doing it God will give you a great reward
it is very useful mam,thank you very much
it’s a good way to practice
It’s a wonderful session. I do lot of mistakes in sentence completion.
Very helpful to remember in my exam.
Thanks a lot.
Hi Liz,
Your tutorials is currently the IELTS review essentials that I am using and I am glad to see my scores improving each day. Thanks to you.
I hope you give clarity with my concerns regarding capitalization rules particularly in listening test when labeling maps or diagram, for instance the anwer is cafe . Rule of noun capitalization tells me it is a common noun so I will use lower cases but I have doubt if I will exclude that rule since it is use to label places in the map.
Hi Liz, but can we use CAPITAL LETTERS all through when answering listening questions?
What’s the standard rule for Ielts examinations?
What’s your candid advice?
Thanks,
You can choose to use all capitals or not. See this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-help-faq/
What about occasions?
Thank you very much for your kind support.
Good comment. Usually we use “at” = at Christmas, at Easter, at New Year. However, for birthday’s, we use “on” = one my birthday.
Liz, you are great. I love your site and teaching style, clarity of voice and explanation to salient points.
God richly blesses you.
hii Liz,
my ielts exam is next week ..i did not prepared for reading part ..How to start and how to end with in 6days please help me…
https://ieltsliz.com/liz-notice-2015-2016/
Hi Liz,
I have questions for you both in reading and listening section.
For example, If I am asked to write 3 words for answer but in the practice answer sheet the answer is just water (one word) and I wrote hot water and thats what i heard. Would that be still correct or they will cut my mark?
Another questions, if in the listening section, the speaker says 2500, should i write that in words or the number is acceptable? or both are acceptable?
I have a test on Saturday, I would really appreciate your quickest feedback.
Thank you,
Bahar
Numbers are written as digits not words. For your water question, I can’t answer without seeing the full transcript and also questions etc. IELTS have a list of possible answers and your answers are judge according to them.
All the best
Liz
Thank you Liz. What I meant by water example is that while I am practicing. I noticed that where I can use three words in listening or reading answer chart. I use 2 or 3 words but when I check the book answers, the answer is only one word. For example, I wrote The University, but in the book answer is just University. Would that be a wrong answer?
Thank you so very much.
https://ieltsliz.com/liz-notice-2015-2016/
I’m preparing myself for December session
I’ve so many confusion about test-
1.in writing task ,can i use pen or pencil would be good
2.In reading task I’ve got difficult in true,false/yes no
can you please gimme some tips about reading .
http://subscriptions.viddler.com/IELTSLizStore
Hello Liz,
My name is Harish and recently i have done my first practice test in IELTS Listening Module Academic. I found a problem that instead of number 15% i wrote (Fifteen Percent). The answer is wrong and what type of approach i have to follow in regarding giving answers in numbers is fine or can i also give in writing in terms of words.
Numbers should be written as digits. Also the instructions might say no more than one word so writing two words would be wrong.
liz
Hello
can we know the band score and questions to be answered well to get 7 band score?
regards
See this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-band-scores/
Liz
Hi Liz, I would like to ask if its correct to write November 15 instead of November 15th? Likewise 15th of November and 15 of November? thanks
Avoid using “of”. Otherwise, any other variation is fine.
Liz
Dear Liz,
Is it also possible to expect a place after ‘in’, like ‘meet in the theatre’? If so, there’s sometimes a problem to distinguish at/in with places. Thank you.
Yes, some places do use “in”. For example, “in hospital” means that the person is staying there overnight as a patient. And “at hospital” which means a person is temporarily visiting the hospital.
Liz
I would like to express my best regards for your exellant videos and descriptions which really are very instructive and hope you continue your lessons to help people.God bless you.thanks a lot.
I’m glad my blog is useful 🙂
Hi Liz,
I have taken my IELTS Speaking part today. I had questions about my favorite place at home, spending leisure time for the part 1. For the part 2 I had to describe an ELECTRONIC DEVICE I would like to purchase in a future. For the last section of my speaking I have gotten questions related to technology and education. No surprises at all with questions.
However, my examiner kept making notes very often and wrote “5/” Does it mean I am going to get only 5 for my speaking? I guess the examiner’s notes suppose to mean something different??? I am quit nervous about that.
Liz, could you please comment briefly about that or direct me to a link where I could find an answer for my concern. Thanks.
Don’t worry at all about what notes the examiner writes. 14 minutes is a long time for the examiner to remember all the language you used. So, examiners often write down notes to remind them of what grammar, pronunciation features or some aspect of language you have used. It isn’t relating to your score. Each examiner will have their own way to make notes.
All the best
Liz
Hi liz
I am to take my exam in Dec.could u please post full test ie 30 min test so that I can judge myself better.secondly i face load of problem in reading task.should i read newspapers nd magazines to enhance my reading? Plz guide me. I do speakking parts that is posted.Its great.Really u are fanstic.
Please see this page for full tests: https://ieltsliz.com/useful-websites-and-resources-for-ielts/
Liz
Dear Liz,
I gave my IELTS exam on 1st August. In the first section of the Listening part, we had to write one word answer, so could you please tell whether PAPER-MACHE is one word or two word?
Moreover, in the second section, the question consisted of two blanks, we had to write the time and the answer was 10 am to 4 pm (to was already written in the question), we were supposed to answer in one word/and/ or number format so in the answer sheet, I wrote 10 AM – 4 PM, could you please tell whether this answer will be correct or not?
Thank You
Kind regards
Samjhana Pradhan
Nepal
Here is a link to your first question: http://www.papier-mache.com.au/. For the second question, IELTS NEVER writes “one word and/or number”, the instructions are either “one word and/pr numbers” (with an s) or “one word and/or a number” (a number = one). You probably had the first option which means you can write two number ” 10am 4pm”
All the best
Liz
Thanx Liz for ur videos… they were really helpful for me.. One thing I would like to ask you I m finding multiple choice and direction related questions in listening part.. How to improve it..
Thanks I really love and appreciate it makes me put effort to practice.
Hi Liz,
I would like to ask, what if in the actual exam we forget to put on (the ) in front of the answer, but (the) did exist in the answer given?
Please check here for your answer: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-listening-25-essential-top-tips/
Liz
Thank you so much Liz, I have learnt a lot from your teachings. Have a merry Christmas