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:

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: Liz’s 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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Hi guys,

I’ve put together a list of some useful pages on my website to help you with your writing task 2 essays. Click below:

Writing Answer Sheet: Learn how to use the official IELTS answer sheet in a useful video lesson and download it for practice at home.

Paragraphing: Tips on how many paragraphs your essay should have. You will be marked on the use of paragraphs. Make sure they are logical. Also remember the body paragraphs should be equal in length for writing task 2.

Finding Ideas for Essays: How to find your own ideas or get them in a convenient e-book. It also provides a useful link for essay planning tips.

When to give your opinion: If you fail to give your opinion when it is asked for, you will get a low score. Learn about different instructions.

Linking Words: Get a useful list of linking words for your essay. They are easy to learn and easy to get right, but so many people lose marks because they don’t pay attention.

Quotes, Idioms & Proverbs: Learn whether it is a good ideas to use them in your essay or not.

100 Essay Questions: Use these questions to practise writing at home. You will soon see the full range of topics that IELTS like to use.

Advanced Essay Lessons: If you need help pushing your score higher or you don’t understand why you are not getting the right score, learn the best techniques in easy steps with my Advanced Lessons for Essays. Visit my Store to get them.

All the best

Liz

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