IELTS Reading: Choosing a Title: Practice & Tips

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Choosing a title for IELTS reading. This is another question type that appears in the IELTS Reading test which many people overlook because it isn’t a common one. However, it does appear and each answer you get write is a valuable point so it is worth preparing and training for this type of question.

Choosing a Title Tips

  • This is about choosing a title, not matching information
  • This reading exercise has only one question – to choose a title. However, normally this question would be given as the final question of the reading passage. This means you would already have answers over 10 questions on the passage before you come to this one.
  • The best title is the one that matching the whole aim of the passage.

IELTS Reading Choosing a Title Practice Lesson

Reading Passage:

Coffee is one of the most popular hot drinks in the world. Almost a third of the world’s population drinks coffee. People often meet at cafes or coffee shops for a coffee break during the middle of the morning or stop work in the afternoon to drink coffee.
About 7 million tons of coffee is produced every year. Brazil is, by far, the world’s largest coffee producer. About a third of the world’s production comes from this South American country. Other coffee producing countries include Vietnam, Indonesia and Colombia.
The United States is the biggest coffee consumer in the world. About 1.2 billion kilograms of coffee are consumed there every year. Drinking coffee is extremely popular in European countries, like Italy, France and Germany, as well as in Brazil.

Question: Which is the best title for the passage above?

Choose the correct letter A – C

A.  Coffee – a popular hot drink
B.  Coffee – the main consumers
C.  Coffee – the main producers

ANSWER

To see the answer, click below:

ANSWER

The correct answer is A

Explanation:

The opening paragraph and closing line both stress the same point which is about the popularity of coffee. While the first line alone or the last line alone might not themselves indicate aim, to have them both stressing the same point with so much detail in the first paragraph is something you can’t ignore.

There are no fixed rules about choosing a title. But you must remember that information for all options will be given in the passage. So, your aim is not to match information, but to decide what the whole aim of the passage is. You need to ask yourself – Why did this author write the passage? What was the aim of writing the passage? What was the key message that the author wanted to deliver?

So in this lesson, information about the producers and consumers was just extra information given in the passage for interest. But the main aim was to explain the popularity.

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Desertification Reading Exercise & Useful Vocab

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Reading lesson on Desertification to develop ideas and vocabulary for IELTS.  This lesson will provide you with ideas and vocabulary for IELTS writing task 2, speaking part 3 and the reading test.

Desertification: IELTS Environmental Topic

Before, you start your reading exercise. Let me explain a word to you relating to this topic. Desertification is a type of land degradation in which a relatively dry land region becomes increasingly arid, typically losing its bodies of water as well as vegetation and wildlife. It is caused by a variety of factors, such as climate change and human activities. Desertification is a significant global ecological and environmental problem.

The questions below are called Matching Headings Questions which are common in IELTS reading. They require you to match the heading title to a paragraph in the passage. The titles are to summarise the main aim of the paragraph.

Matching Headings Reading Practice

The reading passage below has 8 paragraphs (A-H).

Choose the correct heading for each paragraph from the list below.

Questions 1 – 8

Match each paragraph below to a title from the list. Not all letters will be used.

  • I     Overgrazing
  • II    Mass migration
  • III   Overpopulation
  • IV   Polluted drinking water
  • V    Famine
  • VI   Extinction of species
  • VII   Deforestation
  • VIII  Poverty
  • IX   Unsustainable agriculture techniques
  • X    Soil infertility

Reading Passage: Desertification Causes and Effects

Causes of Desertification

A  Trees are being cut down at much larger scale than ever before to be used as fuel, to provide products we use in our daily life, or to simply create more space for agriculture to sustain growing human population. Once the trees and other vegetation in an area are gone, there is nothing left to hold the soil in place.

B   Our planet’s ecosystems sustain life only when balanced. They can cope with incremental challenges and adapt but beyond a certain tipping point they collapse. A rapid increase in the number of people demands higher amounts of natural resources and expands more and more over the landscape, leading to increased desertification.

C   Improper irrigation methods used in arid areas, such as canal irrigation, lead to a buildup of salt in the soil and make it difficult for crops and other plants to grow, increasing desertification. Similarly harmful is cultivation of already deteriorated lands. Through inconsiderate farming methods, farmers only speed up the process of desertification in exchange for poor quality crops with low economic value.

D  In arid regions, grass and other vegetation is necessary to keep the soil in place. If such vegetation is used as feed for cattle without sustainable control, there is nothing that remains to prevent soil from blowing or washing away, and if this process occurs long enough, it can lead to desertification.

Effects of Desertification

E   As desertification occurs, the soil can be blown or washed away, and valuable soil nutrients are lost. As the soil dries out, it hardens and it becomes difficult for any rainfall that does occur to penetrate below the soil’s surface. And what remains left is a lifeless pile of dust instead of a life-giving medium.

F   Due to drought conditions and a loss of productive land, local people find themselves and their livestock experiencing starvation.

G   Desertification events have been a major driver behind the movement of large human populations throughout history. When soils are not able to support their civilisation, people set on the move to look for better locations.

H   Species that once lived in a fertile and productive climate may not survive in a newly desertified region.

ANSWERS

The answers are now available for this reading lesson. Click below for Answers:

Answers

Please remember that in the real IELTS test, if you are asked to write a letter, you must write the letter and not the word. Always following instructions very carefully for IELTS.

  • A  = VII
    • Deforestation. Keywords: Trees are being cut down
  • B  =  III
    • Overpopulation. Keywords: A rapid increase in the number of people
  • C  =  IX
    • Unsustainable agriculture techniques. Keywords: Improper irrigation methods / inconsiderate farming methods
  • D  =  I
    • Overgrazing. Keywords: feed for cattle without sustainable control
  • E  =  X
    • Soil infertility. Keywords: valuable soil nutrients are lost /  soil dries out / lifeless pile of dust
  • F  =  V
    • Famine. Keywords: people find themselves and their livestock experiencing starvation.
  • G  =  II
    • Mass migration. Keywords: movement of large human populations
  • H  =  VI
    • Extinction of species. Keywords: Species …………………. may not survive …

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This reading exercise was easier than a normal Academic reading passage and is similar in level to a GT passage section 3. However, it is a great starting exercise for Academic candidates to get used to Matching Headings Questions. Now try something more difficult. See below:

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Matching Headings Practice with Essential Tips

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Listening Answers for Blue Foot Bird Exercise

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Questions, Answers & Transcript: Blue-footed Bird Listening Practice

Do not look at the answers until you have finished the listening lesson.

If you have not finished this listening lesson, please click here: Blue-footed bird listening practice

Transcript:

These boobies live off the western coasts of Central and South America. The Galápagos Islands population includes about half of all breeding pairs of blue-footed boobies. They are aptly named, and males take great pride in their fabulous feet. During mating rituals, male birds show off their feet to prospective mates with a high-stepping strut. The bluer the feet, the more attractive the mate.

All half-dozen or so booby species are thought to take their name from the Spanish word “bobo.” The term means “stupid,” which is how early European colonists may have characterized these clumsy and unwary birds when they saw them on land—their least graceful environment.

Like other boobies, blue-foots nest on land at night. When day breaks, they take to the air in search of seafood, sometimes fishing in cooperative groups. They may fly far out to sea while keeping a keen eye out for schools of small fish, such as anchovies. When their prey is in sight, these seabirds utilize the physical adaptations that make them exceptional divers. They fold their long wings back around their streamlined bodies and plunge into the water from as high as 80 feet. Blue-footed boobies can also dive from a sitting position on the water’s surface.

Blue-footed boobies also use their webbed feet to cover their young and keep them warm. When a typical brood of one to three chicks hatch, both parents feed and care for them.

It is a good idea to read the transcript and listen to the recording at the same time. Below:

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Questions: No more than two words and/or a number.

  1. Strutting and showing off feet is part of the mating …………
  2. When a male boobie has very blue feet, he is considered ……………..
  3. Their name comes from the Spanish word for …………..
  4. On land, blue-footed boobies move  in a ………. manner.
  5. Blue-footed boobies fish in ……………….
  6. They eat small fish, for example ………….
  7. Their bodies are ………..  which is advantageous when diving.
  8. Adult boobies warm their chicks with their ……………….
  9. They usually have a maximum of ………. young.

Answers:

  1. RITUAL / RITUALS
    1. You can have either plural or singular for this answer. It isn’t common that you can have both – usually in IELTS you must choose carefully and writing the wrong one will mean it is marked wrong.
  2. ATTRACTIVE
  3.  STUPID
    1. “to take their name from the Spanish word “bobo.” The term means “stupid”.
    2. This question is really testing your ability to spot the words “this term means…” We use this phrase when using a foreign word in an English communication and we wish to explain in English.
    3. The question “Their name comes from the Spanish word for …………..” means that you are listening for the English translation, not the Spanish word. This is again a test of your English to understand “the Spanish word for…” which means a translation.
  4. CLUMSY
  5. GROUPS / COOPERATIVE GROUPS
    1. Some people had difficulty with the pronunciation of “in cooperative groups”. This is due to the pronunciation features of linking sounds.
  6. ANCHOVIES
  7. STREAMLINED
  8. FEET / WEBBED FEET
  9. THREE / 3
    1. Notice that the question asks for the maximum number.  Always underline key words in the question on your listening question paper.

 

 

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Listening Practice Blue-Footed Boobie Birds

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Listening Practice for IELTS preparation. This topic was actually reported in the IELTS Reading Test. But, I have used it to create a listening exercise for you. There’s a funny video if you want to see these birds in action at the bottom of this article.

Blue-Footed Boobies Listening Exercise

Blue-footed Birds

Questions 1-9: No more than two words and/or a number.

  1. Strutting and showing off feet is part of the mating …………
  2. When a male boobie has very blue feet, he is considered ……………..
  3. Their name comes from the Spanish word for …………..
  4. On land, blue-footed boobies move  in a ………. manner.
  5. Blue-footed boobies fish in ……………….
  6. They eat small fish, for example ………….
  7. Their bodies are ………..  which is advantageous when diving.
  8. Adult boobies warm their chicks with their ……………….
  9. They usually have a maximum of ………. chicks.

Notice: Based on Article from National Geographic

Answers

The answers are now available for this lesson.

Click here for the answers: ANSWERS FOR BIRD LISTENING EXERCISE

 

All the best

Liz

The Blue-Footed Boobie Video

Sorry this is not an educational video, but it is great fun to watch 🙂

 

 

Filed Under: IELTS Listening

Answers to August Linking Word Practice

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Below are the questions and answers for the lesson on linking words this month. I hope you found this lesson useful 🙂

Questions 

  1. ……………. the government building more homes in city centres, there is still a lack of housing.
    1.  A) Although   B) Despite   C) So
  2. ………….. the government is increasing the amount of money spent on dealing with environmental pollution, individuals must still play their part.
    1.  A) But    B) Although  C) Despite
  3. People should eat a balanced diet …………….. avoid serious health problems.
    1. A) due to    B) so     C) in order to
  4. …………… there are children who may not find it easy to live abroad, for others it can be an experience that helps them mature and become more independent.
    1. A) While  B) In spite of  C) Even so
  5. ………………….. more and more people moving to the city to find jobs, housing has become a serious problem in city centres.
    1. A) Consequently   B) As a result  C) As a result of  D) Owing to

Answers

  1. B
    1. Despite the government building more homes in city centres, there is still a lack of housing.
    2. It is not possible to have “Although” in this sentence. The meaning is correct, but the grammar is wrong. If you wanted to use “Although”, you would need to change the sentence: ” Although the government is building more homes in city centres, there is still a lack of housing.”
  2. B
    1. Although the government is increasing the amount of money spent on dealing with environmental pollution, individuals must still play their part.
  3. C
    1. People should eat a balanced diet in order to avoid serious health problems.
  4. A
    1. While there are children who may not find it easy to live abroad, for others it can be an experience that helps them mature and become more independent.
    2. The linking words “in spite of” have the right meaning, but can’t be used in this sentence. If you want to use “in spite of” you need to change the grammar structure of the sentence: “In spite of some children not finding it easy to live abroad, for others it can be an experience that helps them mature and become more independent.
  5. C & D
    1. As a result of more and more people moving to the city to find jobs, housing has become a serious problem in city centres.
    2. Owing to more and more people moving to the city to find jobs, housing has become a serious problem in city centres.
    3. It is not possible to have “Consequently”. The meaning is fine, but the grammatical structure of the sentence makes it impossible to use. Using “consequently” = More and more people are moving to the city to find jobs and, consequently,  housing has become a serious problem in city centres.
    4. The linking word “as a result” must have the proposition “of” with it for this sentence. Using “as a result” without “of” = More and more people are moving to the city to find jobs and, as a result, housing has become a serious problem in city centres.

To use linking words correctly, you must understand both their meaning and the correct grammatically way to use them in a sentence. See a full list of linking words for your essay: IELTS Linking Words List.

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Linking Words Practice August 2018

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Fill in the gaps below with the correct linking words. This is useful practice for your IELTS writing task 2 essay. Using linking words requires you to be careful with the grammar structure of your sentences – this lesson will review your ability to do that.

Questions

Choose the correct letter to complete each sentence. It is possible to have more than one letter for an answer.

  1. ……………. the government building more homes in city centres, there is still a lack of housing.
    1. Answers: A) Although   B) Despite   C) So
  2. ………….. the government is increasing the amount of money spent on dealing with environmental pollution, individuals must still play their part.
    1. Answers: A) But    B) Although  C) Despite
  3. People should eat a balanced diet ……………..  avoid serious health problems.
    1. Answers:  A) due to    B) so     C) in order to
  4. …………… there are children who may not find it easy to live abroad, for others it can be an experience that helps them mature and become more independent.
    1. Answers: A) While  B) In spite of  C) Even so
  5. ………………….. more and more people moving to the city to find jobs, housing has become a serious problem in city centers.
    1. Answers A) Consequently   B) As a result  C) As a result of  D) Owing to

Answers

Answers are now available:

Click here:  Answers Linking Word Lesson

All the best

Liz

 

Filed Under: IELTS Writing Task 2

July 2018 IELTS Essay Questions

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Below is a list of IELTS Essay Questions July 2018 reported in writing task 2.

Will these questions be repeated?

  • IELTS often repeat topics but change the questions and instructions.
  • To prepare for IELTS writing task 2, you should prepare ideas for the topics below and common topics which you will find on this page: 100 IELTS Essay Questions.
  • No one can predict the question you will get in your test. So, prepare as many common and recent topics as possible.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Questions July 2018

The questions below have been reported by IELTS candidates and may not be accurately remembered.

  1. Some people think that modern technology is making people more sociable, while others think it is making them less sociable. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
  2. Online, people write product reviews and opinions about services. Is it a good thing or bad thing?
  3. Some people argue that formal education should start for children as early as possible, while others think that it should not start until 7 years of age. Discuss both these views and give your opinion.
  4. Some people believe that teachers have a important role to play in the educational success, while others think it is the students’ attitude that matters. Discuss both views and share your opinion.
  5. Some physiologists recommend that it is important to overcome stresses by spending time do nothing. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
  6. The education of young people is the main priority in countries around the world. Some people believe that educating adults who cannot read or write is essential for the society and more funding should be made available for it. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
  7. The only way to solve the increasing crime rate of young offenders is to teach parents better parenting skills. To what extent do you agree?
  8. Scientist have been warning for many years about the importance of protecting the environment and that we must limit the use of energy in our daily lives. Despite warnings, many people do not do this. What are the reasons for that and how people can be encouraged to take an interest in protecting the environment?
  9. Some people believe that a great difference in age between parents and children is more beneficial. Do you think the advantages of a greater difference in age between them outweigh the disadvantages?
  10. Some people think the government should be responsible for solving the pollution problems which result from heavy traffic. To what extent do you agree?
  11. Some people believe that universities should only offer places to students with high marks, while others believe that people of all ages should be allowed even if they don’t do well in school. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
  12. People are less fit and active nowadays than in the past. What are the reasons for this? What measures can be taken to fix this?
  13. The world of work is changing rapidly. Working conditions today are not the same as before and people no longer rely on taking one job for life. Discuss the possible causes for these changes and give your suggestions for how people should prepare for work in the future.
  14. Some people find it beneficial to sent young children to nursery school before they go to primary school, while others think it is good to keep children at home with their family. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
  15. Some people think that to reduce traffic and pollution, the government should increase tax on petrol (gasoline).  Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
  16. It is believed that young people are more interested in international pop singers and movie stars than in history and historical people. Why is this? (June)
  17. Nowadays, culture is more or less the same around the world compared to in the past. Is this a positive trend or negative trend? (June)

 

Filed Under: IELTS Writing Task 2

Vocabulary for Plant Topic IELTS Speaking

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Below is a list of vocabulary for the topic of plants in IELTS speaking part 1.

Pot Plants

  • Cactus (plural = cacti or cactuses)
  • Peace lily (see picture above)
  • Bamboo
  • Palm
  • Flowering plants
  • Orchids
  • Small plants for the window sill
  • Easy to maintain

Balcony plants

Trailing plants / climbers

Plants and flowers attractive to bees and butterflies

Hanging baskets (flowering plants)

  • Roses
  • Geraniums
  • begonia

Trees

  • (tree) trunk
    • wide trunk / thick trunk
  • a tall tree with a height of about 4.5 meters
  • a native tree
  • limbs / branches
  • twigs
  • leaves
    • lose their leaves in winter
    • retain their colour year round (evergreen)
  • foliage
  • blossom
  • root system
  • age: ancient tree, sapling (young tree)
  • adjectives: leafy, spreading, hollow, shady, verdant, gnarled, majestic
  • perennial 
  • ornamental tree / dwarf tree
  • tropical / sub-tropical species
  • longevity 

Other vocab

  • Stem
  • Bloom
  • Petals
  • Lush
  • Wilting
  • Leaves turning yellow
  • Soil
  • Compost
  • Plant feed
  • Pruning
  • Re-potting
  • Drainage
  • Watering (daily/ regularly)
  • Automatic watering system
  • Full sunlight / shade / exposure to sun
  • North facing window
  • Variety of colours
  • Herbs grown in pots
    • mint, parsley, coriander, basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme
  • Vegetables grown in pots
    • tomatoes, peppers, peas, beans
  • to have green fingers (idiom) = to be good at caring for plants
    • I’ve never had green fingers.
    • My father really has green fingers. He can grow anything.
  • Botanist – someone who studies plants

Sample Questions & Answers

You can see that some questions might produce shorter answers and other questions require more detail and explanation. This is normal in speaking part 1.

  1. Do you like plants?
    • Yes, I do. I usually have at least one indoor pot plant in my sitting room such as a peace lily.
  2. Are you good at growing plants?
    • No, I’m not. I definitely don’t have green fingers, unlike my grandfather who was really good with plants. I frequently have to buy new plants for my house when they die.
  3. Why do people grow plants?
    • I think some people grow plants because it’s a pleasurable hobby that they can enjoy all year round. It is very rewarding to grow a plant, particularly when the flowers bloom. For other people, it is a way to make their living environment better. What I mean is plants can provide not only clean air but also greenery which is supposed to be uplifting for the spirit.

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IELTS Speaking  Questions & Model Answers for Plant Topic

ALL MODEL ANSWERS, TIPS AND TOPICS FOR IELTS SPEAKING

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