Daily lessons with Simon,
ex-IELTS examiner
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IELTS Listening: Multiple choice about leisure
Try this tricky multiple choice exercise, then let’s discuss what makes it difficult.
IELTS Reading: Gap-fill not in order
In gap-fill exercises the answers are usually in order in the passage. However, one of the answers in today’s exercise breaks this ‘rule’.
IELTS Writing Task 2: Discussion essay (independence)
Here’s another band 9 ‘discussion’ essay, with a quick study task below it.
IELTS Grammar: Singular or plural?
In this lesson we look at a useful question that a subscriber asked me.
Writing Task 1: ‘Food and oil’ graph
Read my model answer for a line graph task, and then look at the verb tenses that I used.
General Writing Task 1: ‘New sport’ letter
Here’s my band 9 answer for the ‘new sport’ letter task. You’ll also see a list of the good vocabulary that I used.
IELTS Speaking Part 1: Names
Here are some more part 1 questions with my model answers. Notice that I give very honest answers, which are often negative.
Listening Advice: How much listening do you do?
Are you listening to enough English on a daily basis?
IELTS Reading: Choose the title 9
Try today’s practice exercise. Read the passage and choose the best title.
IELTS Writing Task 2: Discussion essay
Here’s a model essay for a ‘discuss both views’ task. Can you finish it by adding an example to paragraph 3?
IELTS Advice: ‘Types’ of vocabulary
Today I want to highlight some good practice by one of the subscribers to this site.
Writing Task 1: Eleven overview tips
Here are 11 tips on how to write a good overview paragraph in your task 1 report.
General Writing Task 1: ‘New sport’ part 3
Can you finish my letter by writing one more sentence for the third paragraph?
Speaking Part 2: Describe a piece of clothing
Describe a piece of clothing that you like wearing. Read my sample answer to get some good ideas and vocabulary for this task.
IELTS Listening: ‘History of food’ gap-fill
Listen to an introduction to some lectures about the history of food, and fill the gaps in the summary sentences.
IELTS Reading: Study habits (paragraph headings)
Choose the best heading for each paragraph in a passage about study habits.
IELTS Writing Task 2: ‘Supporting old people’ essay
Should family members be legally responsible for supporting their elderly relatives? Here’s my full band 9 answer.
IELTS Vocabulary: Range and flexibility
If you take lessons with an English teacher, I recommend that you ask yourself this question at the end of each lesson…
Writing Task 1: 10-year or 10 years?
Do you know when to use “10-year” and when to write “10 years”? What is the difference?
General Writing Task 1: ‘New sport’ part 2
Can you finish my sentence and explain how your friend could learn to ice skate?
IELTS Speaking Part 1: Free time at home
Here are some more part 1 questions with my model answers. Remember to make a note of any good words or phrases that I use.
IELTS Listening: Difficult vocabulary exercise
Do you understand the highlighted vocabulary in today’s tricky multiple choice exercise?
IELTS Reading: Florence cathedral (true, false, not given)
Here’s some more ‘true, false, not given’ practice using the passage that we read for last week’s gap-fill exercise.
Writing Task 2: One-idea paragraph
Let’s look at a paragraph that develops just one main idea. I’ve written the first three sentences. What should we do in sentences 4 and 5?
IELTS Advice: What is ‘advanced’ language?
An ‘advanced’ user of English isn’t someone who uses lots of passives and conditionals.
Writing Task 1: Salmon life cycle
The model answer in this lesson is quite short (only 154 words), but it is very precise and coherent, and deserves a band 9.
General Writing Task 1: ‘New sport’ part 1
Can you write two error-free sentences to recommend a new sport to your friend?
Speaking Part 3: Game shows, adverts
This lesson contains two more examples of my ‘long answer technique’: answer, explain, example, (alternative).
IELTS Listening: ‘Effective listening’ gap-fill
Listen to a short talk about effective listening skills, and fill the gaps in the summary sentences.
IELTS Reading: Gap-fill with letters
This lesson contains a special type of gap-fill exercise.