Daily lessons with Simon,
ex-IELTS examiner
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IELTS Advice: Improve exam technique first
Have you done enough work on exam technique? Have you mastered the methods that I suggest here on the site?
Writing Task 1: ‘Library changes’ details
Can you finish my ‘details’ sentence?
General Writing Task 1: ‘Training course’ part 3
Can you finish the third paragraph in this letter task?
IELTS Speaking Part 2: One minute plan
Let’s practise using the one-minute planning time that the examiner gives you before you have to start speaking.
IELTS Listening: Number and letter codes 2
Here’s another practice exercise. See if you can write the correct number and letter codes.
IELTS Reading: What are universities for?
Try today’s multiple choice exercise.
Writing Task 2: The keys to a high score
If you want to get the highest score possible with your current level of English…
IELTS Grammar: By + past perfect
We don’t always use the past perfect after “by”.
Writing Task 1: ‘Library changes’ overview
Can you finish my overview paragraph?
General Writing Task 1: ‘Training course’ part 2
Can you finish the second paragraph in this letter task?
IELTS Speaking Part 3: Comparing two answers
Read two possible answers to a part 3 question. Which answer is better?
IELTS Listening: Number and letter codes
In part 1 of the listening test you might have to write down a code, such as a flight number, payment reference or phone number.
IELTS Reading: ‘Match the names’ tips
Here are my top 4 tips for how to tackle ‘match the names’ sections.
IELTS Writing Task 2: The power of examples
Sometimes the best way to think of ideas for an essay is to start with an example.
IELTS Advice: Writing exam psychology
Read the following description of a common ‘psychological experience’ when people take any kind of exam that involves essay writing.
Writing Task 1: ‘Library changes’ diagrams
Can you write a one-sentence introduction for this ‘diagram description’ task?
General Writing Task 1: ‘Training course’ part 1
Can you finish the first paragraph in this letter task?
IELTS Speaking Part 2: Dealing with difficult tasks
Sometimes the part 2 task looks difficult but there’s an easy way to answer.
IELTS Listening: ‘Peer orientation’ gap-fill
Listen to a short description of a psychological theory, and fill the gaps in the summary sentences.
IELTS Reading: Elephant intelligence (T, F, NG)
Try today’s ‘true, false, not given’ exercise.
IELTS Writing Task 2: Some grammar advice
What exactly are examiners looking for in terms of “grammatical range and accuracy”?
Quick message from Simon
If you’ve left a comment over the last week, I haven’t forgotten about you, and I apologise for the delayed response.
Writing Task 1: Variety when describing numbers
In this lesson we look at the variety of language in two sentences.
General Writing Task 1: ‘Training course’ task
Your employer has asked you for your feedback on a training course. Let’s start by writing a ‘purpose sentence’.
IELTS Speaking Part 1: ‘Sleep’ topic
Here are some more part 1 questions and model answers. How would you answer question 4?
IELTS Listening: High-density concrete (multiple choice)
Try today’s multiple choice exercise.
IELTS Reading: Language rhythms (which paragraph contains?)
Read the passage about ‘language rhythms’, and decide which paragraph contains the given information.
IELTS Writing Task 2: How to plan your essay
There are three things that you need to think about when planning an essay.
IELTS Grammar: Using ‘could’ in the past
Try this grammar exercise to see if you can use ‘could’ correctly when describing the past.
Writing Task 1: ‘City populations’ answer
Read my band 9 report, and try the quick homework exercise below it.