Daily lessons with Simon,
ex-IELTS examiner
Log in
Not a member?
Sign up or learn more here
IELTS Writing: terrible templates
In this lesson I answer a student’s question about essay templates, and we look at a template that a YouTube teacher recommended.
IELTS Speaking Part 3: adding details
In this lesson we look at three easy ways to add detail to a basic answer in part 3 of the IELTS speaking test.
IELTS Listening: CV
Try this IELTS listening exercise about writing a CV.
IELTS Reading: Green Tourism 2
Try today’s “true, false, not given” exercise.
Writing task 2: ‘parenting course’ essay
The model essay in this lesson is a good example of the “two adjectives technique”. The whole essay is built on just two key words.
Writing Task 2: the ‘two adjectives’ technique
Did you know that it’s possible to build a whole essay around just two adjectives? In this lesson I’ll explain how.
Writing Task 1: Missed flight letter
This lesson contains a General Training IELTS letter task and my model answer. Make a list of the good vocabulary that I used.
Writing Task 1: Consumer goods chart
Today’s lesson contains my model description of a tricky chart that compares spending on different products.
What is ‘band 7 vocabulary’?
What is “band 7 vocabulary”, and how can you learn to recognise and use it? In this lesson I try to answer that question.
Speaking Part 3: Questionnaires
Read my sample answers, then do the homework task about personal examples.
IELTS Listening: Driving test
Try this IELTS listening exercise. You’ll hear a presentation about driving tests, and there’s a gap-fill and multiple choice exercise.
IELTS Reading: Green Tourism
Try today’s reading exercise: Which paragraph contains…?
IELTS Writing Task 2: ‘Sugar’ topic
Let’s start work on a new writing task: Do you think that sugary products should be more expensive?
IELTS Advice: experts spend longer planning
The idea that experts spend longer planning can help you to become a better essay writer.
Writing Task 1: Migration chart
Read my model description of a chart that compares UK immigration and emigration rates.
Writing Task 1: Complaint about equipment
This lesson contains a General Training IELTS letter task and my model answer. Make a list of the good vocabulary that I used.
Speaking Part 2: Describe an animal
This lesson contains an IELTS Speaking Part 2 task and my sample answer: Describe a wild animal from your country.
IELTS Listening: Nature or nurture?
The “nature or nurture” topic has appeared in different parts of the IELTS test. Do you know what “nature or nurture” means?
IELTS Reading: similar words
IELTS Reading is basically a test of your vocabulary knowledge: finding words in the passage that are similar to words in the questions.
IELTS Writing: what’s your style?
IELTS students / candidates tend to write in one of the three styles that I describe in this lesson. Which style do you use?
“Complex” grammar?
In this lesson I explain why you should delete the term “complex grammar” from your mind!
“Complex” vocabulary?
Many students believe that they need to use “complex vocabulary”. In this lesson I argue that they have the wrong idea.
Writing Task 1: Education and science bar charts
Read my model description of three bar charts that compare participation in education and science.
IELTS Speaking: using an anecdote
An anecdote is a short amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person. This lesson contains an example.
IELTS Listening: Travel Agent
Try this tricky multiple choice question. The language is not too difficult; the problem is that all of the choices are mentioned.
IELTS Reading: I can’t read fast enough!
How can I improve my reading skills, especially my reading speed? I can’t finish the test in the given time.
Writing task 2: ‘first impressions’ essay
In this lesson we’re going to analyse another of my model essays.
IELTS Advice: Method vs English
Remember: Sometimes language is the problem, not your method.
Writing Task 1: Apology to a friend
This lesson contains a General Training IELTS letter task and my model answer. Make a list of the good vocabulary that I used.
Writing Task 1: Weather forecast process
Read my model description of a diagram that shows how weather forecasts are made.