Daily lessons with Simon,
ex-IELTS examiner
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Writing Task 2: Different advice for different scores
My writing advice for bands 5 to 6 is different from my writing advice for band 7 and higher.
IELTS Advice: Reuse your best ideas
If you have a good idea for one part of the IELTS test, you might be able to reuse it in another part. This lesson contains an example.
Writing Task 1: to, by, with, at
Here are some examples to give you a basic idea of how to use these four little words.
General Writing Task 1: ‘Arranging a trip’ part 3
See if you can finish this letter task by writing the last 2 sentences.
Speaking Part 2: Special techniques?
Occasionally I hear from students who have found a new technique for part 2 of the speaking test, and they want to know my opinion about it.
IELTS Listening: Tell me your troubles!
Please use the comments below this lesson to share your experiences and ask any questions you have about the listening test.
IELTS Reading: ‘Times tables’ multiple choice
Try today’s multiple choice exercise.
My favourite type of paragraph
This lesson contains an example of my favourite type of main body paragraph for task 2 essays.
IELTS Vocabulary: Join vs join in
Many English learners get confused about when to use the verb “join” and when to use the phrasal verb “join in”.
Writing Task 1: Correct the mistakes
Can you find and correct the mistakes in five sentences written by students?
General Writing Task 1: ‘Arranging a trip’ part 2
Write two sentences to convince your friend to go on a trip to your chosen destination.
IELTS Speaking: Three questions about part 2
Here are some common questions about part 2 of the speaking test, with my answers below them.
IELTS Listening: Compound words 2
Test your spelling of 10 more compound words.
IELTS Reading: Gap-fill about ‘collecting’
Fill the gaps with words from the passage.
IELTS Writing Task 2: A ‘balanced opinion’ essay
What is the difference between a ‘balanced opinion’ essay and a ‘discussion’ essay? If you’re not sure, this lesson should help.
IELTS Vocabulary: Understanding ‘collocation’
If you don’t know what ‘collocation’ means, or if you don’t fully understand this idea, read this lesson.
Writing Task 1: Three basic skills
If you’re preparing for IELTS writing task 1 (academic), here are three basic skills that you need to work on.
General Writing Task 1: ‘Arranging a trip’ part 1
Can you finish the first paragraph in this letter task?
IELTS Speaking: Two types of hesitation
Do you understand the difference between ‘language-related’ and ‘content-related’ hesitation?
IELTS Listening: ‘Mechanical clock’ gap-fill
Fill the gaps in the transcript of a presentation about the impact of the mechanical clock during the Industrial Revolution.
IELTS Reading: Fossil (T, F, NG)
Try today’s ‘true, false, not given’ exercise.
Writing Task 2: Can you see the problem?
Many students make the mistake of writing their ‘agree or disagree’ essays in this way. Can you see what’s wrong?
Study Advice: A little every day!
Stop worrying about study timetables or how many hours of IELTS practice you think you need to do. Instead, do this…
Writing Task 1: Describing overall trends
When the chart shows a lot of data, many IELTS students struggle to see the main overall trends.
General Writing Task 1: ‘Arranging a trip’ task
You received an email from a friend suggesting that you go on a day trip together next Saturday.
IELTS Speaking Advice: Slow down!
In my experience, many IELTS candidates speak too quickly and this causes several problems.
IELTS Listening: Compound words
Listen to 10 compound words, and see if you can spell them correctly.
Reading Advice: The time problem
Not having enough time is the biggest problem for most people taking the IELTS reading test.
IELTS Writing Task 2: Improving a student’s coherence
Compare the two paragraphs. What simple changes did I make to improve coherence?
IELTS Grammar: I was hoping that…
Why do we use the past tense in the phrase “I was hoping that you could help me”?