IELTS Podcast

In this tutorial, we learn new IELTS speaking vocabulary about Books and Films.

This vocabulary will help prepare for all parts of the speaking exam. Improve your vocabulary as well as your band score!

Read the full vocabulary list here: https://www.ieltspodcast.com/ielts-speaking/books-film-art/

Ps – Read our latest IELTS success story to find out how Anastasiya jumped to band 7 in 30 days!

You can download or listen to the audio version here:

|Direct Download Here | Stitcher | iTunes | Spotify |

The post Speaking vocabulary about books and films appeared first on IELTS Podcast.

Anastasiya took IELTS three times. She was stuck at 6.5. 

Her husband was also stuck. But he got some feedback and in the next test jumped to Band 7. 

– From the advice of one essay correction, he jumped to Band 7. Awesome! 

Anastasiya unfortunately was still stuck at 6.5. 

She tried the “Jump to Band 7 or it’s Free” online IELTS course. 

If she failed she would get a refund. Nothing to lose.

Although she didn’t even complete the course, she still jumped to Band 7! 

Anastasiya is a smart and hard-working Ukrainian who will soon be going to Canada with her husband, largely thanks to their IELTS scores.

You can download or listen to the audio version here:

|Direct Download Here | Stitcher | iTunes | Spotify |

The post IELTS May 2021: In 30 days she jumps to Band 7 appeared first on IELTS Podcast.

In our tutorial this week we learn some new IELTS speaking vocabulary about modern technology.

This vocabulary will help prepare for all parts of the speaking exam. Improve your vocabulary as well as your band score!

Read the full tutorial and mock speaking exam here: https://www.ieltspodcast.com/ielts-speaking/modern-technology/

You can download or listen to the audio version here:

|Direct Download Here | Stitcher | iTunes | Spotify |

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Meet Salma,

She is a smart Egyptian student based in the far east of the UAE. 

Far away from professional tutors, and language academies but with a goal of reaching Canada in 2021.

Still determined to improve her score she started with two online courses. 

Unfortunately they failed and she was stuck at band 6.5. 

So she decided to try our online course (Jump to Band 7 or it’s Free) and she loved it! 

Our tutors may have even inspired her to become a journalist! 

Salma was preparing with Daphne and writing essays and getting feedback almost daily. 

She soon realised she had made the right decision when her essays were improving. 

Daphne helped her with: 

• sentence constructions 
• word choice 
• grammar improvement 

And finally, she got a Band 7! 

Listen to the full story here: 

You can download or listen to the audio version here:

|Direct Download Here | Stitcher | iTunes | Spotify | Transcript |

The post IELTS Writing Band 7 – Salma recently passed her IELTS exam (May 2021) appeared first on IELTS Podcast.

In this tutorial, we review recent IELTS Task 2 questions seen in the exam. Listen to the full tutorial for sample essays and IELTS vocabulary.

Read the questions below:

1. Some people say that all popular TV entertainment programmes should aim to educate viewers about important social issues. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
2. Some people believe the purpose of education should be helping the individual to become useful for society, while others believe it should help individuals to achieve their ambitions. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
3. Many people believe that a person’s culture is defined by their country of origin, while others
   believe that it has only minor influence. Discuss both these views and give your opinion.

Many students have had success with our IELTS online course, contact us to find out more!

Find out all the information you need to know about the IELTS exam.

You can download or listen to the audio version here:

|Direct Download Here | Stitcher | iTunes | Spotify | Transcript |

https://www.ieltspodcast.com/audio-tutorials/recent-task-2-questions-may-2021/

The post Recent Task 2 Questions and Answers Seen in the IELTS Exam 2021 appeared first on IELTS Podcast.

In this tutorial, we take a look at some recent IELTS general Task 1 questions. We provide sample answers to help you prepare for your exam.

Take a look at the Task 1 questions here:

1. Write a letter to your landlord complaining about noise in the block of flats which he owns.

You should include:

• Where you live
• The problem
• What he should do

2. You want to arrange a conference for your company, and you need to ask one of your colleagues to give a presentation in this conference.

Write a letter to your colleague. In your letter include:

• Details about the conference
• Why you want your colleague to give the presentation
• What arrangement you will do for this conference

3. You own an old item that you think is valuable and would like to sell. Write a letter to the owner of an antiques shop.

In your letter

• explain how you found the shop
• describe the item that you would like to sell
• say how much you would like to sell the item for

Take a look at some more IELTS General Task 1 tutorials to help you prepare:

• IELTS Vocabulary
• How to write an informal letter
• How to write a formal letter
• General Task 1 Sample Essays

Take a look at more IELTS General Task 1 questions here.

You can download or listen to the audio version here:

|Direct Download Here | Stitcher | iTunes | Spotify | Transcript |

The post Recent General Task 1 Questions and Answers (Updated 2021) appeared first on IELTS Podcast.

Anna decided to take the IELTS exam while in lock down. 

She was writing essay after essay on her own and checking her own work. 

She’d write the essay, then return a few days later to self check it, however, she soon realised this wasn’t enough. 

She knew she was missing grammar mistakes and had dubious vocabulary choices. 

What’s the solution? 

Well, she decided to invest in getting her IELTS essay evaluated.

Not only did her essays start to improve but her motivation also picked up. (Vital if you’re in lockdown). 

Having a tutor guide you to a Band 8 in IELTS must be great, don’t you think?  

IELTS Reading and Listening 

Anna said she did a mock exam after mock exam. 

I hear this time after time, the best way to improve your score in this part of the exam is via practise tests. 

She also immersed herself in the English language and was constantly listening to podcasts. 

She even decided to give up music for a few months while preparing! 

IELTS Speaking 

Anna talked with herself a lot but eventually ended up getting a tutor to help her through the exam. 

Having a tutor in front of you can really help you improve, you get to see their reactions to what you are saying. 

She also invested in the IELTS speaking feedback service and got more guidance as to how to improve her score. 

Final Result – 8

Speaking – 7 

Listening – 8.5

Reading – 8.5

Writing – 7

Learn more about IELTSPodcast here.

You can download or listen to the audio version here:

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The band descriptors say that a band 8 in Grammatical Range and Accuracy is writing where:

• there is a wide range of grammatical structures
• The majority of the sentences are error-free.

Accuracy

Some believe that majority is more than half but compare this statement with one from band 7 which says, “produces frequent error-free sentences.”  Sentences at band 8 must be more correct than just frequently; assume that most of them must be correct.

Remember that at band 8 the examiner may be slightly more lenient with errors in complex grammar, but simple grammar should be accurate.

Areas where students often make errors include:

• Articles (a, an, the, zero article)
• Prepositions
• Subject-verb agreement
• Overusing present continuous

Range 

Here, you must show a great variety of structures, ideally complex grammar.

Some advanced grammatical structures that students often use include:

• Modal verbs (can, could, would, must)
• Passive voice
• Relative clauses

Band 8 requires using more than just the above, however.   Some examples of advanced grammatical structures follow.

Conditional sentences (If…then)

Most students are familiar with these sentences yet avoid them because of the combination of tenses required.  

If governments implemented and enforced measures, pollution could be reduced.

Band 8 students use more advanced forms of conditional sentences, including those without if.

Were governments to implement and enforce measures, pollution could be reduced.

It is also possible to use if + adjective rather than an entire clause.

If possible, governments should create public service campaigns regarding reducing fossil fuels.  (=if it is possible) 

If necessary, strict fines should be given to factories that do not reduce their emissions. (=if it is necessary).

Relative clauses

Most students are familiar with using which and that in their writing but rarely attempt higher-level usage of relative clauses.   These include:

• Relatives with expressions of quantity
• Relatives with prepositions or connectors.

Examples:

There are numerous measures that can be taken to reduce air pollution, many of which require governmental intervention.

Researchers have discovered that microplastics, many of whose effects are still unknown, have been found in sea creatures that are later eaten. 

The number of full-time students fell to 80,000 in 1985, after which the figure remained stable until the end of the period. 

Inversion

Inversion is an example of a high-level grammatical structure that few students attempt.  There are several different ways to create inversion.   In all of them, the verb and subject are inverted as in question order.

Rarely/ barely/ hardly/ never/ not only (at the beginning of a sentence)

Not only should citizens use their cars less, but they need to use less electricity in their homes also.

(=Citizens should use their cars less and they should also use less electricity in their homes)

Never has it been so important to adopt measures to protect the environment. 

(=It has never been so important to adopt measures to protect the environment)

Inversion is also created with only + then/ later/ / by/ after, and not until when they begin a sentence or subordinate clause but here the inversion comes in the main clause.

Not until governments step up their efforts to reduce pollution will we see light at the end of the tunnel.  

(=We won’t see light at the end of the tunnel until governments step up their efforts)

Only by looking at the matter in further detail can we understand its complexity.

(=We can under the matter’s complexity only by looking at it in further detail)

Participle clauses

These can use the active participle (-ing) or passive participle (-ed) to provide extra information, describe the cause of the information in the main clause or even the reason for it.

More people are moving to cities, causing more emissions from vehicles to be released into the atmosphere.

 (=which causes)

Fully implemented, these measures could reduce the effects of pollution in our urban centers.

(=if they are fully implemented)

Having seen the effects of climate change, the scientific community has sounded the alarm on fossil fuel emissions.  

(=Because they have seen)

Cleft sentences

These are sentences that begin with It is/ was, followed by an emphasized word + a relative pronoun.   Cleft sentences are used to emphasize a particular word or phrase.

It is companies which have the responsibility of curbing fossil fuel emissions most.

(= Companies have the responsibility of curbing fossil fuel emissions most)

Another type of cleft sentence can be created with a what clause + be + verb/ noun.

What governments need to do is implement measures penalizing companies that create emissions.

(=Governments need to implement measures penalizing companies that create emissions)

Cleft sentences are also common in spoken English, so practice using these for your speaking test as well.

Remember that at Band 8, test takers are expected to show proficient use of English.  Language should be natural but also show complexity and accuracy.

Experiment with some of the above grammatical phenomena to extend the range of structures you use and make a positive impression on your examiner.

You can download or listen to the audio version here:

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The post Grammatical Range and Accuracy at Writing Band 8 appeared first on IELTS Podcast.

Look at these lovely phrases to help you through your speaking exam: 

• If I remember correctly it was…   
• If my memory serves me well… 
• I can’t remember exactly but I think it was… 
• Well to be totally honest I’ve never really thought about before…  
• It’s funny you should mention that because just yesterday… 
• Well, I think nowadays it’s a difficult question because… 
• Yes definitely, there are a few reasons for this, firstly….   and secondly… 

Hear all these phrases (the intonation is important), and discover how to use them in our latest tutorial:

You can download or listen to the audio version here:

|Direct Download Here | Stitcher | iTunes | Spotify | Transcript |

The post Useful Speaking Idioms appeared first on IELTS Podcast.

Band 9 Speaking practice? 

Yes please! 

In this tutorial we cover a Band 9 speaking exam – rich model answers from a native English speaker. 

Before this, I ask Leyla about: 

• common mistakes made by students in the speaking exam 
• how to correct these errors 
• reducing your accent and boosting your vocabulary 

For more speaking tips, read out tutorial here: https://www.ieltspodcast.com/ielts-speaking/speaking-tips-band-9/

You can download or listen to the audio version here:

|Direct Download Here | Stitcher | iTunes | Spotify | Soundcloud |

The post Speaking Test Advice and Mock Exam appeared first on IELTS Podcast.

Students often ask “What notes should I make for speaking part 2?”

In this tutorial, I will show you that you do not have to write much, it’s about the quality of your words, not the quantity. I will also look at what you can do to try to achieve a high band score.

Key points in this tutorial are:

• Understanding the cue card in IELTS speaking part 2
• Developing your ideas
• Expanding the questions and answers

For the written full tutorial on cue cards, click here.

You can download or listen to the audio version here:

|Direct Download Here | Stitcher | iTunes | Spotify | Soundcloud |

The post Making notes on cue cards for part 2 appeared first on IELTS Podcast.

In this tutorial you will: 

• learn the grammar rules behind this mistake 
• discover a practical method to avoid these errors
• find out how to boost your score for future essays 

Learn more about grammar for IELTS here.

You can download or listen to the audio version here:

|Direct Download Here | Stitcher | iTunes | Spotify |

The post Avoid these common grammar mistakes appeared first on IELTS Podcast.

What do you do when you really want to pass IELTS first time? 

When you want to pass IELTS and carry on working / studying? 

Well this is exactly what happened to Marco, an Italian student living in Dublin studying philosophy and had a conditional offer to study for a PHD in Limerick, but he had to pass IELTS… 

Marco started his preparation alone, online, and didn’t fancy paying lots of money to the local “language school”. After all, who wants to pay a business that has no specialisation in IELTS? And that doesn’t even offer a guarantee, why bother? 

So Marco, determined not to waste a penny and hellish determined to pass IELTS rst time had no time to mess around re-taking the exam, reschedule his timetable and repeat the whole stressful process AGAIN. 

He just had to pass first time. 

He started his preparation a few months in advance – very very smart. But, after showing his essays to his at mate he realised this wasn’t going to be a stroll in the park (easy). 

He realised it was going to be a challenge. 

Marco then got in contact with me, took an essay check, and was convinced that getting feedback, exam strategies, and writing tips was the best way to improve and pass rst time Very smart guy

If you are in a similar situation to Marco, if you have to pass first time, send me an email, I’d love to help. Check out the online course that helped him pass!

You can download or listen to the audio version here:

|Direct Download Here | Stitcher | iTunes | Spotify | Soundcloud | Transcript |

The post Passing IELTS First Time! appeared first on IELTS Podcast.

In this tutorial, we will look at:

• new words and phrases to speak about fashion and shopping
• sample questions and answers for speaking part 1 and part 2
• more difficult part 3 questions related to fashion and shopping

Read the full tutorial here: https://www.ieltspodcast.com/ielts-speaking/fashion-shopping/

Take a look at some more IELTS Speaking vocabulary.

You can download or listen to the audio version here:

|Direct Download Here | Stitcher | iTunes | Spotify | Soundcloud | Transcript |

The post Vocabulary about Shopping appeared first on IELTS Podcast.

In this tutorial we talk to Aousien from Syria who jumped 2 bands in his IELTS writing!

He tells us:

• how he prepared for the exam in 4 days
• how the course boosted his confidence
• his best advice for passing IELTS

Check the happy email we received from Aous:

“Ben Ben Ben Ben ,
I got the results , and I got the 7 I was looking for
I am the happiest man ever and I am really thankful , without you and your continues
support this was never going to happen
really I don’t know how to thank you , so first you made me to jump from 5 to 6.5 and in

the attempt after I got the 7
Listening 8
Reading 8”

You can download or listen to the audio version here:

|Direct Download Here | Stitcher | iTunes | Spotify | Soundcloud | Transcript |

The post Aousien Jumps 2 BANDS in the IELTS Writing appeared first on IELTS Podcast.

In this tutorial, we will look at:

• new words and phrases to speak about social media
• sample questions and answers for speaking part 1 and part 2
• more difficult part 3 questions related to social media

Read more here: https://www.ieltspodcast.com/audio-tutorials/social-media-vocab/

Read the full post here: https://www.ieltspodcast.com/ielts-speaking/social-media/

You can download or listen to the audio version here:

|Direct Download Here | Stitcher | iTunes | Spotify | Soundcloud | Transcript |

The post Social Media Vocabulary appeared first on IELTS Podcast.

 In our tutorial we talk to a special guest, Raveena from SI-UK.

We will find out:

• How COVID-19 has changed the cost of studying in the UK.
• How COVID-19 has changed HOW you can study in the UK. 
• If there are more or less opportunities available…
• How university requirements have changed.
• How to get a scholarship to study for free in the UK.

To find out more about the IELTS requirements for your UKVI, read more here.

You can download or listen to the audio version here:

|Direct Download Here | Stitcher | iTunes | Spotify | Soundcloud | Transcript |

The post Study in the UK appeared first on IELTS Podcast.

In this tutorial, we look at:

• how to state your opinion in a crystal clear way.
• how to put a small prediction in your conclusion.
• how to keep an eye on your grammar accuracy and the range of the grammar structures.
• what not to include in your IELTS essay.

For the full blog post, click here: https://www.ieltspodcast.com/writing-task-2/conclusion/

You can download or listen to the audio version here:

|Direct Download Here | Stitcher | iTunes | Spotify | Transcript |

The post How to write a conclusion appeared first on IELTS Podcast.

In this tutorial, we look at:

• how to analyze sentence construction and improve it
• why variety is important in IELTS Task 2
• practical, straightforward advice you don’t want to miss

For the full post, click here: https://www.ieltspodcast.com/writing-task-2/improve-sentences/

You can download or listen to the audio version here:

|Direct Download Here | Stitcher | iTunes | Spotify | Soundcloud | Transcript |

The post How to Improve your Sentences appeared first on IELTS Podcast.

Cohesion is a very important aspect of IELTS writing tasks.

Cohesion is how you link all the ideas present in your work.

If you want to get a high score for the writing tasks, you need to know the best ways to build clear and logical paragraphs where all the sentences are tied together.

Listen to our latest tutorial to learn more about using transition devices you won’t make your work coherent!

For the full tutorial and examples, click here

You can download or listen to the audio version here:

|Direct Download Here | Stitcher | iTunes | Spotify | Soundcloud | Transcript |

The post Cohesion in IELTS Writing appeared first on IELTS Podcast.