IELTS Helpline

*Listening section 1:* It will be always a conversation between two guys regarding form filling, joining a centre and asking for personal information, or information about an event. This would consist of: *NAMES* - spelled out only if it's very difficult to write the spelling ourselves like *McKay* , *Wayne* etc if it's common names name like *James* , *George* , *WON'T* be spelled out. So know the spelling of common English names before exam which is very important *STREET NAME* (WHICH WILL BE SPELLED OUT) and the above rule of spelling out applies here as well. Like car street, downtown etc won't be spelled out but Lincoln road, etc will be spelled out. *_PHONE NUMBER_* (Remember they say zero as 'Oh' accent) be careful don't get distracted, *CC number* : which is numeric *postal code*: which is alphanumeric. Pay very close attention as it is easiest section in listening part and you must aim for 10 out of 10. *Listening section 2:* ...

 Matching Headings Top 7 Tips 1. Do this type of question FIRST if given in any particular passage. By doing this, you will be able to understand the general meaning of the text as a whole and this will help you with the rest of the questions that require you to take a more detailed look at the text. 2. You shouldn't read every word of the text. This will take too long to understand and you don’t have the time for this. In this kind of question, you are only required to catch the main idea of each paragraph. A good way to do this is to read the first one or two sentences and the last two sentences of the paragraphs. You can also briefly look at the rest of the sentences of the paragraphs but you don’t have to read every word. 3. If there are words you don’t understand, RELAX! You are only required to understand the general meaning of the paragraph as a whole, not individual words. Even native speakers will fail to understand every word in the IELTS reading test.Tru...

Wrong -I have visited Niagara Falls last weekend. Right-I visited Niagara Falls last weekend. Wrong-The woman which works here is from Japan. Right-The woman who works here is from Japan. Wrong-She’s married with a dentist. Right-She’s married to a dentist. Wrong-She was boring in the class. Right-She was bored in the class. Wrong-I must to call him immediately. Right-I must call him immediately. Wrong-Every students like the teacher. Right-Every student likes the teacher. Wrong-Although it was raining, but we had the picnic. Right-Although it was raining, we had the picnic. Wrong-I enjoyed from the movie. Right-I enjoyed the movie. Wrong-I look forward to meet you. Right-I look forward to meeting you. Wrong-I like very much ice cream. Right-I like ice cream very much. Wrong-She can to drive. Right-She can drive. Wrong-Where I can find a bank? Right-Where can I find a bank? Wrong-I live in United States. Right-I live in the United States. Wrong-When I will arrive, I will call you....

Here's the list of ideas to use in your essays if you have to suggest some ways to encourage people to start consuming less meat, sugar or fast food, using public transport instead of private cars, etc.: to change public perception of X to make people aware of X in order to X, people must be fully cognizant of X to launch government-led information campaigns to introduce bans, sin taxes and litigation to introduce a mix of education, taxes, subsidies for X to encourage people to ditch X for Y alternatives Ex. to encourage people to ditch meat for plant-based alternatives How something happens (or how something is done) can also make a difference. Ex. How foods are displayed on restaurant menus also makes a difference. Reminding people of X can also make quite a difference to Y. Ex. Reminding people of where meat actually comes from can also make quite a difference to how much meat people end up eating. Research shows, for example, that presenting the image of a pork ...

  Introduction One of the biggest mistakes students make in IELTS writing is to try and show off and be overly ambitious with their grammar. This is because many students think that all of their sentences need to be ‘complex’ (they don’t!) and them not understanding what a ‘complex’ sentence is. Trying to write overly complicated sentences leads to grammar mistakes and this will lead to lost marks in many different areas. This post will look at: • how many ‘complex’ sentences you actually need in each paragraph • what a ‘complex’ sentence actually is • how to make complex sentences • examples to help us understand and transfer this knowledge to our own writing What does the examiner expect? If we look at the examiners’ marking scheme it states that in order to get a band 6 for grammar we need to: • use a mix of simple and complex sentences. For band 7 it states: • Use a variety of complex structures. This obviously means that we should use complex sent...

You need to write  at least 250 words  and justify your opinion with arguments, discussion, examples, problem outlining, proposing possible solutions and supporting your position. You will have approximately  40 minutes  to finish your Essay Writing. IELTS Writing Task 2 carries more weights than Writing Task 1. DO DON’T analyse the topic respond to all parts of the prompt fully. spend the first five minutes planning your essay in the introduction: Paraphrase the task and state the aim of vour essav in a thesis statement divide your essay into paragraphs (min. four: introduction, two main body paragraphs, conclusion) start each paragraph with a topic sentence provide a reason and an example for each of your arguments summarise the points made in the essay in the conclusion if appropriate, state your opinion in formal style (e.g. It is my firm belief that ) use formal vocabulary (ex: keep --> - maintain: make sure --> ensure)...

IELTS Writing Task 2: sample discussion essay Here's an example of how I write a 4-paragraph essay for "discuss and give your opinion" questions. Notice that I give my opinion in 3 places (introduction, paragraph 3, conclusion). Some people believe that studying at university or college is the best route to a successful career, while others believe that it is better to get a job straight after school. Discuss both views and give your opinion. When they finish school, teenagers face the dilemma of whether to get a job or continue their education. While there are some benefits to getting a job straight after school, I would argue that it is better to go to college or university. The option to start work straight after school is attractive for several reasons. Many young people want to start earning money as soon as possible. In this way, they can become independent, and they will be able to afford their own house or start a family. In terms of their ca...

IELTS reading The core problem-solving strategy for non-judgment questions 　　This question contains four synonym conversion techniques. 　　◆Replace a Phrase with a Word (or a Word with a Phrase) word phrase conversion 　　Untilrecently converted to now, criminologists converted to Crime labs 　　◆Start the Sentence Differently sentence structure conversion 　　The original sentence uses the structure of Until recently...criminologists could not, and the structure of Crime labs now can... 　　◆Replace a Word with a Synonym synonym conversion 　　Synonym conversion contains the content of lexical conversion, but more attention is paid to the replacement of the word itself. 　　The most obvious synonym replacement in the above example is homicide and murder. This is also the case with the replacement of analyze and use. 　　◆Change Passive into Active Voice/Negative Slant to Positive Active Passive Conversion/Negative Positive Conversion 　　This conversion method has similarities with the...

The table shows data about underground railway systems in six major cities with date opened, kilometres of route and passenger numbers per year in millions First Step For the writing tasks in IELTS, you always need to re-write the introduction in your own words while keeping the same meaning (paraphrasing). You will need to have good vocabulary for this but not everything needs to be paraphrased. In this particular task, it is pretty straightforward. Using synonyms and changing the sentence structure are two ways to paraphrase successfully. Paraphrased Version The table illustrates data regarding underground railways from six large cities in various parts of the world. The information shows when these railways were opened, kilometres of route and yearly passenger numbers in millions. Second Step Writing an overview Having an overview for academic writing task 1 is very important for a good band score. In the overview, you need to summarise the trends or main f...

Although the prices of fuels have greatly increased over the last decade or two, it is argued that further increases in fuel prices are the only way to reduce world consumption of fuel and lessen pressure on the world’s fuel resources . To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your knowledge or experience.  Oil, gas and coal are all non-renewable resources. This is known worldwide, as well as the fact that society lives above its demands. Even though fuel prices have increased significantly over the last decade, consumption will still cause these resources to run out eventually. It has been argued that the only way to decrease the usage of fuel is to further increase the prices. Currently, most people think in the present and do not consider the future enough. Therefore, to affect people in their everyday lives, fuel prices ought to be raised. It is theorised that this will sig...

Three common problems in IELTS reading and how to deal with it     Because of the relationship between English teaching in the UK, I have had a lot of contact with students studying at local language schools. Many students took the IELTS test continuously and spent a year, hundreds of thousands of yuan, from Beijing to the United Kingdom, but never 6.5. In order to help them solve the problem, I have conducted a survey on the learning situation of these students. 　　The result of the survey was that the students' questions were mainly read because the listening and speaking scores were significantly improved after arriving in the UK, and the language environment and practice were critical to the improvement of these two language skills. Only reading, whether they are in China or the United Kingdom, the score has never exceeded 6. And reading also affects their writing, leading to bottlenecks in scores and lack of stamina. 　　The survey results show ...

The Struggles of Our Life   Once upon a time a daughter complained to her father that her life was miserable and that she didn’t know how she was going to make it. She was tired of fighting and struggling all the time. It seemed just as one problem was solved, another one soon followed. Her father, a chef, took her to the kitchen. He filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Once the three pots began to boil, he placed potatoes in one pot, eggs in the second pot and ground coffee beans in the third pot. He then let them sit and boil, without saying a word to his daughter. The daughter, moaned and impatiently waited, wondering what he was doing. After twenty minutes he turned off the burners. He took the potatoes out of the pot and placed them in a bowl. He pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. He then ladled the coffee out and placed it in a cup. Turning to her, he asked. “Daughter, what do you see?” “Potatoes, eggs and coffee,” she hastily ...

IELTS Reading Practice Matching Paragraph Information This is an easy practice to help you get started with matching paragraph information questions. Hobbies for the Elderly A. Card making – This has become an increasingly popular hobby, as it’s very easy to start and cards can be as simple or complicated as skills allow. Best of all, it’s a lovely way for your parent to send wishes to all the family and friends. B. Art – this can be done at your parent’s home, or in a local art class. It can be painting, drawing, sculpture, or pottery. It does not matter how skilled your parent is, as there are opportunities for all levels. Just give it a go. The creative process is very absorbing and rewarding and it is a great way for your elderly relative to meet new people. C. Learning to use the internet – if your aging parent likes the look of new technology, but has never learned how to use it, the internet is very easy once someone has shown them how. It opens up a whole new wor...

Being Left-handed in a Right-handed World The world is designed for right-handed people. Why does a tenth of the population prefer the left? A The probability that two right-handed people would have a left-handed child is only about 9.5 percent. The chance rises to 19.5 percent if one parent is a lefty and 26 percent if both parents are left-handed. The preference, however, could also stem from an infant’s imitation of his parents. To test genetic influence, starting in the 1970s British biologist Marian Annett of the University of Leicester hypothesized that no single gene determines handedness. Rather, during fetal development, a certain molecular factor helps to strengthen the brain’s left hemisphere, which increases the probability that the right hand will be dominant, because the left side of the brain controls the right side of the body, and vice versa. Among the minority of people who lack this factor, handedness develops entirely by chance. Resear...

Even though the word altogether and the phrase all together are pronounced the same way, they function quite differently in a sentence. These words are commonly confused, but as you will see they are not interchangeable in how they are used in the English language.  So, what's the difference between altogether and all together?  Read on!  Defining Altogether and All Together    The word altogether is used as an adverb. It means that something is complete or encompasses everything or everyone. It can be used in place of the words wholly, totally or all in all. The words all together are never used as an adverb. It is simply a phrase that means everyone or everything gathered, or in a group. It is used to refer to someone or something in the same place or time.    Examples of Altogether and All Together    Some examples of altogether and all together used in sentences are as follows:  Altogether   The principal said that sho...

This is one of the most common questions my students ask me and it is always interesting to hear how many different opinions there are. Unfortunately, there is some really bad advice and misconceptions surrounding this question. The two worst pieces of advice I’ve heard are ‘You don’t have to write 250 words in writing part 2, 10% below this is OK.’ and ‘You should write as much as possible to get a good mark.’ These two statements are simply wrong and will lead to lost marks. What happens if I write under the word count? The only advice you should listen to is this- If you want to answer the question properly, you must write at least 250 words in part 2 and at least 150 words in part 1. If you write less than these totals you will lose marks under ‘Task Achievement’ because you haven’t answered the question properly. IELTS examiners have to sit and count all of your words for this reason. It is really heart breaking when a good candidate produces a ...

What is Mock IELTS Test? ( Description for those who don't know about Mock IELTS ) This is the copy of real IELTS Test. This means all conditions and test materials are almost the same with real exam. The only difference is you don't get a Certification but you can know your Test Result. Why is it important? One of the most significant benefits of mock IELTS Test is that it creates a great opportunity for you to feel yourself in real exam atmosphere. If you take Mock IELTS Test you become familiar with real exam conditions and you will be able to feel the pressure. This will make you more confident and prevent you from panic in Real Exam Date. I highly recommend you to take Mock IELTS Test before your Real Exam if you want to know how well you are ready to perform in Authentic Test. It is super important to test your skills at least to know what are your weaknesses and how to fix them prior to you Test Date.