Grammatical Range and Accuracy accounts for 25% of your total writing and speaking scores, and because of this, IELTS candidates need to be familiar with the types of sentences assessors are looking for when marking exam scripts or interviewing test takers. Basically, there are 4 types of English sentences: 1) Simple A simple sentence contains only […]
Read more "4 Types of Sentences in IELTS Writing and Speaking"When talking about the past in the IELTS Speaking test, it would be a good idea to use a range of different tenses and not just stick to the same structure in the interview. For example, when answering this question in Part 1, How do the clothes you wear compare with the clothes your grandparents used to wear when they […]
Read more "“Used to” in IELTS Speaking"In IELTS essays, candidates may feel under pressure to use complex structures in a bid to attain a high band score or make a positive difference in their writing. However, accuracy is absolutely essential for this to happen and unfortunately, many IELTS students believe in the idea that the longer your sentence is, the higher your chances […]
Read more "Using ‘it’ clauses in IELTS Writing Task 2"Commas appear to be a common area of struggle for a lot of candidates, especially when it come to IELTS Writing Task 2. As a result, essays can contain sentences which may appear ridiculously long and end up being one-sentence paragraphs. Here is an example: We are becoming increasingly dependent on computers. They are used […]
Read more "Punctuation in IELTS Writing Task 2"One assessment requirement of IELTS Writing Task 1 is the inclusion of comparative structures to compare features in a graph, or if you’re lucky, two graphs! As your instructions always say: Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. Many IELTS candidates tend to ignore this sentence and rush toward producing answers that […]
Read more "Making comparisons in IELTS Writing Task 1"A student asked me today about when she should be using gerunds and nouns in IELTS Writing, in particular, with Task 2. For example, in sentences such as: Many people believe that smoking should be banned in public places. People who smoke may disagree with this move as doing so would only infringe on their individual […]
Read more "How to score high in IELTS Writing with grammar!"While on the subject of my last post on collocations, IELTS candidates may want to learn some expressions that they can use in different parts of the IELTS Speaking test. Jeremy Wilburn via Compfight Here are some examples and a task for you: Select an appropriate multi-word verb from the table below, which could replace […]
Read more "Using multi-words in IELTS Speaking"Using a variety of sentence structures is an important criterion in doing well in IELTS Writing and Speaking. Try not to always use the active form where you can also use the passive. Rob Friesel via Compfight Can you re-write these sentences in the passive? Where can you fit these expressions into your writing and […]
Read more "Are you using these correctly in the IELTS?"A possible topic in the IELTS Speaking Part 3 may involve diet or health. The language in this video can be used to discuss addiction, the banning of substances, or even government control. The issue here is: Should tobacco be banned? If you know of countries (including yours) which have banned smoking in public places, […]
Read more "Can you talk like this in IELTS Speaking Part 3?"IELTS candidates may want to show that they can use a variety of structures when they talk about themselves. Passive forms is one way to demonstrate this. I have noticed that some students can be quite confused as to how and when this should be used. For instance, I would hear: I was climbed to […]
Read more "Using passives in IELTS Speaking"