IELTS Writing
What are the 3 main parts of essay task 1?
Topic, overview, body
In Part 2, you should talk for this amount of time.
2 minutes
You should read these before the recording starts.
the questions!
This technique helps you find general ideas quickly.
skimming
Who is older - Ms Alex or Google?
Ms Alex! Google is only 27 years old.
What are the 3 main parts of essay task 2?
Introduction, body, conclusion
This strategy helps you avoid short answers in Part 1 and 3.
giving reasons and examples
This skill helps you recognize different ways to say the same idea.
paraphrasing
This technique helps you find specific information (names, dates).
scanning
What came first - sharks or trees?
sharks!
What should you include in the introduction in IELTS essay task 2?
Paraphrase + thesis (this essay will...)
This technique helps you organize Part 2 answers clearly
PPF (past-present-future); structuring your answer/making notes, OPRF Strategy (Opinion, Past, Reason, Future)
If you miss an answer, you should do this immediately.
move on / keep listening
Matching headings questions test this skill.
identifying main ideas / topic sentences
What year did Ms Alex come to Vietnam?
June 2022
What language is considered informal? Name at least 3 examples
addressing the reader, slang words, abbreviations, explanation marks (!), phrasal verbs, conversational Phrases, personal pronouns
This improves fluency when you need thinking time without long pauses.
fillers (e.g., 'well', 'indeed', 'firstly')
This type of distractor gives a wrong answer first, then corrects it.
well actually, um no, but, however, no that's not right
This type of question requires you to decide if information is in the text or not.
Yes/No/NG, True/False/NG
You can lose marks in Listening and Reading for this small but important mistake.
spelling!
In IELTS band descriptors, from band 7 and higher is says that the essay needs to 'not overgeneralise'. What does it mean? Give examples of language.
It means not to assume the main ideas are relevant to everyone. So use: might/may, tend to, could, in general, often, suggest, possibly
What is the biggest difference between band 6 and 7 in IELTS speaking? Give 3 examples
the ability to develop answers clearly, speak at length with fewer pauses and the ability to use language correctly to explain their point
“The meeting is on Thursday… oh wait, sorry, it’s been moved to Friday morning.”
A Band 7+ listener gets the correct answer because they focus on this skill.
recognising distractors
This is the typical amount of time a student needs to improve from Band 6 to Band 7 in IELTS, with consistent study and practice.
200–300 hours
What food never goes bad/spoils?
honey!