Vocabulary
Which two words are the closest in meaning to "juvenile"?
Youthful and Immature
Task: Spot the mistake in this inverted sentence:
Not only he did forget my birthday, but he also ignored my messages.
Not only did he forget my birthday, but he also ignored my messages.
("Not only" triggers inversion, so it's "did he forget", not "he did forget".)
What’s the perfect combo to fix your past mistakes?
If I had known about the meeting yesterday, I would have come prepared today.
Time machines are tricky, but this combo fixes the past and present perfectly!
Discuss the pros and cons of public transportation. Short answer.
Pros: eco-friendly, cost-effective. Cons: crowded, unreliable at times.
1. How can you say “very happy” using an idiom?
Make a sentence!
Answer: I was over the moon when I got the job.
Which two words are the closest in meaning to "geek"?
A) Nerd
B) Athlete
C) Techie
D) Rebel
A) Nerd and C) Techie
Fill in the blanks.
If I __________ (not mess up) the timeline last year, we __________ (not be) stuck in the dinosaur age now.
If I had not messed up the timeline last year, we would not be stuck in the dinosaur age now.
How was the word “quiz” reportedly invented in the late 18th century?
A) It was created as a prank by a theatre manager who had people write it all over Dublin.
B) It was invented by school teachers to name tests.
C) It originated from an ancient Latin word meaning “question.”
D) It was first used in a popular novel in the 19th century.
A) It was created as a prank by a theatre manager who had people write it all over Dublin.
What type of essay is this:
In many countries, primary and secondary schools close for two months or more during the summer holidays.
What is the value of long school holidays?
What are the arguments in favour of shorter school holidays?
Mixed essay
Replace “important” with 3 more academic words.
Significant
Essential
Fundamental
Crucial
What does the phrase "accused of a crime" mean?
Officially blamed for breaking the law
Instruction: Rewrite the sentence using a cleft sentence with "It was..."
Original:
John solved the problem during the meeting.
It was John who solved the problem during the meeting.
(Emphasis on the subject.)
Why do Brits always carry a teabag in their wallet?
In case they find themselves in hot water.
Is it okay to use inversion in writing task 1 and writing task 2?
Why use inversion in IELTS Writing Tasks?
Adds variety to sentence structures, which impresses examiners.
Helps emphasise certain points by placing them at the front of the sentence.
Demonstrates advanced grammar knowledge, which can boost your score in the Grammar criterion.
How do you think technology has revolutionised communication in recent years?
Use at least 3 idioms or/and collocations
Technology has radically transformed the way we communicate. Nowadays, people are just a click away, and platforms like social media have made information ubiquitous. However, sometimes it feels like we’re talking past each other because of the lack of face-to-face interaction.
What does the idiom "Nod off" mean?
Fall asleep, usually unintentionally and for a short time.
Instruction: Rewrite the sentence using a past modal of criticism or regret.
Leaving your passport at home was a terrible mistake.
You shouldn’t have left your passport at home.
Expresses criticism about a specific past action
Requires correct form: modal + have + past participle
Why does 10 plus 10 equal 11 plus 11?
Because 10 plus 10 equals 20 and 11 plus 11 equals 22.
Can you give your personal opinion in Writing Task 1?
Is it acceptable to copy whole sentences from the question prompt?
Can you use language like “in my opinion” in Task 2?
1) Answer: No, never
2) No, you should paraphrase
3) Answer: No, keep it formal
Do you believe that travel broadens the mind? Why or why not? Use C1 grammar at least 2 times.
I firmly believe that travel does broaden the mind, not only because it exposes people to different cultures and perspectives, but also because it challenges preconceived assumptions. Had I not travelled to other countries, I would never have realised how much my worldview was shaped by my own cultural background. Moreover, the more you interact with people whose lifestyles differ significantly from yours, the more likely you are to become open-minded and adaptable. Not only does travel provide unforgettable experiences, but it also fosters empathy, which is becoming increasingly essential in today’s globalised world.
✅ Grammar features used:
Third conditional: Had I not travelled... I would never have realised...
Inversion (formal conditional): Had I not travelled...
Cleft structure for emphasis: Not only does travel provide...
Complex linkers: Moreover, the more..., the more likely...
What does the idiom "make a mountain out of a molehill" mean?
To make a slight difficulty seem like a serious problem
Despite being deeply offended, he reacted to the harsh criticism, maintaining his composure throughout the meeting.
Put words in the correct places: surprisingly, defensively, somewhat.
Correct answer:
Despite being deeply offended, he somewhat defensively reacted to the harsh criticism, surprisingly maintaining his composure throughout the meeting.
Tell a joke:)
Your answer:
The line graph shows the population growth in three cities — City A, City B, and City C — from 2000 to 2020.
City A’s population started at 1 million in 2000 and grew steadily, reaching 1.8 million in 2020.
City B began with 0.8 million in 2000, grew slowly until 2010, then sharply increased to 1.5 million by 2020.
City C had 1.2 million in 2000, increased slightly to 1.3 million by 2010, then declined to 1.1 million in 2020.
Summarise the main trends and make comparisons where relevant.
The line graph illustrates the population changes in three cities over a 20-year period from 2000 to 2020.
City A experienced steady growth throughout the period, with its population rising from 1 million in 2000 to 1.8 million in 2020, indicating consistent development. City B showed slower growth in the first decade, starting at 0.8 million and increasing gradually until 2010; however, its population then surged sharply, reaching 1.5 million by 2020. In contrast, City C’s population trend was less positive — beginning at 1.2 million in 2000, it rose slightly to 1.3 million by 2010 but then declined to 1.1 million in 2020.
Overall, City A had the most consistent and highest growth, City B experienced rapid growth after 2010, while City C’s population decreased in the latter half of the period.
Describe a challenge you faced and how you overcame it. Use at least 2 idioms and 2 C1 grammar structures.
A significant challenge I faced was delivering my first public speech in English at university. As someone who used to get cold feet before speaking in front of a crowd, the idea of presenting in a second language was daunting, to say the least. Had I not prepared thoroughly, I might have completely fallen apart on stage. But I pulled myself together, practised every day, and even recorded myself to pinpoint areas for improvement.
Not only did I manage to get through the speech without panicking, but I also received positive feedback, which gave me a huge confidence boost. Looking back, it was a classic case of being thrown in at the deep end, but I’m grateful for it — it helped me grow both personally and professionally.
Idioms used:
Cold feet – feeling nervous or scared
Thrown in at the deep end – placed in a difficult situation without preparation
Pulled myself together – regained control of emotions
C1 grammar structures:
Inversion: Had I not prepared thoroughly…
Not only... but also…
Mixed conditional (past condition + present result): Had I not… I might have…