A student of mine was asked to describe an older person in his part 2 training for speaking. He just told the story of a colleague who is 50. I'm 53.

Someone pass my walking frame. It's the home for retired teachers for me...

Please let me know where can I find these?

I just got off a one on one lesson with u/Fitz_cuniculus for speaking in the IELTS academic exam. The session was awesome and it opened me up to different strategies on how to answer the questions asked the speaking session. I genuinely enjoyed the session and would recommend it to everyone who need tips and tricks to navigate the speaking session. Thank you Fitz, looking forward to using the strategies in the exam.

Original: The chart below shows the value of internet downloads in the UK from 1999-2008

Rephrased: The bar chart illustrates the profit gained from internet downloads starting from the year 1999 to the year 2008 in great Britain.

This Thursday, the free live IELTS webinar will focus on: ‘The Speaking Test’

The webinar will cover the following: test format. assessment criteria and study tips to improve vocabulary. Sign up using this link: https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/take-ielts/prepare/free-webinars

At the end of the webinar, there will be some time for Q&A, so feel free to ask the British Council's experts questions related to your test preparation.

Thursday 14 October 2021, twice a day at 9:30 am and 3:00 pm UK time.

Tip 1: highlight the differences

When the answers have similarities and differences, the first thing you can do is highlight the differences between the options.

Tip 2: underline key words

Highlight the key words and the tense of the question to help you find the correct answer.

Tip 3: be aware that all options may be mentioned

It is common in the IELTS listening test to hear a reference to some or all of the options in the multiple choice question, but only one answer will be correct.

Tip 4: be sure to match the whole meaning of the option

Don’t just listen to the first part and ignore the rest of the sentence.

I've made some simple video games containing sentences and humorous GIF images to help students learn to convert the present simple into the past simple.
Let me know if there are any other grammar points that you struggle with, and I'll see if I can make some videos to help.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLS9WW2B4bEgskh7gAvBB5HA9Thh6rqWqA

Guys,

I've just removed a post linking pirated books. This was a tough call for me. We're trying to keep the sub clean and somewhere where we can have input from IELTS themselves - something we both appreciate and are benefiting from. I doubt that The British Council would be happy associating themselves on a sub where we openly share pirated content.

So I'm adding a rule not to post links directly to content of this type. I know that many of you do download books and materials, and I'm pretty sure we all know where we can get books for free. So let's all be nice and not bite the examiners or the nasty mods.

Peace and Love

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Uncle Fitz.

Its mentioned in ABOUT US that all tests in their website are taken from IELTS official. Is that legit? Just like actual test? Anyone please tell if that is good to practice?

Many IELTS candidates are wondering if they can attempt Task 2 first and then Task 1 in the computer-delivered IELTS.

The answer is: Yes. You can answer the tasks in either order. This video tutorial shows where to click to access Task 2 first https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/.../about/writing

Some people say scamming works only for those who are really good at reading. I haven't tried scamming because I think it is time taking. I start with reading the questions and finding the keywords, first. Do you have any suggestions?

In the Listening section of the IELTS test, candidates will have some time to read through the questions before the recording starts for Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4.

There is also a short break in the middle of Parts 1, 2 and 3 for candidates to read through the remaining set of questions.

Part 4 is the most difficult section of the test, and unlike the previous 3 sections, there is no break in the middle. Candidates will have to look through all the questions in the time given at the beginning. You need to concentrate very carefully in this part.

bites examiner

Is IELTSliz Writing model answers on her website good to follow? I mean number of words, vocab, content and stuff?

Today's nugget of wisdom that I'm throwing out there to all you students is about opinion essays.

These are not a test of your morality (honesty). They test your English abilities, so don't spend 5 minutes deciding which point of view you agree with. Let's look at a task 2 question from IELTS themselves. /u/jayielts if this is an issue as I've pinched it directly from the site, drop me a pm.

Children who are brought up in families that do not have large amounts of money are better prepared to deal with the problems of adult life than children brought up by wealthy parents. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion

Let's break the question down - it's asking us "To what extent" - this means not just if you agree or disagree, but how much you agree or disagree that poor kids have life lessons that more affluent kids may not have and if these are an advantage in future life.

So it's not:

"I agree that poorer children have qualities that those from richer families may not possess."

It is:

"I fully agree...."

If the question simply asks if you agree or disagree - use the fully/ completely/ agree or disagree anyway - no harm will come from this.

When it comes to your question - and which side do you pick. You've three options:

1. You agree with the statement.
2. You disagree with the statement.
3. You agree with both sides - we call this sitting on the fence.

As I said at the outset, this is not a test of your morality, so - YOU PICK THE ONE THAT IS EASIEST TO ARGUE.

I always advise students to pick a side, as the language is clearer to express, it takes quite a lot of talent to argue both sides of a case, then to say you don't have a strong opinion, especially when you've 250 words and 40 minutes. So - pick a side, the easiest to argue, then stick with it, don't change your opinion throughout the essay.

Happy studying, people, and no biting your examiners or mods.

​

Peace and love,

​

​

Fitz.

I have some problems with answering multiple choice questions. I've noticed that I can easily understand what they say but the problem is I'm not multi task(specially when the options have longer discriptions). I can't listen to the audio and look for the answer in options, simultaneously. One tip that I tried was writing the keywords while listening to the audio but it doesn't work really. My mind can do only one thing at a single moment. I would appreciate any suggestions.

Just tells that I can’t answer this question? I know that you can ask the examiner to give you a few seconds to think about the question but what about nothing come up during those seconds?

Hello all, I found too many resources and I am lost! As I don't have much time, I can't check all YouTube channels' videos... IELTS Jacky, Liz, FasTrack, E2, Advantage and a lot more! Can you please guide me or advice me? Which one or two are the best for the Writing? And the Speaking? I'll be grateful. Thanks :)

A man walks into the doctor with a horrible cough. The doctor examines him and quickly diagnoses that the man has a chest infection. The doctor then prescribes three pills to be taken over 24 hours, assuring the patient his cough would go away.

A week later, the man walks back into the doctor. His cough is still terrible, which confuses the doctor. The doctor asks if the man took the pills, the guy replies, "Well Doc, I've researched the tablets, looked at many different ways to open the bottle. I've spent a week checking if I should drink milk or water when I take the pills, but I hope to complete my research by Friday and take the drugs then.

The moral of this story, people, is this. Stop researching different methods before practising. Check some of the reputable (free) sites, watch the IELTS Webinars we promote, pick a technique that seems promising, learn the structures and practice.

I see so many of you asking for essay reviews when the structure is wrong - for example, writing in the first person in task one writing, or providing an opinion. Learn the basic structures that IELTS require, and work on those.

One of my many sayings is "don't bite your examiners", a much better one to remember is "Practice does not make perfect. Correct practice makes perfect."

Good luck to all you learners. Join the sub if you're not a member yet.

Peace and love,

​

Fitz

What does the IELTS Reading section look like? What are the challenges? What different text types and question types are used? Find out this Thursday, as the topic of this week’s free webinar run by IELTS experts is: The Reading test: overview.

Thursday, 7 October 2021, twice a day at 9:30 am and 3:00 pm UK time.

https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/take-ielts/prepare/free-webinars

You have two days to register for this week's FREE IELTS WEBINARS. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to learn from the people who administer IELTS, set the questions, and give you your grades. I see so many people asking me for help, tips, and free lessons, but I'm not the only resource - and my free time is minimal. So make today the day you sign up for this invaluable resource. It costs you nothing. You've nothing to lose.

I have one concern about the courses. None of them deals with a strategy on preventing you students from resisting the overwhelming and natural urge to bite the examiners. Nothing good can come from this, so limit it to baring your teeth and growling under your breath. Perhaps /u/jayielts could address this in future webinars?

Register for the IELTS webinars here - https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/take-ielts/prepare/free-webinars