IELTS with Fiona: a comprehensive guide to IELTS

IELTS with Fiona: a comprehensive guide to IELTS

By IELTS with Fiona

Join me for a weekly talk-through of IELTS topics to help you learn about the issues, vocabulary, tips and strategies you need to prepare.

Find all my tips on my website ieltsetc.com and join the Members Academy for all the downloads, step-by-step online courses, and support to get you a Band 7+ in the #ielts test.
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Currently playing episode

IELTS Reading: The development of the London underground railway

IELTS with Fiona: a comprehensive guide to IELTS May 19, 2023
00:00
24:03
IELTS Reading: Plant thermometers 🌡️

IELTS Reading: Plant thermometers 🌡️

How Plants Sense Temperature – IELTS Reading Made Easy
This episode breaks down a challenging IELTS Reading Passage about how plants use light and temperature to grow.

I’ll guide you through the key ideas, explain tricky vocabulary, and help you answer the questions with confidence. Perfect for Band 6–8 students who want to improve comprehension, build science-related vocabulary, and boost their IELTS Reading score.


May 07, 202530:15
IELTS Reading: Music and the emotions

IELTS Reading: Music and the emotions

In this lesson, you'll learn how to use the words you DON'T KNOW to get the right answers!

It's a difficult Academic Reading Part 3, which contains several scientific terms that might cause confusion.

But I will show you how IELTS uses these words for gapfills, and you'll learn the 6 'triggers' that indicate the answer.

Get the full video lesson in the Bronze Membership on my website, and in the full Members Academy.

https://ieltsetc.com/ielts-tips-and-tricks/


Reading Summary

Music is a powerful force that affects our emotions. When we listen to music we love, our body reacts—our heartbeat increases, and our muscles receive more blood. Scientists have found that music directly influences the brain, especially by releasing dopamine, a chemical that makes us feel pleasure.

A study in Canada used brain scans to examine why music has such a strong effect. Researchers found that dopamine is released both when we hear a beautiful part of a song and before it happens. This suggests that our brain enjoys the feeling of anticipation, or waiting for something exciting.

The way music is structured also plays a role. If a song is too predictable, it is boring. Great composers, like Beethoven, create patterns in their music and then delay repeating them to build suspense. This delay makes the final moment of resolution much more emotional.

A famous music expert,Leonard Meyer, explained that the emotions in music do not come from its connection to real-life experiences but from how it plays with our expectations. Our brain enjoys the mix of predictability and surprise, which keeps us engaged and emotionally connected to the music.


Keywords:

  • affects – Changes or influences something.
  • reacts – Responds to something by changing in some way.
  • anticipation – The feeling of excitement when waiting for something to happen.
  • predictable – Easy to guess or expect.
  • delay – To make something happen later than expected.
  • suspense – A feeling of excitement or nervousness while waiting for something to happen.
  • expectations – Beliefs about what will happen in the future.
  • engaged – Focused and interested in something.


Feb 18, 202527:17
IELTS Reading: Maternity Allowance (Money Vocabulary Topic)
Jan 20, 202523:31
IELTS Reading: Forced Rhubarb
Dec 23, 202423:57
IELTS Pie Charts - how to avoid making this common mistake
Dec 13, 202412:53
How to learn prepositions from IELTS Reading (The impact of climate change on butterflies)
Nov 23, 202430:01
IELTS Grammar snack: A shocking 97%
Nov 05, 202409:44
IELTS Listening: A Science Experiment

IELTS Listening: A Science Experiment

In this lesson you'll learn 5 IELTS Listening Tips that (I'm guessing) nobody told you about.

Get the full lesson with bonus materials in the Bronze Academy on my website.

https://ieltsetc.com/2024/10/5-ielts-listening-tips-nobody-told-you-about/

Oct 15, 202426:21
Can I use personal pronouns in IELTS Writing?

Can I use personal pronouns in IELTS Writing?

Get the free lesson on my blog: How to use personal pronouns in IELTS Writing.

In this lesson, we look at ways of USING and AVOIDING personal pronouns in Writing Task 2 essays.

You'll learn when to use "I", "we" and "you", and you'll get examples of how to avoid personal pronouns by using plurals, the passive voice, and more general language.


https://ieltsetc.com/personal-pronouns-in-ielts-writing/

Oct 08, 202418:37
IELTS Grammar: Quantifiers few, a few, little, a little

IELTS Grammar: Quantifiers few, a few, little, a little

If you really want to make a difference to your test score, stop practising grammar with useless examples that you'll never use in the IELTS test!

In this grammar review we look at how to use few, a few, little and a little SPECIFICALLY FOR the IELTS test.

You'll learn useful expressions that you can use in the Writing and Speaking Tests, and you'll find out how to avoid common mistakes with these quantifiers in the Reading and Listening Tests.

Get the full lesson in the Bronze Academy, starting at just $4 per month.

The full lesson includes:

  • a set of IELTS-related phrases for each quantifier
  • a set of practice questions for each quantifier
  • an interactive review of all quantifiers
  • 3 Listening video extracts with real test audio, tapescripts, answers and explanations
  • 3 Reading extracts
  • The most common mistake with 'few'
  • Formal and Informal alternatives
  • 10 examples for GT letters

https://ieltsetc.com/2024/09/quantifiers-few-a-few-little-a-little/

Sep 24, 202418:52
IELTS Reading: How animals keep fit
Sep 16, 202428:55
IELTS GT letter of request to a singer

IELTS GT letter of request to a singer

In this lesson we look at direct and indirect ways of asking for help.

You will learn fixed expressions that you can use in any letter of request letter, and you'll also learn how to demonstrate flexibility with a variety of tenses when you 'give details of your musical activities'.

Find the full lesson with models and interactive practice on my website (Bronze Academy).

⁠https://ieltsetc.com/2024/09/ielts-general-training-letter-of-request/⁠

You recently went to a concert and thought one of the singers was very good. You want to tell him/her how you feel.

Write a letter to the singer. In your letter:

  • say how you feel about his/her performance
  • give details of your music-related/musical activities
  • explain how you would like him/her to help you with your music-related/musical activities
Sep 10, 202416:03
IELTS maps and plans (describing future changes)
Aug 30, 202424:15
IELTS Reading: The Fosbury Flop
Aug 13, 202429:55
IELTS Listening Section 2: Tips for runners 🏃‍♀️

IELTS Listening Section 2: Tips for runners 🏃‍♀️

In this Listening Section 2 about tips for runners, you'll learn how to spot distractors in different question types such as matching people and multiple choice.

Get the full lesson with 180+ more lessons in the Bronze Academy

https://ieltsetc.com/2024/07/ielts-listening-matching-people-distractors/

Get the list of phrasal verbs to talk about hobbies (Free)

https://app.getbeamer.com/ieltswithfiona/en/phrasal-verbs-hobbies-and-new-skills

Aug 06, 202420:02
IELTS Reading: How tennis rackets have changed 🎾
Jul 15, 202422:30
IELTS Writing: 9 tips for a Band 9 essay

IELTS Writing: 9 tips for a Band 9 essay

In this lesson, you'll see why so many model essays are NOT model essays.

For each of the points I mention, you'll learn a better alternative so that you can make changes to your own writing.

Here's the question:

Some people believe that charities should help people in need no matter where those people are in the world. Others feel that these organizations should only serve the people living in the country where they are based.

Discuss both sides and give your own view.

Find the full lesson on my website:

https://ieltsetc.com/2021/03/ielts-band-9-sample-essay-charity/

Watch my YouTube video here:

https://youtu.be/c4nMPXwJls4

My tips about Coherence and Cohesion (avoiding mechanical linking words) are here:

https://ieltsetc.com/2020/01/ielts-writing-coherence-cohesion/

Find more Band 9 essays and tips on my website.

Join the Bronze Membership for full access.

https://ieltsetc.com/2019/04/band-9-essay/

https://ieltsetc.com/2021/03/ielts-task-2-band-9-essay-ceos/

https://ieltsetc.com/2019/09/ielts-writing-task-2-topics-and-models-crime/

https://ieltsetc.com/2020/05/ielts-writing-task-2-how-to-write-an-introduction/

https://ieltsetc.com/2020/03/to-what-extent-do-you-agree/

https://ieltsetc.com/2020/11/ielts-formal-writing/

#ielts #ieltswriting #ieltstask2 #ieltsband9

lCGmdgSdFMRaveqtPUv8

Jul 15, 202430:25
IELTS GT Part 1: Passport Applications and Airport Services 🛂🛄

IELTS GT Part 1: Passport Applications and Airport Services 🛂🛄

A quick look at TFNG and a less common type of Matching Headings.

Get the full text here https://www.ieltsetc.com/2019/03/ielts-gt-reading-passports-and-airports/


Jun 08, 202420:26
IELTS Reading: Crows and tools 🧰
Feb 05, 202434:17
IELTS Reading: Stonehenge
Dec 24, 202335:41
IELTS Listening 🌋: academic words you need for Part 3
Nov 26, 202330:55
IELTS Listening: Elephant translocation 🐘
Oct 22, 202320:17
IELTS Reading: Forest Management 🌳

IELTS Reading: Forest Management 🌳

This is a relatively easy Passage 2 from a Cambridge Past Paper, with 3 sets of questions [Matching Information, Categorising and Gapfill].


https://ieltsetc.com/2023/10/ielts-reading-forest-management/

Oct 03, 202320:28
IELTS Listening: Victor Hugo
Jul 22, 202325:34
IELTS Reading: The birth and growth of Manhattan's Skyscrapers. 🗽
Jun 27, 202323:37
IELTS Reading: Urban farming

IELTS Reading: Urban farming

Farming and agriculture is my Number 1 Vocabulary topic for IELTS, and I noticed that most of the readings in this new Cambridge Practice Test Book (18) are related either to the environment (Week 1 of my vocab course) or to cities/architecture/buildings (Week 2 in my Vocabulary course - the Man-Made Environment).


So make sure you re-read this text for the useful vocabulary e.g. sustainable, organic, intensive farming.


Members: the video version of this podcast with pdf download is now available for you to watch.


Get my Members Academy Reading package (2 full courses plus all the new lessons over 12 months, plus Members Academy benefits - Private blog, live zoom meetings, private community, daily tips, Writing coaching lessons etc).


As I add more materials and benefits, the price will only increase, so join sooner rather than later so you can get the most of the resources before your test.


https://ieltsetc.com/courses

Jun 12, 202322:01
IELTS Reading: Stadiums
Jun 01, 202326:46
IELTS Reading: The development of the London underground railway
May 19, 202324:03
IELTS Listening Part 2: Matthews Island Holidays

IELTS Listening Part 2: Matthews Island Holidays

Get the full blog with audio on my website:

https://ieltsetc.com/2023/04/ielts-listening-tips-complete-guide/

In this lesson, I examine the MACRO and MICRO skills you need to get all of the answers right in this Section 2 IELTS Listening about a holiday company.

For example:

  • Background knowledge (what you already know about holiday companies, tour itineraries, travelling/place names in the UK etc etc)
  • Vocabulary (phrasal verbs, synonyms, numbers)
  • Spelling (ea words, al/ol words)
  • Grammar (comparisons, 'used to', perfect modals for guessing)
  • Accents (Northern English 'u')
  • Pronunciation features (meet you)
  • Linking (However...)
  • Signalling (What we do is...)
  • Predicting
  • Remembering


The Members Academy teaches all of these skills in a variety of easy-to-follow short courses with quick video guides and plenty of practice.


Join today https://ieltsetc.com/courses

Apr 20, 202328:29
📝 Which is the best (free) online IELTS writing checker?
Mar 23, 202323:14
How many IELTS Reading question types are there? (Tips on how to tackle different questions in the IELTS Reading test)

How many IELTS Reading question types are there? (Tips on how to tackle different questions in the IELTS Reading test)

[Skip the 5-minute introduction if you want to just get to the question types!]

Different websites have different ways of categorising IELTS Reading Question types.

See my latest blog for all the details:

https://ieltsetc.com/2023/03/how-many-ielts-reading-question-types/

In my online courses, I follow the official IELTS.org guidelines, and I have simplified the types so that you focus more on developing your reading skills. Developing good reading skills will enable you to answer all question types.

The 3 basic categories are:

  1. Matching things (headings, statements, features, sentence endings, dates, people, choosing from a list)
  2. Filling in gaps (summaries, notes, tables, flowcharts, sentences, diagrams)
  3. Choosing from a list (Multiple Choice, True, False, Not Given and Yes, No, Not Given)

In this blog, I examine the official 11 Question Types as outlined on IELTS.org and explain how other teachers and websites might label them.

Mar 10, 202321:35
How to prepare for IELTS in 10 days
Feb 20, 202334:48
Pronunciation for IELTS Listening - how to understand fast speech
Feb 11, 202326:24
IELTS Listening: Hotel Staff Turnover
Jan 26, 202327:53
IELTS New Year Resolutions 2023
Jan 13, 202329:33
IELTS Reading: To catch a king 🤴👑
Dec 16, 202232:54
IELTS Mindset: 😵‍💫 How to deal with 'too much information' (feeling overwhelmed)

IELTS Mindset: 😵‍💫 How to deal with 'too much information' (feeling overwhelmed)

Question: "How do I cope with so much information when I'm preparing for the IELTS test?"
Answer: "Just do as much as you need to do for the Band score that you want."
In all aspects of life, there are different levels of expertise and knowledge.
Deciding what you want to do with your IELTS score will help you manage your time and your learning.
I've carefully programmed this into the Members Academy.
Aiming for Band 6? Just watch the videos.
Need to get Band 7? Watch the videos and do the practice.
Want Band 8/9? Do the EXTRA practice that I include in every lesson.
Enrol today
members.ieltsetc.com/academy
This podcast talks about managing your learning according to what level of expertise you need to acquire.
I call it the traffic-light system.
GREEN: Band 6 - INTERESTED (do a single course)
YELLOW: Band 7 - COMMITTED (join the Members Academy - do all the courses)
RED: Band 8+ - OBSESSED ("To be the best, you have to be obsessed": do the Coaching Program)
But remember this - what is the opposite of "too much information"?
The opposite is "not enough information".
Not enough info is worse than too much info when it comes to preparing for IELTS because it is not a subject - it's a language and a skill. Can fluent speakers have "too much English knowledge"? I don't think that's possible.
Let me know if you've got any questions.
Nov 13, 202229:48
IELTS Listening: 🇮🇸 The impact of digital technology on the Icelandic language
Nov 04, 202224:59
IELTS Reading: Feathers as decoration in European History

IELTS Reading: Feathers as decoration in European History

A tricky GT Part 3 Reading with Matching Headings, Multiple Choice, and Matching Sentence Endings.
Oct 25, 202229:18
IELTS Mindset Part 3: How to ask SMARTER questions

IELTS Mindset Part 3: How to ask SMARTER questions

I've spoken a lot about Mindset for IELTS in 2 earlier blogs:

1. How to train your mindset for IELTS

https://ieltsetc.com/how-to-train-your-mindset-for-ielts/

2. How to stop making excuses and start making progress

https://ieltsetc.com/2020/11/improve-ielts-score/

In this (rather long) podcast I talk about asking SMARTER questions to get smarter answers.

S = Specific (Why, What, Why, When, Where?)

M = Measurable (How much? How many?)

A = Achievable

R = Realistic

T = Time-bound

E = Evaluate

R = Revise

Oct 16, 202237:17
IELTS Listening Part 3: Veterinary science students
Sep 26, 202222:14
IELTS Reading: Reducing injuries on the farm
Sep 09, 202223:17
IELTS Writing Task 2: How to write a Band 9 essay [Introductions]
Sep 05, 202220:53
IELTS Writing Task 1: 🐟🍗Consumption of meat and fish.
Sep 04, 202217:42
IELTS Listening Part 1: 🏄‍♀️ Learning to surf
Sep 02, 202217:17
IELTS Reading GT: 🥾The best hiking boots

IELTS Reading GT: 🥾The best hiking boots

This is Day 1 of my free IELTS September Challenge 2022.

Follow the challenge every day on my website (What's new - daily tips):

https://app.getbeamer.com/ieltswithfiona/en/september-challenge-day-1-reading-the-best-hiking-boots

Get your FREE copy of the planner and work through it with me:

https://payhip.com/b/7OZlV

Sep 01, 202216:24
IELTS Listening: 🦋 Buckworth Conservation Group
Aug 26, 202220:39
IELTS Reading GT ⚽️: History of women's football in Britain
Aug 18, 202224:26
IELTS Listening 🍁 Maple Syrup 🇨🇦
Jul 27, 202229:05
IELTS Reading: 🍅 Domesticating the tomato
Jul 18, 202233:00