IELTS with Fiona: a comprehensive guide to IELTS

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 SummaryMusic 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.

This month, we've been exploring the huge topic of MONEY in the Members Academy. It comes up in ALL parts of the test, so in this lesson, we examine two very similar General Training Texts in order to learn more about the topic of government benefit systems and the allowances that you might be entitled to. Each country's benefit system is different, so it's really worth a listen as you'll learn valuable information and keywords. Get the video and full text with vocabulary list in the Bronze Academy on my website. https://ieltsetc.com/ielts-tips-and-tricks/

This is a lovely reading about forced rhubarb: its history and how it is grown and harvested. There are 3 question sets: Matching Headings Multiple Choice Gapfill In this lesson you'll learn more about the general topic of FOOD and how this topic is tested in all parts of the IELTS test. Get the full lesson in the Bronze Academy on my website. https://ieltsetc.com/2024/12/ielts-vocabulary-of-food-cooking-and-eating/

Always check the title of a pie chart to make sure you're providing an accurate summary of the data. Pie charts show percentage and proportion, not numbers. Here's an example of a mistake that is very easy to make when you're under pressure. So practise plenty of pie charts before the test and get ready to use the language related to pie charts - listen till the end to find the 'marc' verbs that will help you. Get the full lesson on my website and in the Members Academy Study Programme. https://beacons.ai/ieltswithfiona #ielts #ieltstask1 #ieltspiechart

In this lesson, we'll analyse a Part 1 Reading text with the purpose of improving our understanding and use of prepositions. First, we go through the True, False and Not Given questions, followed by the Gapfill questions and then we go back to the first paragraph to analyse the prepositions. This is something that I recommend you do regularly - spend 5-10 minutes 'noticing' language from real contexts like the Reading and Listening tests. In the lesson you'll learn how to do this yourself and build up your independent learning skills. The vocabulary from the lesson will also help you with Writing Task 1 (Describing a Natural Cycle). Get more help with Prepositions, and find my Preposition Workbook on my website: https://ieltsetc.com/ielts-grammar-complete-guide/prepositions/

Did you know that uou can use "a/an + adjective" before a statistic to express your reaction to the number? This technique adds emphasis and helps the listener or reader understand your perspective on the data. Examples: A staggering 95% of teenagers spend over 4 hours daily on social media. An alarming 62% of young adults report experiencing significant anxiety. A heartening 78% of volunteers say they feel more connected to their community. A disappointing 34% of students complete their language learning goals. An impressive 92% of renewable energy targets were met this year. A troubling 46% of food produced globally goes to waste. A surprising 55% of people have never traveled outside their home country. Listen to find out how to use this structure in IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 reports. Get the full document from my daily tip (31st October 2024). https://app.getbeamer.com/ieltswithfiona/en/halloween-grammar

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/

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/

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/

In this lesson, you'll practise 3 reading question types while learning essential IELTS animal-related vocabulary items such as 'hibernation' and 'migration'. I also discuss differences between two summaries, which will help you use more formal language in the writing test e.g. to maintain fitness vs to stay fit. For example: (Advanced Summary) The article explores how animals maintain fitness differently from humans. Unlike humans, who need consistent training to prepare for endurance challenges like marathons, many animals maintain or even enhance their fitness without deliberate exercise. (Intermediate Summary) The article discusses how animals stay fit in different ways compared to humans. While humans need to exercise regularly to prepare for challenges like running a marathon, many animals stay fit without needing to train. Get the full lesson on my website (Bronze Academy) and in the Members Academy. https://ieltsetc.com/ielts-tips-and-tricks/ https://ieltsetc.com/courses #ielts #ieltstestpreparation #ieltscourse

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

In this lesson, we look at how you can use Listening Test maps to improve the way you describe maps and plans in the Writing Test. In this lesson we'll cover How to talk about FUTURE changes How to avoid over-using 'going to' How to use the passive tense How to use the vocabulary of change related to maps We also review map prepositions, and we look at a model answer. The lesson ends with a list of map expressions collated from 4 real Listening Tests. Members get the full lesson on my website: https://ieltsetc.com/2024/08/ielts-maps-plans-changes-future/ Get the FREE Maps and Plans Listening lesson on my website: https://ieltsetc.com/ielts-listening-maps/

This is a talk-through of a General Training Reading Passage 3. The text tells the story of the 'Fosbury Flop', which is a high-jump technique developed by a 21 year-old university student from the USA called Dick Fosbury in the late 1960s. In this lesson, you'll practise Matching Information, Multiple Choice and gapfill questions. Get all my lessons on my website ieltsetc.com and follow my courses in the Members Academy.

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

This is a talk-through of a Passage 1 Academic Reading text about tennis rackets (Book 19 Test 1). It covers 2 sets of questions (True, False, Not Given and Gapfill Summary). Full lesson notes and video available on my website and Members Academy.

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

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/

Quick tips to help you with the Speaking Challenge followed by a Reading Passage 2 about the tool-making abilities of crows (and what we have in common with them). True/False/Not Given. Get the full reading here https://www.ieltsetc.com/2018/11/ielts-reading-two-wings-toolkit/

This is my walkthrough of an Academic Passage 1 about Stonehenge. Keyword before you listen: ‘Winter solstice’ - the shortest day of the year (December 21st) Meaning: to stand still The solstice (combining the Latin words sol for “sun” and ‘sistere’ for “stand still”) is the point where the Sun appears to reach either its highest or lowest point in the sky for the year and thus ancient astronomers came to know the day as one where the sun appeared to stand still. Become a member to get the full tapescript, wordlist and video. ieltsetc.com

This listening about a research project contains several examples of ‘academic’ language (language related to studying at university) that you need to understand Listening Part 3. It's about a volcanic eruption, and is adapted from a Cambridge Past Paper (Book 18). Get the full lesson notes and video in the Bronze Membership on my website ieltsetc.com and the Listening Course in the Members Academy.

This Part 4 Listening is all about moving elephants. In the lesson you'll learn about: using word prompts to keep your place using intonation and sentence stress to identify answers using spelling patterns and plurals to get the right answers The full transcript is available in the Bronze Membership on my website. https://ieltsetc.com/2023/10/ielts-listening-part-4-keeping-up-with-the-speaker/

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/

This Listening Part 4 about a writer called Victor Hugo is taken from the new Practice Book 18. In the podcast you'll learn why this particular test is more difficult than usual how reference words give you the answer (if you can remember what they refer to) techniques for predicting and retaining information common gapfill answers and how they're related to pronunciation Get the full video, tapescript and tips in the Members Academy Listening Course with Members bonus features for 12 months. ieltsetc.com/courses

This is a Passage 3 review about a book about The Birth and Growth of Manhattan's Skyscrapers. This is an extremely difficult text. It would really help if you have the text in front of you. The only good thing about this text is that everything goes in COMPLETE ORDER and we know where everything is, because it goes from 'Chapter 1' to 'Chapter 10'. The Yes, No, Not Given questions are not too difficult either. But the last Gapfill Summary with Answers is a nightmare. Good luck with it! IELTS with Fiona

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

This is a pretty straighforward Academic Part 2 about Stadiums. In this podcast we'll go through 3 question types (Matching Statements, Gapfill Summary and Choosing from a list.) Get more in the Members Academy https://ieltsetc.com/courses.

I guarantee that you can do this in under 10 minutes if you follow my system. Find the Reading online and do it yourself before you listen. Learn more about my IELTS Reading techniques with TWO courses in the Members Academy. ieltsetc.com/courses

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

There are many free online IELTS Writing checkers available, and they can be useful when you’re starting your IELTS preparation. Online writing checkers such as Grammarly can give you simple feedback on your grammar, vocabulary and linking words. There are more sophisticated versions available that claim they can assess your IELTS writing using the Band Criteria, and give you a grade and feedback in a matter of seconds. But how accurate and reliable are they? I tested a few and here are my results. The one I mention in the podcast is testpredikt.com. Check out my blog here: ⁠https://ieltsetc.com/2023/03/best-online-ielts-writing-checker/

[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: Matching things (headings, statements, features, sentence endings, dates, people, choosing from a list) Filling in gaps (summaries, notes, tables, flowcharts, sentences, diagrams) 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.

The best thing about the IELTS Test is that you cannot fail it. The test simply takes a ‘snapshot’ of your current level of English. So if you’ve suddenly realised that you need to take the test in 10 days don’t panic too much. Consider it a ‘practice run’. 10 days is just enough time to familiarise yourself with the test requirements so you can give yourself the best chance of getting the best indicator of your overall ability. Here’s what I would do in the next 10 days. Read the blog here https://ieltsetc.com/2023/02/how-to-prepare-for-ielts-in-10-days/

There are 7 key features of fast speech and pronunciation that you need to develop a better understanding of in order to increase your Listening Score: Features of connected speech (dropping sounds, adding sounds, changing sounds, weak sounds and twin sounds). Word boundaries Homophones Sounds that are different or don’t exist in your language Accents and rhoticity (‘r’) Minimal pairs Consonant Clusters Read the full blog here. https://ieltsetc.com/2023/02/ielts-pronunciation-tips-listening-test/ Buy the workbook guide here: https://payhip.com/b/HzVmy

In this Listening Section 2 we look at: - Multiple choice questions - distractors - matching from a list - the word 'staff' and how it's repeated 32 times - how to pronounce 'staff' - academic language you can use in Task 2 Improve your IELTS score with my intensive Listening Course: ieltsetc.com/courses

What will you do differently in 2023? Here are my 7 resolutions to help you get the IELTS test over and done with once and for all. Get all the tips on my Daily Tips page https://app.getbeamer.com/ieltswithfiona/en and get all my lessons on my website ieltsetc.com. Join the Members Academy to make faster progress.

In this episode, I'll take you through one of my Guided Readings - it's an Academic Passage 3 from Book 17 and, unusually, it's a book review. Follow my Advent Challenge on my website: https://ieltsetc.com/ielts-advent-adventure/ Join the Members Academy: https://ieltsetc.com/courses

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 https://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.

Can you guess the answers to the gapfill before you listen? In this episode I talk you through a Passage 4 where I think about 60% of the answers are guessable! Thinking of becoming a Member of my Academy? Find out more on my website: ieltsetc.com/courses

A tricky GT Part 3 Reading with Matching Headings, Multiple Choice, and Matching Sentence Endings.

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

In this podcast, you'll practice listening for the tricks in Multiple Choice Questions. This is yet another Listening based on the topic of farming, and it includes many of the keywords on my IELTS planner list Day 1 (Agriculture), for example: - breed - bred/reared - livestock - to increase production - domesticated animals - controlling and eradicating those diseases Add these to your wordlist and check out the other lessons related to agriculture on my website https://ieltsetc.com. Get the full version of this Listening Part 3 lesson in the Members Academy.

This Reading will also help your Task 2 Writing. Watch this quick video to see why: https://app.getbeamer.com/ieltswithfiona/en/week-2-september-challenge-reading-about-farming

In today's September Challenge, we're reviewing Task 2 essays, starting with how to write a good Introduction. Check out the blog I refer to here (with a model essay): https://ieltsetc.com/2021/03/ielts-band-9-sample-essay-charity/ and learn more about Introductions here: https://ieltsetc.com/2020/05/ielts-writing-task-2-how-to-write-an-introduction/

Day 3 of the September IELTS Planner Challenge is all about describing changes in Writing Task 1. See the graph and video here. https://app.getbeamer.com/ieltswithfiona/en/september-challenge-day-3-writing-task-1 Or just go to my Daily Tips Day 3 on ieltsetc.com

Day 2 of the September 2022 Challenge. This is a Part 1 but full of TRICKS! Get the full video version in the Members Academy. Join the challenge on my website: www.ieltsetc.com (find it in the Daily Tips section)

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

This is a slightly unusual Listening Part 1 from the latest Cambridge Test Book 17. Get more in the Members Academy: https://members.ieltsetc.com/academy and on my website https://ieltsetc.com

This is a fascinating Section 3 General Training Reading text about the origins of women's football and why it disappeared for 50 years. Practice  Multiple Choice Questions, Matching Information and Gapfill Summary. Get the full video version with all of the other General Training Courses in the Members Academy: https://members.ieltsetc.com/academy

In this lesson we cover more words from The List (my 100 Most Common Listening Gap Fill Answers). Pay special attention to the second half, where the speaker describes how maple syrup is produced. This is really useful for Academic Writing Task 1. Get my guide to IELTS Reading Book 17 (Course) in the Members Academy with all the other workbooks, guides, planners and lists. Get individual printable PDF guides in my shop: https://payhip.com/ieltswithfiona Thank you for supporting my small business.

This is an Academic Test Passage 2 Reading from Book 17 and the podcast covers 3 types of questions: matching information, matching people, and gapfill. In the podcast I discuss how you can understand more of the text if you learn my basic vocabulary lists - you can buy my 3 IELTS vocabulary workbooks and guides on my website shop: - A complete guide to IELTS Word Formation and Spelling - A complete guide to IELTS Vocabulary - A complete guide to the most common IELTS Listening gapfill answers. https://payhip.com/ieltswithfiona If you're trying to improve your Academic Reading Skills, I have 2 Reading courses on my website too: https://ieltsetc.com/courses. Thank you for supporting small, teacher-owned businesses.

Book 17 Test 1 Part 4 I chose this Listening just because it's from the most recent Cambridge Practice Test book, and I was pleased to see that all of the gapfill answers conformed to my theories about common IELTS gapfill answers e.g. uncountable nouns, irregular word forms, "made from ____" etc. I put all of my research together in a handy little booklet which you can get in my shop: https://payhip.com/b/vQlet I also mentioned the previous Listening Podcast I did a couple of weeks ago, which also refers to these patterns (The History of Cleaning): https://app.getbeamer.com/ieltswithfiona/en/ielts-listening-made-of-uncountable-noun Thank you for supporting small, teacher-run businesses. Best wishes Fiona