IELTS Podcast

Introduction

Remote work and working from home have revolutionised the way we approach our professional duties. This article will explore the societal effects of this modern working trend and its implications on our daily lives. Full tutorial available here: https://www.ieltspodcast.com/audio-tutorials/vocab-working-remotely/

In this tutorial we have a Band 7 essay graded by an EX-IELTSexaminer (from our team of essay correctors!).

First you can read the essay, and after we break down which sentences helped this essay score a Band 7.

Each criteria has been considered and the sentence in the essay has been colour coded to correspond to the fours marking criteria used by the British Council / IELTS IDP.

This tutorial will help you understand:

• How an essay gets a Band 7
• What sentence structures and language is needed for a Band 7
• How you can link ideas smoothly

Here is the essay question:

At the present time, the population of some countries includes a relatively large number of young adults, compared with the number of older people. Do the advantages of this situation outweigh the disadvantages?

GET THE FULL TUTORIAL HERE: https://www.ieltspodcast.com/audio-tutorials/band-6-5-7-examiner-commentary/

Welcome to another IELTS tutorial. In this session, we will explore advanced grammatical structures, focusing on the past tense and past perfect continuous. Mastering these tenses is crucial for telling compelling stories in your IELTS Speaking exam, helping you to showcase a range of grammatical structures and boost your score.

https://www.ieltspodcast.com/audio-tutorials/part-2-past-and-past-perfect/

Importance of Context in Storytelling

When telling a story, the content is important, but the manner of storytelling is what truly matters to the examiner. Using anecdotes, details, and examples enriches your vocabulary and demonstrates your ability to use topic-specific language. This not only makes your story more engaging but also enhances your lexical resource.

Past and Past Perfect Continuous Using the Past Continuous

The past continuous is used to describe an event that was happening over a period of time and was incomplete. For instance, "I was hanging out with my friend Juan at the park." This sets a scene that extends over a duration without specifying when it ended. Here are some examples:

• I was hanging out with my friend.
• We were watching a movie.
• He was talking on the phone.

In the exam, using the past continuous helps set the context early in your story, demonstrating your flexibility with grammatical structures. For example:

Last year, I was studying economics at university. I remember the day clearly. I was sitting in class and taking notes when the professor asked an interesting question.

Using the Past Perfect Continuous

The past perfect continuous is used to describe an action that was ongoing in the past before another past event. It is effective for developing the context of a story and setting up anticipation for the main event. Examples include:

• We had been sitting in the park having a picnic for a couple of hours.
• We had been watching a movie for over an hour.
• We had been talking on the phone for about 15 minutes.

Using this tense can make your story more dynamic and engaging. For example:

Just a couple of days ago, I was at the bank and I had been waiting for over three hours to talk to the manager. This made me feel extremely frustrated.

Practical Application: Sample Cue Cards Cue Card 1: A Time Someone Lied to You

Prompt: Talk about a situation when a person you know didn't tell you the truth. Who the person was, why the person told the lie, and how you felt.

I'd like to tell you about an old friend named Matt. We were very close, but this incident changed everything. One evening, I had been expecting him to come over, but he didn't show up. Later, my sister mentioned seeing someone peeping through her window, wearing a jacket like Matt's. When I confronted him, he denied it, but I was 99% sure it was him. This left me feeling tremendously disappointed and confused. Eventually, I decided to end our friendship as I couldn't tolerate such dishonesty.

Cue Card 2: Describe an Intelligent Person

Prompt: Describe an intelligent person you know. Who the person is, how you know them, and why you think they are intelligent.

A tremendously intelligent person I know is my uncle Allan. He retired at 50, much earlier than most people. He's a UK chess master champion and had a dazzling career as a tax adviser at prestigious firms like PricewaterhouseCoopers and Deloitte. I first met him at a family wedding, and recently at a funeral, he shared his fascinating research into our family history. His expertise in complex subjects like tax and chess, and his early retirement, make him a person I truly admire.

Cue Card 3: Describe a Singer You Like

Prompt: Describe a singer you like. Who the singer is, what specific elements you like about the singer, and the style of the singer.

The singer I'd like to tell you about is Freddie Mercury. He was British with Iranian roots and had an incredibly powerful voice that covered the entire musical range. For example, in the song "Barcelona," he performed alongside a famous opera singer, showcasing his versatility. His style varied from powerful, explosive vocals to smooth, melodic tunes. Freddie Mercury was a true icon in the band Queen, and his unique voice and style continue to inspire me.

Conclusion

Using advanced grammatical structures like the past continuous and past perfect continuous can significantly enhance your storytelling in the IELTS Speaking exam. Remember to practise with various cue cards, write out your answers, improve them, and seek feedback. For more practical tips and personalised feedback, consider enrolling in our Speaking Confidence online course.

Keep practising, and remember, you only fail when you give up. Good luck with your IELTS preparation!

© IELTSPodcast.com / B. Worthington / BW English Services. All Rights Reserved.

For more materials and resources, visit IELTSPodcast.com.

How Can Understanding Nouns and Verbs Improve Your Academic Task 1 Writing?

Full tutorial available here:

https://www.ieltspodcast.com/audio-tutorials/five-key-skills-task-1/

Many words in Academic Task 1 can function as both nouns and verbs with only slight modifications. Understanding how to distinguish and use these forms correctly is crucial for clarity in your writing.

What Are the Common Patterns You Should Recognise in Academic Task 1?

Recognising and using common grammatical patterns such as Adjective + Noun and Verb + Adverb can significantly enhance the quality of your Academic Task 1 responses.

How Do You Identify and Use Adjectives and Adverbs Effectively?

Distinguishing between adjectives and adverbs is key to mastering grammar for IELTS Task 1. Understanding their proper usage can greatly improve the precision of your descriptions.

What Advanced Vocabulary Is Essential for Comparisons in Academic Writing?

Using precise comparison vocabulary is indispensable in academic writing. Learn to specify the extent of differences or similarities with appropriate terms to enhance clarity and impact.

How Can Expanding Your Vocabulary Improve Your Academic Task 1 Responses?

Enriching your vocabulary with a variety of adjectives and appropriate prepositions can elevate the quality of your writing, making it more engaging and effective.

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Further Reading and Resources

• Academic Task 1 Guide

• Task 1 Vocabulary Enhancements

• IELTS Grammar Essentials

In this episode, you will uncover:

• Why starting correctly can make or break your score — Learn the set phrases and intonations that set the stage for a successful speaking test.

• The reasons you've been stuck in lower bands — and the precise techniques that can propel you into Band 7 territory.

• What most candidates overlook in their preparation — Immediate actions you can take to refine your responses and impress the examiners.

This isn't just any tutorial; it's a deep dive into the strategic cue card system I've perfected over years of coaching. Expect practical insights that you can start applying right away to boost your confidence and your score.

Cost of Studying and Living in the UK

Full tutorial available here: https://www.ieltspodcast.com/ielts-preparation-old/cost-of-studying-living-in-uk/ Hello there IELTS students, my name is Ben Worthington. For over 12 years, I've specialized in preparing students for the IELTS, helping them achieve Band 7 or higher. Today, we delve into the costs associated with studying and living in the United Kingdom.

Joining me is our expert, Fedoua, to discuss everything from tuition fees to living expenses. Let's unpack the financial aspect of studying abroad in the UK.

Get ready to tackle the most challenging part of the IELTS Speaking test with our latest podcast episode: TFB9 - 3 - IELTS Speaking: How to Answer Abstract Questions. This episode is packed with strategies that will not only boost your IELTS score but also enhance your overall communication skills.

Here's what you can expect to gain from this episode:

• Master the Conditional: Learn how to use conditional sentences to answer abstract questions naturally and effectively, making your responses more impressive.

• Enhance Response Quality: Discover the common stumbling blocks to answering abstract questions and the practical steps you can take to overcome them.

• Speed Up Your Responses: Gain insights into techniques that will help you think and respond faster under exam conditions, giving you a competitive edge.

Ever feel like Part 3 of the IELTS Speaking test moves at lightning speed?

You're not alone! That's why our latest podcast episode, "TFB9 Answering Part 3 Questions with Confidence and Speed," is a must-listen for anyone aiming to ace the IELTS with flying colors.

Here's a sneak peek of what you'll discover:

• Unlock the Secret Technique: Learn the powerful, easy-to-master strategy that has transformed how our students respond to tricky Part 3 questions, giving them a head start with every answer.

• Overcome Common Pitfalls: Find out why many students stumble during Part 3 and how our focused approach helps you navigate these challenges effortlessly.

• Immediate Improvements: Discover the key changes you can implement today to make a dramatic improvement in how natural and confident your responses sound.

Are you gearing up to conquer the Speaking section of your upcoming IELTS exam? You're in luck because our latest episode of TFB9 - "Speaking Fluently and Accurately - Cue Card Review" is just what you need to elevate your preparation to the next level!

In this episode, dive into real-time coaching and gain insider tips on mastering Part 2 of the Speaking test. Here's a taste of what you'll uncover:

• Transform Your Approach: Discover why traditional methods might be holding you back and learn the innovative strategies that will propel your fluency and accuracy.

• Tackle Common Challenges: Uncover the crucial errors most students make with cue cards and the simple fixes that can dramatically improve your performance.

• Rapid Improvement Techniques: Learn the essential tweaks to your preparation that can shorten your learning curve and boost your confidence immediately.

5 Essential Tips for Students Looking to Study Abroad

Full tutorial available here:

https://www.ieltspodcast.com/ielts-preparation-old/5-tips-for-studying-abroad/ By Ben Worthington, founder of ieltspodcast.com

Ben has over 20 years of experience teaching English and helping students achieve Band 7 or higher in IELTS. He has pioneered AI tools for essay checking to further aid students on their journey to success.