Today, Nick and I look at the importance of learning IELTS lexis in context. We will start by analysing an Instagram post with synonyms for “highest” to show how the dictionary can definitely NOT be your friend.

Then, we will review a set of IELTS flash card from Educational Software Technologies Limited, and give our verdict on whether they are a good purchase for IELTS students or not. You can view and purchase the flashcards on this link and remember to use the code SHELLY10 for a 10% discount.

Useful Links

• Support the podcast and access BONUS episodes here -  https://blog.myieltsclassroom.com/patreon/
• Download my free ebook "An ex-examiner's guide to the Band IELTS Descriptors": https://blog.myieltsclassroom.com/ielts-examiner-ebook-mark/
• Watch the free video lessons on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiLz9Dbe4NEIu5OCy0WA1sg
• Find out more about learning lexis here: https://blog.myieltsclassroom.com/learning-vocabulary-for-ielts/

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Remember, My IELTS Classroom offers a range of IELTS services:

• IELTS Video courses: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/writing
• IELTS Essay Corrections:https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/marking
• IELTS Speaking lessons: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/speaking
• Free blog lessons: http://blog.myieltsclassroom.com
• Free Podcast episodes: https://myieltsclassroom.buzzsprout.com
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Hey everyone! In a recent podcast, Nick and I completed an Academic reading passage from Cambridge 15 Test 4. Today, we thought that we would do the listening from the same test.

• Click here to download the questions for the lesson

Join us as we complete each section of the test. We will starting by outlining how we would approach each part and reminding you of the best way to approach each one. 

Then, we will give you a chance to listen and answer the questions, before giving you our answers and discussing why some items were easy and others were difficult.

This is a great chance for you to put your listening skills into action!

Useful Links

• Support the podcast and access BONUS episodes here -  https://blog.myieltsclassroom.com/patreon/
• Download my free ebook "An ex-examiner's guide to the Band IELTS Descriptors": https://blog.myieltsclassroom.com/ielts-examiner-ebook-mark/
• Watch the free video lessons on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiLz9Dbe4NEIu5OCy0WA1sg

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If you are on Apple Podcasts, help us to help more people just like you by rating and reviewing our show. Reviews let other students - just like you - find our information-packed episodes and start their IELTS journey in the best possible way.

Remember, My IELTS Classroom offers a range of IELTS services:

• IELTS Video courses: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/writing
• IELTS Essay Corrections:https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/marking
• IELTS Speaking lessons: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/speaking
• Free blog lessons: http://blog.myieltsclassroom.com
• Free Podcast episodes: https://myieltsclassroom.buzzsprout.com
• Support the show by becoming a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/myieltsclassroo

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Hey! We all know that it can be hard to find the motivation to start studying for IELTS, which is why Nick and I have recorded so many episodes in the past about finding motivation. First, we did our 30-day motivation challenge, then we spoke about how to avoid procrastination in by eating those frogs, and last year we discovered a new way of self-studying by using metacognition.

Today, we return with Motivation May - a month where we try to fill you with motivation for all things IELTS. Today, we kick off by looking at different strategies that you can use to find motivation for your studies. We know that not everybody is the same, so you may find some of the them useful, and others unrealistic, but the hopefully all of our listeners will find ONE thing that they can use to dig deep and start studying harder this May!

If you are looking for free materials to start or continue your preparation, then why not look at the links in our free resources page.

Useful Links

• Support the podcast and access BONUS episodes here -  https://blog.myieltsclassroom.com/patreon/
• Download my free ebook "An ex-examiner's guide to the Band IELTS Descriptors": https://blog.myieltsclassroom.com/ielts-examiner-ebook-mark/
• Watch the free video lessons on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiLz9Dbe4NEIu5OCy0WA1sg

Rate and review My IELTS Classroom
If you are on Apple Podcasts, help us to help more people just like you by rating and reviewing our show. Reviews let other students - just like you - find our information-packed episodes and start their IELTS journey in the best possible way.

Remember, My IELTS Classroom offers a range of IELTS services:

• IELTS Video courses: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/writing
• IELTS Essay Corrections:https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/marking
• IELTS Speaking lessons: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/speaking
• Free blog lessons: http://blog.myieltsclassroom.com
• Free Podcast episodes: https://myieltsclassroom.buzzsprout.com
• Support the show by becoming a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/myieltsclassroo

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Hey! Today Nick and I are trying a new style of lesson. Instead of giving you lots of information about one topic, we are going to break down one element of essay writing - how to write an introduction to an IELTS agree / disagree essay.

Join us to learn the three ingredients that you need to write an introduction well (they may not be what you expect) and how you can tackle questions that include "some people" or a background statement.

By the end of the short lesson, you should be able to write an introduction to any agree / disagree essay with ease, which should give you more time to tackle the body of the essay, which is where all of the points are to be gained.

You can read more about today's episode at: https://blog.myieltsclassroom.com/ielts-agree-disagree-essay-introductions/

In this episode, we will explain 

1. how to write a sentence that clearly gives your opinion
2. how to paraphrase accurately (including when you cannot paraphrase)
3. three sentence structures that you can use to write your opening sentence 
4. look at agree / disagree sentences that start with "some people" and how that will affect your introduction
5. discuss how you can use a background sentence in the prompt to open your introduction

Useful Links

• Support the podcast and access BONUS episodes here -  https://blog.myieltsclassroom.com/patreon/
• Download my free ebook "An ex-examiner's guide to the Band IELTS Descriptors": https://blog.myieltsclassroom.com/ielts-examiner-ebook-mark/
• Watch the free video lessons on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiLz9Dbe4NEIu5OCy0WA1sg

Rate and review My IELTS Classroom
If you are on Apple Podcasts, help us to help more people just like you by rating and reviewing our show. Reviews let other students - just like you - find our information-packed episodes and start their IELTS journey in the best possible way.

Remember, My IELTS Classroom offers a range of IELTS services:

• IELTS Video courses: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/writing
• IELTS Essay Corrections:https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/marking
• IELTS Speaking lessons: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/speaking
• Free blog lessons: http://blog.myieltsclassroom.com
• Free Podcast episodes: https://myieltsclassroom.buzzsprout.com
• Support the show by becoming a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/myieltsclassroom

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Join Nick and I today as we go through the Cambridge IELTS Reading - Changes in Reading Habits from Cambridge 16, Test Four, Passage Two.

We will show you how to put the technique into action. First, we will explain how to analyse the questions before you read (which will be a nice revision of Multiple Choice and Summary Completion questions for those who have missed previous lessons). Then, we will move through every paragraph, answering all three sets of questions at the same time, explaining the answers as we go.

We will read excerpts from the passage in the podcast, but you will get more out of the lesson if you attempt the reading yourself first. You can find a copy of Cambridge IELTS Reading - Changes in Reading Habits on this link.

Useful Links

• Support the podcast and access BONUS episodes here -  https://blog.myieltsclassroom.com/patreon/
• Download my free ebook "An ex-examiner's guide to the Band IELTS Descriptors": https://blog.myieltsclassroom.com/ielts-examiner-ebook-mark/
• Watch the free video lessons on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiLz9Dbe4NEIu5OCy0WA1sg

Rate and review My IELTS Classroom
If you are on Apple Podcasts, help us to help more people just like you by rating and reviewing our show. Reviews let other students - just like you - find our information-packed episodes and start their IELTS journey in the best possible way.

Remember, My IELTS Classroom offers a range of IELTS services:

• IELTS Video courses: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/writing
• IELTS Essay Corrections:https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/marking
• IELTS Speaking lessons: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/speaking
• Free blog lessons: http://blog.myieltsclassroom.com
• Free Podcast episodes: https://myieltsclassroom.buzzsprout.com
• Support the show by becoming a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/myieltsclassroom

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One of the most common questions asked about IELTS writing is how you should present your opinion in an IELTS Discuss Both Views essay. Do you need to write a separate paragraph with your opinion? Can you wait until the conclusion to "reveal" your opinion? And what does it mean to offer "positive" arguments for each view? That is what Nick and I will discuss in today's episode.

You can read more about today's episode at:  https://blog.myieltsclassroom.com/how-should-you-present-your-opinion-in-an-ielts-discuss-both-views-essay/

In this episode, we will explain

1. why you should NOT have a separate paragraph for your opinion
2. why you should NOT wait until the conclusion to give your opinion
3. why you should make sure that you discuss the two VIEWS and not the two TOPICS

Useful Links

• Support the podcast and access BONUS episodes here -  https://blog.myieltsclassroom.com/patreon/
• Download my free ebook "An ex-examiner's guide to the Band IELTS Descriptors": https://blog.myieltsclassroom.com/ielts-examiner-ebook-mark/
• Watch the free video lessons on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiLz9Dbe4NEIu5OCy0WA1sg

Rate and review My IELTS Classroom
If you are on Apple Podcasts, help us to help more people just like you by rating and reviewing our show. Reviews let other students - just like you - find our information-packed episodes and start their IELTS journey in the best possible way.

Remember, My IELTS Classroom offers a range of IELTS services:

• IELTS Video courses: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/writing
• IELTS Essay Corrections:https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/marking
• IELTS Speaking lessons: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/speaking
• Free blog lessons: http://blog.myieltsclassroom.com
• Free Podcast episodes: https://myieltsclassroom.buzzsprout.com
• Support the show by becoming a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/myieltsclassroom

Support the show

One of the most useful sentence structures in your grammar toolkit should conditional sentences. But, how many types of conditional sentences are there, and where can they be used NATURALLY in your speaking and writing? That is what Nick and I look at today.

Useful Links

• Watch the first three lessons in our GT Task 1 Writing Course here: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/categories/general-training-writing-task-1
• Support the podcast and access BONUS episodes here -  https://blog.myieltsclassroom.com/patreon/
• Download my free ebook "An ex-examiner's guide to the Band IELTS Descriptors": https://blog.myieltsclassroom.com/ielts-examiner-ebook-mark/
• Watch the free video lessons on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiLz9Dbe4NEIu5OCy0WA1sg

Rate and review My IELTS Classroom
If you are on Apple Podcasts, help us to help more people just like you by rating and reviewing our show. Reviews let other students - just like you - find our information-packed episodes and start their IELTS journey in the best possible way.

Remember, My IELTS Classroom offers a range of IELTS services:

• IELTS Video courses: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/writing
• IELTS Essay Corrections:https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/marking
• IELTS Speaking lessons: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/speaking
• Free blog lessons: http://blog.myieltsclassroom.com
• Free Podcast episodes: https://myieltsclassroom.buzzsprout.com
• Support the show by becoming a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/myieltsclassroom

Support the show

Preparing for IELTS can feel daunting with four modules to prepare for and seemingly endless amounts of information available online to "help" you do so. But, how long do you really need to prepare for IELTS? And what should you cover if you only have one month or two months to prepare? That is what Nick and I will discuss in this episode.

In this episode, we will 

1. talk about where to start your preparation if you are an absolute beginner
2. discuss the amount of "noise" about IELTS there is online and how you can avoid listening to it
3. give you the most important skills to focus on in reading, listening, writing and speaking if you have one month to prepare
4. discuss what you could add if you have two months to prepare
5. explain the advantage of learning in a course that is guided by a teacher 

Useful Links

• Watch the first three lessons in our GT Task 1 Writing Course here: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/categories/general-training-writing-task-1
• Support the podcast and access BONUS episodes here -  https://blog.myieltsclassroom.com/patreon/
• Download my free ebook "An ex-examiner's guide to the Band IELTS Descriptors": https://blog.myieltsclassroom.com/ielts-examiner-ebook-mark/
• Watch the free video lessons on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiLz9Dbe4NEIu5OCy0WA1sg

Rate and review My IELTS Classroom
If you are on Apple Podcasts, help us to help more people just like you by rating and reviewing our show. Reviews let other students - just like you - find our information-packed episodes and start their IELTS journey in the best possible way.

Remember, My IELTS Classroom offers a range of IELTS services:

• IELTS Video courses: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/writing
• IELTS Essay Corrections:https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/marking
• IELTS Speaking lessons: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/speaking
• Free blog lessons: http://blog.myieltsclassroom.com
• Free Podcast episodes: https://myieltsclassroom.buzzsprout.com
• Support the show by becoming a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/myieltsclassroom

Support the show

This week, Shelly is travelling in Brussels (drinking all the beer) so we thought we would have an easy episode this week and look at the Cambridge IELTS 16 essay questions.

A couple of weeks ago Nick and I looked at the letter questions from the new Cambridge 16 IELTS General Training book, and ranked the letter prompts from easiest to most difficult. Who can forget the letter to Mrs Barrett?!!!! Today we do the same with the essay questions in the book. Which is the easiest of the Cambridge IELTS 16 essay questions? Which is the most difficult? And which topics have never before been seen in the exam? Let's find out!

You can read more about today's episode at:  https://blog.myieltsclassroom.com/cambridge-ielts-16-essay-questions/

In this episode, we will 

1. rank each of the 4 essay prompts in Cambridge 16
2. look at a technique you can use to approach Discuss Both Views questions
3. discuss how to organise an essay with SIX components
4. compare living in the 1990's to living with the dinosaurs!

Useful Links

• Watch the first three lessons in our GT Task 1 Writing Course here: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/categories/general-training-writing-task-1
• Support the podcast and access BONUS episodes here -  https://blog.myieltsclassroom.com/patreon/
• Download my free ebook "An ex-examiner's guide to the Band IELTS Descriptors": https://blog.myieltsclassroom.com/ielts-examiner-ebook-mark/
• Watch the free video lessons on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiLz9Dbe4NEIu5OCy0WA1sg

Rate and review My IELTS Classroom
If you are on Apple Podcasts, help us to help more people just like you by rating and reviewing our show. Reviews let other students - just like you - find our information-packed episodes and start their IELTS journey in the best possible way.

Remember, My IELTS Classroom offers a range of IELTS services:

• IELTS Video courses: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/writing
• IELTS Essay Corrections:https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/marking
• IELTS Speaking lessons: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/speaking
• Free blog lessons: http://blog.myieltsclassroom.com
• Free Podcast episodes: https://myieltsclassroom.buzzsprout.com
• Support the show by becoming a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/myieltsclassroom

Support the show

One of the enduring problems for many IELTS test-takers is being able to use uncountable and plural nouns correctly. Today, Nick and I take a deep-dive into the common problems that IELTS test-takers make in their writing and speaking.

We will spend a lot of time discussing the definite article (the), so I strongly recommend that you watch our free grammar lesson so that you understand the 7 fundamental article rules. We have designed this lesson as an extension of the basics explained here as most problems with uncountable and plural nouns stem from a lack of understanding of basic article rules. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a10t3MHWWU0&t=1714s

You can read more about today's episode at: https://blog.myieltsclassroom.com/uncountable-and-plural-nouns/

In this episode, we will 

1. go through the basic rules of using the three articles to reveal the most common basic errors with plurals and uncountable nouns
2. look at 16  nouns to see discuss they are countable or uncountable
3. explain quantifiers and discuss which can be used with countable or uncountable nouns 
4. examine why so many students  add "the" before a plural noun when it is not needed
5. discuss which nouns should always be used with "the" and which should not

• Support the podcast and access BONUS episodes here -  https://blog.myieltsclassroom.com/patreon/
• Watch the first three lessons in my IELTS grammar course for free: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/categories/grammar
• Download my free ebook "An ex-examiner's guide to the Band IELTS Descriptors": https://mailchi.mp/myieltsclassroom/examiner-guide-to-ielts-band-descriptors

Rate and review My IELTS Classroom
If you are on Apple Podcasts, help us to help more people just like you by rating and reviewing our show. Reviews let other students - just like you - find our information-packed episodes and start their IELTS journey in the best possible way.

Remember, My IELTS Classroom offers a range of IELTS services:

• IELTS Video courses: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/writing
• IELTS Essay Corrections:https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/marking
• IELTS Speaking lessons: https://www.myieltsclassroom.com/pages/speaking
• Free blog lessons: http://blog.myieltsclassroom.com
• Free Podcast episodes: https://myieltsclassroom.buzzsprout.com
• Support the show by becoming a Patron: https://www.patreon.com/myieltsclassroom

Support the show