New Way of Teaching | IELTS Listening and Reading Class | Week 1

1. IELTS Listening – Introduction to IELTS Listening and analysis of Part 1.

2. Listening Quiz.
3. IELTS Listening Practice.
4. IELTS Reading – Main Structure and Fast Reading technique.
5. Reading quiz.
6. IELTS Speaking Introduction and Practice.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Introduction to IELTS Listening.
IELTS Listening consists of 4 Parts (10 questions in each part) and there are 40 questions in total. In general,
there are 6 main question types in the Listening test:
*Fill in the gaps (fill in the blanks in questionnaires, tables, or texts).
*Multiple choice questions – tests (a question with three answers and one correct).
*Multiple selection questions (a question with five answers and two correct ones).
*Matching information from boxes (choosing suitable options from boxes).
*Maps (finding locations or finding titles of objects on maps).
*Charts or diagrams (This one is very popular since the 2022 exams, you need to fill in the names of some
elements on diagrams and charts or match information from boxes to the elements drawn in diagrams).
IELTS on paper gives you 10 minutes to transfer your answers to the answer sheet, and IELTS on the
computer gives you 2 to 3 minutes to check answers (there is no answer sheet in CD IELTS and you write
your answers directly in the specified blanks).
In the first part, you fill in the form or questionnaire (a dialogue between two people, one of whom obtains
information from another). Sometimes you can see multiple-choice questions (tests) in this part (just in 5 % of
cases).
In the second part, you can see multiple-choice questions and maps. Sometimes there are fill-in-the-gaps.
In the third part, you generally have multiple-choice questions and information from boxes.
In the fourth part, you generally have questions requiring filling in gaps.
IELTS Listening Part 1 – Fill in the gaps - main strategies.
Main strategies for IELTS Part 1 – Fill in the gaps.

1. Pay attention to instructions. Write ONE WORD

AND/OR A NUMBER – possible options are – 5/five,
5 boxes, boxes. Look at the table below to see all
possible instructions.
2. Pay attention to group names. They summarize
information. For example, Tiny Engineers – this
relates to questions 1-3. Junior Engineers – to
questions 4-7.
3. Find a keyword for every question. So, for
question 3, for example, we need to find an answer
which is related to a balloon (powered by it).
4. Predict answers in the gaps. First, pay attention to
the part of speech (if a noun – singular/plural) and
what type of information this word shows (is it an
abstract word or does it refer to some concrete things
such as books?)
For example, in question 4, we can see that they
build cars, trucks, and … . There should be used a
noun which probably depicts some form of vehicle.

Main instructions in IELTS Part 1 Fill in the gaps.

Instruction type What you can write
ONE WORD ONLY Vehicles, five (not 5)
NO MORE THAN ONE WORD AND / OR A 5 vehicles, vehicles, 5
NUMBER
NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND / OR A Vehicles, five vehicles, 5 vehicles, 5 red vehicles
NUMBER
NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND / OR A Vehicles, five vehicles, 5 vehicles, 5 red vehicles, 5
NUMBER beautiful red vehicles
Important clarifications:
1. Remember that if the instruction says NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS, it does not mean that there
will be 3 words for each answer. There will be UP TO three words, so the answer may contain 1, 2, or 3
words.
2. A WORD AND/OR A NUMBER means that there can be a word, a number, or both a word and a
number in the answer (5, vehicles, 5 vehicles). This will depend on what you hear.
3. Spelling matters. If you find a correct answer, but you misspell it, this question will be marked as wrong.
So, please be careful with spelling. Today, we will practice this skill.
4. Date of birth is considered to be one number (19/09/2005), but you can write it as `19 September` if the
instruction is ONE WORD AND A NUMBER.

Number formats and measurements in IELTS Listening.

Allowed formats in Listening – numbers:
*Dates (if you hear 25 January) – all formats are correct: 25 January, January 25, 25th January 25th of
January, 25.01, 01.25, 25/01, 01/25.
*Time – these formats are correct. 11.50 am, 11.50 pm (or without pm or am if there is mentioned - morning
or evening). Please know these rules:
6:15 – quarter past 6; 5:45 – quarter to 6; 6:30 – half past 6.
*Currency - $ 50 or 50 dollars
No need to mention the emblem or the word of the currency if it is already mentioned like this: 1. $

*Measurements: 0.75 m (meters or metres – both are correct), 0.75 mm, cm, kg.
Do not forget! Numerals do not become plural. 5 million (not millions)! We will discuss dates in more detail
during the next classes.

The rule of 30 seconds in IELTS Listening.

When the first part starts, there are around 30 seconds to listen to the introduction (it gives short information
about IELTS Listening), so you can review all questions (extra time for Part 3 and Part 4 – more difficult
sections – as you know, Part 1 and 2 are easier). These 30 seconds are given at the end of each part and at the
beginning of the next part as well.
Then you have 30 seconds to review Questions 1 to 5 (or 1 to 4, 1 to 6, etc.). So, use the first 30 seconds in the
introduction part wisely. To review questions in the computer-delivered IELTS, you can press the buttons
below:
See the arrow and the questions. You can click on the arrow or on questions to review the next parts when
you want. Obviously, as the Listening test consists of 40 questions, you will see 40 questions at the bottom of
the page.

Let`s do the short spelling Quiz 1 with you. Choose the correct spelling.
№ A B № A B
1 environment enviroment 11 cano canoe
 2 successfull successful 12 clarinet clarnet
3 expirience experience 13 trombone tronbone
4 yoga joga 14 cello celo
5 bungaloo bungalow 15 biliards billiards
6 apointment appointment 16 recrutment recruitment
7 caffeteria cafeteria 17 knives knifes
8 scubadiving scuba diving 18 apropriate appropriate
9 father in law father-in-law 19 oportunity opportunity
10 schedule shedule 20 acomodation accommodation

Quiz 2. Words with similar pronunciations but different spellings. Define which word is more
appropriate here.
1. There is a … in the kitchen which needs to be fixed (hall, haul or hole).
2. They live in a … (suite or sweet).
3. They paid me a … (complement or compliment).
4. A full … of passengers. (complement or compliment).
5. He has a good … (sight, site, or cite).
6. The … of a building (sight, site, or cite).
7. A … of paper (piece or peace)
8. Alpine … lives in this forest (hare or hair)

Answers
Quiz 1
1. A 2. B 3 B 4. A 5. B 6. B 7. B 8. B 9. B 10. A 11. B 12. A 13. A 14. A 15. B 16. B 17. A 18. B 19. B 20. B
Quiz 2
1. hole 2. suite 3. compliment 4. complement 5. sight 6. site 7. piece 8. Hare

Practice test. (Recording - https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/take-ielts/prepare/free-ielts-practice-tests/listening-

2/section-1)
Questions 1–5 Complete the notes below.
Write NO MORE THAN ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Second-hand Bedroom Furniture for Sale Example: number of items for sale - three
Besides tables
Construction: wood. Colour: 1...............
Drawers: two (in each table), handles made of 2.............
Height: 3................cm Condition: 4.................
Price: 5 (for both)
Questions 6–10
Complete the notes below. Write NO MORE THAN ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Dressing table
Drawers: five (two are 6 ………………..) Width: 7 ………………..
Mirrors: three: one large, two small (all 8 )
Condition: good
Price: 9 ………………..
Seller’s details
Name: Carolyn Kline
10. Address: 19 … Road

Answers

IELTS Reading – Main Structure.

IELTS Reading (both Academic and General Training) consists of 3 passages (13-14 questions relating to
one passage) and there are 40 questions in total. Both in paper and computer-delivered IELTS tests, there is
only 1 hour (60 minutes) to answer 40 questions and transfer your answers to the answer sheet (IELTS on
paper).
IELTS on Computer does not require any answer sheets because you write all answers to the system (as
it is in the Listening test).
Normally, there are 8 types of questions in the Reading test:
*True/False/Not given and Yes/No/Not given questions.
*Fill in the gaps and fill in the diagrams/pictures.
*Matching headings to paragraphs (finding titles of paragraphs).
*Matching statements to paragraphs (finding which paragraph describes some information).
*Matching information to authors or specific groups (finding who/ which group described some statement).
*Multiple-choice questions (tests – choosing one answer out of 4) and multiple-selection questions (choosing
two answers out of 5).
*Completing sentences by selecting information from boxes and questions requiring direct answers.
*Fill in the gaps from selected words in boxes.
Order of exercises.
Each IELTS Passage has 2 to 3 exercises relating to this passage. Some exercises follow the order (the first
question of this exercise is found earlier in the passage, the second one appears after the first question, and so
on) and others do not do so.
Please pay attention to the table and know which questions follow the ordering principle:
Follow the order Do not follow the order
True/False/Not given and Yes/No/Not given Matching headings to paragraphs
Fill in the gaps and fill in the diagrams/pictures Matching statements to paragraphs
Multiple-choice questions Matching information to authors
Completing sentences
Questions requiring direct answers
Fill in the gaps from selected words in boxes

How to get a high score from IELTS Reading?

In order to get a high score in the Reading Section, we need some specific skills:
1. Have a good command of English (Grammar – understanding complex and advanced structures and
vocabulary – knowing academic words and phrases).
2. Fast reading, skimming, and scanning (being able to quickly review texts or paragraphs in order to grasp the
general meaning).
3. Understanding main reading concepts – paraphrasing (how some words and phrases are described in different
ways) and inferencing (drawing the conclusion of the text written).
4. Know strategies for every question type.
5. Knowing timing strategies.

Fast reading.
While reading passages, you need to read:
1) fast – to understand the general structure of a passage and find locations of answers;
2) slowly – to find the correct answer or match information with some statements. Today we will focus on fast
reading. As we know, we need it for two main reasons:
*To understand the general structure of a paragraph or a passage and know how to start doing exercises;
*To find the location of specific questions.
While reviewing the passage you read, you need to start from the first sentence of each paragraph and the
title of a passage. Just reviewing the first sentence of each paragraph will give you an overview of this
passage and help you understand its structure. While reading, pay attention to noun phrases, verbs, and
linking devices (however, nevertheless, indeed, etc.) in the first sentences.

Let`s analyze the following passage.

 How to make wise decisions

Across cultures, wisdom has been considered one of the most revered human qualities. Although the truly
wise may seem few and far between, empirical research examining wisdom suggests that it isn’t an exceptional
trait possessed by a small handful of bearded philosophers after all – in fact, the latest studies suggest that most
of us have the ability to make wise decisions, given the right context.
‘It appears that experiential, situational, and cultural factors are even more powerful in shaping wisdom
than previously imagined,’ says Associate Professor Igor Grossmann of the University of Waterloo in
Ontario, Canada. ‘Recent empirical findings from cognitive, developmental, social, and personality
psychology cumulatively suggest that people’s ability to reason wisely varies dramatically across experiential
and situational contexts. Understanding the role of such contextual factors offers unique insights into
understanding wisdom in daily life, as well as how it can be enhanced and taught.’
It seems that it’s not so much that some people simply possess wisdom and others lack it, but that our
ability to reason wisely depends on a variety of external factors. ‘It is impossible to characterize thought
processes attributed to wisdom without considering the role of contextual factors,’ explains Grossmann. ‘In
other words, wisdom is not solely an “inner quality” but rather unfolds as a function of situations people happen
to be in. Some situations are more likely to promote wisdom than others.’

So, in general, we can see that the passage is about wise decisions (title) and:
Paragraph 1 – the role of wisdom
Paragraph 2 – factors shaping wisdom
Paragraph 3 – external factors
So, while doing exercises, we will be able to easily find locations of questions if we know the structure of a
passage.
Note that you need to spend no more than 30 seconds reviewing the first sentences while reading the
passage with 6-8 paragraphs. These 30 seconds, however, will help you save much time while finding
locations of questions and answering them.

Quiz – Read the passage within 30 seconds and mention the main ideas. Find a suitable name for the
paragraph.
Opera refers to a dramatic art form, originating in Europe, in which the emotional content is conveyed to the
audience as much through music, both vocal and instrumental, as it is through the lyrics. By contrast, in musical
theater an actor's dramatic performance is primary, and the music plays a lesser role. The drama in opera is
presented using the primary elements of theater such as scenery, costumes, and acting. However, the words of
the opera, or libretto, are sung rather than spoken. The singers are accompanied by a musical ensemble ranging
from a small instrumental ensemble to a full symphonic orchestra.
Now read the passage again (within 1 minute) and select the ideas that were mentioned there.
1. It is pointed out in the passage that opera is a drama sung with the accompaniment of an orchestra.
2. It is pointed out in the passage that opera has developed under the influence of musical theater.
3. Orchestras in operas do not vary considerably in size.
4. Orchestras in operas can vary considerably in size.
5. Music in musical theater is not as important as it is in opera.
6. Music in musical theater is as important as it is in opera.

Which of the following paragraphs has the following idea?

Intricate Belief Systems of Maya's Celestial Alignment and Aztec's Deity Worship

1. The Maya and Aztec civilizations were two significant Mesoamerican cultures that flourished in different
time periods. The Maya civilization, known for its remarkable advancements in mathematics, astronomy, and
architecture, thrived from around 2000 BCE to 1500 CE in the region encompassing modern-day Mexico,
Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. They developed complex city-states with impressive pyramids,
palaces, and intricate stone carvings. The Maya had a sophisticated writing system using hieroglyphs and a
complex calendar that tracked celestial events.

2. On the other hand, the Aztec civilization emerged later, around the 14th century CE, in the Valley of Mexico.
The Aztecs, also known as the Mexica, built a powerful empire centered around their capital city, Tenochtitlan,
which is present-day Mexico City. They were skilled warriors and established an extensive trade network. The
Aztecs developed a hierarchical society led by an emperor and were known for their agricultural prowess,
constructing impressive chinampas (floating gardens) to grow crops.

3. Both the Maya and Aztec civilizations practiced complex religious and spiritual beliefs. The Maya believed
in multiple gods and conducted elaborate rituals, often involving human sacrifice. They placed great importance
on astronomy and aligned their architecture with celestial events. The Aztecs worshiped a pantheon of gods,
with Huitzilopochtli, the sun god, occupying a prominent place. Their religious practices also involved human
sacrifices, which they believed sustained the universe.

Fill in the gaps using the following words:

revolutionized detrimental reliance facilitating
excessive transcended catalyzing exposure
invasion
On one hand, social media has 1…. communication, allowing people from different corners of the world to
connect effortlessly. These platforms have 2…. geographical boundaries, enabling individuals to share ideas,
exchange information, and engage in meaningful discussions. They have provided a platform for social and
political activism, 3 …. the spread of awareness, and 4 … social change, which was already rapid. Moreover,
social media has transformed the way businesses operate, offering new marketing avenues and allowing
companies to reach a wider audience.
However, the growing 5 …. on social media has also raised concerns about its 6 … effects. 7 … use of these
platforms has been linked to various mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.
The constant 8 … to carefully curated online personas and the pressure to conform to unrealistic standards have
contributed to a culture of comparison and self-doubt. Moreover, the 9 … of privacy has become a significant
concern, as personal data is collected, stored, and potentially misused by social media companies.

Scoring system.
Listening and Reading scoring table
 Score Listening (number of correct Reading (number of correct
Answers out of 40) Answers out of 40)
9.0 40 39-40
8.0 35 35
7.0 30 30
6.0 22 23
This can change depending on a test`s level, sometimes 29 or 31 may be equal to 7.0 points. There are also sub-
scores, such as 6.5 or 7.5. For example, when you write 33, it is more than 7 and less than 8, so it is expected to
be 7.5.
Answers:
2.7 – 1,4, 5
Third paragraph
2.9 1 – revolutionized, 2 – transcended, 3 – facilitating, 4 – catalyzing, 5 – reliance, 6 – detrimental,
7 – excessive, 8 – exposure, 9 – invasion
New Way of Teaching | IELTS Writing and Speaking Class | Week 1
1. IELTS Writing Task 1 types.
2. IELTS Writing Task 1 – Bar charts.
3. Writing Task 1 quiz.
4. Homework control.
5. IELTS Speaking Practice.
6. IELTS Writing Task 2- Direct questions.
7. Writing practice
_________________________________________________________________________________________
IELTS Writing and Speaking class – Lesson 2
IELTS Writing Structure.
IELTS Writing consists of Writing Task 1 and Writing Task 2. Writing Task 1 for Academic IELTS
Students consists of different charts and Writing Task 2 is an essay. You have 1 hour to write both tasks and,
Writing Task 2 is twice as important as Writing Task 1.

Writing Task 1 types.

1. Line graph 2. Table 3. Bar chart

4. Pie chart 5. Mixed chart 6. Map

7. Process chart 8. Flow chart

The structure of every Writing Task 1 is standard:

First paragraph – One sentence which introduces the chart type and its main topic (i.e. unemployment
Introduction figures)
 Second paragraph This is a very important paragraph. We normally write it after the introduction, but you
– Overview can write it after the body paragraphs too. This paragraph is a summary of the main
trends and points shown in the chart. However, you do not need to include numbers or
figures here.
Body Paragraph 1 Here you give one part of some important details. Let`s say, your chart depicts
unemployment figures from 1960 to 2000, and you describe key changes from 1960 to
1980 in the first Body Paragraph.
Body Paragraph 2 Here you give the remaining key information. For example, you describe unemployment
figures from 1980 to 2000.

Writing criteria.
Remember that Writing Task 1 requires that you write the main details and not all, and you need towrite
more than 150 words; it is recommended to write 150-170 words.
Please note that there is NO CONCLUSION in Writing Task 1 since we do not present ouropinion, we
just describe charts. The overview is the compulsory paragraph in Task 1.
Writing Task 1 is assessed based on these 4 criteria:
Task Achievement(TA) Coherence and cohesion Lexical Resource – Grammatical Range and
(CC) Vocabulary (LR) Accuracy – Grammar
(GRA)
- how well you analyze - logical structure of your - using a good range of - a mixture of simple and
key information report different words and complex sentences in your
- is your overview - clear sentences phrases essay
present (understandable) - being able to - a range of grammatical
- can you compare or - using connective paraphrasein a right way structures
show similarities devices and linkers tolink - absence of spelling - absence of punctuationand
between trends and sentences and paragraphs errors grammatical errors
processes
Writing criteria each gives you points from 0 to 9 (5,6,7 or 8) and then your overall Task 1 score iscalculated.

How to get 7 in Writing?

Remember one thing! You need to get 7 from each criterion so that the overall score for Writing Task is
equal to 7. The rule of rounding does not work here. The same is true for Writing Task 2 and Speaking.
Look at the following table:
TA CC LR GRA Overall
6 7 7 7 6.5
7 7 7 7 7
6 8 7 7 7
When it comes to calculating the total Writing score, we use the following formula:
(Writing Task 1 Score + 2 * Writing Task 2 Score) : 3 = Overall Writing score.
As you can see, the Overall Writing Score depends more on Writing Task 2 than on Writing Task 1.
Short quiz. Look at the following chart. Describe what has happened.
The chart shows information about Bill`s annual salary.
2016 2017 2018 2019
80,000 USD 82,000 USD 85,400 USD 102,000 USD
From 2016 to 2018, Bill`s annual salary increased gradually. However, in 2019, his salary saw a
significant rise.

Bar charts.
Being one of 8 Writing Task 1 types, Bar charts are like line graphs and tables and can be provided in two
ways:

1) dynamic bar charts (changes according to years in several sectors or categories)

2) Static bar charts (comparison of several categories in several groups e.g. countries, cities or other groups).

The structure of bar graphs.

Introduction – introduce the chart type and show what it depicts.
Overview – show key changes in the chart (main trends – increases, decreases, highest, lowest points,
biggest and lowest gaps).
Body Paragraph 1 – show one group of information (let`s say, some categories or some years)
Body Paragraph 2 – show the remaining information (let`s say, the remaining categories or the
remaining years).

Grouping information and selecting key figures for Body Paragraphs.

Obviously, we do not mention figures in the Overview part, we discuss them in body paragraphs.
However, we do not need to show all of them, we need to select the key ones.
There are also complex bar charts that include many sectors and groups (around 30-40 figures in total) and, as
we know, we cannot present all figures, we need to choose the main figures and compare them and group or
ignore other figures:

You can see that those coming every day were below 5 % and there was an inconsiderable fall within this
period. There is no need to show every year`s figure. The same can be applied to those who are never
going to fast-food restaurants.
How can you explain the changes happening with those who ate a few times a year? Their figure just slightly
increased and reached 15 % (stabilized at 15 %).
By the way, you can divide this bar graph according to the following paragraphs:
Paragraph 1 – small figures (every day, a few times, never)
Paragraph 2 – big figures (the remaining ones)
This bar graph is also considering the part of the total (different proportions of all people eating in
restaurants). While writing the overview, you need to mention that the biggest/ highest percentage ofpeople ate
once a week, and once or several times a month and mention that the highest proportion chose to eat once or
twice a month in 2013, while more people ate once a week in 2011.

Sample sentences:
Introduction sentences:

*The bar graph (the bar chart/ chart) illustrates / shows/presents / describes… in (place) from … to … (between
… and ..).
*The bar graph shows information regarding / about … in … within (period of time – within the 7-year period).
*The data is presented in kilowatt-hours/tons/percentage points.

Overview:

*Overall, it is clear that the main … is …

*Overall, one can observe from the chart that … the highest figures belong to … / the main discrepancy (gap) is
seen in …
*The other noteworthy point is that … all … except … saw a major change in … .

Body paragraph 1 sentences:

As for the X sector / 1999 figures, X sector had the highest figure / increased from X to Y.
Regarding X and Y countries, the former one had the higher … compared with the latter one.
While X increased significantly, Y changed just by 1 % between … and ….
The similar/opposing/different trend was observed in …, the figure for which increased/fell from … to…

Body Paragraph 2 sentences:

As regards the remaining sectors/other countries, X was the only … that …

X changed by …, accounting for … in (year).
Unlike X, Y saw a decreasing trend in ….
Like X, Y experienced stability over the period of … years, at … (figure).

Sample bar chart.

Let`s analyze the dynamic chart.

The bar graph compares the total figures for UK telephone calls in three categories between 1995 and 2002.
Overall, local fixed lines were more used than the remaining two categories within this 7-year period. While the
figure for mobile phone calls was the lowest one on this chart, it increased at a very fast pace, which
significantly narrowed the gap between these three categories in 2002, compared with 1995.
Between 1995-1999, local telephone lines experienced a gradual increase in the minutes of calls, starting from
over 70 and peaking at 90 billion minutes. The similar pattern was observed in national as well as
international fixed lines in the UK, as the figure rose slightly to almost 50. Although the number of minutes
via mobile calls was insignificant in 1995, it grew almost fivefold and reached 10.
From 1999 to 2002, all three telephone lines witnessed opposing trends. The number of minutes spent using
fixed-line telephone systems decreased by returning to almost the same level (70 billion minutes) but this figure
still was the most popular category. In contrast, the figure for mobile calls quadrupled, with the total number
of minutes for national and global calls rising to almost 60.
Sample static chart.

The provided chart depicts the participation of boys and girls in six different sports activities within an
English town in 2012.

In general, boys showed a greater inclination towards sports compared to girls, and football emerged as their
preferred activity, while swimming was the top choice for girls. Interestingly, both genders displayed limited
interest in hockey.

Regarding the sports that boys favored, football stood out significantly, with 60 boys opting for it, whereas
only 20 girls chose the same sport. This marked the largest gender disparity among all the activities. Tennis
also witnessed a higher participation of boys, with 50 of them selecting it as their preferred sport. Cycling
was another activity in which boys outnumbered girls, with figures of around 40 and 20, respectively.
Even the least favored activity, hockey, attracted almost double the number of boys compared to girls.

On the other hand, girls showed greater involvement in the remaining two sports categories. While 40 boys
participated in swimming, it was the top choice for girls, at 50. The second most popular activity among girls
was badminton, with 40 girls engaging in it.

Scale-like chart.
Be careful with the following bar charts- `scale-like` charts.

Here you can see the figures in a bit different way:

Boys chatting less than one hour (first scale) – around 25, 1-3 hours – also around 25 (50-25), and 4+ hours – 5
%.
Key points here – boys and girls both spend 1-3 hours or 1 hour and less playing games and chatting, and only a
tiny percentage of them spend more than 4 hours on both activities.

There are also such types of bar charts (`with the negative figure`). Let`s plan the following chart.

In such charts, there is a change in figures, so if there is a 5 % rise (+ 5 %), if there is a 5 % fall (- 5 %). Don`t
be afraid if you see such charts. What can we see here? In the majority of cities, there was a fall in housing
prices between 1990-1995, while the opposite is true for the period from 1996 to 2002.

Overview recommendation:
If you want to get 8+ from your IELTS Writing Task 1, your overview should:
 Include all key points and
 These key points should be the basis for your Body Paragraphs. Pay attention to the chart about
housing prices:
Overview - 2 major key points
Key point 1 - 1990-1995 - only in two cities there was evidenced a slight increase, in others there was a
decreasing trend – the basis for the BP1
Key point 2 - 1996-2002 - almost all increased, except for Tokyo, with London seeing/witnessing the
biggest change in housing prices. – the basis for the BP2
So, the first key point will be more detailly explained in the first BP, the second – in the second BP2.

Body Paragraph recommendations:

1. Start Body Paragraphs with a clear linking device showing the examiner that this will be the topic for
the paragraph:
As for the highest figures / As regards the change in housing between 1990-1995 /
Regarding housing changes from 1990 to 1995
2. Link sentences with similarity and contrast phrases. Let`s say, the figure for city A increased, while the
figure for city B decreased. You can write this in the following ways:
Way 1: City A saw a significant increase in housing between 1990 and 1995, from 5 % to 17 %. Nevertheless /
However / Conversely, city B saw housing prices decrease during this time.
Way 2: City A saw a significant increase in housing between 1990 and 1995, from 5 % to 17 %. The
opposite/reverse pattern (trend) was observed in city B, which saw housing prices decrease during this time.
Way 3 (hiding a linker in the middle of a sentence): City A saw a significant increase in housing between
1990 and 1995, from 5 % to 17 %. City B, however/on the other hand, saw housing prices decrease during
this time.

Planning time.
Now let`s plan the following chart. Write an overview for this chart. How would you divide it
intoparagraphs?

Quiz time.
percentages relatively stable diverged surpassed
experiencing accounted for experienced an increase ranging

The bar chart depicts the proportion of gross domestic product (GDP) contributed by the IT and Service
Industry in the UK from 1992 to 2000, measured in 1….

In general, it is evident that both sectors 2 … as a percentage of GDP during this period, but IT consistently
maintained a higher rate throughout.

In 1992, the Service Industry 3 … approximately 4 percent of GDP, whereas the IT sector 4 … this, exceeding
6 percent. Over the next four years, the levels of both components became more comparable, with both 5 …
between 6 and slightly over 8 percent. However, IT maintained a higher proportion overall, while 6 … a slight
decline from 1994 to 1996.

Nevertheless, over the subsequent four years, the trends of the two sectors 7 … significantly. The percentage of
GDP derived from IT witnessed a significant rise, reaching approximately 12 percent in 1998 and nearly 15
percent in 2000. In contrast, the Service Industry remained 8 …, increasing only to around 8 percent. By the
end of the examined period, the proportion of GDP generated from IT was almost double that of the Service
Industry.
Answers:
1- percentages, 2- experienced an increase, 3- accounted for, 4 – surpassed, 5 – ranging, 6 – experiencing,
7 – diverged, 8 – relatively stable.

IELTS Speaking Introduction.

IELTS Speaking Part in paper and computer formats is a face-to-face exam (the same format as our Individual
Speaking classes) and consists of 3 parts:
Part 1 – Daily topics (home, education, preferences, transportation, handwriting, etc. – informal dialogue)
Part 2 – Discussing some specific topic (1 minute to prepare, 1-2 minutes to speak – monologue format)
Part 3 – Talking about topics concerning the topic in Part 2 (more formal conversation than Part 2 – formal
dialogue)
The total exam lasts 11-14 minutes.

Speaking criteria.
Speaking is assessed based on 4 criteria:
Fluency and coherence Pronunciation (PR) Lexical Resource (LR) Grammatical Range
(FC) and accuracy (GRA)
How coherent (logical Can you pronounce - using a good range of - a mixture of simple and
your speech is words correctly? different words and complex sentences in
Can you answer Can you pronounce phrases your essay
questions clearly? contractions and word - being able to - a range of grammatical
Can you speak at length, phrases correctly? paraphrase in a right way structures
without pauses (except Can you show the - absence of spelling - absence of punctuation
for thinking)? awareness of intonation errors and grammatical errors
and stress?
Each criterion is assessed from 0 to 9 and the overall score is calculated based on the same principle as
Writing.

Speaking Part 1 main rules.

Follow these rules in Speaking Part 1:
- Be informal (use informal words – no academic words).
- Try to use some phrasal verbs and idioms (do not force yourself, they should come naturally.
Ideally, learn some phrases that can be used universally, such as ‘to be over the moon` - to be
happy`).
- Try to be positive and answer questions in 2-3 sentences.
- Try to give details (If you are asked what your favorite place is, by mentioning it, clarify where it is,
how you go there, and which facilities it offers).

Speaking Part 1 sample questions.

There are some questions types in Part 1:
1. What and Why questions: Answers should be specific, use the vocabulary of computers, and avoid
being formal. Add specific details to explain your answer.
(Topic – Computers) What kinds of computers are popular in your country?
Sample answer: Well, tablets are loved by most youngsters in Azerbaijan. They are provided with
touchscreens and are portable due to their weight and size. On top of that, tablets are multifunctional, which
makes them useful for various purposes. Adults and elderly ones, however, opt for smartphones because they
are easy to use and have many apps.
Comment: The answer is clear and includes specific vocabulary (portable, touchscreen, multifunctional),
reasoning (because), and a range of grammatical structures.
2. Comparison questions:
Answers should use comparison vocabulary, and provide clear reasons why you choose one side over the
other one.
(Topic – Being bored) Do you feel more bored than when you were young?
Sample answer: To be honest, I got bored with anything I did in the past, but now my preferences are clear. I
don`t waste my time doing something if it does not appeal to me from the very beginning, and keep focused on
every task or activity I take up. For example, I`ve taken up golf recently, and despite its confusing rules, I`d say
I love it and keep on playing it.
Comment: It is a long answer but it completely covers every requirement of IELTS – using informal
vocabulary, contractions (I`d say, I don`t), and stress words (the very beginning).
3. Yes/No questions
Answers should avoid saying just Yes/No, there should be a clear reasoning.
(Topic – Collecting) Is collecting a popular pastime in your country?
Sample answer: It used to be popular to collect coins or rare items several years or maybe decades ago because
there were not many hobbies to spend time. Today technology and apps have made this activity less attractive
and I can hardly remember anyone showing me their collections.
Comment: The answer does not clearly say No, it clarifies why it is interesting now.
4. How questions
Answers should show your emotions and feelings regarding the topic.
(Topic – Advertisements) How do you feel about advertisements?
Sample answer: They cause irritation and anger in general. I get increasingly annoyed by ads popping up while
I watch videos. They are also repetitive, which also makes a viewer switch a channel or close a website with
these adverts.
Comment: We need to show our emotions and this answer does this job well.

Practice time.
Now let`s practice some Speaking Part 1 questions from the recent topics.
New Way of Teaching | IELTS Writing and Homework Class | Week 1
1. IELTS Writing Structure.
2. Writing Task 2 – Direct questions.
3. Practice time – Writing Task 1 and Writing Task 2.
4. Grammar time.
5. IELTS Speaking Introduction and Practice.
6. Homework control.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Writing Task 2 types.
Writing Task consists of Writing Task 1 (charts, graphs, diagrams – Academic IELTS, letters – General Training
IELTS) and Writing Task 2 (essays). Writing Task 2 essays require your opinion (do you agree, do you think it
is good) or ideas (you don`t show your opinion, you just discuss problems and solutions, benefits and drawbacks).
Writing Task 2 essays have the following types:
Essay type Samples Notes
1. Direct-question Why? One-question essay, generally
essays To what extent do you think it is true? does not require opinion (unless
What potential threats may arise? it notes it – Do you think?)
2. Double-question Why? Is it positive or negative? Two-question essays, generally
essays one requires opinion, and the
other does not.
3. Agree/disagree Do you agree or disagree? Opinion essays
essays To what extent do you agree or disagree?
4. Best-way essays Do you agree or disagree? Opinion essays
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
5. What is your What is your opinion? Opinion essays
opinion? essays
6. Discuss views essaysDiscuss both views and give your opinion. Opinion essays.
7. Positive/negative Is it a positive or negative development? Opinion essays.
development essays Is it good or bad?
Is it a positive or negative change?
8. Do advantages outweigh disadvantages? Generally, opinion essays.
Advantage/disadvantage Are there more advantages than
essays. disadvantages?
Discuss advantages and disadvantages.
9. Problem/solution What are the problems? What are the Discussion essays, do not require
essays. solutions? personal opinion.
What are the causes? What are the solutions?
What are the causes? What are the effects?

Writing Task 2 criteria

Writing Task 2 requirements clearly state that you need to write 250 words (ideally 250-280 words) within
40 minutes (approximately, you have 1 hour for both Task 1 and Task 2, as Task 2 is more important than Task
1, and you spend more time writing it.
Writing Task 2 is assessed based on 4 criteria:
Task Response (TR) Coherence and Lexical Resource (LR) Grammatical Range
Cohesion (CC) and Accuracy (GRA)
- how well you respond - Do you have a clear - using a good range of - a mixture of simple and
to the topic structure – paragraphs? different words and complex sentences in
- Do you address all parts - Are your sentences phrases your essay
of the task? clear and understandable? - being able to paraphrase - a range of grammatical
- Do you present clear - Are paragraphs and in a right way structures
arguments and develop sentences linked - the absence of spelling - the absence of
them? logically? errors punctuation and
- Do you have a - Do you use linking grammatical errors
conclusion? devices without
underusing or overusing
them?
Writing criteria each gives you points from 0 to 9 (5,6,7 or 8) and then your overall Task 2 score is calculated.
Please note that IELTS Writing is scored a bit differently and the rule of rounding (6.75 is 6.5, not 7) does not
work. The same is applied in Writing Task 1, but not with the overall IELTS score.
Look at this table:
TR CC LR GRA Overall score
6 6 7 7 6.5
6 7 7 7 6.5
7 7 7 7 7
6 8 7 7 7
Since Writing Task 2 is more important, its score contributes more to the overall Writing score.

Writing Task 2 Structure.

All Writing essays on the IELTS test have the same structure:
Introduction This is a two-sentence paragraph where you first restate the topic given to you and then
answer the question or questions presented by IELTS.
Body State your argument (one side of the topic) and explain your argument.
Paragraph 1
Body State another argument (another side of the topic) and explain your argument.
Paragraph 2
Conclusion Restate your main arguments or your general position. Conclusions may be 1-2
sentences long. They are very important.
Core structure of Introductions.
IELTS does not require that you start your introduction with abstract thoughts. Be specific, and start by
restating the topic in the first sentence. If the topic is about higher education and its fee, don`t start with the
role of education, be specific and restate the topic.
In the second sentence – answer the question you are given.

Body Paragraphs.
The core structure of Body Paragraphs - Argument, explanation with example, and result.
The argument is the general answer to the question. For example, for the question “Do you think studying
abroad is beneficial?” the argument can be – “It is beneficial because it provides new opportunities for a
student”.
Explanation – you need to explain why you think so, by answering questions Why? What do you think?
How does it happen? For the abovementioned argument (new opportunities abroad), we can mention
networking and new job opportunities in international companies during studies or after graduation.
Example – you need examples (remember that you need to have at least one example in the essay) when it is
quite difficult to explain something by using general words. Examples can be personal or not targeting
anyone. For example, for the abovementioned argument (new opportunities abroad), we can show the
example of the UK, where students can study and work part-time in global corporations.
Remember! If your example copies your explanation, keep either the explanation or the example. Essay
sentences should not repeat each other. They should be smooth and logically linked, not repeated.
Result – in order to develop your argument, we need to explain the results. They can be included in your
explanation or can explain (show the result of) our example. For example, for the provided explanation or
example, we can say that this opportunity forms them as future professionals with a sound background in
their chosen fields.

Conclusions.
Conclusions restate your main ideas in body paragraphs (i.e., arguments) and you do not need to add any new
comments or recommendations here. The conclusion should always be present in your essay.
As we said, start this paragraph by using the following linking devices – In conclusion, To conclude, To
summarize, and To sum up.

Writing Task 2 main strategies.

Remember that on the IELTS test, even if you run out of time, you need to write a conclusion. Without a
conclusion, you cannot get a good score. It should be the last paragraph which clearly starts with suitable
linkers (In conclusion, To conclude, To sum up, To summarize).
You can write more than 2 body paragraphs if your writing requires it. But please note that it is always
best not to write more than 280 words.

Also remember that the format of the Writing test is formal, and you need to follow some points for
Writing Task 2:
- You do not focus on a specific person, only your country or yourself – you write about a topic in general.
- While explaining your argument, you can show various examples from your life, similar conditions in your
country, or provide examples about something you know.
- You should avoid being informal, your style of writing should be formal.
- While creating sentences, you should provide clear messages, examiners should not spend extra time trying
to understand your writing.
Writing Task 2 - Direct questions.
Direct-question essays are essays with one clear question. Let`s look at the following example:
In today’s world of advanced science and technology, many still greatly value artists such as musicians,
painters, and writers.
What can the arts tell us about life that science cannot?
You can see that there is a topic (first sentence) and the question regarding this topic – Direct question –
What can the arts tell us about life that science cannot?
The structure of the following essay type is easy:
Introduction First sentence – restate the topic
Second sentence – answer the question regarding this topic
Body Paragraph 1 State the first argument regarding the question (answer 1)
Explain this answer (Why? What does it mean? Can you specify examples?)
Result (What happens as a result?)
Body Paragraph 2 State the second argument regarding the question (answer 2)
Explain this answer (Why? What does it mean? Can you specify examples?)
Result (What happens as a result?)
Conclusion Restate your main arguments from body paragraphs

So, for the following essay, we need to plan our ideas (arguments) and know how to explain them.
Let`s think, what can the arts tell us about life? Something that science cannot do.
Planning:
Topic – the arts can give something that science cannot do.
Idea 1 – Argument - The arts delve into the realm of human emotions, thoughts, and experiences, offering
subjective interpretations and reflections on life.
Explanation - Science focuses on objectivity and empirical evidence, while the arts provide a platform for
expressing and exploring the complexities of human emotions, desires, and relationships.
Idea 2 – Argument - Art often invites interpretation and embraces ambiguity.
Explanation - It allows for multiple perspectives and encourages individual engagement. Unlike scientific
findings that strive for concrete answers and clarity, the arts can be open-ended and leave room for personal
reflection and introspection.
Idea 3 - The arts foster creativity and imagination, encouraging us to think beyond the confines of established
knowledge and explore new possibilities.
Explanation - While science seeks to uncover truths through rigorous methodologies and experimentation, the
arts push the boundaries of what is known and imagined.

Sample essay
Topic: In many countries, traditions are lost. What can be done to prevent this trend?
With the recent advancements in technology and increasing globalization, many nations are experiencing the
loss of traditional values. However, governmental officials and celebrities can take some steps to preserve
these values.
 Incorporating national history and culture into modern-day school curriculums is one practical solution
to saving the traditional values of nations. Studying these subjects will provide children with the necessary
knowledge about their community`s or nation`s traditional values and promote their role in society. In addition,
school management should organize museum visits that provide useful information about the history of
traditions so as to help schoolchildren better understand them. The
The government also needs to preserve traditional values by celebrating national holidays in cities and
regions. This will remind local communities of forgotten traditions and customs. Nowruz holiday is a case in
point: when Azerbaijan was occupied by the Soviet Union, the celebration of this holiday was forbidden.
However, after gaining independence, our country`s politicians decided to celebrate it: people in traditional
clothing paraded festively decorated streets, thereby reminding their nation of their national identity.
The third way is the promotion of traditional values through social media channels. Since many people
today spend their time on social networking platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram, it has become a
powerful tool for influencing others. Thus, governmental officials as well as public figures and influencers
should use these platforms so as to encourage their audiences to protect and transmit traditions that would
otherwise be forgotten. If such people with authority and popularity raise awareness of traditional values by
writing informative posts and shooting videos, their followers, particularly citizens of their country, will not
forget these traditions.
In conclusion, studying history and culture at school contributes to the problem of lost national traditions.
However, it is also important to organize celebrations of some local traditions and use social networking sites to
promote them.

Linking paragraphs.
Linking paragraphs is important. Pay attention to the beginning of every paragraph. In BP1 we say - … is
one practical way, in BP2 we say …. also (showing the second argument), and in BP3 – The third way …
(to show the third argument).

Practice time.
Now, let`s plan the following essays (write an introduction and plan your ideas).
Topic 1. Some believe children should be taught to give speeches and presentations in school.
Why is this?
Topic 2. In some countries, there are fewer young people who listen to or play classical music these days.
Should young people be encouraged to play or perform classical music?

Practice time.
Extra practice time. Let`s discuss the following topics and how we would plan them:
Task 2.
Today, TV channels broadcast men’s sports shows more than women’s sports shows.
Why is this the case?
Task 1.
The bar chart shows coffee production in four countries from 1990 to 2010.
Summarize the information by selecting main figures and make comparisons where relevant.

Task 1 General Training.

You have heard that a developer plans to build a shopping centre near your home.
Write a letter to the council. In your letter
say how you heard about the plan
explain how you feel about it
ask for more information about it

Grammar - Relative clauses.

You need to know some important points regarding who, which and that for the IELTS test.
Who and that are used for people and which and that are used for things.
Know the following clauses:
1. Defining relative clause – when we define the object – no comma is required.
I use many books which help me to prepare for exams.
We don`t know which books he uses and define them (the ones that help me to prepare). Here, we can use that,
which or that, who for people.
2. Non-defining relative clause – when we already know the object – comma is required.
I visited New-York, which is the capital of investors and financial analysts, and really loved it.
There is only one New-York and we know it. We just give extra information about the city the subject visited (it
is the capital of investors and financial analysts). Here, we put a comma before `which` and `who` pronouns
and after the clause. We cannot use `that` here.
3. Result clause – when the pronoun refers to the whole sentence and is the result of the first part – comma is
required.
I visited many cities, which has changed my mindset.
In this sentence, `which` refers not to the word `cities` but to the whole sentence (visited many cities) and is the
result of visiting cities. In this example, we need to put a comma before `which`, and we can use only `which` in
these clauses.
In this sentence, `which` refers not to the word `cities` but to the whole sentence (visited many cities) and is the
result of visiting cities. In this example, we need to put a comma before `which`, and we can use only `which` in
these clauses.

Quiz time.
Exercise for relative clauses. Find sentences in which we need to put a comma.
1. Mary visited a library which was situated near our home.
2. Mary often buys many books which makes her house look like a library.
3. Mary bought the Encyclopedia “Britannica” which is very popular in the world.
4. Mary met her friend who was from London and invited her to her party.

Vocabulary quiz time.

convenient Shared Regardless of Public awareness Advancements
Major contributors Widely homogenization Strike a balance sedentary
Bridge implement Well-being Solely exchange
1. Education is … recognized as the key to personal development and economic prosperity.
2. The quality of education should not be determined … by academic achievements but also by the
development of critical thinking and practical skills.
3. Education should be accessible to all, … their socioeconomic background, in order to create a fair and
inclusive society.
4. Technological … have transformed the way we live and work, bringing both benefits and challenges.
5. While some argue that technology has made our lives more …, others express concerns about its impact on
social interactions and privacy.
6. Governments should implement policies that ensure the responsible use of technology and … the digital
divide or gap between different communities.
7. Globalization has facilitated international trade and cultural …, contributing to economic growth and cultural
diversity.
8. However, globalization has also led to the … of cultures and the exploitation of developing countries`
resources.
9. It is crucial for governments to … between globalization and the protection of local industries and cultural
heritage.
10. Protecting the environment is a … responsibility that requires both individual and collective action.
11. Human activities, such as deforestation and carbon emissions, are … to environmental degradation and
climate change.
12. Governments should … stricter regulations and promote sustainable practices to mitigate the environmental
crisis.
13. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise and a balanced diet, is essential for both physical
and mental ….
14. … lifestyles and unhealthy eating habits have contributed to the rise of obesity and related health issues.
15. … campaigns and government initiatives are crucial in promoting healthy living and preventing chronic
diseases.

Answers.
1. widely 2. Solely 3. Regardless of 4. Advancements 5. Convenient 6. Bridge 7. Exchange 8.
Homogenization 9. Strike a balance 10. Shared 11. Major contributors 12. Implement 13. Well-being 14.
Sedentary 15. Public awareness