28. IELTS Task 1 : "Using the present tenses in the IELTS exam"

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Present tenses are used a lot in the IELTS exam, especially in the task 1 task. The two kinds of present tense verb in English are present simple and present continuous, and both of them have different functions (ways and times to be used). Lets look at each one separately, and then see how they can be used in the IELTS exam.

The present simple tense is made with the bare infinitive verb, and has a number of functions.

1. Regular habits or repeated actions

I get up really early and practice yoga for an hour each day.

I use the internet just about everyday.

2. Permanent situations

My parents own a restaurant.

3. Facts or generally accepted truths

Students don’t generally have much money.

4. To give instructions or directions

To start the program, first click on the icon on the desktop.

The present continuous is made with a ‘be’ verb + the –ing form of the verb. It also has a number of functions.

1. To talk about present situations

My cousin is living in Thailand at the moment.

2. To talk about actions that are happening at the moment of speaking

I’m waiting for my friends.

3. To talk about trends or changing situations

The price of petrol is rising dramatically.

4. To show things happen more often than expected, or to show envy or to criticise

My mum’s always saying I don’t help around the house enough! (complaint)

He’s always visiting exciting places. (envy)

Now lets see how we can use these two present tenses in an IELTS writing task 1 task. Two options will be written for each option. Before you listen, read slowly and try to choose the correct answer.

We (1) use / are using energy for three main things: electricity production, heating and transport. For the first two, we (2) have / are having options such as solar and wind power, or natural gas. But oil is still the world’s number one source of energy, and for transport at least, there is currently no alternative. In China, domestic energy production (3) goes up / is going up year by year and demand in similar regions (4) catches up / is catching up fast. We (5) know / are knowing how to use energy more efficiently now than in the past but the worldwide rise in demand (6) causes / is causing concern among experts. Some experts (7) think / are thinking that oil supplies will start to fall within the next twenty years. Most experts (8) agree / are agreeing that we need to find a new source of energy.

So guys as you can see using both forms of the present tense correctly and in the right position is a great way to write an accurate task 1 in IELTS.

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