IELTS Reading: The birth and growth of Manhattan's Skyscrapers. 🗽

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

12 Kesä 202322min

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.

1 Kesä 202326min

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

19 Touko 202324min

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

20 Huhti 202328min

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/

23 Maalis 202323min

[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.

10 Maalis 202321min

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/

20 Helmi 202334min