Model answer for a pie chart and table

May 7, 2022March 17, 2021 by Ray IELTS Focus

Double tasks in IELTS academic writing task 1.

Updated: May 7th 2022

In IELTS academic writing task 1 you could get a double or multiple task, such as a table and a bar graph, a pie chart and a table, or a line graph and a table.

I will look at a Pie chart and a table from the recent Cambridge IELTS 15 book in this post. Double tasks like this are quite straightforward. Just write about the pie chart in main body one and the table in main body two and make comparisons if possible. See the model answer below and analysis.

IELTS Vocabulary: Adverbial phrases

April 28, 2022November 20, 2020 by Ray IELTS Focus

Comment adverbials and set phrases for a higher speaking score.

Updated: April 28th 2022.

In the IELTS speaking exam you will be judged on the range and accuracy of your vocabulary, so having a wide range of expressions helps your score.

Comment adverbials are a good way to show emphasis that something is surprising, true, disappointing, coincidental, unbelievable, fortunate or unfortunate.

Key point: These are mainly used in speaking because in IELTS writing they look too informal.

IELTS vocabulary: crime and punishment

April 7, 2022July 22, 2020 by Ray IELTS Focus

Updated: April 7th 2022

In IELTS writing task 2 various topics come up, such as the environment, family, society, work, technology, education, food and diet, health, sports and sometimes crime. The topic of crime is difficult for many students as there is so much vocabulary surrounding this.

IELTS academic task 1: model answer for 2 diagrams

July 15, 2022July 6, 2020 by Ray IELTS Focus

Model answer for IELTS writing task 1 maps/diagrams.

Updated July 2022

Maps or diagrams often show up in the IELTS exam (writing task 1 academic). There are 3 types of maps: past and past , past and present and present and future. Make sure you check the timeframe and set aside 3 minutes to analyse the task and plan your writing. A well planned task will help you feel confident when writing.

Here is a model answer for a park layout comparing past and present. This task was taken from the latest IELTS 14 book from Cambridge University press.

Writing an introduction without paraphrasing

May 26, 2020 by Ray IELTS Focus

Do you have to paraphrase the task question when writing an IELTS essay?

This is a question I was recently asked. The answer is ….well no you don’t have to paraphrase but I would advise it if you want a higher score (Band 7 or 8).

If you are really concerned about your paraphrasing abilities and you just can’t get it right, or if you are aiming for a Band 6 or 6.5, then just write a short 2 or 3 sentence introduction with a thesis statement only.

Unusual IELTS speaking part 1 topics

June 3, 2020February 6, 2020 by Ray IELTS Focus

Tricky or strange IELTS part 1 speaking topics.

Part 1 of the IELTS speaking test is actually the easiest. The topics are nearly always about you and your experiences. Usually, the topics are pretty easy everyday topics such as Job/studies, hobbies, food, travel, hometown, music, daily routine and so on. The examiner asks between 9 to 12 questions around 3 topics and this part of the test lasts around 5 minutes.

However, sometimes the examiner might ask you questions around an unusual topic. This is quite normal as the examiner wants to check whether you have memorised answers to the most common topics and needs to evaluate your true ability. Do not memorise stock answers as the examiner is trained to spot these and you could lose marks.

IELTS writing task 1: 3 diagrams/maps with a model answer

July 15, 2022February 3, 2020 by Ray IELTS Focus

IELTS model answer for 3 diagrams/maps over 3 time periods.

Updated: Jan 2nd 2022

Here is a tricky looking task. It consists of 3 maps/diagrams over 3 time periods showing changes that have taken place. It is easier than it looks as long as you logically group the information.

Planning is important in IELTS writing task 1 just as it is in the essay section writing task 2. Spend about 4 minutes planning task 1 as you must analyse the task, think of what comparisons you have to make, the language/grammar needed and also decide on a logical structure.

IELTS opinion essay about wealth

October 10, 2022January 14, 2020 by Ray IELTS Focus

Model answer for an IELTS essay on the topic of wealth and helping others.

Before writing anything we must always analyse the task. Take 2 minutes to do this and underline keywords and decide what exactly you need to write about. In this stage check the instruction words too.

It might seem obvious but this is a crucial stage before even planning or writing. I have seen so many essays go off-topic because the student did not spend the time at the start analysing the task Let’s see the task question below.

Paraphrasing in IELTS Speaking

July 19, 2021December 6, 2019 by Ray IELTS Focus

The key to a higher score in IELTS speaking is paraphrasing.

Updated: July 2021

You are probably aware that paraphrasing is a key skill in IELTS writing and is important for a good Band score, but what about in Speaking?

In the IELTS speaking Band descriptors for Band 7 lexical resource, it says: ‘uses paraphrase effectively’ and for Band 4 lexical resource it mentions: ‘rarely attempts to paraphrase’. So clearly this is important to consider when you are in the speaking exam.

IELTS General Writing Task 1: Formal letter model answer

November 25, 2019November 23, 2019 by Ray IELTS Focus

A letter to your boss asking for time off

In the IELTS general training, you will need to write a letter in writing task 1. It will be either formal or informal. Take a look at the model answer below for a formal letter asking for time off from your boss. This is written in a formal tone because a letter to your boss is always formal.

To see a lesson on using formal language in IELTS letters click here