Ielts Simon6

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Daily Lessons with Simon, ex-IELTS examiner
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Students' questions
Sorry if I haven't been able to answer your question. Here are some of the questions that people asked me this
week:
1. Can I use slang (e.g. 'rank' meaning 'disgusting') in the speaking test?
No, it's not really appropriate to use slang.
2. Can I give personal examples like the name of the company I work for?
Yes, it's a good idea to use that kind of example when relevant.
3. What is the difference between 'programme' and 'program'?
The first is British English spelling, and the second is American spelling. Both are equally acceptable.
4. How many ideas should I include in each main paragraph (for task 2)?
I include between one and three ideas. If you only have one main idea, just explain it in more detail.
5. Is there a difference between 'put more emphasis on' and 'put more of an emphasis on'?
No, not really. You can use either phrase.
6. Is there a difference between 'of the five countries' and 'out of the five countries'?
No, not really. You can use either phrase.
Posted by Simon in Questions/Advice | Permalink | Comments (15)
Sunday, September 09, 2012
IELTS Advice: 'read around'
I like the phrase "to read around a subject". It means doing general research about something in order to learn
more about it. Search engines and websites like Wikipedia make it so easy to do a bit of "reading around" about
anything that interests you, or about any IELTS topic that you find difficult. So read around more; you'll
improve your knowledge and your vocabulary at the same time!
Students' questions
1. Will I lose marks for spelling mistakes like 'Appril' instead of 'April'?
Yes, 'Appril' would be marked wrong in the listening and reading tests.
2. Can I suggest reasons for changes shown on graphs or charts?
No, you shouldn't try to explain reasons for the data in writing task 1. Just describe what you can see.
3. When should I use 'the' in the phrase 'figure / figures for'?
You can use 'the' with the singular and plural, but I often miss it with the plural (i.e. "the graph shows the figure
for" but "the graph shows figures for").
8/2/2014 ielts-simon.com: Questions/Advice
4. Is it a ok to start task 2 essays with a question?
No, that would be more journalistic than academic style.
5. In writing task 2, is it possible to agree completely but still mention the other side?
Yes, you can mention the other side of the argument too, but make sure it's clear that you disagree with it, and
explain why.
Students' questions
Is it best to use "was" or "were" with "majority" and "proportion"?
It is normal in English to say "the majority of people were" but "the proportion of people was".
If the question was about an old friend and I spoke about an elderly friend, will I lose marks?
Hopefully the examiner won't penalise you for this mistake. The confusion is understandable.
For questions about where I live, should I talk about my hometown or where I live now?
It doesn't matter. You can talk about either.
If the question asks us to explain problems (or causes) and solutions, how many problems and
solutions should we mention?
I'd go for two or three problems (or causes) and two or three suggested solutions.
The ebook talks about consumer culture. What does this mean?
It's a phrase that is often used to criticise societies in which people are encouraged to buy more and more things.
Click here to read more.
If I want a band 7 in writing, is it true that 50% of the sentences in my essays need to be error-
free?
The examiner will not calculate the percentage of sentences that contain mistakes, but the mark scheme does
say that you need to "produce frequent error-free sentences" in order to get a band 7 for grammar.
Can I use the terms x-axis and y-axis for graphs in writing task 1?
Yes, but I tend not to bother with that.
Can I invent statistics in writing task 2 (e.g. 80% of children watch violent films)?
You can, but I tend not to. I'd just write something like: "a growing number of children watch violent films".
Instead of inventing a statistic, you can probably find a better way to express the idea.
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Students' questions
I'm afraid I can't answer eveyone's questions individually, but here are my answers to some that people have
asked me over the last week:
1. Should we give essays a title?
No, your essays don't need titles, so don't waste time inventing one.
2. Can I use the words plunge, plummet, rocket and soar in writing task 1?
Personally, I wouldn't use those words because they usually seem too exaggerated, and make it look like you
have simply learnt a list of synonyms. Have a look through my essays to see how I describe numbers.
3. Should I start new paragraphs by missing a line or with an indentation?
Both ways are fine, but I think it's clearer if you miss a line.
4. Can I ask the examiner about difficult vocabulary in the speaking test?
The examiner cannot help you in part 1 or 2, but you can ask him/her to clarify a question in part 3.
5. Is it ok to use the phrase 'due to the fact that' instead of 'because'?
Yes, it's fine, but don't repeat it more than once or twice.
6. Is it necessary to give (personal) examples in writing task 2?
The question usually tells you to "include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience". I
interpret this to mean that you can include personal examples if they are relevant, but you don't have to.
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Maybe you understand it, but can you use it?
A student reminded me about the following advice, and I think it's worth repeating:
When you read these lessons, you probably understand everything. But understanding is not enough to get you
a high IELTS score. You need to be able to use what you have read.
Look again at the language from this week's lessons. Maybe you understand it, but have you written it down?
Would you be able to use it correctly?
Sunday, July 22, 2012
IELTS Advice: asking for a re-mark
People often ask whether it's a good idea to ask for a re-mark of their tests. Here are a few tips:
I don't recommend asking for your reading or listening paper to be re-marked. Reading and listening
questions are either right or wrong, so it's unlikely that your scores will change.
If there is a 2 band difference between your writing and speaking scores, they are usually double-checked
automatically, so a re-mark probably won't help.
A re-mark might be worth trying if you only need an extra half band in speaking or writing (e.g. if you have
6.5 and need 7 ).
Remember that it can take up to 8 weeks to get your test re-marked. It might be faster to resit the test.
Note:
If you have had a test re-marked, please tell us what happened. It would be interesting to know how many
people's scores went up.
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Students' questions
Here are a few useful questions that people have asked me this week:
1. Are writing tasks 1 and 2 examined by the same person?
Yes, always.
2. Can you do a writing task 1 lesson about how to describe the 'shape' of lines on a graph?
Personally I rarely describe the 'shape' of a line. Instead of following the trend of one line, it's much better to
compare two or more lines at a particular point. Have a look through my task 1 lessons to see how I describe
changes and make comparisons. I don't think you need to learn any other 'shape' or 'trend' language.
3. Can you do a lesson about how to use prepositions?
I'm afraid that 'how to use prepositions' is a HUGE area, and I won't be able to explain it here. It's one of those
things that you have to learn gradually. In fact, it's better to treat that area as 'vocabulary' (that you gradually
learn) rather than 'grammar' (that someone can explain).
4. Can you do a lesson about 'low, less, little, few, much, more'?
This is another big area, and a dedicated grammar book or website is the best place to read about that kind of
thing.
5. Is it better to use 'he' or 'she' when writing about a person in general?
I would try to avoid choosing between 'he' and 'she' by using plurals (e.g. they) and alternative words (e.g.
individuals, employees). For example, instead of writing "when a child starts school, he learns...", you could
write "when children start school, they learn..." or "school pupils learn...".
Saturday, July 14, 2012
IELTS Writing Advice: cohesion
Albert wrote a comment below Wednesday's lesson that I would like to share with you. It contains a key
observation about how to write a good paragraph.
"Thanks for the great paragraph. I noticed that this paragraph is highly cohesive without any explicit linking
words such as furthermore/moreover. I think this is what uses cohesion in such a way that it attracts no
attention means for the band 9 level according to the descriptor, right? The way the sentences in the
paragraph are linked together is by all the money words in each sentence: earn money/the salary/pay/need
money/wages/to save for the future/ifneeded money. Is my understanding correct?"
I replied to Albert that this is exactly right! Cohesion means "togetherness", and the best way to link your ideas
together is by developing them in a logical way, not by using 'moreover' or 'furthermore'.
Read my paragraph again, and hopefully you'll see what Albert means.
Saturday, July 07 , 2012
IELTS Advice: focus on vocabulary
The secret to a high IELTS score is being able to understand and use a wide range of words and phrases. As I said
on Monday, it's really important to collect vocabulary in a notebook, but you also need to practise using it.
Here are some words and phrases from the lessons this week:
achieve goals
delegate
cope with stress
in terms of
for career purposes
decreases with age
up to the point when
household names
with the advent of
a new breed of
Try making your own sentences with the words and phrases above. It might seem easy to understand them, but
it's not so easy to use them properly!
Posted by Simon in Questions/Advice | Permalink | Comments (17 )
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Students' questions
Please remember that I can't answer every question in the comments area below lessons. Here are a few
questions that people asked recently:
1) Which is correct: "we students are having a party" or "us students are having a party"?
"We students" is correct because it's the subject of the verb. If you delete the word "students", the sentence
doesn't make sense if you say "us are having". Note: you might hear native speakers saying "us students", but this
would be in very informal contexts.
2) Is it a good idea to write "It is disagreed that" or "It is believed that" to make task 2 essays
seem more academic?
Be careful. If you write "it is believed", you are saying "people generally believe". Therefore, it does not tell the
examiner what your opinion is. If the question asks for your opinion, do not use these phrases to express it.
You need to write "I disagree" or "I believe".
3) What is the difference between "in + year" and "by + year"?
When you write "in 2007 ", you are only talking about that year. For example, "House prices were at their highest
point in 2007 " does not tell us what happened before 2007 .
We use "by 2007 " to express what happened in the period before and leading up to that year. For example,
"House prices had risen to their highest point by 2007 " suggests that prices were rising in the years leading up to
2007 .
Notice that I used the past simple "were" with "in 2007 " and the past perfect "had reached" with "by 2007 ".
Saturday, June 02, 2012
IELTS Advice: what do the best students do?
Yesterday I was chatting to a really experienced high school teacher. I asked for his opinion on what makes an
excellent student or learner. This is what he said:
"It's not really about what students do inside the classroom. The best students are always the ones that do the
most outside the classroom: for example, the ones that go online after a lesson to search for more information,
or to look for different ways to understand a topic or solve a problem."
The good news is that if you're reading this blog post, you're already one of these students. You're on the right
track!
Saturday, May 26, 2012
IELTS Advice: you don't need to be 'original'
Students often ask me questions like: Can I use "ascend" instead of "increase"? Can I write "the graph portrays"
instead of "the graph shows"?
My answer to the above questions is no. If you write "ascend" or "portray" in writing task 1, it will seem strange
to the examiner. Those words are not appropriate for a graph or chart description.
Remember: the aim of the IELTS test is not to find 'original' writers; it is to see whether you can express your
ideas clearly, accurately, and in a certain amount of detail. These are the skills that you need for university or
work. Leave the 'original' writing to novelists!
Students' questions
Here are my answers to a few questions that people have asked this week. Sorry if I couldn't answer every
question; it's been a busy week!
1. Are "first of all" and "at the first stage" better than "firstly"?
It won't make any difference to your score if you use "first of all" instead of "firstly" in your task 2 essay. "At the
first stage" is completely different; only use that when describing a process in writing task 1.
2. Why was the examiner writing notes during my speaking test?
Don't worry about what the examiner was doing. Examiners often take notes, and it doesn't mean anything bad.
3. What structure should I use if I disagree with both views in a "discuss both views and give
your opinion" essay?
Just state your opinion (that you disagree with both views) in the introduction and conclusion, and discuss both
views in the main body paragraphs. The question doesn't tell you that you must support one of the views, but it
does tell you to discuss both.
4. Can I write both a summary and a conclusion for writing task 1?
You can, but it's really a waste of time because you will probably repeat yourself. Forget the idea of a
'conclusion' for task 1, and simply write an overall summary. Put your summary either straight after the
introduction or at the end of the essay; I prefer to put it after the introduction, but it makes no difference to your
score.
5. If my speaking part 2 topic is "describe a memorable event", is it ok to describe a sad event?
Yes, that would be fine.
IELTS Advice: grammar or vocabulary?
Students often ask me questions like: "Can you explain phrasal verbs?" or "Can you explain how to use
prepositions?"
The problem is that the word explain implies that phrasal verbs and prepositions are grammar issues with easy
rules. In fact, there are no easy rules to explain phrasal verbs, prepositions, and many other areas of language.
Instead of treating these things as relating to grammar, it's best to see them as vocabulary items.
In any language, some things can be explained using grammar rules. Unfortunately, everything else is
vocabulary. You don't need to explain vocabulary; you just need to learn it gradually.
Sunday, May 06, 2012
IELTS General Training
There are 2 differences between the academic and general IELTS tests:
1. writing task 1 is completely different
2. the reading test is a bit different
Up to now I've only focused on the academic IELTS test here on the blog. However, people often ask me
questions about the general test, so I've decided to start doing the occasional GT lesson (maybe once a week on
Saturday or Sunday).
I'll do my first general training lesson about writing task 1 next weekend. Feel free to suggest topics!
Sunday, April 29, 2012
IELTS Advice: using Amazon
The Amazon website is a great place to read descriptions and reviews of books, films and many other products.
Here are a few reasons why this might be useful:
for general reading practice
to get ideas for IELTS speaking topics (e.g. describe you favourite book)
to see how native English speakers express their opinions
to get ideas for IELTS writing topics
To give you an example, I'll use a book description from Amazon for tomorrow's reading lesson, and for
Wednesday's writing lesson.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
IELTS Advice: what's your technique?
One problem for students is that different teachers, books and websites teach different techniques. Students get
confused.
My advice is to stop looking for the magic technique; it doesn't exist. There is no best book or website, and there
are many different ways to write a good essay.
You just need one way, one technique that you like.
If you look at my lessons, you will see that I have "my technique" for each part of the exam (feel free to use my
techniques if you like them). For example, I always write introductions in the same way, and I always start
paragraphs with a topic sentence.
Because of the time limit in the exam, you NEED to know what you're going to do. You need to practise ONE way
of working. Don't get confused by having too many options.
IELTS Advice: what can you memorise?
While I don't recommend memorising full IELTS essays, I'm sure that memorising can be a useful technique that
might help you to get the score you need.
So, what can you memorise? Here are some ideas:
1. The correct spelling of any words you have problems with.
2. Some useful organisational phrases e.g. "It is clear that..." (to begin your summary paragraph for writing
task 1).
3. Some common topics for IELTS speaking part 2 e.g. a description of a hobby, person, place.
4. Some good topic vocabulary (phrases rather than single words) for IELTS writing task 2.
Can you think of anything else that you could memorise before the exam?
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Students' questions
Here are some questions that students have asked recently, with my answers:
1. Can we get a higher score by using punctuation like semicolons?
My advice is that it's best not to focus on 'special' punctuation or grammar. You should be thinking about
expressing good ideas to answer the question, rather than thinking about how you can use a complex structure.
Of course you can use semicolons if they fit the context, but they are not something that you should be trying to
use on purpose.
2. Is it wrong to write "Some people believe..." and "In contrast, others think..." for "agree or
disagree" questions?
The simple answer is yes. "Agree or disagree" questions are asking for your opinion, not the opinions of other
people. Have a look through my lessons to see examples of this type of essay.
3. If I miss the conclusion for task 2, will I lose points?
If you have already written 250 words, missing the conclusion will not affect your score. It's nice to have a
conclusion, but it only repeats or summarises your ideas. The main body paragraphs are much more important.
4. Do we lose marks for writing too much?
No, you can write as many words as you want.
5. If I write "true" instead of "yes", will it be marked wrong?
I'm not 100% sure about this. Examiners are only trained to mark the writing and speaking tests, so I don't have
any inside information about how they mark the reading and listening tests. I'll try to contact Cambridge to ask.
For now, my advice is to check the instruction carefully and write what it tells you to write.
IELTS Advice: try to enjoy the challenge
I think it's important to remember that you can never be 100% prepared for any exam. One of the aims of an
exam is to take you out of your 'comfort zone' in order to find the limit of your current ability. There will always
be surprises and difficult questions; otherwise everyone would get full marks.
So, don't worry if there are topics that you haven't studied, or words that you don't understand, and try not to
get too nervous or frustrated. Just keep working hard, do your best, and try to enjoy the challenge of the exam!
Note:
I'm sorry if you posted a "comment" and I haven't answered it. I try to answer a few questions here and there, but
I'm afraid it's impossible for me to reply to everyone.
Students' questions
1. If an IELTS candidate writes an essay that they remembered from a book, will it be
considered plagiarism?
It is unlikely that you will be able to use an exact essay from a book because IELTS questions are always a bit
different from questions that have been used before. I don't recommend memorising full essays; it's much better
to learn a few key ideas, and to make sure you have an opinion about the most common IELTS topics.
2. Which is correct: "years old" or "year-olds"?
Both are correct, but they are used differently. We can say: "the children in the class are all 8 years old" or "the
children in the class are all 8-year-olds". It's important to note that "8-year-olds" is a noun and can be used at the
start of a sentence (e.g. "8-year-olds like playing games"), but you can't do this with "8 years old" (you would need
to write "children who are 8 years old like playing games").
3. How will I know if I'm using correct phrases and collocations?
The only way to be sure is to check in a dictionary or to use a search engine like Google. For example, if you want
to know whether we say "8 years old" or "8-year-olds" try googling them (with the speech marks); you will find
good examples of each phrase.
PS. Yes, "google" has become a verb!
Students' questions
1. I've finished all of the Cambridge books. What should I do next?
My advice is to do them again! This time, don't use the books for testing. Study and analyse the questions and
answers carefully, use a dictionary to look up new vocabulary, try writing essays without a time limit, and
record yourself answering the speaking questions. There is so much that you can learn from past exam papers.
2. Which is correct: 'sport' or 'sports'?
Both are correct. 'Sport' is uncountable and refers to all sports in general (e.g. I like sport). 'Sports' is the
countable noun and refers to more than one individual sport (e.g. I like team sports).
3. How would you define 'majority', 'few' and 'many' in percentages?
'Majority' normally means more than 50%. 'Few' and 'many' are normally used with numbers rather than
percentages: a small percentage of people could still refer to a large number of (many) people. 'Many' and 'few'
are difficult to define because it depends on the context, but in general they refer to large and small numbers
respectively.
4. Is it correct to write "water is evaporated"?
Yes, you can write "water is evaporated by the sun", but I would probably just write "water evaporates".
5. How many points should I mention in a task 2 essay?
There is no rule about how many points or ideas you need. It's possible to write a full paragraph about just one
idea, reason or argument. I tend to write between one and three ideas per paragraph. This lesson explains how I
do it.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Students' questions
Here are some useful questions from this week:
1. What is the difference between "By contrast" and "In contrast"?
There is no difference. You can use either.
2. Can I use idioms like "pain in the neck" or "it was raining cats and dogs" in academic
speaking part 2 and 3?
It really depends on the context, and there are various types of idiom. Read this lesson for more information.
Note: I'd definitely avoid saying "it's raining cats and dogs" because no English speakers really use this
expression nowadays.
3. What percentage of the writing score is task 1?
Task 1 is worth one third of the score (33%).
4. What should I write in the conclusion if the question only asks me to discuss (it doesn't ask
for an opinion)?
Don't write an opinion. Just repeat / summarise the main points that you discussed.
5. Will I get a half point in the listening test if the answer is half correct?
No, there are no half points. The answer is either right or wrong.
6. Is "15th November" two words or three?
It's two words, or one word and a number.
7. Is it ok to write "T, F, NG" instead of "true, false, not given"?
Yes, it's acceptable, but I would write the full word because that's what the question tells you to do.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
IELTS Advice: 'know what you know'
People often ask me what they should do in the final week before an exam.
My advice is that it's probably too late to learn anything new. It's best to review what you have already studied
and make sure you "know what you know".
Go through the topics and techniques that you have studied, and make sure that you have learnt from any
mistakes you have made. It's too late to worry about what you haven't studied; just focus on what you have.
Students' questions
Here are some of the questions that people asked me this week.
1. For process diagrams, can we suggest ways of improving the process?
No, you should never include opinions or suggestions in your task 1 essay. Just describe what you see.
2. Can I use "illustrates", "indicates" or "mentions" instead of "shows"?
I tell my students to use "shows", "illustrates", "compares" or "gives information about". You don't need to learn
any more ways. I wouldn't use "indicates" or "mentions" because they're not quite right for the context.
3. If the examiner asks me where I come from, should I say where I live now (e.g. in the UK) or
should I talk about the country I was born in?
It doesn't matter. You can say either, or both!
4. In the speaking test, do examiners look at the notes we made for part 2?
No, your notes do not affect your score at all.
5. In the writing test, what is considered as 'memorised' language?
'Memorised language' usually refers to phrases or sentences that can be used for any topic e.g. "This is a
controversial issue nowadays, but every coin has two sides." These phrases don't help you to get a good score;
the key to a high score is what I call "real content". Click here to see what I mean by this.
6. Isn't the phrase "different countries" strange? All countries are different, so it seems absurd.
I see what you mean, but I can tell you that "different countries" is a normal and common phrase in English.
Languages are not always perfectly logical.
Note:
Please remember that I can't answer every question that students send me. I'm sorry if I missed yours.
Students' questions
I'm afraid I don't have time to answer all of your comments individually. However, I do read them all, and I
choose a few to answer every week. Here are my answers to a few questions from this week:
1. For the writing task 1 introduction, can I copy words from the chart?
Yes, try not to use too many words from the question, but it's a good idea to take a few words from the
graph/chart itself. The labels on the chart can help you to paraphrase the question statement.
2. Is it ok to use "firstly, secondly, finally" in both main paragraphs?
It would be nicer to vary the way you organise or link your ideas in each main paragraph. However, the ideas
and vocabulary are more important than the linking words, so using "firstly, secondly, finally" twice isn't a big
problem.
3. I explained both sides for an "agree or disagree" question. Is that ok?
Yes, but I hope you made it clear in your introduction that you 'partly agree'. Have a look through my writing
lessons until you find something about 'strong opinions' and 'balanced opinions'.
4. Which is correct: "per household" or "per a household"?
After "per" we don't put the article, so "per household" is correct.
5. What score would I get if my average is 6.125?
Your score would be 6. You need at least 6.25 to get a 6.5.
6. Who writes the IELTS exam, and does it differ according to provider?
Click here for official information. The exam is written and marked in the same way wherever you take it.
Saturday, March 03, 2012
IELTS Advice: small, gradual improvements
Many students ask how long it will take to get from an intermediate level (maybe IELTS band 5) to an advanced
level (band 7 ).
If you were learning to play the piano, would you expect to go from intermediate to advanced in a few weeks?
Would you expect to find a special technique that suddenly makes you an advanced pianist? The answer is no.
Most people know that they would need to work hard and practise every day to get to an advanced level on the
piano.
In my opinion, learning a new language is a similar challenge. You should aim to make small, gradual
improvements because it isn't realistic to expect sudden changes.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Students' questions this week
As you might already know, I can no longer answer everyone's comments because I don't have enough time.
However, I do read them all, and I'll try to choose a few to answer every week.
Here are my answers to a few questions from this week:
1. In the reading test, is it a good idea to skim all of the questions before looking for the answers?
No, I think you'll waste time if you do that, and you will probably forget most of the questions that you skimmed.
My advice is to start straight away with question 1 (unless it's a 'paragraphs' question - do those last).
2. In the reading test, is it a good idea to read the first line of each paragraph before starting the
questions?
No, I would have a quick look at the title and maybe the first few lines of the whole passage (to see what the topic
is), then go straight to the questions.
3. Can I write everything in capital letters in the writing test?
When I trained as an examiner, we were told that students should not write in capitals in the writing test.
Somebody told me that this rule has changed, but personally I still think it's better not to write essays in capital
letters.
4. How can I improve my grammar and reduce the number of mistakes I make?
Learn from your mistakes! Every time you make a mistake, you have a learning opportunity. If you analyse your
mistakes and/or ask someone to explain what you did wrong, your grammar will gradually improve. This kind of
hard work is the only solution.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
IELTS Speaking Advice: tell stories
At the end of yesterday's lesson I mentioned that you could prepare some examples or stories to make your
descriptions more interesting (for speaking part 2, and maybe part 3).
When speaking in our own languages, we tell stories all the time. For example, you might tell a member of your
family about what happened at work today, or you might tell your friends about a film you saw last night.
The ability to tell a story in English is a sign that you are becoming a proficient user of the language. Test
yourself: try telling a story in English now! Start with something easy, like "what I did yesterday".
Posted by Simon in IELTS Speaking, Questions/Advice | Permalink | Comments (21)
Sunday, February 12, 2012
IELTS Advice: a useful question
Here's a useful question that a student asked me on the Facebook page:
Many students complain that they dont get a high enough score in IELTS reading, and many teachers respond
that you need more practice. Dear Simon, could you describe how to practise for reading correctly? I do
practise with the Cambridge books and spend time reading newspapers, but with no results.
Here's my answer:
Good question. First, testing yourself is not the best practice. You should test yourself from time to time (e.g.
once a week), but spend much more time studying rather than testing. 'Studying' means that your aim is to learn
something from what you read. For example, when reading newspaper articles, you might learn a new word or
phrase, or you might learn how to use a word correctly in a new context. Don't forget to check things in a
dictionary or by searching online, and write new language in a notebook.
The Cambridge IELTS books are a great resource for studying (as well as testing). Try doing some reading tests
without a time limit. Allow yourself to use a dictionary to check words, and aim to get all of the answers right.
Analyse your mistakes carefully, and make keyword tables (click here to see a good example).
Above all, remember that IELTS reading is a vocabulary test. Ask yourself what new vocabulary you have learnt
this week. Can you point to a page of your notebook and say "I've learnt these 10 or 20 new words and phrases
this week"? If you can, you are improving.

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