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IELTS Podcast

Ben Worthingtonwww.ieltspodcast.com
Pass IELTS with expert help.
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Episodes

His 6.5 blocked him going to Canada

Rohan discusses his journey from repeatedly scoring 6.5 in IELTS Writing to successfully achieving his target score for Canadian immigration. He emphasizes the effectiveness of personalized video essay corrections, which helped him identify and address specific issues like article usage and essay cohesion. The episode also covers his high scores in Listening and Reading, attributing success to consistent practice and real-world accent exposure, alongside his motivation to persevere through challenges.

Apr 06, 202525 min

How to Write Formal Letters (part 2)

The aim of this tutorial is to help you: -Understand the questions and the setting or context for the letter. -Think about what to write – how to use the prompts that you are given in the question rubric. -Understand how to start and how to finish your letters – with IELTS you cannot make mistakes on this! -How to get your letter in a logical order which will help your coherence. -How to use great grammar but make it sound natural Click here to get the full tutorial https://www.ieltspodcast.com/...

Mar 30, 202527 min

How to Write Formal Letters (part 1)

In this tutorial we cover how to: Understand the questions and context for the letter. Think about what to write – how to use the prompts that you are given in the question rubric. Work out how creative to be? Is it ok to make up lots of strange facts and information? Understand how to start and how to finish your letters – this is so important and at IELTS level you cannot make mistakes on this! Click here for IELTS essay correction Learn more about the IELTS writing task Full online IELTS cour...

Mar 24, 202524 min

Using a Checklist for Academic Task1

Ben and Daphne discuss a comprehensive checklist for the IELTS Academic Writing Task 1. They cover paraphrasing, writing a clear overview, summarizing information, avoiding external opinions, including important data, organization, language variation, grammar, and checking for mistakes. The checklist aims to guide students in preparing effective and well-structured Task 1 responses.

Mar 17, 202528 min

Playing The IELTS Examiner

In this podcast, our essay corrector Ellen puts YOU in the driver’s seat as you review a student’s essay with her, deciding what band score the essay should get. With the band descriptors as your guide, you will learn How the introduction makes a first impression on the examiner How mistakes and missteps can influence the examiner along the way How some strong arguments, precise vocabulary and accurate grammar can redeem your score How important the last impression your essay leaves is In the en...

Mar 10, 202527 min

IELTS Vocabulary: The Future of Public Transportation

Public Transportation Innovations and Urban Planning Introduction Public transportation innovations and urban planning are crucial for creating sustainable, efficient cities. This article discusses how these developments can transform urban environments, providing a comprehensive overview of their impact on society. Grammar Point Covered Linking words for addition and comparison, such as ‘moreover’, ‘furthermore’, ‘similarly’, and ‘likewise’, help to extend a point or compare two elements in a d...

Mar 03, 202527 min

How to Answer Map Questions (Vocabulary List Included)

In this tutorial, you’ll learn How an IELTS examiner would look at one of the more usual Task 1 questions – MAPS! I love map questions but many students are unfamiliar with them and so might panic in the exam! How to understand what is needed and what clues to look for before you start writing. Examples of good grammar and key useful vocabulary from our review of 2 students’ essays – one Band 6 and one Band 7-7.5 as our examples. How you can practice by looking at another kind of map question. R...

Feb 23, 202520 min

IELTS Vocabulary: Mental Health Awareness

Introduction Mental health is a critical aspect of overall well-being, yet it often remains overshadowed by physical health concerns. This article will explore the role of public awareness campaigns in changing perceptions and attitudes towards mental health issues. Grammar Point Covered Adverbial clauses to show contrast are used to highlight how two ideas differ from each other. These clauses often begin with conjunctions such as ‘although’, ‘while’, or ‘whereas’ and are crucial for adding com...

Feb 10, 202522 min

12 years of IELTS experience in 20 minutes

Facing a blank mind during IELTS Task 2? You’re not alone. Here are practical tips from my 12 years of experience to help you excel. 1. Filling Your Brain with Ideas When your mind goes blank, it’s crucial to prepare by actively filling it with ideas. Engage in regular reading, focusing on understanding different writing styles and arguments. This helps you build a mental repository of concepts and vocabulary. 2. Building Vocabulary: Read Actively Lacking vocabulary? Read actively. Take note of ...

Feb 01, 202526 min

IELTS Vocabulary: The Impact of Globalisation

Globalisation and Cultural Exchange Introduction Globalization and cultural exchange have become integral to the modern world, shaping societies and their interactions on a global scale. This article examines the impact of these phenomena on cultures and societies, using complex sentence structures to elucidate cause and effect. Grammar Point Covered Complex sentence structures for cause and effect help us to explain reasons for occurrences or the consequences of actions. Such structures often e...

Jan 26, 202526 min

Jess Gets 7.5 and Goes to Australia!

Jess’s Amazing IELTS Journey: From Struggles to Success in Australia Hello, IELTS students! Today, we’re excited to share an incredible story that will inspire you to chase your dreams. Meet Jess from Indonesia, who overcame her IELTS challenges and is now heading to Australia for her studies! Jess’s IELTS Goals Jess needed high IELTS scores to qualify for a scholarship to study in Australia. Like many of you, she found writing and speaking the trickiest parts of the test. She struggled to impro...

Jan 01, 202517 min

IELTS Reading – Master Paraphrasing and Score Band 7

Let’s look at some high-level examples of what you might encounter on the IELTS reading exam. Imagine you’re reading a passage about climate change, and you come across this sentence: “The unprecedented rate of global temperature increase has led to a cascade of environmental repercussions, including but not limited to the accelerated melting of polar ice caps and the consequent rise in sea levels.” Then, you see a question that asks: “What effect has rapid global warming had on the world’s ocea...

Dec 24, 202416 min

Your 20 Minute Academic Task 1 Crash Course

Lesson 1: Academic Task 1 To excel in Academic Task 1 of the IELTS exam, focus on understanding the task requirements, which typically involve describing visual data like graphs, charts, or tables. Here are some key tips: Understand the Data: Before writing, spend time analysing the data to identify key trends, differences, and overall patterns. Structure Your Response: Start with an introduction that paraphrases the task description, followed by an overview of the main trends. Detail each trend...

Dec 23, 202422 min

IELTS Vocabulary: Renewable Energy Sources

Renewable energy and sustainable technologies are pivotal in shaping a sustainable future. This article delves into the societal impacts of these technologies, utilizing passive voice to describe processes inherent in their development and deployment. Grammar Point Covered The passive voice is often used in English to emphasise the action and the receiver of the action rather than the doer. This is particularly useful in scientific and technical writing to focus on processes and results. For exa...

Dec 18, 202419 min

Marta Gets Band 7 in Writing and Speaking and Goes to the US!

From Struggle to Success: How Marta Achieved Her IELTS Goals and Secured a US Scholarship Have you ever felt stuck while preparing for the IELTS exam? Meet Marta, a bright student from Ukraine who turned her IELTS struggles into triumph. Let’s dive into her story and see how she went from a 6.5 to a 7 in both writing and speaking! Marta’s IELTS Journey Marta needed high IELTS scores to join a university programme in the United States. She faced three big challenges: No feedback on her practice a...

Dec 15, 202411 min

IELTS Vocabulary: Ocean Pollution and Microplastics

Ocean Pollution and Microplastics: An In-depth Analysis Introduction Ocean pollution and microplastics are becoming increasingly critical issues, impacting marine ecosystems and human health globally. This article aims to explore various aspects of these issues, including societal impacts and potential solutions. Grammar Point Covered The Passive Voice for Describing Processes is employed to shift the focus from the subject performing an action to the object receiving the action. It is particula...

Dec 04, 202424 min

IELTS Academic Task 1 – How to Describe a Pie Chart (and score Band 7 or higher)

Are you aiming to pass the IELTS exam? Do you want to walk in with confidence, knowing you’re well-prepared? It’s simple: you could study, you should study, and if you don’t, you might face difficulties. The resources you have are like a toolbox full of useful tools. But just owning the tools isn’t enough—you need to know how to use them effectively. Don’t Just Turn Up, Show Them What You Can Do IELTS examiners aren’t just looking for someone who can recite information. They want to see that you...

Dec 01, 202425 min

Expand Your Academic Vocabulary for IELTS

Expanding your vocabulary is a crucial aspect of preparing for the IELTS exam. A rich vocabulary not only improves your comprehension skills but also enhances your ability to express complex ideas. One effective way to expand your vocabulary is by learning about prefixes, suffixes, and root words. This article explores these linguistic tools, their origins, and provides examples from the Academic Word List (AWL) to illustrate how they can help you build a more versatile vocabulary. Understanding...

Nov 27, 202421 min

IELTS – Exam Skills You Need For Band 7 or Higher

Welcome to our podcast on essential IELTS exam skills. In this episode, we’ll cover various strategies and tips to help you excel in the IELTS exam. Here’s a comprehensive list of skills and techniques you should focus on: 1. Time Management Effective time management is crucial for performing well in the IELTS exam. This involves not just managing your exam time but also preparing effectively. Exam Prep Time: Develop a routine, stay organised, and use tools like Focusmate to maintain focus durin...

Nov 24, 202419 min

How to Describe Complex Tables (Academic Part 1)

Describing tables in IELTS Academic Task 1 can often present unique challenges for many candidates. Unlike charts or graphs, tables may not immediately indicate trends, making it harder to identify key points at a glance. This guide will help you navigate these challenges and provide strategies for effectively describing complex tables in your IELTS exam. Understanding the Structure and Data When you encounter a table, the first step is to thoroughly understand the data presented. For example, a...

Nov 23, 202426 min
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