#Listening
Why might some young adults think that their childhood has been stolen?
Watch this short video (4.57 min) on the reasons for constant online presence and Facebook and Instagram algorithms.
Level of difficulty: Intermediate
Why might some young adults think that their childhood has been stolen?
Watch this short video (4.57 min) on the reasons for constant online presence and Facebook and Instagram algorithms.
Level of difficulty: Intermediate
BBC News
The science of social media addiction
Facebook has come under fire for the impact its apps can have on teens and their mental health.
#Error Correction
I see pretty often the same error with the verb ‘compare’.
⛔️The group of people aged 18-34, comparing to those ...
⛔️Energy supplies increased significantly in 2017 as compare to 2002.
My guess is that the cause for this mistake is that when we hear this, we don’t hear the ‘d’ sound at the end.
Well, what are the ways to say ‘по сравнению с, в сравнении’? Let’s examine all of them through the following sentences:
The most common is:
This indicates an increase in sales compared to 2020 when the figures were 38.6%.
However, there are a couple of alternatives:
The bar chart shows that the average American consumes in a year compared with other nationalities.
This indicates an increase in sales as compared with 2020 when the figures were 38.6%.
Truck sales are relatively low in comparison with the car's ones
I see pretty often the same error with the verb ‘compare’.
⛔️The group of people aged 18-34, comparing to those ...
⛔️Energy supplies increased significantly in 2017 as compare to 2002.
My guess is that the cause for this mistake is that when we hear this, we don’t hear the ‘d’ sound at the end.
Well, what are the ways to say ‘по сравнению с, в сравнении’? Let’s examine all of them through the following sentences:
The most common is:
This indicates an increase in sales compared to 2020 when the figures were 38.6%.
However, there are a couple of alternatives:
The bar chart shows that the average American consumes in a year compared with other nationalities.
This indicates an increase in sales as compared with 2020 when the figures were 38.6%.
Truck sales are relatively low in comparison with the car's ones
#IELTS writing
Is it okay to write 350 words in IELTS task 2?
👩🏼🏫 There is no maximum word limit in IELTS but you must write at least 250 words. So, if you can write accurately, why not. Many candidates with a very high level of English write pretty long essays and manage to get a high score.
However, it really depends a lot on your level of English. If you’re struggling to achieve 6 or 7, don’t write that much. By writing long pieces, you will multiply your mistakes with grammar and vocabulary. Try to aim for 260-290 words and then use the remaining time to check, edit and proofread it. None expects great ideas or stylish figures of speech from you, so simply answer the question based on the knowledge and skills you possess, without trying to impress the examiner. Focus on your goal, which is the IELTS score and nothing more.
Is it okay to write 350 words in IELTS task 2?
👩🏼🏫 There is no maximum word limit in IELTS but you must write at least 250 words. So, if you can write accurately, why not. Many candidates with a very high level of English write pretty long essays and manage to get a high score.
However, it really depends a lot on your level of English. If you’re struggling to achieve 6 or 7, don’t write that much. By writing long pieces, you will multiply your mistakes with grammar and vocabulary. Try to aim for 260-290 words and then use the remaining time to check, edit and proofread it. None expects great ideas or stylish figures of speech from you, so simply answer the question based on the knowledge and skills you possess, without trying to impress the examiner. Focus on your goal, which is the IELTS score and nothing more.
#Writing Charts
Comparison is mandatory when describing IELTS charts. There are several ways to do this relatively easily.
1. We can say that X is greater than Y, using:
more … than...
a great deal more… than...
a bit more… than...
e.g. Asians drink a great deal more tea than Americans.
American films are much more popular than French ones.
2. We can denote that Х is equal to У
as much ... as...
as many… as...
nearly as much… as...
e.g. China consumes nearly as much rice as Indonesia.
3. We can use negative comparisons:
not as… as...
less … than...
e.g. Mashed potatoes are less harmful than French fries.
e.g. Fast food is not as popular as home-made meal.
4. We can also include superlatives in our report.
(By far) the least
(By far) the most
e.g. India consumes by far the least meat.
Now it is your turn. Which sentence is incorrect?
Comparison is mandatory when describing IELTS charts. There are several ways to do this relatively easily.
1. We can say that X is greater than Y, using:
more … than...
a great deal more… than...
a bit more… than...
e.g. Asians drink a great deal more tea than Americans.
American films are much more popular than French ones.
2. We can denote that Х is equal to У
as much ... as...
as many… as...
nearly as much… as...
e.g. China consumes nearly as much rice as Indonesia.
3. We can use negative comparisons:
not as… as...
less … than...
e.g. Mashed potatoes are less harmful than French fries.
e.g. Fast food is not as popular as home-made meal.
4. We can also include superlatives in our report.
(By far) the least
(By far) the most
e.g. India consumes by far the least meat.
Now it is your turn. Which sentence is incorrect?
#IELTS Writing
Легко и быстро начать свое эссе.
На эссе вам дается всего 40 мин. Поэтому меньше всего, что вам нужно — это зависнуть минут на пять, придумывая красивые фразы для вступления. При этом у вас не будет второго шанса произвести хорошее первое впечатление.
Даю несколько шаблонных фраз, которые можно применить к большинству IELTS эссе. Естественно, все они нуждаются в легкой адаптации.
📌 XXX is a subject of considerable debate in society.
e.g., Excessive sugar consumption in the daily diet is a subject of considerable debate in society.
📌There has been much debate on the issue of XXX.
e.g., There has been much debate on the issue of whether physical education should be included in the curriculum for all school-age children or replaced with more academic subjects.
📌At present, there is a general public perception that ...
e.g., At present, there is a general public perception that modern life provides us with an overwhelming number of choices.
📌XXX is becoming increasingly prevalent in the world today.
e.g., Shopping as one of the most popular leisure activities is becoming increasingly prevalent in the world today.
Легко и быстро начать свое эссе.
На эссе вам дается всего 40 мин. Поэтому меньше всего, что вам нужно — это зависнуть минут на пять, придумывая красивые фразы для вступления. При этом у вас не будет второго шанса произвести хорошее первое впечатление.
Даю несколько шаблонных фраз, которые можно применить к большинству IELTS эссе. Естественно, все они нуждаются в легкой адаптации.
📌 XXX is a subject of considerable debate in society.
e.g., Excessive sugar consumption in the daily diet is a subject of considerable debate in society.
📌There has been much debate on the issue of XXX.
e.g., There has been much debate on the issue of whether physical education should be included in the curriculum for all school-age children or replaced with more academic subjects.
📌At present, there is a general public perception that ...
e.g., At present, there is a general public perception that modern life provides us with an overwhelming number of choices.
📌XXX is becoming increasingly prevalent in the world today.
e.g., Shopping as one of the most popular leisure activities is becoming increasingly prevalent in the world today.
У меня новость: открываю новый курс по Writing Task 1 Graphs (академический модуль).
Давно его планировала, так как не понаслышке знаю, что многие пугаются этих непонятных графиков. Курс для тех, кому нужен результат.
Желательный уровень: Inter и выше
Длительность: 5 недель (с возможностью продления до 2 месяцев)
Базовый тариф: 6,500
Занятость в неделю: 3-4 часа
Что входит:
📌7 уроков, в т.ч короткие видеоуроки по каждому типу графика (на русском), упражнения на отработку скиллов и написание 1-2 графика за урок (English).
📌Подробный фидбэк ваших работ
📌от 4 индивидуальных консультаций в зуме в удобное для вас время (English, по 30 мин)
📌лексика в Quizlets
📌финальный тест с приблизительным баллом за WT1.
Гарантирую уверенность на экзамене при выполнении всех работ.
Запись, оплата и программа на сайте. Отзыв можно посмотреть в Instagram здесь.
Давно его планировала, так как не понаслышке знаю, что многие пугаются этих непонятных графиков. Курс для тех, кому нужен результат.
Желательный уровень: Inter и выше
Длительность: 5 недель (с возможностью продления до 2 месяцев)
Базовый тариф: 6,500
Занятость в неделю: 3-4 часа
Что входит:
📌7 уроков, в т.ч короткие видеоуроки по каждому типу графика (на русском), упражнения на отработку скиллов и написание 1-2 графика за урок (English).
📌Подробный фидбэк ваших работ
📌от 4 индивидуальных консультаций в зуме в удобное для вас время (English, по 30 мин)
📌лексика в Quizlets
📌финальный тест с приблизительным баллом за WT1.
Гарантирую уверенность на экзамене при выполнении всех работ.
Запись, оплата и программа на сайте. Отзыв можно посмотреть в Instagram здесь.
#IELTS Writing Academic
Про предлоги
Неправильный предлог может с легкостью исказить смысл предложения, а точность передачи данных влияет на балл.
Давайте сравним эти два предложения:
🔖In 2002, only 15% of students chose computer science as their major, but in 2010, this figure rose BY 37%.
🔖In 2002, only 15% of students chose computer science as their major, but in 2010, this figure rose TO 37%.
Разница в одном маленьком предлоге, но смысл уже совсем другой. В первом предложении показатель увеличился на 37%, во втором он вырос до 37%.
Пробежимся по основным предлогам, которые вам понадобятся в описании графиков.
Для описания снижения, падения или роста чего-либо IN:
a decrease IN the consumption of milk
a fall IN spending
Однако, если приводим конкретную цифру, предлог OF:
a decrease of 10%, a rise of 10% - снижение на, рост на
Альтернативный вариант – добавить цифру к существительному.
There was an 11% drop IN energy output
Чтобы показать диапазон from... to... или between ... and ...:
Prices rose from $19 to $27.
Prices fluctuate between $20 and $40.
Чтобы показать величину изменения – by:
Prices rose by 20%.
fluctuate by as much as 10 degrees
Чтобы показать рост или падение до какой-либо величины – to:
slip to 10%
climb to 2,560 students
surge to $32
plummet to an all-time low.
Try yourself. Which preposition is correct?
Про предлоги
Неправильный предлог может с легкостью исказить смысл предложения, а точность передачи данных влияет на балл.
Давайте сравним эти два предложения:
🔖In 2002, only 15% of students chose computer science as their major, but in 2010, this figure rose BY 37%.
🔖In 2002, only 15% of students chose computer science as their major, but in 2010, this figure rose TO 37%.
Разница в одном маленьком предлоге, но смысл уже совсем другой. В первом предложении показатель увеличился на 37%, во втором он вырос до 37%.
Пробежимся по основным предлогам, которые вам понадобятся в описании графиков.
Для описания снижения, падения или роста чего-либо IN:
a decrease IN the consumption of milk
a fall IN spending
Однако, если приводим конкретную цифру, предлог OF:
a decrease of 10%, a rise of 10% - снижение на, рост на
Альтернативный вариант – добавить цифру к существительному.
There was an 11% drop IN energy output
Чтобы показать диапазон from... to... или between ... and ...:
Prices rose from $19 to $27.
Prices fluctuate between $20 and $40.
Чтобы показать величину изменения – by:
Prices rose by 20%.
fluctuate by as much as 10 degrees
Чтобы показать рост или падение до какой-либо величины – to:
slip to 10%
climb to 2,560 students
surge to $32
plummet to an all-time low.
Try yourself. Which preposition is correct?
Which sentence is correct?
Anonymous Quiz
44%
A significant decrease OF fossil fuel consumption is expected.
56%
A significant decrease IN fossil fuel consumption is expected.
Which sentence is correct?
Anonymous Quiz
64%
A drop OF 80% is expected to affect the whole industry.
36%
A drop at 80% is expected to affect the whole industry.
Which sentence is correct?
Anonymous Quiz
16%
The number of goods sold fluctuated AT 2,500-4,500 items.
84%
The number of goods sold fluctuated BETWEEN 2,500 and 4,500 items.
#IELTS Reading
As you know, there are 3 reading texts and your reading skills will be tested through a number of tasks including COMPLETION, LABELLING, SENTENCE COMPLETION and TRUE/FALSE/NOT GIVEN.
The questions are always in the same order as the information in the text.
To answer exam questions efficiently and quickly, you need to use the right reading strategies. They really work!
SKIMMING means reading very quickly for a general idea of the text, the overall topic and the main subject of each paragraph. This strategy is especially useful in tasks such as Multiple Choice and Matching Headings.
How to do:
read the questions first
read all the titles
read the first paragraph
read the first sentence of each paragraph
read the summary in the last paragraph
see how any diagrams or pictures relate to the article
While skimming, you should:
try to read three times faster than normal
get a general idea without looking up new words in the dictionary
underline key words (dates, places, figures)
SCANNING is also reading fairly quickly but in this case to find a specific fact, such as a name, date or place. Tasks: Short Answer, Sentence Completion
For example, when you search for your flight gate in an airport timetable, you don’t need to read all the flights that depart today. You scan the display just for your flight number.
It is useful to:
• read the questions to know what you are looking for
• find the relevant part of the text as quickly as possible
• avoid reading the text line by line
• avoid saying/whispering the words you read
While scanning, you should:
• look for key words in the text that reflect the questions, and words like problem, solution, idea, danger, etc.
• look for key words that help you understand the text and writer’s opinion - verbs like must, can, help, increase, offer, measure and adjectives and adverbials like possible, without doubt, much worse, definitely, etc.
• think of paraphrases/synonyms for key words from questions and look for them in the text.
READING FOR DETAIL means careful study of the text so that you understand exactly what the author is saying. Tasks: True/False/Not Given
While reading for detail, you should:
• read each statement and underline key words
• find the relevant part of the text and study the information carefully
• look for synonyms which mean the same as words in the statement
• only write TRUE if the statement exactly matches information in the text.
As you know, there are 3 reading texts and your reading skills will be tested through a number of tasks including COMPLETION, LABELLING, SENTENCE COMPLETION and TRUE/FALSE/NOT GIVEN.
The questions are always in the same order as the information in the text.
To answer exam questions efficiently and quickly, you need to use the right reading strategies. They really work!
SKIMMING means reading very quickly for a general idea of the text, the overall topic and the main subject of each paragraph. This strategy is especially useful in tasks such as Multiple Choice and Matching Headings.
How to do:
read the questions first
read all the titles
read the first paragraph
read the first sentence of each paragraph
read the summary in the last paragraph
see how any diagrams or pictures relate to the article
While skimming, you should:
try to read three times faster than normal
get a general idea without looking up new words in the dictionary
underline key words (dates, places, figures)
SCANNING is also reading fairly quickly but in this case to find a specific fact, such as a name, date or place. Tasks: Short Answer, Sentence Completion
For example, when you search for your flight gate in an airport timetable, you don’t need to read all the flights that depart today. You scan the display just for your flight number.
It is useful to:
• read the questions to know what you are looking for
• find the relevant part of the text as quickly as possible
• avoid reading the text line by line
• avoid saying/whispering the words you read
While scanning, you should:
• look for key words in the text that reflect the questions, and words like problem, solution, idea, danger, etc.
• look for key words that help you understand the text and writer’s opinion - verbs like must, can, help, increase, offer, measure and adjectives and adverbials like possible, without doubt, much worse, definitely, etc.
• think of paraphrases/synonyms for key words from questions and look for them in the text.
READING FOR DETAIL means careful study of the text so that you understand exactly what the author is saying. Tasks: True/False/Not Given
While reading for detail, you should:
• read each statement and underline key words
• find the relevant part of the text and study the information carefully
• look for synonyms which mean the same as words in the statement
• only write TRUE if the statement exactly matches information in the text.
Про то, что без лексики по определённым темам – traffic, health, environment, education, IELTS на приличный балл не сдашь, вы знаете и без меня. К сожалению, без активной разговорной практики, вся та красивая лексика, которую вы учите или встречаете при чтении так и остаётся в пассивном словаре. Поэтому приглашаю в наш IELTS Speaking Club поболтать и попрактиковаться.
Что вас ждет:
обсуждение самых разных вопросов IELTS в рамках одной темы
feedback от преподавателя
актуальная «продвинутая» лексика
классная компания
Ведет клуб Анна, IELTS Speaking Score 8.
Длительность 60 мин
Мини группы (до 6 человек)
Стоимость 2000 руб./за месяц
NB! Пропущенные клубы не сгорают.
Гарантированные места по средам 19-00, по наличию воскресенье 10:00 и 11:30 (Москва)
Сомневаетесь - можно приобрести пробное занятие (500 руб). запись @marina_ielts
Что вас ждет:
обсуждение самых разных вопросов IELTS в рамках одной темы
feedback от преподавателя
актуальная «продвинутая» лексика
классная компания
Ведет клуб Анна, IELTS Speaking Score 8.
Длительность 60 мин
Мини группы (до 6 человек)
Стоимость 2000 руб./за месяц
NB! Пропущенные клубы не сгорают.
Гарантированные места по средам 19-00, по наличию воскресенье 10:00 и 11:30 (Москва)
Сомневаетесь - можно приобрести пробное занятие (500 руб). запись @marina_ielts
# Writing Part 1 Academic
How to write the introduction.
Firstly, keep it simple and don’t waste much time on it. One sentence is enough for the introduction.
Replace words in the general statement with synonyms or paraphrases where you can. e.g., sales of private vehicles - the number of various types of cars sold - car sales/purchases
If you cannot quickly write your introduction in your own words, do not waste time and use one of the following four prompts to help you write an introduction:
– The graph shows/illustrates the changes in … between .. and…
– The graph gives/provides/reveals/presents information about (the differences/changes …)
– The graph shows that (there is a number of differences between…)
– The graph shows/illustrates how XXX have differed/changed/varied…
If there are more than two graphs representing different data types:
- The pie chart highlights…. while the diagram provides data on ...
Use general words for the introduction: information, data, difference(s), similarities, changes, comparison, trends, results, numbers, percentages, figures, statistics, breakdown.
Rephrase time expressions: between 2008 and 2018, in the course of a year, over a ten-year period.
Include answers to the questions: What? Where? When?
What? – the share of the urban population
Where? - in the different parts of the world
When? – 2003 and 2030
e.g., The bar graph illustrates the share of the urban population in the different parts of the world in 2003 compared to the projected proportion of the population living in cities in 2030.
How to write the introduction.
Firstly, keep it simple and don’t waste much time on it. One sentence is enough for the introduction.
Replace words in the general statement with synonyms or paraphrases where you can. e.g., sales of private vehicles - the number of various types of cars sold - car sales/purchases
If you cannot quickly write your introduction in your own words, do not waste time and use one of the following four prompts to help you write an introduction:
– The graph shows/illustrates the changes in … between .. and…
– The graph gives/provides/reveals/presents information about (the differences/changes …)
– The graph shows that (there is a number of differences between…)
– The graph shows/illustrates how XXX have differed/changed/varied…
If there are more than two graphs representing different data types:
- The pie chart highlights…. while the diagram provides data on ...
Use general words for the introduction: information, data, difference(s), similarities, changes, comparison, trends, results, numbers, percentages, figures, statistics, breakdown.
Rephrase time expressions: between 2008 and 2018, in the course of a year, over a ten-year period.
Include answers to the questions: What? Where? When?
What? – the share of the urban population
Where? - in the different parts of the world
When? – 2003 and 2030
e.g., The bar graph illustrates the share of the urban population in the different parts of the world in 2003 compared to the projected proportion of the population living in cities in 2030.
Which introduction does more accurately paraphrase the task? Task as follows: The graph below compares the number of visits to two new music sites on the web.
Anonymous Quiz
17%
1. The graph demonstrates the share of visits to two music websites over 15 days.
57%
2. The line graph illustrates how many visitors attended two music websites over a 15-day period.
26%
3. The graph highlights traffic of two music websites throughout 15 days.
#quiz ответы
1. неправильный. В задании говорится о количестве посещений, а не о их %. (number#share)
2. тоже неправильный. Посещения и посетители – это не одно и тоже. Один и тот же человек, может заходить на сайт много раз.
3. ✅
1. неправильный. В задании говорится о количестве посещений, а не о их %. (number#share)
2. тоже неправильный. Посещения и посетители – это не одно и тоже. Один и тот же человек, может заходить на сайт много раз.
3. ✅
#Listening #IELTS
Labelling Maps часто встречающее задание из Listening Section 2. Это может быть описание места – парка, отеля или тур по конкретному зданию. Часто спикер говорит не только о том, где что располагается, но и о прошедших или будущих изменениях места.
Ваша задача соотнести названия мест с их положением на карте.
Стратегия:
1. Определить тип задания. Чаще всего это список мест и вам нужно вписать букву из карты, угаживающую местоположение. Или обратный вариант, когда вы вписываете названия мест в карту.
2. Прочесть все заголовки и попытаться понять, что на карте до того, как вы начнёте слушать. Есть ли указание на направление сторон света? Значит будут упоминаться стороны света. Река или дорога, которая делит график? Будет как ориентир. Где располагается вход/входы? Есть ли Main Entrance?
3. Определите порядок расположения ответов на карте. Ответы в аудировании всегда идут по порядку, но могут сопровождаться излишними деталями или идти сразу друг за другом.
4. Повторите лексику Location&Direction.
Location:
close to /next to
just behind
at the back
in front of
straight ahead of you
at the north end
on your left
Directions:
take the footpath
go along the path
keep going
follow the road
it leads down to
go down to
leading to
go around
go north
take the first fork
join the road
go straight across
Roads:
side road
winding road
crossroads
at the junction
roundabout
path
bypass
5. Как обычно будь готов к синонимам и перефразированию.
6. Могут быть отвлекающие фразы. Например, вам может встретиться фраза. The statue USED TO BE close to the south gate, but it’s NOW immediately to the north of the pond.
7. Не услышали правильный ответ, ставьте наугад. За неправильные ответы балл не снижают. Take an educated guess.
Labelling Maps часто встречающее задание из Listening Section 2. Это может быть описание места – парка, отеля или тур по конкретному зданию. Часто спикер говорит не только о том, где что располагается, но и о прошедших или будущих изменениях места.
Ваша задача соотнести названия мест с их положением на карте.
Стратегия:
1. Определить тип задания. Чаще всего это список мест и вам нужно вписать букву из карты, угаживающую местоположение. Или обратный вариант, когда вы вписываете названия мест в карту.
2. Прочесть все заголовки и попытаться понять, что на карте до того, как вы начнёте слушать. Есть ли указание на направление сторон света? Значит будут упоминаться стороны света. Река или дорога, которая делит график? Будет как ориентир. Где располагается вход/входы? Есть ли Main Entrance?
3. Определите порядок расположения ответов на карте. Ответы в аудировании всегда идут по порядку, но могут сопровождаться излишними деталями или идти сразу друг за другом.
4. Повторите лексику Location&Direction.
Location:
close to /next to
just behind
at the back
in front of
straight ahead of you
at the north end
on your left
Directions:
take the footpath
go along the path
keep going
follow the road
it leads down to
go down to
leading to
go around
go north
take the first fork
join the road
go straight across
Roads:
side road
winding road
crossroads
at the junction
roundabout
path
bypass
5. Как обычно будь готов к синонимам и перефразированию.
6. Могут быть отвлекающие фразы. Например, вам может встретиться фраза. The statue USED TO BE close to the south gate, but it’s NOW immediately to the north of the pond.
7. Не услышали правильный ответ, ставьте наугад. За неправильные ответы балл не снижают. Take an educated guess.