IELTS Podcast
In this tutorial, you get information about how to score a band 9 in your academic task 1 for your . Ellen goes through each of the band descriptors and helps you interpret what is needed to reach the best score possible.
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In this tutorial we are going to take you through how to describe a Natural Process in task 1 writing and a Natural Process is more closely linked to animals, the weather, growing trees or plants and marine life and this tutorial will show you: Where to start in understanding and interpreting the picture. Which language to use to connect your ideas and link the stages in the process together. How to improve your coherence. Grammatical suggestions to score really highly in this task by using the passive voice and participle clauses. Following these tips will ensure your response to...
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Are you struggling to break through the language barrier in your IELTS speaking exam? Do you find yourself repeating the same basic descriptors when talking about people, struggling to express nuanced thoughts about personalities and characters? You're not alone—and more importantly, you're just moments away from transforming your speaking skills. The secret weapon in your IELTS arsenal isn't just grammatical perfection or pronunciation—it's vocabulary. Specifically, vocabulary about people, personalities, and human characteristics. This isn't just another language learning tip; it's a...
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How Rohan Overcame IELTS Writing Challenges to Achieve His Dream Many IELTS candidates face a frustrating roadblock: scoring 6.5 in writing when they need a 7.0. This was exactly the challenge Rohan from Mumbai, India, encountered. He needed to improve his IELTS score to qualify for Canadian immigration. After multiple attempts, he discovered and transformed his writing skills. This is his story. The Struggle: Stuck at 6.5 in Writing Rohan had already attempted the IELTS test three or four times before turning to IELTS Podcast. His scores in listening (8.5) and reading (8.5) were strong, and...
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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/ielts-writing-task/task-1-general-letter-2/ Mastering IELTS General Training Letters: A...
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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 to listen to the full tutorial: Click to read the full transcript.
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Preparing for the IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 can be a daunting experience, especially if you're unsure of what examiners are looking for. In a recent episode of the , hosts Ben Worthington and Daphne provided a comprehensive checklist to help you ace this task. This article summarises their key points, offering practical advice and examples to guide your preparation. 1. Paraphrase the Rubric The first step in tackling Academic Task 1 is to paraphrase the rubric. Instead of copying the question word-for-word, demonstrate your language skills by rephrasing it. For example,...
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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 end, you will see how challenging the task of the examiner is and all the elements they...
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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. Really important vocabulary needed for...
info_outlineExpanding 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 the Root of a Word
The root of a word is its basic form, carrying the fundamental meaning. By recognising roots, you can often deduce the meanings of unfamiliar words, especially when they are combined with various prefixes and suffixes. For example, the root "act" can lead to related words such as "actor," "action," and "activate."
Most Common Prefixes and Suffixes and Their Origins
Prefixes
Prefixes are added to the beginning of a word to modify its meaning. Here are some commonly used prefixes, their origins, and examples:
- Un- (Origin: Old English, from Germanic languages)
- Meaning: Not, opposite of
- Example: "Unlikely" (not likely), "Uninformed" (not informed)
- Pre- (Origin: Latin)
- Meaning: Before
- Example: "Preconceive" (to form an opinion before knowing all the facts), "Pretest" (a test taken before learning a subject)
- De- (Origin: Latin)
- Meaning: Opposite, down, away
- Example: "Deconstruct" (to break down into parts), "Deregulate" (to remove regulations)
- Re- (Origin: Latin)
- Meaning: Again, back
- Example: "Rebuild" (to build again), "Reevaluate" (to evaluate again)
- In- / Im- / Il- / Ir- (Origin: Latin)
- Meaning: Not, opposite of
- Example: "Inaccurate" (not accurate), "Immobile" (not mobile), "Illogical" (not logical), "Irrelevant" (not relevant)
Suffixes
Suffixes are added to the end of a word to change its grammatical form or meaning. Here are some common suffixes:
- -tion / -sion (Origin: Latin)
- Meaning: State, quality, act
- Example: "Innovation" (the act of innovating), "Discussion" (the act of discussing)
- -able / -ible (Origin: Latin)
- Meaning: Capable of, worthy of
- Example: "Readable" (able to be read), "Comprehensible" (able to be understood)
- -ly (Origin: Old English)
- Meaning: In the manner of (forms adverbs)
- Example: "Quickly" (in a quick manner), "Precisely" (in a precise manner)
- -ness (Origin: Old English)
- Meaning: State, condition
- Example: "Happiness" (state of being happy), "Darkness" (state of being dark)
- -ful (Origin: Old English)
- Meaning: Full of
- Example: "Joyful" (full of joy), "Hopeful" (full of hope)
Reusing Words in Other Forms
Knowing how to transform a word into different grammatical forms can significantly increase your vocabulary. Here are the common forms:
- Noun: Represents a person, place, thing, or idea.
- Verb: Describes an action or state.
- Adjective: Describes or modifies a noun.
- Adverb: Modifies a verb, adjective, or other adverbs.
10 Examples from the Academic Word List
Here are ten examples from the AWL, with their roots, prefixes, suffixes, and various forms:
1. Assume
- Root: Assume
- Prefix/Suffix: Assumption (noun), Unassumed (adjective), Reassume (verb)
- Variations: Assume (verb), Assumable (adjective), Assumingly (adverb)
2. Benefit
- Root: Benefit
- Prefix/Suffix: Beneficial (adjective), Beneficiary (noun), Benefiting (verb)
- Variations: Benefit (noun/verb), Benefited (verb, past tense), Beneficially (adverb)
3. Conclude
- Root: Conclude
- Prefix/Suffix: Conclusion (noun), Conclusive (adjective), Inconclusive (adjective)
- Variations: Conclude (verb), Conclusively (adverb), Concludable (adjective)
4. Consistent
- Root: Consist
- Prefix/Suffix: Consistency (noun), Inconsistent (adjective)
- Variations: Consistent (adjective), Consistently (adverb), Inconsistently (adverb)
5. Contribute
- Root: Contribute
- Prefix/Suffix: Contribution (noun), Contributor (noun), Contributive (adjective)
- Variations: Contribute (verb), Contributing (verb, participle), Contributory (adjective)
6. Differ
- Root: Differ
- Prefix/Suffix: Difference (noun), Different (adjective), Indifferent (adjective)
- Variations: Differ (verb), Differently (adverb), Indifference (noun)
7. Establish
- Root: Establish
- Prefix/Suffix: Establishment (noun), Established (adjective), Disestablish (verb)
- Variations: Establish (verb), Reestablish (verb), Disestablishment (noun)
8. Justify
- Root: Just
- Prefix/Suffix: Justification (noun), Unjustified (adjective), Justifiable (adjective)
- Variations: Justify (verb), Justifiably (adverb), Unjust (adjective)
9. Maintain
- Root: Maintain
- Prefix/Suffix: Maintenance (noun), Maintained (adjective), Unmaintained (adjective)
- Variations: Maintain (verb), Maintaining (verb, participle), Unmaintained (adjective)
10. Vary
- Root: Vary
- Prefix/Suffix: Variable (noun/adjective), Invariable (adjective), Variability (noun)
- Variations: Vary (verb), Variation (noun), Varied (adjective), Invariably (adverb)
Conclusion
By mastering prefixes, suffixes, and root words, you can significantly expand your vocabulary. This not only helps you in understanding and using a wide range of academic terms but also enhances your ability to communicate more precisely and effectively. Practise identifying these components in new words, and your vocabulary will naturally grow, aiding your performance in the IELTS and beyond.