IELTS Improvement

In this episode I give Naomi feedback to an IELTS Writing Task 2 two sided opinion question based on the topic of the Income of sports professionals. 

We look at ways that you can make sure your main ideas are related to the question. We also look at the importance of having a strong thesis (overall answer to the question).

I recommend that you attempt this IELTS Writing task 2 question yourself and then read the essay below before you listen to the podcast. 

The IELTS Writing Task 2 question was:

Successful sports professionals can earn a great deal more money than people in other important professions. Some people think this is fully justified while others think it is unfair.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

The essay I gave feedback on was: 

Some would argue that it is justified that many sports players earn far more money than other people working on different fields of activity,while others say that this situation is not fair. While all advanced workers at the same level of experience should be paid similarly, I believe that the sports professionals' salaries are understandable considering the length of their career.

On the one hand, the experienced employees should have approximately the same revenue no matter the area of study and practice. As a matter of fact, nowadays, the salaries in different areas such as teaching, IT or healthcare are quite different according to the business success but this situation has to be changed because everyone should be able to afford the necessary things. For example, It has been shown that software developers with an average of 5 years experience have an annum wage of around £50.000- 80.000, while  teachers in the same category gain about £40000. It is undeniable that it is crucial to earn half salary than others but I consider that there are areas more profitable than the others, therefore, employers can afford paying higher salaries to their employees.

On the other hand, the sports professionals can perform for a short period. It is undeniable that sports players deserve their incomes not only because they have spent their entire childhood practicing for a future career but also because after becoming famous they can perform for a maximum of 10 years. Therefore, their income has to cover the  money invested in their training and afterwards, the expenses for their further life. For instance, it was shown that a football player with a career of 10 years gains just enough money considering that he has to cover all his spendings from the whole life.

In conclusion, I believe that sports people deserve their incomes because their career lasts just for a couple of years. I disagree that everyone classified in the same category of experience should get similar incomes because not all businesses are as profitable as others.

In this lesson we discuss how the IELTS exam day went, focusing specifically on the IELTS speaking and writing tests. We discuss a strange experience in the speaking exam and how to best to manage your time in IELTS Writing Task 1 and Writing Task 2.

The IELTS Essay Question was:

Many university students live with their families, while others live away from home because their universities are in different places.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of both situations?

The student essay I gave feedback on is:

During the university, some students continue living with their parents, while the other students live far away from their families. This essay will discuss the benefits and drawbacks for both situations.

On the one hand, getting free accommodation and fresh cooked food are the main advantages of sharing the house with their family. For example, it has been shown that the greater challenges for students who do not live in their parents' house is the stress of paying for rent and cooking. As a result, those who remained to stay with their family are deprived of these inconveniences. However, relying financially on your family is the main disadvantage because students get used with this. As a matter of fact, getting used to an easier life makes the decision of moving out from parents' house harder. Therefore, a financial separation of their family will cause extra pressure for those who stayed with parents over this time.

On the other hand, going to another city or country for university helps students to manage their time and money. Being responsible for your accommodation by paying the bills, cleaning the house, are extra responsibilities for this category of students. These extra activities have proved to help the students to develop the skills in long-term adulthood such as time and money management.However, many of them get sick with stomach-related diseases. For instance, the nutritionists say that students at the age 18 or 19, are not aware of the benefits of cooking at home. As a result, because of the price and time consuming, students tend to eat just junk food or meal deals which are delicious, but cause them stomach ache.

In conclusion, either living with their family or living far away from their parents has both the advantages and disadvantages which lately will affect negatively and positively the students.

In this episode I give some feedback on an official IELTS Writing task 2 opinion question related to the topic of health. 

The IELTS Writing Task 2 question was:

Eating a balanced diet is the most important factor for a healthy life.

To what extent do you agree?

In this lesson we go over feedback to an IELTS causes and solutions question related to the topic of criminality.   

Antonio went from a band 5 in the mock test to a 6.5 in his actual IELTS writing test in just over one month to achieve his target score. The whole process is documented in this podcast series.

The IELTS Writing Task 2 Question was: 

In many countries, the amount of crime is increasing.  

What do you think are the main causes of crime?  

How can we deal with those causes?

In this video I give feedback on a Writing Task 1 bar chart question. The question was from an official IELTS writing task 1 past paper about coffee and tea drinking habits in Australian cities.

Antonio went from a band 5 in the mock test to a 6.5 in his actual IELTS writing test in just over one month to achieve his target score. The whole process is documented in this podcast series.

Full Mock IELTS Speaking Test about parenting and Feedback on IELTS assessment criteria.

In this lesson we go over IELTS Writing Task 2 feedback on the Cause and Effect Question.

Antonio went from a band 5 in the mock test to a 6.5 in his actual IELTS writing test in just over one month to achieve his target score. The whole process is documented in this podcast series.

The question was:

The percentage of overweight children in western society has increased by almost 20% in the last ten years. 

Discuss the causes and effects of this disturbing trend.

In this episode I go over some advice and tips for the IELTS writing task 1 bar chart question with Antonio. 

We cover spotting the main trends for the overview paragraph, structuring paragraphs logically and dividing long confusing sentences into smaller ones.

Antonio went from a band 5 in the mock test to a 6.5 in his actual IELTS writing test in just over one month to achieve his target score. The whole process is documented in this podcast series.

We go over feedback based on an IELTS Writing Task 1 essay.