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Week 10: The Internet
IELTS Warm-up Questions: The Internet
Warm-up Questions:
- How much time do you spend online each day?
- What kinds of websites do you usually visit?
- Do you think you spend too much time on the internet?
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As we continue to focus on Part 2 of the IELTS Speaking Test, we’re going to look at another common type of Part 2 cue card: Experiences and Situations.
In Part 2 of the IELTS Speaking test, the examiner will give you a cue card.
The cue cards are usually about 1 of 5 different topics:
- Describe a person
- Describe an experience / situation ← We’re going to focus on this one
- Describe an object / thing / item / product
- Describe a future dream or wish
- Describe a place
When you get a cue card like this, you should tell a linear story.
A linear story is the most simple type of story. It has [1) a start], [2) a middle], and [3 an end]. You’re going to talk about your own experience or situation in the same way.
This might sound suspiciously simple, but there is a lot of appropriate vocabulary to help the examiner follow your story, and for you to demonstrate a wide range of skills.
Watch these two short videos to see high-band examples of experiences and situations Part 2 cue cards.
Video #1 is about A time you solved a problem using the internet.
As you watch the video, listen to how I go from step-to-step, from moment to moment. What words and phrases help you follow my story?
Video #2 is about A time you were given false information.
“I can never think of any ideas.”
“I can’t find the right IELTS vocabulary anywhere.”
Are you having any of these problems?
If you’re struggling with vocabulary and ideas for your IELTS Speaking answers, you can find HUNDREDS more high-band example answers (written and recorded by me) to help you tackle any IELTS Speaking Topic you might encounter.
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IELTS Grammar Lesson
Signpost Language:
Let’s breakdown some of the vocabulary I used in both videos, both of which told a linear story.
The most basic signpost language you can use to recall an experience from start to finish (i.e. a linear story) is this:
- First
- After that / Then
- Finally
This describes 3 or 4 key events in a chronological order.
So a very very basic version of my answer about ‘A time you were given false information’ would be like this:
- First, I booked a hotel online.
- Then, I arrived at the airport and jumped in a taxi, he took me to the wrong address.
- After that, my phone only had 1% battery and was about to die.
- Finally, I found the tight address and the right hotel.
But both my answers used more advanced, conversational signpost language, with greater variety:
First =
- I had never had any issues with my PC, [but suddenly one day] I remember turning it on and seeing a long complicated error message followed by a long string of numbers.
- Past Perfect – [I had booked] a hotel through a website that I hadn’t used before
Then / After that =
- [When] I arrived and jumped in a taxi
- [But then] took me down a dirt road and stopped at a construction site.
- [My first thought was] to enter the error number into my phone
- [Luckily] I came across lots of other frustrated users
- [but after scrolling] deeper and [looking] at some more sites, [I realised that] there was a fix for it.
Finally =
- [Eventually], we made it there and the real hotel was 10 minutes away from what the original information said.
- I followed the instructions on the forum and [thankfully] it worked.
There are also some other Adverbs and Phrases I used in both of my Part 2 example answers.
Adverbs
Thankfully – in a thankful manner
- Thankfully it worked.
Fortunately – it is fortunate that
- Fortunately, I haven’t been misled very often
Obviously – in a way that is easily perceived or understood; clearly.
- Obviously that wasn’t my hotel
Eventually – in the end, especially after a long delay, dispute, or series of problems.
- Eventually, we made it there and the real hotel was 10 minutes away from what the original information said
Suddenly – quickly and unexpectedly.
- But suddenly one day I remember turning it on and seeing a long complicated error message
Phrases
[In hindsight], I should have double checked the address carefully or used another GPS app.
- In hindsight means ‘looking back’ or reflecting on my experience
[To make matters worse] my phone was also running low on battery, and I only had 1% left.
- This phrase means that something made a bad situation even worse
Loving the Grammar Lesson? Get even more in the Complete Edition of my IELTS Speaking E-book, Audio Book and Workbook below!
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IELTS Vocabulary and Levelled Reading
Read these 2 levels of about ‘The Internet’. Every level becomes more difficult but every level has the same meaning. The new words are highlighted, so if you don’t understand a word in Level 2, look back at Level 1 to find the easier synonym! This is a great way to learn new vocabulary!
Level 1: Basic Level 2: Advanced
IELTS Question #1: What do you think are the pros and cons of online shopping?
- Level 1: For the good things, I think online shopping is usually faster than normal shopping. That’s because you can search for items on the internet, then buy them by clicking on them. Also, most products are cheaper online than they in shops, so that’s another advantage of shopping online. But, there are some bad things too, for example, you have to wait for delivery when you buy something online, and also, if you buy clothes, you can’t try them on, so maybe they don’t fit and you have to send them back and get your money back.
- Level 2: In regards to the pros, I think that online shopping is usually faster than retail shopping. That’s because you can search for items on the internet, then buy them with just a few clicks. Also, most products are cheaper online than they are in shops, so that’s another benefit of shopping online. That said, there are some drawbacks too, for example, you have to wait for delivery when you buy something online, and also if you buy clothes, you can’t try them on, so maybe they don’t fit and you have to return them and get a refund.
IELTS Question #2: What impact does the internet have on schools?
- Level 1: I think they have a big effect. Teachers can use the internet in their classes, so they can show their students videos, articles and extra information which can make the lesson more exciting and interesting. Also, students can be more independent because they can search for answers and information by themselves, and they don’t need a teacher to tell them everything.
- Level 2: I think they have a huge effect. Teachers can use the internet in their classes, so they can show their students videos, articles and extra information which can bring the topic to life. On top of that, students can be more autonomous because they can look up answers and information by themselves, and they don’t need a teacher to tell them everything.
Links and Resources
You can find even more IELTS-appropriate vocabulary, collocations and phrases about The Internet here:
The Internet’s effect on Education is a very popular IELTS topic, both in Speaking and in Writing. If you want some extra ideas to tackle this topic, here is a great article full of IELTS-ready ideas, vocabulary and examples:
Also, if you fancy a ready-made list of pros and cons about online Shopping, look no further!
IELTS Practice Questions
Putting it all together:
Try these Part 3 Questions about the Internet:
- What do people do on the internet in their free time
- Is the internet important for education?
- Do you think many people waste their time on the internet?
- What impact does the internet have on schools?
- Can you compare studying online and in-person classes with a teacher?
- What’s the best age for children to use the internet?
- Why do children nowadays start using the internet very early?
- Will libraries be replaced by the internet in the future?