Mark Teacher’s Free Weekly IELTS Newsletter: Losing Things

IELTS Warm-up Questions: Losing Things

Warm-up Questions: 

• How often do you lose things?
• What are some typical items that you misplace? (car keys / wallet / phone)
• Have you ever lost something valuable before? (wallet / bank card / phone)
• What do you do when you find lost property in public places?

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IELTS Lesson – Part 3 – Giving Advice & Suggestions

The fifth and final Part 3 Question Type we will look at in these newsletters is giving advice and suggestions. 

In your IELTS Speaking test, the examiner might ask you questions start with

• How can we…?
• What can we do to…?
• What are some ways we can…?

Watch the video below to learn a flexible, high-band language pattern you can use to answer these types of questions. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEeppGJ9_8s&feature=youtu.be

Here are some more examples of this language pattern in full Part 3 answers: 

• What can people do to improve the air quality in cities?

“First of all, people can try taking public transport more often. They could also avoid driving their car when they only have to travel short distances. On top of that, they can think about buying a more eco-friendly car or installing solar panels to reduce their carbon footprint. Those are some general ways that come to mind.” 

• How can people improve their public speaking skills?

“I think the easiest way to practice is by talking in front of a mirror. By doing that, they can start getting used to speaking out loud and how they look when they speak. They could also practice in less intimidating situations, like with just their friends or family, for example. If there’s no pressure on them, they can start improving and feeling more comfortable about speaking in public.”

———

“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. 

I’ve been uploading new answers to the latest IELTS Speaking topics. 

Get lifetime access to my IELTS Answer Library on Udemy for just $10.00 (that’s 50% off for Newsletter Subscribers only!) 
>>> http://bit.ly/IELTSVOCAB <<< Click here if the picture link doesn’t work.

Loving the IELTS Lesson? Get even more in the Complete Edition of my IELTS Speaking E-book, Audio Book and Workbook below!

…

IELTS Vocabulary and Levelled Reading

Read these 2 levels of about ‘Losing Things’. 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: How can we avoid losing things?

• Level 1:

  I suppose if someone often forgets things, they should start choosing a specific place for their important items, like their glasses, keys or wallet, so they always know where they are. As well as that, they could try installing some apps on their phones to keep track of where their personal items are. So I think those are some ways people can avoid losing things,

• Level 2: 
  I suppose if someone is forgetful, they should start dedicating a specific place for their essentials, like their glasses, keys or wallets, so they always know where they are. As well as that, they could try installing some apps on their phones to keep track of the whereabouts of their personal items. So I think those are some ways people can avoid misplacing things.

IELTS Question #2: If you lost your phone, how could you get it back?

• Level 1:
  I think first, I would try going back over my steps, because my phone might have fallen out of my pocket on the bus, or I could have left it in a cafe. If that doesn’t work, I could try calling the places I visited to see if anyone has returned it to lost and found. I might also start posting on social media to tell my friends and see if they can help, so hopefully one of those steps would help me find it, unless someone has found it and stolen it.

• Level 2:
  I think first I would try retracing my steps, because my phone might have slipped out of my pocket on the bus, or I could have left it in a cafe. Failing that, I could try calling the last places I visited to see if anyone has handed it in to lost and found. I might also start posting on social media to tell my friends and see if they can help, so hopefully one of those steps would help me find it, unless someone has found it and made off with it.
  

Links and Resources

You can find even more IELTS-appropriate vocabulary, collocations and phrases about Losing and Forgetting things here:

• http://www.freecollocation.com/search?word=lose
• http://www.freecollocation.com/search?word=forget

Are you a forgetful person? How can you stop yourself losing things? Here are 6 tips (that would make great IELTS Speaking answers!) 

• https://chipolo.net/en/blogs/6-tips-to-help-you-stop-losing-things

What do you think are the most commonly lost household items? Lots of great vocabulary and collocations in this British newspaper article! 

• https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/681961/Common-lost-items-keys-phones-glasses-revealed-list

IELTS Practice Questions

Putting it all together:

Part 2 Questions: 

• Describe a time when you lost something but then got it back.
  You can say:
  • What it was
  • Where you lost it
  • How you lost it
  • And how you felt when you found it

Part 3 – Questions

• What things do people lose often?
• Is it easy to lose something?
• Why do some people lose things so easily?
• How can parents teach their children to be more organised?
• If you lost your phone, how could you get it back?
• Is it important for children to be organised?
• How can we avoid losing things?
• Why do some people worry more than others when they lose things?
• Can you give me some examples of traditions or customs that have been lost or forgotten by people in your country?

Happy learning!
Mark Teacher