Mark Teacher’s Free Weekly IELTS Newsletter
Week 28: Reading & Writing

IELTS Warm-up Questions: Reading & Writing

Warm-up Questions: 

• How often do you read books?
• Have you been reading a book recently? What book is it?
• Who are some famous authors from your country?
• When was the last time you wrote an essay?
• When was the last time you wrote an email?
• Which do you do more, read or write?

Get the IELTS Newsletter every week!

IELTS Lesson – The PDF Part 2 Strategy

I have talked about this strategy on my website and in previous newsletters, because it’s one of my favourites, and probably the most reliable Part 2 strategies to help you score a high-band in one of the most difficult parts of the test.

Using a Past → Describe → Future structure allows you to remember, prepare, and use most of the English grammar tenses you know. Even if you forget every single thing you wrote down in your 60-second notes, if you follow P – D – F, you will always create a logical, coherent and easy-to-follow story. 

Watch the video below to see a more detailed explanation of the PDF Part 2 strategy:

Bonus video!

Here are some IELTS example answers to some Part 2 and 3 questions about Reading & Writing:

———

Want more high-band sample answers like this?

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.

Get lifetime access to my IELTS Answer Library on Udemy here!
>>> 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 ‘Reading & Writing’. 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: Who should teach children to read and write, parents or teachers at school?

• Level 1:
  I think both parents and teachers should help kids learn to read and write. At home, parents can read fun kids’ books with their children for fun, and at the same time teachers are probably better at teaching the meanings of new words and testing their understanding with questions and exercises. Also teachers are better able to teach children how to write correctly and clearly. So I think the best way is for parents and teachers to work together to benefit children.
• Level 2:
  I think both parents and teachers should play a role in helping kids learn to read and write. At home, parents can read fun kids’ books with their children for fun, while teachers are probably better at teaching the definitions of new words and testing their comprehension with questions and exercises. Likewise teachers are better qualified to teach children how to write correctly and legibly. So I think the best approach is for parents and teachers to team up to benefit children.

IELTS Question #2: Is it important to read and write in a quiet place?

• Level 1:
  If you’re reading or writing something quite important, then yes. If it’s important that you remember everything you read, then having some quiet can really help you understand that information more quickly. The same is true for writing, because often in essay writing you have to organise your thoughts and explain your ideas clearly, which requires a lot of focus and attention. Distractions can break your concentration and force you to read a line, or even a whole passage of text again so I would say is important to find a quiet place.
• Level 2: 
  If you’re reading or writing something quite important, then yes. If it’s important that you absorb everything you read, then having some peace and quiet can really help you digest that information more quickly. The same goes for writing, because often in essay writing you have to compose your thoughts and express your ideas lucidly, which requires a lot of focus and attention. Distractions can break your chain of thought or force you to re-read a line, or even a whole chunk of text, so I would say is important to find a quiet place.

Links and Resources

Find more IELTS-ready vocabulary, collocations and phrases associated with Reading & Writing​ here!

• http://www.freecollocation.com/search?word=reading
• http://www.freecollocation.com/search?word=writing

Do teenagers still read much in your country? What do they do instead? This article explains technology’s effect on teenagers in great IELTS language:

• http://theconversation.com/why-it-matters-that-teens-are-reading-less-99281

Here’s another article analysing how children’s writing abilities have also been affected by technology. Again, lots of great IELTS Speaking and Writing ideas in this one!

• https://www.thetechedvocate.org/are-digital-devices-the-reason-why-kids-cant-write/

IELTS Practice Questions

Putting it all together:

Part 2 Question: 

• Describe a place where it is easy for you to read and write (not your home)
  You can say:
  • Where it is
  • When you go there
  • What you study there
  • Who you go with
  • And why you like to read or write there

Part 3 

• Is it important in your career to be a good writer?
• Which helps to understand the news better, visual aids or written texts?
• When do children start learning to read and write in your country?
• Who should teach children to read and write, parents or teachers at school?
• Do you think it is more difficult to learn to read and write when you are a child or when you are an adult?
• Is it better to read and write at home or in a public place?
• Where can people read and write?
• Is it important to read and write in a quiet place?
• Nowadays, which is more important, to be a good reader or writer?

Happy learning!