The Key to IELTS Success

Contents
1. Understanding the problem ………………………………... 3
2. Learning how to learn ........................................................ 8
3. Vocabulary for IELTS …………………………………………16
4. Grammar for IELTS …………………………………………… 28
5. The Key to IELTS Reading ………………………………….. 43
6. The Key to IELTS Writing Task 1 …………………………. 68
7. The key to IELTS Writing Task 2 ………………………….. 78
8. The Key to IELTS Listening ………………………………... 106
9. The Key to IELTS Speaking ………………………………… 122
10. Resources for IELTS ………………………………………… 135
Chapter 1
Introduction
Why is there so much confusion about IELTS?
At ‘Google University’ the student is always right
IELTS advantage or IELTS disadvantage?
How can this book help?
Why is this book different from the advice found online?
Chapter 2
Dealing with frustration
How to break the cycle
‘I’m not good at writing, I’m not good at languages.’
Open loop thinking
Language Learning
When you learn a language, you are learning to do something, not learning facts about something. The different bands look deceptively close to each other, so it is not surprising that people develop unrealistic expectations about how quickly they will...
What is the right type of practice?
Why test practice is not enough
Marginal gains
What skills do I need to learn for IELTS?
Becoming an independent learner
Understanding vocabulary in IELTS
What type of vocabulary do you need for IELTS?
The Academic Word List (AWL)
Common problems in IELTS vocabulary
Active vocabulary
Band 7 – ‘uses less common words with some awareness of style’
What does C1 – C2 mean?
‘Short words are too basic’
Idioms and collocation
Is there a special list of words to learn for IELTS?
Learning vocabulary from listening and reading materials
Building your active vocabulary
Using context to help you remember
Developing an awareness of style