IELTS Thrill Seekers

Breakingnews English Lessons
*Historic jumps made above Mt. Everest (link)
*Daredevil Steve Fossett’s attempt to fly solo around the world (link)
*31-year-old Norwegian man has died in a failed parachute from the Eiffel Tower in Paris.(link)
*Video games should be in Olympics (link)

Speaking
ESL Discussions.com
Conversation Questions on Sport (link)
Conversation Questions on Adventure (link)
NPR: Wingsuit Flying: Incredible Thrill, But 'No Second Chance'

Ted Talks

IELTS Unit 10 Is it Art?

Ready for IELTS Pp. 140-149
Vocabulary: Words associated with Art
Listening:IELTS Section 2 - Radio program about a street exhibition
Speaking:
Task 2: Describe a favorite work of Art
Task 3: Advantages / Disadvantages of the arts society - Arts funding - Does Art have an educational role
Reading: Graffiti (Street Art or crime)
Breakingnews English:
1. Art galleries waste of time for kids, says artists 2014 (link)
2. The Louvre is most visited art gallery 2013 (link)
3. Graffiti and litter linked to obesity (link)
4. Pensioner attacks famous work of art (link)

Speaking Tasks
(link) Super Best IELTS
Describe a work of art that you really like. Tell:
* What it looks like
* Where you first saw it
* Why you like it

Describe a well-known painting you have seen or know about You should say:
* What it looks like
* What is interesting about it
* Why it is well-known

Objective IELTS 10.1 (Communicate) Pp. 8-13
Reading: Whistling in Gomera (Scanning / True - False - NG)
Grammar: The Passive
Speaking Task 1: Problems communicating
Listening: Part 1 (Completing a form)
Reading: The Functions of Language
NPR Listening (National Public Radio)
Graffiti:
(link)

1. Miami Area Muralists Rouse A New Reputation For An Industrial City (link)

Lesson on Miami Area Muralists Rouse A New Reputation For An Industrial City(link)

2. When There's Art On The Bus, You'll Get To Your Stop Sooner.
3. On A Roman Street, Graffiti Celebrates 'SuperPope'




Graffiti and Street Art (British Council) Link

TED: My wish - To use art to turn the world inside out



Ted: Art that craves your attention (link)


Writing Task 2:

1. Graffiti is a form of street Art. What is your opinion of graffiti as a form of art?

2.More graffiti would make the city look more beautiful.To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

3.What are the advantages / disadvantages of legalizing graffiti?

4.Some people think that the government is wasting money on the arts and that this money could be better spent elsewhere.
To what extent do you agree with this view?

5. Art is considered an essential part of all cultures throughout the world. However, these days fewer and fewer people appreciate art and turn their focus to science, technology and business.
Why do you think that is?
What could be done to encourage more people to take interest in the arts?

6. Some people think that art is an essential subject for children at school while others think it is a waste of time.
Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

7. Artists need a certain amount of freedom to develop their creativity. Some people think that artists should have total freedom to express any thoughts and ideas.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?

8. Most artists earn low salaries and should therefore receive funding from the government in order for them to continue with their work.
To what extent do you agree?


Writing Task 2: Two part question essay Worksheet (link)

IELTS Global problems and opportunities

Online Interactive Exercises
*Countable uncountable a an rally (link)
*Countable uncountable nouns game: Choose whether to practice countable uncountable nouns by navigating a treacherous galaxy filled with green monsters, a sea filled with pirates or a river filled with crocodiles. (link)
*COUNTABLES & UNCOUNTABLES - Exercice 8 (link)
*COUNTABLES & UNCOUNTABLES - Exercice 9 (link)
*Other count/non count exercises (link)

Speaking:
ESL Discussions.com
Conversation Questions on Global Warming (link)
IELTS Speaking
(link) Part 1 – sample questions
What is the climate like in your country?
Are there any problems with the climate in your country?
What is your favourite type of weather?
What kind of weather do you dislike?
Would you prefer to live in a hot or cold country?
What is the best/worst weather for travelling in?

Part 2
Describe an environmental problem. You should say:
what it is
how long it has existed
how it affects people’s lives
and explain how you think the problem will develop in the future.

Part 3 – sample questions
Which environmental problems are people most concerned about in your country?
What are the main causes of these environmental problems?
Do you think it is the responsibility of governments alone to protect the environment?
What measures can individuals take to protect the environment?
Do you think large companies and business organisations should be more environmentally friendly? Why? How?
How can we teach children about the importance of protecting the environment?

Breakingnews English:
Snow leopard under threat from climate change (link)
UN - We can control Global Warming (link)
Climate change threatens fish populations (link)
Adidas to make shoes from ocean garbage (link)

Finally, Some Good News For Manatees And Green Sea Turtles


Manatee Lesson (link)

IELTS General Writing: environment problem (link)

Writing Task 1 (Academic) (link)


*DC IELTS: IELTS writing task 1 – process diagrams – an introduction (link)
Read more: IELTS writing task 1 - process diagrams - an introduction | http://www.dcielts.com/task-1-2/ielts-writing-task-1-process-diagrams/#ixzz4EjgHfvy5 Under Creative Commons License: Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives *The language of process diagrams (link)

IELTS Unit 5 The Future

Breaking news English
*Robots smarter than humans by 2029 (link)
*World’s first flying car makes its debut (link)
*Electric car does 0 to 100kph in 2.8 seconds (link)
Speaking:
ESL Discussions.com
Conversation Questions on The Future (link)
IELTS Speaking
Part 1
The future What are your plans for the future?
Are you planning to change your job?
Would you ever consider changing your job?
How might your industry change in the future?
Why are you taking the IELTS test?
IELTS Speaking Part 2: future plans
Describe a future plan which is not related to work or study. You should say
- what the plan is
- when you thought of the plan
- who is involved in the plan
- and say how you think you will achieve the plan.
IELTS Speaking Part 3 Guide (link)


Different ways to talk about the future DC IELTS (link)

Writing Task 1
Letter:
You are going to study in a college in the UK next year. You would like to stay in a college Hall of Residence.
Write a letter to the college giving your accommodation requirements. You should outline what your room and food needs are and also ask what alternatives are available if they cannot provide what you want.

You should write at least 150 words.
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
You do NOT need to write your own address.

General Writing Sample Task 1 #13 IELTS.net (link)



Academic Writing Task 1: Maps
Link to IELTS Advatage (link)

Worksheet (link)




IELTS Liz Maps: Vocabulary and Sentence Structure with Video (link)

IELTS Liz Maps: Model Writing Task (Map Comparison): (link)

Pictures from The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS
Maps Question from IELTS Mentor (link)

Writing Task 2
*Genetic engineering is an important issue in modern society. Some people think that it will improve people's lives in many ways. Others feel that it may be a threat to life on earth. Discuss both opinions and give your opinion?

*Some people believe that robots will play an important role in future societies, while others argue that robots might have negative effects on society. Discuss both views and give your opinion.(link)

*We are becoming increasingly dependent on computers. They are used in business, hospitals, crime detection and even to fly planes. What things will they be used for in the future? Is this dependence on computers a good thing or should we be more suspicious of their benefits?

*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.


NPR: What Predictions From 1984 Came True? (link)


Check out my lesson based on the NPR Lesson above: Lesson

Lesson link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6HKvrbcVsKySTF6QWF6Yk9MalE/view?usp=sharing
NPR Page: http://www.npr.org/2013/09/13/219719902/what-predictions-from-1984-came-true

IELTS We are all friends now

Online Interactive Vocabulary game: Jeopardy (link)
Speaking
ESL Conversation Questions on Friends (Sean Banville) (link)

IELTS Speaking Part 2: Cue Card 1: IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card.
Describe a friend who you really like to spend time with.
You should say:
*When and how you met.
*How often you see this friend.
*What kind of personality your friend has
*and say why you like to spend time with this particular friend.
Follow-up Questions:
• Is friendship important in your culture? How many close friends can you have?
• Are friends more important than family?
• What are the important things among good friends?
• Do you have any friends from foreign country?
• What are the difference between real life friends and pen friends?

Cue Card 2
Describe a social networking website you know.
You should say:
*what is it
*how long have you been using it/why you don't use it
*give details information about the website
*and explain why people often browse this website.
[You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you're going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]
Follow-up Questions:
*How long have you been using the Internet?
*How Internet has changed our life-style?
*What would be the possible uses of Internet in the future?

Online activity: Adjectives for personality (link)
Match the adjectives on the right with their opposites on the left.

IELTS Personality Vocabulary (link)
*IELTS Mentor (link)
Breakingnews English
*Rent-A-Friend Agencies Growing in Japan (link)
*A billion people on Facebook in one day(link)
*Do You Suffer From Facebook depression? (link)
*Volunteering helps you live longer (link)
When You Become The Person You Hate On The Internet


NPR Lesson Worksheet (link)

Measuring what makes life worthwhile


Online Interactive Grammar games
Billionaire Conditionals Grammar Game (Link)

IELTS Letter Writing / GT Writing Task 1: (link)
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
A friend has agreed to look after your house and pet while you are on holiday. Write a letter to your friend.
*Give contact details for when you are away
*Give instructions about how to care for your pet
*Describe other household duties
You should write at least 150 words.

Writing Task 1 (Academic): Language of Graphs
* Bogglesworld Reporting Changes (link)
* WriteFix (link)
* IELTS Buddy (link)
* ESL Flow Describing Graphs Worksheet (Link)
* IELTS Academic Writing Part One- Worksheet Trends Bingo (link)

Watch Catalyst Episode (link)
Tuesday, 21 June 2016 LIVE LONG DIE YOUNG
Tuesday, 6 October 2015 DIAGNOSING DEPRESSION (link)

IELTS Money and Happiness

IELTS Speaking Part 2: IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card.

IELTS Mentor (link)
Describe a happy event of your life
You should say:
*When it happened
*Where it happened
*What it was
and explain why this event is a happy event in your life.

Follow-up Questions:
• What do you think is important in achieving happiness?
• How do you celebrate some happy events?
• What do the camera and video play in celebrating?

Breakingnews English:
*Money makes you a bad person (link)
*Money can buy happiness (link)
*Study shows money makes us worry (link)
*Australians are the happiest people in the world (link)

Money Discussion Questions (link) Pair work from ESL Discussions.com







Can Money Buy You Happiness?




Check out my lesson for the NPR listening above: Lesson

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6HKvrbcVsKyTlVBQ1JuSkhZZUE/view?usp=sharing

IELTS Writing Task 1 (General) Letter (Link to IELTS Exam.net)
You have had a bank account for a few years. Recently you received a letter from the bank stating that your account is $240 overdrawn and that you will he charged $70, which will he taken directly from your account. You know that this information is incorrect.

Write a letter to the bank. Explain what has happened and say what you would like them to do about it.
You should write at least 150 words.
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
You do NOT need to write your own address.
Letter Writing Tips from IELTS Liz: 10 Essential Tips (link)

IELTS Writing Task 1 (Academic): Pie Charts
Lesson on IELTS Buddy ~ Describing an IELTS Pie Chart (Link)

IELTS Writing Task 2/ IELTS Essay:

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Happiness is considered very important in life. Why is it difficult to define? What factors are important in achieving happiness?
You should give reasons for your answer using your own ideas and experience.

Grammar: SENTENCE STRUCTURE: SUBSTITUTION AND ELLIPSIS Online Activity (link)
One feature of extended discourse is that we generally avoid repetition by the use of ellipsis (omission) or substitution.
*SUBSTITUTION (link)
*ELLIPSIS (link)

Slideshow on Substitution and Ellipsis (link)
From Slideshare made by Ana Enriquez Sanchez (link to source)

Grammar: Cambridge Dictionaries online (link)


Watch Catalyst Episode (link) Tuesday, 14 June 2016 Unboiling an egg

IELTS Thrill Seekers

Online Interactive games
Kahoot Dependent Prepositions (link)
Kahoot Adjective with dependent prepositions (link)
Kahoot Practise the use of verbs and adjectives with prepositions (link)

Comparatives and Superlatives Jeopardy by Pilar (link)

Breakingnews English Lessons
*Historic jumps made above Mt. Everest (link)
*Daredevil Steve Fossett’s attempt to fly solo around the world (link)
*31-year-old Norwegian man has died in a failed parachute from the Eiffel Tower in Paris.(link)
*Video games should be in Olympics (link)

Speaking
ESL Discussions.com
Conversation Questions on Sport (link)
Conversation Questions on Adventure (link)
IELTS Sports (link)
Parts 1 / 2 / 3
NPR: Wingsuit Flying: Incredible Thrill, But 'No Second Chance'

Cloze Listening activity (link)

Writing Task 1
General (Letter) IELTS Mentor (link)
IELTS Letter Writing / GT Writing Task 1:
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
You play sport (e.g. football) for a local team. You recently heard that a player in your team is in a hospital.
Write a letter to your team-mate. In your letter:
*Say how you feel about the news
*Ask about the treatment in the hospital
*Suggest some ways of cheering him/her up.
Write at least 150 words.

IELTS Mentor - Vocabulary For GT IELTS Writing Task 1 (part 1) (link)

Vocabulary For GT IELTS Writing Task 1 (part 2) with Quiz (link)

Writing Task 1 Tables (Academic)
IELTS Liz (Link)

Writing Task 2 (link) IELTS Advantage - Discuss both views (link)

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.
Writing Task 2 (link)
Competitiveness is considered to be a positive quality among people.
How does competitiveness affect individuals?
Is competitiveness a positive or negative quality?
1. Introduce the topic and give an overall answer to both questions
2. Answer the first question
3. Answer the second question
4. Conclude by summarising both answers
Ted Talks