IELTS | Laziz Atabaev | W:9.0

The 9.0 source is ChatGPT. I think you saw that coming. It writes more or less the same way unless you mess up your prompts.

Reflection post p.3📣

My writing score history 2017-2024 and sources of progress:

6.5 (IELTS simon, IELTS advantage writing skills)
6.5 (no prep)
7.5 (Pauline Cullen: key to IELTS T2)
8.0 (Pauline Cullen: key to IELTS T1)
7.5 (no prep)
7.5 (no prep)
8.0 (samples)
9.0 (guess the source)

✔️Top tips:
1️⃣Read more than you write
2️⃣Understand band descriptors
3️⃣Seek feedback on your work

Other more nuanced tips and tricks will be covered in my video courses soon. 🤫

5.05.2024 exam thoughts:

I did a ton of research and increased my chances of getting a familiar topic. So, guess what? I did. I've looked through over 100 essays questions both in and outside my classes. This alone played a tremendous role in getting the 9.0. I got the question I prepared for with my students a few days before the exam. But that's not news to me, I have successfully "predicted" my exam questions before. This is the 3rd time. Besides, some of my students also got familiar questions on their exams.
I wrote 329 words for my T2 and 212w. for the T1. Finished both in 50min and started editing and polishing here and there.

And I guess the craziest fact about me:
I have only written about 100 IELTS essays in my entire life. That's not a lot, is it? 🤯

Reflection post p.2📣

Before I go any further, let me give you some context and background, as I have never been active in the IELTS community before. So I guess you know nothing about me.

Basically, I am an IELTS instructor with no educational background in terms of either English or writing. I am not some kind of skilful journalist who does writing and editing for a living. On top of that, I didn't have English as my major at uni (it was finance).

Anyway, I studied, and enhanced my writing skills more or less on my own. At this point, I have been teaching English and IELTS for over 6 years. I have taken the test 8 times. A lot of you seem confused, if not shocked, with my 7.5 for S. Well, bad luck I guess, or bad Kevin (the examiner). With that said though, I have had 8.5 for S. twice before, so I am quite confident about my speaking skills per se.

By the way, I did apply for EoR, so I hope it's just a matter of time, and justice will be on my side.

Regarding OSR, I am planning to seize my chance to get straight 9s, but not in the nearest future, maybe I will take my time to prepare, prolly in late May.

I will make a separate post about my study plan and writing styles a bit later. If you have any more questions, leave a comment below.

Reflection post p.1📣

So, I guess I'll start my reflection with what I got on the exam. Tomorrow I'll try to recreate what I wrote during the exam. For now, please support the channel with likes and comments I guess.

Hey folks! So much has happened over the past hour or two, and right now I'm a little overwhelmed. I'll definitely make a reflection post, and answer all your questions. Thanks for the support.

If you can afford ChatGPT 4, you must certainly go for it as the plot will be well-structured and well-planned. But 3.5 still does a good job.

This has to be one of the best ways to use ChatGPT for language learning purposes.

✅Reading one essay and writing one essay is BETTER than writing two essays.

Yeah, I'm a big fan of t-shirts with cool prints and designs. They add a bit of personality to my outfit!

#speaking

Do you like T-shirts with prints?

"Yeah, I'm a big fan of t-shirts with cool prints and designs. They add a bit of personality to my outfit!"

Which word/s should be stressed for a higher pronunciation score?

#writing

Two ways to paraphrase a sentence:

The line graph gives information about the production of cotton in the USA between 1990 and 2010.


Through synonyms:
1) The line graph shows data about the manufacture of a white plant in America from 1990 to 2010.

Through grammar:
2) The graph shows how much cotton was produced in the USA from 1990 to 2010.

The 2nd sentence is much more effectively paraphrased because it conveys the message more precisely. Using more synonyms isn't necessarily a good way to paraphrase. Focus on the grammar first, and then try changing one or two words that you ARE certain about.

Changing the word formation is an effective method:

verb -> noun
noun -> verb

#grammar

Take a moment to appreciate the following sentence structure:

"Students can develop a deeper appreciation for the outdoors while enhancing their physical fitness and cognitive abilities."

It might seem insignificant at first glance, but it offers greater variety to the structures you may be using in your essays. Besides, it is very easy to integrate. Try it yourself. Let me break it down for you.

Subject + Verb + Object + while + Verb-ing + Object and Object.

Basically, you can use that instead of this:

Subject + Verb + Object, Verb + Object and Object.

Variety is more important than complexity.