Irina Lutsenko: IELTS, writing, cohesion

#IELTS Writing Task 1 overview: how many sentences? As is often the case, this post is based on a question by a student. The student saw a claim online that the overview must be two sentences and asked me for clarification. Unfortunately, it's not that simple. The number of sentences is not a reliable metric. Compare these two overviews: 1️⃣ Overall, life expectancy varied significantly across the given countries in 2008. However, it became longer in all over the 55 years. 2️⃣ Overall, while life expectancy varied significantly across the given countries in 2008, it became longer in all over the 55 years. Notably, Japan, the leading country, showed very small growth, but Indonesia, the country with the shortest life span, showed the largest increase. Or, these two: 1️⃣ Overall, while life expectancy varied significantly across the given countries in 2008, being different worldwide over the 55 years. Notably, Japan showed very small growth, but Indonesia showed the largest increase. 2️⃣ Overall, while life expectancy varied significantly across the given countries in 2008, it became longer in all over the 55 years. Notably, Japan, the leading country, showed very small growth, but Indonesia, the country with the shortest life span, showed the largest increase. In both sets of examples, the overviews are two sentences, but the amount of information is drastically different. The overview is all about the features, not just the number of sentences. That said, I have to admit two is a good number for a good overview. But not just any two. To polish your skill of writing overviews, join my practical workshop dedicated exclusively to this crucial paragraph of IELTS Writing Task 1. More about the workshop: https://t.me/irinalutsenko/708 Dm me: @iraluts The whole answer to the task in the picture: https://t.me/irinalutsenko/551

The overview is the most important part of your #IELTS Writing Task 1 How do you write a good one? In this practical workshop, you will learn how to nail your overview for all types of IELTS Academic tasks: - tasks with figures (with and without a time change); - tasks with combinations of charts; - maps and floor plans; - processes. What will happen in this workshop? - You will get my list of questions that help you choose the key features for each task type; - We will look at my examples and discuss how I chose the key features; - You'll write your own overviews, get my feedback, and compare them with mine afterwards. The workshop is based on my extensive IELTS taking, teaching, and writing experience: - IELTS 9 x4, Writing 8.5 x3 - IELTS prep experience: over 10 years - Answers written: over 200 Important: This is not a webinar. This is a practical workshop where you are expected to write. Please join with your camera on and from a good work station. 📌 Price: 2500 RUB 📅 Summer 2026: - Saturday, 20 January, 12-13:30/14:00 Moscow time - Monday, 6 July, 11-12:30/13:00 Moscow time The duration might vary between 90 and 120 minutes, depending on the number of participants and the speed of writing. 📍 Place: in real time on Zoom, camera must be on, participation is expected Sign up: @iraluts ❗ You will get the pdf of the presentation and the document with the overviews, but there will be no video recordings! Why don't I record my workshops? I believe participation without recording ensures a safe space for attendees to participate openly and without fear of asking questions or making mistakes. If I decided to make a recording, I would have to ask you to mute yourself and switch off your video, or you would want to do that yourself. But I expect participation and questions - they help you learn! Besides, I don't want to be a talking head, nor do I want to speak into silent black boxes on the screen. I want to be a real live person and expect the same in return. (And don't get me started on potential privacy concerns of the participants.)

#IELTS Writing Task 2: "advertisement" or synonyms for words that don't have synonyms 💡 Some words don't really have good synonyms -- and that's OK.  Three things you can do with them in an IELTS answer are:  - repeat the word (nothing wrong with some repetitions);  - use ellipsis;  - use substitution.  And here two more things you can do.  Let's use this topic as a source of examples: "Advertisements are becoming more and more common in our daily lives. Is it a positive or negative development?" 1️⃣ Take one step down What are some specific examples of advertisements?  - a commercial (only on radio, TV, or podcast) - a banner (only for web pages)  - a host-read / host-read segment (when, say, an influencer, reads a script about a product on their show)  - a brand ambassador (a person, usually a celebrity, who represents the brand)  Of course, these words have specific meanings, so you can't just use them interchangeably with "advertisement," but they will help you avoid repetitions and fill your essay with topic-specific lexis.  2️⃣ Take one step up  What might you call a lot of ads combined?  - marketing campaign  - promotion  - (celebrity) endorsement  - publicity - media content  - sponsored content    Again, these words are not direct substitutes for "advertisement," but they will help.  After all, your goal is not to use synonyms or even avoid repetitions -- your goal is to communicate meaning. 

MAY 29 Part 1: the maps below show the changes in area after the construction of a hydroelectric power dam. Part 2: In today's world of advanced science and technology, we still greatly value our artists such as musicians, painters and writers. What can arts tell us about life that science and technology cannot? #writing 📩 @cdireport_admin 🔗 cdireport.t.me

Recent exam. My essay is available here: https://t.me/irinalutsenko/524 🐸

IELTS writing: how much time do you really have to write? 💡 IELTS tells you: You should spend 20 minutes on Writing Task 1 and 40 on Writing Task 2. I tell you: You should spend 15 minutes on Writing Task 1 and 30 minutes on Writing Task 2. ❗️ You absolutely need to factor in extra time for: 1️⃣ Proofreading and editing. 2️⃣ Dealing with some unexpected circumstances, such as: - You get an ugly Writing Task 1 task you've never seen before; - Approximately 299 words into your essay, you realize you haven't noticed and/or addressed an important component of the topic. 3️⃣ Bathroom break (although reading is a much beter time for this). What else might you need the extra time for? How much time do you spend on writing? 🐸

#IELTS Writing Task 1 process overviews: a common mistake ☀️ This mistake emerged when we were talking about this task in particular. Look at the overview I wrote on purpose to illustrate the mistake. Do you notice it? "Overall, the process consists of two stages: obtaining water and filtering it. The water is first pumped up with the help of solar-generated energy. It is then purified and is ready to be consumed." The mistake is: The overview simply repeats the label on the task. We already know all the same information from the introduction. The overview is supposed to give a summary of the key features of the process. To choose the key features, I personally try to think of this question: How is this process different from other, similar processes? Also, if you write your introduction at the beginning of the answer -- which most people do -- your overview should extend and logically continue the introduction, not simply repeat it. So, write your overview -- together with the introduction -- in the comments. ✏️ And do you want me to repeat my epic workshop on writing IELTS overviews? Let me know in the comments as well. ❓ More about the epic workshop: https://t.me/irinalutsenko/606

Today is Joseph Brodsky's birthday! 🥳 Are you celebrating? I am. He is one of my favorite poets. And below is one of my favorite poems -- and my translation! The translation is one of my proudest achievements because... to say that translating poetry is hard would be an understament. With invaluable support of Timur Khamzin. ❤️ Сначала в бездну свалился стул, потом - упала кровать, потом - мой стол. Я его столкнул сам. Не хочу скрывать. Потом - учебник "Родная речь", фото, где вся моя семья. Потом четыре стены и печь. Остались пальто и я. Прощай, дорогая. Сними кольцо, выпиши вестник мод. И можешь плюнуть тому в лицо, кто место мое займет. *** Иосиф Бродский The chair was the first to fall in the abyss. Then tumbled the bed. The table didn't fall on its own. I won't hide this - I pushed it myself instead. Then my favorite alphabet book, The family photo and the shelf Then the four walls and the hook Leaving my coat and myself. Farewell, my princess. Take off that ring. Put on a stylish gown. And you can spit in the face of the king Who will come to wear my crown. *** Irina Lutsenko I love this poem because it says so much in words that are so simple... What is your favorite poem by Brodsky?

IELTS Writing Task 1: grammar or meaning? 🍍 People typically view grammar as an isolated thing. And the main goal for a text is often perceived as grammatucal accurately. But what about meaning? You can communicate different meaning with the exact same grammar.  The sentences below contain the same information and the same grammar (no mistakes). Yet, the meaning is different.  Which sentence would be more appropriate in an IELTS answer for the attached task? Why? 1️⃣ A The pineapple tops, typically planted approximately 26 cm apart, are commonly referred to as crowns and are left to grow for seven months.  B The pineapple tops, commonly referred to as crowns, are planted approximately 26 cm apart and left to grow for seven months.  2️⃣ A The initial stage – the cultivation of the fruit – takes place at temperatures ranging between 23-30 degrees Celsius and lasts for a year. B The initial stage – a step that takes place at temperatures ranging between 23-30 degrees Celsius and lasts for a year – is the cultivation of the fruit.  The bottom line is: think about the meaning you are communicating, not just grammar.   Key:  1 B 2 A Why? Feel free to explain in the comments. 🍍

MAY 18 Part 1: The bar chart gives information about the life expectancy in Japan, Korea, the United States, and Indonesia, and the table shows the change in life expectancy between 1953 and 2008. Part 2: The tendency of human beings to copy one another is shown in the popularity of areas such as fashion and consumer goods. To what extent do you agree or disagree? #writing 📩 @cdireport_admin 🔗 cdireport.t.me

Recent exam. My answer is available here: https://t.me/irinalutsenko/551

How long does it take you to decide whether to keep reading a book or to put it down? 📚 Not long, I bet. Just like meeting a person for the first time, we tend to judge stories in the first moments of our encounter, meaning by the end of the opening line, if not the first paragraph. But how do you write a great opening paragraph? To find out, join our "Writing Incubator" workshop "Writing an engaging intro to your story by Elizaveta Zanozina" this Sunday! 🦋 “Writing Incubator” is a series of workshops by stellar professionals who love writing. This is our final workshop of the season. In this workshop, we'll explore what makes an opening paragraph truly engaging. We'll read and dissect examples of memorable story openings, including your own favorites, unpack the craft behind what makes them work, and then try our hand at writing a first paragraph that pulls the reader in and keeps us, as writers, hungry to write what comes next. 📅 17 May, Sunday, 11:00 am Moscow time, in real time, on Zoom 💌 The workshop is free. To join, message me @iraluts with a meaningful ending to this comment, "Wow, I can't miss this one! I'd love to join because ... ." ❗️ Please note that this is a workshop, not a webinar or a lecture. If you join, you have to write. We don't record our workshops, so this is a safe space to participate. 🦋 Writing Incubator - where writing skills hatch 🦋

Are all IELTS test centers created equal? I have now taken IELTS in four different countries: Russia, the US, Uzbekistan, and one county in Europe that will remain undisclosed. Sometimes I hear people discuss whether one test center is better than the other. In my experience, all test venues are more or less the same. A test center wouldn't get accredited if it didn't meet certain criteria. Of course, some conditions differ and might matter. To me, what matters is lighting, temperature, and chairs. (The chairs in the Institute of Irrigation test venue in Tashkent are engraved on my heart forever. 💜) But these are subjective. And also subject to change over time. One thing is crucial though. And I realized it only in my latest attempt in Europe, when I looked down at the keyboard in horror. Some European keyboards are not QWERTY keyboards! Some letters and punctuation marks are on different keys! ❗️ This is really worth looking into. Other than that, it's worth focusing on skills, not in external conditions.

My IELTS 9 # 4 💪 Writing score breakdown: Task 1: 9989 Task 2: 8888 I've been writing task 1 like crazy over the past six months. Because I thought it was my weakness -- in my previous attempts the essay was always better. Well. Use it or lose it. Don't get complacent and keep writing! 💪

MAY 5 Part 1: The diagram shows the fire escape plan for a student accommodation in the second floor of a college Part 2: The media should include more stories which report good news. To what extent do you agree or disagree? #writing 📩 @cdireport_admin 🔗 cdireport.t.me

Recent exam. My answer is available here: https://t.me/irinalutsenko/618

#IELTS tasks from the internet. Part 2. There are a lot of IELTS tasks from real exams on the internet -- and I use them extensively in my classes. One important thing to understand about these tasks though, is that they contain mistakes. They are reported and reconstructed by test takers from memory after all. Mistakes in tasks with figures are very likely -- IELTS candidates who report the questions might indeed not remember the precise data they saw. Such mistakes might affect Task Achievement, especially the overview, because there might be wrong or unidentifiable trends and patterns. Yes, and we mustn't forget that, but ... Let's consider the attached task. It does look suspicious: the scales (the horizontal axes) on the four charts are not the same, and the countries seem somewhat random. Let's not clutch our pearls еhough. Let's brainstorm for useful language and paraphrasing techniques. 🍋 Here is some useful language: - the most exported fruit - the main / leading exporter - slightly less was sold by - exported half the volume ... did - showing ... metric tons in sales - the largest suppliers in terms of total volumes - the most prevalent type of fruit sold overseas - lemons, traded internationally by Turkey and Mexico in almost the same volume So if you get this task in your exam with different input data, you are ready language-wise, not to mention that many of these chunks will be useful for other tasks. So my opinion is: It's OK to use IELTS tasks from the internet, but be alert -- use your good judgment and don't trust them blindly. I think it's better to learn to separate the wheat from the chaff than to rely on the meager four tests a year we see in the official IELTS books. 🍋 See two great answers for the attached task: 1. By a C2 level student: https://t.me/irinalutsenko/501 2. By me (along with many other answers): https://t.me/irinalutsenko/551