JAKE: Where should we take a vacation this year? Let’s 
decide soon.
MELISSA: Well, I’d like to go somewhere warm. How about
the beach? Or we could rent a cabin on the lake.
JAKE: You want to go to the beach, again? I want to ski 
this winter. How about a compromise? What about 
traveling to the Alps in Europe next April? We can 
find a ski resort on a lake.
MELISSA: Oh, we’ve never been to Europe before! But I don’t 
know if it will be sunny and warm then. I need to 
do some research first. That will help me make up
my mind.



LANGUAGE NOTES
• Decide is a useful verb to express choice. The idiom “to make up my mind” also 
means “to decide”: “There are so many choices in this menu. It’s going to take awhile 
to make up my mind/decide.” You can finish this sentence with either the idiom or the 
verb “decide.”
• How about This phrase presents an alternative. This phrase can be followed by a 
subject plus a conjugated verb or by a noun: How about we go swimming? / How about 
a movie tonight?
• Many verbs express opinions: to think / to believe / to suppose / to assume, etc. They 
are not all synonymous. For example, “to suppose” and “to assume” express that the 
speaker has a preconceived idea: He came back late from work, so I assumed that traffic 
was bad. /I suppose that may not have been the case, and that he might just have had a 
lot of work.

English Conversation practice (30-day challenge)

Day 27: Giving your opinion

First and foremost, carefully read the passage or section and understand its main idea and purpose. Pay attention to the overall theme and the information presented. This will help you grasp the essence of the passage and identify the most relevant title.

Next, consider the tone and style of the passage. Is it informative, persuasive, or narrative? This will guide you in choosing a title that accurately reflects the overall tone and style of the passage.

Look for recurring keywords or phrases that capture the central idea or main theme. These keywords often provide clues to help you select an appropriate title. Consider the main points and arguments presented in the passage and choose a title that reflects these key elements.

When selecting a title, think about its broad and inclusive nature. A good title should encapsulate the main idea or purpose of the passage without being too specific or narrow. It should be able to cover the entire content of the passage or section.

Avoid titles that are overly generic or too similar to the headings or subheadings within the passage. Look for titles that capture the uniqueness and distinctiveness of the content. A strong title should entice readers and give them a clear sense of what to expect from the passage.

Pay attention to any contrasting or conflicting ideas presented in the passage. Consider whether the title you choose accurately represents the overall message, even if there are opposing viewpoints or multiple perspectives.

Allocate a specific amount of time for each question and avoid spending too much time deliberating on a single title. If you're uncertain about a title, make an educated guess and move on.

To enhance your skills in answering Choosing a Title questions, practice with a variety of authentic IELTS reading materials. Familiarize yourself with different question formats and expose yourself to diverse topics and writing styles.

IELTS Insights📚📝

IELTS INSIGHTS READING TITLE

First and foremost, carefully read the instructions for each T-F-NG question. Pay attention to any specific guidelines, such as whether the statements must be supported by evidence in the passage or if they should reflect the writer's opinion.

Next, proceed to read the passage thoroughly, keeping in mind the statements provided in the question. Pay close attention to the relevant sections that may contain information relating to the statements. Look for keywords or phrases that directly address or contradict the statements.

When evaluating each statement, consider whether there is clear evidence in the passage that supports its truthfulness. If you find explicit information that confirms the statement, mark it as "True." Conversely, if you encounter evidence that directly contradicts the statement, mark it as "False." Be cautious not to base your decision on assumptions or personal opinions. Stick to the information presented in the passage.

There may be instances where the information regarding a statement is not explicitly stated in the passage. In such cases, mark the statement as "Not Given." Remember, "Not Given" means there is insufficient information to confirm or deny the statement's truthfulness.

It's crucial to be aware of any qualifying words or phrases in the statements, such as "all," "only," "always," or "never." Pay close attention to these qualifiers, as they can significantly affect the accuracy of the statement.

Time management is key when answering T-F-NG questions. Allocate a specific amount of time for each question and avoid spending too much time on a single statement. If you're unsure about a statement, make an educated guess and move on. You can revisit it later if time allows.


IELTS INSIGHTS READING T-F-NG

PLEASE PRACTICE HERE
https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-multiple-choice-listening-turtles/
https://ielts-up.com/listening/multiple-choice.html

IELTS LISTENING TIPS MULTIPLE CHOICE

14 Listening tips for your IELTS exam

    Attempt all questions – there are no penalties for incorrect answers.
    Watch out for plurals in answers. If the question requires a plural answer, a singular answer is incorrect.
    Answers appear in the order they are heard in the audio. They come quickly or with large gaps between them.
    Prepare to hear a potential answer that is not the actual answer. This is common when two people are making plans. They first agree on meeting at a certain time, but then one remembers that they cannot so they decide on a new time.
    Take care when you transfer your answers and pay attention to the word limit for your answers on your answer sheet!
    Multiple-choice answers will ask for a letter (a, b, c, d). Write the letter and not the corresponding answer.
    When asked to complete a sentence using no more than two words, and the correct answer is “leather coat,” then “a coat made of leather” is incorrect. Same goes for numbers.
    Hyphenated words (like “part-time”) are considered as one word.

    Focus on what the speaker is saying not how they say it.
    Don’t take notes in complete sentences – jot down the key points and abbreviate. You only need to write down enough to help your memory later.
    Get the habit of distinguishing between essential and non-essential information. If two people are talking about making plans for a dinner date, the important information is the date/time they finally agree upon. Other dates/times they considered become irrelevant.
    Try to guess what the speaker is going to say. Speakers, will often drop clue words or outline what they will to talk about beforehand. This gives you the ability to start your own outline to then fill in.
    Listen to the audio while reading the audio script. This will help you get a sense of how questions are spaced out, as well as learning some useful common expressions that are frequently used in listening tests.

14 Listening tips for your IELTS exam

Listening Strategy
Before the recording starts:
1. Check instructions – how many words/numbers are permitted for the answer
2. Skim and orientate – establish context (who, where, what)
3. Underline keywords and think of synonyms
4. Establish required information
5. Predict answers

During the recording:
1. Listen for keywords (stressed words)
2. Listen for signposts and synonyms of keywords in the question
3. Work on the current question and look ahead to the next question
4. Skip missed answers and move on
5. Watch out for distracters (incorrect answers)

After the recording (transfer time):
1. Check for spelling or grammatical errors
2. Fill in something for any missing answers