This latest book (April 2015) in the well established exam preparation series from Cambridge English gives IELTS candidates the chance to become familiar with the format of the IELTS test and learn to apply specific IELTS test strategies with these authentic IELTS exam papers compiled by Cambridge. The book has four different Academic IELTS tests, each one complete with Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking sections. There are also Reading and Writing sections for the IELTS General Training exam. Cambridge IELTS 10 includes an overview of each IELTS exam section as well as a comprehensive guide to how the IELTS exam is evaluated in terms of the different IELTS Band scores. Also included in Cambridge IELTS 10 is a complete answer key for all sections and transcripts of all the audio recordings, making it an ideal self-study resource for candidates preparing for the IELTS exam, or students who do not have access to an IELTS preparation course or IELTS tutors. Cambridge IE

Studying abroad compared to a UK university education Now that annual tuition fees for many UK universities are around £9,000 it raises the question: can British students get better value for money studying abroad? In many cases British students are finding equivalent educational opportunities at much lower costs outside the UK. So how does studying abroad stack up against studying in the UK? One British student decided to study European Studies, in the Netherlands, at Maastricht University, where she will shortly begin her second academic year of study. She calculated that studying in the UK for a similar degree would leave her with at least £27,000 of student debt based on tuition fees, plus other possible associated costs. Meanwhile the undergraduate European Studies Degree course she is attending at Maastricht University costs just £1,500 for tuition annually and her course is taught in English, as are ten other undergraduate courses at the same university. So basically

How good is your knowledge of English modal verbs? Can you score 100% on this online quiz? Modal Verbs Quiz (6) Present & Future Forms 1. He _____ expect to keep his job after that recent disaster with one of his clients! has to can't must 2. I'm sure we ______ be at the hotel by now. The woman said it was only five minutes down the road. might should must 3. I'm not sure, but I _____ go and see my grandmother this weekend. might can 'm bound to 4. Is there a mechanic here who _____ help? My car's broken down. can must should 5. I think she _____ be careful about what she says in the future - her boss was very angry. 'd better 's able to should to Score = Correct answers:

Modal Verbs Quiz 5 Present & Future Forms 1. We _____ have a barbeque later if the weather stays nice. might can't must 2. She's really good at her job, she's _____ to get a promotion soon. is able must bound 3. There's a package to be collected, but it _____ be today if you're too busy. doesn't have to can't mustn't 4. _____ take the train? It's really boring! Should we Could we Do we have to 5. Let's ask that man for directions - he _____ know. might can shouldn't Score = Correct answers: Quiz 6

Modal verbs can could In English grammar , the modal verbs ( can, could, may, might, must, will, would, shall, should, ought to, need ) are auxiliary verbs used to describe ability , possibility or necessity . Use an English modal verb + infinitive form of the verb without to . Do not change their form: She could speak German and Spanish .(NOT She could to speak...) Could you speak German before you went to live in Germany? (NOT Did you could speak German...) 1. Ability Use the following English modal verbs to express ability: Present tense : can, can’t, be able to, manage to I can’t drive. I manage to concentrate, but it’s difficult sometimes. I’m able to speak three languages. Past tense : could, couldn’t, be able to, manage to They weren’t able to find the address of the shop. Perfect tenses : be able to, manage to Have you managed to complete the assignment yet? Future tense : be able to, manage to He won’t be able to come to the meeting this afternoon. Use

IELTS Challenge #7 Today’s IELTS topic | Natural Resources & Alternative Fuels 1. Brainstorm as many verbs, adjectives, phrases and other vocabulary related to natural resources and alternative fuels as you can in 2 minutes. 2. Can you name 4 fossil fuels? Can you name 7 natural energy resources? Choose two of the examples you thought of and list the advantages and possible problems associated with each. 3. Road traffic is considered to be one of the biggest contributors to environmental pollution. Why? What is the name of the substance that is produced by cars, buses, trucks and other methods of transport which use fossil fuels? 4. How can we reduce the amount of this substance being produced? Can you think of any examples of schems in your country to try and reduce these emissions? What is involved? How are they organised? Are they successful? Why/why not? 5. Give examples of actions individuals can take to change the way they use energy at home/at work. What shou

IELTS workout of the day (WOD) #6 Today’s topic | Hobbies / Pastimes / Leisure activities 1. Brainstorm 5 indoor activities, 5 outdoor activities and 5 activities which can be done both indoors and outdoors. 2. Give 5 examples of hobbies / pastimes / leisure activities which are popular in your country. Now think of 5 different adjectives to describe each of your examples. 3. Give 2 reasons why you think each one is popular. 4. Many people think it is important to have a hobby / pastime. - Think of 3 possible benefits of having a hobby / pastime. - Now, using modal verbs of possibility/probability, make suppositions about why some of the hobbies / pastimes you identified earlier might offer benefits to those people who do them. Example: People who do a lot of sport may feel better and could be healthier. 5. Identify 3 reasons why a person might take up a hobby or pastime. 6. Do you have a hobby / pastime? Can you write a paragraph explaining what your hobby / past

IELTS workout of the day (WOD)#5 Today’s topic | The Media 1. How many different types of media can you think of in 1 minute? 2. Brainstorm as many verbs or phrases associated with the media as you can in 1 minute. 3. Which is the most popular form of media for news in your country? - for adults - for young people Is it different? Can you give two or three reasons why different ages prefer different media? 4. Prepositions: Here are some sentences related to the media. Each sentence contains a preposition. Decide if the preposition is the correct one or not in each case. Many people love commenting in social media pages. Satellite TV programs are broadcast all over the world. Most national newspapers are published in a daily basis. The man read the headlines on the newspaper. 5. Can you think of 5 adjectives commonly used to describe news stories. 6. Identify 5 sections which normally appear in a newspaper, news website or similar publication. What kind of content would you

IELTS workout of the day #4 Today's topic | The Economy 1. Think about the economy of your country. What are the main sectors? Can you name at least 5 of them? 2. How would you describe your country? Is it an importer of goods or an exporter of goods? What kinds of things does it import/export? TIP: If you’re not sure – go to Wikipedia and look for the relevant information about your own country. 3. What are the main challenges/problems facing the economy in your country at the moment? Examples: unemployment, loss of traditional industry, international competition How many problems can you identify? Can you describe a fast-moving sector of your national economy? What is it and why do you think it’s growing rapidly? 4. Can you think of 5 adverbs to describe changes in the economy or markets? 5. Identify 5 factors which can affect the economy. How can these factors be an influence on the economy of a country? Write 5 sentences (one for each factor) describing the poss

IELTS workout of the day (WOD) #3 IELTS workout of the day (WOD) is designed to help you develop your speed and thinking skills, as well as review and learn vocabulary and grammar related to common IELTS topics. They are NOT all-inclusive vocabulary or grammar resources. They are designed to get you thinking and focussing on typical vocabulary you may need for the IELTS test. If you think these IELTS exercises are difficult, then you probably need to learn more vocabulary first, or review grammar (there are many books and other resources here you can access for this.) IELTS WODs are a challenge, you should try and do them as fast as you can. Take note of the parts that cause problems for you - and then study to improve your knowledge. You should be able to complete this WOD in around 30 minutes. If it takes you more time, don't worry, just keep practising and you will get faster, better and more confident. Good Luck! Today's topic | Buildings 1. Brainstorm 15 vocabul

IELTS workout of the day #2 Today's topic | Health You should be able to complete this WOD in around 30 minutes. If it takes you more time, don't worry, just keep practising and you will get faster, better and more confident. Good Luck! 1. Brainstorm 10 common health problems/conditions. 2. Give 5 examples of adjectives you could use in relation to health. 3. Identify at least 3 life threatening diseases/conditions. 4. What are the most common causes of these diseases/conditions? 5. Describe the typical treatment or solution for one of these diseases/conditions in no more than three sentences. 6. Rewrite the following sentence in as many different ways as you can in 1 minute. In many developed countries, obesity is overtaking smoking as one of the leading causes of health problems. 7. Give 3 examples of things/activities/habits which are detrimental to your health in general, and 3 examples of good/healthy lifestyle choices. 8. Complete the following 5 condi

IELTS Challenge #1 IELTS challenges are designed to help you practise/learn using vocabulary and grammar closely associated with topics and skills require in the IELTS test. They are designed to help you think faster, develop wider vocabulary and variety in expressing your ideas and to make you more creative when tackling IELTS topics, especially in the speaking and writing sections. You should be able to complete this WOD in around 30 minutes. If it takes you more time, don't worry, just keep practising and you will get faster, better and more confident. Good Luck! IELTS Challenge #1 | The Environment Write down 20 words associated with the environment. Identify at least 3 environmental problems. Identify a minimum of 3 causes of pollution. Describe a solution for one of the above (an environmental problem or cause of pollution)in no more than three sentences. Rewrite the following sentence in as many different ways as you can in 1 minute: The threat of climate change

Powerful Paragraphs! You can improve your writing score in English tests like IELTS, TOEFL and CAE by learning to write well. It is important that you can organize your ideas and express them clearly. To be able to do this you need to know how to organize paragraphs and why they are important in making your writing easier to understand. Let's take a look at some tips on how to use paragraphs correctly to improve the quality of your writing. How to use paragraphs correctly A paragraph contains sentences which express ideas related to the topic of the paragraph. Normally, a paragraph has one or two topic sentences, the main body of the paragraph, and a sentence or two sentences which close or end the paragraph. In multi-paragraph writing, for example, in an essay, a report, or description, each paragraph presents an idea which is directly related to the topic of the entire document. The first sentences, or the opening sentences, in a paragraph establish the topic of the par