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2021

IELTS grammar: how to remember the difference between Simple Present and Present Continuous

Today’s lesson will teach you two things – the difference between the Simple Present and Present Continuous verb tenses, and how to use them correctly.

The reason why Adam is talking about the Simple Present and the Present Continuous today is that people confuse them and make a lot of small mistakes that lower their IELTS score. Adam worked as a Speaking examiner for the British Council for 10 years, and in his experience, this was a very common problem for many IELTS test takers. Don’t let this affect you, too! As soon as you learn the difference and see some examples when to use each verb tense, you will stop making these mistakes.

Even if you think you know your Simple Present and Present Continuous but you’re not 100% sure, stick around, watch this video, and in exactly 8 minutes an amazing transformation will happen. You will become absolutely certain and confident about using these two verb tenses and you won’t hesitate – you’ll know which one to use and when.

Right now, when you have two present grammar forms and you don’t know which one to use, it’s a 50-50 chance of you choosing the wrong one 🙂 So let’s turn the odds in your favour!

Watch the video on YouTube here

 

Go here to get Adam to assess your Speaking, estimate you the score you’re likely to get now and tell you how to score higher.

In the video: Simple Present – for routines and permanent situations

Dan works on Sundays. (routine)

I study every morning. (routine)

His parents own a store. (permanent situation)

Present continuous – for actions in progress or temporary situations

She is going to class right now. (action in progress)

Kim and Adam are taking an English class together. (temporary situation)

But this is far from all – there’s a lot more in the video, make sure to watch until the very end.

IELTS Speaking test in Russia – March 2021

Some very kind IELTS test takers from Russia shared their recent Speaking questions, below:

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– What is your full name?
– Can I see your ID?
– What may I call you?
– Where are you from?
– Describe your home town.

– What is your favourite colour?
– What colour don’t you like?
– What type of clothes do you normally wear?
– Do you wear a different type of clothes at the weekend?

– Let’s talk about picnics. Do you go on a picnic often?
– When was the first time you went on a picnic?
– Where do people usually go on a picnic where you live?
– Why do people like picnics?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Talk about a time when you spoke a foreign language for the first time. Please say

– what language it was
– with whom you spoke
– what you said
– and explain how you felt about it.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– Is it important to teach children foreign languages when they are little?
– At what age should children learn a foreign language?
– Is it a good idea to teach children two foreign languages simultaneously?
– What is the best way to learn a language, through talking or writing?
– Why do you think many languages are disappearing these days?
– Does a language shape your culture?
– Is language the only thing that influences a person?