Tricks for IELTS Writing & Speaking section

How to develop your ‘OWN VOCABULARY’ and improve Writing in 13 days

In IELTS, Writing and Speaking are difficult sections for non English Medium students. Above that,
the answers and vocabulary used is not fixed and same for each and everyone like it is for Listening
and Reading. In listening and reading the answers remain fixed and same for all students just like an
answer of a sum in mathematics.

In writing and speaking one of major role is Vocabulary next to Grammar.

VOCABULARY is not the TOTAL NUMBER OF WORDS for which you know the MEANING.
But VOCABULARY means THOSE SOPHISTICATED HARD WORDS which you can recollect and retrieve
from the corner of your brain in less than 1 second while speaking or writing and apply them in
practical life without need of time to wait for think or remember them.

You may know the meaning of 1000 such difficult words, but when you are asked to apply them and
use it in your speech (fluently), even after knowing their meaning, you might not be able to use
them. Those words are not your vocabulary.

When word ‘Vocabulary’ comes into the picture, everyone starts thinking of thousands of words and
hundreds of pages like dictionary.

Whereas I am going to give you few amazing tips for scoring high in writing and speaking in IELTS.

Now the first thing to be done at the earliest on top priority is to make your OWN VOCABULARY,
seriously?
Yes your own Vocab. Seems like writing an encyclopaedia? Ready to become a short term author?

Here we go !

The fact is that you will soon start speaking high level, complex and sophisticated words.
Trust me, it may sound over exaggerated but I bet you will start speaking English you might not have
imagined in 6 hours!

Let's begin,

Step 1: now when I say creating your own vocabulary means first write down 50 difficult words
which you think it will make the sentence sound very impressive.

Now starts the technique, follow it honestly and with full dedication if you want unbiased and
transparent result.

While creating the list of these 50 difficult words, try to use a mixed combination of verbs,
adjectives, adverbs, and few phrases also.

arrange them in alphabetical order from A to Z and give serial number.

Learn by heart these 50 words and phrases by speaking in order and repeating the same process 10
times.

Don't worry if you cannot remember all of them at first shot.

Step 2: take a plain paper and write the maximum number of words you remember from those
50 words you had learnt by heart.

Give first priority to write in alphabetical order as that will force your brain to remember the words.

But if you cannot remember them in alphabetical order then at least try to write maximum number
of words, even randomly.

Target here is to remember maximum number of words.

Step 3: check the total number of words you could write in step 2 and compare it with the
original list

Note down the words you missed separately and write them 5 times or simply mug up by saying
them 15 times orally. I know most of you will opt for oral, ;) that's normal tendency but not really a
shortcut as you remember more when you write something.

Step 4: take a blank paper again and now write down only those words you learnt in step 3
Step 5: take a fresh blank paper and now try to write all 50 words from beginning in
alphabetical order

Step 6: select a cue card or any essay topic and write approx 100 words and try to make use of
15 words out of those 50 words you have learned.

At first attempt don't worry if you can make use of only few of them.

Practice this for around 4 to 5 topics or essays.

Step 7: by now you must be well aware about which 25 words are easy for you to remember
and use in any kind of topic from those 50 words.

Shortlist those 25 words and make the final list of those easy to remember words for you.

These are actually complex and sophisticated words for the rest of the world but for you it's just
peanuts.

Keep this list of 25 most important words on a small piece of paper every time with you for at least 4
to 5 days, in case you want refer them anytime across the day.
Step 8: try to speak on any random topic with your friend or family member and try to include
as many words as you can from these 25 words.

The interesting and good thing is that this vocabulary designed and developed by you is the shortest
and yet most powerful tool for your speaking and writing tasks.

You might be eager to know why only 25 words and not 50 or 75 words when there are millions of
words in dictionary, the answer is that you have only 120 seconds to speak on any cue card and
other 300 to 600 seconds for Followup questions in IELTS speaking whereas you have only 250 words
in essay and 150 words in letter/graph, a total of 400 words only in IELTS Writing Test.

So if you use at least one hard word from your own vocabulary in each sentence they will form a
good content to easily help you score at least 6.5 to 7 bands. Off course if your target is higher then
you need a bigger vocabulary of 50 or 75 words.

Special trick for IELTS writing test:

Usually you get time before the writing test begins after reading test is over.

All you have to do is just spend 60 - 120 seconds to write your 25 most important words from your
own vocabulary on QUESTION PAPER, remember its QUESTION PAPER, which is separately kept from
answer sheet. There is a blank space on each inside pages below the topics and questions.

Write all the words from your own vocabulary there irrespective of whatever be the topic or
question. Do this before you even read the topic, as this will speed up the process when you have
not yet started thinking on topic in question.

Now take another 5 mins to think on how you will frame your sentences to use maximum number of
words from those 25 words. Some of them may be useless depending on the topic in question.
That's not a problem at all.

If possible then write few points you are going to cover in your letter and essay on question paper,
this exercise is not a waste of time at all, as you will not waste any time later and neither you will
need to erase and write few sentences again which usually everyone does.

This is exactly like spending time in sharpening your blade before cutting the tree and then Cutting is
faster than others. Successful people call it planning which ultimately helps later as you already
know in which direction you are and you have to move while writing.

Anyhow sparing extra time at last and doing nothing is a mere wastage of time, because in writing
what I have felt is there is always a better way and some space for improvements.

Once writing is done even if you know better idea you are helpless as you cannot start all over again,
that's like letting the bands go away in front of you after knowing a better way.

So don't make the mistake of attacking the answer sheet the very next moment you get it. Spend
more time on question paper as it is merely a rough paper provided to you for making any notes or
using it as scratch pad. Use it.
This is the magic stick of your own vocabulary of 25 words which you can use in speaking as well.
This is probably the shortest and smartest way to prove that you have a strong vocabulary without
having one.

This trick works only in exams as there is a limited time to show your performance. But to be
successful in your career you slowly need to improve and increase your vocabulary and lexical
resource day by day. This is a gradual and painstaking process, practice being the only solution and
no other shortcuts.

If you are a lazy fellow like me, I am going to provide you some ready to start list of vocabulary,
which will include major words you can use in any topic in any situation.

Here we go!

OWN VOCABULARY
Compilation: 01 (25 shortlisted Words and Phrases you can use in any essay/letter)

1. Anticipate a prompt reply - expect or predict a fast reply

2. Affection - a gentle feeling of fondness or liking.
Example: "she felt affection for the wise old lady"
3. Abrupt - sudden and unexpected -
Example: "I was surprised by the abrupt change of subject"
4. Ambitious - showing a strong desire
5. Avid/Eminent - having or showing a keen interest in or enthusiasm for something
Example: "I read the book from Mr. David, who is an avid/eminent writer"
6. Consequently - as a result
7. Crave - feel a powerful desire for (something)
8. Daunting task - seeming difficult to deal with in prospect; intimidating
9. Discouraged - having lost confidence or enthusiasm; disheartened.
Example: "he must be feeling pretty discouraged"
10. Exorbitant - unreasonably high
11. Expedite - make happen sooner
12. Encouraged - give support, confidence, or hope to (someone)
Example: "we were encouraged by the success of this venture"
13. Futile - incapable of producing any useful result; pointless
14. Herculean task - requiring great strength or effort
15. Hazardous - risky; dangerous
Example: "we work in hazardous conditions"
16. Inevitable - certain to happen; unavoidable.
Example: "war was inevitable"
17. Intriguing - arousing one's curiosity or interest; fascinating
Example: "an intriguing story"
18. Inseparable - unable to be separated or treated separately
Example: "research and higher education seem inseparable"
19. Indispensable - absolutely necessary
20. Predominantly - mainly or mostly –
Example: "it is predominantly a coastal bird"
21. Sceptical - doubtful and not sure
22. Seldom - very rarely
Example: "I seldom go to pop shows"
23. Staunch - very loyal and committed in attitude/very strong
Example: "I am a staunch believer in God"
24. Undeniable fact - unable to be denied or disputed
Example: "it is an undeniable fact that some dogs are easier to train than others"
25. Vigorous - strong, healthy, and full of energy
Example: "a tall, vigorous, and muscular man"

I hope this will help you all a lot in doing smart work rather than very hard word in mugging
up too many words. I recommend to all readers to first get used to these words in their day
to day lives. This will help you even after passing IELTS with good score in your Job/Business.

I will publish the next Compilation in some time. Till that time – All the Best and Have a great
preparations ahead.

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