Comprehensive Basic IELTS Review Notes

Reading Skills

  • Objective: Understand short texts, find specific details, and identify main ideas.
  • Key Sub-Topics:
    • Skimming: Find the main idea (e.g., what a zoo visit is about).
    • Scanning: Locate details (e.g., dates, names).
    • True/False Questions: Check if statements are correct.
    • Matching Headings: Match paragraphs to ideas.
    • Gap-Filling: Complete sentences with missing words.
    • Predicting: Guess content from titles.
    • Guessing Meaning: Understand new words from context.
    • Visual Data: Interpret charts (e.g., visitor numbers).
    • Understanding Gist: Grasp overall meaning.
    • Identifying Examples: Recognize supporting details (e.g., "for instance").
    • Inferring: Understand implied ideas.
    • Synthesizing: Combine information from multiple texts.
  • Examples:
    • Skimming: Text: "Coffee originated in Ethiopia." Main idea: Coffee’s history.
    • Scanning: Question: "When was the Eiffel Tower built?" Answer: 1889.
    • True/False: "Bicycles have pedals." Answer: True.

Listening Skills

  • Objective: Understand short dialogues, fill forms, and catch key details.
  • Key Sub-Topics:
    • Form-Filling: Names, addresses, dates (e.g., hotel bookings).
    • Numbers/Dates/Spellings: "123-456," "June 5th," "A-N-N-A."
    • Note-Taking: Write key words from dialogues.
    • Predicting: Anticipate content (e.g., a booking).
    • Short Dialogues: Follow greetings or introductions.
    • Understanding Sequence: Follow order of events (e.g., making bread).
    • Signpost Language: Recognize phrases like "Firstly," "In conclusion."
  • Examples:
    • Form-Filling: Audio: "My name is Tom. I live at 10 Park Road." Fill in:
      • Name: Tom
      • Address: 10 Park Road

Writing Skills

  • Objective: Write simple sentences, combine ideas, and create informal letters.
  • Key Sub-Topics:
    • Sentence Formation: Write correct sentences.
    • Sentence Combining: Use "and," "because" to join ideas.
    • Informal Letters: Write letters (greeting, body, closing).
    • Basic Task 2 Paragraph: Write an opinion paragraph.
    • Error Correction: Fix grammar mistakes.
  • Examples:
    • Informal Letter: Dear Sarah, I am writing to tell you about the zoo. I can see lions. They are strong. You should visit it. I am looking at parrots now. Love, Tom
    • Sentence Combining: "I like school. It is fun." → "I like school because it is fun."

Speaking Skills

  • Objective: Introduce yourself, answer simple questions, and speak clearly.
  • Key Sub-Topics:
    • Self-Introduction: Share name, age, hometown, hobbies.
    • IELTS Part 1 Questions: Answer about family, school, hobbies.
    • Pronunciation: Speak slowly and clearly.
    • Question Responses: Give short, complete answers.
    • Small Talk: Discuss weather, hobbies, weekend plans.

Vocabulary and Structures

Self-Introduction

  • Vocabulary: name, age, hometown, live, study, work, family, hobby, favorite, like
  • Structures:
    • "My name is [name]."
    • "I am [age] years old."
    • "I live in [place]."
    • "I like [hobby/activity]."
    • "My favorite [thing] is [noun]."
  • Example: "My name is Lisa. I am 14. I live in Hanoi. I like reading to learn English."

Greetings

  • Vocabulary: hello, hi, morning, good, fine, busy, sick, thank you, how
  • Structures:
    • "Hello! How are you?"
    • "I’m fine, thank you. And you?"
    • "I’m a bit sick."
    • "It’s good to see you."
  • Example: "Hi! I’m good! How are you?"

Hobbies

  • Vocabulary: hobby, cooking, dancing, gym, ceramics, swimming, games, passion, relaxing, refreshing
  • Structures:
    • "I love [V-ing] [activity]."
    • "I enjoy [V-ing] because it’s [adjective]."
    • "I take up [V-ing] recently."
    • "I spend time [V-ing]."
    • "My favorite hobby is [activity]."
  • Example: "I love swimming. I take up swimming to feel refreshed."

Working Together

  • Vocabulary: help, fix, problem, share, turn, kind, follow, job, agree, refuse
  • Structures:
    • "We can work together to [verb]."
    • "You should help [person]."
    • "I agree to [verb]."
    • "Let’s share [noun]."
    • "For example, we fix problems together."
  • Example: "We can work together to fix the problem. For example, we share ideas."

Expressing Emotions

  • Vocabulary: happy, sad, tired, excited, angry, calm, relaxed, stressed, strong, healthy
  • Structures:
    • "I feel [adjective] because [reason]."
    • "I am [adjective] when [situation]."
    • "It’s [adjective] to [verb]."
    • "For instance, I feel happy."
  • Example: "I feel happy when I visit the zoo. For instance, I see animals."

Saying Yes & No

  • Vocabulary: yes, no, absolutely, definitely, sure, yep, nope, never, not at all, nah
  • Structures:
    • "Absolutely, I [verb]."
    • "No way, I don’t [verb]."
    • "Sure, I can [verb]."
    • "Not really, I [verb]."
    • "For example, I say yes to [activity]."
  • Example: "Absolutely, I love coffee. Nope, I don’t drink tea."

Vocabulary List

Daily Routines

  • have breakfast: Eat the first meal of the day.
  • go for a run: Exercise by running.
  • start work: Begin your job.
  • have lunch: Eat the midday meal.
  • leave work: Finish your job for the day.
  • chat together: Talk with others.
  • enjoy life: Have fun living.
  • exercise: Do physical activity.
  • go to bed: Sleep at night.
  • wake up: Get up in the morning.
  • study: Learn or review lessons.
  • cook: Prepare food.
  • clean: Make things tidy.
  • relax: Rest or unwind.
  • shop: Buy things.

Places

  • countryside: Area outside cities.
  • city: Urban area.
  • zoo: Place with animals.
  • park: Green public space.
  • square: Open public area.
  • aquarium: Place with fish.
  • home: Where you live.
  • school: Place for learning.
  • restaurant: Place to eat.
  • café: Place for drinks.
  • road: Path for travel.
  • ocean: Large body of water.
  • rainforest: Dense forest.
  • market: Place to buy goods.
  • bus stop: Place for buses.

Hobbies

  • cooking: Preparing food.
  • dancing: Moving to music.
  • swimming: Moving in water.
  • ceramics: Making pottery.
  • playing games: Enjoying games.
  • reading: Looking at books.
  • painting: Creating art.
  • running: Fast movement.
  • yoga: Exercise for body and mind.
  • singing: Making music with voice.
  • fishing: Catching fish.
  • hiking: Walking in nature.
  • drawing: Creating pictures.
  • gardening: Growing plants.
  • collecting: Gathering items.

Working Together

  • help: Assist someone.
  • fix: Solve a problem.
  • problem: Issue to solve.
  • share: Give to others.
  • turn: Chance to act.
  • kind: Nice to others.
  • follow: Obey rules.
  • job: Task or duty.
  • agree: Say yes.
  • refuse: Say no.
  • teamwork: Group effort.
  • listen: Hear carefully.
  • support: Help others.
  • cooperate: Work together.
  • discuss: Talk about ideas.

Travel/Tourism

  • visit: Go to a place.
  • choose: Pick something.
  • design: Plan or create.
  • entitle: Allow access.
  • stop: Place to pause.
  • all-day: Lasting all day.
  • pass: Ticket for access.
  • cost: Money spent.
  • fare: Price for travel.
  • board: Get on a vehicle.
  • tour: Guided trip.
  • guide: Person who leads.
  • ticket: Entry document.
  • destination: Place to go.
  • journey: Travel experience.

Food/Drink

  • coffee: Popular drink.
  • bread: Baked food.
  • salad: Mixed vegetables.
  • street food: Food from vendors.
  • pad Thai: Thai noodle dish.
  • taco: Mexican food.
  • mango sticky rice: Thai dessert.
  • espresso: Strong coffee.
  • condensed milk: Sweet milk.
  • water: Essential drink.
  • green tea: Healthy drink.
  • apple: Common fruit.
  • ingredient: Food component.
  • dish: Prepared food.
  • recipe: Cooking instructions.

Animals/Pets

  • dog: Common pet.
  • cat: Common pet.
  • parrot: Colorful bird.
  • goldfish: Small fish.
  • lion: Wild animal.
  • fish: Water animal.
  • civet cat: Small mammal.
  • hamster: Small pet.
  • dolphin: Sea animal.
  • pet: Animal companion.
  • animal shelter: Place for homeless animals.
  • adopt: Take an animal home.
  • bird: Feathered animal.
  • mammal: Warm-blooded animal.
  • creature: Living being.

Health/Environment

  • healthy: Good condition.
  • strong: Physically powerful.
  • energy: Strength to act.
  • stress: Mental pressure.
  • biodegradable: Naturally decomposable.
  • pollution: Harmful substances.
  • deforestation: Tree removal.
  • hygiene: Cleanliness.
  • exercise: Physical activity.
  • well-being: Overall health.
  • fatigue: Extreme tiredness.
  • mindfulness: Present awareness.
  • hydration: Water balance.
  • oxygen: Essential gas.
  • biodiversity: Variety of life.

Time/Dates

  • Monday: Day of the week.
  • January: First month.
  • first: Number one.
  • second: Number two.
  • third: Number three.
  • month: Time period.
  • week: Seven days.
  • year: Twelve months.
  • morning: Early day.
  • nowadays: Current time.
  • always: Every time.
  • usually: Most times.
  • sometimes: Occasionally.
  • never: Not ever.
  • twice: Two times.

Classroom/Academic

  • class: Learning session.
  • teacher: Person who teaches.
  • book: Learning material.
  • lecture: Academic talk.
  • guidelines: Instructions.
  • topic: Subject of discussion.
  • subject: Area of study.
  • room: Classroom location.
  • course: Study program.
  • office hour: Teacher’s availability.
  • photocopy: Copied document.
  • study: Learn material.
  • learn: Gain knowledge.
  • discuss: Talk about ideas.
  • summarize: Shorten information.

Grammar Summary

Simple Present Tense

  • Use: Habits, facts, routines.
  • Structure:
    • Affirmative: Subject + verb (-s/-es for he/she/it). E.g., "She works in a bank."
    • Negative: Subject + don’t/doesn’t + verb. E.g., "I don’t like tea."
    • Question: Do/Does + subject + verb? E.g., "Do you understand?"
  • Common Mistakes:
    • Wrong: "She don’t study." Correct: "She doesn’t study."

Verb "To Be"

  • Use: States, identities, locations.
  • Forms: am (I), is (he/she/it), are (you/we/they).
  • Structure:
    • Affirmative: Subject + am/is/are. E.g., "I am a student."
    • Negative: Subject + am/is/are + not. E.g., "They are not at home."
    • Question: Am/Is/Are + subject? E.g., "Is she a teacher?"
  • Common Mistakes:
    • Wrong: "We is." Correct: "We are."

Passive Voice

  • Use: Focus on the action or receiver.
  • Structure: Subject + am/is/are + past participle. E.g., "The letter was sent."
  • Common Mistakes:
    • Wrong: "The room was clean." Correct: "The room was cleaned."

Can/Can’t

  • Use: Express ability or inability.
  • Structure:
    • Affirmative: Subject + can + verb. E.g., "I can swim."
    • Negative: Subject + can’t + verb. E.g., "She can’t drive."
    • Question: Can + subject + verb? E.g., "Can you read?"
  • Common Mistakes:
    • Wrong: "He can to run." Correct: "He can run."

Should/Shouldn’t

  • Use: Give advice.
  • Structure:
    • Affirmative: Subject + should + verb. E.g., "You should study."
    • Negative: Subject + shouldn’t + verb. E.g., "You shouldn’t be late."
    • Question: Should + subject + verb? E.g., "Should I call?"
  • Common Mistakes:
    • Wrong: "She should to go." Correct: "She should go."

Infinitives of Purpose

  • Use: Explain why something is done.
  • Structure: Verb + to + infinitive. E.g., "I study to learn English."
  • Common Mistakes:
    • Wrong: "I read for learn." Correct: "I read to learn."

Verb + To Infinitive

  • Use: After verbs like want, learn, need.
  • Structure: Verb + to + infinitive. E.g., "I want to play."
  • Common Verbs: want, need, learn, plan.
  • Common Mistakes:
    • Wrong: "I want play." Correct: "I want to play."

Present Continuous Tense

  • Use: Actions happening now or temporary actions.
  • Structure:
    • Affirmative: Subject + am/is/are + verb-ing. E.g., "She is reading."
    • Negative: Subject + am/is/are + not + verb-ing. E.g., "They aren’t playing."
    • Question: Am/Is/Are + subject + verb-ing? E.g., "Are you writing?"
  • Common Mistakes:
    • Wrong: "He is run." Correct: "He is running."

Like/Enjoy/Love + V-ing

  • Use: Express preferences or enjoyment.
  • Structure: Subject + like/enjoy/love + verb-ing. E.g., "I love swimming."
  • Common Mistakes:
    • Wrong: "She enjoy to swim." Correct: "She enjoys swimming."

There is/are

  • Use: Describe existence or presence.
  • Structure:
    • Affirmative: There + is/are + noun. E.g., "There is a park."
    • Negative: There + isn’t/aren’t + noun. E.g., "There aren’t any cats."
    • Question: Is/Are + there + noun? E.g., "Is there a class?"
  • Common Mistakes:
    • Wrong: "There are a dog." Correct: "There is a dog."

Signpost Language

  • Use: Organize speech or writing (introduce, sequence, summarize).
  • Examples:
    • Introducing: "Today, we are going to talk about…"
    • Sequencing: "Firstly," "Next," "After that."
    • Summarizing: "In conclusion," "To sum up."
  • Common Mistakes:
    • Wrong: "First, I talk about…" Correct: "Firstly, I’ll talk about…"

Question Formation

  • Simple Present: Do/Does + subject + verb? E.g., "Do you play?"
  • Verb "To Be": Am/Is/Are + subject? E.g., "Are you ready?"
  • Can/Should: Can/Should + subject + verb? E.g., "Can you sing?"
  • Present Continuous: Am/Is/Are + subject + verb-ing? E.g., "Is she working?"
  • There is/are: Is/Are + there + noun? E.g., "Is there a book?"
  • Wh-Questions: Wh-word + auxiliary + subject + verb? E.g., "What are you doing?"

Study Tips

  • Vocabulary: Learn 5 new words daily (write sentences).
  • Listening: Watch 2–3 min English videos (no subtitles) and note words.
  • Writing: Write 1–2 sentences daily using "can," "should," or "to."
  • Speaking: Practice 1 Part 1 question daily aloud.