My eye surgery as an IELTS Writing Task 1 process denoscription 👁 👁
Those of you who’ve known me for a while, or who’ve seen old photos of me, know that I used to wear glasses. I no longer do because I got eye surgery – and wrote about it as an #IELTS Writing Task 1 answer.
Even though there is no real IELTS task like this, there are still lots of things you can borrow from my answer.
"The process began from a full diagnostic test. Based on the results of the test, the ophthalmologist concluded that LASIK – the type of surgery I had intended to get – was not an option for me due to thin corneas and advised that I get PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) instead. This type of surgery has a longer and more painful recovery period. However, having weighed all the pros and cons, I decided to go through with it.
On the day of the surgery, I first had consultations with an ophthalmologist and an anesthesiologist, who walked me through the process. The surgery took place after that and consisted of several steps.
In the first step, a nurse put numbing drops in my eyes. After the anesthesia had taken effect, she walked me into the operating room and helped me lie on the treatment couch. In the next step, the surgeon placed an eyelid holder, also called an eye speculum, on my right eye to prevent it from blinking. He then positioned the laser over my face and shone a green light into my eye for several minutes. This was followed by the actual laser treatment, which lasted for several seconds and was barely noticeable. The same operation was then performed on my left eye. The final step was a postoperative assessment, after which I was discharged.
In the following days, I experienced severe discomfort and itching, which began to gradually decrease in intensity on the third day but lingered for about three more days. Another inconvenience during this period was having to go to the clinic for assessment every day – a requirement that was burdensome due to pain and excessive tearing.
Overall, while the surgery itself was short and painless, the recovery wasn't. The hellish recovery notwithstanding, I am glad I got the surgery because a life without glasses is more convenient."
And during my recovery, since I couldn’t look at screens, I spent my days listening to lectures by well-established writers. I then implemented some ideas in my Creative Writing Club. Silver lining.
What are some things you can borrow? And did you notice the summative modifier? Share in the comments.💡
#ieltswritingtask1
Those of you who’ve known me for a while, or who’ve seen old photos of me, know that I used to wear glasses. I no longer do because I got eye surgery – and wrote about it as an #IELTS Writing Task 1 answer.
Even though there is no real IELTS task like this, there are still lots of things you can borrow from my answer.
"The process began from a full diagnostic test. Based on the results of the test, the ophthalmologist concluded that LASIK – the type of surgery I had intended to get – was not an option for me due to thin corneas and advised that I get PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) instead. This type of surgery has a longer and more painful recovery period. However, having weighed all the pros and cons, I decided to go through with it.
On the day of the surgery, I first had consultations with an ophthalmologist and an anesthesiologist, who walked me through the process. The surgery took place after that and consisted of several steps.
In the first step, a nurse put numbing drops in my eyes. After the anesthesia had taken effect, she walked me into the operating room and helped me lie on the treatment couch. In the next step, the surgeon placed an eyelid holder, also called an eye speculum, on my right eye to prevent it from blinking. He then positioned the laser over my face and shone a green light into my eye for several minutes. This was followed by the actual laser treatment, which lasted for several seconds and was barely noticeable. The same operation was then performed on my left eye. The final step was a postoperative assessment, after which I was discharged.
In the following days, I experienced severe discomfort and itching, which began to gradually decrease in intensity on the third day but lingered for about three more days. Another inconvenience during this period was having to go to the clinic for assessment every day – a requirement that was burdensome due to pain and excessive tearing.
Overall, while the surgery itself was short and painless, the recovery wasn't. The hellish recovery notwithstanding, I am glad I got the surgery because a life without glasses is more convenient."
And during my recovery, since I couldn’t look at screens, I spent my days listening to lectures by well-established writers. I then implemented some ideas in my Creative Writing Club. Silver lining.
What are some things you can borrow? And did you notice the summative modifier? Share in the comments.
#ieltswritingtask1
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🦋 Writing Incubator - where writing skills hatch 🦋
“Writing Incubator” is a series of workshops by stellar professionals who love writing. Please welcome our third workshop of the season!
🦋 “Three pillars of rhetoric for effective writing” by Alena Nikitina
This workshop is about the importance of the three components of the rhetorical situation—purpose, target audience and writer’s stance—and how the awareness of these three can make our writing more effective.
In the session, we will also look at what a rhetorical triangle is and how its components are reflected in the assessment scales for CPE.
And, of course, we are going to implement what we’ll learn in practice and write a paragraph of a review with the components of the rhetorical situation in mind.
📅 6 April, Sunday, 11:00 am MSK, Zoom
💌 The workshop is free. To join, write a meaningful or creative ending to this phrase in the comments: “Trying to apply rhetoric in writing is like … .” Then dm me @iraluts to get the link. Registration closes at 10 am, 6 April.
📌 Please note that this is a workshop, not a webinar or a lecture. If you join, you will have to write. "Ghosts" will be kicked out.
📌 Please note that we don't record our workshops. All the materials are given to attendees only.
PS: If you are on the fence about joining, check out the comments.
“Writing Incubator” is a series of workshops by stellar professionals who love writing. Please welcome our third workshop of the season!
🦋 “Three pillars of rhetoric for effective writing” by Alena Nikitina
This workshop is about the importance of the three components of the rhetorical situation—purpose, target audience and writer’s stance—and how the awareness of these three can make our writing more effective.
In the session, we will also look at what a rhetorical triangle is and how its components are reflected in the assessment scales for CPE.
And, of course, we are going to implement what we’ll learn in practice and write a paragraph of a review with the components of the rhetorical situation in mind.
📅 6 April, Sunday, 11:00 am MSK, Zoom
💌 The workshop is free. To join, write a meaningful or creative ending to this phrase in the comments: “Trying to apply rhetoric in writing is like … .” Then dm me @iraluts to get the link. Registration closes at 10 am, 6 April.
📌 Please note that this is a workshop, not a webinar or a lecture. If you join, you will have to write. "Ghosts" will be kicked out.
📌 Please note that we don't record our workshops. All the materials are given to attendees only.
PS: If you are on the fence about joining, check out the comments.
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Missing part? 🧋
"Gastronomic snobbery aside, science lacked an agreed definition of what junk food actually is, and that has made it difficult to know whether we should be avoiding it and, [_?_], why." (Source: New Scientist)
"Gastronomic snobbery aside, science lacked an agreed definition of what junk food actually is, and that has made it difficult to know whether we should be avoiding it and, [_?_], why." (Source: New Scientist)
Anonymous Quiz
62%
if so
4%
if so too
13%
if this is so
8%
if so we should
12%
if we should do so
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Missing part? 🌸
"We communicate more but with less physical effort, forgetting the vast evolutionary history that fitted us for physical movement and expression as [?] of understanding our world." (Source: The Guardian)
"We communicate more but with less physical effort, forgetting the vast evolutionary history that fitted us for physical movement and expression as [?] of understanding our world." (Source: The Guardian)
Anonymous Quiz
15%
A mean
51%
A means
8%
The mean
12%
The means
14%
Means
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IELTS processes: a common mistake
Let's say you have a model answer about making French fries and you see a sentence you want to borrow:
"The potatoes are first peeled and then cut into thin strips."
And then, imitating this perfectly wonderful sentence, you write this about noodle making:
1️⃣ "The flour is first mixed with water and then rolled into thin sheets."
And then you have a problem. The problem is that what is rolled into sheets is no longer flour. And you can't actually roll flour into sheets. What is rolled into sheets is dough. But there is no dough in the sentence.
Another manifestation of the same fundamental problem is pronouns that refer to other states of things. Consider this sentence about lemonade making:
2️⃣ "Water is purified, carbonated, and mixed with flavor, after which it is distributed to stores."
But what is distributed to stores is no longer water. What is distributed is lemonade.
In IELTS processes, things change their state and turn into new things. Be mindful of the nouns, pronouns, and verbs.
How would you rewrite the problematic sentences?❓
Let's say you have a model answer about making French fries and you see a sentence you want to borrow:
"The potatoes are first peeled and then cut into thin strips."
And then, imitating this perfectly wonderful sentence, you write this about noodle making:
And then you have a problem. The problem is that what is rolled into sheets is no longer flour. And you can't actually roll flour into sheets. What is rolled into sheets is dough. But there is no dough in the sentence.
Another manifestation of the same fundamental problem is pronouns that refer to other states of things. Consider this sentence about lemonade making:
But what is distributed to stores is no longer water. What is distributed is lemonade.
In IELTS processes, things change their state and turn into new things. Be mindful of the nouns, pronouns, and verbs.
How would you rewrite the problematic sentences?
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🦋 Writing about yourself...
Writing about yourself might feel cringey. But these days it's a good idea to have a bunch of ready-to-use bios up your sleeve. This is what our next "Writing Incubator" workshop will be all about—writing bios.
🦋 "Self-presentation in writing: How to write your bio" by Maria Botina (t.me/englishwithmariab)
Writing about yourself oftentimes feels just as cringy as the interview question, “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” Ideas are aplenty, yet doubts also abound. What should I write? I have nothing special to say… What example would be most effective? What if I write something wrong?
It’s time to leave the doubts in the rear view mirror and calmly work out the strategies to approach writing your bio with specific goals and examples in mind. This is what we’ll do in our next Writing Incubator workshop.
More specifically:
- We will learn about the types of writing where self-presentation is required
- Brainstorm ideas and examples of what makes you special and interesting for the reviewers.
- Learn to identify which of them will work best in what type of writing.
- Practice writing several short bios for different purposes.
📅 27 April, Sunday, 11:00 am MSK, Zoom
💌 The workshop is free. To get the link, write a comment on this post with a meaningful or creative ending to this phrase: "Trying to write your own bio is like … " and then message me.
‼️ Please note that this is a workshop, not a webinar or a lecture. If you join, you will have to write. "Ghosts" will be kicked out.
‼️ Please note that we don't record our workshops. All the materials are given to attendees only.
🦋 “Writing Incubator” is a series of workshops by stellar professionals who love writing. This Sunday is our last workshop of the season!
Writing about yourself might feel cringey. But these days it's a good idea to have a bunch of ready-to-use bios up your sleeve. This is what our next "Writing Incubator" workshop will be all about—writing bios.
🦋 "Self-presentation in writing: How to write your bio" by Maria Botina (t.me/englishwithmariab)
Writing about yourself oftentimes feels just as cringy as the interview question, “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” Ideas are aplenty, yet doubts also abound. What should I write? I have nothing special to say… What example would be most effective? What if I write something wrong?
It’s time to leave the doubts in the rear view mirror and calmly work out the strategies to approach writing your bio with specific goals and examples in mind. This is what we’ll do in our next Writing Incubator workshop.
More specifically:
- We will learn about the types of writing where self-presentation is required
- Brainstorm ideas and examples of what makes you special and interesting for the reviewers.
- Learn to identify which of them will work best in what type of writing.
- Practice writing several short bios for different purposes.
📅 27 April, Sunday, 11:00 am MSK, Zoom
💌 The workshop is free. To get the link, write a comment on this post with a meaningful or creative ending to this phrase: "Trying to write your own bio is like … " and then message me.
‼️ Please note that this is a workshop, not a webinar or a lecture. If you join, you will have to write. "Ghosts" will be kicked out.
‼️ Please note that we don't record our workshops. All the materials are given to attendees only.
🦋 “Writing Incubator” is a series of workshops by stellar professionals who love writing. This Sunday is our last workshop of the season!
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Missing word? 🌻
"Biologist Gretchen Daily at Stanford University pioneered the concept of ecosystem services. In [_?_] with Berman and others, she published a paper outlining how this approach could be used ... ." (Source: New Scientist)
"Biologist Gretchen Daily at Stanford University pioneered the concept of ecosystem services. In [_?_] with Berman and others, she published a paper outlining how this approach could be used ... ." (Source: New Scientist)
Anonymous Quiz
11%
Cohesion
12%
Concert
33%
Conjunction
40%
Line
4%
Lockstep
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An introduction technique for IELTS essays 📝
There are many different ways to write a great intro. Here is one.
Topic: "Some people choose to have their first child at an older age. What are the reasons? Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?"
What many people write here is something like: "Many individuals opt to have offspring ... ." Not that this is wrong. But this is weak because the sentence is too close to the original and relies solely on synonyms.💔
Let's try to step away from the direct paraphrasing—while retaining the original meaning, of course.
Let's try to find a shell noun or an umbrella term for the topic at hand. So, people who have children—who are they? Parents. Let's take this word one step further and talk about the state of having children. What would be the word for that? Parenthood. And what kind of parenthood is "at an older age"? There are words for that: late parenthood and delayed parenthood.
And then, after you've found a shell noun or an umbrella term, you can continue the sentence with:
- ... is becoming increasingly common.
- ... has become a (common) (choice / trend / phenomenon), with people increasingly …
Here is my first sentence of the intro: “Delayed parenthood has become a common life choice, with people increasingly choosing to have children in their thirties and forties or even later.”
Some other useful collocations that will allow for better paraphrasing of the topic might be "to enter parenthood" or "advanced parental age."
Over to you. Use this technique for one of the topics below and write the first sentence of the intro in the comments:
1️⃣ In the past, people stored knowledge mainly in books, but it is now being stored on the internet. Do advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
2️⃣ Films and games can be accessed at any time from mobile devices, like smartphones, tablets and laptop computers. Do advantages outweigh disadvantages?
3️⃣ In many countries, there is a growing trend for individuals to frequently discuss financial matters, such as their earnings or expenditures, in everyday conversation. What are the reasons behind this phenomenon? Is it advantageous or detrimental?
#ieltswritingtask2
There are many different ways to write a great intro. Here is one.
Topic: "Some people choose to have their first child at an older age. What are the reasons? Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?"
What many people write here is something like: "Many individuals opt to have offspring ... ." Not that this is wrong. But this is weak because the sentence is too close to the original and relies solely on synonyms.
Let's try to step away from the direct paraphrasing—while retaining the original meaning, of course.
Let's try to find a shell noun or an umbrella term for the topic at hand. So, people who have children—who are they? Parents. Let's take this word one step further and talk about the state of having children. What would be the word for that? Parenthood. And what kind of parenthood is "at an older age"? There are words for that: late parenthood and delayed parenthood.
And then, after you've found a shell noun or an umbrella term, you can continue the sentence with:
- ... is becoming increasingly common.
- ... has become a (common) (choice / trend / phenomenon), with people increasingly …
Here is my first sentence of the intro: “Delayed parenthood has become a common life choice, with people increasingly choosing to have children in their thirties and forties or even later.”
Some other useful collocations that will allow for better paraphrasing of the topic might be "to enter parenthood" or "advanced parental age."
Over to you. Use this technique for one of the topics below and write the first sentence of the intro in the comments:
#ieltswritingtask2
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"One" for "person" in IELTS essays 📝
I am a staunch opponent of "one" in the meaning "person" in IELTS writing. Yes, the meaning exists. But ... Here is a summary of my objections.
1️⃣ The meaning is very formal. VERY. Ten levels higher than IELTS more formal. As a result, this use so rare that when you use "one" in a very simple text, like an IELTS essay, it usually looks awkward.
2️⃣ There is potential for misreading.
Consider this example: "Stress has a negative impact on people's well-being in a whole host of ways. One might be affected by stress to such an extent that ... ."
Here, the reader's first reaction might be to understand "one" as "one way" because "one" for substitution is much more common.
Things might get even worse.
Sometimes I see texts like this: "Stress has a negative impact on people's well-being in a whole host of ways. One is related to physical health. One might experience high blood pressure... ."
Each "one" means a different thing. This doesn't read well.
3️⃣ It's hard to be consistent and use pronouns if you use "one" at the beginning.
What do you use in the gap here: "When one consumes large amounts of ultra-processed foods, [?] is likely to have health issues"?
He or she? This is possible, but this didn't really take off on English. They? "They" for singular, while possible, is very new and unconventional, but "one" is very old and formal. Or do you stick to "one"?
4️⃣ And above all...
You will inevitably want to switch to "people." Inevitably.
Consider this example: "When one consumes large amounts of ultra-processed foods, [?] is likely to have health issues. As a result, [?] who consume unhealthy food exert a significant burden on the healthcare system."
The second gap is begging for "people." So why don't you start with "people" in the first place? The pronoun is clear—they. Paraphrasing will also be easier and more natural further on: such individuals, those who, patients / consumers (or a specific category of people). So, the writing will look more consistent.❤️
I personally never write "one" for "person" in IELTS essays. I see no reason to. But I see reasons not to.
When I think about my encounters with "one" in authentic contexts, I can only think of some introductory phrases like "One could argue ..." or comments like "One never knows what to expect in times like this." Or sometimes it might be used for humorous or sarcastic purposes—precisely because it's rare and formal. It's not really used to write long, coherent texts.
Do you use "one" in essays? Why? How do you deal with the problems above? What is your experience of encountering "one" in real life?❓ ❓ ❓
I am a staunch opponent of "one" in the meaning "person" in IELTS writing. Yes, the meaning exists. But ... Here is a summary of my objections.
Consider this example: "Stress has a negative impact on people's well-being in a whole host of ways. One might be affected by stress to such an extent that ... ."
Here, the reader's first reaction might be to understand "one" as "one way" because "one" for substitution is much more common.
Things might get even worse.
Sometimes I see texts like this: "Stress has a negative impact on people's well-being in a whole host of ways. One is related to physical health. One might experience high blood pressure... ."
Each "one" means a different thing. This doesn't read well.
What do you use in the gap here: "When one consumes large amounts of ultra-processed foods, [?] is likely to have health issues"?
You will inevitably want to switch to "people." Inevitably.
Consider this example: "When one consumes large amounts of ultra-processed foods, [?] is likely to have health issues. As a result, [?] who consume unhealthy food exert a significant burden on the healthcare system."
The second gap is begging for "people." So why don't you start with "people" in the first place? The pronoun is clear—they. Paraphrasing will also be easier and more natural further on: such individuals, those who, patients / consumers (or a specific category of people). So, the writing will look more consistent.
I personally never write "one" for "person" in IELTS essays. I see no reason to. But I see reasons not to.
When I think about my encounters with "one" in authentic contexts, I can only think of some introductory phrases like "One could argue ..." or comments like "One never knows what to expect in times like this." Or sometimes it might be used for humorous or sarcastic purposes—precisely because it's rare and formal. It's not really used to write long, coherent texts.
Do you use "one" in essays? Why? How do you deal with the problems above? What is your experience of encountering "one" in real life?
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What does it mean to live a finite life in an infinite universe? 🪐
What is our place in this ocean of galaxies? Is there life on other planets? What kind of research should we invest in that will be useful?
These were the questions professor Brian Cox, a physicist and a science popularizer, tried to answer in his lecture "Horizons" I attended in New York this week.
These topics, along with black holes, wormholes, spacetime et cetera, are certainly fascinating. Even more fascinating, perhaps, is seeing someone I've listened to on YouTube—live!
If you haven't heard Brian Cox yet, here are some fascinating interviews on the Joe Rogan podcast:
# 2217
https://youtu.be/Rc7OHXJtWco?si=Fmip-Agyls4NmuDw
# 1233
https://www.youtube.com/live/wieRZoJSVtw?si=PoYgJv5SfE2Cfi2m
# 610
https://youtu.be/QZl3ohphHSE?si=kTFcUtWau8lgoU8J
Is there an online personality (say, a podcaster or a scientist) you would like to see live? Is there someone you are a fan of that you have seen live?
More importantly, what is your answer to this question: What does it mean to live a finite life in an infinite universe?🪐
What is our place in this ocean of galaxies? Is there life on other planets? What kind of research should we invest in that will be useful?
These were the questions professor Brian Cox, a physicist and a science popularizer, tried to answer in his lecture "Horizons" I attended in New York this week.
These topics, along with black holes, wormholes, spacetime et cetera, are certainly fascinating. Even more fascinating, perhaps, is seeing someone I've listened to on YouTube—live!
If you haven't heard Brian Cox yet, here are some fascinating interviews on the Joe Rogan podcast:
# 2217
https://youtu.be/Rc7OHXJtWco?si=Fmip-Agyls4NmuDw
# 1233
https://www.youtube.com/live/wieRZoJSVtw?si=PoYgJv5SfE2Cfi2m
# 610
https://youtu.be/QZl3ohphHSE?si=kTFcUtWau8lgoU8J
Is there an online personality (say, a podcaster or a scientist) you would like to see live? Is there someone you are a fan of that you have seen live?
More importantly, what is your answer to this question: What does it mean to live a finite life in an infinite universe?
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Three language riddles from New York. 🗽🇺🇸
I have just returned from an awesome vacation in New York. Here are three language riddles from my trip.
1️⃣ What was the only question the customs officer asked me?
2️⃣ What's arguably the most useful phrase that you will need probably every day that no course book teaches you?
3️⃣ When you are buying a meal, the cashier will ask you this question: "_______ or to go?" What's the missing part?
Drop your ideas in the comments. 📝
Btw, since I'd been to New York many times before, I wasn't trapped in the tyranny of having to explore the usual touristy places and enjoyed the city off the beaten track—and fell even more in love with it as a result 💜. So, if you need advice, dm me.
I have just returned from an awesome vacation in New York. Here are three language riddles from my trip.
Drop your ideas in the comments. 📝
Btw, since I'd been to New York many times before, I wasn't trapped in the tyranny of having to explore the usual touristy places and enjoyed the city off the beaten track—and fell even more in love with it as a result 💜. So, if you need advice, dm me.
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And here are the answers to the language riddles above—thank you all for participating!!! 💜
1️⃣ What's the only question the customs officer asked me?
"Why are you here?" This, of course, means "What's the purpose of your visit" and synonymous questions—just like many of you guessed—but the phrasing surprised me. And, for the record, I had all my Airbnb reservations at the ready, but he didn't need them. 🤷♀️
2️⃣ What's arguably the most useful phrase that you will need probably every day that no course book teaches you?
"What's the restroom code?" Because New York is a big city, many restrooms have codes. So I found myself asking this question regularly. Yet, no course book teaches that.
3️⃣ When you are buying a meal, the cashier will ask you this question: "_______ or to go?" What's the missing part?
"To stay or to go?" The more expected version in my mind was—again, like many of you offered—"Here or to go?" Well, there is something that is correct and something that people say naturally. I love "To stay or to go." It's very poetic.
What were some simple, yet unusually-worded phrases that you encountered when you traveled in an English-speaking country? Share in the comments. 📝
What were some simple, yet unusually-worded phrases that you encountered when you traveled in an English-speaking country? Share in the comments. 📝
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Missing word? 🌸
"Loneliness is more related to the quality, not number, of relationships someone has - not only for adults, but children. That applies as much to your siblings, [__?__] you have them, as to other relationships." (Source: New Scientist)
"Loneliness is more related to the quality, not number, of relationships someone has - not only for adults, but children. That applies as much to your siblings, [__?__] you have them, as to other relationships." (Source: New Scientist)
Anonymous Quiz
30%
given
23%
granted
10%
lest
15%
might
22%
should
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IELTS Writing Task 2: The reasons and advantages dilemma 🐊
Essays that combine these two questions can be a bit problematic:
- Why is this / What are the reasons for this?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of this / Is this a positive or negative development?
Well, they are only problematic if you want to write about the positives—because the positives, in essence, repeat the reasons (even if they are wrapped up in a bunch of synonyms).
For example, let's take this topic: "Some people choose to have their first child at an older age. What are the reasons? Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?"
Many people find themselves writing something like this:
- Reason: First, people aim to gain financial security before they have children.
- Advantage: People have financial security when they have children.
One solution to this dilemma is, of course, to always write about the negatives. But if you don't want to, what you need to do is build on and extend the reason.
For example:
- Reason: First, people aim to gain financial security before they have children.
- Advantage: When parents have a stable income, they can afford to pay for the hobbies and activities that their child enjoys or that will be useful in the future. For example, if the child wants to play music, it is financial security that will enable parents to pay for music school or to buy good quality instruments.
In this case, the reason is the springboard for the advantage.↗️
Over to you. How would you extend this reason to make it sound as an advantage?
Reason: People want to enjoy their 20s and 30s to the fullest, without the burden of the responsibilities and limitations entailed by parenthood. Thus, instead of starting a family, they prefer to lead a carefree life, going out and traveling on a regular basis.
Share your advantage that would build on this reason in the comments. 📝
Essays that combine these two questions can be a bit problematic:
- Why is this / What are the reasons for this?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of this / Is this a positive or negative development?
Well, they are only problematic if you want to write about the positives—because the positives, in essence, repeat the reasons (even if they are wrapped up in a bunch of synonyms).
For example, let's take this topic: "Some people choose to have their first child at an older age. What are the reasons? Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?"
Many people find themselves writing something like this:
- Reason: First, people aim to gain financial security before they have children.
- Advantage: People have financial security when they have children.
One solution to this dilemma is, of course, to always write about the negatives. But if you don't want to, what you need to do is build on and extend the reason.
For example:
- Reason: First, people aim to gain financial security before they have children.
- Advantage: When parents have a stable income, they can afford to pay for the hobbies and activities that their child enjoys or that will be useful in the future. For example, if the child wants to play music, it is financial security that will enable parents to pay for music school or to buy good quality instruments.
In this case, the reason is the springboard for the advantage.
Over to you. How would you extend this reason to make it sound as an advantage?
Reason: People want to enjoy their 20s and 30s to the fullest, without the burden of the responsibilities and limitations entailed by parenthood. Thus, instead of starting a family, they prefer to lead a carefree life, going out and traveling on a regular basis.
Share your advantage that would build on this reason in the comments. 📝
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Consider these two texts—identical in meaning but different in form—about the pain of being a freelancer. 📝
1️⃣
"Cafés are both a pleasant and a natural setting for work. This is evidenced by their intellectual origin, which shows that they’ve always been a place to nurture ideas. The atmosphere of a café is generative and convivial and is therefore the right place for me if I need to finish a piece of work that is moving very slowly. In addition, it reminds me that I am a member of society. Most people might not need this reminder if they work from offices; however, I do due to the fact that I am a freelancer."
2️⃣
"Cafés are not only a pleasant setting for work, but a natural one – as their intellectual origins testify, they’ve always been a place to nurture ideas. Generative and convivial, the atmosphere of a café is often just what I need to get moving with a piece of work that’s dragging its feet – but also, it reminds me that other humans exist (I believe most people get this from offices?)."
Which text reads like an IELTS essay and which one reads like an article in a magazine? Which one keeps the reader engaged? The second one, no doubt. But why?
Well, there are tools and techniques that can make your texts more engaging—and they are not secret ones. Or, they won't be if you join my brand new mini-course "Writing with The Guardian."
"Writing with The Guardian" is a writing mini-course based on articles from The Guardian. It is geared towards the C2 Proficiency exam (or CPE) articles but is also good for a variety of non-fiction and creative non-fiction types of writing.
📝 What will we do?
- read and discuss two articles from the "The Guardian";
- work with sophisticated lexis and sentence structures;
- explore the power of punctuation to enhance meaning;
- explore a wide range of writing tools and techniques that will keep the reader engaged;
- After all that, you'll write a CPE article (or a non-fiction piece if you don't need CPE).
📝 Who is the course perfect for?
- people who have taken CPE and want to stay in a good writing shape;
- people who want to take CPE some time in the future;
- people who blog, write copy, or write for pleasure—and those who want to.
📝 Deets:
- Course instructor: Irina Lutsenko
- Course duration: one month (4 classes)
- Classes: one 90-minute class a week, in real time on Zoom
- Homework: one week - reading, next week - writing (2 articles in total)
- Feedback: personalized, detailed feedback on every piece of writing
- Price: 8,000 rub a month (4 classes). Feedback included.
📆 Summer 2025 schedule:
- June: Saturday 11-12:30 Moscow time
- July: TBA
A great summer mini-course!
💌 💌 💌 @iraluts
"Cafés are both a pleasant and a natural setting for work. This is evidenced by their intellectual origin, which shows that they’ve always been a place to nurture ideas. The atmosphere of a café is generative and convivial and is therefore the right place for me if I need to finish a piece of work that is moving very slowly. In addition, it reminds me that I am a member of society. Most people might not need this reminder if they work from offices; however, I do due to the fact that I am a freelancer."
"Cafés are not only a pleasant setting for work, but a natural one – as their intellectual origins testify, they’ve always been a place to nurture ideas. Generative and convivial, the atmosphere of a café is often just what I need to get moving with a piece of work that’s dragging its feet – but also, it reminds me that other humans exist (I believe most people get this from offices?)."
Which text reads like an IELTS essay and which one reads like an article in a magazine? Which one keeps the reader engaged? The second one, no doubt. But why?
Well, there are tools and techniques that can make your texts more engaging—and they are not secret ones. Or, they won't be if you join my brand new mini-course "Writing with The Guardian."
"Writing with The Guardian" is a writing mini-course based on articles from The Guardian. It is geared towards the C2 Proficiency exam (or CPE) articles but is also good for a variety of non-fiction and creative non-fiction types of writing.
📝 What will we do?
- read and discuss two articles from the "The Guardian";
- work with sophisticated lexis and sentence structures;
- explore the power of punctuation to enhance meaning;
- explore a wide range of writing tools and techniques that will keep the reader engaged;
- After all that, you'll write a CPE article (or a non-fiction piece if you don't need CPE).
📝 Who is the course perfect for?
- people who have taken CPE and want to stay in a good writing shape;
- people who want to take CPE some time in the future;
- people who blog, write copy, or write for pleasure—and those who want to.
📝 Deets:
- Course instructor: Irina Lutsenko
- Course duration: one month (4 classes)
- Classes: one 90-minute class a week, in real time on Zoom
- Homework: one week - reading, next week - writing (2 articles in total)
- Feedback: personalized, detailed feedback on every piece of writing
- Price: 8,000 rub a month (4 classes). Feedback included.
📆 Summer 2025 schedule:
- June: Saturday 11-12:30 Moscow time
- July: TBA
A great summer mini-course!
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I know I don't give my subscribers too much face time...
So here is a great way to meet me online: this awesome podcast in Ad Astra school, Bukhara. 🇺🇿
Fondest memories ever! 🩷
https://youtu.be/Ly7ZbJUBfYc?si=rcGlHnuyWgi4ZVrL
So here is a great way to meet me online: this awesome podcast in Ad Astra school, Bukhara. 🇺🇿
Fondest memories ever! 🩷
https://youtu.be/Ly7ZbJUBfYc?si=rcGlHnuyWgi4ZVrL
YouTube
Ad Astra Muse - Irina Lutsenko (4K) | The Writing Queen (S1: E21)
Irina Lutsenko - a veteran English teacher committed to empowering people to push the confines of their imagination through writing. Aside from her 20 plus years of experience in teaching, she's pulled off IELTS 9 twice, with near perfect score in writing…
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#IELTS processes: a common mistake (and how to fix it) 🧋
Here is a simplified text for the task above. Can you spot the mistake?
"The water first goes into a filter and then into a large tank with water softener and chemicals. After this, it is directed into a pump, from where it is forced into electric heaters. In the next stage, the water is sent into a special carbonation container."
The mistake I often see in IELTS process denoscriptions is that substances simply travel from place to place (or from tank to tank)—and nothing happens to the substance but movement. Until, suddenly, by the end of the answer, the substance miraculously turns into something else in some unfathomable way.
How to avoid these travel-like denoscriptions?
1️⃣ Turn the names of places or containers into actions verbs.
- The water goes into a filter >> The water is filtered.
- The water goes into a carbonation tank >> The water is carbonated.
2️⃣ Add a purpose to the place.
- The water goes into a mixing tank to be blended with coloring, syrup, and flavor.
- The carbonated water is then directed to the next tank so that it can be mixed with coloring, syrup, and flavor.
This task is sometimes problematic even for higher levels because the answer tends to be very short, around 160-170 words. My answer is 214 words long. Would you like to see it?🧋
#ieltswritingtask1
Here is a simplified text for the task above. Can you spot the mistake?
"The water first goes into a filter and then into a large tank with water softener and chemicals. After this, it is directed into a pump, from where it is forced into electric heaters. In the next stage, the water is sent into a special carbonation container."
The mistake I often see in IELTS process denoscriptions is that substances simply travel from place to place (or from tank to tank)—and nothing happens to the substance but movement. Until, suddenly, by the end of the answer, the substance miraculously turns into something else in some unfathomable way.
How to avoid these travel-like denoscriptions?
- The water goes into a filter >> The water is filtered.
- The water goes into a carbonation tank >> The water is carbonated.
- The water goes into a mixing tank to be blended with coloring, syrup, and flavor.
- The carbonated water is then directed to the next tank so that it can be mixed with coloring, syrup, and flavor.
This task is sometimes problematic even for higher levels because the answer tends to be very short, around 160-170 words. My answer is 214 words long. Would you like to see it?
#ieltswritingtask1
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Giving away three one-to-one consultations with me for free
Because I want to give back to the community 💜
For a chance to get a one-to-one consultation with me for free, just write a message to me explaining why you need it @iraluts.💌
In your message:
- Introduce yourself;
- Explain what kind of help you need and/or what questions you have;
- Explain why you think I am the right person to help.
I will choose three people who I think I can help the most. 💜
Important:
- Word count limit: 100 words.
- Deadline for accepting applications: Saturday, 14 June 11:00 Moscow time.
- Messages with sloppy formatting will not be considered.
📅 All meetings will take place on Zoom, on Sunday, 15 June, between 11:00 and 15:00 Moscow time (precise time to be decided together). One meeting is 30-40 minutes.
💜
Because I want to give back to the community 💜
For a chance to get a one-to-one consultation with me for free, just write a message to me explaining why you need it @iraluts.
In your message:
- Introduce yourself;
- Explain what kind of help you need and/or what questions you have;
- Explain why you think I am the right person to help.
I will choose three people who I think I can help the most. 💜
Important:
- Word count limit: 100 words.
- Deadline for accepting applications: Saturday, 14 June 11:00 Moscow time.
- Messages with sloppy formatting will not be considered.
📅 All meetings will take place on Zoom, on Sunday, 15 June, between 11:00 and 15:00 Moscow time (precise time to be decided together). One meeting is 30-40 minutes.
💜
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#IELTS Writing: Simplicity or complexity?
I often recommend IELTS writers aiming for 7.5+ to add complexity to their writing—complexity of both ideas and language.
And I often take flak for that. Many IELTS trainers and examiners recommend otherwise.
But let's drill deeper into what simplicity and complexity might look like in an IELTS essay. Compare the two excerpts below.
Topic: It is the responsibility of schools to teach children good behavior in addition to providing formal education. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
1️⃣
"First and foremost, the ideas of what constitutes good behavior vary widely. As a result, the behavior that is taught at school might be different from what parents teach at home. For example, teachers might discourage any questions in class. However, parents might encourage asking questions because they believe this improves creativity."
2️⃣
"First and foremost, the ideas of what constitutes good behavior vary widely. As a result, what is included in the curriculum or the code of conduct might be in conflict with what the student’s family believes to be appropriate. For example, teachers might enforce discipline in class by discouraging any questions or deviations from the laid-out procedures. A child’s parents, however, might encourage questions and rule breaking because these are considered to be signs of creativity and free thinking in the family."
Do you honestly believe the first answer would get a higher score than the second one?
I see quite a lot of writing that is similar to that in the first excerpt—there aren't any mistakes in it, and the ideas are good, but it's just ... too simple. So, yeah, I believe in complexity, guilty as charged.
At the same time, complexity mustn't come at the expense of meaning, style, and readability. Writing something like this is probably not the best idea:
3️⃣
"First and foremost, the ideas of what constitutes good behavior vary widely, resulting in a situation when the tenets encapsulated in the curriculum or the code of conduct do not cohere with the dogmas the student’s family not only believes to be appropriate but also tries to intrench indelibly. For example, teachers might enforce discipline in class by discouraging any questions or deviations from the laid-out procedures, while a child’s parents might encourage inquiry, probing, and anarchical demeanor owing to the fact that these are considered to be signs of creativity, ingenuity, and fecundity in the family."
Complexity is better than simplicity, but balance is king.👑
#ieltswritingtask2
I often recommend IELTS writers aiming for 7.5+ to add complexity to their writing—complexity of both ideas and language.
And I often take flak for that. Many IELTS trainers and examiners recommend otherwise.
But let's drill deeper into what simplicity and complexity might look like in an IELTS essay. Compare the two excerpts below.
Topic: It is the responsibility of schools to teach children good behavior in addition to providing formal education. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
"First and foremost, the ideas of what constitutes good behavior vary widely. As a result, the behavior that is taught at school might be different from what parents teach at home. For example, teachers might discourage any questions in class. However, parents might encourage asking questions because they believe this improves creativity."
"First and foremost, the ideas of what constitutes good behavior vary widely. As a result, what is included in the curriculum or the code of conduct might be in conflict with what the student’s family believes to be appropriate. For example, teachers might enforce discipline in class by discouraging any questions or deviations from the laid-out procedures. A child’s parents, however, might encourage questions and rule breaking because these are considered to be signs of creativity and free thinking in the family."
Do you honestly believe the first answer would get a higher score than the second one?
I see quite a lot of writing that is similar to that in the first excerpt—there aren't any mistakes in it, and the ideas are good, but it's just ... too simple. So, yeah, I believe in complexity, guilty as charged.
At the same time, complexity mustn't come at the expense of meaning, style, and readability. Writing something like this is probably not the best idea:
"First and foremost, the ideas of what constitutes good behavior vary widely, resulting in a situation when the tenets encapsulated in the curriculum or the code of conduct do not cohere with the dogmas the student’s family not only believes to be appropriate but also tries to intrench indelibly. For example, teachers might enforce discipline in class by discouraging any questions or deviations from the laid-out procedures, while a child’s parents might encourage inquiry, probing, and anarchical demeanor owing to the fact that these are considered to be signs of creativity, ingenuity, and fecundity in the family."
Complexity is better than simplicity, but balance is king.
#ieltswritingtask2
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Another podcast! 🥳🥳🥳
Ever since that awesome podcast in Ad Astra School, I've been dreaming of being on another podcast. My dream has come true—I've been invited!
By whom, you ask?
Please welcome Maria Polukhina—a book club host, a teacher trainer, and a prominent member of the Russian ELT community.
Maria has a beautiful American accent (and you know my penchant for American English) and is a goldmine of idiomatic language (which she uses naturally and to convey all the right shades of meaning). 🇺🇸💜
Surprisingly, she hasn't joined any of my writing projects yet (outrageous, I know)—but I believe she'll get there because she is an avid reader. And reading is the gateway to writing.
You can find out even more about her on her vibrant and super-useful Telegram channel: https://news.1rj.ru/str/mari_languages.
To find out even more about us, about learning, reading, writing, or something else, drop us a line about what you would like us to cover in the podcast. Question? Topics? Concerns? Write a comment or dm me @iraluts.💌
And stay tuned! 💜
Ever since that awesome podcast in Ad Astra School, I've been dreaming of being on another podcast. My dream has come true—I've been invited!
By whom, you ask?
Please welcome Maria Polukhina—a book club host, a teacher trainer, and a prominent member of the Russian ELT community.
Maria has a beautiful American accent (and you know my penchant for American English) and is a goldmine of idiomatic language (which she uses naturally and to convey all the right shades of meaning). 🇺🇸💜
Surprisingly, she hasn't joined any of my writing projects yet (outrageous, I know)—but I believe she'll get there because she is an avid reader. And reading is the gateway to writing.
You can find out even more about her on her vibrant and super-useful Telegram channel: https://news.1rj.ru/str/mari_languages.
To find out even more about us, about learning, reading, writing, or something else, drop us a line about what you would like us to cover in the podcast. Question? Topics? Concerns? Write a comment or dm me @iraluts.
And stay tuned! 💜
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Sample answers for 49 #IELTS writing tests in Uzbekistan in 2024!!! 🤩
Eight were contributed by me.
I think this is an awesome thing Diyorbek and his team did for the community—and I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute. 💜
#Irina_writes_IELTS
Eight were contributed by me.
I think this is an awesome thing Diyorbek and his team did for the community—and I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute. 💜
#Irina_writes_IELTS
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