Contents hide

1 Ways to improve your answer in the most common IELTS topics

1.1 Why should I invest time in IELTS reading

Ways to improve your answer in the most common IELTS topics

I’ve noticed over the years the student’s often lack topic awareness in both IELTS speaking and writing.

As this limits their ability to display the language which is being assessed, it’s important to have at lease some basic knowledge of the topic areas that frequently occur in the IELTS test.

Having a broad awareness of IELTS topic areas also offers the opportunity to provide answers and essays that surprise the examiner and generate interest, thereby putting your work on a higher footing.

For this reason, I’m collecting good articles to read according to their topic area; the broad topic areas that come up in areas of the IELTS exam. I am adding to this list all the time.

This is one of the many articles I’ve listened to or read this week which, from experience, I know feature heavily in the IELTS test.

The rise of the emoji doesn’t spell the end of language

Emojis are mainly used to enhance the meaning of words in texts – they won’t replace them altogether.

Why should I invest time in IELTS reading

Having an awareness of IELTS topic areas indicates in your writing and speaking that your opinions can be relevant. Being prepared means that you are better positioned to give an opinion on any number of popular topic areas. This is especially the case in writing; the ability to generate ideas under the pressure of the exam is usually down to a lack of knowledge around the key topic areas.

Common IELTS Topics

So, I’ve created a page for IELTS worthy reading and listening articles. These will be featured around the most common topic areas I have seen in IELTS reading, writing and listening.

Using some of these resources is not only good for increasing vocabulary levels, reading comprehension and speed, but will help provide a foundation of ideas important for topic awareness and idea generation.

If you want a list of the main topic areas and the subheadings, you can find out more here but this is the new link I am creating.

I recommend you identify areas you’re not familiar with and flick through some of the topics postings below. Choose a few to read or listen and if your vocabulary is a weak spot, note down words and phrases you can reuse in the future.

Knowledge of medicinal plants at risk as languages die out

Loss of linguistic diversity means less chance to discover age-old remedies not known to science, study warns

Students on being bullied over their accents.

‘It’s had a lasting impact’: students on being bullied over their accents

Past and present university students talk about their experiences of being made to feel out of place

Jargon might be infuriating but it also has its uses.

In defence of jargon – it might be infuriating but it also has its uses

Differentiating between bad jargon and good jargon.

Philosophy’s influence on technology design – and why it needs to change.

Philosophy’s influence on technology design – and why it needs to change

How we see the purpose of communication limits our approach to designing technology that makes it possible.

Would we be better off if we sent email into retirement?

Would we be better off if we sent email into retirement?

This year saw the 43rd anniversary of email. Compared to a human working life, email has after more than four decades on the job now reached retirement age. Is it time for email to step aside to allow…

We can use colour to communicate how we feel.

We can use colour to communicate how we feel – here’s how

It has long been known that colour and emotion are linked – so could colour could be used as a language to express how we feel?

A hot bath has benefits similar to exercise

A hot bath burns calories, helps control blood sugar and keeps your blood vessels healthy. What’s not to like?

Why our screens leave us hungry for more nutritious forms of social interaction.

Why our screens leave us hungry for more nutritious forms of social interaction

Social media is the refined sugar of human communication.

Poor sleep linked to inability to focus – new study

Distraction in poor sleepers could be linked to a different brain process than previously thought.

How to talk to your dog.

How to talk to your dog – according to science

New research confirms puppies respond better when we talk to them in a certain way.

Why we must completely rethink how to communicate at work.

Why we must completely rethink how to communicate at work

Do you reply to emails first thing in the morning and last thing at night? Your company should be insisting that you don’t.

How quickly do we become unfit?

We lose some fitness ‘gains’ in as little as four weeks.

Texting is bound to decline but it won’t die out just yet.

Texting is bound to decline but it won’t die out just yet

Reports this week reveal the number of text messages sent between mobile phones has fallen into decline for the first time since the service was introduced. According to figures from Deloitte, the number…

Social media: is it really to blame for young people being lonelier than any other age group?

Social media: is it really to blame for young people being lonelier than any other age group?

Social media can be a great tool to keep in touch with friends – but if you are already lonely, it could make things worse.

If you get on with your boss you’re more likely to lie for them.

If you get on with your boss you’re more likely to lie for them – new research

Liking your boss and your company can lead to bad behaviour.

How does being bilingual affect your brain? It depends on how you use language.

How does being bilingual affect your brain? It depends on how you use language

Why the benefits of bilingualism aren’t consistent.

What your emojis say about you.

What your emojis say about you

Emoticons reveal subtle clues about your personality – but how do others interpret them?

Why it’s okay for bilingual children to mix languages.

Why it’s okay for bilingual children to mix languages

Being bilingual is not just about learning two languages, it’s about absorbing meaning, negotiating and being flexible when it comes to language.

Prejudices against accents is prevalent.

Accentism is alive and well – and it doesn’t only affect the north of England

Stereotyping people based on their accents is still a big problem at universities in England.

Just how effective are language learning apps?

Just how effective are language learning apps?

Language experts review how one of the world’s most popular language learning apps measures up against traditional teaching.

Finding endless video calls exhausting?

Finding endless video calls exhausting? You’re not alone

Lots of research shows why video calls are mentally and emotionally taxing.

Overconsumption, not plastic, is the problem.

The war against plastic is distracting us from pollution that cannot be seen

We need to focus on causes like overconsumption, not the material itself.

Stable families, not ‘traditional’ ones, key to children’s education success.

Stable families, not ‘traditional’ ones, key to children’s education success

Growing up in a one parent family doesn’t matter, as long as it’s a stable one.

Happy families? Male acceptance of equality in the home could define the future.

Happy families? Male acceptance of equality in the home could define the future

The idea of family is still undergoing fundamental change, but progress towards an egalitarian era may be hamstrung by class and wealth.

Women in work: how East Germany’s socialist past has influenced West German mothers.

Women in work: how East Germany’s socialist past has influenced West German mothers

East Germany strongly encouraged mothers to participate in the labour market full-time, whereas West Germany propagated a more tradition male breadwinner model.

Study shows equality frees women to follow traditional gender choices – or does it?

Study shows equality frees women to follow traditional gender choices – or does it?

Gender differences in jobs and attitudes are wider in countries with more equality, but that’s not the end of the story.

Four big lessons from the UK’s new gender pay gap reporting rules and what’s next for equality.

Four big lessons from the UK’s new gender pay gap reporting rules and what’s next for equality

The gender pay gap remains stubbornly high in the UK, but the new rules are shaming companies into action.

Big data analysis reveals staggering extent of gender inequality in creative industries.

Big data analysis reveals staggering extent of gender inequality in creative industries

From 2000 to 2013, less than a third of gendered pronouns within articles (for example, ‘he’ and ‘she’) referred to women.

Dear sir/madam — how to write a winning cover letter

Dear sir/madam — how to write a winning cover letter

Seven tips to make you shine.

Writing needs to be taught and practised. Australian schools are dropping the focus too early.

Writing needs to be taught and practised. Australian schools are dropping the focus too early

A survey of NSW teachers shows there is an emphasis on explicitly teaching writing in the early school years. But the amount of time spent teaching writing dips in the middle years.

How universities can help students avoid plagiarism: get them to write better.

How universities can help students avoid plagiarism: get them to write better

More handwritten tasks could force students to avoid the dreaded cut and paste.

Academic writing can be boring – but there are good reasons for that.

Academic writing can be boring – but there are good reasons for that

Academic language wasn’t always rigorous – and it led to people hugging trees to cure their illnesses.

A history of English in five words.

A history of English ... in five words

The extraordinary words that capture the colourful diversity of the English language.

Is Game of Thrones sexist?

Is Game of Thrones sexist?

One reason for the series’ success can undoubtedly be found in its spectacle of violence and sex.

Frozen II: return of the strong female characters that little girls need to see.

Frozen II: return of the strong female characters that little girls need to see

In production as the #metoo uprising took hold, the sequel is a real chance for Disney to normalise strong, independent female characters.

People Like Us by Hashi Mohamed

BBC Radio 4 - People Like Us by Hashi Mohamed - Available now

Hashi Mohamed reads from his book People Like Us, an exploration of social mobility.

IELTS Topic Areas - Crime and Punishment

IELTS Topic Articles that feature in the IELTS test for Vocabulary and Topic Awareness Without topic awareness, you can’t fully answer the question Without vocabulary, the question can’t be fully answered I’ve prepared a selection of good articles to read according to their topic area. I am adding to this list all the time. This […]

IELTS Topic Areas - Education

IELTS Reading – Topics and Articles that feature in the IELTS test. ″Without topic awareness, you can’t fully answer the question Without vocabulary, the question can’t be fully answered″ I’ve prepared a selection of good articles to read according to their topic area. I am adding to this list all the time. This is one […]

IELTS Topic Areas - The Environment

IELTS Reading – Topic Articles that feature in the IELTS test. ″Without topic awareness, you can’t fully answer the question Without vocabulary, the question can’t be fully answered″ I’ve prepared a selection of good articles to read according to their topic. I am adding to this list all the time so students can acquire vocabulary […]