IELTS Writing Task 1: Bar Chart
IELTS Writing Task 1: Bar Chart: A bar chart compares categories or shows change across periods. Select and group the main features.
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GrammarLessons on parts of speech, tenses, sentence structure and common errors.43 lessons
LiteratureGuides to poets, playwrights, novelists and literary movements.3 lessons
VocabularyBuild a stronger English vocabulary with word lists and usage tips.13 lessons
WritingEssay, letter and creative writing skills.15 lessons
Literary AuthorsBiographies of great English-language poets, novelists and dramatists.46 lessons
Literary WorksSummaries and study guides for famous poems, plays and novels.37 lessons
Literary TermsDefinitions and examples of literary terms and devices.43 lessons
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Word MeaningsMeanings, synonyms, antonyms and examples for important English words.133 lessons
Irregular VerbsIrregular verb forms with simple, past and participle forms and usage tips.115 lessons
Commonly Confused WordsWords that look or sound alike, explained with clear examples.43 lessons
Famous Literary QuotesFamous quotations from plays, poems and novels with their meaning.48 lessons
IELTS WritingIELTS Academic and General Training Writing Task 1 and Task 2 guides, structures and tips.21 lessons
IELTS SpeakingIELTS Speaking Part 1, Part 2 cue cards and Part 3 discussion questions with tips.48 lessons
IELTS ReadingIELTS Reading question types, strategies and time management.12 lessons
IELTS ListeningIELTS Listening section guides, question types and common traps.8 lessons
IELTS VocabularyTopic vocabulary and linking words for higher IELTS band scores.22 lessons
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IELTS Writing
View all »IELTS Writing Task 2: Advantages and Disadvantages Essay
IELTS Writing Task 2: Advantages and Disadvantages Essay: This essay asks you to explain benefits and drawbacks, or whether advantages outweigh disadvantages.
Read lesson →IELTS Writing Task 1: Map
IELTS Writing Task 1: Map: Map tasks compare a place at different times. Describe changes in position, size and function of features.
Read lesson →IELTS Writing Task 1: Table
IELTS Writing Task 1: Table: A table presents data in rows and columns. Choose key figures rather than describing every number.
Read lesson →IELTS Writing Time Management
IELTS Writing Time Management: You have 60 minutes: about 20 for Task 1 and 40 for Task 2. Task 2 carries more weight.
Read lesson →IELTS Writing Task 1: Pie Chart
IELTS Writing Task 1: Pie Chart: Pie charts show proportions of a whole. Compare the biggest and smallest segments.
Read lesson →IELTS Speaking
View all »IELTS Speaking Part 2 Cue Card: Describe a piece of technology you use often
IELTS Speaking Part 2 cue card: Describe a piece of technology you use often. Prompts, answer structure and preparation tips.
Read lesson →IELTS Speaking Part 2 Cue Card: Describe a book you enjoyed reading
IELTS Speaking Part 2 cue card: Describe a book you enjoyed reading. Prompts, answer structure and preparation tips.
Read lesson →IELTS Speaking Part 2 Cue Card: Describe a photograph you like
IELTS Speaking Part 2 cue card: Describe a photograph you like. Prompts, answer structure and preparation tips.
Read lesson →IELTS Speaking Part 2 Cue Card: Describe your favourite meal
IELTS Speaking Part 2 cue card: Describe your favourite meal. Prompts, answer structure and preparation tips.
Read lesson →IELTS Speaking Part 1: Hometown - Sample Questions and Tips
IELTS Speaking Part 1 topic Hometown: sample questions, ideas and how to answer for a higher band score.
Read lesson →IELTS Speaking Part 1: Sports - Sample Questions and Tips
IELTS Speaking Part 1 topic Sports: sample questions, ideas and how to answer for a higher band score.
Read lesson →GRE Vocabulary
View all »GRE Word: Conundrum - Meaning, Synonyms and Example
GRE vocabulary: conundrum (noun) means a confusing problem. Synonyms: puzzle, riddle.
Read lesson →GRE Word: Voracious - Meaning, Synonyms and Example
GRE vocabulary: voracious (adjective) means having a huge appetite. Synonyms: ravenous, insatiable.
Read lesson →GRE Word: Parsimonious - Meaning, Synonyms and Example
GRE vocabulary: parsimonious (adjective) means extremely unwilling to spend. Synonyms: stingy, miserly.
Read lesson →GRE Word: Circumspect - Meaning, Synonyms and Example
GRE vocabulary: circumspect (adjective) means careful about consequences. Synonyms: cautious, wary.
Read lesson →GRE Word: Mercurial - Meaning, Synonyms and Example
GRE vocabulary: mercurial (adjective) means subject to sudden mood changes. Synonyms: volatile, unpredictable.
Read lesson →GRE Word: Ubiquitous - Meaning, Synonyms and Example
GRE vocabulary: ubiquitous (adjective) means present everywhere. Synonyms: omnipresent, pervasive.
Read lesson →Grammar
View all »Parts of Speech: The 8 Building Blocks of English
Learn the eight parts of speech - noun, pronoun, verb, adjective, adverb, preposition, conjunction and interjection - with examples.
Read lesson →English Tenses Explained with Examples
A complete guide to the 12 English tenses with simple rules and example sentences.
Read lesson →Subject-Verb Agreement: Rules and Common Mistakes
Master subject-verb agreement with clear rules, examples and exceptions.
Read lesson →Parallel Structure - English Grammar Lesson
Learn parallel structure: clear rule, examples and a common mistake to avoid.
Read lesson →Modal Verbs: Can, Could, May, Must and Should - English Grammar Lesson
Learn modal verbs: can, could, may, must and should: clear rule, examples and a common mistake to avoid.
Read lesson →The Present Perfect Tense - English Grammar Lesson
Learn the present perfect tense: clear rule, examples and a common mistake to avoid.
Read lesson →Literary Authors
View all »Edgar Allan Poe: Biography, Major Works and Themes
Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849), an American writer: life, major works such as The Raven, and key themes explained for students.
Read lesson →Henry Fielding: Biography, Major Works and Themes
Henry Fielding (1707-1754), an English novelist: life, major works such as Tom Jones, and key themes explained for students.
Read lesson →Ted Hughes: Biography, Major Works and Themes
Ted Hughes (1930-1998), an English poet: life, major works such as The Hawk in the Rain, and key themes explained for students.
Read lesson →Jane Austen: Biography, Major Works and Themes
Jane Austen (1775-1817), an English novelist: life, major works such as Pride and Prejudice, and key themes explained for students.
Read lesson →Alfred Lord Tennyson: Biography, Major Works and Themes
Alfred Lord Tennyson (1809-1892), an English poet: life, major works such as In Memoriam A.H.H., and key themes explained for students.
Read lesson →Samuel Beckett: Biography, Major Works and Themes
Samuel Beckett (1906-1989), an Irish dramatist: life, major works such as Waiting for Godot, and key themes explained for students.
Read lesson →Literary Works
View all »Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett: Summary and Themes
Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett (1953): plot summary, major themes and study questions.
Read lesson →Emma by Jane Austen: Summary and Themes
Emma by Jane Austen (1815): plot summary, major themes and study questions.
Read lesson →Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf: Summary and Themes
Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf (1925): plot summary, major themes and study questions.
Read lesson →Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell: Summary and Themes
Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell (1949): plot summary, major themes and study questions.
Read lesson →A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare: Summary and Themes
A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare (c.1595): plot summary, major themes and study questions.
Read lesson →The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost: Summary and Themes
The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost (1916): plot summary, major themes and study questions.
Read lesson →Word Meanings
View all »Prudent: Meaning, Synonyms, Antonyms and Examples
Prudent (adjective) means wise and careful. Synonyms: wise, sensible. Antonyms: reckless.
Read lesson →Adversity: Meaning, Synonyms, Antonyms and Examples
Adversity (noun) means difficulty or misfortune. Synonyms: hardship, misfortune. Antonyms: prosperity.
Read lesson →Adapt: Meaning, Synonyms, Antonyms and Examples
Adapt (verb) means to change to suit new conditions. Synonyms: adjust, modify. Antonyms: resist.
Read lesson →Mundane: Meaning, Synonyms, Antonyms and Examples
Mundane (adjective) means ordinary and dull. Synonyms: ordinary, routine. Antonyms: exciting.
Read lesson →Pessimistic: Meaning, Synonyms, Antonyms and Examples
Pessimistic (adjective) means expecting the worst. Synonyms: gloomy, negative. Antonyms: optimistic.
Read lesson →Naive: Meaning, Synonyms, Antonyms and Examples
Naive (adjective) means innocent and inexperienced. Synonyms: innocent, gullible. Antonyms: worldly.
Read lesson →Famous Literary Quotes
View all »To strive - Quote by Alfred Lord Tennyson
"To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield." - Alfred Lord Tennyson, Ulysses. Meaning, context and how to use this quotation in essays.
Read lesson →It was the best of times - Quote by Charles Dickens
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." - Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities. Meaning, context and how to use this quotation in essays.
Read lesson →Hell is empty and all the devils are here - Quote by William Shakespeare
"Hell is empty and all the devils are here." - William Shakespeare, The Tempest. Meaning, context and how to use this quotation in essays.
Read lesson →We are all in the gutter - Quote by Oscar Wilde
"We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars." - Oscar Wilde, Lady Windermere's Fan. Meaning, context and how to use this quotation in essays.
Read lesson →To be - Quote by William Shakespeare
"To be, or not to be, that is the question." - William Shakespeare, Hamlet. Meaning, context and how to use this quotation in essays.
Read lesson →The lady doth protest too much - Quote by William Shakespeare
"The lady doth protest too much, methinks." - William Shakespeare, Hamlet. Meaning, context and how to use this quotation in essays.
Read lesson →Writing
View all »How to Write a Perfect Essay
Step-by-step guide to planning, writing and editing a well-structured essay.
Read lesson →How to Write a Formal Letter
How to Write a Formal Letter: Formal letters follow a fixed layout and a polite tone. Step-by-step guide with a checklist.
Read lesson →How to Write an Informal Email
How to Write an Informal Email: Informal emails are friendly and conversational. Step-by-step guide with a checklist.
Read lesson →How to Write a Speech
How to Write a Speech: A speech should be clear, memorable and well structured. Step-by-step guide with a checklist.
Read lesson →How to Write a Book Review
How to Write a Book Review: A review gives information and an opinion. Step-by-step guide with a checklist.
Read lesson →How to Write a Thesis Statement
How to Write a Thesis Statement: A thesis statement is the central argument of an essay. Step-by-step guide with a checklist.
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