IELTS & TOEFL Writing: 5 Common Mistakes
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- Опубликовано: 6 фев 2025
- Are you writing essays and getting the same score over and over again? Would you like to learn some techniques you can use to improve your writing and get a better score on the IELTS or TOEFL? Well, in this lesson, I will teach you five common errors that many students make that can lower their score. After watching this lesson, you will know what to avoid, what to include, and why trying too hard might actually be hurting your score.
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TRANSCRIPT
Hi. Welcome again to www.engvid.com. I'm Adam. Today's lesson, we're looking at IELTS and TOEFL, the writing section, and we're going to look at the five most common mistakes that I see when I'm checking students' essays. Okay? Now, as usual, for the IELTS and TOEFL lesson, I will speak a little bit more natural speed, a little bit faster than usual. If you're a beginner, don't worry. Watch the video, listen, practice your listening. Get the vocabulary you need. It's all... It's good for everybody, but just a little bit harder. Okay?
So, now, where do I begin? I check a lot of essays. Okay? People send me their essays, I check them, I edit them, I tell them what they're doing wrong, and I've come to the realization that there are certain mistakes that many, many people make. So, I want to tell you five of these common mistakes so that you can avoid making them. Okay?
And the first one-and this is the most common mistake that I see-is that you are trying too hard. Now, what does this mean? Trying hard is a good thing, right? Yes, it is. But you're trying too hard to sound impressive. Okay? You're trying to impress the graders of these... Of these exams, IELTS and TOEFL, you think that by using big words or lots of idioms, or very, very long sentences that are very complex and have many clauses that you're getting a higher score. In fact, most of the times, you're actually hurting yourselves. Why? Because you're using words incorrectly, you're using them inappropriately, meaning in the wrong context or the wrong usage or in the wrong parts of speech; you're using a verb when you should use a noun, etc. When you write very, very long sentences, quite often, you have run-on sentences, mean... Meaning you have two independent clauses in one sentence, and no punctuation, and no conjunctions, and then the whole sentence falls apart and means nothing. And also, a lot of people use idioms because... Yeah, idioms will get you extra points, but they're using them incorrectly or in the wrong context. Again, make sure you know the words you're using, make sure you know the idioms you're using, and shorter sentences can actually be better. Simple is often better than complex. If you think about... As an analogy, if you think about cooking, the more spices you put into the dish, the less you taste the actual meat or the actual core of the dish. Simple is best.
Let me give you an example. Here are two sentences. Okay? Let me read them to you. "The CEO", Chief Executive Officer, like the head of the company... "The CEO's tenure at the company was abbreviated due to his reluctance to integrate more females into upper managerial posts, thereby drawing the ire of the Board who consequently relieved him of his duties." Now, this sentence is perfectly okay. It's grammatically correct, all the words are being used correctly, but if you can write a sentence like this the way that I wrote it here, then you don't need to worry about the IELTS or the TOEFL; your English is obviously very high level. If you can do this, then this test will be very easy for you.
However, a lot of people, a lot of test-takers try to write this sentence, and then they end up making many, many mistakes. They don't use this word correctly: "abbreviated", they say: "abbreviation". Okay? That's the more common thing of it. "Abbreviated" means made shorter. Okay? "Reluctance", hesitance, like not really wanting to. This word: "ire". I write all the time, I write for a living. I never use this word "ire", because it's so old-fashioned. And also, it's a small word. Right? So you don't need many syllables, you don't need very rare words. You need to be simple, you need to get your message across. The most important part of the test is: Answer the question. They give you a task, answer it. Answer it clearly, concisely. Means: Use fewer words, not more words. If you can say the same thing in fewer words, get the message across, make it clear, make the reader interested, then you'll get higher points than if you write something like this. Okay?
Let's look at this sentence: "The CEO's time was cut short because he wouldn't promote women to top positions, which angered the Board who then fired him." Okay, look at the two sentences. This sentence means exactly the same thing as this sentence.
1. dont use too complex sentences.
2. dont give too many points without linking logically.
3.dont give many concepts without supporting examples.
4.dont repeat I think
5.dont forget the topic sentence of the paragraph.
And don't forget the use of capital letters at the beginning of sentences. ;)
Falah Tawfeeq r
Write Topic sentences
thank you~
Adam, thank you for your IELTS tutorial videos.I scored 7.0 in my IELTS exam.
could you do a review AND what you did on your exam_
@@nabtaabbas1037 probably he won't recall
Congratulations
is 7 Pass ?
@@monaarchy2367 It does
you are best teacher in my life who has experienced practises
Everyone loves the teacher that is really demanding, concise in his instructions, pushes you all the time, and is utterly smart. That's Adam.
Thanks a lot.. I used your techniques in my toefl exam and I passed the exam successfully.
Wow I am a native speaker of English and this video is amazing! Good teaching bro!
You should say ' i am an English native speaker ' better !
"I am an English native speaker" is incorrect, and it doesn't sound right.
"I'm a native speaker of English," or "I'm a native English speaker" are correct.
"English native speaker" sounds wrong because "native" is a quality of "English," therefore it should come before "English."
Thanks laura
Sorry, I should have said that "native" is a quality of ""speaker."
Hi Adam, i just got my TOEFL results: 115 and honestly, at least 60% of that is due to you! Your videos were my main source for studying and I just wanted to come back and say thanks so much, you are a great teacher! Keep up the good work. Everyone else, LISTEN TO THIS GUY!!!
I have watched so many videos for teachers explaining different branches of English but not as Simpl and clearer as you,Adam. Your way of explaining is clear,direct, accessible and uncomplicated which makes me feel studying English with you is more enjoyable tham with anyone else...Great job, thank you....
I can't express my gratitude for your extremely helpful videos. I found them at such a critical time (my IELTS is two days away now. But I've been watching you for almost two weeks) and I can't help but be thankful for you for being such a good English teacher, language-wise and explanation-wise :)
how was it ? what was your score ?
Dear Adam,
I'm preparing for my TOEFL test, and you have no idea how much your videos have helped me. I'm really thankful for your great, clear, and interesting classes. Again, thank you very much; I will keep watching your videos, and learning from such a wonderful teacher. Love you!!!!
I like the way you break it up or break it down for that matter. You isolate your points clearly and i can see how a second language learner can benefit from your program. Well done...
Yes he is really a great teacher.
This is extremely useful, Adam. Thanks for what you do for English learners!
Adam, you don't only teach me English but also how to think clearly. thank you so much! i really appreciate your work 😊
good
I agree with you.
Parents make the best teachers: (Improved essay version)
At home the opinions of parents play a huge role in a child´s early development.
Parents are often seen as idols and are treated with respect.
This is why I believe parents to be the best teachers.
First of all, parents know how to motivate their children.
For example, parents may give their children sweets as a reward for their commitment, whereas
school teachers usually don´t have that option.
Furthermore, they have control over their children´s learning environment.
Having an eye for how much your child watches television or when it goes bed, might improve
parent´s awareness of distractions.
....
Hi Adam, thanks for your program. I finally hit a 7.5 in my general test. Cheers.
I love your videos. I teach in Turkey and really wanted to refresh my teaching skills in relationship to IELTS and TOEFL . Your simple and direct approach is really easy to follow. I'd love a video for teachers on teaching grammar, actually a small series. Thanks again.
I am so glad listening to your lessons.
Now I clearly see why I won't pass that damn exam.
It is not about grammar or lexics but rather about something that I can't do even in my native language.
You are a fantastic teacher, Adam. Thank you so much!
hi friend where are from?
My lecturer told me that to write a good paragraph you have to include claims, reasons, and evidence. After watching this I am more sure that we do have to make sure every sentence is coherence and cohesive.
It is interesting here that so many native speakers of English posted their positive comments on Adam's teaching. As a non-native speaker of English, I could learn a lot of important things in writing a good essay. I will try to make it shorter and to the point. Thank you always for the excellent lessons!
Thank you for the class! Many students put a lot of ideas throughout the essay, but don't break dow theses ideas analytically with detailed reasons and concrete examples.
Adam you are the best language teacher I have ever seen
I absolutely love the way you explain things so that you really do get your message across. Thanks a lot!
you are such a genius! i love your classes! thank you so much! mainly because you share your knowledge here on youtube, not like others teachers that just promote themselves on youtube and then ask them to pay!
I love this guy
i love your lecture so much, very detailed and useful than any videos i ever watched before !
Thanks. I like your lessons. Sometimes I can't catch every word then I'm watching over and over again. And you are sweetness and light.
you are a good teacher thanks alot
As long as I am watching your lessons, realizing that you are one of a kind, Adam.
Thank you very much, Adam! It's really helpful. Finally I understood mistakes I had been repeating all the time.
YES，I agree too
Thank you very much for being so nice and patience explaining all of this.
Thanks so much!!! I've been following your videos for a while now. Really helpful and crystal clear!!!
l cnt thank you enough Adam with your videos n a little bit of practice l made it l gt band 7 of wich l was aimin fo a 5.5 ,may God bless your soul
Thank you for your useful English-lesson. Since I started to following you, my speach is more fluently
Thanks for all the tips. Was very helpful for my test this August.
I completely agree with ya,using hard words sometimes just it's like being grandiloquent, so much gratitude for your comprehensive explanation it was cut and dried
Great explanation, Adam! Very clear! You are a great teacher!
you are the best bro
This is really helpful.Sir Adam, you are explaining systematically,It is very easy to follow. Although my English skill is very poor.Thank you for teaching us from the video
Adam is an amazing English teacher! I really enjoy watching your lessons :) Thank you so much for sharing so many things here.
I became a big fan of your useful channel, even though I don't understand some words that you say sometime but I search for it directly in a dictionary. Many thanks for you for all the big efforts you're doing to help us, much appreciated.
you are the greatest teacher I have ever seen
Really nice your channel and the way you explain everything!
I want to thank you Adam for all your amazing videos and articles! They surely helped me getting an overall 8 band..keep up the good work and all the best!
Adam , you are the best teacher , I’m learning a lot from your videos , i hope that i can make a good score in my ielts exam!
Thanks for your lectures, Adam. It helped me score a decent band.
Sir,pl make clear that below sentance has not not taken" a" after needs....
This needs expeditious consideration.
Yes that sentence is correct as it is. The only thing you might add in some circumstances is "more." Example: This should be a higher priority. It needs more expeditious consideration.
Sir..question not answered..pl
Why "a" not used before expeditious consideration...
@@anilkumarjangbahadu229 It depends on whether the sentence is complete. Firstly, it would be "an expeditious consideration."
Secondly, if I mean that it needs consideration by a specific person or body, I might use "an." Example: This needs an expeditious consideration by the accounts office because we need to finalise it by Thursday.
If I mean that the idea still needs a lot of work and doesn't have enough detail I might say, "This needs expeditious consideration."
In reality, I would never say it because it is cumbersome and lacks detail. If it really needs expeditious consideration then why? which part? I would say something like, "The issue with the overheating needs immediate consideration because it could be dangerous for the operator."
"The issue with the vehicle expenses needs immediate investigation by the accounts department because it is costing us $500 a day."
@@anilkumarjangbahadu229 Sorry, I just realised I had misunderstood your question. The correct answer, unfortunately, is not very satisfactory. Like many things in English, it is inconsistent and often irrational.
We use the article "a/an" when the noun is quantifiable, as in a rock, a dog or a tonne of coal. We (generally) don't use it when the noun is more vague, like empathy, air, space, freedom.
Here is the inconsistent part: although we don't say "a consideration" we might say "a degree of consideration" or "a lot of consideration." Irrational because, in these cases, "degree" and "lot" are no more quantified than "consideration."
Again a brilliant and astonishing video. Thank you. Adam
Adam you the best. I simply love the way you explain with ease
Excellent explanation. Clear and concise. Thank you very much.
Adam you are a great teacher. Thank you for this video lesson!
Thank you so much for your help Adam you are a great teacher.
I hope do well on my exam.
i like ur lessons very much the way you explain every point so minutely.
again ironing 😁
and yes you are awesome maybe the most likable teacher I found on youtube.
I adore just how you speak, thanks Adam, I find every your lesson very useful, good luck!
It's very helpful to us. We have been learnt different things across from your videos..
This man and this channel are awesome guys!!!
Been watching many ielts vids , u r the best teacher so far !
Thanks
i have almost watched most of your videos. you are fabulous with your explanations.
Thanks for share these tips. I find them very useful. Could you upload more videos about how to improve writting score?
I have upgraded my english and I'm so happy because your channel has been adequated.
Thank you so much Adam. Your tutorials are amazing.
Thanks a lot for your helpful lessons, I also hope you can teach us how to analyze a pie chart in IELTS writing task 1
Adam is my hero.
great video IELTS & TOEFL writing
Love it , thank you Adam for your a fantastic elaboration.
Sir, I have already watched a range of videos you made. You are an excellent teacher. You made any difficult sencences in to easy and understandable wich i like very very much. Thanks a lot.
Thank you Adam, I would be glad to learn more about writing
Thank you Adam for these useful tips. It was great.
All of those explication are so clear ! Great teacher !
Thank you so much for making and sharing such good videos!
Love it.
I like it the way of teach you, even though if I go to tutorial class could not be able to take because you teach me in simple
You makes me feel good, your way to explain is the best. ThankS Adam.
Thank you so much, this lesson is really helpful
soooo helpful👍👍👍👍 thank you so very much!!!
You are good teacher. I have learned a lot from u and specially the nice way present things.
Hallo Mr. Adam your way for llearning is very clear.
Thanks for this video.Very useful tips.
Thank you so much! I really love this episode. I wish I could smash the like button.💖💖💖
Adam, you are excellent professor!
Thanks Adam for your fruitful lessons
I really like your shirt not ironed ;-) it adds you an extra charm ...
Thankyou so much, Adam. You are great!
your lessons are very useful and you are an interesting teacher
Excellent tips, Adam!
Thanks so much. You r great teacher, Adam!
I really enjoyed your lecture, thank you
Great effort Adam, thanks a lot!
Adam, you make the best English teacher
I hope my sentence is correct 😂
hi Adam, i am preparing toefl now although it’s not for studying abroad, however, it’s beneficial to subscribe your channel and listen to the lessons. I am aware that the new channel Write-to-to is going to help students on Toefl and Ielts writing but i wonder if you plan to work out another channel to help students on speaking session which should be the most difficult one for most of the students in Mandarin speaking.
I watch this in 1.5x, great speech Adam. You're too much!
Very clear advises, thanks
Thank you Adam . You're The Best 👍🏻
Watching this video is neccessary for anyone who wants to take IELTS exam
I want to say thank you! Very helpful videos! thank you so much
So helpful. Thanks a lot
Excellent lesson!
For instance if you use it in your essay as you said you must explain the positve and negative side
Thank you. Mr. Adam.
This is one damn good lesson!