Writing websites, including IELTS and IELTS Blogs

websites

http://www.academicenglishcafe.com/academic-writing-topics.html

http://www.goodluckielts.com/IELTS-essay-topics.html

Note:  the following blog link is for personal use only--not to be used in a database in other sites
http://www.ielts-blog.com/ielts-preparation-tips/writing-tips/9-ielts-writing-tips-from-phuong-how-to-get-band-7/

http://www.ieltshelpnow.com/academic_writing_test_2.html

http://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/ielts-writing-task-1/

Academic Word List

List Linkhttp://www.englishvocabularyexercises.com/AWL/index.htm

New academic writing site-review of topic sentences etc.

website
http://eolf.univ-fcomte.fr/index.php?page=academic-reading-and-writing-exercises

Notes on writing paragraphs: Topic, supporting, concluding and transition sentences.

Writing Paragraphs

1.  Topic Sentence:

 Main idea of paragraph.

                Topic + controlling idea (what you have to say about the topic)

                For example,  Young people (topic) spend too much time on the internet. (what you have to say about the topic)

2.  Supporting Sentences:

                Details, examples, reasons to support the topic sentence.  (usually at least 3)

3.  Conclusion Sentence:

                Repeat the idea of the topic sentence in a different way.

                For example,  Young people waste their time on the internet  and may not have time for other activities.

4.  Transition Sentence: 

                They say or give a clue about the idea of the next paragraph.  These can be part of a concluding sentence.

                For example,  Although young people waste their time on the internet, they can be gaining knowledge.  (my next paragraph will be about getting good information on the internet)

                Another example,  Not only do young people waste their time on the internet, but they also waste money on new technology. (my next paragraph will be about how young people spend money on technology)

Essay topic for Sept. 18--Vancouver

Write an essay about Vancouver.

Vancouver is a popular city for tourists.  There are many things to see and do here.  You can visit many beautiful natural sites, shop at many locations or eat food from around the world.

First paragraph:  natural sites
Second paragraph:  shopping
Third paragraph:  restaurants (international, etc.)

An example for topic sentence for first paragraph for natural sites:

If you love nature, Vancouver is the perfect city to visit. (Topic Sentence)

Supporting sentences:
You can enjoy the beautiful natural old forest and a walk around the seawall in Stanley Park.  You can scare yourself to death walking across the Capilano Suspension Bridge, or you can hike up or take a cable car up to the top of Grouse Mountain and enjoy the panoramic view of Vancouver below.

Concluding and transition sentence:
When you want a change from all that natural beauty, you can take some time to shop.
(first part is concluding and repeating the idea of nature from topic sentence; the second part introduces the topic of the next paragraph - shopping)


If you love nature, Vancouver is the perfect city to visit.You can enjoy the beautiful natural old forest and a walk around the seawall in Stanley Park.  You can scare yourself to death walking across the Capilano Suspension Bridge, or you can hike up or take a cable car up to the top of Grouse Mountain and enjoy the panoramic view of Vancouver below.  When you want a change from all that natural beauty, you can take some time to shop.

Here are examples of transition sentences from paragraph 1 (nature) to 2 (shopping):

Not only can you visit beautiful sites, but you can also shop.

Nature sites are wonderful, but you might enjoy a change like shopping.

When you are finished enjoying nature, you can always go shopping.

Here are examples of transition sentences from paragraph 2 (shopping) to 3 (restaurants):

After a day of great shopping you may be hungry.

When all your fantastic shopping is done, you might want to find a restaurant.

All that shopping can make you hungry.

A busy day of shopping is over and you need to eat.

Reading and Listening

Reading and listening
http://esl-bits.net/

Reading and Comprehension Exercises

Readings
http://englishforeveryone.org/Topics/Reading-Comprehension.htm