Lesson 1Open
Present Tenses — Subtle Differences in Meaning
Notice the small changes in meaning between present forms.
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Band 6–6.5 Competent · Academic IELTS course
IELTS Competent
16 modules and 132 lessons. Exam training for band 6.5: harder tasks, the band descriptors, timed practice and two full mock tests.
0 of 132 lessons done
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Module 1 · 10 lessons
Education and Learning
- Lesson 2Open
Perfect Aspect: Present, Past and Future Perfect
Use all three perfect forms to show time relationships.
0 / 8 parts done - Lesson 3Open
Tense Choice in Academic Writing
Keep tenses consistent in Task 1 and Task 2.
0 / 8 parts done - Lesson 4Open
Education: Online Learning and University Life
Use precise topic vocabulary for education.
0 / 8 parts done - Lesson 5Open
Collocations for Education
Use natural word partnerships in essays.
0 / 8 parts done - Lesson 6Open
Listening Part 1: Traps — Corrections and Distractors
Spot the real answer when speakers change their minds.
0 / 8 parts done - Lesson 7Open
Reading: True / False / Not Given — Harder Paraphrases
Handle statements that use different words and structures.
0 / 8 parts done - Lesson 8Open
Speaking Part 1: Band 6.5 Answers
Compare band 5 and band 6.5 answers and learn the difference.
0 / 8 parts done - Lesson 9Open
Writing Task 2: Opinion Essays — A Clear Position Throughout
Keep the same clear opinion in every paragraph.
0 / 8 parts done - Lesson 10Open
IELTS Practice: Education
Timed Academic IELTS tasks on this module’s theme, with band feedback.
0 / 8 parts done
Module 2 · 9 lessons
Work and the Economy
- Lesson 11Coming soon
Future Forms for Forecasts
Talk about projections with is expected to, is set to and will have.
- Lesson 12Coming soon
Describing Projections in Task 1
Describe future data in a line graph.
- Lesson 13Coming soon
Work, Business and the Economy
Use precise topic vocabulary for work and money.
- Lesson 14Coming soon
Listening Part 2: Multiple Choice with Paraphrased Options
Choose the right option when all three are mentioned.
- Lesson 15Coming soon
Reading: Matching Headings — Main Idea or Detail?
Avoid headings that only match one detail.
- Lesson 16Coming soon
Speaking Part 2: Describe an Ambition or Goal
Talk for two minutes about the future with a range of forms.
- Lesson 17Coming soon
Writing Task 1: Line Graphs with Projections
Describe past data and future predictions in one report.
- Lesson 18Coming soon
Writing Task 1: Grouping Information in Body Paragraphs
Organise the data into logical groups.
- Lesson 19Coming soon
IELTS Practice: Work and the Economy
Timed Academic IELTS tasks on this module’s theme, with band feedback.
Module 3 · 9 lessons
Health and Public Health
- Lesson 20Coming soon
Modals for Speculation: Present and Past
Speculate about causes and situations.
- Lesson 21Coming soon
Hedging: Tend To, Appear To, It Is Likely That
Make careful claims, as academic writers do.
- Lesson 22Coming soon
Public Health and Lifestyle Diseases
Use precise topic vocabulary for health.
- Lesson 23Coming soon
Listening Part 3: Speakers Who Agree and Disagree
Follow a discussion and know who holds which view.
- Lesson 24Coming soon
Reading: Yes / No / Not Given — The Writer’s Claims
Identify the writer’s claims and attitudes.
- Lesson 25Coming soon
Speaking Part 3: Health and Responsibility
Discuss who is responsible for public health.
- Lesson 26Coming soon
Writing Task 2: Problem–Solution Essays at Band 6.5
Give specific, well-explained solutions linked to each problem.
- Lesson 27Coming soon
Pronunciation: Word Stress Shifts
Move the stress in related words.
- Lesson 28Coming soon
IELTS Practice: Health
Timed Academic IELTS tasks on this module’s theme, with band feedback.
Module 4 · 9 lessons
Cities and Infrastructure
- Lesson 29Coming soon
Comparison Structures for Data
Compare figures precisely and in different ways.
- Lesson 30Coming soon
Noun Phrases for Data
Describe trends with noun phrases.
- Lesson 31Coming soon
Urbanisation, Housing and Transport
Use precise topic vocabulary for cities.
- Lesson 32Coming soon
Listening Part 2: Maps and Plans — Direction Language
Follow complex directions on a map or floor plan.
- Lesson 33Coming soon
Reading: Matching Information — Specific Detail
Find examples, reasons and descriptions in paragraphs.
- Lesson 34Coming soon
Speaking Part 2: Describe a Building or Place in a City
Talk for two minutes with descriptive vocabulary.
- Lesson 35Coming soon
Writing Task 1: Maps — Two Maps, Many Changes
Describe developments clearly and in a logical order.
- Lesson 36Coming soon
Writing Task 1: Bar Charts with Many Categories
Select key features when there is too much data.
- Lesson 37Coming soon
IELTS Practice: Cities
Timed Academic IELTS tasks on this module’s theme, with band feedback.
Module 5 · 8 lessons
Climate and Energy
- Lesson 38Coming soon
Conditionals — Review and Mixed Conditionals
Use mixed conditionals for past causes and present results.
- Lesson 39Coming soon
Alternatives to If: Unless, Provided, Otherwise
Vary conditional language in essays.
- Lesson 40Coming soon
Climate Change and Renewable Energy
Use precise topic vocabulary for energy.
- Lesson 41Coming soon
Listening Part 4: Predicting the Answer in Lecture Notes
Predict the answer type before the lecture starts.
- Lesson 42Coming soon
Reading: Summary Completion — With and Without a Word Box
Handle both summary formats.
- Lesson 43Coming soon
Speaking Part 3: What Would Happen If…?
Answer hypothetical questions with conditionals.
- Lesson 44Coming soon
Writing Task 2: Discussion Essays — Both Views and Yours
Write a balanced discussion with a clear opinion.
- Lesson 45Coming soon
IELTS Practice: Climate and Energy
Timed Academic IELTS tasks on this module’s theme, with band feedback.
Module 6 · 8 lessons
Science and Research
- Lesson 46Coming soon
The Passive in Academic Writing
Use the passive to sound objective.
- Lesson 47Coming soon
Reporting Passives: It Is Believed That, Is Thought To
Report general beliefs and research claims.
- Lesson 48Coming soon
Science, Research and Experiments
Use precise topic vocabulary for science.
- Lesson 49Coming soon
Listening Part 3: Students Discussing Research
Follow a discussion about a project and its stages.
- Lesson 50Coming soon
Reading: Flow-Chart and Table Completion
Complete charts that summarise a process in the passage.
- Lesson 51Coming soon
Speaking Part 2: Describe a Scientific Discovery
Explain an idea clearly for two minutes.
- Lesson 52Coming soon
Writing Task 1: Complex Processes
Describe a process with many stages, using the passive and sequencers.
- Lesson 53Coming soon
IELTS Practice: Science
Timed Academic IELTS tasks on this module’s theme, with band feedback.
Module 7 · 9 lessons
Technology and Society
- Lesson 54Coming soon
Participle Clauses
Write concise sentences with -ing and -ed clauses.
- Lesson 55Coming soon
Relative Clauses — Advanced and Reduced
Use reduced relative clauses for academic style.
- Lesson 56Coming soon
Technology, AI and Privacy
Use precise topic vocabulary for technology.
- Lesson 57Coming soon
Listening: Short-Answer and Sentence Completion
Answer accurately under word limits.
- Lesson 58Coming soon
Reading: Matching Features
Match researchers to their findings.
- Lesson 59Coming soon
Speaking Part 3: Technology Then, Now and in the Future
Compare and speculate on technology questions.
- Lesson 60Coming soon
Writing Task 2: Do the Advantages Outweigh the Disadvantages?
Weigh both sides and say which is stronger.
- Lesson 61Coming soon
Pronunciation: Chunking and Pausing
Pause in the right places to sound fluent.
- Lesson 62Coming soon
IELTS Practice: Technology
Timed Academic IELTS tasks on this module’s theme, with band feedback.
Module 8 · 8 lessons
Media and Information
- Lesson 63Coming soon
Reporting Verbs and Patterns
Use argue, claim, deny and insist with the right patterns.
- Lesson 64Coming soon
Citing Opinions in Essays
Present other people’s views before your own.
- Lesson 65Coming soon
Media, Advertising and Misinformation
Use precise topic vocabulary for the media.
- Lesson 66Coming soon
Listening Part 3: Choose Two — Paraphrased Answers
Choose two answers when speakers reject some options.
- Lesson 67Coming soon
Reading: Multiple Choice — Inference and Purpose
Answer questions about what the writer means and why.
- Lesson 68Coming soon
Speaking Part 2: Describe a News Story
Report and comment on a story for two minutes.
- Lesson 69Coming soon
Writing Task 2: Two-Part Questions — Answering Both Parts
Give each question equal attention and a clear answer.
- Lesson 70Coming soon
IELTS Practice: Media
Timed Academic IELTS tasks on this module’s theme, with band feedback.
Module 9 · 8 lessons
Crime, Law and Government
- Lesson 71Coming soon
Cleft Sentences: What… and It Is… That
Emphasise the key idea in a sentence.
- Lesson 72Coming soon
Inversion for Emphasis — Introduction
Use not only and rarely with inversion.
- Lesson 73Coming soon
Crime, Justice and Government Spending
Use precise topic vocabulary for law and government.
- Lesson 74Coming soon
Listening Part 4: Following an Argument in a Lecture
Follow a speaker’s reasons, examples and conclusion.
- Lesson 75Coming soon
Reading: Matching Sentence Endings
Join sentence halves by meaning and grammar.
- Lesson 76Coming soon
Speaking Part 3: Rules, Laws and Society
Discuss laws and punishment in depth.
- Lesson 77Coming soon
Writing Task 2: Partial Agreement
Agree with one part and disagree with another, clearly.
- Lesson 78Coming soon
IELTS Practice: Crime and Government
Timed Academic IELTS tasks on this module’s theme, with band feedback.
Module 10 · 8 lessons
Globalisation and Culture
- Lesson 79Coming soon
Concession and Contrast: Whereas, Despite, Nevertheless
Contrast ideas with a range of structures.
- Lesson 80Coming soon
Cause and Effect: Lead To, Result In, Due To
Show causes and results precisely.
- Lesson 81Coming soon
Globalisation, Tourism and Cultural Identity
Use precise topic vocabulary for globalisation.
- Lesson 82Coming soon
Listening Part 1: Notes and Tables at Speed
Keep up with fast speech and numbers.
- Lesson 83Coming soon
Reading: Following an Argument in Passage 3
Follow the writer’s line of argument across paragraphs.
- Lesson 84Coming soon
Speaking Part 2: Describe a Tradition or Custom
Describe a tradition with detail and reasons.
- Lesson 85Coming soon
Writing Task 2: Positive or Negative Development?
Answer the “positive or negative” question clearly.
- Lesson 86Coming soon
IELTS Practice: Globalisation
Timed Academic IELTS tasks on this module’s theme, with band feedback.
Module 11 · 9 lessons
Population and Ageing
- Lesson 87Coming soon
Quantifying Language and Approximation
Describe numbers precisely without repeating figures.
- Lesson 88Coming soon
Nominalisation: Turning Verbs into Nouns
Write a more academic style with noun phrases.
- Lesson 89Coming soon
Population, Family and Ageing
Use precise topic vocabulary for population.
- Lesson 90Coming soon
Listening Part 2: Matching Options
Match information to places or people in a talk.
- Lesson 91Coming soon
Reading: Sentence Completion — Word Limits
Complete sentences without breaking the word limit.
- Lesson 92Coming soon
Speaking Part 1: Family, Neighbours and Friends
Give band 6.5 answers on personal topics.
- Lesson 93Coming soon
Writing Task 1: Tables — Selecting Key Features
Choose and compare the most important numbers.
- Lesson 94Coming soon
Writing Task 1: Mixed Charts — Linking Two Sources
Write one overview for two different charts.
- Lesson 95Coming soon
IELTS Practice: Population
Timed Academic IELTS tasks on this module’s theme, with band feedback.
Module 12 · 8 lessons
The Natural World and Space
- Lesson 96Coming soon
Advanced Gerund and Infinitive Patterns
Use passive and perfect gerunds and infinitives.
- Lesson 97Coming soon
Modifiers: Significantly, Highly, Relatively
Make adjectives and claims more precise.
- Lesson 98Coming soon
Wildlife, Conservation and Space Exploration
Use precise topic vocabulary for nature and space.
- Lesson 99Coming soon
Listening Part 4: A Natural History Lecture
Complete notes from a lecture about animals or plants.
- Lesson 100Coming soon
Reading: Short-Answer Questions
Answer questions with exact words from a scientific text.
- Lesson 101Coming soon
Speaking Part 2: Describe an Animal or Natural Place
Talk for two minutes with precise vocabulary.
- Lesson 102Coming soon
Writing Task 2: Developing Ideas — Explain, Example, Result
Develop each idea fully in a body paragraph.
- Lesson 103Coming soon
IELTS Practice: Nature and Space
Timed Academic IELTS tasks on this module’s theme, with band feedback.
Module 13 · 8 lessons
Writing Clinic: Band 6.5+
- Lesson 104Coming soon
Task Response: Answering Every Part of the Question
Never miss a part of the task again.
- Lesson 105Coming soon
Coherence: Paragraphing and Progression
Make every paragraph do one clear job.
- Lesson 106Coming soon
Cohesion: Linking Without Overusing Linkers
Link ideas with reference and synonyms, not only linkers.
- Lesson 107Coming soon
Lexical Resource: Collocation and Less Common Words
Use topic words naturally and accurately.
- Lesson 108Coming soon
Grammatical Range: Simple and Complex Sentences
Mix sentence types without losing accuracy.
- Lesson 109Coming soon
Accuracy: Your Top Ten Error Fixes
Fix the errors that stop you reaching band 7.
- Lesson 110Coming soon
Task 1 Overviews That Score 7
Write overviews that pick the right main features.
- Lesson 111Coming soon
Comparing Band 5, 6 and 7 Answers
Mark sample answers and see what moves a script up a band.
Module 14 · 8 lessons
Speaking Clinic: Band 6.5+
- Lesson 112Coming soon
Fluency: Keep Going Without Long Pauses
Use fillers and strategies to keep talking.
- Lesson 113Coming soon
Coherence: Discourse Markers in Speech
Organise spoken answers clearly.
- Lesson 114Coming soon
Lexical Resource: Idiomatic Language Without Clichés
Use natural idioms and collocations, not memorised phrases.
- Lesson 115Coming soon
Grammar in Speech: Conditionals, Past Modals, Relative Clauses
Use complex grammar naturally when you speak.
- Lesson 116Coming soon
Pronunciation: Intonation and Sentence Stress
Use stress and intonation to show meaning.
- Lesson 117Coming soon
Part 2: Telling a Story with Detail
Make Part 2 vivid and well organised.
- Lesson 118Coming soon
Part 3: Abstract Questions and Speculation
Answer general questions about society.
- Lesson 119Coming soon
Full Speaking Test Practice
Do a full test and assess it with the band descriptors.
Module 15 · 6 lessons
Reading and Listening Strategy
- Lesson 120Coming soon
Reading: 20 Minutes per Passage
Keep to time across three passages.
- Lesson 121Coming soon
Reading: Spotting Paraphrase Fast
Match question words to text words quickly.
- Lesson 122Coming soon
Reading: Not Given — Why Learners Lose Marks
Stop using your own knowledge to answer.
- Lesson 123Coming soon
Listening: Predicting Before the Audio
Use the reading time to predict answers.
- Lesson 124Coming soon
Listening: Accents, Speed and Distractors
Handle different accents and fast speech.
- Lesson 125Coming soon
Listening: Checking and Transferring Answers
Check spelling, plurals and grammar before the time ends.
Module 16 · 7 lessons
Mock Tests and Final Assessment
- Lesson 126Coming soon
Mock Test 1: Listening and Reading
A full Listening and Reading test under exam conditions.
- Lesson 127Coming soon
Mock Test 1: Writing and Speaking
Full Writing and Speaking tests under exam conditions.
- Lesson 128Coming soon
Mock Test 1: Error Analysis
Find out why you lost each mark.
- Lesson 129Coming soon
Mock Test 2: Full Test
A complete Academic IELTS test in one session.
- Lesson 130Coming soon
Mock Test 2: Error Analysis and Band Report
Compare your two mock tests and measure progress.
- Lesson 131Coming soon
Competent Final Test
Show that you are ready for the Good level (band 7).
- Lesson 132Coming soon
Your Study Plan for Band 7+
Plan the next steps from 6.5 to 7 and beyond.