In Part 1, we looked at common paraphrasing techniques such as changing word forms, using synonyms, or switching between active and passive voice. In real reading tests, exam writers often combine these techniques, making questions trickier. To help you practice, I’ve included: ➔    a tip, ➔    a reading passage, ➔    and two types …

The Benefits of Recording Yourself Speaking Recording yourself speaking in English might feel uncomfortable at first. Many people say, “I don’t like the sound of my voice,” or “It feels strange.” However, this simple habit can become one of the most powerful tools for improving your fluency. When you record yourself and then listen carefully, you …

  Paraphrasing for IELTS/CELPIP Reading Ever get stuck in IELTS or CELPIP Reading because the passage doesn’t use the same words as the question? You’re not alone. This is where synonyms and paraphrasing come into play.  Students need to spot these shifts in wording to find the correct answers, since almost nothing matches exactly. At first, …

Accent Modification: the /a/ sound If you’re learning English in Canada, the /a/ vowel sound in words like ‘father’, ‘walk’, and ‘job’ is an important one to master. The /a/ sound is a long vowel sound. It’s the same open vowel sound that a doctor asks you to make when inserting a tongue depressor in your …

Upgrade Your IELTS & CELPIP Score with Better Adjectives One of the fastest ways to improve your IELTS or CELPIP score is surprisingly simple: upgrade your adjectives. Many candidates rely on basic words like confused, interested, surprised, happy, or angry. These words are not wrong — but they’re limited. In both Speaking and Writing, examiners are …