We’ve all been there. You’re sitting in the exam room, your heart is racing just a little bit, and the examiner hands you those two photos. Your brain naturally wants to take the easiest path: describing what you see. "In the first photo, I can see a man in an office. He is wearing a blue shirt and looking at his laptop..." It feels safe, right? But here is a little secret from someone who has seen many students hit the "C1 Plateau": The examiner already knows what’s in the p

If you need help with any of the questions below, feel free to book a free 15-minute consultation call with our professor at The Exam Academy. Some people think that people should be given the right to use fresh water as they like. Others believe governments should strictly control the use of fresh water. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. In many countries, the quality of life in large cities is becoming worse. What do you think are the causes of this problem? Wh

If you need help with any of the questions below, feel free to book a free 15-minute consultation call with our professor at The Exam Academy. The diagram below show the stages in the recycling of aluminum drinks can. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant. The bar charts display the results from a 2009 survey regarding people’s automobile in a European country. Summarise the information by selecting and re

This is another very common question I hear from students planning to study abroad: “Which IELTS score do I need for university entrance?” The honest answer is that there is no single, universal score . IELTS requirements vary depending on the university, the country, the level of study, and sometimes even the specific course. For this reason, the most important step is always the same: check directly with your university . Why IELTS Score Requirements Vary Universities use I

This is one of the most common questions I hear from students and parents: “Am I too young to take the IELTS? ” The short answer is no  — there is no official minimum age to sit the IELTS exam. However, the more important question is not about age, but about readiness . Based on my experience working with younger candidates, age itself is rarely the main issue. The real challenge usually lies in life experience  — and how that affects performance across the different parts of

Many students say they can understand British English, but struggle when natives joke or tease each other.That’s because British humour isn’t just about words — it’s about tone, understatement, and irony .Understanding this style of communication will not only help you in real life but also improve your performance in IELTS and Cambridge speaking tests. What Is “Banter”? Banter is friendly teasing — making jokes to show closeness, not insult.For example: A: “I’m terrible at c

At C1 level, students often believe grammar is no longer a problem — but even advanced learners make small errors that can lower their marks in writing or speaking.These mistakes are not about knowing the rules; they’re about noticing how native speakers really use English . Let’s test your awareness with five tricky sentences. Try to correct them before checking the explanations. 1. “If I would have known, I’d have done something.” ❌ Incorrect ✅ Correct: If I had known, I’d

Writing at C1 Advanced level isn’t about being poetic or overly formal — it’s about showing clarity, structure, and argument control. Many otherwise strong students lose marks because their essays feel like a collection of ideas rather than a well-developed argument. Here’s how to write essays that feel effortless, logical, and exactly what examiners want to read. Understand the Purpose of the Task You’ll usually be asked to discuss a question, evaluate two ideas, and present