Learn to Prosper Education

Congratulations to the winner of our June contest for a $75 Amazon card - Marie-Eve Gagnon. We will draw another winner at the end of July from one of our followers on Facebook or Insta.

Congratulations to our first winner of a $75 Amazon gift card - Hien Nguyen. We will direct message you with details. Keep following our Facebook and Instagram page for draws in June, July and August!

Avoid this common mistake!
A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined by a comma without a coordinating conjunction.

Incorrect: It's already 8pm, we cannot get to the store before it closes.
Correct: It's already 8pm, so we cannot get to the store before it closes.
Correct: It's already 8pm. We cannot get to the store before it closes.

To join independent clauses together, we need to use a comma + a coordinating conjunction. We can remember the coordinating conjunctions using a memory aid: FANBOYS. The FANBOYS words are: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so

If you have more than two independent clauses, it's better to start a new sentence with a transition (linking) word. In English, longer isn't always better! Sometimes shorter is clearer.

Today’s IELTS word
significant /siɡˈnifikənt/
重大, 重要, 意义, 非常多

Definition:
1. important
2. worthy of attention
3. describing a large amount or quantity
Opposite: insignificant /insiɡˈnifəkənt/

Examples:
1. World War II was one of the most significant events in Canada’s history.
2. There is a significant difference in the price of those two products.
3. The difference in price between the two houses is insignificant.

Let’s try it was a recent IELTS question:
What skills do people take a long time to learn?

I would say that “soft” management skills such as decision-making, problem-solving, communication skills, and empathy take a significant amount of time to master.

Today's IELTS words:
sufficient and insufficient
/səˈfiSHənt/

Definition: Sufficient is an adjective meaning enough or adequate. Insufficient means not enough or not adequate.
*To describe a verb (how we do something) we would use the adverbs sufficiently and insufficiently

Examples:
My vocabulary is sufficient now to take the IELTS exam.
The evidence to prove his theory is insufficient.
He drove sufficiently to pass the driver’s license exam.
He insufficiently explained the instructions to the students.

Let’s try it with a recent IELTS question:
Do you get up early on weekends?
I often wake up early on weekends, especially on Sundays. On Saturday, evenings, I usually take it easy and turn in early. If I get sufficient sleep, I wake up bright and early and go for an energizing jog through the park in the morning.

IELTS word for today:
consequence(s) /ˈkänsikwəns/

Definition: the result(s) of a particular action or situation
This is a useful word because we can use it when discussing any topic. This word is more frequently used to discuss a bad outcome or a potentially bad result.

Examples:
There are severe consequences for cheating on an exam.
Did you think about the consequences before you reacted?

Let’s try it with a recent IELTS question:
Why do you think we should recycle?

I think we should recycle for the obvious reasons of protecting the environment and preventing further damage to it. I also think recycling helps us to keep in mind that our actions always have consequences, and what we do now will affect our future.

Today’s IELTS word
Invaluable /inˈvaly(o͞o)əb(ə)l/

Use this word as an adjective to describe something that is extremely valuable, beyond estimation. It can also be used to describe something extremely useful.

Examples:

My professor is my role model. His example and experience have been invaluable!

TED Talks are an invaluable tool for learning English.

Let’s try using it to answer an IELTS question…
Can history help us to understand the present?

Definitely! I believe history teaches us about the present. History provides us with invaluable tools, which help us to analyze and probe problems of the past and to identify patterns and trends. Additionally, delving into historical studies provides a crucial perspective for understanding and resolving present-day problems. Frequently, history supplies the knowledge we use to make analogies, practical applications, insights and improvements. In short, history helps us to prepare for a better future.

Today's IELTS tip is about using the discourse markers:
“I suppose” and “I guess”:

These words are used to indicate that what you are saying is a speculation. A speculation is a guess or something that you think is likely to be true.

Using discourse markers will make you more coherent (more understood) because they help your listener to make connections or connect the dots as they listen to your answer.

Example:
Do you think it’s better for children to grow up in the city or the countryside?

I believe it’s better for children to grow up in the countryside. I personally grew up in the city, so I can only guess what it would be like. I suppose children who grow up in the countryside use their imagination more often.