Lesson Workbook #1: What is the worst word to

use at the start of your IELTS Task 2 essay?

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 Video Lesson

This video lesson highlights the worst word students use at the start of their IELTS Task 2 essay. This may
also extend into essays for CAE/TOEFL and academic essays in university.

What is the worst word to use at the start of your IELTS essay?

List the three reasons given to explain this:

Reason #1:

Reason #2:

Reason #3 :

Task 1

It is good to get into the habit of assessing your own work. This will allow you have to a greater
awareness of your strengths and weaknesses and help you to focus your attention on specific areas.

1. How many essays have you written? (IELTS Task 2, Cambridge exam,
TOEFL)
2. What is your average grade/band score?

3. How many times did you use ‘Nowadays’ to start your essay?

4. What other phrases did you use?

5. Write down other phrases that you could use:

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 Opening phrases for essays

Opening words/phrases to replace ‘Nowadays’

1 Word

Today

 Example: Today, there are a significant number of children with obesity.

Presently

 Example: Presently, there are a significant number of children with obesity.

Recently

 Example: Recently, there has been a significant increase in the number of

children with obesity. *

*Notice how the tense form changes here, as ‘recently’ implies a change from the past to the
present state. Using this form also shows a variation in your ability to use a range of
grammatical structures.

2 Words

At present

 At present, there are a significant number of children with obesity.

Today’s society

 Today’s society has a significant number of children with obesity.

Society today

 Society today has a significant number of children with obesity.

*Notice the change in tense form and punctuation in the above sentences.

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 3 Words

In today’s society

 In today’s society, there are a significant number of children with obesity.

In modern culture

 In modern culture, there are a significant number of children with obesity.

In recent times

 In recent times, there has been a significant increase in the number of

children with obesity.

In modern times

 In modern times, there are a significant number of children with obesity.

4 Words

In
Forthe 21st years
many century

 In the 21st century, there are a significant number of children with obesity.
 In the 21st century, there has been a significant increase in the number of
children with obesity.

Since the 20th century

 Since the 20th century, there has been a significant increase in the number
of children with obesity.
 (Extra bullet point)

5 Words

Over the last few decades

 Over the last few decades, there has been a significant increase in the
number of children with obesity.

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 6 Words

Over the last number of decades

 Over the last number of decades, there has been a significant increase in the
number of children with obesity.

Over a period of 50 years

 Over a period of 50 years, there has been a significant increase in the

number of children with obesity.


7 Words

Over a period of approximately 50 years

 Over a period of approximately 50 years, there has been a significant

increase in the number of children with obesity.

Important note: The example sentence given could be described as a sweeping generalisation.
However, it is based on current trends in the modern western world. If you are going to make statements
like this to start your essay, you must be certain that there is evidence to support your claims.

Task 2

Using the example sentences given complete the following:

1. Highlight the punctuation marks in the sentences.

2. Write down the tense form used in each of the sentences.

3. Identify phrases that can use more than one tense form.

4. Why is there a difference between the tense forms used with some of the opening phrases?

5. Select an opening word/phrase from each of the boxes (1 word – 7 words) and use it to replace

an opening phrase in one of your previous essays. Make sure to use the appropriate tense form.

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 Bonus idiom

Task 3

1. Write down a sentence to use the idiom given.

2. Try to use this idiom today in your normal conversations.

3. Write down any examples in the next week of people using this idiom.
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