Irina Lutsenko: IELTS, writing, cohesion

If you are tired of IELTS Writing...

Why don't you join "Writing with The Guardian" this summer? ☀️

"Writing with The Guardian" is a writing mini-course based on articles from The Guardian. It is geared towards the C2 Proficiency exam (or CPE) articles but is also good for a variety of non-fiction and creative non-fiction types of writing.

📝 What will we do?
- read and discuss two articles from the "The Guardian";
- work with sophisticated lexis and sentence structures;
- explore the power of punctuation to enhance meaning;
- explore a wide range of writing tools and techniques that will keep the reader engaged;
- work on cohesion, coherence, paraphrasing and more.
- After all that, you'll write a CPE article (or a non-fiction piece if you don't need CPE).

📝 Who is the course perfect for?
- people who have taken CPE and want to stay in a good writing shape;
- people who want to take CPE some time in the future;
- people who blog, write copy, or write for pleasure - and those who want to.

📝 Deets:
- Course duration: one month (4 classes)
- Classes: one 90-minute class a week, in real time on Zoom
- Homework: one week - reading, next week - writing (2 articles in total)
- Feedback: personalized, detailed feedback on every piece of writing
- Price: 8,000 rub a month (4 classes). Feedback included.

📆 Summer 2026 schedule (July, August):
- Tuesday 10-11:30 Moscow time
- Thursday 12-13:30 Moscow time

Course designer: Irina Lutsenko

Course instructor: Yulia Levina — always seeking the perfect word order in sentences and the perfect sentence sequence in texts

- CPE 217/230
- BA, MA in Linguistics
- Delta M1
- 8 years of teaching experience, including 5 years (and counting) of specializing in Cambridge exam prep

A great summer mini-course! ☀️

💌 @iraluts

IELTS Writing Task 1 Overviews Sprint: 10 days, 10 overviews

So I thought, why don't I repeat my epic overviews sprint? 💡

It's plain and simple: Join the sprint to write one overview a day for 10 days. Every day, you will get one IELTS Writing Task 1. Within the next 24 hours, you have to write your overview. Then you get mine and the next task.

Start: 23 June, 9:45 am Moscow time

Place: Telegram chat, no real time meetings

Price: free

Feedback: no individual feedback

Important:
- If you don't write by the deadline, you have to leave.
- If you don't write, but don't want to leave, no worries - you can stay if you pay a fine of 1,000 RUB (for each instance of not writing an overview).
- Deadline: 9:45 am Moscow time every day.
- This sprint will feature tasks with figures and maps from previous sprints. If you participated before, you can still join, but the tasks are the same.

💌 To join, send me a dm with an overview for the attached task @iraluts. Deadline: 22 June, 21:45 Moscow time.

When you message me, please introduce yourself with your name and last name. My name is Irina Lutsenko - I want to know yours. Nameless subscribers and people with nicknames or aliases won't be admitted.

We're off to the races! Stay tuned for the next sprint in July -- with completely new tasks! ☀️

REGISTRATION CLOSED. 33 sprinters!!! 🏃‍♀🏃‍♀🏃‍♀

IELTS 21 (2026)

📩 @cdireport_admin
🔗 @cdireport

IELTS 21. Most Writing Task 1s are standard, but one looks crazy.

#IELTS writing: idiomatic items

If you've scrutinized the band descriptors, you will have seen the word "idiomatic." The screenshot shows "Lexical Resource" band 8.

Don't let "idiomatic" confuse you. This word does not mean "using idioms." Or rather -- it does not mean just that.

Make sure you know the second meaning:

1. Collins dictionary: idiomatic = using words in a way that sounds natural to native speakers of the language

2. Cambridge dictionary: idiomatic = containing expressions that are natural and correct

Some examples from IELTS Writing Task 1:

1️⃣

✅ Natural and correct:

The vast / overwhelming majority of the attendees have a PhD degree.

❌ Clear, but not natural or correct:

The wide / astronomical majority of the attendees have a PhD degree.

2️⃣

✅ Natural and correct in a report:

The team is predominantly composed of PhD-degree holders.

❌ Natural in colloquial speech, but unnatural in a report:

- The team consists of a whole bunch of PhD degree holders.
- The lion’s share of the team members have a PhD degree.

Over to you.

Rewrite this sentence from an overview in a way that would be idiomatic (natural and correct) in IELTS Writing Task 1:

The number of runners who aren't exactly spring chickens shot up insanely and in your face -- these oldies even overtook the younglings, by a sliver though.

(Picture in comments). ⬇️

#IELTS Writing Task 1 overview: how many sentences?

As is often the case, this post is based on a question by a student. The student saw a claim online that the overview must be two sentences and asked me for clarification.

Unfortunately, it's not that simple. The number of sentences is not a reliable metric.

Compare these two overviews:

1️⃣ Overall, life expectancy varied significantly across the given countries in 2008. However, it became longer in all over the 55 years.

2️⃣ Overall, while life expectancy varied significantly across the given countries in 2008, it became longer in all over the 55 years. Notably, Japan, the leading country, showed very small growth, but Indonesia, the country with the shortest life span, showed the largest increase.

Or, these two:

1️⃣ Overall, while life expectancy varied significantly across the given countries in 2008, being different worldwide over the 55 years. Notably, Japan showed very small growth, but Indonesia showed the largest increase.

2️⃣ Overall, while life expectancy varied significantly across the given countries in 2008, it became longer in all over the 55 years. Notably, Japan, the leading country, showed very small growth, but Indonesia, the country with the shortest life span, showed the largest increase.

In both sets of examples, the overviews are two sentences, but the amount of information is drastically different.

The overview is all about the features, not just the number of sentences. That said, I have to admit two is a good number for a good overview. But not just any two.

To polish your skill of writing overviews, join my practical workshop dedicated exclusively to this crucial paragraph of IELTS Writing Task 1.

More about the workshop: https://t.me/irinalutsenko/708

Dm me: @iraluts 💌

The whole answer to the task in the picture: https://t.me/irinalutsenko/551

The overview is the most important part of your #IELTS Writing Task 1

How do you write a good one?

In this practical workshop, you will learn how to nail your overview for all types of IELTS Academic tasks:
- tasks with figures (with and without a time change);
- tasks with combinations of charts;
- maps and floor plans;
- processes.

What will happen in this workshop?

- You will get my list of questions that help you choose the key features for each task type;
- We will look at my examples and discuss how I chose the key features;
- You'll write your own overviews, get my feedback, and compare them with mine afterwards.

The workshop is based on my extensive IELTS taking, teaching, and writing experience:
- IELTS 9 x4, Writing 8.5 x3
- IELTS prep experience: over 10 years
- Answers written: over 200

Important: This is not a webinar. This is a practical workshop where you are expected to write. Please join with your camera on and from a good work station.

📌 Price: 2500 RUB

📅 Summer 2026:
- Saturday, 20 June, 12-13:30/14:00 Moscow time
- Monday, 6 July, 11-12:30/13:00 Moscow time

The duration might vary between 90 and 120 minutes, depending on the number of participants and the speed of writing.

📍 Place: in real time on Zoom, camera must be on, participation is expected

Sign up: @iraluts

❗ You will get the pdf of the presentation and the document with the overviews, but there will be no video recordings!

Why don't I record my workshops?

I believe participation without recording ensures a safe space for attendees to participate openly and without fear of asking questions or making mistakes.

If I decided to make a recording, I would have to ask you to mute yourself and switch off your video, or you would want to do that yourself. But I expect participation and questions - they help you learn!

Besides, I don't want to be a talking head, nor do I want to speak into silent black boxes on the screen. I want to be a real live person and expect the same in return. (And don't get me started on potential privacy concerns of the participants.)

Sign up: @iraluts

#IELTS Writing Task 2: "advertisement" or synonyms for words that don't have synonyms 💡

Some words don't really have good synonyms -- and that's OK. 

Three things you can do with them in an IELTS answer are: 
- repeat the word (nothing wrong with some repetitions); 
- use ellipsis; 
- use substitution. 

And here two more things you can do. 

Let's use this topic as a source of examples: "Advertisements are becoming more and more common in our daily lives. Is it a positive or negative development?"

How can you avoid repeating "advertisement"? ("Advert" and "ad" are not it.)

1️⃣ Take one step down

What are some specific examples of advertisements? 

- a commercial (only on radio, TV, or podcast)
- a banner (only for web pages) 
- a host-read / host-read segment (when, say, an influencer, reads a script about a product on their show) 
- a brand ambassador (a person, usually a celebrity, who represents the brand) 

Of course, these words have specific meanings, so you can't just use them interchangeably with "advertisement," but they will help you avoid repetitions and fill your essay with topic-specific lexis. 

2️⃣ Take one step up 

What might you call a lot of ads combined? 

- marketing campaign 
- promotion 
- (celebrity) endorsement 
- publicity
- media content 
- sponsored content 
 
Again, these words are not direct substitutes for "advertisement," but they will help. 

After all, your goal is not to use synonyms or even avoid repetitions -- your goal is to communicate meaning. 

Recent exam. My essay is available here:
https://t.me/irinalutsenko/524

🐸 Irina Lutsenko

#Irina_writes_IELTS

IELTS writing: how much time do you really have to write? 💡

IELTS tells you: You should spend 20 minutes on Writing Task 1 and 40 on Writing Task 2.

I tell you: You should spend 15 minutes on Writing Task 1 and 30 minutes on Writing Task 2. ❗️

You absolutely need to factor in extra time for:

1️⃣

Proofreading and editing.

2️⃣

Dealing with some unexpected circumstances, such as:

- You get an ugly Writing Task 1 task you've never seen before and are completely befuddled;

- Approximately 299 words into your essay, you realize you haven't noticed and/or addressed an important component of the topic.

3️⃣

Bathroom break (although reading is a much beter time for this).

What else might you need the extra time for? How much time do you spend on writing?

🐸 Irina Lutsenko

#IELTS Writing Task 1 process overviews: a common mistake ☀️

This mistake emerged when we were talking about this task in particular.

Look at the overview I wrote on purpose to illustrate the mistake. Do you notice it?

"Overall, the process consists of two stages: obtaining water and filtering it. The water is first pumped up with the help of solar-generated energy. It is then purified and is ready to be consumed."

The mistake is: The overview simply repeats the label on the task. We already know all the same information from the introduction.

The overview is supposed to give a summary of the key features of the process. To choose the key features, I personally try to think of this question: How is this process different from other, similar processes?

Also, if you write your introduction at the beginning of the answer -- which most people do -- your overview should extend and logically continue the introduction, not simply repeat it.

So, write your overview -- together with the introduction -- in the comments. ✏️

And do you want me to repeat my epic workshop on writing IELTS overviews? Let me know in the comments as well. ❓

More about the epic workshop: https://t.me/irinalutsenko/606

Today is Joseph Brodsky's birthday! 🥳

Are you celebrating? I am. He is one of my favorite poets. And below is one of my favorite poems -- and my translation!

The translation is one of my proudest achievements because... to say that translating poetry is hard would be an understament. With invaluable support of Timur Khamzin. ❤️

Сначала в бездну свалился стул,
потом - упала кровать,
потом - мой стол. Я его столкнул
сам. Не хочу скрывать.
Потом - учебник "Родная речь",
фото, где вся моя семья.
Потом четыре стены и печь.
Остались пальто и я.
Прощай, дорогая. Сними кольцо,
выпиши вестник мод.
И можешь плюнуть тому в лицо,
кто место мое займет.

***
Иосиф Бродский

The chair was the first to fall in the abyss.
Then tumbled the bed.
The table didn't fall on its own. I won't hide this -
I pushed it myself instead.
Then my favorite alphabet book,
The family photo and the shelf
Then the four walls and the hook
Leaving my coat and myself.
Farewell, my princess. Take off that ring.
Put on a stylish gown.
And you can spit in the face of the king
Who will come to wear my crown.

***
Irina Lutsenko, 2021

I love this poem because it says so much in words that are so simple...

What is your favorite poem by Brodsky?

IELTS Writing Task 1: grammar or meaning? 🍍

People typically view grammar as an isolated thing. And the main goal for a text is often perceived as grammatucal accurately. But what about meaning? You can communicate different meaning with the exact same grammar. 

The sentences below contain the same information and the same grammar (no mistakes). Yet, the meaning is different. 

Which sentence would be more appropriate in an IELTS answer for the attached task? Why?

1️⃣

A
The pineapple tops, typically planted approximately 26 cm apart, are commonly referred to as crowns and are left to grow for seven months. 

B
The pineapple tops, commonly referred to as crowns, are planted approximately 26 cm apart and left to grow for seven months. 

2️⃣

A
The initial stage – the cultivation of the fruit – takes place at temperatures ranging between 23-30 degrees Celsius and lasts for a year.

B
The initial stage – a step that takes place at temperatures ranging between 23-30 degrees Celsius and lasts for a year – is the cultivation of the fruit. 

The bottom line is: think about the meaning you are communicating, not just grammar.  

Key: 
1 B
2 A

Why? Feel free to explain in the comments. 🍍

How long does it take you to decide whether to keep reading a book or to put it down? 📚

Not long, I bet. Just like meeting a person for the first time, we tend to judge stories in the first moments of our encounter, meaning by the end of the opening line, if not the first paragraph.

But how do you write a great opening paragraph?

To find out, join our "Writing Incubator" workshop "Writing an engaging intro to your story by Elizaveta Zanozina" this Sunday! 🦋

“Writing Incubator” is a series of workshops by stellar professionals who love writing. This is our final workshop of the season.

In this workshop, we'll explore what makes an opening paragraph truly engaging. We'll read and dissect examples of memorable story openings, including your own favorites, unpack the craft behind what makes them work, and then try our hand at writing a first paragraph that pulls the reader in and keeps us, as writers, hungry to write what comes next.

📅 17 May, Sunday, 11:00 am Moscow time, in real time, on Zoom

💌 The workshop is free. To join, message me @iraluts with a meaningful ending to this comment, "Wow, I can't miss this one! I'd love to join because ... ."

❗️ Please note that this is a workshop, not a webinar or a lecture. If you join, you have to write. We don't record our workshops, so this is a safe space to participate.

🦋 Writing Incubator - where writing skills hatch 🦋

Are all IELTS test centers created equal?

I have now taken IELTS in four different countries: Russia, the US, Uzbekistan, and one county in Europe that will remain undisclosed.

Sometimes I hear people discuss whether one test center is better than the other. In my experience, all test venues are more or less the same. A test center wouldn't get accredited if it didn't meet certain criteria.

Of course, some conditions differ and might matter. To me, what matters is lighting, room temperature, and chairs. (The chairs at the Institute of Irrigation test venue in Tashkent are engraved on my heart forever. 💜)

But these are subjective. And also subject to change over time.

One thing is crucial though. And I realized it only in my latest attempt in Europe, when I looked down at the keyboard in horror.

Some European keyboards are not QWERTY keyboards! Some letters and punctuation marks are on different keys! ❗️

This is really worth looking into.

Other than that, it's worth focusing on skills, not on external conditions.

My IELTS 9 number 4! 💪

Writing score breakdown:

Task 1: 9989

Task 2: 8888

I've been writing Task 1 like crazy over the past six months -- unfortunately, at the expense of Task 2. I thought Task 1 was my weakness -- in my previous attempts the essay was always better.

Well. Use it or lose it.

Don't get complacent and keep writing! 💪

Recent exam. My answer is available here:

https://t.me/irinalutsenko/618