Included in the Learning subscription

5 and aiming for 9: all question types, strong distractors, paraphrasing, maps, accents, timing and a final timed test. Included in the «Learning» subscription.

Lessons are taught in Russian; examples and tasks are in English.

Course outline

1. Module 1

   Reading for Band 9

   1. 01
      Text Map and Timing: How to Read for Band 9Free15 min

      After this lesson you will be able to build a text map in 90 seconds, split 60 minutes across the three texts, and switch between fast and slow reading so you do not have to re-read the text for every question.

   2. Practice: Text Map and Timing: How to Read for Band 9Free20 min
   3. 02
      True / False / Not Given: the nuances that separate Band 8 from Band 9 Subscription15 min

      After this lesson you will be able to distinguish FALSE and NOT GIVEN in difficult cases: numbers, qualifiers, modality, comparisons, reported opinions and cause-and-effect relationships.

   4. Practice: True / False / Not Given: the nuances that separate Band 8 from Band 9 Subscription20 min
   5. 03
      Yes / No / Not Given and the Writer's View Subscription15 min

      After this lesson, you will distinguish the writer's voice from other opinions in the text, recognise hedging and concessions, and answer YNNG and writer's attitude questions with confidence.

   6. Practice: Yes / No / Not Given and the Writer's View Subscription20 min
   7. 04
      Matching headings: trap headings and the main idea of the paragraph Subscription20 min

      After this lesson you will find the main idea of a paragraph even when it is not in the first sentence, and recognise three types of trap headings: 'detail', 'word echo' and 'too strong'.

   8. Practice: Matching headings: trap headings and the main idea of the paragraph Subscription15 min
   9. 05
      Paraphrase Chains and Summary Completion Subscription25 min

      After this lesson you will recognise four levels of paraphrase, predict the answer from the grammar of the gap and complete summaries both with and without a word list without breaking the word limit.

   10. Practice: Paraphrase Chains and Summary Completion Subscription15 min
   11. 06
       Matching features, sentence endings and multiple choice with strong distractors Subscription25 min

       After this lesson you will quickly find every mention of researchers in the text, distinguish their findings from their hypotheses, and analyse incorrect multiple choice options by the four types.

   12. Practice: Matching features, sentence endings and multiple choice with strong distractors Subscription15 min
   13. 07
       Diagram, flow-chart, short answer and matching information Subscription20 min

       After this lesson, you will quickly locate the description of a process or device in the passage, complete diagrams without breaking the word limit, and solve matching information by scanning rather than re-reading.

   14. Practice: Diagram, flow-chart, short answer and matching information Subscription20 min

2. Module 2

   Listening for Band 9

   1. 01
      Listening Part 1: Spelling Names, Numbers and CorrectionsFree15 min

      After this lesson, you will accurately write down dictated surnames, postcodes and phone numbers, catch the speaker's corrections and recalculate discounted prices.

   2. Practice: Listening Part 1: Spelling Names, Numbers and CorrectionsFree15 min
   3. 02
      Map and plan labelling: orientation and the speaker's route Subscription15 min

      After this lesson you will be able to orient yourself on the plan before the recording starts, convert “on your right” into compass directions and stay on track when the speaker mentions the former location of an object.

   4. Practice: Map and plan labelling: orientation and the speaker's route Subscription15 min
   5. 03
      Multiple Choice in Part 2: All Options Are Heard, Only One Is Correct Subscription15 min

      After this lesson, you will recognise the five patterns used to build distractors in a monologue and confidently answer *Choose TWO letters* tasks.

   6. Practice: Multiple Choice in Part 2: All Options Are Heard, Only One Is Correct Subscription15 min
   7. 04
      Listening Part 3: Changing Opinions, Agreement and Decisions in Discussion Subscription15 min

      After this lesson, you will be able to distinguish who suggested what, track what they finally agreed on, and confidently tackle matching questions on decisions and opinions.

   8. Practice: Listening Part 3: Changing Opinions, Agreement and Decisions in Discussion Subscription20 min
   9. 05
      Listening Part 4: Lecture, Notes and Signalling Phrases Subscription20 min

      After this lesson you will be able to follow the structure of a lecture using signalling phrases, predict the correct word form for notes completion and avoid losing marks because of the spelling of academic vocabulary.

   10. Practice: Listening Part 4: Lecture, Notes and Signalling Phrases Subscription15 min
   11. 06
       Accents, Connected Speech and Answer Spelling Subscription20 min

       After this lesson you will recognise numbers and letters in Australian, American, Scottish and Indian varieties of English, deal with connected speech and write your answer without spelling mistakes.

   12. Practice: Accents, Connected Speech and Answer Spelling Subscription15 min

3. Module 3

   Final Check

   1. 01
      Timed Final Test: Reading + ListeningFree10 min

      After this lesson you will know your current level in Reading and Listening and see which types of mistakes are still keeping you from band 9.

   2. Practice: Timed Final Test: Reading + ListeningFree30 min