Sign up for 3 Keys IELTS<\/a> to be admitted to this amazing group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can ask any IELTS question and get quick, accurate answers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A student sent us a question about using slang the Examiner might not be familiar with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I have a question related to slang words. In Speaking part, if I use a slang terms that is not a generally known slang or it quite a specific to some community. Should I use or can I use it in my Speaking part 1 and\/or 2 ?<\/p> In this case, I get used with slang terms in Cryptocurrency or NFT community such as ‘bullish’ or ‘mooning’. I’m not sure if these terms are generally known to English speaker as well. And if I use it should I explain the context of the word too?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n You can definitely use these words, but it is vital that you explain them to the Examiner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When they are specific to a discipline and may be new and unfamiliar, there is a chance the Examiner will think you’re using the wrong vocabulary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This could lower your vocabulary score<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can say the word and then say, “This is slang used often by those interested in cryptocurrency, and it means…”<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the writing essay can I use idioms and slang? <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n The student let us know they were not referring to the letter, as for informal letters you definitely need to use slang and idioms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For Task 2, slang and most idioms are too informal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Phrasal verbs are also too informal for Writing Task 2.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n You need high level, more formal vocabulary<\/a> for this essay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some idioms are formal enough, so when you learn them make sure you learn how informal they are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You must learn words in context.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On our podcast, we share example sentences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We also teach you how formal words are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With idioms, we clearly explain where to use them on IELTS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If they are too informal, they must be reserved for Speaking and informal Task 1 letters<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Make a note in your vocabulary notebook to know how formal language is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 100% Score Increase Guarantee with our Insider Method<\/em><\/strong><\/p> Are you ready to move past IELTS and move forward with your life vision?<\/strong><\/p> Find out why our strategies are the most powerful in the IELTS world.<\/strong><\/p> When you use our Insider Method you avoid the BIGGEST MISTAKES that most students make on IELTS.<\/strong><\/p> Click here to get a score increase on IELTS. It\u2019s 100% guaranteed!<\/strong><\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Another student asked about using slashes in essays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How about slashes (\/)? Can we write \/ instead of “or” in an answer? Does it count as a letter? For example, can we write “social media\/computer?”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n We recommend you avoid using slashes, dashes and parentheses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is because these punctuation marks replace linking words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You must use a variety of linking words to score 7+ on your Cohesion\/Coherence score<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It depends on the test section!<\/p>\n\n\n\n You do not have to worry about punctuation on the Listening and Reading exams<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your answers will not require punctuation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also, punctuation doesn’t matter on the Speaking exam, as you have no need to write.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, yes, punctuation affects your grammar scores on the Writing exam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Be sure to check punctuation when you proofread your <\/a>essay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Check especially linking phrases, as punctuation errors in these pull down both Grammar and Cohesion\/Coherence scores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another student asked about capitalization<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I have a question regarding when should I capitalise the first letter of a word or not. <\/p> On the answer sheet of the listening section the answers were “Finance” and “Math”, but I wrote them as “finance” and “math”. <\/p> Now, are my answers wrong ? Since I haven’t capitalised the first letters.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n These should not be capitalized unless they are a course name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Only capitalize words that are proper nouns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This means they are the name of a person, place or thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We have seen many students make capitalization errors in Academic Task 1 essays<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is usually because words are capitalized on a chart that are not proper nouns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When a word is capitalized on a chart or graph that does not mean it should be capitalized in your essay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Only capitalize it if it is a proper noun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, “library” and “women” which names a category but are not proper nouns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do not capitalize these when you include them in your essay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Every student studying for IELTS has questions!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Get the answers before test day when it’s too late.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We answer questions here with answers from IELTS experts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You’re able to learn from Jessica’s 14 years of examiner experience<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can also ask questions in our Facebook group<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Join 3 Keys IELTS<\/a> to get quick, accurate answers to questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\nQuestion #1: Unfamiliar slang<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Question #2: Idiom and slang on Writing exam<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How can you know how informal vocabulary is?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Strategies Created By a Former Examiner<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nQuestion #3: Punctuation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Does punctuation matter?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Question #4: Capitalization<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Academic Task 1 capitalization<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Takeaway<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n