✦ IELTS Topic: Woods, Forests & Jungles – 10 Useful Phrases

1. Dense forest
   e.g., We walked through a dense forest where sunlight barely reached the ground.

2. Thick canopy of trees
   e.g., The jungle had a thick canopy of trees, keeping the ground shaded and humid.

3. Towering trees
   e.g., The towering trees made us feel small as we hiked through the woods.

4. Untouched wilderness
   e.g., This national park protects miles of untouched wilderness.

5. Lush greenery
   e.g., The trail was surrounded by lush greenery and vibrant plant life.

6. Overgrown path
   e.g., We followed an overgrown path deeper into the forest.

7. Tropical rainforest
   e.g., The Amazon is the world’s largest tropical rainforest.

8. Teeming with wildlife
   e.g., The jungle was teeming with wildlife, including monkeys and exotic birds.

9. Sounds of nature
   e.g., At night, the forest came alive with the sounds of nature.

10. Get lost in the woods
    e.g., We nearly got lost in the woods because the signs were missing.

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✦ IELTS Speaking Practice Test – Woods, Forests & Jungles

Part 1: Introduction & Interview

1. Do you enjoy spending time in nature?

2. Are there forests or wooded areas near where you live?

3. What do people usually do in forests or jungles?

4. Do you prefer quiet nature or more active adventures?

5. Would you like to visit a tropical jungle?

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Part 2: Cue Card

Describe a time you visited a forest, jungle, or wooded area.
You should say:

• where it was

• what you saw

• what you did there
  and explain how you felt about the experience.

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✦ Sample Answers Using the Phrases

Part 1 Answers

1. Yes, I love hiking in nature, especially in dense forests filled with lush greenery.
2. There’s a nature reserve near my town with towering trees and peaceful trails.
3. People usually walk, birdwatch, or just listen to the sounds of nature.
4. I prefer peaceful walks—untouched wilderness makes me feel refreshed.
5. Absolutely! Visiting a tropical rainforest like the Amazon is on my bucket list.

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Part 2 Sample Answer

One time I visited a forest was during a trip to northern Thailand. We hiked through a dense forest that led to a waterfall.

The path was overgrown, and it felt like we were entering a world untouched by humans. Towering trees surrounded us, and the thick canopy of leaves created a cool, shady atmosphere.

We could hear birds and insects all around—the forest was truly teeming with wildlife. It felt magical, like stepping into a movie.

It was peaceful, quiet, and completely different from city life. I really enjoyed getting close to untouched wilderness, even though we nearly got lost in the woods!

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✦ Comprehension Test: Woods, Forests & Jungles

1. "We walked through a dense forest where sunlight barely reached the ground."
Q: What is the forest like?

2. "The jungle had a thick canopy of trees, keeping the ground shaded and humid."
Q: What effect did the canopy have?

3. "The towering trees made us feel small as we hiked through the woods."
Q: How did the trees affect the hikers?

4. "This national park protects miles of untouched wilderness."
Q: What kind of land does the park preserve?

5. "The trail was surrounded by lush greenery and vibrant plant life."
Q: What did the trail look like?

6. "We followed an overgrown path deeper into the forest."
Q: What kind of path was it?

7. "The Amazon is the world’s largest tropical rainforest."
Q: What is special about the Amazon?

8. "The jungle was teeming with wildlife, including monkeys and exotic birds."
Q: What could be found in the jungle?

9. "At night, the forest came alive with the sounds of nature."
Q: What did the speaker hear?

10. "We nearly got lost in the woods because the signs were missing."
Q: What happened to the speaker?

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✦ Answer Key

1. Very thick and hard to see through.

2. It blocked sunlight and made it humid.

3. They felt small and surrounded.

4. Land that hasn’t been developed or changed.

5. Full of green plants and colorful nature.

6. Wild, not well-maintained, and covered in plants.

7. It's the largest rainforest on Earth.

8. Many animals and birds.

9. Natural sounds like birds, insects, or animals.

10. They got confused and lost their way.

 

🐾 The Wind in the Willows – Chapter 3: Toad in Trouble

Toad’s obsession with motor-cars grew stronger every day.

He forgot about the horse and cart. He forgot about the river. He even forgot about his friends.

All he wanted was speed.

💨 He bought one car. He crashed it.
💨 He bought another. He crashed that one too.

But Toad didn’t care.

“This is life!” he shouted.

Mole and Rat were very worried. “He’ll hurt himself,” Rat said. “Or someone else.”

So they went to ask Badger for help.

Badger lived in the deep woods. He didn’t like noise or crowds, but he cared deeply about his friends.

When he heard about Toad, he nodded. “It’s time we had a serious talk with him.”

The next day, the three friends went to Toad Hall.

Toad was in his bedroom, wearing driving goggles and pretending to steer a car.

“Toad,” Badger said firmly, “you must stop this madness.”

Toad laughed. “You just don’t understand!”

“You’ve crashed seven cars and spent all your money!” Mole shouted.

“Please, Toad,” Rat said kindly. “Think of your safety.”

But Toad refused to listen. “I’m a free spirit!” he said. “I need the open road!”

So the friends locked the doors of Toad Hall and tried to keep him inside until he came to his senses.

At first, Toad sulked. Then he pretended to be sick. But Mole and Rat took care of him and didn’t believe his tricks.

On the fourth day, Toad escaped through a window.

He ran into town, laughing and shouting.

At the town square, he saw a red motor-car parked outside an inn.

Toad’s eyes lit up. “I must have it!”

He crept closer. No one was watching.

He jumped inside and drove off.

But not far.

🚓 A police officer saw him and shouted, “Stop! That’s not your car!”

Toad was caught and taken to court.

The judge was very angry. “You stole a car, drove dangerously, and lied to the police.”

Toad smiled nervously. “It was a small mistake…”

“Twenty years in prison!” the judge said.

And just like that, Toad was taken away.

His friends didn’t know where he was.

Toad sat in a cold cell with a tiny window.

For the first time in his life, he felt truly sorry.

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📖 Glossary

Word/Phrase	Meaning
Obsession	A strong, uncontrollable interest in something
Goggles	Protective glasses used for driving or swimming
Madness	Crazy or dangerous behavior
Sulked	Stayed quiet and unhappy because of anger
Crept	Moved slowly and quietly
Cell	A small room in a prison

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❓ Comprehension Questions

1. What does Toad become obsessed with?

2. Who do Mole and Rat ask for help?

3. What does Badger decide to do?

4. How do the friends try to stop Toad?

5. How does Toad escape?

6. What crime does Toad commit?

7. What punishment does the judge give Toad?

8. How does Toad feel at the end of the chapter?

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✅ Answers

1. Motor-cars and driving fast.

2. Badger.

3. He wants to have a serious talk with Toad.

4. They lock the doors of Toad Hall to keep him inside.

5. He escapes through a window.

6. He steals a motor-car.

7. Twenty years in prison.

8. He feels sorry and alone.

 

📖 Introduction

One of the key skills in IELTS Writing Task 2 is paragraphing. A clear and well-structured paragraph not only helps you organize your ideas but also improves your Coherence and Cohesion score.

A strong paragraph usually contains:

• A topic sentence (the main point of the paragraph)

• A controlling idea (the direction or opinion about the topic)

• Supporting sentences (examples, reasons, or evidence)

This lesson will guide you through writing a focused paragraph based on the structure: One paragraph = One topic + one controlling idea.

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🔍 Understanding the Topic Sentence

The topic sentence is the first sentence in a paragraph. It introduces the subject of the paragraph and gives the reader a clear idea of what to expect.

📓 Example:

Topic sentence: Public transport is essential in reducing traffic congestion.
Explanation: The topic is "public transport," and the controlling idea is "essential in reducing traffic congestion."

Everything that follows in the paragraph should support this idea.

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✅ Structure of a Paragraph

1. Topic sentence – Introduce the idea

2. Explanation or reason – Give more detail

3. Example – Real-world or hypothetical

4. Linking sentence – Connect to the next idea (optional)

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🔗 Useful Linking Words

To make your writing flow, use linking words or cohesive devices. Here are some grouped by function:

1. Addition:

• Furthermore

• Moreover

• In addition

• Also

Example: Public transport helps reduce emissions. Moreover, it is more affordable than private vehicles.

2. Contrast:

• However

• On the other hand

• Although

• Nevertheless

Example: Cars offer more freedom. However, they contribute to pollution.

3. Examples:

• For example

• For instance

• Such as

• To illustrate

Example: Many cities, such as Tokyo and London, rely heavily on public transport systems.

4. Sequence/Order:

• Firstly / Secondly / Finally

• Then / Next

• To begin with

Example: Firstly, investing in buses and trains encourages people to stop using their cars.

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📒 Sample Paragraph (Band 7+ Style)

Topic sentence: Online education has become increasingly popular due to its flexibility.

Support: Many students can now study from home and manage their own time.

Example: For example, working professionals can attend university courses without quitting their jobs.

Link: This convenience makes online education a preferred choice for many.

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✍️ Practice Questions (1–15)

Instructions: Read each paragraph topic. Choose the best controlling idea and complete the topic sentence.

Part A: Choose the best controlling idea (1–5)

1. Topic: Fast food
   a) is tasty
   b) is unhealthy if consumed regularly
   c) comes in different varieties

2. Topic: Learning a foreign language
   a) is a hobby
   b) is difficult at first
   c) improves career opportunities

3. Topic: Social media
   a) connects people worldwide
   b) is a type of technology
   c) is available on phones

4. Topic: Renewable energy
   a) includes wind and solar
   b) is better for the environment
   c) needs investment

5. Topic: Reading books
   a) is popular among students
   b) helps improve language skills
   c) has many genres

Part B: Complete the topic sentence using a controlling idea (6–10)

6. Topic: Tourism
   Complete: Tourism _________________.

7. Topic: Homework
   Complete: Homework _________________.

8. Topic: Public libraries
   Complete: Public libraries _________________.

9. Topic: Mobile phones
   Complete: Mobile phones _________________.

10. Topic: Exercise
    Complete: Exercise _________________.

Part C: Identify the linking word function (11–15)

11. "However, some people think zoos are cruel."
    Function: ______________

12. "For instance, elephants need a large space to roam."
    Function: ______________

13. "Moreover, it is cost-effective."
    Function: ______________

14. "Firstly, students learn how to manage time."
    Function: ______________

15. "Although online learning is flexible, it lacks face-to-face interaction."
    Function: ______________

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✅ Answer Key

Part A:

1. b) is unhealthy if consumed regularly

2. c) improves career opportunities

3. a) connects people worldwide

4. b) is better for the environment

5. b) helps improve language skills

Part B:

6. Tourism creates jobs and supports the economy.

7. Homework reinforces what students learn in class.

8. Public libraries provide free access to knowledge and resources.

9. Mobile phones have changed the way we communicate.

10. Exercise is essential for physical and mental health.

Part C:

11. Contrast

12. Example

13. Addition

14. Sequence

15. Contrast

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🚀 Final Tips

• Use one clear topic sentence per paragraph.

• Support your idea with explanations and examples.

• Use linking words to guide the reader.

Practising this structure will help you write better, clearer, and more organized essays in IELTS Writing Task 2. Happy writing!