Master ‘Focus on’ to Ace Your IELTS Speaking Test

IELTS Mentor

3 weeks ago

Understanding ‘Focus on’: Definition and Usage

The phrasal verb ‘focus on’ is a crucial expression for IELTS candidates to master. It means to concentrate on or pay particular attention to something specific. This versatile phrase can significantly enhance your language proficiency and help you articulate your thoughts more precisely during the IELTS exam.

Synonyms and Related Expressions

Concentrate on
Emphasize
Prioritize
Zero in on
Highlight

Context and Examples

‘Focus on’ can be used in both formal and informal contexts, making it suitable for various parts of the IELTS test:

Formal: “The research paper focuses on the environmental impact of urban development.”
Informal: “I need to focus on my studies this weekend.”

Mastering 'Focus on' for IELTS Speaking

Grammar Analysis

‘Focus on’ is an inseparable phrasal verb, meaning you cannot place an object between ‘focus’ and ‘on’. It is typically followed by a noun or gerund:

Correct: “We need to focus on improving our time management skills.”
Incorrect: “We need to focus our time management skills on.”

Application in IELTS

Speaking Section

Incorporating ‘focus on’ in your IELTS Speaking responses can demonstrate your language proficiency and ability to express complex ideas clearly.

Example response for “What are your career goals?”:
“In the short term, I plan to focus on gaining practical experience in my field. However, in the long run, I want to focus on developing leadership skills that will help me advance to a management position.”

Writing Section

In IELTS Writing tasks, ‘focus on’ can help you structure your essays and emphasize key points:

“This essay will focus on three main aspects of environmental conservation: reducing plastic waste, promoting renewable energy, and protecting biodiversity.”

Using 'Focus on' in IELTS Writing

Related Phrasal Verbs

Zero in on /ˈzɪərəʊ ɪn ɒn/: To concentrate completely on one particular person or thing.
Example: “The detective zeroed in on the main suspect.”
Home in on /həʊm ɪn ɒn/: To move or aim towards a target with increasing accuracy.
Example: “The committee is homing in on a solution to the budget crisis.”
Zoom in on /zuːm ɪn ɒn/: To examine or consider something in detail.
Example: “The report zooms in on the economic impact of the new policy.”
Fixate on /ˈfɪkseɪt ɒn/: To become obsessively concerned with or interested in something.
Example: “Try not to fixate on your mistakes during the speaking test.”
Elaborate on /ɪˈlæbəreɪt ɒn/: To give more details about something; to develop an idea or plan.
Example: “Could you elaborate on your reasons for choosing this career path?”
Dwell on /dwel ɒn/: To think, speak, or write about a subject for longer than is necessary.
Example: “Don’t dwell on your past failures; focus on your future goals instead.”
Touch on /tʌtʃ ɒn/: To mention a subject briefly, especially as part of a larger discussion.
Example: “The lecturer touched on several important points during his presentation.”

Practice Exercises

Fill in the Blanks

The company decided to __ on expanding its online presence.
Students should __ on understanding concepts rather than memorizing facts.
The documentary __ on the effects of climate change in polar regions.
It’s important to __ on your strengths during a job interview.
The research team will __ on developing new sustainable energy sources.
The speaker briefly __ on the importance of time management.
Try not to __ on negative thoughts before the exam.
The detective managed to __ on the key piece of evidence.
The committee is __ on finding a solution to the budget crisis.
In your essay, make sure to __ on the main arguments supporting your thesis.

Sentence Transformation

Original: The report examines the impact of social media on teenagers.
Rewrite: The report __ the impact of social media on teenagers.
Original: We need to concentrate on improving our customer service.
Rewrite: We need to __ improving our customer service.
Original: The scientist is investigating the properties of this new material.
Rewrite: The scientist is __ the properties of this new material.
Original: Don’t spend too much time thinking about your past mistakes.
Rewrite: Don’t __ your past mistakes.
Original: The politician briefly mentioned the economic reforms in his speech.
Rewrite: The politician __ the economic reforms in his speech.
Original: The company is directing its efforts towards developing eco-friendly products.
Rewrite: The company is __ developing eco-friendly products.
Original: The photographer zoomed in on the rare bird species.
Rewrite: The photographer __ the rare bird species.
Original: We should emphasize the importance of teamwork in this project.
Rewrite: We should __ the importance of teamwork in this project.
Original: The students are obsessing over their exam results.
Rewrite: The students are __ their exam results.
Original: Could you provide more details about your research methodology?
Rewrite: Could you __ your research methodology?

Answers and Explanations

Fill in the Blanks:

focus on
focus on
focuses on
focus on
focus on
touched on
dwell on
zero in on
homing in on
focus on

Sentence Transformation:

The report focuses on the impact of social media on teenagers.
We need to focus on improving our customer service.
The scientist is zeroing in on the properties of this new material.
Don’t dwell on your past mistakes.
The politician touched on the economic reforms in his speech.
The company is focusing on developing eco-friendly products.
The photographer zoomed in on the rare bird species.
We should focus on the importance of teamwork in this project.
The students are fixating on their exam results.
Could you elaborate on your research methodology?

These exercises demonstrate the versatility of ‘focus on’ and related phrasal verbs. They show how these expressions can be used to convey precise meanings in various contexts, which is crucial for achieving a high score in the IELTS exam.

Memorization Tips

To effectively memorize ‘focus on’ and its related phrasal verbs, try these techniques:

Visual association: Imagine a camera lens focusing on an object. This visual can help you remember the meaning of ‘focus on’ as concentrating or paying attention to something specific.
Contextual learning: Create personal sentences using ‘focus on’ in situations relevant to your life or studies. For example: “I need to focus on improving my English vocabulary for the IELTS test.”
Phrasal verb family: Group ‘focus on’ with related phrasal verbs like ‘zero in on’ and ‘home in on’. Understanding their similarities and differences can reinforce your memory of each.
Mnemonic device: Create a memorable phrase like “Find Our Core Understanding to Stay ON track” (FOCUS ON).
Practice through repetition: Regularly use ‘focus on’ in your speaking and writing practice to reinforce its usage and meaning.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Incorrect preposition: Some learners mistakenly use ‘focus to’ or ‘focus in’. Always remember it’s ‘focus on’.
Incorrect: We need to focus to the main issues.
Correct: We need to focus on the main issues.
Separating the phrasal verb: ‘Focus on’ is inseparable, so never put an object between ‘focus’ and ‘on’.
Incorrect: We should focus our attention on this problem.
Correct: We should focus on this problem.
Using with ‘to’ infinitive: ‘Focus on’ is followed by a noun or gerund, not a ‘to’ infinitive.
Incorrect: We need to focus on to improve our skills.
Correct: We need to focus on improving our skills.
Overuse: While ‘focus on’ is useful, overusing it can make your language repetitive. Use synonyms and related phrases for variety.
Forgetting the context: Remember that ‘focus on’ is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but in very formal writing, alternatives like ‘concentrate on’ or ’emphasize’ might be more appropriate.

Conclusion

Mastering the phrasal verb ‘focus on’ and its related expressions can significantly enhance your performance in the IELTS exam. By understanding its usage, practicing regularly, and avoiding common mistakes, you can effectively communicate your ideas and demonstrate a high level of English proficiency. Remember to use these phrases naturally in your responses, and don’t forget to focus on other aspects of language as well. With consistent practice and attention to detail, you’ll be well-equipped to tackle the IELTS Speaking and Writing sections with confidence.