Could you check my text please? Customizing special shoes. Today I heard in the episode of “Culips” podcast that ballet dancers often break brand new pair of pointe shoes in order to customize it and make it more flexible and less rigid. It’s interesting that professional dancers buy an expensive pair of shoes that probably is made by some famous brand, but anyway need to break them. I read about it in internet and understood that there are a few reasons of this “damaging”. Firstly, since each shape of foot is different brand new shoes doesn’t feel comfortable. Another reason is the fact the ballet in general is steeped in traditions. But anyways, it’s still blows my mind. I remember in university some guys in futsal training removed the insole of the shoe after buying a new pair. I thought, wow, the famous producer (like Nike or Adidas) designed this pair with a special insole for better cushioning, probably spent millions of dollars for that, but anyway people remove it, incredibble. Thank you!

How do I find an Italian tutor that works during the morning (UTC-5) (EST) or day? I don't want to have to get up at 4:00 am. Am I missing something here?

Could you check my text please? Open swimming pool during the cold winter day. Today my friend Pasha and I went to an open swimming pool for the very first time in our lives. This experience got even more unique with the weather that was extremely cold, almost minus 20 degrees celsius, the water was warm enough though. It’s definetely an interesting experience, because of the cold weather the whole pool was covered by raising steam, as if it's a fog. Unfortunately, there were many people who didn’t really swim, prefering to stay, chat and take pictures. For us it was too cold for staying at one place for more that a minute, so we were constantly swimming. Another thing I struggled with was a cold air, making the breathing not pleasant at all. Because of that I probably wouldn’t go there often if I have a chance. Thanks a lot!

Today, I'm going to see live concert. I'm looking forward to this since 4months ago. I'll enjoy at all!

Struggling with Hand Fatigue During Language Practice? Here’s What Worked for Me As someone who spends hours daily writing Mandarin characters and typing lesson plans, I used to battle constant hand stiffness. A fellow tutor recommended CuraBall, a palm-sized hand therapy tool—and it’s been a game-changer! Why Language Learners/Tutors Might Care: ✍️ Improved Writing Stamina: Reduced cramping during long handwriting sessions (perfect for logographic scripts like Chinese or Japanese). ⌨️ Less Typing Fatigue: Eases wrist tension from creating worksheets or chatting with students. 👐 Finger Flexibility: Helps with precise movements for ASL learners or cursive writing practice. I’m not affiliated with the brand, but after 4 weeks of using CuraBall for 5 minutes daily, I’ve noticed smoother, pain-free writing sessions. It’s portable (I keep it on my desk) and requires no batteries—just a quick wrist flick to activate. Has anyone else found tricks or tools to combat hand strain during language practice?

History about that factory. Since 1898, the former factory of Vasily Batashev was named "The partnership of the steam samovar factory of the heirs of Vasily Stepanovich Batashev in Tula." The factory became an exemplary samovar factory in Tula at the beginning of the 20th century: a huge territory, buildings with equipment, oil and electric motors. Alexander Batashev, after parting with his brother, began his own production, having first bought a factory from Reingold Teile in 1891..Samovar from the factory V.S. Batashevo. Tula city. -------------------------- thank you in advance for your comments :)

Sample answers: Beginner Level When I was a child, I read a story called The Tortoise and the Hare. It was about a race between a slow tortoise and a fast hare. The hare ran very quickly but stopped to rest because he thought he would win easily. The tortoise kept going slowly but did not stop. In the end, the tortoise won the race. The story taught me that slow and steady wins the race. ----------------------- Intermediate Level One of my favorite childhood stories was Cinderella. It was about a kind girl who lived with her cruel stepmother and stepsisters. They made her do all the housework and treated her poorly. One day, a fairy godmother appeared and helped her go to a royal ball by giving her a beautiful dress and a carriage. She danced with the prince but had to leave before midnight. Later, the prince found her glass slipper and used it to find her. They got married and lived happily ever after. This story showed me the importance of kindness and believing in magic. ----------------------- Advanced Level As a child, I was captivated by the story of The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. It is a philosophical tale about a young prince who travels from planet to planet, meeting different characters, each representing human flaws and virtues. The story blends imagination with deep life lessons about love, responsibility, and the beauty of simplicity. I remember being particularly moved by the bond between the prince and the fox, who teaches him that true relationships require time and care. This story left a profound impression on me, shaping the way I view friendships and the small, meaningful things in life.

Today, I'm going to go to dinner with my junior high school friends. I'm looking forward to meeting their after a long time.

✨☀COMMON ERRORS at IELTS Intermediate ✨☀ -ING or TO infinitive? For help with this and other aspects of IELTS, you know where to find me!