Simone Braverman's Blog: IELTS-Blog.com, page 107
July 7, 2021
IELTS essay, topic: The majority of former prisoners commit further crime after their release (reasons and solutions)
This is a model response to a Writing Task 2 topic from High Scorer’s Choice IELTS Practice Tests book series (reprinted with permission). This answer is close to IELTS Band 9.
Set 5 Academic book, Practice Test 22
Writing Task 2
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
It is a fact that the majority of people who are sent to prison commit further crime after their release.
What is causing this? What can be done to change this?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your knowledge or experience.
You should write at least 250 words.
Sample Band 9 Essay
It is a sad fact that criminals who leave prison go on to commit further crime. There are various reasons for this, but there are also some things that can be done to prevent it from happening.
One reason for this recidivism is due to a lack of legitimate income. Many people turn to crime as they cannot find an alternative to earn money. When such person comes out of prison, it is very often the case that they have the same few opportunities for a legitimate income. In fact, these opportunities will even be reduced, as employers are often less willing to give an ex-prisoner a job. Some people also return to crime, as they spend all the time of their prison sentence with other criminals. This is not a great environment for rehabilitation, and sometimes even a network of contacts can be made to help develop criminal activities on release.
One important way to help address this problem is education. Criminals who have turned to illegal activities because of no alternatives to earn a living need to learn a way to earn a wage, such as a trade or vocational skills. Computer skills, for example, are in high demand and someone trained in these could very possibly find work. In addition, governments can offer incentives to employers to attract them to give jobs to newly-released prisoners. This would help people who don’t really want to return to crime achieve a fresh start. As keeping people in prison is an expensive business, governments might find it cheaper to pay these incentives.
To sum up, people returning to crime is a tragedy that should be avoided if at all possible in today’s society. Education and incentives can directly address the reasons for it and could make society a happier and safer place.
Go here for more IELTS Band 9 Essays
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July 5, 2021
Recent IELTS Test Questions and Topics Worldwide – January to July 2021
Welcome to our new latest IELTS exam questions page! Here you will find the most recent IELTS questions that test takers remembered and shared, updated daily in real time.
Last updated: July 5, 2021
Test questions are organised by month when they were reported. Identical questions that appeared in two or more countries on the same day posted only once (no duplicates).
Click below to jump to recent IELTS questions from your country.
Recent IELTS questions from June 2021Recent IELTS Test Questions and Topics Worldwide – January to July 2021 IELTS Speaking test in Iran – June 2021 IELTS test in the UK – June 2021 (Academic Module) IELTS Speaking test in Nigeria – June 2021 IELTS test in India – June 2021 (General Training) IELTS test in Mongolia – June 2021 (General Training) IELTS Speaking test in the USA – June 2021 IELTS test in Nigeria – June 2021 (Academic Module) IELTS Speaking test in India – June 2021 IELTS test in Canada – June 2021 (General Training) IELTS test in Saudi Arabia – June 2021 (Academic Module) IELTS Speaking test in Australia – June 2021 IELTS test in Iran – June 2021 (General Training) IELTS test in the Philippines – June 2021 (Academic Module) IELTS Speaking test in Bangladesh – June 2021 IELTS test in India – June 2021 (Academic Module)
Recent IELTS questions from May 2021IELTS test in Brazil – May 2021 (General Training) IELTS test in the UK – May 2021 (Academic Module) IELTS Speaking test in Saudi Arabia – May 2021 IELTS test in the UK and Ukraine – May 2021 (Academic Module) IELTS Speaking test in Nigeria – May 2021 IELTS test in Jordan – May 2021 (Academic Module) IELTS test in the USA – May 2021 (Academic Module) IELTS test in Taiwan – May 2021 (Academic Module) IELTS test in Canada – May 2021 (General Training) IELTS test in Kazakhstan – May 2021 (Academic Module) Recent IELTS questions from April 2021IELTS test in Qatar – April 2021 (General Training) IELTS test in the UK – April 2021 (Academic Module) IELTS Speaking test in Nepal – April 2021 IELTS test in Nigeria – April 2021 (Academic Module) IELTS test in Canada – April 2021 (General Training) IELTS Speaking test in India – April 2021 IELTS test in Canada – April 2021 (Academic Module) IELTS test in India – April 2021 (General Training) IELTS test in Malaysia – April 2021 (Academic Module) IELTS test in Nepal – April 2021 (Academic Module) IELTS Speaking test in Canada – April 2021 IELTS Speaking test in the UK – April 2021 IELTS Speaking test in Canada – April 2021 IELTS Speaking test in India – April 2021 Recent IELTS questions from March 2021IELTS test in Thailand – March 2021 (Academic Module) IELTS Speaking test in India – March 2021 IELTS test in India – March 2021 (General Training) IELTS test in Iran – March 2021 (Academic Module) IELTS test in Canada – March 2021 (General Training) IELTS Speaking test in Russia – March 2021 IELTS test in Poland – March 2021 (Academic Module) IELTS test in Canada – March 2021 (Academic Module) IELTS test in India – March 2021 (Academic Module) IELTS test in the UK – March 2021 (General Training) IELTS Speaking test in Ghana – March 2021 IELTS test in India – March 2021 (Academic Module) IELTS test in Saudi Arabia and Iran – March 2021 (Academic Module) IELTS test in Canada – March 2021 (Academic Module) IELTS test in Australia – March 2021 (General Training) IELTS Speaking test in the USA – March 2021 IELTS Speaking test in India – March 2021 IELTS test in Canada – March 2021 (General Training) IELTS test in Iran – March 2021 (Academic Module) Recent IELTS questions from February 2021IELTS test in the USA – February 2021 (General Training) IELTS test in India – February 2021 (General Training) IELTS test in Kuwait – February 2021 (Academic Module) IELTS Speaking test in the UAE – February 2021 IELTS test in Oman – February 2021 (Academic Module) IELTS Speaking test in Canada – February 2021 IELTS Speaking test in India – February 2021 IELTS test in the USA – February 2021 (Academic) IELTS test in Turkey – February 2021 (General Training) IELTS Speaking test in India – February 2021 Recent IELTS questions from January 2021IELTS Speaking test in Iran – January 2021 IELTS Speaking test in India – January 2021 IELTS test in Nepal – January 2021 (Academic Module) IELTS Speaking test in Canada – January 2021 IELTS Speaking test in Japan – January 2021 IELTS test in Iran – January 2021 (General Training) IELTS Speaking test in India – January 2021 IELTS test in Russia – January 2021 (Academic Module) IELTS Speaking test in India – January 2021 IELTS Speaking test in Taiwan – January 2021 IELTS test in Australia – January 2021 (Academic Module) IELTS Speaking test in Oman – January 2021 IELTS Speaking test in Kuwait – January 2021 IELTS test in India – January 2021 (General Training) IELTS Speaking test in the USA – January 2021 IELTS Speaking test in Iran – January 2021 Go here for the most comprehensive list of recent IELTS questions from 2020
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IELTS Speaking test in Iran – June 2021
When A.A. took the IELTS Speaking test in Iran, she was asked the following questions. Thank you very much for sharing, A.A.!
Speaking test
Part 1 (Interview)
– What is your full name?
– Can I see your ID?
– Where are you from?
– Do you work or study?
– What do you do?
– What does your day at work look like?
– Do you use a computer at work?
– What could help you do your job better?
– Is planning ahead helpful at work?
– Do you take short or long breaks at work?
– Do you find it easy to relax?
– How do you usually relax?
– Do you think holidays are a good way to relax?
Part 2 (Cue Card)
Talk about a country where you wish to live in the future. Please say
– What country and where is it?
– Why would you like to live there?
– What do you know about this country?
Part 3 (Discussion)
– Why are people moving to urban settings or big cities?
– What are the disadvantages of living in large cities?
– Do you think large cities have an impact on the environment? Why?
– Do you think it is possible to build buildings that are in harmony with the nature?
– Who should be responsible for it?
July 4, 2021
IELTS test in the UK – June 2021 (Academic Module)
Thanks to N.R. who recently took the IELTS test in the UK, we learnt the following details about a recent IELTS exam in London:
Writing test
Writing task 1 (a report)
We were given a bar chart describing the types of transportation used by tourists from various countries in New Zealand in 2004.
Writing task 2 (an essay)
Some people think that the government should spend money exploring life on other planets, while others believe it is a waste of public money when there are so many problems on Earth. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Speaking test
Part 1 (Interview)
– What is your full name?
– Can I see your ID?
– Where do you live?
– Do you live in a house or an apartment?
– Do you like your house?
– When was the last time you bought flowers?
– Do you have flowers in your house?
– Have you ever planted flowers?
– In your country, is it common to use flowers to celebrate a special occasion?
– Do you often travel by car?
– Do you prefer to sit in the front of the car or in the back?
– What would you do if your car broke down on the road and you got stuck?
– Why would you do this?
Part 2 (Cue Card)
Describe a tall building in your hometown that you like or dislike. Please say
– where this building is
– what it looks like
– what it is used for
– and explain why you like or dislike this building.
Part 3 (Discussion)
– In your country, is it common to live in a high-rise building?
– Will it become more common to live in high-rise buildings in the future?
– What are the disadvantages of living in a tall building?
– Is it a good idea to construct new buildings in a historical area?
– Is it better to expand the existing city or to build a new one?
– Should the people in charge of city development consult with the local residents?
July 2, 2021
IELTS Speaking test in Nigeria – June 2021
When G.S. took IELTS in Nigeria, he was asked the following questions in the Speaking test:
Speaking test
Part 1 (Interview)
– What is your full name?
– Can I see your ID?
– Where are you from?
– Do you work or study?
– What do you do?
– Why did you choose this job?
– Do like this job?
– Do you face any difficulties on your job?
– Let’s talk about happiness.
– What makes you happy?
– What made you happy as a child?
– Did you do something recently that made others happy?
– Why did you do it?
– Do you think it is important to be happy?
– Can a person be happy all the time? Why?
Part 2 (Cue Card)
Talk about a town or a city that you would like to travel to. Please say
– What town/city is it?
– Where is it located?
– Why would you like to go there?
– How long would you stay there for?
Part 3 (Discussion)
– Do you think the character of a city can have an effect on people?
– Do you think the character of a city depends on whether it’s an old or a modern city?
– Does weather have an effect on the character of the city, in your opinion?
July 1, 2021
IELTS test in India – June 2021 (General Training)
Thanks to our Instagram follower, we know this much about the recent IELTS test in India:
Writing test
Writing task 1 (a letter)
You were doing a short course at another country. All of a sudden, you had to leave the course and fly back to your home country. Write a letter to your teacher, and in your letter
– express your gratitude
– explain why you had to leave
– explain what part of the course you enjoyed the most.
Writing task 2 (an essay)
In many countries, as people are earning more these days they are also spending money, buying more and more things. Do you think this is a positive or a negative development?
Speaking test
Part 1 (Interview)
– What is your name?
– Where do you live?
– Do you live in an apartment or a house?
– What can you see from the windows of you room?
– Whats does your home look like?
Part 2 (Cue Card)
Describe something important that has been kept in your family for a long time. Please say
– What is it?
– What does it look like?
– Why is it important to your family?
– And explain how you feel about it.
Part 3 (Discussion)
– What kind of things do people nowadays keep from the past?
– What kind of things people nowadays like to keep that are unlike what people kept in the past?
– Do people of different ages choose to keep the same kind of things from the past?
– Name one thing from the past that is close to your heart.
– What kind of emotions do people experience while looking at things from the past that belonged to their loved ones?
– Are people different nowadays compared to people in the past? In what way?
June 29, 2021
IELTS essay, topic: Only people over 18 years old should be allowed to use social media (agree/disagree)
This is a model response to a Writing Task 2 topic from High Scorer’s Choice IELTS Practice Tests book series (reprinted with permission). This answer is close to IELTS Band 9.
Set 4 General Training book, Practice Test 20
Writing Task 2
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Social media has become a real problem for some young people today, and governments should create laws that allow only people over 18 years of age to have accounts.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your knowledge or experience.
You should write at least 250 words.
Sample Band 9 Essay
Social media today is extremely significant to a majority of the population, especially the younger generation. Many teenagers find it exceptionally convenient and necessary for communication and entertainment. However, not everyone is able to use social media responsibly, which gave rise to the idea of making it accessible to only those older than eighteen years of age.
Though there are negatives, such as cyber-bullying, or being too distracted by these modern media, there are issues surrounding most things in life. It is a choice to go onto a social media website, and many younger people are capable of managing accounts without any difficulties. It is not the government’s responsibility to monitor under eighteen-year olds; that is for the parents.
Statistics show that over eighty per cent of teens use a form of online social media. It allows them to chat online, easily stay in contact with friends and family across the world, and see updates on others’ lives (through text, photos or videos). Social media is a way to express thoughts or ideas and to stay in contact with the rest of the world.
To not permit one of the largest Internet-using demographics to use social media because a few people have problems with it is an irrational and an unfair restriction. Not only would profit be lost with fewer users, but controlling who creates accounts and monitoring proof of age would be difficult as well. I believe that laws should not make social media inaccessible to young people under eighteen; this would be unnecessary and absurd.
Go here for more IELTS Band 9 Essays
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June 27, 2021
IELTS test in Mongolia – June 2021 (General Training)
Our lovely friend A.N. recently took a General Training IELTS exam in Mongolia. She remembered the following questions:
Writing test
Writing task 1 (a letter)
There is a problem with the changing rooms in the sport centre that you visit. You have complained to the stuff several times, but they weren’t helpful. Write a letter to the manager of the sport centre and say
– What is the problem with the changing rooms?
– What happened the last time you complained?
– Explain what you want the manager to do about it.
Writing task 2 (an essay)
Some parents think that helping their children with homework is a good idea. Others believe children should do their homework on their own. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Speaking test
Part 1 (Interview)
– What is your full name?
– Can I see your ID?
– Where are you from?
– Do you work or study?
– What do you do for work?
– Do you like your job?
– Can you describe your daily routine at work?
– Do you support environment protection?
– How do you help to protect the environment?
– Do you believe your efforts make a difference?
– What is your favourite festival or holiday?
Part 2 (Cue Card)
Describe a situation when you argued with friends about something. Please say
– what it was about
– when and where it took place
– how you resolved the argument
– and explain how you felt about it later.
Part 3 (Discussion)
– What was your opinion about this argument?
– Did it change later?
– Do you think arguments are helpful?
– Why do arguments between family members arise?
– Can such arguments change how they feel about each other?
June 25, 2021
IELTS Speaking test in the USA – June 2021
Our lovely friend M.K. took IELTS in the USA and was asked the following questions in the Speaking test:
Speaking test
Part 1 (Interview)
– What is your full name?
– Can I see your ID?
– Where are you from?
– Do you work or study?
– What kind of work do you do?
– Do you like to travel?
– Where do you usually go?
– What was the longest trip you ever took?
– Do you use hi-tech gadgets on your trip?
– What is your opinion about the modern technology?
– Do you think technology will affect our lives more in the future?
– What kind of technology would you like to see in the future?
Part 2 (Cue Card)
Talk about a city where you would like to live in the future. Please say
– What city is it?
– Where is this city located?
– How did you first hear about this city?
– And explain why you would like to live there.
Part 3 (Discussion)
– Do you prefer to live in a city or in the countryside? Why?
– What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in a city?
– Why would older people prefer to live in the city?
– How about younger people?
– How can urban living be improved?
June 24, 2021
Two recent IELTS success stories – and the reasons for their high scores
As many of you know, we have a tradition of asking the winners of IELTS Results Competition what helped them score so well. Why do we do that? So that everyone could benefit from their experience – if it worked for them, it might work for you!
Today we are delighted to share what we found out from the two recent winners:
Satinder Singh, Band 8.5 in General Training IELTS
Satinder lives in India. He got IELTS Band 8.5 with an amazing 9 in the Listening test, and won in our IELTS Results Competition in May.
In his winner’s interview Satinder said,
“I am really overwhelmed by accepting your appreciation certificate, and I am happy to share my experience with other IELTS aspirants as well. I would like to share the following points:
Thorough understanding of public bands descriptors is a must to score well in speaking and writing.Those who aspire to get more than Band 7 in the writing module will need to write each sentence with a purpose. Writing just for the sake of filling paper will not fetch the desired score.Getting Band 7 in Speaking is easy, if there are minimal gaps in communication or hindrance to your speech, but to score higher than that, the intonation of your voice plays a vital role. Work on your tone and pronunciation.To get Band 9 in Listening, students have to use their spare time during the test between the sections to read the upcoming questions for the next section. This will give you an edge over others – but make sure to read the upcoming questions with great concentration.Reading results are truly an outcome of practice.Kundai Nhongo, Band 7.5 in Academic IELTS.
Kundai lives in Zimbabwe. She got Band 7.5 in IELTS, it was her first attempt and she had less than 3 weeks to prepare. Kundai was aiming at Band 8, and she got pretty close! As they say, “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars”.
Kundai credits her success to the book ‘Target Band 7’ that she used during her exam preparation. She said,
“When I opened the book ‘Target Band 7‘, and read through the first few pages, my confidence was boosted 135%, I tell you. Then the practice exercises were just but excellent, captivating, demanding – but very, very rewarding. I am so happy, I am now working on my registration with Social Work England, and I know that in no time, I will be in the UK.
Your book, your advice, your tips, the skills, your encouragement… Your words… I do not have adequate words to express how grateful I am.
All the tips in ‘Target Band 7’ are soo practical and so true.
Thank you so much. I am telling all my friends about ‘Target Band 7’.”
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