Simone Braverman's Blog: IELTS-Blog.com, page 109
June 8, 2021
Important announcement: the new, fourth editions of ‘Target Band 7’ and ‘Ace the IELTS’ are now available!
Hello everyone, this is Simone, and here is the news I couldn’t wait to give you: the new, fourth editions of my books ‘Ace the IELTS’ and ‘Target Band 7’ are finally out!
The new editions are now available on IELTS-Blog.com in digital format (e-book) and on Amazon in print. To have a look, download a free trial copy here.
The new releases took a while to put together, because my goal was to give them a makeover – so they got a new look, but more importantly, a lot of new content. All the material is in line with IELTS requirements in 2021 and now covers the computer-delivered IELTS as well as paper-based.
The computer-delivered IELTS has introduced new challenges for test takers, because many things that you can do on paper, you can’t do in the same way (or can’t do as easily) on a computer. Think, for example, about writing something quickly in the question booklet, or underlining keywords or sentences. It only takes a second on paper, is very intuitive and the result is highly visible, while on a computer you need to use a mouse to add a comment and then use the keyboard to type its content, and then all you see on the screen is just a little icon showing you where your comment is, but not its actual text. You can’t underline words in the computer-delivered IELTS – you can highlight the text instead. This is just a couple of examples; there are many more differences between the computer-delivered and paper-based IELTS that you should know about and be ready to deal with. People who are preparing for the paper-based test and taking the computer-delivered are likely to encounter some surprises – which in IELTS you really want to minimize. All the little things that affect your performance can make a real difference to your score, and it is important to use them to your advantage.
Despite the computer-delivered IELTS being promoted for quite some time, I am not aware of any other books that offer tips and guidance specific to the computer-delivered IELTS test. So, I am hoping you will find my books helpful, if computer-delivered is the test type you are taking. And of course ‘Ace the IELTS’ and ‘Target Band 7’ fully cover the paper-based IELTS – that makes them suitable for any type of IELTS. I would even suggest taking this one step further and reading about the differences between the paper-based and computer-delivered IELTS in my books first, before you make a decision on what test type to go for. That will help you choose the test type that is right for you!
To save you the information overload I am not going to list all the content changes in the fourth editions. The important thing is you are getting the most up-to-date books for your IELTS preparation that will maximize your score in the paper-based and computer-delivered test.
Be there first and take advantage of this special offer, and you will get more practice tests and other free bonuses with your books.
Have a great week, and good luck with your exam preparation!
P.S. If you already own a previous edition of ‘Ace the IELTS’ or ‘Target Band 7’, let me know via email and I will send you a free digital copy of the fourth edition. This is the least I can do for people who support my work!
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June 7, 2021
IELTS test in India – June 2021 (Academic Module)
Thanks to our friends K.D. and K.S., we learnt this much about a recent IELTS exam in India:
Writing test
Writing task 1 (a report)
We were given a table showing the production of fresh fruit on each continent in a particular period of time. We were asked to summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Writing task 2 (an essay)
Nowadays foreign visitors show more interest in the museums of a country than its local residents do. Why is this happening? What can be done to attract more local residents to the museums of their country?
Speaking test
Part 1 (Interview)
– What is your full name?
– Can I see your ID?
– Do you like meeting new people?
– How do you feel when people welcome you?
– How do you usually spend your weekends?
– What did you do last weekend?
– What are you going to do next weekend?
– Is there anything new that you would like to do on weekends?
Part 2 (Cue Card)
Talk about a conversation topic you were not interested in. Please say
– when you had the conversation
– who you talked with
– what the topic was
– and explain why you were not interested in that topic.
Part 3 (Discussion)
– What topics do young people in India talk about?
– How do you know if others are not interested in the conversation?
– What is the influence of modern technology, such as the Internet and e-mail, on our communication?
June 6, 2021
Recent IELTS Test Questions and Topics Worldwide – January to June 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: June 6, 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 May 2021Recent IELTS Test Questions and Topics Worldwide – January to June 2021 IELTS 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 test in Brazil – May 2021 (General Training)
We are grateful to G.Y. from Brazil for sharing the latest IELTS questions:
Writing test
Writing task 1 (a letter)
You are going to move out of your apartment in an English-speaking country. Your landlord is a very good person, who has assisted you a lot during your stay. Meanwhile, your friend would like to rent the flat after you. Write a letter to your landlord. In your letter
– Let your landlord know that you will be leaving
– Thank you landlord for his/her help
– Tell him/her about your friend
Writing task 2 (an essay)
Some people say that with the new technology there is no need to develop handwriting skills anymore. Others believe that it is still necessary to teach handwriting. Discuss both these views and give your opinion.
Speaking test
Part 1 (Interview)
– What is your full name?
– Can I see your ID?
– Do you work or study?
– Where do you work?
– Why did you choose that job?
– Is there anything you dislike about your job?
– Do you sing often?
– When do you like to sing?
– Is it difficult to sing well?
– Do you want to be a singer?
Part 2 (Cue Card)
Describe an occasion when you ate something for the first time. You should say:
– what food it was
– when it happened
– where you ate it
– and explain how you felt about it.
Follow-up question: Do you like trying new foods?
Part 3 (Discussion)
– What foreign foods are popular in your country?
– What kind of food is more popular in your country?
– What is the difference between younger and older people in their food habits?
– How do you think our eating habits will change in the future?
– Do you think that it’s important to know how to cook well?
– In modern society, is it still important that people learn to cook?
– Do you watch cooking shows on TV?
June 4, 2021
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June 3, 2021
IELTS Report, topic: Two tables comparing workers of foreign and US birth in the United States (from IELTS High Scorer’s Choice series, Academic Set 1)
This is a model response to a Writing Task 1 topic from High Scorer’s Choice IELTS Practice Tests book series (reprinted with permission). This answer is close to IELTS Band 9.
Set 1 Academic book, Practice Test 3
Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
The two tables below show statistics of workers of foreign and US birth in the United States last year.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
You should write at least 150 words.
Sample Band 9 Report
The two tables compare from last year the number of workers in the US that were of US birth to the number of workers who were of foreign birth. The tables include divisions of the workforce by gender and by age, summarising the total number of workers in the workforce, the number of employed and unemployed workers and finally the unemployment rate. All figures are in thousands.
When looking at the breakdown of the figures by gender, the male foreign birth workforce suffered a lower unemployment rate (8.9%) than the male US birth workforce (10.6%), whereas the female foreign birth workforce suffered a higher unemployment rate (11.1%) than the female US birth workforce (8.5%). Overall, the male foreign birth workforce suffered a marginally higher rate of unemployment (9.8%) than the US birth workforce (9.6%). The total US birth workforce in size was significantly larger (129,533 people) than the total foreign birth workforce (24,357 people).
When looking at the breakdown of the figures by age, the younger of the foreign birth workforce (16 – 24 and 25 – 34) suffered from lower unemployment rates than the workforce of native birth, however, the foreign workforce older than these bands suffered higher unemployment rates.
In conclusion, in spite of the much larger numbers involved with the US birth workforce, the percentage differences in terms of unemployment were never very different with the largest difference being 2.8% higher rate for the US birth workforce found in workers between the ages of 16 – 24.
Go here for more IELTS Band 9 Reports
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June 2, 2021
IELTS test in the UK – May 2021 (Academic Module)
Thanks to the good memory of an IELTS test taker from the UK, we learnt this much about a recent exam there:
Writing test
Writing task 1 (a report)
We were given a graph and a bar chart showing the spending on international tourism by people from six different countries in 2011 and 2012. We had to summarize the information and write a report.
Writing task 2 (an essay)
When asked to choose between a life without work and working most of the time, people would always choose not to work. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? 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?
– Do you like your job?
– Will you change it in the near future?
– What would you like to do?
– Do you like flowers?
– Do you grow flowers at your place?
– Do you like Public Holidays?
– Do you go on vacation during this period?
– Where do you usually go?
– Who do you go there with?
Part 2 (Cue Card)
Talk about something that you wanted to do but couldn’t. Please say
– What was it?
– Why couldn’t you do it?
– How did you feel about it later?
Part 3 (Discussion)
– What would have enabled you to succeed?
– Did you try to do it alone or with others?
– Would you like to try it again in the future?
– Do you believe that success and hard work are connected?
June 1, 2021
IELTS Speaking test in Saudi Arabia – May 2021
Our wonderful friend M.H. took IELTS in Saudi Arabia recently and remembered the Speaking questions below:
Speaking test
Part 1 (Interview)
– What is your full name?
– Can I see your ID?
– How may I address you?
– Where do you live?
– Do you live in a flat or a house?
– What is the most popular means of transportation in your country?
– How do most people travel to work where you live?
– What traffic problems are there in your area?
– How do traffic problems affect you?
Part 2 (Cue Card)
Describe a short trip you often take that you do not like. Please say
– where you go
– when you go there
– why you go there
– and explain why you do not like this trip.
Follow-up question: Does anyone else take this trip with you?
Part 3 (Discussion)
– Do people from your country like to travel abroad? Why?
– How do people travel long distances for work in your country?
– Can you explain why some people go abroad to work?
– What other reasons do people have to travel abroad?
– When do they travel?
– How often do they travel?
– How has travel changed, compared to some decades ago?
May 31, 2021
IELTS Letter, topic: Complaining about rubbish collection services
This is a model response to a Writing Task 1 topic from High Scorer’s Choice IELTS Practice Tests book series (reprinted with permission). This answer is close to IELTS Band 9.
Set 1 General Training book, Practice Test 4
Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
You and your neighbours have noticed that the rubbish collection services where you live have recently been quite bad.
Write a letter to your local council. In your letter,
– explain what you have recently experienced
– explain what the neighbours have recently experienced
– ask what action will be taken to improve the service
You should write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Sir / Madam,
Sample Band 9 Letter
Dear Sir / Madam,
My name is Amanda Rosewell and I am a resident of the city of Harpley. I am writing this letter in my name and on behalf of my neighbours on Bristwood Avenue, as we have experienced very poor rubbish collection services recently.
For around three months, the trash I put out at my gate on the correct day is only collected irregularly, and when it is, some is left behind. My neighbours have had similar experiences, if not worse, with one woman not having her rubbish collected for eight weeks and another family dealing with unfriendly and incompetent rubbish collectors. Apparently, their waste container was broken by the harsh handling of the collectors, and the family’s children have been scared by their unfriendly comments.
Although I have called the rubbish collection service hotline, the company’s employees have not taken my complaint seriously and nothing has changed the current situation. I would therefore like to ask what you as the local city council can do in order to improve this state of affairs, as the rubbish collection services do not react to any feedback from dissatisfied citizens.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Yours sincerely,
Amanda Rosewell
Go here for more IELTS Band 9 Letters
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May 30, 2021
IELTS test in the UK and Ukraine – May 2021 (Academic Module)
Two of our friends took IELTS in the UK and Ukraine on the same day. Interestingly, they got the same questions in the Writing test (thank you D.R. and S.N. for sharing!)
Reading test
Passage 1. About building ancient castles.
Questions: 4 True/False/Not Given questions, flow chart completion and multiple choice questions.
Passage 2. About medieval art.
Questions: matching headings, sentence completion and matching features.
Passage 3. A text about handsets.
Questions: 4 Yes/No/Not Given questions, then multiple choice and summary completion questions.
Writing test
Writing task 1 (a report)
We were given 2 pie charts providing a breakdown of the kinds of occupation people in two cities were employed in.
Writing task 2 (an essay)
Some people say that punishment is the best way to teach children to behave well, while others disagree and point out that rewarding and praising them is better. Discuss both views and give your own 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?
– Why did you choose this job?
– What is the best city in your country to live in?
– What do you like the most about your country?
– Do you like singing?
– Do you like listen to other people sing?
– Would you like to take some singing lessons?
Part 2 (Cue Card)
Describe a time when you encouraged someone to do something. You should say:
– Who the person was
– What you encouraged him/her to do and why
– What the outcome was
– And explain how you felt about encouraging this person.
Part 3 (Discussion)
– Do you encourage people to do things often?
– How can parents encourage children to do things?
– What about bosses, how can they encourage their employees?
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