Simone Braverman's Blog: IELTS-Blog.com, page 118
February 8, 2021
IELTS Speaking test in India – January 2021
Thanks to the good memory of A.R. we are sharing his questions from a recent IELTS Speaking test in India:
Speaking test
Part 1 (Interview)
– What is your full name?
– Can I see your ID?
– Where do you live?
– Describe the house you live in now.
– What does your house look like?
– What can you see from your window?
– Let’s talk about happiness.
– What things make you happy?
– Have you done anything recently that made your family or someone else happy?
– Do you think we should only experience joy all the time?
– Do you prefer several short breaks or one long break?
– What do you do on your break?
– Do you sleep during breaks?
– Would you like to earn money without going to work?
Part 2 (Cue Card)
Talk about something you bought that you were pleased with. Please say
– What it was
– Where and why you bought it
– How you feel about it now.
Part 3 (Discussion)
– Do you often buy things that you don’t need later?
– In what situations can you bargain?
– How should people decide on buying what they need?
– Do you think marketing plays a role in buying branded products?
February 7, 2021
IELTS test in Nepal – January 2021 (Academic Module)
Thanks to the lovely G.S. from Nepal we are sharing the most recent IELTS questions she sent:
Listening test
Part 1. A conversion between a gym receptionist and a customer.
Part 2. A tour guide was explaining about the Turtle Beach resort. We were given a map of the resort.
Part 3. Don’t remember.
Part 4. A lecture on hearing aids.
Reading test
Passage 1. A text about a certain beach in Australia, it’s significance and historical value.
Passage 2. A passage about CSR.
Passage 3. A passage about the mind.
Writing test
Writing task 1 (a report)
We were given 3 pie charts showing the hours worked by employees, owner/managers and companies. The data in the diagram was, part time work hours, full time work hours and overtime hours worked by employees and owner/managers.
Writing task 2 (an essay)
Some people think that parents should teach their children about the importance of recycling, while others think it should be taught in school. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Speaking test
Part 1 (Interview)
– What’s you full name?
– Can I see your ID?
– Do you live in a house or an apartment?
– What is it like?
– What do you see from the window of your room?
Part 2 (Cue Card)
Describe a time when it was difficult for you to use a computer. Please say
– When it was
– Why it was difficult
– Who helped you to use a computer
– And explain what you did on the computer.
Part 3 (Discussion)
– Is the use of robots good or bad for the society?
– Have computers made our life easier or more complex?
– Should parents limit the time their children use the computer for?
– What are the effects of computer use on creativity?
– How has the advancement of technology affected humans?
– How will it affect people in the future?
February 4, 2021
Academic IELTS Writing Task 1 – How to Describe Process Diagrams
You got a process diagram to describe and you want to write a Band 7 or higher Academic Writing Task 1 response. In this video Adam shows you step by step how it’s done. He starts by teaching you how to analyse the process diagram before you start writing, gives you tips how to reword the task prompt easily, how to write a great overview and how to group or separate the various stages in the body paragraphs.
In the 10 years Adam worked as an examiner at the British Council, he saw times and times again that test takers weren’t getting Band 7+ because they were writing their answers the wrong way (and NOT because they lacked vocabulary or didn’t know grammar).
So he made this video to show you the right way to answer the Academic Writing Task 1.
Watch this video and you will learn
– how to analyse a process diagram before you start writing
– what to pay attention to, and what to be aware of
– how to reword the task prompt
– how to organise the information in your answer (did you know you could group stages?)
By doing all of that right, you will save time on Writing Task 1 and use it for Writing Task 2, which carries more weight.
Watch the lesson on YouTube, or below:
In the video
1. What are you explaining?
In this particular diagram it is the process for producing biodiesel.
2. How many steps are there in the process?
Sometimes you may get a cyclical diagram (of a process that keeps repeating), and you need to find the best starting point. Adam shows you how.
3. When things are added?
Diagrams typically have things that are added to make the process possible. Be aware of that and look for things that are added.
4. What are the by-products?
By-products can often be seen in process diagrams. In this one it is the high protein residue and glycerine.
5. Can the stages be combined or separated?
In this diagram steps 1 and 2 are stand-alone ones, but steps 3 and 4 can be combined.
And there is a lot more to learn, so do watch the entire video, because Adam explains everything in a very easy to understand way. It won’t take you long to start writing Band 7+ reports!
Adam doesn’t give you a model response in this lesson, because he would like you to have a go and write your own. But if you’d like to see a Band 9 sample, check out our High Scorer’s Choice IELTS practice tests. This particular topic can be found in Package 2 and we also provide a model response for it, as well as all the other writing tasks.
Enjoy the lesson!
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February 3, 2021
IELTS Speaking test in Canada – January 2021
Thanks to our kind friend P.T. who recently took IELTS in Canada, we can share his Speaking questions today:
Speaking test
Part 1 (Interview)
– What is your full name?
– Can you show me your ID card?
– Where do you live?
– Do you like the area where you live?
– Is the place suitable for families with children?
– Do you get up early in the morning?
– Why do you wake up early?
– Do you like singing?
– Did you sing when you were a child?
– Would you pay for singing classes?
Part 2 (Cue Card)
Describe a festival that is important in your country. You should say:
– when the festival is celebrated
– what people do during this festival
– what you like or dislike about it
– and explain why this festival is important in your country.
Part 3 (Discussion)
– What other festivals are celebrated in your culture?
– Nowadays some festivals are disappearing, is this a positive or a negative thing?
– In what way are today’s festivals different from those in the past?
– Do you think people will create new festivals in the future? Why/why not?
February 2, 2021
Student success: Adejumoke and Harun reveal how they got IELTS Band 7.5+
Today we would like you to meet Adejumoke and Harun, the winners of our December round of IELTS results competition, not only because they were successful in IELTS, but also because they are trying to help YOU get a great score, too. By sharing their story, their experience they are shining the light on the path YOU can take. Have a read and think about your IELTS practice sessions – could they benefit from the same things Adejumoke and Harun did?
Adejumoke is from Nigeria, she got the Overall Band Score of 7.5 in a computer-delivered IELTS test. In her experience, practicing with the right materials makes a difference. Adejumoke said,
“I came across IELTS-Blog.com briefly through a friend. I decided to subscribe and I followed tips supplied via email. When I was convinced and I realised I needed to practice with a textbook, I chose High Scorers Choice Practice Test General Training 1+2+3, followed the instructions and downloaded the required recordings. I read through the testimonials of others and I believed I can’t be an exception, I would put in my best. I followed the tips diligently for each module – Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking, practiced each test, marked my answers, listened while looking at transcripts (in Listening). Every word, text, tips and advice packaged by Simone, they are real and am sure with diligence and concentration you can be THE BEST you choose to be.”
Harun is from Nigeria too. His Overall Band Score is 8.0 with a straight 9 in Listening! Harun says that the SECRET to success is to stop looking for secrets! Here is his story:
“Thank you for the opportunity to share my IELTS tips with many others. The main secret to success in taking the IELTS is to realize that there are absolutely no secrets. All the materials and information needed are out there for candidates to utilize.
Just like a running a marathon requires continuous practice, so does the IELTS. I fully utilized the resources at my disposal to practice, practice and practice. I began by watching videos on YouTube to brush up the general concepts and familiarize myself with the exam format and marking scheme.
Then, I took two mock exams online (timed) to assess my strengths and weaknesses. I was deficient in writing, so I had to dedicate more time to it.
Finally, I began practicing past questions with more emphasis on my weak areas. I timed myself during practicing and sourced questions from IELTS-Blog.com.
On the exam day, I was very punctual and had a good breakfast to sustain me. I used the bathroom just before the screening process began and I entered the exam hall with my bottle of water. I hope this would help someone.”
We would like to thank Adejumoke and Harun for sharing their stories, and congratulate them on their great IELTS scores!
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IELTS Speaking test in Japan – January 2021
Our lovely friend K remembered and shared the following questions from the recent IELTS Speaking test he took in Japan:
Speaking test
Part 1 (Interview)
– What is your full name?
– Can I see your ID?
– Let’s talk about the place where you live.
– Where do you live?
– Do you think it is a good place to live for families? Why?
– How often do you meet your neighbours?
– Let’s talk about sports.
– Have you played any sports?
– Have you ever supported any sports team?
– Let’s talk about concentrating on something.
– Does your job require concentration?
– What disturbs your concentration?
Part 2 (Cue Card)
Describe an activity you enjoy occasionally that is a bit expensive. Please say
– What it is
– Where you do it
– Who you do it with
– When you do it.
Part 3 (Discussion)
– Do you think rich people should support the poor? Why/why not?
– Do you agree with progressive* tax? Why/why not?
– Nowadays a lot of poor people are trying to become rich. Is this a positive or a negative thing? Why?
* A progressive tax is a tax in which the tax rate increases as the taxable amount increases.
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January 31, 2021
IELTS test in Iran – January 2021 (General Training)
Thanks to our lovely Instagram follower P from Iran, we are sharing the most recent IELTS questions she sent:
Writing test
Writing task 1 (a letter)
Your workplace does not have a parking area for cars and it is causing some problems. Write a letter to your manager and include the following:
– Describe the problems it has caused.
– Explain what benefits a parking area would bring to the company.
– Suggest a solution.
Writing task 2 (an essay)
Some people say that the Olympic Games no longer play a role in the 21st century. Do you agree or disagree?
Speaking test
Part 1 (Interview)
– What’s you full name?
– Can I see your ID?
– Can you tell me a little about where you live?
– What are the good things about your area?
– Is your neighbourhood good for kids?
– Lets talk about text messages.
– Do you send or receive text messages daily?
– Have you ever misunderstood a text message?
– When do you think it is better to call rather than text?
Part 2 (Cue Card)
Talk about a friend you have not seen in a long time. Please say
– who he/she is
– why you have lost contact
– how you met again.
Part 3 (Discussion)
– Let’s talk about communication and friendship.
– How do you make friends nowadays?
– Who do you think, the elderly or the younger people, benefit more from having friends?
– Why do you think people lose contact with their high-school friends?
January 28, 2021
IELTS Speaking test in India – January 2021
Thanks to our kind friend D.P. from India, here are the Speaking questions from her recent IELTS exam:
Speaking test
Part 1 (Interview)
– What is your full name?
– Can I see your ID?
– Where are you from?
– Is it a good place to live?
– Let’s talk about clothes.
– What type of clothes do you like to wear?
– Why is it important to wear traditional clothes to festivals?
– What colour of clothes don’t you like to wear?
Part 2 (Cue Card)
Talk about a prize (an award or a medal) that you received. You should say
– What it was
– When you received it
– What you did to earn it
– And explain how you felt about it.
Part 3 (Discussion)
– Why is it important to give prizes or awards to children?
– What are some other ways to motivate children?
– Nowadays, some companies organize competitions to advertise their products. What is your opinion about that?
– Why are people participating in such events?
January 27, 2021
Academic IELTS Writing Task 1 – How to Describe Bar Charts
If you didn’t get Band 7 for Academic Writing Task 1, and you blame it on your vocabulary or grammar, think again!
In the 10 years Adam worked as an examiner at the British Council, he saw times and times again that test takers weren’t getting Band 7+ because they were writing their answers the wrong way (and NOT because they lacked vocabulary or didn’t know grammar).
So he made this video to show you the right way to answer the Academic Writing Task 1.
By watching this video, you will
– learn how to describe bar charts in your Academic Writing Task 1
– know how to organise the information in your answer
– save time on Writing Task 1 and use it for Writing Task 2, which carries more weight
Watch the lesson on YouTube, or below:
In the video
1. What are you comparing?
In this particular diagram it is the percentage of New Zealand Smokers, tobacco products, years 2014 to 2018.
2. How are you comparing?
The values are percentages, which means you can use some synonyms of ‘per cent’ (e.g. proportion).
3. When are you comparing?
In the past, so your choice of grammar should be from the past tenses.
4. Which group was the largest? Any overall trends? Drastic changes?
Make sure you mention them.
And this is just the beginning, so do watch the entire video, because insider tips from an IELTS examiner are priceless if you want a higher score.
Adam doesn’t give you a model response in this lesson, because he would like you to have a go and write your own. But if you’d like to see a Band 9 sample, check out our High Scorer’s Choice IELTS practice tests. This particular topic can be found in Package 2 and we also provide a model response for it, as well as all the other writing tasks.
Enjoy the lesson!
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January 26, 2021
IELTS Letter, topic: writing to apply for a part-time job
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 1
Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
You recently noticed a local restaurant that was offering a part-time job.
Write a letter to the restaurant’s manager. In your letter,
– explain that you would like to apply for the job
– give some details of any relevant experience that you have
– specify the days and times that would suit you
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,
I am writing to you to express my interest in your job advertisement for a chef that I saw posted on the local village board. As I have currently moved to Brenton as a qualified chef, I would therefore like to apply for this position.
I noticed from the job description that you require someone who can both cook in a creative and healthy way, and who can communicate with and manage staff in an effective manner. My previous job was as an assistant chef at Brew’s restaurant in London, where I was responsible for preparing all the dishes on the restaurant’s menu and coming up with inventive recipes to present to the head chef. I am also personally very interested in healthy living and this is always reflected in how I cook. I was also responsible at Brew’s for managing the cleaning and serving staff at the restaurant, in which capacity I found I was able to build good working relationships with all the staff in my responsibility.
I noticed that this is a part-time job. My preferred days for working would be Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons and evenings. I would be available until late at night on those days and I would also be able to work two Saturdays of each month.
I look forward to hearing from you soon. Please let me know if you require any further information.
Yours sincerely,
Marisa Thompson
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