Simone Braverman's Blog: IELTS-Blog.com, page 24

Latest IELTS questions from Oman – November 2024 (Academic Module)

Thanks to our kind subscriber Y from Oman, today we are sharing the writing questions from his recent Academic IELTS exam in Oman:

Writing test

Writing task 1 (a report)

The pie charts below shows the percentages of male and female workers employed in 3 sectors, in two countries.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

* Note: this isn’t the original chart given in the test, it was recreated for the purpose of demonstration.

Writing task 2 (an essay)

Caring for children is very important, and therefore all new mothers and fathers should take a course in childcare. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Give reasons for your answer and include relevant examples from your knowledge or experience.

The post Latest IELTS questions from Oman – November 2024 (Academic Module) first appeared on IELTS-Blog.

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How Birgit Scored Band 8.5 and Started a New Life in Canada

When Birgit moved from Germany to Canada, she had one big goal in mind: to achieve a high IELTS Academic score. She had taken the IELTS General test a couple of years earlier, so she wasn’t starting from scratch, but this time, the stakes were higher. She needed to hit her target, especially in Writing and Speaking.

With hard work, a solid plan, and the right resources, Birgit achieved incredible scores: Band 9 in Listening and Reading, Band 8 in Writing, and Band 8.5 in Speaking!

Here’s how she did it – in her own words – and how you can do it too.

How Birgit Prepared1. Using Band 8 Model Essays and Reports to Boost Writing

Birgit knew Writing was going to be one of her biggest challenges, so she signed up for the IELTS-Blog VIP Club Membership to access the Band 8 Model Essays and Reports. These turned out to be one of her most helpful resources.

“To be honest, I didn’t quite start from scratch. I had taken the IELTS General two and a half years ago, so I was familiar with the format. Meanwhile, I have moved to Canada, and I needed the IELTS Academic and a higher score now, especially in the writing and speaking parts,” Birgit explained.

She focused on studying the Band 8 Model Essays and developed a clever strategy for improving her own writing:

“I focused on these areas [writing and speaking], and the most useful resource for me were the model essays and reports of IELTS-Blog and the practice test books. I prepared by reading one of them and then writing my own answer using words I learned from the model texts.”

By consistently practicing this way, Birgit built a strong set of synonyms, phrases, and grammatical structures that she could adapt to different writing tasks.

2. Getting Feedback with the Writing Correction Service

While practicing was important, Birgit knew she needed feedback to really improve. That’s where the IELTS-Blog Writing Correction Service came in.

“In addition, I used your very fast and affordable writing correction service, which gave me valuable feedback,” she said.

This feedback helped her fine-tune her essays and feel more confident about meeting the Writing test’s high standards.

3. Improving Speaking with Podcasts and Practice Questions

Birgit also put a lot of effort into preparing for the Speaking test. She used a mix of resources, including IELTS-Blog podcast and YouTube videos:

“To prepare for the speaking test, I listened to the IELTS-Blog and All Ears English podcasts and watched YouTube videos of tests from various IELTS teachers. I then tried to answer the questions in the practice task books and the recent questions on IELTS-Blog.”

By practicing these questions, she became more fluent and comfortable speaking about a variety of topics—exactly what’s needed to score high in Speaking!

4. Getting Test-Ready in the Last Two Weeks

When the test day was just around the corner, Birgit focused on fine-tuning all her skills:

“The last two weeks before the test, I used your online practice tests for IELTS on computer and the practice test books to practice all skills and to hone my listening and reading abilities.”

This intensive practice helped her feel confident and fully prepared for the test.

The Results

All of Birgit’s hard work and smart strategies paid off with these incredible scores:

Listening: Band 9
Reading: Band 9
Writing: Band 8
Speaking: Band 8.5

Birgit’s Advice for Other IELTS Test-Takers

If you’re feeling stuck, especially with Writing, Birgit has some great advice:

“By following this strategy, I achieved a score of 9 for both Listening and Reading, 8 for Writing, and 8.5 for Speaking. I hope that my story encourages other students. Especially the writing part can be frustrating. I would recommend starting to write your own essays early in the preparation process rather than spending too much time just reading model essays.”

The post How Birgit Scored Band 8.5 and Started a New Life in Canada first appeared on IELTS-Blog.

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Latest IELTS questions in the UAE – November 2024 (General Training)

Our lovely student remembered the following writing questions from her recent IELTS exam in the UAE. Use them to prepare effectively and know what to expect in your upcoming test.

IELTS Writing Test – General Training

Writing task 1 (a letter)

You are planning to host a party at home. To prepare a meal for the party you have decided to ask a friend for a recipe from their country. Write a letter to the friend. In your letter

– Tell your friend why you are hosting this party
– Explain why you need a recipe from their country
– Invite your friend to the party.

Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Writing task 2 (an essay)

Some people believe that schools should invest in the best equipment for students, while others think that schools should spend on employing good teachers. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

The post Latest IELTS questions in the UAE – November 2024 (General Training) first appeared on IELTS-Blog.

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IELTS Speaking questions from the UAE – November 2024

Thanks to the generous contribution by our subscriber N, today we are sharing the Speaking questions from her recent IELTS exam in the UAE.

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– Are you a student or do you work?
– Why did you choose this major?
– Do you prefer studying alone or as part of a group? Why?
– Have you participated in any teamwork recently?
– What did you learn from working in a team?
– How did you feel about working in a team?
– Do you think teamwork is important for students?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe a cultural place you would like to visit, such as a museum. You should say:

– what the place is
– where it is located
– why you want to visit it

and explain how this place is related to culture.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– How can people learn about culture through places like museums and cultural sites?
– Do you think it’s a good idea to let people visit museums for free? Why or why not?
– What are some ways to encourage people to learn about their culture?
– Should schools teach students about culture?
– What effect does culture have on our daily lives?
– In what ways can culture affect our future?

The post IELTS Speaking questions from the UAE – November 2024 first appeared on IELTS-Blog.

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New IELTS Speaking questions from Canada – November 2024

Our student BB took the IELTS test in Canada and remembered the following Speaking questions:

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– Where do you live?
– Do you like the area where you live?
– Would you recommend this area to others? Why or why not?
– Do you enjoy watching funny movies?
– How often do you laugh?
– Do you think you make other people laugh often?
– Why do you think people collect coins?
– Have you ever collected coins yourself?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe a time when you learned something new from a video. You should say:

– what the video was about
– when and where you watched it
– why you found it interesting

and explain how you felt after learning something new from this video.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– Do you think AI will replace teachers in the future? Why or why not?
– What are the advantages of learning online?
– What are the disadvantages of learning online?
– What are the advantages of working online?
– What are the disadvantages of working online?
– Should employees of international companies only meet online? Why or why not?

The post New IELTS Speaking questions from Canada – November 2024 first appeared on IELTS-Blog.

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New IELTS Speaking questions from India – November 2024

Our kind subscriber BL took the IELTS test in India and remembered the following Speaking questions:

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– What is your name?
– Where do you live?
– Are you a student or do you work?
– Did you always want to do the same job you have now?
– What do you usually do when you feel bored?
– Is there a specific place you like to go when you are bored?
– Do you like to sit on the floor? Why or why not?
– Did you like to sit on the floor as a child?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe a time when you helped a child. You should say

– who the child was
– what you did to help
– how the child reacted

and explain how you felt after helping the child.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– Did your parents know about the time you helped the child?
– How did your parents react when they found out?
– Why do you think parents encourage children to help others?
– How important is it to teach children to be helpful from a young age?
– Are there any benefits for adults when they help children?
– Do you think society values people who are helpful to others?

The post New IELTS Speaking questions from India – November 2024 first appeared on IELTS-Blog.

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IELTS Speaking questions from Pakistan – November 2024

Thanks to our kind subscriber AK, today we are sharing the Speaking questions from his recent IELTS exam in Pakistan.

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– What is your name?
– Who is the most famous person from your area?
– What things are famous in your area overall?
– Are the people in your area generally supportive of each other?
– Do you think being famous in your area is important? Why or why not?
– What is something your area is known for culturally or historically?
– How do people in your area show support for local events or causes?
– Do you feel proud to come from your area? Why or why not?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe a person who helped you achieve a goal. You should say:

– what the goal was
– who this person is
– how he or she motivated you

and explain the effect of this motivation on achieving your goal.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– Do you think motivation is important for achieving goals? Why?
– What strategies can be used to maximize productivity in an office setting?
– Does financial incentive, like money, help people achieve their goals?
– What other factors, besides money, can motivate people to achieve their goals?
– Should employers focus on motivating their staff in different ways? If so, how?
– How can people stay motivated when working on long-term goals?

The post IELTS Speaking questions from Pakistan – November 2024 first appeared on IELTS-Blog.

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Never Do This If You Want a Band 7 in Writing

I often hear my students complain about Writing Task 1, and I see them struggle with it firsthand. It’s easy to make mistakes, even if you know the basics. Today, I’ll cover three common struggles that can really hurt your score and show you how to fix them.

1. Copy Words Directly from the Question

Example: If the question says, “The graph shows the number of students studying abroad from 2000 to 2020,” some people write, “The graph shows the number of students studying abroad from 2000 to 2020” without changing anything.

Using the exact same words shows that you can’t paraphrase well. The IELTS exam tests your ability to use different words and sentence structures.

Correct Version: “The graph illustrates how many students went to study abroad between 2000 and 2020.”

Tip: Practice changing the vocabulary and structure to show your skills.

2. Use the Wrong Synonyms

Example: “The graph shows the amount of guests to three separate art galleries from 2010 to 2020.”

“Amount” is wrong because it’s used for things you can’t count, like water or air. “Guests” doesn’t work well here because it usually means invited people or those staying at hotels, and “art galleries” isn’t the right synonym for “museums.”

Correct Version: “The graph shows the number of people visiting museums from 2010 to 2020.”

Tip: Double-check that your synonyms have the right meaning and fit the context.

3. Make Sentences Too Complicated

Example: “The given graphical representation delineates the vehicular transaction alterations across a decade,” instead of just saying, “The graph shows changes in car sales over 10 years.”

Using overly complicated words makes your writing hard to understand. Examiners prefer clear and simple language that is easy to follow.

Correct Version: “The graph shows changes in car sales over 10 years.”

Tip: Focus on making your writing clear and easy to read, not fancy.

Which of these mistakes are you making? Let me know in the comments!

The post Never Do This If You Want a Band 7 in Writing first appeared on IELTS-Blog.

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IELTS Speaking questions from India – November 2024

Thanks to the generous contribution by our subscriber, today we are sharing the Speaking questions from his recent IELTS exam in India.

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– What is your full name?
– Where do you live?
– Can you describe your hometown?
– What is your favorite place to visit in your hometown?
– Why do you think it is difficult for pedestrians to walk on the streets?
– Do you like to exercise? Why or why not?
– Do you enjoy listening to music? Why or why not?
– Can you describe a place where you feel calm and relaxed?
– Would you say you are a calm or relaxed person?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe a video you watched online that you learned something from. You should say

– when you watched it
– what the video was about
– what you learned from it

and explain how you felt after watching the video.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– What kinds of videos are popular in your country?
– Why do you think videos are becoming increasingly popular nowadays?
– What types of videos do you personally like to watch?
– How has the rise of online work or shopping impacted people’s lives?
– In your opinion, are more collaborations happening online or offline? How so?
– Do you think people worldwide should conduct meetings or collaborations online only? Why or why not?

The post IELTS Speaking questions from India – November 2024 first appeared on IELTS-Blog.

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Sentence Mistakes That Secretly Hurt Your IELTS Score

Many IELTS test takers feel that complex sentences are, well, complicated. But here’s the good news: they’re actually easier to master than you might think! With the right guidance, you can use them confidently and make your writing clearer and more academic. Let’s look at three common struggles with complex sentences and how to fix them.

1. Mixing Up ‘Who’ and ‘Which’

Mistake: The chart shows the number of students, which is from various countries studying in the UK.
The word “which” incorrectly refers to “students,” making the sentence unclear.
Correct Version:The chart shows the number of students from various countries who are studying in the UK.
Why It’s Correct: Here, “who” correctly refers to the students, making the relationship clear.

2. Confusing Phrases That Don’t Make Sense

Mistake: After completing the research, the results were surprising.
The phrase “After completing the research” appears to describe “the results,” but results cannot complete research.
Correct Version:After completing the research, the researcher found the results surprising.
Why It’s Correct: The corrected sentence makes it clear that the researcher completed the research, not the results.

3. Wrong Use of ‘If’ Sentences

Mistake: If people will have a better education, they can get better jobs.
Explanation: Using “will” in the “if” clause is incorrect in conditional sentences.
Correct Version: If people have a better education, they can get better jobs.
Why It’s Correct: The first conditional structure (“If + present simple, … can + verb”) is used to talk about real and possible situations in the future.

4. Sentences That Aren’t Complete

Mistake: Because the data was collected from multiple sources. It may not be entirely accurate.
The first part is a fragment and cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.
Correct Version: Because the data was collected from multiple sources, it may not be entirely accurate.
Why It’s Correct: This combines both parts into one complete, grammatically correct sentence.

5. Mixing Up ‘Who’ and ‘Which’

Mistake: The graph shows that the number of graduates increased rapidly and are stable.
“Increased” and “are” don’t match, making the structure inconsistent.
Correct Version: The graph shows that the number of graduates increased rapidly and then remained stable.
Why It’s Correct: Both verbs (“increased” and “remained”) are consistent and parallel in structure.

6. Unnecessary Linkers That Cause Confusion

Mistake: Although the number of students increased, but the number of teachers remained the same.
Using both “although” and “but” in the same sentence is redundant.
Correct Version: Although the number of students increased, the number of teachers remained the same.
Why It’s Correct: Using just “although” is sufficient to show the contrast.

Which of these mistakes can you find in your own writing? Let me know in the comments!

The post Sentence Mistakes That Secretly Hurt Your IELTS Score first appeared on IELTS-Blog.

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