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IELTS Speaking questions from Australia – October 2024

Our generous subscriber AL shared the Speaking questions from her recent IELTS exam in Australia, below:

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– What is your name?
– Do you live in a big city or a small town?
– Is it an interesting place to live in? Why or why not?
– Would you recommend it to other people?
– Did you work in a group when you were a child?
– Did you enjoy working in a group as a child?
– How did working in a group benefit you?
– What were your weekend activities as a child?
– How have your weekend activities changed over the years?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe a room in your house that isn’t yours. You should say

– whose room it is
– what it is used for
– how it looks

and explain what you like or dislike about this room.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– Why do people visit one another?
– Do you think everyone enjoys visiting others and having guests? Why or why not?
– Is it important to bring a gift when you visit someone?
– How has the way people visit each other changed over the years?
– Do you think social visits are becoming less common? Why or why not?
– How can visiting someone strengthen relationships?

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IELTS Speaking questions from Kazakhstan – October 2024

Thanks to the lovely JB today we are sharing the Speaking questions from her recent recent IELTS exam in Kazakhstan:

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– Do you work or study?
– What do you like about your job?
– Would you like to change your job in the future? Why or why not?
– What is your morning routine like?
– Do you think breakfast is important? Why?
– Would you like to change your morning routine? If so, how?
– What languages did you study at school?
– How do you feel about learning new languages?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe an interesting place in your country that is not popular among tourists but is worth visiting. You should say

– where this place is
– why it is interesting
– what you can do there

and explain why it is worth a visit.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– Should museums charge admission fees, or should they be free for citizens?
– How can the cost of visiting cultural sites affect tourism?
– Do you think making museums free could increase tourism within a country? Why or why not?
– How can tourism contribute to pollution in popular tourist destinations?
– What steps can be taken to reduce the environmental impact of tourism?
– Do you think sustainable tourism will become more important in the future? Why?

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Latest IELTS questions in Algeria – October 2024 (General Training)

The writing questions below were shared by our kind subscriber who recently took her IELTS exam in Algeria. 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 go on holiday and have asked your friend to take care of your house while you are away.
Write a letter to your friend. In your letter:

– Tell your friend how long you will be away
– Explain where you will leave the keys
– Describe what they need to do while you’re away.

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

Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Melanie,

Writing task 2 (an essay)

Some people believe that older employees are more valuable to a company, while others think that younger employees are more beneficial. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

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

How to Write a Letter to Your Friend about House-Sitting While You’re on HolidayBegin with a friendly greeting, e.g., “Hi Melanie,”..Thank your friend for agreeing to take care of your house.Tell your friend how long you will be away. Example: “I’ll be gone for two weeks, from October 12 until October 26, and I really appreciate your help during this time.”Explain where you will leave the keys, e.g., “I’ll leave the keys in the mailbox next to the front door.”Describe what they need to do while you’re away. Ideas: watering the plants or checking the mail.End the letter by expressing your gratitude again, e.g., “Thanks again for helping out. Let me know if you need anything!”Sign off correctly: “Best regards,” followed by your name.How to Write an Essay Discussing Whether Older or Younger Employees Are More ValuableIntroduction: Introduce both views and state your opinion.Body Paragraph 1: Explain why older employees are valuable. Some ideas: experience, knowledge, ability to mentor younger staff, reliability and work ethic.Body Paragraph 2: Explain why younger employees are valuable. You could mention their tech skills, adaptability, fresh ideas, energy and willingness to learn.Conclusion: Summarise both views and restate your opinion.

The post Latest IELTS questions in Algeria – October 2024 (General Training) first appeared on IELTS-Blog.

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IELTS Speaking questions from Pakistan – October 2024

Our lovely subscriber NS shared the Speaking questions from her recent IELTS exam in Pakistan:

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– Where are you from?
– Do you study or work?
– What kind of views do you see where you live?
– If you stay at a hotel, do you prefer to have natural scenery around? Why or why not?
– Do you like taking photographs when you visit natural places?
– Do you wear t-shirts often?
– Did you wear t-shirts when you were a child?
– Have you ever given a t-shirt as a gift?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe a challenging thing you have done. You should say

– what the task or challenge was
– why it was difficult
– how you approached it

and explain how you felt after completing it.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– What kinds of challenges should parents involve their children in?
– What can children learn from facing challenges?
– Is it important for parents to involve their children in challenging situations? Why?
– What kinds of challenges do people face globally nowadays?
– How do challenges help people develop important life skills?
– In what ways can facing challenges shape a person’s character?

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

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Latest IELTS questions from Kazakhstan – October 2024 (Academic Module)

Thanks to our kind subscriber JB from Kazakhstan, today we are sharing the writing questions from her recent Academic IELTS exam:

Writing test

Writing task 1 (a report)

The bar chart below shows the percentage of government spending on roads and transport in four countries in the years 1990 – 2005.

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)

Some people think that the development of technology decreases crime, while other believe it encourages criminal activity. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

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

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

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How Tanet Earned a Scholarship with ‘Target Band 7’

When Tanet found out he needed IELTS to get a scholarship, the countdown began.

With just three months to prepare for the IELTS exam, he had no time to waste. Luckily, his mother bought him a copy of Target Band 7, hoping it would give him the edge he needed.

Tanet got straight to work, tackling each section step by step. Raising his scores in Listening and Reading was a matter of consistent practice. He started at Band 5.5, and with hard work, managed to push his scores to Listening 8.5 and Reading 7.5.

Writing proved more challenging. He struggled with grammar and task achievement, but the sample tasks and writing corrections helped him sharpen those skills.

When it came to Speaking, Tanet enlisted his family to act as interviewers, practicing until he felt confident. That practice didn’t just boost his IELTS score – it also gave him the skills to nail his scholarship interview.

The Outcome

“In the end I got Listening 8.5, Reading 7.5, Writing 6.0, Speaking 6.0, with a total band of 6.5, which was enough for me to get my scholarship from a designated university within the first attempt. I improvised on the speaking skills I practiced for my interview too, which I am very satisfied with. Once again thank you for your help.”

Tanet’s success isn’t a one-off – it’s the result of a proven method. The same strategies he used are available to you, too. If you’re ready to boost your IELTS score, this book is exactly what you need.

Get your copy of Target Band 7 today and start your IELTS success story!

If Tanet could do it, so can you. Why wait?

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IELTS Speaking questions from Portugal – October 2024

Thanks to our generous subscriber H today we are sharing the Speaking questions he remembered from a recent IELTS exam in Portugal:

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– What is your full name?
– May I see your ID?
– Where are you from?
– Can you tell me about your family?
– What do you do for work?
– What do you enjoy most about your job?
– Is there anything you would like to change or improve at your workplace?
– What are your qualifications?
– Which subject would you like to study in the future?
– Would you prefer to study through online webinars or in person? Why?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe a project you worked on with a team. You should say

– what the project was
– how you carried it out with your team
– what challenges you faced

and explain how you felt about the experience.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– What types of books do you enjoy reading?
– Do you prefer reading online or on paper? Why?
– Why do some people still prefer reading printed books, even with digital options available?
– Do you think using paper books is wasteful?
– With the growing population, what measures can we take to produce enough food?
– What is the most important aspect offood security?
– Are food insecurity and hunger the same?
– How can we use the land sustainably in agriculture?
– What steps are governments taking to ensure food safety?

The post IELTS Speaking questions from Portugal – October 2024 first appeared on IELTS-Blog.

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IELTS Speaking questions from Algeria – October 2024

Thanks to the kind contribution by HT we are sharing the Speaking questions she remembered from her recent IELTS exam in Algeria:

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– What is your full name?
– Where are you from?
– Where do you live now?
– What do you like most about your city?
– Would you recommend others to live there? Why or why not?
– Do you wear t-shirts often?
– Did you wear t-shirts when you were a child?
– Did you enjoy wearing t-shirts as a kid? Why or why not?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe someone who people like to go to for advice. You should say:

– who this person is
– why people ask them for advice
– what kind of advice they provide

and explain why people trust this person’s advice.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– Do you usually give advice to others?
– What types of advice do friends usually give one another?
– Do you think family is the best source of advice? Why or why not?
– Can you tell me about some professional advice you have received?
– Why is it important to seek professional advice in certain situations?
– Are you someone who laughs a lot?
– When was the last time you laughed, and what made you laugh?
– Do you enjoy watching movies that make you laugh? Why or why not?

The post IELTS Speaking questions from Algeria – October 2024 first appeared on IELTS-Blog.

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

Our student from the UAE remembered the following writing questions from a recent General Training IELTS exam. 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 recently traveled by train and accidentally left your luggage behind. Write a letter to the railway manager. In your letter:

– Describe your luggage
– Explain what was inside your luggage
– Suggest how the luggage can be returned to you

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

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear Sir/Madam,

Writing task 2 (an essay)

Young people are spending more and more time and money nowadays following fashion trends. Is this a positive or a negative development?

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

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IELTS essay, topic: Schools should teach every young person how to be a good parent (agree/disagree)

Essay Question

Some people think it would be a good idea for schools to teach every young person how to be a good parent. Do you agree or disagree?

Download the Sample Band 8 Essay here

Band 8 Answer

Parenting is one of the major responsibilities that most people take on in their adult life, requiring extensive knowledge and experience to perform well. Since the current school curriculum has no provisions for students to learn about parenting skills, some people have suggested it needs to change in order to help students acquire skills that would equip them well for raising children later in life. From my point of view, this would greatly enhance young people’s confidence and empower them to become better parents and contribute to a more successful, new generation.

The idea of parenting classes being necessary may face some opposition from those who believe that being a parent requires certain personal traits rather than learnt skills, and therefore cannot be taught successfully. The belief that good parenting decisions and actions are driven by one’s character and instincts rather than science, techniques, or guidelines would have some people resist making parental education mandatory in school. If this were the case, however, only a fraction of the population would be able to handle the role of a parent well, whereas in reality the majority of people manage to create loving homes for their children and teach them important moral values.

On the other hand, treating parenting as a skill that can be taught would lead to a wide range of benefits. Since the role of a parent comprises many areas of knowledge, some more specialised than others, such as medicine or psychology, the likelihood of a person acquiring that information on their own is not great. Without sufficient background, adults would be ill-equipped to deal with childhood problems effectively; however, if they knew in advance of the common issues they may encounter as a mother or a father and had solutions presented to them, that would greatly help them cope with almost any situation. To illustrate, childhood misbehaviour is a source of significant stress for some parents, and mastering different approaches for dealing with, for instance, temper tantrums, gives parents confidence and helps them reassure the children while controlling the undesirable behaviour.

In conclusion, while some scepticism as to whether parenting should be taught in schools is understandable, I believe it would empower parents to raise their children in a better way, and the entire society would benefit from a more successful young generation.

Teacher’s feedback:

Your essay is a good example of Band 8 writing.

Task Response: Band 8
Your essay effectively addresses the prompt, presenting a clear argument in favor of teaching parenting skills in schools. You acknowledge the opposing view and refute it with relevant examples, which strengthens your position. The essay maintains focus on the benefits of this education for individuals and society. Expanding on how schools might implement such programs could further support your argument.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8
The essay is well-organised, with clear paragraphs that flow logically. You use cohesive devices like “however,” “on the other hand,” and “to illustrate” effectively. The introduction leads into the body well, and the conclusion summarises the argument clearly. A smoother transition between the counterargument and rebuttal could improve cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 8
Your vocabulary is varied and appropriate, with effective phrases like “extensive knowledge,” “moral values,” and “parenting as a skill.” Terms such as “specialised knowledge” and “misbehaviour” add depth. To push for a higher score, consider using more advanced or less common expressions.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8
Your essay demonstrates strong grammatical control, with a good mix of complex and compound sentences. For example, the sentence “If this were the case, however, only a fraction of the population would be able to handle the role of a parent well, whereas in reality the majority of people manage to create loving homes for their children and teach them important moral values.” shows effective use of conditional and contrastive structures. Overall, your grammar is strong and contributes to the essay’s coherence.

Submit your essay for correction and find out how to improve your Writing score.

Click here to see more IELTS essays of Band 8

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