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IELTS Speaking questions from Nigeria – September 2024

A kind test taker from Nigeria remembered the following Speaking questions after his recent IELTS exam:

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– What is your name?
– Where do you come from?
– What do you do? Are you a student or do you work?
– Where do you work?
– What are your plans for the future?
– Why do you want to change your work?
– What do you enjoy most about your current job?
– Do you prefer working alone or with a team?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe a person you are happy to know. You should say

– who this person is
– how you met them
– what their impact on your life has been

and explain why you are happy to know this person.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– What makes children happy?
– Do you think buying gifts is the best way to make children happy? Why or why not?
– Will the same gifts that make children happy also make adults happy? Why or why not?
– Are children happier now than they were in the past? Why do you think so?
– Is it better to work more to earn money, or to take time to rest? Why?
– How can companies make their employees happy and motivated?
– How can employers recognise when their staff are overworked or stressed?
– What are the consequences of employees being overstressed in the workplace?

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Latest IELTS questions in Saudi Arabia – September 2024 (General Training)

Our student from Saudi Arabia 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 work in a company, and your manager is leaving soon. Write a letter to a colleague asking them to help arrange a farewell gift for your manager. In your letter:

– Express your feelings about the manager’s departure
– Propose a suitable farewell gift
– Suggest arrangements to organise the purchase.

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

Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Adam / Alison,

Writing task 2 (an essay)

Some people think that parents should deal with their children’s poor behaviour, while others believe it is the government’s responsibility to regulate it. 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 you Colleague about a Farewell PresentBegin with a polite greeting, e.g., “Dear Adam/Alison,”..Mention how you feel about the manager leaving, e.g., “I am sad to hear that Mr. Holt is leaving. He has made a significant impact on our team.”Suggest a thoughtful gift that reflects the manager’s contributions or personal preferences.Ask for help coordinating the purchase, e.g., “Could you help by collecting contributions and ordering the gift?”Closure: End the letter by thanking your colleague for their support with this.Sign off correctly: “Yours sincerely,” followed by your name. How to Write an Essay Discussing the Responsibility for Children’s BehaviourIntroduction: Briefly introduce the topic by stating the two views about handling children’s poor behavior. End with your opinion.Body Paragraph 1: Discuss why parents should handle their children’s behavior.Talk about the importance of parental influence, family values, and discipline.Body Paragraph 2: Discuss the opposing view that the government should regulate poor behavior. Mention how laws and school regulations can help enforce good behavior in public spaces.Conclusion: Summarise both views and restate your opinion.

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IELTS Speaking questions from Canada – September 2024

The Speaking questions below were shared by our Indian student after her recent IELTS exam:

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– What is your name?
– Where are you from?
– Is your area a safe place to live?
– Do you enjoy working with numbers? Why or why not?
– Are you good at remembering phone numbers?
– In your daily life, how often do you need to deal with numbers?
– Have you ever used numbers to solve a problem or make a decision?
– What kinds of jobs require a strong understanding of numbers?
– Would you like to work in a job that involves numbers?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe a place you have been to where things are expensive. You should say:

– where this place is
– why you went there
– what you bought there

and explain why you think things are expensive there.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– How do people usually prefer to pay for things in your country, with cash or electronically? Why?
– What are the advantages and disadvantages of paying with cash compared to online payments?
– Do you think cash will ever be completely replaced by digital payment methods? Why or why not?
– How has the use of online payments changed in recent years?
– What risks do people face when using online payments?
– Do you think online payment methods help young people today manage money better compared to older generations?

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

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Latest IELTS questions from Canada – September 2024 (Academic Module)

Thanks to our kind student from Canada, here are the recent writing questions from his IELTS exam:

Writing test

Writing task 1 (a report)

The charts below show the percentage of male and female students of different age groups who studied in full-time and part-time in a particular country in 2006.

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

* Note: these aren’t the original diagrams given in the test, they were recreated for the purpose of demonstration.

Writing task 2 (an essay)

Young people who commit serious crimes should receive the same punishment as adult offenders. 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 Canada – September 2024 (Academic Module) first appeared on IELTS-Blog.

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Latest IELTS questions in India – September 2024 (General Training)

Our student took IELTS in India and remembered the following writing questions. 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 found a small object and you think that it might hold some historical value. Write a letter to the management of a museum about the object. In your letter

– Describe the object
– Explain where you found it
– Ask for some information about the object.

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)

One of the major environmental issues today is the littering of public spaces with packaging materials such as plastic wrappers and cardboard boxes.

What are the reasons for this? What are some effective ways to reduce litter from packaging materials?

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

How to Write a Letter to a Museum About an Object You FoundStart with a polite greeting: “Dear Sir/Madam”.Introduce the purpose of your letter: explain that you are writing because you found a small object that might belong to the museum.Provide details of the object: describe its appearance, size, and any notable features, such as markings or materials.Explain how you found the object: mention where and when you discovered it and under what circumstances.Politely request information: ask the museum management if they could provide any details about the object, its origin, or its significance.Closure: Thank the museum staff for their time and assistance and mention your willingness to return the object if it belongs to the museum.Sign off correctly: “Yours faithfully,” followed by your name. How to Write an Essay in Response to this Double Question TopicIntroduction: Briefly introduce the issue of packaging waste as a major environmental problem. Mention the reasons for the littering of public spaces and effective ways to reduce packaging waste.Body Paragraph 1: Discuss the causes of the problem. You can mention the rise in single-use plastics and packaging, lack of proper waste disposal systems in public places, and consumer negligence when it comes to disposing of packaging waste.Body Paragraph 2: Present solutions for reducing packaging waste. Discuss encouraging the use of eco-friendly packaging, promoting recycling through awareness campaigns, and introducing stricter regulations and penalties to control littering.Conclusion: Summarise the reasons and solutions, and emphasize the need for collective efforts from individuals, businesses, and governments to combat packaging waste.

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

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IELTS Speaking questions from India – September 2024

The Speaking questions below were shared by our Indian student after her recent IELTS exam:

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– What is your name?
– What should I call you?
– Do you work or study?
– Do you live in a busy or a quiet area?
– What are some of the good things about the area where you live?
– What did you find exciting in your childhood?
– What excites you now?
– Have you ever bought something that excited you?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe someone you know who buys things at a lower price. You should say:

– who this person is
– how you know him/her
– how he/she manages to find things at a lower price

and explain why he/she likes to buy things for less.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– Do you think it’s better to shop at street markets or proper shops?
– What should customers be cautious of when shopping online?
– How important is the way items are displayed in a shop?
– Do you believe reputation is important for a business?
– How has online shopping changed people’s purchasing habits?
– Should businesses prioritise low prices or high-quality products?

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IELTS Speaking questions from Canada – August 2024

Our student had his IELTS Speaking test in Canada and was asked the following questions:

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– What is your name?
– What should I call you?
– Do you work or study?
– Where do you work?
– What do you like about your work?
– What would you change about your workplace?
– Do you like chocolate?
– What type of chocolate is your favourite?
– Have you ever received chocolate as a gift?
– Is it common to give chocolate as a present in your country?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe an activity that you did with a group of people. You should say

– what it was
– who you did it with
– why you did this activity

and explain how you felt about this activity.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– Do you think group activities are important? Why or why not?
– What are some advantages of doing activities in a group?
– How can group activities help in developing teamwork skills?
– Do you believe group activities are more beneficial for children or adults? Why?
– Should children learn how to cooperate?
– What is the role of team sports in teaching children about cooperation?

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IELTS essay, topic: More people move away from their friends and families for work (advantages/disadvantages)

This essay topic was seen in a recent IELTS test in India.

Nowadays, more people move away from their friends and families for work. Does this development have more advantages or disadvantages?

Sample Band 8 Essay

In recent years, an increasing number of people have chosen to relocate away from their friends and families for employment opportunities. Driven by globalisation and the pursuit of career advancement, the decision to move away has a high potential for professional growth, a benefit that often comes at the expense of family ties. I believe that on balance, the advantages of such a move outweigh the disadvantages.

One of the primary attractions of relocating for work is the potential for career advancement. Major cities in one’s own country and abroad often offer a wealth of job opportunities, better salaries, and a chance to work with leading companies. For example, a software engineer moving from a small town to a tech hub like Silicon Valley might gain access to cutting-edge projects and substantial career growth. This enhanced professional landscape can lead to greater job satisfaction and long-term financial stability. Another positive aspect of living in a new city or country is the exposure to diverse cultures, ideas, and lifestyles, promoting personal growth and adaptability. Moving away can cultivate a sense of independence and resilience, as being in a new environment challenges individuals to become more self-reliant and resourceful.

However, such relocations are likely to cause a strain on personal relationships, as physical distance makes it difficult to maintain close ties with family and friends. This separation can result in feelings of loneliness and homesickness, affecting one’s mental well-being. For example, an expatriate living far from home might miss important family events, leading to a sense of isolation and disconnection. The absence of a local support network can exacerbate feelings of stress and anxiety, particularly in times of personal or professional crisis.

In conclusion, while moving away from friends and family for work involves some sacrifices, particularly in maintaining personal relationships, I find the advantages related to career advancement, personal growth, and independence more compelling.

Teacher’s comment:

This is a good example of a Band 8 essay.

Task Response: Band 8

Your essay effectively addresses the task prompt by discussing both the advantages and disadvantages of relocating for work. It presents a clear introduction, discusses the advantages in one paragraph and the disadvantages in the next, and concludes with a balanced viewpoint. Your personal opinion is clearly stated and well-supported throughout the essay.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8

The structure of your essay is clear, using paragraphs appropriately for the introduction, advantages, disadvantages, and conclusion. Within paragraphs, ideas are logically developed, and appropriate linking words and phrases are used to connect sentences and ideas. This helps create a smooth flow of information throughout the essay, making it easy to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 8

You’ve demonstrated a strong range of vocabulary. There were no significant issues with word choice or repetition. Well done for using words such as:
“relocate” – to describe the act of moving to a new place for work
“globalization” – to discuss the broader context of why people move for work
“self-reliant” and “resourceful” – to highlight the personal growth aspect
“exacerbate” – to describe the intensifying of feelings of stress and anxiety

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8

Overall, the essay shows strong grammatical control. A variety of sentence structures is used effectively. There are only minor grammatical errors, such as slight article or preposition misuse – for example, ensuring correct article usage such as “the enhanced professional landscape” rather than “this enhanced professional landscape.” This does not detract from the overall clarity and readability of the essay.

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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IELTS Speaking questions from India – August 2024

Thanks to our kind friend P today we are sharing the latest Speaking questions from IELTS in India:

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– What is your name?
– What should I call you?
– Where are you from?
– Did you like science as a subject in school?
– What science subject was your favourite?
– What science subject would you like to study?
– Do you think it is important to learn science in school?
– Should science be compulsory for everyone in school?
– Do you prefer to read the news online or in a newspaper?
– When have you last read a newspaper?
– Have you considered becoming a journalist yourself?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe a time when you complained about something. You should say:

– what the issue was
– to whom you complained about it
– what the result was

and explain how you felt about it.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– Why do people often avoid complaining about poor service or products?
– Do you think customer complaints are generally handled well by companies?
– In your opinion, what are the most effective ways for businesses to deal with customer complaints?
– Has the way companies are handling customer complaints changed over time?
– Do you believe that complaining can lead to positive changes? Why or why not?
– Do different countries have different attitudes towards complaining?

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

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Latest IELTS questions from Saudi Arabia – August 2024 (Academic Module)

Thanks to the contribution by our student from Saudi Arabia, here are the recent writing questions from her IELTS exam:

Writing test

Writing task 1 (a report)

The pie charts below show energy sources used in Australia in 2008 as well as predictions for 2030.

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

* Note: these aren’t the original charts given in the test, they were recreated for the purpose of demonstration.

Writing task 2 (an essay)

Some countries have an ever-increasing proportion of the population who are aged 15 or younger.

Why this could be the case? What do you think are the current and future effects of this trend for those countries?

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

The post Latest IELTS questions from Saudi Arabia – August 2024 (Academic Module) first appeared on IELTS-Blog.

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