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New IELTS questions from Canada – July 2024 (Academic Module)

Our student has shared the writing questions from her recent test in Canada:

Writing test

Writing task 1 (a report)

The chart and table below provide information about tourists to a particular holiday destination in Australia.

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

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

Writing task 2 (an essay)

Nowadays many students go traveling or working for a year after graduating from high school and before starting university.

Are there more advantages or disadvantages to this trend?

The post New IELTS questions from Canada – July 2024 (Academic Module) first appeared on IELTS-Blog.

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New IELTS Speaking questions from India – July 2024

A very thoughtful test taker S from India shared his recent IELTS Speaking test questions:

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– What is your name?
– Are you a student or do you work?
– What subject are you studying?
– Why have you chosen to study this?
– Do you like reading the news?
– How often do you read the news?
– Why do you read the news?
– Would you like to become a journalist in the future? Why/why not?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Talk about a person who is a role model for young people. You should say

– who this person is
– what he/she does
– why he/she is a role model

and explain how this person has influenced young people.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– Have you discussed this person with your friends?
– Would you like to be famous?
– What are the advantages and disadvantages of fame?
– What qualities do famous people have in common?
– How do famous people influence society, especially young people?
– Do you think it is important for famous people to use their influence positively?

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

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STOP Doing This if You Want a Band 7 in IELTS Reading

Achieving a Band 7 or higher in the IELTS Reading test can be challenging, especially if you’re blindly relying on advice without knowing WHEN to use it. One common piece of advice that many test-takers follow is to underline keywords in the questions and scan the text for those exact words. If you’re aiming for a Band 7 or higher, you need to STOP following this advice. Here’s why.

IELTS Reading is More Than Just a Vocabulary Test

IELTS Reading is not just about recognising words; it’s about understanding how words and ideas are presented in different ways. The most challenging parts of the Reading test, such as Part 3 / Passage 3, often require a deeper level of comprehension.

The Problem with Keyword Scanning

When you’re tackling the harder texts, you might not find the exact keywords from the questions in the text. Instead, you’ll encounter synonyms. If you’re solely looking for exact keywords, you might miss the information entirely because those specific words just aren’t there.

For example, consider the question:

Question: Cheaper prices can be achieved with insurance salesmen through ____________.

If you were to scan the text for “cheaper prices” or “insurance salesmen,” you might not find those exact phrases. Instead, the text might say:

Text: “Most good brokers will be able to combine the various insurances that you feel your business needs. These will be tailored to businesses and will include things like monthly premiums. Don’t just buy the first one you find. Shop around and don’t be afraid to try negotiation with brokers – they want your business and will do you a deal that will save you money.”

In this case, “cheaper prices” is synonymous with “save you money,” and “insurance salesmen” are referred to as “brokers.”

Recognise Synonyms and Read in Detail

To succeed in the IELTS Reading test, you need to recognise the synonyms of the words from the questions and read the text in detail. This approach will help you find all the correct answers.

Key Strategies:

1. Identify the Right Paragraph: Look for the paragraph that is most likely to contain the answer.
2. Read in Detail: Once you find the right paragraph, read it carefully to understand the context and identify synonyms.
3. Be Aware of Synonyms: Understand that synonyms might be used in place of the exact keywords. For example, if the question mentions “cheaper prices,” the text might say “save you money.”

Example Analysis

Let’s break down the example provided earlier:

Question: Cheaper prices can be achieved with insurance salesmen through ____________.

Text: “Most good brokers will be able to combine the various insurances that you feel your business needs. These will be tailored to businesses and will include things like monthly premiums. Don’t just buy the first one you find. Shop around and don’t be afraid to try negotiation with brokers – they want your business and will do you a deal that will save you money.”

Analysis:

Cheaper prices: Synonym is “save you money.”Insurance salesmen: Referred to as “brokers.”Achieved through: The action to be taken is “negotiation.”

So, the answer to the question would be “negotiation”.

To Sum Up

To achieve a Band 7 or higher in the IELTS Reading test, you need to move beyond scanning for keywords and focus on understanding the text in detail. Recognise synonyms and comprehend the context to find the correct answers. By refining your approach and enhancing your vocabulary skills, you can significantly improve your performance and reach your desired band score.

The post STOP Doing This if You Want a Band 7 in IELTS Reading first appeared on IELTS-Blog.

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New IELTS Speaking questions from Taiwan – June 2024

Thanks to our student from Taiwan we are sharing her IELTS Speaking questions today:

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– What is your name?
– Where are you from?
– Do you live in a big city or a small town?
– Do you live in a quiet or a busy area?
– Do you think your area is a good place for young people?
– Do you know your neighbours well?
– How often do you see your neighbours?
– Do you consider yourself a good neighbour? Why?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe an actor or actress you admire. You should say

– who he/she is
– what he/she looks like
– what kind of movies he/she appears in

and explain why you admire this actor/actress.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– How do movie stars influence society and culture?
– What qualities do you think are important for an actor or actress to be successful?
– Do you think celebrities have a responsibility to be role models? Why or why not?
– How has the film industry changed over the years in your country?
– In what ways do movies and television shows impact people’s behavior and attitudes?
– Do you believe that celebrities should speak out on political and social issues? Why or why not?

The post New IELTS Speaking questions from Taiwan – June 2024 first appeared on IELTS-Blog.

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New IELTS Speaking questions from India – June 2024

A very kind test taker K from India shared her recent IELTS Speaking test questions:

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– What is your name?
– Where are you from?
– Do you work or are you a student?
– Do you like to wear T-shirts? Why or why not?
– Do you prefer T-shirts with prints on them? Why?
– How often do you wear T-shirts?
– What other types of clothing do you enjoy wearing?
– Do you think T-shirts are suitable for all occasions? Why or why not?
– Have your clothing preferences changed over the years? How?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe an achievement you made. You should say

– what it was
– what you did to achieve it
– how other people reacted to it

and explain how you felt about it.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– What can an employer do to make their employees content?
– How does employee contentment affect their performance?
– Do you think employee satisfaction can benefit the company? How?
– What are some common ways companies use to motivate their employees?
– Can providing additional benefits improve employee productivity? Why or why not?
– How important is a positive work environment to employees?

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

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IELTS test in Pakistan – June 2024 (General Training)

Our generous student N.P. has taken IELTS in Pakistan very recently and remembered the Writing Task 1 and 2 questions:

Writing test

Writing task 1 (a letter)

You recently missed your friend’s wedding because you were out of the country. Write a letter to your friend.
In your letter

– Apologise for not being able to attend the wedding
– Explain why you were unable to attend
– Invite your friend to come and celebrate her wedding together

Writing task 2 (an essay)

Nowadays, fewer people are using traditional writing tools like pens, pencils, and brushes compared to the past.
Why do you think this is happening? Does this trend have a positive or negative impact on society?

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

The post IELTS test in Pakistan – June 2024 (General Training) first appeared on IELTS-Blog.

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IELTS Speaking questions from Canada – June 2024

Our kind student P.S. shared the latest IELTS Speaking questions she was asked in Canada, below:

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– What is your name?
– Are you currently studying or working?
– Why did you choose to study this subject?
– Do you enjoy watching movies?
– What kinds of movies do you like to watch?
– Do you prefer watching movies at home or in a cinema? Why?
– What is the most recent movie you watched?
– Do you prefer watching movies with friends or family?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe an interesting old person you met. You should say

– who this person is
– where you met this person
– what you talked about

and explain why you think this person is interesting.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– What qualities can younger generation learn from older people?
– How is the role of older people in society today different from the past?
– What challenges do older people face in your country?
– How can society benefit from the experience and wisdom of older people?
– In what ways can younger people help improve the lives of older people?
– Do you think the government should provide more support for the elderly? Why or why not?

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

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Makhsud’s Success Story: from Band 7 to 9 in IELTS Listening

A great IELTS result depends on more than just your level of English. The other important things are mastering the test format and learning how to remain composed under pressure. This was the key to success for Makhsud, who did amazingly well in his computer-based IELTS exam, achieving an impressive Overall Band Score of 8 with a perfect 9 in Listening.

Meet Makhsud

Initially Makhsud felt confident about his Listening due to his habit of listening to English podcasts. However, his initial mock test scores—a 7 in Listening and 7.5 in Reading—were a wake-up call, as his expectations were set much, much higher. Many would be discouraged by such unexpectedly low results, but Makhsud saw this as a challenge to overcome.

How He Achieved His Goals

Focused Practice: Makhsud immersed himself in focused practice sessions using our IELTS Online Prep Platform. This not only sharpened his skills but also made him comfortable with the computer-based test environment—a crucial aspect for anyone taking the digital format.

Those of you who tried it, know that IELTS Online Prep Platform is almost identical to real IELTS on Computer in every way, from the look and feel to the difficulty of the practice tests. When you feel comfortable with the website and you’re familiar with how it looks and functions, it allows you to concentrate on answering the questions in the best possible way.

Making the most of our tutorials: He regularly accessed IELTS-Blog YouTube channel, absorbing tips and strategies that enhanced his Reading and Listening skills dramatically.

Mental Preparation: Staying mentally prepared and maintaining composure during the test were his top priorities. By the day of the exam, Makhsud felt energised and ready, a mindset that clearly reflected in his outstanding scores.

Makhsud’s Performance Breakdown

Makhsud’s final results speak volumes about his hard work:

Listening: 9Reading: 8.5Speaking: 7Writing: 6.5

From his initial mock tests to the final showdown, Makhsud’s scores showed remarkable improvement:

First Attempt: Listening – 7, Reading – 7.5Second Attempt: Listening – 6.5, Reading – 7.5Third Attempt: Listening – 8.5, Reading – 8Makhsud’s Own Thoughts

Reflecting on his experience, Makhsud expressed immense gratitude for the platform’s role in his preparation. “The IELTS-Blog platform significantly helped improve my Reading and Listening skills, familiarised me with the test environment, and boosted my confidence,” he shared in an email.

Lessons from Makhsud’s Journey

Makhsud’s story is a fantastic example of how targeted preparation and the right resources can dramatically enhance performance, particularly in a computer-based test setting. His experience proves beyond any doubt that being familiar with the testing environment is just as important as knowing English.

If you are preparing for IELTS, remember that like Makhsud, focusing on your weak points, using the right tools, and keeping a cool head can lead you to success. Try IELTS Online Prep Platform today, and we hope to celebrate your success very soon!

The post Makhsud’s Success Story: from Band 7 to 9 in IELTS Listening first appeared on IELTS-Blog.

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IELTS Speaking questions from India – June 2024

Thanks to our lovely student R we are sharing today the most recent IELTS Speaking questions she was asked in India:

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– What is your name?
– Are you currently studying or working?
– Do you enjoy your workplace?
– What do you like about it?
– Have you considered pursuing your career abroad? Why or why not?
– If you had the chance to change your working hours, how would you change them?
– Can you describe your house?
– What is your favourite room in your house, and why?
– Is there anything you would like to change in your house?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Talk about a type of plant that is commonly grown in your area. You should say

– what the plant is
– why it is popular
– what benefits there are to growing it

and explain why people in your area love this particular plant.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– Is farming more or less popular nowadays compared to the past? Why do you think that is?
– How were farmers regarded in the past in your community?
– What are some of the advantages of farming?
– What are some of the disadvantages of farming?
– How has modern technology influenced farming in your area?
– In what ways do you think farming practices will change in the future?

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

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IELTS test in Canada – June 2024 (General Training)

Our kind student D.G. took IELTS in Canada very recently and remembered the writing questions below:

Writing test

Writing task 1 (a letter)

You are scheduled to give a presentation at an organisation. Write a letter to the organisation to discuss the preparations you need to have in place before your arrival. In your letter:

– Introduce yourself and explain the purpose of your presentation.
– Describe any specific equipment or materials you will need.
– Request any additional information or arrangements to be made prior to your arrival.

Writing task 2 (an essay)

Some people say that the academic success of students depends on the quality of their teachers. Others think it depends on the personal commitment and attitude of the students.

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 IELTS test in Canada – June 2024 (General Training) first appeared on IELTS-Blog.

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