Simone Braverman's Blog: IELTS-Blog.com, page 41

Stuck on Your IELTS Essay? How to Get Unstuck

If you are getting stuck trying to write your IELTS essay, 90% of the time it is because of the writer’s block.

This problem is incredibly common and is a major source of pain in IELTS preparation. You’ve read the essay topic but can’t think of any ideas to write about.

Do this exercise to overcome the writer’s block and easily generate ideas for any essay topic you may get in IELTS:

Preparation: Put together a list of 5 IELTS essay topics (you can use the ones we post on IELTS-Blog.com or any other reliable source).

1. Analyse the first topic on your list to understand what you need to write about.

2. Set a timer for 5 minutes.

3. Spend these 5 minutes thinking of 2-3 main ideas for your essay. Write them down, but don’t proceed to writing the actual essay.

4. Move on to the next topic on your list & repeat the process.

This exercise will do 2 things for you:

A) It will train your brain to generate ideas quickly, and
B) By the end of it you will have notes that will help you write 5 essays.

Note: If you can’t come up with any ideas on a particular topic, it means you need to do some research! Find some model essays written for that topic and see what other people are writing about. It will give you ideas of what you can cover in your essay. That way, if you’ve done this exercise enough, you won’t have knowledge gaps. After all, the list of IELTS topics isn’t endless

Keep practicing and soon you will get rid of the writer’s block for good!

What other problems are you struggling with in IELTS writing? Let me know in the comments!

The post Stuck on Your IELTS Essay? How to Get Unstuck first appeared on IELTS-Blog.

Related posts:Avoid This Common IELTS Essay Mistake! You sit down to practice and write an “Agree /...IELTS essay on Advertising to Children – ideas, vocabulary, grammar and model answer (video) Have you ever heard of the writer’s block? It is...IELTS Spelling: British or American? What spelling to use in IELTS, British or American? This...How to Get Rid of Bad Handwriting in IELTS In the paper-based IELTS bad handwriting is a real problem:...5 Mistakes in IELTS writing that keep you from scoring a Band 7 You probably don’t want to hear this, but… It’s not...

Latest IELTS questions from Algeria – February 2024 (Academic Module)

Our student from Algeria (thank you, DK!) took IELTS very recently and remembered the following writing tasks:

Writing test

Writing task 1 (a report)

The chart below shows the sales of a drug company in several regions in the world from 2003 to 2006.

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

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

Writing task 2 (an essay)

Some people believe that studying at college or university is important for a successful career. Others think that it is better to quit school and find work to gain experience for a successful professional life. 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 from Algeria – February 2024 (Academic Module) first appeared on IELTS-Blog.

Related posts:Latest IELTS questions from Croatia – February 2024 (Academic Module) Thanks to our thoughtful subscriber IA, today we are sharing...Latest IELTS questions from Kazakhstan – February 2024 (Academic Module) Thanks to the kind heart of BE from Kazakhstan, today...Latest IELTS questions from the UK – January 2024 (Academic Module) Our subscriber MZ told us about his IELTS exam in...Latest IELTS questions from Oman – January 2024 (Academic Module) Our subscribers Y and S told us about their IELTS...Latest IELTS questions from India – January 2024 (Academic Module) Thanks to the kind student of Berry IELTS Academy, today...

IELTS Speaking questions from Taiwan – February 2024

Our student EC took his IELTS test in Taiwan and remembered the following Speaking questions:

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– Can you tell me your full name?
– What can I call you?
– Where do you live?
– Do you like the city you live in? Why or why not?
– Do you think your city is a good place for young people? Why or why not?
– Do you like being in a place where there is a lot of noise?
– What kind of music do you like to listen to?
– How do you feel about robots?
– What can robots do for you at home?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe a time when you had a problem using a computer. You should say

– when it happened
– where it happened
– what the problem was

and explain how you finally solved the problem.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– Why are teenagers drawn to smartphones?
– Do you think using smartphones and computers is good for younger people?
– What are the disadvantages of using smart phones for younger people?
– Why aren’t older people good at using mobile phones?
– How or where can they learn to use a smartphone or a computer?
– How could technology companies adapt their products for older users?

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

Related posts:IELTS Speaking questions from Canada – February 2024 Our generous subscriber K took her IELTS test in Canada...IELTS Speaking questions from Italy – February 2024 Our student M took his IELTS tests in Italy a...Latest IELTS questions from Croatia – February 2024 (Academic Module) Thanks to our thoughtful subscriber IA, today we are sharing...Latest IELTS questions from Kazakhstan – February 2024 (Academic Module) Thanks to the kind heart of BE from Kazakhstan, today...IELTS Speaking questions from the UK – January 2024 A kind IELTS test taker MZ took the IELTS test...

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

Thanks to the kind heart of BE from Kazakhstan, today we are sharing the writing questions from his recent IELTS exam:

Writing test

Writing task 1 (a report)

The chart below describes the sources of electricity produced in four countries between 2003 and 2008.

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

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

Writing task 2 (an essay)

Some people think that the government should be responsible for funding healthcare and education of the country, while others disagree. 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 from Kazakhstan – February 2024 (Academic Module) first appeared on IELTS-Blog.

Related posts:Latest IELTS questions from Croatia – February 2024 (Academic Module) Thanks to our thoughtful subscriber IA, today we are sharing...Latest IELTS questions from the UK – January 2024 (Academic Module) Our subscriber MZ told us about his IELTS exam in...Latest IELTS questions from Oman – January 2024 (Academic Module) Our subscribers Y and S told us about their IELTS...Latest IELTS questions from Sri Lanka – January 2024 (Academic Module) Thanks to the kind efforts of Y, our student from...Latest IELTS questions from India – January 2024 (Academic Module) Thanks to the kind student of Berry IELTS Academy, today...

IELTS Speaking questions from Italy – February 2024

Our student M took his IELTS tests in Italy a few days ago and was asked these Speaking questions:

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– What is your name?
– Where are you from?
– Can you tell me about your hometown?
– What do you like about your hometown?
– Are there many things for young people to do in your hometown?
– Now I’d like to talk about music.
– Do you play an instrument?
– When did you learn to play it?
– Was it hard to learn to play this instrument?
– Did you ever want to learn to play another instrument?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Talk about a person you know who loves cooking for others. You should say

– who the person is
– who they cook for
– what dishes they like to make

and explain why this person likes cooking for others.

Follow-up question: Do you like cooking for others?

Part 3 (Discussion)

– In your opinion, why is food important?
– Why do you think people spend a lot of money on food when organising events?
– How does growing food impact the environment?
– In what way is agriculture useful for your country?
– Are there any initiatives in your country to make agriculture more sustainable?
– Can technology influence agriculture? In what way?

The post IELTS Speaking questions from Italy – February 2024 first appeared on IELTS-Blog.

Related posts:IELTS Speaking questions from Canada – February 2024 Our generous subscriber K took her IELTS test in Canada...Latest IELTS questions from Croatia – February 2024 (Academic Module) Thanks to our thoughtful subscriber IA, today we are sharing...IELTS Speaking questions from UK – January 2024 A lovely IELTS test taker SN was among the first...IELTS Speaking questions from the UK – January 2024 A kind IELTS test taker MZ took the IELTS test...IELTS Speaking questions from Pakistan – January 2024 A lovely IELTS test taker MF has just taken the...

IELTS Report, topic: Diagram describing a fire exit plan in a college accommodation

This is a model answer for an Academic Writing Task 1 from the IELTS exam in India. This response is likely to get Band 8 or 8.5 in IELTS.

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task

The diagram below shows a fire exit plan in a college accommodation. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words

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

Band 8.5 Model Answer

The diagram illustrates the fire exit route for residents in a college accommodation in the event of a fire.

It can be clearly seen that the fire exit plan is strategically designed with two separate routes leading to distinct meeting points to ensure a quick and organised evacuation.

The layout of the college accommodation shows seven bedrooms, a corridor, and two staircases, with one of them located at the western end of the building and the other adjacent to the lift in the central part of the building.

Since the list is not to be used in case of a fire, occupants of bedrooms 1, 2, and 3 are directed to use the western staircase to exit the building. After descending the stairs, they are to gather at Meeting Point 1, which is located outside on the western side of the accommodation. In contrast, residents of bedrooms 4, 5, 6, and 7 are instructed to head towards the staircase on the northern side of the building. Those from bedrooms 4 and 5 have direct access to this staircase, whereas individuals from bedrooms 6 and 7 need to walk down the corridor to reach it. Upon exiting, they should gather at Meeting Point 2 located outside the building in close proximity to the staircase.

Click here to see more IELTS reports of band 8

The post IELTS Report, topic: Diagram describing a fire exit plan in a college accommodation first appeared on IELTS-Blog.

Related posts:IELTS Report, topic: Process diagram describing the cycle of pollution (from IELTS High Scorer’s Choice series, Academic Set 1) This is a model response to a Writing Task 1...IELTS Report, topic: Process diagram describing the life-cycle of the car (from IELTS High Scorer’s Choice series, Academic Set 2) This is a model response to a Writing Task 1...IELTS Report, topic: Describing two maps of a city, in 1960 and now This is a model answer for a Writing Task 1...IELTS Report, topic: Table describing the use of water in 6 countries This is a model answer for an Academic Writing Task...IELTS Report, topic: Line graph describing production of 3 different fuels in the UK This is a model answer for an Academic Writing Task...

IELTS Speaking questions from Canada – February 2024

Our generous subscriber K took her IELTS test in Canada very recently and remembered the following Speaking questions.

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– Can you tell me your full name?
– What shall I call you?
– Do you work or study?
– Do you like your work, and why?
– Is it easy to get that type of job in your country?
– Let’s talk about social media.
– Do you use social media?
– Do your friends and family members use social media as well?
– How can social media influence children?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Talk about a uniform you had to wear. You should say

– what it looked like
– when you had to wear it
– who bought it for you

and explain how you felt about wearing it.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– What are the advantages of wearing a uniform?
– What are the disadvantages of wearing a uniform?
– Should employees wear a uniform?
– Do you think that wearing a uniform increases the employees’ loyalty to the company?
– Should companies seek employee feedback on the design of their uniforms?
– Do you think people should wear clothes that reflect their personality?

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

Related posts:Latest IELTS questions from Croatia – February 2024 (Academic Module) Thanks to our thoughtful subscriber IA, today we are sharing...IELTS Speaking questions from UK – January 2024 A lovely IELTS test taker SN was among the first...IELTS Speaking questions from the UK – January 2024 A kind IELTS test taker MZ took the IELTS test...IELTS Speaking questions from Pakistan – January 2024 A lovely IELTS test taker MF has just taken the...IELTS Speaking questions from Sri Lanka – January 2024 Our student Y took her IELTS test in Sri Lanka...

Latest IELTS questions from Croatia – February 2024 (Academic Module)

Thanks to our thoughtful subscriber IA, today we are sharing the topics and questions she remembered from her recent IELTS test in Croatia:

Listening test

Part 1. The conversation was about a job search.
Questions: Complete a table with contact info for the hiring manager (last name spelling), code for job position (letter & number spelling), etc.

Part 2. A talk about a festival being organised in a city.
Questions: Match a place to the event happening there, circle the correct answer a/b/c.

Part 3. Students were talking about presentation on dolphins in Australia.
Questions: Circle correct answer; match dolphin species to characteristics.

Part 4. A lecture about archaeological findings.
Questions: fill in the blanks.

Reading test

Section 1. Don’t remember the text topic.
Questions: T/F/NG, which paragraph contains particular information.

Section 2. Technology and animals, hydrodynamics of sharks, cooling system of termite mounds.
Questions: Match scientists to their claims, which paragraph contains particular information.

Section 3. Research on cave bears.
Questions: Y/N/NG, which paragraph contains particular information.

Writing test

Writing task 1 (a report)

The charts below show the main reasons why students chose a particular university in the UK, in 1997 and 2007.

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

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

Writing task 2 (an essay)

Some people say it is better to be unemployed than work a job you dislike. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

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

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

Related posts:Latest IELTS questions from the UK – January 2024 (Academic Module) Our subscriber MZ told us about his IELTS exam in...Latest IELTS questions from Bangladesh – January 2024 (Academic Module) Our subscriber MS told us about his IELTS exam in...Latest IELTS questions from Oman – January 2024 (Academic Module) Our subscribers Y and S told us about their IELTS...Latest IELTS questions from Sri Lanka – January 2024 (Academic Module) Thanks to the kind efforts of Y, our student from...Latest IELTS questions from India – January 2024 (Academic Module) Thanks to the kind student of Berry IELTS Academy, today...

IELTS Speaking questions from India and Iraq – January 2024

Our subscribers J and P took their IELTS tests in India and Iraq a few days ago and were asked the same Speaking questions.

Test tip: Review these questions and come up with some potential responses and the vocabulary you’d use in them. IELTS is known to retest the same questions in multiple countries. Being prepared for past questions and topic areas increases your chances of success.

After putting together a list of ideas and vocabulary, answer the questions and record yourself. Later, listen to the recording, self-assessing your fluency, intonation, any vocabulary shortcomings, or potential mispronunciations. Rerecord anything you could have done better, and you’ll notice an improvement in the very next attempt!

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– Can you tell me your full name?
– Do you work are you a student?
– Do you play video games?
– What kind of games do you play?
– Do you have friends who are also into gaming?
– What types of games do you usually play with your friends?
– Do you enjoy watching others play video games, like in live streams or gaming videos?
– How much time do you typically spend gaming in a week?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe something you have bought recently and now cannot live without. You should say

– what it is
– why you bought it
– how often you use it

and explain why you cannot live without it.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– In your opinion, how has technology changed our world?
– Do you think it’s easier to invent new things in the modern world compared to the past? Why or why not?
– Can you name some problems that technology has helped us solve?
– Do you believe that all inventions made today are useful? Why or why not?
– How do you think technology will continue to impact our daily lives in the future?
– Are there any negative impacts of technology that we should be worried about?

The post IELTS Speaking questions from India and Iraq – January 2024 first appeared on IELTS-Blog.

Related posts:Latest IELTS questions from India – January 2024 (Academic Module) Our subscriber MS told us about her IELTS exam in...IELTS Speaking questions from UK – January 2024 A lovely IELTS test taker SN was among the first...IELTS Speaking questions from the UK – January 2024 A kind IELTS test taker MZ took the IELTS test...IELTS Speaking questions from Pakistan – January 2024 A lovely IELTS test taker MF has just taken the...IELTS Speaking questions from Sri Lanka – January 2024 Our student Y took her IELTS test in Sri Lanka...

Latest IELTS questions from India – January 2024 (Academic Module)

Thanks to the kind student of Berry IELTS Academy, today we are sharing the writing questions from his recent IELTS test in India.

Writing test

Writing task 1 (a report)

The chart below shows the number of vehicles of different types, registered for use in a European country in 1996 and 2006.

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

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

Writing task 2 (an essay)

Large companies should pay much higher salaries to Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) or Company Presidents than to their employees. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

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

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

Related posts:Latest IELTS questions from India – January 2024 (Academic Module) Our subscriber MS told us about her IELTS exam in...Latest IELTS questions from Sri Lanka – January 2024 (Academic Module) Thanks to the kind efforts of Y, our student from...Latest IELTS questions from the UK – January 2024 (Academic Module) Our subscriber MZ told us about his IELTS exam in...Latest IELTS questions from Bangladesh – January 2024 (Academic Module) Our subscriber MS told us about his IELTS exam in...Latest IELTS questions from Oman – January 2024 (Academic Module) Our subscribers Y and S told us about their IELTS...