Simone Braverman's Blog: IELTS-Blog.com, page 43

IELTS Speaking questions from the UK – January 2024

A kind IELTS test taker MZ took the IELTS test just a couple of days ago. He shared the following Speaking questions from his IELTS exam in the UK:

Test tip: Go over these questions and think of some things to say and what vocabulary you would use. IELTS Speaking test questions and topic areas are known to repeat in many countries! Being familiar with the topic and specific questions increases your chances of success.

Once you have some ideas, answer the questions and record yourself. Then listen to your recording and check your fluency, intonation, gaps in vocabulary or words you may have mispronounced. Re-record anything you are not happy with, and you’ll see that your next attempt sounds better already!

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– Can you tell me your full name, please?
– Are you currently working or are you a student? What do you do?
– Do you prefer working in a crowded place or a quiet one? Why?
– Do you like spending your vacations or holidays in crowded or quiet places?
– Do you often wear sunglasses?
– Have you ever bought sunglasses for someone else?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe a time when you saw someone complain in public (in a restaurant or a store). You should say

– who the person was
– what the complaint was about
– where it happened

and explain how you felt about the situation.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– What do people usually complain about in public places?
– When people complain, do they usually do it verbally or in writing?
– Do you think social media has changed the way people complain about services or products? How?
– Do you think it’s important for businesses to address customer complaints? Why?
– How do you think complaints should be handled to ensure customers are satisfied?
– When someone is complaining in an aggressive way, should they be punished, in your opinion?

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

Our subscribers Y and S told us about their IELTS exams in Oman, they took the test very recently. Today we are sharing everything they collectively remembered:

Writing test

Writing task 1 (a report)

The graph below shows prices of houses in three countries between 1978 and 2014.

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

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

Writing task 2 (an essay)

Young people’s use of computers and mobile phones to communicate has a negative impact on their reading and writing skills. 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 Oman – January 2024 (Academic Module) first appeared on IELTS-Blog.

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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 the IELTS examiner that is harsh on you. It’s YOUR WRITING.

Before you get offended, let me explain. There is a famous saying “You don’t know what you don’t know” and so many IELTS test takers aren’t aware of these little – yet costly – mistakes. They honestly think that their writing was 100% fine. They simply don’t understand how they lost all those marks, scoring a lousy Band 6 when they expected a 7.5 at least.

If this happened to you, here are the 5 major reasons why you got a low score in your IELTS writing test:

Mistake 1. Using informal language in your IELTS essay

Many students think that if it’s OK to use an informal expressions in Speaking, then it must be fine for their Writing. It is NOT! Forget about ‘I recon’ and use ‘In my opinion’. Don’t say heaps of people’ – say ‘a number of’ or ‘many people’.

Mistake 2. Addressing the question only partially

For example, if the essay topic has two questions in it, such as “Why is this happening? What can be done to improve the situation?’ – you need to answer both questions. Ideally dedicate 1 paragraph to each question.

Mistake 3. Not making your opinion clear

When the essay topic is asking “Do you agree or disagree”, don’t stay neutral like Switzerland! Pick a side and say on more than just one occasion how you, personally, feel about this. Make sure your opinion is in the introduction and in the conclusion, and if you can hint at it in the body paragraphs, that would make your essay even better.

Mistake 4. Using words you don’t fully understand

This is a very common mistake. You don’t want to sound repetitive, so you open a dictionary and look up synonyms for ‘important’. Oxford dictionary says ‘supreme’ is one of them, so you go ahead and use it in a sentence. But ‘supreme’ means not just important, but THE MOST important – and if you mention a number of things of equal importance, this would be a wrong word to use!

Mistake 5. Not separating your paragraphs

It’s very, very simple. Examiners need to see your paragraphs. If you don’t leave enough space between them, it makes your essay harder to read, because when two paragraphs are joined together (they look like one block of text), the examiner may think it’s one paragraph and he/she will expect to read about just ONE main idea, not two. This will lower your Coherence and Cohesion score.

How many of these mistakes can you find in your own essay? Let me know in the comments!

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IELTS Report, topic: Line graph describing the number of students from the US, UK and Australia who studied in other countries

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

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task

The graph below provides information on the number of students from the US, UK and Australia who studied in other countries between 2002 and 2007. 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 graph given in the test, it was recreated for the purpose of demonstration.

Band 8.5 Model Answer

The chart provides data on the number of students from the US, UK, and Australia who studied in other countries over a six-year period from 2002 to 2007.

Overall, while the US and Australia initially saw a decrease in students studying abroad, they returned to their original figures by 2007. The UK, however, experienced a continual decline over the six years.

Initially, in 2002, the US had the highest number of students studying abroad, with 50,000, followed by the UK with 30,000, and Australia with 10,000. Over the next two years, there was a decrease in the number of students from all three countries studying abroad. The US saw a reduction to 48,000 in 2003 and then to 46,000 in 2004. Similarly, the UK maintained its figure at 30,000 in 2003 but then dropped to 27,000 in 2004. Australian students decreased to 9,000 in 2003 and further to 8,000 in 2004.

However, in 2005, the trend reversed for the US and Australia, with the number of US students increasing slightly to 47,000 and Australian students returning to 10,000. The UK, on the other hand, continued to see a decline, dropping to 25,000. This downward trend persisted for the UK through 2006 and 2007, reaching 23,000 and 21,000 respectively. In contrast, the US and Australia maintained a steady increase. The US returned to its 2002 level of 50,000 students by 2007, while Australian students consistently remained at 10,000 from 2005 onward.

Click here to see more IELTS reports of band 8

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IELTS Speaking questions from Pakistan – January 2024

A lovely IELTS test taker MF has just taken the IELTS test, in January 2024. She remembered the following Speaking questions from her exam in Pakistan:

Test tip: Go over these questions and think of some things to say and what vocabulary you would use. IELTS Speaking test questions and topic areas are known to repeat in many countries! Being familiar with the topic and specific questions increases your chances of success.

Once you have some ideas, answer the questions and record yourself. Then listen to your recording and check your fluency, intonation, gaps in vocabulary or words you may have mispronounced. Re-record anything you are not happy with, and you’ll see that your next attempt sounds better already!

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– Can you tell me your full name, please?
– Do you enjoy running? Why or why not?
– When you were a child, did you like running?
– Do you think running is an important activity for children? Why?
– Do you think people change their attitude towards running and physical activity as they grow older?
– What is the general age people have in mind when they call someone an adult?
– Do you think children are mature enough to be considered adults when they reach the age of 18?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe an event in your life that changed it in a positive way. You should say:

– what the event was
– when it happened
– how it changed your life

and explain why this change was positive for you

Part 3 (Discussion)

– Do you think children generally find it difficult to accept change? Why or why not?
– In your opinion, is change of routine good for children? Why?
– Do you think it takes a long time for children to adjust to a new school?
– What factors might influence their adjustment process?
– Do you believe that children never fully adjust to moving to a new place? Why or why not?
– Can frequent changes in a child’s life impact their development? In what way?

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

Our subscriber MS told us about his IELTS exam in Bangladesh, he took the test a couple of days ago. Today we are sharing everything he remembered:

Writing test

Writing task 1 (a report)

The chart below shows the monetary aid from 4 organisations to the developing countries in 4 different years.

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 think that employers should not pay attention to the way their employees dress, because the quality of their work is more important. 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 Bangladesh – January 2024 (Academic Module) first appeared on IELTS-Blog.

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IELTS Speaking questions from UK – January 2024

A lovely IELTS test taker SN was among the first group to take the IELTS test in 2024. She remembered the following Speaking questions from her exam in the UK (note that the same questions were also asked in November 2023):

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– What is your full name?
– Where are you from?
– Tell me about your home country.
– Where is it located?
– What kind of films do you like?
– Why do you like this kind of films?
– If given the opportunity, what kind of film would you direct?
– Did you go to the movies as a child?
– Did you go alone or with friends?
– How do you enjoy your free time now?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe a recent party that you enjoyed. You should say

– when it happened
– where the party was
– whether you met any friends there

and explain why you enjoyed that party.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– Are parties really necessary, in your opinion?
– Should people invite their neighbours when they have a house party?
– Should all parties have loud music playing all the time?
– What types of parties do you like? Why?
– How do you feel when you’re at a party?
– What would you do if the neighbours complained about your noisy party?
– What can people do to make their party less noisy?

The post IELTS Speaking questions from UK – January 2024 first appeared on IELTS-Blog.

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IELTS Speaking questions from Bangladesh – January 2024

A caring IELTS test taker MS was one of the first people to take the IELTS test in 2024. He shared the following Speaking questions (his exam took place in Bangladesh):

Test tip: Go over these questions and think of some things to say and what vocabulary you would use. IELTS Speaking test questions and topic areas are known to repeat in many countries! Being familiar with the topic and specific questions increases your chances of success.

Once you have some ideas, answer the questions and record yourself. Then listen to your recording and check your fluency, intonation, gaps in vocabulary or words you may have mispronounced. Re-record anything you are not happy with, and you’ll see that your next attempt sounds better already!

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– Can you tell me your full name, please?
– Let’s talk about noise. How does noise affect your daily life?
– In your opinion, is noise more important in private life or public life? Why?
– Are there any activities you do that produce more noise? Can you give an example?
– Do you prefer working in a quiet or a noisy environment? Why?
– How do you deal with unwanted noise in your surroundings?
– Is there a type of noise that you find particularly annoying?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe an admirable sports person. You should say:

– who he/she is
– why you admire him/her
– what he/she achieved

and explain why you think people should follow his/her example.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– Do you think all athletes should be considered as role models or idols? Why or why not?
– What role do famous athletes play in promoting sporting activities among the general public?
– How important is it for children to be involved in sports from a young age?
– Why do you think some parents focus only on academic achievements and not on sporting activities for their children?
– Can involvement in sports help in a child’s overall development? How?
– How can schools balance academic and sporting education for the overall development of students?

The post IELTS Speaking questions from Bangladesh – January 2024 first appeared on IELTS-Blog.

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Avinash went from Band 7 to Band 9 in Listening, in just a month

This post is dedicated to an amazing person, Avinash, who faced a ‘do-or-die’ situation. IELTS Band 9 in Listening was the only thing that could save him from deportation and give him a chance to live his best life in Canada.

His journey was nerve-wracking and looked hopeless at times, but… he made it! This is a story best told by the person who lived it. Hear it from Avinash, in his own words:

Background

I was in an interesting phase of my life and IELTS-Blog.com changed my life for good. I wanted to emigrate from the US to Canada and the Canadian immigration needed a high score in listening (Band 9) to award the most points to high skilled immigrants.

Before

No matter how many tests I took I always ended up with a band 7 in Listening. Test after test, the score would not move. Needless to say, my frustration was through the roof. I stopped taking Listening tests, instead I started listening to BBC podcast and other audio files that have nothing to do with IELTS.

A month passed by and I took one test and I was back to square one – no change in my score. Listening was the only section I needed the highest score and it was the only section I would score less month after month. I was willing to do anything to improve my score, my life depended on it. I was literally getting kicked out from the US due to visa issues. IELTS was my way in to another country, Canada. I was devastated!

After

A few days later, I summoned up courage and started with a Google search on how to improve Listening and with some divine intervention I stumbled upon IELTS-Blog.com. The Listening strategies I read on it hit home for me. I read them over and over again until they registered in my brain. Before I was ready to take another IELTS listening test I practiced the strategies discussed on the blog. I have taken the High Scorer’s Choice Tests 1 – 10 and they are some of the best practice exams one can use to best prepare themselves for the real IELTS test.

Another month passed by. The stakes were high and I needed this to work. I took a mock test and lo and behold, it worked! I got a good 38 out of 40 in my very first attempt. There was nothing holding me back now and I took the actual test within a week. I can tell you these techniques work. Practice and witness the results yourself. I got a band 9 in Listening and all the credit goes to IELTS-Blog.com.

Lessons Learned

My experience with IELTS was different from all the other tests I took in the past as a student, namely TOEFL and GRE. They were technical and required a lot of uncommon use of words/vocabulary. IELTS seems deceptively simple up to band 7 to 7.5 but to truly get a higher score one has to understand the test in intricate details. At the time I was working full-time and to realize that IELTS requires a certain style of preparation took me a long time. It was only after going through several of your blog posts that I realized the technicalities of the test and not just the language per se.

It is hard to commit yourself to a consistent prep time when you are working or juggling kids in everyday life, but IELTS-Blog.com, when read carefully, gives you the formula to crack the exam. As an engineer this appeals the most to me and sets apart this blog from hundreds out there. Being a non-native English speaker I always underestimated the knowledge of language I had whenever I got a lower score. However, I have realized most of us have what it takes to crack the exam, it is the hidden formula you need to know to get a high score.

Congratulations on your amazing Band 9, Avinash!

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IELTS essay, topic: Some countries invest a significant amount of money in promoting the use of bicycles (reasons and effects)

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

Some countries invest a significant amount of money in promoting the use of bicycles. Why do you think this is the case? Does it have a positive or a negative impact on individuals and the society?

Sample Band 8 Essay

Environmental concerns and health awareness are increasingly at the forefront of public policy, motivating countries to invest heavily in promoting the use of bicycles. It seems to me that this move benefits almost every member of society and, therefore, the investment is justified.

One obvious reason for this investment is the growing recognition of the environmental benefits associated with cycling. Bicycles, as a clean and green mode of transportation, significantly reduce carbon emissions compared to motor vehicles. Cities like Amsterdam and Copenhagen, for instance, have successfully reduced their carbon footprint by implementing extensive cycling infrastructure and encouraging residents to cycle regularly. This shift improves local air quality, making cities more livable and sustainable, while simultaneously contributing to global efforts against climate change.

The promotion of cycling has a profoundly positive impact on public health. Regular bike riding is known to improve cardiovascular health, reduce stress, and enhance overall physical fitness. In Japan, where cycling is currently widely promoted, the population experienced a noticeable decrease in obesity rates and associated health problems. This improvement in public health not only enhances individual quality of life but also eases the burden on public healthcare systems, as a healthier population requires less medical intervention.

In conclusion, the investment in promoting bicycle use by some countries is a strategic response to environmental and health challenges. This approach not only aids in combating climate change and enhancing air quality but also promotes a healthier society. Despite potential initial challenges, the long-term benefits for individuals and society are significant, making this investment a positive and essential step towards a sustainable future.

Teacher’s feedback:

Overall, the essay would likely receive a Band 8. It effectively addresses the task with a clear position, is well-organised, uses a wide range of vocabulary, and demonstrates a high level of grammatical control.

Task Response: Band 8
The essay thoroughly addresses the prompt, presenting a clear opinion (“It seems to me that this move benefits almost every member of society …”) and developing it with relevant, extended ideas and examples. The writer discusses both environmental and health benefits, using specific examples of Amsterdam, Copenhagen, and Japan, which demonstrates an ability to discuss ideas in depth.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8
The essay uses a range of cohesive devices effectively. For example, “for instance” introduces examples, and “therefore” is used for conclusions. Each paragraph has a clear central idea and is well-developed, contributing to the overall coherence of the essay.

Lexical Resource: Band 8
The essay uses a variety of vocabulary appropriate to the task. Words and phrases like “motivating,” “profoundly positive impact,” and “strategic response” demonstrate a strong command of language. The vocabulary is used precisely (“carbon footprint,” “cardiovascular health,” “eases the burden on public healthcare systems”), which enhances the clarity of the argument.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8
The essay includes a mix of complex structures, such as relative clauses (“In Japan, where cycling is currently widely promoted…) and compound sentences (“This improvement in public health not only enhances individual quality of life but also…). The structures are used accurately.

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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