Simone Braverman's Blog: IELTS-Blog.com, page 46

IELTS Speaking questions from Australia – November 2023

Our student TH took IELTS in Australia a few days ago and was asked the following questions in the Speaking test.

Did you know? IELTS Speaking test questions and topic areas are known to repeat in every corner of the world! This is why preparing for the most recent Speaking questions is very effective and increases your chances of success. Give these questions a try – answer them and record yourself. Then listen to your recording and check for gaps in vocabulary or words you may have mispronounced.

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– What is your full name?
– Where do you live?
– How long have you been living there for?
– Is there anything you would like to change about the place you live in?
– Do you often fix things?
– Did you learn to fix things when you were younger?
– What do you do when something is broken and cannot be fixed?
– Do you think it is necessary for people to learn to fix things?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe a faraway country that you would like to visit. You should say

– where it is
– how you would go there
– what you would do there

and explain why you would like to visit this country.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– What benefits does tourism bring to a place?
– How does tourism affect the culture of a destination?
– Does globalisation bring any negative impacts to a place?
– How can young people benefit from travelling?
– Can travel have a significant impact on a person’s character or worldview? How?
– How can young people prepare before travelling?
– Why do some young individuals prefer to stay at home?

The post IELTS Speaking questions from Australia – November 2023 first appeared on IELTS-Blog.

Related posts:IELTS Speaking questions from India – November 2023 Thanks to the generosity of MK who took the test...IELTS Speaking questions from Malaysia – November 2023 AB took IELTS in Malaysia very recently and remembered the...IELTS Speaking questions from India – November 2023 GK took IELTS in India last week and remembered the...IELTS Speaking questions from Ghana – November 2023 Our subscriber RS took IELTS in Ghana last week and...IELTS Speaking questions from Dubai, UAE – November 2023 Our student IM took IELTS in Dubai a few days...

IELTS test questions from Australia – December 2023 (Academic Module)

Thanks to our kind subscriber TH, today we can share everything we know about the latest IELTS exam in Australia:

Listening test

Part 1. A conversation between two people about a part time job.
Questions: filling in blanks.

Part 2. A talk about festivals.
Questions: multiple choice, matching information.

Part 3. A presentation about dolphins (multiple speakers).
Questions: multiple choice, matching information.

Part 4. A lecture about archaeological excavations.
Questions: filling in blank.

Reading test

Passage 1. Morepork / Laughing Owl.
Questions: True/False/Not Given, filling in blanks.

Passage 2. House Designs.
Questions: Which sections contain the following information, matching names, True/False/Not Given.

Passage 3. Conformity.
Questions: Yes/No/NG, filling in blanks.

Writing test

The chart below shows the percentages of cinema attendance by different age groups in a particular country between 1978 and 2008.

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)

Many people work from home using modern technology today. Some people think that only the workers benefits from this and not the employers. 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 IELTS test questions from Australia – December 2023 (Academic Module) first appeared on IELTS-Blog.

Related posts:IELTS test questions from Indonesia – December 2023 (Academic Module) Thanks to our wonderful subscriber SS, today we can share...IELTS test in Australia – April 2023 (Academic Module) Our lovely subscriber WL took her IELTS exam yesterday in...IELTS test in Australia – September 2023 (Academic Module) Thanks to our generous subscriber SA from Australia, today we...IELTS test in Australia – October 2023 (Academic Module) Thanks to our wonderful VIP Club member YT, today we...New IELTS test questions – November 2023 (Academic Module) Our wonderful subscriber SM from Iran remembered a lot of...

IELTS essay, topic: The purpose of education is to make individuals useful to society, not help people pursue personal ambitions (discuss + opinion)

This essay topic was seen in recent IELTS test in Taiwan.

Some people believe that the purpose of education is to make individuals useful to society, while others think that education should help people pursue personal ambitions. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

When it comes to the purpose of education, opinions are divided as some see its primary role as preparing individuals to be useful to society while others believe it should primarily serve people’s personal ambitions. In my view, education should strike a balance between these two objectives, catering to the needs of society as well as the aspirations of the individual.

Those who see education as a tool for societal utility argue that it should produce individuals who can contribute effectively to the economic and social fabric of their communities. This perspective emphasises the importance of equipping students with practical skills and knowledge that align with the demands of the job market. Such an approach is crucial for the economic development and stability of any society, because it ensures a workforce that is both skilled and employable.

However, the importance of education to individual ambitions and personal growth is hard to dismiss. Advocates of this view argue that education should nurture creativity, critical thinking, and personal exploration, allowing individuals to realise their unique potential. This approach not only fosters self-actualisation but also encourages the development of innovators and original thinkers who can contribute uniquely to society.

In conclusion, education should ideally encompass both these perspectives. By providing a balanced curriculum that caters to the practical needs of society while also encouraging individual exploration and creativity, education can produce well-rounded individuals. Their capability of contributing effectively to their communities while pursuing personal fulfillment and growth will likely lead to a more dynamic and prosperous society.

Teacher’s feedback:

Overall, this essay is a strong Band 8.5 example.

Task Response: Band 9
Your essay fully addresses the task prompt, presenting a clear opinion that education should balance societal needs and personal ambitions. You effectively discuss both sides of the argument and provide a reasoned conclusion, meeting the requirements for a high score in this criterion.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8
The essay is well-organised, with clear paragraphing and logical progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a clear central idea, and cohesive devices are used effectively. However, to achieve a perfect score, transitions could be slightly smoother, ensuring seamless flow from one idea to the next.

Lexical Resource: Band 8
You demonstrate a strong command of vocabulary, with appropriate word choice and collocations (“economic and social fabric,” “self-actualisation,” “well-rounded individuals”). Minor improvements could be made for a perfect score, such as varying your language a bit more to avoid repetition (e.g., using synonyms for “education” and “society”).

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 9
The essay showcases a wide range of sentence structures and accurate grammar. The use of complex structures is effective and contributes to the clarity of your arguments.

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

Click here to see more IELTS essays of Band 8

The post IELTS essay, topic: The purpose of education is to make individuals useful to society, not help people pursue personal ambitions (discuss + opinion) first appeared on IELTS-Blog.

Related posts:IELTS essay, topic: Some people think it is better to make more money rather than have free time (discuss + opinion) This essay topic was seen in a recent IELTS test...IELTS Band 9 essay, topic: Many people nowadays travel abroad for their university education (discuss) This is a model response to a Writing Task 2...IELTS essay, topic: Some people argue that sports are essential, while others view sports as a leisure time activity (discuss + opinion) This essay topic was seen in a recent IELTS test...IELTS essay, topic: Some people think that sport in schools is a waste of time and resources, while others believe it is a vital part of education (opinion) This is a model response to a Writing Task 2...IELTS essay, topic: Who should discipline the children, parents or the government? (discuss + opinion) This essay topic was seen in a recent IELTS test...

3 Strategic Steps To Guarantee IELTS Band 7

Just like chess, IELTS is a strategy game. When your future depends on that Band 7 in IELTS, don’t leave it to chance! Be strategic and make sure you GET IT!

What many self-prep students do is, they learn the format of the IELTS test, find some practice tests, do a few, then go to the test… only to find out that they are VERY far away from that Band 7.

Then they go back to studying, randomly picking some exercises to do, without a proper plan.

After a while they declare themselves ready and go for a second attempt… which often ends just like the first – no 7.

Instead of locking yourself into this depressing scenario, there is a better way.

How to take IELTS just once and get the score you need

Everyone has weaker skills and stronger skills. It is very rare to find someone whose Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking are equally strong.

Use this strategy for success: aim for lower scores (6 and 6.5) in your weaker skills, and for higher scores (7 and 8) in your stronger skills, and you will still get an Overall Band 7!

Here is a real life example: one of my students had a problem with Writing and Speaking, but her Reading and Listening were quite good. We came up with this plan for her. She needed to get:

Band 6 in WritingBand 6.5 in SpeakingBand 7 in ReadingBand 8 in Listening

This was realistic and manageable, and she ended up with a Band 7 Overall, which satisfied her university 100%. You don’t need to get all 7’s to get an Overall Band 7!

Complete explanation of IELTS scoring

Your IELTS score is the average of 4 scores for Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. Here is how the overall IELTS Band Score is calculated: (Listening + Reading +Writing +Speaking) / 4 = Overall Band Score.

For example: (8+8+6+6)/4 = Overall Band 7

But this is NOT THE ONLY combination that results in a Band 7. You can get an Overall Band 7 in a number of ways:

1. 6, 6.5, 7, 8
2. 6,7,7,8
3. 6, 7, 7.5, 8
4. 6.5, 7, 7, 8

As you can see, achieving the Overall Band Score of 7 is possible if you perform well in specific areas. This means that by excelling in particular skills, like scoring 8 in one of them, you can balance out lower scores in other areas to reach an overall average of 7.

Strategy for success

1. Learn what your weaker skills are
2. Select a realistic score for each skill (from one of the 4 combinations above)
3. Average of those scores = overall Band 7

The post 3 Strategic Steps To Guarantee  IELTS Band 7 first appeared on IELTS-Blog.

Related posts:Victor’s Success Story: Scoring Band 7 in IELTS with Strategic Online Preparation This post is dedicated to the smashing success of our...Goodness got Band 8 in IELTS while 8 months pregnant, doing these simple steps Hi everyone, this is Simone and today I would like...Featured Success Story: From Band 6 in Writing to Band 7, in just 4 Weeks Ask anyone who tried to raise their IELTS score from...10 expressions to help you get Band 7+ in IELTS (Lesson 3) If you’ve already learnt the idioms from Lesson 2, well...10 expressions to help you get Band 7+ in IELTS (Lesson 4) You may have already learnt the idioms from Lesson 3,...

IELTS test questions from Indonesia – December 2023 (Academic Module)

Thanks to our wonderful subscriber SS, today we can share the latest IELTS questions from Indonesia:

Writing test

The diagrams below give information about two road tunnels in two Australian cities.

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

(Unfortunately, SS couldn’t share the diagram)

Writing task 2 (an essay)

Many people believe that university students should study a full range of subjects, instead of some specific subjects. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

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

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– What is your full name?
– What do you do, work or study?
– Where do you live?
– What do you like about your hometown?
– Do you think the city where you live now needs changes?
– Did you like ice cream as a child?
– Do you like ice cream now? Why?
– Do you like making your own ice cream? Why or why not?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe a movie you watched and found it disappointing. You should say

– what movie it was
– when you watched it
– who was there with you

and explain why you found the movie disappointing.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– What kind of movies do people in your country always enjoy watching?
– Why do most people like such movies?
– Do you like watching movies in the cinema or at home?
– In your opinion, can a movie be successful without a good-looking actor or actress in it? Why?
– What do you think about a movie with a bad story?
– What do you think is more important in a movie, a good story or a good actor/actress?
– What happens when a movie has a bad story but a talented cast?

The post IELTS test questions from Indonesia – December 2023 (Academic Module) first appeared on IELTS-Blog.

Related posts:New IELTS test questions – November 2023 (Academic Module) Our wonderful subscriber SM from Iran remembered a lot of...IELTS test questions from Sri Lanka – October 2023 (Academic Module) These IELTS questions were shared by AD who took the...IELTS test questions from Taiwan – November 2023 (Academic Module) Our kind subscriber YJ from Taiwan remembered the following Speaking...IELTS test questions from India – November 2023 (Academic Module) Thanks to two lovely subscribers, JN and AD, we know...IELTS test questions from Pakistan and Sri Lanka – November 2023 (Academic Module) From the information our subscribers shared, it seems that this...

IELTS Speaking questions from India – December 2023

Thanks to a kind IELTS test taker from India, here are the most recent questions that were asked in her Speaking test:

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– What is your full name?
– What do you do, work or study?
– Why did you chose this subject?
– What do you enjoy about your subject?
– Do you like rainy days?
– Does it rain much in your city?
– Would you like to live in a place that is dry or wet?
– Would you change your plans if it rained outside?
– Is it easy to stay healthy in your country?
– How do you maintain your physical health?
– Do you have a favourite exercise? Why is it your favourite?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe a person who lives in your area and always offers a helping hand to others. You should say

– who it is
– how he/she helps others
– why he/she does it

and explain how you feel about this person.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– Do you like to help others ? Why?
– How can children help their parents?
– Do all children like helping their parents?
– Why don’t some children like to help to their parents?
– Do children need to help their classmates?
– Should children do volunteer work?
– Is volunteering beneficial for children?
– When should children do volunteer work, on holidays or during the academic year?

The post IELTS Speaking questions from India – December 2023 first appeared on IELTS-Blog.

Related posts:New IELTS Speaking questions from India – October 2023 KB took the test in India very recently and remembered...IELTS Speaking questions from India – November 2023 Thanks to the generosity of MK who took the test...IELTS Speaking questions from India – November 2023 GK took IELTS in India last week and remembered the...IELTS test questions from India – November 2023 (Academic Module) Thanks to two lovely subscribers, JN and AD, we know...IELTS Speaking test in India – May 2023 Our kind friend PK took her IELTS Speaking test in...

IELTS Speaking questions from Dubai, UAE – November 2023

Our student IM took IELTS in Dubai a few days ago and her examiner asked the following questions in the Speaking test.

Did you know? IELTS Speaking test questions and topic areas are known to repeat in every corner of the world! This is why preparing for the most recent Speaking questions is very effective and increases your chances of success. Give these questions a try – answer them and record yourself. Then listen to your recording and check for gaps in vocabulary or words you may have mispronounced.

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 Dubai, UAE – November 2023 first appeared on IELTS-Blog.

Related posts:IELTS Speaking questions from India – November 2023 Thanks to the generosity of MK who took the test...IELTS Speaking questions from Malaysia – November 2023 AB took IELTS in Malaysia very recently and remembered the...IELTS Speaking questions from India – November 2023 GK took IELTS in India last week and remembered the...IELTS Speaking questions from Ghana – November 2023 Our subscriber RS took IELTS in Ghana last week and...IELTS Speaking questions from Bangladesh – November 2023 Our student JN took IELTS in Bangladesh two days ago(!)...

IELTS test questions from India – November 2023 (Academic Module)

Thanks to two lovely subscribers, JN and AD, we know that the recent Academic IELTS exams in India and Bangladesh were the same. Here are the writing questions, as remembered by the two test takers:

Writing test

The chart below shows the percentage of the UK population who consumed the recommended daily amount of fruits and vegetables in 2002, 2006 and 2010.

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 say that too much attention and resources are given to the protection of wild animals and birds. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

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

Read the Speaking questions from Bangladesh here

The post IELTS test questions from India – November 2023 (Academic Module) first appeared on IELTS-Blog.

Related posts:New IELTS test questions – November 2023 (Academic Module) Our wonderful subscriber SM from Iran remembered a lot of...IELTS test questions from Taiwan – November 2023 (Academic Module) Our kind subscriber YJ from Taiwan remembered the following Speaking...IELTS test questions from Pakistan and Sri Lanka – November 2023 (Academic Module) From the information our subscribers shared, it seems that this...IELTS Speaking questions from India – November 2023 Thanks to the generosity of MK who took the test...IELTS Speaking questions from India – November 2023 GK took IELTS in India last week and remembered the...

IELTS Speaking questions from Bangladesh – November 2023

Our student JN took IELTS in Bangladesh two days ago(!) and was asked the following Speaking questions.

Try and answer them no matter what country YOU are taking the test in, because Speaking questions are known to repeat all over the world.

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– What is your full name?
– Do you work or study?
– What do you like in your work?
– How many hours do you work in a week?
– What was your aim in life when you were young?
– Could you concentrate in class when you were in school?
– Are you able to concentrate in a noisy environment?
– What do you do to concentrate in a noisy environment?
– Are you an ambitious person?
– Do you have any future plans for your personal life?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe a piece of clothing that you enjoy wearing. You should say

– what it is
– when and where you got it
– how often you wear it

and explain why you enjoy wearing it.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– What type of dress do you prefer?
– Do your friends also like your choice in clothes?
– What are the differences between fashion choices of older and younger people?
– Does the weather affect the type of clothes people wear in your country?
– When do people dress formally in your country?

The post IELTS Speaking questions from Bangladesh – November 2023 first appeared on IELTS-Blog.

Related posts:IELTS Speaking questions from India – November 2023 Thanks to the generosity of MK who took the test...IELTS Speaking questions from Malaysia – November 2023 AB took IELTS in Malaysia very recently and remembered the...IELTS Speaking questions from India – November 2023 GK took IELTS in India last week and remembered the...IELTS Speaking questions from Ghana – November 2023 Our subscriber RS took IELTS in Ghana last week and...IELTS Speaking test in Bangladesh – May 2023 A couple of days ago our kind subscriber MM took...

IELTS test questions from Taiwan – November 2023 (Academic Module)

Our kind subscriber YJ from Taiwan remembered the following Speaking questions after taking IELTS a few days ago.

Writing test

Writing task 2 (an essay)

Some people believe that the purpose of education is to make individuals useful to society, while others think that education should help people pursue personal ambitions. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

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

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– What is your full name?
– Where are you from?
– Have you ever received a great gift?
– Are you good at choosing gifts?
– What do you consider when choosing a gift?
– What films do you like to watch?
– Did you watch films often when you were a child?
– Did you ever go to the cinema alone as a child?
– Do you go to the cinema often with your friends?
– Do you consider going to the cinema a good way to spend time with friends?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe a sportsperson / athlete you admire. You should say:

– who the person is
– how you know him/her
– what he/she has achieved

and explain why you admire him/her.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– What are some qualities that an athlete should have?
– What is the most popular sport in your country?
– Should students have physical education and do sports at school?
– Is talent important in sports?
– Is it easy to identify children’s talents?
– Can talent emerge later in life, or is it mostly evident from a young age?
– Can hard work compensate for a lack of natural talent in sports?

The post IELTS test questions from Taiwan – November 2023 (Academic Module) first appeared on IELTS-Blog.

Related posts:IELTS test in Taiwan – February 2023 (Academic Module) Thanks to our wonderful friend L. we are sharing the...New IELTS test questions – November 2023 (Academic Module) Our wonderful subscriber SM from Iran remembered a lot of...IELTS test questions from Pakistan and Sri Lanka – November 2023 (Academic Module) From the information our subscribers shared, it seems that this...IELTS test questions from Sri Lanka – October 2023 (Academic Module) These IELTS questions were shared by AD who took the...IELTS test in Taiwan – May 2021 (Academic Module) Thanks to our generous friend G.K. we know this much...