Simone Braverman's Blog: IELTS-Blog.com, page 48

IELTS test in Malaysia – November 2023 (General Training)

Thanks to our kind subscriber A, here are the Writing topics from yesterday’s IELTS exam in Malaysia:

Writing test

Writing task 1 (a letter)

Your friend invited you to go with him/her to a concert next week, however, you are unable to come. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter

– Let your friend know why you can’t go to the concert
– Suggest another activity you can do together
– Explain why you think your friend would enjoy this activity

Writing task 2 (an essay)

Some people think that students should learn cooking at school, while others believe that this is a waste of school time. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

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

Tips for success in the IELTS Writing Test

To get a high Band Score for your letter, make sure that you

Address each bullet point clearly.Organise your ideas in paragraphs – write 1 paragraph on each bullet point.Use the correct tone and vocabulary – in a letter to a friend use informal language.Manage your time – allocate time for planning, writing and proofreading, and spend no more than 20 minutes in total on Writing Task 1.

To write an essay that will score well in IELTS, make sure that you

Make your position clear throughout the essay.Structure your essay correctly – there should be an introduction, body and conclusion.Use formal vocabulary.Use a mix of sentence types (simple, compound, complex) to show your language proficiency.Leave some time to proofread your essay before turning it in.

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IELTS Speaking questions from India – November 2023

Thanks to the generosity of MK who took the test on the weekend, we’ve just received these recent IELTS Speaking questions from India.

Preparation Tip: Do a practice session where you answer all of these questions and record yourself. If you don’t have enough ideas for questions on a particular topic, research it and write down some vocabulary words and how to use them in a sentence.

After recording your answers, listen to them and look for fluency (frequent pausing, self-correction, hesitation) or pronunciation problems. Then re-record the questions you’re not happy with, and this time try to sound more fluent and pronounce the words better. Take a Speaking Mock Test online, read your Examiner’s feedback and learn how to score higher.

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– What is your full name?
– Where are you from?
– Do you work or are you a student?
– How many hours do you work in a week?
– What do you love about your work?
– What kind of things do you need to help you work efficiently?
– What do you do on weekends?
– Do you do the same things on weekdays?
– If you had a chance to change one thing you do on weekdays, what would it be?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Talk about a house you visited that would be perfect for you. You should say

– where it was
– what it looked like
– how you felt when you saw it

and explain why you think this house would be perfect for you.

Read & listen to a Band 9 answer about your dream home here

Part 3 (Discussion)

– Does the cost of housing affect people’s choices when it comes to their perfect house?
– Do you think people from different cultures have the same idea of a perfect house?
– Do you think the place where people live can affect their way of life?
– What are the most common types of houses in your country?
– What are the advantages of living in an old house?
– Are there disadvantages to living in an old house? What are they?
– In your opinion, what features of traditional houses should be preserved in modern homes?

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IELTS test questions from Sri Lanka – October 2023 (Academic Module)

These IELTS questions were shared by AD who took the test earlier this week in Sri Lanka.

Writing test

Writing task 1 (a report)

The chart below shows the percentage of men and women who did various leisure time activities in England in 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)

In many countries, the number of animals and plants is declining. Why do you think this is happening? How can this issue be solved?

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

The post IELTS test questions from Sri Lanka – October 2023 (Academic Module) first appeared on IELTS-Blog.

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Mastering IELTS: Insider Advice from a Top Scorer (Band 8)

Achieving a high score in the IELTS exam is a significant milestone, and for those of you aiming for Band 8, it often seems like a daunting challenge. That’s exactly why we keep gathering valuable insights from successful candidates who know first-hand what it takes.

One such achiever is Laura Fernandez from Spain, who scored an impressive Overall Band 8.0 in the IELTS test. Laura’s story is truly inspiring, because it proves that with the right preparation materials and dedication, you can conquer the IELTS exam and achieve your desired score.

Laura’s superpower was her comprehensive approach to exam preparation. When asked about her advice for fellow candidates, she emphasised the importance of a well-rounded preparation focusing on all four skills: listening, reading, writing, and speaking.

Laura said,

“To be honest, I would recommend all candidates taking the IELTS test to prepare themselves very well in all four skills. It is true that grammar and vocabulary are important, but many tend to focus a lot on these aspects and not so much on reading and listening comprehension, for example”.

Another piece of advice Laura shared resonates deeply with IELTS test takers: the value of mock tests. She stressed the importance of practicing with a variety of mock tests, perfecting your skills and time management in real exam conditions.

“They should do as many mock tests as they can because they will never be enough,”Laura said, adding a touch of humour to her earnest recommendation.

Laura credited her success to the resources she used during her preparation. She mentioned relying on High Scorer’s Choice practice test books, which evidently played a pivotal role in helping her achieve her remarkable Band 8.0 score. The right study materials can make a significant difference, because nothing can replace targeted practice and valuable insights into the exam format and question types.

As you’re about to hit the books, remember Laura’s advice: focus on all four skills, don’t neglect reading and listening comprehension, and practice with a variety of mock tests. And last but not least – get in touch if you feel stuck and need help! That’s what we’re here for.

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New IELTS Speaking questions from India – October 2023

KB took the test in India very recently and remembered the following IELTS Speaking questions:

Preparation Tip: Do a practice session where you answer all of these questions and record yourself. If you don’t have enough ideas for questions on a particular topic, research it and write down some vocabulary words and how to use them in a sentence.

After recording your answers, listen to them and look for fluency (frequent pausing, self-correction, hesitation) or pronunciation problems. Then re-record the questions you’re not happy with, and this time try to sound more fluent and pronounce the words better. Take a Speaking Mock Test online, read your Examiner’s feedback and learn how to score higher.

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– What is your full name?
– Where are you from?
– Do you work or study?
– Do you like your work?
– Do you have friends?
– Are you in touch with them?
– How often do you spend time with your friends?
– What do you usually enjoy doing together?
– Can you tell me about your best friend?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe a house you would like to own in the future. You should say

– what kind of house it would be
– where you would like it to be
– what features or facilities you would like it to have

and explain why you would like to own such a house in the future.

Read & listen to a Band 9 answer about your dream home here

Part 3 (Discussion)

– How many types of houses are there in your area?
– What are the advantages of living in an old house?
– What are the disadvantages of living in an old house?
– Why do young people prefer to live in the cities?
– In terms of housing, what are the main differences between living in urban areas and rural areas?
– Are there advantages to living in rural areas compared to urban areas, especially concerning housing?

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IELTS test in India – October 2023 (Academic Module)

These recent IELTS questions were shared by our lovely subscriber KB who took IELTS a couple of days ago in India:

Preparation Tip:

Practice in writing your own essay and report under timed conditions. Spend no more than an hour in total on both Writing Task 1 and Task 2 (20 minutes on Task 1 and 40 minutes on task 2). Reserve some time at the end to proofread your work.

By simulating real exam conditions you get better at time management and improve your performance under pressure.

Writing test

Writing task 1 (a report)

The chart below shows the number of applicants from different countries to UK universities between 1999 and 2003.

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)

In the past older people spent time with others and exercised daily. Nowadays many of them suffer from loneliness and health problems. What are the reasons for this? What can be done to improve the situation?

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

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IELTS Results competition winners in September & October 2023

There’s a famous saying, “Spectacular achievement is always preceded by unspectacular preparation”, and it holds true about a very special group of people you will meet in a second. They put in a great deal of effort getting ready for IELTS and none of it was glamorous… but look where it got them!

We are excited to announce the 12 amazing test takers who will forever remember October 2023 as the month when they conquered IELTS! With band scores ranging from 7 to 8.5, they’re over the moon about their achievements!

Let’s give a huge round of applause to:

IELTS results competition winners of September & October 2023

Academic Module

1st place – Sattorbek Yuldashev from Uzbekistan, Band 8.51st place – Syeda Sabiqa Zehra from Pakistan, Band 8.52nd place – Dorottya Kovarcsik from Hungary, Band 82nd place – Laura Fernandez from Spain, Band 82nd place – Navleen Kaur Mand from India, Band 83rd place – Richard Ando from Ghana, Band 7.53rd place – Govind Mohan from India, Band 7.5

General Training Module

1st place – Kashish Chaudhary from India, Band 81st place – Ahsan Anwar Kizhakkiniyakath from India, Band 81st place – Zareen Fatima from India, Band 82nd place – Victor Manrique from Peru, Band 72nd place – Tanjot Singh from India, Band 7

Congratulations on these fantastic scores!

We’re sending their certificates of achievement straight to their emails, making this day a little extra special for them. And guess what? Their fantastic IELTS results will be showcased in the IELTS-Blog hall of fame! So, winners, feel free to flaunt your achievements among your family, friends and anyone who’d love to celebrate with you.

How did they score so well?

Now, you might be wondering, ‘How did they manage such great scores?’ Well, some of them are our students, and we are incredibly proud of their achievements:

Dorottya Kovarcsik (Overall Band 8.0) used our book ‘Target Band 7’ and VIP Club resources to maximise her IELTS score and, as a result, overshot her target! Read her success story here

Laura Fernandez (Overall Band 8.0) relied on the practice tests from the ‘High Scorer’s Choice’ series, published by Simone Braverman and Robert Nicholson. She felt lucky to have found them online because their helped her get the score she needed.

Ahsan Kizhakkiniyakath (Overall Band 8.0) prepared for IELTS with our book ‘Ace the IELTS’ and solved many practice tests from the ‘High Scorer’s Choice’ series.

Victor Manrique (Overall Band 7.0) is an IELTS-Blog VIP Club member; in addition to studying model answers daily Victor improved his writing and speaking with the help of our teachers.

We would love to hear from more winners, because when you share your stories and tell us how you studied, you are helping thousands of test takers, preparing for their exams right now. Any useful tips will be posted on IELTS-Blog.com, so everyone can use the same technique and get a better score in their own exam this month.

Did you know? IELTS results competition runs every month, and everyone is welcome to participate. Learn how to enroll here.

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IELTS test in Australia – October 2023 (Academic Module)

Thanks to our wonderful VIP Club member YT, today we are sharing the IELTS questions she remembered from the computer-delivered exam she took two days ago.

Writing test

Writing task 1 (a report)

There were two maps, one showing a particular town at present and another showing the future changes to it. There weren’t many changes, perhaps only two, and so to write 150+ words YT had no choice but to describe the things that remained unchanged (!)

Writing task 2 (an essay)

Some people say the government should manage people’s health, while others think that individuals should be in charge of their own health. Discuss both views and give your 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?
– Do you work or study?
– What kind of work do you do?
– What is your favourite part of your work?
There were some more questions in Part 1 that YT didn’t remember.

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe an expensive gift you bought for someone. You should say

– what it is
– who you bought it for
– how long you saved money to buy it

and explain why you bought this person an expensive gift.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– Let’s talk about saving money. How important is it for you to save money?
– Is it hard to save money? Why or why not?
– How important is it for children to save money?
– Why would children need to save money?
– What do you think about digital currency?
– What are the advantages and disadvantages of digital currency?
– In your home country, is education compulsory?

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IELTS Speaking Test, Part 2 question with model answer: Describe a bad service you received in a restaurant

Here is a Band 9 Speaking Part 2 answer for the cue card “Describe a bad service you received in a restaurant”. This cue card has been seen recently in an IELTS exam in Australia. The answer below shows a good way to respond to this question.

Watch and listen in the video, or read the model answer below:

 
Speaking test

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe a bad service you received in a restaurant. You should say

– when and where it happened
– what happened
– how you felt about the service

and explain how the experience could have been improved.

Answer

Oh, do I have a story for you! Picture this. It was pouring rain on Friday afternoon, and I thought, why not treat myself to lunch at this supposedly amazing restaurant downtown? So, there I was, super excited for a great meal.

But, oh boy, right from the start, things felt off. The waiter barely noticed me and seemed like he’d rather be anywhere else. I asked about the menu, and he mumbled something I could barely understand. I figured maybe he was just having a rough day.

Then it got worse. My food took forever to arrive, and when it did, it had a weird taste. I tried to get the waiter’s attention, but he was nowhere to be found. Drinks were forgotten, orders were messed up – it was like a comedy sketch gone wrong.

Now, I’m a patient person, but this was too much. I felt annoyed and confused at the same time. Was this place always like this, or was it just my luck?

But here’s the kicker – just as I was about to storm out, the chef, who overheard my complaints, came to my table. He was genuinely sorry and explained they were short-staffed. To make up for it, he gave me a free dessert and promised a discount next time.

I was shocked, to say the least. His sincerity turned my whole experience around. This outing was anything but ordinary, starting with frustration and ending with a surprising dose of hospitality.

Read more model answers on the VIP Club website

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IELTS test in India – October 2023 (General Training)

Thanks to our generous subscriber RA, here are the Writing topics from yesterday’s IELTS exam in India:

Writing test

Writing task 1 (a letter)

You recently found out that the local council has decided to demolish a particular building in your area. You disagree with this decision and believe that the building is beneficial for the community. Write a letter to the local councillor.

In your letter

– Explain what you find valuable about the building.
– Suggest what improvements could be made to the building.
– Describe how retaining the building could benefit the community as a whole.

Writing task 2 (an essay)

Some individuals argue that children should always heed the advice given by their parents, while others believe that children should make decisions independently. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

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

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