Simone Braverman's Blog: IELTS-Blog.com, page 52
September 11, 2023
IELTS test in Australia – September 2023 (Academic Module)
Thanks to our generous subscriber SA from Australia, today we are sharing the writing questions from her recent IELTS exam.
Preparation Tip: make sure to write your own essay and report under timed conditions, spending no more than an hour in total on both Writing Task 1 and Task 2. Simulating real exam conditions will surface your weaknesses in writing, and you will be able to work on them well before the test. Happy studying!
Writing test
Writing task 1 (a report)
The two charts below show the percentages of films released and tickets sold by genre, in 1996 and 2000, in a European country.
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 households should be given permission to keep a gun in the house, 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.
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September 10, 2023
IELTS Speaking test in Nepal – September 2023
Our kind friend took IELTS in Nepal and remembered the following questions from his Speaking test.
Preparation Tip: Try to answer all of these questions and record yourself. Re-listen later and look for fluency or pronunciation problems. Then re-record the questions where you didn’t do well, and this time try to sound more fluent and pronounce the words better.
Speaking test
Part 1 (Interview)
– What is your full name?
– What do you do, work or study?
– What are you studying?
– Do you like your courses?
– What is your favourite course?
– Why are you interested in this course?
– How often do you study?
– How do you usually prepare for your exams?
– Do you prefer studying alone or in a group?
Part 2 (Cue Card)
Describe a shop that recently opened in your area. You should say
– where it is located
– what type of shop it is
– who its main customers are
and explain whether you think this shop will be successful in the future and why.
Part 3 (Discussion)
– Shopping these days has become one of peoples’ favourite hobbies. Why do you think this is?
– What are the main differences between large chain stores and small retailers?
– Should the government support the small retailers?
– What is the impact of consumerism on the society?
– Are there any positive aspects to consumerism, or only negative? What are they?
– How does consumerism affect the environment and sustainability?
– Are there any measures that governments or organizations can take to mitigate the negative effects of consumerism?
September 7, 2023
IELTS Speaking test in Zimbabwe – September 2023
Thanks to our kind friend from Zimbabwe we are sharing the Speaking questions he remembered from his very recent IELTS exam.
Preparation advice: Get a friend to act as an examiner and ask you these questions, answer them and record yourself. When you re-listen later, try to spot any pronunciation issues or grammatical mistakes, and think of ways to make your answer more interesting.
Speaking test
Part 1 (Interview)
– What is your full name?
– Where are you from?
– Can you tell me about your hometown?
– How long have you lived in your hometown?
– What do you like the most about your hometown?
– Could you describe the climate in your hometown?
– What kind of food is your hometown known for?
– How has your hometown changed over the years?
Part 2 (Cue Card)
Describe an experience that changed your life. You should say
– what the experience was
– when and where it happened
– how it impacted your life
and explain how you felt about this experience.
Part 3 (Discussion)
– Do you think people generally like change? Why or why not?
– Are there some situations or types of change that people generally don’t like?
– How can change impact people in a positive way?
– How is embracing change beneficial for personal growth and development?
– Do you believe that some individuals are naturally more open to change than others? Why or why not?
– Are there any downsides to too much change in someone’s life?
September 6, 2023
IELTS Speaking test in Australia – September 2023
A test taker from Australia shared the Speaking questions she remembered from her recent IELTS exam.
Preparation advice: Get a friend to act as an examiner and ask you these questions, answer them and record yourself. When you re-listen later, try to spot any pronunciation issues or grammatical mistakes, and think of ways to make your answer more interesting.
Speaking test
Part 1 (Interview)
– What is your full name?
– Where are you from?
– Do you like the area where you live?
– Do you know some of your neighbours?
– Do you enjoy drinking tea or coffee? Why or why not?
– Which one do you prefer, tea or coffee?
– Do you usually prepare your coffee/tea at home or buy it in a cafe?
– In your country, is tea or coffee more popular?
– What would you serve your guests, tea or coffee?
Part 2 (Cue Card)
Describe a time when you got lost. You should say
– where and when it happened
– how you got lost
– how you felt about it
and explain how you found your way.
Part 3 (Discussion)
– How can people find their way when they are lost?
– Is it more common for people to get lost nowadays compared to the past?
– Do you think it is important to be able to read a map?
– How have digital maps and navigation apps affected people’s map-reading skills?
– How can someone improve their map-reading skills?
– Do you think it is important to prepare before traveling to new places?
– What skills or strategies could people use to avoid getting lost while traveling?
September 5, 2023
IELTS test in Hungary – September 2023 (Academic Module)
Thanks to the kind DK from Budapest, Hungary we are sharing the writing questions from her recent IELTS exam.
Make sure to write your own essay and report under timed conditions, spending no more than an hour in total on both tasks. This kind of real exam simulation will shine a light on your weaknesses in writing, and you will be able to address them well before the test. Submit your writing for correction and learn how to score higher. Happy studying!
Writing test
Writing task 1 (a report)
The chart below provides information about the 5 types of transportation that tourists used in a particular city between 1989 and 2009.
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 young people go to college or university to have a successful career path. Others, however, chose to go straight to work to gain real life experience after high school. Discuss both views and write your opinion.
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Read a Band 9 model answer here.
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IELTS Speaking test in India – September 2023
Thanks to a test taker from India we are sharing the questions from his very recent IELTS Speaking test:
Speaking test
Part 1 (Interview)
– What is your full name?
– Where are you from?
– Can you describe your neighbourhood?
– Do you think your neighbourhood is a safe place to live?
– What do you like the most about your neighbourhood?
– Do you have friendly neighbours?
– Do you wear jewellery on a daily basis?
– What’s your favourite piece of jewellery?
– Do you prefer to wear real or imitation jewellery? Why?
– Are there any traditional jewellery items in your culture?
– Do you think jewellery makes a good investment?
Part 2 (Cue Card)
Talk about a picture you recently took. You should say
– what the picture shows
– why you took it
– where you took it
and explain how you feel about that picture.
Part 3 (Discussion)
– Why do you think people like taking pictures and capturing moments?
– In what ways do pictures and photos help people preserve memories?
– Do you believe that people today rely too heavily on pictures to remember important moments?
– Do you think pictures and photographs are important in preserving history?
– In what ways can pictures provide valuable insights into historical events?
– Do you think using pictures helps us understand history accurately?
– Have smartphones and digital cameras changed the role of pictures in recording history?
August 31, 2023
IELTS essay, topic: Social media helps people to keep in touch with friends and stay on top of news and events (advantages/disadvantages)
This essay topic was seen in a recent IELTS test in Canada.
Social media helps people to keep in touch with friends and stay on top of news and events. Do you think the advantages of social media outweigh the disadvantages?
Sample Band 8 Essay
Since its inception, social media has revolutionised the way people connect and access information. It has become a prevalent tool for keeping in touch with friends and staying updated on news and events. While there are clear advantages to social media in terms of connectivity and information dissemination, it is crucial to critically examine whether these benefits outweigh the potential disadvantages.
On the one hand, social media offers numerous advantages. Firstly, it serves as a powerful platform for individuals to maintain and strengthen relationships with friends. Through features such as messaging, video calls, and photo sharing, people can connect with their loved ones, regardless of geographical barriers. This enhances interpersonal connections and fosters a sense of belonging, especially in a fast-paced and globalised world. Additionally, social media plays a pivotal role in keeping users updated on news and events. It provides a real-time stream of information, allowing individuals to stay informed about local and global affairs.
Despite these advantages, it is crucial to consider the potential drawbacks of social media. One significant concern is the impact on mental well-being. Extensive use of social media has been linked to increased levels of anxiety, depression, and feelings of social isolation. The constant exposure to carefully curated highlights and reels of others’ lives can lead to self-comparison and feeling of inadequacy. Privacy and security concerns are another set of drawbacks associated with social media. Users often share personal information and details of their lives, making them susceptible to privacy breaches and identity theft.
In conclusion, while social media undeniably provides valuable means for keeping in touch with friends and staying informed about news and events, it is also crucial to acknowledge the potential disadvantages associated with its usage. Personally, I appreciate the benefits social media has to offer and believe that its drawbacks can be mitigated by fostering responsible usage practices and advocating for platform improvements, so that individuals and society can harness the benefits of social media while minimising its negative impacts.
Teacher’s comment:
This is a good example of a Band 8 essay.
Task Response: Band 8
Your essay effectively addresses the task prompt by discussing both the advantages and disadvantages of social media. It presents a clear introduction, discusses the advantages in one paragraph and the disadvantages in the next, and concludes with a balanced viewpoint. Your personal opinion is clearly stated.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8
The structure of your essay is clear, you are using paragraphs appropriately for the introduction, advantages, disadvantages, and conclusion. Within paragraphs, ideas are logically developed, and appropriate linking words and phrases are used to connect sentences and ideas. This helps create a smooth flow of information throughout the essay.
Lexical Resource: Band 8
You’ve demonstrated a good range of vocabulary. There were no significant issues with word choice or repetition. Well done for using words such as:
“revolutionised”- to convey the idea that social media has brought about significant and transformative changes
“prevalent” – to describe the widespread nature of social media
“interpersonal connections” – to refer to relationships between individuals
pivotal role” – to emphasize the significance of social media
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8
Overall, the essay exhibits strong grammatical control. A variety of sentence structures is used effectively. There are only minor grammatical errors, such as slight articles or preposition misuse. For example, “feeling of inadequacy” should be “feelings of inadequacy.”
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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IELTS Results competition winners in August 2023
“Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.”
This was famously said by Pele, a legendary football player, 3 times World Cup winner and probably the best-paid athlete of his time. Pele knew what he was talking about, and the 12 people whose success we are celebrating today would agree with him 100%!
They worked hard and didn’t give up. They sacrificed freedom and sleep to study. And that is why they got these amazing results!
Let’s give a very warm welcome to …
IELTS results competition winners of August 2023Academic Module
1st place – Ikmanpreet Gill from India, Band 81st place – Balhardeep Kaur from India, Band 81st place – Arvin Gharib from Iran, Band 81st place – Reginald Okyere from Ghana, Band 82nd place – Harsh from India, Band 7.52nd place – Muskaan Deep Kaur from India, Band 7.52nd place – Parneet Kaur from India, Band 7.52nd place – Raj Vinit from India, Band 7.52nd place – Ethel Abagulum from Ghana, Band 7.53rd place – Mahbub Md Morshed from Bangladesh, Band 7General Training Module
1st place – Fathima Shamina Farook from Sri Lanka, Band 81st place – Forward Nyakasvipa from Zimbabwe, Band 8Congratulations on these fantastic scores! To mark this happy occasion we are sending our winners their certificates of achievement via email. We are also adding the winning IELTS results to the IELTS-Blog hall of fame – so please feel free to show them off to your friends!
How did they score so well?You would have noticed that our winners come from all over the world – we have people from India, Ghana, Bangladesh, Iran, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. They speak 6 different languages, some of them took the Academic IELTS while others took General Training, some needed an IELTS score for work visa, others to study overseas.
But they all had something in common, something that helped them achieve these wonderful results. Can you guess what it was?
They were using IELTS-Blog.com to prepare for their tests. They subscribed to our daily updates and followed advice we are sending out daily, to keep everyone motivated, engaged, accountable and hard at work.
Here is what some of them said:
Suren Berry, the IELTS trainer at Berry IELTS institute in Punjab, India said,
“Writing you to share some amazing results of my students. It goes without saying that your contribution to these coveted achievements is immense. It’s a huge honor for me and my students [to get their results published], since all the students were getting regular updates from your esteemed IELTS-Blog.com.”
Raj Vinit said,
“I got my required score. Now I can become a Registered Nurse in the UK. Thanking you because I followed your instructions; I regularly read the emails [you sent me] and practiced different Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking questions and answers.”
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 Speaking test in Canada – August 2023
A test taker from Canada (thank you, MK!) remembered the following questions from her very recent Speaking test:
Speaking test
Part 1 (Interview)
– What is your name?
– Where are you from?
– Do you sometimes forget where you put your belongings, like your keys or phone?
– Have you ever forgotten someone’s name? How did you handle the situation?
– Do you have a childhood memory that you can easily remember?
– Do you find it easy to remember birthdays of your close friends and family?
– Have you ever had to write things down to remember them?
– Have you ever forgotten to do something really important?
Part 2 (Cue Card)
Describe a piece of good news that you heard about someone you know well. You should say:
– what it was
– when you heard it
– how you heard it
and explain how you felt about the news.
Part 3 (Discussion)
– Many people share their good news on social media. Can businesses achieve more sales by also sharing good news on social media?
– How might small business owners use social media to promote their business?
– Do you think word-of-mouth plays a significant role in spreading good news about small businesses?
– What are some advantages of starting a small business compared to a large one?
– How do you think the challenges faced by small businesses differ from those of larger corporations?
– In your opinion, what factors contribute to the success of a small business?
– How do small businesses impact local communities and economies?
– Do you think government support is crucial for the growth of small businesses? Why or why not?
August 27, 2023
IELTS test in Kuwait – August 2023 (Academic Module)
Our lovely friend GS from Kuwait shared the writing questions from the IELTS test he took a few days ago. Pretend you got these questions in your exam and write your own essay and report – it makes excellent practice!
Writing test
Writing task 1 (a report)
The chart below provides information about the percentage of Australian children who participated in sports outside of school hours in a particular year.
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 argue that the government should pay more for art to be displayed at openings and exhibitions. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
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