Simone Braverman's Blog: IELTS-Blog.com, page 81
July 25, 2022
Anastasia says IELTS should be an adventure, not a torture – here is how she got Band 8
Everyone, meet Anastasia from Tashkent, Uzbekistan, who achieved an overall IELTS band score of 8 with individual scores as follows:
Listening 8
Reading 8.5
Writing 7
Speaking 8
Band 8 is a remarkable score that takes a considerable effort, especially for people living in non-English speaking countries – and Anastasia did it in less than 2 months!
We asked Anastasia how she prepared, and if you read her story closely, you will find many things that would help YOU do better in IELTS.
Anastasia said,
“There is no way I’m taking my score for granted – I dedicated a lot of time to preparation, considering I had less than 2 months to get ready.
I was really lucky to have Alla Sobirova as my tutor and I’m deeply grateful for my access to IELTS Online Prep Platform. The final Band 8 definitely exceeded all my expectations on each part of the exam.
I love English, and I bravely and boldly considered my level as advanced, but haven’t had much practice recently and haven’t taken any exams in ages. I assumed that I shouldn’t be horrible at Listening or Reading, but I had no idea how I would do in Speaking or Writing.
Nevertheless, as soon as I did my first trial test, I realised that I would really need practise. The scientific language of the Reading test made me fall asleep – I just couldn’t get through the texts. My first Listening results were sometimes well below 25 correct answers. I realised that IELTS is about fitting the criteria and trying to do your best. To get the best result I needed to do as many tests as possible to know all types of tasks I could face, evaluation criteria, etc. There are quite a lot of techniques to get through IELTS and the online tests provided me with the opportunity to discover which of them helped me and which didn’t.
Somehow the Listening test turned out to be the most complicated for me – I hated maps, plans and drawings – my brain couldn’t quickly transform words to fill in the gaps and I had trouble following the directions on a map. I also made grammar mistakes. Sometimes you just can’t hear, or don’t know the word – it all happens. But it doesn’t mean that you don’t know the language, and it doesn’t mean you can’t get a good grade. You just need to find the way to demonstrate your knowledge the way it is expected.
So after all I managed to put together my own set of advice and instructions for myself in terms of “what should I do if…” – if I don’t understand the text or a particular word, if I can’t hear or can’t find the answer, what should I do if I have nothing to say or write.
Any exam is a quite stressful and unpredictable procedure, but thanks to the online tests I did, I was more than ready. Firstly, because I saw my progress during the preparation, and secondly, the real test I got was easier than the ones I did on the IELTS Prep Platform.
I’m absolutely sure that the online tests made me ready for the maximum level of difficulty, so during the exam I felt excitement and confidence. I had enough time to answer the questions, go to the bathroom and double-check everything. And I was able to spend some extra time on couple of Reading questions I was confused about.
I definitely recommend IELTS Online Prep Platform to anyone who aspires to do their best in IELTS. If you need a good grade and want IELTS to be an adventure and not a torture, go for it.”
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July 24, 2022
IELTS test in Ireland – July 2022 (Academic Module)
Thanks to our kind friend CB who took IELTS in Ireland, today we are sharing the questions she remembered from her exam:
Writing test
Writing task 1 (a report)
We were given a chart showing the consumption of soft drinks and bottled water per person in 5 countries in 2002.
Writing task 2 (an essay)
Some people feel that high school students should only learn literature from their own country, while others feel that they should be exposed to literature from around the world. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Speaking test
Part 1 (Interview)
– What is your full name?
– Where are you from?
– Do you work or study?
– What is your typical day at work like?
– Who is helping you at work?
Part 2 (Cue Card)
Describe a flat or house that you would like to live in, in the future. You should say
– where it would be located
– what it would look like
– who would live with you in it
– and explain how you would feel about living in it.
Follow-up question: Have you ever been to a house similar to the one you described?
Part 3 (Discussion)
– Do people in your country prefer to live in houses or apartments?
– Is it important to own a house or apartment in your country?
– Do you think there is a pressure on young people to buy a house/apartment in your country?
July 22, 2022
IELTS test in Canada – July 2022 (General Training)
A very kind IELTS test taker from Canada (thanks, CM!) remembered the following questions from his recent exam:
Writing test
Writing task 1 (a letter)
You and a friend recently went on a holiday together. There is a problem with the photos you have taken during the holiday. Write a letter to your friend to ask for a particular photo. In your letter,
– Tell him/her about the problem with your photos
– Say which photo you would like him/her to send you
– Explain why you need this photo.
Writing task 2 (an essay)
Some people think that teenagers should be required to do unpaid community work in their free time. They believe this would benefit teenagers and the society. What is your opinion?
Give reasons for your answer and include relevant examples from your knowledge or experience.
Speaking test
Part 1 (Interview)
– What is your full name?
– Can I see your ID?
– Where do you live?
– Do you work or study?
– There were more questions, but unfortunately CM didn’t remember them.
Part 2 (Cue Card)
Talk about an invention you like that has become part of everyday life. You should say
– what it is
– why you like it
– how it helps people
– and explain why you would recommend it to someone.
Part 3 (Discussion)
– Do you think inventions are making people lazy?
– What do you think makes people invent such things?
– To what extent should people use them?
– In what way are inventions affecting people?
– Do you think that in certain fields inventions should do the work that people used to do?
July 20, 2022
IELTS test in India – July 2022 (General Training)
Two lovely IELTS test takers from India (thank you LR and PT!) remembered the following questions from their recent exams:
Writing test
Writing task 1 (a letter)
Write a letter to the manager of the Lost and Found department of the railway regarding the luggage you accidentally left on the train. In your letter,
– Give the details of your train trip
– Describe the luggage you left on the train
– Say what actions do you want him/her to take.
Writing task 2 (an essay)
Nowadays a lot of importance is given to the dress and appearance of celebrities, however, some people feel it is completely unnecessary. What is your opinion?
Give reasons for your answer and include relevant examples from your knowledge or experience.
Speaking test
Part 1 (Interview)
– What is your full name?
– Can I see your ID?
– Where do you live?
– Do you work or study?
– What is your routine on a work day?
– Who helps you the most at work?
– What time do you go to bed?
– How do you usually start your day?
– How do you prefer to spend your weekends?
– Do you spend all your weekends the same way?
Part 2 (Cue Card)
Describe a tourist attraction that you have visited. You should say
– what the attraction was
– when you visited it
– why you went there
– and say whether you enjoyed the visit or not.
Part 3 (Discussion)
– What are the most popular tourist attractions in your country?
– Do you think that some tourist attractions, such as museums or galleries, should be free to visit?
– Why is tourism important to a country?
– In what way does visiting another country benefit tourists?
– Are there disadvantages to tourism?
July 19, 2022
IELTS test in France – July 2022 (Academic Module)
Thanks to our lovely friend S.R. who took IELTS in France, today we are sharing the questions she remembered from her exam:
Writing test
Writing task 1 (a report)
We were given a diagram showing how corn is processed to make Ethanol (fuel). We had to describe all the stages on the diagram.
Writing task 2 (an essay)
Some people think that to be successful in sport, physical strength is the most important factor. Others, however, think that it is more important to be mentally strong. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Speaking test
Part 1 (Interview)
– What is your full name?
– Where are you from?
– Do you work or study?
– What do you like about your field of study?
– Do you prefer to work or study in the morning or in the afternoon?
– Do you do something that benefits other people?
– Do you know someone who helps other people?
Part 2 (Cue Card)
Talk about a quiet place you enjoy visiting. Please say
– how you know the place
– where it is located
– how often you visit it
– and explain why you enjoy visiting this place.
Part 3 (Discussion)
– Do you think it’s easier to find a quiet place in the countryside or in the city?
– Do you know of any places in the city that aren’t noisy?
– Is it important to respect the rules and hours when noise is restricted?
– What should be the hours when noise isn’t allowed?
July 17, 2022
IELTS Results competition winners in June 2022
What a wonderful way to start the week! Today we are happy to announce the winners of IELTS results competition in June. Congratulations to…
IELTS results competition winners of June 2022Academic Module
1st place – Wan-Hsuan Hsieh from Taiwan, Band 7.52nd place – Janvi Valera from India, Band 7Well done, Wan-Hsuan and Janvi! To mark this happy occasion we are sending certificates of achievement to your email addresses. 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?Our guess would be, “They worked hard AND smart”, but luckily, we don’t have to guess. Our winners are notoriously selfless and happy to share their best tips for success with the other test takers. We have asked them to send anything they think might help others achieve similar results, and as soon as their advice lands in our Inbox, it will be posted on the blog.
It feels really good to see our student win! Wan-Hsuan Hsieh from Taiwan used our writing correction service to find out how to increase her Writing score. It was a real privilege to help her succeed in IELTS.
Did you know? IELTS results competition runs every month, and everyone is welcome to participate. Learn how to enroll here.
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July 15, 2022
IELTS Letter, topic: Complaining about problems on your train journey
This is a model response to a Writing Task 1 topic from High Scorer’s Choice IELTS Practice Tests book series (reprinted with permission). This answer is close to IELTS Band 9.
Set 4 General Training book, Practice Test 16
Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
You recently travelled by train on a long journey and you experienced various problems. Write a letter to the train company’s head office.
In your letter,
– give the details of your journey, including the date, time and where you sat
– explain the problems that happened and express your dissatisfaction
– ask about what action will be taken to improve the service
You should write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Sir / Madam,
Sample Band 9 Letter
Dear Sir / Madam,
Last week on the twenty-first of May, I travelled from Rome to Berlin as a passenger on the train Express 302, presumably under your management. I experienced several inconveniences and problems throughout the long and strenuous journey, and I would like to make an official complaint.
Firstly, the train was delayed one hour due to a malfunction with the doors. In addition to this, the train had to stop several times throughout the trip for a lengthy amount of time due to other technological problems. As a result, I arrived in Berlin three hours later than initially planned, which drastically changed my personal schedule. Secondly, the train was severely overbooked, and I was switched from first class to second class, where I was made to sit among a loud and obnoxious family. Contrary to what was advertised, there was no Internet available, and I was unable to complete some important business. Finally, when I went to complain calmly about the situation, the on-train personnel were unnecessarily rude.
I hope that you can appreciate that I have had a terrible experience with your company, and I look forward to reading in your reply about what action you intend to take.
Yours faithfully,
John Davies
Go here for more IELTS Band 9 Letters
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July 13, 2022
IELTS Speaking test in Sudan – July 2022
Thanks to H.M. from Sudan, today we are sharing the latest questions from her IELTS exam:
Speaking test
Part 1 (Interview)
– Can I have your full name, please?
– May I see your ID?
– Where is your hometown?
– What is your hometown famous for?
– What do you know about the history of your hometown?
– Do you like taking photos? Why?
– Do you like to take photos of yourself?
– Do you have a special family photo?
– Would you consider taking photos professionally in the future?
Part 2 (Cue Card)
Talk about a story someone told you that you remember well. Please say
– what the story is about
– who told you the story
– when he/she told you the story
– and explain why you remember the story so well.
Part 3 (Discussion)
– What types of stories do children in your country enjoy?
– What is the difference between the stories you tell younger and older children?
– Some people say that a story doesn’t need to be true, to teach a lesson. What do you think?
– What can people teach children through story-telling?
– It is said that all people are story-tellers by nature, do you agree or disagree?
July 11, 2022
IELTS essay, topic: Museums and art galleries should present only the national art (agree/disagree)
This essay topic was seen in a recent IELTS test in India
Many people argue that museums and art galleries should present the nation’s art, as opposed to artworks from other countries. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Sample Band 8 Essay
The cultural value of engaging with museums and art galleries is unquestionable; they exert a great deal of influence on our perception of the world. It is only reasonable to ponder whether or not these outlets of culture should concentrate their efforts on presenting the nation’s own art, and not that of other countries. In my opinion, there should be an attempt to strike a balance and put the objects of national art in the spotlight, while allowing the public to get acquainted with foreign artworks to a certain extent.
If people were to only find sculptures and paintings by national artists in their local museums, that would have a number of positive effects, such as the fame the artists of that country would gain and the pride its citizens would feel for their fellow countrymen. It would promote patriotism and strengthen the image of the country in the eyes of its inhabitants. Local artists would also receive more financial assistance from the government as their works would generate a significant amount of interest, potentially resulting in further development of the local art. However, in order to evolve art needs fresh ideas, and without exposure to a wider range of creativity the world provides, the evolution of local arts may be hindered.
People enjoy art because it appeals to their inner sense of beauty and triggers strong emotions, and whether the masterpiece that causes these feelings belongs to a local or foreign artist is irrelevant. Talent knows no geographical boundaries; therefore, the emphasis should be on how much joy or amazement the work of art brings, rather than on its origin. If that principle were to be followed, we would never have to choose between local and international art. Reducing our museums or galleries’ collections to local art works, in my view, would be harmful and go against the democratic nature of art.
To sum up, it seems to me that a country has nothing to lose by allowing its people to admire art created elsewhere in the world. A conscious choice by the government to support local artists while hosting exhibitions from other countries could prove the most beneficial.
Teacher’s comment: The writer provided a well-developed response to the topic with pertinent, expanded, and supported ideas that fully address all aspects of the task. He/she rationally arranged information and ideas, effectively handled all areas of cohesiveness, and made adequate and effective use of paragraphing. There is a broad range of vocabulary used with flexibility and fluency to convey clear concepts. The uncommon lexical items have been used appropriately, with almost no flaws in word choice and collocation. The writer employs a variety of sentence forms while ensuring that most of the sentences are free of errors. The combination of these factors makes IELTS Band 8 or 8.5 very likely for this essay.
Click here to see more IELTS essays of Band 8
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July 10, 2022
IELTS Speaking test in Thailand – July 2022
Our kind friend G.V. shared the questions she remembered from her recent IELTS Speaking test in Thailand:
Speaking test
Part 1 (Interview)
– Can I have your full name, please?
– May I see your ID?
– Where is your hometown?
– Do many people visit your hometown?
– Did you learn about the history of your hometown in school?
– What do you do every day after you get up?
– Do you normally go to bed early? Why?
– Is your daily routine going to change in the near future?
– Do you usually remember your dreams after you get up?
– Some people believe that dreams can predict the future. Do you agree with that?
– Do you like to hear about other people’s dreams? Why?
Part 2 (Cue Card)
Talk about a toy you liked when you were young. Please say
– what kind of toy it was
– when you got it
– what it looked like
– and explain why you liked it.
Part 3 (Discussion)
– Do you think children these days like the same toys as in the past?
– How important are toys for children?
– Do you think most girls and boys like the same or different kinds of toys? Why?
– Do you think it’s hard to choose or buy toys as a gift for children?
– What should people consider when they are buying toys?
– Do you think children should be able to choose their own toys?
– What do you think about people who buy many toys for their children?
– Do you think they do that because they don’t have time for their kids?
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