Simone Braverman's Blog: IELTS-Blog.com, page 86
April 26, 2022
IELTS essay, topic: Crime rates are likely to decline due to the advancements in technology (agree/disagree)
This essay topic was seen in a recent IELTS test in the UAE
Crime rates are likely to decline due to the advancements in technology, which will help prevent and solve crimes in an easier way. Do you agree or disagree?
Sample Band 8 Essay
Nowadays technology is advancing faster than ever and many fields are benefitting from the opportunities this trend presents. Some think that crime prevention can be one possible application of new technologies, by allowing to deter offenders or solve crimes in a faster and easier way. In my opinion, innovation in crime prevention can be a game-changer that will reduce both the number of crimes committed and the time it takes to catch those responsible for them.
Not everyone is optimistic about the prospects of the use of new technologies in crime prevention, and those who subscribe to the more pessimistic view say that advanced technologies can be accessed by criminals, therefore raising the crime rates. Such tools can, indeed, cause more damage if they fall in the wrong hands; however, it would require the offenders to be highly skilled to be able to use the modern technologies. Statistically, many of them tend to have a lower level of education, and for that reason they are likely to stick to the old ways of committing crimes, whereas the minority of highly skilled criminals are unlikely to make a big difference to the crime levels.
Law enforcement workforce, on the other hand, has a much better grip on modern technology. Nowadays police officers and detectives undergo special training, take regular skill update courses, and use high-tech equipment. Facial recognition and thermal imaging are just two examples of the important tools that police are already using to find and catch offenders faster. Ordinary citizens can do their part in preventing burglaries by installing sophisticated systems with sensors, CCTV video feed and various alarms to detect and deter thieves. The combined effort will, no doubt, push the crime curve down.
To sum up, even though the wonders of technology are available to everyone, it seems to me that they will better assist law enforcement in solving crimes, and law-abiding citizens in protecting themselves and their property, rather than felons. This will tip the balance in favour of reduction in crime rate and make the world a safer place.
Teacher’s comment: The writer fully addressed all parts of the task in their response. Their ideas are well-developed, extended and supported. Paraphrasing, referencing, substitution, sequencing of information and paragraphing are skillfully used in this essay, contributing to its high level of cohesion and coherence. The wide range of vocabulary and accurate word choice allows the writer to convey their message precisely. This essay has many examples of uncommon lexical items, all appropriately used. The writer has a great control of grammar, they follow the rules of punctuation and use complex sentence structures very well. Overall, this essay is likely to get Band 8 or 8.5 in IELTS
Click here to see more IELTS essays of Band 8
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April 25, 2022
IELTS test in the UK – April 2022 (Academic Module)
Our friends N.Z. and A.T. took their Academic IELTS tests in the UK and collectively remembered the following questions:
Writing test
Writing task 1 (a report)
We were given a table describing the percentages of student satisfaction with 3 different subjects.
Writing task 2 (an essay)
In some countries the percentage of 15 year-olds in the population is already significant and is continuing to grow. Are there more advantages or disadvantages to this trend?
Speaking test
Part 1 (Interview)
– Can you tell me your full name, please?
– What can I call you?
– Where did you grow up?
– Did you have a good childhood?
– Did you have many friends as a child?
– Did you go to parks often?
– Do you like visiting parks now?
– What do you like better, to visit a park or someone’s house?
Part 2 (Cue Card)
Talk about a walk, a boat tour or a bicycle trip that you would like to take. Please say
– where you would go
– when you would go
– who you would go with
– and explain why you would like to take this walk/trip/tour.
Part 3 (Discussion)
– Do you think that traffic is the main contributor to CO2 emissions?
– Do you think this will get better or worse in the future? In what way?
– What can the government do to reduce CO2 emissions?
– How about individuals, what can they do?
– Do you think that city planners take the needs of pedestrians sufficiently into consideration?
April 22, 2022
IELTS Speaking test in Ghana – April 2022
P.A. from Ghana remembered the following questions from her IELTS Speaking test:
Speaking test
Part 1 (Interview)
– What is your name?
– Do you work or study?
– Where are you from?
– What is the weather like in your country?
– Do you prefer cold or hot weather?
– Do you think people should be able to choose the weather they like?
– Have you gotten lost?
– Have you ever had to help someone who was lost?
– Do people in your country help people who have lost their way?
Part 2 (Cue Card)
Talk about something interesting that you would like to know more about. Please say
– what it is
– why it is of interest to you
– how you plan to find out more about it
– and explain why it is important that you learn more about it.
Part 3 (Discussion)
– How do people get information in your country?
– How reliable is the information in your country?
– Has information people used to get in the past changed nowadays? In what way?
April 21, 2022
IELTS essay, topic: Some people say that all popular TV entertainment programmes should aim to educate viewers about important social issues (agree/disagree)
Some people say that all popular TV entertainment programmes should aim to educate viewers about important social issues. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
Sample Band 8 Essay
It is often said that all influential TV entertainment programs should be geared towards raising people’s awareness about social issues that matter. While some TV programs could be suitable for this purpose, I disagree with the view that it should be mandatory for all of them, as the decision whether to do so must take into account the nature of the TV content and the channel’s audience.
There is a large group of professionals who would benefit from deepening their understanding of what is happening in the world. Stock traders and bankers, for example, must always keep track of numerous business trends on a global scale, and they would appreciate this type of information on their favourite TV shows. Young people are another suitable audience due to the fact that they enjoy learning about popular topics from TV programmes. For instance, SDGs or the Sustainable Development Goals has now become an important topic to learn for children at school. Educational TV would provide a welcome alternative to textbooks, making learning more fun.
Despite the potential advantages of incorporating educational content in TV programs, it is important to remember that the purpose of entertainment TV is for people to escape reality, to take a break from their hectic lives. Being reminded about some troubling social issues would not be appreciated by those who just want to unwind after a long day at work. Another consideration is how the content is perceived by the audience, because broadcasting serious topics as part of a comedy show might lead some viewers to believe they are of lesser significance. This would make TV shows of light-hearted nature a poor choice for inclusion of content on pressing social issues.
In conclusion, entertainment TV programs can be an effective form of education for some people and a great tool to spread information. However, not all of them should be used for this purpose as there are various ways people appreciate them.
Teacher’s comment: The writer presented relevant ideas in this well-developed response and expressed their position clearly. The order of information and use of paragraphing makes this essay easy to read. A good level of coherence was achieved through the use of linking words and referencing. The writer has a wide range of vocabulary and is able to express ideas flexibly and precisely, while keeping most sentences error-free. Overall, this essay is worthy of Band 8
Click here to see more IELTS essays of Band 8
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April 20, 2022
IELTS test in Nigeria – April 2022 (Academic Module)
Our kind friend F.M. from Nigeria found the recent IELTS questions we share on the blog useful in her exam preparation. In turn, she shared the following IELTS questions from her own IELTS test:
Writing test
Writing task 1 (a report)
We were given a table comparing the number of women who are members of the parliament in five regions of the world, in the years 1990, 1997 and 2005.
Writing task 2 (an essay)
Being good at mathematics depends on a person’s natural ability as well as the quality of teaching they receive. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Speaking test
Part 1 (Interview)
– Can you tell me your full name, please?
– What can I call you?
– Can I see your ID?
– Do you study or work?
– Can you tell me about your course?
– How will your course be useful to you in the future?
– Do you like pets?
– What pets are common in your country?
– Did you own a pet when you were a child?
– Will you own a pet in the future?
– Have you ever been lost?
– Do you like to check the map before going to new places?
– Do you visit new places often?
– Have you ever helped someone who was lost?
Part 2 (Cue Card)
Talk about a time you had to be nice to someone who was unfriendly to you. Please say
– when it was
– where it was
– who the person was
– and explain why you had to be nice to him/her.
Follow up question: Do you often have to be nice to people who are unfriendly?
Part 3 (Discussion)
– Can facial expressions be useful to determine if someone is friendly or not?
– What types of body language are common in your country?
– Is body language effective at helping us understand what someone is saying?
– Does everyone use body language?
April 19, 2022
How to avoid taking IELTS many times and get your target score straight away
People are often pressed for time preparing for their IELTS tests. Here is one reason why: test takers find out they have a date by which they must get their target IELTS score. The date may be set by a government agency, a university where they would like to study or a potential employer. Then people are starting their IELTS preparation, and they often have 2-3 weeks to get their English and IELTS skills to the necessary level. This order of events is less than ideal, because the right way is working on your IELTS skills first, until you are reliably getting your target score at home in mock tests, and then booking a date for your test, to ensure you don’t take it more than once.
Reza, a test taker from Iran who got a Band 8 Overall score in IELTS, approached his exam the right way – he made sure he is able to get his target score in a mock test at home first, and then took the real test. He needed Band 7 in writing, and in order to get there he worked hard, wrote and submitted more than 30 essays to our writing correction service.
He followed our teachers’ suggestions and improved, and when he started getting Band 7 for his Writing Tasks 1 and 2, Reza knew he was ready. In the real test his Writing score was Band 7, and his Overall score – Band 8.
As a winner of our March round of IELTS Results Competition, Reza shared some advice that will help you prepare for IELTS the right way:
“Using IELTS-Blog.com writing correction service is highly recommended. It provides practical feedback which can effectively increase test takers’ scores. Furthermore, I ask everyone to read the past IELTS questions they publish on the website. It helps you get familiar with different topics that come up in Writing and Speaking.
As for the Listening and Reading – I did a test every day. It was very helpful in improving my concentration, pace and confidence. Cambridge IELTS books and many online sources can be used for these parts.
Thank you to IELTS-Blog.com for your incredible help and support. We all owe you big time.”
Congratulations to Reza Zaeri on achieving an Overall IELTS Band score of 8.0!
April 18, 2022
IELTS Speaking test in India – April 2022
Our caring friend P.J. took the IELTS test in India and remembered the following Speaking questions:
Speaking test
Part 1 (Interview)
– What is your full name?
– Can I see your ID?
– Do you work or study?
– Are you able to manage your time at work well?
– What is your typical workday like?
– How often do you look in a mirror during the day?
– Why don’t you look at yourself frequently in the mirror?
– Have you purchased a mirror recently?
Part 2 (Cue Card)
Talk about a person you follow on social media. Please say
– who he/she is
– how you know him/her
– what he/she posts about
– and explain why you follow him/her on social media.
Follow-up question: Do you think you will continue following him/her in the future?
Part 3 (Discussion)
– What other forms of media are used today, apart from social media?
– Will other forms of media still be relevant in the future, despite the popularity of social media?
April 15, 2022
IELTS test in the UAE – April 2022 (Academic Module)
R.S. took the IELTS test in the UAE very recently, and remembered the following questions:
Writing test
Writing task 1 (a report)
We had a line graph showing the average monthly salary in Japan (in Yen) and the prices of colour TVs and black and white TVs between the years 1953 and 1973 (3 lines on one graph).
Writing task 2 (an essay)
Crime rates are likely to decline due to the advancements in technology, which will help prevent and solve crimes in an easier way. Do you agree or disagree?
The Speaking test was done via a video call.
Speaking test
Part 1 (Interview)
– What is your full name?
– Where are you from?
– What is your hometown?
– What is your hometown famous for?
– Did they teach you about your hometown in history classes at school?
– Do you think the color of a car is important?
– What kind of car would you like to have in the future?
– Do you enjoy car trips?
– Do you prefer being a driver or a passenger?
Part 2 (Cue Card)
Talk about a rule, at school or at work, that you dislike. Please say
– what the rule is
– why it is imposed
– why you dislike it
– and suggest how this rule might be changed.
Follow-up question: Do you think this rule will change in the future?
Part 3 (Discussion)
– Do you think there are people who never broke the law?
– Is it always bad to break the law?
– Do you agree that it is a good practice to impose fines for minor violations? For example, going over the speed limit, parking violations, etc.
– Do you think that laws are made to protect the weak?
April 14, 2022
IELTS Letter, topic: Introduction of an exchange student to a host family
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 3 General Training book, Practice Test 14
Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
You are travelling next month to stay with a family you do not know as part of a language training course. Write a letter to the family to introduce yourself.
In your letter,
– tell the family a little about yourself
– ask about the type of food that the family eats
– say when and how you will be arriving
You should write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Mr and Mrs Greene,
Sample Band 9 Letter
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Greene,
My name is Caroline Hague and I am an exchange student about to participate in an English Language Training course in London. The organisation that arranged this course for me has assigned you to be my host family for those four weeks and I would therefore like to introduce myself.
I come from the Netherlands and live in Maastricht, a beautiful and historical city not too far away from the country’s capital, Amsterdam. I would like to know more about the English language, culture and literature, and therefore I have applied for this training course. I am an active outdoor person and love to ride my bike, and I am also passionate about music.
I am interested in the type of food that is popular in your family, as I am a vegetarian. Do you eat a lot of meat? If yes, that’s no problem for me, I will only have to know in advance so I can bring a few essentials.
In a month’s time, on the twenty-second of May, I will be arriving at Gatwick airport at 4 pm. I have seen that you have kindly offered to pick me up and so I will be waiting at the Terminal A pick-up at 5.15 pm. I look forward to meeting you then.
I hope to hear back from you and to see you soon!
Yours sincerely,
Caroline Hague
Go here for more IELTS Band 9 Letters
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April 13, 2022
IELTS test in Japan – April 2022 (Academic Module)
Our kind friend K. took IELTS in Tokyo, Japan and remembered the following questions:
Writing test
Writing task 1 (a report)
We had a bar chart and a table describing some activities women and men did in the UK in 2008. The bar chart showed several unpaid household chores women and men spent their time doing daily, after their paid work. The table showed how they spent their time doing leisure activities daily, after their paid work.
Writing task 2 (an essay)
Nowadays many children have trouble paying attention in class or concentrating on their school work. Why is this happening? How can this problem be solved?
Speaking test
Part 1 (Interview)
– What is your full name?
– Can I see your ID?
– Where are you from?
– Is it a good place to raise children?
– How often do you write on paper?
– What do you like better, typing or writing on paper?
– Did you write by hand often in school?
Part 2 (Cue Card)
Talk about a time when you were proud of something your family member did. Please say
– who the family member is
– when it happened
– what he/she did
– and explain why you were proud of what he/she did.
Part 3 (Discussion)
– When are parents proud of their children in general?
– What makes them proud?
– What do you think about children who do something to get a reward?
– When do adults feel proud of themselves?
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