Simone Braverman's Blog: IELTS-Blog.com, page 93
January 17, 2022
Successful IELTS candidate from Nigeria shares his strategies for Band 7.5
If you need Band 7.5 in IELTS, Promise has some advice for you. When we announced the winners of our monthly IELTS results competition and invited them to share their best tips, he was quick to tell us how he scored Band 7.5 – and how YOU can, too. Promise said,
“First things first, I would like to express my intense gratitude to Simone Braverman and the entire IELTS-Blog.com team for granting me the opportunity to hold my head high along with the other IELTS results competition winners.
In my opinion, this exam is more of a game than an exam, and if you have the right set of strategies, you will excel. I came across IELTS-Blog.com website some days prior to my exam, and I decided to follow their tips and strategies. It would be a burden on my conscience if I didn’t recommend their books to the other candidates.
For the Reading module: read the questions before moving on to the passage in order to get a quick glimpse of the passage, skim and scan as quickly as you can, however, don’t waste too much time on any particular question. Try to complete as much Cambridge past exams as you can, and lastly, be optimistic from the start of the module to the end.
For the Writing module: write as much as you can before the test date! Always plan your answer before you start writing. Ensure that you have a paragraph for every main point and always provide some supporting details to back up your main points. Do not forget to write your conclusion in every essay. Also, never forget to write your thesis statement so that the examiner won’t find it hard to go through your work.
For the Listening module: my biggest advice to all candidates is to conquer their fears of the accent the speaker might have! Listen to popular English radio stations like BBC, CNN and so on. Try to go over as many listening practice tests as you can. Never fall prey to the speaker, because sometimes they correct themselves!
Lastly, the Speaking module: I, for one, used to be petrified at the thought of having a one-on-one conversation with a native speaker, up until I came across this blog. When speaking to yourself, always speak in English! Watch a lot of foreign movies, and try to imitate their way of speaking. On the test day, make sure you ponder over your answer before responding to the examiner, to avoid confusion during your speech. Don’t be nervous, instead see the examiner as a close friend you’re communicating with.
I may not be perfect, but I hope this helps someone whose test date is pending!’
January 16, 2022
IELTS Speaking test in Pakistan – January 2022
M. I. from Pakistan took his Speaking test in January and remembered the following questions:
Speaking test
Part 1 (Interview)
– What is your full name?
– May I see your ID?
– Let’s talk about an app you downloaded to your mobile.
– Where do you get information about new apps?
– Where were you brought up?
– Is that a good place to bring up kids?
– When can parents feel proud of their kids?
– What can other options be? (after I gave two reasons)
– Do you think kids should be given rewards by parents or at school?
– Are there any disadvantages to giving rewards to students?
Part 2 (Cue Card)
Describe an event when a family member made you feel proud. You should say
– When it was
– Who the family member was
– What happened
– And explain why you felt proud of him/her.
Part 3 (Discussion)
– What are the disadvantages of a society with a large gap between the rich and the poor?
– Would you ever move to the countryside anywhere? Why or why not?
– There were some more questions I can’t remember.
January 14, 2022
IELTS Results competition winners in December 2021
Starting a new life in 2022 was probably a New Year’s Resolution many of us made – but here are 5 people who certainly managed to achieve it!
Let’s give a round of applause to the wonderful winners of IELTS Results Competition in December 2021:
Academic Module
1st place – Chidi Joseph Odo from Nigeria, Band 82nd place – Saika Sharmin from Bangladesh, Band 7.52nd place – Shahrzad Jahangiri from Iran, Band 7.52nd place – Anmol Walia from India, Band 7.52nd place – Promise Jameson from Nigeria, Band 7.5Congratulations! It is so wonderful to see people from four different countries who speak four different languages achieve great results and step into the future in 2022. To mark this happy occasion we are sending certificates of achievement to the winners’ email addresses. Winning IELTS results will also be displayed in the IELTS-Blog hall of fame – so if you won, please feel free to show them off to your friends!
How did they score so well?
If you are wondering how these people were able to achieve such great results, you’re not alone – many of our readers email us and ask this question. This is why we always contact the winners and ask for their tips and advice for other test takers. Anything they share we post 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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January 13, 2022
IELTS test in Finland – January 2022 (Academic Module)
O.S. from Finland shared the questions from the IELTS exam that she took in January 2022.
Writing test
Writing task 1 (a report)
We were given a pie chart showing the number of students who attended 5 types of courses in 3 different years.
Writing task 2 (an essay)
Some people think that the government should increase the cost of fuel for cars and other vehicles to solve environmental problems. Do you agree or disagree? 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 are you from?
– Do you work or study?
– What do you do?
– Do you like to go to the cinema?
Part 2 (Cue Card)
Describe a famous person you know who is from your country. Please say
– who the person is
– why he/she is famous
– what is special or interesting about him/her
Part 3 (Discussion)
– Which social media websites do you use?
– How much time do you spend on social media sites?
– What kind of information about yourself have you put on social media?
– Can the information from social media be harmful?
January 12, 2022
Recent IELTS Test Questions and Topics Worldwide – January to December 2022
Welcome to our new latest IELTS exam questions page! Here you will find the most recent IELTS questions that test takers remembered and shared, updated daily in real time.
Last updated: January 12, 2022
Test questions are organised by month when they were reported. Identical questions that appeared in two or more countries on the same day posted only once (no duplicates).
Click below to jump to recent IELTS questions from your country.
Recent IELTS questions from January 2022Recent IELTS Test Questions and Topics Worldwide – January to December 2022 IELTS test in India – January 2022 (General Training)Go here for the most comprehensive list of recent IELTS questions from 2021
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IELTS test in India – January 2022 (General Training)
The questions and topics below were shared by Y.G. who took the IELTS test in India in January this year.
Writing test
Writing task 1 (a letter)
You recently saw an advertisement in a newspaper seeking volunteers to do unpaid work with local children. You are interested in this work. Write a letter to the head of the organisation. In your letter
– express your interest
– ask for details of the work that needs to be done
– let them know when you are available.
Writing task 2 (an essay)
Some people think that air travel should be reduced to protect the environment. Do you agree or disagree? 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 are you from?
– Is it a good place to raise children?
– Do you like science?
– Which part of science do you find interesting?
– Do you think science should be compulsory in schools?
– 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 famous person from your country. Please say
– who he/she is
– what he/she is famous for
– how he/she became famous
– and explain how you feel about this person.
Part 3 (Discussion)
– Do your friends like this person?
– Do celebrities portray a country’s image?
– How can they create a positive image? Why?
– Are they able to portray a country in negative light? Why?
January 11, 2022
IELTS Letter, topic: Notifying a bank about a missing credit card
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 2 General Training book, Practice Test 10
Writing Task 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
You recently received a letter from your bank that should have contained a new credit card. Unfortunately, the card was not in the letter. Write a letter to your bank manager.
In your letter,
– explain what has happened
– suggest the credit card should be cancelled for security reasons
– ask when a new credit card can be sent to you
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,
I recently requested a new credit card, as my old one was stolen during a holiday abroad. Even though the letter usually containing the credit card and its respective access information arrived on time, the credit card was missing and I would like to report this to you.
When the letter arrived, no visible signs were evident that the letter had been opened, but when I inspected the letterhead closely, there were small scratches that could indicate tampering. I believe that for security reasons this newly requested credit card should be cancelled immediately in order to avoid any criminal use. It may have been a technical issue, but it is also possible that a thief was responsible.
Lastly, I would like to know when a new credit card will be sent to me, as I will be going on a business trip in the near future and need it urgently.
Best wishes,
Marianne Bolton
Go here for more IELTS Band 9 Letters
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January 10, 2022
IELTS Speaking test in Nigeria – December 2021
We have just heard from K.T. who took his IELTS test in Nigeria. His Writing topics were just like in the IELTS exam in Saudi Arabia, and here are the Speaking questions he remembered:
Speaking test
Part 1 (Interview)
– What is your full name?
– Can I see your ID?
– How may I address you?
– Do you work or study?
– Why did you choose to study this course?
– Let’s talk about colours.
– What is your favourite colour?
– What colour would you not like for your room?
– Did colours matter to you when you were younger?
– Have you ever gotten lost?
– What have you done?
– What would you do if you got lost somewhere without a phone?
– Would you be willing to help someone who got lost?
Part 2 (Cue Card)
Talk about a place you visited during your last holiday. Please say
– When it was
– Where you went
– Describe your experience
– And explain whether you would recommend the place to others, and why.
Part 3 (Discussion)
– What do you need to do when planning a vacation?
– Why do people plan a vacation?
– What are the advantages and disadvantages of planning a vacation?
– Why do countries allow international tourism?
– How do they let people know about their tourist centers?
– What benefits does mass tourism have for the local people?
– What are the disadvantages of mass tourism?
January 9, 2022
IELTS test in Saudi Arabia – December 2021 (Academic Module)
B.A. from Saudi Arabia emailed us to share the questions he remembered from a recent IELTS exam. He said, “Please know your book (Target Band 7) was a BIG HELP! I just got my result yesterday – an overall band score of 7.5. As best I could remember, these were the questions/topics from my exam in December 2021:”
Writing test
Writing task 1 (a report)
We were asked to describe a table with information on types of films by percent of releases and amount of ticket sales.
Writing task 2 (an essay)
The limited budgets of governments, especially those in developing countries, are better spent on health and education than on employment-generating projects. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? 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?
– Tell me about your favourite room in the house where you live.
– How do you deal with stress?
– How does physical exercise relieve stress?
Part 2 (Cue Card)
Talk about your favorite movie. Please say
– what movie it is
– what it is about
– when you watched it for the first time
– and explain why you like it.
Part 3 (Discussion)
– What is the state of the local film industry in your country?
– What is the role of the film industry in our society?
– Why should film makers portray history truthfully?
January 6, 2022
IELTS test in Iran – December 2021 (Academic Module)
The questions and topics below were shared by P.A. who took the IELTS test in Iran in December. As you know, in 2022 no IELTS exams have been held yet, however, these topics are still great for your practice sessions. We will start posting new topics from 2022 as soon as they become available.
Writing test
Writing task 1 (a report)
We were given a bar chart describing the recommended physical activities for men and women in 3 different years in a certain country.
Writing task 2 (an essay)
In many countries plastic shopping bags are the main source of rubbish. They cause water and land pollution, and so they should be banned. To what extent do you agree with this statement?
Speaking test
Part 1 (Interview)
– What is your full name?
– Can I see your ID?
– Do you work or study?
– How do you feel about your job?
– Where do you live?
– Describe your home.
– Do you like it?
– Did you have barbeque parties when you were a child?
– What kind of food do you like to eat at a barbeque?
– Do people in your country like barbeque?
Part 2 (Cue Card)
Describe a puzzle you tried to solve. You should say
– What it was like
– How easy or difficult it was
– How long it took for you to solve it
– And explain how you felt about it.
Part 3 (Discussion)
– How did you feel after solving that puzzle?
– How often do you do puzzles?
– Is it important to teach children to solve puzzles?
– Why do people like number puzzles?
– How popular are word puzzles in your country? Why?
– Why do children like picture puzzles?
– Why are detective stories important for children?
– Is it better for them to watch a movie or just listen to the story?
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