Thursday 29 September 2022

IELTS Letter, topic: Asking your boss for some time off

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 19

Writing Task 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

A close relative of yours is having a birthday lunch next week, but you know you will be working. Write a letter to your boss or supervisor to ask for some time off.

In your letter,

– explain the situation and why you particularly want to attend the lunch
– specify the dates, times and amount of time off you will need
– offer to work late or come in early another time to make up for the time

You should write at least 150 words.

You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows:

Dear Mr. Jones / Dear Mrs. Jones,

Sample Band 9 Letter

Dear Mr. Jones,

I am writing this letter to request that you permit me to leave work early next week, on Tuesday, June twenty-second. It will be my grandmother’s eighty-fifth birthday and she is planning an elaborate family lunch beginning at one p.m. and lasting the remainder of the day. She and I are very close, my grandmother having almost raised me as a child, and both she and myself would be very disappointed if I were not able to attend. She has not celebrated her birthday significantly since her children were born and this day will be very special to the whole family.

I am very aware that I would be missing valuable time at the office, but I can assure you that I will make the time up by working late for several days. As you know, I have been a dedicated employee during the three years I have worked for this company and I can assure you that this dedication will not change.

Please consider my request and thank you for your time.

Yours sincerely,

Catherine Broad

Go here for more IELTS Band 9 Letters



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Wednesday 28 September 2022

IELTS test in Oman – September 2022 (Academic Module)

Our friends T. and B. took IELTS in Oman very recently and remembered the following questions:

Writing test

Writing task 1 (a report)

We were given line graphs showing the number of people employed in Australia versus the number of people working in the manufacturing sector.

Writing task 2 (an essay)

Some people believe that electronic games are improving the skills of young people. Others think that it is a complete waste of time. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– Can I have your full name, please?
– Do you work or are you a student?
– Is your work tiring?
– Do you celebrate birthdays in your culture?
– What did you do on your birthday when you were young?
– Are birthdays important? In what way?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Talk about a person who inspires you. You should say

– who the person is
– how you know him/her
– why he/she inspires you
– and explain what effect he/she has on your life.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– Do you think today’s children need inspiration?
– Who inspires them more, parents or teachers?
– Do you feel that children are more inspired by celebrities these days?



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Monday 26 September 2022

IELTS Speaking test in South Africa – September 2022

Thanks to our lovely friend E.O. today we are sharing the questions he remembered from a recent IELTS Speaking test in South Africa:

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– Can I have your full name, please?
– Can I see your ID?
– Where do you live?
– How many years have you been living there?
– Do you use public transport?
– Did you use public transport when you were a child?
– Will you use it in the future?
– Is it very popular in your country?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Talk about a novel or a story that you have read recently. You should say

– what kind of novel/story it is
– who wrote it
– what it is about
– and explain whether or not you enjoyed reading it and why.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– Do you prefer paper books or online books? Why?
– Do you think people have the same opinion about a book?
– In your opinion, can we learn about other countries from books?
– If the book describes the traditions and customs of a country, does it help you to be aware of them when you are visiting there?



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Sunday 25 September 2022

IELTS test in Kuwait – September 2022 (Academic Module)

Thanks to A. who took IELTS in Kuwait, today we are sharing the questions from his recent exam:

Writing test

Writing task 1 (a report)

We were given a line graph describing the percentages of people in a European country who owned one car, two cars, three cars or more, and no car.

Writing task 2 (an essay)

New research has shown that overeating has become a bigger problem in the world than hunger. What are the reasons for this problem? How can it be solved?

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– Can I have your full name, please?
– Do you work or are you a student?
– Do you use public transport to get to work? Why / why not?
– Is there a type of public transport that you prefer?
– How good is the public transport system in your country?
– Should people use public transport more? Why?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Talk about a place to visit in your country that you would recommend to others. You should say

– what the place is
– where the place is located
– what people can do there
– and explain why you would recommend this place.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– Are there any other activities that people can do there?
– How can you understand from people that the place is worth a visit?
– What is your opinion about online reviews of places?
– Are all the reviews reliable? Why/why not?



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Thursday 22 September 2022

IELTS essay, topic: Some people like to own their home while others prefer to rent it (discuss)

This is a model response to a Writing Task 2 topic from High Scorer’s Choice IELTS Practice Tests book series (reprinted with permission). This answer is close to IELTS Band 9.

Set 6 Academic book, Practice Test 30

Writing Task 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Some people like to own the place where they live, but other people like to rent where they live. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

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

You should write at least 250 words.

Sample Band 9 Essay

The debate over whether it is better to own or rent the property in which one lives is one that has strong supporters on each side. There are persuasive arguments for both points of view.

One of the main advantages of renting a property is flexibility. Usually, a tenant only has to give a month’s notice before changing where he or she lives. If a property is owned and a change is needed, the property must be put onto the market and it is frequently a long and stressful process to get a sale completed. Sometimes, the wrong time of year or a bad market can mean that a sale is not possible. Another advantage of renting is that a large amount of a family’s capital is not tied up in the property. Property can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and often a lot more. If one rents, this money can be spent on other things to help improve the family’s quality of life. If the property is on a mortgage, then the deposit, also often very large, is tied up in the property and the pressure of having to make substantial payments every month can cause a lot of stress.

Owning a property does have various advantages, though. Even though people usually have to service a mortgage every month with payments, this money is then built up with the property. With renting, the money is lost to the landlord, but at the end of the term of the mortgage, the whole property is owned by the family. This makes the process of living in a property a type of investment. In addition, the property’s value often goes up after time, frequently creating a substantial profit. Owning the property where one lives can also create a sense of well-being and self-actualisation.

The decision to whether one rents or owns the property in which one lives really boils down to individual preference. My opinion is that it is much more preferable to own a property, mainly because it creates a valuable asset for the family.

Go here for more IELTS Band 9 Essays



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Wednesday 21 September 2022

IELTS test in India – September 2022 (General Training)

Thanks to our kind friend from India we are sharing the questions from his recent IELTS test:

Writing test

Writing task 1 (a letter)

You visit a cafe every day. Write a letter to the manager of the cafe. In your letter

– Say what you like about the cafe
– Suggest an improvement to the cafe
– Explain the benefits of your suggestion.

Writing task 2 (an essay)

Some say that modern technology is giving people more free time, while others think it is making them busier. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– What is your full name?
– Do you work or study?
– Do you live in a flat or a house?
– What is your favourite room? Why?
– What would you like to change in your flat?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Talk about a time when you helped a child. You should say

– when and where it happened
– who the child was
– how you helped him/her
– and explain how you felt about helping the child.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– How can neighbors help each other?
– Were neighbors helping each other more in the past?
– Do you think it is important to participate in any voluntary work?
– Do you help anyone regularly?
– Do you think people generally like to help each other? Why?
– Do you think people who help others expect something in return?
– When helping others, what is considered more valuable, time or money? Why?



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Monday 19 September 2022

IELTS Speaking test in the Philippines – September 2022

Thanks to our lovely friend K., today we are sharing the questions she remembered from her IELTS Speaking test in the Philippines:

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– Can I have your full name, please?
– Can I see your ID?
– Did you study about the history of your hometown in school?
– Do you use a mobile phone often?
– Do you like texting?
– When was the first time you got a mobile phone?
– Do you like looking at yourself in the mirror?
– How often do you use mirrors?
– Have you ever bought a mirror?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Talk about a gift you would like to give to someone. You should say

– what gift it would be
– who you would give it to
– why you would like to give him/her this gift
– and explain why you chose this gift for him/her.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– Do you like giving gifts?
– What kind of things should we consider when choosing a gift?
– On what occasions do people in your country give gifts?
– Why is it sometimes difficult to choose a gift for someone?
– Why do some people consider the brand/price when giving gifts?
– Do parents in your country give many gifts to their children?



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Sunday 18 September 2022

IELTS test in Iran – September 2022 (General Training)

Thanks to the lovely S.E. we are sharing the questions from her recent IELTS test in Iran:

Writing test

Writing task 1 (a letter)

You have recently read a book about a city which you know well, and found some incorrect information in the book. Write a letter to the author. In your letter

– Inform him/her of the incorrect information
– Give him/her the correct information
– Explain why he/she should correct it.

Writing task 2 (an essay)

These days world leaders of all kinds are younger than in the past. What are the reasons? Is this a negative or a positive trend?

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– What is your full name?
– May I see your ID?
– Tell me about your hometown.
– What is it famous for?
– What sport do you like to watch? Why?
– Do you like to watch your favorite sport on TV or in a stadium? Why?
– What sport do you like to watch live? Why?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe a piece of clothing that you like very much. You should say

– where you got it
– what it is like
– when and where you wear it
– and explain why you like wearing it.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– Have you ever given somebody a piece of clothing?
– Why is it important to wear uniforms?
– Does fashion influence people?



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Thursday 15 September 2022

IELTS Results competition winners in August 2022

Queen Elizabeth II, who sadly is no longer with us, famously said “When life seems hard, the courageous do not lie down and accept defeat; instead they are all the more determined to struggle for a better future.”

We couldn’t think of a better description for the 5 people we are about to celebrate today. Look what they have achieved by refusing to give up:

IELTS results competition winners of August 2022

Academic Module

  • 1st place – Roshni Haye from Pakistan, Band 8.5
  • 2nd place – Nor from Malaysia, Band 8
  • 3rd place – Sandra Ifeoma Anyanwu from Nigeria, Band 7.5

General Training Module

  • 1st place – Rayan Zeineddine from Lebanon, Band 9
  • 2nd place – Mohit Kumar from Canada, Band 7.5

Well done, Roshni, Nor, Sandra and Mohit! What an amazing score, Rayan, a Band 9?! 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?

It feels SO good to see our student win! Rayan from Lebanon used our book ‘Ace the IELTS’ and credited his success to it. In his own words, Ace the IELTS is the book that came to me at the right time. I had one month to prepare and I wanted straightforward, guaranteed tips and tricks to achieve the results I need. I ended up scoring a 9 overall! Thank you Simone for the time and effort you put into this book. There’s a reason why this book is a best-seller!”

As for the other winners – we would love to hear from you, 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 Report, topic: Double line graph of lengths of hospital stay (from IELTS High Scorer’s Choice series, Academic Set 4)

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 Academic book, Practice Test 17

Writing Task 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The graph below shows the average length of stay last year (in days) for serious injuries for different age groups in private and public hospitals in Queensland, Australia.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

You should write at least 150 words.

Last Year’s Average Length of Stay at Private and Public Hospitals for Serious Injuries – Queensland, Australia
Double line graph of lengths of hospital stay (from IELTS High Scorer's Choice series, Academic Set 4 book)

Sample Band 9 Report

The graph provides two sets of statistics regarding the differing lengths of stays last year for patients with serious injuries in private and public hospitals in Queensland, Australia. The information is given for age groups for every four years of age.

Overall, it is clear that last year public hospitals stays were longer than stays at private hospitals across all age groups, with only one exception. The average lengths of stay were, however, very similar in trend in terms of how the stays rose and dropped.

The figures for public hospitals begin for the age group zero to four years. The lengths of stay go up very sharply and steadily from this age group, starting at around four days up to just under sixty days for the age group twenty-five to twenty-nine. There is then a sharp and steady drop to just over forty days to the age group thirty-five to thirty-nine. There is a more sharp increase to approximately fifty-seven days for the next age group and then there is a decrease in the length of hospital stays. This drop is sharp to start with, but slows down from the age group fifty to fifty-four years (around twenty-seven days) to eighty-five years plus (around eighteen days).

The figures for private hospitals follow a similar trend. The figures begin with the age group fifteen to nineteen years. They show a rise to a peak at the age group twenty-five to twenty-nine, the same peak age group for public hospitals. There is then a mostly steady drop in the length of hospital stay until the eighty-five years age group, where the length of stay is the same as the stay at public hospitals (around eighteen days). This is the only average length of stay that is the same for the public and private hospitals. The average length of stay is always larger in the age groups at public hospitals.

Go here for more IELTS Band 9 Reports



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Tuesday 13 September 2022

IELTS test in Australia – September 2022 (Academic Module)

Thanks to S. who took IELTS in Australia, today we are sharing the questions from her recent exam:

Writing test

Writing task 2 (an essay)

These days, many young people are not spending their weekends and holidays doing outdoor activities such as hiking or mountaineering. Why is that? How can they be encouraged to spend more time in the natural environment?

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– Can I have your full name, please?
– What kind of job do you have?
– Now let’s talk about household chores.
– Do you cook?
– When you were young, were you asked to do chores?
– What are your least favourite chores?
– Did you study geography?
– Do you like geography?
– When you are choosing a country to visit, are you trying to learn more about its geography?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Talk about a time you missed an important meeting, such as a medical appointment or a meeting with a friend. You should say

– what the meeting was
– who you were meeting
– why you missed it
– and explain how you felt about it.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– Do you feel that people value the importance of a work appointment more than a casual meeting with friends?
– What do you think of people who have photographic memory?
– Is it important to have a good memory?
– Do you think a person with a good memory can perform better in exams?



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Sunday 11 September 2022

IELTS Speaking test in India – September 2022

Thanks to our lovely friend P., today we are sharing the questions she remembered from her IELTS Speaking test in India:

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– Can I have your full name, please?
– May I have your ID?
– Where are you from?
– Do you work or study?
– Is your job hard?
– What exactly do you do?

– Do you make up early in the morning?
– Is your morning routine different from when you were younger?
– Why are you waking up later in the morning now?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe a time you saw a movie that you would like to see again. You should say
– when it was
– where it was
– what the movie was about
– and explain why you would like to see it again.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– Do you think fewer people go to the movies nowadays? Why?
– Every age group prefers to watch different movies. Why do you think that is?
– Where do people go to watch movies?



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Friday 9 September 2022

IELTS test in Taiwan – September 2022 (Academic Module)

Thanks to A. who took IELTS in Taiwan, today we are sharing the questions from her recent exam:

Writing test

Writing task 2 (an essay)

Nowadays in many countries most shops and products are the same. Some people feel this is a positive development, while others disagree. Discuss both views and state your opinion.

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– Can I have your full name, please?
– Do you work or study?
– Do you like your work?
– What do you usually do in the evenings?
– Do you spend your time doing same thing on weekdays and at the weekend? Why?
– What don’t you like to do in the evening? Why?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Talk about a time when you helped a child. You should say

– when and where it happened
– who the child was
– how you helped him/her
– and explain how you felt about helping the child.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– Do you think everyone in the community should do some volunteering? Why?



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Tuesday 6 September 2022

IELTS test in India – August 2022 (Academic Module)

Thanks to N.K. who took IELTS in India, today we are sharing the questions from her recent exam:

Writing test

Writing task 1 (a report)

We were given a line graph describing the monthly expenditure of an average Australian family.

Writing task 2 (an essay)

Nowadays it is more difficult for children to concentrate or pay attention in school. What could be the reasons for this? What solutions can you suggest?

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– Can I have your full name, please?
– Do you work or study?
– What do you study?
– Why did you choose those subjects?
– Why do you feel that science is an interesting field of study?
– Do you plan to continue studying these subjects?
– Do you think you have learnt enough?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Talk about an activity you do to keep fit. You should say

– what it is
– who you do it with
– how it helps you
– and explain how you feel about it.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– What do older people in your country do to keep fit?
– How can we spread awareness among older people about exercise?
– What can be done in order to keep children healthy?



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Monday 5 September 2022

IELTS essay, topic: People today find their lives more and more dominated by their jobs (agree/disagree)

This is a model response to a Writing Task 2 topic from High Scorer’s Choice IELTS Practice Tests book series (reprinted with permission). This answer is close to IELTS Band 9.

Set 6 General Training book, Practice Test 29

Writing Task 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

People today find their lives more and more dominated by their jobs. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

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

You should write at least 250 words.

Sample Band 9 Essay

It is certainly true that many people around the world find their lives dominated by the work that they have to do. This is shown when you realise how people’s work, and how much time, effort and resources they devote to it, is often the subject of conversation.

Most people depend on their jobs to generate an income to pay for their lives’ necessities and luxuries, and so work can naturally become a dominating focus. As this is an important part of nearly everyone’s everyday life, it can seem that people’s lives are indeed becoming more influenced by their jobs. Whether this emphasis on work is more significant now than in previous years is debatable. In many developed countries around the world, there are procedures in place to help people with finding work, providing unemployment benefits, ensuring education, and offering pension payments. In times past, these provisions were not in place and a job or business was required to provide the necessary income.

Therefore, in spite of increases in the cost of living in many places around the world, it can be argued there is actually less pressure than in previous years to keep one’s job and perform well at it. This, in turn, would lead to people’s lives being less influenced by their jobs today. It is also true that in the past, people were as responsible and focused on doing well in their responsibilities as today and so, in this respect, the people of the past would be equally dedicated to their work as people are today.

While I agree that people’s lives today are often dominated by their jobs, I feel that the current situation is not necessarily worse than before. In fact, it may be more positive, due to the fewer pressures to earn money in many countries.

Go here for more IELTS Band 9 Essays



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IELTS Speaking test in Malaysia – August 2022

Thanks to our anonymous friend, today we are sharing the questions he remembered from his IELTS Speaking test in Malaysia:

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– Can I have your full name, please?
– May I have your ID?
– Do you work or study?
– Where do you live?
– What is your hometown like?
– Do you work or study?
– What is your daily working schedule?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Talk about a long walk that you went on. You should say

– where you went
– when you went
– who you walked with
– and explain what you saw on the long walk.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– Is it important to have leisure activities?
– What are the common leisure activities in your country?
– What is the purpose of leisure activities for people in the younger age group?
– How about the older age group?
– Why do you think leisure activities are important for all the generations?



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Thursday 1 September 2022

IELTS test in Japan – August 2022 (Academic Module)

Thanks to S.M. who took IELTS in Japan, today we are sharing the questions from her recent exam:

Writing test

Writing task 1 (a report)

We were given a bar graph describing how much people spend on health in Japan, France, the United States, Russia and the UK. There were 3 spending categories: total health, public health and private health.

Writing task 2 (an essay)

The best way to understand different cultures is by working at a multinational organization. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– Can I have your full name, please?
– Do you work or study?
– Do you have a watch?
– Which do you live in now, an apartment or a house?
– Do you have a favourite room, and why?
– How can we make a house more comfortable?
– Why do you think people in your country buy a house?
– Do you read more now than when you were younger? Why?
– Have you ever watched a movie first before reading its book, and why?
– Do you buy books often?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe a change you recently made that positively affected you. You should say

– what the change was
– who helped you make it
– why you made it
– and explain how you feel about this change.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– Which do you think is better, changing jobs frequently or working at the same place for a long time?
– Is it always good for people to change their job frequently?
– Do you think it is good to change your daily routine regularly?
– Who do you think is more likely to change their routine, a younger person or an older person?



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