IELTS Commentry: December 2022

Friday 30 December 2022

Goodbye 2022… Welcome 2023!

Happy New Year 2023!

Hi everyone, this is Simone. Today is the last day of 2022, which means I have one last thing to do, before I can go on and celebrate the New Year. It’s been a tradition for many years now, for me to take a look back, see what I’ve accomplished this year, and think about everything I’d love to do in the New Year.

In 2022 IELTS-Blog.com turned 17 years old! And what a year it’s been.

After collating all the new features, products, services and everything that came into existence in 2022, no wonder the year went past in a flash – me and the team, we haven’t sat down for a minute

So, as a 2022 recap, here’s goes:

The IELTS prep tools we created for you

To help you study for the IELTS test easily, on paper, computer or your mobile phone, we

completely redesigned the website
released a new mobile app for practice on iPhone and Android
created the IELTS Online Prep platform for a very close simulation of IELTS on Computer
updated our print books and e-books to reflect the latest changes and trends in IELTS exams
opened a brand new IELTS VIP Club, to deliver model answers for the latest IELTS questions to the VIP members. The minute we opened doors, people from all over the world started joining and now we have members from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, China, Saudi Arabia, UAE, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, UK, Ireland, Brazil, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Singapore, Turkey, Italy, Germany, Thailand, Vietnam, Kuwait, Oman, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and other countries. Having processed Order #868 last night, I am feeling very optimistic about 2023!

Numbers don’t lie

Knowledge is power, and in 2022 we proudly empowered 2.6 million people who visited IELTS-Blog.com and read our blog posts 6 million times (!)

We delivered over 11 million emails with IELTS questions, advice and preparation materials to our subscribers this year.

To make sure you know what questions might come up in your exam, every day of the week we either posted an exam update with the latest IELTS questions, or a model answer – so that you know how to a respond.

And our efforts paid off – just look at these happy IELTS competition winners who achieved outstanding results!

Our IELTS community knows no bounds

Social media has long morphed from its original purpose to something that serves other needs today, and so many people appreciate an opportunity to learn something new via their social channels. Our Facebook following is 423K-people strong, and on Twitter we’re followed by 39K users. On YouTube we’ve got over 10K subscribed and many more watching our videos, and on Instagram our following is about 5.6K (but we’re relatively new to the platform, so I am sure the best is yet to come!)

Many people are searching for their purpose in life. I am blessed to have found mine – and it is to help YOU. I am here to break IELTS down for you, to explain how to approach it, and show you how to achieve your target score. So let me teach you how to calmly and confidently study, take the test, pass it and step into your bright future sooner.

To everyone who read our blog posts in 2022 – I wish you the IELTS score of your dreams in 2023.

To all the teachers, IELTS tutors and volunteers helping people pass their IELTS exams – I hope your students get amazing results in the New Year.

You can be 100% certain that in 2023, just like the 17 years before it, my team and I will continue to help you, and there will be new IELTS books, practice tests and services.

Just keep coming back; we’ll make it worthwhile.

Thanks again for being part of IELTS-Blog.com family in 2022. Thank you for your friendship and kindness, for your feedback and ideas, for sharing your knowledge and for spreading the word about IELTS-Blog.com.

Here’s to making 2023 your BEST year ever!

Happy New Year from Simone and the entire IELTS-Blog.com Team

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Thursday 29 December 2022

IELTS Speaking test in Pakistan, with answers (Part 3)

Here are some high-scoring Part 3 model answers for the Speaking Test that was shared by a student from Pakistan. The answers show a good way to respond to these questions.

Speaking test

Part 3 (Discussion)

1. Is there a difference between old and young people’s lifestyle?

When you think – really think – about it, the main difference is that older people have more time to do what they enjoy, but they usually don’t have as much energy to do these activities. And most elderly people end up living a quiet life with a gentle daily routine. On the other hand, youngsters usually have to follow a strict routine set by their parents or by their school, and they have very little time to pursue activities that they actually enjoy. It’s a very interesting paradox.

2. What kind of lifestyle do younger people prefer?

I think the youth of the current generation mostly interact online and a lot of their time is spent on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. This means they have a sedentary lifestyle with very little physical activity. When we were young, we spent all day outside and our moms had to beg us to come inside. Unfortunately, these days the exact opposite is true, and we have to plead with our teenagers to spend some time outside in the sun.

3. Do younger and older people choose to live in the same places?

This is something that I haven’t given much thought to, but I would have to say that older people tend to live in places that are less crowded and more laid back. Young people always want to be in the middle of the action, and they choose places that are much livelier and more exciting.

4. Why do older people prefer to live in quiet places?

As I said before, I think that older people prefer to have a more peaceful lifestyle and because of this most of them move away from the hustle and bustle of city life and settle in the suburbs.

5. Why do younger people prefer big cities to the countryside?

Young people often live in busier areas like the city, and I think this has a lot to do with the fact that cities have more work opportunities, they don’t have to commute as much and such places usually have a vibrant nightlife, which is appealing to the younger working generation.

6. What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in a big city?

Well, having access to better facilities like healthcare and education is a major plus point, and to add to that it is often easier to find good employment opportunities in a large city than it is in a small town. This is mainly because big-name brands and companies usually operate in cities. However, due to these advantages, many people flock to the city in search of a better life and this leads to overcrowding and traffic congestion. It can sometimes take hours just to travel a few kilometres because of this.

Read more model answers on the VIP Club website

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Wednesday 28 December 2022

IELTS Speaking test in Pakistan, with answers (Part 2)

Here is a high-scoring Speaking Test Part 2 model answer for the cue card that was shared by a student from Pakistan. The answer shows a good way to respond to this question.

Speaking test

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Talk about a city/town you would recommend as a good place to live or visit (it can’t be your hometown). You should say

– what it is
– where it is located
– how you know about it
– and explain why you would recommend it as a good place to live or visit.

Answer

When I think of a good city to live, I think Islamabad; it has won my heart with its beauty and its kind-hearted people. Islamabad is located in the heart of Pakistan, and it is the capital city of Pakistan. I grew up in South Africa, and the only knowledge I had about Pakistan and Islamabad was the negative image created by the media. Many years later, I travelled to the city with my family and found that this place was nothing like what I had seen on TV.

Each street is lined with trees, and there are parks and greenery everywhere. Sometimes we just drive around the city and marvel at all the beautiful trees and flowers. Apart from this, the city is a first-world city and you can find basically everything you would in any western country. There are fast food outlets like McDonald’s, large shopping malls and big-name international brands that operate here.

But the thing that amazes me the most about this place is that it is super clean, and this is mostly because the residents take pride in their city and homes, and so they take care of their surroundings.

Another feature is that it is perfect for tourists, it has everything a modern city can have, plus it’s very green and the cost of living is highly affordable. You could live like a king here even earning the minimum wage of most first-world countries.

Read more model answers on the VIP Club website

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Tuesday 27 December 2022

IELTS test in Nigeria – December 2022 (Academic Module)

The questions below were received from our friends who recently took IELTS in Nigeria:

Writing test

Writing task 1 (a report)

The graph below shows the average house prices in 3 countries between the years 1997-2014.

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

IELTS Writing Task 1 average house prices in 3 countries

* Note: this isn’t the actual graph given in the test, it was recreated for the purpose of demonstration.

Writing task 2 (an essay)

Some people believe that the government should be responsible for transporting students to school, while others believe that parents should bring their children to school. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– What is your full name?
– What shall I call you?
– Where do you live?
– What kind of relationship do you have with your neighbours? Why?
– Do you usually do any house chores?
– What chores do you dislike?
– Do you like your items being organised or not? Why?
– How do you feel about public transport?
– How often do you use public transport?
– Do you see yourself in the nearest future using public transport more often?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Talk about your favourite movie. You should say:

– what the movie is
– what you like about it
– what you learned from it
– and explain why this movie is your favourite.

Follow-up question: Would you watch this movie again?

Part 3 (Discussion)

– How do you feel about movies?
– How do you feel about computer animation in movies?
– Why is computer animation necessary in movies?
– Do you think animation has a particular age group that it is intended for?
– Do you think as people get older their taste in movies change?
– Do you think all movies have educational value?

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Monday 26 December 2022

IELTS Speaking test in Pakistan, with answers (Part 1)

Here are some high-scoring Part 1 model answers for the Speaking Test that was shared by a student from Pakistan. The answers show a good way to respond to these questions.

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

1. Do you work or study?

I currently work as a real estate agent in my home town.

2. What kind of work do you do?

I help potential clients make the right decisions when buying a new home. I also help homeowners to put their houses on the market. The job involves a lot of negotiating and communication between the different parties involved. It’s much harder than most people think it is!

3. Did you always want to be in this profession?

No, not at all. When I was younger, I dreamt of being a doctor but in college, I discovered that I did not have the stomach for dissections. In fact, the only reason I got into this field was to help out with our household expenses when my partner was in-between jobs. It was supposed to be a temporary solution, but I ended up enjoying it so much that I decided to stick with it for the long run.

4. Are you a morning person? Why or why not?

I am not good company at all in the mornings. Everyone who knows me, knows that I am not in a good mood until I get my morning cup of coffee. If I could, I would stay up late and sleep till noon. For some reason, in the morning I just can’t think straight.

5. How often do you read?

These days I barely find the time to read, and I wish that was different. When I was younger, I always had my nose buried in a book, and I could easily finish a whole book in a day. I cannot believe that I am the same person as now I barely finish a page or two before falling asleep or getting distracted by something on my phone or the TV.

6. Do you love reading books?

I do enjoy a good book and as I mentioned before I used to be quite the bookworm. I just do not have the attention span to focus on this hobby anymore.

7. How often do you buy books?

I am afraid I buy them too frequently. I have a pile of unread new books and for some reason, I keep buying more. It’s become a bit of an unhealthy habit and my poor wallet is the one to suffer.

Read more model answers on the VIP Club website

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Sunday 25 December 2022

IELTS test in Bangladesh – December 2022 (Academic Module)

The questions below were shared by our wonderful friend F.N. who recently took IELTS in Bangladesh:

Writing test

Writing task 1 (a report)

The chart below describes the production of wheat by 5 countries in 2012 and 2020.

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

IELTS Writing Task 1 chart describing the production of wheat

* Note: this isn’t the actual chart given in the test, it was recreated for the purpose of demonstration.

Writing task 2 (an essay)

The cost of public transport has been rapidly rising over the past decade. What are the reasons for this? What are some possible solutions?

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– What is your name?
– Where do you live, in a house or an apartment?
– What is your favourite room in your home?
– How did you decorate your home?
– What are some skills that you’re good at?
– Is anyone else in your family good at the same skills as you?
– Which skills would you like to improve?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe something that surprised you. You should say

– what it was
– how it surprised you
– what you did
– and explain how you felt about this surprise.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– Do you like surprises?
– How do people express their happiness?
– What do people do to show that they are happy?
– Some people are naturally sad and some are happy, why do you think it is?
– When people are smiling, does it always mean that they are happy?
– Do you think happiness is important?

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Thursday 22 December 2022

IELTS essay, topic: In many workplaces online communication has overtaken face to face meetings (advantages/disadvantages)

This essay topic was seen in a recent IELTS test in India.

In many workplaces online communication has overtaken face to face meetings. Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?

Sample Band 8 Essay

In today’s ever-increasingly digital world, online communication has become the norm for many workplaces. While this development offers numerous advantages for companies such as greater flexibility and efficiency, it also brings with it certain disadvantages like miscommunication, which must be weighed against its benefits.

One of the primary advantages of online communication is that it makes it easier for teams to stay in touch without having to physically convene. This is especially beneficial when individuals or groups are dispersed across vast distances. Reduced travel costs, as well as time saved from not having to travel to and from meetings, also represent meaningful savings for businesses. Additionally, online communication platforms often have a range of features designed to make collaboration more efficient, such as providing an easy way to share documents and other materials with remote team members. To illustrate, digital resources can be sent quickly and securely via email or other software services like Dropbox or Google Drive.

There is a potential drawback associated with relying too heavily on online communication at work, as the lack of physical proximity between members of a team can often lead to misunderstandings due to a loss of context or nonverbal cues that would otherwise be present during face-to-face meetings. However, in my opinion, issues of this nature can be solved by using written language more carefully to avoid any confusion or miscommunication among colleagues.

In conclusion, when online communication tools are used properly, they undoubtedly provide companies with greater flexibility in how their teams collaborate without sacrificing clarity of communication, quality or efficiency.

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Wednesday 21 December 2022

IELTS test in Italy – November 2022 (Academic Module)

The questions below were shared by our caring friend who recently took IELTS in Italy:

Writing test

Writing task 1 (a report)

The charts below provide information on energy consumption of the UK in 2010 and 2020.

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

IELTS Writing Task 1 pie charts of energy consumption of the UK

* Note: these aren’t the actual charts given in the test, they were recreated for the purpose of demonstration.

Writing task 2 (an essay)

Nowadays many teenagers have a celebrity who they follow as a role model. Some people think this is not a good idea, because celebrities often set a bad example. Do you agree or disagree?

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– What is your full name?
– Can I see your ID?
– Where are you from?
– What is the weather like in your hometown?
– Do you have a favourite season?
– Why is this season your favourite?
– How often do you check the weather? Why?
– Have your plans ever been affected by the weather?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Talk about an English lesson you enjoyed. You should say

– when you took the lesson
– where you took the lesson
– what you learned in the lesson
– and explain what the teacher did to make this lesson enjoyable.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– Which language in your opinion is the most important in the world nowadays, and why?
– Why is it so important to know another language?
– Is travel the only reason why learning another language is beneficial?
– What is the hardest part of learning a new language?
– Do you think learning another language is more important for young people or old people?
– Who finds learning a new language easier, children or adults?

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Tuesday 20 December 2022

IELTS Speaking test in Canada, with answers – November 2022

Here are some high-scoring Part 1 model answers for Speaking Test that was shared by a test taker from Canada. The answers show a good way to respond to these questions. You can find Part 2 (cue card) and Part 3 answers on the VIP Club website.

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

1. Where do you live at the moment?

Right now, I live in a tiny one-bedroom apartment in the heart of the city. It’s quite cramped for space, but the view from the balcony is phenomenal since you can see the entire city from it.

2. Who do you live with, and why?

I live alone, mostly because my apartment is too small to have a roommate, and also, I am a bit of an introvert and prefer to have my own space where I can relax and recharge after work.

3. Do you like snacks?

Yes, I do. I think most people like snacks, they just prefer different types of snacks. In my case, I love snacking on peanuts and raisins, especially while I am watching a TV show or a movie.

4. What time of the day do you prefer to have snacks and why?

I usually have a snack in the afternoon on most weekdays. This is because I often get swamped at work and don’t have time for a proper lunch break, so I grab whatever I can find to give me a boost. This could be anything from a bar of chocolate to crisps.

5. Do you think snacking is a healthy habit?

In my case it is definitely not healthy at all. That’s because it ruins my appetite before dinner and then I end up snacking again late at night. You could say it messes up my internal cues. What’s worse is that most of the snacks I eat are processed foods that are either full of sugar or added salt. They are not worth the extra calories, but I just can’t seem to shake this unhealthy habit.

6. What were your favourite snacks as a child?

As a kid I just loved marshmallows, and my dad would usually buy me a bunch when he came home from work. My sister and I would make a cheat version of Smores with them in the microwave and they were just divine!

7. If you had a child, what snacks would you give him/her?

I would like to think that I would offer my child healthier alternatives like roasted nuts, dried fruit, and flavoured yoghurt as snacks. However, I think every kid deserves the occasional candy bar every now and then.

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Talk about a person from another culture (such as a friend or a teacher). You should say
– who the person is
– how you met him/her
– where you met
– and explain what you learnt about his/her cultural background.

Read a model answer on the VIP Club website

Part 3 (Discussion)

– Is it easy to communicate with people from another culture?
– What difficulties do we face when we talk to a person from another culture?
– Is language barrier the main problem or are there other difficulties? What are they?
– Do you think if there was just one language in the world, people from different cultural backgrounds could communicate more easily?
– What would be the impact of a different culture on the local culture?

Read model answers on the VIP Club website

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Monday 19 December 2022

IELTS Report, topic: Table describing the viewers’ preferences for TV programs

This is a model answer for an Academic Writing Task 1 from the IELTS exam in Canada, shared recently. This response is likely to get Band 8 or 8.5 in IELTS.

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task

The table below shows the results of a survey conducted in 2012 in a European country, where viewers were asked about their preferences for TV programs. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words

IELTS Writing Task 1 Table of TV Program Viewer Preferences
* Note: this isn’t the actual table given in the test, it was recreated for the purpose of demonstration.

Band 8.5 Model Answer

The table summarises 2012 survey results about the favourite TV programs of people living in a European country, and the data is categorised by three different age groups, namely 11-15 years old, 16-20 years old and 21-25 years old.

Overall, it can be clearly seen that people in the oldest age groups preferred to watch either sports or the news and had the least interest in cartoons. The youngest age group, on contrary, was mostly interested in cartoons.

Looking at the table in greater detail, we can see that 29% of 11 to 15 year-olds enjoyed watching cartoons, which is more than any other age group, while the older viewers (16 to 20 and 21 to 25 year olds) were far less likely to watch such programs, at only 7% and 4% respectively.

The category of Feature films appealed to all the three age groups; 19% of the youngest viewers, 28% of the 16-20 year olds, and 20% of the oldest age group liked watching films. Sports programs have also been watched by a large proportion of viewers from all the three age groups, with the ratios ranging from 23% to 31%.

Only a small proportion of people from the youngest group watched Soap operas, just 9%, while an average of 20% of people from the other two groups watched this type of show.

Click here to see more IELTS reports of band 8

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Sunday 18 December 2022

IELTS test in Ghana – November 2022 (Academic Module)

The questions below were received from our lovely friend who recently took IELTS in Ghana:

Writing test

Writing task 1 (a report)

The table below shows some historical data about family budgets in a European country.

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

IELTS Writing Task 1 table of household expenses

* Note: this isn’t the actual table given in the test, it was recreated for the purpose of demonstration.

Writing task 2 (an essay)

In the recent decades wildlife populations and plant species have suffered a global decline. What are the reasons for this? What are some possible solutions?

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– What is your name?
– Where do you live?
– Do you know your neighbours?
– What kind of relationship do you have with your neighbours?
– Do you check the weather forecast, why or why not?
– Tell me about the kind of weather (hot or cold) you like, and why.
– What is the weather in your country like?
– Has it changed over the years?
– Do you like word or number puzzles, and why?
– Did you do puzzles as a child?
– Who do you think does puzzles more, children or adults?
– Would you bring a puzzle with you when you travel?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe an outdoor activity that you recently did. You should say
– what it was
– who you did it with
– what you did
– and explain how you felt after doing this activity.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– What do people in your country like to do when they go out?
– Is it good to go out?
– Between adults and young people, who goes out more?
– Do people consider pollution when doing outdoor activities?
– Why do you think people do risky behaviours / dangerous sports?
– Does being a parent reduce chances of taking risks?

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Thursday 15 December 2022

IELTS Speaking test in the USA, with answers – November 2022

Here are some high-scoring Part 1 model answers for Speaking Test that was shared by a test taker from the USA. The answers show a good way to respond to these questions. You can find Part 2 (cue card) and Part 3 answers on the VIP Club website.

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

1. Did you learn geography as a child?

Yes, this was one of the subjects that we all had to study in primary school, but I chose not to continue with it in high school. It just wasn’t my cup of tea.

2. Would you visit a country just because of its geographical location?

No, I know that a lot of people do take this into consideration, but I have a greater interest in the history and culture of the places I visit. I tend not to visit any sort of natural landmarks and choose historically significant sites instead.

3. Did you solve puzzles as a child?

Yes, this was something that my dad thought was fun to do as a family. He would often bring home different sets of puzzles, especially ones that involved fitting shapes together in a clever sort of way.

4. What kind, word or number puzzles?

Like I said before, my father encouraged us to fiddle around with many different types of puzzles, but I always enjoyed the ones that involved numbers.

5. Do you think elderly people should be encouraged to solve puzzles?

Yes, I am a firm believer that our minds need mental exercise just as much as our body needs physical activity. From my own experience, the elderly members of our family who still do things like solving crosswords or Sudoku are better at staying sharp.

6. Do you solve number puzzles while commuting?

Heavens no! I wish I had the time to do things like that. When I am on the road, I am almost always late, and mentally trying to prepare myself for a tough day at work or if I am on my way home, I am trying to figure out what to make for dinner that will satisfy my picky kids.

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe a photo you took that you are proud of. You should say
– When you took it
– Why you took it
– What is on the photo
– And explain why you are proud of this photo.

Read a model answer on the VIP Club website

Part 3 (Discussion)

– Do you take selfies? Why?
– Is it a good way to capture some magical moments?
– Why do people take photos?
– Do you think old photos help us learn about history?
– Do you think that pictures from ancient time-periods would be helpful enough to learn about the past?
– What would be more helpful, pictures or written eyewitness accounts, and why?

Read model answers on the VIP Club website

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Wednesday 14 December 2022

IELTS Speaking test in Algeria – November 2022

Thanks to our lovely friend N.B. from Algeria, today we are sharing these Speaking questions from her recent IELTS exam:

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– Where do you live?
– What do you like about the area you live in?
– Do you know people who live in the same area?
– Are there common names in your country?
– Is there a name that you like, and why?
– Does this name have a meaning and what is it?
– What weather do you prefer, and why?
– Is there a place that you would want to move to, because it has the type of weather that you like?
– How has the weather in your country changed in the past few years?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe a photo that you have in your house. You should say
– what kind of photo it is
– when it was taken
– who took the photo
– and explain what this photo means to you.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– How has photography changed in the past few years?
– Why do people like taking pictures?
– What was the effect of digital photography on the pictures that people take?
– Do you think social media has an effect on photography?
– Now that anyone can take a high quality photo with their mobile phone, is there a difference between an amateur photographer and a professional?
– Are professional photography courses still necessary these days?

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Tuesday 13 December 2022

IELTS essay, topic: Despite the benefits of walking, very few people walk nowadays (reasons and solutions)

This essay topic was seen in a recent IELTS test in the USA.

Even though experts believe that walking is a great way to improve one’s health, very few people walk nowadays. Why aren’t people walking? What can be done to encourage them to walk more?

Sample Band 8 Essay

The benefits of walking are numerous, and experts recommend it as a good way to keep healthy and fit. Despite this, the number of people who walk on a daily basis is on the decline. The reasons for this are manifold, but there are also several solutions that may help people walk more.

Lack of time is the most common reason people cite for not engaging in any form of physical activity. These days most people have hectic schedules that involve juggling their work and home responsibilities. As a result, they are often too exhausted or pressed for time and therefore opt for faster and more comfortable forms of transport, such as cars, bikes or public transport. Another major reason for the reduced number of pedestrians on the roads is a lack of safety. Most full-time workers are not free to walk during the day, and will skip it in the evenings or early morning hours, if they do not feel safe enough to do so.

Fortunately, there are quite a few solutions to this issue. One is making walkers safe, which means the government should ensure that there are enough sidewalks and streetlights available in every suburb, so that pedestrians can walk or jog safely whenever time allows. Another useful option is to create special walking tracks and parks in neighbourhoods where people can get some much-needed exercise in the evenings. The added benefit of promoting the healthy lifestyle and walking in the community makes this solution even more attractive.

To conclude, the pressures of daily life and lack of safely while walking reduce the popularity of this healthy practice. Governments can reverse this trend by creating more green spaces for people to walk in and addressing their safety concerns.

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Monday 12 December 2022

IELTS test in Algeria – November 2022 (Academic Module)

The questions below were received from our lovely friend N.B. who recently took IELTS in Algeria:

Writing test

Writing task 1 (a report)

The charts below show the proportions of male and female students getting top grades in 1960 and 2000.

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

IELTS Writing Task 1 bar chart of male students getting top grades

IELTS Writing Task 1 bar chart of female students getting top grades
* Note: these aren’t the actual charts given in the test, they were recreated for the purpose of demonstration.

Writing task 2 (an essay)

Many people try to achieve a work-life balance but fail. Why is this happening? What can be done to help people overcome this problem?

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Sunday 11 December 2022

IELTS Report, topic: Bar charts describing the hours worked by men and women in 3 countries

This is a model answer for an Academic Writing Task 1 from the IELTS exam in the USA, shared recently. This response is likely to get Band 8 or 8.5 in IELTS.

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task

The charts below show the average hours worked last year by full time and part time employees in 3 countries. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words

IELTS Writing Task 1 Bar Charts of Hours Worked By Men and Women in 3 Countries

Band 8.5 Model Answer

The bar charts show the average number of hours that full-time and part-time employees worked in the Netherlands, the UK and Greece in the previous year.

Overall, what immediately stands out is the fact that the number of hours worked by male and female workers was relatively equal for both types of work, and that full-time employees worked almost twice as much as part-time employees.

Taking a closer look at the numbers for full-time positions, the figures for both men and women ranged between 35 to 40 hours per week. Male workers in the UK were the only ones to exceed 40 hours a week. The figures for the Netherlands were the lowest for both genders, at around 35 hours weekly.

Moving on to part-time employment, the difference between the number of hours worked by men and women is more apparent in this chart. People from the Netherlands worked the fewest hours with men spending 10 hours, and women – roughly 15 hours per week at work. The UK had almost equal figures for both genders, around 17 hours a week, while the figures for Greece were slightly higher; the male workers there did around 20 hours per week and female – a touch above 20.

Click here to see more IELTS reports of band 8

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Friday 9 December 2022

IELTS test in Oman, Iran and Sri Lanka – November 2022 (Academic Module)

Three test takers remembered their questions and it turns out they had the same exam in Oman, Iran and Sri Lanka. Special thank-you to N. from Iran for the maps!

Writing test

Writing task 1 (a report)

The diagrams below describe the floor plan of a café 10 years ago, 5 years ago and at present.

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

IELTS Writing Task 1 Cafe Floor Plan 10 Years Ago

IELTS Writing Task 1 Cafe Floor Plan 5 Years Ago

IELTS Writing Task 1 Cafe Floor Plan Now

* Note: these aren’t the actual plans given in the test, they were recreated for the purpose of demonstration.

Writing task 2 (an essay)

Some people think that educational qualifications are important to success in life. Others believe that this is not the only way to become successful. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– What is your full name?
– Do you study or work?
– Do you prefer to do your work in the morning or evening? Why?
– What do you do in your free time in the evening?
– Who do you prefer to spend your free time with?
– Do you think spending leisure time at weekends should be different from weekdays?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe one of your neighbours who you think is interesting. You should say

– who he/she is
– how long you have known him/her
– what relationship you have with him/her
– and explain why you think he/she is interesting.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– Do you think people these days know their neighbours?
– Do you think in urban areas people usually don’t know their neighbours as well as people in rural areas?
– What does national identity mean to you?
– Is wearing some specific clothes or eating some types of food related to national identity?
– Why do you think some people cannot benefit from belonging to a nation?

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Wednesday 7 December 2022

IELTS Speaking test in Saudi Arabia, with answers – November 2022

The questions below were shared by S. who took the IELTS test in Saudi Arabia.

Here are some high-scoring model answers for Speaking Test Part 1, to give you an idea how to respond to those questions. You can find Part 2 (cue card) and Part 3 answers on the VIP Club website.

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

1. Do you live in a house or an apartment?

I currently live in a cosy one-bedroom apartment in a high-rise building on the waterfront. It has an open-plan kitchen and a small living room. It’s a bit cramped, but we have managed to make good use of the small amount of space we have. As a matter of fact, my neighbourhood is quite pricey, so I consider myself lucky to have found some reasonably priced accommodation, even if space is tight.

2. Do you have a favourite room?

Well, technically it’s not really a room, but I have always loved spending time on our little enclosed patio. I am not one for fancy decorations, you could say that I am more of a minimalist by nature. So, this space can only fit a small table and chairs, and I also use it to grow a few herbs and some flowering plants.

3. Why is this room your favourite?

In the afternoons, the sun hits the balcony at just the right angle and it becomes the perfect place to unwind with a good book and a cup of tea. I have a few planters there, which makes this room special because it’s the closest I can get to nature in the city. I love the vibrant colours and calming scents of the flowers in spring. I guess it’s because it reminds me a lot of the garden in my childhood home.

4. Have you ever visited old buildings or monuments?
Yes, quite a few times. As a child, my family and I would often travel to different parts of the country to take a look at historical buildings or ancient ruins. More recently, we visited an ancient Buddhist monastery which is also a world heritage site, and it was quite enlightening.

5. Would you like to visit any old buildings/monuments in the future?
Yes, of course. I will continue our family tradition in the future, and it’s always been one of my dreams to visit the Great Pyramids of Giza. I am fascinated by ancient Egyptian history. As a kid, I would devour any book on the topic that I could get my hands on, and I always imagined what it would be like to see those majestic structures in real life.

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Talk about a famous person from your country. You should say

– who the person is
– what he/she does
– what the person is famous for
– and explain how you feel about this person.

Read model answer on the VIP Club website

Part 3 (Discussion)

– Do famous people have an influence on public opinion?
– How do influencers affect public opinion?
– What is the difference between influence and power?
– Do you feel it is important to be popular among colleagues at work?
– Do you think popularity at work is a good thing?
– Are promotions based on influence or skills?

Read model answer on the VIP Club website

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Tuesday 6 December 2022

IELTS test in India – November 2022 (Academic Module)

The questions below were shared by the kind-hearted J.E. who recently took IELTS in India:

Writing test

Writing task 1 (a report)

The graph below describes oil consumption of 4 countries/regions from 1965 to 2015, in million barrel per day.

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

IELTS Writing Task 1 Graph Of Oil Consumption of 4 countries 1965 to 2015
* Note: this isn’t the actual graph given in the test, it was recreated for the purpose of demonstration.

Writing task 2 (an essay)

In many workplaces online communication has overtaken face to face meetings. Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– Where do you live?
– Do you work or are you a student?
– What is your favourite subject to study?
– You said that you are interested in technology, were you passionate about it from a young age?
– What do you prefer to use, a tablet or a computer, and why?
– When did you start using computers?
– Do you think spending a lot of time on a computer is useful?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe a time when you used your mobile phone for some important work. You should say

– what you did
– when you did it
– why you had to use your mobile phone
– and explain how you felt about this experience.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– Who spends more time on the phone, older or younger people?
– What do younger people use their phones for?
– What do older people use their phones for?
– Do you think people are using their phones more now compared to the past?
– In the future, will people be using their phones more or less, and why?

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Monday 5 December 2022

IELTS essay, topic: In many countries a lot of food is wasted (reasons and solutions)

This essay topic was seen in a recent IELTS test in South Korea

In many countries, a lot of food is wasted. Why do people waste food? How can we reduce the amount of food waste?

Sample Band 8 Essay

Despite the fact that millions of people in the world go hungry every day, a surprisingly large amount of food gets wasted daily in certain parts of the world. In my opinion, the main reason for this is that people in the first-world countries tend to only buy food that is aesthetically pleasing, and fortunately, there are some ways to tackle this issue.

It is shockingly sad to know that large amounts of perfectly edible food in the form of fresh produce get sent to landfills, and the main reason for this is that these foods do not meet the standards of perfection set for fruits and vegetables by consumers and grocery stores. For example, veggies and fruit that are misshapen or have a few spots on them are still good enough to eat, yet they are often left on shelves to rot in favour of something that looks less damaged. In addition, a lot of customers confuse the ‘best by’ and ‘use by’ dates, thinking that foods that have passed their ‘best by’ dates are no longer fit to eat. Another major reason for food wastage is that people often overestimate the amount of produce they require on a weekly or monthly basis, and most of it ends up getting thrown out instead of being used.

There are many ways to reduce the amount of food being wasted, and I think one of the best ideas is to increase people’s awareness of just how much good food is disposed of, only because of our superficial biases as to how food should look. Raising the awareness of the staggering number of people that go hungry in third-world countries would make it harder to throw away an apple just because it is a little bruised. Also, teaching people how to better plan their monthly food requirements would help them not to overspend on food that they do not need; it would be great for the environment and their budget. The role of the government in this endeavour is indispensable as such task would be too great for any smaller organisation.

To conclude, the wasting food is a serious issue that merits increased awareness from both people and the leaders of the world. It is unacceptable to discard any food when there are so many people who are starving, and hopefully our joint effort can help improve the current situation.

Click here to see more IELTS essays of Band 8

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Sunday 4 December 2022

IELTS test in Canada – November 2022 (Academic Module)

The questions below were shared by our wonderful friend S.G. who recently took IELTS in Canada:

Writing test

Writing task 1 (a report)

The table below shows the results of a survey conducted in 2012 in a European country, where viewers were asked about their preferences for TV programs.

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

IELTS Writing Task 1 Table of TV Program Viewer Preferences
* Note: this isn’t the actual table given in the test, it was recreated for the purpose of demonstration.

Writing task 2 (an essay)

It has been suggested that primary school children should be taught how to grow vegetables and keep animals. To what extent the advantages of this suggestion outweigh its disadvantages?

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– Where do you live at the moment?
– Who do you live with, and why?
– Do you like snacks?
– What time of the day do you prefer to have snacks and why?
– Do you think snacking is a healthy habit?
– What were your favourite snacks as a child?
– If you had a child, what snacks would you give him/her?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Talk about a person you know from another culture (such as a friend or a teacher). You should say

– who the person is
– how you met him/her
– where you met
– and explain what you learnt about his/her cultural background.

Part 3 (Discussion)

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Thursday 1 December 2022

IELTS Results competition winners in November 2022

Can you believe it’s December already? The New Year is less than a month away, and right now, we are creating the future. The things we’re doing now are shaping up our 2023. Guess who’s already written a big chapter of their life next year? Six determined people that worked really hard to get the IELTS scores they need for 2023. Congratulations to…

IELTS results competition winners of November 2022

Academic Module

1st place – Seleena Jacob from India, Band 7.5
2nd place – Dhruvilkumar Ashokbhai from India, Band 7

General Training Module

1st place – Ahmed Khaled Elhodaiby from Egypt, Band 8
1st place – Kimberly Lu Lim from the Philippines, Band 8
2nd place – Noha Hassan Elsayed Atia from UAE, Band 7.5
3rd place – Ashkan Rajabi Seif Abad from Iran, Band 7

These are some impressive scores! To mark this happy day 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?

It feels amazing to see our student take the first place!

Ahmed used the book Ace the IELTS and our practice tests in his exam preparation. After receiving his IELTS score, was really happy – this email says it all:

“Hi Simone, I hope you had a great day.
I just got my results and I wanted to share the good news with you, I got band 8 overall (Listening 8.5, Reading 9.0, Writing 7.0, Speaking 7.5). I really can’t express how grateful I am for your support and help, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. Hopefully, I can meet you one day and thank you in person.”

Ahmed gives ‘Ace the IELTS’ and practice tests a very warm recommendation:

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 that 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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Friday 30 December 2022

The IELTS prep tools we created for you

Numbers don’t lie

Our IELTS community knows no bounds

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IELTS results competition winners of November 2022

How did they score so well?

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