Friday 29 December 2023

Goodbye 2023… Welcome 2024!

Happy New Year 2024!

Hi everyone, this is Simone. As 2023 draws to a close, I’m doing my end-of-year ritual of reflecting on the past year and looking forward to the next. It’s a special time, as IELTS-Blog.com just celebrated its 18th birthday, and what a fantastic year it’s been!

We’ve been super busy enhancing your IELTS prep experience. This year, we totally revamped our website, improved our mobile app, added lots of new features to the IELTS Online Prep platform, updated all our books, and welcomed many new members to our exclusive IELTS VIP Club. It’s thrilling to see people joining from all around the world!

Our impact in 2023 was huge – 2.7 million people visited our site, we sent out over 12 million emails, and kept everyone updated with the latest IELTS questions and model answers.

The steady flow of success stories of our IELTS competition winners is a testament to our efforts.

Our social media presence has grown significantly too, with a strong following across Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter. It’s a joy to connect with so many of you there!

Helping you conquer IELTS has been my passion for as long as I can remember, and in 2024, my team and I will continue to be there for you with new resources and friendly, accessible help. Thank you for being part of IELTS-Blog.com family, and I’m grateful for your friendship and support.

Here’s to a fantastic 2024 and a Happy New Year!

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Thursday 28 December 2023

Latest IELTS test questions from India – December 2023 (Academic Module)

Latest IELTS Academic New Questions India December 2023

Our Instagram follower LP took IELTS in India a few days ago and remembered these writing questions. Interestingly, earlier this year, the exact same Writing Task 1 has been seen in IELTS in Vietnam.

Writing test

Writing task 1 (a report)

The diagrams below show the structure of a solar panel and how it can be used to heat air and water.

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

IELTS Writing Task 1 How A Solar Panel Can Be Used To Heat Air And Water

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

Writing task 2 (an essay)

Some countries invest a significant amount of money in promoting the use of bicycles. Why do you think this is the case? Does it have a positive or a negative impact on individuals and the society?

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

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Wednesday 27 December 2023

IELTS test in Cameroon – December 2023 (General Training)

IELTS General Training Latest Questions Cameroon December 2023

Thanks to our kind subscriber NC, here are the Writing topics from a very recent IELTS exam in Cameroon:

Writing test

Writing task 1 (a letter)

You work for a company where the manager is soon going to retire. Write a letter to the assistant manager. In your letter:

– Propose how the retirement party for the manager can be organised.
– Explain how the manager has influenced you at work.
– Suggest a suitable retirement gift for the manager.

Writing task 2 (an essay)

In many countries, it is mandatory for school children to wear uniforms. Do the advantages of this policy outweigh the disadvantages?

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

Tips for success in the IELTS Writing Test

To get a high Band Score for your letter, make sure that you

  • Address each bullet point clearly.
  • Organise your ideas in paragraphs – write 1 paragraph on each bullet point.
  • Use the correct tone and vocabulary – in a letter to a friend use informal language.
  • Manage your time – allocate time for planning, writing and proofreading, and spend no more than 20 minutes in total on Writing Task 1.

To write an essay that will score well in IELTS, make sure that you

  • Make your position clear throughout the essay.
  • Structure your essay correctly – there should be an introduction, body and conclusion.
  • Use formal vocabulary.
  • Use a mix of sentence types (simple, compound, complex) to show your language proficiency.
  • Leave some time to proofread your essay before turning it in.

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Tuesday 26 December 2023

IELTS Speaking questions from India – December 2023

IELTS Speaking New Questions India December 2023

A very kind IELTS test taker MC shared the following Speaking questions from her recent computer-based IELTS exam in India:

Test tip: Go over these questions and think of some things to say and what vocabulary you would use. IELTS Speaking test questions and topic areas are known to repeat in many countries! Being familiar with the topic and specific questions increases your chances of success.

Once you have some ideas, answer the questions and record yourself. Then listen to your recording and check your fluency, intonation, gaps in vocabulary or words you may have mispronounced. Re-record anything you are not happy with, and you’ll see that your next attempt sounds better already!

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– Can you tell me your full name, please?
– Do you work or study?
– Do you remember a teacher from your primary school?
– What can you tell me about that teacher?
– Did you have a favorite subject in primary school? Why was it your favorite?
– Do you like teaching? Why or why not?
– How has teaching and teachers changed lately?
– What second language were you taught in school?
– Has this language been useful to you later in life? Why or why not?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe an occasion when you spent some time with a young child. Please say:

– who the child was
– why you spent time with him/her
– what you did together during that time

and explain how you felt about spending time with this child.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– In your opinion, what role should parents play in disciplining their children?
– Who usually spends more time with children in a family, the mother or the father?
– Do you think this is the same in all families?
– Why do you think it is important for parents to monitor their children’s friendships?
– Do you think parents should have a role in choosing their children’s friends?
– Do you believe children learn more effectively from making mistakes or from strict rules and conditions? Why?

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Monday 25 December 2023

IELTS test questions from Australia – December 2023 (Academic Module)

IELTS Academic New Questions Australia December 2023

Our subscriber DA told us about her IELTS exam in the Australia, she took the test a few days ago. Today we are sharing everything she remembered:

Writing test

Writing task 1 (a report)

The graph below shows the percentage of tourists who used various modes of transport within a particular country between 1989 and 2009. Each tourist may have used multiple modes of transport.

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

IELTS Writing Task 1 Modes of Transport Used by Tourists

* 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 people living in the twenty-first century have a better standard of living as compared to previous centuries. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

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

The post IELTS test questions from Australia – December 2023 (Academic Module) first appeared on IELTS-Blog.



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Thursday 21 December 2023

IELTS Speaking questions from Romania – December 2023

IELTS Speaking New Questions Romania December 2023

Our student LD took her computer-based IELTS exam in Romania a few days ago and her examiner asked the following questions in the Speaking test.

Test tip: Go over these questions and think of some things to say and what vocabulary you would use. IELTS Speaking test questions and topic areas are known to repeat in many countries! Being familiar with the topic and specific questions increases your chances of success.

Once you have some ideas, answer the questions and record yourself. Then listen to your recording and check your fluency, intonation, gaps in vocabulary or words you may have mispronounced. Re-record anything you are not happy with, and you’ll see that your next attempt sounds better already!

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– Can you tell me your full name, please?
– Do you work or are you a student?
– What do you study?
– Let’s talk about noise. Would you describe yourself as a noisy person?
– In what situations does noise bother you?
– Do you like to listen to loud music? Why or why not?
– Are there any types of music that you find especially noisy or unpleasant?
– How do you feel about noise in your living environment?
– Do you think cities are becoming noisier?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe someone you know who loves cooking. You should say:

– who this person is
– what kinds of dishes they usually cook
– who they usually cook for

and explain why you think this person enjoys cooking so much.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– Do you think the range of dishes that people usually cook is affected by the agricultural produce available in their region?
– How important do you think agriculture is in your country?
– In what ways can technology be integrated into agriculture?
– Can agriculture be improved by technology? In what way?
– Are there any negative impacts of using technology in agriculture?
– How do you think technology in agriculture affects the environment?

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Wednesday 20 December 2023

IELTS Sample Reports of Band 8

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Model Answers Band 8

Last updated: September 28, 2023

Here you can find IELTS Sample Reports of Band 8, written by students and graded by an IELTS teacher. Click on one of the task types below to jump to model reports of that type.

Maps / Plans
Bar Charts
Line Graphs
Pie Charts
Mixed Pie Charts + Bar Graphs
Tables

Note: the topic of each report appears when you hold the mouse over the link. Every report is checked, marked, has comments and suggestions. Hold the mouse over to see suggested corrections. The teacher’s summary is at the bottom of each report.

IELTS Model Reports Describing Maps / Plans

IELTS Maps / Plans – sample report 1

IELTS Maps / Plans – sample report 2

IELTS Maps / Plans – sample report 3

IELTS Maps / Plans – sample report 4

IELTS Maps / Plans – sample report 5

IELTS Maps / Plans – sample report 6

IELTS Model Reports Describing Bar Charts

IELTS Bar Charts – sample report 1

IELTS Bar Charts – sample report 2

IELTS Bar Charts – sample report 3

IELTS Bar Charts – sample report 4

IELTS Bar Charts – sample report 5

IELTS Bar Charts – sample report 6

IELTS Bar Charts – sample report 7

IELTS Bar Charts – sample report 8

IELTS Model Reports Describing Line Graphs

IELTS Line Graphs – sample report 1

IELTS Line Graphs – sample report 2

IELTS Line Graphs – sample report 3

IELTS Model Reports Describing Pie Charts

IELTS Pie Charts – sample report 1

IELTS Pie Charts – sample report 2

IELTS Model Reports Describing Mixed Graphs (Pie Charts And Bar Graphs)

IELTS Mixed Graphs – sample report 1

IELTS Mixed Graphs – sample report 2

IELTS Model Reports Describing Tables

IELTS Tables – sample report 1

IELTS Tables – sample report 2

IELTS Tables – sample report 3

IELTS Tables – sample report 4

IELTS Tables – sample report 5

Note: the reports are checked by an IELTS teacher, not an IELTS examiner or examiner trainer. All the bands are approximate.

suggested corrections are in the window

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IELTS Report, topic: Pie charts describing the percentages of book sales of one bookseller in 1970, 1997 and 2012

IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Model Answer Band 8

This is a model answer for an Academic Writing Task 1 from the IELTS exam in Turkey, 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 chart below illustrates the percentages of sales of one bookseller in 1970, 1997 and 2012. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words

IELTS Writing Task 1 Pie Charts Book Sales by Genre and Year

Band 8.5 Model Answer

The pie charts illustrate the sales percentages of books across five genres sold by a bookseller from 1972 to 2012.

Overall, it is evident that the proportion of Adult fiction book sales increased over the years, while the sales of Biography books exhibited a declining trend.

Initially, in 1972, the ‘Other’ books category dominated the market, comprising approximately 25% of total sales. In contrast, Adult fiction, Children’s fiction, and Biography books each represented 20% of total sales. Travel books constituted a smaller segment at 15%. By 1992, Adult fiction had taken the lead in sales at 25%, while Children’s fiction and the ‘Other’ category each accounted for around 20% of total sales. In the same year, Travel and Biography books made up 18% and 15% of sales, respectively.

By 2012, Adult fiction books constituted 45% of book sales. Additionally, Children’s fiction represented 25% of the market. Both Travel and ‘Other’ book categories saw a decrease, each accounting for about 10% of total sales. In contrast, Biographies had the smallest share of sales at just 8%.

Click here to see more IELTS reports of band 8

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Tuesday 19 December 2023

How to Get IELTS Band 7 in 60 Days with Just 30 Minutes of Daily Study

How to Get IELTS Band 7 in 60 Days with Just 30 Minutes of Daily Study

Preparing for the IELTS and aiming for a Band 7 score is a challenge, especially when time is limited. Many students just think of it and give up – before they even started. Often people think they don’t have enough time to study and that IELTS preparation means you have to spend hours studying. However, my experience proved times and times again that, with a focused approach, it’s entirely possible to achieve IELTS Band 7 in just 60 days by dedicating only 30 minutes each day to your study.

So in this post I am going to give you a strategic plan to optimise your study time, specifically targeting the skills needed to secure a Band 7 in your IELTS exam.

Understanding the IELTS Band 7 Requirements

Before you start, it is really important to understand what IELTS Band 7 demands. This score reflects a good level of English proficiency, where you can handle complex language and understand detailed reasoning. Each section of the IELTS – Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking – requires specific strategies to hit this band score.

Go over your week and find 5 days where you can study for IELTS 30 minutes a day. Make a timetable for your study schedule. It can be something very simple – like this:
Monday, Tuesday: 19:00 – 19:30
Wednesday, Thursday: 20:00 – 20:30
Friday: 12:00 – 12:30

Your 60-Day IELTS Band 7 Study Plan

Week 1-2: Laying the Foundation

Initial Assessment: Start by taking a practice test to find out your current level. Focus on identifying areas where you need improvement to reach that IELTS Band 7. These are the areas where you didn’t give enough correct answers for a Band 7. Use this calculator to find out your current score.

Work on Individual Skills: Allocate dedicated days to practice 30 minutes a day for each IELTS skill (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking). Use these resources tailored for IELTS Band 7:
1. IELTS Strategy book
2. Online practice tests
3. Downloadable and printable practice tests

Week 3-4: Intensive Skill Mastery

Reading and Listening: Alternate between reading and listening exercises. Aim to understand complex texts and audio materials, a crucial step for achieving IELTS Band 7.

Writing: Focus on essay writing but don’t neglect writing Task 1 reports / letters. Pay attention to structure, coherence, and advanced vocabulary – key elements for a Band 7 score.
Writing an essay initially takes longer than the 30-minute session you have planned, so break it down into two session. Use one session to plan your essay and think of ideas and vocabulary to use in it. Next day write your essay following the plan and using your notes from the day before.

Speaking: Practice speaking on a variety of topics. Record yourself to self-evaluate and improve.

Week 5-6: Mock Tests and Review

Full-Length Practice Tests: Simulate real exam conditions. This practice is vital for achieving IELTS Band 7, as it helps with time management and test endurance.

Doing a full mock test takes longer than 30 minutes, so break it down again into half-hour sessions. A full Listening test can be done in under 30 minutes. One Reading text should only take 20 minutes – use the extra 10 to check and analyse your answers. You will need 40 minutes for your essay, but only 20 for your writing task 1.

Focused Review: Analyse your answers in every skill. Understand what you need improve to meet the IELTS Band 7 criteria. Get feedback on your Writing and Speaking – in these skills you can’t rely on self-assessment alone.

Week 7-8: Final Preparations

Strategy Refinement: Work on test-taking strategies. For IELTS Band 7, it’s crucial to manage your time effectively and handle all question types confidently.

Confidence Building: Continue practicing all four skills, with an emphasis on building the confidence needed for the IELTS Band 7.

Longer sessions for full mock tests: You need to simulate the timed conditions of real IELTS to find out your level of readiness. These sessions will be 2.5 hours long – but you really need them to test whether you’re scoring Band 7 / 7.5 at home. This means you are ready for the real exam!

Bonus Tips for Securing IELTS Band 7

Regular Feedback: Seek feedback from teachers on your Writing and Speaking. Regular feedback is crucial to improve and achieve IELTS Band 7.

English Immersion: Watch movies in English, listen to the news, read books or news articles in English. This immersion will help you think and respond more naturally (like a native speaker), a key aspect of securing Band 7.

Health and Well-being: Remember, a healthy mind is just as important. Ensure you’re well-rested and relaxed as your exam approaches. Don’t drink alcohol the day before or on the day of your exam. Some students do it to calm the nerves, but it’s not a good idea because it dehydrates you and your mind won’t be as sharp and focused.

IELTS Band 7 Specific Resources: Take advantage of resources specifically
designed for achieving Band 7. This targeted preparation can make a real difference.

By following this structured 60-day plan and dedicating just 30 minutes a day, achieving an IELTS Band 7 is within your reach. Stay consistent, don’t skip sessions and trust the method. Start your journey towards IELTS Band 7 today!

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Monday 18 December 2023

IELTS essay, topic: Too much attention and resources are given to the protection of wild animals and birds (agree/disagree)

IELTS Model Essay Sample Band 18 December 2023

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

Some people say that too much attention and resources are given to the protection of wild animals and birds. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

In recent years, the increasing allocation of resources for the protection of wild animals and birds has given rise to the question of whether or not it is justified. While some argue that these efforts are crucial for maintaining biodiversity, others believe that the resources and attention dedicated to this cause are excessive. Personally, I think that humanity has other needs that are equally worthy of funding.

The first point to consider is that the disproportionate focus on wildlife conservation often overshadows more pressing human concerns. For instance, resources allocated for the protection of a single endangered species could potentially be redirected to address urgent human needs, such as healthcare, education, or poverty alleviation. In developing countries, where resources are particularly scarce, the choice to prioritise wildlife over critical human issues can be especially problematic. For example, in some African nations, vast sums are invested in protecting certain wildlife species, while basic human necessities remain unmet for a significant portion of the population.

Furthermore, excessive focus on wildlife protection can lead to unintended negative consequences for local communities. Often, conservation efforts involve restricting access to natural resources that communities have traditionally relied upon, leading to economic hardships. In parts of Asia, for instance, the establishment of protected areas for tigers has sometimes resulted in the displacement of indigenous communities or restrictions on their access to forest resources, which are vital for their livelihoods. Not only does this create conflict between humans and wildlife, but it also raises ethical questions about the fairness of such conservation strategies.

In conclusion, while the protection of wild animals and birds is unquestionably important, striking a balance is crucial. The current overemphasis on wildlife conservation, often at the expense of addressing human needs and respecting the rights of local communities, suggests a need for rethinking. A sustainable approach should consider both environmental and human factors equally.

Teacher’s feedback:

Overall, the essay would likely receive a Band 8. It effectively addresses the task with a clear position, is well-organised, uses a wide range of vocabulary, and demonstrates a high level of grammatical control.

Task Response: Band 8
The essay presents a clear opinion and supports it with relevant examples. For instance, the writer discusses the allocation of resources to wildlife conservation versus urgent human needs like healthcare and education, and the impact on local communities in Asia and Africa. To achieve a higher band, the argument could be deepened with more varied perspectives or solutions.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8
The essay is well-organised with clear paragraphing. Cohesive devices such as “Furthermore” and “For instance” are used to connect ideas. For a higher band, more sophisticated cohesive devices could be employed.

Lexical Resource: Band 8
The essay uses a good range of vocabulary, including terms like “disproportionate,” “unintended negative consequences,” and “sustainable approach.” To reach a higher band, more precise and varied vocabulary could be used.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8
The essay demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures with accuracy. Examples of complex structures include conditional phrases (“could potentially be redirected”) and relative clauses (“that communities have traditionally relied upon”). The grammar is largely accurate, contributing to the clarity of the essay.

Submit your essay for correction and find out how to improve your Writing score.

Click here to see more IELTS essays of Band 8

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Sunday 17 December 2023

IELTS test questions from Sri Lanka – December 2023 (Academic Module)

IELTS Academic New Questions Sri Lanka December 2023

Our subscriber AJ told us about his IELTS exam in the Sri Lanka (he took the test at the weekend). Today we are sharing everything he remembered:

Writing test

Writing task 1 (a report)

The table below shows the amount of waste production (in million tonnes annually) in six different countries over a twenty-year period.

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

IELTS Writing Task 1 Amount of Waste Produced in 6 Countries

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

Writing task 2 (an essay)

Some people think that nowadays children have too much freedom. Do you agree or disagree?

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

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Thursday 14 December 2023

IELTS Speaking questions from Saudi Arabia – December 2023

IELTS Speaking New Questions Saudi Arabia December 2023

Our student KA took IELTS in Saudi Arabia a few days ago and his examiner asked the following questions in the Speaking test.

Test tip: Go over these questions and think of some things to say and what vocabulary you would use. IELTS Speaking test questions and topic areas are known to repeat in many countries! Being familiar with the topic and specific questions increases your chances of success.

Once you have some ideas, answer the questions and record yourself. Then listen to your recording and check your fluency, intonation, gaps in vocabulary or words you may have mispronounced. Re-record anything you are not happy with, and you’ll see that your next attempt sounds better already!

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– What is your name?
– Where are you originally from?
– Are you from a village, city, or town?
– Do you regularly run?
– Did you run a lot when you were young?
– Is the area around your home suitable for running?
– How do people in your area keep fit?
– Do you prefer to exercise indoors or outdoors?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe a picture or photograph that you liked a lot. You should say:

– when and where you saw it
– what is on the photo / picture
– why you liked it

and explain how you felt about it.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– Why do people take photos?
– What is the effect of technology on photography?
– Can you trust a written text or a photo more?
– How have people’s photography habits changed with the advent of smartphones?
– Do you think photographs are a reliable way to record history?
– How can historical photographs influence our understanding of the past?
– In your opinion, what role do photographs play in teaching and learning history?

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Wednesday 13 December 2023

How to Get Rid of Bad Handwriting in IELTS

Get Rid of Bad Handwriting in IELTS: Top Tips and Strategies for Improvement

In the paper-based IELTS bad handwriting is a real problem: if the examiner struggles to read what you’ve written, it could negatively impact your score. Handwriting can potentially affects 3 IELTS skills out of 4 (Listening, Reading and Writing), because all the answers are written by hand. Any answer that isn’t legible will receive 0 marks, which means 75% of your score can suffer from poor handwriting.

Legible handwriting is just as important as your content. Yet it is a common not only for younger people but also for adults to struggle with their handwriting. The problem is compounded by the fact that we type more than write by hand these days, and our handwriting skills deteriorate because we don’t use them enough. Luckily there are effective ways to make your handwriting clear and readable.

Bad Handwriting in IELTS

Practical Tips to Make Your Handwriting Easy to Read

1. Switch to Print Handwriting: If you usually write in cursive, switch to print handwriting. This style, where each letter is separate and not connected, significantly improves legibility and readability. It’s easier for examiners to decipher individual letters and words, reducing the risk of misunderstandings.

Bad Handwriting in IELTS

2. Relax Your Grip: A tight grip on the pen can lead to hand cramps and uneven writing. By loosening your grip, you’ll find that writing becomes more comfortable, and you can maintain a consistent quality of handwriting for longer periods of time without your hands tensing up.

3. Use Double-Ruled Paper for Practice: This is a great tool for keeping your letters uniform. Keep your letters between the two lines, just touching the top line, with only taller letters like ‘t’ and ‘f’ extending above. Make sure your capital letters stand above the top line – the difference between them and lowercase letters has to be clear. If there are no visible capitals starting each sentence, your score for Grammatical Range and Accuracy may be impacted.

Bad Handwriting in IELTS

4. Slow Down: Speed can often be the enemy of legibility. Take your time to form each letter properly. This might feel slow at first, but accuracy is more important than speed in the beginning stages of improving your handwriting.

5. Gradually Increase Your Speed: Once your writing looks fine when you’re writing slowly, start to gradually increase your writing speed. Regularly read back what you’ve written. If it’s understandable, you’re maintaining good control at that speed.

6. Practice regularly: Like any skill, handwriting improves with practice. Commit to writing at least one page by hand every day. You’ll likely notice a significant improvement in just two weeks.

Improving your handwriting for the IELTS is not just about making your answers legible. It’s about ensuring that your knowledge and hard work are accurately represented and understood. By making these tips into your daily routine, you can fix poor handwriting, once and for all. Keep going, don’t give up, and with regular practice, your handwriting will turn from a weakness to a strength in your IELTS journey.

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Tuesday 12 December 2023

IELTS test questions from the UAE – December 2023 (Academic Module)

IELTS Academic New Questions UAE December 2023

Our subscriber TM told us about his IELTS exam in the UAE and today we are sharing everything we learnt from him:

Writing test

The graph below describes the number of fixed line and mobile telephone subscribers per 1000 inhabitants in Africa, between 1994 and 2004.

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

IELTS Writing Task 1 Fixed Mobile Telephone Subscribers Africa 1994-2004

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

Writing task 2 (an essay)

People in many countries are spending more and more time away from their families. Why is this happening? How does this affect people and their families?

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

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IELTS Spelling: British or American?

IELTS Spelling: British or American?

What spelling to use in IELTS, British or American? This is a very common question that my students keep asking, and here is the answer. But first…

What is the difference between US and UK spelling?

There are words with differences in spelling – ‘color’ (American) vs ‘colour’ (UK), ‘labor’ vs ‘labour’ and so on (see the non-exhaustive list at the end of this article). Depending on where you learnt English, you will be accustomed to one of the variations, and the other one will seem foreign to you. As a general rule words like ‘generalize, prioritize, socialize’ that are spelled with a ‘z’ in the US, are spelled with an ‘s’ in the UK – ‘generalise, prioritise, socialise’, etc.

What spelling should I use in IELTS, US or UK?

IELTS accepts both US and UK spelling, with just one rule – you shouldn’t mix them. When I say ‘mix them’, here is what I mean:

Case 1: Mixing different spelling within the same task

Imagine you’re writing your essay and you’ve used the words “colour” and “emphasize”. The first word has the UK spelling and the second – US. This is considered to be mixed spelling and you should avoid it.

Case 2: Mixing different spelling within the same skill

You’ve written your Writing Task 1 and you’ve used the word “prioritized” (US spelling). You have then written your Writing Task 2 and you’ve used the words “labour” and “colour” (UK spelling). This is also considered to be mixed spelling and you should avoid it.

What spelling should I use in the Reading test?

Luckily, in the Reading test you don’t need to worry about choosing US or UK spelling – all your answers should be copied directly from the text, and so whatever spelling version the text is using, you will be using the same.

Can I use different spelling in different IELTS Parts (e.g. UK in Listening and US in Writing)?

Your score won’t be affected if you use UK spelling in one part of the test, such as the Listening test, and US spelling in another, such as the Writing test. Different IELTS parts are marked by different examiners.

Listening is clerically marked and your answers are compared to a list of correct answers. If the word can be spelled in more ways than one, all of them will be on the list of correct answers. You won’t be marked down for using US or UK spelling on the Listening test.

Writing is marked by a different, highly trained examiner and so if you have been consistent with your spelling in the entire Writing section (including Writing Task 1 and Task 2), if you didn’t mix US and UK spelling, your score is safe.

What words are spelled differently in the British and American English?

Here are some words that frequently appear in IELTS texts, topics and answers:

British (UK) vs American (US)
colour vs color
neighbour vs neighbor
labour vs labor
centre vs center
metre vs meter
litre vs liter
dialogue vs dialog
travelling vs traveling
offence vs offense
licence vs license
prioritise vs prioritize
specialise vs specialize

Download a list of spelling words

Download a complete list of words spelled differently in the British and American English here.

The post IELTS Spelling: British or American? first appeared on IELTS-Blog.



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Monday 11 December 2023

IELTS test in Turkey – December 2023 (General Training)

IELTS General Training Latest Questions Turkey December 2023

Thanks to our kind subscriber CK, here are the Writing topics from a very recent IELTS exam in Turkey:

Writing test

Writing task 1 (a letter)

You recently bought an electronic device for your home. Your friend wants to buy the same device and has asked for your advice. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter

– Describe the device
– Explain why you bought it
– Say whether or not your friend should buy it and why.

Writing task 2 (an essay)

Nowadays governments in many countries spend a lot of money on works of art such as paintings to be displayed in public places. Is this a positive or negative development?

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

The post IELTS test in Turkey – December 2023 (General Training) first appeared on IELTS-Blog.



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Thursday 7 December 2023

Avoid This Common IELTS Essay Mistake!

Avoid This Common IELTS Essay Mistake!

You sit down to practice and write an “Agree / Disagree” IELTS essay. And your first step is…

If you’re like many, you try to think of some ideas for your essay.

STOP right there.

Why? It’s a very common mistake many people make in their IELTS writing. They start brainstorming BEFORE they have taken the time to decide their position.

You need to decide whether you AGREE or DISAGREE, and only then come up with ideas for your essay.

Your position has to come first, because if you AGREE you need to think of some strong ideas why you agree, and if you DISAGREE, your ideas have to be on why you disagree. If you partially agree, you need ideas for both sides. Without knowing your position, you can’t generate relevant ideas!

Follow These 5 Steps Instead

1. Understand the Topic: Read it carefully. Make sure you understand what is being asked.
2. Decide Your Position: Agree? Disagree? Partially agree? Your position shapes your argument.
3. Idea Generation: Now, brainstorm. If you agree, think of strong supporting ideas. Disagree? Focus on reasons to disagree. Partially agree? You’ll need points for both sides. Remember, without a clear position, your ideas may lack relevance.
4. Begin Writing: Start your paragraph with a topic sentence, then explain your idea and support it with an example.
5. Proofread: Never skip this step. Find your mistakes before the examiner will!

Remember: For a well-structured essay, two strong ideas are typically sufficient for your two body paragraphs.

Need help with your IELTS essays? Get in touch today!

The post Avoid This Common IELTS Essay Mistake! first appeared on IELTS-Blog.



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IELTS Speaking questions from Australia – November 2023

IELTS Speaking New Questions Australia December 2023

Our student TH took IELTS in Australia a few days ago and was asked the following questions in the Speaking test.

Did you know? IELTS Speaking test questions and topic areas are known to repeat in every corner of the world! This is why preparing for the most recent Speaking questions is very effective and increases your chances of success. Give these questions a try – answer them and record yourself. Then listen to your recording and check for gaps in vocabulary or words you may have mispronounced.

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– What is your full name?
– Where do you live?
– How long have you been living there for?
– Is there anything you would like to change about the place you live in?
– Do you often fix things?
– Did you learn to fix things when you were younger?
– What do you do when something is broken and cannot be fixed?
– Do you think it is necessary for people to learn to fix things?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe a faraway country that you would like to visit. You should say

– where it is
– how you would go there
– what you would do there

and explain why you would like to visit this country.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– What benefits does tourism bring to a place?
– How does tourism affect the culture of a destination?
– Does globalisation bring any negative impacts to a place?
– How can young people benefit from travelling?
– Can travel have a significant impact on a person’s character or worldview? How?
– How can young people prepare before travelling?
– Why do some young individuals prefer to stay at home?

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Wednesday 6 December 2023

IELTS test questions from Australia – December 2023 (Academic Module)

IELTS Academic New Questions Australia December 2023

Thanks to our kind subscriber TH, today we can share everything we know about the latest IELTS exam in Australia:

Listening test

Part 1. A conversation between two people about a part time job.
Questions: filling in blanks.

Part 2. A talk about festivals.
Questions: multiple choice, matching information.

Part 3. A presentation about dolphins (multiple speakers).
Questions: multiple choice, matching information.

Part 4. A lecture about archaeological excavations.
Questions: filling in blank.

Reading test

Passage 1. Morepork / Laughing Owl.
Questions: True/False/Not Given, filling in blanks.

Passage 2. House Designs.
Questions: Which sections contain the following information, matching names, True/False/Not Given.

Passage 3. Conformity.
Questions: Yes/No/NG, filling in blanks.

Writing test

The chart below shows the percentages of cinema attendance by different age groups in a particular country between 1978 and 2008.

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

IELTS Writing Task 1 Cinema Attendance Percentages

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

Writing task 2 (an essay)

Many people work from home using modern technology today. Some people think that only the workers benefits from this and not the employers. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

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

The post IELTS test questions from Australia – December 2023 (Academic Module) first appeared on IELTS-Blog.



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