IELTS Commentry: IELTS test in Saudi Arabia and Iran

Two IELTS test takers from Saudi Arabia and Iran shared their questions – thanks, R.E. and G.B! It seems as though the two exams were the same. Here is what they remembered:

Listening test

Part 1. A man wanted to apply to work for an organization that is helping elderly people. He was asked about his address, free days and times, skills (language and others), etc.

Part 2. About a city and forests. Why this city is unique, its problem with soil, the factors to be considered by inhabitants of city.
Questions: Multiple choice, map labelling. We were given a map of the area and we had to choose locations for different plants.

Part 3. A study of music in different universities and 2 people’s work.
Questions: Multiple choice, matching different problems to their solutions.

Part 4. About the material used in shipbuilding and its use over the history.

Reading test

Passage 1. Groundwater use in a specific area and in Australia. Whether it is expensive to provide in rural areas in this country, the exact location of groundwater, its treatment throughout history, where it comes from and where it is gathered on the farm.
Questions: Gap-fills, True/False/Not Given.

Passage 2. About clowns in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Questions: Matching headings, Yes/No/Not Given.

Passage 3. About people who have hearing disabilities. The relationship between language and music, for example, if they can sing or understand intonation, how their brains work, it is considered as a disorder, etc.
Questions: True/False/Not Given, Multiple choice.

Writing test

Writing task 1 (a report)

We were given a line graph describing the production of electricity and energy from 4 different natural resources (coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear energy) between 1996 and 2006 in the UK.

Writing task 2 (an essay)

In some countries, there is not enough medical and educational facilities in rural areas. Some people believe newly graduated teachers and doctors should be sent to rural areas to work for some time, while others suggest that people should be free to choose a place to work.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– What is your full name?
– Can I see your ID?
– Do you work or study?
– What is your field of interest (or ‘What do you like to study’)?
– Is mathematics important in your field of interest?
– Can mathematical applications be used in real life? How?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Talk about your dream job. Please say

– What would you like to do in this job?
– Why did you choose this job?
– Why is it important for you to have this job?
– Why do you think this is the best job for you?

Part 3 (Discussion)

– What are the advantages and disadvantages of working at home compared to working at a workplace during the pandemic?
– Is it better to work remotely (at home) or at your workplace?