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February 2009

IELTS exam in Mexico – February 2009 (Academic Module)

Our friend from Mexico sent this update right after his Academic IELTS exam. Thanks, I!

Listening test

Listening was pretty similar to exercises found online at various sites. I clearly remember there was two “no more than tree words” sections, and two “filling up a table” sections, and one about filling something like a school data card, and at least a couple of multiple choice questions.

Reading test

The first passage was about the Tea and the Industrial Revolution.
The second was about research of different scientists (mentioning names) about children and the developing of their mental abilities.
The third passage was about the developing of the tree/wood industry in England, and how now areas are being protected to preserve forests.

Writing test

Writing task 1 (report)
We had a bar graph of eight countries (Turkey, Morocco, Tunisia, India, Pakistan, China, etc.) that exported clothes to the European Union, comparing their cost per kilogram in 1997 and 2003.

Writing task 2 (Essay)
Nowadays many countries have people from many different nationalities living together.
What do you think this happens?
What are the positive and negative aspects of this?

Speaking test

Interview
– Do you work or do you study?
– What kind of activities do you do at work?
-Do you rather work on your own or with people?
-What do you like the most about your work?
– What don’t you like about your work?
– What kind of transportation do you use?
– How often do you go out with your friends?
– When was the last time you went out with your friends?

Cue card
Describe a situation in which you faced a traffic jam. You should say
– when it happened,
– how did you feel about it and
– what consequences it had for you.

Discussion
Do you get stuck in traffic jams a lot?
How do you think traffic jams affect the environment?
What do you think about hiring cabs?

IELTS exam in Dubai, UAE – February 2009 (General Training)

Here are the topics and the questions from the General Training IELTS exam in Dubai, brought by our kind friend S.

Writing test

Writing task 1 (letter)
You rented an apartment, the problem is the tenant living above your apartment. Write a letter to your landlord.

In the letter
1. Outline what the problem is
2. what have you done so far to resolve the above problem
3. what do you expect the lanlord to do in this matter.

Writing task 2 (essay)
In many countries, people of all ages carry out excessive sporting activities and exercises. Does this development has benefits or drawbacks?

Speaking test

Interview
– What is your name?
– Where do you come from?
– Tell me something about your hometown?
– Do you have visitors visiting recently or over the weekend?
– Do you visit people?
– Are there any special arrangement that you do when you have visitors or guests?

Cue card
Describe an advice that you gave to someone, you should say:
– Who did you gave it to ?
– About what did you gave it?
– Where did you get that advice from?

Discussion
– Are older people in great position to give advice? Why?
– People act differently than the advice they give? comment? Why?
– Why should younger people be given advice to?