IELTS-Blog

This awesome report came from a Hungarian guy right after he was done with IELTS and it was very fresh in his memory. Thank you very much, Tamas, for providing this study case - well done!

Listening

For me there were enough pauses (30 seconds to look on the following block of approx 6 questions, and 30 more seconds to complete your answers), the answers were clear enough to hear out. Of course, the classic traps mentioned in “Ace the IELTS” e-book were there, but I was well aware of them. I only missed one answer, and was not sure in one more case.

The tape was surprisingly hard to recall later, which is a proof of “you won’t remember a single word afterwards” statement in “Ace the IELTS” , it was split into four parts.

The first part was a phone conversation of a tour reservation, and you needed to collect names, phone numbers, and such factual data. Then, I still don’t remember the next two parts.

There were single choice and multiple choice tasks involved. Then in the last part there was a text about water shortages, the history of dams, and a comparison of water dams and water banks. This was a fill-the-gaps task, with synonyms often used.

One question I couldn’t figure out with multiple choice questions: the leaflet said “questions 12-14″ and then 5 options from which I had to pick 3.The answer sheet however, clearly asked for question 12, 13, and 14 separately. Let’s assume the answers are A, B and E. In which order do you mark these on the answer sheet? Which is the answer for question 12/13/14 exactly?

To explain this one: in such cases the order doesn?t matter. Make sure you select the right choices, write them on Answer sheet in any order, they will be all accepted. (Simone)

Reading

With the skimming technique I managed to save so much time that I had more than 10 minutes at the end to re-check every answer (to correct two obvious mistakes in my case), which were already copied to the test sheet.

There were four parts:
1) A table comparing 3 lodging packages
2) A travel insurance leaflet
3) A one-page text about retraining courses
4) A 7 paragraphs text about the advantages of wind turbines as alternative energy
sources.

I tried not to over think some of the T/F/NG tasks, but still I’m not sure in two cases:

1) The travel insurance leaflet contained a clause something like
“laptops and other electronic equipments are covered (if their model and id were registered previously)”, and the question was whether the insurance covers/doesn’t cover/or covers in some cases. I’ve chosen “covers in some cases” here, thinking that the condition applies only if…

Well done! (Simone)

2) The retraining told something about apprenticeship (with a footnote that it means studying and working at the same time, and one of the courses told it is for apprenticeship, trainees, and other general studies (or something like that, unfortunately I can’t recall), and there was a question whether this course usually includes part-time work. I chose NG, as I felt that the fact that it USUALLY includes part-time work (that is apprenticeship and trainees in my reading) was not emphasized in the text.

Writing

Task1
Your friend will be staying at your home, but you can’t be there. Write a letter in which you explain:
1. How the keys will get to him/her
2. How to use the electrical appliances
3. Recommend some interesting places to visit

Task2
Some people say subjects like arts, music, drama and creative writing are more beneficial to children, and therefore they need more of these subjects to be included in their timetable. Do you agree or disagree?

I was sort of winding down by the end of the test, dehydrated and was not creative enough in the second task, so I wrote only in general (despite the fact that they asked for personal experiences to be mentioned), and too short. (235 words total, and no time left to extend that. At least I kept the essay structure, so knowing that was a great help.

Speaking

There was an hour break before interviews started. There were 2 examiners for the 16 candidates, and each interview took about 15 minutes, so that means something like 2-3 hours waiting for the last candidates.

Generally, the examiners are very kind; they (of course) let you speak when they see you have something to say. It is up to you, though to answer their questions in the meantime.

About tape recording: the interview starts with a short tape-recording test, which tests the physical condition of the tape-recorder, but be prepared to hear your voice back from a tape: if you haven’t heard it before, you might be surprised how different it sounds (to you), and don?t let it distract you (this was a case for one of my fellow candidates).

This summary came from a couple of very happy Canadian students. Both of them used IELTS-Blog materials, got 7 in General IELTS and felt like helping others. Thank you, guys!

Writing

Task 1
Imagine your going to an English speaking country; write to a rental agency,
a) the type of house you want.
b) its size.
c) the surroundings.

Task 2
Discuss your opinion about how modernism can affect our health. What can the government do to overcome such circumstances?

Speaking

Interview
1. Give me your name?
(Asked my passport- identity)
2. Tell us about your work/job?

Little speech
What is your opinion about working in shifts. Give examples: doctors, hotel staff, etc.

Discussion
Different jobs demand shift work, in my opinion should the choice be given to the candidate to work in shifts or not.