IELTS test in China – October 2012 (Academic Module)
Our friend A kindly shared the topics from a recent IELTS exam in China:
Section 1. A woman who wanted to move home was calling a relocation agency.
Questions: filling in blanks.
Section 2. A monologue about volunteering.
Questions: multiple choice, matching statements to paragraphs.
Section 3. Two students were talking about a history project.
Questions: multiple choice, matching statements to paragraphs.
Section 4. A talk on the effects of pollution on buildings.
Questions: filling in blanks.
Reading test
Passage 1. About Australian beaches. A talk about the development of Bondi beach.
Passage 2. Failures are a part of the learning process. An example of how Socrates taught a slave boy geometry.
Passage 3. Neanderthals and their living environment. Where they lived, in what kind of caves/tents, etc.
Writing test
Writing task 1 (a report)
We were given a floor plan of a community centre as it is now and a plan of future renovation that will be done there.
Writing task 2 (an essay)
Nowadays traveling abroad is more convenient and cheap than ever. Do you think this is a good or a bad development?
Speaking test
Interview
– Please state your full name.
– Do you work or study?
– What is the hardest part of your job?
– Would you recommend this job to others?
– Do you use the Internet?
– Does everyone in your family use the Internet?
– Do you like to take pictures?
– What was the last picture you took?
– Do you think nowadays people take too many pictures?
– Is there a special family portrait that you like a lot?
Cue Card
Describe a piece of equipment (not a computer) that you use a lot and that you find very convenient.
Discussion
– Is design taught in schools?
– Should it be taught in schools in your opinion? Why?
– Do you think this will change in the future?
– Do you think the government should do more to encourage innovation?
– Do you think there should be a lot of testing before new products are launched? Why?
– Have there been any big issues with new products?