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Simone Braverman

Simone Braverman is the founder of IELTS-Blog.com and the author of several renowned IELTS preparation books, including Ace the IELTS, Target Band 7, the High Scorer's Choice practice test series, and IELTS Success Formula. Since 2005, Simone has been committed to making IELTS preparation accessible and effective through her books and online resources. Her work has helped 100,000's of students worldwide achieve their target scores and live their dream lives. When Simone isn't working on her next IELTS book, video lesson, or coaching, she enjoys playing the guitar or rollerblading.

IELTS Speaking questions from Italy and Mongolia – October 2009

People who had IELTS exams in Italy and Mongolia share their questions for everybody to enjoy. Thanks to C. and M., here is what they were asked:

Speaking test in Italy

Interview
– What’s your name?
– What do you do? Work or study?
– Why have you chosen your work?
– What are the good things about your work?

Cue card
Talk about an important decision that you had to make that involved other people. You should say:
– What type of decision was it?
– Who were the other people?
– Why was it important?

Discussion
– Do you think that music is important during school period?
– What’s the most popular instrument chosen by children?
– Do you play some instrument? What kind of instrument?
– Are team sports important for child? Why?
– Is group activity important at work? Why?
– Do you think that competition can affect workplace?
– Do you see any difference between men and women regarding competition at work?

Speaking test in Mongolia

Interview
– What is your full name?
– Do you work or study?
– Why did you choose that job?
– Do you like shopping?
– What kind of things do you not like to buy?
– Do you prefer to shop in big supermarkets or in small ones?
– Do you like to travel? Why?
– Which country did you like the most? Why?

Cue card
Talk about a traffic jam you got in, you should say:
– How and where it happened?
– How long did you stay in it?
– How did it make you feel?

Discussion
I was asked some general questions regarding problems with traffic jams.
– Should governments be responsible for solving this problem?
– Should individuals be involved in this?
– Is public transportation necessary? Why?

IELTS in Brazil – October 2009 (General Training)

IELTS exam in Brazil was shared by J. (thank you!), who remembered this much:

Reading test
Passage 1: Fitness center advertisement.
Questions: Information matching.

Passage 2: Available youth hostel facilities.
Questions: True/False/Not given.

Passage 3: Don’t remember.

Passage 4: Berry picking season, introduction and work instructions.
Questions: Sentence completion.

Passage 5: A detailed study on ants.
Questions: Filling in the blanks, Information matching.

Writing test

Writing task 1 (a letter)
Write a letter to a friend and ask him / her to look after your house in your absence, give reasons for your travel and any specific instructions / requests.

Writing task 2 (an essay)
The absence of money leads to unhappiness, but money doesn’t bring happiness. What is your opinion?

Speaking test

Interview
– The usual questions about name, etc.
– Do you like reading books?
– Do you read a lot?
– What do you like more, reading books or watching TV?
– Do you know of any books adapted for films?

Cue card
Talk about the last book you have read, you should say
– What book was it?
– Why did you choose it?
– What did you like about it?
– Would you recommend it to anyone else?

Discussion
– Why do you think children like books?
– What kind of books children like?
– What books did you like in your childhood?