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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 exam in USA – April 2009 (Academic Module)

Here is what T from the US remembers about his IELTS this month:

Listening test

The listening was quite hard because almost all of the questions were multiple choice with a long description. I didn’t have time to read all the choices.

Reading test

The reading was really hard with long paragraphs, many multiple choice questions, many True/False/Not given questions, a lot of headings matching. The last section was about an avalanche..

Writing test

Writing task 1 (report)
We had an easy table regarding employment and unemployment in the UK and four more countries.

Writing Task 2 (essay)
We were asked to discuss whether a person should spend public money on a lifestyle that prevents illness or should that money be spent to help other people who are critically ill.

Speaking test

Interview
– What is your name?
– What is your job?
– Tell me about your family.

Cue card
Talk about the change in your life you want to make, you should say
– What kind of change you want,
– Why you want to make this change.

Discussion
The topics were about family, friends, whether I cook or not.
– Why teaching children to cook in important?
– What are the things you should teach your children?

IELTS exam in Australia – April 2009 (General training)

Here is what our Aussie friend Y remembers about her General training IELTS exam this month:

Listening test

The recording was a little bit faster than I expected, sections 3 and 4 were both related to science. I heard a lot of uncommon words.

Reading test

The number of passages was reduced from 5 to 4 and the last one was the longest. It was about a scientific report about a lake under ice.

Writing test

Writing task 1 (letter)
The letter was on booking a hotel room, number of people, general plan while staying there and any special requirements.

Writing task 2 (essay)
The essay is on women’s role as police officers. Although there are more and more women police officers in reality, are they really suitable for this job?

Speaking test

Interview
– What is your home like?
– How long have you been living there?
– How do you want do decorate it?
– Do you like sports?
– What sports facilities do you like and what are the most popular in your city?
– When did you start using internet and what do you use it for?

Cue card
Describe a radio or TV program that you would like to talk about with your family and friends these days. You should say:
– What is it?
– What do you like about it and dislike about it?

Discussion
The questions were mainly about radio and TV programs.
– What effect will they have on people’s life, on children?
– What are future benefits we can get from computers and the Internet?