Skip to content

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 Dubai, UAE – February 2009 (General Training)

This update came straight from Dubai in UAE, where our friend FA had his General Training IELTS exam. Here’s what he says:

Listening test

This section went well.
In first part a woman was complaining about her fridge, the questions weren’t difficult.
In second part there was a radio host reading SMS messages.
In the third part a lecturer was talking about university courses.
In the last part a lecturer was talking about addiction to the Internet.

Reading test

The first part was about a tour guide.
The last part was very, very hard.

Writing test

Writing task 1 (a letter)
Write a letter to your friend who asked you to give some suggestions to his son who is coming to your country. Tell him which city he should go to, how he can get a job, and how he can make friends.

Writing task 2 (an essay)

Do you think that watching television is good for people? Why do we enjoy watching it? Discuss and express your opinion.

Speaking test

Interview

The questions were about
– My name
– My job
– What I am doing at my job
– Why I am doing this job
– Whether I like museums or not
– I was asked to talk about one museum I have visited

Cue Card

Describe a game you were playing as a child, you should say:
– Why you liked playing it
– Where you played it
– Whom you’ve played with

Discussion

– Do you think games are important for adults?
– Do you think games are important for children?
– Which type of games was famous in your childhood?
– Is it important for children to play outside?

IELTS Essay plan: Good and bad of multicultural society

This is a suggested plan for an essay on the following topic:

“Today a lot of different cultures and ethnic groups live together in one country. Why is this so and do you think this is a positive or negative development?”

Essay plan

Introduction paragraph

In the introduction paragraph you should first explain about the situation, mention its reason and consequences:

Example: Due to the highly developed technology, advanced communication channels and massive amounts of information delivered by media about various countries, people get more motivated to leave their home country and move somewhere else in the world. In turn, this creates a situation where well-developed and thus desired countries are getting filled of a mixture of cultures, all brought by immigrants. As beneficial as this development is to the well-being of a country, it’s drawbacks shouldn’t be forgotten.

First body paragraph – 1 point against multicultural society

  • People stick to their own ethnic group and don’t interact with other groups, thus creating the opposite of united society.

    • Make that point, explain why this is so and why this is bad for the country. Then mention the good sides of cultural mix to smoothly move on to the 2nd paragraph.

    Second body paragraph – 1 point for multicultural society

  • People from various cultures contribute in multiple different ways to development because they bring with them different sets of skills, characteristic to their home country.

    • Make that point, explain why this is happening and why this is to the benefit of the new country.

    Third body paragraph – 1 point for multicultural society

  • People broaden each other’s horizons by exposing a larger audience to the traditions of their own country.

    • Make that point, explain how this is happening and what are the benefits for the new country.

    Conclusion
    Summarize what was already said without adding new information, express your own opinion.