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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 Letter, topic: Describing your visit to the museum

This is a model response to a Writing Task 1 topic from High Scorer’s Choice IELTS Practice Tests book series (reprinted with permission). This answer is close to IELTS Band 9.

Set 4 General Training book, Practice Test 18

Writing Task 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

You recently visited a museum in your local town and you had a mixed experience. Write a letter to the museum’s manager.

In your letter,

– explain when you visited and what you saw
– explain the positive parts of your experience and what you liked
– explain the negative parts of your experience and give some advice for improvements.

You should write at least 150 words.

You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows:

Dear Sir / Dear Madam,

Sample Band 9 Letter

Dear Sir,

My name is Peter Jones and last weekend on the twenty-third of May I visited your American History Museum. Being a history enthusiast, I was looking forward very much to learning about the important events that your museum covers and looking at the displays. In general, the exhibits were well-presented and interesting. I was also impressed with the recreation of various American Revolution events that were acted out by your staff.

However, there were certain aspects of my visit that were quite unsatisfactory and I would suggest that these be improved as soon as possible. I heard that several of the tour guides I passed were giving incorrect information regarding dates, people, events and the impact of certain events. I also found the order of exhibits, though detailed, difficult to follow, for many were not in chronological order. Some exhibits had their information missing and so it was impossible to understand what I was looking at. I would also suggest improving the lighting, for it is quite harsh and creates an unwelcome atmosphere.

Your museum is very interesting, and I hope you can act on my advice to create a more worthwhile experience. I look forward to visiting again soon.

Yours faithfully,

Peter Jones

Go here for more IELTS Band 9 Letters

IELTS Speaking test in Japan – August 2022

Thanks to the lovely S.Y. we are sharing today the questions she remembered from her IELTS Speaking test in Japan:

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– Can I have your full name, please?
– May I have your ID?
– Do you work or study?
– What do you study?
– Why do you enjoy studying those subjects?
– Do you study better in the mornings or afternoons? Why?
– What sport did you play when you were young?
– What sport do you like to watch?
– What sport would you like to play in the future if you had the chance?
– Do you read more now or when you were younger? Why?
– Have you ever watched a movie first before reading its book? Why?
– Do you buy books often?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Talk about a time when someone said something positive about your work. You should say

– who it was
– when it happened
– what the person said
– and explain how you felt after hearing their feedback.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– On what occasions do parents give their children positive encouragement?
– Why do you think children need that type of feedback?
– Do parents give their children negative feedback, too?
– What is better to use at work, positive or negative feedback?
– Have you ever said something positive to someone, but you didn’t really mean it?
– How did you learn to use positive and negative feedback in different situations?