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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 test in Italy – July 2022 (Academic Module)

Thanks to S.V. who took IELTS in Italy, today we are sharing the questions she remembered from a recent exam:

Listening test

Part 1. A phone call about booking a campsite.
Part 2. A monologue regarding a hotel.
Part 3. A discussion between two students about an assignment.
Part 4. A university lecture about the first people to inhabit Asia.

Reading test

Passage 1. The history of steamboats.
Passage 2. The game theory and AI.
Passage 3. The evolution of space houses.

Writing test

Writing task 1 (a report)

We were given a diagram describing the production process of a chocolate bar, from the cultivation of the cocoa beans to the packaging of the final product.

Writing task 2 (an essay)

Some people think that hosting an international sporting event is beneficial for a country, while others disagree. Do the advantages of hosting a major sporting event outweigh the disadvantages?

Read a model answer here

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– Can I have your full name, please?
– May I see your ID?
– Where is your hometown?
– What is your hometown famous for?
– Did you learn about the history of your hometown in school?
– Does colour matter to you when you buy a new car?
– Do you go to the cinema sometimes?
– What type of movies do you like to watch?
– What did you enjoy watching when you were young?
– Has watching films changed nowadays, compared to the past?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Talk about a free item or service you received. Please say:

– what item or service it was
– why it was free
– what you did to receive it
– and explain how you felt about receiving this item or service.

Follow-up question: Did you tell about this item to anyone?

Part 3 (Discussion)

– Do people value free things less, compared to the items they purchase? Why?
– Is there anything more valuable than money?
– What other things do people value more than money?

IELTS essay, topic: People should follow the customs and traditions of their new country (agree/disagree)

This essay topic was seen in a recent IELTS test in India

People should follow the local customs and traditions, when they come to live in a new country. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Sample Band 8 Essay

The globalised world these days makes it simpler than ever before for people to relocate and start building a life in a new country. As everyone comes from their own cultural background, a question arises of whether or not people should be expected to follow the customs of their host country. I completely agree with the view that while learning about the local customs may require some time and effort, it is valuable and will aid the integration of the newcomers into society.

In many cultures following the local customs means showing respect, which is an important moral value in nearly every culture. The opposite is also true: disregarding traditions is often seen as a sign of disrespect. In order to establish good neighbourly relationships and feel welcome in the new place, it is important to demonstrate the effort to become part of the community. By expressing an interest in learning traditions, new arrivals gain a chance to interact with their neighbours and colleagues, get to know them and build some connections in the new country.

Another positive aspect is the enhanced feeling of belonging that people get from participating in activities others around them are doing. When a national festival is in full swing, standing on the sidelines might make people feel excluded and perhaps even homesick, whereas joining others opens up opportunities to attend special events together, go to parties, meet new people and feel part of the celebrations. In Australia, for example, Easter is a very special time of the year and some of the traditional activities include Easter egg decoration and gifting, and baking hot cross buns; sharing your designs and recipes with others is an excellent conversation starter.

In conclusion, learning the customs and traditions of one’s new country doesn’t mean a loss of their own culture. On the contrary, it is an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of cultural connections and should be embraced as a positive experience.

Teacher’s comment: The writer gave a thoughtful response to the task prompt, including relevant, expanded, and supported ideas that completely satisfy the requirements of the task. He/she properly handled all cohesion issues, logically organised the information and thoughts, and used paragraphing appropriately and effectively. A broad range of vocabulary is evident. There are essentially no errors in the word choice or collocation; uncommon lexical items have been used appropriately throughout the entire essay. The writer has used a range of language structures, while ensuring that the majority of the sentences are error-free. These elements work together very well and make an IELTS Band 8 or 8.5 for this essay quite likely.

Click here to see more IELTS essays of Band 8