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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 Report, topic: Two bar charts showing the prevalence of obesity among boys and girls (from IELTS High Scorer’s Choice series, Academic Set 3)

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 3 Academic book, Practice Test 12

Writing Task 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The bar charts below show the prevalence of obesity among boys and girls aged 12 to 19 years by ethnicity, in the United States for the years 2004 and 2014.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

You should write at least 150 words.

Two bar charts showing the prevalence of obesity among boys and girls (from IELTS High Scorer's Choice series, Academic Set 3 book)

Sample Band 9 Report

This report refers to two bar charts. The first gives data on obesity in boys by ethnicity between the ages of twelve and nineteen in the United States for 2004 and 2014, and the second gives the same data for girls.

Overall, it is clear that in both demographics the percentage of obese teenagers increased by 2014, with Hispanic boys and Non-Hispanic Black girls being the most at risk.

In boys, the obesity figures for 2004 were similar for all three ethnicities given, at 12, 11 and 13 per cent for Non-Hispanic White, Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic respectively. In 2014, these figures rose to 17, 20 and 27 per cent for the same ethnicities. All the figures for 2014 are significantly higher compared to 2004, especially the last, with over a quarter of this ethnic group being classed as obese.

In girls, the obesity figures for 2004 were similar to boys for Non-Hispanic White and Hispanic, at 9 and 12 per cent respectively. The figure for Non-Hispanic Black was significantly higher for girls at 16 per cent. In 2014, Non-Hispanic White and Hispanic both rose 5 per cent and remained less than their male counterparts. Non-Hispanic Black girls, however, rose to 29 per cent, which is the highest figure in both charts.

Go here for more IELTS Band 9 Reports

IELTS Speaking test in Oman – March 2022

Our generous friend M.H. took the IELTS test in Oman a few days ago and remembered her Speaking questions, below:

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– What is your full name?
– Can I see your ID?
– Where are you from?
– What color do you like?
– What color wouldn’t you use in your home?
– What do you prefer, typing or writing by hand?
– Which skill is more important, handwriting or typing?
– What do you find more time-consuming (typing/handwriting)?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Talk about a difficult decision that you once made. Please say

– what the decision was
– when you made the decision
– how long it took you to make the decision
– and explain how you feel about that decision now.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– What decisions do people in general make in their daily lives?
– Which is easier, making decisions independently or in a group?
– Why won’t many young people listen to their parents’ advice?