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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 Speaking test in Bangladesh (new) – November 2021

We’ve just heard from a very kind IELTS test taker who did a Speaking test in Bangladesh (via video link), and here are the questions he remembered:

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– What is your name?
– What should I call you?
– Where are you from?
– Do you work or study?
– What do you do in your job?
– Where was your first school?
– How did you travel to school? Why?
– Have you ever traveled to school by car?
– Do you prefer the front seat or the back seat in the car? Why?
– What was your longest journey by car?
– What do you do when you are stuck in a traffic jam?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Talk about a person much older than you, whom you admire. Please say

– who the person is
– how you know him/her
– describe some of the things you do together
– and explain why you admire him/her.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– Do you think you can relate to that person?
– Do you think that the older generation can learn something from the younger generation?
– Can older people learn anything else, not related to technology?
– Do you think people from the older generation can be friends with the younger generation?
– You said that in other countries older people are nice and kind to the younger generation, is it possible in your country? Why/why not?
– Which way do you think is better?
– Do you think nowadays younger people are more respectful towards older people than they used to be in the past?

IELTS essay, topic: Individuals should be responsible for funding their own retirement (agree/disagree)

This is a model response to a Writing Task 2 topic from High Scorer’s Choice IELTS Practice Tests book series (reprinted with permission). This answer is close to IELTS Band 9.

Set 5 Academic book, Practice Test 24

Writing Task 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

It is the responsibility of individuals to save and provide for their own retirement. Governments have no obligation to provide this benefit.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250 words.

Sample Band 9 Essay

The responsibility for providing funds for retirement is incredibly important and something that is often overlooked by younger people. Some believe it is the responsibility of the individual to plan for this, but others feel it is the responsibility of the state.

People who believe that the state should be responsible for funding retirees, base their argument on the fact that in most countries, people pay taxes and social charges to the government. This money, they argue, should also go towards the provision of a pension for the person paying the tax. In addition, those who have very small or no income, pay little or no tax and do not have the ability to provide for themselves. The government, therefore, in its role of caring for the population, has an obligation to pay a pension and provide other social benefits, such as medical treatment.

Many others, however, feel that it is the responsibility of individuals to fund their own retirements. As adults, they argue, people should be able to set aside and invest money throughout their lifetime, so that they can retire with few financial worries. In many countries the government has legislated a framework allowing and encouraging citizens to save up and accumulate sufficient funds for the period after their working years have ended.

I neither agree nor disagree with the statement, but rather my opinion takes in parts of both arguments. I feel that people should be responsible for saving money to fund their retirement, but I also feel that individuals who have not had the chance to do so should be supported by the government out of taxes. In my view, therefore, it is wrong to say that governments have no obligation to help people in this area. Governments are there to support the entire population of their countries, which includes the poorer elements of society.

Go here for more IELTS Band 9 Essays