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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 Pakistan – October 2023

IELTS Speaking Latest Questions Pakistan October 2023

Our kind friend MJ took IELTS in Pakistan earlier this week and remembered the following questions from the Speaking test.

Preparation Tip: Do a practice session where you answer all of these questions and record yourself. If you don’t have enough ideas for questions on a particular topic, research it and write down some vocabulary words and how to use them in a sentence.

After recording your answers, listen to them and look for fluency (frequent pausing, self-correction, hesitation) or pronunciation problems. Then re-record the questions you’re not happy with, and this time try to sound more fluent and pronounce the words better. Submit your recording for assessment and learn how to score higher.

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– What is your full name?
– Where are you from?
– What do you like about your hometown?
– Let’s talk about movies.
– What kind of movies do you like?
– Did you go to the cinema often when you were a child?
– What kind of movies did you watch as a child?
– Let’s talk about clothes.
– Do you think much while choosing the clothes you’re going to wear?
– Do you buy new clothes often?
– What do you do with your old clothes?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe a person who has learnt your language. You should say

– who the person is
– when he/she learnt your language
– where he/she learnt your language

and explain how you feel about what this person has done.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– How is language learning now different from the past?
– Do you think that language learning apps and online resources have made it easier for people to learn languages nowadays?
– Are there any cultural or social advantages to speaking more than one language? What are they?
– In what grade in your country do children start learning English in school?
– What role do schools play in teaching languages to children?
– How can we make language learning fun for kids?
– In what ways do children learn languages differently from adults?

IELTS essay, topic: If a child commits a crime, should the child or the parents be punished? (discuss + opinion)

IELTS Model Essay Sample Band 8 October 2023

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

Some people believe that if a child commits a crime he or she should be punished, while others think it is the child’s parents who should be punished. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Sample Band 8 Essay

Opinions are divided on the topic of who should bear the most responsibility for crimes committed by minors. There are those who believe that the parents of children who commit crimes should be punished, while others disagree. I believe that while both arguments offer valid points, the decision ultimately depends on the individual circumstances surrounding each crime.

According to some people’s perspectives, all children regardless of their age should be held accountable for their actions, and that any punishment meted out to the child will serve as a deterrent to others. There is also the beneficial prospect of rehabilitation and instilling a sense of responsibility in the young offenders. Rehabilitation programs aimed at juvenile offenders can effectively reform their behaviour, thus making them responsible members of society.

Conversely, another perspective contends that parents should be held responsible, especially if negligence or poor upbringing has played a significant role in the child’s actions. The cornerstone of this argument is that parents play a vital foundational role in shaping a child’s moral compass. When parents neglect their duties or act as an inappropriate role model, they indirectly contribute to a child’s deviant behaviour. For instance, there have been a number of recent cases where children had unrestricted access to firearms at home and committed accidental crimes, which points directly to parental negligence.

In my opinion, a blanket approach cannot be applied in this complex matter. While children must learn about the consequences of their actions, it is also vital to assess parental roles in individual cases. A collaborative system which evaluates both the child’s understanding and parental neglect would be most appropriate and beneficial for everyone involved.

Teacher’s feedback:

This essay is a great example of a Band 8 level. Overall, it demonstrates a strong command of language, effectively addresses the task, maintains coherence, and provides a thoughtful analysis of the topic.

Task Response: Band 8
The essay provides a well-rounded response to the given prompt. It discusses both sides of the argument — holding children accountable for their actions and holding parents responsible, and then provides a clear opinion that a case-by-case assessment is necessary. The essay doesn’t merely present the arguments but also evaluates them critically, fulfilling the task requirements comprehensively.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8
The essay is well-structured with a clear introduction, body paragraphs discussing different perspectives, and a concluding paragraph summarising the writer’s opinion. The ideas are logically organised, and the essay progresses smoothly from one point to the next. Linking words and phrases are used effectively to connect sentences and paragraphs, ensuring coherence and cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 8
The essay demonstrates a strong command of vocabulary. There is effective use of a variety of words and phrases, showing precision and accuracy. For instance, phrases like “juvenile offenders”, “deviant behavior”, and “parental negligence” showcase a rich vocabulary. The writer also uses words like “cornerstone” and “blanket approach”, demonstrating a good range of vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8
The essay exhibits a high level of grammatical control. Complex sentence structures are used accurately, and there are no major grammatical errors that would impede understanding. The sentences are varied, indicating a good command of grammar.

Submit your essay for correction and find out how to improve your Writing score.

Click here to see more IELTS essays of Band 8