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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 Egypt – September 2023 (General Training)

IELTS General Training Latest Questions Egypt September 2023

Our friend HK from Egypt reported the following Writing and Speaking questions from her recent exam.

Use them to practice for your upcoming IELTS test and never run out of answers!

Writing test

Writing task 1 (a letter)

You have recently bought a magazine and its manager asked the readers for their opinions regarding the magazine. Write a letter to the manager. In your letter,

– Give a reason why you chose this magazine
– Explain what you like and dislike about it
– Say what improvement you hope to see in the future.

Writing task 2 (an essay)

These days many people prefer to work longer hours and spend less time at home. Are there more advantages than disadvantages to this trend?

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

Speaking test

Part 1 (Interview)

– What is your name?
– Do you work or study?
– What do you like about your work the most?
– How many hours do you spend at work?
– Is it easy for you to focus in noisy places?
– What helps you concentrate better?
– Did you study foreign languages in school?
– What language would you like to study in the future?

Part 2 (Cue Card)

Describe a happy event that you remember from the past. You should say

– what it was
– when it happened
– who was there with you

and explain why you remember this event.

Part 3 (Discussion)

– What makes an adult remember an event from their childhood?
– What are the most important events remembered by the children when they grow up?
– What makes a good memory?
– Is having a good memory important?
– In what circumstances can having a good memory be a disadvantage?
– What important things should people memorise?

Dorottya prepared by herself and passed IELTS with a Band 8 – COPY her method

IELTS High Scorer's Advice Band 8 Tips September 2023

Meet Dorottya, an ambitious learner from Budapest whose native language is Hungarian. She set her sights on a remarkable goal: achieving a Band 8 score in the IELTS exam. You might be wondering, how did she do it? Well, her journey is a testament to grit, resourcefulness, and a dash of inspiration for anyone looking to conquer the IELTS challenge. Let’s dive into her story!

Background

We met Dorottya when she joined the VIP Club in July, to get some help with her IELTS preparation. She was preparing on her own – but she had an ambitious goal, so she needed support and preparation materials to get her over the finish line.

Preparation Strategies

About 10 days into her preparation, Dorottya bought the self-study book ‘Target Band 7 – How to Maximize your score’ and really put it to test. She was definitely not one of those people who think that by simply buying IELTS materials they will somehow magically pass the test – she was actually using every single resource she got. Learning strategies from the book, applying them in practice, solving practice tests, analysing her answers, and improving day by day – this is what her self-study days looked like.

Dorottya was also using her VIP Club content daily. Instead of taking a passive approach and simply reading the model answers for Speaking and Writing that we sent her daily, she did something different. She took an active approach, and it paid off big time! She kept a notebook handy and copied all the new words she came across in our model answers. She wrote the words’ meanings next to them and then used these new words when she practiced in writing and speaking. The result? Band 7.5 in Writing and Band 8 in Speaking.

Active learning approach helped Dorottya expand her active vocabulary by adding new, higher-level words to it. Writing the words and their meanings in a notebook helped her remember them, and using them in her writing and speaking practice ensured they remained in her active vocabulary.

Active vocabulary consists of the words that you use frequently and confidently, whereas passive vocabulary consists of words whose meanings you know, but don’t really use in your speaking and writing. This makes active vocabulary very important in IELTS.

Dorottya didn’t relax until IELTS was behind her, she kept using her VIP subscription up until the very last day before the test. When it was time to take her exam, she went in a hopeful candidate and came out a champion!

Results

She passed the test on her first attempt and got a Band 8 overall, with Listening 8.5, Reading 7.5, Writing 7.5 and Speaking 8.0.

Dorottya’s Testimonial

Reflecting on her preparation experience with us, Dorottya said:

I got a lot of help from IELTS-Blog.com. I read a couple of band 8/9 example essays every day and also checked writing task 1 examples. I used a copy book to write the new words and their meaning in it. Even 5-10 words a day or every second day adds up. Then I did a lot of reading practice and used ‘Target Band 7’ book and it strategies. I am very thankful for all your help, I got a band 8!

Congratulations on your amazing Band 8, Dorottya!

Best IELTS test result September 2023