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IELTS test in Australia – March 2013 (Academic Module)

IELTS test takers from Australia (thank you A and D) shared these questions from a recent exam. The Listening and Reading sections weren’t shared.

Writing testIELTS test in Australia

Writing task 1 (a report)

We were given two line graphs showing the percentage of votes for national and local elections made by women and men between 1970 and 2010.

Writing task 2 (an essay)

Some people think that technological progress has affected their lives. To what extent do agree or disagree with the statement?

Speaking test

Interview

– What is your full name?
– Can I see your ID?
– Where are you from?
– Do you work or study?
– What do you think about boats?
– Would you like to buy one?
– How often do you go to the countryside?

Cue Card 1

Describe a car that you would like to buy. Please say

– What car is it? Why?
– What would you do to be able to afford it?
– Where would you go in it?

Discussion 1

– What are the advantages and disadvantages of traveling in public transport?
– How do you and your friends travel?
– What is the most convenient way to travel?

Cue Card 2

Talk about a speech that you have heard recently. Please say

– Where did you hear it?
– Who was the speaker?
– Was it interesting to you? Why?

Discussion 2

– Do you think these speakers have got talent that they are naturally born with?
– Some people are not comfortable speaking in public, why is that?
– Nowadays technology has replaced some aspects of communication, would you agree or disagree? Why?

IELTS essay, topic: the development of technology causes traditional skills to die out, agree or disagree?

When a country develops its technology, the traditional skills and ways of life die out. It is pointless to try and keep them alive.To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

Nowadays, technological advances and their rapid and wide applications are having a significant impact on a nation’s traditional skills and ways of life. Some argue that such impact is so extraordinary that it would make conventional skills and obsolete. However, I believe they would continue to thrive by providing alternatives to modern ways of life, and innovative ideas for modern technologies.

First of all, traditional skills and ways of life are becoming an alternative solution to the problems caused by “” ways of life which are greatly influenced by modern technologies. For instance, a cozy restaurant where traditional, home-brewed beer is served, offers another experience to people who are bored with branded beers that have the same flavor and come out of mass production with new technologies. It is in such a venue where traditional skills are preserved, people become relaxed . Providing diversity and thus enriching modern ways of life, such traditional skills and ways of life would continue to have their place.

Furthermore, conventional skills provide innovative ideas to the development of modern technologies. For example, sparkled by how the word “Love” is traditionally knitted into a sweater by some ethnic minority women in some parts of Asia, some business managers from textile industry have developed some production lines by applying the traditional skills to Computer-Aided Designs (CAD). The products have boosted the companies’ sales which in turn have increased their investment in preserving traditional skills for further developing their technologies.

To conclude, traditional skills and are increasingly becoming a useful alternative to the homogeneity brought by global applications of modern technologies. However, the evolution of technologies is a selection process, whereby some would become obsolete, but there is no doubt that some would thrive when their roles are appreciated.

This is a good essay. The requirements of the task statement are covered, the arguments make sense and are presented in a coherent, easy to follow way, the range of vocabulary is wide enough and the writer shows fluency and flexibility. There are only a few errors (mouse over the words underlined in blue shows suggested corrections). Overall this looks like an IELTS Band 8 essay.

Click here to see more IELTS essays of Band 8

lifestyle
mainstream
educated about what?
lifestyle