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Recent IELTS exams

Real students tell about their recent IELTS exams: IELTS questions, topics, tasks, answers.

Update from a General IELTS exam, UK

We received this update from the UK – many thanks, Hemank!

Writing test

Writing Task 1 (a letter)
This is not the exact wording of the examination, but anyway –
You are in an English speaking country, write a letter to the head of a voluntary organization to apply for some voluntary work. In your letter
– explain what you can offer the organization
– how the job would benefit you and
– why you are applying for the job

Writing Task 2 (an essay)

Nowadays people are choosing unhealthy foods (fast foods), which cause various health problems. Explain what is done in you country to deal with this problem and what actions is the government taking to solve it.

Speaking test

Cue Card

Talk about the person whom you like speaking to the most. Please say
– who the person is
– what you talk about
– why you like speaking to this person

Discussion

– What do you think about communication?
– How important is it?
– How important is communication in an organization?

Update from a General IELTS exam, Holland

Straight from Amsterdam, this update was shared by an anonymous student, who is planning immigration to New Zealand – good luck, pal!

Listening test

Section 1. A male person was complaining over the phone to a female person about items which were broken during transportation. They spoke BBC English. There was an easy table to fill in the gaps.

Section 2. The story was about a female person telling what kind of employees they are searching for, for their clothing company. The task was a filling in the gaps. They spoke BBC English.

Section 3. A student was talking about a survey held about fat (food) replacements. Not so clear to hear, because of an accent. Questions: Multiple choice, filing in the gaps, table completion.

Reading test

Passage 1. A leaflet about different sightseeing tours in London.
Questions: Multiple choice, easy stuff.

Passage 2. Library rules.
Questions: true/false/not given, headings matching. Not that difficult, but you had to read carefully.

Passage 3. The differences between men and women.
Questions: headings matching, true/false/not given. Difficult to read, even if it was in my native language (Dutch) it would be difficult to match the right headings.

Writing test

Writing Task 1 (a letter)

Write a letter to a friend asking for help with a short holiday in the area where this friend lives, ask for information, etc.

Writing Task 2 (an essay)

Sometimes students are working for companies for free. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this?

Speaking test

Interview

– The examiner started with general questions, such as where do you live, do you like your village etc.
– How about the weather in Holland, are there problems with it?

Cue Card

Talk about a postcard or a letter that you recently received.

Discussion

Don’t remember.