22/12/2023
Recent IELTS Questions:
Latest IELTS questions from Italy - January 2023 (Academic)
Writing test
Writing task 1 (a report)
The charts below provide information about the unemployment rate amongst men and women over the age of 60 in Belgium, USA, Japan and Australia, in the years 1980 and 2000.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
* Note: these aren't the actual charts given in the test, they were recreated for the purpose of demonstration.
Writing task 2 (an essay)
Some people believe that using taxpayer funds to look for life on other planets is important. Others, however, think that it is a waste of public money because there are much more important issues requiring funding on our own planet. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Speaking test
Part 1 (Interview)
- What is your name?
- Are you currently working or studying?
- Do you like wearing T-shirts?
- Do you like T-shirts with pictures or prints?
- Have you ever bought anyone a T-shirt as a gift?
- Do you think older people should wear T-shirts?
- If you saw a T-shirt that doesn't look good on someone, would you tell them?
- Can children give fashion tips to their parents?
- Should older people wear younger people's fashion?
Part 2 (Cue Card)
Describe an interesting old person you know. You should say
- who the person is
- how you met him/her
- where you met him/her
- and explain why you find this person interesting.
Part 3 (Discussion)
- Is it common for people in your country to live together with their grandparents?
- Can older and younger people share the same interests?
- What can old people teach the youth?
- What can young people teach the old?
- What are the advantages of living together with an elderly person?
- Do you think the attitude of young people towards old people has changed in the recent 10 years?
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IELTS Speaking Part 1 Questions & Model Answers (Home, Skills and Sports)
Speaking test, Part 1 (Interview) questions
1. What type of house do you live in?
I live in a two-bedroom, one bathroom apartment located in the heart of the city. My place is on the third floor of the building, and I have an amazing view of the city from my balcony.
2. What do you like about your house?
I love my home because of its location and size; it's close to all the places that I frequent, such as my favourite cafe, park, and record store. Additionally, it's just the right size for me - not too big or too small - as it has enough space for me to remain comfortable without being overwhelming. The two bedrooms provide me with enough space to work and relax, while also giving me room to accommodate friends and family if they come over for a visit.
3. Where's your favourite place in the house?
My favourite place in my home is definitely the living room; it has always been the hub of my activities whether I'm reading a book or catching up with friends over dinner. It’s where I can kick back and relax after a long day of work. The large windows allow for plenty of natural light, which helps to brighten up the entire room even on cloudy days. On rainy days I like listening to the soft sound of raindrops outside because it creates a peaceful ambience in my home.
4. Do you like any sports?
Yes! I've always been interested in various sports since childhood; soccer was one sport that was prominent throughout my life growing up due to its popularity among my friends. As I got older, my interests expanded into other sports including basketball and volleyball, both of which require immense coordination between teammates - something that really attracted me towards them!
5. What sports did you like when you were a child?
As a child, I had always been an active and energetic person, so it came as no surprise that I loved sports. As I said before, I used to love playing soccer, especially with my friends in the neighbourhood during the summer months when we would have all-day pickup games outside. During the fall and spring seasons, I would join our local recreational leagues and compete against other teams in our area. It was a great way to stay active while also making friends and having fun.
6. Did you play any sport regularly when you were young?
Yes, I played both soccer and basketball growing up. Soccer was my main focus throughout my childhood; although I really enjoyed playing basketball too. I played either one or both of these sports every chance I got – whether it was during recess at school or after school in the neighbourhood.
7. What good practical skills do you have?
I think one of my best practical skills is my ability to problem-solve quickly and efficiently in high-pressure situations. Over the years, this has been something that has helped me overcome some difficult challenges related to projects or tasks at work or even personal life at home. Additionally, another skill that I’ve developed over time is being able to effectively multitask which can be extremely helpful when faced with multiple deadlines or tasks simultaneously as it allows me to manage my time more efficiently by prioritising tasks based on their importance or urgency level.
8. Did you learn this skill from someone?
Yes, while some of these skills come naturally to me through experience, most of them have been acquired through mentorship from others along the way - particularly family members who showed me how important it is to be able to think on your feet under pressure and how crucial organization is when tackling multiple tasks at once without neglecting anything else going on around you at the same time.
9. How can a skill influence your profession?
The skills that we acquire throughout life are essential tools for success in any profession, because they help us operate more efficiently within our chosen fields of expertise. Mastering a skill can help us achieve better results for ourselves as well as those around us, people who depend on us for guidance or assistance in various ways, like customers or clients.
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Writing Task 2
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
More and more people today are drinking sugar-based drinks.
Why is this happening? What measures can be taken to reverse this trend?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your knowledge or experience.
You should write at least 250 words.
Sample Band 8.5 Essay
An alarming number of people today consume sugar-based drinks, whether it is in the form of soda, energy drinks or fruit drinks. Often consumers are lured by their widespread availability and convenience, however, marketing campaigns also play a role, targeting young people and giving them the perception that sugary drinks are not as unhealthy as they actually are.
The availability of these types of drinks has greatly increased over time. They can now be found in almost any store or restaurant, which makes them easily accessible to almost anyone. The fact that they are often cheaper than alternatives, such as water or freshly squeezed juice, makes them an especially attractive option for those on a budget. Marketing campaigns for sugary beverages have been quite successful in creating positive associations attached to these products through advertisements on TV and billboards. This encourages people to consider them fun rather than unhealthy and normalises them within society.
Luckily, reversing the rise in popularity of sugary drinks is still possible, if we act now and attack the problem from different angles. One of the very first steps should be educating people on the health risks associated with high sugar intake so that they can make better-informed decisions when selecting what type of beverage they consume. Companies should also be held accountable by law for their misleading marketing campaigns aimed at children and teenagers who are more likely to believe the false claims about their products' health benefits without fully understanding what's being sold to them. Schools, colleges and universities, and any institutions catering for young people, should consider banning sugary drinks and replacing them with refreshing alternatives without added sugar.
Overall, it is important that we recognise the potential health risks posed by consuming too much sugar from soft drinks and take actionable steps towards reversing this trend in order to ensure our long-term wellbeing. Through greater education, government regulation, and increased corporate responsibility we can ensure that more people understand why reducing their intake of sugary beverages is important while still allowing them to access enjoyable yet healthier options.
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Latest IELTS questions from Canada – January 2023 (Academic)
Thanks to our friends who took IELTS in Canada, we are sharing these questions today.
Writing test
Writing task 1 (a report)
The maps below describe an area before and after the construction of a hydroelectric power plant.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Writing task 2 (an essay)
Nowadays in many countries young people don't communicate with older people as much as they used to. Why is this happening? How could this situation be improved?
Speaking test
Part 1 (Interview)
- What is your full name?
- Do you work or study?
- What do you study?
- What do you do after your classes?
- Do you prefer writing by hand or typing? Why?
- Is handwriting important? Why/why not?
- How often do you use the Internet?
- Do you like to work online?
- What things can we do with the help of the Internet?
Part 2 (Cue Card)
Describe a time when you saw a lot of plastic waste. You should say
- where and when you saw it
- why there was a lot of plastic
- what you did when you saw it
- and explain how you felt about this.
Part 3 (Discussion)
- What kind of plastic waste can often be seen in your country?
- How can we use less plastic?
- What should the government do to reduce the use of plastic?
- Is there something the media can do to help us reduce plastic consumption?
- Do you think making plastic-producer companies pay will help to solve this problem?
- Do you think it is possible to completely eliminate the use of plastic?
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IELTS Speaking Part 3 Questions & Model Answers (Learning a new language)
The questions below were shared by a recent test taker. These model answers show a great way to respond to the questions, should you get them in your own exam.
Speaking test, Part 3 (Discussion) questions
1. Which language in your opinion is the most important in the world nowadays, and why?
I would say that right now the most important language in the world is English. There are a few reasons for this: firstly, it is the language of business and commerce. Most international negotiations and deals are conducted in English, so if you want to be part of the global economy, you need to be able to speak it. Secondly, because it is the most spoken language in the world. More people speak English than any other language, so if you want to communicate with as many people as possible, you need to learn English.
2. Why is it so important to know another language?
I believe that it is essential to learn another language for several reasons. It helps us understand different cultures, think in new ways, and communicate with people from all corners of the globe. Also, the process of learning a new language provides mental stimulation and helps to keep our brains sharp.
3. Is travel the only reason why learning another language is beneficial?
There are plenty of other reasons to learn a new language, even if you're not planning on travelling. Like I said before, it can make you smarter. Studies have shown that people who know more than one language have better memory and can think more quickly and creatively. But the benefits of learning a foreign language go beyond that. When you can communicate in another language, you also become more valuable professionally, since speaking multiple languages is an asset in any field.
4. What is the hardest part of learning a new language?
For me, the hardest part of learning a new language was getting over the fear of sounding stupid. It's so easy to get tripped up on even the simplest words and phrases, and I used to feel like everyone was watching and judging me. However, eventually, I realised that most people are too busy worrying about themselves to pay much attention to my mistakes and that helped me to become more confident.
5. Do you think learning another language is more important for young people or old people?
I think it's more important for young people to learn another language than for old people. Young people have their whole lives ahead of them and they'll have plenty of opportunities to use the language they learn. For older people, learning another language can be a little more challenging because they may not have as much time. But it’s still beneficial for mental stimulation for people of every age group.
6. Who finds learning a new language easier, children or adults?
I think that children find it much easier to learn a new language than adults. Children have more of a blank slate when it comes to language learning – their brains are primed for learning, and they're not as set in their ways as adults are. Plus, when they're surrounded by native speakers all day at school, they have more opportunities to practice. As we get older, our brain function starts to decline, making it harder to learn new things.
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Latest IELTS questions from Nigeria – January 2023 (General Training)
Our friend A.P. remembered the following questions from his recent IELTS exam in Nigeria:
Writing test
Writing task 1 (a letter)
Your friend asked you to find a part-time job for him/her to earn some money while studying. You found a job that might be suitable. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter
- Give him/her the job description
- Explain why he/she should take the job
- Say what he/she should do to get the job.
Writing task 2 (an essay)
Nowadays, many people do not exercise enough and eat an unhealthy diet. Why is this happening? What can be done to help them improve their lifestyle?
Speaking test
Part 1 (Interview)
- Could you show me your identification?
- What is your full name?
- What shall I call you?
- How old are you?
- Where are you from?
- Is your area a safe place to live for all age groups?
- Do you like chocolate?
- Why do you think chocolate is a popular treat worldwide?
- Do you think chocolate makes a nice gift?
- Do you know anyone who doesn't like chocolate?
Part 2 (Cue Card)
Describe an interesting conversation you had with a stranger. You should say
- who he/she is
- when you met him/her
- where you met
- and explain what you talked about.
Follow-up question: Where do you meet new people?
Part 3 (Discussion)
- Is there a difference between discussions with friends and strangers?
- What do you think is a typical topic of discussion between strangers?
- What do you think are the benefits of being able to have a conversation with a stranger?
- During a debate, can people with contrary views come to an agreement? Why?
- Do you think it is hard for motivational speakers to talk to strangers?
- What is a good way to overcome nervousness when giving a speech?
- What type of personality is best suited to become a public speaker?
………………………………… Please share! ………………………………………………………………………
IELTS questions from Turkey - December 2023 (General Training)
Thanks to our kind subscriber CK, here are the Writing topics from a very recent IELTS exam in Turkey:
Writing test
Writing task 1 (a letter)
You recently bought an electronic device for your home. Your friend wants to buy the same device and has asked for your advice. Write a letter to your friend. In your letter
- Describe the device
- Explain why you bought it
- Say whether or not your friend should buy it and why.
Writing task 2 (an essay)
Nowadays governments in many countries spend a lot of money on works of art such as paintings to be displayed in public places. Is this a positive or negative development?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Latest IELTS Speaking questions from Romania - December 2023
Our student LD took her computer-based IELTS exam in Romania a few days ago and her examiner asked the following questions in the Speaking test.
Test tip
Go over these questions and think of some things to say and what vocabulary you would use. IELTS Speaking test questions and topic areas are known to repeat in many countries! Being familiar with the topic and specific questions increases your chances of success.
Once you have some ideas, answer the questions and record yourself. Then listen to your recording and check your fluency, intonation, gaps in vocabulary or words you may have mispronounced. Re-record anything you are not happy with, and you'll see that your next attempt sounds better already!
Speaking test
Part 1 (Interview)
- Can you tell me your full name, please?
- Do you work or are you a student?
- What do you study?
- Let's talk about noise. Would you describe yourself as a noisy person?
- In what situations does noise bother you?
- Do you like to listen to loud music? Why or why not?
- Are there any types of music that you find especially noisy or unpleasant?
- How do you feel about noise in your living environment?
- Do you think cities are becoming noisier?
Part 2 (Cue Card)
Describe someone you know who loves cooking. You should say:
- who this person is
- what kinds of dishes they usually cook
- who they usually cook for
and explain why you think this person enjoys cooking so much.
Part 3 (Discussion)
- Do you think the range of dishes that people usually cook is affected by the agricultural produce available in their region?
- How important do you think agriculture is in your country?
- In what ways can technology be integrated into agriculture?
- Can agriculture be improved by technology? In what way?
- Are there any negative impacts of using technology in agriculture?
- How do you think technology in agriculture affects the environment?
.................................... Please share! .............................................
