Category: Classroom Resources
IELTS Writing Answer Sheet: Free Download
Introducing a practice version of the official IELTS Writing answer sheets modified for teacher/student use and available as a free PDF download!
Some of the features that make the practice version superior for both teachers and students:
Keep track of student work with fields for name, class, teacher and date
12-point double-spaced lines for easier correction and annotation
Full scoring rubric and space for marker feedback
Download the IELTS Writing Answer Sheet (Practice Version)
IELTS Speaking Part 3: 50 Practice Questions by Topic
Role models
- Which type of people are respected most in your society?
- Do you agree with this situation?
- What happens when young people lack good role models?
- What standards of behaviour should teachers set?
- Do you agree that you should never meet your heroes?
Travel and transport
- How easy is it to travel around your country?
- Which method of travel do you consider safest?
- Has travel become safer in recent years?
- What are the pros and cons of low-cost air travel?
- How do you think people will travel in the future?
Universities
- Is higher education too expensive in your country?
- Should all students pay for their university education?
- What advantages do universities bring to society?
- Which is more important, research or teaching?
- How should students spend their summer vacations?
Sports and competition
- Why are some sports fans so passionate?
- Is there any violence at sporting events in your country?
- Should athletes be better role models?
- What benefits do international sporting events bring?
- Is it important for a country to win lots of medals?
Leadership and politics
- Do you think people are born to be leaders?
- Can leadership skills be taught?
- Why are elected politicians often so unpopular?
- What should a leader do to remain popular?
- Do you think unelected heads of state are a good idea?
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IELTS Speaking Part 2: 10 Practice Questions
Special person
Describe someone who has had a special influence on your life. You should say:
- Who the person is
- When you met this person
- What special qualities this person has
And explain how this person has influenced your life.
Memorable journey
Describe a memorable journey you have made. You should say:
- Where you went
- How long the journey lasted
- What happened during the journey
And say if you will ever make the same journey again.
Study method
Describe a good study method you use. You should say:
- What the method is
- Where you learned it
- Whether you think many other people use it
And explain why this method is effective for you.
Sporting event
Describe a competitive sporting event you have attended. You should say:
- When the event was held
- What happened
- Which team or player you supported
And explain why you think the winner was successful.
Good leader
Describe someone you consider a good leader. You should say:
- Who the person is
- How you know the person
- What the person’s style of leadership is like
And explain what makes this person a good leader, in your view.
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IELTS Speaking Part 1: 50 Practice Questions by Topic
You and IELTS
- Why are you taking IELTS?
- How many times have you taken IELTS?
- What do you enjoy about learning English?
- Is there anything you dislike about learning English?
- How will you use English in future?
Lifestyle
- What do you do in your free time?
- Do you have a busy social life?
- Do you lead an active life?
- Has your life changed much in the last year?
- What would you like to change about your lifestyle?
Family
- How many people are there in your immediate family?
- Who do you get on best with in your family?
- Do you have a large extended family?
- What do you do together with your family?
- Why is family important to you?
Friends
- Do you have a lot of friends?
- Who is your best friend and why?
- Who would you most like to be friends with and why?
- What kind of person is it easy to make friends with?
- Who are more important to you, friends or family?
Work
- Do you have a job right now?
- What did you want to be when you were a child?
- Are there good job opportunities in your home country?
- What job do you think you will be doing in five years?
- What skills and qualifications are required for this job?
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Top 5 IELTS Textbooks for Classroom Use
With more than a million test-takers annually, more and more publishers are getting into the IELTS textbook market, with varying results. Choosing a coursebook for a group of students is a serious responsibility because, along with the teacher, the book may well be the most important influence on their test preparation over the following months. I’ve taught groups using all the most common IELTS textbooks, and these are the five I’ve found to be most reliable:
Focus on IELTS (New Edition) (Longman)
Focus on IELTS has long been a popular choice for teachers and it’s easy to see why. There’s a good balance between authentic Academic IELTS test items and meaningful group exercises, while the inclusion of a grammar reference guide and extra writing practice make this a solid friend for classroom use. The new edition corrects most of the mistakes in the first edition and adds more EAP elements such as critical thinking and reflective learning. One remaining drawback is the lack of a version with full answer key and scripts. Also available in a Foundation edition that introduces test practice more gradually. Rating 9/10
Objective IELTS Intermediate/Advanced (Cambridge)
One unique aspect of the Objective series is that test practice exercises are mostly written to focus students’ attention on a particular item type. There’s also an attractive presentation, discussion-led format, and strong grammar coverage throughout both books. The inclusion of test items from both the Academic and General Training modules in both books can be either a blessing or a curse depending on your teaching situation. A self-study student’s book with answer key and scripts is available for a slightly higher price, and there’s a teacher’s book with regular practice tests. Be warned: the level of questions in Objective IELTS Advanced is extremely challenging. Rating 8/10
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Top 5 IELTS Textbooks for Self-study
Over the years I’ve been asked countless times which IELTS textbooks are best for independent study. For me, the main criteria are a full answer section, preferably one with explanations of answers, and an approach to the test that breaks down strategies into simple steps that learners can follow. Here are five textbooks I’ve recommended many times in the past:
Focus on Academic Skills for IELTS (Longman)
At first glance this seems to be a supplement to Focus on IELTS, but it’s actually a radically different kind of coursebook, one very well suited to self-study. Test strategies are broken down into easy-to-follow processes, and authentic test items are supplemented with directions in blue text. There’s also a full answer key. The new edition of the book includes both audio CDs and is therefore an even more complete package than the first edition. The only drawback is that it’s a little too process-oriented for classroom situations. Rating 9/10
Grammar for IELTS/Vocabulary for IELTS (Cambridge)
Independent learners will appreciate these self-study guides from Cambridge which focus on grammar and vocabulary with an academic dimension. Suitable for all low- to high-intermediate-level students. Both books come with an audio CD, which means that test-takers are activating more than just their reading and writing skills. Of course, it is ideal if these books can be supplemented with opportunities for spoken output such as a group lesson or study buddy. Rating 8/10
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IELTS Speaking Practice Test 2: Work
Part 1 (4-5 minutes)
Do you have a job right now?
What kind of work would you like to do in the future?
What qualifications are required for this job?
How many hours would you like to work each week?
Do you consider it important to have a career?
Part 2 (3-4 minutes)
You have 1 minute to read the instructions below and prepare an answer. You can make notes. After your preparation time has ended, please speak for 1 to 2 minutes on this topic.
Describe a job that you consider highly important
You should say:
what the job is
what the job involves
why it is important
and explain if people who do this job are appreciated enough by society
Follow-up question: Would you consider doing this job yourself?
Part 3 (4-5 minutes)
Jobs in your country
What jobs are most popular among young people these days?
Are there enough jobs for people who want to do this kind of work?
Is it easier to change jobs now than in the past?
Careers
Do people usually choose the right career?
Is it a good idea to leave a secure job in order to pursue a dream?
What career advice should be given to young people?
Click here to download a PDF version of this IELTS Speaking practice test for classroom use.
IELTS Speaking Practice Test 1: Childhood
PART 1 (4-5 minutes)
Where did you grow up?
Was that a good place to grow up?
What do you remember most about growing up?
What kind of child were you?
Did you ever get into trouble at home or school?
Do you miss anything about your childhood?
PART 2 (3-4 minutes)
You have 1 minute to read the instructions below and prepare an answer. You can make notes. After your preparation time has ended, please speak for 1 to 2 minutes on this topic.
Describe your best friend during childhood.
You should say:
who the person was
why you became friends
what you used to do together
and explain if you keep in touch with your friend now.
PART 3 (4-5 minutes)
Childhood friends
Do children find it easy to make friends?
Why do some people grow apart from their childhood friends?
Is it better for children to have a few close friends, or many?
Childhood changes
Has the image of childhood changed in your country?
At what age do children become adults?
Do you think children should be treated the same as adults?
Click here to download a PDF version of this IELTS Speaking practice test for classroom use.
