General Ielts Practice Test 1 Reading Writing Speaking

IELTS Practice Tests from www.IELTSPracticeTests.com GENERAL IELTS READING PRACTICE TEST 1 Reading (1 hour)

PART 1 Look at the article on the next page about university accommodation and at the statements (1-8) below. Questions 1-8 In boxes 1-8 on your answer sheet write TRUE if the statement is true FALSE if the statement is false NOT GIVEN if the information is not given in the passage

1. A fresher goes through more emotional distress than other undergraduates. 2. Few students are fond of staying in a place which resembles their home. 3. Second year students do not stand a chance of being offered a room in halls of residence. 4. House-hunting is more exciting than moving to university-managed accommodation. 5. A range of financial terms is included in a property rental agreement. 6. New friends should have parties in communal areas in halls of residence. 7. Students will be in the red unless they set a budget before they go house-hunting. 8. Reasonable rental prices can be found near university and local amenities.

www.AdultEnglishSchool.com | www.IELTSPracticeTests.com | www.TutorAgent.com

1

Uni Accommodation Should you stay or should you leave? You have been through the whole process – filled in an UCAS application form, sent the results of your A-levels, passed your English exam and was finally given an offer to join university. Now you are on your way to move to the university accommodation of your choice, a question arises in your head – where is the best place for a student to stay while being at uni in the UK? A survey has shown that over 60 percent of first-year students look for a room within the available university-managed accommodation houses. The reason for that is simple – a fresher tends to feel lonely, lost and homesick more often than a final year undergraduate. In addition to that, halls of residence are like a refugee camp where the newcomers can gather together so as to survive in the new environment, which initially may be so obscure that they often get lost amid the disturbing and exciting big city. On-campus housing facilities also count for their final choice – the majority of the residents said that a place with a homey atmosphere, like a lounge with comfortable sofas and a TV or a fully-equipped kitchen and a launderette, was very important for their well-being. Tips for Undergraduates In the halls of residence Make the most of your room, keep it neat and clean and you will have a nice study environment. Socialise – the kitchen, lounge and bar are there for you so that you can make new friends.

Having said that, second-year undergraduate students are not so keen on staying in halls of residence or flats administered by their university. At this stage, either the accommodation bureau is not up to offer a place to older students (as there is a policy for welcoming first-year students before anyone else, and, then, if a room remains empty, they will consider other applications) or they have met a few friends who they get along with, and they feel it is time to go house-hunting. This is when the adventure for undergraduate students starts again. Now they are familiar with their university policies and the new city life, they are about to be bombarded with new rules and regulations set by estate agencies. Payments are to be made pcm. (per calendar month), a monthly deposit is to be given beforehand, flat and house rents are either bills inc. or bills exc. (including or excluding bills) and so on. No matter what they go for, around 30 percent of final year undergraduates send their applications forms and hope to come back to the university accommodation and their halls of residence so that they can finally complete their degree.

When you cook or do the washing, think about the others – do not leave your personal stuff lying around. When house-hunting Set your own budget and ask your flatmates to do the same. This way, you do not end up signing overbudget contracts and getting into debt.

Check out the facilities included in the rental price before you move to the new place. Do they meet your needs? Take a look at the neighbourhood and local transport – cheap accommodation in faraway suburbs turns out to be overpriced at the end of the day!


2

Questions 9-14 Match the adventure holidays to the statements 9-14. Write the appropriate letters (A-H) in the boxes 9-14 on your answer sheet. NB Some of the holidays may be chosen more than once.

9. The water is very salty there. 10. You can see natural landscapes from a different angle. 11. As you swim, the flowing water splashes over the rocks. 12. There is a range of wild animals in this place. 13. You can find ancient ruins there. 14. Do not attempt to swim there without appropriate equipment.


3

Natural Landscapes for you! If you are eager to be in contact with nature, then these options of adventure holidays are definitely to be in your choice list A. Incas in the jungle! Enjoy the mysterious trail in the Andes mountains and be astounded with the magical monuments of Machu Pichu! The historical Incas and the fascinating reminiscences of their culture will be a thrilling moment in your life!

E. Visit the Treasure Island! Come on hiking over the coastal area of Ireland! Known as the Emerald Island, this can be an exciting journey as you can go horse-riding there! Enjoy the freedom of the greenest countryside you have ever seen!

B. Magnificent Serra da Canastra Ever seen huge waterfalls? Not yet? Then, you are welcome to a unique place! Follow trails through the jungle and go hiking on Minas’ mountains so as to reach astonishing waterfalls! As you celebrate your arrival, you can swim in the clearest water and have an unforgettable experience!

F. Desert Landscape Explore the desert lands in Chile! As you walk through the hot, arid plateau during the day, you will be surprised with the historical importance of Atacama! And the salt basins will impress you with its exuberance!

C. Seven Sisters & You Here is a long walk through the English countryside - among sheep and goats and an amazing lake - until you reach an untouched beach, full of pebbles, and seven white cliffs! Contemplate the sea that always greets the seven sisters! D. Long way down in Queenstown Fancy a radical sport? Well, you are in the ideal place for bung-jumping! Walk through the forest and enjoy the natural landscape before you see yourself jumping over it!

G. Bonito is really beautiful! Go on a trip to the Pantanal jungle and watch a variety of fauna and flora as you travel by a boat on the river! When you arrive at Bonito, you can go water-rafting on the waterfalls or snorkelling in the lakes under the caves! H. Come on rocky time! If you are into rock-climbing, then you are coming to the right place! Join groups of rock-climbers and you can see terrific views whether you are going up or down! Camping is an alternative to those who want to go on longer journeys!


4

PART 2 Questions 15-21. From the list of headings below, choose the most suitable heading for each paragraph A-G. Write the appropriate numbers (i-x) in boxes 15-21 on your answer sheet. List of headings

i

Allow the best fluid intake

ii

Have a joyful time

iii

Overcome difficulties

iv

Mind your own business

v

Renew your body cells

vi

Review your meals

vii Become proactive viii Control your diabetes ix

Be in touch with nature

x

Count your calories

15. Paragraph A 16. Paragraph B 17. Paragraph C 18. Paragraph D 19. Paragraph E 20. Paragraph F 21. Paragraph G


5

Food for Thought Seven steps to a healthier life A. First of all, dieting does not only consist of dashing to the supermarket and glancing through shelves in search of a miserable, tiny chocolate bar with the word ‘diet’ written in gold letters. Dieting is about balancing the food you eat! In other words, you cannot eat some green salad and sip a glass of grapefruit juice and, then, ask for three hamburgers and a pack of chips. You should think about the food you eat as if you had to put it on a scale. Instead of dragging your feet when you step on a scale, consider a fast handwriting in calorie scale. How many calories am I supposed to have on a daily basis? And how many calories do I actually eat? B. Taking down the amount of calories you have is not the only step for a healthier life. Exercising, whether we like it or not, is vital to our organs and body systems. Have you got any problems with diabetes? Then, walking is important to help your pancreas reactivate itself so as to burn the sugar and the carbohydrates. Whatever physical activity you take up, you can be certain that the first one to be benefited from it is your own body. C. Breathing fresh air is as crucial to your body as regular exercise. Wherever you live, wherever you work or study in, there should always be some free time to rest under a tree or a garden for a few minutes. However, a good air quality should also be followed by a deep breath. This way, inhaling and exhaling can actually feed your cells and lungs with oxygen while reinvigorating your mind and body. D. As well as oxygen, our bodies need the most wonderful cleansing system – water! Yes, you should drink about two litres of water per day. This is crucial to the function of your kidneys as they do keep kidney stones away. Water hydrates your cells and it is a refreshing drink. No wonder why human body is 60 or 70 percent water. E. A change in your lifestyle is inevitably important to the quality of your life. No matter how hardworking you are at home and in your workplace, there is a time when you should definitely avoid stress! This includes getting involved in stressful situations, such as family conflicts, heavy workload and unnecessary emotional distress. You are not a hero and if you carry such problems over your shoulders, you will not do anyone any good. F. At the end of the day, there should be a relaxing night. You have probably heard that you should sleep between 7 and 8 hours per night. This is vital to the replenishment of energy stores, repair of damaged tissues, recovery of cells and maintenance of our bodies and minds. For this reason, the next time you go for a session of sleep deprivation, you should remember the effects you are missing out from a good night’s sleep. Last but not least, you should take some time to relax and smile! Smiling attracts other smiles and can make your life much happier. You will also feel less tense, worried and anxious and your life can be changed into a state of relaxation and happiness.


6

Now read the information below and answer questions 22-29.

Degree in Human Geography ASSESSMENT GUIDELINES 1. Fieldtrip - The first assessment consists of a trip to a London area known as ‘The City of London’ or Square Mile, as its area covers about a mile (2.6km²). It is a modern conurbation and holds the UK financial centres and industry. You will spend a day walking though the monuments and buildings that are of historical and cultural importance and are expected to take leaflets and talk to engineers and architects about the development of this urban area. Portfolio – Once the first assessment is completed, you will build up a portfolio on the geographical and urban planning of the ‘City of London’. You are expected to consider both the emergent growth companies that have settled there and the environmental impact on the site.

Further Information: • The fieldtrip will take place during the week 9. This is a date set between Monday, 4th April and Friday, 8th April. Two tutors will accompany the group and guide them through the major buildings. Introductory information will also be given to the students. • Professionals such as planning managers, engineers and architects will be available in specific buildings. Students should take the initiative to talk to them, i.e. write down relevant questions and interview them. • The portfolio should be handed in by the end of the week 14. Therefore, the deadline for this assignment is 13th May. Only under special circumstances will this assignment be considered after this date. Building up a portfolio means that each student will organise a set of appropriate informative leaflets and information sheets, responses during the interviews and their own reflections on it. The development of reflective skills is an important issue and they are to be assessed and evaluated in this assignment.


7

Questions 22-29 Look at the assessment guidelines for students on how to approach their assignments. Complete the flow chart below using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer. Write your answers in boxes 22-29 22. Undergraduate students have two types of assignments in order to complete their ……………………… course.

↓ 23. The first one ……………………….. to the ‘City of London’.

↓ 24. It will be held on ………………….. during week 9.

↓ 25. Students will be guided by …………………….

↓ 26. The second assessment is a ……………………..

↓ 27. It consists of gathering ………………………….

↓ 28. Students are expected to …………………………., i.e. end of week 14.

↓ 29. …………………….. will be evaluated and will count towards the final mark.


8

PART 3

Beyond the limits of land exploited Despite deforestation within the last few centuries, rainforests still remain a biodiversity treasure hidden from human touch Throughout the centuries, rainforests have played a significant role in enriching society. Firstly, there were the indigenous tribes, who worshiped the rainforests with their own culture and their love and respect for nature. Then, there were the members of a new civilisation, and wherever they stepped on, forests faced devastation. Whether they looked for gold and precious stones or a new land to settle down, the result was deforestation. Life changed, and so did the meaning of richness. Nowadays, there are those who seek to do business with the wood being cut illegally. And there are the members of the science community – they are biologists, chemists, naturalists and health professionals who have been struggling to learn about the secrets of biodiversity. The name rainforests designates the forests which are under heavy rainfall throughout the year. They are located in the intertropical convergence zone, i.e. the area surrounding the equator. They fall into two categories – the tropical rainforest and the temperate one. The first one is found in the tropical areas, including Central America, South America, Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. The second one is located in the temperate regions of North America, South America, Europe, East Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Studies have shown that a rainforest is comprised of four layers. The emergent layer carries a small amount of large trees, which are home to

eagles, bats and butterflies. The canopy layer contains the densest areas of biodiversity since adjacent treetops are thought to protect 50 percent of the flora that live on Earth. Underneath the canopy we can find the understory layer and its variety of birds, snakes, lizards and predators, such as jaguars and leopards. The last one is the forest floor, a mysterious area with only 2 percent of sunlight and living beings that can survive under this condition. Thus, an inconceivable diversity of ecosystems is believed to live underneath the magnificent treetops in both temperate and tropical rainforests. Furthermore, the importance of flow of information has meant that wealth lies in the provision of new information to this postmodern society. Therefore, recent government intervention to save the Brazilian rainforest from deforestation, for example, has clearly contributed to scientific research since the object of study is to be kept away from destruction. In fact, 50 percent of the fauna found in the world is thought to inhabit in the rainforest. There is a wide range of species, including mammals, reptiles, birds and invertebrates, and an incredible flora that live in natural ecosystems. Biodiversity is a singular feature of the rainforests. As they protect amazing species, they are also home to the natural resources for new medicine and a healthier life. Yet, the more we learn about them, the more there is to discover.


9

Questions 30-31 Choose the appropriate letter A-D and write them in boxes 30-31 on your answer sheet.

30. What do you learn about the rainforests in the first paragraph? A the reasons why different civilisations came to the rainforests B the amount of wealth that is found in the rainforests C the degree of deforestation so far D the lack of respect humans have for the rainforests.

31. In the second paragraph, what piece of information is accurate about the human beings who have been to the rainforests? A The scientists who explore the rainforest are very rich. B Biologists and chemists aim to gain knowledge on biodiversity. C Criminals gave up cutting wood illegally. D Naturalists and health professionals intend to live there.

Questions 32-34 Choose THREE letters A-G and write them in boxes 32-34 on your answer sheet. Which THREE of the following does the writer highlight when describing the rainforests? A the etymological origin of the word ‘rainforest’. B all the countries where portions of rainforest are found. C the rainforests subdivisions. D the reason behind the name ‘rainforest’. E the difference between tropical and temperate rainforests. F the area where rainforests are located. G the biodiversity available in the rainforests.


10

Questions 35-37 Using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS, answer the following questions. Write your answers in boxes 35-37 on your answer sheet.

35. Which layer holds a high degree of biodiversity? 36. What is the name of the third layer mentioned in the passage? 37. What does the term ‘under this condition’ refer to?

Questions 38-40 Do the following statements agree with the information given in the reading passage? In boxes 38-40 on your answer sheet write TRUE if the statement is true FALSE if the statement is false NOT GIVEN if the information is not given in the passage

1. Postmodern society seeks information as a source of wealth. 2. Government intervention in activities of deforestation is the result of a partnership with the scientific community. 3. Biodiversity is the only characteristic of the remaining rainforests.


11

IELTS Reading Answer Sheet www.ieltspracticetests.com

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20.

1 21.

▭

▭ 2

▭

22.

3

37

38.

19

▭ 38

▭ 39.

▭ 20

▭

▭

▭

▭

36

37.

18

▭

▭

▭

▭

35

36.

17

▭

▭

▭

▭

34

35.

16

▭

▭

▭

▭

33

34.

15

▭

▭

▭

▭

32

33.

14

▭

▭

▭

▭

31

32.

13

▭

▭

▭

▭

30

31.

12

▭

▭

▭

▭

29

30.

11

▭

▭

▭

▭

28

29.

10

▭

▭

▭

▭

27

28.

9

▭

▭

▭

▭

26

27.

8

▭

▭

▭

▭

25

26.

7

▭

▭

▭

▭

24

25.

6

▭

▭

▭

▭

23

24.

5

▭

▭

▭

▭

22

23.

4

▭

▭

▭

▭

▭

▭

▭

▭

21

▭ 39

▭ 40.

▭


▭ 40

▭

▭ 12

IELTS GENERAL TRAINING READING TEST 1 www.ieltspracticetests.com

Answer Key

PART 1 Uni Accommodation 1. T 2. F 3. F 4. N 5. T 6. N 7. T 8. N Natural Landscapes for You! 9. C 10. D or H 11. B 12. G 13. A 14. G

PART 2 Food for Thought 15. x 16. vii 17. ix 18. i 19. iv 20. v 21. ii

Assessment Guidelines 22. degree / Human Geography 23. is a fieldtrip 24. a date set / a weekday 25. two tutors 26. portfolio 27. informative leaflets / information sheet 28. meet the deadline 29. reflective skills

PART 3 Beyond the limits of land exploited 30. A 31. B 32. C/D/F (any order) 33. C/D/F (any order) 34. C/D/F (any order) 35. the canopy layer 36. the understory layer 37. 2 percent sunlight / low sunlight / poor light 38. T 39. N 40. F


13

IELTS Writing Practice www.ieltspracticetests.com Writing Task 1 Spend no more than 20 minutes on Task 1. We recommend 15 minutes. You have recently watched a new programme on TV. You like the programme but have just discovered that the TV station has moved it to a later time, when you’re unable to watch it. Write a letter to the TV station. In your letter • Describe why you like the programme • Explain why you believe it should not be on at a later time • Say what action you would like the TV station to take You should write at least 150 words. 160-170 words is recommended. You do NOT need to write any addresses Start your letter as follows: Dear ……………………….,

Writing Task 2 Spend no more than 40 minutes on this task. We recommend 35 minutes. Children should be forced to read novels from every major genre including science fiction, sport, romance, horror and crime. Being widely read will mean children will have a better understanding of the world around them. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. You should write at least 250 words. 270-290 words is recommended


14

IELTS Writing Preparation - Suggested Answers These are one of many possible ways of writing the answers to these questions. There is no right or wrong answer, just correct or incorrect English! Letter 1 Dear Sir Subject: Broadcast Schedule Of "Health Capsule" Programme I write to you about the recent change in the broadcast schedule of the programme - "Health Capsule" - from its earlier slot of 9:00 pm to the present slot of 11:00 pm. Let me first compliment you for the excellent content and presentation of this bi-weekly programme. It gives a succinct snapshot of the happenings in the health-and-fitness world. Being avid fitness enthusiasts, I and my friends at the gym relate quite well to it. However, the shifting of the broadcast slot to such a late hour is an inconvenience. Besides my friends, I am sure I echo the sentiments of the other fans of the programme in the locality, who have to get up early the next morning and so cannot stay awake till so late in the night. I appreciate your rationale behind the decision to shift the programme. However, perhaps you have underestimated the fan-following that this programme has acquired over such a short period of time? Given its popularity, I request you to revert back to the original broadcast schedule. Thank you for your attention regarding this matter. Yours faithfully _____________[your name] [Over 190 words. Suggested score - Band 8.5]

Essay 1 For an average child growing up in the cocooned environs of home, school and playground, the world appears to be just what they see around them - doting parents who take care of all their needs, school staff who nourish their intellect with structured learning, and fellow friends whom to share and fight with. How should we make the children aware of the existence of the rest of the world and its grown-up ways? One very good way of introducing the real world that exists beyond this shielded life is by putting novels into their hands. As the child begins to turn page after page, they are inexorably drawn into the fantasy woven by the author. As they navigate the story arc, they begin to get an inkling of what exactly to expect when they become adult. Well-read parents or seniors can discuss the pros and cons of the plot over lunch or dinner with the child and give their thinking the right, constructive direction. Each genre - whether science fiction or sport, romance or crime and horror - has some different perspective to offer to the child. Because the children themselves do not know which genre of novel might hold their interest, the best way is to let them discover what attracts them most by forcing them to read novels of all possible genres. Quite naturally, the kids will discard the genre that is not to their liking, and will gravitate towards the one that is. The best way to give children an education that goes beyond the learning of the classroom is to inculcate in them the taste for literature. What better way to round out their personality than by gently handholding their imagination into the world of fantasy of diverse authors? [Over 290 words. Suggested score - Band 8.5] www.AdultEnglishSchool.com | www.IELTSPracticeTests.com | www.TutorAgent.com

15

General IELTS Speaking Practice Test 1 www.ieltspracticetests.com Hi. My name is _________________. I’m your examiner today. Can you tell me your full name please? What would you like me to call you? May I see your ID please? It’s just a security precaution. Thank you. Are you working or studying? Study Questions: What did you need to do to get into the course you are in now? When you finish this course, will you need to do further study? Job Questions What training did you have to do to get your job? What further training do you need to do to keep your job? Do you have a lot of spare time? What do you like to do in your spare time? Do you prefer to invite your friends over to your home, or go out somewhere with them?

Describe an electronic item that you would like to buy You should say Where you can buy the item What you like about the item Why you want the item And explain how the item will help you in your life How important do you think technology is for the education industry? Should the technology used in education be paid for by the government or from school fund raising programmes? Do you think a teacher is still important in a classroom? What sort of students would be attracted to a school which uses up-todate technology? Do you think people doing IT think differently to those who work in other fields?


16

More Academic and General IELTS Practice Tests are available at:

www.IELTSPracticeTests.com If you’re in Australia and need one-to-one private tuition to practice IELTS writing and speaking, contact Adult English School in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane

www.AdultEnglishSchool.com Private IELTS tutors available at various times 7 days, depending on current bookings and availability of tutors If you’d prefer to buy a book released by Cambridge University Press, featuring official IELTS tests, we recommend:

Find out more via Amazon: Order direct from the UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0521173809?ie=UTF8&tag=scifiozbooks&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=0521173809

Order direct from the US: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0521173809?ie=UTF8&tag=scifioz&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0521173809

We wish you all the best in your next IELTS exam The teams at: www.IELTSPracticeTests.com www.AdultEnglishSchool.com www.TutorAgent.com www.SpeakOz.com www.EnglishTutorEbook.com www.TEFLinternational.com.au www.AdultLanguageSchool.com www.JobsDirector.com www.TuitionBusiness.com www.AdultEnglishSchool.com | www.IELTSPracticeTests.com | www.TutorAgent.com

17

General Ielts Practice Test 1 Reading Writing Speaking

Recommend Documents