Preface
This is a self-study publication with two audio-cassettes for students preparing for the Academic Module of the International English Language Testing System
(IELTS), which is administered by The British Council, the University of Cambridge
Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES) and by IELTS Australia.
The book covers the four modules of the IELTS exam: listening, reading, writing and speaking. Special features of the book are: the reading exercises, the detailed Keys for these exercises, the wide range of exercises to help you prepare for Writing Task
1, and the detailed Key for the Reading Tests.
The publication may also be used as a course book, or as a supplement to a course book. So that you may repeat the exercises in this book, we would advise you to avoid marking the text.
This new edition incorporates the changes to the speaking module introduced in
July 2001.
Sam McCarter, Julie Easton and Judith Ash
2003

Contents
Page
Preface

iii

Acknowledgements

iv

Listening Module

1

Introduction

2

Listening Test 1

3

Listening Test 2

9

Listening Test 3

15

Listening Test 4

20

Reading Exercises

25

Introduction

26

1. How to read, or how to read efficiently?

28

2. Learning to read organisation

29

3. More about reading organisation

30

4. A summary of functions

31

5. Recognising paragraph types

32

6. Simultaneous functions

34

7. Reading control

35

8. Spot the difference!

36

9. Learning to concentrate

37

10. Predicting organisation 1

38

11. Predicting organisation 2

39

12. Focus on paragraph headings

40

13. Foreground and background information
14. Increasing your reading speed

42
-

43

15. More about speed

45

16. Words that slow you down

47

17. Problems with meaning

48

18. An introduction to Yes

50

19. An introduction to No

51

20. Meaning in a text

52

21. Yes, No or Not Given 1?

53

22. Yes, No or Not Given 2?

54

Reading Tests
Test 1

56

Test 2

66

Test 3

75

Test 4

83

Section on Writing

91

Introduction

92

Graphs and diagrams for Task 1
1. Looking for patterns
2. Language graphs
3. Which chart?

94
98
100 v 4. A maze in graph form
5. Draw your own graph
6. Graph comprehension

102
103
104

7. Improving a text
8. The language of comparison and contrast

105
106

9. Graphs and charts combined

108

10. It is predicted th a t...

110

11. More comparison and contrast

112

12. More complex terms

■

13. Some common language mistakes
14. How many correct sentences are there?
15. Questionnaire 1

114
116

,

117

; -

118

16. Questionnaire 2

120

17. Tables

122

18. Map language and verb tenses
19. Process language

123
125

20. The process of making a newspaper

126

Essay writing for Task 2
21. Understanding essay titles

128

22. Plans for essays

130

23. Same general subject - different focus

132

24. A model essay

134

Writing Tests
Test 1

135

Test 2

136

Test 3

137

Section on Speaking

139

Introduction

140

1. Eliciting information

141

2. Example of extended discourse No.1

145

3. Example of extended discourse No.2

147

4. Your future plans

148

5. Put meaning into your future

149

Listening Tests

151

Reading Exercises

167

Reading Tests

179

Writing - Graphs and Diagrams

203

Writing - Essays

210

W riting-Tests

211

Keys

Speaking

* 213

About the authors
Sam McCarter is a lecturer in academic and medical English at Southwark College, where he organises IELTS courses for overseas doctors and other health personnel, and courses in medical English - including preparation for the OSCE component of the
PLAB.
Sam is also the creator and organiser of the Nuffield Self-access Language Project for
Overseas Doctors and works as a freelance consultant in medical English specialising in tropical medicine.
Julie Easton is a lecturer in academic and medical English at Southwark College, teaching on courses preparing doctors for the IELTS and the OSCE. Julie has considerable experience in both areas.
Judith Ash is a former lecturer in academic and medical English at Southwark
College. She now writes freelance and is working on distance learning programmes for
IELTS.

About Southwark College
Southwark College has an international reputation as a centre for teaching IELTS and medical English. The College is situated in the centre of London.
Telephone: 0207 815 1600 and Fax: 0207 261 1301.

Listening Module

Introduction §
Practice Tests I -4

A book for IELTS

1

Listening

Practice Tests

Introduction to the Listening Module
In the IELTS exam, the Listening Test forms the first part of the exam and lasts for about 30 minutes.
In each test, there are four main sections, for which you have to answer a total of approximately 40 questions.
Each main section is divided into two and, sometimes, three sub-sections. Before each of these sub-sections, you have time to read the questions and you are advised to write your answers in the question booklet. At the end of each section, you have half a minute to check your answers.
At the end of the full listening test, you have 10 minutes to transfer your answers^to the Answer Sheet. Usually, the listening exercises become more difficult as you move from Sections 1 to 4.
You will hear the test only ONCE.

-A

The range of question types may include the following:

; 5

- multiple choice questions
- short-answer questions
- sentence completion
- summary/notes/flow chart/diagram/table completion
- labelling a diagram which has numbered parts
- matching
Situations

The first two sections are usually of a social nature. Section 1 usually contains a conversation, e.g. between two people in a shop, and Section 2 a monologue, e.g. a radio broadcast or a talk. Section
3 is usually a conversation in an educational or training context, e.g. a tutorial about a particular subject. In this section, there can be up to four speakers. Section 4 is a monologue, such as a lecture or talk on a subject of general academic interest.
It is important to remember that the test is designed to test your listening comprehension skills. The answers to all of the questions are on the tape. You do not need any knowledge of the topic to be able to answer the questions.

Answer sheet

After the end of the tape, ten minutes are given for you to transfer your answers to the Answer
Sheet.

Hints on listening

Common problem areas with this part of the IELTS exam include the following:

Misreading instructions It is important that you read all the instructions very carefully so that you are clear about what is required for the answer to each of the questions. The instructions are usually clear and easy to follow, and an example is given in some cases.
It is worth pointing out here that candidates often fail to read the instructions carefully or just glance at them. Students rely on the fact that the instructions are exactly the same in the Test as they are in the textbook(s) they have been practising with.

Changing

Sometimes, the speaker may give a piece of information and then change his or her mind. So always watch out for this.

Anticipation/ prediction When you are speaking to people normally in your own language, it is possible to predict what the person you are talking to is going to say. It is easier in this situation to do so, because you are part of the conversation and know the context. When you are just listening, it is just a little harder, because you are not actively involved in developing the context. However, you can do it with just a little extra concentration.

Concentration

It is important to concentrate from the beginning. Some candidates think that the first section is going to be easy and do not listen carefully enough. They miss a few answers which affects their final score. If you are aiming for a high score, like a 7 or a 7.5 you should be aiming to answer all the questions in the first two sections correctly, as they are the easiest.

Practice

If you do not have access to many IELTS textbooks to practise, use listening exercises from the other Cambridge exams, e.g. for the First Certificate and the Cambridge Advanced. The listening exercises are not the same but they give you similar practice. Also listen to the radio and watch
TV, and if possible speak to people in English.

2

■
*
+

A book for IELTS

Listening

Practice Tests

Practice Test 1: Section 1

Complete the Account Details using NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each blank space.
Account Details
Example:
Account holder:

No

Discount offered.
First year students:

(1)

Name:

Nasreen (2)

Address:

(3)
Compton Street, London.

Postcode:

SE (4)

Telephone number:

0181 (5)

■

Mansions,

Questions 6-8
Put a tick in the spaces below, if the information is correct. Or fill in the blank with the correct information, if it is wrong. The first one has been done for you as an example.
^ ______

Example

7_______________

Physics in the Age

Experimental

of

Science

Technology j£29^50^>o A Stern
,_T O t Of u ly S ck to Simon Blair

£ y & Violet Boyd

6____________ 8 .
S-

=

A'--

-

Mathematics in
Physics

/

Physics for the first year student

\ £27.95^>

Professor I Lovatt

j £2

A Laska

/
A book for IELTS

3

Practice Tests

Listening

Questions 9 & 10
Circle the appropriate letter.
9.

To collect the books the student must bring
A
B

two forms of identification.

C

one form of identification.

D
10.

three forms of identification.

two forms of identification and the university confirmation letter.

The books will be kept
A
B

in the Physics Department in the baserrfent.

C

in the Physics Department on the first floor.

D

4

in the Chemistry Department in the basement.

in the Maths Department in the basement.

A book for IELTS

Listening

Practice Tests

Practice Test 1: Section 2

Circle the appropriate letter.
11.

_________________ student counsellors at the university.
There a re _________
A six

12.

B four

C five

D three

The speaker has come to talk about th e ____________________ .
A Student Union
C student health

13.

B Student Welfare Service
D Student Accommodation Service

The number of main sites is . . .
A three

14.

B four

C five

D six

Where on this site is the student counsellor’s office?

Questions 15-20

Complete the notes below using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.
15.

The information leaflet is available a lm o s t____________________ .

16.

The Helpline in the evenings and weekends is dependent on th e ____________

17.

The Helpline is staffed at the weekends fo r ____________________ .

18.

Students contact the Student Welfare Service for a ___________________ .

19.

If the counsellors cannot help you, they will put you in touch w ith ____________

20.

The Service gives____________________ to all volunteers on the Helpline.

A book for IELTS

5

Practice Tests

Listening

Practice Test 1: Section 3
Questions 21-23
USE NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS to answer the following questions:
21.

On what topic did Jim write his essay?

_____________________________________

22.

Besides the OECD statistics, what other figures did Jim use?

23.

At the beginning of his essay, what does Jim say the 19th century Luddites and people today are worried about?

Questions 24-27
In Jim’s essay, there are 3 reasons for people’s fears and 2 reasons why people’s fears are unjustified.
In each case below, choose the option which accurately describes the point. The first one is an example.

Example: The first reason for fear:
Ja
IT affects service and traditional industries b Electricity affects service and traditional industries

24.

The second reason for fear: a b

25.

The introduction of IT is more demanding than other technologies
The introduction of IT is happening more quickly than for previous technologies

The third reason for fear: a b

26.

IT makes it easier to change jobs
IT makes it easier for employers to move jobs around

The first reason why people’s fears are unjustified: a b

27.

There has been a continuous rise in people in work and income in rich countries
Technological advance has industrialised rich countries

The second reason why people’s fears are unjustified: a b

6

New jobs are not upsetting old ones
New jobs are replacing old ones

A book for IELTS

Listening

Practice Tests

Questions 28 30
•»

Circle the appropriate letter.
28.

New technology does not always reduce employment, because
A people do not need to work as hard as before.
B new products are a necessity.
C it can create new demand.
D it can slow down output.

29.

In his conclusion, Jim says that IT should not destroy jobs, if
A there is a balance.
B the workforce are favourable.
C the workforce are businessmen.
D the workforce have a good education and they are skilled.

30.

The phrase, a favourable business climate, means an environment where
A

there is not too much in the way ofprotectionism.

B

there are many restrictions,rules and regulations.

C minimum wage levels are too high.

*

D restrictions on work practices exist.

A book for IELTS

7

Practice Tests

Listening

Practice Test 1: Section 4
Questions 31-37
Complete the notes using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for your answer.
31.

The speaker is a specialist in _____________________ .

32.

The speaker is giving th e _____________________of the term.

33.

The focus of her talk is the purpose o f ____________________ .

34.

Good design leads t o _____________________ .

35.

One facet of the role of design isto make sure that products do the job they are

36.

People are persuaded to buyproducts

37.

A shopper may buy a personal stereo for its ____________________as well as its trendy appearance. b y _________a n d __________________ .

Questions 38-41
Circle the appropriate letter.
38.

The role of the designer is becoming more important, because ...
A the progress of technology is slightly faster than it was.
B there are possibilities for new ideas.
C products break more easily these days.
D every model has to be updated more quickly.

39.

In the medical field, the designer is engaged in ...
A developing a range of new equipment.
B old equipment that is developing.
C everything related to hospital portering equipment.
D advising inventors.

40.

Designers can help manufacturers by ...
A exporting their designs.
B helping to make their products attractive.
C making their products appreciated by other manufacturers.
D training them to appreciate design.

41.

Design is important in life, because ...
A
B

it is part of our attitude.

C

it improves the quality of ourdaily

D

8

existing is more than living.

we do not want things that donot look good, even if they do not work.

life.

A book for IELTS

Listening

Practice Tests

Practice Test 2: Section 1

Circle the appropriate letter.

Example: Angela would like to order
A some chocolates. { (^ some chocolates and some flowers.
B some flowers.
D some sweets.

1.

Which picture shows the kind of flowers Angela would like to order?

B r A book for IELTS

9

Practice Tests

Listenihg

2.

Which box of chocolates does Angela order?

A

D

3. Angela would like to send
A a mixture of chocolates, mostly liqueurs.
B a box of liqueurs.
C a mixture of chocolates, mostly white chocolates and some liqueurs.
D a mixture of chocolates, mostly white, but no liqueurs.

4. The cost of delivering both items is
A 90 pence
B £38
C £19
D £9

10

A book for IELTS

Listening

Practice Tests

Complete the following Order Form by USING NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS to complete each blank space: ORDER FORM
Name:
Address:

Angela Love
144a Orchard Heights
Marsh Drive
Edinburgh

Telephone number:

0963 371 555

Credit card number:

N/A_____

Switch card number:

569 000(5)

Sendee’s name:
Sendee’s address:

Mrs (6)
27 (7) _
Cardiff CA13 8YU

Message (if any):

Congratulations on (8 ) ______________________ /
Just let me know when you are out on the road. Love Angie

Any other details:

Delivery Date: (9) ___________

884 223 7

(10) Deliver between ________ an d ____________ in the morning.

A book for IELTS

11

Practice Tests

□sterling

Practice Test 2: Section 2
Questions 11-13
Circle the appropriate answer.
11.

Information about the sports facilities can be found on
A billboards in parts of the campus.
B notice-boards throughout the campus.

12 .

C posters in the campus.
D maps all over the campus.

The speaker is
A showing a map on a screen.
B talking about a map in a leaflet.

13.

C referring to a diagram on a screen.
D talking about a map on the wall.

The university sports complex is
A in Burse Road.

C in Thames Street.

B on the right of the police station.

D opposite the city library.

Questions 14-17
Tick the four other facilities below which are mentioned as future developments in the university sports complex. One (C) has been marked for you as an example. Write your answers in Boxes 14-17 on your answer sheet.
FACILITIES
A Two badminton courts

G An ice-skating rink _

B Three squash courts

H A cafeteria ________

C A sauna

I

(Example)

Two courts for tennis

D A full-sized Olympic swimming pool

J A soft-ball court ___

E A dance th e a tre ____________

K A modern gym ____

F A bar __________
Questions 18-20
Circle the correct letter.
18.

Choose the correct location (A,B.C, or D) for the sports ground on the map below.

19.

The direct bus to the sports field is the
A 553
B 33

Sports ground = A, B, C, or D?

20.

C 43
D 53

The last bus at night is
A around half past 12 in the morning.
B at 2.30 a.m.
C at 1.30 a.m.
D at midnight.

12

A book for IELTS

Listening

Practice Tests

Practice Test 2: Section 3
Questions 21-26

USING NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each space complete the details about the FBT Award below.
FBT Award
The FBT Award gives students money to ____ 21______ .
Conditions to be met:
Applicants have to: be in their_____ 22 _____ year. be a British or Commonwealth citizen. be among th e _____ 2 3 _____ in their year in the final exams. hand in the application by th e _____2 4 _____ . be under_____ 25____ at the end of their course. give the names o f ____ 2 6 ______ referees.

Questions 27-30
Circle the appropriate answer.
27.

The award Sandra is applying for is
A awarded twice a year.
B not as hard to get as the one Derek is after.
C not for as much money as the FBT Award.
0

28.

much harder to obtain than the one Derek is after.

To apply for the Bisiker Award, students have to
A

write a 5,000 word outline of their project and

complete a

detailed application form.

B

write a 5,000 word outline of their project and

complete a

form withtheir details.

C fill in a short application form.
D write a 50,000 word outline of their project and fill in a form with their details.
29.

The lecturer puts great emphasis on
A the need for the summary to be original.
B making five copies of the application.
C having it read through by someone before submitting it.
D studying previous applications.

30.

The lecturer also lays great emphasis on the fact that
A the Bisiker Award is not much harder to getthan the one Derek is after.
B the application should, if possible, be typed, neat and bound with a ring binder.
C there is no need to type the application.
D the application has to be typed, be very neat and bound with a ring binder.

A book for IELTS

13

Listenir

Practice Tests

_________ ' 9

Practice Test 2: Section 4

i

Questions 31-36
Comp,|ete the |ecture notes below. Use NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS to complete each space.
Europe goes grey refers to the

in Europe since the 60s.

_31

Projections
- by 2029 approximately_______32_______% of the UK population will be over retirement age.
- roughly 23% of the population o f_______33_______will be 65 or over by 2020.
- the number of centenarians in the UK will be increasing by_______34_______percent per year in the 21st century.

*
Reasons for increased life-span:
a. better diet

b.

better housing

c. th e _______ 35_______ of health care
The b)jrth rate in Europe has fallen as a consequence of:
a. _______ 36_______

b.

education of women

c. more women working
Questions 37-40

Circle the correct letter.
37.

39.

The speaker says that the elderly

A pay the wages of carers.

A generally need care.

B help independent old people.

B can be both happy and retired.

C create new medical services.

C vary in their situations and needs.

D increase the level of pensions.

D worry about who will care for them.
38.

Unlike in the past, today families
A don’t care about their grandparents.
B tend to live in the same area.
C don’t take care of grandparents.
D share the care of the elderly.

14

As regards the elderly, financial assistance is needed to

•»
>

40.

The speaker suggests that in the future
A people should be helped to prepare financially for their old age.
B existing houses of the elderly should be adapted.
C retirement ages should be increased.
D people should respect the elderly more.

A book for IELTS

Listening

Practice Tests

Practice Test 3: Section 1

Complete the questionnaire below using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each space.

Questionnaire
Example
Year:____ 2nd
Subjects:

Chinese and (1).

Age:

(2)_

Type of accommodation: flat off-campus ____
(Please tick)
- flat on-campus —* /—
Name of block (if applicable):

ACTIVITIES

room on-campus room off-campus

(3).

Number of times per month student takes part
B = 3-5 c = 6 -a
D = 9—
10
Write A, B, C, or D below

4 = 1-2
Sports
(4)
Basketball
Football

B
(5)

c

Clubs
(6)
Amateur dramatics

Questions 8-10

8.

A

(7)

Circle the appropriate letter.

How much of his income does the student spend on socialising? A
B

B

C
D

A book for IELTS

15

Practice Tests

Listening

9.

How much of his income does the student spend on accommodation and food?

B

10.

Apart from books, what does the student spend the rest of his money on?
A small luxuries like chocolate and cakes.
B lots of luxuries.
C food.
D small luxuries.

16

A book for IELTS

Listening

Practice Tests

Practice Test 3: Section 2
Q u estion s 11-13

Complete the notes below about the Hoverplane using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS.

Hoverplane
The hoverplane will be able to travel at a maximum speed o f____11____ per hour.
The craft is efficient, because it uses one____12__ of the normal fuel of a ferry.
The larger planned version will be able to carry____13_____ and freight at 300 kilometres an hour.
Questions 14-16
Answer the questions below according to the information you hear about a new computer-based police communication system.
For each blank space use NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS.
Police Communication System
14.

What can a radio scanner warn a criminal about?

15.

With the new police system, what will take the place of most radio traffic?

16.

What may be transmitted to police cars in future?

_________________

Questions 17-20
According to the information you hear about chickens and electricity, complete the summary below. Use no more than TWO WORDS to complete each blank space.

Chickens and Electricity
Dung is a _____ 17_____ of the chicken farm. A British firm has proved that the answer to communities’ needs for electric power is profitable. So, at the moment, it h a s_____ 18_____ stations in Britain, which are powered by dung, and other
European countries are showing interest.
In many countries,_____ 19_____ is a headache so the company is solving two problems at one time, namely: burning dung to make much needed fertiliser and producing cheap_____ 20_____ .

A book for IELTS

17

Practice Tests

Listening

Practice Test 3: Section 3
Questions 21-23

t

Circle the appropriate answer.
21.

Dave thinks the last tutorial
A was exciting and Sarah disagrees.
B was not exciting and Sarah disagrees.
C wasn’t very interesting, but Sarah does.
D was good and Sarah feels she has to agree.

22.

Sarah states that she understood
A a very small part of the tutorial.
B all of the tutorial.
C most of the tutorial, but parts of it were incomprehensible.
D none of the tutorial.

23.

Sarah and Dave have just attended a

tutorial on

A study skills for English Literature.
B reading in literature.
C writing in literature.
D general studies.

Questions 24-27
Listen and complete the table below with the appropriate numbers.
Sarah

Dave

Terry

Pages per hour

25/30

(24)__________

120

Books per week

1

(26)__________

(27)_______

Arnold
(25)______
20

Questions 28-30
Using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each blank space, complete the sentences below.
Terry thinks it is important to develop one’s reading speed t o _____ (28)_____ .
Terry fe lt_____ (29)_____ after his first tutorial with Dr Pratt.
When Terry first arrived at university, his reading speed w a s _____ (30)______ pages per hour.

18

A book for IELTS

Listening

Practice Tests

Practice Test 3: Section 4

Circle the correct letter.
31.

What four qualities do actresses and actors need to survive?
A fear, determination, persistence and ability to accept a challenge.
B hunger, thirst, persistence and talent.
C hunger, determination, talent and persistence.
D anxiety, doggedness, talent and persistence.

32.

The unemployment rate in the acting profession is
A around 70 percent.
B between 80 and 90 per cent.
C not mentioned in the lecture.
D over 90 per cent.

33.

Actors, on average, work
A 10 weeks per year.
B 11 weeks per year.
C 7 weeks per year.
D 12 weeks per year.

*

34.

Actresses, on average, work
A 14 weeks per year.
B 17 weeks per year.
C 7 weeks per year.
D 12 weeks per year.

Complete the lecture notes below. Use NO MORE THAN FOUR WORDS to complete each space.
Finding an agent

Except in special circumstances, agents have to see actors or actresses in some kind of

.35.

For example, they can send a show-reel with their

Equity Cards

.36.

Getting work without an Equity Card is______37______.The main disadvantage of the new system is that there are more people going for the_____38_____.

Photographs

Photographs are essential and they have to b e _____39_____, black and white and the size of a _____40_____.

A book for IELTS

19

Practice Tests

Listening

Practice Test 4: Section 1

Circle^ the correct answer.
Example:
The student...

1.

A
B

C
D

is Arabic. is studying Arabic.

The final destination is
A

Amman, Jordan.

C

Alexandria, Egypt.

B
2.

Ankara, Turkey.

D

Athens, Greece.

The student must reach his destination by
A

12th September.

C

27th September.

B

31st August.

D

20th September.

3.

The student decides finally to leave on
A

21st August.

B
4.

is studying Hebrew and Arabic. is studying English and Arabic.

C

20th August.

\

20th September.

D

27th August.

The student wants to go to Paris by

B

rr