ss UNIVERSITYof CAMBRIDGE 8% ESOL Examinations ELTS VK.cCom/ensglishlibrary Cambridge Books for Cambridge Exams °¢¢ Cambridge IELTS 7 Examination papers from University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations: English for Speakers of Other Languages A) CAMBRIDGE a> UNIVERSITY PRESS CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS Cambridge, New York, Melbourne, Madrid, Cape Town, Singapore, São Paulo, Delhi Cambridge University Press The Edinburgh Building, Cambridge CB2 8RU, UK.org Information on this title: www.org/9780521739177 © Cambridge University Press 2009 This publication is in copyright. Subject to statutory exception and to the provisions of relevant collective licensing agreements, no reproduction of any part may take place without the written permission of Cambridge University Press. Only those pages which carry the wording ‘© UCLES 2009 PPhotocopiable may be copied. First published 2009 Printed in the United Kingdom at the University Press, Cambridge A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library ISBN 978-0-521-739177 Student’s Book with answers ISBN 978-0-521-739184 Audio CDSet_ ISBN 978-0-521-739191 Self-study Pack ~ : 4,1 Cambridge University Press has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of urls for external or third-party internet websites referred to in this publication, and does not guarantee that any content on such websites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate.
Information regarding prices, train times and other factual information given in this work are correct at the time of going to print but Cambridge University Press does not guarantee the accuracy of such information thereafter. Contents Introduction 4 Test 1 10 Test 2 33 Test 3 56 Test 4 81 General Training: Reading and Writing Test A 104 General Training: Reading and Writing Test B 117 Tapescripts 129 Listening and Reading Answer keys 152 Model and sample answers for Writing tasks 162 Sample answer sheets 174 Acknowledgements 176 Introduction The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is widely recognised as a reliable means of assessing the language ability of candidates who need to study or work where English is the language of communication. These Practice Tests are designed to give future IELTS candidates an idea of whether their English is at the required level. IELTS is owned by three partners, the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations, the British Council and IDP Education Pty Limited (through its subsidiary company, IELTS- Australia Pty Limited).
Further information on IELTS can be found on the IELTS website (www. WHAT IS THE TEST FORMAT? TELTS consists of six components. All candidates take the same Listening and Speaking tests. There is a choice of Reading and Writing tests according to whether a candidate is taking the Academic or General Training module.
The test components are taken in the following order: Total Test Time 2 hours 44 minutes Introduction Listening This test consists of four sections, each with ten questions. The first two sections are concerned with social needs, The first section is a conversation between two speakers and the second section is a monologue. The final two sections are concerned with situations related to educational or training contexts. The third section is a conversation between up to four people and the fourth section is a monologue.
A variety of question types is used, including: multiple choice, short-answer questions, sentence completion, notes/form/table/summary/flow-chart completion, labelling a diagram/plan/map, classification, matching. Candidates hear the recording once only and answer the questions as they listen. Ten minutes are allowed at the end for candidates to transfer their answers to the answer sheet. Academic Reading This test consists of three sections with 40 questions.
There are three texts, which are taken from journals, books, magazines, and newspapers. The texts are on topics of general interest. At least one text contains detailed logical argument. A variety of question types is used, including: multiple choice, short-answer questions, sentence completion, notes/summary/flow-chart/table completion, diagram label completion, classification, matching, choosing suitable paragraph headings from a list, identification of writer’s views/claims— yes, no, not ee “2/77 of ipformation.! in the text — true, false, not given.
General Training Reading This test consists of three sections with 40 questions: The texts are taken from notices, advertisements, leaflets, newspapers, instruction manuals, books and magazines. The first section contains texts relevant to basic linguistic survival in English, with tasks mainly concerned with providing factual information. The second section focuses on the work context and involves texts of more complex language. The third section involves reading more extended texts, with a more complex structure, but with the emphasis on descriptive and instructive rather than argumentative texts, A variety of question types is used, including: multiple choice, short-answer questions, sentence completion, notes/summary/flow-chart/table completion, diagram label completion, classification, matching, choosing suitable paragraph headings from a list, identification of writer’s views/claims — yes, no, not given, identification of information in the text — true, false, not given.
Academic Writing This test consists of two tasks. It is suggested that candidates spend about 20 minutes on Task 1, which requires them to write at least 150 words, and 40 minutes on Task 2, which requires them to write at least 250 words. Task 2 contributes twice as much as Task | to the Writing score. Task 1 requires candidates to look at a diagram or some data (graph, table or chart) and to present the information in their own words.
They are assessed on their ability to organise, present and possibly compare data, describe the stages of a process, describe an object or event, or explain how something works. Introduction In Task 2 candidates are presented with a point of view, argument or problem. They are assessed on their ability to present a solution to the problem, present and justify an opinion, compare and contrast evidence and opinions, and evaluate and challenge ideas, evidence or arguments. Candidates are also assessed on their ability to write in an appropriate style.
General Training Writing This test consists of two tasks. It is suggested that candidates spend about 20 minutes on Task 1, which requires them to write at least 150 words, and 40 minutes on Task 2, which requires them to write at least 250 words. Task2 contributes twice as much as Task | to the Writing score. In Task | candidates are asked to respond to a given situation with a letter requesting information or explaining the situation.
They are assessed on their ability to engage in personal correspondence, elicit and provide general factual information, express needs, wants, likes and dislikes, express opinions, complaints, etc. In Task 2 candidates are presented with a point of view, argument or problem. They are assessed on their ability to provide general factual information, outline a problem and present a solution, present and justify an opinion, and evaluate and challenge ideas, evidence or arguments. Candidates are also assessed on their ability to write in an appropriate style.
More information on assessing both the Academic and General Training Writing tests, including Writing Band Descriptors (public version), is available on the IELTS website. Speaking This test takes between 11 and 14 minutes and is conducted by a trained examiner. There are three parts: Part 1 The candidate and the examiner introduce themselves, Candidates then answer general questions about themselves, their home/family, their job/studies, their interests and a wide range of similar familiar topic areas. This part lasts between four and five minutes.
Part 2 The candidate is given a task card with prompts and is asked to talk on a particular topic. The candidate has one minute to prepare and they can make some notes if they wish, before speaking for between one and two minutes. The examiner then asks one or two rounding-off questions. Part 3 The examiner and the candidate engage in a discussion of more abstract issues which are thematically linked to the topic in Part 2.
The discussion lasts between four and five minutes. The Speaking test assesses whether candidates can communicate effectively in English. The assessment takes into account Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Introduction Range and Accuracy, and Pronunciation. More information on assessing the Speaking test, including Speaking Band Descriptors (public version), is available on the IELTS website.
HOW IS IELTS SCORED? IELTS results are reported on a nine-band scale. In addition to the score for overall language ability, IELTS provides a score in the form of a profile for each of the four skills (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking). These scores are also reported on a nine-band scale. All scores are recorded on the Test Report Form along with details of the candidate’s nationality, first language and date of birth.
Each Overall Band Score corresponds to a descriptive statement which gives a summary of the English language ability of a candidate classified at that level. The nine bands and their descriptive statements are as follows: 9 Expert User — Has fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete understanding. 8 Very Good User — Has fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriacies. Misunderstandings may occur in unfamiliar situations.
Handles complex detailed argumentation well. 7 Good User — Has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally handles complex language well and understands detailed reasoning. 6 Competent User — Has generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings.
Can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations. 5 Modest User - Has partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most situations, though is likely to make many mistakes. Should be able to handle basic communication in own field. 4 Limited User — Basic competence is limited to familiar situations.
Has frequent problems in understanding and expression. Is not able to use complex language. 3 Extremely Limited User — Conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur.
2 Intermittent User — No real communication is possible except for the most basic information using isolated words or short formulae in familiar situations and to meet immediate needs. Has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English. I Non User — Essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words. 0 Did not attempt the test — No assessable information provided.com Introduction Most universities and colleges in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA accept an IELTS Overall Band Score of 6.0 for entry to academic programmes.
MARKING THE PRACTICE TESTS Listening and Reading The Answer keys are on pages 152-161. Each question in the Listening and Reading tests is worth one mark. Questions which require letterl Roman numeral answers e For questions where the answers are letters or Roman numerals, you should write only the number of answers required. For example, if the answer is a single letter or numeral you should write only one answer.
If you have written more letters or numerals than are required, the answer must be marked wrong. Questions which require answers in the form of words or numbers e Answers may be written in upper or lower case. e Words in brackets are optional— they are correct; but not necessary. e Alternative answers are separated by a-slash (/).
e If you are asked to write an answer using a-certain uil of words and/or (a) number(s), you will be penalised if you exceed this. For example, if a question specifies an answer using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS and the correct answer is ‘black leather coat’, the answer ‘coat of black leather’ is incorrect. © In questions where you are expected to complete a gap, you should transfer only the necessary missing word(s) onto the answer sheet. For example, to complete ‘in the .’, and the correct answer is ‘morning’, the answer ‘in the morning’ would be incorrect.
All answers require correct spelling (including words in brackets). Both US and UK spelling are acceptable and are included in the Answer key. All standard alternatives for numbers, dates and currencies are acceptable. All standard abbreviations are acceptable.
You will find additional notes about individual answers in the Answer key.