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eee Past Papers EXAMINATION PAPERS FROM UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE ESOL EXAMINATIONS Cambridge IELTS 5 Examination papers from University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations: English for Speakers of Other Languages CAMBRIDGE, C9) UNWWERSITY PRESS Cbd Nre York, Melboern, Madrid, Cape Town, Singapore So Palo Cambridge Unters Pe ‘The Fehon ung, Cambie CRD 280K srnwcarrbiron, Taformatoucn is ile: cambridge 78052167701) © Cambridge Univesity Press 7006 luis normally necessary for writen persion for ppg tobe abun in sdsee fiom 4 paises The andicteasuer shes ate back of his book te Jesgnad to be copied and diibutecinctase The normal ‘eaumeat are waived we ad isa ccesry to weit ‘Cambridge Universiy Press or permission fora nda ero ake pcs fr use wii his: ber am too, Onl thos ages WIC ary he wording © UCLLS 2095 MRI ry copies. ot publ 2006 rite he Cited King at the Uses Prose Cambridge Auta mca fr his book fs eile frm the ich iy ISUN-I3. 97H.)-52.6750-1 Sea's Book with aoe ISANGIO 0.57 -67721-1Sents Honk wine ISBNS. 979 921-479055 Const Set ISBN-I0. 0521-6703-1 Cans Se ISBN-I3. 978.505-670162 Audio CD Set ISBN) 052677081 Ausio CD Set ISBN-13- 918.0821.67124 Self Pack ASBN-10. 0652-67702 Seanudy Pack Contents Introduction 4 Tea! 10 Ten? 32 Tet} 55 Test4 78 General Training: Reading and Writing Test A General Training: Reading and Writing Test B Tapescripss 128 Answerkey 152 Model and sammple anasers for Writing tasks Sample answersheets 174 Acknowledgements 176 11 na 162 Introduction The International Erg'sh Language Testing System (IELTS) is widely recognised as a reliable means of essessing the language ability of candidates who need to study oF work ‘where English is the language of communication, ‘hese Practice Tests are designed to give Future IELTS candidates an idea of whether thei English is at the required evel. TELTS is owned by three partners: the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations, the Britisa Council and IDP: Education Australia (through its subsidiary company, IELTS Australia Pty Limited). Further information ou FELTS can be found ia the IELTS Handbook and the IELTS Information for cancidates leaTet, available free of charge from IELTS centres. These can also be cownlozded fram the IELTS website (wwswielts.org) WHAT IS THE TEST FORMAT? IELTS consists of six modules. All canuidaces take the same Listening and Speaking modules ‘There i 4 choice of Reading and Writing modules according to wether 8 candidate is taking the Academic or General Training version of the test. [Academie = For candidates toking he test forentry to | For candidates taking the test for entry to tindergaduats or postgraduate studies or | vocatonal or trining programmes not st for professional reasons | degre etl for admission to secondary / | schools and tor immigration purposes. ‘The test modules are taken in the following onder Listening 4 sections, 40 tems appronimatly 30 minutes | Acatemie Reading Generat Training Reading | sections. 40 item on 3 secions, 4 items | 0 rsinutes 0 minutes | —— cia Te ‘asks oe 2 tasks | | 6 rinutes 69 minutes | I Speakin | 1 1 inates “Total Test Tine | hours 44 minutes Insroduction Listening ‘This module consists of foursections, each with ten questions The firs two sections are ‘oncerned with social needs. The fiat section is a conversation between two speakers and the second section isa monologue. The final so sections are conecrned with situaons related to educational or aining contexts, The third section isa comersation be(ween up co four poople and the fourth section a monologue. ‘A variety of question tyoes is used, including: multiple choice, short-answer questions, sentence completion, note:form/table/summafy/low-chart completion, labelling dagraun/planhnap, classification, matching. Candidates hear the recording ence only and answer the questions as they listen. Ten minutes areal owed at the end for candidates to transfer their answers to the answer sheet Academic Reading ‘This module consists of Ure sections with 40 questions. Theve are three reading pussagen, ‘which are taken Tron magazines, journals, books anu! newspapers. The passages are on Eopcs of general interest, Atleast one pussage conta detaiied logic argue A veriety of question types is used, including: multiple choice, short-answer questions. sentence completion, notes'summary/fiow-charUtable completion, labelling a diagram, clasification, matching, choesing suitable paragrapi Headings from alist identification of writers viewslelaims- yes, nat piken— or identilication of inforrsalion in the passage — nue false, not given. General Training Reading This module consists of th-ce sections with 40 questions. The texts are raken frem notices, aalvertisements leaflets, newspapers, instruction manuals. books and mayavines, The fist section contains lextsrelevan: to basic linguistic survival in English, with tasks mainly concerned with providing facial information, The second section focuses on the training context and involves texts of more comolex larguage. The third section involves reading more extended texts. with & more complex structure, but withthe emphasis on descriptive and instructive rather than argumentative texts A varioty of question types is used, including: multiple choive, short-unswer questions, scatenoe completion, aotessummeryiMow-char’/wbie completion, labelling a diagram, classification, matching, choosing suiteble paragraph headings from a lst, dentifcatior of iter’ vews/claims yex na, nor given identification of information iu the tent ~ rz, ose et given, Academic Writing, This module consis's of two tasks. Itis suggested that candidates spend about 20 minutes on Tas {, which requires ther to suite atleast [50 word, and 40 minutes on Task 2, which requires them 2o write atleast 250 onus. The assessment of Task 2 earries more weight in marking than Task | “Tusk | oquires candidates to look ala dingram or some date graph, table or char?) and tw picsent the information in their own words, They are assessed on Ur aaility to orgasise, present and pessibly compare data, describe the stages of a process, describe an object or ‘even, or explain how somethine works Inteoduetion In Task 7 candidates are presented with a point of view, argument or problem. ‘They are ssssated on heir abilty to presenta solution to the problem, present and justify an opinion, compare and contrast evidence and opinions, and evaluate and challenge ideas, evidence o= arguments. ‘Candidates are also ussessed on their bility to write in an appropriate style General Training Writing, ‘This module consists of two tasks. Its suggested that candidatss spend about 20 minutes on ‘Task I, which sequires them to write at least 150 words, and 40 minutes on Task 2, which requires ther. to write at east 250 words. The asseserment of Task 2 carries more weight in smarking thar. Task 1 In Task | candidates are asked to respond to a given problem, with letter requesting, information or explaining a situation. They are assessed on their ability to engage in personal cortespondence,elcit 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 sssesied on their ability to provide general factual information, outline a problem and present solution, present and justify an opinion, ard eveluatc and challenge ideas, cvidenes or arguments ‘Candidates ave also judged on their ability to write in an appropriate style. ‘Speaking ‘This module takes between I] and 14 minutes and is conducted by a traited examiner. ‘There are three parts: Part 1 ‘The candidate and the examiner introduce themselves, Candidates then answer general uestions abcut themselves, their home/Camily, their jobistudies, their interests and a wide sange of similar familiar topic areas This part lasts between four and five minutes, Part? The candidate is given a task card with prompts and is asked to talk on a particular topic. ‘The candidate has one minn'e to prepare and they can make some notes if they wish, before speaking for between one and two minutes. The eximiner then aske one or (we rounding-oT ‘questions, Part 3 ‘The examiner and the candidate engage in ¢ discussion of more abstract issues which are thematically linked to the topic prompt in Part 2. The discussion lasts between four and five ‘minutes, ‘The Speaking module assesses whether candidates can communicate effectively in English. ‘The atsescment takes into account Fluency and Coherencs, Lexicel Resource, Grammatica: Range and Accuracy. and Pronunciation 6 Introduction HOW IS IELTS SCORED? IELTS recut are reported on a nine-band scale, In uddition to the score for everal language ability, IELTS provides a score inthe form of a profile for each of the four skis (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speakirg). These scores are also reported on a nine-band scale All scores are recorded on the Test Report Form along with Getails of the eandidate’s nationality. frst language and date of birth, Fach Overall Rand Score corresponds toa descriptive statement which gives a summary of the English language ability of a candidate clasified at that level, The nine bands and their descriptive statersents are as follows: 8 Expert User~ Has fully operational command of the language: approprias, accurate and ucns with complete vaderstanding. 8 Very Good User. Has fully operational command of the language with anly occasional unystemuatic inaccuracies and inapprogriacies: Minunderstandiggs ay’ occur t wnfarliar situations, Hanes complex detatel argumentation wel 7 Gond User ~ Has operational command of the langage, thowgh with vecasiaal Inacciracies,izappropriaces ard misundersuandings in some situations, Genevally hanes complex langunge well anc understands esate reasoning. 1 Competent User ~ Tax generally efersive comenand of the language despite same Inacturacies, inappropriate: and misunderstanding. Cian use and understand fairly complex language, partculorly in feaniiar sitaations 5 Modest User — Hs partial comuraed of she language, coping with overall rieaning in most situations. though is Tike tc muake many nustokes. Should be able to handle baste ‘communication in omen fel 4 Limited User — Bsie competence is limited to fmtliar situations. Has frequent problems in tanderstanding and expression. fs wot able to use complex language 3 Exiremely Limited User ~ Conveys and understands only general meaning in very fniliar sttuations. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur 2 Intermittent User ~ No real communication is possible except for the most baste information ting iolared words or short formulae i familar situctions and to meet imonediete needs Has great difheulty understanding spoken and writen English 1 Non User ~ Essentially has no ability to wse the language beyond possibly a few isolated vend. 9 Did not attempt the test. — No assessable information provided. “Most universities and colleges in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Canada aoept en IELTS Overall Band Score of 6.0 or 6.5 for entry to acedemic programmes IELTS, sores are rezognised by over $00 universities and colleges in vhe USA. Iniroduction MARKING THE PRACTICE TESTS Listening and Reading, The Answer key is on pages 152-161 ach question in the Listening and Reading modules is worth one mark. Questions which require letter! Ronan numeral ansivers ‘+ For questions where the answers are letters or numbers, you shoud write only che number of answers required. Vor example, ifthe answer is a single lete- or rumber you should ‘write only ont answer. Ifyou ave written more lelers or wunieras shan are required, the answer must be marked wroag Questions which require answers inthe Jorm of wonds oF numbers Answers may be written in upper oF lower eas, ‘+ Words in brackets are optional = they are correct, but not necessary. 4 Alternative answers are separated by a singe slash (). 4 IF you are asked ta writen answer using a certain number of words andior (a) nsmbers), {sou will be pensfised if you exceed this. For example i a question specifies an answer Using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS and the correct arswer it"black lealber coat’, the ansiser of “eo of lack leather is incorrect. + Tn questions whcte you ate expected {o complete gap, you sould tscasfer only the neosssary raising word(s) onto the answer sheet, For example, to complete ‘in the and the correct answer 's‘morming’, the answer “in the morning’ would be mearrect. All answers require correct spelling {including words in brackets), Both US and UK spelling ate acceptable and ate included in the Answer key. All standard alternatives for numbers, dates and currencies are acceptable, All standard abbreviations are uceeptable. You will fied additional notes ubout individusl questions in the Answer key Writing Trisnot possiale for you to give yourself'@ mark for the Writing tasks. For Yas J in Tests 1 and 3, and Task 2 in Fests? and 4, and for Task 1 in Goneral Training Test 4 and Task 2 in General Training Test B, we have provided model ansieers (written by an examiner) at the ‘back of the hoo. 11s important 10 note that these show just one way af completing the task, out of many possible approaches For Task 2 in Tesis J und 3, Tauk 1 in Teste 2 and 4, Task 2 in General Training Tost A and Tack | in General Traising Test B, we have provided samp aasvers(weitton by eandidates), showing their score and the examiner's comments, ‘These model answers and sample answers wil give you an insight into what is requited for the Writing module. Introduction HOW SHOULD YOU INTERPRET YOUR SCORES? ithe Answer key al the end of each set of Listening and Reading answers you will find ‘hae: which will kelp you assess whether, on the basis of your Practice Test results, you are ready to take the IELTS test Ininverpretiag your score, ere ae a numiber of points you should bear in mind. Your performance in the real IELTS test will be reported in to ways: there wil ke a Band Seore fiom | 109 for each of the modules and an Overall Band Score from | to 9, which isthe erage of your scores in the four modules. However, institutions consideritg your application are advised to look at both the Overall Band anc the Bands for ach module in otde: fo determine whether you have the language skills needed for 4 particular course of studs. For example, if your course has 2 lot 0° reading and writing, but no lectures, listening Still might be less important and a score of 5 in Listening might he acceptable if the Overall Band Score was 7. However, for a course which has los of lectures and spoken instructions, aeore of Sin Listening might be unaccoptable oven though the Overall Band Score was 7. ‘Once you have marked your tests you shouid have some idea of whether your listening aad ‘wading skills are good enbugh for you to try the LELTS test. If you did weil enough in one rmodale but not in o:hers, you will have to decide for yourself whether you are ready to take the et The Practice Tests have been checked lo ensure that they are of approximately the same level of dificul:y asthe real [FITS test. However, we exnnot guarantee that your score in the Practice Tests will he reflected in the real IELTS test. The Practice Tests can only sive you an ides of your pessible future performance and itis Stimately up to you to make Uoeisions cen sour core Different institutions accept different (ELTS socres for different types of courses. We have bused our rocommendations on the average scores which the majority of institutions accept. Tae institution to which you are applying may, of course, require a higher or lower score thaa most other institutions ‘Sample answers and mode! answers aze provided for the Writing tasks. The sample answers sere written by IELTS candidates; exch answer has been giver. a band score and the cendidateS periormanee s described. Please note that these are many different Ways by which a candidate ray achieve a particular band stove, The model answers were written by an eramineras examples of very gcod answers, but itis important to understand that they ae jist one example out of many possible aparoaches. Further inforrnation or more information about IELTS or any other University of Cambridge ESOL ‘amination write to University of Carabridye ESOL Examinations Telephone: +44 1223 553355 ils Read Fan: 144 1223 460278 Cambridge e-mail: [email protected] pl2EU upafwerwcambridgeesolorg. United Kingdom ‘atlpahwww ielts. org 9