IELTS Language Lab: Test 1

IELTS Grammar >> Test 1

Practice Test 1

In this episode we’re to going to listen to Sara who tried Practice Test 1 on the subject of ‘holidays’.

Transcript

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Welcome to the IELTS Language Lab, brought to you by Peter Travis from ieltsspeaking.co.uk. The IELTS Language Lab uses the IELTS assessment criteria to examine recordings of students trying IELTS-style Speaking tests. In this episode we’re going to listen to Sara who tried one of the free Part 2 practice tests we’ve published on the ieltsspeaking website.The task was Speaking Practice 1:

Task

Describe a beautiful place you once visited. You should say

• when you went to this place
• where it was
• who you went with

and say why you liked it so much.

Comprehension

The first time you listen decide if Sara answers all parts of the question.

A place I recently visit was … Budapest … I went there last year with a friend of mine and we decided to go because we have a friend living there and so we take the opportunity to see him but also to visit the city … Budapest is the capital of Hungary and what I like most … from the city is the fact that it’s separated between the River so you have Buda in one side and Pest in the other one and one of the days we went … to Buda and to the high … side of … of the city so we have amazing views of looking at Pest … what I like more from Budapest … I would say was the architecture … reminds me … an old time because you can see … that one time a long time ago used to be … a big city with exceptional and amazing buildings and these buildings are still there but they look old now .. some conservation is needed and but also it was interesting to see the underground … we were told that the underground in Budapest … was built at the same time the underground in London … however it doesn’t look like the tube in London at all and yeah I really have a good time and also the fact that our friend was living there also helps because he introduces us to his friends and he bring us to some typical restaurants so it was a very enriching experience altogether

Assessment

I’m sure you’ll agree that Sara responded to the task fully and gave an interesting outline of her trip. Now listen a second time. How well do you think Sara did using the IELTS assessment criteria? Focus on ONE of the following criteria as you listen.

• Grammatical Range and Accuracy
• Lexical Resource (Vocabulary)
• Fluency and Coherence
• Pronunciation

Feedback

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

In general, Sara’s use of English was good. Her statements are well formed such as the sentence beginning:

• what I like most … is the fact that …

Her use of the passive was also very good such as in:

• some conservation is needed …

and

• the underground in Budapest was built …

To optimize her chances of getting an advanced grade Sara does need to pay attention to her use of tenses. On several occasions she used the present tense when the past was needed, for example:

• A place I recently visit was
• and so we take the opportunity
• so we have amazing views
• I really have a good time

Lexical Resource

Sara had enough vocabulary to deal with the task and used some good expressions such as

• take the opportunity

and

• an enriching experience altogether

To achieve an advanced grade she could revise some set expressions such as

• what I like about something
• on the one side (of a river)
• you are reminded of something or somebody
• at the same time as

Fluency and Coherence

Sara spoke very fluently. There were very few pauses and those that did occur did so between statements and not where she was struggling to think of a word.

Pronunciation

Overall, Sara’s pronunciation was very clear and listeners should have little trouble understanding her. She had a slight problem with ‘architecture’.

That’s the end of this lesson. If you enjoy learning advanced level grammar in this way why not sign up for IELTS Speaking Advanced? You’ll listen to advance level speakers attempting IELTS-style practice tests and will look at the kind or errors that tend to occur at this level. We offer grammar lessons for many of these problems areas  plus exercises to help you master them.  Find out more about the online course on the IELTS speaking website.