a What is the overall topic?
b Look at the key for the four lines. Which groups of people are being compared? What do the numbers on the vertical axis show?
c What does the horizontal axis show?
d Can you identify a general trend in each graph? When was the trend most or least noticeable?
e Which period shows a deviation from the trend for some countries?
... Check your answers on page 41 before you continue.
Question Strategies:
selecting main features from a graph, chart, or table
In Writing Task 1, you do not need to describe all the information given. To summarize,you must select the main features from what is shown.
Information is often given in the form of a graph, a chart, or a table.
Read any headings, key and sources for the data to understand what it relates to.
Read labels carefully, paying special attention to horizontal and vertical axes, column and row headings.
The data may show differences or changes over time, between places, or between groups of people. Try to identify significant contrasts, similarities, or trends.
KEY 30
Indonesia - - - Hong Kong
Malaysia Singapore
• • • • -- -
• • • •
20
!O
() II
1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000
Year ended 30 June
32 IELTS Practice Tests
Composition Strategies: reporting main features
Decide which points you will include and how you will organize them.
State the topic and overall content of the graph.
Describe and where relevant compare the main features of the data. Avoid repetition and do not try to give reasons.
Describe changes and trends using appropriate language:the number rose/fell slightly/sharply, there was a steady/rapid increase/decrease in the number.
Write numbers as percentages(ten per cent),fractions (a quarter, two-thirds),or expressions(nine outoften, three times as many).Use approximate phrases such as roughly, over, a little more than,just under.
Conclude by outlining theoveralltrends.
Improve your skills: putting statistics into words- 1 Choose the best way to express these statistics.
a Put these percentages into words: 98%, 22.5%
b State each of these fractions in two ways: 1/6,4/5, 1/20
c Compare each pair of numbers in two ways: 90 and 30, 17 and 34.
d Write these numbers using approximate phrases: 51 %, 999, 9.5%, 135.
2 Look at the graph in Writing Task 1. Describe the changes between 1982 and 1992 for the countries shown.
• Check your answers on page 41 before you continue.
Test 1 33
- - - - - - - - - -
Writing Task 2
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic.
Air traffic is increasingly leading to more noise, pollution and airport construction. One reason for this is the growth in low-cost passenger flights, often to holiday destinations.
Some people say that governments should try to reduce air traffic by taxing it more heavily.
Do you agree or disagree?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge and experience. Write at least 250 words.
Question Strategies: understanding the task
In Writing Task 2, you will be given a point of view to consider. You will be asked to give your opinion about the topic and the issues that are presented.
You are expected togive reasonsfor your answer and, where possible, support your arguments withrelevant examples.
Read the statement in bold italics carefully to identify the general topic.
Decide which parts of the statement are fact and which are opinion.
Read the questions carefully and decide your views on the opinion expressed.
Improve your skills: identifying the topic and the issues
1 What is the general topic of the task?
2 Which part of the task is fact?
3 Which part of the task is opinion? How do you know?
4 Which part are you supposed to respond to? What is your view?
~ Check your answers on page 41 before you continue.
34 IELTS Practice Tests
Composition strategies:
giving reasons and examples
Before you start writing, note down the issues raised by the title.
Decide your opinion on each issue and think of at least one argument to support it.
To illustrate each argument think of an example, perhaps from personal experience.
Use a separate paragraph to deal with each issue, its arguments and examples.
"1111 ','!'II', " ,'.'ml~ullllIl'~~I~I!I~I~'I~I~I~'IIIII~IIIIIIIIIIII~1111II ,
I
Improve your skills: developing arguments
Here are some issues raised by Writing Task 2. For each one answeryesornoand choose a supporting argument from the list. Then add an additional argument.
Example: 1 No
Supporting argument: g
Additional argument: overseas students also use these flights.
Is it fair?
2 Is it necessary?
3 Would it work?
4 Are there any alternatives?
5 Should governments get involved?
a tax rises would reduce demand b air traffic growth essential to economy c cleaner and quieter aircraft possible
d more and more cars despite high petrol taxes e state interference always harms economy f no other measures can curb air traffic growth g poorer passengers would pay bill
h only the state can control polluting industries holiday travel not essential to economy aeroplanes even more polluting than cars
II> Check your answers on page 4'1 before you continue
Test 1 35
"'I,1'1
Strategies:
Part 1 questions Listen for key words, e.g.
studies, holidays, to help you understand the topic.
Give replies that are full (not just 'yes' or 'no'), relevant and addressed to the examiner.
Add relevant follow-up points, so that the examiner doesn't have to prompt you.
Remember that one aim of Part 1 is to help you relax by letting you talk about a familiar topic:
yourself.
36 IELTS Practice Tests