Guía práctica Get Ready for IELTS

READING PASSAGE 1
Questions 1–7
Do the following statements agree with the information given in Reading Passage 1?

You should write: TRUE if the statement agrees with the information FALSE if the statement contradicts the information NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

1. Chronobiology is the study of how living things have evolved over time. FALSE
2. The rise and fall of sea levels affects how sea creatures behave. TRUE
3. Most animals are active during the daytime. NOT GIVEN
4. Circadian rhythms identify how we do different things on different days. FALSE
5. A ‘night person’ can still have a healthy circadian rhythm. TRUE
6. New therapies can permanently change circadian rhythms without causing harm. FALSE
7. Naturally-produced vegetables have more nutritional value. TRUE

READING PASSAGE 2
Questions 1–7
Complete the sentences below. 

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.

1. Pilates was originally designed as physical therapy for DANCERS and sports persons.
2. The practice of yoga differs from Pilates in that it has a SPIRITUAL SIDE
3. Pilates practice does not seem to produce measurable effects on POSTURE/HEIGHT
4. EMG results indicate that gains in core strength are greater from Pilates training than ABDOMINAL CRUNCHES/THE CRUNCH
5. Pilates may be beneficial for sufferers of LOWER BACK pain although there is not a great deal of research to prove this.

Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage for each answer.

6. What did WHOQOL assess? QUALITY OF LIFE 
7. Which part of the brain is important for memory? (LEFT) HIPPOCAMPUS

READING PASSAGE 3
Questions 1–5
Reading Passage 3 has six paragraphs, A–F

Which paragraph contains the following information? Write the correct letter, A–F, in boxes 1–5 on your answer sheet.

1. A use for helium which makes an activity safer. (C)
2. The possibility of creating an alternative to helium. (D)
3. A term that describes the process of how helium is taken out of the ground. (B)
4. A reason why users of helium do not make efforts to conserve it. (E)
5. A contrast between helium’s chemical properties and how non-scientists think about it. (A)

TASK Section 1
This is a sample of the listening section 1. You will practise form completion and short answer tasks. Other task types are possible in this section of the test.

Questions 1–6
Complete the form below.

Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer

1. First name: SOPHIA
2. First name: ITALIAN
3. First name: 521 ASHDOWN
4. First name: BANK STATEMENT
5. First name: 30(TH) DECEMBER /DECEMBER 30(TH) 
6. Passport number: DJG120459

 

Questions 7–10
Answer the questions below.

Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

7. How many items may a visitor member borrow at one time? 15/FIFTEEN
8. How long is the loan period for a “hot book”? ONE WEEK/1 WEEK
9. How much is the deposit to borrow a laptop to use in the library? $45/$45.00/45 DOLLARS
10. Name ONE method of renewing items on loan. ANY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING: ONLINE; AUTOMATED TELEPHONE; IN PERSON; SELF-SERVICE CHECKOUT

READING PASSAGE 2
Questions 1-9
Classify the following as typical of

A the reptilian cortex B the limbic cortex C the neocortex Write the correct letter, A, B or C, in boxes 1–9 on your answer sheet.

1. giving up short-term happiness for future gains (C)
2. maintaining the bodily functions necessary for life (A) 
3. experiencing the pain of losing another (B)
4. forming communities and social groups (B)
5. making a decision and carrying it out (C)
6. guarding areas of land (A)
7. developing explanations for things (C)
8. looking after one’s young (B)
9. responding quickly to sudden movement and noise (A)

 

Questions 10–13
Complete the sentences below.

Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer. Write your answers in boxes 10–13 on your answer sheet.

10. A person with only a functioning reptilian cortex is known as BRAIN DEAD.
11. SOCIOPATHIC BEHAVIOUR in humans is associated with limbic disruption.
12. An industrial accident caused Phineas Gage to lose part of his NEOCORTEX.
13. After his accident, co-workers noticed an imbalance between Gage’s ANIMAL PROPENSITIES and higher-order thinking.

TASK Section 2
This is a sample of the listening section 2. You will practise matching information and multiple choice tasks. Other task types are possible in this section of the test.

REMEMBER: Listen to the introduction and use your time wisely – preview the questions in the time available, underline key words and think about possible synonyms. There is a break in the recording part-way through section 2 which gives you time to prepare for the second set of questions.

Questions 11–16
Which advantage is mentioned for each of the following holidays?
Choose SIX answers from the box and write the correct letter, A–H, next to questions 11–16.

11. freedom walking (C)
12. guided walking (A)
13. road cycling (G)
14. sea kayaking (D)
15. sailing (B)
16. luxury cruising (F) 

 

Questions 17 and 18
Choose the correct letter A, B or C.

17. Walking holidays with a guide are currently offered (B)
18. On rest days, when is entertainment provided? (C)

 

Questions 19 and 20
Choose TWO letters, A–E.
Which of the following does a self-catering unit contain?

19. (D)
20. (E)

PART 1
Speaking: Strategies for Improving Answers

Activity 1 Match the questions and the answers. Look carefully to see how the speaker has extended his or her answers

1. Have you ever cooked a meal for your family? (D)
2. Which do you prefer; getting an email or a text message? (C)
3. When did you watch your first movie in a cinema? (E)
4. Do you like shopping for clothes? (B)
5. Do you think that we spend too much time sitting in front of computers? (A)

Activity 2 Match each of the answers in Activity 1 to a strategy from this list. Some answers may include more than one strategy

1. Extending the answer by giving a reason or an example. (C - BECAUSE... | A - I THINK…)
2. Telling a story about a personal experience. (D, E,)
3. Adding a personal opinion. (A, B, )
4. Buying thinking time at the start of the answer. (E)
5. Adding emphasis to the answer. (B, E)
6. Telling a joke or a funny story. (B, E)

READING PASSAGE 3
Questions 1-9
Complete the sentences below

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the text for each answer. Write your answers in boxes 1–5 on your answer sheet.

1. Some writers judge their writing too harshly, thinking it is INFERIOR

2. The writing task could be at fault if it has been (FUNDAMENTALLY) MISCONCEIVED

3. Writers may suffer from complete inaction if there is not enough time to meet a (TIGHT) DEADLINE

4. All possible forms of disturbance should be (COMPLETELY) ELIMINATED

5. The SUBCONSCIOUS (MIND) may sort out a problem when the writer is asleep.

Questions 6-9
Complete the flow-chart below

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS OR A NUMBER from the text for each answer. Write your answers in boxes 6–9 on your answer sheet.

Drink COFFEE quickly
↓
Lie down at once
↓
SNOOZE/SLEEP for FIFTEEN/15 minutes while caffeine goes into operation
↓
Get up FEELING REFRESHED and go straight back to work.

TASK Section 3
This is a sample of the listening section 3. 

Questions 21–24
Label the plan below.

Write the correct letter, A–J, next to questions 21–24.

21. Multimedia room (H)
↓
22. Junior fiction (F)
↓
23. Journals & Magazines (E)
↓
24. Café (A)

 

Questions 25–27
Label the diagram below.

Choose THREE answers from the box and write the correct letter, A–E, next to questions 25–27.

25. E

26. A

27. D

 

Questions 28–30
Complete the sentences below.

Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.

28. Zoe suggests they should not include too many FACTS AND FIGURES in their presentation.

29.Gary says the design of suspension bridges since 1940 makes allowances for wind, CHANGE IN TEMPERATURE and weight.

30. Zoe explains that the Mackinac Bridge could move considerably but this would only occur in EXTREME WIND CONDITIONS.

Take a look at the interview and answer the following questions.

• What was the candidate’s strengths?

Good fluency and length and use of less common terms such as touching love story / exclusive charm / depicted in his verses / yearn / longing / seat of learning / clear the air etc.  Despite these frequent inaccuracies, meaning is generally clear. She should be commended for attempting a range of grammatical structures, and because she can make herself understood throughout. 

• What areas of improvement did you identify? 

Too much hesitation and techniques to gain thinking time, such as “um”. A lot of inaccuracies in vocabulary use such as half hours ago / very wonderful / wondering by the sunset / make buys / in internet / tourist placing , etc. Also weaknesses in grammar and pronunciation, particularly in more complex sentences,  In terms of pronunciation, there are issues with rhythm and use of stress and intonation, e.g. I-can-chat-with-my-friends, and. ...checking / connect to the internet etc..  There are also a number of mispronounced words and phonemes causing occasional lack of clarity.

TASK Section 4
This is a sample of the listening section 4.

Questions 31–33

Complete the notes below. Write NO MORE THAN ONE WORD for each answer.

Effects of introduced species on the New Zealand environment.

• NZ as part of Gondwanaland – ancient species of flora.
• After separation – more species of flora arrived.
• Vegetation untouched until humans came, then damage by FIRE and introduced animals and plants.

Human arrivals:

1st. Polynesians, brought one kind of DOG and rat.

2nd. Captain Cook, European sealers & whalers, brought rats and MICE.

3rd. European settlers, brought most introduced species (some from Australia)

 

Questions 34–37

Complete the table below. Write NO MORE THAN ONE WORD for each answer.

REASON	INTRODUCED MAMMAL
Utility	Possum; RABBIT; feral goat; feral pig; Pacific rat.
Sport	Hare; wallaby; Himalayan thar; alpine chamois; RED DEER
Escapees	Feral sheep; feral CATTLE; feral horse; feral cat.
Biological control	HEDGEHOG; ferret; stoat; weasel.
Stowaway	Black rat; Norway rat; mouse.

 

Questions 38–40

Complete the sentences below. Write NO MORE THAN ONE WORD for each answer.

Economic impact and methods of control

The introduction of animals into the New Zealand environment has important ECOLOGICAL and financial consequences. Rabbits affect sheep farming; deer damage forests and possums have wide-ranging effects, not only on vegetation but on the DAIRY INDUSTRY because they spread disease. These ‘pests’ do have some economic benefits for the fur and meat trade, tourism, and the export of health products. Feral farm animals could be useful for GENETIC CONSERVATION but many herds have already been eradicated.

READING PASSAGE 3
Questions 1 – 10 are based on reading passage 3 below

Questions 1–5
Reading Passage 3 has seven paragraphs, A–G.

Which paragraph contains the following information? Write the correct letter, A–G, in boxes 1–5 on your answer sheet.

1. The result of always looking for excellence (F- the pursuit of perfection … leads to constant dissatisfaction …)

2. The distinction between synthetic and natural happiness (C- They might have different origins but they feel the same.)

3. Causes of happiness today (B- current [=today] assumptions … all generate [= cause] happiness)

4. A definition of an ancient concept of happiness (A- Aristotle’s theory of … ‘happiness’, meant living well, …)

5. An example of how synthesized happiness results in lack of motivation (D- For instance, think of an athlete … ; in the case of the athlete …)

 

Questions 6–10
Look at the following statements (Questions 6–10) and the list of researchers below.

Match each statement with the correct researcher, A–D. Write the correct letter, A–D, in boxes 6–10 on your answer sheet. NB You may use any letter more than once.

6. People can use the conflict between how they really are and how they would like to be to improve performance. (B)

7. People think the power of choice proves they are independent and free. (C)

8. People who seek perfection blame themselves if the outcome is not perfect. (D)

9. Synthetic happiness lasts for the same length of time as natural happiness. (A)

10. Too much choice results in a failure to take action. (C)