180 How to Master the IELTS

Test 3

Listening section

Section 1, Questions 161 to 170.

161electricity

162river

163groups

16420

1658

166goodnightpark

167September

1689.30

169100

170200

Section 2, Questions 171 to 180.

171light work

172bamboo

1735 (people)

174litter picking

175average

176building walls

1776

178B

179A

180C

Answers 181

Section 3, Questions 181 to 190.

181A

182B

183C

184A

185B

186B

187B

188C

189C

190A

Section 4, Questions 191 to 200.

191England

192wildlife

1931827

194ship

195notes

1961838

197controversy

198food

199adapt

200animals

182 How to Master the IELTS

Academic reading

Reading Passage 7, Questions 201 to 214. Recalling it

201B

202D

203C

204F

205E

206NOT GIVEN

207FALSE

208TRUE

209FALSE

210FALSE

211B

212A

213D

214C

Reading Passage 8, Questions 215 to 226. Home-schooling

215Section B iii) Problems at school

216Section C ix) Parents as teachers

217Section D v) Overcoming a weakness

218Section E ii) Range of benefits

219Section F viii) Shared responsibility

Answers 183

220FALSE

221TRUE

222NOT GIVEN

223TRUE

224FALSE

225FALSE

226TRUE

Reading Passage 9, Questions 227 to 240.

Biofuels backlash

227Section A ii) Fossil fuel replacements

228Section B vi) Environmentally friendly

229Section C viii) Adverse affects

230Section D x) Thorough examination

231Section E iv) The way forward

232FALSE

233TRUE

234FALSE

235NOT GIVEN

236FALSE

237G

238C

239J

240H

184 How to Master the IELTS

Academic writing

The following writing-task answers have been written by the author. The method used is explained at the end of each task. There are no right or wrong answers but you must cover all parts of the question. Marks are lost for mistakes in grammar, punctuation and spelling, as well as repetition of words. A higher mark is awarded for well-constructed sentences that communicate a clear message using sufficient vocabulary.

Writing task 1

Comparing activities, we can see that e-mail is the most popular activity with users of all ages. At least 90% of people use the internet for e-mails.

Whilst 80% of teenagers play online games, this figure drops to 55% of people in their twenties and 36% of people in their thirties. Online gaming reaches a low of 20% with people in their fifties and then increases in popularity with older people.

Music and video downloads display a similar trend to internet games, but they are less popular in general and decline markedly with people over age 40. Only 6% of people over age 70 download music and videos.

Online travel reservations are made by over half of all people except for teenagers who do not book any travel over the internet. Travel reservations peak in the thirties age group, when almost three-quarters of people make reservations in this way.

Online purchases are made by approximately two-thirds of people, except for those at both ends of the age scale, where internet shopping is less popular. Searching for people online is done by between one-quarter and one-third of people depending on age, except for teenagers who make only three searches out of every 100.

Method

The first paragraph identifies the most popular internet activity across the age groups. The second paragraph deals with online games, comparing percentages across the age groups, describing trends. The third paragraph deals with music and videos, in a similar way, as does the fourth paragraph on travel reservations. The fifth paragraph begins with online purchases and ends with searching for people.

Answers 185

Writing task 2

I believe that eating fast food is making our society overweight. However, people can choose what type of food they eat so fast food is not entirely to blame.

People will gain weight if they eat too much food or if it has a high fat or sugar content. It should be possible to control your weight by avoiding convenience foods, biscuits and snacks, and by making healthy choices at mealtimes. A lack of exercise also encourages obesity as does a family history of putting on weight. People should take action to stop themselves from becoming obese; for example, by going on a diet or taking more exercise. A more active lifestyle will help people to burn off the extra calories.

Fast-food companies must take some blame for obesity in society because they often sell high-fat food in oversize portions. They should offer healthier alternatives and label their food with its calorie content. Ready-made meals are very popular but these are not always the healthiest choices. People should cook more of their own food so that they know what has gone into it.

I think that obesity in children is the fault of the parents. Children should not be exposed to unhealthy high-fat foods too early in life or be allowed to develop a ‘sweet tooth’. A visit to a fast-food restaurant should be an occasional treat rather than a regular eating habit. It is also important that schools encourage healthy eating in children by providing tasty, healthy food at lunchtime. If young people can make the right nutritional choices then obesity will not be a problem for society. (270)

Method

In the first paragraph, the author deals with the first part of the question, stating an opinion (‘I believe’), whilst being careful to address both sides of the argument. The second paragraph deals with the factors that are responsible for obesity and how to deal with them. No specialist knowledge is required. The third paragraph deals with obesity looked at as a fast-food problem. The fourth paragraph discusses childhood obesity and some of the reasons for it; for example, unhealthy eating habits. There is no mention of exercise being important for children, but this is still a comprehensive and well thought out answer.