ielts_trainer_2_academic_six_practice_tests

c No. You must not give your own views, only what
is presented in the chart. If you do so, you will
lose marks.
d No
5 errors that you commonly make
Exam Practice
Sample answer
The two charts show how, on average, students in one
university divided their spending across seven areas, in
2010 compared with 2000. It is noticeable that the two
biggest areas for expenditure – food and utilities – between
them accounted for over half the total outlay in both years.
However, it is also worth noting that the proportion of
spending on food and drink remained the same, at 29%,
while figures for utilities rose quite significantly, from 21%
to 27%. One small but significant statistic was that while
eating at home accounted for the same percentage in
2010 as in 2000, eating out made up a higher percentage,
rising from 4% to 8%. Another striking change was the
proportion of spending on clothing: this went down
markedly, from 16% to just 5% in 2010. Three other areas
saw no or hardly any alteration: the portion of spending
on sports and cultural activities remained at 17% in both
years, spending on transport rose by 1% to 9%, while the
proportion on holidays remained exactly the same, at 5%.
Writing TASk 2
Training
Review
1 Discussion/argument essay
2 At least 250 words
3 With well-argued reasons and any relevant examples
from your own knowledge and experience.
4 Evaluating ideas; Stating your own opinion clearly;
General knowledge; Appropriate style; Grammar –
accuracy and range; Vocabulary – appropriacy and
range; Spelling, punctuation; Paragraphing
Useful language: avoiding repetition with reduced
noun phrases
1 the better off
2 critics
3 consumers
4 The less well off
5 proponents
6 the young
7 service users
8 car drivers
9 lorry drivers
10 Spending
11 House building
Useful language: hypothetical outcomes: if/when/until
1 1 b 2 d 3 c 4 a 5 e
Useful language: concession with although / despite
Suggested answers
1 Despite the fact that many people will have to pay
more tax, most will benefit from improvements in
services.
2 Although I believe in rewarding hard work, I feel the
wealthy should help the less well off.
3 Despite feeling that buildings are less important
than people, I think there should be limits to
construction.
4 Although a widely held view is that crime does not
pay, many criminals are never caught.
Useful strategy: improving coherence with clear links
between different parts of the essay
1 b
2 e
3 d
4 a
5 f
6 c
c, b, d, a
Exam Practice
Action plan reminder
1 a It tells you to spend 40 minutes answering the task.
b Discuss both views and give your own opinion
c yes
d Give reasons and any relevant examples.
After you write
2 1 Yes. Leave about five minutes for this.
2 No. This wastes time – you won’t be marked down
for having some crossing-out as long as your
writing clear.
3 Overall structure; Paragraphing; Signposting;
Verb forms; Formal or neutral style; Linking
between ideas; Subject-verb agreement; Capital
letters at the beginning of sentences and full stops
at the end
Sample answer
It is widely agreed that governments of all countries
need a stock of money to draw on to pay for
infrastructure such as roads and services such
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