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IELTS Practice Test Answers

How to Grade Yourself

Now that you've completed the IELTS Practice Test, it's time to:

  1. Compare your answers to the answer key
  2. Total your number of correct answers
  3. Watch a video on IELTS scoring, then estimate your score with the scoring chart
  4. Watch the explanation videos for any questions you missed or aren't sure about

Answer Key

Listening Section

Question Correct Answer
Question 1 AD5659837JC6
Question 2 798 Scottsville
Question 3 6 or "six" kilometers / kilometres
Question 4 2 or "two"
Question 5 dressers
Question 6 patio furniture
Question 7 B
Question 8 B
Question 9 C
Question 10 A
Question 11 B
Question 12 A
Question 13 B
Question 14 ticket collection stand
Question 15 ticket sales booth
Question 16 information center / information
Question 17 game area
Question 18 food court / food
Question 19 main stage
Question 20 trash bins
Question Correct Answer
Question 21 themselves
Question 22 experiments
Question 23 older
Question 24 comfortable
Question 25 wild
Question 26 tongue
Question 27 necessity
Question 28 trained
Question 29 A
Question 30 B
Question 31 zones
Question 32 resources
Question 33 naturally
Question 34 farmland
Question 35 B
Question 36 C
Question 37 C
Question 38 B, C or F
Question 39 B, C or F
Question 40 B, C or F

Reading Section

Question Correct Answer
Question 1 C
Question 2 F
Question 3 E
Question 4 B
Question 5 C
Question 6 D
Question 7 A
Question 8 meat
Question 9 $6.50 / 6.50 / six fifty
Question 10 side dish
Question 11 cubes
Question 12 animal products
Question 13 portabella mushroom / portabella / mushroom
Question 14 Texas / the Southwest
Question 15 B
Question 16 G
Question 17 D
Question 18 F
Question 19 E
Question 20 A
Question Correct Answer
Question 21 C
Question 22 Section A: iii
Question 23 Section B: vi
Question 24 Section C: x
Question 25 Section D: vii
Question 26 Section E: i
Question 27 Section F: viii
Question 28 Section G: iv
Question 29 B
Question 30 C
Question 31 B
Question 32 A
Question 33 C
Question 34 A
Question 35 A
Question 36 B
Question 37 B
Question 38 C
Question 39 A
Question 40 C

Writing Section

TASK 1 SAMPLE RESPONSE
Dear Ms. Jackson,

I am writing you to suggest that my colleague, Corina Miller, is very deserving of the Employee of the Year award this year.

As you know, Corina is on our customer help team. She assists our customers when they have questions or problems with our products. She’s either on the phone or on our internet chat board all day, every day, making sure our customers are happy.

A few months ago, I had my first direct experience collaborating with Corina. A customer called her with a technical problem, and Corina asked for my assistance to address the matter. Corina and I worked together on the issue until we found the solution. The customer was very satisfied to receive such thorough assistance from Corina. He even commented that it was this level of service that will bring him back to our company as a customer in the future.

Since this initial experience, I have had several opportunities to work with Corina on customer support issues. She stands out to me because I recognize how much care and concern she puts into each inquiry. It’s clear her commitment to service has a profound impact on our customers.

I hope you will consider Corina for this year’s award!

Sincerely,

Bob
TASK 2 SAMPLE RESPONSE
Some schools have begun supplying students with computers or tablets that they can use instead of texts and other printed resources. This shift towards technology offers several environmental and educational benefits, while the drawbacks relate to the sharp increase in “screen time” for students and the possibility that the devices will cause distractions in school.

One major benefit of providing computers and tablets to students is the opportunity to save paper resources. Even though paper is easily recycled, it still requires a lot of energy to produce. Adopting these technologies will make schools much more environmentally friendly. Computers and tablets also possess unique educational value. On a very basic level, students must learn how to use computers to thrive in the modern world. Just like learning math or reading, computer proficiency has become an essential and basic life skill.

Replacing paper-based learning resources with technology does have some disadvantages. One area of growing concern is the amount of time young people spend in front of screens. With cell phones, computers, and television, many children already spend hours outside of school staring at devices. Some medical professionals suggest that all of this screen time may have negative effects on a child’s physical and psychological health. Therefore, adding screen time in school may exacerbate an already serious problem. A second drawback is that tablets and computers can cause distractions. There is a lot of unsuitable material for school on the web. Putting devices in students hands opens the possibility that students will use these devices in ways that are not educationally sound.

In conclusion, replacing traditional paper learning materials with devices like computers and tablets has some very clear environmental and educational advantages. However, schools must take care to monitor student screen time and ensure that students are using their devices for educational purposes.

IELTS Scoring Video & Chart


Number Correct Per Section Band Scores
40-39 9
38-37 8.5
36-35 8
34-33 7.5
32-30 7
29-27 6.5
26-23 6
Number Correct Per Section Band Scores
22-19 5.5
18-15 5
14-13 4.5
12-10 4
9-8 3.5
7-6 3
5-4 2.5

Explanation Videos

Listening Explanations

Watch the videos below to learn how to get the correct answers to all the questions in the Listening section.

Reading Explanations

Watch the videos below to learn how to get the correct answers to all the questions in the Reading section.

Writing Explanations

Watch the videos below to learn how to get the correct answers to the Task 1 Writing Question.

If you'd like an example of a strong response to Writing Tasks 1 and 2, please scroll up and review the sample essays in the Answer Key. If you'd also like to enter your responses into the Magoosh product, please click the links below and either re-type or copy and paste your essay responses into Magoosh IELTS. This feature is only available to Magoosh premium students.

Enter Writing Task 1 Here

Enter Writing Task 2 Here

Speaking Explanations

The best way to prepare for the Speaking section is to practice with a native English speaker. But, if you're practicing taking timed IELTS tests, you can also record your Speaking responses using Magoosh IELTS prep. We do not currently have the resources to grade your Speaking practice, but recording your responses in Magoosh IELTS will allow you save them and review them at a later date. Click the link below to record your responses to the Speaking section of the practice test. This feature is only available to Magoosh premium students.

Record Speaking Responses Here

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