آزمون آزمایشی IELTS

Free IELTS practice tests

Prepare for IELTS with these free practice tests and answers. Time yourself and develop your exam technique.

The practice tests in this section offer you the opportunity to

  • get to know the test format
  • experience the types of tasks you will be asked to undertake
  • test yourself under timed conditions
  • review your answers and compare them with model answers

Remember, you will take the Listening, Reading and Writing tests all on one day with no breaks in between, so it is important to do the practice tests under similar conditions.

Each test is presented over a number of web pages. Make sure you answer the questions and carry out the tasks on each page in the correct order.

If you prefer to practise offline, download the tests, blank answer sheets, transcripts and answers from the introductory pages.

Listening practice test 1

The IELTS Listening test will take about 30 minutes, and you will have an extra 10 minutes to transfer your answers to the answer sheet.

The four parts of this practice Listening test are presented over four separate web pages. Make sure you move swiftly from one page to the next so that your practice is as realistic as possible.

Download the question paper and blank answer sheet before you start, and write your answers on the question paper while you are listening. Use a pencil.

Listen to the instructions for each section of the test carefully. Answer all of the questions.

There are 40 questions altogether. Each question carries one mark.

For each part of the test, there will be time for you to look through the questions and time for you to check your answers.

When you have completed all four parts of the Listening test you will have ten minutes to copy your answers on to a separate answer sheet.

We can make special arrangements for candidates with disabilities. If you require a modified version of the test, for example, in Braille, contact your test centre three months in advance to discuss your requirements.

Instructions to candidates

In the actual test you will be given the following instructions:

  • do not open this question paper until you are told to do so
  • write your name and candidate number in the spaces at the top of this page
  • listen to the instructions for each part of the paper carefully
  • answer all the questions
  • while you are listening, write your answers on the question paper
  • you will have 10 minutes at the end of the test to copy your answers onto the separate answer sheet; use a pencil

At the end of the test you will be asked to hand in the question paper.

Review

Once you have completed the practice test, download the answers and see how well you have done.

Downloads – Listening

Reading practice test 1 – IELTS Academic

You will be allowed 1 hour to complete all 3 sections of the IELTS Academic Reading test.

The three parts of this practice Reading test are presented over three separate web pages. Make sure you move swiftly from one page to the next so that your practice is as realistic as possible.

Time yourself and allow just one hour to complete all three parts.

There are 40 questions in this practice paper. Each question carries one mark.

If you prefer to work offline, download the test paper and blank answer sheet.

Instructions to candidates

In the actual test you will be given the following instructions:

  • do not open this question paper until you are told to do so
  • write your name and candidate number in the spaces at the top of the page
  • read the instructions for each part of the paper carefully
  • answer all the questions
  • write your answers on the answer sheet; use a pencil
  • you must complete the answer sheet within the time limit

At the end of the test you will be asked to hand in both the question paper and your answer sheet.

Review

Once you have completed all three sections, download the answers and see how you have done.

Downloads

Reading practice test 1 – IELTS General Training

You will be allowed 1 hour to complete all 3 sections of the IELTS General Training Reading test.

The three parts of this practice Reading test are presented over three separate web pages. Make sure you move swiftly from one page to the next so that your practice is as realistic as possible.

Time yourself and allow just one hour to complete all three parts.

There are 40 questions in this practice test. Each question carries one mark.

If you prefer to work offline, download the test paper and blank answer sheet.

Instructions to candidates

In the actual test you will be given the following instructions:

  • do not open this question paper until you are told to do so
  • write your name and candidate number in the spaces at the top of the page
  • read the instructions for each part of the paper carefully
  • answer all the questions
  • write your answers on the answer sheet; use a pencil
  • you must complete the answer sheet within the time limit

At the end of the test you will be asked to hand in both the question paper and your answer sheet.

Review

Once you have completed all three sections, download the answers and see how you have done.

Downloads

Writing practice test 1 – IELTS Academic

You will be allowed 1 hour to complete two tasks in the IELTS Academic Writing test.

The two parts of this practice Writing test are presented on two separate web pages. Make sure you move swiftly from one page to the next so that your practice is as realistic as possible. If you prefer to work offline, download the test paper.

In the actual test you will do your writing in an answer booklet.

Timing

The total time allowed for the IELTS Academic Writing test is 60 minutes.

Time yourself and allow just one hour to complete both parts of the test.

Task 2 contributes twice as much as task 1 to the Writing score.

Writing task 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on task 1

  • write in a formal style
  • write at least 150 words

Writing task 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on task 2

  • write in a formal style
  • write at least 250 words

Instructions to candidates

In the actual test you will be given the following instructions:

  • do not open this question paper until you are told to do so
  • write your name and candidate number in the spaces at the top of this page
  • read the instructions for each task carefully
  • answer both of the tasks
  • write at least 150 words for task 1
  • write at least 250 words for task 2
  • write your answers in the answer booklet
  • write clearly in pen or pencil; you may make alterations, but make sure your work is easy to read

At the end of the test, hand in both the question paper and your answer booklet.

Review

Once you have completed both tasks, review your work. Download the model answers to see good examples of how to complete the Writing test.

Downloads

Writing practice test 1 – IELTS General Training

You will be allowed 1 hour to complete two tasks in the IELTS General Training Writing test.

The two parts of this practice Writing test are presented on two separate web pages. Make sure you move swiftly from one page to the next so that your practice is as realistic as possible. If you prefer to work offline, download the test paper.

In the actual test you will do your writing in an answer booklet.

Timing

The total time allowed for the IELTS General Training Writing test is 60 minutes.

Time yourself and allow just one hour to complete both parts.

Task 2 contributes twice as much as Task 1 to the Writing score.

Writing task 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on task 1

  • write in a personal, semi-formal or formal style
  • write at least 150 words

Writing task 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on task 2

  • give reasons for your answer and include examples from your own knowledge or experience
  • write at least 250 words

Instructions to candidates

In the actual test you will be given the following instructions:

  • do not open this question paper until you are told to do so
  • write your name and candidate number in the spaces at the top of this page
  • read the instructions for each task carefully
  • answer both of the tasks
  • write at least 150 words for task 1
  • write at least 250 words for task 2
  • write your answers in the answer booklet
  • write clearly in pen or pencil; you may make alterations, but make sure your work is easy to read

At the end of the test, hand in both the question paper and your answer booklet.

Review

Once you have completed both tasks, review your work. Download the model answers to see good examples of how to complete the Writing test.

Downloads

 

Speaking practice test 1

In the Speaking test, you will have a discussion with a certified examiner. It will be interactive and as close to a real-life situation as a test can get.

The Speaking test is 11-14 minutes long and is in three parts.

Part 1 You will answer questions about yourself and your family.
Part 2 You will speak about a topic.
Part 3 You will have a longer discussion about the topic introduced in Part 2.

The Speaking test is the same for both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training tests.

How to practise

This practice material is designed for two people working together. Find a study partner to help you practise. This might be a teacher or a friend.

Take the three parts of this practice test one after another without a break to make your practice as realistic as possible.

Remember, you need to speak fluently, clearly and accurately. It is important to say as much as you can and to be spontaneous. Do not prepare answers in advance.

Record yourself if you can so that you can go back and check your performance.

Review your Speaking test

Listen to your recordings and discuss your test with your study partner. Think about how you spoke. Were you fluent? Did your speech sound natural? Were you able to express yourself clearly?

Use the audio recordings and transcripts in each section to gain an insight into the test format. Note that these are not model answers, so do not try to imitate them.

There are no ‘answers’. You and your study partner will need to assess how well you do.

 

Speaking part 1

In part 1 of the Speaking test the examiner will introduce him or herself and ask general questions on familiar topics.

The examiner will ask you to confirm your identity.

He or she will then ask general questions on familiar topics such as home, family, work, studies and interests. Part 1 of the test will last 4-5 minutes.

How to practise

You will need a study partner to practise the Speaking test.

Ask your study partner to interview you using the questions below. Record yourself if you can.

Speaking test part 1: questions

Let’s talk about your home town or village:

  • what kind of place is it?
  • what’s the most interesting part of your town/village?
  • what kind of jobs do the people in your town/village do?
  • would you say it’s a good place to live? (why?)

Let’s move on to talk about accommodation:

  • tell me about the kind of accommodation you live in?
  • how long have you lived there?
  • what do you like about living there?
  • what sort of accommodation would you most like to live in?

Speaking part 2

In the IELTS speaking part 2 test you will be given a task card on a particular topic, and this will include key points that you should talk about.

This section of the Speaking test gives you the opportunity to speak for longer on a topic.

You will be given one minute to prepare to talk about the topic on the task card.  A pencil and paper will be provided for you to make notes.

You will have to talk for 1-2 minutes, and then the examiner will ask you one or two questions on the same topic. Part 2 takes 3-4 minutes in total.

How to practise

Ask your study partner to listen while you speak about the task card topic. You should talk for 1-2 minutes.

Your study partner should then ask you one or two questions on the same topic using the rounding off questions.

Record yourself if you can.

Speaking test part 2: candidate task card

Describe something you own which is very important to you. 

You should say:

  • where you got it from
  • how long you have had it
  • what you use it for; and 
  • explain why it is important to you.

You will have to talk about the topic for 1 to 2 minutes.

You have one minute to think about what you’re going to say.

You can make some notes to help you if you wish.

Rounding off questions

Tell me

  • is it valuable in terms of money?
  • would it be easy to replace?

Speaking part 3

In part 3 of the Speaking test the examiner will ask further questions which are connected to the topics  discussed in part 2.

This part of the test is designed to give you the opportunity to talk about more abstract issues and ideas. It is a two-way discussion with the examiner, and will last 4-5 minutes.

How to practise

Ask your study partner to prompt your practice test discussion using the questions below. Try to speak as naturally and fluently as possible.

Record your discussion if you can.

Let’s consider first of all how people’s values have changed. 

  • What kind of things give status to people in your country? 
  • Have things changed since your parents’ time? 

Finally, let’s talk about the role of advertising. 

  • Do you think advertising influences what people buy?

Sample recording

Transcript

You can read the transcript of the audio to check any words that you did not understand.

Do you think that this candidate performed well?

Think about how you can improve your own Speaking test.

Transcript Part 1

Examiner: Now, in this first part, I’d like to ask you some more questions about yourself, OK?

Let’s talk about your home town or village. What kind of place is it?

Candidate: It’s quite a small village, about 20km from Zurich. And it’s very quiet. And we have only little … two little shops because most of the people work in Zurich or are orientated to the city.

Examiner: What’s the most interesting part of this place … village?

Candidate: On the top of a hill we have a little castle which is very old and quite well known in Switzerland.

Examiner: What kind of jobs do people in the village do?

Candidate: We have some farmers in the village as well as people who work in Zurich as bankers or journalists or there are also teachers and some doctors, some medicines.

Examiner: Would you say it’s a good place to live?

Candidate: Yes. Although it is very quiet, it is … people are friendly and I would say it is a good place to live there, yes.

Examiner: Let’s move on to talk about accommodation. Tell me about the kind of accommodation you live in …

Transcript Part 2

Examiner: Alright? Remember you have one to two minutes for this, so don’t worry if I stop you. I’ll tell you when the time is up.

Candidate: OK

Examiner: Can you start speaking now, please?

Candidate: Yes. One of the most important things I have is my piano because I like playing the piano. I got it from my parents to my twelve birthday, so I have it for about nine years, and the reason why it is so important for me is that I can go into another world when I’m playing piano. I can forget what’s around me and what … I can forget my problems and this is sometimes quite good for a few minutes. Or I can play to relax or just, yes to … to relax and to think of something completely different.

Examiner: Thank you. Would it be easy to replace this, this piano?

Candidate: Yes, I think it wouldn’t be that big problem but I like my piano as it is because I have it from my parents, it’s some kind unique for me.

Transcript Part 3

Examiner: We’ve been talking about things we own. I’d like to discuss with you one or two more general questions relating to this topic. First, let’s consider values and the way they can change. In Switzerland, what kind of possessions do you think give status to people?

Candidate: The first thing which comes in my mind is the car. Yes, because lots of people like to have posh cars or expensive cars to show their status, their place in the society.

Examiner: Is that a new development?

Candidate: No, I think it isn’t.

Examiner: People have thought like that for quite a long time?

Candidate: Yes. Another thing is probably the clothing. It starts already when you are young. When the children go to school they want to have posh labels on their jumpers or good shoes.

Examiner: What do you think of this way of thinking, that I need to have a car or certain clothes to show my status?

Candidate: Probably it’s sometimes a replacement for something you don’t have, so if your wife has left you or your girlfriend, you just buy some new, I don’t know, new watches or new clothes to make you satisfied again.

Examiner: You don’t think of it as a healthy way of thinking?

Candidate: It’s probably not honest to yourself. You can understand what I mean?

Examiner: Yes. And do you think this will change? In the future, will cars and designer clothes be status symbols in the same way?

Candidate: I’m sure that clothes will be … that the thing with the clothes will be the same. I’m not so sure about the cars because cars cause lots of environmental problems and probably in some years, a few years, this will change because it’s not reasonable to drive a car anymore.

Examiner: Can you tell me a little bit more about that?

Source:

http://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/prepare-test/free-practice-tests