EPTHowever, I have to take the IELTS exam in order to apply. This English examination consists in 4 parts - writing, reading, listening and speaking - and the scores range from 1 to 9. I need 7.5 overall and at least 7 in each field. I took this exam three years ago (it is only valid for two, unfortunately) and so this Saturday I'm gonna take it again. Let's break it down:
Reading: this is super easy to me. The worst I ever did was 36/40, which is still 7.5 or above. Usually I score 38-39.
Listening: as above.
Speaking: I don't have many problems here either. The only annoyance is when they ask you strange questions that you would have to think about even in your native language, i.e. what's the situation of nuclear power in your country. Anyway, I don't think I can score under 7 if I stay relaxed.
Writing: this is my black beast. It consists of two parts: the first one you have to summarize data from a graph, while in the second you have to state your opinion on a subject. The difficult part is that this part requires some hard-coded structure that hasn't really anything to do with how good you speak English (i.e. paragraph division, extra points for use of words like 'however', 'as far as I'm concerned', 'firstly, secondly, finally' etc.) When I took the test the first time I scored 5.5 at writing. The next time I got a 7, with a overall score of 8.5. Here's an example of the first task, taken from a past test:
![[image loading]](http://www.ielts-exam.net/images/graphs/IELTS_Writing_Task_1_137.png)
Here's a band 9 test:
+ Show Spoiler +
The graph shows consumption of energy in the U.S. since 1980 with projections through 2030.
The historical trends show Petrol and Oil as the major sources of fuel, rising from 35 quadrillion (35q) units used in 1980 to 42q in 2012. Despite some fluctuation between 1980 and 1995, there was a steady increase, which is expected to continue, reaching 47q in 2030.
Consumption of energy from natural gas and coal followed a similar pattern over the period. From 20q and 15q respectively in 1980, gas showed an initial fall and coal a gradual increase, with the two fuels equal between 1985 and 1990. Consumption has fluctuated since 1990 but both now provide 24q. Coal consumption is projected to rise to 31q in 2030, whereas after 2014, natural gas is forecast to remain stable at 25q.
In 1980, energy from solar/wind, nuclear, and hydropower was the least-used, with only 4q. Nuclear has risen by 3q, and solar/wind by 2. Since 2005, hydropower has fallen back to the 1980 figure. It is expected to remain approximately constant through 2030, while the others are projected to rise gradually after 2025.
Overall, fossil fuels will remain the chief energy source for the US, with a little bit of hydroelectric, nuclear and a smidgen of renewables like wind and solar.
The historical trends show Petrol and Oil as the major sources of fuel, rising from 35 quadrillion (35q) units used in 1980 to 42q in 2012. Despite some fluctuation between 1980 and 1995, there was a steady increase, which is expected to continue, reaching 47q in 2030.
Consumption of energy from natural gas and coal followed a similar pattern over the period. From 20q and 15q respectively in 1980, gas showed an initial fall and coal a gradual increase, with the two fuels equal between 1985 and 1990. Consumption has fluctuated since 1990 but both now provide 24q. Coal consumption is projected to rise to 31q in 2030, whereas after 2014, natural gas is forecast to remain stable at 25q.
In 1980, energy from solar/wind, nuclear, and hydropower was the least-used, with only 4q. Nuclear has risen by 3q, and solar/wind by 2. Since 2005, hydropower has fallen back to the 1980 figure. It is expected to remain approximately constant through 2030, while the others are projected to rise gradually after 2025.
Overall, fossil fuels will remain the chief energy source for the US, with a little bit of hydroelectric, nuclear and a smidgen of renewables like wind and solar.
This is so stupid. For example, the first paragraph should be the exercise question rephrased with other words, otherwise you lose points, meh.
I'll take the test on Saturday 11th and I'll get the results on the 24th. Let's hope everything goes well.
