HAPPY NEW YEAR *** 2024 ***

Hi guys,

It’s 2024! I would like to wish you all a very wonderful 2024!

May this year bring you joy, health and prosperity.

And my wish for the world this year is …. understanding, respect, peace and love. May each of us in our own corners of the world strive to bring this about in 2024 in our own special way.

My love to you all,

Liz xxx

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Trees, Plants, Gardens and Parks Topics in IELTS Speaking

IELTS Speaking Topics such as Parks, Gardens and Flowers are possible in all parts of the speaking test. In fact, one of the topics below will appear in the Speaking Test each year. These topics can be particularly difficult if you don’t prepare fully. They are certainly used by examiners each year with only slight variations on wording. Below you will find plenty of topics, questions and cue cards for you to prepare at home.

IELTS Speaking Part 1 Topics

Below you will find a list of questions for the topics: parks, gardens, green spaces, trees & plants, and flowers. All these topics can appear in part 1 IELTS speaking.

Parks

  • Do you like parks?
  • How often do you go to a park?
  • Did you often go as a child?
  • Are parks popular places in your country?
  • Why do people like parks?
  • What do people do in parks?
  • Do you think parks are important?

 

Gardens

  • Do you have a garden or outdoor space in your house or flat?
  • Did you have a garden growing up?
  • Do you think it’s important for children to have access to a garden?
  • What do people enjoy doing in their gardens?
  • Why do some people prefer their own garden to a public park?
  • Do you know anyone who likes growing plants?

 

Green Spaces

  • Are there many green spaces in your neighbourhood?
  • Did you often use green spaces to play when you were young?
  • Did your hometown have many green spaces where you could play?
  • Do you think neighbourhoods look better with green spaces and trees?
  • Why do you think green spaces are important in a city?

 

Plants and Trees

  • Do you like trees and plants?
  • What’s your favourite plant?
  • Have you ever grown a plant?
  • Have you ever planted a tree?
  • Did you learn about trees and plants as a child?
  • Did you ever climb a tree when you were young?
  • Do you think children benefit from nature?
  • Do you think trees and plants are important?

 

Flowers

  • Do you like flowers?
  • What’s your favourite flower?
  • Have you ever received flowers from someone?
  • Did you ever give someone flowers?
  • Are there any special occasions in your country when it’s suitable to give flowers?
  • Are flowers important in your culture?

IELTS Speaking Part 2 Cue Cards: Gardens, Parks, Trees etc

You will see below that the list of part 2 topics is very similar to those of part 1. If you prepare fully for all the above part 1 questions and topics, you will have an easy time in part 2 because you’ll be able to adapt your answers to fit the cue card.

Someone you know who likes planting trees

  • who that person is
  • how that person is connected to you
  • why they planted trees
  • what you think about their actions

 

Someone you know who likes gardening

  • who the person is
  • what they do in the garden
  • why it is important to them
  • what you think about it

 

A place with trees

  • where it is
  • when you first went there
  • what you do there
  • why you remember it

 

A green space or park you like (2024 currently in use)

  • where it is
  • how often you go there
  • what you do there
  • why you like it

All the ideas and vocabulary for the above topics can be adapted for the following cue cards: a peaceful place, a quiet place, an interesting person, an elderly person, a healthy hobby, a quiet hobby, a cheap hobby, something to do in your leisure time, a picnic etc. You can easily use the language from these topics in many other topics for part 2.

Please remember, the examiner is not testing your knowledge of trees or flowers. Even if you don’t know the name of the flower you like, you can still talk about your memories of it and describe it. See the model below.

If your topic is about a park or garden, you can expand your talk by talking about activities people do in the park/garden, descriptions, comparisons with other places, your opinion of their importance, your memories as a child, your future hopes etc etc.

Model Answer for Speaking Part 2 Plants & Gardens

This is another example of a cue card for these topics. The model answer is from someone who is not from the UK.

A plant, tree or flower you like

  • what it is
  • where it grows
  • why you like it

I’d like to talk about a tree that I’ve always loved. I don’t remember the name of the tree, even in my own language, but it’s a very large tree that can reach around 30 meters high and has a really wide diameter. It spreads really far offering a lot of shade in summer which is really great. The unusual thing about the tree is that is a  complex system of roots. The roots are really different from other trees. The roots come from the branches and grow towards the earth to form part of the tree’s trunk. It’s really amazing to see. It’s just so unique.

In my country, it grows all over the place, in most regions. But I don’t think it’s a tree that grows in Europe or the UK. Where I live, there are these kinds of trees in some of the streets, but mainly in the parks. We are really lucky in my city that there are plenty of parks where you can go to escape the hustle and bustle of urban life. It’s great to be able to get away from the noise of traffic and go somewhere peaceful where there’s lots of shade when the weather is scorching hot. And this tree really makes the park feel more special.

I think it’s pretty hard to describe why I like this tree. The only thing I can say is that it feels magical. It’s such a huge tree, taller than most, and definitely one of the widest trees in the park. It’s appearance is really striking. If you compare it with other trees, it looks like something from another planet. I remember when I was young, I used to imagine hiding among the roots and possible entering another world. I hope my children will one day enjoy it as much as I do.

Feedback on Model Answer

  1. Great vocabulary – diameter, roots, root system, branches, tree trunk, hustle and bustle, shade, scorching hot, magical
  2. Strong grammar – different tenses including present, past tense and a future form. Also complex sentences, comparatives, superlative
  3. Good descriptive language. It doesn’t make any difference to the score that the speaker doesn’t know the name of the tree. The descriptions are very strong.
  4. The final part of the talk is about past memories and future hopes. This is a great way to expand the talk and to showcase different grammar tenses.

IELTS Speaking Part 3: parks, flowers, trees etc

  • Do you think parks play an important role in a city?
  • Do you think parks affect the quality of air in urban areas?
  • Which do you think is more important: housing or green spaces?
  • Why are trees important?
  • Do you think green spaces and parks help people’s mental health?
  • What do you think of deforestation?
  • Do you think we should protect trees?
  • What can the government do to protect natural beauty spots more in your country?
  • Are plants important to the economy of your country?
  • Does your country have a symbolic plant or flower?
  • Are there any traditional celebrations where plants or flowers play a role?
  • Why do so many people want their own garden?
  • Do you think people should be encouraged to grow their own food?
  • Do you think children should be taught to grow their own food?
  • Do you think children should learn to plant trees?
  • Why do so many old people enjoy parks and gardens?
  • Do you think all houses and flats should have their own gardens?

As you see from the list above, these questions are very similar to the types of questions you might get in Writing Task 2. Take your time to prepare for them.

For more Speaking Topics, click here: IELTS Speaking Main Page (Topics, Tips & Model Answers)

All the best

Liz 🙂

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IELTS Speaking Part 2 Topics Relating to Phones

It is common to get topics related to using a mobile phone in IELTS Speaking part 2. Below you will see some typical cue cards for this topic that are also in use at the moment.

On this page, you will find:

  1. sample cue cards for the topic of mobile phones
  2. useful language
  3. a sample answer for a current IELTS cue card
  4. examples of IELTS speaking part 3 questions for this topic

1) Mobile Phone Topics for IELTS Cue Cards

A time you were not allowed to use a mobile phone

You should say:

  • when it happened
  • where you were
  • why you couldn’t use your phone
  • how you felt about it

 

A time when you received an important text message

You should say:

  • when it was
  • who you were talking to
  • what the message was about
  • why you remember it so well

Other Mobile Phone Topics

An app you use on your mobile phone

You should say:

  • when you first started using the app
  • how often you use it
  • what it is used for
  • why you find it useful

 

A time when a smart phone was very helpful

You should say:

  • when it was
  • what happened
  • how the smart phone helped you

 

Your favourite smart phone

You should say:

  • when you bought it
  • what did it look like
  • what was so special about it

 

Your first smart phone

You should say:

  • when you got it
  • why you bought it
  • what you liked or didn’t like about it

 

A place where you couldn’t use your phone

You should say:

  • when it happened
  • where the place was
  • what prevented you using your phone
  • how you felt about it

 

A time when you made an important call on your phone

You should say:

  • when it was
  • who you were calling
  • what the call was about
  • why it was important to you

 

A useful device you use frequently

You should say:

  • what the device is
  • why you use it so often
  • what you use it for
  • why it is important for you

2) Useful Language for Mobile Phones

The lists below are not just for vocabulary, they are also for ideas of what you can talk about in your IELTS Speaking Part 1, 2 or 3 in relation to mobile phones. Having a good list of things to introduce into your answer will help with both fluency and vocabulary scores.

  • wireless handheld device
  • pocket-sized
  • a handy device
  • the battery runs out quickly
  • a long lasting battery
  • a quick / slow charge time
  • the battery died
  • landlines are still useful / landlines are becoming redundant
  • a useful device when you are on the go
  • connect to wifi / hotspots
  • cellular network
  • a weak/strong signal
  • a patchy signal
  • the reception is poor
  • a bad line (the line keeps cutting out / crackling)
  • 3G, 4G or 5G network
  • 5G hasn’t fully been rolled out in my area yet
  • security features
  • fingerprint / voice / face recognition
  • touch screen
  • optical zoom lens
  • front and rear camera
  • stylus pen for smart phone screen
  • apps run without glitches
  • emojis
  • organise contacts
  • unlimited calls
  • limited data / unlimited data
  • pay as you go
  • monthly contract
  • a handy device
  • slimline
  • thick like a brick
  • light weight / heavy
  • couldn’t live without it
  • I would be lost without

Uses of a Mobile Phone

  • to call
  • to text / to message
  • to take photos
  • to take selfies
  • to email
  • to make video calls
  • browse online (surf the internet)
  • online banking
  • weather updates
  • photo edit
  • create videos
  • make recordings
  • keep track of appointments

Useful Apps on a Smart Phone

  • banking apps
  • calendar
  • calculator
  • camera
  • clock
  • facebook
  • games
  • language apps
  • messenger
  • news
  • spotify
  • instagram
  • whatsapp
  • zoom

3) IELTS Mobile Phone Cue Card Sample Answer

A time you were not allowed to use a mobile phone

You should say:

  • when it happened
  • where you were
  • why you couldn’t use your phone
  • how you felt about it

Cue Card Sample Answer

Note: I have underlined language which the examiner will note either due to grammar or vocabulary. For grammar, you can note the range of tense used: present tense, future form, past simple, past prefect, past passive and past perfect passive. For vocabulary, you can note high level topic related vocabulary, such as “flick through a list”, “ultra slim”, “click send”, “silent mode”, “muted keypad”. There are also examples of great collocations and other relevant vocabulary.

I’m going to talk about a time last year when I was stopped from using my mobile phone in an urgent situation. It was around February when it happened. I remember because it was just after my birthday and I had been given my phone as a birthday present. I was in the library when I realised I had missed an important appointment. I was in such a panic. So, I took my ultra slim, light weight phone out of my pocket , flicked through my contact list and  then clicked call. Even though my phone was on silent mode, the librarian came over before I could make the call and reminded me that I couldn’t make calls inside. I apologised and then proceeded to type out a text message. But again, before I could finish the message and click send, the librarian asked me to turn my phone off. I was really annoyed. Sending a text message isn’t intrusive to others and the keypad was muted. In the end, I went outside. 

I really believe that smart phones are great pieces of technology allowing us to have instant communication with others no matter where we are. Having a silent mode on the phone means we can use it without disturbing others. While libraries are supposed to be silent, I really didn’t think sending a text would be a problem. However, I believe rules are to be followed so I left the library and made my call outside. Luckily my appointment was rescheduled for the next day. Hopefully, next time I’m in the library, I won’t have anything urgent to deal with.

Note: the above answer is not based on my personal experience or my personal opinion. It is purely fictional.

4) IELTS Speaking Part 3 Questions for Mobile Phones

  1. Do young and old people use smart phones the same way?
  2. What are the most popular smart phone apps in your country?
  3. How has the smart phone changed the way we live?
  4. Are there any disadvantages to a smart phone?
  5. Do you think text messages are better than phone calls?
  6. Should children be allowed their own smart phone?
  7. What are the problems allowing children to have their own smart phones?
  8. Why do some people get addicted to using their smart phone?
  9. How do you think smart phones might develop in the future?

For more IELTS Speaking free lessons, topics and tips, click here: IELTS Speaking Main Page

I hope you found this lesson useful. All the best, Liz 🙂


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The End of An Era

Dear all,

I’m sure you’ve heard the news that Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom died yesterday.

She dedicated her life to her duty. A duty which lasted 70 years. She worked with dignity and faithfulness to what she believed in. In an ever changing world, she remained a constant – a rock for many people.  Ascending the throne at the young age of 25, her ability to remain steady and focused no matter what happened in the UK and globally never faltered. Even through the death of her husband, she continued her work with the same determined resolve right up to the end of her life aged 96.

While I am not a royalist as I believe that no single person is above another, I do deeply admire someone who was able to work with such great moral integrity over such a long period of time and who was held in such great respect by so many around the world. She was an inspiration in many ways.

My best wishes to you all,

Liz

 

UK US Spelling Main Differences

There are key differences between UK and US spelling. In IELTS, you should not mix your spelling. You should choose either British English or American English spelling. This is not the case with accents in the speaking test. In the speaking test, mixed accents are fine.

British and American Spelling Differences

Below are the key differences in spelling between American English and British English writing. However, please note this is not a complete list.I have listed some of the main words that are commonly used in English and IELTS. The list below are organised as UK spelling first and US spelling second.

1) – ise / -ize

In British English spelling, some words end with -ise whereas they end with -ize in American English spelling.

  • realise / realize
  • sympathise / sympathize
  • organise / organize
  • specialise / specialize
  • authorise / authorize
  • criticise / criticize
  • recognise / recognize
  • characterise / characterize
  • standardise / standardize

Also note words ending -yse and -yze, such as analyse / analyze and paralyse / paralyze are spelled differently.

Please note there are exceptions. Nowadays, the following words are spelled the same in both UK and US spelling: surprise, exercise, prize, seize, advise, advertise. There may be other words, but these are the most common. 

3) -re / -er

  • centre / center
  • theatre / theater
  • litre / liter
  • metre / meter (this also applies to other measurements – km, cm, mm)
  • fibre / fiber

4) ller / ler

Note that British English words ending ller have a double “l” compared to the US spelling which is only one “l”.

  • traveller / traveler
  • levelled / leveled
  • cancelled / canceled
  • fuelled / fueled
  • jewellery / jewelry (jewelery)

This same rule applies to other forms of words such as travelled, travelling.

5) -l / -ll

Now we see the opposite rule to the one above. With UK spelling, some words have one “l”, while in US spelling they have two.

  • fulfil / fulfill
  • appal / appall 
  • skilful / skillfull
  • unskilful / unskillful
  • enrol / enroll
  • instil / instill

However, the rule above is limited. Most words are actually spelled the same in both UK and US English: successful, refill, harmful, resourceful, meaningful, thoughtful. 

6) -our / -or

  • colour / color
  • behaviour / behavior
  • favourite / favorite
  • honour / honor
  • flavour / flavor
  • neighbour / neighbor
  • humour / humor
  • labour / labor

Note the word “hour” is spelled the same.

7) -ogue / -og

  • dialogue / dialog
  • catalogue / catalog
  • travelogue / travelog

I hope you found this page useful 🙂 All the best, Liz

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Interesting Speaking Part 1 Topics for 2022

Below are some predicted IELTS Speaking Part 1 topics that could appear this year. Please do not just jump to the list of topics. Please read all the information given below before you read the list of topics. The best way to learn is to be attentive to detail.

Preparation

As you see, I have not written questions, only topics. This is because it is important that you answer naturally in your IELTS Speaking Test without using memorised answers or memorised sentences. Instead, just prepare the following:

  • key vocabulary
  • comparisons
  • your childhood memories
  • your recent past memories
  • your current situation or opinions
  • popular activities or opinions in your country
  • things you can do /  don’t do / do often / would like to do
  • your future hopes

You can prepare for your Speaking Test on your own at home. See this video: How to Develop Your IELTS Speaking at Home for Free

Common Topics

You must prepare all common topics for IELTS Speaking Part 1 as well as predicted topics. Many common topics will definitely be used in 2022. Click here: IELTS Speaking Part 1 Common Topics

Predictions for Speaking Part 1 2022

Please note that within each topic below, there are subtopics. You might be given a subtopic. For example, within the topic of Clothing, you will find the subtopics of Fashion or Accessories. You could get any of those subtopics.

  • Animals
    • pets, wild animals, common species, company for people
  • Buildings
    • the prefect home: rooms, views, outdoor area
    • neighbourhood buildings
    • old buildings, famous buildings in your country
    • style of buildings: modern, old, classical, traditional
  •  Clothes
    • buying clothes, traditional clothes, uniforms
    • spending money, fashion, functional wear
    • accessories: bags, shoes, belts, wrist watches, hats, jewelry
    • vanity, using mirrors, your image
  • Communication
    • phone calls, emails, online chat, texts – best way to communicate
    • facebook, social media – pros and cons
    • special chats with friends or family
  • Daily Habits
    • your daily routine
    • your usual schedule
    • time with friends and family
    • doing new things, meeting new people
  • Education
    • subjects, teachers, school friends, 
    • sports, extra curricular activities
    • school rules, uniforms
  •  Environment
    • your neighbourhood, nature in your country
    • outdoor activities, outdoor sports
    • parks, gardens, trees, flowers, bees 
    • recycling, wildlife
  • Family & Friends
    • spending quality time, activities together, socialising online or in person
    • favourite people in your life
    • old members of your family, age of friends
  • Free time
    • days off / holidays 
    • reading, magazines, films, passive activities, lockdown activities, hobbies
    • importance of free time, too much free time
  • Food & Drink
    • meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
    • snacks, fruit, chocolate, cakes, junk food
    • tea, coffee, alcoholic drinks, celebration drinks
    • home cooked vs restaurant food
  • Health
    • Keeping fit (gym/at home), sport, 
    • mental health (nature, meditation)
    • finding ways to relax, remaining positive (anxiety, happiness)
    • free time activities, hobbies
    • healthy diet
  • Helping People
    • donating money, charities
    • helping neighbours, relationships with friends and neighbours
    • supporting the elderly
  • Home
    • house / apartment
    • favourite room, furniture, decoration
    • neighbourhood, neighbours
    • home improvements
  • Internet
    • using phones or laptop, life without computers
    • pros and cons of internet
    • meeting people online, communication online
    • favourite website. popular websites or apps
  • Languages
    • learning a foreign language: books, app, teachers, visiting a country
    • children learning foreign language – school
    • subtitles on films, foreign films
  • Music
    • songs, singers, places for music
    • foreign songs, lyrics
    • children and music, music in school
  • News
    • domestic and international news – how often you read, what type you prefer
    • how you get your news – newspaper, online etc
    • reading headlines or articles
  • Outdoor Activities
    • popular types: picnics, sport, hobbies, photography etc
    • with friends and family
    • importance and changes over time
    • childhood outdoor activities / games
  • Phone
    • how often you use it and why you use it
    • special features: cameras, calendars, clock, weather etc
    • texting people, calling people, accessing the internet
    • children using smart phones
  • Photography
    • your experience taking photos
    • types of photos (the type of picture – family/scene etc)
    • the way photos are taken – different gadgets
  • Reading
    • types of books / magazines / websites / news
    • children’s books
    • foreign books, books converted into films / books vs movies
  • Remembering
    • how to focus, being tired
    • remembering numbers, remembering birthdays / dates
    • using calendars or notes or reminder apps on your phone
  •  Transport
    • trains, planes, buses, bike, walking
    • public / private transport / popular options
    • comparisons, your frequent habits, your past experiences, your opinions
  • Sleeping
    • your habits
    • your dreams / importance of dreams
    • importance of sleep for health
  • Study (only for students)
    • your course, your subject, your daily schedule
    • equipment you use, projects, working with others
    • first day memories, future goals, future career
  • Sport
    • favourite sport, popular sport, watching sports on TV
    • sport in schools, exercise
    • exciting sports
  • Sunshine
    • Spending time in the sun / activites
    • using sunscreen, tanning,  suitable clothing
    • weather in your country, seasons, rain, clouds
  • Work (only for working people)
    • your job, roles, tasks
    • your first day memories
    • your goals, plans, development, promotion
    • equipment used

FREE TIPS AND MODEL ANSWERS FOR IELTS SPEAKING

Click here: IELTS Speaking FREE


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Answers to Mole Listening Practice

Below you will find the answers and transcript to the Multiple Choice Listening Practice about Moles.

If you haven’t completed this lesson yet, please do so before you look at the answers. Click here for the lesson: MOLES Listening Practice

Transcript and Audio

Listen again to the audio and read the transcript at the same time. It will help you to check your answers and also improve your pronunciation. The actual answers are listed below.

Transcript: Moles and Mole Hills. The earliest species of mole was found more or less 55 million years ago. Since then, they have developed into 42 species all of which are categorised as insectivores. Nowadays, most people in the UK come across moles when they discover mole hills on their lawns. It is from these mole hills that the idiom “making a mountain out of a mole hill” was formed. This is a very common idiom used by most native English speakers and means exaggerating something that is in fact quite small and trivial. Mole hills are created by the mole digging out earth to create tunnels and throwing the earth outwards into the garden which creates little mounds of earth on the surface. These mole hills do not cause the garden much damage but many people think they are unsightly. Moles can carry rabies which can cause serious illness if someone is bitten, but as most people rarely come into contact with a living mole, they are hardly considered a health risk. As people, particularly in the UK, are very proud of their gardens, the unsightly mole hills result in them laying down traps which kill the moles. Some people think moles are blind which is why they live underground in the dark. However, this is a myth. Although, it’s true that their eyes are very small and play little role in their life underground. They rely mostly on their sense of smell and hearing which they use to find food, such as worms. They are particularly sensitive to vibrations in the soil. A mole is capable of digging upward of 200 yards in a day, which considering that a mole only grows to about 15cm is a great achievement. They often use their tunnels as highways to travel from one place to another. They can run down their tunnels, go backwards and even do little somersaults all inside their tunnels. Their tunnel systems are also used to connect subterranean living chambers such as bedrooms and birthing chambers. The birthing chamber is about the size of a football and the female mole lines it with dry grass and leaves for the young. It’s easy to spot the breeding chamber because the mole hill above it is the biggest. She is the only adult mole who is responsible for taking care of the young. Moles are sweet looking creatures with massive hands, short limbs and strong claws all designed as excellent digging tools. Unfortunately, for moles, their skins used to be prized highly by British High Society for clothing which meant that many moles died for the vanity of people.

Audio

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Answers

  1. The mole hill idiom means …
    • Answer: A
    • To exaggerate mean to make something small appear bigger than it is. Such as acting like a small spot on your face, it is huge tumour.
    • Also note, IELTS listening never tests your understanding of idioms. But in this question the meaning as given so it tested only your listening.
    • This isn’t a realistic question for IELTS listening because many of you could guess the answer. This isn’t normal for IELTS listening questions. But I thought you’d all enjoy the question anyway 🙂 
  2. Most people are worried that mole hills ….
    • Answer: B
    • The recording says “mole hills don’t cause much damage”. This means option A is wrong. Just because you hear the word “damage” which is also found in the question doesn’t mean it is the answer. Don’t try to match words.
    • The recording says “many people think they are unsightly”. The word “unsightly” means ugly. 
    • The recording says “Moles can carry rabies which can cause serious illness if someone is bitten, but as most people rarely come into contact with a living mole, they are hardly considered a health risk” This means that while moles can carry disease, they aren’t actually a risk.
  3. Moles …
    • Answer: C
    • The recording says that blind moles “are a myth”. This means it is not true.
    • The recording says they eat worms. But it does not say they eat “ONLY” worms. Pay attention to the word “only”. It means they eat worms and nothing else. 
    • The answer is found here “They are particularly sensitive to vibrations in the soil. ” This means they can feel movement in the earth.
  4. Moles can dig …
    • Answer: A
    • The recording says “A mole is capable of digging upward of 200 yards in a day”. The word “upward of” means “over”.
  5. Moles give birth ….
    • Answer: B
    • The recording says “Their tunnel systems are also used to connect subterranean living chambers such as bedrooms and birthing chambers. “. 
    • This was a difficult question. The birthing chamber is where moles give birth and the recording shows it is also one of the “subterranean living chamber”. This means “underground”.
    • You could also arrive at this answer by process of elimination. This means to delete the wrong answers. They don’t give birth in a bedroom, but in a birthing chamber and definitely not in a tunnel.
  6. The birthing chamber is …
    • Answer: A
    • the recording says “The birthing chamber is about the size of a football and the female mole lines it with dry grass and leaves for the young. It’s easy to spot the breeding chamber because the mole hill above it is the biggest. She is the only adult mole who is responsible for taking care of the young.”. This shows it is not specifically larger than a football and the “she mole” (not the males) cares for the young. This provides the only answer which is 100% accurate: “the mole hill above is the biggest” which means the chamber is below the biggest mole hill.
  7. Moles are equipped with …
    • Answer: C
    • The recording showed that moles have “massive hands, short limbs and strong claws all designed as excellent digging tools. “
    • Limbs are said to be short, no mention about strength. So, answer A is wrong.
    • Claws (nails) are strong, but no mention of being curved. So, answer B is wrong.
    • The word “immense” is the same as: huge, very big, massive.

I hope you’ve all enjoyed this listening test and have learned some new aspects of how to spot correct answers. For more free listening lessons, click here: LISTENING – Tips & Lessons

All the best

Liz 

PS: I’ve been asked when I will make videos again. I’m still sick, but I hope to start again this year if I can gain more strength. Wish me luck 🙂

Listening Multiple Choice Practice: Moles

Below is a listening practice lesson for IELTS preparation. The questions are multiple choice questions which require you to pay very close attention to the paraphrases used and to pay close attention to the differences in the options given. Don’t expect only one option to be mentioned in the recording. You will likely hear words that relate to all options, but only one will be the real answer.

Instructions for Multiple Choice Listening

  • Always pay attention to the topic of the listening test which will help prepare you for the language in the recording.
  • Read the questions before you listen to the recording.
  • Pay attention to keywords in the questions (incomplete statements) and the options.
  • Notice the similarity and differences between options.
  • Be ready to listen only once.
  • Make sure you write a letter, not words, for your answer.

IELTS Listening Multiple Choice Questions 1-7

Moles & Mole Hills

  • 1. The mole hill idiom means …
    • a) making small things seem big.
    • b) make facts seem small.
    • c) making big things seem small.
  • 2. Most people are worried that mole hills …
    • a) damage lawns.
    • b) look ugly.
    • c) are a health concern.
  • 3. Moles …
    • a) are blind.
    • b) only eat worms.
    • c) can sense movement in the earth.
  • 4. Moles can dig …
    • a) over 200 yards daily.
    • b) just under 200 yards a day.
    • c) in an upward direction.
  • 5. Moles give birth ….
    • a) in a bedroom.
    • b) underground.
    • c) in a tunnel.
  • 6. The birthing chamber is …
    • a) below the largest mound of earth.
    • b) larger than a football.
    • c) where the male takes care of the young.
  • 7. Moles are equipped with ….
    • a) strong limbs for digging.
    • b) curved nails for digging.
    • c) immense hands for digging.

Recording

CLICK HERE: ANSWERS TO MOLE LISTENING PRACTICE

More IELTS Listening Materials & Tips

Click here: IELTS Listening Main Page 

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