READING
My 7 Most Unforgettable Travel Experiences
In my three years of nomadic life, I have been fortunate enough to visit 25 countries and have had some incredible experiences. Here are a few highlights from some of the places I've been:
South Africa - One of the most memorable moments was seeing my first leopard in Kruger National Park. After several failed attempts, I finally spotted five leopards, including a mother and cub. Witnessing their beauty and grace was truly unforgettable.
Argentina - In Bariloche, I immersed myself in the culture by drinking yerba mate, a traditional Argentine drink. It was a bonding experience, as I shared cups with strangers and engaged in intellectual conversations. I also indulged in the exquisite malbec wines of Mendoza, visiting the Uco Valley and savouring the flavours of the region.
Vietnam - Vietnam offered a sensory overload with its vibrant sights, sounds, and smells. I treated myself to a remarkable manicure and pedicure with intricate nail art. Navigating the bustling streets filled with motorbikes was a thrilling adventure. I also indulged in affordable and fantastic massages throughout my stay.
New Zealand - During my time in New Zealand, I discovered the delightful red kiwifruit, which I had never seen before. I also developed a fondness for the country's honey, which was far superior to what I had experienced back home. Exploring the Maori culture and their deep connection to the land was an enlightening experience. I even acquired some pounamu, or greenstone, which symbolises my connection to the country.
Scotland - Highland cows stole my heart with their charming appearance. I couldn't resist playing with these adorable creatures. Additionally, I discovered Heathergems, a company in Pitlochry that creates stunning jewellery from coloured Heather plant roots. I still cherish the pieces I bought there.
Easter Island - Despite its remote location, I decided to visit Easter Island, intrigued by its famous stone statues called Moai. I was captivated by their enormous size and the mystery surrounding their creation and transportation. Spending almost a week on the island allowed me to delve deeper into its history and experience its unique allure.
Cambodia - While in Asia, I became fascinated with the monks in Cambodia. Their orange robes and peaceful presence left a lasting impression on me. I was surprised to discover that they engaged in everyday activities such as shopping for groceries and using smartphones. Witnessing the blending of their holy lives with the ordinary world was a humbling experience.
These are just a few of the remarkable experiences I've had during my nomadic life. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have had these opportunities and look forward to many more adventures in the future.
Abridged version of: My 7 Most Unforgettable Travel Experiences (travelawaits.com)
Questions 1 - 8
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the reading passage? Write:
TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this
1. The author was only able to see leopards at Kruger National Park after trying multiple times.
2. She experienced some important aspects of the way of life in Argentina.
3. There were some disturbing sights and smells in Vietnam.
4. She learned a lot about honey in New Zealand.
5. She found a company in Scotland that uses plants to create decorations.
6. She was shocked by the large size of the Moai statues on Easter Island.
7. She won’t easily forget the monks in Cambodia.
8. She is excited about travelling more.
Questions 9 - 15
Match the sentence beginning 9 - 15 with the endings A - I
9. In Kruger National Park, I had the unforgettable experience of seeing...
10. In Bariloche, I got to know the locals while...
11. During my time in Vietnam, I enjoyed...
12. In New Zealand, I came across...
13. In Scotland I fell in love with…
14. The sculptures in Easter Island fascinated me because...
15. I will never forget the monks due to...
A. ...cute and playful animals.
B. ...they were so large and strange.
C. ...special animals, including an adult and offspring.
D. ...a new kind of food I had never seen before.
E. ...a sensory overload of vibrant sights, sounds, and smells.
F. ...a range of excellent and inexpensive beauty treatments.
G. ...their unusual and friendly appearance.
H. … enjoying the breathtaking views of the Andes Mountains.
I. …enjoying a special local beverage.
SPEAKING
PART 1
The examiner asks the candidate about him/herself, his/her home, work or studies or other topics connected to everyday life.
1. Have you ever done an extreme sport? Would you like to?
2. What kind of food do you think is absolutely delicious?
3. What is the best trip or journey you have made?
4. What things make you very happy?
5. Have you ever been really scared?
6. Where is the hottest or coldest place you have been?
7. What really annoys you?
8. Can you think of a very happy memory?
PART 2
Describe a time you were very happy.
You should say:
where you were
who you were with
what happened
and explain why you felt this way
You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.
PART 3
Discussion questions:
1. Why do some people like to do dangerous sports?
2. Would it be better to live in a very hot country or a very cold country?
3. Is the food in some countries much better than in others?
4. Should people be punished for antisocial behaviour?
5. Can people learn to control their fear?
6. How can technology help us remember special events?
WRITING
WRITING TASK 1 (General Test)
You recently had an exciting experience and you want to tell your friend about it. Write a letter to your friend describing the experience.
In your letter, you should say:
explain what the experience was
describe why it was so exciting
share your feelings during the experience
invite your friend to join you for a similar adventure
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
WRITING TASK 2
Some people enjoy holidays which include many exciting activities, while others prefer a relaxing holiday by the beach.
Which do you think is better?
Please note that the mock IELTS questions on this site are not from real IELTS tests, but were created to be very similar to the types of questions you will get in the test.
9. Extreme Experiences
Mock IELTS Questions for the IELTS Reading Test, Speaking Parts 1, 2 & 3, and Writing Task 1 (General Training) & Task 2
Reading Answer Key:
Questions 1 - 8:
1. T
2. T
3. F - the sights and sounds were vibrant
4. NG - she only mentioned developing a fondness for honey
5. F - the plants are used to create jewellery
6. F - she was captivated (very interested) by them
7. T
8. T
Questions 9 - 15:
9C, 10I, 11F, 12D, 13A, 14B, 15G