IELTS Life Skills Official Cambridge Test Practice B1 with Answers is a helpful book for IELTS Life Skills test applicants. For specific UK visas and immigration reasons, the IELTS Life Skills exam is necessary. It evaluates the candidate’s speaking and listening abilities.
The competencies are evaluated in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The abilities are evaluated according to three levels: A1, A2, and B2. IELTS Life Skills Official Cambridge Test Practice B1 with Answers assists the applicant in aligning their abilities to the CEFR level B1 requirements.
IELTS Life Skills Test Overview
IELTS test format for Life Skills The test solely evaluates the applicants’ speaking and listening abilities. It is a requirement for a UK visa and immigration. According to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, its levels are A1 and B1. This examination measures a candidate’s ability to converse in an English-speaking country.
This exam may be taken in tandem by two candidates and one examiner. Notably, this examination cannot be taken by a single applicant. The following subjects are addressed on the examination:
- Family and Friends
- Personal experiences and details
- Purchasing goods
- Health
- Leisure
- Work and jobs
- Training and education
- Weather
- Housing
- Transport
IELTS Life Skills B1 Level Tests
The B1 level tests certain skills of the candidates as stated below:
- Candidates need to listen and properly respond to the spoken language. This includes clear-cut information as well as narratives. They also need to be able to follow straightforward instructions and explanations.
- They should be able to communicate properly and express their feelings and opinions clearly like the IELTS speaking test. They also need to be able to speak with suitable formalities.
- They should be able to communicate with one or multiple people in a familiar situation, understand what the other person or persons are saying and accordingly respond with a meaningful answer.
The IELTS Life Skills test consists of four parts or phases:
- Phase 1A (3 minutes): This is a preliminary part where the examiner provides topics for both the candidate and their partner to communicate about. Both the candidates ask each question for about two minutes. The examiner may also question but it generally happens when the candidates stop communicating early.
- Phase 1B (7 minutes): Here, the examiner asks the candidates to speak on a specific topic for about 1 and a half minutes while the other one listens. The candidate receives 1 minute to prepare on what to speak. Each of the candidates speaks for a minute and the other asks three questions that the former needs to answer. This happens with both the candidates.
- Phase 2A (5 minutes): Candidates listen to two recordings followed by questions from the examiner. The first candidate is asked based on the first recording, and the second candidate is asked based on the second recording. The recording is played another time and more questions are asked to both candidates.
- Phase 2B (7 minutes): This is an IELTS speaking task based on topics given by the examiner. There are two parts to this task.
IELTS Life Skills B1 level speaking tasks may include the following skills:
- describing and comparing
- giving opinions
- giving personal information
- stating preferences
- commenting
- asking for information or descriptions
- agreeing and disagreeing
- explaining, giving reasons or justifying
- deciding
- suggesting
- selecting
- showing contrast, cause, reason or purpose
- prioritizing
- planning
- persuading
- narrating
- asking about past or future events
- expressing future certainty or possibility.
How to Use IELTS Life Skills Official Cambridge Test Practice
IELTS Life Skills Official Cambridge Test Practice B1 is ideal for beginning students since they will not need a tutor. However, it is advised that applicants study in pairs. This partner may be someone practising for the IELTS Life Abilities exam or anyone with a comparable level of English skills, depending on the candidate’s needs.
Accessibility is facilitated by IELTS Life Skills Official Cambridge Test Practice B1 with Answers’ clear directions, one of its most important characteristics. In addition, there are audio CDs and digital downloads. Additionally, candidates might consult the Cambridge English Assessment website to get a deeper understanding. On the website, applicants will get sample test questions with useful information from the exam administrators. These are the activities included in the book:
Firstly, IELTS Life Skills Official Cambridge Test Practice B1 with Answers provides test tips that are beneficial for knowing about each part of the IELTS Life Skills test.
The next step is taking the practice test preferably with a partner. Each of the tasks of IELTS Life Skills Official Cambridge Test Practice B1 focuses on one section of the test.
The next step includes listening to audio recordings of two candidates doing a similar task.
Lastly, the candidates need to learn from the additional material present in the book to gain knowledge about the tasks.
Ways to Use the Recording
Candidates need to start by reading the information given on the right page first. They need to listen to two candidates doing the part of the test. The test taker needs to practice it with a partner or on their own.
- While practicing Phase 2A, candidates need to listen to the question first and then the recording. The candidates need to try to answer the questions and then listen to the two candidates communicating for hearing the right answer.
- Test takers are suggested to listen to new words, and the recording as many times as needed.
- They are required to properly listen to the recordings as the speakers in the recording speak proper English.
Candidates can also follow certain ways of interaction to make use of the recording:
- Whole class demonstration
- Phase 1A with candidates A and B
- Feedback on Phase 1A
- Phase 1B with candidates C and D
- Response of Phase 1B
- Phase 2A with candidates E and F
- Feedback of task 2A
- Phase 2B with candidates G and H
- Feedback of task 2B
