IELTS Life Skills Official Cambridge Test Practice B1 with Answers (Ebook)

Nov 11, 2021

IELTS Life Skills Official Cambridge Test Practice B1 with Answers is a beneficial book for candidates preparing for the IELTS Life Skills test. IELTS Life Skills test is required for certain UK visas and immigration purposes. It tests the candidate’s listening and speaking skills.

Check: Get IELTS Prep Guide

The skills are tested following the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The skills are assessed based on three levels - A1, A2, and B2. This book helps the candidate in matching their skills with the B1 CEFR level.

About IELTS Life Skills Test

IELTS exam pattern of Life Skills Test only examines the speaking and listening skills of the candidates. It is mandated by the UK visa and immigration. It is measured in A1 and B1 levels according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. This test comprises tasks that test how well a candidate can communicate in an English-speaking nation. This test can be taken by two candidates together, and one examiner. It is to be noted that this exam cannot be taken by a single candidate. There are topics that are covered in the test, namely:

Family and Friends
Personal experiences and details
Purchasing goods
Health
Leisure
Work and jobs
Training and education
Weather
Housing
Transport

What Does 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.

Method to Use IELTS Life Skills Official Cambridge Test Practice B1 with Answers

This IELTS book is perfect for beginners and they will not be requiring any teacher. Though it is recommended that candidates learn with a partner. This partner can be anyone who is preparing for the IELTS Life Skills test or any other person having a similar level of English skills according to the candidate’s requirement.

One of the key features of the book is the proper instructions that make it easy to access. It also comprises audio recordings on CD and downloadable files. Candidates can also refer to the Cambridge English Assessment website for a better understanding. On the website, candidates will come across sample papers from the test along with helpful instructions from the examiners. The following are the activities comprising the book:

Firstly, the book 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: