IELTS Life Skills A1

                                            IELTS Life Skills A1

📝 Exam Pattern & Types of Questions

The IELTS Life Skills A1 test assesses only your Speaking and Listening skills. There is no Reading or Writing component.

Format:
It is a single session lasting 16–18 minutes where you take the test with one other candidate and one examiner.

Test Tasks

You will be assessed on everyday communication skills in a familiar context. Tasks may include:

• Giving personal information and stating preferences.
• Describing, giving opinions, and commenting.
• Asking for information and agreeing or disagreeing.
• Explaining and giving reasons.

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🎯 Score & Results

Assessment Criteria

You are assessed on your ability to:

• Obtain and convey information.
• Speak to communicate effectively.
• Engage in discussion.

You are assessed on your own individual performance, not against the other candidate's performance.

Results

• Provisional result: By 9:00 am the day after your test.
• Final result and digital certificate: Typically emailed within 4 to 7 days after the test.

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🕒 Study Duration

There is no mandatory study duration, but the amount of preparation depends on your current English proficiency.

You can prepare using official practice materials, including sample tests, to become familiar with the exam format.

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💰 Exam Fee in Nepal

The test fee varies slightly depending on the test center.

Approximate fees in Nepal:

• NPR 29,000 (IDP)
• NPR 29,000 (British Council)

Please confirm the exact fee directly with the test center (British Council or IDP Nepal) when registering.

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📋 Sample Questions

Since the test focuses on Speaking and Listening, sample tasks involve interactive communication.

Task 1 (Speaking)

Question:

• Tell me about your family.
• Describe your daily routine.

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Task 2 (Listening)

You might hear:

"The train to Manchester will depart from platform 3."

Question:

Which platform does the train to Manchester depart from?

Answer:

Platform 3.

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Task 3 (Interactive)

You and the other candidate might be asked to plan a simple activity together, such as deciding what to buy for a friend's birthday party.

You will need to:

• Discuss ideas.
• Make suggestions.
• Ask and answer questions.
• Agree on a final choice.

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🎓 Why Take This Test?

The IELTS Life Skills A1 test is designed for UK family visa applications (such as partners or parents) to demonstrate a basic level of English.

It is a Secure English Language Test (SELT) approved by the UK Home Office.

You may not need to take the test if you are exempt, for example:

• You are a national of a majority English-speaking country.
• You are over 65 years of age.
• You qualify for another exemption under the UK Home Office rules.

 

SET 1: Personal Information & Daily Routine

Phase 1a (Examiner → Anuja Chhetri)

Q: What is your full name?
A: My full name is Anuja Chhetri.

Q: Where do you live?
A: I live in Parsa, Chitwan, Nepal.

Q: When is your birthday?
A: My birthday is on December 29, 2005.

Q: Tell me about your typical day.
A: I usually wake up at 6 AM, have breakfast, and then study or help my family. In the evening, I like to watch TV or read books.

Q: What time do you usually have lunch?
A: I usually have lunch around 1 PM.

Phase 1b (Anuja → Other Candidate)

Q: What do you usually eat for breakfast?
A: (Candidate B answers)

Q: What do you do in the evenings?
A: (Candidate B answers)

Phase 2 Listening & Discussion

(Anuja listens to a recording of a person talking about their daily commute)

Q: How does the person travel to work?
A: The person travels by bus.

Q: How long does the journey take?
A: The journey takes about 30 minutes.

Q: Do you prefer to travel by bus or by bicycle? Why?
A: I prefer to travel by bicycle because it is good for health and cheap.

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SET 2: Family & Friends

Phase 1a (Examiner → Anuja Chhetri)

Q: How many people are there in your family?
A: There are four people in my family – my father, mother, younger brother, and me.

Q: What does your father do?
A: My father is a farmer.

Q: Do you have a best friend?
A: Yes, I have a best friend. Her name is Sita.

Q: What do you like to do with your friends?
A: I like to talk, play games, and go for walks with my friends.

Phase 1b (Other Candidate → Anuja)

Q: Where does your family live?
A: My family lives in Parsa, Chitwan.

Q: What do you like to do with your brother?
A: I like to play cricket with my brother.

Phase 2 Listening & Discussion

(Anuja hears a recording about a family celebration)

Q: Whose birthday is being celebrated?
A: The speaker's mother's birthday.

Q: Where is the party?
A: The party is at a restaurant.

Q: Do you like celebrating birthdays with family? Why?
A: Yes, I like celebrating birthdays with family because it is fun and we all enjoy together.

SET 3: Home & Neighbourhood

Phase 1a (Examiner → Anuja)

Q: Do you live in a house or a flat?
A: I live in a house.

Q: What is your neighbourhood like?
A: My neighbourhood is quiet and peaceful. There are many trees and fields.

Q: Do you know your neighbours?
A: Yes, I know my neighbours. They are very kind and helpful.

Q: Is there a market near your home?
A: Yes, there is a small market about 10 minutes from my home.

Phase 1b (Anuja → Other Candidate)

Q: What do you like about your neighbourhood?
A: (Candidate B answers)

Q: Do you have a garden at home?
A: (Candidate B answers)

Phase 2 Listening & Discussion

(Anuja listens to an announcement about a community cleaning event)

Q: What is the event about?
A: It is about a community cleaning event.

Q: When will it start?
A: It will start at 9 AM on Saturday.

Q: Do you think community events are important? Why?
A: Yes, I think community events are important because they bring people together and keep the area clean.

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SET 4: Leisure Time & Hobbies

Phase 1a (Examiner → Anuja)

Q: What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
A: In my free time, I enjoy listening to music and reading storybooks.

Q: Do you like watching films?
A: Yes, I like watching Nepali and Hindi films.

Q: What type of music do you like?
A: I like Nepali folk music and pop songs.

Q: Where do you like to go on weekends?
A: On weekends, I like to go to the river or visit my relatives.

Phase 1b (Other Candidate → Anuja)

Q: Do you like playing sports?
A: Yes, I like playing badminton and cricket.

Q: What book are you reading these days?
A: I am reading a Nepali storybook these days.

Phase 2 Listening & Discussion

(Anuja hears a person talking about their plans to visit a new park)

Q: Where does the person want to go?
A: The person wants to go to a new park.

Q: Who is the person going with?
A: The person is going with their cousin.

Q: Do you like visiting parks? Why?
A: Yes, I like visiting parks because they are beautiful and relaxing.

SET 5: Shopping & Daily Activities

Phase 1a (Examiner → Anuja)

Q: Do you like shopping?
A: Yes, I like shopping, especially for clothes and books.

Q: What kind of things do you like to buy?
A: I like to buy dresses, sandals, and school supplies.

Q: Where do you usually go shopping?
A: I usually go shopping in the local market in Chitwan.

Q: When was the last time you bought clothes?
A: The last time I bought clothes was last month for a family function.

Phase 1b (Anuja → Other Candidate)

Q: Do you prefer shopping online or in a store?
A: (Candidate B answers)

Q: What colour do you like to wear?
A: (Candidate B answers)

Phase 2 Listening & Discussion

(Anuja listens to a conversation in a shop about buying a gift)

Q: What gift is the person buying?
A: The person is buying a watch.

Q: What colour is the watch?
A: The watch is silver.

Q: Do you think it is better to buy gifts online or in a store? Why?
A: I think it is better to buy gifts in a store because we can see and touch the product before buying.