Download the completely free Cambridge IELTS 15 in PDF + Audiobook

Cambridge IELTS 15 is one of the most popular practice materials in the Cambridge test series. Through the book, you can easily grasp the test structure, and practice questions effectively. In this article, PREP has provided a review of the book, and revealed the effective method below!

I. Introduction to Cambridge IELTS 15

1. General information

Like other Cambridge books in the series, Cambridge IELTS 15 (CAM 15) has 4 major tests. Each test will comprehensively test the 4 skills of Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing.

2. Targeted learner

The book includes tests that are very close to the real exam. Therefore, the book is suitable for students who already have an IELTS foundation (3.5 IELTS or higher) and use the book as a resource to practice tests.

The book is particularly useful for students preparing for the IELTS exam within a tight schedule because the test format in Cambridge IELTS 15 is similar to the real exam.

II. The most detailed review of Cambridge IELTS 15

1. What is included in Cambridge IELTS 15?

• The Cambridge book contains 4 sample tests that accurately follow the form of the real test. The tests in the book are written by the actual IELTS exam graders.
• Each test will assess each skill: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing.
• The book comes with accompanying Audio files and answer keys for you to self-check at home.

2. Difficulty levels of Cambridge IELTS 15

The Cambridge IELTS 15 book has Reading and Listening tests that are both at a Medium level, without too many difficult questions, making it a good set of practice tests for those just starting to prepare. Learners can compare the Cambridge IELTS 15 book to other Cambridge practice test books.

III. How to use Cambridge IELTS 15 PDF effectively to boost IELTS band scores

1. Reading

• You need to follow the keyword table guidelines to supplement your vocabulary and understand the author's way of thinking.
• Do questions from easy to difficult.
• Allocate a reasonable time of 15/20/25 minutes for passages from easy to difficult levels. Avoid spending too much time on a single Passage. You can learn more about time management strategies for the Reading section in this article.
• Master the tips and tricks for each question type in IELTS Reading.

2. Speaking

Practice is most important for speaking skills. In addition, you also need to supplement more vocabulary, expressions, and structures to apply in your speaking answers. Some ways you can practice include:

• Recording your speaking responses: You need to find mistakes and inaccurate pronunciation to improve.
• Practicing in front of a mirror: You can use this method to adjust your facial expressions and body language.
• Finding a partner: This is a good way to avoid boredom when practicing. You both can provide feedback to each other on basic mistakes.
• Shadowing listening recordings: Shadowing or mimicking recorded responses is a great way to make your speaking more natural and it helps tremendously with your pronunciation and intonation.
• Prep's Virtual Speaking Room: Finding a partner can be difficult for some. Luckily, Prep provides an AI-powered simulated speaking partner room. You can choose topics, practice modes, and test modes to feel like speaking to a real person. Prep also collaborates with ELSA to effectively help you correct your pronunciation.

3. Listening

You can do a practice test yourself to check your current level. Here are some tips to help you practice listening with Cambridge IELTS 15 audio and PDF files:

• Open the transcripts section at the back of the book to read through and preview vocabulary in advance.
• Play the audio and you can read along (accurate pronunciation also helps significantly increase your listening ability).
• Start doing the test questions and identify the correct answers.
• Don't forget to listen again to practice better.

4. Writing 

This is a difficult part of the test that many people struggle with in terms of writing. Here are some notes Prep wants to guide you on to effectively practice sample questions:

• Consolidate vocabulary: You need to strengthen vocabulary to support Writing, so dedicating a certain amount of time to vocabulary study is necessary. You can refer to Prep's Complete IELTS Writing Vocabulary package as a vocabulary learning resource.
• Practice different question types: In IELTS Writing there are different types of questions, for each type you need to pay attention to learning how to write the:
• Introduction
• Body
• Conclusion
• Practice questions: When practicing, focus on paraphrasing, learning collocations, etc. Effective practice methods include:
• First draft
• Referring to model answers
• Reviewing model ideas and editing your writing
• Noting new vocabulary to learn, paraphrasing, collocations

You should also set goals each week for how many practice questions to complete depending on your time. But the important thing is to maintain weekly study!

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