IELTS Academic Reading practice tests

The Academic Reading test is 60 minutes long.

There are 3 sections. The total text length is 2,150-2,750 words.

• Each section contains one long text.
• Texts are authentic and are taken from books, journals, magazines and newspapers. They have been written for a non-specialist audience and are on academic topics of general interest.
• Texts are appropriate, and accessible, to test-takers entering undergraduate or postgraduate courses, or seeking professional registration.
• Texts range from descriptive and factual to the discursive and analytical.
• Texts may contain non-verbal materials, such as diagrams, graphs or illustrations.
• If texts contain technical terms, a simple glossary is provided.

Question types

A variety of questions is used, chosen from the following types: multiple choice, identifying information, identifying writer’s views/claims, matching information, matching headings, matching features, matching sentence endings, sentence completion, summary completion, note completion, table completion, flow-chart completion, diagram label completion, short-answer questions.

Marking

Each correct answer receives 1 mark. Scores out of 40 are converted to the IELTS 9-band scale. Scores are reported in whole and half bands.

IELTS Academic Reading sample tasks

• Answer sheet (PDF, 130KB)
• Identifying information (PDF, 35KB)
• Identifying writer's views (PDF, 56KB)
• Matching features (PDF, 22KB)
• Matching headings (PDF, 26KB)
• Multiple choice questions (PDF, 21KB)
• Table completion (PDF, 59KB)
• Diagram label completion (PDF, 61KB)

ALDI Boxing Day Sale 2015 - Up to 50% off

Boxing Day Sale catalogue is now out (not available on ALDI website yet).
Selected stores will be open on the boxing day (full details on ALDI site).
They have not announced any products for the sale but usually it's a stocktake and occasionally they bring small quantities of popular ALDI products such the treadmill.
Some of the usual specials for the week:

• Laser Party Light - $39
• LED Party Light - $39
• Atlas 2-In-1 Automatic Insect Control System - $16.99
• Atlas 3-In-1 Indoor/Outdoor Spray 2L - $9.9

and a whole lot of insect protection and party products for the new year outdoor party theme.
List of stores that will be open on Boxing Day:
NSW:
Albion Park Rail, Ballina, Bateau Bay, Batemans Bay, Bathurst, Birkenhead Point, Blue Haven, Bondi Junction, Bowral, Broadway, Byron Bay, Campbelltown Mall, Casino, Coffs Harbour, Cooma, Darlinghurst, Eastgardens, Erina, Forster, Goonellabah, Gosford, Goulburn, Grafton, Green Point, Hurstville, Katoomba, Kellyville, Kempsey, Lake Haven, Lismore, Mittagong, Nowra, Point Clare, Port Macquarie, Raymond Terrace, Salamander Bay, Shellharbour, Taree, Toormina, Tuggerah, Tweed Heads, Ulladulla, Umina, Vincentia, Wyoming.
VIC:
Abbotsford, Albury NSW, Alfredton, Altona Gate, Altona Meadows, Altona North, Ararat, Bacchus Marsh, Bairnsdale, Ballarat, Beaconsfield, Belmont, Benalla, Box Hill South, Brandon Park, Brimbank, Broadmeadows, Brunswick, Bundoora, Burnside, Burwood East, CBD, Chadstone,
Cheltenham, Chirnside Park, Colac, Craigieburn, Croydon Market, Dandenong Market, Dandenong Plaza, Eaglehawk, Eden Rise, Endeavour Hills, Epping, Ferntree Gully, Footscray West, Fountain Gate, Frankston, Geelong West, Greensborough, Maryborough, Melton, South Melbourne, Springvale South, Templestowe Lowe, Wallan, Wodonga, Wonthaggi plus all the other stores are open in Victoria.
ACT:
Belconnen, Canberra Centre, Chisholm, Conder, Gungahlin, Kippax, Macquarie, Tuggeranong, Weston.
QLD:
Acacia Ridge, Albany Creek, Alexandra Hills , Arana Hills, Ashgrove, Aspley, Avoca, Bald Hills, Ballina, Beaudesert, Beenleigh,Beerwah,Bethania
,Booval,Bribie Island, Brightwater, Browns Plains,Burleigh Heads,Burpengary, Byron Bay,Caloundra,Cannon Hill,Capalaba, Carindale, Carrara, Casino,Chermside,Clifford Gardens,Clontarf, Coffs Harbour, Coolangatta, Darra,Deception Bay, Elanora,Forest Lake,Fortitude Valley,Garden City,Gatton ,Goonellabah Grafton , Gympie,Harlaxton,Helensvale, Hervey Bay,Kallangur,Kawana, Kearneys Spring,Kelvin Grove,Kenmore, Keperra, Kepnock,Kingaroy,Kippa - Ring, Labrador,Lismore, Loganholme, Lutwyche, Maroochydore,Marsden, Maryborough, Meridan Plains
Mermaid Waters, Miami, Morayfield, Morayfield 2, Mt Gravatt East, Mt Ommaney, Mudgeeraba,Nambour, Nerang, Noosaville, North Lakes. Oxenford, Oxley, Redbank, Riverlink, Robina,Runaway Bay, Salisbury, Sandgate, Slacks Creek, Southport, Springfield, Springwood, Stafford,Stanthorpe,Stones Corner, Strathpine, Sunnybank Hills, Sunnypark,Taigum, Tingalpa, Toombul, Toormina, Tweed Heads,Underwood, Upper Coomera, Varsity Lakes, Victoria Point, Warner, Warwick, West End, Yamanto
Boxing Day (Saturday, 26th December) Trading Hours: 8:30 A.M - 8 P.M
Note: Further stores open on Boxing Day will be added in the post later today

Amex Cashback offers: HarveyNorman- $50 back for $350+| Bodyshop- $10 Back for $50+ |FirstChoiceLiquor Online - $30 back for $100+

Amex card holders are offered Excellent cashback offers in December when you shop with Harveynorman, Bodyshop, FirstChoiceLiquor Online, etc. Register your card today since these offers are limited.
Noticeable Offers:
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$50 Cash back when you spend $350+ at Harvey Norman
Excellent way to save another $50 if you combine this offer with upcoming Boxing day sale at HN.

by 1/2/2016 to receive one $50 credit. Limited to 20,000 Cards to register.

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$10 Back for $50+ Bodyshop
by 31/12/2015 to receive one $10 credit. Limited to the first 15,000 Cards to register.
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$30 back for $100+ @ FirstChoiceLiquor Online

by 1/2/2016 to receive one $30 credit. Limited to the first 20,000 Cards to register.

Cotton On Boxing Day Sale 2015 - Up to 50%-70% Off (In-Store & Online)

Cotton On's Boxing Day Sale 2015 has just started. They have advertise up to 50% Off but you can find numerous items in this sale with up to 70% Off discount. The sale is now available both in-store and online. Discount prices are already marked and start from as low as $3.
Standout offers in this sale are:

• izzy zip coated jean - $15 (Was $49.95)
• long sleeve graphic tee - $10 (Was $19.95)
• step up fleece cape -$10 (Was $29.95)
• santa maria sandal $5 (Was $24.95)
• zippy jogger -$10 (Was $29.95)
• LC Spring Break Crew -$10 (Was $29.95)

Free delivery on orders over $55.
Find a store near you on Boxing Day, Saturday 26th December: http://cottonon.com/AU/stores?region=AU
No information regarding Boxing Day trading hours is given as yet.

Myer Wrap-Up Christmas Clearance - Up to 55% Off Fashion Clothing, Electrical, Toys, Beauty etc.! Today Only

Wrap-Up Clearance items at Myers before the big Boxing Day 2015 sale this year. Save up to 55% Off Fashion Clothing, Electrical, Toys, Beauty and lots of other items. Few good offers are:

• 30% off the original price of swimwear from the Miss Shop department
• REMINGTON S9705AU Salon Collection Straightener -$149
• VS SASSOON VSP2667A Curl Secret- $99 (Was $169)
• KAREN WALKER HOME Champagne Glasses, Set of 4 - $29.95 (was $49.95)
• VUE Set of 4 stackable Mug Set - Geisha- $11.97 (Was $19.95)
• NAPOLEON PERDIS Love Nude- $72.25 (Was $85)
• 30% off the original price of food for gifts and confectionery
• Spend $100 or more and save 20% on selected small electrical appliances by Breville, Sunbeam, Nespresso , Delonghi
• Spend $75 or more and save 20% on selected electrical personal care
• Spend $100 or more and save 20% on selected small electrical appliances by Dyson
• Save 25% off the original price of these Giftorium brands: OMY, Nanoblock, ReWined & Produce candles, and Eggling Garden Jars.
• 30% off when you buy 2 or more selected pillows
• 30% off when you buy 2 or more boxed dinnerware, servingware or glassware items by selected brands
• 40% off the original price of Christmas dinnerware, glassware & napery
• 30% off when you buy 2 or more full price photo frames or albums
• CHILSNER In Bottle Beer Chiller Set of 2- $39.95 (Was $59.95)
• KIT Design Your Own Superhero Cape 10SPRHO - $39.96
• MARVIN'S MAGIC Lights From Anywhere - Junior Size MMPM02JD -$19.95
• 30% off the original price of men's boots, boat shoes and sandals
• 20% off the original price of watches
• 25% off men's wallets, belts, accessory gift packs and cufflinks
• 30% off the original price of men's swimwear
• STAR WARS Episode VII 3.75 inch Tie Fighter Vehicle -$59.95
• 30% off the original price of women's sandals
• 30% off the original price of women's swimwear
• STAR WARS Classic Interactive 17-inch Darth Vader - $159.20 (Was $199)
• BREVILLE BWM250 The Crisp Control Waffle Maker - $49.95
• AVENGERS Iron Man Arc FX Armour- $29.95
• CORKCICLE Colour Blue - $19.95 (Was $29.95)
• Star Wars Building R2-D2 Craft Kit - $22.49
• FRED Goin' Under Doorstop - $10.5
• 30% off the original price of children's swimwear
• Captain America Shield Licence Print Tee- $25
• Salvadore Dobby V Neck Tee - $20
• Save 40% off the original price of Karen Walker Home giftware
• 20% off the original price of watches and jewellery
• 25% off the original price of handbags and women's wallets
• 40% off the original price of the Christmas Trim shop, boxed
• Buy 2 or more selected beach towels, beach accessories or towel gift box sets and save 40%
• 30% off when you buy 2 or more full price kids, adult fiction & cookbooks.
• and lots more

Available in-store and online until midnight tonight (maybe the leftover stock will be available till it is sold out.)