Preparing for the IELTS (Higher Education International English Language Testing System) exam is crucial to achieving academic and professional goals. One effective way to enhance your readiness is by taking online IELTS mock tests. These practice tests are simulations of the actual exam that not only familiarise the test takers with the format of the real IELTS test; but also provide insights into their strengths and weaknesses. Let’s explore some popular free online platforms to take IELTS preparation tests. Best Free Websites for Online IELTS practice Tests in 2024 British Council Bangladesh The British Council is one of the most reliable choices for free IELTS mock tests, particularly beneficial for Bangladeshi students. This platform uniquely focuses on the authenticity in maintaining test standards. Their tests closely emulate the actual exam, providing a realistic test environment.  The official IELTS website's free practice tests cover all sections and ensure a comprehensive simulation with detailed answer keys and band score estimations.  You can take your practice test here  https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/take-ielts/prepare/free-ielts-english-practice-tests Read more: Essential Skills to Learn Before Going to Study Abroad IELTS.live IELTS.live distinguishes itself by offering an interactive experience, providing immediate feedback for test-takers to pinpoint areas for improvement. This free platform is valuable for those desiring dynamic practice sessions.  Additionally, this website provides free online practice tests for all sections and allows users to assess readiness and identify improvement areas. Thus it enriches the overall IELTS preparation experience. Feel free to conduct a mock test here  https://www.ielts.live/collection/23/ielts-ac-mock-with-answers-(-vol-1-) Read more: Higher Study Opportunities in Turkey for International Students: Process, Cost E2 Test Prep E2 Test Prep is unique for its adaptive learning, customising difficulty levels based on individual performance for an efficient IELTS preparation journey.  The platform offers valuable free resources, including timed mock tests, vocabulary quizzes, and concise grammar lessons. It is ideal for Bangladeshi aspirants seeking a tailored and effective approach to IELTS readiness. You can take a mock test through the link below https://promo.e2language.com/free-full-ielts-mock-test/ Read more: Higher Education Abroad: How Bangladeshis Can Open Student Files Mentors Mentors is one of the most popular platforms for IELTS preparation in Bangladesh. Besides offering physical classes and practice tests for IELTS preparation, Mentors offers a user-friendly online interface, providing free resources for IELTS preparation. With a diverse range of question types, the platform presents comprehensive practice experience that can be accessed online.  Perfect for self-assessment, Mentors offers free mock tests for all sections, vocabulary quizzes, and grammar lessons. Ultimately it supports a well-rounded IELTS readiness journey. You can take a practice test here https://www.ielts-mentor.com/ielts/ielts-quiz Read more: Study in Czech Republic: Application process, cost, scholarships IELTS Liz IELTS Liz emerges as another notable free resource for IELTS preparation, especially catering to Bangladeshi students. The platform garners praise for its clear explanations within comprehensive test modules.  This offers a varied array of free materials, including mock tests, vocabulary lists, and grammar lessons. So, it serves as a valuable tool for skill enhancement for IELTS preparation.  You can check your IELTS preparation through the links below https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-reading-lessons-information-and-tips/ https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-listening/ Read more: Top 10 International Scholarships for Women to Study Abroad

Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud has again tested positive for Covid-19. Hasan  gave his sample for the Covid-19 test at Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control And Research (IEDCR) on Sunday and the result turned out positive on Tuesday, Mir Akram Uddin Ahmad, director of the ministry, said in a press release. With this, Hasan, also joint general secretary of the ruling Awami League, tested positive for Covid-19 for the third time. Read: State Minister Khalid contracts Covid again The minister felt sick while performing official tasks at his office in the ministry upon returning from Panchagarh last week, after distributing relief and financial assistance to the relatives of victims who died in a terrific boat capsize in a river of the district recently. Later, he gave samples for the Covid-19 following consultation from the physicians, the release said.

Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiuqr Rahim announced retirement from T20 Internationals. He announced his retirement through his social media page where he also said he would continue playing ODIs and Tests for Bangladesh and T20s at the domestic level.  The decision came after Bangladesh’s shocking exit from the Asia Cup T20 where the Tigers failed to win any match and subsequently were out of the event right from the first round losing to Afghanistan and Sri Lanka.  Mushfiqur batted in both matches and failed to impress. He managed to score 1 against Afghanistan and 4 against Sri Lanka. His failure cost the matches for Bangladesh.  “I have been grateful to have you all beside me throughout my long career. Your support has been my inspiration during my highs and lows,” Mushfiqur wrote on his social media. “Today, I am announcing my retirement from T20 Internationals. I will proudly continue to represent Bangladesh in Test and ODI formats. I am hopeful that I can bring success for our nation in these two formats.” Mushfiqur got his T20I cap in 2006 against Zimbabwe. The match was the first-ever T20I for both Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. Since then, Mushfiqur played 102 T20Is for Bangladesh and scored 1500 runs with six fifties. He was among only the three players who have played at least 100 T20Is for Bangladesh.   Read: Mushfiqur Rahim completes 15 years in international cricket With Mushfiqur now retired, Shakib Al Hasan is now the only Bangladeshi player from Bangladesh’s maiden T20I who is still active in the format at the international level.  The right-handed batter has some wonderful innings in T20Is, but he was never as consistent in T20Is as he is in ODIs and Tests. His best innings in T20Is is an unbeaten 72 off 35 balls against Sri Lanka in Colombo. At the same venue, he scored another unbeaten 72 off 55 balls against India. Both the innings were notched up in 2018.  “I will continue to take part in Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and other franchise tournaments. Alhamdulillah. Thank you all. Allah Hafez,” Mushfiuqr added in this retirement announcement.  Mushfiqur also led Bangladesh in 23 T20Is and won eight of them. He was Bangladesh’s captain in two T20 World Cups— in 2012 and in 2014 with the latter was host by Bangladesh.

South Africa bowled Bangladesh out for 298 in its first innings despite opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy’s 137, giving the Proteas a clear lead in the opening test on Saturday. South Africa took that advantage to 75 runs on the third day by reaching 6-0 in its second innings by stumps, which was forced by bad light and then rain. South Africa made 367 in its first innings after being put in to bat at Kingsmead in Durban. Read: Magnificent Mahmudul hits ton against South Africa Bangladesh was 98-4 overnight in reply and slumped to 101-5 in the third over of the day when nightwatchman Taskin Ahmed fell for 1. But Mahmudul celebrated his first test century in the afternoon session and eventually hit 15 fours and two sixes before he was the last man out. He was pivotal to Bangladesh’s score, sharing an 82-run stand with Litton Das (41) for the sixth wicket and then a partnership of 51 with Mehidy Hasan Miraz (29) for the eighth wicket. Mahmudul cleverly shepherded the tailenders and 197 of Bangladesh’s runs came from the last five wickets. Read: Bangladesh lose quick wickets to end Day 2 in Durban Debutant Lizaad Williams collected his first test wickets to finish with 3-54 for South Africa. His haul included the wicket of Mahmudul, who was finally beaten when he edged to Simon Harmer at slip to end the Bangladesh innings. Despite Mahmudul’s knock, South Africa had clear control of the match by way of a 69-run first-innings lead. South Africa openers Dean Elgar (3 not out) and Sarel Erwee (3 not out) extended that lead by six runs and avoided any late blows as the light faded in Durban.

Sri Lanka will visit Bangladesh in May this year for a two-match Test series, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) said Thursday. The series is part of the ICC Test Championship 2021-23 The first Test of the series will be played at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram on May 15, and the second Test at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on May 23. Read: Elgar, Bavuma hit fifties as South Africa post 233/4 on day 1 Before the series, Sri Lanka will play a two-day practice match at the MA Aziz Stadium in Chattogram on May 11 and 12. Bangladesh national team is now touring South Africa for a three-match ODI and two-match Test series. The Tigers finished their ODI campaign with a historic series win. The Test series began Thursday at Durban.  

Charged up post  their historic ODI series win against South Africa on the latter's home soil, Bangladesh aim to continue their winning streak in Tests too. “When you come to play a full series and win the first one, you are one step ahead in terms of confidence,” Bangladesh Test captain Mominul Haque said ahead of their first Test against South Africa on Thursday. Read:SA vs BAN Series 2022: Bangladesh Aim Unprecedented Feat on South African Territory "Though the red-ball cricket is slightly different from the white-ball cricket, we have to start over, but we are confident," he told reporters. Bangladesh and South Africa are all set to take on each other in the first of the two-match Test series at Kingsmead, Durban, later in the day. Ahead of this series, Bangladesh won the three-match ODI series against the hosts 2-1. The Tigers won both the matches in Centurion riding on an outstanding team-effort. Bangladesh played a total of 12 Tests against the Proteas and failed to win any of them. Bangladesh only have two draws which came with the help of rains. And six among these Tests were played in South Africa and Bangladesh lost all of them. This history is not going to help the Tigers in any way. “We have to work on the things that went wrong against New Zealand earlier this year,” Mominul said. “We have to follow the process that helped us gain success against the Blackcaps in the Test we’ve won.” While Bangladesh are full of confidence ahead of the Test series, South Africa are undermanned with some of their key players leaving the team due to their commitment with their respective Indian Premier League teams.  Mominul said that it would keep them ahead of the hosts, but "the hosts will also get some advantage as they are playing in their own land and in front of their own people". The Bangladesh captain also said the performance of the pace bowlers is important for his team to win a Test in South Africa. “Some of our pacers have done really well in the ODI series. It’s important for our pacers to do well if we want to win a Test here." Read:SA vs BAN Test Series 2022: Five Bangladeshi players with High Potency Taskin Ahmed, the right-arm pacer, was the player of the series in ODIs. He is expected to do well in the Test series too. To play in this series, Taskin turned down an offer to play in the Indian Premier League.  Bangladesh are going to miss the service of Shakib Al Hasan in the first match of the two-match Test series. The allrounder is currently in Bangladesh staying with his family. He had to return home after the ODI series as a few members of his family were in the hospital with different illnesses.  He, however, is expected to join the Bangladesh team ahead of the second Test which will be played in St George's Park, Port Elizabeth, from April 8. 

Ahead of the first Test of the two-match series against Pakistan, Bangladesh took to practice in Chattogram’s Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium on Wednesday. On the same day morning, Pakistan also started their preparation for the first match in the Test series after sweeping the three-match T20I series that took place in Dhaka. Bangladesh are all set to start the new cycle of the ICC World Test Championship with this series. In the previous Test Championship, Bangladesh played seven matches and lost six of them with only one draw. Both Bangladesh and Pakistan have already announced their respective Test squad for the current series. Bangladesh have included two new faces for this series— batter Mahmudul Hasan Joy and the right-arm pacer Rejaur Rahman Raja. Both have played wonderful cricket to deserve a place on the national side. Read: 'Heartbreaking': Mahmudullah on Tigers' T20I blowout v Pakistan The Tigers are looking forward to doing well in the Tests as the veteran batters Mushfiqur Rahim and Liton Das have returned to the national team after missing out on the T20Is. But Bangladesh are going to miss the service of Shakib Al Hasan in the first Test as the all-rounder is suffering from a hamstring injury. He might take part in the second Test in Dhaka scheduled to start on December 4. But star batter Tamim Iqbal will miss the series entirely as he needs more time to recover from injury and be fit to play in international match. The injured opener was expected to take part in the Test series. Right-arm pacer Taskin Ahmed can’t also play as he injured his bowling arm just before naming the squad for the Test. Bangladesh squad for first Test against Pakistan: Mominul Haque (Captain), Shadman Islam, Saif Hassan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nayeem Hasan, Taijul Islam, Ebadot Hossain, Abu Jayed Rahi, Yasir Ali, Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Rejaur Rahman Raja.

  Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday urged villagers not to be reluctant about taking Covid-19 tests and having proper treatment as the virus is highly contagious. “Still, there’s a problem here. I receive news from rural areas that people there don’t go for Covid tests out of the fear that they’ll be treated as untouchables if their information of Covid positive spread around. They fear that no one will mix with them. This is not the right mindset,” she said. The Prime Minister made the remark while addressing the 27th founding anniversary programme of Bangladesh Awami Swecchasebak League (BASL), joining it virtually from Ganobhaban. BASL, an associate body of ruling Awami League, arranged the programme at the Awami League’s central office at the city’s Bangabandhu Avenue. The prime minister said if anyone goes for Covid test, he or she would be able to receive medical treatment in addition to not infecting other with the virus. “This is how will be able to save other’s lives. This attitude should be there among people,” she said.   READ: PM unveils commemorative stamp to mark Joy’s birth anniversary Sheikh Hasina, also the president of Awami League, asked the party workers and its associate bodies to convey this message to the common people to remove their reluctance about the Covid test. She said her government has long been taking measures to bring 80 percent of the country’s population under the Covid vaccination coverage. The PM said people will be able to get vaccinated with spot registration using their NID cards in rural vaccination centres. Hasina also asked BASL leaders and activists to help and motivate people to get vaccinated as the government has taken an initiative to launch a massive vaccination drive at the grassroots level across the country. Hasina said the Swecchasebak League always stood beside people, setting an example, and asked its members to continue their services to humanity. Talking about the birthday of PM’s ICT Affairs Adviser and her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, she recalled Joy’s contribution towards making Digital Bangladesh. READ: All will get Covid vaccine shots, reassures PM Hasina “Today’s Digital Bangladesh is his brainchild. He (Joy) always suggested to me what to do…. Today we’ve got Digital Bangladesh. Here everything has been done as per Joy’s suggestions,” she said wishing him a long life and good health. Hasina greeted all the members of Swecchasebak League on its 27th founding anniversary.    A documentary on BASL activities in the last year and on the occasion of the birthday of Sajeeb Wazed Joy was screened at the function presided over by BASL President Nirmal Ranjan Guha. Besides, the Prime Minister unveiled the cover of a book “One Year of Swecchasebak League,” that focuses on its activities over the last year. AL joint general secretary and former president of BASL AFM Bahauddin Nasim also spoke as special guest at the function moderated by BASL general secretary Afzalur Rahman Babu.

Ahead of the one-off Test against Bangladesh that is scheduled to begin on February 22, Zimbabwean all-rounder Sikandar Raza on Thursday said that they are stronger than before as a Test team.