IELTS Preparation

Mohammad S Alsoufi
BSc, MSc, PhD Candidate

February 2010

Outlines
What is IELTS? Test Format and Band Scores Listening Academic Reading Academic Writing Speaking How to Apply Visit WWW for Help Books for IELTS

What is IELTS
IELTS is the International English Language Testing System Designed to assess the English language ability of people who intend to study or work where English is the language of communication Total test time 2 hours and 45 minutes excluding brakes

Test Format & Band Scores

Candidates are tested in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking

Test Format & Band Scores

Listening, Reading and Writing must be completed in one day without break Speaking can be completed within 7 days before or after the main test day

Test Format & Band Scores

IELTS Band Score

Listening

Listening

30 Minutes 04 Sections 40 Items

The listening material is recorded on a cassette tape which you will hear only ONEC !! A range of English accent are used At the end, Candidates will be given 10 minutes to copy the answers onto the answer sheet Spelling is important can use both British and American spelling Answer sheet has two sides One for Listening test One for Reading test

Listening

30 Minutes 04 Sections 40 Items

When count words Prepositions (in, of, to, at, etc) and Articles (a, an, the) do counts as a words Each question is worth one mark The problem Getting lost !! The solution Read ahead !!

Listening
Before Listening: Read the questions Look at all the questions in each section Read the instructions carefully Known the form of your answer Decide what listening for Predict the answer Time available (20-30s 15s 30s)

30 Minutes 04 Sections 40 Items

Listening
To do well in listening: Key words Main topic Synonyms

30 Minutes 04 Sections 40 Items

Listening

30 Minutes 04 Sections 40 Items

Section 1: Conversation (Two Speakers based on social and semi-official context) Section 2: Monologue (A talk by a single speaker based on a non-academic situation, e.g. in a film, play etc) Section 3: Conversation (Four Speakers - based on academic topics or courserelated situations) Section 4: Lecture

Listening
Types of questions Label the diagram

30 Minutes 04 Sections 40 Items

Listening
Types of questions

30 Minutes 04 Sections 40 Items

Complete the table must fill all gaps with answers to get one mark

Listening
Types of questions

30 Minutes 04 Sections 40 Items

Fill in the blank write no more than three words and/or a number for each answer

Listening
Types of questions Write a short answer write no more than five words

30 Minutes 04 Sections 40 Items

Listening
PAY ATTENTION !!!

30 Minutes 04 Sections 40 Items

In Numbers: 00 sometimes is read as double 0 instead of zero-zero The Last Word Counts:

Generalizations:

Listening
PAY ATTENTION !!! For multiple-choice questions

30 Minutes 04 Sections 40 Items

Listening
PAY ATTENTION !!! Copy the Examples Style

30 Minutes 04 Sections 40 Items

Example 1: 55% means (55%) not (55 Percent or fifty five percent) Example 2: First means (First) not (1st or 1) Example 3: always write the full version of Prof. June Professor June

Academic Reading

Academic Reading

60 Minutes 03 Sections 40 Items

All candidates are required to read three texts of between 500 and 900 words each The texts and questions increase in difficulty The answer and the record on the answer sheet within the 60 minutes (Remember the guy with ZERO score) Each question is worth one mark No penalty for wrong answers Spelling is important - can use both British and American spelling

Academic Reading

60 Minutes 03 Sections 40 Items

Texts are taken from books, magazines, journals and newspapers, all written for a non-specialist audience At least one of the text contains a detailed argument The problem Not having enough time The Solution Time management 15-20-25 rule (13+2, 18+2, 23+2)

Academic Reading
Types of questions Summary Completion

60 Minutes 03 Sections 40 Items

Academic Reading
Types of questions Matching headings to paragraphs

60 Minutes 03 Sections 40 Items

Academic Reading
Types of questions Identifying the writers views

60 Minutes 03 Sections 40 Items

Academic Reading
Types of questions True/False/Not Given

60 Minutes 03 Sections 40 Items

PAY ATTENTION !!!

Each paragraph usually contains an answer to one question. For example, if

Q.1 in Paragraph A, then Q.2 will probable be in Paragraph B

Academic Reading
Types of questions Multiple choice

60 Minutes 03 Sections 40 Items

Academic Reading
Types of questions Table completion (using words taken from reading passage)

60 Minutes 03 Sections 40 Items

Academic Reading
Types of questions Matching Causes and Effects

60 Minutes 03 Sections 40 Items

Academic Reading
Types of questions Sentence Completion (using words taken from the reading passage)

60 Minutes 03 Sections 40 Items

Short answer questions

Academic Writing

Academic Writing
Allocate about 20 minutes Task 1 Allocate about 40 minutes Task 2 Task 2 is worth more marks

60 Minutes 02 Sections 400 Words

Task 1: write description of at least 150 words based on material found in a chart, table, graph or diagram Task 2: essay of at least 250 words in response to a statement or question

Academic Writing
Task 1 - Tips Do not copy phrases from the question Do not include information not in the graph or picture Do not take more than 20 minutes Do not forget to leave time to read it through

60 Minutes 02 Sections 400 Words

Academic Writing
Task 1 - Examples

Table

Graph Flow Chart

Pie Chart

Diagram

Bar Chart/Bar Graph

Academic Writing
Task 1 The Language of Change

60 Minutes 02 Sections 400 Words

Academic Writing
Task 1 The Language of Change

60 Minutes 02 Sections 400 Words

Academic Writing
Task 1 The Language of Change

60 Minutes 02 Sections 400 Words

Academic Writing
Task 1 The Language of Change

60 Minutes 02 Sections 400 Words

Academic Writing
Task 1 The Language of Change

60 Minutes 02 Sections 400 Words

Academic Writing
Task 1 The Language of Change

60 Minutes 02 Sections 400 Words

Academic Writing
Task 1 The Language of Change

60 Minutes 02 Sections 400 Words

Academic Writing
Task 1 (Example) You should spend about 20 minutes on this task

60 Minutes 02 Sections 400 Words

The graph below gives information about changes in the birth and death rates in New Zealand between 1901 and 2101
Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information shown below
D B

Academic Writing
Introduction

60 Minutes 02 Sections 400 Words

The graph shows changes in the birth and death rates in New Zealand since 1901, and forecasts trends up until 2101 Between 1901 and the present day, the birth rate has been consistently higher than the death rate. It stood at 20,000 at the start of this period and increased to a peak of 66,000 in 1961. Since then, the rate has fluctuated between 65 and 50 thousand and it is expected to decline slowly to around 45,000 births by the end of the century

Main Body Conclusion

In contrast, the death rate started below 10,000 and has increased steadily until the present time. This increase is expected to be more rapid between 2021 and 2051 when the rate will probably level off at around 60,000 before dropping slightly in 2101

Overall, these opposing trends mean that the death rate will probably overtake the birth rate in around 2041 and the large gap between the two levels will be reversed in the later part of this century

Academic Writing
Task 2 - Tips Study question carefully Underline key points Quickly brainstorm the topic Decide on the main points and supporting details Organise points in a plan

60 Minutes 02 Sections 400 Words

Structure according to the type of essay

Academic Writing
Task 2 - Types Arguments Advantages and Disadvantages Problems and Solutions

60 Minutes 02 Sections 400 Words

Academic Writing
Task 2 Strength of Claim

60 Minutes 02 Sections 400 Words

Academic Writing
Task 2 Examples of Different Structures

60 Minutes 02 Sections 400 Words

Academic Writing
Task 2 (Example) You should spend about 40 minutes on this task

60 Minutes 02 Sections 400 Words

Dealing with juvenile delinquency

Youth Crime Low Class in Inner City Areas Custody Approved School and Remand School Community Service Punishment Behaviour Attitude

Speaking

Speaking
Time: 11 14 minutes Individual oral interview (Three Parts) All Speaking tests are recorded How the speaking component is assessed Fluency and Coherence Vocabulary Grammatical Range and Accuracy Pronunciation Transition signals

Speaking
When you entre the exam room: Smile and act confident Look at the examiner in the eyes Confidently introduce yourself Eliminate nervous gestures Wear smart clothing

Remember !!!
Speak clearly Project your voice

Avoid repeating phrases

Always say more than Yes or No !!

Speaking
Part 1 (Introduction) This section of the test lasts 4-5 minutes and in it you may need to give longer answers to questions to ensure you display your best ability

Speaking
Part 2 (Individual Talk) Candidate is given a verbal prompt on a card and is asked to talk on a particular topic. 1 minute preparation time before speaking at length for up to 2 minutes The examiner then asks 1 or 2 rounding-off questions

Speaking
Part 3 (Discussion Topics) The examiner and candidate engage in a discussion of more abstract issue and concepts which are linked to the topic in Part 2 The discussion lasts between 4 and 5 minutes

Speaking
Part 3 (Discussion Topics) Examples: Can you tell me more about that? Please explain ? Yes, that would be fine Well, the first thing/idea that comes to mind is ...... You mentioned ... Why do you say that?

Actually, that is difficult question to answer; nevertheless, in my

opinion ......

Speaking
Part 3 (Discussion Topics) Be prepared to speculate about the future

How to Apply
An application form Bring your original valid passport Two photos (passport size) and the background must be white or light blue only The IELTS test fee

Visit WWW for help

IELTS Academic Reading help www.cambridgeesol.org/teach/ielts/academic_reading IELTS Writing help www.cambridgeesol.org/teach/ielts/academic_writing IELTS listening help www.cambridgeesol.org/teach/ielts/listening IELTS speaking help http://www.cambridgeesol.org/teach/ielts/speaking Scotts English Success

Books for IELTS

Recommended study materials for students who want an IELTS score of 6.5 or higher

Questions !