Tomas Fras University

Linguistics and Languages Department How to prepare for EILTS

Listening
You will hear the test only ONCE. The range of question types may include the following: 1. multiple choice questions 2. short-answer questions 3. sentence completion 4. summary/notes/flow chart/diagram/table completion 5. labeling a diagram which has numbered parts 6. matching

Reading
When people are taught to read, generally speaking, they learn to read words. To read efficiently, however, you also need to read at another level: you need to be able to read meaning, and organization in a text. the reading section of the IELTS exam primarily tests your understanding of meaning and your ability to find your way around a text, it is, therefore, not enough just to be capable of reading words alone.

Exercise
Look at the organization in a paragraph. Read the paragraph below slowly, and then answer the questions The building, completed in l785, was erected by the enigmatic Frederick Hervey, Earl of Bristol and Bishop of Derry, in honour of Mrs. Mussenden, the Earl's cousin. The Earl Bishop used the folly, which became known as the Mussenden Temple, as a library. Standing dangerously on the edge of a sheer drop into the North Sea, the temple dominates the coastline to the West. The structure's classical simplicity, with its dome and Corinthian columns, is in stark contrast to the haunting Celtic landscape.

Writing
The writing section in the IELTS contains two tasks. Writing Task 1 usually contains a diagram of some sort, such as: a graph, a pie chart, a bar chart, a table or a combination of two or more of these items; a diagram of a process; a map; or some other kind of diagram. You have to write at least 150 words and you are advised to spend 20 minutes on this task. There is only one question, so you do not have a choice. In Writing Task 2, you are asked to write an essay on an academic topic, about which no specialised knowledge is required. The length of the essay should be at least 250 words. Again, there is no choice.

Essay title
1. Have I accurately identified the general subject and the focus in the title?
2. Am I clear about the organising word(s) in the essay title, i.e. do I understand exactly what I am being asked to write about?

Organisation
3. Is the structure of my essay clear: are there clear paragraph divisions? 4. As regards the introduction, have I connected it with the title of the essay? 5. Have each of my paragraphs got a clear topic sentence, and does each one deal with one main point? 6. Is my conclusion short and concise, and does it more or less repeat what I have written in my introduction?

Poverty
60 50 40 30 Categora 1 Categora 2

Categora 3
Categora 4 categoria 5 categoria 6

20
10 0 Serie 1 Serie 2 Serie 3

Organization
You can organise the above data into three main categories, as follows: family upbringing - poverty working parents unemployment boredom drug addiction lack of education peer group pressure poor housing

Speaking
Part 1: Introduction and interview In this part of the oral examination, the examiner introduces himself/herself and confirms the identity of the candidate. The examiner asks the candidate questions about himself/herself, their home, their interests, studies, etc.

Set of questions:
a) What is your name? b) Where do you live? c) Do you have any brothers and sisters? d) What do they do for a living? e) What subject are you studying? f) Why did you choose this subject? g) How do you use English in your studies?

Part 2: Individual long term

In this part of the oral exam, you are given a card, e.g. Topic Card Describe what you like doing most in your free time. You should say: when you first started doing the particular activity how frequently you do it whether you do it on your own or with other people and explain why you like it.

 You are given one minute to prepare a short talk, which will then last between one and two minutes. It is important that you make use of the minute given to organise your answer and make notes.

Videos Examples

Marking of the oral exam

It is important that you know how the examiners are marking your speaking. You are given marks for: Fluency and Coherence, which means how well you can speak naturally without stopping too much and also being organised. Lexical Resource, which covers the level and range of your vocabulary. Grammatical Range and Accuracy, which covers the level and accuracy of your grammar. Pronunciation, which covers the pronunciation of individual words and phrase and sentence stress.