Ielts

Ielts listening!

The IELTS Listening Test is the same for the Academic and General Training modules. You listen to language spoken in a social or academic context and answer a series of questions. The tape is played only once so you have to practice sufficiently beforehand to pick up what’s being said the first time around.
The listening test is divided into four sections with 10 questions in each part (a total of 40 questions). This module lasts about 30 minutes. You get an extra 10 minutes at the end to transfer your answers to the answer sheet.

IELTS LISTENING - QUESTION TYPES

The listening test measures how well you can listen for main ideas, specific information, supporting information, facts and opinions. You will find a variety of question types :

• Multiple choice
• Short answer
• Sentence completion
• Notes/diagram/flow chart completion
• Matching
• Classification

The variety of question types means that you sometimes need to write in the answer in your own writing, versus simply choosing the right answer. This is important because in such cases, you also need to spell correctly or the answer will be marked wrong. Even a small error can cause you to lose marks. For example, if the answer is "hat"; and you write "hats", it may be marked wrong.
You also have to make sure you include the correct information. If the answer is "Green hats" and you write only "hats", you may also lose points.
You will get a better sense of how precise you need to be by doing as many practice listening exams as possible before your actual test. Believe it or not, you will improve with practice, though it might seem impossible at first. Your ear and your concentration can be trained. Over time, you will improve – but only if you remain patient and move steadily towards your goal of the highest score possible.

SPEECH STYLES

Each of the four sections of the IELTS Listening Test focuses on a different type of speech, as shown below :

• Section 1 – A social or transactional dialogue – 2 speakers
• Section 2 – A topic or short speech on a general topic – 1 speaker
• Section 3 – A conversation in an academic context – 2-4 speakers
• Section 4 – An academic lecture – 1 speaker 

Ielts Reading!

There is difference in General IELTS exam and the Academic IELTS exam.
The main difference between the Academic and General Reading Modules of the IELTS is in the language of the passages while the General Module has easy texts the Academic Module includes more complicated texts, at an undergraduate or graduate level, from academic sources.
In terms of timings both Academic and General Reading Modules last for one hour, Academic Module contains 3 passages and 40 questions while General Module Reading test may have upto 5 passages. Please note unlike Listening Module there is no extra time allowed to allow for transfer of answers on Answer Sheet.

How Scoring is done in Reading Section

In both the General and Academic Reading Modules, one mark is awarded for each correct answer. Then a score table depending upon the analysis made by IETLS conducting organizations converts the scores out of 40 into a band score on the IELTS band scale. You may receive a whole band or a half band depending upon your score. Your overall score is the average of the band scores you receive in the four modules. This final score itself may be represented as a whole band or a half band.

Types of Reading Tasks

There are various types of questions that you may face in both the Academic or General Reading Module, the following types of questions usually are part of reading module :

• Paragraph headings
• Short-answer
• Sentence completion
• Multiple choice
• Tables, diagrams, flow charts
• Multiple matching
• Summary completion
• Locating information
• Yes/No/ Not Given Identifying writer's views
• Classification of Paragraphs
• Matching

IELTS READING - TIME

Remember that you have three reading passages and forty questions to answer in only one hour. Also, the three passages become increasingly more difficult. Divide your time into three 20 minute segments, or as suggested below :

• 17 minutes on section 1
• 20 minutes on section 2
• 23 minutes on section 3

If you're having difficulty with a particular question, mark it for your attention, move on to the next question and come back later. If you finish early, use the time to review. 

Ielts Writing!

The IELTS Writing test is meant to assess your writing skills, which includes if you could write a response appropriately ,present your ideas in a systematic manner and use a wide range of vocabulary and grammar.

Timing

The IELTS Writing is conducted in 60 minutes. You are advised to spend 20 minutes on Task 1, and 40 minutes on Task 2. Though you are advised to spend the time , you would still need to manage time on your own since exam answer sheet would be collected after 60 minutes of the exam and not individually.
Test is divided in 2 tasks and you will be asked to write at least 150 words for Task 1 and at least 250 words for Task 2.
Note: there is no limit on the higher number of words for the test
Test is different based on whether you choose to take General or Academic Module of the exam.

IELTS Academic Writing test

You are required to write in a formal style in the IELTS Academic Writing test and in Task 1 you will be presented with a graph, table, chart or diagram. You will be asked to describe, summarise or explain the information in your own words. This might involve describing and explaining data, describing the stages of a process or how something works, or describing an object or event.
In Task 2 you will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem.

IELTS General Training Writing test

In Task 1 of General Training you will be presented with a situation and asked to write a letter requesting information or explaining the situation. You can write the letter in a personal, semi-formal or formal style depending upon the task situation In Task 2 you will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. You can use a fairly personal style.

Marking

Task 2 has double weight age as compared to Task 1 in the IELTS Writing test.

Ielts Speaking!

The IELTS Speaking test is the same for both the IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training tests. And has a total time of 11 – 14 minutes, The Speaking test may be on the same day or up to seven days before or after the other modules of test.
Test uses the following factors to assess your ability to :

• Communicate your opinions and information on common topics
• Speak for some time on a given topic
• Organise your ideas in a logical manner
• Express and justify your view points

The Speaking test is made up of three sections 

 

Section	Duration	Information
Part 1 Introduction and interview	4-5 minutes	First of all examiner will introduce him or herself and ask you to introduce yourself and confirm your identity. Following this examiner will ask you simple questions on common topics, e.g. home, family, work, studies and interests.
Part 2 Individual long turn	3-4 minutes	In this section examiner will give you a task card which would require you to talk about a topic, including points given in Q card to include in your discussion. You will be given one minute to prepare and make notes. You will then be asked to speak for about 2 minutes. The examiner will then ask you one or two questions on the same topic.
Part 3 Two-way discussion	4-5 minutes	In the final section which is the most difficult; examiner will ask you further related questions of Part 2 topic.

 

Marking 

 

You will be marked on the four criteria which are :

• Fluency and coherence
• Lexical resource
• Grammatical range and accuracy
• Pronunciation