Introduction to IELTS Listening,

Reading, Writing & Speaking Test

IELTS
LISTENING TEST

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What to expect?

Format
• The Listening module takes about 30
minutes to complete.
• At the end candidates are allowed 10
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minutes to transfer their answers to an
answer sheet.
• The listening module is the same for both
the Academic and General Training
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versions of the test.
• There are 4 sections, each with 10 questions.
• Each section has one or more of the various
task types.
• The test gets progressively more difficult.
• All the instructions are printed on the question
booklet.

Audio Recording
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• You will hear a variety of accents e.g. British,
American, Australian.
• Answer the questions as you listen because
the recording is played only once.
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• Answers are in the same order as the
information on the recording.
• If you miss listening to the information for a
particular question, guess the answer

• Some time is allowed during the recording to because wrong answers are not penalised.
preview the questions.

Marking
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• A mark is given for each correct answer. it counts as a wrong answer.

• Spelling is important. A spelling mistake • Write answers clearly. Illegible handwriting
counts as a wrong answer. will result in a wrong answer.
• Both American and British English spelling
are accepted but be consistent.
• A hyphenated word (e.g. absent-minded,
flow-chart) counts as one word.
• Grammar is important: e.g. if you write a
singular noun instead of a plural noun,

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IELTS
READING TEST
What to expect?
Format
• The reading module takes one hour to
complete.
• At the end there is no extra time to transfer
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answers to the answer sheet.
• The reading module is not the same for the
Academic and General Training versions of
the test.
• Task types are the same for Academic and
General Training but the test format and
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Marking
• For both modules:
• A mark is given for each correct answer.
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• Spelling is important. A spelling mistake
counts as a wrong answer.
• Grammar is important: e.g. writing a
singular instead of a plural noun counts
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as a wrong answer.
• Write answers clearly. Illegible hand
Reading Strategies Overview:
• Before you start, quickly look through the
whole test so you know what to expect.
• Time management is extremely important – do
not spend more than the recommended time
(20 minutes) on each passage. Limit yourself to
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Introduction to IELTS Listening,
Reading, Writing & Speaking Test
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content is a little different.
• For both modules:
• There are 3 sections with a total of 40
questions in all.
• Each section has one or more of the
various task types.
• All the instructions are printed on the
question booklet.
writing counts as a wrong answer.
• Answer the questions as you read and
transfer to the answer sheet immediately.
•IELTS accepts both American and British
English spelling but be consistent.
• A hyphenated word (e.g. absent-minded,
flow-chart) counts as one word.
:
one or 1 1/2 minutes at the most per question. If
you don’t have an answer, guess, and move
on. Write your answers directly onto the
answer sheet – no extra time is given for this.
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• Read carefully to make sure that the choice
you have made is the right answer.
• Skim the passage to get an idea of what it is
about.
Reading Task Types
Task Type: Short-Answer Questions
• Answer questions which relate to factual
information and detail.
• Write answers in words or numbers on the
answer sheet.
• Use only words from the text.
• Read instructions carefully to find out how
many words/numbers to use.
• Given word limit no mark is awarded.
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Scanning
For short-answer questions you need to scan
for facts and details. This means read every
word but moving your eyes quickly over the
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text just looking for the relevant fact or details.
You don’t need to understand every word –
just enough to answer the question.
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Introduction to IELTS Listening,
Reading, Writing & Speaking Test
• Scan the text to find the specific information
required to answer the question.
• Read carefully to make sure this is the right
answer.
READING TASK TYPES
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• Numbers can be written as figures or words
(e.g. ‘200’ or ‘two hundred’).
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• A hyphenated word counts as one word (e.g.
‘Mother-in-law’ = one word).
• The questions are in the same order as the
information in the text.
The answer to ‘wh-‘type questions are often
numbers or proper nouns (starting with capital
letter) so they should be relatively easy to
find. Read the questions first so you know
what to look for ( Is it a number? A place? A
name? etc.)
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 Introduction to IELTS Listening,
Reading, Writing & Speaking Test

IELTS
WRITING TEST

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What to expect?

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Format Format
• The writing module takes one hour to Task 2.
complete. • The tasks are different for the Academic and
• The format is the same for both the General Training versions of the test, as
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Academic and General Training modules. outlined in the table below.
• There are 2 tasks to complete: Task 1 &

Training General Academic

Task 1
Letter Report
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(150 Words)

Task 2 Essay Essay

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(250 Words)

(In response to a point of view, argument, or problem)

• All instructions are printed on the question

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booklet.

Marking
• You are marked on 4 criteria. • Coherence and cohesion
• Task achievement (Task 1) / task • Lexical resource
response (Task 2) • Grammatical range and accuracy.

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 Introduction to IELTS Listening,
Reading, Writing & Speaking Test

Tips:

Spend about 20 minutes on Task 1 and 40 minutes on

Task 2 for both the Academic and General Training
Writing modules.

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 Introduction to IELTS Listening,
Reading, Writing & Speaking Test

IELTS
SPEAKING TEST

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What to expect?

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Format
• The Speaking module lasts for 11 – 14 The Academic & General Training versions of
minutes, and consists of an introduction the test.
section plus three parts. • The linguistic challenge of the test increases
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• The speaking module is the same for both with each part.

Part Timing Content

Introduction 30 Seconds Name, nationality, ID check

2 or 3 unrelated, short,
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simple conversations about

Part 1 - Interview 3.5 - 4.5 mins
your personal preferences
or experience
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1 minute of preparation time

1 – 2 minute talk on a topic
Part 2 - Long Turn 3 - 4 mins which draws on your
personal experience
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There may be one or two

follow-up questions

A more detailed discussion

Part 3 - Discussion 4 - 5 mins related to the topic of the
long turn in part 2.

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 Introduction to IELTS Listening,
Reading, Writing & Speaking Test

Marking
• You are marked on four criteria • Grammar
• Fluency and coherence • Pronunciation.
• Lexical resource (vocabulary)

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Tips

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• Before the test starts, the examiner records stops you from making a long answer during
a brief introduction, including the date, the the introduction section. This part is intended
location of the test, your name, and his / her to be a brief settling down time, and it is not

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name. the time to give a long talk.
• Use this opportunity to relax and get used to • Remember, this test is a conversation. It is
the examiner’s voice and diction. acceptable to use an informal speaking
• Give brief replies to the introduction and ID style. You do not have to give formal, aca
check questions. demic replies to all the questions.
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• Do not get upset or worried if the examiner
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