IELTS

International English Testing System

Familiarisation Workshops

English Language Centre

Hong Kong Polytechnic
University

Workshop Format
Overview
-

Structure
Scoring
Help
Q&A

Speaking and Listening

Writing
Reading

The Test
All Candidates are tested in listening,
reading, writing and speaking.
Listening
Reading
Writing
Speaking
Total test
excluding

30 mins
60 mins
60 mins
11 14 mins
time 2 hours 45 minutes
breaks.

Listening
Time: 30 minutes 4 sections, 40
questions
Real-world listening situations
Difficulty
Range of topics and tasks
- listening for specific information
e.g.dates, place names
- understanding gist
- understanding speaker attitude/opinion

Listening Test Format

Section
Section
Section
Section

1:
2:
3:
4:

conversation 2 speakers
monologue
conversation 4 speakers
lecture

General listening strategies

Recording is played once
Read question CAREFULLY BEFORE
listening
Familiarise yourself with question types
- completing a chart
- selecting pictures
- note-taking exercises
-MC questions

Reading
Time: 60 minutes 3 reading
passages, totally 40 questions
Texts are taken from books,
magazines, journals and newspapers
Question types
- find detailed information
- identify attitudes and views
- complete a diagram

General Reading Strategies

Identify reading skills being tested
Practise these skills

Writing
Time: 60 minutes 2 tasks
Task 1(20mins): descriptive report of
a table or diagram, 150 words
Task 2(40 mins):250 word essay in
response to an opinion or a problem.
Discuss issues, construct an
argument and use the appropriate
tone and register.

General Writing Strategies

Read the question carefully
Familiarise yourself with descriptions
of data in newspapers, textbooks
Practise formulating your own ideas
on topics

Speaking
Time: 10 15 minutes
Face to face interview between one
candidate and one examiner.
Part 1(4-5mins): Introduction and
interview
Part 2(1-3 mins incl. prep): Individual talk
Part 3(4-5 mins): Discussion topics

Speaking
Speak fluently and link ideas
coherently
Demonstrate a range of appropriate
vocabulary
Use accurate grammar and
appropriate register
Speak so that a listener can
understand

Speaking strategies
Part 1
Take the initiative if possible
Always say more than yes or no
Try to overcome nerves

Speaking Strategies
Part 2
- Take the 1 min preparation time
- Jot down some main ideas
- Sound interested in the talk

Speaking Strategies
Part 3
- Give informed responses
- Demonstrate your control of the
language
- Attempt to express abstract ideas
- Support your opinions
- Show that you are willing to provide
extended replies

Scoring
IELTS provides a profile of a
candidates ability to use English
Candidates receive a score on a Band
Scale from 1-9

Scores on the IELTS test are graded into nine

bands as follows:

Band 0-Did not attempt the test

Band 1-Non User
Band 2-Intermittent User
Band 3-Extremely Limited User
Band 4-Limited User
Band 5-Modest User

Band 6-Competent User

Has generally effective command of
the language despite some
inaccuracies, inappropriacies and
misunderstandings. Can use and
understand fairly complex language,
particularly in familiar situations.

Band 7-Good User

Band 8-Very Good User
Band 9 -Expert User

General Strategies
Familiarise yourself with the test.
Practise
Time Management

Help
CILL Centre for Independent Language
Learning, Core A 3/F
SAP Speaking Assistance Programme
Core A 3/F
WAP Writing Assistance Programme
Core A 3/F

Useful books
Cambridge IELTS 3 with answers
Insight into IELTS Vanessa
Jakeman & Clare McDowell (CUP)

Useful websites
UGC Introductory site
http://www.ugccepa.com
IELTS homepage
http://www.ielts.org/index.htm

ELC homepage
http://elc.polyu.edu.hk