IELTS Preparation

Mohammad S. Alsoufi

August 2009
Outlines
What is IELTS?
Test Format and Band Scores
The 4 keys for success
L istening
Academic R eading
Academic W riting
S peaking
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

Candidates are tested in L istening, R eading,

W riting and S peaking

IELTS IELTS
Listening Academic
same format General Training
Speaking same format
Reading format varies
Writing format varies
Test Format & Band Scores

•L istening,
istening R eading and W riting must be
completed in one day without break
•S peaking can be completed within 7 days before or
after the main test day

1234567890 Did not

Expert
Very
Good
Competent
Modest
Limited
Extremely
Intermittent
Non user
good
user
user
user
attempt
user
limited
usertheuser
test
The 4 keys for success

Knowledge
Discipline
System
Health

And remember !!
Repeat each module until you fully understand and
then practice what you have learned
listening

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
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)
30s
listening

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

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)

Section 3: Conversation (Four Speakers - based on

academic topics or course-related situations)

Section 4: Lecture
listening

Types of questions

Complete the table  must fill both gaps with

answers to get one mark and do not write in any
shaded areas

Label the diagram

Fill in the blank  write no more than three

words and / or a number for each answer

Write a short answer  write no more than five

words
Academic Reading

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

The problem  Not having enough time

The Solution  Time management
Academic Reading

Task type 1: summary completion

Task type 2: matching headings to paragraphs

Task type 3: identifying the writer’s views

Task type 4: multiple choice

Task type 5: true/false/not given

Task type 6: yes/no/not given

Academic Reading

Task type 7: complete the sentence from the box

Task type 8: matching causes and effects

Task type 9: complete the sentence from the

paragraph

Task type 10: short answer questions

Academic Reading

Each question is worth one mark

No penalty for wrong answers

Spelling is important - can use both British and

American spelling

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
Academic Writing

Allocate about 20 minutes Task 1

Allocate about 40 minutes Task 2

Task 2 is worth more marks

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
Academic Writing
Academic Writing

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

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

B
 Academic Writing
Introduction

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
Main Body

century

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
Conclusion

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
Structure according to the type of essay
Speaking

Time: 11 – 14 minutes

Individual oral interview

All Speaking tests are recorded

Speaking

How the Speaking component is assessed:

1.Fluency and Coherence

2.Vocabulary
3.Grammatical Range and Accuracy
4.Pronunciation
5.Transition signals
Speaking

When you entre the exam room:

1.Smile and act confident

2.Look at the examiner in the eyes
3.Confidently introduce yourself
4.Eliminate nervous gestures
5.Wear smart clothing

And remember !!
1.Speak clearly
2.Project your voice
3.Avoid repeating phrases
4.Always say more than Yes or No !!
Speaking

The interview: Part 1 (Introduction)

1.What’s your name?

2.What country do you come from?
3.Describe your hometown to me
4.Where do you live?
5.Tell me about your family members
6.What are you studying?
7.What do you dislike most about your studies?
8.Do you like eating in restaurants? Why?
9.What type of transport do you use most? Why?
10.Where would you like to go on holiday? Why?
Speaking

The interview: 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

Long turn card:

Describe a person from your youth who had a great

influence on you. You should say:

1.Where you met him/her

2.What relationship this person was to you
3.What was special about him/her
4.Explain how he/she influenced you so much
Speaking

The interview: 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

Examples :
1.Can you tell me more about that? Please explain ?
2.You mentioned ... Why do you say that?
Final Preparation

One week before the test  one complete set of L ,

R , W and S test

One day before the test  stop studying and rest

your mind
On the day of the test itself  be positive

During the exam !!

You can achieve your goal

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.ielts.org for

Global list of test centres and test dates

@
Practice materials

Application form

IELTS handbook

Information for candidates

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/
IELTS Books

Recommended study materials for students who want

an IELTS score of 6.5 or higher
Questions !