IELTS Preparation

Mohammad S Alsoufi
BSc, MSc, PhD Candidate

February 2010
Outlines

What is IELTS?
Test Format and Band Scores
Listening
Academic Reading
Academic Writing
Speaking
How to Apply
Visit WWW for Help
Books for IELTS
 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 & Band Scores

Candidates are tested in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking

Test Format & Band Scores

Listening, Reading and Writing must be completed in one day without break
Speaking can be completed within 7 days before or after the main test day
Test Format & Band Scores

IELTS Band Score

Listening
 30 Minutes
Listening 04 Sections
40 Items

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
Answer sheet has two sides
 One for Listening test
 One for Reading test
 30 Minutes
Listening 04 Sections
40 Items

When count words Prepositions (in, of, to, at, etc) and Articles (a, an, the) do
counts as a words
Each question is worth one mark
The problem  Getting lost !!
The solution  Read ahead !!
 30 Minutes
Listening 04 Sections
40 Items

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)
 30 Minutes
Listening 04 Sections
40 Items

To do well in listening:
Key words
Main topic
Synonyms
 30 Minutes
Listening 04 Sections
40 Items

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, e.g. in a film, play etc…)
Section 3: Conversation (Four Speakers - based on academic topics or course-
related situations)
Section 4: Lecture
 30 Minutes
Listening 04 Sections
40 Items

Types of questions
Label the diagram
 30 Minutes
Listening 04 Sections
40 Items

Types of questions
Complete the table  must fill all gaps with answers to get one mark
 30 Minutes
Listening 04 Sections
40 Items

Types of questions
Fill in the blank  write no more than three words and/or a number for each
answer
 30 Minutes
Listening 04 Sections
40 Items

Types of questions
Write a short answer  write no more than five words
 30 Minutes
Listening 04 Sections
40 Items

PAY ATTENTION !!!

In Numbers: ‘00’ sometimes is read as ‘double 0’ instead of ‘zero-zero’
The Last Word Counts:

Generalizations:
 30 Minutes
Listening 04 Sections
40 Items

PAY ATTENTION !!!

For multiple-choice questions
 30 Minutes
Listening 04 Sections
40 Items

PAY ATTENTION !!!

Copy the Example’s Style
Example 1: 55%  means (55%) not (‘55 Percent’ or ‘fifty five percent’)
Example 2: First  means (First) not (‘1st’ or ‘1’)
Example 3: always write the full version of Prof. June  Professor June
Academic Reading
 60 Minutes
Academic Reading 03 Sections
40 Items

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
(Remember the guy with ZERO score)
Each question is worth one mark
No penalty for wrong answers
Spelling is important - can use both British and American spelling
 60 Minutes
Academic Reading 03 Sections
40 Items

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
The problem  Not having enough time
The Solution  Time management
‘15-20-25’ rule  (13+2, 18+2, 23+2)
 60 Minutes
Academic Reading 03 Sections
40 Items

Types of questions
Summary Completion
 60 Minutes
Academic Reading 03 Sections
40 Items

Types of questions
Matching headings to paragraphs
 60 Minutes
Academic Reading 03 Sections
40 Items

Types of questions
Identifying the writer’s views
 60 Minutes
Academic Reading 03 Sections
40 Items

Types of questions
True/False/Not Given

PAY ATTENTION !!!

Each paragraph usually contains an answer to one question. For example, if
Q.1 in Paragraph A, then Q.2 will probable be in Paragraph B
 60 Minutes
Academic Reading 03 Sections
40 Items

Types of questions
Multiple choice
 60 Minutes
Academic Reading 03 Sections
40 Items

Types of questions
Table completion (using words taken from reading passage)
 60 Minutes
Academic Reading 03 Sections
40 Items

Types of questions
Matching Causes and Effects
 60 Minutes
Academic Reading 03 Sections
40 Items

Types of questions
Sentence Completion (using words taken from the reading passage)

Short answer questions

Academic Writing
 60 Minutes
Academic Writing 02 Sections
400 Words

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
 60 Minutes
Academic Writing 02 Sections
400 Words

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

Task 1 - Examples

Table Graph
Flow Chart

Pie Chart Diagram

Bar Chart/Bar Graph
 60 Minutes
Academic Writing 02 Sections
400 Words

Task 1 – The Language of Change

 60 Minutes
Academic Writing 02 Sections
400 Words

Task 1 – The Language of Change

 60 Minutes
Academic Writing 02 Sections
400 Words

Task 1 – The Language of Change

 60 Minutes
Academic Writing 02 Sections
400 Words

Task 1 – The Language of Change

 60 Minutes
Academic Writing 02 Sections
400 Words

Task 1 – The Language of Change

 60 Minutes
Academic Writing 02 Sections
400 Words

Task 1 – The Language of Change

 60 Minutes
Academic Writing 02 Sections
400 Words

Task 1 – The Language of Change

 60 Minutes
Academic Writing 02 Sections
400 Words

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
 60 Minutes
Academic Writing 02 Sections
400 Words
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 century
Main Body

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 probably overtake the
Conclusion

birth rate in around 2041 and the large gap between the two levels will be reversed in
the later part of this century
 60 Minutes
Academic Writing 02 Sections
400 Words

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
 60 Minutes
Academic Writing 02 Sections
400 Words

Task 2 - Types
Arguments
Advantages and Disadvantages
Problems and Solutions
 60 Minutes
Academic Writing 02 Sections
400 Words

Task 2 – Strength of Claim

 60 Minutes
Academic Writing 02 Sections
400 Words

Task 2 – Examples of Different Structures

 60 Minutes
Academic Writing 02 Sections
400 Words

Task 2 (Example)
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task

Dealing with juvenile delinquency

 Youth Crime
 Low Class in
 Inner City Areas
 Custody
 Approved School and Remand School
 Community Service
 Punishment
 Behaviour
 Attitude
Speaking
 Speaking

Time: 11 – 14 minutes
Individual oral interview (Three Parts)
All Speaking tests are recorded
How the speaking component is assessed
Fluency and Coherence
Vocabulary
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Pronunciation
Transition signals
 Speaking

When you entre the exam room:

Smile and act confident
Look at the examiner in the eyes
Confidently introduce yourself
Eliminate nervous gestures
Wear smart clothing
Remember !!!
Speak clearly
Project your voice
Avoid repeating phrases
Always say more than Yes or No !!
 Speaking

Part 1 (Introduction)
This section of the test lasts 4-5 minutes and in it you may need to give longer
answers to questions to ensure you display your best ability
 Speaking

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

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
 Speaking

Part 3 (Discussion Topics)

Examples:
Can you tell me more about that? Please explain ?
 Yes, that would be fine
 Well, the first thing/idea that comes to mind is ......

You mentioned ... Why do you say that?

 Actually, that is difficult question to answer; nevertheless, in my
opinion ......
 Speaking

Part 3 (Discussion Topics)

Be prepared to speculate about the future
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 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

Scott’s English Success

 Books for IELTS

Recommended study materials for students who want an IELTS score of 6.5 or
higher
Questions !