IELTS Preparation

Mohammad S AlsoufiMohammad S AlsoufiBSc, MSc, PhD CandidateBSc, MSc, PhD Candidate

February 2010February 2010

IELTS PreparationIELTS Preparation

What is IELTS? Test Format and Band Scores

LListening Academic RReading Academic WWriting

SSpeaking How to Apply

Visit WWW for Help Books for IELTS

OutlinesOutlines

What is IELTSWhat is IELTS

IELTSIELTS is the IInternational EEnglish LLanguage TTesting SSystem 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 ScoresTest Format & Band Scores

Candidates are tested in LListening, RReading, WWriting and SSpeaking

LListeningistening, RReadingeading and WWritingriting must be completed in one day without break

SSpeakingpeaking can be completed within 7 days before or after the main test day



IELTS Band Score

ListeningListening

ListeningListening

The listening material is recorded on a cassette tape which you will hear only ONECONEC !!

A range of English accent are used At the end, Candidates will be given 10 minutes10 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 testOne for Listening test One for Reading testOne for Reading test

30 Minutes04 Sections40 Items

ListeningListening

When count words Prepositions (inin, ofof, toto, atat, etc) and Articles (aa, anan, thethe) do counts as a words Each question is worth one mark

The problemThe problem Getting lost !! The solutionThe solution Read ahead !!


Before 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 (20-30s20-30s 15s15s 30s30s)


ListeningListening

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


ListeningListening

ListeningListening 30 Minutes04 Sections40 Items

Section 1:Section 1: Conversation (Two Speakers – based on social and semi-official context)

Section 2:Section 2: Monologue (A talk by a single speaker based on a non-academic situation, e.g. in a film, play etc…)

Section 3:Section 3: Conversation (Four Speakers - based on academic topics or course-related situations)

Section 4:Section 4: Lecture


Types of questionsTypes of questions Label the diagram


Types of questionsTypes of questions Complete the table must fill all gaps with answers to get one

mark


Types of questionsTypes of questions Fill in the blank write no more than threethree words and/orand/or a

number for each answer


Types of questionsTypes of questions Write a short answer write no more than fivefive words


PAY ATTENTION !!!PAY ATTENTION !!! In Numbers: ‘0000’ sometimes is read as ‘double 0double 0’ instead of

‘zero-zerozero-zero’ The Last Word Counts:

Generalizations:


PAY ATTENTION !!!PAY ATTENTION !!! For multiple-choice questions


PAY ATTENTION !!!PAY ATTENTION !!! Copy the Example’s Style

Example 1:Example 1: 55%55% means (55%55%) not (‘55 Percent55 Percent’ or ‘fifty five fifty five percentpercent’)

Example 2:Example 2: FirstFirst means (FirstFirst) not (‘1st1st’ or ‘11’) Example 3:Example 3: always write the full version of Prof. June

Professor June

Academic ReadingAcademic Reading

Academic ReadingAcademic Reading 60 Minutes03 Sections40 Items

All candidates are required to read three texts of between 500500 and 900900 words each

The texts and questions increase in difficulty The answer and the record on the answer sheet within the 6060

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


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 problemThe problem Not having enough time

The SolutionThe Solution Time management ‘15-20-2515-20-25’ rule (1313+22, 1818+22, 2323+22)


Types of questionsTypes of questions Summary Completion



Types of questionsTypes of questions Matching headings to paragraphs

Types of questionsTypes of questions Identifying the writer’s views


Types of questionsTypes of questions TTrue/FFalse/NNot GGiven

PAY ATTENTION !!!PAY ATTENTION !!! Each paragraph usually contains an answer to one question.

For example, if Q.1Q.1 in Paragraph AParagraph A, then Q.2Q.2 will probable be in Paragraph BParagraph B


Types of questionsTypes of questions Multiple choice


Types of questionsTypes of questions Table completion (using words taken from reading passage)(using words taken from reading passage)




Types of questionsTypes of questions Matching Causes and Effects



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

passage)passage)

Short answer questions

Academic WritingAcademic Writing


Allocate about 20 minutes Task 1Task 1 Allocate about 40 minutes Task 2Task 2

Task 2 is worth more marks Task 1:Task 1: write description of at least 150 words based on

material found in a chart, table, graph or diagram Task 2:Task 2: essay of at least 250 words in response to a statement

or question

60 Minutes02 Sections400 Words

Academic WritingAcademic Writing 60 Minutes02 Sections400 Words

Task 1 - TipsTask 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


Task 1 - ExamplesTask 1 - Examples

Flow ChartFlow Chart

Bar Chart/Bar Bar Chart/Bar GraphGraph

Pie ChartPie Chart

GraphGraph

DiagramDiagram

TableTable


Task 1 – The Language of ChangeTask 1 – The Language of Change













D

B



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

The graph below gives information about changes in the birth The graph below gives information about changes in the birth and death rates in New Zealand between 1901 and 2101and death rates in New Zealand between 1901 and 2101

Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information shown below

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

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 birth rate in around 2041 and the large gap

between the two levels will be reversed in the later part of this century

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Task 2 - TipsTask 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



Task 2 - TypesTask 2 - Types Arguments

Advantages and Disadvantages Problems and Solutions



Task 2 – Strength of ClaimTask 2 – Strength of Claim



Task 2 – Examples of Different StructuresTask 2 – Examples of Different Structures



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

Dealing with juvenile delinquencyDealing with juvenile delinquency

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

SpeakingSpeaking

SpeakingSpeaking

Time: 11 – 14 minutes Individual oral interview (Three PartsThree Parts)

All Speaking tests are recordedHow the speaking component is assessedHow the speaking component is assessed

Fluency and Coherence Vocabulary

Grammatical Range and Accuracy Pronunciation

Transition signals

SpeakingSpeaking

When you entre the exam room: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 !!!Remember !!! Speak clearly

Project your voice Avoid repeating phrases

Always say more than Yes or No !!

Part 1 (Introduction)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

SpeakingSpeaking

Part 2 (Individual Talk)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

SpeakingSpeaking

Part 3 (Discussion Topics)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

SpeakingSpeaking

Part 3 (Discussion Topics)Part 3 (Discussion Topics)Examples:Examples:

Can you tell me more about that? Please explain ? Yes, that would be fine

Well, the first thingthing/ideaidea that comes to mind is ......

You mentioned ... Why do you say that? Actually, that is difficult question to answer;

nevertheless, in my opinion ......

SpeakingSpeaking

SpeakingSpeaking

Part 3 (Discussion Topics)Part 3 (Discussion Topics) Be prepared to speculate about the future

How to ApplyHow 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 helpVisit WWW for help

IELTS Academic Reading helpwww.cambridgeesol.org/teach/ielts/academic_reading

IELTS Writing helpwww.cambridgeesol.org/teach/ielts/academic_writing

IELTS listening helpwww.cambridgeesol.org/teach/ielts/listening

IELTS speaking helphttp://www.cambridgeesol.org/teach/ielts/speaking

Scott’s English Success

Books for IELTSBooks for IELTS

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

Questions !Questions !

Education

IELTS Preparation