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Mohammad S AlsoufiBSc, MSc, PhD Candidate

February 2010

IELTS Preparation

What is IELTS?

Test Format and Band Scores

Listening

Academic Reading

Academic Writing

Speaking

How to Apply

Visit WWW for Help

Books for IELTS

Outlines

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

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



IELTS Band Score

Listening

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

Answer sheet has two sides

One for Listening test

One for Reading test

30 Minutes04 Sections40 Items

Listening

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 !!


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)


Listening

To do well in listening:

Key words

Main topic

Synonyms


Listening

Listening30 Minutes04 Sections40 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


Types of questions

Label the diagram


Types of questions

Complete the table must fill all gaps with answers to get one mark


Types of questions

Fill in the blank write no more than three words and/or a number for each

answer


Types of questions

Write a short answer write no more than five words


PAY ATTENTION !!!

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

The Last Word Counts:

Generalizations:


PAY ATTENTION !!!

For multiple-choice questions


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

Academic Reading60 Minutes03 Sections40 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


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)


Types of questions

Summary Completion


Academic Reading

Types of questions

Matching headings to paragraphs

Types of questions

Identifying the writer’s views


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


Types of questions

Multiple choice


Types of questions

Table completion (using words taken from reading passage)



Academic Reading

Types of questions

Matching Causes and Effects


Academic Reading

Types of questions

Sentence Completion (using words taken from the reading passage)

Short answer questions

Academic Writing

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

60 Minutes02 Sections400 Words

Academic Writing60 Minutes02 Sections400 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

Flow Chart

Bar Chart/Bar GraphPie Chart

Graph

Diagram

Table

Academic Writing60 Minutes02 Sections400 Words

Task 1 – The Language of Change

D

B


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 inNew 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

Intro

duct

ion

Mai

n B

ody

Con

clus

ion


Academic Writing


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


Academic Writing

Task 2 - Types

Arguments

Advantages and Disadvantages

Problems and Solutions


Academic Writing

Task 2 – Strength of Claim


Academic Writing

Task 2 – Examples of Different Structures


Academic Writing

Task 2 (Example)

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task

Dealing with juvenile delinquency

Youth Crime Low Class in Inner City Areas CustodyApproved School and Remand School Community Service Punishment BehaviourAttitude

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 !!

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


Examples:

Can you tell me more about that? Please explain ?

Yes, that would be fineWell, 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

Speaking


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 !

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