IELTS

IELTS

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

IELTS is an international standardized test of English language proficiency for non-native English language speakers. IELTS is the most popular English-language tests in the world. IELTS is accepted by universities and employers everywhere in the world, but it is primarily popular in countries such as Australia, Britain, Canada, New-Zealand and USA. There are two types of IELTS one is IELTS Academic and other is IELTS general. IELTS Academic is for study purpose while IELTS General is for working purpose. IELTS is given in both formats computer based and paper based format. Most of the people prefer paper based format. IELTS band ranges from 1 to 9. Different institution requires different IELTS band. The score of IELTS is valid up to four years.

Total Exam Duration: 3 hours Listening: 40 minutes (30 minutes for test +10 minutes for submission the answer sheet) Reading: 60 minutes Writing: 60 minutes Speaking: 11-14 minutes

IELTS Listening

Listening “common for both Academic and General Training. Listening has been divided in four parts that includes 40 questions. Multiple choice, matching, plan/map/diagram labeling, form/note/table/flow-chart/summary completion, and sentence completion are the types of question in Listening section. In general, each sectional consists ten questions.

First part of Listening section is a daily life conversation between two people. second part of Listening is a monologue from every day speaking. Third part of Listening is again a conversation between or three people but this conversation is based on academic information. Fourth part of Listening is again monologue but this is based on acidic subject. The audio is played only one time.

Point to remember: audio moves from easy to difficult. First section of audio is easy, second is difficult, third is more difficult than second and fourth will be the most difficult among four. Level of difficulty is decided by the types of question, the content of audio and speed of the content delivery. The listening tests the ability of understanding.

IELTS Reading

IELTS Academic Reading is different from IELTS General Training. Academic section has 3 long passages with around 1000 words or more and lest. The content or information is taken from literary book, journals, academic magazines, and editorial from newspapers. Every passage has 13 or 14 questions. The total number of questions in IELTS is 40. The types of question you may have to solve are multiple-choice, sentence completion, summary writing, matching information, and short-answers.

IELTS General Section is same as IELTS Academic section in number of questions. Both have 40 questions with three passages. The only difference is length of the passages. There can sometimes be four passages in IELTS General Reading. The topic that is taken for General Reading is easier than IELTS Academic. The topics are related to day to day life and information is taken from books, magazines, newspapers, notices, advertisements, company handbooks, and guidelines. In General Reading, the number of question in passage varies. There is no fixed number of questions per paragraph. The types of questions you may have to experience are multiple choice, identifying information, identifying writer’s views/claims, matching information, matching headings, matching features, matching sentence endings, sentence completion, summary completion, note completion, table completion, flow-chart completion, diagram label completion, short-answer questions.

Point to remember: Reading test is all about language understanding through the text. Basically Reading tests the summarizing ability and different way of grabbing information. It also checks the range of vocabulary and grammar. Generally words of questions are not same mentioned in the passage that is why you should be alert related to information.

IELTS Writing.

IELTS Academic Writing is also different from IELTS General Writing. Academic writing wants you to elaborate the image or images in 20 minutes. This image elaboration is called writing task 1. The task one has range of words that is around 150 words. The types of images you may experience are graph, table, chart or diagram.

Essay writing is the second part that called task 2. Task two wants you to write the essay in 250 words. The time given to write is 40 minutes. This is the test of the ability to present a clear, relevant and well-organized argument, give evidence or examples to support ideas and use language accurately.

IELTS General writing is different from IELTS Academic Writing. General Writing has two part same as Academic writing. First part is called Task 1 and it is related to Letter writing, however, second part is called Task 2 and it is related to essay writing. Task one wants you to write the letter in 150 words in 20 minutes. The letter can be about complain, suggestion, request, service and information etc. Task two wants you to write essay based on your own opinion and experience in 250 words. The offered time will 40 minutes.

Point to remember: writing is all about the command over grammar, vocabulary and accuracy so one thing you should always remember to get high score is the more advance grammar and vocabulary is the more high score you will receive.

IELTS Speaking

There is no difference between IELTS General and IELTS Academic speaking. Average duration for speaking is 11 to 15 minutes but timing is not fixed for it. The Speaking test has been divided in three parts. Part is about general communication. You have to describe yourself and your surroundings. First section takes minimum 3 minutes and maximum 6 minutes in which 3 to 5 general questions are asked and it is expected from you that you should reply the answer in least 3 sentences. There is limit for maximum number of sentences. Second is description part that lasts for 3 minutes in which one cue card is given. You are expected to describe that cue card in 2 minutes. For preparation for description, you will get one minute. Third part is related to second part. Whatever is given in second part, questions are related to it. The number of questions varies but minimum 3 and maximum 5 questions are asked. The test extends from 3 minutes to five minutes.

Point to remember: speaking is also all about vocabulary, grammar and accuracy. To get high score in speaking, you must keep in mind few things.

1. Speaking should be in the manner of talking to the people. 2. Speaking should be done patiently and you should add idioms and phrases that you use in daily life. 3. Pronunciation and tenses should be very clear.