IELTS by Shakeel Ahmad

IELTS WRITING TIP:
Academic Task 1
Always check your writing when you have finished!
Try using this checklist every time you practise writing.

Today we are focusing on using ‘BY’ and ‘FROM’ correctly in set phrases or expressions. IELTS examiners check how you use prepositions in collocations, phrasal verbs and prepositional phrases!

Let’s consider the expressions in the picture. Which preposition, ‘BY’ or ‘FROM’, should be used in each phrase?

Collocations are phrases with two or more words that always go together, and can be made in a variety of ways:
-with prepositions: ‘at first’ ‘on closer inspection’ ‘without doubt’
-verb + noun: ‘take a break’ ‘see a doctor’
-adjective + noun: ‘complete support’ ‘a close call’
-verb + verb: ‘try to relax’ ‘allowed to use’
-adverb + adjective: ‘absolutely fabulous’ ‘utterly hopeless’

IELTS test structure

Both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training cover all four language skills: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. Each section of the test is outlined below.

Listening (30 minutes)

You will listen to four recorded texts, monologues and conversations by a range of native speakers, and write their answers to a series of questions. These include questions which test the ability to understand main ideas and detailed factual information, ability to understand the opinions and attitudes of speakers, ability to understand the purpose of what is said and ability to follow the development of ideas. A variety of voices and native-speaker accents is used and you will hear each section only once.

*The Listening component is the same for both Academic and General Training versions.

Section 1
A conversation between two people set in an everyday social context, e.g. a conversation in an accommodation agency.

Section 2
A monologue set in an everyday social context, e.g. a speech about local facilities.

Section 3
A conversation between a maximum of four people set in an educational or training context, e.g. a university tutor and a student discussing an assignment.

Section 4
A monologue on an academic subject, e.g. a university lecture.

Reading (60 minutes)

The Reading component consists of 40 questions. A variety of question types is used in order to test a wide range of reading skills. These include reading for gist, reading for main ideas, reading for detail, skimming, understanding logical argument, recognizing writers’ opinions, attitudes and purpose.

Reading - Academic

The Academic version includes three long texts which range from the descriptive and factual to the discursive and analytical. The texts are authentic and are taken from books, journals, magazines and newspapers. These have been selected for a non-specialist audience but are recognisably appropriate for anyone entering undergraduate or postgraduate courses or those seeking professional registration.

Reading - General Training

The General Training version requires you to read extracts from books, magazines, newspapers, notices, advertisements, company handbooks and guidelines. These are materials you are likely to encounter on a daily basis in an English speaking environment.

Writing (60 minutes)

Writing - Academic

The Writing component of the Academic version includes two tasks. Topics are of general interest to, and suitable for anyone entering undergraduate or postgraduate studies or seeking professional registration.

Task 1

You will be presented with a graph, table, chart or diagram and will be asked to describe, summarise or explain the information in your own words. You may be asked to explain data, the stages of a process, how something works or describe an object or event.

Task 2

You will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. Responses to both tasks must be written in a formal style.

General Training

The Writing component of the General Training version includes two tasks which are based on topics of general interest.

Task 1

You will be presented with a situation and will be asked to write a letter requesting information or explaining the situation. The letter may be personal, semi-formal or formal in style.

Task 2

You will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. The essay can be slightly more personal in style than the Academic Writing Task 2 essay.

Speaking (11 to 14 minutes)

The Speaking component assesses your use of spoken English, and takes between 11 and 14 minutes to complete. Every test is recorded.

*The Speaking component is the same for both Academic and General Training versions.

Part 1

You will be asked to answer general questions about yourself and a range of familiar topics, such as your home, family, work, studies and interests. This part lasts between four and five minutes.

Part 2

You will be given a card which asks you to talk about a particular topic. You will have one minute to prepare before speaking for up to two minutes. The examiner then asks you one or two questions on the same topic to finish this part of the test.

Part 3

You will be asked further questions connected to the topic in Part 2. These questions give you an opportunity to discuss more abstract issues and ideas. This part lasts between four and five minutes.

The Speaking component is delivered in such a way that does not allow you to rehearse set responses beforehand.

Did you know? Results will be available 13 calendar days after the test. At some test centers, test takers can collect their results on the 13th day. At other test centers results are mailed to test takers on the 13th day. Test centers are not permitted to give results out over the phone or by scan or email. Preview of your results is available online 13 calendar days after the test. Results will remain online for 28 days. Please note that the online preview of your results should not be used as an official confirmation of your performance.

Idiom Time:
Idiom is 'ball-park figure'. 'Ball-park figure' means rough estimate. An example is "Can you give me a ball-park figure of how much these textbooks will cost?" Share your own example in the comments section below!

IELTS SPEAKING TIP: PART 2
Use the one minute preparation time: make notes to remind you what to say about all the points given. Remember that the notes are just ideas, you don't have to write full sentences, don't worry about spelling, just find the way to write notes that suits you best.

Try it now with the task in the picture!
* Time yourself for one minute to write notes
* Record yourself speaking about the topic for two minutes.
* Listen to the recording: did you talk about all four points on the card?

IELTS Writing Tip: Pay attention to the minimum word limit. If you write less than 150 words for Task 1 and less than 250 for Task 2, you will lose marks.

IELTS Result Sample:

IELTS Reading Tip

IELTS Certificate Validity:
Your results have a recommended validity of two years from the date of your test. This is because research has shown that language skills of individuals may improve or decrease after two years

Improve Your Reading Skills

IELTS Test Format