IELTS Tutorials & Practice with Shellington

*Answering questions in your Reading Test*

How to approach the different task types:

● Make sure that your answers keep to the word limit stated in the test paper. For example, if you are asked for “NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS”, then do not write more.

● With multiple choice questions, try and use common sense to eliminate some of the answer options.

● When matching headings to paragraphs, read the headings first. Then read the first and last sentence of each paragraph. This is often enough to match headings correctly.

● When gap-filling, read the gapped text carefully and think about both the meaning and grammar of suitable words to fill the gaps.

● Note down your ideas in the gap on the question paper so that when you read the text you are then reading to check your ideas.

● Never leave a gap blank. You do not lose marks for incorrect answers.

In the test…

● Do not forget that you must write your answers directly on your answer sheet. You will not be given extra time to do this at the end of the 60-minute reading test.

● Remember that your written answers need to be grammatically accurate and spelled correctly. You will lose marks for incorrect spelling.

● Think about skipping difficult questions and coming back to them later. If you do this, make sure you highlight the questions you skip so that you can find them again.

For coaching, get hold of me via WhatsApp on 078 3881487.

The Writing Test

The basics

The Writing Test lasts for 60 minutes. You are expected to complete two tasks. You should spend about 20 minutes on task one and about 40 minutes on the second task. Task two is worth twice as many marks as task one.

In Task you have to write at least 150 words while in Task 2 you have to write at least 250 words.

The type of task will depend on whether you are taking the Academic or General Training modules.

General Training module overview:

Task 1:
You will write a letter in response to an everyday situation or problem. For example, you may be asked to request information or explain a situation.

Task 2:
Write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem.

It is very vital to know precisely what the examiner is looking for.

Task 1 - Criteria
The examiner will be interested to see how appropriately, accurately and relevantly you fulfill task requirements.

Task 2 - Task response
Task two asks you to formulate and develop a position in relation to a prompt in the form of a question or statement. Your ideas should be supported by evidence. You may draw examples from your own experience. You should write at least 250 words. If you write few words, you get penalised.

Task 3 - Coherence; Lexical resource; Grammatical range & accuracy

Contact me via WhatsApp on 078 388 1487 and receive expert tuition that will enable you to pass your writing test with a high band score.

The IELTS Reading Test

Tips and advice for getting the score you need:

Knowing how to approach the task is very fundamental. And this is what I suggest:

1. Look carefully at any text title, subtitles or diagrams. This will give you a quick overview of what the text is about.

2. Read the instructions for each task carefully. Check the maximum number of words allowed.

3. Set yourself a time limit to tackle each section.

How to read the texts:

● Keep in mind that your main aim is to locate the answers to the questions. You do not need to read the text slowly and carefully; do not stop to think about every unknown word.

● If a text is organised into paragraphs, a good way to get the general meaning and to familiarise yourself with the overall content is to spend the first 2-3 minutes reading only the first and last sentence of each paragraph.

● Some text types are suited to scan-reading.

- Scan-reading has to do with looking quickly for specific details such as
a fact or particular vocabulary item, e.g. reading a train timetable to find a particular departure time.

For more tips, connect with me via WhatsApp on 078 388 1487.

The IELTS Reading Test

The reading test has 40 questions to answer in total. All questions are equally important and you get one mark for each correct answer. The test lasts for 60 minutes. For the paper-based option, the 60 minutes includes time to copy your answers onto the answer sheet.

Take note that no additional time is given to transfer your answers at the end of 60 minutes.

The content of the test will depend on whether you are taking the Academic or General Training modules.

The Academic module contains three reading texts. Texts come from magazines, journals, books and newspapers and are written for a general or non-specialist audience. Texts may include diagrams, graphs and illustrations.

The General Training module contains three sections of progressively more difficult content.

Section 1 may contain two or three short texts relevant to basic linguistic survival in English, such as public notices, advertisements and timetables.

Section 2 contains two texts which focus on the workplace environment, such as job descriptions, contracts, and staff development and training materials.

Section 3 has one long text designed to test your ability to vooe with longer, more complex passages found in newspapers, magazines, and non-fiction book extracts.

Reach out to me via WhatsApp on 078 388 1487 and get personal tutorials that will enable you to pass your reading test in your first sitting with a remarkable band score.

The IELTS Speaking Test

For you to be able to achieve a high score, it is imperative that you understand the set criteria against which the examiner will rate you.

1. Fluency and coherence

● Key points for fluency are your speed and how fluid and continuously you speak.

● Key points for coherence are how logically you order what you say, and the connecting words and phrases you use between and inside sentences.

2. Lexical resource

● This refers to the range of vocabulary you use and how well you use your vocabulary to express meaning and opinions.

3. Grammatical range and accuracy

● The examiner will be interested to see your accurate and appropriate use of grammar. The less number of grammatical errors you make, the better, seeing that errors impede effective communication.

4. Pronunciation

● The way you say out words shouldn't make it too hard for the listener to understand your speech.

With expert help, you are guaranteed to come out tops in each of these standards.

Reach out and book a session with your IELTS coach, Shellington on +27 78 388 1487

The IELTS Speaking Test

The basics you need to know as a test taker:

The speaking test is a face-to-face interview with an examiner and it lasts 11 to 14 minutes.

The test is in three parts.

In part 1, you answer general questions about yourself, your home, family, job, studies, your interests and a range of familiar topic areas.

In part 2, you will be expected to give a talk of up to two minutes, after which the examiner may ask one or two questions on the same topic.

You base your discourse on a topic card given to you by the examiner and you have one minute to prepare your talk based on the card.

You are free to make some notes and refer to them during your talk if you so wish.

In the final part of the test, the examiner asks you questions which are connected to the topic in part 2. This offers you an opportunity to discuss more abstract ideas and issues.

For more information and tutorials on your Speaking Test, reach out to me via WhatsApp on 078 388 1487.

Tips to boost your IELTS Speaking Test score

Just imagine how you would perform if you knew exactly what the examiner was looking for in your response!

In my next session, I will be sharing tips needed by every test taker whose target is a band 9.0 in their speaking test.

A few of the important things you have to know:

Proper Pronunciation
- The examiner wants to understand every word you are saying.

Use of correct grammatical structures
- The examiner is interested in seeing that you are able to respond to every question with appropriate grammatical structures.

Use of topic-specific vocabulary

With the use of the speaking test rubric, I will show you, step by step, how to score a band 9.0 in your first sitting!

Enroll now for a one-on-one session!

Want to pass your IELTS with a high overall band score?

Then acquire all the prerequisite knowledge and tips you need to ace all your four test aspects.

In record time, I will help get you ready to take your test oozing with confidence!

Contact me via WhatsApp on +27 78 388 1487 and get started now and see the materialisation of your dream of emigrating.

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