IELTS SPEAKING TIPS

IELTS SPEAKING TIPS

*Note that the listening test is the same for the General Training and Academic Module test

There are three parts to the IELTS speaking test, with the whole test taking between 11 and 14 minutes. The test is recorded. At the beginning of the test (before the official test has begun) the examiner will read some details into the recorder (date, name of test centre, candidates name etc). Then the real test begins. Note, however, that it is human nature for the examiner to begin the assessment from the time you meet, so a brief 'Hello' or 'Are you having a busy day?' as you are walking to the test room will give a good first impression.

Part 1 of the IELTS speaking test

In Part 1 of the test, your examiner will ask you questions about yourself. Topics include your hometown, newspaper, music, shopping etc. At this stage, you can speak quite informally, but remember that if you are feeling nervous it can often help to say things that aren't true for you. For example, if you are asked 'Do you often read newspapers?' but in fact you never do, then think of someone you know who does read a newspaper and answer as though you that person.

Part 2 of the IELTS speaking test

In Part 2 of the test, you will be given a topic card and will be expected to talk about it for two minutes. Note that the examiner will say 'one to two minutes', but higher scores are awarded if you can keep going. In an ideal part 2, the examiner will interrupt you and change the subject, which means you have reached the two minutes. Before you talk you will have one minute to prepare what you are going to say. The examiner will give you a paper and pencil to make notes during your preparation time. Remember that when you do start the two minute speech, you can refer to your notes, but don't keep your head down and simply 'read'. Here's an example speaking topic card:

Describe a childhood friend You should say: how you first met how long you were friends what you used to do together and explain why you liked this person.

Part 3 of the IELTS speaking test

In Part 3 of the test, the examiner will ask you to respond on a number of different topics that will be related to the topic card you spoken about in part 2. At this stage, it is important tat your level of vocabulary is raised so you are speaking more formally.

During the test, the examiner is marking your performance based on four scales:

1. Fluency and coherence
2. Lexical resource
3. Grammatical range and accuracy
4. Pronunciation

ILETS LISTENING TIPS 3

 LISTENING TIPS

• Skills for the Listening Module
  
  In the IELTS Listening Module, the recording is played once only. You must, therefore, use a number of strategies to help you listen closely. There are a few main skills you will need to do well in the IELTS Listening Module:
  
  Understanding the instructions
  
  Instructions are both written on the question paper and spoken on the tape. Read and listen to every word in the instructions very carefully. Ensure that you follow them exactly and answer in the correct way.
  
  Previewing and predicting
  
  An announcer will briefly outline:
  the topic
  who is talking
  the situation.

• Try to listen carefully, as this will help you to preview the questions.
  Before the recording begins for each section, you will be given up to 30 seconds to read and become familiar with the questions. Use this time efficiently so that you can prepare yourself to listen for the information you need.
  
  
• Study the question carefully and try to predict what type of answer is required. For example, will it be a date, a name or maybe a number?

• Check the differences between similar-looking pictures or diagrams.

• Look for minor details such as different numbers or omissions.

• In addition to the 30 seconds before each section, you will also be given 30 seconds after each section to look over your answers. If you are satisfied with your answers in the section you have just finished, move on to the next section and use the full 60 seconds for previewing.

Listening for specific information

• Use of previewing and predicting skills will help you listen for the specific information you need to answer the questions in the Listening Module. Listening for key words and common connective words often helps to signal the specific information that you need in order to answer the question. Make sure that, while you are actually writing your answers, you continue to listen to the information given in the recordings as there will not be a second opportunity to hear it.
  
  
  Checking and rewriting

• You are given about 30 seconds after each section to check your answers. Check that all your answers correspond with the given instructions.

• Make sure that you have answered every question. Marks are not deducted for incorrect answers so, if you are unsure of a particular answer, you should guess by writing down what you think is the most likely answer.

• Check that you have included only what is necessary in the answer. At the end of the Listening Module, you are given about 10 minutes to transfer your answers from the question paper onto the answer sheet. Scan your answers to ensure that you have transferred them correctly so that the number on the question paper corresponds with the number on the answer sheet. Be especially careful when transferring answers from tables as sometimes the items are not linearly ordered.

WELCOME

Welcome

Welcome to the IELTSIDEA blogspot site

• You can practise various components of the IELTS exam
• You can make comments and share ideas and opinions with other students.
• You can get tips on how to tackle the IELTS exam.
• You can get information on IELTS test dates.

We hope you enjoy using this site and find it useful!!!!

WRITING MODULE OVERVIEW

Writing Module Overview

Test Format: There are two tasks. Candidates should spend 20 minutes on Task 1 and 40 minutes on Task 2. Task 2 is worth more marks than Task 1.

Task 1 (General Module) 

Candidates are asked to write an informal or formal letter of approximately 150 words.

Task 1 (Academic)
Candidates are asked to write a report describing a graph, table or map.

Task 2: Candidates are asked to write a discursive essay of approximately 250 words.

Timing: Candidates are given 60 minutes to complete both tasks.

READING MODULE OVERVIEW

Reading Module Overview

Module Format: IELTS Academic Reading has 3 passages and 40 items (questions). Each item is worth one mark.

Answer Format : Candidates record their responses on Answer Sheets.

Timing : IELTS reading takes 60 minutes. No extra time is given to transfer your answers to answers sheet. The passages used in the test are based on authentic texts, and are taken from sources such as magazines, journals, books and newspapers.

Length : The total word count for each passage is between 2000 and 2750 words.

LISTENING MODULE OVERVIEW

Listening Module 

Test format

 IELTS Listening has four sections, each with 10 items (or questions). When the tape ends, ten minutes are allowed for candidates to transfer their answers onto an Answer Sheet.

Timing : Approximately 30 minutes plus 10 minutes transfer time.

Marks: Each question carries one mark, giving a total of 40 marks.

Listening Texts: The first two sections are concerned with social needs. The final two sections are concerned with situations related more closely to educational or training contexts.

Recordings :  Each section is played ONCE only. The recordings include a range of accents, including British, Australian, New Zealand and American.

 

SPEAKING MODULE OVERVIEW

Speaking Module

 

General Points

An interview takes place between one examiner and one candidate for between 11 and 14 minutes. The candidate’s speaking is assessed on fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation.

Speaking test format

 Part 1
Examiner and candidate introduce themselves, candidate answers general questions on familiar topics e.g. family, job, studies, free-time etc.about 4 to 5 minutes
Part 2
Candidate asked to speak on a given topic (information is written on a task card) for 1-2 minutes. One minute of preparation in which the candidate can make notes is allowed.4 minutes
Part 3
Discussion on more abstract issue related to the chosen topic in part 2 of the test.about 4 to 5 minutesListening