2. WHAT IS IELTS?????
IELTS, or International English Language
Testing System, is an
international standardised test of English
language proficiency.
IELTS is the world's leading test of English
for higher education, immigration and
employment.
It is jointly managed by University of
Cambridge ESOL Examinations,
the British Council and IDP Education Pty
Ltd, and was established in 1989.
3. WHY IT IS HELPFUL??????
IELTS is accepted by most Australian, British,
Canadian, Irish, New Zealand and South
African academic institutions, over 3,000
academic institutions in the United States, and
various professional organisations. It is also a
requirement for immigration to Australia,
New Zealand and Canada
6. Reading.....
The reading test is considered by many to be the most
difficult part of IELTS.
You have to read 3 long sections, each with multiple
paragraphs, and answer 40 questions (13 to 14 per
section).
No extra time is given at the end to transfer your answers
to the answer sheet.
Answer all questions. There is no negative marking for
incorrect answers.
7. The most important thing to understand is that the test does NOT assess your
comprehension of the paragraphs. It does NOT test how well you have
understood the passage. It tests specific skills called Scanning and Skimming.
SCANNING SKIMMIN
Scanning is what one does, for Skimming refers to reading a
example, when looking for a paragraph QUICKLY to get an
phone number in a directory. You idea of what it is about, without
know the specific information trying to understand its details.
you are looking for and you go This technique is part of the
down the page quickly to find it. initial reading. (It can be
This technique is used when modified (reading a little slower)
answering questions such as to answer "Provide headings for
multiple-choice and matching. the paragraphs" ,
You scan the passage to quickly Question: "In which paragraph
find the information mentioned does this information appear in
in the question. Once you find it, the text?" and "Author's views"
you get the answer from the type of questions.
passage and write it against the
question.
8. Some important reading tips....
first read all the questions quickly to get an idea of what type of information
is required and whether scanning or skimming (or a combination of the two) is
called for. As you read the questions, use a pencil to underline important
information such as dates, places and names.
Once you are through with reading all the questions, skim over the text and
underline / mark important parts. If you see any information relating to the
questions, mark it straight away. You may even be able to answer some
questions as you read.
Answer the questions one by one with the help of the underlined parts of the
text. Having read the text once, you will find it easy to find specific
information by scanning.
As soon as you find an answer, write it against the question on the question
paper because you will not get extra time to transfer your answer to the
answer sheet.
9. Question pattern of reading test
Multiple choice
Short-answer questions
Sentence completion
Notes/ summary/ diagram/ flow chart/ table completion
Choosing from a "heading bank" for identified
paragraphs/ sections of the text
Identification of writer's views / attitudes/ claims
Classification
Matching lists / phrases
10. Writing...
TASK - 1 TASK - 2
Time: 20-25 minutes Time: 40 minutes
Usually three things asked in the In task 2 you have to write an
essay near about 200 to 250
task 1 & you have to write a words which asks you to present
paragraph about 150 words: an argument for or against of the
topic. A suggested structure for
writing is:
1. Object (eg. a cycle is shown & 1. Introduce the topic and state your stand,
whether you agree or disagree.
various parts are labelled)
2. Give arguments in support of your
2. Process (eg. the various ways in viewpoint supported by relevant
examples. You have to write three
which solar energy is used) things: General trend, Comparisons,
differences.
3. Data; (graphs of all types eg.
3. State the contrary viewpoint and give
line graph, bar graph, pie reasons why you don't agree with it.
charts, tables etc) 4. Conclude with a short concluding
paragraph.
5. If there is time left at the end, revise your
answers and correct any spelling or
grammatical mistakes.
12. Nouns Verbs Phrases Adverbs Adjectives
a rise to rise to show an upward trend sharply sharp
an increase to increase to show a downward trend suddenly sudden
a surge to surge to hit the highest point rapidly rapid
a growth to grow to hit the lowest point abruptly abrupt
a peak to peak to reach a peak dramatically dramatic
to skyrocket to show some fluctuation significantly steep
a fluctuation to fluctuate wildly steadily significant
a variation to fluctuate to remain stable considerably steady
to vary to remain static markedly considerable
a period of to remain unchanged slightly marked
stability to fall to stay constant gently slight
a plateau to decrease to reach a plateau gradually gentle
to decline to level off wildly gradual
a fall to dip to flatten out
a decrease to dive the highest
a decline to plunge the lowest
a dip the second highest
the third highest
compared to
compared with
relative to
VOCABULARY OF WRITING CHARTS
13. Essay present an organized argument that is supported
by examples. In your IELTS essay your exam mark will
be looking for.....
Organized structure with clearly define paragraph
Coherent sentences that link together using linking
phrases
A clear thesis that clearly answer the essay question
Real life examples that support the argument
A clear introduction & conclusion
Adherence to length requirement( minimum 250
words)
15. ANALYSING TASK 2 ESSAYQUESTIONS
Understanding the meaning of an essay question
is essential to writing a solid essay is essential to
writing a solid essay in response. For all essay
question, you should first pinpoint these 3
attributes:
1. Scope
2. Keywords
3. Instruction words
16. DISCUSSION OF A SAMPLE
QUESTION TASK 2
Technology is becoming increasingly prevalent in the world today. Given time, technology
will completely replace the teacher in the classroom. Do you agree or disagree with this
statement?
Scope: Scope involves the topic that can & cannot be include in your
written response. In this example essay question, the scope is
‘technology’ & ‘education’ related topics. We cannot write anything
outside of this scope. We should write our essay’s intro, body,
conclusion & examples relation with the scope.
Keywords: keywords are the words in the question which tell us how the
various ideas relate together. Here we see the phrase ‘increasingly
prevalent’. What does this tell us about the technology? We also see ‘
completely replace’. What is the connection? To write the essay we
should think first about the keywords how the connect with the topic
making examples & finally put your thought into words.
17. DISCUSSION OF A SAMPLE
QUESTION TASK 2
Technology is becoming increasingly prevalent in the world today. Given time, technology
will completely replace the teacher in the classroom. Do you agree or disagree with this
statement?
Instruction word: finally we need to locate the instruction words. Where is the question
telling us to do something? Here:
Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
to answer this question properly we must answer it concisely & directly. To do this we
must use a thesis.
Thesis: An essay’s thesis is the most important sentence in the entire essay. Because it is the
sentence that states our opinion in relation to what is being asked of us by the essay
question. Thus. In the example question above our thesis can only be one of two thing:
It is agree that technology will replace teachers in the classroom?
Or
It is not agree that technology will replace teachers in the classroom?
Prepare sample answer in our mind, point out what are you going to write in each
paragraph.
Use few fords from essay question, try to vary your vocabulary as much as you can
Try to give relevant examples.
18. Listening tips....
The questions are in SETS and you hear tape recording
for one set at a time.
Glance through the SET of questions for which you will
be hearing the tape.
Read the questions & find out what SPECIFIC information
is required (name, place, date, number etc)
Circle key words (Clue/trigger words)
When the tape plays listen intently when you think your
specific information will come.
In each section they will give you some time to recheck
the answer & read out the question try to read the
question on that time that will very helpful to find the
answer later when the tape start
19. Speaking....
The test consists of three parts.
In Part 1 the candidate answers general questions about themselves,
their homes/ families, their jobs/studies, their interests, and a range
of similar familiar topic areas. This part lasts between four and five
minutes.
In Part 2 the candidate is given a verbal prompt on a card and is
asked to talk on a particular topic. The candidate has one minute to
prepare before speaking at length, for between one and two
minutes. The examiner then asks one or two rounding-off questions.
In Part 3 the examiner and candidate engage in a discussion of more
abstract issues and concepts which are thematically linked to the
topic prompt in Part 2. The discussion lasts between four and five
minutes.
20. THANK YOU
All materials are taken from British council study
material, IELTS Cambridge book.