Tag Archives: IELTS test

Frequently Asked Questions about the IELTS test part 1.

info-31185_1280During all my years of teaching, there have been certain questions about IELTS that I hear time and time again.  In these next three posts, I’d like to deal with some of these frequently asked questions.

First of all:

·         What level of English do I need to ‘pass IELTS’?

It is very common for people to talk about ‘passing IELTS’.  Please remember that there is actually no pass or fail in IELTS; candidates are given a Band Score of 0-9.

Below I have given you a list of the band descriptors which I have taken from the official IELTS website.

Band 9: Expert user: has fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete understanding.

Band 8: Very good user: has fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriacies. Misunderstandings may occur in unfamiliar situations. Handles complex detailed argumentation well.

Band 7: Good user: has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally handles complex language well and understands detailed reasoning.

Band 6: Competent user: has generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings. Can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations.

Band 5: Modest user: has partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most situations, though is likely to make many mistakes. Should be able to handle basic communication in own field.

Band 4: Limited user: basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Has frequent problems in understanding and expression. Is not able to use complex language.

Band 3: Extremely limited user: conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur.

Band 2: Intermittent user: no real communication is possible except for the most basic information using isolated words or short formulae in familiar situations and to meet immediate needs. Has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English.

Band 1: Non-user: essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words.

Band 0: Did not attempt the test: No assessable information provided.

Please be aware, however, that the IELTS test is pitched at intermediate level and above.


·         How do I know when my English is of a good enough level to get the band score I need?

For reading and listening, you can do various practice tests to get an idea of your Band level

Every reading or listening paper has 40 questions and each question is worth one point

The official IELTS website tells you the way to calculate your likely band score in reading and listening based on the number of correct answers you get.

IELTS Academic Reading

The *average number of correct answers for various band scores is as follows:

  • 15/40 is a band score of 5
  • 23/40 is a band score of 6
  • 30/40 is a band score of 7
  • 35/40 is a band score of 8

IELTS General Training Reading

The *average number of correct answers for various band scores is as follows.

  • 15/40 is a band score of 4
  • 23/40 is a band score of 5
  • 30/40 is a band score of 6
  • 34/40 is a band score of 7

IELTS Listening

The *average number of correct answers for various band scores is as follows.

  • 16/40 is a band score of 5
  • 23/40 is a band score of 6
  • 30/40 is a band score of 7
  • 35/40 is a band score of 8

*Please be very careful with IELTS band score calculators. Although all test materials are pretested, there are sometimes small differences in the difficulty level of tests.  As a result, the number of correct answers needed to get a particular band score is based on how difficult a particular test paper is.  Hence the reason why I use the word ‘average’.

In order to get an idea of your writing and speaking band level, you also need to do some practice tests but you will need feedback from a professional about your performance.

If you are interested in me marking some practice writing tests or conducting a practice speaking test on skype, please contact me through my contact page to discuss prices.

Please note that I will be using the public version band descriptors from the official IELTS website.

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Here’s to the best IELTS score possible!

What’s the best way to do a practice IELTS Reading Test?

reader-310398_150When I give students a practice IELTS Reading test, either Academic or General, I follow a certain procedure in class so that students get maximum benefit from doing the practice test.  I also advise students to follow this procedure at home.

Before we start, we have to think about why we do practice IELTS tests.  One reason is to get an idea of what the test is like and of the different task types etc.  The other is the same as any other activity you do in the English language; to improve your English.  Before I talk about my guidelines, I cannot stress the importance of doing as many practice exercises as possible in order to improve your English.

Over the years, I have taught from many different IELTS books and I always recommend that my students purchase Adams & Austen IELTS books. These books contain so many useful practice exercises for IELTS, which help you improve your English, and also IELTS practice tests.

OK, so on to my guidelines for doing practice tests.

The IELTS Reading Test

  • First of all, you have to find a test to do; either from this site or from Adams & Austen.
  • Next, get yourself in ‘IELTS examination’ mode.  You may be at home, but we have to make this as authentic as possible; turn the TV off, turn the phone off, make sure you won’t be disturbed by your flatmate or your kids, have a couple of pens ready.  As well as the practice test, I suggest you also have an IELTS Reading Test answer sheet.
  • Now sit down and do the reading test exactly as instructed, making sure your note your start and finish time.  The test is 60 minutes long, don’t forget to write your answers directly on the answer sheet as unlike the listening test, you are not given extra transfer time at the end.

Now, grab a cup of tea or coffee and your dictionary; this is where the hard work begins!

  • Mark your answers against the answer key.
  • If you got an answer incorrect, look at the text again and see why it is incorrect and why the answer in the answer key is the correct one.
  • Read section 1 again, this time you may use your dictionary.  Look up any vocabulary you don’t understand and write it in your notebook.  Note how the new vocabulary is used in context.  Look for other word forms (noun, adjective, verb etc) of the word in your dictionary.
  • Repeat this last point for sections 2 and 3.  Take short breaks between the different sections.

My students have always found this method very useful both for practising IELTS and improving their English.

Here’s to the best IELTS score possible!

A best IELTS sample General Training Writing Task 1 question.

depositphotos_7932028-Quill-pen-and-ink-well-with-paper-scrollHere’s a sample General Training Writing Task 1 question.  The question is taken from Cambridge IELTS 7, 2009.

WRITING TASK 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

Last month you had a holiday overseas where you stayed with some friends.  They have just sent you some photos of your holiday.

Write a letter to your friends.  In your letter

  • Thank them for the photos and for the holiday
  • Explain why you didn’t write earlier
  • Invite them to come and stay with you

 

Write at least 150 words.

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear ……….,

 

Here’s to the best IELTS score possible!

A best IELTS sample General Training Writing Task 2 essay question.

depositphotos_7932028-Quill-pen-and-ink-well-with-paper-scrollHere’s a sample General Training Writing Task 2 essay question.  The question is taken from Cambridge IELTS 7, 2009.

WRITING TASK 2

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Some people feel that entertainers (e.g. film stars, pop musicians or sports stars) are paid too much money.

Do you agree or disagree?

Which other types of job should be highly paid?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge and/or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

 

Here’s to the best IELTS score possible!

Best IELTS Writing Expressions

depositphotos_7932028-Quill-pen-and-ink-well-with-paper-scrollOne of the criteria the Examiner assesses your writing on in the IELTS Writing Test is Coherence and Cohesion; that is the devices you use to put your writing together to make it flow as a piece of writing.

One of the ‘devices’ you can employ to improve your coherence and cohesion in your essays is to use certain key words and expressions.  These key words and expressions, known as discourse markers, help show the direction of the argument and shape your writing.

In this post, I have given you a list of expressions you can use for different purposes in your IELTS Writing.  These expressions, used correctly, help add variety and interest to your writing.

So how do I recommend you use these expressions?  I suggest you write out the words from each group in a sentence so that you know how to use them in context use a good English-English dictionary / grammar book to help you with this)

Once you have a list of the words in context, I suggest you learn to use three / four expressions from each group.  There is no need to use all of the expressions; you only have to know a few for each purpose so that they come to mind easily during the test.

 

Key Words and Expressions for IELTS Writing.

 

Stating Your Opinion

In my opinion,

I think

In my view,

I believe

From my point of view,

It seems to me that

I suppose

From my perspective

I understand

It appears that

I feel

To my way of thinking

I imagine

 

Giving Examples

For example,

For instance,

such as

In other words,

as

like

that is

namely

To illustrate

 

Comparing

Similar to

As…as

also

Either…or

In the same way,

Neither…nor

At the same time

Just as

 

Contrasting

However,

But

On the contrary,

On the other hand,

Nevertheless

Although

Though

Otherwise

Instead

Alternatively,

Even though

 

Generalising

Generally,

Generally speaking,

Overall,

On the whole,

In general,

All in all,

Basically,

Essentially,

As a rule,

All things considered

 

Expressing Certainty

Certainly,

Undoubtedly,

Doubtless,

No doubt,

Definitely,

Of course,

 

Expressing Partial Agreement

More or less,

To some extent,

Up to a point,

Almost,

In a way,

So to speak,

Showing cause (the reason why something happens)

Due to

Because

Because of

Owing to

 

Showing effect (the result of a situation)

Therefore,

As a result,

Consequently,

For this reason,

Thus,

So,

Hence,

The reason why

 

Marking time and the sequence of events

First,

Second,

Third,

Firstly,

Secondly,

Thirdly,

During

To begin with

Simultaneously

Since

Afterwards

When

Last

Lastly,

Then,

First of all,

Before

After

While

At the same time

After this / that

Meanwhile

Following this

As soon as

 

Adding Information

Furthermore

In addition

Also

And

Moreover

Similarly

Likewise

As well as

Besides

What’s more

Expressing condition

If

In case

Provided that

Whether

Unless

So that

 

Concluding

To summarise

To sum up

In conclusion

Lastly,

Finally,

To conclude with,

In short,

 

Becoming familiar with how to use some of these expressions in context will help improve your IELTS Writing.

Here’s to the best IELTS score possible!

Best IELTS Last Minute Tips for the Writing Test

depositphotos_7932028-Quill-pen-and-ink-well-with-paper-scrollI often receive emails from readers of this site saying something on the lines of ‘Help, I have my IELTS Test this Saturday, what can I do?’

This is the third post in my series ‘Best IELTS last minute tips’.  You can also check out my Listening Test and Reading Test tips.

Now, I think I always make it quite clear that I believe in starting your IELTS Test preparation way in advance of the test but in this post I’m going to give you my best IELTS last minute tips for the Writing Test.

•    Make sure you organise your time carefully during the hour-long Writing Test.  Stick to the following suggested timing:

Task 1 – 20 minutes
Task 2 – 40 minutes

Remember that Task 2 is worth two-thirds of the total marks in the Writing Test  so don’t do what some people have done in the past; spend so long on Task 1 that you have insufficient time for Task 2.

•    There is no rule about which task you do first (as long as they are clearly marked Before the exam think about which task you would prefer to do first; I have had many students who have started with Task 2.  Just make sure you mark your answers clearly on your answer sheet.

•    In Task 2, make sure you organise your time well; this means planning, writing and checking and editing.   Read the article The best IELTS essay writing procedure to look at my suggested timing for each stage.

Planning – 5-10 minutes
Writing – 20-30minutes
Checking and editing – 5-10 minutes

•    In Task 2, before you start planning your essay, always circle the key words in the question.  This will ensure that you stay focussed on the topic.  If you look at the Task 2 Band descriptors in the links section on this site, you will see that one of the criteria the Examiner marks your work on is ‘Task Response’.  Part of getting a good score in ‘Task Response’ is giving a relevant answer.

•    In Task 1, make sure you organise your time well; this means planning, writing and checking and editing.   Read the article The best IELTS essay writing procedure to look at my suggested timing for each stage.

Planning – 3-5 minutes
Writing – 10-15 minutes
Checking and editing – 3-5 minutes

•    When answering Academic Writing Task 1, circle the significant data on the graph. Then choose the order you are going to write about this data. Write the numbers 1, 2, 3 etc. on the graph to help you write the information logically in your answer.

•    When answering General Training Writing Task 1, circle the key words in the question to keep your answer focussed. Make sure you include all of the information requested in the bullet points. Finally, as a general rule, each bullet point will be a separate paragraph in your letter.

Finally, good luck on Saturday!

Here’s to the best IELTS score possible!