IELTS Tips and Strategies Your Blueprint to Success a Complete Study Guide

By Ardin Ramani

IELTS TIPS AND STRATEGIES, YOUR BLUEPRINT TO SUCCESS e-book, is designed for IELTS students who want to build their confidence, familiarise themselves with the IELTS test format and who want to succeed in their IELTS exam.

This e-book is recommended for anyone who wants to reach IELTS score 6.5 and above in the test.

All aspects of the IELTS test are covered in a simply written, easy to understand and very user-friendly format.

Benefits: there are tips and strategies on every page including practice speaking test questions to really help students consolidate what they have learnt.

Most authors write one IELTS book for writing, one for reading and so on. This e-book covers all four skills, so you don’t have to buy four separate books.

This IELTS e-book provides you with all the tips and strategies needed to pass your IELTS test with confidence and ease, to help you achieve a high score.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Oct 9, 2016
• ISBN: 9781365438585

Book preview

IELTS Tips and Strategies Your Blueprint to Success a Complete Study Guide

IELTS TIPS AND STRATEGIES

YOUR BLUEPRINT TO SUCCESS

A COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE

Copyright

IELTS Tips and Strategies Your Blueprint to Success

A Complete Study Guide

Copyright © 2016 by Dr. Ardin Ramani

Akadia Learning Center

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review or scholarly journal.

First printing: 2016

ISBN: 978-1-365-43858-5

Akadia Learning Center (Online School)

www.akadialearningcenter.com

CHAPTER 1 IELTS Overview

IELTS is a test of English ability run by Cambridge English Language Assessment, the British Council, and IDP Education. It is the most popular English language test for higher education and immigration.

IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System.

There are two versions of the IELTS, the Academic version and the General Training version. Test takers will take either the IELTS Academic test or the IELTS General Training test depending on their goals.

Both versions are broken down into four modules that test four skills:

Listening [30 minutes] – four sections

Reading [60 minutes] – three sections

Writing [60 minutes] –Task 1 and Task 2

Speaking [11 to 14 minutes] – three sections

Why take the IELTS?

The two most common reasons to take the IELTS are:

1. It is a requirement to enrol in an academic institution like a university.

The IELTS is accepted by most UK, Australian, Canadian, New Zealand, and South African academic institutions and over 3,000 U.S. academic institutions.

2. It is a requirement to immigrate to and / or work in some English speaking countries.

The IELTS is also a requirement for immigration to Australia and New Zealand. It is accepted by the Canadian immigration authority as well.

Which version should I take?

Usually universities and academic institutions require the Academic version. Professionals such as doctors and nurses might also have to take the Academic version to practice in an English speaking country.

On the other hand, immigration authorities usually require the General Training version. The General Training version is for people looking to gain non-academic work experience or training and / or immigrate to an English speaking country.

These are just generalizations though. Test takers should confirm which test they should be taking before they prepare for it and actually take the test.

The IELTS Academic Test V.S. The IELTS General Training Test

The listening module and the speaking module are the exact same for both tests. The reading and writing modules differ depending on which version you take.

Academic Version

Listening (Same for General and Academic versions)

Four sections, one audio for each section (monologue or conversation), 40 questions, 30 minutes

Academic Reading

Three sections, one long text for each section, texts are taken from real sources, 40 questions, 60 minutes

Academic Writing

Two tasks, Task 1 (describe a graph, chart, diagram, or table) at least 150 words, Task 2 (short essay - usually responding to an argument) at least 250 words, 60 minutes

Speaking (Same for General and Academic versions)

One on one interview, three sections (answering short questions, talking about a general topic, and a discussion), 11 to 14 minutes

General Training Version

Listening (Same for General and Academic versions)

Four sections, one audio for each section (monologue or conversation), 40 questions, 30 minutes

General Training Reading

Three sections, section one (two or three short texts), section two (two short work related texts), section three (one long text), all texts are taken from real sources, 40 questions, 60 minutes

General Training Writing

Two tasks, Task 1 (writing a letter) at least 150 words, Task 2 (short essay) at least 250 words, 60 minutes

Speaking (Same for General and Academic versions)

One on one interview, three sections (answering short questions, talking about a general topic, and a discussion), 11 to 14 minutes

How is the IELTS scored?

For each module (listening, reading, writing, speaking) the test taker is given a band score of 0 to 9.  All of the band scores for the modules are averaged to give a final band score of 0 to 9.

The band score is in increments of 0.5, so you can get a 6 or a 6.5, a 7, or a 7.5.

A band score of 0 means the test taker did not attempt the test. A band score of 9 means the test taker is fluent in English and is an expert user of the language.

A band score of 4 means the test taker has difficulty with complex language and can only use English for familiar situations.

A band score of 7 means the test taker makes some mistakes, but can use complex language and can understand, as well as respond to, logical arguments.

What band score will I need