Your Pathway to a good IELTS score:

BONY ADNAN

Editor, Bdaily News 24 English

If you are planning to study abroad or get a job in a foreign country one mandatory requirement that most people struggle with is the IELTS test  The fear of Ielts can be seen everywhere in the country from a highschooler planning to do bachelors in canada usa or europe to middle aged men planning to get a workers visa The term IELTS stands for International English Language test It’s a well known way to prove your English language skill ! The test originally is of two types 1.general IELTS(Mostly for immigration and work related visa) 2.Academic IELTS ( As the name suggests for academic purposes ) In this article we will be mostly talking about the academic Ielts  .

Knowing The Test

The test is divided in four sections 1.listening 2.reading 3.Writing and 4.Speaking

Listening

Duration: half-hour



This section of the IELTS test involves taking note of four recordings of native English speakers then you’ll got to answer questions supported what was said.

Recording 1: A conversation between two people in an everyday social context.

Recording 2: A monologue in an everyday social context e.g. a speech.

Recording 3: A conversation between up to four people in an academic or training context like a college student and professor discussing an assignment.

Recording 4: A monologue on a tutorial subject e.g. university lecture.

Your success during this section will depend upon how well you understood the most ideas, opinions and attitudes of the speakers.

Instructions: For part one among the listening exam you would like to finish the shape below using the knowledge you hear on the recording. Answers must not be longer than three words and/or variety . this is often a ‘form completion’ sort of test but there are other styles which may be used:



Multiple choice

Matching

Plan, map, diagram labelling

Form, note, table, flow-chart, summary completion

Sentence completion

Short answer questions

How is that the listening component marked?
Each component of the IELTS exam is marked out of 40, as is that the listening section. The scores are categorised employing a band rating system of 0-9, as shown below. One mark is awarded for every correct answer. remember that markers will penalise poor spelling and grammar even within the listening a part of the exam.

 

When taking the test, you'll note your answers on the question paper, but you then have an extra ten minutes at the top to transfer them to a solution sheet.

What about the academic reading section?


Duration: hour



The purpose of the reading section is to check your ability to read for detail, the most ideas, attitudes, opinions, and logical arguments. Texts will usually be taken from magazines, books, journals and newspapers. they'll also contain diagrams, graphs or illustrations.



In this a part of the exam, you'll be given a variety of long descriptive, factual, discursive or analytical texts. you'll then answer a complete of 40 questions on the passages to point out your comprehension of the writing.



You can find sample reading questions and answers on the IELTS website.



As with the listening test, you'll receive a erase of 40 with each question receiving one mark. This score will then be slotted into the band scoring categories from 0-9.



Academic reading tests can also contain harder vocabulary and sophisticated phrasing than the overall Training Reading test. Again, there are several sorts of test styles including:

Multiple choice

Identifying information

Identifying writer’s claims/views

Matching information

Matching headings

Matching features

Matching sentence endings



Below is an example question where you're required to spot which paragraph contains the subsequent descriptions.

 

No extra time is allowed for transferring answers in this section of the test. So, make sure you allow

The IELTS test writing section

Duration: one hour



There are two writing tasks included within the writing section and both must be completed during this a part of the exam.



Task 1: you'll be asked to explain some visual information like a graph or diagram in your own words. you'll then have 20 minutes to write down approximately 150 words. this might be a diagram of a machine, where you would like to elucidate how it works. you'll be penalised if your answer is just too short, so attempt to write as on the brink of 150 words as possible.



Task 2: Within 40 minutes, you'll got to write 250 words in response to an argument, problem or point of view. This a part of the exam counts for the foremost marks, so confirm you stick with the suggested timings. you'll tend a specific topic to write down about here so confirm you're specific as you'll lose marks for being too general.



For each task, answers got to be written call at full rather than bullet points.

 

What types of questions do they ask in the IELTS writing section? 

  

 

 

 

Marking
Examiners use the following marking criteria and rubric to judge your test:

Task achievement (task 1)

How accurately and appropriately the task is answered.

Task response (task 2)

Ideas should be supported by evidence. you'll use examples from your own experience.

Coherence and cohesion

The clarity and fluency of your writing like the organisation of ideas.

Lexical resource

How accurately and appropriately a variety of vocabulary is employed .

Grammatical range and accuracy

Accurate use of grammar.

Find specific feedback in reference to the marking criteria for the above model answers.

or this within the allotted hour .

The IELTS speaking test
Test duration: 11-14 minutes

As you would possibly expect, the speaking section assesses your spoken English ability.

There are three parts to the present test:

Part 1: An examiner will ask you questions on familiar topics like work, studies, home, hobbies etc.

Part 2: Here, you would like to answer questions on a specific topic presented to you on a card. you've got one minute to organize then two minutes to talk . The examiner will then ask follow-up questions on this subject and your answers.

Part 3: Further questions are going to be asked on the subject covered partially two supplying you with the prospect to speak in additional detail. This a part of the test takes four-five minutes.

Marking and assessment
Examiners use the subsequent criteria to put students’ grades into the IELTS bands:

Fluency and coherence

Speaking with continuity and energy , linking ideas and language together to make coherent speech which involves logical syntax , narration or argument and linguistic devices like pronouns and conjunctions.

Lexical resource

Using a range of vocabulary and precision in expressing ideas or attitudes. the variability of words used is vital .

Grammatical range and accuracy

Length and complexity of spoken sentences and range of structures

Pronunciation

The ability to be understood when speaking without an excessive amount of strain from the listener.

So now the question is how does one Ace the IELTS ?

GETTING A GOOD SCORE
Getting a good score is quite easily Even easier than the english exams we are used to taking in our schools. The test is just gonna examine how well you understand the language and should be easy enough right? But the problem is many people think it as some kinda exam that you can study really hard and get a good score within months . No IELTS doesn’t work that way if you don’t know english all that well, No matter how many things you memorise or how many hours you study it won’t just work .
Taking Your TIme
Start the preparation a bit early not just before the month of your exam if you have a year in hand or so start by listening to english podcasts .watch a lot of english films try to understand what they are saying without translation it in your mind that’s a really bad habit ! If you have trouble getting what they are saying turn on the subtitles it’s nothing to be ashamed of Here are a few Tv shows that i personally think would help you !
1. Friends
Want to learn english in a sarcastic way? This is propably the best show for you the cast all has sarcastic personalities and that will help you understand humors better in english also will increase you vocublary significantly!
Vocabulary to look out for: “We were on a break”
Meaning: A ‘break’ is when two people during a relationship are separated for a period of your time .
2. Grace and Frankie
3. Brooklyn 99
Brooklyn 99 may be a fun twist on a daily American “cop show.” It’s a lighthearted sitcom made from short 30-minute episodes and adorable characters.
4. Stranger Things
You’ve probably heard of the addictive SCI-FI series, Stranger Things, but have you thought about watching in its original English? Yes, a number of the kids’ slang words could be a touch bit hard to know , but, generally , children speak tons slower and clearer than adults, making the series pretty easy to follow.
5. Russian Doll
Vocabulary to look out for: “Grilled cheese”
Meaning: A fried cheese sandwich, which is Jane's favourite food in the show.
7. The Good Place
The premise for the good place might be a little strange,And some even might find it a bit odd as it takes place in a fictional ‘Good Place’ that represents heaven, the great Place may be a great show for improving your English vocabulary.
Vocabulary to look out for: "Forked up"
Meaning: You can’t inaugurate the 'Good Place', so common bad language is replaced by similar sounding words.
8. Modern Family
Like with ‘Stranger Things’, the simplest thing about learning English with Modern Family is that the majority of the cast are children.
Start reading english newspaper and read a lot of books in english this will help you improve your reading skills also build up your vocabulary . And the vocabulary you learn, use them in real life scenarios .Also try to think in english ! A trick I use is whenever I see something I try describing the thing in english in my mind !
Last minute preparation
A month before the exam start taking mock tests this will build up your confidence and help you understand the test better and help you to learn from your mistakes Also you might take a IELTS course if you are still afraid there are tons of coachings providing such courses .