Mohammad S Alsoufi

BSc, MSc, PhD Candidate

February 2010
IELTS Preparation
What is IELTS?
Test Format and Band Scores
Listening
Academic Reading
Academic Writing
Speaking
How to Apply
Visit WWW for Help
Books for IELTS
Outlines
What is IELTS
IELTS is the International English Language Testing System
Designed to assess the English language ability of people who intend to study
or work where English is the language of communication
Total test time 2 hours and 45 minutes excluding brakes
Test Format & Band Scores
Candidates are tested in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking
Listening, Reading and Writing must be completed in one day without break
Speaking can be completed within 7 days before or after the main test day
Test Format & Band Scores
Test Format & Band Scores
IELTS Band Score
Listening
Listening
The listening material is recorded on a cassette tape which you will hear only
ONEC !!
A range of English accent are used
At the end, Candidates will be given 10 minutes to copy the answers onto the
answer sheet
Spelling is important can use both British and American spelling
Answer sheet has two sides
One for Listening test
One for Reading test
30 Minutes
04 Sections
40 Items
Listening
When count words Prepositions (in, of, to, at, etc) and Articles (a, an, the) do
counts as a words
Each question is worth one mark
The problem Getting lost !!
The solution Read ahead !!
30 Minutes
04 Sections
40 Items
Before Listening:
Read the questions
Look at all the questions in each section
Read the instructions carefully
Known the form of your answer
Decide what listening for
Predict the answer
Time available (20-30s 15s 30s)
30 Minutes
04 Sections
40 Items
Listening
To do well in listening:
Key words
Main topic
Synonyms
30 Minutes
04 Sections
40 Items
Listening
Listening
30 Minutes
04 Sections
40 Items
Section 1: Conversation (Two Speakers based on social and semi-official
context)
Section 2: Monologue (A talk by a single speaker based on a non-academic
situation, e.g. in a film, play etc)
Section 3: Conversation (Four Speakers - based on academic topics or course-
related situations)
Section 4: Lecture

Listening
30 Minutes
04 Sections
40 Items
Types of questions
Label the diagram
Listening
30 Minutes
04 Sections
40 Items
Types of questions
Complete the table must fill all gaps with answers to get one mark
Listening
30 Minutes
04 Sections
40 Items
Types of questions
Fill in the blank write no more than three words and/or a number for each
answer
Listening
30 Minutes
04 Sections
40 Items
Types of questions
Write a short answer write no more than five words
Listening
30 Minutes
04 Sections
40 Items
PAY ATTENTION !!!
In Numbers: 00 sometimes is read as double 0 instead of zero-zero
The Last Word Counts:



Generalizations:
Listening
30 Minutes
04 Sections
40 Items
PAY ATTENTION !!!
For multiple-choice questions
Listening
30 Minutes
04 Sections
40 Items
PAY ATTENTION !!!
Copy the Examples Style
Example 1: 55% means (55%) not (55 Percent or fifty five percent)
Example 2: First means (First) not (1st or 1)
Example 3: always write the full version of Prof. June Professor June
Academic Reading
Academic Reading
60 Minutes
03 Sections
40 Items
All candidates are required to read three texts of between 500 and 900 words
each
The texts and questions increase in difficulty
The answer and the record on the answer sheet within the 60 minutes
(Remember the guy with ZERO score)
Each question is worth one mark
No penalty for wrong answers
Spelling is important - can use both British and American spelling
Academic Reading
60 Minutes
03 Sections
40 Items
Texts are taken from books, magazines, journals and newspapers, all written for
a non-specialist audience
At least one of the text contains a detailed argument
The problem Not having enough time
The Solution Time management
15-20-25 rule (13+2, 18+2, 23+2)
Academic Reading
60 Minutes
03 Sections
40 Items
Types of questions
Summary Completion
60 Minutes
03 Sections
40 Items
Academic Reading
Types of questions
Matching headings to paragraphs
Types of questions
Identifying the writers views
Academic Reading
60 Minutes
03 Sections
40 Items
Types of questions
True/False/Not Given



PAY ATTENTION !!!
Each paragraph usually contains an answer to one question. For example, if
Q.1 in Paragraph A, then Q.2 will probable be in Paragraph B
Academic Reading
60 Minutes
03 Sections
40 Items
Types of questions
Multiple choice
Academic Reading
60 Minutes
03 Sections
40 Items
Types of questions
Table completion (using words taken from reading passage)
Academic Reading
60 Minutes
03 Sections
40 Items
60 Minutes
03 Sections
40 Items
Academic Reading
Types of questions
Matching Causes and Effects
60 Minutes
03 Sections
40 Items
Academic Reading
Types of questions
Sentence Completion (using words taken from the reading passage)






Short answer questions
Academic Writing
Academic Writing
Allocate about 20 minutes Task 1
Allocate about 40 minutes Task 2
Task 2 is worth more marks
Task 1: write description of at least 150 words based on material found in a
chart, table, graph or diagram
Task 2: essay of at least 250 words in response to a statement or question
60 Minutes
02 Sections
400 Words
Academic Writing
60 Minutes
02 Sections
400 Words
Task 1 - Tips
Do not copy phrases from the question
Do not include information not in the graph or picture
Do not take more than 20 minutes
Do not forget to leave time to read it through
Academic Writing
Task 1 - Examples
Flow Chart
Bar Chart/Bar Graph
Pie Chart
Graph
Diagram
Table
Academic Writing
60 Minutes
02 Sections
400 Words
Task 1 The Language of Change
Academic Writing
60 Minutes
02 Sections
400 Words
Task 1 The Language of Change
Academic Writing
60 Minutes
02 Sections
400 Words
Task 1 The Language of Change
Academic Writing
60 Minutes
02 Sections
400 Words
Task 1 The Language of Change
Academic Writing
60 Minutes
02 Sections
400 Words
Task 1 The Language of Change
Academic Writing
60 Minutes
02 Sections
400 Words
Task 1 The Language of Change
Academic Writing
60 Minutes
02 Sections
400 Words
Task 1 The Language of Change
D
B
60 Minutes
02 Sections
400 Words
Academic Writing
Task 1 (Example)
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task

The graph below gives information about changes in the birth and death rates in
New Zealand between 1901 and 2101

Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information shown below
The graph shows changes in the birth and death rates in New Zealand since 1901,
and forecasts trends up until 2101
Between 1901 and the present day, the birth rate has been consistently higher than
the death rate. It stood at 20,000 at the start of this period and increased to a peak of
66,000 in 1961. Since then, the rate has fluctuated between 65 and 50 thousand and it
is expected to decline slowly to around 45,000 births by the end of the century
In contrast, the death rate started below 10,000 and has increased steadily until the
present time. This increase is expected to be more rapid between 2021 and 2051
when the rate will probably level off at around 60,000 before dropping slightly in
2101
Overall, these opposing trends mean that the death rate will probably overtake the
birth rate in around 2041 and the large gap between the two levels will be reversed in
the later part of this century
I
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M
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B
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60 Minutes
02 Sections
400 Words
Academic Writing
60 Minutes
02 Sections
400 Words
Academic Writing
Task 2 - Tips
Study question carefully
Underline key points
Quickly brainstorm the topic
Decide on the main points and supporting details
Organise points in a plan
Structure according to the type of essay
60 Minutes
02 Sections
400 Words
Academic Writing
Task 2 - Types
Arguments
Advantages and Disadvantages
Problems and Solutions
60 Minutes
02 Sections
400 Words
Academic Writing
Task 2 Strength of Claim
60 Minutes
02 Sections
400 Words
Academic Writing
Task 2 Examples of Different Structures
60 Minutes
02 Sections
400 Words
Academic Writing
Task 2 (Example)
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task

Dealing with juvenile delinquency


Youth Crime
Low Class in
Inner City Areas
Custody
Approved School and Remand School
Community Service
Punishment
Behaviour
Attitude
Speaking
Speaking
Time: 11 14 minutes
Individual oral interview (Three Parts)
All Speaking tests are recorded
How the speaking component is assessed
Fluency and Coherence
Vocabulary
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Pronunciation
Transition signals
Speaking
When you entre the exam room:
Smile and act confident
Look at the examiner in the eyes
Confidently introduce yourself
Eliminate nervous gestures
Wear smart clothing
Remember !!!
Speak clearly
Project your voice
Avoid repeating phrases
Always say more than Yes or No !!
Part 1 (Introduction)
This section of the test lasts 4-5 minutes and in it you may need to give longer
answers to questions to ensure you display your best ability
Speaking
Part 2 (Individual Talk)
Candidate is given a verbal prompt on a card and is asked to talk on a particular
topic. 1 minute preparation time before speaking at length for up to 2 minutes
The examiner then asks 1 or 2 rounding-off questions
Speaking
Part 3 (Discussion Topics)
The examiner and candidate engage in a discussion of more abstract issue and
concepts which are linked to the topic in Part 2
The discussion lasts between 4 and 5 minutes
Speaking
Part 3 (Discussion Topics)
Examples:
Can you tell me more about that? Please explain ?
Yes, that would be fine
Well, the first thing/idea that comes to mind is ......
You mentioned ... Why do you say that?
Actually, that is difficult question to answer; nevertheless, in my
opinion ......
Speaking
Speaking
Part 3 (Discussion Topics)
Be prepared to speculate about the future
How to Apply
An application form
Bring your original valid passport
Two photos (passport size) and the background must be white or light blue only
The IELTS test fee
Visit WWW for help
IELTS Academic Reading help
www.cambridgeesol.org/teach/ielts/academic_reading
IELTS Writing help
www.cambridgeesol.org/teach/ielts/academic_writing
IELTS listening help
www.cambridgeesol.org/teach/ielts/listening
IELTS speaking help
http://www.cambridgeesol.org/teach/ielts/speaking

Scotts English Success
Books for IELTS
Recommended study materials for students who want an IELTS score of 6.5 or
higher
Questions !