IELTS Academic

Instructions to test takers

You will be given the following instructions in the actual test:

  • You are not supposed to open the question paper until instructed do so
  • You need to write your name and candidate number in the spaces at the top of this page
  • Do listen to the instructions for each and every part of the paper carefully
  • All the questions should be answered
  • While listening, write all your answers on the question paper
  • You will have 10 minutes at the end of the listening test and you will have to copy all your answers onto a separate answer sheet; use a pencil

At the end of the test, you will be asked to hand over the question paper.

Speaking

(Duration- 11-14 minutes, Task- 3 Parts)

The Speaking test is a face-to-face interview between the test taker and the examiner. It decides the speaking capacity of the test taker in different ways. Every speaking test is recorded so that it can be utilised for reassessment or re-marking of the test whenever required. You can attempt IELTS Speaking practice tests, record your responses or output and listen to them out in order to analyse your performance, in order to familiarize with this test.               

          

Part 1- Introduction & Interview 

This section checks the ability to convey ideas and perspective on daily topics, circumstances or common experiences by answering a range of question.

  • In this Section, the Test taker & examiner introduces themselves
  • Here the Examiner asks general questions on topics related to personal interest, work, hometown, studies and family to the test taker.
  • This usually Lasts for 4-5 minutes

Part 2- Long Turn

Ability to speak at length on a given topic using appropriate language

  • In this section, a cue card is given to you
  • 1 minute is given to prepare for the topic provided in the cue card and to note down points if you wish to
  • You then need to speak on that topic or subject for 1-2 minutes
  • This Lasts for 3-4 minutes

Part 3- Discussion

Ability to analyse the topic, express views, justify an opinion, organise and evaluate ideas

  • The examiner will ask questions based on the topic given in Part 2
  • You get an opportunity to express your views in a more conceptual way
  • Lasts for 4-5 minutes

Scoring Criterion

IELTS Speaking Scoring Criteria on which the speaking test is scored relies upon the following factors:

Fluency refers to how well you can speak at a normal speed and that too without hesitation.

Coherence or rationality is framing your sentences and ideas in a logical order.

Lexical Resource evaluates the range of your vocabulary.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy deals with your knowledge and insight about grammar and how precisely you use it while speaking.

Pronunciation points out your ability or capacity to speak.

General Tips

  • Relax, be confident and speak normally and naturally
  • Be spontaneous and talk as fluently as you can
  • Develop your answers. Don’t speak pre-prepared answers
  • Ask for clarification if necessary
  • Express your opinions clearly and plainly.

There are many IELTS speaking mock test available online that make you aware of the type of IELTS Speaking questions and IELTS Speaking topics. Resources available can be used and you can benefit from them. Practise speaking in English with your friends and companions, relatives or colleagues on a daily basis to guarantee better performance.

Writing

(Duration- 60Min, Task- 2)

IELTS Academic Writing module is designed and is intended to assess various writing skills like Grammar, Content, and Vocabulary and so on. By attempting IELTS Academic Writing practise tests and getting the test takers evaluated by experts will help you determine the skills you need to develop for accomplishing high score. You are supposed to write answers on the given answer sheet, in the writing module. The answers must be composed using full sentences. You are not permitted to write in bullet points. You can make notes on the question paper.

IELTS writing tests usually consists of the following two tasks.

Task 1

Ability to distinguish the relevant and important information from the given Graph, Table, Chart or Diagram and present it in a structured way.

This task has some visual information in the form of a Graph, Table, Chart or Diagram. It might incorporate illustrating the stages of a process, explaining the data or describing an event or object. You need to describe, summarize, or explain the information in your own words.

Write at least 150 words in about 20 minutes.

Task 2

Potential to present ideas, arguments or opinions and to justify the point by supporting with relevant examples using appropriate language

In this piece of the task, you will be given a point of view, argument or a problem. You should compose an essay giving a solution to the problem, express views and ideas, justify your opinions, assess argument or present contrast evidence in a conventional style.

You should write at least 250 words in about 40 minutes. 

Scoring Criterion

IELTS Academic Writing Test is attained on the following criteria:

Task Achievement alludes to how appropriately you cover the main points to fulfil the requirement set in the task or assignment.

Coherence is linking ideas in an appropriate sequence and Cohesion is making suitable use of cohesive devices (e.g., connectors, pronouns, conjunctions) to link ideas logically.

Lexical Resource decides your range of vocabulary.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy evaluate accurate usage and a wide range of complex structures.

General Tips

  • Making use of sufficient gamut of Vocabulary
  • Write content relevant to the subject given
  • Use a blend of simple and complex sentence structures
  • Avoid making use of informal language
  • Pay heed to the number of words required for each task; you will lose marks for fewer words

IELTS writing samples and writing answer sample can be of incredible help. You can even practise writing by choosing topics on your own and submitting it to sites providing writing correction service. Practising regularly would surely help you acquire the skills that will help you procure high Score. 

Reading

IELTS Academic Reading test – The IELTS Reading test will take about 60 minutes. It consists of 40 questions. This includes (3) three longer texts which range from descriptive and factual to discursive and analytical. These are authentic and taken from books, journals, magazines and newspapers. They have been chosen for a non-specialist audience yet are apt for individuals entering university courses or looking for professional registration.

IELTS Academic Reading test

The reading test is a bit different for both IELTS Academic and IELTS General applicants.
This has 3 sections, 40 questions, 60 minutes

  • There are three long texts and 40 questions.
  • Each section contains one long text.
  • Texts are original and are taken from books, journals, newspapers and magazines. These are written for a non-professional audience and are on academic topics of general interest or day to day Scenarios.
  • The scripts are suitable for and accessible to, candidates planning undergraduate or postgraduate courses or seeking professional registration.
  • Texts range from descriptive and factual to discursive and analytical. Scripts may contain non-verbal materials such as diagrams, graphs or illustrations. If texts comprise technical terms, then a simple glossary is provided.

IELTS Academic Reading description

In a Paper Format, there are three reading passages with diverse type of questions using a number of task types. No. of Questions —40

The Academic Reading paper consists of three passages. Applicants have to answer 10-14 questions for each section. Try to answer the questions with Pace.

  • Reading passage 1
  • Reading passage 2
  • Reading passage 3

IELTS Reading: Question/ Task Types

  • Multiple Choice: This is a very familiar traditional question type with which you are probably aware. Applicants have to select the correct answer from a set of choices to a question.
  • True/False/Not Given: True/False/Not Given questions can be a bit tricky. These questions consist of several statements. Applicants have to choose whether each one is TRUE according to the passage.
  • Yes/No/Not Given: These given questions are almost exactly the same as True/False/Not Given questions. The difference is that they centre around ideas, not facts.
  • Matching: There are a few types of Matching questions in the IELTS Reading paper. Each one has its own unique features. Matching Headings, Information, Features, and Sentence Endings.
  • Sentence Completion and Short Answer: Sentence Completion and Short Answer questions are very similar. In this task applicants have to fill in a blank at the end of a sentence with few or some words taken from the text. This also requires applicants to choose some words from the text for the answer, but the words they need to fill in need not be located at the end of a sentence.
  • Note, Table, Diagram, or Summary Completion: This question type will ask applicants to complete a set of notes, a table, a diagram, or a summary with information from the given text. Occasionally it can be a Short Answer question. Other times, one has to choose from a set of answers in a box or from a list. Mostly, the answers to these questions can be found in one portion of the reading passage.

General Tips 

  • Develop skills for each type of question in the reading section. Applicants need to find a plan to tackle each question as there are around 14 different types of questions.
  • Skimming or browsing to get the gist of the paragraph, and Scanning the text strategically for answers.
  • Develop your speed, Pace in reading skills allocating 20 mins for each section.
  • Don’t make an effort to comprehend the full passage.
  • Developing vocabulary, Vocabulary is very, very important if you’re aiming for a high band score.
  • Key words-Underline words that stand out to you as important or highlight the words onscreen if you are taking the computer-delivered IELTS. This will assist you to get an overall idea of what is being discussed.
  • Grammar. Make sure you are grammatically correct.
  • Focus on the Directions-Each set of questions will have its own instructions telling you how to mark your answers.
  • Scoring-Each question is worth 1 point, so you can achieve a “raw” score of up to 40 points.  the hardest questions and the easiest questions count equally towards your final Reading score, make sure you’re not losing out on easier points
  • Practice makes perfect.

Listening

(Duration-40 minutes, Task- 4 parts)
The IELTS Listening test will take about 30 minutes, and you will have an additional 10 minutes to transfer your answers to the answer sheet. The four parts of this practice Listening test are presented over four separate web pages. Make sure you progress swiftly from one page to the next in order that your practice is as realistic as possible.

Question Type 1 – Multiple Choice

Ability to grasp the main points covered in the recording

You will be given a question with three feasible answers, or a beginning of the sentence followed by three possible ways to complete it. You are advised to choose one correct answer – A, B or C.

Sometimes, you have designated a long list of possible answers and are asked to choose more than one answer. You need to read the given instructions carefully, in such question types.

Question Type 2 – Matching

Ability to identify the connection between the facts with respect to the recording

In this question pattern, a list of options will be stated on the question paper. You need to match these options with the list of items in the recording and then have to write the correct letter (A, B, C or D) on the answer sheet.

Question Type 3 – Map, Plan or Diagram Labelling

Ability to understand the description of an image (Map, Plan or Diagram) and relates it to visual representation

A map, plan or diagram with labels are going to be given and you are expected to complete those labels with either of the following ways:

  • Choose the answer from the list of options on the question paper and then write the correct letter on the answer sheet.
  • Select appropriate words that fit in the label from the recording.

Question Type 4 – Form, Table, Flowchart, Note or Summary Completion

Ability to note down the main points while listening to the recording

In this question format, you have to fill in the gaps provided in the form, table, flowchart, note or summary in context to the recording. You need to either select your answer from the list of options given on the question paper and note down the correct letter on the answer sheet or identify the missing words from the recording. You do not have to amend the words (i.e. write the word as it is) if selected from the recording.

Question Type 5 – Sentence Completion

Ability to analyse the main idea of the listening text and identify or spot important information from the recording

A set of sentences that encapsulate important information from the recording is given. You have to fill in the gap in each sentence using the information provided in the recording. Before noting down the answers, read the instructions very carefully

Question Type 6 – Short-Answer Questions

Ability to listen to the factual information included in the recording

In this question type, you are supposed to read the given question and answer it shortly with the assistance of information in the recording. Sometimes, you might be asked to put in writing, two or three different answers for the same question.

You must read the instructions very carefully. For instance, sometimes it may be ‘answer in one/two words’ or occasionally it might be ‘answer in no more than a word/number’.

General Tips

  • You must practice to – read the question, listen to the recording and take a note of the answer – all at the same time
  • Be careful about the spelling of your answer. You will lose marks if it’s spelt wrong,
  • Study the instructions very carefully to identify what you are asked to write – ‘word’ or ‘letter’, ‘no more than two words’ or ‘number’ and so on.
  • Do not waste time, if you miss an answer, proceed to the next question
  • You will be hearing the recording only once. So, don’t lose your focus

Attempt free IELTS listening practice tests available online and boost your IELTS test preparation. IELTS listening practice are often of great help.

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