Introduction Prepare for the exam with practice tests from Cambridge Inside yout find four authentic examination papers from Cambridge Assessment English. They are the perfect way to practise - EXACTLY like the real exam. Why are they unique? ‘Al our authentic practice tests go through the same design process as the IELTS test. We ‘check every single pat of our prectice tests with real students under exam conditions, to make sure we give you the most authentic experience possible. ‘Students can practe these tests on ther own or withthe help ofa teacher to fariiarse themselves withthe exam format, understand the scoring system and practise exam technique. Further information IELTS sjinty managed bythe Brilsh Counc, IOP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge ‘Asgessment Engéeh Further information can be fourd on the IELTS official website at ialts.org. WHAT IS THE TEST FORMAT? IELTS consists of four components. All candidates take the same Listening and Speaking tosis, There isa choice of Reading and Writing tests according fo whether a candidate is taking the Academic or General Training module. ‘Academie General Training For candidates wishing to study at |For candidates wishing to migrate to an undergraduate or postgraduate levels, | English-speaking county (Australia, Canad, ‘and for those seeking professional | New Zealand, UK) and for those wishing to registration train or study below degree level.Introduction “The test components are taken inthe folowing order: Listening 4 parts, 40 tems, approximately 30 minutes ‘Academic Reading General Training Reading Besections, 40 items or 3 soctons, 40 toms, 160 minutes 60 minutes ‘Academic Writng Goneral Training Writing 2iasks or 2iasks 60 minutes 60 minutes Speaking 1110-14 minutes Total Test Time 2 hours 44 minutes ACADEMIC TEST FORMAT Listening ‘This tst consists of four pats, each with ton questions. The fst two parts are concerned with social needs. The ist partis a conversation between two speakers and the second part is a monologue. The fina to parts are concemed with situations elated to educational ‘raining contexts, The thid part lea conversation between upto four people and the fourth partis @ monologue, ‘Avariely of question type is used, including: multiple choice, matching, planimapy diagram labeling, form conpletion, note completion, table completion, fow-chart completion, summary completion, sentonce completion and short-answer questions Candidates hear the recording once only and answer the questions s they listen. Ten ‘minutes ae allowed at the end for candidates to transfer their answers lo the answer sheet. Reading ‘This test consists of three sections with 40 questions. There are three texts, which are taken rom journals, books, magazines and newspapers. The texts are on topics of general interest At least one tox contains dotaled logical argument. A variety of question types is used, including: multiple choice, identiying information (TruefFalse/Not Given), identifying the writer's views/claims (Yes/NoINot Given), matching informatio, matching headings, matching features, matching sentence endings, sentence completion, summary completion, note competion, table completion, fow-chart completion, diagram label completion and short answer questions.Introduction writing “This test consists of two tasks. I's suggested that candidates spend about 20 minutes on “Task 1, which requires them to wite atleast 150 words, and 40 minutes on Task 2, which requires them to wie at least 250 words. Task 2 contributes twice 2s much as Task 1 to the Wing score. “Task 1 requires candidates to look ata diagram or some data (in a graph, table or chart) ‘and to present the information In ther own words. They ae assessed on thelr ability to ‘erganise, present and possibly compare data, and are required to describe the stages of @ process, describe an objector event, or explain how something works. In Task 2, cancidales are presented with a point of view, argument or problem. They are ‘ascaseed on ther abit to present a soluion tothe problem, present and justly an opinion, ‘compare and contrast evidence and opinions, and to evaluate and challenge ideas, evidence or arguments. Candidates ar also assessed on thelr ably to write in an appropriate style. More Information on assessing the Writing tes, including Writng assessment criteria (publc version), is avaiable a ils.org ‘Speaking ‘This test takes between 11 and 14 minutes and is conducted by a trained examiner. ‘There are three pars: Part ‘The candidate and the examiner introduce themselves. Candidates then answer general questions about themselves, their homelfamly, their jobstuces, their interests and a wide range of siilar familar topic areas. This pat lasts between four and five minutes. Part2 “The candidate is given a task card with prompts and is asked to talk on a particular topic “The candidate hes one minute to prepare and they can make some notes i they wish, before speaking for atween one and two minutes, The examiner then asks one or two ‘questions on the same topic. Pant “The examiner and the candidate engage in a discussion of more abstract issues wich are thamaticaly linked tothe topic in Part 2. The discussion lasts between four and five minutes, “The Speaking esl assesses whether candidates can communica effecively in English ‘The assessment takes into account Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Pronunciation. More information on assessing the Speaking test, Including Speaking assessment criteria (public version), Is avatabe at iets.Introduction HOW IS IELTS SCORED? IELTS results are reported on a nine-band scale. In adction to the score fr overall language ablity, IELTS provides a score inthe orm of @ profile foreach ofthe four ski (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking). These Scores are also reportad on a nine-band scale. All scores are recorded on the Test Report Form along with details of the candidate's national, ‘rst language and date of bith. Each Overall Band Score corresponds toa descriptive statement which gives a summary ofthe English-language ability of a candidate classed at ‘that level. The nine bands and ther descriptive statoments ae as folows: 9. Expert User Has fuly operational command ofthe language: appropriate, accurate ‘and fluent with complete understanding 8 Very Good User — Has fully operational command ofthe language with only occasional “unsystemetic inaccuracies and inappropracies. Misunderstandings may occur in tnfomilar situations. Handles complex detailed argumentation wel, 7 Good User— Has operational command ofthe language, though with occasionel Inacouraies, inappropriacies and misundorstandings in some situations. Generally handles complex language wol and understands detailed reasoning, 6 Competent User Has generally effective command ofthe language despite some Inaceuracos,inspprepriacies and misundorstandings. Can use and understend fly ‘complex language, pateularty In fair situations, 5 Modest User — Has partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning inmost situations though is likey to make many mistakes. Should be able to handle ‘asic communication in own ft. 4 Limited User Basic competence is inte to familar situations. Has frequent problems in understanding and expression. ls notable fo use complex language. 3. Extremely Limited User ~ Conveys and understands only general meaning in very familar situations. Frequent breakdowns in commnication occur. 2 Intermittent User ~ No real communication is possible except forthe most basic information using Isolated words or shor formulae i famifar situations and fo meet lnmediate needs. Has great difficulty understanding spoken sad wntten English, 1. Non User - Essentially has no ably to use the language beyond possibly a few Isolated words. 0 Did not attempt the test — No assossable information provided. | |Introduction MARKING THE PRACTICE TESTS Listening and Reading “The answer keys are on pages 119-126. Each question inthe Listening and Reading tests is worth one mar Questions which require letter ( Roman numeral answers + For questions wher the anawers are leters of Roman numerals, you should write only the number of answors required, For example if the answer sa single letter or numeral you should write only one answer. I you have writen more letors or numerals than are ‘required, the answer must be marked wrong. Questions which require answers in the form of words or numbers + Answers may be written in upper or lower case. + Words in brackets are optional they are corec, but not necessary. + Altomative answers are separated by a slash () + you are asked to write an answer using @ certain numberof words andlor (a) number(s), ‘you will be panalised i you exceed this. For example, if question specifies an answer Using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS and the correct answer is ‘lack leather coat, ‘he answer coat of black leather is incorrect. + In questions where you are expected to complete 2 gap, you should only transfer the necessary missing word(s) onto the answer sheet. For example, to complete nthe .", where the correct answer is ‘morning, the answer ‘in the moming" would be incorrect. +All answers require correct spelling (including words in brackets) + Both US and UK speling are accoptable and ae included inthe answer key. + Al standard ateratives for numbers, dates and currencies are acceptable + Allstandard abbreriatons are accepiabie, + You will nd addtional notes about individual answers inthe answer key. Writing “The sample answers are on pages 127-187. tis not possible for you to give yourself a mark {or the Writing tasks. We have provided sample answers (written by candidates), showing their score and the examiners’ comments. Those sample answers wl ive you an insight into what is required forthe Writing test.Introduction HOW SHOULD YOU INTERPRET YOUR SCORES? [At the end of each Listening and Reading answer key you wil find a chart which will help Yyou assess whether, on the basis of your Practice Test resus, you are ready to take the TELTS test In Interpreting your score, there are a number of points you should bear in mind. Your performance in the real IELTS test wil be reported in two ways: there willbe a Band Score from 1 t0 9 for each ofthe components and an Overall Band Score from 1 to 9, which is {the average of your scoresin the four components. However, institutions considering your application are advised to bok at both the Overall Band Score and the Band Score for ‘each component in oder te determine whether you have the language skils needed for @ Particular course of study. For example, if your course involves alot of reading and writing, ‘but no lectures, listening slils might be less important and a score of 6 in Listening might be ‘acceptable if the Overall Band Score was 7, However, fora course which hes lots of lectures ‘and spoken instruction, acore ofS in Listening might be unacceplable even though the ‘Overall Band Score was 7. ‘Once you have marked our tests, you should have some idea of whether your Kstening ‘and reading skis are gooe enough for you to try the IELTS test. f you di well enough in ‘one component, but not inothers, you wll have lo decide for yoursell whether you ar ready to take the test. “The Practice Tests have been checked to ensure that they are the same level of cifically as the roal IELTS test. However, we cannot guarantee that your score inthe Practice Tests willbe rected inthe real ELTS test. The Practice Tests can ony glve you an idea of your possible future performance and its ulimately up to you to make decisions based on your Diflrent institutions accapt diferent IELTS scores for different types of courses. Wa have based our recommendations onthe average scores which the majorty of institutions accept ‘The insttuton to which you are applying may, of course, require a higher or lower score than ‘most othorinatittions,