IELTS – BASICS.

LISTENING PART 1
What is IELTS?
• The International English Language Testing System
• owned by the British Council, IDP IELTS Australia and
Cambridge Assessment English.

IELTS – DEFINITION
Academic
For candidates wishing to
study at undergraduate or
postgraduate levels, and for
those seeking professional
registration.
IELTS – 2 TYPES
General Training
For candidates wishing to
migrate to an English-
speaking country (Australia,
Canada, New Zealand, UK),
and for those wishing to train
or study below degree level.
Band score Skill level Description

The test taker has fully operational command of the language. Their use of English is
9 Expert user appropriate, accurate and fluent, and shows complete understanding.

The test taker has fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic
Very good inaccuracies and inappropriate usage. They may misunderstand some things in unfamiliar
8 user situations. They handle complex and detailed argumentation well.

The test taker has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies,
inappropriate usage and misunderstandings in some situations. They generally handle complex
7 Good user
language well and understand detailed reasoning.

The test taker has an effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies,
Competent inappropriate usage and misunderstandings. They can use and understand fairly complex
6 user language, particularly in familiar situations.

The test taker has a partial command of the language and copes with overall meaning in most
situations, although they are likely to make many mistakes. They should be able to handle basic
5 Modest user
communication in their own field.
 Listening
4 parts, 40 items,
approximately 30 minutes

Academic Reading
3 sections, 40 items

STRUCTURE
60 minutes

Academic Writing
& TIMING 2 tasks
60 minutes

Speaking
11 to 14 minutes
Total Test Time
2 hours 44 minutes
PAPER BASED IELTS
 Results in 3-5 days
Computer
delivered
IELTS More tests, more
days of the week
Speaking test
remains face-to-face
COMPUTER
OR
PAPER?
 LISTENING – STRUCTURE
• Candidates hear the recording ONCE ONLY and answer the
questions as they listen.
• 10 (2) minutes to transfer (review) their answers

SOCIAL CONTEXT ACADEMIC CONTEXT

PART 1 PART 2 PART 3 PART 4

Question types:
• form/note/table
completion
• short-answer questions
• plan/map/diagram
labelling
• multiple choice
• matching
• flow-chart/ summary/
sentence completion
 IELTS LISTENING PART 1
The first part is a conversation between two speakers set in an
everyday social context.
Question types:
• form/note/table completion
• short multiple choice
Required abilities:
• Spelling, address, numbers, dates, price and etc.
• Basic comprehensive skills
FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS
 HOW TO ANSWER CORRECTLY?
SPELLING: NUMBERS:
• A vs I vs E; • ZERO and Oh;
• C vs S; • Double, triple;
• U vs Y vs W; • 0831_235_168;
• G vs J; • sixteen vs sixty;
• M vs N; • fourteenth vs fortieth;
• B vs P; • $/£ 8.50 vs 8.15
Speakers may correct their MISTAKES!!!
 HOW TO ANSWER CORRECTLY?
Dates:
• Years: 1980 vs 1918, 20/10, 2008
• Months: January, February, … August…
• Weekdays: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday…
• Dates: 25 December, 18 November 1999
• Time: 10.00 AM, 10.00 PM, 22.00, 10 o’clock
• Period: 15 minutes, an hour, 4 days, 2 weeks, 10 years…
Address:
• 26, Black street/Avenue, White Road, Edinburg, London;
Tips and strategies
• Read all of the question instruction carefully
• Require you to write in facts and figures such as times and dates.
• Do not just write in the first time or date that you hear.
• Take a moment to understand, highlight keywords.
• Use the information given to predict the types of answer you should
be listening for.
• Sometimes the speaker will correct their own answer.
• Listen carefully and fill in the missing information.