Ielts Tips

1) Reading
-Do the easy questions first, do matching/headings/matching paragraph
last. Easy -> Hard
-Fill in the black - guess noun, verb and adjective in the blank.
->Look at “a” or “the” in front of the next word. Always followed by
“noun”
->noun of noun,
-Matching people’s names/ ideas/ what they do. Skim through Highlight
all people’s names first.
-Any question types that are
non-sequential(matching/headings/matching paragraph)l- skim the
passage and highlight proper nouns, (names, places, locations,
countries), years(1992, early 90s, late 20th century), time(2pm),
units(2000 hertz), AND anything start start with CAPITAL LETTER.
-True false not given - do not need to skim or highlight first. True-
matches the passage, false- contrasts the passage, no-given- no
information at all. Read the whole sentence, if half of the sentence the
answer will be not-given
-Multiple choice- read carefully. If there are 3 choices, 1 will be true, 1
will be false, and 1 will be not-given. Pick the answer that is true for
multiple choice answers.
-some matching questions

2) Listening
Make sure you listen to the question range and read through all the
questions within given time. For example “you have some time to read
questions 1-10, 21-28”
-Fill in the black - guess noun, verb and adjective in the blank.
->Look at “a” or “the” in front of the next word. Always followed by
“noun”
-Multiple choice- read all the questions first. Do not read the answers
until you really understand the questions. You don't have enough time.
-Marching type 1(you have to analyse the answers)- take notes or key
words while listening. Analyse and match the answer after audio
finishes taking all notes.
-Matching type 2(male and female, both agree, both disagree). You can
listen to the questions and answer straight away.
 -Maps/floor plans- look around what’s there before the audio begins
such as north south east west, trees, entries(1st entry/second entry),
exits,carpark, stairs, corners, opposite places, doors.

3) Writing
Essay 40 min
Steps-
1) analyse the question/ fact/ opinion/ task
2)Narrow down the question -what when why who
3)Plan the essay. Use multiple idea or single idea paragraph
4)write your essay within 35 min and leave 5 min to check your
grammar
5)include grammar structure; fanboys, complex sentences.
6)Use present tense only

Essay types
Agree/Disagree
+/+, +/-, -/-

Discuss 2 opposing opinions

+/-

Advantage/disadvantage
+/-

Problem/cause/ solution
1)Problem 2) solution

Planning Structure
Single idea
Idea, reason, example, result, conclusion(optional)
Multiple ideas
Topic Idea, sub idea 1/example, sub idea 2/example, sub idea
3/example

Letter 20 min
1)Analyse what kind of letter(appreciation, request, apology etc.). Refer
material handout. Read and answer all bullet points in your paragraph
 2)Use the right tone for the right person in the letter. Ex. Dear Sir
Madam, your faithfully.
3)Use present tense for present event and past tense for past events.
4)write your essay within 15 min and leave 5 min to check your
grammar
5)include grammar structure; fanboys, complex sentence.

4) Speaking
Fluency is the most important so please no dead-air
Part 1 - always describe and give examples.
Part 2- 2 mins planning. Need to tick all bullet pointsUse past tense if
refer to past events, describe places, ideas, people.
Part3 - always COMPARE AND CONSTRAST. Give examples that
show contrast between people, places, cultures, ideas, opinions,
climates.