Lecture Note

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All about the IELTS
❖ What is IELTS?
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a standardized test to
assess the English language proficiency of a person. First introduced in 1980 and
later revised by the University of Cambridge English Language Assessment
Centre in 1987.
There are two types of the IELTS test:
I. IELTS Academic and
II. IELTS General Training
IELTS Academic: The IELTS Academic test is for people applying for higher
education or professional registration in an English speaking environment. It reflects
some of the features of academic language and assesses whether you are ready to
begin studying or training.
IELTS General Training: The IELTS General Training test is for those who are
going to English speaking countries for work experience or training programs. It is
also a requirement for migration to Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK.
The test focuses on basic survival skills in broad social and workplace contexts.

❖ IELTS Basics
o Test result is valid for 2 years
o Test is taken in 2 forms,
(i) Paper based exam
(ii) Computer based exam
o Result becomes available within,
(i) 13 calendar days in ‘Paper based exam’
(ii) 7 calendar days in ‘Computer based exam’

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 IELTS test format

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 Listening Module

▪ 40 questions ▪ 4 parts
▪ 25-35 minutes ▪ No negative marking

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4

Conversation Monologue Conversation up Monologue
between 2 people to 4 people
Social / Practical Social / Practical Education / Education /
aspect aspect Training aspect Training aspect

Golden Rules:
➢ Always Read & Mark key parts before you hear the audio clip
➢ Read what’s coming, NOT what you’ve missed

Scoring of Listening Module:

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 Reading Module

▪ 40 questions ▪ 3 sections
▪ 60 minutes ▪ No negative marking

3 long passages
13 + 13 + 14 questions
Source of the text: Newspapers, Magazines, Journals, Books, Articles
Question types: 10-11 categories, like: MCQ, Sentence Completion,
Summary Completion, Matching Heading, True, False, Not Given

Golden Rules:
➢ Always read the questions before you start reading the passage
➢ Write down answers directly on answer sheet
Scoring of Reading Module:

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 Writing Module

▪ 2 Tasks
Task 1
Guided Writing
At least 150 words
Time (suggested): 20 minutes
Report, based on visual instructions
Instruction types: Graph, Chart, Map,
Table, Process Diagram
▪ 60 minutes
Task 2
Creative writing
At least 250 words
Time (suggested): 40 minutes
Same for both AC & GT except the
question content
Task-2 carries double the value in
marking compared to task-1

Golden Rules:
➢ Always follow the specific structure for writing your report
➢ Plan ahead before you start answering Task-2
Scoring of Writing Module:
Task Achievement Task Response
“Task-1” “Task-2”
Marked based on: Information, Marked based on: Idea, Addressing,
Overview, Key Features Developing of Idea
Coherence & Cohesion
“Task - 1 & 2”
Marked based on: Paragraphing, Linking, Referencing
Grammatical Range & Accuracy
“Task - 1 & 2”
Marked based on: Sentence Structure, Tense, Punctuation, Number of
Errors
Lexical Resource
“Task - 1 & 2”
Marked based on: Vocabulary, Collocations, Spelling, Number of Errors

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 Speaking Module

▪ 40 questions ▪ 4 parts
▪ 25-35 minutes ▪ No negative marking

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

Introduction Monologue on one Elaborative discussion
topic on similar topic
10-12 questions on 1 minute preparation 5-6 questions related to
familiar topics topic of part 2
4-5 minutes 2 minutes speech 4-5 minutes

Golden Rules:
➢ Speak with confidence and don’t bother about the information.
➢ Try to relate the questions with real-life scenario.
Scoring of Speaking Module:
Fluency
Talking at length, Talking without pauses or hesitations, Talking without
self-correction, Able to be understood, Using linking devices
Lexical Resource
Using a range of words & paraphrasing, Using collocations, Using less
common vocabulary, Avoiding errors
Grammatical Range & Accuracy
Using a range of sentence structures, Using a range of grammar tenses,
Avoiding errors
Pronunciation
Able to be understood, Able to use intonation, Accent does not affect
understanding, Accurate word and sound pronunciation

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