1. Introduction to IELTS Speaking Test
• 11 to 14 minutes
• 3 sections
• Worth 25% of your IELTS score…but much shorter than the other sections
Task 1 (4-5 minutes)
Up to 12 questions across 3 different topics
• Questions about yourself, your home, and your hobbies…questions you know the answer to!
Extend answer. 2 – 3 pieces of extra information (reasons / examples / past / future etc.)
• Keep each answer under 30 seconds.
• 2 – 3 sentences is enough
• Make sure first sentence is a full sentence.
• Refer to fluency markers / adverbs of frequency / time expressions
Task 2 (3-4 minutes)
Task 2 topic card
• 1 minute to prepare – make notes quickly for each point
• Speak for 1- 2 min
Task 3 (4-5 minutes)
Around 3 – questions related to topic on task 2 card.
• Give your opinion.
• Give insight in to topics.
• Remember; not questions about you like task 1.
• See Part 3 examples below
What’s the best way to travel around your country?
I usually travel by train. The most convenient way to travel is by air as there are many domestic flights
which are reasonably priced. Traveling longer distances over land is very time consuming because the
infrastructure in Vietnam is underdeveloped. The roads are very congested and there aren’t many
highways, even on the main routes from North to South. As for the rail network, well, it’s very slow
with an average journey by train taking around 3 times longer than that of a similar one in Europe.
So, I would definitely say flying is the best way to travel around the country for those people who can
afford it.
2. Why do you think some people prefer to buy products from their own countries
rather than imported items?
(idea) I suppose it’s because those people want to support the economy of the
country they live in. (explain) If they buy something that was made in their own
country, they know that they are contributing to the salaries of workers within the
same country, (alternative) whereas if they buy imported items, a foreign company
and its employees will benefit. (example) For example, if I buy some meat that
originates from a local farm rather than a farm in another country, I’m helping one
of my fellow citizens to carry on in business. (another idea) Also, I think that trust
is an issue; people might feel that they can trust domestically produced items more
than imported ones.
3. IELTS Listening
General Information
* Recording ≈ 30 minutes
* 4 sections with 10 questions each (40 questions in total)
* Recording heard only once
* Test gets more difficult as it continues
* Time to preview the questions and time to check answers
* After listening, 10 minutes extra given to check answers and
transfer them to answer sheet
* A variety of tasks and topics are presented
Part
1 2 3 4
topics everyday life
e.g. applying for a part-
time job, calling your
insurance company,
listening to a museum tour,
shopping, hotel and
restaurant
accommodations, getting
things repaired, etc.
academic
e.g. seminars, training,
tutors and students
discussing an
assignment, university
lectures, etc.
# of
speakers
dialogue
(conversation)
monologue
(one
Conversation Monologue
4. 2 speakers speaker) up to 4
speakers
1 speaker
Marking and Assessment
* Each question is worth 1 point.
* There are no ½ points.
* You have to follow the instructions exactly (e.g. by staying within
word / number limit).
* Spelling and grammar (e.g. singular or plural) must be correct.
* Capitalization is required for names.
* There is no deduction for a wrong answer.
Q: What three mains things can you do before you listen to
improve your score?
1) Check instructions.
2) Underline key info.
3) Predict answer types.
Types of questions:
E.g. Multiple choice / Sentence, note, table, form completion
Map, diagram labeling
5. Remember: Preview the questions carefully. What do they mean? Underline key
instructions. Use time given to predict answers. Listen for synonyms and parallel
expressions.
IELTS Reading introduction
General Information
• 60 Minutes
• 3 Passages dealing with general, but wide-ranging topics
• 2000 to 2700 words
• 40 Questions
• No extra time to transfer answers to answer sheet
• A wide variety of tasks you may have to complete
Short answer completion / True, False, Not Given / Yes, No, Not Given / Multiple choice /
Summary completion / diagram labeling / matching headings
Marking and assessment
• Each question is worth 1 point (no ½ points)
• You have to follow the instructions exactly (e.g. by staying within word / number limit).
• Spelling and grammar (e.g. singular or plural) must be correct.
• There is no deduction for a wrong answer – so if you’re not sure, guess!
Primary skills needed
• Finding and using Key Words
• Synonyms and parallel expressions
• Skimming
• Scanning
6. • Reading for detail
Important Advice
Remember; some students like to skim the article first before attempting any of the questions.
Introduction to IELTS Writing
• 60 Minutes
• 2 tasks…Task 1 is a Report (for a lecturer)…you must describe the main points
of a diagram.
• Task 2 is an Essay (provide your opinion)
• Task 1 requires 150 words minimum/Task 2 needs 250 words minimum
• Task 2 is worth 2/3 of your Writing band score
• Write Task 2 first and spend 40 minutes on it
Marking and Assessment (Task 1)
• Organize, present, and compare data…do you describe the most important
points?
• Use English grammar and vocabulary
• Use appropriate style and content
• Write in a way that the reader can follow
TIME Management:
Is very important.
