READING

The IELTS examination tests your ability to read between 1500 and 2500 words in a fairly short period of time in order to find out certain information. In both the Academic and the General Training modules, you are given 60 minutes to answer a total of 40 questions. The texts and items are graded in terms of difficulty. if you can identify the reading skills being tested in each of questions, and if you have some mastery of these skills, you will have a better chance of completing the Reading test successfully.

ACADEMIC Reading Module:

The test has three reading passages and each of the passage is accompanied by a set of questions. There may be more than one type of question in each set. For example, you may be asked to find detailed information in a text in order to complete sentences; you may have to identify views and attitudes within a text; you may have to understand how something works and complete a diagram or chart. The passages may be written in a variety of different styles, such as argumentative, descriptive, narrative, discursive, etc.

GENERAL Training Reading Module:

The test has three sections. Section 1 contains two or more texts which are based on social situations. Section 2 contains two texts based on course-related situations and Section 3 contains one text that tests general reading comprehensions. The question types are similar to those in the Academic module. The texts in the first two sections are most likely to be descriptive and factual. The text in the third section may contain some argument.

Band Chart

No. of Correct Answers	LISTENING	ACADEMIC READING	GENERAL READING
40	9.0	9.0	9.0
39	8.5	8.5	8.5
38	8.0	8.5	8.0
37	7.5	8	7.5
36	7.5	8	7.5
35	7.0	7.5	7.0
34	7.0	7.5	6.5
33	7.0	7.5	6.5
32	6.5	7.0	6.5
31	6.5	7.0	6.5
30	6.5	7.0	6.5
29	6.5	7.0	6.0
28	6.0	6.5	6.0
27	6.0	6.5	6.0
26	6.0	6.5	6.0
25	6.0	6.0	5.5
24	5.5	6.0	5.5
23	5.5	6.0	5.5
22	5.5	5.5	5.5
21	5.5	5.5	5.0
20	5.0	5.5	5.0
19	5.0	5.0	5.0
18	5.0	5.0	5.0
17	5.0	5.0	4.5
16	4.5	5.0	4.5
15	4.5	4.5	4.5
14	4.5	4.5	4.0
13	4.0	4.5	4.0
12	4.0	4.0	4.0
11	4.0	4.0	3.5
10	4.0	4.0	3.5
9	3.5	3.5	3.5
8	3.5	3.5	3.5
7	3.5	3.5	3.0
6	3.0	3.0	3.0
5	3.0	3.0	3.0
4	3.0	3.0	2.5
3	2.5	2.5	2.0
2	2	2	1.5
1	1	1	1

IELTS LISTENING (Part 3)

TIPS:

1.  Look out for longer sentence
2. Never try to remember answers write as soon as possible.
3. If you have missed 1 question don’t be panic otherwise you’ll miss another one.
4. Write something even if you don’t understand answer.
5. Listen while you write.
6. Transfer answers correctly
7. After listening recheck.
8. Make Guess because there is no negative marking for wrong answers.
9. Grammar is important (For example if instructions are to write one word only :

                  Q: What did Jhon do to reach on time?

                  Ans: Jhon                            .

     10. Be careful with voice changes and intonation patterns e.g.

                  Excuse me = Asking Question

                  Excuse me = Calling someone

                  Excuse me = Asking for space

IELTS LISTENING (Part-2)

Example:

 Here is a sample Listening Test section -1 from Cambridge Book 1

IELTS LISTENING (Part-1)

INTRODUCTION:

LISTENING test is same for Academic and General Training Module. You are given 40 minutes approximately to complete the test. For 30 minutes you have to listen English spoken in Academic or General context and write the answers on you question paper, then 10 minutes transfer time to write all the answers on the answer book.

The Listening module has four sections. Before each section you will hear a short introduction telling you about the speaker/s and the situation (This is not printed on the question paper). You then have some time to look through the questions. In Sections 1-3 (but not Section 4) there is also a break in the middle giving you time to look at the questions in the second half. There will be a variety of tasks in the test, and the questions always follow the order of information in the recording.There are usually 6 types of question:

• Sentence completion
• Multiple Choice
• Notes/table/summary/flowchart/form
• Short answer questions
• Classification
• Label a diagram

Listening is not difficult its just practice. You will be tested upon:

• Rapid speed
• Accent Variety
• Identifying main points
• Taking notes

TIPS:

1. Read questions before test. Usually you are asked to read the qustions from 1-4 (or 10-15 etc) and given 30 secs for this. But the trick is to read next questions also.
2. No stopping, reversing or pausing write as you listen.
3. Don't understand everything  just specific answers and information. The answer is usually the word spoken more clearly and loudly.
4. Look for gaps so you know what is missing e.g telephone conversation.
5. Look for synonyms e.g disaster- earthquake flood snow.
6. Get familiar with all questions and instructions by practicing a lot.
7. Listen to radio, internet and practice tests.
8. Listen to the instructions and Read the instructions carefully. When it is written to answer the question with no more than three words and/or a number you have to answer in one, two or three words. Exceeding the word limit will make your answer wrong.
9. Predict answers, initial guess Listen after guess.
10. Be careful if he corrects himself.
11. Spellings are important.
12. Dis coursers/switch backs are very important listen carefully.
13. Crossing out answers are allowed.
14. To deal with MCQs look for:

Minor Differences

           Cruiser    Pajero  Bike  ;  Verandah  Dining Room    Lounge     
Same Options

           4Wheel       Pajero         Bike;     Lounge         TV Lunge   Verandah
Bidding rule

         Vehicle was bought with: Bank draft        Cash      CreditCard

          Fruit was bought with:    Bank draft        Cash      Credit Card

new tips are coming Keep reading..............

Books For IELTS

Choosing books for IELTS is very difficult specially when there are hell lot of books available in the market.

IELTS Cambridge books are best.

• IELTS Cambridge Book 1 
• IELTS Cambridge Book 2 
• IELTS Cambridge Book 3
• IELTS Cambridge Book 4 
• IELTS Cambridge Book 5 and 
• IELTS Cambridge Book 6

These books are best and if you have prepared from these books you can guaranteed to score 7+ band.

"Insight into IELTS" is also a very good book

All books have a CD for listening and sample papers with answers that are really helpful.

Introduction to IELTS

IELTS is International English Language Testing system.

This test is to check not only the English language competency of the candidates but it is an IQ and memory test also. The countries demanding IELTS 6+ band people are in fact in search of intelligent people understanding English.

In this blog you will find the very easy tips to secure a good band in IELTS. With having a complete knowledge about the test it becomes easier to be successful.

There are two types of IELTS.

• Academic
• General

The candidates want to go abroad on study visa are required to do the Academic IELTS. While people going for job or business have to do the General IELTS.

IELTS consists of four modules.

• Reading
• Writing
• Listening
• Speaking

The Reading and Writing tests are different for Academic and General IELTS while Listening and Speaking tests are same for both Academic and General IELTS.

You can register IELTS either by British council or through AEO. There is not any difference in marking at all just the facilities they will provide you during the test. British council would give you head phones for listening test and AEO usually gives you a better and more comfortable seat for the test. There is no other difference I have seen.

Wish you all the best for your test.