IELTS: Overview, Tips and Strategies

TESOL New Orleans 2011

March 18, 2011
Ozgur Pala
David Bartsch
 Intended audience
• New to IELTS
• General information
 Overview
• General information about IELTS
• General information for each test section
– Tips and strategies
 So many tips!
• Moving quickly
• Write down what you can
• Available at www.slideshare.net/bartsch
 So many tips!

“Mr. Osborne, may I

be excused? My brain
is full.”

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_naHgYc2uwFc/S_AxvAnd7fI/AAAAAAABSNw/JAcQVf5qggk/farside-cartoon.jpg
GENERAL INFORMATION
 IELTS
• IELTS (International English Language Testing
System) tests English proficiency across the
globe
• Managed by British Council, IDP: IELTS
Australia and the University of Cambridge
ESOL Examinations
 IELTS
• IELTS tests all four language skills – listening,
reading, writing and speaking
• Two versions: Academic and General
 IELTS
Academic Test General Test

For academic purposes For visa purposes or for

such as entry into entry into overseas high
universities schools
Writing and reading
sections are simplified
 Why Take IELTS
• Reliable 9-band scoring system
• Predictively valid
• Consistent test administration
• Quality-controlled system of examiners
– Recruitment, training, benchmarking, certification
and monitoring
 Why Take IELTS
• Accessible
– More than 800 test centers world-wide
– 51 cities in the US
• Recognized
– More than 6000 institutions and programs
– 3000 in the US
 Why Take IELTS
• Free IELTS Test Report Form Verification
Service
• For some, preferable to TOEFL iBT
– No typing
– No integration tasks
– Face-to-face speaking tasks
 Details
• Exams offered at each testing center roughly 4
times a month
– Again: check for academic vs. general
• Roughly US$180-200
• Results recommended as valid for two years
 Procedure
• Register online at www.ielts.org
– Register early
• Pay the fee
• Bring passport-sized photo (without glasses)
 Procedure
• Bring a photocopy of passport picture page
– Copy of national identity card is okay
• Test results are announced in about 2 weeks
– Individual centers: picked up in-person or sent via
mail
– No results over the phone or by fax or email.
 Scores
• There is no pass or fail in IELTS.
– The score needed depends on requirements of
the accepting institution
• Scores from 1 to 9 for each test area
• Scores listed as whole or half bands
– 6.5, 7.0, 7.5, 8.0
 Scores
• Band 9: Expert user
• Band 5: Modest user
• Band 3: Extremely limited user
• Band 1: Non-user
 Testing order
• Listening
• Reading
• Writing
• Speaking
– Note: might be on a different day
 No magic bullets
• Good English + good test-taking skills =
success
• No secret recipes
No magic bullets
“I’ve gotten
over my fear of
tests, but now I
seem to have
developed
studying
anxiety.”
 No magic bullets
• Practice…and practice well
• Exam can be taken multiple times
 General test tips and strategies
• Every test
• Every time
 General test tips and strategies
• Read the directions carefully
• Skim/scan
• Only give required number of answers
• Spell answers correctly, particularly when
already given in the question or passage
• Use exact wording from passage
 General test tips and strategies
• Questions appear in passage order
• Answers from life experience vs. answers from
the passage
• Underline key words in Qs
• Use prediction skills
– Numbers, amounts, parts of speech, etc.
 General test tips and strategies
• Focus on IELTS-specific information
 Common topics throughout the test
• There are always texts related to these topics
on IELTS exams
• Check the topics on the official IELTS website
or your preparation book
• Some of these topics are:
– Technology
– Consumerism
– Health
– Natural world
SECTION INFORMATION: LISTENING
 Listening overview
Sections Content/Duration Number
of Qs
4 sections 30 minutes for the test 40 Qs
10 minutes for transferring
answers
Section 1 A conversation between two 10 Qs
speakers in a social or semi-
social context /10 minutes
Section 2 A talk by a single speaker based 10 Qs
on a non-academic situation /10
minutes
 Listening overview
Sections Content/Duration Number
of Qs
Section 3 A conversation with up to four 10 Qs
speakers based on academic
topics or course-related
situations /10 minutes
Section 4 A university-style lecture or talk 10 Qs
/10 minutes
 Listening overview
Section Skills Question Types
Orienting yourself to Form filling,
the text note-completion
1
Listening for specific Table completion,
information sentence completion
Identifying detail Labeling a diagram,
multiple choice
2 Following a Labeling a map or plan,
description on a map, summary completion
diagram, plan
 Listening overview
Section Skills Question Types
Identifying main Short-answer
3 ideas questions,
multiple choice
questions,
matching
Following signposts Completing a flowchart
4 Following a talk Note-completion
 Tips for Listening Test

“I find the easiest

way to expand my
vocabulary is to
make up words.”

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iVF377b8kY0/S741gQW0fhI/AAAAAAAAEDs/KwLtXDhBpyw/s1600/7697_english_cartoon.gif
 Tips for Listening Test
• Important: spelling is assessed, even in the
Listening exam!
 Tips for Listening Exam

• Both British and American variants are accepted.

http://myexpatgermany.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/foreign-language-school-cartoon2-300x297.jpg
 Tips for Listening Test
• Tip: transfer answers carefully
– 10-minutes allotted
 Tips for Listening Test
• No opportunity to re-listen
– Tip: take notes
• Only around 30 seconds pre-listening time
– Tip: use time wisely—read next question; don’t
transfer answers
Tip: use required number of words
Complete the sentences below.
Write NO MORE THAN ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

Hotel Novena Guest Registration form

Example Answer

Name of guest: Matthews

Room: 1 …………………..

Wake-up call at: 2 …………………..

Type of breakfast: 3……………………

Payment by: 4 …………………..

 Section 4: different
• No assigned time for reading questions in
section 4 during the recording
– Tip: read through all the questions first
Tip: test answers follow Q order
 Q types
• Important: significantly different than TOEFL
– Tip: be familiar with Q types
 Question types: labeling a map or plan

Label the plan.

Write the correct letter A-H next

to the questions 1-4.

1 Car Park …………………………..

2 Domestic Terminal ……………

3 Lifts …………………………………

4 Regional Terminal …………….

Question types: labeling a diagram
 Mixed question types: fill in the
blanks
The Study of Child Language Acquisition

Fascinating because people have an 1 ………………. in

children’s learning

2 …………………. because it leads to greater understanding of

language

3 …………………. because of the differences encountered

 Mixed question types: fill in the
flowchart blanks
Complete the flowchart below

Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each of answer.
Discussion of includes the use of diaries, recordings, tests
4 ………………………….

Speech in infants’ 5 ……………….. of life Children become aware that they can speak

Speech in children 6 ………………. years Linguistic analysis become possible

 Mixed question types: complete
the table
Complete the table below.
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each of
answer.

Animal Brought by Reason

1 …………………………… Settlers For food

Fox Settlers 2 ……………………………

Cane toad 3 …………………………… To kill beetles

 Mixed question types: complete
the flowchart
Beetle lay eggs

Eggs become grubs

Grubs eat the 4 …………..

Sugar cane 5 …………..

 Mixed question types: multiple
choice
Choose the correct letter A, B, or C.

6. The cane toad originated in 8. The farmer’s plan failed because

A Central America A There were too many beetles

B Hawaii B Their own research was faulty
C Australia C they believed the reports they read

7. In Australia, the toads 9. The sugar cane industry

A grew extremely large A thrives today

B multiplied in number B has died out in some areas
C ate the cane beetles C survives alongside the beetle
SECTION INFORMATION: READING
 Reading overview
Passages Content/Duration Number of Qs

3 Academic passages / 40 Qs in total

60 minutes
Passage 1 More descriptive 13 to 14 Qs for
passage each passage

Passage 2 More discursive and 13 to 14 Qs for

argumentative each passage
 Reading overview
Passages Content/Duration Number of Qs

Passage 3 More discursive and 13 to 14 Qs for

argumentative each passage
 Reading overview
Skills Question Types
Using titles and Finding information in
subheadings paragraphs
Using paragraphs and Choosing headings for
main ideas paragraphs
Skimming Short-answer questions
Scanning Completing a flowchart,
Following referencing diagram, table
 Reading overview
Skills Question Types
Understanding paragraph Multiple choice,
structure True / False / Not Given
Extracting key information Note Completion
Paraphrasing the main Choosing headings for
ideas paragraphs
Getting gap-fill answers Sentence completion
right
Understanding summaries Summary completion (with
a box)
 Reading overview
Skills Question Types
Recognizing arguments / Choosing from a list
views in texts Classification
Matching
Interacting with / Matching sentence endings
analyzing passage Yes / No / Not given
 Reading
• A difficult question carries the same number
of points as an easy question
– Tip: answer the easy questions first
 Guessing

“When can I
stop making
wild guesses
and start
making
educated
guesses?”

http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/cartoonists/jha/lowres/jhan289l.jpg
 Reading
• No penalty for guessing
– Tip: answer every question
 Reading
• Note: no extra time to transfer answers
• No specialist knowledge required
• Copy passage answers correctly: spelling!
– Tip: beware of singular/plural
 No title or subheading?
• A question may test understanding of the
theme or purpose of the passage
 Match the headings with paragraphs
List of headings
i. Increasing customer confidence
ii. A benefit to retailers
iii. The dangers for retailers
iv. Changing the face of the shop
v. Encouraging online feedback

1. Paragraph ………………………..
2. Paragraph ………………………..
3. Paragraph ………………………..
4. Paragraph ………………………..
5. Paragraph ………………………..
 Matching
• Headings may have similar/identical words as
a paragraph, but that does not mean that
heading goes with that paragraph.
– Tip: match ideas not words
 Problem: speed
• “Passages are too long”
– Tip: work on speed
– How? Extensive reading
– How? Read chunks, not words, etc.
 Gaps
There may be two gaps, worth one or two marks. Tip:
the word ‘both’ in a sentence or summary signals that
two answers may be required.
Complete the sentences below
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A
NUMBER for each answer.
1. Esperance used to rely on ………………… .
2. About ……………………… of Esperance’s energy needs
are met by wind.
3. & 4. Wind farms should not be built near barriers to
the wind, such as ……………………. or ……………………… .
 Paraphrasing
• IELTS questions often use different words or
phrases from those used in the passage
– Tip: practice paraphrasing skills—essential!
 Paraphrasing: London tours
• Q: “On this tour you can see where an
artificial watercourse used to end.”
• A: “We pass…the original termination of the
New River, constructed to bring water to
London from springs over 30km away.”
 Paraphrasing: London tours
• Q: “This tour includes a functioning market.”
• A: “…then (we) continue to Borough Market,
where you’ll find it hard to choose among all
the fine food and other goods on sale.
– (excerpts from Objective IELTS Intermediate)
 Keywords
• Tip: don’t be fooled by appearance of
keywords
• Q: “This tour includes a functioning market.”
 Keywords
• A: “For more than 250 years Mayfair has been
the most upmarket district in London…”
• A: “We walk along to St. John Street, where
animals used to be driven on their way to
Smithfield Market.”
• A: “…then (we) continue to Borough Market…”
 No partial marks for partial answers
Choose THREE letters. A-G.

Which THREE of the arguments below are stated in the passage?

A Penguins are not afraid of people.

B Penguins are becoming an endangered species.
C Tourists are not a threat their existence.
D Penguins are hard to research.
E Penguins don’t leave their nest.
F A penguins behavior depends on its species.
G Penguin stress may result from being with other penguins.
SECTION INFORMATION: WRITING
 Writing overview
Tasks Content/Duration

2 Tasks 60 minutes

Write a summary of the graphic/pictorial

Task 1 information provided
150 words
20 minutes suggested
Write an academic-style essay
Task 2 250 words long
40 minutes suggested
 Writing overview
Skills
Interpreting visual Tables
information Diagrams
Bar charts Pie charts
Line graphs
Writing an overview Picking out significant trends
Selecting / illustrating Highlighting main stages of a
main points process
 Writing overview
Skills
Comparing information Describing how something
works
Grouping information
 Task 1
• Description of a graph, table, process or a
combination of the three
• Purpose: describe and compare data
– Tip: don’t suggest causes or reasons for the data
– Tip: don’t simply list the information
• Note dates and times in the data
– Tip: use the appropriate tense
 Task 2
• Description: academic-style essay
• Purpose: write a well-organized essay with
appropriate support of opinion
 Guidelines
Approach Reason
Before • Note key points and • Misinterpreting the
writing decide on an data or diagram
overview (T1) will result in lost
points
 Guidelines

http://www.cloverbar.ca/article_images/40/math%20exam%20cartoon.jpg
Guidelines
 Guidelines
Approach Reason
Before • Read the task • Answers should
writing carefully and decide relevantly address
number of parts, all parts of the
and position to question
support (T2)
 Guidelines
Approach Reason
While • Introduce the • Copying the
writing information in an question will not
overview, using your count toward word
own words (T1) total
• Summarize the key • Lost marks for
points and use data missing key points
to illustrate those or failing to
key points (T1) illustrate them
 Guidelines
Approach Reason
While • Introduce, present • Copied material will
writing and support ideas not count as part of
clearly word total
• Logical conclusion
and a consistent
position must be
present (T2)
 Guidelines
Approach Reason
While • Include a general • Marks lost if no
writing observation overview
summarizing the
main points/trends
(T1)
• (Diagrams) Use the
key words in the
labels; divide
description around
main stages or
processes (T1)
 Guidelines
Approach Reason
Good • Use own words • Doing this will earn
writing wherever possible more points
• Divide answer into • More marks for
paragraphs and use well-organized
linking words to answer using a
connect ideas range of linking
and reference
words
 Guidelines
Approach Reason
Good • Present a balanced • If no clear position
writing argument. If asked with relevant
for an opinion, show support, lower
both sides before grade
showing preferred
choice in the
conclusion (T2)
 Guidelines
Approach Reason
After • Count words— • Short answers lose
writing quickly!—to make marks. (There are
sure that word no extra marks for
count is met long answers.)
• Check grammar, • Mistakes reduce
spelling and score
punctuation
 “Can you believe I
got a ‘C’ in
English? And I was
doing so good!”

http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/cartoonists/jlv/lowres/jlvn494l.jpg
 Range of structures: important
Verbs Phrases
• To rise • Five out of ten…
• To fall • Fifty per cent of…
• To peak • A third of the students…
Adjectives and Adverbs
• Sharp(ly) • Considerable(ably)
• Dramatic(ally) • Slight(ly)
• Significant(ly) • Gentle(ly)
 Writing strategies
• Paragraphs
– Have one idea per paragraph
• Content
– Avoid informal language
– Don’t memorize model answers
– Opinion: no correct answer, just a clear position
and good support
 Writing strategies
• Procedure
– Be careful with timing - don't rush
– Task Two is longer and is worth more points
– Leave time to edit
 Writing strategies
‘Yes well, legibility and correct punctuation might
not be “street”…but that’s how I roll, dude.’

http://bigeyedeer.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/graf.gif?w=500&h=402
 Writing assessment: 4 key issues
• Content
• Grammar
• Vocabulary
• Cohesion
 Ways to affect a score
Mobiles phones have changed the way many people
communicate. Nowadays people cannot live without them if
they want to be a part of society.

To what extent do you think this is true?

Why do you think some people have not adapted to this type of
communication?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant

examples from your own knowledge or experience.
 Ways to affect a score
• For a two-part answer, both parts must be
addressed; otherwise, no more than Band 5
for content
• If main ideas are related but off-topic, no
more than Band 5
SECTION INFORMATION: SPEAKING
 Note
• Listening, Reading and Writing=same day
• Speaking=same day…or up to a week before
or after
 Speaking overview
Parts What? Content Duration

3 Speaking 11-14
Parts minutes
Part 1 Introduction Talk about self and 4-5
& Interview familiar topics with minutes
the examiner. Answer
examiner’s questions
neither too short nor
too long.
 Speaking overview
Parts What? Content Duration

Part 2 Short talk Talk for 1-2 minutes 3-4

on a topic chosen by minutes
the examiner. 1
minute for
preparation and
around 2 minutes for
a non-stop talk.
 Speaking overview
Parts What? Content Duration

Part 3 Two-way Answer more abstract 4-5

discussion questions related to minutes
the topic in part 2.
Demonstrate control
of language, ability to
express abstract ideas
and support opinions
appropriately
 Speaking overview
Skills Parts
Answering questions on familiar topics 1
Expanding answers
Linking and expanding ideas using linking 1
vocabulary
 Speaking overview
Skills Parts
Understanding the topic
Checking notes 2
Using notes
Using rhythm and timing to talk fluently 2
 Speaking overview
Skills Parts
Making ideas clear 3
Giving two sides of an argument
Speculating 3
Extending a conversation
 Part 1
• Very short answers=lost points
– Tip: aim for two to four spoken sentences for each
answer.
 Part 1

“I didn’t feel
answers were
necessary. All
the questions
seemed
rhetorical.”

http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/cartoonists/mba/lowres/mban839l.jpg
 Part 1 examples
What is the best way to stay healthy?
I think walking is good for you, as well as watching what
you eat. So I try to take some exercise every day and on
top of that I eat lots of fruit and vegetables.

What kind of music are you interested in?

Well… I really enjoy listening to songs, particularly
songs from my country. And I like to have music playing
when I’m studying. In fact, I can’t study without music.
 Part 2
• Take notes on key points asked in the
question.
– Tip: don’t write full sentences
• No credit for repeating words in the task
• Practice speaking for at least a minute—
harder than it sounds
– Tip: using a watch during the exam is permitted
 Part 2 prompts
Describe a place you have lived in that you particularly
liked.

You should say:

when you lived there
who you lived with
what was most memorable about this place
and explain why you liked it so much.
 Part 2 prompts
Describe a family member who is the most successful.

You should say:

who this person is
how often you see each other
what this person does
and explain why he/she is successful.
 Part 3 samples
How important is it to enjoy your work? Why?
Does tourism bring mainly positive or negative things to
a country?
Having somewhere to live is a basic right. So should the
state provide cheap housing for people who don’t earn
a lot of money? Why?
To what extent do you think the climate of a country
affects the kind of houses or homes that are built?
 Part 3 samples
Well… in my view, climate probably has to do a lot with
the way we design our houses. So… for instance, in
countries where it snows a lot, you find houses with
something like a steep roof… so that the snow can’t
settle there, and … you know damage the roof. But in
warm climates, I think the houses are often built to
keep the sun out.
 Part 3
• Goal: a well-reasoned, smoothly-connect,
justified answer
• No wrong answers: quality and content of
speech are graded, not opinions
• No knowledge of topic? Too bad!
– Tip: specifically practice speaking about obscure
topics (…fake it!)
 Part 3
• Rephrase the question in your own words to
help you explore the issues raised
• Think about desired action: explain, compare,
describe, speculate, etc.
• Quickly develop ideas and jot them down
 Speaking strategies
• Desired: effective communication, not
“perfect” answers
– Tip: don't memorize answers
• Develop answers as much as possible
– Tip: never give one-word answers to questions
• Carefully consider appropriate tense and
vocabulary
Appropriate vocabulary…!

Due to his
grammar
mistake, Wilbur
found a
position. It just
wasn’t the one
he wanted.

http://myexpatgermany.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/foreign-language-school-pig-cartoon.jpg
 Speaking strategies
• Examiners may repeat questions
– Tip: don’t be afraid to ask
• Speaking clearly and using stress and
intonation will help communicate ideas
 Speaking assessment: 4 aspects
• Fluency
• Grammar
• Vocabulary
• Pronunciation
 Sources
• New Insights into IELTS by Jakeman and
McDowell
• Objective IELTS Intermediate by Black and
Sharp
• Many others…see the vendors in the exhibit
hall
 Contacting us
• Ozgur Pala
– [email protected]
• David Bartsch
– [email protected]
• Available at www.slideshare.net/bartsch