IELTS

Exchange & Academic IELTS

IELTS

The IELTS Guide

FAQs, Tips and Advice

2015

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Table of Contents
Section 1: Frequently asked questions ....................................................................................... 5
Is the Academic version of the test harder than the General? ..................................................... 6
How often can I take the exam? ................................................................................................... 6
How long do I need to prepare? ................................................................................................... 6
How long will it take to raise my band score by a point? .............................................................. 6
I am partially sighted. Can I still take IELTS? .............................................................................. 6
What if I am sick on the test day? ................................................................................................. 6
What time is the test? ................................................................................................................... 7
What if I arrive late? ...................................................................................................................... 7
Are all the test centres the same? ................................................................................................ 7
When can I sit the exam? ............................................................................................................. 7
What if I change my mind? Can I get my money back? .............................................................. 7
How long is the test? .................................................................................................................... 7
What happens if I need the bathroom during the exam? ............................................................. 7
What can I bring into the exam room? ......................................................................................... 8
What happens if there is an emergency and I need my phone? .................................................. 8
Where can I find out my nearest test centre? ............................................................................... 8
How do I apply for the test? .......................................................................................................... 8
Ive heard people have been refused entry to the exam. Why? .................................................. 8
What security do I have to go through? ........................................................................................ 8
Is there a computer-based version of the exam? ......................................................................... 9
I do fine on practice tests, and terribly in the exam. What can I do? ........................................... 9
How long will it be before I get my results? .................................................................................. 9
How many copies of my certificate can I get? .............................................................................. 9
How long does my certificate last? ............................................................................................... 9
My score is low. Im sure I did better. Can I get a re-mark? ..................................................... 10
I have taken three exams and my score keeps changing. Why? .............................................. 10
I do fine on Reading, but Listening is a problem. Why? ............................................................. 10
My speaking is fine, but I get low marks in writing. Why? ......................................................... 11
I need to raise my score quickly. What can I do? ...................................................................... 11
Im not near a school. Where can I get help? ............................................................................ 11
Section 2: Listening .................................................................................................................... 12
I heard that listening isnt always the first part of the exam. Why? ........................................... 13
Im slightly deaf; can I sit at the front? ........................................................................................ 13
IELTS is an English exam. Will the speakers be native speakers? .......................................... 13
How long is the listening exam? ................................................................................................. 13
What kinds of things will I have to listen to? ............................................................................... 13
How often do I listen? ................................................................................................................. 14
How many question types are there? ......................................................................................... 14

2015 www.ieltsexchange.com

What happens if I lose track? ..................................................................................................... 14

Are there any breaks in the exam? ............................................................................................ 14
Do I write in pen or pencil?......................................................................................................... 14
What if I make a mistake? .......................................................................................................... 14
Can I write all my answers in capitals? ...................................................................................... 15
Why are multiple choice questions (MCQs) so hard? ................................................................ 15
Does spelling matter? ................................................................................................................ 15
I heard IELTS deliberately choose difficult numbers. Is that true? ........................................... 15
What happens if I use too many words in the answer? ............................................................. 16
Why doesnt the question say the same as the recording? ....................................................... 16
Do I need to write symbols like $, or %? ................................................................................. 16
I have trouble with maps and diagrams in listening. What can I do? ........................................ 16
How can I transfer all my answers in 10 minutes? .................................................................... 16
Where can I find listening materials? ......................................................................................... 17
How can I practice? .................................................................................................................... 17
Which vocabulary do I need to learn? ........................................................................................ 17
Section 3: Reading ...................................................................................................................... 19
How long is the Reading test? ................................................................................................... 20
Is it true that the passages get harder? ..................................................................................... 20
I always run out of time. What can I do? ................................................................................... 20
How many question types are there? ........................................................................................ 20
Which question types are most common? ................................................................................. 21
I mess up with TRUE-FALSE-NOT GIVEN questions. What can I do? .................................... 21
Do the reading passages use a lot of academic vocabulary? ................................................... 22
Are the answers in order of the text, like listening? ................................................................... 22
How can I practice Reading? ..................................................................................................... 22
Section 4: Writing ........................................................................................................................ 23
How long is the writing exam? ................................................................................................... 24
Can I write in pen? ..................................................................................................................... 24
What kind of visuals can I expect in Task 1? ............................................................................. 24
How much do I have to write for Task 1?................................................................................... 24
I always write more than 150 words. Will I be penalised? ........................................................ 24
How many paragraphs should I write for Task 1? ..................................................................... 25
Should I write a conclusion in Task 1?....................................................................................... 25
How do I write numbers in Task 1? ............................................................................................ 25
When do I use percent and when do I use percentage? ........................................................... 25
How do I describe graphs? ........................................................................................................ 25
Can I talk about trends with bar charts? .................................................................................... 25
Which tenses do I use? .............................................................................................................. 26
I always use the same vocabulary in Task 1. How can I change it?......................................... 26
How formal is Task 1?................................................................................................................ 27
Do I interpret the data in Task 1? ............................................................................................... 27

What are the most common task types in Task 1? .................................................................... 27

How is Task 1 marked? .............................................................................................................. 27
Can I start with Task 2 in case I run out of time? ....................................................................... 27
What kind of questions can I expect in Task 2? ......................................................................... 28
Whats the best way to answer Task 2? ..................................................................................... 28
How can I support my answer with examples? .......................................................................... 28
What if I dont understand the question? .................................................................................... 28
How much should I write? .......................................................................................................... 29
How can I get ideas for essays? ................................................................................................. 29
How do I start?............................................................................................................................ 29
Is it worth reading model essays? I cant write like that. ........................................................... 29
What does less common vocabulary mean? ............................................................................ 29
Where can I get my essays checked? ........................................................................................ 30
May hand-writing is terrible. What can I do? ............................................................................. 30
Can I write in capital letters? ...................................................................................................... 30
I heard that questions repeat and students can memorize essays. Is that true? ....................... 30
How should I make corrections? ................................................................................................ 30
What happens if I run out of time?.............................................................................................. 30
Section 5: Speaking .................................................................................................................... 31
When is the Speaking exam? ..................................................................................................... 32
How many parts are there? ........................................................................................................ 32
How long should my answers be in Part 1? ............................................................................... 32
I get a dry mouth when Im nervous. What if I cant speak? ...................................................... 33
What happens in Part 2? ............................................................................................................ 33
What kind of topics come up in Part 2? ...................................................................................... 33
What if I dont understand the cue card? .................................................................................... 34
What if I run out of things to say? ............................................................................................... 34
I did a speaking exam and the examiner stopped me in Part 2. Why? ..................................... 34
Are topics repeated? .................................................................................................................. 34
How can I prepare for Part 2? .................................................................................................... 34
What is Part 3 about? ................................................................................................................. 35
Ive seen questions in Part 1 that look like Part 3. Whats going on?........................................ 35
Will the examiner mind if I ask him to repeat a question? .......................................................... 35
I have nobody to practice with. What can I do? ......................................................................... 35
What if I go off topic? .................................................................................................................. 35
What about vocabulary? ............................................................................................................. 36
I know I have an accent. Will I be penalised? ........................................................................... 36
How can I learn the errors I am making? ................................................................................... 36
How is speaking marked? .......................................................................................................... 36

Section 1: Frequently asked questions

1.

Is the Academic version of the test harder than the General?

Yes. It is designed to test if you are ready to study at an English college or
university. The Reading passages are longer and more difficult; the
Writing is more academic. Listening and Speaking are the same.
However, some countries require a higher band score in General than for
Academic if the purpose is for work or work experience. Check exactly
what scores you need.

2.

How often can I take the exam?

There is no limit. You can take the exam as many times as you like to get
the band score you need. However, each exam costs the equivalent in
your currency of 145 or $205 (correct in November 2015). Spending a
similar amount on an IELTS trainer may be a better or faster way to raise
your band score.

3.

How long do I need to prepare?

That depends on your level of English and the band score you need. If you
are an advanced student or a native English speaker and need band score
6.00, you just need to be familiar with the test format. If you are an
intermediate student and you need band score 7.5, you will need time to
prepare.

4.

How long will it take to raise my band score by a point?

IELTS used to say you need three months to raise your band score by one
point, but they recognise that every student is different. With intensive study
you could do it in one month. If you are only weak in one skill, you could do it
in a couple of weeks. You need to know all the tips and strategies, and it may
be worth spending money on getting an IELTS trainer.

5.

I am partially sighted. Can I still take IELTS?

Yes. If you have any disability, such as being partly deaf, blind, or less
mobile, talk to your local test centre. Give them plenty of notice because
they may need up to 3 months to arrange the right papers or facilities.

6.

What if I am sick on the test day?

If you have a minor illness (a cold, sore throat and so on) tell the examiner
that you are not feeling well and that it might affect your performance. If you
have a major medical emergency (like being in hospital!) provide a medical
certificate for the test centre within 5 days of the test. They will refund the
majority of your exam fee. They keep some for administration costs. If you
do not turn up to the exam and do not send a certificate, you will lose your
money.

7.

What time is the test?

The written part of the exam usually starts at 9 am local time. The test
centre will tell you when to arrive. They usually expect you at least 45
minutes before the exam to complete security arrangements. The spoken
part of the exam may be on the same day, in the afternoon, or on a different
day. Your test centre will tell you when to arrive, but once you do, you may
have to wait for over an hour before the exam. Practice staying calm and
relaxed while you wait!

8.

What if I arrive late?

If you overslept or missed the bus, you will have to pay again. If you are
late because of extreme circumstances beyond your control, such as a
transport strike, a fire on the underground and so on, inform the test centre
as soon as you can. They should offer you the next available test date.

9.

Are all the test centres the same?

They should be, but the reality is that every examiner is different. They
have to take exams and their work is checked to ensure the same standard
across the world, but it is not always possible. On average, however, the
grade you get in one place would be the same in another.

10.

When can I sit the exam?

Exams are on three Saturdays and one Thursday every month, but each
test centre can only take a certain amount of candidates and may not run
every test. You need to book early if you want to guarantee a place.

11.

What if I change my mind? Can I get my money back?

If you tell the test centre at least 5 weeks before, they will refund most of
your money. They keep some for administration costs.

12.

How long is the test?

The written exam (Listening/Reading/Writing) is just over three hours, from
9.00-12.15. There are no breaks. The spoken part of the exam will be after a
lunch break. Each candidate will be given their own time-slot for the test. If
you are at the end of the list, your exam may be late in the afternoon.

13.

What happens if I need the bathroom during the exam?

You will need the permission of the examiner, and you will need to be
escorted to the bathroom by a member of the test centres staff. Go before
the test starts. There is a break after the written paper before the speaking
test where you can use the bathroom.

14.

What can I bring into the exam room?

Water in a clear plastic bottle with no label. Pen(s), pencil(s) and an eraser.
You can write your essays in pen, but you must use pencil for Listening and
Reading. If you start writing in pen by mistake, tell the examiner
immediately.

15.

What happens if there is an emergency and I need my phone?

You cannot bring a phone into the exam room and even in the test centre it
must be switched off. If you dont do comply, your will be disqualified. If you
have a family emergency and may need to withdraw from the exam, give the
test centres number to those who may need to contact you and explain the
situation.

16.

Where can I find out my nearest test centre?

At http://www.ielts.org/test_centre_search/search_results.aspx you can find
your country and a list of test centres will be displayed. In some cases,
private schools and colleges far from a main test centre may run IELTS
exams. An examiner is sent from the main site. Check with your school.

17.

How do I apply for the test?

At http://www.ielts.org/pdf/IELTS%20application%20form-2015.pdf you can
find the application form. You need to register with an ID card or a passport.
If you take IELTS in your own country, you can use a national identity card.
If you take the exam anywhere else, you must use your passport. You can
take your completed form, two passport photographs and the fee to your
local test centre, post it, or register online.

18.

Ive heard people have been refused entry to the exam. Why?
IELTS refuses entry to candidates who bring a different form of identity to
the one they registered with (such as registering with an ID card, and
bringing a passport), or if they refuse any of the security checks.

19.

What security do I have to go through?

Your identity will be checked when you register, and when you arrive at the
test centre. If you are normally veiled, you will have to show your face to a
female member of staff to check against your ID photograph. All candidates
must be prepared to have their photograph taken: it appears on your test
certificate, so if you refuse, you will not be allowed to take the exam. You
may also be asked to verify your signature, or have your fingerprints
scanned. This is a common procedure, so do not feel threatened or
discriminated against if the test centre asks you to do this.

20.

Is there a computer-based version of the exam?

Computer-based IELTS has been trialled but is not in operation. There are
no computer-based IELTS tests anywhere in the world. (Neil Roberts,
Enquiries Advisor, November 2015.)

21.

I do fine on practice tests, and terribly in the exam. What can I do?
Some people do get nervous during exams. Make sure you prepare well,
and then rest on the Wednesday or Friday before your exam. Get a good
nights sleep, and eat breakfast. Your brain is like your car: it doesnt work
without fuel.
Some students find it helps to dress comfortably, while others feel more
confident if they dress up. Do whatever makes you feel better.
Arrange to arrive early at the test centre so you have time to relax before the
exam. When the exam starts, take a few deep breaths while the examiner is
explaining the procedure after all, youre sitting on a chair in a test centre,
not the electric chair on death row. In a few hours it will all be over, and if
you have prepared, all you can do is your best.
Some students find the test less nerve-wracking when they take the exam a
second time, because everything is more familiar and less scary.

22.

How long will it be before I get my results?

It usually takes 13 days. Your test centre may mail the results or send them
electronically.
The schools you listed in question 22 (Recognising
Organisations like schools, colleges or employers) may get the results
before you do. The British Council runs a Results Preview service where
you can look at your results online before the official report is sent.
In exceptional circumstances, test results may be delayed. For example, if
your test centres results are much higher or lower than any others, IELTS
may want to investigate. You may be asked to provide a writing or speaking
sample, or even take part of the exam again.

23.

How many copies of my certificate can I get?

One, unless you can prove you are applying to Citizenship and Immigration
Canada (CIC) or to United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI) when
you get two. If you lose or damage your certificate you cannot get another.

24.

How long does my certificate last?

It is valid for two years. If you take more than one exam, each certificate is
valid for two years from the date of issue: the latest certificate does not
invalidate the previous ones.

25.

My score is low. Im sure I did better. Can I get a re-mark?

In most cases, the mark you are given will stand. In a very few cases, you
may get a higher mark, but you may also be given a lower one. If you are
sure there is a mistake, apply within 6 weeks saying which part(s) you want
re-marked. The cost of re-marking is high (often 50% of the exam fee) and it
can take up to two months. In the meantime, you cannot apply for university
courses etc. Usually, it is less stressful and far quicker to take another
exam.

26.

I have taken three exams and my score keeps changing. Why?

It depends what is happening to your scores.
If they are all going up, then you are gradually improving. Keep
practising all the skills.
If they are going up and down, then it may be that you are at the limit if
your level of English and are being affected by the content of a particular
exam. For example, if the reading passages were on subjects you dont
like or you couldnt think of ideas for the essay. You need to improve
your general level of English.
If some are staying the same (or going down) and others are improving,
you are probably concentrating on that skill and failing to practise the
others. Practice all the skills.
If all are improving and one is staying the same, then you need help with
that skill. Writing is often the skill most people need help with.

27.

I do fine on Reading, but Listening is a problem. Why?

Reading and Listening are both receptive (input) skills, but English is
orthographically weak and a stressed language. That means that the letters
you see on a page, dont look like the word you hear. For example, the
word /rli / is spelled thoroughly and when you hear /ennt/ you
wouldnt necessarily know the spelling was ancient. Similarly, a word which
looks the same on the page can have two different meanings depending on
the word stress. I think we should reform the band could mean that the
speaker thinks the band needs improvement (/rfm/) or that the group
should get back together (/rifm/). Because of this, you may do well on
reading because you recognise written words, but less well on Listening
because you arent as familiar to the way the words sound.
Practice listening to English as you read.
There are lots of resources available but to read a story as you listen, try
this. https://www.gutenberg.org/ offers free e-books you can download and
print, and https://www.librivox.org has free recordings of them.
An example of a story with a British reader:
https://librivox.org/lost-mans-lane-by-anna-katharine-green/ (Audio)
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/33305 (e-book)
An example of a story with an American reader:
https://librivox.org/the-harbor-of-doubt-by-frank-williams/ (Audio)
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/29817/29817-h/29817-h.htm (e-book)

10

28.

My speaking is fine, but I get low marks in writing. Why?

Usually candidates who get high marks in speaking have good vocabulary
and grammar, so if they do poorly in writing they may have one of the
following issues:

They are poor at spelling.

o Make sure you learn the correct spellings of common IELTS
vocabulary, such as accommodation, environment or
consumption.
They cannot write legibly, by hand, fast enough to complete the two
writing tasks.
o Practise writing by hand. It is not usual to write anything by hand
these days: we text on phones or use keyboards on computers, so
writing quickly and clearly is an art you have to learn.
They are not used to the strict requirements of Task 1 and Task 2
writing, so they lose marks for Task Achievement and cohesion. Both
tasks require very different skill sets. To improve you need to
thoroughly understand the question types, how answers are marked
and what questions mean.
o Practise writing and have your writing assessed. If you can get
free help on forums, from a teacher or at your school, take it. If
not, you should consider getting a writing tutor. Some will charge a
fee for just assessing your work (such as giving an idea of band
score); others will give an idea of band score and make
corrections; a few will assess your work, make corrections and
give feedback on how you can improve.

29.

I need to raise my score quickly. What can I do?

If you have a limited time to get the result you need, then consider taking a
course with a local school, an online class, or work one-to-one with a tutor.
Talk to the teacher first. You need to get an idea of whether you can work
with him/her. Ask if you can contact any of the tutors previous students
directly: they should have no problem with you doing that.

30.

Im not near a school. Where can I get help?

There are lots of resources online nowadays (see the sections which follow
for each skill) and you can also find online tutors. Some will deal with you
my email, or offer Skype lessons for speaking. Reliable teachers will be
able to talk to you about your needs before you commit to buying anything.

11

Section 2: Listening

12

1.

I heard that listening isnt always the first part of the exam. Why?
It is usually the first part, but if there are technical issues at your particular
test centre, the order of the exam may need to be changed. Listening,
Reading and Writing will still be held together without a break.

2.

Im slightly deaf; can I sit at the front?

If you have a hearing difficulty, you need to tell the test centre when you
book the exam. Some centres give each candidate individual headphones.
Others can adjust seating arrangements so that you have a fair chance of
hearing as much as other candidates.

3.

IELTS is an English exam. Will the speakers be native speakers?

Not always. There will be a range of accents from English-speaking
countries such as Australia, the UK, Canada, Ireland, the USA, New Zealand
and South Africa, but also other accents representing learners.
Try to listen to a variety of accents to practise listening. To compare different
accents, go to http://www.dialectsarchive.com/globalmap and click on a
place. You will hear English being spoken by someone from that place.
There are also many videos on U-Tube where you can listen to different
varieties of spoken English.
A good way to practice is to watch British, Australia and American films and
documentaries as they will often have other accents, too, such as New
Zealand, Canadian or Irish. This is also useful because native speakers
tend to speak very fast and the words run into each other. If you enjoy what
you listen to, like a movie or a song, it will be easier for you to make sense of
the words and phrases.

4.

How long is the listening exam?

It takes around 30 minutes and there are four sections. There is an extra 10
minutes at the end to write your answers on the answer sheet.

5.

What kinds of things will I have to listen to?

Sections 1 and 2 are common social situations.
Section 1 is a dialogue (conversation), such as arranging to join a gym or
making a complaint.
Section 2 is a monologue (talk), such as a tour guide explaining a route or a
radio show host explaining an event.
Sections 3 and 4 are common work or academic situations.
Section 3 is a conversation two speakers, like two undergraduates talking
about a project, or a tutor running through assignment options with a
student.
Section 4 is a monologue, such as a lecturer giving a talk, or someone
making a presentation on an academic topic.
13

6.

How often do I listen?

You only listen ONCE. There is time to read the questions before the
recording begins and there is an example at the start of the first section, but
there is only one chance to listen, so write notes on the question paper as
you go along. You can write in your native language the question paper is
collected back by the examiner, but it is destroyed, not used for marking.
Also use the time between sections to read ahead. There is no point
checking your previous answers as the recording has gone. Instead, read
the questions which are coming and try to predict the type of answer a
name, a place, a thing, and so on.

7.

How many question types are there?

There are six, but this includes two types of multiple choice question. You
can see and listen to examples at
http://www.ielts.org/test_takers_information/test_sample/listening_sample.aspx
http://www.ieltsexchange.com/#!listening/cjup

8.

What happens if I lose track?

The answers and the recording are in order. There are 10 questions in each
section, and each section is divided into two parts. (For example, Section 1
may have one type of question for numbers 1-4, and another type for
questions 5-10.) The announcer will say turn to section 2 if the recording is
about to move to a new section, or you will hear now you have time to read
questions 6-10 if you are on the second half of the first section. Each batch
of questions is on a new page, so you will hear other students turning their
pages as a new part begins. Because questions are in order, if you hear the
answer to number 8 and have missed number 7, forget it for now. At the
end, you can guess, but do not waste time during the recording looking for
previous answers.

9.

Are there any breaks in the exam?

No. The only reason the examiner would stop the listening was if there was
a technical error (such as a CD skipping or a power failure). One the
recording starts, it will continue until you hear That is the end of the listening
test. You now have ten minutes to transfer your answers to an answer
sheet.

10.

Do I write in pen or pencil?

You must write in pencil. If you make a mistake, tell the invigilator.

11.

What if I make a mistake?

You can erase it, or put a line through it. Never put arrows to switch
answers, such as answer 23 is in line 24 and answer 24 is in line 23. The
examiner will mark them both wrong.
14

12.

Can I write all my answers in capitals?

Yes. IELTS specifically says that you can write answers in capitals and
there is a good reason to.
For example, maybe the text is about newspapers, and one answer is The
Times, a British paper. If you wrote the Times it would be wrong. If you
wrote The Times or THE TIMES it would be correct. Maybe another
question is about what confused a student who was late to class because
they misunderstood a timetable. If the answer is the times then writing The
Times would be incorrect, whereas writing the times or THE TIMES would
be correct. If you have any doubts about where to capitalise, then write
everything in capitals.

13.

Why are multiple choice questions (MCQs) so hard?

Because the distractors the wrong answers often contain words you
hear on the recording. In Section 1, for example, it is common for one of the
speakers to change their mind about something. Maybe they arrange for a
trip on Tuesday, and then change their mind to Friday, but the other speaker
says Friday isnt possible to they settle on Thursday. Pay attention to
corrections like this: the answer choices may include Tuesday, Thursday
and Friday, but only Thursday is correct.
Also pay attention to works which are repeated, or those that are
emphasises. Often they will be correct answers, too.

14.

Does spelling matter?

Yes! If you spell a word incorrectly, even if you have identified the correct
information, you will not get the mark. You are allowed to use British or
American spellings, so for a recording about passenger overcrowding on
trains, the answer may be travellers or travelers.
Difficult words and names may be spelled out, so practice alphabet sounds.
For example, you may have to complete a form by writing an address you
hear. A well-known city, like Sydney or Vancouver will not be spelled, but a
lesser-known one will be. The speaker may say: /wstr/ thats w-o-r-ce-s-t-e-r and you would write Worcester on your answer sheet. Remember
to add capital letters for proper names.

15.

I heard IELTS deliberately choose difficult numbers. Is that true?

Yes, they tend to choose numbers and words which are challenging.
For example, they may have a question about days or months. The answer
is often one that is hard to hear (September/December) or hard to spell
(Wednesday, February). Similarly, they tend to choose numbers, or parts of
addresses you have to listen carefully for, such as 30b or 16e which could
be confused for 13p or 68. Also be aware of the differences in saying 0 as
oh (Br.Eng) and zero (Am.Eng.)
15

16.

What happens if I use too many words in the answer?

It will be marked wrong. If the question paper says, for example, She can
collect the keys on ....................... morning and the answer is Saturday, you
must only write Saturday on the answer sheet. If you write Saturday
morning you will not get a mark. Always read the instructions very
carefully. If your answer is three words and the instruction allows 1 or 2,
then your answer is probably wrong. Check whether the instructions say, for
example ONE WORD OR NUMBER or ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER.
Contractions such as wont, Ill, its are never answers. Hyphenated words
such as part-time or brother-in-law count as ONE word.

17.

Why doesnt the question say the same as the recording?

Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesnt. For question types 3 and 4
(graphics and outlines) IELTS says you do not have to change the words in
the recording in any way. For question types 1, 2, 5 and 6 what you hear
and what you see on the question paper are usually paraphrases.

18.

Do I need to write symbols like $, or %?

Check the question paper. If the answer to a question is 17 kilometres and
the question paper says ..... km, then write 17 on your answer sheet. If the
answer to a question is $13 and the question paper says ......., then you
must write BOTH dollars AND thirteen or $13 on the answer sheet.

19.

I have trouble with maps and diagrams in listening. What can I do?
Make sure you understand directions such as left, right, across, between
and so on, and compass points north, south east and west. You can learn
these using a mnemonic such as No Education Seems Wasted which tells
you the correct (clockwise) order of the points. The starting point on the
map or plan will always be marked.
For maps, diagrams and tables, always draw a line from question number to
question number so that you dont lose your place and you know where to
look for the next answer. Numbers do not always go top to bottom of left to
right. If the first question is 16, draw a line taking your eye to where 17 is,
then 18 and so on.

20.

How can I transfer all my answers in 10 minutes?

You need to practice. You can also help yourself, by putting a faint pencil
mark under the last number of each part. For example, If Section 3 has
questions 21-26, then questions 27-30, put a faint mark under 26, as this will
help you keep your answers in order. If you have a gap because you
missed a question, try to guess. You should easily be able to write your
answers in 2 or 3 minutes, leaving enough time to check that you have them
in the right order, that your spelling is correct, that you are in word limit and
that you have written something for every space.

16

21.

Where can I find listening materials?

There are many sources on the Internet such as
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish
http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/skills/listening-skills-practice
http://ielts.allearsenglish.com/ielts-preparation/
http://www.esl-lab.com/
http://learningenglish.voanews.com/
http://www.esolcourses.com/content/topicsmenu/listening.html
https://www.youtube.com/user/EnglishRyan

22.

How can I practice?

Make recordings of songs or movie clips and play them over and over
until you understand the patterns of speech and the way words sound.
You can watch Australian, American and British movies to help with
accents. The first time you may not understand every word, but if you
listen again and again, the gobbledegook will resolve itself into words
and phrases.
Actively listen for ONE HOUR a day. That means making notes on what
you hear, getting the gist and main ideas, recognising vocabulary and
sentence structures and understanding intonation.
Do Cambridge Practice IELTS tests. Do them under test conditions.
Make a note of questions you get wrong. Check whether your mistakes
are of one type or different ones. If one, then practise that question type.
If more than one, you need more active listening practice.
Get to know the question types. Make sure you know what the question
wants and how many word or numbers you can use.
Underline key words or phrases. Pay attention to
Question wordswho, what, when, where, why, how many/far ...
Modifiersnot, most, usually, least ...
Check your spelling is correct and your handwriting legible.
Repeat practice tests until you consistently get more marks than you
need for your required band score. Under the pressure of the exam you
may make a few mistakes, so you need to have some points spare.

23.

Which vocabulary do I need to learn?

At least 90% of listening answers are from the first 3,000 words in English
from the BNC-COCA. Answers which are not on the wordlists usually fall
into categories, such as education or travelling abroad and then will
probably be familiar.

17

24.

I am ready for the exam. How is it marked?

Each correct answer is worth one mark. The highest possible mark is 40,
which is 100%. Each exam is slightly different, so the number of correction
questions out of 40 for a particular band score may change by one or two.
Generally speaking, band scores are as follows:
Correct
answers
23
27
30
33
35
37
39

18

Band
Score
6
6.5
7.0
7.5
8.0
8.5
9.0

Section 3: Reading

19

1.

How long is the Reading test?

It takes one hour and is usually after the listening. There are three
passages with 40 questions in total. There is no extra time for writing your
answers on the answer sheet.

2.

Is it true that the passages get harder?

No, it isnt. In GT, the passages get harder, but in AT they are just different.
One will require analytical skills because you have to follow a logical
argument, but they are all texts from books, magazines, Internet articles and
so on, and they are all written for a non-specialist reader. That means that
a text on, say, archaeology, is not written at a level that only archaeology
students can understand. All the topics are supposed to be of interest to
students whether undergraduate or postgraduate ones but how well you
do often depends on the subject matter. If you get topics you are interested
in, you will probably do better than if you get topics you dislike. The best
approach is to look at the readings and do the one that seem easiest first.

3.

I always run out of time. What can I do?

Time is your biggest enemy in IELTS. Practice by speed reading. The link
below is for some practice speed-reading texts. They are not as complex as
IELTS, but they will help you with reading and understanding quickly.
http://www.victoria.ac.nz/lals/about/staff/publications/paul-nation/Speedreading-whole.pdf
You are reading for a purpose (to find answers) so you are NOT expected to
read the whole of each text. Briefly look at the topics of the articles, decide
which you like best and then read the questions related to that passage.
Read them carefully, underlining key words as you go. Skim over the text
looking out for the key words you have underlined, then read those parts
more carefully. There are always some hard and some easy questions. Do
the easy questions first. If there are questions you cant answer, guess:
you wont lose marks and you may be lucky and guess correctly.
Some IELTS books suggest splitting the time (1 hour) into 15 + 20 + 25
minute blocks. That may work for GT, but it wont work for Academic.
Spend roughly the same amount of time on each passage, but leave time
for checking your answers at the end.

4.

How many question types are there?

There are eleven question types in Reading. Many are similar to those in
listening. You can see samples and practice the questions at:
http://www.ielts.org/test_takers_information/test_sample/academic_reading
_sample.aspx
http://www.ieltsexchange.com/#!reading/c1ps

20

5.

Which question types are most common?

In terms of frequency, True/False/Not Given and Yes/No/Not Given are the
most common question types. 20-30% of all questions fall into this
category. Summary Completion, Multiple Choice, Matching Headings and
Matching Information account for around 10% of answers each, with the
other question types making up the balance.
Check which questions cause difficulty, go back to the text, work out why
the given answer is correct, and then practice again.

6.

I mess up with TRUE-FALSE-NOT GIVEN questions. What can I do?

These, and the related YES-NO-NOT GIVEN questions, are often the
hardest for students to get right. Think about the ideas in the passage
not about any prior knowledge you may have on the topic.
T/F/NG questions give a statement. The statement will paraphrase some
fact(s) in the text. You must decide whether it means the same as the text
or not. If it does, it is TRUE. If it doesnt, it is FALSE. Work out these first,
then go back and think about the other statement(s). If it is impossible to tell
from the text whether the information is true or not, then you should write
NOT GIVEN. Pay attention to words in the statement which modify the
meaning, such as all, most nearly and so on. Remember that it is the
meaning you need to check, not the words. Write TRUE, FALSE or NOT
GIVEN in your answer book.
Y/N/NG questions also give a statement, but it is about an opinion or idea,
rather than a fact. It will be a paraphrase of any words in the text, but again,
make sure you look for qualifying words in the statement, like some, the
majority and so on. If the statement agrees with the text, write YES. If it
disagrees, write NO. If it is impossible to tell, then write NOT GIVEN. Write
YES, NO or NOT GIVEN on your answer sheet.
IELTS is not like TOEFL: there are no inference questions. The text will
either agree or disagree with the statement. For NOT GIVEN statements
there is an absence of information, so dont waste time looking for
something that isnt there: elimination is the fastest way to answer these
questions. If, at the end, you still dont know, guess. Every section of
YES/NO/NOT GIVEN or TRUE/FALSE/NOT GIVEN will have at least one
NOT GIVEN answer. If you have answered all the other questions Y/N or
TF, the chances are that your missing answer will be NG.
Be VERY careful about writing your answers. Some students lose marks
because they write FALSE instead or NO, or YES instead of TRUE.

7.

Is spelling important for the Reading test?

Yes, but if you have to write an answer, then you simply copy the word you
need from the reading passage. Do not change the spelling or the form. If
you need to change the form, for example, from education to educational
then your answer is wrong.

21

8.

Do the reading passages use a lot of academic vocabulary?

Generally, no. If there are any particularly specialised or scientific words,
they will be explained at the bottom of the page or the end of the text. The
majority of words (at least 90%) are from the BNC-COCA K1-K3 word lists.
The rest are specific to the topic. You can get the wordlists here:
http://www.ieltsexchange.com/#!resources/d1wm2

9.

Are the answers in order of the text, like listening?

MCQs, T/F/NH, Y/N/NG, and sentence completion questions are always in
the order of the text. For matching sentence endings questions, the
beginning of each sentence is in the order of the text. For completing
outlines (notes, tables, summaries and forms) or graphics (diagrams,
flowcharts etc) they are not always in order, but they can be. For matching
questions - matching headings, features, and so on, the answers are NOT
in the order of the text.

10.

How can I practice Reading?

By reading! Read as much as you can in English. Practise writing one or
two words to sum up each paragraph. Try to think of headings. You can
also use a technique called text-mapping. Exam-writers often do this when
they write questions. Read a text quickly, then, without looking, jot down
anything you can remember. These are often used for easy questions.
Now read the text again, more carefully, and again, without looking, make
notes about what you can remember. These often form middle-range
questions. Lastly, read the text as you make notes of the main ideas and
important details. These are usually where the difficult questions come
from. The more often you do this, the more easily you will be able to
identify main ideas, logical arguments and examples in a text. This is what
IELTS wants you to do in the Reading test.
You can also practice using different websites including
http://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/prepare-test/practice-tests/readingpractice-test-1-academic
http://idpielts.me/prepare-ielts/free-ielts-practice-tests/
http://www.ieltsexchange.com/

11.

How is the Reading exam marked?

Each correct answer is worth one mark, just like Listening. Again, exams
vary, but approximate values are:
Correct answers
23
27
30
33
35
37
39

22

Band Score
6
6.5
7.0
7.5
8.0
8.5
9.0

Section 4: Writing

23

1.

How long is the writing exam?

Overall, the writing exam is one hour.
You should spend no more than 20 minutes on Task 1. Task 1 is a report
based on a diagram, graph, table or chart. You should spend 40 minutes
on Task 2. Task 2 is an essay.

2.

Can I write in pen?

You may write in pen or pencil. Pencil is easier to correct.

3.

What kind of visuals can I expect in Task 1?

You may get one or more
Pie charts
Bar charts
Line graphs
Tables
or a mixture, such as pie charts and a bar chart, or a line graph and a table.
You may also get one or more
Maps or plans
Process diagrams
Each type requires different language and requires slightly different
skills.
You can see some official examples here:
http://www.ielts.org/test_takers_information/test_sample/academic_writing_
sample.aspx
An explanation of the language and skills and model answers for each type:
http://www.ieltsexchange.com/#!writing-task-1/cihc
Tips, advice and lessons here:
http://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/ielts-writing-task-1/
http://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-1-lessons-and-tips/
There are many other resources, but the ones listed are both clear and
accurate.

4.

How much do I have to write for Task 1?

At least 150 words. Remember that if you copy any of the wording from the
question or the charts, the examiner will deduct it from the total number of
words written, so if you have to written just 150 words with a copied title,
you will lose marks.

5.

I always write more than 150 words. Will I be penalised?

Not just for having more than 150 words, but you will be penalised if you
dont follow the instructions, if you repeat yourself or your report lacks
coherence. The instructions usually say summarize the information by
selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where
relevant. Part of the skill is to decide what the main features are, and what
needs to be compared.
24

6.

How many paragraphs should I write for Task 1?

Three or four. One introduction, a body paragraph about the information, a
second body paragraph if you have more than one chart/set of charts, and
one paragraph for the conclusion.

7.

Should I write a conclusion in Task 1?

Yes. Sum up the purpose of the graphic(s) in one or two sentences. Some
people suggest writing an introduction, then an overview, then the data, but
this often leaves the examiner thinking so what? If you start with an
introduction, explain the data and finish with an overview, your writing
shows progression and leaves the examiner with a good impression.

8.

How do I write numbers in Task 1?

For Task 1, you can write numerals with percentages, such as 6% or 33%,
unless you are starting a sentence, where you must write in full.
Six percent of the population ...
Thirty-three percent of students ...
For numbers less than one hundred you may write in numerals or words
(1/one, 16/sixteen, 97/ninety-seven, 100/a hundred): larger numbers should
be written as numerals (1,430 or 643).
Never mix words and numerals, such as 200 thousand. Write 200,000 or
two hundred thousand.

9.

When do I use percent and when do I use percentage?

Use percent with a number:
10% of the people ...
Less than fifteen percent of users ...
Use percentage without a number:
The percentage of countries ...
A greater percentage chose to ...

10.

How do I describe graphs?

Line graphs have their own language showing the movement of a line over
time up or down, constant, fluctuating and how quickly or slowly. Avoid
sensationalist terms like rocketed and try to point out the overall trend
upward or downward. There is an explanation at
http://www.ieltsexchange.com/#!graphs/c24qk

11.

Can I talk about trends with bar charts?

Yes, if there is a clear trend and the x axis is time. If a pencil from the top of
the first bar to the top of the last bar is up or down, you can say the trend
was upwards or downwards.

25

12.

Which tenses do I use?

For pie charts, graphs and tables
If there is no date, then use the present.
If the dates are historical, use the past.
If some of the data is a prediction, then use a future form and a
qualifying statement, such as In 2050 the figure will be ... or By
2050, it is likely that population will have reached.
For maps and plans
Use past if you have to explain how something was before, and
present if you need to explain how it looks now.
Use future if the map or plan is a proposal.
For process diagrams
Use present simple passive. If you do not know the V3 (past
participle) form of a verb on the diagram, then use present simple
and refer to it as a stage. For example, if the picture shows how
cotton is produced and one step says spinning you could write The
next stage is spinning or Next, the cotton is spun.
See http://www.ieltsexchange.com/#!task-1-writing-tips/ckog
details.

13.

for

more

I always use the same vocabulary in Task 1. How can I change it?
Read model Task 1 reports to find ways to vary your language. Make sure
you understand what the graphic is showing so that you can interpret the
data correctly and choose the right subject for each sentence.
The chart shows the number of students achieving different band scores between
March and May.

In March, the figure for Band 9 stood at two.

In April, the number for Band 8 students was four.
In May, 13 students achieved Band 7.
The greatest numbers of students at Band 7 were in March and April at 15
and 16 respectively.
The months with the most Band 8 students were March and May. The
former had 6 students and the latter had 7.
Use amount with uncountable subjects and numbers with countable ones.

26

14.

How formal is Task 1?

It is formal, academic and factual.
phrases such as at a glance.

15.

Do I interpret the data in Task 1?

Never. Say what you can see.
You should write an overview as a conclusion, but never say why. For
example, in one exam there were two charts. One showed the increased
cost of living and accommodation expenses for students. The other showed
where students were living. There was a correlation between the increasing
cost of housing and the number of students choosing to live at home.
Common sense might suggest that students chose to stay at home because
their families charged them no rent, or at least charged less, but you cannot
make than assumption. All you should do is point out the relationship:
housing costs going up more students living at home.

16.

What are the most common task types in Task 1?

Until recently, it was bar charts, however, while bar charts and mixed chart
types (like a pie chart and a table) are still the most common, maps and
plans and process diagrams have become much more common. They now
appear somewhere at least once a month. Since you cannot predict which
task you will get, make sure you practise all the types.
Example Task 1 answers, written by students, frequently appear on
http://www.ieltsnetwork.com/viewforum.php?f=5 and are corrected by other
students and teachers.
New Task 1 questions and model answers are available on
http://ieltsexchange.freeforums.net/

17.

How is Task 1 marked?

It is marked on four criteria, as is Task 2, but Task 1 is worth half as much
as Task 2. The criteria are task achievement (how well you answered the
question), coherence and cohesion (if your writing makes sense, and flows
from start to finish) lexical range (the use of appropriate vocabulary and
spelling) and grammatical range and accuracy (correct grammar, a range of
structures and correct punctuation).
The public version of the marking criteria can be found at
http://www.ielts.org/PDF/Writing%20Band%20descriptors%20Task%201.pdf

18.

Can I start with Task 2 in case I run out of time?

Some students find Task 1 easier and faster, so they do it first. Some do
Task 2 first because it is worth more marks. You need to do both Task 1
and Task 2 to achieve a high band score, but which way you answer them is
up to you. Make sure you practice analysing questions and writing Task 1
reports within 20 minutes so you are prepared for the exam.

27

Do not use contractions or casual

19.

What kind of questions can I expect in Task 2?

Questions may be worded as advantages and disadvantages, positive or
negative developments, agree or disagree, reasons or causes, possible
solutions, main factors, or any variation. In each case, you must make your
position (your view or opinion) clear. See
http://www.ielts.org/pdf/Writing%20Band%20descriptors%20Task%202.pdf

20.

Whats the best way to answer Task 2?

There is no right or wrong point of view for an IELTS essay, providing to
answer the question. As the marking criteria says, it is about your position
and it doesnt even matter if what you write is true the examiner is
interested in how well you structure your arguments.

21.

How can I support my answer with examples?

Use your own experience, and if necessary, make up some statistics.
They dont have to be real, just plausible. The examiner is checking your
English, not the details. For example, if you read somewhere that most AT
candidates take IELTS three times before getting the band score they need,
you could write 72% of IELTS candidates take the Academic test three
times before achieving the band score they require. It doesnt matter
whether thats true or not, but it seems plausible.

22.

What if I dont understand the question?

Read it carefully and underline keywords. IELTS dont use words in an
essay question that are hard to understand. If you really dont know what
the words mean, then you are not ready to take IELTS.
If you understand the words, but arent sure what to write, thats different.
Practice analysing essay questions to make sure you are answering the real
question and not being side-tracked by background information. Answering
the question is imperative. Many students fail to get the band score they
need because they dont read the question carefully enough and write off
topic. If you fully answer the question, develop and extend your ideas, you
can get 8 or 9 in Task Response.
For example: The tourism industry has grown enormously over the last fifty
years, and there are few places which are unaffected by it. However, tourism
rarely benefits the countries where tourists visit. To what extent do you agree
or disagree?

The first sentence is background information. This question is really about

how far you agree with the statement that tourism rarely benefits the
countries where tourists visit.
Look out for student essays and corrections at
http://ieltsexchange.freeforums.net/
http://www.ieltsnetwork.com/viewforum.php?f=5
and for lessons on Task 2 essays from
http://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/ielts-writing-task-2/
http://ieltsliz.com/ielts-writing-task-2/
28

23.

How much should I write?

At least 250 words. You will NOT be penalised for writing more, providing
you do not repeat yourself and your writing is coherent.

24.

How can I get ideas for essays?

By brainstorming. There are several techniques you can use. Some
techniques are listed here:
http://www.ieltsexchange.com/#!brainstorming/c250s
There are also lots of ideas in these video tutorials from Ryan Higgins
https://www.youtube.com/user/englishryan

25.

How do I start?
With a paraphrase of the question. Then state your position and provide a
thesis statement or roadmap of what will be in the essay.
AVOID
sweeping statements or over-generalisations such as Everybody
agrees that ... It is undoubtedly true that ... These can usually be
challenged.
archaic or pompous language such as Indubitably... the
aforementioned ... Nobody writes like that nowadays and it wont
impress an examiner.
weak openings such as In this essay I will discuss ... The issues
will be analysed.
The examiner already knows what will be
discussed or analysed from the question.

26.

Is it worth reading model essays? I cant write like that.

It is still worth reading as many model essays as you can preferably ones
written by IELTS teachers, examiners and native-speakers.
Some
examples on the Internet are full of mistakes, so be careful. Good essays
can help you understand topic vocabulary, useful phrases, cohesive devises
and structures you can follow in your own essays.

27.

What does less common vocabulary mean?

It means words that are less well-used. They show the examiner that you
have a wide range of vocabulary if you use them appropriately. For
example, look at these sentences:
In some parts of the world there is a lack of qualified, skilled labour.
In some parts of the world there is a scarcity of qualified, skilled labour.
In some parts of the world there is a dearth of qualified, skilled labour.
All mean exactly the same. Lack is a K2 word very common. Scarcity
is a K4 word and is more academic. Dearth is a K10 word and qualifies as
less common.

29

28.

Where can I get my essays checked?

There are forums (see point 15) where you can ask for your writing to be
checked, but most will not give a band score or feedback on how to
improve. There are also many online teachers who will correct your essays.
Some will just give an approximate band score.
Some will make
corrections. Some will give feedback on how to improve your writing. If
writing is holding you back, then consider a one-to-one tutor for writing. You
dont have to have a British tutor as IELTS is a text of international English,
but these sites both offer writing tuition.
www.ieltsexchange.com (British)
https://ieltsintaiwan.wordpress.com (British)

29.

May hand-writing is terrible. What can I do?

The only thing to do is practise. Most of us are not in the habit of writing by
hand for an hour we get cramp or our writing becomes difficult to read.
However, the examiner cant mark what he cant read, and although they
are good at interpreting words on a page, if your work is illegible, they
cannot mark it.

30.

Can I write in capital letters?

Yes, but make the whole essay capitals dont switch from lower case to
capitals part way through. IELTS allows this because it is often easier for
examiners to read capitals than cursive script.

31.

I heard that questions repeat and students can memorise essays. Is

that true?
Questions do repeat (with variations) at different times and in different
places, but you would need to memorise thousands of potential answers. It
is better to put that energy into practising writing. In addition, a memorised
answer often wont exactly match the question so you would lose marks for
TR, even if the examiner didnt notice it was a memorised essay. They are
trained to look out for them and you would be disqualified.

32.

How should I make corrections?

You can either erase or cross out mistakes. Use to insert a missing word.
Use * to add a sentence. Make sure that the examiner knows where any
additions should go. Always leave plenty of space between paragraphs so
paragraphing is clear. If you have to squeeze in extra words, make sure
they are legible.

33.

What happens if I run out of time?

If you run out of time it means you are not prepared.
You need to be able to analyse the question, brainstorm ideas, plan your
essay, write it legibly and have time to check your work, all in under 40
minutes. The only way to do this is to practise, practise, practise.
30

Section 5: Speaking

31

1.

When is the Speaking exam?

Often is in the afternoon of the same day, but it may be on a different day
before or after the written exam.

2.

How many parts are there?

There are three parts.
Part 1 is an interview, where the examiner checks your identity and asks
questions on familiar topics such as you, your home and family.
Part 2 is called the long turn where you are given a topic on a cue card and
have to speak on the subject for about 2 minutes.
Part 3 is the discussion when the examiner asks questions related to the
topic in Part 2.

3.

How long should my answers be in Part 1?

Try to answer each question fully. The examiner has around ten questions
to ask. He may not ask all of them if you give complete answers. Be
prepared to talk about anything connected with you, your home and your
family and friends.
For example, he may ask where you are from.
Poor answer:
Salalah in Oman.
Good answer:
Im from Salalah in Oman. Its in the south of the country, between
the mountains and the sea. Its the second largest city in the
Sultanate, so its quite a busy place.
He may ask what people do there.
Poor answer:
Lots of things.
Good answer:
A lot of people work in tourism because although Oman is mostly
desert, Salalah gets the khareef or monsoon, which means its very
green in summer and the weather is beautiful. It also means that
agricultural work is quite common, as people fish, keep cows, goats
and camels and grow coconuts, bananas and papaya. There is also
a huge container port and an international airport, so there are a lot of
different jobs people can do around the city.
You can find examples here
http://www.ielts.org/test_takers_information/test_sample/speaking_sample.a
spx
http://www.ieltsexchange.com/#!speaking/cl4b
Also pay attention to the questions which come up in exams. You can find
recent questions here:
http://www.ielts-blog.com/category/recent-ielts-exams/
http://ieltsliz.com/recent-ielts-questions-and-topics/
http://ieltsexchange.freeforums.net/

32

4.

I get a dry mouth when Im nervous. What if I cant speak?

The examiner is used to nervous candidates. He will try and put you at
ease. When you are called to the speaking room, take one or two deep
breaths to calm yourself. Its an exam not an execution. Take a drink of
water to moisten your throat. If you dry up in the exam, or start coughing,
just say to the examiner: Sorry, I have a very dry throat because Im
nervous. The examiner will understand and ask you to continue when
youre ready.

5.

What happens in Part 2?

The examiner gives you a cue card or piece of paper with a main topic and
some prompts on it. You can use these to help plan what to say. You have
one minute to prepare and you can write on the paper and make notes to
help you. The examiner will tell you when to start. You have to speak for
up to 2 minutes.

6.

What kind of topics come up in Part 2?

The topic could be anything, but the following categories come up all the
time.
people
e.g. your best friend, someone who can cook, someone who speaks
a foreign language, someone you admire, an old person, a famous
person, someone youd like to work with.
things
e.g. a gift it took a long time to choose, a favourite possession,
something old your family has had for years, your dream house/car,
something you want to buy in future, an app on your phone, a toy
you had as a child...
events
e.g. a wedding, a festival, a concert, a celebration, a party, a
meeting, a trip, a journey, a family event you remember, a school trip
you went on...
activities
e.g. your favourite pastime, a hobby, a sport, how you keep fit, how
you relax...
places
an interesting building, a colourful place, a relaxing place,
somewhere you went on holiday, an historic place, a place you go to
read, your favourite restaurant...
the media
something you saw on the Internet, your favourite film, a TV show
you enjoy, a history book you read, an article your saw about
health..., a song you remember from childhood...
experiences
an ambition, a time you were late, something that made you laugh,
some teamwork you enjoyed, something you want to learn, a subject
you hates at school but are interested in now...

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7.

What if I dont understand the cue card?

Words on the cue card will be ordinary vocabulary, so you should be able to
understand what the topic is. The prompts on the card will also give you
ideas.

8.

What if I run out of things to say?

The examiner will ask you another question. If you feel you havent given a
full answer, you can paraphrase and explain more fully.
For example:
What I mean by that is ...
What I should have added is ...
I also meant to say that ...
You actually get good marks for clever paraphrasing, so practise re-stating
questions in your own words, as you may occasionally need to do that to
gain thinking time.
For example, if the examiner asks: Do you get a lot of visitors in Halstadt?
You could paraphrase by saying Is Halstadt popular with tourists? While
your form your answer.

9.

I did a speaking exam and the examiner stopped me in Part 2. Why?

The examiner will stop you if it is time to move on to Part 3. This is normal,
so you shouldnt worry about it if the examiner interrupts you.

10.

Are topics repeated?

Yes, very frequently. There are only a certain number of topics IELTS can
use that everyone has a chance of answering, so they cant choose
anything too strange or specialized. Remember that GT candidates have
the same speaking exams, so the tasks wont be academic.
Recent speaking topics and repeated topics can be seen here:
http://www.ieltsexchange.com/#!part-2/cn1m

11.

How can I prepare for Part 2?

Practise by building stories of people, events, places and so on that you
could talk about. Many ideas can be used for more than one cue card.
Learn to adapt cue cards to stories you have practised.
You can see how to do this here:
http://ieltsexchange.freeforums.net/board/7/speaking
http://www.ieltsexchange.com/#!part-2/cn1m
There are also good lessons and tips about speaking here:
http://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/ielts-speaking/
http://ieltsliz.com/ielts-speaking-free-lessons-essential-tips/
You should also use the time (one minute) you are given to prepare to jot
down a few notes to help you. Think who-what-where-when-why-how.
34

12.

What is Part 3 about?

Part three is a discussion which IELTS says is related to Part 2; however
some of the questions may seem tangential!
For example:
Your Part 2 cue card is about a street you know well. The discussion may
be about traffic or city pollution.
Your Part 2 cue card is about an event that made you happy. The
discussion may be about what makes old people happy or whether you
were happy at school.

13.

Ive seen questions in Part 1 that look like Part 3. Whats going on?
Although there is a structure to IELTS Speaking, questions can come up in
any of the three parts, but not together. For example, a Part 1 question
might ask about what you do with your friends. A Part 2 question might be
to describe your best friend. A Part 3 question may be to explain the
importance of having friends. They are all on the same theme, but you
wouldnt get all on them in a single exam.
You can download sample questions at the bottom of this page.
http://www.ieltsexchange.com/#!part-1/c1g62
There are also hundreds of speaking question for practice (by topic) at
http://iteslj.org/questions/

14.

Will the examiner mind if I ask him to repeat a question?

No, but be careful how you ask him/her. If you dont understand the
question, you could ask him to repeat it or rephrase it. If you simple didnt
hear, then say I didnt hear that, could you say it a little louder?. That way
he will realise that you simply didnt catch what he said, not that you didnt
understand.

15.

I have nobody to practice with. What can I do?

Practise by recording yourself on your phone, playing it back and
seeing if you can correct any mistakes or improve your answers.
Join an IELTS forum and find a speaking partner.
Sign up for some speaking practice with an IELTS tutor via Skype
Get the Google IELTS Speaking App
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dmc.iespeaking2
&hl=en.freeforums.net/

16.

What if I go off topic?

In speaking, you should answer the question the examiner gives you, but
you can add other, related information as well. In Speaking there is no mark
for Task Achievement or Task Response, so you cannot lose marks for
being off topic.

35

17.

What about vocabulary?

Your vocabulary should sound as natural as possible. Spoken English is
informal, so adding some common expressions or idioms will help.
There are a few very common British/American ones here:
http://www.fluentu.com/english/blog/essential-english-idioms/

18.

I know I have an accent. Will I be penalised?

No. Native speakers have accents, too. An accent is fine, but you need to
pronounce your words so that the examiner can understand them.
Remember to speak slowly and clearly. Check the pronunciation of difficult
words with a teacher or by using an online dictionary.
This version says the word you type in both British and American English:
http://www.howjsay.com/index.php
Try typing in the word advertisement as an example.

19.

How can I learn the errors I am making?

You need someone to listen to you and tell you. You may have a friend with
good English who can help, or you may know a native speaker or have a
teacher. Ask them to point out any repeated mistakes. You may need to
have your speaking assessed by a teacher. You can do mock speaking
exams and get feedback from
www.ieltsexchange.com
www.ielts-simon.com
They will be able to point out things you may not be aware of, such as
speaking too fast, pronouncing a V as W, or incorrectly using sentence tags,
such as I dont think people have enough time these days, isnt it? instead
of do they?

20.

How is speaking marked?

There are four categories and they carry equal weight:
Fluency and coherence: speaking without too many pauses and making
sense.
Lexical resource range of vocabulary, idioms and so on
Grammatical range and accuracy how correct your English is and the
range of structures you use
Pronunciation how easy you are to understand
Remember that there is no mark for answering the question, so answer as
fully as you can!
You can download the public version of the marking criteria here:
http://www.ielts.org/pdf/Speaking%20Band%20descriptors_2014.pdf

36

The IELTS Guide

Answers to frequently asked
questions about Academic
IELTS, tips about the exam
and advice on practise
materials and resources.
November 2015
www.ieltsexchange.com