What should you do to get a good score in the 4 IELTS papers?

As IELTS is the most widely used test for entry to UKbased on synonyms and paraphrasing. For example, if
universities, I will look at it in more detail in terms of thethe text says:
test format and strategies for success. UniversitiesAnthropologists have proposed over one hundred
vary on the entrance requirements set in the fourdifferent definitions of the term culture.a typical IELTS
papers in relation to their courses; some will specifyshort answer style question might be as follows:
higher scores for reading and writing, especially forWho have put forward a wide range of meanings of
social science subjects and humanities compared toculture?
mathematics and the hard sciences. This usuallyHere we can see the use of the following synonyms
reflects the amount of reading and writing required toto test comprehension:propose = put forward a wide
pass the postgraduate course. A good knowledge ofrange of = over one hundred different definitions =
English vocabulary and grammar is only one area youmeanings.
will need to score highly in these tests. You will alsoNote: There is also a clue in the question with the word
need to be able to skim and scan texts for specific"have" which tells you that the answer needs to be
information, listen for specific and general information inplural. If the question said "Who has", you would need a
the listening and be able to present your views onsingular noun as the answer.
topics in a clear and logical way in the productive skillsWriting – 1 hour
of writing and speaking. The main point to rememberThere are 2 tasks in the writing paper. Task 1 requires
about the IELTS is that you need to prepare andyou to describe some visual information usually a
know the strategies and techniques for doing the test.graph or table in 150 words or more. For task 2 you
It is likely that you will have strong and weak areas inmust write an essay explaining your views on a
the 4 papers and also in the question types sogeneral social topic, such as education or the
preparation and knowing your strengths andenvironment, in 250 words or more. Task 2 is worth
weaknesses are the keys to success.more marks so you should divide your time as follows:
Listening – 30 minutes + 10 minutes to transfer20 minutes for task 1 and 40 minutes for task 2. For
answerstask 1 you should be able to present statistical or
The listening has four sections based ongraphical information clearly using specific language. In
conversational dialogues between 2 to 4 people andtask 2 make sure you know the structure of an
lecture style semi-academic monologues. There are 40academic essay in English and are able to present
questions and the question types include the following:your ideas logically with examples and support to
completing text or diagrams, choosing from a list suchexplain your views.
as multiple choice and matching or classifying.In the writing it is important that you answer the
It is important to familiarise yourself with all the types.question and do not attempt to change the question in
Remember to read the instructions carefully as thereany way. You will be marked on four areas: task
are often clues in the questions. You must spell wordsachievement, meaning did you answer the question,
correctly. You have some time at the end of thecoherence and cohesion, lexical resource (vocabulary)
exam to transfer your answers on to the answerand grammatical range and accuracy.
sheet.Speaking – 11 – 14 minutes
Reading – 1 hourThe speaking test has 3 sections and is between the
The reading is generally thought to be the most difficultcandidate and one examiner. The first section is a
of the 4 papers because there is a lot to read – 3general conversation about topics which are familiar to
articles of approximately 700 - 800 words each. Likeyou such as your home town or family. The second
the listening, there are 40 questions covering the samesection requires you to speak about a topic for 1 –
types; completion text and visual information, selecting2 minutes and the third section is a discussion about
from lists and matching or classifying.the topic in a more abstract way.
The texts are taken from books, journals andIt is important that you expand your answers and
magazines and will have a semi academic content,demonstrate a wide range of grammatical structures
although no specialist knowledge is required. You areand vocabulary. Remember that the examiner can
not expected to read the texts in detail (even a nativeonly grade you on what you say in those 11 – 14
English speaker would find this difficult in 60 minutes)minutes so make sure you have some high level
so you need to develop your ability to skim the textgrammatical structures ready such as conditionals,
for a general understanding and scan for specificpassives or modal verbs.
information.You will be marked on four areas: fluency and
Note on the listening and reading:coherence, lexical resource (vocabulary), grammatical
Most of the IELTS listening and reading questions arerange and accuracy and pronunciation.