IELTS Tips - How to Get the Highest Score in IELTS

Here are some steps that might help to guarantee success for you in IELTS.

READ MORE - IELTS Tips - How to Get the Highest Score in IELTS

IELTS Writing - Task 1 - Double Bar Graph (World Literacy Rates)

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The chart below shows estimated world literacy rates by region and by gender for the year 2000.

Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information below.

You should write at least 150 words.

model answer:

In this report I will describe a bar chart that shows the estimated world illiteracy rates by gender and region for the year 2000.

First I will look at male illiteracy for the 6 areas shown. The lowest rates were in Developed Countries, Latin America/Caribbean and East Asia/Oceania with rates of 1% (approximately), 10% and 8% (approximately) respectively. The rates for the next three areas were much higher and quite similar to each other. Sub-Saharan Africa, the Arab States and South Asia had rates of approximately 31%, 29% and 34%.

Female illiteracy was much higher relatively in each area except Latin America/Caribbean where it was only slightly higher. The lowest rates for female illiteracy were again Developed Countries, Latin America/Caribbean and East Asia/Oceania with rates of approximately 2%, 12% and 20%. Again the rates for the next three areas were much higher and quite similar to each other. Sub-Saharan Africa, the Arab States and South Asia had rates of approximately 48%, 52% and 56%.

This ends my report.

(168 words)
Source: http://www.ielts-exam.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=193&Itemid=32

READ MORE - IELTS Writing - Task 1 - Double Bar Graph (World Literacy Rates)

IELTS Tips - Learn General IELTS Reading Skills

Knowing which general IELTS reading skills are tested should help you to score better on your general IELTS test.

READ MORE - IELTS Tips - Learn General IELTS Reading Skills

IELTS Tips - General IELTS Preparation Tips from Band 9 Achiever

Key points – Prepare thoroughly by joining a good school or website. Never grow complacent. Develop an arsenal of good words and revise right up to the exam. Minimise spelling mistakes, which cost marks. If you have not sat for exams for a while, be aware of issues like concentration and writing with pens. In particular, be fresh on the day.

1. It is vitally important to prepare thoroughly, and websites like IELTS-PREPARATION provide invaluable assistance in this regard. I applied for the exam very late, and I had 6 days to prepare amidst a busy work schedule. However, I studied this website in detail, picking up priceless knowledge and tips, which I am convinced has significantly contributed to my Band 9 results.

2. Beware of growing complacent if you reside in an English speaking country. I graduated from India, but have worked in UK for over a decade, using English regularly at my office. However, I use a different language with my friends and family, and office English is of a different nature to test English, often being too basic (general office conversation) or highly technical (presentations).

Further, studies show that veteran drivers score very poorly in fresh driving tests, as their expertise is rife with irregularities that are unacceptable in a test setting. A regular user of English is runs a similar risk, and test preparation remains vital.

3. It is crucial to possess a good stock of words. If you have 20 days to prepare, you can study a pocket dictionary. If, like me, you can only devote 20 hours to prepare, google “100 best words” in English, and from 4-5 search results that you find appealing, select around 200 words.

I focused on words that were simple yet effective and nice-sounding, jotting down a few of their antonyms and synonyms as well. For example, I would be able to substitute “hidden” by the words “obscure, concealed and abstruse”, yet I would not recommend memorising “recondite”.

4. A final study of these words on the day of the exam is very useful, so carry printouts to study on the way to the exam hall. This seems self-evident, as students like revising topics right up to the exam. However, normal topics comprise a mass of related facts which are easier to master. Remembering a string of unconnected terms is more difficult, so late revision assumes more significance here.

From: Debashis (Ielts-blog)

READ MORE - IELTS Tips - General IELTS Preparation Tips from Band 9 Achiever

IELTS Book - IELTS Preparation and Practice

Vladimir Pejovic, Michael Nicklin, Peggy Read 

"IELTS Preparation and Practice"
Oxford University Press (1999-10-08)

  ISBN 0195540948 | 160 Pages | Djvu | 8.8 Mb

A book providing comprehensive preparation for reading and writing sections of IELTS general training module. Perfect for use in the classroom and for individual study.

* The book is a part of a complete training course for students intending to sit the IELTS 
(International English Language Testing System).
* It reflects the format of the test and develops the necessary skills for reading and writing module.
* Practice tests are provided, together with step-by-step descriptions and models of how to answer test questions.
* Includes useful tips.
* Answer Key.
* The contributing authors are accredited IELTS examiners.

Wanna find good books to study? Click here to go to IELTS BOOK STORE

Leave comments below to share your favourite IELTS BOOKS to everyone.

READ MORE - IELTS Book - IELTS Preparation and Practice

IELTS Book - Cambridge IELTS 6 Student’s Book with answer

Publisher’s description:
Provides students with an excellent opportunity to familiarize themselves with IELTS and to practice examination techniques using authentic test material prepared by Cambridge ESOL. Each collection contains four complete tests for Academic candidates, plus extra Reading and Writing modules for General Training candidates. An introduction to these different modules is included in each book, together with an explanation of the scoring system used by Cambridge ESOL. A comprehensive section of answers and tape scripts makes the material ideal for self-study.
Contains 4 authentic IELTS papers from Cambridge ESOL, providing the most authentic exam practice available.

Purpose: Preparation for Academic and General Training Modules of IELTS exam.
Tests included: 4 Academic Module tests, 2 Reading and Writing parts for General Training test
Answer keys: Included.
Explanation for the Answer keys: Not included.
Answer sheets: Included.
Listening Transcripts: Included.
People like

• The tests are very close to the real IELTS test in terms of format, design and level of difficulty. They give a perfect idea of what to expect in the IELTS exam.
• The score a student gets in Cambridge IELTS 6 tests is a good estimate of a score in a real exam.
• These tests help the test taker to find out his weak skills and work on them.
• There are model answers for the Writing test (3 essays, 2 reports and 3 letters written by examiners) which give a clear idea of a good answer.
• There are sample answers for the Writing test written by students and graded by the examiners. The tasks include three essays of Band 4, Band 6 and Band 7, two reports of Band 7 and Band 8, and one letter of Band 5. They help to understand what can cause a student to lose points in the Writing test.

People don’t like
In General

• Tips and strategies for tasks handling in IELTS exam, together with time management techniques are a must for optimizing a student’s score. Cambridge IELTS 6 doesn’t offer anything of that kind, only the tests.

Practice tests:

• There are less General Training practice tests (only 2) than Academic Module (4 tests).
• The General Training tests contain only Reading and Writing sections.
• It is also difficult to understand how to perform well in Speaking because there are no sample answers for it.
• There is no CD with the book, which makes the Listening tests useless. The CD can be ordered separately.

Wanna find good books to study? Click here to go to IELTS BOOK STORE

Leave comments below to share your favourite IELTS BOOKS to everyone.

READ MORE - IELTS Book - Cambridge IELTS 6 Student’s Book with answer

IELTS Book - IELTS Express Intermediate

IELTS Express Intermediate is a two-level exam preparation course at Intermediate level (IELTS grade 4-5.5) and Upper Intermediate level (IELTS grade 5 and above). The IELTS Express series focuses on building skills and providing essential exam practice.

  This IELTS  book is divided into eight theme-based units covering a broad range of typical IELTS topic areas. Each unit covers one productive skill and one receptive skill. Units 1, 3, 5 and 7 consist of a Reading and Speakim section, while Units 2, 4, 6, and 8 consist of a Listening and Writing section. IELTS Express Intermediate Coursebook also includes:

• a separate section on the IELTS General Training Writing module
• a complete IELTS Practice test for both Academic and General Training modules
• an Answer key
• Listening scripts for all the recorded material
• a Language bank of useful expressions for the IELTS speaking and writing exam tasks How is each unit section

IELTS Express Intermediate offers preparation for both versions of the IELTS test - Academic and General Training.

IELTS students preparing for the Academic module can:

• work though Units 1-8
• refer to the relevant sections of the Language bank
• do the IELTS  Practice test for the Academic module

IELTS students preparing for the General Training module can:

• work through Units 1-8
• do Units GT 1A and GT IB, instead of Unit 2 and Unit 6 writing sections
• do Unit GT 2
• refer to the relevant sections of the Language bank
• do the IELTS Practice test for the General Training module

You can buy this book HERE

IELTS Express 1 Intermediate Coursebook (Exam Essentials) (Bk. 1)

Wanna find good books to study? Click here to go to IELTS BOOK STORE

Leave comments below to share your favourite IELTS BOOKS to everyone.

READ MORE - IELTS Book - IELTS Express Intermediate

IELTS Book - Action Plan for IELTS (IELTS General Training)

Publisher’s description:

Action Plan for IELTS is a short, intensive, low-level exam preparation guide, based around preparing for IELTS in the few weeks leading up to the test.

The book is organized in the same order as IELTS test (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking modules) and examines each question type in detail. It gives students a last-minute action plan, providing examples, mini practice tasks and strategies to maximize their band score in the test. Action Plan for IELTS is available for both the Academic and General Training module. The Academic module is suitable for students around Band 6+ and the General Training module for students around Band 5+.

Buy this book: Purchase Action Plan for IELTS on Amazon

Purpose: Preparation for General Training Module of IELTS exam

Tests included: 1 Full General Training test

Answer keys: Included.

Explanation for the Answer keys: Included.

Answer sheets: Not included.

Listening Transcripts: Included.

Visit IELTS BOOK STORE for more IELTS BOOKS

READ MORE - IELTS Book - Action Plan for IELTS (IELTS General Training)

IELTS Book - Check Your Vocabulary For IELTS English

Check your vocabulary for English for IELTS Examination is a workbook that has been written for students who are planning to sit either the IELTS general training or the IELTS academic modules of the IELTS exam. It covers some of the main vocabulary points that you will need for, or come across in, the listening, reading, writing and speaking sections of the exam.

I hope that you find the modules in this book useful and that the vocabulary you acquire will help you to achieve the grade you want in the IELTS.

Wanna find good books to study? Click here to go to IELTS BOOK STORE

Leave comments below to share your favourite IELTS BOOKS to everyone.

READ MORE - IELTS Book - Check Your Vocabulary For IELTS English

IELTS Reading - IELTS Reading Module for Ielts General

The purpose of the IELTS Reading Module is to test your ability to understand a written text and find general and specific information in a text. This includes finding details about the 'purpose' of a text.

The reading test always has the same format:

The test is 60 minutes long, there are always three reading passages and 40 questions.

The texts in used in the Reading Module are from:

• Books    
• Magazines     
• Newspapers     
• Articles

The reading texts can be on a variety of topics. Some may be about scientific issues, others about history, or even aspects of society (e.g. drug addiction, etc.). Whatever the topic, the reading texts are regarded as being 'General Interest'. This means that even if the topic of a reading text is scientific, you do not need specialist scientific knowledge to read it. The text used should be accessible to anyone, whatever their background or area of study.

One or more of the passages will be a 'detailed argument' where one side or both sides of an issue is explored. At least reading text one could include a diagram, an illustration or a chart or table that contains information you will need to answer the questions given.

Like the listening test, you write your answers on an answer sheet. Unlike the listening test, you write your answers directly onto the question paper. You do not receive 10 minutes at the end of the test to transfer your answers.

READ MORE - IELTS Reading - IELTS Reading Module for Ielts General

IELTS Writing - General Writing - Complaining To A Hotel

You recently stayed in a hotel in a large city. The weather was very unusual for the time of year and the heating/cooling system in the hotel was quite inadequate.

Write a letter to the manager of the hotel.

In your letter

* give details of what was wrong

* explain what you had to do to overcome the problem at the time

* say what action you would like the manager to take

* You should write at least 150 words.

* Allow yourself 15 minutes for this task.

* you do NOT need to write your own address.

< If you have written a sample answer, post it as a comment >

Model answer:

Dear Sir / Madam

I am writing in connection with my recent stay at the Four Seasons in London, England. Unfortunately, due to a malfunctioning heater in my room, I spent three miserable nights at your hotel from April 26 – 29, 2010.

When I arrived in London, there was an unexpected snowstorm. I understand it does not usually snow in April; however, when I got to my room, there was no heat. After complaining, a technician was sent up, who informed me they had to install a new heating unit. When I asked to be moved to another room, I was told the hotel was completely booked. Unfortunately, each night after work I returned to discover the problem had not been rectified. Eventually, I spent three horribly uncomfortable nights, wearing my coat to bed, wearing socks around the room and ending up with a bad cold from the unheated room. I had no time to complain as I had to catch a flight home right after my conference.

I am shocked by this terrible service. This is not what anyone expects for $400 a night! To compensate me for this tremendous inconvenience, I ask that you refund my money right away and offer me a free, more comfortable stay in one of your finer suites in the future. If not, I am prepared to take my complaint to a higher authority.

I look forward to hearing from you at the earliest,

Yours faithfully,

Mr John Lennon

(236 words)

READ MORE - IELTS Writing - General Writing - Complaining To A Hotel

IELTS Speaking - Band Descriptors (Public Version)

Note: The grading criteria for Pronunciation were changed in August 2008 but there is no public information available about the details of these changes.

Band	Fluency and coherence	Lexical resource	Grammatical range and accuracy	Pronunciation (now changed)
9	speaks fluently with only rare repetition or self-correction; any hesitation is content-related rather than to find words or grammar speaks coherently with fully appropriate cohesive features  ·    develops topics fully and appropriately	uses vocabulary with full flexibility and precision in all topics uses idiomatic language naturally and accurately	uses a full range of structures naturally and appropriately   produces consistently accurate structures apart from ‘slips’ characteristic of native speaker speech
8	speaks fluently with only occasional repetition or self correction; hesitation is usually content-related and only rarely to search for language develops topics coherently and appropriately uses a wide vocabulary resource readily and flexibly to convey precise meaning uses less common and idiomatic vocabulary skillfully with occasional inaccuracies uses paraphrase effectively as required		uses a wide range of structures flexibly produces a majority of error free sentences with only very occasional inappropriacies or basic/non-systematic errors is easy to understand throughout, with L1 accent having minimal effect on intelligibility uses a wide range of phonological features to convey meaning effectively
7	speaks at length without noticeable effort or loss of      coherence  uses a range of connectives and discourse markers with some flexibility  may demonstrate language-related hesitation at times, or some repetition and/or self-correction.	·   uses vocabulary resource flexibly to discuss a variety of topics ·   uses some less common and idiomatic vocabulary and shows some awareness of style and collocation with some  inappropriate choices  ·   uses paraphrase effectively  ·     uses a range of complex structures with some flexibility ·     frequently produces error free sentences, though some grammatical mistakes persist
6	is willing to speak at length, though may lose coherence at times due to occasional repetition, self correction or hesitation  uses a range of connectives and discourse markers but not always appropriately	has a wide enough vocabulary to discuss topics at length and make meaning clear in spite of inappropriacies generally paraphrases successfully	uses a mix of simple and complex structures, but with limited flexibility may make frequent mistakes with complex structures, though these rarely cause comprehension problems can be understood throughout, though mispronunciation may occasionally cause momentary strain for the listener
5	usually maintains flow of speech but uses repetition, self-correction and/or slow speech to keep going   may over-use certain connectives and discourse markers  produces simple speech fluently, but more complex communication causes fluency problems	manages to talk about familiar and unfamiliar topics but uses vocabulary with limited flexibility attempts to paraphrase but with mixed success	produces basic sentence forms with reasonable accuracy  uses a limited range of more complex structures, but these usually contain errors and may cause some comprehension problems
4	cannot respond without noticeable pauses and may speak slowly, with frequent repetition and self-correction links basic sentences but with repetitious use of simple connectives and some breakdowns in coherence	is able to talk about familiar topics but can only convey basic meaning on unfamiliar topics and makes frequent errors in word choice rarely attempts paraphrase	produces basic sentence forms and some correct simple sentences but subordinate structures are rare    errors are frequent and may lead to misunderstanding	produces some acceptable features of English pronunciation but overall control is limited and there can be severe strain for the listener
3	speaks with long pauses   has limited ability to link simple sentences gives only simple responses and is frequently unable to convey basic message	uses simple vocabulary to convey personal information  has insufficient vocabulary for less familiar topics	attempts basic sentence forms but with limited succ ess, or relies on apparently memorized utterances  makes numerous errors except in memorised expressions
2	pauses lengthily before most words little communication possible only produces isolated words or memorised utterances cannot produce basic sentence forms			speech is often unintelligible
1	no communication possible no rateable language
0	does not attend

Bonus: IELTS Academic Test – Approximate Band Score:

There is no pass or fail mark. Scores are given on a Overall Band Score of one to nine.

Correct Listening answers	16 to 22	23 to 29	30 to 34	35 to 38	39, 40
Approximate Band Score	5	6	7	8	9
Correct Reading answers	16 to 22	23 to 29	30 to 34	35 to 38	39, 40
Approximate Band Score	5	6	7	8	9

IELTS General Training – Approximate Band Score

Correct Listening answers	16 to 22	23 to 29	30 to 34	35 to 38	39, 40
Approximate Band Score	5	6	7	8	9
Correct Reading answers	23 to 29	30 to 33	34 to 37	38, 39	40
Approximate Band Score	5	6	7	8	9

READ MORE - IELTS Speaking - Band Descriptors (Public Version)

IELTS Book - The Best Books for IELTS

As you know, there are 2 modules of IELTS: Academic and General.

Academic is usially taken by future students and General - by immigrants. Listening and Speaking sections are the same for both Academic and General, while Reading and Writing sections are different.
This is why there are 2 study books:

"Target Band 7" for Academic IELTS  and  "Ace The IELTS" for General IELTS Module.

If you are preparing to take Academic IELTS, buy this book:

If you are preparing to take General IELTS, buy this book:

 

For more IELTS Book, please visit our Online Book Store

READ MORE - IELTS Book - The Best Books for IELTS