Wednesday, 31 July 2019

Test taking strategies that helped Preetha get IELTS Band 8.5

Since the beginning of time students of any class or course, anywhere and everywhere in the world, have been doing the same two things: sharing course notes and swapping exam tips, and the reason why is… Because it works!

For the exact same reason we have a tradition where high scoring test takers who won in our monthly IELTS results competition share their notes and tips with people who visit IELTS-Blog.com while preparing for their exam.

Today we are delighted to introduce to you Preetha – a very kind and generous young lady from India whose mother tongue is Tamil. Preetha got an Overall Band 8.5 in IELTS with 9.0 in Listening, 8.5 in Reading, 8 in Speaking and 7.5 in Writing, and she was preparing on her own, at home – so she obviously has done a lot of things right!

Below are the strategies that Preetha used while studying for IELTS. If anything in your exam preparation isn’t going as well as you’d like, try Preetha’s approach and see if you start scoring higher!

Band 8.5 in IELTS

General Advice

I would like to begin by saying, always approach the IELTS test with a positive frame of mind. This is critical. In fact, try to enjoy the entire test-taking process as much as you can.

Also, regular practice is crucial. By “regular practice” I mean attempting at least two practice tests a day, once you get familiar with the pattern of the test (which will probably take a month or so, if you are completely new to IELTS).

Try taking practice tests from a variety of sources, not just from the official Cambridge IELTS books. Once you are comfortable with the format of the test, start exploring online practice tests.

Remember to not shy away from practicing difficult tests, during the later stage of your preparation. Practicing challenging tests can go a long way in boosting your confidence!

If you do not get the target score you want while taking these practice tests, do not get discouraged. As the old saying goes: “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, and try again.” Try to analyze your mistakes instead. For instance, ask yourself “Why did I interpret this sentence in this way?” Answer keys will help you in this regard.

Towards the end of your preparation, try to replicate typical IELTS test conditions. By this, I mean mastering the art of taking a listening, reading and writing test one after the other, without breaks in between. Yes, that means no meal, snack or bathroom breaks. Try to make sure that you utilize the entire time allotted for the test.

Do not attempt practice tests on the day before the actual test. It will only stress you out. Get adequate rest.

Here are my strategies for each section of the test. These strategies will be useful to IELTS paper based test takers.

Listening

You need to learn to “anticipate the answer” while the recording is playing. This can only be achieved through tons of practice. For example, if the first recording is a “day to day” conversation, such that a question involves noting down a customer’s telephone number, pace yourself slightly ahead of the recording, and as soon as the customer service representative says something like “I need some contact information from you…”, get ready to listen in for the answer in the recording. This is the art of “anticipating the answer.” Do not overthink things. Be alert at all times.

Before the recordings begin to play, read the question paper thoroughly. This is critical, as the recordings get progressively difficult. By looking at the question paper, analyze in your mind, the kinds of recordings that you have to work with, before the test begins. This will help you decide whether to take notes for tricky listening passages like conversations between students, or between students and their professors at University, or map-based questions. Such types of listening passages are tricky, as just when you think you have the answer from the recording, the speaker might change his mind (like in a real life conversation) and hence, the answer might be something quite different than anticipated. Notes should always be in the form of hints as to what the answer to a question might be. You need to take down notes carefully with lightening speed, so that you don’t get distracted and miss listening to the rest of the recording.

Reading

Just like with the Listening test, be sure to read the question paper with utmost care in the Reading test. Do not hesitate to underline key words and sentences in the passage. Make notes too, regarding your interpretation of the meaning of words, sentences or maybe even entire paragraphs.

Time management is critical here. During my test, I had to tackle five passages in 60 minutes. Manage your time effectively by allocating 20 minutes to answer questions from passages that are academically oriented (such passages can be on topics from History, Literature, Science subjects, etc.). It is important that you complete these types of passages first, to avoid stressing out and rushing through the rest of the test! Here, the technique of skimming and scanning will come in handy. For instance, for questions that ask you to match a specific paragraph with an appropriate title, you will need to get the gist of each paragraph. Do not attempt to read an entire paragraph. You will waste precious time! Instead, stick to reading only the first and last sentence of a specific paragraph (or may be at most, the first two sentences and last two sentences) to get the gist of it. Perhaps even underline some keywords, as sometimes such keywords may appear in the title options for a specific question!

Also, throughout the test, adopt the following attitude: “I am going to replicate exactly what I read in each passage. The information will either be contained in the passage or will be totally missing (this motto is especially important for the tricky True/False/Not Given questions). Overthinking and second guessing are my enemies.”

Writing

Again, time management is critical. Always complete task 2 first. Allocate 40 minutes for task 2 and 20 minutes for task one. Remember that IELTS essays are not fact-checking essays! Some people make the mistake of cramming too much information into an IELTS essay and in the end, neglect to check on critical aspects such as grammar and punctuation, due to poor time management! The examiner is not concerned about reading in-depth information on a certain topic. He/she just wants to assess your ability to construct an argument (for instance, being for and against something) and backing up your argument with real life examples (for instance), along with critical language-related aspects such as vocabulary choices, spelling, grammar, etc. Do not attempt an IELTS essay in a university-oriented language. Think of it as an essay that you are writing for your high school English teacher.

Speaking

To me, this part of the test was the most relaxing. Think of this as a casual conversation with a fellow human being. Do not try to memorize things and blurt them out during the test. Examiners have ways of finding out if candidates have memorized parts of their speeches. Remember to speak as naturally as possible. Also, don’t worry if the examiner interrupts you while you are speaking. This is just part of the proceedings. Also, the speaking test is not a fact-checking test. The examiner is not testing your knowledge on a specific topic. All he/she does is meant to assess the range of your vocabulary and grammar and whether or not you have the ability to speak in a clear and concise fashion without halting.

Well, this is pretty much all the advice I have. I wish all the future IELTS test takers the very best of luck!

Our heartfelt thanks to Preetha for providing this advice and congratulations on doing so well in IELTS!



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Tuesday, 30 July 2019

IELTS test in Nigeria – July 2019 (Academic Module)

Our friend A remembered the following IELTS Writing and Speaking questions from a recent test in Nigeria:

Writing testIELTS test in Nigeria

Writing task 1 (a report)

We were given a line graph showing forest industry’s production in a European country. The main products were timber, paper and pulp between 1980 and 2000.

Writing task 2 (an essay)

It is often said that to become a successful businessman a tertiary education is not at all necessary. To what extent to you agree or disagree with this statement? Give your opinion and relevant examples.

Speaking Test

Interview

– What is your full name?
– Where are you from?
– Can I see your ID?
– Do you work or study?
– What do you do?
– Do you like your job?
– When did you last see everyone smile?
– Do you think a smile is effective in communication?
– How often do you smile?

Cue Card

Describe your favourite advertisement that you remember. Please say

– What is it?
– Where and when did you see it?
– What was it about?

Discussion

– What are the methods of advertising nowadays?
– How do you order something from an online advertisement?
– What is the difference between current TV advertisements and the ones from the past?
– Do you purchase products after seeing their online advertisements? Why?



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Monday, 29 July 2019

IELTS Speaking test in Tehran, Iran – July 2019

S shared the Speaking questions from a recent IELTS exam in Iran – below:

Speaking testIELTS test in Iran

Interview

– What is your full name?
– Can I see your ID?
– Where are you from?
– Do you work or study?
– What is your profession?
– Why did you choose it?
– What do you do for work?
– Do you like it?
– Would you like to do something else in the future?
– Why is that?

Cue Card

Describe a TV program that you watch regularly. Please say

– Describe the program.
– When and where do you watch it?
– Why do you watch it?

Discussion

– Do you watch it by yourself? Why?
– Do people nowadays watch more or less TV than before?
– Why do you think it is?
– What kind of TV programs are popular in your country?
– What kind of games do children play these days?
– Are computer games good or bad for children? Why?
– What kind of games do you think are beneficial for them?
– How can parents help them in this regard?



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Friday, 26 July 2019

IELTS test in Hong Kong – July 2019 (General Training)

Our friend A took the IELTS test in Hong Kong and remembered the following topics and questions:

Listening testIELTS test in Hong Kong

Section 1. About a visit to an old town, with a description of main buildings, furniture and so on.

Section 2. A description of remote parts of Australia.

Section 3. About an AUV – autonomous underwater vehicle.

Section 4. About space stations.

Reading test

Passage 1. About a theme park.
Questions: multiple choice, True/False/Not Given, map labelling.

Passage 2. Description of work environment and procedures at some company.
Questions: filling in blanks.

Passage 3. Don’t remember.

Passage 4. About some common habit of birds that live around the city area.
Questions: filling in blanks, True/False/Not Given.

Writing test

Writing task 1 (a letter)

You have recently bought some furniture. It was broken when you received it. Write a complaint letter to the store manager and say

– What and when did you buy?
– Why was it broken?
– Suggest how the problem could be solved.

Writing Task 2 (an essay)

Nowadays courses and general study online are getting very popular. However, some people still prefer attending classes in person. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.



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Thursday, 25 July 2019

IELTS Speaking test in Oman – July 2019

The questions below were shared by a test taker who took the IELTS Speaking test in Oman (thanks, F!):

Speaking testIELTS test in Oman

Interview

– What is your full name?
– Can I see your ID?
– Where are you from?
– Do you work or study?
– What do you do?
– Where do you live now?
– Can you describe the city you live in now?
– Is it a modern or an old city?
– Do you like living there? Why or why not?

Cue Card

Talk about an unhealthy habit that you used to have. Please say

– What was it?
– How did you lose that habit?
– How do you feel about it now?

Discussion

– What method did you use?
– Would you recommend it to others?
– Should employees be responsible for their health?
– Is it important for employees to take care of their health?
– Does it affect the company’s income?



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Wednesday, 24 July 2019

IELTS test in Ahmedabad, India – July 2019 (General Training)

Our friend H took a General Training IELTS test in India and below are the Writing and Speaking questions he remembered:

Writing testIELTS test in India

Writing task 1 (a letter)

Your brother cannot come on a trip that you planned. Write a letter to your friend inviting him/her to join instead. Please say

– Where and when do you plan to go?
– Why can’t your brother come?
– Give a short description of the trip.

Writing Task 2 (an essay)

Some people say that a country should produce food locally, while others believe that it is good to import food. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give your opinion and relevant examples.

Speaking test

Interview

– What is your full name?
– Can I see your ID?
– Where are you from?
– Do you work or study?
– What do you do for work?
– Do you like it?
– Do you use public transport to get to work?
– What are the alternative ways to get there?
– Do you like to be in a crowd? Why?
– Do you like to live in a crowded place?
– Why or why not?

Cue Card

Talk about a party that you recently went to. Please say

– Where and when was it?
– Did you enjoy it or not? Why?
– Who was there with you?

Discussion

– What was the reason for the party?
– Why do people arrange parties?
– What are main occasions for a party?
– What is the difference between the parties now and in the past?
– Why do you think it is so?



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