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IELTS

International English Language Testing System

It`s a test of English language skills designed for students who want to study in the medium of English either at university, college or secondary school.

There are two versions of the test: the Academic Module and the General Training (GT) Module. Students wishing to study at postgraduate or undergraduate level should take the Academic Module. The General Training (GT) Module is designed for those candidates who plan to undertake training or secondary school education. The GTM is also used in Australia and New Zeland to assess the language skills of incoming migrants. Candidates must decide in advance which of the two modules they wish to sit as the results are not underchangeable.

Students sit the Listening, Reading and Writing papers in that order on one day. The Speaking test may be held up to two days later, though it is taken on the same day, after the Writing Test.

Overview of the test

The test is in four parts reflecting the four basic language skills:

•Listening taken by all candidates

•Reading Academic or General Training

•Writing Academic or General Training

•Speaking taken by all candidates

Results

Performance is rated on a scale 0 9. Candidates receive a Test Report form which shows their overall performance reported as a single band score as well as the individual scores they received for each part of the test.

The IELTS Nine band scale

Band 9 Expert user

Has fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete understanding

Band 8 Very good user

Has fully operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriacies. Misunderstanding may occur in unfamiliar situations. Handless complex detailed argumentation well.

Band 7 Good user

Has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally handless complex language well understands detailed reasoning.

Band 6 Competent user

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Has generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings. Can use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations.

Band 5 Modest user

Has partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most situations, though is likely to make many mistakes. Should be able to handle basic communication in own field.

Band 4 Limited user

Basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Has frequent problems in understanding and expression. Is not able to use complex language.

Band 3 Elementary limited user

Conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur.

Band 2 Intermittent user

No real communication is possible except for the most basic information using isolated words or short formulas in familiar situations and to meet immediate needs. Has great difficulty in understanding spoken and written English.

Band 1 None user

Essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words.

Overview of the IELTS test (See Book “IELTS Practice Tests” p. 5 7

TextBook: “IELTS Practice Tests”.

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Additionall IELTS speaking topics

1.What is the meaning of your name?

2.Does your name affect your personality?

3.Tell me something about your hometown.

4.What are the differences in accent between your hometown and Hanoi?

5.What is the character of the people like in your hometown?

6.What is people's favourite food in the region where you live?

7.Do you think that people have enough time for leisure now?

8.Are there any historic monuments in your region?

9.Describe your Job? How do you spend your typical day?

10.Tell me something about the Hue Festival.

11.How have weddings changed in recent years?

12.Tell me something about the <Holi> Festival. <change with the festival name of your country>

13.Describe a traditional wedding ceremony.

14.Name a person whom you admire? Why? What influence does he / she has on your life? Would you like to become like him / her in future?

15.Are there any traditions concerning the birth of a baby?

16.How do you like <The test city> Compare it to your hometown. How did you get to this place?

17.What place do you like best in Hanoi?

18.What places in Delhi should a foreigner visit?

19.What places would you recommend a visitor to go to in your region/hometown?

20.If you had the choice, where would you choose to live in India?

21.Which parts of India would you recommend a foreigner to visit?

22.Tell me something about your family.

23.Which is your favourite colour?

24.Do you think colours influence our life? How?

25.Which is the best place you've been to in India?

26.Who does most of the household chores in your family?

27.Are the traditional sexual roles within the family changing?

28.Why is the divorce rate increasing so rapidly? Is it a problem?

29.What is your opinion of the planning family policy?

30.How do you discipline your child?

31.Is it acceptable for couples to live together without marrying?

32.If you had the choice, would you have a son or a daughter?

33.Are you going to bring your child up any differently to the way your parents did?

34.What hopes do you have for your child? (if you are married)

35.Do women still have too heavy a burden in their day to day life?

36.Is the increasing influence of the West largely a positive or negative thing?

37.Are you looking forward to anything in particular in Australia / UK / USA ?

38.What do you do in your leisure time?

39.What will you do if you fail the IELTS?

40.Who should bear the responsibility for payment of tuition fees?

41.What can be done to improve education in rural areas?

42.Have recent changes affected your job in any way?

43.Do you agree with private education? Why?

44.What can be done to close the gap between urban and rural areas?

45.If you had the power, what changes would you carry out within education?

46.Describe a typical working day for you

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47.How do you see yourself in ten years time?

48.If you had the opportunity to change your job, what would you do instead?

49.If you had one million dollars, what would you do with it?

50.If you could start your life again, would you do anything differently?

51.What ambitions do you have?

52.Which country/place would you most like to visit?

53.What changes do you think India will see in the next few years?

54.Will any possible future changes affect your job in any way?

55.How do you think you will cope abroad?

56.How does it feel to go abroad for the first time?

57.Are you looking forward to anything in particular in Australia / UK / USA ?

58.What do you do in your leisure time?

59.What will you do if you fail the IELTS?

60.Why are you giveing IELTS? What course / job do you intend to pursue after IELTS.?

The following are the Possible Questions from the Interviewer of the IELTS Speaking Test :

1.Introduce yourself.

2.Describe your hometown. What is special about it?

3.Compare your hometown with another town.

4.Describe your country’s education system. What is your attitude toward this system? Do you think it’s effective?

5.Describe the organization you work for. Where is it? What does it do? What is your job function?

6.Describe the process of taking a job in your country.

7.Compare the role of men and women in your country.

8.What is Brain drain? What are the causes and effects of it?

9.Discuss why you would like to visit a particular country. When are you going to visit it and why?

10.Discuss the factors affecting people to have more or less children in your country.

11.Describe a traditional dish in your country. What are the ingredients?

12.Describe the traditional Architecture of your country. Is there something special about it?

13.Compare traditional houses with modern houses in your country.

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14.Discuss why you like a special kind of book, music, sports, or film.

15.Give reasons why the divorce rate has or has not increased in your country.

16.Describe a traditional instrument in your country.

17.Describe an important festival in Iran. When is it? What do people do then?

18.Describe the ethnic mix in your country.

19.Describe a traditional garment in your country.

20.What is your favourite colour? Why? What is the relationship between the colour of clothes and the personality of people? What is the relationship with mood?

21.Describe a historical place in your country. Where is it? What is special about it?

22.Talk about mass media. Newspapers and their attractions for you.

23.Describe a traditional /children’s/international/card game.

24.Why do people play games?

25.What is your greatest wish/ one of your wishes?

26.What don’t you know about your future?

27.Why do people collect things? Do you collect anything?

28.Describe an invention before or after computer. Should the governments support inventors? Why do inventors invent?

29.What is fashion? Do you follow fashion? Why do people follow fashion? How do people in your country follow fashion?

30.What is the process of obtaining a driving license/passport/etc. in your country?

31.Describe one of your photos. Where, when and with whom did you take it?

32.Describe the present situation of Tourism in Pakistan. What is the future of Tourism like in Pakistan?

33.Name a book, film, or a piece of music that you like most and say why.

34.Describe IT or a databank system.

35.Why always women cook and men do not in your country? Which is a better cook, a man or a woman?

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36.Compare your time with your parents’. What is the same and what has changed since then?

37.How has traveling changed since 100 years ago?

38.Describe your best holiday, party, event in your life. When was it, where and why?

39.Talk about the best present you have ever had in your life. When, why and who gave it to you?

40.In what occasions do people give presents in your country?

41.How do you choose a gift for your friends?

42.What do people do in 4 seasons in your country?

43.What do governments do in case of disasters? What should they do?

44.Talk about the most populated area in your country. Where is it? What is its population? Why is it so populated?

45.Describe a competition you have entered. What was your stand?

46.What is the role of public artworks?

47.Describe a city you have visited and impressed you so much. Why was it so impressive?

48.Compare Iranian eating with other countries.

49.Compare a person who has been in a foreign country with someone who hasn’t.

50.What is capital punishment? Is it necessary to control crime?

51.What do you think will be the world’s greatest problem in 100 years time?

52.What do you think pastime and hobbies will be in 100 years time?

53.What do you know about the wildlife in your country? Who is responsible for its preservation?

54.What do you know about Global Warming? What is Greenhouse Effect?

55.Shopping: who does the shopping in your home? Do you go shopping?

What have you found difficult in shopping?

56.Describe a child that you know. Who is he/she? Your relation, what does he/she like, and how has he/she influenced you?

57.School pressure on children. Is there any in your country? What can be done if there is?

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58.What was the most interesting (impressing) period of time in your life? Describe it.

59.What do you think about children's school age? Advantages or disadvantages?

60.What time are children considered to be adults in your country?

Examples of IELTS Letter

IELTS Letter: Some problems at work

You recently took a part time job working for a local company. After a few weeks you realised there were some problems with the job.

Write a letter to the manager of the company. In your letter

explain why you took the job

describe the problems that you experienced

suggest what could be done about them.

This task was taken from the book Insight into IELTS Extra, with Answers: The Cambridge IELTS Course Workbook (Cambridge Books for Cambridge Exams) by Vanessa Jakeman, Clare McDowell

Dear Mr. Thompson,

I am a part time call centre operator at your company, started working about 4 weeks ago. I am writing to indicate the problem I encountered during my work.

Actually, I decided to took the position of a telesales specialist because consider myself able to develop a career in sales due to my skill of establishing good contact with people and make them trust me. However, I realised there are some obstacles on a way to success.

The problems started 3 weeks ago then the system administrator updated my software. At the time of a call I was querying a customer for his personal data then suddenly my computer reloaded and this person’s profile was lost. This situation repeated in the future for several times. I asked the system administrator to solve this problem, but he told me this is solely my fault and my computer skills are below required to use this program.

I am assured the complete situation makes company profits lower. I believe that software managing specialist could fix the problem if the initiative would be taken by a senior manager of your rank.

Sincerely yours,

Anna Frank

192 words

Expected IELTS Band 7

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IELTS letter: Damaged suitcase

You travelled by long distance bus recently and your suitcase was damaged.

Write a letter to the bus company. In your letter

inform the bus company of when and to where you travelled

describe your suitcase and what happened to it

explain why the company should pay for a new suitcase

This task was taken from the book IELTS on Track: Test Practice General Training.

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to require a compensation for the property damage, taken place at the time of the travelling by the bus of your company.

I travelled from Washington, D.C. to Boston by the bus #301 on February 21, 2007. Before the trip I passed my luggage to the driver, who helped me to place my suitcase in the luggage compartment of the bus. After arrival the driver opened this back compartment and the first thing I saw was that my new and brand name suitcase was smashed under the pressure of the weight of the other’s luggage.

My suitcase was quite firm and very beautiful in its red colour and modern design. However it obviously hasn’t been designed to resist such a weight on it. I am very depressed because I can not use anymore my broken suitcase, its handle was bended and two wheels out of 4 were detached.

Since damage stated above was caused by the careless actions of your employee, I would like to require a compensation of $200, which was the original price of my suitcase. Please, deliver a cheque to the address, written above.

Faithfully yours,

Anna Frank

197 words

Expected IELTS Band 6.5 7

IELTS Letter: Bad service at a shop

You recently had your computer fixed at the local computer store however you are not pleased with the service you received.

Write a letter to the store manager. In the letter

describe the situation

explain why you are dissatisfied

say what you want the manager to do Write at least 150 words.

You do NOT need to write your own address. Begin your letter as follows:

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Dear Sir or Madam,

This task was taken from the Scott's English Success web site.

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with the service I received at your establishment.

Actually, the computer I have bought at your store on the late January was quite good, however after just half a year things got wrong. Some programs were getting frozen frequently. When I took my computer to your specialist and tried to explain the problem to the technician Michaels, he refused to take my computer into service because the problem did not appear that time. I was trying to convince him to spend more time to identify the reason it is getting stuck, but he was rude and impatient explaining this is the end of his shift. On the next day another technician listened to me carefully and fixed my computer in 10 minutes.

I suppose your employee Michaels is not suitable for his position because of his unprofessionalism. I suggest you to employ someone more skilled and with better personality in order not to cause your customers to loose their time like me.

Faithfully yours,

Anna Frank

177 words

Expected IELTS Band 6 6.5

IELTS Letter: Homestay in a New Zealand family

You are going to visit New Zealand for an 'English and Homestay' program. You have just received details of your homestay host family.

Write your first letter to the family. In your letter

introduce yourself

ask the family some questions to get information that is important to you

tell the family about your arrival date and time.

This task was taken from the book IELTS on Track: Test Practice General Training.

Dear Mr Jones,

I have just received details of my future homestay at your family and writing to introduce myself and ask for some further information.

My name is Anna Frank, I am 21 and live with my family in Lyon, France, which is my hometown. My native language is French and I am looking forward to improving my English during the trip to New Zealand.

I would be grateful if you could provide more information about your family and its lifestyle. To begin with, I would like to ask you about your usual diet. It is very important to me since I am a vegetarian. Secondly, I