IELTS Tips | For each module: What IELTS is looking for?

 IELTS Tips for each module: What IELTS is looking for?

A. Listening Tips :

• · Listen to each and every word of the test audio
• · Underline/highlight key words in both question, as well as in all options.
• · Keep question key words in mind and listen for key words in audio for all options and keep crossing until you get the right answer.
• · Right answer usually lies in between or at the end of each question audio.
• · Listen and be careful about distractions.
• · Listen for deeper meanings behind every word, understand various likes, dislikes, attitudes, concerns etc of the speakers and differentiate between accurate and non-accurate attitudes and then look for them in options.
• · Never assume an answer until the audio for that specific question finishes.
• · Be wary of number of words required by Question prompt to write in space provide.
• · Be careful about articles, signpost words, singular, plural forms, numbers, dates, time, durations etc.
• · Always keep 2 questions and their options ahead in mind.
• · Pay close attention to intonation and voice stress of the speakers.
• · Always double check spellings of the answer you have written in space provided.
• · Use capital letters for all answers.

B. Reading Tips:

• · Try to finish Section 1 and Section 2 in 20-25 minutes and leave section 3 for the rest of the time as its is the most difficult one.
• · Cross verify at least twice the spelling and your answer choice for each question.
• · For CBT, you can copy and paste answers, no need to type.
• · Look for key words from question in text for fill in the blanks and what passage contains what information type questions (most common type these days).
• · Read first 2 and last 2 lines of each paragraph for Headings questions. Sometimes you have to read whole passage to understand the theme of the passage.
• · Never assume anything for T, F, NG questions.
• · If even 1 % information is missing from question in text, the answer is NOT GIVEN.
• · If even 1 % information in text is opposite from that in question, the answer is FALSE/NO.
• · If meaning of information in question and text matches 100 %, the answer is TRUE/YES.
• · Be careful about word limit for each answer.
• · Read each and every word in whole passage or text for T,F,NG and all difficult questions.
• · Never use skimming and scanning for difficult questions which have deeper meanings.
• · Never assume for any question answer. If information is nowhere in text, it means answer is not in text.
• · Time management and accuracy to look and understand information is the key to high score in reading part.

C. Writing Part Task 2: BAND 8 Steps

✓ Make sure your ideas are directly related to the topic.

✓ Use ideas and examples that you are familiar with that related to the topic directly.

✓ Extend your answer to include a number of ideas that will support the question.

✓ Never include irrelevant information.

✓ Avoid overgeneralization.

✓ Never use memorized sentences or whole essay.

✓ Never use recent research or article or statistics examples or data.

✓ Read the question carefully and decide how many parts are in.

✓ Answer all parts of the question 100 %.

✓ Present your opinion in introduction and support it throughout your response.

✓ If asked to present both views, make sure each view is represented equally( similar paragraph length).

✓ Watch for plurals, if you are asked to give advantages, you must present at least 2.

✓ Watch for the word “and” in the question, if comes you may need to comment on more than one element of the question.

✓ Write more than 250 words, shorter than that will be penalized.

✓ Never ignore any part of the question.

✓ Make sure your opinion is clear throughout the whole response by using personal pronouns.

✓ Organize your essay and ideas logically with clear progression throughout the response using liking words or phrases, but don’t over or under use them.

✓ Use adverbial phrases rather than single basic linkers.

✓ Use referencing and substitution to avoid repetition whenever feasible. E.g. this, them, the issue, the problem, etc.

✓ Use punctuation to make sure your writing is coherent( easy to understand).

✓ Avoid punctuation, articles and word choice mistakes.

✓ Use the best possible word in the right context and collocation.

✓ Never start every sentence with a linker, try to put them in the middle of each sentence if required.

✓ Avoid basic linkers such as Firstly, Finally, rather you can use phrases for that…such as the first reason for this is that…..the first point worth considering/making is that……A final issue/factor/point/reason that is impacting……

✓ Avoid using any kind of numbers, symbols, abbreviations, contractions.

✓ Avoid headings or subheadings

✓ Avoid underlining words or phrases.

✓ Organize your essay into paragraphs logically.

✓ Each paragraph must contain a clear central topic, theme or idea that is then fully developed, supported.

✓ It must have a minimum of 2 sentences and maximum 6.

✓ Use linkers between and within paragraphs.

✓ Leave one line space between each paragraph.

✓ Use a separate paragraph for each topic.

✓ Use an introduction and a conclusion.

✓ Avoid very long paragraphs that cover a whole paper.

✓ Underuse paragraphs 3 or less.

✓ In an adv/disadv. Essay, write 3 adv/disadv. for the side you agree with and 2 for the side you disagree.

✓ Avoid spelling mistakes.

✓ Must use a variety of uncommon lexical items related to the topic of the essay with accurate collocations and word choice.

✓ Old-fashioned words and those that are not used in everyday speech should not be used.

✓ Synonyms must be used with similar meaning and does not alter the meaning of the whole idea.

✓ Use collocations and phrasal verbs.

✓ Never mix US and British spellings, use only one of them to write whole of your response.

✓ Avoid slang or short words.

✓ Avoid overuse of synonyms, if you cannot find another synonym, use the original word or its form.

✓ Avoid idioms or clichés, unless you understand them correctly under topic context.

✓ Use correct prepositions with phrasal verbs. ✓ Never use informal phrases and overused ones. E.g. Nowadays, controversial issue, pros and cons, firstly, secondly, crux of the discussion, stuff/thing, e.g., every coin has two sides, In a nutshell.

✓ You should use clear language. ✓ Phrases you should use in place of above mentioned. In recent times, Major issue, Benefits and drawbacks, The primary reason why…, Lack of education is another reason why…the main or key issue is….

✓ Use a variety of simple, compound and complex sentence structures. E.g. relative clauses, who/that/which….

✓ Use the correct conditional sentence for the correct clause type….e.g. 1st, 2nd,3rd…

✓ Use a variety of tenses.eg. present/past/future simple, continuous, perfect, perfect continuous…

✓ Use correct past participle with passive sentences.

✓ Use gerunds correctly.

✓ Avoid errors with singular and plural nouns, subject-verb agreements.

✓ Accuracy and variety is the key thing to remember while using complex structures.

✓ Complex sentences should not be long and complicated.

Writing band descriptor: Checklist for Band 8

A. Task Response:

✓ Did you answer all parts of the question sufficiently?

✓ Are all of your ideas and support directly relevant to the topic?

✓ Did you avoid overgeneralizing the topic?

✓ Does the examiner know exactly what you think, and did you present this position clear throughout the whole response?

✓ Did you support your ideas with clear examples and avoided vague research and survey results?

✓ Did you write over 250 words?

B. Coherence( Easy to understand) and Cohesion( Logically connected):

✓ Can the examiner follow your ideas from the very first sentence until the end of your essay?

✓ Does it progress clearly?(main ideas, supporting examples, conclusion)

✓ Did you use a range of linking words and phrases?

✓ Did you avoid repetition and avoided to start every sentence with a linker?

✓ Did you use referencing and substitution?

✓ Did you use sufficient paragraphs?

✓ Did you use one paragraph to develop one idea?

✓ Is there a clear introductory and concluding paragraph?

C. Lexical Resource:

✓ Did you use a range of uncommon topic-specific vocabulary?

✓ Did you make precise vocabulary choices?

✓ Did you avoid memorised language, proverbs, clichés?

✓ Did you use collocations correctly?

✓ Did you use uncommon words appropriately?

✓ Did you correct your spelling or typo mistakes?

✓ Did you use the correct form of the word?(adverbs, nouns, adjectives, verbs)

D. Grammatical Range and Accuracy:

✓ Did you use simple and complex structures accurately?

✓ Did you use a range of structures?( conditionals, relative clauses, present perfect, modal verbs)

✓ Did you avoid long, complicated sentences?

✓ Are your sentences error-free?

✓ Did you punctuate correctly?

✓ Did you use capital letters to start sentences and to proper nouns?

✓ Did you use commas in your complex sentences, where needed?

✓ Did you use full stops to end sentences?

(Source: IDP IELTS Official Youtube)

Thanks all and Good Luck