Understanding the IELTS Exam

Lesson 1: Understanding the IELTS Exam

The IELTS exam is an international test of English language proficiency. It is designed to assess your ability to use English in academic, professional, and everyday contexts. The exam measures your ability to read, write, speak, and listen in English. The IELTS exam is accepted by over 10,000 organizations worldwide, including universities, employers, and immigration authorities.

Example: Imagine you are an international student who wants to study at a UK university. You will need to take the IELTS exam to prove your English proficiency.

Quiz:

1. What does IELTS stand for?
2. What does the IELTS exam measure?
3. How many organizations worldwide accept the IELTS exam?
4. Can you give an example of an organization that accepts the IELTS exam?
5. Why might someone take the IELTS exam?

Lesson 2: IELTS Exam Format

The IELTS exam has four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. The Listening and Speaking sections are the same for all test-takers, but there are different Reading and Writing modules to choose from depending on your goals. The Listening, Reading, and Writing sections are completed in one sitting, while the Speaking section can be completed on the same day or up to a week before or after the other sections.

Example: Let’s say you are taking the Academic module of the IELTS exam. This means you will need to complete a reading section with academic texts, such as journal articles or textbooks.

Quiz:

1. How many sections are there in the IELTS exam?
2. Are the Listening and Speaking sections the same for all test-takers?
3. Can you choose which Reading and Writing modules to complete?
4. How many sections are completed in one sitting?
5. When can you complete the Speaking section?

Lesson 3: IELTS Exam Scoring

The IELTS exam is scored on a 9-band scale. Each section (Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking) is scored separately, and the scores are then averaged for an overall score. The highest possible score is 9.0, and there is no pass or fail mark for the exam. The score you need depends on the organization you are applying to or the purpose of the exam.

Example: Let’s say you need to score a 7.0 overall on the IELTS exam to be accepted into your desired university program.

Quiz:

1. How is the IELTS exam scored?
2. Is there a pass or fail mark for the exam?
3. What is the highest possible score on the IELTS exam?
4. Is the overall score an average of the section scores?
5. Does the score you need depend on the purpose of the exam?

Lesson 4: IELTS Listening Section

The IELTS Listening section has four parts and lasts approximately 30 minutes, including 10 minutes to transfer your answers to the answer sheet. You will listen to four recordings and answer questions based on what you hear. The recordings include a mix of conversations, monologues, and academic lectures. The questions vary in format and may include multiple-choice, matching, or completion tasks.

Example: Let’s say you are listening to a conversation between two people discussing a holiday they took together. One person is describing the hotel they stayed at, while the other person is describing the activities they did on the trip.

Quiz:

1. How many parts are there in the IELTS Listening section?
2. How long does the IELTS Listening section last?
3. What types of recordings are included
4. What types of questions are included in the IELTS Listening section?
5. Can you give an example of a listening task in the IELTS exam?If you feel confident with the information covered so far, you can move on to the next lesson. If not, you can choose to recap the previous lesson before moving forward.

Lesson 5: IELTS Reading Section

The IELTS Reading section has three parts and lasts for 60 minutes. The texts in the Reading section are taken from books, newspapers, magazines, and journals, and cover a range of topics, including academic subjects and general interest. The questions are designed to test a range of reading skills, including understanding main ideas, identifying supporting details, and recognizing writer’s opinion.

Example: Let’s say you are reading an article about climate change and how it is affecting the world’s oceans. The questions might ask you to identify the main idea of the article or the author’s opinion on the subject.

Quiz:

1. How many parts are there in the IELTS Reading section?
2. How long does the IELTS Reading section last?
3. What types of texts are included in the IELTS Reading section?
4. What types of reading skills are tested in the IELTS Reading section?
5. Can you give an example of a reading task in the IELTS exam?

If you feel confident with the information covered so far, you can move on to the next lesson. If not, you can choose to recap the previous lesson before moving forward.

Lesson 6: IELTS Writing Section

The IELTS Writing section has two parts and lasts for 60 minutes. In Part 1, you will be presented with a graph, table, chart or diagram and you will be asked to describe the information in your own words. In Part 2, you will be given a topic and asked to write an essay in response. The essays must be written in a formal style and should be well-structured with clear paragraphs and logical progression of ideas.

Example: Let’s say you are writing an essay in response to the topic “Some people believe that children should spend more time outdoors playing sports and less time indoors using electronic devices. Do you agree or disagree?” In your essay, you might argue that while electronic devices are important for modern life, it is equally important for children to develop physical skills and social relationships through outdoor sports.

Quiz:

1. How many parts are there in the IELTS Writing section?
2. How long does the IELTS Writing section last?
3. What is the task in Part 1 of the IELTS Writing section?
4. What is the task in Part 2 of the IELTS Writing section?
5. What is the style of writing required in the IELTS Writing section?

If you feel confident with the information covered so far, you can move on to the next lesson. If not, you can choose to recap the previous lesson before moving forward.

Lesson 7: IELTS Speaking Section

The IELTS Speaking section is a face-to-face interview with an examiner and lasts for 11-14 minutes. The interview is divided into three parts. In Part 1, you will be asked general questions about yourself and your life. In Part 2, you will be given a task card with a topic and you will have one minute to prepare before speaking for up to two minutes. In Part 3, you will be asked follow-up questions related to the topic in Part 2.

Example: Let’s say you are given a task card with the topic “Describe a memorable experience you had with your family.

Example: Let’s say you are given a task card with the topic “Describe a memorable experience you had with your family.” You might talk about a family vacation you took to the seaside, and how you spent time together swimming, playing games, and exploring the local area.

Quiz:

1. How long does the IELTS Speaking section last?
2. How many parts is the IELTS Speaking section divided into?
3. What types of questions are asked in Part 1 of the IELTS Speaking section?
4. How much time do you have to prepare in Part 2 of the IELTS Speaking section?
5. What types of questions are asked in Part 3 of the IELTS Speaking section?

Congratulations on completing the IELTS basic concepts lessons. If you would like to practice your skills further, you may choose to take a full IELTS practice test or continue studying more advanced IELTS topics.