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General Tips Of Test Preparation for IELTS Writing Section

IELTS writing task is a time bound task and it very important for the student to understand the importance of time management in this module. If each aspect of writing has to be achieved then it is essential to allocate time and write accordingly.

1. Understanding the prompt/statement
   • The student should ideally spend a minute for IELTS Writing task 1 and maybe 2 minutes for IELTS Writing Task 2 to understand the question. In task 1 academic, the student should absorb the key information of the diagram. For general it is essential to understand the letter type and how to address the same.
   • IELTS Writing Task 2 needs little more understanding, as not only the statement is given but also to indentify the response.
2. After understanding it is important to outline the task.
   • After understanding it is important to outline the task.
   • For IELTS Writing Academic Task 1 it is crucial that they encapsulate all the features of the diagram: the key trait and the trend.
   • For IELTS Writing General Task 1 it required to write down the main ideas that are going to structure the letter.
   • For IELTS Writing Task 2 this time should be exclusively dedicated in paraphrasing the statement as this is going to form the introduction of the essay. Also the supporting statement of the essay should be formulated as this will give way to the following paragraphs of the essay.
   • The time spent on doing this should be approximately 1 minute for task 1 and 2 minutes for task 2.
3. Structuring
   • This time is ideally, after one when has understood the task and outlined the task, for jotting down the ideas in an order. Which idea will be the opening and the subsequent ones?
   • In IELTS Writing Task 2, this plays a vital role, here the student can decide the body of the essay emphasizing the stronger idea in the opening paragraph of the body. They can club the two weaker ideas to form the next paragraph, with correct cohesive device. To show a contrasting idea the candidate can make use of discourse markers in the following paragraph. This shall not hinder the coherence of the essay.
   • Ideally task 1 – 2 minutes and task 2 – 3 minutes.
4. Keep the idea and the language simple While writing, it is necessary to remember that IELTS Test is not marking you on the subject knowledge but on the knowledge of English Language. So, if the student uses complex ideas or complex words does not mean he/she will get a higher band score. Yet, if the ideas are simple and are coherent with correct syntax it will fetch a higher band score in IELTS Writing.
5. Focus on the language and not the length Try to keep the idea of the paragraph and the main theme in mind. Do not get deviated while writing. Usually when students try to increase the length of the essay the main idea is defeated and so the task response is affected. Rather than focusing on the length it is important to keep the language and the central idea and the idea of the paragraph as the prime focus. Try to be consistent.
6. Conclusion
   • In this paragraph the student should give a positive outlook to the writing in IELTS Writing task 1
   • In IELTS Writing task 2 the student should try to balance the views stated. The ideas should be highlighted and connected to give a stable platform.
   • The students have approximately 14 minutes to write task 1 and 30 minutes to write task 2.
7. Proofreading
   • This is the last step in one’s writing and it an indispensible step which is often ignored. While doing so the student should check for grammatical and spelling mistakes. This is not the time to include or exclude the ideas but to check for the cohesive devices and the correct structuring of the essay.
   • The candidate should set aside 2 minutes for task 1 and 3 minutes for task 2.
8. Our Online IELTS Study Portal has 10 sectional tests for the Writing Section, these test will give you enough practice to do well on IELTS Writing Section and get a Good Overall IELTS Score. More over we have 5 full length IELTS Mock Test, which are an exact simulation of the actual IELTS Exam by IDP and British Council

IELTS Preparation Tips from our IELTS Training Experts For IELTS Writing Task 1

1. Become familiar with the graph types.
2. Do lots of practice exercises in describing graphs.
3. Practice identifying key information in graphs and charts.
4. Practice working out what graph axes represent.
5. Become familiar with a variety of ways to:
   • Express percentages
   • Express numbers & statistical data
   • Express the key points in a graph or describe trends
   • Describe increase and decrease
   • Make comparisons between data.

   For example, ‘words to describe the degree of change’ – ‘slight’, ‘dramatic’, ‘significant’ & ‘moderate’.

6. Look at the language used for:
   • Describing charts (e.g. Pie charts).
   • Describing tables.
   • Describing a process.
   • Describing how something works.
   • Describing and comparing objects.
   • Writing introductory sentences.
7. Make sure you know how to use ‘sequencing expressions’ when describing a process.
8. Think about the topics that could be used for this task.

IELTS Preparation Tips from our IELTS Training Experts for Letter Writing Tips

1. Make a Plan
2. Use the Correct Style
3. Answer the Whole Question
4. Boost the Grammar Score With Complex Sentences
5. Use the Correct Tense
6. Begin and End Your Letter Correctly
7. Do not go over the Word Limit
8. Follow the 100% Rule
9. Don’t Be Overly Informal.

IELTS Preparation Tips from our IELTS Training Experts For IELTS Writing Task 2

1. Study the question carefully. The instructions will always start with the sentence ‘Write about the following topic…’ and include the sentence beginning ‘Give reasons for your answer…’.
2. Underline key points in the question.
3. Make sure you read all parts of the question, so you include everything required.
4. Quickly brainstorm the topic. Think about your point of view. Think about any personal experience you can add.
5. Write a plan. Decide which points are your main points or topic sentences.
6. Decide what supporting details you have for each main point. You should have at least two main points.
7. Make sure you organise your points logically.
8. You will need an introductory statement, body and conclusion.
9. Remember to link ideas within/between sentences and paragraphs.
10. You will receive a higher mark if your use a range of structures and vocabulary.
11. Don’t copy from the question as this will not be assessed. Use your own words.
12. Don’t take more than 40 minutes over this task.
13. Leave at least 3 minutes to check through what you have written.
14. You will lose marks if your essay is less than the required number of words.

General Tips For IELTS Writing Before The Exam

1. Practice writing answers to the tasks in the time allowed, especially if you haven’t written at speed by hand for a while.
2. Keep up-to-date with current affairs.

General Tips For IELTS Writing During The Exam

1. Use a pencil. It will be easier to make corrections when writing with a pencil.
2. Make sure you have a checklist in mind for editing your writing at the end.
3. Make one up now with the errors you know you make.
4. The required word count is 150 words for Task 1 and 250 words for Task 2 but it is advisable to write up to 185 words and 285 words respectively.

Expert Strategy For Preparation for IELTS Listening Questions – Multiple Choice

1. Skim the questions and the answer choices quickly: Skim the IELTS Listening questions and the answer choices quickly before the recording starts. As you do this,
   • Underline the key words – the words that give you the most information, such as the ‘wh-’ words and nouns.
   • Work out what you are going to hear from the vocabulary of the questions and/or pictures.
   • Translate any pictures into words and look for details that are different in the options.
   • Decide what kind of information you need to listen out for.
2. Answer the IELTS Listening questions as you listen: The information is given in the same order as the questions, although it might be expressed differently. Be prepared not to hear the first or even the second answer choices mentioned.
3. Remember to make notes: Remember to make notes beside the question if you are not sure of the answer, so you can go back later.
4. Don’t leave any questions unanswered in the IELTS Listening section.
5. Listen for people correcting themselves: Remember to listen for people correcting themselves while speaking. They may discuss one of the answer choices and then reject it.

Expert Strategy For Preparation for IELTS Listening – Short Answer

1. Skim the IELTS Listening questions quickly: Skim the questions quickly before the recording starts during the 30 seconds given. As you do this,
   • Underline the key words.
   • Try to work out what you are going to hear.
   • Decide what you need to listen out for.
   • Look out for question words like ‘where’ and ‘who’ which indicate you to listen for specific things like places and people.
2. Answer the questions as you listen during the IELTS Exam: Answer the questions as you listen. The answers are given in the same order as the questions although they may be expressed differently.
3. Remember to make notes: Make notes beside the question if you are not sure of the answer.
4. Number of words: The answer could be one word, two words or three words but not four or more. Your answer is probably incorrect, if you think you need more than three words.

Expert Strategy For Preparation for IELTS Listening – Sentence Completion

1. Read the sentences carefully: Read the sentences carefully before the recording starts and during the 30 seconds given. As you do this,
   • Underline the key words.
   • Try to work out what you are going to hear.
   • Decide what you need to listen out for.
   • Anticipate grammatical form as well as vocabulary.
   • If the sentences are part of a table, check whether they are horizontal or vertical.
2. Grammatically correct: Make sure your sentences are grammatically correct.
3. Answer the questions as you listen: The answers are given in the same order as the questions although they may be expressed differently.
4. Remember to make notes: Make notes beside the question if you are not sure of the answer.
5. Number of words: The answer could be one word, two words or three words but not four or more. If you think you need more than three words your answer is probably incorrect.

Expert Strategy For Preparation for IELTS Listening –notes / Table / Summary / Form / Flowchart / Diagram

1. Read the sentences carefully: Look at the table or form etc carefully before the recording starts during the 30 seconds given. As you do this,
   • Examine any headings or subheadings.
   • Try to work out what you are going to hear.
   • Decide what you need to listen out for.
   • Anticipate grammatical form as well as vocabulary.
   • If a box of answers is given, see if you can guess any of the matches & eliminate unlikely answers.
2. Answer the questions as you listen: The answers are given in the same order as the questions although they may be expressed differently.
3. Remember to make notes: Make notes beside the question if you are not sure of the answer.
4. Number of words: The answer could be one word, two words or three words but not four or more. If your answer requires more than 3 words, it’s probably incorrect.
5. If there is a box of answers, there will be at least two you don’t need.
6. If a box is not there, the answer could be one word, two words or three words but not four or more.
7. Again, if you think you need more than three words your answer is probably incorrect.
8. There may be alternative rubrics for these completion questions e.g. ‘complete the notice’ or ‘complete the explanation’ or ‘complete the news report’.

Expert Strategy for Preparation for IELTS Listening – Labeling A Diagram Which Has Labeled Part

1. Read the instructions carefully given during the IELTS Exam: They will state how many words you should use if there is not a box of labels provided. You may be asked to write one word only.
2. Study the diagram: You may be able to predict one or two answers or associated vocabulary that you may hear connected to a particular label.
3. Check whether the labels are numbered in a clockwise or anti – clockwise direction: The information will be given in the same order as the numbers on the diagram. Write down or select the labels as you listen. Use the words you hear, not your own.
4. Listen carefully when words are spelt out: Write the words even if you don’t know where they go.
5. Use the information: Use the information given on the diagram to help you if you get lost.

General Tips For IELTS Exam Preparation for IELTS Listening Test Before the IELTS Exam

1. Make sure you are familiar with the instructions for the different question types so you can quickly glance at the questions and know what to do.
2. Think about the type of situations you might come across while living or studying in an English speaking country, such as someone asking for directions or talks on topics of general interest.
3. Listen to as wide a range of material as possible – English language television and radio, listening sites on the Internet and films and music are all great sources. Our Online IELTS Coaching students are provided with a copy of all 12 versions of the Cambridge IELTS Test Preparation book, so you have a wide variety of practice material for IELTS.
4. Do as many IELTS practice tests as you can to get used to the speed of delivery and the task types. We provide 10 sectional IELTS mock test and 5 full length IELTS Mock test to all our students who have enrolled for the Online IELTS Coaching, ensuring they get sufficient practice.
5. Focus on the strategies and skills you need for listening. For example:
   • ‘listening for specific information’
   • ‘guessing meaning of words’
   • ‘recognising signposts’
   • ‘understanding lectures & talks’

General Tips For IELTS Exam Preparation for IELTS Listening Test During the IELTS Exam

Before listening

1. Always ensure you use the 30 seconds given at the beginning of each section to read the questions before listening.
2. Do read through all the questions in each section.
3. Make sure you read the instructions very carefully.
4. Be sure you the form your answer should take e.g. a word, a letter, a tick, a phrase, a circle around the correct letter etc
5. Make sure you use the time given to analyze the questions.
6. Decide what you are listening for. Are you listening for specific information, for the main idea or for the speaker’s attitude?
7. Use the outline given of the topic, who is talking and the situation to
8. Predict possible answers.
9. When you look at the questions, think about synonyms. You may not hear the exact words that are in the answer choices.

While listening

1. Listen carefully to the instructions.
2. Listen out for key words and common signpost words like – ‘on the other hand’, ‘in contrast’ etc
3. Remember the questions usually follow the same sequence as the conversation or talk but the information may be expressed differently from the questions.
4. Write down something even if you haven’t got the answer before moving on to the next question.
5. Make sure you continue to listen while you are writing as you only hear the tape once.
6. Don’t get stuck on a question you can’t answer. Just move on.
7. Remember there may be sections of irrelevant information. Just keep listening for the information you need.
8. Write notes in the question booklet as you listen. This may help you go back to a difficult question later.

After listening

1. Make sure you transfer your answers correctly.
2. Make sure you use the time given to check your answers.
3. If you can’t remember an answer, guess.