IELTS International English Testing System Familiarisation Workshops

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IELTS International English Testing System
Familiarisation Workshops

• English Language Centre
• Hong Kong Polytechnic University

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Workshop Format

• Overview
• - Structure
• - Scoring
• - Help
• - Q A
• Speaking and Listening
• Writing
• Reading

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The Test

• All Candidates are tested in listening, reading,
  writing and speaking.
• Listening 30 mins
• Reading 60 mins
• Writing 60 mins
• Speaking 11 14 mins
• Total test time 2 hours 45 minutes excluding
  breaks.

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Listening

• Time 30 minutes 4 sections, 40 questions
• Real-world listening situations
• Difficulty
• Range of topics and tasks
• - listening for specific information e.g.dates,
  place names
• - understanding gist
• - understanding speaker attitude/opinion

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Listening Test Format

• Section 1 conversation 2 speakers
• Section 2 monologue
• Section 3 conversation 4 speakers
• Section 4 lecture

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General listening strategies

• Recording is played once
• Read question CAREFULLY BEFORE listening
• Familiarise yourself with question types
• - completing a chart
• - selecting pictures
• - note-taking exercises
• -MC questions

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Reading

• Time 60 minutes 3 reading passages, totally 40
  questions
• Texts are taken from books, magazines, journals
  and newspapers
• Question types
• - find detailed information
• - identify attitudes and views
• - complete a diagram

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General Reading Strategies

• Identify reading skills being tested
• Practise these skills

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Writing

• Time 60 minutes 2 tasks
• Task 1(20mins) descriptive report of a table or
  diagram, 150 words
• Task 2(40 mins)250 word essay in response to an
  opinion or a problem.
• Discuss issues, construct an argument and use the
  appropriate tone and register.

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General Writing Strategies

• Read the question carefully
• Familiarise yourself with descriptions of data
  in newspapers, textbooks
• Practise formulating your own ideas on topics

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Speaking

• Time 10 15 minutes
• Face to face interview between one candidate and
  one examiner.
• Part 1(4-5mins) Introduction and interview
• Part 2(1-3 mins incl. prep) Individual talk
• Part 3(4-5 mins) Discussion topics

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Speaking

• Speak fluently and link ideas coherently
• Demonstrate a range of appropriate vocabulary
• Use accurate grammar and appropriate register
• Speak so that a listener can understand

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Speaking strategies

• Part 1
• Take the initiative if possible
• Always say more than yes or no
• Try to overcome nerves

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Speaking Strategies

• Part 2
• - Take the 1 min preparation time
• - Jot down some main ideas
• - Sound interested in the talk

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Speaking Strategies

• Part 3
• - Give informed responses
• - Demonstrate your control of the language
• - Attempt to express abstract ideas
• - Support your opinions
• - Show that you are willing to provide extended
  replies

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Scoring

• IELTS provides a profile of a candidates ability
  to use English
• Candidates receive a score on a Band Scale from
  1-9

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Scores on the IELTS test are graded into nine
bands as follows

• Band 0-Did not attempt the test  
• Band 1-Non User  
•  Band 2-Intermittent User  
• Band 3-Extremely Limited User 
• Band 4-Limited User  
• Band 5-Modest User  

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• Band 6-Competent User  
• Has generally effective command of the language
  despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and
  misunderstandings. Can use and understand fairly
  complex language, particularly in familiar
  situations.

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• Band 7-Good User  
• Band 8-Very Good User  
• Band 9 -Expert User  

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General Strategies

• Familiarise yourself with the test.
• Practise
• Time Management

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Help

• CILL Centre for Independent Language Learning,
  Core A 3/F
• SAP Speaking Assistance Programme Core A 3/F
• WAP Writing Assistance Programme Core A 3/F

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Useful books

• Cambridge IELTS 3 with answers
• Insight into IELTS Vanessa Jakeman Clare
  McDowell (CUP)

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Useful websites

• UGC Introductory site http//www.ugccepa.com
• IELTS homepage http//www.ielts.org/index.htm
• ELC homepage http//elc.polyu.edu.hk

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