About IELTS:
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is widely recognised as a reliable means of assessing the language ability of candidates who need to study or work where English is the language of communication. These Practice Tests are designed to give future IELTS candidates an idea of whether their English is at the required level.
Aim:
To prepare you for the test by familiarising you with the types of texts and tasks that you will meet in the IELTS test, and the level and style of language used in the test.
- To help you prepare for your studies at university or college by introducing you to the types of communication tasks which you are likely to meet in an English-speaking study environment.
Benefits of studying for IELTS:
By studying for IELTS you will not only be preparing for the test but also for your future as a student in an English speaking environment. The test is designed to assess your ability to understand and produce written and spoken language in an educational context. The book makes reference to the ways in which university study is organised in many English speaking countries and the types of academic tasks you will be expected to perform.
Test Format
1. Listening
4 sections, around 40 questions
30 minutes + transfer time
2. Academic Reading
3 sections, around 40 questions 60 minutes
General training Reading
3 sections, around 40 questions 60 minutes
3. Academic Writing
2 tasks 60 minutes
General Writing 2 tasks 60 minutes
Free Videos & Worksheets:
4. Speaking
10 to 15 minutes
Total test time
2 hours 45 minutes
Listening :
This test consists of four sections, each with ten questions. The first two sections are concerned with social needs. The first section is a conversation between two speakers and the second section is a monologue. The final two sections are concerned with situations related to educational or training contexts. The third section is a conversation between up to four people and the fourth section is a monologue.
A variety of question types is used, including multiple-choice, matching, plan/map/ diagram labeling, form completion, note completion, table completion, flow-chart completion, summary completion, sentence completion, short-answer questions.
Candidates hear the recording once only and answer the questions as they listen. Ten minutes are allowed at the end for candidates to transfer their answers to the answer sheet.
Academic Reading:
This test consists of three sections with 40 questions. There are three texts, which are taken from journals, books, magazines and newspapers. The texts are on topics of general interest. At least one text contains detailed logical argument.
A variety of question types is used, including multiple-choice, identifying information (true/False/Not Given), identifying the writer's views/claims (Yes/No/Not Given) , matching information, matching headings, matching features, matching sentence endings, sentence completion, summary completion, note completion, table completion, flow-chart completion, diagram label completion, short - answer questions.
General Training Reading:
This test consists of three sections with 40 questions. The texts are taken from notices, advertisements, leaflets, newspapers, instruction manuals, books and magazines. The first section contains texts relevant to basic linguistic survival in English, with tasks mainly concerned with providing factual information. The second section focuses on the work context and involves texts of more complex language. The third section involves reading more extended texts, with a more complex language. The third section involves reading more extended texts, with a more complex structure, but with the emphasis on descriptive and instructive rather than argumentative texts.
A variety of question types is used, including multiple-choice, identifying information (True/False/ Not Given), identifying the writer's views/claims (Yes/No/Not Given), matching information, matching headings, matching features, matching sentence endings, sentence completion, summary completion, note completion, table completion, flow-chart completion, diagram label completion, short-answer questions.
Academic Writing:
This test consists of two tasks. It is suggested that candidates spend about 20 minutes on Task 1, which requires them to write at least 150 words, and 40 minutes on Task 2, which requires them to write at least 250 words. Task 2 contributes twice as much as Task 1 to the Writing score.
Task 1 requires candidates to look at a diagram or some data (graph, table or chart) and to present the information in their own words. They are assessed on their ability to organise, present and possibly compare data, describe the stages of a process, describe an object or event, or explain how something works.
In Task 2 candidates are presented with a point of view, argument or problem. They are assessed on their ability to present a solution to the problem, present and justify an opinion, compare and contrast evidence and challenge ideas, evidence or arguments.
Candidates are also assessed on their ability to write in an appropriate style.
General Training Writing:
This test consists of two tasks. It is suggested that candidates spend about 20 minutes on Task 1, which requires them to write at least 250 words. Task 2 contributes twice as much as Task 1 to the Writing score.
In Task 1 candidates are asked to respond to a given situation with a letter requesting information or explaining the situation. They are aseeseed on their ability to engage in personal correspondence, elicit and provide general factual information, express needs, wants, like and dislike, express opinions, complaints, etc.
In Task 2 candidates are presented with a point of view, argument or problem. They are assessed on their ability to provide general factual information, outline a problem and present a solution, present and justify an opinion, evaluate and challenge ideas, evidence or arguments.
Candidates are also assessed on their ability to write in an appropriate style.
Speaking:
This test takes between 11 and 14 minutes and is conducted by a trained examiner.
There are three parts:
Part 1:
The candidate and the examiner introduce themselves. Candidates then answer general questions about themselves, their home/family, their job/studies, their interests and a wide range of similar familiar topic areas. This part lasts between four and five minutes.
Part 2:
The candidate is given a task card with prompts and is asked to talk on a particular topic. The candidate has one minute to prepare and they can make some notes if they wish, before speaking for between one and two minutes. The examiners then ask one or two questions on the same topic.
Part 3:
The examiner and the candidate engage in a discussion of more abstract issues which are linked to the topic in Part 2. The discussion lasts between four and five minutes.
The Speaking test assesses whether candidates can communicate effectively in English. The assessment tasks into account Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy and Pronunciation. More information on assessing the Speaking test, including Speaking Assessment Criteria (public version), is available on the IELTS website.
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