IELTS-Blog

What you are about to read originally came to me as a comment, but I thought that it deserves more attention, so to make sure no one misses it I am posting it here:

“Hi all,
Just appeared for my IELTS exams this weekend (Academic Module).

I am specially posting this for every one who’s either preparing or planning to appear for their IELTS test.
Trust me guys it does seem extremely easy at times, it being just an English language test, but that’s not the case.
I don’t mean to scare you guys off. But the thing is at least a months proper and full fledged practice is a must if you plan to get yourself a higher band score of, say, 7.5 plus.

I hardly studied though Listening,writing & speaking was great, but trust me READING is the one which is the most difficult part.
I don’t know would this be the best way to reach out to the exam authorities, or at least if someone could help me do the same, it would be great.

I would definitely like to ask them a few things, rather bring this to their notice, suggesting changes in the way the tests taken.
Firstly, IELTS being an English language test, checks your capacity to understand, listen and respond to spoken and written English, at a much higher level, then why is it that the READING test, had so much of technical stuff

The test for which I just appeared, the reading part was really difficult. I mean having studied in English all my life and calling myself a voracious reader, I was surprised I couldn’t crack the QA in the reading tests, I just couldn’t make head or tail of what the paragraphs were all about, forget answering them in the given time span.

Instead had the paragraphs been purely based on a common or a social topic with increasing level of difficulty, would solve the purpose of testing a persons reasoning as well as logical skills along with understanding of English as medium of instruction. Why is it that the paragraphs are so subject specific?

Concluding, I would suggest all the aspiring IELTS students to really practice hard for your reading tests.

Waiting for my results. Wish all you guys good luck.”

Lately I was thinking a lot of IELTS-Blog and what I should add to it. So far, I’ve decided to continue posting Listening tips, but if you, guys, have better ideas - please let me know.

Anyway, here goes Listening tip # 5 (see the previous 4 under IELTS Preparation>>Listening tips section )

Know your clues

The answer is usually pronounced louder and clearer, it is easier to hear and understand. If you can’t hear something clearly (because the speaker swallows words or whispers), then probably the answer is not there. Practice and you’ll learn to tell the difference.

A good clue to answer is when you hear a repetition of a word, a word being spelled out (G A R F U N K E L) or a number dictated.

The following conversation is a classic example of repetition:

Mary-Joe: “These days there are many changes in our company policy”

Kathy:”Oh, what kind of changes?”

It is clear that the word “changes” is a clue of answer.