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June 2012

Pradip shares how he got Band 7.5 in IELTS

Today I am happy to share with you the tips that Pradip (one of our Best IELTS Results competition winners) sent for all the test takers. Here is what Pradip suggests from personal experience:

“Even though I would suggest leaving more preparation time for a better score, I believe this is what one can do in a short time span of 21 days.Band 8 in IELTS

To begin with, IELTS cannot be approached as just an exam, but has to be done in a technique based manner. Learn what each section’s pattern is and how you can maximize your score by correcting your typical mistakes.

Listening – make notes as you listen. Don’t drift while the recording plays and focus on imagining what the audio scenario is and accordingly note down the answers as the recording plays. Don’t waste time on copying answers to the answer sheet while listening – you will be given 10 extra minutes for that after the recording has finished.

Reading – highlight parts of the text as you read where there might be answers hidden. Skim through and later when you encounter questions write answers from the highlighted parts. Practice is the only way for this section.

Writing – note down the band descriptors for high scoring and read sample essays and letters that have been graded. Try to emulate the same writing pattern in your style and memorize key words and phrases to use later.

speaking – no shortcuts here. You just need to listen and speak a lot in English. If you are a regular English speaker this section only requires a little bit more practice to capture the proper speaking style that IELTS examiners are looking for.”

IELTS test in Kenya – May 2012 (General Training)

The IELTS exam below was shared by M from Kenya.

Listening test IELTS test in Kenya

Section 1. A man was calling a theater to check what plays were on and to order tickets.

Section 2. A woman was calling her friend and leaving her a voice massage with the directions to where she lives.
Questions: diagram / map labeling.

Section 3. Two lecturers discussed their project of interactive learning over the Internet.

Section 4. About insects, why they exist, disadvantages and different methods of killing insects.

Reading test

Passage 1. Different types of markets in a community.

Passage 2. Types of shifts in a workplace.

Passage 3. Employee assessment process.

Passage 4. History of population of Europe, the UK in particular. The passage was regarding it as a time bomb.

Writing test

Writing task 1 (a letter)

Your friend and his/her family from a foreign country are coming to visit you. Write a letter to him/her and say

– Invite your friend and the family to stay at your home.
– Suggest places to visit in your country.
– Give other useful tips.

Writing Task 2 (an essay)

Children nowadays prefer electronic games to other games and toys. Why is it happening? Is it a positive or a negative trend?

Speaking test

Interview

– What is your name?
– Can I see your ID, please?
– Do you work or study?
– What do you do for work?
– What would you like to do in the future?

Cue Card

Talk about something you have seen or read that made you laugh. Please say

– What was it?
– Who was there you with?
– Whom did you tell about it?
– Why do you still remember it?

Discussion

– Are comics and advertisements important?
– Do advertisements make people buy products?
– Do you think men laugh more often than women?
– Do you like cars?
– What is the most common model in your country?
– Have you ever driven a car?
– What is your dream car?
– Do you like drawings?
– Are drawings important in people’s lives?
– Is it hard to learn how to draw?
– When was the last time you drew?