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IELTS Preparation tips

IELTS competition winner reveals secrets of her success

I would like to share with you the email I’ve received from Trang Do – our results competition winner with overall Band 8.0. The reason I’m doing this is not to publish more praise for IELTS-Blog. You know who we are, and you know what we do. My reason is entirely different – the way Trang Do describes her preparation really proves that it is possible for an ordinary person to get great results in IELTS – just add practice. Here is what she says:

“Dear Simone,

Thank you so much for your blog in which I found valuable sources for my English practice in general and IELTS test in particular. I was introduced to IELTS-Blog by some friends of mine a couple of months before my actual test. Since then, I regularly received helpful tips for my self study. I especially appreciate your efforts in compiling tests taken from different parts and giving out to all blog members.

To share a little bit about my IELTS learning process, I practiced intensively a month before the test date. I tried to listen to English tapes, videos and read as much as possible all kinds of English publications. Regarding listening, which was once my weakest skill, the book “Target Band 7” was of great assistance to improve my listening score. I followed tips presented in the book and it really worked.

2 months before the test, I rarely scored 7.5 for the listening section. But in the real test, my score was 8.5. I hope that the blog will continue to be a partner of English learners.

Wish you all the best.

Trang Do”

IELTS Preparation tips from Charissa, Band 8.0 in Academic IELTS

Today I’d like to share some IELTS preparation tips from Charissa Maniti, one of our competition winners (Band 8 in Academic IELTS). Here is what she would like you to know:

“IELTS is one important key in opening doors for great opportunities around the globe. And anyone who is striving hard can achieve a satisfying score.

When I was reviewing for the exam, I have devoted much time to practice. I have searched for free online practice tests and answered within time restrictions. It is also a great idea to have a study buddy if one is available as it will increase motivation.

For the Listening part, I have downloaded some clips of English conversations to familiarize myself with different accents, watched a lot of English TV shows and films, and repeated as dialogues were delivered to practice my pronunciation.

For the Reading, I have read articles from different materials, especially those that don’t interest me. Because if articles don’t interest me, I have the tendency to focus more to be able to understand, and that is one great way of practicing!

For the Writing part, I have tried writing in a formal way about anything that could possibly be a topic for the actual exam. It is important to collect ideas about a given topic first, and only then decide which points you would like to discuss. I have learned that in forming a good essay, there should be at least 5 paragraphs.

Present each idea in one paragraph. Your fist paragraph should give idea of what you are to talk about. The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th paragraphs should contain arguments of each idea you would like to present. And lastly, your 5th paragraph should show a summary of your whole idea. This is what I have learned from English teachers, and while it may not necessarily be followed by everyone, but for me, it worked!

For the Speaking, I have read aloud and recorded myself. Also, I have pretended that an examiner is in front of me and recorded myself as I answered sample questions I have obtained from IELTS-Blog and other IELTS sites. I have practiced speaking in an collaborative way whenever my study buddy and I spoke to each other.

Finally, I have tried to learn a new English word every single day. It is awesome to expand one’s vocabulary. Don’t forget to relax the day before your exam to have a refreshed mind.

Good luck to all future test takers! I’m glad i have came across IELTS-Blog.com. Thank you!”