IELTS TRAINING

By: Riko Sidabutar

rikosidabutar@ymail.com
What is IELTS?
It stands for International English Language Testing
System
It comprises 4 bands, they are: Listening, Reading,
Writing, Speaking.
Each band shall be scored from the scale of 0 to 9.
Why do people take IELTS test?
One of the requirements of enrolling to university
or applying for jobs based in overseas especially
in UK, USA, Australia.
How can one interpret his/her IELTS
score?
0 : no answer provided
1 : answer provided but isolated (non-
user)
2 : answer provided but basic
(intermittent user)
3 : answer provided but general.
Frequent breakdowns(extremely limited
user)
4 : answer provided and competent. Unable to
use complex language. (Limited User)
5 : answer provided and competent. Able to
handle basic communication in own field but
many mistakes made. (Modest User)
6 : answer provided and effective user despite
some inaccuracies and misunderstanding.
(Competent User)
7 : answer provided and effective with
occasional inaccuracies and misunderstanding
8 : answer provided and fully effective user with
rare inaccuracies and misunderstanding. (Very
good User)
9 : answer provided and fully effective with
excellent accuracy and fluency.
IELTS bands’ typical questions:

Listening Band:
1. Name and number (conversation between 2
people)
2. Write no more than 3 words or less than 3
words (a seminar or lecture)
3. Map
Reading Band:
1. Consisting of 3 passages @20 minutes
2. Types of question:
a. True, false, not given.
b. Choosing answers from the box/options.
Writing Band:
1. Pie chart , diagram, graphic.
2. Opinions.
Speaking Band:
1. Self-introduction.
2. Describing something.
3. Giving arguments or delivering opinions.
Listening skill 1: Number and Alphabet

Confusing number: double-digit number

88: double eight/eighty eight/eight eight
70: seven zero/seventy/seven o
11: double one/eleven/one one

Listening hint: write down the answers while

listening to the tape
Listening skill 2: Making Assumption

Try to get a gist of what the record is about by

assuming the content of the tape.

Listening Hint: always look for synonym because

words are not written exactly as they are
heard.
Listening tips:
1. Always use the break to read the questions,
so you are able identify what you need to get
fom each conversation or dialogue to answer.
2. It is recommended to write anwers in capital
letter.
3. Questions are given in order, therefore, do
not lose focus when the tape is being played.
Writing Skill 1: How to compose a paragraph

A. Introductory paragraph
B. Body
C. Closing paragraph
Introductory Paragraph:
General idea of the topic of the paragraph

Body:
Points/Opinions/Information

Closing paragraph:
Conclusion/suggestion/summary
Rules of IELTS writing:
1. No contraction.
2. Range of vocabulary.
3. Structure (complex sentence).
4. Coherence and Cohesion.
Writing Assessments:
1. Task Achievements
2. Coherence and cohesion
3. Lexical resource/vocabulary rabge
4. Accuracy
Writing skill 2 : Chart, Diagram, Table, Graphic

1. Identifying main features.

2. Making comparison.
 Diagram or Table Writing

1. Identify the TREND in the Diagram or Table:

 The biggest or the highest.
 The smallest or the lowest.

2. COMPARE the drop or the rise:

 drop sharply, steadily, slowly.
 rise significantly, gradually, rapidly.
Key words:
Spike * Fall
Ascend Descend
Ascent Descent
Increase Decrease
Surge* Dip
Rise Plunge*
Raise Drop
Skyrocket* Decline
Gradual
Significant
Slight
Sharp
Rapid
Steady

Useful Verbs: gain, experience, sustain, suffer,

generate
Key Words Variaton:

Verb + Adverb ( -ly )

Adjective + Noun

Example:
The revenue of last year increased significantly
The revenue of last year experienced a significant
increase
Reading Band:
1. Consisting of 3 passages @20 minutes
2. Types of question:
a. True, false, not given.
b. Choosing answers from the box/options.
Reading Skill 1: Lexical/Vocab Problem

 Check the context of the text

 Think of whether the word is similar to words
you already know
 Pay attention to the word form
Reading skill 2: Scanning and Skimming
Try to get the point of each paragraph by
Skimming and answer the questions by
Scanning the paragraph.

Reading Hint: circle out NAMES and DATE

 Note-Taking

1. Skim the content of the text.

2. Get the point of each paragraph (describe,
explain, evaluate, opine something).
3. Take note on the question sheet.
4. Do the questions by using the key word taken
from every question and scanning the text.
Speaking Skill 1: Self-introduction and describing
something. (Page 170)
A. Self-introduction:
1. Name.
2. Physical information.
3. Emotional trait.

Speaking Hint: Fluency is not about how fast one

speaks.
Speaking Band Assessments:
1. Fluency and Coherence
2. Accuracy (Vocabs and Grammar)
B. Describing something:
1. Hometown.
2. Job.
3. Family.
4. Country.
5. Hobby.

Speaking Hint: Being knowledgeable is helpful.

• What kind of things give status to people in
your country?
• Have things changed since your parents’
time?
• Do you think advertising influences what
people buy?
Describe something you own which is very
important to you.
• You should say:
• where you got it from
• how long you have had it
• what you use it for; and
• explain why it is important to you.
• is it valuable in terms of money?
• would it be easy to replace?
Preposition:
place
1. In: country, city, village, inside of a building
2. On: surface, incomplete address
3. At: complete address, building
Time:
4. in: year, month
5. On: day, date, weekend
6. At: clock
Speaking Band:
1. Self-introduction.
2. Describing something.
3. Giving arguments or delivering opinions.
IELTS Speaking Test:
Part 1: Short Turn (participant-centered
question)
Part 2: Long Turn (experience)
Part 3: Giving argument or opinions.
Speaking Band Assessments:
1. Fluency and Coherence
2. Accuracy (Vocabs, Grammar, Pronunciation)
Apply 5W + 1H question words whenever
running out of idea

WHY
WHO
WHEN
WHERE
WHAT
HOW
 How to prolong your points

1. Repeating by Synonyms.
2. Paraphrasing.
3. Word Form.
1. Repeating by Synonyms.
Restate your points by using other words which
are synonymous and imply the same
meaning.
Example: Although the police have arrested the
suspect, they still need more evidence to
submit.
Repeating: Although the police have arrested
the suspect, they still need more proof to
submit.
2. Paraphrasing.
Describe the word that is difficult to translate
into English.
Example: Jokowi’s administration is urgently
asked to tackle several domestic trading
impediments.
Paraphrasing: Jokowi’s administration is urgently
asked to tackle several domestic trading
problems that are hard to face.
3. Word Form.
Revamp the structure of your words without
altering the meaning.
Example: Indonesia has attempted relentlessly
to bring its citizen to a better life for the last
50 years.
Word Form: Indonesia has made relentless
attempts to bring its citizen to a better life for
the last 50 years.
 Speaking in Depth

1. Comparing and Contrasting.

2. Explaining.
3. Giving examples.
1. Comparing and Contrasting.
 Comparing words:
Compared to/with, different from, unlike.

 Contrasting words:
But, however, on the other hand.
2. Explaining.
 Explaining words:
I think, In my opinion, To my mind, From my
point of view.

3. Giving examples.
 Useful words:
For example, such as, for instance.
 Writing Skill 3

Typical questions:
1. To what extent do you agree or disagree...
2. Describe...give reasons...give
solution/include your experience...
How to get a better band score in Writing:
1. Use varied kinds of sentence.
 Simple sentence.
Example: We always practice our English everyday.

 Compound sentence. (and, but, or)

Example: We always practiced our English but we got several
problems last year.

 Complex sentence. (cause & effect, if clause, transition)

Example: If they plan to study in UK, they are obliged to
possess an IELTS certificate.
 Compound complex sentence.
Example: Pelindo 1 and Pelindo 2 should be
merged by the end of 2017 or conduct
downsizing option because of ailing
economic conditon.
.
2. Use varied sentence forms.
 Active form.
Example: Social programs produce a positive
impact every year.

 Passive form.
Example: A good impact is produced by social
programs every year, so the society’s life has
improved.
Gadget, nowadays, is mostly used by teenagers
and children. It becomes like an addiction to
use smartphone. So, it brings bad impact.
To what extent do you agree or disagree on this
statement?
Avoid word repetition:
Synonym, paraphrase, word form
 Organizing and Expanding a Passage

1. Introductory Paragraph:
 Introducing your points briefly.

2. Body:
 Expanding and elaborating your points by
adding supporting sentences.
Topic: Gadget is bad for teenagers and children.

Introductory paragraph.
I agree because:
1. They do not socialize.
2. Their school scores might drop.
3. The functions of gadget can give bad
influences.
Body:
1. They do not scocialize:
 Children and teenagers must make
interaction in their life
 They can get benefits from society.
 Society will forge their development.
2. Their school scores might drop:
 Children and teenagers prefer playing games
to studying.
 Their focus on study is decreased.

3. The functions of gadget can give bad

influences:
 Violent content.
 Adult content.
 SARA content.
Noun Verb
Adjective Noun
Adverb Adjective
 Conjunction and Connector Variation

1. Conjunction.
• Equal Conjunction : And.
Variation: In addition to.

• Unequal Conjunction : But.

Variation: however, nevertheless, nonetheless,
notwithstanding, yet.
As of, to date
As for
By
Within
Lavish
Dwell = stay = live
Like = fond of, keen on
2. Connector.
• Cause and Effect connector: IF clause.
Variation: should & provided.

• Contrary connector: Although.

Variation: even though, though, despite*, in
spite of*.
Because: because of*, in that, owing to.

So: As a result.

Therefore: Thus, Consequently.

*followed by noun phrase.

Can not = fail
 Changing Adjective or Verb into Noun

Adjective into noun:

Simply add “BEING” before the adjective.
Example: He is lazy = His being lazy.

Verb into Noun:

Simply add “-ing” at the end of the Verb.
Example: They go to school: Their going to school.
 Typical Questions in Reading

1. Matching Headings / Finding Main Points.

2. True/False/Not Given or Yes/No/Not Given.
1. Matching Headings / Finding Main Points.

• Skim the whole paragraph.

• Find what the paragraph implies by
summarizing it.
• Match the implied point with the options by:
 finding the synonym of the main point in the
options.
 skip the option which is identical with the main
point or the first sentence of the paragraph.
 never assume, please.
2. True/False/Not Given OR Yes/No/Not Given.

• Scan the statement of the question in the essay

quickly.
• Analyze the statement:
 it is True/Yes when it is synonymous or share the
meaning.
 it is False/No when it is NOT synonymous or has
different meaning.
 it is Not Given when the statement is not found in
the essay.
Note:
1. Making Assumption should be avoided in
answering the 2 typical questions.
2. Not Given is the least likely answer.
 Listening Tips

1. There will be a lot of information given in the

recording. Nonetheless, pinpoint the information
that you need to answer the questions.
2. Pay attention to the corrected and repeated
statements. Despite being in the form of
synonyms, they are the most likely answers.
3. Read 2 or 3 questions at a time to anticipate the
topic of the each conversation.