Lesson Introduction
Bagian 1
IELTS Overview
This lesson is aimed to help you quickly understand the basics of the IELTS test. If you're already familiar with it; then skip to the last part of this lesson, there is useful information about our IELTS questions and practice tests.
The IELTS test has four sections: listening, reading, writing, and speaking.
Here is a breakdown of each section.
| Test Section | Number of questions | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | 4 recordings 40 questions in total | About 30 minutes |
| Reading - Academic | 3 long texts 40 questions in total | 60 minutes |
| Reading - General | 2 short texts & 1 longer text 40 questions in total | 60 minutes |
| Writing - Academic | 2 writing tasks | 60 minutes |
| Writing - General | 2 writing tasks | 60 minutes |
| Speaking | 3 parts | 11 - 14 minutes |
IELTS Listening Test Section
The listening test is the first test you'll complete in your IELTS exam and is divided into 4 sections each containing a recording.
- Section 1- a conversation between two people set in an everyday social context. For example, you might hear a conversation about confirming details for a reservation, or placing an order over the phone.
- Section 2 - a monologue set in an everyday social context. For example, you might hear a speech about local facilities, or someone providing directions, or presenting basic information about an event.
- Section 3 – a conversation between up to four people set in an educational or training context. For example, you might hear a university tutor and a student discussing an assignment, or a couple of students discussing something from class.
- Section 4 - a monologue on an academic subject. For example, you will hear a university lecture from a professor. This is the toughest recording on the Listening exam for most students.
Your task will be to listen and answer the questions as they are heard in the audio. You'll only hear each audio recording once, so you only get one chance to hear and answer each question. At the very end, you'll be given 10 minutes to transfer your answers to the answer sheet.
Note: The computer based test does not use an answer sheet, so you'll be given 2 minutes at the end to check your answers.
Preparing with IELTS practice tests is critical for a high listening score; Although it seems relatively straight forward, it's easy to lose your place and miss answers, so continuous practice up until your test day is necessary IELTS listening lessons.*/ ?>
If you want to learn more in depth details, examples, and tips and practice with free IELTS sample tests and listening practice questions, go to our main IELTS listening practice guide page
IELTS Reading Test Section
The reading test is the second section in the IELTS test and as we mentioned, depending on your situation, you'll either need to take academic or general training. No matter which you take, the overall reading test is the same; You'll answer exactly 40 questions based on 3 different readings, and just like in the listening section, you'll be given an answer sheet to fill in. However, NO transfer time is given. You must fill in the answer sheet within the 60 minutes you have to complete the reading section.
So what's the difference between academic and general training in the reading section?
The difference is the type of content you read. The academic reading is harder than general training because the reading content is much longer and the content is taken from sources that are appropriate for university level individuals. General training, however, gets its content from material you'll encounter on a daily basis in an English-speaking environment.
Preparing with IELTS online test simulations is especially important for a high reading band score; There are many different question types in the reading section, so becoming familiar with them and practicing them in an IELTS exam environment can make a big difference, not just for your score, but also helping prevent stress.
If you want to learn more in depth details, examples, and tips and practice with free IELTS exam simulators and reading practice questions, go to our main IELTS reading practice guide page
IELTS Writing Test Section
The writing section is the third section of the IELTS test and just like the reading section, you'll be taking either the academic or general training test. Again, the overall structure of the test is the same no matter which test you take. You'll complete 2 writing tasks and are given a total of 60 minutes to complete both.
Below you'll find details on each task type. You will notice task 2 is the same for both academic and general training.
| Writing Task | Details |
|---|---|
| Writing Task 1 - Academic |
You will be presented with a graph, table, chart or diagram and asked to describe, summarise or explain the information in your own words.
You may be asked to describe and explain data, describe the stages of a process, how something works or describe an object or event.
Spend about 20 minutes |
| Writing Task 1 - General Training |
you will be presented with a situation and asked to write a letter requesting information,
or explaining the situation. The letter may be personal, semi-formal or formal in style.
Spend about 20 minutes |
| Writing Task 2 |
you will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view,
argument or problem. Responses to both tasks must be in a formal style.
Spend about 40 minutes |
A great technique to improving your writing skills is to compare your essay with high-scoring essays to see how they're structured and how they answered the question. Your goal should be to model your essay like the sample essays.
If you want to learn more in depth details, examples, and tips and practice with free IELTS sample tests and writing practice questions, go to our main IELTS writing practice guide page
IELTS Speaking Test Section
The speaking test is the either the final IELTS exam section or the first depending on what you decided. It takes between 11 - 14 minutes to complete and is some what different than the other sections because you'll be interacting with an examiner in an interview like situation. Even in the computer based test where you're taking an IELTS online test, the speaking section is still done face to face with an examiner and it's divided into 3 parts.
| Speaking Part | Details |
|---|---|
| Speaking Part 1 |
The examiner will ask you general questions about yourself and a range of
familiar topics, such as home, family, work, studies and interests.
This part lasts between four and five minutes. Fully fledged out response. Short answers result in low scores. |
| Speaking Part 2 |
You will be given a card which asks you to talk about a particular topic.
You will have one minute to prepare before speaking for up to two minutes.
The examiner will then ask one or two questions on the same topic. Preparation: 1 minute Response: up to 2 minutes |
| Speaking Part 3 |
You will be asked further questions about the topic in Part 2.
These will give you the opportunity to discuss more abstract ideas and issues.
This part of the test lasts between four and five minutes. Fully fledged out response. Short answers result in low scores. |
If you want to learn more in depth details, examples, and tips and practice with free IELTS sample tests and speaking practice questions, go to our main IELTS speaking practice guide page
Our practice questions are available to you in the "IELTS Questions" section. You can go there at anytime and start practicing. If you want, you can go there now!
OPEN QUESTION NAVIGATION
In addition to our question area, we also have IELTS simulation tests, where you can experience what it's like to take an actual IELTS test. We recommend you experience, at least, one practice test to better help you understand what you're learning.
Take a practice test
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