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IELTSThe International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is widely recognized as a reliable means of assessing whether candidates are ready to study or train in the medium of English .IELTS is owned by three partners, the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate, the British Council and IDP Education Australia (through its subsidiary company IELTS Australia Pty Limited). The main purpose of this book of Practice Tests is to give future IELTS candidates an idea of whether their English is at the required level. Further information on IELTS can be found in the IELTS Handbook available free of charge from IELTS centres. IELTS
consists of six modules. All candidates take the same Listening and speaking
modules. There is a choice of Reading and Writing modules according to
whether a candidate is taking the Academic or General Training Version
of the test. This is in four sections, each with 10 questions. The first two sections are concerned with social needs. There is a conversion between two speakers and then a monologue. The final two sections are concerned with situations related to educational or training contexts. There is a conversation between up to four people and then a monologue. A variety of question types is used, including: multiple choice, short - questions, sentence completion, notes/chart/table completion, labeling a diagram, classification, matching. Candidates hear the recording once only and answer the questions as they listen. Ten minutes are allowed at the end to transfer answers to the answer sheet.
There are three reading passages, of increasing difficulty, on topics of general interest and candidates have to answer 40 questions. The passages are taken from magazines, journals, books and newspapers. At least one text contains detailed logical argument. A variety of question type s is used, including: multiple choice , short-answer questions , sentence completion , notes/chart/table completion, labeling a diagram , classification , matching lists / phrases , choosing suitable paragraph headings from a list , identification of writer's views/attitudes - yes , no, not given , or true , false , not given. General Training Reading Candidates have to answer 40 questions. There are three sections of increasing difficulty, containing texts taken from notices, advertisements, leaflets , newspapers , instruction manuals , books and magazines. The first section contains texts, relevant to basic linguistic survival in English, with tasks mainly concerned with providing factual information. The second section focuses on the training context and involves texts of more complex language. The third section involves reading more extended texts, with a more complex structure, but with the emphasis on descriptive and instructive rather than argumentative texts. A variety of question type s is used, including: multiple choice , short-answer questions , sentence completion , notes/chart/table completion, labeling a diagram , classification , matching lists / phrases , choosing suitable paragraph headings from a list , identification of writer's views/attitudes - yes , no, not given , or true , false , not given.
There are two tasks and it is suggested that candidates spend about 20 minutes on Task 1, which requires them to write at least 150 words , and 40 minutes on Task 2 - 250 words. The assessment of Task 2 carries more weight in marking than Task 1.
In Task 2 candidates are presented with a point of view, argument or problem. They are assessed on their ability to present a solution to the problem, present and justify an opinion, compare and contrast evidence and opinions, evaluate and challenge ideas, evidence or arguments. Candidates are also judged on their ability to write in an appropriate style.
In Task 1 candidates are asked to respond to give problem with a letter requesting information or explaining a situation. They are assessed on their ability to engage in personal correspondence, elicit and provide general factual information, express needs, wants, likes and dislikes, express opinions, complaints, etc. In Task 2 candidates are presented with a point of view, argument or problem. They are assessed on their ability to provide general factual information, outline a problem and present a solution, prevent and justify an opinion, evaluate and challenge ideas, evidence or arguments. Candidates are also judged on their ability to write in an appropriate style.
The Speaking module takes between 11 and 14 minutes. It consists of an oral interview between the candidate and an examiner. IELTS
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