To Get Speaking – Band 7

1. May demonstrate language-related hesitation at times, or some repetition and /or self-correction
2. Uses a range of connectives and discourse markers with some flexibility
3. Uses vocabulary resource flexibly to discuss a variety of topics
4. Uses some less common and idiomatic vocabulary and shows some awareness of style and collocation, with some inappropriate choices
5. Uses paraphrase effectively
6. shows all the positive features of Band 6 and some, but not all, of the positive features of Band 8 (word stress, sentence stress, pronunciation features)

BAND 6

1. is willing to speak at length, though may lose coherence at times due to occasional repetition, self-correction or hesitation
2. uses a range of connectives and discourse markers but not always appropriately
3. has a wide enough vocabulary to discuss topics at length and make meaning clear in spite of inaccuracies
4. generally paraphrases successfully
5. uses a range of pronunciation features with mixed control
6. can generally be understood throughout, though mispronunciation of individual words or sounds reduces clarity at times

Things that you need not to worry about:

• Body language
• Eye contact
• The quality of your ideas
• Whether the examiner agrees with you
• The examiner’s behavior

Tips for listening

1. Master the skill of paraphrasing
2. Underline the keywords
3. Listen to the paraphrased keywords/synonyms
4. Make notes of new words, phrases or expressions like, out of bounds, show up

You can use the same in speaking and sound like a native speaker

5. Concentrate
6. Read ahead – only check back at the end
7. Keep a check on your spelling
8. Don’t get stuck on a difficult question – move forward

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Reading is your vocabulary test
It tests your understanding of written English and in General Training it involves

• Basic linguistic survival in English
• Focus on work context
• Descriptive and instructive text

Example: Using various kinds of texts like notices, advertisements, leaflets, instruction manuals, books, magazines etc.

Whereas Academic reading involves texts from journals, books, magazines, and newspapers.

• Matching the keywords technique

You need a method to deal with the reading module. It gives you an assurance that your answer is correct either it is a question from passage 1 or passage 3 by providing logic behind your answer.

• Understanding the passage

You will not be able to score high until developing the habit of understanding the passage, different kind of colloquial expressions, phrases, phrasal verbs, etc. You should possess the ability to relate the entire reading as it progresses.

• Integrated skill

Reading is directly linked to writing as I earlier mentioned. In other words, by working on your reading module you can also improve your writing part of IELTS which is another big concern for the candidates. Reading help you understand various writing skills like paragraphing, colloquial expressions that you can use in your writing, referencing, substitution, phrasal verbs etc.

Tips for the good writing (7 BAND SCORE) have been highlighted below:

FOR ACADEMIC WRITING TASK 1

1. Write a clear overview highlighting the general trend shown in the graphics
2.  Key features fully highlighted and explained

FOR GENERAL TRAINING WRITING TASK 1

1. Write a clear purpose with a consistent and appropriate tone
2. Bullet points are presented, extended properly

WRITING TASK 2

1. Address all parts of the task
2. Present a clear position
3. Extend and support main ideas
4. Organize ideas logically
5. Progression of ideas
6. Cohesive devices (substitution, referencing)
7. Paragraphs with a clear central topic ( paragraphing )
8. Vocabulary range, flexibility and precision
9. Less common vocabulary, collocations, style
10. Range of grammatical structures
11. Mistakes, error-free sentences