Understand the IELTS test format

Test takers who understand the format of IELTS are at an advantage. Make sure
you’re familiar with how IELTS testing works.
There are two versions of the test, IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. Both tests are graded in
exactly the same way.

You’ll take the first three parts of the test on the same day, in the following order:

 Listening*
 Reading
 Writing

There are no breaks between these tests.

Your Speaking test will be held either on the same day or 7 days before or after that, depending on local
arrangements.

*Remember that in the Listening test, there will be a range of native-speaker accents (North American,
Australian, New Zealand and British). All standard varieties of English are accepted during the test.

IELTS Academic IELTS General Training

IELTS Academic measures English language proficiency IELTS General Training measures English language
needed for an academic, higher learning environment. The proficiency in a practical, everyday context. The tasks
tasks and tests are accessible to all test takers, irrespective of and tests reflect both workplace and social situations.
their subject focus.

Listening* (30 minutes, plus 10 minutes extra to Listening* (30 minutes, plus 10 minutes extra to
transfer your answer to your answer sheet) transfer your answer to your answer sheet)
Four recorded monologues and conversations. Four recorded monologues and conversations.

Reading (60 minutes) Reading (60 minutes)

 Three long reading passages with tasks
 Texts range from descriptive and factual to the
discursive and analytical
 Includes non-verbal material such as
diagrams, graphs or illustrations
 Texts are authentic (e.g. taken from books,
journals and newspapers)
 Three reading passages with tasks
 Section 1 contains two or three short
factual texts
 Section 2 includes two short, work-
related, factual texts
 Section 3 contains one longer text on a
topic of general interest
 Texts are authentic (e.g. taken from
books, journals and newspapers)

Writing (60 minutes) Writing (60 minutes)

 Writing task of at least 150 words where the  Letter writing task of at least 150 words
test taker must summarise, describe or  Short essay task of at least 250 words
explain a table, graph, chart or diagram
 Short essay task of at least 250 words
 Speaking* (11 to 14 minutes) Speaking* (11 to 14 minutes)

 Face-to-face interview  Face-to-face interview

 Includes short questions, speaking at length  Includes short questions, speaking at
about a familiar topic and a structured length about a familiar topic and a
decision structured decision

* Listening and Speaking sections are the same for both versions of the test

You can find out more about what to expect in the Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking tests by looking at
the next steps.

Please refer to the following website for some more

information and free practice tests:

https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/prepare-test/understand-
test-format
Lesson plan- assessment lesson

Speaking
1. Worksheet page 29- Myself from A-to Z

Aim is to get to know you and what is your motivation behind doing the exam
Choose 5 letters from the alphabet and come up with something that is connected with
your life: example: b is for a baby because I have a little 2-month old baby named Theodore
One of this aspects should tell my why you would like to do IELTS academic
For example, J is for a job I wan to to the exam to improve my job prospects

Please finish the remaining part of the alphabet and do it as your homework

2. Discussion topics

IELTS resources page-74

Choose 3 topics that you would like to discuss

Prepare a few points that would be relevant to the topic
Discussion takes place

For each class prepare one topic for discussion

Reading
Sleep- write down as many words as you can think of that you associate with sleeping.

Now have a look at all the words on the cards and check if you have any repetitions. Which
of these words/phrases relate to you why is that?

Skim vs scan – do you understand the difference?

Skim the first paragraph and tell me what main aspect of sleeping is the article talking
about? Sleep issues

Now read the article and answer the questions. Highlight the answers in the text.
Homework-IELTS reading and writing sample