IELTS has four (4) different parts: Listening (30 minutes), reading (60 minutes), writing (60 minutes) and speaking (11-14 minutes).

  1. Listening: 4 recordings, 40 questions. Conversations and monologues. You hear it once.

   Example: A phone call to book a hotel, a university lecture.

  1. Reading: 3 sections, 40 questions. Academic = long articles from books/journals. General = ads, notices, short articles.

   Skills: skimming, scanning, understanding detail and main idea.

  1. Writing: 2 tasks.

   Task 1: Academic = describe a chart/graph/map. General = write a letter. 150 words, 20 min. 

   Task 2: Both = essay giving opinion/discussion/problem-solution. 250 words, 40 min.

  1. Speaking: Face to face with examiner. Recorded. 3 parts:

   Part 1: Questions about you, home, work, interests. 4 to 5 min 

   Part 2: Speak 2 min on a topic card.

   Part 3: Discussion linked to Part 2 topic. 4 to 5 min.

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