Language Information

Online IELTS Preparation - Why Does It Make Sense?


  • Because IELTS is a difficult test. While most agree that IELTS is a reasonable test, it is generally regarded as one of the most challenging tests of its type.

  • Because IELTS has question types peculiar to it. Among the ten or so question types IELTS commonly uses, about half are used only by it or in ways unique to it. In particular, the Reading Task questions about identifying the writer's point of view is unique to IELTS and particularly challenging, since it requires "reading between the lines," a skill that usually has to be taught.

  • Because IELTS uses familiar question types in unique ways. IELTS short answer questions, for example, are asked in three different ways. In all cases, at least at most testing centers, the unwritten rule is that the answers must be no longer than three words each. So, even if you have the write answer but have expressed it in more than three words, your answer will be counted as wrong.

  • Because IELTS sometimes asks even familiar question types in deliberately tricky ways. IELTS may, for example, provide a statement expressed in positive language as a true-or-false question when the answer in the Listening or Reading exercise appears in negative terms that have the same meaning as the positive words in the question. IELTS also may ask questions that require candidates to combine information from different places to arrive at the correct answer. In the Listening test, IELTS sometimes asks questions at the end of a section that require candidates to have been keeping track throughout the exercise; so, if the candidate has not read the question first, he or she may not be prepared to answer.

  • Because IELTS has specific formats it wants followed. It's not enough merely to write or speak well, for the IELTS Writing and Speaking tasks, it is critical that candidates answer in the ways IELTS expects them to. That means following often detailed formats that can be learned only in IELTS Preparation courses. In particular, there are rules about the Speaking task - and particular its middle section, during which candidates speak on their own - that are not explained to candidates in advance.

  • Because IELTS penalizes candidates as much as whole band point for not answering questions as asked. For example, if the Writing Task 2 question asks a candidate his or her opinion on a topic and the candidate writes about the various opinions pro and con with respect to that topic, there will be a penalty of an entire band point no matter how well the candidate writes.
  • There is no substitute for good, solid English skills. They are what IELTS measures. But without an in-depth introduction to the many things that are either specific to the IELTS test or the particular ways IELTS expects common tasks to be performed, it is unlikely that a candidate will earn the highest possible score.

    Svend Nelson is a university lecturer and internet entrepreneur. He is director of UniRoute Limited, a Hong Kong based company with offices in Bangkok and London providing IELTS Online Preparation and other web-based courses for university preparation. Svend lived and worked in various countries across Latin America, Europe and Asia before settling with his wife in Thailand.


    MORE RESOURCES:

    NCAA tournament 2010: Evan Turner's body language
    Washington Post (blog)
    "We talked about it throughout the course of the game," Coach Thad Matta said of Turner's body language. "I've known Evan for a long time; ...

    and more »


    RIA Novosti

    Chinese becomes popular with Russian learners
    Xinhua
    by Xinhua writers Yu Maofeng, Gao Fan MOSCOW, March 21 (Xinhua) -- The Year of Chinese Language, about to start here, reflects China's enhanced national ...
    Carrier of Friendship, Bridge of CooperationCRIENGLISH.com
    Interview: Interregional cooperation cements Sino-Russian ties, says vice ...TMCnet
    Putin to meet Chinese vice president XiRIA Novosti
    Xinhua -Xinhua -CRIENGLISH.com
    all 68 news articles »


    CNN International

    Dispute over abortion language casts shadow on reform vote
    ModernHealthcare.com
    A potential deal between House leaders and a holdout Democrat seeking stricter abortion language in broad health reform legislation ...
    No Stupak dealmsnbc.com
    Democrats for Life, the silent group that works in the shadows has pushed the ...Firedoglake (blog)
    The Latest On StupakNew Republic
    Newsweek (blog) -Roll Call (subscription) -NewsMax.com
    all 688 news articles »


    First Hebrew-language charter school gets approval in Santa Clarita Valley
    Los Angeles Times (blog)
    Following months of debate, plans to create the first Hebrew-language charter school in California got the go-ahead this week, after modifications to the ...
    California's first Hebrew-language charter school OKedSan Jose Mercury News
    Einstein academy approvedSignal
    Unique Charter School Gets Approval From Hart DistrictKHTS Radio

    all 39 news articles »


    Washington Post

    Republican Top Strategist: Manipulate Language to Misinform Voters
    Burnt Orange Report (blog)
    May we ask how much you are paid to manipulate language in order to misinform and mislead voters? Republican politicians and their strategists continue to ...
    Catholics urged to contact 'swing votes' on health careThe Catholic Key
    Health care reform package finalizedBizjournals.com
    ObamaCare: A Fraud From A To ZPhiladelphia Bulletin
    FOX 8 News WVUE-TV
    all 839 news articles »


    Lazio on Levy: A liberal, less than loyal, with livid language
    Newsday (subscription)
    Steve Levy's cursing in private and calling out of detractors came out years ago in the transcripts of a criminal case that caught up Wayne Prospect and ...

    and more »


    Inside Stupak's Quest for a 'Bill of Corrections'
    FOXNews
    He wants to vote for the health care bill, but he also wants stricter language barring federal funding for abortion. Could he end up flipping to a yes? ...
    Inside the Process of Passing the Health Care BillFOXNews

    all 2 news articles »


    New York Times (blog)

    Dems confident ahead of health care vote; Stupak still holds out
    The Detroit News
    Bart Stupak, D-Menominee -- is still holding out, maintaining that language is not restrictive enough to ban the use of federal funds to pay for abortion ...
    The Hunt for Health Care Votes: Democrats to WatchCBS News
    Health care vote may hinge on bill's languageLynchburg News and Advance
    The Hitchhiker's Guide to the House and Health Care for SundayFOXNews (blog)
    Seattle Times -Daily Kos (blog) -Washington Post
    all 11,558 news articles »


    Senate Democrats, States Wary of Draft Climate Bill's Pre-emption Language
    New York Times
    Some Democratic senators and state and local air regulators are concerned that the latest draft of a Senate climate and ...

    and more »


    Parsing the abortion language
    GetReligion (blog)
    At the heart of the matter is the question of whether the language in the current US Senate bill violates the long existing Hyde Amendment, which forbids ...

    and more »

    Google News

    home | site map
    © 2006