Speaking

1. Read Aloud

Read with proper pauses, intonation and stress

Better to group a few words together
Keep your natural rhythm
Practice before actually answering

2. Repeat Sentence

Listen for phrases in the sentence

Copy the emphasis in the sentence

3. Describe Image

Introduce Image
Explain Key Features
Conclude

Introduce Image - This graph represents the Title + X-axis or as appropriate for
the given image (10 seconds)
Key Features - Most noticeable features and smooth talk (20 seconds)
Conclusion - start with word "Overall" or "In Conclusion", single sentence (10
seconds)
Note: Oral Fluency is more important than Content.

4. Retell Lecture

Make note of key points quickly

Get the gist of the lecture
Speak at least 5 sentences
Use arrows & symbols in the Notes to indicate order or flow
Speak fluently and with correct pronunciation
Start with "The speaker said.."

5. Answer Short Questions

Be Precise
Answer in 1 - 3 words
Listen carefully

Writing

1. Summarize Written Text

Identify Key Points

Use FANBOY connector words. FANBOY = For,And,Nor,But,Or,Yet
Strictly less than 70 words ideally 40 - 50 words
One sentence only
Use max of two commas
Start with Capital and end with full stop

2. Writing Essay
 Essay Template
(suited for essays asking my opinion)
Keep it to 230 - 250 words

(Introduction)
These days, there is an ongoing debate between people about ______________.
While it is possible to claim that______________ , my view is that the
disadvantages outweigh the advantages. In this essay, I shall explain my point of
view by analysing both sides of the argument.

(2nd Paragraph)
There are several reasons why _____________________. One of them is that
___________________. It can also be argued that ___________________. It
should also be taken into account that ________________.

(3rd Paragraph)
Those who argue for __________ have a different view and say that it can actually
be a good thing. Firstly, it is claimed that ____________. Then, there are concerns
about __________________.

(Conclusion)
While there are strong arguments on both sides of the case, my personal opinion is
that _________. I would strongly recommend that _______________.

Reading

1. Multiple Choice, Choose Single Answer

Read and Understand the Question

Read Passage and Understand
Choose YOUR Answer and Eliminate other incorrect Answers

2. Multiple Choice, Choose Multiple Answers

Has Negative Marking

Can have 2 or 3 correct options - Choose wisely and don't push yourself

Read Question and Understand

Read Passage with Focus and Understand
Eliminate Answers and Choose the right options

3. Re-order Paragraphs

Search for Heading/Topic Sentence that stands alone

Check Proper Nouns-Common nouns-Pronoun-Articles Usage-Time Phrases order
to re-order the sentences.
Proper Nouns - Atlantic Ocean, Walt Disney, etc
Common Nouns - Man, Mountain, etc
Pronoun - He, She, They, Them, etc
Articles Usage - a, an, the. "The" refers to a noun already introduced earlier
Time Phrases - Passive voice refers back to another sentence
Other Phrases - However, Moreover, Although, Also, etc

4. Fill in the Blanks (Both Reading\Writing)

 Skim through the Passage first
Concentrate at parts of speech before and after the Blank
Practice Collocations

Listening

1. Summarize Spoken Text

Start writing with "The speaker said..."

Other tips same as Re-tell Lecture

Make note of key points quickly

Get the gist of the lecture
Write at least 5 sentences
Use arrows & symbols to indicate order or flow
Write with correct pronunciation

2. Multiple Choice, Choose Single Answer

Read question before audio starts

Stay focused till the end

3. Multiple Choice, Choose Multiple Answers

Has Negative Marking - be cautious

Read question before audio starts
Stay focused till the end

4. Highlight Correct Summary

Write down in notepad

Understand what is conveyed by speaker
Use elimination method
In general, the answer with many detail is wrong one. Use this tip only when you
can’t understand at all.

5. Fill in the Blanks

Note down in notepad

Careful listen to nouns - singular/plural?
Take care of Spellings. Answer is Wrong if Spelling is wrong.

6. Select Missing Word

Straight forward.
Listen Carefully.
Get the Gist of the speaker.

7. Highlight Incorrect Words

Single Left Mouse Click on the Incorrect Word.

Be Quick as the speaker can be fast at times.

8. Write Dictation
Use Notepad or Type, whichever is more comfortable.
Start with Capital and End with Full stop.