IELTS PREPARATION COURSE

By Alif English Institute

Lecture 01: Introduction to the IELTS Exam

[Opening] Welcome to Lecture 01 of our IELTS course! Today, we'll provide an overview
of the IELTS exam and its four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.

[IELTS Exam Overview] The International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
assesses your English language proficiency. It consists of four sections: Listening,
Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Each section tests different language skills and
contributes to your overall band score.

The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam assesses the English
language proficiency of non-native English speakers. It consists of four sections:
Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Each section is scored separately, and the
scores are then combined to calculate an overall band score. Here's a detailed
breakdown of the IELTS exam with the division of marks:
Listening Section:

• Duration: 30 minutes
• Number of Parts: 4
• Number of Questions: 40
• Scoring: Each correct answer is awarded one mark.
• Maximum Score: 40 marks

Reading Section:

• Duration: 60 minutes
• Number of Parts: 3
• Number of Passages: Academic - 3 passages; General Training - 5 passages
• Number of Questions: 40 (Academic), 40 (General Training)
• Scoring: Each correct answer is awarded one mark.
• Maximum Score: 40 marks

Writing Section:

• Duration: 60 minutes
• Number of Tasks: 2
 • Task 1: Academic - Describing visual information (e.g., graphs, charts, diagrams);
General Training - Writing a letter (formal, semi-formal, or informal) based on a
given situation.
• Task 2: Writing an essay expressing an opinion or argument on a given topic.
• Scoring: Task 1 and Task 2 are each assessed by examiners based on specific criteria,
including task achievement, coherence and cohesion, lexical resource, and grammatical
range and accuracy.
• Maximum Score: 9 marks for each task (Total: 18 marks)

Speaking Section:

• Duration: 11-14 minutes

• Number of Parts: 3
• Part 1: Introduction and general questions about familiar topics (e.g., family, work,
hobbies).
• Part 2: Speaking on a given topic for 2 minutes (cue card).
• Part 3: Extended discussion related to Part 2 (deeper analysis and exploration of ideas).
• Scoring: The Speaking section is assessed by examiners based on fluency and coherence,
lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation.
• Maximum Score: 9 marks

Overall Band Score: The overall band score is calculated by averaging the scores of all
four sections. Each section is weighted equally. The overall band score ranges from 0 to
9, with half-band increments (e.g., 6.5, 7.0, 7.5).

The IELTS exam provides an overall assessment of a candidate's English language skills
across different aspects such as listening, reading, writing, and speaking. The division of
marks allows for an individual evaluation of proficiency in each section, contributing to
the final band score, which represents the candidate's overall level of English language
ability.
(Break)

[Listening Section] In the Listening section, you'll listen to audio recordings and answer
questions. To succeed, practice active listening, note-taking, and predicting answers.
Focus on understanding the main idea, specific details, and the speaker's opinion or
attitude.
[Practice Work: Listening]
1. Listen to a short dialogue and identify the main topic and supporting
details.
2. Listen to a monologue and complete a summary of the key points.
[Reading Section] The Reading section assesses your reading comprehension skills.
You'll encounter various text types, including articles, passages, and graphs. Develop
strategies like skimming, scanning, and reading for specific information. Pay attention to
keywords, synonyms, and context.
[Practice Work: Reading]

1. Read a passage and answer multiple-choice questions.

2. Skim through an article and match headings with
paragraphs.
[Writing Section] The Writing section comprises Task 1 (describing visual information)
and Task 2 (writing an essay). Task 1 requires you to interpret and present data, while
Task 2 tests your ability to express and support your opinion effectively.
[Practice Work: Writing]

1. Describe a given graph illustrating trends or comparisons.

2. Write an essay discussing the advantages and disadvantages of
technology.
[Speaking Section] The Speaking section evaluates your ability to communicate verbally.
It consists of three parts: Part 1 (introduction and general questions), Part 2 (cue card
topic), and Part 3 (extended discussion). Fluency, coherence, vocabulary, and grammar
are essential in this section.
[Practice Work: Speaking]

1. Answer questions about your hobbies, interests, or

hometown.
2. Speak about a memorable event or achievement in your life.
[Conclusion] In Lecture 01, we introduced the IELTS exam and its sections. We covered
the Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking sections, discussed strategies, and
practiced sample exercises. Remember to review the vocabulary words with their
synonyms to expand your language skills.

[Closing] Great job completing Lecture 01! In the next lecture, we'll delve deeper into
the Listening section, providing specific strategies and more practice exercises. Keep up
the good work!
 [Vocabulary Building: 50 Words with Synonyms]

1. Acquire (obtain) - Example: She acquired excellent language skills through practice.
2. Adapt (adjust) - Example: You need to adapt your speaking style to different situations.
3. Analyze (examine) - Example: The article analyzes the impact of technology on society.
4. Apparent (evident) - Example: The benefits of exercise are apparent in improved health.
5. Comprehend (understand) - Example: It's essential to comprehend the main ideas of a
passage.
6. Consist (be comprised) - Example: The committee consists of experts from various
fields.
7. Distinguish (differentiate) - Example: Can you distinguish between British and American
accents?
8. Enhance (improve) - Example: Regular practice can enhance your language skills.
9. Evaluate (assess) - Example: The teacher will evaluate your writing based on specific
criteria.
10. Expand (enlarge) - Example: Reading helps expand your vocabulary. Inevitable
(unavoidable) - Example: It was inevitable that advancements in technology would change
our lives.
11. Modify (alter) - Example: You may need to modify your essay to improve its structure.
12. Notion (concept) - Example: The notion of freedom is essential to a democratic society.
13. Ponder (contemplate) - Example: Take some time to ponder the implications of the
author's argument.
14. Proficient (skilled) - Example: She is proficient in multiple programming languages.
15. Rectify (correct) - Example: The team worked quickly to rectify the error in the report.
16. Reinforce (strengthen) - Example: Use examples to reinforce your main points in the
essay.
17. Resemble (resemble) - Example: The new building closely resembles the old one in
design.
18. Sufficient (adequate) - Example: Make sure you provide sufficient evidence to support
your claim.
19. Validate (confirm) - Example: The experiment's results validate the hypothesis.
20. Advocate (support) - Example: Many environmentalists advocate for sustainable living.
21. Ambiguous (unclear) - Example: The instructions were ambiguous, causing confusion
among the participants.
22. Articulate (express) - Example: She was able to articulate her thoughts clearly during
the presentation.
23. Coherent (logical) - Example: Ensure your essay has a coherent structure and
flows smoothly.
24. Compose (create) - Example: The artist composed a beautiful piece of music.
25. Convey (communicate) - Example: The speaker used gestures to convey her
message effectively.
26. Deceptive (misleading) - Example: The advertisement was deceptive and didn't
reflect the product accurately.
27. Elaborate (expand) - Example: Could you elaborate on the main points you
mentioned earlier?
28. Evoke (inspire) - Example: The painting evokes feelings of joy and nostalgia.
29. Grasp (understand) - Example: It took me a while to grasp the concept of
quantum physics.
30. Illuminate (clarify) - Example: The professor used examples to illuminate the
complex topic.
31. Impede (hinder) - Example: The heavy traffic impeded our progress to the
airport.
32. Inclination (preference) - Example: She has an inclination towards classical music
rather than pop.
33. Intricate (complex) - Example: The puzzle had an intricate design, making it
challenging to solve.
34. Justify (defend) - Example: You need to justify your argument with reliable
evidence.
35. Lethargic (sluggish) - Example: After a long day, he felt lethargic and lacked
energy.
36. Mitigate (reduce) - Example: Planting trees can help mitigate the effects of air
pollution.
37. Neglect (ignore) - Example: Don't neglect the importance of revising your essay
before submitting it.
38. Overlook (miss) - Example: She overlooked a crucial detail in her research,
impacting her findings.
39. Perceive (understand) - Example: Each person may perceive beauty differently
based on their experiences.
40. Prohibit (forbid) - Example: The sign prohibits smoking in this area.
41. Promote (encourage) - Example: The company launched a campaign to
promote environmental awareness.
42. Recount (narrate) - Example: He recounted his travel adventures to his friends.
43. Stimulate (energize) - Example: Music can stimulate creativity and boost
productivity.
44. Substantial (significant) - Example: The company experienced substantial
growth in its profits.
45. Terminate (end) - Example: The contract will terminate at the end of the month.
46. Valid (legitimate) - Example: Make sure your identification documents are
valid for the exam.
47. Verify (confirm) - Example: Please verify your email address before creating an
account.
48. Yield (produce) - Example: The research study yielded valuable insights into
the subject.
49. Zealous (enthusiastic) - Example: She is a zealous advocate for animal rights.