Blueprint of the IELTS reading exam

IELTS reading module contains three passages out of which 40 questions are encircled. Each passage forms one of the 3 sections of the of the IELTS reading exam. Generally there are 13 questions from two sections and 14 from one; however, this can differ. There are 10 essential types of questions, some with possible varieties. These questions must be answered in an hour, no extra time is available for transferring answers to the answer sheet, and everything must be completed in 60 minutes. Each right answer represents one check. There is no negative marking for wrong answers. Band scores are allotted according to a fixed scope of marks. For instance, 30 marks represent 7.0 bands. Touchstone lists the type of questions that are asked in the reading section of IELTS:

Question types:

  1. Multiple choice
  2. Identification of accuracy of information in the content ( True/False/Not Given)
  3. Matching information with passages/areas
  4. Matching headings with passages/areas
  5. Matching statements with text features
  6. Matching sentence endings with beginnings
  7. Sentence completion
  8. Summary/note/table/flow chart completion
  9. Diagram label completion
  10. Short-answer questions

Out of these questions, many come in sequence in the content however some don’t. It isn’t obligatory that the question paper will have every one of these types of questions; however, some of these come noticeably in the exam. Same sort of questions can show up once, twice or thrice additionally in the paper. For example, all the three sections may have an arrangement of True/False/Not Given questions, multiple choice questions and fill in the blanks separately.

Touchstone Educationals provides the best study material and training for all sections of IELTS. Touchstone’s training solutions have attained international fame and recognition.

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Listening

The IELTS Listening test consists of four recordings (four parts) from native English speakers with ten (10) questions in each recording (part).

Recording 1: an everyday social conversation between two people

Recording 2: a monologue set in an everyday social context

Recording 3: an educational conversation with upto four people

Recording 4: a monologue on an academic subject

Listening test scores will be based on your ability to understand the main ideas,
factual information, opinions, attitude and purpose of the speaker and your ability
to follow the development of ideas.

No. of questions: 40 Marks:

each question is worth one (1) mark

Total time: 30 minutes (+ 2 minutes review time )

Speaking

The IELTS Speaking test assesses your pronunciation, grammar, accuracy, fluency and lexical resources while speaking English. There are three (3) parts to this test, with each part fulfilling a specific function in terms of task input, interaction pattern and the test taker’s output.

Part 1: Introduction & Interview This part includes general questions about the test taker like residence, work,family, interests, etc.

Part 2: Long Run Cue cards are shared on a particular topic and one (1) minute will be given to prepare to speak for upto two (2) minutes on the topic.

Part 3: Discussion This part gives you the opportunity to discuss the topic from the cue card in further detail, in a more general and abstract way

Total time: 11-14 minutes

Reading

The IELTS Reading test is designed to test a wide range of reading skills including reading for skimming, details, gist, understanding arguments and writer’s opinions,attitude and purpose

IELTS Academic Reading – It includes three (3) reading passages (with a variety of questions) ranging from descriptive and factual to discursive and analytical. These passages are of general interest dealing with interesting and recognizably appropriate issues, with at least one passage containing a detailed logical argument

Note: The reading texts may contain non-verbal materials as well like graphs, diagrams or illustrations.

IELTS General Reading – It includes three (3) daily passages (with 2-3 short texts in the first passage, 2 texts in the second passage and 1 long text in the third passage), based on an English-speaking environment, from notices, newspapers, magazines or advertisements.

Reading passage 1: texts based on social survival, like advertisements, notices and timetables

Reading passage 2: texts based on workplace survival, like contracts, job descriptions, staff development & training material

Reading passage 3: texts based on general reading, involving more extended prose and a complex structure.

No. of questions: 40

Marks: each question is worth one (1) mark

Total time: 60 minutes (no additional transfer time)

Note: Please note that the question types in the Listening & Reading sections can include multiple choice answers, true or false answers, matching information/headings or sentence, table & flow-chart completion.

Listening

The IELTS Listening test consists of four recordings (four parts) from native English speakers with ten (10) questions in each recording (part).

Recording 1: an everyday social conversation between two people

Recording 2: a monologue set in an everyday social context

Recording 3: an educational conversation with upto four people

Recording 4: a monologue on an academic subject

Listening test scores will be based on your ability to understand the main ideas,
factual information, opinions, attitude and purpose of the speaker and your ability
to follow the development of ideas.

No. of questions: 40 Marks:

each question is worth one (1) mark

Total time: 30 minutes (+10 minutes transfer time)