In this edition:
-
Introduction
-
Comparisons Between Bands In The IELTS Test
-
IELTS Reading Test Skills
-
Is IELTS For You?
Introduction
This month we take a break from our series "From the Examiner's Chair" and discuss who should take the IELTS test. Avoid wasting your money unnecessarily.
Our section on "Comparisons Between Bands In The IELTS Test" continues by looking at coherence and cohesion in Task 2 of the Writing module. Note that the marking criteria are not the same as for Task 1.
Again, this month, we include a useful article from an outside writer. This one looks at IELTS Reading Test Skills.
Use this link to read back issues.
Please feel free to forward this newsletter to your friends!
Comparisons Between Bands In The IELTS Test - Coherence and Cohesion differences between Bands 5, 6 & 7 in the Writing Task 2 test
Now that IELTS have provided public descriptors on their website, it is worth having a look at the differences between some of the band grades. This month we will look at the differences under Coherence and Cohesion between Bands 5, 6 & 7 in the Writing Task 2 test.
Look at the table below:
BAND 5
Coherence and cohesion
|
BAND 6
Coherence and cohesion
|
BAND 7
Coherence and cohesion
|
Presents information with some organisation but there may be a lack of overall progression
Makes inadequate, inaccurate or over-use of cohesive devices
May be repetitive because of lack of referencing and substitution
May not write in paragraphs, or paragraphing may be inadequate
|
Arranges information and ideas coherently and there is a clear overall progression
Uses cohesive devices effectively, but cohesion within and/or between sentences may be faulty or mechanical
May not always use referencing clearly or appropriately
Uses paragraphing, but not always logically
|
Logically organises information and ideas; there is clear progression throughout
Uses a range of cohesive devices appropriately although there may be some under-/over-use
Presents a clear central topic within each paragraph
|
In Task 2, for both the Academic and General Training modules, you will be asked to write a short essay of around 250 words in response to a point of view or a problem.
You should understand the meanings and differences between coherence and cohesion. The IELTS Handbook explains these as follows:
"Coherence and Cohesion
This criterion is concerned with the overall clarity and fluency of the message: how the response organises and links information, ideas and language. Coherence refers to the linking of ideas through logical sequencing. Cohesion refers to the varied and appropriate use of cohesive devices (for example, logical connectors, pronouns and conjunctions) to assist in making the conceptual and referential relationships between and within sentences clear."
With regard to coherence, a Band 5 answer shows some attempt at organisation; whereas a Band 7 answer progresses logically in both its ideas and organisation. What does this mean for an essay? Essays should have an introduction, which states the topic in a general way without copying from the question paper, and which also states what you are going to write about. This last point means you should think about your essay for a few minutes before you start writing. It will make all the difference to your mark. You should be able to write an introduction in about 30-35 words.
Next comes the body of the essay, which will be just 2 or 3 paragraphs. As you are writing in response to a point of view or problem, there are likely to be 2 sides that you can take. For a balanced essay, you should look at both sides and give examples of why each side thinks that way. The best way to do this is by looking at a point of view that you do not agree with and thinking about it as if you do agree with it. The examiner is not marking your point of view, but how good your writing is, and under Cohesion and Coherence, how clear your message is. The body of your essay should be about 200 words in total.
Finally you should write your conclusion which should be 25-30 words. In this you should summarise the main points (probably two of them) and state your own point of view. If you find it difficult to choose either way, you should say so. Again, the examiner is marking your writing, not your point of view.
Using cohesive devices such as conjunctions, e.g. and, sentence connectors like however and therefore, and pronouns such as he, she or it, help us make sentences more understandable linking the whole text logically without being repetitive. A Band 5 answer shows a lack of control of cohesive devices; a Band 7 answer however shows good control by using a variety of cohesive devices though sometimes a better choice could have been made. Some sentence connectors, particularly those used in more formal writing, should be used sparingly. Many students tend to overuse words like furthermore and nevertheless and analysis of authentic writing would help to overcome this.
For more information on the Writing test check out our
IELTS Writing Module,
IELTS Writing Tips and
IELTS Writing Preparation
pages.
IELTS Reading Test Skills
By Svend Nelson
The IELTS Reading tasks tests only one thing: the candidate’s ability to answer questions correctly on the basis of the reading. None of the other reasons people regularly read – to acquire and retain information, say, or for entertainment – come into play. If you learn something from the IELTS Reading test and remember it, good for you. If you enjoy the readings, better yet. But stay focused on the questions.
During the one-hour task, there are three readings, of gradually increasing difficulty, with a total of approximately 40 questions, or about 13 per reading. (The number varies from exam to exam.) Having time read both the questions and the readings, and then to arrive at the correct answers, requires fast reading – but not “speed reading” in the ordinary sense of the word.
The reading and reading-related skills tested include:
- Following instructions. Any of ten or so question types may be used in the Reading task, and it is essential that the candidate understand the question type, the particular way it is to be answered (e.g., multiple possible answers or a single correct answers), and the most precise, direct answer to the question as asked.
- Identifying the main ideas. Not only is it not necessary to understand everything in a particular reading, it is unwise to try to. If there is no question pertaining to a particular word, sentence or passage, it doesn’t matter if you understand it. But it is important to grasp the main ideas of all reading passages. Some questions are based on these main ideas, and knowing what – and where – they are in the text is often critical to the accurate and quick answering of questions.
- Seeing how principal ideas in a reading passage are connected. Various questions types, most conspicuously matching, require seeing the connection between main ideas. However, virtually all of the question types may produce questions that require the candidate to see the relationship between ideas or the way individual ideas must be connected to arrive at a correct answer.
- Testing the truthfulness of statements in the questions against “word strings” found in a reading text. Often, IELTS Reading task questions, particular true-and-false and fact-or-opinion, are comprised of sequences of words found in exactly the same form in the readings. However, phrases or clauses prior to those word strings (e.g., “some scientists think that…” or qualifiers following them (e.g., “but”, “unless”, “except for”) may turn what appears to be a fact into an opinion or a what appears to be a true statement into a false one.
- Grasping ideas underlying the main arguments. Some questions require the reader to see the writer’s motivation in writing or organizing the passage as it finally appears. These underlying concepts sometimes emerge only with careful reading or by looking for evidence of them when the candidates know there are questions about them.
- Understanding the writer’s point of view. This is perhaps the most difficult of the reading skills. It requires that the candidate understand more than just the words but the perceptions and attitudes behind them. Most readings have a “point” that is not stated directly. Sometimes these motivations can only be discovered by a look at the kinds of words writers choose to address their subjects, particularly judgment words. Candidates may also need to find the author’s feelings, if any about the topic – e.g., advocacy, affection, concern, alarm, and even neutrality. These techniques together are what English speakers refer to as “reading between the lines.”
The Reading task is the one most candidates find the easiest. However, the rigorousness of the questions, more than the difficulty of the readings, may make the task more difficult than it appears.
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 preparation and a free online application service to study abroad in UK including courses like tourism management. Svend lived and worked in various countries across Latin America, Europe and Asia and currently lives in Thailand.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Svend_Nelson
For more information on the Reading test use these links:
The IELTS Reading Module,
IELTS Reading Tips,
Preparing for the IELTS Reading Test
Is IELTS For You?
While most candidates take the IELTS exam for a good reason, for example to emigrate, work or study abroad, we often find students wanting to take the IELTS test without a specific goal. This surprises us greatly as the cost of taking the IELTS test can easily be more than a month's salary in developing countries. These students may have vague ideas about studying abroad or, sometimes, just don't understand the primary purpose of IELTS.
According to the IELTS website, the test is "for people who intend to study or work where English is the language of communication". Indeed, a particular IELTS band score is often a requirement for immigration purposes or to enter a university in, for example, the UK, Australia, Canada or New Zealand.
What is not made clear is that your IELTS score is only valid for 2 years. There are good reasons for this; a person's ability to communicate using English will deteriorate if they don't use the language. However, in our opinion, IELTS don't make this time limitation clear enough to candidates. Having spent some time looking through the 'Candidates' pages on the newly revamped IELTS website, we could not find any reference to it. It is mentioned in the IELTS booklet "Information for Candidates" but you have to download it or get a copy from an IELTS Test Centre to find it: "The IELTS test partners recommend that Receiving Organisations do not accept a Test Report Form that is more than 2 years old".
You should also be aware that the majority of Receiving Organisations stick rigidly to this time limit. Recently, a friend who had just graduated from university in Australia after 3 years studying and living in the country was required to retake the IELTS test for immigration purposes (to Australia). He had an extremely high level of English but the immigration authorities still insisted he retook IELTS as his previous test score was now out of date. This illustrates that you cannot expect Receiving Organisations to be flexible about this time limit.
The 'Candidates' information on the official IELTS website is primarily for marketing. Phrases like "You’ve got nothing to lose, but a world to win" and "The right choice for your future" give no indication of a time limit on the validity of your IELTS score. One might even argue that the implication was to the contrary.
A cynic might say that the reason IELTS don't make this time limitation clear to candidates is so that more tests are taken resulting in higher revenues.
We can understand why wealthy candidates take the test just to get an idea of their English language ability, though there are probably other exams that are better suited to this. However, for those of you who can't afford to waste the examination fee, we suggest you have a definite goal before you take the IELTS test. Be sure you really need an IELTS score before you take the exam. Some universities, for example, will accept other proof of your English language ability. Don't take the test too early; be sure you have a reasonable chance of getting the score you require while allowing yourself some time in case you need to resit. Don't take take the test so early that you have no contingency should you decide to delay going abroad for a year.
There's no point in wasting money taking IELTS tests unnecessarily.
Download a copy of the "IELTS Information for Candidates" here.
