5-week

IELTS Study planner

 5-week IELTS Study planner

PREFACE 2

GET TO KNOW IELTS

IELTS on paper or computer? 3
Your test day journey 4

GETTING STARTED 5

STUDY PLANNER OVERVIEW 6

STUDY PLANNER CHECKLIST

Week 1: Listening 7
Week 2: Reading 10
Week 3: Writing task 1 12
Week 4: Writing task 2 15
Week 5: Speaking 19

20 IELTS PREP TIPS

Listening tips 24
Reading tips 25

USEFUL RESOURCES
IELTS Ready Premium 26
IELTS Prep App 27

CONTENT 1
 5-week IELTS Study planner

IELTS Study Planner is brought to you by the British Council, the world's English teaching
experts. It is a recommended study plan that we hope you follow in the next month to make
sure you are ready to take IELTS. Our plan will guide you to a range of free IELTS study
materials and resources, as well as suggest activities you can do to improve your English
skills. It is our hope that the planner will get you acquainted with the test format and also
improve your confidence when writing, speaking, reading and listening in English.

Please note, the IELTS Study Planner is intended to be used as a guideline only. Many of you
will have different needs and priorities, based on factors such as general English language
ability and time available to study. Feel free to adapt the planner to best suit your needs, for
example, by spending more time focusing on the skills that you are weaker in, or practising
a different skill each day.

And remember, for most of you, your IELTS preparation began a long time ago when you
first started to learn English!

We hope you enjoy using the Study Planner.

PREFACE 2
 5-week IELTS Study planner

IELTS on paper or computer?

You can take an IELTS test on paper or on a computer at one of our official test centres in Vietnam.
Either way, you will be taking exactly the same IELTS test, with the same test content and
structure. The only difference is that you can choose to type your answers or write them on
paper – whichever suits you best.

IELTS on Paper IELTS on Computer

Listening I Reading I Writing Listening I Reading I Writing

Delivery
Speaking
Face-to-face or video call with a certified IELTS Examiner

Modules Academic & General training

Results available 13 days 3-5 days

Up to 48 days/year Up to 7 days/week
Test availability
(Thursdays & Saturdays)

Listening (30 minutes + 10 minutes Listening (30 minutes + 2 minutes to

to transfer answer) review answer)
Length of the test Reading (60 minutes) Reading (60 minutes)
Writing (60 minutes) Writing (60 minutes)
Speaking (11-14 minutes) Speaking (11-14 minutes)

Whether you take IELTS on paper or computer, you can be confident

that you are taking the same leading high-stakes test of the world.
No change to:
Price
What remains the Question types
same? Level of difficulty
Scoring from 1 (non-user) to 9 (expert user)
Face-to-face Speaking test - conducted and assessed by a certified IELTS
examiner
Recognition by over 11,000 organisations in over 140 countries worldwide

Information about venues for taking IELTS on paper and computer, please go to
IELTS test dates, fees and locations.

GET TO KNOW IELTS 3

 5-week IELTS Study planner

Your test day journey

GET TO KNOW IELTS 4

 5-week IELTS Study planner

Take a practise IELTS test to better understand your

1 current English level. You can find practise papers via:

• Sample test questions
• Free practise tests

You can now take the IELTS test on a computer!

2 Go to ChinaIELTS for more information. Take the
familiarization test at GELIELTS.

Download the IELTS Prep App onto your phone to

give you instant access to free practise tests and
3 sample questions for the listening, reading, writing
and speaking sections.

To give you an approximate indication of your English

4 level, go to LearnEnglish and take our free online
English test.

Consider purchasing additional IELTS practise materials.

For more information, please go to:

5 • ChinaIELTS (for text books and past papers)

• Road to IELTS (for a comprehensive online
preparation program)

GETTING STARTED 5
 5-week IELTS Study planner

Week 1: Listening
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7
Listening in Listening Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Sample test
a nutshell strategy

Week 2: Reading
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7
Reading in Reading Completion Completion T/F/NG Matching Sample test
a nutshell strategy 1 2 Matching endings
headings Multiple
choices

Week 3: Writing – Task 1

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7
Writing Task Writing Task Overview Process Mix charts Practise 1 Practise 2
1 in a 1 strategy Line graph,
nutshell bar/pie chart

Week 4: Writing – Task 2

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7
Writing Task Writing Task Coherence Practise 1 Lexical Practise 2 Practise 3
2in a 2 strategy and Cohesion Resource
nutshell Grammar
Range and
Accuracy

Week 5: Speaking
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7
Speaking in Part 1 Part 1 (2) Part 2 Part 3 Practise 1 Practise 2
a nutshell &
strategy

STUDY PLANNER OVERVIEW 6

 5-week IELTS Study planner

Week 1: Listening

Self-
Day Activity check
Go to IELTS.org and learn everything you can about the listening section (format,
timing, task types, how it’s marked).
1
Go to IELTS.org and look at some of the listening sample questions.

Go to Dialang

What are the key listening skills being tested in IELTS? Go to Voices Magazine and
read ‘Five essential listening skills for English learners’.
2
What should you do before, during and after you hear the test recording? Have a
read of some helpful advice for Listening exams on LearnEnglishTeens.

Part 1 of the Listening Test is a conversation between two people. They will talk about
everyday things such as travel, accommodation, finding a job etc. The information
you need to answer these questions (1-10) is often key information such as names,
times, dates, prices.
For practise go to Listening practise and choose your level. If you do not know your
3 CEFR level (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2), do the level test HERE.
Download the IELTS Prep app and do Part 1 of Practise Tests 2 and 3.

Download the answers and do the test again, listening very carefully for those

hear or understand. Make a note of interesting and useful new vocabulary.

Part 2 of the Listening Test is a monologue. You will hear a recorded message. As in
Part 1 the subjects will be everyday things such as cultural events, festivals, sporting
events. The information you need to answer these questions (11-20) is often key
information but do think about how words in the questions might be expressed
differently in the listening text.
Go to a news site such as BBC and listen to the 5-minute news bulletin. Practise
listening by writing down the topics of each bulletin, writing down all the numbers
4 you hear, and what they refer to. Listen again to check. You can listen to as many
bulletins as you have time for.
Go to IELTS Prep app and do Part 2 of Practise Tests 2 and 3.

Download the answers and do the test again, listening very carefully for those

hear or understand. Make a note of interesting and useful new vocabulary.

STUDY PLANNER CHECKLIST 7

 5-week IELTS Study planner

Week 1: Listening

Self-
Day Activity check
Part 3 of the Listening Test is a conversation between 2 or 3 people in an academic
context. You could hear, for example, two students discussing a project, or a tutor
and a student having a discussion. The information you need to answer the questions
(21-30) might be key details, opinions and support for that position, attitude of the
speaker, main ideas etc.
5 To practise listening to several speakers use THIS material.

Go to IELTS Prep app and do Part 3 of Practise Tests 2 and 3.

Download the answers and do the test again, listening very carefully for those

hear or understand. Make a note of interesting and useful new vocabulary.

Part 4 of the Listening Test is a monologue in an academic context. You will hear, for
example, a lecture. The information you need to answer the questions (31-40) might
be key details, opinions and support for that position, attitude of the speaker, main
ideas etc.

Listen to TED Talks. The audio scripts are available so you can listen + read, then
listen again. There are plenty of topics to choose from so choose something you
6 are interested in. Here is a playlist:

• Go HERE to practise academic lectures and talks

• Go to IELTS Prep app and do Part 4 of Practise Tests 2 and 3.

Download the answers and do the test again, listening very carefully for those

hear or understand. Make a note of interesting and useful new vocabulary.

Go to Take IELTS

Compare your responses to the correct answers. Where did you earn most marks?
Where did you have misunderstandings?
7
Listen again to the listening samples. Can you hear the correct answer now?

You can also the IELTS on computer Listening test with the six different types of
example questions HERE.

STUDY PLANNER CHECKLIST 8

 5-week IELTS Study planner

STUDY PLANNER CHECKLIST 9

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Week 2: Reading

Self-
Day Activity check
Go to IELTS.org and learn everything you can about the reading section (format,
timing, task types, how it’s marked).

1 Go to IELTS.org and look at some of the reading sample questions.

Go to FutureLearn and sign up to ‘Understanding IELTS: Reading course’ (open Mar

16th).

Do you have problems with your reading speed? Go to Voices Magazine and read
‘How to help English learners read more quickly’.

2 Go to Dialang and find out your English proficiency level in reading.

What should you do before, during and after you start reading in a test? Have a
look at some helpful advice in the ‘Exams’ section of LearnEnglishTeens.

In the Academic Reading test there are 3 sections, each with a long text. These
passages are academic in nature and are taken from journals, newspapers, books
etc. Each passage has between 11 and 15 questions adding up to a total of 40. Do a
little reading every day.
Go to One Stop English and choose a topic that interests you. These articles have
vocabulary and grammar development questions. Make a note of any new,
3 interesting and useful vocabulary.
Practise Table completion questions on IELTS Reading Preparation resource, page 6.

Practise Flow Chart Completion questions questions on IELTS Reading Preparation

resource, page 9.

Go to Road to IELTS to practise short answer and table completion questions.

Do some more general readings on One Stop English. Make a note of any new,
interesting and useful vocabulary.
Practise Note Completion questions on IELTS Reading Preparation resource,
page 30.
4
Practise Sentence Completion questions on IELTS Reading Preparation resource,
page 34.

Practise Summary Completion questions on IELTS Reading Preparation resource,

page 38 and 41.

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 5-week IELTS Study planner

Self-
Day Activity check
Go back to One Stop English, choose another article and do some general reading.
Make a note of any new, interesting and useful vocabulary.
5 Practise True/ False/ Not Given questions on IELTS Reading Preparation resource,
page 12.

Practise Matching Headings questions on IELTS Reading Preparation resource, page 15.

Go back to One Stop English, choose another article and do some general reading.
6 Make a note of any new, interesting and useful vocabulary.
Practise Matching Sentence Endings questions on IELTS Reading Preparation
resource, page 19.

Practise Multiple-Choice questions on IELTS Reading Preparation resource, page 24

and 27.

Do a timed practise test. Download the free IELTS Prep app.

For further IELTS Academic Reading practise tests on paper, please refer to
.
Take IELTS.

7 When you have finished a test, read the text around those answers you got wrong
very carefully. Think about what made that particular point difficult to understand.
Make a note of any new, interesting and useful vocabulary.
You can also the IELTS on computer Listening test with the six different types of
example questions HERE.

STUDY PLANNER CHECKLIST 11

 5-week IELTS Study planner

Week 3: Writing task 1

Self-
Day Activity check
Go to IELTS.org and learn everything you can about the writing section (format,
timing, task types).
1
Go to IELTS.org and look at some of the writing sample questions.
Go to Dialang and find out your English proficiency level in writing.

Go to ChinaIELTS and download the writing assessment criteria. Pay attention to the
descriptors ONE LEVEL above your current level.
If you are not sure what each of the four assessment criteria means, watch the
2 short videos at ChinaIELTS in the ‘band descriptors’ section.
Read a news story online (e.g. the Mirror), and make use of the comments section
where you can write your opinions about the story.
What are some things you should do before, during and after you start writing in a
test? Read tips for Writing exams.

Writing Task 1 consists of writing a description of data. This data can come in the
form of line graphs, bar charts, pie charts, tables, flow and process diagrams, and
maps/plans. .
It is recommended that you spend 20 minutes on this task, and you should write a
minimum of 150 words in order to do this task satisfactorily. Write a clear
introduction that rephrases what the diagram is and the overview.
It is very important that you write a clear overview in your introduction, that is, you
say what the most important trend(s) or change(s) are, or for a process diagram the
number of steps/stages in the process.
Go to Road to IELTS and work through this series of exercises that will help you with
dealing with charts, numbers, choosing the correct tense. There is a practise
3 activity at the end. Write this report in 20 minutes. Then look at the sample answer.
Did you:
• have the same overview?
• describe the data in the same order?
• describe the same data?
You are usually asked to make comparisons in this task. Go to the IELTS Prep App
and do some exercises. Make notes of the different ways to make comparisons.
Find out your CEFR level (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2) by doing an online test, then do
the appropriate grammar practise below:
• Further practise of comparisons for B1-B2: HERE
• Practise of adjectives and prepositions for A1-A2: HERE

STUDY PLANNER CHECKLIST 12

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Week 3: Writing task 1

Self-
Day Activity check
Do a practise test of a line graph on Writing resource, page 4.
3 Compare your answer with 2 sample answers at Band 6 (page 11) and 7 (page 12).
Read the examiner’s comments to help you improve next time.

Sometimes you may be asked to describe a process, for example how something is
made or manufactured. To do this task well, you will need to use the passive voice.
Go to the IELTS Prep App, click on <Writing> and then <More prep>. Select <Grammar>
then <Passive voice>. Practise with some exercises.
4 Go HERE for further practise.
Try writing a description of a process on IELTS Academic Writing resource, page 5.
Remember to write the overview (the number of steps/stages) in your introductory
paragraph.
Compare your answer with 2 sample answers at Band 5 (page 13), Band 7 (page 14)
and Band 8.5 (page 16). Read the examiner’s comments to help you improve next time.

Sometimes you may be asked to describe a map or compare 2 maps. Sometimes you
are asked to compare a place in the past and now, or now and in the future.
So, you will need to use different verb forms, for example, the past simple, the
present simple, the present perfect, and describe the future.
Go to the IELTS Prep App, click on <Writing> and then <More prep>. Select <Grammar>
5 then <Past simple>. Practise with some exercises.
Go to the IELTS Prep App, click on <Writing> and then <More prep>. Select <Grammar>
then <Present Perfect>. Practise with some exercises.
Go to the IELTS Prep App, click on <Writing> and then <More prep>. Select <Grammar>
then <Predicting the Future>. Practise with some exercises.

Now, try different practise tests.

Go to the IELTS Prep App, click on <Writing> and then <Practise tests> and do Test
1 to practise describing a line graph.
6 Go to the IELTS Prep App, click on <Writing> and then <Practise tests> and do Test
2 to practise describing a bar chart.

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Self-
Day Activity check
After each practise test, complete the following checklist:
Did I write the description in 20 minutes?
Did I write at least 150 words?
6 Did I write an introduction with a clear overview?
Did I use the simple past in Tests 1 and 2?
Now, use the English spellchecker to highlight any spelling mistakes. Make a note of
the correct spelling of the words you misspelt.

Now, try other practise tests and follow similar steps as Day 6.
7
Go to the IELTS Prep App, click on <Writing> and then <Practise tests> and do Test 3
to practise describing a process diagram.

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 5-week IELTS Study planner

Week 4: Writing task 2

Self-
Day Activity check
Make sure you know exactly what the Writing Task 2 is like. Go to Take IELTS and
read this information carefully too. Then do the practise task. Type your answer to
this question on your computer. Put the English spellchecker on and make a note
of those words you have spelt wrongly.
Download the sample answer and compare it with your own. Answer these
questions about the sample answer:
1 • How many paragraphs are there?
• Does the writer put their position in the introductory paragraph?
• What is the main topic of the first body paragraph?
• What is the main topic of the second body paragraph?
• What is the purpose of the final paragraph?
• What phrase is used to introduce the final paragraph?

Writing Task 2 consists of writing an essay. You may be asked to give your opinion
on a topic, to discuss an issue from both sides, or to describe the causes of a
problem and the solutions. It is recommended that you spend 40 minutes on this
task, and you should write a minimum of 250 words in order to do this task
satisfactorily. Write a clear introduction that rephrases what the topic of the essay is
and say what your position is. It is very important that you write a clear position in
your introduction.
Visit Writing Task 2 band descriptors and download the public descriptors for task
2. These give you a good idea of what the examiner is looking for at each Band
level for
• Task Response (how well you answer the question)
2 • Coherence and Cohesion (how well you organise your essay and how well
you link your ideas)
• Lexical Resource (your vocabulary)
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (how well you can use grammar to
communicate clearly).
If you are not sure what each of the four assessment criteria means, watch the
short videos at ChinaIELTS in the ‘band descriptors’ section.
Read a news story online (e.g. the Mirror), and make use of the comments section
where you can write your opinions about the story.
What are some things you should do before, during and after you start writing in a
test? Read tips for Writing exams.

STUDY PLANNER CHECKLIST 15

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Week 4: Writing task 2

Self-
Day Activity check
It is important for Coherence and Cohesion that you link your ideas and arguments well.
• To practise using conjuctions, go to the IELTS Prep App, click on <Writing>
and then <More prep>. Select <Grammar> then <Conjunctions>.
• To practise using words like ‘despite’ and ‘although’, go HERE
To improve your Grammar Range and Accuracy you should try and use a range of
3 sentence structures.
• To practise using relative clauses, go to the IELTS Prep App, click on
<Writing> and then <More prep>. Select <Grammar> then <relative clauses>.
• For further practise of defining relative clauses and non-defining relative
clauses
• To practise using conditional sentences, go to Conditionals 1 and
Conditionals 2

Practise a Task 2 essay HERE

Remember to write an introduction that includes your position or opinion. Write at
least 2 body paragraphs and a concluding paragraph. Try to use some of the
4
grammar and vocabulary you have been practising. Write at least 250 words.
Download the answers and compare your essay with the model answer given. Put
the English spellchecker on and make a note of those words you have spelt wrongly

Word formation is assessed as part of the descriptors for Lexical Resource.

• Practise changing the form and function of words, for example, from a noun
to a verb. Go to Random Idea English
• Download the Academic Word List Sublist 1 which contains the most-used
words. Use a dictionary to find the noun, verb, adjective and adverb forms
(where they exist) of the words on this list.
Referencing is assessed in Coherence and Cohesion. This means using pronouns
5 rather than repeating nouns or noun phrases to link your ideas. For example, too
many people use single-use plastics and then throw them away. This causes
enormous problems.
To practise using pronouns, go to the IELTS Prep App, click on <Writing> and
then <More prep>. Select <Grammar> then <pronouns>.

How the essay is organised is assessed in Coherence and Cohesion. Brainstorming

and planning can help you improve the organisation of your essay. Look at these
Task 2 questions. Spend 5 minutes on each title to think of ideas/arguments.

STUDY PLANNER CHECKLIST 16

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Week 4: Writing task 2

Self-
Day Activity check
1. Tourism hugely benefits the places that people visit. To what extent to you
agree or disagree?
2. Motorised vehicles are the primary cause of air pollution in cities and should be
5 banned. To what extent do you agree or disagree.
Many young people spend much of their time looking at screens on digital devices
rather than socialising face to face. What are the problems of too much screen
time and how can young people be persuaded to take part in other activities?

Now do a practise test.

Go to IELTS Academic Writing resource, page 6.

Complete the following checklist:

• Did you write the essay in 40 minutes?
• Did you write at least 250 words?
• Did you write an introduction, (at least) 2 body paragraphs, and a conclusion?
• Did you rephrase the essay title and clearly state your opinion/position in the
introduction?
• Did you introduce your conclusion with a concluding phrase (e.g. To conclude, In
6 conclusion)?
• Did you use
conditional sentences?
relative clauses?
linking words and phrases?
pronouns to refer to nouns or noun phrases?

Use the English spellchecker and make a note of the correct spelling of any words
you misspelt.
Compare your essay with the model answer of Band 4 (page 18), Band 6.5 (page
19) and Band 8.5 (page 21). Read the examiner’s comments to help you improve
next time

Take another practise test

Go to IELTS Academic Writing resource, page 7

7 Complete the following checklist:

• Did you write the essay in 40 minutes?
• Did you write at least 250 words?
• Did you write an introduction, (at least) 2 body paragraphs, and a conclusion?

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 5-week IELTS Study planner

Self-
Day Activity check
• Did you rephrase the essay title and clearly state your opinion/position in the
introduction?
• Did you introduce your conclusion with a concluding phrase (e.g. To conclude,
In conclusion)?
• Did you use
conditional sentences?
5 relative clauses?
linking words and phrases?
pronouns to refer to nouns or noun phrases?

Use the English spellchecker and make a note of the correct spelling of any words
you misspelt.
Compare your essay with the model answer of Band 5.5 (page 23) and Band 7.5
(page 25). Read the examiner’s comments to help you improve next time.

STUDY PLANNER CHECKLIST 18

 5-week IELTS Study planner

Week 5: Speaking

Self-
Day Activity check
Go to IELTS.org and learn everything you can about the speaking section (format,
timing, task types).
Go to IELTS.org and look at some of the speaking sample questions.
Download the public descriptor. These give you a good idea of what the examiner is
1 looking for at each Band level
For more information about these marking criteria, go to:
• Fluency and coherence
• Lexical resource
• Grammatical range & accuracy
• Pronunciation
What communication strategies can you use in the test? Have a look at some in the
‘Exams’ section of Speaking exams.
Download the IELTS Word Power app to help with your vocabulary when speaking.

The Speaking Test consists of 3 parts. In Part 1 the examiner will ask you about
ordinary, everyday things such as how you spend your free time, your holidays and
travel, food and restaurants etc. Part 1 always begins with questions about either your
work/studies or your home/hometown. Part 1 lasts from 4 to 5 minutes.

It is important that you have the vocabulary to discuss everyday topics. List 5 key
words or expressions for each of these ‘typical’ Part 1 topics. Check in a dictionary
how to pronounce them correctly. Mark the word stress.
Example your home flat/quiet neighbourhood/ small balcony/ sunny living room/
friendly neighbours
2
1. Your home 6. The food you like
2. Your hometown 7. The music you like
3. Your studies or your job 8. What you do on your holidays
4. Shopping 9. The sports or exercise you do
5. The things you do with friends 10. How you communicate with people

You should try and answer these Part 1 questions with 2 or 3 sentences. Think about
giving a reason for why you like or dislike something, give an example. Now go to
Take IELTS and practise answering these questions again. Record your answers on
your phone. Listen to your recording.

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Week 5: Speaking

Self-
Day Activity check
Ask yourself:
did I have to think about some words that I needed?
2
did I give reasons for things?
did I give examples?

Watch a candidate do Part 1 of the test. What did he do well or less well? What
topics was he asked about? Look at the examiner’s comments.
Now practise a Part 1. Read the questions and record your answers.
Let’s talk about what you do.
• Are you a student or do you work?
• What do you like about your work/studies?
• Is there anything you don’t like? Why?
• What do you plan to do in the future?
• Now let’s talk about shopping.
• Do you prefer to shop online or go to real shops? Why?
3 • Do you like shopping alone or with friends?
• What sort of things do you most enjoy buying?
• Do you find it difficult to buy presents for friends and family?
Let’s turn to sport.
• Do you do any sport? Why?
• What do you enjoy most about this activity?
• What are the good things about doing a sport with other people?
• Are there any sporting activities you would like to try in the future?
Look at the timer on your phone. Did answering the questions take between 4
and 5 minutes?
• If yes, well done.
• If no, how could you have said more? Did you give reasons and examples
where appropriate? Answer the questions again, giving more information.

In Part 2 you are given a card with a topic on it. You will have to talk about that topic
for 2 minutes. You will have one minute to prepare your talk. Use this time to make
4 brief notes – one or two words – to help you while you are speaking.
Look at this topic card. Time yourself and make notes for one minute, then talk for
2 minutes.

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Week 5: Speaking

Self-
Day Activity check
Describe a person who you like or admire.
You should say
• who the person is
• what they have done in their life
• why you like or admire them And say how they have affected you.
Go to Take IELTS and practise a Part 2 topic. Follow the instructions and when you
have finished speaking, listen to the audio recording.
Did you
speak for 2 minutes?
hesitate trying to think of words you needed?
4 correct grammar mistakes as you were talking?
repeat yourself?
connect your talk and ideas with linking words?

Notes:
• If you can’t think of the exact word(s) you need, try to paraphrase, that is, think
of another way of saying the same thing.
• Don’t over-correct if you hear yourself making grammar mistakes because this
will interfere with the fluency of your talk.
Watch a candidate do Part 2 of the test.
• What did she do well or less well?
• What topic was she asked to talk about?
• Look at the examiner’s comments

In part 3 you will discuss issues connected with the topic you spoke about in Part 2
of the test. In this part of the test, you need to generalise more rather than talk
about personal. experiences, express opinions and support them, speculate about
the future and make comparisons. This part lasts between 4 and 5 minutes.
5
In Part 2 you spoke about something that was important to you, something you
5 valued. Go to Take IELTS and practise answering the Part 3 questions that follow on
from this topic. As before, record your answers.
Did you answer the questions about people in general rather than about
yourself?

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Week 5: Speaking

Self-
Day Activity check
In Part 2 you spoke about something that was important to you, something you
valued. Go to Take IELTS and practise answering the Part 3 questions that follow on
from this topic. As before, record your answers.
Did you answer the questions about people in general rather than about
yourself?
Did you use different tenses to talk about status in your parents’ time (past
simple/used to/would), how that has changed (present perfect) and how things
5 are now (present simple)?
Did you use comparatives to compare things in the past with now?
Then listen to the recording of a test taker. How do you answers compare with
him/her?
To get a better Band Score for Grammatical Range and Accuracy, try to vary the
tenses and verb forms you use. There are different ways to talk about the past. As
well as using past tenses, you can use ‘would’ and ‘used to do’. Practise with some
exercises HERE.

Watch a candidate do Part 3 of the test.

• Watch and listen to a Band 6 test taker
• What did he do well or less well?
• What general topics was he asked questions about?

6 Look at the examiner’s comments.

Watch and listen to a Band 7 test taker
• What did she do well or less well?
• What general topics was she asked questions about?
Look at the examiner’s comments.
Watch and listen to a Band 8 test taker
• What did he do well or less well?
• What general topics was he asked questions about?
Look at the examiner’s comments.

Take a full IELTS Speaking practise test HERE and record yourself
For Part 1, ask yourself:
did I have to think about some words that I needed?
7
did I give reasons for things?
did I give examples?

STUDY PLANNER CHECKLIST 22

 5-week IELTS Study planner

Self-
Day Activity check
For Part 2, did you
speak for 2 minutes?
hesitate trying to think of words you needed?
correct grammar mistakes as you were talking?
repeat yourself?
connect your talk and ideas with linking words?
In Part 3,
7
Did you answer the questions about people in general rather than about
yourself?
Did you use different tenses to talk about status in your parents’ time (past
simple/used to/would), how that has changed (present perfect) and how things
are now (present simple)?
Did you use comparatives to compare things in the past with now?
Then listen to the recording of a test taker. How do you answers compare with
him/her?
Compare your answers with the samples and make a note of any new, interesting
and useful vocabulary.

STUDY PLANNER CHECKLIST 23

 5-week IELTS Study planner

1 Set a realistic goal for yourself and do

7 Try to guess questions you haven’t
not aim for shortcuts.
answered.
2 Create a listening routine and stick to it.
8 Before each section you are given
3 Focus on the overall message and do time to read the questions.
not get frustrated about detail.
9 Be sure to answer with the correct
4 Take notes while you’re listening and go number of words.
back to discover what expressions or
clues in the audio helped you understand 10 Write clearly.
the message.
11 During the transferring time first
5 Don’t worry too much about unfamiliar make sure you have transferred all
the questions you have answered
words.
legibly (easy to read) and in the
6 Call a friend and discuss issues in correct space.
English for a set time period.

20 IELTS PREP TIPS 24

 5-week IELTS Study planner

1 Choose a variety of texts and combine 6 Discuss some interesting texts with
reading for studying with reading for your friends and exchange ideas in
pleasure. English.

2 Spend 20-30 minutes every day read- 7 Read for speed. Set a timer and try to
ing different texts: newspaper articles, read a text within the time limit.
blogs, books, textbook activities.
8 Read aloud with your friends or even
3 Improve your vocabulary by looking up by yourself.
common words in the dictionary.
9 Familiarise yourself with the style of
4 Try different techniques while reading: the exam and how long each part
skim and scan the text quickly, answer takes.
questions in detail, summarise the main
idea(s).

5 Choose topics of interest but also try to Refer to Preparation videos for more
useful advices.
read texts on various topics as IELTS
chooses subjects from many fields.

20 IELTS PREP TIPS 25

 5-week IELTS Study planner

IELTS Ready Premium

‘IELTS Ready Premium’ offers • 40 practise tests – speaking, writing,
personalised resources that get you reading and listening
better prepared for IELTS. It’s free and • writing practise with model answers to
available exclusively to all British Council show you what examiners are looking for
IELTS test takers! • feedback on every reading and listen-
As you complete your practise tests, ing question
‘IELTS Ready Premium’ will adapt and • skills masterclasses to prepare you for
personalise your study plan to help you test day
get the score you need. • exercises to help practise Reading,
You will get free access when you book Listening, Writing and Speaking skills.
IELTS with us, until 7 days after your Once you have booked your test with
Listening/Reading/Writing test date. All the British Council, log in to the Test
you need to do is book your test with Taker portal to gain access.
the British Council and get started!
The earlier you register with us, the
Here’s what you can expect from ‘IELTS more time you have to explore the
Ready Premium’ comprehensive preparation resources
offered by ‘IELTS Ready Premium’ and
get better prepared for your test!

USEFUL RESOURCES 26
 5-week IELTS Study planner

IELTS Prep App

This app will give you:
• A comprehensive overview of the IELTS
Speaking and Listening tests

• Listening and Speaking practise tests

• Exercises to explain common

grammar rules

• Videos of IELTS Speaking interviews

• Useful tips for the day of the IELTS test

• An explanation of the assessment criteria

• Quizzes to test your knowledge of the

IELTS test format

• More information on IELTS related topics.

You can even set a test day reminder and

check just how much progress you are
making. The app also lets you bookmark
useful pages so that you can find it easily.

Download the IELTS Prep App on

Google Play

Download the IELTS Prep App on the

App Store

USEFUL RESOURCES 27
www.britishbcouncil.vn