A COMPLETE GUIDE FOR IELTS LISTENING AND READING SECTION

Hey everyone,
The current situation of the pandemic has made every section shut down for a long period. It has created an impact on each person’s life. Amongst this situation, there are few alternatives through which people are completing and focusing back on their works. In, the similar way the authorities who conduct examination have taken a step to complete these using online platforms. So, let’s have a look at the syllabus of the examination. In this article we will brief about a complete 2020 Guide for IELTS Listening and Reading section.

Here is what we are going to discuss in this article

• A brief introduction to IELTS
• IELTS Listening & Reading section 
• Syllabus for the Listening & Reading section
• IELTS questions format
• Strategies for scoring a good band
• Quick look
• FAQ’s

A brief introduction to IELTS

The examination which can help a person to fulfil their dreams to either study or settle in countries like USA, Canada, New Zealand and many others. The full form of IELTS is International English Language Testing Service. It is jointly conducted by IDP Australia, British Council and Cambridge English Language Assessment. The 2020 examination will have few changes such as the exam will be conducted online. It is known as IELTS Indicator Test. Before the pandemic, the exam was written for two main purposes either to receive higher education or settle outskirts for training in a specific field.

But according to the new guidelines the exam is applicable only for higher studies. Once the situation is normal, the centres would re-open and the examination guidelines will be altered once again. The online exam is scheduled once in a week. There are few universities which accept the exam indicative scores and one should fill the form checking about the details of the complete information.

One can now easily sit at their comfort zones and give the examination. The syllabus is the same for all the four sections and also the time limit.

IELTS Listening & Reading section 

The new guidelines for both sections are as follows.

IELTS 2020 listening section new changes

The word “section” will be changed to “parts”. There would be a direct entry to the part 1 after the announcement of the rules and regulations. The demo part will not be present in the paper. Once the guidelines are given, the student can start responding to the paper. The computer-based exam provides 2 minutes for recheck or glancing at the answers. The period for the IELTS Listening is exactly 30 minutes. There might be an extra 10 minutes for transferring the answers from the notebook to the computer. 

IELTS 2020 reading section new changes

The paper for general and academic task varies. The reading section for general mainly has topics from magazines, journals, daily life, newspapers, advertisement. The section for academic would have questions from history, textbooks, science and things related to academics. The time limit and question pattern would be the same for both the tasks. The time limit for IELTS Reading section is 60 minutes and the number of questions will be 40. Each section will have 10 questions to answer.

Syllabus for the IELTS 2020 Listening & Reading section

The syllabus for the examination is the same as before the pandemic. The only change is that one needs to answer on a computer sitting in his/her comfort zone rather than in an exam centre. One needs to practice for all the sections as they did previously.

IELTS Listening section syllabus

The listening section is sub-divided into four parts. They are as follows:-

• The first will be a conversation between two people regarding a social context. It could be the day-to-day or general situation.
• The second is a monologue which is also based on a social context.
• The third part is again a conversation between two/four people regarding an academic situation.
• The fourth is a monologue which is regarding any academic circumstance. It can also be a lecture related to academics.
• A person can hear them only once. One can note down the important points and answer the queries using those key points.

IELTS Reading section: syllabus

This section is a bit different for academic as well as for general training here are a few things that one needs to know.

Reading (academic):

This section will have three long paragraphs which are taken from books, magazines, newspapers and journals. The paragraphs are ideal for people who are interested in either work professionally or acquire higher education.

Reading (general training):

This section also has three long paragraphs. The paragraphs are taken from magazines, books, journals, company guidelines and brochures. This part is quite easier than the academic part. It is because one comes across such things in everyday life.

IELTS questions format

Listening part:

• Multiple choice questions: one or two answers may be correct. One needs to identify and complete the section which is given as a question.
• Fill up: it can be a sentence, summary, diagram, picture, chart or table. It tests the ability to be attentive and listening to the audio.
• Match: the questions will be towards one side and one needs to identify particular information and match them.

Reading part:

• True/ Yes, False/ No, Not given:

One should write the complete words instead of symbols or else one will lose scores and also be careful while responding.

• Match the correct answer/ heading:

 One needs to match the right information or the heading for the given question. 

• Choose the correct answer:

One can eliminate the options and choose the right one or identify the correct option.

• Summary, Sentence, Table Completion:

There can be various forms in which these things can be completed. Information can be used from the passage or from notes which is made during listening audio.

Strategies for scoring a good IELTS band

Strategies for the listening section:

• Follow the instructions carefully. It is a computer-based exam one must be attentive when the guidelines are given out.
• One must know the main concept behind every conversation. It would be helpful to write a response to each part.
• Identify the theme before the conversation starts or it is in between. It is also a benefit to respond. 
• This test is to enhance and display skills. One has to be a multi-tasker. One needs to listen to the conversation, write down the key points and also respond to the queries in a manner that can help to achieve a good score.
• During the conversation, spellings are not important, but once the answers are written one needs to check the spelling.
• Grammar and vocabulary are important aspects of the examination. One should not take it lightly as it carries prominent scores.
• Noting down keywords will be helpful. It can help connect the answer or might flash up an important text that one is missing out. 
• The questions are in the form of completing the sentence, note, table or diagram/ pictures. It also has to match the following, multiple-choice questions, map labelling. One must be very clear with what type of questions are given. The idea behind every query.
• Usage of synonyms is proved very beneficial. It will increase the quality of the response. The synonyms used should have a similar meaning but not change the meaning of the entire concept. 
• The first few seconds (30) to check questions and one can make notes. Then use them in answers and improve the quality of the work. 

L- Listen and Learn

A- Apply

W- Write

S- Systematic plan

Reading part:

S- Scan and Skim

C- Correct Grammar

A- Adjust the right synonym

P- Polish skills

E- Enjoy Studies

Strategies for IELTS reading section:

There is a difference in this section for academic and general training. One must use a systematic way to prepare for either of them. 

• The step is to read the instructions carefully. It is very important to understand the right idea behind the instructions.
• If one can understand the meaning of few words it is fine. It is not necessary to understand every meaning as it will drain the time and one can lose time to write an answer which is of good quality.
• Do not panic. If the topic is a new one should not be nervous about the subject. Just relax and recall the things one goes through during preparation.
• Proper planning of time is a prominent key to success. It is the right attitude for a person who aims to get good marks in the examination.
• The best way to achieve is to answer every query. One needs to read the questions and also give a response to each one. This will add on to the total score.
• Skimming and scanning the answers is a very good technique. 
• Skimming is reading rapidly to get the overview of a paragraph. It could be a general overview to recognize the main concept behind the paragraph.

Scanning is to find out facts which are specific from the same overview to write the response in a more crispy way.

• Vocabulary is prominent. The number of words one knows will be helpful to answer a question. Reading books, journals, magazines, newspapers which will increase the word content.
• Do not spend much time in the same answer. Try to re-check them before submission.
• Attempt and avoid grammatical errors as much as possible. This is a keynote strategy for every part of the IELTS examination. 

Quick facts about IELTS reading and listening sections

• IELTS: International English Language Testing Service
• IELTS Indicator Test: Online platform test due to the pandemic situation.
• It jointly conducted by IDP Australia, British Council and Cambridge English Language Assessment.
• IELTS Indicator is applicable for higher education purpose until the situation is under control.
• 4 parts: Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing.
• Changes made: Computer-based test 

              Sections changed as parts.

              No number of references.

               No Sample questions.

• Listening section: 40 questions, 30 minutes
• Reading section: 40 questions, 60 minutes.
• Syllabus: Same for both the parts.  

 Listening has 4 conversations. They can be heard only once. Each part has 10 questions.

  Reading for both academic and general training has three long paragraphs. The number of questions is 40.

• The listening part has four sub-divisions. 

1Part: Conversation between two.

2 Part: Monologue

3 Part: Conversation between two or four

4 Part: Monologue

The first two parts are based on the social context. The next two parts are based on the academic situation. Every question carries 1 mark.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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One cannot control things by just being nervous. So start preparation and do not panic. It is through hard work and determination one can reach their goals.

    ALL THE BEST