Page 9 - Complete IELTS 4_SB (Cambridge)

IELTS Academic Module: content and overview

part/timing content test focus
LISTENING • four sections • Candidates are expected
approximately • 40 questions to listen for specific
30 minutes • a range of question types information, main ideas and
opinions.
• Section 1: a conversation on a social topic, e.g. someone making • There is a range of task types
a booking which include completion,
• Section 2: a monologue about a social topic, e.g. a radio report matching, labelling and
• Section 3: a conversation on a study-based topic, e.g. a multiple choice .
discussion between students • Each question scores 1 mark;
• Section 4: a monologue on a study-based topic, e.g. a lecture candidates receive a band
score from 1 to 9.
Students have ten minutes at the end of the test to transfer their
answers onto an answer sheet.
The recording is heard ONCE.
READING • three sections • Candidates are expected
1 hour • 40 questions to read for / understand
• a range of question types specific information, main
ideas, gist and opinions.
• Section I: a passage with 13 questions • Each section contains
• Section 2: a passage divided into paragraphs with 13 questions more than one task type .
• Section 3: a passage with 14 questions They include completion,
matching, paragraph
At least one passage contains arguments and/or views. This is headings, True/False/Not
usually Section 3. Given and multiple choice.
• Each question scores 1 mark;
candidates receive a band
score from 1 to 9.
WRITING • two compulsory tasks • Candidates are expected to
1 hour write a factual summary and
• Task 1: a 150-word summary of information presented in a discursive essay .
graphic or diagrammatic form • Candidates are assessed on a
• Task 2: a 250-word essay presenting an argument on a given nine-band scale for content,
topic coherence, vocabulary and
grammar.
Candidates are advised to spend 20 minutes on Task 1 and 40
minutes on Task 2, which is worth twice as many marks as-Task 1.
SPEAKING • three parts • Candidates are expected
11-14 minutes • one examiner + one candidate to be able to respond to
questions on familiar and
• Part I: The examiner asks a number of questions about familiar unfamiliar topics and to
topics such as the candidate's studies/work, hobbies, interests, speak at length.
etc. • Candidates are assessed on a
4-5 minutes nine-band scale for fluency,
• Part 2: After a minute's preparation, the candidate speaks for vocabulary, grammar and
two minutes on a familiar topic provided by the examiner. pronunciation.
3-4 minutes
• Part 3: The examiner and the candidate discuss some general
questions based on the theme of the Part 2 topic.
4-5 minutes
O
All candidates who take the test receive an v erall Band Score between 1 and 9 that is an average of the four scores for
each part of the test. For information on courses, required band scores and interpreting band scores, see www.ielts.org.
IELTS Academic Module: content and overview 0