The Harbour Library Journal

  The IELTS Writing test is 60 minutes in length and there are two tasks to complete. The first task should be at least 150 words in length and the second task should be at least 250 words in length. You should spend 20 minutes on the first task and 40 minutes on the second task. The tasks are different depending on which test you are taking: General Training or Academic.   These tips will help you revise for the IELTS Writing test. 1.        Every writing task must begin with a plan. First, think about what you are going to write and plan each idea into a paragraph. 2.        Read extensively and keep a journal of new words and expressions. Use these new words in your writing practice. 3.        Practice checking and editing your work very often, even informal writings like social media posts should be checked and edited. Look out for common mistakes, like mistakes with verb agre...

  Here are some tips that can help you ace the IELTS speaking test: 1.         Practice makes perfect – practice speaking in English whenever you can. 2.         Always try to express your opinion on a range of topics by giving examples to justify your views on any subject. 3.       Reading articles about your chosen profession or university courses can help you speak more confidently about your own work and study experiences. 4.       Become familiar with relevant language by listening to radio or watching TV programs. 5.          Practice speaking in English for a sustained period of time (2 – 4 minutes) before a selfie camera. Playback the recording and identify ways you can improve. 6.          Practice using hesitation devices in English Language rather than your local language when you are searching for words to use. E.g. Well |The thing is… ...

 The IELTS Reading test is different depending on which exam you have chosen to take: Academic or General Training. Both tests are 60 minutes in length and both are in three sections with a total of 40 questions.  Here are some tips for the IELTS Reading test. 1. Read the instructions and texts. Practice skimming (reading quickly) and scanning(looking for a specific word) texts on a regular basis. 2. Read the questions first to get a general idea of the text. 3. Skim the text for general meaning. 4. Look for key words in the questions. 5. Scan the text to see where the answer is. 6. Answer the questions and transfer your answers to the answer sheet within the 60 minutes. Note that no extra time will be given to transfer the answers to the answer sheet like listening test. 7. Be careful when writing your answers on the answer sheet because you can lose marks for incorrect spelling and grammar.  Need support with IELTS preparation? We are here for you. Contact our IELTS Pre...

  The IELTS listening test The listening test is the same for both General Training and Academic IELTS. There are four sections, with ten questions in each section. You will listen to four recordings of native English speakers, then write your answers to set of questions. Please note that you will only listen to each text once. The first recording is a conversation between two people and it is set in an everyday social context. The second recording is a monologue that is set in an everyday social context. The third recording is a conversation between up to four people set in educational context and the fourth recording is a monologue on an academic subject. The text questions become progressively harder. You will be assessed on your ability to understand the main ideas, detailed factual information, the opinions and attitudes of speakers and the ability to follow the development of ideas. Here are some ideas to help you prepare for the IELTS listening test 1. Practice listening to ...