The reading sections are usually lengthy and based on scientific topics that have a difficult vocabulary and make it confusing. Similarly, the speaking section can be a little challenging because of the tension that comes in the interview with the examiner. If you wish to have a good score in the reading and speaking section, we will show you the top 20 reading and speaking tips given by an IELTS expert mentor. But before that, you can navigate through the table of content below to get an overview.
Who is An IELTS Mentor?
Some of us don’t know who an IELTS mentor is but not to worry, we will explain to you who an IELTS mentor is. IELTS Mentor is an independent website trying to help IELTS candidates to assess, prepare, and practice for the IELTS test. This website does not relate to IELTS registration or IELTS test authority. The whole idea of this website is to share knowledge and experience of IELTS so you can achieve your dream score.
Top 20 Reading And Speaking Tips By IELTS Mentor
Here are the important tips on reading and speaking sections by ielts mentor
#1. Develop a Reading Strategy By IELTS Mentor
For you to be successful in the exam, it is very important that you prepare a reading strategy and implement it in the exam effectively. There are strategies you can use that works best for you. For example, if you think section 2 is easy to answer, you can jump to that section and come back to section1 later. You can check this out: 20 Best IELTS Preparation Books in | Get PDF Free
#2. Improve Reading Skills
Keep on reading to improve your reading skills. You can achieve that by reading books, online material, journals, magazines. This will make you understand more and will help you with accepting the written content in less time. Also, you can read for half an hour or try reading text daily as part of your exam preparation.
#3. Manage Time Effectively
You can prepare a time-based reading strategy and practice with it. Assuming you have 1 hour for your reading test, you can divide it as 20 mins each for every section. Solve the questions with a focused mind so you can complete them all within time. Also, monitor the timer to know how much time you have left.
#4. Stay Focus While Taking The Test
Staying focused is the most important skill by IELTS mentors that will lead you towards your target band score. Concentrate more on the practice test. Let nothing distract you. Also, when practicing strictly keep the timer with you to get the feel of an exam.
#5. Practice Mock Test
Practicing mock tests from Cambridge IELTS books, IELTS websites or other materials will solve your problem of how to manage the time and get a high score. As you know that practice is the key to a successful exam. After solving every practice test, it will let you know about your weak points. Also, you can learn and improve your score much easier.
#6. Understanding Paraphrasing and Vocabulary
Always remember, they always paraphrase the information given in the passages. Different synonyms or antonyms are used to confuse you. Meaning that you may not find the same keywords in the passage which you may find in the questions. But, if you have excellent knowledge of antonyms and synonyms, phrasal verbs, idioms, and phrases then you can easily understand the question and find the answers too.
#7. Always Find Answers in Order
The basic thing that most students are unaware of is that their answers follow the same order in the passage as the order of their questions. The answer for the first question will be in the first paragraph of the passage, which can be an advantage for you for finding your answers.
#8. Skim The Passages Properly
Skimming is the first smart step to reading. It is nothing but reading the passage effectively in less time. Getting the key idea of each passage while you read will save you more time. Note that the one essential tip to skim a paragraph is to keep in mind the first and last line of that paragraph.
#9. Follow the Scanning Process Carefully
After skimming the passage, scanning is the next major part of the reading process. You follow a particular process for scanning; first, use keywords from the question to locate the right paragraph. The next is to read the paragraph to locate the right statement that refers to that question and then read the located statement to find the right words as your answer.
#10. Underline Keywords
While reading, do well to underline important keywords in the passage and the questions. Also, underlining keywords makes you get closer to finding the answer, some facts, figures, capitalized words, etc.
#11. Keep the Instruction in Mind
Word instruction is as important as finding the answer. Let’s say you answer the question you are not to answer, they will mark it wrong. So be careful about the instruction. It is even better you underline the instruction like keywords.
#12. Pay Attention To The Focus Question
In the reading section, always pay attention to the focus of the question. In questions asked, there are one or two words you can consider as the focus of that question. These words will help you find the right answer. All you need is to pay attention and identify the words in the question.
#13. Attempt all the Questions by IELTS Mentor
We highly recommend that you should not leave any answers blank. If you don’t know the answer, guess it rather than leaving blank completely. Who knows, you might guess right. Sometimes, you might get confused about a particular question because of nervousness or since you are running out of time, first try to handle it patiently. But if it does not work, do not spend too much time on the question. Just guess it and keep on continuing with the rest of the passage.
#14. Guess Your Answer Grammatically
This will help you in identifying the right answers as grammar plays a very significant role. By looking at the question, you can figure out if your answer will be a noun, adjective, verb, number, or a word, and so on. You can read this: How To Prepare For IELTS| Study Guide, Practice Test, Exam Dates, & Venue
#15. Transfer Answers Carefully
Your answers in most cases are to be the same words you choose from the passage though sometimes you have to change the answer grammatically (for example, changing the form of the verb). Also, it is preferable to transfer your answer together or after you complete one section, rather than doing it at the end.
#16. Don’t Be Shy
For you to be successful in the speaking session, you need not be shy. It is the examiner’s job to help you feel comfortable. So just relax, and smile as if you are really having an interesting conversation with the examiner.
#17. Be Careful With Your Ideas and Show Language Skills
Use simple ideas and vocabularies like keeping records of unfamiliar words or expressions. Also, try to use the functions which we use regularly during the speaking test.
#18. Your Ideas Are Not Important, Your Knowledge Is Not Being Tested.
Your ideas are not that much important, your knowledge is not being tested. But the things are ideas that you represent to the examiner. Say it with full confidence and present your excellent language skills.
#19. Add Your Own Experience Which Is Relating To The Topic
In this speaking test, think of your experiences relating to the topic. For example, if the topic is about museums, then think of museums you have been to or will like to go to.
#20. Don’t Show Examiner Your Negative Side
Listen to the examiner and ask questions if you don’t understand. Smile and make a frequent icon eye with the examiner. Don’t be nervous like play with your ears, hands, or biting your lips, be positive. Try to speak and express yourself in your own language and experiences.
CONCLUSION
Getting a good band score in IELTS is an enormous achievement. To do this, you need to prepare adequately and get acquainted with some IELTS do’s and don’t. The article above provides you with the reading and speaking tips by IELTS Mentor that will help you prepare for the test. Carefully go through these tips to ensure that you’re on the right track. I hope this helps you in your decision-making process. Good luck!
IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System.
IELTS Mentor is an independent website trying to help IELTS candidates to assess, prepare, and practice for the IELTS test.
The reading and speaking tips strategies are developing a Reading Strategy, Practice Mock Test, Don’t Be Shy, Don’t Show Examiner Your Negative Side, etc.
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