1. Introduction 1
Using This Book 3
Questions and Answers About IELTS 4
2. Preparing for IELTS 9
A Study Contract 9
Exam Day Tips 14
3. Listening 15
Quick Study 16
Overview 16
Question Types 16
Listening Tips 17
Completing the Blanks 18
Listening Skills 24
Skill 1 Making Assumptions 24
Skill 2 Understanding Numbers 30
Skill 3 Understanding the Alphabet 32
Skill 4 Distinguishing Similar Sounds 34
Skill 5 Listening for Time 36
Skill 7 Listening for Similar Meanings 43
Skill 8 Listening for Emotions 44
Skill 9 Listening for an Explanation 46
Skill 10 Listening for Classifications 48
Skill 11 Listening for Comparisons and Contrasts 50
Skill 12 Listening for Negative Meaning 52
Skill 13 Listening for Chronology 55
Answer Explanations 57
4. Reading 63
Quick Study 64
Overview 64
Question Types 64
Reading Tips 66
Reading Skills: Academic 67
Skill 1 Using the First Paragraph to Make Predictions 67
Skill 2 Using the Topic Sentence to Make Predictions 69
Skill 3 Looking for Supporting Details 71
Skill 4 Using Key Words 72
Skill 5 Locating Information 75
Reading Skills: General Training 88
Skill 6 Making Predictions 88
Skill 7 Finding the Answers 91
Skill 8 Identifying the Tasks 96
Answer Explanations 105
5. Writing 117
Quick Study 118
Overview 118
Question Types 118
Assessment Criteria 118
Writing Tips 119
Task Achievement Skills 120
Task 1 Academic Writing 120
Skill 1 Determining the Task 120
Skill 2 Determining the Topic 123
Skill 3 Making Comparisons 124
Skill 4 Making an Outline 126
Skill 5 Writing the Introduction 130
Skill 6 Writing the Paragraphs 132
Skili 7 Writing the Conclusion 135
Task 1 General Training Writing 138
Skill 8 Determining the Task 138
Skill 9 Determining the Topic 140
Skill 10 Brainstorming Ideas 141
Skill 11 Making an Outline 144
Skill 12 Writing the Introduction 148
Skill 13 Writing the Paragraphs 152
Skill 14 Writing the Conclusion 154
Task 2 General Training and Academic Writing 157
Skill 15 Determining the Task 157
Skill 16 Developing a Thesis Statement 158
Skill 17 Organizing Your Writing 159
Skill 18 Writing the Introduction 165
Skill 19 Writing the Paragraphs 169
Skill 20 Writing the Conclusion 173
Writing Skills 176
Coherence and Cohesion 176
Skill 21 Transition Words 176
Skill 22 Repeating and Rephrasing 184
Skill 23 Pronouns 186
Skill 24 Stating Your Opinion 187
Skill 25 Generalizing and Qualifying 189
Skill 26 Synonyms 190
Grammatical Range and Accuracy 192
Skill 27 Plural Nouns 192
Skill 28 Articles 195
Skill 29 Gerunds and Infinitives 197
Skill 30 Parallel Structures 199
Skill 31 Sentence Types 201
Skill 32 Punctuation 204
Skill 33 Commonly Misspelled Words 206
Revision 207
Skill 34 Using a Revision Checklist 207
Responding to the Task 208
Coherence and Cohesion 209
Lexical Resource 210
Grammatical Range and Accuracy 210
Answer Explanations 217
6. Speaking 237
Quick Study 238
Overview 288
Question Types 238
Speaking Tips 242
Speaking Skills 244
Part 1 Introduction and Interview 244
Skill 1 Talking About Yourself 244
Part 2 Long Turn 250
Skill 2 Organizing a Topic 250
Skill 3 Discussing a Topic 253
Skill 4 Verb Tenses 254
Skill 5 Sequence 255
Skill 6 Comparing and Contrasting 256
Skill 7 Cause and Effect 258
Skill 8 Describing 259
Skill 9 Responding to Follow-up Questions 260
Part 3 Discussion 262
Skill 10 Explaining an Issue in Depth 262
Skill 11 Describing an Issue in Depth 264
Skill 12 Comparing and Contrasting an Issue in Depth 266
Skill 13 Giving an In-Depth Opinion 268
General Speaking Skills 270
Skill 14 Asking for Clarification 270
Skill 15 Delay Tactics 271
Skill 16 Avoiding Short Answers 272
Skill 17 Word Families and Stress 273
Skill 18 Sentence Stress 274
Skill 19 Lists and Intonation 275
Answer Explanations 276
7. IELTS Model Tests 293
Academic Model Test 1 295
Academic Model Test 1-Answer Explanations 326
Academic Model Test 2 333
Academic Model Test 2-Answer Explanations 365
Academic Model Test 3 373
Academic Model Test 3-Answer Explanations 402
Academic Model Test 4 409
Academic Model Test 4-Answer Explanations 440
General Training: Reading and Writing Model Test 1 447
General Training Model Test 1-Answer Explanations 467
General Training: Reading and Writing Model Test 2 469
General Training Model Test 2-Answer Explanations 489