IELTS Preperation Guide

Section-Specific Strategies

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Listening

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• Patterns: Each part follows fixed formats (academic/conversational, monologue/dialogue).
• Vocabulary: Focus on spelling, synonyms, and context comprehension. Expect unfamiliar words—learn to move past them.
• Note word limits for answers. Predict answer types (numbers/nouns/verbs/plurals) from questions.
• Highlight keywords to track your progress. If lost, use keywords to relocate.
• Use gaps to pre-scan later sections. Prioritize Part 3 keywords before Part 1 starts.
• Part 1: Drill common formats (postcodes, phone numbers, dates, currencies).

Reading

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• Core principle: Match questions to the text.
• Vocabulary: Master high-frequency words (CET-4/6, IELTS core lists). Skip obscure terms—they’re rarely tested.
• Speed: Time yourself (10+15+25 minutes). Never linger on a question—all are worth 1 point.
• Techniques:
  • Skim headings, questions, and paragraph openings/closings first.
  • Parallel Reading: Tackle multiple question types in one pass if they follow text order.
  • Combine skimming (find sections) and scanning (extract answers).

Writing

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• Time: 15m for Task 1, 40m+5m planning for Task 2.
• The question types and structures of the essays are formulaic; the structure can be roughly adjusted as needed. Remember transition words and formulaic sentences, and practice your thought process
• Task1 tests descriptive ability, with the structure: Paraphrase + Overview + Detail1 + Detail2. Memorize the common words for each question type and practice how to identify key points
• Task2 tests persuasive ability, with the structure: Introduction + Body1 + Body2 + Conclusion. Learn the methods of presenting viewpoints + discussion + examples for argumentation

Speaking

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• Goal: Think and speak naturally. Avoid over-rehearsed answers.
• Practice:
  • Record yourself. Use fillers (well, you know) to buy time.
  • Prioritize fluency over complex vocabulary.
• Part 1: Prepare short answers about daily life.
• Part 2: Reuse adaptable stories (people/events/objects).
• Part 3: Expand answers with brainstorming—examiners assess depth and coherence.

Key Resources

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Quickly review these and pick what suits you:

• IELTS Ready Premium: Official IELTS tool, free to use after registration, provides detailed courses and exercises. Great for familiarizing with question types, practicing speaking (one-on-one Q&A), and writing (sample essays for different scores). Highly recommended.
• IELTS Liz: Comprehensive website, offers numerous IELTS practice materials and tips, see the same-name YouTube Channel.
• IELTS-up: Another comprehensive website, particularly good for summarizing useful phrases for writing. Recommended for consciously using these phrases during writing practice.
• Teacher Sun’s IELTS Practice: Includes various IELTS-related knowledge, primarily focuses on hands-on training for listening and reading. Clear demonstration of strategies, keyword marking, and choices by experienced test takers.
• Shen Xiaoyi Series Books: Highly recommended books like “Breaking IELTS Writing in 10 Days” and “Breaking IELTS Speaking in 10 Days.” Buy physical copies for in-depth study.
• IELTS Bro: Excellent computer-based mock test software; eliminates the need to purchase paperback Cambridge IELTS books. The simulated experience is identical to the real test. Highly recommended for thorough practice of Cambridge IELTS materials.
• Maimemo Vocabulary Builder: Start memorizing high-frequency words early and avoid obscure ones. Use English-English explanations and example sentences to learn words in context. You can customize vocabulary lists from high-frequency words found online.
• AI IELTS Essay Correction: Other AI tools can also be used for low-cost, efficient checks for spelling, grammar, and idea errors. Immediate feedback available.

Final Tips

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• Band scores Corresponding to Number of Mistakes: The IELTS official website and various educational websites have this information. Why are you focusing on this? Are you trying to control your score!? Just aim to do your best.
• Booking the Exam: Make sure to read all the announcements on the IELTS official website and book your exam date as early as possible. Set a deadline for yourself to avoid procrastination.
• Computer-based/Paper-based: If you are proficient enough with a standard keyboard, I recommend the computer-based test. You can use software to simulate and compare; there are many advantages, especially for writing where you can freely format and not worry about handwriting (I repeatedly adjusted paragraphs and sentence orders during the exam, and even wrote scattered sentences before combining them).
• Tutoring Classes: If you have sufficient self-motivation and information-searching skills, you can definitely skip these classes. Moreover, the cost of tutoring is often equivalent to several actual exams.
• Exam Day: Try to schedule the exam in the morning and the speaking test as early as possible in the afternoon. Cramming English at the last minute is not helpful; it’s better to take advantage of your morning energy to push through, avoiding excessive stress.
• Past Papers: I haven’t used them much, as I feel the Cambridge IELTS materials provide enough practice. However, for speaking, considering the changing question seasons, it might be useful to look at recent exam materials for their timeliness.

Long-Term Learning

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If you are pursuing the long-term cultivation of English ability or want to understand the essence and methods of language learning, 罗肖尼Shawney’s explanation (Comprehensible Input Hypothesis) is the answer:

• How to Truly Master a Word
• Rethinking Language Learning: Listening/Speaking
• Rethinking Language Learning: Reading

Overall, fluency in a foreign language stems from massive exposure to comprehensible listening and reading materials. It involves finding a series of materials that are moderately challenging (i+1, meaning slightly above your current level), interesting, and sufficient in quantity. Only through extensive input, akin to acquiring a sense of language as one does with their native tongue, can one naturally begin to speak and output the language.