IELTS - What book is best??
#1
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 174
From: St Andrews, Scotland...Brisbane Bound!!!!








I have my IELTS booked for 23rd January, just wondering which revision book is best??? Have seen a few but would appreciate some input from people who have already sat it and passed
L

L
#2
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 52

get your self the offical ielts book for the reading, speaking, litening.
for the writing look at this link http://www.youtube.com/user/EnglishRyan
then the ones you need to watch are
IELTS essay question analysis - What style of essay to write
IELTS Written essay from start to finish
IELTS discussion essay writing (part 1 of 5) all five parts
IELTS Argument Essay Writing 1 (1 of 4) all 4 of them
IELTS exam letter writing (part 3 of 3) all 3 of them
for the writing look at this link http://www.youtube.com/user/EnglishRyan
then the ones you need to watch are
IELTS essay question analysis - What style of essay to write
IELTS Written essay from start to finish
IELTS discussion essay writing (part 1 of 5) all five parts
IELTS Argument Essay Writing 1 (1 of 4) all 4 of them
IELTS exam letter writing (part 3 of 3) all 3 of them
#3
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,162
From: Adelaide











Are you a native English speaker? If so I wouldn't bother with the books.
I took mine a little while ago (general) and got a score of 9 overall with no revision at all. Someone else with me for 8.5 overall also with no revision.
Some of the people on my course who are not native speakers were getting very worked up because of some of the things the books said they should know, like what insolubrious meant!
I took mine a little while ago (general) and got a score of 9 overall with no revision at all. Someone else with me for 8.5 overall also with no revision.
Some of the people on my course who are not native speakers were getting very worked up because of some of the things the books said they should know, like what insolubrious meant!
#5
'Made in Ulster' Member










Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,578
From: Brisbane, QLD. (Though an Ulster girl through and through!)











Best not to be complacent
, afterall, it's not a cheap exam...do some study the week before. I used this book and am so thankful I did, as the actual test (General) was miles easier (obviously) than the Academic tests in this book:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/IELTS-Practi...1212846&sr=8-1
Good Luck
, afterall, it's not a cheap exam...do some study the week before. I used this book and am so thankful I did, as the actual test (General) was miles easier (obviously) than the Academic tests in this book:http://www.amazon.co.uk/IELTS-Practi...1212846&sr=8-1
Good Luck
#6
Are you a native English speaker? If so I wouldn't bother with the books.
I took mine a little while ago (general) and got a score of 9 overall with no revision at all. Someone else with me for 8.5 overall also with no revision.
Some of the people on my course who are not native speakers were getting very worked up because of some of the things the books said they should know, like what insolubrious meant!
I took mine a little while ago (general) and got a score of 9 overall with no revision at all. Someone else with me for 8.5 overall also with no revision.
Some of the people on my course who are not native speakers were getting very worked up because of some of the things the books said they should know, like what insolubrious meant!
With respect, I would definately do some revision. There is a technique to some parts of this exam. Pop along to your local library and pick up an assortment of books, all of which approach the exam from different teaching styles.
Good luck!
#7
For practice tests I think that Cambridge IELTS 1-6 are the best.
#8
I completely agree that its worthwhile making sure that you're familiar with the style and content. Some people will be able to go in with no prior knowledge of what they're facing, but I wouldn't want to have gone in completely blind.
You don't need to do much - just enough to you know the format.
You don't need to do much - just enough to you know the format.
#9
Try to buy "IELTS scores explained DVD" . Really valuable resource.
#10
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 174
From: St Andrews, Scotland...Brisbane Bound!!!!








Thanks for all your feedback, getting nervous already!!!
I was never any good at exams
I was never any good at exams
#12
As a native English speaker, you certainly don't need to worry about the speaking and there is probably not a great deal you can do about the writing either - other than brush up if you are not already good with grammar e.g use of apostrophe's and usage of there, they're and their type of thing.
Listening is not hard but you need to know what is expected and be completely focused whilst the section is being played, I dropped a half mark here as I just didn't hear something properly. For reading section I definitely recommend reading the text very carefully, you may see lots of advice on here not to read it in detail but that might be good advice for a non-native speaker who cannot read and comprehend as quickly as you will be able to.
I don't think you need to spend a long time on prep but it is definitely worth knowing what is coming and to have seen some examples.
Listening is not hard but you need to know what is expected and be completely focused whilst the section is being played, I dropped a half mark here as I just didn't hear something properly. For reading section I definitely recommend reading the text very carefully, you may see lots of advice on here not to read it in detail but that might be good advice for a non-native speaker who cannot read and comprehend as quickly as you will be able to.
I don't think you need to spend a long time on prep but it is definitely worth knowing what is coming and to have seen some examples.
#13
The thing I found with the reading section was making sure that if the specific answer wasn;t given - mark not given, regardless of whether you know the answer or not!
Listening is just making sure you stay focused as bermudashorts says - its not a time for daydreaming!
Listening is just making sure you stay focused as bermudashorts says - its not a time for daydreaming!
#14
Thread Starter
Forum Regular



Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 174
From: St Andrews, Scotland...Brisbane Bound!!!!








#15
Ah, I didn't realise it was the academic test. Big difference. In this case I highly recommend some practice, particularly in the reading section. It is more challenging than you might think. The book that Jen has recommended is one I got too (even though I only did the general test) and that might be a good idea.




