What is the test format for IELTS general training
The IELTS general training tests are designed to gauge your knowledge in the language of English, and it does so through a series of four different tests. These are listening, writing, reading, and speaking. Needless to say that each one of them has a different test format and having acute knowledge about these formats can help you get ahead in these tests. In this article, we will give you all the details about the IELTS general training test formats.
Listening
For this test, you are required to listen to a few pieces of conversation or monologues and reply to a few questions based on them. Each of the pieces is different from the other and the first two are set in a social context, whereas the remaining two are set in an educational context. The total number of questions you are required to answer is 40, they are in multiple-choice formats, and each of them carries one mark. You will be writing the answers as you listen to the pieces within a period of 30 minutes.
Writing
This is the simplest of the tests. You will be provided with two questions, one a letter and the other an essay, which you have to complete within a total time of 60 minutes. The letter is usually a response to a certain situation, it can be either formal or informal, and needs to be around 150 words in length. The topic of the essay is mostly regarding a situation in which your point of view will need to be explained. It is around 250 words in length.
Reading
This is also an hour long test, comprising of three different segments. The first section consists of a few short text materials; the second section holds two moderately-sized texts, and the third section holds only one large piece of text. You are required to read the text and answer a set of 40 questions, each one of which holds one mark. The questions are of varied types such as MCQs, matching, completing sentences, etc.
Speaking
This is basically an interview and it takes about 10 to 15 minutes. First, the test taker has to present themselves and they are asked general questions about family or work etc. Then they are made to randomly choose a topic on which they will have to speak for around four to five minutes, and lastly, the interviewer asks the person a few questions on the topic chosen.
