INTRODUCTION to IELTS READING TESTSINTRODUCTION to IELTS READING TESTS

Three reading passages have to be done within 60 minutes.Three reading passages have to be done within 60 minutes.Each reading passage takes from 12 to 14 questions.Each reading passage takes from 12 to 14 questions.

The topics are large or unlimited from books, journals, The topics are large or unlimited from books, journals, magazines and newspapers, with a total length of 2,000 – magazines and newspapers, with a total length of 2,000 –

2,800 words.2,800 words.There are about 9 question types. There are about 9 question types.

Short questionsShort questions Multiple choiceMultiple choice Matching headings or listsMatching headings or lists Viewpoint questions (consider the viewpoint of the writer – Viewpoint questions (consider the viewpoint of the writer –

True/False/Not Given or Yes/No/No Information)True/False/Not Given or Yes/No/No Information) classification classification Notes, summary sentnce or gap fill completionNotes, summary sentnce or gap fill completion Diagram completion and labellingDiagram completion and labelling Table completionTable completion Flow chart completionFlow chart completion

READING TECHNIQUESREADING TECHNIQUES

A.A. SKIMMINGSKIMMING

1.1. Read the title if anyRead the title if any

2.2. Read the heading of each section if anyRead the heading of each section if any

3.3. Read the topic sentence (the topic sentence may be Read the topic sentence (the topic sentence may be the first, or the second sentence in the para.)the first, or the second sentence in the para.)

4.4. If the next sentence begins with “yet, but, still, If the next sentence begins with “yet, but, still, however, rather” or “instead”, keep your reading.however, rather” or “instead”, keep your reading.

5.5. If a paragraph begins with “however”, you may If a paragraph begins with “however”, you may read the last sentence of the previous paragraph. read the last sentence of the previous paragraph.

6. Link the ideas of each paragraph together to have an 6. Link the ideas of each paragraph together to have an overall picture of the passageoverall picture of the passage

7. Go the questions. Read question 1 and identify what 7. Go the questions. Read question 1 and identify what paragraph this question belongs to. paragraph this question belongs to.

8. Focus on the key words or phrases that tell the 8. Focus on the key words or phrases that tell the meaning of the question.meaning of the question.

B. SCANNINGB. SCANNING

11..Go back to the very paragraph that states the Go back to the very paragraph that states the information needed for your answer.information needed for your answer.

2. Read for details. / Scan for details.2. Read for details. / Scan for details.

3. Now you choose the best choice for your answer.3. Now you choose the best choice for your answer.

Please, follow these tips!Please, follow these tips! Find explanations right after : / ; / _ / ( ) / ,Find explanations right after : / ; / _ / ( ) / , Technical terms are always explained right Technical terms are always explained right

after the terms.after the terms. Guess new words or phrases by looking at Guess new words or phrases by looking at

their positions in the sentence:their positions in the sentence: If a word or a phrase is at the front of the If a word or a phrase is at the front of the

sentence, read the previous one.sentence, read the previous one. If a word or a phrase is at the back of the If a word or a phrase is at the back of the

sentence, read the next one. sentence, read the next one. If aIf a word or a phrase is in the middle, read both – word or a phrase is in the middle, read both –

the previous and the post.the previous and the post.

EXAMPLESEXAMPLES The circulation of air in the earth atmosphere is The circulation of air in the earth atmosphere is

activated by activated by convectionconvection, , the transference of heat the transference of heat from the fact that warm gases or fluids rise while from the fact that warm gases or fluids rise while cold gases or fluids sink.cold gases or fluids sink.

A second approach began to emergeA second approach began to emerge in the 19in the 19thth century was that of century was that of “universalism”.“universalism”. It stressed that It stressed that all people in society should be entitled to certain all people in society should be entitled to certain benefits.benefits.

Conservative doctors are worried that new drugs are Conservative doctors are worried that new drugs are merely merely placebosplacebos (“medicine” that have no medical (“medicine” that have no medical effect but may benefit the patient psychologically).effect but may benefit the patient psychologically).

For thousands of years, mankind has been For thousands of years, mankind has been dependent upon the windsdependent upon the winds:: they brought rain to the they brought rain to the land and carried ships across the sea.land and carried ships across the sea.

In Western modern societies, no form of clothing In Western modern societies, no form of clothing does not feel the impact of fashiondoes not feel the impact of fashion:: fashion sets the fashion sets the terms of all dress behavior terms of all dress behavior –– even nuns have even nuns have shortened their skirts, and even the poor seldom go shortened their skirts, and even the poor seldom go in rags in rags ((they wear cheap versions of the fashion that they wear cheap versions of the fashion that went out a few years ago found in second-hand went out a few years ago found in second-hand shops and jumble salesshops and jumble sales)). .

TIPS FOR WRITING TASK 2TIPS FOR WRITING TASK 2

1.1. Do notDo not begin a composition with ‘As you know, …’begin a composition with ‘As you know, …’

2.2. Make sure that the information after ‘Today, Nowadays’ Make sure that the information after ‘Today, Nowadays’ is is new, surprising, shocking, or interesting.new, surprising, shocking, or interesting.

3.3. Do not use ‘so’ in academic formal writing. Instead write Do not use ‘so’ in academic formal writing. Instead write ‘‘thus, therefore or hencethus, therefore or hence’.’.

4.4. Better write ‘Better write ‘likelike’ or ‘:’, instead of ‘’ or ‘:’, instead of ‘such assuch as’.’.

5.5. Use ‘Use ‘sufficiensufficient’ rather than ‘t’ rather than ‘enoughenough’.’.

6.6. Do not use ‘contraction’ like ‘ don’t, isn’t, can’t’ or Do not use ‘contraction’ like ‘ don’t, isn’t, can’t’ or ‘won’t’. Write the full form: ‘do not, is not, cannot,’ or ‘won’t’. Write the full form: ‘do not, is not, cannot,’ or ‘will not’.‘will not’.

* Don’t make a long introductory paragraph.* Don’t make a long introductory paragraph.

* Don’t repeat the topic. * Don’t repeat the topic.

* Don’t repeat the same words or phrases * Don’t repeat the same words or phrases throughout your writing. Make good use of throughout your writing. Make good use of synonyms and possibly use antonyms synonyms and possibly use antonyms

* Count your words while you are writing.* Count your words while you are writing.

* Don’t use restatements.* Don’t use restatements.

* Don’t submit an essay with a too long * Don’t submit an essay with a too long conclusion. conclusion.

TOPIC SENTENCETOPIC SENTENCE

WHAT IS THE TOPIC SENTENCE?WHAT IS THE TOPIC SENTENCE?

1.1. The first sentence of a paragraph.The first sentence of a paragraph.

2.2. It consists of two parts: the topic & the controlling idea.It consists of two parts: the topic & the controlling idea.

What is the controlling idea? What is the controlling idea?

It’s the opinion or the attitude of the writer about the topic. It’s the opinion or the attitude of the writer about the topic. In other words, it tells what the writer thinks about the In other words, it tells what the writer thinks about the topic.topic.

3. It just looks at one side of an issue.3. It just looks at one side of an issue.

4. The topic sentence may be the 1st, the 2nd or even the 3rd 4. The topic sentence may be the 1st, the 2nd or even the 3rd sentence, but very rarely the 4sentence, but very rarely the 4thth

TOPIC SENTENCETOPIC SENTENCETopic + Controlling idea Topic + Controlling idea used to check the unity of used to check the unity of

the supporting ideasthe supporting ideas

Or Topic + Controlling idea Or Topic + Controlling idea writer’s attitude/ opinion/ treatment towards the topicwriter’s attitude/ opinion/ treatment towards the topic

Supporting ideas = explanations: to explain the Supporting ideas = explanations: to explain the

controlling idea controlling idea

Examples to illustrate the explanations Examples to illustrate the explanations

THESIS STATEMENTTHESIS STATEMENT

WHAT IS THE THESIS STATEMENT?WHAT IS THE THESIS STATEMENT?

1.1. It’s almost the last sentence in the introductory paragraph.It’s almost the last sentence in the introductory paragraph.

2.2. It consists of three parts: the topic, controlling idea, and It consists of three parts: the topic, controlling idea, and how many paragraphs there are in the body of an essay – It how many paragraphs there are in the body of an essay – It shows how the topic will be developed. shows how the topic will be developed.

3.3. It looks at different sides of an issue. It looks at different sides of an issue.

4.4. Therefore, while the topic sentence is for one paragraph, Therefore, while the topic sentence is for one paragraph, the thesis statement is for the whole essay. the thesis statement is for the whole essay.

STYLES OF WRITING TASK 2STYLES OF WRITING TASK 2There are three styles, they are all analysis and There are three styles, they are all analysis and

argumentative essays.argumentative essays.

1.1. A statement (a saying) or viewpoint is given, A statement (a saying) or viewpoint is given, candidates are asked analyze it, to give their own candidates are asked analyze it, to give their own opinions, then say whether they agree with it. opinions, then say whether they agree with it.

2.2. Two opposing views are stated, candidates have to Two opposing views are stated, candidates have to make a choice. Then they have to explain their make a choice. Then they have to explain their option. option.

3.3. A problem is raised, candidates’ task is to analyze A problem is raised, candidates’ task is to analyze it (pinpoint the cause(s), give opinion, and suggest it (pinpoint the cause(s), give opinion, and suggest solution. solution.

HOW TO COMPOSE YOUR WRITINGHOW TO COMPOSE YOUR WRITING

A. INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPHA. INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH

Remember to write a thesis statement likeRemember to write a thesis statement like

‘‘personally/ in my opinion/ I think’ … personally/ in my opinion/ I think’ …

‘‘I totally (dis)agree/ completely (dis)agree/ partly I totally (dis)agree/ completely (dis)agree/ partly (dis)agree with it due to the following reasons: …(dis)agree with it due to the following reasons: …

‘‘I prefer … for the reasons…’I prefer … for the reasons…’

B. BODYB. BODY

Para.1Para.1:: Firstly/ to begin with/ the first reason/ factor I Firstly/ to begin with/ the first reason/ factor I would mention here is …Besides/ further more/ in would mention here is …Besides/ further more/ in addition/ additionallyaddition/ additionally

Para.2Para.2: : Secondly, the next reason, factor / another Secondly, the next reason, factor / another reason/ factor to be discussed here is … Moreover/ reason/ factor to be discussed here is … Moreover/ What is more,…What is more,…

Para.3Para.3: The last reason is … / Finally, …/ The last but : The last reason is … / Finally, …/ The last but not least,…/not least,…/

C. C. ConclusionConclusion

(Do not create a too long paragraph) (Do not create a too long paragraph)

* * Not more than two sentences) Not more than two sentences)

* Make a summary for the analysis in the body* Make a summary for the analysis in the body

* Lesson learned from the analysis* Lesson learned from the analysis

* Give suggestions * Give suggestions

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION (Continued) (Continued)

To summarize,To summarize,

In short,In short,

Briefly speaking,Briefly speaking,

After all,After all,

To conclude,To conclude,

All in all, All in all,

ILLUSTRATIONILLUSTRATION

Introductory paragraphIntroductory paragraph

Smoking has been a constant public controversial Smoking has been a constant public controversial topic. While smokers believe they smoke because topic. While smokers believe they smoke because they feel great needs to smoke (relaxation, romantic they feel great needs to smoke (relaxation, romantic look, inspiration, and business…), non-smokers look, inspiration, and business…), non-smokers argue that smoking is terrible. In my opinion, argue that smoking is terrible. In my opinion, smokingsmoking is really is really a bad habita bad habit due to these reasons: due to these reasons: (1) harm to health(1) harm to health, , (2) a waste of money, (3) and an (2) a waste of money, (3) and an offense to law.offense to law. This is the thesis statement.This is the thesis statement.

Paragraph 1: Paragraph 1: Topic sentenceTopic sentence

To begin with To begin with (1)(1) smoking is very harmful to healthsmoking is very harmful to health of of both active and passive smokers.both active and passive smokers.

Supporting ideasSupporting ideas = = ExplanationsExplanations • SmokersSmokers: Nicotine in the tobacco affects the teeth, : Nicotine in the tobacco affects the teeth,

the throat the bronchitis, lungs, liver…the throat the bronchitis, lungs, liver… sicknesses: mouth odor, inflammation of the throat, sicknesses: mouth odor, inflammation of the throat, the mucous membrane of the bronchi and even the mucous membrane of the bronchi and even cancercancer

• Non-smokersNon-smokers: The affects are more serious; they : The affects are more serious; they breathe in the smoke that they never breathe out. breathe in the smoke that they never breathe out.

Examples to illustrate the explanationsExamples to illustrate the explanations

Paragraph 2: Topic sentenceParagraph 2: Topic sentence

Secondly, Secondly, (2)(2) smokingsmoking is considered is considered the fastest way to the fastest way to burn moneyburn money. .

Supporting ideas = explanationsSupporting ideas = explanations

* One cigarette = VND 1,000 * One cigarette = VND 1,000 10 cigarettes per day 10 cigarettes per day = VND 10,000 = VND 10,000 one week one week one month one month one one yearyear 30 years 30 years

* Moreover, furniture is damaged by ash; costs for * Moreover, furniture is damaged by ash; costs for shampooing, drying and buying new one are high.shampooing, drying and buying new one are high.

* Pays for health cares are not a little.* Pays for health cares are not a little.

Examples to illustrate the explanations Examples to illustrate the explanations

Paragraph 3: Topic sentence Paragraph 3: Topic sentence

Finally, (3) smoking especially smoking in public Finally, (3) smoking especially smoking in public places is viewed as breaking law. places is viewed as breaking law.

Supporting ideas = explanations Supporting ideas = explanations

* Smoking annoys others.* Smoking annoys others.

* It harms others’ health because they do not * It harms others’ health because they do not volunteer to smoke.volunteer to smoke.

* It pollutes the environment that the government * It pollutes the environment that the government and other green people are trying to protectand other green people are trying to protect

Examples to illustrate the explanationsExamples to illustrate the explanations

ConclusionConclusion

Briefly speaking / All in allBriefly speaking / All in all, smoking produces no , smoking produces no advantages, but terrible harms to both men and advantages, but terrible harms to both men and environment. Therefore, the government and the environment. Therefore, the government and the relevant authorities have to take actions to ban relevant authorities have to take actions to ban smoking and warn the public of its destructive smoking and warn the public of its destructive impacts, especially to prevent young people from impacts, especially to prevent young people from involving in this negative habit.involving in this negative habit.

From Ms. NgoThi Bach Loan- M.A in From Ms. NgoThi Bach Loan- M.A in TESOLTESOL