Justin, the Director of Studies at GV Byron Bay, has passed on some knowledge for the IELTS exam preparation. Here is some handy information about the speaking component of the exam.
Justin, GV Byron Bay's Director of Studies
IELTS test tips.
IELTS, the International English Language Testing System, is an upper-intermediate test of English communication. It can be used for University entry and emigration/ immigration around the English-speaking world and beyond. It measures your ability to communicate across the four language skills – reading, writing, listening and speaking through authentic and challenging tasks. With over 700,000 people taking this test annually, it is one of the fastest growing English tests in the world, trusted and accepted by over 4,000 organisations and faculties worldwide.
IELTS speaking: Phrasal verbs.
A phrasal verb is the combination of a basic verb and a preposition. When a basic verb and a preposition are put together and the meaning of the verb changes, we call that a phrasal verb. To sound more natural and fluent when you speak English, it is a great idea to try to learn and use them.
Have a look at this example:
Pick = to choose
Up = the direction of moving vertical
Pick up = to get someone or something from a location
Notice how the meanings of “Pick” and “Up” are changed when they are put together.
How to practise for the Speaking test:
Recording different topics.
When you are studying a topic in English, try and learn all the phrasal verbs that go with it. We have lots of worksheets that we can give you in GIL, so please feel free to use them or ask your GIL teacher for some more.
A good way to study for the speaking test is to make a list of them. For example, if you are learning about crime, make a note of:
To beat someone up.
To get away with a crime
To make off with some cash
To break into a shop.
To get away with cheating
To hold up* a bank.
To tip off* the police.
Grammar point.
*These phrasal verbs can be separated. You can say:
He held up the bank.
He held the bank up.
He held it up.
But not: He held up it.
We hope this helps, and if you are interested in doing an IELTS course please come and speak to the Director of Studies at any time.