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978-1-108-45049-2 — Cambridge IELTS 13 Academic Student's Book with Answers
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Introduction
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is widely recognised asa reliable means of assessing the language ability of candidates who need to study
or work where English is the language of communication. These Practice Tests aredesigned to give future IELTS candidates an idea of whether their English is at therequired level.
IELTS is owned by three partners: Cambridge English Language Assessment, part of
the University of Cambridge; the British Council; IDP Education Pty Limited (through its
subsidiary company, IELTS Australia Pty Limited). Further information on IELTS can befound on the IELTS website www.ielts.org.

WHAT IS THE TEST FORMAT?
IELTS consists of four components. All candidates take the same Listening and Speaking
tests. There is a choice of Reading and Writing tests according to whether a candidate istaking the Academic or General Training module.
AcademicFor candidates wishing to study atundergraduate or postgraduate levels,and for those seeking professional
registration.

General Training
For candidates wishing to migrate to an
English-speaking country (Australia, Canada,New Zealand, UK), and for those wishing totrain or study at below degree level.

The test components are taken in the following order:
Listening
4 sections, 40 items, approximately 30 minutes
Academic Reading
3 sections, 40 items
60 minutes

or

General Training Reading
3 sections, 40 items
60 minutes

Academic Writing
2 tasks
60 minutes

or

General Training Writing
2 tasks
60 minutes

Speaking
11 to 14 minutes
Total Test Time
2 hours 44 minutes

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978-1-108-45049-2 — Cambridge IELTS 13 Academic Student's Book with Answers
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Introduction

ACADEMIC TEST FORMAT
ListeningThis test consists of four sections, each with ten questions. The first two sections areconcerned with social needs. The first section is a conversation between two speakers andthe second section is a monologue. The final two sections are concerned with situations
related to educational or training contexts. The third section is a conversation between up tofour people and the fourth section is a monologue.
A variety of question types is used, including: multiple choice, matching, plan/map/
diagram labelling, form completion, note completion, table completion, flow-chart completion,summary completion, sentence completion and short-answer questions.
Candidates hear the recording once only and answer the questions as they listen. Ten
minutes are allowed at the end for candidates to transfer their answers to the answer sheet.

Reading
This test consists of three sections with 40 questions. There are three texts, which aretaken from journals, books, magazines and newspapers. The texts are on topics of generalinterest. At least one text contains detailed logical argument.
A variety of question types is used, including: multiple choice, identifying information(True/False/Not Given), identifying the writer’s views/claims (Yes/No/Not Given), matching
information, matching headings, matching features, matching sentence endings, sentencecompletion, summary completion, note completion, table completion, flow-chart completion,
diagram label completion and short-answer questions.

Writing
This test consists of two tasks. It is suggested that candidates spend about 20 minutes on
Task 1, which requires them to write at least 150 words, and 40 minutes on Task 2, which
requires them to write at least 250 words. Task 2 contributes twice as much as Task 1 to theWriting score.
Task 1 requires candidates to look at a diagram or some data (in a graph, table or chart)
and to present the information in their own words. They are assessed on their ability toorganise, present and possibly compare data, and are required to describe the stages of aprocess, describe an object or event, or explain how something works.
In Task 2, candidates are presented with a point of view, argument or problem. They areassessed on their ability to present a solution to the problem, present and justify an opinion,
compare and contrast evidence and opinions, and to evaluate and challenge ideas, evidenceor arguments.
Candidates are also assessed on their ability to write in an appropriate style. Moreinformation on assessing the Writing test, including Writing assessment criteria (publicversion), is available on the IELTS website.

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Introduction

Speaking
This test takes between 11 and 14 minutes and is conducted by a trained examiner.
There are three parts:

Part 1
The candidate and the examiner introduce themselves. Candidates then answer generalquestions about themselves, their home/family, their job/studies, their interests and a wide
range of similar familiar topic areas. This part lasts between four and five minutes.
Part 2The candidate is given a task card with prompts and is asked to talk on a particular topic.
The candidate has one minute to prepare and they can make some notes if they wish,
before speaking for between one and two minutes. The examiner then asks one or twoquestions on the same topic.
Part 3The examiner and the candidate engage in a discussion of more abstract issues which arethematically linked to the topic in Part 2. The discussion lasts between four and five minutes.
The Speaking test assesses whether candidates can communicate effectively in English.
The assessment takes into account Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, GrammaticalRange and Accuracy, and Pronunciation. More information on assessing the Speaking test,including Speaking assessment criteria (public version), is available on the IELTS website.

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