1、British Council Bridgewater House 58 Whitworth Street Manchester M1 6BB United Kingdom Tel 44 161 957 7755 Fax 44 161 957 7762 e-mail ieltsbritishcouncil.org IDP: IELTS Australia GPO Box 2006 Canberra ACT 2601 Australia Tel 61 2 6285 8222 Fax 61 2 6285 3233 e-mail University of Cambridge ESOL Exami
2、nations 1 Hills Road Cambridge CB1 2EU United Kingdom Tel 44 1223 553355 Fax 44 1223 460278 e-mail ieltsucles.org.uk IELTS International 100 East Corson Street Suite 200 Pasadena, CA 91103 USA Tel 1 626 564 2954 Fax 1 626 564 2981 e-mail ieltsieltsintl.org Handbook 2005 www.ielts.org UCLES 2004 EMC/
3、1649/4Y09Introduction 2 What is IELTS? 2 Test Administration 2 Academic and General Training 2 Test Format 3 Preparing for the test 3 IEL TS T est Results 4 Test Scores 4 Test Report Form 4 Interpretation of Results 5 Test Modules 6 Listening 6 Reading 7 Writing 8 Speaking 11 Test Registration and A
4、dministration 13 Transferring answers to the Answer Sheet 14 Candidates with Special Needs 15 Other difficulties 15 Security of IELTS 16 Question Paper Development and Research 16 Test Centres 17 Specimen Materials order form 20 ContentsThis Handbook gives an overview of IELTS for teachers, administ
5、rators and other users, including staff in receiving organisations such as universities, professional registration boards and employers. It outlines the key features and administrative procedures for IELTS. The Handbook does not include complete samples of the tests components; these are given in th
6、e IELTS Specimen Materials pack, which can be bought from IELTS Test Centres, or from Cambridge ESOL or IDP:IELTS Australia (see page 20). Additional information is given in the IELTS Annual Review and on the IELTS website, www.ielts.org. What is IELTS? IELTS, the International English Language Test
7、ing System, is designed to assess the language ability of candidates who need to study or work where English is the language of communication. IELTS is jointly managed by the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL), British Council and IDP:IELTS Australia. IELTS conforms to the hi
8、ghest international standards of language assessment. It covers the four language skills listening, reading, writing and speaking. IELTS is recognised by universities and employers in many countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the USA. It is also recognised by professional
9、bodies, immigration authorities and other government agencies. IELTS is not recommended for candidates under the age of 16. T est Administration IELTS tests are administered at centres throughout the world there are currently nearly 300 centres, in over 100 countries. Centres supervise the local adm
10、inistration of the test and ensure the provision of qualified and trained examiners. A full list of centres is available on the IELTS website. Test centres run regular test administrations, according to local need and results are available within two weeks. Candidates receive only one copy of their
11、results but additional copies may be sent by the test centre directly to receiving organisations at the request of the candidate. Candidates are not allowed to repeat the test (Academic or General Training) within 90 days at any centre. Academic and General Training IELTS is available in two formats
12、 Academic and General Training. The Academic Reading and Writing Modules assess whether a candidate is ready to study or train in the medium of English at an undergraduate or postgraduate level. Admission to undergraduate and postgraduate courses is based on the results of these Modules. The General
13、 Training Reading and Writing Modules are not designed to test the full range of formal language skills required for academic purposes, but emphasise basic survival skills in a broad social and educational context. General Training is suitable for candidates who are going to English speaking countri
14、es to complete their secondary education, to undertake work experience or training programmes not at degree level, or for immigration purposes to Australia, Canada and New Zealand. It is the responsibility of the candidate to inform the test centre whether they wish to take the Academic or General T
15、raining Modules. Centres are not responsible for providing this information. The General Training module is not offered at all test administrations. 2 | IELTS Handbook 2005 IntroductionTest Format Candidates are tested in listening, reading, writing and speaking. All candidates take the same Listeni
16、ng and Speaking Modules. There is a choice between Academic and General Training in the Reading and Writing Modules. The tests are designed to cover the full range of ability from non- user to expert user. The first three modules Listening, Reading and Writing must be completed in one day. There is
17、no break between the modules. The Speaking Module may be taken, at the discretion of the test centre, in the period seven days before or after the other modules. A computerised version of IELTS Listening, Reading and Writing Modules (CBIELTS) is available at selected centres, but all centres will co
18、ntinue to offer paper-based IELTS and candidates will be given the choice of the medium in which they wish to take the test. Preparing for the test It is not necessary to attend an IELTS preparation course though it is, of course, a good idea to prepare thoroughly for the test. An order form is give
19、n at the end of this Handbook for a Specimen Materials Pack. This includes a full practice test with an answer key and a CD of the listening test, so that candidates can get some idea of their level and familiarise themselves with the format of the test. There is also a wide range of published prepa
20、ration materials. IELTS Handbook 2005 | 3 Listening Time: approximately 30 minutes Candidates listen to a number of recorded texts, which increase in difficulty as the test progresses. These include a mixture of monologues and conversations and feature a variety of English accents and dialects. The
21、recording is heard only once, but candidates are given time to read the questions and write down and check their answers. Academic Reading Time: 60 minutes There are three reading passages with tasks. Texts are taken from books, magazines, journals and newspapers, all written for a non- specialist a
22、udience. At least one of the texts contains a detailed argument. Academic Writing Time: 60 minutes For the first task, candidates write a report of around 150 words based on material found in a table or diagram, demonstrating their ability to describe and explain data. For the second task candidates
23、 write a short essay of around 250 words in response to an opinion or a problem. They are expected to demonstrate an ability to discuss issues, construct an argument and use the appropriate tone and register. General T raining Writing Time: 60 minutes The first task requires candidates to write a le
24、tter of around 150 words either asking for information or explaining a situation. The second task is a short essay of around 250 words, and is written in response to a given point of view or problem. Candidates are expected to be able to present their own ideas and challenge other ideas, using appro
25、priate tone and register. Speaking Time: 1114 minutes The test takes the form of a face to face interview. Candidates are assessed on their use of spoken English to answer short questions, speak at length on a familiar topic, and also to interact with the examiner. General Training Reading Time: 60
26、minutes The texts are based on the type of material candidates would be expected to encounter on a daily basis in an English speaking country. They are taken from sources such as newspapers, advertisements, instruction manuals and books, and test the candidates ability to understand and use informat
27、ion. The test includes one longer text, which is descriptive rather than argumentative.Marking is carried out at the test centre by trained examiners whose work is closely monitored. This ensures that test results are available without any administrative delay. Results are standardised and usually a
28、vailable within two weeks of the test, and Test Report Forms are sent to the candidates and to the sponsor(s)/receiving institution(s). Test centres are not permitted to give results out over the phone, nor by fax or e-mail. Test Scores IELTS provides a profile of a candidates ability to use English
29、. Candidates receive scores on a Band Scale from 1 to 9. A score is reported for each module of the test. The individual module scores are then averaged and rounded to produce an Overall Band Score according to a confidential band score conversion table. Overall Band Scores and Listening and Reading
30、 scores are reported in whole and half Bands; Writing and Speaking Band Scores are reported in whole Bands only. Test Report Form An example of the Test Report Form is shown on the right. Each module is reported separately as a Band Score, together with an Overall Band Score reported as a whole band
31、 or a half band. A descriptive statement giving a summary of the English of a candidate classified at each band level is provided below and is included on the reverse of the Test Report Form. IELTS band scores The completed Test Report Form bears a centre stamp, a validation stamp, the candidates ph
32、otograph and the authorised centre representatives signature, and the authenticity of any Test Report Form can be verified by means of the Test Report Form Verification Service located at https:/ielts.ucles.org.uk. British Council, IDP:IELTS Australia and Cambridge ESOL reserve the right to cancel a
33、ny Test Report Form in the event of any attempt to tamper with or misuse the information contained in it. 4 | IELTS Handbook 2005 IEL TS T est Results 9 Expert user Has fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent with complete understanding. 8 Very good user Has fully
34、 operational command of the language with only occasional unsystematic inaccuracies and inappropriacies. Misunderstandings may occur in unfamiliar situations. Handles complex detailed argumentation well. 7 Good user Has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappr
35、opriacies and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally handles complex language well and understands detailed reasoning. 6 Competent user Has generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings. Can use and understand fairly complex lan
36、guage, particularly in familiar situations. 5 Modest user Has partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most situations, though is likely to make many mistakes. Should be able to handle basic communication in own field. 4 Limited user Basic competence is limited to familiar sit
37、uations. Has frequent problems in understanding and expression. Is not able to use complex language. 3 Extremely limited user Conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent breakdowns in communication occur. 2 Intermittent user No real communication is possible ex
38、cept for the most basic information using isolated words or short formulae in familiar situations and to meet immediate needs. Has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English. 1 Non user Essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words. 0 Did not atte
39、mpt the test No assessable information provided.Interpretation of Results Assessment of performance in IELTS depends on how the candidates ability in English relates to the language demands of courses of study or training, not on reaching a fixed pass mark. The appropriate level required for a given
40、 course of study or training is ultimately something which institutions/departments/ colleges must decide in the light of knowledge of their own courses and their experience of overseas students taking them. The table below gives guidance on acceptable levels of performance for different courses. It
41、 should be noted, however, that many diverse variables can affect performance on courses, of which language ability is but one. Receiving organisations are advised to consider both the Overall Band Score and the Bands recorded for each individual module, which indicate the candidates particular stre
42、ngths or weaknesses. Language skills can be matched to particular courses. For example, if a course has a lot of reading and writing, but no lectures, listening comprehension might not be quite as important and a score of, perhaps, 5.5/ 6 in Listening might be acceptable if the Overall Band Score wa
43、s 7 . However, for a course where there are lots of lectures and spoken instructions a score of 5.5/ 6 in Listening might be unacceptable even though the Overall Band Score was 7 . Receiving organisations should also consider a candidates IELTS results in the context of a number of factors, includin
44、g age and motivation, educational and cultural background, first language and language learning history. For how long is a test score valid? There are a number of variables affecting the length of time over which an IELTS score remains valid. As a general rule it is recommended that a Test Report Fo
45、rm that is more than two years old should only be accepted as evidence of present level of ability if accompanied by proof that a candidate has actively maintained or tried to improve their English language proficiency. The IELTS test partners cannot verify results older than two years. What happens
46、 if a candidate loses their Test Report Form or requires further copies? Candidates are given one copy of their Test Report Form and this cannot be replaced. Candidates may request for up to five additional copies to be sent to receiving organisations. Additional copies sent to receiving organisatio
47、ns may incur an administrative fee. Test Report Forms for tests taken more than two years ago cannot be re-issued. What can a candidate do if they are unhappy with their results? Candidates may apply for an enquiry on results procedure at the centre at which they took their test within four weeks of
48、 issue of results. The candidates test material is re-marked. There is a fee for this which is refunded should the band score be increased. IELTS Handbook 2005 | 5 Band Linguistically demanding academic courses e.g. Medicine, Law, Linguistics, Journalism, Library Studies Linguistically less demandin
49、g academic courses e.g. Agriculture, Pure Mathematics, Technology, Computer-based work, Telecommunications Linguistically demanding training courses e.g. Air Traffic Control, Engineering, Pure Applied Sciences, Industrial Safety Linguistically less demanding training courses e.g. Animal Husbandry, Catering, Fire Services 7. 0 9.07 .5 6.0 Acceptable English study needed English study needed English study needed Acceptable English study needed Acceptable Probably Acceptable 6.5 5.5 Acceptable Probably Acceptable English study needed Acceptable Acceptable Ac
