The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS: A Reliable and Authoritative Source for IELTS Academic and General Training
The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS: A Comprehensive Resource for IELTS Preparation
If you are planning to take the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam, you might be wondering how to prepare for it effectively. There are many books, courses, websites, and apps that claim to help you achieve your desired band score, but how do you know which one is right for you?
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One of the most recommended books for IELTS preparation is The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS. This book is perfect for students at level 4.0 and above who want to improve their language skills and exam techniques for both General Training and Academic Modules. In this article, we will give you an overview of what this book offers, what are its benefits, and how you can get it in PDF or audio format.
Overview of the book
The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS is a comprehensive resource that covers all aspects of the IELTS exam. It consists of 398 pages and was published by Cambridge University Press in 2014. It is written by Pauline Cullen, Amanda French, and Vanessa Jakeman, who are experienced IELTS teachers and examiners.
The book has four main sections that focus on each skill tested in IELTS: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Each section has eight units that provide essential skill-building exercises and focus on exam strategy. The book also includes eight official practice tests with answers and explanations, as well as video and audio content that can be accessed through the DVD-ROM or the app.
Here are some of the main features and contents of each section of the book:
Listening skills
The listening section of the book helps you improve your listening skills and strategies for the IELTS exam. It covers topics such as:
Getting ready to listen: How to prepare yourself mentally and physically for the listening test, how to use the time before the recording starts, and how to predict the content and context of the recording.
Following a conversation: How to follow a dialogue between two or more speakers, how to identify the speakers and their roles, and how to recognize paraphrase and synonyms.
Places and directions: How to listen for information about locations, directions, maps, and plans, and how to transfer the information to a visual form.
Listening for actions and processes: How to listen for sequences of actions or steps in a process, how to identify the main stages and details, and how to complete flowcharts, diagrams, or tables.
Attitude and opinion: How to listen for the speakers' attitudes, opinions, feelings, and intentions, how to distinguish between facts and opinions, and how to answer questions that require inference or deduction.
Following a lecture or talk: How to follow a monologue on an academic topic, how to identify the main points and supporting details, and how to deal with unfamiliar vocabulary or concepts.
Contrasting ideas: How to listen for contrasting or opposing ideas, how to recognize markers of contrast or comparison, and how to answer questions that require comparison or evaluation.
Reading skills
The reading section of the book helps you improve your reading skills and strategies for the IELTS exam. It covers topics such as:
Reading strategies: How to approach different types of texts, how to skim for general understanding, how to scan for specific information, and how to read for detail.
Descriptive passages: How to read texts that describe people, places, things, or events, how to identify the main idea and supporting details, and how to answer questions that require matching or locating information.
Understanding main ideas: How to read texts that present an argument or a point of view, how to identify the main idea and the writer's purpose, and how to answer questions that require identifying or summarizing main ideas.
Discursive passages: How to read texts that discuss different aspects of a topic, how to identify the structure and organization of the text, and how to answer questions that require multiple-choice or true/false/not given answers.
Cohesion and coherence: How to read texts that use cohesive devices such as pronouns, conjunctions, or reference words, how to follow the logical connections between sentences and paragraphs, and how to answer questions that require completing sentences or notes.
Vocabulary in context: How to read texts that use a range of vocabulary related to a topic, how to guess the meaning of unknown words from context clues, and how to answer questions that require matching words or phrases with definitions or synonyms.
Understanding inference: How to read texts that imply or suggest information rather than state it explicitly, how to infer the writer's attitude, opinion, or intention, and how to answer questions that require inference or deduction.
Analyzing argument: How to read texts that present an argument or a point of view, how to analyze the writer's use of evidence, examples, or rhetorical devices, and how to answer questions that require evaluation or critique.
Writing skills
The writing section of the book helps you improve your writing skills and strategies for both General Training and Academic Modules of the IELTS exam. It covers topics such as:
Writing task 1 overview: How to understand the requirements of writing task 1 for both General Training and Academic Modules, how to analyze different types of input data (such as letters, graphs, charts, tables, diagrams), and how to plan your response.
Writing task 2 overview: How to understand the requirements of writing task 2 for both General Training and Academic Modules, how to analyze different types of essay questions (such as opinion, discussion, problem-solution), and how to plan your response.
Writing skills
The writing section of the book helps you improve your writing skills and strategies for both General Training and Academic Modules of the IELTS exam. It covers topics such as:
Writing task 1 overview: How to understand the requirements of writing task 1 for both General Training and Academic Modules, how to analyze different types of input data (such as letters, graphs, charts, tables, diagrams), and how to plan your response.
Writing task 2 overview: How to understand the requirements of writing task 2 for both General Training and Academic Modules, how to analyze different types of essay questions (such as opinion, discussion, problem-solution), and how to plan your response.
Describing data: How to write a report on data presented in a graph, chart, table, or diagram for Academic Module writing task 1. It covers topics such as selecting relevant information, organizing your report into paragraphs, using appropriate language to describe trends, changes, comparisons, and proportions, and writing a clear overview and conclusion.
Describing a process: How to write a report on a process or a sequence of events for Academic Module writing task 1. It covers topics such as identifying the main stages and details of the process, using appropriate language to describe actions, order, and time, and writing a clear overview and conclusion.
Writing a letter: How to write a letter for General Training Module writing task 1. It covers topics such as identifying the purpose and tone of the letter, using appropriate language to open and close the letter, organizing your letter into paragraphs, and writing a clear introduction and conclusion.
Writing an essay: How to write an essay for both General Training and Academic Modules writing task 2. It covers topics such as identifying the main idea and supporting points of the essay question, developing your arguments with relevant examples and evidence, using appropriate language to express your opinion, compare and contrast, or propose solutions, and writing a clear introduction and conclusion.
Speaking skills
The speaking section of the book helps you improve your speaking skills and strategies for the IELTS exam. It covers topics such as:
Speaking test overview: How to understand the format and criteria of the speaking test, how to prepare yourself mentally and physically for the test, and how to deal with common problems or difficulties.
Part 1: Introduction and interview: How to introduce yourself confidently and answer personal questions on familiar topics such as your family, work, studies, hobbies, etc. It covers topics such as using appropriate language to give personal information, express likes and dislikes, preferences and opinions, and extend your answers with reasons and examples.
Part 2: Individual long turn: How to talk about a topic given by the examiner for one to two minutes without interruption. It covers topics such as using appropriate language to describe people, places, things or events, organize your talk into a clear structure with an introduction and conclusion, use notes effectively, and cope with hesitation or uncertainty.
Part 3: Two-way discussion: How to engage in a discussion with the examiner on more abstract issues related to the topic in Part 2. It covers topics such as using appropriate language to express your views, agree or disagree, compare or contrast, speculate or hypothesize, justify or evaluate, and develop your answers with reasons and examples.
Practice tests
Video and audio content
The book also offers you access to video and audio content that can help you prepare better for the IELTS exam. The video and audio content includes:
17 speaking test videos that show you how a real IELTS examiner and candidates interact in the speaking test. You can watch different candidates with different levels of performance and learn from their strengths and weaknesses. You can also see how the examiner assesses the candidates and gives feedback.
Audio recordings for the listening exercises and practice tests that simulate the actual listening test conditions. You can listen to a variety of accents and topics and practise your listening skills and strategies.
You can access the video and audio content in two ways:
Through the DVD-ROM that comes with the book. You can use the DVD-ROM on your computer or TV and watch or listen to the content at your own pace.
Through the app that you can download for free from iTunes or Google Play. You can use the app on your smartphone or tablet and access the content anytime and anywhere.
Benefits of the book
The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS is not just another IELTS book. It has many benefits that make it stand out from other IELTS resources. Here are some of them:
Suitable for all levels
The book is suitable for students of all bands (4.0 and above), which means you can use it regardless of your current level of English or your target band score. The book provides you with a range of essential skill-building exercises and a focus on exam strategy that can help you improve your language skills and test performance. The book also allows you to choose how much or how little language development you need, depending on your strengths and weaknesses.
Flexible and easy to use
The book is flexible and easy to use, which means you can use it in different ways according to your preferences and needs. You can use the book section by section, or choose the parts you need, when you need them. You can also use the book for self-study or in a classroom setting, with or without a teacher. The book provides clear explanations, examples, tips, advice, and answer keys to help you learn and improve your score.
Reliable and authoritative
The book is reliable and authoritative, which means you can trust its quality and accuracy. The book reflects the latest research and expertise from Cambridge English Language Assessment, the makers of IELTS. The book also includes official IELTS tests that provide you with realistic and authentic practice for both General Training and Academic Modules of the IELTS exam.
How to get the book
If you are interested in getting The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS, you have two options: buying or downloading it.
Buying options
If you want to buy the book with DVD-ROM or app access, you can do so from various online platforms such as:
Amazon.com: You can buy the book with DVD-ROM for $39.99 or with app access for $44.99.
Cambridge.org: You can buy the book with DVD-ROM for 42.50 or with app access for 47.50.
Oxford House Barcelona: You can buy the book with DVD-ROM for 49.95 or with app access for 54.95.
Downloading options
If you want to download the book in PDF or audio format, you can do so from various websites such as:
9IELTS.com: You can download the book in PDF format for free or with a subscription.
IELTSPortal.com: You can download the book in PDF format for free or with a subscription.
Cambridge.es: You can download the app containing all the video and audio content for free from iTunes or Google Play.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS is a comprehensive resource that covers all aspects of the IELTS exam. It helps you improve your language skills and exam techniques for both General Training and Academic Modules. It also provides you with realistic and authentic practice tests, as well as video and audio content that can help you prepare better for the exam. You can buy or download the book in different formats and access it in different ways. If you are looking for a reliable and authoritative guide to IELTS, this book is for you.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS with brief answers:
Q: How many pages does the book have?A: The book has 398 pages.
Q: How many practice tests does the book include?A: The book includes eight official practice tests.
Q: How can I access the video and audio content?A: You can access the video and audio content through the DVD-ROM that comes with the book or through the app that you can download for free from iTunes or Google Play.
Q: What is the difference between the DVD-ROM and the app?A: The DVD-ROM contains all the video and audio content that accompanies the book, while the app contains all the video and audio content plus sample skills training material and a reading skills guide that you can buy separately.
Q: Where can I buy or download the book?A: You can buy the book with DVD-ROM or app access from various online platforms such as Amazon.com, Cambridge.org, or Oxford House Barcelona. You can also download the book in PDF or audio format from various websites such as 9IELTS.com, IELTSPortal.com, or Cambridge.es.
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