CONFUSED BETWEEN IELTS ACADEMIC AND GENERAL TRAINING?

A number of aspirants aren't sure about which type of IELTS they need to take, i.e. the never-ending confusion between Academic and General Training.

Well, the simplistic answer behind this lies in the fact that for what purpose you are appearing for IELTS.

If a candidate does IELTS for getting admission into certain courses in English speaking countries or for any professional registration, he/she needs to appear in IELTS ACADEMIC. On the other hand, if you are doing it for migration purposes or for permanently residing in any English speaking nation, you will appear for IELTS-GT.

Basically, IELTS constitutes four modules:

• LISTENING
• READING
• WRITING
• SPEAKING

LISTENING: In this module, you will hear audio recordings afterward, you have to answer 40 questions divided into 4 sections separately. This lasts between 30-40 minutes and you are provided with 10 minutes, in the end, to transfer the answers on the final answer booklet.

SPEAKING: Here, you are interviewed by an examiner and this lasts between 11-15 minutes. The interview comprises three parts namely introductory section, cue card section, and cross-questioning round.

ABOVE MENTIONED TWO MODULES ARE EXACTLY THE SAME IN BOTH ACADEMIC AND GT TESTS; HOWEVER, THE SOLE DIFFERENCE LIES IN WRITING TASK 1 AND READING.

I will start off with reading and then move onto the writing task 

ACADEMIC READING:

1.  It has three long passages and each carries 13-14 questions.
2. Academic style written text(  textbook extracts or journal articles)
3. Text related to academic topics like science, history, sociology etcetera.

GENERAL TRAINING READING:

1. First two passages are further classified into sub passages but the last and third passage is as lengthy as academic passage.
2. More generalized styled texts.
3. Text related to societal survival (advertisements, job descriptions, travel brochures, etc.

One hour is provided to complete the reading in both cases and both readings have 40 questions in total.

LET'S MOVE ONTO WRITING SECTION:

Here, essay writing remains the same in both types of tests but the major differentiation lies in TASK 1. In ACADEMIC IELTS, students write report but in GT, letter writing is to be done.

LETTER WRITING IN GENERAL TRAINING:

In general, three types of letters are there:

• FORMAL LETTER
• SEMI-FORMAL LETTER
• INFORMAL LETTER

FORMAL LETTER WRITING: Such letters are written to some management or organizations which exercise direct authority on you. These are usually written for one of the following reasons,

1. Asking for advice/ assistance /compensatory amount.
2. Expressing complaints about something.
3. For applying or resigning from a designated position.
4. To make some requests.
5. For expressing appreciation.

THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS WHICH MUST BE KEPT IN MIND WHILE WRITING AN IELTS FORMAL LETTER WITH REGARDS TO:

• GREETINGS AND SIGNING OFF
• OPENING AND CLOSING STATEMENTS
• PARAGRAPHING AND STRUCTURE
• TONE OF WRITTEN TEXT

FORMAL STYLE GREETING AND SIGNING OFF

 Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing this letter to express my gratitude for.........

I look forward to.......

Yours faithfully,

ABC

OPENING AND CLOSING STATEMENTS

• I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with...
• I am writing this letter with regards to.
• I am writing in response to

     CLOSING STATEMENTS:

1. I would like to thank you in advance for
2. Thank you for giving your attention to this complaint/matter
3. A prompt revert would be highly appreciable.
4. I hope you would take this matter into your account.

SEMI-FORMAL LETTER WRITING: This letter is written to a person or organization you are not familiar with but holds higher position or designation than you. The person or organization even doesn't exercise any direct authority on you.

SEMI-FORMAL STYLE GREETING AND SIGNING OFF:

Dear Mr. Smith,

I am writing to express my gratitude in regards to ....

I am highly looking forward .....

Yours sincerely,

John Thomas

REQUESTS IN SUCH LETTERS SHOULD BE MADE IN A POLITE TONE RATHER THAN ASKING STRAIGHTFORWARD QUESTIONS.

I would like to claim this item and I kindly request you send me the details about how  I should proceed further. Instead of How should I proceed?'

SOME OTHER STATEMENTS COULD BE:

• Could you tell/inform me what I should do/who I should contact? etc.
• I would like to know how long these proceedings may take?
• I would be grateful if you could/would

INFORMAL LETTER WRITING: These letters are written to a friend, relative or any family member whom you are familiar with.

GREETINGS AND SIGNING OFF FOR INFORMAL LETTER:

1. Hello! hope you are doing well
2. Hello, how are you? I am pretty well and hope you are sailing in the same boat/ hope you are in pink of your health.
3. I hope this letter finds you in high spirits.

SIGNING OFF:

1. Pay in my regards to lovely....
2. Hope to see you soon
3. I can not wait to hear from you
4. I am looking forward to seeing you again.
5. Let me know what your plannings are