网友kj1205：I have had the ielts test in 11/10/2003,but my speaking is just 6.I plan to have another try on April24,how can I get 7 during these day's preparation?Thanks a lot!
John：Well, it's taken me longer to respond to this post than I intended. Thanks for waiting! :)
It seems to me that there are two different questions being asked here. The first is about the actual difference between a Band Six and a Band Seven score; the second is about what one should do to improve from a Band Six to a Band Seven. These questions are obviously related; understanding the first one can help you understand the second. Also, these questions are both ones that many students are concerned about, so I've taken some time in formulating my reply.
Let's start with the first question: What is the difference between a Band Six score and a Band Seven score on the IELTS Speaking Test?
It's instructive to start off by taking a look at the official definitions of a Band Six score and a Band Seven score, which can be found on the official IELTS site (a great resource, by the way):
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7 Good User
Has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies, inappropriacies 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 language, particularly in familiar situations.
(source: http://www.ielts.org/format.htm)
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It helps to look at these official definitions because, while they are not specific to the speaking exam, they represent the most authoritative description of what the different band scores mean.
Let's now take a look at the specific differences between a Six and a Seven, as outlined in the definitions. We can break it down to three differences:
1. While a Seven has "an operational command of the language", a Six has merely "generally effective command of the language".
2. While a Seven will have "occasional inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings", a Six will have "some inaccuracies, inappropriacies and misunderstandings".
3. While a Seven "Generally handles complex language well and understands detailed reasoning", a Six can "use and understand fairly complex language, particularly in familiar situations".
Of course, breaking it down like that is still a little complicated and vague, so let's summarize what these differences mean for the speaking test:
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1. A Seven can communicate basically any idea without difficulty, whereas a Six will more frequently struggle to get their meaning across.
2. Obvious grammar and vocabulary mistakes are a relatively unusual occurrence for a Seven, but they are a prominent part of a Six's speech.
3. A Seven will be able to deal effectively with the broad and abstract topics that come up in Part Three of the interview, even when those topics are relatively unfamiliar to them, whereas a Six is likely to have difficulty with complex issues that they are not familiar discussing.
And now for the second question: What can I do to improve my score on the IELTS Speaking test from a Band Six to a Band Seven?
First of all, take a look at the differences outlined above. Which of the three differences applies to you? All three of them? Just one? Which one? Think about what you could do to make yourself perform like a Seven in the speaking test, and, as I list my suggestions below, think about which areas you need to spend the most time on.
Above we listed the three main differences between a Six and a Seven. The next step is to look at three ways we can improve, based on the three differences. So here are three things you need to do to go from a Six to a Seven on the IELTS Speaking Test:
1. Get better at expressing your ideas in English
The best way to do this is to talk with others in English. It doesn't matter if you're talking with a Chinese partner or a native English speaker; if you're having trouble expressing ideas, the problem isn't your partner's, it's yours! So find a way to practice speaking English with a partner at least three times a week, and work on expressing your ideas in English.
2. Improve your grammar and vocabulary usage
The best way to to this is by imitating materials produced by native speakers. You can practice reading aloud or by imitating recordings (cassette tapes, CDs, or MP3s); it's best if you can do a mixture of both. By imitating proper grammar and vocabulary usage, you reinforce the patterns in your brain. Find a time to do this each and every day.
3. Learn to talk about complex issues in English
This is in many ways the biggest challenge, but there are several ways to go about practicing this. I would suggest following three steps: think, read, speak.
First, just simply think about some of the complex issues that come up in Part Three of the interview (you can find examples of topics on 51IELTS or in a variety of textbooks). What is your opinion on these issues? What might other people think about them?
Second, find some articles (online, or in books or magazines) related to some of the issues that come up in Part Three of the interview and read them. Do your opinions change when you read about the issue? What do you think of the author's opinion? (NOTE: The goal here is NOT to research all of the topics that might come up on the IELTS. Instead, your goal should simply be to practice thinking about these issues. In fact, you might even do some of your reading in Chinese!)
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Third, create opportunities to talk about the types of issues that come up in Part Three. Set up a time with a partner to have a debate about an issue. Do this at least once a week. The only way to learn how to talk about complex issues is to talk about them.
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If you're able to improve in these three areas, you should be able to make the climb from a Six to a Seven.
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This has been a very long post, so let me know if anything is confusing to you, and I'll be happy to discuss it in more detail.
John