IELTS introduction and basic grammar

IELTS Introduction

Listening ( 30 min.) 10 Questions in each section

Types of questions asked :
Multiple Choices
Short Answer Questions
Sentence Completion
Matching
Classification etc.

Reading (60 min.) 40 Questions in all
Types of questions asked :

Academic
General
Multiple Choice
Multiple Choice
Short Answer Questions
Short Answer Questions
Sentence Completion
Sentence Completion
Labelling a Diagram
Labelling a Diagram
Choosing Suitable Paragraph headings
Choosing Suitable Paragraph headings
True or False
True or False
Writing (60 min.) 2 Tasks

Speaking (11 – 14 min.) 3 parts

How is IELTS Scored?

Day 2

THE SENTENCE
What is a Sentence?
A group of words like this, which makes complete sense, is called a Sentence.
Kinds of Sentences:
Declarative or Assertive sentence.
Interrogative sentence.
Imperative sentence.
Exclamatory sentence.

Examples of Sentences:
(1) Those which make statements or assertions; as, Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.
(2) Those which ask questions; as Where do you live?
(3) Those which express commands, requests, or entreaties; as, Be quiet. Have mercy upon us.
(4) Those which express strong feelings; as, How cold the night is! What a shame!

PARTS OF A SENTENCE
SUBJECT
The subject is the person, thing or topic which the sentence deals with. To discover the subject, ask who or what before the verb, e.g. in the sentence The house stands on the hill, what stands on the hill? Answer: the house.
Examples: The house stands on the hill.
It overlooks the plain.
PREDICATE
The predicate is all of the sentence except the subject.
Examples: The house stands on the hill.
It overlooks the plain.
OBJECT
The object is the person, thing or topic upon which the subject carries out the
Action of the verb. To discover the object, ask who or what after the verb, e.g. the house overlooks what? Answer: the plain.
Examples: The house overlooks the plain.
I see him clearly.
He watches himself carefully.
In some cases a whole clause can act as object.
Example: He said that the Green Knight was really orange.
Sometimes we apparently have two objects. Where one of these can
Alternatively be expressed by placing to before it, it is called the indirect object.
For example, instead of He gave me the book we can say He gave the book to me. Here the book is the direct object and me the indirect object .

SENTENCES: SIMPLE, COMPOUND, AND COMPLEX

Examine the following sentences:-
1. His courage won him honour.
2. The moon was bright and we could see our way.
3. Night came on and rain fell heavily and we all got very wet.
4. They rested when evening came.
5. As the boxers advanced into the ring, the people said they would not allow them to Fight.
6. Anil called at 5.30 and I told him that you had gone out.

Sentence 1 has only one Subject and one Predicate, Such a sentence is called a Simple Sentence

A Simple sentence is one which has only one Subject and one Predicate. A simple sentence is one which has only one Subject and one Predicate.

Sentence 2 consists of two parts :
(i) The moon was bright.
(ii) We could sec our way.
These two parts are joined by the Co-ordinating Conjunction and.
Each part contains a Subject and a Predicate of its own. Each part is what we call a
Clause.
We further notice that each Clause makes good sense by itself, and hence could stand by itself as a separate sentence. Each Clause is therefore independent of the other or of the same order or rank, and is called a Principal or Main Clause.
A sentence, such as the second, which is made up of Principal or Main Clauses, is called a Compound Sentence.

Sentence 3 consists of three Clauses of the same order or rank. In other words, sentence 3 consists of three Principal or Main Clauses:

(i) Night came on
(ii) Rain fell heavily
(iii) We all got very wet
. Such a sentence is also called a Compound sentence.

A Compound sentence is one made up of two or more Principal or Main Clauses.

Sentence 4 consists of two parts:-

(i) They rested.
(ii) When evening came.
Each part contains a Subject and a Predicate of its own, and forms part of a large
Sentence. Each part is therefore a Clause.
We further notice that the Clause, They rested, makes a good sense by itself, and hence could stand by itself as a complete sentence. It is therefore called the Principal or Main Clause.
The Clause, when evening came, cannot stand by itself and make good sense. It is
Dependent on the Clause, they rested. It is therefore called a Dependent or Subordinate Clause.

A sentence, such as the fourth, is called a Complex Sentence.

Sentence 5 consists of three Clauses:-

(i) The people said. (Main Clause).
(ii) As the boxers advanced into the ring. (Subordinate Adverb Clause.)
(iii) They would not allow them to fight. (Subordinate Noun Clause.)
Such a sentence is also called a Complex sentence.
A Complex sentence consists of one Main Clause and one or more Subordinate Clauses.

Sentence 6 consists of three Clauses:-

(i) Anil called at 5.30 (Main Clause)
(ii) I toldd him (Main Clause)
(iii) That you had gone out (Subordinate Noun Clause)

Practice Exercise 1

Combine the following simple sentences to create a compound sentence

1. It rained for three days. The streets in my neighborhood flooded.
2. I got to ball practice late. I forgot to set my alarm.
3. Kyle completed his homework. He put it in his binder.
4. Luke mowed the lawn. He earned ten dollars.
5. I stayed up late last night. I am tired today.
6. Neil doesn't like seafood. He doesn't like cabbage.
7. My pencil was broken. I borrowed one from Jake.
8. I like apples. I like pears more.
9. Eight people got into the elevator. It was crowded. Three people got off.
10. Georgia gathered the pictures. She could arrange them in a special album for her family.

Practice Exercise 2

Identify the independent and subordinate clauses in the following sentences and determine whether they are complex or compound-complex.
1. Jason decided to stay up late because he had a lot of homework to do.
2. If you hurry, we might get to school on time.
3. Although Monica had a cold, she went to school because she had a test.
4. While washing the car, Todd slipped on the soap and he fell.
5. Dad takes the train to work even though he has a car.
6. After Mom arrived, she put the disk in the DVD player and we watched a great movie.
7. Even though his heart pounded with dread, Ben bolted up the stairs, and he checked out the strange noise.
8. Molly baked brownies since she had nothing else to do.
9. Karen made a list of what was needed, and she double-checked it so she wouldn't forget anything.
10. Frank had a good sense of humour, so he laughed a lot.

Listening practice
Reading Practice
Newspaper
Tongue twisters

Day 3

Nouns, Prepositions and Articles
NOUN

Pronouns
PERSONAL PRONOUNS
Forms of the Personal Pronouns
The following are the different forms of the Personal Pronouns :-
FIRST PERSON (Masculine or Feminine) SINGULAR -- PLURAL
Nominative -- I -- We
Possessive -- my, mine -- our, ours
Accusative -- me – us

SECOND PERSON (Masculine or Feminine) SINGULAR/PLURAL
Nominative -- You
Possessive -- Your, Yours
Accusative -- You
THIRD PERSON SINGULAR -- PLURAL
Masculine -- Feminine -- Neuter -- All Genders
Nominative -- he -- she -- it -- they
Possessive -- his -- her, hers -- its -- their, theirs
Accusative -- him -- her -- it – them
The pronoun of the Third Person has three Genders:-
Masculine -- he
Feminine -- she
Neuter – it

Column1
Column2
Column3
Column4
Personal Pronouns Possessive Adjectives and Pronouns Reflexive Pronouns

Subject form
Object
Form possessive adjective possessive pronoun

I
Me
my mine myself

You
You
your yours yourself

He
Him
his his himself

She
Her
her hers herself

It
It
its its itself

We
Us
our ours ourselves

They Them your yours yourselves their theirs themselves

Exercise
In the following sentences point out the Pronouns and say for what each stands:-

1. Alice was not a bit hurt, and she jumped up on to her feet in a moment.
2. There were doors all around the hall, but they were all locked.
3. Alice opened the door and found that it led into a small passage.
4. “I wish I hadn't cried so much,” said Alice.
5. “You are not attending”, said the Mouse to Alice severely. “What are you thinking of?” 6. “Come back!” the Caterpillar called after her. Alice turned and came back again.
7. Hari brought his book and laid it on the table.
8. Karim has lost his dog and cannot find it.
9. Suresh is at the head of his class, for he studies hard.
10. Rama, you are a lazy boy.
11. The camel is a beast of burden. It is used to carry goods across the desert.
12. The female lion is called a lioness. She has no mane.
13. The horse fell down and broke its leg.
14. Birds build their nests in trees.
15. If the thief is caught, he will be punished.
16. Train up a child in the way he should go.
17. And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man

Articles
The words a or an and the are called Articles. They come before nouns.

A or an is called the Indefinite Article, because it usually leaves indefinite the person or thing spoken of; as, A doctor; that is, any doctor.
The is called the Definite Article, because it normally points out some particular person or thing
Example:
He saw the doctor; meaning some particular doctor.
The indefinite article is used before singular countable nouns, e.g.
A book, a orange, a girl
The definite article is used before singular countable nouns, plural countable nouns and uncountable nouns, e.g., the book, the books, the milk

A or An

The choice between a and an is determined by sound. Before a word beginning with a vowel sound an is used; as,
An ass, an enemy, an ink-pad, an orange, an umbrella, an hour, an honest man. An heir.
It will be noticed that the words hour, honest, heir begin with a vowel sound, as the initial consonant h is not pronounced.

Before a word beginning with a consonant sound a is used; as,
A boy, a reindeer, a woman, a yard, a horse, a hole, also a university,, a union, a European, a ewe, a unicorn, a useful article.
Because these words (university, union, etc.) begin with a consonant sound, that of yu.
Similarly we say,
A one-rupee note, such a one, a one-eyed man.
Because one begins with the consonant sound of w.

THE
The Definite Article the is used- When we talk about a particular person or thing, or one already referred to ,that is, when it is clear from the context which one already referred to (that is, when it is clear from the constant which one we mean)

Exercise
Complete the following sentences by filling in a or an or the as may be suitable:-
1. Copper is --- useful metal.
2. He is not --- honorable man.
3. --- able man has not always a distinguished look.
4. --- reindeer is a native of Norway.
5. Honest men speak --- truth.
6. Who is --- girl sitting there?
7. Do you see --- blue sky.
8. Varanasi is --- holy city.
9. Aladdin had --- wonderful lamp.
10. The world is --- happy place.
11. He returned after --- hour.
12. --- school will shortly close for the Puja holidays.
13. --- sun shines brightly.
14. I first met him --- year ago.
15. Yesterday --- European called at my office.
16. Sanskrit is --- difficult language.
17. --- Ganga is --- sacred river.
18. --- lion is --- king of beasts.
19. You are --- fool to say that.
20. French is --- easy language.

preposition

A preposition is a word that links a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase to some other part of the sentence. LIST OF PREPOSITIONS:

aboard about above across after against along amid among anti around as at before behind below beneath beside besides between beyond but by concerning considering despite down during except excepting excluding following for from in inside into like minus near of off on onto opposite outside over past per plus regarding round save since than through to toward towards under underneath unlike until up upon versus via with within without Exercise

Fill blanks with suitable Prepositions:-
1. The dog ran --- the road.
2. The river flows --- the bridge.
3. The work was done --- haste.
4. He is afraid --- the dog.
5. I am fond --- music.
6. He goes --- Sunday --- church.
7. He died --- his country.
8. The steam-engine was invented --- James Watt.
9. The burglar jumped --- the compound wall.
10. The village was destroyed --- fire.
11. What is that --- me?
12. It cannot be done --- offence.
13. He spoke --- me --- Urdu.
14. They live --- the same roof.
15. I have not seen him --- Wednesday last.
16. I have known him --- a long time.
17. The moon does not shine --- its own light.
18. This is a matter --- little importance.
19. I am tired --- walking.
20. He has not yet recovered --- his illness.

Listening practice
Reading Practice Unseen passage

DAY 4

TENSES

EXERCISE
Fill in the correct forms
1. Who _____ food in your family when your Mom is away? cooks is cooking has been cooking cooked 2. Where is John? – He ____ his car in the garage. repairs is repairing has repaired repaired 3. I love this film. I _____ it four or five times already. see have seen had seen

4. Have you visited any European countries? – Yes. I _____ Spain and Italy two years ago. visited have visited had visited 5. She _______ the living room when she heard a strange noise in the kitchen. has cleaned has been cleaning was cleaning 6. I envy you. At five tomorrow you _____ some tan on a nice beach in Greece. will get will be getting will have gotten will have been getting 7. You arrived two days ago. You are going to leave next Sunday. By the time you leave, you _____ nine days here. spend have spent are spending will have spent 8. Where is he? I _______ for him since three o'clock! am waiting have been waiting was waiting had been waiting 9. I went to Belgium last month. I_______ there before. It's a beautiful country. have never been had never been never was never been 10. He said that his mother would be very upset when she______that he had lost his job. learns learned had learned would learn

Day 5 Direct & Indirect Sentences

We may report the words of a speaker in two ways:

(i) We may quote his actual words. This is called Direct Speech.
(ii) We may report what he said without quoting his exact words. This is called Indirect (or Reported) Speech.
Direct. -- Rama said. “I am very busy now.”
Indirect. -- Rama said that he was very busy then.

Rules for changing Direct Speech into Indirect
When the reporting or principal verb is in the Past Tense, all Present tenses of the Direct are changed into the corresponding Past Tenses.
Direct. -- He said, “I am unwell.”
Indirect. -- He said (that) he was unwell.
A present continuous becomes a past continuous.
Direct. -- He said, “My master is writing letters.”
Indirect. -- He said (that) his master was writing letters.
A present perfect becomes a past perfect.
Direct. -- He said, “I have passed the examination.”
Indirect. -- He said (that) he had passed the examination.
The tenses may not change if the statement is still relevant or if it is a universal truth.
Direct. – “I know her address,” said Gopi.
Indirect. -- Gopi said he knows/knew her address.
Direct. -- The teacher said, “The earth goes round the sun.”
Indirect. -- The teacher said the earth goes/went round the sun.
The pronouns of the Direct Speech are changed, where necessary, so that their relations with the reporter and his hearer, rather than with the original speaker, are indicated.
Direct. -- He said to me, “I don't believe you.”
Indirect. -- He said he didn't believe me.
Words expressing nearness in time or place are generally changed into words expressing distance. Thus : now -- becomes -- then here -- becomes -- there ago -- becomes -- before thus -- becomes -- so today -- becomes -- that day tomorrow -- becomes -- the next day yesterday -- becomes -- the day before last night -- becomes -- the night before
Direct. -- He says, “I am glad to be here this evening.”
Indirect. -- He says that he was glad to be there that evening.

In reporting questions the Indirect Speech is introduced by some such verbs as asked, inquired, etc. When the question is not introduced by an interrogative word, the reporting verb is followed by whether or if.
Direct. -- He said to me, “What are you doing ?”
Indirect. -- He asked me what I was doing.
Direct. -- “Where do you live?” asked the stranger.
Indirect. -- The stranger enquired where I lived.
Direct. -- He said, “Will you listen to such a man?”
Indirect. -- He asked them whether they would listen to such a man.
In reporting commands and requests, the Indirect Speech is introduced by some verb expressing command or request, and the imperative mood is changed into the Infinitive.
Direct. -- Rama said to Arjun, “Go away.”
Indirect. -- Rama ordered Arjun to go away.
Direct. -- He said to him, “Please wait here till I return.”
Indirect. -- He requested him to wait there till he returned.
In reporting exclamations and wishes the Indirect Speech is introduced by some verb expressing exclamation or wish.
Direct. -- He said, “Alas! I am undone.”
Indirect. -- He exclaimed sadly that he was undone.
Direct. -- He said, “Bravo! You have done well.”
Indirect. -- He applauded him, saying that he had done well.
Exercise
Change the following sentences into indirect speech or direct.

1) The stranger said to me, ‘Could you help me?’
2) The clerk said to the officer, ‘Can I go?’
3) The officer said to the clerk, ‘Do it immediately.’
4) The doctor said to the patient, ‘Come in, please.’
5) The master said to the boy, ‘Post this letter at once.’
6) The teacher said to the boys, ‘Do not make a noise.’
7) The teacher said to the boys, ‘Work hard if you want to pass the exam.’
8) I said to the child, ‘Do not look down into the well.’
9) "She did it on Sunday,"
10) Jack said "We must relax for a while."
11) Mary said "Greg came yesterday."
12) "Why won't he do it?" she said.
13) "Will you come?" she asked me.
14) "Put on your coat," I said.
15) "Don't hesitate," he said.

Listening practice
Reading Practice