Name: The Official Cambridge Guide To IELTS For Academic and General Training
Brand: Amit Book Depot
Price: 910 INR
Availability: InStock

The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS for Academic and General Training is the definitive preparation resource for candidates aiming to achieve their desired band score in the International English Language Testing System. Published by Cambridge University Press and authored by Pauline Cullen, Amanda French, and Vanessa Jakeman, this guide is uniquely positioned as an authoritative manual, drawing directly on the expertise of the test creators. It provides an all-encompassing approach to mastering both the Academic and General Training modules of the IELTS exam.

This comprehensive guide is systematically structured to develop core test-taking skills across all four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Unlike books that merely offer practice tests, it delves into the underlying techniques required to understand and excel in each part of the exam. The step-by-step guidance ensures learners build confidence through skill development rather than rote memorization. The included 8 full-length practice tests (6 for Academic and 2 for General Training) allow candidates to apply these skills under realistic exam conditions, with answer keys and model answers providing clear benchmarks for performance.

The listening skills section methodically progresses from foundational abilities like understanding context and following conversations to advanced strategies for recognizing paraphrase, identifying speaker attitudes, and comprehending academic lectures. It includes practical exercises for labeling maps and understanding processes, ensuring test-takers are prepared for every question type.

The reading skills modules cater specifically to both academic and general training candidates. It teaches essential strategies such as skimming, scanning, and global understanding before moving on to complex tasks like identifying main ideas in discursive passages, matching information, and discerning writer opinion and purpose. The dedicated General Training Reading chapter addresses the unique challenge of dealing with multiple, practical texts.

For IELTS Writing, the guide offers unparalleled clarity. The Academic Writing Task 1 section provides distinct chapters for describing charts, graphs, tables, diagrams, and maps, with a strong focus on coherence, cohesion, and lexical resources. Writing Task 2 is broken down into a logical process: understanding the task, planning, expressing ideas with clarity, and meticulous checking. General Training candidates receive explicit instruction on crafting effective letters, covering tone, structure, and task achievement.

The speaking test preparation is designed to reduce anxiety and improve fluency. It breaks down each part of the interview: discussing familiar topics (Part 1), organizing and delivering a short talk (Part 2), and engaging in an abstract discussion (Part 3). Emphasis is placed on pronunciation, intonation, grammatical range, and the ability to express ideas coherently.

Key features that make this guide indispensable include DVD-ROM content containing videos of real students taking speaking tests, with examiner assessments to illustrate band score differences. All audio recordings for listening exercises and tests are also included, featuring a variety of accents as heard in the actual exam. Expert test tips and common error warnings are integrated throughout, providing insights straight from the examiners.

Ideal for self-study or classroom use, The Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS equips learners not only with knowledge of the test format but also with the robust English language skills and strategic approach needed to maximize their score. It is the most trusted resource for serious IELTS candidates worldwide.

Have Doubts Regarding This Product ? Ask Your Question

Q1

As this guide covers both Academic and General Training, how is the content separated for each module?

A1

The book has dedicated, clearly labeled sections for each module, particularly in the Reading and Writing units. The 8 practice tests are also split (6 Academic, 2 General Training), ensuring targeted practice.
Q2

Does the DVD-ROM work on all computers, and what exactly does it contain?

A2

The DVD-ROM is compatible with most standard systems. It contains vital digital resources: videos of real IELTS Speaking tests with examiner commentary, all audio tracks for the Listening exercises and tests, and downloadable PDFs of the practice tests and answer keys.
Q3

How does this book help improve my skills beyond just providing practice tests?

A3

It focuses on skill-building before testing. Each chapter breaks down a specific skill (e.g., "Recognizing Paraphrase" in Listening, "Locating and Matching Information" in Reading) with targeted exercises, which you then apply in the full practice tests.
Q4

Is there a focus on common mistakes that candidates make?

A4

Yes. Throughout the book, you will find "Test Tip" and "Avoid the Error" boxes that highlight frequent pitfalls in grammar, vocabulary, and strategy, helping you to preemptively correct these issues.
Q5

I struggle with Writing Task 1 diagrams and maps. Does this guide offer specific help for these?

A5

Absolutely. Unlike many guides, it dedicates separate, full chapters to "Describing Diagrams" and "Describing Maps" in Academic Writing Task 1, providing specialized vocabulary, grammar, and structural guidance for these unique task types.
Q6

Does the book provide strategies for managing time during the Reading and Writing tests?

A6

Yes. The skill-building exercises promote efficient techniques like skimming and scanning. The practice tests allow you to practice pacing, and the guidance often includes advice on how to allocate your time for different question types.
Q7

Is there an answer key with explanations, or just the correct answers?

A7

The book includes a comprehensive answer key. For Writing and Speaking, it provides model answers and performance criteria, allowing you to compare your work against a high-standard example.
Q8

Can this book be used effectively by a teacher in a classroom setting?

A8

Yes, it is an excellent core textbook for IELTS preparation classes. The structured skill units, variety of exercises, and abundance of practice material make it ideal for lesson planning and homework assignments.
Q9

How up-to-date is this guide with the latest changes in the IELTS format?

A9

As the official guide from Cambridge, it is meticulously updated to reflect any changes in the test format, ensuring all question types, tasks, and strategies are entirely current.
Q10

Does it offer guidance on the often-confusing difference between "False" and "Not Given" in Reading?

A10

Yes. The Reading skills section includes detailed strategies and practice for identifying "True, False, Not Given" and "Yes, No, Not Given" questions, helping you understand the subtle distinctions.

0.00

0 Overall Rating

5

0
4

0
3

0
2

0
1

0

Try this product & share your review & thoughts

Introduction

IELTS Summary

IELTS listening skills

1. Getting ready to listen

1. Understanding the context

2. Using the correct spelling

3. Writing numbers

2. Following a conversation

1. Identifying the speakers

2. Identifying function

3. Understanding categories

3. Recognizing paraphrase

1. Identifying distractors

2. Recognizing paraphrase

3. Selecting from a list

4. Places and directions

1. Describing a place

2. Following directions

3. Labeling a map

5. Listening for actions and processes

1. Understanding mechanical parts

2. Describing an action or process

3. Describing a process

6. Attitude and opinion

1. Identifying attitudes and opinions

2. Persuading and suggesting

3. Reaching a decision

7. Following a lecture or talk

1. Identifying main ideas

2. Understanding how ideas are connected

3. Understanding an explanation

8. Contrasting ideas

1. Signposting words

2. Comparing and contrasting ideas

3. Using notes to follow a talk

IELTS Reading skills

1. Reading strategies

1. Using the features of a reading passage

2. Skimming a passage and speed reading

3. Global understanding

2. Descriptive passages

1. Scanning for details

2. Using words from the passage

3. Notes/flowchart/diagram completion

3. Understanding the main ideas

1. Identifying the main idea

2. Understanding the main points

3. Identifying information in a passage

4. Locating and matching information

1. Identifying types of information

2. Locating and matching information

3. How ideas are connected

5. Discursive passages

1. Discursive passages

2. Identifying theories and opinions

3. Matching features

6. Multiple-choice questions

1. Understanding longer pieces of text

2. Different types of multiple choice

3. Identifying the writer’s purpose

7. Opinions and attitudes

1. Argumentative texts

2. Identifying the writer’s views/claims

3. Identifying grammatical features

8. General Training Reading

1. The General Training Reading paper

2. Dealing with multiple texts

3. Understanding work-related texts

IELTS WRITING

1. Academic Writing Task 1—Describing a chart, table, or graph

1. Understanding graphs, tables, and charts

2. More complex charts

3. Improving your Task Achievement score

2. Academic Writing Task 1—Comparing and contrasting graphs and tables

1. Avoiding repetition

2. Comparing and contrasting data

3. Grammatical Accuracy—describing numbers and figures accurately

3. Academic Writing Task 1—Describing diagrams

1. Understanding a diagram

2. Describing a process—coherence and cohesion

3. Lexical Resource—being accurate

4. Academic Writing Task 1—Describing maps

1. Describing a map

2. Describing changes in place

3. Grammatical Accuracy

5. General Training Writing Task 1—A letter

1. Understanding the task

2. Improving your score

3. Checking the correcting

6. Writing Task 2—Getting ready to write

1. Understanding the task

2. Planning and organizing your ideas

3. Getting started—writing an introduction

7. Writing Task 2—Expressing your ideas clearly

1. Linking ideas—cohesion

2. Lexical Resource—avoiding repetition

3. Expressing a personal view

8. Writing Task 2 - Checking and correcting

1. Developing your ideas clearly

2. Grammatical Accuracy

3. Assessing your language

IELTS SPEAKING

1. The Speaking Test—Part 1

1. Getting ready to speak

2. Part 1 talking about familiar topics

3. Using the right tense—Grammatical Range and Accuracy

2. Part 2—Giving a talk

1. Understanding the task

2. Improving Fluency and Coherence

3. Organizing your notes and your talk

3. Part 3 - Talking about abstract topics

1. Talking about abstract topics

2. Agreeing and disagreeing

3. Improving your lexical resource score

4. Checking, correcting, and assessing

1. Dealing with problems

2. Pronunciation, intonation, and ‘chunking’

3. Assessing yourself and improving your score

Introduction

IELTS Summary

IELTS listening skills

1. Getting ready to listen

1. Understanding the context

2. Using the correct spelling

3. Writing numbers

2. Following a conversation

1. Identifying the speakers

2. Identifying function

3. Understanding categories

3. Recognizing paraphrase

1. Identifying distractors

2. Recognizing paraphrase

3. Selecting from a list

4. Places and directions

1. Describing a place

2. Following directions

3. Labeling a map

5. Listening for actions and processes

1. Understanding mechanical parts

2. Describing an action or process

3. Describing a process

6. Attitude and opinion

1. Identifying attitudes and opinions

2. Persuading and suggesting

3. Reaching a decision

7. Following a lecture or talk

1. Identifying main ideas

2. Understanding how ideas are connected

3. Understanding an explanation

8. Contrasting ideas

1. Signposting words

2. Comparing and contrasting ideas

3. Using notes to follow a talk

IELTS Reading skills

1. Reading strategies

1. Using the features of a reading passage

2. Skimming a passage and speed reading

3. Global understanding

2. Descriptive passages

1. Scanning for details

2. Using words from the passage

3. Notes/flowchart/diagram completion

3. Understanding the main ideas

1. Identifying the main idea

2. Understanding the main points

3. Identifying information in a passage

4. Locating and matching information

1. Identifying types of information

2. Locating and matching information

3. How ideas are connected

5. Discursive passages

1. Discursive passages

2. Identifying theories and opinions

3. Matching features

6. Multiple-choice questions

1. Understanding longer pieces of text

2. Different types of multiple choice

3. Identifying the writer’s purpose

7. Opinions and attitudes

1. Argumentative texts

2. Identifying the writer’s views/claims

3. Identifying grammatical features

8. General Training Reading

1. The General Training Reading paper

2. Dealing with multiple texts

3. Understanding work-related texts

IELTS WRITING

1. Academic Writing Task 1—Describing a chart, table, or graph

1. Understanding graphs, tables, and charts

2. More complex charts

3. Improving your Task Achievement score

2. Academic Writing Task 1—Comparing and contrasting graphs and tables

1. Avoiding repetition

2. Comparing and contrasting data

3. Grammatical Accuracy—describing numbers and figures accurately

3. Academic Writing Task 1—Describing diagrams

1. Understanding a diagram

2. Describing a process—coherence and cohesion

3. Lexical Resource—being accurate

4. Academic Writing Task 1—Describing maps

1. Describing a map

2. Describing changes in place

3. Grammatical Accuracy

5. General Training Writing Task 1—A letter

1. Understanding the task

2. Improving your score

3. Checking the correcting

6. Writing Task 2—Getting ready to write

1. Understanding the task

2. Planning and organizing your ideas

3. Getting started—writing an introduction

7. Writing Task 2—Expressing your ideas clearly

1. Linking ideas—cohesion

2. Lexical Resource—avoiding repetition

3. Expressing a personal view

8. Writing Task 2 - Checking and correcting

1. Developing your ideas clearly

2. Grammatical Accuracy

3. Assessing your language

IELTS SPEAKING

1. The Speaking Test—Part 1

1. Getting ready to speak

2. Part 1 talking about familiar topics

3. Using the right tense—Grammatical Range and Accuracy

2. Part 2—Giving a talk

1. Understanding the task

2. Improving Fluency and Coherence

3. Organizing your notes and your talk

3. Part 3 - Talking about abstract topics

1. Talking about abstract topics

2. Agreeing and disagreeing

3. Improving your lexical resource score

4. Checking, correcting, and assessing

1. Dealing with problems

2. Pronunciation, intonation, and ‘chunking’

3. Assessing yourself and improving your score

Have Doubts Regarding This Product ? Ask Your Question

Q1

As this guide covers both Academic and General Training, how is the content separated for each module?

A1

The book has dedicated, clearly labeled sections for each module, particularly in the Reading and Writing units. The 8 practice tests are also split (6 Academic, 2 General Training), ensuring targeted practice.
Q2

Does the DVD-ROM work on all computers, and what exactly does it contain?

A2

The DVD-ROM is compatible with most standard systems. It contains vital digital resources: videos of real IELTS Speaking tests with examiner commentary, all audio tracks for the Listening exercises and tests, and downloadable PDFs of the practice tests and answer keys.
Q3

How does this book help improve my skills beyond just providing practice tests?

A3

It focuses on skill-building before testing. Each chapter breaks down a specific skill (e.g., "Recognizing Paraphrase" in Listening, "Locating and Matching Information" in Reading) with targeted exercises, which you then apply in the full practice tests.
Q4

Is there a focus on common mistakes that candidates make?

A4

Yes. Throughout the book, you will find "Test Tip" and "Avoid the Error" boxes that highlight frequent pitfalls in grammar, vocabulary, and strategy, helping you to preemptively correct these issues.
Q5

I struggle with Writing Task 1 diagrams and maps. Does this guide offer specific help for these?

A5

Absolutely. Unlike many guides, it dedicates separate, full chapters to "Describing Diagrams" and "Describing Maps" in Academic Writing Task 1, providing specialized vocabulary, grammar, and structural guidance for these unique task types.
Q6

Does the book provide strategies for managing time during the Reading and Writing tests?

A6

Yes. The skill-building exercises promote efficient techniques like skimming and scanning. The practice tests allow you to practice pacing, and the guidance often includes advice on how to allocate your time for different question types.
Q7

Is there an answer key with explanations, or just the correct answers?

A7

The book includes a comprehensive answer key. For Writing and Speaking, it provides model answers and performance criteria, allowing you to compare your work against a high-standard example.
Q8

Can this book be used effectively by a teacher in a classroom setting?

A8

Yes, it is an excellent core textbook for IELTS preparation classes. The structured skill units, variety of exercises, and abundance of practice material make it ideal for lesson planning and homework assignments.
Q9

How up-to-date is this guide with the latest changes in the IELTS format?

A9

As the official guide from Cambridge, it is meticulously updated to reflect any changes in the test format, ensuring all question types, tasks, and strategies are entirely current.
Q10

Does it offer guidance on the often-confusing difference between "False" and "Not Given" in Reading?

A10

Yes. The Reading skills section includes detailed strategies and practice for identifying "True, False, Not Given" and "Yes, No, Not Given" questions, helping you understand the subtle distinctions.