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IELTS Essay

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The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is an international standardised test for non-native English language speakers, which assesses English proficiency. This testing system was created in 1980 by the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations and the British Council and has been picked up, revised and redeveloped into an international assessment by many countries including Australia. For those who want to enroll in universities or work as professionals in an English-speaking country, one must complete the IELTS Academic version. For immigration to Australia and New Zealand, it is a requirement to take the IELTS General Training version of the test. The difference between the Academic and General Training versions is the content, context and purpose of the tasks. All other features, such as timing allocation, length of written responses and reporting of scores, are the same (Ielts.org, 2015). The IELTS is made up of listening, reading, writing and speaking components. All examinees take the same listening and speaking tests, while reading and writing tests will differ between the Academic or General Training versions of the test.
For many EAL/D learners, the results of these tests hold great importance concerning their academic and professional prospects and success (Bachman & Palmer, 1996) and therefore in order “to make sure that they meet professional standards and to contribute to their further development” (Uysal, 2010, p. 314), test developers

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