Embedded Files
Learn and produce the characteristics of high-quality notes.
Video Guide: How to use this page
Video Guide: How to use this page
Introduction
Introduction
Whether you write notes using bullet points, spider diagrams, mind maps, past-present-future bullet points, introduction/past/description/opinion/future bullet points or any other strategy, your notes need to have certain characteristics to be high-quality notes. Having these characteristics helps you perform at your best when speaking during the exam.
Whether you write notes using bullet points, spider diagrams, mind maps, past-present-future bullet points, introduction/past/description/opinion/future bullet points or any other strategy, your notes need to have certain characteristics to be high-quality notes. Having these characteristics helps you perform at your best when speaking during the exam.
Question Parts
Question Parts
Consider the exam question on the right →. The examiner only reads out the Main Question. The Extra Prompts are on the topic card to help you think of ideas to write notes. It's ok to write about other ideas, but they should be related to the Main Question Topic. For example, for the question on the right, you could write notes about an interest or hobby that you don't enjoy, then give details about it.
Consider the exam question on the right →. The examiner only reads out the Main Question. The Extra Prompts are on the topic card to help you think of ideas to write notes. It's ok to write about other ideas, but they should be related to the Main Question Topic. For example, for the question on the right, you could write notes about an interest or hobby that you don't enjoy, then give details about it.
High-quality notes...
High-quality notes...
1 - Have as many notes as possible. Many notes about about the main question, the extra prompts, and/or topics that relate to the main question.
1 - Have as many notes as possible. Many notes about about the main question, the extra prompts, and/or topics that relate to the main question.
2 - Stick to the main question topic. They are related to the main question topic (even if they have your own ideas and not those from the extra prompts). Your grade won't be lower if you go away from the main topic question, but it's generally easier for your mind to have a set of notes all about one same topic.
2 - Stick to the main question topic. They are related to the main question topic (even if they have your own ideas and not those from the extra prompts). Your grade won't be lower if you go away from the main topic question, but it's generally easier for your mind to have a set of notes all about one same topic.
3 - Are concise. They are short, focused, and only mention the main details of ideas. They don't contain unecessary articles, prepositions, linking words, etc.
3 - Are concise. They are short, focused, and only mention the main details of ideas. They don't contain unecessary articles, prepositions, linking words, etc.
4 - Are words or phrases (not full sentences). Writing sentences wastes time. Keywords are enough. You can make your notes into sentences after, when you speak.
4 - Are words or phrases (not full sentences). Writing sentences wastes time. Keywords are enough. You can make your notes into sentences after, when you speak.
5 - Have understandable vocabulary. Use mostly simple or medium difficulty words you 100% know the meaning of (not advanced words you aren't sure of the meaning of). You can add advanced words you are sure of when you speak.
5 - Have understandable vocabulary. Use mostly simple or medium difficulty words you 100% know the meaning of (not advanced words you aren't sure of the meaning of). You can add advanced words you are sure of when you speak.
6 - Only have advanced vocabulary that you know. Use advanced words you 100% know the meaning of (not advanced words you aren't sure of the meaning of).
6 - Only have advanced vocabulary that you know. Use advanced words you 100% know the meaning of (not advanced words you aren't sure of the meaning of).
7 - Don't have headings. You already know what your notes are about - you don't need to write headings/titles about each set of notes. It is a waste of time.
7 - Don't have headings. You already know what your notes are about - you don't need to write headings/titles about each set of notes. It is a waste of time.
Let's check you understood!
Let's check you understood!
All the notes below have 6 of the 7 characteristics of high-quality notes. Decide which one characteristic is missing in each set of notes, then write them on a piece of paper. Now click "Answers" underneath to reveal the correct answers.
All the notes below have 6 of the 7 characteristics of high-quality notes. Decide which one characteristic is missing in each set of notes, then write them on a piece of paper. Now click "Answers" underneath to reveal the correct answers.
1 - Have as many notes as possible
1 - Have as many notes as possible
2 - Stick to the main question topic
2 - Stick to the main question topic
3 - Are concise (without articles, prepositions, linking words)
3 - Are concise (without articles, prepositions, linking words)
4 - Are words or phrases (not full sentences)
4 - Are words or phrases (not full sentences)
5 - Have understandable vocabulary
5 - Have understandable vocabulary
6 - Only have advanced vocabulary that you know
6 - Only have advanced vocabulary that you know
7 - Don't have headings
7 - Don't have headings
Answers
Answers
Notes A:3 Notes B:7 Notes C:4 Notes D:1 Notes E:2
Notes A:3 Notes B:7 Notes C:4 Notes D:1 Notes E:2
Did you notice 2 of the characterstics were not missing from any of the notes?
Did you notice 2 of the characterstics were not missing from any of the notes?
These were: 5 - Have understandable vocabulary. 6 - Only have advanced vocabulary that you know.
These were: 5 - Have understandable vocabulary. 6 - Only have advanced vocabulary that you know.
This is because it's impossible to predict which general vocabulary and which advanced vocabulary will be understandable to each student who uses this website. The best strategy is to mostly use simple/basic words in your notes, and only use advanced words that you 100% know the meaning of.
This is because it's impossible to predict which general vocabulary and which advanced vocabulary will be understandable to each student who uses this website. The best strategy is to mostly use simple/basic words in your notes, and only use advanced words that you 100% know the meaning of.
Let's write notes!
Let's write notes!
Step 1 - Reread the 7 high-quality notes charactersitics above and check your understanding of them.
Step 1 - Reread the 7 high-quality notes charactersitics above and check your understanding of them.
Step 2 - Choose a practice question below ↓
Step 2 - Choose a practice question below ↓
Step 3 - Read the question and extra prompts, and within one minute, write notes about them in the form on the right → (in the real exam you use a pencil and paper, which you could use for this practice instead). Remember, u don't need to write notes about the extra prompts AND other topics related to the main question (one of the two is enough).
Step 3 - Read the question and extra prompts, and within one minute, write notes about them in the form on the right → (in the real exam you use a pencil and paper, which you could use for this practice instead). Remember, u don't need to write notes about the extra prompts AND other topics related to the main question (one of the two is enough).
Use the video clock below to time yourself.
Use the video clock below to time yourself.
Step 4 - Check that your notes have all 7 of characteristics of high-quality notes ↓
Step 4 - Check that your notes have all 7 of characteristics of high-quality notes ↓
1 - Have as many notes as possible
1 - Have as many notes as possible
2 - Stick to the main question topic
2 - Stick to the main question topic
3 - Are concise (without articles, prepositions, linking words)
3 - Are concise (without articles, prepositions, linking words)
4 - Are words or phrases (not full sentences)
4 - Are words or phrases (not full sentences)
5 - Have understandable vocabulary
5 - Have understandable vocabulary
6 - Only have advanced vocabulary that you know
6 - Only have advanced vocabulary that you know
7 - Don't have headings
7 - Don't have headings
Step 5 - If your notes don't show all 7 characteristics:
Step 5 - If your notes don't show all 7 characteristics:
* Check which characterstics are missing and edit your notes to improve them.
* Check which characterstics are missing and edit your notes to improve them.
* You could also write new notes (during 1 minute), using different ideas but sticking to the same main question topic. This time you should focus on the characteristics you didn't achieve the first time.
* You could also write new notes (during 1 minute), using different ideas but sticking to the same main question topic. This time you should focus on the characteristics you didn't achieve the first time.
* You may need to reread the contents of this website until you understand the 7 characterstics and entire exam better.
* You may need to reread the contents of this website until you understand the 7 characterstics and entire exam better.
Bonus Step 6 - After you can regularly write notes that have all 7 characteristics, use them to practice the 2 minute speaking presentation. Visit our speaking practice page for different ways to practice your presentations and receive qualified feedback on them.
Bonus Step 6 - After you can regularly write notes that have all 7 characteristics, use them to practice the 2 minute speaking presentation. Visit our speaking practice page for different ways to practice your presentations and receive qualified feedback on them.
Questions? Suggestions? Requests?
Questions? Suggestions? Requests?
Contact info@ieltshelp.com for more information about this website and help with exam preparation
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse