Popular Science!What exactly is the difference between IELTS and TOEFL?

Mondo Education Updated on 2024-01-31

Both IELTS and TOEFL are the most recognized English proficiency tests today, and they are both divided into:Listening, speaking, reading, writingFour parts.

Generally speaking, students who apply to schools in countries such as the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, etc., usually choose IELTS.

Students applying to English-taught programs in the United States, Canada, or Japan usually choose the TOEFL test.

However, almost all English-taught universities now accept both IELTS and TOEFL English test scores as proof of English proficiency, so choosing IELTS or TOEFL when applying to study abroad is entirely a matter of personal preference.

In this article, Xiao Yue will start with:Difficulty and question typeTwo aspects to analyze the difference between IELTS and TOEFL.

fromDifficultyCome on:

The difference between TOEFL and IELTS is not huge, but the focus of the examination is slightly different.

Next we will start with the examQuestion type:Let's talk about the differences between the TOEFL and IELTS test content.

IELTS

1.Listening

Basic question type: 4 monologues and dialogues (including matching questions, map questions, process questions, multiple choice questions, multiple choice questions, fill-in-the-blank questions, etc.).

Exam time: 30 minutes, with 10 minutes to transcribe the answers to the answer sheet.

2.Reading

Basic question type: 3 paragraphs of passage and corresponding questions (including multiple choice questions, true or false questions, information matching questions, abstract fill-in-the-blank questions, etc.).

Exam time: 60 minutes in total.

3.Writing

Basic question type: a small essay (task 1), 150 words, which requires the candidate to analyze, describe or illustrate a **, curve chart, bar chart or schematic diagram + a large essay (task 2), an argumentative essay of 250 words.

Exam time: 60 minutes in total.

4.Speaking

Basic question type: part1 (brief answer) + part2 (description......There is 1 minute preparation time) + part3 (extended by part2).

Exam duration: 11-14 minutes in total.

TOEFL

1.Listening

Basic composition: 2 dialogues and 3 lectures, each with 5 questions and each lecture with 6 questions.

The listening section consists of four question types:

Multiple choice questions: 4 options with only 1 correct answer.

Multiple-choice questions: Multiple options with more than 1 correct answer.

Sort questions: Arrange the order of time, or the steps of a process.

Collocation: Match some objects or text to categories in a chart, or tick a cell.

Exam duration: 36 minutes.

2.Reading

Basic composition: 2 articles, each with 10 questions.

Reading Article Type:

Exposition

Argumentation

Historical

The 4 question types examined in the Reading section:

Traditional multiple-choice, i.e., a question with 4 options and only 1 correct answer.

Multiple-choice questions, i.e. questions with multiple options and more than one correct answer.

The questions come with 4 options and only one correct answer, requiring the candidate to "insert a sentence" in the most appropriate place in the passage

Deeper comprehension questions, i.e., questions with more than 4 options and more than 1 correct answer.

Exam duration: 35 minutes in total.

3.Writing

Basic question type: 2 writing questions. A synthesis essay and an academic discussion essay.

In Integrated Writing, candidates must:

Take notes on the material you hear and see, and use the notes to organize the information before writing.

Accurately summarize, paraphrase, and cite information from the source material.

Write about how the information you hear relate to what you read.

In Academic Discussion Writing, candidates are asked to present their views and provide arguments on a given topic:

Respond to or base your opinion on the content of the topic material.

Clearly state and state a position or argument.

Use a range of grammatical structures and vocabulary accurately and meaningfully in an academic setting.

Exam time: Approximately 29 minutes.

4.Speaking

Basic question type: 4 questions.

Question 1 is an independent speaking task that covers topics that are familiar to the candidate. This question requires candidates to respond based on their own thoughts, opinions, and personal experiences, as well as any ideas, opinions, or experiences related to the question.

The other 3 questions are integrated speaking tasks. To answer these questions, candidates must use a combination of multiple language skills. Candidates are asked to read, listen, and then answer in spoken English. Candidates can take notes and use these notes to answer questions.

Exam duration: 16 minutes.

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