5 Things That Will Hurt Your IELTS Score - Avoid These IELTS Mistakes

五件会有损您的雅思评分的事情 — 避免这些雅思考试错误

Hi, I’m Maria.

嗨，我是Maria。

Welcome to Oxford Online English!

欢迎来到Oxford Online English！

In this lesson, you’ll see five common IELTS preparation mistakes that we often see.

在本节课里，您会看到我们经常 看到的五个常见雅思备考错误。

Are you planning to take the IELTS exam?

您正打算参加雅思考试吗？

At Oxford Online English, we meet and teach many IELTS students.

在Oxford Online English，我们 遇到并教了很多雅思学生。

Often, these students find it difficult to prepare for IELTS and get the score they want.

通常，这些学生觉得雅思备考和 拿到他们想要的评分有点难。

It’s not because they don’t have the ability.

那不是因为他们没有能力。

It’s not because they don’t work hard.

那不是因为他们学习不努力。

So, why is it?

那么，那是为什么？

It’s because they make simple, avoidable mistakes.

那是因为他们犯了简单、 可以避免的错误。

The IELTS preparation mistakes you’ll see in this video are very common; we see them

您在视频里会看到的雅思备考 错误是很常见的；我们随时

all the time!

都看到它们！

Making these mistakes will make it more difficult to get the IELTS score you need.

犯这些错误将会导致要拿到您 想要的雅思评分会更难。

We’ll explain how you can avoid these common mistakes and prepare for IELTS more effectively.

我们会向您解释怎样可以避免这些常见的 错误以及更有效率地准备雅思考试。

Ok, this might seem obvious.

好，这也许看起来是显而易见的。

It might seem boring.

那也许看起来有点烦。

People leaving exam preparation too late?

人们开始雅思考试准备太迟了？

What a surprise!

真令人吃惊！

But, it’s the number one mistake that IELTS students make.

但是，那是雅思考生犯的 头号错误。

The problem is that many students see IELTS like exams you probably had at school: exams

问题是很多考生把雅思当成像是您 有可能在学校里有的考试：

which tested your knowledge of facts.

测试您的事实知识的测验。

With that kind of exam, you could start revising a few days before, memorise a load of information,

在那种类型的考试，您可能开始 几天前开始复习，记住大量的信息，

and maybe get a good mark.

并且也许会得到好成绩。

We’ve all done that, I think, right?

我想我们都做了那个，对吗？

I know I have!

我知道我有做！

But, here’s the problem:

但是，在这里有个问题：

IELTS isn’t an exam about facts.

雅思不是一个有关事实的考试。

It’s a test of your practical skills in English.

那是一个您的英语实践技能的测验。

Those skills take time to learn and develop.

那些技能要花时间去学习并拓展。

You can’t spend a few days with your books and magically get a higher IELTS score.

您不能在您的书本上花几天，就魔术般 地拿到一个较高的雅思评分。

You’re probably thinking: so how long does it take?

您有可能在想：所以， 那花多久？

The answer is: longer than you think.

回答是：比您想的要长。

In our experience, moving your IELTS score half a band—so from six to six point five,

依照我们的经验，提高您的雅思评分 半分 — 那么，从六分到六点五分，

for example—takes around two to three months of study.

例如 — 要花大约2到3个月的学习。

Moving up one full band takes around six months.

提高一分要大约六个月。

Remember that we’re talking about regular study here: two or three hours of lessons

记住在这里我们在谈论有规律地 学习：每周2-3小时的课程，

per week, plus several hours of study in your own time.

加上几个小时在您自己时间内的学习。

Also, these are averages.

同样，这些是平均值。

How long it takes you depends on your exact situation, it depends on your strengths and

您要花多少时间取决于您的 准确的情形，那取决于您的强项

weaknesses, and it depends on what kind of learner you are.

和弱项，以及那取决于您是 哪种类型的学习者。

So, it’s possible that you could do it faster…

所以，有可能您可以更快地达成它…

…but it might also take you longer.

…但是，那也许花您更长的时间。

If you need to take IELTS, probably it’s important to you.

如果您需要参加雅思考试， 有可能那对您是重要的。

You’re applying to university, or you’re planning to emigrate to an English-speaking

您正在申请念大学，或者您 在规划移民到一个

country.

英语系国家。

So, don’t leave it too late!

所以，不要离开它太迟了！

Even if you just think that you might need IELTS in the future, it’s a good idea to

即使您只是认为在将来您也许 需要参加雅思考试，现在

get into good habits now.

养成好习惯是一个好主意。

Here are some suggestions:

这里是一些建议：

One: start reading in English every day.

一：每天开始阅读英文。

You don’t have to spend a lot of time: ten to fifteen minutes is enough.

您不必花很多时间：10-15分钟 是足够了。

Try to read a variety of things.

试着阅读各种东西。

Two: listen to something in English every day.

二：每天听些英语的东西。

Again, you don’t need to spend a lot of time on this, but you should try to listen

同样，您不必花很多时间在 这里，但是，您应当试着

to varied materials; don’t listen to the same thing every day.

听各种素材；不要每天听 相同的事情。

Three: if you need IELTS in the next 12 months, find a teacher and ask for a speaking and

三：如果您在一年内需要参加 雅思考试，找一个老师并

writing assessment.

请求一个口语和写作的讲评。

This way, you’ll know where you are now, and how much work you have to do.

这种方式，您会知道您现在在哪里， 以及您必须做多少工作。

Start preparing early, and it’ll be much easier to get the IELTS score you need.

早点开始准备考试，获得您 需要的雅思评分会更容易。

Often, people ask us questions like:

通常，人们问我们问题，像是：

“Can you tell me some tricks to improve my reading score?”

“Can you tell me some tricks to improve my reading score?”

“What are some linking words I should use in my essay?”

“What are some linking words I should use in my essay?”

“How do I get a higher score in the listening exam?”

“How do I get a higher score in the listening exam?”

All these questions are looking for a trick.

所有这些问题是在找技巧。

You think that there’s some secret to getting a higher IELTS score, and if you could just

您认为有一些秘密来拿到一个 更高的雅思评分，如果您可以

find someone to give you the secret, everything would be okay.

找人给您秘密，任何事情会是OK的。

Here’s the secret: ready?

这里是秘密，准备好了吗？

The secret is… there’s no secret.

秘密是… 没有秘密。

Seriously: the IELTS scoring systems are public.

那是认真的：雅思评分标准是公开的。

You can read them, and we recommend that you do!

您可以读它们，我们推荐您做！

Take the reading exam.

参加阅读考试。

Many people ask how to improve their reading score.

很多人问怎样提高他们的阅读评分。

They want to know: what’s the trick?

他们想知道：技巧是什么？

What’s the secret?

秘密是什么？

Again, there’s no secret.

同样，没秘密。

To get a high score in the IELTS reading exam, you need to be good at reading.

要在雅思阅读考试拿到一个高 评分，您需要阅读能力好。

The listening exam is the same.

听力考试是一样的。

These are skills that take months or years to develop.

这里是一些要花几个月或 几年去拓展的技能。

People ask: what are some linking words I should use in my essay?

人们问：我应当在议论文 里使用的一些连接词是什么？

They think that using more linking words equals a higher score in the writing exam.

他们认为在写作考试里使用更多 连接词等于一个更高的评分。

Here’s something which might surprise you:

这里是一些也许让您吃惊的事情：

We’ve seen hundreds of IELTS writing tasks.

我们看了成千上百的雅思写作任务。

We have never seen a task which got a lower score because it didn’t use enough linking

我从来没有看过一个因为没有 使用足够的连接词而拿到

words.

更低评分的任务。

We have seen many tasks which got a lower score because they overused linking words,

我们看到过很多任务拿到一个 更低的评分因为它们过度

or used them incorrectly.

使用连接词，或者不正确地使用它们。

It’s the same with vocabulary.

词汇也是如此。

We see students memorising sentences, idioms and academic vocabulary because they think

我们看到考生们记忆句子、 成语和学术性词汇，因为他们

that it will boost their score.

认为那会提高他们的分数。

Again, if you do this, you’re likely to hurt your score, because you’ll misuse

同样，如果您做这个，您 可能会不利于您的评分，因为

the vocabulary that you just memorised from a list.

您会错用您仅仅从一个清单 里记忆到的词汇。

If you want to improve your IELTS writing score, it’s not simple: you need to learn

如果您想提高您的雅思写作 评分，那是不简单的：您需要

to write more effectively, and that requires a lot of time and work.

学习更有效率地写作，以及 要求大量的时间和工作。

You can’t memorise some sentences or a template and expect to get a high score—it won’t

您不能记忆一些句子或一个 模板，并期望得到一个高的

work.

评分 — 那没用。

Although, there is one case where there might be a kind of ‘trick’ to improve your score

尽管，有一种情况，可能会 有一种“技巧”来快速地

fast.

提高您的评分。

In the speaking and writing exams, if you don’t understand how the exam and the scoring

在口语和写作考试，如果您 不理解考试以及评分

system work, you might be making mistakes with how you approach the tasks.

标准是怎样的，您也许会因为 您怎样处理任务而犯错。

For example, if you don’t write in clear paragraphs, that will have a big negative

例如，如果您没有写清楚段落， 那会在您的评分会有一个

effect on your score.

很大的负面效果。

Correcting that problem—which is very easy to do—can make a big difference.

纠正问题 — 是很容易去做的 — 可以造成一个大的区别。

If you think that in the speaking exam, giving longer answers will always improve your score,

如果您认为在口语考试里给出 更长的回答总是会提高您的评分，

then that can have a negative effect, because your answers also need to be relevant.

那么，那可以有一个负面的效果，因为 您的回答也需要是相关的。

Longer answers can easily lose focus and go off-topic.

更长的回答可以容易地失去 焦点以及离题。

Again, correcting this can make a big difference quickly.

同样，纠正这个可以迅速地 造成一个很大的区别。

However, this isn’t really ‘improving’ your score; you’re just getting the score

然而，这个真的不会”提高“ 您的评分；您只是拿到您

your English should get.

应该拿到的英语评分。

This brings us to our third mistake:

这带给我们第三个错误：

How are IELTS scores decided, and what do

雅思评分是怎样决定的，以及他们

they mean?

意思是什么？

Do you know?

您知道吗？

As we said before, the IELTS scoring systems are publicly available.

如同我们之前所说，雅思评分 标准是公开的。

You should read them!

您应当要读它们！

There are links for you below the video.

在视屏下面有链接。

There are two mistakes which people make here.

在这里有两个人们犯的错误。

First, don’t think of IELTS scores as numbers.

首先，不要认为雅思评分是数字。

Your IELTS score looks like a number, but it isn’t really.

您的雅思评分看上去像是一个 数字，但是，那不是真的。

It’s a very detailed description of what you can or can’t do in English.

它非常详细地描述了您能用 英语做什么或不能做什么。

Why is this important?

为什么这个是重要的？

Many students think about IELTS scores like tests at school: “I got five.

很多考生认为雅思评分像是在学校 里面的测验：“I got five.

I need seven, so I just need two more…

I need seven, so I just need two more…

Maybe if I try again, I’ll get a better score?”

Maybe if I try again, I’ll get a better score?”

Two more…

还有两个…

Two more what?

还有两个什么？

The difference between band five and band seven is huge.

五分与七分之间的差异是巨大的。

It’s the difference between speaking basic English and speaking at a level that

那是说讲基本英语和讲足以 攻读硕士学位或从事

is enough to study for a Master’s degree or work in a high-level job.

高级工作的水平之间的区别。

IELTS scores aren’t numbers.

雅思评分不是数字。

Secondly, by learning about the scoring system, you can see what the examiners are looking

其次，通过学习评分标准， 您可以看到考官在

for.

找什么。

This is very important, because you need to do different things at different bands.

这是很重要的，因为您需要在 不同的评分等级做不同的事情。

For example, is your target band six?

例如，您的目标评分是六分吗？

You need to focus on communicating clearly.

您需要着重在清晰地沟通。

You don’t need to worry about making grammar or vocabulary mistakes so much.

您不需要去担心犯语法和 词汇错误太多。

Are you aiming for band seven?

您的目标是七分吗？

You need to speak and write without making many language errors.

您要讲和写没有犯任何 说辞错误。

It’s very different to band six.

六分是非常不同的。

Do you need seven point five in the speaking test?

您需要在口语考试里拿到 七点五分吗？

That means you need two scores of seven and two scores of eight.

那意味着您需要两个七分 和两个八分。

Where can you get eight?

您在哪里拿到八分？

What do you need to improve to make sure you get at least seven in every score?

您需要提高什么来确定您在 每一个项目拿到至少七分？

You need to have answers to these questions in order to prepare effectively.

为了有效率地准备，您需要 对这些问题有回答。

Are you looking to improve your score in the writing exam in a short time?

您是否希望在短时间内提高 写作考试的分数？

You should probably focus on the task achievement and coherence/cohesion scores, which are easier

您应当有可能着重于任务达成 以及上下文连贯/承接评分，

to change, especially if you don’t have much time.

那是更容易来改变，特别是 如果您没有太多时间。

We could go on.

我们要继续。

The point is: depending on your target, where you are now, and how much time you have, you’ll

重点是：取决于您的目标，您 现在在哪个程度，以及您有

need to prepare differently.

多少时间，您会需要做不同的准备。

Understanding the scoring system will help you make an effective study plan and avoid

理解评分标准会帮助您指定 一个有效率的学习计划，

wasting time.

并避免浪费时间。

If you aren’t sure where to start, ask an experienced IELTS teacher for advice.

如果您不确定从哪里开始，询问一位 有经验的雅思老师来得到建议。

Let’s move on to mistake number four.

我们继续看错误四。

Many IELTS students have been preparing for IELTS or trying to get a certain score for

很多雅思考生一直在准备雅思 或者试图在一定时间内

some time.

拿到一定的分数。

In our experience, these students often think a lot about what they ‘should’ say.

依照我们的经验，这些学生通常 考虑他们”应该“说什么。

What does the examiner want to hear?

考官想听什么？

Is this a good answer to this question?

这对这个问题是一个好回答吗？

If I include some interesting facts in my essay introduction, will the examiner like

如果我在我的雅思议论文引言 里包含进一些有趣的事实，

it more?

考官会喜欢那个更多吗？

This causes a problem: you feel paralyzed, because you feel like you can’t find ideas.

这里有一个问题：您觉得崩溃了， 因为您觉得像是您找不到头绪。

You don’t know what to say.

您不知道说什么。

Here’s the truth: the examiners do not care about your ideas or your opinions.

这里是事实：考官不关心您的 想法或者您的观点。

Not one bit.

一点都没有。

There’s no ‘right’ answer.

没有”正确的“答案。

If your answer is relevant and clear, then it’s a good answer.

如果您的回答是相关的并清晰的， 那么，那是一个好回答。

If it’s not relevant or not clear, then it’s not a good answer.

如果那是不相关的，或不清晰的， 那么，那不是一个好回答。

Let’s do an example.

我们来做一个例子。

Here’s a common IELTS speaking question:

这里是一个常见的雅思口语问题：

Tell me about your hometown.

Tell me about your hometown.

Often, students will give answers like this:

通常，学生们会给出像是这样的回答：

Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand.

Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand.

It has a population of ten million.

It has a population of ten million.

There are many tourist attractions in Bangkok, such as the Grand Palace, which is very famous

There are many tourist attractions in Bangkok, such as the Grand Palace, which is very famous

and beautiful.

and beautiful.

More than three million tourists visit the Grand Palace every year.

More than three million tourists visit the Grand Palace every year.

Now, this isn’t a bad answer.

现在，这不是一个糟糕的回答。

It’s quite good, in some ways!

在某些方面，它是很好的。

But, it’s also very unnatural.

但是，那也是很不自然的。

Think about it.

考虑一下它。

If you were in a social situation, like a party, and someone asked you, “Hey, what’s

如果您在一个社交场合，像是一个 晚会，某人问您“Hey, what’s

Bangkok like?” would you give an answer like this?

Bangkok like?”您会给出一个 像这样的回答吗？

No, almost certainly not.

不，几乎可以肯定不是。

Maybe you would, and that’s fine!

也许您会，那很好！

But, most people wouldn’t.

但是，大部分人不会。

Many IELTS candidates try to talk and write in this very unnatural way, because they think

很多雅思考生试着用这种很 不自然的方式来谈和写，因为

it’s what the examiners want.

他们认为那是考官想要的。

Here’s the problem: taking an exam is stressful.

这里是问题：参加考试压力很大。

Speaking a foreign language is hard.

讲一门外语是难的。

Taking an exam in a foreign language is stressful and hard.

参加一门外语考试时压力大也难。

Trying to talk in a very unnatural way, which is totally different from how you communicate

试着用一个非常不自然的、与 您怎样自然地沟通完全

naturally?

不同的方式来谈？

That just makes it harder.

那只会让它更难。

Look at an alternative answer:

看一个替代问题：

Bangkok’s never boring!

Bangkok’s never boring!

There’s so much going on all the time.

There’s so much going on all the time.

It has so many different neighbourhoods, and they all have their own character.

It has so many different neighbourhoods, and they all have their own character.

Some things irritate me, but honestly I really like living here and I couldn’t imagine

Some things irritate me, but honestly I really like living here and I couldn’t imagine

living anywhere else.

living anywhere else.

This answer sounds much more natural.

这个答案听起来更自然。

To be clear, ‘natural’ doesn’t mean anything for your score.

要是清晰的，”自然“对您的 评分不意味着任何事情。

Both answers you saw are good answers.

您看到的回答是好回答。

However, the second answer is more natural, which means it’s probably easier for you

然而，第二个回答是更自然 地，那意味着对您来说

to produce.

有可能更容易做。

It’s closer to how people talk in everyday life.

那更接近日常生活里人们的 谈话方式。

IELTS is a test of your ability to communicate.

雅思是一个对您的沟通能力的测试。

It doesn’t matter what your ideas or opinions are.

您的想法或观点是什么 那不是问题。

It matters that you can express your ideas and opinions clearly and in detail.

问题是在于您可以清晰地详细地 表达您的想法和观点。

That sounds so easy, but many IELTS students tell us, “I don’t have any ideas for most

那听起来太简单了，但是，很多 雅思考生告诉我们，“I don’t have

of these topics.

any ideas for most of these topics.

I just don’t have anything to say.”

I just don’t have anything to say.”

What about that?

那怎样呢？

Many students say, “I don’t know what to talk about!”, especially for the essay

很多学生说“I don’t know what to talk about!”, 特别

in the writing exam, or in parts two and three of the speaking test.

是在议论文写作考试，或者口语 考试的第二部分或第三部分。

IELTS questions and topics are designed to be international.

雅思问题和主题设计 旨在国际性。

They’re not about UK culture or US culture, or any single country.

它们不是与英国文化或 美国文化，或者任何单一国家相关。

However, that also means they’re not based in your culture.

然而，那也意味着它们 不是以您的文化为基础。

There might be topics which people don’t talk about in your country.

也许有些主题在您的国家 人们不会谈论。

There might be topics which aren’t very relevant to where you live.

也许有些主题与您生活的 地方很不相关。

The IELTS exam is about your ability to communicate in an English-speaking environment.

雅思考试是与您在一个英语 环境里的沟通能力有关。

That includes talking about things you may not have thought about before.

那包括谈论您之前也许 没有想到的事情。

Plus, sometimes, IELTS questions are just plain weird.

加上，有时，雅思问题只是 很奇怪。

“Have you ever planted a tree?”

“Have you ever planted a tree?”

Maria?

Maria?

What?

What?

Exactly.

Exactly.

It’s a weird question, but it was in a real IELTS speaking exam in the past.

那是一个奇怪的问题，但是，那也是 一个真正的之前的雅思口语考题。

You need to be ready for anything when you go into the IELTS test.

当您参加雅思考试时，您 需要为任何事情做好准备。

So, what can you do?

所以，您可以做什么？

Preparing for IELTS isn’t just about your English.

准备雅思不仅与您的英语有关。

You should also read, write and speak about many different topics, and work out your own

您应该阅读、写作和讲很多 不同的主题，并找出您

ideas about them.

对它们的看法。

For example, should children always obey their parents?

例如，should children always obey their parents?

Should the government put taxes on fast food?

Should the government put taxes on fast food?

Is it better to choose a course at university that will lead to a good job, or is it better

Is it better to choose a course at university that will lead to a good job, or is it better

to study something you love learning about?

to study something you love learning about?

To be a strong IELTS candidate, you should have clear, detailed opinions about all these

要成为一位更强的雅思考生，您应当 对所有这些以及更多的主题

topics, and many, many more.

有清晰、具体的观点。

You should also try to be aware of other people’s ideas.

您也应当考虑到其他人的想法。

Maybe, in your country, people choose a subject at university that will lead to a good job.

或许，在您的国家，人们在大学里选择 一门会带来一份好工作的学科。

Maybe you never even thought about the idea of studying something just because you’re

或许您从不认为学习某些事情的 想法只是因为您

interested in it.

对它感兴趣。

Fine, no problem.

好的，没问题。

We’re not here to tell you what to think!

我们在这里不是去告诉您想什么！

But, in some parts of the world, people have different ideas.

但是，在世界上一些其他地方， 人们有不同的想法。

You’ll be a better IELTS candidate if you realise that.

如果您认识到那一点，您会是 一个更好的雅思考生。

So, read widely, write about different things, and talk to as many people as possible about

所以，阅读的范围宽一点，写作 不同的事情，和尽可能

as many topics as possible.

多的人谈论尽可能多的主题。

You can do this in your own language, but of course it’s smarter to do it in English

您能用您自己的语言做这件事，但是， 当然如果您可以的话，用英语

if you can.

来做会是更聪明的。

Don’t have anything to say about a topic?

关于一个话题没任何东西可以讲吗？

Ask your friends, relatives, colleagues and anyone else for their opinions.

问您的朋友、亲戚、同学以及其他 任何人，问他们的看法。

Decide if you agree or disagree with what other people say.

决定您是否同意其他人说的。

That way, you’ll start to form your own opinion.

用那种方式，您会开始形成 您自己的观点。

Again, this is a long-term process.

同样，这是一个长期的过程。

Preparing for IELTS isn’t just about going to a class and studying from a textbook.

雅思考试准备不仅是去上一节课， 以及从笔记本上学习。

It’s about becoming a more effective communicator.

那就是怎么成为一个更有效率的沟通者。

Let’s review the five things you need to do to avoid the common IELTS mistakes you

我们来复习一下您需要做的五件 事情来避免您在本节课里

saw in this lesson.

看到的常见雅思错误。

One: don’t leave your preparation too late.

一：不要开始雅思考试准备太迟了。

Two: don’t look for ‘secret techniques’ or short cuts.

二：不要找“秘密技巧”或捷径。

You’ll waste your time and money.

您会浪费您的时间和金钱。

Three: read the scoring system, and understand how scoring works.

三：阅读评分标准，理解怎样评分的。

Four: focus on expressing your own ideas, not on what you think the examiners want you

四：着重于表达您自己的想法， 而不是您认为考官

to say.

想要您说什么。

Five: read, talk and learn about a wide range of ideas and topics, so that you have well-developed

五：阅读、交谈和学习广范的 看法和话题，这样您有

opinions of your own.

您自己的成熟观点。

Thanks for watching, and good luck if you have an IELTS exam coming up soon!

感谢观看，如果您不久有一个 雅思考试，祝您好运！

See you next time!

下次见！