Want to know what is the importance of Grammar and Vocabulary in IELTS?

In some question types, Grammar helps to understand what to place as an answer. For example, in the sentence question type in Listening Test, your mind could be ready what to expect from audio such as:

Float is shaped like a _______________.

Now Grammar will help to understand what the requirement of the blank is. Do you need a noun verb or adjective? So, in the above mentioned example, we can predict that we want a noun that looks like a float.

However, while transferring IELTS listening answers I do not think that it requires much grammar than being careful of singular and plural words etc.

On the other hand, Vocabulary is crucial in terms of synonyms, spelling, and collocation. In detail, there are many questions paraphrased in the audio so if your vocabulary is limited to the word given in the booklet, you may not get the answer. Secondly, if the spelling is incorrect then the answer is marked incorrect in both Listening and Reading. The grammar and Vocabulary role is same in Listening and Reading Test.

Grammar and Vocabulary has a major role in the Writing and Speaking Test and has a worth of 50% score.

In writing Test, Grammar and Vocabulary have a value of 50 % Score. That means 25 % Score is for Vocabulary and 25 % Score is for Grammatical Range and Accuracy respectively.

If you are stuck with 6 or 6.5 Band Score and wondering what you need to do to get 8 or 9 Band score then you need to know that IELTS Writing test is unlike Listening and Reading where you can practice and can easily identify your mistakes from the comfort of your own because you have access to the answers straight away and you can find the answers from Answer Key. It is vital to know what the format is, how many questions prompts are there and how you can approach different types of questions.

Furthermore, how to get more score for Vocabulary. So, here is the guide to get 7 Band Score in Vocabulary. To get a band score 7 you need to use a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow some flexibility and precision and less common lexical items with some awareness of style and collocation you may produce occasional errors in word choice, spelling and/or word formation.

To get a band score 8, you are required to use a wide range of vocabulary fluently and flexibly to convey precise meanings and skillfully use uncommon lexical items but there may be occasional inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, however, rare errors in spelling and/or word-formation are acceptable. Lastly, to get a band score 9 you have to use a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control of lexical features; rare minor errors only as ‘slips’ are acceptable.

As far as Grammar is concerned, to get 7 Band Score in Grammar you require using a variety of complex structures and produce frequent error-free sentences you need good control of grammar and punctuation, but you may make a few errors. To get 8 Band Score, you need to use a wide range of structures, the majority of sentences should be error-free but may make only very occasional errors. Finally, to get 9 Band Score, you must need to use a wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy; rare minor errors only as ‘slips’ are acceptable.

The Public Band Descriptor shows that 9 Band Score is for Vocabulary if a student uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control of lexical features; rare minor errors occur only as ‘slips.’ And 9 Band Score is for Grammatical Range and Accuracy if a student uses a wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy; rare minor errors occur only as ‘slips.’

Vocabulary and Grammar have same value is in Speaking Test

The Band Descriptor shows that 9 Band Score is for Vocabulary if a student uses vocabulary with full flexibility and precision in all topics and uses idiomatic language naturally and accurately. And 9 Band Score is for Grammatical Range and Accuracy if a student uses a full range of structures naturally and appropriately as well as produces consistently accurate structures apart from ‘slips’ characteristic of native speaker speech.

Apart from General English listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills and techniques, you are required to develop a good range of vocabulary coupled with the awareness of the range of sentence structures with a high level of accuracy.