Subject: about ielts marking
Dear University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations,I am writing to inquire about marking for the current ielts. Recently i heard a rumor that to one form of the quetions in the reading tests T,F,NG can not be taken as correct answers to take the place of True, False and Not Given. Is this true?
It reminds me that there doesn‘t seem to be an official way that candidates can refer to as to what should be considered the standard answer. Currently the only resources are Cambridge IELTS 1, 2,3 and 4 in which there are detailed directions of how the tests are about. However, in Cambridge 3, published in 2004,sample answers for the tests indicate clearly that True/T, False/F and Not Given/NG, Yes/Y,No/N are all acceptible as correct answers. This, although not referred to be official document required to read by candidates, obviously give them a hint that the same situations can be applied to real tests.
The reason why the rumors as mentioned above came is the publication of Cambridge IELTS 4,in which the sample answers change, and there is no alternative answers as T,F,NG, or Y,N, NG. However, as I said above. There is no indication that Cambridge 4 or any of the above books can be applied to be offical instrctions that candidates must read before taking the tests. As a matter of fact, many candidates as I know are not informed of this book and therefore didn‘t read it or didn‘t notice the slight changes even they did have the book.
Based on the confusion I have about the tests. there two intentions for writing this letter,firstly, inquiry about whether T,F,NG or Y,N are acceptible answers,and secondly, suggestion that there be an offical direction of the tests upon registration as to what should be taken into consideration .
I look forward to you reply. Thank you very much for your time.
Yours sincerely,
May Liang