Get Ready for IELTS is a series of four skill-based books published by Collins, covering Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. It is aimed at learners who are not yet ready for full IELTS practice tests and need a lower-level introduction to the exam format first. Because each title in the series is searched for separately, and because many websites offer the books as free downloads, this review looks at what each book contains, who the series suits, and how to access the audio and answer keys without relying on unauthorized copies.
About the series
Publisher, authors and level
The series is published by Collins as part of its English for Exams range. Different authors wrote each title: Jane Short wrote the Listening book, Els Van Geyte wrote the Reading book, Fiona Aish and Jo Tomlinson wrote the Writing book, and Rhona Snelling wrote the Speaking book. According to the publisher’s own descriptions, the series is designed for learners working at a band score of around 3 to 4 who want to build the skills needed to reach a higher score, corresponding to roughly CEF level A2 to B1.
What the series is for
Get Ready for IELTS is intended as a foundation course before a learner moves on to full IELTS preparation material, rather than as a complete exam-practice course on its own. It can also be used alongside a classroom course as supplementary skills practice.
What is inside each book
Structure common to all four titles
Each book in the series follows a similar pattern, according to publisher descriptions:
- Twelve units of graded material, moving from easier to more demanding tasks.
- Key grammar and vocabulary relevant to the skill, introduced within each unit.
- Exam tips and “Watch out!” notes that flag common mistakes at this level.
- Four review units to consolidate what has been covered.
- A complete practice test for the skill, with an answer key.
- A vocabulary glossary at the back of the book.
Get Ready for IELTS Listening
Written by Jane Short, this title focuses on developing the listening skills needed for the test, using graded recordings and exercises that build up to full-length practice material. The book depends on its accompanying audio, so it is not usable on its own without the recordings.
Get Ready for IELTS Reading
Written by Els Van Geyte, this book works through reading sub-skills and IELTS-style question types at a lower level than full Academic practice papers, with a complete practice test and answer key included at the end.
Get Ready for IELTS Writing
Written by Fiona Aish and Jo Tomlinson, this title introduces the structure of both writing tasks gradually, with model language and guided practice rather than expecting learners to produce full responses from the start.
Get Ready for IELTS Speaking
Written by Rhona Snelling, this book builds core speaking skills through graded tasks, along with a full Speaking practice test, audioscripts and an answer key with model answers, plus audio for pronunciation and listening practice.
Strengths of the series
- Clear level targeting. The series states its target level directly, which helps learners avoid starting with material that is too advanced.
- Consistent structure across skills. Once you know how one book is organized, the others follow the same pattern, which makes self-study easier.
- Built-in error awareness. The “Watch out!” sections point to mistakes that are common at this level, rather than only presenting correct examples.
- Practice test included. Each book ends with a complete test for that skill, giving a way to check progress against something closer to exam conditions.
Limitations to keep in mind
- Lower-level scope. Because the series targets band 3 to 4 learners, it will not prepare you for band 6 or higher on its own, and higher-level candidates are likely to find it too basic.
- One skill per book. You need all four titles for full coverage, which is a larger investment of time and cost than a single combined book.
- Audio dependency for Listening and Speaking. Without the accompanying recordings, large parts of these two books cannot be completed as intended.
- Age of the material. As with other long-running series, some example topics may feel dated compared with recent test content, so pair it with newer sample papers as you progress.
Get Ready for IELTS PDF and download requests
Searches for a Get Ready for IELTS PDF, or for Get Ready for IELTS Listening PDF, Get Ready for IELTS Reading PDF and Get Ready for IELTS Writing PDF, commonly lead to sites offering the whole series as a free download. Before using one of these, consider the same three issues that apply to any copyrighted study book:
- Copyright. The books are published by Collins, and distributing or downloading unauthorized copies infringes the rights of the authors and publisher.
- Completeness. Copies shared this way can be missing pages, have poor scan quality, or be paired with audio that does not match the printed track numbers.
- Safety. Sites offering free copies of paid textbooks can carry unwanted software or request personal information.
A more reliable approach is to buy the books from a bookstore or authorized retailer, check with a library, or ask a teacher whether your school has copies available.
Get Ready for IELTS Listening audio
The Listening book’s exercises are built around its recordings, so the audio is central to using it as intended. Use the audio that comes with your copy of the book, whether on disc or through an access code, and check with the seller or publisher if it is missing rather than searching for unofficial audio files that may not align with the book’s numbering.
Get Ready for IELTS Listening and Reading answer keys
Both the Get Ready for IELTS Listening answer key and the Reading answer key are included in their respective books, generally at the back, alongside the practice test for that skill. Use the answer key from your own edition rather than one posted separately online, since a mismatched key can lead you to think a correct answer is wrong, or the reverse.
When you check your answers, note the type of question you missed and why, whether it was vocabulary, a misheard detail, or a misunderstanding of the instructions, so you know what to review before moving to the next unit.
How to study with the series
- Confirm your level first, using a short diagnostic or a practice test, before starting the series.
- Work through one book at a time, or one skill per session if you are studying all four together.
- Do the units in order, since later units build on skills introduced earlier.
- Use the review units to check whether you have retained what earlier units covered.
- Take the full practice test at the end of each book under timed conditions.
- Move on to fuller practice material, such as official practice tests, once you are consistently scoring well within this series.
The series gives lower-level learners a structured, skill-by-skill introduction to the test, with graded units, exam tips and a practice test in each book. It is not designed to take a learner all the way to a high band score, and it depends on its audio for the Listening and Speaking titles, so plan to move on to fuller preparation material once you have built the basics. Access the books, audio and answer keys through legitimate channels rather than unauthorized downloads, both to support the authors and publisher and to avoid incomplete or mismatched copies.
See also: IELTS Speaking band descriptors explained: What examiners score
Frequently asked questions
What level is the Get Ready for IELTS series for?
It is aimed at learners working at roughly band 3 to 4, corresponding to CEF level A2 to B1, who need a foundation before moving on to full IELTS practice material. Learners already scoring band 5 or higher in practice tests will likely find it too basic.
Do I need all four books, or can I buy just one?
Each title covers one skill, so you only need the books for the skills you want to work on. Many learners start with the skills they find weakest, such as Listening or Writing, rather than buying the full set at once.
Is it safe to download Get Ready for IELTS as a free PDF?
Unauthorized copies infringe the publisher’s and authors’ copyright and can be incomplete, poorly scanned, or paired with mismatched audio. Buying the books, checking a library, or asking your school for copies are safer ways to get accurate, complete material.
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