IELTS 4–10 October 2026 LRWS — WEEK 2 FULL PRACTICE SHEET

IELTS 4–10 October 2026 LRWS — WEEK 2 FULL PRACTICE SHEET

Best date 10 October 

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1. LISTENING — HIGH-PRIORITY PRACTICE

Official Listening: 4 parts, 40 questions, approximately 30 minutes. You hear each recording once. Parts 1–2 are everyday/social situations; Parts 3–4 are educational/training contexts. 

PART 1 — JOBS & RECRUITMENT

Predicted situation:

Job enquiry/application

Interview arrangements

Training or work schedule

Practise:

Form completion

Numbers, dates, names, addresses

Multiple choice

Vocabulary: application, vacancy, qualification, shift, salary, reference, interview, recruitment, availability, experience

Shortcut: WHO → WHY → WHEN → WHERE → NUMBER

Trap: The speaker may mention one number and then correct it.

Example: “The interview was originally on Tuesday… actually, Wednesday would be better.”

Answer = Wednesday

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PART 2 — COMMUNITY SERVICES / LOCAL FACILITIES

Predicted situations:

New community facility

Local service information

Changes to a public facility

Practise:

Map/plan labelling

Matching

Multiple choice

Vocabulary: entrance, reception, entrance hall, facilities, pedestrian access, parking area, renovation, opening hours, membership, accessible

Shortcut: For maps, establish: START → LEFT/RIGHT → LANDMARK → DESTINATION

Do not follow every word. Track movement.

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PART 3 — STUDENT PROJECT / EDUCATION

Predicted situations:

Students discussing a project

Research assignment

Course/project planning

Practise:

Multiple choice

Note completion

Matching opinions

Vocabulary: research question, methodology, source, evidence, survey, deadline, presentation, findings, hypothesis, reference

Shortcut: For MCQs: READ OPTIONS → PREDICT DIFFERENCE → LISTEN FOR CONTRAST

Listen especially for: “Initially…” “Actually…” “I'm not sure…” “On second thought…” “Whereas…”

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PART 4 — ACADEMIC LECTURE

High-priority areas:

History/culture

Society

Human behaviour

Cultural development

Practise:

Notes completion

Sentence completion

Multiple choice

Vocabulary: heritage, tradition, settlement, evidence, archaeological, cultural identity, migration, development, preservation, historical records

Shortcut: HEADING → KEYWORD → ANSWER

Do not try to understand every sentence. Follow the lecture structure.

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Listening master formula

READ → PREDICT → LISTEN → CONFIRM → WRITE

Before the audio:

1. Underline keywords.

2. Predict noun/verb/number/name.

3. Check the word limit.

4. Expect paraphrasing.

5. Keep moving if you miss one answer.

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2. READING — ACADEMIC

Academic Reading has 3 passages, 40 questions and 60 minutes. Official IELTS lists question types including MCQ, T/F/NG, matching headings, matching information, matching features and various completion tasks. 

PASSAGE 1 — MARINE LIFE / OCEANS

Likely focus:

Marine ecosystems

Ocean species

Human impact on marine life

Adaptation of aquatic species

Priority question types: TRUE/FALSE/NOT GIVEN + MATCHING HEADINGS

Vocabulary: marine ecosystem, species, habitat, biodiversity, adaptation, predator, prey, extinction, coastal, conservation

T/F/NG shortcut

TRUE = same meaning

FALSE = opposite meaning

NOT GIVEN = information missing

Do not use outside knowledge.

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PASSAGE 2 — TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION

Possible areas:

New technology

Scientific innovation

Technological development

Effect of technology on society

Priority: Matching Information + Sentence Completion

Vocabulary: innovation, invention, advancement, efficiency, automation, prototype, application, development, implementation, limitation

Shortcut for Matching Information:

UNIQUE WORD → SCAN → LOCATE → READ 2–3 SENTENCES → PROVE

Do not match merely because the paragraph contains the same keyword.

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PASSAGE 3 — HUMAN BEHAVIOUR

Possible areas:

Decision-making

Social behaviour

Memory

Behavioural patterns

Psychological research

Priority: Summary Completion + Multiple Choice

Vocabulary: behaviour, tendency, perception, motivation, cognitive, decision-making, influence, response, experiment, observation

Shortcut:

For summary: READ GAP → PREDICT WORD TYPE → FIND LOCATION → COPY EXACT ANSWER

For MCQ: QUESTION → PARAPHRASE → LOCATE → ELIMINATE → PROVE

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3. GENERAL TRAINING READING

GT Reading has 3 sections: everyday texts in Section 1, work-related texts in Section 2, and a longer general-interest text in Section 3. There are 40 questions and 60 minutes. 

SECTION 1 — PERSONAL LETTERS / MESSAGES

Possible texts:

Personal announcement

Invitation/message

Local information

Community notice

Question types: MCQ + Matching

Focus: dates, locations, conditions, instructions, exceptions.

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SECTION 2 — WORKPLACE DOCUMENT

Possible texts:

Workplace policy

Employee handbook

Training information

Company procedure

Question types: TRUE/FALSE/NOT GIVEN + Matching

Vocabulary: policy, employee, procedure, requirement, permission, responsibility, training, regulation, supervisor, workplace

Shortcut: Look for conditions:

if / unless / only if / except / required / permitted / prohibited

These frequently change the meaning.

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SECTION 3 — MAGAZINE / LIFESTYLE ARTICLE

Possible areas:

Lifestyle changes

Society

Modern habits

Work and everyday life

Question types: Sentence Completion + MCQ

Strategy: Do not read every word slowly.

Use:

SKIM → QUESTION → KEYWORD → PARAPHRASE → LOCATION → PROOF

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4. READING TIME FORMULA

Academic:

Passage 1 = 15–17 min

Passage 2 = 18–20 min

Passage 3 = 23–25 min

GT:

Section 1 = 15 min

Section 2 = 20 min

Section 3 = 25 min

Final rule:

Never spend 5 minutes saving 1 mark.

Mark it, move on, return later.

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5. WRITING TASK 1 — ACADEMIC

This week prioritise:

TYPE 1 — PIE CHART

Focus:

proportions

largest/smallest categories

major changes

similarities

Useful language:

accounted for

constituted

represented

made up

the largest proportion

the smallest share

Formula:

INTRO → OVERVIEW → MAJOR COMPARISON 1 → MAJOR COMPARISON 2

Do not describe every number.

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TYPE 2 — TABLE

Focus:

highest/lowest

significant differences

similar figures

changes across years if applicable

Useful language:

stood at

was considerably higher than

was almost twice as high as

respectively

in contrast

by comparison

Shortcut:

HIGHEST → LOWEST → BIGGEST GAP → SIMILARITY

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TYPE 3 — MAP

Focus:

what changed

what was added

what disappeared

movement of facilities

location changes

Vocabulary:

demolished, constructed, converted, relocated, expanded, replaced, pedestrian area, residential area, entrance, pathway

Map formula:

INTRO → OVERVIEW → OLD MAP → NEW MAP

High-value grammar:

was replaced by

was converted into

was demolished to make way for

was expanded

was relocated

Academic Task 1 requires at least 150 words and about 20 minutes. 

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6. GT WRITING TASK 1 — FORMAL LETTER

For this week, practise:

1. FORMAL COMPLAINT

Possible situation: A service/facility has caused a problem.

Structure:

Dear Sir or Madam,

P1 — PURPOSE

I am writing to express my dissatisfaction regarding...

P2 — PROBLEM

Explain exactly what happened.

P3 — CONSEQUENCE + DETAILS

Explain how it affected you.

P4 — REQUEST / SOLUTION

I would therefore appreciate it if you could...

Yours faithfully,

[Name]

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2. FORMAL REQUEST

Useful opening:

> I am writing to request information regarding...

Useful request language:

> I would be grateful if you could provide...

> Could you please clarify whether...

> I would appreciate further information about...

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3. FORMAL APPLICATION

Useful language:

> I am writing to apply for...

> I believe that my experience and qualifications make me a suitable candidate for...

> I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this further.

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GT Task 1 golden rule

PURPOSE → BULLET 1 → BULLET 2 → BULLET 3 → ACTION

Never write bullet points in the actual answer. IELTS requires a connected letter of at least 150 words. 

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7. WRITING TASK 2 — 3 ESSAY TYPES

The three types for this week's practice:

TYPE 1 — DISCUSS BOTH VIEWS

Formula:

INTRO Paraphrase + both sides + your position

BODY 1 View A → explanation → example

BODY 2 View B → explanation → example

CONCLUSION Both sides + clear opinion

Shortcut:

VIEW → WHY → EXAMPLE → EFFECT

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TYPE 2 — AGREE OR DISAGREE

Formula:

INTRO → REASON 1 → REASON 2 → CONCLUSION

Do not write:

“I completely agree and disagree.”

Choose a clear position.

Useful language:

> The primary reason for this is that...

> Another significant factor is...

> A clear example of this can be seen in...

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TYPE 3 — ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES

Formula:

INTRO → ADVANTAGES → DISADVANTAGES → CONCLUSION

For a stronger answer:

ADVANTAGE → WHY → EXAMPLE

DISADVANTAGE → WHY → EXAMPLE

Then give a clear overall position if the question asks for one.

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8. 8 HIGH-PRIORITY TASK 2 TOPICS

1. Technology and education

Some people believe technology has improved education, while others believe it has created new problems.

Prepare: access → personalised learning → distraction → dependence

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2. Government investment in public transport

Governments should spend more money improving public transportation rather than expanding roads.

Prepare: congestion → accessibility → environment → infrastructure cost

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3. Cultural heritage vs modern development

Historic buildings and cultural sites should be protected even when cities need more space for modern development.

Prepare: identity → tourism → housing → economic development

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4. Social media and young people

Social media has a significant influence on young people's behaviour and relationships.

Prepare: communication → comparison → information → privacy

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5. Living in cities vs rural areas

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of living in large cities compared with rural areas.

Prepare: employment → services → cost → community → lifestyle

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6. Renewable energy

Governments should accelerate the transition from traditional energy sources to renewable energy.

Prepare: emissions → energy security → investment → reliability

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7. Online learning vs traditional classrooms

Some people prefer online education, whereas others believe face-to-face education is more effective.

Prepare: flexibility → interaction → discipline → accessibility

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8. Protecting wildlife and natural areas

Some people believe governments should spend more money protecting wildlife and natural habitats.

Prepare: biodiversity → ecosystems → tourism → development

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9. TASK 2 VOCABULARY BANK

Education

curriculum, academic performance, digital learning, accessibility, classroom interaction, independent learning

Technology

technological advancement, automation, digital dependence, online platform, innovation, accessibility

Environment

renewable energy, carbon emissions, biodiversity, natural habitat, conservation, sustainable development

Cities

urbanisation, infrastructure, public transport, housing shortage, congestion, quality of life

Culture

cultural heritage, historical identity, preservation, traditional practices, modernisation

Society

social interaction, community ties, public awareness, behavioural change, social pressure

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10. BAND 7+ GRAMMAR ENGINE

Do not force complicated grammar everywhere.

Use:

Although + clause, main clause

> Although online education provides greater flexibility, it can reduce direct interaction between students and teachers.

While + contrast

> While cities offer better employment opportunities, rural areas often provide a quieter lifestyle.

This can lead to + noun

> Excessive dependence on technology can lead to reduced face-to-face interaction.

If + present, will + verb

> If governments improve public transport, fewer people will rely on private cars.

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11. SPEAKING — SEPTEMBER–DECEMBER 2026

Use the Makkar September–December 2026 pool, 1–70, as your main Part 1 and Part 2 preparation bank.

The uploaded Makkar source itself states that it is guesswork rather than guaranteed exam content and advises against memorised answers; it also notes that older May–August cards may remain relevant. 

Official IELTS Speaking remains:

PART 1 — Introduction & Interview

PART 2 — Long Turn / Cue Card

PART 3 — Discussion

The test is 11–14 minutes and is assessed on fluency/coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range/accuracy and pronunciation. 

Part 1 formula

ANSWER → BECAUSE → DETAIL

Example:

> Do you enjoy learning new things?

> Yes, definitely. I enjoy learning new things because it keeps me mentally active. Recently, I've been trying to improve my presentation skills, so I've been watching short talks online and practising at home.

Avoid: “Yes, I do because it is good.”

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Part 2 formula

Use:

WHEN → WHERE → WHO → WHAT → FEELING → RESULT

Do not memorise a complete answer.

Prepare flexible: people + places + experiences + feelings + reasons

Your goal is to speak for 1.5–2 minutes naturally.

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Part 3 formula

OPINION → REASON → EXAMPLE → CONSEQUENCE

Example:

> I think technology has changed education considerably because students can now access information almost instantly. For example, online platforms allow learners to watch lectures whenever they have time. As a result, education has become more flexible, although students need stronger self-discipline.

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12. SPEAKING VOCABULARY ENGINE

Instead of repeating:

good → good → good

Use:

effective, practical, memorable, rewarding, convenient, challenging, meaningful, enjoyable, worthwhile

Instead of:

very important

Use:

essential / crucial / highly significant

Instead of:

very difficult

Use:

challenging / demanding / complicated

Instead of:

I like it

Use:

I’m quite fond of it.

I find it genuinely enjoyable.

It’s something I’ve grown to appreciate.

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13. PRONUNCIATION QUICK FIX

Focus on:

WORD STRESS + ENDINGS + CONNECTED SPEECH

Do not speak unnaturally slowly.

Practise:

comfortable

environment

development

technology

opportunity

particularly

And watch final sounds:

worked

visited

changed

improved

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14. 7-DAY PRACTICE PLAN

4 October

Listening P1 + Reading P1

Academic Task 1: Pie chart

GT: Formal complaint

Speaking Part 1

5 October

Listening P2 + Reading P2

Academic Task 1: Table

GT: Formal request

Speaking Part 2

6 October

Listening P3 + Reading P3

Task 2: Discuss Both Views

Speaking Part 3

7 October

Listening P4

Academic Task 1: Map

GT: Formal application

Speaking Part 1 + Part 2

8 October

Full Listening test

Full Academic/GT Reading test

Task 2: Agree/Disagree

9 October

Writing Task 1 + Task 2 under timed conditions

Speaking full mock

10 October

FULL LRWS MOCK

Listening — 30 min

Reading — 60 min

Writing — 60 min

Speaking — 11–14 min

Then spend another 30–40 minutes analysing mistakes.

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15. FINAL EXAM-DAY SHORTCUTS

Listening

Predict → Listen → Confirm → Move

Reading

Question → Keyword → Paraphrase → Location → Proof

Academic Task 1

Intro → Overview → Compare → Compare

GT Task 1

Purpose → 3 bullets → Request/action → Formal close

Task 2

Position → Reason → Explanation → Example → Result

Speaking Part 1

Answer → Why → Detail

Speaking Part 2

When → Where → Who → What → Feeling → Result

Speaking Part 3

Opinion → Why → Example → Consequence

 

IELTS Speaking Part 1 — POLITENESS

IELTS Speaking Part 1 — POLITENESS

1. Do you say “please” and “thank you” often?

Pretty much, especially when I’m asking someone for a favour or receiving something from them.

I think those two little words can make a simple interaction feel much nicer.

Even when I’m in a hurry, I try not to skip them.

It’s such a small thing, but it goes a long way.

2. What do you do when someone is rude to you?

I usually try not to react straight away because I don’t want a small issue to turn into a big one.

I’ll stay calm and keep my tone normal, even if the other person is being difficult.

If they cross the line, though, I’ll politely stand my ground.

There’s no point being rude just because someone else is.

3. Do you find it difficult to refuse a request politely?

Sometimes, especially when I know the other person is expecting me to say yes.

I used to agree to things just to avoid disappointing people, but I’ve got better at saying no.

I normally explain briefly and try to offer another option if I can.

That way, I can be honest without coming across as harsh.

4. Do you apologise when you make a mistake?

Absolutely, if I know I’ve genuinely messed up.

I’d rather admit it and clear the air than pretend nothing happened.

A simple “I’m sorry, that was my mistake” can save a lot of unnecessary tension.

There’s no shame in owning up when you’re in the wrong.

5. Do you think you are more polite with strangers than with people you know well?

Probably, because with close people I’m much more relaxed and less careful about every little thing I say.

I can tease my family or speak quite casually without worrying that they’ll take it the wrong way.

With strangers, I naturally keep a little more distance and choose my words carefully.

I suppose familiarity makes you drop your guard.

Topic Vocabulary

polite = well-mannered, courteous, respectful, considerate, thoughtful, tactful, well-mannered behaviour = good manners, respectful tone = courteous way of speaking, considerate = mindful of other people’s feelings, tactful = careful not to offend, courteous = polite and respectful, appropriate = suitable for the situation, civil = reasonably polite even during disagreement, gracious = pleasantly polite, respectful = showing regard for others, courtesy = polite behaviour, etiquette = accepted rules of polite behaviour, social manners = behaviour expected in social situations, tone of voice = the way your voice sounds, personal boundaries = limits around how people should treat you, mutual respect = respect between people, thoughtful gesture = a small action showing consideration, genuine apology = a sincere expression of regret, polite refusal = saying no respectfully, constructive response = a useful and calm reaction.

25 Natural Idioms & Expressions for Politeness

go a long way = have a surprisingly positive effect, mind your manners = behave politely, show some respect = behave respectfully towards someone, keep your cool = remain calm, watch your tone = be careful about how you speak, choose your words carefully = speak in a tactful way, stand your ground = remain firm without becoming aggressive, clear the air = resolve tension or misunderstanding, own up to something = admit responsibility, make amends = try to repair a mistake or relationship, smooth things over = reduce tension, bite your tongue = stop yourself from saying something rude, take the high road = behave maturely instead of retaliating, give someone the benefit of the doubt = assume they may have a reasonable explanation, meet someone halfway = make a compromise, keep things civil = remain polite despite disagreement, put yourself in someone’s shoes = consider another person’s feelings, come across as = appear to other people, rub someone the wrong way = annoy or irritate someone, cross the line = behave in an unacceptable way, keep someone in mind = consider their needs or feelings, treat someone with respect = behave towards them courteously, be mindful of = pay attention to something that affects others, handle something gracefully = deal with it calmly and politely, know when to back off = recognise when you should give someone space.

High-Scoring Natural Expressions

I try not to make a big deal out of it, I’d rather keep things friendly, I don’t want to come across as rude, I usually give people the benefit of the doubt, I’m quite careful about how I phrase things, I’d rather clear the air than let things build up, I’m not one to pick a fight, I try to keep my cool, I’ll politely stand my ground, I think a little courtesy goes a long way, I don’t take it personally, I know when to bite my tongue, I’d rather be honest without being harsh, I try to put myself in their shoes, I’m quite mindful of other people’s feelings.

Quick Part 1 Formula

Direct answer → personal reason → tiny example/detail → natural finishing thought

Example:

“I usually try to stay calm, mainly because I don’t like unnecessary arguments. If someone’s being rude, I’ll listen first and respond politely rather than getting into a heated exchange. I just think keeping your cool makes life much easier.”

IELTS 1–3 OCTOBER 2026 — FULL PRACTICE SHEET

IELTS 1–3 OCTOBER 2026 — FULL PRACTICE SHEET

1. LISTENING — 1–3 OCTOBER

Overall topic bank — prepare these 5

1. Work & recruitment — job applications, training, workplace arrangements

2. Travel & events — bookings, festivals, visitor information, accommodation

3. Education & teaching — courses, lesson planning, university/school projects

4. Environment & natural science — wetlands, wildlife, agriculture, natural resources

5. Technology & community services — public facilities, technology, local programmes

These themes are grounded in September recall patterns: travel-agent booking, cabin-crew recruitment, international events, volunteer briefings, education/lesson planning and natural-environment lectures have all appeared in recent reconstructed September sets. 

Part 1

Predicted practice topics: job enquiry/application,... travel or event booking,... accommodation/service enquiry.

Question-type rotation: Form/Note Completion,... Multiple Choice

Shortcut:

WHO → PURPOSE → DETAILS → NUMBER/NAME → FINAL CHANGE

Watch for: phone numbers,... prices,... dates,... addresses,... opening times,... qualifications,... requirements.

Common traps: “I initially thought...” → changed information

“It used to be...” → old information

“Actually...” → correction

“Not X, but Y...” → Y is the answer

Part 2

Predicted topics: community event,... tourist attraction/facility,... volunteer programme.

Question-type rotation: Multiple Choice,... Map/Plan Labelling

Shortcut:

PLACE → PURPOSE → LOCATION → DETAIL

Map vocabulary: opposite,... beside,... beyond,... entrance,... reception,... at the far end,... adjacent to,... in the corner,... across from.

Part 3

Predicted topics: university/course discussion,... student project,... lesson or research planning.

Question-type rotation: Multiple Choice,... Matching

Shortcut:

PROBLEM → TWO OPINIONS → EVIDENCE → DECISION

Listen for: I agree,... I'm not convinced,... that's a good point,... but,... whereas,... I'd rather,... what about...?

Part 4

Predicted topics: natural environment,... wildlife/ecosystem,... scientific or educational lecture.

Question-type rotation: Note/Sentence Completion,... Multiple Choice

Recent September material included a lecture on American salt marshes, including salinity, wildlife and human intervention. 

Shortcut:

INTRODUCTION → DEFINITION → FEATURE 1 → FEATURE 2 → PROBLEM → EFFECT → SOLUTION

For a lecture, don't wait for the exact word from the question. Expect paraphrasing.

Example: “animals feed on plants” → “wildlife depends on vegetation”

Listening Master Formula

READ → PREDICT → LISTEN → CONFIRM → WRITE → MOVE

Before the recording: circle names,... underline numbers,... predict noun/verb/adjective,... mark MCQ differences.

During: don't translate,... don't look backwards,... don't panic after one missed answer.

After: check spelling,... singular/plural,... word limit,... numbers.

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2. READING ACADEMIC

Overall 6-topic rotation

1. Environment/natural science

2. Technology and society

3. Education/learning

4. Work and human behaviour

5. History/culture

6. Urban development/public facilities

Passage 1

Likely practice themes: natural environment,... wildlife,... historical discovery

Question types: Matching Headings,... True/False/Not Given

Shortcut:

HEADING = MAIN IDEA, NOT DETAIL

For T/F/NG:

TRUE = agrees

FALSE = contradicts

NOT GIVEN = information absent

Never use outside knowledge.

Passage 2

Likely themes: technology in daily life,... education innovation,... workplace changes

Question types: Multiple Choice,... Matching Information

Shortcut:

QUESTION → KEYWORD → PARAPHRASE → PARAGRAPH → PROOF

Matching Information warning: one paragraph may contain a tiny detail that looks relevant. Read the surrounding sentences and identify the exact claim.

Passage 3

Likely themes: scientific/environmental research,... human behaviour,... urban/social development

Question types: Summary/Sentence Completion,... Multiple Choice

Shortcut:

QUESTION ORDER → LOCATE → READ 2–3 SENTENCES → ANSWER

For difficult Passage 3:

CLAIM → EVIDENCE → EXAMPLE → CONCLUSION

Recent September reconstructed Reading sets confirm a broad mix of matching, MCQ and other standard question types, rather than one fixed pattern. 

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3. READING GENERAL TRAINING

Remember the structure:

Section 1 = 2 short texts

Section 2 = 2 workplace/general texts

Section 3 = 1 longer text

Section 1

Predicted practice topics:

Text 1: public notices,... advertisements,... services

Text 2: accommodation,... transport,... community information

Question types: Matching Information,... Short Answer/Multiple Choice

Formula:

SCAN → FIND EXACT DETAIL → CHECK WORDING

Focus on: prices,... dates,... locations,... conditions,... contact details.

Section 2

Predicted topics:

Text 1: workplace training,... employee facilities,... company procedures

Text 2: workplace rules,... recruitment,... professional development

Question types: Matching Headings/Information,... Sentence Completion

Formula:

WHO → WHAT → WHEN → WHY → CONDITION

Watch words: must,... may,... only,... unless,... required,... recommended.

Section 3

Predicted themes:

society,... technology,... education,... changing workplace behaviour

Question types: Multiple Choice,... Matching Headings/Information

Formula:

MAIN ARGUMENT → SUPPORT → CONTRAST → CONCLUSION

Don't read Section 3 like a novel.

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4. READING VOCABULARY

Environment

habitat,... ecosystem,... biodiversity,... conservation,... species,... vegetation,... wetlands,... pollution,... restoration,... erosion,... sustainable.

Technology

innovation,... automation,... digital platform,... artificial intelligence,... efficiency,... accessibility,... dependence,... privacy,... development,... technological advancement.

Education

curriculum,... assessment,... academic performance,... practical skills,... learning environment,... teaching methods,... research,... independent learning.

Work

employment,... recruitment,... qualification,... training,... productivity,... workplace,... responsibilities,... promotion,... professional development.

Society

community,... population,... urbanisation,... public facilities,... social behaviour,... inequality,... development,... access,... participation.

Paraphrase bank

increase = rise,... grow,... expand,... climb

decrease = decline,... fall,... drop,... reduce

important = significant,... crucial,... considerable

problem = issue,... challenge,... concern,... difficulty

solution = measure,... approach,... response,... intervention

effect = impact,... consequence,... outcome,... result

change = shift,... transition,... transformation,... alteration

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5. ACADEMIC WRITING TASK 1

Prepare these 3 types

Type 1 — Line/Bar/Multiple Data

Practice topics: employment trends,... transport usage,... cinema/visitor numbers,... production figures.

Formula:

INTRO → OVERVIEW → BODY 1 → BODY 2

Introduction:

“The graph illustrates/shows/compares...”

Overview:

Overall, X increased, whereas Y declined. The most noticeable feature is that...

Body:

Starting with X,...

By contrast,...

Meanwhile,...

Towards the end of the period,...

Do NOT give reasons unless the chart gives them.

Type 2 — Process

Practice: natural production,... recycling,... manufacturing,... agricultural process.

Formula:

INTRO → OVERVIEW → STAGE 1–3 → STAGE 4–END

Use:

Initially,...

The process begins when...

Following this,...

Once...

Subsequently,...

The final stage involves...

For a man-made process use passive:

is collected → is transported → is processed → is heated → is packaged

Type 3 — Map

Practice: town redevelopment,... public facility changes,... park/campus transformation.

Formula:

INTRO → OVERVIEW → AREA 1 → AREA 2

Vocabulary:

was replaced by,... was converted into,... was demolished,... was constructed,... was relocated,... was extended,... remained unchanged,... was added,... was removed.

High-value overview:

Overall, the area became more developed, with several new facilities added and some existing features removed or relocated.

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6. ACADEMIC TASK 1 — DATA LANGUAGE

Upward

rose,... increased,... climbed,... grew,... went up

rose from X to Y

Downward

fell,... declined,... dropped,... decreased

fell by X

fell from X to Y

Do not confuse:

from 20 to 30 = +10

by 10 = difference

to 30 = final figure

Stable

remained stable,... stayed unchanged,... levelled off,... remained relatively constant.

Comparison

higher than,... lower than,... twice as high as,... approximately three times the figure for,... slightly above,... considerably below.

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7. GENERAL TRAINING TASK 1

Tone

For this prediction week, prioritise:

FORMAL

Prepare these 3 situations:

1. Complaint — poor service/product/facility

2. Request — information, permission, arrangement

3. Problem + solution — explain an issue and request action

Universal GT letter format

Dear Sir/Madam,

P1 — PURPOSE

“I am writing to complain about...”

“I am writing to request...”

“I am writing regarding...”

P2 — BACKGROUND

Explain exactly what happened.

P3 — DETAILS + SOLUTION

Give 2 specific details and explain what you expect.

P4 — ACTION

“I would appreciate it if you could...”

“I look forward to your response.”

Yours faithfully,

Complaint shortcut

PROBLEM → DETAILS → IMPACT → SOLUTION → REQUEST

Request shortcut

REASON → REQUEST → DETAILS → BENEFIT

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8. WRITING TASK 2

Three priority essay types

1. Opinion

Typical question:

“Some people believe X. To what extent do you agree or disagree?”

Formula:

POSITION → REASON 1 → EXAMPLE → REASON 2 → EXAMPLE → CONCLUSION

Introduction:

“Although there are arguments in favour of X, I believe that Y is more beneficial because...”

Never give a 50/50 answer unless you can control it very well.

2. Discuss Both Views

Formula:

VIEW A → WHY → EXAMPLE → VIEW B → WHY → EXAMPLE → OPINION

Useful:

“Those who support this view argue that...”

“On the other hand,...”

“From my perspective,...”

3. Advantages/Disadvantages

Formula:

ADVANTAGES → EXAMPLE → DISADVANTAGES → EXAMPLE → VERDICT

If the question says:

“Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?”

you MUST clearly say which side outweighs the other.

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9. HIGH-PRIORITY OCTOBER ESSAY PRACTICE

Use these as full 40-minute practice questions:

1. University students should study a wider range of subjects rather than specialise in one area. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

2. More open spaces in cities are being replaced by housing and commercial developments. Is this a positive or negative development?

3. Museums should be free for everyone rather than charging entrance fees. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

4. Young people are becoming less interested in the history of their families. What are the reasons, and is this a positive or negative development?

5. Governments should financially support small businesses rather than individuals who are unable to find work. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

6. People increasingly buy products from large international companies rather than small local businesses. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages.

7. Schools should teach children how to manage money, while others believe this should be taught by parents. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

8. An increasing number of people use online services for banking, shopping and other daily activities. Is this a positive or negative development?

Recent September recalled Task 2 questions have included living alone, changing careers, road safety, international news in schools, online information and education, among others, so these themes are useful for flexible preparation rather than memorising one exact prompt. 

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10. ESSAY VOCABULARY

Government

allocate funding,... public expenditure,... government intervention,... financial support,... public resources,... policy measures.

Education

academic development,... practical skills,... learning outcomes,... educational institutions,... curriculum,... teaching methods.

Society

social cohesion,... quality of life,... community engagement,... changing lifestyles,... social pressure,... family relationships.

Technology

technological advancement,... digital dependence,... automation,... online services,... accessibility,... efficiency.

Environment

environmental protection,... natural resources,... carbon emissions,... sustainable development,... conservation,... ecological impact.

Strong but natural verbs

address,... tackle,... encourage,... discourage,... promote,... reduce,... improve,... facilitate,... regulate,... allocate,... preserve.

Avoid forcing words such as “plethora”, “myriad”, “multifaceted” or “in this contemporary era” into every essay.

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11. SPEAKING — 1–3 OCTOBER

The September–December 2026 speaking pool is now producing real candidate recalls. A particularly strong current signal is the repeated report of a person met only once and wanting to know more about them, along with older-person, advice, fitness, making-things, good-service and enjoyable-evening topics. 

PART 1 — PRIORITY TOPICS

Prepare short, personal answers for:

Tiredness,... computers/tablets,... collecting things,... lost and found,... street markets,... opportunities,... secondary school,... paper,... fruit and vegetables,... politeness,... rubbish and recycling,... social media,... work/studies,... home,... free time.

The current September–December Part 1 reports specifically include newer themes such as tiredness, rubbish/recycling, computers/tablets, collecting things and lost-and-found. 

Part 1 answer engine

ANSWER → BECAUSE → PERSONAL DETAIL

Example:

Do you often feel tired?

“Yes, sometimes, mainly because my days can get quite busy. I usually notice it in the evening, especially if I haven't slept properly the night before.”

Do NOT give a memorised 8-line speech.

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12. PART 2 — HIGH-PRIORITY CUE CARDS

1. A person you met only once and want to know more about

Prepare: who → where/when → conversation → why curious → feeling

This is one of the strongest current recall signals, reported repeatedly in September. 

2. An older person you admire/respect

who → relationship → qualities → incident → why respect

3. A person good at making things by hand

who → what they make → when you saw it → skill → why impressive

4. A time you worked in a group/team

when → people → task → your role → result

5. A time you changed your opinion

old opinion → trigger → new information → changed view → result

6. An important decision that made you happy

situation → options → decision → reason → result → feeling

7. A local news story people were interested in

what → where → when → why popular → your reaction

8. A person who taught you a new skill

who → skill → teaching method → difficulty → result

9. A city you visited and would like to revisit

when → where → what you did → best feature → why return

10. A noisy place

where → when → people/sounds → why noisy → reaction

11. A crowded place

location → occasion → crowd → what happened → feeling

12. A natural place you enjoyed

where → when → what you saw → activity → why memorable

13. An evening you enjoyed with friends

when → where → people → activities → why enjoyable

14. A challenging technology problem

device/system → problem → attempts → solution → lesson

15. A message/email you sent but waited a long time for a reply

who → message → reason → waiting → response → feeling

16. A long-term goal

goal → origin → steps → difficulty → future result

17. A tall building you like/dislike

building → location → appearance → purpose → opinion

18. A home you like visiting but wouldn't live in

whose home → description → what you enjoy → drawback → conclusion

Current September–December sources also show city revisit, free-time place, water body, tall building and other place/person cards circulating. 

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13. PART 2 — 2-MINUTE FORMULA

Use:

P → P → D → R → F

P = Past/context

P = Place/person

D = Details

R = Reason

F = Feeling/final reflection

For the cue-card bullet points:

1 minute preparation = 4 keywords + 1 story

Do NOT write sentences.

Example notes:

person met once / conference / architect / talked about cities / curious

Then speak naturally.

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14. PART 3 — DISCUSSION FORMULA

Use:

OPINION → REASON → EXAMPLE → CONTRAST

Example:

“I think people are less interested in family history nowadays because modern lifestyles are much busier. For example, young adults often move to different cities for education or work and have less time to talk to older relatives. However, I don't think the interest has disappeared completely, because digital family-history tools have actually made research easier.”

Useful Part 3 language:

“Generally speaking...”

“I would say that...”

“One major reason is...”

“For instance...”

“That said...”

“Compared with the past...”

“From a broader perspective...”

“I don't think this applies to everyone...”

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15. SPEAKING VOCABULARY

People

approachable,... reliable,... considerate,... ambitious,... practical,... creative,... supportive,... knowledgeable,... determined.

Places

peaceful,... lively,... overcrowded,... well-maintained,... picturesque,... convenient,... accessible,... atmospheric.

Experiences

memorable,... unexpected,... rewarding,... challenging,... frustrating,... worthwhile,... eye-opening.

Technology

user-friendly,... time-saving,... efficient,... unreliable,... convenient,... complicated,... outdated.

Society

changing lifestyles,... social interaction,... family bonds,... work-life balance,... public awareness,... community involvement.

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16. SPEAKING GRAMMAR — BAND 7+ CONTROL

Don't try to use difficult grammar everywhere. Rotate these:

Past:

“I had never experienced anything like that before.”

Present perfect:

“It has become much more common in recent years.”

Conditional:

“If I were in that situation, I would probably...”

Although:

“Although it was inconvenient, it taught me an important lesson.”

Relative clause:

“The person who helped me was someone I had only recently met.”

Cause/effect:

“This meant that..., which eventually led to...”

Contrast:

“While some people prefer..., I tend to...”

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17. THE IELTS LISTENING + READING MASTER FORMULA

Listening

READ → PREDICT → LISTEN → CONFIRM → WRITE

Reading

QUESTION → KEYWORD → PARAPHRASE → LOCATION → PROOF

Academic Passage 3

MAIN CLAIM → EVIDENCE → EXAMPLE → AUTHOR'S CONCLUSION

Speaking

ANSWER → WHY → EXAMPLE → EXTEND

Writing Task 1

INTRO → OVERVIEW → SELECT → COMPARE

Writing Task 2

POSITION → REASON → EXAMPLE → EXPLAIN → LINK

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18. 7-DAY PRACTICE PLAN FOR 1–3 OCTOBER

Day 1

Listening Part 1–2,... Academic Reading Passage 1,... Task 1 chart,... Speaking Part 1.

Day 2

Listening Part 3–4,... Academic Reading Passage 2,... GT Sections 1–2,... Task 2 Opinion.

Day 3

Listening Part 5–6,... Academic Reading Passage 3,... GT Section 3,... Speaking cue card.

Day 4

Full Listening test,... Task 1 Process,... Part 2 + Part 3 Speaking.

Day 5

Full Academic/GT Reading,... Task 1 Map,... Task 2 Discussion.

Day 6

Full Writing test,... 3 cue cards,... Part 3 discussion.

Day 7

NO NEW MATERIAL.

Revise:

Vocabulary → formulas → mistakes → weak question types → speaking stories

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19. FINAL EXAM-DAY SHORTCUTS

Listening: Don't chase a missed answer. Move immediately.

Reading: Don't read every word before looking at the questions.

Academic Task 1: Overview is compulsory. Don't explain reasons that aren't shown.

GT Task 1: Tone must match the relationship.

Task 2: Answer every part of the question. Clear position > complicated vocabulary.

Speaking Part 1: Short + personal.

Speaking Part 2: Tell one complete story rather than four disconnected bullet-point answers.

Speaking Part 3: Give an idea, explain it and prove it with an example.

Most important: prepare the topic + structure + vocabulary, not a memorised answer. The current September reports themselves show why: the live Speaking pool contains both newly reported and recurring cards, with wording varying across reports.