IELTS 14 FEB CHEAT SHEET – REAL STRATEGIES (LRWS)
AC / GT | Practical | Score-focused
LISTENING – METHODS THAT WORK
GLOBAL METHOD (ALL PARTS)
Strategy: Predict → Track → Confirm
1. Predict
Before audio starts, predict:
word type (noun / number / name)
plural or singular
This reduces panic and missed answers.
2. Track
Follow the speaker’s logic, not words.
IELTS never jumps randomly.
3. Confirm
Write only when you are 90% sure.
Never rewrite unless clearly wrong.
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PART 1 – FORM / SENTENCE COMPLETION
Method: Grammar-first approach
Look at the sentence → identify grammar gap
Example:
“The appointment is on ___” → date
“The fee is ___ pounds” → number
DO
Write exactly what you hear
Use transfer time to fix spelling only
DON’T
Don’t convert words into numbers
Don’t add articles (a / the)
Why this works:
Part 1 is not about vocabulary. It’s about accuracy.
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PART 2 – MAP / MCQ
MAP STRATEGY
Method: Compass + movement
First 20 seconds: understand starting point
Follow movement words:
go past
turn left/right
opposite / next to
DON’T
Don’t look at the whole map
Follow speaker like Google Maps voice
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MCQ STRATEGY
Method: Difference-word elimination
Underline words that make options different
Example:
cheap / affordable / expensive
old / modern / temporary
Why this works:
Correct answer matches meaning, not words.
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PART 3 – MATCHING / MCQ
Method: Opinion tracking
Identify:
agreement
disagreement
uncertainty
DO
Listen for tone changes
Match ideas, not names
DON’T
Don’t match just because you heard a keyword
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PART 4 – NOTES / SUMMARY
Method: Academic noun capture
Expect:
causes
effects
processes
DO
Write words exactly
Keep answers short
DON’T
Don’t change word form
Don’t paraphrase
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READING – SCORE-SAFE METHODS
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ACADEMIC PASSAGE 1
Method: Scan & destroy
Read question
Scan paragraph
Answer immediately
Target: finish in 12 minutes
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ACADEMIC PASSAGE 2
Method: Heading last, paragraph first
Read paragraph
Understand main idea
Then match heading
DON’T
Don’t match from first line only
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ACADEMIC PASSAGE 3 (CRITICAL)
Method: Author’s brain method
Ask:
Is the writer positive, negative, or neutral?
Is this a fact or opinion?
DO
Eliminate 2 options first
Choose least wrong answer
DON’T
Don’t use outside knowledge
Don’t overthink scientific terms
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GT READING
Section 1
Pure scanning
Fastest marks
Section 2
Workplace logic
Follow structure
Section 3
Opinion-based
Same rules as AC Passage 3
WRITING – BAND CONTROL STRATEGIES
ACADEMIC TASK 1
Method: Overview controls band
No overview = max band 5–6
Overview = trends, not data
DO
Group information
Compare big changes
DON’T
Don’t explain reasons
Don’t list numbers
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GT TASK 1 – SEMI FORMAL
Method: Tone match
Semi-formal = polite + friendly
Cover all bullet points
DON’T
Don’t mix casual words
Don’t over explain
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TASK 2 ESSAY
Method: Position → Explain → Example
Intro: clear position
Body: one idea per paragraph
Conclusion: short, firm
DON’T
Don’t sit in the middle
Don’t memorise templates
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SPEAKING – REAL SCORING STRATEGY
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PART 1
Method: Answer + small extension
2–3 lines max
Natural tone
DON’T
Don’t say “Yes/No”
Don’t give speeches
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PART 2 (CUE CARD)
Method: Story, not structure
Talk like to a friend
Feelings > facts
DON’T
Don’t list points
Don’t rush last 20 seconds
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PART 3
Method: Point → Why → Example
Formal tone
Logical flow
DON’T
Don’t give personal stories
Don’t be one-line short
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FINAL EXAM TRUTH
IELTS rewards clarity, not intelligence
Calm candidates score higher
Simple English = higher band
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