LISTENING
PART 1 — Consumer Service Problem
Main focus: refunds... repairs... exchanges... bookings... memberships... customer complaints.
Shortcut:
PROBLEM → REASON → SOLUTION → FINAL DECISION
Before audio: underline names... numbers... dates... prices... locations.
Listen for:
actually... unfortunately... however... instead... what I can do is... the problem is... I'd rather... that's fine... in that case...
Vocabulary: refund... replacement... faulty... damaged... receipt... warranty... cancellation... compensation... booking... availability... charge... fee... confirmation.
Trap:
“I initially wanted a refund, but they've offered me an exchange.”
Answer = exchange, not refund.
Mini practice:
Customer: “The headphones stopped working after three days.”
Staff: “We can replace them immediately if you have the receipt.”
Question: What solution is offered?
Answer: Replacement.
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PART 2 — Weekend Photography Workshop
Focus: hobbies... short courses... workshops... locations... schedules... equipment.
Shortcut:
WHO → WHERE → WHEN → WHAT TO BRING → COST
For matching: identify the unique feature of each option... don't match simply because the same word appears.
For maps:
First locate the entrance/reception... then follow movement words.
Direction vocabulary:
opposite... beside... adjacent to... beyond... at the end of... on the corner... directly behind... to the left/right... across from.
Photography vocabulary:
portrait... landscape... exposure... lighting... workshop... lens... tripod... editing... outdoor session... beginner-friendly.
Trap: “The workshop was originally planned for Saturday morning, but it has been moved to Sunday afternoon.”
Correct answer = Sunday afternoon.
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PART 3 — Driving Course / Skills Training
Question types: MCQ + sentence completion.
Shortcut:
PURPOSE → OPINION → REASON → DECISION
For MCQs, don't choose the option simply because you hear the same words.
Example:
A: “I thought the advanced course would be too difficult.”
B: “I felt the same initially, but the instructor said beginners could join.”
Final idea = the course is suitable despite initial concerns.
Vocabulary: instructor... learner... practical session... assessment... road safety... manoeuvre... confidence... qualification... intensive... beginner... advanced.
High-risk words:
but... although... except... rather than... instead... actually... in fact.
These often signal a correction.
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PART 4 — Urban Heat & Building Design
Question types: note completion + MCQ.
Shortcut:
CAUSE → EFFECT → SOLUTION → RESULT
Vocabulary:
urban heat island... concrete surfaces... shade... ventilation... insulation... reflective materials... green roofs... energy consumption... temperature... heat absorption... sustainable design.
Example chain:
More concrete → greater heat absorption → higher temperatures → greater air-conditioning demand.
Note-completion rule: predict the grammar before listening.
“Buildings require more ______ during heatwaves.”
Likely answer = energy/electricity.
Trap: academic lectures often give an example before stating the actual answer.
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6 HIGH-PRIORITY LISTENING AREAS
Consumer services & refunds... hobbies & short courses... driving & skills training... arts & cultural activities... science & research... food/retail/everyday consumer choices.
Listening 5-second formula
READ → PREDICT → LISTEN → LOCATE → CHECK
Don't try to understand every sentence... locate the answer and move on.
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READING
PASSAGE 1 — Urban Trees & Local Microclimates
Question types: Matching headings + T/F/NG.
Matching headings shortcut
Read the first + last sentence first... identify the paragraph's central purpose... then eliminate headings that mention only one detail.
Formula:
MAIN IDEA ≠ EXAMPLE
If a paragraph discusses trees reducing temperature, improving air quality and providing shade, the heading should describe the overall environmental function, not simply “shade”.
T/F/NG formula
TRUE: passage agrees.
FALSE: passage contradicts.
NOT GIVEN: passage doesn't provide enough information.
Never use outside knowledge.
Vocabulary: microclimate... canopy... vegetation... shade... humidity... temperature regulation... biodiversity... urban planning... heat absorption... cooling effect.
Trap:
“Trees are the most effective method...”
If the passage only says trees can reduce temperatures, this is not enough to prove “most effective”.
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PASSAGE 2 — Street Markets & Local Economies
Question types: MCQ + Matching Information.
Shortcut for MCQ:
Read question → identify keywords → locate paragraph → eliminate two wrong choices → compare remaining options with the exact meaning.
Vocabulary:
informal economy... vendors... local commerce... consumers... livelihoods... foot traffic... affordability... entrepreneurship... neighbourhood economy... small-scale business.
Common paraphrase pairs:
increase → rise... vendors → sellers... employment → jobs... affordable → reasonably priced... local economy → community economy... attract customers → draw consumers.
Trap: The correct answer is often a paraphrase, not an exact copy.
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PASSAGE 3 — Acoustic Design in Public Buildings
Question types: Sentence completion + diagram labelling.
Vocabulary:
acoustics... sound absorption... echo... insulation... auditorium... ceiling panels... wall surfaces... reverberation... noise reduction... speech clarity.
Diagram strategy:
Understand the whole structure first... identify the starting point... follow the description in order.
Shortcut:
POSITION → FEATURE → FUNCTION
Example:
“Panels installed on the ceiling absorb reflected sound.”
Question: “The ______ panels reduce reflected sound.”
Answer: ceiling.
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6 HIGH-PRIORITY READING AREAS
Urban trees & microclimates... street markets & informal economies... acoustic design & public buildings... consumer repair/warranty rights... community arts centres... food cooperatives & local consumption.
Reading master formula
Question → keywords → paraphrase → location → evidence → answer
Do not read every sentence with equal attention.
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WRITING TASK 1 — ACADEMIC
1. MIXED CHARTS
Priority: compare... don't describe every number separately.
4-step formula
INTRO → OVERVIEW → MAJOR COMPARISON 1 → MAJOR COMPARISON 2
Introduction:
“The charts illustrate/compare/show...”
Overview:
“Overall, it is evident that...”
Body: group information logically... highest/lowest... increases/decreases... major differences.
Useful vocabulary:
accounted for... stood at... approximately... respectively... considerably higher... marginally lower... remained stable... experienced a sharp rise... declined gradually.
Example
“Overall, online purchases accounted for the largest proportion, whereas in-store purchases represented the smallest share.”
Avoid: “I think... I feel... in my opinion...”
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2. PIE CHART
Formula
INTRO → OVERVIEW → LARGEST/SMALLEST → REMAINING COMPARISONS
Useful language:
the largest proportion... the smallest segment... accounted for... constituted... represented... just over... just under... approximately one-third... nearly half.
Shortcut: Don't list every percentage in order... group similar figures.
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3. TABLE
Focus on highest... lowest... biggest change... unusual figure... similarities.
Formula:
HIGH → LOW → CHANGE → COMPARISON
Example:
“Country A recorded the highest figure, while Country C had the lowest.”
Vocabulary: figure... proportion... amount... number... rate... approximately... respectively.
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GENERAL TRAINING TASK 1
Your sheet prioritises:
Formal complaint... formal request... formal application.
Formal Complaint
Opening:
“I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with...”
Problem:
“Unfortunately, the service/product did not meet the expected standard because...”
Request:
“I would appreciate it if you could...”
Closing:
“I look forward to your prompt response.”
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Formal Request
Opening:
“I am writing to request...”
Reason:
“I would be grateful if you could...”
Specific request:
“Could you please provide/arrange/confirm...?”
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Formal Application
Opening:
“I am writing to apply for...”
Qualification:
“I believe my experience in... makes me a suitable candidate.”
Closing:
“I would be grateful for the opportunity to discuss my application further.”
GT Task 1 shortcut
PURPOSE → DETAILS → ACTION → POLITE CLOSE
Don't make the tone unnecessarily complicated... clear + polite + specific is safer.
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WRITING TASK 2
Three priority essay types
DISCUSS BOTH VIEWS
Introduction: paraphrase + mention both sides.
Body 1: View A... reason... explanation... example.
Body 2: View B... reason... explanation... example.
Conclusion: balanced summary + your position if required.
Formula:
POINT → WHY → HOW → EXAMPLE → RESULT
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AGREE OR DISAGREE
Don't write a neutral essay unless the question allows it.
Formula:
POSITION → REASON 1 → REASON 2 → EXAMPLES → CONCLUSION
Useful phrases:
“I largely agree with this view because...”
“The primary reason is that...”
“A further consideration is...”
“For example...”
“Therefore...”
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ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES
Formula:
INTRO → ADVANTAGES → DISADVANTAGES → BALANCED CONCLUSION
For stronger Band 7+ development:
ADVANTAGE → MECHANISM → REAL-LIFE EFFECT
Not simply:
“Technology is convenient.”
Better:
“Online services reduce the time required to complete routine transactions, allowing people to manage banking and shopping without travelling to physical locations.”
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8 OCTOBER ESSAY TOPICS — QUICK IDEA BANK
1. Renting vs buying a home
Renting: flexibility... lower initial financial burden.
Buying: long-term asset... stability.
2. Schools should teach first aid
For: emergency response... practical life skill.
Against: limited curriculum time... parents/community courses can help.
3. Repairing old products vs replacing them
Repair: less waste... lower resource consumption.
Replace: efficiency... technology improves.
4. International travel vs domestic tourism
International: cultural exposure... global understanding.
Domestic: cheaper... supports local economy.
5. Greater choice over where employees work
For: autonomy... productivity... reduced commuting.
Against: collaboration... supervision... workplace culture.
6. Basic cooking at school
For: independence... nutrition... household skills.
Against: curriculum pressure... parents can teach it.
7. Public sports vs cultural facilities
Sports: physical health... community participation.
Culture: creativity... heritage... social connection.
8. Local vs imported food
Local: supports farmers... shorter supply chains.
Imported: variety... year-round availability.
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SPEAKING
Your prediction sheet uses Makkar Sept–Dec 2026 Parts 1–3, 1–70.
Don't memorise 70 answers... prepare flexible idea banks.
PART 1
Formula
DIRECT ANSWER → REASON → MINI EXAMPLE
Example:
Q: Do you enjoy cooking?
“I do, especially on weekends, because cooking helps me relax after a busy week. I usually try simple dishes that I can prepare with my family.”
Avoid: one-word answers... memorised essays... excessive detail.
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PART 2 — CUE CARD
Universal 4-step formula
WHEN/WHERE → WHAT HAPPENED → DETAILS → WHY IMPORTANT
For a person:
WHO → HOW YOU MET → PERSONALITY → EXPERIENCE → WHY YOU REMEMBER THEM
For a place:
WHERE → WHEN → WHAT YOU SAW → WHAT YOU DID → WHY YOU LIKED IT
For an experience:
BACKGROUND → EVENTS → REACTION → RESULT → REFLECTION
Band 7+ linking
Initially...
What happened next was...
What made the experience particularly memorable was...
Looking back...
The main reason I remember it is...
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PART 3
Formula
ANSWER → REASON → EXAMPLE → CONSEQUENCE
Example:
“I think people are becoming more interested in local markets because they offer products that feel more authentic. For example, many consumers now prefer buying directly from small producers. As a result, these markets can strengthen local businesses.”
Avoid
“Nowadays, in this modern world...”
“There are many advantages and disadvantages...”
“I totally agree because it is very important...”
These sound generic.
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HIGH-VALUE VOCABULARY FOR THIS WEEK
Consumer: refund... warranty... replacement... defective... transaction... customer service... compensation.
Environment: biodiversity... conservation... sustainable... emissions... vegetation... ecosystem... climate resilience.
Cities: infrastructure... urbanisation... public facilities... pedestrian-friendly... congestion... green spaces.
Education: curriculum... practical skills... vocational training... academic performance... lifelong learning.
Work: productivity... flexibility... workplace culture... employee satisfaction... remote working... collaboration.
Culture: heritage... cultural identity... community engagement... traditional practices... artistic expression.
Food: locally sourced... supply chain... food security... agricultural producers... seasonal produce.
Technology: innovation... accessibility... efficiency... digital services... automation... data-driven.
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GRAMMAR QUICK REVISION
For Writing + Speaking, prioritise:
1. Complex sentences:
“Although X..., Y...”
“While X..., Y...”
“Because X..., Y...”
2. Relative clauses:
“Local markets, which support small businesses, can strengthen communities.”
3. Cause/effect:
“X can lead to Y...”
“This results in...”
“As a consequence...”
4. Comparison:
“considerably higher than...”
“slightly lower than...”
“whereas...”
“in contrast...”
5. Conditionals:
“If governments invested more in public transport, fewer people might rely on private cars.”
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FINAL EXAM-DAY SHORTCUTS
Listening: Don't chase a missed answer... move immediately to the next question.
Reading: Question first... keywords... paraphrase... evidence.
Academic Task 1: Never give opinions... always include an overview.
GT Task 1: Tone + purpose + all bullet points = priority.
Task 2: Clear position + developed ideas > complicated vocabulary.
Speaking Part 1: Short but developed answers.
Speaking Part 2: Keep talking... don't stop after covering the basic facts.
Speaking Part 3: Explain why... give an example... show the consequence.
Vocabulary: Accuracy > rare words.
Grammar: Variety + accuracy > unnecessarily complicated sentences.
Final rule: Don't memorise prediction questions word-for-word... prepare ideas, vocabulary, structures and examples that can adapt to different wording.
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