IELTS Prediction cheatsheet for 7 Feb 2026
LISTENING – Cheat Sheet (Easy Set)
Part 1: Form + Sentence Completion
Likely traps: names, phone numbers, prices, dates, spelling.
Band 9 Strategy:
• Write answers as you hear. Don’t wait for “perfect clarity.”
• Watch for self-corrections: “It’s 18… sorry, 80.”
• Predict word type before audio (noun / number / adjective).
• Spelling matters more than your feelings.
Common vocab pool:
• reservation, enquiry, availability, deposit, session, membership
• weekday, fortnight, postcode, reception, confirmation
Synonyms they love to use:
• book = reserve
• price = fee / charge
• start = commence
• near = close to
• free = available
Example trap:
Audio: “The class starts at half past six.”
Answer: 6:30 (not “six thirty” unless instructed)
Do:
• Use CAPS for clarity
• Double-check plural “s”
• Keep numbers clean
Don’t:
• Add articles (a / the)
• Change tense
• Write more than required words
---
Part 2: MCQs + Map Labelling
Band 9 Strategy:
• For MCQs: read options first, underline differences.
• For maps: fix north direction before audio starts.
• Track landmarks: café, entrance, reception, parking, library.
• Follow sequence words: first… then… opposite… next to…
Map vocab:
• opposite, beside, across from, next to
• roundabout, junction, corridor
• entrance, exit, pathway
Do:
• Pencil light, correct fast
• Focus on prepositions
Don’t:
• Guess early
• Assume directions from habit
---
Part 3: Matching + MCQs
Band 9 Strategy:
• Identify speaker attitudes (agree, unsure, critical).
• Match opinions, not topics.
• Ignore names, focus on stance.
Signal vocab:
• I suppose, in my view, to be honest
• I doubt, I agree, I’m not convinced
---
Part 4: Notes + Summary
Band 9 Strategy:
• Predict noun form first.
• Write keywords, not grammar.
• Expect paraphrase, not exact words.
Academic vocab pool:
• sustainability, impact, factor, policy, development
• pollution, conservation, infrastructure
ACADEMIC READING – DETAILED CHEAT SHEET
GENERAL BAND-9 RULES (All Passages)
Time control:
• Passage 1 → 15 min
• Passage 2 → 20 min
• Passage 3 → 25 min
If you break this, you bleed marks later.
Core scanning method:
Question keyword → Find paraphrase in passage → Read 2 lines above & below → Decide.
Golden law:
The answer is always paraphrased, never copied word-for-word.
---
PASSAGE 1: T/F/NG + Matching Information
Likely topics: workplace safety, travel tips, office rules, online shopping
TRUE / FALSE / NOT GIVEN
Band-9 Strategy:
• TRUE → same meaning
• FALSE → opposite meaning
• NOT GIVEN → topic mentioned but detail missing
Trap words:
• some ≠ all
• may ≠ must
• increase ≠ remain stable
• often ≠ always
Example:
Passage:
"Many employees choose flexible hours due to personal commitments."
Question:
"All workers prefer flexible schedules."
Answer: FALSE (many ≠ all)
Do:
• Underline subject + verb in question
• Match meaning, not words
Don’t:
• Use outside knowledge
• Guess from tone
---
MATCHING INFORMATION
Band-9 Strategy:
• Focus on names, years, places, policies
• Scan for unique nouns, not verbs
• One paragraph can take multiple answers
Example:
Question:
"Which paragraph mentions online refund policies?"
Scan for: refund, return, policy, purchase
Answer: Paragraph C (not the one that just says “online shopping”)
Do:
• Use capital letters (A, B, C)
• Double-check paragraph scope
Don’t:
• Match topic word only
• Assume one-to-one pattern
---
PASSAGE 2: MATCHING HEADINGS + SENTENCE COMPLETION
Likely topics: education reforms, transport, fitness, technology
MATCHING HEADINGS
Band-9 Strategy:
• Read first + last sentence of each paragraph
• Ignore examples
• Choose heading for main idea, not detail
Trap:
Two headings will look correct.
One matches a detail, the other matches the whole paragraph.
Example:
Paragraph talks about:
– schools adopting tech
– teacher training
– student performance
Correct heading:
"Modernising education systems"
Wrong heading:
"Teacher training methods"
Do:
• Cover headings after using them
• Eliminate 2 first
Don’t:
• Match keywords blindly
• Re-read full paragraphs
---
SENTENCE COMPLETION
Band-9 Strategy:
• Predict grammar: noun / verb / number
• Stick to word limit
• Copy spelling exactly
Example:
Sentence:
"The new transport system reduced traffic by ______ percent."
Passage:
"…reduced congestion by 20%."
Answer: 20
(Not twenty, not 20 percent)
Do:
• Check plural “s”
• Match tense
Don’t:
• Add extra words
• Change form
---
PASSAGE 3: SUMMARY COMPLETION + MCQs
Likely topics: climate science, psychology, memory, future tech
SUMMARY COMPLETION
Band-9 Strategy:
• Read summary first
• Predict word type
• Scan passage for paraphrase
Example:
Summary:
"The study focused on human ______ patterns."
Passage:
"Researchers analysed human behaviour trends."
Answer: behaviour
Do:
• Use exact spelling
• Keep word limit sacred
Don’t:
• Add articles
• Change word form
---
MULTIPLE CHOICE (MCQs)
Band-9 Strategy:
• Read question
• Predict answer
• Eliminate 3 wrong options
Trick:
One option will:
• distort detail
• exaggerate
• use extreme words (always, never)
Example:
Passage:
"Some people prefer remote work for flexibility."
Option A: Everyone prefers remote work
Option B: Some workers like flexibility
Correct: B
Do:
• Find proof line
• Kill 3 options logically
Don’t:
• Choose from “feeling”
• Trust first instinct
---
GT READING – DETAILED CHEAT SHEET
SECTION 1: Forms + Notices
Band-9 Strategy:
• Scan for numbers, names, prices
• Read question first
• Answers are always direct
Example:
Notice:
"Library closes at 6 pm on Fridays."
Question:
"What time does the library close on Friday?"
Answer: 6 pm
Do:
• Circle keywords
• Use exact words
Don’t:
• Overthink
• Paraphrase
---
SECTION 2: Matching Info + Headings
Band-9 Strategy:
• Match function, not words
• Focus on rules, steps, roles
Trap:
Two paragraphs mention training.
One is about purpose, one about schedule.
Match by focus, not keyword.
---
SECTION 3: Summary + Y/N/NG
Y / N / NG Strategy:
• YES → same meaning
• NO → opposite
• NOT GIVEN → missing info
Do:
• Prove with line
• Stay neutral
Don’t:
• Assume intention
• Use logic outside text
---
READING VOCAB POOL (HIGH-FREQUENCY)
• implement = carry out
• impact = effect
• policy = rule
• trend = pattern
• decline = fall
• significant = important
• factor = reason
• evidence = proof
• regulate = control
---
READING DOS & DON’TS (BAND-9 CORE)
DO:
• Use timing discipline
• Read questions before passage
• Underline paraphrases
• Use elimination logic
DON’T:
• Read full passage first
• Guess from memory
• Change spelling
• Overthink easy ones
WRITING – Cheat Sheet
Academic Task 1
Likely visuals: Line, Bar, Table, Diagram
Band 9 Structure:
Intro → Overview → Body 1 → Body 2
Overview must include:
• Highest / lowest
• Major trend
• Big comparison
Power vocab:
• surged, dipped, remained stable
• peaked, fluctuated, plummeted
• proportion, figure, category
Do:
• Group data logically
• Compare, don’t describe everything
Don’t:
• Add opinions
• Copy question words
• Write conclusions
---
GT Task 1 (Formal Letter)
Band 9 Structure:
Greeting → Purpose → Details → Request → Sign-off
Useful phrases:
• I am writing to inform you…
• I would appreciate it if…
• I look forward to your response…
Do:
• Match tone (formal only)
• Use paragraphing
Don’t:
• Use emojis
• Use slang
• Forget purpose line
---
Task 2 Essays
Likely types:
• Agree / Disagree
• Discuss both views
• Advantages / Disadvantages
Band 9 Strategy:
• Clear opinion in intro
• One main idea per paragraph
• Real examples, not fantasy stats
High-impact vocab:
• detrimental, beneficial
• inevitable, sustainable
• implement, regulate
Do:
• Use linking words
• Vary sentence length
Don’t:
• Sit on the fence
• Repeat ideas
• Overuse idioms
---
SPEAKING – Cheat Sheet
Part 1
Band 9 Strategy:
• Answer + reason + small detail
• 3–4 lines max
Useful openers:
• Absolutely
• For sure
• Honestly speaking
---
Part 2
Band 9 Strategy:
• Past → Present → Feeling → Result
• Use 2 idioms max. Not a circus.
Safe idioms:
• a game changer
• worth every penny
• on cloud nine
• under the weather
---
Part 3
Band 9 Strategy:
• Compare past vs present
• Give reasons
• Add one example
Linkers:
• In contrast
• From my perspective
• On the whole
