14 MARCH IELTS 2026 – FULL CHEAT SHEET
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LISTENING (Likely: Easy–Moderate)
Structure reminder:
Part 1 – Everyday conversation
Part 2 – Monologue (public info)
Part 3 – Academic discussion
Part 4 – Lecture
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PART 1
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Question types:
• Form completion
• Table completion
• Short answers
Likely themes:
• Apartment rental enquiry
• Gym membership
• Course registration
• Travel booking
Common traps:
• Spelling errors
• Singular/plural confusion
• Numbers (13 vs 30, 15 vs 50)
• Dates (15th vs 50th)
Strategy:
1. Predict word type before listening (name? number? adjective?).
2. Write exactly what you hear.
3. No extra words beyond word limit.
Example practice style:
“What is the monthly rent?”
“How many weeks is the contract?”
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PART 2
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Question types:
• Map labelling
• Multiple choice
• Matching
Likely themes:
• Community centre layout
• Museum guide
• Tourist park facilities
Strategy for maps:
• Follow direction words (opposite, next to, at the end of).
• Watch for distractors (“It used to be… now it is…”).
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PART 3
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Question types:
• Multiple choice
• Matching opinions
Likely themes:
• Research project discussion
• Assignment planning
• Presentation evaluation
Trap: speakers change opinion mid-sentence.
Strategy:
• Track Speaker A vs Speaker B.
• Underline contrast words (however, actually, although).
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PART 4
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Question type:
• Summary completion
Likely themes:
• Behavioural science
• Learning theory
• Environmental studies
• Workplace productivity
Strategy:
• Answers usually nouns.
• Follow lecture structure (causes → effects → solutions).
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ACADEMIC READING (Moderate)
Passage 1
TFNG + Matching information
Topic style: history / workplace culture / social change
Method TFNG:
T = exact statement in text
F = directly contradicted
NG = not mentioned
Golden rule:
Do not assume. If not clearly stated → NG.
Passage 2
Matching headings + Sentence completion
Topic style: policy / education reform / public systems
Method for headings:
1. Read first + last sentence of paragraph.
2. Ignore details.
3. Match main idea only.
Passage 3
MCQ + Summary completion
Topic style: behavioural science / cognitive research
Strategy MCQ:
• Eliminate 2 wrong options first.
• Watch extreme words (always, never).
Likely difficulty: reasoning heavy, not scientific formulas.
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GT READING
Section 1
Topics: accommodation rules / event info / travel details
Question types: matching / TFNG / short answer
Tip: answers often appear in order.
Section 2
Workplace texts
Topics:
• Staff training
• Safety guidelines
• Company procedures
Question types:
• Matching headings
• Sentence completion
• Yes/No/Not Given
Difference Y/N/NG vs T/F/NG:
YES = writer agrees
NO = writer disagrees
NG = not stated
Section 3
Long article (career / work-life / employment trends)
Question types:
• MCQ
• Matching information
• Summary completion
Strategy:
Section 3 is time-killer. Leave 20 minutes minimum.
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WRITING – ACADEMIC
Task 1
Likely: Line / Combination / Pie
Method structure:
1. Paraphrase question
2. Overview (2 main trends only)
3. Body 1 – key comparisons
4. Body 2 – remaining details
Overview must include:
• Overall increase/decrease
• Highest vs lowest
Example overview model:
“Overall, X showed a steady rise, whereas Y declined throughout the period.”
Common mistakes:
• No overview
• Listing data
• Too many numbers
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Task 2 (AC/GT)
Likely types:
• Discuss both views + opinion
• Agree/disagree
• Advantages/disadvantages
Likely themes rotation:
• Technology and attention
• Education reform
• Work-life balance
• Environmental responsibility
Structure for Discuss + Opinion:
Intro
Body 1 – View A
Body 2 – View B
Conclusion – clear opinion
Golden rule:
Clear position = higher band.
Avoid:
• Sitting on fence
• Repeating question words
• Informal tone
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WRITING – GT
Task 1 (Formal letter likely)
Types:
• Complaint
• Enquiry
• Request
Structure:
Opening
Reason
Details
Action request
Closing
Formal phrases bank:
“I am writing to express…”
“I would appreciate it if…”
“I look forward to your response.”
Avoid contractions in formal letters.
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SPEAKING (Jan–April set active)
Part 1
Common rotating topics:
• Work/study
• Home
• Morning routine
• Apps
• Public transport
• Friends
Strategy:
• 3–4 sentences
• 1 example
• Natural tone
Part 2
Likely cue styles:
• Describe a person who solved a problem creatively
• Describe a time you lost something valuable
• Describe a place you enjoy sitting
Structure:
When
Who
What happened
Feelings
Result
Part 3
Expect abstract discussion on:
• Technology impact
• Social responsibility
• Education systems
• Work culture
Answer formula:
Opinion → explanation → example → mini-conclusion
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TIME MANAGEMENT MASTER PLAN
Listening:
No blank answers. Guess.
Reading AC:
P1 – 15 mins
P2 – 20 mins
P3 – 25 mins
Writing:
Task 2 – 40 mins
Task 1 – 20 mins
Speaking:
Fluency > perfection.
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FINAL REALISTIC PREDICTION FOR 14 MARCH
Difficulty Level:
Listening – easier
Reading – moderate
Writing – standard argumentative
Speaking – familiar topics
