Band Descriptor breakdowns, 5-minute study habits, and module-specific tactics — written by the IELTS Drills team.
IELTS plan/map/diagram labelling: why the recording uses the exact printed names instead of synonyms, the two official layouts, and what is a tendency rather than a rule.
IELTS Matching Information: the technique in Cambridge's own teacher's notes, why passage order and elimination give you nothing here, and the near-miss that costs the marks.
IELTS Matching Headings: why Cambridge tells you to read the paragraph before the headings, how the extra headings catch you, and an elimination workflow that works.
The IELTS True/False/Not Given question type: a three-step decision procedure, the False vs Not Given line, qualifier traps, and how it differs from Yes/No/Not Given.
The IELTS combination chart (Writing Task 1, two or multiple charts): one combined introduction and overview, splitting the body, the two tenses, and a Band 9 model.
The IELTS table (Writing Task 1): why selection beats listing every cell, static vs dynamic tables and the tense each needs, comparison language, and a Band 9 model.
The IELTS process diagram (Writing Task 1): the passive and present tense it needs, natural vs man-made processes, sequencing language, and a Band 9 model.
The IELTS map (Writing Task 1): which tense each map variant needs, compass and change vocabulary, organising by area not by change, and a Band 9 model answer.
The IELTS pie chart (Writing Task 1): what the overview needs, the proportion language that lifts your score, one pie versus two, and a Band 9 model answer.
The IELTS bar chart (Writing Task 1): spot static vs dynamic, the comparison language and tense each needs, the overview that scores, and a Band 9 model.
The IELTS line graph (Writing Task 1): the overview that decides Task Achievement, the trend vocabulary and tense you need, and a Band 9 model answer.
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 has seven chart types: line, bar, pie, table, process, map, combination. What each overview must capture, and the tense to use.
IELTS Reading needs a different strategy per question type: True/False/Not Given, matching headings, multiple choice, completion, and the traps to avoid.
IELTS Academic vs General Training: only Reading and Writing differ. Why GT Reading is scored stricter, how Task 1 differs, and which module to take.
IELTS Listening tips by question type: predict before the audio, beat map labelling and multiple choice, and recover fast when you miss an answer. The recording plays once.
IELTS Reading tips by question type: how to beat True/False/Not Given and matching headings, plan your 60 minutes, and stop losing marks you already found.
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 is scored on the same four band descriptors as Task 2. Why a missing overview caps Task Achievement at Band 5, and what each axis rewards.
