IELTS Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield IELTS facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. (noun) A lack of something; a shortage or scarcity.\t → dearth\t
2. Choose the sentence with correct parallel structure. → The course teaches reading, writing, and speaking.
3. Which Part 1 topic is LEAST likely to appear? → Advanced macroeconomic theory
4. Which task achievement issue most lowers a score on an 'agree or disagree' prompt? → Failing to give a clear opinion throughout
5. When describing a process diagram in Task 1, which tense is most common? → Present simple (often passive)
6. Which verb tense is most appropriate to answer: 'Do you prefer reading books or watching films?' → Simple present: 'I prefer reading books because…'
7. There was no longer any evidence because they ____ the bodies.\t → incinerated\t
8. It is likely that some psychologists are no better than anyone else at assessing personality. → YES
9. "It weighs two and a half kilos." What is the weight? → 2.5 kg
10. What should you do if you cannot decide a heading for one paragraph? → Leave it, match easier paragraphs first, then return
11. In a sentence-completion task you hear 'visitors must wear a helmet at all times'. The gap reads 'Visitors are required to wear a ______.' What goes in the gap? → helmet
12. In IELTS Academic Writing Task 1, what should the overview paragraph do? → Summarise the main trends or key features without detailed data
13. How does the Speaking section compare between the two IELTS versions? → They are identical
14. Which word best completes: 'The instructions were so ___ that no one understood them.' → ambiguous
15. How long should you speak in IELTS Speaking Part 2? → 1 to 2 minutes
16. What is a common structural mistake candidates make in IELTS advantages/disadvantages essays? → Mixing advantages and disadvantages within the same paragraph
17. Which statements are mentioned by the writer of the text? → It is subdivided for study purposes.
18. In a Task 2 'agree or disagree' essay, what is the safest thesis approach? → Clearly state your position in the introduction
19. Which sentence uses a clause of manner correctly? → He spoke as if he knew everything.
20. What does IELTS Life Skills test, and who needs it? → English speaking and listening at A1 or B1 level, primarily for UK visa applications
21. You hear: 'The emergency contact number is 07891-234-567.' The form has: Emergency contact: ___. What should be written? → 07891 234 567
22. Which is a strong topic sentence for a body paragraph? → One major benefit of remote work is improved work-life balance
23. Why should you NOT copy the question's wording exactly in your introduction? → Copied words are not counted and reduce your effective word count and vocabulary score
24. What does 'skimming' a passage help you achieve? → Getting the general idea and structure quickly
25. You hear: 'The start date of the programme is the first of September.' The notes say: Programme start: ___. What should be written? → 1 September
26. How many distinct main ideas should a typical 4-paragraph opinion essay develop? → Two well-developed ideas
27. Which section of IELTS Listening features an academic monologue or lecture? → Section 4
28. What band score do most UK universities typically require for undergraduate admission? → 6.0–6.5 overall
29. Which phrase best describes a sharp, sudden upward movement in a graph? → Surged dramatically
30. What is the best first step when approaching a Matching Headings question? → Read the list of headings before reading paragraphs closely