Writing Task 1 Language & Trends
Rather than repeating "went up," Band 6.5 writers replace the verb with this formal term meaning to rise sharply or dramatically (or simply a formal synonym for climb, such as "increase significantly").
What is to soar (or rocket / surge)?
This noun refers to the basic physical systems and structures of a city, such as roads, bridges, power supplies, and water networks.
What is infrastructure?
Primary Question: What kind of housing do you currently live in?
Related Question A: What is your favorite room in your home, and why?
Related Question B: Would you like to change anything about your accommodation in the future?
Primary: What kind of housing do you currently live in?
"I currently live in a multi-story apartment in a quiet residential district. It's a fairly modern flat with three bedrooms and a lovely balcony overlooking a small neighborhood park."
Related A: What is your favorite room in your home, and why?
"Definitely the lounge, because it gets a lot of natural sunlight throughout the afternoon. It's where I usually unwind on the sofa with a hot cup of tea or a good book."
Related B: Would you like to change anything about your accommodation in the future?
"If I could, I'd expand the kitchen to make more room for cooking and storage. It's a bit cramped at the moment, so a slightly more open-plan design would be ideal."
1. keep in touch
2. drift apart
3. have a lot in common
4. fall out with
5. break the ice
A. to argue with a friend and stop speaking to each other
B. to start an argument or discussion by saying something friendly
C. to maintain regular communication with someone across distance
D. to slowly lose closeness over time as interests and lives change
E. to share similar interests, hobbies, or beliefs with someone
1 – C (keep in touch = maintain regular communication)
2 – D (drift apart = slowly become less close over time)
3 – E (have a lot in common = share similar interests or views)
4 – A (fall out with = have a dispute and stop being friendly)
5 – B (break the ice = relieve tension or start conversation in an unfamiliar group)
Reading Passage
A. In many large cities today, people live far away from where they work, shop, and study. Because of this, millions of commuters spend hours stuck in heavy traffic every day. This daily travel wastes time, causes stress, and produces harmful air pollution. To solve this common issue, urban designers are testing an exciting new idea called the "15-minute city."
B. The main rule of this plan is simple: every resident should be able to reach everything they need for daily life within a 15-minute walk or bike ride from their home. This includes supermarkets, schools, doctors' clinics, and parks. Instead of building wider roads for private cars, cities create safe bicycle lanes, wide footpaths, and green spaces so people can easily walk or cycle to their errands.
C. However, turning traditional cities into 15-minute neighborhoods is not simple. Richer areas usually already have good shops, nice parks, and modern clinics nearby. On the other hand, poorer neighborhoods on the edges of the city often lack basic services. Experts warn that governments must spend money fairly, or this project might only benefit wealthy citizens.
Question 1: Main Idea (Multiple Choice) What is the whole reading passage mainly about?
A) Why people prefer driving cars instead of cycling.
B) A new city plan to make daily needs close to home, and its challenges.
C) How to build better roads and highways outside the city.
D) The reasons why big supermarkets are moving to suburbs.
.
1. B (A new city plan to make daily needs close to home, and its challenges)
Why: Paragraph A introduces the problem and the concept, Paragraph B explains how it works, and Paragraph C highlights the difficulties.
This verb describes a line on a graph that repeatedly moves up and down erratically over a period of time before settling.
What is to fluctuate?
This 11-letter adjective describes an area located immediately outside a city center, typically dominated by residential neighborhoods.
What is residential (or suburban)?
Topic 2: Daily Routine & Morning Habits
Primary Question: What does a typical morning look like for you?
Related Question A: Do you prefer doing your most demanding tasks early in the morning or later in the day?
Related Question B: Has your morning routine changed much compared to when you were younger?
Primary: What does a typical morning look like for you?
"I usually get up around 7:00 AM, make a fresh brew of coffee, and have a light breakfast. After getting dressed and glancing over my schedule for the day, I head straight out the door."
Related A: Do you prefer doing your most demanding tasks early in the morning or later in the day?
"I'm definitely at my sharpest in the morning, so I try to tackle complex work first thing. By late afternoon, my energy tends to dip, making routine tasks much easier to handle."
Related B: Has your morning routine changed much compared to when you were younger?
"Yes, quite a lot. Back in high school I used to hit the snooze button constantly and rush out with empty hands, whereas nowadays I'm much more organized and purposeful."
Part 2: Leisure Time (200 Points)
Match each word or phrase (1–5) to its correct definition (A–E):
1. take up a hobby
2. unwind
3. recharge your batteries
4. chill out
5. lose track of time
A. to spend time relaxing and doing nothing productive on purpose
B. to develop an interest in and start practicing a new leisure activity
C. to release tension and relax, especially after a period of hard work
D. to pursue an enjoyable activity to the point of complete absorption
E. to recover your physical and mental strength by resting
1 – B (take up a hobby = start a new recreational pursuit)
2 – C (unwind = let go of tension and relax)
3 – E (recharge your batteries = regain energy through rest)
4 – A (chill out = spend casual, stress-free time relaxing)
5 – D (lose track of time = become so engaged that you do not notice the hours passing)
Reading Passage
A. In many large cities today, people live far away from where they work, shop, and study. Because of this, millions of commuters spend hours stuck in heavy traffic every day. This daily travel wastes time, causes stress, and produces harmful air pollution. To solve this common issue, urban designers are testing an exciting new idea called the "15-minute city."
B. The main rule of this plan is simple: every resident should be able to reach everything they need for daily life within a 15-minute walk or bike ride from their home. This includes supermarkets, schools, doctors' clinics, and parks. Instead of building wider roads for private cars, cities create safe bicycle lanes, wide footpaths, and green spaces so people can easily walk or cycle to their errands.
C. However, turning traditional cities into 15-minute neighborhoods is not simple. Richer areas usually already have good shops, nice parks, and modern clinics nearby. On the other hand, poorer neighborhoods on the edges of the city often lack basic services. Experts warn that governments must spend money fairly, or this project might only benefit wealthy citizens.
Question 2: Vocabulary in Context Look at the word "errands" at the end of Paragraph B:
"cities create safe bicycle lanes, wide footpaths, and green spaces so people can easily walk or cycle to their errands."
A) long holidays
B) small daily tasks
C) expensive cars
D) dangerous sports
2. B (small daily tasks)
Why: An "errand" is a short trip to do something routine, like buying groceries, going to the bank, or picking up medicine.
In task 1, an amount equal to roughly 75% of a whole should be paraphrased as this fractional phrase.
What is three-quarters / a significant majority?
This adjective (or passive verb) describes an older property that has been cleaned up, redecorated, modernized, and restored to fresh condition.
What is refurbished?
Topic 3: Public Transport & Commuting
Primary Question: How do you usually travel to work or school each day?
Related Question A: Are you satisfied with the quality of public transport in your city?
Related Question B: Do you think more people in your area should be encouraged to use bicycles instead of cars?
Primary: How do you usually travel to work or school each day?
"I generally commute by metro because it's both punctual and budget-friendly. It allows me to bypass the terrible surface traffic during morning rush hour."
Related A: Are you satisfied with the quality of public transport in your city?
"On the whole, yes, since the trains and buses are clean and run frequently. However, carriages can get uncomfortably packed during peak commuting hours."
Related B: Do you think more people in your area should be encouraged to use bicycles instead of cars?
"Absolutely, as that would significantly cut down on emissions and gridlock. That said, the local council needs to build safer, dedicated bike lanes before most people will consider switching."
Part 3: Food (300 Points)
Match each word or phrase (1–5) to its correct definition (A–E):
1. grab a quick bite
2. balanced diet
3. cut down on
4. eat out
5. have a craving for
A. an uncontrollable desire or strong urge to eat a specific food
B. to consume meals prepared outside the home, usually at restaurants
C. to get and eat something light and fast because you have little time
D. an eating pattern containing the proper quantities and types of nutrients
E. to reduce the amount or frequency of consuming a particular food item
1 – C (grab a quick bite = eat a snack or fast meal quickly)
2 – D (balanced diet = a nutritious diet with healthy proportions)
3 – E (cut down on = reduce consumption of something like sugar or caffeine)
4 – B (eat out = have a meal in a restaurant or café)
5 – A (have a craving for = intensely desire a particular food)
Reading Passage
A. In many large cities today, people live far away from where they work, shop, and study. Because of this, millions of commuters spend hours stuck in heavy traffic every day. This daily travel wastes time, causes stress, and produces harmful air pollution. To solve this common issue, urban designers are testing an exciting new idea called the "15-minute city."
B. The main rule of this plan is simple: every resident should be able to reach everything they need for daily life within a 15-minute walk or bike ride from their home. This includes supermarkets, schools, doctors' clinics, and parks. Instead of building wider roads for private cars, cities create safe bicycle lanes, wide footpaths, and green spaces so people can easily walk or cycle to their errands.
C. However, turning traditional cities into 15-minute neighborhoods is not simple. Richer areas usually already have good shops, nice parks, and modern clinics nearby. On the other hand, poorer neighborhoods on the edges of the city often lack basic services. Experts warn that governments must spend money fairly, or this project might only benefit wealthy citizens.
Question 3: Matching Headings Choose the best title/heading for Paragraph C:
i. How to buy an electric bicycle
ii. Why pollution is increasing in city centers
iii. Difficulties and fairness in building 15-minute cities
iv. The history of modern public transport
3. iii (Difficulties and fairness in building 15-minute cities)
Why: Paragraph C explains that the plan is "not simple" and discusses why it must be done fairly between rich and poor districts.
This two-word linking preposition meaning "compared to" or "unlike" is used to show contrast directly within a single complex sentence (e.g., "...stood at 80%, _______ 20% in the previous year").
What is as opposed to (or in comparison with / compared to)?
This formal 11-letter adjective describes buildings, interiors, or lifestyles that are excessively showy, luxurious, or spend far more money than is necessary.
What is extravagant?
Topic 4: Leisure & Free Time
Primary Question: What activities do you enjoy doing during your free time on weekends?
Related Question A: Do you prefer spending your leisure time alone or with family and friends?
Related Question B: Is there a new hobby or activity you would like to try in the future?
Primary: What activities do you enjoy doing during your free time on weekends?
"On weekends, I love going for long outdoor walks or catching up on cinema and reading. It's really my primary way to recharge before the new work week kicks off."
Related A: Do you prefer spending your leisure time alone or with family and friends?
"It depends on my mood, but I generally enjoy a healthy balance. I appreciate quiet solitary time to recharge, but a lively dinner with close friends is equally refreshing."
Related B: Is there a new hobby or activity you would like to try in the future?
"I've been thinking about taking up ceramic pottery or clay modeling. Working with my hands to create decorative pieces seems like a rewarding creative outlet."
Part 4: Holiday & Travel (400 Points)
Match each word or phrase (1–5) to its correct definition (A–E):
1. off the beaten track
2. travel on a shoestring
3. set off
4. weekend getaway
5. soak up the atmosphere
A. to begin a journey or depart for a destination early
B. a short, temporary trip taken to escape daily routine and relax
C. to travel with very little money, sticking to a strict low budget
D. to visit famous monuments and attractions in a city or region
E. located in quiet, isolated areas rarely visited by typical tourists
1 – E (off the beaten track = away from popular, tourist-heavy zones)
2 – C (travel on a shoestring = travel cheaply with a small budget)
3 – A (set off = start out on a journey)
4 – B (weekend getaway = a short holiday over Saturday and Sunday)
5 – D (soak up the atmosphere = spend time experiencing and enjoying the local culture/vibe)
Reading Passage
A. In many large cities today, people live far away from where they work, shop, and study. Because of this, millions of commuters spend hours stuck in heavy traffic every day. This daily travel wastes time, causes stress, and produces harmful air pollution. To solve this common issue, urban designers are testing an exciting new idea called the "15-minute city."
B. The main rule of this plan is simple: every resident should be able to reach everything they need for daily life within a 15-minute walk or bike ride from their home. This includes supermarkets, schools, doctors' clinics, and parks. Instead of building wider roads for private cars, cities create safe bicycle lanes, wide footpaths, and green spaces so people can easily walk or cycle to their errands.
C. However, turning traditional cities into 15-minute neighborhoods is not simple. Richer areas usually already have good shops, nice parks, and modern clinics nearby. On the other hand, poorer neighborhoods on the edges of the city often lack basic services. Experts warn that governments must spend money fairly, or this project might only benefit wealthy citizens.
Question 4: Comprehension 1 (Short Answer)According to Paragraph B, name two ways people can travel to reach their daily needs in a 15-minute city.
(Write ONE OR TWO WORDS for each answer).
Travel method 1: ____________________
Travel method 2: ____________________
4. Walk / Bike ride (or Walking / Cycling)
Why: Paragraph B states: "within a 15-minute walk or bike ride from their home."
In a Task 1 map describing the development of a town, this passive verb is used when an old factory or building is completely knocked down to make way for a new facility.
What is demolished (or flattened / knocked down)?
This hyphenated term describes a residential home that shares a single party wall with only one neighboring house.
What is a semi-detached house?
opic 5: Weather & Climate
Primary Question: What type of weather do you enjoy the most?
Related Question A: Does the weather in your hometown affect your daily mood or plans?
Related Question B: Do you prefer living somewhere with four distinct seasons, or a place where the temperature stays consistent year-round?
Primary: What type of weather do you enjoy the most?
"I'm fond of crisp, sunny autumn weather when temperatures are mild and pleasant. It's cool enough to wear comfortable layers without feeling chilled to the bone."
Related A: Does the weather in your hometown affect your daily mood or plans?
"Without a doubt; dreary, overcast days make me feel lethargic, whereas bright sunshine instantly lifts my energy and makes me want to spend time outdoors."
Related B: Do you prefer living somewhere with four distinct seasons, or a place where the temperature stays consistent year-round?
"I much prefer having four distinct seasons. Experiencing the shifts—from cold, snowy winters to warm, blooming springs—keeps life interesting and marks the passage of time."
Part 5: Education (500 Points)
Match each word or phrase (1–5) to its correct definition (A–E):
1. meet a deadline
2. fall behind
3. cram for an exam
4. drop out
5. leave things to the last minute
A. to move at a slower pace than classmates and fail to keep up
B. to put off an academic assignment until the last possible moment
C. to successfully submit or complete a task by the required time
D. to study intensely and rapidly immediately before a test takes place
E. to abandon a course of study permanently before graduating
1 – C (meet a deadline = finish an assignment by the due date)
2 – A (fall behind = fail to stay level with the class curriculum)
3 – D (cram for an exam = study a large volume of material in a short period)
4 – E (drop out = leave school or university before completing the course)
5 – B (leave things to the last minute = delay starting work until just before the cutoff)
Reading Passage
A. In many large cities today, people live far away from where they work, shop, and study. Because of this, millions of commuters spend hours stuck in heavy traffic every day. This daily travel wastes time, causes stress, and produces harmful air pollution. To solve this common issue, urban designers are testing an exciting new idea called the "15-minute city."
B. The main rule of this plan is simple: every resident should be able to reach everything they need for daily life within a 15-minute walk or bike ride from their home. This includes supermarkets, schools, doctors' clinics, and parks. Instead of building wider roads for private cars, cities create safe bicycle lanes, wide footpaths, and green spaces so people can easily walk or cycle to their errands.
C. However, turning traditional cities into 15-minute neighborhoods is not simple. Richer areas usually already have good shops, nice parks, and modern clinics nearby. On the other hand, poorer neighborhoods on the edges of the city often lack basic services. Experts warn that governments must spend money fairly, or this project might only benefit wealthy citizens.
Question 5: Comprehension 2 (True / False / Not Given)Is this statement TRUE, FALSE, or NOT GIVEN according to Paragraph C?
"Wealthy neighborhoods in cities usually have more parks and services than poorer areas."
Answer: ____________________
5. TRUE
Why: Paragraph C states: "Richer areas usually already have good shops, nice parks, and modern clinics nearby. On the other hand, poorer neighborhoods... often lack basic services."