Tense Detective
Complete: Chico usually ___ English after dinner. (study)
studies
Upgrade the fragment: My brother, very hardworking.
My brother is very hardworking.
Replace VERY IMPORTANT with one stronger IELTS word.
essential / crucial
Correct: She go to school by bus.
She goes to school by bus.
Make a present simple sentence about your weekday routine.
Answers vary; use present simple accurately.
Replace VERY GOOD: The lesson was very good.
The lesson was excellent / highly effective.
Answer in one sentence: What do you enjoy doing after school?
Use present simple and one specific detail.
Choose MUCH or MANY: How ___ time do you spend revising?
much
Complete for present ability: She ___ speak three languages.
can
Complete: My teacher encouraged me ___ the IELTS test. (take)
to take
Join with WHO: The student won. He practised every day.
The student who practised every day won.
Join with ALTHOUGH: The task was difficult. I completed it.
Although the task was difficult, I completed it.
Complete: He ___ an IELTS video right now. (watch)
is watching
Correct the agreement: People in my city is friendly.
People in my city are friendly.
This adjective means harmful: Air pollution is ___ to public health.
detrimental
Correct: I am agree with this idea.
I agree with this idea.
Make a present continuous sentence about what is happening now.
Answers vary; use am/is/are + verb-ing.
Paraphrase: Many people like online shopping.
Online shopping is popular with many people.
Answer with a reason: Do you prefer studying alone or with others?
State a preference and support it with because.
Correct: The course provides a valuable information.
The course provides valuable information.
Complete for past ability: He ___ swim when he was five.
could
Complete: She suggested ___ a study group. (join)
joining
Join with WHICH: I bought a book. It includes practice tests.
I bought a book which includes practice tests.
Link the contrast: The course is useful. ___, it is expensive.
However
Complete: Last Saturday, he ___ his first IELTS class. (enjoy)
enjoyed
Add the correct article: Chiang Mai is ___ beautiful city.
a
Complete the collocation: Education plays a ___ role in society.
significant / crucial
Correct: He didn't went to class.
He didn't go to class.
Make a past simple sentence about last weekend.
Answers vary; use a correct past form.
Replace VERY BIG: Bangkok has a very big population.
Bangkok has an enormous population.
Describe a useful app using two adjectives.
Name the app and explain why it is useful.
Complete: The manager interviewed ___ candidate in turn.
each
Choose the meaning: You MUSTN'T use your phone during the test.
It is prohibited.
Complete: The tutor advised him ___ more examples. (use)
to use
Complete: The phone ___ I bought is already broken.
that / which
Rewrite with DESPITE: Although he was nervous, he spoke clearly.
Despite being nervous, he spoke clearly.
Complete: I ___ my answer when the teacher interrupted me. (explain)
was explaining
Replace the repeated noun: My sister likes art because my sister is creative.
My sister likes art because she is creative.
Upgrade CAUSES PROBLEMS: Rapid growth ___ challenges for cities.
poses
Correct: I have seen him yesterday.
I saw him yesterday.
Use WHEN to join a past continuous action and a past simple interruption.
Answers vary; e.g. I was studying when my friend called.
Paraphrase with BECAUSE OF: We stayed home because it was raining.
We stayed home because of the rain.
Describe something you did last weekend using two past-tense verbs.
Use at least two accurate past forms.
Choose the natural order: Chiang Mai is an ___ city. (interesting / historical)
interesting historical
Choose the meaning: You DON'T HAVE TO bring a dictionary.
It is not necessary.
Complete: I managed ___ the essay before midnight. (finish)
to finish
Join with WHOSE: I met a student. Her IELTS score was 7.5.
I met a student whose IELTS score was 7.5.
Add another point: Exercise improves health. ___, it can reduce stress.
In addition
Complete: She ___ the IELTS test twice. (take)
has taken
Complete: This task is ___ than the last one. (challenging)
more challenging
This adjective describes something that can continue without harming the future.
sustainable
Correct: She has lived here since three years.
She has lived here for three years.
Make a present perfect sentence about an experience.
Answers vary; use have/has + past participle.
Replace BAD FOR: Smoking is bad for your health.
Smoking is harmful / detrimental to your health.
Talk about a skill you have learned recently.
Use present perfect and explain its value.
Complete: ___ people live in the countryside than 100 years ago.
Fewer
Give advice: You ___ check your spelling before submitting.
should
Complete: Avoid ___ the same word repeatedly. (use)
using
Complete: This is the school ___ I studied.
where
Show a result: Traffic increased; ___, air quality declined.
therefore
Complete: He ___ English for three years. (study)
has studied
Complete: The room is not quiet ___ to study in.
enough
This verb means make a problem less severe: Better buses could ___ traffic congestion.
alleviate
Correct: If it will rain, we will stay home.
If it rains, we will stay home.
Use FOR or SINCE to describe how long you have studied English.
Answers vary; use present perfect with for/since.
Paraphrase: More people are using public transport.
Public transport use is increasing.
Compare your hometown now with five years ago.
Use a comparative and a clear time reference.
Complete: I have ___ close friends, so I never feel lonely. (few / a few)
a few
Complete for possibility: Online classes ___ become more common.
might / may
Complete: I look forward to ___ my results. (receive)
receiving
Add commas: Bangkok which is Thailand's capital is very crowded.
Bangkok, which is Thailand's capital, is very crowded.
Contrast two subjects: City life is fast-paced, ___ village life is quieter.
whereas
Complete: By the time class started, I ___ my homework. (finish)
had finished
Choose a modal: Students ___ wear uniforms at my school; it is a rule.
must / have to
This verb means make a problem worse: Stress can ___ sleep problems.
exacerbate
Correct: There are less students in this class.
There are fewer students in this class.
Compare Chiang Mai with another city using a comparative.
Answers vary; use a correct comparative form.
Use LEADS TO: Too much screen time causes poor sleep.
Too much screen time leads to poor sleep.
Describe a plan for next year.
Use going to or present continuous for an arrangement.
Correct: The gym has many modern equipments.
The gym has a lot of modern equipment.
Deduce the past: He got 20%. He ___ have studied very hard.
can't
Complete: The teacher made us ___ the paragraph. (rewrite)
rewrite
Use a formal preposition: The university at ___ she studied is in London.
which
Rewrite with BECAUSE OF: The match was cancelled because it rained heavily.
The match was cancelled because of the heavy rain.
Choose the best future form: I think online learning ___ more common. (be)
will be
Join with WHO: I have a teacher. She gives clear feedback.
I have a teacher who gives clear feedback.
This adjective means convincing: The report presents a ___ argument.
compelling
Correct: The information are useful.
The information is useful.
Give advice to an IELTS student using SHOULD.
Answers vary; e.g. You should record your speaking practice.
Use PLAYS A ROLE: Education is important in reducing inequality.
Education plays an important role in reducing inequality.
Give one advantage and one disadvantage of online learning.
Use a contrast linker such as however or whereas.
Complete: ___ of my parents speak English. (Both / Every)
Both
Complete: If water reaches 100°C, it ___.
boils
Complete: The app allows students ___ pronunciation. (record)
to record
Reduce the clause: Students who prepare carefully often feel calmer.
Students preparing carefully often feel calmer.
Choose the formal source phrase: ___ the report, emissions are rising.
According to
Look at those dark clouds! It ___. (rain)
is going to rain
Make it passive: People speak English in many countries.
English is spoken in many countries.
This adjective means possible and practical: Is the plan financially ___?
feasible
Correct: People should to exercise regularly.
People should exercise regularly.
Make a first conditional sentence about exam preparation.
Answers vary; use if + present, will + base verb.
Use TEND TO: Teenagers often use social media daily.
Teenagers tend to use social media daily.
Explain what you will do if your IELTS score is lower than expected.
Use an accurate first conditional.
Add articles where needed: Internet has changed way we communicate.
The internet has changed the way we communicate.
Complete: If I practise regularly, I ___ more fluent.
will become
Report: Maya said, 'I am tired.'
Maya said that she was tired.
Make passive: People use English worldwide.
English is used worldwide.
Use cautious language: ___, the new policy has reduced traffic.
Apparently
Complete: If I practise every day, I ___ more confidently. (speak)
will speak
Complete: I wish I ___ more confident when speaking. (be)
were
This verb means distribute money or resources for a purpose.
allocate
Correct: Despite it was expensive, I bought it.
Although it was expensive, I bought it.
Make a second conditional sentence about studying abroad.
Answers vary; use if + past, would + base verb.
Use ONE REASON: People move to cities because there are more jobs.
One reason people move to cities is the greater number of jobs.
Imagine studying overseas. What would be most challenging?
Use a second conditional and give a reason.
Correct: My teacher gave me several useful advices.
My teacher gave me some useful advice.
Complete: If I lived abroad, I ___ English every day.
would use
Report the question: He asked, 'Where do you study?'
He asked where I studied.
Make passive: The school introduced the policy last year.
The policy was introduced last year.
State a personal position formally: ___, schools should teach financial skills.
In my view
Complete: If I had more free time, I ___ an English club. (join)
would join
Upgrade with DESPITE: It was raining, but we played football.
Despite the rain, we played football.
This adjective means common or widespread: Smartphone use is ___ among teenagers.
prevalent
Correct: The government must solve about this problem.
The government must solve this problem.
Use ALTHOUGH to contrast two ideas about social media.
Answers vary; include a clear contrast.
Use BOTH...AND: The course improves vocabulary. It improves confidence too.
The course improves both vocabulary and confidence.
Describe a teacher who influenced you.
Use a relative clause and a specific example.
Choose AMOUNT or NUMBER: The ___ of international students has increased.
number
Complete: If she had revised, she ___ the test.
would have passed
Correct: She told that the test was difficult.
She said that the test was difficult.
Make passive: Researchers have completed the study.
The study has been completed.
Nominalise DECIDE: The government's ___ caused public debate.
decision
Complete: At 8 p.m. tomorrow, I ___ for the IELTS test. (study)
will be studying
Join with WHICH: The course has weekly tests. They help me track progress.
The course has weekly tests, which help me track progress.
This adjective means large or important: The project requires a ___ investment.
substantial
Correct: My city is more quieter than Bangkok.
My city is quieter than Bangkok.
Use a relative clause to describe a good teacher.
Answers vary; use who/that accurately.
Use WHEREAS to contrast city life and country life.
Answers vary; include two contrasting clauses joined by whereas.
Do social media platforms do more good than harm?
Give a clear opinion, reason and example.
Complete: We have ___ time left, but it is enough to check one answer. (little / a little)
a little
Complete the mixed conditional: If I had slept earlier, I ___ so tired now.
wouldn't be
Complete: He admitted ___ the source incorrectly. (cite)
citing
Make passive: They will announce the results tomorrow.
The results will be announced tomorrow.
Nominalise INCREASE: There has been an ___ in online learning.
increase
Complete: She is tired because she ___ all morning. (revise)
has been revising
Make it more formal: A lot of teenagers use social media every day.
Many teenagers use social media every day.
This adjective means certain to happen: Some technological change is ___.
inevitable
Correct: I look forward to meet you.
I look forward to meeting you.
Make a passive sentence about education.
Answers vary; use be + past participle.
Make more academic: Kids get lots of information online.
Young people obtain a large amount of information online.
Describe a problem in your city and suggest a solution.
Use IELTS vocabulary such as issue, alleviate or sustainable.
Complete: ___ answer is acceptable; you can choose A or B.
Either
Complete the regret: I wish I ___ more vocabulary before the exam.
had learned / had learnt
Complete: She denied ___ the answer. (copy)
copying
Use a reporting passive: People believe that exercise improves concentration.
Exercise is believed to improve concentration.
Use introductory IT: That exercise is important is clear.
It is clear that exercise is important.
Complete: Before the teacher arrived, the students ___ for twenty minutes. (wait)
had been waiting
Use a reduced relative clause: Students who study abroad often become independent.
Students studying abroad often become independent.
This adjective describes an issue that causes strong disagreement.
controversial
Correct: The number of cars have increased.
The number of cars has increased.
Use NOT ONLY...BUT ALSO to describe technology.
Answers vary; use parallel grammar.
Paraphrase without changing meaning: The problem is difficult to solve.
Solving the problem is difficult.
Why do some students perform well in grammar tests but make mistakes while speaking?
Give at least two connected reasons using cautious language.
Complete: This is ___ most useful grammar book I own.
the
Complete: We will miss the deadline ___ we start now.
unless
Report formally: Experts recommend that governments ___ now. (act)
act
Use HAVE SOMETHING DONE: A mechanic repaired my car.
I had my car repaired.
Use a WHAT-clause: The city needs better public transport.
What the city needs is better public transport.
Complete the story: I ___ for an hour when I finally ___ the answer. (think / find)
had been thinking; found
Correct the inversion: Never I have seen such a difficult question.
Never have I seen such a difficult question.
Complete the IELTS phrase: Governments must consider the long-term ___ of this policy.
implications
Correct: Not only technology saves time, but it also improves access.
Not only does technology save time, but it also improves access.
Give a three-sentence answer using past, present and future tenses.
Answers vary; all three time frames must be clear and accurate.
Paraphrase formally: We need to do something about pollution now.
Immediate action is required to address pollution.
Give a 30-second answer: How could education change in the next ten years?
Use future language, two ideas and one supporting example.
Build a noun phrase from: urban populations / rapid growth / the
the rapid growth of urban populations
Express past criticism: You ___ have copied that paragraph without a reference.
shouldn't
Complete: The teacher persuaded him ___ his answer. (expand)
to expand
Rewrite with NEEDS: Someone must clean the classroom.
The classroom needs cleaning.
Make academic: People use more cars, so pollution gets worse.
Increased car use contributes to worsening air pollution.