1. Core Goals to Move from 5 → 7

At band 5, common issues:

• Limited vocabulary → frequent repetition
• Simple sentences → grammar mistakes
• Hesitation → not fully answering the question
• Limited ideas → short answers

Band 7 requires:

• Fluent, coherent, and extended responses
• Range of vocabulary and grammar
• Accurate and flexible structures
• Ability to give examples, reasons, and opinions

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2. Vocabulary Development

A. Topic-specific vocabulary

Focus on frequent IELTS topics:

Topic	Useful words/phrases
People & Relationships	close-knit, supportive, get along with, dependable, role model
Education	curriculum, extracurricular activities, learning outcomes, critical thinking
Technology	digital devices, innovation, social media, privacy concerns, automation
Environment	sustainable, conservation, climate change, renewable energy
Travel	tourist attractions, sightseeing, cultural exchange, off the beaten track
Health	nutritious, exercise regime, mental health, preventive care

Tip: Learn collocations (words that naturally go together), e.g., make an effort, take responsibility, pose a challenge.

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B. Linking Words & Phrases

Fluency and coherence are key for band 7.

Purpose	Phrases
Adding ideas	moreover, in addition, what’s more, similarly
Giving reasons	because, due to, as a result of, considering that
Giving examples	for instance, for example, such as, to illustrate
Contrast	however, on the other hand, although, nevertheless
Concluding	in conclusion, overall, to sum up

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3. Grammar & Structures

A. Sentence Variety

• Simple → “I like reading books.”
• Compound → “I like reading books, and I also enjoy writing essays.”
• Complex → “I like reading books because they help me learn new things.”
• Conditional → “If I had more free time, I would travel abroad more often.”

Tip: Band 7 requires complex sentence structures, but keep them natural.

B. Tenses

• Present simple/present continuous → describe routines or trends
• Past simple/past continuous → experiences or stories
• Present perfect → “I have visited three countries” (experience without a specific time)
• Future forms → “I will probably…”, “I am going to…”

C. Modals & Opinions

• Express certainty: definitely, certainly, without a doubt
• Express probability: might, could, likely, unlikely
• Giving advice/opinion: should, ought to, had better

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4. Answer Frames / Speaking Structures

Part 1 – Introduction & Everyday Topics

Q: “Do you like cooking?”
Frame:

1. Opinion: Yes, I really enjoy cooking…
2. Reason: because it helps me relax after work.
3. Example: For instance, last weekend I tried making a new pasta recipe…

Useful phrase: “I am quite fond of…”, “It’s something I find really enjoyable…”

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Part 2 – Long Turn / Cue Card

Structure (3 parts, 2–3 min):

1. Introduction: Paraphrase the question
   “Today, I want to talk about my favorite hobby, which is painting…”
2. Details & description: Use adjectives, senses, examples
   “I usually paint landscapes. I love capturing the colors of sunsets…
3. Personal reflection / conclusion:
   “I find painting very relaxing and it also allows me to express myself creatively…”

Frame phrases:

• “One thing I particularly enjoy about… is…”
• “It was really memorable because…”
• “I think this hobby has helped me develop…”

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Part 3 – Discussion / Abstract Questions

Structure:

1. State opinion clearly: “In my opinion, education should focus more on practical skills.”
2. Reason / explanation: “This is because students often struggle to apply theoretical knowledge in real life.”
3. Example: “For example, in my high school, we rarely had opportunities to do real-world projects.”
4. Speculate / compare / suggest: “In the future, I believe schools might integrate more internships and practical classes.”

Advanced connectors: however, despite this, on the other hand, consequently

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5. Practice Techniques

1. Shadowing / repetition: Listen to sample answers and repeat aloud.
2. Timed speaking: Practice 2-min answers for Part 2.
3. Record & self-evaluate: Check grammar, vocabulary, and fluency.
4. Use synonyms & paraphrase: Avoid repeating “good, nice, big”.
5. Think in English: Reduce translation time; improves fluency.