IELTS & PTE lesson · Vocabulary

IELTS & PTE Opinions Vocabulary notesSay what you think, then prove it

Opinion phrases at the right strength, and the words that carry your reasons and examples. This IELTS & PTE lesson is a deck of 9 visual cards from BandLadder's own study library, written and fact-checked by our team.
  • 9 cards
  • Free to read online
  • PDF with any plan
  • Updated 30 September 2026

Original BandLadder material

What's inside

It teaches a 3-step method: say it, back it and show it. Along the way you get worked examples with the key words marked, before-and-after fixes that show why the first version loses marks, a one-page visual summary, word cards with meanings and examples (mainly because, This is because, for instance and such as), a quick check to test yourself and a recap of the rules to remember. Each card holds one idea, so you can read it on a phone between practice sessions.

Reading it online is free: create a free BandLadder account and the whole lesson opens in our study reader, on the web and in the app. Downloading the PDF to keep needs a plan; the free reader has every card.

The first 3 of 9 cards

Preview

  1. IELTS · PTEVocabulary · Opinions

    I think, I think, I think

    one phrase, doing every job

    Your view is clear. But when every sentence carries "I think", your reader hears the phrase, not the argument.

    I thinkonce online classes are useful. I think thattwice they save time. Students can study at night, I think.three times

    Say your view clearly, not in every sentence. The rest is reasons.

    © 2026 BandLadder · original material1 / 9
  2. IELTS · PTEVocabulary · Opinions

    Say it, back it, show it

    three jobs, in this order

    1. 1Say itGive your view clearly, at its real strength: fully, mostly or only partly.
    2. 2Back itAdd the reason, with a word that shows it is one: because, this is because.
    3. 3Show itMake the reason real with one case your reader can picture: for instance.
    © 2026 BandLadder · original material2 / 9
  3. IELTS · PTEVocabulary · Opinions

    How strongly do you agree?

    pick the row that matches your real view

    You agreeIn an essayOut loud
    FullyI firmly believe…Absolutely!
    MostlyI largely agree…Generally, yes.
    PartlyI partly agree…Yes and no.
    Not reallyI doubt that…I'm not so sure.

    Keep that row to the end. IELTS Band 7 Task 2 asks for "a clear and developed position".

    © 2026 BandLadder · original material3 / 9
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9 cards

Contents

  1. 1I think, I think, I thinkone phrase, doing every jobIn the preview
  2. 2Say it, back it, show itthree jobs, in this orderIn the preview
  3. 3How strongly do you agree?pick the row that matches your real viewIn the preview
  4. 4Words that carry the proofeach one does a different jobFree account
  5. 5In an essaythe prompt: car-free town centres?Free account
  6. 6Out loud, in Part 3asked: should children be paid for chores?Free account
  7. 7Two slips to swapone phrase, one specific caseFree account
  8. 8Your turnmatch the phrase to the jobFree account
  9. 9Save thisthe opinion checklistFree account

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The PDF download comes with any BandLadder plan. Free accounts read the lesson online in the study reader, on the web and in the app.

Who wrote this lesson?+

The BandLadder team wrote and checked it. It is original BandLadder material, not copied from books or other websites, and its exam facts are checked against the official IELTS and PTE pages.

Is it for IELTS or PTE?+

Both. The lesson is in the IELTS and the PTE study library, so it opens whichever exam you prepare for.

IELTS is a registered trademark of the University of Cambridge, the British Council and IDP Education Australia. PTE is a trademark of Pearson. BandLadder is not affiliated with either.

© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy

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