IELTS & PTE lesson · Vocabulary

IELTS & PTE Paraphrasing Vocabulary notesParaphrasing: same idea, new words

Four moves to spot reworded answers and to write in your own words. 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

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What's inside

It teaches a 4-step method: synonym, word form, structure and general ↔ specific. 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, 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 · Paraphrasing

    The words won't match

    why the answer hides in plain sight

    Exam questions often reword the text. Scan for the question's exact words and you miss the answer. Copy the prompt and you show no range.

    Q: When does the café stop serving lunch? Passage: Meals are no longer availablesame idea after 3 pm.

    Scan for 'lunch' and you miss it.

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

    Four ways to say it again

    one meaning, four moves

    1. 1SynonymSwap a word for one that means the same here: late → delayed, buy → purchase.
    2. 2Word formChange the word class: decide → decision, popular → popularity.
    3. 3StructureRebuild the sentence: active → passive, are often late → often aren't on time.
    4. 4General ↔ specificName the group or its members: buses and trains ↔ public transport.
    © 2026 BandLadder · original material2 / 9
  3. IELTS · PTEVocabulary · Paraphrasing

    One sentence, four ways

    the same meaning in every row

    MoveSentence
    OriginalBuses and trains are often late.
    SynonymBuses and trains are often delayed.
    Word formDelays to buses and trains are common.
    StructureBuses and trains often aren't on time.
    GeneralPublic transport is often late.

    Mix two moves: It is common for public transport to run late. The core meaning stays the same.

    © 2026 BandLadder · original material3 / 9
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9 cards

Contents

  1. 1The words won't matchwhy the answer hides in plain sightIn the preview
  2. 2Four ways to say it againone meaning, four movesIn the preview
  3. 3One sentence, four waysthe same meaning in every rowIn the preview
  4. 4In a Reading passageevery pair matches, so it's TRUEFree account
  5. 5In a Task 2 introductionrewrite the prompt, don't copy itFree account
  6. 6In a PTE summaryAcademic scores rewording under ContentFree account
  7. 7Two ways it goes wrongrewriting “Some people believe fast food should be taxed”Free account
  8. 8Your turnsame meaning, new wordsFree account
  9. 9Save thisthe paraphrasing 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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