IELTS & PTE lesson · Vocabulary

IELTS & PTE Economy and Money Vocabulary notesMoney: say how, and for whom

Name the debt, the downturn and the policy. 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
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  • Updated 30 September 2026

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What's inside

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 (disposable income, fall into debt, live within your means and on a tight budget), 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 · Economy and money

    Vague money words

    they fit every essay, so they say little

    A lot of money and a bad economy fit any topic. A precise pair tells your reader how, for whom and why.

    Families have money issueswhich issue? because the economy is bad,bad how? yet the state spends a lot of moneyspent how? on roads.

    The fixes: invest heavily in, fall into debt, an economic downturn.

    © 2026 BandLadder · original material1 / 9
  2. IELTS · PTEVocabulary · Economy and money

    Swap it for the exact phrase

    ask: how much, for whom, what kind?

    VaguePrecise
    spend a lot oninvest heavily in
    have money issuesfall into debt
    the economy is badan economic downturn
    prices keep risinghigh inflation
    rich peoplehigh earners

    IELTS Band 7 Lexical Resource: "an awareness of style and collocation". PTE Essay scores vocabulary as its own trait.

    © 2026 BandLadder · original material2 / 9
  3. IELTS · PTEVocabulary · Economy and money

    Your own money

    the household side

    • disposable incomemoney left after tax and bills

      High rents leave little disposable income.

    • fall into debtstart owing money

      Pay-later apps make it easy to fall into debt.

      be in debtpay off a debt
    • live within your meansdon't overspend

      A budget helps you live within your means.

    • on a tight budgetwith little to spend

      Students on a tight budget often cook at home.

    © 2026 BandLadder · original material3 / 9
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9 cards

Contents

  1. 1Vague money wordsthey fit every essay, so they say littleIn the preview
  2. 2Swap it for the exact phraseask: how much, for whom, what kind?In the preview
  3. 3Your own moneythe household sideIn the preview
  4. 4The economy as a wholenoun phrases for the big pictureFree account
  5. 5Taxes, spending and jobswhat the state does with moneyFree account
  6. 6In an essaythe prompt: spend or save in a downturn?Free account
  7. 7Two money slipsthe idea is fine, the partner word isn'tFree account
  8. 8Your turnpick the partner word for each gapFree account
  9. 9Save thisthe money-words 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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