100 IELTS Flashcards: The Best 100 Cards To Boost Your Band Score Fast (Most Students Don’t Do This)
100 IELTS flashcards is your sweet spot: a tight deck for vocab, speaking phrases, writing templates and grammar patterns, all built with spaced repetition.
How Flashrecall app helps you remember faster. It's free
What Are “100 IELTS Flashcards” And Why They Actually Work
Alright, let’s talk about what people really mean by 100 IELTS flashcards: it’s basically a focused set of around 100 cards that cover the most useful IELTS vocabulary, phrases, and structures you’ll actually use in the exam. Instead of trying to memorize thousands of random words, you pick the most high‑impact ones and review them smartly. That way, you build strong speaking and writing language without burning out. This is exactly the kind of thing Flashrecall is perfect for — you can build those 100 cards, let spaced repetition handle the review, and stop worrying about forgetting everything the next week.
If you want to try it while reading, here’s the app:
👉 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085
Why 100 IELTS Flashcards Is The Sweet Spot
You don’t need 3,000 cards to bump your band score.
A tight set of around 100 flashcards works because:
- It’s small enough to finish and review regularly
- It’s big enough to cover the most common IELTS topics
- You avoid that “I’ll never finish this deck” feeling
- You can actually master the cards, not just “see” them
Think of it like a starter pack: 100 high‑value cards that give you:
- Strong vocabulary for Speaking Part 2 & 3
- Useful structures for Writing Task 1 & 2
- Collocations and phrases for higher band scores (7+)
- Topic‑specific words (environment, technology, education, etc.)
With Flashrecall, you can either build this 100‑card pack yourself or generate a lot of it automatically from texts, PDFs, or even YouTube IELTS videos.
How To Structure Your 100 IELTS Flashcards
Let’s break your 100 cards into useful groups so they’re not just random words.
Suggested Breakdown
- 30 cards – High‑value vocabulary (general academic words)
- 25 cards – Topic vocabulary (common IELTS topics)
- 20 cards – Speaking phrases & fillers
- 15 cards – Writing task structures & templates
- 10 cards – Grammar patterns & common mistakes
You can tweak the numbers, but this gives you a solid base.
In Flashrecall, you can even create separate decks or tags like:
- “IELTS – Vocab”
- “IELTS – Speaking”
- “IELTS – Writing”
So you can focus on whatever you’re weakest at that day.
1. 30 High‑Value IELTS Vocabulary Flashcards
These are words that appear across many topics and sound “academic” and natural.
Example Cards
Front:
> Word: “significant”
Back:
> Meaning: important or noticeable
> Example sentence: There has been a significant increase in the number of people working from home.
> Synonyms: considerable, substantial
Front:
> Word: “contribute to”
Back:
> Meaning: help cause something to happen
> Example: Regular exercise contributes to better physical and mental health.
Front:
> Word: “justify”
Back:
> Meaning: to show or prove that something is reasonable
> Example: It is difficult to justify spending so much money on space exploration.
You can quickly create cards like this in Flashrecall by:
- Copy‑pasting from word lists
- Importing text or PDFs
- Or just typing them manually if you prefer
Flashrecall’s built‑in active recall + spaced repetition means you’ll see “justify” again right before you’re about to forget it, without you tracking anything.
2. 25 Topic Vocabulary Flashcards (By IELTS Topic)
Pick 5–7 topics that always show up:
- Education
- Environment
- Technology
- Health
- Work and careers
- Society / culture
Then make 3–5 cards per topic.
Example: Environment
Front:
> Phrase: “reduce our carbon footprint”
Back:
> Meaning: lower the amount of carbon dioxide we produce
> Example: Governments should encourage public transport to reduce our carbon footprint.
Front:
> Word: “renewable energy”
Back:
> Meaning: energy from natural sources that are not depleted (e.g., wind, solar)
> Example: Investing in renewable energy is crucial for sustainable development.
Example: Education
Front:
> Phrase: “access to quality education”
Back:
> Meaning: being able to receive good education
> Example: Many children in rural areas still lack access to quality education.
In Flashrecall, you can:
- Paste an IELTS model essay into the app
- Let it auto‑generate flashcards from the text
- Then you just keep the best 25 topic words/phrases and delete the rest
That’s a super fast way to build your 100 IELTS flashcards without starting from a blank screen.
3. 20 Flashcards For Speaking Phrases & Fillers
These are lifesavers when you’re stuck in Speaking Part 2 or 3.
Useful Speaking Phrases
Front:
> Phrase: “To be honest…”
Back:
Flashrecall automatically keeps track and reminds you of the cards you don't remember well so you remember faster. Like this :
> Use: To give a personal, honest opinion
> Example: To be honest, I don’t think social media is entirely negative.
Front:
> Phrase: “It really depends on…”
Back:
> Use: To give a balanced answer
> Example: It really depends on people’s priorities and lifestyle.
Front:
> Phrase: “From my point of view…”
Back:
> Use: Introducing your opinion in a formal way
> Example: From my point of view, governments should invest more in public transport.
Front:
> Phrase: “I’d like to talk about…”
Back:
> Use: Starting a Part 2 answer
> Example: I’d like to talk about a book that had a big impact on me.
Make 20 of these and you’ll never sit in silence searching for words.
In Flashrecall, you can even record audio for each phrase (or just read it while reviewing) to practice pronunciation while you revise.
4. 15 Flashcards For Writing Task 1 & 2 Structures
These aren’t word‑for‑word templates (examiners hate that), but flexible sentence patterns you can adapt.
Task 2 Examples
Front:
> Structure: Opinion introduction
Back:
> Pattern: While some people argue that [A], I believe that [B].
> Example: While some people argue that university education should be free, I believe that students should contribute to the cost.
Front:
> Structure: Giving reasons
Back:
> Pattern: This is mainly because [reason 1], and also because [reason 2].
> Example: This is mainly because technology has made communication easier, and also because travel has become more affordable.
Task 1 Examples
Front:
> Structure: Describing an increase
Back:
> Pattern: The number of X increased significantly from A to B between YEAR1 and YEAR2.
Front:
> Structure: Comparing data
Back:
> Pattern: In contrast, the figure for X was considerably lower, at [number].
Put these into Flashrecall and tag them like `IELTS – Writing`. Before a writing practice session, quickly review that tag so the structures are fresh in your head.
5. 10 Flashcards For Grammar Patterns & Common Mistakes
These are for the annoying things that keep lowering people’s band scores.
Example Grammar Cards
Front:
> Common mistake: “People is”
Back:
> Correct: “People are”
> Note: “People” is plural.
Front:
> Pattern: Using “due to”
Back:
> Rule: “Due to” + noun
> Example: The traffic jam was due to heavy rain. (NOT “due to it was raining heavily”)
Front:
> Pattern: Complex sentence with “although”
Back:
> Example: Although public transport can be crowded, it is still more environmentally friendly than driving.
You can also take your own writing, drop it into Flashrecall, and make cards directly from your mistakes. That’s honestly one of the fastest ways to improve.
How To Actually Study Your 100 IELTS Flashcards (Without Burning Out)
Just having 100 IELTS flashcards isn’t enough — you need a good review rhythm.
Here’s a simple way:
Step 1: Add Them All Into Flashrecall
- Type them in, or
- Import from text/PDF, or
- Generate from YouTube IELTS videos by pasting the link
Flashrecall is fast, modern, and works on both iPhone and iPad, plus it’s free to start, so you can build your whole 100‑card set without stress.
👉 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085
Step 2: Let Spaced Repetition Handle The Timing
Flashrecall has built‑in spaced repetition with auto reminders, so:
- Easy cards appear less often
- Hard cards come back more frequently
- You don’t have to manually plan anything
You just open the app and it shows you what to review that day.
Step 3: Use Active Recall Properly
When a card appears:
- Hide the answer
- Say it out loud (especially for speaking phrases)
- Then flip and rate how well you remembered it
That’s built into Flashrecall, so you’re always doing active recall, not just reading.
Step 4: Mix Online And Offline Practice
Flashrecall works offline, so you can:
- Review on the bus
- Do a quick 10‑minute session before bed
- Use small pockets of time instead of long painful sessions
Bonus: Chat With Your IELTS Flashcards When You’re Confused
One cool thing with Flashrecall: you can chat with the flashcard if you’re unsure.
Example:
- You have a card with “renewable energy”
- You’re not sure how else to use it
- You ask the built‑in chat: “Give me 3 more IELTS‑style sentences with ‘renewable energy’”
- Now your understanding is deeper, not just memorized
This is super helpful for:
- Nuances of vocabulary
- Getting more example sentences
- Clarifying grammar patterns
Putting It All Together: Your 100 IELTS Flashcards Plan
Quick recap of your 100‑card setup:
- 30 cards – High‑value academic vocabulary
- 25 cards – Topic vocabulary (environment, education, tech, etc.)
- 20 cards – Speaking phrases & fillers
- 15 cards – Writing task structures
- 10 cards – Grammar patterns & common mistakes
Then:
1. Build them fast using Flashrecall (manual + automatic from text, PDFs, YouTube, etc.)
2. Review daily with spaced repetition and active recall
3. Use tags (Speaking / Writing / Grammar) to target weak areas
4. Chat with tricky cards to get more examples and explanations
If you set this up once and actually review it, those 100 IELTS flashcards can easily be the difference between “stuck at 6.0” and “finally hitting 7.0+”.
You can start building your deck here:
👉 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085
It’s free to start, works offline, and makes this whole 100‑card plan way less painful.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the fastest way to create flashcards?
Manually typing cards works but takes time. Many students now use AI generators that turn notes into flashcards instantly. Flashrecall does this automatically from text, images, or PDFs.
Is there a free flashcard app?
Yes. Flashrecall is free and lets you create flashcards from images, text, prompts, audio, PDFs, and YouTube videos.
How do I start spaced repetition?
You can manually schedule your reviews, but most people use apps that automate this. Flashrecall uses built-in spaced repetition so you review cards at the perfect time.
What's the best way to learn vocabulary?
Research shows that combining flashcards with spaced repetition and active recall is highly effective. Flashrecall automates this process, generating cards from your study materials and scheduling reviews at optimal intervals.
How can I study more effectively for this test?
Effective exam prep combines active recall, spaced repetition, and regular practice. Flashrecall helps by automatically generating flashcards from your study materials and using spaced repetition to ensure you remember everything when exam day arrives.
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Research References
The information in this article is based on peer-reviewed research and established studies in cognitive psychology and learning science.
Cepeda, N. J., Pashler, H., Vul, E., Wixted, J. T., & Rohrer, D. (2006). Distributed practice in verbal recall tasks: A review and quantitative synthesis. Psychological Bulletin, 132(3), 354-380
Meta-analysis showing spaced repetition significantly improves long-term retention compared to massed practice
Carpenter, S. K., Cepeda, N. J., Rohrer, D., Kang, S. H., & Pashler, H. (2012). Using spacing to enhance diverse forms of learning: Review of recent research and implications for instruction. Educational Psychology Review, 24(3), 369-378
Review showing spacing effects work across different types of learning materials and contexts
Kang, S. H. (2016). Spaced repetition promotes efficient and effective learning: Policy implications for instruction. Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 3(1), 12-19
Policy review advocating for spaced repetition in educational settings based on extensive research evidence
Karpicke, J. D., & Roediger, H. L. (2008). The critical importance of retrieval for learning. Science, 319(5865), 966-968
Research demonstrating that active recall (retrieval practice) is more effective than re-reading for long-term learning
Roediger, H. L., & Butler, A. C. (2011). The critical role of retrieval practice in long-term retention. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 15(1), 20-27
Review of research showing retrieval practice (active recall) as one of the most effective learning strategies
Dunlosky, J., Rawson, K. A., Marsh, E. J., Nathan, M. J., & Willingham, D. T. (2013). Improving students' learning with effective learning techniques: Promising directions from cognitive and educational psychology. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 14(1), 4-58
Comprehensive review ranking learning techniques, with practice testing and distributed practice rated as highly effective

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