Module 1. What “parallel phrasing” really is

Parallel phrasing is when the passage and the question communicate the same idea with different surfaces. The switch may use synonyms, grammar shifts, or logic rewrites. If you only chase identical words, you miss it. If you read the relation behind the words, you catch it.

Core rule: match the relation between ideas before you match vocabulary. Relations include cause, contrast, concession, process, definition, classification, comparison, and condition.

Why it matters: most wrong options echo a noun but alter scope, polarity, or strength. Most correct options preserve the relation but change the wording.

Module 2. The 9 Paraphrase Engines used in IELTS

Use this list to predict how a line can be restated. Train your eyes to ask which engine is running.

1. Lexical substitution
   flood control → flood mitigation
   researchers → investigators
   cheap → low cost
2. Word family shift
   to regulate → regulation → regulatory
   to decide → decision → decisive
3. Voice and form shift
   Active to passive: planners revised the route → the route was revised by planners
   Verb to noun: the scheme failed → the failure of the scheme
4. Negation and polarity
   not rare → common
   never permitted → always prohibited
   no evidence → evidence is lacking
5. Quantifier swap
   many → several or a number of
   most → a majority of
   few → a small minority
   some → at least one
6. Comparative and superlative flips
   higher than → exceeds
   not as efficient as → less efficient than
   the best → the most effective
7. Cause and result rewrites
   because of → due to or owing to
   leads to → results in or gives rise to
   since → given that
8. Concession and contrast
   although → despite or in spite of
   however → yet or nevertheless
   whereas → while
9. Conditionals and equivalence
   if → provided that or on condition that
   unless → except when
   only if → solely when

Keep this as your prediction list. When you see a relation, ask how it could be restated using an engine from the list.

Module 3. Signal Library you can trust

Below are clusters you will meet repeatedly. Learn them as families, not as single words.

• Addition: moreover, in addition, as well as, and
• Contrast: however, yet, whereas, while, on the other hand
• Concession: although, even though, despite, in spite of
• Cause: because, since, due to, owing to, as
• Result: therefore, thus, consequently, hence
• Purpose: to, in order to, so as to
• Example: for example, for instance, such as
• Hedges: may, might, tends to, is likely to, appears to
• Boosters: clearly, certainly, definitely, always, never
• Time: previously, currently, now, later, by 2030, thereafter

When options change a signal, check if the underlying relation is preserved. If the relation flips, it is a trap.

Module 4. The 4 stage Parallel Scan

Run this every time a question feels “too reworded”.

Stage 1. Frame the relation
Label the question stem with one relation word: cause, contrast, concession, definition, process, classification, comparison, condition, or result.

Stage 2. Find NKP
Locate a Name, Key term, or Phrase in the passage that aligns with the stem. This is your entry point, not your proof.

Stage 3. Transformation test
Check which engine is running. Is the line passive, nominalised, negated, hedged, or quantified differently

• Circle small words that control strength and scope: not, only, most, some, few, at least.
• Underline the signal that marks the relation.

Stage 4. Clause level proof
Underline a 6 to 12 word clause that preserves the relation and scope. No clause, no answer. Move on and return later with a new anchor.

Module 5. Trap breakers for hard paraphrases

1. Near synonym drift
   impact vs influence vs effect can differ in strength. If the stem says proves and the passage says suggests, the option that says proves is wrong.
2. Scope creep
   many in the passage becomes most in the option. Circle quantifiers before you choose.
3. Polarity flips
   not, rarely, except, only, unless. Box these. A single small word turns True into False or Yes into No.
4. Hedge to absolute
   tends to becomes always in the option. Reject unless the passage has an absolute booster.
5. Voice swap
   The author reports a claim from a source. For writer view items use the author’s stance, not the quoted person’s line. For matching people credit the source.
6. Example vs rule
   The option states a general claim but the paragraph gives only a single case. Pick the paragraph that states the rule.

Module 6. Micro drills that build automatic skill

Each drill takes about 3 minutes. Rotate them daily.

A. Shadow Rephrase
Read a sentence, then rewrite it using a different engine. Example
Passage: Managers reduced costs by cutting shifts.
Paraphrase: Cost reductions resulted from shift cuts.

B. Skeleton Swap
Strip to subject, verb, object, then rebuild
Original: The museum will not extend hours unless funding increases.
Skeleton: museum not extend hours unless funding increases
Rebuild: Extended hours depend on higher funding.

C. Negation Knot
Flip polarity without changing meaning
Original: Only researchers with permits may enter.
Paraphrase: Entry is prohibited unless a permit is held.

D. Quantifier Math
Turn numbers into verbal quantifiers and back
Original: A majority of respondents supported the plan.
Paraphrase: More than half of respondents supported the plan.

E. Comparator Flip
Change comparative angle
Original: The north route is shorter than the coastal road.
Paraphrase: The coastal road is longer than the north route.

F. Hedge Tuner
Adjust strength carefully
Original: The intervention may improve outcomes.
Paraphrase: Outcomes are likely to improve with the intervention.

G. Nominalise or verbalise
Original: There was an increase in rainfall.
Paraphrase: Rainfall increased.

Keys for drills are embedded in the examples above. Keep rephrasing until the relation survives the transformation.

Module 7. Worked mini sets with keys

Set 1. True False Not Given with hard paraphrases

Text
Archived letters reveal that the canal froze in three winters during the 1890s. Surveyors noted that traffic declined in those years. However, no evidence links the freeze to a long term drop in trade across the region.

Statements
1 The 1890s saw ice on the canal in several winters.
2 Surveyors recorded a fall in canal traffic when ice formed.
3 The freeze permanently damaged the region’s trade.

Decisions and proof
1 True. three winters during the 1890s → several winters.
2 True. traffic declined in those years → fall in traffic when ice formed.
3 False. no evidence links the freeze to a long term drop → the option claims permanent damage.

Set 2. Multiple Choice with voice and hedge shifts

Text
According to Dr Hara, urban tree belts can lower midday temperatures by up to two degrees in dry climates. She cautions that benefits are smaller in humid regions. Recent city reports suggest that shade also increases foot traffic near shops.

Question
What is the writer’s stance
A Tree belts consistently lower temperatures by two degrees in all cities
B Hara proves that foot traffic rises in shaded areas
C Cooling varies by climate, and shade may attract shoppers
D Humidity has no effect on tree belt performance

Answer
C. varies by climate matches cautions that benefits are smaller in humid regions. may attract shoppers matches suggest that shade also increases foot traffic.
A is absolute and wrong. B credits proof to Hara about foot traffic which the text assigns to city reports. D contradicts the caution.

Set 3. Locating Information with definition and concession

Text
P1 Defines aquifer recharge as the process of water entering underground stores.
P2 Notes urban runoff that reduces recharge despite heavy rain.
P3 Describes pilot projects that inject treated water into wells.
P4 Concludes that recharge can stabilise supplies but requires strict monitoring.

Sentence to locate
“Recharge supports security yet demands careful oversight.”

Answer
P4. supports security → stabilise supplies. demands careful oversight → requires strict monitoring.

Set 4. Matching People with nominalisation and condition

Text
A Kumar argues that ticket subsidies should depend on income.
B Lee records longer commutes after bus lanes were removed.
C Diaz proposes congestion charges on the condition that fares are frozen.

Match
1 Supports road pricing only with a fare freeze
2 Treats subsidies as income based
3 Provides evidence that travel time increased

Keys
1 C. congestion charges on the condition that fares are frozen.
2 A. should depend on income.
3 B. records longer commutes after bus lanes were removed.

Set 5. Sentence completion with comparison and cause

Text
Because the ridge shelters the valley from northerly winds, frost occurs less often than on the plateau.

Question
Frost occurs less often in the valley due to the ______ provided by the ridge.

Answer
shelter or sheltering effect. The cause is expressed with because and preserved as due to.

Module 8. Paraphrase banks you can mine quickly

A. Quantity and degree
about 50 percent → roughly half
more than half → a majority of
under 10 → fewer than ten
twice as large → double the size

B. Frequency
rarely → seldom → hardly ever
often → frequently → on many occasions
never → at no time

C. Time and sequence
previously → earlier → formerly
currently → at present → now
subsequently → later → thereafter
by 2030 → no later than 2030

D. Space and direction
opposite → across from
adjacent to → next to or beside
at the corner of → on the corner of
beyond → past → farther than

E. Certainty and stance
is likely to → tends to → is expected to
is unlikely to → is not expected to
proves → demonstrates conclusively
suggests → indicates → points to

F. Cause and reason
because of → due to → owing to
leads to → results in → gives rise to
stems from → arises from → originates in

G. Contrast and concession
however → yet → nevertheless
although → even though
despite → in spite of

H. Condition
only if → solely when
unless → except when
provided that → on condition that

I. Comparison
greater than → exceeds
less than → below → under
as X as Y → equal to or similar to

Use these banks to predict the wording you will face and to reverse engineer a paraphrase back to the original relation.

Module 9. Timing recipe to keep speed and accuracy

Per item micro split

• 10 seconds: label relation and box small words.
• 20 to 40 seconds: find NKP and check the engine.
• 20 seconds: underline a clause that preserves relation and scope.
• Decide. If you pass 90 seconds without a clause, mark L and move.

Per passage routine

• 60 seconds: title, first and last lines, function labels in margins.
• Do locating or headings early to build a map.
• Handle MCQ and writer view next using relation first.
• TF NG sweep last to catch polarity flips with fresh attention.

Module 10. Seven day accelerator

Day 1
Study the 9 engines. Do Shadow Rephrase on 15 lines. Log which engines feel slow.

Day 2
Run Skeleton Swap on 10 sentences from past passages. Add Negation Knot for 10 more.

Day 3
Quantifier Math with 20 examples. Create both a True and a False version for each.

Day 4
Comparator Flip and Hedge Tuner on two editorials. Highlight all hedges and boosters.

Day 5
Two timed sets: 12 TF NG and 8 MCQ. Enforce the 90 second wall and the clause proof rule.

Day 6
Matching People and Locating. Build a roster first, then solve as a block.

Day 7
Full passage at 20 minutes. Afterward, write the exact clause that proved each decision. If any answer lacks a clause, count it as luck and retrain that engine.

Targets by Day 7

• Proof clause present for at least 90 percent of answers
• TF NG accuracy above 80 percent
• MCQ accuracy above 75 percent
• Average item time under 75 seconds on hard paraphrases

Module 11. Quick fixes for common pain points

• I understand the idea but cannot prove it
  Reduce to S V O, find the signal word, then rebuild with a bank entry. If no clause matches, it is Not Given or the wrong option.
• Absolute words keep tricking me
  Cross out options that say always or never unless the passage uses a booster. Hedges dominate academic texts.
• I mix up a source with the author
  Draw a vertical line at the start and end of a quote. Write A for author, Q for quoted. Then choose based on the right owner.
• Numbers derail me
  Write unit before figure when you copy to notes. Read digits in pairs to avoid neighbor swaps like 5.15 vs 5.50.
• Time runs out
  Use the 90 second wall. If you cannot produce a clause in that time, stop fishing and move. Come back with a fresh anchor.

Module 12. One page routine card for exam day

• Label relation in the stem.
• Find NKP and identify the engine at work.
• Circle quantifiers, box negatives, underline the signal.
• Reduce to S V O, then check if the option preserves the relation and scope.
• Underline a clause as proof.
• Decide or mark L at 90 seconds and move.
• Final minute: scan for boxed negatives and circles to fix quick polarity or scope errors.

Keep the routine short and repeatable. Precision comes from habits, not from last minute inspiration.

Glossary

• Relation: the logical connection between ideas such as cause or contrast.
• Engine: a transformation pattern like nominalisation or negation.
• NKP: Name, Key term, or Phrase used to locate relevant lines.
• Polarity: positive or negative force introduced by small words.
• Scope: how wide a claim is, set by quantifiers.
• Booster: a word that increases certainty.
• Hedge: a word that reduces certainty.
• Anchor clause: a short passage fragment that proves your choice.

Final note

Hard paraphrases are not random. They follow engines that you can learn and predict. When you anchor decisions in relations, protect scope and polarity with small word checks, and demand a clause level proof, paraphrase tricks lose their bite. Practice the drills, keep the 4 stage scan, and let your answers come from structure, not guesswork.