IELTS Grammar Exercises: Practice Tests, Lessons & Answers

Strong grammar is key to achieving a higher IELTS score. Whether you are preparing for IELTS Academic or IELTS General Training, accurate grammar helps you communicate ideas clearly and effectively.

Although IELTS doesn't have a separate grammar section, it assesses grammar throughout the test, especially in Writing and Speaking. In Writing, grammatical range and accuracy account for 25% of the overall task achievement criteria, while grammatical range and accuracy are also one of the four assessment criteria in Speaking.

This guide provides practical IELTS Grammar Exercises, grammar lessons, common grammar topics, practice questions and answers to help you prepare more effectively.

IELTS Grammar Exercises with Answers

The following exercises cover some of the most important grammar areas for IELTS.

Exercise 1: Subject-Verb Agreement

Choose the correct answer.

1. The number of international students (has/have) increased significantly.
2. Many students (prefer/prefers) studying abroad.
3. The information provided by the university (is/are) useful.
4. A large number of applicants (is/are) waiting for their offers.
5. The percentage of students studying overseas (has/have) increased.

Answers:

1. has
2. prefer
3. is
4. are
5. has

Exercise 2: Articles

Choose a, an, the, or leave the space blank where appropriate.

1. Australia is ___ popular destination for international students.
2. IELTS is ___ English language proficiency test.
3. Many students want to study at ___ university in the UK.
4. She received ___ offer letter from a university.
5. ___ internet has changed the way people learn.

Answers:

1. a
2. an
3. a
4. an
5. The

Exercise 3: Verb Tenses

Complete the sentences using the correct form of the verb.

1. The number of students studying abroad ___ (increase) over the last decade.
2. Many students ___ (prepare) for IELTS before applying to university.
3. She ___ (take) the IELTS test last month.
4. By next year, he ___ (complete) his degree.
5. Universities ___ (offer) more online programmes in recent years.

Answers:

1. has increased
2. prepare/are preparing
3. took
4. will have completed
5. have offered

Exercise 4: Prepositions

1. Choose the correct preposition.
2. Students often apply ___ universities abroad.
3. She is interested ___ studying business.
4. He has been preparing ___ IELTS for three months.
5. Many students depend ___ online resources.
6. They are responsible ___ completing the application.

Answers:

1. to
2. in
3. for
4. on
5. for

Exercise 5: Complex Sentences

Combine the sentences using an appropriate linking word.

1. Many students study abroad. They want to gain international experience.
2. IELTS preparation requires time. Students should practise regularly.
3. Online learning is convenient. It may not suit every student.
4. The course is expensive. It provides valuable professional skills.

Possible answers:

1. Many students study abroad because they want to gain international experience.
2. Since IELTS preparation requires time, students should practise regularly.
3. Online learning is convenient, although it may not suit every student.
4. Although the course is expensive, it provides valuable professional skills.

IELTS Grammar Lessons

Before completing advanced IELTS grammar exercises, it is important to understand the rules behind them.

Subject-Verb Agreement

The subject and verb must agree in number.

Correct: The number of students has increased.
Incorrect: The number of students have increased.

Be particularly careful with expressions such as:

• The number of
• Several
• The percentage of
• A majority of
• Each of
• Every

For example: Several students are studying overseas.
But: The number of students is increasing.

Verb Tenses

IELTS candidates frequently need to describe:

• Past events
• Current situations
• Changes over time
• Future predictions
• Completed actions
• Ongoing trends

For IELTS Writing Task 1, selecting the correct tense is particularly important when describing graphs, charts, and historical data.

For example: The number of international students increased between 2010 and 2015.

For a continuing trend: The number of international students has increased significantly since 2010.

Articles

English uses three articles:

• a
• an
• the

Examples:

She is a university student.
He completed an English course.
The course starts in September.

Article errors can affect grammatical accuracy, particularly when they occur repeatedly throughout a Writing or Speaking response.

Countable and Uncountable Nouns

Some IELTS vocabulary is commonly used incorrectly because learners treat uncountable nouns as countable.

Common examples include:

• information
• advice
• research
• education
• knowledge
• traffic
• equipment

Incorrect: The university provided much useful information.

Correct: The university provided a lot of useful information.

Prepositions

Prepositions can be difficult because they often do not translate directly between languages.

Common combinations include:

• interested in
• responsible for
• dependent on
• increase in
• impact on
• contribute to
• result in
• focus on

Learning words together with their common prepositions can improve grammatical accuracy.

Essential IELTS Grammar Topics

A strong IELTS grammar preparation plan should cover the following IELTS Grammar Topics.

1. Sentence Structure

• Learn how to construct:
• Simple sentences
• Compound sentences
• Complex sentences
• Compound-complex sentences

Example: Students study abroad.

Simple sentence: Students study abroad because they want to gain international experience.

Complex sentence: Students study abroad because they want to gain international experience, which can help them develop valuable skills for their future careers.

2. Tenses

Focus on:

• Present simple
• Present continuous
• Present perfect
• Past simple
• Past continuous
• Past perfect
• Future forms

You do not need to use complicated tenses simply to sound advanced. The most important consideration is using the appropriate tense accurately.

3. Modal Verbs

Important modal verbs include:

• can
• could
• may
• might
• should
• must
• would

Example: Governments should invest more in public transportation.

4. Conditionals

Study:

• Zero conditional
• First conditional
• Second conditional
• Third conditional

Example: If governments invest in public transport, traffic congestion may decrease.

5. Passive Voice

The passive voice is particularly useful in academic writing.

Active: Researchers conducted the study in 2025.

Passive: The study was conducted in 2025.

6. Relative Clauses

Relative clauses can help you create more sophisticated sentences.

Example: Students who study regularly are more likely to improve their performance.

7. Comparatives and Superlatives

These are particularly useful in IELTS Writing Task 1.

Examples:

• higher than
• lower than
• more significant than
• the highest
• the lowest
• the most popular

8. Linking Words and Conjunctions

Important connectors include:

• however
• therefore
• although
• whereas
• while
• because
• since
• consequently
• furthermore
• in addition

Use linking words naturally rather than adding them to every sentence.

9. Subject-Verb Agreement

This is one of the fundamental IELTS Grammar Rules. Always check whether the subject is singular or plural before selecting the verb.

10. Punctuation

Correct punctuation improves readability.

Pay attention to:

• Full stops
• Commas
• Apostrophes
• Semicolons
• Colons

Why is Grammar Important for IELTS?

Grammar is important because IELTS assesses your ability to communicate accurately and effectively in English.

Grammar in IELTS Writing

Grammatical Range and Accuracy is one of the four IELTS Writing assessment criteria.

Examiners consider factors such as:

• Accuracy of sentence structures
• Variety of grammatical structures
• Appropriate use of complex sentences
• Frequency and impact of grammatical errors
• Whether errors affect communication

A candidate does not need perfect grammar to achieve a good IELTS score. However, frequent errors can reduce the grammatical range and accuracy score.

Grammar in IELTS Speaking

Grammar is also assessed in Speaking.

Examiners consider:

• Range of grammatical structures
• Accuracy
• Appropriate use of complex structures
• Frequency of errors
• Whether mistakes affect communication

For example, instead of relying exclusively on simple sentences:

I like studying online. It is convenient. It saves time.

A candidate can demonstrate greater grammatical range:

I prefer studying online because it allows me to manage my time more efficiently, particularly when I have a busy schedule.

The objective is not to make every sentence complicated. The objective is to use a suitable range of structures accurately.

IELTS Grammar Exercises Test

Try this short IELTS Grammar Practice Test without looking at the answers.

Questions

1. The number of people using public transport ___ increased significantly.

A. have
B. has
C. are
D. were

2. Many students are interested ___ studying abroad.

A. at
B. on
C. in
D. for

3. If governments invested more in public transport, traffic congestion ___ decrease.

A. will
B. would
C. has
D. is

4. The research ___ by a team of university professors.

A. conducted
B. was conducted
C. conducting
D. has conducting

5. Students ___ completed the course received certificates.

A. which
B. where
C. who
D. whose

6. The percentage of international students ___ risen since 2015.

A. have
B. are
C. has
D. were

7. Although online education is convenient, ___ students prefer face-to-face classes.

A. much
B. many
C. a little
D. any

8. She ___ IELTS three times before achieving her target score.

A. takes
B. has taken
C. had taken
D. taking

9. The university provides students ___ access to digital resources.

A. with
B. for
C. by
D. at

10. If I ___ more time, I would practise speaking every day.

A. have
B. had
C. will have
D. having

IELTS Grammar Practice Test Answers

Question	Answer
1	B — has
2	C — in
3	B — would
4	B — was conducted
5	C — who
6	C — has
7	B — many
8	C — had taken
9	A — with
10	B — had

How to Interpret Your Practice Result?

This short exercise is not an official IELTS scoring test. It is simply a way to identify grammar areas that may require more practice.

• 9–10 correct: Your basic grammar knowledge is strong; focus on accuracy and advanced structures.
• 7–8 correct: Your foundation is developing; review the questions you answered incorrectly.
• 5–6 correct: Review core grammar rules before moving to more advanced structures.
• Below 5: Start with fundamental grammar topics such as sentence structure, tenses, articles, and subject-verb agreement.

How to Improve Your Grammar for IELTS

Improving grammar requires consistent practice rather than memorising a long list of rules.

1. Identify Your Common Errors

Keep an IELTS grammar error log. For example:

Error	Correction	Grammar topic
Students has	Students have	Subject-verb agreement
Many information	Much information	Uncountable nouns
Interested on	Interested in	Prepositions
He go	He goes	Present simple

Review your error log regularly.

2. Practise Grammar in Context

Do not study grammar only through isolated questions. After learning a rule, write several sentences using it. For example, after studying conditionals, write sentences about:

• Education
• Technology
• Environment
• Health
• Employment
• Government

This makes it easier to apply grammar naturally in IELTS Writing and Speaking.

3. Analyse Model Answers

Read high-quality IELTS Writing responses and identify:

• Verb tenses
• Complex sentences
• Relative clauses
• Passive structures
• Conditionals
• Linking devices
• Articles
• Prepositions

Then try creating your own sentences using similar grammatical structures.

4. Practise Writing Regularly

Write short paragraphs before attempting complete IELTS essays. For example, choose a topic such as:

Some people believe that university education should be free for everyone.

Write one paragraph and check:

• Subject-verb agreement
• Tenses
• Articles
• Prepositions
• Sentence structure
• Punctuation

5. Record Your Speaking

Record yourself answering IELTS Speaking questions. Listen for:

• Repeated grammatical mistakes
• Incorrect verb forms
• Missing articles
• Incorrect prepositions
• Overuse of simple sentences
• Problems with complex structures

Then repeat the answer after correcting your mistakes.

6. Take Regular IELTS Grammar Practice Tests

An IELTS Grammar Practice Test can help you measure your understanding of specific grammar areas. Rather than taking the same type of test repeatedly, rotate between:

• Tenses
• Articles
• Prepositions
• Conditionals
• Passive voice
• Relative clauses
• Sentence structure
• Subject-verb agreement

Common IELTS Grammar Mistakes

Subject-Verb Agreement

Incorrect: The number of students are increasing.

Correct: The number of students is increasing.

Articles

Incorrect: Education is important for a society.

Correct: Education is important for society.

The correct article depends on the meaning and context.

Singular and Plural Forms

Incorrect: Many student study abroad.

Correct: Many students study abroad.

Uncountable Nouns

Incorrect: Governments should provide more information.

Correct: Governments should provide more information.

Tense Errors

Incorrect: The number of students increased since 2010.

Correct: The number of students has increased since 2010.

When describing a change that began in the past and continues to the present, the present perfect may be appropriate.

IELTS Grammar Practice: A 7-Day Study Plan

A simple weekly plan can make your IELTS Grammar Practice more structured.

Day 1 — Tenses

Review:

• Present simple
• Past simple
• Present perfect
• Past perfect

Complete 20–30 practice questions.

Day 2 — Articles and Nouns

Practise:

• a/an
• the
• zero article
• countable nouns
• uncountable nouns

Day 3 — Sentence Structure

Practise:

• Compound sentences
• Complex sentences
• Relative clauses
• Conjunctions

Day 4 — Prepositions

Study common combinations such as:

• interested in
• responsible for
• depend on
• contribute to
• result in

Day 5 — Conditionals and Modals

Practise:

• First conditional
• Second conditional
• Third conditional
• can
• could
• should
• may
• might

Day 6 — Writing Practice

Write a Task 2 paragraph and identify at least five grammatical structures.

Day 7 — Grammar Test

Complete a mixed IELTS Grammar Exercises Test and review every incorrect answer.

Conclusion

Regular IELTS Grammar Exercises can help you understand English grammar rules, identify recurring mistakes, and develop greater accuracy for IELTS Writing and Speaking.

Focus on the core IELTS Grammar Topics first, including tenses, articles, prepositions, subject-verb agreement, sentence structures, conditionals and relative clauses. Then apply these structures in real IELTS Writing and Speaking practice.

Use grammar exercises with answers to check your understanding, maintain an error log and regularly complete mixed grammar practice tests. With consistent practice, you can develop greater confidence and control over the grammar required for IELTS.

Frequently Asked Questions About IELTS Grammar Exercises

What grammar topics are included in IELTS?

IELTS does not have a separate grammar section. Grammar is assessed as part of Writing and Speaking. Important IELTS Grammar Topics include:

• Tenses
• Subject-verb agreement
• Articles
• Prepositions
• Sentence structure
• Complex sentences
• Conditionals
• Modal verbs
• Passive voice
• Relative clauses
• Comparatives and superlatives
• Countable and uncountable nouns
• Conjunctions and linking structures
• Punctuation

Is grammar important for IELTS?

Yes. Grammar is an important part of the IELTS assessment, particularly in Writing and Speaking.

In Writing and Speaking, examiners assess Grammatical Range and Accuracy. Candidates should therefore focus on both using a variety of structures and maintaining grammatical accuracy.

How can I improve my grammar for IELTS Writing?

Start by identifying your recurring errors. Then practise the grammar structures that directly affect your writing.

A useful approach is:

1. Learn one grammar rule.
2. Complete targeted exercises.
3. Write sentences using the rule.
4. Apply it to an IELTS paragraph.
5. Review and correct your mistakes.
6. Add recurring errors to an error log.

Focus particularly on tenses, articles, subject-verb agreement, prepositions, complex sentences, and sentence structure.

How can I test my IELTS grammar level?

You can test your grammar level by completing an IELTS Grammar Practice Test covering multiple grammar topics.

However, a grammar quiz alone cannot predict your official IELTS score because IELTS assesses several skills, including Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking.

For a more useful assessment, combine grammar tests with timed IELTS practice tests and feedback on your Writing and Speaking.

What are the most common grammar mistakes in IELTS?

Common mistakes include:

• Subject-verb agreement errors
• Incorrect verb tenses
• Missing or incorrect articles
• Incorrect prepositions
• Singular/plural errors
• Incorrect countable and uncountable nouns
• Incorrect word forms
• Sentence fragments
• Run-on sentences
• Incorrect conditional structures
• Overusing simple sentence structures

Keeping an error log can help you identify patterns and reduce repeated mistakes.

Does IELTS have a separate grammar test?

No. IELTS does not have a separate grammar paper.

Grammar is assessed as part of the Writing and Speaking components through the Grammatical Range and Accuracy criterion.

How much grammar do I need for IELTS Band 7?

There is no single grammar checklist that guarantees Band 7. A Band 7 candidate needs to demonstrate a sufficient range of structures and generally good control of grammar, while occasional errors may still occur.

The focus should be on accurate and flexible grammar, rather than simply using complicated structures.

Should I use complex grammar in every IELTS sentence?

No. Complex grammar should be used when it is appropriate and accurate.
A response containing many complicated but incorrect sentences can be less effective than one that combines accurate simple and complex structures.

The goal is to demonstrate grammatical range and accuracy, not complexity for its own sake.