Instruction Collocation for IELTS: A List to Boost Your Score
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Master the instruction collocations for IELTS effectively. This blog provides examples, meanings, and practice activities to help you sharpen lexical range, coherence, and precision in both the writing and speaking modules for a higher IELTS band score.
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The word ‘instruction’ goes far beyond the classroom. It appears in contexts ranging from technical manuals and safety guidelines to exam questions and official notices. In IELTS, understanding how to use instruction collocations correctly and fluently can help you describe processes, procedures, and systems, all vital for higher band scores in both IELTS Writing Task 1 (Academic) and Task 2.
In this blog, we will explore essential instruction collocations, including verbs, adjectives, and common expressions. You will learn how to use them naturally in essays, speaking answers, and task responses through the given examples and practice exercises.
Lists of Instruction Collocations for IELTS to Boost Your Score
Using topic-appropriate instruction collocations shows you can select the right word for the right context. As a result, they are especially helpful in IELTS Writing Task 1 process diagrams and speaking tasks when describing how something works.
Thus, the following tables will provide various instruction collocations for IELTS, along with their usage examples.
Verb + Instructions Collocations
These instruction collocations describe how we interact with or handle instructions — reading, following, or repeating them. Such expressions are useful in IELTS when explaining processes, directions, or problem-solving steps.
Verb + Instructions |
Meaning |
Example Sentence |
---|---|---|
Follow instructions |
to do what has been told or written |
In IELTS Listening, it’s crucial to follow instructions carefully to avoid losing marks. |
Hold on to instructions |
to keep or retain the directions for future use |
You should hold on to the installation instructions in case you need to reinstall the software. |
Provide instructions |
to give or supply directions |
The teacher provided clear instructions for completing the essay. |
Understand instructions |
to comprehend or interpret the given directions |
Candidates must understand instructions before attempting the task. |
Read through instructions |
to go over all the directions thoroughly |
Always read through the instructions before beginning your IELTS test. |
Repeat instructions |
to say or give the directions again for clarity |
The invigilator repeated the instructions to ensure everyone understood. |
Ignore instructions |
to not follow given directions |
Some students lose marks because they ignore instructions in Task 1. |
Issue instructions |
to formally give or announce directions |
The examiner issued instructions about time management before the test began. |
Clarify instructions |
to explain or make directions clearer |
If unsure, candidates can ask the invigilator to clarify the instructions. |
Comply with instructions |
to act in accordance with directions |
All candidates must comply with the examiner’s instructions. |
Common Adjective Collocations with ‘Instructions’
These adjectives describe the clarity, structure, or complexity of instructions. They are especially useful for IELTS Task 1 (process description), academic writing, and speaking when evaluating systems or guidelines.
Adjective Collocation |
Meaning |
Example Sentence |
---|---|---|
Step-by-step instructions |
detailed directions given in a specific order |
The manual provides step-by-step instructions on how to assemble the desk. |
Detailed instructions |
complete and thorough directions |
The IELTS guide gives detailed instructions for each test section. |
Complicated instructions |
difficult or confusing directions |
Many users struggle to follow complicated instructions in user manuals. |
Specific instructions |
clear and particular directions |
Follow the specific instructions given in the Writing Task question. |
Clear and concise instructions |
easy to understand and brief directions |
The teacher gave clear and concise instructions before the test began. |
Strict instructions |
rules that must be followed exactly |
Candidates are under strict instructions not to use mobile phones. |
Confusing instructions |
unclear or misleading directions |
Some products fail because they come with confusing instructions. |
Explicit instructions |
clearly stated directions leaving no doubt |
The task provides explicit instructions about the required format. |
General instructions |
broad, non-specific directions |
General instructions are given at the start of every IELTS section. |
Written instructions |
directions given in written form |
Read the written instructions carefully before starting the task. |
Cooking instructions |
directions on how to prepare food |
Always read the cooking instructions before using packaged meals. |
Manufacturer’s instructions |
directions provided by the company that made the product |
You must follow the manufacturer’s instructions when assembling the furniture. |
Assembly instructions |
step-by-step directions for putting something together |
The assembly instructions were so complex that it took hours to complete. |
Payment instructions |
guidelines on how to complete a financial transaction |
The email included payment instructions for the online IELTS registration. |
Safety instructions |
directions to ensure protection from harm |
Airlines require passengers to listen to safety instructions before takeoff. |
Washing instructions |
directions on how to clean or care for clothes |
Check the washing instructions on the label before doing laundry. |
Exam instructions |
rules or directions related to test-taking |
Failure to follow exam instructions may lead to disqualification. |
Installation instructions |
steps to set up software or equipment |
The installation instructions for the printer were easy to follow. |
Medical instructions |
directions given by a healthcare professional |
You must follow your doctor’s medical instructions precisely. |
Training instructions |
guidelines for physical or professional exercises |
The coach gave detailed training instructions before the practice session. |
Common Expressions and Phrases with ‘Instructions’
These expressions show how ‘instructions’ function idiomatically or figuratively. They often appear in formal writing, academic discussions, or IELTS Speaking when expressing opinions on systems, education, or procedures.
Expression |
Meaning |
Example Sentence |
---|---|---|
Under instructions (from) |
acting according to orders or guidance |
The employees were under instructions from the manager to maintain confidentiality. |
Instruct someone to do something |
to tell or direct someone to perform a task |
The examiner instructed the candidates to begin writing. |
Give clear instructions |
to explain something in a simple and understandable way |
Teachers should give clear instructions to prevent confusion. |
Act on instructions |
to perform actions based on received directions |
The technicians acted on the manufacturer’s instructions. |
Fail to follow instructions |
to not comply with given directions |
Students who fail to follow instructions may lose marks. |
Be guided by instructions |
to make decisions or actions according to directions |
Volunteers were guided by instructions from the emergency team. |
According to instructions |
as per the given directions |
The machine must be operated according to the instructions provided. |
Give verbal instructions |
to explain something orally |
The trainer gave verbal instructions during the first session. |
Seek further instructions |
to ask for additional clarification or guidance |
The applicant sought further instructions from the university office. |
Notes
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Instruction Collocation for IELTS: Practice Exercises
Given are a few exercises that you will have to complete to assist you in improving your understanding and your ability to use instruction collocations for IELTS.
Exercise A: Use the correct form of these verbs.
follow hold on to provide understand read through repeat |
- Always____________ the instructions on medicines very carefully before taking them.
- If you____________ the step-by-step instructions in this leaflet, you will have no trouble assembling this latest innovative product from IKEA.
- A comprehensive manual ____________ full instructions on how to set up this computer.
- Always____________ the instructions in case you have any problems in the future.
- I can be a bit slow, so you will probably have to ____________ the instructions a few times!
- If you don’t____________ my instructions, please let me know. We can’t afford to have any accidents.
Exercise B: Match the two halves of these sentences.
- This model plane kit comes with step-by-step instructions for assembly,
- Detailed instructions are supplied with this product,
- I find unnecessarily complicated instructions very irritating –
- My grandfather left a set of specific instructions in
- The first aid handbook provides clear and concise instructions
a on what to do in an emergency.
b why can’t manufacturers write in plain English?
c which are easy to understand and follow.
d telling you clearly what to do at each stage of the process.
e his will, outlining who was to get what after his death.
Exercise C: Complete the sentences below with these words.
cooking manufacturer’s assembly payment safety washing |
- In order to build this table, follow the ____________ instructions in this leaflet.
- To ensure that you get the best out of your new food processor, it is important to follow the ____________ instructions carefully.
- Before using these fireworks, read the ____________ instructions contained in the accompanying booklet.
- I think you’ll find the ____________ instructions are on a label inside the jersey.
- The____________ instructions say ‘bake the pie for 40 minutes at 200 C.
- To buy on-line using a credit card, click here and follow the____________ instructions.
Instruction Collocations Answer Keys for Practice Exercises
Ex A:
- read through 2.follow 3. provides 4. hold on to 5. repeat 6. understand
Ex B:
l-c 2-d 3-b 4-e 5-a
Ex C:
- assembly 2. manufacturer’s 3. safety 4. washing 5. cooking 6. payment
To sum up, you can use instruction collocations to describe a process diagram, identify a teacher’s feedback, or a workplace procedure in the listening or reading tasks. Moreover, using these natural phrases adds both accuracy and authority to your response. So, next time you are writing or speaking in IELTS, remember that the right instruction collocation can guide your language just like good directions guide your actions.
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