Instruction Collocation for IELTS: A List to Boost Your Score

Kasturika Samanta

8 min read

Updated On Oct 14, 2025

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.

Lists of Instruction Collocations for IELTS to Boost Your Score
Notes
Instruction Collocation for IELTS: Practice Exercises
Instruction Collocations Answer Keys for Practice Exercises

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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

Note that instruction can also mean ‘orders’:
- She left strict instructions that she was not to be disturbed.
- He is acting on direct instructions from the President.
- The spy remained under cover and waited for further instructions from headquarters.
- Following the riots, armed soldiers have instructions to shoot looters on sight
Note the following ways of saying you can’t understand instructions:
- I’ve read the instructions, but I’m still none the wiser.
- I can’t make head nor tail of these instructions.
Note how to say that you followed instructions very carefully:
- I followed your instructions to the letter, but the video still won’t record.
‘Instruction’ – singular – also means ‘training’:
- I’m going for some special instruction on driving on snow and ice.
- You are strongly advised to take a course of instruction before attempting to fly this hang-glider.
- The skiing instruction on our holiday was excellent The instructor was brilliant!
Note how ‘according to’ is used:
- According to the instructions, you put this here, not there.

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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