Firstwords study plan

Build a 150-word starter deck from a frequency-ranked list, tagging each word with part of speech and one original example sentence you write yourself.

Distinguish the four word-meaning traps (synonym nuance, connotation, false friend, register) by classifying 40 practice items into those categories and writing a one-line rationale for each.

Set up a spaced-repetition schedule (e.g., 1-3-7-14 day intervals) and log daily review completions for all seven days.

Expand the deck to 300 words, adding collocations rather than isolated words (e.g., which verb pairs with which noun).

Practice guessing meaning from context on 30 short passages by underlining the clue words that justify each inference.

Separate near-synonyms into contrast pairs and record the sentence context where each one is preferred.

Reach 450 deck entries and retire words you have answered correctly three times in a row.

Identify the sentence patterns tested most often (subject-verb agreement, tense consistency, pronoun reference, modifier placement) and label 50 practice sentences by pattern.

Rewrite 25 incorrect sentences, stating in one line which rule the original violated.

Drill subject-verb agreement and tense consistency until you score at least 85% on a 40-item timed set.

Diagram or bracket the core clause (subject, verb, object) in 30 complex sentences to isolate embedded clauses.

Fix dangling and misplaced modifiers in 20 sentences you compose yourself, then verify each against the placement rule.

Apply clause-bracketing to 10 reading passages, marking main clauses versus subordinate clauses before answering questions.

Practice identifying the function of connector words (contrast, cause, addition, concession) across 30 sentences.

Answer 20 sentence-structure questions under a 90-second-per-item limit.

Skim 12 passages for main idea and write a one-sentence summary of each without looking back at the text.

Distinguish main-idea, detail, inference, and vocabulary-in-context questions by labeling 40 items before answering them.

Locate and cite the exact line supporting each answer in 20 detail and inference questions.

Complete three full-length reading sections under exam timing and record per-question-type accuracy.

Build a listening routine: 15 minutes daily of short audio, noting the key words you actually heard rather than what you expected.

Practice note-taking shorthand on 10 short listenings, capturing numbers, names, and the speaker's stance.

Run two full mixed-domain practice tests under strict timing and log every error by domain and error type.

Re-review only the flagged weak items from weeks 1-7 rather than the entire deck.

Write a one-page exam-day checklist covering timing per section, guessing strategy, and common traps you personally fall for.