Level C1 (approx. band 7-8) · Academic and General Training Candidates aiming for band 7 or 8 often hear that they need "idioms". So they memorise lists and drop "it's raining cats and dogs" or "a piece of cake" into every answer, whether it fits or not. The result sounds odd, and odd word choices are exactly what holds Lexical Resource down. In this episode: • What lexical resource rewards • Precision and collocation • Idiomatic language that fits • Paraphrasing when a word is missing • Listening lab • Language bridge • Practice • Self-check questions with answers Key points: • The criterion rewards precise, natural, flexible vocabulary, not rare words for their own sake. • Swap "very" plus a basic word for one precise word, and learn words in pairs. • Use everyday idiomatic language that fits the meaning and the tone; avoid textbook clichés. • When a word is missing, describe its function, category or opposite, and keep talking. IELTS Complete Course: a self-study podcast from A1 to C2 for Academic and General Training. Listen, pause and answer, then take the 52-question quiz. Audio voiced with AI from an original script by Dr. Rashmi R Nair. Independent course, not affiliated with the IELTS test owners.