Learner names groups and abstractions precisely, which is the fastest route out of the repetitive Band 5 essay.
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A real Band 5 paragraph. Find the two nouns carrying the whole argument.
Two substitution sets — and one warning about swapping words mechanically.
People and thing look like the same kind of error, but they are not.
people is too general because it does not say what makes the group a group.
thing is too general because it does not say what kind of idea you are pointing at.
So there are two sets to learn, with two different questions behind them.
One crowd, four names — and each name tells you what made the group a group.

The same twelve people. What changes is the question you are asking about them.
Twelve nouns. First sort them into two sets, then notice the subgroups.
Sort each item into the correct category
Three choices. Name what makes the group a group, then the word is obvious.
Chain 1
The sentence is about people who live in the city centre and are affected by the noise.
Candidates: citizens / residents
What defines this group:
So the word is:
Chain 2
The sentence is about people who hold a passport of that country and can vote in its elections.
Candidates: citizens / residents
What defines this group:
So the word is:
Chain 3
The sentence is about the cost of housing, which is the main reason young people are leaving.
Candidates: aspect / factor
What kind of idea is it:
So the word is:
Six general nouns. Replace five — and leave the one that is already right.
Housing in my city
Many of my city can no longer afford to buy a home. (was: people)
This is a serious for anyone hoping to start a family. (was: thing)
Several have created the shortage. (was: things)
The first is that buyers from abroad, who are not of this country, have bought heavily in the centre. (was: people)
The second is that the city has not built enough homes for its growing . (was: people)
In my opinion, young should be given help with deposits before the situation worsens. (was: people)