New Bank Account

Money talks — learn to manage it confidently! In this Unit, explore banking and personal finance, master key vocabulary for opening accounts, making deposits and transactions, and use it in IELTS speaking, writing, listening, and reading. Start practising!

Learning Flow in This Unit:

1. Understand – listen to a dialogue and learn key vocabulary
2. Practice – complete vocabulary exercises
3. Use – apply the vocabulary in speaking and writing tasks
4. Check – see the answers below the exercises

📖 Stage 1 – Understand the Vocabulary

1️⃣ Listening for the main idea

Read and listen to the dialogue below and answer the questions.

---

1. What kind of account does Ana choose to open at the bank?

2. How much money does Ana put into her new account at first?

3. How does Tom say Ana can check her account after opening it?

---

Tom (bank teller): Good morning! How can I assist you today?

Ana (client): Hi, I’d like to open a new account, please.

Tom: Of course! We have various account options available. Do you have a preference?

Ana: I’m looking for a simple checking account for now.

Tom: Great choice! We’ll just need a few details to get started. Could you please provide your full name and address?

Ana: Sure, it’s Ana Rodriguez, and I live at 123 Main Street.

Tom: Thank you, Ana. Now, we’ll need an initial deposit to open the account. How much would you like to deposit today?

Ana: I’d like to deposit $100 to start with.

Tom: Perfect. Let me process that for you. *processing deposit* Your account is now open, Ana. Here’s your account number. You can access your account online or through our mobile app. Would you like a printed statement as well?

Ana: No, thank you. I’ll manage online. Just to confirm, what’s my current balance?

Tom: Your current balance is $100. Is there anything else I can assist you with today?

Ana: That’s all for now, thank you so much for your help!

Tom: You’re welcome, Ana. If you have any questions in the future, don’t hesitate to ask. Have a great day!

Ana: You too, bye!

Tom: Goodbye!

2️⃣ Listening for details

Listen to the dialogue again and decide if the statements below are True or False.

This time, listen carefully for specific information, such as reasons, opinions, or examples mentioned by the speakers.

1. Ana wants to open a savings account.
2. Ana gives her full name and address to the bank teller.
3. Ana deposits $1,000 into her new account.
4. Tom says Ana can only check her account at the bank.
5. Ana decides to manage her account online.

3️⃣ Vocabulary matching

Match the words or expressions with their correct definitions.

Read each word carefully and choose the definition that best explains its meaning in the context of the topic.

1. To open a new account	A. The amount of money in your account now
2. A checking account	B. A unique number used to identify your bank account
3. An initial deposit	C. To start using a bank account
4. To process a deposit	D. A bank account used for everyday transactions
5. An account number	E. To put money into an account for the first time
6. To access	F. To enter or use something (e.g. your account)
7. A printed statement	G. A paper document showing your account activity
8. A current balance	H. To complete the action of adding money to an account

✏️ Stage 2 – Practice the Vocabulary

4️⃣ Gap fill 

Complete the sentences using the words from the list.

Use each word once. Choose the word that best fits the meaning and grammar of the sentence.

open a new account · checking account · initial deposit · process a deposit · account number · access · printed statement · current balance

1. I went to the bank yesterday to __________.
2. A __________ is useful for everyday payments and transactions.
3. To start the account, you need to make an __________.
4. The bank teller will __________ for you at the counter.
5. Please write your __________ on this form.
6. You can __________ your account online anytime.
7. I asked for a __________ to see my recent transactions on paper.
8. My __________ is higher this month because I saved more money.

5️⃣ Collocations exercise

Some words often appear together in natural English. Choose the word that forms the correct expression.

open · checking · initial · process · account · access · printed · current

1. ________ a new account
2. ________ account
3. ________ deposit
4. ________ a deposit
5. ________ number
6. ________ your account
7. ________ statement
8. ________ balance

6️⃣ Word forms exercise

Complete the table with the correct word forms.

Fill in the missing verb, noun, adjective, or adverb forms of the words.

Verb	Adverb	Adjective	Noun
Open
Deposit
Access
Print
Check

Use the correct form of the words from the table.

1. Use the correct form of the words from the table.
2. I want to ________ a bank account this week.
3. The bank quickly ________ the money into my account.
4. Online banking is very ________ for customers today.
5. I prefer to receive my statement ________ rather than by email.
6. A ________ account is useful for everyday transactions.

7️⃣ Paraphrasing / sentence transformation

Rewrite the sentences using the word in brackets.

Keep the same meaning, but change the structure of the sentence.

This exercise helps you learn different ways to express the same idea.

1. I want to open a new bank account. (like)
   → I would ________________________________.
2. She put $100 into her account. (deposit)
   → She ________________________________.
3. You can check your account online. (access)
   → You can ________________________________.
4. The bank gave me a paper statement. (printed)
   → The bank ________________________________.
5. My balance is $100 now. (current)
   → My ________________________________.

8️⃣ Error correction

Each sentence contains one mistake. Find the mistake and correct it.

This exercise helps you improve accuracy and natural vocabulary use.

1. Ana decided to opening a new checking account despite the bank’s busy schedule.
2. She deposited hundred dollars initially, which was enough to activate her account.
3. Customers can accesses their accounts online or through the mobile app whenever they wish.
4. The teller have provided a printed statement, although Ana preferred digital records.
5. The current balances of all her accounts is shown on the summary page.
6. Tom suggested Ana should manage her account online for convenience, what she agreed.
7. Making a deposit is necessary for opening the account and it ensures proper account activation.

🗣️ Stage 3 – Use the Vocabulary

9️⃣ IELTS Speaking tasks.

Practice using new vocabulary in IELTS Speaking Parts 1-2-3:

Answer the questions using vocabulary from this unit.

Part 1 (4-5 minutes):

1. What is your name? /give your full name: first name and last name/
2. What shall I call you?
3. Can I see your ID, please?

---

1. Where is your hometown? 
2. Do you like your hometown? Why/ why not?
3. Do you often visit your hometown? Why/ why not?
4. How could your hometown be improved?

---

Let’s talk about patience. 

1. Are you a patient person? Why or why not?
2. Do you ever get impatient? Why or why not?
3. When was the last time you lost your patience?

---

Let’s now talk about sports.

1. Do you do any sports? Why or why not? 
2. What’s your favourite sport to watch? Why?
3. Did you play any sports as a child? 

Part 2 (2-3 minutes):

Describe a time when you had to save money for something important. 

You should say:

• what you were saving for
• how you saved the money
• whether it was easy or difficult to save
• and explain how you felt when you finally reached your goal

You have 1 minute to take notes. You should speak for 2 minutes.

Part 3 (5-6 minutes):

Answer the following questions. Give reasons and examples.

---

First, let’s consider the attitude towards money in general. 

1. Do you think people today care more about money than in the past? Why or why not?
2. How do cultural attitudes toward money influence the way people save or spend?
3. In your opinion, can having more money make people happier? Why or why not?
4. What advice would you give young people about managing their finances?

---

Let’s now discuss the connections between money and society.

1. How does money affect relationships between family and friends?
2. Do you think it is important for schools to teach children about money and budgeting?
3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using cash versus digital payment methods?

🔟IELTS Writing tasks

Task 1 (IELTS Academic Training): Write at least 150 words. You have 20 minutes to plan – write – proofread your task. 

The chart below shows the percentage of household income spent on different items in three countries in 2023. Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information. Summarize the main trends, make comparisons where relevant. 

Category	Country A	Country B	Country C
Food	30%	25%	35%
Housing	25%	30%	20%
Education	15%	10%	15%
Entertainment	10%	15%	10%
Savings	20%	20%	20%

1. Introduce the chart (paraphrase the question)
2. Describe the main trends / patterns
3. Compare data where relevant
4. Make overall observations

---

Task 2: Write at least 250 words. You have 40 minutes to plan – write – proofread your task. 

Some people believe that money is the most important factor in a person’s happiness, while others think that other aspects, such as relationships or health, are more important.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Suggested Approach:

• Start with a clear introduction outlining the two views.
• Use linking phrases: on the one hand, on the other hand, in contrast, moreover.
• Include specific examples: personal experience, cultural examples, statistics.
• Conclude with your own opinion and reasoning.

ANSWERS 

EXERCISE 1:

1. Ana chooses to open a simple checking account at the bank.

2. She puts $100 into her new account at the beginning.

3. Tom says she can check her account online or by using the bank’s mobile app.

EXERCISE 2:

1. False – Ana does not want a savings account. She clearly says, “I’m looking for a simple checking account for now.”
2. True – Ana gives both her full name and address: “It’s Ana Rodriguez, and I live at 123 Main Street.”
3. False – Ana does not deposit $1,000. She says, “I’d like to deposit $100 to start with.”
4. False – Tom does not say she can only check her account at the bank. He explains that she can access it online or through the mobile app.
5. True – Ana agrees to manage her account online. She says, “I’ll manage online.”

EXERCISE 3:

1–C 2–D 3–E 4–H 5–B 6–F 7–G 8–A

EXERCISE 4:

1. open a new account

2. checking account

3. initial deposit

4. process a deposit

5. account number

6. access

7. printed statement

8. current balance

EXERCISE 5:

1. open
2. checking
3. initial
4. process
5. account
6. access
7. printed
8. current

EXERCISE 6:

Verb	Adverb	Adjective	Noun
Open	openly	Open	Opening
Deposit	—	Deposited	Deposit
Access	—	accessible	Access
Print	—	Printed	Print
Check	—	Checking	Check

1. open
2. deposited
3. accessible
4. printed
5. checking

EXERCISE 7:

1. I would like to open a new bank account.
2. She made a deposit of $100 into her account.
3. You can access your account online.
4. The bank gave me a printed statement.
5. My current balance is $100.

EXERCISE 8:

1. Ana decided to open a new checking account despite the bank’s busy schedule.
2. She deposited a hundred dollars initially, which was enough to activate her account.
3. Customers can access their accounts online or through the mobile app whenever they wish.
4. The teller has provided a printed statement, although Ana preferred digital records.
5. The current balance of all her accounts is shown on the summary page.
6. Tom suggested Ana should manage her account online for convenience, which she agreed.
7. Making a deposit is necessary for opening the account and ensures proper account activation.