IELTS Vocabulary: Academic Words, Speaking, Writing, Idiomatic Expressions, and Collocations

IELTS Vocabulary: Academic Words, Speaking, Writing, Idiomatic Expressions, and Collocations

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a widely recognized language proficiency test that measures your English language skills in four areas: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. One essential aspect of IELTS preparation is expanding your vocabulary, which includes academic words, vocabulary for speaking, vocabulary for writing, idiomatic expressions, and collocations.

Academic Words

Academic words are essential for writing essays and demonstrating your ability to use complex language. Some key academic words include:

• Analyze: to examine or break down something into parts or elements to understand its nature or to study its structure.
• Assess: to make a judgement or evaluation of something.
• Critique: to analyze and evaluate something, typically a piece of writing or a performance.
• Synthesize: to combine different elements into a coherent whole.
• Thesis: a statement of the main point or claim of an essay or research paper.

Vocabulary for Speaking

Vocabulary for speaking includes words and expressions used in everyday conversation. Some common phrases include:

• Put aside: to put something aside, such as your mixed feelings or concerns.
• Let hot potatoes be: to avoid discussing or dealing with a sensitive topic.
• Let sleeping dogs lie: to avoid mentioning or doing something that could cause trouble or conflict.
• Practice speaking: to improve your speaking skills by talking with others or recording yourself.

Vocabulary for Writing

Vocabulary for writing includes words and expressions used in formal written English. Some examples include:

• Accuracy: the degree to which something is free from error.
• Range: the extent or variety of something.
• Collocations: words that often go together in a language.
• Paraphrase: to express something using different words.

Idiomatic Expressions

Idiomatic expressions are phrases that have a meaning different from the literal meaning of the words. Some examples include:

• Over the moon: very happy.
• Scratch the surface: to touch something lightly without looking closely.
• Break a leg: a way of wishing someone good luck.

Collocations

Collocations are words that often go together naturally and are generally used in that order when speaking. Some examples include:

• Fast food: food that is cooked and served quickly.
• Efficient management: the ability to manage resources effectively.
• Political party: a group of people who share similar political views and who try to influence government policy.

Expanding your vocabulary in these areas will help you perform better in the IELTS test. Use resources like podcasts, books, and online vocabulary lists to learn new words and expressions. Practice speaking and writing regularly to improve your fluency and accuracy.