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Vocabulary for common topics The following is aimed at providing IELTS candidates of ours with a brief outline of some useful vocabulary for common topics that often, not always, though, occur on the exam.
Education
Rephrasing of some common topic words: children = juveniles, youngsters education= learning, instruction, acquiring knowledge students = pupils parents = caregivers, guardians, mothers and fathers schools = educational institutions society = community, citizens teachers = educators
curriculum = the full range of subjects offered by a school or group of schools pedagogical (experts) = (experts in) education and teaching syllabus = the content of elements taught in a specific subject formal examinations = exams where students answer set written or spoken questions without assistance continuous assessment = giving students marks for course work or projects, rather than formal exams academic achievement = the measurable performance of a student in marks, exam results etc further education = education after leaving school at the minimum age higher education = education after age 18 at college or University, usually for aDegree group work = study where pupils discuss and agree a project together teacher-led lessons = traditional lessons where the teacher delivers a long talk and the students take notes autonomous learning = when a student learns through independent study and research study skills = the skills of organising, using and checking study work to synthesise sources = to use a variety of sources and combine them in one project rote-learning = learning by repetition and memorising items
to supplement = to add extra content or material to assimilate knowledge = to absorb and understand it guided learning = learning under the supervision of a teacher data-gathering = collecting information, usually in numerical form distance learning = learning by the Internet or email, rather than face-to-face self-study = studying using a course without a teacher’s involvement to discriminate between sources = to decide whether one source is better or more reliable than another source to sift information = to remove unwanted or less useful information to marshal facts = to organise facts in support of anidea an integral part of the syllabus = essential, central or indispensable to work/study under supervision = under the direction of a responsible person
Some useful Nouns Word
Meaning
the curriculum
the entire school program including course materials and testing of students. Everything that a school aims to teach students.
graduate
a person who has graduated from a school
illiteracy
the inability to read and write
literacy
the ability to read and write
nurture
to help grow or develop
pedagogy
the way of teaching including the instructional methods that is used
qualification
what someone gets when they graduate from school. For instance, a diploma is a qualification.
social skills
the ability to communicate and interact well with others
student centred education
a philosophy of education where the student is the central focus
tuition
the fees for studying a course
Some useful verbs Word
Meaning
graduate
to pass a course or level of study
concentrate
to focus attention towards a particular activity, subject or problem
revise
to review materials that have already been taught
enrol
to join a class
indoctrinate
to teach following a biased belief or point of view. For example: Hitler indoctrinated young Germans with a hatred for other races.
interpret
to understand in a particular way. For example, we need to interpret the meaning of the painting.
persevere
to not give up. To keep doing something for the success is achieved. to delay or put off doing something
procrastinate
Some useful Adjectives Word
Meaning
academic
relating to education especially universities.
co-educational
when male and female students are taught together in the same school.
single sex
when only need male or female students are taught in the same school.
hands-on
to learn by actually doing. We can get hands-on experience by actually doing things.
multi-disciplinary
involving several different subjects or areas of study.
pedagogical
relating to teaching methods and principles.
primary education an elementary school or the first years of formal schooling. secondary education
high school
segregated
separated. For example, the classes are segregated by gender.
tertiary education
university or vocation school
vocational
concerns teaches the skills necessary for a particular job. This concept is often applied to trade schools. So if you studying cooking or the penetration you are going to a vocational school.
Health
Rephrasing of some common topic words: health= well-being, physical condition, fitness healthy Fit = in good condition unhealthy = unwell, poor medical condition sick people = patients, people who are unwell treatment = cure, healing sickness= medical condition
Some useful Nouns Word
Meaning
addiction
the condition of not being unable to stop doing something. Especially something harmful like drinking alcohol or playing video games. a strong reaction to something. For instance, an allergy to a certain food.
allergy
anxiety
stress
diagnosis
an opinion of a patient's health condition or illness.
diet
1. everything that we eat. 2. a plan to eat carefully to reduce weight.
insomnia
inability or difficulty to get to sleep.
ingredients
the different foods that go into a recipe.
obesity
being extremely overweight.
nutrition
the health value of food.
physician
another word for doctor.
treatment
a way of curing an illness or medical condition.
Some useful verbs Word
Meaning
administer
to give a treatment to a patient.
counteract
to respond or act in opposition to something. For example, we need to counteract the effects of global warming.
eliminate
to get rid of something.
diagnose
to work-out what is wrong with a patient.
diet
to attempt to lose weight by eating more carefully.
prevent
to stop something happening.
stipulate
to require something. For example, the contract stipulates that you must pay your medical bill by the end the month.
trigger
to cause something to happen. For example, certain foods may trigger an allergy.
Some useful Adjectives Word
Meaning
acute
very serious
chronic
long-lasting
hazardous
very dangerous
nutritious
used to describe food that is healthy. For example, fruit and vegetables are very nutritious.
vital
very important
Media,
Rephrasing of some common topic words: influence = effect on negative development = harmful trend internet =cyberspace media =paparazzi [negative] popularity = fame, attractiveness
Some useful Nouns Word
Meaning
a medium
medium is the singular form of media [plural].
censorship
when certain types of messages are blocked. For instance, the government often uses censorship for movies that are violent or have sexual content.
credibility
refers to whether something is reliable or from a reliable source.
exaggeration
when the truth is stretched or enlarged.
ideology
a way of thinking or belief system.
journalism
journalism is the way of reporting the news, by including newspapers, magazines, radio and television, the internet.
journalist
a person who has a career in journalism.
mass media
mass media refers collectively to all the forms of media we have such as television, radio, film, on-line services, magazines and newspapers. propaganda occurs the media favours certain kinds of stories or distorts messages to influence the opinions of behaviour of people. this usually refers to online tools for communication such as Facebook and Twitter.
propaganda
social media
Some useful verbs Word
Meaning
broadcast
to send messages. For instance the TV broadcasts shows every night. to block or a strict information or content, especially when it includes violence or inappropriate content.
censor
exploit
to take advantage of someone. For example, whenever a celebrity makes a mistake and public the media is always there to exploit the situation.
intrude
to invade or interfere with someone. For example the media often intrudes on people's privacy.
publicise
to make public.
Some useful Adjectives Word
Meaning
classical
following a well-established tradition
contemporary
Modern
cultural
relating to culture. For example, cultural awareness is being aware of someone's culture.
eclectic
not following any one system, such as traditional publishing or online publishing but selecting and using what are considered the best elements of all systems.
inspirational
motivating
monotonous
boring
passionate
intense or strong emotional feeling about something [positive]
vivid
clear
Technology Rephrasing of some common topic words: Recent = contemporary Advances = developments Improve = enhance, progress Technology = scientific advancements
Some useful Nouns Word
Meaning
computerization
to control a process by using a computer.
digital divide
the gap between those with easy access to information technology, and those without it.
gadget
any small piece of equipment.
innovation revolution
a new way of doing something, or a new application of a technology. major change in the way of doing something.
technophobe
someone who has a fear of resistance to technology.
technophile
someone who embraces technology and uses it often.
telecommunications
technology used in the field of communications.
Some useful verbs Word
Meaning
develop
to make or create.
envisage
to conceive or imagine an idea.
impact
to have an influence.
revolutionise
to make dramatic changes.
surpass
to exceed or overtake. For example, technology is developing so fast that it will one day surpass our ability to use it.
Some useful Adjectives Word
Meaning
computer literate
able to understand and communicate about computers.
obsolete
something that is no longer used. For example, typewriters are now obsolete.
outdated
something that is no longer up-to-date.
state-of-the-art
the latest in most recently available.
user-friendly
easy to use.
virtual
almost, especially as in almost real. For example, when we play games using virtual reality they seemed like they are almost real.
Crime Rephrasing of some common topic words: Punishment = penalty Crime = lawbreaking, transgression, offense Criminal = lawbreaker, offender Laws = regulations, rules
Some useful Nouns Word
Meaning
corporal punishment
to punish by physically harming the offender
capital punishment
to punish by killing the offender
community service
to spend time helping the community. For example, if a person does a minor crime, they are often only punished by having to do community service.
consequences
the result or effect of something
deterrent
something that prevents an action
evidence
proof that the crime occurred
fine
money paid for a crime
imprisonment
to put someone in prison
legislation
laws that are made by the government
felony
a major crime
misdemeanor
a minor crime
motive
reason for doing something
prevention
stopping something from happening
victim
the person who suffers from a crime or negative event
violation
to break a rule
Some useful verbs Word
Meaning
commit
to do something seriously wrong. for example, to commit murder or suicide.
convict
to judge someone as having done a crime
execute
to kill someone
incarcerate
to put someone in prison
rehabilitate
to try to help a criminal become normal again
Some useful Adjectives Word
Meaning
guilty
someone who has done something wrong
innocent
someone who has done nothing wrong
minor
not serious
major
serious
The environment Rephrasing of some common topic words: Environment = biosphere, ecosystem Damage = devastation Pollution= contamination Problems = issues Solutions= solving, ways to tackle
contamination = pollution by poisons or dangerous elements the biosphere = the relationship between all living things on the planet emissions = gases entering the atmosphere pollutant particles = microscopic elements of pollution run-off = water that runs from the ground into rivers and lakes the water cycle = the natural process of water moving from clouds to rain and seas aquifers = underground, natural water stores filtration = the process of filtering and removing impurities water table = the layer of water below ground tainted = polluted or contaminated soil erosion = the loss of soil by wind and rain activity logging = cutting down trees for timber and industrial use dumping = leaving waste deliberately without storing or treating it waste = any material not wanted or needed after a process landfills = organised areas where waste is buried in the ground waste processing = recycling or reducing waste into manageable forms poaching = illegally hunting and killing animals habitat loss = destruction or disappearance of an animal’s natural home food chain = the natural system of animals eating other animals and plants dwindling numbers = (to dwindle = to steadily decline in quantity) extinction = the final death of all animals in a species
famine = a situation where there is a lack of food in an area for a long time drought = similar to famine, but a lack of water irrigation = supplying water to land foragriculture catastrophe = a great disaster affecting many people exacerbated (= to exacerbate = to make an existing problem worse, accidentally or deliberately)
Word
Meaning
biodegradable
something that is able to decay naturally and harmlessly.
biodiversity
refers to the number and variety of plant and animal species that exist in a particular environmental area or in the world generally. the weather conditions of a region
climate climate change
the concept that change is occurring to the earth's climate. [Many people believe this is based on the influence of people].
deforestation
the process by which the forests are cut down.
desertification
the process by which fertile land is turned into deserts
fossil fuels
a natural fuel such as coal, gas, or oil formed over long periods of time from the remains of living organisms.
energy conservation environment
saving energy the place where people animals and plants live, also known as the natural world.
extinction
the complete dying out of species
habitat
a place where animals and plants live
natural resources
resources derived from the environment. For example, wood and oil. describes a form of energy that can be produced as quickly as it is used, such as solar energy.
renewable energy
Some useful verbs Word
Meaning
Absorb
to take in something. For example, the cloth absorbed the rain.
Conserve
to not waste something
Deplete
to use up
Diminish
to reduce something
Discharge
to release something
contaminate
to make something become polluted
endanger
to put something or someone in the danger
Impact
to influence
Preserve
to keep something safe
Retain
to keep something
Some useful Adjectives Word
Meaning
alternative
a different way of doing something
critical
extremely important
disposable
something that can be thrown away
efficient
performing or functioning in the best possible manner with the least waste of time and effort
environmentally friendly
something that is good or not harmful to the environment
hazardous
something dangerous
renewable
able to be renewed or replenished
Toxic
something poisonous
Useful linking words and phrases Sequencing the first idea
Adding supporting ideas Another reason is…
Adding a contrasting idea On the other hand,
Making general statements As a general rule,
Furthermore,
However,
Generally,
Moreover,
Nevertheless,
In most cases,
In the same vein,
Although,
Giving examples For example,
Giving an explanation The reason for this is…
Clarifying an opinion To be more precise…
Drawing a conclusion As a consequence,
For instance,
This is because…
More specifically…
Therefore,
In particular,
This is due to…
By this I mean…
As a result,
The main reason is The most important consideration is… First of all, In the first place,
A clear example of this is… Stating your opinion
In other words,
From my point of view,
Partially correct statements somewhat agree/disagree to a certain degree,
In my opinion
to some extent,
From my perspective,
Other people's opinions From a political point of view,
Making a concession
From the point of view of the economy,
Admittedly,
It is sometimes argued that…
However, Some people believe… To give advantages A major advantage of this is…
To give disadvantages To express cause One major drawback is… Owing to…
to express effect Therefore,
Another disadvantage is…
Due to the fact that…
As a consequence,
The final limitation is that…
For the reason that…
As a result…
Another important merit is… The final benefit is…
Work and careers productivity = the ability of people to produce useful results at work. to subsidise = to pay part of the cost of something, usually in order to help people. output = the amount of work or goods produced. work/life balance = the ability to work hard but also enjoy a good quality family and social life to motivate people = to give them positive reasons for working hard pay increments = pay rises/increases perks = reward from an employer which are not financial (eg free lunches, a car etc) financial rewards = any form of money payment (salary, commission, pension etc) bonuses = money given in addition to salary, usually in return for achieving targets incentives = any reward that makes people work harder job satisfaction = enjoyment of a job for non-financial reasons target-related = dependent onhitting a target on the job training = training while working, not by leaving work to go to collegeetc ongoing training = training throughout your time in a job, not just at the start day release programmes = programmes of training or education when employees can spend entire days out of work career progression = the ability to advance your career job prospects = the possibility of promotion or higher level work in future to measure = to assess the dimensions of something superficial = not addressing deep or important issues performance reviews/appraisals = meeting at which an employer gives feedback to a worker on their work over a fixed period. redundancy = a situation where a worker loses their job because of changes in the company (not because of personal mistakes) (verb = to make someone redundant) to restructure = to change the organisation of a company, usually in order to make it more effective or to save money.
to downsize = to make an organisation smaller and employ fewer people to outsource = to stop doing work inside the company and send it to other companies or other countries, usually to save money the workforce = the total number of people working in an organisation, company or country Human Resources (or HR) = the department in a company which manages recruitment, employment and training
Children and families foster parents = people who have children living in their existing family for a fixed period, with the original parents’ agreement guardians = people who are legally appointed to protect a child’s interests in the absence of parents role models = people that children look to and respect as good examples ground rules = basic rules governing the way people can behave in a situation conventions = traditions or social norms that most people follow codes of conduct = voluntary rules which people accept in a situation bullying = when children attack and intimidate other children truancy = when a pupil leaves school without permission (verb = to play truant from school) delinquency = minor crime (often by young people) abduction = the crime of taking or kidnapping people for a criminal reason peer pressure = the pressure from people in the same group to act in a certain way dual-income = a family where both the father and mother work breadwinner = the person who earns all or most of the money in a family child-minding = caring informally (not in schools) for children when parents are busy or working
after-school childcare = caring for children in a school setting, as above viable = practical and possible to achieve peers = people in the same group or level as yourself bonding = the development of close emotional connections between people patterns of behaviour = ways of acting and doing things (either positive or negative) well brought-up (to bring up children = to raise and educate them in your own moral, behavioural or religious conventions)
Culture, art and traditions to preserve = to protect and keep something, usually because it is valuable for some reason rituals = highly traditional ceremonies which have meaning for the participants parades = organised processions in public by groups of people, usually to commemorate an event to transmit = to communicate a message, literal or symbolic social memes = social habits or patterns which are transmitted between people public duty = the willingness to serve the public or the state self-sacrifice = the willingness to suffer or die for a cause cultural traditions = traditions carrying cultural importance mythology, myth = a classic story from the past which people know is not true but which carries meaning to evoke = to bring back memories or feelings medieval = adjective for the Middle Ages, roughly 1050 to 1400 in European history ceremonies = a ceremony is similar to a ritual, usually involving people in authority cultural norms = standards expected of behaviour or ideas the fabric of society = the way that society is connected and maintained to conserve = a synonym for ‘to preserve’ to hand something down (from one generation to the next) = to pass it from parents to children and to their children etc
heritage = something inherited (= received/handed down) by one generation from the previous generation legends = similar to myths, but sometimes containing an element of reality folklore = old stories and myths/legends, usually transmitted verbally inheritance = a synonym for ‘heritage’ fine art = art by famous or acclaimed painters handicrafts = skills of making objects by hand, and also the objects themselves opera = a very formal play with a musical score shanties and dirges = very traditional songs about basic subjects linguistic = the adjective meaning ‘about language’ media = a way of communicating
Healthcare, health and sport to stem from = to come or derive from, often used for negative things sedentary lifestyle = a lifestyle where people sit for long periods and are generally inactive obesity = the medical condition of being seriously overweight inadequate development = insufficient or obstructed growth of the body strain = stress or overwork, physical or mental symptoms = indications that a medical problem is present impairment (verb = to impair = to hinder or damage an ability) poor diet = a lifestyle diet without sufficient nutrients convenience food = food which is cooked in its packaging, usually ina microwave addiction = the state of being unable to live without something to socialise = to meet with friends and other people in a friendly way interpersonal skills = the skills of dealing with people successfully to underperform = to perform below your peers or expectations active lifestyle = a lifestyle with proper exercise and fitness a regime, a programme = a planned system of exercise, diet or sport to detoxify your body = to remove impurities and poisons
sponsorship = payment from a company to a sport or other activity in return for publicity participation = to participate in something = to join and take part in it competitive = the adjective of ‘competition’ ameliorating the physical effects = to ameliorate = to make a problem less damaging remedies = cures or answers to a problem or situation an initiative = a new program or idea, usually in government or business raise awareness = to make people more aware of or caring about an issue health warnings = notices on cigarette or alcohol packaging warning about the medical effects champions = highly successful people in sport or business figureheads = people who represent part of society, officially or unofficially dependency = the condition of relying on something in an addictive way pursuits = hobbies or sports which people do for enjoyment
Global challenges a challenge = a problem or difficulty to be faced economic or political instability = a rapid, unmanaged change in a country’s economy or political situation social unrest = riots, protests or fighting by the public against each other or the government an issue = a topic, subject or question that must be considered pressing matters = urgent, important issues joblessness = a synonym for ‘unemployment’ economic prospects = the future possibilities for a national economy social mobility = the ability of people to progress in terms of salary, lifestyle and social status the private sector = private businesses, as opposed to ‘the public sector’ meaning state- owned or controlled services demographics = the changes in society in terms of age, income, numbers, origins and location in a country longevity = the tendency to have a long-life expectancy to migrate = to move permanently between countries
‘brain drain’ = the tendency for intelligent or successful workers to migrate out of a country (usually expressed in quotes ‘’) existential threats = a threat to existence or life an outbreak = the start of a widespread problem such as disease or conflict civil war = war between people inside a country livelihood = the way a person makes a living developed countries = countries considered to have advanced economies, industries and social infrastructure developing countries = countries not generally considered to be fully developed yet
Cities and infrastructure urban = adjective meaning ‘about cities’ investment or funding = money to pay for an activity, either from government or business infrastructure = the physical and system organization of a city, area or country, especially in terms of transport and communications high-capacity = able to handle high volumes of goods or people public transport = transport such as buses and trains funded by the state (as opposed to ‘private transport’ such as cars owned by individuals) congestion = situation of too much traffic, causing delays (the phrase ‘traffic jam’ is not generally used in Academic English) conurbations = very large cities which have absorbed other towns transport hubs = centers where many routes converge facilities and amenities = places providing any service to the public, either private or public sector a bottleneck = a place where congestion regularly happens overcrowding = a situation where too many people try to live in one place hinterland = the area around a city affected by its development to settle in a place = to move and live there permanently, usually with work and a family urban sprawl = the situation where a city expands and buildings are constructed without control or laws
public-private partnerships = projects funded jointly by the government and business, to reduce the cost to the taxpayer civic pride = the pride felt in the town/city where you live, its people and infrastructure tax incentives = reductions in tax to encourage people to do or buy something home working = working in your home for all or part of the week to commute = to travel a long distance to work every day suburbs = the residential areas around a city the inner city = the older, central part of a city communal car-pooling = a voluntary system for people to travel in a shared car, to reduce fuel use outdated = old-fashioned and not relevant today innovations = new ideas or things (which are usually useful or exciting) a burden = a weight or responsibility which is difficult to cope with
Countryside and agriculture rural = the adjective for ‘countryside’ a backwater = an area of a country where little of interest happens rural depopulation = the long-term trend for people to migrate from the countryside to cities, leaving the rural areas with few people country dwellers = people who live in the countryside (‘city dwellers’ = people who live in cities) a scarcity = a lack or shortage of something rural unemployment = unemployment affecting rural workers specifically rural poverty = being extremely poor in the countryside material considerations = concerns about money and material possessions an abundance = a very high level of supply or availability of something wildlife = animals living naturally in the wild forestry = the industry of growing and cutting trees water bodies = inland areas of water (rivers, lakes, reservoirs etc) subsistence = adjective meaning ‘producing just enough to live on’ self-sufficient = not needing to import or buy resources from outside the farm or country
smallholders = farmers managing very small farms, usually with their families the wider economy = the national economy in a country to afflict = to affect (used for problems or diseases) animal husbandry = the skill of keeping animals crop rotation = the process of using different fields each year to keep the soil healthy remote viewing = viewing places by Internet, not in person environmental awareness = an understanding of environmental issues far-flung = remote or far away
Government and the authorities trustworthy = capable of being trusted paramount = of the greatest importance devious = extremely clever in a dishonest way minutiae (pronounced ‘my-new-shy’) = small details grievance = an issue which makes people upset or angry for a long time sensitivity = being alert to the circumstances of a specific group of people to commit an offence/a crime = to do it informants = people who tell the police useful information about criminals in their area evidence = material presented in court to prove that someone is guilty or innocent a trial = the legal procedure of prosecuting someone for a crime conviction rates = the percentage of accused people who are convicted of (= found to be guilty of) a crime a deterrent = something that makes people not want to do something (verb = to deter) sentencing = the action of telling a convicted criminal what the punishment is (verb = to sentence) Imprisonment = punishment by being in prison A fine = money paid as a punishment community service = punishment by doing manual work for the public
rehabilitation = the process of changing a criminal’s character so that he does not commit more crimes (verb = to rehabilitate someone) an offender = a person who commits anoffence tendencies = inclinations due to your character (usually negative) corruption = the crime when an official breaks laws to help people that he knows bribery = the crime of giving money to officials to get something done (verb = to bribe someone) to enforce laws = to apply them to people unequitable = unfair or different for different groups law-abiding = following all the laws in a proper way transferable skills = skills that can be used in different situations lateral thinking = the ability to think creatively and in new ways investigative = adjective from ‘to investigate’ = to enquire about the causes of a crime or a to transcend a situation = to be bigger or go beyond it a context = a specific situation to outweigh = to be more important than over-familiarity = when an official is too friendly withthe public