Precision rewrite
Replace “The number went up a lot” with a precise sentence containing data: “The share rose from 10% to 24%, an increase of 14 percentage points.”
FREE IELTS VOCABULARY
Choose precise words.
Not just difficult ones.
Topic word banks, Task 1 trend language, paraphrasing, Speaking phrases and the mistakes examiners see most, with free quizzes.
HOW VOCABULARY IS MARKED
Lexical Resource is 25% of your Writing and Speaking score.
Examiners are not counting difficult words. They look at how accurately and naturally you use the words you choose.
01
Range
Enough variety to discuss the topic without repeating the same words.
02
Precision
The word that says exactly what you mean: "a slight fall", not just "a change".
03
Collocation
Words that naturally go together: "pose a risk", "heavy traffic".
04
Accuracy
Correct spelling and word forms: economic vs economical, rise vs raise.
James's tip: Learn words in chunks, not alone. "Tuition fees", "rely heavily on" and "a sharp rise" are easier to use correctly than "tuition", "rely" and "sharp" on their own.
12 FREE WORDS
An academic vocabulary starter bank
Tap each card to reveal its meaning, collocation and a model sentence.
significantSee meaning +
Meaning: important or noticeable
Collocation: a significant increase
In context: The change was significant, especially after 2022.
allocateSee meaning +
Meaning: to distribute something for a purpose
Collocation: allocate funding
In context: Schools should allocate time to practical lessons.
contributeSee meaning +
Meaning: to help cause an outcome
Collocation: contribute to growth
In context: Reliable public transport can contribute to lower emissions.
sustainableSee meaning +
Meaning: able to continue without exhausting resources
Collocation: sustainable development
In context: Long-term planning is essential for sustainable urban growth.
whereasSee meaning +
Meaning: in contrast with another fact
Collocation: X rose whereas Y fell
In context: Museum A grew steadily, whereas Museum B declined.
implementSee meaning +
Meaning: to put a plan into action
Collocation: implement a policy
In context: The city could implement more affordable transport options.
declineSee meaning +
Meaning: to become smaller or weaker
Collocation: a gradual decline
In context: The number of visitors showed a gradual decline.
prevalentSee meaning +
Meaning: common in a particular setting
Collocation: increasingly prevalent
In context: Online learning is increasingly prevalent at university.
facilitateSee meaning +
Meaning: to make a process easier
Collocation: facilitate learning
In context: Visual examples can facilitate understanding.
account forSee meaning +
Meaning: to represent a share of a total
Collocation: account for 40%
In context: Housing costs accounted for roughly 40% of spending.
outweighSee meaning +
Meaning: to be more important than
Collocation: benefits outweigh costs
In context: The educational benefits may outweigh the expense.
substantialSee meaning +
Meaning: large in amount or importance
Collocation: substantial investment
In context: There was a substantial increase in rail use.
Practise actively: choose any five words and write your own accurate example sentences. Aim for natural use rather than memorising lists.
FREE EXTENDED WORD BANK
20 useful words and phrases—with examples
These original mini explanations teach meaning, natural collocations and real usage in Task 1, Task 2 and Speaking. A useful phrase is one you can use accurately, not merely memorise.
| Skill | Word / phrase | Meaning | Natural example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Task 1 · Shares | accounted for | represented a share of | Walking accounted for 24% of trips. |
| Task 1 · Shares | proportion | part of a whole | The proportion of bus users fell. |
| Task 1 · Precision | percentage points | difference between two percentage shares | The figure rose by 14 percentage points. |
| Task 1 · Approximation | just under | slightly less than | Car travel was just under a third in 2010. |
| Task 1 · Comparison | whereas | contrasts two facts | Bus use fell, whereas cycling increased. |
| Task 1 · Comparison | respectively | in the same order as two named items | Bus and car represented 32% and 20%, respectively. |
| Task 2 · Evaluation | outweigh | have greater importance than | The social gains outweigh the short-term costs. |
| Task 2 · Solutions | mitigate | reduce the severity of | Better transport could mitigate congestion. |
| Task 2 · Impact | long-term | continuing into the future | Education can bring long-term benefits. |
| Task 2 · Access | accessible | easy or possible to reach or use | Online resources can make learning more accessible. |
| Task 2 · Balance | trade-off | a compromise between competing benefits and costs | Flexibility can involve a trade-off in interaction. |
| Task 2 · Argument | on balance | after considering all relevant sides | On balance, the advantages are greater. |
| Task 2 · Problem | pose a risk | create a possibility of harm | Poor infrastructure may pose a risk to safety. |
| Task 2 · Solutions | address a problem | take action to deal with a problem | Local councils should address housing shortages. |
| Task 2 · Evaluation | viable | possible and practical | A subsidised ticket may be a viable option. |
| Speaking · Time | from time to time | occasionally | From time to time, I go cycling with friends. |
| Speaking · Habit | tend to | usually behave in a certain way | I tend to read before going to sleep. |
| Speaking · Opinion | personally | from my own perspective | Personally, I prefer quiet places. |
| Speaking · Change | used to | past habit that no longer continues | I used to take the bus every morning. |
| Speaking · Evaluation | worthwhile | valuable enough to justify the effort | Learning to cook was a worthwhile experience. |
Study routine: Read the meaning → say the phrase aloud → write a new sentence about your own topic → check whether it makes the relationship accurate.
APPLICATION, NOT MEMORISATION
Vocabulary exercise set · 8 questions
Opinion rewrite
Upgrade “The plan is good but has problems” to “On balance, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks, although implementation remains costly.”
Independent free practice. For more, the IELTS4US illustrated Task 1 workbook contains 238 word cards and 60+ exercises; the Task 2 vocabulary book includes 636 practice questions and answer explanations.
TOPIC WORD BANKS · 64 COLLOCATIONS
Vocabulary for the eight most common IELTS topics
These topics come up again and again in Task 2 and Speaking Part 3. Open a topic, read the examples aloud, then write two sentences of your own about it.
Education
| Collocation | Example |
|---|---|
| acquire practical skills | Students should acquire practical skills such as budgeting. |
| tuition fees | High tuition fees discourage some students from applying. |
| rote learning | Rote learning rarely develops deep understanding. |
| critical thinking | Debate classes encourage critical thinking. |
| higher education | Access to higher education has widened. |
| academic performance | Sleep has a clear effect on academic performance. |
| lifelong learning | Online courses make lifelong learning easier. |
| vocational training | Vocational training prepares young people for skilled jobs. |
Technology
| Collocation | Example |
|---|---|
| rely heavily on | Many young people rely heavily on their phones. |
| screen time | Parents often try to limit their children's screen time. |
| digital literacy | Digital literacy is now a basic workplace skill. |
| cutting-edge technology | Hospitals are investing in cutting-edge technology. |
| data privacy | Social media raises serious concerns about data privacy. |
| automate tasks | Companies automate repetitive tasks to cut costs. |
| remote working | Remote working has reduced commuting time. |
| social media platforms | News spreads quickly on social media platforms. |
Environment
| Collocation | Example |
|---|---|
| carbon emissions | Cars are a major source of carbon emissions. |
| renewable energy | Investment in renewable energy has increased. |
| climate change | Climate change affects farming in many regions. |
| reduce waste | Supermarkets can reduce waste by selling loose produce. |
| natural habitats | Deforestation destroys natural habitats. |
| environmental awareness | Schools play a role in raising environmental awareness. |
| take responsibility for | Individuals should take responsibility for their own waste. |
| a sustainable alternative | Cycling is a sustainable alternative to driving. |
Health
| Collocation | Example |
|---|---|
| a sedentary lifestyle | Office work often leads to a sedentary lifestyle. |
| a balanced diet | A balanced diet includes plenty of vegetables. |
| the healthcare system | An ageing population puts pressure on the healthcare system. |
| life expectancy | Life expectancy has risen in most countries. |
| preventive measures | Preventive measures are cheaper than treatment. |
| mental well-being | Regular exercise supports mental well-being. |
| processed food | Processed food is often high in sugar and salt. |
| a public health campaign | A public health campaign can change eating habits. |
Work
| Collocation | Example |
|---|---|
| work-life balance | Flexible hours improve work-life balance. |
| job satisfaction | Recognition increases job satisfaction. |
| career prospects | Language skills can improve career prospects. |
| flexible working hours | Many parents value flexible working hours. |
| the unemployment rate | The unemployment rate fell last year. |
| job security | Contract work offers little job security. |
| skilled workers | There is a shortage of skilled workers in IT. |
| gain experience | Internships help graduates gain experience. |
Cities and transport
| Collocation | Example |
|---|---|
| traffic congestion | Traffic congestion wastes hours every week. |
| affordable housing | Young families struggle to find affordable housing. |
| green spaces | Green spaces improve residents' quality of life. |
| urban sprawl | Urban sprawl increases commuting distances. |
| the cost of living | The cost of living is higher in capital cities. |
| public infrastructure | Governments must maintain public infrastructure. |
| rural areas | Many young people leave rural areas to find work. |
| population density | High population density makes housing expensive. |
Government and society
| Collocation | Example |
|---|---|
| government funding | Museums depend on government funding. |
| raise awareness | Campaigns can raise awareness of road safety. |
| impose restrictions | Some cities impose restrictions on car use. |
| an ageing population | An ageing population needs more care services. |
| social inequality | Free education can reduce social inequality. |
| community services | Libraries are valuable community services. |
| take measures | Governments should take measures to cut pollution. |
| public spending | Public spending on health has increased. |
Culture and globalisation
| Collocation | Example |
|---|---|
| cultural identity | Language is closely linked to cultural identity. |
| traditional customs | Festivals help preserve traditional customs. |
| international tourism | International tourism brings income to small towns. |
| cultural exchange | Studying abroad encourages cultural exchange. |
| local businesses | Global chains can push out local businesses. |
| global brands | Global brands are now found in every city. |
| preserve heritage | Governments should preserve historic heritage. |
| a language barrier | A language barrier can make travel stressful. |
ACADEMIC WRITING TASK 1
The language of trends and comparisons
Most Task 1 vocabulary describes how numbers change and compare. Learn each word with its grammar pattern.
| Meaning | Verbs | Nouns | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Go up | rise, increase, grow, climb | a rise, an increase, growth | Sales rose to 40,000 in 2020. |
| Go down | fall, decrease, decline, drop | a fall, a decrease, a decline | There was a decline in bus use. |
| Change a lot, quickly | surge, soar / plunge, plummet | a surge / a plunge | Prices soared after 2018. |
| Stay the same | remain stable, level off, stay constant | a plateau | The figure levelled off at 15%. |
| Go up and down | fluctuate | a fluctuation | Rainfall fluctuated between 40 and 60 mm. |
| Highest / lowest point | peak at, hit a low of | a peak, a low | Visitor numbers peaked at 2 million. |
| Use | Language | Example |
|---|---|---|
| How big? (adjective + noun) | a dramatic / sharp / significant / steady / gradual / slight rise | There was a steady increase in enrolments. |
| How big? (verb + adverb) | rose dramatically / sharply / significantly / steadily / gradually / slightly | Enrolments increased steadily. |
| Approximation | just over, just under, nearly, roughly, approximately, well over | Just under a third of trips were by car. |
| Comparison | twice as many as, three times higher than, by far the largest, slightly lower than | Cycling was twice as popular as walking. |
| Proportion | the majority of, a minority of, a quarter of, the proportion of | The majority of students lived on campus. |
to
The end point
Sales rose to 500 units.
by
The size of the change
Sales rose by 200 units.
in / of
The thing / the amount
A rise in sales; a rise of 20%.
PARAPHRASING
Say the same thing in your own words.
You paraphrase the question in every Task 1 and Task 2 introduction, and you rephrase constantly in Speaking. Combine these three techniques rather than replacing every word with a synonym.
01
Synonyms
Change words that have a safe equivalent: children → young people, important → essential. Keep technical terms (such as "GDP") unchanged.
02
Word forms
Change the part of speech: populations grew → population growth; it is popular → its popularity.
03
Sentence structure
Reorder or switch to the passive: Some people believe that… → It is sometimes argued that…
QUESTION
Some people think that children should start learning a foreign language at primary school.
PARAPHRASE
It is sometimes argued that foreign language education should begin in the early years of schooling.
What changed: structure (It is argued that), synonyms (start → begin), and word form (learning a language → language education).
SPEAKING
Natural phrases for every part of the Speaking test
These help you sound fluent and organised. Use them naturally, not in every sentence.
| Purpose | Useful phrases |
|---|---|
| Giving an opinion | I'd say… · From my point of view… · I'm fairly convinced that… |
| Buying time | That's an interesting question. · Let me think about that for a second. · I've never really thought about it, but… |
| Giving examples | For instance… · Take my cousin, for example… · A good example would be… |
| Speculating (Part 3) | It's quite likely that… · I suspect that… · There's a good chance that… |
| Contrasting | Having said that… · On the other hand… · That said… |
| Describing feelings (Part 2) | I was really relieved. · It was a bit nerve-racking at first. · I felt incredibly proud. |
| Clarifying | What I mean is… · In other words… · Let me put it another way… |
Be careful with idioms: one natural idiom used correctly can help, but memorised idioms that don't fit the topic usually sound unnatural and can lower your score.
ERROR CLINIC
12 vocabulary mistakes examiners see every day
Check your last essay for each of these. Fixing repeated errors is one of the fastest ways to improve accuracy.
| Avoid | Write | Why |
|---|---|---|
| informations, advices, researches | information, advice, research | Uncountable nouns have no plural form. |
| make a research | do / conduct research | Collocation: we do or conduct research. |
| discuss about the issue | discuss the issue | Discuss takes a direct object. |
| In nowadays | Nowadays | Nowadays needs no preposition. |
| an increase of sales | an increase in sales | in + the thing; of + the amount (an increase of 10%). |
| economical growth | economic growth | Economic = related to the economy; economical = saves money. |
| a big affect | a big effect | effect is usually the noun; affect is the verb. |
| less people | fewer people | fewer + countable; less + uncountable. |
| The price raised. | The price rose. | rise has no object; raise needs one (raise prices). |
| It leads to people become lazy. | It leads people to become lazy. | lead + person + to + verb. |
| Most of people | Most people | Use most of the only with a specific group. |
| In my opinion, I think… | In my opinion… / I think… | Use one; both together repeat the same idea. |
PRACTICE · 8 QUESTIONS
Mistakes, collocations and paraphrasing quiz
Build your own word notebook
For each new word, write: the collocation, one example about your own life, its word family (economy, economic, economical) and a common mistake. Review it after one day, three days and one week.