Why Vocabulary Matters in IELTS
The "Lexical Resource" criterion rewards candidates who use a range of vocabulary naturally and accurately. Using "significant" instead of always saying "big," or "contribute to" instead of "help with" demonstrates the language range examiners are looking for. But here's the catch: using a word incorrectly hurts more than not using it at all.
Words for Describing Change
- Fluctuate — to rise and fall irregularly. "Sales fluctuated throughout the year."
- Surge — a sudden large increase. "There was a surge in demand."
- Decline — a gradual decrease. "Newspaper readership has declined steadily."
- Shift — a significant change in direction. "There has been a shift in public attitude."
- Transform — to change completely. "Technology has transformed the workplace."
Words for Arguing a Point
- Advocate — to publicly support. "Many experts advocate for earlier education."
- Contend — to argue or assert. "Some contend that this approach is flawed."
- Undermine — to weaken. "Corruption undermines public trust."
- Outweigh — to be greater in importance. "The benefits outweigh the drawbacks."
- Substantiate — to provide evidence. "These claims are difficult to substantiate."
Words for Cause and Effect
- Stem from — to originate from. "The problem stems from inadequate funding."
- Give rise to — to cause. "Urbanization gives rise to new challenges."
- Exacerbate — to make worse. "Climate change exacerbates water scarcity."
- Mitigate — to reduce the severity. "Governments can mitigate the effects."
- Facilitate — to make easier. "Technology facilitates remote collaboration."
Words for Comparison
- Surpass — to exceed. "Online sales have surpassed in-store purchases."
- Disparity — a significant difference. "Income disparity continues to grow."
- Predominant — most common or influential. "English is the predominant language of business."
- Marginal — small or slight. "The improvement was marginal at best."
- Substantial — large in amount. "A substantial proportion of the budget goes to healthcare."
How to Learn These Words Effectively
Don't memorize lists — learn words in context. Read one article per day and note 3 new words. Write them in a sentence. Use them in practice essays. Spaced repetition works brilliantly for vocabulary — which is exactly what BrainForge's review system does.
Practice your vocabulary and exam skills with our IELTS Preparation Quiz.