IELTS vocabulary: what is marked, how to learn it and word lists for ten topics
IELTS marks vocabulary as lexical resource, in Writing and Speaking: the range of words you use and how accurately and appropriately you use them. We found no published word list, so learn phrases by topic, in sentences of your own.
The British Council says it is not enough to memorise a long list of words. You must use vocabulary effectively. This page shows what the examiners mark, what the owners say about learning vocabulary, and gives you ten lists of phrases, with example sentences, that we wrote for the topics the owners name. All the lists are original.
What IELTS actually marks about vocabulary
A criterion called lexical resource, in Writing and in Speaking.
IELTS does not give you a word list to learn. It marks how you use words. In Writing and in Speaking, vocabulary is one of four criteria. IELTS explains the Writing one like this.
"Lexical resource assesses the range of vocabulary you have used, and how accurately and appropriately you use it."
IDP says the Speaking test has four criteria too, and gives the scale.
- Examiners assess your performance against 4 criteria. Fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation.
- Your Speaking results are given as band scores which range from a band 0 to a band 9.
IDP's published descriptors for lexical resource show how the wording changes with the band. The table gives IDP's lines for Bands 5 to 9 in Writing and in Speaking. Read it as a picture of what the examiner looks for, not as a promise about your own result.
| Band | Writing: lexical resource (IDP's wording) | Speaking: lexical resource (IDP's wording) |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | A wide range of vocabulary is used accurately and appropriately with very natural and sophisticated control of lexical features. | Uses vocabulary with full flexibility and precision in all topics |
| 8 | A wide resource is fluently and flexibly used to convey precise meanings within the scope of the task. | Uses a wide vocabulary resource readily and flexibly to convey precise meaning |
| 7 | The resource is sufficient to allow some flexibility and precision. There is some ability to use less common and/or idiomatic items. | Uses vocabulary resource flexibly to discuss a variety of topics |
| 6 | The resource is generally adequate and appropriate for the task. | Has a wide enough vocabulary to discuss topics at length and make meaning clear in spite of inappropriacies |
| 5 | The resource is limited but minimally adequate for the task. | Manages to talk about familiar and unfamiliar topics but uses vocabulary with limited flexibility |
The pattern is the same in both columns. At the lower bands the vocabulary is enough for the task. At the higher bands it is flexible, precise and natural. Less common and idiomatic items appear from Band 7, and they sit beside words such as accurately, appropriately and precise. Our reading: the lines reward words that fit and are used correctly, not rare words for their own sake. Build a vocabulary that is wide enough for common topics, precise enough that you do not repeat yourself, and natural enough that the examiner never wonders what you meant.
What a wider range means
Four ideas from IDP and the British Council.
IDP says that to reach Band 7 and higher you need a flexible resource, and it breaks the idea into parts.
- In order to reach a band 7 and higher, you need to have a flexible resource that is used to discuss a variety of topics.
- flexible resource: being able to access the right words and phrases to talk about a range of different topics (without pausing or using the wrong words)
- less common and idiomatic language: being able to use less common words, or phrases that have idiomatic meaning.
- awareness of style and collocation: Using words that go together correctly and that are grammatically correct. For example, 'environmental pollution', 'steep rise', 'an improvement in'.
- uses paraphrase successfully: being able to fill a vocabulary gap successfully by using other words and phrases (synonyms or antonyms) to communicate.
The British Council makes two of these points concrete. Collocation means words that go together, and connotation is the feeling that a word carries.
- words that are naturally used together. For example, lions roar (they do not ‘shout’) and we make a phone call (we do not ‘do’ a phone call).
- the positive, neutral, or negative association of some words. For example, ‘laid back’ is generally positive, ‘inactive’ is generally neutral, and ‘lazy’ is usually negative.
It also says that a long list is not the point.
"As this video explains, it’s not enough for you to simply memorise a long list of words; you must also use vocabulary effectively."
There is one warning to keep with that. IDP says in its Speaking tips that big words can hurt you.
"You may want to impress the examiner with big and complex words in your Speaking test. But to be safe, avoid using words you are not familiar with. There is a higher chance of making mistakes by either mispronouncing words or using them in the wrong context. Mistakes can affect your final band score."
This looks like a conflict with the Band 7 line about less common words. It is not. Less common words earn credit when you know how to use them. Our reading: use a less common word only if you know its meaning, its usual partners and how to say it. A word you have used correctly in three sentences of your own is safe. A word you found yesterday is not.
The British Council says what kind of vocabulary is tested.
"These factors will be considered in the context of everyday topics with general relevance in all of the countries where IELTS is used. Specialist knowledge isn’t expected, but a good vocabulary will certainly be an asset."
How to learn the words so that they stay
Topic maps, collocations and sentences of your own.
IDP recommends mind maps for topic vocabulary and explains why.
"Mind maps are a visual representation of a topic area including words and phrases connected to this topic. By arranging the words and phrases in a pattern, this helps us to remember the text more easily than if it was presented in lists."
It gives questions to ask when you build one. Use them for each topic.
- What are the common words connected to this topic?
- Are there any idiomatic phrases used when talking about this topic?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of this topic area?
- What does the government do to support this topic area?
- Are there any future developments that might happen in this topic area?
The British Council gives the same advice from another angle.
"Another useful tip is to group new vocabulary into related subjects (such as sports) to learn together, rather than making long lists of unrelated words."
"However, you can get credit for explaining the meaning, or ‘paraphrasing’, so having a range of synonyms to draw on can be helpful."
IDP names two lists of topics to build maps for.
- the environment hobbies and interests famous people and celebrities tourism and travel health and diet.
- learning and education the internet leisure and entertainment crime and punishment transport social media sport and competition art and music modern lifestyles and societal changes traditions and customs fashion and advertising employment.
A daily routine of thirty minutes
- Choose one topic for the week. Make a mind map using the questions above. Spend about ten minutes on this on the first day only.
- Each day, learn four phrases, not four single words. Write each phrase with its meaning, its usual partners and one sentence about your own life.
- Use each new phrase in speech, out loud, in two different sentences. Record one of them.
- At the end of each day, test yesterday's four phrases without looking.
- At the end of the week, write a short paragraph on the topic using at least eight of your phrases. Check each one for meaning and spelling.
- Return to old phrases every week or two. A phrase you have not used for a month is not yet yours.
Our word card has five parts. The phrase, the meaning in plain English, the partners it often goes with, your own sentence, and the word family (for example, to compete, competition, competitive, competitively). It takes a minute to write and saves hours of vague revision.
IELTS vocabulary by topic: ten word and phrase lists
Collocations for the topics that come up most.
The lists below are ours. They are written for the topics IDP names. Each row gives a phrase that works as a unit, a plain meaning and an example sentence. They use Australian and British spelling. Learn the phrase, not just the key word, and make a sentence of your own for each one. Use only the ones whose meaning you are sure of.
Environment
| Phrase | What it means | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|
| reduce carbon emissions | release less of the gas that warms the planet | Many cities want to reduce carbon emissions by improving public transport. |
| renewable energy | power from sources that do not run out, such as sun and wind | The country gets a growing share of its power from renewable energy. |
| cause environmental damage | harm nature | Careless mining can cause environmental damage that lasts for decades. |
| waste disposal | getting rid of rubbish safely | Safe waste disposal is a major challenge for large cities. |
| protect natural habitats | keep safe the places where wildlife lives | National parks help to protect natural habitats. |
| adapt to climate change | change what we do because the climate is changing | Farmers are learning to adapt to climate change. |
| a sustainable approach | a way of doing something that does not harm the future | A sustainable approach to fishing keeps fish stocks healthy. |
| rely on fossil fuels | depend on coal, oil and gas | Many economies still rely on fossil fuels for most of their electricity. |
| raise awareness of | help people to learn about an issue | Schools can raise awareness of recycling among young children. |
| a pressing problem | an urgent problem | Plastic waste in the oceans is a pressing problem. |
Education
| Phrase | What it means | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|
| compulsory education | school that the law requires children to attend | Compulsory education ends at different ages in different countries. |
| tuition fees | money paid for teaching | Rising tuition fees put university out of reach for some families. |
| academic performance | how well a student does in their studies | Sleep has a clear effect on academic performance. |
| vocational training | training for a particular job or trade | Vocational training prepares people for jobs such as nursing or plumbing. |
| a well-rounded education | learning that covers many areas, not only one | Art and sport are part of a well-rounded education. |
| peer pressure | the push to do what other people of your age do | Peer pressure can lead teenagers to take risks. |
| distance learning | studying away from a campus, usually online | Distance learning allows people in remote areas to study for a degree. |
| drop out of | leave a course before finishing | A number of students drop out of university in their first year. |
| lifelong learning | learning that continues throughout adult life | Lifelong learning helps workers to keep up with change. |
| class size | the number of students in one class | Smaller class sizes allow teachers to give more attention to each child. |
Technology and the internet
| Phrase | What it means | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|
| access to information | the ability to find facts and news | The internet has given ordinary people access to information that was once hard to find. |
| digital skills | the ability to use computers and online tools | Employers increasingly expect basic digital skills from every worker. |
| online privacy | control over your personal details on the internet | Online privacy is a growing concern for parents. |
| screen time | the hours spent looking at a phone, tablet or television | Doctors advise limits on screen time for young children. |
| artificial intelligence | computer systems that can do tasks that usually need human thinking | Artificial intelligence is changing the way many offices work. |
| keep in touch with | stay in contact with | Video calls make it easier to keep in touch with relatives abroad. |
| rely on technology | depend on it | Many people rely on technology so much that they cannot work without it. |
| technological advances | new developments in technology | Technological advances have made travel and communication faster. |
| misinformation | false information that spreads, often without bad intent | Misinformation spreads quickly on social media. |
| data protection | keeping personal information safe | Companies must follow strict rules on data protection. |
Health and diet
| Phrase | What it means | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|
| a balanced diet | a mix of foods that gives the body what it needs | A balanced diet includes vegetables, fruit, protein and grains. |
| a sedentary lifestyle | a way of life with very little movement | A sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of heart disease. |
| obesity rates | the proportion of people who are very overweight | Obesity rates have risen in many countries. |
| preventive healthcare | care that stops illness before it starts | Preventive healthcare is cheaper than treating serious disease. |
| mental health | the health of a person's mind and emotions | Schools are paying more attention to students' mental health. |
| processed food | food that has been changed by a factory, often with added sugar or salt | Processed food is convenient but can be unhealthy if eaten daily. |
| a public health campaign | an organised effort to teach people about their health | A public health campaign helped many smokers to quit. |
| life expectancy | the average number of years a person lives | Life expectancy has risen as medical care has improved. |
| a chronic illness | a health problem that lasts a long time | A chronic illness can limit what a person is able to do at work. |
| access to medical care | the ability to see a doctor or go to hospital when needed | Access to medical care is harder in rural areas. |
Travel and tourism
| Phrase | What it means | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|
| a tourist attraction | a place that visitors come to see | The old castle is the town's main tourist attraction. |
| cultural heritage | traditions, buildings and art passed down from the past | Tourism can help to protect cultural heritage. |
| boost the local economy | increase local business and jobs | Festivals boost the local economy by bringing in visitors. |
| the peak season | the busiest time of year for visitors | Hotel prices are highest in the peak season. |
| off the beaten track | away from the usual tourist places | We stayed in a village that was well off the beaten track. |
| broaden your horizons | learn new things through new experiences | Living abroad can broaden your horizons. |
| mass tourism | very large numbers of visitors at popular places | Mass tourism can put pressure on small towns. |
| budget accommodation | cheap places to stay | Young travellers often choose budget accommodation. |
| local customs | the usual ways of behaving in a place | It is polite to learn about local customs before you visit. |
| the environmental impact of tourism | the effect that visitors have on nature | The environmental impact of tourism is greatest in fragile areas such as coral reefs. |
Work and employment
| Phrase | What it means | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|
| job security | the certainty that you will keep your job | Many workers value job security more than a high salary. |
| work-life balance | a healthy split between work and personal life | Flexible hours can improve work-life balance. |
| career prospects | chances of advancing in a career | Graduates with technical skills have good career prospects. |
| earn a living | make enough money to live on | Many artists struggle to earn a living from their work. |
| gain work experience | learn by doing a job | Internships help students to gain work experience. |
| meet a deadline | finish something on time | The team worked late to meet the deadline. |
| the unemployment rate | the proportion of people without a job who want one | The unemployment rate fell after the factory opened. |
| work remotely | do your job away from the office | More people now work remotely for part of the week. |
| employee benefits | extras such as paid leave and health insurance | Employee benefits can matter as much as the salary. |
| workplace culture | the shared habits and attitudes in a workplace | A friendly workplace culture helps staff to stay longer. |
Transport and cities
| Phrase | What it means | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|
| public transport | buses, trains and trams that anyone can use | Good public transport reduces the number of cars on the road. |
| traffic congestion | roads so full that traffic moves slowly | Traffic congestion wastes time and fuel. |
| rush hour | the busiest times of the day for travel | Trains are crowded during the rush hour. |
| commute to work | travel regularly between home and work | Some people commute to work for two hours a day. |
| air pollution | dirty air caused by smoke, fumes and dust | Air pollution is worst in cities with heavy traffic. |
| transport infrastructure | the roads, railways and stations that a country needs | Governments are investing in transport infrastructure. |
| cycle lanes | paths on a road for bicycles only | Cycle lanes make cycling safer. |
| reduce reliance on cars | depend less on private cars | Better buses could help people to reduce their reliance on cars. |
| urban planning | deciding how a city's land and buildings are used | Good urban planning keeps homes, jobs and shops close together. |
| road safety | keeping people safe on roads | Road safety campaigns remind drivers to slow down. |
Crime and punishment
| Phrase | What it means | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|
| commit a crime | do something against the law | Few people commit a crime without thinking about the risk. |
| law enforcement | the police and others who make sure laws are obeyed | Law enforcement agencies work with local communities. |
| a prison sentence | a period of time that a court orders someone to spend in prison | A short prison sentence may not change a person's behaviour. |
| a deterrent | something that stops people from doing something | Heavy fines can be a deterrent to dangerous driving. |
| rehabilitation | helping a person to return to normal life after punishment | Rehabilitation programmes help prisoners to find work. |
| young offenders | young people who break the law | Young offenders often respond well to education and training. |
| the crime rate | how often crimes happen in a place | The crime rate fell after more street lights were installed. |
| community service | unpaid work done for the community as a punishment | Community service is often given for minor offences. |
| petty crime | less serious crime, such as small thefts | Petty crime is common in crowded tourist areas. |
| tougher penalties | harsher punishments | Some people call for tougher penalties for repeat offenders. |
Media and advertising
| Phrase | What it means | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|
| the mass media | television, radio, newspapers and online news | The mass media shapes how people see the world. |
| a target audience | the group of people an advertisement is made for | Advertisers choose a medium that reaches their target audience. |
| an advertising campaign | a planned series of advertisements | The advertising campaign ran for six months. |
| brand loyalty | choosing the same brand again and again | Brand loyalty can be strong among young shoppers. |
| consumer spending | the money that people spend on goods and services | Consumer spending rises before holidays. |
| influence public opinion | change what many people think | Media coverage can influence public opinion on important issues. |
| fake news | false stories presented as real news | Fake news can damage trust in genuine reports. |
| impulse buying | buying something without planning to | Shops put small items near the till to encourage impulse buying. |
| mislead consumers | give buyers a wrong idea | Advertisements must not mislead consumers about a product. |
| breaking news | news that has just happened | People now see breaking news on their phones within seconds. |
Family and society
| Phrase | What it means | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|
| a nuclear family | parents and their children living together | A nuclear family is now common in cities. |
| an extended family | a family that includes grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins | In some places an extended family lives in one house. |
| the generation gap | differences in views between older and younger people | The generation gap is often wider when technology changes quickly. |
| bring up children | raise them from birth until they are adults | It is not easy to bring up children on a low income. |
| elderly care | looking after older people who need help | Elderly care is a growing concern as populations age. |
| community spirit | the feeling that people in an area help each other | Community spirit grows when neighbours meet regularly. |
| cultural diversity | having people from many cultures in one society | Cultural diversity makes city life richer. |
| traditional values | long-held beliefs about how people should live | Some families put strong emphasis on traditional values. |
| the cost of living | what it costs to pay for housing, food and transport | The cost of living has risen faster than wages. |
| quality of life | how good and comfortable daily life is | Parks and short commutes improve quality of life. |
Vocabulary choices for Writing
Precision, spelling and tone.
IDP's article on high-band essays gives short lists for the vocabulary of an essay. These are its Dos.
- Use precise word choices.
- Use words that you understand.
- Use words and phrases that are related to the topic.
- Use collocation and phrasal verbs (words that go together naturally - environmental pollution | major issue | promising future)
These are its Don'ts.
- Make spelling mistakes.
- Mix up American and British spelling (You should use one or the other)
- Use imprecise words like ‘stuff/thing’.
- Use slang like ‘gonna’.
- Overuse synonyms, one is enough.
- Use a word if you don’t understand it or cannot spell it.
"Words that are old-fashioned and not used in everyday speech should not be used. If you choose a synonym, the meaning must be the same and must not alter the idea being presented."
That last rule matters when you use the table below. The right replacement must have the same meaning. A stronger word is only better if it is exactly right.
| Plain word | Stronger choices | Example |
|---|---|---|
| a lot of | a large number of (things you can count), a great deal of (amounts), many, much | A large number of students work part time. A great deal of time is lost in traffic. |
| get | obtain, receive, gain, become | Graduates gain valuable skills while they study. |
| big | major, significant, considerable | There has been a significant rise in prices. |
| good | beneficial, effective, positive | Regular exercise has a positive effect on mood. |
| bad | harmful, damaging, negative | Constant noise can be damaging to health. |
| thing | factor, issue, aspect, feature | Cost is the main factor for most buyers. |
| show | demonstrate, indicate, reveal | The figures indicate a steady rise. |
| think | believe, hold the view that, feel (in speech) | Some people believe that cars should be banned from city centres. |
| kids | children, young people | Children learn quickly when they are interested. |
| but (at the start of a sentence) | However, Nevertheless | Prices rose. However, wages stayed the same. |
Our rule for the whole table: if you cannot use the stronger word in a sentence of your own that is correct and natural, keep the plain one. Clear and correct beats clever and wrong.
Vocabulary for Listening and Reading
Same meaning, different words.
Vocabulary helps in Listening and Reading too, because a question and its answer can use different words for the same idea. IDP explains synonyms in its Listening tips.
"Spend some time looking up synonyms for words you use often, and practice saying the same sentence in as many different ways as possible."
"A synonym is a word or phrase that has the same (or almost the same) meaning as a different word."
Practise by turning common question words into other words with the same meaning. The pairs below are ours. When you mark a practice test, add the pair that tricked you.
| Question might say | Recording or text might say |
|---|---|
| free of charge | no cost, at no charge, complimentary |
| cheap | inexpensive, low-cost, low-priced |
| begin | start, commence, get under way |
| buy | purchase, pick up |
| a problem | an issue, a difficulty, a complication |
| increase | go up, rise, grow |
| the main reason | the chief cause, the key factor |
| finish | complete, wrap up, conclude |
| too expensive | beyond our budget, costs more than we can afford |
| next week | the week after this one, the following week |
An IELTS vocabulary PDF or official word list
What we found, and what we did not.
If you want an IELTS vocabulary list or PDF, this is what we found when we checked the owners' pages.
- IDP's and the British Council's pages teach how to learn vocabulary by topic, with mind maps, collocations and synonyms. We did not find a fixed word list on those pages.
- Cambridge University Press and Assessment sells a vocabulary book for the test. Its catalogue gives the details quoted below.
"IELTS Vocabulary For Bands 6.5 and above With Answers and Downloadable Audio Pauline Cullen Pauline Cullen Published: March, 2021 ISBN: 9781108907194 English Type: International English CEFR Level: C1-C2"
The catalogue lists that book at C1 to C2 (CEFR), which is a high level. IELTS.org also lists books among its resources.
"From practice tests to expert advice, our books have everything you need to get test ready."
Our lists on this page are plain text, so you can print the page or use your browser's Save as PDF. We do not host a separate PDF download. For the owners' free PDFs of sample papers, see our IELTS preparation tips and resources page. For Writing Task 1 language, see Academic Writing Task 1. For idioms and connectors, see IELTS vocabulary: idioms, speaking and writing phrases. This page is general test preparation, not immigration advice.
Common questions
IELTS marks vocabulary as lexical resource in Writing and in Speaking. IELTS says it assesses the range of vocabulary you have used, and how accurately and appropriately you use it.
We did not find one on the owners' pages we read. IDP and the British Council teach how to learn vocabulary by topic with mind maps, collocations and synonyms. Cambridge sells a vocabulary book called IELTS Vocabulary For Bands 6.5 and above.
We do not host one. Our lists are plain text that you can save from your browser as a PDF. The owners' free PDFs are sample papers, which are listed on our preparation page.
Everyday topics, used precisely. The British Council says specialist knowledge isn't expected, but a good vocabulary will certainly be an asset. IDP lists topics such as the environment, health and diet, tourism and travel, education and the internet.
Learn phrases by topic, not single words from a long list. IDP says mind maps help you remember more easily than lists, and the British Council says to group new vocabulary into related subjects.
Use less common words only if you know them well. IDP says to avoid words you are not familiar with, because mistakes can affect your final band score. The Band 7 descriptors ask for some ability to use less common and idiomatic items, and they sit beside accuracy.
Yes. IDP's Listening tips explain what a synonym is, and advise you to spend some time looking up synonyms for words you use often. A question and the recording can use different words for the same idea.
IELTS says the Speaking criteria focus on idiomatic language from Band 7 upwards. IDP says to be very careful not to overuse idioms and to make sure that the idiom matches the topic area you are speaking about. Our idioms and speaking phrases page has a list.