Lecture Notes: Improving IELTS Writing with Common Vocabulary

Introduction

• Focus on 69 commonly used words by high band IELTS students
• Enhance vocabulary for better IELTS writing scores
• Special bonus: Access to 100 sample essays

Key Vocabulary and Usage

1. Viable

• Definition: Able to work/succeed
• Synonyms: Feasible, workable, possible
• Usage: Often used in essays about solutions/alternatives (e.g., "viable solution")
• Example: "A viable solution is to heavily punish lawbreakers."

2. Schooling

• Definition: Education received at school
• Synonyms: Education, learning, training
• Usage: Used in topics related to education (e.g., "proper schooling")
• Example: "Good primary schooling is important for a child's future."

3. Renowned

• Definition: Famous or respected
• Synonyms: Well-known, famous, celebrated
• Usage: Used for notable figures/organizations (e.g., "renowned expert")
• Example: "He is a renowned expert in the field of biology."

4. Prime

• Definition: Best or most important
• Synonyms: Best, top, main
• Usage: Describing the best/most important aspects (e.g., "prime example")
• Example: "This is a prime example of excellent customer service."

5. Prone

• Definition: Likely to do/experience something
• Synonyms: Likely, inclined, susceptible
• Usage: Used with "to" (e.g., "prone to errors")
• Example: "Children are prone to making mistakes when learning."

6. Officials

• Definition: People in authority/government
• Synonyms: Authorities, leaders, administrators
• Usage: Used in government-related discussions (e.g., "government officials")
• Example: "I do not support publishing the information of government officials."

7. Output

• Definition: The amount produced
• Synonyms: Production, yield
• Usage: Used in industry/business contexts (e.g., "industrial output")
• Example: "The factory’s output has increased this year."

8. Intellect

• Definition: Ability to think and understand
• Synonyms: Intelligence
• Usage: Often related to education/intellectual activities
• Example: "Her sharp intellect makes her a great scientist."

9. Incentives

• Definition: Things encouraging actions
• Synonyms: Motivation, reward, encouragement
• Usage: Discussed in contexts involving motivation
• Example: "The company offers financial incentives to its best workers."

10. Irrespective

• Definition: Without considering something
• Synonyms: Regardless, despite
• Usage: Used to discuss ignoring other factors (e.g., "irrespective of")
• Example: "Irrespective of the outcome, we must try our best."

11. Fundamental

• Definition: Important
• Synonyms: Important, essential, primary
• Usage: Used to emphasize importance (e.g., "fundamental principle")
• Example: "Learning to read is a fundamental skill for children."

12. Disclose

• Definition: To make something known
• Synonyms: Reveal, show, tell
• Usage: Often used in transparency-related contexts
• Example: "The company must disclose any risk to its investors."

13. Detrimental

• Definition: Causing harm/damage
• Synonyms: Harmful, damaging
• Usage: Used to discuss negative impacts (e.g., "detrimental effect")
• Example: "Smoking has a detrimental effect on health."

14. Adolescents

• Definition: Young people (13-19 years)
• Synonyms: Teenager
• Usage: Used when specifically discussing teenagers
• Example: "Adolescents often experience many changes in their lives."

15. Accountable

• Definition: Responsible for actions
• Synonyms: Responsible, answerable, liable
• Usage: Used to discuss responsibility
• Example: "Managers should be held accountable for their decisions."

16. Address

• Definition: To fix an issue/problem
• Synonyms: Tackle, deal with, handle
• Usage: Discussing solutions or problem-solving
• Example: "The teacher addressed the issue of bullying in the classroom."

17. Affluence

• Definition: Having a lot of money
• Synonyms: Wealthy, rich, prosperous
• Usage: Used in economic contexts (e.g., "affluent society")
• Example: "Many residents have an opportunity to become affluent."

18. Allocate

• Definition: To distribute resources/duties
• Synonyms: Assign, distribute, allot
• Usage: Used in resource management contexts
• Example: "The manager will allocate resources for the new project."

19. Awareness

• Definition: Knowledge about something
• Synonyms: Knowledge, understanding
• Usage: Used in educational or campaign contexts
• Example: "We need to raise awareness about the dangers of smoking."

20. Bullying

• Definition: Repeated aggressive behavior
• Synonyms: Harassment, intimidation
• Usage: Discussed in social/educational contexts
• Example: "School bullying can seriously affect a child’s self-esteem."

21. Burden

• Definition: A heavy load/responsibility
• Synonyms: Load, responsibility
• Usage: Discussed in financial/personal contexts
• Example: "The financial burden of college can be overwhelming for some students."

22. Capabilities

• Definition: Ability to do something
• Synonyms: Abilities, skills
• Usage: Often used in technological or personal skill contexts
• Example: "The company’s technological capabilities are impressive."

23. Commonly

• Definition: Frequently or usually
• Synonyms: Often, usually
• Usage: Used to describe frequency
• Example: "This word is commonly used in academic writing."

24. Consumption

• Definition: Act of using something
• Synonyms: Use, usage
• Usage: Related to energy/resources (e.g., "energy consumption")
• Example: "Reducing energy consumption can help protect the environment."

25. Competence

• Definition: Ability to do something well
• Synonyms: Ability, skill
• Usage: Often in professional/academic contexts
• Example: "Her professional competence was evident in her work."

26. Corruption

• Definition: Dishonest/illegal behavior by those in power
• Synonyms: Dishonesty, fraud
• Usage: Discussed in political/government contexts
• Example: "The investigation revealed widespread political corruption."

27. Downsides/Drawbacks

• Definition: Negative aspects
• Synonyms: Disadvantages, negatives
• Usage: Used in discussing pros/cons
• Example: "One of the major drawbacks of this method is its high cost."

28. Deficiency

• Definition: Lack of something
• Synonyms: Lack, shortage
• Usage: Often related to health/nutrition
• Example: "A vitamin deficiency can cause health problems."

29. Embrace

• Definition: Accept something with enthusiasm
• Synonyms: Accept, welcome
• Usage: Describing acceptance of change/new ideas
• Example: "We need to embrace change to stay competitive."

30. Enhance

• Definition: Improve something
• Synonyms: Improve, boost
• Usage: Often used in context of performance
• Example: "The new software will enhance our performance."

31. Emissions

• Definition: Substances (often gases) released into the air
• Synonyms: Output
• Usage: Discussed in environmental contexts
• Example: "Reducing carbon emissions is vital to combat climate change."

32. Establishments

• Definition: Businesses or organizations
• Synonyms: Institutions, organizations
• Usage: Often used in educational contexts
• Example: "Universities are important educational establishments."

33. Expenditure

• Definition: Money spent on something
• Synonyms: Spending, costs
• Usage: Used in financial/government contexts
• Example: "Government expenditure on healthcare is increasing."

34. Exceed

• Definition: Go beyond a limit
• Synonyms: Surpass, go beyond
• Usage: Used in performance/achievement contexts
• Example: "The team managed to exceed expectations this quarter."

35. Harassment

• Definition: Aggressive pressure/intimidation
• Synonyms: Bullying, intimidation
• Usage: Often discussed in workplace/social contexts
• Example: "The company has policies to prevent workplace harassment."

36. Hence

• Definition: For this reason (linking word)
• Synonyms: Therefore, thus
• Usage: Used to link cause/effect
• Example: "The project is behind schedule, hence the need for extra workers."

37. Informative

• Definition: Providing useful information
• Synonyms: Educational, enlightening
• Usage: Used in educational contexts
• Example: "The lecture was very informative."

38. Infrastructure

• Definition: Basic systems/structures needed for society
• Synonyms: System
• Usage: Discussed in economic/development contexts
• Example: "Good transport infrastructure is essential for economic growth."

39. Insights

• Definition: Understanding/knowledge about something
• Synonyms: Understandings, perceptions
• Usage: Used in analysis or evaluation
• Example: "The survey provided valuable insights into customer preferences."

40. Insufficient

• Definition: Not enough
• Synonyms: Inadequate, lacking
• Usage: Often related to resources/money
• Example: "The project was cancelled due to insufficient funds."

41. Innate

• Definition: Existing from birth
• Synonyms: Inborn, inherent
• Usage: Describing natural abilities
• Example: "She has an innate ability to learn languages quickly."

42. Inappropriate

• Definition: Not suitable/proper
• Synonyms: Unsuitable, improper
• Usage: Often related to behavior
• Example: "His inappropriate behavior at the meeting was not acceptable."

43. Merit

• Definition: Quality of being good/worthy
• Synonyms: Worth, value
• Usage: Used to evaluate quality/achievement
• Example: "Scholarships are often given based on academic merit."

44. Mediocre

• Definition: Not very good, average
• Synonyms: Average, ordinary
• Usage: Describing performance or quality
• Example: "His performance was mediocre, not meeting expectations."

45. Notable

• Definition: Worthy of attention/important
• Synonyms: Remarkable, significant
• Usage: Describing achievements/exceptions
• Example: "Her notable achievements in science earned her several awards."

46. Numerous

• Definition: Many in number
• Synonyms: Many, several
• Usage: Used to quantify/describe frequency
• Example: "She has traveled to Paris numerous times."

47. Peers

• Definition: People of the same age/status
• Synonyms: Equals, colleagues
• Usage: Used in social/educational contexts
• Example: "Adolescents often face peer pressure from their peers."

48. Phenomenon

• Definition: Unusual or interesting occurrence
• Synonyms: Event, occurrence
• Usage: Describing natural/social occurrences
• Example: "The northern lights are a natural phenomenon."

49. Proportion

• Definition: A part of a whole
• Synonyms: Part, portion
• Usage: Used to discuss percentages/ratios
• Example: "A large proportion of the population supports the new law."

50. Revenue

• Definition: Income from business/government
• Synonyms: Income, earnings
• Usage: Used in financial contexts
• Example: "The company’s annual revenue has grown steadily."

51. Resent

• Definition: Feel angry/bitter about something
• Synonyms: Begrudge, dislike
• Usage: Discussing negative emotions
• Example: "He began to resent the implication that he was not working hard enough."

52. Sector

• Definition: Parts/divisions of a larger group
• Synonyms: Divisions, segments
• Usage: Often used in economic/work contexts
• Example: "The public sector employs many people in healthcare and education."

53. Workforce

• Definition: All people working in a company/country
• Synonyms: Staff, employees
• Usage: Discussed in organizational contexts
• Example: "A skilled workforce is key to a company’s success."

54. Gifted

• Definition: Having special talent/ability
• Synonyms: Talented, skilled
• Usage: Often used in educational contexts
• Example: "The school has programs for gifted children in the arts and sciences."

55. Nutritional

• Definition: Relating to nutrients in food
• Synonyms: Dietary, nutritious
• Usage: Used in health/nutrition contexts
• Example: "It is important to consider the nutritional value of your diet."

56. Thrive

• Definition: To grow/develop well
• Synonyms: Flourish, prosper
• Usage: Used to describe success/development
• Example: "Children thrive in a loving and supportive environment."

57. Unsafe

• Definition: Not safe/dangerous
• Synonyms: Dangerous, risky
• Usage: Describing conditions/environments
• Example: "The building was evacuated due to unsafe conditions."

58. Unwind

• Definition: To relax after work/tension
• Synonyms: Relax, rest
• Usage: Often used in leisure/relaxation contexts
• Example: "It is important to unwind after a long day at work."

Conclusion

• Utilize a wide range of vocabulary for better IELTS writing scores
• Use words accurately and appropriately instead of forcing complex words into essays
• Access additional resources and sample essays for further practice