Most IELTS vocabulary advice is a list of impressive words. Most candidates who learn those lists do not improve, and some get worse.
The reason is in how vocabulary is marked. Once you see that, the right way to study it is obvious.
How vocabulary is marked
Vocabulary is one of four criteria in Writing and in Speaking. It is called Lexical Resource, and it is worth a quarter of each of those scores.
At Band 7 in Writing, the public descriptors say: “There is some ability to use less common and/or idiomatic items.” In Speaking, Band 7 refers to “some less common and idiomatic vocabulary” and “some awareness of style and collocation”.
Three things matter in that wording.
- “Some.” Not every sentence. A few well-chosen items in an answer are enough.
- “Less common.” Not rare. Affordable is less common than cheap. Ameliorate is rare, and usually sounds wrong.
- “Collocation.” Words that naturally go together. This is where most marks are won and lost.
So the target is not bigger words. It is the right word, with the right partner.
| Weak | Why | Better |
|---|---|---|
| do a decision | Wrong partner | make a decision |
| a big problem | Vague | a serious problem |
| very important | Overused | essential, vital |
| a plethora of cars | Rare word, wrong tone | heavy traffic |
| solve the pollution | Wrong partner | reduce pollution |
Vocabulary by topic
These are the ten topic families that Writing Task 2 and Speaking Part 3 return to. Each list gives collocations, not single words, with a sentence showing one in use.
Education
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| compulsory education | schooling that the law requires |
| vocational training | courses that prepare you for a specific job |
| academic achievement | how well students do in their studies |
| acquire a skill | learn how to do something |
| tuition fees | money paid for teaching |
| a well-rounded education | one that covers many subjects |
| drop out of school | leave before finishing |
| lifelong learning | continuing to study as an adult |
Vocational training gives young people a direct route into work, while a well-rounded education makes them more adaptable.
Technology
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| rely heavily on | depend on a great deal |
| keep in touch with | stay in contact with |
| access to information | the ability to find information |
| screen time | hours spent looking at a device |
| labour-saving devices | machines that reduce work |
| become obsolete | be replaced and no longer used |
| online privacy | control over your personal data |
| a digital divide | the gap between those with and without technology |
Children who rely heavily on screens may spend less time on face-to-face conversation.
Environment
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| tackle climate change | deal with it |
| reduce carbon emissions | produce less carbon dioxide |
| renewable energy | power from sources that do not run out |
| single-use plastic | plastic thrown away after one use |
| a sustainable lifestyle | one that does not damage the future |
| natural resources | water, land, forests, minerals |
| environmentally friendly | not harmful to nature |
| raise awareness of | make people know about |
Governments can tackle climate change far more effectively than individuals, because they can invest in renewable energy.
Work and careers
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| job satisfaction | how happy you are in your work |
| work-life balance | time divided between job and private life |
| job security | confidence that you will keep your job |
| career prospects | chances of future success at work |
| work remotely | work away from the office |
| a heavy workload | a lot of work to do |
| earn a living | make the money you need |
| a competitive salary | pay that is as good as elsewhere |
Many graduates now value work-life balance and job satisfaction above a competitive salary.
Health
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| a balanced diet | the right mix of foods |
| a sedentary lifestyle | one with little physical activity |
| take regular exercise | exercise often |
| public health | the health of the population |
| preventive care | treatment that stops illness starting |
| mental well-being | psychological health |
| life expectancy | how long people live on average |
| processed food | food changed by manufacturing |
A sedentary lifestyle combined with processed food has led to rising health problems in many cities.
Society and government
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| public spending | money a government spends |
| introduce a law | make a new law |
| impose a tax | make people pay a tax |
| the crime rate | how much crime there is |
| a deterrent | something that discourages an action |
| social inequality | unfair differences between groups |
| take responsibility for | accept a duty |
| the cost of living | how much daily life costs |
Imposing a tax on sugary drinks may act as a deterrent, but it also raises the cost of living for poorer families.
Globalisation and culture
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| cultural heritage | traditions and buildings from the past |
| cultural diversity | variety of cultures |
| preserve traditions | keep them alive |
| the tourism industry | businesses serving visitors |
| local communities | people who live in an area |
| a sense of identity | a feeling of who you are |
| the global economy | the world’s trade and money |
| adapt to a new culture | get used to it |
Tourism brings income to local communities, yet it can make it harder to preserve traditions.
Family and generations
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| an ageing population | one with a growing share of old people |
| raise children | bring them up |
| the older generation | people who are elderly now |
| a close-knit family | one whose members are very close |
| childcare costs | money paid for looking after children |
| the birth rate | number of births in a population |
| extended family | grandparents, aunts, cousins |
| financial support | help with money |
An ageing population means that fewer working adults must provide financial support for the older generation.
Media and advertising
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| a reliable source | one you can trust |
| misleading information | information that gives a false idea |
| target an audience | aim at a particular group |
| consumer behaviour | how people shop |
| brand loyalty | always buying the same brand |
| have an influence on | affect |
| social media platforms | sites such as video and messaging apps |
| go viral | spread very quickly online |
Advertising that targets children can have a lasting influence on consumer behaviour.
Cities and transport
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| heavy traffic | a lot of vehicles |
| traffic congestion | roads blocked by traffic |
| public transport | buses, trains and trams |
| affordable housing | homes people can pay for |
| urban areas | cities and towns |
| commute to work | travel to your job |
| rush hour | the busiest travel time |
| green spaces | parks and gardens |
Investing in public transport is the most realistic way to reduce traffic congestion in urban areas.
Vocabulary for Writing Task 1
Academic Task 1 uses a small, fixed set of language. It is worth learning exactly.
| To say | Verbs | Nouns |
|---|---|---|
| Up | rise, increase, grow, climb | a rise, an increase, growth |
| Down | fall, decrease, decline, drop | a fall, a decrease, a decline |
| No change | remain stable, level off | a period of stability |
| Up and down | fluctuate | a fluctuation |
| Highest point | peak at, reach a peak of | a peak |
| How fast or how much | Adjective | Adverb |
|---|---|---|
| Large | sharp, dramatic, significant | sharply, dramatically, significantly |
| Medium | steady, moderate | steadily, moderately |
| Small | slight, gradual | slightly, gradually |
Two patterns cover most sentences: sales rose sharply (verb + adverb) and there was a sharp rise in sales (adjective + noun). Use both, so you do not repeat one structure. The Task 1 guide shows them in full answers.
Words that cost marks
- Memorised “advanced” words such as plethora, myriad and ameliorate. They are usually a little wrong in context, and that shows less control, not more.
- Idioms in essays. A double-edged sword and every coin has two sides appear in thousands of scripts and add nothing.
- Informal words in Task 2. Kids, stuff, a lot of, gonna. Write children, items, many.
- Vague words. Good, bad, thing, nice. Say what kind of good: effective, affordable, reliable.
- Repeating the question’s words. Paraphrase where you can: young people for teenagers, employment for jobs.
For Speaking, the rules are slightly different, because natural phrasal verbs are welcome there. IELTS Speaking vocabulary covers that side.
How to learn it
- One topic at a time. Take one list above.
- Write your own sentence for each collocation, about your own life or country.
- Use five of them the same day in a Task 2 paragraph and in a spoken answer.
- Review after a week. Cover the collocation and try to recall it from the meaning.
- Collect from reading. When you read an article on a topic, note three word pairs you would not have produced yourself.
A word you have only read is one you recognise. A word you have used three times is one you own, and only the second kind appears in the test.
Practise it
Write a Task 2 paragraph using one topic list and put it through the IELTS writing checker. It gives Lexical Resource its own band and points to the word choices that lowered it.
Sources
- IELTS Writing band descriptors (PDF) The public Lexical Resource descriptors for Writing, including the Band 7 wording quoted in this guide.
- IELTS Speaking band descriptors (PDF) The public Lexical Resource descriptors for Speaking, including the Band 7 reference to less common and idiomatic vocabulary and to collocation.
Last reviewed October 5, 2026. See our editorial policy for how guides are checked and corrected.
Frequently asked questions
- How many words do I need to know for IELTS?
- There is no official word list or number. What is marked is whether you can discuss a range of topics precisely and naturally. Twenty collocations you can use correctly on each common topic will do more for your band than a list of two thousand single words.
- Is there an official IELTS vocabulary list?
- No. IELTS does not publish one. Lists you find online are made by teachers and publishers. They can be useful for ideas, but no list is tested directly, and learning words without their collocations rarely improves a score.
- Do difficult words give a higher IELTS band?
- Not by themselves. The descriptors reward precise meaning and natural collocation. A rare word used slightly wrongly lowers your score, because it shows less control. A common word used exactly right does not.
- What is a collocation?
- A pair or group of words that naturally go together, such as make a decision, heavy traffic or highly unlikely. Native speakers do not say do a decision or strong traffic. Using collocations correctly is named in the band descriptors.
- Should I use idioms in IELTS Writing?
- No. Task 2 is formal, and colourful idioms such as a piece of cake are out of place in it. In Speaking, natural phrasal verbs and everyday expressions are welcome, but proverbs and memorised sayings sound rehearsed.
- What is the best way to learn IELTS vocabulary?
- By topic and in use. Choose one topic, learn eight to ten collocations with an example sentence each, then use them the same day in a paragraph and in a spoken answer. Review them a week later. Words you have used are words you keep.