Key points
- Vocabulary is a quarter of your Writing and Speaking bands (Lexical Resource).
- Learn words as phrases (collocations) and by topic, not as single words from a list.
- Accurate, natural vocabulary beats rare “big words” used wrongly.
- Below: 80 useful phrases for the 10 topics that come up most, each with an example sentence.
Good vocabulary helps in every part of IELTS, but it matters most in Writing and Speaking, where it is a quarter of your score. The fastest way to improve isn't memorising long word lists. It's learning useful phrases for the topics that come up again and again.
This guide explains what examiners look for, then gives you 80 phrases for 10 common IELTS topics, each in a natural example sentence you can adapt for your own answers.
How vocabulary is marked in IELTS
The vocabulary criterion is called Lexical Resource. Examiners look at:
- Range: enough vocabulary to discuss the topic without repeating the same words.
- Precision: choosing the right word for the meaning, such as affordable rather than cheap for housing.
- Collocation: natural word partners, such as raise awareness or a balanced diet.
- Less common words: some less common vocabulary, used appropriately, for band 7 and above.
- Spelling and word formation in Writing, and paraphrasing in both.
80 IELTS vocabulary phrases by topic
These topics match the themes in our list of 100 Writing Task 2 questions, so you can use them straight away.
Education
| Phrase | Example |
|---|---|
| tuition fees | Rising tuition fees discourage many students from applying to university. |
| a well-rounded education | Sport and music help give children a well-rounded education. |
| rote learning | Rote learning may help pupils pass exams, but it rarely builds real understanding. |
| critical thinking skills | Group projects develop critical thinking skills that textbooks alone cannot. |
| lifelong learning | Online courses have made lifelong learning possible for busy adults. |
| vocational training | Vocational training prepares young people for practical careers such as plumbing or nursing. |
| academic performance | Lack of sleep can have a negative effect on academic performance. |
| drop out of university | Students who struggle financially are more likely to drop out of university. |
Technology
| Phrase | Example |
|---|---|
| a double-edged sword | Social media is a double-edged sword: it connects people but can also isolate them. |
| screen time | Many parents try to limit their children's screen time. |
| cutting-edge technology | The hospital uses cutting-edge technology to diagnose diseases earlier. |
| become obsolete | Some jobs may become obsolete as machines take over routine tasks. |
| digital literacy | Digital literacy is now almost as important as reading and writing. |
| online privacy | Few users read the terms that explain how their online privacy is protected. |
| automate tasks | Many companies automate repetitive tasks to cut costs. |
| the digital divide | The digital divide leaves some rural communities without reliable internet access. |
Environment
| Phrase | Example |
|---|---|
| carbon emissions | Air travel is a major source of carbon emissions. |
| renewable energy sources | Governments should invest more in renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power. |
| a sustainable lifestyle | Buying less and repairing more are simple steps towards a sustainable lifestyle. |
| deforestation | Deforestation destroys the habitats of countless species. |
| single-use plastics | Several countries have banned single-use plastics such as straws and bags. |
| raise awareness of | Campaigns can raise awareness of the dangers of air pollution. |
| endangered species | Strict laws are needed to protect endangered species from illegal hunting. |
| take drastic measures | Many scientists argue that we must take drastic measures to reduce pollution. |
Health
| Phrase | Example |
|---|---|
| a sedentary lifestyle | Office workers who drive to work often lead a sedentary lifestyle. |
| a balanced diet | A balanced diet includes plenty of fruit and vegetables. |
| preventive healthcare | Investing in preventive healthcare reduces the cost of treating serious illness later. |
| life expectancy | Better sanitation has helped to increase life expectancy in many countries. |
| mental well-being | Spending time outdoors can improve mental well-being. |
| processed food | Processed food is often high in salt and sugar. |
| access to healthcare | People in remote areas often have limited access to healthcare. |
| keep fit | Many people use apps and online videos to keep fit at home. |
Work and careers
| Phrase | Example |
|---|---|
| job satisfaction | For many employees, job satisfaction matters more than salary. |
| work-life balance | Flexible hours help staff maintain a healthy work-life balance. |
| career prospects | Learning a second language can improve your career prospects. |
| remote working | Remote working saves commuting time but can feel isolating. |
| job security | Short-term contracts offer workers little job security. |
| climb the career ladder | Ambitious graduates hope to climb the career ladder quickly. |
| the unemployment rate | The unemployment rate among young people remains high in many regions. |
| transferable skills | Teamwork and communication are transferable skills valued in every industry. |
Cities and transport
| Phrase | Example |
|---|---|
| urban sprawl | Urban sprawl turns farmland into housing estates. |
| traffic congestion | Traffic congestion wastes hours of commuters' time every week. |
| a public transport network | A reliable public transport network reduces the number of cars on the road. |
| affordable housing | A shortage of affordable housing pushes young people out of city centres. |
| green spaces | Parks and other green spaces improve residents' quality of life. |
| the cost of living | The high cost of living in big cities makes it difficult to save money. |
| infrastructure | Rapid population growth puts pressure on infrastructure such as roads and water supply. |
| pedestrian zones | Turning city centres into pedestrian zones can make them safer and quieter. |
Crime and law
| Phrase | Example |
|---|---|
| commit a crime | Young people who commit minor crimes need support as well as punishment. |
| act as a deterrent | Some argue that long prison sentences act as a deterrent. |
| reoffend | Education in prison makes offenders less likely to reoffend. |
| rehabilitation | The aim of rehabilitation is to help offenders return to society. |
| law enforcement | Better training for law enforcement can improve public trust. |
| community service | Community service can be a more useful punishment for minor offences. |
| cybercrime | Cybercrime has grown as more financial transactions move online. |
| crack down on | The government plans to crack down on dangerous driving. |
Media and advertising
| Phrase | Example |
|---|---|
| the mass media | The mass media has a strong influence on public opinion. |
| misinformation | Misinformation spreads quickly because people share stories without checking them. |
| a target audience | Advertisers design campaigns to appeal to a specific target audience. |
| consumer culture | Advertising encourages a consumer culture in which people always want more. |
| an invasion of privacy | Photographing celebrities' children is an invasion of privacy. |
| go viral | A single video can go viral within hours. |
| biased reporting | Biased reporting makes it hard for readers to form their own opinions. |
| influence purchasing decisions | Online reviews strongly influence purchasing decisions. |
Society and family
| Phrase | Example |
|---|---|
| the extended family | In many countries, the nuclear family has gradually replaced the extended family. |
| the generation gap | Technology has widened the generation gap between parents and children. |
| a role model | Parents are usually their children's first role models. |
| peer pressure | Peer pressure can lead teenagers to take unnecessary risks. |
| an ageing population | An ageing population puts pressure on pensions and healthcare. |
| social inequality | Free education can help reduce social inequality. |
| bring up children | Bringing up children in a big city has both advantages and challenges. |
| a sense of community | Local festivals help create a sense of community. |
Travel and globalisation
| Phrase | Example |
|---|---|
| cultural diversity | Cultural diversity makes cities more vibrant and creative. |
| broaden your horizons | Travelling abroad is a great way to broaden your horizons. |
| mass tourism | Mass tourism can damage fragile natural sites. |
| cultural identity | Some people fear that globalisation threatens local cultural identity. |
| the global economy | Small countries often depend heavily on the global economy. |
| multinational companies | Multinational companies create jobs but may push out local businesses. |
| preserve traditions | Festivals help communities preserve their traditions. |
| culture shock | International students often experience culture shock in their first few months. |
The “big words” trap
Many students try to impress the examiner with rare words. If the word is wrong for the context, or used with the wrong partner, it lowers your score instead of raising it.
| Trying too hard | Natural and accurate |
|---|---|
| The government should eradicate traffic. | The government should reduce traffic congestion. |
| Children are bombarded with education. | Children are under a lot of academic pressure. |
| Pollution is a plethora of problems. | Pollution causes a wide range of problems. |
How to learn IELTS vocabulary that sticks
- 1Learn phrases, not single words
Write down the whole collocation: raise awareness of, not just awareness.
- 2Organise by topic
Keep a notebook or app with a page for each IELTS topic, so the words you need are together when you practise.
- 3Write your own sentence
Use each new phrase in a sentence about your own life or country. That's what makes it yours.
- 4Review regularly
Look back at new phrases after a day, a week and a month. Short, regular reviews beat long cramming sessions.
- 5Use it in practice
Bring two or three new phrases into every essay and speaking answer. Our cue cards and Part 3 questions are good places to start.
Free tools to practise vocabulary
- The IELTS vocabulary booster swaps basic words for more precise vocabulary and natural collocations.
- The vocabulary level checker shows how advanced the words in your writing are.
- The paraphrasing tool helps you practise saying the same idea in different words.
Put your vocabulary to work
Write essays and answer Speaking questions in the real exam format, and get AI feedback on your Lexical Resource and the other criteria.
- Writing Task 1 and Task 2 with AI marking
- Speaking Parts 1, 2 and 3
- Track your band as you improve
