IELTS Training with Jonathan

Helping Busy People Succeed in IELTS.

IELTS Vocabulary Guides

How to improve your IELTS Vocabulary – Coherence, Range and Sophistication.

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What is IELTS vocabulary development

Vocabulary is not just the vocabulary you know, but also how you are able to apply it in the test.

Examining the marking descriptors for IELTS Writing Task 1 and 2 and IELTS Speaking tells me that LEXICAL RESOURCE is a feature of both parts.

A criteria for a higher band is ‘skillfully uses uncommon lexical items’ and another is ‘sufficient range of vocabulary to allow flexibility and precision’.

You can impress the examiner and increase your IELTS Band in IELTS Writing by paraphrasing and by providing a selection of naturally produced synonyms.

IELTS SPELLINGS JONATHAN

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Paraphrasing

In IELTS Speaking you can do something similar, and in addition you can rephrase your own remarks. 

However, don’t just repeat every question the examiner gives.

In my experience, that would just annoys the examiner!

Using Synonyms

Look at these examples and consider how they second example is a paraphrase, uses synonyms effectively , or rephrases the first example.

  • Much of the Middle-East is rich but when you think of modern Arabia, you think of oil, and unimaginable wealth.
  • When I moved to the area I discovered some important things. The region was poor, the average wage was only $5 a week.
  • Where does the City of London derive most of its wealth from? Well, banking is one of London’s main sources of income.
  • The industry has faced a number of challenges… and some companies have been killed by cheap competition from other countries …
  • Britain used outposts around the globe to establish its maritime and trading dominance in the period, but by 1997 Britain gave up one of its last colonies when it returned Hong Kong to China.
  • The office staff deal with these types of enquiry, so if you have any questions about tuition fees then speak to one of the university administrators.

Paraphrase IELTS Jonathan

Higher Level Language

Consider the examples below and see how they second example is a paraphrase, uses synonyms effectively , or rephrases the first example.

  • Astute class submarines can dive to over 1,000 feet. (Astute submarines can go to depths of over 300 metres)
  • The American car industry has suffered because of cheaper foreign imports. (Imports by foreign car manufacturers have effected the domestic production of American automobiles)
Leaner Training

Find the highlighted word and provide a suitable synonym that fits grammatically and does not change the  sentence meaning

1 University is likely to provide many opportunities for a student’s personal social and self-development. In many cases, the opportunities offered by a university are just as important to potential students as academic standards and credentials.

2 A greater number of people seem to be more socially aware of ecological and environmental issues in the 21st century, more so in the younger generations.

3 Ideas around patriarchy are being challenged by the young, educated youth of developed countries. However, these ideas still remain strong in older people who hold on to the traditions of the previous generation.

4 For many, access to the credit facilities required in the modern economy are challenging due to the competition for jobs that often results in stagnated wages.

5 The importance of a university education is often underestimated.

6 The value of a tertiary education is often not considered important.

7 The social aspects of a high education are often considered more important that the academic standards.

8 Due to the restricted land and the pressure to build new housing stock, the location of new housing is sometimes ill conceived, resulting in housing being built on natural flood plains.

9 An individual’s motivation to perform well academically is often related to, among other reasons,  the individuals financial background.

10 In comparison to Europeans, many adult Asians do not have the ability to tolerate lactose in dairy products such as milk. This is because European cultures have had dairy farms longer than Asians.

11 The feeling of anxiety can be common in children because a child may feel uneasy but doesn’t know why.

Answers

Answer

1 University is likely to provide many opportunities for a student’s personal social and self-development. In many cases, the new experiences offered by a university are just as important to potential students as academic standards and credentials.

2 A increasing number of people seem to be more socially aware of ecological and environmental issues in the 21st century, more so in the younger generations.

3 Ideas around patriarchy are being challenged by the young, educated youth of developed countries. However, these ideas still remain strong in older people who hold on to the ideas of the previous generation.

4 For many, the ability to access the credit facilities required in the modern economy are challenging due to the competition for jobs that often results in depressed wages.

5 The importance of a university education is often undervalued.

6 The value of a higher-level education is often not considered important.

7 The social sides of a high education are often considered more important that the academic standards.

8 Due to the restricted land and the pressure to build new housing stock, the location of new housing is sometimes not planned well resulting in housing being built on natural flood plains.

9 An individual’s motivation to perform well academically is often related to, among other reasons,  the financial background of an individual.

10 In comparison to Europeans, many adult Asians are lactose intolerant in dairy products such as milk. This is because European cultures have had dairy farms longer than Asians.

11 The feeling of anxiety can be common in children because a child may feel restless but doesn’t know why.

I hope that you found this information useful and you have taken on board some of the tips.

Please share to someone you know and in the meantime take a look at my

Facebook Page and Website for IELTS answers and you can also join my Facebook Group here too.

I also recommend taking a look at my free blog below, or sign up to my Newsletter which gives further instruction on how to give that perfect Task Response:

IELTS TRAINING JONATHAN

I’m Jonathan

I’ve taught IELTS and University English in more than a dozen universities and schools around the world.

I’m a parent, traveller and passionate about language teaching and helping students achieve their dreams.

Whilst living in Austria or working in Asia, I run IELTS courses to help students get to where they want to be.

If you are serious about IELTS, connect with me to see how I can help you.

Sign up to the Newsletter

How to learn vocabulary for the IELTS test – Week 5

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IELTS Vocabulary to learn – Week 5

The focus for the classes in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China were related to the importance of the Present Perfect. The class established that for their writing, 3 aspects need to be remembered. 

Introducing trends

Introducing significant information

and on a personal level to consider life experience (always with some relevance to now)

The class also practiced contrasting this with the Past Simple for finished actions and events in both speaking and writing.

I got the chance to visit Pingyaogucheng, an ancient walled city with preserved administration buildings as well as Confucius and Taoist temples.

Every week on this course, there has been a short test on some of the most common vocabulary from the texts and listening we have been using, and I’d like to share these with you.

These are very common academic words, and can occur in any exam text or listening.

Academic Vocabulary IELTS

High Frequency IELTS Words

As they are high frequency words, then they can occur in the IELTS test too.

You should also be able to use these words in speaking and writing, so pay attention to their meaning and check the pronunciation.

I’ve provided a mini quiz for you to consider at the end too.

Vocabulary to learn – week 5

This week, you need to study the words but give examples of their use yourself. These examples, should not come from the texts/listenings/example essay, but they should be your own examples. Submit your example sentences to your teacher on the first day of week 6. There will also be a test.

Word

Definition/synonym

regional (adj)

Relating to or coming from a particular part of a country

conventional (adj)

A conventional method, product, practice etc. has been used for a long time and is considered the usual type.

reliability (n)

How accurate or able to be trusted someone or something is considered to be.

annual (adj)

Relating to a period of one year/happening once every year.

implement (v)

implementation (n)

Verb: To start using a plan or system.

Noun: The act of putting a plan into action or of starting to use something.

Learn and make example sentences for both forms.

phase (n)

One of the stages of a process of development or change.

capacity (n)

The total amount that can be contained or produced, or (especially of a person or organization) the ability to do a particular thing.

trend (n)

A general development or change in a situation or in the way that people are behaving.

co-operation (n)

The act of working together with someone or doing what they ask you.

flexibility (n)

flexible (adj)

Noun: The ability to change or be changed easily according to the situation.

Adjective: Able to change or be changed easily according to the situation.

Learn and make example sentences for both forms.

subsidy (n)

Money given as part of the cost of something, to help or encourage it to happen.

highlight (v)

To attract attention to or emphasize something important.

widespread (adj)

Existing or happening in many places and/or among many people.

attain (v)

To reach or succeed in getting something.

furthermore (conj)

In addition; more importantly.

project (v)

To calculate an amount or number expected in the future from information already known.

alter (v)

To change something, usually slightly, or to cause the characteristics of something to change.

decline (v)

To gradually become less, worse, or lower.

panel (n)

A small group of people chosen to give advice, make a decision, or publicly discuss their opinions as entertainment.

reluctant (adj)

Not willing to do something and therefore slow to do it.

couple (v)

To join or combine.

stability (n)

stable (adj)

Noun: A situation in which something is not likely to move or change.

Adjective: Firmly fixed or not likely to move or change.

Learn and make example sentences for both forms.

infrastructure (n)

The basic systems and services, such as transport and power supplies, that a country or organization uses in order to work effectively.

funding (n)

fund (v)

Noun: Money given by a government or organization for an event or activity.

Verb: To provide the money to pay for an event, activity, or organization.

Learn and make example sentences for both forms.

You might be interested in this post: How to write complex sentences for IELTS


If you are confident you know these words, you can try and complete this mini test. You can do this in your head, or on paper.

IELTS Vocabulary Test

Vocabulary quiz week 5

 

Part 1: Dictation

Write down the words you hear and their part of speech (noun/adjective/verb/adverb etc.)

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

 LISTEN HERE

Part 2: Comprehension

Match the following words to their correct definitions

 

Word

Definition

1 regional (adj)

A One of the stages of a process of development or change.

2 annual (adj)

B Money given as part of the cost of something, to help or encourage it to happen.

3 phase (n)

C Relating to or coming from a particular part of a country

4 subsidy (n)

D Existing or happening in many places and/or among many people

5 widespread (adj)

E Relating to a period of one year/happening once every year

 

 

  1. Use the correct words in the box below in the following sentences. The words in the box are given in their base forms, you may need to add tense, a 3rd person singular s on verbs, or a plural marker on nouns. Also, this time there are 15 words in the box and only 10 sentences, so some words should not be used.

conventional, trend, flexibility, flexible, project, decline, stability, stable, funding, fund, implement, implementation, attain, couple, highlight

  1. In a job, of working hours is very important to me. I like to be able to work when I want to.
  2. Concern about farming methods, with health awareness, have led to a fall in meat consumption.
  3. There is a financial compensation for victims of crime.
  4. Some people think that alternative medicines are preferable over medicines. This can lead to major health problems.
  5. We will soon fully our new computerized system. It will be exciting to see theory applied to practice.
  6. Social is very important for a country’s economy. Social unrest often leads to economic decline.
  7. The figures show an upward in sales.
  8. As people live longer, the demand for health care is to increase dramatically.
  9. However, due to lower birth rates, the number of tax payers paying for that increased demand is expected to

                                                 sharply.

  1. She has a high level of fitness in a very short time. I really wonder how she managed to reach that.

 

Total:                    /15

and here are the answers

Vocabulary quiz week 5 (For first day of week 6)

 

Part 1: Dictation

Write down the words you hear and their part of speech (noun/adjective/verb/adverb etc.)

  1. reliability (n)
  2. capacity (n)
  3. co-operation (cooperation) (n)
  4. infrastructure (n)
  5. furthermore (adv)

 

Part 2: Comprehension

Match the following words to their correct definitions

 

Word

Definition

1 regional (adj)

A One of the stages of a process of development or change.

2 annual (adj)

B Money given as part of the cost of something, to help or encourage it to happen.

3 phase (n)

C Relating to or coming from a particular part of a country

4 subsidy (n)

D Existing or happening in many places and/or among many people

5 widespread (adj)

E Relating to a period of one year/happening once every year

 

1C, 2E, 3A, 4B, 5D

  1. Use the correct words in the box below in the following sentences. The words in the box are given in their base forms, you may need to add tense, a 3rd person singular s on verbs, or a plural marker on nouns. Also, this time there are 15 words in the box and only 10 sentences, so some words should not be used.

conventional, trend, flexibility, flexible, project, decline, stability, stable, funding, fund, implement, implementation, attain, couple, highlight

  1. In a job, flexibility of working hours is very important to me
  2. Concern about farming methods, coupled with health awareness, have led to a fall in meat consumption.
  3. There is a financial compensation fund for victims of crime.
  4. Some people think that alternative medicines are preferable over conventional medicines.
  5. We will soon fully implement our new computerized system.
  6. Social stability is very important for a country’s economy.
  7. The figures show an upward trend in sales.
  8. As people live longer, the demand for health care is projected to increase dramatically.
  9. However, the number of tax payers paying for that increased demand is expected to decline sharply.
  10. She has attained a high level of fitness in a very short time.

 

(subtract ½ mark for grammar errors)

 

Total:                    /15

I’m Jonathan

I’ve taught IELTS and University English in more than a dozen universities and schools around the world.

I’m a parent, traveller and passionate about language teaching and helping students achieve their dreams.

Whilst living in Austria or working in Asia, I run IELTS courses to help students get to where they want to be.

If you are serious about IELTS, connect with me to see how I can help you.

Sign up to the Newsletter

How to learn vocabulary for the IELTS test – Week 3

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IELTS Vocabulary to learn – Week 3

Writing from Taiyuan, Shanxi Province in China, this week students have been working on structuring their writing in terms or organisation, logic and use of linking words to signal progression and change throughout their essays and I’ve been lucky enough to visit some of the oldest Buddhist Pegodas in China as well as more modern areas of development.

This week on this course, there has been a short test on some of the most common vocabulary from the texts and listening we have been using, and I’d like to share these with you.

These are very common academic words, and can occur in any exam text or listening.

Academic Vocabulary for IELTS

High Frequency IELTS Words

As they are high frequency words, then they can occur in the IELTS test too.

You should also be able to use these words in speaking and writing, so pay attention to their meaning and check the pronunciation.

I’ve provided a mini quiz for you to consider at the end too.

Vocabulary to learn – week 3

This week, you need to study the words but give examples of their use yourself. These examples, should not come from the texts/listenings/example essay, but they should be your own examples. Submit your example sentences to your teacher on the first day of week 4. There will also be a test.

Word

Definition/synonym

area (n)

1.       a region of a country or city

2.       a part of a subject or activity

complex (adj)

Involving a lot of different but connected parts in a way that is difficult to understand.

expand (v)

To increase in size or amount, or to make something increase.

sector (n)

One part of a country’s economy.

document (v)

To support an opinion, argument etc. with recorded facts.

perceive (v)

To think of something or someone in a particular way.

approximately (adv)

Close to a particular number or time although not exactly that number or time.

adequate (adj)

Enough in quantity or of a good enough quality for a particular purpose.

conversely (adv)

Used to introduce something that is different to something you have just said.

legally (adv)

Allowed by law.

investment (n)

The money that you put in a bank, business, etc in order to make a profit, or the act of doing this (Make an investment).

method (n)

A way of doing something, often one that involves a system or plan.

regulation (n)

An official rule that controls how something is done.

emerge (v)

To become known.

adapt (v)

To change something so that it is suitable for a different use or situation.

sum (n) (money)

An amount of money.

find (v) (to learn something by study)

To discover or learn something by study, tests, sums etc.

facilitate (v)

To make something possible or easier.

conduct (v)

To organize or do something.

exclusively (adv)

only


If you are confident you know these words, you can try and complete this mini test. You can do this in your head, or on paper.

IELTS Vocabulary Test

Vocabulary quiz week 3 (For first day of week 4)

 

Part 1: Dictation

Write down the words you hear and their part of speech (noun/adjective/verb/adverb etc.)

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

 

Part 2: Comprehension

  1. Use the correct words in the box below in the following sentences. The words in the box are given in their base forms, you may need to add tense, a 3rd person singular s on verbs, or a plural marker on nouns.

Area, expand, document, legally, regulation, find, approximately, conversely

 

  1. There are many of study that are concerned with environmental protection these days.
  2. The study various aspects of Chinese life in this period.
  3. The staff of any organisation are its best ambassadors or                 may be its worst.
  4. People in Britain reach adulthood at 18.
  5. They their retail operations during the 1980s.
  6. I don’t think we should our business in the current economic climate.
  7. In 1992 the population of Cairo was 6,500,000.
  8. The correct procedure is laid down in the rules and .
  9. The study that 60% of small and mid-sized firms in and around Paris reported a drop in sales since the strikes began.

 

 

Total:                    /14

and here are the answers

Vocabulary quiz week 3 (For first day of week 4)

 

Part 1: Dictation

Write down the words you hear and their part of speech (noun/adjective/verb/adverb etc.)

  1. adapt (v)
  2. sum (n)
  3. perceive (v )
  4. emerge (v)
  5. adequate (adj)

 

Part 2: Comprehension

  1. Use the correct words in the box below in the following sentences. The words in the box are given in their base forms, you may need to add tense, a 3rd person singular s on verbs, or a plural marker on nouns.

Area, expand, document, legally, regulation, find, approximately, conversely

 

  1. There are many areas of study that are concerned with environmental protection these days.
  2. The study documents various aspects of Chinese life in this period.
  3. The staff of any organisation are its best ambassadors or conversely may be its worst.
  4. People in Britain legally reach adulthood at 18.
  5. They expanded their retail operations during the 1980s.
  6. I don’t think we should expand our business in the current economic climate.
  7. In 1992 the population of Cairo was approximately 6,500,000.
  8. The correct procedure is laid down in the rules and regulations.
  9. The study found that 60% of small and mid-sized firms in and around Paris reported a drop in sales since the strikes began.

 (subtract ½ mark for grammar errors)

 

Total:                    /14

I’m Jonathan

I’ve taught IELTS and University English in more than a dozen universities and schools around the world.

I’m a parent, traveller and passionate about language teaching and helping students achieve their dreams.

Whilst living in Austria or working in Asia, I run IELTS courses to help students get to where they want to be.

If you are serious about IELTS, connect with me to see how I can help you.

Sign up to the Newsletter

How to correct IELTS Grammar and Vocabulary for Cohesion – 1

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IELTS Unity and Cohesion  – Week 1

An aspect of the last week of teaching in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province , China, has been identifying key a variety sentences structures in a reading passages, and incorporating these into our writing.

One of the most important skills any teacher should process is the ability to get meaning from language that is incomplete or not error free.

A useful tool teachers can give students is ‘error correction’.

Here are some real examples that will help you understand more complex aspects of English. 

IELTS Cohesion Complex Sentences

Using  words and grammar for meaning and clarity

By the end of this class you should be able to:

  • Use strategies to decipher typical mistakes from a variety of First Language users and practice predicting and improving meaning.

IELTS ERRORS

Grammar corrections from ‘My Exam with Jonathan’ Course

  • Using computer to study on line become a popular tendency.
  • Using a computer to study online has become popular.
  • This essay to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of online learning.
  • This essay will discuss/ discusses the advantages and disadvantages of online learning.
  • Compare with traditional class, student can stay at home to study.
  • Compared with traditional classes, students can remain/stay at home and study.
  • Even through, student gain knowledge at night rather than in the whole day.
  • Students are able to gain/acquire knowledge during the day and even at night.

IELTS MISTAKES

Part 2

  • If the place is not Wifi or internet, students cannot online learning.
  • If there is no access to Wifi or the internet, students cannot access online learning.
  • I would to choose somewhere place which have internet.
  • It is better to choose somewhere that has access to the internet.
  • People will spend lots of money for books.
  • People often spend a large amount of money on books.
  • However, online learning need not to pay the facilities and books.
  • In contrast, online learning does not require the payment for facilities and books.
  • There are many benefits about it include convenience. However, it also have some weakness.
  • There may be many benefits, such as/ including convenience, however there are also some weaknesses.
  • Firstly, online learning is convenient for students who not attend the traditional class.
  • Firstly, for those who cannot attend traditional classes, online learning offers convenience.

Writing for IELTS Complex snetences

I’m Jonathan

I’ve taught IELTS and University English in more than a dozen universities and schools around the world.

I’m a parent, traveller and passionate about language teaching and helping students achieve their dreams.

Whilst living in Austria or working in Asia, I run IELTS courses to help students get to where they want to be.

If you are serious about IELTS, connect with me to see how I can help you.

Sign up to the Newsletter

How to learn vocabulary for the IELTS test – Week 6

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IELTS Vocabulary to learn – Week 6

It’s getting near the end of my visit Taiyuan, Shanxi Province in China.

As we are nearing the week of exams, the focus has been on Speaking fluency.

A particular point that we have been working on has been making sure that

the discussion is relevant 

and explanation is attempted

an example is given

as well as a reason.

An important aspect for this exam is asking for clarification, but that is not necessary for the IELTS test!

Again there has been a short test this week on some of the most common vocabulary from the texts and listening we have been using, and I’d like to share these with you.

These are very common academic words, and can occur in any exam text or listening.

Vocabulary IELTS

High Frequency IELTS Words

As they are high frequency words, then they can occur in the IELTS test too.

You should also be able to use these words in speaking and writing, so pay attention to their meaning and check the pronunciation.

I’ve provided a mini quiz for you to consider at the end too.

Vocabulary to learn – week 6

This week, you need to study the words but give examples of their use yourself. These examples, should not come from the texts/listenings/example essay, but they should be your own examples. Submit your example sentences to your teacher on the first day of week 7. There will also be a test.

Word

Definition/synonym

factor (n)

A fact or situation that influences the result of something.

assistance (n)

Help.

seek (v)

To ask for advice, help, approval, permission, etc..

debate (n)

A serious discussion of a subject in which many people take part.

undertake (v)

To do or begin to do something, especially something that will take a long time or be difficult.

whereas (conj)

Compared with the fact that; but.

motivate (v)

motivation (n)

Verb: To make someone want to do something well.

Noun: Enthusiasm for doing something.

aid (v)

To help.

isolation (n)

isolated (adj)

Noun: the condition of being alone, especially when this makes you feel unhappy.

Adjective: feeling unhappy because of not seeing or talking to other people.

inevitable (adj)

Certain to happen and unable to be avoided or prevented.

via (prep)

Using a particular machine, system, or person to send or receive something.

diminished (adj)

To reduce or be reduced in size or importance.

passive (adj)

Not acting to influence or change a situation; allowing other people to be in control (usually negative).

supplement (v)

To add something to something to make it larger or better.

resource (n)

A useful or valuable possession or quality of a country, organization, or person.

link (v)

to make a connection between two or more people, things, or ideas:

outcome (n)

A result or effect of an action, situation, etc.

majority (n)

The larger number or part of something.

comment (n)

Something that you say or write that expresses your opinion.

IELTS

If you are confident you know these words, you can try and complete this mini test. You can do this in your head, or on paper.

IELTS Vocabulary Test

Vocabulary quiz week 6 (For first day of week 7)

 

Part 1: Dictation

Write down the words you hear and their part of speech (noun/adjective/verb/adverb etc.)

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

 

Part 2: Comprehension

  1. Match the following words to their correct synonyms

Word

Definition

1. assistance (n)

a. but

2. whereas (Conj)

b. to help

3. link (v)

c. do

4. undertake (v)

d. help

5. aid (v)

e. connect

 

  1. Use the correct words in the box below in the following sentences. The words in the box are given in their base forms, you may need to add tense, a 3rd person singular s on verbs, or a plural marker on nouns. Also, this time there are 11 words in the box and only 6 sentences, so 5 words should not be used.

factor, seek, debate, motivate, motivation, isolation, isolated, passive, resource, outcome, comment

  1. There is a lack of among the staff. They do really want to do their work.
  2. Her about my work really showed she did not like it, which really hurt.
  3. Kazuo felt very at his new school. He had no friends and everybody else knew everybody.
  4. In this article, we for a solution to this common problem.
  5. This country has immense natural waiting to be tapped.
  6. There has been a lot of public on the safety of food.

 

Total:                    /16

and here are the answers

Vocabulary quiz week 6 (For first day of week 7)

 

Part 1: Dictation

Write down the words you hear and their part of speech (noun/adjective/verb/adverb etc.)

  1. via (Prep)
  2. supplement (n)
  3. majority (n)
  4. diminished (adj)
  5. inevitable (adj)

 

Part 2: Comprehension

  1. Match the following words to their correct synonyms

Word

Definition

1. assistance (n)

a. but

2. whereas (Conj)

b. to help

3. link (v)

c. do

4. undertake (v)

d. help

5. aid (v)

e. connect

 

1d, 2a, 3e, 4c, 5b

  1. Use the correct words in the box below in the following sentences. The words in the box are given in their base forms, you may need to add tense, a 3rd person singular s on verbs, or a plural marker on nouns. Also, this time there are 11 words in the box and only 6 sentences, so 5 words should not be used.

factor, seek, debate, motivate, motivation, isolation, isolated, passive, resource, outcome, comment

 

  1. There is a lack of motivation among the staff. They do really want to do their work.
  2. Her comments/comment about my work really showed she did not like it, which really hurt.
  3. Kazuo felt very isolated at his new school. He had no friends and everybody else knew everybody.
  4. In this article, we seek for a solution to this common problem.
  5. This country has immense natural resources waiting to be tapped.
  6. There has been a lot of public debate on the safety of food.

 

(subtract ½ mark for grammar errors)

 

Total:                    /15

I’m Jonathan

I’ve taught IELTS and University English in more than a dozen universities and schools around the world.

I’m a parent, traveller and passionate about language teaching and helping students achieve their dreams.

Whilst living in Austria or working in Asia, I run IELTS courses to help students get to where they want to be.

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How to learn vocabulary for the IELTS test – Week 4

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IELTS Vocabulary to learn – Week 4

While I have been working from Taiyuan, Shanxi Province in China I got the opportunity to travel by bullet train to Beijing to visit colleagues from the past.

It was interesting catch up with and to talk to them about their IELTS experiences in China. Back to teaching.

So this week on the course, the short test was about the most common vocabulary from the texts and listening we have been using, and of course, I’d like to share these with you.

These are very common academic words, and can occur in any exam text or listening.

IELTS ACADEMIC VOCABULARY

High Frequency IELTS Words

As they are high frequency words, then they can occur in the IELTS test too.

You should also be able to use these words in speaking and writing, so pay attention to their meaning and check the pronunciation.

I’ve provided a mini quiz for you to consider at the end too.

Vocabulary to learn – week 4

This week, you need to study the words but give examples of their use yourself. These examples, should not come from the texts/listenings/example essay, but they should be your own examples. Submit your example sentences to your teacher on the first day of week 5. There will also be a test.

Word

Definition/synonym

dominate (v)

To be the largest, most important, or most noticeable part of something.

generate (v)

1.       To cause something to exist.

2.       (in this exam) To produce energy.

Make two example sentences and make sure you know both meanings.

convert (v)

To change the appearance, form, or purpose of something.

create (v)

To make something happen or exist.

source (n)

1.       A thing, place or activity that you get something from.

2.       (Very important academic meaning) A person, book or document that supplies you with information.

Make two example sentences and make sure you know both meanings.

utilise (v)

To use something in an effective way.

reliance (n)

The fact of depending on someone or something.

rely (v)

To need someone or something in order to be successful, work correctly, etc.

item (n)

A single thing in a set or on a list.

exploit (v)

1.       To use or develop something for your advantage. (In this text, and this meaning is common in academic English)

2.       To not pay or reward someone enough for something (common more general meaning)

Make two example sentences and make sure you know both meanings.

pursue (v)

If you pursue a plan, activity, or situation, you try to do it or achieve it, usually over a long period of time.

percentage (n)

An amount of something, expressed as a number out of 100.

alternative (n)

 

One of two or more things that you can choose between.

domestic (adj)

1.       Inside one country and not international (in this text, academic).

2.       Inside the home (general)

Make two example sentences and make sure you know both meanings.

release (v)

1.       To let a substance flow out from somewhere.

2.       To allow a prisoner to be free (more common general meaning)

occur (v)

To happen, often without being planned.

policy (n)

A set of ideas or a plan of what to do in particular situations that has been agreed by a government, business, etc.

evidence (v)

To show that something exists or is true.

community (n)

1.       The people living in a particular area.

2.       A group of people with the same interests, nationality, job, etc.

Make two example sentences and make sure you know both meanings.

impact (v, n)

Verb: To have an influence on something.

Noun: A powerful effect that something, especially something new, has on a situation or person.

Learn and make example sentences for both forms.

IELTS Vocabulary Test

If you are confident you know these words, you can try and complete this mini test. You can do this in your head, or on paper.

Vocabulary quiz week 4 (For first day of week 5)

 

Part 1: Dictation

Write down the words you hear and their part of speech (noun/adjective/verb/adverb etc.)

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

 

Part 2: Comprehension

  1. Use the correct words in the box below in the following sentences. The words in the box are given in their base forms, you may need to add tense, a 3rd person singular s on verbs, or a plural marker on nouns.

dominate, create, utilise, pursue, alternative, exploit, policy, community, impact, release

  1. Coal power stations sulphur dioxide into the atmosphere.
  2. In the absence of any better , we will have to proceed with the original plan.
  3. Her ideas have attracted a lot of attention in the scientific .
  4. The investment strategy is by experienced multinationals.
  5. This decision will have a disastrous on foreign policy.
  6. Exporters can currently the favourable exchange rates.
  7. The merger of these two companies would the world’s biggest accounting firm.
  8. We need to decide soon what marketing strategy we should for these new products.
  9. What is your party’s on immigration?
  10. The dispute is likely to the news.

 

Total:                    /

and here are the answers

Vocabulary quiz week 4 (For first day of week 5)

 

Part 1: Dictation

Write down the words you hear and their part of speech (noun/adjective/verb/adverb etc.)

  1. generate (v)
  2. convert (v)
  3. rely (v)
  4. percentage (n)
  5. evidence (v)

 

Part 2: Comprehension

  1. Use the correct words in the box below in the following sentences. The words in the box are given in their base forms, you may need to add tense, a 3rd person singular s on verbs, or a plural marker on nouns.

dominate, create, utilise, pursue, alternative, exploit, policy, community, impact, release

Coal power stations release sulphur dioxide into the atmosphere.

In the absence of any better alternative, we will have to proceed with the original plan.

Her ideas have attracted a lot of attention in the scientific community.

The investment strategy is utilized by experienced multinationals.

This decision will have a disastrous impact on foreign policy.

Exporters can currently exploit the favourable exchange rates.

The merger of these two companies would create the world’s biggest accounting firm.

We need to decide soon what marketing strategy we should pursue for these new products.

What is your party’s policy on immigration?

The dispute is likely to dominate the news.

 (subtract ½ mark for grammar errors)

 

Total:                    /

I’m Jonathan

I’ve taught IELTS and University English in more than a dozen universities and schools around the world.

I’m a parent, traveller and passionate about language teaching and helping students achieve their dreams.

Whilst living in Austria or working in Asia, I run IELTS courses to help students get to where they want to be.

If you are serious about IELTS, connect with me to see how I can help you.

Sign up to the Newsletter

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