Vocabulary development

Vocabulary is not just the vocabulary you know, but the active vocabulary you can use effectively. 

The marking descriptors  refer to Lexical Resource for both IELTS Writing Task 1 and 2 and IELTS Speaking.  

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

Higher Level Language

You can attempt to impress the examiner and increase your IELTS Band Score in IELTS Writing by paraphrasing and displaying a range of synonyms in your writing and speaking.  

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

However, it’s probably not a good idea to just to repeat every question the examiner gives as this could make the examiner annoyed.

Look at my examples to see how they second example is a paraphrase, uses synonyms effectively , or rephrases the first example.

Higher Level Language Examples

These phrases are related to money and finance;

That is a huge amount of money:

That is very expensive.

It is important we make a profit:

It is important we don’t lose money.

We can’t afford a project as big as this:

We don’t have enough money to do a project like this.

How many properties do you own?:

How many properties do you have?

Many people in this area are quite well-off:

Many people in this area are quite wealthy.

Learner Training

In writing, paraphrasing and using vocabulary is a skill that teachers encourage students to develop.

Teachers often use tasks, such as the one below, to improve learners awareness of grammar, vocabulary and textual awareness.

This task is called an Gap Filling and Prediction exercise.

Look at this gap fill and see if you can find the the most appropriate or suitable synonyms.

(famous/well-known)  (England/ The United Kingdom)   (capital/city)  

                        (include free entry/do not charge an entrance) 

(foods/cuisines)           (global/multicultural)            (Queen/Head of State)                                                (display/exhibit)

London is the capital city of _____________ situated on the bank of the River Thames. It is an old and historic city with many ___________ parks and places of interest to visit. Many tourists go to Buckingham Palace, where the _____________  lives, as it is one of the most recognisable places in the _________. There are also many museums and galleries and many of them ____________ .

 

Some of the world’s most famous artists _________ their artwork in London’s galleries. London is also a multicultural city with people from all over the world.

 

Hundreds of different languages are spoken and you can find a wide range of  __________to eat and enjoy. Many international festivals are also celebrated throughout the year in this truly _________ city.

 

 

 

In this example, both the words provided would be suitable as gap fills.

 

This shows how it is possible to use synonyms, as long as they collocate well. 

 

Text 1

 

London is the capital city of The United Kingdom situated on the bank of the River Thames. It is an old and historic city with many famous parks and places of interest to visit. Many tourists go to Buckingham Palace, where the Head of State lives, as it is one of the most recognisable places in the capital. There are also many museums and galleries and many of them include free entry.

 

Some of the world’s most famous artists exhibit their artwork in London’s galleries. London is also a multicultural city with people from all over the world.

 

Hundreds of languages different are spoken and you can find a wide range of cuisines to eat and enjoy. Many international festivals are also celebrated throughout the year in this truly global city.

 

Text 2

 

London is the capital city of England situated on the bank of the River Thames. It is an old and historic city with many well-known parks and places of interest to visit. Many tourists go to Buckingham Palace, where the Queenlives, as it is one of the most recognisable places in the city. There are also many museums and galleries and many of them include free entry.

 

Some of the world’s most famous artists display their artwork in London’s galleries. London is also a multicultural city with people from all over the world.

 

Hundreds of languages different are spoken and you can find a wide range of foods to eat and enjoy. Many international festivals are also celebrated throughout the year in this truly multicultural city.

 

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

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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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