Introduction

We know from the public version of the IELTS Speaking Band Descriptors that your use of vocabulary is one quarter of your score.

We also know that …

IELTS Nine uses vocabulary with full flexibility IELTS Eight less common vocabulary skillfully IELTS Seven some less common vocabulary IELTS Six wide enough vocabulary to make meaning clear.

Source: the public version of the IELTS Speaking Band Descriptors

The public version of the IELTS Writing Band Descriptors make a similar point.

We also know from the ‘Idiomatic Vocabulary’ section that idiomatic vocabulary can also be rewarded – but idiomatic vocabulary is difficult to integrate into writing, and to be effective when speaking, needs to be given with natural features of pronunciation – which is even more difficult for the learner.

So, let us here just focus on ‘less common’ words. An IELTS 7 user of English begins to use them, and shows an ‘awareness of style’ and ‘collocation’ ( = putting two words together in the correct way).

Notice that the words are given one at a time, with full explanations, other forms of the word, and example sentences. Play with the words one at a time, explore the meaning, check it also in your dictionary, and write it in your vocabulary notebook with an example sentence [Reading Strategy #6]. Remember, simply studying a list of words is a BAD strategy [Check: Tricks Bad School Use #3].

So, develop your vocabulary day by day by checking out the pages in this section. Try it, and good luck.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Be patient; more material will be added in time, but I’m VERY busy at the moment].