Word power
IELTS vocabulary by topic
Examiners reward a range of accurate words used naturally — not rare words for show. Learn these by topic and as collocations, ready for Writing and Speaking.
Golden rule
Learn collocations, not single words.
"do research", "raise awareness", "a balanced diet" — natural word partnerships score higher than isolated vocabulary.
Vocabulary by topic
168+ useful words and collocations across the themes that come up most in Writing Task 2 and Speaking Part 3. Tap a topic to open it, and learn each item as a phrase, not a single word:
🎓 Education
compulsory education — schooling required by law
higher education — university-level study
tuition fees — the cost of studying
curriculum — the subjects that are taught
vocational training — job-focused, practical study
distance learning — studying remotely/online
lifelong learning — learning throughout your life
rote learning — memorising without understanding
academic performance — how well a student does
drop out — leave a course before finishing
a scholarship — funding awarded for study
critical thinking — analysing ideas carefully
a well-rounded education — broad, balanced learning
hands-on experience — learning by doing
🌍 Environment
climate change — long-term shifts in weather
global warming — rising global temperatures
carbon footprint — the CO₂ an activity produces
greenhouse gases — gases that trap heat
renewable energy — solar, wind and hydro power
fossil fuels — coal, oil and gas
deforestation — the clearing of forests
biodiversity — the variety of living things
conservation — protecting nature
sustainable development — growth that can last
pollution — contamination of air, water or land
endangered species — animals at risk of dying out
natural resources — materials taken from nature
reduce, reuse, recycle — cut waste and reuse materials
💻 Technology & AI
artificial intelligence — smart, learning software
automation — machines doing human tasks
digital literacy — skill in using technology
innovation — new ideas and products
cutting-edge — the most advanced
screen time — time spent on devices
data privacy — keeping personal data safe
cybersecurity — protection from online threats
the digital divide — gap between those with/without tech
user-friendly — easy to use
keep up with technology — stay current with new tech
technological advances — progress in technology
rely on technology — depend on it heavily
a social media platform — an app for sharing online
💼 Work & Career
work-life balance — time for both work and life
remote working — working from home
job satisfaction — enjoying your work
career progression — moving up over time
skilled labour — trained, qualified workers
self-employed — working for yourself
redundancy — loss of a job that is cut
the unemployment rate — % of people without work
the minimum wage — the lowest legal pay
job security — stability of a job
working conditions — the environment of a job
meet a deadline — finish work on time
a steep learning curve — hard to learn quickly
climb the career ladder — get promoted over time
🏥 Health & Lifestyle
a balanced diet — a healthy mix of foods
a sedentary lifestyle — sitting/inactive too much
mental health — emotional well-being
physical activity — exercise and movement
a chronic illness — a long-term condition
life expectancy — the average lifespan
preventive care — stopping illness early
public healthcare — a state-funded health system
obesity — being seriously overweight
well-being — overall good health
stay in shape — keep physically fit
junk food — unhealthy processed food
stress management — coping with pressure
a good night's sleep — proper, restful sleep
🏙️ Society & Culture
urbanisation — the growth of cities
an ageing population — more older people overall
cultural diversity — many cultures together
social inequality — unfair gaps in society
the cost of living — everyday living expenses
a sense of community — feeling connected to others
standard of living — quality of daily life
a multicultural society — a society of many cultures
the generation gap — differences between age groups
social norms — accepted ways of behaving
gender equality — equal treatment of all genders
the gap between rich and poor — the wealth divide
traditional values — long-held beliefs
integrate into society — become part of it
⚖️ Crime & Law
the crime rate — how much crime occurs
commit a crime — to do something illegal
law-abiding — obeying the law
a deterrent — something that discourages crime
rehabilitation — helping offenders change
capital punishment — the death penalty
juvenile crime — crime committed by the young
petty crime — minor offences
the justice system — courts and the law
community service — unpaid work as a punishment
reoffend — to commit a crime again
a victim of crime — a person harmed by crime
enforce the law — make people obey it
a prison sentence — time ordered in jail
🏛️ Government & Politics
public services — services provided for citizens
the taxpayer — a person who pays tax
government spending — the use of public money
a policy — an official plan of action
the welfare system — state support for people
to subsidise — to fund partly with public money
infrastructure — roads, power, water, etc.
an election — choosing leaders by voting
democracy — rule by the people
regulation — official rules
the public sector — government-run organisations
raise / cut taxes — change tax levels
implement a policy — put a plan into action
the general public — ordinary people
✈️ Globalisation & Travel
globalisation — the world becoming connected
a multinational company — a firm in many countries
cultural exchange — the sharing of cultures
the tourism industry — the business of travel
a developing country — a poorer, growing nation
import and export — trade between countries
migration — moving to live elsewhere
mass tourism — travel in very large numbers
broaden your horizons — gain wider experience
a global economy — a worldwide trade system
cross-cultural — across different cultures
a tourist attraction — a place worth visiting
off the beaten track — away from the crowds
a language barrier — difficulty from different languages
📰 Media & Communication
the mass media — TV, press and online to many
the press — newspapers and journalists
biased reporting — one-sided news coverage
freedom of speech — the right to express views
censorship — blocking of information
fake news — false information spread as news
go viral — spread very quickly online
an advertising campaign — an organised promotion
influence public opinion — shape what people think
breaking news — the very latest events
stay informed — keep up with the news
a target audience — the intended viewers
misinformation — false or misleading content
media coverage — reporting of an event
💰 Money & Economy
economic growth — the economy expanding
a recession — a period of economic decline
disposable income — money left over to spend
inflation — a general rise in prices
financial security — a stable money situation
the wealth gap — the divide between rich and poor
consumer spending — what people buy
make ends meet — afford your basic needs
to budget — to plan your spending
household income — a family's total earnings
in debt — owing money
save up for — set money aside for
the job market — available jobs overall
a developed economy — a wealthy, advanced economy
👪 Family & Relationships
a nuclear family — parents and their children
an extended family — wider relatives too
a single-parent family — one parent raising children
upbringing — the way a child is raised
quality time — meaningful time together
a close-knit family — an emotionally close family
the generation gap — differences between age groups
bring up children — raise and care for them
household chores — tasks done around the home
get along with — have a good relationship with
family ties — the bonds between relatives
a role model — someone to look up to
parental guidance — parents' advice and control
start a family — have your first child
Essential linking words — complete guide
Linking words signpost your ideas and lift your Coherence & Cohesion score in Writing and Speaking. Here's a function-by-function guide with an example of each in use:
| To… | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Add an idea | furthermore • moreover • in addition • what's more • besides | Online courses are cheap. Moreover, they let you study anytime. |
| Contrast two ideas | however • on the other hand • whereas • while • conversely | Cars are convenient; however, they pollute the air. |
| Concede a point | although • even though • despite • in spite of | Although it is costly, the project is worthwhile. |
| Give a reason (cause) | because • since • as • due to • owing to | Sales fell due to the rise in prices. |
| Show a result | therefore • as a result • consequently • thus • hence | He missed the deadline; as a result, he lost the contract. |
| Give an example | for instance • for example • such as • namely | Clean sources, such as solar and wind, are growing fast. |
| Add emphasis | indeed • in fact • clearly • undoubtedly | The plan is, in fact, the cheapest option available. |
| Sequence ideas | firstly • secondly • then • subsequently • finally | Firstly, we must cut waste; secondly, we must recycle. |
| Compare / similarity | similarly • likewise • in the same way | Cities face pollution; similarly, towns struggle with traffic. |
| Conclude / summarise | in conclusion • to sum up • overall • ultimately | In conclusion, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. |
Use them well
Put a comma after a linking word that starts a sentence ("However, ..."). Don't begin every sentence with one — natural cohesion also comes from pronouns and referencing words (this, these, such). Overusing linkers actually lowers your score.
How to actually learn vocabulary
Learn collocations, not single words
Record the words a term lives with, not the word alone.Example: learn make / reach / postpone a decision — not just "decision".
Keep a topic notebook
One page per theme, with an example sentence for every entry.Example (Environment): renewable energy — "Many countries are investing in renewable energy to cut emissions."
Collect synonyms for paraphrasing
Build small synonym groups so you can reword the question — a key high-band skill.Example: important → significant, crucial, vital. "Education is important" → "Education is crucial."
Only use words you can spell & say
A misused or misspelt advanced word hurts more than a correct simple one.Example: a correct "a serious problem" beats a wrong "a detrimental quandary".
Review little and often
Revisit each list briefly across several days so it sticks long-term.Example: review a topic for 5 minutes on day 1, day 3 and day 7.
Warning
Don't memorise long "band 9 word lists" to force into essays. Examiners spot unnatural vocabulary, and it lowers your Lexical Resource score.
Where to go next
Frequently asked questions
How can I improve my IELTS vocabulary?
Learn words in topic groups and as collocations, keep a notebook with example sentences, and only use words you can spell and pronounce.
Do I need advanced vocabulary for a high band?
You need a range of accurate words used naturally — not rare words for show. A well-used common word beats a misused advanced one.
Are linking words important?
Yes — they help your Coherence & Cohesion score, but only when used naturally and not overused.
Next step
Learn a few words a day — and use them.
Pick one topic, add five collocations to your notebook, and work them into a practice essay or answer.
Vocabulary lists are original study material grouped by common IELTS themes. Word meanings are simplified for learners. Always confirm exam details with your test centre.