Although the IELTS test does not have a separate test for vocabulary terms, it is utilized to assess every other skill in the exam. When taking the skills examinations in reading, listening, writing, and speaking, you must use various terms with correct pronunciation and spelling.
Importantly, your vocabulary accounts for roughly 20–30% of your grade when it comes to speaking and writing. For this reason, you should begin preparing an extensive vocabulary that will help you enhance your band score.
In the IELTS exam, vocabulary is crucial. In reading, there are three passages with a total of forty questions. In writing, there are three passages with a total of forty questions. The English language is a large ocean, with numerous terms being utilized, making it difficult for anyone to remember each phrase. The vocabulary used in the reading passages is not easy to comprehend for everyone.
Furthermore, to obtain good bands, it is recommended to use good vocabulary in writing. This necessitates the acquisition of appropriate language. In the speaking section of the IELTS exam, you will have to talk about a topic for two minutes. You won’t know what the topic is going to be before the test, but some topics are frequently used:
- Technology
- Education
- Employment
- The arts
- Family
- The environment
- Your home
Focusing on these areas will be very helpful in all parts of the IELTS exam, but especially in the speaking test.
The most important thing is to start growing your IELTS vocabulary straight away. Every time you hear or read a new word, record it and study it.
Vocabulary can be learned in a variety of methods, as listed below:
- Keep a Notebook for IELTS Writing Vocabulary
2. Pick an area of interest like technology, psychology, education etc.
3. Find the antonyms and synonyms of the selected words. For each of these words, add meaning and sentence.
4. Try Vocabulary Building Apps.
5. Watch English movies or web series, youtube videos of your interest without subtitles for listening practice.
6. Start by reading books, magazine articles, and newspapers.
7. Find out what the symbols and abbreviations mean.
8. Learn about tools to help you with pronunciation.
9. Learn about spelling patterns.
10. Learn collocations.
Collocations are sets of words that always go together, e.g. you can say ‘heavily polluted’ but NOT ‘strongly polluted’.
11. Get someone to test you.
12. Find a ‘mnemonic’ (memory aid) for words you keep forgetting!