Vocabulary
Topic collections
Every collection is curated for the topics IELTS actually tests — with meanings, example sentences and synonyms you can drop straight into a Band 8+ answer.
5 entries
Education
Schools, curricula, learning outcomes and educational policy.
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5 entries
Environment
Climate, pollution, conservation and sustainable development.
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5 entries
Technology
Digital tools, automation, AI and their social effects.
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5 entries
Government
Policy, governance, taxation and public administration.
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5 entries
Health
Public health, nutrition, medicine and lifestyle.
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5 entries
Society
Community, culture, demographics and social change.
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5 entries
Education
Schools, curricula, learning outcomes and educational policy.
| Word / phrase | Meaning | Example | Synonyms | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| curriculum | The subjects and content taught in a school or programme. | "The national curriculum should place greater emphasis on critical thinking." |
syllabus
course of study
|
B2 |
| rote learning | Memorising information without understanding it. | "Rote learning may boost exam scores but rarely fosters deep understanding." |
mechanical learning
memorisation
|
C1 |
| pedagogical | Relating to teaching methods. | "The reform introduced more student-centred pedagogical approaches." |
instructional
didactic
|
C1 |
| intellectual autonomy | The ability to think independently. | "Universities should cultivate students' intellectual autonomy above all else." |
independent thinking
self-directed reasoning
|
C2 |
| socioeconomic disparity | Differences in wealth and social status. | "Educational outcomes are still shaped by socioeconomic disparity." |
inequality
social divide
|
C2 |
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5 entries
Environment
Climate, pollution, conservation and sustainable development.
| Word / phrase | Meaning | Example | Synonyms | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| greenhouse gas emissions | Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere. | "Governments have pledged to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2030." |
carbon emissions
GHGs
|
B2 |
| deforestation | The clearing of forests, usually for other land uses. | "Deforestation in the Amazon threatens global biodiversity." |
forest clearance
logging
|
B2 |
| biodiversity | The variety of life in an ecosystem. | "Wetlands support extraordinary levels of biodiversity." |
ecological diversity
species richness
|
C1 |
| sustainable development | Growth that meets present needs without harming future ones. | "Sustainable development requires balancing economic and ecological priorities." |
green growth
responsible development
|
C1 |
| ecological footprint | The environmental impact of an individual or activity. | "Air travel disproportionately enlarges one's ecological footprint." |
environmental impact
carbon footprint
|
C2 |
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5 entries
Technology
Digital tools, automation, AI and their social effects.
| Word / phrase | Meaning | Example | Synonyms | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| automation | The use of machines or software to perform tasks. | "Widespread automation is reshaping the labour market." |
mechanisation
computerisation
|
B2 |
| digital literacy | The ability to use digital technology effectively. | "Digital literacy is now as essential as reading and writing." |
tech competence
IT skills
|
B2 |
| algorithmic bias | Unfair outcomes produced by biased algorithms. | "Algorithmic bias can entrench existing social inequalities." |
AI bias
systemic bias
|
C2 |
| pervasive | Spreading widely and present everywhere. | "Smartphones have become pervasive in every aspect of daily life." |
ubiquitous
widespread
|
C1 |
| obsolete | No longer produced or used; out of date. | "Many manual skills risk becoming obsolete in an automated economy." |
outdated
antiquated
|
C1 |
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5 entries
Government
Policy, governance, taxation and public administration.
| Word / phrase | Meaning | Example | Synonyms | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| legislation | Laws considered collectively. | "New legislation aims to reduce single-use plastics." |
law
statute
|
B2 |
| public expenditure | Money spent by the government. | "Public expenditure on healthcare has risen sharply." |
state spending
government outlay
|
C1 |
| accountability | The obligation to explain and justify actions. | "Democracies rely on institutional accountability." |
responsibility
answerability
|
C1 |
| bureaucratic | Excessively concerned with procedures and paperwork. | "Bureaucratic delays hindered the reform's implementation." |
administrative
procedural
|
C1 |
| electorate | All the people entitled to vote. | "The electorate rejected the proposed tax reform." |
voters
constituency
|
C2 |
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5 entries
Health
Public health, nutrition, medicine and lifestyle.
| Word / phrase | Meaning | Example | Synonyms | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| sedentary lifestyle | A way of life with little physical activity. | "A sedentary lifestyle is linked to cardiovascular disease." |
inactive lifestyle
desk-bound life
|
B2 |
| chronic illness | A long-lasting medical condition. | "Chronic illnesses now account for most global mortality." |
long-term disease
persistent condition
|
C1 |
| preventive care | Healthcare aimed at preventing disease. | "Preventive care reduces long-term treatment costs." |
prevention
prophylaxis
|
C1 |
| life expectancy | The average period a person may expect to live. | "Life expectancy has risen sharply in developing nations." |
longevity
lifespan
|
B2 |
| epidemiological | Relating to the study of disease patterns. | "Epidemiological data guided the government's response." |
disease-related
population-health
|
C2 |
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5 entries
Society
Community, culture, demographics and social change.
| Word / phrase | Meaning | Example | Synonyms | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| urbanisation | The increasing shift of populations to cities. | "Rapid urbanisation is straining public transport systems." |
city growth
urban expansion
|
B2 |
| cultural assimilation | The process of adopting another culture. | "Cultural assimilation can enrich as well as erode traditions." |
integration
acculturation
|
C1 |
| social cohesion | The bonds that unite members of a society. | "Community programmes strengthen social cohesion." |
solidarity
unity
|
C1 |
| marginalised | Treated as insignificant or peripheral. | "Policy must protect marginalised communities." |
excluded
disenfranchised
|
C1 |
| demographic shift | A change in the composition of a population. | "An ageing demographic shift is reshaping labour markets." |
population change
demographic transition
|
C2 |