IELTS Grammar & Vocabulary — Complete Guide

📚 IELTS MASTER — LANGUAGE GUIDE

Grammar & Vocabulary

Every essential rule, word and example you need for Band 7+ — all in one place. Everything open and ready to read.

Grammar Topics

Vocab Topics

300+

Words & Phrases

Examples

Every Topic

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1. Tenses

12 tenses — when and how to use them in IELTS Writing & Speaking

Simple Tenses (Present, Past, Future)

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Tense	Formula	IELTS Use
Simple Present	Subject + V1 (s/es)	General facts, habits, graphs describing current trends
Simple Past	Subject + V2	Historical facts, Task 1 past data
Simple Future	Subject + will + V1	Predictions, opinions in Task 2

Examples

The graph shows a steady increase in CO₂ emissions. (Present — Task 1)

Oil prices peaked in 2008. (Past — Task 1)

Cities will become more overcrowded by 2050. (Future — Task 2)

Always match your tense to the time period shown in the graph. Past graph = past tense; future projection = future tense.

Continuous / Progressive Tenses

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Tense	Formula	Use
Present Continuous	am/is/are + V-ing	Ongoing actions, current trends
Past Continuous	was/were + V-ing	Background action interrupted by another
Future Continuous	will be + V-ing	Action in progress at a future point

Examples

The number of electric vehicles is growing rapidly.

I was studying when the power cut occurred.

By 2030, researchers will be developing new clean energy solutions.

Do not use continuous tenses with stative verbs: know, believe, understand, love, hate, have (possession), seem, appear.

Perfect Tenses

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Tense	Formula	Use
Present Perfect	have/has + V3	Recent events with present relevance
Past Perfect	had + V3	Action completed before another past action
Future Perfect	will have + V3	Action completed before a future point

Examples

Global temperatures have risen by 1.1°C since 1880.

The factory had already closed before the new law was passed.

By 2030, scientists will have discovered new solutions to energy shortages.

Use Present Perfect in Task 2 for issues that started in the past and are still ongoing: "Pollution has become a major concern in recent decades."

Perfect Continuous Tenses

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Tense	Formula	Use
Present Perfect Continuous	have/has been + V-ing	Action started in past, still ongoing
Past Perfect Continuous	had been + V-ing	Duration of action before another past event

Examples

Scientists have been warning about climate change for decades.

The company had been losing money for years before it finally collapsed.

These tenses show how long an action has been in progress — useful in IELTS for demonstrating ongoing impact.

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2. Active & Passive Voice

Essential for Task 1 process diagrams and Task 2 formal writing

Passive Voice Formation

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Object + to be (correct tense) + Past Participle (V3) + [by + agent]

Tense	Active	Passive
Simple Present	They make cars.	Cars are made.
Simple Past	They built the bridge.	The bridge was built.
Present Perfect	They have raised prices.	Prices have been raised.
Modal	They should reduce waste.	Waste should be reduced.
Future	They will announce results.	Results will be announced.

IELTS Task 1 — Process Description

First, the raw material is collected and transported to the factory.

The mixture is then heated at 200°C for two hours.

IELTS Task 2 — Formal Arguments

It is widely believed that education is the key to development.

Stricter laws should be introduced to combat pollution.

The policy has been criticised by many economists.

Overusing the passive makes writing monotonous. Mix active and passive constructions for a higher band score.

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3. Conditional Sentences

4 types — vital for Task 2 arguments and hypothetical discussions

Zero Conditional — Universal Truths

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If + Present Simple, Present Simple

Use for universal facts, scientific laws and things that are always true.

Examples

If you heat ice, it melts. (Scientific fact)

If governments cut funding, public services deteriorate.

First Conditional — Real Future Possibility

▾

If + Present Simple, will + V1

Used for real, likely future situations.

Examples (IELTS Task 2)

If governments invest in renewable energy, they will reduce carbon emissions.

If children use technology excessively, their social skills will suffer.

If the population continues to grow, cities will become more overcrowded.

The first conditional is perfect for making recommendations and predictions in Task 2.

Second Conditional — Hypothetical / Unreal Present

▾

If + Past Simple, would + V1

Used for imaginary or unlikely situations — things that are not true in the present.

Examples

If I were the prime minister, I would ban single-use plastics.

If every student had internet access, education would improve dramatically.

If countries worked together, climate change would be manageable.

In formal IELTS writing, use "were" with I/he/she/it, not "was": "If I were a teacher..."

Third Conditional — Unreal Past

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If + Past Perfect (had + V3), would have + V3

Used to imagine a past situation differently — something that did not actually happen.

Examples

If governments had acted sooner, climate change would not have become so severe.

If she had studied harder, she would have passed the exam.

If better policies had been implemented, poverty would have decreased significantly.

The third conditional shows critical thinking when discussing historical events and their consequences — a strong signal to the examiner.

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4. Articles (a, an, the)

The most common error source for IELTS writers

Definite, Indefinite & Zero Article

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Article	Use	Example
a / an	First mention, non-specific singular noun	A student joined an organisation.
the	Second mention, specific, unique things	The student later became the president.
Ø (none)	Plural/uncountable general statements	Ø Education is vital for Ø development.

More Examples

A government must invest in education. The government of India has taken several steps.

Ø Technology is changing Ø society rapidly. (General statement — no article)

The internet has transformed the way people communicate.

Use "the" when both the writer and reader know which specific thing is being referred to.

Do not use "the" before general abstract nouns: ✗ "The education is important." ✓ "Education is important."

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5. Relative Clauses

Add complexity and precision for Band 7+

Defining & Non-Defining Clauses

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Type	Pronoun	Commas?	Matlab
Defining	who, which, that	No commas	Identifies which specific one
Non-defining	who, which (NOT that)	Commas zaruri	Extra information — meaning is unchanged if removed

Examples

Students who study abroad tend to perform better. (Defining — no commas)

Climate change, which affects every nation, requires global action. (Non-defining — commas)

The scientist who discovered penicillin changed modern medicine. (Defining)

Alexander Fleming, who discovered penicillin, was a Scottish bacteriologist. (Non-defining)

Do not use "that" in non-defining relative clauses: ✗ "Climate change, that affects..." ✓ "Climate change, which affects..."

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6. Modal Verbs

Express certainty, obligation and possibility with confidence

Complete Modal Reference

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Modal	Use	IELTS Example
must	Strong obligation/certainty	Governments must address climate change.
should	Recommendation/advice	Students should practise writing regularly.
could	Possibility/ability (past)	This could lead to major economic benefits.
might / may	Weak possibility	This policy might reduce unemployment.
would	Hypothetical/polite	This would result in significant improvements.
can	General ability/possibility	Technology can transform education.
ought to	Moral obligation (slightly weaker than must)	Citizens ought to take responsibility for the environment.
need not	Lack of necessity	Students need not memorise every rule if they practise regularly.

Mixing Modals in IELTS Task 2 — The Band 7+ Approach

Governments must act, but individuals could also contribute significantly.

Education should be made free, as this would reduce inequality.

Do not repeat the same modal throughout your writing. Mix "must, should, could, might, would" to show nuance and flexible thinking.

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7. Reported Speech

Accurately paraphrase sources in Writing Task 2

Backshift Rules & Reporting Verbs

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Direct Speech	Reported Speech
Present Simple → "They use..."	Past Simple → ...that they used...
Present Continuous → "They are using..."	Past Continuous → ...that they were using...
Past Simple → "They used..."	Past Perfect → ...that they had used...
will → "They will..."	would → ...that they would...
can → "They can..."	could → ...that they could...
must → "They must..."	had to → ...that they had to...

Key Reporting Verbs for IELTS

argue, claim, suggest, propose, maintain, state, point out, emphasise, conclude, assert, acknowledge, warn, contend

Complete Examples

Direct: "Technology is changing education."
Reported: The expert argued that technology was changing education.

Direct: "We will solve this problem."
Reported: Scientists claimed that they would solve the problem.

Direct: "Pollution must be reduced."
Reported: The report stated that pollution had to be reduced.

Vary your reporting verbs — do not just write "said". "Argued, suggested, concluded, maintained" sound far more academic.

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8. Comparison & Degree

Essential for Task 1 data description and balancing arguments in Task 2

Comparative & Superlative Forms

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Type	Short Adjective	Long Adjective
Comparative	higher / faster / bigger	more significant / more rapidly / more effectively
Superlative	the highest / the fastest	the most significant / the most rapidly
Equality	as high as / as fast as	as significant as / as effectively as
Inequality	not as high as	less significant than / far more rapidly

Task 1 Comparison Phrases

Sales in 2020 were significantly higher than in 2015.

Country A consumed twice as much energy as Country B.

The figures for Asia were the highest of all regions.

The number of car users was three times greater than that of bus users.

The unemployment rate was considerably lower in 2020 compared to 2010.

In Task 1, do not just write "more" or "less" — add adverbs: "significantly more", "slightly less", "dramatically higher" — these raise your band score.

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9. Prepositions

at, in, on — plus key IELTS prepositional phrases

At / In / On — Time & Place

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Preposition	Time	Place
AT	at 5pm, at noon, at midnight, at the weekend	at school, at the top, at the station
IN	in 2020, in January, in the morning, in the 21st century	in London, in the box, in the north
ON	on Monday, on 5 June, on New Year's Day	on the table, on the wall, on the left

Common IELTS Prepositional Phrases

In terms of economic growth, China outperformed most nations.

With regard to healthcare, investment has doubled.

The graph peaked at 80% in 2015.

As a result of globalisation, cultural exchange has increased.

Due to the lack of funding, the project was abandoned.

The policy is dependent on government support.

The best way to learn prepositions is in phrases, not in isolation. Learn: "interested in", "responsible for", "focus on", "concerned about".

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10. Cohesive Devices & Linking Words

Band 7+ Coherence & Cohesion — connect your ideas professionally

Complete Linking Words Reference

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Function	Linking Words / Phrases
Adding	Furthermore, Moreover, In addition, Additionally, Besides, Also, Not only...but also
Contrasting	However, Nevertheless, On the other hand, In contrast, Whereas, Although, Despite, Even though, Nonetheless
Cause/Effect	Therefore, Consequently, As a result, Hence, Thus, Due to, Owing to, For this reason, This leads to
Examples	For example, For instance, To illustrate, Such as, Namely, In particular
Concluding	In conclusion, To conclude, To summarise, Overall, In summary, Taking everything into account
Sequence	Firstly, Secondly, Subsequently, Finally, Initially, Eventually, To begin with, Following this
Emphasis	Indeed, In fact, Particularly, Especially, Notably, Above all, It is worth noting that
Condition	If, Unless, Provided that, As long as, On condition that, Given that

In-Context Examples

Technology has many benefits. However, it also poses certain risks. For instance, social media can harm mental health. Nevertheless, with proper regulation, these issues can be managed. In conclusion, a balanced approach is needed.

Overusing linking words lowers your score. Do not pile up "Furthermore", "Moreover" and "Additionally" in the same sentence. Use them naturally with variety.

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1. Academic Word List (AWL)

High-frequency academic words that appear across all IELTS topics

Essential AWL Verbs, Nouns & Adjectives

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analyse

verb

To examine something in detail

The report analyses the impact of urbanisation on air quality.

Synonyms: examine, investigate, assess

significant

adjective

Important or large enough to have an effect

There has been a significant increase in online learning.

Synonyms: considerable, substantial, notable

contribute

verb

To give a part or share towards a result

Deforestation contributes to rising temperatures.

Synonyms: add to, play a role in, lead to

impact

noun/verb

A strong effect or influence

Social media has a profound impact on young people.

Synonyms: effect, influence, consequence

approach

noun

A way of dealing with something

A balanced approach is needed to tackle poverty.

Synonyms: method, strategy, solution

indicate

verb

To show or suggest something

Research indicates that exercise reduces stress levels.

Synonyms: suggest, show, demonstrate

policy

noun

A plan or set of rules adopted by a government

Environmental policies must be strengthened globally.

Synonyms: strategy, regulation, measure

consequence

noun

A result or effect of an action

One consequence of rapid urbanisation is overcrowding.

Synonyms: result, outcome, effect, implication

establish

verb

To set up or bring into existence

The government established new environmental regulations.

Synonyms: create, set up, found, introduce

fundamental

adjective

Forming the base or core of something

Education is fundamental to social progress.

Synonyms: basic, essential, core, primary

evident

adjective

Clearly seen or understood

It is evident that poverty and crime are closely linked.

Synonyms: obvious, clear, apparent, plain

maintain

verb

To keep something in existence or at the same level

It is difficult to maintain high standards without proper funding.

Synonyms: preserve, sustain, uphold, retain

advocate

verb

To publicly support or recommend a cause or policy

Many experts advocate stricter regulation of social media platforms.

Synonyms: champion, promote, endorse, support

prevalent

adjective

Widespread or common in a particular area or time

Obesity has become increasingly prevalent in developed countries.

Synonyms: widespread, common, pervasive, rife

mitigate

verb

To make something less severe or harmful

Green spaces in cities help to mitigate the effects of air pollution.

Synonyms: reduce, lessen, alleviate, ease

elaborate

verb

To develop or explain something in more detail

The researcher elaborated on the link between poverty and poor health outcomes.

Synonyms: expand on, explain, detail, develop

disparity

noun

A great difference between things or groups

There is a significant disparity in educational outcomes between rich and poor regions.

Synonyms: gap, inequality, difference, imbalance

exacerbate

verb

To make a problem or situation worse

Rapid urbanisation can exacerbate inequality if not properly managed.

Synonyms: worsen, aggravate, intensify, compound

criterion

noun

A standard or principle for judging or deciding something

Academic performance should not be the sole criterion for university admission.

Plural: criteria. Synonyms: standard, measure, benchmark

Vary your vocabulary — do not repeat the same word throughout your essay. Use the synonyms provided in this list.

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2. Environment & Climate Change

One of the most common IELTS topics — master this vocabulary

Key Environmental Vocabulary

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greenhouse gases

noun phrase

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is a global priority.

renewable energy

noun phrase

Energy from sources that are naturally replenished

Governments should invest in renewable energy sources.

e.g. solar, wind, hydroelectric power

biodiversity

noun

The variety of plant and animal life in an area

Deforestation threatens biodiversity in tropical regions.

sustainable

adjective

Able to be maintained without harming the environment

We need to adopt sustainable farming practices.

Synonyms: eco-friendly, green, environmentally sound

carbon footprint

noun phrase

Total greenhouse gas emissions caused by an individual/organisation

Consumers can reduce their carbon footprint by using public transport.

deforestation

noun

The action of clearing forests on a wide scale

Large-scale deforestation in the Amazon contributes to climate change.

pollution

noun

Contamination of the environment with harmful substances

Air pollution in urban areas poses serious health risks.

Types: air, water, soil, noise, light pollution

global warming

noun phrase

A gradual increase in earth's average temperature

Global warming is causing glaciers to melt at an alarming rate.

ecosystem

noun

A biological community of organisms and their environment

Plastic pollution is destroying marine ecosystems around the world.

Related: habitat, biosphere, food chain

fossil fuels

noun phrase

Natural fuels such as coal and gas formed from ancient organisms

The world must reduce its dependence on fossil fuels to limit warming.

e.g. coal, oil, natural gas

carbon emissions

noun phrase

CO₂ and other gases released into the atmosphere by burning fuels

Stricter regulations are needed to reduce carbon emissions from industry.

net zero

noun phrase

A state where greenhouse gas emissions are balanced by removal

Many nations have pledged to reach net zero by 2050.

climate refugee

noun phrase

A person forced to leave their home due to climate-related disasters

Rising sea levels could create millions of climate refugees by 2100.

Useful Phrases for IELTS Writing

tackle / address / combat climate change

pose a threat to the environment / ecosystem

transition to a low-carbon economy

environmental degradation / ecological damage

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3. Technology & Innovation

A favourite IELTS topic — express your ideas with precision

Technology Vocabulary

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artificial intelligence

noun phrase

The simulation of human intelligence by machines

Artificial intelligence is transforming industries worldwide.

automation

noun

The use of technology to perform tasks without human input

Automation has replaced many manual jobs in factories.

Synonyms: mechanisation, computerisation

digital divide

noun phrase

The gap between those with and without access to technology

The digital divide widens inequality between rich and poor nations.

innovative

adjective

Featuring new methods or ideas

Innovative solutions are needed to solve the energy crisis.

Synonyms: groundbreaking, cutting-edge, revolutionary

disruptive technology

phrase

Technology that significantly alters established industries

Smartphones were a disruptive technology that changed communication.

cybersecurity

noun

The practice of protecting systems and networks from digital attacks

Governments must invest in cybersecurity to protect citizens' data.

surveillance

noun

Close monitoring of people or activities, often electronically

Mass surveillance raises serious concerns about privacy.

data privacy

noun phrase

The right to control how personal data is collected and used

Data privacy laws must be updated to keep pace with technology.

algorithm

noun

A set of rules followed by a computer to solve a problem

Social media algorithms can create echo chambers and reinforce biases.

Related: machine learning, neural network, big data

misinformation

noun

False or inaccurate information spread unintentionally

The rapid spread of misinformation online poses a serious threat to democracy.

Related: disinformation (deliberately false), fake news

remote work

noun phrase

Working from a location outside the traditional office, enabled by technology

Remote work has transformed urban planning and office real estate markets.

Synonyms: teleworking, working from home

screen time

noun phrase

The amount of time spent using a device with a screen

Excessive screen time in children has been linked to reduced concentration.

technological dependency

noun phrase

An excessive reliance on technology to perform everyday tasks

Technological dependency can erode basic life skills in younger generations.

Useful Phrases

harness the potential of technology

the rapid advancement of technology

over-reliance on technology

bridge the technological gap between nations

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4. Education

A frequently tested topic in both Task 1 and Task 2

Education Vocabulary

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curriculum

noun

The subjects comprising a course of study

The curriculum should include practical life skills alongside academics.

academic achievement

phrase

Success in educational performance

Parental involvement improves children's academic achievement.

tuition fees

noun phrase

Fees charged for education

Rising tuition fees discourage students from low-income families.

vocational training

phrase

Education focused on practical job skills

Vocational training provides an alternative path to employment.

Synonyms: technical education, apprenticeship

critical thinking

phrase

The ability to analyse information objectively

Schools should prioritise critical thinking over rote memorisation.

literacy rate

noun phrase

The percentage of people who can read and write

Higher literacy rates are linked to economic development.

rote learning

phrase

Learning by memorisation without deep understanding

Rote learning does not develop problem-solving skills.

higher education

noun phrase

Education at university or college level

Access to higher education should be equal for all social classes.

academic integrity

noun phrase

The commitment to honest, ethical conduct in academic work

Plagiarism undermines academic integrity and must be taken seriously.

inclusive education

noun phrase

An approach that supports all students, including those with special needs

Inclusive education benefits both disabled and non-disabled students.

e-learning

noun phrase

Learning conducted via electronic media, especially the internet

The pandemic accelerated the global shift to e-learning platforms.

Synonyms: online learning, distance education

standardised testing

noun phrase

Tests designed and scored in a consistent manner across all students

Critics argue that standardised testing stifles creativity and independent thinking.

educational equity

noun phrase

The principle of fairness in education, ensuring all students get support they need

Educational equity requires addressing the social and economic barriers students face.

Useful Phrases

broaden / expand one's knowledge

nurture talent / foster creativity

equal access to quality education

promote lifelong learning

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5. Health & Lifestyle

A common Task 2 topic — discuss causes, effects and solutions

Health Vocabulary

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sedentary lifestyle

phrase

A lifestyle with little physical activity

A sedentary lifestyle is a major cause of obesity and heart disease.

obesity

noun

The condition of being very overweight

Obesity rates have risen sharply in developed nations.

Related: overweight, morbidly obese, Body Mass Index (BMI)

mental health

phrase

A person's psychological and emotional wellbeing

Social media can negatively affect young people's mental health.

preventable disease

phrase

Illness that can be avoided through lifestyle or vaccination

Many preventable diseases persist due to lack of public health education.

life expectancy

phrase

The average age to which a person is expected to live

Life expectancy has increased significantly over the past century.

healthcare system

phrase

The organised provision of medical services

A well-funded healthcare system is essential for public wellbeing.

malnutrition

noun

Lack of proper nutrition, caused by insufficient food

Malnutrition remains a serious problem in developing nations.

epidemic

noun

A widespread occurrence of disease in a community

The obesity epidemic is placing enormous strain on healthcare systems.

Related: pandemic (global scale), endemic (regularly found in area)

chronic disease

noun phrase

A long-lasting condition that can be managed but not cured

Chronic diseases such as diabetes are a growing burden on public health systems.

e.g. diabetes, hypertension, asthma

wellbeing

noun

The state of being comfortable, healthy or happy

Government policies should promote the overall wellbeing of citizens, not just economic growth.

Synonyms: welfare, quality of life, health

vaccine

noun

A substance that stimulates immunity against a disease

Global vaccine distribution remains unequal between wealthy and developing nations.

Related: immunisation, inoculation, herd immunity

public health campaign

noun phrase

An organised effort to improve health behaviour in a population

A successful public health campaign reduced smoking rates by 20% in a decade.

health disparity

noun phrase

Differences in health outcomes between population groups

Health disparities between rich and poor communities must be addressed through targeted policy.

Useful Phrases

pose a threat to public health

promote a healthy / balanced diet

reduce the burden on the healthcare system

raise awareness about health risks

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6. Society & Culture

Globalisation, urbanisation, social issues — a rich topic area

Society & Globalisation Vocabulary

▾

globalisation

noun

The process of interaction and integration among countries

Globalisation has accelerated the spread of both culture and disease.

urbanisation

noun

The process by which more people come to live in cities

Rapid urbanisation has led to severe housing shortages.

social inequality

phrase

Unequal distribution of resources across society

Social inequality remains one of the most pressing issues globally.

multicultural

adjective

Relating to several different cultures in one society

London is a vibrant, multicultural city with diverse communities.

migration

noun

Movement of people from one place to another

Economic migration has both benefits and challenges for host nations.

Types: immigration, emigration, rural-urban migration

social cohesion

phrase

The bonds that bring society together

Strong social cohesion is essential for national stability.

gender equality

phrase

Equal rights and opportunities for all genders

Gender equality in the workplace requires active policy support.

ageing population

phrase

A population with a growing proportion of elderly people

An ageing population places increasing pressure on pension systems.

social mobility

noun phrase

The ability of individuals to move up or down the social ladder

Education is the single most powerful driver of social mobility.

discrimination

noun

Unjust treatment of different categories of people

Workplace discrimination on the basis of gender remains a widespread problem.

Types: racial, gender, age, religious discrimination

cultural identity

noun phrase

The sense of belonging to a cultural group

Globalisation threatens the cultural identity of smaller, indigenous communities.

community integration

noun phrase

The process of bringing different groups together within a community

Community integration programmes help migrants adapt to their new country.

civic responsibility

noun phrase

The duties and obligations of a citizen to their society

Voting and paying taxes are basic forms of civic responsibility.

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7. Economy & Business

GDP, trade, employment — essential vocabulary for both Task 1 and Task 2

Economy Vocabulary

▾

GDP (Gross Domestic Product)

noun

The total value of goods produced by a country in a year

A country's GDP is a key indicator of its economic health.

inflation

noun

A general increase in prices over time

High inflation erodes purchasing power and living standards.

unemployment rate

phrase

The percentage of people without jobs

The unemployment rate rose sharply during the economic recession.

foreign investment

phrase

Money invested in a country by entities from another country

Foreign investment can boost economic growth in developing nations.

free trade

phrase

International trade without restrictions or tariffs

Free trade agreements benefit both exporters and consumers.

poverty gap

phrase

The difference in living standards between rich and poor

Governments must address the widening poverty gap through fair taxation.

economic recession

phrase

A period of temporary economic decline

The global economic recession led to widespread job losses.

fiscal policy

phrase

Government decisions on spending and taxation

Expansionary fiscal policy can stimulate economic growth.

austerity measures

noun phrase

Government policies of reduced spending to lower a budget deficit

Austerity measures led to significant cuts in public services and welfare programmes.

trade deficit

noun phrase

When a country imports more than it exports

A persistent trade deficit can weaken a country's currency over time.

Opposite: trade surplus

entrepreneurship

noun

The activity of setting up and running businesses

Governments should foster entrepreneurship by reducing bureaucratic barriers.

Related: start-up, innovation, small business

income inequality

noun phrase

An uneven distribution of earnings among the population

Income inequality has widened significantly in many developed economies over recent decades.

monetary policy

noun phrase

Actions by a central bank to control money supply and interest rates

Central banks use monetary policy to manage inflation and stabilise the economy.

Useful Phrases

stimulate / boost economic growth

narrow the wealth gap / reduce inequality

standard of living / quality of life

attract foreign investment / foster entrepreneurship

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8. Graph & Data Language (Task 1)

Vocabulary to accurately describe trends, comparisons and changes

Trend & Change Vocabulary

▾

Direction	Verbs	Nouns	Adverbs
📈 Increase	rise, grow, increase, climb, soar, surge, rocket, escalate	a rise, growth, an increase, a surge, an upward trend	sharply, dramatically, significantly, gradually, steadily, slightly
📉 Decrease	fall, drop, decline, decrease, plummet, plunge, dip, slump	a fall, a drop, a decline, a decrease, a downward trend	sharply, dramatically, significantly, gradually, steadily, slightly
➡️ Stable	remain stable/steady, level off, plateau, stay constant, stagnate	no change, stability, a plateau, a flat trend	relatively, approximately, roughly
🔝 Peak	peak, reach a peak/high, hit a maximum, reach its highest point	a peak, a high point, the highest point	—
🔽 Trough	reach a low, bottom out, hit a trough, reach its lowest point	a trough, a low point, the lowest point	—
🔁 Fluctuate	fluctuate, vary, oscillate, change irregularly	fluctuation, variation, irregular change	erratically, unpredictably

Example Sentences

The number of users rose sharply from 10 million to 50 million between 2010 and 2020.

Sales peaked at $5 billion in 2018 before declining gradually over the following years.

Prices remained relatively stable throughout the period, with only minor fluctuations.

The unemployment rate plummeted from 12% to just 4% between 2010 and 2018.

There was a dramatic surge in internet usage during the pandemic.

Vary your verb choices: do not only write "increased" — use "surged", "climbed", "rose significantly" for a higher lexical resource score.

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9. Opinion & Argument Language

Express views, concede points and structure arguments for Band 7+

Expressing Opinions & Arguments

▾

Function	Phrases
Giving opinion	In my view, From my perspective, I would argue that, It is my firm belief that, I am of the opinion that
Presenting argument	It is widely acknowledged that, There is strong evidence to suggest, Research has shown that, Studies have demonstrated that
Conceding a point	Admittedly, It is true that... however..., While there are benefits, the drawbacks outweigh..., One could argue that... yet...
Refuting argument	However, On the contrary, This argument overlooks the fact that, Critics argue that..., This view fails to consider...
Concluding	In conclusion, To summarise, Taking everything into account, It is clear that, On balance, I believe that...

Complete Example Paragraph (Task 2 — Band 7+)

It is widely acknowledged that technology has transformed education. However, one could argue that this has come at a cost. Admittedly, online learning provides flexibility and access. Nevertheless, it lacks the social development that traditional classrooms offer. In my view, a blended approach would be the most effective solution.

Avoid "I think" and "I feel" — they are too informal. Prefer "In my view", "I would argue that", or "It is my belief that" in IELTS Task 2.

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10. High-Score Collocations

Word combinations that impress examiners — Lexical Resource Band 7+

Essential IELTS Collocations by Category

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Verb	Collocations
make	make progress, make a contribution, make a difference, make an effort, make a decision
take	take action, take measures, take responsibility, take into account, take advantage of
have	have an impact on, have access to, have a detrimental effect on, have implications for
play	play a role in, play a crucial part in, play a key factor in
raise	raise awareness, raise concerns, raise standards, raise funds, raise questions
address	address a problem, address an issue, address inequality, address the root cause
pose	pose a threat, pose a challenge, pose a risk, pose a problem
tackle	tackle poverty, tackle crime, tackle unemployment, tackle the issue of

Adjective	Collocations
major	major issue, major problem, major factor, major challenge, major concern
growing	growing concern, growing number, growing trend, growing awareness
profound	profound impact, profound effect, profound change, profound influence
vital	vital role, vital importance, vital resource, vital step
significant	significant increase, significant impact, significant progress, significant improvement
serious	serious consequences, serious problem, serious threat, serious consideration

In-Context Examples

Governments must take action to address the growing concern over climate change.

Education plays a vital role in raising awareness about social issues.

This policy has had a profound impact on reducing the poverty gap.

Collocations sound natural because they are fixed word partnerships. Learn word pairs, not single words — this is one of the fastest ways to improve your Lexical Resource score.