Below you will find the IELTS speaking vocabulary for different topics in the IELTS speaking test.
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You’ll find example speaking questions và how lớn use these words in context & the definitions of each word.
Use this to lớn increase your vocabulary with useful speaking grammar, lexical resources và idioms and phrases for your speaking.
Vocabulary for IELTS Speaking Topics
Each links below covers a familiar topic on the speaking kiểm tra along with extensive vocabulary lists, definitions, and a sample answer.
Advanced vocabulary for IELTS speaking
Here are a menu of words that can be considered ‘advanced’ because although they are understood they are used far less in everyday English.
These words were selected because we believe they could be used easily used in the speaking exam. For example, the cue cards usually ask you khổng lồ talk about a person, place or an experience. You can see the meaning of the words followed by an IELTS-specific example.
Ludicrous – unreasonable, or out of place, so as to be funny. “Well, a person I admire a lot was the Queen of England, & I find it ludicrous some countries would prefer to lớn be a republic, rather than have her as head of state”.
Pinnacle – the most successful point. “A person I admire a lot would be Sir Lewis Hamilton, during his career he has been at the pinnacle of motorsport”.
Proponent – a person who advocates for something. “I think I am a big proponent for making the world a cleaner place, for example…”.
Invigorating – making one feel strong, healthy, and full of energy. “Well, lớn relax, I find a long hot bath with some candles và music, really invigorates me for next day”.
Indulge – to lớn enjoy the pleasure of something. “Well, to relax, I make a huge hot chocolate, loaded with marshmallows, then grab a pack of biscuits, and indulge my sweet tooth for an hour or two”.
Mere – used lớn emphasize how insignificant someone or something is. “The mountain cannot be climbed by mere mortals”.
Here is a post full of advanced grammar techniques for your speaking exam.
Is vocabulary the quickest win?
Yes.
Even native speakers are impressed by other native speakers who have an expansive vocabulary. Similarly, a reduced vocabulary is often associated to lớn reduced intelligence (source).
I always remember my English tutor saying ‘Never use the word nice’. Nice is an incredibly plain & overused word. It is probably among the first 100 words you learnt in English.
There are so many richer & more elegant words for you lớn use in your IELTS exam:
Her spoken English skills are really nice. Vs Her spoken English skills are profound.It is nice khổng lồ hear phrasal verbs used correctly. Vs. It is delightful khổng lồ hear phrasal verbs used correctly.Active vocabulary helps your fluency
If the word you are searching for only comes after 5 seconds of waiting và there are pauses in your speaking, you vì not sound fluent. Your vocabulary is not activated / it is passive.
Therefore having an extensive vocabulary is useless unless it is activated. Practice exercises to activate your vocabulary must consist of using the word various times after learning it. This is one of the best ways to lớn consolidate your vocab for IELTS speaking.
Make sure the word is used in context though.
Word lists can be helpful if you follow the above rule of using the word various times after learning it.
Mimicking
Listening and repeating authentic native English speaker material on common topics will not only help your pronunciation, your vocabulary but also your fluency.
In English individual words are often pushed together in what is called connective speech. Mimicking helps you get a feel for connected speech.
It is especially useful when you learn a new word because you get the context & the correct pronunciation first time.
Likewise, learning an entire phrase by mimicking it will help with your intonation & make you sound more lượt thích a native speaker.
TIP: Most people don’t know that if you know you make a mistake it is ok lớn go back & correct yourself, just make sure it does not happen very often otherwise it may start to affect your score. For more help on learning speaking vocabulary & tips on the IELTS speaking test kiểm tra out this guide.
Reading (not the shy or perfectionists)
Although reading is definitely useful you bởi not want khổng lồ have ‘text book English’ which means all your English is in your head and not in your mouth. Basically you know a lot but cannot use it.
This is common among shy students & perfectionists who are reluctant to make mistakes & hate being embarrassed.
Unfortunately, the only way to lớn get a high score và improve your speaking skills is to lớn get out there & make mistakes. Get feedback and learn from the errors. Make the most of the classes at school or online by insisting your tutor either corrects you or notes down your mistakes. Otherwise, the lesson is just casual chit-chat between friends.
A mistake in speaking is only a failure if you failed khổng lồ learn from it.
Improving your writing can help
A strong writer is often a strong communicator. Articulate writers often find their skills carry over into the speaking domain. This is especially true with the topic specific vocabulary learnt for the other modules such as writing task 2, và the reading test.
A high score through the accurate use of idioms can be achieved, if they are used naturally và accurately, here is a guide on how khổng lồ use idioms in your speaking exam.
Be warned though, you must be confident you are using it aptly otherwise it can sound forced và unnatural.
Quick Speaking Tips
Tip 1. Don’t memorize your answers before the exam.
Tip 2. Develop the skill to talk spontaneously on different topics.
Tip 3. Practice your IELTS speaking using sample questions with other students.
Tip 4. Don’t be shy lớn ask for clarification.
Tip 5. Elaborate, explain, & develop your answers. If possible try khổng lồ use more academic language.
Tip 6. Don’t rush your answers. Speak slowly & clearly (it may seem slow to you but will most likely be a natural pace).
Tip 7. Don’t panic if you make a mistake.
Tip 8. Practise fluency và accuracy separately. Xem thêm: Nguyên tắc nuôi dạy con của người do thái, cha mẹ nào cũng nên học hỏi
Tip 9. Practise speaking about different topics with native & non-native speakers.
Tip 10. Use anecdotes, especially in your practice lessons, so as khổng lồ avoid errors on exam day.
Tip 11. When using examples in your responses, try khổng lồ avoid hypothetical situations.
Tip 12. Learn useful phrases for the exam, especially phrases related to the IELTS speaking topics.
Tip 13. Write out your sample answers và try & upgrade them (especially the basic vocabulary!).
Tip 14. Developing your listening skills is also essential for a high score. You want khổng lồ be able to lớn understand the examiner without asking for clarification.
Get the full lesson about speaking tips here.
More IELTS Speaking Tutorials
Take a look at some more speaking tutorials khổng lồ help you in your IELTS exam
International English Language Testing System is a widely accepted English proficiency test taken by students intending to lớn pursue foreign education or employment abroad. The thử nghiệm assesses the candidate’s ability lớn communicate in English and is based on four parameters: reading, writing, speaking & listening.For IELTS, it’s crucial to employ a variety of vocabulary with flexibility because the examiner will be looking for it in all the sections. Additionally, you need lớn read well in order khổng lồ comprehend the texts because they will contain many challenging vocabulary.
To get a band 7 or higher on the IELTS, having a strong vocabulary is crucial. Here we have compiled a menu of IELTS vocabulary words that candidates can utilise for their preparation.
Topic-wise menu for IELTS Vocabulary
Candidates should have a wide range of vocabulary as that will help them khổng lồ discuss various topics. If one is unable to lớn appropriately use the correct words, then this becomes a major drawback & can hamper the overall score as well.
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We have identified the latest & most popular topics that have been used in IELTS exam. In the list below, you will find topic-wise IELTS vocabulary words with their meaning và usage next to them for better understanding.
Phrasal Verbfor IELTS vocabulary
Phrasal verb consists of two or three words from different grammatical groups. When all of them are combined, a different meaning is put forward và hence must be used according khổng lồ the context.Besides, phrasal verbs belong to lớn the IELTS vocabulary list và candidates can make use of them to demonstrate their command over the English language.
Before that, the candidate must try to lớn understand the meaning of the phrasal verb as the wrong usage can reduce the band score.Here is the các mục of phrasal verbs that the candidate can use:
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Example |
| Quarrel with | Dispute or disagree withsomething | I am not quarrelling with their idea, but I think there are other possibilities. |
| Romp in | Win easily | In the first race, the favorite romped in. |
| Salt away | Save money | She’s making a lot of money, but salts itaway rather than spending it. |
| Venture forth | Leave somewhere safe orcomfortable | If the storm has finished, we could ventureforth. |
| Stick with | Not change something | We’d better stick with our original idea. |
| Tee off | Start or launch an event | The new project will tee off next month. |
| Go by | The passing of time | Ten years went by before we saw each otheragain |
| Kick back | Relax | Rather than go out tonight, we plan khổng lồ kickback & watch television |
| Limber up for | Prepare for something thatwill require a great effort | They are limbering up for the over of thefinancial year. |
| Measure against | Evaluate or judge bycomparison | The work doesn’t look good if you measureit against what our competitors have done. |
| Pass over | Ignore, refuse to discuss | Let’s pass over what they said & get on. |
| Peel away | From Leave a group bymoving in a differentdirection. | They peeled away from the crowd andwent down a side road |
Idioms for IELTS Vocabulary
IELTS speaking section is another challenging area for many. However, it is in this section that the candidates can show their fluency, pronunciation và vocabulary of the language.
Idioms in this section help in expressing our ideas more clearly & make them sound rather natural. But, candidates must not use idioms without understanding their meaning, as that will lead khổng lồ a deduction in marks. Hence, it is advisable that candidates use it in tasks only when they’re confident about its meaning & context.
We have compiled a list of common idioms for IELTS vocabulary that can be used in the speaking section. Remember when used properly they will lead lớn a great band score.
To be on the top of the worldTo be on cloud nine
If my memory serves me well
Over the moon
Once in a blue moon
Piece of cake
A drop in the ocean
To be like a dog with two tails
It makes my blood boil
Change one’s mind
Call it a day
Put all your eggs in one basket
Blessing in disguise
Actions speak louder than words
I hit the ceiling
Fresh as a daisy
Couch potato
Full of beans A bad egg
Eager beaver
Collocations for IELTS Vocabulary
Collocations can be understood as the proper arrangement of words in a sentence or the combination of words that appear natural. They can be paired in this manner:
Verb và nounVerb & adverb
Adverb & adjective
Adjective và noun
Noun và noun
For easier understanding, some examples are listed below:
Make someone’s bedI have a preference for continental cuisine I prefer reading Parents can assist their children with financial responsibility I have lớn take the thử nghiệm if I want to take the course
IELTS Speaking Vocabulary Words List
The speaking module tests the candidate’s ability to lớn communicate fluently in English. However, this means that the student must be able khổng lồ pronounce the words correctly without much hesitation. But that is not all, they must have a grasp over their vocabulary và use it when và where it is required as that can provide them with a good score.
Here is a comprehensive menu of IELTS vocabulary words:
To achieve a band score of 9 in the speaking section is a dream for many. Indian students specially struggle in this section.
For detailed content on how to lớn prepare for the IELTS speaking section, you can read:
Band 8 Sample Answer
IELTS Speaking Tips
How to lớn Improve Speaking Section Score
For specific nội dung on cue cards, task type samples & latest topics, visit:
IELTS Speaking Part 1
Latest Speaking Topics
IELTS Cue Cards
Reading and Writing : IELTS vocabulary list
Most candidates lose out marks as they vày not use synonyms in the reading và writing section. Here is a danh mục of popular words và their synonyms khổng lồ help you expand your IELTS vocabulary for the reading và writing sections:
| Words | Synonyms |
| Amazing | Incredible |
| Answer | Respond |
| Awful | Bad |
| Beautiful | Pretty |
| Begin | Start |
| Come | Arrive |
| Cool | Frosty |
| Dangerous | Risky |
| Decide | Settle |
| Definite | Certain |
| Delicious | Savoury |
| Wrong | Mistaken |
| Tell | Narrate, Inform |
| Show | Display, Exhibit |
| New | Recent, current |
| Neat | Clean |
| Interesting | Intriguing |
| Important | Vital, crucial |
| Help | Assist |
| Happy | Content |
| Famous | Well-known |
| Funny | Amusing |
| Place | Procedure |
You can also kiểm tra out IELTS courses by Leap
Scholar for a detailed guide on the IELTS Reading Section khổng lồ get help on reading tips và strategy. Also, get access khổng lồ guidance from the best IELTS tutors, attend mock tests, and get all sample materials to practise your IELTS vocabulary for reading section.
Tips lớn prepare for IELTS Vocabulary
Candidates should follow these tips diligently while preparing for their IELTS exam. At the over of the day, attaining a good score is the stepping stone towards pursuing their dream of studying abroad.
Read, listen và converse in English.Candidates should read English newspapers and get into the habit of reading. While reading, if they find any new word, they should chú ý it down và look for its meaning.
Practice makes a man perfect and hence is the key lớn nailing a good score. Whether it’s reading, writing, speaking or listening, practising each of these sections is necessary.
Use YouTube
Candidates should use You
Tube khổng lồ understand how academic words are pronounced. They can also watch English shows khổng lồ learn new vocabulary.
Memorising words is an activity that should be avoided as the meaning of words change according to their context.
Besides the các mục of IELTS vocabulary words, candidates can also make use of audio và videos as this can amp up the preparation process. Following the syllabus for each section is also essential.
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Frequently Asked Questions
No, there is no vocabulary test in IELTS. However, a wide range of vocabulary can help score well in the exam. Candidates can follow our list of vocabulary words for IELTS to prepare for the exam.
This score shows that the candidate has a good command of their English language. Most universities across the globe accept this score.
Yes, Vocabulary is important as it covers up to 25% of the total score in IELTS. It is the only topic common for both the Speaking and Writing sections.
Some of the hacks khổng lồ improve IELTS vocabulary is reading newspaper, watching English movies with subtitles, writing daily diary and making notes of new words và phrases.
No. There is no rule that using difficult words will help you score well. It is advisable that you should focus on the usage và meaning. Using difficult words is an add-on & if you don’t know it’s best not lớn use them.
Yes. Vocabulary is your foundation. Vocabulary makes up to lớn 25% of your total mark in the IELTS Writing và Speaking tests. Without a strong vocabulary, it is difficult to lớn have an efficient conversation or write a good content piece. And when you move out khổng lồ an English-speaking country, it is ideal lớn build a strong vocabulary.
The best way khổng lồ memorise vocabulary is by using mnemonics. These are mental shortcuts that help you remember more complex concepts or words. For example, you can create connection between words. The longer you think about acronyms or the connection the better will you remember the words that are associated with it.
