Ancient Mysteries Solved: 15 IELTS Words from Band 6 to Band 8

Fifteen words drawn from the theme of ancient mysteries solved, grouped by the band they belong to. Each one comes with a definition, a sentence showing it at work, and the mistake examiners see most often.

Band 6 words

Five words at band 6.

• distinct (adjective) — Clearly different or separate from something else

  The survey identified three distinct groups of consumers based on their purchasing habits.

  Watch out: "Distinct" means clearly different. "Distinctive" means special or unique. They are not the same.

  Common pairings: distinct from, distinct groups, distinct advantage, clearly distinct

• primary (adjective) — Main or most important; first in order or time

  The primary cause of obesity is an imbalance between calories consumed and calories expended.

  Watch out: "Primary" means first or most important. "Prime" means main or best quality. They overlap but differ.

  Common pairings: primary cause, primary concern, primary source, primary objective

• adverse (adjective) — Harmful or unfavorable

  The adverse effects of pollution on health are well documented.

  Watch out: "Adverse" = negative/harmful. "Averse" = opposed to. Different words.

  Common pairings: adverse effects, adverse conditions, adverse impact, adversely affect

• minor (adjective) — Small or not very important compared to others of the same type

  The report identified several minor issues that need to be addressed.

  Watch out: "Minor" is the opposite of "major". As a noun, it means a person under 18.

  Common pairings: minor changes, minor problem, minor role, relatively minor

• environment (noun) — The natural world (air, water, land, plants, animals) or the place where someone lives or works

  Climate change poses the greatest threat to our natural environment.

  Watch out: Spelling it as "enviroment" (missing the "n").

  Common pairings: natural environment, working environment, protect the environment, environmental issues

Band 7 words

Five words at band 7.

• focus (verb) — To give special attention to one particular thing; to concentrate

  This essay will focus on the environmental impact of urban development.

  Watch out: "Focus on" is correct. Not "focus at" or "focus about". Say "focus on the main issue".

  Common pairings: focus on, main focus, shift focus, focus attention

• compact (adjective) — Closely and neatly packed together; small and efficiently designed

  The compact design makes it ideal for small spaces.

  Watch out: "Compact" as adjective (small/dense) or noun (agreement). Different uses.

  Common pairings: compact car, compact design, compact size, compact disc

• intervene (verb) — To become involved in a situation in order to improve it or prevent it from getting worse.

  The government decided to intervene in the market to stabilise food prices.

  Watch out: Confusing 'intervene' with 'interfere'. Intervene is usually positive (to help); interfere is often negative (to meddle).

  Common pairings: government intervention, intervene in, intervene to prevent, early intervention

• explicit (adjective) — Stated clearly and in detail, leaving no room for doubt

  The instructions need to be more explicit to avoid confusion.

  Watch out: "Explicit" = clearly stated. "Implicit" = implied but not stated. Opposites.

  Common pairings: explicit instructions, explicit statement, make explicit, explicitly stated

monitor (verb) — To observe and check the progress or quality of something over time

Scientists continue to monitor changes in global temperature patterns.

Watch out: "Monitor" is ongoing observation. "Measure" is taking a single reading. "Track" is following progress.

Common pairings: monitor progress, closely monitored, monitor changes, monitoring system

Band 8 words

Five words at band 8.

• subordinate (adjective) — Lower in rank or position; secondary in importance to something else.

  Individual interests should not be subordinate to corporate profits in healthcare decisions.

  Watch out: Subordinate as an adjective means lower in rank. As a verb, it means to treat as less important.

  Common pairings: subordinate to, subordinate role, subordinate position, subordinate clause

• scenario (noun) — A possible sequence of future events; a postulated sequence of possible events.

  Climate scientists have developed multiple scenarios to predict future environmental conditions.

  Watch out: Scenario refers to a hypothetical situation or sequence of events, not just any situation.

  Common pairings: worst-case scenario, possible scenario, likely scenario, in this scenario

• random (adjective) — Made, done, or happening without method or conscious decision; governed by chance.

  Participants were selected through random sampling to ensure unbiased results.

  Watch out: In academic contexts, random has a precise meaning related to probability and sampling methods.

  Common pairings: random sample, random selection, at random, random sampling

• burgeoning (adjective) — Beginning to grow or increase rapidly; flourishing

  The burgeoning technology sector is creating thousands of new jobs.

  Watch out: "Burgeoning" = rapidly growing. "Burgeon" = verb form.

  Common pairings: burgeoning industry, burgeoning demand, burgeoning market, burgeoning population

• ambiguous (adjective) — Having more than one possible meaning or interpretation; unclear or uncertain.

  The government's policy on immigration remains ambiguous, leaving many applicants uncertain about their status.

  Watch out: Confusing 'ambiguous' with 'vague'. Ambiguous means having multiple meanings; vague means lacking detail.

  Common pairings: ambiguous language, morally ambiguous, deliberately ambiguous, ambiguous results

Mistakes to avoid

• Incorrect use of "explicit"

  Correct usage: "explicit" - stated clearly and in detail, leaving no room for doubt

  "Explicit" = clearly stated. "Implicit" = implied but not stated. Opposites.

• Incorrect use of "burgeoning"

  Correct usage: "burgeoning" - beginning to grow or increase rapidly; flourishing

  "Burgeoning" = rapidly growing. "Burgeon" = verb form.

• Incorrect use of "minor"

  Correct usage: "minor" - small or not very important compared to others of the same type

  "Minor" is the opposite of "major". As a noun, it means a person under 18.

Practise the words

Fill each gap, then check yourself against the answers underneath.

1. Climate change poses the greatest threat to our natural _______.
2. The _______ technology sector is creating thousands of new jobs.
3. Participants were selected through _______ sampling to ensure unbiased results.
4. The survey identified three _______ groups of consumers based on their purchasing habits.
5. Climate scientists have developed multiple scenarios to predict future environmental conditions.

Answers: environment, burgeoning, random, distinct, scenario

Writing tip

Use a variety of sentence structures: simple, compound, and complex.