Ancient Rome's Legacy: 15 IELTS Words from Band 6 to Band 8

Fifteen words drawn from the theme of ancient rome's legacy, 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.

• flexible (adjective) — Able to bend easily; willing to change or compromise

  Flexible working hours help employees balance work and family life.

  Watch out: "Flexible" for physical (flexible material) or abstract (flexible approach). Both common.

  Common pairings: flexible hours, flexible approach, more flexible, flexibility in

• plus (preposition) — With the addition of; and also; an advantage or positive aspect

  The salary is competitive, plus employees receive excellent health benefits.

  Watch out: As conjunction (plus = and also) is informal. In formal writing, use "in addition" or "moreover".

  Common pairings: plus point, a big plus, plus or minus, plus side

• export (noun) — A product or service sold to another country; the act of sending goods abroad

  Oil exports account for the majority of the country's revenue.

  Watch out: As a noun, stress the first syllable: EX-port. As a verb, stress the second: ex-PORT.

  Common pairings: main export, export goods, export market, export revenue

• function (noun) — The purpose or role of something; what something does or is used for

  The primary function of education is to prepare young people for adult life.

  Watch out: "Function" is what something does. "Feature" is a characteristic. They are different.

  Common pairings: main function, serve a function, function as, vital function

• policy (noun) — A plan or set of rules made by a government, organization, or business

  The government has introduced new policies to reduce carbon emissions.

  Watch out: "Policy" is a plan or rule. "Politics" is the activity of governing. Do not confuse them.

  Common pairings: government policy, foreign policy, policy makers, implement a policy

Band 7 words

Five words at band 7.

• subsequent (adjective) — Coming after something else in time; happening later

  The initial investment led to substantial growth in subsequent years.

  Watch out: "Subsequent" means later in time. "Consequent" means because of something. They are different!

  Common pairings: subsequent years, subsequent events, subsequent analysis, subsequent development

• attitude (noun) — A way of thinking or feeling about something or someone, often shown in behaviour.

  Public attitudes towards renewable energy have shifted significantly over the past decade.

  Watch out: Using 'attitude' as countable without context. Say 'attitudes towards' (plural) when discussing general views.

  Common pairings: positive attitude, negative attitude, change in attitude, attitude towards

• voluntary (adjective) — Done, given, or acting of one's own free will; not forced or compulsory.

  Voluntary participation in community programmes has increased significantly.

  Watch out: Confusing 'voluntary' with 'volunteer'. Voluntary is an adjective; volunteer is a noun or verb.

  Common pairings: voluntary work, voluntary sector, voluntary contribution, on a voluntary basis

• discrete (adjective) — Individually separate and distinct; not connected or continuous.

  The research identified several discrete stages in the development of language skills.

  Watch out: Confusing 'discrete' (separate) with 'discreet' (careful/tactful). They are pronounced the same but have different meanings.

  Common pairings: discrete categories, discrete stages, discrete units, discrete elements

cessation (noun) — The ending of something

The cessation of hostilities brought relief to the region.

Watch out: "Cessation" = stopping. Very formal. From "cease".

Common pairings: cessation of hostilities, smoking cessation, complete cessation, cessation of

Band 8 words

Five words at band 8.

• detect (verb) — To discover or identify the presence or existence of something that is not immediately obvious.

  Researchers have detected a correlation between social media use and declining mental health.

  Watch out: Detect implies finding something hidden or not obvious. Do not use for things that are clearly visible.

  Common pairings: detect changes, detect a pattern, detect early, difficult to detect

• accompany (verb) — To go somewhere with someone; to exist or occur at the same time as something else.

  Rapid urbanisation is often accompanied by increased environmental degradation.

  Watch out: Using 'accompany with' is incorrect. Use 'accompany' alone or 'be accompanied by'.

  Common pairings: accompanied by, accompany changes, accompany growth, closely accompany

• temporary (adjective) — Lasting for only a limited period of time; not permanent.

  The economic downturn is expected to be temporary rather than a long-term structural change.

  Watch out: Temporary means not permanent. Do not confuse with 'contemporary' (of the same time period).

  Common pairings: temporary measures, temporary solution, temporary employment, temporary accommodation

• deny (verb) — To refuse to admit the truth of something; to refuse to give

  Some politicians continue to deny the evidence for climate change.

  Watch out: "Deny" is followed by a noun or gerund, not an infinitive. Say "deny doing" not "deny to do".

  Common pairings: deny the claim, cannot be denied, deny access, strongly deny

• thereby (adverb) — By that means; as a result of that.

  The new regulations reduce emissions, thereby contributing to improved air quality.

  Watch out: Thereby is formal and shows cause-effect. Do not use in casual speech.

  Common pairings: thereby reducing, thereby increasing, thereby creating, thereby ensuring

Mistakes to avoid

• Incorrect use of "discrete"

  Correct usage: "discrete" - individually separate and distinct; not connected or continuous.

  Confusing 'discrete' (separate) with 'discreet' (careful/tactful). They are pronounced the same but have different meanings.

• Incorrect use of "function"

  Correct usage: "function" - the purpose or role of something; what something does or is used for

  "Function" is what something does. "Feature" is a characteristic. They are different.

• Incorrect use of "flexible"

  Correct usage: "flexible" - able to bend easily; willing to change or compromise

  "Flexible" for physical (flexible material) or abstract (flexible approach). Both common.

Practise the words

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

1. Oil exports account for the majority of the country's revenue.
2. The economic downturn is expected to be _______ rather than a long-term structural change.
3. The research identified several _______ stages in the development of language skills.
4. The salary is competitive, _______ employees receive excellent health benefits.
5. The initial investment led to substantial growth in _______ years.

Answers: export, temporary, discrete, plus, subsequent

Listening tip

Write answers as you hear them - don't wait until the end.