Entrepreneurs Who Started with Nothing: 15 IELTS Words from Band 6 to Band 8

Fifteen words drawn from the theme of entrepreneurs who started with nothing, 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.

• dominate (verb) — To have control over or be the most important or noticeable in something

  Technology companies now dominate the global stock market.

  Watch out: "Dominate" suggests control or superiority. "Predominate" means to be the largest in number.

  Common pairings: dominate the market, dominate the industry, dominated by, dominant position

• excessive (adjective) — More than is necessary, normal, or desirable

  Excessive consumption of sugar can lead to health problems.

  Watch out: "Excessive" = too much. "Excessively" = adverb. "Excess" = noun.

  Common pairings: excessive use, excessive force, excessively, in excess of

• brief (adjective) — Of short duration; concise

  The minister gave a brief statement to the press.

  Watch out: "Brief" (adjective) = short. "Brief" (noun) = summary document.

  Common pairings: brief period, brief summary, brief description, briefly mention

• maximize (verb) — To increase something as much as possible

  Companies aim to maximize profits while minimizing costs.

  Watch out: British spelling is "maximise"; American is "maximize". Both are acceptable in IELTS.

  Common pairings: maximize profits, maximize efficiency, maximize potential, maximize benefits

• consent (noun) — Permission or agreement to do something

  Researchers must obtain informed consent from all participants before conducting studies.

  Watch out: "Consent" requires active agreement. "Permission" can be more passive. Both can be verbs or nouns.

  Common pairings: informed consent, give consent, parental consent, without consent

Band 7 words

Five words at band 7.

• phenomenon (noun) — Something that happens or exists, especially something interesting or hard to explain

  Urbanization is a global phenomenon affecting both developed and developing nations.

  Watch out: The plural is "phenomena" not "phenomenons".

  Common pairings: social phenomenon, natural phenomenon, cultural phenomenon, widespread phenomenon

• assert (verb) — To state a fact or belief confidently and forcefully

The author asserts that education is the key to reducing poverty.

Watch out: "Assert" = state firmly. "Assertion" (noun), "assertive" (adjective).

Common pairings: assert that, assert authority, assert rights, assertion that

Mistakes to avoid

• Incorrect use of "reject"

  Correct usage: "reject" - to refuse to accept, consider, or use something; to dismiss as inadequate.

  Using 'reject' and 'refuse' interchangeably. Reject is more formal and often involves consideration before refusal.

• Incorrect use of "consent"

  Correct usage: "consent" - permission or agreement to do something

  "Consent" requires active agreement. "Permission" can be more passive. Both can be verbs or nouns.

• Incorrect use of "liberal"

  Correct usage: "liberal" - open to new ideas and willing to accept different opinions; generous or given freely.

  Using 'liberal' only in political contexts. It can also mean generous: 'liberal use of' or 'liberal amounts'.

Practise the words

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

1. The minister gave a _______ statement to the press.
2. Companies aim to _______ profits while minimizing costs.
3. Urbanization is a global _______ affecting both developed and developing nations.
4. The building was designed with both functional and _______ considerations.
5. The committee rejected the proposal due to insufficient evidence of its effectiveness.

Answers: brief, maximize, phenomenon, aesthetic, reject

Listening tip

Use the time before each section to read the questions carefully.