Festivals & Celebrations: 15 IELTS Words from Band 6 to Band 8

Fifteen words drawn from the theme of festivals & celebrations, 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.

• compensate (verb) — To give something, usually money, to make up for loss or damage; to reduce the bad effect of something

  Higher wages may compensate for the increased cost of living in major cities.

  Watch out: Use "compensate for" when balancing a negative. Use "compensate someone" when paying for loss.

  Common pairings: compensate for, compensate employees, financial compensation, compensate losses

• absent (adjective) — Not present; missing from a place

  The report noted that certain important data was absent from the study.

  Watch out: "Absent from" not "absent at". "Absence" is the noun form.

  Common pairings: absent from, in the absence of, notable absence, absent-minded

• diverse (adjective) — Showing a great deal of variety; very different

  The city has a diverse population from many cultural backgrounds.

  Watch out: "Diverse" = varied. "Diversity" (noun), "diversify" (verb).

  Common pairings: diverse range, culturally diverse, diverse population, diversity

• issue (noun) — An important topic or problem that people discuss or argue about

  Climate change is one of the most pressing issues facing society today.

  Watch out: "Issue" is more neutral than "problem". An issue is something to discuss; a problem is something negative.

  Common pairings: key issue, address an issue, raise an issue, controversial issue

• contribute (verb) — To give something, especially money or help, to achieve something or help make it successful

  Several factors contribute to the success of educational programmes.

  Watch out: Use "contribute to" not "contribute for" or "contribute in".

  Common pairings: contribute to, contributing factor, contribute significantly, make a contribution

Band 7 words

Five words at band 7.

• enforce (verb) — To make sure a law, rule, or decision is obeyed; to compel compliance.

  Stricter penalties are needed to enforce environmental protection laws effectively.

  Watch out: Confusing 'enforce' with 'reinforce'. Enforce means to apply rules; reinforce means to strengthen.

  Common pairings: enforce the law, enforce regulations, strictly enforced, enforce compliance

• media (noun) — The main means of mass communication such as television, radio, newspapers, and the internet.

  The media plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion on political issues.

  Watch out: Media is technically plural (medium is singular), but 'the media is' is commonly accepted in modern usage.

  Common pairings: social media, mass media, media coverage, media influence

• military (adjective) — Relating to armed forces or warfare

  Military spending accounts for a significant portion of the national budget.

  Watch out: Adjective (military service) or noun (the military). Not "army" which is more specific.

  Common pairings: military service, military spending, military force, military intervention

• obesity (noun) — The condition of being very overweight with excess body fat

  Childhood obesity rates have tripled in many developed countries.

  Watch out: Uncountable noun. "Obesity is increasing" not "obesities". "Obese" is the adjective.

  Common pairings: childhood obesity, obesity rates, combat obesity, obesity epidemic

perspective (noun) — A particular way of thinking about something; a point of view

It is important to consider this issue from different perspectives.

Watch out: "Perspective" is a way of seeing things. "Prospective" means expected in the future. Do not confuse them.

Common pairings: from this perspective, different perspective, global perspective, put into perspective

Band 8 words

Five words at band 8.

• qualitative (adjective) — Relating to or concerned with quality rather than quantity.

  Qualitative research methods such as interviews provide deeper insights into human behaviour.

  Watch out: Qualitative focuses on qualities and characteristics. Quantitative focuses on numbers and measurements.

  Common pairings: qualitative research, qualitative data, qualitative analysis, qualitative approach

• stringent (adjective) — Strict, precise, and exacting

  The new regulations impose stringent requirements on manufacturers.

  Watch out: "Stringent" = very strict. "Stringently" = adverb. "Stringency" = strictness.

  Common pairings: stringent regulations, stringent requirements, stringent measures, stringently

• concomitant (adjective) — Naturally accompanying or associated

  Economic growth often brings concomitant environmental challenges.

  Watch out: "Concomitant" = accompanying (formal). Can be adjective or noun.

  Common pairings: concomitant with, concomitant factors, concomitant increase, concomitant risks

• compelling (adjective) — Evoking interest or attention in a powerful way

  The documentary presents compelling evidence of climate change.

  Watch out: "Compelling" = powerfully convincing. "Compel" = force (verb).

  Common pairings: compelling argument, compelling evidence, compelling reason, compelling case

• pervasive (adjective) — Spreading widely throughout an area or group

  Technology has become pervasive in modern education.

  Watch out: "Pervasive" = widespread. "Pervade" = to spread through (verb).

  Common pairings: pervasive influence, pervasive problem, pervasive nature, pervade

Mistakes to avoid

• Incorrect use of "enforce"

  Correct usage: "enforce" - to make sure a law, rule, or decision is obeyed; to compel compliance.

  Confusing 'enforce' with 'reinforce'. Enforce means to apply rules; reinforce means to strengthen.

• Incorrect use of "military"

  Correct usage: "military" - relating to armed forces or warfare

  Adjective (military service) or noun (the military). Not "army" which is more specific.

• Incorrect use of "diverse"

  Correct usage: "diverse" - showing a great deal of variety; very different

  "Diverse" = varied. "Diversity" (noun), "diversify" (verb).

Practise the words

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

1. _______ spending accounts for a significant portion of the national budget.
2. Childhood _______ rates have tripled in many developed countries.
3. Stricter penalties are needed to _______ environmental protection laws effectively.
4. Technology has become _______ in modern education.
5. The city has a _______ population from many cultural backgrounds.

Answers: military, obesity, enforce, pervasive, diverse

Reading tip

For True/False/Not Given questions, look for exact matches or contradictions in the text.