Lost Languages: 15 IELTS Words from Band 6 to Band 8

Fifteen words drawn from the theme of lost languages, 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.

• tradition (noun) — A custom or belief passed down through generations

  Many cultural traditions are at risk of disappearing in the modern world.

  Watch out: "Tradition" is a custom. "Traditional" is the adjective. Do not say "tradion" or "traditionnal".

  Common pairings: cultural tradition, long tradition, traditional values, break with tradition

• steadily (adverb) — In a regular and continuous way

  The population has increased steadily over the past decade.

  Watch out: "Steadily" = consistent rate. "Steady" (adjective), "steadily" (adverb).

  Common pairings: increased steadily, grew steadily, rose steadily, declined steadily

• method (noun) — A particular way of doing something, especially a planned or organized way

  Traditional teaching methods are being replaced by more interactive approaches.

  Watch out: "Method" is more formal than "way". Use "method" in academic writing.

  Common pairings: teaching method, research method, effective method, alternative method

• evident (adjective) — Easy to see or understand; clear and obvious

  It is evident from the chart that sales peaked in the summer months.

  Watch out: "Evident" and "obvious" are similar, but "evident" is more formal. Use "evident" in academic writing.

  Common pairings: clearly evident, self-evident, it is evident that, become evident

• perceive (verb) — To see, notice, or understand something; to think of something in a particular way

  The public perceives climate change as one of the most serious global threats.

  Watch out: "Perceive" involves interpretation, not just seeing. It suggests how something is understood or viewed.

  Common pairings: perceive as, widely perceived, perceive a threat, perceive differently

Band 7 words

Five words at band 7.

• contrast (noun) — A clear difference between two things when they are compared

  There is a stark contrast between urban and rural living standards.

  Watch out: As a noun, stress is on the first syllable: CON-trast. As a verb, stress is on the second: con-TRAST.

  Common pairings: in contrast, by contrast, sharp contrast, stark contrast

• constitute (verb) — To be something; to make up or form a part of something

  Young people under 25 constitute approximately 40% of the total population.

  Watch out: "Constitute" means "make up". "Consist of" means "is made up of". They are opposite!

  Common pairings: constitute a threat, constitute a majority, constitute evidence, constitute a breach

• integral (adjective) — Essential and necessary as a part of a whole; fundamental.

  Technology has become an integral part of modern education systems.

  Watch out: Using 'integral' with 'of' instead of 'to' or 'part of'. Say 'integral to' or 'integral part of'.

  Common pairings: integral part, integral to, integral role, integral component

• controversy (noun) — Public disagreement or debate about a matter that causes strong opposing opinions.

  The new policy has generated considerable controversy among environmental groups.

  Watch out: Pronunciation varies: British /kənˈtrɒvəsi/ vs American /ˈkɑːntrəvɜːrsi/. Both are acceptable in IELTS.

  Common pairings: cause controversy, amid controversy, spark controversy, controversial issue

file (noun) — A collection of documents or information about a person or subject; a computer document.

The company maintains detailed files on all customer complaints and resolutions.

Watch out: Using 'file' only for computer files. In formal contexts, it often means a collection of paper documents.

Common pairings: on file, file a complaint, case file, personal file

Band 8 words

Five words at band 8.

• decade (noun) — A period of ten years

  Over the past decade, internet usage has increased dramatically worldwide.

  Watch out: "Decade" is exactly 10 years. Do not use it loosely for "a long time" or "several years".

  Common pairings: over the past decade, in recent decades, the next decade, for decades

• minimize (verb) — To reduce something to the smallest possible amount or degree.

  Effective policies should aim to minimize environmental damage while maximizing economic benefits.

  Watch out: British spelling is 'minimise'. Use consistent spelling throughout your writing.

  Common pairings: minimize risk, minimize costs, minimize damage, minimize disruption

• antithesis (noun) — The exact opposite; direct contrast

  His frugal lifestyle was the antithesis of his wealthy upbringing.

  Watch out: "Antithesis of" = exact opposite. "Antithetical" = adjective form.

  Common pairings: the antithesis of, antithetical to, complete antithesis, thesis and antithesis

• assure (verb) — To tell someone something positively to dispel doubts; to make certain of something.

  Quality control measures assure that all products meet the required safety standards.

  Watch out: Assure takes a person as object: 'assure someone'. Ensure means to make certain. Insure relates to insurance.

  Common pairings: assure quality, rest assured, assure someone, assure success

• quintessential (adjective) — Representing the most perfect example of a quality or class

  The village is a quintessential example of rural English life.

  Watch out: "Quintessential" = perfect example. "Quintessence" = the purest essence.

  Common pairings: quintessential example, quintessentially, quintessence of, quintessential British

Mistakes to avoid

• Incorrect use of "controversy"

  Correct usage: "controversy" - public disagreement or debate about a matter that causes strong opposing opinions.

  Pronunciation varies: British /kənˈtrɒvəsi/ vs American /ˈkɑːntrəvɜːrsi/. Both are acceptable in IELTS.

• Incorrect use of "constitute"

  Correct usage: "constitute" - to be something; to make up or form a part of something

  "Constitute" means "make up". "Consist of" means "is made up of". They are opposite!

• Incorrect use of "tradition"

  Correct usage: "tradition" - a custom or belief passed down through generations

  "Tradition" is a custom. "Traditional" is the adjective. Do not say "tradion" or "traditionnal".

Practise the words

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

1. Traditional teaching methods are being replaced by more interactive approaches.
2. The public perceives climate change as one of the most serious global threats.
3. The new policy has generated considerable _______ among environmental groups.
4. Effective policies should aim to _______ environmental damage while maximizing economic benefits.
5. Over the past _______, internet usage has increased dramatically worldwide.

Answers: method, perceive, controversy, minimize, decade

Writing tip

Check your work for common errors: articles, subject-verb agreement, tenses.