Remote Work Revolution: 15 IELTS Words from Band 6 to Band 8

Fifteen words drawn from the theme of remote work revolution, 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.

• therapy (noun) — Treatment intended to relieve or heal a disorder

  Physical therapy helped the patient recover mobility after the accident.

  Watch out: "Therapy" is the treatment. "Therapist" is the professional. "Therapeutic" is the adjective.

  Common pairings: physical therapy, speech therapy, therapy session, undergo therapy

• continent (noun) — One of the world's main continuous land masses

  Africa is the second-largest continent by population.

  Watch out: "Continent" = landmass. "Continental" (adjective).

  Common pairings: African continent, continental drift, across the continent, continental

• enormous (adjective) — Very large in size, quantity, or extent

  The project required an enormous amount of time and resources.

  Watch out: "Enormous" = extremely large. Stronger than "big" or "large". "Enormously" (adverb).

  Common pairings: enormous amount, enormous impact, enormous potential, enormously important

• finance (noun) — The management of money; funds or money available for spending

  Public finance is crucial for maintaining essential government services.

  Watch out: "Finance" as noun means money matters. As a verb, it means to provide money for. Know both uses.

  Common pairings: public finance, finance sector, finance the project, personal finance

• consume (verb) — To use up resources such as food, energy, or time

  Developed countries consume far more energy per capita than developing nations.

  Watch out: "Consume" is broader than "eat". It can refer to any resource: energy, time, materials.

  Common pairings: consume energy, consume resources, consume products, time-consuming

Band 7 words

Five words at band 7.

• output (noun) — The amount of something produced; the result of a process

  Industrial output has declined by 15% over the past decade.

  Watch out: "Output" is what is produced. "Input" is what goes in. "Outcome" is the result or effect.

  Common pairings: economic output, industrial output, output levels, total output

• coincide (verb) — To occur at the same time or place; to be in agreement or harmony with something.

  The economic downturn coincided with a period of political instability.

  Watch out: Using 'coincide' without 'with'. Always say 'coincide with', not just 'coincide'.

  Common pairings: coincide with, happen to coincide, interests coincide, events coincide

• bolster (verb) — To support or strengthen

  New evidence helped bolster the researcher's argument.

  Watch out: "Bolster" = strengthen/support. Often used with arguments, confidence.

  Common pairings: bolster confidence, bolster the argument, bolster support, bolster the economy

• prime (adjective) — Of first importance; main; of the best quality or at the best stage.

  Location is a prime factor in determining property values in urban areas.

  Watch out: Using 'prime' only for 'prime minister'. It can mean main, best quality, or in mathematics, a prime number.

  Common pairings: prime example, prime concern, prime location, prime minister

contemplate (verb) — To think about something carefully; to consider

The government is contemplating changes to the policy.

Watch out: "Contemplate" = consider carefully. "Contemplation" (noun).

Common pairings: contemplate changes, contemplation, contemplate the future, contemplate doing

Band 8 words

Five words at band 8.

• cohesion (noun) — The action of forming a united whole

  Social cohesion is essential for community wellbeing.

  Watch out: "Cohesion" = unity/togetherness. "Cohesive" (adjective).

  Common pairings: social cohesion, team cohesion, cohesive force, national cohesion

• counterpart (noun) — A person or thing that corresponds to or has the same function as another in a different place or situation

  Female employees earn less than their male counterparts in many industries.

  Watch out: A "counterpart" is similar in role or position, not an opposite. Do not confuse with "opposite".

  Common pairings: male/female counterpart, foreign counterpart, compared to counterparts, unlike counterparts

• albeit (conjunction) — Although; even though

  The results were positive, albeit modest compared to initial expectations.

  Watch out: "Albeit" = although (very formal). Pronounced "all-BEE-it". Often followed by adjective.

  Common pairings: albeit limited, albeit small, albeit slowly, albeit briefly

• mediate (verb) — To intervene between parties in a dispute to bring about agreement; to act as an intermediary.

  International organisations often mediate disputes between neighbouring countries.

  Watch out: Mediate implies neutral intervention. Do not confuse with 'arbitrate' (make a binding decision).

  Common pairings: mediate between, mediate disputes, mediate negotiations, successfully mediate

• trigger (verb) — To cause an event or situation to happen or exist; to set off.

  Economic uncertainty can trigger significant changes in consumer spending patterns.

  Watch out: Trigger implies a cause that sets something off suddenly. Do not use for gradual causes.

  Common pairings: trigger a response, trigger a crisis, trigger a reaction, triggered by

Mistakes to avoid

• Incorrect use of "counterpart"

  Correct usage: "counterpart" - a person or thing that corresponds to or has the same function as another in a different place or situation

  A "counterpart" is similar in role or position, not an opposite. Do not confuse with "opposite".

• Incorrect use of "output"

  Correct usage: "output" - the amount of something produced; the result of a process

  "Output" is what is produced. "Input" is what goes in. "Outcome" is the result or effect.

• Incorrect use of "therapy"

  Correct usage: "therapy" - treatment intended to relieve or heal a disorder

  "Therapy" is the treatment. "Therapist" is the professional. "Therapeutic" is the adjective.

Practise the words

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

1. Public _______ is crucial for maintaining essential government services.
2. International organisations often _______ disputes between neighbouring countries.
3. The government is contemplating changes to the policy.
4. New evidence helped _______ the researcher's argument.
5. Social _______ is essential for community wellbeing.

Answers: finance, mediate, contemplate, bolster, cohesion

Reading tip

Skim the passage first to get the main idea before reading questions.