Saving Our Oceans: 15 IELTS Words from Band 6 to Band 8

Fifteen words drawn from the theme of saving our oceans, 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.

• assess (verb) — To evaluate or estimate the nature, quality, or ability of something

  Teachers must assess students' progress throughout the academic year.

  Watch out: "Assess" is to evaluate. "Access" is to enter or obtain. They sound similar but are different words.

  Common pairings: assess the impact, assess performance, accurately assess, assess the situation

• seek (verb) — To try to find or obtain something; to look for

  Many young professionals seek opportunities to work abroad early in their careers.

  Watch out: Past tense is "sought" not "seeked". "Seek" is more formal than "look for".

  Common pairings: seek advice, seek employment, seek opportunities, seek to understand

• significant (adjective) — Important or big enough to make a difference or be easy to see

  The research revealed a significant increase in global temperatures over the past decade.

  Watch out: Using "significant" when you mean "some" or "a bit". Significant means it really matters or makes a real difference.

  Common pairings: significant increase, significant change, significant impact, statistically significant

• biased (adjective) — Unfairly prejudiced for or against someone or something

  The report was criticized for being biased towards one political party.

  Watch out: "Biased" = showing prejudice. "Bias" = the prejudice itself (noun).

  Common pairings: biased against, biased towards, unbiased, confirmation bias

• imply (verb) — To suggest something without saying it directly

  The results imply that further research is needed in this area.

  Watch out: The speaker/writer implies. The listener/reader infers. They are different actions.

  Common pairings: imply that, strongly imply, seem to imply, implied meaning

Band 7 words

Five words at band 7.

• consequence (noun) — A result or effect of an action or condition

  The decision had far-reaching consequences for the industry.

  Watch out: "Consequence" = result. "Consequently" (adverb), "consequent" (adjective).

  Common pairings: as a consequence, consequences of, unintended consequences, far-reaching consequences

• undertake (verb) — To commit oneself to do something; to begin or take on a task or responsibility.

  The university has undertaken a comprehensive review of its admission procedures.

  Watch out: Past tense is 'undertook', not 'undertaked'. Past participle is 'undertaken'.

  Common pairings: undertake research, undertake a project, undertake reforms, undertake a review

• innate (adjective) — Inborn; natural rather than acquired

  Humans appear to have an innate capacity for language acquisition.

  Watch out: "Innate" = inborn/natural. "Innately" = adverb form.

  Common pairings: innate ability, innate talent, innately, innate characteristics

• discrimination (noun) — Unjust treatment of people based on characteristics like race, age, or gender

  Laws against workplace discrimination protect employees from unfair treatment.

  Watch out: "Discrimination against" not "discrimination to". "Discriminate" is the verb.

  Common pairings: racial discrimination, gender discrimination, discrimination against, face discrimination

attribute (verb) — To regard something as being caused by; to credit to a particular cause

The success of the programme can be attributed to strong community support.

Watch out: As a verb: a-TRIB-yoot. As a noun: AT-ri-byoot. Pronunciation changes with meaning.

Common pairings: attribute to, widely attributed, can be attributed, attribute success

Band 8 words

Five words at band 8.

• proliferate (verb) — To increase rapidly in number; to spread widely

  Online platforms have proliferated in recent years.

  Watch out: "Proliferate" = multiply/spread. "Proliferation" = the rapid increase.

  Common pairings: proliferate rapidly, proliferation of, nuclear proliferation, widespread proliferation

• ascribe (verb) — To attribute something to a particular cause or source

  The success of the project can be ascribed to effective teamwork.

  Watch out: "Ascribe to" = attribute to. Similar to "attribute".

  Common pairings: ascribe to, ascribed to, commonly ascribed, ascribe importance

• isolate (verb) — To separate from others; to identify and examine separately

  Researchers were able to isolate the specific gene responsible for the condition.

  Watch out: "Isolate" means to separate. "Insulate" means to protect from heat/sound. They are different words.

  Common pairings: isolate the cause, socially isolated, isolate variables, isolated incident

• encompass (verb) — To include or contain a wide range of ideas, subjects, or activities

  The term 'sustainability' encompasses environmental, economic, and social factors.

  Watch out: "Encompass" means to include within. "Comprise" means to be made up of. They work in opposite directions.

  Common pairings: encompass a range, encompass all, broadly encompass, encompasses aspects

• cybersecurity (noun) — The practice of protecting computer systems and networks from digital attacks

  Companies are investing heavily in cybersecurity to protect customer data.

  Watch out: One word. Also written as "cyber security" (two words). Both acceptable.

  Common pairings: cybersecurity threats, cybersecurity measures, cybersecurity expert, cybersecurity breach

Mistakes to avoid

• Incorrect use of "biased"

  Correct usage: "biased" - unfairly prejudiced for or against someone or something

  "Biased" = showing prejudice. "Bias" = the prejudice itself (noun).

• Incorrect use of "proliferate"

  Correct usage: "proliferate" - to increase rapidly in number; to spread widely

  "Proliferate" = multiply/spread. "Proliferation" = the rapid increase.

• Incorrect use of "seek"

  Correct usage: "seek" - to try to find or obtain something; to look for

  Past tense is "sought" not "seeked". "Seek" is more formal than "look for".

Practise the words

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

1. Researchers were able to _______ the specific gene responsible for the condition.
2. The research revealed a _______ increase in global temperatures over the past decade.
3. The university has undertaken a comprehensive review of its admission procedures.
4. The report was criticized for being _______ towards one political party.
5. The results _______ that further research is needed in this area.

Answers: isolate, significant, undertake, biased, imply

Listening tip

Pay attention to signpost words like "firstly", "finally", "however".