Second Chances: 15 IELTS Words from Band 6 to Band 8
Weekly vocabulary, week 31
Fifteen words drawn from the theme of second chances, 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.
percent (noun) — One part in every hundred; a way of expressing a fraction of 100
Approximately 75 percent of the population now lives in urban areas.
Watch out: Use "percent" after a number: "50 percent". Use "percentage" without a number: "a high percentage".
Common pairings: percent increase, percent of, high percent, percent change
survey (noun) — A study of opinions, behavior, or conditions made by asking people questions
A recent survey found that 70% of employees prefer flexible working arrangements.
Watch out: As a noun, stress the first syllable: SUR-vey. As a verb, stress can be on either syllable.
Common pairings: conduct a survey, survey results, survey shows, national survey
region (noun) — A large area of land, usually without exact limits; a part of a country or the world
Economic development varies significantly between different regions of the country.
Watch out: "Region" is larger than "area" and usually refers to a geographic part of a country or continent.
Common pairings: regional differences, developing region, in the region of, across the region
scheme (noun) — A plan or arrangement for achieving something; a system
The government has introduced a new scheme to support small businesses.
Watch out: In British English, "scheme" is neutral (a plan). In American English, it often implies something dishonest.
Common pairings: pension scheme, training scheme, government scheme, colour scheme
considerable (adjective) — Large or great in size, amount, or degree
The project required considerable investment in both time and resources.
Watch out: "Considerable" means large. "Considerate" means thoughtful about others. They are different words.
Common pairings: considerable amount, considerable effort, considerable impact, considerable difference
Band 7 words
Five words at band 7.
series (noun) — A number of similar things or events that happen one after another; a sequence.
A series of reforms has been introduced to improve the quality of public education.
Watch out: 'Series' is both singular and plural. Say 'a series is' (one group) or 'two series are' (multiple groups).
Common pairings: series of events, series of measures, series of steps, in a series
urbanization (noun) — The process of making an area more urban; population shift to cities
Rapid urbanization has led to housing shortages in many developing countries.
Watch out: British: "urbanisation". American: "urbanization". Both correct. Uncountable noun.
Common pairings: rapid urbanization, urbanization rate, process of urbanization, urban growth
civil (adjective) — Relating to ordinary citizens and their concerns, as distinct from military or religious matters.
Civil engineering projects have transformed urban infrastructure across developing nations.
Watch out: Confusing 'civil' (relating to citizens/polite) with 'civic' (relating to city/duties). Civil rights are about citizens; civic duties are about community responsibilities.
Common pairings: civil society, civil rights, civil war, civil engineering
breakthrough (noun) — A sudden, dramatic, and important discovery or development
The scientific breakthrough could lead to new treatments for the disease.
Watch out: One word as noun. "A breakthrough in..." not "a break through in...".
Common pairings: scientific breakthrough, major breakthrough, breakthrough in, achieve a breakthrough
psychology (noun) — The scientific study of the human mind and behaviour; the mental characteristics of a person or group.
Understanding consumer psychology is essential for effective marketing strategies.
Watch out: Spelling error: 'phsychology' or 'psycology'. Remember: p-s-y-c-h-o-l-o-g-y.
Common pairings: social psychology, consumer psychology, child psychology, the psychology of
Band 8 words
Five words at band 8.
rigid (adjective) — Unable to bend or be forced out of shape; strictly fixed or unable to be changed.
Critics argue that rigid educational curricula fail to meet the diverse needs of modern learners.
Watch out: Rigid has negative connotations when describing rules or thinking (inflexible). Be aware of this.
Common pairings: rigid structure, rigid rules, rigid system, overly rigid
anomalous (adjective) — Deviating from what is standard or expected
The anomalous results prompted researchers to repeat the experiment.
Watch out: "Anomalous" = unusual/irregular. From "anomaly".
Common pairings: anomalous results, anomalous behavior, anomalous situation, statistically anomalous
profound (adjective) — Very great or intense; having a strong influence or effect
Technology has had a profound impact on the way we live and work.
Watch out: "Profound" is stronger than "deep". Use it for very significant effects or knowledge, not everyday things.
Common pairings: profound impact, profound effect, profound change, profound implications
accommodation (noun) — A room or building in which someone may live or stay; the process of adapting to someone's needs.
Affordable accommodation remains a significant challenge for students in major cities.
Watch out: In British English, accommodation is uncountable. Do not say 'accommodations' for living places.
Common pairings: student accommodation, provide accommodation, accommodation costs, find accommodation
acquiesce (verb) — To accept something reluctantly without protest
The committee eventually acquiesced to the demands of the protesters.
Watch out: "Acquiesce" implies reluctant acceptance. "Acquiescence" (noun).
Common pairings: acquiesce to, acquiesce in, reluctantly acquiesce, acquiescence
Mistakes to avoid
Incorrect use of "survey"
Correct usage: "survey" - a study of opinions, behavior, or conditions made by asking people questions
As a noun, stress the first syllable: SUR-vey. As a verb, stress can be on either syllable.
Incorrect use of "breakthrough"
Correct usage: "breakthrough" - a sudden, dramatic, and important discovery or development
One word as noun. "A breakthrough in..." not "a break through in...".
Incorrect use of "considerable"
Correct usage: "considerable" - large or great in size, amount, or degree
"Considerable" means large. "Considerate" means thoughtful about others. They are different words.
Practise the words
Fill each gap, then check yourself against the answers underneath.
- The _______ results prompted researchers to repeat the experiment.
- A _______ of reforms has been introduced to improve the quality of public education.
- Affordable _______ remains a significant challenge for students in major cities.
- Technology has had a _______ impact on the way we live and work.
- The government has introduced a new _______ to support small businesses.
Answers: anomalous, series, accommodation, profound, scheme
Writing tip
Use a variety of sentence structures: simple, compound, and complex.
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