Space Exploration: 15 IELTS Words from Band 6 to Band 8
Weekly vocabulary, week 8
Fifteen words drawn from the theme of space exploration, 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.
achieve (verb) — To succeed in reaching a goal or getting a result, especially after effort
Students who set clear goals are more likely to achieve academic success.
Watch out: You "achieve" a goal or result, not a person. Do not say "achieve someone".
Common pairings: achieve success, achieve a goal, achieve results, difficult to achieve
legal (adjective) — Relating to the law; permitted by law
There are legal requirements that all employers must follow.
Watch out: "Legal" means permitted by law. "Legitimate" means justified or valid. They are not always interchangeable.
Common pairings: legal system, legal rights, legal obligation, legal framework
attentive (adjective) — Paying close attention; considerate of others
The attentive audience listened carefully to every word of the lecture.
Watch out: "Attentive" = paying attention. "Attentively" = adverb form.
Common pairings: attentive listener, attentive to, attentive service, attentively
technical (adjective) — Relating to the practical use of machines or science in industry; requiring special knowledge
The report contains highly technical language that may be difficult for non-experts.
Watch out: "Technical" relates to technology or specialized knowledge. "Technological" specifically relates to technology.
Common pairings: technical skills, technical support, technical terms, technical difficulties
reveal (verb) — To make known something previously secret or unknown
The study reveals significant differences between the two groups.
Watch out: "Reveal" = show/disclose. "Revealing" (adjective), "revelation" (noun).
Common pairings: reveal that, studies reveal, reveal the truth, as revealed by
Band 7 words
Five words at band 7.
couple (noun) — Two people or things considered together; a small number or amount of something.
The research identified a couple of factors that significantly influence consumer behaviour.
Watch out: Using 'couple' without 'of' in formal writing. Say 'a couple of' not 'a couple' when referring to a small number.
Common pairings: a couple of, married couple, couple with, young couple
objective (adjective) — Based on facts rather than feelings or opinions; not influenced by personal views
Researchers must maintain an objective approach when analysing data.
Watch out: "Objective" means based on facts. "Subjective" means based on personal feelings. They are opposites.
Common pairings: objective analysis, objective view, main objective, remain objective
fluctuate (verb) — To go up and down again and again; to keep changing
Oil prices fluctuated considerably throughout the year due to geopolitical tensions.
Watch out: Do not use "fluctuate" when something only goes up or only goes down. It means up AND down.
Common pairings: fluctuate wildly, fluctuate between, prices fluctuate, temperatures fluctuate
coincidence (noun) — A remarkable concurrence of events without apparent connection
It was a remarkable coincidence that we met in the same place.
Watch out: "Coincidence" = chance occurrence. "Coincidental" (adjective).
Common pairings: by coincidence, no coincidence, pure coincidence, remarkable coincidence
devise (verb) — To plan or invent by careful thought
Engineers devised a new method for recycling plastic waste.
Watch out: "Devise" = plan/create. "Device" = a tool/gadget (different spelling!).
Common pairings: devise a plan, devise a strategy, devise a method, devise a solution
Band 8 words
Five words at band 8.
clarify (verb) — To make something clearer or easier to understand
The minister sought to clarify the government's position on immigration.
Watch out: "Clarify" makes things clearer. "Explain" gives information. You clarify when there is confusion.
Common pairings: clarify the meaning, clarify the situation, seek to clarify, need clarification
delineate (verb) — To describe or portray precisely; to indicate boundaries
The report clearly delineates the responsibilities of each department.
Watch out: "Delineate" = describe precisely/draw boundaries. "Delineation" = the description.
Common pairings: clearly delineate, delineate boundaries, delineation, delineate roles
enhance (verb) — To improve the quality, amount, or strength of something
New technologies can enhance the learning experience for students.
Watch out: "Enhance" means to make better. "Increase" means to make more. You enhance quality; you increase quantity.
Common pairings: enhance performance, enhance quality, enhance understanding, significantly enhance
crucial (adjective) — Of great importance; critical to the success or failure of something
Early intervention is crucial in addressing developmental delays.
Watch out: "Crucial" is stronger than "important". Use it for things that are absolutely essential.
Common pairings: crucial role, crucial factor, crucial importance, crucial stage
buttress (verb) — To increase the strength of or support for an argument
New data buttresses the theory proposed earlier.
Watch out: "Buttress" = support/strengthen. Originally architectural term.
Common pairings: buttress an argument, buttress claims, buttressed by, buttress the case
Mistakes to avoid
Incorrect use of "reveal"
Correct usage: "reveal" - to make known something previously secret or unknown
"Reveal" = show/disclose. "Revealing" (adjective), "revelation" (noun).
Incorrect use of "technical"
Correct usage: "technical" - relating to the practical use of machines or science in industry; requiring special knowledge
"Technical" relates to technology or specialized knowledge. "Technological" specifically relates to technology.
Incorrect use of "achieve"
Correct usage: "achieve" - to succeed in reaching a goal or getting a result, especially after effort
You "achieve" a goal or result, not a person. Do not say "achieve someone".
Practise the words
Fill each gap, then check yourself against the answers underneath.
- Engineers devised a new method for recycling plastic waste.
- It was a remarkable _______ that we met in the same place.
- There are _______ requirements that all employers must follow.
- New technologies can _______ the learning experience for students.
- New data buttresses the theory proposed earlier.
Answers: devise, coincidence, legal, enhance, buttress
Speaking tip
Practice speaking for 2 minutes on random topics to prepare for Part 2.
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