Street Food Stories: 15 IELTS Words from Band 6 to Band 8
Weekly vocabulary, week 33
Fifteen words drawn from the theme of street food stories, 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.
philosophy (noun) — The study of fundamental questions about existence and knowledge; a set of beliefs about life
The company's philosophy emphasises customer satisfaction above all else.
Watch out: Beyond academic study, "philosophy" can mean a way of thinking or set of beliefs.
Common pairings: business philosophy, teaching philosophy, philosophical approach, underlying philosophy
controversial (adjective) — Causing disagreement or public debate
The controversial decision sparked protests across the country.
Watch out: "Controversial" = causing debate. "Controversy" = the debate/disagreement.
Common pairings: controversial topic, controversial decision, highly controversial, controversial figure
chemical (noun) — A substance produced by or used in chemistry; relating to chemistry
The factory was fined for releasing harmful chemicals into the river.
Watch out: Use as noun (harmful chemicals) or adjective (chemical reaction). Related: "chemistry", "chemist".
Common pairings: chemical reaction, chemical waste, harmful chemicals, chemical industry
suburb (noun) — A residential area on the outskirts of a city
Many families choose to live in the suburbs for more space and lower costs.
Watch out: "Suburb" (noun), "suburban" (adjective), "suburbia" (the concept/culture of suburbs).
Common pairings: live in the suburbs, suburban area, suburban sprawl, outer suburbs
authorize (verb) — To give official permission for something
The manager authorized the purchase of new equipment.
Watch out: "Authorize" = give permission. "Authorization" = the permission granted.
Common pairings: authorize payment, authorized personnel, duly authorized, authorization required
Band 7 words
Five words at band 7.
abstract (adjective) — Existing as an idea rather than as a physical thing; theoretical or not concrete.
Abstract concepts such as justice and freedom can be difficult to define precisely.
Watch out: Using 'abstract' only for art. In academic writing, it often describes theoretical ideas or summaries of papers.
Common pairings: abstract concept, abstract thinking, in the abstract, abstract noun
elaborate (verb) — To develop or present in more detail
Could you elaborate on your proposal for the committee?
Watch out: "Elaborate on" (verb) = explain more. "Elaborate" (adj) = detailed/complex.
Common pairings: elaborate on, elaborate further, care to elaborate, elaboration
utilize (verb) — To make practical and effective use of something
The company aims to better utilize its available resources.
Watch out: "Utilize" is more formal than "use". Some consider it pretentious when "use" works.
Common pairings: utilize resources, fully utilize, better utilize, utilization of
mental (adjective) — Relating to the mind; relating to disorders or health of the mind.
Mental health awareness has become a priority in many educational institutions.
Watch out: Using 'mental' casually to mean 'crazy' is informal and can be offensive in academic contexts.
Common pairings: mental health, mental illness, mental well-being, mental capacity
sustainable (adjective) — Able to be maintained at a certain level without depleting natural resources
Sustainable farming practices help protect the environment for future generations.
Watch out: "Sustainable" implies long-term viability. "Eco-friendly" is similar but less specific.
Common pairings: sustainable development, sustainable energy, sustainable practices, environmentally sustainable
Band 8 words
Five words at band 8.
connotation (noun) — An idea or feeling that a word suggests beyond its literal meaning
The word has negative connotations in some cultures.
Watch out: "Connotation" = implied meaning. "Denotation" = literal meaning.
Common pairings: negative connotations, positive connotations, cultural connotations, connotative
passive (adjective) — Accepting what happens without active response or resistance; not participating actively.
Passive learning methods are being replaced by more interactive approaches in modern education.
Watch out: Passive often has negative connotations (lacking initiative). The opposite is 'active'.
Common pairings: passive learning, passive role, passive income, passive approach
denote (verb) — To be a sign of; to indicate or represent something.
In the diagram, the blue arrows denote the flow of information between departments.
Watch out: Denote refers to literal meaning; connote refers to implied meaning. Do not confuse them.
Common pairings: denote the, symbols denote, colours denote, used to denote
circumvent (verb) — To find a way around an obstacle or rule
Companies sometimes try to circumvent regulations.
Watch out: "Circumvent" = avoid by going around. "Circumvention" (noun).
Common pairings: circumvent the rules, circumvent regulations, circumvent restrictions, attempt to circumvent
configuration (noun) — An arrangement of parts or elements
The system can be adapted to different configurations.
Watch out: "Configuration" = arrangement/setup. "Configure" (verb).
Common pairings: system configuration, configure, reconfigure, configuration of
Mistakes to avoid
Incorrect use of "authorize"
Correct usage: "authorize" - to give official permission for something
"Authorize" = give permission. "Authorization" = the permission granted.
Incorrect use of "connotation"
Correct usage: "connotation" - an idea or feeling that a word suggests beyond its literal meaning
"Connotation" = implied meaning. "Denotation" = literal meaning.
Incorrect use of "sustainable"
Correct usage: "sustainable" - able to be maintained at a certain level without depleting natural resources
"Sustainable" implies long-term viability. "Eco-friendly" is similar but less specific.
Practise the words
Fill each gap, then check yourself against the answers underneath.
- The company aims to better _______ its available resources.
- Could you _______ on your proposal for the committee?
- The company's _______ emphasises customer satisfaction above all else.
- _______ concepts such as justice and freedom can be difficult to define precisely.
- Many families choose to live in the suburbs for more space and lower costs.
Answers: utilize, elaborate, philosophy, abstract, suburb
Reading tip
Time yourself: spend about 20 minutes per passage in the real test.
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These words are from Week 33: Street Food Stories of our vocabulary program. Subscribers get 15 new IELTS words every week with exercises, quizzes, and practice passages.