Street Food Stories: IELTS Words from philosophy to connotation
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.