The Art of Storytelling: 15 IELTS Words from Band 6 to Band 8
Weekly vocabulary, week 19
Fifteen words drawn from the theme of the art of storytelling, 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.
initial (adjective) — Happening at the beginning; first
The initial results of the study were promising but required further verification.
Watch out: "Initial" means first or at the beginning. "Original" means first created or not copied.
Common pairings: initial stage, initial findings, initial reaction, initial investment
scholarship (noun) — Financial aid given to students based on academic achievement; academic study
She received a full scholarship to attend the prestigious university.
Watch out: Two meanings: 1) money for education, 2) academic learning/research. Context determines meaning.
Common pairings: full scholarship, scholarship program, win a scholarship, academic scholarship
digital (adjective) — Relating to technology that processes information as numerical data
The digital revolution has fundamentally changed how businesses operate.
Watch out: "Digital" vs "electronic" - digital specifically refers to data in numerical form.
Common pairings: digital age, digital technology, digital divide, digital literacy
sector (noun) — A part of the economy, society, or area of activity
The service sector now accounts for over 70% of employment in developed countries.
Watch out: "Sector" is a part of the economy or society. "Section" is a part of something physical or a document.
Common pairings: private sector, public sector, service sector, industrial sector
vary (verb) — To be different from one case or situation to another; to change
Attitudes towards education vary considerably between different cultures.
Watch out: "Vary" is the verb. "Various" is the adjective. "Variety" is the noun. Know all three forms.
Common pairings: vary considerably, vary widely, vary according to, vary between
Band 7 words
Five words at band 7.
collective (adjective) — Done by or relating to a group as a whole
Climate change requires a collective response from all nations.
Watch out: "Collective" = group together. "Collectively" (adverb).
Common pairings: collective action, collective responsibility, collective effort, collectively
innovation (noun) — A new method, idea, or product; the process of creating new things
Technological innovation has transformed how we communicate and work.
Watch out: "Innovation" is both the process and the result. "Innovate" (verb), "innovative" (adjective).
Common pairings: technological innovation, drive innovation, innovation in, innovative approach
simultaneously (adverb) — At the same time
The event was broadcast simultaneously in multiple countries.
Watch out: Long word but common. "Simultaneous" (adjective). More formal than "at the same time".
Common pairings: occur simultaneously, simultaneously with, broadcast simultaneously, simultaneous
augment (verb) — To make something greater by adding to it
The company plans to augment its workforce with new recruits.
Watch out: "Augment" = increase/add to. More formal than "increase".
Common pairings: augment income, augmented reality, augment resources, augmentation of
extract (verb) — To remove or take out something, especially with effort or by force; to derive information.
The study extracted data from government reports and academic journals.
Watch out: Pronunciation differs: verb is /ɪkˈstrækt/, noun is /ˈekstrækt/. Also, 'extract' is more formal than 'take out'.
Common pairings: extract information, extract data, extract from, extraction process
Band 8 words
Five words at band 8.
nascent (adjective) — Just beginning to develop; emerging
The nascent technology shows promise for future applications.
Watch out: "Nascent" = newly emerging/beginning. Often positive connotation.
Common pairings: nascent industry, nascent democracy, nascent technology, nascent stages
eventual (adjective) — Occurring or existing at the end of a process or period of time; ultimate.
Despite initial setbacks, the eventual outcome of the project exceeded expectations.
Watch out: Eventual refers to what happens at the end, not potentially. 'Eventually' is the adverb form.
Common pairings: eventual outcome, eventual success, eventual failure, eventual goal
identical (adjective) — Exactly the same; not different in any way
The two studies produced almost identical results despite using different methods.
Watch out: "Identical" means exactly the same. "Similar" means alike but not the same. Do not use interchangeably.
Common pairings: identical to, almost identical, identical results, virtually identical
release (verb) — To set free; to make available to the public; to let go
The government will release the report findings next month.
Watch out: "Release" can mean set free, publish, or let go. Context determines the specific meaning.
Common pairings: release data, release a report, release information, newly released
aberration (noun) — A departure from what is normal or expected
The sudden market crash was seen as an aberration rather than a trend.
Watch out: "Aberration" = deviation from normal. "Aberrant" = adjective form.
Common pairings: statistical aberration, mental aberration, temporary aberration, aberrant behavior
Mistakes to avoid
Incorrect use of "scholarship"
Correct usage: "scholarship" - financial aid given to students based on academic achievement; academic study
Two meanings: 1) money for education, 2) academic learning/research. Context determines meaning.
Incorrect use of "identical"
Correct usage: "identical" - exactly the same; not different in any way
"Identical" means exactly the same. "Similar" means alike but not the same. Do not use interchangeably.
Incorrect use of "augment"
Correct usage: "augment" - to make something greater by adding to it
"Augment" = increase/add to. More formal than "increase".
Practise the words
Fill each gap, then check yourself against the answers underneath.
- The sudden market crash was seen as an _______ rather than a trend.
- The _______ results of the study were promising but required further verification.
- The event was broadcast _______ in multiple countries.
- The _______ technology shows promise for future applications.
- Technological _______ has transformed how we communicate and work.
Answers: aberration, initial, simultaneously, nascent, innovation
Writing tip
Aim for 260-280 words in Task 2 - quality matters more than quantity.
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These words are from Week 19: The Art of Storytelling of our vocabulary program. Subscribers get 15 new IELTS words every week with exercises, quizzes, and practice passages.