The Gaming Industry: 15 IELTS Words from Band 6 to Band 8

Fifteen words drawn from the theme of the gaming industry, 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.

• circumstance (noun) — A condition or fact that affects a situation

  Personal circumstances can significantly influence educational outcomes.

  Watch out: Usually plural: "circumstances". "Under no circumstances" means never. "In the circumstances" means given the situation.

  Common pairings: under the circumstances, personal circumstances, financial circumstances, extenuating circumstances

• interact (verb) — To communicate or work together with others

  Students learn more effectively when they interact with their peers.

  Watch out: Use "interact with" not "interact to". Related: "interaction", "interactive".

  Common pairings: interact with, social interaction, interact effectively, human interaction

• elaborate (adjective) — Detailed and complicated; carefully prepared

  The building features elaborate decorations from the Victorian era.

  Watch out: "Elaborate" (adj) = detailed. "Elaborate" (verb) = explain in detail.

  Common pairings: elaborate plan, elaborate design, elaborate on, elaborate system

• reside (verb) — To live in a particular place

  Approximately 60% of the world's population now resides in urban areas.

  Watch out: "Reside" is formal; "live" is more common. Use "reside" in academic or official contexts.

  Common pairings: reside in, currently reside, permanent residence, local residents

• abroad (adverb) — In or to a foreign country

  Many students choose to study abroad to gain international experience.

  Watch out: "Abroad" is an adverb, not a noun. "Go abroad" not "go to abroad".

  Common pairings: study abroad, travel abroad, living abroad, from abroad

Band 7 words

Five words at band 7.

• adhere (verb) — To stick firmly to a surface or to follow rules/beliefs closely

  All participants must adhere to the safety guidelines.

  Watch out: "Adhere to" = stick to/follow. "Adherence" = compliance. "Adhesive" = sticky material.

  Common pairings: adhere to, strict adherence, adherent, adhere strictly

• circumscribe (verb) — To restrict or limit

  The government's powers are circumscribed by the constitution.

  Watch out: "Circumscribe" = limit within bounds. Formal word.

  Common pairings: circumscribed by, circumscribed powers, strictly circumscribed, circumscribed role

• integrate (verb) — To combine two or more things so they work together as a whole

  Schools should integrate technology into all aspects of learning.

  Watch out: "Integrate into" (become part of) vs "integrate with" (combine with). They have slightly different meanings.

  Common pairings: integrate into, fully integrated, integrate with, successfully integrate

• transit (noun) — The carrying of people or goods from one place to another; the process of passing through.

  Improved public transit systems can significantly reduce urban traffic congestion.

  Watch out: Using 'transit' as a verb in British English. It is primarily a noun. Use 'in transit' for goods being transported.

  Common pairings: public transit, in transit, mass transit, rapid transit

definite (adjective) — Clearly stated, decided, or known; certain and unambiguous.

There is a definite link between air pollution and respiratory diseases.

Watch out: Confusing 'definite' with 'definitive'. Definite means clear/certain; definitive means final/authoritative.

Common pairings: definite answer, definite improvement, definite conclusion, definite article

Band 8 words

Five words at band 8.

• attain (verb) — To succeed in reaching or achieving a goal or position, especially after much effort.

  Students who attain high grades often have access to better career opportunities.

  Watch out: Attain implies reaching through effort. More formal than 'achieve' or 'reach'.

  Common pairings: attain success, attain a goal, attain a level, attain qualifications

• offset (verb) — To counterbalance or compensate for something.

  Carbon emissions can be offset through investment in renewable energy projects.

  Watch out: The past tense is 'offset' (not 'offsetted'). It is an irregular verb.

  Common pairings: carbon offset, offset costs, offset by, offset the impact

• bias (noun) — An inclination or prejudice for or against one person, group, or thing, especially in an unfair way.

  Research methods must be carefully designed to minimise potential bias in the results.

  Watch out: The adjective form is 'biased' not 'bias'. Say 'biased opinion' not 'bias opinion'.

  Common pairings: cultural bias, confirmation bias, bias towards, eliminate bias

• infer (verb) — To conclude something from evidence and reasoning rather than from direct statements

  From the data, we can infer that consumer confidence has declined.

  Watch out: "Infer" is what the reader does (draw a conclusion). "Imply" is what the speaker does (suggest indirectly).

  Common pairings: infer from, reasonable to infer, can be inferred, infer that

• coerce (verb) — To persuade someone using force or threats

  Workers were coerced into signing unfair contracts.

  Watch out: "Coerce" = force. "Coercion" (noun), "coercive" (adjective).

  Common pairings: coerce into, coercive measures, coercion, coercive tactics

Mistakes to avoid

• Incorrect use of "definite"

  Correct usage: "definite" - clearly stated, decided, or known; certain and unambiguous.

  Confusing 'definite' with 'definitive'. Definite means clear/certain; definitive means final/authoritative.

• Incorrect use of "attain"

  Correct usage: "attain" - to succeed in reaching or achieving a goal or position, especially after much effort.

  Attain implies reaching through effort. More formal than 'achieve' or 'reach'.

• Incorrect use of "integrate"

  Correct usage: "integrate" - to combine two or more things so they work together as a whole

  "Integrate into" (become part of) vs "integrate with" (combine with). They have slightly different meanings.

Practise the words

Fill each gap, then check yourself against the answers underneath.

1. The government's powers are circumscribed by the constitution.
2. From the data, we can _______ that consumer confidence has declined.
3. Approximately 60% of the world's population now resides in urban areas.
4. Research methods must be carefully designed to minimise potential _______ in the results.
5. Improved public _______ systems can significantly reduce urban traffic congestion.

Answers: circumscribe, infer, reside, bias, transit

Reading tip

Underline key words in questions to help you locate answers quickly.