The History of Money: 15 IELTS Words from Band 6 to Band 8

Fifteen words drawn from the theme of the history of money, 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.

• rely (verb) — To depend on someone or something; to trust that something will happen

  Many developing countries rely heavily on agricultural exports.

  Watch out: Use "rely on" not "rely in" or "rely to". Related: "reliable", "reliance".

  Common pairings: rely on, heavily rely, cannot rely, rely upon

• regulate (verb) — To control something by means of rules or laws; to adjust to a standard

  Governments must regulate the financial sector to prevent economic crises.

  Watch out: "Regulate" means control with rules. "Control" is broader. Related: "regulation", "regulatory".

  Common pairings: regulate industry, strictly regulated, government regulation, regulatory body

• indicate (verb) — To show or point to something; to be a sign of something

  The graph indicates a steady decline in manufacturing output since 2015.

  Watch out: Say "indicates that" not "indicates how".

  Common pairings: clearly indicate, strongly indicate, results indicate, figures indicate

• instance (noun) — An example or single occurrence of something

  There have been several instances of data breaches affecting major companies.

  Watch out: "For instance" means "for example". "In this instance" means "in this case".

  Common pairings: for instance, in this instance, several instances, specific instance

• convention (noun) — A widely accepted practice or standard; a formal meeting

  Breaking with convention, the company adopted a new approach.

  Watch out: "Convention" = accepted practice OR meeting. Context determines meaning.

  Common pairings: social conventions, by convention, unconventional, break with convention

Band 7 words

Five words at band 7.

• amend (verb) — To make minor changes to a document, law, or statement to improve it or correct errors.

  The government has amended the legislation to provide better protection for workers' rights.

  Watch out: Confusing 'amend' with 'emend'. Amend means to change/improve; emend is specifically for correcting text errors.

  Common pairings: amend the law, amend legislation, amend the constitution, propose to amend

• draft (noun) — A preliminary version of a piece of writing; a plan or sketch.

  The committee has prepared a draft proposal for the new environmental regulations.

  Watch out: British spelling is 'draught' for beer or wind, but 'draft' for documents. In American English, 'draft' is used for all.

  Common pairings: first draft, final draft, draft proposal, rough draft

• scrutinize (verb) — To examine or inspect closely and thoroughly

  Auditors scrutinize financial records for any irregularities.

  Watch out: "Scrutinize" = examine carefully. "Scrutiny" = careful examination (noun).

  Common pairings: scrutinize closely, under scrutiny, careful scrutiny, public scrutiny

• nuclear (adjective) — Relating to atomic energy or atomic weapons; relating to the nucleus of an atom

  The debate over nuclear energy continues as countries seek clean power alternatives.

  Watch out: Pronunciation: "NEW-clee-er", not "NOO-kyoo-ler". Common mispronunciation.

  Common pairings: nuclear power, nuclear energy, nuclear weapons, nuclear family

anomaly (noun) — Something that deviates from what is standard or expected

The data showed several anomalies that require further investigation.

Watch out: "Anomaly" = unusual occurrence. "Anomalous" (adjective).

Common pairings: statistical anomaly, anomalous results, detect anomalies, explain the anomaly

Band 8 words

Five words at band 8.

• survive (verb) — To continue to live or exist, especially in difficult conditions

  Many small businesses did not survive the economic recession.

  Watch out: "Survive" does not take a preposition when referring to an event. Say "survive the crisis" not "survive from".

  Common pairings: survive the crisis, survival rate, struggle to survive, survive in

• virtual (adjective) — Almost or nearly as described, but not completely; carried out using computer technology.

  Virtual learning environments have transformed educational delivery during recent global events.

  Watch out: Virtual can mean 'almost complete' or 'computer-based'. Context determines the meaning.

  Common pairings: virtual reality, virtual meeting, virtual environment, virtual world

• caveat (noun) — A warning or proviso of specific conditions

  The results should be interpreted with some caveats.

  Watch out: "Caveat" = warning/condition. "Caveat emptor" = buyer beware.

  Common pairings: with the caveat, add a caveat, important caveat, caveat that

• reinforce (verb) — To strengthen or support something, especially with additional material or assistance.

  Educational programmes should reinforce positive behaviours from an early age.

  Watch out: Reinforce means to make stronger, not to repeat. The noun is 'reinforcement'.

  Common pairings: reinforce the idea, reinforce stereotypes, reinforce learning, strongly reinforce

• advent (noun) — The arrival of a notable person, thing, or event

  The advent of the internet transformed communication globally.

  Watch out: "Advent" = arrival/beginning of something significant. Often used for technology.

  Common pairings: advent of technology, advent of the internet, with the advent of, since the advent

Mistakes to avoid

• Incorrect use of "advent"

  Correct usage: "advent" - the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event

  "Advent" = arrival/beginning of something significant. Often used for technology.

• Incorrect use of "convention"

  Correct usage: "convention" - a widely accepted practice or standard; a formal meeting

  "Convention" = accepted practice OR meeting. Context determines meaning.

• Incorrect use of "indicate"

  Correct usage: "indicate" - to show or point to something; to be a sign of something

  Say "indicates that" not "indicates how".

Practise the words

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

1. There have been several instances of data breaches affecting major companies.
2. Many developing countries _______ heavily on agricultural exports.
3. Auditors _______ financial records for any irregularities.
4. Many small businesses did not _______ the economic recession.
5. The government has amended the legislation to provide better protection for workers' rights.

Answers: instance, rely, scrutinize, survive, amend

Speaking tip

Use discourse markers like "well", "actually", "to be honest" to sound natural.