The Human Brain: 15 IELTS Words from Band 6 to Band 8
Weekly vocabulary, week 21
Fifteen words drawn from the theme of the human brain, 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.
formula (noun) — A set method or rule for doing something; a mathematical or scientific expression
There is no simple formula for achieving success in business.
Watch out: The plural can be "formulas" (common) or "formulae" (more scientific/formal).
Common pairings: mathematical formula, winning formula, chemical formula, secret formula
source (noun) — Where something comes from; a place, person, or thing that provides information
Renewable energy sources such as wind and solar are becoming more popular.
Watch out: "Source" refers to origin. "Resource" refers to supplies or materials. They are different.
Common pairings: energy source, reliable source, main source, source of information
framework (noun) — A basic structure or system that supports something; a set of ideas or rules
The research provides a useful framework for understanding consumer behaviour.
Watch out: A "framework" is a structure for organizing ideas. It is different from a "theory" which explains why things happen.
Common pairings: theoretical framework, legal framework, regulatory framework, within the framework
corporate (adjective) — Relating to a large company or group of companies
Corporate responsibility has become an important issue for modern businesses.
Watch out: "Corporate" relates to corporations. "Cooperative" means working together. They are different.
Common pairings: corporate culture, corporate responsibility, corporate world, corporate sector
assist (verb) — To help someone do something
New technologies can assist teachers in delivering more effective lessons.
Watch out: "Assist" is more formal than "help". Use "assist with" or "assist in doing" not "assist to do".
Common pairings: assist with, assist in, assist someone, financial assistance
Band 7 words
Five words at band 7.
distort (verb) — To change the shape, sound, or appearance of something so it seems strange; to misrepresent.
Media coverage can sometimes distort public understanding of complex issues.
Watch out: Using 'distort' only for physical shapes. In academic writing, it often means to misrepresent information.
Common pairings: distort the facts, distort reality, distorted view, distort the truth
erode (verb) — To gradually destroy or wear away over time; to weaken or undermine.
Public trust in institutions has been eroded by a series of scandals.
Watch out: Using 'erode' only for physical erosion. It is commonly used for abstract concepts like trust, confidence, or rights.
Common pairings: erode confidence, erode trust, gradually erode, erosion of
generation (noun) — All the people born and living at about the same time; the production of something.
The younger generation is more likely to support environmental protection policies.
Watch out: Using 'generation' only for age groups. It can also mean production: 'power generation', 'generation of ideas'.
Common pairings: younger generation, future generations, generation gap, power generation
principal (adjective) — Most important; main; first in rank or authority.
Economic growth remains the principal objective of government policy in developing nations.
Watch out: Confusing 'principal' (main/head) with 'principle' (rule/belief). Remember: principAL = mAin; principLE = ruLE.
Common pairings: principal reason, principal objective, principal concern, principal source
broaden (verb) — To make or become wider or more extensive
Travel can broaden one's perspective on different cultures.
Watch out: "Broaden" = make wider (literal or figurative). "Broad" (adjective).
Common pairings: broaden horizons, broaden the scope, broaden perspective, broadly speaking
Band 8 words
Five words at band 8.
displace (verb) — To take over the place, position, or role of something or someone; to force someone to leave their home.
Automation has displaced many workers in the manufacturing sector.
Watch out: Displace implies forced movement or replacement. It is stronger than simply 'replace'.
Common pairings: displace workers, displaced persons, displace traditional, forcibly displaced
culminate (verb) — To reach a climax or highest point
The negotiations culminated in a historic agreement.
Watch out: "Culminate in" = result in (at the end). "Culmination" (noun).
Common pairings: culminate in, culmination of, culminating in, culminating point
comprehensive (adjective) — Including all or nearly all elements or aspects; complete and thorough
The report provides a comprehensive analysis of current economic trends.
Watch out: "Comprehensive" means complete and including everything. "Comprehensible" means easy to understand. They are different.
Common pairings: comprehensive study, comprehensive review, comprehensive approach, comprehensive plan
cumulative (adjective) — Increasing by successive additions
The cumulative effect of small changes can be significant.
Watch out: "Cumulative" = building up over time. "Cumulatively" (adverb).
Common pairings: cumulative effect, cumulative impact, cumulative total, cumulatively
antipathy (noun) — A deep-seated feeling of dislike or opposition
There is widespread antipathy towards the proposed changes.
Watch out: "Antipathy" = strong dislike. Opposite: "sympathy".
Common pairings: antipathy towards, mutual antipathy, deep antipathy, feel antipathy
Mistakes to avoid
Incorrect use of "antipathy"
Correct usage: "antipathy" - a deep-seated feeling of dislike or opposition
"Antipathy" = strong dislike. Opposite: "sympathy".
Incorrect use of "corporate"
Correct usage: "corporate" - relating to a large company or group of companies
"Corporate" relates to corporations. "Cooperative" means working together. They are different.
Incorrect use of "cumulative"
Correct usage: "cumulative" - increasing by successive additions
"Cumulative" = building up over time. "Cumulatively" (adverb).
Practise the words
Fill each gap, then check yourself against the answers underneath.
- _______ responsibility has become an important issue for modern businesses.
- New technologies can _______ teachers in delivering more effective lessons.
- The research provides a useful _______ for understanding consumer behaviour.
- Economic growth remains the _______ objective of government policy in developing nations.
- Renewable energy sources such as wind and solar are becoming more popular.
Answers: corporate, assist, framework, principal, source
Reading tip
Pay attention to transition words like "however" and "therefore" - they signal important information.
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