The Power of Music Therapy: 15 IELTS Words from Band 6 to Band 8

Fifteen words drawn from the theme of the power of music therapy, 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.

• collapse (verb) — To fall down or give way suddenly; to fail suddenly

  The banking system nearly collapsed during the financial crisis.

  Watch out: "Collapse" for physical (building) or abstract (system, economy).

  Common pairings: collapse of, near collapse, economic collapse, collapse under pressure

• income (noun) — Money received regularly from work or investments

  There is a significant disparity in income between urban and rural areas.

  Watch out: "Income" is money you receive. "Salary" is specific to employment. "Revenue" is for businesses.

  Common pairings: annual income, household income, income levels, income tax

• symptom (noun) — A physical or mental feature indicating a condition or disease

  Common symptoms of the flu include fever, cough, and body aches.

  Watch out: "Symptom" is what the patient experiences. "Sign" is what the doctor observes objectively.

  Common pairings: common symptoms, early symptoms, symptoms of, show symptoms

• contract (noun) — A written legal agreement between two or more parties

  Employees should carefully read their contract before signing it.

  Watch out: As a noun, stress is on the first syllable: CON-tract. As a verb meaning "become smaller", stress is on the second: con-TRACT.

  Common pairings: sign a contract, employment contract, contract terms, breach of contract

• task (noun) — A piece of work that needs to be done, especially one that is difficult or unpleasant

  Completing the project within the deadline proved to be a challenging task.

  Watch out: A "task" is a specific piece of work. A "job" is broader and can mean employment.

  Common pairings: difficult task, main task, complete a task, challenging task

Band 7 words

Five words at band 7.

• stable (adjective) — Not likely to change or move; firmly established

  The economy has remained relatively stable despite global uncertainties.

  Watch out: "Stable" means not changing. "Steady" means changing at a constant rate. A steady increase is still changing.

  Common pairings: remain stable, relatively stable, stable economy, stable growth

• somewhat (adverb) — To a moderate or limited extent; rather or to some degree.

  The results were somewhat surprising given the initial expectations.

  Watch out: Overusing 'somewhat' can weaken your argument. Use it strategically to show measured judgement.

  Common pairings: somewhat different, somewhat surprising, somewhat limited, somewhat unexpected

• catalyst (noun) — Something that causes or accelerates change

  The economic crisis acted as a catalyst for political reform.

  Watch out: "Catalyst" = trigger for change. Chemistry origin but widely used metaphorically.

  Common pairings: catalyst for change, act as catalyst, serve as catalyst, catalyze

• obstacle (noun) — A thing that blocks one's way or prevents progress

  Lack of funding is a major obstacle to scientific research.

  Watch out: "Obstacle" = physical or abstract barrier. "Obstacle to" not "obstacle for".

  Common pairings: overcome obstacles, major obstacle, obstacle to, face obstacles

converse (noun) — The opposite or reverse of a fact or statement; to hold a conversation (verb).

Some argue that the converse is true: economic growth leads to environmental degradation.

Watch out: Using 'converse' and 'reverse' interchangeably. Converse is about logical opposites; reverse is about direction.

Common pairings: the converse, conversely, converse is true, in converse

Band 8 words

Five words at band 8.

• arduous (adjective) — Involving or requiring strenuous effort; difficult

  The refugees faced an arduous journey to reach safety.

  Watch out: "Arduous" = extremely difficult/tiring. Stronger than "difficult".

  Common pairings: arduous task, arduous journey, arduous process, long and arduous

• clandestine (adjective) — Kept secret or done in a secretive way

  The organization conducted clandestine operations.

  Watch out: "Clandestine" = secret (often with negative connotation).

  Common pairings: clandestine operations, clandestine meetings, clandestine activities, clandestine affair

• conjecture (noun) — An opinion formed on incomplete information

  At this point, the cause can only be a matter of conjecture.

  Watch out: "Conjecture" = guess/speculation. Can be noun or verb.

  Common pairings: mere conjecture, matter of conjecture, open to conjecture, conjectural

• dichotomy (noun) — A clear division between two completely different or opposite things

  The dichotomy between economic growth and environmental protection presents a significant challenge.

  Watch out: Do not use "dichotomy" for any comparison. It is only for two things that are complete opposites.

  Common pairings: false dichotomy, dichotomy between, traditional dichotomy, apparent dichotomy

• autonomy (noun) — The right or condition of self-government; independence

  The region was granted greater autonomy over local affairs.

  Watch out: "Autonomy" = self-governance/independence. "Autonomous" (adjective).

  Common pairings: regional autonomy, autonomous region, grant autonomy, personal autonomy

Mistakes to avoid

• Incorrect use of "somewhat"

  Correct usage: "somewhat" - to a moderate or limited extent; rather or to some degree.

  Overusing 'somewhat' can weaken your argument. Use it strategically to show measured judgement.

• Incorrect use of "contract"

  Correct usage: "contract" - a written legal agreement between two or more parties

  As a noun, stress is on the first syllable: CON-tract. As a verb meaning "become smaller", stress is on the second: con-TRACT.

• Incorrect use of "collapse"

  Correct usage: "collapse" - to fall down or give way suddenly; to fail suddenly

  "Collapse" for physical (building) or abstract (system, economy).

Practise the words

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

1. The region was granted greater _______ over local affairs.
2. Lack of funding is a major _______ to scientific research.
3. The economic crisis acted as a _______ for political reform.
4. At this point, the cause can only be a matter of _______.
5. There is a significant disparity in _______ between urban and rural areas.

Answers: autonomy, obstacle, catalyst, conjecture, income

Reading tip

Skim the passage first to get the main idea before reading questions.