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

Fifteen words drawn from the theme of the power of photography, 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.

• area (noun) — A region or part of a place; a subject or range of activity

  Urban areas have experienced rapid population growth over the past two decades.

  Watch out: Do not confuse "area" (a region or topic) with "aria" (a song in opera). Also, "area" for topics is less formal than "field".

  Common pairings: urban area, rural area, area of concern, key area

• accurate (adjective) — Correct in all details; free from errors

  It is essential to use accurate data when making important decisions.

  Watch out: "Accurate" = correct. "Precise" = exact. Subtle difference.

  Common pairings: accurate information, accurate prediction, accurate data, accurately reflect

• evaluate (verb) — To judge or assess the value, quality, or importance of something

  It is necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of current policies.

  Watch out: "Evaluate" involves judgement of quality or value. "Assess" can be more neutral measurement.

  Common pairings: evaluate the evidence, evaluate performance, critically evaluate, evaluate the effectiveness

• text (noun) — Written or printed words; the main body of a book or article

  The reading passage contains a text of approximately 900 words.

  Watch out: "Text" in academic contexts means written content, not just phone messages.

  Common pairings: main text, full text, textual analysis, text message

• analysis (noun) — A careful study of something to understand it better or find out what it contains

  A detailed analysis of the survey results revealed several unexpected trends.

  Watch out: The plural is "analyses" (say: a-NAL-ih-seez), not "analysises".

  Common pairings: detailed analysis, critical analysis, data analysis, in-depth analysis

Band 7 words

Five words at band 7.

• recession (noun) — A period of temporary economic decline; reduced trade and industrial activity

  The global recession led to widespread job losses and business closures.

  Watch out: "Recession" = economic slowdown. "Depression" = severe, prolonged recession. Recession is less severe.

  Common pairings: economic recession, global recession, enter a recession, recession hit

• whereas (conjunction) — In contrast or comparison with the fact that

  Urban areas have high population density, whereas rural areas are sparsely populated.

  Watch out: "Whereas" compares two contrasting things in the SAME sentence. "However" starts a new sentence.

  Common pairings: whereas in, whereas the, whereas some, whereas others

• ideology (noun) — A system of ideas and beliefs that forms the basis of a political, economic, or social theory.

  Political ideologies continue to shape government policies around the world.

  Watch out: Using 'ideology' for any belief. It specifically refers to a coherent system of political or social ideas.

  Common pairings: political ideology, ideological differences, dominant ideology, ideological conflict

• tentative (adjective) — Not certain or fixed; provisional

  The committee reached a tentative agreement pending further discussion.

  Watch out: "Tentative" = provisional/uncertain. "Tentatively" = adverb form.

  Common pairings: tentative agreement, tentative plan, tentatively, tentative steps

emerge (verb) — To come out of something; to start to exist or become known

New technologies are emerging that could transform the healthcare industry.

Watch out: "Emerge" means to come out or appear. "Immerge" is not a word (you might mean "immerse").

Common pairings: emerge as, emerge from, newly emerged, emerging markets

Band 8 words

Five words at band 8.

• consolidate (verb) — To make something stronger or more solid

  The company aims to consolidate its market position.

  Watch out: "Consolidate" = strengthen/combine. "Consolidation" (noun).

  Common pairings: consolidate power, consolidate gains, consolidation of, consolidate position

• ascertain (verb) — To find out for certain; to make sure of

  The investigation aims to ascertain the cause of the accident.

  Watch out: "Ascertain" = find out definitely. More formal than "find out".

  Common pairings: ascertain the facts, ascertain whether, difficult to ascertain, ascertain the truth

• undermine (verb) — To gradually weaken or damage something, especially someone's authority or position

  Corruption can undermine public trust in government institutions.

  Watch out: "Undermine" is gradual weakening from within. "Destroy" is complete and immediate. They are different.

  Common pairings: undermine confidence, undermine efforts, undermine authority, seriously undermine

• predominant (adjective) — Present as the strongest or main element; having the greatest influence or importance.

  English has become the predominant language of international business and academia.

  Watch out: Predominant means most important or common. The adverb is 'predominantly'.

  Common pairings: predominant view, predominant factor, predominant feature, predominant role

• attenuation (noun) — The reduction of force, value, or effectiveness

  The attenuation of government power was a gradual process.

  Watch out: "Attenuation" = weakening/reduction. "Attenuate" (verb).

  Common pairings: attenuation of, gradual attenuation, signal attenuation, attenuate

Mistakes to avoid

• Incorrect use of "emerge"

  Correct usage: "emerge" - to come out of something; to start to exist or become known

  "Emerge" means to come out or appear. "Immerge" is not a word (you might mean "immerse").

• Incorrect use of "tentative"

  Correct usage: "tentative" - not certain or fixed; provisional

  "Tentative" = provisional/uncertain. "Tentatively" = adverb form.

• Incorrect use of "ideology"

  Correct usage: "ideology" - a system of ideas and beliefs that forms the basis of a political, economic, or social theory.

  Using 'ideology' for any belief. It specifically refers to a coherent system of political or social ideas.

Practise the words

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

1. The reading passage contains a _______ of approximately 900 words.
2. The _______ of government power was a gradual process.
3. Corruption can _______ public trust in government institutions.
4. The company aims to _______ its market position.
5. It is necessary to _______ the effectiveness of current policies.

Answers: text, attenuation, undermine, consolidate, evaluate

Writing tip

Always write a clear topic sentence at the start of each paragraph.