area, recession and 13 More IELTS Words on the Power of Photography

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.