The Psychology of Happiness: 15 IELTS Words from Band 6 to Band 8

Fifteen words drawn from the theme of the psychology of happiness, 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.

• alternative (noun) — One of two or more choices; a different option

  Public transport is a viable alternative to driving in congested cities.

  Watch out: Traditionally, "alternative" meant one of two options. Now it can mean any different option.

  Common pairings: viable alternative, alternative solution, no alternative, alternative energy

• schedule (noun) — A plan that lists all the times when things should happen or be done

  The project fell behind schedule due to unexpected technical difficulties.

  Watch out: British: "SHED-yool". American: "SKED-yool". Both are correct in IELTS.

  Common pairings: ahead of schedule, behind schedule, busy schedule, work schedule

• tuition (noun) — Teaching or instruction; money paid for instruction

  University tuition fees have increased significantly over the past decade.

  Watch out: Two meanings: 1) the teaching itself, 2) the fees. "Tuition fees" for money paid.

  Common pairings: tuition fees, free tuition, private tuition, pay tuition

• bond (noun) — A connection or tie between people or things

  Strong bonds between parents and children are essential for development.

  Watch out: "Bond" = emotional connection OR financial investment. Context matters.

  Common pairings: strong bond, bond with, emotional bond, government bonds

• gradual (adjective) — Taking place slowly over a period of time

  There was a gradual increase in temperature over the century.

  Watch out: "Gradual" = slow and steady. Opposite of "sudden" or "sharp".

  Common pairings: gradual increase, gradual decline, gradual change, gradual improvement

Band 7 words

Five words at band 7.

• conservation (noun) — The protection and preservation of natural resources and wildlife

  Wildlife conservation efforts have helped increase the tiger population in India.

  Watch out: "Conservation" (protection) vs "preservation" (keeping unchanged). Conservation allows sustainable use.

  Common pairings: conservation efforts, wildlife conservation, energy conservation, conservation area

• grade (noun) — A level or standard of quality; a mark indicating the quality of a student's work.

  Students who achieve higher grades tend to have better employment prospects.

  Watch out: Using 'grade' and 'mark' interchangeably across varieties. Grade is more common in American English; mark in British English.

  Common pairings: achieve a grade, grade point average, high grade, make the grade

• insight (noun) — A deep understanding of something; the ability to perceive the true nature of a situation.

  The study provides valuable insights into consumer behaviour patterns.

  Watch out: Using 'insight of' instead of 'insight into'. The correct preposition is 'into'.

  Common pairings: provide insight into, gain insight, valuable insight, new insights

• contain (verb) — To hold or include within itself

  The report contains detailed analysis of the data.

  Watch out: "Contain" = hold within. "Container" (noun).

  Common pairings: contain information, self-contained, container, contain elements

caution (noun) — Care taken to avoid danger or mistakes

Experts urge caution when interpreting preliminary data.

Watch out: "Caution" (noun) vs "caution" (verb = warn) vs "cautious" (adjective).

Common pairings: exercise caution, caution against, proceed with caution, word of caution

Band 8 words

Five words at band 8.

• inextricable (adjective) — Impossible to disentangle or separate

  Economic and environmental issues are inextricably linked.

  Watch out: "Inextricable" = cannot be separated. "Inextricably" = adverb form.

  Common pairings: inextricably linked, inextricable connection, inextricably intertwined, inextricably bound

• auspicious (adjective) — Conducive to success; favorable

  The project got off to an auspicious start with strong initial results.

  Watch out: "Auspicious" = favorable/promising. "Inauspicious" = unfavorable.

  Common pairings: auspicious start, auspicious occasion, auspicious sign, most auspicious

• disparate (adjective) — Essentially different in kind; not comparable

  The study brought together disparate fields of research.

  Watch out: "Disparate" = fundamentally different. "Disparity" = the difference/inequality.

  Common pairings: disparate groups, disparate elements, disparate views, seemingly disparate

• violate (verb) — To break or fail to comply with a rule or formal agreement; to treat with disrespect.

  Companies that violate environmental regulations face substantial financial penalties.

  Watch out: Violate is strong and formal. Use for serious breaches of laws, rights, or agreements.

  Common pairings: violate rights, violate regulations, violate the law, violate privacy

• converge (verb) — To come together from different directions

  The two trends seem to be converging.

  Watch out: "Converge" = come together. "Convergence" (noun). Opposite: "diverge".

  Common pairings: converge on, convergence of, converging trends, converge towards

Mistakes to avoid

• Incorrect use of "auspicious"

  Correct usage: "auspicious" - conducive to success; favorable

  "Auspicious" = favorable/promising. "Inauspicious" = unfavorable.

• Incorrect use of "disparate"

  Correct usage: "disparate" - essentially different in kind; not comparable

  "Disparate" = fundamentally different. "Disparity" = the difference/inequality.

• Incorrect use of "inextricable"

  Correct usage: "inextricable" - impossible to disentangle or separate

  "Inextricable" = cannot be separated. "Inextricably" = adverb form.

Practise the words

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

1. University _______ fees have increased significantly over the past decade.
2. Economic and environmental issues are inextricably linked.
3. The study provides valuable insights into consumer behaviour patterns.
4. The project got off to an _______ start with strong initial results.
5. The two trends seem to be converging.

Answers: tuition, inextricable, insight, auspicious, converge

Listening tip

Practice listening at 1.25x speed to make the real test feel easier.