The Silk Road: 15 IELTS Words from Band 6 to Band 8

Fifteen words drawn from the theme of the silk road, 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.

• process (noun) — A set of steps or actions done to make or do something

  The diagram illustrates the process of water purification in three main stages.

  Watch out: In British English (IELTS uses this), say "PROH-sess" not "pro-CESS".

  Common pairings: manufacturing process, decision-making process, natural process, complex process

• criteria (noun) — Standards or principles used to judge or decide something

  Applicants must meet specific criteria to be considered for the position.

  Watch out: "Criteria" is plural. The singular is "criterion". Say "the criteria are" not "the criteria is".

  Common pairings: selection criteria, meet criteria, assessment criteria, strict criteria

• period (noun) — A length of time; a particular time in history

  The chart shows changes in temperature over a fifty-year period.

  Watch out: "Period" is a general length of time. "Era" is a long historical period. "Phase" is part of a process.

  Common pairings: time period, period of time, over the period, during this period

• site (noun) — A place where something is, was, or will be located

  The government has approved the site for the new hospital.

  Watch out: "Site" (location) vs "sight" (vision). They sound the same but mean different things.

  Common pairings: construction site, website, on site, site selection

• principle (noun) — A fundamental rule or belief that guides behaviour or thinking

  The principle of equality is fundamental to democratic societies.

  Watch out: "Principle" is a rule or belief. "Principal" is the head of a school or main. They are spelled differently.

  Common pairings: basic principle, fundamental principle, in principle, guiding principle

Band 7 words

Five words at band 7.

• deplete (verb) — To use up the supply or resources of

  Overfishing has severely depleted fish stocks in the region.

  Watch out: "Deplete" = use up/exhaust. "Depletion" = the using up (noun).

  Common pairings: deplete resources, depletion of, severely depleted, ozone depletion

• clause (noun) — A distinct section of a legal document or contract; in grammar, a group of words containing a subject and verb.

  The contract includes a clause that allows either party to terminate the agreement with notice.

  Watch out: Using 'clause' only for grammar. In legal and business contexts, it refers to a section of a document.

  Common pairings: penalty clause, escape clause, contractual clause, key clause

• bulk (noun) — The greater part or majority of something; large size or mass.

  The bulk of the funding is allocated to infrastructure development.

  Watch out: Using 'bulk' only for physical size. 'The bulk of' means 'most of' or 'the majority of'.

  Common pairings: the bulk of, in bulk, bulk buying, bulk of the population

• resolve (verb) — To find a solution to a problem or dispute; to decide firmly

  Negotiations were successful in resolving the long-standing conflict.

  Watch out: "Resolve" (find a solution) vs "solve" (work out an answer). Resolve is more about conflicts and disputes.

  Common pairings: resolve a conflict, resolve differences, resolve issues, difficult to resolve

professional (adjective) — Relating to or connected with a profession; showing skill and competence

Professional development is essential for career advancement.

Watch out: "Professional" relates to work requiring special training. "Expert" means highly skilled. They can overlap.

Common pairings: professional development, professional skills, professional experience, professional standards

Band 8 words

Five words at band 8.

• burgeon (verb) — To begin to grow or increase rapidly

  The tech industry has burgeoned in recent years.

  Watch out: "Burgeon" = grow rapidly. "Burgeoning" (adjective) more common.

  Common pairings: burgeoning industry, burgeoning population, burgeoning demand, burgeoning market

• supplement (verb) — To add something extra to something to complete or enhance it.

  Many students supplement their classroom learning with online resources and tutorials.

  Watch out: Supplement means to add to something existing, not to replace it. The noun is also 'supplement'.

  Common pairings: supplement income, supplement education, supplement with, dietary supplement

• mutual (adjective) — Experienced or done by two or more parties equally; shared in common.

  Successful partnerships are built on mutual respect and shared objectives.

  Watch out: Mutual implies both sides equally. Do not use 'mutual' for one-sided relationships.

  Common pairings: mutual benefit, mutual respect, mutual agreement, mutual understanding

• submit (verb) — To present for consideration or judgement; to yield to authority

  Students must submit their assignments by the deadline.

  Watch out: "Submit" for documents means to hand in. "Submit to" means to yield or surrender. Different meanings.

  Common pairings: submit an assignment, submit a proposal, submit for review, submit evidence

• tangible (adjective) — Clear and definite; real and able to be shown or measured

  The new policy has produced tangible improvements in public health outcomes.

  Watch out: "Tangible" originally means "able to be touched". Now it means real and measurable, not abstract.

  Common pairings: tangible benefits, tangible results, tangible evidence, tangible progress

Mistakes to avoid

• Incorrect use of "criteria"

  Correct usage: "criteria" - standards or principles used to judge or decide something

  "Criteria" is plural. The singular is "criterion". Say "the criteria are" not "the criteria is".

• Incorrect use of "tangible"

  Correct usage: "tangible" - clear and definite; real and able to be shown or measured

  "Tangible" originally means "able to be touched". Now it means real and measurable, not abstract.

• Incorrect use of "site"

  Correct usage: "site" - a place where something is, was, or will be located

  "Site" (location) vs "sight" (vision). They sound the same but mean different things.

Practise the words

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

1. Successful partnerships are built on _______ respect and shared objectives.
2. The chart shows changes in temperature over a fifty-year _______.
3. The _______ of equality is fundamental to democratic societies.
4. The new policy has produced _______ improvements in public health outcomes.
5. Many students _______ their classroom learning with online resources and tutorials.

Answers: mutual, period, principle, tangible, supplement

Listening tip

If you miss an answer, move on - don't let it affect the next questions.