Traditional Crafts Surviving: 15 IELTS Words from Band 6 to Band 8

Fifteen words drawn from the theme of traditional crafts surviving, 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.

• coordinate (verb) — To organize different things or people so they work together effectively

  International organizations help coordinate responses to global health emergencies.

  Watch out: As a verb, stress the second syllable: co-OR-dinate. As a noun/adjective, stress the third: co-or-DIN-ate.

  Common pairings: coordinate efforts, coordinate activities, coordination between, well-coordinated

• commission (noun) — A group of people officially assigned to perform a function; money paid for a service

  The government established a commission to investigate the causes of the financial crisis.

  Watch out: "Commission" (group or payment) vs "committee" (smaller decision-making group). They are different.

  Common pairings: set up a commission, commission report, earn commission, independent commission

• team (noun) — A group of people working together toward a common goal

  The research team published their findings after three years of intensive study.

  Watch out: "Team" is singular but refers to multiple people. "The team is..." (singular verb).

  Common pairings: team work, team effort, team member, team leader

• outcome (noun) — The final result or effect of an action or situation

  The outcome of the negotiations will affect both countries.

  Watch out: "Outcome" is a result. "Output" is what is produced. They are different concepts.

  Common pairings: positive outcome, learning outcomes, likely outcome, final outcome

• resource (noun) — Something useful that is available to use, especially materials, money, or energy

  Many countries lack the resources needed to address climate change effectively.

  Watch out: "Resource" is what you use. "Source" is where something comes from. They are different.

  Common pairings: natural resources, human resources, limited resources, allocate resources

Band 7 words

Five words at band 7.

• inequality (noun) — Difference in size, degree, or circumstances; unfair distribution

  Income inequality has widened in many countries over recent decades.

  Watch out: "Inequality" (general unfairness) vs "inequity" (injustice). Inequality is more common.

  Common pairings: income inequality, social inequality, gender inequality, reduce inequality

• welfare (noun) — The health, happiness, and well-being of a person or group; government support for those in need.

  Child welfare programmes have been expanded to provide better support for vulnerable families.

  Watch out: Using 'welfare' only for government benefits. It also means general well-being: 'animal welfare', 'employee welfare'.

  Common pairings: social welfare, welfare state, child welfare, animal welfare

• summary (noun) — A brief statement of the main points of something

  In summary, the evidence suggests that early intervention is effective.

  Watch out: "Summary" is a short version. "Overview" gives a general picture. "Abstract" is a summary of a research paper.

  Common pairings: in summary, brief summary, summary of, executive summary

• divert (verb) — To cause to change direction; to distract attention

  Traffic was diverted due to road construction.

  Watch out: "Divert" = redirect/distract. "Diversion" = the redirection.

  Common pairings: divert attention, divert resources, divert traffic, diversion

cease (verb) — To stop happening or existing; to bring something to an end.

Production at the factory will cease by the end of the year.

Watch out: Using 'cease to do' and 'cease doing' interchangeably. Both are correct but 'cease to' is more formal.

Common pairings: cease operations, cease to exist, cease production, without cease

Band 8 words

Five words at band 8.

• uniform (adjective) — Remaining the same in all cases and at all times; not changing or varying.

  The application of environmental standards should be uniform across all industries.

  Watch out: Uniform as an adjective means consistent, not varying. As a noun, it refers to standard clothing.

  Common pairings: uniform standards, uniform distribution, uniform approach, uniform application

• commodity (noun) — A raw material or primary agricultural product that can be bought and sold; something useful or valuable.

  Water has become an increasingly valuable commodity in regions affected by drought.

  Watch out: Commodity typically refers to traded goods. Using it for services or abstract things sounds odd.

  Common pairings: commodity prices, valuable commodity, commodity markets, basic commodities

• inevitable (adjective) — Certain to happen and impossible to avoid or prevent

  Given current trends, further environmental degradation seems inevitable.

  Watch out: "Inevitable" means it will definitely happen. "Likely" means it probably will. They show different levels of certainty.

  Common pairings: inevitable consequence, seem inevitable, inevitable result, almost inevitable

• categorical (adjective) — Unambiguously explicit and direct; absolute

  The minister gave a categorical denial of the allegations.

  Watch out: "Categorical" = absolute/unqualified. "Categorically" (adverb).

  Common pairings: categorical denial, categorically reject, categorical statement, categorically

• presume (verb) — To suppose something is true without proof; to take for granted

  We should not presume that the current trends will continue.

  Watch out: "Presume" = assume without proof. "Presumably" (adverb), "presumption" (noun).

  Common pairings: presumably, presumed to be, one would presume, presumption that

Mistakes to avoid

• Incorrect use of "summary"

  Correct usage: "summary" - a brief statement of the main points of something

  "Summary" is a short version. "Overview" gives a general picture. "Abstract" is a summary of a research paper.

• Incorrect use of "divert"

  Correct usage: "divert" - to cause to change direction; to distract attention

  "Divert" = redirect/distract. "Diversion" = the redirection.

• Incorrect use of "resource"

  Correct usage: "resource" - something useful that is available to use, especially materials, money, or energy

  "Resource" is what you use. "Source" is where something comes from. They are different.

Practise the words

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

1. International organizations help _______ responses to global health emergencies.
2. Production at the factory will _______ by the end of the year.
3. Child _______ programmes have been expanded to provide better support for vulnerable families.
4. Water has become an increasingly valuable _______ in regions affected by drought.
5. We should not _______ that the current trends will continue.

Answers: coordinate, cease, welfare, commodity, presume

Speaking tip

Practice speaking for 2 minutes on random topics to prepare for Part 2.