Urban Gardens: 15 IELTS Words from Band 6 to Band 8
Weekly vocabulary, week 44
Fifteen words drawn from the theme of urban gardens, 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.
unemployment (noun) — The state of being without a job; the number of jobless people
Youth unemployment remains a significant challenge in many economies.
Watch out: Uncountable when referring to the condition. "Unemployment rate" is the measurement.
Common pairings: unemployment rate, youth unemployment, reduce unemployment, mass unemployment
obtain (verb) — To get or acquire something, especially through effort
Students must obtain permission before conducting research with human subjects.
Watch out: "Obtain" is formal for "get". Use "obtain" in academic writing, "get" in informal contexts.
Common pairings: obtain permission, obtain results, obtain information, obtain a degree
engage (verb) — To participate or become involved in; to attract attention
Students were encouraged to engage with the material.
Watch out: "Engage with/in" = participate. "Engagement" (noun), "engaging" (adjective).
Common pairings: engage with, engage in, engaging content, student engagement
chapter (noun) — A main division of a book; a period of time or series of events
This chapter in the country's history was marked by significant economic reforms.
Watch out: Beyond books, "chapter" can mean a period of time: "a new chapter in life". Do not use for small sections.
Common pairings: new chapter, final chapter, chapter of history, close a chapter
accumulation (noun) — The gradual gathering or increase of something over time
The accumulation of evidence eventually led to a breakthrough in the case.
Watch out: "Accumulation" = the process/result. "Accumulate" = the verb.
Common pairings: accumulation of, gradual accumulation, capital accumulation, knowledge accumulation
Band 7 words
Five words at band 7.
communicate (verb) — To share or exchange information, ideas, or feelings with others
Technology has transformed the way people communicate across borders.
Watch out: "Communicate with" for people. "Communicate" alone can mean to convey ideas effectively.
Common pairings: communicate effectively, communicate with, communicate ideas, means of communication
implicate (verb) — To show that someone or something is involved in a crime or wrongdoing; to suggest as a consequence.
Recent studies have implicated processed foods in the rising rates of obesity among young people.
Watch out: Confusing 'implicate' with 'imply'. Implicate means to involve (often negatively); imply means to suggest indirectly.
Common pairings: implicated in, strongly implicated, directly implicated, implicate someone
simulate (verb) — To imitate the appearance or character of something; to create a model of a process.
Computer models can simulate the effects of climate change over the next century.
Watch out: Confusing 'simulate' with 'stimulate'. Simulate means to imitate; stimulate means to encourage or activate.
Common pairings: simulate conditions, computer simulation, simulate the effects, simulate growth
hence (adverb) — As a consequence; for this reason; therefore
The population is ageing; hence, healthcare costs are rising.
Watch out: "Hence" is formal for "therefore". It shows cause and effect. Place it at the start or middle of a sentence.
Common pairings: hence the need, hence the importance, and hence, hence why
statistic (noun) — A number that represents a piece of information; numerical data
Recent statistics show that unemployment has fallen to its lowest level in years.
Watch out: "Statistics" (plural) is usually used. "Statistic" (singular) refers to one number. "Statistics" can also be the study of data.
Common pairings: official statistics, statistics show, according to statistics, crime statistics
Band 8 words
Five words at band 8.
conspicuous (adjective) — Clearly visible; attracting notice
The building's conspicuous location makes it easy to find.
Watch out: "Conspicuous" = very noticeable. "Conspicuously" (adverb).
Common pairings: conspicuous absence, conspicuously, conspicuous consumption, conspicuous by
anticipate (verb) — To expect something and prepare for it; to regard as likely to happen
The government failed to anticipate the scale of the economic downturn.
Watch out: "Anticipate" suggests preparing for something expected. "Expect" is just thinking it will happen.
Common pairings: anticipate problems, widely anticipated, anticipate changes, fail to anticipate
unique (adjective) — Being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else
Each culture has unique traditions that have developed over centuries.
Watch out: "Unique" means one of a kind. Do not say "very unique" or "quite unique". Something is either unique or not.
Common pairings: unique features, unique opportunity, unique to, unique position
pertinent (adjective) — Relevant or applicable to a particular matter; directly related to the point
The report raises several pertinent questions about current education policy.
Watch out: "Pertinent" is more formal than "relevant". Use it for direct, important connections to the topic.
Common pairings: pertinent to, pertinent question, particularly pertinent, pertinent information
induce (verb) — To bring about or cause something; to persuade or lead someone to do something.
Financial incentives can induce behavioural changes in both consumers and businesses.
Watch out: Induce implies causing something to happen through persuasion or stimulation, not force.
Common pairings: induce change, induce behaviour, induce stress, artificially induced
Mistakes to avoid
Incorrect use of "simulate"
Correct usage: "simulate" - to imitate the appearance or character of something; to create a model of a process.
Confusing 'simulate' with 'stimulate'. Simulate means to imitate; stimulate means to encourage or activate.
Incorrect use of "anticipate"
Correct usage: "anticipate" - to expect something and prepare for it; to regard as likely to happen
"Anticipate" suggests preparing for something expected. "Expect" is just thinking it will happen.
Incorrect use of "engage"
Correct usage: "engage" - to participate or become involved in; to attract attention
"Engage with/in" = participate. "Engagement" (noun), "engaging" (adjective).
Practise the words
Fill each gap, then check yourself against the answers underneath.
- Computer models can _______ the effects of climate change over the next century.
- Recent studies have implicated processed foods in the rising rates of obesity among young people.
- The government failed to _______ the scale of the economic downturn.
- Students must _______ permission before conducting research with human subjects.
- Youth _______ remains a significant challenge in many economies.
Answers: simulate, implicate, anticipate, obtain, unemployment
Speaking tip
Record yourself and listen back to identify areas for improvement.
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These words are from Week 44: Urban Gardens of our vocabulary program. Subscribers get 15 new IELTS words every week with exercises, quizzes, and practice passages.