Year in Review: Looking Forward: 15 IELTS Words from Band 6 to Band 8

Fifteen words drawn from the theme of year in review: looking forward, 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.

• component (noun) — One of the parts that make up a whole system or machine

  Communication skills are an essential component of professional success.

  Watch out: "Component" is one part of a whole. "Element" is similar but less technical.

  Common pairings: key component, essential component, main component, component parts

Band 7 words

Five words at band 7.

• duration (noun) — The length of time that something continues or exists.

  The duration of the study was extended to three years to gather more comprehensive data.

  Watch out: Using 'for the duration of' when 'during' is simpler. Use 'duration' for emphasising the entire time period.

  Common pairings: for the duration, average duration, duration of, long duration

• grant (noun) — A sum of money given by an organisation, especially a government, for a particular purpose.

  The research team received a substantial grant to study the effects of climate change on coral reefs.

  Watch out: Confusing 'grant' with 'loan'. A grant does not need to be repaid; a loan does.

  Common pairings: research grant, government grant, grant application, award a grant

• differentiate (verb) — To recognise or show the difference between things; to make something different from others.

  It is important to differentiate between correlation and causation in research.

  Watch out: Using 'differentiate from' when 'differentiate between' is needed. Use 'between' for comparing two or more things.

  Common pairings: differentiate between, differentiate from, clearly differentiate, differentiate oneself

• formulate (verb) — To create or devise methodically

The committee formulated a new policy on data protection.

Watch out: "Formulate" = create systematically. "Formulation" = the creation process.

Common pairings: formulate a plan, formulate a policy, formulate a strategy, formulation

Mistakes to avoid

• Incorrect use of "grant"

  Correct usage: "grant" - a sum of money given by an organisation, especially a government, for a particular purpose.

  Confusing 'grant' with 'loan'. A grant does not need to be repaid; a loan does.

• Incorrect use of "component"

  Correct usage: "component" - one of the parts that make up a whole system or machine

  "Component" is one part of a whole. "Element" is similar but less technical.

• Incorrect use of "alleged"

  Correct usage: "alleged" - claimed to be true but not yet proven

  "Alleged" = claimed but unproven. "Allegedly" (adverb) = supposedly.

Practise the words

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

1. The _______ of the study was extended to three years to gather more comprehensive data.
2. The research team received a substantial _______ to study the effects of climate change on coral reefs.
3. The _______ fraud is currently under investigation.
4. Communication skills are an essential _______ of professional success.
5. The committee formulated a new policy on data protection.

Answers: duration, grant, alleged, component, formulate

Speaking tip

It's okay to pause briefly - use fillers like "let me think" if needed.