IELTS Vocabulary Practice Exercises
IELTS Vocabulary Practice Exercises
Practice exercises
1Circle: heart disease, allergies, 4 Adventure
obesity, stroke, addiction
Underline: infection, dehydration Practice exercises
3 1 health conditions, diseases 2 addiction 1 1 c 2 f 3a 4b 5 d 6e
3 infectious agents 4 immunizing venture seek accompany reschedule
4 1 admit 2 examine _ 3 diagnose 4 treat encounter overcome
5 discharge
2 1 a look for 5 a journey
5 1 e 2c 3b 4a 5d
1 b seek 5 b itinerary
Collocations
These are common collocations for the vocabulary
presented in the units. idealistic
an idealistic notion/vision/view
sibling
a younger/elder sibling
Unit 2_________________
sibling rivalry
Health problems:
addiction
Adjectives to describe people:
addiction to something
autonomous
drug/heroin/cocaine/nicotine/alcohol addiction
an autonomous individual
a long-term/chronic/serious addiction
an autonomous region/republic/province/unit
cure/treat/overcome/fight against/feed
fiercely/relatively/largely autonomous
an addiction
consistent an addiction problem/clinic/counsellor
a consistent player/performer
allergy
consistent with something
an allergy to something
consistent with a finding/hypothesis
develop/diagnose/treat/trigger/cause
entirely/fairly/broadly/remarkably consistent
an allergy
conventional a severe/common/serious/
conventional wisdom/thinking/treatment/ life-threatening allergy
methods a food/peanut/penicillin/skin allergy
conventional forces/weapons allergy sufferers/symptoms
co-operative dehydration
a co-operative approach/effort/relationship avoid/prevent/cause/suffer from dehydration
efficient severe/mild/extreme dehydration
an efficient use of something disease
an efficient way of doing something a fatal/deadly/chronic disease
an efficient manner heart/lung/kidney disease
highly/extremely efficient transmit/contract/develop a disease
fuel/energy efficient prevent/treat/cure/fight a disease
flexible diagnose/spread/cause a disease
a flexible approach/system/arrangement infection
flexible working/working hours a viral/bacterial/urinary/respiratory infection
a flexible rate/market a chest/ear/lung infection
Collocations
contract/transmit/spread an infection
prevent/combat/fight/treat/cure/
Unit 3
detect an infection A cad em ic subjects:
infection control/prevention archaeology
obesity an archaeology student/professor/
tackle/prevent/fight/reduce/cause obesity lecturer/department
the obesity epidemic/rate/problem maritime/biblical/industrial/classical
childhood/child/adult obesity archaeology
morbid/extreme/severe obesity astronomy
stroke an astronomy professor/enthusiast/
a suspected/minor/severe/fatal/mini stroke mission
a stroke victim/patient/unit planetary/optical/theoretical/modern
suffer/have/prevent a stroke astronomy
economics
V e rb s associated w ith tre a tm e n t: an economics professor/degree/department
adm inister Keynesian/classical/experimental/
administered by someone/something free-market economics
administer something to someone development/market economics
administer a dose/injection/vaccine/drug
administer medication/antibiotics/morphine geology
orally/intravenously administered the geology of somewhere
the geology of the area/region/island/earth
diagnose
someone is diagnosed with something linguistics
someone/something is diagnosed as something modern/historical/applied linguistics
diagnosed with cancer/diabetes/leukaemia psychology
diagnosed with a disorder/disease/tumour educational/evolutionary psychology
diagnosed as epileptic/diabetic clinical/cognitive psychology
examine sociology
a doctor/psychiatrist/specialist the sociology of something
examines someone the sociology of religion/science
examine a patient a sociology professor/lecturer/department/student
examine someone carefully
examined by someone A cad em ic a c tiv itie s :
analyse
screen
analyse data/statistics/results/trends
screen for something
analyse a sample
screen for a disease/abnormality/condition
analyse something critically/
screen for TB/diabetes/cancer
carefully/scientifically
screen a patient/donor
routinely/properly screen claim
cla im falsely/rig htly/wrongly/repeatedly
vaccinate
a true/false claim
vaccinated against something
vaccinated against smallpox/measles/ define
flu/rabies define something as/in terms of something
fully vaccinated define a term/concept
children/adults/animals are vaccinated a rule/law defines something
have someone vaccinated clearly/narrowly/broadly defined
delay profound
delay the onset/start of something a profound sense of something
a profound change/impact/effect/
encounter influence/implication
encounter resistance/opposition profound shock/sadness
encounter a difficulty/problem
valuable
overcome extremely/less/very valuable
overcome a problem/difficulty/ prove/become valuable
injury/deficit/obstacle a valuable asset/lesson/resource/
seek experience
seek something from someone a valuable contribution/item
be sought for something valuable property/information/advice
Collocations 113
the full/overall/approximate/
Unit 5 minimum/maximum width
Nouns to describe dimensions:
angle Actions:
a 90-degree/£5-degree/acute angle
adjust
adjust to something
circumference adjusted for something
the circumference of something adjust figures/rates
in circumference adjust something to reflect/fit something
measure the circumference seasonally/periodically/automatically/
manually adjusted
diam eter
a diameter of x cm convey
x cm in diameter convey a sense/impression of something
convey the meaning of something
height convey something vividly/powerfully/accurately
a height of x convey information/emotion
have/reach a height of x convey a message
of medium/normal/average height
the maximum/minimum height launch
the average height launch a product/model/brand/book/magazine/car
the launch of something
length a product/book launch
the length of something an official launch
something stretches/extends the length of announce/delay/postpone a launch
something
have a length of x reinforce
reinforce a perception/view/impression/belief
measure/run/walk/travel the length of
something mutually/powerfully/constantly/
the entire/full/whole/total/overall
further reinforce something
length of something reinforce a notion/message/stereotype
powerfully/further reinforce something
radius
secure
a radius of/around something
secure a victory/conviction/place/win/deal
in/within a radius of something
secure the approval/support/backing of someone
a 50-mile/ten-mile/1km radius
secure funding/peace
a radius of x
the radius of a circle suspend
suspend something until a time
volume
immediately/temporarily/indefinitely
the volume of traffic/shares/data
suspend something
export/sales/traffic volume
suspended from a ceiling/rafter/hook
the average/total/estimated volume
suspended by wire/rope
the sheer/huge/high volume
increase/reduce volume
Unit 6___________________
width
the width of something Nouns associated with human
an amount in width geography
a width of x feet/inches/metres/miles commuter
adjust/vary/decrease/increase/extend a commuter train/plane/bus
the width a commuter town/belt
congestion urban
traffic/road/airport congestion urban sprawl/renewal/regeneration/
cause/increase congestion planning
reduce/ease congestion an urban neighbburhood/environment
congestion charge/charging urban warfare/poverty/living
resident
residents of/in somewhere Unit 7_______________
evacuate/warn/advise residents
residents say/fear/complain about/want/ R ep orting verb s:
report something advocate
former/local/permanent/nearby/elderly advocated by someone
residents advocate reform/legislation/violence
openly/strongly/publicly advocate
immigrant
a skilled/illegal immigrant acknowledge
a first-generation/second-generation acknowledge the existence/
immigrant importance of something
deport/detain/smuggle immigrants acknowledge the need for something
immigrants arrive/settle/flee acknowledge difficulties
an immigrant population/community/ publicly/readily acknowledge
worker/visa widely/universally acknowledged
infrastructure
dispute
the infrastructure of something
dispute a claim/assertion/allegation
have infrastructure in place dispute figures/facts
build/rebuild/improve/destroy infrastructure
hotly/vigorously/bitterly disputed
existing/basic infrastructure
transport/rail/telecommunications/security justify
infrastructure justified by something
entirely/wholly/amply justified
inhabitant
morally/ethically/rationally/economically/
the inhabitants of somewhere
scientifically justified
indigenous/native/original/local inhabitants
justify a war/invasion/action/expense
neighbourhood
a safe/good/bad/poor/quiet neighbourhood object
a residential/run-down neighbourhood object to something
object to the idea/notion/use
object strongly
Adjectives:
pioneering question
pioneering work/surgery/research question the validity/legality of something
a pioneering technique/concept/study question the wisdom/motives/integrity
a pioneering surgeon/conservationist/geologist of something/someone
historic
suggest
a historic agreement/decision/victory
evidence/research suggests
a historic achievement/opportunity
data/findings suggest something
a historic event/occasion/moment
a poll/study/report/study suggests
rural something
a rural area/community/population strongly/tentatively suggest
a rural economy/development/road suggest otherwise
Collocations 115
Nouns associated with persuasion: poetry
benefit write/compose/publish poetry
the benefit of something recite/read/quote poetry
health/economic/financial/social benefit love/lyric/war/epic poetry
reap the benefit of something a poetry book/anthology
debate
a debate on/over/about/within something Adjectives:
a heated/lively/intense/ongoing debate classical
spark/provoke/trigger a debate classical music/ballet
classical tradition
drawback classical architecture/mythology/civilization
have drawbacks the classical world
outweigh/overcome drawbacks
the main/only drawback Verbs associated with involvement:
a big/major drawback assemble
proof assemble in/at somewhere
proof of something assemble for something
proof of identity/residency assemble for a meeting/ceremony/occasion
conclusive/definite/irrefutable/further/ a crowd/team assembles
concrete proof delegates/guests/workers assemble
need/provide/offer/furnish proof
attend
People who persuade: attended by someone
politician attend a meeting/conference/summit/funeral
a democratic/conservative/liberal/ delegates/guests/representatives
opposition politician attend something
a leading/senior/prominent/local/ sparsely/poorly/well attended
corrupt politician attend regularly/rarely
elect a politician
broadcast
politicians promise/claim/decide things
broadcast on something
broadcast on television/radio
Unit 8_______________ broadcast live
Nouns for cultural interests: broadcast a message/programme/image
current affairs a broadcasting network
a current affairs programme establish
drama establish a link/relationship
be in a drama firmly/quickly establish something
watch a drama
observe
a drama is set/filmed somewhere
scientists/researchers observe something
a drama is based on something
observe behaviour
a drama continues/begins/unfolds
closely observe
opera
an opera about something
organize
organize things by/into something
an opera singer/house
organize things by group/topic
orchestra organize things into units/sections/chapters
a chamber/symphony orchestra organize a meeting/conference/event/
conduct an orchestra demonstration
an orchestra plays/performs something well/poorly/highly organized
participate a letter/document/report/rule/
participate in something article states something
participate in a discussion/activity/debate/process
participate equally/willingly/effectively Adjectives:
accurate
reasonably/historically/scientifically/
Unit? factually accurate
accurate information/figures
Natural processes: an accurate description/measurement/
condense diagnosis/prediction
condense into/out of something
condense into rain/liquid/droplets
likely
likely to become/remain/continue/happen/cause
vapour/moisture/steam/gas condenses
be/seem/look/appear/become likely
a cloud condenses
more/most/very/highly/increasingly likely
contract less/as/not/also/quite likely
the throat contracts a likely target/explanation/outcome/candidate
the muscles/ventricles contract
contract rhythmically/rapidly Nouns associated with climate:
expand current
a current of something
expanded by an amount
a current of air/electricity
an expanding universe/economy/population
a strong/ocean current
expand capacity/coverage/production
expand the scope/range of something drought
expand rapidly/dramatically a prolonged/severe/devastating drought
drought affects/hits/devastates somewhere
flow
drought conditions
flow into a place
water/blood flows flood
a current flows a bad/devastating/flash flood
flow freely a flood hits/sweeps somewhere
a steady/constant/free flow
glacier
an Antarctic/Alaskan glacier
Verbs associated with scientific study: a glacier melts/retreats/moves
estimate
estimate something at x hurricane
estimate cost/value/revenue a devastating/deadly/major/powerful hurricane
an estimated percentage/amount withstand/predict a hurricane
a hurricane hits/destroys/damages something
predict
predict an event/outcome typhoon
a powerful/deadly typhoon
predict a fall/drop/decline/rise/recovery/upturn
a forecaster/economist/analyst predicts something
predict something accurately/confidently/ Unit 11_________________
correctly Nouns for graphs and figures:
impossible/difficult/possible to predict bar chart
a bar chart shows/illustrates/reflects something
state
state a fact/reason/preference a bar chart compares things
state clearly/explicitly/categorically/ diagram
unequivocally a diagram illustrates/shows something
state repeatedly/incorrectly/publicly draw a diagram
Collocations 117
a schematic/explanatory/simple/ adjust something to reflect/fit something
complex diagram seasonally/periodically/automatically/
manually adjusted
pie chart
a pie chart shows/indicates/displays something alter
alter the course/outcome of something
Components of graphs and figures: alter the composition/balance/
row structure of something
a row of things alter the facts/perceptions/wording
in/into a row radically/fundamentally/structurally/
put/place/arrange things in a row genetically alter something
the front/back/top/bottom row
decline
a single/double row decline from x toy
segment decline by x
a segment of something steadily/rapidly/sharply decline
a segment of a circle/pie chart develop
a segment of a market/industry develop into something
a fast-growing/mid-sized/profitable segment develop something further
stage develop a technique/strategy/idea
a stage of something develop a business/product
a stage of development/evolution/pregnancy develop rapidly/quickly
a stage of a competition/tournament diminish
a stage of a cycle/process diminish in something
diminish in importance/size/number
Verbs meaning show’: rapidly/gradually diminish
depict greatly/drastically/considerably diminished
depicted as/in something
a painting/photograph depicts something evolve
a mural/fresco/cartoon depicts something evolve from/into something
depict a scene/landscape/character evolve over time
graphically/vividly/accurately depicted culture/language/society/technology evolves
humans/organisms/species evolve
represent rapidly/constantly/gradually/slowly evolve
represent a difference/increase/shift/step
modify
modify food/crops/ingredients
Unit 12________________ genetically/chemically modified
extensively/significantly modified
Verbs associated with change:
abandon refine
refine oil/uranium/gasoline/sugar
abandon a child/baby/project/plan/idea
refine a technique/procedure/skill
abandon an attempt/effort
an abandoned building/warehouse/
continually/constantly/greatly refine something
mine/quarry/vehicle/car shift
hastily/abruptly/temporarily shift uncomfortably/restlessly/uneasily
abandon someone/something shift one’s weight/position
shift the focus/emphasis/balance
adjust
adjust to something transform
adjusted for something transform something from/into something
adjust figures/rates completely/magically/dramatically transform
differ analogous
differ from something analogous to something
differ significantly/considerably/widely/ a manner/situation/process/position is analogous
sharply/markedly somewhat/closely/roughly/directly analogous
opinions/views differ equivalent
differentiate the equivalent of something
differentiate between things the equivalent of a pound/pint
differentiate something from something a modern/modern-day equivalent
a differentiated product/brand a cinematic/literary/musical/visual equivalent
a differentiating factor the male/female equivalent
distinguish identical
distinguish between things identical to/with something
distinguish something from something an identical copy/score/twin
reliably/easily/clearly distinguish identical wording/circumstances
functionally/genetically identical
vary look identical
vary from something
vary from region to region/person to person
vary considerably/enormously/greatly/widely Unit 14_________________
opinions/prices/estimates/practices vary Nouns:
varying degrees/sizes/lengths/amounts chain reaction
a chain reaction of things
Verbs for describing similarity: a chain reaction of events/damage/explosions
compare cause/set off/trigger/initiate a chain reaction
compare something with/to something a chain reaction occurs
Collocations 119
consequence genetically/biologically determined
the consequences of war/action/failure determine the cause/extent of something
the consequences for the economy/future/ determine precisely/conclusively/exactly
region
generate
suffer/face/accept/consider/
generated by something
understand the consequences
generate excitement/publicity/
serious/severe/tragic consequences
controversy/enthusiasm
likely/unintended consequences
generate wealth/income/profit
impact generate electricity/energy/heat/power
an impact oh the environment/economy
induce
an impact on society/health/earnings/tourism
induce a state/feeling/sense/change
a significant/important/major/profound impact
induce a response/reaction/heart attack/coma
a lasting/immediate/negative/
induce sleep/vomiting/fear/panic/relaxation
adverse/positive impact
provoke
influence provoke outrage/fury/controversy/fury/anger
the influence of alcohol/drugs
provoke a reaction/response/
have/exert influence on someone/something
backlash/outcry/debate
considerable/powerful/positive/political
influence result
a major/important/strong/good/bad influence result in death/arrest
result in a loss/reduction/increase
outcome result from use/exposure
the outcome of something
result from a failure/lack
await/predict/decide/affect/influence
the outcome stem
the likely outcome stem from something
a successful outcome a problem stems from something
stem from a fact/incident/belief/misconception
repercussion stem the tide/flow/spread of something
serious/possible/potential/negative
repercussions trigger
have/suffer/fear repercussions trigger a response/reaction/change
trigger a crisis/attack/war/debate
Verbs: trigger a tsunami/landslide/avalanche
affect
badly/adversely/directly affect Unit 15_________________
seriously/severely/greatly affect
affect the outcome/quality/ Referring to sequence:
performance of something initial
affect people/everyone an initial reaction/response/impression/diagnosis
an initial offering/purchase/investment/meeting
contribute
the initial stages/results/success
contribute to something
a contributing factor latter
contribute greatly/directly/ choose/prefer the latter
significantly/substantially the latter stage/part/category
determine prior
determined by something prior approval/permission/consent/agreement
determine something’s outcome/fate/ prior knowledge/experience
future/value a prior engagement/arrangement
Collocations
from the perspective of someone/something
Unit 18________________ a historical/feminist/sociological perspective
Nouns for ideas: a different/new/fresh perspective
concept stance
the concept of freedom/democracy/justice someone's stance towards/on something
understand/introduce/explain a concept adopt/maintain/take/assume a stance
a basic/original/abstract/simple/ a neutral/tough/aggressive/moral stance
key/underlying concept
a marketing/design concept Adjectives for describing ideas:
conjecture ambiguous
a matter of/for conjecture deliberately/somewhat/highly ambiguous
conjecture about something remain/seem ambiguous
fuel/spark/prompt conjecture an ambiguous relationship/position/
scientific/historical conjecture result/phrase/statement
ambiguous language/wording
consensus
the consensus amongst people biased
a consensus on/about something biased against someone/something
reach/build/achieve a consensus biased in favour of/towards someone/something
seek/establish a consensus biased reporting/coverage/research/advice
a scientific/cross-party/broad/general a biased opinion/sample/referee/judge
consensus heavily biased
dogma compelling
accept/question/challenge dogma a compelling argument/reason/testimony
ideological/religious/outdated dogma compelling data/results/evidence
marked
a marked contrast/improvement/
increase/difference
clearly/most/more marked
negligible
a negligible impact/effect/contribution
a negligible amount/level/risk/cost
almost/essentially negligible
Collocations 123
The International English Language
Testing System (IELTS) Test
IELTS is jointly managed by the British Council, Cambridge ESOL Examinations and IDP Education, Australia.
There are two versions of the test:
• Academic
• General Training
Academic is for students wishing to study at undergraduate or postgraduate levels in an English-medium
environment.
General Training is for people who wish to migrate to an English-speaking country.
This book is primarily for students taking the Academic version.
The Test
There are four modules:
Listening 30 minutes, plus 10 minutes for transferring answers to the answer sheet
NB: the audio is heard only once.
Approx. 10 questions per section
Section 1: two speakers discuss a social situation
Section 2: one speaker talks about a non-academic topic
Section 3: up to four speakers discuss an educational project
Section 4: one speaker gives a talk of general academic interest
Reading 60 minutes
3 texts, taken from authentic sources, on general, academic topics. They may contain diagrams,
charts, etc.
40 questions: may include multiple choice, sentence completion, completing a diagram, graph or
chart, choosing headings, yes/no, true/false questions, classification and matching exercises.
Writing Task 1: 20 minutes: description of a table, chart, graph or diagram (150 words minimum]
Task 2: 40 minutes: an essay in response to an argument or problem (250 words minimum)
Speaking 11-14 minutes
A three-part face-to-face oral interview with an examiner.
The interview is recorded.
Part 1: introductions and general questions (4-5 mins)
Part 2: individual long turn (3-4 mins) - the candidate is given a task, has one minute toprepare,
then talks for 1-2 minutes, with some questions from the examiner.
Part 3: two-way discussion (4-5 mins): the examiner asks further questions on the topic from Part
2, and gives the candidate the opportunity to discuss more abstract issues or ideas.
Timetabling Listening, Reading and Writing must be taken on the same day, and in the order listed above.
Speaking can be taken up to 7 days before or after the other modules.
Scoring Each section is given a band score. The average of the four scores produces the Overall Band
Score. You do not pass or fail IELTS; you receive a score.
124
This table contains the general descriptors for the band scores 1-9:
IELTS Band
Scores
Expert user Has fully operational command of the language: appropriate, accurate and fluent
with complete understanding.
Very good user Has fully operational command of the language, with only occasional unsystematic
inaccuracies and inappropriacies. Misunderstandings may occur in unfamiliar
situations. Handles complex detailed argumentation well.
Good user Has operational command of the language, though with occasional inaccuracies,
inappropriacies and misunderstandings in some situations. Generally handles
complex language well and understands detailed reasoning.
Competent user Has generally effective command of the language despite some inaccuracies,
inappropriacies and misunderstandings. Can use and understand fairly complex
language, particularly in familiar situations.
Modest user Has partial command of the language, coping with overall meaning in most
situations, though is likely to make many mistakes. Should be able to handle basic
communication in own field.
Limited user Basic competence is limited to familiar situations. Has frequent problems in
understanding and expression. Is not able to use complex language.
Extremely limited Conveys and understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. Frequent
user breakdowns in communication occur.
Intermittent user No real communication is possible except for the most basic information using
isolated words or short formulae in familiar situations and to meet immediate
needs. Has great difficulty understanding spoken and written English.
Non user Essentially has no ability to use the language beyond possibly a few isolated words.
Did not attempt No assessable information provided.
the test
Marking
The Listening and Reading papers have 40 items, each worth one mark if correctly answered. Here are some
examples of how marks are translated into band scores:
Listening: 16 out of 40 correct answers: band score 5
23 out of 40 correct answers: band score 6
30 out of 40 correct answers: band score 7
Reading 15 out of 40 correct answers: band score 5
23 out of 40 correct answers: band score 6
30 out of 40 correct answers: band score 7
Writing and Speaking are marked according to performance descriptors.
Writing: examiners award a band score for each of four areas with equal weighting:
• Task achievement (Task 1)
• Task response (Task 2}
• Coherence and cohesion
• Lexical resource and grammatical range and accuracy
Speaking: examiners award a band score for each of four areas with equal weighting:
• Fluency and coherence
• Lexical resource
• Grammatical range
• Accuracy and pronunciation
For full details of how the examination is scored and marked, go to: [Link]
125
Collins IELTS Test preparation
English fo r Exams
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