IELTS Speaking Vocabulary

What is Vocabulary?

Vocabulary refers to the set of words used in a language to express ideas, emotions, and information. For instance, medical professionals often use terms like “diagnosis” or “prognosis” as part of their professional vocabulary.

Here are some examples of words commonly used in a medical context:

• Diagnosis: The identification of an illness or condition through examination.
• Prognosis: A forecast of the likely outcome of a disease or ailment.
• Remission: A period during which symptoms of a disease are reduced or disappear.

The Importance of Expanding Your Vocabulary

Using a diverse and accurate vocabulary is essential in IELTS Speaking and Writing. The ability to use appropriate words enhances your clarity and expression. Improving your vocabulary requires consistent effort and regular practice. Begin with small steps, such as learning five new words daily, and gradually aim for mastering 50 challenging words weekly for IELTS Exam. Practice using these words in sentences and incorporate them into your daily conversations.

For example, replace simple adjectives with more expressive ones like:

• Beautiful: Stunning, captivating, or exquisite.
• Boring: Tedious, monotonous, or repetitive.
• Angry: Furious, livid, or outraged.

By making vocabulary building a habit, you’ll see significant improvements in your communication skills and confidence.

IELTS Speaking Vocabulary

In the IELTS Speaking test and also in IELTS Writing test, vocabulary accounts for 25% of your total score. The test evaluates your ability to use a wide range of words accurately and appropriately. Here’s how the test is structured:

• Part 1: Self-Introduction: Answer questions about yourself and familiar topics.
• Part 2: Topic Presentation: Speak on a given topic for 1-2 minutes after a minute of preparation.
• Part 3: Detailed Discussion: Engage in a deeper discussion related to the topic from Part 2.

During the test, aim to use varied vocabulary that demonstrates your ability to articulate complex ideas. Avoid repetition and strive to incorporate both everyday and sophisticated terms into your responses.

Topic-Based Vocabulary for IELTS Speaking

Expanding your vocabulary is essential to excel in the IELTS speaking module. Here are some examples of topic-specific words and phrases:

Weather

• Light drizzle – A light, steady rain.
  Example: “The picnic was postponed due to the light drizzle.”
• Blazing sun – Extremely bright and hot sunshine.
  Example: “We stayed indoors to escape the blazing sun.”
• Cold snap – A sudden period of cold weather.
  Example: “The cold snap surprised everyone in early November.”
• Downpour – Heavy rainfall.
  Example: “A sudden downpour drenched everyone at the park.”
• Mild breeze – A gentle and pleasant wind.
  Example: “The mild breeze made the walk enjoyable.”

Music

• Instrumental track – Music without lyrics.
  Example: “The instrumental track was perfect for studying.”
• Boy band – A group of young men singing pop music.
  Example: “The boy band’s new single topped the charts.”
• Live concert – A performance in front of an audience.
  Example: “We attended a live concert in the city square.”
• Melodic tune – A pleasant and memorable melody.
  Example: “The movie’s theme song had a melodic tune.”
• Dance beats – Fast-paced music suitable for dancing.
  Example: “The DJ played some energetic dance beats at the party.”

Art

• Studio – A space for creating art.
  Example: “The artist spends hours in her studio working on new projects.”
• Canvas – A piece of cloth used for painting.
  Example: “She painted a stunning sunset on a large canvas.”
• Graffiti – Art or writing on public walls.
  Example: “The graffiti on the old building was vibrant and creative.”
• Illustration – A drawing or picture in a book or magazine.
  Example: “The children’s book was full of colorful illustrations.”
• Pottery – The craft of making items from clay.
  Example: “He displayed his handmade pottery at the craft fair.”

Connectors and Idioms

Using connectors and idioms effectively in your IELTS responses can boost your coherence and vocabulary scores. Let’s explore some key examples:

Connectors

• Vocabulary to denote time: Eventually, Subsequently, In the meantime, As soon as, Over time.
  
  Vocabulary to Denote Time:
  

  • In the meantime
  • As of now
  • Throughout
  • Concurrently
  • At that very moment
• Vocabulary to express agreement: I couldn’t agree more, Absolutely, That’s spot on, Definitely, I second that.
  
  Vocabulary to Express Agreement:

  • Absolutely
  • Me too
  • That’s correct
  • I agree with that
  • I endorse the idea of

Idioms

• To turn over a new leaf – To start behaving in a better way.
  Example: “After his IELTS preparation, he turned over a new leaf and became more disciplined.”
• To hit the nail on the head – To describe exactly what is causing a situation.
  Example: “Her suggestion about time management hit the nail on the head.”
• To bend over backward – To try very hard to help someone.
  Example: “The teacher bent over backward to clarify complex grammar rules.”

Collocations and Phrasal Verbs

Learning collocations and phrasal verbs enhances your fluency. Here are some practical examples:

Collocations

• Pay attention – Correct: You need to pay attention during the listening module.
• Make progress – Correct: She made significant progress in her speaking skills.
• Break a habit – Correct: He worked hard to break his habit of using filler words.

Phrasal Verbs

• Run into: Meaning – To meet someone by chance.
  Example: “I ran into my old classmate during the exam registration.”
• Turn up: Meaning – To appear unexpectedly.
  Example: “He turned up late for his speaking test.”
• Work out: Meaning – To find a solution.
  Example: “We worked out a schedule to improve her IELTS preparation.”