IELTS Vocabulary Tips


Building your vocabulary is an important step for IELTS success.

Use the IELTS vocabulary tips below to improve your vocabulary and succeed on the test.





Understanding Vocabulary



1.  Understand prefixes, suffixes, and roots.
Words have different parts, and understanding these parts help you understand the word.

Prefixes are the start of the word.  They can change the meaning.

Roots are the base of the word.  

Suffixes go at the end of words.  They change the part of speech.


2.  Learn collocations and word combinations.

Collocations are how words are connected. For example, "take a shower".

Prepositional phrases and phrasal verbs are combinations of verbs and prepositions.  

Gerunds and infinitives are forms of verbs. It is important to know if a gerund or an infinitive follows a verb. For example, we say "want to dance" and "enjoy dancing"


3.  Understand synonyms.
Synonyms are words that have the same meaning. For example, "incredible" and "amazing". Synonyms are very important on the IELTS because the passages and the questions will have synonyms. For example, a reading passage may say the person is sad, and the answer is unhappy.



Building Your Vocabulary



1.  Use a vocabulary book.
Organize new vocabulary words into a special vocabulary notebook.  Here is a sample word:


Word
Definition
Example
Drastic
Severe, Extreme
25 years in prison is a drastic punishment for stealing a car.

Study this book regularly to take new words from your short to long-term memory.

2.  Use memorization strategies.
While you are building your vocabulary, use the strategies that work best for you. Some people like visualization, others like flash cards. Find the best method for you to remember and understand new words.

3.  Use the new words you learn.  
The best way to remember words is to use them.


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