Welcome to the May 2020 edition of Spotlight Vocabulary.
Below you will find articles filled with vocabulary and ideas you can use in tests like IELTS and OET.
If you find them useful, you might like to follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter, where we link to even more articles on a daily basis.
How To Use These Articles
Just click and read!
You will benefit even more if you download a vocabulary app and record the words you learn. A good app will show you those words regularly so that they become a part of your active vocabulary.
If you are serious, write down the whole sentence in which the word appears. Learning new vocabulary in context will help you to remember it and use it accurately – especially when it comes to collocation.
Finally, use the words you learn as often as you can. That way, you can transfer them from your passive to active memory.
Passive vocabulary is useful for listening and reading tests, but you need immediate recollection for it to be helpful in speaking and writing.
For the ultimate practice, book a lesson with one of our teachers or submit a Writing Correction.
Global Warming & The Environment
Need some ideas and vocabulary for the topic of global warming? Here’s a solution you may not have considered – refreezing the arctic…
What’s your position on re-freezing the arctic? If it’s an idea that sends shivers down your spine – then check out the rationale for it in this article. Plenty of vocabulary to help you on #IELTS test day on the topics of #climatechange & #globalwarming. https://t.co/9kTeV9TEPn
— Andy T (@withanexpert) May 5, 2020
This Ted Talk gives some more innovative solutions to global warming…
See this imaginative solution to land loss caused by global warming. Instead of fighting natural forces it collaborates with them to turn natural destruction into natural construction. Ideas for life and #IELTS essays. https://t.co/cWHd8SRnSr
— Andy T (@withanexpert) May 11, 2020
Finally, it seems that drops in pollution levels cause a rise in temperatures. Some useful vocabulary and counterarguments for test day…
Steep drops in pollution levels are causing significant global warming. Maybe they should have told us this before? Or perhaps we need to find out who is funding the research. Whatever the case may be, you will find useful vocabulary and ideas for #IELTS https://t.co/htAsrBW96t
— Andy T (@withanexpert) May 13, 2020
Predicting The Future
Predicting the future is something you are often asked to do in IELTS. This BBC article will arm you with plenty of ideas and vocabulary…
Worried you might be asked to predict the future in the #IELTS test. Don’t worry – 12 BBC correspondents have done that for you – and they know some good vocabulary! Tech-dependency and rush hour are just two of them. https://t.co/sfQLS0K093
— Andy T (@withanexpert) May 6, 2020
This article also makes predictions about the future but focuses more on technological innovation …
Do you think we will ever be able to buy a quantum computer. We already can.@deller_a predicts that in the 2020s knowledge will double & the wealthy will buy life extension therapies. Useful ideas you can use in your next #IELTS test or sci-fi novel. https://t.co/hTJPlyWPZB
— Andy T (@withanexpert) May 23, 2020
Energy Poverty
This Ted Talk will reward you with a lot of very high-level vocabulary on an important topic. If you struggle to follow what is said – don’t forget most Ted Talks come with a transcript…
Have you heard of energy poverty? The billion people who live without electricity have! This video calls for action & dismisses ‘solicitous narratives’, ‘paternalistic attitudes’ and the ‘glacial pace of government’. High-level vocabulary for #IELTS. https://t.co/WF3Mc9krti
— Andy T (@withanexpert) May 19, 2020
Food
Is food grown in skyscrapers towers healthier than that produced in a field? You might be surprised…
12 yearly vegetable crops grown in shipping containers lodged in hydroponic towers. Do you think this is healthier than traditional farming? Comment below & then read the article to s see if you’re right. Lots of useful food vocabulary for #IELTS & life. https://t.co/FnUOEAyGqz
— Andy T (@withanexpert) May 25, 2020
Education
Education is a frequent and recurring IELTS topic. This article discusses the future of education in an online world…
The first generation of digital natives are kicking back against online education. Is #OnlineEducation as good as that provided in brick-and-mortar institutions? Meet a few arguments against and a lot of #vocabulary you can use on #IELTS test day. https://t.co/lbDWWw9ZH2
— Andy T (@withanexpert) May 12, 2020
Work
What would you write if asked to discuss the future of work? Stock up on ideas and vocabulary with the following article…
This article by @iamdavecook provides you with ideas you could use in #IELTS about the #future of the #workplace. Will we trade social interaction for no commute and work with people who are not our colleagues in more picturesque locations? I already have! https://t.co/RuBNIcbFbS
— Andy T (@withanexpert) May 21, 2020
This article continues the theme and describes how to set up an ergonomic office at home …
How many of you are working from home? This article gives a few useful tips on how to set up an ergonomic home office. Believe me your body will thank you later. Also contains a lot of useful vocabulary which could be deployed in the #IELTS or #OET tests. https://t.co/43UE48XIwC
— Andy T (@withanexpert) May 17, 2020
Wildlife
While you sit at home, bears are taking over the ‘sun-scorched lowlands of Death Valley’ and seem unperturbed by global warming. Learn some useful wildlife vocabulary for IELTS…
While you sit at home bears are taking over the ‘sun-scorched lowlands of Death Valley’ and seem unperturbed by global warming. Learn some useful #wildlife #vocabulary for #IELTS https://t.co/RhcJTFkccn
— Andy T (@withanexpert) May 27, 2020
And there’s more…
We have not shared all of last months collection.
To see the missing articles, and articles from previous months – visit our Twitter and LinkedIn accounts.
See you next month!