Welcome to the third edition of Spotlight IELTS Vocabulary.
This series points you in the direction of articles which contains high-level vocabulary. They also include ideas that you could use in IELTS essays – especially Task 2.
All the articles first appeared on our Twitter account. We tweet about a lot more and encourage you to follow us so that you don’t miss out on something important.
How To Use These Articles
Choose a topic where your vocabulary is weak and read through the related articles.
When you find a new word – capture it on paper or in an app. Try to learn each word in context – don’t just copy the word, copy the whole sentence!
If you translate the new vocabulary into your own language – this will only slow you down. Write an English definition for each new word. That way, you will learn to think as well as speak in English.
You should find as many opportunities as possible to use the vocabulary you learn. This will help to make the new words a part of your active vocabulary.
You can do this by using the words in a diary or speaking English with a friend. You could even book a lesson with a qualified native speaker.
Health
Health-related topics are common in the IELTS test. These articles provide not only with a wealth of vocabulary, but also ideas that you could incorporate into your essay.
This article discusses one of the only cities in the world that has managed to lower childhood obesity rates.
It also contains vocabulary that could help you in a Task 1 essay.
This article by @sarahboseley is an #IELTS goldmine. It discusses how one UK city has lowered childhood obesity rates. It contains high-level vocabulary for health, parenting & describing trends in data. Well worth a read, and not only for the vocabulary! https://t.co/z5pzDRMOgP
— Andy T (@withanexpert) May 3, 2019
Some fantastic collocation in the next article, and some useful advice too!
This article by @prosetech contains ‘Twitter firestorms … a small mob of outraged commenters … and snake-oil dieting coaches … on tissue-thin ground’. Do your diet and #IELTS vocabulary a favour and click on the link! https://t.co/xXlozIVJEi
— Andy T (@withanexpert) May 7, 2019
Mental health is just as important as physical health. How satisfied are you with life?
What’s the secret of life satisfaction? This article contains vocabulary & data reporting that you might find useful in the #IELTS test. If a Band 7.0+ would be your secret to life satisfaction & you need an #IELTStutor or #IELTScoaching, get in touch! https://t.co/I077PDlE6n
— Andy T (@withanexpert) May 15, 2019
Technology
This article about colonising Mars contains vocabulary you might employ usefully in the test. If not, it will give you a heads-up on the next great frontier!
Space exploration is not a topic that seems to appear in #IELTS, but you might still like to mine this interesting article by @deller_a for useful vocabulary. You will find it thought-provoking and intelligent. https://t.co/KAwW2yCwVB
— Andy T (@withanexpert) May 8, 2019
Do we use technology too much?
This article by @jeremydcherry contains useful vocabulary for those of you about to take the #IELTS test. Language evolves, & many of these collocations are very new. Well worth a read since tech-related topics pop up in #IELTS all the time. #IELTScoaching https://t.co/VxPjoqqmty
— Andy T (@withanexpert) May 17, 2019
Nature
Nature is an important Task 2 topic and comes up in the Speaking test too!
Plants are a regular topic in the #IELTS test – but are tricky to talk about. This video will provide you with some ideas, vocabulary & listening practice. The plants are carnivorous so vegetarians might or might not appreciate this particular video! https://t.co/yqNOMnYy26
— Andy T (@withanexpert) May 10, 2019
What do you think about rewilding? If you don’t know – then read this article about restoring woodlands & meadows. Useful vocabulary for #IELTS, & essential advice for the future of our planet. Make sure you watch the video too! #IELTScoaching https://t.co/kOKshutjVE
— Andy T (@withanexpert) May 22, 2019
Parenting
You probably haven’t seen too many articles on parenting – and yet this is an important topic that repeats in the IELTS test.
Those of you who’ve been following me for a hot minute know I’ve written about kids, YouTube, and conspiracy theorists. But this anonymous piece in Washingtonian is amazing. https://t.co/zWIE2BmYPO
— Matthew MacDonald (@prosetech) May 18, 2019
Reality TV
Another current topic. Is reality TV healthy?
Has reality TV gone too far? @bethanylklein of @LeedsUniMedia discusses recent tragedies related to TV appearances in the UK. The article contains vocabulary you might find useful for describing people & for media related #IELTS topics. What do you think? https://t.co/yDlplAAsfd
— Andy T (@withanexpert) May 21, 2019