Welcome to the December 2021 edition of Spotlight Vocabulary.
In this series, we curate articles that contain ideas and high-level vocabulary you can use in tests like IELTS or OET.
These are just a selection of the articles we read in December; you can find more on our LinkedIn and Twitter accounts.
How To Use These Articles
Just open and read!
If you can, make a note of new vocabulary in a vocabulary app.
It is important to use the words you learn regularly. That way, you can transfer them from your passive to active memory.
Passive vocabulary is good for listening and reading tests, but you need to be recall vocabulary instantly and naturally for it to be useful in speaking and writing.
For the ultimate practice, book a lesson with one of our teachers or submit a Writing Correction.
Fashion
Can you talk about clothing and fashion? Neither can I — but the author of this article can, so read on to prepare yourself for all eventualities on IELTS test day…
Lots of good informal vocabulary to discuss #clothing and #fashion on #IELTS Speaking test day in this article. https://t.co/wgsUTvOAWi pic.twitter.com/kUmUpJopuT
— Andy T (@withanexpert) December 1, 2021
The Environment
The environment is something that is in the news everyday, this articles discusses work being done to protect an environment in Indonesia…
This article talks about environmental protections & the creation of new laws. It is filled with great vocabulary you could use in many areas on test day — especially to describe a landscape or wild animals. https://t.co/EuIyj34aDN
— Andy T (@withanexpert) December 3, 2021
Culture & TV
Is there too much TV and too much culture in the modern world? The vocabulary and ideas in this article could help you with an IELTS Task 2 essay, or the Speaking test…
Is there too much culture? Is social media burning us out? Learn some new vocabulary for #IELTS test day as @annehelen discusses these issues and more https://t.co/PfkGVmTEBy
— Andy T (@withanexpert) December 5, 2021
Alien Life
If the word ‘panspermia’ is not in your vocabulary, then maybe you need to read this article about how life on this planet may have already colonised other planets…
A respected & popular BBC scientist believes that life on our planet came from somewhere else and that we may well have already colonised Mars. Space is an increasingly common #IELTS topic. Check out this video and learn some vocabulary along the way! https://t.co/HSocr46ORI pic.twitter.com/FoVMFbNy1Z
— Andy T (@withanexpert) December 7, 2021
Festivals
An interesting video which tracks the origin of many words connected with end-of-year festivals in the UK…
This BBC video covers the historic origin of many words used at this time of year in English and non-English speaking countries. The origin of the words shows the rich cultural heritage of the English language. Wishing you all a good end to the year! https://t.co/BZu1auHRh0 pic.twitter.com/zEvxmP2VTb
— Andy T (@withanexpert) December 23, 2021
Robots and AI
Would you like to eat a Christmas dinner cooked by a robot? Would you stretch to a pizza? In fact, you have probably eaten plenty of robot prepared food, but does food need the human touch…
Food & robotics meet in this article about robot chefs who could be cooking your Christmas dinner next year. Maybe one even cooked your pizza last night. Plenty of vocabulary for #IELTS test day on the topics of technology and food. https://t.co/ujOErPjCTS pic.twitter.com/6SzTDHKFmK
— Andy T (@withanexpert) December 28, 2021
Can we live with AI — or will it replace us. One piece of AI has already come to the conclusion that we should implant it within us if we want to survive…
AI is already very much here — taking part in warfare, putting our jobs at risk, and programmed with our own biases. This is a somewhat negative overview — but then it was written by a human! Ideas and vocabulary for #IELTS test day.https://t.co/7VUiF0QUxc pic.twitter.com/HVe9hhT278
— Andy T (@withanexpert) December 30, 2021
Wind and solar power
This article is about the world’s first carbon-neutral MacDonald’s. Whether or not it is a marketing gimmick is something for you to decide — but you will learn some good vocabulary for IELTS test day…
This is a short article about a solar and wind-powered MacDonald’s in the UK. Could make a few useful sentences in an #IELTS essay about carbon footprints and the environment. https://t.co/NZzYjXd96p pic.twitter.com/Le54ahjiuI
— Andy T (@withanexpert) December 29, 2021
And there’s more…
Why not visit our Twitter and LinkedIn accounts to see hundreds of past posts covering a wide range of topics. All of the articles are evergreen and will provide you with useful vocabulary and ideas for IELTS test day.
See you next month!