Lindsay McMahon
"The English Adventurer"
Jessica Beck
"Director of IELTS Training"

Are you confused and lost when it comes to IELTS vocabulary? What words should you use and when should you use them?

Today you’ll get our expert advice on how to improve your IELTS vocabulary.

Today we have a question from an IELTS Energy listener:

“My biggest concern is whether the examiners look for fancy phrases in writing and speaking or whether it’s more preferable to use a natural, daily life style with vocabulary and structure.

At the test center where I go the teachers always give us really bulky words.”

-IELTS Energy Listener

Jessica’s response:

Jessica Beck IELTS Professional“In speaking you do not need to use only fancy words. To get a 7 or higher you must use a range of formal and informal words.

You can go online and look at the descriptors.

You need to use “interesting and idiomatic language.”

– Jessica Beck, 10 year IELTS Professional

In Speaking Parts 1 and 2:

Use more informal and natural language.

To do this you can start with a short list and take a few of them into the exam with you.

Check out some of our vocabulary episodes like phrasal verbs about age.

You need to start with the list but then you must practice them.

This will start to move the examiner’s mind up from a 6 to a 7.

Speaking Part 3:

You need to throw in Academic words and phrases in Speaking Part 3.

Remember you MUST practice using these.

Take it one step at a time.

Take a chance and try to use a new word when you practice your English.

It’s easier to get used to using these words in writing but you need to use this range of vocabulary on both IELTS Writing and IELTS speaking.

Also you MUST have linking words!

Practice them.

Get comfortable with them.

Ask your teacher!

When your teacher gives you a list of vocabulary and tells you to use them on the test you should ask your teacher why those specific words are going to increase your score.

If they can’t tell you why and how, then you should make a better choice when it comes to an IELTS course.

Ask us your questions in the comments below.

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