- Have a vocabulary book
Note down words that you learn in your notebook. You can type in a word document as well. But I would highly recommend that your write as your will remember more easily
- Use a good dictionary
Use learner dictionaries such as The Longman online dictionary or Cambridge online dictionary
- Learn different spelling patterns
Choose one of the sentences below:
- The recession can intensify the threats faced by small businesses.
- The recession has intensified the threats faced by small businesses.
- The recession intensified the failure of small businesses
- Small businesses could be threatened by the sudden intensification of the recession.
- They all mean the same thing! But which one sounds better?
‘Intensify’ or ‘Intensified’ are quite common words So using these words correctly might get you closer to a Band 6 or 7.
And if you use ‘intensification’, it means you will get a Band 8 for showing vocabulary range, flexibility and precision!
- Byheart and use academic collocations
Collocations are sets of words that gel together e.g. you can say ‘fiercely competitive’ but NOT ‘strictly competitive’.
Memorising these types of phrases will help you use it in your writing effortlessly, thereby improving your band score. For example: ‘widespread belief’ , ‘meticulously planned’, ‘incredibly stressful’.
You will have access to a wide range of academic collocations in our writing course at Ajith Academy.
- Find synonyms and antonyms
Learning synonyms will be really helpful when you do Task 1 and Task 2 writing.
Use synonyms in your writing to get more marks: young people, teenagers, youngsters, adolescents, the younger generation
Learning antonyms will be useful when you do True/False/Not given questions in IELTS reading. A false statement will most probably be an antonym of the statement given in the passage.
- Identify if the word is formal, informal or archaic
Make sure that the words you use are ‘formal’ in Task 2 writing and Task 1 formal letters. You can use informal words in Task 1 informal letters. But for that you need to know which words are formal, informal or archaic. The word ‘kids’ is informal, so we should not use it in Task 2 writing or Task 1 formal letters.
- Learn about prefixes
Knowing prefixes will help you in your essay writing. Here are some prefixes that you need to learn
- Create memory maps and use it when you write essays
Categorize the learned words into different groups. For instance, words about nature can be linked with pollution, which can be linked with urban development. This will enable you to remember the new words.
- Learn 10 words a day
Write 10 new words every day in your vocabulary book. Review it every day and use it in your writing. By the end of the week, you will be able to remember these words and use it your essay effortlessly.
- Consistently review the words
Instead of just memorising the word meaning, byheart simple sentences using these new words. Repeat it until it comes natural to you. For eg: There is a widespread belief that urban economy is more important than rural.
- Have an accountability partner or trainer to check on your writing
Regularly reviewing your writing with a qualified trainer or an accountability partner will keep you motivated and help you in your learning.
- Focus on IELTS Academic reading
The best reading materials that help you to improve your vocabulary are IELTS Academic reading passages. Most of the passages are factual and academic. You will get used to words from a range of topics.
- Use high quality websites and newspapers
Always read high quality news content like the financial times or BBC News. But again, the best source is IELTS reading texts. The passage given there are very relevant to your writing as well.
- Learn vocabulary on key topics of IELTS
Its important to learn words from specific topics. For eg: Farming, technology, family, personality etc. Learning vocabulary from a variety of topics will you in your speaking as well as writing.
- Attend the ‘Vocabulary Booster’ course from Ajith Academy
The ‘Vocabulary Booster’ course at Ajith Academy will guide you through a range of words which you need to learn in order to score a higher band in your writing and speaking.
