🔥 IELTS Band 7–9 Vocabulary List

🔹 1. Opinion & Argument (High-Scoring)

• Advocate – publicly support
  Many experts advocate stricter environmental laws.
• Contend – argue strongly
  Some people contend that online education is ineffective.
• Justifiable – reasonable and acceptable
  Such measures are justifiable in extreme situations.
• Debatable – open to argument
  This issue remains highly debatable.
• Reinforce – strengthen
  This policy reinforces social equality.

🔹 2. Cause & Effect (Essential for Task 2)

• Catalyst – something that causes change
  Technology has been a catalyst for economic growth.
• Exacerbate – make worse
  Pollution exacerbates health problems.
• Trigger – cause suddenly
  Stress can trigger mental illness.
• Mitigate – reduce negative effects
  Governments should mitigate climate risks.
• Resultant – happening as a result
  Resultant damage was extensive.

🔹 3. Society & Global Issues

• Disparity – inequality
  Income disparity is widening.
• Marginalized – pushed to the edges of society
  Marginalized communities need support.
• Demographic – population group
  The aging demographic is increasing.
• Social mobility – ability to improve social status
  Education enhances social mobility.
• Collective responsibility – shared duty
  Environmental protection is a collective responsibility.

🔹 4. Education & Learning

• Pedagogy – method of teaching
  Modern pedagogy focuses on critical thinking.
• Cognitive development – mental growth
  Reading improves cognitive development.
• Academic rigor – strict academic standards
  Universities maintain academic rigor.
• Holistic education – whole-person learning
  Holistic education prepares students for life.
• Intellectual autonomy – independent thinking
  Education fosters intellectual autonomy.

🔹 5. Technology & Media

• Ubiquitous – everywhere
  Smartphones are ubiquitous today.
• Digital divide – gap in access to technology
  The digital divide affects rural areas.
• Algorithm – computer decision system
  Algorithms influence social media content.
• Data privacy – protection of personal data
  Data privacy concerns are growing.
• Technological dependency – over-reliance on tech
  Excessive screen time creates technological dependency.

🔹 6. Environment & Sustainability

• Depletion – reduction of resources
  Resource depletion threatens future generations.
• Ecological balance – natural stability
  Deforestation disrupts ecological balance.
• Carbon footprint – amount of pollution produced
  People should reduce their carbon footprint.
• Conservation – protection of nature
  Wildlife conservation is essential.
• Environmental degradation – environmental damage
  Industrial waste causes environmental degradation.

🔹 7. Economy & Employment

• Economic resilience – ability to recover
  Small businesses improve economic resilience.
• Labor force – working population
  Automation impacts the labor force.
• Financial stability – secure finances
  Employment ensures financial stability.
• Income inequality – unequal earnings
  Income inequality fuels social unrest.
• Entrepreneurial mindset – business-oriented thinking
  Education encourages an entrepreneurial mindset.

🔹 8. Advanced Adjectives & Adverbs (Band Boosters)

• Substantial – large
• Pervasive – widespread
• Counterproductive – harmful to goals
• Inherently – naturally
• Notably – especially

Example:
Notably, excessive regulation can be counterproductive.

🔹 9. Natural Collocations (Examiners Love These ❤️)

• Pose a threat
• Play a pivotal role
• Raise awareness
• Bridge the gap

Address the issue

🎯 How to Use This List

✔ Learn 5–7 words per day
✔ Use them in your own sentences
✔ Avoid forcing rare words
✔ Focus on accuracy + context

boost your IELTS Writing and Speaking score is to use natural word pairs (collocations) that are common in Band 7–9 responses

🔹 1. Education & Learning

• Acquire knowledge – gain understanding
  Students acquire knowledge through practical experience.
• Critical thinking – analyzing and evaluating carefully
  Universities aim to develop critical thinking skills.
• Academic achievement – success in studies
  Scholarships reward academic achievement.
• Higher education – university-level study
  Higher education is increasingly accessible worldwide.

🔹 2. Environment

• Climate change – long-term change in weather patterns
  Climate change poses serious threats globally.
• Environmental degradation – damage to nature
  Industrialization contributes to environmental degradation.
• Carbon footprint – pollution caused by activities
  People are encouraged to reduce their carbon footprint.
• Sustainable development – growth without harming nature
  Sustainable development balances economy and ecology.

🔹 3. Economy & Work

• Economic growth – increase in a country’s wealth
  Investment drives economic growth.
• Job satisfaction – happiness at work
  Flexible hours increase job satisfaction.
• Financial stability – secure finances
  Saving money ensures financial stability.
• Labor force – working population
  Automation affects the labor force.

🔹 4. Technology

• Technological advancement – progress in technology
  Technological advancement improves productivity.
• Digital literacy – ability to use technology
  Digital literacy is crucial for modern jobs.
• Data privacy – protection of personal data
  Data privacy is a growing concern online.
• Over-reliance on technology – depending too much on tech
  Over-reliance on technology can reduce creativity.

🔹 5. Society & Culture

• Social cohesion – unity in society
  Education promotes social cohesion.
• Cultural diversity – variety of cultures
  Cultural diversity enriches communities.
• Gender equality – equal rights for all genders
  Policies aim to achieve gender equality in the workplace.
• Urbanization process – growth of cities
  Urbanization process creates both opportunities and challenges.

🔹 6. Health

• Public health – health of the population
  Exercise campaigns improve public health.
• Mental well-being – emotional health
  Meditation promotes mental well-being.
• Sedentary lifestyle – little physical activity
  A sedentary lifestyle increases health risks.
• Healthcare system – medical services in a country
  A strong healthcare system is vital for citizens.

🔹 7. Band-Boosting Linking Word Pairs

• Play a pivotal role – be very important
  Education plays a pivotal role in personal development.
• Pose a threat – create danger
  Pollution poses a threat to wildlife.
• Raise awareness – inform and educate
  Campaigns raise awareness about climate change.
• Bridge the gap – reduce differences
  Online courses bridge the gap between rural and urban students.

💡 Tip for Band 7–9:

• Use these word pairs naturally in sentences.
• Combine them with complex structures for a higher score:
  “While urbanization poses a threat to social cohesion, it also raises awareness of environmental issues.”

IELTS Band 7–9 Word Pairs (100+)

1. Education & Learning (18 pairs)

1. Acquire knowledge – gain understanding
   Students acquire knowledge through experience.
2. Critical thinking – careful analysis
   Critical thinking is essential in higher education.
3. Academic achievement – success in studies
   Scholarships reward academic achievement.
4. Higher education – university-level study
   Higher education improves job prospects.
5. Vocational training – skill-based education
   Vocational training prepares students for practical jobs.
6. Learning environment – setting for study
   A supportive learning environment boosts performance.
7. Intellectual development – mental growth
   Reading fosters intellectual development.
8. Curriculum design – planning courses
   Curriculum design influences learning outcomes.
9. Educational reform – improving education system
   Educational reform can address inequalities.
10. Self-directed learning – independent study
    Self-directed learning promotes autonomy.
11. Teacher-student interaction – communication in class
    Effective teacher-student interaction enhances understanding.
12. Academic rigor – strict standards
    Universities maintain academic rigor to ensure quality.
13. Holistic education – whole-person learning
    Holistic education develops social and cognitive skills.
14. Knowledge retention – remembering learned material
    Active engagement improves knowledge retention.
15. Learning outcomes – results of study
    Clear goals improve learning outcomes.
16. Critical analysis – evaluating information
    Critical analysis is necessary for essays.
17. Cognitive skills – mental abilities
    Puzzles enhance cognitive skills.
18. Educational equity – fairness in access to learning
    Governments must ensure educational equity.

2. Environment & Sustainability (18 pairs)

19. Climate change – long-term weather changes
    Climate change is a global concern.
20. Environmental degradation – natural damage
    Industrialization causes environmental degradation.
21. Carbon footprint – pollution caused
    Individuals can reduce their carbon footprint.
22. Sustainable development – eco-friendly growth
    Sustainable development balances economy and ecology.
23. Renewable energy – eco-friendly power
    Solar and wind are renewable energy sources.
24. Ecological balance – natural stability
    Deforestation disrupts ecological balance.
25. Resource depletion – running out of resources
    Overfishing causes resource depletion.
26. Air pollution – contaminated air
    Air pollution affects public health.
27. Water scarcity – shortage of water
    Water scarcity affects agriculture.
28. Waste management – garbage control
    Proper waste management reduces environmental damage.
29. Deforestation rate – speed of forest loss
    High deforestation rates threaten biodiversity.
30. Green technology – eco-friendly tech
    Green technology reduces energy consumption.
31. Global warming – Earth’s temperature rise
    Global warming leads to rising sea levels.
32. Environmental awareness – knowledge of eco issues
    Campaigns raise environmental awareness.
33. Climate resilience – ability to withstand climate change
    Urban planning improves climate resilience.
34. Eco-friendly practices – sustainable behavior
    Recycling is an eco-friendly practice.
35. Biodiversity loss – decrease in species
    Biodiversity loss threatens ecosystems.
36. Pollution control – reducing pollutants
    Strict regulations help pollution control.

3. Economy & Work (16 pairs)

37. Economic growth – increase in wealth
    Investment drives economic growth.
38. Job satisfaction – happiness at work
    Flexible hours improve job satisfaction.
39. Financial stability – secure finances
    Savings ensure financial stability.
40. Labor force – working population
    Automation affects the labor force.
41. Income inequality – uneven earnings
    Income inequality fuels social unrest.
42. Economic policy – government strategy
    Economic policies influence employment rates.
43. Entrepreneurial mindset – business thinking
    Education encourages an entrepreneurial mindset.
44. Consumer spending – buying behavior
    Rising consumer spending boosts growth.
45. Market competition – rivalry in business
    Market competition drives innovation.
46. Corporate responsibility – ethical business conduct
    Companies promote corporate responsibility.
47. Job prospects – future career opportunities
    Higher education improves job prospects.
48. Pension system – retirement funds
    A stable pension system ensures elderly security.
49. Global economy – worldwide markets
    Global economy is affected by trade wars.
50. Employment opportunities – chances to work
    Technology creates new employment opportunities.
51. Work-life balance – healthy lifestyle
    Flexible policies improve work-life balance.
52. Economic resilience – ability to recover financially
    Small businesses improve economic resilience.

4. Technology & Media (12 pairs)

53. Technological advancement – tech progress
    Technological advancement improves productivity.
54. Digital literacy – tech skills
    Digital literacy is essential today.
55. Data privacy – protecting information
    Data privacy concerns are rising.
56. Over-reliance on technology – depending too much
    Over-reliance on technology reduces creativity.
57. Online resources – internet materials
    Students benefit from online resources.
58. Artificial intelligence – AI tech
    AI transforms industries.
59. Cybersecurity measures – protection of data
    Strong cybersecurity measures prevent breaches.
60. Virtual learning – online education
    Virtual learning is convenient for remote students.
61. Social media influence – impact of platforms
    Social media influence affects opinions.
62. Automation processes – machine-based work
    Automation processes increase efficiency.
63. Technological dependency – over-reliance
    Technological dependency can cause stress.
64. Digital innovation – creative tech solutions
    Digital innovation drives startups.

5. Society & Culture (12 pairs)

65. Social cohesion – unity in society
    Education promotes social cohesion.
66. Cultural diversity – variety of cultures
    Cultural diversity enriches communities.
67. Gender equality – equal rights
    Policies aim for gender equality in workplaces.
68. Urbanization process – city growth
    Urbanization process brings challenges.
69. Social inequality – unfair treatment
    Policies reduce social inequality.
70. Community engagement – public participation
    Community engagement improves local projects.
71. Traditional values – cultural beliefs
    Traditional values influence behavior.
72. Global citizenship – awareness of world issues
    Global citizenship promotes responsibility.
73. Social mobility – upward movement
    Education enhances social mobility.
74. Civic responsibility – duty to society
    Voting is a civic responsibility.
75. Cultural heritage – historical culture
    Cultural heritage attracts tourism.
76. Religious tolerance – accepting beliefs
    Religious tolerance reduces conflicts.

6. Health & Lifestyle (12 pairs)

77. Public health – population’s health
    Exercise campaigns improve public health.
78. Mental well-being – emotional health
    Meditation promotes mental well-being.
79. Sedentary lifestyle – little physical activity
    Sedentary lifestyle increases health risks.
80. Healthcare system – medical services
    Strong healthcare systems save lives.
81. Nutritional value – food quality
    Fruits have high nutritional value.
82. Life expectancy – average age
    Life expectancy has increased worldwide.
83. Health awareness – knowledge of health
    Campaigns improve health awareness.
84. Preventive measures – steps to avoid illness
    Vaccinations are preventive measures.
85. Physical fitness – being healthy
    Physical fitness reduces stress.
86. Lifestyle choices – decisions affecting life
    Lifestyle choices affect longevity.
87. Medical advances – improvements in medicine
    Medical advances save millions of lives.
88. Chronic disease – long-term illness
    Obesity increases risk of chronic disease.

7. Linking Word Pairs for Band 7–9 (12 pairs)

89. Play a pivotal role – be very important
    Education plays a pivotal role in development.
90. Pose a threat – create danger
    Pollution poses a threat to health.
91. Raise awareness – inform/educate
    Campaigns raise awareness about climate change.
92. Bridge the gap – reduce differences
    Technology bridges the gap between urban and rural areas.
93. In stark contrast – completely different
    In stark contrast, rural schools lack resources.
94. Have a profound impact – strong effect
    Technology has a profound impact on communication.
95. Lead to consequences – cause results
    Neglecting education leads to consequences.
96. Play a role in – be involved
    Parents play a role in children’s development.
97. Give rise to – cause
    Urbanization gives rise to traffic congestion.
98. Attract attention – get noticed
    Campaigns attract attention to environmental issues.
99. Set a precedent – establish example
    New policies set a precedent for others.
100. Take measures – act to prevent
     Governments must take measures against pollution.
101. Address the issue – solve problem
     Policies aim to address the issue of unemployment.
102. Bring about change – cause change
     Education can bring about social change.

✅ Tips to Use This List:

1. Learn 5–10 word pairs daily.
2. Practice using them in full sentences.
3. Combine linking words with topic vocabulary for Band 8+ cohesion.
4. Avoid overstuffing—accuracy beats quantity.

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