VOCABULARY FOR IELTS TEST

A. IDIOMS

Using idioms effectively can enhance your IELTS writing and speaking scores. Here are some idioms
that are useful for both sections:

General Idioms

1. Bite the bullet – To do something painful or unpleasant that is unavoidable.

o Example: "I had to bite the bullet and take the difficult exam."

2. Break the ice – To make people feel more comfortable.

o Example: "He told a joke to break the ice at the beginning of the meeting."

3. Hit the nail on the head – To describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem.

o Example: "You’ve hit the nail on the head; that’s exactly why we need a new plan."

4. A blessing in disguise – Something that seems bad or unlucky at first but results in
something good.

o Example: "Losing that job was a blessing in disguise."

5. The ball is in your court – It is up to you to make the next decision or take action.

o Example: "I’ve done all I can; now the ball is in your court."

6. Burn the midnight oil – To work late into the night.

o Example: "She’s been burning the midnight oil to finish her thesis."

Idioms for Describing Challenges and Solutions

7. Bite off more than you can chew – To take on a task that is way too big.

o Example: "I bit off more than I could chew by taking on two projects at once."

8. Cutting corners – Doing something poorly in order to save time or money.

o Example: "They cut corners when building the house, which led to many problems."

9. Up in the air – Uncertain or undecided.

o Example: "Our vacation plans are still up in the air."

10. Through thick and thin – To support someone through good and bad times.

o Example: "They remained friends through thick and thin."

Idioms for Describing People and Relationships

11. Actions speak louder than words – What someone actually does means more than what
they say they will do.

o Example: "Actions speak louder than words, so we’ll see if he follows through on his
promises."

1
 12. Get out of hand – To become uncontrolled.

o Example: "The party got out of hand, and the police had to be called."

13. A piece of cake – Something very easy to do.

o Example: "The test was a piece of cake for him."

14. Under the weather – Feeling ill.

o Example: "She’s feeling under the weather and won’t be coming in today."

15. Spill the beans – To reveal secret information unintentionally.

o Example: "She accidentally spilled the beans about the surprise party."

Idioms for Describing Changes and Developments

16. Turn over a new leaf – To start to behave in a better or more responsible way.

o Example: "He’s turned over a new leaf and started going to the gym regularly."

17. On the same page – To be in agreement.

o Example: "We’re finally on the same page regarding the new project."

18. Burning the candle at both ends – To work excessively hard until you’re exhausted.

o Example: "He’s been burning the candle at both ends to finish his assignment."

19. The tip of the iceberg – A small part of a much larger problem or issue.

o Example: "The problems we’re seeing now are just the tip of the iceberg."

20. Bend over backwards – To try very hard to help or please someone.

o Example: "She bent over backwards to make sure the guests were comfortable."

Idioms for Expressing Opinions

21. Speak of the devil – When the person you’re talking about appears.

o Example: "Speak of the devil, here he comes now."

22. On the ball – Alert and quick to respond.

o Example: "The new manager is really on the ball."

23. Cost an arm and a leg – Very expensive.

o Example: "The new phone cost me an arm and a leg."

24. Hit the books – To study hard.

o Example: "I need to hit the books if I want to pass my exams."

25. Get a taste of your own medicine – When someone experiences the same unpleasantness
they have inflicted on others.

o Example: "He got a taste of his own medicine when he was ignored by his team."

2
B. PHRASAL VERBS

Phrasal verbs are an essential part of English and can significantly enhance your IELTS writing and
speaking scores by making your language sound more natural. Here are some useful phrasal verbs:

General Phrasal Verbs

1. Break down – To stop functioning (for machines).

o Example: "My car broke down on the way to the exam."

2. Bring up – To mention or introduce a topic.

o Example: "She brought up an interesting point during the discussion."

3. Carry out – To perform or complete a task.

o Example: "The researchers carried out a series of experiments."

4. Come across – To find or meet by chance.

o Example: "I came across an interesting article while researching."

5. Cut down on – To reduce the amount of something.

o Example: "I need to cut down on sugar."

Phrasal Verbs for Describing Actions

6. Figure out – To understand or solve something.

o Example: "I finally figured out how to use this software."

7. Give up – To stop trying or to quit.

o Example: "She gave up smoking last year."

8. Look after – To take care of someone or something.

o Example: "She looks after her younger siblings."

9. Put off – To postpone or delay.

o Example: "The meeting was put off until next week."

10. Take up – To start doing a new activity.

o Example: "She has taken up yoga."

Phrasal Verbs for Describing Changes and Developments

11. Catch up with – To reach the same level or standard as someone else.

o Example: "I need to catch up with my reading for the class."

12. End up – To finally be in a particular place or situation.

o Example: "He ended up becoming a successful lawyer."

3
 13. Go on – To continue.

o Example: "The lecture went on for two hours."

14. Keep up with – To stay at the same level as someone or something.

o Example: "It’s hard to keep up with all the changes in technology."

15. Run out of – To have no more of something.

o Example: "We ran out of milk this morning."

Phrasal Verbs for Describing People and Relationships

16. Get along with – To have a good relationship with someone.

o Example: "I get along well with my colleagues."

17. Look forward to – To anticipate with pleasure.

o Example: "I’m looking forward to the holiday."

18. Look up to – To admire or respect someone.

o Example: "I’ve always looked up to my grandfather."

19. Make up – To reconcile or become friends again after an argument.

o Example: "They had a big fight but later made up."

20. Turn down – To refuse or reject.

o Example: "She turned down the job offer."

Phrasal Verbs for Expressing Opinions and Ideas

21. Bring about – To cause something to happen.

o Example: "The new policy brought about significant changes."

22. Point out – To draw attention to something.

o Example: "He pointed out the errors in the report."

23. Set up – To establish or arrange.

o Example: "They set up a new company last year."

24. Speak up – To express your opinion.

o Example: "It’s important to speak up during meetings."

25. Think over – To consider something carefully.

o Example: "I need some time to think it over before making a decision."

Using these phrasal verbs accurately can demonstrate your proficiency and make your speech and
writing more dynamic and natural.

4
C. COLLOCATION

Collocations, which are natural combinations of words that frequently go together, can greatly
enhance your IELTS writing and speaking. Here are some useful collocations for various contexts:

Collocations for Describing People and Relationships

1. Make friends – To become friends with someone.

o Example: "It’s easy to make friends when you’re open and friendly."

2. Close relationship – A strong, intimate connection.

o Example: "They have a close relationship with their family."

3. Striking resemblance – A very noticeable similarity.

o Example: "She bears a striking resemblance to her mother."

4. Get along with – To have a good relationship with.

o Example: "I get along well with my colleagues."

5. Strong bond – A powerful connection between people.

o Example: "There’s a strong bond between the twins."

Collocations for Work and Study

6. Gain experience – To acquire knowledge or skills.

o Example: "Internships are a great way to gain experience."

7. Highly qualified – Having very good or extensive qualifications.

o Example: "She is highly qualified for the position."

8. Take a course – To enroll in a course of study.

o Example: "I’m planning to take a course in digital marketing."

9. Meet deadlines – To finish work on time.

o Example: "It’s important to meet deadlines in this job."

10. Career path – The progression of jobs in a person’s professional life.

o Example: "He is unsure about his career path after graduation."

Collocations for Describing Changes and Developments

11. Make progress – To advance or improve.

o Example: "The students are making progress in their studies."

12. Rapid growth – Fast development or increase.

o Example: "The company has seen rapid growth over the last year."

5
 13. Major breakthrough – A significant and dramatic discovery or development.

o Example: "The research team achieved a major breakthrough."

14. Drastic change – A very significant change.

o Example: "The new policy brought about a drastic change in the company."

15. Undergo transformation – To experience a complete change.

o Example: "The city has undergone a transformation in recent years."

Collocations for Describing Problems and Solutions

16. Face a problem – To confront or deal with a problem.

o Example: "We need to face the problem head-on."

17. Tackle an issue – To address and deal with a problem.

o Example: "The government is determined to tackle the issue of unemployment."

18. Overcome difficulties – To successfully deal with problems.

o Example: "With perseverance, you can overcome difficulties."

19. Find a solution – To discover a way to solve a problem.

o Example: "We need to find a solution to the traffic congestion."

20. Address concerns – To deal with worries or issues.

o Example: "The manager addressed the concerns of the employees."

Collocations for Describing Feelings and Emotions

21. Deeply regret – To feel very sorry about something.

o Example: "She deeply regrets not attending the meeting."

22. Highly motivated – Very eager and enthusiastic.

o Example: "The team is highly motivated to win the competition."

23. Bitterly disappointed – Very disappointed.

o Example: "He was bitterly disappointed with the results."

24. Strongly believe – To have a firm conviction.

o Example: "I strongly believe in equal opportunities for all."

25. Extremely grateful – Very thankful.

o Example: "I am extremely grateful for your help."

6
Collocations for Describing Time and Frequency

26. Spend time – To use time doing something.

o Example: "I like to spend time with my family on weekends."

27. Waste time – To use time ineffectively.

o Example: "Don’t waste time on trivial matters."

28. Take your time – To do something without rushing.

o Example: "Take your time to think about the offer."

29. On a regular basis – Regularly.

o Example: "We meet on a regular basis to discuss the project."

30. Once in a while – Occasionally.

o Example: "We go out for dinner once in a while."

Using these collocations correctly will help demonstrate your command of the English language and
make your writing and speaking sound more natural and sophisticated.