Last Updated on December 13, 2024
Building your vocabulary for IELTS speaking is something that is going to help you ace the IELTS Speaking Test. This will further help you get admission to the best universities in the world. Hence, building your vocabulary for IELTS speaking is something that you need to pay attention to. In this blog, we will provide you with the vocabulary for IELTS speaking pdf comprising the most commonly discussed topics. However, let us brush up on what the IELTS speaking test is.
IELTS Speaking Test
The IELTS speaking test is a face-to-face interview with the IELTS examiner. In this test, you are assessed based on your ability to pronounce words correctly, use grammar correctly and speak fluent English.
The whole IELTS speaking exam is conducted in three parts starting from your introduction, through making you give a short talk using cue cards to a discussion at the end. Moreover, in this test, you are assessed on the following parameters:
- Coherence & Fluency: Under this, it is checked if you can speak smoothly without having to take unnecessary pauses and make errors.
- Lexical Resource: Under this, your speaking vocabulary is checked. Your ability to learn new words and phrases for better expression is checked.
- Grammatical range: Under this, they simply check whether you are making grammatical errors or not.
- Pronunciation: Under this, you are assessed based on your proper pronunciation of words. It shows how well you understand the language.
Therefore, you will have to work hard towards learning and building your vocabulary for IELTS speaking for band 8-9, if you are desperate enough to get admission to your dream college. Nevertheless, if you are confused about how to go about studying abroad and want expert advice, do connect with us. We, at Admissify, have a team of counsellors with vast experience who will give you personalized advice most suitable for your dreams!
Vocabulary for IELTS Speaking
The world of vocabulary is vast. Therefore, covering everything in one blog would be impossible. However, we have curated a list of vocabulary for IELTS speaking including words and phrases along with their meanings for the most commonly discussed topics. These words and phrases will help you frame better answers and score and come across as a fluent speaker.
Personality and Character:
Following are some words and phrases related to personality and character. The vocabulary for IELTS speaking in this category can be used to describe the people in your life and yourself. They will help you come across as an expressive person.
| Word | Meaning |
| Considerate | Someone who is thoughtful of others’ feelings |
| Reliable | A trustworthy person who won’t let you down |
| Empathetic | Sensitive of others’ emotions |
| Insecure | Someone who is not confident |
| Awkward | Someone who is uncomfortable |
| Disrespectful | Someone who is impolite |
| Benevolent | Someone who is kind and friendly |
| Disagreeable | Someone who is unpleasant and unfriendly |
| Courteous | A polite and respectful person |
| Temperamental | Someone who has unreasonable changes in mood |
| Phrases | Meaning |
| To be hooked | Being totally involved |
| In the Spotlight | The focus of attention |
| To take up the cause | To get involved in some social/political cause |
| Rise to fame | To become well known and popular |
| An eye for detail | Making sure things are perfect |
| Interpersonal skills | To be good at interacting with others |
| A control freak | Someone who wants to do things their own way themselves |
| Fun loving | Someone who enjoys having fun |
| Fair minded | Someone who treats everyone equally |
| Two faced | Not sincere or honest |
Education:
While giving your introduction, you will have to talk about your educational background. The following words and phrases will come in handy then. You can use the following vocabulary for IELTS speaking to give a detailed explanation.
| Word | Meaning |
| Assignment | A task given to someone as part of a word or study course |
| Curriculum | A school’s or college’s course of study |
| Discipline | A branch of study |
| Evaluation | The determination of value and quality of something |
| Literacy | Knowledge in a specific area |
| Thesis | A long essay involving research work |
| Portfolio | A collection of documents that showcases previous experience |
| Research | The systematic investigation of something |
| Dissertation | A long piece of writing on a particular topic to get a degree |
| Presentation | A speech wherein some idea is explained to the audience |
| Phrases | Meaning |
| Peer group | The students of own age |
| Eager Beaver | A hardworking enthusiastic person |
| Higher education | Education pursued after high school |
| Intensive course | A study course with longer and more frequent classes |
| To meet a deadline | To finish something within the time limit |
| To sit an exam | Taking an exam |
| Tuition fees | Money paid for education |
| Distance learning | Education by remote learning |
| Learning expectations | A teacher’s expectations from students |
| Paid off | Worth the effort |
Friends and Family:
Friends and family are an important part of our lives. So, apart from your introduction, you may have to speak on topics related to changing relationship dynamics in the world. The following words and phrases will help you frame better answers in such situations.
| Word | Meaning |
| Acquaintance | A person you know but who is not a close friend |
| Intimate | Being closely acquainted |
| Siblings | Brothers and sisters |
| Descendant | A person who is relative to a particular ancestor |
| Heredity | The passing on of characters or property from one generation to another |
| Foster | Bringing up a child who is own by birth |
| Spouse | Husband or wife |
| Ancestors | The elder relatives from past generations |
| Household | A house with its occupants |
| Breadwinner | Member of the family who earns money |
| Phrases | Meaning |
| Get together | A meet up |
| Close-knit-family | A family sharing common interests |
| Have in common | To share similar interests |
| Go back in time | Something reminding of past times |
| Close friend | A very good friend |
| Fair-weather friend | A friend only in good times |
| Drift apart | To become less close |
| Keep in touch | To maintain contact |
| Ups and downs | A mix of good and bad things |
| Near and dear to someone | Important to someone |
Environment:
We live in the 21st century. The environment is a matter of concern more now. Therefore, you may get asked questions related to the environment and related aspects. In such a situation, the following words and phrases will help you give answers portraying you as confident and knowledgeable.
| Word | Meaning |
| Biodegradable | Something that is degradable by organisms |
| Sustainable | To maintain a certain level for future |
| Conservation | To prevent wastage of resources |
| Mitigate | To make something less severe |
| Biodiversity | Types of animals and plants living in a specific area |
| Ecosystem | An area where all living organisms work together to make a life bubble |
| Climate | Weather conditions in an area prevailing over a long time |
| Climate Change | The shift in weather patterns |
| Ecology | Study of relationship between living organisms with their environment |
| Agroecology | The application of ecology principles to agriculture |
| Phrases | Meaning |
| Toxic fumes | Poisonous smoke |
| Factory emissions | Pollution that happens from factories |
| Single use applications | Things that can be used only once |
| Industrial waste | Waste coming from industries |
| Endangered species | Types of animals that may become extinct |
| Fossil fuels | Energy resources extracted from underground like gas and oil |
| Global warming | Increase in temperature throughout the world |
| Greenhouse effect | Heating of the atmosphere due to gases like Carbon Dioxide |
| Natural disasters | Natural catastrophic events like earthquakes |
| Air quality | Air’s cleanliness |
Conclusion
Learning and building your vocabulary for IELTS speaking can make or break your game. For bands 8-9, it is necessary that you learn and practice as many words and phrases as possible. You can upscale your learning strategy by including methods like active recall, using the words/phrases in conversations with friends, and associating the words with images in your mind so that your brain retains the information better. All the best!
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FAQ
How can you improve vocabulary for IELTS speaking?
Improving your vocabulary for IELTS speaking is easy. All you have to do is keep learning and memorizing new words and phrases. Along with that, reading magazines and newspapers will also help.
Can I get a score in the 8-9 band in IELTS speaking?
Yes, you can get a score in the 8-9 band in IELTS speaking. You just have to improve your vocabulary and speak confidently in front of the examiner.
How can you improve IELTS speaking fluency?
To increase your fluency in IELTS speaking, you can try to structure your sentences better, get a firm grip on English grammar and learn the art of taking pauses when necessary.
Is IELTS speaking difficult?
IELTS speaking is not difficult if you are willing to work on becoming fluent in English speaking. You will start having fun while learning new idioms and phrases.
Do IELTS speaking cue cards repeat?
The IELTS speaking cue cards generally keep changing regularly. The time frame is generally every four months.
EXTRACT-
“Building your vocabulary for IELTS speaking is something that is going to help you ace the IELTS Speaking Test. This will further help you get admission to the best universities in the world. Hence, building your vocabulary for IELTS speaking is something that you need to pay attention to.”
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IELTS Cue Card Topics with Answers
Minimum IELTS Score for Australia
Minimum IELTS Score for Canada
Gaurav Kandari is a seasoned study abroad consultant with over 5 years of experience, specializing in guiding students to the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia. An avid traveler, he draws on his global adventures to enrich his consulting, providing invaluable insights to aspiring scholars.
