The Band 7–8+ Writing Vocabulary Database

1004 entries across 14 topic areas, each segmented the way your booklet does it: phrasal verbs → collocations → idioms → topic vocabulary → uncommon vocabulary → compound & complex structures. British spelling throughout.

How Lexical Resource is scored

  • Band 6 — adequate range; tries less common words but with errors.
  • Band 7 — uses less common items with some awareness of collocation; occasional slips allowed.
  • Band 8 — wide range used fluently and flexibly; skilful collocation; only rare slips.
  • Band 9 — full flexibility and precise usage; sophistication feels natural, never forced.

Five rules from the examiner's chair

  • Precision beats rarity. The right common word outscores the wrong rare one.
  • Collocation is king. Learn word partners ("strike a balance"), never words alone.
  • One idiom per essay, maximum — and only if it fits naturally.
  • No memorised openers. Examiners are trained to spot and discount them.
  • Reuse across topics. The Universal section works in every single essay.

Terms shown in crimson carry a caution — informal, overused, or better saved for the Speaking test. Read the note beside each one.

Companion volume: the Grammar & Usage Guide — the sentence frames, essay placement and error traps for every word family in this database.

Technology & the Internet

Some people prefer hobbies that involve the use of technology, while others enjoy hobbies that do not require any technological devices. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Topic-specific phrasal verbs

log on toconnect to a system or account
switch offturn off; also: mentally disengage
hook up (devices)connect equipment together
power downshut off a device completely
scroll throughbrowse content on a screen
keep up withstay informed about developments
zone outlose concentration, stop paying attention
set up (equipment)install and prepare for use
back up (files)make a safety copy of data
phase outgradually stop using something
catch onbecome popular or widely adopted

Topic-specific collocations

digital entertainmentleisure delivered through devices
screen-based activitiespastimes done on screens
outdoor recreationleisure pursued in nature
hands-on hobbiespractical, physical pastimes
gaming culturethe social world around video games
creative pursuitsartistic or inventive activities
online communitiesgroups that interact via the internet
real-world interactionsin-person social contact
sedentary lifestyleway of life with little movement
cutting-edge technologythe most advanced technology
digital dividegap between those with and without tech access
information overloadmore information than one can process
data privacyprotection of personal information
user-generated contentmaterial created by ordinary users

Topic-specific idiomatic expressions

glued to the screenunable to stop watching a device
unplug from the digital worldtake a deliberate break from technology
recharge one's batteriesrest to regain energy
in one's own bubbleisolated from what is around you
lose track of timenot notice how much time has passed
the great outdoorsopen natural environments
step away from the screenstop using devices for a while
live in the momentfocus on the present experience
get the best of both worldsenjoy the advantages of two options
a double-edged swordsomething with both benefits and harms
at the touch of a buttoninstantly and effortlessly

Topic-specific vocabulary

virtual engagementparticipation through digital means
immersive experienceexperience that fully absorbs the user
manual dexterityskill in using the hands
cognitive stimulationactivity that exercises the mind
sensory engagementinvolvement of the physical senses
technological mediationexperience filtered through devices
digital distractionloss of focus caused by devices
physical recreationleisure involving bodily activity
face-to-face interactiondirect in-person communication
offline pastimehobby needing no internet or device
digital literacyability to use technology competently
obsolescencestate of becoming outdated

Uncommon vocabulary

enrichingimproving the quality of life or mind
restorativegiving back health or energy
sedentaryinvolving much sitting, little movement
interactiveinvolving two-way response
stimulatingencouraging interest or activity
meditativecalming, encouraging quiet reflection
tangiblereal, physical, touchable
innovativeintroducing new ideas or methods
communalshared by a group
solitarydone alone
ubiquitouspresent everywhere
obsoleteno longer in use; outdated

Compound structures

Not only can technology-based hobbies provide instant entertainment, but they can also connect individuals across the globe.

not only … but also (inversion)

The more time people spend on digital leisure, the less opportunity they may have for outdoor or physical activities.

the more … the less

Unless a balance is struck between online and offline hobbies, overall well-being may suffer.

unless + consequence

Complex structures

Although technology-based hobbies offer a limitless variety of experiences, relying too heavily on devices can erode face-to-face relationships and encourage social isolation.

although + main clause

Devices that once seemed revolutionary quickly become obsolete, which compels consumers to upgrade constantly.

relative clause + which-comment

If children were encouraged to pursue offline pastimes alongside digital ones, their social skills would arguably develop more fully.

second conditional

Education & Learning

Some people believe that schools should focus on practical skills rather than academic subjects. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Topic-specific phrasal verbs

drop out (of school)leave education before finishing
fall behindfail to keep pace with others
catch up withreach the level of others
hand insubmit work to a teacher
brush up onrevise and improve a rusty skill
take up (a subject)begin studying something new
get through (an exam)pass, often with difficulty
sign up forenrol on a course
pore overstudy something very carefully
burn outbecome exhausted from overwork

Topic-specific collocations

academic achievementmeasurable success in studies
rote learningmemorisation without understanding
critical thinkinganalysing ideas rather than accepting them
higher educationuniversity-level study
tuition feesmoney paid for teaching
lifelong learningcontinuing education throughout life
vocational trainingeducation for a specific trade
student engagementactive involvement of learners
academic pressurestress caused by study demands
distance learningstudy conducted remotely
compulsory educationschooling required by law
extracurricular activitiesschool activities outside lessons
peer pressureinfluence exerted by one's age group
attainment gapachievement difference between groups

Topic-specific idiomatic expressions

learn the ropeslearn how something is done
pass with flying colourssucceed impressively
a steep learning curvea period of rapid, demanding learning
food for thoughtsomething worth thinking about
learn by heartmemorise completely
broaden one's horizonswiden one's knowledge and experience
lay the groundwork forprepare the basis for future success
hit the booksstudy hard (better in Speaking)

Topic-specific vocabulary

pedagogythe theory and practice of teaching
curriculumthe set of subjects taught
literacy and numeracyreading, writing and number skills
cognitive developmentgrowth of thinking abilities
standardised testinguniform exams for all students
knowledge acquisitionthe process of gaining knowledge
student-centred learningteaching built around learners' needs
intrinsic motivationdrive that comes from within
assessmentmeasurement of learning
scholarshipfunded study; also deep academic learning
disciplinecontrolled behaviour; also a field of study

Uncommon vocabulary

formativeshaping development at an early stage
holisticconsidering the whole person
rigorousthorough and demanding
conducive (to)creating good conditions for
analyticalskilled at examining ideas logically
inquisitiveeager to learn and question
diligenthard-working and careful
instructiveuseful and informative
theoreticalbased on ideas rather than practice
vocationalrelated to a particular occupation

Compound structures

Not only does rote memorisation stifle creativity, but it also fails to prepare students for real-world problem-solving.

not only … but also (inversion)

The earlier children are exposed to foreign languages, the more effortlessly they tend to acquire them.

the earlier … the more

Unless governments invest in teacher training, curriculum reforms alone are unlikely to raise standards.

unless + consequence

Complex structures

Although examinations provide a measurable benchmark, they rarely capture the full range of a learner's abilities.

although + main clause

Students who are encouraged to question ideas, rather than merely absorb them, develop far stronger analytical skills.

embedded relative clause

If university education were free of charge, access to professional careers would no longer depend on family income.

second conditional

Environment & Climate

Some people think protecting the environment is the government's responsibility, while others believe individuals should take action. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Topic-specific phrasal verbs

cut down onreduce consumption of
phase outgradually eliminate
run out ofexhaust the supply of
use upconsume completely
throw awaydiscard as rubbish
clean upremove pollution or mess
die outbecome extinct
do away withabolish, get rid of
switch to (renewables)change to an alternative
spill over (into)spread beyond its original limits

Topic-specific collocations

climate changelong-term shift in global weather patterns
carbon footprinttotal emissions caused by a person or activity
greenhouse gas emissionsgases released that trap heat
renewable energypower from inexhaustible sources
fossil fuelscoal, oil and natural gas
environmental degradationdamage to the natural world
sustainable developmentgrowth that does not exhaust resources
endangered speciesanimals or plants at risk of extinction
extreme weather eventsstorms, floods, droughts of unusual severity
plastic pollutioncontamination by plastic waste
conservation effortsorganised attempts to protect nature
energy consumptionthe amount of power used
deforestationlarge-scale clearing of forests

Topic-specific idiomatic expressions

go greenadopt environmentally friendly habits
a drop in the oceanan amount too small to matter
on the brink of extinctionvery close to dying out
turn a blind eye todeliberately ignore
reach a tipping pointpass the point where change becomes unstoppable
a race against timean urgent effort before it is too late
throwaway culturehabit of discarding rather than reusing
cost the earthbe extremely expensive; here, literal wordplay
leave a lighter footprintcause less environmental damage

Topic-specific vocabulary

biodiversitythe variety of living species
ecosystema community of interacting organisms
habitat destructionelimination of species' living areas
contaminationthe presence of harmful substances
desertificationfertile land turning to desert
mitigationaction to reduce harm
adaptationadjusting to new (climate) conditions
depletionreduction of a resource
environmental stewardshipresponsible care of nature
recycling initiativesorganised schemes to reuse materials
urban sprawluncontrolled outward growth of cities

Uncommon vocabulary

irreversibleimpossible to undo
unsustainableimpossible to maintain long-term
pristineuntouched, perfectly clean
catastrophicinvolving sudden great damage
finitelimited, having an end
eco-consciousaware of environmental impact
negligentfailing to take proper care
replenishrestore to a former level
degradereduce in quality
imperativeabsolutely necessary (adj./noun)

Compound structures

Not only do fossil fuels pollute the atmosphere, but their extraction also devastates fragile ecosystems.

not only … but also (inversion)

The more consumers demand disposable products, the faster landfill sites reach capacity.

the more … the faster

Unless binding international agreements are enforced, individual efforts will remain a drop in the ocean.

unless + consequence

Complex structures

Although developing nations contribute least to global emissions, they frequently bear the brunt of climate-related disasters.

although + main clause

Species that lose their natural habitats rarely recover, which makes conservation an urgent priority rather than a luxury.

relative clause + which-comment

If governments subsidised renewable energy as generously as they do fossil fuels, the transition to a low-carbon economy would accelerate dramatically.

second conditional + comparison

Health & Lifestyle

Some people think governments should spend money on preventing illness rather than on treatment. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Topic-specific phrasal verbs

cut down onreduce intake of (sugar, alcohol)
give upstop a habit entirely
work outexercise physically
come down withfall ill with
fight offresist an illness
get overrecover from
put on (weight)become heavier
burn off (calories)use energy through activity
wear (someone) outexhaust completely
break downcollapse physically or mentally

Topic-specific collocations

sedentary lifestyledaily life with little physical activity
balanced dieteating with the right mix of nutrients
processed foodindustrially prepared food
regular exerciseconsistent physical activity
mental healthpsychological well-being
public health campaigngovernment drive to improve health
preventive medicinehealthcare aimed at stopping disease early
life expectancyaverage expected lifespan
obesity epidemicwidespread rise in serious overweight
chronic illnesslong-lasting disease
healthcare provisionthe supply of medical services
work-life balancehealthy split between job and personal life
stress managementtechniques for controlling stress

Topic-specific idiomatic expressions

prevention is better than curestopping problems early beats fixing them later
take a toll ongradually cause damage to
a ticking time bomba problem certain to become serious
a clean bill of healthconfirmation that one is healthy
run oneself into the groundexhaust oneself through overwork
back on one's feetrecovered and active again
in good shapephysically fit
under the weatherslightly ill (better in Speaking)
recharge one's batteriesrest in order to regain energy

Topic-specific vocabulary

nutritionthe science of food and health
well-beingoverall state of health and happiness
immunitythe body's resistance to disease
vaccinationimmunisation against disease
obesitymedically serious overweight
malnutritionpoor health from inadequate diet
longevitylong life
diagnosisidentification of an illness
rehabilitationrecovery of health or ability
epidemic / pandemicdisease outbreak (regional / global)
healthcare infrastructurehospitals, clinics, systems of care

Uncommon vocabulary

detrimentalcausing harm
debilitatingseverely weakening
therapeutichealing, beneficial to health
contagiousspread by contact
holistictreating the whole person, not symptoms
nutritiousrich in nourishment
invigoratinggiving energy and vitality
chronicpersisting for a long time
preventableable to be stopped in advance
ailingin poor health; struggling

Compound structures

Not only does regular exercise strengthen the body, but it also alleviates anxiety and depression.

not only … but also (inversion)

The more processed food people consume, the higher their risk of chronic disease becomes.

the more … the higher

Unless preventive care is prioritised, hospitals will continue to be overwhelmed by avoidable illnesses.

unless + consequence

Complex structures

Although modern medicine has extended life expectancy dramatically, increasingly sedentary habits now threaten to reverse these gains.

although + main clause

Individuals who maintain a balanced diet and exercise regularly are far less likely to develop chronic conditions.

relative clause as subject

If sugary drinks were taxed more heavily, consumption would almost certainly decline, as it did with tobacco.

second conditional + analogy

Work & Careers

Some people believe job satisfaction is more important than job security, while others believe a permanent job matters more. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Topic-specific phrasal verbs

take on (responsibilities)accept additional duties
burn outcollapse from chronic overwork
step downresign from a position
take overassume control of
fill in fortemporarily replace someone
lay offdismiss workers for economic reasons
get aheadadvance in one's career
branch outexpand into new areas
carry out (tasks)perform, complete
set up (a business)establish, found

Topic-specific collocations

job satisfactionfulfilment gained from one's work
career progressionadvancement through job levels
work-life balancehealthy division of time and energy
remote workingworking away from the office
job securityassurance of continued employment
skilled workforcetrained and capable labour pool
labour marketthe supply and demand for workers
minimum wagelowest legal rate of pay
professional developmentongoing career training
staff turnoverthe rate at which employees leave
flexible working hoursadjustable work schedules
gender pay gapearnings difference between men and women
unemployment rateshare of the workforce without jobs

Topic-specific idiomatic expressions

climb the career ladderadvance step by step in one's profession
a dead-end joba job with no prospect of advancement
pull one's weightdo one's fair share of work
burn the candle at both endsoverwork by working early and late
the daily grindmonotonous everyday routine
the glass ceilinginvisible barrier to promotion for some groups
a nine-to-five jobconventional office employment
think outside the boxbe creative (overused — use sparingly)

Topic-specific vocabulary

productivityoutput per unit of effort or time
motivationthe drive to work well
entrepreneurshipstarting and running businesses
automationreplacement of human labour by machines
redundancyjob loss because a role is no longer needed
telecommutingworking from home via technology
meritocracysystem where ability determines success
remunerationpayment for work (formal)
apprenticeshiplearning a trade on the job
retentionkeeping employees from leaving
vocational skillsabilities tied to a specific occupation

Uncommon vocabulary

fulfillinggiving a sense of purpose
lucrativeproducing high earnings
precariousinsecure, unstable
monotonoustediously repetitive
meniallow-skilled and low-status
arduousdemanding great effort
versatileadaptable to many roles
indispensableimpossible to do without
exploitativeunfairly taking advantage of workers
demandingrequiring much time, effort or skill

Compound structures

Not only does remote working reduce commuting time, but it also allows companies to recruit talent globally.

not only … but also (inversion)

The more monotonous a job becomes, the harder it is to retain motivated staff.

the more … the harder

Unless employees are offered genuine development opportunities, high staff turnover is inevitable.

unless + consequence

Complex structures

Although financial reward clearly matters, surveys consistently show that recognition and autonomy drive long-term job satisfaction.

although + main clause

Workers whose roles are automated will need large-scale retraining schemes, without which structural unemployment may become entrenched.

whose-clause + without which

If the working week were shortened, productivity might well rise rather than fall, as trials in several countries suggest.

second conditional + hedging

Government, Society & Public Money

Governments should spend money on public services rather than on the arts. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Topic-specific phrasal verbs

crack down onenforce rules strictly against
bring in (laws)introduce legislation
carry out (reforms)implement changes
phase in / phase outintroduce or remove gradually
hand out (benefits)distribute payments or aid
cut back onreduce spending on
do away withabolish
put forward (proposals)suggest formally
weigh upconsider carefully before deciding
opt forchoose

Topic-specific collocations

public expendituregovernment spending
social welfarestate support for citizens in need
taxpayer moneyfunds raised through taxation
income inequalityuneven distribution of earnings
social cohesionthe unity of a community
public servicesstate-provided services (health, transport)
government interventionstate involvement in an area
infrastructure investmentspending on roads, power, networks
ageing populationrising average age of citizens
poverty alleviationreduction of poverty
wealth distributionhow money is spread across society
policy implementationputting decisions into practice
civic responsibilityduties of a citizen

Topic-specific idiomatic expressions

a safety netprotection against hardship
tighten one's beltspend less due to necessity
red tapeexcessive bureaucracy
foot the billpay the cost
a level playing fieldconditions of fair competition
turn a blind eye todeliberately ignore wrongdoing
a double-edged swordpolicy with benefits and drawbacks
the haves and the have-notsthe rich and the poor

Topic-specific vocabulary

legislationlaws considered collectively
taxationthe system of collecting taxes
subsidygovernment money supporting an activity
bureaucracyadministrative systems; excessive procedure
welfare statesystem where the state protects citizens' well-being
marginalised groupscommunities pushed to society's edge
disparitya great and unfair difference
governancethe manner of governing
accountabilitythe obligation to answer for actions
austeritypolicy of severe spending cuts
privatisationtransfer of state assets to private owners
public consultationseeking citizens' views before deciding

Uncommon vocabulary

equitablefair and impartial
disadvantagedlacking normal social or economic advantages
affluentwealthy
impoverishedmade poor
systemicaffecting an entire system
far-reachinghaving wide influence or effects
prudentcareful and sensible, esp. with money
transparentopen and honest in conduct
feasiblepractically achievable
negligentfailing in a duty of care

Compound structures

Not only does progressive taxation fund essential services, but it also narrows the gap between rich and poor.

not only … but also (inversion)

The wider the wealth gap grows, the more social cohesion is eroded.

the wider … the more

Unless public funds are managed transparently, citizens' trust in government will continue to decline.

unless + consequence

Complex structures

Although state benefits provide a vital safety net, poorly designed schemes can discourage recipients from seeking work.

although + main clause

Policies that are drafted without public consultation frequently fail at the implementation stage.

relative clause as subject

If a fraction of military budgets were redirected to healthcare, preventable diseases could be reduced dramatically.

second conditional

Crime & Punishment

Some people believe longer prison sentences reduce crime, while others think there are better ways to tackle it. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Topic-specific phrasal verbs

crack down ontake severe action against
break intoenter illegally by force
get away withescape punishment for
lock upimprison
let offgive little or no punishment
hand down (a sentence)officially announce a punishment
turn to (crime)start engaging in crime
carry out (an offence)commit a crime
bring down (crime rates)cause to fall
own up toconfess to

Topic-specific collocations

capital punishmentthe death penalty
custodial sentencepunishment served in prison
deterrent effectpower to discourage crime
juvenile delinquencycriminal behaviour by young people
criminal justice systempolice, courts and prisons collectively
law-abiding citizenspeople who obey the law
community serviceunpaid work as punishment
repeat offenderspeople who commit crimes again
rehabilitation programmesschemes to reform offenders
organised crimecrime run by structured groups
petty crimeminor offences
root causes of crimeunderlying reasons for offending
surveillance camerasCCTV used for monitoring

Topic-specific idiomatic expressions

behind barsin prison
take the law into one's own handspunish wrongdoers oneself
a slap on the wrista punishment far too light
above the lawexempt from legal consequences
zero tolerancepolicy of punishing every offence
pay one's debt to societyserve one's punishment
turn over a new leafreform one's behaviour
a hardened criminalan offender beyond easy reform

Topic-specific vocabulary

deterrencediscouraging crime through fear of punishment
rehabilitationreforming offenders into citizens
recidivismthe tendency to reoffend
incarcerationimprisonment
offendera person who commits a crime
probationsupervised release instead of prison
restorative justicerepairing harm between offender and victim
sentencingthe assignment of punishments
vandalismdeliberate damage to property
prosecutionthe process of charging someone in court
delinquencyminor crime, esp. by the young

Uncommon vocabulary

punitiveintended as punishment
lenientmore merciful than expected
heinousutterly wicked (of crimes)
remorsefulfeeling deep regret
law-abidingobedient to the law
unlawfulnot permitted by law
premeditatedplanned in advance
deterdiscourage through fear of consequences
reintegraterestore someone into society
reoffendcommit a crime again

Compound structures

Not only does harsh sentencing often fail to deter crime, but it also swells prison populations at enormous public cost.

not only … but also (inversion)

The younger offenders are when they first enter prison, the more likely they are to reoffend.

the younger … the more likely

Unless the root causes of crime — poverty and lack of education — are addressed, punitive measures will merely treat the symptoms.

unless + consequence

Complex structures

Although prisons remove offenders from society temporarily, most will reoffend upon release unless they receive genuine rehabilitation.

although + unless

Offenders who complete vocational training behind bars are demonstrably less likely to return to crime.

relative clause as subject

If minor offences were punished with community service rather than custody, first-time offenders could avoid the criminalising influence of prison.

second conditional

Media & Advertising

Advertising aimed at children should be banned. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Topic-specific phrasal verbs

tune in towatch or listen to a broadcast
flick throughbrowse quickly and casually
take in (information)absorb and understand
churn out (content)produce in large amounts, carelessly
play up / play downexaggerate / minimise the importance of
sift throughexamine carefully to find what matters
fall for (an advert)be deceived by
bombard (someone) withdirect something at someone continuously
buy into (an idea)accept and believe
switch overchange channels or platforms

Topic-specific collocations

mass mediamedia reaching very large audiences
mainstream mediathe dominant established outlets
fake newsfalse stories presented as journalism
media coveragethe reporting given to a story
freedom of the pressthe right to report without state control
target audiencethe group an advert is aimed at
consumer behaviourhow people decide to buy
brand loyaltyrepeated preference for one brand
celebrity endorsementfamous people promoting products
misleading advertisingpromotion that deceives buyers
social media influencersonline figures who shape opinions
sensational headlinesshocking titles designed for attention
public opinionthe views of society at large

Topic-specific idiomatic expressions

hit the headlinesbecome major news
a media circuschaotic, excessive news coverage
jump on the bandwagonjoin a trend because it is popular
go viralspread extremely fast online
a captive audienceviewers who cannot easily look away
the court of public opinionjudgement by society rather than law
sell like hot cakessell very fast (better in Speaking)
spin (a story)present information with bias

Topic-specific vocabulary

censorshipofficial suppression of content
propagandabiased information used to persuade
misinformation / disinformationfalse content (accidental / deliberate)
sensationalismexaggeration to provoke interest
consumerismculture centred on buying
subliminal advertisingpersuasion below conscious awareness
media literacyability to evaluate media critically
impartialityfreedom from bias
tabloidpopular paper focused on scandal
broadcastingtransmission of programmes
editorial independencefreedom of journalists from owners' influence

Uncommon vocabulary

pervasivespreading through everything
manipulativecontrolling others unfairly
biased / impartialprejudiced / neutral
sensationalistprioritising shock over accuracy
deceptiveintentionally misleading
gullibleeasily deceived
discerningshowing good judgement
intrusiveinvading privacy or attention
crediblebelievable, trustworthy
ubiquitousfound everywhere

Compound structures

Not only does advertising shape purchasing habits, but it also moulds our very notion of success.

not only … but also (inversion)

The more sensational a headline is, the more clicks it attracts, regardless of its accuracy.

the more … the more

Unless children are taught media literacy at school, they will struggle to distinguish fact from fabrication.

unless + consequence

Complex structures

Although advertising funds much of the free content we enjoy, it does so by harvesting users' attention and personal data.

although + main clause

Consumers who cannot evaluate sources critically are easy prey for misinformation, which spreads faster than any correction ever does.

relative clause + which-comment

If advertising aimed at children were banned, as it is in some Scandinavian countries, pester power would lose much of its force.

second conditional + example clause

Globalisation & Culture

Multinational companies and global brands are making countries increasingly similar. Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?

Topic-specific phrasal verbs

die out (languages)disappear completely
take overbecome dominant over
catch onbecome popular across borders
give way tobe replaced by
blend inbecome similar to one's surroundings
hold on to (traditions)keep, refuse to abandon
pass downtransmit to the next generation
wipe outdestroy completely
open up (markets)make accessible to outsiders
spread toextend into new places

Topic-specific collocations

cultural identitythe sense of belonging to a culture
cultural heritagetraditions inherited from the past
global villagethe world seen as one connected community
multinational corporationscompanies operating across countries
cultural exchangemutual sharing between cultures
national identityshared character of a nation
indigenous culturesoriginal, native communities
cross-cultural communicationinteraction between cultures
economic integrationmerging of national economies
free tradecommerce without tariffs or barriers
cultural homogenisationcultures becoming identical
mother tongueone's first language
culinary traditionsinherited cooking practices

Topic-specific idiomatic expressions

a melting pota place where cultures mix and blend
lose one's rootsbecome disconnected from one's origins
break down barriersremove obstacles between groups
bridge the gapreduce differences between groups
the world is shrinkingdistances matter less and less
hold dearvalue greatly
when in Romeadapt to local customs (cliché — use sparingly)

Topic-specific vocabulary

assimilationabsorption into a dominant culture
homogenisationthe process of becoming uniform
diversityvariety of cultures and peoples
globalisationworldwide economic and cultural integration
localisationadaptation to local markets and tastes
migrationmovement of people between places
diasporaa people dispersed from their homeland
intercultural understandingappreciation between cultures
preservationprotection from loss or decay
westernisationadoption of Western culture
interconnectednessthe state of being mutually linked

Uncommon vocabulary

homogeneousuniform, all the same
indigenousnative to a place
cosmopolitaninternationally diverse and open
insularclosed off, inward-looking
multiculturalcontaining many cultures
endangered (languages)at risk of disappearing
irreplaceableimpossible to substitute
borderlesswithout national boundaries
monolithicuniform, without variety
enrichingadding value and depth

Compound structures

Not only has globalisation accelerated trade, but it has also blurred the boundaries between national cultures.

not only … but also (inversion, present perfect)

The more dominant global brands become, the harder it is for local traditions to survive.

the more … the harder

Unless minority languages are actively taught to children, they will vanish within a few generations.

unless + consequence

Complex structures

Although global connectivity spreads ideas rapidly, it tends to privilege dominant cultures at the expense of smaller ones.

although + main clause

Traditions that are not deliberately passed down tend to disappear within two generations.

relative clause as subject

If cultural exports were valued as highly as economic ones, governments would invest far more in preserving local arts.

second conditional

Cities, Transport & Housing

More and more people are moving to cities in search of a better life. What problems does this cause, and what solutions can you suggest?

Topic-specific phrasal verbs

spring upappear suddenly (of buildings, districts)
pull downdemolish
build up (an area)develop with buildings
spread outexpand over a wide area
get aroundtravel within a place
move awayleave a place to live elsewhere
pick up / drop offcollect / deliver passengers
price outforce out by making costs unaffordable
cut down (congestion)reduce
do up (a property)renovate

Topic-specific collocations

urban sprawluncontrolled outward city growth
traffic congestionsevere road overcrowding
public transportbuses, trains, metro systems
rush hourthe daily peak travel period
affordable housinghomes ordinary earners can pay for
city dwellerspeople who live in cities
green spacesparks and natural areas in cities
air qualitycleanliness of the urban atmosphere
population densitypeople per unit of area
urban regenerationrenewal of run-down districts
housing shortageinsufficient homes for demand
cost of livingday-to-day expenses in a place
pedestrian zonescar-free areas for walking

Topic-specific idiomatic expressions

a concrete junglea harsh, densely built city
a stone's throw fromvery close to
on one's doorstepimmediately nearby
breathe new life intorevitalise a declining area
a ghost towna place emptied of people and activity
gridlocktraffic so severe nothing moves
off the beaten trackaway from busy, popular areas

Topic-specific vocabulary

urbanisationthe shift of populations into cities
megacitya city of more than ten million people
commutera person travelling regularly to work
congestion chargefee for driving in the city centre
amenitiesuseful facilities (shops, schools, parks)
gentrificationwealthier arrivals displacing poorer residents
overcrowdingtoo many people in too little space
infrastructurephysical systems a city depends on
smart citycity managed with digital technology
cycle lanesroad space reserved for bicycles
suburbsresidential districts at a city's edge

Uncommon vocabulary

congestedovercrowded, blocked
dilapidatedfalling apart from neglect
sprawlingspreading untidily over a wide area
bustlingfull of lively activity
derelictabandoned and ruined
uninhabitableimpossible to live in
pedestrianisedconverted for walkers only
revitalisebring back to life
run-downin poor condition through neglect
self-sufficientable to meet its own needs

Compound structures

Not only does investment in public transport reduce congestion, but it also cuts urban air pollution dramatically.

not only … but also (inversion)

The further cities sprawl outwards, the more dependent their residents become on private cars.

the further … the more

Unless affordable housing keeps pace with urban growth, key workers will be priced out of the very cities they serve.

unless + consequence

Complex structures

Although megacities generate a disproportionate share of national wealth, they also concentrate poverty, pollution and crime.

although + main clause

Districts that undergo regeneration often become unaffordable for the very communities the projects were meant to help.

relative clause as subject

If congestion charges were introduced in every major city, commuters would be nudged towards greener alternatives.

second conditional

Family, Children & Ageing

In many countries, the proportion of older people is steadily increasing. Does this trend have more positive or negative effects on society?

Topic-specific phrasal verbs

bring upraise a child
look aftertake care of
grow updevelop from child to adult
take afterresemble a parent or relative
tell offscold, reprimand
look up toadmire and respect
hand downpass to a younger generation
get on withhave a good relationship with
rely ondepend on
drift apartgradually become less close

Topic-specific collocations

nuclear familyparents and children only
extended familywider family including grandparents
single-parent householdsfamilies headed by one parent
child-rearingthe work of raising children
generation gapdifferences in outlook between ages
ageing populationrising share of elderly citizens
life expectancyaverage length of life
parental guidancedirection given by parents
quality timefocused, meaningful time together
family valuestraditional moral principles
elderly caresupport services for old people
birth ratenumber of births per population
working parentsparents in paid employment

Topic-specific idiomatic expressions

fly the nestleave the family home as a young adult
run in the familybe a shared family characteristic
wrap (children) in cotton wooloverprotect
one's golden yearsthe years of retirement
a role modela person worth imitating
the apple of one's eyea much-loved person (better in Speaking)
blood is thicker than waterfamily loyalty comes first (cliché — use sparingly)

Topic-specific vocabulary

upbringingthe way a child is raised
adolescencethe teenage years
parenting stylesapproaches to raising children
dependency rationon-workers relative to workers
pension provisionarrangements for retirement income
filial responsibilitychildren's duty to care for parents
socialisationlearning society's norms
retirement agethe age at which people stop working
demographic shiftchange in population structure
childcare provisionavailability of care for children
empathythe ability to share others' feelings

Uncommon vocabulary

nurturingcaring and encouraging growth
overprotectiveshielding children excessively
permissiveallowing great freedom
authoritariandemanding strict obedience
impressionableeasily influenced
self-reliantindependent, needing no help
dutifulconscientiously fulfilling obligations
estrangedno longer in contact with family
formativeshaping character and habits
intergenerationalbetween different generations

Compound structures

Not only do grandparents provide free childcare, but they also transmit values and traditions to the young.

not only … but also (inversion)

The longer people live, the greater the strain on pension systems becomes.

the longer … the greater

Unless the birth rate recovers, shrinking workforces will have to support ever-larger retired populations.

unless + consequence

Complex structures

Although overprotective parenting stems from love, it can leave children ill-equipped for independent adult life.

although + main clause

Children who grow up with clear boundaries, yet genuine affection, tend to become the most self-reliant adults.

relative clause + yet-contrast

If retirement ages rose in line with life expectancy, pension systems would remain solvent without overburdening the young.

second conditional

Money & Consumerism

Today people are buying more and more things they do not really need. Why is this happening? Is it a positive or negative development?

Topic-specific phrasal verbs

splash out onspend freely on a luxury
cut back onreduce spending on
save upaccumulate money for a purpose
pay off (a debt)repay completely
put asidereserve money for later
take out (a loan)obtain formally from a bank
run up (debts)accumulate debts quickly
rip offovercharge (better in Speaking)
fork outpay reluctantly (better in Speaking)
shop aroundcompare prices before buying

Topic-specific collocations

consumer societysociety organised around buying
disposable incomemoney left after essentials
impulse buyingunplanned, emotional purchasing
material possessionsphysical things one owns
financial securityfreedom from money worries
retail therapyshopping to improve one's mood
planned obsolescenceproducts designed to fail early
brand consciousnessstrong awareness of brand status
purchasing powerhow much one's money can buy
consumer debtmoney owed from personal spending
standard of livinglevel of material comfort
conspicuous consumptionbuying to display wealth
throwaway culturehabit of discarding rather than repairing

Topic-specific idiomatic expressions

keep up with the Jonesescompete with neighbours in possessions
live beyond one's meansspend more than one earns
tighten one's beltreduce spending out of necessity
a status symbola possession that signals wealth
make ends meetjust manage to cover expenses
money talkswealth brings influence (informal — use with care)
cost an arm and a legbe very expensive (better in Speaking)

Topic-specific vocabulary

materialismvaluing possessions above all else
affluencewealth, prosperity
frugalitycareful, economical spending
indebtednessthe state of owing money
inflationgeneral rise in prices
financial literacyunderstanding of money management
overspendingspending beyond a sensible level
instant gratificationimmediate pleasure without waiting
delayed gratificationresisting now for greater later reward
obsolescencethe process of becoming outdated
consumer cultureway of life centred on consumption

Uncommon vocabulary

materialisticexcessively focused on possessions
frugalsparing with money
thriftycareful and clever with money
extravagantspending excessively
affluentwealthy
insatiableimpossible to satisfy
ostentatiousshowy, designed to impress
prudentwise and careful about the future
disposabledesigned to be thrown away
acquisitiveeager to acquire possessions

Compound structures

Not only does advertising fuel desire, but easy consumer credit also removes the last barrier to overspending.

not only … but also

The more possessions people accumulate, the more fleeting the satisfaction each one brings.

the more … the more

Unless financial literacy is taught in schools, each generation will repeat its parents' debt cycles.

unless + consequence

Complex structures

Although rising incomes lift families out of poverty, beyond a certain point additional wealth adds remarkably little to happiness.

although + main clause

Products that are designed to fail within a few years keep sales buoyant, but at a devastating environmental cost.

relative clause as subject

If consumers repaired goods instead of replacing them, the throwaway culture would gradually lose its grip.

second conditional

Tourism & Travel

International tourism brings significant benefits to local communities. Do the drawbacks of tourism outweigh its benefits?

Topic-specific phrasal verbs

set offbegin a journey
check in / check outregister at / leave accommodation
get awayescape for a break
look aroundexplore a place
stop overbreak a journey briefly
soak up (the culture)absorb and enjoy
wind downrelax after stress
see (someone) offsay goodbye at a departure
put (tourists) upprovide accommodation for
jet offfly away, esp. on holiday

Topic-specific collocations

tourist attractionsplaces visitors come to see
package holidayspre-arranged all-inclusive trips
mass tourismtourism on a very large scale
ecotourismlow-impact, nature-focused tourism
sustainable tourismtourism that protects what it uses
cultural immersiondeep engagement with local life
local economythe economic life of a community
peak seasonthe busiest travel period
heritage sitesplaces of historic value
hospitality industryhotels, restaurants, services for visitors
seasonal employmentjobs available only part of the year
tourist trapoverpriced place aimed at visitors

Topic-specific idiomatic expressions

off the beaten trackaway from popular routes
a home away from homea place as comfortable as home
catch the travel bugdevelop a passion for travelling
live out of a suitcasetravel constantly without settling
recharge one's batteriesrestore one's energy
travel broadens the mindtravel educates (cliché — use sparingly)
hit the roadbegin travelling (better in Speaking)

Topic-specific vocabulary

itinerarya planned travel route
excursiona short trip from a base
over-tourismvisitor numbers beyond what a place can bear
commercialisationreshaping something to make money
authenticitygenuine, unstaged character
preservation of heritageprotecting historic culture
cultural exchangemutual learning between visitors and hosts
backpackinglow-budget independent travel
staycationa holiday spent in one's own country
carbon-intensive traveltravel producing high emissions

Uncommon vocabulary

picturesquevisually charming
idyllicblissfully peaceful and beautiful
secludedquiet and private
unspoiltnot damaged by development
bustlingenergetically crowded
authenticgenuine, true to its origins
restorativerenewing strength and spirits
overrunswamped by excessive numbers
immersivedeeply engaging
exoticexcitingly foreign (use with care)

Compound structures

Not only does tourism create employment, but it also finances the preservation of historic sites.

not only … but also (inversion)

The more visitors a destination attracts, the greater the pressure on its fragile environment.

the more … the greater

Unless visitor numbers are capped at fragile sites, tourism will destroy the very attractions it depends on.

unless + consequence

Complex structures

Although tourism injects money into local economies, much of the profit leaks out to foreign-owned hotel chains.

although + main clause

Destinations that market their authenticity most aggressively are often the quickest to lose it.

relative clause as subject

If airlines paid environmentally realistic fuel taxes, the true cost of a weekend abroad would be reflected in ticket prices.

second conditional

Art, Sport & Leisure

Some people think that government money spent on the arts would be better spent on public services. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Topic-specific phrasal verbs

take up (a sport)begin as a hobby
work outtrain physically
warm up / cool downprepare for / recover from exercise
join inparticipate with others
knock out (of a tournament)eliminate from competition
try out foraudition or compete for a place
give upabandon an activity
cheer onsupport noisily
put on (an exhibition)stage, organise

Topic-specific collocations

performing artstheatre, music, dance
artistic expressioncommunication of ideas through art
government funding for the artsstate money for cultural life
professional athletespeople paid to compete
competitive sportorganised contest-based sport
recreational activitiesleisure pursuits
team spiritloyalty and cooperation in a group
sporting eventsorganised competitions
national pridecollective pride in one's country
creative industrieseconomic sectors built on creativity
sports facilitiesvenues and equipment for sport
amateur athletesunpaid, non-professional competitors

Topic-specific idiomatic expressions

a level playing fieldfair conditions for all
move the goalpostsunfairly change the rules
a front runnerthe most likely winner
against the oddsdespite low chances of success
a team playersomeone who cooperates well
art for art's sakeart valued for itself, not profit
get the ball rollingstart something (overused — use sparingly)

Topic-specific vocabulary

aestheticsthe appreciation of beauty
creativitythe ability to produce original ideas
spectatora person who watches an event
sponsorshipfinancial backing in return for exposure
sportsmanshipfair and generous conduct in sport
cultural enrichmentdeepening of a society's cultural life
self-expressionshowing one's identity or feelings
camaraderiefriendship among group members
patronagefinancial support for the arts
prowessoutstanding skill
disciplinetrained self-control

Uncommon vocabulary

aestheticconcerned with beauty
evocativecalling up strong feelings or memories
thought-provokingmaking people think deeply
gruellingextremely tiring and demanding
exhilaratingthrilling, energising
upliftingraising the spirits
catharticemotionally cleansing
competitivedriven to win
sedentaryinactive, seated
amateur / professionalunpaid / paid participant

Compound structures

Not only does sport improve physical health, but it also teaches teamwork, discipline and resilience.

not only … but also (inversion)

The more governments cut arts funding, the poorer a nation's cultural life becomes.

the more … the poorer

Unless school timetables protect time for sport and music, exam pressure will squeeze them out entirely.

unless + consequence

Complex structures

Although elite sport inspires millions, the vast sums spent on stadiums might serve public health better if invested in community facilities.

although + embedded conditional

Art that challenges its audience often proves more valuable, in the long run, than art that merely pleases.

parallel relative clauses

If physical education were assessed as seriously as mathematics, schools would treat children's health as a core outcome.

second conditional

Universal Academic Language

Works in every Task 2 essay, whatever the topic. This is where Band 7 is actually won: precise linkers, hedged claims, and high-value verbs — not rare words.

Stating your opinion

I would argue that …measured, confident opinion
It seems to me that …softer personal stance
From my perspective, …neutral opinion opener
I am firmly convinced that …strong agreement or disagreement
This essay contends that …formal thesis statement
There is little doubt that …near-certain claim
My own view is that …clear, simple stance (Band 9 examiners like this)
On balance, I believe …opinion after weighing both sides

Hedging & softening (Band 7+ precision)

tend tousually but not always: 'people tend to …'
arguablya claim others might dispute
to some extentpartially true
it could be argued thatintroduces a debatable point
is likely to / may wellprobable, not certain
in most casestrue generally, allows exceptions
broadly speakingtrue as a generalisation
almost certainlyvery high probability
appears to / seems tocautious observation
a tendency toan inclination, not a rule

Cause & effect

give rise tocause (formal)
stem fromhave as its origin
result in / lead toproduce as an outcome
contribute tobe one cause among several
be attributed tobe explained as caused by
triggerset off suddenly
a knock-on effectan indirect secondary consequence
consequently / as a resulttherefore
thereby + -ing'…, thereby reducing emissions'
owing to / due tobecause of

Concession & contrast

although / even thoughconcede before countering
while it is true that …acknowledge, then pivot
admittedlygrant the opposing point
nevertheless / nonethelessdespite that
whereasdirect comparison of two things
despite / in spite of + nouncontrast with a noun phrase
albeitthough: 'effective, albeit expensive'
on the other handthe contrasting side
howeverthe workhorse contrast — vary it
converselyin the opposite way

Adding & sequencing

furthermore / moreoveradd a stronger point
in additionadd a parallel point
what is moreadd emphasis (slightly less formal)
firstly / secondly / finallyclean paragraph sequencing
above allthe most important point
equally importanta point of the same weight
not to mentionadd an obvious extra point

Exemplifying

for instance / for examplethe standard pair — both fine
a case in point is …a perfect illustrative example
this is exemplified by …formal example introduction
take …, for example'Take Japan, for example, where …'
such asbrief in-sentence examples
namelyspecifies exactly which
to illustrate this point, …signals a developed example

Concluding

in conclusionthe standard, always safe
to sum upslightly lighter alternative
on balanceafter weighing both sides
all things consideredtaking everything into account
the weight of evidence suggests …strong evaluative close
ultimatelywhen everything else is set aside

High-value verbs (work in any essay)

exacerbatemake a problem worse
alleviatemake suffering or a problem less severe
fosterencourage the development of
hinderobstruct, hold back
undermineweaken gradually from within
facilitatemake easier
mitigatereduce the severity of
curbrestrain, keep in check
bolsterstrengthen, support
diminishreduce in size or importance
prioritisetreat as most important
implementput a plan into effect

High-value nouns

ramificationscomplex consequences
implicationslikely effects or meanings
drawbackdisadvantage
meritadvantage, good quality
phenomenonan observable occurrence (pl. phenomena)
dilemmaa choice between two bad options
controversyprolonged public disagreement
incentivea motivating reward
deterrentsomething that discourages
obstaclesomething blocking progress
prospectthe possibility of a future event
trenda general direction of change

Evaluative adjectives (argue with precision)

plausiblebelievable, reasonable — 'a plausible explanation'
viablecapable of working — 'a viable solution/alternative'
feasiblepractically possible — 'it is feasible to …'
compellingconvincing, hard to resist — 'a compelling argument'
contentiouscausing strong disagreement
debatableopen to question
questionableof doubtful truth or value
unfoundedwithout any basis in fact
justifiableable to be defended as right
inevitablecertain to happen
counterproductiveachieving the opposite of the aim
profoundvery deep or far-reaching — 'a profound impact'
negligibletoo small to matter
substantiallarge in size or importance
pressingurgent — 'a pressing issue'
widespreadfound over a large area or among many people

Academic adverbs (fine-tune your claims)

increasinglymore and more — 'an increasingly common trend'
undoubtedlywithout doubt (strong — use once)
predominantlymainly, mostly
invariablyalways, without exception
notablyespecially, particularly
markedlynoticeably — 'markedly different'
comparativelywhen compared with others
disproportionatelyout of proportion — 'affects the poor disproportionately'
inherentlyby its very nature
ultimatelyin the end, when all is considered
effectivelyin practical terms; successfully

Problem–solution language

pose a serious threat toendanger
address the root cause ofdeal with the underlying reason
tackle the issueconfront the problem
implement effective measuresput working policies into practice
a viable long-term solutiona fix that will keep working
take concrete stepsact in specific, practical ways
allocate resources toassign money and staff to
raise public awareness ofmake society more conscious of
impose stricter regulations onapply tougher rules to
offer financial incentivesreward the desired behaviour with money
a multi-pronged approacha strategy attacking from several angles
yield tangible resultsproduce real, measurable outcomes

Band-killers — avoid these

In this modern era / In today's modern worldmemorised opener; examiners see it thousands of times
Every coin has two sidesmemorised idiom; signals rote learning
As we all know / It is known to allempty filler; claims without argument
Last but not leastformulaic; use 'finally'
A hot topic / a burning questionjournalistic cliché
crystal clear / day by dayinformal clichés that lower tone
Forced idioms ('raining cats and dogs')misplaced idioms cost marks; only use ones that fit naturally
Very + weak adjective ('very good')upgrade the adjective instead: 'invaluable', 'excellent'

Task 1 Academic — Graphs, Processes & Maps

Lexical resource for describing charts, tables, processes and maps. Accuracy and variety of trend language is the fastest route to Band 7 here.

Upward movement

rise / increase / growthe neutral core verbs
climbsteady upward movement
surgesudden powerful increase
soarrise fast to a high level
rocketextremely rapid rise
peak atreach its highest point
double / tripleincrease two- / threefold
an upward trenda general rising pattern

Downward movement

fall / decline / decreasethe neutral core verbs
drop / dipmoderate or brief fall
plunge / plummetsudden steep fall
halvereduce by fifty per cent
hit a low ofreach its lowest point
bottom outstop falling and stabilise
a downward trenda general falling pattern

Stability & fluctuation

remain stable / steadystay at the same level
level off / plateaustop changing after movement
fluctuatemove up and down irregularly
hover aroundstay near a value
remain constant athold exactly at a figure
show little variationchange hardly at all

Degree & speed

dramatically / sharplylarge, fast change
significantly / considerablylarge change
steadilyconstant-rate change
graduallyslow change over time
moderatelymedium-sized change
marginally / slightlyvery small change
a steep / gradual riseadjective + noun form
a negligible changechange too small to matter

Comparison & proportion

account formake up a share of: 'accounted for 40%'
make up / constituteform a proportion of
twice as high asdouble the level of
a threefold increasegrowth to three times the size
respectivelyin the order mentioned
by contrast / in comparisonsignals a comparison
the highest / lowest proportion ofsuperlative comparison
overtakebecome larger than
the gap widened / narroweddifference grew / shrank

Overview frames

Overall, it is clear that …the standard overview opener
The most striking feature is …highlights the key pattern
At first glance, …introduces the dominant impression
Taken as a whole, …summarises the full picture
… over the period shownanchors the time frame
… while the reverse was true for …elegant opposite-pattern phrase

Process diagrams

initially / at the first stageopens the sequence
subsequently / thereaftercontinues the sequence
at this stage / at this pointlocates a step
once X is complete, …links dependent steps
simultaneouslysteps happening together
the final step involves …closes the sequence
is heated / filtered / transporteduse the passive throughout processes
whereby'a process whereby water is purified'

Maps & development

be converted intochange use or function
be demolishedbe knocked down
be replaced bygive way to something new
make way forbe removed so something can be built
undergo significant changeschange substantially
be extended / expandedgrow in size
be constructed / erectedbe built
to the north / on the western sidecompass-point locating
a residential / industrial areanaming land use