Video Lessons

ACADEMIC
VOCABULARY
F O R I E LT S

LESSON 9
ACADEMIC VOCABULARY FOR IELTS
• Nouns
• Verbs
• Adjectives
• Adverbs/conjunctions
• Definitions
• Extra language
CONTRARY
• The opposite; the opposite of what has just been stated
• Although it is often stated that capital punishment is cheaper than
life imprisonment, somewhat surprisingly, the contrary is often true.
• It is widely believed that doing a great deal of physical exercise
prolongs life by a considerable amount; on the contrary, recent
scientific evidence indicates that participating in energetic physical
activity may make you healthier but only has a minor effect on
longevity.
• It used to be believed that women had a greater capacity to multi-
task than men. However, there is now some evidence to the contrary.
CONTRARY
• Although it is often stated that capital punishment is cheaper than
life imprisonment, somewhat surprisingly, the contrary is often true.
• It is widely believed that doing a great deal of physical exercise
prolongs life by a considerable amount; on the contrary, recent
scientific evidence indicates that participating in energetic physical
activity may make you healthier but only has a minor effect on
longevity.
• It used to be believed that women had a greater capacity to multi-
task than men. However, there is now some evidence to the contrary.
TREND
• A pattern of behavior
• The figures given show a slight downward trend in the amount of
time adults spend sleeping each day; there is a corresponding
upward trend in the amount of time they devote to work.
• The statistical information provided indicates that during the thirty-
year period being discussed, there was a trend towards eating
healthier food.
• There has been a worrying recent trend for schoolchildren to bring
knives into the classroom. Many fear that they will have to defend
themselves from classmates carrying weapons.
• There is currently a trend towards/ away from living alone.
TREND
• The figures given show a slight downward trend in the amount of
time adults spend sleeping each day; there is a corresponding
upward trend in the amount of time they devote to work.
• The statistical information provided indicates that during the thirty-
year period being discussed, there was a trend towards eating
healthier food.
• There has been a worrying recent trend for schoolchildren to bring
knives into the classroom. Many fear that they will have to defend
themselves from classmates carrying weapons.
• There is currently a trend towards/ away from living alone.
CONTEMPORARY
• Modern; current
• In contemporary culture, the focus seems to be on the rights of the
individual rather than her or his responsibilities to a wider social
group.
• Some modern artists criticize their contemporaries as money-
grabbing, greedy and self-obsessed. (people in the same group)
• There is a severe generational divide in many countries: older and
younger people tend only to mix with their respective
contemporaries. (people in the same group)
• The French Revolution and The American War of Independence
happened almost contemporaneously. (at the same time)
CONTEMPORARY
• In contemporary culture, the focus seems to be on the rights of the
individual rather than her or his responsibilities to a wider social
group.
• Some modern artists criticize their contemporaries as money-
grabbing, greedy and self-obsessed.
• There is a severe generational divide in many countries: older and
younger people tend only to mix with their respective
contemporaries.
• The French Revolution and The American War of Independence
happened almost contemporaneously.
OVERWHELMING
• A great deal; too much
• There is often overwhelming public support for politicians who
advocate stiffer prison sentences for offenders.
• There is overwhelming evidence to indicate that children who watch
television programmes containing violent scenes are more likely to
play in an aggressive way.
• It can be overwhelmingly difficult to deal with the death of a loved-
one.
• Bosses who do not know how to delegate responsibility can often be
overwhelmed by the enormous amount of work they face.
OVERWHELMING
• There is often overwhelming public support for politicians who
advocate stiffer prison sentences for offenders.
• There is overwhelming evidence to indicate that children who watch
television programmes containing violent scenes are more likely to
play in an aggressive way.
• It can be overwhelmingly difficult to deal with the death of a loved-
one.
• Bosses who do not know how to delegate responsibility can often be
overwhelmed by the enormous amount of work they face.
ILLUSTRATE
• To show; to indicate
• The charts provided illustrate the strong connection between the
cost of foreign holidays and the number of individuals buying them.
• This example illustrates the point that many adults fail to grasp the
importance of looking after themselves.
• This point clearly illustrates how giving aid to poorer countries can
be mutually beneficial.
• This example is a perfect illustration of why we should all be
encouraged to learn foreign languages.
ILLUSTRATE
• The charts provided illustrate the strong connection between the
cost of foreign holidays and the number of individuals buying them.
• This example illustrates the point that many adults fail to grasp the
importance of looking after themselves.
• This point clearly illustrates how giving aid to poorer countries can
be mutually beneficial.
• This example is a perfect illustration of why we should all be
encouraged to learn foreign languages.
DOUBT
• To be unsure about; to not know
• We cannot doubt the bravery and courage of fire-fighters who risk their own lives
to tackle blazes and save those in danger.
• There is no doubt that English is becoming a global super-language and that its
spread is threatening the existence of minority languages spoken around the globe.
• Team-sports have undoubted benefits.
• It is doubtful whether driverless cars will appear on our roads in the next few
years.These vehicles require much more development before being released onto
our streets. (unclear; uncertain)
• Claims that battery hens do not suffer as a result of the way in which they are
treated are somewhat dubious in my opinion. (difficult to believe)
• Without a shadow of a doubt, eating fruit is beneficial. (certainly)
• Undoubtedly, children whose parents encourage them to do well at school are
more likely to get good exam results. (certainly)
DOUBT
• We cannot doubt the bravery and courage of fire-fighters who risk their own lives
to tackle blazes and save those in danger.
• There is no doubt that English is becoming a global super-language and that its
spread is threatening the existence of minority languages spoken around the
globe.
• Team-sports have undoubted benefits.
• It is doubtful whether driverless cars will appear on our roads in the next few
years.These vehicles require much more development before being released onto
our streets.
• Claims that battery hens do not suffer as a result of the way in which they are
treated are somewhat dubious in my opinion.
• Without a shadow of a doubt, eating fruit is beneficial.
• Undoubtedly, children whose parents encourage them to do well at school are
more likely to get good exam results.
CONVICTION
• Belief; very strong belief
• It is my strong/ firm/ deep personal conviction that everyone should have the right
to practise whichever religion he or she chooses.
• I am entirely/ utterly/ completely convinced that all of us have the right to privacy,
including celebrities.
• The suggestion that all children should be made to do work experience as part of
their secondary education is a convincing one.
• I find the argument that the brightest students should be paid to study science-
based subjects at university somewhat unconvincing.
• It has been convincingly argued that cars should be banned from city-centres.
• Right-wing politicians often fail to convince younger voters to support them.
CONVICTION
• It is my strong/ firm/ deep personal conviction that everyone should have the right
to practise whichever religion he or she chooses.
• I am entirely/ utterly/ completely convinced that all of us have the right to privacy,
including celebrities.
• The suggestion that all children should be made to do work experience as part of
their secondary education is a convincing one.
• I find the argument that the brightest students should be paid to study science-
based subjects at university somewhat unconvincing.
• It has been convincingly argued that cars should be banned from city-centres.
• Right-wing politicians often fail to convince younger voters to support them.
WHEREAS
• But; however; in comparison
• Professional footballers are paid astronomical amounts of money,
whereas nurses and care-workers receive a mere pittance.
• Those in the developed world consume huge amounts of nutritious
food whereas some in developing countries scarcely have enough to
keep them alive.
• The wealth gap appears to be widening rather than narrowing: the
affluent live in large comfortable houses whereas the impoverished
often lack adequate shelter.
WHEREAS
• Professional footballers are paid astronomical amounts of money,
whereas nurses and care-workers receive a mere pittance.
• Those in the developed world consume huge amounts of nutritious
food whereas some in developing countries scarcely have enough to
keep them alive.
• The wealth gap appears to be widening rather than narrowing: the
affluent live in large comfortable houses whereas the impoverished
often lack adequate shelter.
ESPECIALLY
• Very; extremely
• It is especially worrying that so many young children have such a
poor diet.
• It is especially important that students who struggle in school are
supported.
• Even those who are not especially keen on sport often support their
national teams during events like The FIFA World Cup and The
Olympics.
• Especially when they first arrive in a new country, migrants can feel
disorientated and confused. (particularly; in a particular case; not
generally)
ESPECIALLY
• It is especially worrying that so many young children have such a
poor diet.
• It is especially important that students who struggle in school are
supported.
• Even those who are not especially keen on sport often support their
national teams during events like The FIFA World Cup and The
Olympics.
• Especially when they first arrive in a new country, migrants can feel
disorientated and confused.
ACQUIRE
• To get; to obtain
• I believe that those who acquire wealth through inheritance should
be heavily taxed on it.
• As we grow older, we acquire knowledge, experience and life skills.
• The acquisition of language appears to be a natural process in
humans.
• We seem to live in an acquisitive age; most of us appear to want
more and more physical possessions. (materialistic)
ACQUIRE
• I believe that those who acquire wealth through inheritance should
be heavily taxed on it.
• As we grow older, we acquire knowledge, experience and life skills.
• The acquisition of language appears to be a natural process in
humans.
• We seem to live in an acquisitive age; most of us appear to want
more and more physical possessions.
WHAT SHALL I DO NOW?
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Copyright