Lexical Resource accounts for 25% of your IELTS Writing and Speaking score. To hit Band 9, you don't just need "big words"—you need precise, natural collocations and topic-specific vocabulary. This guide provides essential Band 7-9 vocabulary organized by function and topic.
What is "Band 9 Vocabulary"?
Examiners aren't looking for a walking thesaurus. They are assessing:
- Range: Do you use a variety of words, or repeat the same ones?
- Accuracy: Are the words used correctly in context?
- Collocation: Do words naturally go together? (e.g., "make a decision" not "do a decision")
- Topic-Specific Vocabulary: Words relevant to the subject (Environment, Education, Technology)
- Style: Formal for Writing, slightly more idiomatic for Speaking
Power Verbs for Academic Writing
Replace simple verbs with these precise alternatives:
| Basic Verb | Band 7-9 Alternative | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Change | Alter / Transform / Modify | Technology has transformed the way we communicate. |
| Remove | Eliminate / Eradicate / Abolish | The government aims to eradicate poverty by 2030. |
| Keep | Retain / Preserve / Maintain | It is vital to preserve our cultural heritage. |
| Happen | Occur / Arise / Emerge | Problems often arise when communication fails. |
| Show | Demonstrate / Illustrate / Reveal | The data demonstrates a clear upward trend. |
Impact Adjectives
Instead of "Bad" or "Harmful"
- Detrimental: "Smoking has a detrimental effect on health."
- Adverse: "The adverse weather conditions delayed the flight."
- Catastrophic: "A catastrophic failure of the system."
- Devastating: "The hurricane had devastating consequences."
Instead of "Important"
- Imperative: "It is imperative that we act now."
- Pivotal: "Education plays a pivotal role in success."
- Indispensable: "Mobile phones have become indispensable."
- Paramount: "Safety is of paramount importance."
Topic-Specific Collocations
Environment & Climate
Deplete natural resources, ecological footprint, sustainable development, irreversible damage, renewable energy, carbon emissions, biodiversity loss, environmental degradation
Education
Rote learning, extracurricular activities, tertiary education, holistic development, academic performance, critical thinking skills, lifelong learning, educational attainment
Technology
Technological breakthrough, digital literacy, artificial intelligence, cutting-edge, obsolete, disruptive innovation, cyber security, technological advancement
Health & Society
Public health crisis, sedentary lifestyle, preventive measures, healthcare system, chronic diseases, mental wellbeing, social cohesion, aging population
Common Collocations (Word Partnerships)
These word pairs naturally go together. Using them shows sophistication:
- Make a decision / progress / an effort / a mistake
- Do research / homework / damage / harm
- Take measures / action / responsibility / advantage
- Raise awareness / concerns / questions / standards
- Pose a threat / a challenge / a risk / a question
- Address the issue / the problem / concerns
Don't Force It
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Using a word incorrectly is worse than using a simple word correctly. Only use advanced vocabulary when you're confident about its meaning and context.
Test Your Vocabulary Range
Write an essay using 5+ of these words and see if our AI detects them. Get instant feedback on your Lexical Resource score.
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