CHECK YOUR ENGLISH VOCABULARY FOR IELTS by Rawdon Wyatt Bloomsbury Information An imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc About this workbook Introduction This workbook has been written for students who are planning to sit either the Academic or General Training modules of the IELTS examination. It covers some of the main vocabulary areas that you will need for, or come across in, the Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking sections of the exam. We hope that you find the exercises in this book useful, and that the vocabulary you acquire will help you to achieve the grade you want in the IELTS. Good luck! Structure of the book Each vocabulary area is presented in the form of a self-contained module with task-based activities which present each vocabulary item in context. • Pages 1 – 57 focus on general vocabulary items. Some of these are relevant to specific tasks or questions in the IELTS examination (for example, describing how something works, talking about changes shown in a graph or table, saying where things are and following directions). • Pages 58 – 104 focus on topic-specific vocabulary areas which may be required in the examination (for example, education, architecture, family matters and science and technology). Each module consists of three tasks: the first two present vocabulary items in context, each with a practice or recognition exercise, and the third gives you the opportunity to review the vocabulary in a gap-fill exercise. • Pages 105 – 119 contain some productive practice exercises which will give you the opportunity to practise using your vocabulary in some IELTS- style speaking and writing tasks. These tasks are followed by some sample answers. Note that these sample answers are there only to give you some guidance as to how the tasks might be answered. There are no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answers. • Pages 120 – 139 contain a comprehensive key so you can check your answers. The answer key also gives additional information about specific vocabulary items or general vocabulary areas, as well as other useful words or phrases. Using the workbook You should not work through the book mechanically from beginning to end. It is better to choose areas that you are unfamiliar with, or areas that you feel are of specific interest or importance to yourself. Recording, reviewing and extending your vocabulary Remember that you should keep a record of new words, phrases and expressions that you acquire, and review these on a regular basis so that they become part of your active vocabulary. Also remember that there are other ways of acquiring new vocabulary. For example, you should read as much as possible from a variety of authentic reading materials (books, newspapers, magazines, web-based articles, etc.). Using an English dictionary To help you develop your vocabulary more effectively, you should use a good monolingual English dictionary. This should clearly explain what the words mean, show you how they are pronounced, show you their various forms where relevant (e.g., what the noun form of an adjective is), tell you which words or phrases they collocate with, and give sample sentences to show you how the words are used. We particularly recommend the Macmillan English Dictionary for Advanced Learners (ISBN 978-1405026284). A free on-line version of this can also be found at www.macmillandictionary.com. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) The IELTS is administered by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), the British Council and IDP Education Australia. For further information, visit www.ucles.org.uk. Note that this book is not endorsed by any of these organisations. Contents General vocabulary Addition, equation and conclusion Around the world Changes 1 Changes 2 Condition Confusing words & false friends 1 Confusing words & false friends 2 Context & meaning 1 Context & meaning 2 Context & meaning 3 Contrast and comparison Emphasis & misunderstanding Focusing attention Generalisations & specifics Groups How something works Joining or becoming part of something bigger Likes & dislikes Location & direction Modified words Objects & actions Obligation & option Opinion, attitude & belief Opposites: adjectives Opposites: verbs Ownership, giving, lending & borrowing Phrasal verbs 1 Phrasal verbs 2 Phrasal verbs 3 Phrasal verbs 4 Presenting an argument Reason & result Shape & features Size, quantity & dimension Spelling Stopping something Success & failure Task commands Time Useful interview expressions Topic-specific vocabulary Architecture The arts Business & industry Children & the family Crime & the law Education The environment Food & diet Geography Global problems Healthcare The media Men & women Money & finance On the road Science & technology Sport Town & country Travel Work Productive practice Practice tasks 1 Practice tasks 1: Sample answers Practice tasks 2 Practice tasks 2: Sample answers Practice tasks 3 Practice tasks 3: Sample answers Practice tasks 4 Practice tasks 4: Sample answers Practice tasks 5 Practice tasks 5: Sample answers Answers Addition, equation & conclusion 1 Put the following words and phrases into their correct place in the table depending on their function. along with also and as well as besides  correspondingly equally furthermore in addition in brief in conclusion in the same way likewise  moreover similarly thus therefore to conclude to summarise to sum up briefly too we can conclude that what’s more 2 Complete these sentences with one of the words or phrases from above. In most cases, more than one answer is possible. 1. Tourism brings much-needed money to developing countries. ..................................................., it provides employment for the local population. 2. ................................................... bringing much-needed money to developing countries, tourism provides employment for the local population. 3. Tourists should respect the local environment. ................................................... they should respect the local customs. 4. ................................................... industrial waste, pollution from car fumes is poisoning the environment. 5. In order to travel, you need a passport. ................................................... , you might need a visa, immunisation jabs and written permission to visit certain areas. 6. Drugs are banned in Britain - ................................................... weapons such as guns and knives. 7. All power corrupts. ................................................... , absolute power corrupts absolutely. 8. You shouldn’t smoke, drink, take drugs or eat unhealthy food. ................................................... , you should live a more healthy lifestyle. 9. The ozone layer is becoming depleted, the air in the cities is becoming too dirty to breathe and our seas and rivers are no longer safe to swim in. ................................................... pollution is slowly destroying the planet. 10. Your grades have been very poor for the past two years. ................................................... you need to work really hard if you want to pass your exams next month.