Introduction
If you are preparing for IELTS, you already know that vocabulary plays a crucial role in Writing Task 2. Examiners look at four key criteria: Task Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource (Vocabulary), and Grammatical Range and Accuracy. Among these, Lexical Resource makes up 25% of your total writing score.
This means that using high-band vocabulary effectively can push your band score from 6.0 to 7.5 or even 8.0+. However, many candidates misunderstand this and think that using “difficult” or “rare” words will automatically get them a higher score. That’s not true. IELTS examiners reward vocabulary that is:
- Accurate (used in the correct context)
- Varied (not repeating the same words)
- Precise (conveys exact meaning)
- Appropriate (formal and academic, not informal or slang)
This post will give you a comprehensive vocabulary bank for IELTS Writing Task 2, with examples, collocations, and practice sentences. By the end, you will know how to use high-band vocabulary naturally and confidently.
Why Vocabulary Matters in IELTS Writing Task 2
- Shows your language range beyond basic words.
- Helps you express complex ideas clearly.
- Demonstrates your ability to write in an academic style.
- Directly influences the Lexical Resource band descriptor.
For example:
❌ “Many people think technology is good.” (Band 5–6)
✅ “A growing proportion of the population contends that technological advancements yield significant societal benefits.” (Band 8–9)
Key Vocabulary Categories for IELTS Writing Task 2
To achieve a high band, you need vocabulary for:
- Agree/Disagree essays
- Advantages/Disadvantages essays
- Problem/Solution essays
- Discussion essays (both views)
- General academic language
- Topic-specific vocabulary (education, environment, health, technology, society, economy, etc.)
Let’s explore them in detail.
1. Vocabulary for Agree/Disagree Essays
These essays ask whether you agree or disagree with a given statement. You need vocabulary for expressing opinions and arguments.
Useful Vocabulary:
- Strongly agree/disagree → I firmly contend that… / I strongly oppose the notion that…
- Balanced opinion → Although some argue that…, I am inclined to believe that…
- Persuasion → It is undeniable that… / There is substantial evidence to suggest that…
Examples:
❌ I think online learning is good.
✅ I firmly contend that online learning offers unparalleled flexibility and accessibility, which outweigh its potential drawbacks.
2. Vocabulary for Advantages/Disadvantages Essays
These require comparing pros and cons.
Useful Vocabulary:
- Advantages: benefits, merits, positive outcomes, strengths, favorable aspects
- Disadvantages: drawbacks, demerits, negative consequences, pitfalls, limitations
- Balancing: While the advantages are undeniable, the disadvantages cannot be ignored.
Examples:
✅ One significant merit of renewable energy is its sustainability, whereas a notable drawback is the initial financial investment required.
3. Vocabulary for Problem/Solution Essays
These essays ask you to identify problems and suggest solutions.
Problem Vocabulary:
- pressing issue, alarming trend, prevalent problem, escalating concern
- consequences, ramifications, adverse effects
Solution Vocabulary:
- feasible solution, viable measure, implement policies, raise awareness, promote initiatives
Example:
✅ One feasible solution to urban traffic congestion is the implementation of efficient public transport systems, which could substantially reduce private car usage.
4. Vocabulary for Discussion Essays (Both Views)
You must present both perspectives before giving your opinion.
Useful Vocabulary:
- For side A: Advocates of this view argue that…
- For side B: Conversely, critics contend that…
- Balancing: While it is reasonable to consider…, it is equally important to acknowledge…
Example:
✅ While proponents of globalization emphasize economic growth, opponents argue that it erodes cultural identity. In my opinion, both perspectives hold validity, but the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.
5. General Academic Vocabulary for IELTS Writing
These words can be used across all essay types.
- Cause & Effect: lead to, give rise to, contribute to, trigger, exacerbate
- Comparison: in contrast, conversely, on the other hand, whereas, similarly
- Certainty: undoubtedly, undeniably, it is evident that
- Neutral Phrases: it can be argued that, it is often claimed that, research indicates
6. Topic-Specific Vocabulary
IELTS Writing Task 2 topics are often repeated around education, environment, health, technology, society, and economy. Let’s break them down.
Education Vocabulary
- lifelong learning, curriculum, academic achievement, literacy rate, holistic education, rote memorization, digital literacy
✅ Integrating digital literacy into the curriculum equips students with essential 21st-century skills.
Environment Vocabulary
- renewable resources, climate change, carbon footprint, sustainable development, conservation, deforestation, biodiversity
✅ Sustainable development is crucial to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change.
Health Vocabulary
- sedentary lifestyle, malnutrition, preventive measures, healthcare system, mental well-being, life expectancy
✅ A sedentary lifestyle has been linked to numerous health complications, including obesity and cardiovascular diseases.
Technology Vocabulary
- artificial intelligence, automation, digital divide, innovation, cybersecurity, technological advancement
✅ Automation, while increasing efficiency, may exacerbate unemployment rates in certain industries.
Society Vocabulary
- social inequality, cultural heritage, urbanization, globalization, demographic trends
✅ Urbanization has contributed to economic growth but also exacerbated housing shortages.
Economy Vocabulary
- inflation, economic downturn, financial stability, free-market economy, globalization, income disparity
✅ Globalization has accelerated economic growth, yet it has widened the gap between the wealthy and the underprivileged.
Advanced Collocations for Higher Bands
Using collocations (words that naturally go together) will make your writing more native-like.
- Take measures to address → Governments should take measures to address environmental degradation.
- Play a pivotal role in → Education plays a pivotal role in shaping future leaders.
- Exert a profound impact on → Technology exerts a profound impact on modern lifestyles.
- Raise public awareness → Campaigns should be launched to raise public awareness about recycling.
- Pose a significant threat to → Climate change poses a significant threat to biodiversity.
Common Vocabulary Mistakes to Avoid
-
Overusing the word “very”
❌ very big problem
✅ serious issue / pressing concern -
Using informal words
❌ kids, stuff, a lot of
✅ children, resources, numerous -
Misusing advanced vocabulary
❌ The issue is ubiquitous (wrong context)
✅ The internet has become ubiquitous in modern society.
Band 9 Sample Sentences with High-Band Vocabulary
- The escalating reliance on fossil fuels has exacerbated climate change, necessitating urgent global intervention.
- Proponents of space exploration argue that it fosters technological innovation, while detractors question its economic feasibility.
- Implementing stringent regulations can mitigate the adverse effects of industrial pollution on public health.
- In an increasingly globalized world, preserving cultural heritage is paramount to maintaining societal diversity.
- Automation and artificial intelligence, despite their merits, may pose a substantial threat to traditional employment sectors.
How to Practice High-Band Vocabulary
- Read academic sources (The Economist, BBC, National Geographic).
- Keep a vocabulary notebook with examples.
- Practice paraphrasing Task 2 questions.
- Use vocabulary in your own essays instead of memorizing lists.
- Get feedback from teachers or use online platforms.
Conclusion
High-band vocabulary in IELTS Writing Task 2 is not about memorizing “difficult” words, but about using accurate, formal, and academic vocabulary naturally. By mastering the vocabulary sets for different essay types and topics, you can impress examiners and achieve Band 7.5–9.
The key is balance: variety, precision, and appropriateness. Practice regularly, apply vocabulary in context, and review your mistakes. With consistent effort, your writing will not only improve in vocabulary but also in clarity and overall quality.
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