learn ielts writing vocabulary

Learning IELTS writing vocabulary is essential to boost your lexical resource score. This guide provides structured vocabulary lists for Task 1 and Task 2, highlights advanced academic words for higher bands, and shares effective learning tips with recommended books, apps, and practice resources.

I. IELTS Writing Vocabulary Lists

To achieve a high score in the IELTS Writing test, mastering vocabulary isn't just about knowing “advanced words”—it’s about choosing the right words, using them accurately and appropriately in the right context. Vocabulary is one of the four key marking criteria in IELTS Writing, known as Lexical Resource. This means your ability to:

• Use a range of vocabulary
• Apply it precisely and naturally
• Avoid repetition and use topic-specific language
• Use collocation and paraphrasing effectively

In this section, we’ll explore curated vocabulary lists for both Task 1 and Task 2, as well as advanced academic vocabulary that can push your scores into band 7.0 and beyond.

1. Vocabulary for Task 1 (Charts, Graphs, Processes)

In IELTS Writing Task 1 (Academic), candidates are required to describe visual information presented in the form of:

• Charts or graphs (bar, line, pie, etc.)
• Tables or maps
• Processes (natural or man-made)

To complete Task 1 effectively, it’s essential to use accurate, concise, and varied vocabulary. This includes:

• Verbs and nouns for change and comparison (e.g., rise, fall, fluctuation)
• Adverbs and adjectives (e.g., dramatically, steady, slight)
• Time expressions and sequencing language (e.g., throughout the period, subsequently)

Types of Vocabulary by Difficulty and Function

These levels help learners gradually build a functional lexical base for Task 1 — refine accuracy with prepositions in ielts writing task 1.

To help you develop a topic-specific vocabulary foundation, PREP provides curated vocabulary sets tailored to the most common types of Task 1 visuals:

• Fruit vocabulary – useful for food production or factory diagrams
• Flowers vocabulary – great for natural processes like water cycles or plant growth
• Solar system vocabylary / Space vocabulary – relevant to science-themed process charts
• School supplies vocabulary – helps describe objects in education-related visuals
• A1 vocabulary & A2 vocabulary – build a solid foundation for describing motion, parts, and transitions in diagrams

2. Vocabulary for Task 2 (Essay Topics)

In IELTS Writing Task 2, you are asked to write an essay based on a general question related to society, education, technology, health, environment, government policy, or other real-world issues. To express your ideas clearly and convincingly, it’s crucial to use topic-specific and formal vocabulary.

Instead of using general words like "things," "good," "important," or "people," high-scoring candidates show control of precise, varied, and context-appropriate vocabulary.

Below are practical topic-based vocabulary groups that PREP recommends, with links to detailed lists:

• Housing vocabulary – useful for urbanization and housing-related essays
• Office vocabulary – relevant for work, employment, and work–life balance themes
• Personality vocabulary – helpful when discussing human development or traits
• Real estate vocabulary / Land management vocabulary – valuable for environment, urban planning, and economic development topics
• English for public administration vocabulary – ideal for essays about governments, policies, and public services
• Spices vocabulary / Seafood vocabulary – applicable to health, environment, or globalization topics, especially related to food and consumption

To score well in Lexical Resource, examiners expect you to:

• Use topic-specific terms confidently
• Demonstrate word choice range within the same topic
• Show collocational accuracy (e.g., “enforce a policy” not “do a policy”)
• Avoid vague or overused vocabulary

By planning your vocabulary around frequently tested topics, and using it within coherent sentence structures, you’ll be better prepared for almost any Writing Task 2 prompt.

3. Academic Word List for High Band Scores

To achieve a higher band in IELTS Writing—especially 7.0 and above—test takers need more than just topic-specific words. You must also demonstrate a strong command of academic and formal vocabulary, often categorized in what’s called the Academic Word List (AWL).

These words are commonly used in academic writing and appear frequently across various subjects such as education, society, science, and economics. Mastering them helps you:

• Express complex ideas precisely
• Avoid overused basic words like “a lot of,” “people,” “things,” “good”
• Sound more formal, objective, and concise

At PREP, you can explore several resources to help you build a high-level academic vocabulary:

• Academic vocabulary in use – essential academic word sets organized by topic and usage
• Perfect IELTS vocabulary – curated for high-scoring IELTS Writing essays (Band 7.0+)
• Learn advanced English vocabulary – ideal for expanding formal and academic vocabulary range
• Improve English vocabulary – practical expressions to enrich overall word bank

These articles provide both word lists and real examples in IELTS-style sentences, ensuring that you not only learn advanced vocabulary but also apply it correctly  — stock themes with Ideas for IELTS Writing.

II. How to Learn IELTS Writing Vocabulary Effectively

Learning IELTS Writing vocabulary isn’t just about memorizing long word lists. To truly improve your writing score—especially on the Lexical Resource criterion—you need to learn how to use words accurately, naturally, and in context.

Here are three proven strategies to help you build practical vocabulary for both Task 1 and Task 2:

Learn Vocabulary by Topic

IELTS Writing questions are often grouped around recurring topics: Education, Health, Technology, Environment, Government, and more. Learning vocabulary by topic helps you prepare more efficiently and reduces the need to improvise under pressure.

Suggestions:

• Create topic-based sections in your notebook or app
• Learn 5–10 high-utility words per topic
• Read sample Writing Task 2 essays from dependable sources and highlight new vocabulary
• Practice using these words in your own sentences

Use Collocations and Word Combinations

Examiners expect you to not only know individual words but also to combine them correctly. Learning common collocations (words that naturally go together) helps you sound fluent and natural.

Examples:

• Make a decision (not do a decision)
• Play a vital role (not make a role)
• A growing concern, a significant improvement, widely believed

Tips:

• Build your own collocation lists from model essays
• Practice rewriting simple sentences using better collocations
• Use Quizlet or flashcards for review

Practice Through Sentence and Paragraph Writing

To remember and use new vocabulary effectively, turn passive knowledge into active use.

Techniques:

• Write your own example sentences using the new vocabulary
• Paraphrase sentences from writing tasks using synonyms or better expressions
• Write short paragraphs (50–80 words) on common IELTS topics using at least 3 new words or phrases
• Get feedback from teachers or online platforms like Write & Improve

This helps reinforce your understanding and shows contextual flexibility—something examiners value highly at higher bands (7+)  — craft beginnings via IETSL writing task 2 introduction.

III. Resources to Learn IELTS Writing Vocabulary

Building a strong IELTS Writing vocabulary takes time, consistent exposure, and the right learning tools. In this section, you’ll find a range of recommended books, online courses, and learning apps that are specifically designed to help you strengthen your vocabulary and use it effectively in both Writing Task 1 and Task 2.

Whether you're a beginner aiming for band 6 or an advanced learner targeting band 7.5+, these resources offer step-by-step guidance, topic-based word lists, and practice tasks to boost your lexical resource score.

If you prefer structured, offline learning, here are some highly recommended books for improving IELTS writing vocabulary:

• Cambridge Vocabulary for IELTS – includes a mix of general and academic vocabulary with IELTS-style practice
• Collins Writing for IELTS – excellent for integrating vocabulary with writing strategies
• Academic Vocabulary in Use (by Cambridge) – perfect for advanced learners targeting Band 7.0 and above
• Check Your English Vocabulary for IELTS – a vocabulary workbook with practice questions, good for self-study

Enhance your vocabulary through interactive platforms that allow flexible, on-the-go learning:

• Quizlet – user-created flashcards sorted by IELTS bands, topics, and skills
• Magoosh IELTS Vocabulary Builder – app-based learning with definitions, examples, and test-style practice
• Anki – customizable flashcard system where you can build your own IELTS writing vocabulary decks
• Write & Improve (by Cambridge English) – a writing practice platform that gives vocabulary feedback on your writing in real time

Using a combination of books for depth, online platforms for convenience, and apps for review and repetition will help you build and retain useful vocabulary for the IELTS Writing test.

This article has provided the most useful tips regarding the simplest methods to learn IELTS Writing vocabulary for Task 1 and 2, which will help you easily achieve a band score of 6.5-7.0 on the Writing test. Therefore, practice diligently to achieve the goals you have set for yourself in the real IELTS exam!