IELTS Vocabulary
Main topics often seen in IELTS Writing Task 2:
1. Education
- General terms: curriculum, pedagogy, tuition, syllabus, assessment
- Processes: enroll, educate, train, lecture, graduate
- Institutions: university, college, academy, institution, faculty
- Subjects: mathematics, science, arts, humanities, engineering
- Qualities: innovative, practical, theoretical, interactive, engaging
- Debates: compulsory, optional, inclusive, accessible, outdated
- Types: vocational, academic, e-learning, blended learning, traditional
- Benefits: knowledge, skillset, critical thinking, career, opportunity
- Challenges: dropout, literacy, inequality, affordability, relevance
- Technology: e-books, online courses, virtual classrooms, AI tutors, platforms
2. Environment
- General terms: ecosystem, biodiversity, sustainability, conservation, habitat
- Issues: pollution, deforestation, overpopulation, climate change, extinction
- Solutions: recycling, renewable energy, eco-friendly, conservation, afforestation
- Energy: solar, wind, nuclear, fossil fuels, geothermal
- Processes: degrade, deplete, conserve, recycle, reuse
- Metrics: carbon footprint, emissions, greenhouse gases, temperature rise, deforestation rates
- Organizations: UN, Greenpeace, WWF, IPCC, governments
- Natural disasters: floods, droughts, hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes
- Actions: mitigate, adapt, ban, legislate, subsidize
- Concepts: sustainability, ecological balance, green technology, carbon neutrality, climate activism
3. Technology
- General terms: innovation, automation, artificial intelligence, gadget, internet
- Devices: smartphone, tablet, wearable, server, robot
- Processes: develop, innovate, automate, digitize, upgrade
- Applications: education, healthcare, transportation, communication, entertainment
- Impacts: efficiency, connectivity, dependency, surveillance, obsolescence
- Problems: hacking, cybercrime, addiction, data breaches, misinformation
- Benefits: productivity, accessibility, innovation, convenience, safety
- Concepts: virtual reality, augmented reality, blockchain, cloud computing, big data
- Trends: smart homes, self-driving cars, AI ethics, IoT, e-commerce
- Controversies: privacy, inequality, job loss, overreliance, ethics
4. Health
- General terms: wellbeing, healthcare, disease, treatment, prevention
- Conditions: obesity, diabetes, cancer, mental illness, cardiovascular
- Services: hospital, clinic, pharmacy, ambulance, telemedicine
- Practices: diet, exercise, vaccination, meditation, hygiene
- Nutrition: vitamins, minerals, calories, protein, carbohydrates
- Issues: malnutrition, stress, lifestyle diseases, drug abuse, pandemic
- Roles: doctor, nurse, therapist, nutritionist, surgeon
- Benefits: longevity, fitness, resilience, productivity, quality of life
- Policies: healthcare reform, universal coverage, insurance, funding, campaigns
- Concepts: public health, preventative care, holistic medicine, alternative medicine, immunity
5. Globalization
- General terms: integration, trade, interdependence, outsourcing, offshoring
- Processes: import, export, invest, collaborate, regulate
- Economics: GDP, markets, tariffs, free trade, multinational
- Culture: diversity, homogenization, preservation, influence, exchange
- Controversies: inequality, exploitation, loss of identity, cultural dominance, dependency
- Benefits: economic growth, cultural exchange, innovation, cooperation, access
- Challenges: brain drain, unemployment, pollution, exploitation, competition
- Examples: McDonaldization, global brands, trade agreements, outsourcing, NGOs
- Organizations: WTO, IMF, UN, WHO, multinational corporations
- Concepts: interconnectedness, global village, fair trade, cultural relativism, sustainability
6. Work and Employment
- General terms: workforce, employment, unemployment, career, occupation
- Processes: hire, fire, resign, promote, retrain
- Roles: manager, employee, entrepreneur, freelancer, intern
- Workplaces: office, factory, remote, coworking, home-based
- Policies: minimum wage, paid leave, diversity, safety, union
- Concepts: work-life balance, job satisfaction, workplace ethics, burnout, flexibility
- Types: full-time, part-time, freelance, contract, permanent
- Issues: gender gap, discrimination, automation, underemployment, layoffs
- Benefits: income, stability, growth, security, perks
- Trends: gig economy, telecommuting, hybrid work, digital nomads, AI in HR
7. Society and Culture
- General terms: community, values, norms, diversity, traditions
- Processes: socialize, conform, adapt, modernize, preserve
- Institutions: family, religion, government, education, media
- Issues: inequality, discrimination, urbanization, migration, aging
- Behaviors: altruism, individualism, collectivism, consumerism, activism
- Concepts: multiculturalism, generational gap, heritage, identity, social mobility
- Conflicts: racism, sexism, classism, xenophobia, polarization
- Benefits: inclusivity, tolerance, empathy, understanding, harmony
- Celebrations: festivals, rituals, traditions, customs, milestones
- Trends: social media influence, globalization, urban migration, digital divide, identity politics
8. Government and Laws
- General terms: legislation, policy, governance, constitution, authority
- Processes: legislate, enforce, regulate, repeal, amend
- Institutions: parliament, judiciary, executive, bureaucracy, councils
- Issues: corruption, inefficiency, inequality, censorship, transparency
- Concepts: democracy, autocracy, rule of law, federalism, social contract
- Debates: freedom vs. security, welfare, taxation, equality, censorship
- Benefits: stability, justice, protection, order, welfare
- Challenges: red tape, inefficiency, lobbying, populism, partisanship
- Roles: politician, bureaucrat, activist, judge, legislator
- Laws: immigration, labor, civil rights, environmental, corporate
9. Travel and Tourism
- General terms: destination, traveler, itinerary, excursion, hospitality
- Processes: book, explore, guide, navigate, tour
- Types: eco-tourism, cultural tourism, adventure tourism, business travel, backpacking
- Places: landmarks, resorts, wilderness, heritage sites, capitals
- Challenges: over-tourism, pollution, cultural loss, overcrowding, scams
- Benefits: economy, cultural exchange, global exposure, preservation, leisure
- Modes: aviation, rail, cruise, road trips, trekking
- Terms: visa, itinerary, accommodation, travel insurance, souvenirs
- Concepts: wanderlust, sustainable tourism, responsible travel, local economy, off-the-beaten-path
- Organizations: UNESCO, travel agencies, airlines, hospitality chains, tour operators
10. Sports and Leisure
- General terms: fitness, recreation, athletics, pastime, competition
- Activities: jogging, hiking, swimming, gaming, crafting
- Places: gym, stadium, park, arena, club
- Roles: coach, athlete, referee, fan, sponsor
- Benefits: teamwork, discipline, health, relaxation, socializing
- Issues: doping, commercialization, injuries, gender gap, accessibility
- Types: team sports, individual sports, outdoor, indoor, extreme
- Trends: esports, virtual fitness, eco-adventures, leisure apps, wellness retreats
- Debates: professionalism, gender equality, ethics, sponsorship, nationalism
- Terms: score, tournament, league, championship, training
11. Media and Advertising
- General terms: journalism, advertisement, broadcasting, social media, platform
- Processes: report, promote, persuade, inform, manipulate
- Concepts: freedom of speech, consumerism, digital marketing, influence, propaganda
- Types: print, digital, television, radio, outdoor
- Roles: journalist, editor, advertiser, influencer, publicist
- Trends: viral content, targeted ads, storytelling, clickbait, brand loyalty
- Controversies: censorship, fake news, privacy, ethics, monopoly
- Benefits: awareness, education, entertainment, outreach, engagement
- Challenges: bias, misinformation, over-saturation, addiction, regulation
- Metrics: ratings, reach, impressions, engagement, demographics
Definitions for each vocabulary word in every topic:
1. Education Vocabulary with Definitions
- Curriculum: The subjects and materials of study in a school or university.
- Pedagogy: The art and science of teaching and education.
- Tuition: Fees paid for instruction or teaching.
- Syllabus: A detailed outline of the topics to be covered in a course.
- Assessment: Methods used to evaluate a student’s learning.
- Enroll: To officially join a course, school, or program.
- Educate: To teach someone, usually in a school or university setting.
- Train: To teach skills for a particular job or activity.
- Lecture: A formal talk on a subject, often given to students.
- Graduate: To successfully complete a course or degree.
- University: A higher education institution offering degrees and research opportunities.
- Academy: An institution for specialized education or training.
- Institution: An established organization for education, religion, or other purposes.
- Faculty: A group of teachers or professors at a school or university.
- Mathematics: The study of numbers, quantities, and shapes.
- Humanities: Academic disciplines that study human culture, like history or literature.
- Vocational: Relating to training for specific jobs or trades.
- E-learning: Learning conducted via electronic media, typically the internet.
- Blended learning: A mix of traditional classroom teaching and online learning.
- Critical thinking: The objective analysis of facts to form a judgment.
- Literacy: The ability to read and write.
- Inequality: Unequal access to education or resources.
- Affordability: The state of being inexpensive or affordable.
- E-books: Digital versions of books.
- Virtual classrooms: Online platforms where teaching takes place.
2. Environment Vocabulary with Definitions
- Ecosystem: A community of living organisms interacting with their environment.
- Biodiversity: The variety of life in the world or a particular habitat.
- Sustainability: Using resources in a way that does not deplete them for future generations.
- Conservation: The protection and preservation of natural resources.
- Habitat: The natural home or environment of an organism.
- Pollution: The presence of harmful substances in the environment.
- Deforestation: The cutting down of trees in a forested area.
- Overpopulation: When the number of people exceeds the capacity of the environment.
- Climate change: Long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns.
- Extinction: The end of a species or group of organisms.
- Recycling: The process of converting waste into reusable materials.
- Renewable energy: Energy from natural sources that can be replenished.
- Afforestation: Planting trees in an area where there was no previous tree cover.
- Carbon footprint: The amount of carbon dioxide emitted due to human activities.
- Emissions: Pollutants released into the air, often from vehicles or factories.
- Greenhouse gases: Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming.
- Solar energy: Energy derived from the sun.
- Geothermal energy: Heat energy generated within the Earth.
- Floods: Overflow of water that submerges land.
- Droughts: Extended periods of low rainfall causing water shortages.
- Wildfires: Large, uncontrolled fires in forested areas.
- Mitigate: To reduce the severity or seriousness of a problem.
- Adapt: To adjust to new conditions or environments.
- Ecological balance: A state where ecosystems maintain equilibrium.
- Climate activism: Efforts to promote awareness and action against climate change.
3. Technology Vocabulary with Definitions
- Innovation: A new idea, method, or invention.
- Automation: The use of machines or technology to perform tasks without human intervention.
- Artificial intelligence: The simulation of human intelligence by machines.
- Gadget: A small mechanical or electronic device.
- Internet: A global network connecting millions of private, public, academic, and business networks.
- Smartphone: A mobile phone with advanced computing capabilities.
- Tablet: A portable computer with a touchscreen interface.
- Wearable: Electronic devices worn on the body, like smartwatches.
- Server: A computer or system that provides resources or data to other devices.
- Robot: A machine capable of carrying out tasks, often programmable.
- Develop: To create or improve a product or system.
- Digitize: To convert information into a digital format.
- Upgrade: To improve the quality or performance of a device or system.
- Virtual reality: A computer-generated simulation of a 3D environment.
- Augmented reality: A technology that overlays digital content onto the real world.
- Blockchain: A digital ledger used to record transactions securely.
- Cloud computing: Storing and accessing data over the internet instead of a local drive.
- Big data: Large datasets that can be analyzed to reveal patterns and trends.
- E-commerce: The buying and selling of goods and services online.
- IoT (Internet of Things): A network of interconnected devices that communicate with each other.
- Cybercrime: Criminal activities carried out using computers or the internet.
- Hacking: Unauthorized access to or manipulation of computer systems.
- Surveillance: Monitoring activities, often using cameras or technology.
- Privacy: The right to keep personal information secure and private.
- Efficiency: The ability to accomplish tasks with minimal waste or effort.
4. Health Vocabulary with Definitions
- Wellbeing: A state of being comfortable, healthy, and happy.
- Healthcare: Services provided to maintain or improve health.
- Disease: A disorder or illness that affects the body or mind.
- Treatment: Medical care given to a patient for an illness or injury.
- Prevention: Measures taken to avoid disease or injury.
- Obesity: Excessive body weight that may impair health.
- Diabetes: A chronic condition affecting the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar.
- Mental illness: Disorders that affect a person’s emotional or psychological state.
- Vaccination: The administration of a vaccine to protect against disease.
- Meditation: A practice to improve focus and relaxation through mental exercises.
- Nutrition: The process of consuming and using food for health.
- Malnutrition: Poor nutrition caused by an imbalanced or inadequate diet.
- Lifestyle diseases: Illnesses caused by unhealthy habits or lifestyle choices.
- Drug abuse: The misuse of substances that can lead to addiction or harm.
- Pandemic: A widespread outbreak of a disease across multiple countries.
- Longevity: The length or duration of a person’s life.
- Immunity: The body’s ability to resist disease.
- Holistic medicine: An approach to health care that considers the whole person (mind, body, and spirit).
- Alternative medicine: Non-conventional treatments like acupuncture or herbal remedies.
- Telemedicine: The remote diagnosis and treatment of patients using technology.
- Surgeon: A doctor specialized in performing operations.
- Therapist: A professional who helps people improve mental or physical health.
- Hygiene: Practices to maintain cleanliness and prevent disease.
- Fitness: The state of being physically healthy and strong.
- Resilience: The ability to recover quickly from illness or difficulty.
5. Globalization Vocabulary with Definitions
- Integration: The process of combining or coordinating different parts into a whole.
- Trade: The buying and selling of goods and services.
- Interdependence: A mutual reliance between countries or groups for resources or support.
- Outsourcing: Hiring external organizations to perform business tasks or services.
- Offshoring: Relocating business processes to another country to reduce costs.
- GDP (Gross Domestic Product): The total value of goods and services produced in a country.
- Markets: Places or systems where goods and services are exchanged.
- Tariffs: Taxes imposed on imported or exported goods.
- Free trade: International trade free of restrictions like tariffs or quotas.
- Multinational: A company operating in several countries.
- Diversity: The inclusion of different types of people or things.
- Homogenization: The process of making things uniform or similar.
- Cultural exchange: Sharing cultural practices, ideas, and traditions.
- Exploitation: Using resources or people unfairly for personal gain.
- Inequality: Unequal access to resources, opportunities, or rights.
- Brain drain: The emigration of skilled professionals from their home country.
- Cultural dominance: When one culture overpowers or heavily influences others.
- Dependency: Relying on another country for resources or support.
- Economic growth: An increase in the production of goods and services in a country.
- Innovation: The introduction of new ideas, products, or methods.
- Preservation: The act of protecting or maintaining something in its original state.
- NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations): Organizations that operate independently from governments to address social or political issues.
- Fair trade: A movement ensuring producers in developing countries receive fair compensation.
- Interconnectedness: The state of being connected with others through global networks.
- Sustainability: Practices that meet current needs without compromising future generations.
6. Work and Employment Vocabulary with Definitions
- Workforce: The total number of people employed or available for work.
- Employment: The state of having a paid job.
- Unemployment: The state of being jobless while actively seeking work.
- Career: A profession or occupation undertaken for a significant period of life.
- Occupation: A person’s job or profession.
- Hire: To employ someone for a job.
- Fire: To terminate someone’s employment.
- Resign: To voluntarily leave a job.
- Promote: To elevate someone to a higher position or rank.
- Retrain: To learn new skills for a different job or career.
- Manager: A person in charge of a team or department.
- Employee: Someone who works for a company or organization.
- Entrepreneur: A person who starts and runs their own business.
- Freelancer: A person who works independently and is not committed to a single employer.
- Intern: A student or trainee working to gain experience in a profession.
- Minimum wage: The lowest legal salary that workers can be paid.
- Paid leave: Time off work with salary, such as vacation or sick leave.
- Work-life balance: The balance between time spent working and time for personal life.
- Burnout: Physical or mental exhaustion caused by excessive work stress.
- Job satisfaction: The fulfillment or contentment a person feels in their job.
- Remote work: Working from a location other than the office, often from home.
- Gig economy: A labor market with short-term or freelance jobs instead of permanent ones.
- Automation: The use of technology to perform tasks previously done by humans.
- Gender gap: Differences in opportunities or pay between men and women.
- Digital nomad: Someone who works remotely while traveling to different locations.
7. Society and Culture Vocabulary with Definitions
- Community: A group of people living together or sharing common interests.
- Tradition: Customs or beliefs passed down from generation to generation.
- Heritage: Cultural practices, traditions, or property passed from the past.
- Cultural identity: A sense of belonging to a specific culture or group.
- Diversity: The inclusion of different cultural, ethnic, or social groups.
- Integration: The process of combining different groups into a unified whole.
- Assimilation: The process of adopting another culture or merging into a cultural group.
- Ethnicity: A group identity based on common cultural or ancestral heritage.
- Discrimination: Unfair treatment based on characteristics like race, gender, or age.
- Stereotype: A generalized belief or assumption about a group of people.
- Prejudice: A biased opinion or feeling against a group or individual.
- Multiculturalism: The coexistence of diverse cultures within a society.
- Social norms: Accepted behaviors or standards in a community.
- Subculture: A cultural group within a larger culture with distinct beliefs or practices.
- Ritual: A ceremonial act or series of actions performed according to tradition.
- Urbanization: The growth and expansion of cities.
- Social mobility: The ability to move between social or economic classes.
- Inequality: Unequal opportunities or treatment within a society.
- Empathy: The ability to understand and share the feelings of others.
- Volunteering: Offering services without payment to help others.
- Philanthropy: The act of promoting the welfare of others, often through donations.
- Marginalized: Groups pushed to the edges of society and excluded from opportunities.
- Patriarchy: A social system dominated by males.
- Social cohesion: The bonds that hold a society together.
- Cultural diffusion: The spread of cultural beliefs or practices from one group to another.
8. Government and Laws Vocabulary with Definitions
- Legislation: Laws or legal rules enacted by a government.
- Policy: A course of action adopted or proposed by an organization or government.
- Democracy: A system of government where citizens elect representatives.
- Autocracy: A system of government where one person has absolute power.
- Constitution: A set of fundamental principles that govern a country.
- Judiciary: The system of courts responsible for interpreting laws.
- Executive: The branch of government responsible for implementing laws.
- Legislature: A group of people responsible for making laws.
- Referendum: A public vote on a specific issue or policy.
- Civil rights: The rights of individuals to political and social freedom.
- Human rights: Fundamental rights that belong to every individual.
- Justice: Fair treatment in accordance with the law.
- Criminal justice: The system for addressing crime and enforcing laws.
- Penalty: A punishment imposed for breaking a law.
- Amendment: A change or addition to a legal document or law.
- Corruption: Dishonest behavior by those in power, often involving bribery.
- Law enforcement: Agencies responsible for maintaining public order and safety.
- Regulation: Rules or directives made and maintained by authorities.
- Taxation: The system of collecting money from individuals or businesses by the government.
- Diplomacy: Managing international relations through negotiations.
- Election: The process of selecting representatives through voting.
- Lobbying: Influencing government decisions or policies by special interest groups.
- Sanction: A penalty imposed on a country to force compliance with international laws.
- Immigration: The act of moving to another country for permanent residence.
- Asylum: Protection granted to individuals fleeing persecution.
9. Media and Communication Vocabulary with Definitions
- Mass media: Channels of communication, such as TV, radio, and newspapers, that reach a wide audience.
- Social media: Platforms that enable users to create and share content or participate in networking.
- Broadcast: Transmitting a program or message through TV or radio.
- Journalism: The activity of gathering, assessing, and presenting news.
- Advertisement: A public promotion of products or services.
- Censorship: The suppression or restriction of material deemed inappropriate.
- Bias: A prejudice in favor of or against something, often unfairly.
- Tabloid: A newspaper focused on sensational news and entertainment.
- Headline: The title of a news article, usually in bold letters.
- Freedom of speech: The right to express one’s opinions publicly.
- Fake news: False or misleading information presented as news.
- Propaganda: Biased information used to influence public opinion.
- Press: Newspapers, magazines, and journalists.
- Broadcasting: The distribution of audio or video content to the public.
- Digital media: Electronic forms of communication like websites, apps, and streaming.
- Public relations: Managing communication between an organization and the public.
- Infographic: A visual representation of information or data.
- Podcast: A digital audio or video file series, often on specific topics.
- Editorial: An article expressing the editor’s opinion.
- Plagiarism: Copying someone else’s work without proper acknowledgment.
- Interview: A conversation where one person asks questions to another for information.
- Press release: An official statement delivered to media outlets.
- Subscriber: Someone who pays for access to a publication or service.
- Content creator: Someone who produces material for digital platforms.
- Media literacy: The ability to critically evaluate and use media effectively.
10. Transportation Vocabulary with Definitions
- Infrastructure: Basic physical systems like roads, bridges, and railways.
- Public transport: Shared modes of transportation like buses and trains.
- Commuter: A person who travels to and from work regularly.
- Congestion: Overcrowding, often referring to traffic.
- Highway: A major road for fast-moving traffic.
- Bypass: A road built around a town to reduce traffic within it.
- Subway: An underground train system in cities.
- Airline: A company that provides air travel services.
- Freight: Goods transported by truck, train, ship, or aircraft.
- Logistics: The organization and movement of goods and services.
- Emission: Pollutants released into the air by vehicles or machines.
- Ride-sharing: Carpooling services like Uber or Lyft.
- Electric vehicle: A vehicle powered by electricity rather than gasoline.
- Hybrid vehicle: A car powered by both electricity and gasoline.
- Cycling: Traveling by bicycle.
- Navigation: The process of planning and following a route.
- Traffic jam: A large number of vehicles stuck on the road.
- Driverless car: An autonomous vehicle that operates without human input.
- Fuel efficiency: The measure of how far a vehicle can travel on a certain amount of fuel.
- Railway: A system of tracks for trains.
- Airport: A location where airplanes take off and land.
- Port: A location where ships load and unload goods.
- Transit hub: A central location for the transfer of passengers or goods.
- Speed limit: The maximum legal driving speed.
- Urban mobility: Transportation options in city environments.
11. Crime and Punishment Vocabulary with Definitions
- Crime: An illegal act punishable by law.
- Punishment: The penalty imposed for committing a crime.
- Law enforcement: Police and agencies that ensure laws are followed.
- Offense: A violation of the law.
- Felony: A serious crime, such as murder or robbery.
- Misdemeanor: A minor wrongdoing or crime.
- Trial: A legal process to determine guilt or innocence.
- Verdict: The decision made by a jury or judge in a trial.
- Sentence: The punishment assigned to a convicted individual.
- Imprisonment: The act of being confined to jail or prison.
- Parole: Conditional release of a prisoner before their sentence is complete.
- Probation: A court-ordered period of supervision instead of jail time.
- Criminal: A person who has committed a crime.
- Defendant: An individual accused of a crime in court.
- Prosecutor: A lawyer who represents the government in a criminal case.
- Defense attorney: A lawyer who represents the accused in a criminal trial.
- Evidence: Information used to prove or disprove allegations in court.
- Witness: A person who sees a crime or testifies in court.
- Theft: The act of stealing.
- Fraud: Deception intended to result in financial or personal gain.
- Arson: The criminal act of deliberately setting fire to property.
- Assault: The act of causing physical harm to another person.
- Homicide: The act of killing another person.
- Cybercrime: Criminal activities carried out using computers or the internet.
- Juvenile delinquent: A young person who commits a crime.