IELTS academic words English lesson 3 pdf

Video Lessons


ACADEMIC
VOCABULARY
F O R I E LT S
LESSON 3


ACADEMIC VOCABULARY FOR IELTS
• Nouns
• Verbs
• Adjectives
• Adverbs
• Definitions
• Extra language


PREDOMINANTLY
• Mainly; in the majority
• Elected politicians are predominantly male. Clearly steps should be taken to
increase the number of females in politics.
• As polar bears predominantly hunt for seals from the ice, the fact that ice in the
region melts more quickly than it used to seriously affects the bears’ ability to find
food.
• There is a predominant view in society that older people have less worth than the
young.This notion should obviously be challenged.
• It is estimated that China will become the predominant economic power by 2050.
• It is often said that the love of money predominates in our modern capitalist
society.
• Amongst engineers, there is a large predominance of males.

PREDOMINANTLY
• Elected politicians are predominantly male. Clearly steps should be taken to
increase the number of females in politics.
• As polar bears predominantly hunt for seals from the ice, the fact that ice in the
region melts more quickly than it used to seriously affects the bears’ ability to find
food.
• There is a predominant view in society that older people have less worth than the
young.This notion should obviously be challenged.
• It is estimated that China will become the predominant economic power by 2050.
• It is often said that the love of money predominates in our modern capitalist
society.
• Amongst engineers, there is a large predominance of males.


OBTAIN
• To get (often after a difficult process)
• Sadly, some individuals do not have the right to leave their country without first
obtaining permission.
• It is perfectly reasonable that police officers should have to obtain a great deal of
evidence before bringing charges against a suspect.
• As the diagram suggests, rubber can be obtained through a complex process with
several key stages.
• Hospitals in war-torn regions often struggle to obtain the necessary medications
to treat badly-injured patients.
• Some argue that more individuals become addicted to drugs when they are easily
obtainable.
• In refugee camps, nutritious food is often unobtainable.

OBTAIN
• Sadly, some individuals do not have the right to leave their country
without first obtaining permission.
• It is perfectly reasonable that police officers should have to obtain a
great deal of evidence before bringing charges against a suspect.
• As the diagram suggests, rubber can be obtained through a complex
process with several key stages.
• Hospitals in war-torn regions often struggle to obtain the necessary
medications to treat badly-injured patients.
• Some argue that more individuals become addicted to drugs when
they are easily obtainable.
• In refugee camps, nutritious food is often unobtainable.


AMBIGUOUS
• Having two meanings; being contradictory
• The government’s attitude towards the environment seems somewhat ambiguous:
on the one hand, politicians encourage the building of new airports and
motorways, but on the other hand they impose taxes on industries which heavily
pollute.
• There is a degree of ambiguity in this approach: the government has agreed to
provide a large quantity of foreign aid to developing countries, but at the same
time it insists that these same countries continue to repay their debts.
• Usually, if you analyses a politicians words closely enough, you will find a great
many ambiguities in what she or he says. Politicians’ speeches are rarely logical or
coherent.
• My position is entirely unambiguous: democracy is always the best form of
government.

AMBIGUOUS
• The government’s attitude towards the environment seems somewhat ambiguous:
on the one hand, politicians encourage the building of new airports and
motorways, but on the other hand they impose taxes on industries which heavily
pollute.
• There is a degree of ambiguity in this approach: the government has agreed to
provide a large quantity of foreign aid to developing countries, but at the same
time it insists that these same countries continue to repay their debts.
• Usually, if you analyses a politicians words closely enough, you will find a great
many ambiguities in what she or he says. Politicians’ speeches are rarely logical or
coherent.
• My position is entirely unambiguous: democracy is always the best form of
government.


EFFECT
• Influence; causing a change
• The environment in which zoo animals are kept can have a massive effect on their
behavior.
• It has been shown that sleeping and eating well can affect a person’s self-esteem.
• Showing children how to cook is an effective way to stop them becoming obese.
• The police introduced a ‘name and shame’ policy where they published
photographs of convicted criminals online. Unfortunately, this proved very
ineffective as many of those whose pictures appeared actually seemed to enjoy it.
• Technology has effectively ended the need for paper and pen. (in reality)
• The effectiveness of new treatments for diseases like measles are quite
remarkable. Many of these illnesses- which would have proved deadly in the pastare now easily controlled with drugs.
• Despite its proven ineffectiveness, schools still give detention to misbehaving
pupils.

EFFECT
• The environment in which zoo animals are kept can have a massive effect on their
behavior.
• It has been shown that sleeping and eating well can affect a person’s self-esteem.
• Showing children how to cook is an effective way to stop them becoming obese.
• The police introduced a ‘name and shame’ policy where they published
photographs of convicted criminals online. Unfortunately, this proved very
ineffective as many of those whose pictures appeared actually seemed to enjoy it.
• Technology has effectively ended the need for paper and pen.
• The effectiveness of new treatments for diseases like measles are quite
remarkable. Many of these illnesses- which would have proved deadly in the pastare now easily controlled with drugs.
• Despite its proven ineffectiveness, schools still give detention to misbehaving
pupils.


NOTEWORTHY
• Significant; important enough to pay attention to
• The sharp rise in living standards is noteworthy.
• There was a noteworthy fall in the number of cars reported stolen
between January and July of 2014.
• It is worth noting that sales of consumer durables fell slightly during
the first half of the nineteen-nineties before experiencing a
moderate rise in the period leading up to the year 2000.
• There was a notable fall in sales of washing machines during the first
five years of the period in question.
• Consumption of fresh fish fell notably/ noticeably during the first half
of the twentieth century, according to the figures provided.

NOTEWORTHY
• The sharp rise in living standards is noteworthy.
• There was a noteworthy fall in the number of cars reported stolen
between January and July of 2014.
• It is worth noting that sales of consumer durables fell slightly during
the first half of the nineteen-nineties before experiencing a
moderate rise in the period leading up to the year 2000.
• There was a notable fall in sales of washing machines during the first
five years of the period in question.
• Consumption of fresh fish fell notably/ noticeably during the first half
of the twentieth century, according to the figures provided.


WORRYINGLY
• Badly; causing concern; causing us to think that something is wrong
• Worryingly, much of the land now used for farming is turning into desert.This
process of desertification could make it incredibly difficult for our civilization to
produce enough food in the future.
• The number of children addicted to cigarettes has risen worryingly quickly in the
last few decades.
• The fact that so many young children are clinically obese is a genuine worry.
• I am deeply worried by the fact that social media seems to be taking over the lives
of so many impressionable youngsters.
• The situation for many young adults is worrying: they cannot find a job and thus
can easily become homeless and destitute.
• It worries me that so many governments seem to have access to nuclear, chemical
and biological weapons which could destroy our species.

WORRYINGLY
• Worryingly, much of the land now used for farming is turning into desert.This
process of desertification could make it incredibly difficult for our civilization to
produce enough food in the future.
• The number of children addicted to cigarettes has risen worryingly quickly in the
last few decades.
• The fact that so many young children are clinically obese is a genuine worry.
• I am deeply worried by the fact that social media seems to be taking over the lives
of so many impressionable youngsters.
• The situation for many young adults is worrying: they cannot find a job and thus
can easily become homeless and destitute.
• It worries me that so many governments seem to have access to nuclear, chemical
and biological weapons which could destroy our species.


ENSURE
• To make sure
• It is the job of police-officers to ensure that when the law is broken, those
responsible are arrested.
• Although governments often want to ensure the development of tourism, they
regularly ignore the environmental damage caused by building hotels and other
facilities which tourist resorts need.
• Universities need to ensure that the quality of teaching which students receive
remains high.
• When the authorities want to build a new airport, they attempt to assure local
residents that noise levels will not be excessively high. (to suggest no need to
worry))
• It is vital that ‘whistle-blowers’ are given assurances that they will not be punished
for exposing the truth about the organization they work for. (promises that there
is no need to worry))

ENSURE
• It is the job of police-officers to ensure that when the law is broken, those
responsible are arrested.
• Although governments often want to ensure the development of tourism, they
regularly ignore the environmental damage caused by building hotels and other
facilities which tourist resorts need.
• Universities need to ensure that the quality of teaching which students receive
remains high.
• When the authorities want to build a new airport, they attempt to assure local
residents that noise levels will not be excessively high.
• It is vital that ‘whistle-blowers’ are given assurances that they will not be punished
for exposing the truth about the organization they work for.


INVOLVED
• To be connected; to have a relationship with
• Many individuals get/ become involved in charity work
• Scientists involved in experiments with animals have often been
criticized for being callous and uncaring.
• Involving children in decisions about what they should learn at
school allows them to become mature and to take greater
responsibility for their learning.
• The involvement of sixteen different countries in the development of
The International Space Station has made it a truly international
project.


INVOLVED

• Many individuals get/ become involved in charity work
• Scientists involved in experiments with animals have often been
criticized for being callous and uncaring.
• Involving children in decisions about what they should learn at
school allows them to become mature and to take greater
responsibility for their learning.
• The involvement of sixteen different countries in the development of
The International Space Station has made it a truly international
project.


TEND
• To be more likely; to be more usual
• Studies indicate that women tend to be more sociable than their
male counterparts.
• In the past, people tended to die in their sixties and seventies.
Nowadays it is entirely usual for individuals to live well into their
eighties and nineties.
• There is an unfortunate tendency for wealthier individuals to feel
superior to those with less money.
• The statistical information indicates a tendency for graduates to live
in cities and for non-graduates to have homes in villages and rural
areas.


TEND
• Studies indicate that women tend to be more sociable than their
male counterparts.
• In the past, people tended to die in their sixties and seventies.
Nowadays it is entirely usual for individuals to live well into their

eighties and nineties.
• There is an unfortunate tendency for wealthier individuals to feel
superior to those with less money.
• The statistical information indicates a tendency for graduates to live
in cities and for non-graduates to have homes in villages and rural
areas.


DECIDE
• To choose; to take the option you prefer
• Anyone who decides to have cosmetic surgery should make themselves aware of
all the potential risks involved before undergoing the procedure.
• Research suggests that humans tend to make decisions based on subconscious
rather than conscious motivations.
• Police officers are trained to act decisively when confronted by civil disobedience,
violent demonstrations, looting or rioting. If officers in this situation were to act
indecisively, the problem would probably be exacerbated.
• There was a decided rise in sales of mobile technology during the period in
question. (significant)
• Despite the obvious risks, it is decidedly difficult to persuade motorcyclists and
cycle-users to wear helmets and adequate protective clothing. (extremely)


DECIDE
• Anyone who decides to have cosmetic surgery should make themselves aware of
all the potential risks involved before undergoing the procedure.
• Research suggests that humans tend to make decisions based on subconscious
rather than conscious motivations.
• Police officers are trained to act decisively when confronted by civil disobedience,
violent demonstrations, looting or rioting. If officers in this situation were to act

indecisively, the problem would probably be exacerbated.
• There was a decided rise in sales of mobile technology during the period in
question.
• Despite the obvious risks, it is decidedly difficult to persuade motorcyclists and
cycle-users to wear helmets and adequate protective clothing.


WHAT SHALL I DO NOW?
• Study the language in this lesson
• Complete the quiz for this lesson
• Study related topics on the course
• Visit our website at www.prepareforielts.com
• Find out about our other IELTS courses
• Get your IELTS Speaking marked by experts
• Get your IELTS Writing marked by experts
• See lots of FREE IELTS resources created by experts


Copyright