IELTS Writing Task 2 Vocabulary: Academic Words That Score High
In IELTS Writing Task 2, vocabulary directly determines 25% of your score. The criterion is called “Lexical Resource,” and it measures your ability to use a range of vocabulary accurately, with appropriate word choice and style. You cannot reach Band 7 by writing well-structured essays with basic vocabulary — the words themselves matter.
This guide gives you:
- the exact vocabulary categories that IELTS examiners look for,
- 100+ words and phrases organized by function,
- before-and-after essay examples showing how vocabulary changes your band score,
- the most common vocabulary mistakes in IELTS essays.
How Vocabulary Is Scored in Writing Task 2
IELTS examiners assess Lexical Resource on four dimensions:
- Range — Do you use enough different words? Repeating “important” five times in one essay lowers your score.
- Accuracy — Are your word choices correct? Using “emphasize” when you mean “highlight” is an error.
- Appropriateness — Are your words formal enough for academic writing? “A lot of” is too informal; “a considerable number of” fits better.
- Collocation — Do your word combinations sound natural? “Make a decision” is correct; “do a decision” is not.
| Band | Lexical Resource Description |
|---|---|
| 5 | Limited range, noticeable errors, repetitive |
| 6 | Adequate range, some inaccuracies in word choice |
| 7 | Sufficient range for flexibility and precision, occasional errors |
| 8 | Wide range, skillful use of uncommon vocabulary, rare errors |
| 9 | Full flexibility, natural and sophisticated, virtually error-free |
Category 1: Giving Opinions
IELTS Writing Task 2 almost always asks for your opinion. These phrases replace “I think”:
Band 5–6 (Basic)
- I think that…
- In my opinion…
- I believe…
Band 7+ (Academic)
- From my perspective, …
- I would argue that…
- It is widely acknowledged that…
- It can be contended that…
- There is a compelling argument for…
- It is my conviction that…
Band 8+ (Sophisticated)
- It is a commonly held view that… however, I would contend that…
- While some advocate for X, I maintain that…
- The notion that X is Y merits careful examination.
Example upgrade:
- Band 5: I think technology is good for education.
- Band 7: I would argue that technology has a predominantly beneficial impact on education.
- Band 8: There is a compelling argument that technological integration has fundamentally transformed educational outcomes.
Category 2: Contrasting and Conceding
Essays that compare two sides need strong contrast vocabulary.
| Band 5–6 | Band 7+ |
|---|---|
| But… | However, … / Nevertheless, … |
| On the other hand… | Conversely, … / By contrast, … |
| Even though… | Notwithstanding… / Despite the fact that… |
| Some people disagree | Critics of this view contend that… |
| It has good and bad sides | This issue presents both advantages and drawbacks |
Useful contrast phrases for Band 7+
- Nevertheless, the evidence suggests otherwise.
- Whereas some prioritize economic growth, others advocate for environmental sustainability.
- Despite the prevalence of this view, it fails to account for…
- Notwithstanding the benefits, there are substantial risks.
- This argument, compelling though it may be, overlooks…
Category 3: Cause and Effect
Many Task 2 questions ask why something happens or what the effects are.
| Band 5–6 | Band 7+ |
|---|---|
| Because of this… | Consequently, … / As a result, … |
| This leads to… | This gives rise to … / This precipitates … |
| The reason is… | This can be attributed to … |
| This causes… | This contributes to … / This exacerbates … |
| It affects… | It has far-reaching implications for… |
Useful cause-and-effect phrases
- The proliferation of social media has contributed to increased anxiety among teenagers.
- This trend can be attributed to rising urbanization.
- Government policies have inadvertently exacerbated the housing crisis.
- Consequently, many communities face unprecedented challenges.
Category 4: Adding Information and Examples
| Band 5–6 | Band 7+ |
|---|---|
| Also… | Furthermore, … / Moreover, … |
| For example… | To illustrate, … / A case in point is … |
| And another thing… | In addition, … / Equally significant is … |
| This is because… | This is evidenced by … / This is exemplified by … |
Useful addition phrases
- Furthermore, recent studies demonstrate that…
- Moreover, this phenomenon extends beyond individual cases.
- A case in point is the rise of remote work during the pandemic.
- This observation is corroborated by data from…
Category 5: Concluding
| Band 5–6 | Band 7+ |
|---|---|
| In conclusion… | To summarize, … / In light of the above, … |
| So we can see that… | It is evident that … / The evidence compellingly suggests that… |
| I believe that… | On balance, I would argue that… |
| To sum up… | Ultimately, … / Taking all factors into account, … |
Strong conclusion starters
- In light of the above analysis, it is clear that…
- On balance, the benefits of X outweigh the drawbacks.
- Ultimately, the most pragmatic approach involves…
- Taking all factors into account, I maintain that…
Category 6: Topic-Specific Academic Vocabulary
Education
| Word | Usage |
|---|---|
| curriculum | The national curriculum should include financial literacy. |
| pedagogy | Modern pedagogy emphasizes critical thinking over memorization. |
| literacy | Digital literacy is now as essential as traditional reading. |
| academic achievement | Parental involvement correlates with academic achievement. |
| rote learning | Rote learning limits creative problem-solving skills. |
Environment
| Word | Usage |
|---|---|
| sustainability | Long-term sustainability requires systematic policy changes. |
| biodiversity | Deforestation threatens biodiversity in tropical regions. |
| carbon emissions | Reducing carbon emissions is a global priority. |
| renewable energy | Investment in renewable energy has increased substantially. |
| ecological balance | Industrial farming disrupts ecological balance. |
Technology
| Word | Usage |
|---|---|
| automation | Automation is transforming the labor market. |
| digital literacy | Schools must prioritize digital literacy in their curricula. |
| data privacy | Data privacy has become a pressing concern. |
| artificial intelligence | Artificial intelligence presents both opportunities and risks. |
| technological advancement | Rapid technological advancement outpaces regulatory frameworks. |
Health and Society
| Word | Usage |
|---|---|
| well-being | Mental well-being deserves as much attention as physical health. |
| life expectancy | Improvements in healthcare have raised life expectancy. |
| inequality | Economic inequality remains a persistent challenge. |
| urbanization | Rapid urbanization strains infrastructure and public services. |
| globalization | Globalization has accelerated cultural exchange. |
Before and After: Full Paragraph Comparison
Band 5 Version
Nowadays, many young people use social media a lot. This is bad because it makes them feel sad and they compare themselves to others. I think the government should do something about this problem. For example, they could make rules about social media. In conclusion, social media has good and bad sides but the bad sides are more.
Band 7+ Version
The proliferation of social media among young people has given rise to growing concerns about mental health. Research demonstrates that excessive social media use contributes to heightened anxiety and diminished self-esteem, primarily because users inevitably compare their lives to curated online personas. Consequently, there is a compelling case for government intervention. For instance, regulatory frameworks could mandate age-appropriate content guidelines and limit algorithmic targeting of minors. On balance, while social media offers undeniable benefits in terms of connectivity, its detrimental impact on youth well-being outweighs these advantages.
What changed:
- “a lot” → “proliferation”
- “bad” → “detrimental”
- “makes them feel sad” → “contributes to heightened anxiety and diminished self-esteem”
- “I think” → “there is a compelling case”
- “good and bad sides” → “undeniable benefits” and “detrimental impact”
- Added academic connectors: consequently, on balance, for instance
Vocabulary Snippet — IELTS Writing Words
Save these high-impact Writing Task 2 words to your Linglify dictionary.
consequently
adverb
As a result; therefore.
Examples
- He missed several classes and consequently fell behind in his studies.
- The weather was terrible, and consequently the outdoor concert was cancelled.
demonstrate
verb
To show or prove something clearly, often by giving examples or evidence.
Examples
- Protesters demonstrate outside the government building every Friday afternoon.
- The teacher will demonstrate the proper technique for the science experiment.
emphasize
verb
To give special importance to something when speaking or writing.
Examples
- Parents should emphasize the value of honesty and integrity to children.
- The speaker will emphasize the main points using visual slides and examples.
enhance
verb
To improve or make something better.
Examples
- New software will enhance the computer's performance and processing speed.
- Regular exercise can enhance both physical health and mental wellbeing.
evaluate
verb
To judge or measure the value, quality, or importance of something.
Examples
- Companies evaluate job candidates based on experience, skills, and personality.
- Teachers evaluate student progress through tests, projects, and classroom participation.
facilitate
verb
To make something easier or possible by providing help or support.
Examples
- Technology can facilitate learning by making information more accessible to students.
- The new software will facilitate communication between different departments.
fundamental
adjective
Essential or basic; forming the foundation of something.
Examples
- Reading and writing are fundamental skills for academic success.
- There are fundamental differences between the two political parties' policies.
furthermore
adverb
Moreover; in addition to what has been said.
Examples
- She speaks three languages fluently; furthermore, she's learning a fourth.
- The plan is expensive; furthermore, it may not work as expected.
illustrate
verb
To make something clearer or easier to understand by giving examples or pictures.
Examples
- The children's book uses colorful pictures to illustrate the story.
- This example will illustrate how the new system works in practice.
implication
noun
A suggestion or hint about something that is not directly stated.
Examples
- Scientists are studying the implications of climate change for future generations.
- The implication of his statement was that he disagreed with the policy.
inevitable
adjective
Certain to happen and cannot be avoided.
Examples
- Change is inevitable in life, and we must learn to adapt.
- The inevitable result of poor planning is confusion and failure.
perspective
noun
A noun for a particular way of looking at or thinking about something.
Examples
- Different perspective helps solve complex problems creatively.
- Historical perspective reveals patterns in human behavior.
priority
noun
The importance or urgency given to something in planning or decision-making.
Examples
- Family safety is top priority during emergency.
- Student education should be national funding priority.
significant
adjective
Having a lot of importance or meaning; not minor.
Examples
- Significant improvement shows in student test scores.
- Significant investment required for business expansion plan.
substantial
adjective
Important or large enough to have a noticeable effect.
Examples
- Substantial improvement shows in student test scores.
- Substantial investment creates new business opportunities today.
transform
verb
To change the form or appearance of something into a different one.
Examples
- Education can transform person's life opportunities completely.
- Technology will transform how people work communicate.
ultimately
adverb
In the end; after everything else has been considered or done.
Examples
- Ultimately, family happiness matters most in life.
- Ultimately, hard work leads to success achievement.
undertake
verb
To take on a task or responsibility, often involving effort or risk.
Examples
- Company will undertake major expansion project next.
- Students undertake research projects during final semester.
CD player
noun
A device that plays audio CDs, A device that plays audio from CDs.
Examples
- He found an old CD player in the attic.
- He played his favorite songs on the CD player.
- The CD player stopped working.
downside
noun
Moving or falling toward the bottom or lower position.
Examples
- One downside of the plan is the cost.
- The downside is that it takes more time.
knickers
noun
Underwear worn by women or girls, covering the lower body.
Examples
- He was wearing colorful knickers.
- She bought a new pair of knickers.
sustainable
adjective
This adjective describes something that can be maintained or continued without depleting resources.
Examples
- Company implements sustainable business model for long-term success.
- Sustainable farming practices protect soil and water resources.
rectify
verb
To correct or make something right, especially an error or problem.
Examples
- The company is working to rectify the situation.
- We need to rectify the errors in the report.
beneficial
adjective
Helpful or good for health or success.
Examples
- Regular exercise is beneficial for both physical and mental health.
- The new policy proved beneficial for small business owners.
comprehensive
adjective
Including all necessary details and information, covering a wide range.
Examples
- Students need comprehensive insurance coverage while studying abroad.
- The comprehensive report covers all aspects of the company's financial performance.
5 Mistakes That Lower Your Writing Vocabulary Score
1. Overusing the same word. If you write “important” four times, your range score drops. Use synonyms: crucial, essential, pivotal, vital.
2. Using informal language. Avoid contractions (don’t, won’t), slang (kids, stuff, cool), and vague words (things, a lot). Academic writing requires formal register.
3. Forcing complex words incorrectly. “The government should ameliorate the situation by doing education” is worse than “The government should improve access to education.” Accuracy beats complexity.
4. Ignoring collocations. “Make progress” is correct; “do progress” is not. “A significant number” works; “a significant amount of people” does not (use “number” for countable nouns).
5. Only using linking words at the start of sentences. “However, X. Furthermore, Y. Moreover, Z.” This pattern sounds mechanical. Vary the position: “X, however, remains contested.”
What to Do Next
- Open one of the IELTS vocabulary lists and add 10 writing-specific words:
- Write one Task 2 essay this week using at least 5 words from this guide.
- Learn Task 1 vocabulary too — it requires a completely different word set. See our IELTS Writing Task 1 vocabulary guide for 150+ words for describing charts, graphs, and maps.
- Master paraphrasing with our Synonyms for IELTS guide — 200+ synonyms organized by the words candidates overuse most.
- Read the complete IELTS vocabulary guide for all sections: The Complete IELTS Vocabulary Guide
FAQ
What vocabulary score do I need for Band 7 overall?
You need at least Band 7 in Lexical Resource to reliably achieve an overall Band 7 in Writing. This means demonstrating “sufficient range to allow some flexibility and precision” with only “occasional inaccuracies in word choice.”
How many academic words should I use in one essay?
There is no magic number. Focus on replacing 5–8 basic words with academic alternatives in each essay. This is enough to demonstrate range without sounding forced.
Can I use idioms in Writing Task 2?
Avoid them. Idioms are typically informal and can sound out of place in academic writing. Save idiomatic expressions for the Speaking test. In Writing, use formal academic vocabulary instead.
Should I learn words by topic or by function?
Both. Learn topic vocabulary (environment, technology, education) so you have words for any essay prompt. Learn functional vocabulary (contrast, cause-effect, opinion) so you can structure your arguments. This guide covers both categories.
How do I avoid repeating the same word?
Build synonym chains. For “increase”: rise, surge, escalate, grow, expand, soar. For “important”: crucial, significant, essential, vital, pivotal, fundamental. Practice swapping them in essays until it feels natural.
