Vocabulary for High Scores

Interactive Listening Tasks

📚 Based on the lecture: Answer the following questions about vocabulary strategies.

Part 1: Multiple Choice

• What are collocations, and why are they important for IELTS?
  A) Rare words that impress the examiner

  B) Only verb tenses

  C) Words that naturally go together (e.g., "strong evidence", "make a decision"); they show natural, sophisticated English.

  D) Synonyms for simple words
  Correct: C. Collocations demonstrate lexical fluency. Examiners look for natural word partnerships, not isolated rare words.
• According to the lecture, what is the best way to learn new vocabulary for IELTS?
  A) Memorise long lists of random words every day

  B) Learn words in context (thematic groups + example sentences) and practise paraphrasing

  C) Only learn words from the Academic Word List, ignoring others

  D) Never use a dictionary
  Correct: B. Contextual learning and active use (writing/speaking) are far more effective than isolated memorisation.
• How can paraphrasing improve your Lexical Resource score?
  A) It shows range and flexibility by expressing the same idea using different words

  B) It allows you to copy the question directly

  C) It is only useful in Listening, not Writing

  D) It reduces your word count
  Correct: A. Paraphrasing demonstrates control of synonyms and grammatical structures, a key Band 7+ criterion.

Part 2: True / False / Not Given

• Using the same word repeatedly (e.g., "good" many times) can lower your Lexical Resource score.
  TrueFalseNot Given
  True. A wide range of vocabulary is assessed; repetition indicates limited range.
• You should only use formal, academic words in the IELTS Speaking test, even in Part 1.
  TrueFalseNot Given
  False. Speaking requires appropriate register; natural conversational language is acceptable, especially in Part 1.
• Topic-specific vocabulary (e.g., "sustainable", "renewable" for environment) can boost your score.
  TrueFalseNot Given
  True. Precision and relevance are valued; general words are less impressive.
• The lecture recommends learning 50 new words every day in the week before the exam.
  TrueFalseNot Given
  Not Given. The lecture does not suggest a specific daily number; it emphasises quality and context.
• Spelling mistakes do not affect your vocabulary score because vocabulary is separate from spelling.
  TrueFalseNot Given
  False. In Writing, spelling errors are penalised; they can reduce your Lexical Resource band.