Units 1-2

Collocations
These are common collocations for the vocabulary
presented in the units. idealistic
an idealistic notion/vision/view

Unit 1___________________ tolerant

tolerant of something
People and relationships: a tolerant society/country/attitude
client racially tolerant
a firm’s clients vulnerable
advise/represent a client vulnerable to something
a prospective client vulnerable to attack/damage/fire
parent vulnerable children/women/people
the parents of someone a vulnerable position
a foster/adoptive/birth/single/lone parent especially/highly/increasingly vulnerable

sibling
a younger/elder sibling
Unit 2_________________
sibling rivalry
Health problems:
addiction
Adjectives to describe people:
addiction to something
autonomous
drug/heroin/cocaine/nicotine/alcohol addiction
an autonomous individual
a long-term/chronic/serious addiction
an autonomous region/republic/province/unit
cure/treat/overcome/fight against/feed
fiercely/relatively/largely autonomous
an addiction
consistent an addiction problem/clinic/counsellor
a consistent player/performer
allergy
consistent with something
an allergy to something
consistent with a finding/hypothesis
develop/diagnose/treat/trigger/cause
entirely/fairly/broadly/remarkably consistent
an allergy
conventional a severe/common/serious/
conventional wisdom/thinking/treatment/ life-threatening allergy
methods a food/peanut/penicillin/skin allergy
conventional forces/weapons allergy sufferers/symptoms
co-operative dehydration
a co-operative approach/effort/relationship avoid/prevent/cause/suffer from dehydration
efficient severe/mild/extreme dehydration
an efficient use of something disease
an efficient way of doing something a fatal/deadly/chronic disease
an efficient manner heart/lung/kidney disease
highly/extremely efficient transmit/contract/develop a disease
fuel/energy efficient prevent/treat/cure/fight a disease
flexible diagnose/spread/cause a disease
a flexible approach/system/arrangement infection
flexible working/working hours a viral/bacterial/urinary/respiratory infection
a flexible rate/market a chest/ear/lung infection

Collocations
 contract/transmit/spread an infection
prevent/combat/fight/treat/cure/
Unit 3
detect an infection A cad em ic subjects:
infection control/prevention archaeology
obesity an archaeology student/professor/
tackle/prevent/fight/reduce/cause obesity lecturer/department
the obesity epidemic/rate/problem maritime/biblical/industrial/classical
childhood/child/adult obesity archaeology
morbid/extreme/severe obesity astronomy
stroke an astronomy professor/enthusiast/
a suspected/minor/severe/fatal/mini stroke mission
a stroke victim/patient/unit planetary/optical/theoretical/modern
suffer/have/prevent a stroke astronomy

economics
V e rb s associated w ith tre a tm e n t: an economics professor/degree/department
adm inister Keynesian/classical/experimental/
administered by someone/something free-market economics
administer something to someone development/market economics
administer a dose/injection/vaccine/drug
administer medication/antibiotics/morphine geology
orally/intravenously administered the geology of somewhere
the geology of the area/region/island/earth
diagnose
someone is diagnosed with something linguistics
someone/something is diagnosed as something modern/historical/applied linguistics
diagnosed with cancer/diabetes/leukaemia psychology
diagnosed with a disorder/disease/tumour educational/evolutionary psychology
diagnosed as epileptic/diabetic clinical/cognitive psychology
examine sociology
a doctor/psychiatrist/specialist the sociology of something
examines someone the sociology of religion/science
examine a patient a sociology professor/lecturer/department/student
examine someone carefully
examined by someone A cad em ic a c tiv itie s :
analyse
screen
analyse data/statistics/results/trends
screen for something
analyse a sample
screen for a disease/abnormality/condition
analyse something critically/
screen for TB/diabetes/cancer
carefully/scientifically
screen a patient/donor
routinely/properly screen claim
cla im falsely/rig htly/wrongly/repeatedly
vaccinate
a true/false claim
vaccinated against something
vaccinated against smallpox/measles/ define
flu/rabies define something as/in terms of something
fully vaccinated define a term/concept
children/adults/animals are vaccinated a rule/law defines something
have someone vaccinated clearly/narrowly/broadly defined

112 Vocabulary for IELTS

 Units 3 -4

evaluate seek help/advice/refuge/treatment

evaluate a situation/impact/risk seek approval/permission/compensation
evaluate the effectiveness of something actively/eagerly/urgently/desperately/
evaluate the performance of someone unsuccessfully seek
carefully evaluate something
Nouns associated with travel
investigate
and adventure:
investigate a link/case/incident/complaint/
challenge
allegation
present/pose/accept/face/meet a challenge
thoroughly/fully/properly investigate
a serious/real/major/great challenge
a legal challenge
Nouns associated with research:
evidence destination
evidence of/for something a tourist/holiday/travel/popular/
find/gather/collect evidence favourite destination
present/produce evidence a final/ultimate destination
evidence suggests/shows
route
clear/strong/conclusive evidence
a route to/from somewhere
hypothesis take/follow/choose/travel a route
test/support/confirm/propose a hypothesis a main/direct/circuitous/alternative/
a null/testable/alternative hypothesis scenic route
a trade/escape/supply/bus route
theory
a route map/network
a theory of something
the theory of evolution/relativity
develop/propose/formulate/test/
Adjectives to describe experiences:
prove/apply a theory
intense
intense heat/pain/pressure/scrutiny/
a scientific/an evolutionary theory
fighting
intense debate/speculation/negotiations
Unit U_______________ intense competition/rivalry

Verbs associated with travel and pivotal

adventure: pivotal in something
accompany a pivotal role/moment/figure/point/
accompanied by someone position
accompanied by a bodyguard/adult/escort potentially/absolutely pivotal
accompany a text/illustration/article prove/become pivotal

delay profound
delay the onset/start of something a profound sense of something
a profound change/impact/effect/
encounter influence/implication
encounter resistance/opposition profound shock/sadness
encounter a difficulty/problem
valuable
overcome extremely/less/very valuable
overcome a problem/difficulty/ prove/become valuable
injury/deficit/obstacle a valuable asset/lesson/resource/
seek experience
seek something from someone a valuable contribution/item
be sought for something valuable property/information/advice

Collocations 113
 the full/overall/approximate/
Unit 5 minimum/maximum width
Nouns to describe dimensions:
angle Actions:
a 90-degree/£5-degree/acute angle
adjust
adjust to something
circumference adjusted for something
the circumference of something adjust figures/rates
in circumference adjust something to reflect/fit something
measure the circumference seasonally/periodically/automatically/
manually adjusted
diam eter
a diameter of x cm convey
x cm in diameter convey a sense/impression of something
convey the meaning of something
height convey something vividly/powerfully/accurately
a height of x convey information/emotion
have/reach a height of x convey a message
of medium/normal/average height
the maximum/minimum height launch
the average height launch a product/model/brand/book/magazine/car
the launch of something
length a product/book launch
the length of something an official launch
something stretches/extends the length of announce/delay/postpone a launch
something
have a length of x reinforce
reinforce a perception/view/impression/belief
measure/run/walk/travel the length of
something mutually/powerfully/constantly/
the entire/full/whole/total/overall
further reinforce something
length of something reinforce a notion/message/stereotype
powerfully/further reinforce something
radius
secure
a radius of/around something
secure a victory/conviction/place/win/deal
in/within a radius of something
secure the approval/support/backing of someone
a 50-mile/ten-mile/1km radius
secure funding/peace
a radius of x
the radius of a circle suspend
suspend something until a time
volume
immediately/temporarily/indefinitely
the volume of traffic/shares/data
suspend something
export/sales/traffic volume
suspended from a ceiling/rafter/hook
the average/total/estimated volume
suspended by wire/rope
the sheer/huge/high volume
increase/reduce volume
Unit 6___________________
width
the width of something Nouns associated with human
an amount in width geography
a width of x feet/inches/metres/miles commuter
adjust/vary/decrease/increase/extend a commuter train/plane/bus
the width a commuter town/belt

114 Vocabulary for IELTS

 Units 5-7

congestion urban
traffic/road/airport congestion urban sprawl/renewal/regeneration/
cause/increase congestion planning
reduce/ease congestion an urban neighbburhood/environment
congestion charge/charging urban warfare/poverty/living

resident
residents of/in somewhere Unit 7_______________
evacuate/warn/advise residents
residents say/fear/complain about/want/ R ep orting verb s:
report something advocate
former/local/permanent/nearby/elderly advocated by someone
residents advocate reform/legislation/violence
openly/strongly/publicly advocate
immigrant
a skilled/illegal immigrant acknowledge
a first-generation/second-generation acknowledge the existence/
immigrant importance of something
deport/detain/smuggle immigrants acknowledge the need for something
immigrants arrive/settle/flee acknowledge difficulties
an immigrant population/community/ publicly/readily acknowledge
worker/visa widely/universally acknowledged
infrastructure
dispute
the infrastructure of something
dispute a claim/assertion/allegation
have infrastructure in place dispute figures/facts
build/rebuild/improve/destroy infrastructure
hotly/vigorously/bitterly disputed
existing/basic infrastructure
transport/rail/telecommunications/security justify
infrastructure justified by something
entirely/wholly/amply justified
inhabitant
morally/ethically/rationally/economically/
the inhabitants of somewhere
scientifically justified
indigenous/native/original/local inhabitants
justify a war/invasion/action/expense
neighbourhood
a safe/good/bad/poor/quiet neighbourhood object
a residential/run-down neighbourhood object to something
object to the idea/notion/use
object strongly
Adjectives:
pioneering question
pioneering work/surgery/research question the validity/legality of something
a pioneering technique/concept/study question the wisdom/motives/integrity
a pioneering surgeon/conservationist/geologist of something/someone
historic
suggest
a historic agreement/decision/victory
evidence/research suggests
a historic achievement/opportunity
data/findings suggest something
a historic event/occasion/moment
a poll/study/report/study suggests
rural something
a rural area/community/population strongly/tentatively suggest
a rural economy/development/road suggest otherwise

Collocations 115
 Nouns associated with persuasion: poetry
benefit write/compose/publish poetry
the benefit of something recite/read/quote poetry
health/economic/financial/social benefit love/lyric/war/epic poetry
reap the benefit of something a poetry book/anthology
debate
a debate on/over/about/within something Adjectives:
a heated/lively/intense/ongoing debate classical
spark/provoke/trigger a debate classical music/ballet
classical tradition
drawback classical architecture/mythology/civilization
have drawbacks the classical world
outweigh/overcome drawbacks
the main/only drawback Verbs associated with involvement:
a big/major drawback assemble
proof assemble in/at somewhere
proof of something assemble for something
proof of identity/residency assemble for a meeting/ceremony/occasion
conclusive/definite/irrefutable/further/ a crowd/team assembles
concrete proof delegates/guests/workers assemble
need/provide/offer/furnish proof
attend
People who persuade: attended by someone
politician attend a meeting/conference/summit/funeral
a democratic/conservative/liberal/ delegates/guests/representatives
opposition politician attend something
a leading/senior/prominent/local/ sparsely/poorly/well attended
corrupt politician attend regularly/rarely
elect a politician
broadcast
politicians promise/claim/decide things
broadcast on something
broadcast on television/radio
Unit 8_______________ broadcast live
Nouns for cultural interests: broadcast a message/programme/image
current affairs a broadcasting network
a current affairs programme establish
drama establish a link/relationship
be in a drama firmly/quickly establish something
watch a drama
observe
a drama is set/filmed somewhere
scientists/researchers observe something
a drama is based on something
observe behaviour
a drama continues/begins/unfolds
closely observe
opera
an opera about something
organize
organize things by/into something
an opera singer/house
organize things by group/topic
orchestra organize things into units/sections/chapters
a chamber/symphony orchestra organize a meeting/conference/event/
conduct an orchestra demonstration
an orchestra plays/performs something well/poorly/highly organized

116 Vocabulary for IELTS

 Units 8-11

participate a letter/document/report/rule/
participate in something article states something
participate in a discussion/activity/debate/process
participate equally/willingly/effectively Adjectives:
accurate
reasonably/historically/scientifically/
Unit? factually accurate
accurate information/figures
Natural processes: an accurate description/measurement/
condense diagnosis/prediction
condense into/out of something
condense into rain/liquid/droplets
likely
likely to become/remain/continue/happen/cause
vapour/moisture/steam/gas condenses
be/seem/look/appear/become likely
a cloud condenses
more/most/very/highly/increasingly likely
contract less/as/not/also/quite likely
the throat contracts a likely target/explanation/outcome/candidate
the muscles/ventricles contract
contract rhythmically/rapidly Nouns associated with climate:
expand current
a current of something
expanded by an amount
a current of air/electricity
an expanding universe/economy/population
a strong/ocean current
expand capacity/coverage/production
expand the scope/range of something drought
expand rapidly/dramatically a prolonged/severe/devastating drought
drought affects/hits/devastates somewhere
flow
drought conditions
flow into a place
water/blood flows flood
a current flows a bad/devastating/flash flood
flow freely a flood hits/sweeps somewhere
a steady/constant/free flow
glacier
an Antarctic/Alaskan glacier
Verbs associated with scientific study: a glacier melts/retreats/moves
estimate
estimate something at x hurricane
estimate cost/value/revenue a devastating/deadly/major/powerful hurricane
an estimated percentage/amount withstand/predict a hurricane
a hurricane hits/destroys/damages something
predict
predict an event/outcome typhoon
a powerful/deadly typhoon
predict a fall/drop/decline/rise/recovery/upturn
a forecaster/economist/analyst predicts something
predict something accurately/confidently/ Unit 11_________________
correctly Nouns for graphs and figures:
impossible/difficult/possible to predict bar chart
a bar chart shows/illustrates/reflects something
state
state a fact/reason/preference a bar chart compares things
state clearly/explicitly/categorically/ diagram
unequivocally a diagram illustrates/shows something
state repeatedly/incorrectly/publicly draw a diagram

Collocations 117
 a schematic/explanatory/simple/ adjust something to reflect/fit something
complex diagram seasonally/periodically/automatically/
manually adjusted
pie chart
a pie chart shows/indicates/displays something alter
alter the course/outcome of something
Components of graphs and figures: alter the composition/balance/
row structure of something
a row of things alter the facts/perceptions/wording
in/into a row radically/fundamentally/structurally/
put/place/arrange things in a row genetically alter something
the front/back/top/bottom row
decline
a single/double row decline from x toy
segment decline by x
a segment of something steadily/rapidly/sharply decline
a segment of a circle/pie chart develop
a segment of a market/industry develop into something
a fast-growing/mid-sized/profitable segment develop something further
stage develop a technique/strategy/idea
a stage of something develop a business/product
a stage of development/evolution/pregnancy develop rapidly/quickly
a stage of a competition/tournament diminish
a stage of a cycle/process diminish in something
diminish in importance/size/number
Verbs meaning show’: rapidly/gradually diminish
depict greatly/drastically/considerably diminished
depicted as/in something
a painting/photograph depicts something evolve
a mural/fresco/cartoon depicts something evolve from/into something
depict a scene/landscape/character evolve over time
graphically/vividly/accurately depicted culture/language/society/technology evolves
humans/organisms/species evolve
represent rapidly/constantly/gradually/slowly evolve
represent a difference/increase/shift/step
modify
modify food/crops/ingredients
Unit 12________________ genetically/chemically modified
extensively/significantly modified
Verbs associated with change:
abandon refine
refine oil/uranium/gasoline/sugar
abandon a child/baby/project/plan/idea
refine a technique/procedure/skill
abandon an attempt/effort
an abandoned building/warehouse/
continually/constantly/greatly refine something
mine/quarry/vehicle/car shift
hastily/abruptly/temporarily shift uncomfortably/restlessly/uneasily
abandon someone/something shift one’s weight/position
shift the focus/emphasis/balance
adjust
adjust to something transform
adjusted for something transform something from/into something
adjust figures/rates completely/magically/dramatically transform

118 Vocabulary for IELTS

 Units 1 2 - U

transform society resemble

transform a country/business/area closely/somewhat/strongly resemble something
transform the economy/landscape/country/world
Adjectives and adverbs for describing
Nouns for periods of time: difference:
century contrary
centuries of something contrary to something
decade run/seem contrary to something
the last/next decade a contrary view/opinion/direction
recent/past/previous decades contrary evidence/information
a decade later/earlier/ago distinct
decades of something distinct from something
decades of war/conflict/neglect a distinct category/type/species/entity
millennium diverse
celebrate/approach/reach the millennium ethnically/culturally diverse
a new/next/second/third millennium geographically/linguistically diverse
diverse backgrounds
Unit 13_________________ a diverse group/range/population/society

Verbs for describing difference: Adjectives for describing similarity:

contrast alike
contrast a view/approach with something look/sound alike
contrast sharply/starkly dress/think alike

differ analogous
differ from something analogous to something
differ significantly/considerably/widely/ a manner/situation/process/position is analogous
sharply/markedly somewhat/closely/roughly/directly analogous
opinions/views differ equivalent
differentiate the equivalent of something
differentiate between things the equivalent of a pound/pint
differentiate something from something a modern/modern-day equivalent
a differentiated product/brand a cinematic/literary/musical/visual equivalent
a differentiating factor the male/female equivalent

distinguish identical
distinguish between things identical to/with something
distinguish something from something an identical copy/score/twin
reliably/easily/clearly distinguish identical wording/circumstances
functionally/genetically identical
vary look identical
vary from something
vary from region to region/person to person
vary considerably/enormously/greatly/widely Unit 14_________________
opinions/prices/estimates/practices vary Nouns:
varying degrees/sizes/lengths/amounts chain reaction
a chain reaction of things
Verbs for describing similarity: a chain reaction of events/damage/explosions
compare cause/set off/trigger/initiate a chain reaction
compare something with/to something a chain reaction occurs

Collocations 119
consequence genetically/biologically determined
the consequences of war/action/failure determine the cause/extent of something
the consequences for the economy/future/ determine precisely/conclusively/exactly
region
generate
suffer/face/accept/consider/
generated by something
understand the consequences
generate excitement/publicity/
serious/severe/tragic consequences
controversy/enthusiasm
likely/unintended consequences
generate wealth/income/profit
impact generate electricity/energy/heat/power
an impact oh the environment/economy
induce
an impact on society/health/earnings/tourism
induce a state/feeling/sense/change
a significant/important/major/profound impact
induce a response/reaction/heart attack/coma
a lasting/immediate/negative/
induce sleep/vomiting/fear/panic/relaxation
adverse/positive impact
provoke
influence provoke outrage/fury/controversy/fury/anger
the influence of alcohol/drugs
provoke a reaction/response/
have/exert influence on someone/something
backlash/outcry/debate
considerable/powerful/positive/political
influence result
a major/important/strong/good/bad influence result in death/arrest
result in a loss/reduction/increase
outcome result from use/exposure
the outcome of something
result from a failure/lack
await/predict/decide/affect/influence
the outcome stem
the likely outcome stem from something
a successful outcome a problem stems from something
stem from a fact/incident/belief/misconception
repercussion stem the tide/flow/spread of something
serious/possible/potential/negative
repercussions trigger
have/suffer/fear repercussions trigger a response/reaction/change
trigger a crisis/attack/war/debate
Verbs: trigger a tsunami/landslide/avalanche
affect
badly/adversely/directly affect Unit 15_________________
seriously/severely/greatly affect
affect the outcome/quality/ Referring to sequence:
performance of something initial
affect people/everyone an initial reaction/response/impression/diagnosis
an initial offering/purchase/investment/meeting
contribute
the initial stages/results/success
contribute to something
a contributing factor latter
contribute greatly/directly/ choose/prefer the latter
significantly/substantially the latter stage/part/category
determine prior
determined by something prior approval/permission/consent/agreement
determine something’s outcome/fate/ prior knowledge/experience
future/value a prior engagement/arrangement

Vocabulary for IELTS

 Units 15-17

the prior period/week/month/year dilemma

a day/hour/week/month/year prior to something pose/raise/face/solve a dilemma
subsequent a moral/ethical/policy/workplace dilemma
a subsequent year/event/period/generation
a subsequent investigation/inquiry/purchase Verbs associated with problems:
damage
Generalising: damage a building/vehicle
overall damage the environment
overall spending/revenue damage someone's brain/ligaments/
an overall impression/strategy/performance knee/ankle
an overall majority/increase damage someone's prospects/
reputation/credibility
badly/severely/seriously/permanently
Unit 16_________________ damage something
comparatively
deteriorate
comparatively little/small
deteriorate into something
comparatively rare/modest/mild/inexpensive
a condition/situation deteriorates
indefinitely someone’s health deteriorates
continue indefinitely a deteriorating situation/condition
be suspended/postponed/delayed/ quickly/rapidly/sharply/steadily deteriorate
closed indefinitely
exacerbate
be held/detained indefinitely
exacerbated by something
inevitably exacerbate a problem/situation/conflict/
inevitably result in/lead to/mean something crisis
particularly exacerbate tensions/symptoms
particularly in/among something
particularly useful/important/interesting/ Verbs associated with solutions:
relevant address
particularly vulnerable/sensitive/difficult address a problem/issue/concern/question
particularly concerned/pleased/impressed adequately/urgently/specifically/directly
address something
provisionally
provisionally agreed/accepted/scheduled eradicate
provisionally entitled/titled eradicate something in/from a place
virtually/completely/almost eradicated
relatively eradicate disease/poverty/illiteracy/racism
relatively small/low/short/easy/simple
relatively easily/cheaply/recently/little intervene
intervene in something
intervene personally/directly
Unit 17 intervene in a dispute/conflict/war/row/crisis
intervene in a case/affair/matter/situation/
Nouns for problems: process
crisis
a political/economic/humanitarian/ resolve
financial crisis quickly/peacefully/amicably resolve something
a severe crisis resolve a dispute/conflict/crisis/issue/problem
a hostage/energy/health/cash crisis tackle
resolve/face a crisis tackle a problem/issue/task/crisis
a crisis point/situation/meeting tackle crime/poverty/corruption

Collocations
 from the perspective of someone/something
Unit 18________________ a historical/feminist/sociological perspective
Nouns for ideas: a different/new/fresh perspective
concept stance
the concept of freedom/democracy/justice someone's stance towards/on something
understand/introduce/explain a concept adopt/maintain/take/assume a stance
a basic/original/abstract/simple/ a neutral/tough/aggressive/moral stance
key/underlying concept
a marketing/design concept Adjectives for describing ideas:
conjecture ambiguous
a matter of/for conjecture deliberately/somewhat/highly ambiguous
conjecture about something remain/seem ambiguous
fuel/spark/prompt conjecture an ambiguous relationship/position/
scientific/historical conjecture result/phrase/statement
ambiguous language/wording
consensus
the consensus amongst people biased
a consensus on/about something biased against someone/something
reach/build/achieve a consensus biased in favour of/towards someone/something
seek/establish a consensus biased reporting/coverage/research/advice
a scientific/cross-party/broad/general a biased opinion/sample/referee/judge
consensus heavily biased

dogma compelling
accept/question/challenge dogma a compelling argument/reason/testimony
ideological/religious/outdated dogma compelling data/results/evidence

fram ew ork credible

within a framework credible to someone
a framework of/for something appear/look/sound credible
agree/develop/establish/set a framework a credible threat/claim/witness/theory
a legal/regulatory/legislative/political scarcely credible
framework flawed
a conceptual/theoretical framework a flawed premise/assumption
ideology flawed logic/reasoning
the ideology of something fundamentally/seriously/fatally flawed
embrace/reject an ideology valid
an ideology influences/motivates/ a valid reason/point/argument/claim
drives someone a valid comment/question/comparison/
a political/religious/secular/economic ideology criticism
model perfectly/equally/entirely valid
a model of something
a model of efficiency/consistency/excellence
introduce/adopt/follow a model
Unit 19
a model of evolution
Adjectives describing quantity and
propose a model
degree:
perspective abundant
a perspective on something abundant wildlife/evidence/resources
the perspective of someone an abundant supply/element

122 Vocabulary for IELTS

 units 1 8 - i y

marked
a marked contrast/improvement/
increase/difference
clearly/most/more marked
negligible
a negligible impact/effect/contribution
a negligible amount/level/risk/cost
almost/essentially negligible

Adjectives describing degree of certainty:

definitive
a definitive answer/agreement/
statement/conclusion
definitive proof
tentative
a tentative step/agreement/settlement/deal
a tentative conclusion/thesis/theory

Adverbs describing quantity and degree:

marginally
marginally profitable/low/high
increase/rise/decline/improve marginally

Collocations 123