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English academic vocabulary for IELTS writing

Twenty-two academic English words and phrases for IELTS Writing Task 1 and Task 2, each with a clear meaning, an original example sentence and a usage note.

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The cards, front and back

  1. 1
    Front

    significant

    Back

    Large or important enough to be noticed.

    Example: There was a significant increase in sales in 2020.

    Useful in Task 1 to describe change.

  2. 2
    Front

    substantial

    Back

    Large in amount or degree.

    Example: A substantial proportion of students walk to school.

  3. 3
    Front

    fluctuate

    Back

    To rise and fall irregularly.

    Example: The price of oil fluctuated throughout the decade.

  4. 4
    Front

    approximately

    Back

    Close to an exact number.

    Example: Approximately half of the respondents agreed.

    Synonyms: roughly, around.

  5. 5
    Front

    plummet / soar

    Back

    Plummet: to fall very quickly and steeply. Soar: to rise very quickly.

    Example: Visitor numbers plummeted in winter but soared in summer.

  6. 6
    Front

    consequently

    Back

    As a result.

    Example: Fewer people use buses. Consequently, some routes have been cut.

  7. 7
    Front

    nevertheless

    Back

    Despite what has just been said.

    Example: The plan is expensive. Nevertheless, it may save money in the long term.

  8. 8
    Front

    furthermore

    Back

    In addition; used to add a further point.

    Example: Furthermore, remote work reduces travel time.

  9. 9
    Front

    whereas

    Back

    Used to compare two contrasting facts.

    Example: Cities offer more jobs, whereas rural areas offer a slower pace of life.

  10. 10
    Front

    phenomenon

    Back

    A fact or event that can be observed, often one that is unusual. Plural: phenomena.

    Example: Online learning is a relatively recent phenomenon.

  11. 11
    Front

    mitigate

    Back

    To make something bad less severe.

    Example: Planting trees can help mitigate the effects of urban heat.

  12. 12
    Front

    detrimental

    Back

    Causing harm or damage.

    Example: Lack of sleep is detrimental to concentration.

  13. 13
    Front

    beneficial

    Back

    Having a good or helpful effect.

    Example: Regular exercise is beneficial for mental health.

  14. 14
    Front

    advocate

    Back

    Verb: to publicly support an idea. Noun: a person who does so.

    Example: Many experts advocate free public transport.

  15. 15
    Front

    controversial

    Back

    Causing strong disagreement.

    Example: Banning private cars from city centres is a controversial idea.

  16. 16
    Front

    prevalent

    Back

    Common or widespread in a particular place or time.

    Example: Smartphone use is prevalent among teenagers.

  17. 17
    Front

    inevitable

    Back

    Certain to happen; impossible to avoid.

    Example: Some job losses may be inevitable as technology changes.

  18. 18
    Front

    exacerbate

    Back

    To make a problem worse.

    Example: Heavy traffic exacerbates air pollution.

  19. 19
    Front

    allocate

    Back

    To give a share of money, time or resources for a particular purpose.

    Example: Governments should allocate more funding to libraries.

  20. 20
    Front

    sustainable

    Back

    Able to continue over time without damaging the environment or using up resources.

    Example: Sustainable farming protects the soil.

  21. 21
    Front

    undermine

    Back

    To weaken something gradually.

    Example: Fake news can undermine trust in the media.

  22. 22
    Front

    To a certain extent

    Back

    A phrase for a balanced, partly agreeing position.

    Example: To a certain extent, I agree that homework should be reduced.

    Useful in Task 2 opinion essays.

How to use this template

This deck builds the academic vocabulary that helps you write clearer, more precise IELTS essays and reports. It includes words for describing trends and data in Writing Task 1, such as fluctuate and plummet, linking words like consequently and whereas, and words for discussing causes, effects and opinions in Task 2. Each card gives a plain-English meaning and an original example sentence. It suits learners aiming for a higher band, university applicants and anyone improving academic writing. It is a study aid, not official IELTS material. Learn each word, write your own sentence, then use Test mode and spaced repetition to keep it active. Print double-sided for review.

Tips

  • Do not just recognise the word; write a sentence with it on a topic you might meet, such as education or the environment.
  • Learn the word family: sustain, sustainable, sustainability. Using the right form matters for accuracy.
  • Use linking words carefully and not in every sentence. Natural, accurate use scores better than overuse.
  • Check collocations, the words that naturally go together: a significant increase, a substantial proportion.
  • Practise rewriting a simple sentence with a more precise word, such as changing makes worse to exacerbates.

Make it fit

  • Add topic vocabulary for themes you find hard, such as technology, health or crime.
  • Add the vocabulary from your own marked essays that your teacher suggested.
  • Put the meaning on the front and the word on the back to practise recall for writing.
  • Add synonyms for common words such as important, show and increase to avoid repetition.

Updated October 28, 2026

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