IELTS Vocabulary: Increase your Band Score with Precise Word Choices

If you’ve read the IELTS band descriptors you might have seen phrases like “precise use” and “convey precise meaning.”  

In this article, we explain what this means and why using precise language is important if you want to achieve a band 7 or higher in the IELTS test. 

In the IELTS Writing and Speaking band descriptors, "precision" under the Lexical resource criterion refers to the accurate and appropriate use of vocabulary. It means choosing words and phrases that show your meaning clearly and exactly, without causing confusion or misunderstanding. 

When you use precise vocabulary, you choose the words the fit the context, tone and meaning you want to express.  

Imagine a friend tells you there is bad weather forecast for tomorrow.  

Does this mean it will rain?  If so, will it be patchy showers or should you expect heavy rain? Will there be a thunderstorm? Potential flooding? 

Bad weather might not involve rain at all. It could include hail, strong winds, snow or even an extreme heatwave.  

‘Bad weather’ is an example of vague or generalised language whereas specific vocabulary and expressions such as ‘thunderstorm’ and ‘steady rain’ gives you a clear picture of what to expect. 

In this case, if your friend used precise language, it would help you plan your day better. 

When you use precise language, people are in no doubt about your meaning.  

This is very important in the IELTS Academic Writing test if you are reporting on trends shown in a graph. 

Let’s say you are describing a graph that shows a big increase in fuel prices over the past year. Compare these two sentences. Which one gives the best description? 

1. Fuel prices rose last year. 

2. Fuel prices rose sharply last year.  

While both sentences describe the trend accurately, the second sentence conveys the meaning more precisely by giving details about the type of increase.  

Using modifying language and adding details can help you express yourself more clearly. It also allows you to develop and support your ideas, making your writing stronger. 

Compare these two sentences from an IELTS Writing Task 2 essay: 

1. Fossil fuels are bad for the environment. 

2. Fossil fuels have a negative impact on the environment because they release large quantities of greenhouse gases, which contribute to climate change. 

The first sentence is not wrong, but the second one gives a much more convincing argument.  

Precise language is also important in the IELTS General Training Writing test. Compare these two sentences from a job application letter: 

1. I believe I am a good person for this position. 

2. I am confident that my expertise in project management and fifteen years’ experience in the industry makes me a strong candidate for this position. 

Which person would you give the job to?  

Watch this video to learn more about how your language is assessed in the IELTS Writing test.

From the video series How your IELTS Writing test is marked.

Using precise language can help you score better in your IELTS Speaking test because you’re showing the examiner that you can use a wide range of vocabulary. 

For example, if you describe a film that you watched as “interesting,” it’s not clear why it caught your attention. But, if you describe it as “eye-opening,” you’re showing that it gave you a new insight or perspective on something. 

Also think about how you can convey precise meaning by giving specific details. This will also help you to develop and extend your answers. 

Imagine the examiner asks you about a recent holiday and you say: 

“We stayed in a really nice hotel.” 

“Nice” doesn’t give the examiner much information. What was nice about it? The view? The staff? The decor?  

However, if you build on this description by giving specific details, you can show the examiner exactly what you mean and demonstrate your vocabulary range. 

Example: “We stayed in a luxurious five-star hotel with a rooftop swimming pool.” 

So how can you incorporate precise language into your IELTS test? 

During IELTS preparation 

• Read widely to expand your vocabulary. 

• Focus on learning synonyms for common words but pay attention to their subtle differences in meaning.  

• Learn common collocations (e.g. ‘heavy rain’ instead of ‘strong rain’). 

During your IELTS test 

• Think about the tone and meaning you want to convey. 

• Use specific words instead of general or vague language (e.g. ‘eye-opening’ instead of ‘interesting’). 

• Modify general words to make them more specific (e.g. ‘rose sharply’ instead of ‘rose’). 

• Give more details to convey precise meaning (e.g. Fossil fuels have a negative impact on the environment because they release large quantities of greenhouse gases, which contribute to climate change).

Ready to start practising? Take our quick quiz below.  

What’s the most precise way to describe: 

1. Someone who works for themselves. 

a. Self-employed 

b. Employed

c. Unemployed 

d. Home worker 

 2. A two-year-old child. 

a. Baby 

b. Toddler 

c. Kid 

d. Teenager 

 3. A fast and dramatic decrease in sales. 

a. Sales declined. 

b. Sales dipped. 

c. Sales fell. 

d. Sales plummeted.  

4. Very funny videos. 

a. His videos are fun. 

b. His videos are enjoyable. 

c. His videos are hilarious. 

d. His videos are great. 

5. A holiday after a wedding. 

a. A romantic getaway 

b. A couple’s trip 

c. A honeymoon 

d. A hen party  

6. A formal presentation on an academic topic at a university. 

a. Talk 

b. Lecture 

c. Tutorial 

d. Speech 

7. An area of a city where there are lots of houses and not offices or factories. 

1. District 

2. Community 

3. Residential area 

4. Urban centre 

8. At the present moment.  

a. Actually 

b. Currently 

c. Recently 

d. A few days ago  

9. Money given by the government or an organisation for an event or activity. 

a. Payment 

b. Settlement 

c. Remuneration  

d. Funding 

10. A polite way to say you are unhappy in a formal letter of complaint.  

a. I am writing to express my dissatisfaction. 

b. I am writing to tell you how angry I am. 

c. I am writing to tell you how disgusted I am. 

d. I'm writing to share my outrage.  

Answers: 

1. a. 2. b   3. d 4. c   5. c   6. b   7. c 8. b 9. d 10. a 

Looking for more tips on how to expand your IELTS vocabulary and score better in the Lexical resource criterion? 

Read these posts: 

How to use idioms in the IELTS Speaking test

IELTS Vocabulary: How to Choose the Right Word Form

How to Remember New Words in English

Read answers to frequently asked questions about vocabulary in the IELTS test.