Word List (AWL) Vocabulary for IELTS Academic & General

IELTS Word List (AWL) Vocabulary for Academic & General Writing Test by Topic

Welcome to the complete 570-word Academic Word List for IELTS — a practical, learner-centred resource created to help you read more accurately, write with precision, and speak confidently in academic & general contexts. These words are the backbone of formal academic English and often determine how well you can summarise research, explain causes and effects, and build persuasive arguments in Writing Task 2 and Speaking. Each headword on this page includes a plain-English meaning and an IELTS-style sample sentence so you can see how the word functions in real exam-like language. Study by topic to learn related vocabulary together, use the example sentences as model language for your essays, and test yourself with short writing tasks that require five to ten of the listed words. Whether you are revising for an Academic or General Training module, this AWL collection will strengthen your lexical resource and help you produce more precise, higher-scoring answers.

IELTS Word List (AWL) Vocabulary for Education

This Education AWL list focuses on high-frequency academic words that appear in essays, reports, and lectures. If you’re preparing for IELTS Writing and Speaking, these words help you write clear, formal arguments and describe learning processes. Each entry includes a simple meaning and an IELTS-style sample sentence so you can learn meaning and use at the same time.

Topic: Education (40 words)

Word	Meaning	IELTS-style sample sentence
academic	relating to school, college or study	Many universities emphasise academic writing skills.
accomplish	to achieve or finish	With careful planning, students can accomplish their goals.
acquire	to gain (knowledge or skill)	Intensive courses help learners acquire vocabulary faster.
adapt	to change to suit new conditions	Teachers must adapt lessons for online learning.
allocate	to give out resources or time	The department will allocate extra time for revision.
approach	method or way of dealing with something	A student-centred approach improves motivation.
assess	to evaluate or judge quality	Tutors assess assignments using a clear rubric.
assist	to help	Peer tutors assist new students with essays.
attain	to reach or achieve	Many candidates attain higher scores after practice.
benefit	advantage or positive effect	Frequent feedback benefits long-term learning.
cohort	a group moving through a program together	The research tracked a cohort of first-year students.
curriculum	the set of courses or contents taught	The curriculum was revised to include digital skills.
demonstrate	to show clearly	The experiment demonstrated improved retention rates.
distribute	to give out	Handouts were distributed at the start of class.
evaluate	to judge value or quality	Teachers evaluate presentations using consistent criteria.
feedback	comments aimed at improvement	Timely feedback helps students correct mistakes.
implement	to put into practice	The college implemented a peer-mentoring programme.
incentive	something that motivates	Scholarships act as an incentive for achievement.
instruction	teaching or directions	Clear instruction reduces exam-day anxiety.
modify	to change slightly	The lesson plan was modified for mixed ability groups.
mentor	experienced adviser or guide	A mentor can help develop academic confidence.
objective	aim or goal	The objective of this module is to improve grammar.
outcome	result or consequence	The expected outcome is improved writing fluency.
participate	to take part	Students are encouraged to participate in seminars.
policy	official rule or plan	The university policy requires academic honesty.
practise	to do repeatedly to improve	Regular practise improves pronunciation and fluency.
priority	something more important than other things	Time management should be a study priority.
resource	material or tool used for learning	Online resources support independent study.
revise	to review material before an exam	He revised vocabulary every evening before the test.
schedule	plan of activities with times	The course schedule includes weekly practice tests.
session	a period of teaching or practice	The speaking session focused on fluency strategies.
strategy	plan to achieve goals	Using mind-maps is an effective revision strategy.
subject	area of study	Psychology is a popular subject among undergraduates.
tutor	teacher who gives extra help	The tutor provided model answers for Task 2.
understanding	ability to grasp meaning	Good understanding of instructions is essential.
validate	to confirm as correct or effective	Teachers validated the new rubric after pilot testing.
workshop	practical class or training	The writing workshop covered coherence and cohesion.
writing	composing text	Academic writing requires structure and evidence.

Research & Methods AWL Vocabulary Words for IELTS

The Research & Methods AWL collection teaches the vocabulary examiners expect in reports and academic writing. Learn words for describing research design, data, and analysis so your Task 1 and Task 2 responses sound precise and professional. Short definitions and IELTS-style examples show you how to use each word when discussing studies, evidence, and methodology.

Topic: Research & Methods (55 words)

Word	Meaning	IELTS-style sample sentence
analyse	to study or examine in detail	The paper analysed responses from 800 participants.
approach	method used to study something	A mixed-methods approach produced richer data.
approximate	nearly correct; close estimate	The approximate cost of the project was £8,000.
assemble	to gather together	Researchers assembled a large dataset from surveys.
attribute	to say something is caused by	The authors attribute the decline to policy changes.
bias	systematic error or prejudice	Sampling bias can distort survey outcomes.
coherent	logically connected	A coherent argument strengthens any essay.
conclude	to finish or infer from evidence	We conclude that the method was effective.
conduct	to carry out (research)	The team conducted interviews over six months.
consist	to be made up of	The sample consisted mainly of urban residents.
constitute	to make up or form	These factors constitute the main variables.
context	situation or environment	Results must be interpreted in cultural context.
data	facts or information used for analysis	Accurate data underpins credible conclusions.
derive	to obtain from a source	The model was derived from previous studies.
detect	to discover or notice	Tests detected a small but consistent effect.
dimension	one aspect or measure	Quality has social and economic dimensions.
document	to record evidence	The researchers documented all interview transcripts.
emerge	to appear or become known	A pattern emerged from the responses.
estimate	a calculated guess	We estimate that 30% of households lack access.
evaluate	to judge or assess	The study evaluated the intervention after six weeks.
evidence	information used to support a claim	There is strong evidence for the link.
factor	element that influences a result	Several factors affect language acquisition.
framework	structure for organising ideas	The paper proposes a theoretical framework.
hypothesis	proposed explanation to test	The hypothesis predicted a positive correlation.
implication	possible effect or result	The policy has implications for local schools.
implement	to put into effect	Researchers implemented the new survey instrument.
incidence	occurrence rate	The incidence of absenteeism increased last year.
index	quantitative measure or indicator	The index tracks literacy across regions.
infer	to draw a conclusion	From the data we infer a rising trend.
instrument	tool used to collect data	The questionnaire is the main research instrument.
item	single question or unit	Each item on the test was piloted first.
methodology	the system of methods used	Methodology selection affects research validity.
modify	to change slightly	The protocol was modified after pilot testing.
objective	measurable aim of a study	The objective was to compare two teaching methods.
observe	to watch and record	The researcher observed classroom interactions.
participant	person taking part in a study	Participants completed an online questionnaire.
pattern	repeated trend or shape	A clear pattern emerged across responses.
pilot	small-scale preliminary study	They ran a pilot to refine the survey.
population	whole group being studied	The population included all registered students.
procedure	step-by-step method	Follow the procedure to ensure reliable results.
qualitative	non-numeric, descriptive data	Qualitative interviews provided deeper insight.
quantify	to express as a number	The study quantified improvement in test scores.
random	chosen by chance	Random sampling reduces selection bias.
reliability	consistency of measurement	High reliability is essential for test scores.
replicate	to repeat a study to check results	Other teams must replicate the experiment.
sample	subset chosen to represent the whole	A random sample of 500 was selected.
significant	statistically meaningful difference	The difference was significant at p < 0.05.
statistic	a numerical summary of data	The statistic summarised average scores.
survey	structured questionnaire	The survey measured study habits and time use.
theory	a well-supported explanation	The theory informed the study’s predictions.

Technology & Media AWL Vocabulary — High-Frequency Words for IELTS

This Technology & Media word set covers digital, online, and media-related vocabulary commonly used in academic texts and exam prompts. Master these terms to improve essays on technology, social media, or digital learning. Each word comes with an easy meaning and a sample sentence that models academic usage for IELTS tasks.

Topic: Technology & Media (45 words)

Word	Meaning	IELTS-style sample sentence
access	ability to use or reach something	Students need access to reliable internet.
automate	make a process operate automatically	Labs automate data collection to improve efficiency.
component	part of a system	The battery is a critical component of the device.
compute	to calculate or process data	The program computes results within seconds.
configure	to set up software or systems	Please configure your account before the workshop.
consult	to look up information or ask an expert	Developers consult the documentation when stuck.
device	machine or tool	Mobile devices are commonly used for studying.
digital	using computers or the internet	Digital platforms host recorded lectures.
download	to copy data from the internet	Students download readings before the seminar.
enable	to make possible	New software will enable faster grading.
enhance	to improve quality or function	This update enhances audio clarity for recordings.
file	a stored document	Save your essay as a .docx file before upload.
forum	online discussion area	The forum encourages peer feedback on drafts.
hardware	physical components of a computer	Hardware upgrades improved lab performance.
host	to provide service or platform	The university hosts webinars for applicants.
input	information put into a system	User input is required for the simulation.
interface	where users interact with software	A clear interface makes learning easier.
network	connected computers or people	The campus network supports thousands of devices.
online	on the internet	Online tutorials supplement classroom teaching.
platform	system for delivering content	The platform stores lecture videos and quizzes.
plugin	add-on software for extra features	Install the required plugin for the browser.
protocol	agreed method for data exchange	Data transfer followed secure protocols.
publish	to make content public	The journal will publish the special issue.
query	request for information	The system returns a query result in seconds.
remote	located away from central place	Remote learning increased during the pandemic.
release	make available publicly	The company released the new app last week.
server	central computer providing services	The server crashed during peak hours.
simulate	to imitate real conditions	Simulations help students practise procedures safely.
software	programs used by computers	Update the software before the practical class.
storage	place to keep data	Cloud storage holds large datasets securely.
stream	transmit audio/video in real time	Lectures stream live and are also recorded.
system	organized set of components	The grading system automatically records scores.
technical	relating to technology or skills	Technical support fixed the lab computers.
upload	send files to a server	Upload your assignment before the deadline.
user	person who uses a system	The user interface should be simple and clear.
virtual	simulated or online	Virtual labs allow distant students to experiment.
version	edition or release of software	Update to the latest version for security fixes.
web	internet-based technologies	The web portal contains all course materials.
wireless	without cables; using radio signals	Wireless access points are installed across campus.
wireless	(duplicate kept for clarity)	Wireless printers are convenient in the study room.

Environment & Energy AWL Vocabulary — Words for IELTS

The Environment & Energy AWL pack includes high-impact words for essays about climate, sustainability, and resource use. Use these terms to write precise arguments about conservation, renewable energy, and policy responses. Clear meanings and IELTS-style sentences make it simple to learn and apply the vocabulary in Writing Task 2.

Topic: Environment & Energy (35 words)

Word	Meaning	IELTS-style sample sentence
adapt(ation)	change to survive new conditions	Adaptation strategies help communities facing drought.
assess	evaluate environmental effects	Scientists assess the impact of development projects.
climate	long-term weather patterns	Climate change affects coastal cities worldwide.
conserve	protect from loss or waste	Communities must conserve water during shortages.
degrade	reduce quality or condition	Intensive farming can degrade soil fertility.
emission	release of pollutant gases	Vehicle emissions contribute to urban air pollution.
energy	power from sources like wind/sun	Investment in renewable energy is increasing.
extract	remove resources from the earth	Companies extract minerals using heavy machinery.
habitat	natural living area for species	Wetland restoration improves habitat for birds.
impact	strong effect or influence	The project had a measurable impact on biodiversity.
infrastructure	physical systems like roads or grids	Renewable energy requires upgraded infrastructure.
insulate	protect from heat transfer	Houses can be insulated to reduce energy loss.
long-term	lasting over a long period	Long-term planning is vital for sustainability.
mitigate	reduce severity of harm	Planting trees can mitigate flood risk.
monitor	regularly check or observe	Sensors monitor air quality across the city.
pollutant	harmful substance released into environment	Factories must control pollutant discharge.
recycle	process for reusing waste	Cities that recycle reduce landfill pressure.
renewable	energy source that is naturally replenished	Solar power is a renewable energy option.
restore	bring back to a former state	Conservationists aim to restore degraded forests.
resource	natural material used by people	Water is a precious natural resource.
runoff	water that flows off land surfaces	Urban runoff carries pollutants into rivers.
sediment	particles deposited by water or wind	Sediment build-up affected river flow.
soil	upper layer of earth for plants	Soil erosion threatens agricultural productivity.
species	distinct group of living organisms	Reserves protect endangered species from extinction.
sparse	thinly distributed; few	Vegetation was sparse in the arid region.
stock	supply available for use	Fisheries manage stock to avoid collapse.
storage	keeping energy or materials safely	Energy storage improves grid stability.
sustainable	able to be maintained without damage	Sustainable farming preserves soil fertility.
threaten	put at risk	Urban development threatens natural habitats.
waste	unwanted material; garbage	Reducing waste is a public policy priority.
watershed	land area draining to a river	Protecting the watershed improves water quality.
yield	produce or generate	The field yields high crop outputs each season.
conservation	protection of natural resources	Conservation policies support biodiversity.
emission-free	producing no pollutant gases	Electric vehicles offer emission-free travel options.

Health & Medicine AWL Vocabulary — IELTS Words for Medical Topics

This Health & Medicine list gathers important academic words used in public health, clinics, and research discussions. Perfect for IELTS prompts on well-being, healthcare systems, or medical advances, the list pairs each word with a straightforward meaning and an IELTS-style sentence so you can use the vocabulary accurately and confidently.

Topic: Health & Medicine (35 words)

Word	Meaning	IELTS-style sample sentence
affect	to influence	Poor housing conditions affect mental health.
alleviate	to make less severe	New treatments can alleviate chronic pain.
clinic	outpatient medical facility	The campus clinic offers free flu shots.
cohort	group under study	The clinical trial followed a cohort for two years.
diagnose	identify a disease	Early screening can diagnose conditions sooner.
disorder	medical condition or illness	Anxiety disorders are common among students.
dose	measured amount of medicine	Take the recommended dose once a day.
epidemic	widespread outbreak of disease	The region faced an epidemic last decade.
evidence	facts supporting conclusions	Clinical evidence supports the new therapy.
immune	protected against infection	Vaccination boosts the immune response.
initiate	to begin a programme or treatment	The clinic initiated a new screening programme.
intervene	take action to improve outcomes	Early intervention reduces complication rates.
isolate	separate to prevent spread	Infected patients were isolated to limit transmission.
monitor	check health status regularly	Nurses monitor vital signs after surgery.
observational	based on observing rather than experimenting	Observational studies suggested a link with diet.
prevalence	how common a disease is	The prevalence of diabetes is rising globally.
prevent	stop from happening	Vaccination helps prevent infectious disease.
recover	return to health	Most patients recover within weeks.
rehabilitation	therapy to regain ability	Rehabilitation aided the athlete’s return to sport.
symptom	sign of illness	Fever is a common symptom of infection.
therapy	treatment for illness	Physical therapy improved mobility in patients.
vaccine	substance that builds immunity	The vaccine was distributed to high-risk groups.
virus	infectious agent causing disease	The outbreak was caused by a new virus.
well-being	overall health and happiness	Exercise improves psychological well-being.
acute	severe but short-term	Acute symptoms required immediate hospital care.
chronic	long-lasting	Chronic conditions need ongoing management.
clinical	relating to patient care	The clinical trial recruited 200 volunteers.
dosage	amount of medicine to be taken	Follow the prescribed dosage for safety.
immunity	protection against disease	Herd immunity reduces outbreak risk.
pathology	study of disease	The pathology report confirmed the diagnosis.
practitioner	trained professional	A qualified practitioner performed the procedure.
sanitation	cleanliness for health	Improved sanitation reduces infectious disease spread.
screening	checking for disease presence	Screening detected cases early in the campaign.

Economy & Business AWL Vocabulary — High-Frequency Words for IELTS

Learn core economic and business vocabulary that appears frequently in academic reading passages and essay prompts. This AWL collection helps you discuss markets, finance, policy, and employment with the precise language examiners want to hear. Each entry includes a student-friendly meaning and an IELTS-style example sentence for practical learning.

Topic: Economy & Business (45 words)

Word	Meaning	IELTS-style sample sentence
allocate	distribute resources	Governments allocate funds to public services.
asset	valuable item owned	The company listed its assets in the report.
capital	money or resources for investment	Small businesses need capital to expand.
client	customer receiving services	The consultancy advised several international clients.
commodity	basic good bought and sold	Prices of key commodities fluctuated this quarter.
corporate	relating to a large company	Corporate governance ensures accountability.
credit	trust enabling deferred payment	The bank extended credit to startups.
demand	desire for goods or services	Demand for electric cars increased rapidly.
diversify	spread investments across options	Firms diversify to reduce market risk.
finance	management of money	The project sought finance from lenders.
globalise	expand operations internationally	Small brands increasingly globalise supply chains.
inflation	rise in general prices	High inflation erodes household purchasing power.
investment	committing resources for future return	Public investment improves long-term growth prospects.
labour	workforce; employees	Automation changes the nature of labour markets.
margin	difference between costs and price	Profit margin narrowed after rising costs.
market	system for buying and selling	The labour market remains competitive for graduates.
merger	combination of two companies	The merger created the largest retailer in the region.
minimum	lowest acceptable amount	The minimum wage was increased last year.
negotiate	discuss terms to reach agreement	The union negotiated better working conditions.
outcome	end result	The outcome of negotiations was a pay rise.
policy	government or corporate plan	Tax policy affects business investment decisions.
portfolio	collection of investments	Diversify your portfolio to spread risk.
profit	financial gain after costs	The company reported improved quarterly profit.
prospect	potential opportunity	Emerging markets hold promising prospects for exporters.
purchase	buy something	The firm plans to purchase new machinery.
recession	period of economic decline	The country entered a mild recession.
recover	return to previous level	The economy recovered faster than expected.
revenue	income from sales	Online sales increased the company’s revenue.
risk	chance of loss	Investors consider risk before committing funds.
scale	size or level of operation	Scaling production reduced unit costs.
sector	part of the economy	The service sector dominates urban employment.
share	portion of ownership	Investors bought shares in the startup.
strategy	plan to reach objectives	Export strategy focused on regional trade deals.
subsidy	financial support from government	Farmers received a subsidy to stabilise prices.
supply	available quantity of goods	Supply chain delays affected production schedules.
tariff	tax on imported goods	New tariffs raised the price of imported steel.
trade	buying and selling across borders	Trade agreements reduce barriers between countries.
transaction	exchange of goods or services	Each online transaction is logged for security.
turnover	total sales in a period	The store recorded high turnover during the festival.
venture	risky business undertaking	They launched a venture to develop renewable tech.
wage	payment for labour	Rising wages improved household incomes.
yield	return on investment	The bond yields provided steady income for investors.

Society & Culture AWL Vocabulary — Words for IELTS Essays

The Society & Culture set gives you vocabulary for discussing identity, diversity, community, and social policy. These words help you write balanced, nuanced essays in IELTS Writing Task 2 and speak fluently about societal issues in Speaking. Every word includes a short meaning and an IELTS-style sentence so you can practice real academic use.

Topic: Society & Culture (45 words)

Word	Meaning	IELTS-style sample sentence
acculturation	cultural change from contact	Acculturation affects language use among immigrants.
community	group sharing location or interests	Community projects improve neighbourhood cohesion.
conform	follow norms or rules	Some students conform to peer group expectations.
construct	build; form an idea	Media often construct narratives about events.
contribute	add to a cause	Volunteers contribute time to local charities.
culture	shared beliefs and practices	Culture influences attitudes toward education.
diversity	variety of different elements	Classroom diversity enriches discussion and learning.
exclude	leave out or deny access	Poverty can exclude families from services.
identity	how people see themselves	Language is central to cultural identity.
inequality	unfair differences between groups	Policy must address inequality in education access.
integration	combining into whole; social inclusion	Integration programmes support refugee settlement.
isolation	separation from others	Social isolation harms mental health among elderly.
migration	movement of people between places	Rural–urban migration changed city demographics.
norm	expected behaviour or standard	Social norms influence communication styles.
perceive	to see or understand	Students may perceive exam pressure differently.
policy	official plan of action	Housing policy affects urban development patterns.
practice	habitual action or custom	Traditional practices shape family life.
practitioner	professional working in a field	Experienced practitioners mentor new staff.
prejudice	unfair feeling toward groups	Education can reduce prejudice through awareness.
racial	relating to race	Racial diversity presents educational opportunities and challenges.
religion	system of belief	Religion influences many social customs.
role	function or position in society	The role of teachers includes guidance and assessment.
rural	relating to countryside	Rural communities face different educational barriers.
sector	part of society or economy	The public sector funds basic services.
service	organisation providing help	Social services support vulnerable families.
socialise	interact socially	Students socialise through clubs and events.
stereotype	fixed, oversimplified belief	Stereotypes can limit students’ aspirations.
status	social or professional position	Status differences affect classroom dynamics.
subculture	cultural group within a larger group	Young people often form their own subculture.
tradition	customs passed through generations	Festivals preserve cultural tradition and identity.
urban	relating to cities	Urban planning influences transport and housing.
volunteer	offer service freely	Volunteers run after-school tutoring programmes.
welfare	state support for well-being	Welfare policies aim to reduce poverty.
youth	young people as a group	Youth unemployment is a pressing concern.
civic	relating to citizens or community	Civic education promotes participation.
equality	fairness and equal rights	Policies promote gender equality in schools.
collective	shared by a group	Collective action can bring community improvements.
demographic	statistical characteristics of a population	Demographic shifts affect schooling demands.
inclusion	act of including diverse groups	Inclusion ensures access for all students.
mobility	ability to move between places	Transportation affects labour market mobility.
multicultural	involving many cultures	Multicultural classrooms enrich perspectives.

Law & Politics AWL Vocabulary Word List for IELTS

This Law & Politics AWL collection covers terms used in governance, legislation, and civic debate. It’s ideal for IELTS candidates who want to discuss policy, rights, or legal systems with accuracy and authority. Short, clear meanings and model sentences show how to use each word in academic contexts.

Topic: Law & Politics (30 words)

Word	Meaning	IELTS-style sample sentence
amend	change to improve a law or document	Parliament moved to amend the education bill.
arbitrate	settle a dispute by a neutral party	Firms often arbitrate contract disputes out of court.
authority	power to make decisions	Local authority enforces building regulations.
cite	refer to a source or law	Always cite your academic sources accurately.
constitution	fundamental legal principles of a state	The constitution protects freedom of speech.
contradict	assert the opposite of	Some evidence seems to contradict the theory.
convene	bring people together for meeting	Ministers convened to discuss the national strategy.
enforce	make sure rules are followed	Authorities enforce safety regulations in factories.
impose	force a rule or tax on people	The government imposed new tariffs on imports.
interpret	explain meaning of a law	Judges interpret statutes when making rulings.
legislation	laws passed by government	New legislation tightened environmental standards.
lobby	try to influence decision-makers	Groups lobbied for changes to the bill.
negotiate	discuss terms to reach agreement	Leaders negotiated a trade deal last month.
petition	formal written request to authorities	Citizens launched a petition to protect the park.
regulate	control by rules or laws	Agencies regulate food safety standards.
sanction	penalty or official approval	Sanctions were imposed on the violating firm.
statute	a written law enacted by legislature	The statute came into force this year.
treaty	formal agreement between countries	The treaty addresses shared water resources.
violate	break a law or rule	Companies that violate regulations face fines.
voter	person who votes in elections	Young voters influence electoral outcomes.
cabinet	group of senior government ministers	The cabinet approved the new education policy.
civil	relating to citizens or private matters	Civil rights form a core part of the constitution.
committee	group formed to consider a matter	A committee reviewed the proposed changes.
diplomacy	managing international relations	Diplomacy resolved the cross-border disagreement.
federal	relating to central government	Federal funding supports national research projects.
jurisdiction	official power to make legal decisions	The court lacked jurisdiction in that case.
majority	more than half of a group	The bill passed with a clear majority.
minority	smaller portion of a group	Minority rights must be protected by law.
policy	plan or course of action	Immigration policy shapes population dynamics.
referendum	public vote on an issue	The government held a referendum on reforms.

Science & Nature AWL Vocabulary Words for IELTS

The Science & Nature list contains scientific vocabulary used in research summaries, reading passages, and academic essays. Mastering these words helps you explain experiments, results, and natural phenomena with clear academic language. Each item includes a concise meaning and an IELTS-style sample sentence to guide correct usage.

Topic: Science & Nature (40 words)

Word	Meaning	IELTS-style sample sentence
analyze	examine carefully	Scientists analyze samples in controlled conditions.
cell	basic unit of life	The study observed changes in nerve cells.
component	part of a system	Light is an important component for growth.
conserve	protect from loss	Biologists aim to conserve endangered species.
correlate	show a relationship between variables	Age correlates with income in the dataset.
derive	obtain from a source	Useful metrics were derived from raw data.
element	basic part of something	Carbon is a key element in organic chemistry.
evidence	proof supporting an idea	The experiment provided strong evidence.
factor	something that contributes to a result	Environmental factors influence plant growth.
formula	set of steps or expression	The formula predicted outcomes accurately.
function	role or purpose	The function of the gene remains unknown.
organism	living thing	The organism adapted to low-light conditions.
phenomenon	observable event	The solar eclipse is a rare phenomenon.
quantify	measure in numbers	Pollutant levels were quantified across sites.
react	respond chemically or physically	The substance reacts when exposed to heat.
sample	small part representing the whole	Each sample was tested in the laboratory.
species	group of similar organisms	The reserve protects several rare species.
theory	well-supported explanation	The theory explains observed patterns.
variable	element that can change	Temperature was the main variable in the test.
verify	confirm as true	Independent trials verified the findings.
adapt	change to new conditions	Species adapt over generations to new environments.
mutation	change in genetic material	Mutation can lead to evolutionary change.
habitat	natural living place	Conserving habitat preserves biodiversity.
ecosystem	interacting community of living things	The wetland ecosystem supports many species.
biodiversity	variety of life in an area	Biodiversity is vital for ecosystem stability.
isotope	variant form of an element	Isotope analysis dated the sample accurately.
laboratory	place for scientific work	Samples were processed in a controlled laboratory.
molecule	group of atoms bonded together	The molecule’s structure determines its properties.
observation	noticing and recording facts	Observation is a key part of scientific method.
experiment	controlled test to discover facts	The experiment examined temperature effects.
replication	repeating experiment to confirm results	Replication strengthened the study’s claims.
measurement	exact determination of size or amount	Precise measurement is crucial in physics.
mechanism	way something works	The mechanism behind the reaction was unclear.
nutrient	substance needed for growth	Plants require certain nutrients to thrive.
pollutant	harmful substance released to environment	Factories limit pollutant discharge into rivers.
radiation	energy emitted as waves or particles	Radiation levels were monitored near the site.
spectrum	range of types or values	The spectrum showed several distinct peaks.
thermodynamics	study of heat and energy	Thermodynamics helps explain engine efficiency.

Data & Statistics AWL Vocabulary for IELTS Writing & Reading

This Data & Statistics AWL pack focuses on numbers, trends, and analysis language that appears often in charts and reports. Learning these terms will boost your ability to describe data in Task 1 and support arguments in Task 2. Each word has an easy definition plus an example sentence showing typical academic use.

Topic: Data & Statistics (35 words)

Word	Meaning	IELTS-style sample sentence
average	central value (mean)	The average score increased after extra tuition.
bias	systematic distortion	Response bias affected the survey results.
correlation	relationship between two variables	There was a strong correlation between study time and scores.
dataset	collection of related data	The dataset included responses from 10,000 participants.
distribution	how data are spread	The income distribution is skewed to the right.
estimate	approximate calculation	We estimate that 40% lack reliable internet.
frequency	how often something occurs	Frequency tables summarise categorical responses.
median	middle value in ordered data	The median income is higher than the minimum wage.
mode	most common value	The mode of responses indicated preference A.
percentage	part per hundred	Twenty percent of respondents agreed.
range	difference between highest and lowest	The range of scores was very wide.
random	chosen by chance	Random sampling reduces selection bias.
sample	subset representing a population	A sample of 500 students was selected randomly.
significant	unlikely due to chance	The result was statistically significant (p < 0.05).
variance	measure of spread of data	High variance shows wide differences across cases.
standard deviation	average distance from the mean	The standard deviation was low in this group.
regression	method to model relationships	Regression analysis predicted future trends.
correlation coefficient	numeric measure of correlation	The coefficient indicated a moderate positive link.
hypothesis test	method to decide about a claim	A hypothesis test checked for group differences.
confidence interval	range likely to contain a value	The confidence interval showed precise estimates.
outlier	unusually extreme data point	Outliers can distort average values.
weighted	adjusted to reflect importance	Results were weighted to correct sampling bias.
trend	general direction over time	Long-term trends show increasing online study.
proportion	fraction of the total	The proportion of graduates rose after reform.
index	composite measure	The index tracks civic engagement across regions.
chart	visual representation of data	A bar chart summarised survey responses.
histogram	chart of frequency distribution	The histogram showed a normal distribution.
correlation matrix	table of correlations	The correlation matrix highlighted key links.
p-value	probability measure used in testing	The p-value indicated a significant effect.
sample size	number of observations	Increase sample size to improve precision.
bootstrap	resampling technique for inference	Bootstrap methods helped estimate uncertainty.
missing data	absent values in a dataset	Missing data were handled with imputation.
cross-tabulation	table showing relationship between variables	Cross-tabulation compared responses by age group.

Psychology & Behaviour AWL Vocabulary IELTS Words

Explore vocabulary for cognitive processes, emotion, and social behaviour with this AWL selection. These words help you write and speak about mental health, learning, and motivation in academic, exam-style contexts. Meaningful definitions and IELTS-style sample sentences make the terms quick to learn and apply.

Topic: Psychology & Behaviour (25 words)

Word	Meaning	IELTS-style sample sentence
behaviour	actions of people or animals	Classroom behaviour influences learning outcomes.
cognitive	relating to thinking processes	Cognitive strategies improve reading comprehension.
emotion	feeling such as happiness or anger	Test anxiety is a common emotion among students.
motivation	reasons for doing something	Positive feedback increases student motivation.
perception	how something is interpreted	Perception of fairness affects group cooperation.
personality	consistent patterns of feeling and behaviour	Personality influences teamwork preferences.
psychology	study of mind and behaviour	Psychology helps explain learning styles.
stress	mental or emotional strain	Managing stress improves exam performance.
anxiety	feeling of worry or fear	High anxiety can reduce speaking fluency.
attitude	settled way of thinking	Attitude to learning predicts engagement levels.
behaviourism	theory focusing on observable behaviour	Behaviourism influenced early classroom techniques.
conditioning	learning by association	Conditioning can shape study habits.
empathy	ability to understand others’ feelings	Teachers show empathy to support students.
identity	how people see themselves	Identity development affects academic choices.
resilience	ability to recover from difficulties	Resilience helps students overcome setbacks.
socialise	interact with others socially	Students socialise in clubs and societies.
stereotype	simplified belief about a group	Stereotype threat can harm exam performance.
self-esteem	belief in one’s worth	Positive feedback boosts self-esteem.
habit	regular behaviour pattern	Developing good study habits improves results.
feedback	responses that guide improvement	Constructive feedback supports learning progress.
memory	ability to recall information	Spaced repetition improves memory retention.
learning	process of acquiring knowledge	Active learning increases retention and understanding.
perception	(duplicate kept)	Perception of task difficulty affects persistence.
intervention	planned action to improve outcomes	The intervention improved attendance rates.
assessment	measuring ability or performance	Psychological assessment helps tailor support.

Transport & Infrastructure AWL Vocabulary Words for IELTS

The Transport & Infrastructure list includes words used to discuss mobility, planning, and logistics in academic texts. Use this vocabulary to write coherent essays about urban planning, public transport, and accessibility. Each term includes a short meaning and an IELTS-style sentence to show correct academic use.

Topic: Transport & Infrastructure (20 words)

Word	Meaning	IELTS-style sample sentence
transport	movement of people or goods	Public transport reduces urban congestion.
transit	act of passing through	Freight transit times affect supply chain costs.
vehicle	machine for transport	Electric vehicles reduce local air pollution.
route	planned course for travel	Buses follow fixed routes through the city.
infrastructure	physical systems like roads and power	Infrastructure investment improves regional connectivity.
network	connected system of routes or lines	The rail network links major urban centres.
terminal	transport hub where journeys start or end	The terminal handles thousands of passengers daily.
freight	goods transported commercially	Rail freight is more efficient for bulk items.
commute	travel regularly between home and work	Long commutes reduce leisure and study time.
capacity	maximum transportable volume	The bus has limited passenger capacity during peak hours.
intermodal	using different transport modes together	Intermodal transport improves logistics efficiency.
logistics	planning and managing movement of goods	Logistics firms coordinate supply and delivery schedules.
congestion	overcrowding on transport networks	Road congestion increases travel time and emissions.
maintenance	upkeep to ensure good condition	Regular maintenance prevents infrastructure failures.
bridge	structure spanning obstacles for transport	The new bridge shortened travel times considerably.
tunnel	underground passage for vehicles/rail	The tunnel improved direct connections between districts.
toll	fee for using certain roads	Drivers pay a toll to reduce traffic in the city centre.
pedestrian	person walking, not using vehicle	Pedestrian-friendly streets encourage walking and cycling.
accessibility	ease of reaching places	Improved accessibility benefits elderly and disabled users.
safety	measures preventing accidents	Safety protocols reduced workplace transport incidents.

Arts & Media AWL Vocabulary — Word List for IELTS Creative Topics

This Arts & Media AWL collection helps you describe literature, visual culture, and media studies using appropriate academic language. Perfect for essay topics about art, film, or journalism, each word contains a clear definition and a model IELTS sentence to guide your writing and speaking.

Topic: Arts & Media (20 words)

Word	Meaning	IELTS-style sample sentence
archive	collection of historical records	The archive holds original newspaper articles.
chapter	section of a book	The final chapter summarised the main arguments.
cite	refer to a source	Always cite sources when quoting research.
cite	(duplicate for clarity)	Cite the original author in your bibliography.
compose	write or create music/text	The student composed an essay on visual culture.
drama	staged performance or literary genre	The play explored social tensions through drama.
image	visual representation	The image complemented the written analysis.
journal	academic publication for articles	She published an article in an international journal.
narrative	structured story or account	The narrative explored identity and migration.
paragraph	section of a text	Each paragraph should have a clear topic sentence.
publish	make public in print or online	The university press will publish the study.
review	critical evaluation of a work	The journal published a positive book review.
style	manner of expression or design	Academic style requires formal tone and clarity.
symbol	image or object representing an idea	The statue served as a symbol of freedom.
theme	central subject in a text	The theme of migration runs through the novel.
theatre	performance of plays	Community theatre engages local audiences.
visual	related to sight or images	Visual aids improve comprehension in lectures.
media	channels of communication	Social media shape public discourse rapidly.
critique	detailed analysis and judgment	The critique highlighted methodological weaknesses.
illustrate	show by example or picture	Diagrams illustrate complex processes clearly.

General Academic AWL Vocabulary — Core High-Frequency Words for IELTS

The General Academic list contains versatile AWL words that appear across many subjects and exam tasks. These core terms strengthen your overall academic language, improving cohesion, precision, and tone in essays and presentations. Each word includes a simple meaning and an IELTS-style example so you can start using the words confidently right away.

Topic: General Academic (covers remaining academic/ambiguous words) (50+ words)

Word	Meaning	IELTS-style sample sentence
abstract	short summary of a text	Read the abstract before the whole article.
achieve	reach or accomplish	She worked hard to achieve top results.
acknowledge	accept or admit	The authors acknowledge limitations in the study.
adapt	change to suit conditions	Adapt your vocabulary to suit formal essays.
alternative	another option	Consider an alternative approach to the problem.
approximate	rough estimate	The figure is an approximate rather than exact value.
assemble	bring together	Assemble evidence to support your argument.
assume	suppose without proof	Assume a neutral tone in academic writing.
author	writer of a text	The author argues for policy reform.
brief	short in length	Keep your summary brief and focused.
capacity	ability or volume	The library has capacity for 300 students.
chapter	section of a book	Refer to chapter three for background theory.
clarify	make clear	Clarify your point with a concrete example.
coherent	logically connected	Produce coherent paragraphs in Task 2 essays.
collapse	fall apart or fail suddenly	The hypothesis collapsed under new evidence.
comment	express an opinion	Provide a brief comment on the findings.
commit	carry out or promise to do	Commit time each day to revision.
complex	consisting of many parts	The problem is conceptually complex.
conclude	finish or infer	Conclude your essay with a strong summary.
conduct	carry out an activity	Conduct the experiment under controlled conditions.
confirm	verify as true	The results confirm the initial predictions.
consistent	in agreement over time	Keep consistent use of verb tenses.
constitute	form or make up	These chapters constitute the main argument.
contrast	show differences	Contrast urban and rural education systems.
contribute	add or help towards	Volunteers contribute significantly to community projects.
convert	change form	Convert the data into percentages for clarity.
create	make something new	Create a clear outline before writing.
cycle	repeating sequence	The economic cycle affects employment rates.
denote	indicate or mean	The symbol denotes statistical significance.
domain	area of knowledge	This issue falls within the legal domain.
element	component or part	Each element is important for the experiment.
ensure	make certain	Ensure all citations are formatted correctly.
evident	clear to see	The benefit was evident in the results.
exclude	leave out	Exclude irrelevant information from your summary.
expand	make larger or more detailed	Expand the introduction with background context.
explicit	stated clearly	Make your argument explicit for the reader.
fluctuate	vary unpredictably	Prices tend to fluctuate during the season.
foundation	basis or starting point	Theory forms the foundation of the research.
furthermore	in addition	Furthermore, the data supports the claim.
grant	give officially (money or permission)	The university granted funding for the project.
hence	therefore	Hence, we recommend further investigation.
imply	suggest indirectly	The results imply a shift in behaviour.
indicate	show or point to	The chart indicates rising trends.
input	information provided	Student input helped shape the curriculum.
instance	example or case	For instance, many students prefer online lessons.
justify	give reasons to support	Justify your position with evidence.
maintenance	keeping in working order	Maintenance of equipment prevents breakdowns.
manual	done by hand	The manual procedure took longer than automated methods.
minimise	reduce to the smallest amount	Minimise distractions during study sessions.
modify	change slightly	Modify the argument to improve coherence.
negative	not positive; unfavourable	Negative responses were limited to a small group.
objective	aim or purpose	State your objective clearly in the introduction.
overall	considering everything	Overall results indicated moderate improvement.
parameter	measurable factor or limit	Adjust the parameter to test sensitivity.
portion	part of a whole	A small portion of students disagreed.
potential	possible or likely to happen	This method has potential to improve scores.
preliminary	initial or preparatory	Preliminary findings are promising but tentative.
primary	main or most important	The primary focus was reading comprehension.
previously	earlier	Previously, students used printed handouts only.
priority	thing regarded as more important	Making learning a priority improves outcomes.
procedure	set of steps	Follow the procedure to replicate the study.
prospect	chance or probability	The prospect of scholarships motivates many students.
protocol	established method or rules	Follow the lab protocol to ensure safety.
release	make public	The university will release the results next month.
revise	examine and correct	Revise the draft before final submission.
route	path or way	Choose the most direct route to the solution.
scheme	organised plan or programme	A new scholarship scheme supports low-income students.
sequence	particular order	Present events in logical sequence for clarity.
shift	change in position or direction	A shift towards online study was observed.
specify	state clearly	Specify the variables used in the analysis.
status	current condition or situation	Check the status of your application online.
style	way of writing or presenting	Academic style calls for formal tone and clarity.
substitute	replace with another	Substitute examples with more relevant ones.
sufficient	enough	Include sufficient evidence to support claims.
survey	systematic questionnaire	The survey collected data from five hundred respondents.
technology	tools and systems for practical use	Technology enhanced access to course materials.
transform	change form completely	New methods transform classroom interaction.
trend	long-term direction of change	There is a clear trend towards digital learning.
valid	logically sound or legally acceptable	Use valid sources when citing facts.
vary	change or differ	Results may vary by region and context.
version	edition or form	Submit the final version before the deadline.
visible	able to be seen	The trend is visible in the data.
volume	quantity or amount	The library increased the volume of online content.
widespread	found over a large area	The problem is widespread across regions.