International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a recognized English testing system for non-native English speakers.
Getting a good IELTS band is often essential, such as when entering foreign universities or migrating to an English-speaking country.
Knowing about suitable synonyms for IELTS is essential if you aim to get a band of 7.5 or higher. Here is what you have to do to make this a possibility.
What Are Synonyms For IELTS?
You already know the importance of synonyms in everyday English writing and speaking tasks.
Synonyms can make an ordinary sentence or phrase sound extraordinary in IELTS. The increased use of synonyms can display your knowledge and skills in English.
Using synonyms is essential, especially in IELTS’s writing and speaking modules. It can directly help you to increase your IELTS band.
Misconception About Synonyms For IELTS
Most students preparing for IELTS continuously seek ways to enhance their knowledge and use of IELTS synonyms.
However, the problem is that many people are aware of only a few synonyms, while they need to be made aware of some of the more sophisticated words to use in testing systems like IELTS.
What Are Some Good Synonyms For IELTS Writing Task 2?
Here is a list of the most common and appropriate synonyms for IELTS writing task 2. It will help you identify the common mistakes people make when using synonyms for IELTS writing task 2.
Many
Many indicate a large group of people and cannot be used to indicate a small group.
A few adequate synonyms for many include some people, many people, some who, and many who.
However, if the IELTS writing task 2 question mentions some people, you cannot paraphrase it as many people because it could mean a few people and not a large crowd or everyone.
Avoid using the below terms as synonyms for many, as it is a common issue encountered in IELTS writing task 2.
- Most
- Most people
- Numerous
- Several
- Several people
- A myriad of people
Nowadays
“Nowadays” means something different from how it was some time ago. A few other words people use instead of nowadays are in this day and age, today, and at the moment.
All indeed sound like they have the same meaning. However, the sense of these words may vary based on the context they are being used in.
So, you must be considerate and aware of how you will use these synonyms.
Teenagers
The word teenager is often misused when used with synonyms that may change the context of the sentence or phrase.
For example, many individuals paraphrase this word as people in their teens, which is correct.
A common mistake when paraphrasing this word is using words like children and young children.
Children generally indicate anyone between the ages of 0 and 18, while teenagers are those between the ages of 13 and 19.
Adolescent, young adult, youngster, and minor are also incorrect synonyms for the word teenager.
Believe
The word believe directly means that it is someone’s opinion, not reality or fact. Suitable synonyms for believe are feel, think, hold, and maintain.
Many people make the common mistake of using words like presume, imagine, know, guess, and accept as paraphrases to this word.
It’s essential to use only formal words in IELTS writing. A word like reckon is a synonym for belief, but it’s informal. Therefore, you must not use words like this in your IELTS writing task.
Until
One of the most significant mistakes people make in IELTS writing task 2 regarding the word until is using the word till.
Although till is a correct synonym for until, it’s an informal term that should not be used in your IELTS writing task. Informal vocabulary is only acceptable in your IELTS speaking test.
People
People is a very common word used when conversing and writing in English. It’s also a common term used in the IELTS writing task.
You may have to use this word several times in your IELTS writing task 2 essay. Therefore, you must know the most suitable synonym for this word: individuals.
Words like humans, persons, human beings, humankind, and mankind are all synonyms for this word. However, they are not suitable for use in your IELTS writing tasks.
Children
The best synonyms to use for the word children in your IELTS writing task 2 are teenagers, youngsters, adolescents, kids, or juveniles.
Some people use the word offspring instead of this word, but there are more suitable synonyms for your IELTS writing task.
Understanding The Use Of Synonyms In IELTS Writing And Speaking Modules
Most people thought they could improve their IELTS band by using more synonyms in writing tasks 1 and 2.
One important thing to note is that you cannot improve your IELTS simply by using more synonyms. You must use them correctly and within the proper context to help improve your IELTS score.
If you’re confident using a particular synonym of a word, you may use it in your writing. However, it’s best to refrain from using the word if you need clarification on its use and context.
Synonyms To Use In IELTS Paraphrasing
The first thing you’ll do related to paraphrasing in IELTS is rewrite the question in your own words.
It’s especially common in answering essay time questions involving things like giving your opinion about different facts.
Many people think that it’s incorrect to paraphrase the question and can result in receiving a lower band in IELTS.
It’s false, as you can paraphrase the IELTS writing task 2 question. However, you must paraphrase it appropriately using the most suitable synonyms.
The Academic IELTS Writing Task 1 module involves analyzing charts. In this case, you may have to paraphrase something like this chart says as this graph says.
About Using Partially Understood Vocabulary
A common mistake many IELTS students make is to look up the meaning of a new word that they come across in writing in the dictionary. They use this new word right away in their writing.
However, this is not the way to use new words and synonyms. You must first understand the meaning of these words and know how to use them in the correct context. Much research must be done before using a new word in a sentence.
A thesaurus is the best tool to find new words and synonyms. However, remember that a synonym may be a word with a meaning close to what you want to paraphrase.
It may be incorrect to use this word within the context of your writing sentence.
Misunderstanding The IELTS Requirements
A common misconception among many individuals who take the IELTS exam is that the more they use synonyms, the higher their score will be.
It’s completely untrue, as you will be using words within an incorrect context due to your limited range of vocabulary.
You may use words in incorrect context and risk losing marks you may have gained by using words you already know.
Tips For IELTS Success
Here are a few things to remember to achieve success in IELTS:
- Although vocabulary is mandatory in IELTS, you’re better off learning a smaller group of related-meaning words and using them often.
- A good way to paraphrase is to change the order of the words in the -sentence you are paraphrasing.
- Sounding too much like a scholar will not help you to get a good score.
- You will find it helpful to use collocations when you don’t have any other word to use as a synonym to paraphrase.
In addition, you may follow an online course or lesson plan to assist you in reaching a high band in IELTS. Scorebeyond.com is an excellent platform that will help you in this regard, with reviews of the different online courses available to students.
Conclusion
Synonyms are a great tool to help you reach a higher band in IELTS. However, the incorrect use of synonyms will only result in fewer marks instead of gaining more. Therefore, you must use synonyms carefully and wisely to succeed in IELTS.
Do adequate research before you use a new word in a sentence. You must know the context before using any word in a sentence.
The correct use of synonyms, collocations, and paraphrasing will all help you achieve a higher band in IELTS.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Powerful Words For IELTS Writing?
A few powerful words for IELTS writing are, in my view, for example, similar to, in common, however, on the contrary, therefore, and consequently.
How Can You Ace The IELTS Writing Test?
Remember to read the questions carefully, use synonyms appropriately, be aware of the time, and write within the word limits to ace the IELTS writing test.
Do IELTS Have Idioms?
You must be able to use a broader range of vocabulary and idioms in the correct context to show the examiner your ability to converse well in English.
