IELTS Vocabulary for the Topic: Advertising drug companies make inaccurate claims

about the safety

advertising budget doctors are offered incentives to prescribe
below-the-line advertising drugs
direct mail misleading information
billboards
in-store
promotions
telemarketing Essay topics:
sponsoring events 1. Consumers are faced with increasing numbers
of advertisements from competing
advertising entices children to drink and
companies. To what extent do you think
smoke
consumers are influenced by
marketing campaigns
advertisements? What measures can be taken to
to shape preferences protect ordinary people?
to promote junk food on television 2. Some of the methods used in advertising are
to impose restrictions on the marketing unethical and unacceptable in todays
of society. To what extent do you agree or disagree
tobacco and alcohol with this view?
to ban adverts 3. Advertising is an integral part of modern life.
to hook children Some people say that advertising is a
food promotion positive phenomenon, while others say it is a
conventional commercials negative one. Discuss both views and
childrens exposure to junk-food include your own opinion.
marketing 4. There is an increasing amount of advertising
childrens vulnerability directed at children, which
encourages them to buy goods such as toys and
a splendid audience
snacks. Many parents are worried
the influence of marketing on minors that advertisements put too much pressure on
legislation to curb marketing to children children, while some advertisers
children might be manipulated by a claim that they provide useful information.
commercial Discuss both views and give your
such marketing contributes to childhood opinion.
obesity
children are gullible
to shield children from marketing IELTS Vocabulary: Art Page
product placement
glossy magazine ads
consumers can be targeted by internet free entry
advertisers to merit an entry fee
a surge in online advertising to marvel at modern masterworks
getting value for money ticketing practices
consumers are becoming far more a sign at the ticketing line
sophisticated $25 adult admission fee
viral marketing in the UK, all national museums are free
consumer resistance to the growing museums focused on generating revenue
intrusiveness of advertising museums should be free community
people often reject traditional ads resources
unscrupulous marketing techniques still-life paintings
unethical marketing some museums do not charge general
the companies violate ethical marketing admission
codes others tend to charge high entry fees
strong government grant programs
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 private donations
a revived culture of philanthropy
many scientists are very appreciative of
the arts
aesthetic experience
to bring creativity and out-of-the-box
thinking into other disciplines
science and art have different ways of
explaining the world
great composers are still recognizable to
most people
a decline in concert attendance and
funding
plenty of symphonic orchestras
professional choirs
art connoisseur
choral and orchestral pieces are used in
popular movies
film composers
to expand musical horizons
to live in harmony with the global
patterns of life
music can provide a model for the
renewal of human consciousness
the importance of artistic freedom
an inhibitor to artistic freedom
freedom of expression
art mirrors the culture
a matter of taste
intelligent, rational viewers of art
to remove certain artworks from public
display
to censor exhibitions
voluntary curtailment of expression
free communication is essential to the
preservation of a free society
suppression of artistic expression leads to
conformity and the stifling of freedom
public investment in the arts can yield
both cultural and economic dividends
Britain is now bursting with quality
museums and theatres
the arts are essential to a healthy society
state funding creates dependency
state funding of the arts can cause them
to stagnate
Britains mixed funding model for the
arts
Essay topics:
1. Should museums and art galleries be free of
charge for the general public, or
should a charge, even a voluntary one, be levied
for admittance? Discuss this issue,
and give your opinion.
2. Foreign visitors should pay more than local
visitors for cultural and historical
attractions. To what extent do you agree or
disagree with this opinion?
3. Advances in science and technology have
made great changes in lives of ordinary
people, but artists such as musicians, painters
and writers are still highly valued.
What is more important, science or art?
4. Music is an important part of human life.
What does music reveal to people about
the world? Do you believe that modern forms of
music have superseded the more
traditional forms of music?
5. One of the functions of art is to challenge the
establishment. There should,
therefore, be no restrictions in the form of
censorship. To what extent do you
agree or disagree?
6. It is more important for the government to
invest in projects that benefit the
whole community such as welfare programmes
and infrastructure improvements
than to subsidise museums and art galleries as
these will only benefit a minority.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
IELTS Vocabulary for the Topic: Education
top-tier institutions
MOOCs, massive open online courses
MOOCs have multiplied in number
traditional institutions
high drop-out rates
graduate diplomas
professional degree
job prospects
ultimate payoff
financial burden
enormous endowments
less affluent students
recent graduates with bachelors degrees
are among the most indebted
enrollment more than doubled
to keep pace with the growing student
body
state-subsidized higher education
to become mired in a financial morass
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 sharp increases in tuition
regardless of their financial
circumstances
talented alumni
grants and scholarships
optimistic rhetoric of campus tours
salesman like admissions officers
ever-escalating price of a college degree
marking criteria
exams can encourage surface learning
a possibility of plagiarism
to perform significantly better
students are tempted to cheat
to attain proficiency in another language
the optimal age for language learning
there are cognitive benefits to early
childhood bilingualism
to demonstrate academic gains in other
areas
to have advantages in relation to their
monolingual peers
academic achievement
the global economy increasingly values
specialists over generalists
tremendous educational value
to broaden horizons
to strengthen analytic and reasoning
skills
Essay topics:
1. Some people believe the aim of university
education is to help graduates get
better jobs. Others believe that there are much
wider benefits of university
education for both individuals and society.
Discuss both views and give your
opinion.
2. Education is not a luxury, but a basic human
right and as such should be free
for everyone irrespective of personal wealth. Do
you agree or disagree with
this statement?
3. Some people think that children's free time
must include educational
activities, otherwise they will waste their time.
What is your opinion?
4. Formal examinations are the only effective
way to assess a student's
performance. Continual assessment such as
course work and projects is not a
satisfactory way to do this. To what extent do
you agree or disagree with this
statement?
5. The subjects that children are taught in
schools are chosen by central
authorities. Some people say that teachers, not
politicians, should be
responsible for this task. To what extent you
agree or disagree with this
opinion?
6. Some experts believe that it is better for
children to begin learning a foreign
language at primary school rather than
secondary school. Do the advantages
of learning a foreign language at an early age
outweigh the disadvantages?
IELTS Vocabulary for the Topic: Energy
avoid ground-level ozone formation
prevent acid rain
the lowest impact on the environment
to reduce carbon dioxide emissions
stable electricity supply
environmentally benign
waste byproducts
nuclear waste disposal
to decontaminate radioactive material
shutdown of nuclear plants
stress-testing of reactors
ban on nuclear power
harmful pollutants
enriched uranium
health effects of radiation
to emit radiation
accidents in nuclear power plants
escape of radioactive wastes from
confinement systems
natural habitat of rocks
waste generated by nuclear power plants
entail environmental hazards
radioactive isotopes
solar, wind and biogas plants
fossil fuel plants
to eliminate the use of fossil fuels
to turn to renewable sources
coal-fired electricity
hydroelectric dams
the abundance of sunshine
photovoltaic panels
steady ocean breezes
offshore wind-farm
geothermal power
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 tidal power
to upgrade the network
electricity shortages
blackout
semiconductor materials
strong sunshine
state-of-the-art solar energy facilities
wind turbines interfere with birdlife
water dams can cause flooding
to destroy habitats
to release harmful gases
Essay topics:
1. The threat of nuclear weapons maintains
world peace. Nuclear power
provides cheap and clean energy. The benefits of
nuclear technology far
outweigh the disadvantages. Do you agree or
disagree? Give reasons for your
answer.
2. To what extent is nuclear technology a danger
to life on Earth? What are the
benefits and risks associated with its use?
3. One-day the worlds oil and gas reserves will
run out. Alternative energy
sources like wind power, solar power, burning
waste, and water power are
causing as much environmental damage as the
oil and nuclear power sources
they are intended to replace. How far do you
agree with the latter statement?
What possible benefits do the alternative energy
sources pose? Or what
damage do they cause?
IELTS Vocabulary: Environment
to reduce carbon dioxide emissions
to cut greenhouse-gas emissions
the greenhouse effect
heat-trapping gases
to combat climate change
irreversible climate change
natural disasters
changing weather patterns
environmental catastrophe
impact on water supplies
to spread malaria
low-lying coastal areas vulnerable to
rising sea levels
coastal surges
global warming dries out farmland
causes both floods and droughts
melting glaciers
searing heat
widespread flooding
climate change is undermining the gains
from intensive farming
climate-change mitigation
rich countries are responsible for two
thirds of the carbon put into the
atmosphere
carbon capture and storage plants
to limit the amount of carbon dioxide
to prevent illegal logging
to slow deforestation
to halt deforestation
to fund sustainable farming
agriculture drives around 80 percent of
the planet's deforestation
adverse environmental effects
tourism can cause the loss of biodiversity
land and resources are strained by
excessive use
impacts on vegetation, wildlife,
mountain, marine and coastal
environments
tourists can bring in new species
can cause enormous disruption
destruction of ecosystems
emissions from jet aircraft
air travel causes the destruction of ozone
layer
tourism is a significant contributor to the
increasing concentrations of greenhouse
gases
revenue from park-entrance fees
to reduce carbon footprint
to introduce green taxes
eco-friendly design in architecture
schemes to offset carbon emissions
to buy hybrid cars
to develop alternative energy sources
offshore wind farms
solar heating
to dump waste
disposal of household waste
to recycle waste
Essay topics:
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1. The best way to solve the worlds convenient and inexpensive foods
environmental problems is to increase the cost sugary, salty, fatty foods
of to devour fried chicken
fuel. To what extent do you agree or disagree? to consume fewer calories
2. The world is consuming natural resources to maintain healthy weight
faster than they can be renewed.
the intake of nutrients
Therefore, it is important that products are
to maintain calorie balance
made to last. Governments should
discourage people from constantly buying more to consume nutrient-dense foods
up-to-date or fashionable solid fats
products. To what extent do you agree with this refined grains
statement? healthy eating pattern
3. Developed countries have created many low-fat dairy products
environmental problems in the world, lean meats and poultry
particularly in their contribution to global fortified foods
warming. What can be done to reduce dietary supplements
the dangers of global warming? pasteurized milk
4. In many countries tourism is an important to reduce sodium intake
part of the economy, but it also causes saturated fatty acids
environmental damage. Some people believe
polyunsaturated fatty acids
that tourists should pay an additional
consume in moderation
tax to compensate for this damage. To what
extent do you agree or disagree? eat rainbow
5. Global warming is one of the most serious to replace refined grains with whole
issues that the world is facing today. grains
What are the causes of global warming and what protein foods
measures can governments and insoluble dietary fiber
individuals take to tackle the issue? soluble dietary fiber
6. Logging of the rain forests is a serious a varied diet
problem that may lead to the extinction of metabolic processes
animal life and human life. What are the causes sedentary lifestyle
of deforestation and what can be Body mass index (BMI)
done to reduce its dangers? portion sizes

Essay topics:
1. Todays food travels thousands of miles before
it reaches customers. Why
IELTS Vocabulary for the Topic: Food and
does this happen? Is this a positive or negative
Health trend?
2. Recent research shows that the consumption
the emerging obesity epidemic of junk food is detrimental
obese children suffering from diabetes to health. Some people believe that better health
processed foods education is the solution
to pose health concerns to this problem, but others disagree. What is
poor diet your opinion?
healthy diet 3. Nowadays many food producers are using
to address the obesity problem chemical substances to
people overeat preserve foods. Do the dangers derived from the
packaged foods use of chemicals in food
nutritional aspects production and preservation outweigh the
grocery store advantages?
unsweetened yogurt 4. The percentage of overweight children in
Western society has increased
whole grains
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by almost 20% during the last ten years. Discuss
the causes and effects of
this disturbing trend.
5. Eating a balanced diet is the most important
factor for a healthy life. To
what extent do you agree?
IELTS Vocabulary: Genetic Engineering
modern biotechnology
recombinant DNA technology
the precise tailoring of crops by direct
genetic manipulation
conventional crops
old and haphazard processes of
hybridisation
selective breeding
resistance to insect, fungal and viral pests
to require pesticides
to increase yields
to enhance nutritional value
to object to genetically modified foods
potential risks to human health and the
environment
food manufacturers
genetic manipulation is unnatural
salads concocted from weeds
to stimulate pest resistance
GM crops contain their own insecticide
spraying becomes unnecessary
GM food is neither toxic nor allergenic
mandatory labelling of GM food
opposed to genetic engineering
to adopt GM crops
the prospect of lower chemical costs
organic produce
a matter of consumer preference
agricultural biotechnology
the next generation of GM foods
obvious consumer benefits
virus resistance makes plants less
susceptible to diseases
genetically engineered vaccines
vaccines are less effective at triggering
antibodies
the vaccines must be repeated frequently
insulin for diabetics
Essay topics:
1. Genetic engineering is an important issue in
modern society. Some people think
that it will improve people's lives in many ways.
Others feel that it may be a threat
to life on earth. Discuss both opinions and give
your opinion.
2. In recent years, farming practice has changed
to include methods such as genetic
modification and the use of technology to
improve crops. Some people believe
these developments are necessary, while others
regard them as dangerous and
advocate a return to traditional farming
methods. Discuss both points of view and
give your own opinion.
IELTS Vocabulary for the Topic:
Overpopulation
less developed countries
raw-material scarcities
stringent population-control measures
higher population further degrades the
environment
a fast-growing population
voluntary population control
the declining rates of fertility
to intervene in people's choice
to face chronic water shortages
to ensure a reasonable quality of life
to lack access to modern sanitation
water-borne pathogens
rising carbon emissions
to lack adequate daily nutrition
women would like to limit their
childbearing but have no access to
contraceptives
to achieve population stabilisation
to ensure that women can exercise
control over their own reproductive
choice
global demographic trends
maldistribution of wealth
densely populated countries
a country with below-replacement
fertility
the one-child policy in China
the ratio of taxpayers to pensioners
the birthrate declines as society grows
richer
to impose abortions and sterilisations
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 the ageing of Britains population
immigrants could help balance out the
retirees
demographic crunch
Essay topics:
1. One of the most pressing problems facing the
world today is overpopulation. What
policies do you believe governments should
adopt to address the causes and
effects of this problem?
2. The world is experiencing a dramatic increase
in population, which is causing
problems not only for developing countries, but
also for developed nations.
Describe some of the problems that
overpopulation causes, and suggest at least
one possible solution.
IELTS Vocabulary: Health
health practitioners
complementary/alternative medicine
preventive care
to enhance hospital productivity
to promote healthy ageing
to meet the healthcare needs
to recover from acute diseases
to battle chronic afflictions
growing demand for healthcare services
to fend off diseases before they arise
to mitigate their worst effects
to promote health initiatives
to reduce the scourge of infectious and
chronic diseases
measures such as vaccination drives and
educational campaigns help prevent
contagious diseases
promoting healthy lifestyles helps battle
chronic illnesses
to tighten anti-smoking policies
to underfund immunization programmes
an ounce of prevention is worth a pound
of cure
the costs are mounting
to lead active, productive lives
a holistic approach to feeling well
clinics provide acupuncture
to minimize the risks of misused
remedies
the efficacy of acupuncture to relieve pain
and nausea
hypnosis and relaxation techniques
to alleviate anxiety, panic disorders and
insomnia
yoga can reduce asthma attacks
to address chronic conditions
impact on infectious diseases
create a stronger evidence base
promote therapeutically sound use of
alternative medicine
to expand the health workforce
education of health workers
critical shortages of health workers
to scale up health education
reforms in education
collaboration between the education and
health sectors
to reform teaching curricula
to obtain free healthcare
patients face charges
to seek treatment
patients' eligibility for treatment
to balance tight budgets with rising public
expectation
cripples in the street
people dying of treatable diseases
incurable disease/ untreatable disease
to provide medical services to the entire
population
regardless of peoples ability to pay
to forge national health provision
an accessible public-health insurance
system
to break the link between earnings and
health entitlements
cost-efficiency of medicines and
treatments
the performance of hospitals and
surgeons
overuse of the service for transient
ailments
wellness industry
Essay topics:
1. Currently there is a trend towards the use of
alternative forms of medicine.
However, at best these methods are ineffective,
and at worst they may be
dangerous. To what extent do you agree with
this statement?
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2. Prevention is better than cure. Out of a
countrys health budget, a large
proportion should be diverted from treatment to
spending on health
education and preventive measures. To what
extent do you agree or disagree
with this statement?
3. Most developed countries spend a large
proportion of their health budgets on
expensive medical technology and procedures.
This money should be spent
instead on health education. To what extent do
you agree or disagree?
4. The quality of health care a person receives
should not depend on the size of
their bank balance. The government is
responsible for providing a high level
of health care for all its citizens. To what extent
do you agree or disagree?
5. Some people say that the best way to improve
public health is by increasing
the number of sports facilities. Others, however,
argue that this would have
little effect on public health and that other
measures are required. Discuss
both these views and give your own opinion.
IELTS Vocabulary: Space Exploration
governments fund research
to withdraw money
to promote innovation
to pour money into research
to unravel the mysteries of the universe
funnelling taxpayers' money into more
down-to-earth projects
to contribute to the public good
to lead to underinvestment
crucial to societies' well-being
to bolster the case for government
subsidies to science
the returns in terms of innovation
to derive benefits
scientific pursuits
private ventures
to make human space flight commercially
viable
the market seems vulnerable
space tourism is a luxury service
it is unlikely to go beyond low-Earth orbit
ferrying astronauts to the International
Space Station
space-shuttle programme
to launch the last mission
test pilots are killed
traditional spacefaring powers
robotic exploration of the solar system
public interest is likely to wane
the descent of the Curiosity rover
satellite imagery
to uncover remarkable information
geological evolution of Mars
manned space travel
to exploit spaceship technology
to offer commercial sub-orbital flights
new generation of vehicles
rockets consume a huge amount of power
passengers will experience weightlessness
the fleet should be large enough to
furnish space-tourism business
to launch satellites
air launches avoid igniting rockets in the
lower atmosphere
to launch hypersonic vehicles
Virgin Galactic of Sir Richard Branson
to break even in 2014
commercialising space
NASAs cancellation of moon programme
the private sector can lower the costs of
getting into orbit
to transport a lunar base
Essay topics:
1. Space exploration requires vast sums of
money. Is the amount of money spent on
space research justifiable? Could the money be
better spent?
2. Space travel has become possible. Some
people think that space tourism will
probably be developed in the future. Discuss the
advantages and disadvantages of
space tourism and give your own opinion.
3. Space travel to the moon is cited as a big step
for the mankind. Some people think
it made little difference to peoples daily lives.
To what extent do you agree or
disagree with them?
IELTS Vocabulary for the Topic: Sports
to outlaw dangerous sports
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 to be banned on safety grounds
repeated blows to the head in boxing
to risk brain injury
a mainstream sport
a highly disciplined sport
to instill self-discipline
to disengage children from gangs
tombstoning (cliff-jumping)
the rush of adrenaline
a bloodthirsty and dangerous sport
broken ribs
black eyes
medical risks
martial arts such as kickboxing and Thai
boxing
to host the Olympics
tantalizing promises
local construction sector tends to benefit
necessary infrastructure
economic windfall
to experience cost overruns
escalating costs
magnificent athletic events
to spur goodwill
to alienate inactive schoolchildren
competitive team-based sports
to get young people into the habit of
exercise
to lead healthy and active lifestyles
to compete against other schools
intrinsically valuable
sports coaches
to neglect outdoor, adventurous and
dance activity
NBA players' annual salaries exceed $2m
household incomes
a star basketball player
is paid a fortune
superstar compensation
to tolerate outsized sports incomes
high-paid sports celebrities
Essay topics:
1. Some people think that the government
should prohibit dangerous sporting
activities while others think that people have the
freedom to do whatever sports
they choose. Discuss both views and give your
own opinion.
2. Many people want their country to host an
international sporting event. Others
believe that international sporting events bring
more problems than benefits.
Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
3. Some people believe that competitive sports
have a positive effect on childrens
education, while others believe there is no place
for such sports in schools. Discuss
both points of view and give your own opinion.
4. In many countries, people working in sport
and entertainment earn much more
money than professionals like doctors, nurses
and teachers. Why do you think this
happens? Do you consider this a positive or a
negative factor?
5. Being a celebrity such as a famous film star
or sports personality brings
problems as well as benefits. Do you think that
being a celebrity brings more
benefits or more problems?
IELTS Vocabulary for the Topic:
Urbanisation
modern metropolis
gateways to finance
to spur economic growth
urban proximity
vulnerable to violent crime
high population density
greater opportunities for face-to-face
interactions
contagious disease
highly correlate
to foster social ties
rural migrants
urban dwellers
pressing problems
insufficient water availability
waste-disposal problems
intensive urban growth
concentrated energy use leads [lidz] to
greater air pollution
automobile exhaust
elevated lead [led] levels
multiple health hazards
magnify the risk
toxic substances
to upgrade energy use
alternative transport systems
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 to plant trees
traffic congestion
shortage of off-street parking
multi-storey car parks
provide homes for booming population
demand fuelled by a massive population
rise
to cover with concrete
to destroy green spaces
despoliation of precious landscape

Essay topics:
1. Overpopulation of urban areas has led to
numerous problems. Identify one or two
serious ones and suggest the ways how
governments and individuals can tackle
these problems.
2. In cities and towns all over the world high
volume of traffic is a problem. What are
the causes of this and what actions can be taken
to solve this problem?
3. In many countries there is a shortage of
housing due to a growing population.
Some people argue that new towns should be
built in the countryside, others
support the regeneration of cities. What are the
advantages and disadvantages of
building new towns in the countryside?

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