IELTS & TOEFL High-Score Vocabulary
Achieve your target IELTS Band 7+ or TOEFL 100+ score with this high-impact vocabulary flashcard deck. Vocabulary is one of the most heavily weighted components in IELTS Writing, Speaking, and Reading — and TOEFL Reading and Writing sections. Examiners specifically award higher scores for a wide range of sophisticated, precise vocabulary used accurately and naturally. This deck covers 40 powerful academic words and phrases that appear frequently in IELTS and TOEFL tasks, organized with their definitions, collocations (the words they naturally pair with), and example sentences in the context of essay writing. All words are drawn from the Academic Word List (AWL) and published IELTS preparation materials.
All Cards in This Deck
Question
Proliferate
Answer
To increase rapidly in number; to spread or multiply quickly. "Social media platforms have proliferated dramatically over the past decade." Collocates with: rapidly, widely, increasingly.
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Exacerbate
Answer
To make a problem or negative situation worse. "The lack of investment has exacerbated the housing crisis." Near-synonym: aggravate, intensify, compound.
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Alleviate
Answer
To reduce or lessen pain, suffering, or a problem. "Government subsidies can help alleviate poverty in rural communities." Near-synonym: mitigate, ease, relieve.
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Inevitable
Answer
Certain to happen; impossible to avoid. "With rising temperatures, more frequent extreme weather events seem inevitable." Collocates: almost, arguably, seemingly, apparently.
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Substantial
Answer
Large in size, value, or importance. "There is substantial evidence to suggest that diet affects mental health." Replaces: big, large, a lot of.
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Detrimental
Answer
Causing harm or damage; having a negative effect. "Excessive screen time can be detrimental to children's social development." Collocates: detrimental to (always followed by "to").
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Predominantly
Answer
Mainly; for the most part. "The workforce is predominantly composed of graduates under 30." Replaces: mostly, mainly, largely.
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Arguably
Answer
Used to suggest that a claim can be supported with reasons, even if not everyone agrees. "This is arguably the most significant scientific discovery of the century." Softens strong statements.
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Consequently
Answer
As a result; therefore. "The factory was closed; consequently, hundreds of workers lost their jobs." Used to show cause-and-effect.
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Nonetheless / Nevertheless
Answer
Despite what has just been said; in spite of this. "The task was difficult. Nonetheless, the team delivered excellent results." Introduces a concession then a counter-argument.
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Paramount
Answer
More important than anything else; supreme. "The safety of passengers is of paramount importance." Replaces: most important, top priority.
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Disparity
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A great difference or inequality between things. "There is a growing disparity between the wages of executives and frontline workers." Collocates: significant, growing, stark disparity.
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Facilitate
Answer
To make a process easier; to help bring about. "Technology facilitates communication across vast distances." Replaces: help, make easier, support.
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Attain
Answer
To succeed in achieving something, especially after effort. "Many young people struggle to attain a university degree due to financial constraints." Replaces: achieve, reach, accomplish.
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Phenomenon (pl. phenomena)
Answer
A fact, occurrence, or event — often unusual or remarkable. "Climate migration is a growing global phenomenon." Note: "phenomena" is the plural — never say "a phenomena."
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Prevalent
Answer
Widespread; common in a particular area or group. "Obesity has become increasingly prevalent in developed nations." Replaces: common, widespread, frequent.
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Undermine
Answer
To gradually weaken or damage something. "Corruption undermines public trust in the government." Replaces: damage, weaken, erode.
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Contend
Answer
To assert strongly; to argue or claim. "Some economists contend that a universal basic income would reduce poverty." Used to introduce arguments without stating they are true.
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Tangible
Answer
Real and concrete; capable of being touched or clearly seen. "The policy has produced tangible benefits for local communities." Opposite: intangible.
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Inequitable
Answer
Not fair or just; unfair in distribution. "The current tax system is inequitable — it disproportionately burdens lower-income households." Replaces: unfair, unjust.
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Sustainable
Answer
Able to be maintained over a long period without causing harm. "Economic growth must be sustainable if future generations are to prosper." Collocates: sustainable development, sustainable solution.
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Demographic
Answer
Relating to the structure and statistics of a population. "The ageing demographic poses significant challenges to pension systems." (noun or adjective).
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Advocate
Answer
(verb) To publicly support or recommend. (noun) A person who supports a cause. "Many scientists advocate for stricter carbon emissions regulations."
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Magnitude
Answer
The great size or extent of something; the importance of something. "The magnitude of the climate crisis demands immediate global action." Collocates: of great magnitude, the magnitude of the problem.
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Consensus
Answer
General agreement among a group of people. "There is a growing scientific consensus that human activity is driving climate change." Collocates: reach a consensus, broad/general/scientific consensus.
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Constraint
Answer
A limitation or restriction. "Financial constraints prevent many talented students from accessing higher education." Replaces: limitation, restriction, barrier.
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Forthcoming
Answer
About to appear or happen; willing to give information. "Further details will be provided in a forthcoming report."
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Empirical
Answer
Based on observation or experience rather than theory. "There is strong empirical evidence linking smoking to lung cancer." Key IELTS/TOEFL academic word.
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Rhetoric
Answer
Language designed to persuade, often without substance. "The politician's speech was full of rhetoric but lacked concrete policy proposals." Collocates: empty rhetoric, political rhetoric.
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Amplify
Answer
To increase in strength, size, or effect. "Social media can amplify misinformation at an alarming rate." Replaces: increase, magnify, intensify.
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Holistic
Answer
Considering something as a whole rather than its parts in isolation. "We need a holistic approach to mental health that addresses social, physical, and psychological factors."
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Discrepancy
Answer
A difference or inconsistency between two or more things. "There is a clear discrepancy between what the government reports and the actual unemployment figures."
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Mitigate
Answer
To make something less severe, serious, or painful. "Renewable energy can help mitigate the effects of climate change." Replaces: reduce, lessen, minimise.
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Unprecedented
Answer
Never having happened or existed before. "The pandemic caused unprecedented disruption to the global economy." Collocates: truly, historically, virtually unprecedented.
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Viable
Answer
Capable of working successfully; feasible. "Solar energy is becoming an increasingly viable alternative to fossil fuels." Replaces: feasible, workable, practical.
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Encompass
Answer
To include or cover a wide range of things. "The report encompasses a broad range of economic, social, and environmental factors." Replaces: include, cover, involve.
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Correlate
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To have a mutual relationship or connection. "Research suggests that exercise levels correlate positively with academic performance." Collocates: positively/negatively correlate with.
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Intrinsic
Answer
Belonging naturally to something; essential. "There is intrinsic value in education beyond its economic benefits." Opposite: extrinsic.
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Tacit
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Understood or implied without being directly stated. "There was a tacit agreement between the two parties not to discuss the matter." Replaces: unspoken, implied, implicit.
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Scrutinise
Answer
To examine closely and critically. "Government spending must be rigorously scrutinised to prevent waste." Replaces: examine, analyse, investigate closely.