Hi there it’s Asiya. Today I’ve prepared for you synonyms for some of the most common
words that we use in IELTS Writing Task 2. These synonyms will help you avoid repeating
the same words over and over and, in this way, boost your Lexical Resource score. You’ll
also be able to download a PDF guide supplementing this video. Okay? Let’s get started.
Let’s begin with the main words you’ll need in different types of Task 2 essays.
One type of essay is about advantages and disadvantages of something. Here’re some
other words to use instead:
benefits and drawbacks perhaps I use these two most frequently
strengths and weaknesses
merits and demerits
pros and cons these two are slightly less formal than the rest but are still acceptable
for task
Here’re some examples:
A considerable benefit of teaching children at home is… something
A major drawback of children studying at home is…
or Home-schooling has both its pros and cons
Another type of Task 2 essay is to discuss two views of other people and give your opinion.
When referring to the views of others, you can say: a point of view, an opinion, a belief,
a position, a way of thinking, an attitude
Let me show you how to use the last two in sentences.
A way of thinking is something you can say about someone’s views on big subjects. Some
people think that finding a stable job is the best way to build a successful career.
However, this way of thinking is more common among the older generation.
The next word is an attitude. You can say an attitude about/on/to/towards something.
Some people may have a negative attitude towards private schools. Memorize this collocation,
this combination of words, a negative attitude. There is a sign of changing attitudes on issues
such as early marriage.
The next type of essay is an agree/disagree essay. Here’re a couple of useful words.
To agree is to support a certain view or position. I support the view that this policy should
be promoted but not enforced. This means that people should be encouraged to do something
but not made not forced to do it against their will.
To disagree is to oppose, or not to support, or to be against
I disagree that raising taxes is an effective way to...do something. You could say:
I am opposed to raising taxes.
I am against the proposal to raise taxes.
In some essays, for example, two views and your opinion, you need to clearly express
your opinion. Here’re some alternatives to saying in my opinion:
It seems to me that… In my view… You can use it in the middle of your sentence: Home-schooling,
in my view, should be discouraged. Don’t forget to put commas before and after this
phrase.
My own view is that… You can use this phrase to disagree with something you’ve just mentioned.
Some people believe that universities are not for everyone. My own view is that higher
education benefits every person without exception. I show the contrast between the opinion of
other people and my own opinion. In a situation when you want to agree which what you’ve
said, use: I entirely support this position. Some people believe that higher education
benefits every person, and I entirely support this position.
You can also use more universal I am convinced, I think and I believe.
Then, there’re essays about causes of a problem and solutions.
A problem can be called an issue if that’s the problem people discuss or argue about.
It’s common to say to solve/tackle the problem/issue
Another synonyms is a hurdle but this is a problem that you have to deal with
before you can make progress. A hurdle prevents you from doing something you want
Passing the IELTS exam is the first hurdle to overcome.
And an obstacle. This is something that makes it difficult for you to achieve something
else. For example, a lack of qualifications can be a major obstacle to finding a job.
Please note to preposition: an obstacle TO something.
How can we talk about the cause of our problem? You can refer to a root of the problem or
a root cause. For example, The root cause of air pollution is… You can say a reason for
something. The main reason for air pollution… Again, I wanna draw your attention to prepositions,
a root cause of something but a reason for something.
Now, the solutions TO the problem. There aren’t many synonyms to be honest. You could simply
paraphase it by saying a way to solve this problem. Let me show you a couple of collocations
that can help you use this word in a smart way. You can say something offers a solution.
Education may offer a solution to the country’s economic problems.
A solution can be effective /acceptable/ long-term or immediate.
Education is seen as a long-term solution to poverty
Yes, you could say a way out. This is a way of escaping from a difficult situation. Education
is seen as a way out of poverty.
Okay, we’re done with types of essays. Let’s have a look at some other very common words.
One of them is A LOT. We use it well A LOT. But it’s informal and not really suitable
for Task 2. lots/plenty are informal too. Avoid them.
You’ve probably learned at school that you should only use many and much in negative
sentences or when you ask a question. In spoken English, yes. In FORMAL English, many and
much are totally acceptable. Many people support the provision of free medical services for
everyone.
Another great alternative is a number of or a large number of. A large number of people
support this.
If you feel that you need more synonyms because you always say a number of… then perhaps
you overuse these expressions. Try to slightly change your sentence structure. Instead of
using an adjective, use an adverb. Often and usually are the most important ones, the most
common ones. You can also say frequently generally on certain/numerous occasions in some/many/most
cases in some/many instances repeatedly
That’s how instead of saying Many people support something… you can say People generally
support something, for instance, the provision of free medical services for everyone. Or
Vegetables are generally low in calories.
Speaking about regularity. If I may ask you, Do you regular watch my video lessons? Do
you like them? If yes, please subscribe to this channel. It means a lot to me. We’ve
just discussed how you can replace a lot. What if you don’t have enough of something?
You can say few for countable nouns few cars or less for nouns that we can’t count less
preparation. What are the synonyms? We often say a couple of something. Again, this expression
is informal and isn’t suitable for Task 2. Instead, say a small/insufficient number
of something or in rare cases in rare instances
Some other words we often overuse are common adjectives good, bad, serious, important
and so on. Words good and bad are simple and they are rarely used in more formal writing.
Let me give you some synonyms that are more appropriate for IELTS Writing.
Good. The first synonym is Suitable. It means it’s right or appropriate for a particular
purpose. This programme is not suitable for children.
Acceptable it means that you agree that it’s of a good enough standard or it’s allowed
A political solution should be acceptable to all parties.
Satisfactory good enough for a particular purpose
You can talk about a satisfactory explanation/answer/solution/conclusion
The next word is bad. Instead, you could say that something is harmful
It means causing damage or injury. We use it to talk about our health or the environment.
The harmful effects of alcohol are well established.
Detrimental – this is an even more formal synonym of harmful but the meaning is wider.
The policy will be detrimental to the peace process.
Next, inappropriate not suitable in a particular situation
The existing practice is totally inappropriate to the needs of modern society.
There’re many more adjectives that we use all the time – interesting, important, serious,
simple, to name a few. I’ve copied the synonyms and examples for good and bad from the PDF
list of synonyms for 20 most common adjectives used in IELTS Writing Task 2. And you can
download it right now. The link is on the screen and in the video description box below.
The list of synonyms from todays’ video is in the description too.
Thank you so much for watching me today. Good luck with your preparation and your exam.
Bye