If you’re wondering why synonyms are important in IELTS, it’s because they play a critical role in the Writing and Speaking test. In both writing and speaking, the lexical resource is one of the key criteria for scoring well. A lexical score measures the range of vocabulary you use. Employing synonyms demonstrates the varied vocabulary use, ultimately resulting in higher scores.
In addition to this, there are several other reasons why synonyms should be used in IELTS. In this article, we will highlight those and list the important synonyms. First, let’s understand what synonyms are.
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Understanding Synonyms For IELTS
Synonyms are words that mean the same thing and can be used in place of each other. For example, the word “excellent” is a synonym of the word “good”. Instead of using “good”, you can use “excellent”, to make the writing and speaking more sophisticated and engaging. This will not only polish the language but boost your performance in IELTS.
Why Are Synonyms Important In IELTS?
Here’s why you should use synonyms while attempting IELTS:
- Eliminates Repetition: Imagine how your language would sound if you used the same words multiple times while writing or speaking in the IELTS test. The responses would be monotonous and less engaging, ultimately impacting the overall score. Instead, use synonyms and demonstrate a broader range of vocabulary and sophistication.
- Improves Clarity And Precision: Clarity ensures that the examiner easily understands your logic and points. Employing synonyms allows you to pick words that convey the message in a nuanced way. This way you reduce ambiguity and provide a clear message to the examiner.
- On the other hand, precision ensures your message or points are not misrepresented. The use of ambiguous words can lead to misrepresentation. This is where synonyms come in handy. They help in avoiding vague or overly broad terms that might confuse the examiner. Additionally, synonyms help you articulate your ideas in a clear and precise manner.
- Improves Scores In The Writing Segment: In Writing Task 1 and Writing Task 2, you have to describe reports and charts, and present your arguments, respectively. While doing this, the examiner assesses your use of vocabulary, and this is where synonyms are useful. By employing synonyms, you demonstrate your ability to use language flexibly and accurately. All of these factors can contribute to higher scores on the IELTS test.
- Improves Fluency: The speaking test is not only about how you construct sentences but also how fluently you speak. This test assesses how smoothly you speak without any hesitations or pauses. Incorporating synonyms enables you to express your ideas naturally and with greater variety, thereby enhancing fluency.
- Meets The Requirement Of Formal Language: Although IELTS blends formal and informal language, the primary focus is on formal language, especially in the academic modules and general aspects of the language training module. Synonyms fit this description appropriately. While synonyms inherently are not academic, their use can support a more academic and formal style. For example, a formal tone is often required in the IELTS English test, and synonyms help achieve this. They offer a wide range of words that are suitable for formal contexts, thereby meeting the requirement of formal language.
- Meets The Speaking Test Criteria: One of the critical criteria for the speaking test in IELTS is how well you use vocabulary to express yourself. To be precise, how effectively do you use words and phrases to share your ideas with the examiner? By incorporating synonyms, you meet the criteria and can demonstrate that you have diverse vocabulary knowledge. This will help you earn high scores on the speaking test.
List Of The Top Synonyms For IELTS
There are many synonyms used in IELTS and we recommend taking the help of the IELTS vocabulary books to enhance your vocabulary. Having said that, here we will highlight the list of top synonyms that you can use while taking your exam.
| Words | Synonyms |
|---|---|
| BAD | Poor, Terrible, Unfavorable, Dreadful, Inferior, Worse. |
| Big | Large, Huge, Massive, Enormous, Gigantic, Vast, Colossal. |
| Amazing | Incredible, Fantastic, Stunning, Awesome, Remarkable, Marvelous. |
| Awful | Terrible, Horrendous, Dreadful, Appalling, Horrible, Grim. |
| Angry | Furious, Irritated, Annoyed, Outraged, Mad, Enraged, Agitated. |
| Happy | Joyful Content, Ecstatic, Cheerful, Elated, Delighted, Blissful. |
| Intersting | Fascinating, Engaging, Intriguing, Stimulating, Entertaining, Absorbing |
| Important | Significant, Crucial, Essential, Key, Major, Critical, Noteworthy |
| Use | Utilize, Employ, Apply, Deploy, Expend, Consume, Administer |
| Wrong | Incorrect, Faulty, Inaccurate, Mistaken, Improper, Unethical, Blunder. |
Few Common Synonyms For IELTS
Synonyms don’t only represent single words. They can be used to replace short sentences. Here are some of the synonyms that can be used to replace short sentences:
| Short Sentences | Synonyms |
|---|---|
| Get good scores | Score well, achieve high scores, or earn impressive scores |
| Take good care of yourself | Take care, be well, stay well, or prioritize your health |
| Go to swim | Dive in, take a dip, hit the water, or take a plunge |
| Do research | Conduct research, examine, explore, analyze, or probe |
| Get skills | Develop skills, learn skills, hone skills, or build skills |
Practicing The Use Of Synonyms
As the saying goes “Practice makes perfect”. The same applies here. Here are some strategies that you can use to practice synonyms:
- Take a word and create a list of words, and in that list add the synonym. From the list, choose an appropriate synonym that matches the word. For example, the word is “good” and the list is “excellent”, “outstanding”, “marvelous”, and “terrific”. The correct synonym is “excellent”.
- Take a few sentences and rephrase them with synonyms. For example, “The match is good” is the original sentence, and “The match is excellent” is the rephrased sentence with the synonym.
- Write a passage and rewrite some words within the passage with synonyms. For example, “This institute is the best. Here, you will get skills”. Instead, you can replace “best” and “get skills” with synonyms like “unmatched” and “develop skills”, respectively.
- Make use of vocabulary books like Thesaurus. Pick synonyms from the book and incorporate them into your practice.
- Create flashcards with one side having words and the other side having synonyms. Test yourself using the flashcards.
- Write sentences or paragraphs using synonyms. This way you will polish the sentences and offer a clear and coherent message.
- Read paragraphs from books. Pay attention to how the authors use synonyms in their content.
If you want more time for practicing, you can always Reschedule your IELTS exam. Read how.
Conclusion
Incorporating synonyms in your writing and speaking is crucial for achieving a great score. Make use of the synonyms mentioned above to refine your writing and speaking skills. And remember, effective use of synonyms can significantly enhance your preparation for the IELTS exam.
Read about TOEFL, an equivalent English proficiency exam.
FAQs
When using synonyms, understand the context and then pick the right synonyms. Don’t overuse the synonyms. Use them sparingly, and while using them, ensure that they enhance the clarity and precision of your writing. The best way to effectively incorporate synonyms is by practicing. Practice by rewriting paragraphs or sentences using different synonyms.
Yes, incorporating too many synonyms can awkwardly portray the overall message. This can negatively impact the score. It is best to use synonyms sparingly and that too in a way that they improve the quality of your writing. Use synonyms with text that is coherent and natural.
Although memorizing synonyms will be helpful, it is ideal to understand where, how, and in which context to use the synonym. Doing this will be easier than memorizing them, which is a cumbersome process. Focus on learning common synonyms and practice them by using them in paragraphs or sentences.
Speaking is one of the important segments of IELTS exams. The best way to incorporate synonyms into speaking is by using the synonyms while conversing with others. Identify the common synonyms and practice incorporating them naturally into your conversations. This is the best way to prepare for a speaking test.
When using synonyms, make sure to avoid synonyms that are obscure and less familiar. If you fail to do this, these synonyms will confuse the examiner, ultimately affecting your IELTS scores.