Most Band 9 Students Use These 20 Words

Summary

In this lesson, Chris from IELTS Advantage highlights the most common vocabulary used in Band 7, 8, and 9 IELTS essays. The focus is on using simple, accurate words, especially topic-specific vocabulary, rather than overcomplicating essays with high-level terms. By analyzing 100 essays, Chris shows that basic words like articles, prepositions, and linking words make up the majority of successful essays. He emphasizes the importance of using existing vocabulary accurately and suggests students focus on mastering functional words for common IELTS topics like education and health.

Takeaways

• 😀 Focus on using simple and accurate vocabulary to improve your IELTS Writing score, rather than memorizing complex words.
• 😀 The majority of words in Band 7, 8, and 9 essays are basic, with only a small percentage being high-level words.
• 😀 Repeating simple words in your essay is perfectly fine and often necessary for clarity and accuracy.
• 😀 Top-scoring essays tend to focus on topic-specific vocabulary rather than random complex terms.
• 😀 Linking words such as 'for example,' 'however,' and 'in conclusion' are essential for structuring your essay effectively.
• 😀 The use of functional and practical linking words is more important than using fancy, complex ones.
• 😀 Band 9 students use fewer linking words compared to Band 7 students, showing that simplicity and accuracy are key.
• 😀 High-level vocabulary (C1, C2) should only be used when simpler words cannot convey the intended meaning.
• 😀 It’s better to be accurate with simple words than to risk using complex words incorrectly.
• 😀 Focus on existing vocabulary you already know, especially topic-specific words, to ensure your writing is both accurate and effective.
• 😀 A small percentage of complex words (like sprinkles on a cake) should be used only to enhance clarity and precision in your essay.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video regarding vocabulary use in IELTS essays?

The main focus is on using simple, accurate, and topic-specific vocabulary rather than relying on complex or obscure words.

What was the process for selecting the 100 essays used in the analysis?

The 100 essays were chosen from students who had received feedback on their work and later achieved Band 7, 8, or 9 scores.

What percentage of words in the 100 essays were simple, everyday words (A1, A2, B1, B2 levels)?

About 80% of the words in the 100 essays were simple everyday words from A1, A2, B1, and B2 levels.

How much of the vocabulary in the essays came from high-level (C1, C2) words?

Less than 10% of the vocabulary in the essays came from high-level (C1, C2) words.

Why is it important to use simple words accurately rather than focusing on a wide range of complex words?

Using simple words accurately ensures clarity and avoids mistakes, which is crucial for effective communication in the IELTS writing task.

What are some of the common topics that appear in Task 2 essays, according to the analysis?

Common topics in Task 2 essays include education, health, and issues related to people, such as children, parents, and employees.

What is the key difference between this method of teaching vocabulary and other IELTS prep courses?

This method emphasizes using existing vocabulary accurately and focusing on topic-specific words, whereas other courses often stress expanding vocabulary range with complex words.

What are some examples of the most common linking words found in the essays?

Some of the most common linking words are 'for example,' 'however,' 'in conclusion,' 'for instance,' and 'therefore.'

What was the finding regarding the use of linking words between Band 7 and Band 9 students?

The Band 9 students used fewer linking words than the Band 7 students, highlighting that simplicity and appropriateness in linking words are more important than variety.

What is the significance of topic-specific vocabulary in IELTS essays?

Topic-specific vocabulary helps students write more precisely and relevantly about common IELTS topics, like education and health, making their essays more focused and coherent.