Updated Jun. 27, 2010
Index
30. Time Management
32. Relaxing
33. Tradition
34. Change
35. Non-Electrical Equipment in the Home
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punctual punctuality to plan ahead on time on schedule a deadline timely a "rush job" at short notice to be behind time to delay to put off doing s’thing to leave s’thing till the last moment
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to procrastinate to postpone overdue the due time the due date prompt, promptly to fall behind to be behind to rush to hurry urgent to cram (for an exam) to be pressed for time
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a crash study program a timetable a schedule to fritter away one’s time a short-term goal a long-term goal goal-setting a priority high priority low priority efficient, inefficient organized flexible |
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The following words could be used when describing people who participate in extreme sports or other examples of adventurous people. Use a good dictionary (not just an electronic dictionary) to see the full meaning, with examples, and usage of these words.
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Adjectives |
Nouns |
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adventurous |
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fearless |
a “showoff” |
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bold |
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reckless |
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rash |
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foolhardy |
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daring |
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The following words might be useful when talking about the topic of relaxation.
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Adjectives |
Nouns |
Verbs |
Phrases & Expressions |
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relaxing |
a rest |
to relax |
"A change is as good as a rest." |
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relaxed |
a nap |
to rest |
for recreation |
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restful |
a siesta |
to nap |
for pleasure |
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leisurely |
a massage |
to sleep |
for enjoyment |
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peaceful |
meditation |
to unwind |
for leisure |
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soothing |
stress |
to refresh oneself |
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stressful |
pressure |
to meditate |
to take my mind off my studies (or, off my work) |
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tension |
to stretch out |
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light exercise |
to take it easy |
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soothing music |
to revitalize oneself |
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a warm bath |
to relieve stress |
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to take a nap = to have a nap |
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to stretch the legs (= go for a walk) |
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| to "chill out" (This is slang but ok to use with younger examiners. Pronounce it clearly.) |
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Adjectives |
Nouns |
Verbs |
Other |
| traditional | a tradition | to observe a custom | |
| customary | a custom | to follow a custom | |
| ceremonial | a ceremony | to bow | |
| religious | a ritual | ||
| superstitious | a rite | ||
| formal | a practice | ||
| conventional | a convention | ||
| folklore | |||
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a superstition |
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a belief |
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a myth |
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a legend |
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a festival |
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The topic of "change" is a very frequent topic throughout the IELTS Speaking and Writing tests.
Most of the verbs in this list can be changed into nouns, often by adding "ion" to the verb.
Similarly, many of the verbs can be changed to become adjectives by adding "ed", for example, "improve" can become "improved".
Make sure you use a dictionary to see examples of how any new words are used. Using an impressive word in the test but using it incorrectly often causes you to lose points for vocabulary rather than gain points. This is because the listener (the examiner) might become confused about what you mean – clear communication is the Number 1 thing in the IELTS Speaking and Writing tests!
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Adjectives |
Nouns |
Verbs |
Verbs (continued) |
Other |
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better |
progress |
to grow |
to restrict |
"A change is as good as a rest". |
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worse |
a development |
to increase |
to suppress |
"Variety is the spice of life." |
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former |
a metamorphosis |
to rise |
to abolish |
go out of fashion |
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current |
a transition |
to expand |
to renew |
go out of style |
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modern |
the rate of change |
to extend |
to rejuvenate |
to die out (Some old traditions have "died out".) |
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fashionable |
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to broaden |
to renovate |
exponentially (exponential growth) |
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up-to-date |
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to widen |
to revamp |
to “change for the better” |
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contemporary |
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to lengthen |
to streamline |
to “change for the worse” |
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a radical change |
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to intensify |
to recondition |
behind the times = no longer fashionable |
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a gradual change |
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to magnify |
to refurnish |
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an imperceptible change |
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to decrease |
to rehabilitate |
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| to fall | to regenerate | |||
| to contract | to reform | |||
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to shorten |
to reverse |
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to reduce |
to improve |
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to fluctuate |
to develop |
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to vary |
to mature |
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to move |
to modernize |
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to relocate |
to enhance |
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to transport |
to advance |
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to shift |
to ameliorate |
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to divert |
to alleviate |
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to substitute |
to relieve |
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to transform |
to correct |
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to replace |
to deteriorate |
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to convert |
to worsen |
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to build |
to age |
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to construct |
to decay |
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to demolish |
to degenerate |
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to fix |
to aggravate |
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to repair |
to exacerbate |
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to update |
to impair |
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to alter |
to corrupt |
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| to modify | to discontinue | |||
| to limit | to abandon | |||
| to contain |
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35. Non-Electrical Equipment in the Home
Here, "equipment", "devices", "tools", "gadgets" all mean, more or less, the same thing.
In the Kitchen
| a measuring cup | a bottle opener | a frying pan | a meat cleaver |
| a ladle | a corkscrew | a saucepan (U.S. pronunciation is also acceptable: saucepan) | a cutting board |
| a spatula | a nutcracker | a vegetable knife | a dish rack (a dish drainer) |
| a can opener | a wok (锅） | a vegetable peeler | a timer |
| a water dispenser | a serving spoon | a strainer |
In the Bathroom
| a bathroom scale (= a set of bathroom scales) | a toothbrush holder | ||
| a toilet plunger | a razor | ||
| a toilet brush | a hairbrush | ||
| a toothbrush |
In the Study
| a stapler (a stapling machine) | a pencil sharpener | ||
| a ruler | a pair of scissors | ||
| a hole punch | a magnifying glass |
Cleaning Equipment
| a broom | a feather duster | ||
| a dustpan (and hand brush) | |||
| a mop | |||
| a mop bucket |
Exercise Equipment
| an exercise bicycle | a dumbbell | ||
| a rowing machine | a barbell | ||
| a treadmill | a skipping rope | ||
| a set of weights |
Handyman Tools
| a hammer | a ladder | a tape measure | |
| a screwdriver | an adjustable spanner (U.S. = an adjustable wrench) | ||
| a pair of pliers | a saw | ||
| a set of jeweler's screwdrivers | a hacksaw |
Other
| a sewing needle | |||
| a torch (U.S. = a flashlight) | |||
| a coat hanger | |||
| a pair of nail clippers |
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