50 Versatile C1–C2 Words for IELTS

1–10: Expressing Ideas & Opinions

1. Notion – idea or belief. The notion that success is purely about luck is misleading.
2. Paradigm – a model or example. This discovery represents a paradigm shift in medicine.
3. Perspective – viewpoint. From a global perspective, the problem is more severe.
4. Implication – possible effect or result. The implications of climate change are alarming.
5. Assertion – confident statement. His assertion lacked sufficient evidence.
6. Consensus – general agreement. There is a consensus among scientists about the need
for action.
7. Premise – underlying idea. The argument rests on the premise that resources are
infinite.
8. Stance – position on an issue. The government’s stance on renewable energy is
encouraging.
9. Assumption – something taken for granted. The plan was based on the assumption of
constant growth.
10. Proposition – a suggested idea. The proposition was rejected due to high costs.

11–20: Describing Change & Development

11. Evolve – to develop gradually. Technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace.

12. Transform – to change completely. Social media has transformed the way we
communicate.
13. Fluctuate – to change irregularly. Fuel prices tend to fluctuate throughout the year.
14. Decline – to decrease. The number of bees has declined sharply.
15. Surge – sudden increase. There was a surge in online shopping during the pandemic.
16. Diminish – to reduce in size or importance. The effects of the policy may diminish over
time.
17. Accelerate – to speed up. Automation will likely accelerate production.
18. Stagnate – to stop developing. Without innovation, the economy could stagnate.
19. Emergence – appearance. The emergence of AI raises ethical questions.
20. Transition – process of change. The country is in a transition towards clean energy.

21–30: Evaluation & Judgement

21. Viable – workable, possible. Solar energy is a viable alternative to fossil fuels.
22. Feasible – possible and practical. The plan is technically feasible but costly.
23. Significant – important. There has been a significant drop in air pollution.
24. Substantial – large in amount. The project requires a substantial investment.
25. Marginal – small, not important. The changes made only had a marginal effect.
 26. Credible – believable. The report lacks credible sources.
27. Robust – strong and effective. The new system is more robust and reliable.
28. Compelling – convincing, powerful. She gave a compelling argument for reform.
29. Questionable – doubtful. The data’s accuracy is questionable.
30. Profound – deep, significant. The speech had a profound impact on the audience.

31–40: Linking & Explaining

31. Consequently – as a result. The company lost funds; consequently, it cut staff.
32. Thereby – because of that. He spoke clearly, thereby avoiding misunderstandings.
33. Hence – for this reason. The roads were icy, hence the delay.
34. Nevertheless – despite that. It was raining; nevertheless, they continued.
35. Whereas – in contrast. Some prefer cities, whereas others like rural areas.
36. Albeit – although. The journey was smooth, albeit long.
37. In light of – considering. In light of recent events, changes are necessary.
38. On the contrary – opposite to what was said. I am not lazy; on the contrary, I work
hard.
39. Coupled with – combined with. Rising costs, coupled with low demand, hurt the
industry.
40. In essence – basically. In essence, the problem is about priorities.

41–50: Strong Descriptions

41. Inevitable – certain to happen. Change is inevitable in any society.

42. Intrinsic – natural, essential. Creativity is intrinsic to human nature.
43. Pivotal – crucial. Education plays a pivotal role in social mobility.
44. Prevalent – common. Obesity is prevalent in many developed nations.
45. Lucrative – profitable. The tech industry remains lucrative.
46. Sustainable – able to continue. We need sustainable farming methods.
47. Versatile – adaptable. Smartphones are versatile devices.
48. Scarce – in short supply. Clean water is scarce in some regions.
49. Resilient – able to recover. Children can be remarkably resilient.
50. Diverse – varied. The country has a diverse cultural heritage.

20 Powerful Adjectives for IELTS

1. Astounding – surprisingly impressive. The results were astounding given the limited
budget.
2. Monumental – extremely important or great. The reform marked a monumental change
in policy.
3. Groundbreaking – innovative. This study offers groundbreaking insights into cancer
treatment.
4. Integral – essential. Trust is integral to a successful partnership.
5. Meticulous – showing great attention to detail. He gave a meticulous explanation of the
process.
6. Overwhelming – very great or strong. The evidence against the proposal was
overwhelming.
7. Undeniable – cannot be disputed. It’s undeniable that technology has reshaped our lives.
8. Indispensable – absolutely necessary. Water is indispensable for survival.
9. Plausible – seemingly reasonable or probable. His explanation was plausible, though not
proven.
10. Ambiguous – unclear or open to interpretation. The law’s wording is ambiguous.
11. Perpetual – continuous. Some cities suffer from perpetual traffic congestion.
12. Tedious – boring and repetitive. The task was tedious but necessary.
13. Prominent – well-known or important. She’s a prominent figure in the art world.
14. Formidable – inspiring fear or respect due to strength or skill. He’s a formidable
opponent in debates.
15. Sophisticated – advanced and complex. Modern AI systems are highly sophisticated.
16. Vulnerable – at risk of harm. Coastal areas are vulnerable to rising sea levels.
17. Ambitious – aiming high. They have set ambitious targets for renewable energy.
18. Cynical – distrustful of human motives. Many are cynical about politicians’ promises.
19. Imminent – about to happen. The country is facing an imminent economic crisis.
20. Enduring – lasting for a long time. Her enduring influence can still be felt today.
Flexible sentence structures for essays
1. Complex Cause–Effect Sentences

 Given that … , it is inevitable that …

Given that climate change transcends national borders, it is inevitable that collective
action must be prioritized.
 … stems not only from … but also from …
The rise in youth unemployment stems not only from economic stagnation but also from
mismatched educational systems.

2. Contrast & Concession Structures

 While it is undeniable that … , one should also recognize that …
While it is undeniable that technology has boosted productivity, one should also
recognize that it widens social inequality.
 Admittedly … ; nevertheless, …
Admittedly, individual efforts contribute to community well-being; nevertheless, global
challenges demand international cooperation.

3. Generalization & Examples

 This phenomenon is best illustrated by …
This phenomenon is best illustrated by the worldwide efforts to curb the COVID-19
pandemic.
 Few would dispute that …, as evidenced by …
Few would dispute that education is vital, as evidenced by its correlation with social
mobility.

4. Conditional & Hypothetical Sentences

 Were it not for … , … would …
Were it not for international aid, many developing countries would struggle to survive
natural disasters.
  If … were to … , the outcome would be …
If governments were to prioritize renewable energy, the outcome would be a substantial
decline in carbon emissions.

5. Emphasis & Highlighting Importance

 It is not merely … but rather … that …
It is not merely financial assistance but rather sustainable policy that ensures long-term
poverty reduction.
 What makes … particularly significant is …
What makes cultural preservation particularly significant is its role in fostering national
identity.

6. Balanced Argumentation
 On the one hand … ; on the other hand …
On the one hand, globalization promotes cultural exchange; on the other hand, it may
erode local traditions.
 Although … , the extent to which … should not be underestimated.
Although social media connects people, the extent to which it fosters misinformation
should not be underestimated.

7. Advanced Linking Phrases

 Not only … but … as well
 Far from being … , … actually …
 In light of … , it becomes clear that …
 No sooner … than …
 Hardly … when …