Five hand-picked Band 7+ words every day, with pronunciation, an IELTS-style example, synonyms, collocations and a tip on where to use each one in Writing or Speaking. Come back tomorrow for five more.
The regular journey between home and work.
My daily commute takes about an hour each way by train.
IELTS tip: Also a verb: 'I commute to work by bike'; a common Part 1 topic.
A family that includes grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins as well as parents and children.
In my country, the extended family often lives in the same house.
IELTS tip: Essential for describing family structures in your country.
A good or hopeful side to a bad situation.
Losing my job was hard, but the silver lining was that I finally started my own business.
IELTS tip: Useful in Part 2 stories about difficult experiences with positive outcomes.
Extreme tiredness and loss of motivation caused by working too hard for too long.
Long hours without proper breaks can lead to burnout, which ultimately reduces productivity.
IELTS tip: Pair it with cause-and-effect language in essays on long working hours or remote work.
Having a lot of money and a comfortable standard of living.
Children from affluent families often have access to private tutors and extra activities.
IELTS tip: A more formal choice than 'rich' for Task 2, especially when comparing social groups.
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