Lexical Resource and Vocabulary Range

Lexical Resource is assessed on your ability to use vocabulary flexibly, precisely, and with natural collocations. The examiner is not looking for obscure or sophisticated words — they are looking for evidence that you can communicate complex ideas effectively and that you can paraphrase, use idiomatic language, and choose words appropriately.

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What the Band Descriptors Say

Lexical Resource Band Descriptors
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Band 5   Manages to talk about familiar and unfamiliar
         topics but uses vocabulary with limited
         flexibility; attempts to use paraphrase but
         with mixed success

Band 6   Has a wide enough vocabulary to discuss topics
         at length; generally paraphrases successfully

Band 7   Uses vocabulary FLEXIBLY to discuss a variety
         of topics; uses some LESS COMMON and IDIOMATIC
         vocabulary with some style; uses PARAPHRASE
         effectively

Band 8   Uses a WIDE vocabulary readily and flexibly;
         uses LESS COMMON and IDIOMATIC vocabulary
         skilfully; uses PARAPHRASE effectively as
         required

Key differences between Band 6 and Band 7: flexibility, less common vocabulary, idiomatic language, and effective paraphrasing.

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Strategy 1: Topic-Specific Vocabulary

For each common IELTS topic, build a vocabulary bank of precise, less common terms:

Education