600 Essential Words for IELTS

This 600 Essential IELTS Word list is based on Barron's Essential Words for the IELTS. The list is organized in several IELTS's common topics. It's especially useful for IELTS test takers.

600 words / 30 topics

Environmental Impacts of Logging

Bird Migration

Plant life in the Taklimakan desert

Peripheral vision in sports

History of the circus

Uses of leisure time

First headlamps

Major subways of Europe

Electronic cars around the globe

Origins of writing

Hula dance in Hawaiian culture

The art of mine

Nurse migration

Aerobic exercise and brain health

How drugs are studied

Hike the Inca trail

What is ecotourism?

Learning vacations

What makes a small business successful?

Brand loyalty

Global outsourcing

Social networking

Why are women leaving science careers?

Wheelchair-accessibility issues

Learning styles

The home-school option

Educating the gifted

The development of the light bulb

The invention of variable-pitch propellers

The transatlantic cable

Add multiple words

fall

Definition

to move down toward or drop to a lower position

The stock market began to fall sharply after the announcement of the new policy.

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impact

Definition

the strong effect or influence that something has on a situation or person

These charges will have a damaging impact on the army’s reputation.

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logging

Definition

an act of cutting down trees for their wood, or the industry of logging

The rule changes will allow logging of the last old-growth trees in many of the northwest forests.

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array

Definition

a large group of things or people, esp. when shown or positioned in an attractive way

The airport shops offer a wide array of merchandise.

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environment

Definition

the air, water, and land in or on which people, animals, and plants live

We’re trying to protect the environment from pollution.

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habitat

Definition

the natural surroundings in which an animal or plant usually lives

"That small pond is the habitat of fish, insects, and plants."

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pollution

Definition

the act of polluting, or the substances that pollute

Pollution from the factory could be contaminating nearby wells.

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extend

Definition

to reach, continue, or stretch

The company plans to extend its operations to international markets next year.

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nutrient

Definition

any substance that plants or animals need in order to live and grow

The dietitian explained that proteins are an important nutrient for muscle growth.

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terrestrial

Definition

relating to the planet earth, or living or existing on the land rather than in the sea or air

Newton investigated terrestrial and celestial motion.

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aquatic

Definition

living in, happening in, or connected with water

Waterskiing is my favorite aquatic sport.

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vanish

Definition

to disappear or stop existing, esp. suddenly

The world can vanish if we do not act now to save it."

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myriad

Definition

a very large number

There’s a myriad of insects on the island.

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intercept

Definition

to stop or catch something or someone that is on the way from one place to another so that it does not reach the intended place

The police managed to intercept the stolen goods before they reached the black market.

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stabilize

Definition

to cause something to become fixed and stop changing, esp. in order to keep it from becoming worse, or to become fixed and stop changing

These medicines stabilize your heart rate and lower blood pressure.

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erosion

Definition

the weakening or damage done to something by a series of gradual losses of parts of it

Many educators worry that the erosion of academic standards will impact the quality of education in the long term.

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vegetation

Definition

plants in general, or the plants that are found in a particular area

"Tropical regions usually have thick vegetation."

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inhibit

Definition

to take an action that makes something less likely to happen, or that discourages someone from doing something

The medication may inhibit the body's ability to absorb certain vitamins.

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defense

Definition

the ability to protect against attack or harm, or something used to protect against attack or harm

A good defense in soccer often relies on teamwork and strategic positioning.

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deforestation

Definition

the cutting down of trees in a large area, or the destruction of forests by people

Deforestation is destroying large areas of tropical rain forest.

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