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 tired hiker watched the water from the waterfall fall to the pool below.

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impact

Definition

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

The new regulations had a significant impact on the industry as a whole.

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logging

Definition

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

Logging activity in the Amazon rainforest has had devastating environmental consequences.

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array

Definition

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

There’s an impressive array of cakes on display.

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environment

Definition

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

Pollution from factories can harm the environment and pose a risk to public health.

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habitat

Definition

the natural surroundings in which an animal or plant usually lives

Conservationists work tirelessly to protect the endangered species’ habitat from destruction.

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pollution

Definition

the act of polluting, or the substances that pollute

Pollution from factories and cars is a major contributor to climate change.

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extend

Definition

to reach, continue, or stretch

The effects of the medication extend beyond simply reducing pain; it also aids in sleep.

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nutrient

Definition

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

Sunlight provides a nutrient essential for plant 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

Foxes are a common example of a terrestrial mammal.

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aquatic

Definition

living in, happening in, or connected with water

The scientist studies aquatic life in Lake Superior.

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vanish

Definition

to disappear or stop existing, esp. suddenly

The magician made the dove vanish into thin air leaving the audience in awe.

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myriad

Definition

a very large number

The night sky twinkled with a myriad of stars.

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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

A patrol boat was dispatched to intercept the smugglers before they reached the shore.

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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

The government will introduce new policies to stabilize the economy after the recession.

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erosion

Definition

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

Erosion damaged the foundation of the old bridge due to constant exposure to the river current.

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vegetation

Definition

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

Heavy rainfall in the spring often causes dense vegetation to flourish during the summer months.

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inhibit

Definition

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

Cold temperatures can inhibit the growth of many plants, causing them to wither.

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defense

Definition

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

The lawyer prepared a strong defense for his client, presenting evidence to support her innocence.

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deforestation

Definition

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

Deforestation causes habitat loss for many animal species.

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