Module 2 · Lesson 8 of 11
Vocabulary that sounds natural
Choose precise words, natural collocations and the right tone for Task 2, avoid repetition and common word-choice errors, with topic tables and plenty of practice.
In this lesson
- Explain what examiners look for in vocabulary, and why precise everyday words beat rare words used wrongly
- Use natural collocations for seven broad Task 2 topic areas
- Avoid repetition with synonyms, word forms and more general or more specific words
- Keep a neutral, formal tone and fix common word-choice errors such as ‘make a crime’ and ‘learn knowledge’
- Upgrade a weak paragraph with a clear, repeatable checking routine
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Inside this lesson
- What examiners look for in vocabulary
- Precision: say exactly what you mean
- Worked example: upgrading one sentence step by step
- Collocations: words that belong together
- Topic collocations: education, technology, environment and health
- Topic collocations: work, crime and government
- Avoid repetition without losing your meaning
- Register: the right tone for an essay
- Common word-choice errors and how to fix them
- Less common words: use them, but safely
- Your vocabulary routine in the exam
- Practice: upgrade a paragraph
- Building your vocabulary before test day