IELTS Vocabulary
IELTS Band 7 Vocabulary Study Plan
For IELTS Band 7+, vocabulary study should be selective and repeatable. You do not need to memorize every academic word list. You need a smaller set of useful words, examples you can actually recall, and a review rhythm that brings difficult cards back before they disappear.
The short version
Start with 120-180 high-utility academic and topic words. Add example sentences, not just definitions. Review 10-25 cards per day with spaced repetition. Every week, delete weak cards, rewrite vague examples, and add words from real reading or listening practice.
Pick words that can carry a sentence
A useful IELTS word is not just "difficult." It helps you explain a cause, compare ideas, describe a trend, or make a precise claim. Words like consequence, evidence, consistent, decline, and allocate are more useful than rare words you would never risk in writing or speaking.
- Keep words you can imagine using in Writing Task 2 or Speaking Part 3.
- Add collocations: "strong evidence," "allocate resources," "a gradual decline."
- Skip fancy synonyms unless you understand the register and grammar.
- Prefer one clear example over three copied dictionary meanings.
Use a simple daily loop
A good IELTS vocabulary routine fits inside a normal day. The loop below is enough for most learners:
- Review due cards first. Do not start with new words while old ones are still shaky.
- Add 3-8 new cards. Use words from reading passages, sample essays, or class notes.
- Say one example aloud. If your mouth cannot use the word, your memory is probably thin.
- Mark hard words honestly. A hard grade is useful. It brings the card back sooner.
What a good IELTS card looks like
Front: allocate
Back: to give time, money, or resources for a purpose
Example: Governments should allocate more funding to public transport.
Note: allocate resources / allocate money / allocate time
The example matters because IELTS is not a vocabulary quiz. You need to recognize words in reading and listening, then use precise language in speaking and writing without sounding forced.
A 7-day starter plan
| Day | Focus | New cards |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Education and work vocabulary | 15-20 |
| 2 | Environment and technology | 10-15 |
| 3 | Health and society | 10-15 |
| 4 | Data and trend verbs | 10-15 |
| 5 | Review only, rewrite weak examples | 0-5 |
| 6 | Words from a real practice test | 10-20 |
| 7 | Review only, export or back up your deck | 0 |
How Banded supports this
Banded is built for this exact loop: import or paste the words you already have, review due cards with honest SM-2 spaced repetition, and keep study sessions small enough to do on an iPhone. Banded Full is a one-time unlock for no daily review cap, iCloud progress recovery, and the full IELTS starter library.
Next: learn how spaced repetition works for IELTS vocabulary.