IELTS Vocabulary

I.Contrast and Comparison
A. Complete these sentences with the most appropriate word or expression from A, B or C.
1.The two machines .......... considerably. One has an electric motor, the other runs on oil.
A. differ      B. differentiate      C. differential
2.The .......... in weather between the north and the south of the country is very noticeable.
A. comparison      B. contrast      C. compare
3.Many people cannot .......... between lemon juice and lime juice.
A. differ      B. differentiate      C. contrast
4.Children must be taught to .......... between right and wrong.
A. differ      B. contrast      C. distinguish
5.There is a .......... between being interested in politics and joining a political party.
A. distinguish      B. distinctive      C. distinction
6.Can you tell the .......... between a good boss and a bad one?
A. difference      B. differentiate      C. contrast
7.The management must not .......... between male and female applicants.
A. differ      B. contrast      C. discriminate
8.Asia covers a huge area. .......... Europe is very small.
A. By way of contrast      B. By ways of comparing      C. By similar means
9.The new model of car is very .......... to the old one.
A. same      B. similar      C. common
10.Her political opinions are .......... to mine.
A. same      B. exactly      C. identical
11.Some political parties have such similar manifestos that they are difficult to .......... .
A. tell apart      B. say apart      C. speak apart
12.My friends and I enjoy doing many of the same things. In that respect, we have a lot .......... .
A. in similar      B. in particular      C. in common
13.There seems to be a large .......... between the number of people employed in service industries, and those employed in the primary sector.
A. discriminate      B. discretion      C. discrepancy
14.British and Australian people share the same language, but in other respects they are as different as .......... .
A. cats and dogs      B. chalk and cheese      C. salt and pepper
15.Britain`s economy is largely based on its industry, .......... a few hundred years ago it was an agrarian country.
A. wherefore      B. whereas      C. whereby

II.Presenting an argument
A. Read the text below, in which somebody is trying to decide whether to go straight to university from school, or spend a year travelling around the world. Put their argument into the correct order, using the key words and expressions in italics to help you. The first one and last one have been done for you.
A.(1) I`m ready in two minds about what to do when I leave school. Should I go straight to university or should I spend a year travelling around the world?

B. It is often said that knowledge is the key to power, and I cannot disagree with this.

C. On the one hand, I would experience lots of different cultures.

D. Unfortunately, another point is that if I spent a year travelling I would need a lot of money.

E. And I`m not alone in this opinion. Many consider a sound career and a good salary to be an important goal.

F. However, it could be argued that I would also meet lots of interesting people while I was travelling.

G. Secondly, if I go straight to university, I`ll learn so many things that will help me in my future life.

H. First of all, there are so many benefits of going straight to university.

I. But / believe that it would be easy to make a bit while I was travelling, giving English lessons or working in hotels and shops.

J. Moreover, I`ll be able to take part in the social activities that the university offers, and meet lots of new friends who share the same interests.

K. The most important point is that the sooner I get my qualifications, the quicker I`ll get a job and start earning.

L. Nevertheless, these inconveniences would be an inevitable part of travelling and would be greatly outweighed by the other advantages.

M. In my opinion, starting work and making money is one of the most important things in life.

N. On the other hand, I could end up suffering from culture shock, homesickness and some strange tropical diseases.

O. Furthermore, if I spent a year travelling, I would learn more about the world.

P.(16) All right, I`ve made my mind up. Now, where`s my nearest travel agency?

When you are asked to present an argument, you should always look at it from two sides, giving reasons why you agree and disagree before reaching a conclusion. Other words and expressions which you might find useful include: I believe that