Synonyms in IELTS

This lesson show you how you can use synonyms in IELTS to increase your band score. 

Synonyms in IELTS

Synonyms are words or phrases that have the same or similar meaning as other words or phrases. You can use them to improve the cohesion as well as the quality of your writing.

By using a synonym for something written earlier, you are summarising the previous text, and as a consequence, you are linking the ideas in different clauses or sentences. 

Furthermore, using synonyms in IELTS helps you to avoid repetition and they also stop you from relying too much on conjunctions (e.g. while, although, and, so etc) and transitions (e.g. however, firstly, therefore etc) to make connections. 

So overall, the use of synonyms in IELTS will increase the quality of your writing significantly. 

Examples

To explain further how they can be used, here are some examples. 

In Both of these examples, the words in red refer back to the information in the previous sentence or clause of the same sentence.

They help to link the information together in the sentences and express ideas while avoiding repetition. 

Practice

The synonyms quiz below will help to show you how differing words can be used to replace words, phrases or clauses used previously. 

Look up in a dictionary any words you do not understand. 

Quiz

Synonyms in IELTS

Instructions

Choose the right word that would fit in the space. Some words that may appear to fit may not do as they do not work grammatically or are incorrect collocations.

1. Millions of people are dying each year because of a lack of basic medicine, a _____________ that surely cannot be ignored.

move
fact
measure

2. Old people should be given a higher pension during the cold winter months. This seems to be the best possible ______________ to the problem.

suggestion
choice
solution

3. Many inner cities have been disfigured by insensitive office development, but the ______________ is not irreparable.

damage
danger
decision

4. The government is being advised to make safety belts compulsory in both the front and rear of cars. If this ___________ were adopted, it would certainly help to reduce injuries.

proposal
solution
situation

5. More swimming pools, leisure centres and sports clubs are being built all over the country. Despite this, there are still not enough _______________ like this to satisfy demand.

solutions
entertainment
amenities

6. Young people have many types of technology to amuse them. Teachers often disapprove of such ________________ as it tends to make students lazy and unable to think for themselves

facilities
entertainment
toys

7. Society often fails to meet the needs of people with physical disabilities. Nevertheless, they are a ______________ that obviously deserves more help.

group
sector
people

8. Scenes of murder and physical assault are now commonplace on TV. Such _____________ , unfortunately has a negative effect on the minds of young people.

crime
violence
situation

9. Making petty criminals wear electronic tags has been a failure in the United States. Surprisingly, the _________________ is being considered by the Home Office in the UK.

fact
problem
measure

10. An agency of independent transport experts has proposed the introduction a green tax on fuel to reduce pollution. This ________________ is still being considered by the government.

policy
recommendation
decision

11. The government introduced the new rule while everyone's attention was engaged elsewhere. It was quite a clever _________________ .

ploy
game
chance

12. Scientists are claiming millions of people could be displaced due to climate change. This is a ______________ that needs to be addressed urgently.

measure
fact
situation

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