Band 9 Vocabulary
Band 9 vocabulary is not about rare words — it is about precise ones. "Ubiquitous" says in one word what "found everywhere in modern life" says in six; "exacerbate" is "make worse" with the causality built in. This final deck curates the advanced lexis that genuinely earns marks when used correctly, each with a sentence showing its natural habitat. Used sparingly, these words signal control; forced into every paragraph, they signal the opposite — the example sentences show the difference.
Practice this set for free — no account needed. Loads 13 flashcards into the learner.
Practice in the free learnerHow to study this set
For each word, notice what it collocates with in the example — "exacerbate" takes problems and tensions, never people. A strong self-test: cover the example, recall the meaning, then produce your own sentence on a different topic. If your sentence sounds like news writing, you own the word; if it sounds decorative, review it again tomorrow.
All 13 flashcards
What does "ubiquitous" mean?
Present everywhere at once. "Smartphones have become ubiquitous, even in the poorest regions."
What does "exacerbate" mean?
To make an existing problem worse. "Traffic restrictions without public-transport investment merely exacerbate congestion."
What is a "paradigm shift"?
A fundamental change in how something is understood or done. "Remote work represents a paradigm shift in how companies think about offices."
What does "alleviate" mean?
To make pain or a problem less severe. "Subsidised childcare alleviates the financial pressure on young families."
What does "scrutinise" mean?
To examine very closely and critically. "Advertising aimed at children should be scrutinised by regulators."
What does "unprecedented" mean?
Never having happened before. "The pandemic caused an unprecedented shift to online learning."
What does "proliferation" mean?
A rapid increase in number or spread. "The proliferation of streaming platforms has fragmented audiences."
What does "disparity" mean?
A great and often unfair difference. "The disparity between urban and rural healthcare remains stark."
What does "impede" mean?
To delay or block progress. "Excessive bureaucracy impedes small-business growth."
What does "pragmatic" mean?
Focused on what works in practice rather than on ideals. "A pragmatic approach would combine both proposals."
What does "salient" mean?
Most noticeable or important. "The salient feature of the data is the sharp rise after 2020."
What does "quintessential" mean?
Being the most perfect example of something. "The corner shop is the quintessential family business."
What does "juxtapose" mean?
To place side by side to highlight a contrast. "The report juxtaposes booming city centres with declining rural towns."
What to learn next
You have completed the IELTS path — keep all five decks in rotation as the exam approaches. To keep building, the "Core Vocabulary" category deepens general academic English, and "Idioms & Phrasal Verbs" adds the informal register the Speaking test rewards.