Lexical Resource — vocabulary — counts for 25% of your Writing Task 2 score. At Band 7, examiners want to see "a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow some flexibility and precision," including "less common items" used accurately. Here are 40 words and phrases that achieve exactly that.
To Introduce Arguments
- It is widely acknowledged that... / It is generally accepted that...
- There is compelling evidence to suggest that...
- Proponents of this view contend that...
- A key argument in favour of X is that...
- Critics of this position argue that...
To Show Cause and Effect
- This is largely attributable to... / This stems from...
- As a direct consequence of...
- This has given rise to... / This has led to a marked increase in...
- The ripple effects of X can be seen in...
To Contrast Ideas
- Nevertheless, it must be acknowledged that...
- While this perspective has merit, it overlooks...
- Despite the apparent advantages, there are significant drawbacks...
- Notwithstanding the above, it remains true that...
Precise Adjectives (Replace Weak Words)
Instead of "big problem" → use: acute, pressing, pervasive, widespread, deep-rooted
Instead of "good" → use: beneficial, advantageous, constructive, favourable
Instead of "bad" → use: detrimental, harmful, counterproductive, adverse
Instead of "many" → use: a substantial proportion of, the majority of, an increasing number of
Collocations to Know
- play a pivotal / crucial / key role in
- have a profound / significant / adverse impact on
- pose a serious / growing / long-term challenge
- address / tackle / alleviate a problem
- implement / enforce / adopt measures / policies
For Conclusions
- In conclusion, it can be argued that...
- To summarise, the weight of evidence suggests...
- While both perspectives have validity, the case for X is ultimately more persuasive.
- On balance, the benefits of X outweigh the costs.
Related Guides
→ Opinion essays · Academic Word List · IELTS collocations guide