IELTS TIPS

IELTS TIPS
BUSINESS
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• to run your own business: to have a business of your own
• to set up a business: to start a business
• to work for yourself: (see ‘to be self-employed’)
• to draw up a business plan: to write a plan for a new business
• to be self-employed: to work for yourself/to not work for an employer
• to go it alone: to start your own business
• cut throat competition: when one company lowers its prices, forcing other companies to do the same, sometimes to a point where business becomes unprofitable
• to go bust: when a business is forced to close because it is unsuccessful
• to make a profit: to earn more money than it costs to run the business
• to go into business with: to join another person to start or expand a business
• niche business: a business that serves a small, particular market
• lifestyle business: a business that is set up to bring in a sufficient income and no more
• to take on employees: to employ people
• to earn a living: to earn money
• to have a web presence: to have a website or social media profile that showcases your business
• cash flow: the money coming in and going out of a business
• to raise a company profile: to make more people aware of a business
• to balance the books: to not spend more money than you are earning
• to win a contract: when a business gets legally-binding work with an individual or company
• to launch a product: to start selling and promoting a new product
• sales figures: a report of the income a company generates through sales of products or services
• to go under: (see ‘to go bust’)
• to do market research: to do research into what potential customers would or wouldn’t buy
• stiff competition: strong competition from other companies in the same area of work
• to take out a loan: to borrow money
• to lay someone off: when a company ends an employee’s contract of employment
• to cold call: to make a sales call to someone without asking them for permission first
• to drum up business: to try to get customers
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EDUCATION
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• to attend classes: to go to classes
• private language school: an independent school run as a business concern
• an intensive course: a course that offers lots of training in order to reach a goal in as short a time as possible
• to meet a deadline: to finish a job or task in the time allowed or agreed
• to keep up with your studies: to not fall behind
• to learn something by heart: to memorize it
• a single-sex school: a school where only boys or girls attend (as opposed to a mixed-sex school)
• state school: a school paid for by public funds and available to the general public
• to play truant: to stay away from classes without permission
• bachelors degree: an undergraduate course which usually lasts 3-4 years
• to take a year out: to spend a year working or travelling before starting university
• a mature student: a student who is older than average and who has usually returned to education after a period at work
• to work your way through university: to have a paid job whilst studying to support yourself financially
• to sit an exam: to take an exam
• a graduation ceremony: an event where a successful student receives his or her academic degree
• higher education: education, usually in a college or university, that is followed after high school or secondary school
• masters degree: a period of study which often follows the completion of a bachelors degree or is undertaken by someone regarded as capable of a higher-level academic course
• distance learning: a way of studying where tuition is carried out over the Internet or by post
• to give feedback: to offer guidance on a student’s work
• subject specialist: a teacher who has a great deal of knowledge about the subject they teach
• tuition fees: the money paid for a course of study
• face-to-face classes: as opposed to distance learning the traditional way of studying in a classroom with colleagues and a teacher
• to fall behind with your studies: to progress less quickly than others
• boarding school: a school where pupils live during term time
• public schools: exclusive independent schools in the UK
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ENVIRONMENT
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• pollution levels: the amount of toxic waste
• air quality: the cleanliness of the air we breathe
• exhaust fumes: the toxic gases given off by vehicles powered by petrol
• heavy industry: the manufacture of heavy articles and materials in large numbers
• to get back to nature: to live a life that is closer to nature
• the natural world: the world of nature
impact on: the effect on
• energy conservation: the careful management of energy resources to ensure they last as long as possible
• environmentally friendly: behaviour and products that do not harm the environment
• natural disaster: an event such as an earthquake, flood or hurricane which causes widespread damage or loss of life
• to be under threat: to be in danger of becoming extinct
• to become extinct: to no longer exist
• endangered species: categories of animals or plants that are in danger of becoming extinct
• loss of habitat: the decline in areas of land where animals and plants would normally exist
• poaching: to hunt and kill wild animals illegally
• future generations: the people who live after us
• natural environment: the place where animals and plants would normally be found in nature
• wildlife conservation: to protect animals and plants and their habitats
• to die out: see ‘to become extinct’
• climate change: the change in worldwide weather patterns
• flash floods: floods that happen quickly
• global warming: the increasing temperature of the world brought about by gases such as carbon dioxide
•toxic waste: poisonous, unwanted rubbish often produced by industrial processes
•oil spill: waste usually deposited in the seas and oceans after an accident at sea
• fossil fuels: energy resources like gas and oil that are produced deep below the ground over millions of years
•humanitarian aid: the act of showing support to people struggling to survive
• man-made disaster: widespread damage or loss of life brought about by the action of humans • pressure group: a group of people who try to raise awareness of issues and try to affect the views and actions of people and organisations
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FASHION
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• a slave to fashion: someone who always feel the need to wear the latest fashions
• old fashioned: not in fashion any more
• must-have: something that is highly fashionable and therefore in demand
• casual clothes: not formal
• to get dressed up: to put on nice clothes, often to go out somewhere special
• to look good in: to wear something that suits you
• fashion icon: a person who is famous for their sense of fashion
• vintage clothes: clothes from an earlier period
• classic style: a simple, traditional style that is always fashionable
• to go out of fashion: to not be in fashion any more
• timeless: something that doesn’t go out of fashion
• well-dressed: to be dressed attractively
• to have a sense of style: the ability to wear clothes that look stylish
• off the peg: clothing that is ready made
• designer label: a well-known company that makes (often expensive) clothing
• dressed to kill: wearing clothes that attract admirers
• to keep up with the latest fashion: to wear the latest fashions
• to suit someone: to look good on someone
• to take pride in one’s appearance: to pay attention to how one looks
• smart clothes: the kind of clothes worn for a formal event
• to be on trend: to be very fashionable
• to dress for the occasion: to wear clothes suitable for a particular event
• fashion house: a company that sells (usually expensive) new styles in clothes
• fashion show: an event where modals show off the latest in fashion designs
• on the catwalk: the stage that modals walk along to show off the latest fashions
• to mix and match: to wear different styles or items of clothing that aren’t part of a set outfit
• hand-me-downs: clothes that are passed down from older brothers or sisters to their younger siblings
• to have an eye for (fashion): to be a good judge of
• fashionable: in fashion
• the height of fashion: very fashionable
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FOOD
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• a ready meal: see ‘processed food’
• a take away: a cooked meal prepared in a restaurant and eaten at home
• me-cooked food: food cooked at home from individual ingredients
• the main meal: the most important meal of the day, usually eaten in the evening
• to grab a bite to eat: to eat something quickly (when you’re in a rush)
• to spoil your appetite: to est something that will stop you feeling hungry when it’s meal-time.
• to be starving hungry: an exaggerated way of saying you are very hungry
• to eat like a horse: to eat a lot
• a fussy eater: somebody who has their own very high standards about what to eat
• to work up an appetite: to do physical work that leads to you becoming hungry
• to wine and dine: to entertain someone by treating them to food and drink
• a slap up meal: a large meal
• to be full up: to eat to the point that you can no longer eat any more
• to make your mouth water: to make you feel very hungry for something
• to have a sweet tooth: to enjoy sugary food
• to foot the bill: to pay the bill
• to eat a balanced diet: to eat the correct types and amounts of food
• processed food: commercially prepared food bought for convenience
• a quick snack: to eat a small amount of food between meals
• to be dying of hunger: an exaggerated way of saying you are hungry
• to tuck into: to eat something with pleasure
• to follow a recipe: to cook a meal using instructions
• to bolt something down: to eat something very quickly
• to play with your food: to push food around the plate to avoid eating it • to tuck into: to eat something with pleasure
• to follow a recipe: to cook a meal using instructions
Addition:
• to bolt something down: to eat something very quickly
• to play with your food: to push food around the plate to avoid eating it
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Shailesh Ramanuj