Hi, I’m back! This is June, your IELTS tutor. I haven’t posted anything for a while, but today we’re going to dig deep into the Lexical Resource criterion and explore how to get your desired band score in IELTS Speaking. Let’s get started!
For IELTS Speaking, the Lexical Resource criterion evaluates your range, accuracy, and appropriateness of vocabulary. To achieve a higher band score (Band 7–9), examiners look for several key factors:
1. Range of Vocabulary
Using varied vocabulary instead of repeating simple words is crucial. From my experience, relying on common words repeatedly won’t help you achieve higher scores. It’s important to expand your word list and become familiar with synonyms.
Weak: “I like food. Food is good.” Strong: “I enjoy diverse cuisines; the flavors are exquisite.”Including topic-specific vocabulary naturally is also important. For example, if your topic is travel, use words like: itinerary, scenic, backpacking, off the beaten track.
2. Flexibility and Appropriateness
You need to paraphrase effectively when you don’t know a word. Many students struggle with this, but it’s essential to score above Band 6.5.
For instance, the word like comes up a lot. You can paraphrase it using phrases like cup of tea, right up my alley, a huge fan of, or have a penchant for.
Q: Do you like traveling?
A: Of course! Traveling is definitely right up my alley. I usually book a flight and explore either local destinations or travel abroad just to unwind during a long holiday.
It’s also important to choose words that fit the context. Part 1 questions are usually informal, but Part 3 becomes semi-formal or formal. Adjusting your word choice to match the tone is key.
3. Collocations & Phrases
Using natural collocations instead of awkward combinations can boost your Lexical Resource score. Build a strong vocabulary bank for different topics.
“Make a photo” “Take a photo”Including idiomatic expressions is also beneficial, as native speakers use them frequently in everyday conversation. Using idioms appropriately in your responses can make your speech sound more natural:
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once in a blue moon
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hit the books
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on the verge of
4. Precision
Your vocabulary should convey exact meaning. Avoid overgeneral words like good, bad, or nice repeatedly. Instead, use precise alternatives:
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happy → delighted, thrilled, over the moon
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interesting → fascinating, captivating
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bad → dreadful, disappointing
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good → impressive, remarkable
This shows flexibility and depth in your language use.
5. Avoiding Repetition
Repeating the same simple words or phrases lowers your score. Use synonyms and varied grammatical forms throughout your answers. Examiners notice flexible vocabulary, and demonstrating it increases your chances of scoring higher.
6. Naturalness & Idiomatic Usage
Your words and phrases should sound natural, not forced or memorized. This is a common problem for many students. If idioms are used incorrectly, they can actually hurt your score.
To sound more native, include tone markers (worried, excited, contemplative, sad) alongside idioms. Understand fully how idioms function—as verbs, nouns, adjectives, or adverbs—and how they fit into sentences. Mastering this will give you a strong edge in IELTS Speaking.
To sum up, focus on using a wide range of precise, topic-specific vocabulary, natural collocations, and idioms while avoiding repetition to score high in IELTS Speaking. Speak flexibly and appropriately for the context, paraphrase when needed, and make your responses sound natural and fluent.
For my next blog, we will have a detailekd explanation of Bands (6-9) for lexical resource, so I hope you keep reading my blog, and good luck with your exam preparation.
In my next blog, we’ll dive into a detailed explanation of Band 6–9 criteria for Lexical Resource, so stay tuned, and good luck with your exam preparation!
