100 Essential Words and Phrases for Band 7-9 Success

These vocabulary flashcards are designed to help IELTS students achieve Band 7-9 by focusing on sophisticated opinion expressions, advanced connectors, nuance modifiers, and topic-specific phrases extracted from actual high-scoring mock tests.

To be honest…

A phrase used for introducing a frank opinion or admitting something personal, showing authenticity to the examiner.

For instance…

A connector used to provide specific examples that support a general statement.

On the other hand…

A phrase used when presenting a contrasting viewpoint or a different perspective to show balanced thinking.

In other words…

A cohesive device used for rephrasing or clarifying a previous statement, demonstrating lexical flexibility.

Similarly…

A transition word used for comparing similar situations or drawing parallels between different ideas.

Personally…

A marker clearly signaling that the speaker is expressing an individual opinion or preference.

Obviously…

A term used for stating something that seems clear or logical, though it should be used sparingly.

Actually…

A natural discourse marker used for correcting information, adding surprising details, or adding emphasis.

In fact…

A phrase used to add weight to an argument by providing additional supporting evidence or emphasizing the truth.

Basically…

A word used to summarize or simplify complex information into understandable terms.

Generally…

A term used for making broad statements or talking about usual situations while leaving room for exceptions.

Specifically…

A word used to demonstrate precision by providing exact details or narrow preferences.

Particularly…

A sophisticated vocabulary choice used to emphasize something special or noteworthy, often replacing 'especially'.

Definitely…

A word expressing strong agreement, certainty, and conviction in an opinion.

Absolutely…

An intensive phrase used to express complete agreement or strong emphasis.

Ultimately…

A concluding phrase used to introduce a final, considered opinion or the most important point of a discussion.

What I'm getting at is…

A focusing phrase used to clarify the specific point the speaker is trying to make.

To some extent

A phrase used to express nuance and partial agreement rather than an absolute statement.

By and large

A general statement expression meaning 'for the most part' or 'relatively speaking'.

Furthermore

A sophisticated linking word used for adding information to a response.

Nevertheless

An advanced cohesive device used to introduce a contrasting idea.

Consequently

A linking word used to show results and logical outcomes.

Compelling

An advanced adjective used to describe something high in quality or innovation.

Prevalent

A sophisticated adjective used to describe common or current trends.

Lexical range

The variety and sophistication of vocabulary used by a student, which is assessed for high band scores.

Grammatical complexity

The use of advanced sentence structures and connectors to create coherent responses.

Natural fluency

The ability to speak in an authentic, conversational manner without sounding rehearsed or forced.

Work-life balance

A topic-specific phrase referring to the equilibrium between one's professional life and personal life.

Cultural diversity

A contemporary phrase describing the existence of a variety of cultural or ethnic groups within a society.

3-Step Vocabulary Process

A system involving: 1. Read and Listen to authentic sources, 2. Record new words, and 3. Review them regularly.