Advanced Collocation - IELTS Writing Task 2 Flashcards

This set contains VOCABULARY flashcards featuring advanced collocations and sentence structures for IELTS Writing Task 2, separated by topics such as Environment, Technology, Education, Economy, and more, including target band scores and paraphrases.

tackle climate change

To address or combat global warming and mitigate its effects; often used with a Band $6.0+$ target.

reduce carbon emissions

Steps taken to cut greenhouse gas emissions, lower carbon footprints, or decrease pollution levels.

deplete natural resources

To exhaust or drain finite resources, or overexploit the environment; often associated with a Band $6.5+$ target.

implement environmental regulations

To enforce green policies or put environmental laws in place to protect biodiversity.

raise environmental awareness

To promote ecological consciousness, foster a green mindset, or educate the public on sustainability.

pose a threat to biodiversity

To endanger wildlife habitats, jeopardise ecosystems, or put species at risk of extinction.

transition to renewable energy

To shift to clean energy sources or move away from fossil fuels.

accelerate environmental degradation

To hasten the deterioration of natural habitats or intensify environmental destruction; used for Band $7.0+$ level writing.

preserve natural habitats

To protect wildlife ecosystems or safeguard the natural environment for future generations.

impose stricter penalties

To enforce harsher sanctions or introduce heavier fines for those who violate pollution laws.

advance at a rapid pace

To develop at an unprecedented rate or progress exponentially, particularly in the field of technology.

bridge the digital divide

To reduce inequality in technology access or close the technological gap between different groups, such as rural and urban areas.

automate repetitive tasks

To mechanise routine processes or use AI to handle monotonous duties.

pose ethical concerns

To raise moral questions, trigger ethical debates, or spark concerns over data security; used in Band $7.0+$ contexts.

enhance productivity

To boost work efficiency, improve output levels, or maximise performance.

render certain jobs obsolete

To make some occupations redundant or eliminate traditional roles due to automation.

harness the power of artificial intelligence

To leverage AI capabilities or capitalise on technological innovation to improve systems like customer service.

widen the gap between generations

To deepen the generational divide or intensify intergenerational differences.

provide equal access to education

To ensure educational opportunities for everyone and eliminate barriers to schooling.

equip students with essential skills

To prepare learners for future careers and foster transferable skills in the $21\text{st-century}$ workforce.

foster critical thinking

To cultivate analytical skills and encourage independent reasoning in the classroom.

place excessive pressure on students

To burden learners with unrealistic expectations or overwhelm them with academic demands.

broaden one's horizons

To expand one's worldview or expose oneself to diverse perspectives, often through studying abroad.

tailor education to individual needs

To customise teaching to suit each learner's abilities and learning styles.

instil a love of learning

To inspire a passion for knowledge and motivate students to pursue lifelong learning.

address the skills gap

To bridge the mismatch between education and employment or align academic curricula with industry needs.

adopt a healthy lifestyle

To embrace healthy habits, maintain a balanced routine, and exercise regularly.

place a burden on the healthcare system

To strain public health services or put pressure on hospitals, often due to rising obesity rates.

tackle the obesity epidemic

To address rising rates of obesity and combat lifestyle-related diseases.

lead a sedentary lifestyle

To be physically inactive or spend excessive time sitting, contributing to health problems.

allocate sufficient funding

To invest adequately in public services, such as healthcare infrastructure, or channel resources effectively.

suffer from chronic diseases

To be afflicted with long-term illnesses or non-communicable diseases linked to poor diet and inactivity.

stimulate economic growth

To boost the economy, drive development, or accelerate GDP growth, especially during a recession.

reduce income inequality

To narrow the wealth gap or redistribute wealth more equitably, such as through progressive taxation.

attract foreign investment

To draw international capital or encourage overseas business ventures.

bear the economic consequences

To suffer the financial repercussions or be burdened by the monetary fallout of fiscal decisions.

alleviate poverty

To reduce financial hardship or lift people out of economic deprivation.

deter criminal behaviour

To discourage illegal activities or act as a crime prevention measure.

rehabilitate offenders

To reintegrate criminals into society and reform those who break the law to help them become productive members.

address the root causes of crime

To tackle underlying social issues, such as poverty and inequality, which serve as crime catalysts.

erode social cohesion

To damage community bonds or weaken the social fabric.

violate human rights

To infringe on civil liberties or breach fundamental freedoms; associated with a Band $7.0$ score.

prevent youth offending

To reduce juvenile crime and stop young people from turning to criminal paths.

spread misinformation

To propagate false information, circulate fake news, or disseminate misleading content.

exert a powerful influence on public opinion

To shape people's perceptions or manipulate how issues are perceived by the public.

foster media literacy

To develop critical media consumption skills and build awareness of media bias.

alleviate traffic congestion

To ease gridlock in urban areas or reduce the volume of cars on roads.

reduce urban sprawl

To limit the uncontrolled expansion of cities and protect surrounding farmland.

bridge the urban-rural divide

To close the gap between cities and rural areas and reduce regional inequalities.

strengthen family bonds

To foster closer family relationships and build a sense of togetherness.

challenge traditional gender roles

To break down outdated stereotypes or redefine gender norms within the family.

balance work and family life

To juggle career demands with family needs and achieve work-life harmony.

promote cultural exchange

To facilitate cross-cultural interaction and encourage intercultural dialogue.

erode cultural identity

To dilute local traditions, undermine indigenous customs, or homogenise world cultures.

exploit cheap labour

To take advantage of low-cost workers or benefit from weak labour regulations in developing nations.

lead to cultural homogenisation

To result in a loss of cultural diversity or produce a uniform global culture.

introduce progressive policies

To implement forward-thinking legislation or enact reformative measures.

combat corruption

To eradicate bribery and root out dishonesty in public office.

prioritise public welfare

To put citizens' wellbeing first and focus on the common good.

improve work-life balance

To help employees manage professional and personal time while reducing workplace stress.

be displaced by automation

To lose jobs to machines or be replaced by robotic systems.

reduce the gender pay gap

To close the wage disparity between men and women for equal work.

make a significant breakthrough

To achieve major scientific advances or reach a milestone in research.

have far-reaching implications

To carry wide-ranging consequences or produce profound effects across many areas.

have a detrimental effect on

To negatively impact, adversely affect, or undermine something.

play a pivotal role in

To be central, instrumental, or indispensable to a process or outcome.

be fraught with challenges

To be riddled with difficulties or plagued with problems.

strike a balance between

To find a middle ground or achieve equilibrium between competing demands.

exacerbate the problem

To worsen the situation or compound existing difficulties.

bear the brunt of

To suffer the worst effects or shoulder the heaviest burden of a negative situation.

take a holistic approach

To adopt a comprehensive strategy and look at the big picture rather than isolated parts.

constitute a major obstacle

To represent a significant barrier or act as a primary hindrance to progress.

It is widely acknowledged that…

A sentence starter used to introduce a general consensus or common recognition; avoids using 'everyone knows that'.

is a double-edged sword

A metaphor used to describe something that carries both promise and peril, or advantages and disadvantages.

Only by… can… be achieved

An advanced inversion structure used to emphasize that an outcome is dependent on a specific action.

… remains to be seen

A phrase used when a conclusion is uncertain or requires more time to determine its success.

… cannot be overstated

Used to describe something of paramount importance or which is critically significant.

serves as a reminder that…

Used in arguments to underscore a reality or illustrate a fact, such as referencing the $2008$ financial crisis.