IELTS Vocabulary ebook

If a place or building is accessible to people, it is easy for them to reach it or get into it. If an object is accessible, it is easy to reach. The usages "be accessible to people" and "be accessible by transportation" are often used. Here are example sentences:

• The city center is easily accessible to the general public.
• The hospital should be accessible to wheelchair users.
• Public areas should be easily accessible to disabled people.
• The inn is accessible by train and bus.

If something is accessible to people, they can easily use it or obtain it. Here are example sentences:​

• The legal aid system should be accessible to more people. 
• This device helps make virtual reality a more usable and accessible technology.
• Education should be accessible to everyone.
• Thanks to the Internet, information is easily accessible to everyone now.

When you demonstrate something, you show what it is or how it works.  Here are examples:

• The instructor demonstrated the correct procedure for pruning a tree.
• A Sensodyne marketer demonstrated how to use the mouthwash and dental floss.
• The CEO demonstrated impressive leadership in building a company that took employees' needs into account.

To demonstrate a fact means to make it clear to people.  Here are examples:

• The latest test results clearly demonstrate that the COVID-19 vaccine works.
• Research has demonstrated that babies can recognize their mother's voice very soon after birth. 研究顯示，嬰兒出生後很快就能辨識母親的聲音。

The adjective "demonstrative" describes something that serves as conclusive evidence of something; also, it can refer to openly expressing emotions or feelings. 

• Her demonstrative gestures during the presentation helped clarify her points.

• He tends to be very demonstrative of his feelings, often hugging and kissing his relatives.

A valid argument is one that is well-grounded in fact, law or logic. Something is valid when it can be supported or backed-up, or if it is functional.  In a legal context, valid means that something is binding or actionable: “At the time of the accident his license was no longer valid, so they impounded his car.”Here are some examples using the word valid:

• These coupons will no longer be valid after the date printed on the back.
• You need to make certain that your passport is valid if you plan on visiting me during Christmas. 
• Some car rental agencies require a valid customer passport as a deposit when the customer collects the car.
• Their marriage is not legally valid.
• Is your passport still valid? ​
• Is the contract legally valid?
• There are valid reasons for some people to be unsure about getting a COVID-19 vaccine. If you are hesitant, you should talk to your doctors to decide what is best for you.
• This is a valid criticism and we should not take it lightly.

The noun validity means the quality of being real or correct or the state of being acceptable according to the law. Example sentences:

• The ground crew will check the validity of your passport before you board the plane.
• Scientists questioned the validity of the findings.
• As a general rule, passports should have at least six months of validity when traveling internationally. Most countries will deny you entry if your passport isn't valid for at least 6 months after your last day of travel. 

Accountability is a noun that describes accepting responsibility, and it can be personal or very public. The collocations "show accountability' and "have accountability for something' are often used. For example

• Stepping up and admitting it when you break something shows accountability.
• A government has accountability for decisions and laws affecting its citizens
• An individual has accountability for acts and behaviors.
• Lack of accountability plays a key role in business failures because dysfunctional leadership results in bad strategic decision-making and poor employee performance.

Definition: Able to move quickly and easily; Able to think and understand quickly:

Example sentences:

• They are so agile when they move, thanks to their abundance of elastic muscles.
• In fact, it may make or break an artist depending on their ability and agility in taking risks.

Definition: The quality of being alert:

Example sentences:

• Fire has caused £30,000 damage to a woollen waste mill, and it could have been worse but for the alertness of a teenage girl.

Definition: An instance of one moving object or person striking violently against another:

Example sentences:

• Three people have died in a head-on collision between two cars in a weekend which also saw two police officers seriously injured in a separate road accident.

Definition: an aggressive willingness to compete;

Example sentences:

• Strategic alliance is a common way for two companies to increase competitiveness in a global market.

Definition: marked by or capable of arousing controversy

Example sentences:

• Vitamin D is a controversial topic among doctors, mainly because studies about its health effects have been so conflicting.
• The Coca-Cola Company yesterday revealed some details about its controversial role as a supporter of obesity research.

Durable, as an adjective, describes something that is able to withstand wear, pressure, or damage. It often refers to materials or products that are made to last for a long time without significant deterioration. In a broader sense, it can also refer to something that is long-lasting in terms of effectiveness or relevanc

• This backpack is made from durable materials that can withstand heavy use.

• They need to invest in more durable equipment for the factory.

• Durable goods often come with a guarantee of several years.

Definition: Showing or involving great activity or vitality

Example sentences:

• Youngsters have already come up with some of their own designs which cater for younger primary school age children up to teenagers who wanted more energetic activities.

Definition: to grow; undergo development or evolution

Example sentences:

• Companies that launched with digital DNA still have to run fast to keep up with rapidly evolving technologies and consumer expectations.

Definition: in an improper way

Example sentences:

• The pointed attorneys have argued the judge improperly excluded certain evidence and testimony.

The noun "indication" means a sign or piece of information that suggests something might exist or be true.

• His fever was an indication of a more serious health problem.

• There are clear indications that the economy is improving.

• Record profits in the retail market is an indication of a boom in the economy

• An increase in crime is an indication of a decline in moral standards.

The noun "indicator" means a device or measure that shows the condition or existence of something, often used to provide guidance, information, or warning.

• Gold prices are often seen as an indicator of inflation. 

• The stock market is seen as a leading indicator of economic growth. 

• The indicator light on the dashboard shows that the car's engine needs to be checked.

• Economic indicators like GDP and unemployment rates are essential for analyzing a country's financial health.

• The bird species' population size can serve as an indicator of the local environmental quality.

• Nitrogen oxides are used by scientists as an indicator of economic activity and of the effectiveness of pollution-control measures.
  
  

Insightful is an adjective that is exhibiting insight or clear and deep perception. If you are insightful, you are confident and inquisitive. For example:

• One of the most important aspects of being an insightful leader is avoiding the pitfall of the obvious.

Insightful things make you ponder more than you normally would.  For example:

• The chapter was insightful to why the refugees felt that had to leave the camp.

Definition: limited in size or scope

Example sentences:

• He says the meetings will help him narrow down recruits and present the most fitting candidates.
• The narrow window of time to diagnose and successfully treat a patient makes the treatment of meningococcal disease difficult.

Definition: force somebody to do something

Example sentences:

• At a company with publicly traded stock, management and controlling holders are obliged to put public shareholders’ interests above their own.
• The government plans to oblige mobile operators to improve their coverage, possibly by sharing rivals' networks.

You use "on account of" to introduce the reason or explanation for something. "Because of" and "on account of' are synonymous in cases where reasons involve thoughts or records.   Here is an example sentence:

• We canceled the beach picnic on account of the bad weather forecast.

Let's look at the following two sentences:

• The water boiled because of the heat. (Better!)
• The water boiled on account of the heat. 

Both uses are valid, but in this example, because of is slightly better than on account of because it does not imply thought on the part of the water.

Definition: Bigger than the usual size

Example sentences:

• He was wearing an oversized leather jacket.

Your perspective is the way you see something. Perspective can be used from a positive or negative standpoint. The preposition "on" is often used after it.

Example sentences:

• My grandmother has a surprisingly modern perspective on life.
• They had totally different perspectives on the war.
• It's easy to lose perspective on things when you are under stress.
• He says the death of his father 18 months ago has given him a new perspective on life.

Phrases

• from one's perspective = from the perspective of someone
• Put something in/into perspective

from one's perspective

From one's perspective = from the perspective of someone = from one's point of view

Example sentences:

• He helped us see the problem from a new perspective. (meaning angle, point of view).
• The story is told from the perspective of a teenage boy in the 1940s.
• From my perspective, I think the employee should be punished.

Put something in perspective

If you put something in perspective, it means you correctly regard something in relation to something else. 

Example sentences:

• You need to put things in perspective: even though you have not attained your career goals yet, you still have many years to do so.
• Let's put the cost of living into perspective; it costs more to live now than in the past, but now we have a better life than before.
• John put things in perspective: even though his English was not as good as Mary's English, he realized that he had been studying it for less time than Mary.
• Life can sometimes seem very overwhelming. This feeling can be normal, although it may be debilitating to routines and lifestyles. You should try and develop your own methods of putting your problems into perspective, no matter what it is.

Collocations

a fresh perspective (=new and interesting or useful)

• The venture will benefit from their fresh perspective.

a historical perspective

• It is important to have a historical perspective when considering these changes.

a global/international perspective

• A global perspective allows firms to spot opportunities and reduce supply costs.​a female perspective​

a business perspective

• I think it was a good thing to do, from a business perspective.

Definition: A measure taken in advance to prevent something dangerous, unpleasant, or inconvenient from happening

Example sentences:

• He had taken the precaution of seeking legal advice. Of course I took the precaution of turning my light off first, and it was a lucky thing I did.

Definition: to make ready; first in rank or degree

Example sentences:

• The directors primed the actors before the performance.
• The book isn’t vegetarian, but there are so many plant-based options that it’s already occupying a prime spot on my countertop.

Definition: a picture or element thrown back

Example sentences:

• Freedom of improvisation within form itself was a reflection of their human condition.
• Our currency is a reflection of our values and should rightfully represent our inclusive democracy

The adjective "unaccountable" describes something or someone that cannot be explained or justified. It often refers to actions or behaviors that are mysterious, inexplicable, or not subject to being held responsible or accountable by others. 

• His absence was unaccountable.

• She found herself feeling an unaccountable sense of dread.

• The manager's decisions were often unaccountable to the team.