IELTS VOCABULARY

Imperative: extremely important or urgent:

SENTENCE: The president said it was imperative that the release of all hostages be secured.

Foundation: the structures below the surface of the ground that support a building:

SENTENCE: The foundations will have to be reinforced to prevent the house from sinking further into the ground.

Ornament: an object that is beautiful rather than useful:

SENTENCE: The building relies on clever design rather than on ornament for its impressive effect.

Sophisticated: having a good understanding of the way people behave and/or a good knowledge of culture and fashion:

SENTENCE: I don’t think I have any books that would suit your sophisticated tastes.

Steerage: in the past, the part of a ship in which passengers with the cheapest tickets travelled:

SENTENCE: She had come to America in steerage.

Determined: wanting to do something very much and not allowing anyone or any difficulties to stop you:

SENTENCE: I’m determined to get this piece of work done today.

Momentous: very important because of effects on future events:

SENTENCE: Whether or not to move overseas was a momentous decision for the family.

Ingenious: (of a person) very intelligent and skilful, or (of a thing) skilfully made or planned and involving new ideas and methods:

SENTENCE: Johnny is so ingenious – he can make the most remarkable sculptures from the most ordinary materials.

Workaday: ordinary; not unusual:

SENTENCE: Compared to the extravagance and glamour of last winter’s clothes, this season’s collection look simple, almost workaday.

Noteworthy: deserving attention because of being important or interesting:

SENTENCE: It is noteworthy that one third of students do not pay any tuition fees.