Active Vocabulary for IELTS And PTE Success
If you’re preparing for the IELTS or PTE exam, you’ve probably spent hours memorising long vocabulary lists. But here’s the truth — simply knowing the meaning of a word is not enough. Many students recognise hundreds of words but struggle to use them correctly in writing or speaking tasks. This happens because they are learning words passively, not actively.
To achieve a higher score, especially in Speaking and Writing, you need to develop what examiners call active vocabulary — the words and phrases that come to your mind naturally when you communicate.
So, how can you build active vocabulary?
1. Learn fewer words but use them daily.
Choose 5–7 new words every day instead of memorising 50. Focus on quality, not quantity.
2. Write your own examples.
Create short sentences or even a small paragraph using those new words. Personal examples stick better in memory.
3. Say the words out loud.
Record yourself speaking those sentences. This helps you improve pronunciation and confidence at the same time.
4. Review and reuse.
Try to include these words in your next essay, email, or practice speaking session. The more you use them, the more natural they’ll feel.
For example, instead of just memorising the word “significant”, try using it naturally:
“There has been a significant rise in students taking online English tests recently.”
Building active vocabulary takes time, but the results are powerful — you’ll sound more fluent, confident, and ready for success in your IELTS or PTE exam.
Active Vocabulary for IELTS And PTE Success