Intermediate8 min read
IELTS Academic Word List: Top 100 Words to Learn
The Academic Word List covers a huge proportion of IELTS reading texts and is essential for Writing Band 7+. Start with these 100 high-frequency words.
Practice Vocabulary →Why the Academic Word List Matters
The AWL was created by Averil Coxhead and consists of 570 word families that appear frequently in academic texts. Mastering these words improves your Reading score (by recognising vocabulary in passages) and Writing score (by using precise, academic language).
AWL Words by Topic: Analysis & Research
- analyse (v) — to examine systematically: 'The researchers analysed the data over 10 years'
- evidence (n) — facts supporting a claim: 'There is considerable evidence that...'
- assess (v) — to evaluate: 'The study assessed the impact of diet on health'
- significant (adj) — important or large: 'A significant proportion of respondents...'
- conclude (v) — to reach a finding: 'The authors conclude that...'
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AWL Words for Arguments
- advocate (v/n) — to support; a supporter: 'Many economists advocate this approach'
- contradict (v) — to go against: 'These findings contradict earlier research'
- justify (v) — to give reasons for: 'This decision is difficult to justify'
- undermine (v) — to weaken: 'These results undermine the prevailing theory'
- acknowledge (v) — to recognise: 'The report acknowledges several limitations'
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