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Top 100 Common Words in IELTS Listening Test

Vocabulary plays a very important role in the IELTS exam. It contributes to 25% of your total score in the Speaking and Writing section and is also essential in the Listening and Reading sections too. Improve your vocabulary skill and band score by studying these top 100 most common words in the IELTS Listening test.

high frequency words in ielts listening test

High-Frequency Vocabulary Words in IELTS Listening Test

IELTS Listening Test

The IELTS Listening exam consists of four parts. Each part has a different type of listening task with ten questions each.

  • Part 1: A conversation between two speakers in an everyday social context.
  • Part 2: A monologue in an everyday social context (on a general topic).
  • Part 3: A conversation between two speakers in an educational and training context.
  • Part 4: A monologue about an academic subject.

Importance of Vocabulary in IELTS Listening

Vocabulary is crucial in the IELTS Listening exam because you will hear a variety of accents, formal and informal language, technical terms, idioms, and expressions. Having a good understanding of the words that frequently appear in the exam will reduce the chances of panicking due to unexpected or difficult words.

You want to make sure to learn words from a variety of topics because the IELTS test covers both everyday and academic contexts. That way, you will be prepared for all four parts of the IELTS Listening test. Build your vocabulary with the list of high frequency words and get a higher Listening band score.

ielts listening test repeated words

Repeated Words in the IELTS Listening Test

IELTS Listening Common Words

Our list of commonly repeated words is divided into the 10 most common topics. You can find the 10 most important IELTS vocabulary for each topic. Make sure you know the spelling, definition, and pronunciation of these words.

Education

  1. course
  2. experiment
  3. handout
  4. advisor
  5. reference
  6. assessment
  7. higher education
  8. diploma
  9. lecture
  10. attendance

In addition to these words, try to make sure you know all the school subjects in English.

Travel and Tourism

  1. travel agency
  2. flight number
  3. roundtrip
  4. souvenir
  5. reservation
  6. tourist attraction
  7. check-in
  8. double-bedded room
  9. visa
  10. express train

Social Life: IELTS Listening Common Words

  1. house-warming party
  2. neighborhood
  3. extroverted
  4. hobby
  5. friendly
  6. hang out
  7. acquaintance
  8. network
  9. drop by
  10. relationship

Work and Employment

  1. client
  2. proposal
  3. transaction
  4. appointment
  5. cooperation
  6. employer
  7. employee
  8. employment
  9. colleague
  10. assistance

Health and Wellbeing

  1. vegetarian
  2. disease
  3. balanced diet
  4. protein
  5. carbohydrates
  6. treatment
  7. in good shape
  8. out of shape
  9. feel under the weather
  10. put on weight

Culture and Arts

  1. broadcast
  2. performance
  3. entertainment industry
  4. documentary
  5. commercial advertisement
  6. graphics
  7. exhibition
  8. cinemas
  9. audience
  10. the press

Environment

  1. coal
  2. fossil fuels
  3. global warming
  4. greenhouse effect
  5. natural resources
  6. renewable energy
  7. solar panels
  8. climate
  9. contaminated
  10. pollution

Transport: Common Words in IELTS Listening

  1. transportation
  2. vehicles
  3. ferry
  4. underground
  5. subway
  6. cabin cruiser
  7. automobile
  8. crew
  9. passenger
  10. aircraft

Technology

  1. artificial intelligence
  2. computer science
  3. electronics
  4. search engine
  5. device
  6. social media
  7. software
  8. cutting-edge
  9. websites
  10. cybersecurity

Daily life

  1. department store
  2. mall
  3. grocery
  4. household
  5. leisure
  6. keep contact
  7. deliver
  8. stationery
  9. occupation
  10. profession

 

Idioms for IELTS Preparation

We recommend you learn some of the most popular idioms and English expressions in addition to the vocabulary list. Idioms are hard to understand without knowing their exact meaning and origin. So, it is important to remember the entire phrase and to be able to use them in a sentence.

  1. turn a blind eye
  2. a dime a dozen
  3. blow off some steam
  4. crack the whip
  5. bee in your bonnet
  6. back to square one
  7. beat around the bush
  8. eat humble pie
  9. in deep water
  10. in a pickle
  11. missed the boat
  12. not going to fly
  13. once in a blue moon
  14. the last straw
  15. the best of both worlds

FAQs About IELTS Listening Common Words

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about high-frequency words in the IELTS listening test.

How can I improve my vocabulary for the IELTS Listening test?

Here are some of the best ways to improve your vocabulary for the IELTS listening test:

  • Study the list of repeated words on IELTS exams.
  • Read books, newspapers, and magazines to learn new words and phrases from a variety of contexts.
  • Watch TV shows and movies, which will help you learn words used in different settings.
  • Learn related words together. Focusing on word families will help you learn vocabulary more efficiently.

How important is vocabulary in the IELTS Listening test?

Vocabulary is one of the most important components of the IELTS Listening test. The exam expects you to know a wide range of vocabulary related to a number of topics. It is crucial to know the spelling, pronunciation, and definition correctly because you will hear the words in various accents and contexts. You will also need to have a good understanding of word forms, synonyms, antonyms, and collocations.

What are some common idioms used in the IELTS listening test?

Here are some common idioms and expressions that are used in the IELTS Listening test:

  • to be on the same page
  • to see eye to eye
  • to bite the bullet
  • to be in hot water
  • to hit the nail on the head
  • to be over the moon
  • to cost an arm and a leg
  • to kill two birds with one stone
  • to have a sweet tooth
  • to be a piece of cake
ielts listening common words

IELTS Listening Test Common Words

Common Words in IELTS Listening Test: Join the Conversation

What are your thoughts on this list of the most commonly appeared words in the IELTS Listening exam? How familiar are you with these words? Let us know if there is anything else we could help you with to get a higher band score on the exam. We’d love to hear from you.

About Jackie

Jackie Bolen has been teaching English for more than 20 years to students in South Korea and Canada. She's taught all ages, levels and kinds of TEFL classes. She holds an MA degree, along with the Celta and Delta English teaching certifications.

Jackie is the author of more than 100 books for English teachers and English learners, including 101 ESL Activities for Teenagers and Adults, Great Debates for ESL/EFL, and 1001 English Expressions and Phrases. She loves to share her ESL games, activities, teaching tips, and more with other teachers throughout the world.

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