Lexical Resource is the IELTS name for vocabulary. It is one of the four criteria in both Writing and Speaking, so it makes up 25% of each of those scores. Many candidates stay stuck at Band 6 not because they know too few words, but because they use them in the wrong way.
What does “Lexical Resource” mean?#
Examiners ask four questions about your vocabulary:
- Range: do you use a variety of words, or repeat the same ones (“good”, “important”, “big”)?
- Precision: do you choose the exact word for the meaning (“a sharp rise” rather than “a big rise”)?
- Collocation and less common vocabulary: do you combine words naturally (“pose a threat”, “heavy traffic”) and use some less common, topic-specific words?
- Accuracy: are spelling and word forms correct (“economic” vs “economical”, “environment” not “enviroment”)?
Note: “Less common” does not mean rare or complicated. It means precise, natural vocabulary that a typical learner doesn’t use. Fancy words used incorrectly lower your score.
Band 6 vs Band 7 vs Band 8#
Here is a simplified summary of how examiners judge vocabulary at each level:
| Band | Range | Accuracy and style |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Adequate vocabulary for the task; meaning is clear | Some errors in word choice, spelling or word formation, but they don’t stop communication |
| 7 | Enough flexibility to discuss topics precisely; some less common vocabulary and collocations | Aware of style; occasional errors in word choice and collocation |
| 8 | Wide range used fluently and flexibly to convey precise meaning | Skilful use of less common words; only rare errors |
The jump from 6 to 7 is mainly about collocations and precision. The jump from 7 to 8 is about using that vocabulary naturally and with very few mistakes.
Before and after: upgrading a Band 6 sentence#
Example: “Pollution is a big problem in cities and it is very bad for people’s health.”
Band 7 version: “Air pollution is a serious problem in major cities and poses a significant threat to public health.”
What changed: “big problem” became “serious problem”, “very bad for” became “poses a significant threat to” (a strong collocation), and “people’s health” became “public health” (a precise, topic-specific term).
Example: “The number of students went up a lot between 2010 and 2020.”
Band 7 version: “The number of students rose sharply between 2010 and 2020, almost doubling over the decade.”
For Writing Task 1, verbs and adverbs of change (rose sharply, declined steadily, peaked at, levelled off) are some of the most valuable vocabulary you can learn.
Paraphrasing: the skill behind a high score#
Examiners notice when you copy words from the question. Paraphrasing shows range and earns marks in Writing, and it is also how answers are hidden in Reading and Listening.
| Question words | Paraphrase |
|---|---|
| young people | the younger generation, teenagers, people under 25 |
| harmful | detrimental, damaging, has a negative impact on |
| the government should pay | public funding should cover, the state should bear the cost |
| advantages and disadvantages | benefits and drawbacks, pros and cons |
Build your list with our IELTS synonyms and antonyms guide and the topic vocabulary and collocations tool.
Common Lexical Resource mistakes#
Warning: These are the errors that keep candidates at Band 6:
- Memorised phrases that don’t fit: “It is a burning question of the day” or “Every coin has two sides”. Examiners recognise memorised language and it does not count towards your score.
- Wrong collocations: “make a crime” (commit a crime), “do a mistake” (make a mistake), “strong rain” (heavy rain).
- Word form errors: “Education is very benefit” (beneficial), “economical growth” (economic growth).
- Informal words in essays: “kids”, “a lot of”, “stuff”, “get”. Use children, many / a large number of, things / items, obtain / become.
- Over-repetition: using “important” five times in one essay.
How to improve your Lexical Resource#
- Learn vocabulary by topic, not alphabetically. IELTS questions come from a small set of themes: education, technology, environment, health, work, crime, cities, globalisation. Learn 10–15 phrases per topic.
- Learn collocations, not single words. Instead of “impact”, learn “have a profound impact on”, “mitigate the impact of”.
- Paraphrase every question before you write. Rewrite the question in your own words in the first sentence of your introduction.
- Use new words straight away. Write five sentences with each new phrase, then use it in your next essay or Speaking answer.
- Check spelling and word forms last. Save two minutes at the end of Writing to check them.
- Get feedback. Ask a teacher, or get an AI band score for your essay, to see whether your word choices are natural.
Tip: In Speaking, natural idiomatic language helps at Band 7+, but only when you use it accurately and in the right situation. A natural “I’m not really into sports” is better than a forced idiom.
Frequently Asked Questions#
What is Lexical Resource in IELTS?#
Lexical Resource is the vocabulary criterion in IELTS Writing and Speaking. It measures the range of words you use, how precisely and naturally you use them (including collocations), and the accuracy of your spelling and word forms. It is worth 25% of each score.
How can I get Band 7 in Lexical Resource?#
Use some less common, topic-specific vocabulary and natural collocations, paraphrase instead of copying the question, avoid repeating the same words, and keep spelling and word-form errors rare.
Do I need to use difficult words to get a high score?#
No. Precise and natural vocabulary matters more than difficult words. Using rare words incorrectly lowers your score.
Does spelling count in Lexical Resource?#
Yes. Spelling and word formation are part of Lexical Resource in Writing. Occasional mistakes are acceptable at Band 7, but frequent ones keep you at Band 6 or below.
Are idioms good for IELTS?#
In Speaking, a few natural idioms used correctly can help at Band 7 and above. In Writing Task 2, avoid most idioms: formal, precise vocabulary is better.