These are words 1 to 25 of the 300 most common words in English. You will meet them in almost every IELTS Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing task, so it pays to know them well. For each word, read the example, try to guess the meaning, then reveal it and mark honestly how you did. Then say the word aloud, record yourself and compare it with the model voice. When you have finished, try the gap quiz and save your results.
Nothing here is marked by a computer. You decide how well you knew each word and how it sounded. Your recordings stay in your browser: they are not uploaded and they are lost when you close the page. Your place and your answers are kept in this browser; sign in (free) at the end to keep them on every device.
The words
1
the
determiner
The library in my city opens at eight, so I study there before class.
collocationsthe end of · the rest of · in the end · the same
Used before a noun when you and the listener both know which one you mean. Before a vowel sound it is said /ði/ (the answer).
Watch out: Learners often leave it out ('library is old') or add it to general ideas ('the life is hard'). Use the for one known thing, not for things in general. Japanese, Korean, Chinese and Turkish speakers find this hardest.
Did you guess it?
Say it in a sentence
/ðə/ I parked the car outside.
Listen for the short, relaxed uh sound /ðə/ in the: the car sounds like thuh car. Not thee, and not ah.
/ðiː/ She ate the apple.
Before a vowel sound, the is said /ðiː/ (thee): thee apple. The usual one before a consonant sound is the short uh.
How did that sound?
2
be
verb
Many people in big cities are worried about the cost of housing.
collocationsbe able to · be responsible for · be aware of · to be honest
A very common verb that links a subject to a description, an identity or a place. Its forms are am, is, are, was, were, been and being.
Watch out: Do not use be before another full verb in the present: say 'I agree', not 'I am agree'. Do not drop it either: 'She very tall' needs 'is'. Arabic and Chinese speakers often leave it out in present sentences.
Did you guess it?
Say it in a sentence
/bi/ It will be ready soon.
Listen for the short, quick bi sound /bi/ in be: it will be ready sounds like it'll-bi ready. Not a long, slow bee.
How did that sound?
3
and
conjunction
Cycling is cheap and healthy, and it reduces traffic.
collocationsmore and more · again and again · and so on · black and white
Joins two words, phrases or sentences of the same kind. It adds one idea to another. In fast speech it is often said /ən/.
Watch out: In a list of three or more, put and only before the last item: 'bus, train and bicycle'. In formal writing, do not join long chains of ideas with and; use full stops and linking words.
Did you guess it?
Say it in a sentence
/ən/ She bought bread and milk.
Listen for the short uhn sound /ən/ in and: bread and milk sounds like bread uhn milk. Not a full a as in cat, and not ah.
How did that sound?
4
of
preposition
One of the biggest problems in my town is the lack of public transport.
collocationsa lot of · a number of · the cost of living · one of the
Shows that something belongs to, comes from or is part of something else. Also used after words of quantity, like a lot of or a group of.
Watch out: The last sound is /v/, not /f/: it is not said like 'off'. After 'one of the' use a plural noun but a singular verb: 'One of the reasons is…'.
Did you guess it?
Say it in a sentence
/əv/ I drank a cup of tea.
Listen for the short uhv sound /əv/ in of: a cup of tea sounds like a cup-uv tea. Not off, and not ah.
How did that sound?
5
to
preposition, particle
I travel to the campus by bus in order to save money.
collocationsin order to · according to · look forward to · be able to
Shows direction towards a place. It also goes before the base form of a verb (to go, to study) to make the infinitive. In fast speech it is said /tə/.
Watch out: After can, must and should do not use to: 'I can swim', not 'I can to swim'. After 'look forward to' use an -ing form: 'I look forward to meeting you'.
Did you guess it?
Say it in a sentence
/tə/ I want to go home.
Listen for the short tuh sound /tə/ in to: want to go sounds like want tuh go. Not too, and not ah.
How did that sound?
6
a
determiner
My brother works as a nurse in a hospital near our home.
collocationsa lot of · a few · once a week · a bit
Used before a singular countable noun when it is one of many or you mention it for the first time. Before a vowel sound use an. When stressed it is said /eɪ/.
Watch out: Use a or an with singular countable nouns only: not 'a information' or 'a advice'. Choose a or an by sound, not spelling: an hour, a university.
Did you guess it?
Say it in a sentence
/ə/ I would like a cup of tea, please.
Listen for the short, relaxed uh sound /ə/ in a: a cup of tea sounds like uh cup of tea. Not ay, and not ah.
How did that sound?
7
in
preposition
In my opinion, children learn languages more quickly than adults.
collocationsin the morning · in my opinion · in fact · in addition
Shows that something is inside a place, an area or a period of time, or is in a state or situation.
Watch out: Use in with months, years and long periods (in May, in 2020), but on with days and dates (on Monday) and at with clock times (at six).
Did you guess it?
How did that sound?
8
have
verb
Many students have a part-time job while they study.
collocationshave a look · have an effect on · have to · have a problem with
Means to own, hold or experience something. It is also a helper verb used to make perfect tenses (I have finished).
Watch out: With the meaning of owning, do not use the continuous form: say 'I have a car', not 'I am having a car'. With he, she and it, use has.
Did you guess it?
Say it in a sentence
/əv/ We have been here before.
When have helps another verb, listen for the short uhv sound /əv/: we have been sounds like we-uv been. Not a full a as in cat, and not ah.
How did that sound?
9
it
pronoun
It is important to sleep well before an exam.
collocationsit is important to · it depends on · it seems that · it takes time
Replaces a thing, an idea or a situation that is already known. It is also an empty subject in sentences about weather, time and opinions (It is raining).
Watch out: English sentences need a subject: say 'It is raining', not 'Is raining'. Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese and Korean speakers often leave the subject out.
Did you guess it?
How did that sound?
10
you
pronoun
If you live in a big city, you often spend a lot of time travelling.
collocationsthank you · if you ask me · you know · you can see
Means the person or people you are speaking to. In general statements it can also mean people in general.
Watch out: In formal Writing Task 2 avoid 'you' for general ideas: write 'people' or 'a person' instead. In Speaking it is fine.
Did you guess it?
Say it in a sentence
/jə/ What do you think?
Listen for the short yuh sound /jə/ in you: what do you think sounds like what do-yuh think. Not yoo, and not ah.
How did that sound?
11
he
pronoun
My uncle is an engineer, and he travels abroad every month.
collocationshe said that · he works as · he is known for · he has been
Means the male person or animal that is already mentioned or known.
Watch out: Use he or she for people and it for things. Do not mix them up in one text. Turkish and Chinese speakers sometimes mix he and she because their language does not show gender in this word.
Did you guess it?
How did that sound?
12
for
preposition
I have lived in this city for ten years.
collocationsfor example · for a long time · a reason for · for instance
Shows the purpose of something, the person who receives it, or how long something lasts. In fast speech it is said /fə/.
Watch out: Use for with a length of time (for ten years) and since with a starting point (since 2015). Use for + -ing for purpose ('a tool for cutting') but to + verb to say why you did something ('I went there to study').
Did you guess it?
Say it in a sentence
/fə/ I waited for the bus.
Listen for the short fuh sound /fə/ in for: waited for the bus sounds like waited fuh the bus. Not four, and not ah.
How did that sound?
13
they
pronoun
Young people say they want flexible jobs, but they also want security.
collocationsthey say that · they tend to · they should · they are known for
Means more than one person or thing that is already mentioned. It is also used for one person when the gender is not stated.
Watch out: They is plural, so the verb is are: 'they are', not 'they is'. Do not confuse they, their (belonging to them) and there (place).
Did you guess it?
How did that sound?
14
not
adverb
Public transport is not always cheap, but it is often faster than driving.
collocationsnot only … but also · not at all · if not · whether or not
Makes a sentence or phrase negative. After a helper verb it is often shortened to n't.
Watch out: With full verbs add do: 'I do not like', not 'I not like'. In formal writing use the full form (do not) rather than don't.
Did you guess it?
How did that sound?
15
that
determiner, pronoun, conjunction
Many people believe that cities are becoming too crowded, and that is why new parks are needed.
collocationsso that · the fact that · that is why · now that
Points to a thing or idea that is further away or already mentioned. It also joins a clause to a verb (I think that…) and begins relative clauses (the book that I read). As a joining word it is often said /ðət/.
Watch out: The plural of the pointing word is those: 'those books', not 'that books'. Always keep that in 'the fact that…'.
Did you guess it?
Say it in a sentence
/ðət/ She said that she was tired.
When that joins two parts of a sentence, listen for the short thuht sound /ðət/: said that she sounds like said thuht she. Not a full a as in cat, and not ah.
How did that sound?
16
we
pronoun
In my country, we celebrate the new year with a big family meal.
collocationswe need to · we can see · we should · as we know
Means the speaker and one or more other people.
Watch out: We is the subject; us is the object: 'He told us', not 'He told we'. In Writing Task 2, 'we' meaning everyone is acceptable in moderation.
Did you guess it?
How did that sound?
17
on
preposition
On the other hand, working from home can make people feel isolated.
collocationson time · on the other hand · depend on · on average
Shows contact with a surface, a day or date, or the topic of something (a book on climate).
Watch out: Use on for days and dates (on Friday), in for months and years, at for clock times. Say 'depend on', not 'depend of'.
Did you guess it?
How did that sound?
18
with
preposition
Governments must deal with pollution before it harms more people.
collocationsdeal with · agree with · compare with · be familiar with
Shows that people or things are together, that you use something, or that someone has a feature (a girl with long hair).
Watch out: Check the word that goes with with: 'agree with', 'deal with', 'familiar with'. Say the final /ð/ with the tip of your tongue touching the back of your top front teeth. Japanese, Korean, Chinese and Turkish speakers often say /wɪt/ or /wɪs/.
Did you guess it?
How did that sound?
19
this
determiner, pronoun
This is why many young people choose to study abroad.
collocationsthis is why · this means that · at this point · this year
Points to something near in place or time, or something just mentioned or about to be mentioned.
Watch out: The plural is these, not 'this people'. The vowel is short /ɪ/, not long like 'these'. In writing, put a noun after this when you can: 'this problem'.
Did you guess it?
How did that sound?
20
I
pronoun
I grew up in a small village, but I now live in a large city.
collocationsI think that · I believe · I agree · I would say
The word you use to talk about yourself as the person speaking or writing. It is always written with a capital letter.
Watch out: Always write I with a capital letter. In a formal essay, one clear opinion phrase in the introduction is enough; do not begin every paragraph with 'I think'.
Did you guess it?
How did that sound?
21
do
verb
I do research for my course every weekend in the library.
collocationsdo homework · do research · do exercise · do business
A helper verb used to make questions and negatives (Do you like it?). It is also a full verb meaning to carry out an action or task.
Watch out: Do for tasks and activities, make for creating something (do homework, make a plan). With he, she and it use does, and then the base verb: 'Does she work?', not 'Does she works?'.
Did you guess it?
Say it in a sentence
/də/ Where do they live?
Listen for the short duh sound /də/ in do: where do they live sounds like where duh they live. Not doo, and not ah.
How did that sound?
22
as
conjunction, preposition
As a child, I wanted to work as a pilot.
collocationsas well as · as a result · such as · as soon as
Can mean 'in the role of' (as a teacher), 'while' or 'because', and is used in comparisons (as tall as). In fast speech it is said /əz/.
Watch out: Say 'as a teacher' for a job or role and 'like a teacher' to say similar to one. In equal comparisons use 'as … as', not 'as … than'.
Did you guess it?
Say it in a sentence
/əz/ He works as a teacher.
Listen for the short uhz sound /əz/ in as: works as a teacher sounds like works uhz a teacher. Not a full a as in cat, and not ah.
How did that sound?
23
at
preposition
At first, I found the lectures hard to follow, but I got used to them.
collocationsat the moment · at least · at first · good at
Shows an exact place or point, such as a place (at the station) or a clock time (at six o'clock).
Watch out: Use at for clock times and exact points, in for cities and countries, on for days. Say 'good at', not 'good in'.
Did you guess it?
Say it in a sentence
/ət/ I will meet you at the station.
Listen for the short uht sound /ət/ in at: meet you at the station sounds like meet you uht the station. Not a full a as in cat, and not ah.
How did that sound?
24
she
pronoun
My mother is a doctor, and she works long hours at the hospital.
collocationsshe said that · she works as · she is known for · she has been
Means the female person or animal that is already mentioned or known.
Watch out: Do not mix up he and she, and remember the -s on the verb: 'she works', not 'she work'. Turkish and Chinese speakers sometimes mix he and she. Say /ʃ/ with rounded lips, not /s/.
Did you guess it?
How did that sound?
25
but
conjunction
Online lessons are convenient, but many students miss face-to-face contact.
collocationsnot only … but also · but also · but in fact · but then
Joins two ideas that contrast: the second is different from, or surprising after, the first. In fast speech it is said /bət/.
Watch out: Do not use although and but together: 'Although it was expensive, I bought it', not 'Although … but …'. Chinese speakers make this mistake often. In formal writing use however between sentences.
Did you guess it?
Say it in a sentence
/bət/ I like tea, but I prefer coffee.
Listen for the short buht sound /bət/ in but: tea but I sounds like tea buht I. Not a long, strong but, and not ah.
How did that sound?
Gap quiz
Each sentence has one gap. Drag a word into the gap, or tap a word and then tap the gap. The words are the ones you have just practised, and some of them have changed shape (for example, is or made).
My brother is tallest boy in his class.
The weather cold today.
My mum dad are at home.
One the biggest problems in my town is the lack of public transport.
She wants learn Spanish.
What lovely day it is!
my opinion, children learn languages more quickly than adults.
I two brothers and a sister.
is raining, so take an umbrella.
Thank for your help.
My brother is a teacher, and works hard.
I have lived in this city ten years.
Look at the children over there. are playing football.
Public transport is always cheap, but it is often faster than driving.
He said he was tired.
Mia and I are tired, so are going home.
the other hand, working from home can make people feel isolated.
She ate the soup a spoon.
I am very tired morning.
am twenty years old.
you like tea or coffee?
She is tall as her brother.
first, I found the lectures hard to follow, but I got used to them.
My mother is a doctor, and works long hours at the hospital.
He is not only kind also funny.
Your results
Words to work on first
Save your results
Your results are kept in this browser. Sign in to save them to your account; signing in is free.
