These are words 126 to 150 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.
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The words
126
leave
verb, noun
Many young people leave their villages to look for work in the city.
collocationsleave school · leave home · leave out · leave behind
To go away from a place; to let something stay where it is; or to stop being part of a group, a job or a school.
Watch out: The past tense is left. Do not use from: 'leave the room', not 'leave from the room'. Leave is /liːv/; live is /lɪv/.
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127
number
noun
The number of students studying abroad has risen steadily since 2000.
collocationsa large number of · the number of · phone number · a number of
A word or symbol for a quantity; also the total of people or things.
Watch out: 'The number of' takes a singular verb; 'a number of' takes a plural verb. Use number with countable nouns and amount with uncountable ones.
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128
both
determiner, pronoun
Both parents work, so the children often cook their own meals.
collocationsboth … and · both of · both sides · on both sides
The two; used for two things or people together.
Watch out: Both takes a plural verb and means exactly two. 'Both of' needs a determiner or a pronoun: 'both of the students', 'both of them'. The last sound is /θ/, with the tongue tip touching the back of your top front teeth.
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129
own
adjective, verb
Many students prefer to have their own room, even if it is small.
collocationsmy own · on my own · of your own · own a house
Belonging to you; or to have something as property.
Watch out: Own comes after my, your or his, and before the noun: 'my own room'. 'On my own' means alone.
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130
part
noun, verb
Learning to listen is an important part of learning a language.
collocationstake part in · part of · play a part in · part-time
A piece of a whole; or a role in an activity.
Watch out: Say 'take part in', not 'take part of'. The vowel is long /ɑː/ with no r sound in British English.
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131
point
noun, verb
Another point worth making is that online lessons save travel time.
collocationsmake a point · point of view · the point is · at this point
A particular idea or fact in a discussion; a position or moment; or a mark or score. As a verb, to show with a finger.
Watch out: Say 'from my point of view' or 'in my view', not 'in my point of view'. 'What is the point?' means 'Why do it?'.
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132
little
adjective, determiner
Little is known about how very young children learn grammar.
collocationsa little · little by little · very little · a little bit
Small in size; or, without 'a', hardly any (little time).
Watch out: 'A little' means some; 'little' means hardly any. Use with uncountable nouns; for countable nouns use few and a few.
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133
help
verb, noun
Volunteers help elderly people to learn how to use their phones.
collocationshelp someone to · with the help of · a great help · cannot help
To make it easier for someone to do something; also the support given.
Watch out: Help can be followed by the base verb or a to-verb: 'help me learn' or 'help me to learn'. As a noun it is uncountable: 'I need some help', not 'helps'.
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134
ask
verb
If you do not understand a question in Part 1, you can politely ask for it to be repeated.
collocationsask for · ask about · ask a question · ask someone to
To put a question to someone, or to request something.
Watch out: Ask for means request a thing ('ask for help'). Say 'ask him', not 'ask to him'. The vowel is long /ɑː/ in British English.
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135
meet
verb
Schools must meet the needs of students with different abilities.
collocationsmeet a deadline · meet the needs of · meet someone · nice to meet you
To see and speak to someone for the first time or by arrangement.
Watch out: Meet is followed directly by the person: 'I met my teacher'. 'Meet with' is more common in American English. Meet sounds the same as meat.
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136
start
verb, noun
I started learning English when I was seven years old.
collocationsstart to · start with · start a business · from the start
To begin doing something; or to begin to happen.
Watch out: Start can be followed by to + verb or -ing without a change of meaning: 'started to learn' or 'started learning'. Say 'starts in September', not 'starts from September'.
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137
talk
verb, noun
In Part 2, you will talk about a person who has influenced you.
collocationstalk about · talk to · give a talk · small talk
To speak to someone, or to give a speech.
Watch out: The l is silent. Say 'talk to him about it', not 'talk him'. Talk is the activity; say focuses on the words.
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138
something
pronoun
I would like to learn something new every month.
collocationssomething else · something like · something about · something to
A thing that is not named or known exactly.
Watch out: Adjectives come after: 'something interesting', not 'interesting something'. The verb is singular: 'Something is wrong'. In negatives use anything.
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139
put
verb
Many cities have put limits on the number of cars in the centre.
collocationsput on · put off · put up with · put forward
To move something to a place or position; or to express in words.
Watch out: The past and the participle are the same: put. The vowel is short /ʊ/, like foot, not /ʌ/.
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140
another
determiner, pronoun
Another reason for the change is the rising cost of fuel.
collocationsone another · another way · another point · for another
One more, or a different one.
Watch out: Another is one word, not 'an other'. It goes with singular nouns: 'another book'. With plural nouns use other: 'other books'.
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141
become
verb
Online shopping has become popular with people of all ages.
collocationsbecome aware of · become popular · become used to · become a member
To start to be something; to change into a new state.
Watch out: The past is became and the participle is become ('has become', not 'has became').
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142
interest
noun, verb
She has shown a strong interest in marine biology since childhood.
collocationsshow an interest in · take an interest in · a personal interest · of interest
A feeling of wanting to know more about something; or something you enjoy doing. As a verb, to attract attention.
Watch out: Say 'interested in', not 'interested on' or 'interested to'. Use -ed for how you feel and -ing for what causes it.
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143
country
noun
In my country, most families live close to their grandparents.
collocationsin the country · developing country · my country · across the country
A nation with its own government; or land outside towns and cities.
Watch out: The plural is countries (y changes to ies). The first vowel is /ʌ/, as in cup, not like count. Use countryside for rural areas.
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144
old
adjective
Many old buildings in the centre have been turned into museums or hotels.
collocationsyears old · old-fashioned · old enough · grow old
Having lived or existed for a long time; or having a particular age.
Watch out: For age, say 'He is ten years old', not 'He has ten years'. Spanish, Italian and Portuguese speakers often use have. Elderly is more polite than old for people.
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145
each
determiner, pronoun
Each student receives a different topic, so nobody can copy.
collocationseach other · each of · each time · each one
Every one of two or more things or people, thought of separately.
Watch out: Each takes a singular verb: 'Each student has', not 'have'. 'Each other' is used for two or more people doing the same to one another.
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146
school
noun
At primary school, I learned to read from a very kind teacher.
collocationsat school · go to school · primary school · school subjects
A place where children learn; or the time you spend in education.
Watch out: No the for the activity: 'go to school'. With a particular building: 'the school near my house'. Say /sk/ together: do not add a vowel at the start. Spanish and Portuguese speakers often say 'eschool'.
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147
late
adjective, adverb
Staying up late can make it harder to concentrate in the morning.
collocationslate for · be late · late at night · later on
After the expected time; or near the end of a period of time.
Watch out: Late is not on time; lately means recently: 'I have been busy lately'. Say 'late for class', not 'late to class'.
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148
high
adjective, adverb
A high standard of living does not always mean a happy life.
collocationshigh school · high price · high standard · high level
Far above the ground or above average; large in amount or level.
Watch out: Use high for the height of things (a high mountain) and tall for people. The gh is silent: /haɪ/.
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149
different
adjective
People from different backgrounds often have different ideas about success.
collocationsdifferent from · completely different · a different way · in different ways
Not the same; or separate and distinct.
Watch out: Different has no -s in the plural: 'different ways'. Spanish and Portuguese speakers often add -s. In careful speech it is two or three syllables: DIF-rent.
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150
off
adverb, preposition
Remember to turn off all electrical devices when you leave the house.
collocationsturn off · take off · off and on · show off
Away from a place or position; not on; not working.
Watch out: Off ends with /f/; of ends with /v/. Off means away from, and of shows belonging or amount.
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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).
Many young people their villages to look for work in the city.
What is your phone ?
my mother and my father are teachers.
She lives on her .
Which of Italy are you from?
Another worth making is that online lessons save travel time.
Could I have a more water, please?
Please me carry these bags.
If you do not understand a question in Part 1, you can politely for it to be repeated.
Schools must the needs of students with different abilities.
I learning English when I was seven years old.
Can I to you for a minute?
I would like to learn new every month.
Please your bag on the table.
The two sisters help one .
Online shopping has popular with people of all ages.
She has shown a strong in marine biology since childhood.
My has a long coastline and many islands.
My grandfather is eighty years .
They looked at other and laughed.
The children walk to together.
The train is running ten minutes .
The bird is up in the tree.
My opinion is from yours.
Remember to turn all electrical devices when you leave the house.
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