These are words 176 to 200 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
176
kind
noun, adjective
Many people enjoy this kind of work because it helps others.
collocationsa kind of · all kinds of · be kind to · kind of
as a noun, a type or sort; as an adjective, friendly and helpful.
Watch out: Use this kind of problem (singular) or these kinds of problems (plural). Do not mix the singular this with a plural noun.
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177
keep
verb
People who keep a diary often improve their writing.
collocationskeep in touch · keep a record · keep fit · keep trying
to continue to have or do something; to stay in a state.
Watch out: Keep + -ing means continue: keep working, not keep to work. Past and participle: kept.
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178
hear
verb
I could hardly hear the speaker at the back of the hall.
collocationshear about · hear from · hear a sound · hear that
to notice a sound with your ears.
Watch out: Hear is automatic; listen is deliberate. We hear a noise but listen to music. The past heard is /hɜːd/, which sounds like herd.
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179
system
noun
A good public transport system can reduce the number of cars.
collocationsthe education system · a transport system · a system of · a system for
a set of parts or rules that work together.
Watch out: The stress is on the first syllable: SYS-tem. Check the spelling: two s, one t.
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180
every
determiner
Every student in the class has to give a short talk.
collocationsevery day · every time · every few years · every one of
each one of a group, without exception.
Watch out: After every the noun is singular and the verb is singular: every student has. Everyday (one word) is an adjective, as in everyday life; every day means each day.
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181
question
noun
The interviewer asked a question about my daily routine.
collocationsask a question · answer a question · raise a question · in question
a sentence you ask to get information; also, a problem or topic to discuss.
Watch out: You ask a question and answer a question; you do not make one.
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182
during
preposition
Rainfall is highest during the winter months.
collocationsduring the day · during the summer · during my childhood · during the course of
at some point in, or through all of, a period of time.
Watch out: During is followed by a noun: during the lecture. Use while with a clause: while the lecture was on. Use for with a length of time.
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183
always
adverb
My father has always encouraged me to study hard.
collocationsalways check · not always · has always been · will always
at all times; every time.
Watch out: Always goes before the main verb but after be: I always walk to work, She is always late. With has or have it comes in the middle: has always been.
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184
big
adjective
Moving to a big city is a big decision for many young people.
collocationsa big difference · a big problem · a big city · a big decision
large in size, amount or importance.
Watch out: Big is common in speech, but in a Writing essay large, major or significant sound more formal, for example a large number of people.
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185
set
verb, noun
The government should set clear targets for reducing waste.
collocationsset up · set a goal · a set of · set off
to put in a place; to establish; a group of things that belong together.
Watch out: The past form is also set. Do not mix set (to put) with sit (to take a seat): set the table, but sit down.
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186
small
adjective
A small number of students study abroad every year.
collocationsa small number of · a small business · a small town · a small amount of
not large in size, number or amount.
Watch out: Use a small number of with countable nouns and a small amount of with uncountable nouns. Do not say a small number of water.
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187
study
verb, noun
A recent study of city life found that parks improve mental health.
collocationsstudy abroad · study for an exam · a study of · conduct a study
to learn about a subject; a piece of research.
Watch out: We study for an exam, not study to an exam. The plural of the noun is studies.
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188
follow
verb
Please follow the instructions on the screen carefully.
collocationsfollow instructions · follow a trend · as follows · follow up
to go or come after; to do what is said or shown.
Watch out: Follow takes a direct object with no to: follow the rules, not follow to the rules. The following steps means the steps listed after this.
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189
begin
verb
The research began with a simple survey of local students.
collocationsbegin with · begin to · begin by -ing · at the beginning
to start doing or being something.
Watch out: The forms are begin, began, begun. Begin is a little more formal than start, which makes it a good choice in an essay.
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190
important
adjective
It is important to review your writing before the end of the test.
collocationsit is important to · an important role · very important · most important
having great value or effect; needing attention.
Watch out: The noun is importance: say the importance of education, not the important of education. The stress is on the second syllable: im-POR-tant.
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191
since
preposition, conjunction
Public interest in recycling has grown since the new scheme began.
collocationssince 2018 · since then · ever since · since I was a child
from a time in the past until now; also, because.
Watch out: Use the present perfect with since: I have lived here since 2018. Say for five years, but since 2018.
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192
run
verb
She runs a small business that sells handmade furniture.
collocationsrun a business · run out of · in the long run · run a test
to move fast on foot; to manage or operate something.
Watch out: The forms are run, ran, run. Run out of means to have no more: we ran out of time.
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193
under
preposition
Many students feel under pressure during exam season.
collocationsunder pressure · under the age of · under control · under way
below or beneath; less than; affected by (under pressure).
Watch out: Under is for being below or covered, and for ages: under the age of sixteen. For levels, use below: below average.
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194
turn
verb, noun
Cheap flights have turned travel into a mass activity.
collocationsturn into · turn down · take turns · in turn
to move in a new direction; to change; a chance to do something in order.
Watch out: Turn down can mean refuse (turn down a job) or reduce the volume. The meaning changes with the small word.
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195
few
determiner
Few young people read a newspaper every day.
collocationsa few · quite a few · few people · very few
a small number; hardly any.
Watch out: Few means almost none (negative). A few means some (positive). Few is for countable nouns only.
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196
bring
verb
New technology can bring real benefits to rural communities.
collocationsbring up · bring about · bring together · bring benefits
to carry or take something with you to a place.
Watch out: The past form is brought /brɔːt/, not bringed. Bring means towards the speaker or place; take means away from it.
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197
early
adjective, adverb
Early childhood is the best time to start learning a new language.
collocationsearly in the morning · early childhood · early on · an early start
near the start of a period; before the usual time.
Watch out: Early is both an adjective and an adverb: get up early, an early train. There is no earlily. The first vowel is /ɜː/, like in girl, not like ear.
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198
hand
noun, verb
On the one hand, cars are convenient; on the other hand, they pollute the air.
collocationson the other hand · hand in · by hand · give a hand
the part of the body at the end of the arm; to pass something to someone.
Watch out: Say on the other hand, not in the other hand. Hand in means to give an essay or form to someone in authority.
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199
state
noun, verb
The report states that water use is rising in many regions.
collocationsstate school · the state of · state that · in a poor state
a country or region with its own government; a condition; to say formally.
Watch out: As a verb, state means say clearly and formally: the author states that. A state school is a school paid for by the government.
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200
move
verb, noun
Many families move to the capital to find work.
collocationsmove to · move house · move on · a good move
to change place or position; to change home.
Watch out: Say move to a city, not move in a city. In British English, move house means change home, without to.
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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).
What of music do you like?
Please the door closed.
I that Tom is moving to Spain.
A good public transport can reduce the number of cars.
student in the class has to give a short talk.
The interviewer asked a about my daily routine.
Rainfall is highest the winter months.
I have tea for breakfast.
Huge numbers of people live there, so it is a city.
The sun early in winter.
Hardly anyone lives there, so it is a village.
A recent of city life found that parks improve mental health.
The film is by a short talk.
The research with a simple survey of local students.
It is to drink enough water.
Public interest in recycling has grown the new scheme began.
She a bakery in the town.
The cat is the table.
Cheap flights have travel into a mass activity.
I have a friends in London.
a pen to the exam.
childhood is the best time to start learning a new language.
On the one , cars are convenient; on the other hand, they pollute the air.
The report that water use is rising in many regions.
Many families to the capital to find work.
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