These are words 276 to 300 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
276
side
noun
Both sides of the debate agree that traffic must be reduced.
collocationsboth sides · side by side · the other side · a side effect
a part or edge of something; one position in an argument.
Watch out: Do not confuse side /saɪd/ with site /saɪt/, which is a place. The downside is the negative side of something.
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277
quite
adverb
The new library is quite busy in the evenings.
collocationsquite good · quite a lot · not quite · quite a few
to a fairly large degree; completely, in some phrases.
Watch out: In British English quite usually means fairly, less strong than very. Do not confuse quite with quiet /ˈkwaɪət/.
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278
although
conjunction
Although public transport is cheaper, many people still prefer cars.
collocationsalthough it was · although many · although this is true · even though
used to introduce a fact that contrasts with the main idea.
Watch out: Do not use but in the same sentence as although. The clause with although can come first or second.
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279
sure
adjective
Make sure you check your answers before you finish.
collocationsmake sure · be sure to · for sure · sure of
certain; having no doubt.
Watch out: It starts with the sound /ʃ/, as in she, not /s/. Many speakers say /ʃɔː/, others /ʃʊə/.
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280
term
noun
In terms of cost, trains are cheaper than planes for short journeys.
collocationsin terms of · long-term · short-term · a school term
a word or phrase for something; a period of time; a condition.
Watch out: In terms of is a useful phrase for comparing. Long-term and short-term need a hyphen when they come before a noun.
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281
least
determiner, adverb
At least half of the students in the survey used public transport.
collocationsat least · the least expensive · not in the least · least of all
the smallest amount; the lowest degree.
Watch out: At least means not fewer than. Do not mix it up with at last, which means finally. The opposite of most is least.
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282
age
noun, verb
People over the age of sixty are more likely to use local buses.
collocationsat the age of · old age · an age group · middle-aged
the number of years someone has lived; a period of history.
Watch out: We say I am twenty years old, not I have twenty years. At the age of is used with a number: at the age of eighteen.
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283
low
adjective
The price of oil was low in the early part of the period.
collocationsa low price · low income · at a low level · the lowest
not high; small in amount or level.
Watch out: A price, a wage or a level is high or low. A product is cheap or expensive. Do not say small price.
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284
speak
verb
Few people in the region speak more than two languages.
collocationsspeak English · speak to · speak up · speak about
to say words; to use a language.
Watch out: The forms are speak, spoke, spoken. We speak a language but tell the truth and say hello.
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285
within
preposition
Applicants will receive a reply within three working days.
collocationswithin a week · within reach · within limits · within the law
inside; not later than; not more than.
Watch out: Within three days means before the end of three days. In three days means after three days.
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286
process
noun, verb
The process of making cheese begins with heating the milk.
collocationsin the process of · the process of · a learning process · process data
a series of actions with a result; to deal with information or goods.
Watch out: Use the process of plus an -ing form. In Task 1 process diagrams, use the passive voice and sequence words. The plural is processes.
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287
public
adjective, noun
Public transport is cheaper than owning a car in most cities.
collocationspublic transport · public opinion · in public · the general public
for everyone; relating to people in general.
Watch out: In British English the phrase is public transport. The spelling ends in -ic, not -ick.
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288
often
adverb
Students often work in groups to finish a project.
collocationshow often · quite often · very often · more often than not
many times; in many cases.
Watch out: Often goes before the main verb but after be: she often walks, she is often late. The t may be silent: /ˈɒfn/ or said: /ˈɒftən/.
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289
train
noun, verb
More commuters take the train than the bus in this region.
collocationsby train · a train station · train staff · train for
a rail vehicle; to teach someone a skill.
Watch out: Say by train, with no article. As a verb, train someone to do something.
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290
possible
adjective
It is now possible to study a full degree online.
collocationsas soon as possible · if possible · it is possible to · make it possible
able to be done or to happen.
Watch out: Use it is possible to, not I am possible to. A person cannot be possible; a thing or an action can.
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291
actually
adverb
People expect cities to be noisy, but some are actually quiet at night.
collocationswhat actually happened · not actually · I actually think · actually, I...
in fact; used to give a true or surprising detail.
Watch out: Actually does not mean currently. For now or at present, say at the moment, currently or nowadays.
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292
rather
adverb
Many commuters would rather take the train than drive.
collocationswould rather · rather than · rather good · rather a lot
to some degree; instead of; preferably.
Watch out: After would rather, use the base verb: I would rather stay. Rather than is followed by a noun, an -ing form or a bare verb.
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293
view
noun, verb
In my view, governments should invest more in rail travel.
collocationsin my view · a point of view · a view on · a view of
an opinion; what you can see from a place; to look at.
Watch out: Say in my view or from my point of view, not in my point of view. Opinions are expressed on or about a topic.
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294
together
adverb
Families who eat together tend to talk more.
collocationswork together · get together · together with · bring together
with each other; at the same time or place.
Watch out: Together means with each other. Altogether means in total. The stress is on the middle syllable: to-GE-ther.
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295
consider
verb
Have you considered studying abroad?
collocationsconsider doing · consider whether · be considered · all things considered
to think carefully about something; to regard as.
Watch out: After consider use an -ing form: consider moving, not consider to move. No preposition follows consider in this meaning.
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296
price
noun
House prices have doubled in the city centre over the period.
collocationshouse prices · a rise in price · at a high price · a price range
the amount of money that something costs.
Watch out: Prices are high or low, not expensive or cheap. Price ends with an s sound: /praɪs/. Prize ends with a z: /praɪz/.
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297
parent
noun
Parents play a key role in a child's early education.
collocationsa single parent · parents' evening · parent and child · a parent company
a mother or father.
Watch out: A parent is a mother or father. A cousin, aunt or grandparent is a relative. Spanish pariente, Portuguese parente and Italian parente mean relative.
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298
hard
adjective, adverb
Students who work hard usually improve steadily.
collocationswork hard · hard to say · hard work · hard evidence
difficult; firm; with great effort.
Watch out: Hard is both adjective and adverb: she works hard. Hardly means almost not: she hardly works. Do not say works hardly.
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299
party
noun
The ruling party promised to lower taxes for families.
collocationsa birthday party · throw a party · a political party · a third party
a social event; a political group.
Watch out: Say have, hold or throw a party, not make a party. In politics a party is a group that contests elections.
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300
local
adjective
Local shops often struggle to compete with large supermarkets.
collocationslocal people · local government · a local community · local food
belonging to the area where you live; not national.
Watch out: Local describes the place near you: local news, local food. The adverb is locally. The last syllable is a weak /kl/.
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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).
Both of the debate agree that traffic must be reduced.
I have had enough of this noise.
it was raining, we went for a walk.
Make you check your answers before you finish.
In of cost, trains are cheaper than planes for short journeys.
At half of the students in the survey used public transport.
People over the of sixty are more likely to use buses.
The temperature was very last night.
Few people in the region more than two languages.
Applicants will receive a reply three working days.
The of making cheese begins with heating the milk.
Do not shout in .
How do you go to the gym?
More commuters take the than the bus in this region.
Please reply as soon as .
I thought it was Tuesday, but it is Wednesday.
Many people would walk than drive.
From my room there is a lovely of the sea.
The two sisters always travel .
Have you studying abroad?
Food have risen sharply this year.
play a key role in a child's early education.
This exercise is very for me.
The ruling promised to lower taxes for families.
I buy my bread at the bakery.
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