These are words 76 to 100 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
76
want
verb
Most young people want a job that is interesting and well paid.
collocationswant to · want someone to · not want · if you want
To have a wish for something.
Watch out: Use want + to + verb, or want + person + to + verb: 'I want you to help', not 'I want that you help'. Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and Arabic speakers often use 'want that', because their languages use a that-clause here.
Did you guess it?
How did that sound?
77
give
verb
Teachers should give students clear examples to follow.
collocationsgive up · give a talk · give an example · give advice
To hand something to someone, or to provide something.
Watch out: The past tense is gave and the participle is given. Advice is uncountable: 'give advice', not 'give advices'.
Did you guess it?
How did that sound?
78
first
adjective, adverb, number
First of all, I would like to explain why I chose this topic.
collocationsat first · first of all · for the first time · first language
Coming before all others in order; or for the first time.
Watch out: 'At first' means in the beginning (and later it changed). 'First of all' opens a list. Do not say 'at the first'.
Did you guess it?
How did that sound?
79
new
adjective
New technology has changed how people shop and how they travel.
collocationsbrand new · new to · a new idea · new technology
Not existing before, or not used before; recently made or discovered.
Watch out: News is uncountable: 'The news is good', not 'the news are'. The vowel is /juː/ in careful British English: /njuː/.
Did you guess it?
How did that sound?
80
way
noun
One way to reduce stress is to take a short walk after lunch.
collocationsin a way · by the way · on the way · way of life
A method of doing something, or a path or direction.
Watch out: Use 'a way to do' or 'a way of doing': 'a way to learn' or 'a way of learning', not 'a way for learn'.
Did you guess it?
How did that sound?
81
find
verb
Many learners find it difficult to understand fast speech.
collocationsfind out · find it difficult to · find a solution · find work
To discover or get something you were looking for, to notice something by chance, or to form an opinion (I find it difficult).
Watch out: The past tense is found, not 'finded'. Use 'find it + adjective + to…': 'I find it hard to concentrate', not 'I find hard to concentrate'.
Did you guess it?
How did that sound?
82
over
preposition, adverb
Over the last decade, many cities have introduced cycle lanes.
collocationsover time · all over the world · over the past · get over
Above or across something, more than a number, during a period of time, or finished.
Watch out: In formal writing 'more than' is usually clearer than over for numbers. Do not write 'over than': say 'over ten thousand' or 'more than ten thousand'.
Did you guess it?
How did that sound?
83
any
determiner
I do not have any time to waste on this.
collocationsany more · any other · not any · any longer
One or some of a group, no matter which. It is used in questions and negatives for an amount.
Watch out: Use any in questions and negatives, and some in positive sentences. The first vowel is /e/, as in ten, not /æ/.
Did you guess it?
How did that sound?
84
after
preposition, conjunction
After graduating, many students spend a year travelling before they look for work.
collocationsafter all · after that · soon after · look after
Later than something; following.
Watch out: After + -ing or + a clause: 'After finishing' or 'After I finished', not 'After finish'. The first vowel is long /ɑː/, with no r sound in British English.
Did you guess it?
How did that sound?
85
day
noun
These days, more people shop online than in the past.
collocationsevery day · day by day · these days · one day
A period of twenty-four hours, or the hours of light.
Watch out: 'Every day' (two words) is an adverb phrase; 'everyday' (one word) is an adjective: 'everyday life'. Use on with days: 'on Monday'.
Did you guess it?
How did that sound?
86
where
adverb, conjunction
The village where I grew up has no shops, just a small school.
collocationswhere possible · the place where · where to · from where
In or to which place; also asks about a place.
Watch out: In an indirect question keep normal order: 'I do not know where she lives', not 'where does she live'. Do not add a preposition: 'the city where I live', not 'the city in where I live'.
Did you guess it?
How did that sound?
87
thing
noun
The best thing about living near the sea is the fresh air.
collocationsthe best thing about · the main thing · one thing · among other things
Any object, idea, action or fact, when you do not name it exactly.
Watch out: In formal writing thing is too vague: choose factor, issue or aspect. Say /θ/ with the tip of your tongue touching the back of your top front teeth, and /ŋ/ with no clear g.
Did you guess it?
How did that sound?
88
most
determiner, pronoun, adverb
Most of my classmates live within walking distance of the college.
collocationsmost of · most people · the most · at most
The largest amount or number, or the highest degree (most important).
Watch out: Do not use the before most when you mean 'the majority': 'most people'. After most of, use a determiner: 'most of the students', not 'most of students'.
Did you guess it?
How did that sound?
89
should
modal verb
Governments should invest more in public transport.
collocationsshould have · should not · should be able to · should consider
Used to say what is right or sensible, or to give advice. The l is silent.
Watch out: No -s and no to: 'she should go'. For past regret use should have + participle: 'I should have studied'.
Did you guess it?
Say it in a sentence
/ʃəd/ You should see a doctor.
Listen for the short shuhd sound /ʃəd/ in should: you should see sounds like you shuhd see. Not a strong shood, and not ah.
How did that sound?
90
need
verb, noun
Cities need to build more affordable housing for young people.
collocationsneed to · in need of · there is a need for · no need to
As a verb, to require something because it is necessary. As a noun, the fact that something is necessary.
Watch out: Add -s with he, she and it (needs). After need, use to + verb or a noun: 'need to leave', 'need help'.
Did you guess it?
How did that sound?
91
much
determiner, adverb
There is not much public transport in the countryside.
collocationshow much · too much · very much · much more
A large amount. It is used with uncountable nouns, mostly in questions and negatives.
Watch out: Much goes with uncountable nouns and many with countable ones. In positive sentences, use 'a lot of': 'I have a lot of work', not 'I have much work'.
Did you guess it?
How did that sound?
92
right
adjective, noun, adverb
Everyone has the right to a good education.
collocationsright now · on the right · have the right to · the right answer
Correct or true; the opposite of left; or something you are allowed to have (human rights).
Watch out: Right sounds the same as write. Start with /r/, not /l/. Japanese and Korean speakers often say 'light'.
Did you guess it?
How did that sound?
93
how
adverb
Researchers are studying how children learn to read.
collocationshow much · how many · how long · how to
Asks about way, manner or degree; also begins an indirect question.
Watch out: In an indirect question use normal order: 'I do not know how it works', not 'how does it work'.
Did you guess it?
How did that sound?
94
back
adverb, noun
Back then, few families owned a car, so people walked to the shops.
collocationscome back · go back · back then · at the back
Returning to an earlier place or state; also the rear part of the body.
Watch out: Do not say 'return back'; return already means come back. Back is part of many phrasal verbs: come back, give back, pay back.
Did you guess it?
How did that sound?
95
mean
verb
Higher fuel prices mean that many families drive less.
collocationsmean that · by this I mean · what do you mean · mean to
To have a particular meaning, or to intend to say something.
Watch out: The past tense is meant /ment/. Add -s with it: 'It means that…', not 'It mean'. Mean can also be an adjective (unkind).
Did you guess it?
How did that sound?
96
even
adverb
Even small changes, like walking to work, can improve your health.
collocationseven if · even though · even so · even more
Used to stress that something is surprising or more than you expect (even the teacher). It is also used before comparatives (even more).
Watch out: 'Even though' means although and is followed by a fact. 'Even if' is followed by a possibility. Do not write 'even thought'.
Did you guess it?
How did that sound?
97
may
modal verb
Remote work may not suit everyone, because some people miss their colleagues.
collocationsmay be · may not · may well · it may be that
Shows that something is possible, or gives permission. It is more formal than can.
Watch out: No -s and no to: 'she may go'. Do not confuse 'may be' (modal + be) with 'maybe' (perhaps).
Did you guess it?
How did that sound?
98
here
adverb
People who live here usually travel to the city by train.
collocationshere is · right here · over here · here and there
In or to the place where the speaker is.
Watch out: Here is a place near you and there is a place further away. Here sounds exactly the same as hear.
Did you guess it?
How did that sound?
99
many
determiner
Many young people now rent a flat instead of buying one.
collocationshow many · many of · so many · a great many
A large number of. It is used with plural countable nouns.
Watch out: Many + plural noun: 'many students', not 'many student'. Do not say 'many of people'; say 'many people' or 'many of the people'. The first vowel is /e/.
Did you guess it?
How did that sound?
100
such
determiner
Cities face problems such as noise, pollution and traffic.
collocationssuch as · such a · in such a way · such as these
Used to give an example (such as) or to make a noun stronger (such a long journey).
Watch out: Such goes before a/an + adjective + noun: 'such a big city'. So goes before an adjective alone: 'so big'. In formal writing use 'such as' for examples.
Did you guess it?
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 sister a new bike for her birthday next week.
She me a present yesterday.
My brother finished in the race.
I bought a brand phone yesterday.
Excuse me, which is the station?
Where can I a bank?
The bird flew the house.
Correct the mistakes, if .
graduating, many students spend a year travelling before they look for work.
These , more people shop online than in the past.
The village I grew up has no shops, just a small school.
The best about living near the sea is the fresh air.
I like maths the .
You eat more fruit, shouldn't you?
The village is in of a doctor.
How does the ticket cost?
I agree. You are about the price.
old are you?
I have a pain in my .
Higher fuel prices that many families drive less.
He did not say goodbye.
It or may not rain tomorrow.
People who live usually travel to the city by train.
How students are in your class?
Cities face problems as noise, pollution and traffic.
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.
