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IELTS Vocabulary: Adjectives for Speaking

Introduction

A key part of IELTS Speaking is using a wide range of vocabulary, including lesson common adjectives. 

The trouble is many students try to cram lots of words a few days before the test. 

This is not the way to do it. 

In your daily practice you need to start learning and using new words, step by step.

Experiment and play with words.

That is what I am going to do here. I will show you some synonyms for some common adjectives so you can start practicing and having fun today. 

We will look at less common ways of saying, 

  • Easy 
  • Difficult
  • Good 
  • Bad
  • Important
  • Beautiful  

Table of Contents

IELTS Vocabulary: Adjectives for Easy

EASY (adjective)  (=needs little effort)  

We often talk about activities being easy, for example, 

  • a job
  • a school subject
  • a hobby
  • a sport

Here are some other ways of saying easy, 

My job is a breeze

For me, studying languages is effortless

Maths is a pushover

Playing the piano is a piece of cake

Synonyms for Difficult

DIFFICULT (adj.)  (=needing much effort)

Similarly, we can talk about activities being difficult

Here are some other ways of saying difficult,

My job is tough

This homework is a real struggle

For me, maths is challenging

If something is difficult because it is unreasonable we can say, 

  • it’s a tall order, 
  • it’s a lot to ask

Finishing my assignment by tomorrow is a tall order

Preparing for IELTS in just one week is a lot to ask

If something is difficult and hard work, often physical, we can say.

  • It’s gruelling 

Running around the park is gruelling for me

I have a gruelling schedule these days, I am so busy 

IELTS Speaking Difficult synonyms

Synonyms for Good

We often talk about things being good, for example,

  • a film
  • a concert
  • a book
  • a meal

Here are some other ways of saying good,

This film was spot on 
I love the food here, it’s spot on
That Beyonce concert was sound
That new book you recommended was sound
This presentation was nice, well done 

Synonyms for Great

GREAT (adj.)  (=very good)

We often use great, for lots of things, such as,

  • People
  • Things (films, concerts, books, meals)
  • Events (a concert, a wedding, a meeting, a party, etc…)

Notice these are all common topics and categories in IELTS Speaking Part 2.

Here are some other ways of saying great,

Tom Cruise was out of this world in Mission Impossible 4 

He is an outstanding leader

That film was first-rate

The salads in this restaurant are top notch

The whole event was superb 

IELTS Speaking Outstanding Adjective

Synonyms for Bad

BAD (adj.) (=of low quality)

In a similar way, we use bad or really bad, for

  • People
  • Things (films, concerts, books, meals)
  • Events (a concert, a wedding, a meeting, a party, etc…)

Find out more: Similar Part 2 topics.

Here are some other ways of saying bad or very bad,

The film was awful

The food was shocking

This book was terrible

The party was a real let-down 

IELTS Vocabulary: Adjectives for Important

IMPORTANT (adj.) (=of significant value)

We use important, meaning of significant value, mainly for 

  • Things (films, books, letter, email)
  • Events (a concert, a wedding, a meeting, a party, etc…)

Here are some other ways of saying important or very important

This meeting is key, I need to prepare it well 

This is a crucial email, I need to send it right now

This book is vital reading for all language students

This is a pivotal film in his career 

My daughter’s wedding is of paramount importance, so no expenses spared 

IELTS Vocabulary: Adjectives for Beautiful

We can use beautiful for, 

  • Things (films, view, art, performance, music)
  • People 

Here are some other ways of saying beautiful or really beautiful,

This view is stunning 

The view takes your breath away 

She looks gorgeous in that dress

This work of art is magnificent 

This is a nice photo, it really catches your eye

So, there you have lots of wonderful adjectives, adjective phrases and synonyms to describe very common situations, including things, people, activities and events.

Remember, don’t cram, learn these over time and put them into your daily practice. 

Play around with them and have some fun experimenting and practicing.

Repeat, and then make sentences which are true for you.

Make an example which is true for you, using one of the adjectives above, and leave it in the comments below. Together we can learn as a community!

 

Picture of Keith O'Hare

Keith O'Hare

Trinity Dip TESOL, MSc Digital Education (UK). Helping more than 40,000 students worldwide with my online courses. A lover of languages, teaching and lasagna!

9 thoughts on “IELTS Vocabulary: Adjectives for Speaking”

  1. Thanks a lot for your amazing lessons.
    You’re making them with great love and much skillfully.
    You’re a model of a perfect teacher. I use them for a Cambridge exam.
    Thanks again

    1. You are welcome, and that’s great you are using them for Cambridge exams too. It’s all about learning more English, at the end of the day.

  2. Pingback: IELTS Speaking Vocabulary: Synonyms for Common Adjectives - Newsmag

    1. Most of these are certainly more spoken language, rather than writing. However, those synonyms of important, bad and great could be used in writing.

  3. Thank you so much
    it would be better if we had shorter version of the lessons because we usually watch YouTube videos.

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