SkillUpEdu. is an IELTS and English learning blog helping students improve speaking, writing, grammar, and vocabulary. Get practical IELTS tips, band 7–9 strategies, practice answers, and exam-focused guidance.
IELTS Writing connector cheat sheet infographic with categorised transition words for Band 7+ You keep improving your grammar… Yet your score is stuck at 6.5. The real issue isn’t grammar; it’s flow . Want a higher IELTS Writing band? Start with your connectors. Most candidates lose marks not because of weak ideas, but because their writing feels disconnected. Strong transition words fix that instantly. In this guide, I’ll show you 15 high-impact connectors that help you reach Band 7.0+ , how to use them naturally, and where most students go wrong. Why Connectors Decide Your Band Score In IELTS Writing Task 2, examiners are not just evaluating your ideas, they are judging how clearly and logically you connect them. Simply adding words like “however” or “moreover” at random does not improve your score. Here’s the reality: More connectors do not mean a higher band. Correct connectors, used naturally, are what actually boost your score. This directly links to one of the most import...
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Stop Saying “Very” in IELTS: 50 Vocabulary Upgrades to Boost Your Band Score
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IELTS student stuck at Band 6 upgrading vocabulary to Band 8 using advanced words instead of very, IELTS vocabulary upgrade guide
Introduction
If you are stuck at Band 6, your grammar is probably not the real problem.
Your vocabulary is predictable.
You repeat “very”, “a lot”, “good”, and “bad”.
Examiners do not reward repetition.
They reward range, precision, and control.
This guide gives you 50 direct vocabulary upgrades that immediately improve your lexical resource score.
Why “Very” Is Hurting Your IELTS Score
IELTS examiner marking repeated word 'very' in the essay, showing limited lexical resource in IELTS Writing Task 2
Saying “very good” does not sound advanced.
It sounds safe.
Band 7+ candidates use precise adjectives:
Outstanding
Crucial
Enormous
Detrimental
One strong word is always better than two weak ones.
50 IELTS Vocabulary Upgrades
Stop saying 'very' in IELTS; use advanced vocabulary words like 'crucial' and 'detrimental' to improve band score
These are common Band 5–6 phrases. Replace them if you want Band 7+.
Stop Saying “Very”
Very good. ❌ → Say 'outstanding'. ✅
Very bad. ❌ → Say 'detrimental'. ✅
Very big. ❌ → Say 'enormous'. ✅
Very small. ❌→ Say minimal ✅
Very important. ❌ →Say 'crucial'. ✅
Emotions Upgrade
Very happy ❌ → delighted ✅
Very sad ❌ → devastated ✅
Very angry ❌ → furious ✅
Very tired ❌ → exhausted ✅
Very scared ❌ → terrified ✅
Replace “A Lot”
A lot of people ❌ → numerous individuals ✅
A lot of problems ❌ → multiple challenges ✅
A lot of money ❌ → substantial funding ✅
A lot of time ❌ → a considerable amount of time ✅
More and more ❌ → an increasing number of ✅
Academic Connectors
Because ❌ → due to / owing to ✅
So ❌ → therefore / consequently ✅
But ❌ → however / nevertheless ✅
And ❌ → additionally / moreover ✅
Also ❌ → furthermore ✅
Weak Verbs
Get ❌ → obtain / acquire ✅
Make ❌ → establish / generate ✅
Help ❌ → assist / facilitate ✅
Show ❌ → demonstrate / illustrate ✅
Give ❌ → provide / allocate ✅
Overused Opinion Phrases
I think ❌ → I firmly believe ✅
In my opinion ❌ → From my perspective ✅
People think ❌ → It is widely believed that ✅
People say ❌ → It is often argued that ✅
I agree. ❌ → I strongly concur that ✅
Vague Words
Things ❌ → factors / aspects ✅
Stuff ❌ → materials / items ✅
Big problem ❌ → serious concern ✅
Good idea ❌ → viable solution ✅
Bad effect ❌ → adverse impact ✅
Describing Impact
Bad for health ❌ → detrimental to health ✅
Good for society ❌ → beneficial to society ✅
Good result ❌ → positive outcome ✅
Bad result ❌ → negative consequence ✅
Very serious ❌ → critical ✅
Formal Alternatives
Kids ❌ → children ✅
Old people ❌ → elderly individuals ✅
Rich people ❌ → affluent individuals ✅
Poor people ❌ → impoverished communities ✅
A lot ❌ → substantially / considerably ✅
Power Upgrade
Very fast ❌ → rapid ✅
Very slow ❌ → gradual ✅
Very interesting ❌ → compelling ✅
Very beautiful ❌ → breathtaking ✅
Very hot ❌ → scorching ✅
If your students keep repeating “very” and “a lot”, they’re stuck at Band 6. That’s not vocabulary weakness. That’s a lazy range.
Band 6 vs Band 8 Example (Writing Task 2)
Band 6 vs Band 8 IELTS vocabulary comparison showing basic words replaced with advanced academic vocabulary
Band 6 Version
Social media has many bad effects on society. Many people waste a lot of time online, and it is very harmful.
Band 8 Version
Social media has a largely detrimental impact on society. An increasing number of individuals devote excessive time to online platforms, which significantly reduces productivity.
See the difference?
No repetition.
No vague words.
Clear academic tone.
How to Actually Use These Words
Do not memorise randomly.
Do this instead:
Choose 5 words per week
Use them in 10 sentences
Use them in 1 Task 2 paragraph
Speak them aloud daily
Vocabulary improves through usage, not reading lists.
Common IELTS vocabulary mistakes in Writing Task 2 and how to upgrade to Band 7 vocabulary
If your English sounds basic, your band stays basic.
Stop upgrading your grammar only.
Upgrade your word choice.
Precision is power in IELTS.
FAQ
Q1: Why is saying “very” bad in IELTS?
A: Repeating “very” shows limited lexical range. IELTS examiners assess vocabulary variety and precision. Using stronger adjectives like 'crucial', 'detrimental', or 'enormous' demonstrates higher-level vocabulary and improves your lexical resource score.
Q2: How can I improve my vocabulary for IELTS Writing Task 2?
A: Focus on replacing basic words such as “very”, “a lot”, and “good” with precise academic alternatives. Practise using five new advanced words each week in sentences and full Task 2 paragraphs to build natural control.
Q3: What vocabulary increases IELTS band score?
A: Academic connectors like 'therefore' and 'however', precise adjectives like 'detrimental' and 'crucial', and formal verbs like 'demonstrate' and 'facilitate' help increase your band score by improving lexical range.
Q4: Is using advanced vocabulary enough to get Band 7 in IELTS?
A: No. Advanced vocabulary must be used accurately and naturally. Overusing complex words incorrectly can reduce your score. Precision, clarity, and correct collocation are more important than memorising difficult words.
A: Examiners assess vocabulary range, accuracy, flexibility, and ability to use less common lexical items naturally. Repetition of simple words limits your score, while varied and precise vocabulary improves it.
Q6: What are common vocabulary mistakes in IELTS Speaking?
A: Common mistakes include repeating “very”, using informal words like “kids” or “stuff”, and relying on simple connectors such as “and” or “but”. Replacing them with formal and precise alternatives improves speaking performance.
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