Academic Word List I
Thirty-four of the most useful headwords from AWL sublists 1–2, the words that carry the meaning in IELTS Reading passages, Part 4 lectures and band 7+ essays. Learn them with their word families, collocations and grammar patterns, then see them at work in a real-style reading passage.
By the end of this lesson you will be able to:
- Understand and use 34 high-frequency academic words from AWL sublists 1–2 accurately
- Build word families (analyse → analysis → analytical) to paraphrase and avoid repetition
- Use the right prepositions and collocations: approach to, impact on, consist of, a factor in
- Avoid the classic errors with affect/effect, occur, data, consist of and achieve
- Recognise these words when they are paraphrased in a Reading passage
How to learn an academic word properly
- 1
1. Learn the meaning in context, not just a translation
Issue is not only ‘problem’. It is a topic people discuss or disagree about: the issue of tuition fees. Read the example sentence aloud and notice what kind of situation the word describes.
- 2
2. Learn the whole family
One root gives you up to four words: analyse (verb), analysis (noun), analytical (adjective), analytically (adverb). Families let you paraphrase by changing the word form, which is one of the most useful IELTS skills.
- 3
3. Learn the grammar pattern
Which preposition follows it? (an approach to, an impact on, consist of). Is it countable? (data and evidence are uncountable). Can it be passive? (occur and consist cannot).
- 4
4. Learn two or three collocations
Examiners notice natural partnerships: play a significant role, address an issue, achieve a goal. A correct collocation is worth more than a rare word used wrongly.
- 5
5. Use it, then review it
Write one sentence about Bangladesh or your own studies with each word. Every word in the vocabulary boxes below goes into your flashcard deck automatically, so the app will bring it back just before you are likely to forget it.
Set 1 — Verbs for research and reasoning
Saved as flashcards with a free accountanalyse
verb/ˈænəlaɪz/
To examine something in detail in order to understand or explain it. American spelling: analyze (both are accepted in IELTS).
বিশ্লেষণ করা
The researchers analysed data from 2,000 households in Rajshahi to find out why girls leave school early.
assess
verb/əˈses/
To judge the nature, quality, value or importance of something after thinking carefully about it.
মূল্যায়ন করা
It is still too early to assess the long-term impact of the Padma Bridge on the economy of the south-west.
identify
verb/aɪˈdentɪfaɪ/
To recognise or discover who or what something is, especially a cause, problem or need.
শনাক্ত করা; চিহ্নিত করা
The report identifies three main causes of traffic congestion in Dhaka.
indicate
verb/ˈɪndɪkeɪt/
To show or suggest that something is true or exists, often without fully proving it.
নির্দেশ করা; ইঙ্গিত দেওয়া
Recent surveys indicate that most young people in Bangladesh now prefer to shop online.
interpret
verb/ɪnˈtɜːprɪt/
To explain or decide what something means, such as data, a text or someone’s behaviour.
ব্যাখ্যা করা
The same statistics can be interpreted in very different ways by politicians from opposing parties.
establish
verb/ɪˈstæblɪʃ/
1) To start an organisation or system that is meant to last. 2) To discover or prove that something is true.
প্রতিষ্ঠা করা; প্রমাণ করা
Scientists have not yet established a direct link between screen time and poor exam results.
derive
verb/dɪˈraɪv/
To get something from a particular source; be derived from = to come or develop from something.
(কোনো উৎস থেকে) পাওয়া; উদ্ভূত হওয়া
Many English words used in science are derived from Latin and Greek.
constitute
verb/ˈkɒnstɪtjuːt/
1) To form or make up a whole or part of something. 2) To be considered as something, e.g. a threat.
গঠন করা; (কিছু) হিসেবে গণ্য হওয়া
Ready-made garments constitute by far the largest share of Bangladesh’s export earnings.
consist of
phrasal verb/kənˈsɪst əv/
To be formed from two or more parts or things. Always active: never ‘is consisted of’.
(কিছু দিয়ে) গঠিত হওয়া
The IELTS Academic test consists of four parts: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.
occur
verb/əˈkɜː/
To happen, especially as a result of something; to exist or be found somewhere. It has no object and no passive form.
ঘটা
Most road accidents on the highway occur at night, when visibility is poor.
require
verb/rɪˈkwaɪə/
To need something; to make something necessary or compulsory, often by rule or law.
প্রয়োজন হওয়া; বাধ্যতামূলক করা
Most UK universities require international applicants to have an overall IELTS score of at least 6.5.
involve
verb/ɪnˈvɒlv/
1) To include something as a necessary part of an activity. 2) To make someone take part in something.
জড়িত থাকা; অন্তর্ভুক্ত করা
Running a coaching centre involves much more than teaching; it also involves marketing and managing staff.
Check: research and reasoning verbs
7 questions- 1
Match each verb to its meaning.
analyseassessinterpretderiveconstituteoccur - 2
The study that children who read for pleasure tend to achieve higher exam scores.
- 3
The IELTS Speaking test of three parts and lasts between 11 and 14 minutes.
- 4
Most universities in Australia international students to show proof of English proficiency.
- 5
Becoming a doctor many years of study and long hours of hospital training.
- 6
Scientists have not yet whether the new drug is safe for children.
- 7
Which sentence uses ‘occur’ correctly?
Answer every question to check.
Set 2 — Core academic nouns
Saved as flashcards with a free accountapproach
noun / verb/əˈprəʊtʃ/
(n) A way of dealing with a problem or doing something. (v) To start dealing with something; to come closer.
পদ্ধতি; দৃষ্টিভঙ্গি
A more practical approach to teaching science would involve regular experiments in the laboratory.
concept
noun/ˈkɒnsept/
An abstract idea or general understanding of what something is or how it works.
ধারণা
The concept of working from home was unfamiliar to most employers in Bangladesh before 2020.
data
noun (uncountable or plural)/ˈdeɪtə/
Facts or numbers that are collected so they can be examined and used to make decisions. There is no word ‘datas’.
তথ্য-উপাত্ত
The data show a steady decline in the birth rate in Bangladesh since the 1990s.
factor
noun/ˈfæktə/
One of several things that influence or cause a situation or result.
প্রভাবক; কারণ
Cost is often the deciding factor when families choose a university abroad.
function
noun / verb/ˈfʌŋkʃn/
(n) The purpose or natural job of something or someone. (v) To work or operate in a particular way.
কাজ; ভূমিকা; কাজ করা
One important function of public libraries is to give everyone free access to information.
issue
noun/ˈɪʃuː/
An important topic or problem that people discuss, argue about or need to deal with.
সমস্যা; বিতর্কিত বিষয়
Air pollution has become a major public health issue in Dhaka.
method
noun/ˈmeθəd/
A particular planned or organised way of doing something.
পদ্ধতি
Traditional teaching methods rely heavily on memorising facts rather than understanding them.
principle
noun/ˈprɪnsəpl/
1) A basic rule or truth that explains how something works. 2) A moral rule that guides behaviour. Do not confuse with ‘principal’ (main; head of a school).
নীতি; মূলনীতি
The principle of equal pay for equal work is now written into the law of most countries.
source
noun/sɔːs/
The place, person or thing that something comes from or can be obtained from.
উৎস
Money sent home by workers abroad is a vital source of foreign currency for Bangladesh.
structure
noun / verb/ˈstrʌktʃə/
(n) The way the parts of something are organised; a building or construction. (v) To organise something into a clear pattern.
কাঠামো; গঠন
A clear structure, with one main idea per paragraph, makes an essay much easier to follow.
theory
noun/ˈθɪəri/
A formal set of ideas that explains something; also an idea that has not yet been proved.
তত্ত্ব
According to one theory, children learn a second language more easily before the age of twelve.
Word families: one root, four ways to paraphrase
| Verb | Noun | Adjective | Adverb |
|---|---|---|---|
analyse | analysis (pl. analyses), analyst | analytical | analytically |
assess | assessment | — | — |
identify | identification, identity | identifiable | — |
indicate | indication, indicator | indicative (of) | — |
interpret | interpretation, interpreter | interpretative / interpretive | — |
establish | establishment | established | — |
require | requirement | required | — |
occur | occurrence | — | — |
vary | variable, variation, variety | variable, various, varied | — |
theorise | theory, theorist | theoretical | theoretically |
structure | structure | structural | structurally |
signify | significance | significant | significantly |
specify | specification | specific | specifically |
— | evidence (uncountable) | evident | evidently |
— | consequence | consequent | consequently |
achieve | achievement | achievable | — |
— | relevance | relevant (≠ irrelevant) | — |
— | potential | potential | potentially |
Usage notes: the mistakes examiners see every day
1. affect (verb) vs effect (noun)
- ✗ Pollution has a bad affect on health. ✗ Pollution affects on health.
- ✓ Pollution affects health. ✓ Pollution has an effect on health.
2. consist of is never passive
- ✗ The panel is consisted of five teachers.
- ✓ The panel consists of five teachers. ✓ The panel is made up of / is composed of five teachers.
3. occur has no object and no passive
- ✗ A flood was occurred. ✗ The storm occurred damage.
- ✓ A flood occurred. ✓ The storm caused damage. Spelling: occurred, occurrence.
4. data and evidence are not normal countable nouns
- ✗ many datas, an evidence, evidences
- ✓ a lot of data, a piece of evidence, strong evidence. Both the data show and the data shows are accepted in IELTS. Just be consistent.
5. approach takes ‘to’, and ‘to’ is a preposition here
- ✗ a new approach for solve the problem
- ✓ a new approach to solving the problem (to + -ing, like look forward to).
6. impact takes ‘on’
- ✓ have an impact on the economy. As a verb (impact the economy, impact on the economy) it is common but informal-sounding to some examiners. In formal essays, affect is safer.
7. significant + amount or number?
- ✗ a significant amount of people
- ✓ a significant number of people (countable) / a significant amount of money (uncountable).
8. involve + -ing, never + to
- ✗ The job involves to travel.
- ✓ The job involves travelling abroad.
9. achieve goals, not jobs or money
- ✗ achieve a job, achieve money
- ✓ achieve a goal / an aim / a target / success / band 7; get / obtain / secure a job; earn money.
10. principle ≠ principal
- principle = a rule or belief. principal = main (adj.) or head of a college (n.).
Fix the mistakes
8 questions- 1
Find and correct the mistake:
Air pollution has a negative affect on the health of children.
- 2
Find and correct the mistake:
The committee is consisted of five senior teachers.
- 3
Find and correct the mistake:
The researchers collected many datas from rural households.
- 4
Find and correct the mistake:
Online classes can affect on the concentration of young learners.
- 5
Find and correct the mistake:
There was a significant amount of people waiting outside the exam hall.
- 6
Find and correct the mistake:
The government should take a new approach for reducing traffic congestion.
- 7
Choose the correct word: ‘The government claims to support the ___ of equal access to education, but rural schools remain underfunded.’
- 8
A graph shows that cities with more parks have lower average temperatures, but it does not prove that parks cause the difference. Which verb is the most accurate in a Task 1 report?
Answer every question to check.
Set 3 — Importance, cause and effect
Saved as flashcards with a free accountsignificant
adjective/sɪɡˈnɪfɪkənt/
Large or important enough to have a noticeable effect or to be worth attention.
উল্লেখযোগ্য; তাৎপর্যপূর্ণ
The metro rail has led to a significant reduction in travel time for many commuters in Dhaka.
evident
adjective/ˈevɪdənt/
Clear and easy to see or understand. The related noun ‘evidence’ is uncountable.
সুস্পষ্ট
It is evident from the chart that spending on healthcare rose steadily throughout the period.
specific
adjective/spəˈsɪfɪk/
1) Relating to one particular thing rather than to things in general. 2) Precise and detailed.
নির্দিষ্ট
Each scholarship has specific requirements, so read the conditions carefully before you apply.
variable
noun / adjective/ˈveəriəbl/
(n) A factor that can change, especially one measured in research. (adj) Likely to change; not consistent.
চলক; পরিবর্তনশীল
Rainfall is a key variable in predicting the size of the rice harvest.
major
adjective/ˈmeɪdʒə/
Very large or important when compared with other things of the same kind. Opposite: minor.
প্রধান; বড়
Traffic congestion remains a major problem in most large South Asian cities.
affect
verb/əˈfekt/
To produce a change in someone or something; to influence. It takes a direct object, with no preposition.
প্রভাবিত করা
Rising rice prices affect poor families far more seriously than wealthy ones.
impact
noun (also verb)/ˈɪmpækt/
A strong effect that something has on a person, situation or thing.
প্রভাব
Mobile banking has had a huge impact on the way workers send money to their families in villages.
consequence
noun/ˈkɒnsɪkwəns/
A result of an action or situation, often one that is bad or not wanted.
পরিণতি; ফলাফল
One consequence of rapid urbanisation is a severe shortage of affordable housing.
potential
noun / adjective/pəˈtenʃl/
(n) The possibility of developing or succeeding in the future. (adj) Possible but not yet real.
সম্ভাবনা; সম্ভাব্য
Rural Bangladesh has considerable potential for solar power because of its long hours of sunshine.
relevant
adjective/ˈreləvənt/
Closely connected with the subject or situation being discussed. Opposite: irrelevant.
প্রাসঙ্গিক
Make sure every example in your essay is directly relevant to the question.
achieve
verb/əˈtʃiːv/
To succeed in reaching a goal, standard or result, usually through effort.
অর্জন করা
Many students achieve band 7 by combining daily practice with detailed feedback on their writing.
Collocations that make you sound academic
| Word | Natural collocations | Example |
|---|---|---|
impact | have an impact on; a significant / lasting / profound impact; environmental impact | Tourism has had a lasting impact on Cox’s Bazar. |
factor | a key / major / contributing factor; a factor in + noun | Poverty is a major factor in child labour. |
issue | address / tackle / raise an issue; a pressing / complex issue | The government must address the issue of waterlogging. |
approach | adopt / take an approach; a practical / balanced approach to | Schools should adopt a more practical approach to science. |
data | collect / gather / analyse data; the data suggest / reveal | The data reveal a sharp rise in internet use. |
significant | play a significant role; a significant proportion of; significantly higher | Families play a significant role in a child’s education. |
consequence | serious / far-reaching consequences; as a consequence of | As a consequence of the floods, thousands lost their homes. |
potential | fulfil / reach one’s potential; the potential to + verb; untapped potential | Good teachers help students reach their full potential. |
achieve | achieve a goal / an aim / success / a target | The country achieved its target of universal primary enrolment. |
source | a major / reliable source of; a source of income / energy | Farming is still the main source of income in many villages. |
theory | in theory (≠ in practice); put forward / test a theory | In theory, the law protects workers; in practice, it is rarely enforced. |
Band 6 vs Band 8: the same ideas, different vocabulary
Band 6 style
There are many reasons for traffic jams in Dhaka. One big reason is that there are too many cars. This thing has a big effect on people because they lose a lot of time. Also the government did not make good plans for the city. So we can see that traffic is a very big problem and it makes many bad results for the economy.
Band 8 style
Traffic congestion in Dhaka can be attributed to several interrelated factors. The most significant is the rapid growth in private car ownership, which has far outstripped the capacity of the road network. This has a considerable impact on productivity: many commuters spend three or more hours a day travelling, time that could otherwise be devoted to work or study. A further issue is the lack of a coordinated approach to urban planning, as residential, commercial and industrial areas have expanded without a coherent structure. The consequences are evident not only in lost working hours but also in rising levels of air pollution.
The Band 8 version is not better because the words are long. It is better because they are precise and correctly combined: ‘many reasons’ becomes ‘several interrelated factors’; ‘a big effect on people’ becomes ‘a considerable impact on productivity’ (a specific effect); ‘bad results’ becomes ‘the consequences are evident in…’ followed by concrete examples. Each AWL word is used with its natural partner (impact on, approach to, the most significant), which is exactly what ‘awareness of style and collocation’ means in the band 7 descriptor.
Reading practice: academic words in context
Work at exam pace. The timer is a guide — it won't stop you.
Final quiz: Academic Word List I
11 questions- 1
It is from the table that rural areas have far fewer doctors per person than cities.
- 2
For many families in Sylhet, money sent by relatives in the UK is the main of income.
- 3
Cutting the education budget could have serious for the next generation.
- 4
The project local people at every stage, from design to construction.
- 5
Match each noun to its adjective form.
analysistheorystructureevidencesignificancevariation - 6
Which collocation is natural in academic English?
- 7
A Reading passage says: ‘Several variables, including household income and parental education, were found to influence test scores.’ Which statement is a correct paraphrase?
- 8
Find and correct the mistake:
Many graduates achieve a well-paid job soon after returning from abroad.
- 9
Find and correct the mistake:
The researchers analysed about the causes of the flood.
- 10
Find and correct the mistake:
Women constitute of more than half of the workers in the factory.
- 11
Which sentence is the most precise and academic?
Answer every question to check.
Key takeaways
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