THE LIST OF WORDS AND PHRASES

USED IN THE IELTS READING EXAM

THAT HAVE THE SIMILAR MEANING
SYNONYMS/A
• annual = yearly = per year = বার্ষিক
• a rise = an increase = a growth= একটি বৃদ্ধি
• a decrease = a fall = a drop = a decline = a reduction
• already = not new
• a pair of = two
• allow = enable
• avoid = keep safe from
• all = every
• a great deal of = a lot of
• according to = depending
• areas = parts
• affect = impact
• anticipate = foreshadow
• aid = help
• audience = viewer
• abnormal = unusual
• actor = performer
• attack = assault
• appearance = physiognomy
• amusing = funny = humorous
• aspects of life = existence
• alone = solely
• anxiety = fear
• assist their learning improve their learning efficiency
• a considerable amount = a great deal = a lot
• a strong connection = a very close relationship
• assistant = apprentice
• autumn (British English) = fall (American English)
• abandoned = derelict
• a prevailing Wind = against the Wind
• average = normal
• animals = livestock
• accidentally = only by chance
• agencies = jurisdictions
• a (wide) variety of = a range of
• accept = tolerate
• actively notice = pay attention to
• a sense of duty = moral obligation
• ancient creatures = fossils

• a global team = an international working party

• at risk = vulnerable
• auditory problems = hearing loss
• achievement = success
• a psychological illness = a mental disorder
• affect = influence
• aggressive behavior = frustration and anger
• average-sized = medium-sized
• agree on = concur on
• alter = change
• a century = 100 years
• associated with = relationship
• achievement = attainment
• admit = acknowledge
• attempt = effort
• affect the environment = ruin the environment'
• a sharp decrease = a crash = a sudden serious fall in the price or value of
something
• allow = grant permission
• aggressive = assertive = pushy

• aid = help = assist

• at the same time = at a time
• a few = a handful of
• achievable = realistic
• associated with = closely related to
• a similar way to = like
• ambitious = aspiring
• antagonize = provoke = embitter
• after = following = next
• afraid = frightened
• always = forever
• apparent = obvious = evident
• accompanied by = together with
• ability = skill = aptitude
• accurate = correct = right
• awful = dreadful
• awkward = clumsy = uncoordinated
• approve = accept = ratify = endorse
• arrive = reach = come
• above = overhead
• allow = permit

• achieve = accomplish = attain

• artificial = fake = synthetic = false
• amazing = fantastic = astonishing = extraordinary = incredible = fabulous
= wonderful

• angry = mad = furious

• active = energetic = animated = lively
• adequate = sufficient = enough = ample
• ask = question = inquire
• adjourn = postpone = recess
• active = energetic
• answer = reply = respond
• ask = question = request = inquire = query = examine
• adult = grown-up
• average = ordinary = fair
• attraction = spectacular
• advocate = support = recommend
• arrogant = haughty
• after = behind
• awful = dreadful = terrible = bad= unpleasant

SYNONYMS/B
• businesses = companies
• beneath = under
• brief = short = concise
• broad = wide = expansive
• beautiful = gorgeous = graceful = elegant = pretty = lovely = attractive
• begin = start = open = initiate = commence
• based on = modelled on
• brave = courageous = fearless
• by = via
• busy = occupied
• build = construct
• big = enormous = huge = gigantic = vast = large = great.
• Bright = intelligent = knowing = quick-witted = smart = shining = shiny =
brilliant

• buy = purchase
• best = finest
• blend = combine = mix
• be put together = be composed
• be allowed = be entitled
• beautiful (view) = breathtaking = wonderful = picturesque
• beautiful (person) = attractive = gorgeous = good-
looking.
• Base = foundation
• brave = courageous
• be predicted to = be expected to
• be impossible = cannot
• building = construction
• before = prior
• because = since
• be given priority = preferential
• believe = trust = accept
• be successful = to prosper = be fortunate
• barren = unproductive = infertile
• below = under = lower
• beneficial = helpful = useful = advantageous
• become troublesome = interfere with
• before = prior to
• brain = mind
• be able = be capable = be qualified
• ban = prohibit = forbid
• before = prior = earlier
• beginning = start = initiate
• be raised = be lifted
• become aware of = realize
• boundaries = frontiers
• body language = gestures
• beautiful = pretty = attractive = lovely
• bloom = flourish

• bones = remains

• beyond the point where land is visible = out of sight of

land
• birds in temperate climates = temperate-zone birds

• build = construct
SYNONYMS/C
• located = situated
• consumption = use
• cut = reduce
• cities = urban
• crops = plants which are grown for food
• components = parts
• conscientious = careful
• common generally
• create = form
• change the direction of = re-route
• cannot be replaced = no substitute for
• complexity = intricacy
• currently in more recent decades
• categories = types
• create = build
• consistent with = fit
• charging = pricing
• commitment to = engagement
• colleague = peer
• charming = delightful = appealing = enchanting
• chilly = cool
• conditions = factors
• copy = reproduction
• colours = hues
• certain = sure = definite
• capture = seize = arrest
• consulted = asked advice
• collect = accumulate
• contribute to = lead to
• care = concern = protection
• careful = cautious = watchful
• cold = freezing
• comprehend = understand
• confuse = misinterpret
• coincidental = fortuitous

• civil = municipal

• close = Shut = fasten

• close = near
• conclude = draw a conclusion
• change = shift
• calm = quiet = tranquil

• complete = finish
• complex = complicated
• cooperation = support and understanding
• construction = building
• city life = urban lifestyles
• complex = complicated = intricate
• competent = capable = qualified
• collect information = establish a databank
• catastrophic = devastating
• compress = condense = squeeze
• concrete = solid
• concur = agree
• conflict = oppose= differ
• consecutive = successive = Continuous
• conservative = cautious = restrained
• conscientious = scrupulous = virtuous
• careless = reckless
• conflict = fight = battle = struggle
• cease = stop = discontinue
• courageous = brave
• carefully = meticulously

• channel their feelings = emotional forces in harness

• cemetery = burial ground
• current teaching methods = modern teaching practices
• characteristics = traits
• citizens = residents
• cognitive = perceptual
• cut down on = reduce
• categories = types
• city = metropolitan
• conserving energy = sparing use of energy reserves
• comply with = obey
• cheerful = optimistic
• Cheap = worthless
• courageous = brave = heroic
• cowardly = fearful
• contributed to = made a contribution to
• charging = pricing
• contaminate = pollute
• contented = satisfied = pleased
• comparatively — relatively
• come = approach = arrive reach

• cool = chilly = cold = frosty = frigid

• conform = comply
• conceal = hide
• cozy = comfortable
• congested = overcrowded = stuffed
• continue = persist = persevere
• clarify = explain = simplify
• connect = join = link = attach
• conscious = aware
• courteous = polite
• considerate = thoughtful
• constantly = always = continually
• convenient = handy
• conventional = customary = traditional
• correct = accurate = right
• cry = shout = yell = scream
• cut = chop = reduce
• crazy = insane = mad
• cruel = heartless
• careless = negligent
• chatting on the internet = chatting online
• criminals = people who commit a crime
SYNONYMS/D
• distance = transportation
• disadvantage = drawback
• directly = straight
• decline = downfall
• dull = banal
• dominant = overbearing
• death rate = mortality rate
• domestic = home
• define = distinguish
• dense = tight
• direction = regulation
• difficult situations = challenging activities
• disobey = resist
• discovered = explored
• damage = harm = injure
• divided = split
• dissuade = deter
• disputes = disagreement

• difficulties = challenges
• depart = leave
• disaster = accident
• do not have = lack
• domestic = connected with the home or
family
• difficulty in recognizing = hidden or
obscured

• drop = discard
• different = unrelated
• discoveries = breakthroughs
• distinctive = different
• dreadful = terrible = unpleasant
• dull = blunt
• depart = leave = exit
• deposit = place
• devised = formulated
• detecting = locating
• dumb = stupid
• documentation = written accounts
• domestic = in homes
• dark = black

• doubt = mistrust

• dawn = sunrise
• dense thick heavy = compressed
• due primarily to = mainly because of
• depend (mainly) on = rely (heavily) on
• disclose = eliminate the secrecy
• declined by 50% = halved
• destroy = ruin
• dangerous = hazardous = risky = unsafe
• dark = shadowy = dim = dusky = black
• different = distinct = unlike
• documented evidence = data incidence = scale
• decreasing = decline
• doubt = distrust
• doubtful = vague
• decay = rot = spoil
• delicate = fragile
• disagree = differ = dispute
• dispute = debate = oppose
• demolish = destroy
• delightful = charming = lovely
• dissatisfied = unhappy
• discontinue = stop
• dull = boring = tiring = tiresome = uninteresting = tedious = monotonous
different = varied

• damage = hurt = impair = harm

• dangerous = unsafe = hazardous
• deduct = subtract
• defend = protect
• detest = dislike = hate
• divide separate = split
• docile = tame = gentle
• difficult = hard = challenging
• diverse = different = distinct
• dirty = messy
• destroy = demolish
• dishonest = untrustworthy
• dull = uneducated
• destroy = ruin = demolish
• disagreement = contrast = incompatibility
• different functions = various features.
SYNONYMS/E
• estimate = predict
• ecozones = areas where there is a natural community of plants and
animals
• encourage = stimulate
• emotions = feelings
• experts = biologists

• enormous = immense

• eyesight = vision
• effect = impact
• economic significance = economic impact
• evidence = clue
• experiments = studies
• evidence = indication
• environmental = ecological
• extremely high = impressive
• each person = each individual
• external = outer
• extended = longer
• efficiently = in the quickest way
• extend = prolonging
• encourage = promote = support = urge
• enemy = opponent = ally
• effective = works well
• effects = consequences
• entirely = wholly
• evident = apparent = obvious = clear
• expenditure on = spent on
• each year = annual
• established = founded = started or created an organization, a system, etc,
• express large numbers = deal with large numbers
• establish targets = setting goals
• enjoy = like
• enlarge = expand = magnify
• earnings = pay = remuneration
• enormous = vast = immense
• early part of the process = early phases of development
• expected = predicted
• expensive = pricey = costly = dear
• exaggerate their claims = overstate their arguments
• examine = analyze
• excited = turbulent
• early = soon = premature
• easy = simple
• evil = bad = wrong = wicked
• excite = arouse = provoke = incite
• exterior = outside = outer
• effortless = easy
• energetic = lively
• end = stop = finish = close = halt = cessation
• explain = clarify = define = interpret = justify
•
SYNONYMS/F
• fertilisers = artificial chemicals added to the land to make crops grow
bigger or more quickly

• fresh = new
• fear = be afraid
• false = incorrect
• fast = rapid = quick = swift
• food production = food chain = food supply
• feel = experience
• fix = mend = repair
• fluid = liquid
• fixed = determined
• failed to overcome = made it impossible
• farming = agriculture
• fertile = productive
• free = release
• first = beginning
• first stage = initial stage
• faults = flaws
• features = characteristics
• feelings = emotional responses

• format = pattern
• former previous = earlier
• fraction = part = portion = segment
• fat = chubby
• fatal = deadly = mortal
• feedback = comments
• frivolous = trivial unimportant
• full = packed = stuffed
• forbid = prohibit = bap
• forgive = pardon = excuse
• focus on = emphasize
• finish = end
• feasible = possible = attainable = practical
• fabulous = marvelous = amazing
• ferocious = fierce = savage
• fertile = fruitful = productive
• famous = well-known = renowned = famed = eminent.
• fear = fright = dread = scare = panic.
• face = confront = meet
• fair = impartial
• fresh = unused = new
• frigid = freezing = frosty
• furious = angry = enraged = infuriated
• future = tomorrow
• fixed = immobile
• failing = unsuccessful
• filled = occupied
• firm = steady
• false = fake = fraudulent = counterfeit
SYNONYMS/G
• goal = imperative
• grow = rise
• goals = the highest levels of expertise
• grades = results
• generous = giving = big-hearted
• genuine = real = authentic = sincere
• good = nice = fine = well-behaved
• great = outstanding = remarkable
• give their opinions = express their views
• good things = positive things
• give = donate = present = offer
• go around = orbit
• gain = acquire = obtain = receive
• gather = collect = accumulate = compile
• glad = happy = pleased = delighted
• glorious = splendid = magnificent = superb
• gentle = tender = mild
• gratitude = thankfulness = appreciation
• good luck = fortune
• go = move = travel
• good = excellent = fine wonderful = helpful.
SYNONYMS/H
• have a major impact on = transformed
• halt = call it quits
• happiness = joy
• happen = come about
• have not been diagnosed = undiagnosed
• hard work = effort
• how paper is recycled = the process of paper recycling
• humble = modest
• harsh = strict
• how to produce = the process of producing
• higher corresponds threefold = three times as much/triple
• high noise level = loud noise
• help = have a positive effect on
• heat = temperature
• hide = conceal
• happy = content
• humiliate = embarrass
• handy = useful = convenient
• hard = firm = solid
• honest = truthful = sincere = frank

• hospitable = welcoming gracious

• hostile aggressive
• huge = vast = immense = great
• hide = conceal
• high = tall
• harsh = rough
• happy = joyful = cheerful = glad = overjoyed = pleased contented
satisfied = delighted

• LETTER I
• infectious diseases = diseases that can pass from one plant to another by
the wind or by insects

• in the natural world = throughout nature

• ignore = resist
• intuitive thinking = intuition
• illnesses = ailments
• information = data
• instructed = told
• insufficient = sparse
• illogical = unreasonable
• immoral = unethical
• important = crucial
• incompetent = inep

• intense = extreme

• improve = increase the efficiency of

• increase in population = population growth
• industrial revolution = industrialization
• immediately = nearly instant
• information = data
• imitate (imitation) = mimic
• impaired = damaged
• innocent = guiltiness
• insufficient = inadequate = deficient
• in accordance with = according to
• inaccurate = incorrect
• intelligent = smart = bright
• Increasing = soaring
• interior access = inner staircases
• initiate = bring about
• interesting = provocative = engrossing
• identify the problem = understand the problem
• isolated inaccessible
• internal = inner = inside
• in excess of = over
• increase = expand = rise
• irrelevant = inappropriate = unrelated
• irritate = annoy
• introduction = invention
• identical = alike = duplicate
• inactive = lazy
• ignore disregard
• important = vital = indispensable
• interesting = fascinating = engaging = attractive =intriguing = captivating
= enchanting

• impossible = unachievable
• infants = very young children
• intriguing = fascinating
• in essence = essentially
• independent = self-reliant
• inappropriate = unsuitable
• increase = enlarge = amplify
• ingenious = clever = creative
• impetuous = impulsive = reckless
• important = significant = meaningful
• inappropriate = unsuitable = wrong
• ignorant = unaware
• immaculate = spotless = pure
• imperfect = defective = faulty
• imperative = compulsory= mandatory
• involved with = associated with
• idle = inactive
• immature = childish = inexperienced
• impolite = rude
• indefinite = unclear
• insignificant = unimportant
• idea = thought = concept
• immune = resistant
• impartial = neutral = unbiased = fair
incident = event

• incompatible characteristics = paradox

SYNONYMS/K
• keep = save = protect = guard
• kind = considerate = tender = thoughtful

• kind = wonderful
• knowledgeable = smart
SYNONYMS/M

SYNONYMS/L
• launched = initiated
• lived apart = be separated at birth
• large = big = massive = huge
• last = final = end
• look like = resemble
• levels = storeys
• lethargic = tired
• lifted = raised
• leave out = omit
• life expectancy = lifetime
• lower secondary schools = middle – years educations
• least = fewest = minimum = samllest
• lacking = insufficient
• long-term = sustainable
• liable to = can happen
• less time spent on exercises = shorten the practice
• learn = acquire
• long = lengthy

• lure = attract = seduce

• long-lost traits = ancestral features

• left = soared out of

• limit = minimize

• limited = incomplete

• local people = communities

• large city = megalopolis
• long-term = lasting/extending over a long time
• little doubt = almost certainly
• luxurious = extravagant = elegant
• lack = deficit
• love = like = fancy = cherish = adore = treasure = appreciate
• levels of unemployment = unemployment rate
SYNONYMS/M

• motifs = patterns = images

• material = commodity
• magnify = expand = enlarge = exaggerate
• misfortune = hardship
• mathematical method = statistical concept
• moved = relocation

• most people = almost every individual

• manager = boss

• mass production = print out huge numbers

• mainly = most important

• mishandling = bungling
• make payment = pay for
• movement = transport
mean = unkind = malicious = nasty

• mend = repair = fix

• motorised vehicles = buses and trucks
• more than = exceed
• make the noise stop = turn the noise off
• moulded = reshaped
• man-made = synthetic

• mild moderate

• moral = ethical = virtuous = righteous

• most = maximum

• maximum = greatest
• minimum = least
• mobile = moveable
• mysterious = secret
• monotonous = boring = tedious

• manufactured = produced
move onto = pass into
• most of = nearly all of
• moves = gestures
• more = increased
SYNONYMS/M

• modified = qualified
• migrate back = return
• medical technique = treatment
• mean = cruel = inconsiderate
• movable = portable
• manufacture = produce
SYNONYMS/N

• need = require
• non-fossil-based fuels = renewable energy
• needed = required
• nature = essence
• not traditional = new
• natural forests = primary forests
• not limit = transcend
• neat = clean, tidy, well-organized.
• new = fresh = original = current
• noisy = rowdy
• noise = disturbance
• normal = ordinary = typical, usual

• negligent = careless = inattentive

• naughty = bad = disobedient

• neat = clean = orderly = tidy
• neglectful = careless
• no limit = never reach maximum
• not charged = not have to pay

• new = recent
• nervous energy = psychic tension
• new technologies modern technologies
• not natural = artificial
• not appreciated = undervalued
• now = current
• need = requirement
SYNONYMS/O

• observe = see
• omit = strip out = leave out
• ordinary = conventional
• over the counter = in the shops
• officials = authorities
• overcome = deal with
• open = begin
• occur frequently = are common
• only = solely
• over direct = to much guidance
• overcome shyness = learn to be more outgoing
• one explanation = another possibility
• ordinary = commonplace
• old = antique
• obsolete = dated = antiquated
• optimistic = hopeful = confident
• odours = smell
• overcome = getting rid of
• occur more than once = repeated
• outgoing = assured
• obey comply
• old people = people who are retired
• offend = displease = disgust
• outstanding = extraordinary
• odd = weird = strange
• obey = comply
• plant = grow
• place = locate
• precious metals = gold, silver
• premature = early
• pretty = lovely = beautiful = attractive
• pleasing = appealing
• perform = carry out
• pioneered = first suggested
• persuasive = powerful
• play it safe = avoid risk
• personality = character;

• potential = possibilities

• promptly = immediately
• profit = gain = earnings = benefit
• prohibit = forbid = restrict
• policy initiative = strategy
• previous events = past experience
• plants = stations
• provide a view of= overlook

• private transport car

• principles = laws
• put together = assembled
• place = deposit

• prompt = punctual = timely

• prosperous = thriving = successful = flourishing
• prevent = prohibit = hinder
• permit = allow
• prior to = beforehand
• pictures = images
• problem = difficulty
• permit = allow
• promotion = advancement
• prominent = distinguished = eminent
• personal values = individual properties
• pessimistic view = seems to be getting worse
• prevail upon = have influence in = persuade
• principles = essential features
• publicity = press
• program cost = program fee
• physical changes = hormonal changes
SYNONYMS/P

• processes = stages
• perfect = flawless
• precious = valuable
• plausible = believable = reasonable = logical
• polite = gracious = courteous
• place = area = plot = region = location = situation
• proportion = percentage = rate
• poverty rate = level of poverty = poverty levels the percentage of people
who live in poverty.

• production = manufacture = be produced = be made = be manufactured

• per person = per capita
• people who use cars = car users = car commuters = people who
commute by car = people who travel by car

• people who cycle to work = cycling commuters

• public = individuals
• produce accurate work = make fewer errors
• problems = difficulties
• present beliefs = contemporary perceptions
• picked out = chose
• pesticides = potent chemicals
• pagoda = temple building
• prehistoric = ancient

• patience perseverance

• permanent = enduring = lasting

• prevent misunderstanding = resolve any confusion
• peace = harmony
• persuade = convince = influence
• peace = quiet
• preceding = previous
SYNONYMS/Q
• quickly = rapidly

• question = interrogate = inquire =ask

• quiet = silent = tranquil
• quick = speedy
• quit cease stop withdraw
SYNONYMS/R
• rely on = be dependent on
• rules = laws
• restrict = curb
• really successful = achieve at a higher level
• rainfall = precipitation

• rotate = turn
• recording of events = documentation of history
• replication = reproducing
• regarded as =considered

• research with differing attitudes = sceptics and advocates

• remove = extract
• react = respond
• reason caused
• remedy = repair
• rude = unfriendly
• replaced = upgrade
• rational thinking = judgment
• reversible = run backwards

• responsibility = moral obligation

• reticence = shyness

• remains = fragments

• re-emerge = reappear
• respond = reply
• run their own business = open their own business/company

• resemble = look like

• regular = continual
• referring to = talk about
• response reply

• regulations = standard
• relies on = draw on
• reliable = predictable

• reveal = tell
• recognize = distinguish
• remember = recall
• retain = learn
• raise = lift
• recognize = certify = admit officially (usually in writing)
• restricted = limited
• recognise the difference = distinguish
rise = growing = increased

• release = punctured
• recommence = continue
• real = authentic
• reluctant = unwilling = hesitant
• remote = secluded = isolated = distant
• rarely = seldom
• reduce = shrink
• remarkable = outstanding
• rough = harsh
• release = discharge
• rude = discourteous
• rich = wealthy
• risky = hazardous
• reputable = honorable
• resist = oppose = withstand
• recreation = amusement = pleasure
• reduce = lessen = decrease = diminish

• reliable trustworthy
• reveal = show = disclose
• ridiculous = nonsensical = foolish
 remove = eliminate = get rid of

• shut out water = seal off from water

• sea = ocean
• support = back up
• satisfying = rewarding
• suffers = experiences
• supplementary = extra
• silence = absence of a soun
• shade = shelter from the heat
• steps = measures
• strengthen = deepen
• hare = interchange
• support = backup
• significance = importance
• show statistically = provide precise, valid or reliable
data
• seem to contradict = sound paradoxical
• significant =important
• several times = on more than one occasion
• signals = radio waves