IELTS English Vocabulary - S

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IELTS English Vocabulary – S

SCENARIO:

(noun) Situation, circumstance. For example: ‘Several scenarios could occur as a result if this change.’

SCHEDULE:

(noun) Plan, timetable, programme. For example: ‘He will be on a very busy schedule during his business trip and will have very little free time.’

SCHEME:

(noun) Plan, idea, project. For example: ‘Many schools offer work experience schemes to give students the opportunity to experience the workplace.’

SCOPE:

(noun) Range, capacity, extent. For example: ‘The full scope of the damage caused by the earthquake is still unknown.’

SECTION:

(noun) part, division. For example: ‘Business reports are broken down into sections to allow readers to find information more quickly.’

SECTOR:

(noun) Segment, subdivision. For example: ‘There is generally a shortage of workers in the healthcare sector.’

Occupational sector relates to different categories of job. Example: ‘Salaries are often high for people working in the professional sector’.

SECURE:

(adjective) Safe, protected. For example: ‘Since the company is experiencing financial problems a large number of jobs may no longer be secure.’

SEEK:

(verb) Look for, search for, try to find. For example: ‘Most people seek happiness in their lives.’

SELECT:

(verb) Choose, pick. For example: ‘The new team for the next Olympic Games will be selected soon.’

SEMI-FORMAL:

(adjective) Between casual and formal. Example: ‘The dress code for the party is semi-formal. Suits and ties are not necessary, but jeans are not permitted.’

INFORMAL (casual). Example: ‘Jeans are informal clothes’.

FORMAL (not casual). Example: ‘A suit and tie are formal clothes’.

SENIOR:

(adjective). Older, more respected, higher ranked. Example: ‘New employees can get useful guidance from senior staff’.

SENSITIVE:

(adjective) Delicate. Example: ‘Topics that may cause offence to some people are sensitive issues.’

SENTENCE:

(noun) The penalty given for a crime. The judge gave him a long prison sentence for the crime.

(verb) To punish someone for a crime. For example: ‘He was sentenced to 2 years in prison for the robbery’.

SENTIMENTAL VALUE:

(noun phrase) Something important but not because of money but because of emotional importance or attachment. Example: ‘The necklace I had from my grandmother is not worth much money but it has great sentimental value to me’.

SEQUENCE:

(noun) Order, series, progression. For example: ‘An unfortunate sequence of events led to the closure of the factory.’

SEQUENCING WORD:

(noun phrase) Words showing order of how something happens/happened.  E.g. then, after that, following

SERIES:

(noun) String, chain, run. For example: ‘The company has received a series of complaints about its customer service.’

SHIFT:

(noun) Move, swing, change (towards or away from a pattern of behaviour). For example: ‘Increased health awareness has resulted in a shift away from fatty foods.’

SHORT-SIGHTED:

(adjective) Unable to see future consequences; unable to think over the long term. Example: ‘Many people think it is short-sighted not to take care of the environment’.

SIGNIFICANT:

(adjective) Major, large, big. For example: ‘The graph shows a significant decrease in numbers of smokers.’

(adverb = significantly)

SIMILAR:

(adjective) Alike, almost the same, related, comparable. For example: ‘We often have similar opinions and perceptions as our parents.’

SIMILARITY:

(noun) Being the same or similar to something/someone else. Example: ‘I think there are many similarities between here and my hometown. For example, the weather is about the same’.

SIMULATE:

(verb) Copy, replicate, imitate. For example: ‘Car manufacturers often simulate accidents in quality checks to assess the safety of their vehicles.’

SITE:

(noun) Location. For example: ‘The site for the new school has now been decided and building will commence soon.’

SLIGHTLY:

(adverb) A little, not much. Example: ‘The lecturer said my coursework was slightly improved but I still needed to work harder.’

SOLE:

(adjective) Only, one and only, singular. For example: ‘Many people believe that human impact is the sole cause of global warming.’

SOMEWHAT:

(adjective) rather, fairly, to some extent. For example: ‘The topic is somewhat controversial.’

SOURCE:

(noun) Resource, supply. For example: ‘The internet is a useful source of information.’

SPECIFIC:

(adjective) Particular or exact. Example: ‘It is important to give some specific examples in your writing test.’

SPECIFY:

(verb) Detail, identify, give clear information. For example: ‘The instrcutions specified clearly what we had to do.’

SPECULATE:

(verb) To make a guess, prediction, estimation. ‘He speculated that Italy would win the competition’.

SPECULATION: (noun)

SPHERE:

(noun) Area, field. For example: ‘There are many opportunities in the sphere of business at the moment.’

SPLIT:

(adjective) Separated, divided, not united. Example: ‘Opinion on this controversial issue is split’.

SPONSORSHIP:

(noun) Financial supporting; funding. Example: ‘Some forms of the arts, such as ballet, require government sponsorship in order to continue.’

STABLE:

(adjective) Steady, secure. For example: ‘The economy is currently very stable and consumer expenditure is high .’

STARVATION:

(noun) Hunger which could lead to death. Example: ‘Starvation is still common in some regions of the world.’

STATE:

(verb) To make clear, to say something firmly. Example: ‘The terms of the refund policy were stated on the ticket’.

STATEMENT:

(noun).  A sentence showing opinion or fact. Example: ‘Some IELTS writing tasks give you a statement and then ask your opinion about it.’

STATISTIC:

(noun) Numerical data. For example: ‘Statistics show that more men than women smoke.’

STATIVE VERB:

(noun phrase) A verb wihch describes a feeling, emotion, or state. Example: love, hate, believe, think, own.

STATUS:

(noun) Position, recognition, importance. For example: ‘Many people seek promotion not just for financial gain but also for status.’

STRAIGHTFORWARD:

(adjective) Direct, simple, clear. Example: ‘Some answers in the IELTS test are straightforward. Others are more difficult.’

STRATEGY:

(noun) Plan, tactic. For example: ‘Different people find that different study strategies work best for them.’

STRESS:

(noun) Pressure, anxiety, nervous tension. For example: ‘A large number of school teachers suffer from stress due to their job.’

STRESSFUL:

(adjective) Causing worry and concern. Example: ‘Buying a new house can be very stressful’.

STRIKE:

(noun) An industrial protest where people stop working. Example: ‘The Teacher’s Union is organising a strike to protest about low pay.’

STRIKING:

(adjective) Clear, obvious, notable. Example: ‘Tigers have very striking orange and black markings on their coats’.

STRUCTURE:

(noun) The way in which parts are arranged or put together. Example: ‘A good essay should have a clear structure’.

(verb) To arrange something into clear parts or order. Example: ‘It is important to structure your answer clearly in the IELTS test’.

STYLE:

(noun) Method, approach, way, manner. For example: ‘The majority of workers are unhappy with the new boss and his management style.’

SUBHEADING:

(noun) A heading under the main heading showing a sub section. Example:

SUBMIT:

(verb) Present, give in, put forward. For example: ‘University assignments need to be submitted by due date or a penalty will apply.’

SUBORDINATE:

(noun) Someone subject to authority and control of another. For example: ‘A good manager should support and motivate his subordinates.’

SUBSEQUENT:

(adverb) Following, consequent. For example: ‘The problem was already out of hand and subsequent events have made it even worse.’

SUBSIDY:

(noun) Financial assistance, grant, funding. For example: ‘Subsidies are available to businesses who meet the application criteria.’

SUBSTITUTE:

(noun) Something which replaces or takes the place of something else. For example: ‘Substitute teachers take over classes temporarily when permanent staff are away from work.’

SUCCESSOR:

(noun) A person who replaces another in a specific role. For example: ‘The president’s successor is yet to be decided.’

SUFFER:

(verb) Endure, bear (negative experience or situation). Example: ‘Students suffer because of poor funding in education.’

SUFFICIENT:

(adjective) Enough, adequate. For example: ‘It is a basic human right to have sufficient food to eat, warm housing and clothing.’

SUITABLE:

(adjective) well matched, appropriate. Example: ‘He is very suitable for the position as he has all the skills required’.

Antonym: unsuitable (not well matched, inappropriate)

SUM:

(noun) Figure, amount. For example: ‘A huge sum of money will be required from the Government to fund improvements in the area.’

SUMMARY:

(noun) Outline, review of main facts. For example: ‘In summary, it can be seen that the following advantages and disadvantages exist.’

SUPERIOR:

(adjective) Better than, above. Example: ‘Some people believe that BMWs are superior cars’.

ALSO MEANS:

(adjective) More senior, important. Example: ‘Mr Jones is my immediate superior at work – he’s quite a good boss’.

SUPERLATIVE:

(grammar term) The form of an adjective used for comparing something against two or more things. Example: Tall > the tallest

SUPPLEMENT:

(verb) Add to, enhance, extend. For example: ‘The Government often supplements the income of mothers returning to work in part-time jobs.’

SUPPORT:

(verb) To back up, to make an argument stronger / believable. Example: ‘It is important to support your arguments with examples in the IELTS writing test’.

SUPPORTING INFORMATION:

(noun phrase). Additional details. Example: ‘Paragraphs generally focus on a main message but also include supporting information’

SURNAME:

(noun) A person’s family name.

SURVEY:

(noun) Study, investigation, analysis. For example: ‘The results of the survey will be published ina report.’

SURVIVE:

(verb) Continue to exist, stay alive, live on. For example: ‘Cheaper imports from abroad make it difficult for many companies to survive.’

SUSPEND:

(verb) bar from a privilege, exclude for a period of time. For example: ‘Children who misbehave at school are often suspended from class as punishment.’

SUSTAIN:

(verb) Maintain, keep up. For example: ‘Advertising is an important tool for sustaining sales of an older product.’

SYMBOL:

(noun) Sign, representation, icon. For example: ‘Expensive cars are a symbol of wealth.’

SYNONYM:

(noun) A word that has the same meaning as another. Example happy/joyful, sad/depressed.