Vocabulary for IELTS Reading: Sublist 9

Exceptional progress! With 60 essential vocabulary words mastered in each of Sublists 1 through 8, you’ve cultivated an impressive collection of 480 academic terms, establishing a formidable foundation for IELTS Reading success.

Now, Sublist 9 of the Academic Word List (AWL) by Averil Coxhead introduces another 60 high-frequency words that are increasingly nuanced, offering critical tools for tackling advanced texts on topics like ethics, technology, and social systems. These terms will refine your skills to achieve a perfect 40/40 score, enabling you to decipher complex arguments and handle intricate paraphrasing with precision. This guide marks your next milestone in building the advanced lexical knowledge essential for IELTS excellence.

1. accommodate (v) – Meaning: To provide space or adapt to meet a need. – Synonyms: house, adapt, adjust, fit, lodge.
   
2. analogy (n) – Meaning: A comparison between two things to explain or clarify. – Synonyms: similarity, parallel, likeness, comparison, metaphor.
   
3. anticipate (v) – Meaning: To expect or predict something in advance. – Synonyms: foresee, expect, predict, envision, prepare.
   
4. assure (v) – Meaning: To give confidence or guarantee something. – Synonyms: reassure, guarantee, promise, confirm, ensure.
   
5. attain (v) – Meaning: To achieve or reach a goal or level. – Synonyms: achieve, gain, accomplish, obtain, secure.
   
6. behalf (n) – Meaning: Representing or in the interest of someone else. – Synonyms: interest, benefit, support, favor, proxy.
   
7. bulk (n) – Meaning: The majority or large mass of something. – Synonyms: majority, mass, volume, quantity, bulk.
   
8. cease (v) – Meaning: To stop or come to an end. – Synonyms: stop, halt, end, terminate, discontinue.
   
9. coherent (adj) – Meaning: Logical and well-organized in structure. – Synonyms: logical, consistent, clear, unified, intelligible.
   
10. coincide (v) – Meaning: To occur at the same time or place. – Synonyms: align, match, concur, overlap, synchronize.
    
11. commence (v) – Meaning: To begin or start something. – Synonyms: start, begin, initiate, launch, open.
    
12. compatible (adj) – Meaning: Able to exist or work together harmoniously. – Synonyms: consistent, agreeable, suitable, harmonious, matching.
    
13. concurrent (adj) – Meaning: Happening at the same time. – Synonyms: simultaneous, parallel, coincident, accompanying, joint.
    
14. confine (v) – Meaning: To restrict within limits or boundaries. – Synonyms: restrict, limit, contain, enclose, restrain.
    
15. controversy (n) – Meaning: A prolonged public disagreement or debate. – Synonyms: dispute, argument, conflict, contention, debate.
    
16. Converse (v) – Meaning: To engage in conversation or discussion. – Synonyms: talk, discuss, chat, dialogue, communicate.
    
17. device (n) – Meaning: A tool or instrument designed for a specific purpose. – Synonyms: tool, gadget, instrument, apparatus, equipment.
    
18. devote (v) – Meaning: To give time or effort to a specific activity or cause. – Synonyms: dedicate, commit, allocate, assign, apply.
    
19. diminish (v) – Meaning: To reduce in size, importance, or intensity. – Synonyms: decrease, reduce, lessen, decline, shrink.
    
20. distort (v) – Meaning: To twist or alter the true meaning or appearance. – Synonyms: twist, warp, misrepresent, deform, alter.
    
21. duration (n) – Meaning: The length of time something continues. – Synonyms: period, span, length, time, extent.
    
22. erode (v) – Meaning: To gradually wear away or destroy. – Synonyms: wear, deteriorate, corrode, erode, diminish.
    
23. ethics (n) – Meaning: Moral principles governing behavior or conduct. – Synonyms: morality, values, principles, standards, integrity.
    
24. format (n) – Meaning: The structure or layout of a document or presentation. – Synonyms: structure, layout, arrangement, design, style.
    
25. found (v) – Meaning: To establish or set up on a basis. – Synonyms: establish, create, build, initiate, base.
    
26. inherent (adj) – Meaning: Naturally part of something’s nature. – Synonyms: intrinsic, innate, natural, essential, inborn.
    
27. insight (n) – Meaning: A deep understanding or perception of a subject. – Synonyms: understanding, awareness, perception, clarity, knowledge.
    
28. integral (adj) – Meaning: Necessary or essential to complete a whole. – Synonyms: essential, fundamental, key, vital, central.
    
29. intermediate (adj) – Meaning: Occurring or situated between two extremes. – Synonyms: middle, midway, transitional, medium, moderate.
    
30. manual (adj) – Meaning: Done by hand rather than automatically. – Synonyms: hand-operated, physical, human, labor-intensive, non-automatic.
    
31. mature (adj) – Meaning: Fully developed or grown. – Synonyms: adult, ripe, developed, seasoned, advanced.
    
32. mediate (v) – Meaning: To intervene or facilitate a resolution between parties. – Synonyms: negotiate, arbitrate, intervene, reconcile, settle.
    
33. medium (n) – Meaning: A means or channel for communication or expression. – Synonyms: channel, method, mode, vehicle, intermediary.
    
34. military (adj) – Meaning: Relating to armed forces or warfare. – Synonyms: martial, warlike, soldierly, defense, armed.
    
35. minimal (adj) – Meaning: Of the smallest possible amount or degree. – Synonyms: least, minimum, slight, basic, minimal.
    
36. mutual (adj) – Meaning: Shared or felt by two or more parties. – Synonyms: reciprocal, common, joint, shared, mutual.
    
37. norm (n) – Meaning: A standard or pattern of behavior considered typical. – Synonyms: standard, rule, average, convention, norm.
    
38. overlap (v) – Meaning: To extend over or cover part of the same area. – Synonyms: coincide, intersect, overlap, cross, span.
    
39. passive (adj) – Meaning: Accepting or allowing what happens without resistance. – Synonyms: inactive, submissive, compliant, receptive, inert.
    
40. portion (n) – Meaning: A part or share of a whole. – Synonyms: part, segment, section, piece, fraction.
    
41. preliminary (adj) – Meaning: Done as an introduction or preparation. – Synonyms: initial, preparatory, early, introductory, preliminary.
    
42. protocol (n) – Meaning: A set of rules or procedures to be followed. – Synonyms: procedure, guideline, convention, etiquette, protocol.
    
43. qualitative (adj) – Meaning: Relating to quality rather than quantity. – Synonyms: descriptive, subjective, non-numerical, evaluative, qualitative.
    
44. refine (v) – Meaning: To improve or perfect something through careful changes. – Synonyms: improve, polish, enhance, purify, perfect.
    
45. relax (v) – Meaning: To make less strict or tense. – Synonyms: loosen, ease, reduce, unwind, calm.
    
46. restrain (v) – Meaning: To hold back or limit from action. – Synonyms: restrict, control, curb, inhibit, suppress.
    
47. revolution (n) – Meaning: A dramatic and wide-reaching change. – Synonyms: upheaval, transformation, rebellion, overhaul, revolution.
    
48. rigid (adj) – Meaning: Stiff or not flexible in structure or attitude. – Synonyms: stiff, inflexible, strict, firm, unyielding.
    
49. route (n) – Meaning: A way or course taken to reach a destination. – Synonyms: path, road, course, direction, itinerary.
    
50. scenario (n) – Meaning: A possible sequence of events or situation. – Synonyms: situation, outline, plot, setting, possibility.
    
51. sphere (n) – Meaning: A round object or an area of activity or influence. – Synonyms: orb, ball, domain, realm, field.
    
52. subordinates (n) – Meaning: People under the authority of another. – Synonyms: employees, staff, juniors, underlings, assistants.
    
53. supplement (v) – Meaning: To add to something to improve or complete it. – Synonyms: add, enhance, complement, augment, boost.
    
54. suspended (adj) – Meaning: Temporarily stopped or hanging. – Synonyms: paused, halted, delayed, hanging, postponed.
    
55. team (n) – Meaning: A group working together toward a common goal. – Synonyms: group, crew, unit, squad, partnership.
    
56. temporary (adj) – Meaning: Lasting for a limited time only. – Synonyms: short-term, brief, interim, provisional, transient.
    
57. triggered (v) – Meaning: To cause or set off an event or reaction. – Synonyms: activate, initiate, provoke, spark, start.
    
58. unified (adj) – Meaning: Joined together into a single entity. – Synonyms: united, combined, integrated, cohesive, harmonious.
    
59. violate (v) – Meaning: To break or fail to comply with a rule or law. – Synonyms: breach, break, infringe, disobey, transgress.
    
60. vision (n) – Meaning: The ability to imagine or plan for the future. – Synonyms: foresight, imagination, sight, perception, goal.

Mastering these words from AWL Sublist 9 brings you closer to a total of 540 terms, significantly enhancing your ability to tackle the most challenging IELTS Reading passages. By applying these nuanced terms in practice with diverse texts and understanding their synonyms, you’ll sharpen your comprehension and precision, paving the way to a 40/40 score. Click here to navigate to Sublist 10 and continue your journey toward reading mastery. We invite you to join our classes to further refine your skills with expert support tailored for IELTS success!