Lesson 19 of 22
Vocabulary, paraphrasing, and academic style
Choose vocabulary for meaning, grammar, and natural combinations. A familiar word used precisely can be more effective than an unusual word used incorrectly.
Learn phrases in context
| Area | Useful combinations |
|---|---|
| Transport | improve service reliability; reduce congestion; expand capacity |
| Education | broaden access; develop practical skills; retain a core curriculum |
| Employment | provide training; recruit staff; improve working conditions |
| Environment | reduce emissions; conserve resources; manage waste |
| Task 1 data | account for a share; reach a peak; remain broadly stable |
For each phrase, record its meaning, a sentence you understand, and its grammar. “Access to education” requires “to”; “provide students with support” has a different pattern from “provide support for students.”
Paraphrase without changing the claim
Original: “Some employers allow staff to work from home.”
Accurate: “Remote working is permitted by some organisations.”
Inaccurate: “Most workers prefer to remain at home.”
The inaccurate version changes who acts, the quantity, and permission into preference. Preserving these relationships matters more than maximising the number of changed words.
You can paraphrase by changing sentence structure, using a compatible word family, or choosing an accurate alternative phrase:
- “The number increased” → “There was an increase in the number.”
- “Students can access lessons more easily” → “Access to lessons becomes easier for students.”
- “The policy reduces costs” → “The policy makes the service less expensive.”
Some repetition is useful. If your topic is public transport, repeatedly replacing it with vague expressions such as “this thing” or “the aforementioned system” can reduce clarity.
Word families
| Noun | Verb | Adjective |
|---|---|---|
| benefit | benefit | beneficial |
| reliability | rely | reliable |
| reduction | reduce | reduced |
| employment | employ | employed |
| significance | signify | significant |
Check both form and meaning. “A significant increase” and “The figure increased significantly” require different grammatical forms.
Formality and tone
Academic Writing usually works best with a neutral, measured tone. Prefer “children” to “kids,” “many” to “loads of,” and “a disadvantage” to “a bad thing” when those alternatives fit.
Avoid conversational fillers, dramatic claims, and unnecessary rhetorical questions. Do not write “You know, this is obviously a terrible idea.” Explain which outcome is harmful and why.
First-person language can clearly identify your position in Task 2. In Task 1, focus on the visual rather than what you personally think about it.
Build a usable vocabulary record
Create four columns: phrase, meaning, your example, and a common error. Review phrases by writing new sentences. A vocabulary list becomes useful when you can select an expression accurately under time pressure.