Use of Lexical Resources in IELTS Writing

The lexical resource score is based on the ability to use vocabulary in the IELTS exam. It is the most visible aspect of IELTS writing and speaking. It's a challenging task for most of the candidates. There are so many tips and strategies to achieve a good IELTS score. This article discusses the use of lexical resources in the IELTS examination. Candidates can clear all the doubts regarding this topic to improve the total score.

Check: Get 10 Free IELTS Sample Papers
Check: Register for IELTS Coaching - Join for Free Trial Class Now

Lexical Resource Overview

The Lexical resource used in the IELTS examination is usually used in the band descriptors. The term lexical resource is used instead of IELTS vocabulary ability. In simple words, it is the usage of vocabulary correctly. Studying vocabulary on a regular basis will help improve the most.

There are four types of IELTS Band Descriptors

• Lexical Resource
• Task Achievement
• IELTS Coherence and Cohesion
• Grammatical range and accuracy

The IELTS writing task 2 score is based on lexical resources. The examiner will primarily consider the range and correctness of vocabulary in the IELTS Writing Task 2 essay part when determining the Lexical Resource IELTS band score.

Determination of Lexical Score

Examiners calculate the score by looking at a variety of factors. To meet all of these requirements, candidates need regular practice. Let's take a look at each of these factors one by one.

1. Communication

The idea in IELTS writing must be clearly communicated. It is one of the most crucial elements. If the examiner is unable to grasp the concepts that are attempted to convey in writing, it will undoubtedly give the examiner a negative impression of abilities, which will negatively impact the scores. Hence, to score better candidates need to write with clear concepts.

2. Spelling

Another important factor is that in this section, the majority of the candidates lost their lexical resource band score. Making sure that the writing is free of spelling mistakes is a very essential task. It's a difficult task, so at the very least, reduce the number of spelling errors in the essay. Spelling errors can cause the idea to be conveyed incorrectly to the examiner, resulting in a loss of score.

3. Formal/Informal Tone of Writing

Use of formal tone in the essay; there is a chance that candidates will use informal words while writing. The greater the number of informal words, the lower the grade. After concluding the essay, re-read as much as possible can making the essay free from informal words.

4. Usage of Collocations

Accurate usage of IELTS collocations is another factor that helps to score a good lexical resource band in the examination.

For instance,

• Ramya is riding her car
• Ramya is motoring her car

Here in these two sentences, the correct collocation is ‘Ramya is riding her car’. In the second sentence, the word motoring is used instead of riding which is inaccurate. So make sure that answer must not make those collocation errors in the IELTS essay.

Tips and Strategies to Use Lexical Resources

It's all about exam day, as we all know. Even if the answer is well-prepared and confident in the ability to pass the exam, a few errors on test day can lower the IELTS score. So trying to follow these tips and strategies, will help to clear the examination easily.

1. Usage of Lexical Resource

• If not sure about a word, do not use it
• If feeling empty about a specific idea's vocabulary usage. Remove those ideas and replace them with a new one. Don't jeopardize the essay by using inappropriate vocabulary.
• On the test day, if the candidate is not able to make up the article with good vocabulary. Then make sure that at least communicate the matter clearly.
• Some words may sound appealing and using them in the essay without understanding how to use them correctly. That is not something one should do. Use only the words that are certain.

2. Usage of Synonyms

To avoid the monotony of repeating the same word, candidates frequently use IELTS synonyms. In that case, using synonyms is a good idea. However, if the student is unsure of the meaning of a particular synonym, do not use it because he or she will lose a grade. Only use synonyms that are appropriate.

3. Usage of Pre- learned Language

Do not use pre-learned language in the IELTS examination to score good grades. It only leads to the loss of mark in the exams because the examiners can easily recognize pre-learned languages.

Lexical Resource Vigilant

Many candidates do not give any importance to the vocabulary part of the exam. But it loses IELTS score. A candidate who is capable of using the lexical resource vigilant can easily clear the examination. If a person with a poor vocabulary, here are some strategies that help to build a stronger vocabulary which is highly beneficial in daily lives and the IELTS examination

• One should read about a variety of topics because this will help expand vocabulary and gain sufficient knowledge about the subject. This includes technologies, environmental problems, societal problems, employment, transportation, and education, among other things.
• Start to study new words, this is one of the simple ways of improving the language. All one should do is simply read the text and newspapers, find out words that are unfamiliar, and note them in the notebook. Then try to use that particular word in daily communication. This practice will give a good vocabulary.
• Candidates do not need to be an expert on the topic in order to write about it in the IELTS exam; They only need to be familiar with the basics. So, if they're learning a new word, don't waste time learning technical or specialized terms.