70+ Common Synonyms in IELTS Writing Task 2 You Must Know

Compared to Task 1, writing in Task 2 requires more complex paraphrasing because it involves many abstract structures and social, educational, or policy concepts. Therefore, cultivating a system of synonyms by topic or argument function is essential if you want to improve your paraphrasing ability and raise your band from 6.0 to 7.5+.

In this article, we will introduce a set of synonyms selected for academic purposes, divided by common topics and argument functions, along with important notes and effective learning strategies to help you use words more flexibly and accurately in all Task 2 forms.

I. Topic-based Synonyms

1. Education

Original Word	Academic Synonym	Definition	Collocations	Example
student	learner, pupil (younger), scholar (university)	Person studying at a school/course	diligent learner, young learner	Governments should invest more in supporting disadvantaged learners.
school	educational institution	Place where students study	formal educational institution, state-funded institutions	Many students in rural areas lack access to well-equipped educational institutions.
subject	discipline, academic field	Field of study	core disciplines, science-related subjects	Core disciplines such as Mathematics and Literature are compulsory in most systems.
learning	education, instruction	Process of acquiring knowledge	lifelong learning, online learning platforms	Online learning platforms have transformed how students access educational content.
improve	enhance, boost, foster	To make better or increase quality	enhance learning outcomes, foster academic performance	Parental involvement plays a crucial role in enhancing children’s academic outcomes.
job prospects	career opportunities	Future employment possibilities	enhance career prospects, improve employability	Tertiary education significantly enhances students’ future career prospects.

Note: Avoid repeating “students” too much; alternate with “learners” or “pupils”. “School” can be upgraded to “educational institution” in policy contexts.

2. Work & Career

Original Word	Academic Synonym	Definition	Collocations	Example
job	occupation, profession, position	Specific work or career field	secure a stable occupation, entry-level position	Many people are unable to find a suitable occupation without formal qualifications.
employee	worker, staff member, workforce	Person working for an organization	loyal workforce, skilled staff	Retaining a loyal and competent workforce is a key concern for modern companies.
employer	organization, company, firm	Person/entity hiring staff	reputable employer, multinational firm	Job seekers tend to prefer reputable employers that offer long-term benefits.
salary	income, remuneration, earnings	Money received for work	competitive salary, attractive remuneration package	Higher remuneration often correlates with higher job responsibilities.
promotion	career progression, career advancement	Moving up in a job	climb the career ladder, accelerate career advancement	Employees are more motivated when they see clear opportunities for career progression.
satisfaction	contentment, fulfillment	Happiness with work	job satisfaction, workplace contentment	Job satisfaction is a determining factor in employee retention.

3. Society & Government

Original Word	Academic Synonym	Definition	Collocations	Example
people	the public, citizens, individuals, inhabitants	Members of society	vulnerable individuals, responsible citizens	Governments should prioritise policies that benefit the majority of citizens.
government	the authorities, policymakers	Ruling body	national authorities, central government	The authorities must enforce strict regulations to protect public health.
law	legislation, regulation	Official rules	pass legislation, enforce laws	New environmental legislation is essential to tackle industrial pollution.
crime	criminal offence, unlawful act	Illegal action	juvenile crime, violent offences	An increase in juvenile crime reflects deeper social inequalities.
equality	social equity, equal opportunities	Fairness in society	promote social equity, ensure equal access	Social equity should be a core aim of public policy.
punishment	penalty, sanction	Consequence for breaking law	impose strict penalties, harsher punishments	The authorities should impose stricter penalties on repeat offenders.

4. Environment

Original Word	Academic Synonym	Definition	Collocations	Example
pollution	environmental degradation, contamination	Damage to environment	air/water pollution, environmental damage	Industrial emissions are a major contributor to environmental degradation.
energy	power, energy sources	Power for calling/production	renewable energy, alternative power sources	Transitioning to renewable energy is crucial for sustainable development.
climate change	global warming, climatic disruption, climate crisis	Global weather changes	mitigate climate change, adapt to global warming	Nations must work together to mitigate the effects of climate change.
nature	natural environment, biodiversity	Ecosystems	preserve biodiversity, protect natural habitat	Urban development should not come at the expense of biodiversity preservation.
protect	preserve, safeguard, conserve	To keep safe	environmental conservation, safeguard the ecosystem	More funding is required to preserve the world’s most endangered species.
carbon	carbon dioxide, greenhouse gases	Harmful emissions	reduce carbon footprint, limit greenhouse emissions	Individuals can help reduce their carbon footprint by using public transport.
sustainability	sustainable development, green practice	Long-term stability	achieve environmental sustainability	Sustainable development is the foundation of any long-term economic growth strategy.

5. Crime & Law

Original Word	Academic Synonym	Definition	Collocations	Example
criminal	offender, lawbreaker, wrongdoer	Person breaking the law	juvenile offender, repeat offender	Rehabilitation programs are more effective than imprisonment for first-time offenders.
crime	criminal activity, unlawful act	Illegal act	commit a crime, prevent crime	The government must introduce new strategies to reduce criminal activity.
punishment	penalty, sentence, sanction	Penalty for crime	impose harsh penalties, capital punishment	Many argue that life imprisonment is a more humane penalty than capital punishment.
law	legislation, regulation	System of rules	enforce the law, introduce legislation	Strict legislation is needed to address online fraud effectively.
police	law enforcement agency, police force	Officers enforcing law	community policing, police presence	A visible police presence helps deter potential offenders.
prison	jail, correctional facility, penal institution	Place of detention	prison sentence, serve time in prison	Prison overcrowding remains a critical issue in many developing countries.
justice	legal fairness, judicial system	Fairness/Legal system	bring to justice, ensure fairness	A fair judicial system is essential for maintaining public trust in legal institutions.

6. Technology

Original Word	Academic Synonym	Definition	Collocations	Example
technology	digital innovation, advancement, computerization	Modern tech solutions	rapid technological advancement, emerging technologies	The rapid pace of technological advancement has reshaped communication worldwide.
device	gadget, digital tool	Electronic tool	smart devices, wearable technology	The proliferation of smart gadgets has increased screen time among children.
internet	cyberspace, the digital realm	Global network	high-speed internet, internet access	Reliable internet access is vital for the growth of remote education.
social media	online platforms, virtual networks	Social sites	social media addiction, online interaction	Excessive use of social media may lead to reduced face-to-face communication.
innovation	technological breakthrough, advancement	New discovery/tech	foster innovation, cutting-edge technology	Government funding is necessary to foster technological innovation in renewable energy.
automation	mechanisation, robotization	Using machines for work	industrial automation, robotic technology	Automation in manufacturing has led to significant job displacement.
digitalisation	digital transformation, smart integration	Going digital	undergo digital transformation, smart infrastructure	Public sectors are undergoing rapid digital transformation to enhance efficiency.

7. Health

Original Word	Academic Synonym	Definition	Collocations	Example
health	well-being, fitness, vitality	Physical/mental state	promote good health, physical and mental well-being	Governments should invest more in promoting public health rather than treating diseases.
hospital	healthcare institution, medical facility	Place for treatment	overcrowded hospitals, state-funded institutions	The government needs to improve infrastructure in public healthcare institutions.
disease	illness, disorder, ailment, condition	Sickness	chronic illness, infectious disease	Preventive strategies can reduce the spread of infectious diseases in urban areas.
treatment	medical intervention, therapy	Cure/care process	undergo medical treatment, effective intervention	Patients with mental disorders require long-term medical intervention.
healthcare	medical service, health provision	Medical system	access to healthcare, universal healthcare	Universal access to healthcare is essential for ensuring social equality.
exercise	physical activity, fitness routine	Activity for health	regular physical activity, exercise regime	Regular physical activity plays a key role in preventing cardiovascular diseases.
diet	nutritional intake, eating habits	Food intake	balanced diet, unhealthy eating habits	A balanced diet can significantly reduce the risk of obesity among young people.
obesity	excessive weight, overweight condition	Being overweight	rising obesity rates, obesity-related health problems	The government should launch nationwide campaigns to combat childhood obesity.

Note: Avoid repeating “health”; use “well-being” or “fitness”. Avoid informal phrases like “get sick” (use “suffer from a condition”).

II. Function-based Synonyms

1. Cause – Effect

Simple	Academic Replacement	Example
A causes B	A leads to / results in B	Overconsumption of fast food leads to various health problems.
A is associated with B	Air pollution is closely associated with respiratory illnesses.
A paves the way for B	Technological advances pave the way for more efficient healthcare.
A is a contributing factor in B	Unemployment is a contributing factor in rising crime rates.
A exerts an impact on B	Parental education levels exert a significant impact on children’s academic performance.

2. Agree – Disagree

Simple	Academic Replacement	Example
I agree	I would contend that / I am inclined to believe that	I would contend that public transport should be made free to reduce emissions.
I think / I believe	I would argue that / I am convinced that	I am convinced that stricter regulations are necessary to ensure food safety.
Some people think…	There is a widespread belief that…	There is a widespread belief that traditional education is more effective than online learning.
Some support the view	Those who advocate the idea that…	Those who advocate the view that exams should be abolished argue that they are outdated.

3. Solution – Action

Simple	Academic Replacement	Example
solution	Remedy, measure, approach, intervention, strategy	One effective remedy for youth unemployment is to expand vocational training.
do something	take action, take initiatives, implement measures	Governments must take decisive action to combat climate change.
try to do something	make every effort to, endeavor to, attempt to	Authorities should make every effort to raise public awareness of health risks.
fix a problem	address, resolve, tackle, handle	This policy aims to address the issue of overcrowded urban housing.

4. Contrast – Concession

Simple	Academic Replacement	Example
but	however, nevertheless, nonetheless, in contrast	Technology offers many benefits. However, it also raises ethical concerns.
even though	although, though, while, despite the fact that	While exams test knowledge effectively, they may not assess creativity.
A is true, but B…	While A is valid, B is equally important	While financial support is crucial, it is equally important to provide emotional support.

5. Importance

Simple	Academic Replacement	Example
important	vital, essential, crucial, significant	Environmental education is of paramount importance in shaping future behaviors.
very important	indispensable, imperative, of paramount importance	Healthcare is indispensable for maintaining social stability.

6. Impact & Problem

Simple	Academic Replacement	Example
Impact (n)	outcome, consequence, repercussion (negative)	The economic consequences of the pandemic were severe.
Affect (v)	influence, shape, exert an impact on	Education level shapes one’s career trajectory significantly.
bad effect	adverse/detrimental effect	Overuse of antibiotics may lead to adverse health effects.
problem	issue, obstacle, hurdle, concern	Urban sprawl has become a major issue in developing countries.
big problem	pressing concern, urgent issue	Youth unemployment remains a pressing concern for many governments.
difficult problem	dilemma, setback, complication	The reliance on fossil fuels presents an ongoing dilemma in policy-making.

III. Important Notes

1. Avoid Over-Paraphrasing

Do not replace every word. It makes the text unnatural.

Example: “The government should invest more in education.”
❌ Over-paraphrased: “The authorities ought to allocate more financial resources towards academic institutions.” (Too complex/clunky)
✅ Good: Keep it clear. Only paraphrase keywords to avoid repetition.

2. Understand Nuance

Don’t use “fancy” words if you don’t know exactly what they mean.

❌ Wrong: “Parents must indoctrinate children with knowledge…” (“Indoctrinate” is negative)
✅ Right: “Parents should instil essential knowledge…”

3. Use Collocations

Words often go together. Translating word-for-word often fails.

❌ Weak: “People get benefit from the policy.”
✅ Strong: “People derive considerable benefits from the policy.”

4. Common Traps

Don’t Use	Do Use
Try to do sth	Make an effort to / Attempt to
Get benefits from	Derive / Gain / Obtain benefits from
Get a job	Secure a job / Obtain employment
Big problem	Pressing issue / Serious concern
Kids	Children / Youngsters

IV. Learning Strategies

Learn Collocations: Don’t just learn “important”; learn “play a vital role in”.
Practice in Context: Rewrite sentences using new words.
Original: “Children should take part in community activities.”
Paraphrased: “Youngsters ought to be motivated to engage in voluntary work.”
Apply by Essay Type:
- Problem-Solution: Use “pressing issue”, “address this challenge”.
- Opinion: Use “I am inclined to believe that”, “supporters contend that”.

Conclusion

Effective use of synonyms is not just about memorizing lists, but understanding context and collocations. Use this guide to practice writing clear, academic essays. With consistent effort, you can improve your Lexical Resource score significantly.