IELTS Guide Phil

In IELTS Writing and Speaking, vocabulary range and accuracy play a crucial role in achieving higher band scores. One effective way to showcase lexical resource is through precise and natural noun collocations—pairs or groups of words that are often used together in English. While many candidates rely on basic expressions like “strong opinion” or “big problem,” high-scoring test takers stand out by using less common and more academic collocations.

This post provides 100 carefully selected noun collocations that can significantly enhance your IELTS performance. Each entry includes the full collocation, a short definition, and an example sentence to help you use them accurately.

100 Less Common Noun Collocations

1. Adverse consequences
   Negative results or effects
   The policy led to adverse consequences for small businesses.
2. Public outcry
   Strong public opposition or protest
   The decision to close the library caused a public outcry.
3. Economic downturn
   A decline in economic activity
   The country is struggling with a severe economic downturn.
4. Unprecedented growth
   Growth that has never been seen before
   The tech industry has experienced unprecedented growth in the last decade.
5. Societal norm
   A generally accepted behavior in society
   Wearing formal clothes to interviews is a societal norm.
6. Environmental degradation
   Damage to the environment
   Deforestation contributes to environmental degradation.
7. Parental involvement
   Participation of parents in their children’s education
   Parental involvement is key to student success.
8. Job satisfaction
   The feeling of fulfillment from one’s job
   High job satisfaction often leads to increased productivity.
9. Moral obligation
   A duty based on moral principles
   There is a moral obligation to help the less fortunate.
10. Technological advancement
    The development of new technologies
    Technological advancement has changed how we communicate.
11. Cultural heritage
    Traditions and values passed down through generations
    Museums play a role in preserving cultural heritage.
12. Social disparity
    Inequality among social groups
    Social disparity is widening in urban areas.
13. Traffic congestion
    Overcrowded roads and traffic jams
    Traffic congestion is a major issue in big cities.
14. Educational reform
    Changes aimed at improving education
    The government proposed an educational reform last year.
15. Consumer behavior
    The buying habits of people
    Marketing strategies are influenced by consumer behavior.
16. Financial literacy
    Understanding how to manage money
    Schools should teach students financial literacy.
17. Healthcare access
    Availability of medical services
    Rural communities struggle with limited healthcare access.
18. Judicial system
    The legal system of a country
    The judicial system must be fair and impartial.
19. Political instability
    Frequent changes or uncertainty in government
    Political instability can deter foreign investment.
20. Nutritional value
    The health benefits of food
    Fruits have high nutritional value.
21. Population density
    The number of people living in a given area
    High population density can strain public resources.
22. Climate crisis
    A critical situation due to climate change
    The climate crisis demands immediate global action.
23. Income inequality
    A large gap between rich and poor
    Income inequality is a serious economic challenge.
24. Research funding
    Money allocated for scientific studies
    Lack of research funding hinders innovation.
25. Urban expansion
    The growth of cities
    Urban expansion often leads to deforestation.
26. Communication barrier
    Difficulty in understanding or exchanging ideas
    Language can be a communication barrier in multinational teams.
27. Legal framework
    The structure of laws and regulations
    A solid legal framework is essential for governance.
28. Carbon footprint
    The amount of carbon emissions produced
    Reducing our carbon footprint helps combat climate change.
29. Mental resilience
    Ability to cope with stress and adversity
    Mental resilience is crucial for academic success.
30. Wage disparity
    Difference in income between groups
    Wage disparity exists between genders in many industries.
31. Public perception
    How the public views something
    Media shapes public perception.
32. Language proficiency
    Skill in using a language
    IELTS measures language proficiency in English.
33. Media coverage
    Reporting of news and events
    The accident received widespread media coverage.
34. Public policy
    Government action plans and regulations
    Public policy should address environmental issues.
35. Energy consumption
    The use of energy resources
    Modern appliances help reduce energy consumption.
36. Youth unemployment
    Young people without jobs
    Youth unemployment is a growing concern in many countries.
37. Data breach
    Unauthorized access to confidential data
    The company suffered a massive data breach.
38. Academic integrity
    Honesty in academic work
    Plagiarism is a violation of academic integrity.
39. Public transport infrastructure
    Facilities for buses, trains, etc.
    Improved public transport infrastructure eases urban traffic.
40. Cybersecurity threat
    Risks to digital systems
    Cybersecurity threats are becoming more sophisticated.
41. Gender bias
    Prejudice based on gender
    The recruitment process must be free from gender bias.
42. Crisis management
    Dealing with emergencies or difficult situations
    Effective crisis management prevented further damage during the flood.
43. Technological dependency
    Over-reliance on technology
    Technological dependency can reduce human interaction.
44. Resource allocation
    Distribution of resources
    Proper resource allocation is crucial in disaster relief.
45. Job redundancy
    Loss of employment due to a position being unnecessary
    Automation has increased job redundancy in manufacturing.
46. Social cohesion
    Unity and cooperation within society
    Volunteering promotes social cohesion in communities.
47. Healthcare expenditure
    Spending on medical services
    Rising healthcare expenditure is a burden on the government.
48. Workplace diversity
    Variety of backgrounds among employees
    Workplace diversity enhances innovation and creativity.
49. Global trade
    International buying and selling of goods
    Global trade boosts economic development.
50. Internet accessibility
    Ability to use the internet
    Rural areas suffer from poor internet accessibility.
51. Immigration policy
    Rules for people entering a country
    The new immigration policy has sparked debate.
52. Information overload
    Too much information to process
    Students often struggle with information overload during research.
53. Peer influence
    Effect of peers on behavior
    Peer influence can shape adolescent decisions.
54. Market volatility
    Unpredictable changes in financial markets
    Investors are wary of market volatility.
55. Water scarcity
    Shortage of clean water
    Water scarcity threatens agriculture in arid regions.
56. Digital divide
    Gap between those with and without access to technology
    Bridging the digital divide is a global challenge.
57. Job mobility
    Ability to change jobs or locations easily
    Job mobility increases career opportunities.
58. Energy efficiency
    Using less energy to perform the same task
    LED bulbs promote energy efficiency in homes.
59. Budget deficit
    Spending more than income
    The government is working to reduce its budget deficit.
60. Retirement planning
    Preparing financially for retirement
    Retirement planning is essential for long-term stability.
61. Cultural diversity
    Presence of different cultures in a group or society
    Cultural diversity enriches the learning environment.
62. Digital transformation
    Use of digital technology in all areas
    Digital transformation is reshaping education.
63. Waste management
    Handling and disposal of waste
    Effective waste management reduces environmental pollution.
64. Productivity rate
    Measure of output per unit of input
    Higher education levels can improve a country’s productivity rate.
65. Inflation rate
    Rate at which prices increase over time
    A high inflation rate erodes purchasing power.
66. Public awareness
    General knowledge or understanding by the public
    Campaigns aim to raise public awareness about recycling.
67. Knowledge gap
    Difference in knowledge between individuals or groups
    Addressing the knowledge gap improves equality in education.
68. Social inequality
    Unequal distribution of resources and opportunities
    Social inequality can lead to unrest.
69. Life expectancy
    Average lifespan of a population
    Healthcare improvements have increased life expectancy.
70. Crime rate
    Frequency of criminal activity
    The city has seen a drop in the crime rate.
71. Healthcare disparity
    Difference in medical services among populations
    Healthcare disparity affects marginalized communities.
72. Information flow
    Movement of information within or between organizations
    Efficient information flow is key to effective communication.
73. Consumer rights
    Legal entitlements of buyers
    Laws protect consumer rights in online shopping.
74. Poverty cycle
    Repetitive pattern of poverty passed through generations
    Education is essential to break the poverty cycle.
75. Risk assessment
    Evaluation of potential risks
    Companies conduct risk assessments before launching products.
76. Digital footprint
    Data left behind from online activity
    Young people must be aware of their digital footprint.
77. Language acquisition
    Process of learning a language
    Children typically have a faster language acquisition rate.
78. Career progression
    Advancement in one’s career
    Skills training supports career progression.
79. Voting turnout
    Percentage of eligible voters who cast ballots
    Low voting turnout reflects political disengagement.
80. Air pollution
    Contamination of the atmosphere
    Air pollution is linked to respiratory diseases.
81. Family dynamic
    Patterns of interactions within a family
    Modern lifestyles have altered traditional family dynamics.
82. Medical breakthrough
    Important discovery in medicine
    The new vaccine was a major medical breakthrough.
83. Global warming
    Rise in Earth’s average temperature
    Global warming affects sea levels and weather patterns.
84. Technological gap
    Difference in access to technology
    Closing the technological gap is essential for development.
85. Job insecurity
    Lack of job stability
    Temporary contracts contribute to job insecurity.
86. Social stigma
    Negative label associated with something
    Mental illness still carries a social stigma.
87. Nutritional deficiency
    Lack of essential nutrients
    Vitamin D nutritional deficiency is common in winter.
88. Work ethic
    Attitude towards hard work
    Employers value a strong work ethic.
89. Healthcare infrastructure
    Facilities and systems for medical care
    Developing nations often lack proper healthcare infrastructure.
90. Resource depletion
    Exhaustion of natural resources
    Resource depletion is a serious environmental issue.
91. Financial burden
    Heavy cost or expense
    University tuition can be a financial burden for families.
92. Public trust
    Confidence people have in institutions
    Scandals can erode public trust in government.
93. Policy implementation
    Execution of government policies
    Effective policy implementation ensures desired outcomes.
94. Job retention
    Keeping employees in a company
    Training programs support job retention.
95. Innovation capacity
    Ability to develop new ideas
    Countries invest in education to boost innovation capacity.
96. Youth engagement
    Involvement of young people in activities
    Youth engagement is critical for sustainable development.
97. Global interconnectedness
    Linkage between countries and cultures
    Global interconnectedness affects economies and societies alike.
98. Judicial reform
    Changes in the justice system
    Judicial reform aims to improve fairness and efficiency.
99. Personal fulfillment
    Feeling of satisfaction from personal achievements
    Volunteering brings a sense of personal fulfillment.
100. Social mobility
     Ability to move up in social class
     Education enhances opportunities for social mobility.

Final Thoughts

Using less common noun collocations in IELTS Writing and Speaking can significantly improve your lexical resource score. These 100 examples not only sound more sophisticated but also demonstrate your ability to use English naturally and precisely. Regularly practicing these collocations in context will prepare you to impress IELTS examiners and reach a higher band score.

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