IELTS Vocabulary — Band 7+ - Advanced Collocations & Phrases

Question	Answer
an increasing amount of research or proof supporting a claim	a growing body of evidence A growing body of evidence suggests that early childhood education has lasting benefits.
partly; to some degree but not completely	to a certain extent To a certain extent, technological innovation has improved the quality of healthcare.
has a crucially important function or influence	plays a pivotal role Education plays a pivotal role in shaping the economic future of developing nations.
following or as a consequence of an event	in the wake of In the wake of the financial crisis, governments introduced stricter banking regulations.
to help explain or make something clearer	shed light on The study sheds light on the relationship between diet and mental health.
to cause something to happen or exist	give rise to Rapid urbanisation has given rise to a host of environmental challenges.
to consider or include something when making a decision	take into account Policy makers must take into account the social impact of proposed economic reforms.
for the reason that; because	on the grounds that The application was rejected on the grounds that it did not meet the minimum requirements.
on the whole; generally speaking	by and large By and large, the reforms have had a positive effect on the education system.
for as far ahead as one can predict or expect	for the foreseeable future Renewable energy will remain a key area of investment for the foreseeable future.
over a long period of time; eventually	in the long run Investing in education yields significant returns in the long run.
a topic about which people hold different opinions	a matter of debate Whether social media does more harm than good remains a matter of debate among experts.
looking at something from another point of view	from a different perspective From a different perspective, the policy could be seen as a necessary short-term measure.
the fundamental reason for something, especially a problem	the root cause of Addressing the root cause of poverty requires systemic changes in education and employment.
a large variety of different things	a wide range of The university offers a wide range of courses to cater to diverse student interests.
almost all; the greatest part of a group	the vast majority of The vast majority of respondents expressed support for stronger environmental regulations.
a notably large part of a whole	a significant proportion of A significant proportion of the budget was allocated to infrastructure development.
to recognise or point out a difference between two things	make a distinction between It is important to make a distinction between correlation and causation in research.
to reach a judgement or decision based on evidence or reasoning	draw a conclusion Based on the findings, the researchers were able to draw a conclusion about the treatment's efficacy.
to remember or consider something important	bear in mind Students should bear in mind that academic integrity is fundamental to scholarly work.
to be realised or achieved after effort or planning	come to fruition After years of development, the urban renewal project has finally come to fruition.
in a way that causes harm or disadvantage to something else	at the expense of Economic growth should not come at the expense of environmental sustainability.
together with; in combination with	in conjunction with The programme works in conjunction with local businesses to provide internship opportunities.
concerning; in relation to	with regard to With regard to funding, the committee has proposed several alternative strategies.
with respect to; regarding a particular aspect	in terms of In terms of educational attainment, the country ranks among the highest in the world.
as a result of; because of	as a consequence of As a consequence of climate change, many coastal communities face the threat of rising sea levels.
in general; all things considered	on the whole On the whole, the project has been a success despite a few setbacks.
partly; to a limited extent	to some degree The success of the initiative depends to some degree on community participation.
a subject or issue over which there is continuing disagreement	a bone of contention The allocation of funding has been a bone of contention between the two departments.
to create the conditions that make it possible for something to happen	pave the way for The landmark ruling paved the way for significant reforms in the justice system.
to cause change to happen	bring about change Grassroots movements have the power to bring about change at the national level.
a situation in which one must learn a great deal in a short time	a steep learning curve New employees often face a steep learning curve during their first few months.
to deliberately ignore something wrong or unpleasant	turn a blind eye to Society can no longer afford to turn a blind eye to the effects of pollution on public health.
a small visible part of a much larger problem or situation	the tip of the iceberg The reported cases are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to cybercrime.
something that has both advantages and disadvantages	a double-edged sword Social media is a double-edged sword: it connects people but can also spread misinformation.
to remain popular, effective, or relevant for a long period	stand the test of time Only the most well-designed policies will stand the test of time.
to do something innovative that has not been done before	break new ground The research team broke new ground in the field of regenerative medicine.
very different from; much worse or better than	a far cry from The current situation is a far cry from the optimistic predictions made a decade ago.
to reduce the differences or distance between two things	bridge the gap between The programme aims to bridge the gap between academic theory and practical application.
a sequence of problems where each one makes the next worse	a vicious circle Poverty and lack of education can create a vicious circle that is difficult to break.
something that warrants serious consideration	food for thought The lecturer's remarks provided food for thought regarding the ethics of artificial intelligence.
a very difficult struggle, especially against opposition	an uphill battle Achieving gender equality in the workplace remains an uphill battle in many industries.
in a leading or most important position	at the forefront of The country is at the forefront of renewable energy innovation.
completely different from; in sharp opposition to	in stark contrast to In stark contrast to previous years, unemployment rates have fallen dramatically.
to conduct a systematic investigation into a subject	carry out research Scientists carried out research to determine the long-term effects of the new drug.
a large amount of useful information or knowledge	a wealth of information The internet provides a wealth of information, though not all of it is reliable.
the chief impact or force of something unpleasant	the brunt of Developing countries often bear the brunt of the effects of climate change.
an obstacle or difficulty that prevents progress	a stumbling block Lack of funding is a major stumbling block for many promising research projects.
taking something into consideration; because of	in light of In light of recent developments, the government has revised its economic forecast.
the most important or fundamental point of an issue	the crux of the matter The crux of the matter is whether the benefits of the policy outweigh the costs.
a situation in which everyone has a fair and equal chance	a level playing field Effective regulation is needed to ensure a level playing field for all businesses.
to fail to reach a desired or expected standard	fall short of expectations The new policy fell short of expectations in addressing income inequality.
to accept or adjust to a difficult or unpleasant situation	come to terms with Communities must come to terms with the reality of climate change and adapt accordingly.
to be in danger of something undesirable happening	run the risk of Countries that ignore environmental issues run the risk of irreversible ecological damage.
an action or event that helps one make progress towards a goal	a stepping stone An internship can serve as a stepping stone to a fulfilling career.
to do the preparatory work needed for a future activity	lay the groundwork for The early research laid the groundwork for significant medical breakthroughs.
to find a satisfactory compromise between two opposing things	strike a balance between Governments must strike a balance between economic development and environmental protection.
the largest part of something	the lion's share The lion's share of the funding was directed towards healthcare and education.
a result that is obvious or inevitable before it happens	a foregone conclusion Given the overwhelming evidence, the outcome of the trial was a foregone conclusion.
a complete prohibition covering all cases without exception	a blanket ban on The government imposed a blanket ban on single-use plastics in an effort to reduce waste.
to do something in the easiest or cheapest way, sacrificing quality	cut corners Companies that cut corners on safety often face serious consequences later.
to be closely associated or connected with	go hand in hand with Economic prosperity often goes hand in hand with investment in education.
very close to a difficult or dangerous situation; on the verge of	on the brink of Many species are on the brink of extinction due to habitat destruction.
to establish a standard or example for others to follow	set a precedent The court ruling set a precedent that would influence future legislation.
a fundamental change in approach or underlying assumptions	a paradigm shift The digital revolution has caused a paradigm shift in how we access information.
as something appears on the surface, without deeper analysis	at face value Statistics should not be taken at face value without examining the methodology used.
to go beyond normal limits or standards	push the boundaries Innovative researchers constantly push the boundaries of what is scientifically possible.
something that accelerates or triggers a process of transformation	a catalyst for change The pandemic acted as a catalyst for change in the way companies approach remote work.
to enjoy the positive results of something one has done	reap the benefits Students who develop strong study habits early on reap the benefits throughout their careers.
the responsibility or duty lies with a particular person or group	the onus is on The onus is on manufacturers to ensure their products meet safety standards.
a difficult or controversial problem	a thorny issue Immigration policy remains a thorny issue in many democratic societies.
in the middle of an event, situation, or process	in the midst of In the midst of the economic downturn, some sectors continued to show growth.
to be unsatisfactory or inadequate	leave much to be desired The quality of public transport in rural areas leaves much to be desired.
to be examined or inspected closely and critically	come under scrutiny The company's environmental practices have come under scrutiny from regulators.
to become stronger, faster, or more widely supported over time	gain momentum The campaign to reduce plastic waste has gained momentum in recent years.
to have doubts or concerns about something	harbour reservations Many academics harbour reservations about the reliability of self-reported survey data.
a turning point that marks a significant change	a watershed moment The invention of the internet was a watershed moment in the history of communication.
an essential or fundamental component of something	an integral part of Critical thinking is an integral part of a well-rounded education.
to have significant and widespread effects or consequences	have far-reaching implications The new trade agreement could have far-reaching implications for small businesses.
equal to; at the same level as	on a par with The quality of the local university is now on a par with many international institutions.
a subject that provokes intense discussion and disagreement	a hotly debated topic The use of artificial intelligence in education is a hotly debated topic among educators.
to be regarded as more important than something else	take precedence over Public safety should always take precedence over commercial interests.
the main factor or motivation that causes something to happen	the driving force behind Consumer demand has been the driving force behind the growth of the organic food industry.
to act contrary to what is expected or conventional	go against the grain The researcher's findings went against the grain of established scientific thinking.
the final course of action when all else has failed	a last resort Military intervention should only be considered as a last resort.
to cause people to notice or be aware of something	draw attention to The report draws attention to the widening gap between rich and poor nations.
the most important or fundamental point; the final outcome	the bottom line The bottom line is that sustainable practices are essential for long-term economic stability.
a time at which a decisive change in a situation occurs	a turning point The discovery of antibiotics was a turning point in the history of medicine.
to make progress, especially when this is slow or difficult	make headway Despite numerous obstacles, the negotiators finally began to make headway.
a reason to feel worried or anxious about something	a cause for concern The declining literacy rate is a cause for concern among education specialists.
to stop something at an early stage before it becomes a bigger problem	nip in the bud Early intervention programmes aim to nip behavioural issues in the bud.
the existing state of affairs, especially regarding social or political conditions	the status quo Many voters expressed a desire to challenge the status quo and demand reform.
a debatable question or a point no longer of practical relevance	a moot point Whether the policy would have worked is now a moot point, as it was never implemented.
the advantages and disadvantages of something	the pros and cons Before making a decision, it is essential to weigh the pros and cons carefully.
to make something seem more believable or trustworthy	lend credence to The new findings lend credence to the theory that exercise improves cognitive function.
the specifics of something are the most problematic or important aspect	the devil is in the detail The proposal looks promising on paper, but the devil is in the detail of its implementation.
a pattern of increasing values or improvement over time	an upward trend There has been an upward trend in the number of students pursuing STEM subjects.
at the most central or important part of something	at the heart of At the heart of the debate is the question of how to balance freedom and security.
an increasing level of agreement among a group of people	a growing consensus There is a growing consensus that urgent action is needed to combat climate change.
clearly and forcefully, leaving no room for doubt	in no uncertain terms The report stated in no uncertain terms that immediate reforms are necessary.
to present a serious danger or risk	pose a threat Climate change poses a threat to food security in vulnerable regions.
to have power or influence over something	exert influence Social media platforms exert considerable influence on public opinion.
to find a similarity between two different things	draw a parallel Researchers have drawn a parallel between rising screen time and declining attention spans.
to become a victim of something harmful	fall prey to Young people are particularly likely to fall prey to online scams and misinformation.
to produce successful outcomes	yield results The new teaching strategy has begun to yield promising results in student performance.
to deserve or require attention or consideration	warrant attention The growing rate of youth unemployment warrants urgent attention from policymakers.
to experience a significant change in form or character	undergo transformation The education sector has undergone a dramatic transformation due to digital technology.
to immediately deal with a growing problem before it gets worse	tackle an issue Governments must tackle the issue of plastic pollution before it becomes irreversible.
to have a strong influence or effect on something	have an impact on Parental involvement can have a profound impact on children's academic achievement.
to become more important or urgent over time	gain significance The issue of data privacy has gained significance with the rise of social media platforms.
to be the main cause of something happening	account for Fossil fuels account for the vast majority of global carbon dioxide emissions.
to emphasise the importance of something	place emphasis on Modern education systems place greater emphasis on critical thinking than on memorisation.
to reach a point where no further progress can be made	reach a plateau Economic growth appears to have reached a plateau following several years of rapid expansion.
to strongly object to or criticise something	voice concerns Residents have voiced concerns about the environmental impact of the proposed development.
to give official permission or approval for something	give the green light The council has given the green light for the construction of a new sports facility.
to reach the desired result or objective	bear fruit Years of diplomatic negotiations have finally begun to bear fruit.
to deal effectively with a difficult situation	rise to the challenge The healthcare system rose to the challenge during the unprecedented crisis.
to perform or fulfil a function or duty	serve a purpose Standardised tests serve a useful purpose in providing comparable data across schools.
to put an idea or plan into practice	implement measures The government plans to implement new measures to reduce air pollution in urban areas.
to develop or create a new idea, product, or way of thinking	forge a path The country has forged a path towards becoming a global leader in renewable energy.
to accept something difficult or unpleasant	come to grips with Society must come to grips with the ethical implications of artificial intelligence.
to establish or create the conditions for something to develop	foster growth Policies that encourage entrepreneurship can foster economic growth in emerging markets.
to solve the basic cause of a problem rather than its symptoms	address the root cause Effective policy must address the root cause of poverty rather than merely treating its symptoms.
to present an argument that strongly opposes something	make a compelling case Environmentalists have made a compelling case for banning single-use plastics.
to contribute to or be partly responsible for something	play a part in Poor urban planning has played a part in worsening traffic congestion in the capital.
to fail to achieve the expected standard or target	fall below expectations Student performance in mathematics has fallen below expectations for the third consecutive year.
to establish a new standard or way of doing something	set a benchmark The Scandinavian countries have set a benchmark for sustainable urban development.
to become the focus of public discussion or debate	come to the fore Environmental issues have come to the fore in recent political campaigns.
to accept responsibility for something	take ownership of Individuals must take ownership of their environmental footprint and make sustainable choices.
to be greatly different from something expected	stand in stark contrast The wealth of the capital stands in stark contrast to the poverty of the rural provinces.
to create new possibilities or opportunities	open up avenues Investing in digital skills can open up new avenues for employment in rural areas.
to attract widespread public criticism	come under fire The company came under fire for its failure to meet environmental safety standards.
to be very relevant and applicable to the present time	ring true The warnings issued by scientists decades ago ring true in the face of today's climate crisis.
to solve or explain something that was previously unclear	get to the bottom of Investigators are determined to get to the bottom of the financial irregularities.
to be unsuccessful in providing what is needed	fall through the cracks Too many vulnerable children continue to fall through the cracks of the welfare system.
to produce a strong emotional response or reaction	strike a chord The documentary struck a chord with audiences by highlighting the human cost of conflict.
to reach a turning point or moment of greatest intensity	reach a tipping point Scientists warn that the planet may be reaching a tipping point beyond which climate change becomes irreversible.
to carefully consider both sides before making a decision	weigh up the pros and cons Students should weigh up the pros and cons before deciding to study abroad.
to bring about a feeling of confidence or optimism	instil confidence Effective leadership can instil confidence in employees during periods of organisational change.
to impose or put into effect a law, rule, or system	enforce regulations Authorities must enforce regulations more strictly to prevent illegal dumping of waste.
to completely remove or get rid of something harmful	stamp out International cooperation is needed to stamp out the illegal wildlife trade.
to consider all aspects of a situation before acting	take a holistic approach Healthcare providers should take a holistic approach that addresses both physical and mental health.
to be the reason or explanation behind something	stem from Many social problems stem from deep-rooted economic inequality.
to strongly influence how something develops	shape the future The decisions made today will shape the future of education for generations to come.
to limit the size or amount of something	put a cap on The government has put a cap on tuition fees to make higher education more affordable.
to fulfil or satisfy a requirement or need	meet the demand The current healthcare system is struggling to meet the growing demand for mental health services.
to provide enough money or resources for something	allocate resources Governments must allocate sufficient resources to ensure universal access to clean water.
to happen at the same time as another event	coincide with The sharp rise in housing prices coincided with a period of historically low interest rates.
to cause someone to think carefully about something	give pause for thought The alarming statistics on childhood poverty should give pause for thought to all policymakers.
to remain unchanged despite challenges or passing time	hold true The principle that education empowers individuals continues to hold true across all cultures.

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