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This deck builds the vocabulary you need to read, write and speak confidently about society in IELTS.
By the end of this deck you will be able to:
The deck is divided into five topic sections and one language section. Each section includes vocabulary words, collocations, and topic phrases.
Term
government
Definition
government
Example
The government should provide basic public services.
Noun. The group that runs a country.
Term
crime
Definition
crime
Example
Crime can make people feel unsafe.
Noun. Illegal activity.
Term
inequality
Definition
inequality
Example
Inequality can create serious social problems.
Noun. An unfair difference between groups.
Term
community
Definition
community
Example
A strong community can support its members.
Noun. People who live in the same area or share interests.
Term
culture
Definition
culture
Example
Culture influences the way people live and communicate.
Noun. A group’s beliefs, habits, and way of life.
Term
Society is changing quickly in many countries.
Definition
Society is changing quickly in many countries.
Example
Society is changing quickly in many countries.
Use to introduce social change.
Term
provide public services
Definition
provide public services
Example
Governments should provide public services for all citizens.
Verb phrase. Used for government responsibility.
Term
reduce crime
Definition
reduce crime
Example
Better education can help reduce crime.
Verb phrase. Used for solutions.
Term
reduce inequality
Definition
reduce inequality
Example
Education can help reduce inequality.
Verb phrase. Used for social solutions.
Term
build a strong community
Definition
build a strong community
Example
Local events can build a strong community.
Verb phrase. Used for community development.
Term
preserve culture
Definition
preserve culture
Example
Museums can help preserve culture.
Verb phrase. Used for protecting traditions.
Term
Governments should be responsible for public services.
Definition
Governments should be responsible for public services.
Example
Governments should be responsible for public services.
Use for government responsibility.
Term
public services
Definition
public services
Example
Good public services improve quality of life.
Noun phrase. Services for everyone.
Term
crime rate
Definition
crime rate
Example
The crime rate is higher in some areas.
Noun phrase. The level of crime.
Term
poverty
Definition
poverty
Example
Poverty can limit people’s opportunities.
Noun. The state of being poor.
Term
urban area
Definition
urban area
Example
Urban areas often have more job opportunities.
Noun phrase. A city or town area.
Term
tradition
Definition
tradition
Example
Some traditions are passed down through families.
Noun. A belief or custom from the past.
Term
One major social problem is inequality.
Definition
One major social problem is inequality.
Example
One major social problem is inequality.
Use to identify a problem.
Term
pay taxes
Definition
pay taxes
Example
People pay taxes to fund schools and hospitals.
Verb phrase. Used for government funding.
Term
increase the crime rate
Definition
increase the crime rate
Example
Unemployment may increase the crime rate.
Verb phrase. Used for causes.
Term
live in poverty
Definition
live in poverty
Example
Many children still live in poverty.
Verb phrase. Used for poor conditions.
Term
live in an urban area
Definition
live in an urban area
Example
Many young people prefer to live in an urban area.
Verb phrase. Used for city life.
Term
follow traditions
Definition
follow traditions
Example
Many families still follow traditions during festivals.
Verb phrase. Used for customs.
Term
Crime can make people feel unsafe in their communities.
Definition
Crime can make people feel unsafe in their communities.
Example
Crime can make people feel unsafe in their communities.
Use for crime and safety.
Term
tax
Definition
tax
Example
People pay tax to support public services.
Noun. Money paid to the government.
Term
law
Definition
law
Example
People should obey the law.
Noun. Rules made by government.
Term
income gap
Definition
income gap
Example
The income gap is growing in many countries.
Noun phrase. Difference between rich and poor people’s income.
Term
rural area
Definition
rural area
Example
Rural areas may have fewer public services.
Noun phrase. Countryside area.
Term
identity
Definition
identity
Example
Language is an important part of cultural identity.
Noun. Who a person or group is.
Term
Education can help reduce poverty in the long term.
Definition
Education can help reduce poverty in the long term.
Example
Education can help reduce poverty in the long term.
Use for social solutions.
Term
introduce a policy
Definition
introduce a policy
Example
The government introduced a policy to reduce poverty.
Verb phrase. Used for new rules or plans.
Term
break the law
Definition
break the law
Example
People who break the law should face consequences.
Verb phrase. Used for illegal actions.
Term
widen the income gap
Definition
widen the income gap
Example
High living costs can widen the income gap.
Verb phrase. Used for inequality.
Term
move to rural areas
Definition
move to rural areas
Example
Some families move to rural areas for a quieter life.
Verb phrase. Used for migration.
Term
protect cultural identity
Definition
protect cultural identity
Example
Language can help protect cultural identity.
Verb phrase. Used in culture topics.
Term
Public services should be available to everyone.
Definition
Public services should be available to everyone.
Example
Public services should be available to everyone.
Use for equality.
Term
policy
Definition
policy
Example
A good policy can solve social problems.
Noun. A plan made by a government or organisation.
Term
punishment
Definition
punishment
Example
Punishment should be fair and effective.
Noun. A penalty for breaking the law.
Term
wealth
Definition
wealth
Example
Wealth is not shared equally in society.
Noun. A large amount of money or assets.
Term
population growth
Definition
population growth
Example
Population growth can put pressure on housing.
Noun phrase. Increase in the number of people.
Term
generation
Definition
generation
Example
Each generation has different values.
Noun. People born around the same time.
Term
A strong community can improve people’s quality of life.
Definition
A strong community can improve people’s quality of life.
Example
A strong community can improve people’s quality of life.
Use for community benefits.
Term
increase public spending
Definition
increase public spending
Example
Some people believe governments should increase public spending.
Verb phrase. Used in policy debates.
Term
commit a crime
Definition
commit a crime
Example
Young people may commit a crime for many reasons.
Verb phrase. Used for doing something illegal.
Term
create opportunities
Definition
create opportunities
Example
Good education can create opportunities for young people.
Verb phrase. Used for social mobility.
Term
control population growth
Definition
control population growth
Example
Some cities struggle to control population growth.
Verb phrase. Used for urban planning.
Term
bridge the generation gap
Definition
bridge the generation gap
Example
Family communication can bridge the generation gap.
Verb phrase. Used for age differences.
Term
Cities need better planning to deal with population growth.
Definition
Cities need better planning to deal with population growth.
Example
Cities need better planning to deal with population growth.
Use for urban problems.
Term
public spending
Definition
public spending
Example
Public spending should focus on education and healthcare.
Noun phrase. Money spent by the government.
Term
prison
Definition
prison
Example
Prison is not always the best solution for every crime.
Noun. A place for criminals.
Term
low-income family
Definition
low-income family
Example
Low-income families may struggle to pay for education.
Noun phrase. A family with little money.
Term
housing
Definition
housing
Example
Affordable housing is a major issue in big cities.
Noun. Homes or places to live.
Term
elderly people
Definition
elderly people
Example
Elderly people need support from society.
Noun phrase. Older people.
Term
There is often a gap between rich and poor people.
Definition
There is often a gap between rich and poor people.
Example
There is often a gap between rich and poor people.
Use for inequality.
Term
improve infrastructure
Definition
improve infrastructure
Example
Cities need to improve infrastructure.
Verb phrase. Used for roads, transport, and systems.
Term
prevent crime
Definition
prevent crime
Example
Community programmes can help prevent crime.
Verb phrase. Used for crime prevention.
Term
support low-income families
Definition
support low-income families
Example
Governments should support low-income families.
Verb phrase. Used for welfare.
Term
provide affordable housing
Definition
provide affordable housing
Example
Governments should provide affordable housing.
Verb phrase. Used for housing policy.
Term
support elderly people
Definition
support elderly people
Example
Communities should support elderly people.
Verb phrase. Used for ageing society.
Term
The government should do more to support vulnerable people.
Definition
The government should do more to support vulnerable people.
Example
The government should do more to support vulnerable people.
Use for welfare.
Term
infrastructure
Definition
infrastructure
Example
Good infrastructure helps cities work better.
Noun. Roads, transport, power, and other basic systems.
Term
police
Definition
police
Example
The police help keep communities safe.
Noun. People who enforce the law.
Term
homelessness
Definition
homelessness
Example
Homelessness is a visible social problem in many cities.
Noun. Not having a home.
Term
traffic congestion
Definition
traffic congestion
Example
Traffic congestion wastes time and causes stress.
Noun phrase. Too many vehicles on roads.
Term
young people
Definition
young people
Example
Young people often adapt quickly to new technology.
Noun phrase. Younger members of society.
Term
Strict laws may help reduce crime.
Definition
Strict laws may help reduce crime.
Example
Strict laws may help reduce crime.
Use for law and order.
Term
support vulnerable people
Definition
support vulnerable people
Example
Welfare can support vulnerable people.
Verb phrase. Used for social help.
Term
improve public safety
Definition
improve public safety
Example
More street lights can improve public safety.
Verb phrase. Used for community safety.
Term
tackle homelessness
Definition
tackle homelessness
Example
Cities need better policies to tackle homelessness.
Verb phrase. Used for social problems.
Term
reduce traffic congestion
Definition
reduce traffic congestion
Example
Better public transport can reduce traffic congestion.
Verb phrase. Used for city solutions.
Term
give young people opportunities
Definition
give young people opportunities
Example
Governments should give young people opportunities.
Verb phrase. Used for youth policy.
Term
However, punishment alone may not solve the problem.
Definition
However, punishment alone may not solve the problem.
Example
However, punishment alone may not solve the problem.
Use for balanced crime answers.
Term
welfare
Definition
welfare
Example
Welfare can support people who are in difficulty.
Noun. Help from the government.
Term
violence
Definition
violence
Example
Violence is a serious problem in some communities.
Noun. Harmful physical force.
Term
opportunity
Definition
opportunity
Example
Education can give people better opportunities.
Noun. A chance to do something.
Term
public space
Definition
public space
Example
Parks are important public spaces in cities.
Noun phrase. Places everyone can use.
Term
social values
Definition
social values
Example
Social values can change over time.
Noun phrase. Ideas about what is important in society.
Term
Culture is an important part of people’s identity.
Definition
Culture is an important part of people’s identity.
Example
Culture is an important part of people’s identity.
Use for culture topics.
Term
protect citizens
Definition
protect citizens
Example
The police and courts should protect citizens.
Verb phrase. Used for safety and rights.
Term
strict punishment
Definition
strict punishment
Example
Some people believe strict punishment can reduce crime.
Noun phrase. Used in law and crime topics.
Term
share wealth
Definition
share wealth
Example
Some people believe rich countries should share wealth.
Verb phrase. Used in inequality debates.
Term
create public spaces
Definition
create public spaces
Example
Cities should create public spaces for families.
Verb phrase. Used for urban planning.
Term
change social values
Definition
change social values
Example
Technology can change social values.
Verb phrase. Used for social change.
Term
Young people and older people may have different views.
Definition
Young people and older people may have different views.
Example
Young people and older people may have different views.
Use for generation gap.
Term
citizen
Definition
citizen
Example
Citizens should follow the law and help their community.
Noun. A member of a country.
Term
public safety
Definition
public safety
Example
Public safety is an important responsibility of government.
Noun phrase. Safety of the public.
Term
social class
Definition
social class
Example
Social class can affect access to education.
Noun phrase. A group based on income or status.
Term
quality of life
Definition
quality of life
Example
Good transport can improve quality of life.
Noun phrase. General standard of living.
Term
diversity
Definition
diversity
Example
Diversity can make society more interesting.
Noun. Variety of people and cultures.
Term
Public transport can make cities more liveable.
Definition
Public transport can make cities more liveable.
Example
Public transport can make cities more liveable.
Use for city solutions.
Term
fund public services
Definition
fund public services
Example
Taxes help fund public services.
Verb phrase. Used for public money.
Term
rehabilitate criminals
Definition
rehabilitate criminals
Example
Prisons should try to rehabilitate criminals.
Verb phrase. Used for reform.
Term
improve social mobility
Definition
improve social mobility
Example
Education can improve social mobility.
Verb phrase. Used for moving between social classes.
Term
improve quality of life
Definition
improve quality of life
Example
Public services can improve quality of life.
Verb phrase. Used for social benefits.
Term
respect diversity
Definition
respect diversity
Example
Schools should teach students to respect diversity.
Verb phrase. Used for inclusion.
Term
Affordable housing is a serious issue in many large cities.
Definition
Affordable housing is a serious issue in many large cities.
Example
Affordable housing is a serious issue in many large cities.
Use for housing.
Term
People should respect different cultures and lifestyles.
Definition
People should respect different cultures and lifestyles.
Example
People should respect different cultures and lifestyles.
Use for diversity.
Term
Both individuals and governments have a role to play.
Definition
Both individuals and governments have a role to play.
Example
Both individuals and governments have a role to play.
Use for shared responsibility.
Term
This problem is more serious in low-income areas.
Definition
This problem is more serious in low-income areas.
Example
This problem is more serious in low-income areas.
Use to discuss inequality.
Term
Overall, a fair society should give everyone a chance to succeed.
Definition
Overall, a fair society should give everyone a chance to succeed.
Example
Overall, a fair society should give everyone a chance to succeed.
Use as a conclusion.