Boost Your IELTS Score with COVID-19 Vocabulary

Covid-19 Vocabulary IELTS: Covid-19 shook the entire world to its core and forced it to a standstill, marking a new beginning of an era. This dreaded pandemic not only put a humongous dent in every sector of the economy but also trickled its way into our daily lives, impacting it to the point we cannot shake its weight off our chest even to this date.

That said, due to its impact on our world, the topic of Covid 19 has found its way into the IELTS assessments. In other words, individuals aspiring to achieve high scores in the IELTS speaking and writing assessments must cultivate a robust command of Covid-19 vocabulary. Please refer to the full blog post for a more in-depth exploration of scientific vocabulary for the IELTS exam.

Top 10 IELTS Covid-19 Vocabulary to Use in 2024

IELTS Vocabulary: COVID-19 radically altered our lives. Lockdowns confined us indoors, disrupting education, work, and social interactions. The pandemic emphasised the importance of health, resilience, and community support. 

That said, the topic of Covid 19 carries a lot of weight in the IELTS exam. Therefore, one must have a strong grasp of COVID-19 vocabulary to excel in the IELTS speaking/writing assessments. Let’s explore some key terms to boost your IELTS score.

Word	Meaning	Example
Pandemic	An outbreak of a disease that occurs over a wide geographic area and affects an exceptionally high proportion of the population	The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on global economies
Quarantine	A period of isolation is imposed on people or animals to prevent the spread of disease.	The government imposed a 14-day quarantine for travellers arriving from high-risk areas
Lockdown	An emergency protocol that prevents people from leaving a particular area.	Many countries implemented lockdowns to control the spread of the virus.
Social distancing	Measures taken to reduce close contact between people to slow the spread of infectious diseases.	Social distancing guidelines recommend staying at least six feet apart from others.
Self-isolation	Voluntarily staying at home and avoiding contact with other people to prevent the spread of illness.	People showing symptoms of Covid-19 are advised to self-isolate.
Flatten the curve	Efforts to reduce the number of cases of a disease to prevent overwhelming the healthcare system.	Wearing masks and practising social distancing helps to flatten the curve.
Herd immunity	When a large portion of a community becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of the disease unlikely.	Herd immunity can be achieved through vaccination.
Contact tracing	Identifying and notifying people who may have been exposed to an infectious disease.	Contact tracing is crucial in controlling the spread of Covid-19.
Asymptomatic	Showing no symptoms of the disease.	Asymptomatic individuals can still spread the virus without realizing they are infected.
PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)	Clothing and equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards, including masks, gloves, and face shields.	Healthcare workers wear PPE to protect themselves from infection.

IELTS COVID-19 Vocabulary: Most Commonly Used Idioms and Phrases

Idioms and phrases are crucial for IELTS success. They demonstrate advanced language skills, add colour to speech, and enhance fluency. Used appropriately, they boost your lexical resource score, making your language sound natural and engaging. However, overuse can be detrimental, so use them judiciously and accurately. That said, here are some of the most commonly used idioms and phrases related to COVID-19 that you can use in your speaking and writing assessments. 

Idiom	Meaning	Example
Bend the curve	To slow the spread of the virus.	Strict social distancing measures were implemented to bend the curve.
In the same boat	Experiencing the same situation or facing the same challenges.	During the pandemic, everyone is in the same boat, facing similar difficulties and uncertainties.
A new normal	A new way of living and going about daily life is used to indicate the changes brought by the pandemic.	Wearing masks and working from home has become the new normal.
Put on hold	To delay or postpone something.	Many events and gatherings have been put on hold due to the pandemic.
Catch the virus	To become infected with the virus.	He caught the virus despite taking all the necessary precautions.
Go viral	To spread quickly and widely, often used in the context of information or news.	News about the new Covid-19 variant went viral on social media.
In quarantine	To be in isolation to prevent the spread of disease.	She had to stay in quarantine for 14 days after travelling.
Flatten the curve	To slow the spread of the virus to prevent overwhelming the healthcare system.	Public health officials are urging everyone to follow guidelines to flatten the curve.
Spread like wildfire	To spread very quickly.	The Covid-19 outbreak spread like wildfire across the globe.
Stay safe	A common phrase used to wish others well and to remind them to take precautions.	People often end their conversations with “stay safe” during the pandemic.

5+ Tips to Improve Your IELTS COVID-19 Vocabulary

A comprehensive grasp of COVID-19 terminology is advantageous for IELTS candidates seeking to distinguish themselves from their peers. Consistent vocabulary expansion in this domain is essential. Familiarity with commonly employed COVID-19 lexicon can significantly enhance prospects for achieving superior IELTS scores.

• Regularly reading articles from reliable news outlets such as BBC, The Guardian, and The New York Times will expose you to a wide range of vocabulary related to the pandemic. Pay attention to how journalists describe the situation, the terms they use, and the context in which these terms appear. Take notes of new words and phrases, and try to use them in your own sentences.
• Websites of organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are excellent resources for learning precise and up-to-date terminology. 
• These sites provide detailed information on various aspects of COVID-19, from transmission and prevention to vaccination and treatment, helping you to grasp the correct usage of terms.
• Create and regularly review lists of COVID-19-related vocabulary. Include definitions, example sentences, and synonyms for each term. This methodical approach will help reinforce your memory and ensure that you can recall and use these words accurately during the exam.
• Utilize IELTS practice materials that incorporate COVID-19 topics. These may include reading passages, listening exercises, and writing prompts that require you to discuss the pandemic. 
• Practising with these materials will help you become familiar with the type of language used in the IELTS exam and give you confidence in using it.
• Participating in discussions, either in study groups or online forums, about COVID-19 can significantly enhance your vocabulary. Articulate your thoughts on the pandemic, share information, and debate various aspects of the situation. 
• This active use of language will help solidify your understanding and improve your ability to use these terms fluently.

So that was all about IELTS COVID 19 vocabulary. Hope the blog has answered your queries regarding the topic. 

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