[IELTS Vocabulary] Social issues

This vocabulary list is for reference only. Your Lexical Resource scores are calculated based on the overall level of vocabulary used in your writing and speaking answers. To improve your Lexical Resource scores, it is necessary that you improve your overall level of vocabulary.

However, skillfully incorporating these words in your writing and speaking answers together with a good vocabulary level will increase the chance of enhanced Lexical Recourse scores.

Vocabulary list

1. Poverty and Inequality

Word/Phrase	Type	Meaning	Example
Poverty	Noun	State of being extremely poor	Poverty is a significant social issue in many countries.
Inequality	Noun	Disparity or unfairness in opportunities or resources	Addressing inequality is crucial for social justice.
Socioeconomic status	Noun phrase	Position or rank in society based on income, education, and occupation	Socioeconomic status often determines access to resources.
Wealth disparity	Noun phrase	The threshold below which individuals or families are considered poor	Wealth disparity widens the gap between the rich and the poor.
Economic inequality	Noun phrase	Unequal distribution of wealth and resources	Economic inequality perpetuates social disparities.
Poverty line	Noun phrase	Threshold below which individuals or families are considered poor	Many families live below the poverty line despite working multiple jobs.
Social mobility	Noun phrase	Ability to move up or down in social status	Social mobility is limited in societies with high inequality.
Marginalized	Adjective	Excluded or disadvantaged within society	Marginalized groups often face barriers to opportunities.
Income inequality	Noun phrase	Disproportionate distribution of income	Income inequality contributes to social and economic instability.
Food insecurity	Noun phrase	Lack of access to sufficient and nutritious food	Food insecurity affects millions of people around the world.

2. Gender Roles and Equality

Word/Phrase	Type	Meaning	Example
Gender roles	Noun phrase	Socially constructed expectations about how men and women should behave	Gender roles have evolved over time but still influence societal expectations.
Gender equality	Noun phrase	Equal treatment and opportunities regardless of gender	Gender equality is a fundamental human right.
Gender stereotypes	Noun phrase	Oversimplified beliefs about characteristics or roles based on gender	Challenging gender stereotypes is essential for achieving equality.
Empowerment	Noun	Authority or power to do something	Empowerment of women and girls is essential for gender equality.
Gender discrimination	Noun phrase	Unfair treatment based on gender	Gender discrimination violates human rights principles.
Gender identity	Noun phrase	Individual’s personal sense of gender	Understanding gender identity is crucial for creating inclusive environments.
Feminism	Noun	Advocacy for women’s rights and gender equality	Feminism aims to address systemic inequalities based on gender.
Stereotypes	Noun	Oversimplified and generalized beliefs about a group	Stereotypes limit individuals’ potential and perpetuate inequality.
Gender norms	Noun phrase	Societal expectations regarding behavior and appearance based on gender	Challenging traditional gender norms promotes equality.
Gender gap	Noun phrase	Disparity between men and women in various areas	Closing the gender gap requires concerted efforts from society.

3. Immigration and Multicultural Societies

Word/Phrase	Type	Meaning	Example
Immigration	Noun	Migration to a different country for permanent residence	Immigration policies vary widely among countries.
Multiculturalism	Noun	Coexistence of diverse cultural groups within a society	Multiculturalism enriches societies with diverse perspectives.
Integration	Noun	Inclusion and participation of immigrants into a new society	Successful integration requires efforts from both immigrants and host communities.
Diversity	Noun	Variety of cultural backgrounds and perspectives	Embracing diversity strengthens communities and organizations.
Cultural exchange	Noun phrase	Interaction and sharing of cultural elements among diverse groups	Cultural exchange fosters understanding and appreciation.
Assimilation	Noun	Process of adopting the customs and values of a new culture	Assimilation can lead to loss of cultural identity for immigrants.
Tolerance	Noun	Acceptance and respect for differing beliefs and practices	Tolerance is essential for fostering harmonious relationships.
Refugee	Noun	Practice including and valuing all individuals and groups	Many refugees face challenges in adapting to new environments.
Ethnic diversity	Noun phrase	Variety of ethnic groups within a population	Ethnic diversity contributes to the richness of multicultural societies.
Inclusivity	Noun	The practice of including and valuing all individuals and groups	Inclusivity promotes equality and respect in diverse societies.

Idioms for speaking

These are idioms and phrases that use topic-related figures of speech. They can also be used in different contexts.

Idiom	Definition	Example
Break the (vicious) cycle	To stop a pattern of behavior that is harmful or negative.	To respond to kindness by doing something kind for someone else.
Call it quits	To stop doing something or end a relationship or activity.	“After years of disagreement, they decided to call it quits and end their partnership.”
Food for thought	Something that makes you think seriously about a particular topic.	“The documentary provided plenty of food for thought about the impact of climate change.”
Give a voice to the voiceless	To advocate for or represent the interests of those who are marginalized or oppressed.	“The organization aims to give a voice to the voiceless by highlighting their struggles.”
Level the playing field	To create equal opportunities for everyone, especially in competition or access to resources.	“Education is crucial to level the playing field and give every child a chance to succeed.”
Pay it forward	To respond to a kindness by doing something kind for someone else.	“She decided to pay it forward by volunteering at a homeless shelter after receiving help from others.”
Raise awareness	To inform and educate people about a particular issue or cause.	“The campaign aims to raise awareness about mental health issues in the community.”
See eye to eye	To agree or have the same opinion as someone else.	“Although they have different backgrounds, they see eye to eye on many social issues.”
Stand up for	To support or defend someone or something.	“It’s important to stand up for human rights and speak out against injustice.”
Take a stand	To make a firm decision or express a strong opinion about something.	“In the face of discrimination, she decided to take a stand and fight for equality.”
Turn a blind eye	To ignore or pretend not to notice something, especially wrongdoing.	“Authorities often turn a blind eye to corruption within their ranks.”
Break down barriers	To remove obstacles or prejudices that prevent interaction or understanding between groups.	“Cultural exchange programs help break down barriers between different communities.”
Cast a shadow over	To make a situation or mood less cheerful or optimistic.	“The recent economic downturn has cast a shadow over the prospects of many families.”
Kick the habit	To stop doing something that is harmful or undesirable.	“She decided to kick the habit and quit smoking for the sake of her health.”
Draw a line in the sand	To establish a limit or boundary that should not be crossed.	“It’s time to draw a line in the sand and take action against environmental degradation.”
Face the music	To accept the consequences of one’s actions, especially when they are unpleasant.	“After breaking the rules, he knew he had to face the music and accept the punishment.”
Ring alarm bells	To warn or alert people about potential danger or problems.	“The recent increase in pollution levels should ring alarm bells for environmental activists.”
Shed light on	To clarify or provide information about something previously unknown or misunderstood.	“The report sheds light on the challenges faced by marginalized communities.”
Turn over a new leaf	To start behaving in a better or more positive way; to make a fresh start.	“After leaving prison, he was determined to turn over a new leaf and lead a law-abiding life.”
Stand on the shoulders of giants	To benefit from the achievements or advancements made by those who came before.	“Our generation stands on the shoulders of giants who fought for civil rights and equality.”