IELTS Vocabulary: words that I don't use

A student asked me: Can I use the words pros and cons, leaps and bounds, merits and demerits?

Here's my simple answer:

No. I don't recommend using any of those words in your IELTS test. I never use them, so why would you use them? By the way, if you want to check whether I use a word, click here and follow the advice about how to search my website.

Here's a longer answer:

Why are you asking about those words? If you are studying vocabulary, you should be focusing on 'topic-specific' vocabulary, not 'generic' language (words and phrases that can be used in any essay). Linking words and other generic words or phrases might be necessary in terms of essay structure, but they don't help your vocabulary score. That's why, for linking and organisation, I prefer to use 'normal' vocabulary like firstly, secondly, finally, however, on the one hand, on the other hand, furthermore, advantages, disadvantages, benefits, positives etc. There is no need to find less common alternatives for these words and phrases.

Finally, a quick explanation:

• "pros and cons" is a bit too informal for IELTS writing.
• "leaps and bounds" is an informal phrase that we use to talk about improvements e.g. "Since living in the UK, my English has come on in leaps and bounds" (meaning: my English has improved a lot). You might be able to use this in the speaking test, but don't use it in an essay.
• "merits and demerits" is not a good alternative for "advantages and disadvantages". I've never used the word "demerits" in my life.

Comments

[Jun Ji]

Dear Simon,
Please give me your email for me. So I can easily contact with you to ask some questions.
Thank you.
Have a nice day

[James Z.]

Hi Simon,

I agree with everything you have said and I did exactly in the same way when I was preparing for IELTS. My question at the moment is, do you have any suggestions about improving English a bit further after IELTS? I know maybe this question is too generalised but just need advice on some sources to read around and learn from.

Thanks very much!

[Batman]

One way to begin activating topic-specific vocabulary is to try to summarize a good news article on the topic in less than 100 words.

[nkd]

Hi James Z.
You can look for C1 and C2 books (Cae and Cpe). They are more advanced than IELTS.

[L]

Thank you Simon. Very helpful lesson.

[Gaurav]

hello simon
so what we can use instead of advantages and disadvantages?

[Hi Simon,is positives a noun?]

Hi Simon,
Is the word positives a noun?

[Emily]

Hello Simon,

I believe that 'topic-specific' vocabulary is more important than 'generic' language according to your advice and advice from my tutor from ninjaessays. But I have a problem with filling enough vocabulary in my essays and not using pros and cons is also little bit hard as. Like a habit.
Do you have any advice for me?