International English Language Testing System (IELTS) assesses English language proficiency for study or work purposes abroad. IELTS requires a different approach to vocabulary compared to everyday’s "Normal English." The details on Normal English vs IELTS English can help one understand how to get good IELTS band scores even if their normal English is good.
IELTS is conducted to assess test takers' ability to use English effectively in academic and everyday contexts. However the language you use to chat with friends is often quite different from what's expected on IELTS test. When it comes to using English- there are two different forms- Normal English and IELTS English. Normal English is everyday English language used in casual conversations while IELTS English is more formal and structured - designed for academic and professional contexts.
Whether you're aiming to understand complex listening passages, write complex essays or confidently express your ideas in the speaking test - understanding of IELTS English is important. This article has all key details on the differences between Normal English and IELTS English. By going through the Normal English vs IELTS English vocabulary, examples and more- it will be easier to understand what is required from the IELTS test takers.
- IELTS English vs Normal English
- Difference between Normal English and IELTS English
- Normal English vs IELTS English | Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking Sections
- Normal English Vocabulary vs. IELTS English Vocabulary
- IELTS Speaking Test Example Dialogue between Examiner and a Test Taker
IELTS English vs Normal English
Normal English is used in daily conversations. It is informal, relaxed and includes slangs, idioms, contractions and more. Normal English is suitable for communication with friends and family. The vocabulary of normal English is simple and sentences are usually short and straightforward. For eg.-
"Hey, wanna grab a coffee?"
IELTS English is structured and formal. It is used in academic and professional settings. Vocabulary of IELTS English is advanced. IELTS English doesn't include any slangs and idioms. Sentences in IELTS English are longer and more complex. IELTS English eg.-
"I'd appreciate an opportunity to meet you for a coffee later. I am available after work hours".
Difference between Normal English and IELTS English
Differences between Normal English and IELTS English in the table below.
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| Aspect |
Normal English |
IELTS English |
|---|---|---|
| Vocabulary |
Uses simple and informal vocabulary. |
Employs formal and precise vocabulary. |
| Slang and Idioms |
Frequently includes slang and idiomatic expressions. |
Avoids slang and idioms. |
| Contractions |
Often uses contractions like "can't" and "won't." |
Uses full forms like "cannot" and "will not." |
| Sentence Structure |
Typically uses simple sentence structures. |
Often uses longer and more complex sentence structures. |
Based on Grammar Nuances
In Normal English, the grammar used is less formal and sentence structures are simple. On the other hand, IELTS English has complex sentence structures and higher level of grammar is used.
Based on Speaking Styles
Normal English conversations are casual and relaxed and make use of slangs and contractions. IELTS English speaking requires more formal and structured sentences, focusing on clarity and precision.
Normal English vs IELTS English | Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking Sections
IELTS Listening
Normal English Listening involves understanding everyday conversations, announcements and informal discussions. This often includes recognising slang, idioms and varying accents.
On the other hand - IELTS English Listening requires understanding formal lectures, academic discussions and factual information in the IELTS Listening section. The accents are generally clear but the vocabulary and sentence structures are more complex.
For eg.-
- Normal English- Hey, wanna grab a bite later? I'm starving.
- IELTS English- The speaker will now discuss the implications of globalisation on emerging economies. Please take notes as there will be a quiz after the recording.
Also read-
IELTS Reading
Normal English Reading requires a sound understanding of newspapers, magazines, and informal articles. On the other hand the IELTS English Reading requires comprehending academic texts, journal articles and nonfiction passages with complex vocabulary and sentence structures in the IELTS reading section.
Example-
- Normal English- Scientists find new planet that might have water.
- IELTS English- A recent study published in Nature elucidates the discovery of an exoplanet exhibiting characteristics conducive to the presence of liquid water thereby suggesting the potential for habitability.
Also read-
IELTS Writing
Normal English Writing includes informal emails, personal letters and social media posts. On the other hand, the IELTS English Writing requires producing formal essays, reports and letters that demonstrate coherence, grammatical accuracy and a wide range of vocabulary in the IELTS writing section.
- Normal English- Hey, just wanted to say thanks for the help! You're awesome!
- IELTS English- I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for your invaluable assistance. Your expertise significantly contributed to the successful completion of the project.
Also read-
IELTS Speaking
Normal English Speaking involves casual conversations, informal discussions and everyday interactions. On the other hand, the IELTS English Speaking requires engaging in structured interviews, delivering short talks and participating in formal discussions on several topics in IELTS speaking section.
For eg.-
- Normal English- "So, like - what's up with that new movie?"
- IELTS English- "I am interested in knowing your perspective on the recently released film particularly concerning its thematic exploration and cinematographic techniques.
Also read-
Normal English Vocabulary vs. IELTS English Vocabulary
Check out the differences between the vocabulary used for Normal English and IELTS English below.
IELTS Vocabulary
20 common words with advanced alternatives suitable for the IELTS.
| Normal English |
Advanced Alternatives (IELTS) |
Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Good |
Superb, Magnificent, Excellent |
Of very high quality; outstanding. |
| Bad |
Awful, Terrible, Dreadful, Substandard, Immoral |
Of poor quality; unpleasant; morally wrong. |
| Crazy |
Insane, Deranged, Unhinged |
In a state of severe mental illness; extremely foolish. |
| Famous |
Noted, Renowned, Celebrated |
Well-known; widely recognized. |
| Mistake |
Error, Blunder, Oversight, Misconception, Flaw |
An act or judgment that is misguided or wrong. |
| Many |
Abundant, Ample, Numerous |
Present in large quantities; plentiful. |
| Join |
Connect, Link, Associate, Integrate |
To bring together or combine. |
| Important |
Vital, Crucial, Essential, Significant |
Of great importance; necessary. |
| Help |
Assist, Aid, Facilitate, Support |
To give assistance; to make it easier. |
| Happy |
Content, Delighted, Elated, Joyful, Pleased |
Feeling or showing pleasure or contentment. |
| Show |
Display, Exhibit, Demonstrate, Illustrate |
To make visible; to reveal. |
| New |
Recent, Current, Novel, Contemporary |
Having recently come into existence; modern. |
| Clean |
Neat, Immaculate, Spotless |
Free from dirt, marks, or stains. |
| Interesting |
Intriguing, Captivating, Engaging, Fascinating |
Arousing curiosity or interest; charming. |
| Tell |
Narrate, Inform, Disclose, Recount |
To relate in detail; to communicate knowledge. |
| Think |
Believe, Consider, Deem, Speculate |
To have a particular opinion or belief; to regard something in a specified way. |
| Wrong |
Mistaken, Incorrect, Erroneous, Inaccurate |
Not correct; untrue. |
| End |
Cease, Terminate, Conclude, Halt |
To bring to an end; to stop. |
| Easy |
Simple, Straightforward, Elementary |
Not difficult; easily done or understood. |
| True |
Accurate, Correct, Genuine, Authentic |
In accordance with fact or reality. |
Normal English vs. Advanced English Sentences
| Common Word |
IELTS Synonyms |
Example Sentence (Normal English) |
Example Sentence (IELTS English) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Good |
Superb, Excellent, Commendable |
The research is good. |
The research methodology employed was superb, yielding significant and reliable findings. |
| Bad |
Awful, Terrible, Dreadful, Substandard |
The results are bad. |
The experimental results obtained were substandard, necessitating further investigation and refinement of the research design. |
| Important |
Vital, Crucial, Significant |
This topic is important. |
This topic is crucial for understanding the broader implications of the research. |
| Happy |
Content, Elated, Joyful |
The students are happy with their grades. |
The students expressed content with their academic performance, reflecting effective pedagogical strategies. |
| New |
Novel, Recent, Contemporary |
This is a new theory. |
This represents a novel theoretical framework within the field of cognitive psychology. |
| Big |
Immense, Enormous, Substantial |
The data set is big. |
The data set is immense, comprising a comprehensive collection of observations across diverse demographics. |
| Small |
Minor, Negligible, Insignificant |
The error is small. |
The measurement error is negligible, having minimal impact on the overall validity of the experimental results. |
| Difficult |
Challenging, Arduous, Onerous |
The assignment is difficult. |
The assigned task is arduous, demanding a synthesis of theoretical knowledge and practical application. |
| Easy |
Straightforward, Simple, Elementary |
The concept is easy to understand. |
The underlying concept is straightforward, facilitating comprehension among students with varied academic backgrounds. |
| Interesting |
Intriguing, Captivating, Engaging |
The lecture was interesting. |
The lecture proved captivating, stimulating intellectual curiosity and fostering active participation among attendees. |
| Show |
Demonstrate, Exhibit, Illustrate |
The study will show the effect. |
The study will demonstrate the causal relationship between the independent and dependent variables. |
| Tell |
Narrate, Recount, Disclose |
The author tells a story. |
The author narrates a compelling account of historical events, providing valuable insights into the socio-political context of the time. |
| Think |
Believe, Consider, Deem |
I think the results are valid. |
I deem the findings to be statistically significant and methodologically sound. |
| Use |
Utilize, Employ, Implement |
We should use this method in the experiment. |
We should implement this established methodology to ensure rigor and replicability of the experimental design. |
| End |
Terminate, Conclude, Cease |
The research will end soon. |
The research project will conclude with the publication of a peer-reviewed article disseminating the findings to the wider academic community. |
| Change |
Alter, Modify, Transform |
They need to change the approach. |
They need to modify the experimental protocol to mitigate potential confounding variables and enhance the internal validity of the study. |
| Help |
Assist, Aid, Facilitate |
This will help understanding. |
This will facilitate a more comprehensive understanding of the complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors. |
| True |
Accurate, Authentic, Genuine |
The data is true. |
The data presented is authentic, having been rigorously verified and validated through established statistical procedures. |
| Wrong |
Incorrect, Erroneous, Inaccurate |
The hypothesis was wrong. |
The initial hypothesis proved erroneous, prompting a re-evaluation of the underlying assumptions and a refinement of the theoretical framework. |
| Stop |
Cease, Halt, Discontinue |
Please stop the experiment. |
Please discontinue the experiment immediately. |
IELTS Speaking Test Example Dialogue between Examiner and a Test Taker
Examiner- What are your thoughts on the role of technology in education?
Test Taker- In my opinion technology has revolutionised education by providing free access to multiple preparation resources formats. To put it simply - digital tools have made learning more accessible and engaging. As far as I am concerned, the most important challenge is making sure an equitable access to these resources. For eg.- recent study on the use of online learning platforms for studying and preparing for exams showed an improvement in student engagement.
Yes, 320 is a very strong score for Germany. Most German universities look for a score around 300 to 310. If you have 320, you are well above average. It will help you get into top schools like TU Munich or RWTH Aachen. Focus more on the Quant score for engineering courses.
Yes, the Gallagher International Center guides students through the process to secure off-campus housing. It is highly encouraged for students to work closely with the team at the Gallagher International Center to avoid signing leases that may not be suitable for international students. There is plenty of affordable housing within walking of campus but it is best to consult with the GIC first. Students should not sign any lease before their visa is secured. Students enjoy the outdoor pursuits available around Vermillion as well as nearby cities of Sioux Falls and Omaha.
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Yes, IELTS English requires correct grammar usage, which is important for scoring well in writing and speaking sections.