Updated on January 03, 2025
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Family

These family-related vocabulary terms frequently appear in writing, reading, listening, and speaking tasks about family roles, relationships, and societal issues.

Family Flashcards - Vocabulary Practice for IELTS

These exercises focus on Family Vocabulary

 

List of Family Words for the IELTS

Word/Phrase

Definition

Example

Relevant

Closely connected or applicable to the topic.

The discussion about family roles is highly relevant to modern society.

Order

An arrangement or sequence.

The family photos were arranged in chronological order.

Cause

The reason for an action or condition.

Financial problems were the main cause of their arguments.

Mention

To refer to something briefly.

He mentioned his extended family during the interview.

Tutor

A private teacher who helps with specific subjects.

The parents hired a tutor for their child.

Argument

A disagreement or heated discussion.

The siblings had an argument over inheritance.

Avoid

To keep away from something.

Families should try to avoid unnecessary conflicts.

Nuclear Family

A family consisting of parents and children.

The nuclear family model is common in urban areas.

Extended Family

A family that includes relatives beyond the nuclear family.

Many rural communities live with their extended family.

Relationship

The connection between people.

A strong relationship between siblings benefits mental health.

Arranged

Set up or planned, often by others.

In some cultures, marriages are arranged by the families.

Property

Land, buildings, or possessions owned by someone.

The family divided their property among the children.

Keep Wealth

To maintain or preserve financial assets.

They worked hard to keep wealth in the family.

Possession

Something owned or controlled.

Her grandmother’s ring was her most treasured possession.

Take Charge of

To assume responsibility or control.

The eldest sibling took charge of managing the household after their parents passed.

Provide

To supply something needed.

Parents must provide for their children’s education.

Advantage

A benefit or gain.

Living with family offers the advantage of shared resources.

Disadvantage

A drawback or unfavorable condition.

One disadvantage of living in large families is the lack of privacy.

Look After

To take care of someone.

Grandparents often look after the children when parents are at work.

Benefit

Something that promotes well-being.

Sharing childcare equally has many benefits for parents.

Deal With

To manage or handle a situation.

Families must learn to deal with challenges together.

Depend On

To rely on or trust someone for support.

Children depend on their parents for emotional stability.

Skimming

Reading quickly to get the main idea.

In the reading section, use skimming to identify the main points.

Scanning

Quickly looking for specific information.

Scanning the passage helps find answers efficiently.

In Contrast

Showing a difference between two things.

In contrast to nuclear families, extended families provide more social support.

Be Forced To

To be compelled to do something.

Many parents are forced to work long hours to support their families.

Spring Up

To appear or develop quickly.

New housing projects spring up in urban areas to accommodate families.

Duty

A responsibility or obligation.

It is the duty of parents to protect their children.

Responsibility

A task or role that one is accountable for.

Raising children is a significant responsibility for parents.

Complicated

Difficult or complex.

Family relationships can be complicated during conflicts.

In the Slums

Living in a poor or overcrowded urban area.

Many families in the slums struggle with basic needs.

Get On With

To have a good relationship with someone.

She gets on with her siblings despite their differences.

Supportive

Providing help or encouragement.

A supportive family environment helps children thrive.

Strict Rules

Firm and inflexible regulations.

The parents enforce strict rules about screen time.

Reach School Age

The age at which children are eligible for school.

When children reach school age, they develop social skills.

Misbehave

To act out or behave badly.

Children sometimes misbehave to seek attention.

Complain

To express dissatisfaction or annoyance.

Teenagers often complain about household chores.

Household

All the people living in a house.

The entire household contributes to daily chores.

Apartment Block

A building with multiple residential units.

Families in cities often live in apartment blocks.

Emergency

A sudden or urgent situation.

Families should have a plan for handling emergencies.

Grow Up

To mature or develop into an adult.

He grew up in a small town with close family ties.

Family Ties

Strong connections between family members.

Family ties are often maintained through regular gatherings.

Widowed

Having lost a spouse to death.

The widowed mother raised her children alone.

Ultimately

In the end or finally.

Ultimately, strong family bonds are essential for happiness.

Likely To

Having a high probability of happening.

Children with a supportive family are likely to succeed.

Society

A community of people living together.

The role of the family is crucial in shaping society.

Increasingly

More and more over time.

Families are increasingly adopting flexible roles in childcare.

Cruel

Causing pain or suffering intentionally.

Cruel punishments can damage family relationships.

Serving

Doing a duty or providing help.

The son is serving as the head of the family business.

However

Indicating a contrast or exception.

Families provide emotional support; however, conflicts can still arise.

Dramatically

Greatly or significantly.

The family’s situation improved dramatically after the move.

Be Allowed To

To have permission to do something.

Children should be allowed to express their opinions.

Protective

Showing care and guarding someone from harm.

Parents are naturally protective of their children.

To Face

To confront or deal with a challenge.

Families face financial difficulties during tough times.

Involve

To include or engage someone in something.

Raising children often involves sacrifices and effort.

Excessively

To an extreme degree.

Some parents are excessively strict with their children.

Maid

A domestic worker employed in households.

Many wealthy families hire a maid for household tasks.

Apprentice

A person learning a trade under supervision.

The boy worked as an apprentice to support his family.

Accurate

Correct or precise.

The accurate information helped the family plan better.

Tough Life

A challenging or difficult lifestyle.

The family led a tough life in the countryside.

Constant

Unchanging or continuous.

The constant support from her family kept her motivated.

Navy

A branch of the armed forces that operates at sea.

His father served in the navy and rarely saw the family.

Precious

Highly valuable or important.

Family time is a precious gift in today’s busy world.

Therefore

For that reason; as a result.

The family moved closer to the city; therefore, the children had better education opportunities.

Huge Amount

A large quantity of something.

Raising children requires a huge amount of patience and resources.

Attention

Focus or care given to someone or something.

The child craved attention from his parents.

Furthermore

In addition; also.

The family provided emotional support; furthermore, they offered financial help.

Various

Different kinds or types.

Families face various challenges depending on their circumstances.

Claim

To state or assert something as a fact.

The children claimed their share of the family property.

Share Childcare Equally

To divide parenting responsibilities fairly.

Modern families often share childcare equally to balance workloads.

Undoubted Benefits

Clear and unquestionable advantages.

The undoubted benefits of family support include emotional stability.

Summarize

To briefly state the main points.

The essay should summarize the role of family in society.

Restate

To say something again in a different way.

In the conclusion, restate the importance of family relationships.

Illustration of Family

Usage in IELTS Exam Formats

Reading Section

  • Words like skimming, scanning, and property are often used in questions about locating specific information or analyzing texts.

Listening Section

  • Words such as extended family, duty, and relationship are common in audio tasks related to family roles or societal changes.

Writing Section

  • Use terms like advantage, strict rules, family ties, and disadvantage to enrich Task 2 essays.

Speaking Section

  • Employ words like nuclear family, look after, supportive, and misbehave to answer questions about family dynamics or upbringing.

Common Mistakes

  1. Confusing "Possession" with "Property":

    • Mistake: "They shared their possession equally."

    • Correction: "They shared their property equally."

  2. Misusing "Skimming" for Deep Reading:

    • Mistake: "I used skimming to understand the full passage."

    • Correction: "I used skimming to get the main idea of the passage."

  3. Overusing "Advantage" Without Context:

    • Mistake: "Living with family is an advantage."

    • Correction: "Living with family provides the advantage of emotional support."

  4. Mixing "Supportive" with "Support":

    • Mistake: "Her parents were support during her exam."

    • Correction: "Her parents were supportive during her exam."

  5. Using "Get On With" Incorrectly:

    • Mistake: "She gets on with her tasks efficiently."

    • Correction: "She gets on with her siblings despite their differences."

FAQ 

What is the difference between "nuclear family" and "extended family"?

A "nuclear family" consists of parents and their children, while an "extended family" includes other relatives, such as grandparents or cousins.

How is "duty" different from "responsibility"?

"Duty" implies a moral or legal obligation, while "responsibility" is a broader term for being accountable for a role or task.

Why is "advantage" important in IELTS essays?

"Advantage" helps discuss the positive aspects of a topic, a common requirement in Task 2 essay questions.

Can "strict rules" be used positively?

Yes, "strict rules" can be seen positively when they promote discipline and structure, such as in parenting.

What does "skimming" mean in the IELTS Reading section?

"Skimming" refers to reading quickly to grasp the main idea of a passage, a useful strategy for time management.

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