Updated on January 03, 2025
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Work

This vocabulary list includes terms and phrases related to work, communication, and professional environments. These words are frequently used in IELTS Writing and Speaking sections when discussing topics like careers, job satisfaction, or workplace communication.

Work Flashcards - Vocabulary Practice for IELTS

These exercises focus on Work Vocabulary

 

List of Work Words for the IELTS

Word/Phrase

Definition

Example

Involve

To include as a necessary part or result.

The job involves working long hours in the open air.

Employment

The condition of having a paid job.

Employment opportunities have increased in the tech sector.

In the Open Air

Outside; in an outdoor environment.

She prefers jobs that allow her to work in the open air.

Enjoyment

The state of deriving pleasure from something.

He finds great enjoyment in solving workplace problems.

Association

A connection or relationship between things.

His association with the company lasted five years.

Fulfilment

A sense of satisfaction from achieving goals.

Job fulfilment is a key factor in long-term employment.

Occupation

A person’s job or profession.

Teaching is a rewarding occupation for many people.

Join

To become a member or participant.

He decided to join a trade union to protect his rights.

Trucks Deliver

Vehicles transport goods to specific locations.

Trucks deliver supplies to remote areas daily.

Supply

To provide or make available.

The company supplies building materials to contractors.

Ambition

A strong desire to achieve something.

Her ambition is to become the CEO of a major corporation.

Earn Living Through Trade

To make money by engaging in commerce.

Many families earn their living through trade in rural areas.

Look After

To take care of someone or something.

He was hired to look after the company’s finances.

Accepted For

Approved or allowed entry.

She was accepted for a role in a leading tech company.

Interested In

Showing curiosity or concern about something.

He is interested in exploring opportunities in marketing.

Avoid Trouble

To steer clear of issues or conflicts.

Employees should follow rules to avoid trouble at work.

Working with the Public

Interacting directly with customers or clients.

Jobs working with the public require excellent communication skills.

Available For

Ready or accessible for use.

The position is available for immediate start.

Financial Rewards

Monetary compensation for work.

The job offers excellent financial rewards and benefits.

Protect

To keep safe from harm or damage.

The union aims to protect the rights of employees.

Point of View

A perspective or opinion on a subject.

From the employer’s point of view, punctuality is crucial.

In Your Opinion

Asking someone’s viewpoint.

In your opinion, what makes a job fulfilling?

Issue

A problem or matter requiring attention.

Workplace stress is a common issue for employees.

Graduate with Honours

Completing a degree with high academic achievement.

She graduated with honours in business management.

Pros and Cons

The advantages and disadvantages of something.

We need to weigh the pros and cons before accepting the job offer.

Let Me See

A phrase used to pause and think.

Let me see, I think the best option is the first one.

I Guess That

A casual way of giving an opinion.

I guess that the meeting will finish by 3 PM.

Satellite

A device or object that orbits a planet.

Communication through satellite is essential for global trade.

Broadband

High-speed internet access.

Many employees rely on broadband for remote work.

Transfer

To move from one place or position to another.

She requested a transfer to a different department.

Consumer

A person who purchases goods or services.

Companies must understand the needs of their consumers.

Access

The ability to enter or use something.

Employees have access to online training resources.

Speedy

Fast or quick.

The project required speedy communication between teams.

Handy

Convenient or useful.

The new software is very handy for managing schedules.

Commercial

Related to business or trade.

The commercial success of the product exceeded expectations.

Periodical

A magazine or journal published regularly.

She subscribes to a business periodical to stay informed.

Exchange

To give and receive something in return.

Employees often exchange ideas during meetings.

Provide

To make available or supply something.

The company provides free health insurance to its staff.

Sample

A small part used to represent the whole.

The sample survey showed high employee satisfaction.

Be Able To

To have the ability to do something.

He is able to handle multiple tasks efficiently.

Verbal Communication

Expressing ideas through spoken words.

Effective verbal communication is essential for team collaboration.

Non-Verbal Communication

Conveying messages through body language or gestures.

Non-verbal communication, like eye contact, plays a key role in interviews.

Receiver

The person who gets the message or information.

The receiver interpreted the manager’s instructions accurately.

Message Clues

Hints or indications about the meaning of a message.

Facial expressions can provide message clues during conversations.

Decode

To interpret or understand the meaning.

Employees must decode customer feedback to improve service.

Gesture

A movement used to express an idea or feeling.

A simple gesture of appreciation can boost morale.

Body Language

Non-verbal cues expressed through posture or movement.

Positive body language creates a good impression during meetings.

Eye Contact

Direct visual connection with another person.

Maintaining eye contact shows confidence in an interview.

Facial Expressions

Movements of the face to convey emotions.

Her facial expressions revealed her enthusiasm for the project.

Participant

Someone who takes part in an activity.

Each participant contributed valuable ideas to the discussion.

Layout

The arrangement or design of something.

The office layout was designed to promote collaboration.

Annual

Occurring once a year.

The company holds an annual meeting to review progress.

Take Into Account

To consider something when making a decision.

We must take into account the potential risks of expansion.

Requirement

A necessary condition or need.

Meeting deadlines is a key requirement for this job.

Relatively

To a certain degree or in comparison to others.

The cost of living in the area is relatively low.

Obvious

Easily perceived or understood.

The benefits of teamwork are obvious in most projects.

Carry Out

To execute or perform a task.

The team carried out a survey to assess employee satisfaction.

Summarize

To briefly state the main points.

He was asked to summarize the findings of the report.

Draw Out

To extend or lengthen something.

The speaker managed to draw out the discussion for another hour.

Trade Union Officials

Representatives of worker organizations.

Trade union officials negotiate better working conditions for employees.

Diverse

Showing variety or differences.

The company has a diverse workforce from various backgrounds.

Engage

To participate or involve oneself.

The workshop aims to engage employees in professional development.

Informal Small Talk

Casual conversation about non-serious topics.

Informal small talk helps build rapport in the workplace.

Agenda

A list of items to be discussed in a meeting.

The meeting agenda includes budget planning and staff updates.

Illustration of Work

Usage in IELTS Exam Formats

Reading Section

  • Words like requirement, agenda, and financial rewards often appear in passages about employment trends or workplace issues.

Listening Section

  • Terms such as engage, employee, verbal communication, and prevent conflict are common in audio related to workplace scenarios.

Writing Section

  • Use phrases like pros and cons, take into account, obvious, and carry out to enhance essays about work-related topics.

    • Example: “The pros and cons of remote work must be carefully taken into account before implementation.”

Speaking Section

  • Employ terms like employee, look after, verbal communication, and fulfilment when discussing job preferences or workplace experiences.

Common Mistakes

  1. Confusing "Employee" and "Employer":

    • Mistake: "The employer works under the manager."

    • Correction: "The employee works under the manager."

  2. Mixing "Verbal" and "Non-Verbal Communication":

    • Mistake: "Eye contact is verbal communication."

    • Correction: "Eye contact is non-verbal communication."

  3. Overusing "Engage" Without Context:

    • Mistake: "The meeting was engaged with all participants."

    • Correction: "The meeting engaged all participants in meaningful discussions."

  4. Using "Annual" for Daily Events:

    • Mistake: "We have an annual meeting every day."

    • Correction: "We have a daily meeting to discuss progress."

  5. Misusing "Take Into Account" Without Action:

    • Mistake: "We must take into account, but no decisions were made."

    • Correction: "We must take into account all factors before making a decision."

FAQ

What is the difference between "employee" and "employer"?

An employee works for a company, while an employer is the person or organization that hires and pays them.

How is "verbal communication" different from "non-verbal communication"?

Verbal communication involves spoken words, while non-verbal communication includes gestures, body language, and facial expressions.

Why is "engage" important in workplace discussions?

It highlights participation, e.g., “Employees who engage in meetings contribute to better outcomes.”

Can "agenda" be used in casual settings?

Yes, but it’s more common in formal contexts like meetings or conferences.

How is "pros and cons" useful in IELTS Writing?

It helps structure discussions about advantages and disadvantages, e.g., “The pros and cons of flexible work schedules must be evaluated.”
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