100+ Dictation Words to Score High in IELTS Listening Exam

The IELTS exam is one of the important eligibility tests to be cleared for students aspiring to study abroad as well as working professionals ready to migrate to developed nations. This exam has four band parameters and Vocabulary is one among the four and carries one-fourth of the total band weightage. Many times students are good in spoken English but the written part goes wrong in spelling the words accurately. In this article, we will discuss some of the common IELTS dictation words that all can practice. These IELTS dictation words are essential for ensuring a good band score for the candidates. The candidates are advised to indulge themselves in abundant IELTS dictation practice.

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This Story also Contains

1. What happens in the IELTS listening section?
2. Importance of dictation words for the IELTS exam
3. Issues faced by the Indian candidates in the IELTS listening section
4. Dictation words for IELTS listening - Frequently used IELTS listening words
5. Common English dictation words for IELTS - spellings
6. Dictation words for IELTS - words with silent letters
7. Dictation words for IELTS: effective strategies for IELTS dictation practice
8. Preparation books for IELTS
9. IELTS practice tests

Remember that each wrong spelling in both the Reading and Listening modules of the IELTS exam will lower your score, even in the writing module, the band score will fall if you end up making English spelling errors. In this article, a collection of English dictation words are given. They must be be practised so that you do not score a low band because of wrong spellings.

What happens in the IELTS listening section?

In the IELTS Listening section, the candidates are asked 40 questions which are spanned across four recordings. The types of recordings include monologues, conversations, speeches set in academic contexts and so on. For each right answer, the candidates are awarded one band score. The candidates are supposed to listen to the audio and answer the questions based on it. The IELTS listening section examines the candidate's ability to multitask between the exam, active listening skills and vocabulary skills.

Importance of dictation words for the IELTS exam

IELTS dictation words play an essential role in improving the overall IELTS band score of the candidate. Thus, IELTS dictation practice is necessary and the candidates must incorporate it into their IELTS preparation. Let us discuss the Importance of dictation words for the IELTS exam.

Improves the vocabulary skills of the candidates

With each IELTS dictation word learnt, the candidates directly improve their vocabulary. Since vocabulary is one of the most important skills that is assessed for determining the overall band score of the IELTS examination, IELTS dictation practice can be of great help to the candidates.

Helps to improve their confidence

With more IELTS dictation words in the bank, a candidate can use a variety of vocabulary to structure their sentences. This would help them to gain confidence in their language skills. This is especially advantageous for the candidates during the IELTS speaking and IELTS writing test as these two tests measure the language skills of the candidate to a great extent.

Issues faced by the Indian candidates in the IELTS listening section

India is a country with a wide diversity. Many candidates who appear for the IELTS examination may not be having English as their first language. Due to this, the candidates may face difficulties across the various sections, especially in the IELTS listening section. Let us discuss a few reasons why the IELTS section might trouble the candidates a lot.

Presence of strong vocabulary

In the IELTS listening section, a lot of recordings may contain a lot of complex vocabulary which may be difficult for the candidates to understand. This might result in a lower band score than expected for the candidates.

The pacing of the recordings

Some recording audios might be paced in a really fast manner. The speakers who are fluent in English tend to speak at a faster pace as compared to the non-native English speakers due to which the candidates may not be able to follow what is being discussed in the audio.

Issues with accents

This is regarded as the most challenging issue of the IELTS listening section. Due to the fact that the IELTS conducting bodies have not opted for a specific accent, the candidates will listen to audios of various accents such as the British accent, the American accent, the Australian accent and so on. If a candidate is not used to listening to various types of accents, they might get confused listening to various accents.

Dictation words for IELTS listening - Frequently used IELTS listening words

It is essential to practice dictation for IELTS. Having a good understanding of the IELTS listening words can help candidates in improving their IELTS listening skills. The candidates are required to enhance their IELTS listening vocabulary each day during their IELTS listening preparation. They can start with easy dictation words and they progressively move towards the difficult ones. Various dictation word examples related to the most common IELTS listening topics are given below.

Dictation words for IELTS listening - Education

Listening dictation words based on education is essential for the candidates. This is because Education is a common IELTS topic and many words or phrases related to this topic are frequently used in the IELTS examination, especially in the IELTS listening test. Some of the necessary IELTS listening words related to Education are given below.

Dictation words for IELTS listening - Sports

The candidates should also be well-versed in the IELTS listening words related to the topic of sports. This is an examiner's favourite topic and can draw a lot of attention. Therefore, having a good understanding of dictation words in English related to the topic of sports can be of great help to the candidates. Some of the essential sports listening dictation words are given below:

Dictation words for IELTS listening - Technology

IELTS listening vocabulary skills are a very crucial skill that can be decisive in the IELTS listening band score. The IELTS vocabulary related to technology may not be easy dictation words, but using them frequently can be very useful for the student to enhance their IELTS listening preparation. Some dictation words examples related to technology are:

Dictation words for IELTS listening - Environment

The environment is what surrounds us. Therefore, the questions that can be framed from this topic are also very high. Now let us learn the English dictation words related to the topic of environment These IELTS listening words can be very beneficial for the candidates especially while attending the IELTS listening test. Let us discuss a few listening dictation words related to the environment.

Dictation words for IELTS listening - work and social life

Listening dictation words related to the topic ‘work and social life’ must be learnt by aspirants if they wish for a greater IELTS listening band score. IELTS listening difficult words might pose a significant challenge to the candidates and hence they must be aware of the below listening dictation words to enhance their IELTS listening preparation.

Common English dictation words for IELTS - spellings

words can be categorized into several groups, such as numbers, dates, names, addresses, technical terms, and everyday vocabulary. Here is a detailed list of dictation words that IELTS aspirants should practice:

1. Numbers and dates

Numbers and dates are frequently tested in the IELTS listening section. Candidates should be comfortable with:

• Cardinal numbers (e.g., one, twenty, fifty-seven, hundred)

• Ordinal numbers (e.g., first, tenth, twenty-second)

• Years (e.g., 1998, 2021)

• Dates (e.g., 5th July, 12/11/2023)

2. Technical terms

IELTS often includes technical terms related to various fields such as science, technology, and business. Candidates should familiarize themselves with:

• Scientific terms (e.g., ecosystem, photosynthesis, gravity)

• Technological terms (e.g., software, hardware, encryption)

• Business terms (e.g., revenue, investment, stakeholder)

3. Everyday vocabulary

Commonly used words in daily conversations are crucial. Practice dictation words that might come up in various contexts:

• Objects (e.g., furniture, vehicle, appliance)

• Actions (e.g., running, listening, organizing)

• Descriptive words (e.g., beautiful, efficient, expensive)

4. Common homophones

Words that sound alike but have different meanings and spellings often appear in IELTS dictation. Examples include:

• Their/There/They're

• Two/Too/To

• Right/Write

• Pair/Pear

• Hole/Whole

• Peace/Piece

• Sight/Site

• Flour/Flower

• Principal/Principle

• Stationary/Stationery

• Weather/Whether

• Bear/Bare

• Weak/Week

5. Academic vocabulary - dictation words for IELTS: most commonly used words in IELTS

These words are mostly used in academic writing task 1.

• Analyze

• Assess

• Context

• Data

• Evaluate

• Hypothesis

• Methodology

• Research

• Theory

• Variable

6. Common verbs - dictation words for IELTS: commonly misspelled words

• Achieve

• Believe

• Collaborate

• Describe

• Establish

• Improve

• Manage

• Recognize

• Solve

• Suggest

Dictation words for IELTS - words with silent letters

1. IELTS dictation words with silent "B"

• Climb

• Comb

• Crumb

• Debt

• Doubt

• Lamb

• Limb

• Subtle

• Thumb

• Tomb

2. IELTS dictation words with silent "C"

• Muscle

• Scissors

• Scenario

• Science

• Scent

• Crescent

• Discipline

• Fascinate

• Ascend

• Conscious

3. IELTS dictation words with silent "D"

• Wednesday

• Handkerchief

• Sandwich

• Edge

• Pledge

• Badge

4. IELTS dictation words with silent "G"

• Align

• Assign

• Design

• Foreign

• Gnome

• Gnaw

• Sign

• Campaign

• Reign

• Resign

5. IELTS dictation words with silent "H"

• Ghost

• Honest

• Hour

• Rhythm

• Vehicle

• Exhibit

• Exhaust

• What

• When

• While

6. IELTS dictation words with silent "K"

• Knife

• Knee

• Knowledge

• Knob

• Knock

• Knit

• Knuckle

• Knight

• Knack

• Knot

7. IELTS dictation words with silent "L"

• Half

• Calf

• Salmon

• Walk

• Talk

• Would

• Should

• Could

• Folk

• Yolk

8. IELTS dictation words with silent "N"

• Autumn

• Column

• Damn

• Hymn

• Solemn

9. IELTS dictation words with silent "P"

• Pneumonia

• Psychologist

• Psychiatrist

• Pterodactyl

• Receipt

• Psychology

• Pseudo

• Psychiatric

• Pneumatic

• Psychotic

10. IELTS dictation words with silent "S"

• Island

• Aisle

• Isle

• Debris

11. IELTS dictation words with silent "T"

• Ballet

• Buffet

• Castle

• Fasten

• Listen

• Often

• Mortgage

• Whistle

• Wrestle

• Christmas

12. IELTS dictation words with silent "U"

• Guard

• Guess

• Guest

• Guidance

• Guitar

• Tongue

• Catalogue

• Disguise

• Rogue

• League

13. IELTS dictation words with silent "W"

• Answer

• Sword

• Two

• Whole

• Wrangle

• Wrinkle

• Wreck

• Wren

• Wrist

• Write

Dictation words for IELTS: effective strategies for IELTS dictation practice

Practice reading regularly from authenticated materials like newspapers, academic journals, and online articles, and pay attention to new and difficult words. The best way is also to make a note of them along with their meaning and frame a sentence on them to retain the word.

1. English dictation word list

Prepare a word list that seems difficult to you or the words that are going wrong regularly and practice the dictation words so that you can learn them.

2. Use spelling applications and online tools

To practice dictation words dedicatedly, you can use online applications like Spelling Master and websites like “Spellingcity” that offer interactive exercises and quizzes to make learning dictation words more engaging.

3. Writing practice

Practising writing daily is the best way to excel in your IELTS preparation. Write essays, and reports and write your daily diary using these words. This will not only improve your IELTS writing but also help you in developing the vocabulary required for the IELTS exam.

4. Mnemonics and memory tricks

Use mnemonic devices to remember tricky spellings. For example, remember “necessary” by noting that it has one “c” and two “s”s (a shirt has one collar and two sleeves). Such memory aids can make recall correct spellings easier.

5. Dictation exercises

   Practice dictation word exercises where you listen to passages and write them down. This helps in understanding the pronunciation-spelling relationship and improves listening skills simultaneously. Use IELTS preparation materials for relevant practice.

6. Peer learning and group study

Join study groups where you can practice spelling with peers. Engage in activities like spelling bees or word games. Peer feedback and collaborative learning can provide new insights and make practice sessions more enjoyable.

7. Regular revision

Consistent revision is key to mastering difficult words. Set aside time each week to review and test yourself on the words you’ve practiced. Regular revision helps reinforce learning and improves retention.

Avoiding spelling errors in the IELTS exam requires consistent and focused practice. By incorporating these strategies into your study routine, you can effectively master difficult words and enhance your spelling accuracy.

Preparation books for IELTS

If a candidate wishes to elevate their IELTS preparation and secure greater IELTS scores, they must seek the help of dedicated IELTS preparation books. These seven eBooks designed by Careers360 have been curated with extreme care by subject matter experts to facilitate complete learning of the candidate.

IELTS practice tests

The candidates are requested to practice all the IELTS practice tests listed below to ensure an all-round IELTS preparation.

IELTS writing practice tests