IELTS Writing criteria
IELTS Lexical Resource, explained simply
Lexical Resource is one of the four IELTS Writing criteria and counts for a quarter of your Writing band. It measures how wide, precise and natural your vocabulary is, including less common words, collocation, paraphrasing, spelling and word formation. This guide shows what examiners actually reward and why the right common word often beats a risky rare one.
In short
- Lexical Resource scores vocabulary range, precision, collocation, spelling and word formation, worth 25 percent of your band.
- Examiners reward accurate, natural word choice, not rare words. A misused fancy word lowers your score.
- Repetition and approximate synonyms are the usual reason a score stalls at band 6.
What examiners look for
Lexical Resource is graded on four things working together: the range of words you can use, the precision with which you use them, how naturally they combine (collocation), and the accuracy of your spelling and word formation. Crucially, none of these rewards difficulty for its own sake. An examiner is asking a simple question: did you choose the word that fits the meaning, the register and the surrounding words?
That is why a confident band 7 script can look plainer than a band 6 one. The band 6 writer often reaches for a thesaurus synonym to avoid repeating a word, but picks one that does not fit. Replacing problem with predicament in every sentence, for example, reads as unnatural and signals weak control. The band 7 writer repeats a word when it is the right word and paraphrases only where the substitute genuinely fits.
Collocation is the quiet engine of this criterion. Words travel in expected pairs: you make a decision, you reach a conclusion, a number rises sharply, an argument is compelling. Getting these pairings right is what makes writing sound natural to a native ear and is one of the clearest dividers between band 6 and band 7.
Band 6 versus band 7 in practice
The table below shows the same idea written two ways. The band 6 version is understandable but repetitive and approximate; the band 7 version uses precise collocation and varied, fitting word choice. Notice that the better version is not harder to read, it is just more accurate.
| Feature | Band 6 tendency | Band 7 tendency |
|---|---|---|
| Word choice | A big problem for the government | A pressing concern for policymakers |
| Collocation | do a decision, make a research | make a decision, carry out research |
| Repetition | Important repeated five times | significant, crucial, central, key |
| Paraphrasing | Synonyms swapped in mechanically | Idea reworded so the meaning still fits |
| Spelling and forms | enviroment, develope, succesfull | environment, develop, successful |
How to build precision, not just length
The fastest way to raise Lexical Resource is to learn vocabulary in chunks rather than as isolated words. Instead of memorising increase, learn the family it lives in: a sharp increase, increase steadily, a marked rise. This gives you the collocations examiners look for and stops the unnatural pairings that hold scores at band 6.
Tailor your vocabulary to the task. On Task 1, where you describe data in about 150 words, you need trend and comparison language: rose, plateaued, fluctuated, a significant proportion, roughly double. On Task 2, where you write at least 250 words, you need argument and topic language: a drawback, to advocate, a compelling case, far outweighs. Mixing these up, using essay-style vocabulary on a chart description, reads as imprecise.
Finally, proofread for spelling and word formation in your last two minutes. Because the criterion explicitly covers these, a quick check for the words you commonly misspell, and for whether you have used the noun, verb or adjective form correctly, protects marks you have already earned. Lexical Resource never works alone, so read it alongside the other three criteria when you plan your revision.
IELTS Lexical Resource: common questions
What does Lexical Resource measure in IELTS Writing?+
Lexical Resource is one of the four marking criteria. It rates the range, precision and naturalness of your vocabulary, including less common words, collocation, paraphrasing, spelling and word formation. It is worth 25 percent of your Writing band.
Do I need rare or advanced words for a high Lexical Resource score?+
No. Examiners reward precise, natural word choice and accurate collocation, not showy vocabulary. A misused rare word lowers your score, while a common word used correctly in the right collocation supports band 7 and above.
Why is my Lexical Resource stuck at band 6?+
Band 6 usually means repetition and approximate word choice. You reuse the same words, swap in synonyms that do not quite fit, and make noticeable spelling or word-formation errors. Building collocation and precision is what moves you to band 7.
How much do spelling and word-formation errors matter?+
They matter directly. Lexical Resource explicitly covers spelling and word formation. A few errors are tolerated at band 7 if they do not impede communication, but frequent errors hold you at band 6 even when your ideas are strong.
Does Lexical Resource work the same on Task 1 and Task 2?+
The criterion is identical, but the vocabulary differs. Task 1 needs data and trend language (rose, plateaued, a marked increase); Task 2 needs topic and argument language (drawback, advocate, a compelling case). Both reward accurate collocation over variety alone.