IELTS Vocabulary: Academic Word List and Collocations 4

Question 1

Choose the best AWL word to complete: 'The study ______ a strong correlation between sleep duration and academic performance in adolescents.'

Accepted Answer

revealed

Answer

'Revealed' is an AWL reporting verb indicating research findings; 'told', 'said', and 'spoke' are not used with 'study' as subject in academic prose.

Question 2

Which sentence uses the word 'fundamental' correctly?

Accepted Answer

Access to clean water is a fundamental human right.

Answer

'Fundamental' is an adjective meaning basic/essential; it modifies nouns ('a fundamental right'), not verbs, and cannot be used as a noun or verb.

Question 3

The word 'nevertheless' is used to express:

Accepted Answer

contrast or concession despite previous information

Answer

'Nevertheless' is a concessive linking adverb meaning 'in spite of that' — it introduces a contrasting statement following information that might suggest otherwise.

Question 4

Which is the correct collocation? 'The committee will ______ a thorough investigation into the financial irregularities.'

Accepted Answer

conduct

Answer

'Conduct an investigation' is the standard formal collocation; 'do an investigation' is informal; 'make' and 'run' do not collocate with 'investigation' in academic/formal English.

Question 5

The adjective form of the AWL noun 'hypothesis' is:

Accepted Answer

hypothetical

Answer

'Hypothetical' is the adjective form (e.g., 'a hypothetical scenario'); 'hypothesised' is past participle; 'hypothetically' is the adverb; 'hypothesising' is present participle.

IELTS Practice Test

IELTS Practice Test

IELTS Vocabulary: Academic Word List and Collocations 4