IELTS Collocations: Why 73% of Test-Takers Stay Stuck at Band 6.5

“I find it easy to make friends in new environments.”

“I try to keep in touch with my school friends online.”

“I generally get along with my colleagues very well.”

“I spend most of my free time reading or cycling.”

“I took up photography about two years ago.”

“I always pay attention to detail when cooking.”

“I've been making good progress with my English recently.”

“I try to do exercise at least three times a week.”

“It's important to have a balanced diet to stay healthy.”

“I would strongly recommend visiting the national park.”

“I'm deeply interested in environmental issues.”

“I have a keen interest in learning new languages.”

“She's been my closest friend since primary school.”

“I usually avoid heavy traffic by leaving early.”

“I always do some research before buying anything expensive.”

“I prefer to take my time before making a big decision.”

“I was raised to always tell the truth.”

“It's really difficult to break a bad habit.”

“In my spare time, I enjoy hiking in the mountains.”

“I love to go for a walk in the park after dinner.”

“I don't want to miss an opportunity to travel abroad.”

“I try to save money by cooking at home.”

“My success is the result of years of hard work.”

“Living in a new country is completely different from what I expected.”

“She is a highly skilled musician.”

“That performance made a lasting impression on me.”

“My teacher played a significant role in shaping my career.”

“I have a vivid memory of the first time I saw the ocean.”

“Travelling to Japan was a goal I finally achieved.”

“Living abroad really helped me broaden my horizons.”

“I will always cherish the memories from that trip.”

“She overcame many challenges to get where she is today.”

“Graduating was the moment I fulfilled a lifelong dream.”

“It can be difficult to strike a balance between work and family.”

“The breathtaking scenery in the mountains left me speechless.”

“I described my hometown as a bustling city full of energy.”

“Getting that scholarship was a turning point in my life.”

“I was deeply inspired by her courage and determination.”

“The event helped raise awareness about climate change.”

“Travelling together can really strengthen relationships.”

“Finishing a marathon was a remarkable achievement for me.”

“I had mixed feelings when I left my home country.”

“I gained valuable experience working in that role.”

“I took full advantage of the free time to explore the city.”

“That teacher left a positive impact on all her students.”

“Studying abroad was an invaluable experience I treasure.”

“Seeing the Northern Lights was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

“Finishing the project gave me a great sense of achievement.”

“It took years to come to terms with that difficult period.”

“Governments need to address the issue of rising inequality.”

“More investment is needed to tackle the problem of homelessness.”

“Climate change poses a serious threat to biodiversity.”

“Air pollution has become a growing concern in many cities.”

“Technology has had a significant impact on how we communicate.”

“Youth unemployment is a widespread problem across the region.”

“Authorities must take urgent measures to reduce carbon emissions.”

“The government has been slow to implement effective policies.”

“More funding is needed to conduct research into renewable energy.”

“Schools must find ways to raise academic standards.”

“Education can help bridge the gap between rich and poor.”

“These cultural traditions are deeply rooted in history.”

“The new immigration law is highly controversial.”

“A fundamental change in attitude is required to solve this.”

“Rapid urbanisation has led to overcrowding in many regions.”

“It is important to preserve traditional culture for future generations.”

“Many experts argue that sustainable development is the only viable option.”

“Economic inequality continues to widen in many countries.”

“A competitive market tends to foster innovation.”

“NGOs exert pressure on governments to act on climate change.”

“Corruption erodes trust in public institutions.”

“There is a stark contrast between urban and rural living standards.”

“The decision will have far-reaching consequences for the entire region.”

“Short-term policies are not a long-term solution to unemployment.”

“Global cooperation is required to combat climate change effectively.”

“Industrial nations must curb emissions immediately.”

“Overconsumption threatens to deplete natural resources.”

“Using public transit helps individuals reduce their carbon footprint.”

“Failing to act will lead to catastrophic consequences.”

“Deforestation remains a pressing issue in the tropics.”

“We must transition from finite resources to renewables.”

“Rising temperatures could cause irreversible damage to coral reefs.”

“The number of users experienced a sharp rise in 2022.”

“Sales reached a peak in December before declining.”

“The unemployment rate remained relatively stable throughout the period.”

“The data shows a gradual decline in manufacturing output.”

“Fossil fuels account for the majority of global energy production.”

“Temperatures fluctuated significantly between 2010 and 2020.”

“Online sales now outnumber in-store purchases significantly.”

“There was a dramatic increase in smartphone use after 2010.”

“There was a slight decrease in bicycle sales in 2019.”

“The overall trend shows a steady increase in life expectancy.”

“The two cities showed comparable figures for population growth.”

“A large proportion of respondents said they preferred remote work.”

“In subsequent years, the trend continued to decline.”

“This compares to 15% in the corresponding period the previous year.”

“There was only a marginal difference between the two groups.”

“Electricity usage peaked at 8pm on weekday evenings.”

“After rapid growth, the figures began to level off around 2018.”

“Tourist numbers surpassed all expectations in the summer quarter.”

“The company experienced steady growth over a ten-year period.”

“With the notable exception of 2020, exports grew consistently.”

“The area underwent a significant transformation between 1990 and 2020.”

“The farmland was converted into a residential area.”

“Many scholars put forward the argument that education should be free.”

“The disadvantages of social media clearly outweigh the benefits.”

“Excessive screen time has a detrimental effect on children's development.”

“Education plays a pivotal role in reducing poverty.”

“Long working hours take a toll on mental and physical health.”

“Urbanisation gives rise to many social challenges.”

“Rising temperatures will only exacerbate the problem of water scarcity.”

“Planting trees can help mitigate the effects of climate change.”

“Overcoming poverty remains a daunting challenge for developing nations.”

“There is a compelling argument for introducing universal basic income.”

“There is a widespread belief that technology always improves lives.”

“Corporations must bear responsibility for their environmental impact.”

“It is premature to draw a conclusion based on limited evidence.”

“Governments should allocate more resources to public health systems.”

“Technological progress often comes at a cost to the environment.”

“Better education policies could narrow the gap between social classes.”

“The argument is inherently flawed because it ignores key evidence.”

“There is irrefutable evidence linking smoking to lung cancer.”

“Poverty and poor education create a vicious cycle that is hard to escape.”

“Renewable energy is the most viable solution to the climate crisis.”

“Future generations will reap the benefits of current environmental efforts.”

“The Industrial Revolution had a profound impact on global society.”

“It is a common misconception that bilingualism confuses young children.”

“Some argue that strict drug laws are counterproductive measures.”

“Students attend universities to acquire knowledge in their fields.”

“Higher education should develop critical thinking skills.”

“Interactive tools enhance the learning experience.”

“Arts programs in schools foster creativity.”

“Many high school graduates decide to pursue higher education.”

“A holistic education focuses on both academic and emotional growth.”

“Modern businesses must embrace technology to survive.”

“Teachers can leverage digital tools to engage students.”

“Free internet access helps bridge the digital divide.”

“The lab uses cutting-edge technology to diagnose diseases.”

“Schools need to prioritize digital literacy for young learners.”

“Doctors advise everyone to maintain a balanced diet.”

“Desk jobs contribute to a sedentary lifestyle.”

“Obesity increases the risk of chronic diseases.”

“Parliament will enact legislation to curb plastic waste.”

“Equal opportunity is essential for promoting social cohesion.”

“Achieving a healthy work-life balance is crucial.”