IELTS COLLOCATIONS!

1. Responsibility [accountability]
2. Responsibility [obligation, commitment, duty]
3. Relationship [connection, bond, tie]
4. Skill [ability, capability]
5. Family [household]
6. Job [profession, occupation]
7. Salary [wage, pay]
8. Productivity [efficiency]
9. Environment [atmosphere, ambience, setting]
10. Environment [nature]
11. Challenge [difficulty, trouble, struggle]
12. Obstacle [hurdle]
13. Decision [choice]
14. Opportunity [chance]
15. Goal [objective, aim, target, aspiration]
16. Activity [pursuit, endeavor]
17. Health [well-being, welfare]
18. Pressure [burden, strain]
19. Price
20. Cost
21. Need [necessity]
22. Competition [tournament, contest]
23. Competition [rivalry]
24. Competitive [competitiveness]
25. Balance [equilibrium]
26. Role [part]
27. Lifestyle [way of living]
28. Diet [eating habits]
29. Habit
30. Personality [nature]
31. Career [career path]
32. Satisfaction [fulfillment]
33. Importance [significance]
34. Expectation [hope]
35. Culture
36. Company [corporation, organization]
37. Reputation [image, standing]
38. Norms [standards, principles]
39. Time
40. Stigma [prejudice, stigmatization]
41. Awareness [consciousness]
42. Consequence [implication, repercussion, ramification]
43. Advancement [development, growth, advance, breakthrough]
44. Reason [cause, motive, explanation]
45. Benefit [advantage, positive, upside]
46. Problem [issue]
47. Solution [measure, remedy]
48. Popularity
49. Conflict [fight]
50. Trait [characteristic, attribute, quality]
1] Responsibility = accountability

Take responsibility for

Accept responsibility for
Shoulder responsibility for
Bear responsibility when it comes to
Assume responsibility in terms of

Parents should take responsibility for supervising their children.

It is important for schools to assume responsibility in terms of children’s academic and social growth.
Both parents and teachers ought to bear responsibility when it comes to children’s academic performance.

Abdicate responsibility for

Shirk responsibility for
Evade responsibility for

Many individuals abdicate responsibility when it comes to their health and point fingers on external influences.
If parents shirk responsibility for taking care of their children’s mental health, children will continue to suffer from stress and
anxiety.
As long as teachers evade responsibility in terms of environmental education, children will not grow into environmentally
conscious citizens.

The responsibility for __ falls on __

The responsibility of __ lies with __
The responsibility for __ rests with __

The responsibility for looking after senior citizens falls on both governments and younger individuals.
The responsibility of making a livelihood lies with fathers in most cultures.
The responsibility for supporting homeless individuals should rest with the government and charity organizations alike.

Foster a profound sense of responsibility

Cultivate a deep sense of responsibility
Inculcate a strong sense of responsibility
Instill within __ a sense of responsibility

It is crucial for parents to instill within their children a strong sense of responsibility.
It is imperative for teachers to foster a profound sense of responsibility in their students.
Living alone cultivates a deep sense of responsibility, thus promoting personal growth.

2] Responsibility = commitment = obligation = duty

Family | familial | domestic | parental responsibilities

Job | work | workplace | professional responsibilities
Study | academic | learning responsibilities
Financial responsibilities | obligations | commitments | duties
Heavy | weighty | lefty responsibilities

Many people today prioritize their job responsibilities over familial obligations, leading to the loss of work-life balance.
I don’t spend quality time with my friends because of my professional and academic commitments.

Fulfill responsibilities
Meet responsibilities
Carry out responsibilities
Face up to responsibilities
Due to their busy work schedules, many individuals struggle to spend quality time with their kids and meet their parental
responsibilities.
If employees continue to fulfill their job responsibilities effectively, they can get promotions and pay increments.

3] Relationship = connection = bond = tie

Friendly | harmonious relationships

Happy | strong | close relationships
Healthy | good relationships

People with healthy relationships are usually happier than others.

Without harmonious relationships with our neighbors and colleagues, we struggle to find a sense of happiness.

Broken | failed | strained | troubled relationships

Fragile | difficult | uneasy relationships
Unhealthy | toxic relationships

The majority of depressed people come from unhealthy relationships, especially among adolescents.
Because of my fragile relationship with my parents, I often feel lonely.

Brief | casual | short-term relationships

Enduring | stable | long-standing | long-term relationships

With the development of internet resources, it has become increasingly common for individuals to have casual relationships in
place of long-term, stable bonds.
In the absence of enduring, healthy relationships, people often experience isolation and alienation.

Personal | interpersonal | social relationships

Professional | working | colleague relationships
Family | familial | marital | parent-child relationships
Neighborly relationships

As a result of poor parent-child relationships, children are increasingly falling victim to peer pressure and media influence.
As far as happiness is concerned, our interpersonal relationships with our family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers play a
major role.

Build relationships
Establish relationships
Form relationships
Foster relationships

Social skills such as communication and conflict resolution are of great importance in forming healthy relationships on both
personal and professional contexts.
Establishing harmonious colleague relationships helps individuals find a great sense of job satisfaction.

Cement | improve | strengthen relationships

Continue | maintain | retain relationships
Handle | manage | navigate relationships

Without essential interpersonal skills and qualities, individuals struggle to navigate their personal and professional relationships.
Face-to-face interaction plays a crucial role in cementing our neighborly relationships.

Break off a relationship

Destroy a relationship | blow a relationship into bits

I decided to break off this toxic relationship.

Lack of trust and mutual understanding destroys many relationships.
Alcohol consumption blows your relationships into bits.

Relationships flourish | blossom | deepen | get better

Relationships deteriorate | worsen | become strained | break down | break up | go wrong

Personal relationships flourish as long as two individuals do their absolute best.

Once honesty and transparency disappear, relationships break down.

4] Skill = ability = capability

[communication, negotiation, conflict resolution, teamwork, cooperation, networking, public speaking, emotional intelligence,
problem-solving, decision-making, critical-thinking, logical-reasoning, analytical, leadership, time management, financial
management, creativity, adaptability, attention to detail]

Have | possess __ skills

Lack __ skills

Great leaders must possess strong decision-making and problem-solving skills.

Reading books can be particularly beneficial for those who lack critical-thinking and logical-reasoning skills.

Require | necessitate __ skills

Need __ skills to

Leadership necessitates a variety of skills, ranging from persuasion and effective communication to decision-making, problem-
solving, and critical-thinking.
To be an accomplished leader, individuals need an extensive array of abilities, including but not limited to persuasion, effective
communication, decision-making, and problem-solving,
Effective leadership requires a diverse set of capabilities, including the capacity to influence others, communicate effectively,
make decisions, solve problems, and think critically.

Learn | acquire | pick up | develop __ skills

Improve | enhance | hone | sharpen | upgrade | broaden __ skills
Use | utilize | apply | harness __ skills

School provides children with valuable opportunities to develop social skills, such as effective communication, negotiation, and
conflict resolution.
Reading books offers individuals the chance to hone their cognitive abilities, including but not limited to critical thinking,
logical reasoning, and decision making.
It is important for great leaders to harness the skills of their employees to accomplish common goals/shared objectives.

5] Family = household

Wealthy | affluent | high-income families

Poor | low-income | hard-up families
Middle-income | middle-class | working-class families

In my country, hard-up families far outnumber affluent households.

I live in a working-class family with enormous financial difficulties.

Immediate | nuclear | conjugal families

Extended families

Children who live in extended family units tend to be more socially savvy than those with immediate family members.
In recent times, nuclear families have become much more common compared to extended households.

Close | closely-knit | supportive | closely-bonded families

Dysfunctional | broken | troubled | unhealthy families

Students who live in dysfunctional family units usually fall behind their peers.
Children who have closely-knit families are more likely to excel in their academic pursuits and extra-curricular activities.

Live in a family
Belong to a family
Come from a family

Those who come from low-income families have higher chances of personal and professional success.
Those who belong to affluent families possess more resources and opportunities in comparison with their poorer counterparts.

Feed | sustain | support one’s family

Cover one’s family expenses
Meet one’s household expenses

Many individuals work in multiple jobs, or overtime to cover their family expenses.
I have been teaching both online and offline to feed my family.

Come from a disadvantaged socio-economic background

Come from an underprivileged economic background
Hail from economically deprived backgrounds

Working in lucrative jobs can be particularly beneficial for those hailing from economically deprived backgrounds.
Although I come from a disadvantaged socio-economic background, I managed to break the circyle of poverty.

6] Job = profession = occupation

Look for a job

Apply for | go for a job
Find | get | take a job
Give up | resign from | leave a job

Many individuals in poorer countries struggle to find a job to support their families.
When senior citizens apply for a job, they often face discrimination purely because of their old age.
When young people look for a job, they take financial and emotional factors into account.

Highly-paid | well-paid | financially rewarding | lucrative jobs

Badly-paid | low-paid jobs
Decent | worthwhile | satisfying jobs
Challenging | demanding | taxing jobs
Menial | routine | undemanding jobs
Reputable | prestigious | highly regarded jobs

Having a financially rewarding job offers individuals the chance to not only meet their basic necessities but also enjoy a
comfortable standard of living.
Teaching is one of the lowest-paid jobs despite being extremely demanding.
Job satisfaction
Work fulfillment
Job contentment

Without a sense of job satisfaction, workers may become demotivated to work hard.
The presence of positive collague relationships and effective leadership fosters a deep sense of work fulfillent in the workplace.

Job opportunities
Job possibilities
Job prospects
Job options

Many rural residents flock to metropolitan areas in search of greater job prospects.
An effective way to combat poverty is by increasing job opportunities in the country.

Job seekers
Job hunters
Job applicants

Job applicants need both soft and hard skills to find a decent job.
Tourism provides jop seekers with a diversity of employment options.

7] Salary = wage = pay

High | large | generous | competitive salaries

Low | small | meager | substandard salaries
Average | basic | decent | reasonable salaries

Many uzbek people are barely getting by on substandard wages.

I have a reasonable salary to cover my living expenses and support my family.

Pay | offer | provide salaries

Earn | receive | get salaries
Increase | raise | elevate salaries
Decrease | cut | reduce salaries

When employees are paid competitive wages, they feel motivated to work harder and achieve their optimal productivity.
Raising salaries is an effective way of motivating staff members to fulfill their job responsibilities successfully.

Salary rises | increases | increments | hikes

A rise | increase | improvement in salary
A cut | drop | reduction in salary

Many managers rely on regular pay increments to maximize employee productivity.

Although I was asked to take a cut in salary, I didn’t leave my job because of my consuming passion.

8] Productivity = efficiency

Work | workplace | employee producivity

Learning | studying | academic efficiency

Companies offer salary hikes, financial rewards, and perks so as to maximize employee productivity.
Studying independently can improve children’s academic efficiency because of its positive impact on concentration and
motivation.
Increase | raise | enhance | boost | maximize productivity
Reduce | diminish | impair | dampen | undermine | compromise productvity

A sense of recognition plays an instrumental role in boosting productivity among employees.

Excessive pressure from managers may dampen workers’ productivity.

An increase | improvement | gain in productivity

A decline | reduction in productivity

A by-product of healthy colleague relationships is a gain in productivity.

Lack of mutual understanding and camaraderie among staff members can result in a decline in productivity levels.

9] Environment = setting = atmosphere = ambience

Family | familial | home environment

Work | working | workplace environment
School | learning | educational environment
Living | social | societal environment

A safe and supportive home environment plays a crucial role in a child’s comprehensive development.
A positive workplace environment, typically associated with harmonious colleague relationships, great leadership, honest and
transparent communication, recognition and incentives, and work-life balance, promotes job satisfaction and productivity.

Friendly | supportive | favorable | pleasant environment

Positive | healthy | stimulating | conducive environment
Hostile | harsh | extreme environment
Fragile | unstable | unhealthy | poor environment

A coducive learning environment not only helps bright students progress quickly but also prevents students with additional
needs from falling behind their classmates.
An unhealthy family atmosphere compromises children’s academic performance and personal growth.

Create | foster | cultivate an environment

Improve | enhance | have a positive impact on the environment
Adversely affect | negatively impact the environment

Companies should cultivate a positive workplace environment to boost their employees’ productivity.
Acknowledgement and financial rewards significantly enhance employee motivation and efficiency.

10] Environment = nature

Protect | preserve | safeguard | conserve the environment

Harm | damage | pollute | contaminate the environment
Environmental protection | preservation | conservation

Individuals should take steps to conserve the natural environment as opposed to polluting it.
Human activities such as deforestation have been harming the natural environment for a long time.

Harmful | detrimental | hazardous to the environment

Adverse | negative | deleterious | damaging effects on the environment
Environmentally harmful | unsustainable | unfriendly
Eco-friendly | environmentally friendly
It is important to take measures to replace environmentally unsustainable energy sources with eco-friendly green energy.
Plastic bags and bottles are banned in many eco-friendly cities because of their deleterious effects on the environment.

Environmental consciousness | awareness

Environmental responsibility | stewardship
Environmental degradation | deterioration
Environmental pollution | contamination
Environmental damage | harm

Schools should assume responsibility in terms of raising environmental awareness.

Parents should take accountability for instilling within children a strong sense of environmental responsibility.
Environmental degradation, typically associated with air pollution and global warming, is a major global issue.

Environmentally conscious | aware

Environmntally responsible | conscientious

Not only should governments implement vital policies to preserve the natural environment, but individuals should also be more
environmentally conscious and responsible.
While environmental consciousness is about being aware of environmental hazards, environmental
responsibility/conscientiousness means taking action to conserve the planet Earth.

11] Challenge = difficulty = trouble = struggle

Personal | professional | familial | financial | mental challenges

Enormous | considerable | serious | major | massive challenges

Some individuals resort to committing criminal acts due to major financial challenges.
People today have enormous mental challenges compared to previous generations.

Cause | pose | present challenges

Face | encounter challenges
Experience | grapple with | struggle with challenges
Deal with | cope with | handle challenges

Living overseas can pose serious social and practical challenges.

Living independently usually presents psychological and financial difficulties.
Palestinian people have been grappling with a variety of massive challenges for a long period of time.

12] Obstacle = hurdle

Enormous | serious | major | formidable | daunting obstacles

Impossible | insuperable | insurmountable obstacles

In spite of formidable obstacles, I didn’t resign from my job.

Pulling off a band 9.0 in IELTS has proved an almost insurmountable obstacle for uzbek candidates.

Face | encounter | come across obstacles

Overcome | surmount | remove obstacles

Although expatriates come across social and economic obstacles in a foreign country, these formidable hurdles can be
overcome.
In order to surmount formidable obstacles, one needs mental resilience, determination, and perseverance.

13] Decision = choice

Important | crucial | momentous | fateful decisions
Difficult | hard | tough decisions
Wise | rational | sensible | well-informed | well-educated decisions
Unwise | poor | arbitrary decisions

Leaders possess the capacity to make well-informed, sensible decisions thanks to their good judgement.
If we keep making arbitrary, poor choices, we may end up failing repeatedly.

Make | take a decision

Reach | come to | arrive at a decision

If you are adept at making decisions, you don’t struggle to solve problems effectively.
Real leaders take others’ opinions into consideration before reaching rational decisions.

14] Opportunity = chance

Ample | plenty of opportunity

Limited | little opportunity
Great | excellent | favorable | wonderful opportunities
Ideal | perfect | once-in-a-lifetime | unique | unparalleled | unprecedented opportunity

We have plenty of opportunity to accomplish our aspirations.

Playing football offers a unique opportunity to connect with our peers.
Last year, I had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet Lionel Messi in person.

Increase job opportunities | possibilities | prospects | options

Extend career opportunities | possibilities | prospects | options
Expand employment opportunities | possibilities | prospects | options

Broadening employment opportunities offers governments the chance to combat poverty and, by extension, crime.
Tourism can generate a diversity of job opportunities for local inhabitants.

Seize | grasp | take up | capitalize on | take advantage of opportunities

Lose | miss | pass up opportunities

Unless we take advantage of these technological opportunities, we cannot make progress.

I do not want to pass up the opportunity to talk to him.

Opportunities arise | occur | come | present themselves

When an opportunity arises, we should do our best to capitalize on it.

Whenever opportunities present themselves, we should not miss them.

The opportunity of a lifestime

A window | margin of opportunity

With the advent of social media platforms, we have a unique window of opportunity to stay connected regardless of
geographical boundaries.
Online education has created a small margin of opportunity for me to showcase my teaching skills and make a livelihood out of
my passion.
Learning English has offered me the opportunity of a lifetime to broaden my horizon and turn over my life.

Offer | give | afford someone the chance to

Provide | present someone with an opportunity to

School presents children with valuable opportunities to develop interpersonal skills, including but not limited to communication,
negotiation, teamwork, and conflict resolution.
Internet resources offer individuals the chance to connect with people across the globe regardless of distance.

15] Goal = aim = objective = aspiration = target

Short-term | immediate goals

Long-term | ultimate goals
Main | major | primary | prime goals
High | ambitious | lofty goals
Achievable | attainable | obtainable | realistic goals
Unattainable | unobtainable | unrealistic goals
Challenging | elusive goals

Without attainable, long-term objectives, individuals struggle to find a sense of purpose and direction in life.
Although helping millions of people is an elusive goal, it is not completely unrealistic.
I strive to work as hard as possible because of my lofty, long-term targets.

Set | establish goals

Pursue | work towards | strive for goals
Achieve | attain | reach | accomplish goals

I have been setting and pursuing ambitious aspirations since my early childhood.
Attaining lofty goals requires hard work and dedication.

16] Activity = pursuit = endeavor

Take part in | engage in | participate in | partake in | be involved in activities

Engagement in | participation in | involvement in activities

Children should be encouraged to engage in outdoor activities because these physical pursuits promote social interaction.
Participation in sports activities offers individuals the chance to burn calories and maintain healthy weight.

Leisure | leisure-time | recreational activities

Sports | athletic activities
Criminal | illegal activities
Social | outdoor activities
Individual | solitary activities

I take part in recreational pursuits so as to blow off steam and loosen up.
Many individuals, particularly youngsters, participate in illegal activities as a result of massive financial difficulties.

17] Health = well-being = welfare = condition

Good | excellent | full | perfect health

Bad | ill | poor | fragile health

Individuals should be in good health to engage in sports activities.

I am trying my best to take time out of my grueling schedule to go to the gym and exercise regularly because of my fragile
health.

Mental | psychological | emotional health

Physical health | fitness
General | overall health

Participation in athletic pursuits such as football and basketball helps improve physical well-being.
Physical fitness includes body composition, flexibility, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and cardiorespiratory endurance.

Improve | enhance | boost | optimize one’s health

Look after | maintain one’s health
Regain | recover | recuperate one’s health
Damage | harm | ruin | undermine | compromise one’s health
Put one’s health at risk | in danger | in jeopardy
Promote | foster better public health

Sleep deprivation can give rise to negative feelings of stress and anxiety, thus putting mental health in jeopardy.
When individuals fail to get adequate sleep, they usually experience exhaustion and burnout, which can compromise their
physical health.
It is essential for public health campaigns to champion healthy eating habits and physical activity in order to promote better
health across local communities.

Health deteriorates | worsens | fails

Health improves | gets better
Health issues | problems | conditions
Health risks | hazards of __

Public health deteriorates when individuals lead sedentary lifestyles.

Obesity and substance abuse are by far the most prevailing health issues in the modern world.
Bereavement, divorce, illness, redundancy, and jor or money worries cause mental health conditions like depression and
depression.

18] Pressure = burden = strain

Enormous | great | intense | immense pressure

Economic | financial pressures
Social | societal pressures

Under immense pressure from their parents, many children experience feelings of loneliness, worry, and anxiety.
Due to enomous economic pressures, many people have resorved to work in multiple jobs.

Put | place | exert pressure on

Cope with | withstand | resist | handle pressure
Face | be under | come under | be brought under pressure

Many employees are coming under pressure to work longer hours.

Many children are brought under intense pressure by their parents to excel in their academic and athletic pursuits.

Pressure increases | rises | builds up | intensifies

As a result of population growth, the pressure placed on public services intensifies, making it increasingly difficult for
governments to meet public needs.
When rural residents flock to cities, the pressure placed on urban job markets builds up, leadng to higher levels of
unemployment and underemployment in urban regions.

Increase | exacerbate | compound the pressure on someone

Ease | lighten | reduce | relieve the pressure on someone
When private companies fund scientific research, it relieves the lefty financial burden placed on governments.
High parental expectations compound the psychological strain placed on children.

19] Price

High | exorbitant | prohibitive prices

Low | bargain | budget-friendly prices
Average | reasonable | fair prices

Lack of housing leads to exorbitant property and rental prices, which makes it increasingly difficult to cover living expenses.
Supermarkets sell high quality products at budget-friendly prices, which can be particularly appealing to financially conscious
and economically disadvantaged individuals.

Increase | raise | push up | drive up prices

Reduce | push down | drive down | bring down prices

Introducing new apartment buildings helps offer a wide range of accommodation options while pushing down property and
rental prices in the surrounding areas.
Overpopulation may push up property and food prices, particularly in densely populated areas.

Price goes up | rises | shoots up | skyrockets | soars

Price goes down | falls | drops | slumps

Prices usually slump as a result of intense competition.

Because of reduced agricultural productivity, food prices are shooting up in Uzbekistan.

Reasonably-priced | attractively-priced | competitively-priced products

Highly priced | prohibitively priced products

Samsung dominates the smartphone industry thanks to its atrractively-priced offerings.

Even though Chevrolet manufactures poor quality and prohibitively priced cars, it hasn’t lost its customers in Uzbekistan
because of its total dominance in the car-manufacturing industry.

20] Cost

The prohibitive | exorbitant | high | huge cost of __

The rising | increasing | escalating cost of __

The prohibitive cost of living in large cities exacerbates the social and psychological difficulties of foreigners.
Many individuals in Uzbekistan complain about the escalating cost of fuel.

Bear | cover | meet the cost of

Increase | raise | push up | drive up the cost of
Reduce | cut | push down | bring down the cost of

Many families are struggling to cover the rising cost of living, particularly in urban areas.
Inflation is pushing up the cost of living across the globe.
It is important to bring down the cost of fuel to allow people to commute.

At the cost of __
At the expense of __

Cities are increasingly creating new housing projects at the cost of natural environments such as parks, gardens, and farmlands.
Online communication has come at the expense of face-to-face interactions.
Children tend to play computer games at the expense of their academic and household tasks.

Come at a high cost to __

Take a heavy toll on __
Have a negative impact on __

The conversion of parks and farmlands into housing projects comes at a high cost to the natural environment and individuals.
Excessive video gaming takes a heavy toll on children’s mental and social development.

21] Need = necessity

Basic | fundamental | essential needs

Mental | psychological | emotional | spiritual needs
Physical | bodily needs
Health care | medical needs

Individuals have mental, spiritual, and physical needs.

An ageing population makes it increasingly challenging for governments to meet the health-care needs of citizens.

Cover | meet | fulfill | satisfy needs

Suit | cater to needs
Identify | assess | consider needs

With the ever-escalating cost of living, it has become increasingly difficult for people to meet their basic necessities.
Iphone products cater to public needs on a global scale.

22] Competition = tournament = contest

International | global competitions

National | domestic competitions
Sporting | sports | athletic competitions

International sports competitions play an instrumental role in fostering a deep sense of global understanding and tolerance.
Without domestic and global tournaments, it is difficult to find talented individuals.

Win | succeed in | emerge victorious in | achieve victory in a competition

Lose | be defeated in a competition
Organize | hold | stage a competition
Enter | take part in | participate in a competition

People gain a wide range of benefits from taking part in tournaments even when they fail to emerge victorious.
Countries strive to stage international sporting competitions to generate revenue, promote tourism, and establish sustainable
global prominence.

23] Competition = rivalry

Strong | tough | intense | keen | fierce | stiff | cut-throat competition

Fair | healthy | free | open competition

In the face of cut-throat competition for employment, job seekers work on their skill sets and talents, leading to personal
growth.
As a result of inense rivalry, companies invest in research and development to offer high-quality products at reasonable prices,
resuting in improved customer satisfaction.
Competition from | against | with
Competition among | between
Face | experience | go into competition

When small local shops face stiff competition from large supermarkets, they struggle to keep up.
Keen competition between younger and older generations for better employment opportunities and higher job positions might
lead to inter-generational animosity.

24] Competitive

Extremely | highly | fiercely | intensely competitive

Fairly | quite | rather competitive
Stay | remain competitive

Great athletes work very hard and push themselves beyond their physical and mental boundaries to remain highly competitive
over a multi-decade period.
I am quite competitive at my job.

A competitve spirit | mindset | mentality

A spirit | mindset | mentality of competitiveness

Without a spirit of competitiveness, it is highly improbable to achieve great success in any career.
Were it not for his competitive mindset, Ronaldo would have found it impossible to compete with Lionel Messi in the football
world.

Gain a competitive advantage over __

Give someone a competitive edge over __

Experience gives senior citizens a competitive edge over their younger counterparts in the face of fierce job competition.
By producing high-quality cars while prioritizing environmental sustainability, Tesla has gained a competitive advantage over
other car-manufacturing companies.
His unyielding curiosity, unwavering determination, and strong work ethics give Elon Musk a competitive edge over his
competitors.

25] Balance = equilibrium

Achieve | strike | find a balance between __ and __

Keep | retain | maintain | sustain a balance between __ and __
Recover | regain one’s balance

Without achieving and maintaining a balance between personal life and professional responsibilities, individuals struggle to
find meaning in life.

A good | excellent | happy | harmonious | healthy belance

A fine | careful | delicate | subtle balance
A perfect | idial | optimum balance
A poor | fragile | precarious balance

A healthy work-life balance promotes happiness and fulfillment.

Leaders should strike a delicate balance between kindness and authority.
As long as there is a fragile balance between joy and sadness, one continues to suffer from psychological struggles.
26] Role = part

Key | leading | dominant | primary | decisive | central | fundamental role

Important | essential | crucial | vital | major role
Useful | valuable | constructive role

Teachers have an essential role for the well-rounded academic and social development of children.
Stories and fairy tales play a constructive part in the intellectual and creative growth of young children.

Have | play | serve | perform | occupy a role

Assume | adopt | take on the role of __

School serves a leading role in the overall development of children.

Education occupies a crucial role in a country’s prosperity.
Nowadays, more fathers are taking on the role of primary caregivers for kids while women pursue employment opportunities.
It has become increasingly common for women to assume the role of breadwinners while men stay at home to look after their
children.

27] Lifestyle = way of living

Healthy | wholesome | health-conscious lifestyles [typically associated with a balanced diet and regular physical activity]
Unhealthy | poor lifestyles [typically linked to unhealthy eating habits and lack of physical activity]
Busy | hectic lifestyles [characterised by grueling schedules and limited leisure time]
Active | energetic | vigorous lifestyles [typically associated with integrating physical activity into everyday routines]
Inactive | sedentary | immobile lifestyles [typically linked to a lack of physical movement and excessive sitting]
Comfortable | glamorous | extravagant | affluent | lavish lifestyles [characterised by a sense of well-being and satisfaction with
one’s living conditions]
Sustainable | eco-friendly | environmentally-friendly | environmentally-conscious | environmentally responsible lifestyles

Many people choose fast food products in preference to conventional cuisine because of their hectic lifestyles.
Unless individuals move away from unhealthy lifestyles to a wholesome way of living, obesity remains an insurmountable
obstacle to public health.
Current younger generations gravitate towards the glamorous lifestyles of famous personalities like Andrew Tate.
When individuals spend excessive amounts of time fixated on their electronic devices and televisions, it promotes a sedentary
lifesyle, increasing the risk of health ailments.

Have | live | lead a lifestyle

Change | alter | transform one’s lifestyle
Adopt | embrace a lifestyle

Individuals ought to adopt a healthy and active lifestyle so as to stay fit and prevent health problems.
It is important for obese people to transform their lifestyles and eating habits.

28] Diet = eating habits

Good | balanced | healthy | sensible diet

Bad | poor | unhealthy diet
Slimming | weight-losing | weight-reducing diet

A health-conscious lifestyle entails a combination of regular physical exercise and a balanced diet.
A slimming diet is when an individual eats low-calorie foods such as fruit and vegetables to lose weight.

Have | eat | follow a diet

Start | go on a diet
It is crucial for health-conscious individuals to engage in regular exercise while also following a sensible diet.
I finally decided to go on a balanced diet and embrace an active lifestyle to improve my physical and mental welfare.

A diet consists of __
A diet high | rich in __

A balanced diet consists of nutrients namely, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals in a required balanced
proportion.
Those who look forward to lose weight should go on a diet high in nutrients but low in calories.

29] Habit

Buying | shopping | spending habits

Eating | dietary habits
Eccentric | odd habits
Good | charming | endearing habits
Bad | annoyng | irritating | nasty | destructive habits

Our spending habits are highly influenced by advertisements.

In my early childhood, I had an eccentric habit of walking at night for hours.

Have | be in the habit of

Develop | acquire | form | make | get into | fall into a habit
Give up | break | kick | get out of a habit

Since his teenagerhood, he has been in the habit of smoking and drinking heavily.
Teens may fall into unhealthy habits such as smoking and gambling as a consequence of peer pressure.
Because drinking can blow my relationships into bits and ruin my life in the long run, I am trying my best to break this nasty
habit.

A creature of habit
Out of habit | through the force of habit

Since I am a creature of habit, I don’t look forward to dramatic changes in my personal and professional lives.
I scroll down on social media before going to sleep just out of habit.

30] Personality = nature

Extrovert | outgoing | bubbly | sparkling | vibrant | vivacious personality

Introvert | reserved personality
Charismatic | charming | engaging | magnetic | lovely | warm personality
Strong | dominant | forceful | striking | formidable personality
Weak | vulnerable personality

I find it challenging to get along with people because of my reserved personality.

His outgoing and magnetic personality helps him make new friends and expand his social circle much more easily than his
introverted peers.

Be | have a personality
Develop | form a personality
Reflect one’s personality

My father is a dominant personality both inside and outside home.

My job, which is teaching students from different walks of life and backgrounds, truly reflects my extrovert personality.

Personality problems | disorders

Personality traits | characteristics | attributes

Leadership necessitates a variety of personality traits, including but not limited to effective communication, creativity, and
integrity.
Self-confidence, passion, optimism, persistence, flexibility, curiosity, and self-discipline are the most common personality
characteristics of successful individuals.

Famous | well-known | prominent personalities

Sports | media personalities

The influence of prominent media personalities like Andrew Tate on children cannot be overstated.
Famous sports personalities such as Messi and Ronaldo not only make large sums of money but generate huge revenue as well.

31] Career

A successful | brilliant | distinguished | glittering career

A satisfying | fulfilling | great career

Without a fulfilling career, many people face difficulties finding a sense of happiness.
In spite of my glittering career, I could not feel a sense of personal fulfillment.

Career growth | development | advancement | progression

Career opportunities | prospects
Career goals | aspirations | objectives | targets

Employees normally seek career progression in the form of promotions, pay increments, and new opportunities for personal
growth.
Many individuals choose teaching career paths, although this profession does not usually have attractive career prospects.

Begin | start out on | launch | embark on a career

Build | pursue | carve out a career

I decided to start out on a career in teaching, regardless of disapproval from my parents.

Those who pursue satisfying and successful careers have higher chances of achieving a feeling of happiness in life.

32] Satisfaction = fulfillment

Great | deep | immense | profound satisfaction

Job | work satisfaction
Personal | individual satisfaction
Employee satisfaction
Customer satisfaction

A conducive workplace environment, which includes open and transparent communication, positive colleague relationships,
effective leadership, and incentives, plays a key role in promoting employee satisfaction.
Offering high-quality products and services at affordable costs fosters customer satisfaction.
Finding a harmonious work-life balance is essential for both job and life satisfaction.

Gain | get | derive | find | feel | take satisfaction from __

Bring | give | provide __ with satisfaction
Many individuals derive great satisfaction from making a positive difference in the world, while others find fulfillment from
material possessions and financial success.
I do not subscribe to the idea that money can bring people deep satisfaction.

A sense | feeling of satisfaction

A source of satisfaction
Give cause for satisfaction
Present grounds for satisfaction

Working towards a shared objective can give cause for a deep sense of personal satisfaction.
Higher wages and lower workloads would present grounds for employee satisfaction across the globe.

33] Importance = significance

Primary | prime | paramount | supreme | utmost importance

Great | critical | major | immense | profound importance
Secondary | minor | lesser | marginal | limited importance
National | international | economic | social | environmental | cultural importance

Family is of utmost importance when it comes to a child’s overall development.

Artworks with national importance deserve much greater attention compared to international artefacts.
Global artistic works have lesser importance in comparison with local artefacts.
Creating a healthy school environment is of immense importance for children’s academic and social growth.

Increase in | grow in | rise in importance

Decline in | diminish in | fall in importance

With the development of internet resources, face-to-face social interaction has declined in importance.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, online education rose in importance.

Attach | impute | place importance [weight]

Emphasize | highlight | stress | note the importance of __
Exaggerate | overestimate | underestimate | undervalue the importance of __
Doubt | question | throw doubt on the importance of __

Countries should place as much importance on arts as they do on education and healthcare.
Disciplined individuals do not attach great weight to emotions.
In response to the ever-escalating environmental problems, many countries are stressing the significance of embracing a
sustainable lifestyle.
We should not cast doubt on the importance of social media when it comes to children’s personal development.

Be more important than __

Take precedence over __
Take priority over __

In the realm of business, customer satisfaction takes precedence over anything else.
For most private companies, financial gains take priority over public interests.

Be less important than __

Pale in comparison to __
Pale into insignificance when compared with __
Fade into the background when compared to __

Our day-to-day struggles pale in comparison with what Palestinians have been going through for many decades.
Peer pressure pales into insignificance when compared with the tremendous influence of family members.

34] Expectation = hope

High | great expectations

Low | pessimistic expectations
Over-high | over-optimistic | unrealistic | unreasonable | unreasonably-high | unrealistically-high expectations
Reasonable | legitimate expectations

Parents often have over-optimistic expectations regarding their children.

Many successful individuals do not start with legitimate expectations: they tend to be unreasonably optimistic.

Have | hold | possess expectations

Heighten | raise | amplify | reinforce expectations
Lower | reduce | limit expectations

Unless companies reinforce their expectations and standards, employees are unlikely to perform at their peak productivity.
If parents lowered their expectations, children would feel a heightened sense of independence.
Since my early childhood, I have held unrealistically-high expectations for myself.

Meet | fulfill | satisfy | match | measure up to | live up to one’s expectations

Exceed | surpass | outstrip | go beyond one’s expectations
Fall short of one’s expectations

I aspire to not only meet but also exceed my parents’ exoectations.

Many children feel an immense sense of pressure as they are afraid of falling short of parental and societal expectations.

Below expectation
Beyond expectation
Contrary to expectation
In line with expectations

When employee performance is below expectation, it is important for managers to create a healthier workplace environment.
This solution has produced results way beyond expectation.
Elon Musk has managed to manufacture high-quality and reasonably-priced electric cars, contrary to expectation.
My IELTS courses have always been in line with my expectations.

35] Culture

Foreign | alien culture

Native | indigenous culture
Local | national culture
Youth culture

One of the chief reasons individuals travel is to gain knowledge about alien cultures.
In today’s technologically driven society, video gaming has deeply ingrained into youth culture.

Create | cultivate | foster | develop a culture of __

Assimilate into | acclimate into | integrate into a new culture | community

The president of China [Xi Sinping] urges Chinese women to cultivate a culture of marriage and childbearing to combat
population decline.
It is crucial for company leaders to foster a culture of open and transparent communication within the workplace.
Language barriers and financial difficulties make it increasingly challenging to assimilate into a new community.
36] Company = organization = corporation

Big | large | major companies

Small | medium-sized companies
International | multinational companies
Private companies | organizations | corporations | institutions | entities

In today’s capitalist societies, private organizations assume the responsibility of funding and conducting scientific research
instead of governmental entities.
In recent times, multinational corporations have dominated small national companies.

Create | establish | form | found | set up companies

Manage | run | operate companies
Buy | take over | acquire companies

Elon Musk has managed to form and successfully run six companies so far thanks to his effective time management and strong
work ethics.
Having taken over Twitter, Elon Musk brought about significant transformations to promote freedom of speech.

Companies make | produce

Companies expand | grow
Companies go bankrupt | go under | go out of business | go into liquidation

As international companies expand, national corporations are going bankrupt.

If companies produce high-quality products at affordable prices, it not only gives them a competitive advantage but also
increases customer satisfaction.

37] Reputation = image = standing

Good | high | excellent | great | enviable reputation

Unparalleled | unrivalled reputation
Well-deserved | well-earned reputation
Bad | poor | unenviable reputation
Professional | public | international | worldwide reputation

He has built up an enviable reputation as an IELTS instructor.

Uzbekistan has a great reputation for its ancient tourist destinations and a poor reputation for its corruption and nepotism.
International corporations outcompete small national companies with their unrivalled reputation.

Have a reputation for | the reputation of doing __

Make | earn | gain | acquire | establish | build up a reputation
Damage | destroy | lose | ruin | tarnish one’s reputation
Live down one’s reputation as __

Many ex-offenders find it extremely difficult to live down their reputation for their wrongdoings.
I do not want to tarnish my reputation.
He has the reputation of working very hard.

One’s reputation grows

One’s reputation suffers
Know someone by reputation

If a company increases its prices dramatically while failing to meet public expectations, its reputation suffers a great deal.
I know him by reputation, but I have never met him in person.

38] Norms = standards = principles

Social | societal | cultural norms

Moral | ethical norms
Accepted | established | entrenched | ingrained norms

Deeply entrenched social norms influence people’s behavior and values.

Without established ethical norms, more people would probably struggle with behavioral issues.

Conform to | adhere to | abide by | comply with social norms

Differ from | deviate from | break | challenge social norms
Conformity to | adherence to | compliance with social norms

Many teenagers feel pressure to conform to social norms and engage in unhealthy activities like smoking to fit in with their
peers.
In Eastern communities, strict adherence to cultural norms is expected, and individuals who deviate from social standards may
face criticism and exclusion.

A deviation | departure from the norm

The norm rather than the exception

In many cultures, a deviation from the norm is met with condemnation and discrimination.
In many societies, deviation from societal norms invites condemnation and discrimination.
In the US, homelessness is becoming the norm rather than the exception.
In my home country-Uzbekistan, corruption, especially in the form of nepotism, is the norm rather than the exception.

39] Time

Spend time on __
Put time into __
Devote time to __
Dedicate time to __
Find | make | take time to do __
Waste | lose | fritter away | idle away time

Many individuals put career demands above childcare, spending less time on their children.
Many people prioritize job responsibilities over childcare, spending less time looking after their children.
Unless parents take time to engage in a wide range of meaningful activities with their children, their parent-child relationships
become strained.
Only those who devote the necessary time and energy to perfecting their craft can end up becoming great athletes.

Free | spare | leisure time

Little | short time
Long | considerable time
Excessive | prolonged | extended amounts of time

Children usually spend their spare time playing video games, especially in urban areas.
Many parents spend excessive amounts of time glued to digital devices and televisions, thus neglecting their parental
obligations in some cases.
Many people spend prolonged amounts of time fixated on electronic gadgets and televisions, which can lead to a neglect of
parental commitments.
Have time at one’s disposal

With the ever-escalating cost of living and heavy workloads, many people do not have sufficient leisure time at their disposal
to partake in recreational activities.

40] Stigma = prejudice = stigmatization

Suffer from social stigma

Face social stigma
Experience social stigma

Former criminals face social prejudice and stigmatization due to their past actions, leading to discrimination and judgement
from society.
Individuals with mental disorders often suffer from social stigma, which can hinder their ability to seek therapy and receive
professional help.

Be attached to __
Be associated with __
Carry a social stigma

There is a lot of social stigma attached to mental illness.

Being mentally ill carries a social stigma.
Social stigma associated with having been to prison makes it increasingly challenging for ex-offenders to reintegrate into their
community.

Remove the stigma attached to __

Break down the stigma associated with __
Reduce the stigma around __
Overcome the stigma against __

It is essential for individuals to challenge stereotypes and break the stigma associated with suicide and encourage open
conversations about it.
We need to remove the social stigma associated with addiction and provide support for those struggling with it.
Reducing the stigma attached to seeking therapy is crucial for promoting mental well-being.

41] Awareness = consciousness

Public | general | social awareness of | about | surrounding __

Environmental awareness | consciousness amongst __

Social media campaigns have been quite successful in raising public awareness surrounding climate change.
As a result of growing environmental consciousness amongst world populations, countries are increasingly stressing the
importance of adopting eco-friendly lifestyles.

Have awareness of | about | surrounding __

Raise | foster | encourage | build awareness of | about | surrounding __

Public schools should incorporate environmental education into the curriculum and organize field trips and outdoor activities to
promote awareness of environmental conservation.
Teachers need to raise awareness among their students about the dangers of committing criminal acts.
There is a lack of social awareness surrounding human trafficking.

42] Consequence = repercussion = implication = ramification

Far-reaching | wide-ranging | sweeping | broad | profound consequences
Negative | adverse | harmful | detrimental | damaging | dangerous | serious | severe consequences
Devastating | dire | disastrous | catastrophic | tragic | terrible consequences
Positive | beneficial consequences
Long-term | long-lasting | short-term | immediate consequences
Inevitable | inescapable | unavoidable | necessary consequences
Possible | potential | likely | natural | logical consequences
Unintended | unexpected | surprising consequences

Unhealthy habits like drinking alcohol or smoking can have both mental and physical repercussions, putting people’s general
health in jeopardy.
Tourism development may lead to profound far-reaching implications on local communities, culture, and the natural
environment.
Drinking heavily can not only cause psychological and physical ramifications in the short term but also ruin relationships and
one’s general quality of life in the long run.
The harmful consequences of playing computer games range from addiction and overindulgence to poor academic performance
and social disconnection.

Have | cause | lead to | result in | bring about consequences

Suffer | face the consequences of __
Accept | bear | take | face up to the consequences of __

You must man up and face up to the consequences of your actions, especially if you intentionally committed these
wrongdoings.
When parents fail to spend quality time with their children, it is the children who usually suffer the consequences of this
limited parent-child interaction.
Travelling abroad in pursuit of education can lead to both positive and negative consequences.

Consequences arise from __

Consequences ensue from __
Consequences follow from __

A wide variety of dire environmental consequences may arise from deforestation.

When forests are cleared for agriculture, manufacturing, or construction purposes, an extensive array of ecological
consequences ensue.
A large number of employees will inevitably lose their jobs as a direct consequence of automation in the workplace.

43] Advancement = development = growth = advance = breakthrough

Personal | individual advancement | growth | development

Professional | career advancement | progression | growth | development

In order to motivate employees, companies often raise salaries, offer perks and financial rewards, regocnize and reward talents,
and provide opportunities for career progression.
Personal growth involves acquiring and honing new skills, broadening one's horizons, expanding social networks, and making
advancements in different areas of life.

Scientific advancements | advances | breakthroughs | developments

Technological advancements | advances | breakthroughs | developments

With the advent of recent technological breakthroughs, it has been easier to connect with people than ever before.
As a result of rapid scientific and medical advancements, it has become increasingly common for people to live longer than
ever.
As we have made great strides in the field of technology, work environments, communication, and entertainment have
improved dramatically.

44] Reason = cause = motive = explanation

The main | major | primary | principal | chief reason for | behind __

Valid | legitimate | plausable | adequate | sufficient reasons for | behind __
Compelling | convincing | underlying reasons for | behind __
Personal | professional | sentimental | pragmatic | financial | social | health reasons for | behind __
Cause | lead to | result in __

Poor dietary choices and limited physical activity are the major reasons for obesity.
There are various compelling reasons behind increased crime rates across both urban and rural areas.
The primary cause of fast food consumption is the affordability and availability of fast food products.
The confluence of pragmatic and sentimental reasons explains why people are spending less quality time with their family
members, including children.

The reasons for X range from Y and Y to Y

X can be attributed to various factors including Y and Y
X is caused by a combination of factors such as Y and Y
X results from | comes from | stems from the confluence of Y and Y

The underlying reasons for obesity range from unhealthy eating habits and lack of exercise to genetic disposition and increased
stress levels.
Re-offending can be attributed to various factors including inadequate rehabilitation programs and challenges in successfully
reintegrating into one’s community.

The reason for X has to do with Y

The reason for X revolves around Y
The reason for X is linked to Y
The reason for X is associated with Y
The reason for X relates to Y

The chief reason behind most of our personal problems revolves around finances [money].
The driving force behind poor physical health among children has to do with limited physical activity.
The primary cause of depression has long been associated with social media addiction.

45] Benefits = advantages = positives = upsides

Major | enormous | considerable | substantial benefits

Short-term | immediate benefits
Long-term benefits

Investing in education provides individuals with long-term benefits such as increased earning potential and career opportunities.
Regular exercise has considerable long-term benefits for both physical and mental health.
Incorporating meditation into your daily routine can have long-term benefits for stress relief and overall well-being.

Gain | derive | obtain | receive | reap benefits from __

Bring | offer | provide benefits to __

Children derive a wide variety of substantial benefits from daily exercise.

Studying overseas offers an extensive array of benefits for personal and professional growth.

46] Problem = issue

Serious | severe | acute problems
Complex | complicated | intricate | difficult problems
Major | pressing | urgent problems
Insurmountable | insuperable | intractable problems

Many people resort to crime due to insurmountable financial problems.

Because of pressing environmental problems like climate change, world governments are increasingly stressing the importance
of adopting sustainable lifestyles.

Cause | pose | present problems

Face | encounter | run into problems
Experience | suffer from | grapple with problems
Be beset with | be confronted with | be faced with problems
Combat | confront | handle | tackle | get to grips with | come to terms with problems
Solve | resolve | overcome | deal with problems
Alleviate | ease | reduce problems
Exacerbate | compound problems

Major cities are beset with a similar problem: massive traffic congestion.
Unless we come to terms with our mental and spiritual problems, our lives are unlikely to get better.
Both governmnets and individuals should take initiatives to deal with, or at least alleviate, these health problems.

Problems arise | emerge | come up | occur

Problems persist | remain

Social problems usually arise from personal challenges.

Financial problems come up when individuals buy impulsively instead of making well-informed purchasing decisions.
If your medical problems persist, it is imperative to see a doctor and get proper treatment.

47] Solution = measure = remedy

Effective | workable | feasible | viable solutions to

Cost-effective | cost-efficient | economical | budget-friendly | economically viable solutions
Expensive | costly | exorbitant | economically unviable solutions
Creative | imaginative | ingenious solutions
Radical | drastic solutions

Despite the ever-increasing rates of unemployment and underemployment, countries can implement effective solutions to
improve the situation.
Increasing the number of prisons is an economically unviable solution to crime, as it requires a great deal of funding.
Integrating physical activity like walking into one’s daily schedule serves as a workable and cost-effective solution to combat
obesity.

Search for | look for | seek | work towards solutions

Find | devise | come up with | reach | arrive at | work out solutions
Propose | suggest | put forward solutions
Adopt | offer | provide | implement solutions

It is crucial for impoverished nations to devise budget-friendly solutions to their problems.

Unless governments implement radical, concrete solutions to corruption and nepotism, social and environmental issues
continue to go unaddressed.
If governments do not take measures to overcome, or at least reduce, corruption and nepotism, social problems continue to go
unaddressed.
48] Popularity

Great | enormous | massive | immense | widespread popularity

Growing | increasing | rising | mounting popularity
Declining | decreasing | dwindling | shrinking popularity

With the dwindling popularity of newspapers and the increasing acceptance of online media, individuals are tunring to digital
platforms for news consumption.
The immense popularity of video games can bring a range of educational and psychological benefits but also harm children’s
health.

Achieve | gain popularity [gain ground in something]

Deserve | be worthy of popularity
Grow in | rise in | increase in popularity
Shrink in | decline in popularity
Retain | maintain one’s popularity

Although social media platforms gained ground during the Covid-19 pandemic, they are now struggling to retain their
widespread popularity.
As cable news channels have recently shrunk in popularity, online news platforms are gaining ground.

A decline | drop in popularity

An increase | rise | surge | upsurge in popularity
The peak of one’s popularity | during the height of one’s popularity

The introduction of online streaming platforms has led to an upsurge in the popularity of international films worldwide.
He made millions of dollars during the height of his popularity in the music industry.

49] Conflicts = fights

Great | major | serious conflicts

Global | international conflicts
Regional | local | internal conflicts

Given the ongoing global conflicts, it is essential for countries to invest in defense capabilities.
The government should take necessary steps to protect its citizens from both internal and external conflicts.

Cause | lead to | result in conflicts

Avoid | avert | prevent conflicts
Solve | resolve | settle | end | handle conflicts
Conflicts arise from | emerge from | occur

The continuing global conflicts could have been avoided had we learned from the past and drawn rational conclusions.
A large number of regional conflicts arise from political instability and social problems.

50] Trait = characteristic = quality = attribute

Personal | individual | personality | character traits

Positive | admirable | appealing | desirable traits
Negative | undesirable | unfortunate traits

Success requires certain personal qualities, ranging from ambition, dedication, passion, patience to discipline and effective
communication.
Leadership attributes include integrity, respect, empathy, and self-awareness.

Have | possess traits

Lack traits
Display | exhibit traits
Acquire | develop traits

We do not have sufficient information about which behavioral traits are inherited and which acquired.
Great leaders exhibit particular personal characteristics such as creativity and accountability.