Words and phrases with similar meanings commonly used in the IELTS Reading exam.

LETTER- A
Annual = Yearly, Per Year, Annuity, Once A Year, periodic research, research done every year
A Rise = An Increase, A Growth, Go Up, Soar, rocketed, Come to Hight, Appear, set in, Sur Face, Spring
Up, Emerge
A Decrease = A Fall, A Drop, A Decline, A Reduction, Reduce, Minimize, Mitigate, Down Fall,
Eliminate, Alleviate, Cut
Already = Not New, So Early, as soon as this/that, so soon, as early as this/that, Before, Earlier,
Formerly, Ahead
A Pair Of = Two, a couple of, get together, join up, link up, team up, unite, form a partnership, make
a twosome
Allow = Enable, Permit, Agree, approve, let, Authorize, Qualify, Grant, legalize, Sanction, License,
admit, Empower, Entitle, Consent, acquiesce, tolerate, countenance, suffer, OK
Avoid = Keep Safe from, stay away from, refrain from, forbear from, eschew, confront, indulge, Steer
clear of, Circumvent, keep at arm's length, fight shy of,
All = Every, Complete, total, full, everyone, everything, all-out each of, every single, the whole of the,
each/every person, every part
A Great Deal Of = A Number of, Several, huge, Many, Much Countless, Numerous, Various, variety
of, Wide, Enormous, a lot, plenty, lots
According To = Depending On, Based On, as per, in line with, And, as stated by, Under, After, imitation
Of
Areas = Parts, region, District, Zone, venue, ground, Place, Sector, quarter, locale, Neighborhood,
Community, Environment, Territory, Part, Section, Spot, Patch, Sweep, Field, Bounds
Affect = influence, impact, infect, effect, change, modify, determine, change, transform, condition,
control, decide, guide, form, act on, take, attack, strike, hit, shape, govern,
Anticipate = Foreshadow, expect, predict, forecast, foresee, prepare, expect, think, foretell,
contemplate possibility, allow for, Prepared, Count on, look for
Aid = Help, Assist, Support, Abet, Avail, Succor, Sustain, Back Up, Backing, Abietane, Encouragement,
Cooperation
Audience = Viewer, Target, Listeners, Hearing, Public, Followers, Looker-On, Spectators, Readership,
Constituency, Meeting, Consultation, Conference,
Abnormal = Unusual, Anomalous, uncommon, Rare, isolated, irregular, anomalous, deviant, freak,
strange, deviant, peculiar, curious, surprising, out of the common, atypical
Actor = Performer, player, trouper, theatrical, dramatic artist, actress, thespian, member of the cast
Attack = Assault, challenge, charge, investigate, ambush, explore, examine, analyze, probe, pounce,
strike, begin hostilities, bombard, fire on/at, rush, storm assault, offensive
Appearance = Physiognomy, form, image, look, aspect, presentation, air, mien, outward form, arrival,
advent, coming, emergence, materialization, surfacing
Amusing = Funny, hilarious, humorous, jocular, amusing, funny, entertaining, mock, merry, musing,
research, inquire, delve, study, dig (into), lighthearted, witty, mirthful
Aspects Of Life = Existence, facets, dimensions, spheres, areas, walks of life
Alone = Solely, single, solitary, solo, solitary, solus, isolated, lone, by oneself, lonesome, all alone,
solitary, partnerless
Anxiety = Fear, uneasiness, angst, agitation, worry, concern, distress, doubt, restlessness, unease,
tension
Assist Their Learning = improve Their Learning efficiency, facilitate their Learning, support their
learning, aid their learning, promote their learning, help them learn, and guide their learning
A Considerable Amount = A Great Deal, A Lot, a large amount, a significant amount, a substantial
amount, a great deal, a good deal
A Strong Connection = A very close Relationship, close link, strong bond, strong relationship, deep
connection, high correlation, and significant association
Assistant = Apprentice, associate, attendant, mate, subordinate, deputy, auxiliary, junior, researcher,
explorer, lieutenant, wingman, henchman, servant, helper, aider, partner, collaborator, backer
Autumn (British English) = Fall (American English), Harvest, Autumnal, Season, Time of year
Abandoned = Derelict, deserted, forsaken, vacant, relinquished, cast aside/off, stranded, rejected,
unused, idle, empty
A Prevailing Wind = Against the Wind, dominant wind, predominant wind, trade wind, steady wind,
and air current
Average = Normal, mean, median, typical, central tendency, mode, midpoint, center, norm, standard,
rule, par
Animals = Livestock, Pets, beast, brute, being, wight, existence, Quadrupeds, Carnivores, Ferals
Accidentally = Only by chance, randomly, unintentionally, by accident, unexpectedly, unthinkingly,
by mistake, fortuitously, by a twist of fate, by good fortune,
Agencies = Jurisdictions, business, organization, company, firm, office, bureau, service, branch,
department
A (Wide) Variety Of = A Range Of, investigation, inquiry, study, exploration, extensive, broad, diverse
or various
Accept = Tolerate, agree, acquire, adopt, approve, approach, receive, confirm, okay, recognize, take,
get, gain, obtain, begin, come by, responsibility, engage in, handle
Actively Notice = Pay Attention To, take notice of, observe, perceive, discern, see, take in, Catch sight
of
A Sense of Duty = Moral obligation, responsibility, conscience, moral code, or inner guide
Ancient Creatures = Fossils, prehistoric, primitive, primordial, primeval, mythical, and legendary
A Global Team = An International Working Party, international team, worldwide team, multinational
team, planetary team, universal team
At Risk = Vulnerable, danger, peril, jeopardy, hazard, threat, menace,
Auditory Problems = Hearing Loss, hearing impairment, deafness, hard of hearing, auditory
processing disorder, hearing disability
Achievement = Success, attainment, acquirement, reaching, got, gain in, win in, obtain, effecting,
winding up, procurement, realization, fulfilment, carrying out,
A Psychological illness = A Mental Disorder, mental illness, mental health condition, psychiatric
disorder, and psychological disability
Affect = Influence, infect, impact, effect, change, alter, modify, act on, condition, touch, attack, strike,
hit, transform, shape, control, determine, sway, bias
Aggressive Behavior = Frustration and Anger, hostile, combative, belligerent, assertive,
confrontational
Average- Sized = Medium- Sized, midpoint, typical, standard, normal, moderate, middling, mean
Agree On = Concur On, decide, arrange, settle on, come to an agreement, or reach an accord
Alter = Change, make changes to, make different, adjust, adapt, improve, modify, convert, revise,
redesign, restyle, redo, reorganize, vary, evolve, customize, tweak
A Century = 100 Years, era, epoch, generation, cycle, millennium, moment, chapter, course, point in
time, eon US, Aeon UK, milestone, occasion, session, time of life
Associated with = Relationship, related to, connected with, linked to, affiliated with, and engaged in
Admit = Acknowledge, accept, grant, agree, allow, appreciate, own, confess, reveal, make known,
disclose, make public, declare, bring into the open, own, concur, recognize, realize, be aware of,
discover
Attempt = Effort, try, strive, aim, venture, seek, set out, go all out, bust a gut, do one's best, do all
one can, give one's all, have a go at, embark on, try one's hand at, give it one's best shot, spare no
effort
Affect the Environment = Ruin Environment,
A Snarp Decrease = A Cash, A Sudden Serious Fall in The Price, Value of,
Allow = Grant Permission,
Aggressive = Assertive, Pushy
Aid = Help, Assist
At The Same Time = At A Time, A Few A Handful Of
Achievable =Realistic
Associated With = Closely Related To, link, connect, Attach, add, mix
A Similar Way To= Like
Ambitious = Aspiring,
Antagonize = Provoke, Emitter
After = Following, Next
Afraid= Frightened, Scared, Fear, horror, Terrible,
Always = Forever
Apparent = Obvious, Evident
Accompanied By = Together With
Ability = Skill, Aptitude
Accurate = Correct, Right
Awful = Dreadful,
Award = Clumsy, Uncoordinated,
Approve = Accept, Ratify, Endorse
Arrive = Reach = Come,
Above = Overhead
Allow = Permit
Achieve = Accomplish, Attain
Artificial = Fake, Synthetic, False
Amazing = Fantastic, As Astonishing, Extraordinary, Incredible, Fabulous, Wonderful
Angry = Mad, Furious
Active = Energetic, Animated, Lively
Adequate = Sufficient, enough, Ample
Ask Question = Inquire
Adjourn = Postpone, Recess
Active = Energetic,
Answer = Reply, Respond
Ask Question = Request, Inquire, Query, Examine.
Adult = Grown-Up
Average = Ordinary, Fair
Attraction = Spectacular
Advocate = Support, Recommend
Arrogant = Haughty
After = Behind
Awful = Dreadful, Terrible, Bad, Unpleasant

LETTER B
Businesses = Companies
Beneath = Under
Brief = Short, Concise
Broad = Wide, Expansive
Beautiful = Gorgeous, Graceful, Elegant, Pretty, Lovely, Attractive
Begin = Start, Open, Initiate, Commence
Based On = Modelled On
Brave = Courageous, Fearless
By = Via
Busy = Occupied
Build = Construct, produce, create, make-made, constrict, nanofeature
Big = Enormous, Huge, Gigantic, Vast, Large, Great
Bright = Intelligent, Knowing, Quick-Witted, Smart, Shining, Shiny Brilliant
Buy = Purchase
Best = Finest
Blend = Combine, Mix
Be Put Together = Be Composed
Be Allowed = Be Entitled
Beautiful (View) = Breathtaking, Wonderful, Picturesque
Beautiful (Person) = Attractive, Gorgeous, Good-Looking
Base = Foundation
Brave = Courageous
Be Predicted To = Be Expected To
Be Impossible = Cannot
Building = Construction
Before = Prior
Because = Since
Be Given Priority = Preferential
Believe Trust = Accept
Be Successful to Prosper = Be Fortunate
Barren = Unproductive, Infertile
Below = Under = Lower
Beneficial Helpful = Useful Advantageous
Become Troublesome = Interfere With
Before = Prior To
Brain = Mind
Be Able = Be Capable, Be Qualified
Ban = Prohibit, Forbid
Before = Prior, Earlier
Beginning = Start, Initiate
Be Raised = Be Lifted
Become Aware Of = Realize
Boundaries = Frontiers
Body Language = Gestures
Beautiful = Pretty, Attractive, Lovely
Bloom = Flourish
Bones = Remains
Beyond The Point Where Land Is Visible = Out of Sight of Land
Birds In Temperate Climates = Temperate-Zone Birds
Build = Construct

LETTER C
Located = Situated
Consumption = Use
Cut = Reduce
Cities = Urban
Crops = Plants Which Are Grown for Food
Components = Parts
Conscientious = Careful
Common = Generally
Cannot Be Replaced = No Substitute For
Complexity = Intricacy
Currently = In More Recent Decades
Categories = Types
Create = Build
Consistent With = Fit
Charging = Pricing
Commitment To = Engagement
Colleague = Peer
Charming = Delightful, Appealing, Enchanting
Chilly = Cool
Conditions = Factors
Copy = Reproduction
Colors = Hues
Certain = Sure, Definite
Capture = Seize, Arrest
Consulted = Asked Advice
Collect = Accumulate
Contribute To Lead To =
Care=Concern = Protection
Careful = Cautious Watchful
Cold = Freezing
Comprehend = Understand
Confuse = Misinterpret
Coincidental = Fortuitous
Civil = Municipal
Close =Shut, Fasten
Close = Near
Conclude = Draw A Conclusion
Change = Shift
Calm = Quiet = Tranquil
Complete = Finish
Complex = Complicated
Cooperation = Support and Understanding
Construction = Building
City Life = Urban Lifestyles
Complex = Complicated = Intricate
Competent = Capable = Qualified
Collect Information = Establish A Databank
Catastrophic = Devastating
Compress = Condense, Squeeze
Concrete = Solid
Concur = Agree
Conflict = Oppose, Differ
Consecutive = Successive, Continuous
Conservative Cautious = Restrained
Conscientious = Scrupulous, Virtuous
Careless Reckless =
Conflict = Fight= Battle = Struggle
Cease = Stop = Discontinue
Courageous = Brave
Carefully = Meticulously
Channel Their Feelings = Emotional Forces in Harness
Cemetery = Burial Ground
Current Teaching Methods = Modern Teaching Practices
Characteristics = Traits
Citizens = Residents
Cognitive = Perceptual
Cut Down On = Reduce
Categories = Types
City = Metropolitan
Conserving Energy = Sparing Use of Energy Reserves
Comply With = Obey
Cheerful = Optimistic
Cheap = Worthless
Courageous = Brave = Heroic, Cowardly Fearful
Contributed To = Made A Contribution To
Charging = Pricing
Contaminate = Pollute
Contented = Satisfied = Pleased
Comparatively = Relatively
Come = Approach, Arrive, Reach
Cool = Chilly, Cold, Frosty, Frigid
Conform = Comply
Conceal = Hide
Cozy = Comfortable
Congested = Overcrowded, Stuffed
Continue = Persist, Persevere
Clarify = Explain, Simplify
Connect = Join, Link, Attach
Conscious = Aware
Courteous = Polite
Considerate = Thoughtful
Constantly = Always, Continually
Convenient = Handy
Conventional = Customary, Traditional
Correct = Accurate, Right
Cry = Shout, Yell, Scream
Cut = Chop = Reduce
Crazy = Insane, Mad
Cruel = Heartless
Careless = Negligent
Chatting On the Internet = Chatting Online
Criminals = People Who Commit a Crime

LETTER D
Distance = Transportation
Disadvantage = Drawback
Directly = Straight
Decline = Downfall
Dull = Banal
Dominant = Overbearing
Death Rate = Mortality Rate
Domestic = Home
Define = Distinguish
Dense = Tight
Direction = Regulation
Difficult Situations = Challenging Activities
Disobey = Resist
Discovered = Explored
Damage = Harm, injure
Divided = Split
Dissuade = Deter
Disputes = Disagreement
Difficulties = Challenges
Depart = Leave
Disaster = Accident
Do Not Have = Lack
Domestic = Connected with The Home or Family
Difficulty In Recognizing = Hidden or Obscured
Drop = Discard
Different = Unrelated
Discoveries = Breakthroughs
Distinctive = Different
Dreadful = Terrible = Unpleasant
Dull = Blunt
Depart = Leave, Exit
Deposit = Place
Devised = Formulated
Detecting = Locating
Dumb = Stupid
Documentation = Written Accounts
Domestic = Connected with The Home or Family
Dark = Black
Doubt = Mistrust
Dawn = Sunrise
Dense = Thick, Heavy, Compressed
Due Primarily To = Mainly Because Of
Depend (Mainly) On = Rely (Heavily) On
Disclose = Eliminate the Secrecy
Declined By 50% = Halved
Destroy = Ruin
Dangerous = Hazardous, Risky, Unsafe
Dark = Shadowy, Dim, Dusky, Black
Different = Distinct, Unlike
Documented Evidence = Data Incidence, Scale
Decreasing = Decline
Doubt = Distrust
Doubtful = Vague
Decay = Rot, Spoil
Delicate = Fragile
Disagree = Differ, Dispute
Dispute = Debate, Oppose
Demolish = Destroy
Delightful = Charming = Lovely
Dissatisfied = Unhappy
Discontinue = Stop
Dull = Boring, Tiring = Tiresome, Uninteresting, Tedious, Monotonous
Different = Varied
Damage = Hurt, Impair, Harm
Dangerous = Unsafe, Hazardous
Deduct = Subtract
Defend = Protect
Detest = Dislike, Hate
Divide = Separate = Split
Docile = Tame
Tame = Gentle
Difficult = Hard = Challenging
Diverse Different = Distinct
Dirty = Messy
Destroy = Demolish
Dishonest =Untrustworthy
Dull = Uneducated
Destroy = Ruin, Demolish
Disagreement = Contrast = Incompatibility
Different Functions = Various Features