One quarter of your IELTS speaking score comes from how you use vocabulary and how you describe people. For example, a question may ask you to:

  • Describe an older person that you have known for years
  • Describe one of your good neighbours
  • Describe your favorite character from a TV program or movie

In this situation a lot of candidates would use a sentence like “He is nice” or “She is kind”. Both these sentences are okay, but even for native speakers “nice” and “kind” are so common that they have become stale.

Interesting IELTS adjectives

To avoid boring answers, research and prepare more interesting adjectives that can be used to increase your “Lexical Resource” score.

  • It’s very common for English speakers to add an “explaining sentence” after they use an adjective of any kind; so if an English speaker likes someone, they may use the “so/very/really” positive adjective: “She’s so funny”.
  • If we want to say something negative about someone we like we can use “can be a little/bit negative adjective sometimes”: “My dad can be a bit grumpy sometimes” or “not very positive adjective”. “He’s a lovely guy, but he’s not very reliable”.
  • Sometimes when we are a little angry with the person we can use “so/very/really negative adjective”

7 amazing IELTS adjectives

1. Open-minded 

  • Meaning: Having or showing a mind receptive to new ideas or arguments
  • Example: “When I told my parents that I wanted to be a professional singer, they didn’t mind at all, they’re really open-minded.”

2. Reliable 

  • Meaning: May be relied upon. Trustworthy
  • Example: “My brother is very reliable. He’s never late.”

3. Stingy

  • Meaning: (Doesn’t like to spend money)
  • Example: “My boyfriend is nice, but he can be a bit stingy. I always pay for dinner.”

4. Outgoing 

  • Meaning: Friendly, starts conversations with others.
  • Example: “Although he’s 85, he’s really outgoing. He loves meeting new people.”

5. Over-sensitive

  • Meaning: Too sensitive, or easily offended
  • Example: “Steve’s so over-sensitive, he always gets angry when anyone criticises his work.”

6. Blunt

  • Meaning: Too direct, a little rude.
  • Example: “He’s a bit blunt sometimes. He often just says what he thinks.”

7. Self-assured

  • Meaning: Confident.
  • Example: “He never has a problem meeting new people. He’s really self assured.”

Study IELTS in Rawalpindi

The best way to improve your adjective use in English is by signing up for IELTS classes in Rawalpindi. Our flexible, part-time classes are built around your schedule, allowing you the freedom to learn when you want. Take a practice test and sign up today.