1. Unnecessary Use of Synonyms

Avoid Certain synomyms for  child, children, and parents.

Most candidates make the mistake of thinking that using synonyms will improve their IELTS score. This is not entirely correct. Using the right word at the right place is a lot, lot, lot more important that using synonyms for otherwise common words.

Many test takers use words like progeny, younglings, offspring, among others. With respect to IELTS, these words are almost always wrong. 'Children', 'youngsters' and 'young people' are accepted alternatives. There's nothing wrong with repeating these words throughout your essay. Do not use the other words.The same is the case with 'parents'. Quite often, the word is replaced with other less accurate (for IELTS) words like guardians or caretakers. A guardian or a caretaker is not always a parent, and depending on the context, they might convey a wrong meaning.

2. Big Words

Avoid use of words like Opine, Recapitulate, etc

While using these words might make you feel good, just using these words will do nothing to your score. In fact, the word 'opine' is almost never used in an academic setting, unless you are writing a novel or a story. The use of the word is layered and nuanced. Unless you are fully familiar with the context, do not use these words.

3. Fossilised Errors

Avoid: Discuss about, most of the people

Discuss already means talk about. So, if you want to talk about the why crime is increasing, simply say, this essay discusses the reasons behind the increasing crime...

The same applies for 'most of the people'. Simple say 'most people'. Most of the people do not understand the beauty of simple sentences.

4. Unnecessary Phrases

Avoid phrases like, 'in the technologically advanced era..', 'like every coin has two sides...', 'in today's competitive world..'

When beginning passages, many test takers make the mistake of using phrases like those mentioned above. These phrases rarely add value, and since they do not add value, they do not add to your score, and in some cases, take away from it.

For instance, saying, '... there are two sides to the issue' is much, much, much better than writing '...like every coin has two sides, the topic of this essay also has two sides.'

The simple test below will tell you how effective using the right word is!

Happy Learning!