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Vocabulary

Vocabulary · Updated 2026-06-13

IELTS Vocabulary for Society (40 Academic Words)

A focused set of high-frequency Society vocabulary for IELTS Writing and Speaking. Each word includes a learner-friendly meaning and a natural example sentence. Learn them, then use Engldom to drill them with spaced repetition.

WordMeaning & example
community B1A group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common.
The local community organised a festival to celebrate their town's history.
culture B1The ideas, customs, and social behaviour of a particular people or society.
Understanding different cultures is important for global communication.
government B1The governing body of a nation, state, or community.
The government announced new policies to improve public transport.
economy B1The state of a country or region in terms of the production and consumption of goods and services and the supply of money.
The country's economy has shown significant growth in the last quarter.
education B1The process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially at a school or university.
Access to quality education is a fundamental right for all children.
population B1All the inhabitants of a particular place.
The population of the city has increased dramatically over the past decade.
health B1The state of being free from illness or injury.
Regular exercise and a balanced diet contribute to good health.
poverty B1The state of being extremely poor.
Governments worldwide are working to alleviate poverty.
wealth B1An abundance of valuable possessions or money.
The disparity between wealth and poverty is a major societal issue.
employment B1The state of having paid work.
The government aims to create more employment opportunities for young people.
unemployment B1The state of being unemployed.
High rates of unemployment can lead to social unrest.
justice B1Fairness in the way people are treated.
The legal system strives to ensure justice for all citizens.
equality B1The state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities.
Achieving gender equality remains a significant challenge.
freedom B1The power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.
Freedom of speech is a cornerstone of democratic societies.
responsibility B1The state or fact of having a duty to deal with something or of having control over someone.
Citizens have a responsibility to participate in elections.
citizenship B1The status of being a citizen.
Understanding the rights and responsibilities of citizenship is vital.
organisation B1An organised group of people with a particular purpose, such as a business or government department.
Many non-profit organisations work to address social issues.
development B1The process of developing or being developed.
Sustainable development aims to meet present needs without compromising the future.
infrastructure B1The basic physical and organisational structures and facilities needed for the operation of a society or enterprise.
The city needs to invest more in its transport infrastructure.
globalisation B1The process by which businesses or other organisations develop international influence or start operating on an international scale.
Globalisation has led to increased cultural exchange but also economic inequality.
migration B1Movement of people from one place to another with the intention of settling, permanently or temporarily.
Migration patterns are influenced by economic and social factors.
diversity B1The state of being diverse; variety.
Multicultural societies benefit from ethnic and cultural diversity.
inclusion B1The practice or policy of providing equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalised.
Schools should promote the inclusion of all students, regardless of ability.
cooperation B1The action or process of working together to the same end.
International cooperation is essential to address climate change.
conflict B1A serious disagreement or argument, typically a protracted one.
Resolving international conflicts requires diplomacy and negotiation.
tradition B1The transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to generation, or the fact of being passed on.
Many societies try to preserve their cultural traditions.
values B1Principles or standards of behaviour; one's judgment of what is important in life.
Different cultures may have different core values.
identity B1The fact of being who or what a person or thing is.
National identity can be shaped by shared history and culture.
generation B1All the people born and living at about the same time.
Each generation faces unique challenges and opportunities.
society B1The aggregate of people living together in a more or less ordered community.
Modern society faces complex issues like climate change and inequality.
structure B1The arrangement of and relations between the parts or elements of something complex.
The social structure of a country can impact its stability.
institution B1An organisation founded for a religious, educational, or social purpose.
Universities are important educational institutions.
policy B1A course or principle of action adopted or proposed by a government, party, business, or individual.
The government implemented a new policy to tackle pollution.
reform B1The improvement or amendment of what is wrong, corrupt, unsatisfactory, etc.
Political reforms are often necessary to address societal problems.
rights B1Entitlements based on moral or legal grounds.
Human rights are universal and should be protected.
law B1A system of rules recognized and enforced by a community or country.
The rule of law is essential for a stable society.
crime B1An action or omission that constitutes an offense that may be prosecuted by the state and is punishable by law.
Reducing crime rates is a priority for many governments.
victim B1A person harmed, injured, or killed as a result of a crime, accident, or other event.
Support services are available for victims of crime.
welfare B1The health, happiness, and fortunes of a person or group.
The government provides social welfare programs for its citizens.
behaviour B1The way in which one acts or conducts oneself.
Understanding adolescent behaviour is important for parents and educators.

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