• IELTS

Mastering Adjectives in the IELTS Exam: A Sure-Fire Way to Ace the Test

3237 Reads
3 min Read

By:CANAM Group
Updated On:Aug 31,2023 01:35 PM IST

Adjectives are essential in IELTS exams as they help to articulate ideas more precisely and accurately. It is crucial to use adjectives appropriately in IELTS exams and to avoid using too many of them. Read the blog to comprehend the importance of adjectives and how to enhance one's IELTS scores.

Students who want to study abroad must prove their English proficiency by taking various tests, including the IELTS exam. It is crucial for test-takers to have a strong understanding of grammar, particularly adjectives in the IELTS exam.

Adjectives are words that describe nouns or pronouns. They can be used to describe the size, colour, shape, texture, taste, smell, or quality of a noun. Adjectives are important words that can help candidates express their ideas more precisely and accurately in the exam. Using adjectives correctly can help improve your band score.

Importance of Adjectives in the IELTS Exam

Grammar is the foundation of a language. A good understanding of grammar for IELTS is essential for clear and effective communication, both in writing and speaking. Without a solid understanding of grammar, it can be difficult to construct meaningful and logical sentences. Adjectives play a pivotal role in grammar. Candidates appearing for the IELTS exam should use a wide variety of adjectives appropriately and accurately. Adjectives are important in the IELTS exam because they help to add detail, precision, and vividness to your writing. Adjectives in IELTS can also be used to create a more engaging writing style and to show the examiner that the candidate has a good vocabulary.

Here is an example of how adjectives can be used to add detail to the writing

Original: The house was big.

Improved: The house was a spacious two-story building accompanied by a white picket fence.

The improved sentence uses more specific adjectives to describe the house. The reader now knows that the house is two stories tall, that it is made of red brick, and that it has a white picket fence. This gives the reader a more detailed picture of the house.

Here is an example of how adjectives can be used to create a more vivid writing style

Original: The city was busy.

Improved: The city was a bustling metropolis, with skyscrapers reaching into the sky and people rushing around on every corner.

The improved sentence uses more vivid adjectives to describe the city. The reader now feels like they are right there in the city, surrounded by skyscrapers and people. The adjectives "bustling" and "metropolis" create a sense of excitement and energy, while the adjectives "skyscrapers" and "people" create a sense of size and activity.

Here is an example of how adjectives can be used to show the examiner that you have a good vocabulary

Original: The food was good.

Improved: The food was delicious, with a wide variety of flavours and textures.

The improved sentence uses more specific adjectives to describe the food. The reader now knows that the food was not just "good," but that it was also delicious and had a wide variety of flavours and textures. This shows the examiner that the writer has a good vocabulary and can express themselves precisely.

By using adjectives effectively, candidates can improve their writing and speaking and score higher in the IELTS exam. Be sure to use adjectives in IELTS writing or speaking to add detail, precision, and vividness.

Types of Adjectives:

1. Adjectives of Quality: The adjectives of quality refer to the quality or kind of a person or thing. For example: Mumbai is a large city.

2. Adjectives of Quantity: The adjectives of quantity refer to the quantity, type, or degree of something. For example: I ate some chocolate.

3. Adjectives of number: This type of adjective specifies how many people or things occur or in what order they occur. For example: there are several mistakes in the essay.

4. Demonstrative Adjectives: This kind of adjective points out the position of a noun in pace or time. Some of them are: that, the other, the, this, etc.

5. Distributive Adjectives: Distributive adjectives refer to each one of them separately. Example: Every word of it is false.

6. Interrogative Adjectives: Words such as what, which, and whose are considered interrogative adjectives. For example, whose phone is this?

7. Possessive Adjectives: A list of possessive adjectives is: my, our, your, his, her, their, and its. For example: Her book was lost.

Adjective Patterns

Form and use of adjectives

Adjectives are words that describe nouns. They do not change their form to show number or gender, but they can be formed from other words by adding suffixes or changing the spelling.

Adjectives can act as nouns when they describe a particular group or characteristic. It generally uses the definite article for IELTS grammar and a plural verb.

For example: The rich live a luxurious lifestyle.

In this sentence, "rich" is an adjective describing a particular group of people (the wealthy or affluent individuals). We can transform it into a noun and use the definite article "the" with a plural verb.

Adjectives before nouns

Adjectives are usually placed before nouns and noun phrases they modify. This is called the attributive position. For example, "The big dog ran across the park. In the given sentence, "big" is placed before the noun "noun" to describe its size.

However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Some adjectives can be placed after the noun they modify, which is called a predictive position. For example: "The dog is big". Here the adjective is "big" and is placed after the noun "dog".

Participle (ing or ed) adjectives;

The participles (ing or ed) are often used as adjectives in the same position as other.

For example, I never find noodles very satisfying.

Testimonials from satisfied clients can help in growing the business.

It is, however, important to note that some participle adjectives can only be used after a noun, such as applying, causing, discussing, finding, providing, questioned, and taking.

Compounds

Participles can be combined with other words to make compound adjectives. These participles are usually used last. For example, a mind-boggling puzzle

Here, "mind-boggling" is a compound adjective created by combining the participle "boggling" with the noun "mind”. The participle "boggling" indicates that the puzzle is so challenging or perplexing that it overwhelms the mind, making it a mind-boggling puzzle.

Commonly used Adjective Synonyms in IELTS Speaking and Writing

Candidates must use a wide range of word forms in the IELTS exam to achieve a high band score. To achieve a good band score in IELTS, it is important to use a wide range of vocabulary. One way to learn new vocabulary is to note down less commonly used words, along with their synonyms and examples. This will help applicants avoid using the same words over and over again in their writing.

Adjectives	Synonyms
Bad	Negative, detrimental, inferior, harmful, unacceptable, unpleasant
Big	Sizable, broad, spacious, grand
Happy	Pleased, satisfied, glad, blissful, overjoyed
Interesting	Fascinating, gripping, inviting, engrossing, absorbing, exciting, attractive
Great	Noteworthy, remarkable, mighty, powerful
Important	Chief, critical, essential, key, necessary, urgent
Useful	Helpful, effective

To expand their vocabulary for the IELTS exam, candidates should research and study synonyms for commonly used adjectives. This will help them to avoid using the same words over and over again in their writing and to express themselves more precisely.

Conclusion

A solid grasp of adjectives is a valuable asset for students aiming to succeed in the IELTS exam. Practicing and incorporating adjectives in IELTS exam effectively will not only improve their performance in the test but also enhance their overall English proficiency for successful academic and professional endeavours.

Also read: A guide to the IELTS exam

FAQ

What is the rule for adjectives?

The rule for adjectives is that in a sentence, the determiner always comes first. This is followed by the quantity, opinion, size, age, shape, colour, origin, material, and purpose or qualifier of the noun being described.

Should I use adjectives in IELTS speaking?

Yes, one should use adjectives in the IELTS speaking section to give general or precise information. They can use extreme adjectives while illustrating a story or explaining an opinion in IELTS speaking to add enthusiasm and interest.

What are the synonyms for famous?

Some synonyms for famous are well-known, renowned, noted, etc.

Should we use synonyms for adjectives in IELTS?

Yes, one must try using synonyms for adjectives, as it helps in enhancing vocabulary but also advances the candidate’s writing and speaking skills.

What is the most commonly used synonym for ‘beautiful?’

The most commonly used synonym for beautiful is attractive.

Get great articles direct to your inbox

The latest news, articles, and resources, sent straight to your inbox every month.

Popular Universities to Study Abroad

World class education waiting for you.

TCS - The Chicago School of Professional Psychology - Dallas Campus

Texas, USA • 3 Programmes

Tuition Fee : USD 0-0 / year

Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) - Marlborough Campus

Marlborough, New Zealand • 8 Programmes

Tuition Fee : NZD 16900-34851 / year

Tamwood International College - Vancouver Campus

British Columbia, Canada • 8 Programmes

Tuition Fee : CAD 8500-19000 / year

University of Cumbria (Carlisle - Fusehill Street Campus)

England, UK • 29 Programmes

Tuition Fee : GBP 10000-16000 / year

Munich Business School - University of Applied Sciences

Bavaria, Germany • 7 Programmes

Tuition Fee : EUR 12360-12360 / year

Global University Systems (GUS) - Berlin School of Business and Innovation - Berlin Campus

Berlin, Germany • 27 Programmes

Tuition Fee : EUR 9450-9925 / year

Enrollment Advisory Group - University of Bridgeport

Connecticut, USA • 38 Programmes

Tuition Fee : USD 32000-32500 / year

University of Cumbria (Ambleside Campus)

England, UK • 16 Programmes

Tuition Fee : GBP 10000-16000 / year

View All Universities

Latest at CANAM

Events, webinar, college / university visits and more.

University Visit - Edmonds College, USA

Study in USA • University Visit

New Delhi • 02:00PM

In-Person Event

Global Admissions Fair

Study in Canada, UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Ireland • Application Days

Jagroan • 09:30AM

In-Person Event

University Visit - Manitoba Institute Of Trades And Technology (MITT)

Study in Canada • University Visit

kochi2 • 10:30AM

In-Person Event

Top countries destinations

Popular university and colleges for Studying abroad.

Bond University Queensland
Central Queensland University - Rockhampton, North Campus Queensland
Charles Sturt University - Wagga Wagga Campus New South Wales
Deakin University - Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus Victoria
Engineering Institute of Technology - Perth campus Western Australia
Griffith University - Nathan Campus Queensland
La Trobe University - Bendigo Campus Victoria
LCI Melbourne - Art & Design School Victoria

Ara Institute of Canterbury - City Campus Southland
Aspire 2 International - Auckland Campus Auckland
Auckland University of Technology - City Campus Auckland
Eastern Institute of Technology - Hawke Bay Campus Hawke's Bay
Manukau Institute of Technology -Manukau Campus Auckland
Massey University - Auckland Campus Auckland
Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) - Nelson Campus Southland
New Zealand Institute of Business & Technology (NZIBT) Auckland
The University of Waikato - Hamilton Campus Hamilton

Kent state university Ohio
San Jose State University California
Wright State University Ohio
Clark University Massachusetts
Rowan University New Jersey
Arkansas State University Arkansas
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Wisconsin
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Illinois
University of Findlay Ohio

Popular English Language Proficiency Exams

IELTS Online

- Live Classes

Blogs and Articles

Curated content to keep you updated on the latest education trends, news and more.

MBA in Finance in New Zealand

Did you know New Zealand has become an emerging destination for pursuing an MBA (Master of Business Administration) program? The number of MBA student...

Updated on • Dec 13,2024 05:05 PM IST • New Zealand

Education System in Singapore

Singapore, also known as the "Lion City," has one of the most holistic and innovative education systems in the world. The Organization for Economic Co...

Updated on • Dec 12,2024 05:03 PM IST • Singapore

Medical Courses in UK

Medical courses in the UK are recognised globally for their academic challenge, updated facilities, and comprehensive practical experience. UK Univers...

Updated on • Dec 10,2024 05:36 PM IST • study in the UK

MBBS in Germany

Studying an MBBS in Germany offers a pathway to a world-class education in medicine, attracting thousands of aspiring doctors from around the globe ev...

Updated on • Dec 09,2024 05:49 PM IST • Study in Germany

Letter of Motivation for Germany

If you are planning to study abroad, you must know that the SOP is the most essential document for the application process. In Germany, the same SOP i...

Updated on • Dec 07,2024 05:11 PM IST • Germany

Part-Time Jobs in Germany for International Students

Studying abroad is an experience of a lifetime, incorporating distinct incidents and events. Students are advised to work part-time to make this adven...

Updated on • Dec 06,2024 04:38 PM IST • Study in Germany

Health Insurance in Germany for International Students

Do you know that Germany has one of the world's oldest national health insurance systems? That's right, and the health insurance system of Germany dat...

Updated on • Dec 06,2024 04:05 PM IST • Study in Germany

Scholarships in Germany for International Students

For international students looking to pursue their higher education abroad, Germany is known as one of the most affordable study destinations. Its cre...

Updated on • Dec 06,2024 03:59 PM IST • Study in Germany

Study Permit for Canada

Planning to study in Canada? But in order to heading off to the land of the maple leaf, it's important to understand how to apply for a Canadian study...

Updated on • Dec 05,2024 05:04 PM IST • Study in Canada

Student Life in UK

The United Kingdom is home to some of the most renowned universities that provide learning opportunities to students nationwide. The country is known ...

Updated on • Dec 04,2024 04:46 PM IST • study in the UK

Master of Information Systems (MIS) in USA

In today's fast-paced and digitally-driven world, organizations increasingly depend on information systems to streamline operations, enhance decision-...

Updated on • Dec 02,2024 05:28 PM IST • USA

Bachelor of Nursing Courses in Australia

Are you passionate about helping others and drawn to the dynamic world of healthcare? A Bachelor of Nursing in Australia could be the perfect la...

Updated on • Nov 30,2024 03:16 PM IST • Australia

Study Medicine in Germany

Are you an international student planning to study medicine in Germany? We want to tell you are going in the right direction, as Germany hosts world-c...

Updated on • Nov 27,2024 05:34 PM IST • Study in Germany

Universities of Applied Sciences in Germany

Germany is gaining popularity for its top-notch universities of applied science, known as Fachhochschule. These esteemed institutes offer top-quality ...

Updated on • Nov 27,2024 05:22 PM IST • Germany

Student Life in Germany

Germany is known for its affordable education and top-class universities in Europe, but what is it like to become a student at a German univ...

Updated on • Nov 27,2024 04:18 PM IST • Study in Germany

Complete Undergraduate Admissions Guide to Study in Germany

Ever dreamt of studying in a land steeped in history and innovation? Germany, a powerhouse of education and engineering, beckons you with it...

Updated on • Nov 27,2024 03:54 PM IST • Study in Germany

PTE Score Chart 2025: PTE Exam Scoring System & Calculation

Most international institutions demand proof of strong English skills, making language proficiency tests a necessity to pursue higher education. While...

Updated on • Nov 26,2024 01:55 PM IST • PTE

Masters in Project Management in USA

Students with ISTJ Personality may have a successful future in project management as their sole personality aligns with the needs of an exceptional pr...

Updated on • Nov 26,2024 01:15 PM IST • USA

IELTS Speaking Questions

The IELTS exam is a popular way for people who want to study overseas, but don't speak English as their first language or where it's not spoken often....

Updated on • Nov 25,2024 03:45 PM IST • IELTS

Accounting Courses in USA

The United States has always been a land of opportunities, especially in education. The allure of studying accounting in the US remains strong, thanks...

Updated on • Nov 25,2024 03:33 PM IST • USA

Mastering Adjectives in the IELTS Exam: A Sure-Fire Way to Ace the Test

Table of Contents

Importance of Adjectives in the IELTS Exam

Here is an example of how adjectives can be used to add detail to the writing

Here is an example of how adjectives can be used to create a more vivid writing style

Here is an example of how adjectives can be used to show the examiner that you have a good vocabulary

Types of Adjectives:

Adjective Patterns

Form and use of adjectives

Adjectives before nouns

Participle (ing or ed) adjectives;

Compounds

Commonly used Adjective Synonyms in IELTS Speaking and Writing

Conclusion

FAQ

Events, webinar, college / university visits and more.

Popular university and colleges for Studying abroad.

Bond University Queensland

Central Queensland University - Rockhampton, North Campus Queensland

Charles Sturt University - Wagga Wagga Campus New South Wales

Deakin University - Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus Victoria

Engineering Institute of Technology - Perth campus Western Australia

Griffith University - Nathan Campus Queensland

La Trobe University - Bendigo Campus Victoria

LCI Melbourne - Art & Design School Victoria

University Canada West British Columbia

University of Windsor Ontario

Dalhousie University Nova Scotia

Carleton University Ontario

Cape Breton University Nova Scotia

University of ottawa Ontario

University of saskatchewan Saskatchewan

University of regina Saskatchewan

University of guelph Ontario

Ara Institute of Canterbury - City Campus Southland

Aspire 2 International - Auckland Campus Auckland

Auckland University of Technology - City Campus Auckland

Eastern Institute of Technology - Hawke Bay Campus Hawke's Bay

Manukau Institute of Technology -Manukau Campus Auckland

Massey University - Auckland Campus Auckland

Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) - Nelson Campus Southland

New Zealand Institute of Business & Technology (NZIBT) Auckland

The University of Waikato - Hamilton Campus Hamilton

University of Warwick England

De Montfort University England

University of West London England

University of Strathclyde Scotland

Aston University England

University of Bath England

University of Liverpool England

Durham University England

Newcastle University England

Kent state university Ohio

San Jose State University California

Wright State University Ohio

Clark University Massachusetts

Rowan University New Jersey

Arkansas State University Arkansas

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Wisconsin

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Illinois

University of Findlay Ohio

Popular English Language Proficiency Exams

IELTS Online