In the latest lesson on my member site, I talked about the problem of using synonyms. For example, if you're describing a chart that shows percentages of poverty, you might think that you need to use synonyms of the word poverty in your answer.
If you look for synonyms of 'poverty' in a dictionary, you'll find words like:
destitution, pennilessness, deprivation, impoverishment, pauperism
Unfortunately, these words will seem forced and unnatural. Also, you don't have access to a dictionary in your test, and it's unlikely that you would have these words in your head.
My advice in the video lesson was this: Add variety by using collocations instead of synonyms. For example:
Collocations with the word poverty:
- poverty rates
- levels of poverty
- below the poverty line
Collocations with the adjective (poor) instead of the noun (poverty):
- poor people
- people who were classed as poor
- poorer individuals
In the academic test, this is the best way to reduce repetition and to add variety to your task 1 answers.
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