Lesson 12: Modern Times – Writing Band 8

Lesson 12: Modern Times

1. brand – a type of product made by a particular company
2. demographics – statistical data relating to the population and particular groups within it.
3. globalization – the development of closer economic, cultural, and political relations among all the countries of the world
4. hindsight – understanding the nature of an event after it has actually happened
5. icon – a person or thing regarded as a representative symbol or as worthy of veneration.
6. identity – who or what somebody/something is
7. implication – a likely consequence of something
8. joint venture – a business or business activity that two or more people or companies work on together
9. monopoly – the exclusive possession or control of the supply or trade in a commodity or service.
10. modernization – the process of adapting something to modern needs or habits.
11. multiculturalism – the belief that different cultures within a society should all be given importance
12. projection – a calculation or guess about the future based on information that you have
13. proportion – the number or amount of a group or part of something when compared to the whole
14. ethnic – relating to a particular race of people
15. exotic – exciting and unusual because it is connected with foreign countries
16. long–term – continuing a long time into the future
17. sceptical – doubting that something is true or useful
18. subsequent – later; following; coming after
19. wealthy – rich
20. contribute – give (something, especially money) in order to help achieve or provide something.
21. dwindle – become smaller and smaller; shrink
22. urbanization – the process by which more and more people leave the countryside to live in cities
23. ethnicity – a large group of people who have the same national, racial, or cultural origins, or the state of belonging to such a group
24. astounding – very surprising or shocking
25. ridiculous – stupid or unreasonable
26. commentator – a person on radio or television who describes and discusses news events, sports, books, or other subjects
27. bug – (1) a very small insect. (2) a mistake or problem in a computer program
28. flatten off/out – to stop rising or falling, and stay at the same level
29. meddle – to try to change or have an influence on things that are not your responsibility
30. unfold – to happen as time passes.
31. factor in – take into account
32. project – to calculate an amount or number expected in the future from information already known
33. GDP – Gross Domestic Product: the total value of goods and services produced by a country in a year
34. embrace – to accept something enthusiastically
35. compound – to make a problem or difficult situation worse

Some questions asked in previous IELTS Writing Paper that you would be able to write with the help of the vocabulary in this lesson:

1. Some people think that in modern society one needs to focus on their career while leaving personal development and values behind. What do you think is more important? Provide specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.
2. Many modern shopping centres are now becoming more popular than local market shops. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this consumer behaviour? Provide specific reasons and examples to support your position.
3. The most popular modern media is the internet. Do you think it will replace all other available media of communication? Provide specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.