Synonym Clusters
Four clusters of words that swap freely inside a group and never across one.
Click to zoom
Words swap freely inside a cluster. The trap is always a swap between them.
Recognise the size and frequency synonyms IELTS Reading uses to disguise a match between the question and the passage.
Preview · progress not saved — Chapter 1 is free
Reading questions are built to hide the match. Size and frequency words are the most heavily disguised category of all.
If the passage says substantial, the question will say considerable — or significant, or marked. Never substantial.
This is not accidental. If the question repeated the passage's wording, the task would be word-matching rather than reading. So the exam paraphrases, deliberately, and size and frequency words are the most heavily paraphrased category in the whole test — because almost every passage contains them.
Four clusters of words that swap freely inside a group and never across one.
Words swap freely inside a cluster. The trap is always a swap between them.
Eight pairs the exam actually uses to disguise a match.
Terms
Definitions
Five passage-and-question pairs. Decide whether the match is real or the strength has shifted.
This is the True / Not Given decision in miniature. In each case the topic matches. The question is whether the strength matches too.
Passage: the effect on rural employment was negligible. Question claims: there was a marginal effect on rural employment. Does it hold?
Three near-misses. Say whether the match holds, then say what broke it.
One
Passage: a marginal increase in rainfall Question: a considerable increase in rainfall
Match or not?
Because:
Two
Passage: the impact was negligible Question: the impact was insignificant
Match or not?
Because:
Three
Passage: poverty is widespread in the region Question: poverty is abundant in the region
Match or not?
Because: