Work
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Vocabulary for IELTS: Work.
"Work" is an important topic in the IELTS exam, especially in Speaking Part 1 and Writing Task 2. Whether you’re discussing your current job, workplace preferences, or the role of employment in society, using topic-specific vocabulary will help you sound fluent and confident. Below are some useful words and phrases tailored for this topic.
1. Job satisfaction: [Meaning: A sense of fulfilment or pleasure gained from one’s job]
Example 1: Job satisfaction plays a crucial role in employee retention.
Example 2: Without job satisfaction, even high salaries can’t keep workers happy.
2. Work-life balance: [Meaning: The ability to manage both work and personal life effectively]
Example 1: Many people leave corporate jobs in search of a better work-life balance.
Example 2: Work-life balance is a major concern in high-pressure professions.
3. Blue-collar job: [Meaning: Manual work typically in industries like construction or manufacturing]
Example 1: Blue-collar jobs are vital for the backbone of any economy.
Example 2: The rise of automation is threatening many blue-collar jobs.
4. Commute: [Meaning: Travel between home and workplace]
Example 1: I spend nearly two hours every day on my commute to the office.
Example 2: Long commutes often lead to stress and reduced productivity.
5. Freelancing: [Meaning: Working independently rather than for a single employer]
Example 1: Freelancing gives people the flexibility to choose their own clients.
Example 2: The internet has opened many new doors for remote work and freelancing.
6. Promotion prospects: [Meaning: Chances of career advancement]
Example 1: Young professionals often seek companies with clear promotion prospects.
Example 2: The lack of promotion prospects led her to resign and pursue a new path.
7. Remote working: [Meaning: Working from a location outside the traditional office]
Example 1: The pandemic accelerated the trend of remote working worldwide.
Example 2: Remote working helps companies cut operational costs.
8. Corporate ladder: [Meaning: A metaphor for career progression in a company]
Example 1: She climbed the corporate ladder quickly due to her strong leadership skills.
Example 2: Many employees find it difficult to move up the corporate ladder without mentorship.
9. Job turnover: [Meaning: The rate at which employees leave a company and are replaced]
Example 1: High job turnover can indicate poor management or employee dissatisfaction.
Example 2: Reducing job turnover is crucial for maintaining team cohesion.
10. Performance appraisal: [Meaning: Formal evaluation of an employee’s work performance]
Example 1: Annual performance appraisals help identify training needs and bonuses.
Example 2: A biased performance appraisal system can demotivate staff.
11. Occupational burnout: [Meaning: Chronic stress from work leading to exhaustion]
Example 1: Long hours and unrealistic targets can result in occupational burnout.
Example 2: Employers must address occupational burnout to preserve staff well-being.
12. Bureaucratic hierarchy: [Meaning: A rigid chain of command in an organisation]
Example 1: Innovation is often stifled in a bureaucratic hierarchy.
Example 2: Flat structures are replacing the traditional bureaucratic hierarchy in many firms.
13. Workplace autonomy: [Meaning: The freedom to make decisions in one’s role]
Example 1: Workplace autonomy increases motivation and job ownership.
Example 2: Micromanagement limits workplace autonomy and creativity.
14. Labour market dynamics: [Meaning: The forces that affect employment trends and wages]
Example 1: Understanding labour market dynamics is essential for economic planning.
Example 2: AI is set to disrupt labour market dynamics over the next decade.
15. Occupational stratification: [Meaning: The division of jobs into hierarchical levels based on prestige and income]
Example 1: Societies with extreme occupational stratification often struggle with inequality.
Example 2: Addressing occupational stratification requires better access to education.
16. Interdisciplinary collaboration: [Meaning: Cooperation between people from different fields to achieve shared goals]
Example 1: The tech industry thrives on interdisciplinary collaboration between engineers and designers.
Example 2: Interdisciplinary collaboration is key to innovation in the modern workplace.
17. Workforce resilience: [Meaning: The ability of employees to adapt and thrive under pressure]
Example 1: Training can strengthen workforce resilience in times of crisis.
Example 2: A supportive environment fosters workforce resilience and retention.
18. Cognitive labour: [Meaning: Mental effort used in decision-making, problem-solving, and creativity]
Example 1: Cognitive labour is increasingly valued in the knowledge-based economy.
Example 2: Unlike physical tasks, cognitive labour demands continuous innovation.
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