This list was written by BandLadder's authors, Fizza Butool Zaidi and Ali Zaidi. The meanings and example sentences are our own, not taken from model answers or dictionaries.

12 words

Writing Task 2 vocabulary

Formal and neutral items that suit an essay. They work in Speaking too.

renewable energy
Energy from sources that do not run out, such as wind and sunlight.
Renewable energy, such as wind and solar power, produces very little carbon dioxide once installed.
fossil fuels
Coal, oil and gas, formed from ancient plants and animals.
Most countries still depend heavily on fossil fuels for electricity.
energy consumption
The amount of energy used.
Household energy consumption peaks during the winter months.
nuclear power
Electricity produced from nuclear reactions.
Nuclear power is low-carbon but raises concerns about waste and safety.
energy efficiency
Using less energy to do the same job.
Improving energy efficiency in buildings is one of the cheapest ways to cut emissions.
the national grid
The network that carries electricity across a country.
New wind farms must be connected to the national grid.
energy security
A reliable supply of energy at an affordable price.
Energy security became a priority in Europe after gas supplies were disrupted.
carbon emissions
Carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere.
Coal-fired power stations are a major source of carbon emissions.
alternative energy sources
Sources of energy other than fossil fuels.
Governments subsidise alternative energy sources to speed up the transition.
phase out
To stop using something gradually.
Several countries have pledged to phase out coal power.
power shortages
Periods when there is not enough electricity.
Power shortages can halt factory production for days.
solar panels
Panels that turn sunlight into electricity.
Falling prices have made solar panels affordable for many households.

Use energy vocabulary in a Task 2 essay

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10 phrases

Speaking vocabulary

Natural spoken English for Parts 1 to 3. Items noted as informal or as an idiom belong in Speaking only, never in Task 2.

a power cut
A time when the electricity supply stops.
We had a power cut last night, so I used my phone as a torch.
British; American English says 'power outage'.
the electricity bill
The amount you must pay for the electricity you use.
Our electricity bill nearly doubled last winter.
switch off
To turn off a light or machine.
I always switch off the lights when I leave a room.
on standby
Switched off but still using a little power.
Lots of people leave their TV on standby all night.
run out of battery
To have no charge left in a device.
I hate it when I run out of battery on a long journey.
charge
To put electricity into a battery.
I charge my laptop overnight.
energy-saving
Designed to use less energy.
We replaced all our bulbs with energy-saving ones.
turn the heating on
To start the system that heats a home.
We try not to turn the heating on until November.
British English.
air conditioning
A system that cools the air in a building.
I can't sleep without air conditioning in summer.
waste energy
To use energy without need.
I think we waste energy by heating rooms nobody is using.

Writing Task 2

Use it in an answer

The use of nuclear energy is controversial. Do its advantages outweigh its disadvantages?

Nuclear power has one major advantage: it generates large amounts of electricity with very low carbon emissions, and unlike wind or solar it does not depend on the weather, which supports energy security. Its disadvantages are serious, however. Plants are expensive and slow to build, accidents are rare but severe, and radioactive waste must be stored safely for thousands of years. In my view, the advantages outweigh these drawbacks only as part of a mix in which renewable energy grows quickly and fossil fuels are phased out.

Written by our authors to show the vocabulary in use; not an official IELTS sample.

Lexical Resource

How examiners judge this vocabulary

Vocabulary is scored as Lexical Resource, one quarter of your Writing and Speaking marks. At the higher bands the public IELTS band descriptors for Speaking mention “less common and idiomatic vocabulary”, together with awareness of style and collocation. In practice that means the right item in the right register: ‘renewable energy’ in an essay, ‘a power cut’ when you speak. Accuracy comes first; a misused advanced word costs more than a plain one used well.

Practise in context

Energy questions to practise

Frequently asked questions

Power, energy or electricity: which word should I use?+

'Energy' is the general term ('renewable energy'). 'Electricity' is one form of it ('the electricity bill'). 'Power' often means electricity supply ('a power cut', 'nuclear power'). Use the fixed phrases as they are.

Do I need technical knowledge for energy essays?+

No. Examiners want clear reasoning and accurate vocabulary, not engineering. Cost, reliability, pollution and safety are enough to build a strong argument.

Can I use the Speaking phrases in Writing Task 2?+

Not the informal ones. Phrasal verbs and idioms sound natural in Speaking but are too casual for an essay, and Task 2 should have no contractions. Everything in the Writing list works in both papers.

Will learning these words raise my IELTS band?+

Not on their own, and no word list guarantees a band. Lexical Resource rewards vocabulary used precisely and naturally, so five items you can use correctly are worth more than twenty forced into an answer. Learn each one with its example, then write or say a sentence of your own.

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IELTS vocabulary for energy