public sector
noun
PUB-lik SEK-ter 🔊
Government
Band 7+
The part of the economy controlled or funded by the government, such as schools and hospitals.
Public sector workers such as nurses often earn less than similar private sector staff.
Synonyms
state sector government sector Collocations
public sector workers public sector jobs in the public sector IELTS tip: Useful when contrasting with 'the private sector' in work and spending essays.
ritual
noun
RICH-oo-ul 🔊
Culture
Band 7+
A set of actions always done in the same way, often as part of a ceremony or daily habit.
Sharing a meal every Sunday is an important family ritual for us.
Synonyms
Collocations
religious ritual daily ritual ancient ritual IELTS tip: Works for both cultural ceremonies and personal routines in Speaking.
seasoned
adjective
SEE-zund 🔊
Travel
Band 8+
Having a lot of experience of something.
Even seasoned travellers can find the city's chaotic traffic overwhelming.
Synonyms
experienced veteran practised Collocations
seasoned traveller seasoned professional seasoned campaigner IELTS tip: 'Seasoned traveller' is a very natural collocation for travel topics.
break the law
phrase
BRAYK thuh LAW 🔊
Crime
Band 6+
To do something that is illegal.
People who break the law repeatedly should face stricter penalties.
Synonyms
offend violate the law commit an offence Collocations
break the law repeatedly never break the law caught breaking the law IELTS tip: Basic but essential; avoid 'break the rule of law', which means something else.
in-depth
adjective
IN-DEPTH 🔊
Media
Band 7+
Detailed and thorough.
Quality newspapers offer in-depth analysis that short online posts cannot provide.
Synonyms
detailed thorough comprehensive Collocations
in-depth analysis in-depth report in-depth coverage IELTS tip: Useful for comparing traditional journalism with social media.
