In the left column are the words that are quite common or the candidate uses incorrect semantics. In the right column are the words you should use when taking the IELTS test to get a high score.
| Quite common | Should use | Example |
| Long history | Time-honoured | My home town is well known for its time-honoured buildings. |
| Big place | Spacious/roomy | The garden near my house is pretty spacious. |
| Near water | Waterfront | It is my dream to live in a waterfront villa. |
| Quiet | Serene and tranquil | At such a serene and tranquil place, I may find inner peace. |
| Cold, hot | Freezing/chilly, stuffy | The climate in my home town is typical of northern Vietnam, which is stuffy during summer and freezing during winter. |
| Comfortable | Comfy/cosy/homey | I prefer watching movies at home since it is comfy. |
| Flower | Blossom | This garden is enclosed by blossoms. |
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