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#LR8

Awkward or inappropriate word choice

Lexical Resource · IELTS Writing Task 2

A word can be spelled correctly, grammatically correct, and even roughly the right meaning — and still be the wrong choice, because it doesn't fit the register or carries the wrong connotation for the sentence. "Guys" instead of "individuals", "cheap" instead of "inexpensive", "notorious" where you meant "renowned". Our mainframes flag this as #LR8 whenever a word choice clashes with its context, and in IELTS Writing Task 2 it counts against Lexical Resource every single time.

Each item shows, in parentheses, a word that's too casual, too dramatic, or carries the wrong charge for its context. Type the word that actually fits.

Exam result

Step 1 Read the sentence aloud in your head as if a stranger examiner were reading it.
Step 2 Ask: is this word too casual, too dramatic, or does it carry an unwanted charge here?
Step 3 Swap it for the plain, neutral, formal word that says exactly the same thing.

In your next essay, reread it as if presenting to someone who's never met you — and watch this error's count drop in your writing passport.

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